Ah, the slings and arrows of love. Deciding to find the person that makes you whole is one thing, actually finding them is quite another. But even in love, you can still meet new people...
Dawn smiled as she slowly walked down the trail. Ever since she had discovered that she was in love with Ash, the person who had made her life better in so many ways, everything was better in her eyes. The sun seemed to shine brighter, the flowers that swayed back and forth in the breeze seemed more cheerful, and overall, everything just seemed better to her.
She sighed happily, loving the feel of the cool wind on her face, the softness of Mamoswine's fur beneath her hands.
A small explosion jerked her out of her revery, and she noticed a plume of smoke rising into the air nearby. She frowned.
"What's that? A battle?"
Piplup blinked his eyes open. "Pip?" He twisted around, noticing the plume of smoke. Jumping to his feet he pointed towards it with his wing. "Pip, piplup!" (Something's going on!)
Dawn nodded. "Yeah, let's go check it out. Come on, Mamoswine." She picked up Piplup, slid down off of Mamoswine's back, and hurried in the direction of the smoke, the big Twin Tusk Pokemon following her.
Rushing through the trees into a small clearing, Dawn's eyes narrowed. Two figures stood on one side. One was a woman with gold hair, pink triangle earrings, elbow length white gloves, thigh length white boots, and a black mini-dress. The other was a man with pale green hair, white gloves, white boots, and a black shirt and pants. In front of the two people were a Sableye and Mightyena.
On the other side of the clearing stood a young boy with dark green, almost black hair, approximately ten years old. He wore a green t-shirt, brown shorts, green shoes, and a yellow backpack. Dark blue eyes glared out from behind his glasses. In front of him stood a small Ralts and a Slakoth.
The gold haired woman laughed. "Look, kid. This is only going to end one way, so why don't you just make it easier on yourself, and just hand over your Pokemon already. That weak Slakoth of yours looks like it's about to close it's eyes for the last time."
The green haired man grinned cruelly. "And that pathetic excuse for a Pokemon that you call a Ralts isn't fairing much better."
It was plain to Dawn's eyes that both adults spoke the truth. The Slakoth's eyes looked droopier than normal, and it swayed back and forth. The Ralts was supporting itself with on arm, shivering.
The boy gritted his teeth. "For the last time, we are not giving up!"
The woman laughed again. "Suit yourself. Mightyena, Take Down!"
The man chuckled. "Sableye, Shadow Ball!"
The Mightyena growled, and it rushed forward. The Sableye put its claws together, and purple, crackling sphere of energy formed between them, which it promptly threw.
The boy stamped his foot. "Slakoth, get out of the way! Ralts, look out!"
The Slakoth wearily raised its eyes, but it was just too tired to move. The Mightyena slammed shoulder first into the Slacker Pokemon, hurling it backwards. The poor Pokemon roughly crashed into the ground, and it was obvious that it was going to be a long time before it was getting back up on its own.
The Ralts did only a little better. It managed to raise itself to its full, if short height, and a blue glow shone from beneath its helmet-like hair. The crackling Shadow Ball that flew towards it became outlined in blue, and slowly began to curve to away. But it was moving too quickly, and shifting too slowly. The powerful orb clipped the Ralts in the shoulder, spinning it like a top. The Feeling Pokemon let out a pitiful cry of pain, and slumped over. It lay on the ground for a couple seconds, then, incredibly, slowly began to push itself up.
The woman grinned. "Well, well. Looks like this one still has some spunk. But that won't be enough. Time to finish this."
Now, there were very few things that got Dawn angry. Typically, they were small, petty things, like when her hair refused to cooperate, or whenever Kenny called her Dee-dee. But nothing got her so worked up as seeing the utter cruelty demonstrated by the two adults, and the fact that she recognized the red R's on their uniforms made her blood boil. She knew exactly who these two people were from the stories that Ash had told her. They were part of Team Rocket. The woman was named Cassidy, and the man...something with a B. Ash could never remember.
She growled under her breath. "Hey! Leave him alone!" Piplup jumped out of her arms, glaring at the duo.
The both Team Rocket members looked over at her in surprise. "Well, look who else has decided to join the party. Beat it, hussy." Cassidy said dismissively.
Dawn glared at them. "My name is Dawn. And you're with Team Rocket, Cassidy and...Ben?"
The man growled and shook his fist at her. "Urrrrrgh, it's Butch! And yeah, we're with Team Rocket. What of it? Why don't you go crying back to your mommy, girly, and leave us to our business."
Dawn and Piplup stepped forward, both Trainer and Pokemon furious. "Like you gave him that choice? I don't think so!" Dawn shouted.
Cassidy merely chuckled, clearly amused. "Or what? You'll fight us with that little thing?" She gestured flippantly at Piplup, who's pride fueled indignation and anger nearly made him blow his head.
Dawn was equally mad. "Piplup is more than strong enough to take care of both of you! And he's not the only one I have!"
Almost right on cue, the ground began shaking, and a tree crashed to the ground behind her. Mamoswine charged into the clearing, skidding to a stop beside Dawn. His eyes immediately took in the situation, and they narrowed when they saw the black clad Team Rocket members. He well remembered Team Rocket from Sinnoh, and seeing them here did little to improve his mood. He started pawing the ground angrily, opened his rather cavernous mouth, and bellowed.
"Mamooooooooo!"
Butch and Cassidy stood there for a moment, slightly surprised by the abrupt entrance of the Twin Tusk Pokemon. Then greed sparked in Cassidy's eyes, and she smiled.
"Well, well. Looks like you might have something worth while for us after all. Come on, hussy. Show us what you got."
Dawn glanced at the boy, who had already returned his Slakoth to his Pokeball, and was cradling the Ralts in his arms, tears in his eyes. Dawn's already flaming resolve sparked hotter. There is no way I am letting these cowards get away with this! "Bring it on, bitch!" she spat.
Both the Mightyena and Sableye stepped up. Piplup and Mamoswine stood opposite them, eagerly waiting to dispense their own brand of justice.
Cassidy moved first. "Mightyena, Take Down!"
"Sableye, Shadow Ball!"
Dawn's brow creased as she concentrated. "Piplup, Bubblebeam, Mamoswine, Ancient Power!"
The Mightyena rushed forward again, growling, while the Sableye threw its violet orb at Piplup. Piplup sucked in a breath, puffed out his chest, and blew a fierce stream of blue bubbles. The Bubblebeam and Shadow Ball intercepted each other, the Ghost type attack briefly holding, then exploding into smoke.
Meanwhile Mamoswine briefly glowed silver, and the glow formed a large bright sphere between his tusks. The sphere suddenly shot forward, colliding with the charging Mightyena, throwing the Bite Pokemon backwards in a blinding flash.
Butch growled. "Sableye, Fury Swipes!"
Cassidy was equally irritated. "Mightyena, use your own Shadow Ball!"
The Bite Pokemon got to its feet and opened its jaws. The crackling Shadow Ball formed between its teeth, and with a snap, the Mightyena fired the ball at Mamoswine. The Sableye ran towards Piplup, baring its sharp claws.
Dawn smiled grimly. "Piplup, Whirlpool! Mamoswine, Hidden Power!"
A cluster of green orbs appeared floating over Mamoswine's tusks. The big Ice type thrust his tusks forward, and the orbs shot towards the Mightyena. Some of the orbs collided with the Shadow Ball, but others flew past, striking the dog-like Pokemon, who howled in pain.
Piplup raised his wings over his head and looked up at the sky. His beak glowed blue, and a large, raging whirlpool formed above him. Turning his furious gaze on the approaching Darkness Pokemon, he swung his wings down and hurled the whirlpool at it.
Butch's eyes widened. "Sableye, dodge it!"
The Darkness Pokemon slide to a stop and began back-peddling frantically, but it had no time to react. The raging whirlpool engulfed it, trapping it in the fiercely spinning tides. The Sableye cried out in pain and panic.
Cassidy gritted her teeth. "Mightyena, use Shadow Ball to break Sableye out!"
Dawn smiled. Now was her chance. "Mamoswine, Ice Armor! Piplup, get on Mamoswine's back!"
Butch laughed as Mightyena's Shadow Ball destroyed the whirlpool, freeing his Pokemon. "Ice Armor? That's not even an attack!"
Dawn glance back at the boy behind her, who was watching anxiously, and winked. "That's right, it's not an attack. It's an appeal."
Mamoswine glared at the two Team Rocket members who had scoffed at it. An angry rumble issued from his throat, and a glittering Ice Shard formed between his tusks. As Piplup jumped up onto his back, using his tusk as a platform, the big Ice type opened his mouth wide, and swallowed the attack.
Butch and Cassidy looked at each other in confusion, something that was shared with their Pokemon. "Uh, did that Mamoswine just eat that Ice Shard?" Cassidy asked.
Dawn's smile grew wider. "Yep."
Mamoswine growled again, and both Team Rocket stared in astonishment and a little apprehension as layers of ice formed in a circle around his back, from which large, glittering spikes grew outwards, with one especially large spike projecting out just above his large eyes. Mamoswine had looked intimidating enough before. Now, clad in armor made literally from ice, he looked like a rather angry tank.
Butch gulped slightly, and both Mightyena and Sableye backed away slightly. Cassidy nervously laughed. "Oooh, very pretty. But you're going to need to do better than just put on a show." She turned her head slightly. "Grab a spine!" she hissed at Butch.
Dawn's smile shifted into a grin. "Oh, it's not just for show. You ever been hit by a six hundred and forty pound battering ram with attitude? It hurts. A lot. But because I'm nice, if you start running now, I won't send you flying."
Butch gave a hollow chuckle. "Oh, we're not going anywhere. We're Team Rocket! We don't run from anyone!"
Dawn sighed. Somehow, she hadn't really been expecting that they would. "Piplup, Peck. Mamoswine, hold him with Hidden Power. Are you sure? Last chance?"
Piplup crawled out onto the lead spike of Mamoswine's Ice Armor, his beak glowing white with red streaks and lengthening. A cluster of green orbs formed between Mamoswine's tusks, which floated upwards and surrounded Piplup in a green glow. The Penguin Pokemon floated upwards slightly, then drifted down past the spike to hover in front of Mamoswine's face. Both Pokemon were tensed, waiting for the command to attack.
Cassidy looked at Butch, who nervously looked at her. Both Mightyena and Sableye looked back at their trainers, clearly hoping that they would take the option and run. Cassidy returned her gaze to Dawn.
"No, I think we'll just crush you here."
Dawn shrugged. "Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you. Mamoswine, Take Down!"
Mamoswine bellowed and charged. A gold light surrounded his body as he thundered towards to now shaking Mightyena and Sableye. However, as the light spread up the spikes of his Ice Armor and touched Piplup's beak, it changed to a deep, angry red color, streaked with black lines. Both Pokemon accelerated forward at a prodigious rate.
Suddenly, Piplup spread his wings outward, and threw himself into a spin. He spun faster and faster, until he was a blur, looking a lot like a drill.
Dawn stared in surprise. She recognized that move. It was further confirmed when the boy behind her stepped up beside her. "That's Drill Peck." He said in a voice that, if it hadn't been so heavy with concern, would have sounded matter-of-fact.
Butch and Cassidy blanched, but credit either courage or stupidity, they stood their ground. "Shadow Ball, now!" they both yelled. Mightyena and Sableye hesitated for only a second, which was reasonable, given the massive three-pronged battering ram with drill attachment bearing down on them. Both Pokemon fired their respective attacks, which exploded against Mamoswine's sides.
It did almost nothing to slow down the rampaging juggernaut that was Mamoswine and Piplup. Honestly, it was doubtful whether anything could. Despite the frantic yelling from their trainers, neither Mightyena nor Sableye did anything to avoid the oncoming combination attack. They were utterly paralyzed with fear.
Needless to say, the attack landed square, striking both Pokemon, but Mamoswine found that it had difficulty slowing down, and to be honest, neither he nor Piplup wanted to. So, they continued on, smashing into the now panicking Butch and Cassidy, launching them and their Pokemon high into the sky. The sounds of their arguing over whose fault it was followed them.
Dawn smiled. Though she could have done without the reminder of the more-often-than-she-would-have-liked attempts by Jessie, James and Meowth to kidnap Pikachu, she was happy that she had come up with a new combination to use in contests, and that Piplup had learned Drill Peck. Her smiled widened as her Pokemon returned to her, Piplup perched proudly on Mamoswine's back as the Ice Armor melted away, and she embraced them both.
"You were amazing, guys. And Piplup, you learned Drill Peck, didn't you."
Piplup puffed his chest out further, if possible. "Pip lup." (Yes, yes I did.)
She smiled at his heavily inflated ego, then a thought occurred to her and she turned worriedly towards the boy. "I'm sorry, are you okay? Are your Pokemon hurt badly?"
The boy looked down sadly at the Ralts cradled in his arms. Tiny flashes of light marked his falling tears. "I, I couldn't do anything to stop them. Ralts couldn't do anything except try to deflect their attacks, and she couldn't protect both of them for long. We couldn't do anything against that Sableye."
Dawn frowned sadly, kneeling as she gently placed her hand on the boy's arm. "I know. She fought really hard. I've never seen anyone so brave. Come on, let's take them both to a Pokemon Center, so that they can get some rest."
The boy shook his head. "There isn't a Pokemon Center for the next three miles. I, I don't know what to do." His voice broke. "I wish May, or Brock, or Ash were here. They'd know what to do."
Dawn sat back on her heels in surprise. "How do you know Ash and Brock?"
The boy looked up at her, his eyes tearing up rather badly. "My sister and I traveled with them for almost two years. Why? How do you know them?"
Dawn looked hard into his face, trying to figure out why he looked familiar to her. Suddenly it hit her. "You're Max, May's little brother!"
Max frowned. "How do you know my sister?"
Dawn smiled. "I competed against her in the Wallace Cup at Lake Valor. I started my journey from my hometown in Sinnoh with Ash and Brock."
Max looked at her in confusion, then his eyes widened. "Wait, you're that Dawn? The Dawn who beat my sister?"
Dawn nodded. "Mm-hmm. That's me. This is my partner Piplup, and Mamoswine. And you are Max, May's genius little brother, who knows absolutely everything. You must have started your journey not too long ago, did you?"
Max straightened up a little, and Dawn smiled inwardly. Men and their egos. "Yeah, I'm Max. Three weeks ago. And this is my partner, Ralts." His eyes suddenly fell, and he looked worriedly down at the weak Psychic Pokemon, who whimpered softly.
Dawn smiled sympathetically. "Well, since your Pokemon obviously need rest, why don't you stay with me for a while, at least until we find a Pokemon Center. Brock taught me a little about taking care of injured Pokemon, although I'm not as good as him." She tentatively reached her hand forward to feel the Ralts' forehead, but the small Feeling Pokemon curled up tighter, pressing her head into Max's chest.
Max sniffled slightly, and held his partner closer. "Sorry. Ralts don't do well in battles, since they can feel all the emotions going on."
Dawn nodded, and a thought occurred to her. "Don't Ralts get strength from happy emotions?"
Max nodded. She smiled and pulled two Pokeballs from her waist. "Well, I don't know anyone more happy or more gentle than these Pokemon. Pachirisu, Togekiss, come on out!" She tossed the Pokeballs into the air.
Both balls split in half, and twin flashes of white light filled the air. One flash curved down to the ground, then condensed into the small shape of Pachirisu, who promptly started dancing in joy. The second burst of light hovered in the air, forming the large, gentle body of Togekiss, who circled the group once, then landed next to Pachirisu to calm him down.
Max stared with wide eyes. "Whoa, you've got a Togekiss? Those are really rare."
Dawn smiled happily. She looked at Ralts in concern, and saw to her relief that it looked slightly better, responding to the gentle kindness of Togekiss and the hyperactive energy of Pachirisu. It even managed to lift its head and peer over Max's arm at the newcomers.
"Hmm. Let me see..." She pulled out a small box from her backpack, and Pachirisu froze. His eyes grew wide, and he immediately jumped onto her leg, sniffing eagerly.
Max looked at her curiously. "What's in there?"
Dawn smiled slyly. "I don't suppose that you or Ralts have ever had a Poffin, have you?" she asked as she opened one of the drawers on the box. Pachirisu started chattering excitedly, and the Ralts tilted its head back, its red eyes peering out from beneath the helmet-like hair.
Max shook his head. "No, but I've heard of them. They're like Pokeblocks, right?"
Dawn nodded as she pulled out a small pink bun. "Mm-hmm. And I happen to be very good at making them. See?" She handed the Poffin to Pachirisu. The Elesquirrel Pokemon nearly squeaked in happiness, and began devouring the sweet pastry. Within seconds, it had vanished into his little mouth, and he began begging for another.
Max laughed at the small Pokemon's antics, and Dawn noticed that Ralts seemed to be looking slightly better. She watched as it pulled itself a little further out over Max's arms, looking at the Poffin case with evident interest. As it did so, Dawn had to stifle a gasp.
On Ralts's normally white shoulder, where the Shadow Ball had struck it, was a large, blotchy bruise, vibrant purple in colour. The Ralts winced as it pushed itself a little further, then retreated back against Max's chest. The young boy immediately looked down in concern.
Dawn took a breath, trying to calm herself. "Max, what kind of food does Ralts like?"
Max looked at her and thought for a second, pushing his glasses up. "Hmm. Well, she really loves Rawst berries. I always keep some with me."
Dawn smiled. She knew that Rawst berries were rather bitter. "Well, then, I know exactly what kind of Poffin Ralts will like." She reached into the case, and pulled out a small, bright green Poffin, which she handed to Ralts. The Feeling Pokemon slowly accepted the gift, sniffing it curiously. She took a small bite.
"Raalts!" she cried with a smile, and hungrily began stuffing the bitter treat into her mouth.
Max laughed. "She says she really likes it, and she wants to know if you have any more!"
Dawn looked at him in puzzlement. "You got all that? I've been traveling with Piplup for over a year, and I still sometimes have trouble understanding him." She pulled out three more Poffins, a blue, red, and yellow one. She handed each to Togekiss, Piplup, and Mamoswine respectively, all of whom began munching on their favourite flavours.
Max smiled as Ralts continued eating the Poffin, which was almost twice the size of her mouth. "Ralts is a Psychic type, and sometimes, if she really tries, or we really connect, I can hear her in my head." He tapped his ear.
Dawn looked at him in astonishment. "Wow, that amazing." She looked up at the sky, and noticed that the sun was starting to drift towards the horizon. "Hmm. Where is the next Pokemon Center, I wonder."
Max looked at her with worry. "I told you, it's not for another three miles."
Dawn turned and looked at him again. "In which direction?"
Max frowned, and shifted Ralts in his arms as he pulled something off of his belt. It was a small yellow object, almost twice as long as her Poketch. It slid open, and he looked critically at the small screen, turning one way, then another.
"That way." He gestured with the device off to her right. Dawn nodded.
"Well, since we aren't going to get any closer by just sitting here, and to be honest, your Pokemon aren't in any condition to battle, why don't we stay together for a while, at least until we reach the Pokemon Center. We'll keep going until the sun goes down, then we'll make camp. Deal?"
Max nodded, and Dawn returned Mamoswine to his Pokeball. She smiled as she watched the care with which he handled Ralts, and was reminded of the way that Ash treated Pikachu. It was obvious who he drew his inspiration from.
"But, right now, what do you say we get Ralts and Slakoth patched up for now. Okay?"
Max nodded again as Ralts finally finished the Poffin she had been given. He sat down, holding the child-like Pokemon as Dawn pulled a Potion out of her backpack. She handed it to him.
"Since you're her trainer, why don't you do it?" she suggested.
Max smiled as he took the spray bottle. "Ralts, can I see your shoulder? This going to sting a little, but it'll help you feel better."
Ralts tilted her head back to look at the bottle, then rolled onto her side, exposing the rather ugly bruise. She flinched as Max applied the spray, and pressed her mouth into Max's elbow to muffle a cry.
Dawn gave Max a sympathetic look. She knew that it wasn't easy to take care of Pokemon, especially when other trainers weren't quite so caring.
Togekiss fluttered over to the pair, looking at Ralts with worry. "Toooge?"
Ralts looked up at the Jubilee Pokemon, and smiled. "Ral, ralts."
Togekiss smiled in return, reached up, and patted Ralts's front horn. "Tokeeekiss."
Dawn smiled. Togekiss truly was the mother of the group. She watched as Max brought out his Slakoth, who was passed out. He carefully sprayed more of the potion on its various bruises, then patted its head to let it sleep off the battle.
After taking care of both of his Pokemon, and returning all of them to their Pokeballs, with the exception of Piplup and Ralts, they started walking together in the direction of the Pokemon Center.
"So Max, how exactly did you get Ralts as your partner? I'd heard that Hoenn had Treeko, Mudkip and Torchic for its starter Pokemon."
Max glanced over his shoulder at Ralts, who was holding onto his neck in a piggy-back ride. She had decided to mimic Slakoth and sleep. "While I was traveling with Ash, Brock, and my sister May, and Ash was competing in the Hoenn League, we met Ralts by accident. She had fallen in a lake, and had been telepathically crying out for help. I had heard her when no one else did, so I went looking for her. When I found her, she had managed to get out of the water, but she gotten pneumonia, and was really sick. So I decided to take care of her, and get her to a Pokemon Center. I wanted to show that I was old enough, and responsible enough, to take care of a Pokemon on my own."
He looked down at the ground. "It was a lot harder than I had thought. Team Rocket tried to steal her, and I had to go on my own while everyone else distracted them. Plus, I also had to deal with Ralts older brother Kirlia, and her mother Gardevoir. They kept trying to take her back, especially Kirlia. It wasn't until Ralts actually blocked Kirlia's Psychic with Safeguard that Gardevoir decided to trust me to take care of her."
Dawn nodded quietly. "And you got her to the Center?"
Max nodded, careful not to bump Ralts head. "Mm-hmm. Just in time, too. Nurse Joy said that if had been any later, she wouldn't have made it. After that, Ralts didn't want me to leave. We'd become friends while I was taking care of her. So I promised her that, when I became a trainer, I would come back for her." He looked over his shoulder again. "The longer I traveled, the more sure I was that I wanted Ralts to be my first Pokemon. It took a little while to convince my dad and Professor Birch, but I made it happen." He smiled. "We've been partners ever since."
Dawn smiled happily. "Piplup and I didn't always get along when we started out." She glanced up at the Penguin Pokemon, who was standing on her backpack while leaning against her head, after electing himself as look-out. "He's really proud, and I wasn't willing to admit that I didn't really know what I was doing. I mean, I knew that I wanted to become a coordinator, to be even better than my mother, but I didn't really know anything about the basics of catching and raising Pokemon." She smiled. "Ash was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. He taught me everything I needed to know, and was super patient." She giggled. "Although, in hindsight, I didn't make it easy for him, and we argued often. Sometimes I forgot that he had so much more experience than me."
Max nodded. "Ash taught May everything she knows too. And I learned a lot from him as well, just by watching him battle. I've never seen anyone as good as Ash."
Dawn glanced down at the ground. "I've met someone who came pretty close. That was an intense rivalry."
Max looked at her. "Paul, right? May told me about him."
Dawn nodded. "Almost every battle between Ash and Paul, Paul won. It wasn't until the Lily of the Valley League Conference that Ash finally managed to beat him."
Max nodded. "I watched that battle. It was amazing. His Infernape was incredible, especially when that Blaze started up."
Dawn smiled slightly. She could remember all the time Ash had spent training with Infernape, and all his Pokemon. He had been so determined, so fired up to beat Paul. "Everything that Ash had done in Sinnoh had been dedicated to beating Paul. And we were both so happy when he finally won."
Max suddenly turned to her. "So, how did you meet Ash? Did Pikachu destroy your bike too?"
Dawn laughed. "Actually, yes, but Ash didn't have anything to do with it. In fact, I actually met Pikachu before I met Ash."
Max looked at her in confusion. "What? How did that happen?"
Dawn smiled. "I'll give you three guesses as to the reason."
Max rolled his eyes. "Oh, Team Rocket. Jesse, James, and Meowth, right?"
Dawn nodded. "Pikachu had gotten injured trying to get away, and they got separated. Piplup and I ran into him accidentally, and I made the mistake of trying to catch him."
Max stopped and stared at her. "You tried to catch Pikachu?"
Dawn smiled sheepishly. "In my defense, I didn't know that Pikachu belonged to Ash until the Pokeball didn't work. Thankfully, Pikachu took it rather well, and I helped him reunite with Ash. It didn't work out like I planned though."
Max frowned at her. "Why not?"
Dawn sighed. "It involved a lot of running, and eventually, Team Rocket managed to grab Pikachu from me. I didn't know what to do, Piplup and I couldn't do anything against their machine."
Max chuckled. "Yeah, they're kinda famous for that."
Dawn smiled and nodded. "Any way, they were about to escape with Pikachu, and this Aipom jumped out of a tree and attacked them."
Max smiled. "May told me that Aipom had stowed away with Ash. Good thing, huh?"
Dawn laughed. "Yeah. Anyway, Aipom managed to break Pikachu free, and that's when I met Ash. The idiot actually climbed up the robot, as it was on the verge of blowing up, to get Pikachu back."
Max nodded. "That's Ash. He'll do anything for Pikachu, especially when they get separated."
Dawn paused. "Then the robot really did explode. For a moment, I didn't even know if they survived."
The thought made Dawn shiver inside, considering how she felt about him now. Back then, she had been afraid, yes, but she had been afraid for a stranger. Now, now that she knew that she loved him, the memory inspired a new kind of fear.
Max looked at her curiously, and even Ralts lifted her head, awakened by Dawn's suddenly turbulent emotions.
"Ralts?"
Dawn shook herself. "But, as you can probably guess, they did survive, and not much worse for wear either. I guess those two are really lucky."
Max smiled, and Ralts laid her head back down, though she still kept her eye on the older girl. The Emotion Pokemon could feel something going on inside her, but she wasn't sure what.
"Yeah. Ash and Pikachu got into a lot of crazy stuff."
Dawn laughed. "Oh, you don't need to tell me. What is it about that boy that attracts legendary trouble?"
Max also laughed. "I don't know, but you can at least be sure that things never get boring around him."
Dawn smiled, then glanced up at the sky. "It's getting late. We should probably make camp, and see if we can reach the Pokemon Center tomorrow. Deal?"
Max held out his hand. "Deal."
They shook hands, then laughed. They moved soon found a small clearing in the woods. Max unrolled his sleeping bag while Dawn and Piplup set up her tent. He looked at her in confusion.
"Why do you use a tent? Don't you like seeing the stars?"
Dawn smiled as she unzipped the tent door. "Well, what if it starts raining tonight?"
Max looked up at the sky. It had faded to a deep red colour, but it was completely clear of clouds. "The weather doesn't change that quickly on the western side of Hoenn, and we're nowhere near Mt. Chimney. I think we'll be fine."
Dawn sighed. "I just, prefer to sleep in a tent, okay?"
Max shrugged. "Alright. Fine by me."
Max and Ralts slipped into his sleeping bag, and Dawn ducked into her tent, laying out her own sleeping bag.
Once she had everything ready, she poked her head out of her tent. She smiled as she saw that Max and Ralts were fast asleep.
Slipping out of her tent, she sat down and gazed up at the sky, watching as it faded from red, to deep blue, to violet, then total darkness, perforated with tiny points of starlight.
Dawn sighed. "I know I said that was coming to see you, Ash, but I think it's going to take me longer than I planned. I just need to help your friend, and then, I swear, I'll find you. Good night Ash."
She continued to gaze up at the sky for a moment as the moon crested the tree line. "I love you." she whispered softly, then slipped into her tent.
Mere feet away, Ralts listened quietly, then closed her eyes.
Uggh, why must my urge to write conflict with diplomas? Sorry for taking a while to finish this, and I apologize in advance for however long it takes me to do the next segment. Anyone who watched the end of Battle Frontier saga can guess why I choose to bring Max into this. Besides, I was interested as to how those two might get along.
I'm thinking that, about another two chapters from Dawn's perspective will bring her to Unova, but no guarantees. I can't predict where my chaotic mind will take me, so stay tuned! Also, since my thoughts are focused elsewhere, I am accepting suggestions for chapter titles, so please, engage yourselves!