"I just don't get it."

Dawn was slow to awake this morning. She could hear the sounds of the city around her and the whispered words of her daughter - of whom, it seems, was not looking for a response.

"I mean," the girl continues, "mom has to be out of her mind to think I'd miss this. And anyway, I can't just let her go out on her own. I mean, to go see a contest is one thing, but to train to be in one? Nuh uh."

"Pip!"

That was unexpected. Oddly enough, Dawn thought to herself, the tone Cordy help spoke less of missing out on excitement and more of a worry that did not fit for a girl her age.

"I mean."

Dawn strained her ears to be sure to hear all her child had to say. If invaded Cordelia's privacy, yes, bit it also saddened dawn that this could not be brought to her attention.

"I heard mom and dad arguing. About me, I think. And dad said he wasn't going to be able to come back until the Grand Festival before, and I would have definitely stayed with Grandma Johanna, not that I wanted to miss the tournament - which was awesome by the way - but I couldn't leave her alone.

"And now…"

The girl paused and Dawn held her breath.

"I heard her crying about it to Grandma Johanna. About us and having to do it all again and I don't think…I don't think it's all that bad but I can't let her go on her own. It's too dangerous.

"And anyway," the eyeroll was noticeable even though her eyes closed, "How can she battle without her number one fan, right Piplup?"

"Plup!"

The two climbed into the bed with Dawn, giving her the chance to focus and an excuse to act as though she was waking. She rolled over, smothering the giggling child with tickles and kisses. Finally she let up, the two gasping for breath.

"I love you, ya know."

Cordy nodded and Dawn brushed back her hair.

"Now, up with you. We've got a few things to talk about if you're taking this trip with me."

"Mom. I already know. Stay on the path," she counted on her hands, "Keep the pokephone free at all times, stay in sight of you or Piplup and if I see a pokemon, don't run unless it comes first."

True as those words were, things would be a whole lot trickier this time around and Dawn told her daughter so.

"How?"

"Well," the other replied, prepping for the day ahead, "It's been a few years since any of my pokemon have been in an active battle while others, I'm sure, have not put it aside for as long as I. I mean, if I hadn't …"

"If you didn't have me you mean."

The two locked eyes in the mirror and Dawn stiffened her stance, shaking her head.

"Not true. You were the best thing that happened to me."

"It is true. I know how much you liked traveling and competing and you had to stop because of me."

"No! I stopped because I had an opportunity of a lifetime to study pokemon fashion and eventually I moved a way for awhile. Once I won Sinnoh's Grand Festival I decided to retire and put more focus into a greater adventure. Raising you."

Cordy blushed, not used to the emotions pouring from her mother.

"But," she started again, "my invitation came not from my battle experience. While my name is known my invite is due to knowing too many people are known for much more."

"Not true."

"Is too," Dawn cut in quickly, "And because of that many of my pokemon are also out of shape. The performances we still do is well and good but we need to also get battle ready again. Fastest way is to battle in the wild, taking side routes through forests and caves - more dangerous than the direct routes that are heavy patrolled for those traveling with unlicensed companions like you."

She poked the young one.

"So the rules will be stricter, yes, but," Dawn began to dig in her bads and she could hear the bed shifting as Cordy attempted to look in as well.

"Close your eyes."

"B-"

"Eyes. Closed. Now."

When she was sure the young girl was no longer peeking, she turned, placing to items on the bed before her.

"Okay."

Cordy peeked, one eye at a time.

"Oh, Arceus, you've got to be…"

Before her were two items, the first a pokedex and the second a pokeball.

"The pokemon is one that me and your grandmother was training, and it WAS supposed to be a gift for you after your first gym badge or contest ribbon. But, after a lot of paperwork and promises, I was able to give this to you."

Cordy jumped, nearly tackling her mother over.

"It's temporary," Dawn laughed, "Just long enough to get from here to the contests and only for your own protection. You wont be able to catch any pokemon or have any trainer battles until your ten and you can register officially. And it'll be alot harder than a starter pokemon, so I'll be taking it back once this thing is done."

"But-"

"Just," she reached for the ball, "for a little while.

"Now," she passed it over, "Go ahead and see."

Cordy pressed against the white release button gently, listening to the soft beep as the ball enlarged the opened, freeing the pokemon from within.

"Ursa."