Chapter 14
May 31st, 2006
Dawn wrung her hands together as she stood between Iris and Cilan. After Dawn had eased her crying a bit, she called Iris who quickly ran a few flights of stairs to meet her, Cilan following after her, who was equally concerned when he heard her voice through the pokégear that was by Iris' ear.
Paul had still not come to the main battlefield where they were supposed to be meeting before caching a flight to Anistar City. The problem was worse when she couldn't find Piplup anywhere, Iris had sent Ash out to go and find the small blue penguin for her. The black haired man was very confused as to why Dawn didn't herself, but after some pushing from Iris, and even Cilan, he complied and set out on his search.
The few members who weren't traveling were there, Brock, Tracey, and Bonnie. Bonnie was clutching onto Serena and Clemont while sobbing. Brock was talking to Misty, but Dawn clearly noticed his glances in her direction. She noticed him look at her again and she quickly looked to the floor to avoid his worried gaze.
A pair of shoes appeared in her vision and she let out a small, silent sigh as she looked up to the pokémon doctor. "Is everything alright Dawn?" He asked gently. She nodded quickly and put a smile on her face.
"I'm fine Brock." She answered; he stared at her with uncertainty.
"I have nine siblings and I traveled with you for two years, I can tell when something is upsetting you. Are you still sick? I might be able to help you a bit."
"No I'm okay." She answered quickly.
Brock sighed, "Dawn..." He said slowly. "To me, you are just like my sister, if you ever need anything at all while you're gone, just call or text me. I'll answer you immediately." Dawn smiled, this time a genuine one. Seeing this caused Brock to smile himself. He pulled her close and hugged her tight. "Be safe okay?"
"I will, there's no need to worry."
Brock laughed lightly, "You're family Dawn. I'll always worry." Dawn smiled into his chest and hugged him tightly back.
"Thank you Brock. I'm glad to see you again, though I wish it was longer. Whenever we come back, I'll come and see you for sure." She missed the comfort and worry-free lifestyle that followed Brock. Her sadness from an hour ago and from holding onto the tall man caused more tears to surface in her eyes. She couldn't help but cry a little bit more. Brock pulled away and instantly froze when he saw her tears. He quickly pulled her in again and rocked her back and forth.
"Hey Dawn!" Ash called as he walked towards her and Brock, "I found Piplup!" Dawn quickly pulled away from Brock, a few tears slipping down her face. She smiled as she saw her beloved pokémon in Ash's arms. Ash's eyes widened and he hurried over quickly, Piplup squirming free from his grasp. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked gently. Piplup jumped into her arms and she held onto him. "If it was Piplup you're worried about, he was with Paul the whole time. Though the both of them seemed really angry. Piplup was just yelling at him when I found them and Paul looked like he was going to rip the whole tower apart. Maybe Paul will calm down if you talk to him?" She could feel Iris and Cilan's eyes on her, it burned.
"Pip Piplup!" The little penguin yelled and pointed a flipper at the purple-haired trainer who was standing by himself near the doorway, not looking at anything but the wall in the opposite direction from them.
"I-I'm sure Paul's fine." She muttered. "He doesn't need me to talk to him." Ever. She added silently in her head.
Ash frowned; he looked a little surprised by her words. "You sure, he seems to like you the most out of everyone here."
"No, he doesn't like me."
"What are you talking about?" Brock added. "This morning when we met with Diantha he left as soon as he could to make sure you were okay since Iris said you weren't feeling well."
There was a pang in Dawn's chest. "I know he doesn't like me, he regrets meeting me." She looked at him from the corner of her eyes, seeing him talking to May and Drew who were holding onto each other's hands, confusion entered her mind.
"I'm sure he doesn't—" Brock started but was quickly cut off.
"Paul hates me. He said to me very clearly that he does and that he regrets ever knowing me. He never wants to be near me again." Her voice cracked as she spoke.
"What?" Ash said in a tone she has never heard from him before. She stared at him as his brown eyes turned absolutely livid. A sharp contrast from the concern that was in them moments before. "Did he actually say that to you?" He demanded. She turned her gaze to Brock who had his arms crossed; she could see his tense arm muscles under his green long sleeve. His expression was just as angry. Dawn didn't give them any sort of answer. Ash's sharp gaze turned to Paul who didn't spare him a glance. "I gotta punch him." He took a step towards him.
"No don't." Dawn grabbed his wrist. "It's my fault. Don't hurt him, please."
"Like hell it's your fault." Iris interjected.
"Don't swear." Cilan butted in.
"It's not a swear word." She spoke quickly. "Let's go beat him up Ash."
"No please don't!" Dawn said rather loudly, catching the attention from everyone in the room. "Stop it please." She said quieter, "It's not worth it, it's my fault."
"Dawn—" Iris started.
"Don't." Dawn repeated.
"We're leaving in ten minutes!" Diantha called as she entered the silent room. She looked around at the eyes that were on her. Some were upset, while others uncaring.
Brock turned to Dawn, "How about a group hug?" He suggested. "I have to say goodbye to the others I have traveled with too."
Dawn nodded slowly, "That would be nice." She was pulled in by two sets of arms, she was squished between both older men. "You both have grown up so much since I last saw you."
"What about you?" Brock chuckled, "You're so tall now."
Dawn laughed lightly; "I don't know if 5"2 is all that tall, not compared to you guys."
"You were just a baby when you left home." Brock added in.
"You were also taller than me." Ash laughed.
Dawn giggled, "Now you can rest your chin on my head."
"Woah! You're right!" Ash exclaimed excitedly, "You're gonna be my go-to headrest!" In that moment, he did just that.
"Five minutes!" Diantha called again.
Brock sighed, "Remember to call or text me whenever you can."
"I will." She promised. Brock leaned forward and wiped the few tears that were still on her face.
Brock turned to Iris and Cilan, "I'm counting on you two to be with Dawn."
"We won't leave her side!" Iris exclaimed, "Dawn's probably my best girl-friend here! Cilan's too!"
"She's got me too!" Ash announced and moved away to wrap an arm around her shoulder. "Dawn's my top priority, even before Misty!"
Dawn's eyes widened slightly, "N-no, Misty's first."
Ash stared at her, "But Misty's fine, see?" He pointed to his red-headed girlfriend talking to Tracey and her three sisters who have arrived. "Oh there's my mom, I'll be back in a sec!" He then raced off to greet and say goodbye to her.
"I need to say bye too Misty and May, I'll see you later. Remember to-"
"Call and text, I will. Go see the other two." She insisted.
Brock stared at her worriedly, "Alright, be safe."
"I will." She pushed him towards Misty. "Go and see the other two now!"
Brock sent her a wary look but did as she said and went to go and talk to Misty again. Iris nudged Dawn's shoulder, "You're going sit with us on the plane alright?" The taller girl flashed her a toothy grin, Cilan smiled at her too, but much more gently.
"You can always count on us Dawn." Cilan said kindly. "Iris and I will be here for you."
"Thanks you two." Dawn spoke softly. She looked around the room to see if she could spot Brock again, and she did, he was talking to May who was holding onto Drew's hand still, Paul was awkwardly standing behind them with a scowl.
"It's time for us to leave!" Diantha called again. She watched as Brock approached Paul, said something brief to which Paul didn't reply then left. Dawn's mouth turned up in a small smile, she was happy for Brock's protectiveness, her smile soon faded though, she didn't want anything to be mentioned to him as if it was his fault, which it wasn't. She started the argument first all because of something that she saw that hurt her a little, and that she know knew was wrong as she stared at May and Drew's interlocked hands. She was to be blamed for everything.
"Come on Dawn!" Iris smiled at her, "We gotta walk over to the airport room catch our flight which is in a half hour."
"Were very fortunate to be able to stay in the tower which is in the middle of the city, it gives us easy access to just about anywhere in Lumiose." Cilan said, he then added, "Would you like me to carry your bag? You have a lot of stuff in there, a tent, sleeping bag, clothes."
Dawn shook her head, "No, I'm okay. Thanks for the offer though Cilan."
The large group of people filed out of the room, giving last waves to their friends who wouldn't be coming with them. After the brotherly moment from Brock, she didn't want to leave him behind, even though she knew she had to.
The trek to the airport was short and quick, Dawn couldn't help but stare at the back of Paul's head, even though they fought, she still wanted to see him. Just glances were enough for now even if she still felt a pang in her chest.
The plane ride was uneventful as well. It was quiet. Hardly anybody spoke. It was also a short plane ride, hardly long enough for anybody to rest any longer.
Once they landed, Dawn fell in love with the beautiful city. It seemed so peaceful and serene and the big sundial was absolutely gorgeous. The buildings were built in a cute fashion too. She wished for this city to have been built In Sinnoh instead. If it was, she would move there in a heartbeat.
Diantha, who was at the front of the group with Carrie, lead the way to the big gym. It was just as beautiful as the city with its outer space illusion. The sparkling galaxies and starts entranced just about everybody other than three. Ash, Clemont, and Serena had all already traveled to the city and were not as amazed as the others who hardly set foot in Kalos. The winding gears were an interesting addition as well.
"Greetings." A flowey voice said. "It's a pleasure to meet the fated twelve." Dawn glanced up in the direction of the voice and saw many people floating about above the room. One, a very tall woman, was floating g down next to them. She had a cloak wrapped around her that matched the background of the room and her purple hair was styled in a way Dawn had never seen before. Candice's hair was the most similar.
"I greatly appreciate you all here; this is important business, Carriers. I am Olympia." She said with a faint smile.
"What does all this mean?" Ash blurted out. "I don't understand the 'two from each region' thing."
"I knew you were going to be important from the first vision." She scanned the crowd and looked at Clemont and Serena, "You two as well." Both blondes stiffened, it looked as if Serena took a small step closer to Clemont. He did the same to her.
"Follow me, there's important matter to discuss." Olympia then began to float away.
"How do we follow her?" Gary asked, "None of us are psychics as far as I know." A blue aura outlined the group, lifting them into the air and after the gym leader.
"What the hell?" She heard someone say, but couldn't distinguish whose voice it was.
There was a black hole circling at the top of the room. Olympia suddenly disappeared as she got sucked inside. "Arceus, what's going on?" Iris muttered from beside her. Caitlin's a psychic and she does do this." She said the last part quieter.
Diantha and Carrie disappeared next, followed by Gary, Ash and Misty. Dawn was next after them, having been floated closer to the swirling black abyss. There was a second of darkness; she then felt her feet land on a solid white tile flooring. She watched in amazement as the others made their way in.
Everyone settled on a chair. Olympia frowned and looked over the group. "Lyra Noisi." She said, "Where is she?"
"Johto most likely." Ash said and leaned back. "Dawn and I haven't seen her in a long time." Olympia stared at him; Ash shifted a bit under her gaze. "Very well. She must be informed once you have arrived."
"Arrived? Arrived where?" Misty questioned. "Where are we supposedly going? I for one would rather stay here. I don't want to be caught in whatever is happening in other parts of the world."
"You're all going to Azalea Town of course."
"But Johto disappeared." Drew spoke up. "How can we get to a town that is unreachable?"
"It has not disappeared my friend. It is still there. Just a bit harder to reach." Olympia took a seat next to the Kalos Champion.
Dawn shifted, "What do you mean it's still there?" She said slowly. "We know somebody who could feel the side of the cliff."
"It's there." Olympia justified. "Just a little higher and in a different era."
Dawn stared at the strange gym leader. How could a while region just disappear? Dawn didn't understand how it had gone into a different era, and with a quick look around the room at the other ten, they were just as confused as she was, all but one. Dawn watched Ash; he had a completely normal look on his face, not dazed at all like everyone else. It even looked as if he was... smiling?
"Celebi is a legendary pokémon." Olympia stated, "Never underestimate the power of the strongest beings in the universe."
Celebi? Dawn frowned, she had heard of the small green pokémon before, she had seen a painting of it sometime in her past, to far back to recall when exactly, the picture of the legendary was bright in her mind. "But Celebi is supposedly very small." May spoke, "How can something that small be so powerful?" She questioned as her eyes traveled to various other people.
"What about Mew?" Ash challenged, turning ever so slightly to face May. There was a flash of emotion in his eyes, but it left before Dawn could figure out what it was. "Mew is strong but really small. You've seen what Mew is capable of first hand at the Tree of Life. Don't question Celebi's powers, it's just like you, you're small and you're strong." May glared at him.
"I'm the shortest one here, yes I get it." She said harshly. There was a small snicker heard from Gary, May quickly shot him a look back. He instantly stopped laughing. "I have never seen Celebi before, let alone learn much about it. I know what Mew is capable of, but it's a very different pokémon from Celebi. The most similar thing to Mew is its clone, Mewtwo."
There was a small smile on Diantha's face, "All pokémon are drastically different from each other, not a single one is alike even it is from the same species or even a clone. Now, our time is limited and not much time can be spent talking, we have already used so much. Johto is in danger and we need all of you to save it for them."
"We still don't understand what the 'two hailing from each region" means." Serena had spoken up. "So many of us had been born from different places than from where we were born."
Olympia laughed lightly, though it was a terrifying laugh, not at all graceful like Dawn had expected. "Carrie has obviously spoken it wrong."
"But she was glowing! Her eyes changed colour!" Iris explained, "How did she do that?"
"If you would like to enrol with us here at the Anistar gym, you will learn. She was meant to say that two of you will protect each region. Two of you will become that region's idols, their Carriers of Salvation. You all carry a heavy deed upon your shoulders; you will bring peace to a land all by yourselves. Even if others try and may help a bit on the way. It will end up being only two of you who will accomplish the challenge." Olympia stood up. "Now I have a story to tell you all, one that could have you confused or even angry. But this is a true story and all of you have been chosen." Olympia began to pace around the room.
"Since Humans were first brought to the world, there has always been a select number who will be partners to a legendary. No matter what all you your fates will be intertwined and you will all have met each other by the end of your lives. You twelve are some of the partners. By now you have already met some of the others who are not needed yet. I have seen every last one of you."
"Who are the others?" Ash asked. "What if we need their help in the future?"
Olympia analyzed him. "That is not for me to say, even if it is not in my place, I will say that you have left three back in Lumiose City, those three are not needed right now, therefore they will only be a burden to you." Dawn blinked; she couldn't help but think through all the people who were staying in the tower. Could Brock possibly be one of the ones left behind? "There are some of you in this room right now, whose partner is one of the greats, one of the world's strongest. I will tell of one legendary whose partner resides in this room currently. One of you is the partner to Hoenn's Rayquaza." There was a long silence. "Sometimes, there are even people who protect two. Though there has never been a partner to two of the major legendries, ones the regions are known for. There have only been instances of one partner to either two minor or one major and one minor. Though I have not been made aware if any of you hold the partnership of two." Olympia turned to Diantha, "That is all essential for them to know; they need to figure out the rest."
Diantha nodded curtly and stood up herself. "Are all of you prepared to leave? If you need anything then we can provide you with the necessary items needed."
Cilan looked forward, "How many tents do we have?" He asked, "Tents take up a lot of space to carry so we should kno what we have and how many people can fit into each tent to lighten our weight."
"I have one that could fit four people, but it would be very tight." Dawn said. "We also had another one for Drew and Paul to share..." She said quieter. "I'm not sure who had it though..."
"Paul did." Drew said. "I didn't leave home with much after the LaRousse contest; I didn't expect to be traveling." Drew looked to Paul, "It should fit three in it."
"I have both mine, and Bonnie's tents." Clemont added, "They should fit about four in each of them too."
Cilan stood up with a piece of paper in his hands, "If everybody makes a list of the items they have, then this process will be much simpler for us to figure out." Almost immediately, everybody got up to go and write down the contents of their bags. Dawn opted to sit and wait instead, rather than join the busy crowd. She looked to her left and spotted Paul, who was also sitting down. He had his pokégear in his hand along with a pokéball. He tapped away on the device, not paying any attention to her, which she was glad for, and hated at the same time.
Dawn opened her mouth in an attempt to call out to him, but quickly shut it, not wanting his attention like she had initially. "Dawn!" She quickly looked up at Iris who was standing in front of her with the paper and a pen, "Tell me what you got and I'll write it down for you!"
"Don't you find it strange at all?" Dawn found herself asking Ash who had taken the aisle seat next to her.
Ash adjusted himself in his seat so he could turn around and face her. He shook his head, "No not really. I went back in time with Celebi before."
"You have?" Dawn asked, "When?"
"When I traveled through Johto with Misty and Brock. It was..." He paused to think, "Four years ago?" He glanced at Misty who was sitting to his left, "Am I right?"
Misty turned her gaze onto the ceiling, then nodded curtly, "About four years, maybe three. I don't really remember. All I know is that it was weird. Just traveling back so far into the past and—"
She got cut off by a whine from Ash, "Mist, I want to tell the story."
Misty gave him a look and rolled her eyes. "Sure, go ahead Mr. Spotlight."
"Hey!"
Misty smiled at him, "I was kidding, don't worry."
Ash laughed, "I know, I just wanted you to say sorry."
"Like that would happen." She rebuked. Misty then leaned down and grabbed a book from Ash's backpack. "Hurry up and tell the story so I can ignore you and read the book you mom gave you which you'll never read."
"I'll read it... eventually..." Ash then turned back to Dawn, "Anyway, we were traveling and Pikachu spotted a weird pokémon and followed it, I had to chase after Pikachu because we had to catch a ferry. So I caught Pikachu and I called Professor Oak to ask about the pokémon and it ended up being Suicune."
Dawn made a face, "Suicune?"
"Yeah," Ash nodded, "You know, Suicune, Entei and Raikou. Anyway like usual we run into Team Rocket, but that's not really important. We get to some small town and run into this nice lady, her name was like Tona, Toga... Towa! That's it! She was super nice and she had her granddaughter with her who Brock tried to get with like he usually does. Towa warned us about going into the forest, but we went anyway. We walked around for a while, but after a certain point the threes started to glow this weird blue colour. We arrive at a shrine in the middle of the forest and there's a kid ling on the ground unconscious. We couldn't really do anything then so we ook him back to Towa's place." The plane was silent, Dawn looked around briefly as noticed that most of the others were looking at Ash, everyone but Misty and Gary, who had headphone over his ears.
"Once we get back to the house he wakes up and asks where Celebi is, I didn't know who Celebi was then. Then me and Sam, that's his name, got in this big fight and Brock had to break it up." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and smiled. "Towa recognises Sam as somebody who disappeared forty years ago and gave him back his sketchbook which she had kept and explained how he went missing and how long he was gone and stuff. Sam then promises to find Celebi, so we agree to go with him, me, Misty and Brock do. We have no idea where Celebi is. We find Celebi but it doesn't want to be near us and runs away. Then Team Rocket comes back, but whatever, they're just being annoying. We then arrive at this town and some man in a mask attacks us, then he catches Celebi in his Dark Ball. Celebi become controlled and we can't do anything to help it. Towa and Diana, Towa's granddaughter, take us in a borrowed blimp away from the battle. The masked guy attacks us with Celebi again and Suicune saves us from the blast so we begin to fight with our pokémon. Suicune saves Celebi and frees it so Celebi regains its memories of us. We later meet Suicune at a lake and we put Celebi in the water to help it heal, but it doesn't work. Then this huge light appears out of nowhere." Ash suddenly stood up and began to gesture as he described what he had experienced. "A portal opens and tons of Celebi come revive our Celebi. Then the masked guy comes back and attacks us but I grab onto his leg while he's flying into the air with these rockets and I get Pikachu to zap him with Thunderbolt. Pikachu made the jetpack explode—"
"Pika!" Pikachu added in "Pika pika pikachu!"
"Yes you made it explode." Ash replied to his friend who was resting on Misty's shoulder now. "Then Pikachu and I fall down to the ground but all the Celebi save us and we're fine. Then we have to leave Sam and Suicune and Celebi, and then Celebi and Sam have to go back to where they're supposed to be and we have to say goodbye, which sucks because Sam was a great friend." He paused and slowly sat back down. "Then we call and talk to Professor Oak about it and that's about it." He shrugged.
"I thought you said you went back in time?" Dawn asked. "You didn't, Sam did."
Ash shrugged, "I guess, but we went back in time together remember? With Arceus."
"Yes, but that was a different pokémon, not Celebi." She reasoned.
Ash paused yet again, "I'm tired. I've been up since four."
"You went back to sleep after the meeting." Misty spoke again. "You're not tired, you woke up later than you usually do, you had the same amount of sleep that you usually have."
"I'm tired." Ash repeated.
"Then go to sleep." Misty hadn't looked at him yet, her eyes still trailing over the book.
"I can't sleep."
"Yes you can, you're choosing not to."
"I can't sleep."
"Yes you can."
"No I can't."
"Yes you can."
"No I can't!"
Dawn couldn't help but smile slightly at the couple's back and forth arguing. She remembered heating the two fighting whenever Ash would video call her. Brock said that it was a usual thing between the two. Dawn expected it to change once they started dating, but obviously it hadn't.
Like usual the plane ride had been uneventful, Dawn had switched seats during the flight so she could look out of the window. The plane suddenly jerked up, higher and higher. They flew into a swirl of fluffy white clouds. Dawn gasped as she saw the first thing she could. A large mountainous region. There were acres of forestry. The higher the plane flew, the more she could see. It flew downwards again. The pilot, who was a trusted member of the league, came over the announcements. "We will be landing in a forested area, please buckle in as we descend. There was a strange pink wavering light throughout the sky. It looked unnatural, like a barrier.
The trees became clearer and clearer as they got closer to the ground. Leaves soared from the trees from the air being produced from the small plane. There was a jerk and a small bounce as they landed and the pilot came back on the announcements. "We have landed in Ilex Forest."