Chapter 5: Not Your Typical Cruise

Once we had gotten on the ship, we were then taken to our rooms, which were right next to each other. From what we heard, the ship was going to make a couple of stops before reaching Michīna Town, so we would finally reach the time by around mid-morning tomorrow.

I laid on top of the bed I was going to sleep in, noticing how comfy it was, just like the ones you sleep in at good hotels. I then noticed that something was bothering Pikette.

"What's the matter?" I said, looking at her.

Pikette sighed. "I don't know," she said. "It's just that, well, I know I belong in my world but I couldn't possibly leave Pikachu or Dawn. I care about them too much."

I smiled. "You really do like her, huh?"

"Well," Pikette said, smiling. "She is rather nice, and being with two guys for three months straight, she's like a breath of fresh air."

"Hey," I said, throwing a pillow at her. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Pikette said, smiling evilly, "It's just better to be with my own gender for a little while."

Amused, I faked a frown. "So I'm guessing you would want to sleep in Dawn's room?"

"Perhaps," she said. Then she started to laugh. "Why exactly do we do this to each other?"

"I don't know, that's a good question," I said, laughing as well. "I guess you're almost like the little sister I never had."

Pikette giggled, but also blushed. "That's rather sweet of you."

"So I'm guessing you weren't being sarcastic when you said you wanted to sleep in Dawn's room?" I asked.

"Nope, being all truthful there," she said, smiling.

I then got up and Pikette got on my shoulder. "You know, you don't have to leave this place. It's already better than what you saw in my world," I said.

Pikette sighed, then looked to me, nodding. We then went over to Dawn's room, where she was unpacking. "Looks like you're going to have another guest in your room," I said, smiling.

Dawn smiled, seeing Pikette. "I guess I can't say I'm surprised," she said as Pikette jumped into her arms. "We're going to get to know each other real well on this journey aren't we?" she said to Pikette, scratching behind her ears, which Pikette really liked due to the expression on her face.

"So," I then said. "Do you think what Arceus said will actually happen?"

"I don't know," Dawn said, "As much as I don't want it to, Arceus would be the only one to see it coming. The question now is how we're going to stop it."

"Right," I said, thinking back to what he had said. "Arceus also said I had a role in this as well, but what he could he possibly mean? I mean, I'm no trainer nor do I have the experience."

"But you know a lot about them," Dawn said. "That may not make you a trainer but its makes you an expert at least."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," I said, smiling. "Well, I think I'm gonna go back to my room and rest for a bit. I'll see you later."

"Okay, see ya," Dawn said, as I left. She then frowned and sighed.

"You like him, don't you?" Pikette said, lying on Dawn's bed. She had a small smile on her face.

"What?" Dawn said, trying to cover it up. "Of course not, just as a friend of course."

"That's not what I heard," Pikette said. "Remember, I'm telepathic."

Dawn realized in horror what she had said before. "Y-you didn't tell him, did you?"

"No, of course not," Pikette said, smiling. "I'm your friend, I couldn't possibly do that to you, although I have a feeling he already knows."

"Oh, I see," Dawn said. "Well, it's probably better I find out on my own anyway."

Pikette smiled. Dawn and her seemed alike in many ways. But her thoughts then came to something else. "Oh, by the way," she said hesitantly, "I apologize for what happened before with Buneary. It was rather selfish and immature of me."

"Oh, don't worry about it," Dawn said, smiling. "She's always had a thing for Pikachu, she's just a little jealous. She'll learn to accept it eventually. I on the other hand find find it cute. I always like seeing two Pokemon in love. I think you and Pikachu deserve to be together."

Pikette was touched by this, tears almost coming to her eyes. "You're too kind Dawn," she said.

Dawn seemed to be a little surprised. "Pikette, are you crying?"

Pikette looked away and wiped her eyes. "No, just something in my eye," she said, smiling.

"I don't think we've ever been to Michīna Town before," Ash said, while unpacking his things.

"No, although they're known for the Michīna Ruins, which is said to tell some story of the past," Brock said.

"Well, if Arceus told us to go there, then I'm sure he has or had some role with that place," Ash said, crossing his arms.

"Pikachu," Pikachu said, agreeing.

"It's interesting though," Brock said. "Actually meeting the creator of the Pokemon universe in person."

"Yeah it has to be important then," Ash said. "And if it called out to Chris..."

"Then Chris must play an important role in all of this," Brock said.

Pikachu then thought of Chris. Was it indeed fate that had brought them together in the first place? Was what he had all gone through part of his own destiny? Pikachu didn't have the answers but someday, he would find out.

Later on in the day, we found out there was going to be a huge party in the ballroom of the ship, and seeing that I didn't have anything formal to wear, I had to go buy my own outfit. Luckily, there were stores inside of the ship and, surprisingly, the prices weren't that bad. I ended up getting a thinly stripped black tuxedo with matching pants, along with a blue vest and tie, and snake skin dress shoes. Hey, I like to dress in style.

Dawn ended up getting a blue and purple dress, while Ash and Brock got the same clothing as I did, amid some differences. Believe it or not, but they even had clothing for Pokemon and we all got a tux and dress for Pikachu and Pikette.

Once night had fallen, we all headed to the ballroom inside the ship. Once we got inside, we were stunned. The ballroom was enormous, with a huge fountain, an area for an entire orchestra, and even a large area for food and punch.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Dawn said as we went inside. There were many tables to sit at, but the dance floor was still huge even by itself. Seeing as we didn't have any dinner yet, we ate first. I made a note in my mind to someday start cooking this food, since it was probably even better then the food I was used to eating. After everyone was finished, people started getting up to dance. I could tell Dawn wanted to do the same and wasn't disappointed when she finally got up.

"Ash, do you want to dance?" Dawn said, looking towards him.

"Um, sorry Dawn, but I'm not quite the dancer," Ash said, grinning sheepishly.

I knew what she was trying to do. I had a feeling she wanted to ask me first but didn't want Ash or Brock to feel let out.

"How about you, Chris?" Dawn asked me.

I smiled, expecting her to say that. "Sure, it would be a honor," I said, trying to sound like a gentleman.

(A/N: Okay, another song here. You'll like this one because it goes perfectly and is a ballroom song. For all you Super Mario Galaxy fans, you know what I'm talking about. "Rosetta's Comet Observatory 3" by Koji Kondo.)

*We then went out onto the ballroom floor. Dawn put her hand into mine while I put my hand on her shoulder, which she did as well. I have to be honest, I was feeling a little nervous, especially being this close to Dawn. Still, it didn't show and we then danced along with the music. From time to time, I would take her hand and twirl her around.

"Wow Chris," Dawn said, "I didn't realize you such a good dancer."

"Well, I pretty much learned it myself," I replied, being amazed myself.

While this was going on, Pikachu and Pikette decided to take the floor themselves. "Oh, I probably look ridiculous in this dress," Pikette said, blushing.

"You look fine," Pikachu said, smiling. "You're probably the most beautiful Pokemon I've ever seen."

"Probably?" Pikette said, giving him a look. "Are you saying there's someone prettier than me?"

"No, of course not," Pikachu said, grinning nervously. "You're more perfect than I could ever expect."

Pikette smiled. "That's what I thought."

Dawn had noticed the two dancing with the group. "Aw, look at those two," she said. "I love how they're all dressed up."

"Oh, I'm sure they're having a good time," I said, smiling.

Dawn stayed quiet for a bit, wanting to say something but was rather nervous. "Chris," she finally said, "I want to thank you for being so willing to dance with me."

"Of course," I said. "It's not a problem at all. You don't have to feel weird about it."

"I know," Dawn said. "It's just that I've just gotten to know you, and well you know."

I laughed. "Yeah I know exactly what you mean."

It was starting to get late, and most of the guests had returned to their rooms to turn in for the night. Most of meaning everyone except Dawn and I, who were standing against the rail on the side of the ship. Ash and Brock were sleeping in their rooms, while Pikachu and Pikette were sleeping in Dawn's room, extremely exhausted from all the dancing.

"So," Dawn said. "What were your parents like?"

I chuckled at this. "A whole lot different then what you would expect," I said. "My dad, believe it or not, was a Green Beret. Ex-Green Beret I guess I should say since he's been retired for over fifteen years. Even so, he taught me when I was younger all the things he learned, even CQC, or close-quarter combat. My mom, on the other hand, well, she used to be a doctor at the local hospital. Good doctor at that, saving who knows how many people."

Dawn smiled, amused by this. "Wow, that's rather impressive for someone your age." She then frowned. "I'm sorry for what had happened to your parents."

"Don't worry about it," I said, laying a hand on her shoulder. "It's hard losing them and all, but I can't keep looking at the past. They wouldn't want that. Besides, the only thing that mattered to them was to see me succeed in life."

"Right," Dawn said, smiling. She was silent for about a minute before asking. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

That question there almost made my heart stop. I felt awkward for a second before saying, "I did at one point. We had been together for about two years, but we then broke up after that, which was about three years ago."

"Oh I'm sorry," Dawn said, feeling embarrassed. "I shouldn't have asked about it."

"No it's fine," I said. "I actually appreciate you asking. It just didn't quite work out the way we planned it. Love can be strange at times."

Dawn looked back across the ocean, reflecting the stars in the sky. "Chris," she said. "I've been meaning to tell you..." She stopped noticing I wasn't paying attention. "Chris?"

"I hear voices," I then said. I then went over to one of the vents and went up against it. I looked around it and saw two men standing there.

"Chris?" Dawn said, but I raised my hand, telling her to be quiet. I listened closely to what they were saying.

"So is everything still going as planned?" the one man asked.

"I guess so," the other man said. "The boss says that once preparations are complete, he's going to run some tests. Hopefully, it's not too much for them."

"Well, this is interesting," I thought. "Now what in the world are they talking about?"

"Yeah, I know what you mean," the first man said, "They're the best we have, and Sector 7 can't afford to try to capture more of them."

Dawn gasped, possibly a little too loud, for the two men seemed to have heard it. "What was that?" the second man said.

Dawn and I were in a bad position, but we couldn't run, for they would surely look for us and track us down. There was only one other way, and I wasn't feeling real up to it. "Dawn," I whispered, "I know this sounds completely crazy, but we need to look like we're a couple, so let's pretend we're kissing." I then kissed her on the lips, catching her by surprise. She then got the idea and returned it.

I then heard the two men come over and quickly broke the kiss once they came around. "Excuse me?" I said angrily, "You're invading our privacy."

The one man looked like he was about to say something, but the other one quickly intervened. "Just let them go," he said, and they left, the same man they saying, "Teenagers these days."

I gave a sigh in relief. I then looked towards Dawn. "Sorry about that, it probably wasn't the best-" I was cut off when Dawn started kissing me on the lips again, this time catching me by surprise. After a minute, we broke it, and Dawn was blushing. "I'm sorry," she said. "I've been meaning to tell you for some time the feelings I have for you. I just wasn't sure if you felt the same for me or not."

"Well," I said hesitantly, "To be honest, I've sort of had the same feelings for you as well. I'm just a little shy expressing them."

Dawn giggled at this. "Most guys seem to be like that nowadays don't they?"

I smiled, "Yeah I guess they are." I then kissed her again, but this time more passionately. I ran my fingers through her hair while she laid her hands on my shoulders. We then finally broke the kiss, gasping for air. She smiled at me, while I smiled back. Taking her arm, we headed back to our rooms. Once we got to her room, we stayed there for a second. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," I said, kissing her on the cheek. I was about to leave before something came across me. "Oh, and Dawn?" I said, looking towards her.

"What is it Chris?" Dawn said.

"Let's not tell the others about this," I said, smiling. "At least, not yet."

Dawn smiled, and then gave me a wink. "Sure thing," she said, and then she went into her room.

She saw that Pikachu and Pikette were asleep. So she didn't wake them, she walked quietly to her bed and sat down on it. She had a smile on her face. "Wow," she thought, "I can't believe what just happened happened." She then got ready for bed, and once she was in bed, before falling asleep, she thought to herself how anything could compare to the happiness she was feeling now.

I went back into my room a little shocked. I couldn't believe what had happened. I definitely didn't have this planned, but then again, I couldn't complain about it. Dawn and I were now a couple, although no one else could find out about that now. But even though I felt rather happy, I remembered what the two men had said. Apparently Sector 7 was in this world. They were possibly looking for Pikachu, Pikette, and I, although the two men didn't seem to recognize me.

They also mentioned about having captured something, or a group of them. I had a feeling they were talking about Pokemon, but for what purpose? I didn't have the answers, but I would surely find out.

(A/N: Yep, I definitely made up for last chapter big time. I hope you liked this, especially the one part :D. Anyway, sorry that I couldn't post this earlier, but studying for about 4 hours doesn't really help me. But don't worry, more should be on the way.)

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