In the Pokemon world, battles are the supreme form of communication. Through battle, trainers are able to communicate new ways of training, of raising Pokemon, and of living life. Additionally, battles allow trainer and Pokemon to reaffirm the agreement and connection made between them. Battles between strangers are an introduction. Battles between friends, rivals, and lovers are an elaborate dance, ways to explore each other and learn about each other. They say that the eyes are the windows of the soul. If that is the case, what would battles be...

Ash groaned and stretched, or rather tried to. He smiled as he glanced at the two bodies resting against him. One was his partner, Pikachu. Having traveled together for over seven years, Ash had long become accustomed to his small friend sleeping against him.

He was still getting used to having the second body, that of his recent girlfriend, Dawn. He chuckled quietly as she shifted against him, her own partner Piplup nestled in her lap. Trying to move as carefully as possible, he pulled his arm from between them and slid it around her shoulders. She responded by snuggling closer to him, causing a rapidly familiar warmth to spread throughout his body.

It had been a few days since he had discovered that she loved him, and simultaneously discovered that it was an emotion he shared. In that time, they had only drawn closer, which absolutely delighted him. In their recent tag battle against his friends Cilan and Iris, they had synced nearly perfectly. He chuckled at the memory.

He glanced down again, smiling at the bright green egg nestled against her chest. They had found it earlier that day, and something in his mind made Ash doubt that the original parents would ever find them. He smiled fondly as he remembered the conversation.

"So who gets to take care of the egg?" Max asked.

Dawn tilted her head as she cradled the egg in question in her arms. "Well, so far as I know, Ash has had the most experience with eggs out of all of us." She looked at her boyfriend questioningly.

Ash shook his head and chuckled. "Normally I'd love to, but I've got my hands full with Scraggy. His training is going very well, and he's come a long way since he hatched, but he's still only a couple months old. Besides, I've taken care of four eggs over my journey, somebody else can have a turn."

Iris looked at him curiously. "You've raised four Pokemon eggs?"

Ash nodded. "Yeah, but only two are properly mine. The first one I raised to hatching was a Togepi, but it imprinted on a friend of mine. The second was a Larvitar that had been stolen from his mother before he had hatched. We were able to get him back to his mom, and as far as I know he still lives with her in a Pokemon Ranger Preserve." He smiled. "The third is my Donphan. I raised him up from when he hatched as a Phanpy, and he's another one of the stronger members of my Pokemon."

Cilan smiled at him. "Ash, you say that about all your Pokemon."

The teenager shrugged. "That's cuz it's true. All my Pokemon are strong in their own way. All I do is help them get there."

Dawn smiled lovingly at him, then turned to Cilan. "What about you Cilan?"

The Connoisseur smiled and shook his head gracefully. "As much a pleasure as that would be, I must refuse. My journey is to learn as much about trainers and Pokemon as I can, so that I can better evaluate the connection between them. Raising an egg is a full time job."

Iris shook her head as well when Ash turned to her, the same question rising to his lips. "Sorry. I'd love to, but raising Axew is like you and Scraggy, Ash."

Max glared at the group, and Kirlia looked at him curiously. "Hey, what about me?"

Ash smiled and gently patted the boy's shoulders. "Max, I think you're a great trainer, but raising an egg to hatching is big. There's no way to tell how long it'll take for it to hatch. It might not hatch until long after you go back to Hoenn, and you've only just started your journey."

The younger boy pouted slightly. "That's not fair, I helped May with Glaceon and Manaphy, I helped you with Donphan, and I even was responsible for Jirachi breaking out of his cocoon."

Ash sighed, then smiled at the questioning looks from his friends. "Long story, tell ya later." He turned back to Max. "Helping with an egg is not the same thing as caring for it yourself, Max, and Jirachi was already an adult when he woke up. Taking care of a baby Pokemon is a lot of work, believe me, I know."

Dawn managed to balance the egg in one arm, and patted the boy's shoulder with her free hand. "Max, when you care for a Pokemon from hatching, you aren't their partner or friend. You are its parent. Baby Pokemon are fragile, it's a lot harder than taking care of a Pokemon that's more grown up. Plus, raising a baby Pokemon isn't something that should be done alone, especially when it's your first."

Kirlia elegantly stepped in front of her partner. "Kirlia lia kir. Kir kirliakir." (They're right Max. Listen to them.)

Max looked at the Emotion Pokemon, then sighed. "Okay. I get it. Somebody else can raise the egg." A fierce look appeared in his eyes. "But I'm gonna raise an egg some day!"

Cilan chuckled. "I'm sure you will, Max. And I'm sure that you'll do an excellent job. After all," he turned to Ash, "You've had excellent examples to mimic."

Ash grinned. "Don't worry about it Max. Eventually, you'll get an egg, and you'll have a blast." His face took on a slightly more serious look. "It's about as close as we'll get to finding out how our parents felt about raising us."

Iris smiled at her friend. "Well, then it's settled. Dawn gets to raise the egg."

The Coordinator looked at her in confusion. "Huh? Excuse me?"

Cilan smiled at her. "Iris is right, Dawn. You are the only one left."

Ash wrapped her in a hug, careful not to place too much pressure on the egg between them. "You'll do great, Dawn. Besides, you've already raised Quilava, and he's turned out incredible. He's almost a year old, and he's evolved." A grin crossed his face. "No need to worry, right?"

Dawn smiled at her catch phrase, then sighed. "Okay then. I get to be a mom again." She looked down at the egg nestled between them. The hard shell was smooth and warm to her touch. A sudden thought occurred to her, and she giggled.

Ash gave her a confused look. "What?"

Dawn looked at him with a smile in her eyes and on her lips. "If I'm this egg's mom, and you're my boyfriend, then that makes you a dad."

Ash looked at her blankly for a moment, then burst out laughing.

A smile was still on Ash's face as he held Dawn close. She sighed in her sleep and snuggled closer to him, her arms wrapped protectively around the egg. Since accepting responsibility for the egg, it hadn't left her embrace. He chuckled slightly as she shifted in her sleep.

He glanced out the window, and promptly stared in surprise. "Whoa." Carefully, she shook Dawn's shoulder. "Dawn, wake up. You gotta see this."

Groaning, she blinked sleepily, then smiled up at him. "Hey."

Smiling, he pulled her up into a sitting position. "Check it out."

Dawn gave him a confused look, then looked out the window. She gasped.

The jeep was driving along a narrow cliff road, with only a guard rail separating them from a long drop to the ground below. The sky was a bright clear blue, with barely a cloud to be seen. Set amid the trackless blue plains was a blazing yellow orb, casting the bright rays as far as the eye could see. Far below, like a darkened mirror, sat the ocean, its deep blue depths promising hidden treasures and beauties known only by its inhabitants. Tiny points of light reflected off the surface, turning the smooth waters into a field of glittering diamonds. Stretching along the water's edge was a vast golden beach, dotted here and there with multicoloured umbrellas, like small scattered flowers. Set farther back from the ocean side was a large collection of colourful buildings, marking the presence of the town.

Dawn stared in awe. "Woooooow. It's, it's, wow."

Professor Juniper glanced at them in the rearview mirror and smiled. "Welcome to Undella Town."

Ash chuckled at the star struck expression on Dawn's face. "I think I know where we're going." He looked out the window towards the town, and frowned. "What's that building there?"

Professor Juniper made a quick glance. "That would be our destination. Undella Stadium. It's newly built for the tournament."

Dawn glanced at Ash's face and saw a familiar expression. His eyes were both bright and hard, lit with an eager fire that threatened to burn everything in its path. She knew that he was thinking about the battles ahead, and from the way that his body had tensed that he would meet them unflinchingly. In his lap, Pikachu's ears twitched, as if responding to his thoughts. She turned and gazed towards the stadium, her heart speeding up into a tempo that she hadn't felt since the Grand Festival.

Ash glanced at Dawn, and noted with surprise and satisfaction her expression. Her mouth was curved in a firm and eager smile, and he could tell that her thoughts were focused onto the future, and her place in it. Her arms clutched the egg closer to her chest, and her eyes were wide and bright with anticipation, burning with a desire that he was very familiar with. His pulse quickened, and he grinned as he hugged her against him.

It was almost a half hour later when they arrived at the stadium. Most of the group piled out of the jeeps, moving through the large double doors as Greg and Charlie parked the cars.

Iris stared in awe. The stadium lobby was massive, easily larger than anything else she had been in. Large windows allowed the bright sunlight to flow through the room, causing the cream and yellow wallpaper to almost glow. Clusters of furniture were arranged around tables, and already various trainers were seated. Arrayed across one of the walls were a set of video-phones and transfer computers. Set at the back of the room was the reception desk, manned by several people.

Ash and Dawn grinned at Iris's open mouth. "You think this is big? This is just one building. Pokemon League Conferences have entire pavilions."

The dragon trainer's eyes nearly bugged out of her head, and Axew took over staring duties.

Ash smiled as he made his way to the reception desk. "Hi, I'd like to make an entry into the tournament."

Dawn stepped up beside him, managing to link her arm in his and still hold the egg. "I would too."

The receptionist looked up and smiled. "Certainly. I just need to see your licenses, and we'll get you all set up."

Both trainers nodded and pulled out their respective Pokedex's, smiling as the receptionist took them. Iris and Cilan also offered their own identifications.

"Croooooooooooo."

Ash frowned at the noise. He glanced around, then noticed the puzzled expression on Cilan's face. "Uh, did you guys hear that?"

"Croooooooooo." Cilan wordlessly glanced down at the floor, off to Ash and Dawn's right.

Dawn moved her gaze to where he was looking, and her eyes brightened in surprise. Squatting in front of the shiny reflective surface of the reception counter was a dark blue Pokemon. Yellow eyes ringed in black were fixed on the reflection in the metal. A black band, followed by a pair of white ones, encircled the Pokemon's stomach. Slim blue arms, each with a black band encircling the upper arm, ended in three fingered hands, two black and one orange. Short, muscular blue legs ended in black feet, and a pair of orange sacks expanded and contracted on the Pokemon's cheeks. Each time they expanded, the Pokemon produced a low croaking noise.

"Croooooooo."

Ash frowned and squatted beside the Pokemon. "A Croagunk?"

Iris leaned over him. "A what?"

Dawn smiled. "That's a Croagunk, a Pokemon native to Sinnoh. I wonder who his trainer is?"

Cilan stroked his chin. "I don't know, but it seems to be awfully fascinated by its reflection."

"Crooooooo."

"Croagunk! Hey, where are you?" A deep voice called out, the slightly gravelly tone easily reaching across the room.

"Chanseeeeeeey!"

Ash, Dawn, and Max froze, then looked at each other.

"You don't think…"

"No. Why would he…."

"Weeeeellllll…."

All three trainers stood up and looked around the room. Their two companions looked at them with curious expressions. "Who are you guys looking for?" Iris asked.

Ash gave the room one more once over, then smiled. "No way."

A tall trainer walked through a doorway beside the reception desk. The green cargo pants and orange sweatshirt masked a sturdy physique, and the somewhat lanky gait spoke to long experience with hiking and climbing. Dark brown spiky hair sat above eyes that were held in a perpetual squint. The trainer shaded his eyes with his hand, a slightly irked expression on his face as he scanned the room. Following behind him was a large pink egg-shaped Pokemon, standing a little over three feet in height. Several hair-like growths spread down from the top of its head, and a dark pink pouch adorned its broad stomach. Sitting in the pouch was a cream coloured egg. Short arms were held across the Pokemon's chest, and a worried expression adorned its face.

When the mysterious trainer caught sight of the group, however, a broad smile spread across his face. "Ash? Dawn? Max?"

Ash's grin widened, and all four trainers rushed together. "Brock! Man, is it good to see you!"

The 22 year old laughed. "No kidding! I haven't seen you since, what was it, crossroads between Pallet Town and Pewter City?"

The younger trainer nodded. "Sounds about right. How've you been? How's the doctor program coming?"

Brock grinned. "Ash, it is great. I finally feel like I've got a purpose, instead of just following you around all the time. Not that journeying with you was boring."

Ash laughed. "No, boring is one thing it wasn't."

Brock clapped the younger man on the shoulder good naturedly, then turned to the pretty coordinator standing beside him, her blue eyes shining in happiness. "Don't think I forgot about you, Dawn. How've you been? Looks like you picked up a new addition to your team."

Dawn giggled. "Eventually, but not just yet." She glanced down at the egg in her arms, then back up at the older man. "And as for how things have been going, just incredible." She gave Ash a sly glance, and he winked back at her.

Brock's brow furrowed, and his gaze flickered between them. "No. You can't be serious."

Ash grinned as he slipped his arm around Dawn's shoulders and pulled her against him, her head tilting to rest on his shoulder. "You better believe it."

A burst of laughter erupted from the older trainer, and he suddenly crushed them both in a hug. "Well it's about time! Geez, I was wondering if maybe all that time in Sinnoh had been for nothing!"

Dawn smiled, then started squirming. "Uh, Brock, not enough room for four here."

Brock immediately released them, his eyes flicking down to the egg in her arms for a moment. "Sorry." His smile quickly returned, though his eyes were still held in their permanent squint. "But you have no idea how happy this makes me. Your moms are going to be so happy to hear this!"

A tapping sound reached their ears, and the group of three turned their attention to a smiling Max, his arms folded across his chest as Kirlia beamed from beside him. "Ya know, I get that you guys haven't seen each other in a while, but there are others here." Behind him, Cilan and Iris smiled at the group.

Brock grinned. "Well Ash? Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friends?"

Cilan smiled and stepped forward. "On the contrary, it would be a pleasure to introduce ourselves. My name is Cilan, a Pokemon Connoisseur, and one of the three Gym Leader of the Striaton Gym."

Iris followed suit. "And I'm Iris, a dragon trainer. This is my partner, Axew." The small green dragon peered at the older trainer.

Brock smiled and shook their hands. "It's very nice to meet you both. My name's Brock, former Gym Leader of Pewter City, Pokemon Breeder, and Pokemon Doctor in training. This is Chansey, my current partner."

The Egg Pokemon smiled brightly. "Chansey." (Nice to meet you.)

Ash gave Brock a puzzled look. "Brock, what are you doing in Unova? Isn't your program in Pewter City?"

Brock nodded. "It is, but I'm here for much the same reason as you, I suspect. The World Tournament is pulling Doctors and Nurses from all five regions. Thanks to my knowledge as a Pokemon Breeder, I'm doing a lot better than my instructor expected, so I was chosen to be a part of the Kanto segment of the team. And I'm guessing you guys are here to compete." He grinned expectantly.

Ash chuckled. "You know me. Once I heard about this," he gestured to the large reception area, "I had to get in on it."

Brock nodded. "Now, I believe that I've missed a few members of your party." He grinned down at Max. "You finally got your trainers license? That's great Max."

The younger boy nodded and adjusted his glasses. "Yep. And I've already got one badge."

Brock's smiled widened, and he nodded approvingly. "You always had the potential. Now you get to show your stuff. And who is this?" He crouched down in front of Kirlia.

The Emotion Pokemon twirled once, then bowed. "Kirlia lia kirkir kirlia." (You know me in my younger form, Brock.)

Brock chuckled. "This is the sick little Ralts that you once rescued? You've both come a long way since then. I bet your parents and May are really proud of you both."

Max grinned. "May doesn't know that Kirlia evolved yet, or the new member of my team."

Brock's grin turned slightly dark. "I wouldn't count on that for long." He rose to his feet and turned his attention from the now slightly puzzled Max to Ash and Dawn. "Now for the last two members. Where are Pikachu and Piplup? They haven't ran off and evolved as well, have they?"

Both trainers smiled. "No, they haven't evolved." Ash chuckled. Dawn frowned and looked around. "But it is a good question as to where they are."

"Piiiiiikaaaapiiiiiii!" (Aaaaaaaaaash!)

"Piiiiiiipluuuuuuuup!" (Daaaaaaaawn!)

The whole group turned their attention back to the reception counter, where the two Pokemon in question were sitting next to the Croagunk.

Brock sighed. "There he is. Croagunk! Why did you…..oh. I see." He chuckled at the Toxic Mouth Pokemon. "Still fascinated with your own reflection I see."

His gaze suddenly slid sideways. "Excuse me for a moment! Emergency!" And with that, he shot towards a red headed stranger in dark, almost punk clothing. The slightly ripped and frayed clothing she wore, combined with the skull necklace and chain hanging from her belt, definitely gave her a rocker image.

Max sighed. "He's still at it, isn't he. I'll get him." He took a step forward, then stopped in surprise when Ash's hand landed on his shoulder. "Hold up, Max. You don't need to do that anymore. Just wait." Dawn giggled at the confused look on the boy's face.

Brock skidded to a stop beside the girl. "Excuse me miss, I was wondering if you were aware of just exactly how stunningly beautiful you were." he said with a somewhat dreamy smile.

The girl turned and looked at him, her expression giving clear indication that she thought he was crazy. "I don't know who you are, buddy, but you are creepin' me out, so why don't you try your luck with some other girl." she responded dismissively.

Undeterred, Brock forged on. "My apologies, but such an angelic visage such as yours never fails to overwhelm me. Please, allow me to make it up to you with a full romantic din

"CroooaaaaGUNK!"

Broke immediately froze, his face twitching slightly. The girl gave him a strange look, and her gaze travelled down to the Croagunk standing just behind him, its right hand glowing purple and pressed firmly against Brock's side. Finally, his knees buckled, and Brock fell onto his back.

"Ugggggh, you never fail either." he groaned. Croagunk grasped the back of the neckline of his trainer's shirt, then turned and proceeded to drag the aspiring Doctor across the room and back down the hallway from whence he came, followed by the slightly amused Chansey. A sound that seemed vaguely like a throaty chuckle followed them, along with the confused stares of many trainers.

Max stared in surprise. "Poison Jab?"

Ash chuckled at the concerned faces of Cilan and Iris, and Dawn simply smiled. "Poison Jab. Every time." He turned and approached the red head. "Sorry about that. My friend there has a habit of instantly falling in love with every girl he meets, and he usually goes over the top with it. Thankfully, his Croagunk is always there to rein him in." He held out his hand. "My name's Ash. What's yours?"

The girl regarded him for a moment, then apparently decided he wasn't messing with her and shook his hand. "Daisy. Your friend's a real piece of work. Anybody ever told him that he's kinda creepy when he does that?"

Ash grinned. "A few. He makes up for it with his Pokemon knowledge. He's actually part of the medical team that was assembled for the Tournament."

Daisy's eyes widened. "You're not kidding me, are you. Well, I guess that does makes up for it."

A boy lounging in a nearby chair chuckled. "Oh, come on, Daisy. Admit it, you liked the attention." He stood up, straightening his blue framed glasses and smoothing his purple shirt. "Name's Simon." His violet eyes seemed to sparkle slightly with mirth. "And don't mind Punk Girl here. She may act rude, but she's as passionate as her fire types."

Daisy scowled slightly, her heavy makeup giving her a dark look, then she rolled her eyes and smiled. "It was just weird that's all. Anyway, you gonna introduce us to the rest of your friends?"

Ash grinned. This was the other reason why he loved traveling. "Sure. Come on over."

Rapid introductions were made, with both Daisy and Simon very curious about Cilan's profession as a Pokemon Connoisseur. Within minutes, Brock had joined them, and though Daisy would occasionally give him an odd look, neither trainer commented on their first meeting.

Hours passed, and finally Dawn yawned. "Man, it's been a long day."

Cilan nodded. "We should probably see about getting our rooms."

Brock grinned. "You guys are competitors, which means you get your own rooms as part of your entry, so that's taken care of. Hang on, I'll get your room numbers." He turned and strode to the reception counter, where the receptionist was busy with another pair of trainers entering.

Professor Juniper smiled and waved to the group. "I actually have some things that I need to prepare for tomorrow, so I will see all of you later."

As she opened the door of the stadium reception, a trainer entering bumped her shoulder. "Oh, pardon me."

Dawn looked at the trainer, and a slight shiver ran down her back.

He, for Dawn was quite certain that the trainer was male, stood only a little taller than herself, possibly just a little taller than Ash. His body was encased by a black full-length long coat, completely obscuring his body, though for some reason only his right arm appeared to be in its sleeve. Black armoured combat boots, almost like ski boots encased his feet, making a soft thumping sound with each step that he took. Black hair covered his head, which was encased in a black visor and headset, completely obscuring his eyes.

He stepped to the side and bowed his head. "Sorry. Wasn't paying much attention." Turning, he smoothly moved past the Professor and disappeared down the hallway. The back of his coat had a slight hump to it, like he had a backpack or something similar underneath.

Ash turned and gazed after the trainer in concern. "That guy…..something seems a little off about him."

Dawn nodded. "He reminds me too much of J."

Iris, Daisy and Simon looked at her. "Who's J?"

Ash's brow creased a little, his mouth set in a grimace. "J was a Pokemon Hunter, a mercenary who was paid to capture rare Pokemon. She was known for using a gun that turned whomever she shot into a stone statue." His eyes closed at the memory, and he felt Dawn shudder against him as she relived her own memories.

Iris looked at the two, her hands clasped anxiously. "That's terrible! Why would anyone do that?" Simon nodded in agreement.

Daisy snorted. "Money, probably. Isn't it always what that sort of stuff is about?" she commented sarcastically.

Cilan glanced down the hallway where the mysterious trainer had disappeared. "Hmm. I wonder who he is."

Brock returned to the group, a set of key cards in one hand, Pokedex's and ID's in the other. "What is it?"

Ash shook his head, dispelling the memories. "Nothing."

Dawn looked at her older friend. "We just saw a trainer who reminded us of J."

Brock's expression darkened slightly. "Oh. Let me guess, visor, black long coat, heavy boots?"

The group nodded, and Brock sighed. "That's Shadow."

Max frowned. "Shadow? What kinda name is that?"

The older doctor in training shrugged. "I don't think that's his real name, but it's what he's registered under. He's been here for about two weeks, ever since before registrations started, and was one of the first trainers to sign up. I haven't seen him much, but apparently he asked a lot of questions the first week of registration. Now, most of the time he keeps to himself. I get the feeling he's a really powerful trainer though."

Ash looked down the hallway again, then shook his head. "He's probably harmless. I'll beat him no problem."

Daisy grinned at him. "Not if I beat you first."

Dawn smiled, then turned to Brock. "Those the keys to our rooms?"

Brock nodded, handing each member a key card. "The rooms are single occupant only, I'm afraid, but you can stay with me if you want, Max."

Ash looked at his card, then grinned at the group. "I don't know about you guys, but I want to check out these rooms." He turned to Daisy and Simon. "Wanna join us?"

Both trainers shook their heads as they held up their respective cards. "Sorry, but we've already been taken care of." Daisy commented. Simon grinned. "'Sides, we've got some stuff we gotta do before tomorrow, so we'll see you at the opening ceremonies. Later!" They waved as they headed out the door.

Brock smiled. "Come on, I'll show you guys where your rooms are. I've been here a few days, so I know this place pretty well."

Ash, Dawn, Max, Iris and Cilan followed the 22 year old down the hallway. The walls were evenly spaced with brown wooden doors. Finally, Brock stopped in front of a pair of doors, numbered 34 and 35.

"Here you are, Ash, Dawn. Looks like these are yours. Cilan, Iris, you're a little further down." He smiled. "As much as I would like to hang out with you guys and catch up, I've gotta head to the Med Room. We're getting things ready for tomorrow." He pulled a Pokeball from his belt. "Chansey, thanks for your help. You should rest up for tomorrow."

The Egg Pokemon smiled and bowed her domed head. "Chansey." (You're welcome.) A thin red beam sprang from the Pokeball, striking the large pink Pokemon, dissolving it into red energy as it retracted into the device. Brock smiled as he placed the shrunk Pokeball at his waist, where Ash noted that he had three other Pokeballs. "See ya later guys. And good luck tomorrow!" He waved to the group as he departed down the hallway.

Ash and Dawn smiled after their friend. "Man, it's good to see him again." Ash commented. Dawn nodded in agreement.

Cilan smiled. "It certainly was nice to meet a new friend. I look forward to sampling his cooking though."

Iris smiled as she pulled a berry from a pocket, feeding it to Axew. "He seems really nice."

Ash groaned a little. "Ugh, I'm gonna die if both of you cook together." Dawn giggled, then shifted the egg in her arms as she slid her card into the door slot.

The room was rather spacious, containing as much amenities as one could expect. The carpet was a deep blue colour, and was so thick that Dawn's feet sank a little. The twin-sized bed was covered in clean white sheets, with a multicoloured comforter. A single bay window opened to a small balcony, over looking the cliffs to the north of the resort town. Deep orange light from the sunset bathed the room.

Piplup looked around the room from his perch on Dawn's backpack. "Piplup." (Nice place.) Dawn nodded. After spending over a month camping out in the wilderness, it was going to feel amazing to sleep in a real bed.

A knock on the open door behind her drew her attention, revealing Ash standing in the doorway. He smiled and glanced around the room. "Same place as me. And we're right next door to each other." He walked past her, out onto the balcony. "Not bad view either."

Piplup jumped onto the bed as Dawn took her backpack off. Jumping to the floor, he followed her onto the balcony, climbing up next to where Pikachu was sitting on the railing. For a moment, none of the four said a word, just admiring the view, and the silence of being in good company as the sun descended towards the horizon.

Slowly, Dawn's hand crept into Ash's, who gently squeezed hers in response. She smiled, then glanced down at the egg cradled in her arm. "So, what do you think will hatch from this?"

Ash blinked, then turned his head towards hers. "Dunno. The shell doesn't seem to give any indication, not like when you got Quilava's egg. That one was pretty obvious to me."

Dawn smiled, then laid her head on his shoulder. His grip on her hand was firm and reassuring. "Well, whatever it hatches into, it'll be worth the wait. Waiting for eggs to hatch is always exciting."

He nodded, and returned his gaze to the horizon. The empty sky slowly shifted through shades of orange, down to a deep, ruby red as the last sliver of the sun vanished for the night. Both lover's heads turned towards each other, and softly their lips met.

Pikachu and Piplup studied the pair curiously. "Pip piplup luplup?" (Why do they keep doing that?)

Pikachu tilted his head, his expressive ears pointed down in a confused expression. "Pik pika chupi pichu." (I don't get it either.)

Ash and Dawn broke their contact at the exchange, blushing slightly. "Uh, well..." Ash stuttered, and while Dawn busied herself examining the egg.

Pikachu crept closer, his black eyes fastened squarely on Ash. "Pika, Pikapi?" (Yeah Ash?)

Ash rubbed the back of his head, glancing up at the sky as he searched for an explanation. "You see..."

Piplup sat down on the railing, cocking his head at the pair. "Pippip luppip pip lup piplup." (Kenny did it, and you didn't like it then.)

Dawn looked at the egg in her arms, and a thought suddenly occurred to her. "Pikachu, have you ever rubbed cheek pouches with another Pokemon?"

The Mouse Pokemon sat back, startled. "Pika pikapichu pika pika chu!" (Wait, what you guys do is like that!)

Piplup turned to his friend, confused. "Lup pip piplup pip?" (What's that got to do with anything?)

Pikachu gave both trainers a long look. He had known for quite a while that they had feelings for each other, but now... "Pika pichuchu pikapika pi pikachu kachu kapi pikaka pika pikachu pi." (Sharing electricity is only done with close partners, because you open yourself to contact shocks.) He shook his head. "Pi pikachu pi." (Contact shocks hurt more than anything.) He shook his head again, then slowly crawled up Dawn's arm until he was perched on her shoulder, like he preferred to do Ash.

Both trainers looked at the Mouse Pokemon with surprise. Pikachu studied Dawn with great intensity, licked her cheek, then turned his head and rubbed his left electric pouch against the wet spot. Dawn froze as a slight tingling sensation filled the side of her head. Abruptly, Pikachu broke the contact and jumped off her shoulder, running to the bed.

Ash stared in surprise as Piplup jumped down and ran after his friend. "Whoa. Pikachu's only done that with me once." He turned and regarded his partner, who was now curled up on the bed pillow, animatedly conversing with Piplup. "I wonder what that was about."

Dawn looked at Pikachu, an unsure expression on her face. Her cheek still tingled slightly. Thank you, Pikachu.

So, here at long last is Chapter 11. Sorry it took so long, and I'm only sort of satisfied with it. Let me know if you see any difference between this chapter and my previous ones. Thanks for reading. Shout outs go to the owners of Simon and Daisy, TheBlueAlienRobotZombie and Inspirablur respectively.