Here's chapter 6! Its slightly longer than usual, but not by much. I don't have much to say until the end of the chapter, so enjoy!
As the group was walking, they came across a diner called The Epic Scyther.
"This looks like a good place to eat!" Dawn exclaimed.
The group walked in, and a waitress showed them to a booth.
"What would you like for drinks?"
I'll have an Oran Berry soda please," Ash said.
"Pecha juice for me please," said Dawn.
"I'll have water," Brock said.
"Certainly," she said before walking away.
"So Ash," Dawn said, turning towards him. "Who are you gonna use for the prelims tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure," he replied. "I'm leaning towards Garchomp, since the first rounds are one on one, probably Pikachu as well. Maybe Scrafty, since he hasn't battled in a while."
"You do realize that you can look up your opponents before the battles right?" asked Brock.
"I know, but where's the fun in that?"
"The fun is actually getting past the prelims so you can get into the qualifiers." Dawn replied.
"I guess so."
They turned their heads after hearing a cough from the end of the table. Having their attention, the waitress was there with their drinks.
"Here are your drinks, are you ready to order?" she asked.
Everyone nodded.
"I'll have the Farfetch'd Sandwich, with a side of Clauncher claws please," Ash requested.
Dawn rolled her eyes. "I'll take the Corphish wrap, please."
Ash shot her a glare.
"What? I like it."
Brock spoke up. "I'll have the Tauros burger, medium well please, with a side of fries."
"Certainly. It'll be ready in about ten minutes."
"So Brock," Ash started, sipping his soda. "Who are you gonna use?"
"Based on who I face," he replied, "I'm probably gonna go with either Crobat or Swampert. It's been a while since they've been in a real battle, so I'd thought I'd give them a shot. If all else fails, I can always rely on Steelix or Golem."
"So just like old times then?"
"Just like old times."
"Pikachu, you ready for tomorrow?" Ash asked, looking over at his trusty electric type, who was busy licking the ketchup bottle at the table bone dry.
"Pika! Pika Pikachu!"
"Thanks. I know I can count on you buddy."
"Think you can save some for me? I've got a burger, and everyone knows that burgers and ketchup go together," Brock asked, a little nervously.
Pikachu sent him a menacing glare in response.
"Or not. It's always nice to have a change," Brock gulped.
Both Ash and Dawn laughed at the little escapade. They looked over, and noticed that their food had arrived.
"Here you go!" The waitress said, handing them their food.
"Thanks!" All three exclaimed in unison.
They all dug in, with Ash sucking everything down like a human vacuum.
"Jeez, the way he's eating, it's like he's never eaten before," Dawn commented.
"Ith noh thah badth, I jus reawee hungree," Ash said, mouth full of food.
"Can you please TRY to act decent out in public? You're embarrassing me." Dawn stated.
Ash swallowed his food, then took a swig of his soda. "Jeez, the way you're acting, you'd think that I was your boyfriend or something."
Dawn blushed at his comment. "No! It's..it's.. just-" she stuttered, her face turning even redder.
Brock cut in. "What she's trying to say is that you need to work on your manners. This really isn't how the Sinnoh champ should be acting in public."
Dawn, regaining her composure, mouthed a thank you to Brock. He nodded in reply.
"Come on, that was like two years ago. Besides, I only got runner up in Unova."
"Now you're just being modest. You know that winning the Lily of the Valley conference was and still is the highlight of your career as a Pokémon trainer." Dawn said.
"I guess so."
After that, the group continued to make small talk, and they finished up eating, with Ash footing the bill.
As they were walking, they came across a mall.
"Let's go shopping!" Dawn squealed.
"Ugh. I just wanna walk around." Ash groaned.
"Actually, I think that's a good idea." Brock said. "Dawn and you should go shopping. As for me, I have to get some supplies."
"No. Brock. Don't do this to me!"
"Oh come on Ash, it'll be fun! Besides, I'm gonna need someone's opinion on how I look when I try things on."
It was Ash's turn to blush this time. "I guess so. But you owe me." He turned towards Brock. If looks could kill, Brock would be dead in a heartbeat. "As for you, Brock, we'll talk about this later."
"Good. Then you can thank me."
Ash stared at him, a confused look on his face. "Why would I thank you?"
"All in due time Ash, all in due time."
"Whatever. Pikachu, let's go."
The group split up, with Brock going one way, and Ash, Dawn, and Pikachu heading into the mall.
After going from store to store, they came across one that was chock-full of ladies clothes.
"Let's go in here!" Dawn exclaimed.
"Alright, but after this, you're buying me ice cream for dragging me in here." Ash groaned.
"Silly Ash, you do realize that it's the guy who's supposed to treat the lady to ice cream, not the girl."
"Yeah, but after buying lunch and dealing with this, I think I deserve a break."
"Oh alright," Dawn conceded.
They walked in, and Ash instinctively walked over to a bench, while Dawn browsed through the clothes.
"I don't get it Pikachu, he said, turning towards his partner. "Between her hair and clothes shopping, she acts like the world will end if it's not right or we don't go. I don't even remember May getting this worked up. I mean sure, she still messed with her hair and her bandana, but she definitely didn't go to this extent. And Misty didn't even care at all. She just put her hair up in that side ponytail and called it a day. Neither of them were this crazy like Dawn is."
"Pika pikachu pik Pikachu, pikapi."
"I know I'm never gonna understand girls, but still, it just seems so pointless."
"Pika." Pikachu agreed.
Ash looked up, and was awestruck at what he saw. Dawn had on a tight pink mini skirt with a matching navy blue tank top. She changed her pink boots out for a pair of white sneakers, and kept her signature pink beanie with a slanted Poke Ball on it.
I hope he at least compliments me on how I look Dawn thought to herself. "So, what do you think?"
"It-it looks go-od." Ash stuttered.
"Just good?" she inquired, a hopeful smile on her face.
"Alright you look amazing!" Ash quickly put his hands over his mouth, turning beet red and surprised at what he had blurted out.
Dawn could barely hold her excitement in. It's about damn time he took notice of me, I'll have to thank Brock later. She looked up at him. "Glad you like it." She smiled. "And I'm glad you're finally growing out of your denseness..." She muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" Ash asked, still red in the face.
"Nothing!" She said quickly. "I'm gonna go ring this up after I change."
"Okay."
Ash looked down. Why is my face so hot all of a sudden? And why do I feel my heart beat ten times faster? And why are there butterflies in my stomach? he thought to himself.
Pikachu, seeing his best friend acting like this, was worried. "Pika Pikachu pikapi?"
Ash looked up. "Don't worry Pikachu, I'm fine. I'll talk to you later."
Dawn came back, still smiling from before. The smile turned from one of happiness to one of mischief. There's no way in hell I'm passing up this opportunity, she thought to herself. "What's wrong You're your face is redder than a Magmar."
Trying to regain his composure, Ash looked at her. Noticing her back in her usual attire, he calmed down enough to talk normally to her. "I'm fine. And about that ice cream you promised me earlier?"
"Oh alright," she replied. "But this is a one-time deal, capice?"
"Deal."
They walked a little further until they came across a small ice cream shop. Aunt Annie's the sign read.
"What would you two lovebirds like today?" The man behind the counter asked.
Both Ash and Dawn blushed at the comment.
"We're not a couple." Ash stated.
"My bad," the man replied, with a little smirk on his face.
"Anyways, I'll have a triple-chocolate sundae with caramel and chocolate fudge with sprinkles please." Ash requested.
Dawn nudged ash with her free arm. "Come on, I'm gonna go broke with an order like that" she whispered.
"Not my problem you spent all your money on clothes." He replied.
"Whatever." She spoke up. "I'll have a vanilla cone dipped in chocolate please."
"Certainly. Coming right up."
After receiving their ice cream, Dawn paid and they found a booth to sit at.
"Thanks Dawn." Ash said, mouth full of ice cream.
"Don't mention it. And for the love of Arceus please keep your damn mouth closed when you're eating!"
She scolded.
"Sorry!"
They finished up eating and decided to head out to find Brock.
"Hold on, I'll just call him on the Pokegear with my Pokenav." Ash said.
"Oh yeah, I forgot you had that."
Ash dialed a number and waited for Brock to pick up. "Hey Brock. Yeah. I was thinking we could meet up at the Pokémon Center. Yeah. Uh huh. It was fine. I'll talk to you there. Bye!" He hung up and turned to Dawn. "We're gonna meet up at the Pokémon Center."
"Okay."
They walked a short ways, with Ash slightly behind Dawn.
"Is it just me, or does Dawn look different?" he asked his faithful companion.
"Pika? Pikachu pikapi."
"I don't know, something just seems a little different about her buddy, but I just don't know what it is."
"Pikachu."
"I'll figure it out eventually."
They arrived at the center, only to find a bored looking Brock.
"About time you guys got here!" He exclaimed.
"Sorry Brock." Ash replied. He looked at the clock on the wall. "It's almost dinner time. How about we get a bite to eat at the cafeteria, then crash for the night here."
Upon hearing this, Nurse Joy piped up. "Sorry guys, but the center is booked out."
"WHAT!?" The three exclaimed.
"Yes, I can only suggest that you book a room at one of the hotels. I'm sorry, but the tournament has drawn a lot of attention and a lot of trainers have decided to stay the week here."
"We'll I guess we're gonna have to find a room then," Ash said. "Thanks Nurse Joy."
"Take care. We hope to see you again!"
The group walked outside, a little down upon learning that they would have to pay for a hotel.
"Let's book a room, then get something to eat." Brock suggested.
"Sounds like a plan."
The group entered the hotel and walked up to the lady behind the desk.
"Can we have a room with three beds please?" Brock asked.
"Sorry, we don't have any left. The best we can do is two king sized beds." She replied.
Brock turned towards the two teens. "I say we take it. We can figure out sleeping arrangements later."
"Sounds good," Dawn replied.
Brock turned back around. "We'll take it."
"Certainly. It's room 401 on the fourth floor."
"Thanks."
The group headed towards their room, taking the elevator. When they reached their room, they were quite surprised. It had two king sized beds on opposite sides of the room, a big plasma TV, and an arm chair. The TV was positioned so that you could sit on the beds and still be able to see it.
"Wow, this room is really nice, thanks Brock!" Dawn exclaimed, putting down the clothes she bought.
"Yeah, this is definitely high class." Ash added.
"No problem. Now what are we gonna do about sleeping arrangements?"
"We'll, since you're the biggest, and you're paying for the room, I think you should get one bed." Dawn said.
"And you should get the other one, Dawn. It wouldn't be fair for you to sleep on the floor." Ash said.
Dawn smiled, a thought popping into her head. "Who said anything about sleeping on the floor? We can share the bed! It's big enough so that it won't bother either of us, plus you'll need the rest for tomorrow."
"But-"
"No buts. It's decided. Brock gets one bed, and we share the other."
Brock smirked knowingly. "Sounds good Dawn, let's eat."
The group headed out, ready for dinner.
Well, there it is. Hope you liked it. If you haven't figured it out yet, Pearlshipping is the way this fic is going. Definitely some hints in this chapter. Next chapter is going back to Jake and May, so the battle between him and Drew is gonna be in the next chapter. I wont update again until after Thanksgiving, between family coming and the overall fact that most of my readers are American, I don't want to update on a holiday, maybe Friday though. Speaking of views, I'M OVER 1,000! Seriously, I never would've thought that I'd get this far, so thanks to all those who have read. I don't have that much more to say, except that I'm still accepting OCs. In the reviews, someone suggested one that had Latios. Sorry, but I will not accept any OC's that own legendaries, simply because unlike the games, legendaries are all powerful like in the anime, and I don't want trainers to have them. Anyways, Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans, and to my international readers, see you after Thursday!