Chapter 3 – Goodbye Dawn
The Sinnoh region, located north of Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn it is known as one of the most dangerous regions of them all. This reputation is due to the immense amount of forests, caves, high Rocky and Mountains covered with ice and snow, which occasionally causes trainers to get lost and get seriously injured during their journeys. However for the bravests, is a region full of challenges and opportunities for training and enhancement of abilities.
One of the most dangerous places of Sinnoh is the Snow Mountains near Snowpoint City. With very low temperatures these mountains house many dangerous Pokémon which cannot be found anywhere else. And here at the route to these mountains we find a man trying to get his way through the heavy snow, trying to get as far up as possible into it.
"Oh God!" said the man "It seems that I have been walking for over a year in this damn mountain" he said looking up "Well, at least it seems I am almost reaching the place Nurse Joy said she was last seen. I hope she is okay" said the man with a look of concern
Not far from there, just some miles away, someone was hiding into the bushes covered with snow, trying not to be notice by someone, or something.
"Look at that" said the person "I've finally found you" said the person putting its hand into its pocket and taking off a small electronic dispositive. "Let's see what the Pokedex has to tell me about you" said the person pointing the Pokedex to the Pokemon.
"Weavile, the dark/ice Pokémon. Weavile evolve from Sneasel by holding the Razor Claw during Night" informed the Pokédex
"Interesting" said the person "I heard at the Pokémon Center that a Weavile was seen around the Snow Mountains. It is curious how you evolved without the Razor Claw, and that's why I'm gonna catch you" said the person finally getting up and revealing itself to the Pokémon. It was a girl, blue hair and eyes, she was wearing a hat and a coat, probably because of the cold of the snow, and pants
"Weavile" said the girl "Be prepared because you are mine" said the girl calling the attention of the Pokémon "Go! Typhlosion" she said throwing her poke ball and revealing her fire type Pokémon. "Typhlosion, use flamethrower" said the girl to her Pokémon who obeyed immediately. However Weavile easily avoided the attack by dodging it
"Damn, he used his agility" said the girl "Typhlosion, use firespin don't let he dodge anymore" commanded the girl. At the same time the Pokémon involved his foe into a fire vortex disabling him to escape "Well done Typhlosion" said the girl "Now use flamethrower once more" said the girl. Thyphlosion did as was ordered but seconds before his attack reach Weavile he jumped inside the firespin and attacked with swift making stars to hit typhlosion
"What?" said the girl "He cannot move but he can jump, clever. Now I want you even more" she thought "Thyphlosion can you continue?" she asked her Pokémon getting a yes as answer "Good. So let's finish this before the firespin fades away" she said "If I ask Typhlosion to attack once more, Weavile will jump again" she thought "So, I just have to be smarter than he" she concluded looking at the tracked Weavile
Not far from there the man who was trying to climb the mountain was getting closer to the girl and the battle that was taking place near him
"What are those noises? It seems a Pokémon Battle" said the man "Maybe... it's finnaly she. I must run now otherwise if I lose her, I may be stuck looking for her a couple of days more" said the man who started running
Back to the battle, the girl was about to order another move to her Pokémon
"Thyphlosion use flamethrower again" said the girl to her Pokémon, who obeyed once more his trainer. However again when the move was about to hit the foe, Weavile jumped…
"Now Typhlosion jump as well and get to the same high of Weavile" shouted the girl to her Pokémon who immediately jumped along with Weavile and got together eye to eye.
Weavile tried to move his arms to prepare an attack, however…
"You are too slow Weavile due to Typhlosion's firespin, and that's gonna be your defeat" shouted the girl "Typhlosion, use FIRE BLAST"
Typhlosion in less than a second split an intensive blast of fire which hit Weavile and damaged him super effectively making him faint and fell at the ground
"Perfect" said the girl "Now! Poke ball Go!" said the girl throwing her ball to the unconscious Pokémon, obviously there would be no way he would break into free, and so he didn't. He was caught.
"That's right. I caught you Weavile" said the girl taking the pokeball from the ground and putting in her pocket "Thank you so much Typhlosion, you were amazing" said the girl hugging her Pokémon, who answered happily licking her face "Now return to your pokeball because it's really cold here and I don't want you to get sick" said the girl returning her Pokémon inside the poke ball.
The girl was so happy with her conquer that she didn't notice that someone was watching her from behind
"I finally found you… Dawn" said the man
Dawn looked behind to see who was calling her name and saw a familiar face, someone she hasn't seen in long time.
"Brock? Is that you?" said Dawn "What are you doing here?" said Dawn running to her friend
"That's how you welcome me? Asking what I am doing here?" said Brock smiling
"Of course not Brock. I am sorry" she answered "It's nice to see you again" said Dawn giving Brock a hug
"So... that was quite an impressive catching Dawn" said Brock
"You saw?"
"Only the end" said Brock "But the way you quickly thought and made Typhlosion jump was impressive. Congratulations"
"Thanks Brock" said Dawn smiling "But… you still haven't told me what are you doing here"
"Well, I came to Sinnoh two months ago on behalf of professor Oak" said Brock
"What for?" asked Dawn
"Well, it's a long story and I will love to tell you everything but I am freezing here, maybe we should find a place to get warm" said Brock
"Okay. I'm camped inside a cave not far from here" said Dawn "Let's go there"
"Sounds perfectly" said Brock starting following Dawn
Ten minutes later they reach a cave where Dawn was "living", it was pretty simple but complete. Once they arrived Brock took some wood to make a fire pit and cook something for them
"Wow" said Dawn "You still are a wonderful cook"
"Thanks Dawn" said Brock
"So Brock" started Dawn "Now tell me what are you doing here?"
"Well, as I said I came to Sinnoh on behalf of professor Oak" answered Brock
"You said that already" said Dawn impatiently
"All right" said Brock "There's a scientist in Hearthome City who is developing a new kind of potion to Pokémon. It says it will fully restore the energy of the Pokémons with only one drop" he said
"That's amazing" said Dawn
"So it's true" answered Brock "However, after two years of researching this scientist seems to have reached a dead end"
"What do you mean?" asked Dawn
"Well, the firsts tests were all succeeded, but after four months the potion loses its effects and goes bad" said Brock
"So you have to throw it all away" Dawn said
"Exactly" Brock answered "So she asked professor Oak to help her with her research and professor Oak sent me here to collect some samples and take to his lab"
"I see" Dawn said "Well, I hope professor Oak can find a way to improve the potion"
"Me too. It would be good news to the science" Brock finished
There were minutes of silence
"But…" Dawn started "What are you doing here? In the Snow Mountains? How did you know I was here? You came just to see me?"
"Too many questions Dawn" said Brock "Let's go one by one"
"Okay" she said
"When I was leaving Sinnoh back to Kanto, I passed by Twinleaf Town to see you, but when I got to your house, your mother told me you had left for a "mini journey". I didn't understand exactly what she said" said Brock
"Well, It's because I came back from my journey through Unova just two months ago, so I didn't want to leave my mom again so fast, but I also didn't want to stay at home, so I decided to "revisit" some places here in Sinnoh to train a little bit and try to catch some more Pokémon" said Dawn "And when I came to Snowpoint I heard that there was a Weavile walking around the mountains, so I decided to look for him and catch. But it was difficult. It's been three weeks I am here at this mountain. I was starting to run out of food" said Dawn
"Got it. And you are doing such a wonderful job Dawn" said Brock "Your way of battling reminds me of someone we know pretty well"
Dawn looked away. She knew who Brock was talking about
"Ash Ketchum" said Dawn
"Yes" he answered "The only and one"
"Have you heard any news from him?" asked Dawn still not looking at Brock
"No. Nobody has" he answered
"Nobody?" said Dawn looking at Brock again in surprise
"Well, I heard he sent a letter to his mother once, but that's all. Nobody else got any news from him since he left"
"I.. I… I" said Dawn who started crying
"Dawn are you alright?" asked Brock in concern
"I thought it was just with me he hadn't gotten in touch" she said trying to clean her tears away "I thought he was mad at me for some reason, and decided to exclude me from his life"
"Why would he do that?" Brock asked "You know he is not like that"
"I don't know" she said "He left three years ago, he said he would let me know when he comes back, but after all these years… nothing"
Brock looked at Dawn and saw that tear started to slowly run towards her face again, she was sad, and she surely misses him, a lot
"You… have feelings for him don't you?" asked Brock
Dawn looked at him not knowing exactly what to answer
"Of course I do" she said "He is my best friend, my mentor, he taught me everything about Pokémon"
"Actually I meant If you have feelings for him, like a boyfriend" Brock said
Dawn blushed and looked away, she didn't say a word for the next five minutes
"That's what I thought" Brock said "I always had this doubt. Because the way you two argued and at the same time care so much for each other. Actually I can't speak for Ash, it can be just his way, but you…It is now so clear"
"Stop Brock" Dawn said "Please"
"Why?" asked Brock "There's no problem in being in love"
"Yes there is" said Dawn "I tried hard for the past whole year to forget these feelings about him"
"What? Why" Brock asked
"Because of the day he came to me to say he was leaving" said Dawn
FLASHBACK
"Dawn! Wake up! Ash's here" said Dawn's mother Johanna from downstairs
"What?" answered Dawn still half asleep
"Ash's here. He is looking for you" Johanna said again
"Ash's here?" said Dawn jumping out of the bed "TELL HIM TO WAIT FIVE MINUTES, I'LL BE DOWN IN JUST FIVE MINUTES"
"There's no need to tell him. You are shouting. He can listen to you" said Johanna "She will be down in just five minutes dear"
"ahm... alright" said Ash a little uncomfortable
Forty-five minutes later
"Hey Ash" said Dawn hugging him "How are you?"
"I am fine Dawn. Thanks for asking. And you?" said the boy
"Better now" said Dawn
"Better now?" asked Johanna
"Mom, don't you have some breakfast to prepare, some flowers to water or any other thing at any other place but the living room?" said Dawn giving her mother a mean look
"Alright" Johanna said "I am going to the supermarket to get some stuff for lunch"
"Good" said Dawn while watching her mother leaving the house "So, Ash. What a nice surprise of yours"
"Yes Dawn. It sure is" said Ash "It's been a while"
"Since that day when we met in Unova" she said "How was Kalos"
"Well… I lost the Kalos league" said Ash smiling
"Oh no! I am sorry Ash. I didn't know that" she said
"That's okay" he replied
"No. It's not. I've been so busy with the contests and stuff that somehow I kind of forgot to keep it up about you" she said "I am so sorry about that"
"Don't worry Dawn" Ash said "Each one of us have our own way to go. I know it's difficult but it's okay. You must focus on yourself"
"I guess so" said Dawn "But you know…" Dawn started blushing "It hasn't passed a whole day that I didn't think of you" she said looking away to hide her blush from Ash
Ash looked surprised but smiled to her
"I think of you a lot too" he said
"Really?" Dawn asked looking back to him
"Of course Dawn. Our days together were very good. I missed them a lot. Being with you and Brock traveling around Sinnoh" said Ash
"Oh that" said Dawn a little disappointed "Yes. Of course. It was very nice."
"Anyway Dawn, I came here to tell you something very important" Ash said turning his happy face to a serious one
"Okay. Go ahead" she answered
"I am going for a special training with Lance, the Dragon Master of the Elite Four" he said
"Really? This sounds wonderful" said Dawn "Congratulations Ash"
"Thank you Dawn" Ash smiled at her making her blush once more "It's something that will improve my abilities as trainer and I hope as a person as well"
"So you came to say goodbye?" she asked
"Yes but in a different way" Ash said
"What do you mean?" she asked
"Lance told me that this training will be a little different. I have no time to finish. It can take one month but also ten years, and he didn't tell me where we are going either" Ash said
"What?" Dawn said in shock "Isn't that a kidnapping? He is taking you away and may not bring you back? Is that right? Do you agree with that?"
"Calm down Dawn" Ash said "Lance is completely trustable, and I want to go. I promise I will be okay and I will try to get in touch as much as possible" Ash said trying to calm her down
"I don't know Ash" Dawn said "It just don't feel right to me. You are very special to me, what if something happens to you"
"Nothing will happen to me. I will come back, stronger than never, you will see" Ash said taking her hand
"When are you leaving?" Dawn asked
"In three days" he answered
"Three days?" she sounded surprised "Can't you stay here until you have to leave?"
"I would love but I still have to go back to Pallet Town to prepare my stuffs and say goodbye to my mother" Ash said "I am sorry"
"I understand" Dawn said sadly "Promise to me you will come back and will send me news whenever something happens"
"I promise I will do my best" he said
"I want you to take something with you to remember me" said Dawn
"You don't have to do that" he said
"But I want to" Dawn said "I just don't know what. It must be something special that will make you never forget about me"
"What?" he asked
"I don't know. I would like you to take me, but since it's not possible…." Dawn suddenly looked at Ash and… "I know what" She said and gently touched her lips on his. It wasn't a passion kiss like those who takes minutes, just a smack, very quick, but good, at least for her
"Done" she said blushing "The best I can give you now"
Ash said no words, just smiled at her. Dawn wasn't sure if Ash took that seriously or just as a joke, but for her it was the true demonstration of her love.
"Thank you Dawn" said Ash "I will never forget"
After that Ash left Sinnoh back to Kanto, Dawn took him to the port like she did the last time they split up. But this time she wasn't sure if she was going to see him again.
"Send news Ash" She said to herself "Please"
END OF FLASHBACK
"So, you are mad at him?" asked Brock "Why?"
"He promised to send me news, he promised he would be okay" she said looking down "But It's been three years since that day, and I still have no news from him. I don't know if he is alive or not where he is or what he is doing. And since he seems to have forgotten me, I also forgot him"
"So you decided to force yourself stop loving him" Brock said
"Yes. I did... BUT I COULDN'T" shouted Dawn crying once more "I couldn't do this because I love him so much" said Dawn hugging Brock "I love him so much Brock"
"It's okay Dawn. It's okay" he said
They remained in silence for about five minutes until Brock speaks again
"Dawn" he said
"Yes" she answered
"Do you want to try to find out where Ash is?" he asked
Dawn looked at him curiously without understand what he was saying
"What are you talking about?" she asked
"Have you heard about the Elite Four Tournament?" he asked
"Yes. I heard something about it. It is some kind of tournament in celebration of one hundred years of the Elite but what does that have to do it Ash?" she asked
"Do you know what the winner of the tournament will get?" he asked
"No. Some prize?" she answered
"Yes. But also, the winner will have the right to challenge Lance, the Dragon Master. He is back in Kanto" Brock said
Dawn was in shock Lance was back in Kanto? So maybe…
"…Ash is back as well" she said
"Maybe" Brock said
"I could find him and ask where to find Ash" she realized
"But you have to be part in the tournament" Brock said
"You're right. Damn it" she said
"Dawn. That's the other reason I came all the way from your hometown to Snowpoint city" said Brock
"What?" Dawn said
"When I went to your house, your mother gave me this" said Brock taking a letter from his backpack and giving to her
"What is this?" she asked?
"An invitation Dawn" Brock said "You have been invited to the Elite Four Tournament"
Dawn hold the letter, looked at it and place near her heart
"I have been invited" she said to herself
"You surely did" said Brock
"Hope you are safe Ash, because I am going to find you. Just wait" she said "Brock, get ready because we are going to Kanto"