Chapter 11

*Lacunosa City*

After the talk with Professor Oak made Ash felt much better. He had told him not to worry, and just focus on enjoying himself for the time being. Maybe it was also because he received another call from Dawn, who apparently was more than eager to join them.

The trio stood against the railing, watching as a ship pulled up near it.

"How come she suddenly wants to join us? I thought you said she was busy?" Brock asked

"I don't know. She did tell me that she was busy. Maybe she changed her mind."

'Who would change their mind just so quickly? Hmm maybe…?' May couldn't help but thought quietly.

"Dawn! Over here!" Ash shouted, waving his hands about widely. The bluenette turned towards the voice and saw the usual cheery friend of hers. She also noticed the Brock and May beside, while an unfamiliar face popped out from behind May.

"Hi you guys!" Dawn was thrilled, that she forgot her conversation she had with her mom.

"Piplup!"

"Pikachu!"

The two pokémon were so excited to see each other, that they began jumping up and down, dancing around.

"Haha! Hey Dawn! How have you been?" Ash said, moving forward and giving her a hug. Dawn felt her face burning up every second.

"Err-Haha! I've been fine! Thanks Ash, what about you guys?" Dawn asked, looking at the others too. Somehow she had to keep her focus, so as to not drift off in her fantasy again, though it was hard with Ash right in front of her. But May already noticed her blush.

"We've been fine too. As you know we're travelling just for fun, no need to ask me about my battling." Ash said with a smirk.

'How…How did he know that I would ask that? Can he read my mind or something? Gosh relax Dawn! Focus!' Dawn kept her composure and greeted May, "Hi May, how was your journey in Johto? I remember you were going back to continue competing."

May, seemingly woke up from her thoughts, answered, "Huh? Oh it was great! Though I didn't win but at least I've learnt more stuffs than before."

"By the way, this is Max, May's brother, since the two of you forgot." Brock introduced Max to Dawn, before eyeing Ash and May.

"Hi Dawn! I've heard from them about you. You… compete in contests too right?" Max said sheepishly

"Yup that's right! Though now I'm also taking a break." Dawn said.

"You know what? Let's go have dinner! And then we'll chat as we eat. Sounds good?" Brock suggested.

"AWESOME! Best thing you've said since today Brock! LET'S GO!" almost immediately Ash pulled Dawn along and ran down the street to look for a restaurant, with Pikachu and Piplup chasing behind.

"WAIT! WAIT ASH! Not so fast!"

"Ha. Those two, they're always acting like that." Brock chuckled as he walked fast to catch up with them. May stood rooted to the floor, unsure of the situation.

"Hello? May? I thought you'll always react at the idea of food. HELLO?"

"Huh? Oh sorry Max, I spaced out a little. Come on let's go!" May said, quickly dragging Max behind her so that he couldn't see her facial expression.

Call it telepathy between the siblings, or he was just quite observant, but Max already knew what was going on with his sis.

"Are you jealous or something?"

May stopped right at her tracks, apparently startled by her brother's comment.

"What…do you mean by that?" She asked, turning around to face him.

"Well, it's pretty obvious. You said before you're a good friend of Dawn, but you didn't seem excited to see her at all. I even notice that you tensed up when Ash hugged her."

"Err… I'm not jealous, mind your own business, Max!" May walked off quickly, not wanting to be further embarrassed by her brother.

"Jeez I was just concerned." Max thought out loud, following sulkily behind the rest.

*A certain ice-cream store on the street*

"Thank you, have a nice day!"

The customer walked off as the three hid behind the counter to eat their own ice-cream.

"This job is great. Not only is it cooling standing beside the freezer all the time, we even get to eat ice-cream for free!"

"This is the only time I'll ever agree with you, James!"

"Hey guys, isn't that the twerp?"

"Yeah you're right Meowth, and he's with that twerp with blue hair." Jessie recognized Dawn immediately.

"Say, should we report this to the boss? After all we are to report anything unusual to him." James asked.

"Are you dumb? It's perfectly normal for them to meet, nothing unusual."

"Right, then we'll stay on course."

*Professor Oak's Laboratory*

"Aura…" Professor Oak read, as he typed it into his computer. A few websites came popping out.

'How can I help him? I know almost nothing about aura… except about aura guardians and Sir Aaron.'

Professor Oak sighed as he leaned back and rest on his chair. He thought about contacting Professor Birch, as they are close friends. 'But then again, he's as clueless as I am about aura…'

"Professor, is there anything bothering you?" Tracey asked, walking into the room.

"Oh I'm fine, Tracey. Thank you for your concern."

"Okay, but you can always talk to me. I may not be much of a help but I'm a good listener."

"…Say, Ash has a little problem that he just told me. But I have no idea how to help him at all. Do you think I should ask for help with the other professors?"

"Oh… by all means I think you should, if it is really important. I hope you don't mind me asking, Professor, but what exactly happened?"

"Hmm, I know you may be concern for Ash, but I think I'll get a better understanding first before telling you, if you don't mind."

"No, of course not Professor… Does Mrs. Ketchum know about it?"

"Oh! No she doesn't, but I'll let her know about it later. Thanks for reminding me!"

"Sure. I'll go check on the pokémons again."

"Go ahead."

Professor Oak sighed again as Tracey left the room. After a while he stood up and went to the video-phone.