Hi again! Here's the next chapter! Not much to update really, apart from X AND Y BEING AWESOME! Anyways, here's Ch. 22 of Champions!

Thanks for reading,

Court

Chapter 22

Snow

Snowpoint City had, in a matter of days, gone from the small town it was to the biggest tourist attraction of the year. The hotels were booked and the pokémon center was full with coordinators and spectators who got to the snow covered town before the big rush. However, despite the gigantic influx of people, the atmosphere of Snowpoint hadn't changed a bit. It snowed every night and every morning the peaceful air was disturbed by the children who ran outside and began building snowmen, having snowball fights or training their pokémon in the fresh new blanket of snow. The day wore on and the children returned home to steaming cups of hot cocoa and chicken noodle soup, fresh off the burner. The town returned to the calmness it has overnight as a few stray couples wander the streets, hand in hand, enjoying the quiet peacefulness of the town. The days wore on, the snow melting slowly in the bright sun before the storm clouds once again come and block the warm sun, bringing another blizzard to the ski town. The blizzard forces the most of the visitors inside with its gusting winds and stinging snowflakes as the snow piles up on the ground. Most of the people in Snowpoint hunker down with their pokémon and pass the time by calling their friends and playing cards as snow piled up outside. Most, but not all.

A grumbling man slogs his way through a foot of fresh snow, slowly making his way to the Snowpoint Resort and Spa where his friends awaited his return. He was wearing a large Swanna down jacket with an oddly shaped bulge at his stomach that housed a shivering Pikachu. His head down and buried in a hand-knit scarf, he didn't notice another figure who was making its way to the heavy wooden door that lead into the lobby of the resort. He bumped into the figure as they reached for the handle at the same time. The figure pulled away and Ash opened the door and waved the shorter figure through, holding the door open. The figure hurried through and as Ash closed the door behind him, the person stomped their feet to get the snow off and unwrapped the scarf from around their neck. Ash unzipped his jacket and Pikachu jumped out and ran over to the fireplace where a group of pokémon sat around, warming themselves. He made his way over and sat next to Dawn's Buneary, who smiled and leaned her head on the small yellow Pokémon's shoulder. Ash smiled and turned to the figure who had removed her heavy coat and scarf and was trying to straighten out her brown hair. When she noticed him looking at her, she smiled at him.

"Hi! Thanks for holding the door!"

He smiled back.

"Of course. Why were you outside at a time like this? If you don't mind me asking."

"I just arrived in town. My friend is the Kalos region ambassador for the upcoming Champions Court. She's being introduced at the Wallace Cup in a few days. Her 'boss', Ash Ketchum said-" Ash pulled off his scarf and hat and the girl froze. She stared at him in disbelief.

"So you're one of Serena's guests, then. I'm guessing Shauna because you're the only girl apart from Serena."

He held a hand out and smiled.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ash as you seem to have noticed. I'll show you to your room that you're sharing with Serena. You can change and stuff and join us at the lounge when you're done."

He pulled out a radio and spoke into it quickly.

"Hey Serena, Shauna is here... Yeah, that'd be great... Okay see you soon and don't forget to bring her down to the lounge when she's settled, we need to do introductions."

He brought the radio down and looked at the excited brunette.

"Serena will show you to your room. I think your luggage is here already, so... that's a thing, I suppose." They collapsed into an extremely awkward silence when they heard approaching footsteps. Serena walked up and the two best friends squealed and hugged each other and ran off to their room, waving a quick goodbye to the champion who was still standing awkwardly in the lobby. He heard softer footsteps behind him and a warm body pressed up against him, burying its face in his back. He let out a small sigh of comfort and maneuvered so he was facing his girlfriend who had brought him close with her surprisingly strong hug. She spoke, the sound making his chest vibrate slightly.

"I think Buneary and Pikachu like each other."

Ash chuckled as he glanced over to the fireplace and their two pokémon who were snuggled together. Dawn twisted in his arms so she had an arm around his waist and Ash had his arm laying across her shoulders. They stood, arm in arm, watching their pokémon as they slept in front of the roaring fire.

"Hey Dawn? I've been thinking, a lot. Do you think you want kids?"

For the first time since the night they returned to Pallet Town, an awkward silence hung between the two.

"I... I never really thought about it, cause you know, we were fifteen and I really focused up after you left to keep myself from missing you so much."

She looked up at Ash and he smiled.

"What about you? I never really pegged you as a kids kinda guy."

"Yeah... Me neither, but when I met parents on my travels I couldn't help but notice how happy they were with their lives and... I want that. With you."

He turned his head again and locked eyes with her. She noticed a small tear had formed in his left eye, despite his small smile that she absolutely loved. She opened her mouth to respond when Serena ran out of the lounge and into the lobby, chased by Iris who seemed to be rather drunk. All of the previous topics were forgotten as the Dragon Master chased the Ambassador around while Axew and a small, yellow pokémon watched from the doorway, laughing at their trainers' antics.

"Woah, what's that pokémon?" Ash tapped a few buttons on his smartphone. A computerized voice echoed out of the speakers.

"Fennekin, the fox pokémon. Fennekin munches on a twig in place of a snack and intimidates opponents by blowing hot air out of its ears."

"Cool! So that's a Kalos pokémon?" Dawn ran over to the doorway and greeted the small fire type, petting its head.

The two girls ran past Ash, who grabbed Iris before she could snare the fleeing blonde and beat her to a pulp. She clawed Ash's face, leaving bright red lines on his cheeks while he held her tight.

"Iris, what are you doing? Why are you chasing Serena?" Ash almost yelled into her ear. Serena noticed that she was safer now and she walked over to the two.

"Apparently, I was hitting on Cilan too much for her liking. I mean, it's not like they're dating, is it? Plus she's had a bit to much to drink tonight."

Iris elbowed Ash in the stomach, causing him to double over, trying to get his breath back. She rushed at the Kalos native again and Cilan came out of nowhere, stopping the purple haired dragon master from hitting Serena.

"Iris! Stop!" She crashed into him, bringing him to the ground. Serena's face went red as she ran to check on him. Shauna ran out of the lounge, tailed by May, Drew, Trip and the rest of the judges for the next Court who had all heard the massive crash of Cilan and Iris on the lobby floor. Misty walked up and helped Iris up off of the ground and escorted her to her room, calling out "I'll take care of her" to the group while Brock did the same with Cilan and Shauna with Serena, leaving Ash, Dawn, May, Drew, Tracey, Leona, and Lyra confused about what just happened after Trip chased after Misty and Iris to help cheer her up. The went back into the lounge and the guys played pool while the girls sat around and talked about the various things that they'd been doing when they weren't judging compititions and awarding tickets to the winners. Occasionally, an outbreak from the other group made the others look over at them, such as when Tracey won a game without even letting Ash have a try or when Dawn told the girls about the conversation she had with Ash before Serena and Iris interrupted it. May spat out the drink of wine she had just taken in a purple cloud of mist that slowly dispersed around her.

"WHAT? He said THAT?!"

Dawn shushed her, glancing at the group of guys who were looking at them confused except for Ash, who, by the looks of it, had correctly guessed what they were talking about. He briefly rolled his eyes at her as if he was saying, so much for keeping it a secret. He looked fine with it though, smiling slightly. May was still talking at her, so she focused back onto what she was saying.

"...that's so romantic! I can't believe that blockhead finally seems to understand romance at all." She yawned widely and Drew walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"We should turn in, it's getting late. 'Night everyone!" Drew picked May up, resting her head in the nook of his neck as she giggled and he carried her out of lounge. At this Leona and Lyra left with Tracey who walked them to their rooms, leaving Ash and Dawn by themselves in the lounge. Ash grabbed an Orange Crush for himself and a Sprite for Dawn and sat down on the couch that Buneary and Pikachu were still snuggled up on in front of the roaring fire while the wind blew outside. He patted the open spot next to him and Dawn plopped down next to him, leaning on his side while he moved his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his protective grip. They sat there for awhile and long after they had finished their sodas, Dawn spoke.

"So I was thinking that I never gave you an answer about having kids." She grinned a quick smile at him. He looked at her apprehensively.

"So... What do you think?"

She lay down, placing her head in his lap.

"Yes."

The last time she saw that big of a smile from him was after their first real kiss.