Unrevealed Affection

Ash's POV:

I can't get rid of that image of her in my head. How sad, rueful and upset she looked when I went with Lyra and left her with Khoury. Now, I wish I'd gone with her. Lyra's fun to be around for a joke and everything, but when it comes to serious matters, she's just not the person. I can't even keep count of how many times I've been asked if Dawn and I are in a relationship. It's hard enough to concentrate with a feeling that you could be attacked at any second, I don't need Lyra blabbing on about love.

She's useful though. Her Marill has detected that Gible is hiding underground, so I've sent Monferno off to dig for him. Finally, we're getting somewhere.

Suddenly, the ground below us shakes and rumbles. I turn to Lyra, who's face is reflecting the same emotion as mine - fear. I see Monferno running towards us, a crowd of Diglett and Dugtrio at his heels.

"Run!" I scream, breaking into a sprint. Lyra tries to keep up with my pace. She's pretty fast for a girl but I've seen Dawn run faster. Unfortunately, we're too slow, because the Diglett and Dugtrio sweep us off of our feet and carry us through the cave.

"What's going on?!" I hear a voice that sounds like Dawn's scream. I see Khoury grab Dawn's hand and pull her away so that they don't get carried through the cave like us. Since when did they get so friendly towards each other?

When we pass them, I turn back and find them chasing after us.

"Don't worry, Lyra! We're coming!" Khoury yells. I look at Lyra who's trying desperately to hold on to Marill. Pikachu sits on my head, keeping himself stable by clinging onto my hat. I turn back, keeping my focus on Dawn.

Dawn. My best friend. My ally. My partner. It's been nine months, three weeks and four days since we met. She never left my side. She always made sure I was okay. She never let me go through anything alone. And here, now, she's chasing this populace of Diglett and Dugtrio so that she doesn't lose sight of me.

She stops for a break. She's run at least thirteen meters. The Diglett and Dugtrio, however, increase the speed. Dawn and Khoury subside in the distance. I groan. How will we ever get out if we're going to be carried by these creatures forever? An idea forms in my head. It's worth a shot.

"Quick, Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" I command. Pikachu charges up the Thunderbolt and releases it, electrocuting the Diglett and Dugtrio. Lyra and I land on the floor with a thud.

"I-I thought we were going to die, Ash!" Lyra screams. She wraps her arms around my neck. I immediately push her off.

"Get the hell away from me!" I yell.

"But why?" she asks.

"Look, we got carried around this whole cave by a crowd of Diglett and Dugtrio and all you do is hug me when Pikachu and I saved your ass?!" I yell. She looks hurt. I know I shouldn't have yelled, but the only arms I should feel around me are Dawn's. No one else's apart from my parents'.

"Geez... I-I'm sorry! I didn't realize that the situation caused you that much stress!" Lyra screamed.

"Let's just stop arguing, Lyra. We need to get out of here," I say, calming down.

"I second that. Let's get going,"