"So, what have you been doing the past seven years?" Dawn said as she and Ash came to a halt once they reached the ocean once more, looking at Ash with her head tilted in curiosity, "Training" Ash simply stated as he looked away from Dawn and out over the ocean, making Dawn frown softly at his cut-throat answer, "All seven years? You've been training none-stop the whole time?" Ash nodded sharply in confirmation, making Dawn suddenly smile.
"Could i see your pokemon? I imagine there a lot tougher since you've been training none-stop..." Ash nodded slightly as he looked down at his belt fondly, "They are a lot stronger - so am i" He stated, reaching for his first poke'ball, "I'll show you them one at a time - i haven't took them out in over a day so they will need to stretch anyway." Dawn nodded as she watched Ash release his first pokemon, her eyes turning to hearts as she laid her eyes on his Litten.
"Oh my...He's so cute!" Dawn exclaimed as she knelt down in front of the cat-like pokemon, pulling out her pokedex to scan the pokemon, "Hey there little guy...My name is Dawn" Dawn introduced herself to Litten as she pocketed her pokedex and looked at the black/red pokemon. Litten flicked his tail as he looked at Dawn, looking up at Ash questionably, who nodded softly, "It's okay Litten, she's...an old friend" Ash spoke slowly and unsure, watching as Litten nodded, taking a step closer to Dawn and sniffing her outstretched hand before smiling and nuzzling against her hand.
Dawn cooed softly as she stroked the cat pokemon gently, "I'm guessing this little guy is one of your newer pokemon?" Ash nodded silently as he watched the two interact with an impressed look on his face - Although he hadn't had much time with Litten, he knew the fire type pokemon was very wary of other people besides himself. So he was impressed that he and Dawn were getting along so well.
Once Dawn had finished fussing Litten, she stood back up, waiting for Ash to release his next pokemon, "I've shown you one of my pokemon - show me one of yours" Ash suddenly stated, making Dawn blink and shrug softly, "Okay...?" She spoke slowly as she reached for her belt and released her first pokemon. Her ever so trusty Piplup.
"Piplup!" The small penguin pokemon announced as he appeared from his poke'ball, shaking his head after being inside the ball for so long. Looking down at the penguin pokemon, Ash gave a small smile as he looked at the familiar pokemon, "So...you still won't evolve huh?" Piplup blinked and looked at Ash in confusion whilst shaking his head. Suddenly, Piplup's eyes went wide as he laid eyes on Pikachu, "Piplup? Pip-Piplup!" He exclaimed as he ran over to Ash and hugged his leg.
Ash let a small chuckle out as he knelt down and petted the water pokemon's head gently, "It has been a long time Piplup...your looking well" Hearing Ash's praise made the small pokemon stop his hug and puff his chest up proudly, "Still as cocky as ever i see. Not a bad thing thought - it looks like Dawn has trained you well."
"I have...How can you tell?" Dawn spoke up as she watched with a smile as her starter pokemon and her true-love interacted, "There are many ways to tell if a pokemon is well trained" Ash started as he stood up, watching as Piplup fell in line with Dawn, "Like what?" Dawn asked inquisitively, watching as Ash let a small smile ghost over his lips as he delved into the knowledge he had acquired over the seven years of training.
"Things like your pokemon see-able muscle and the condition of their coats are an indication of their strength" Ash started to explain as he continued to look at Piplup, "Your Piplup has fairly large muscles considering he is still a un-evolved pokemon, plus his coat is extremely shiny, indicating he has been pampered or trained to a high degree"
Dawn looked at Piplup, actually noticing the things that Ash was pointing out - it was true! Piplup's small arms were more muscular than she remembered, and his coat WAS considerably shiny, "That's amazing! Where did you learn all that stuff?" Dawn said as she looked back at Ash, who's smile faded, turning into a small frown, "Seven years alone with your pokemon allowed me to gain knowledge" Dawn blinked but nodded.
Ash looked away from Dawn and towards the sky, which was beginning to fill with grey clouds, "We will have to head back - it's going to rain soon" Ash stated, making Dawn look at the sky, nodding in agreement when she noticed the dark clouds, "Probably a good idea.." She agreed as Ash began walking back towards the camp site, Dawn following closely behind him, stopping for a second when she swore she heard rustling, "I must be imagining things..." She thought as she shook her head, quickly running to catch up to Ash, who didn't hear anything.
"Hmm.." Max mumbled from his place in the bush as he watched Dawn and Ash interact, "How much longer do i need to hide before he will forgive me?" He continued to mumble, watching as Ash and Dawn began walking away, shifting and accidentally standing on a twig, making him hold his breath as Dawn turned towards his hiding spot.
Luckily for him, Dawn didn't investigate and continued on with Ash. Letting out his held breath, Max slowly and quietly began to follow the duo back towards the camp, being careful not to gain any attention.