Guess who's back with a new chapter? I am!

How long has it been since my last update? Two, three weeks? Well, at least it's better than three months, right?

On a side note: I have changed the summary. Same story, same plot, different summary.

Anyway, here's the next chapter!

Chapter Seven: First Steps

After the battle—and after Ash and Dawn realized what they were doing—the four went back to the Pokemon Centre for a well-needed break. Pikachu and Piplup followed close behind.

When they got back, they all decided to call it a day. Ash and Khoury were sharing a room while Lyra and Dawn shared another.

Amongst their conversation, they were talking about past events—their adventures before they met up in Sinnoh. Ash told the most amazing stories. There was one of his memories he tried to recollect, but somehow he just couldn't. Every time he tried to remember that specific event of his life, only snippets came up—like being turned to stone? And something about clone Pokemon? What? He also told Khoury about the time he met Suicune and Celebi.

"And who was this Iron-Masked Marauder?" Khoury asked.

Ash's expression turned dark. Khoury had the feeling Ash rarely talked about the subject, and didn't really want to talk about it in the first place. But for the sake of the story, Ash finally said, "He was a member of Team Rocket."

"And how's that bad?"

Ash shook his head. "No. He's not like the trio we had encountered in Sinnoh. Oh no. He was evil. He was a high ranking member, and way more deadly than Jesse, James, and Meowth combined. He wanted to capture Celebi for reasons unknown. But the worst of it was his Dark Ball."

The way Ash said it . . . it made Khoury's hairs on his arms stand on end. He gulped but managed, "D-dark ball?"

"It's a kind of Poke Ball that brings a Pokemon's power to its max. And the bad part was that the Pokemon loses all consciousness and obeys without any regrets or hesitation. It's a horrible device that robs the Pokemon of its freedom. I've never seen anything like it."

Khoury gulped. "I—I don't know what to say. That sounds pretty scary."

After the talk about the Iron-Masked Marauder, Ash continued his story: how the Marauder had managed to capture Celebi with a Dark Ball. How his plan almost succeeded. And how Suicune came and helped the heroes. It was a lot to process, but Khoury understood the main events and details. Although he wasn't actually there, after hearing the story, he sort of felt he was right there, right next Ash and Sam.

"Wow, Ash, I never knew your life was so interesting," Khoury complimented. "I mean the best experience I probably ever had was when Lyra and I saw Ho-Oh flying across the sky."

Ash smiled. "Thanks, Khoury. I remember my encounter with Ho-Oh. It was at the very start of my journey."

Khoury blinked. "Y-you saw Ho-Oh, too? And here I thought I had experienced something you hadn't."

They both laughed. Sometimes, to release some of the pressure that was put on you, you just gotta laugh. After their small laughing fit, Ash said, "I'm sure you and Lyra will have amazing journeys ahead of you."

There they stood, in the departure room of the airport, although there were no air planes; just blimps. They knew crying was unnecessary, but for goodbyes that were maybe, actually forever, the four couldn't help but sniffle a little, and get a bit teary-eyed. A wave of uneasiness settled within the group. They knew it wasn't a goodbye forever, but given the current circumstances, and the world 'turning to ash', they had the right to feel nervous—especially Ash. He was the Chosen One after all; he couldn't just fail. The world was ending who-knows-when, and the prophecy was weighing down on him more than he was letting on—a burden unlike anything Ash had ever witnessed. It was like holding up the sky—no one was willing to carry on the burden, but someone had to. And who knows how long he was able to carry it.

"I guess this is goodbye," Ash said, a bit distracted, still thinking about the prophecy. From the evil raiding the regions of the Pokemon world, to the world turning to ashes . . . well, it didn't bode well with Ash—or the world for that matter.

"I guess so," Lyra said back. "And good luck. I know you'll be the one to save the world."

"Yeah," Ash said. His voice was hollow, like he didn't, and couldn't, believe all that he was hearing.

"And be careful," Khoury added. "There's no telling where you'll end up, and how dangerous things can get."

"No need to worry!" Dawn said.

Ash sighed. "Dawn, you know that's when I worry the most. I'm serious, I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."

Lyra and Khoury smirked. Pikachu and Piplup joined in. The four looked at each other. Smooth move, Ash, they all seemed to be thinking.

"Really?" Dawn asked. "Do you really mean that?"

"I, uh, mean . . ." Ash stammered, a blush threatening to rise. "What I mean is . . . what I'm trying to say is . . . is that if something happened to you, things wouldn't be the same. Yeah, that's it."

Right, Lyra thought. Yeah, that's definitely it.

"Oh," Dawn said, a little disappointment in her voice. "Okay."

"Cheer up guys," Lyra said, trying to change the subject, hoping it would release the tension that was just created. "It's not like this is the last time we'll see each other, right?"

Ash perked up. "Lyra's right. There will be more times ahead of us, right Dawn?"

Dawn perked up a bit, too. "I guess you're right, Ash."

"Oh, and Dane," Lyra said, hinting for Dawn to inch closer to her. She led her someplace away from Khoury and Ash, but not far away enough to be out of sight from them.

"What is it, Lyra?" Dawn asked.

Lyra looked to her left, then to her right, like she didn't want anyone to listen to what she was about to say. Then she smirked, a wicked gleam in her eyes. Dawn nervously stepped back, scared for what could happen next.

Lyra then winked at Dawn.

"What's taking them so long?" Ash asked. "What could they be talking about? Dawn and I are about to leave for Sinnoh."

"Calm down Ash," Khoury said. "I'm sure they'll be here any minute."

"I guess you're right, Khoury," Ash said.

"One thing's bothering me, though," Khoury said.

"What is it?"

"It's how you apparently saved the world before," Khoury mused. "I heard you talking aboit it briefly when we were at the Pokemon Centre, but I didn't really get to hear the full story. What I know is that you were the Chosen One, but that's about it."

"Where did you hear that?" Ash asked.

"Well, for starters, I heard Nurse Joy talking something about 'the Chosen One'. Well, to be honest, it's really the only thing I've heard anyone in Shamouti Island say. They have been talking about it since you got here."

"Maybe I can help," an unknown female voice said.

The two boys, Pikachu and Piplup, turned to the owner of the voice. There stood a figure only recognized by Ash and Pikachu. Smiles were perched on their lips.

"Well, well, if it isn't Melody!" Ash exclaimed.

"Pika pika!" Ash's yellow mouse Pokemon added.

Melody looked the same as when Ash was here last: dressing in casual attire consisting of a pink tank top and jeans. "The Chosen One has returned, I see."

Khoury blinked. "You two know each other?"

Melody stepped forward, nodding her head at Khoury's question. "I see you've made some friends since you left."

Ash laughed. "Of course I have. I have friends other than Misty and Tracey, you know."

At that moment, Lyra and Dawn walked back to the group, only now noticing Melody. A pang of jealousy was felt by Dawn. "And who is this friend of yours, Ash?"

Ash gulped, afraid of what might happen to him. He felt as if he were defusing a bomb: only one way of approaching it; any other way will result in an explosion. He said his next words carefully, still scared of the possible disaster. "Um, hey guys, this is Melody."

"Melody," Ash continued, pointing to the brunette, "This is Lyra."

"Nice to meet you, Melody," Lyra said. She extended a hand for Melody to she shake, in which she did.

"And the same goes for me, too," Melody said.

"And Melody," Ash said, "this is Dawn—"

"Your girlfriend, right?" Melody asked.

Ash and Dawn's eyes immediately widened, bewildered at the sudden statement. Ash was then frantically waving his hands saying, "No, you've got it wrong. Dawn isn't my girlfriend! She's just my friend; nothing more, nothing less."

Melody raised an eyebrow. "Really?" Her voice clearly said, Are you kidding me? She looked at Lyra and they began a silent exchange. It went something like:

Melody: Are they serious?

Lyra: I know, I know. They're not really fooling anybody. Dawn likes Ash, and vise versa.

Melody: If they do like each other, then why aren't they together yet?

Lyra: Ash is dense.

Melody: Of course.

"Um, Melody?" Ash interrupted.

"Oh, right," Melody said nonchalantly. Then she smirked as an invisible light bulb shone above her head. "Well, since you and Dawn aren't dating then, I guess I'll give you your 'traditional welcome kiss'."

Without any interruptions, or hesitations, Melody proceeded in kissing Ash right on the cheek—the same way way she did the last time Ash was here. That made Dawn pretty much angry with rage. When the kiss ended, Ash blushed and Melody looked over at Dawn, wondering what her reaction would be.

Everyone—including Melody, and excluding Ash—seemed to notice Dawn's jealousy. Her hands were clenched, her breathing heavy. Even Ash failed to notice the death glare Dawn was giving Melody.

"Why are you all red, Dawn?" Ash asked, getting over his blush.

It was true. Dawn's face was as red as the top half of a Poke Ball. It was probably due to anger, but when Ash asked that question, it might've been a blush, too.

Melody smirked. "Dawn, you're not jealous, are you?"

A crimson shade of red now covered Dawn's cheeks. "O-of course not! W-why would you say something like that?"

No one—or Pokemon—bought it. Who wouldn't? Even Dawn didn't buy what she had just said. Well, there's everyone, and there's Ash.

"Say what?" Ash asked.

Everyone sighed. Dawn said, "Just forget it, Ash."

Khoury stepped in. "I hate to interrupt, but Melody, weren't you about to tell us the whole 'Chosen One' thing with us?"

"Right," Melody said.

"Huh?" Dawn said. "What 'Chosen One' thing?"

Ash answered, "Remember what I said when we arrived here Dawn? About me being the Chosen One? And remember when I suddenly recited the last Shamouti Island Prophecy? It's about that."

"Oh."

Melody began, "Well, it all started . . ."

And thus Melody told them the story. Ash stepped in once in a while to clear some things up, but basically Melody remembered every detail that happened.

"Why didn't you tell me this before, Ash?" Dawn asked.

"Like I said before, it happened when I was eleven years old," Ash said. "That was four years ago. I guess it just slipped my mind."

"Any other things that just 'slipped your mind'?" Dawn asked.

Ash started counting his fingers. "Well, there was that one encounter with Entei. Oh and then there was that one time with Celebi and Suicune."

Khoury shuddered, remembering what Ash had told him. Lyra noticed, so she asked, "What is it, Khoury?"

"It's nothing, Lyra," Khoury responded. "It's just that Ash told me the story with Celebi and Suicune and I guess it was a little scary."

"Oh."

Dawn wasn't listening. She glanced at the floor. She felt like she didn't know Ash anymore. It seemed like there was a whole other side to Ash that Dawn didn't even realize. She felt that Ash didn't trust her. Why did Ash keep all those amazing stories from her? When she had said "No need to worry" and Ash commented that he 'didn't know what he would do if something happened to her' . . . Dawn knew Ash was hiding something, and she didn't really like it. It wasn't like Ash to keep secrets, right?

When Ash was done recollecting his adventures, he noticed Dawn staring at the floor. "What's the matter, Dawn? Why are you crying?"

Dawn didn't know what he was talking about. That was until she felt tears streaming down her face. "It's—it's nothing. I'll meet you inside the blimp. It's about to take off; we should be in it."

With that she walked toward the blimp, ticket in hand, and a tear fell from her cheek to the floor. She quickly wiped her eyes, hoping more wouldn't fall. Luckily, none did. Ash just stared at her, a depressed expression written on his face. What did he do to make Dawn sad like that?

Melody felt it was her fault, that she was partially to blame for this. Just by looking at the two of them, one could figure out that a strong bond held Ash and Dawn together—Melody was no exception when she looked at them. She just wanted to see Dawn's reaction when Melody kissed Ash—and her suspicions were confirmed: Dawn loved Ash. And by the looks of things, Ash loved her back.

Melody placed a hand on Ash's shoulder. "Ash, go after her. Talk to her, make her feel better. I read the new prophecy myself, and it doesn't look good. From what I understand, you are needed again, but you'll need help. I am certain that Dawn is the one destined to help you. And I think you need her as much as she needs you."

Lyra stepped in and added, "I agree with Melody. Go on, Ash."

"You're right," Ash said. "I will. Besides, I kinda have to."

After that he took off, Pikachu and Piplup following close behind. Within the next few moments, Ash disappeared through the corridor connecting the blimp to the airport.

Lyra whispered to Melody, "I'm guessing he didn't hear your last sentence—the one about Dawn needing Ash and Ash needing Dawn."

Melody smiled and turned to Lyra. "He's dense. He'll figure it out eventually. Or hopefully."

She then turned towards Ash's direction, a clenched fist over her heart. "And let's hope he'll save the world." A tear fell from her eyes, and yet she still smiled. "No, he will save the world. He's the Chosen One, after all. He'll rise and fight this evil that will soon plague the Pokemon world."

Khoury was so silent it didn't look like Lyra noticed he was still there. That was until he said, "We should go now, Lyra. I'm sure you're ready to go to Trovita Island and get your Spike Shell Badge."

Khoury began walking, Lyra beside him, ready to face any challenge that they will soon face. But they knew those challenges would be a walk in the park considering what Ash is going to do.

Melody stayed there, another tear streaming on her cheek. She stared at the corridor Ash just went through. "I sure hope Dawn knows how lucky she is. And I definitely hope Ash knows how lucky he is. Good luck, hero."

The interior of the blimp was nothing like he imagined. Ash figured it was a single room with chairs lined up in rows all facing a top-to-bottom window. What he saw was nothing like that.

The inside of the blimp was very elaborate and decorative. Hallways were on either side and in front of him. Sleeping quarters to his left, a dining hall down his right, and he saw a battlefield down the hallway in front of him. Seeing this, Ash wondered if he accidentally walked into the wrong blimp. Fortunately, he was in the correct one.

He walked through the countless corridors, hoping he would find Dawn. But it was like a maze. Everywhere he turned, he would walk into another corridor. It looked bigger than what he oringinally thought, but he was just lost and was walking in circles. Pikachu and Piplup were tired of getting lost. Finally, by luck, he saw Dawn standing and looking through the glass. Through the glass one could see everything: the open waters, Pokemon soaring through the air. Dawn had her arms crossed, and she looked tense. He guessed they were in the room at the very front because through the glass he could see outside.

While Ash was looking for Dawn, he didn't see very many people. He thought either they were all in the dining room or something, or that there weren't a lot to begin with. He guessed the latter. The place looked really expensive. Being the winner of the Sinnoh League pays well, he guessed.

Ash approached Dawn cautiously. He didn't want her to be mad at him anymore than she already is. Though, it appeared she hadn't noticed him yet. Still, what he didn't get was why she's mad at him. He gulped, preparing himself for the worst.

"Uh, Dawn?" Ash started. His tone was soft and gentle. "How are ya?"

During her time alone, Dawn realized it was pointless to try to hint what she had felt for him during their adventures through the Sinnoh Region. She also realized it was pointless to try and stay mad at him. She couldn't stay mad at him, even though she wasn't exactly sure why she was mad at him in the first place. Nonetheless, she wasn't mad anymore.

When Dawn heard the gentleness of his voice, she relaxed a bit. Hearing his voice was comforting enough. She sighed and turned around. "Hey, Ash."

Ash was expecting an all-out lecture from her. He was dead wrong. And he was glad for it.

"Are you all right?" Ash asked. "When I saw the redness of your face earlier, and the tears . . . well, I thought you were mad at me."

"I'm not mad at you, Ash," Dawn said. "I could never be mad at you. Sure, we fight. But friends fight, right?"

"I guess," Ash said. "I'm sorry either way. I don't like it when we fight."

"I don't like it either," Dawn said, tears streaming down her face once more. But they were more of joy than of sorrow. "Is there any way we could just forget any of it ever happened?"

"I already did," Ash said, his voice taking a more happy tone. "But why are you crying?"

Ash stepped closer to Dawn. He wiped a tear from her eyes with his finger. He then held her in a tight embrace. "Please don't cry."

Dawn put her head on his chest. She liked it when they were like this: Ash softly caressing her back, the sense of calm she felt whenever they hugged, the feeling like it was just right to be hugging him. She noticed they were doing it more lately. But she didn't mind.

When Ash let go he said, "Maybe we should get some rest. I know I'm tired."

Dawn nodded. She, too, was tired. She hadn't slept a lot the last few days. And she was hoping today was when she would sleep soundly, without any troubles.

They started through the hallways once more. Left and right they turned, but they seemed to be lost. Ash kept leading the way in hopes they could find the room in which they were going to sleep in. Well that explains why they were lost.

By some luck, and the fact that Dawn had a map of the whole blimp, they reached their room. But when they opened the door, they saw that there was only one bed. Dawn blushed.

Ash yawned. "Well, it looks like I'll be sleeping on the floor."

"No, wait!" Dawn said abruptly.

Pikachu and Piplup were smirking. They looked at each other knowingly.

"What is it, Dawn?" Ash asked.

The shade of red from earlier returned to her face. "I, uh, was wondering if you would, um, share the bed w-with me?"

"Why?" Ash asked, being as clueless as to what Dawn was hinting at. "It's fine. I can sleep on the floor."

Dawn's mind was going a million miles an hour. She didn't want Ash to know the reason as to why she would want him to share the bed. "It—it's just that the floor looks hard, and I think it would be uncomfortable," she lied. "And besides, the bed's big enough for the both of us."

Dawn thought he wouldn't fall for it. Who would? To her surprise, he said, "Well, I guess so."

Dawn's heart leaped. And unbeknownst to her, Ash's did the same thing.

Ash laid on the bed, and within seconds, he was snoring. Dawn smiled at the sight. He looks cute when he's sleeping, Dawn thought.

Dawn lay beside Ash, who was still happily snoring. It took her a little longer than Ash to fall asleep, but when she did, her last thought was: Is Lyra right?

And there you have it. If you guys are wondering what Lyra said to Dawn, stay tuned!

If you guys didn't get the thing about "carrying the sky", don't worry about it. It was an allusion to Greek mythology, and I just had to put it in because it felt right for me. If I make an allusion, it will probably be about Greek mythology. Why? 'Cuz I love Greek mythology.

So, what do you guys think? Love it? Hate it? And if there are any mistakes, please tell me in a review. I would love to know how to make this the best story I can.

This will probably be my last update in a little while. I'll try to squeeze in another updates, but I can't make any promises. Stupid final exams. It kinda sucks being in grade 10, with it being a big year for me. In addition to the final exams, I have provincial exams, which are longer than the finals. 3 hours to be exact. So you can see that I have to study for them.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

Sincerely,

~Lux