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You're The Reason
by: Season Of Magic
{-}
It had been announced that the last three days of Luxury Cruise would be without stops until it reached its final destination at Lake Valor.
The cruise's last stop in Hoenn happened to be May's hometown and she took the opportunity to go visit her mother and father at the gym.
Since they had nothing to do in town everyone else agreed to stay inside the cruise looking around.
Even Max stayed behind with the excuse being that he wanted to spend time with professor Oak to talk more about research he had previously done about extinct Pokemon.
Ash, Dawn and Drew were the only ones whom seemed to want to go with her and May, not wanting to spend the night alone with Drew agreed wholeheartedly.
That had been yesterday night and today on the fourth day Dawn, May, Mitari, Melody, and Jesse had all braved the cold weather and spent the morning sprawled out in a chair on the second floor deck.
With blankets wrapped around them, drinking hot chocolate and talking amongst each other Bianca, Zoey and Misty also joined them. They however had been sitting on the wooden floor and leaning on each other as pillows.
"I don't know how you girls can sit on the floor like that," Dawn stated as she drank her hot chocolate. "it must be freezing and so uncomfortable."
"They could just sit in one of the chairs." Jesse stated as she pointed to all the chairs available.
"Yeah I mean what if the boat speeds up again? You'll all end up flying to the other side." May said.
"Oh that sounds like fun!" Bianca said clapping her hands.
"It's official," Melody said as she glanced Bianca's way. "either the weather is affecting her brain or the poor girl was dropped as a baby."
Bianca could only stare in confusion. "I was?" she asked curiously. "Oh yeah I was! The stork dropped me off at my parents."
"Just give it up," Mitari retorted back. "it's a lost case with her."
"I'd appreciate it if you don't talk about my girl like that Mitari." Cheren said as he and Ash, Drew, and Kenny came up to them.
"I'm just stating the obvious." Mitari answered back.
"And you call yourself her best friend," Cheren scoffed. "yeah right."
"I never said I was." Mitari said shrugging. "We just grew up together nothing more, nothing less."
"Okay, okay we get the point. Don't start an argument so early in the morning." Misty said.
"He/she started it!" both Mitari and Cheren said together.
"If you all don't mind I'm trying to read here." Jesse said as she pointed to a magazine in her hand she was flipping through.
"Is that the new issue of Coordinator's Monthly?" Dawn asked curiously.
"Yeah. I got it last night after dinner." and when she said that Dawn, May, Zoey, Misty, Kenny and Drew were instantly at her side, trying to peek at the magazine.
"I can only guess who's credit card she used." James stated sulking.
Jesse sighed. "Okay fine I'll start over again," she said as she flipped back to the beginning page, showing the cover for a bit. "but just this once!"
"Hey Dee-Dee you're in the cover." Kenny said amusedly.
"It's a nice picture Dawn, they really caught your eyes." Zoey said.
"I would have been the perfect choice for the cover," Drew stated flipping his hair. "let's face it I have the looks, brains and talent. What does Dawn have that I don't?"
"You'll be without looks or brains once I'm done with you if you don't shut up." May said.
"Aside from the beauty, brain and talent? Let's see...Dawn has personality, she's a nice person, her mother was (and still is) top coordinator and her skills obviously surpass yours" Melody replied to Drew.
Ash held up another magazine titled Teen Trainers Monthly.
"Dawn's in the cover of this magazine too. There's an article about her as well."
"I am?" and she groaned. "oh great just what I need even more publicity."
"Your sixteenth birthday is coming up and you're an icon in both the coordinator and trainer world alike," Melody pointed out. "there's no way the paparazzi will miss an opportunity like this."
May placed a hand on her best friend's shoulder. "If it counts they say really good things about you," she said with a smile. Dawn glanced up confusedly and May shrugged. "I might have read the magazine at my father's gym yesterday." she replied sheepishly.
Dawn went from nearly sulking to grinning. "Oh yeah, how'd that go?"
"Horrible! I can't believe you ditched me to go touring with Ash! I was stuck with Drew for like the whole entire day." she said pointing accusingly fingers at her. "You deserted your best friend in her time of need. How could you!"
Drew laughed. "Oh come on May dearest don't be like that," he said with a flip of his hair. "if it counts I had a wonderful time. Your mother and father are delightful people."
May glared daggers at him. "If Drew were to accidentally slip and fall off the deck, can we leave him to drown?"
Max chuckled. "It's impossible something like that would happen May. This is not the Titanic."
May sighed in defeat and Drew could only stare at her. "Do you want to get rid of me that badly?" he asked.
"It's only logical. We are rivals."
"I thought we got past that. We went on a date."
"I got blackmailed into going on a date with you," she stated. "so technically that was not a date."
Dawn could see the hurt in Drew's eyes. "May don't you think you're being a bit harsh?" she said softly.
May crossed her arms. "If I recall correctly you were the one who got me into the mess in the first place," she replied. "so no."
"Right. Of course," Dawn said mumbling. "always blame the best friend who only wants to help."
"If that's what you call helping I don't know what you'd call a disaster."
Dawn sighed. "You know you're right. I wouldn't know what I'd call a disaster." and she went to grab her things. "The one thing I do know is that you are being inconsiderate and a very bad friend. I'm out of here."
Seeing Dawn running out in tears broke Ash's heart. He turned towards May and he glared at her. "She was only trying to make you happy and this is how you repay her? You are cruel May." and he too ran out and went after Dawn.
The second floor got quiet. The tension could be sliced through with a knife and there would still be enough left to power up the whole boat.
Slowly everyone started heading out, trying their best to avoid the situation at hand.
The paradise vacation had to end sometime and on the fourth day, it was precisely what happened.
{-}
"Dawn come on open up it's me." Ash had been knocking at Dawn's cabin door for the past hour but so far, nothing.
"She's still not opening the door?" Kenny asked as he and Zoey walked up to him.
Ash sighed. "Absolutely nothing."
"She must be really upset. She hardly ever does that." Zoey said and she knocked on the door. "Dawn? Come on open up it's me Zoey."
"No. Go away. Leave me alone!"
"We're not leaving Dawn. Sure you and May got into an argument it's only natural. Even the best of friends do at times."
"Yeah Dee Dee don't you remember back in fourth grade when I took the juice box from you and you put worms on my lunch the next day? We were mad at each other for over a week but we got over it."
"Not helping Kenny!" Zoey said as she hit him in the head.
The door was heard unlocking and Dawn poked her head out. "I appreciate your efforts, honestly I do but..." she started to say and tears fell from her eyes again."I don't feel so good so please just leave me alone."
Before she could close the door on them Ash stuck one of his legs out and pushed his way inside. "We're not leaving you alone," he said with his arms crossed. "especially not me."
Dawn sighed and sat down in a chair. "Do as you wish," she said. "just know that I'm not going to talk to you."
Ash smirked. "You're talking right now."
"After this I won't."
"You're still talking" Kenny stated.
"Ugh! What do you want from me!"
"For you to stop this silliness." Zoey said. "You and May got into an argument. Get over it."
"I can't. She is my best friend and I hate that she's mad at me." Dawn was closer to more sobs and tears now. "I hate it even more that she's right and it's all my fault."
"Dawn it's not your fault. You were just trying to help her out" Ash said.
"Yeah by trying to set her up with someone she clearly hates."
"Okay you and me both know that's not true." Zoey responded back.
Dawn sighed and wiped away her tears. "Let's face it Zoey she hates Drew as much as Drew hates her. There's nothing we can do about it."
"I agree with Zoey in this. That's not true and you know it," Ash retorted back. "I had to spend three days in a cabin with Drew so believe me when I say that idiot is madly in love with May."
"Don't you still share a cabin with May?" Kenny asked curiously. Dawn nodded and he smirked. "There has to be something you've seen that proves she loves him then."
Dawn shook her head. "Nothing..."
Ash clapped his hands. "I've got just thing!" and he went into detail about the day when he came to pick up Dawn for lunch and Drew came as well. May was blushing when Drew handed her one of his many roses and asked for her to join him for lunch.
"Now that you mention it I have seen a few roses in top of her dresser." Dawn stated.
"Those must be the flowers he's given her while they've been on the cruise. If she kept them it's a clear sign she likes him!" Zoey responded back.
"Or wants to do some kind of magic to them to cause him harm." Kenny said and Zoey hit him in the arm. "Ow what the hell Zoey? What's with all the abuse today? That hurt." he added rubbing his arm.
"Why are you even here if you're not going to help?" she said as she glared at him.
Kenny shrugged. "I wanted to cheer up Dee-Dee."
"You're not doing that much a good job you imbecile."
"Well I'm sorry that I'm not good at helping people out! I panic at times okay!"
Dawn shook her head. "You two bicker more than a married couple."
Leading Dawn to the couch Ash nodded and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer to him. "Maybe we should focus on setting those two up instead of May and Drew" he whispered to her.
Dawn sighed and hit him lightly. "Playing matchmaker is the reason I'm in this mess in the first place. I'm through with it."
"Oh come on Dawn you can't give up! I need my partner in crime for this."
"When have I ever been your partner in crime?"
Ash scratched his head. "Good point," and then he smirked. "but that doesn't matter for now. Come on let me take you out for a bit."
"I don't want to go out."
"Would you rather stay here when May decides to come back?"
Dawn sighed. "Point taken." and she glanced his way. "Do you think I can bunk with you tonight?"
"Nothing would make me happier but..."
"Her mom would murder you if she finds out?" Zoey stated.
"You'll be dead before the sun even rises?" Kenny piped in.
Ash groaned. "Not helping!"
Zoey, Kenny and Dawn laughed.
"I can sleep over if you want," Zoey offered. "It'll be like the old times before contests."
Dawn sighed in relief. "Would you?"
Zoey grinned and nodded. "Why would I have said so if I wasn't going to do it," and she dragged Dawn to the bathroom. "now go get ready you're going out with Ash!"
Ash pretended to sigh and placed a hand in his forehand as if he was in agony. "Oh great the only way I get to go on a date with my girlfriend is if she's forced to go by one of her friends."
Dawn stuck her tongue out. "Love you too!" she said walking out from her room where she had gone to get her towel.
"Sure you do..."
As she ran to the bathroom Dawn just blew him a kiss and laughed.
{-}
"Mitari are you okay?" Cheren asked as he went inside the restaurant and walked up to the teen sitting down by herself.
"Never better." she uttered out.
"Doesn't look that way." he said as he took a seat next to her.
"What makes you say that?"
"The way you're mutilating your food." he pointed out as he took the fork from her hand and placed the plate away from her. "Are you sure you're fine?"
She sighed. "Yes Cheren. I'm fine. Don't you have something else to do with your life? Like oh I don't know; Go annoy your girlfriend perhaps?" and she grabbed the fork, took the plate and began poking the fries again.
Cheren sighed as well and told a waiter to take the plate and fork away before the girl comitted suicide to the poor fries. "You're still upset about me and Bianca." he noted as he finished ordering two smoothies and food.
She laughed. "Me? Upset? You're clearly delusional."
"Am I?" he retorted back. "Says the girl who killed her favorite food."
"I wasn't hungry."
Cheren wanted to facepalm himself. When Mitari wanted to be impossible, there was no stopping her.
The same waiter stopped by and placed down the two milkshakes he had brought with him. "Is the banana/strawberry one yours or your beautiful girlfriend?"
"Hers." Cheren said pointing to Mitari.
The waiter nodded and placed it near Mitari. "Is there anything else you want besides the spaghetti?" he asked as he placed the banana/mango smoothie near Cheren, he also added a basket of breadsticks in the middle of the table.
"A cheeseburger please."
"Spaghetti and a cheeseburger coming right up. Enjoy your drinks."
"Thank you." Cheren and Mitari said together.
"You're not going to drink your smoothie?" he said as he saw that Mitari did not move even one inch from the chair.
"No. I told you I wasn't hungry."
"I thought you might be thirsty."
"I'm not hungry and I'm not thirsty all I want is to be left alone," and there was silence once again until she added "why didn't you correct him?"
"Huh?"
"The waiter you idiot. He called me your girlfriend. Last time I checked I'm not Bianca."
"But you are a girl and you are my friend." was his only response.
Mitari scoffed, grabbed one of the breadsticks from the basket and threw it at him. She then stood up, took her shake, opened it up and dropped it in top of his head. "You are despicable and I never want to talk to you again!" she said as she walked out the restaurant.
Cheren could only stare mouth agape. "W-what!" he uttered ot and then stood up running after her. "Mitari wait up!"
"Leave me the hell alone!"
Cheren was running after Mitari when he collided with Bianca. "Cheren, why did Mitari run past me looking pissed off?" then she glanced at his hair that was now beginning to drip the shake down to his clothes. "and why do you look like a fruit smoothie got blended right into you?"
"Sorry Bianca can't talk right now. I have to go get cleaned up." and then a lightbulb appeared in his head. "Say Bianca do you think you can..."
{-}
To say that May was in a foul mood was putting it lightly.
She had yelled, and possibly even offended her best friend.
What kind of person does that?
She was feeling despicable and mad at herself.
Just because she hates Drew doesn't mean she has to take it out on her friend.
Ash had been right when he had called her cruel. Only a cruel person would get upset with their best friend over something as stupid as trying to set them up with someone.
Staring at the sky that was beginning to look the same way she felt, she sighed and gripped the railing tighter.
"It looks like a storm is coming." a guy said as he stood next to her and stared out to the ocean.
"What do you want?" May said not even glancing his way. She didn't need to do so to know who the voice belonged to. "If you're here to scream at me at how much a bad friend I am then spare yourself the drama because I know so already."
"So Hoenn's princess is capable of showing emotions," the guy said amazed. "that's a new one."
"Can it Drew I'm not in the mood for your jokes."
"Oh really? What will you do if I don't?" he challenged her.
"We're here alone, with no witness around," she challenged back. "I can throw you out the boat and no one would suspect a thing."
"Au contraire my cute little butterfly, your conscience would never leave you alone."
"Try me" she countered back.
"I don't have to challenge you to something I know you wouldn't do."
Her hands left the railing and she pushed him to the side. "Stop talking as if you know me!"
He smirked. "As your rival you'd think I would by now huh?" then he glanced her way and stepped closer to her. "Then again I don't really want to be your rival."
May took a step back, he'd go one step closer. It was turning into a kind of Tom and Jerry chase.
"Newsflash for you nature boy all we are is rivals so get used to it."
"After six years of this you'd think I would finally believe it huh?" he stated. "Sorry to burst your bubble May dearest but no." and he once again smirked as he stepped closer to her, this time grabbing her by the arm and he snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
"Get the hell away from me!" she said as she squirmed and tried to get out his grasp, making him pull her tighter and closer to his chest.
"I'm not letting you go," he whispered in her ear. "not this time and not ever again."
May sighed and stopped squirming long enough to get one of her pokeballs from the pouch. "Come on out Beautifly." she called out and Drew could only stare wondering what she was trying to do.
The butterfly Pokemon came out the poke ball flying in a swift and elegant pose. She stared between her master and Drew confusedly.
"Beautifly, sleep powder." she commanded.
"You do know if that hits us we'll both fall asleep right?" he said as he tried to jump out the way but seeing as to he was holding May too it was kind of hard to do. Somehow he managed to though.
May sighed. "Didn't think that one through." she mumbled. "Beautifly, return!"
Drew smirked and sighed in relief. "Look I know you claim to hate me but you could at least give me a chance," he said. "tell me, when I have I ever done anything to purposely hurt you?"
"Not that I could think of." she mumbled to herself but Drew heard her.
"See? I know I have been a jerk sometimes but hey that's what we do."
"You do know your statement contradicts anything I said before right?"
"Just tell me one thing May," he said as he let her go. "do you really hate me as much as you claim? If you do, I'm willing to stop. I'll stop chasing after you, why chase after someone who doesn't love me back?"
May could only stare at him. He looked so broken, and again, it was all her fault.
She sat in one of the deck chairs and stared at him. "I don't really hate you," she mumbled. "I guess I'm just afraid that since you're more popular than me you'll leave me for someone else later."
Drew sat next to her. "Okay, sure I may be popular like you claim but if there's anyone I should thank for getting me that far it's you. If it weren't for you being right there every single time I'm in a contest, I wouldn't even be where I am. I always want to prove myself to you which is why I tend to do my best." he scooted over closer to her and grabbed her hand, intertwining it with his. "And you miss May, have nothing to worry about. You are Hoenn's princess after all."
May was close to sobs now. "I won't always be Hoenn's princess. There could be someone out there better than me."
"Even if there were someone better than you-not saying there is, you'd still be my princess no matter what. Do you honestly think I'd let these few years go to waste? Not a chance." and he squeezed her hand. "Now come on, you've got to find your bestie and reconcile with her."
May hit him in the arm. "Never use the term bestie again. It doesn't suit you at all." then she unhooked her hand from his and gave him a hug. "Thanks. I really needed that speech." and she stood up and gave him a peck in the cheek.
He blushed and she smirked faking a gasp. "So Hoenn's prince is capable of emotions," she placed her hands near her heart pretending to faint. "who knew?" and she laughed again and winked as she ran off to the elevator.
"Only for you May," he murmured to himself. "only for you."
{-)
How Cheren had managed to coax Bianca into lending him her card to the cabin Mitari did not know.
What she did know however, is that he was in the cabin she shared with the clueless girl she called her best friend.
"You're back already?" she asked glancing up from the television screen when she heard the door unlocking, thinking it was Bianca but instantly threw one of the pillows when she saw it was just Cheren. "What are you doing here?"
Cheren quickly ducked and closed the door in time to avoid the pillow hitting him. "Can't you stop your hostility for even ten minutes so we can talk like civil people?" he asked as he placed the pillow back into one of the couches.
He noted that the cabin was a two bedroom, one bathroom place with a living room. The living room was painted light cream and had a table, a big red couch and two smaller ones, four chairs and the balcony to the right.
Mitari scoffed and crossed her arms. "I'm not being hostile. I'm just pissed off." Cheren grabbed the control and turned off the television. "Hey I was watching that!"
Cheren smirked as he threw the control to the floor and sat down in the couch next to her. "Oops. My bad."
"There is such a thing as personal space and you're invading mines" she said pushing him out the couch, causing him to fall to the floor.
Cheren winced in pain and would have yelled at Mitari but he refrained himself from doing so. Yelling would get him nowhere and he'd most likely get kicked out the cabin altogether.
He sighed and sat down in one of the smaller couches, grabbed the pillow and held it close to him as if it was a shield. "I'm waiting for an apology." he stated after a few minutes of silence.
Mitari stared as if he was going to go crazy any minute. "You're waiting for me to say sorry? You must clearly be delusional because I did nothing wrong."
"Is that so? You don't recall an incident with a fruit smoothie over lunch then?"
Mitari shrugged. "It slipped off my hand. It could happen to anyone."
"Not on purpose like you did. Admit it, you can't stand the fact that me and Bianca are together," and he smirked. "you're so jealous it's making you crazy."
Mitari laughed. "You must clearly be joking. Me jealous because you and Bianca are together?" and she kept laughing. "That's the most absurd thing I've heard in a while. Whooo good one Cheren."
"So you're not jealous?" and she shook her head. "Even one bit?" she shook her head again and threw him another one of the pillows which he blocked with his own.
"I think you might really be delusional because jealousy is the farthest thing from my mind." and she grinned. "Did you want me to be jealous?"
Now Cheren threw his pillow at her. "Are you insinuating I'm using my girlfriend to get to you? Gosh Mitari you really are worthy of a psychiatric clinic."
Mitari shrugged. "Let's face it. Bianca isn't the smartest pea in the pod."
Cheren once again threw her a pillow. "She may not be the smartest but she makes up for it in kindness, beauty and generosity."
Mitari sighed in relief. "So do you have a brain and two eyes after all."
"W-what?"
"Look, at times we might not get along but Bianca is my friend and despite what you may think, I don't want anything to happen to her."
"So all this time you weren't jealous? You're just looking out after her?" and Mitari nodded. "Wait. I still don't get it."
"What is there not to get?" Mitari said impatiently. "You know what I take away what I said before about you having a brain. You clearly lack one."
"No it's nothing like that. What I mean to say is I don't get what all the fuzz this morning was about then when Melody insulted Bianca and you just kept adding insults."
"I so wasn't. Look I agree that Bianca isn't the smartest pea in the pod and she may be in her own little world at times and I respect that," Mitari said. "it's just that at times it drives me insane that she acts that way because deep down I know she's not that crazy."
"But it's still evident you were insulting her along with Melody, you did nothing to stop her."
Mitari shrugged. "Sometimes my brain lacks cells and I speak without thinking."
"So you don't do it on purpose then?"
"No!" Mitari crossed her arms again. "I wouldn't talk badly about my best friend on purpose. Bianca has her moments but she is my bestie."
Cheren just stared at her, not knowing what to say. "Well, okay then. Glad to know we got this settled."
Mitari stood up from the couch. "Was that all?" she said as she went to get the remote control.
"Yeah thanks. I feel much better knowing you're not really out to get her."
Mitari resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "We grew up together why would I be out to get her now? I could have done so back when we all were five." and she stood up and dragged Cheren to the door. "Now if that's all you wanted I suggest you get out the cabin before I kick you out myself." she said as she turned the television on.
Cheren could only stare dumbfounded but smiled nonetheless. Maybe things would get back to normal now. "You know Mitari, things aren't going to change between us just because me and Bianca are dating," he stated from the door. "we'll always be the same group we were before."
Mitari was too engrossed with the television to hear him. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I wish you the best of luck, you make such a cute couple yadda, yadda, yadda," she said waving her hands and shooing him away. "now get out or get kicked out this show is getting good."
When she wanted to be, Mitari was as random as Bianca and that, he truly feared.
Cheren laughed and walked out the cabin before Mitari threw him a pillow in anger, or worse, she really would kick him out.
{-}
For their date Ash had decided to take Dawn shopping so they went and explored the cruise ship to see what they could find.
So far Dawn had spotted a spa, a beauty center and a dance studio.
"Can we go in there?" she said pointing to Bewitched, a store selling charms.
Ash groaned. "Dawn you know I can't dance." he replied back.
"I'm not talking about the dance studio silly," she said giggling as she pointed to the store across from the dance studio. "I'm talking about the store that sells charms."
Ash sighed in relief and looked where she was pointing. "Oh well okay then." and he let himself get dragged to the store.
The store was not very big. It was probably about the size of a middle class cabin but Dawn could tell that the items displayed throughout the store made up the lack of space.
The charms were very detailed and precise. Some were cheap in price, but elegant nonetheless.
After waving to an elderly woman that looked to be in her seventies and was in the cash register Dawn went right away to the area that held charms like the ones Ash had gotten for her.
Those were the most pricey ones but she did not want her bracelet to look weird.
Yeah, she had gone to the store to find charms for her bracelet.
"I've never seen this Pokemon before." Dawn stated lifting up a charm. "What is it?" she asked Ash curiously.
"Victini. The victory Pokémon." Ash replied.
"Wow really? This little charm brings Victory?" Dawn asked amazed and Ash nodded. "That's so cool."
"Are you going to take it?"
Dawn thought about it for a second. "It wouldn't hurt, a little victory could come in handy for the Wallace cup," she said as she held onto the charm. "I'll get something for you too."
Ash blushed at the gesture. "We're not here to get something for me." he reminded her.
"It wouldn't hurt though," she said as she browsed over the cases. "what kind of charm do you want?" she asked him curiously.
"If you insist on me getting something anything you choose is fine." he said
"There has to be something you want," she said as she pointed to a few charms. "Muncinno? Eevee? Mr. Mime?"
Ash laughed. "Those sound like something Bianca, Gary and my mother would like." he said and he took a Jirachi one. "Let's take this one too I'm pretty sure its for luck and it would work great along with victory."
Dawn resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Jirachi is a wish granting Pokemon. Luck has nothing to do with it"
"You'd be pretty lucky to get a wish granted by Jirachi." Ash pointed out.
Dawn laughed. "Fine I'll give you credit there." and she took the Jirachi from Ash. "Okay so far we have victory and luck. Anything else?"
Ash shook his head. "I don't think so."
Dawn agreed and they walked over to the register placing the two charms in the counter.
"Victini and Jirachi eh? You have good taste," the woman pointed out. "those two are not only legendary, but they're the strongest out of the bunch."
Ash grinned. "A little victory and luck never hurt anyone."
"Ash how many times do I have to tell you that Jirachi is a wish granting Pokemon?"
The elderly woman laughed. "Young lady, Jirachi could also be considered the luck Pokemon. Many witnesses have said that when they have been in the presence of the legendary Pokemon many good things have come their way," and then she glanced at Dawn "but enough about old tales. Your total adds up to four hundred poke coins."
Dawn nodded and took out her wallet at the same time that Ash had taken out his. Ash took Dawn's wallet away from her saying that he'd take care of everything.
"But I wanted to pay." she said crossing her arms in annoyance.
"You are one weird girl," Ash said as he handed the money to the old lady. "I insist on paying and you get upset. Most girls would be happy that their boyfriend is paying for them."
The woman couldn't help but laugh at the couple in front of her. "Bewitched is having a special where if you buy an item you get a keychain free but since you bought one of our most expensive charms I'll triple it. You can choose six key chains so go ahead sweetie" and she passed the case holding the key chains to Dawn.
"Woah cool can I take the Pikachu?" Ash said as he reached for the Pikachu keychain but the old woman swatted his hand away.
"It's your girlfriend's choice not yours."
Dawn laughed and took the Pikachu. "Here just take it," she said as she passed it to him. "I know you want it."
Ash hugged her. "Thanks Dawn, you're the best"
Dawn ignored him and kept looking to see what over five key chains she was going to pick.
In the end she chose a Celebi, two glameows a Prinplup and a Mr. Mime.
While the woman placed the key chains in a bag Ash took Dawn's bracelet and placed the two charms in it. "Now you have luck and victory in your side." he said when he was done.
"No fair. I was going to give you Jirachi." Dawn said as they walked out the store.
"I already have this," Ash said as he waved the Pikachu keychain around. "and besides with you I have all the luck I need and more."
Dawn blushed and Ash grinned. He took her hand in his and together they began walking again.
"See anywhere you want to go?" Dawn asked. "It's only fair that you get a turn to shop for something."
Ash thought about it. He still had to get a birthday present for her but of course he was completely clueless as to what. He had already given her the bracelet so what else could he give her? He instantly noted the jewelry store and grinned, there had to be something there.
The question was; how was he going to get away from her for at least fifteen minutes?
Ash placed his free hand in his hair and chuckled. "Not really. Honestly I'm not that good at shopping for things so I'll just go wherever you drag me. As long as it's not too girly I'd go anywhere"
Dawn gave Ash the bag she was holding and unhooked her hand from his. "Well I have to go to the bathroom so you'll just have to wait out here for me"
"What, I can't go with you?" he teased her. "You're a big girl now?"
Dawn hit him in the arm. "Stop with the jokes. I'll be right back and when I return we can get something to eat if you want"
He nodded and waited until she was out of sight. He ran to the jewelry store he had seen and entered the place gasping for air.
"Can I help you sir?" a woman that seemed in her early thirties asked him. "Oh my Arceus, you're Ash Ketchum!"
"Yeah I'm pretty sure that's my name" he replied grinning.
"You're my daughter's idol," she uttered out. "can I get an autograph for her?"
"Sure," he responded. "after you help me find something for my girlfriend."
"Oh right of course. Anything in particular you're looking for?"
"Well that's the thing I have no clue because the present I was going to give her ended up at her wrist a little earlier than planned."
"Ah I see. Well look around and let me know if you find something you like."
"Like I stated before I'm completely clueless so a little help please?"
"Alright I suppose I can help you but seriously you have to help me as well. There has to be something you have in mind."
Ash thought about it for a bit and there was something he had been thinking about. "I have just the thing." he voiced out loud his idea and the woman nodded.
"I can work with that." she said leading him to one of the cases and once he picked what he thought was perfect she handed him a card so he could write what he wanted to have engraved in it.
His phone rang and Ash picked it up looking concerned. He talked for a bit and told Dawn where he was and hanged up. "Um yeah I need more of your help. My girlfriend is coming to pick me up so can you pretend I was looking for a gift for my mother? In fact just hand me that necklace over there."
She gasped. "Your total is already over three thousand poke coins, with that necklace it'll come up to over six"
Ash shrugged like it was nothing. "Don't worry about that." he said as Dawn came into the store.
"There you are." she said as she walked up to him. "What are you doing here?" she asked curiously.
"I'm getting something for my mom. Do you think she'll like this necklace?" he said lifting it up to show her.
Dawn nodded. "Yeah it's pretty. You should totally get it."
Ash grinned and flipped over the card and began writing something else down. He handed the card, money and necklace to the woman.
"When can I come pick this up?" he said as he took an empty card and a pen. "What's your daughter's name?"
The woman was trying hard not to squeal. "I guess you can come by tomorrow in the night and it's Marissa."
Ash nodded and wrote Marissa, thanks for being a fan. Keep being awesome and signed his name.
He passed the card towards her but she stopped him and looked at Dawn.
"Is it too much to ask for your autograph as well? She's a big fan of yours too."
Dawn blushed but nodded. "Thanks and it's no problem." she said taking the pen and writing down the same thing Ash wrote she signed her name.
Dawn waved goodbye and Ash did too but said he'd stop by tomorrow to pick up what he left being engraved.
Dawn checked her Pokétch. "It's close to dinner time," she said when they sat in a bench. "let's just go to the restaurant and eat dinner."
"Yeah I guess you're right."
"Alright it's settled," she said as she stood up and dragged him towards the restaurant. "Let's go!"
"Dawn did you perhaps eat candy today or something?" he yelled out as he ran to catch up to the teen. "You're quite hyper."
Dawn shrugged. "I'm just hungry," she replied back. "so hurry up!"
Ash sighed. "I'm going, I'm going" he uttered out.