Author's Note: Hey, everyone! Guess what? Today's my birthday! You can give me a present by leaving a review!

For this chapter, we will be taking a break from seeing the journey of our three heroes, and take a look back in Pallet Town to see what's happening with Dawn.

Dawn's POV

Adam has been travelling for two months now and Ash has been missing for three months. I wondered where they were and how they were doing. Hopefully, they weren't getting into trouble like Ash and I did on our journey, especially since Adam had told me that Team Rocket was back once again. I missed Adam and Ash. The two most important men in my life had left me alone. I wondered if this was how my mom felt when I was away on my journey. I sat on the couch waiting for the news to come back on.

"...Well folks, before the break, I told you that we had some important news. Many of you know Pokemon Master Ash Ketchum has been missing for three months now. Many people are losing faith. They think that he's dead and long gone by now. Is he gone forever? Is he just training somewhere? Will he ever return? People around every region are saying, 'No, he's never going to return.' A poll was put up and seventy five percent voted 'Dead: Never to return.' It's such a shame so many people are believing that he is more likely dead than alive."

I sighed and flipped through channels.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing on him." I muttered.

I've been checking the news for anything that would show that Ash is somewhere out there or anything that involved him. Nothing has been showing up...well, nothing positive, anyways. It's all been negative. At first, it was only a few saying that he was gone, but now it's almost everyone.

I flipped through channels some more.

"Wait a second!" I cried as I flipped back to a channel. "A press conference?"

The Pokemon League symbol was on the screen. I looked at the channel and realized it was a news channel. The Elite Four were sitting on the stage, waiting to be asked questions.

"Celia from Kanto Now. What are the plans for the Champion?" Celia asked.

"Well we have decided that if Ash Ketchum does not return in nine months' time, we'll have no choice but to find a new trainer to replace him." Lance replied.

"Top Reporter from Happening Now in Kanto. Why the sudden decision? Who knows if he's even dead?" the unknown reporter asked.

"He's been missing for three months now. The trail has gone cold. The case is probably closed. Ash has vanished without a trace." Karen replied.

"Watson from Kanto News. Ash did not vanish without a trace. The day Ash vanished, the news reported massive destruction. The Elite Four was informed about the destruction, correct?" Watson asked.

"Yes, we were informed of the destruction, but no clues could be salvaged." Bruno replied.

"Kelly here. Were there any signs that it was indeed Ash that was there?" Kelly asked.

"No information can be given." a voice answered.

"Wait! So it is true? Nine months, and if Ash is not located, his spot as Champion of each region will be given away to other trainers?"

"Yes," the Elite Four replied.

The Pokemon League symbol reappeared and the news went to a commercial.

"Nine months? They're supposed to contact the family before a decision like replacing him is made!" I exclaimed.

I got up from the couch and walked to the video phone. I dialled the Pokemon League and waited.

"Hello?" a voice asked.

"Dawn Ketchum here. Are the Elite Four there?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Ketchum. They will not be speaking to anyone right now. I apologize."

"Wait!"

"Goodbye,"

The call ended and I sighed. I walked back to the living room and sat back down.

"He is still out there. I know he is. They should have contacted me. I needed to know about this and now they won't talk to me?" I muttered angrily.

I walked to the kitchen and took out the ingredients to make poffins. I was a little shaken up by the news and the press conference and I needed to take my mind off of things. I only wondered if Adam saw that report. I really hoped he didn't see that, cause I knew that would affect him and the last thing he needed was to become worried about Ash while on his journey.

After making a whole bunch of poffins for all of the Pokemon, they were eating happily while I was a mess from cooking.

I walked to the bathroom so I could get cleaned. After showering and getting in some lounging clothes, I returned to the living room and sat on the couch again.

Pachirisu and Buneary decided to come and sit with me. I flipped on the television to see if there was anything on. To my surprise, there was a contest showing. In fact, it was the most recent contest in Kanto. The Cerulean City Contest that Michelle had won, being re-run.

"I need to congratulate her whenever I talk to Adam again." I said to myself.

I watched the contest once again. I wouldn't mind being in a contest again, but it wouldn't be the same. Ash was always there, cheering me on. I guess he was a lucky charm sometimes. Of course, I was always there for him, too.

I sighed sadly. It hurt me to know that so many people were losing hope that Ash could still be alive. It also saddened me since he only had nine months to show up again or he'd lose the title. After so many years of training, he can't just let all of his hard work be for nothing.

"Bun..." Buneary trailed.

"I'm fine, Buneary. No need to worry." I said, patting her head.

I glanced at the television again and frowned.

"Is Ash Ketchum going to remain the Champion or will it be given to another?"

"Argh! Leave it alone!" I screamed. I pressed the off button and I stared at the black screen. I got up from the couch and walked to the window and looked out. I remembered the day that Ash went missing, while looking out of the window.

Suddenly, the phone rang. I glanced at the clock to find that it was around three. I walked towards the video phone.

"Who would be calling me?" I asked myself.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, Dee Dee."

I was shocked. Kenny was calling me. I sat down in front of the screen.

"Hi, Kenny. The name's still Dawn, not Dee Dee." I replied, slightly annoyed.

"I know, but it's been a while since we've talked. Had to bring up a childhood memory."

Okay, something was up. Kenny could have easily contacted me over the years. Why the sudden phone call?

"Why'd you call?" I asked.

"Can't a guy call a friend?" he asked.

"Yeah, but you've had all these years to call me."

"...Fine. There's a reason I called you."

"Which is?"

"Do you remember that day when I challenged Ash to a rematch battle again?"

How could I forget that day? That day Kenny had told me that he had feelings for me and that he loved me.

"I remember..."

"Well, Dawn...my feelings for you haven't changed or gone away. Will you give me another chance?" Kenny asked with pleading eyes.

I was shocked.

"Kenny, I'm married to Ash! Remember? I'm Dawn Ketchum now!" I cried.

"Dawn, Ash is dead. And I want to be with you. You aren't going to be able to take care of your kid by yourself! Do you really want Adam to grow up without a father just like Ash did? Adam deserves better than that, and so do you!"

My eye twitched from annoyance and anger.

"Ash turned out perfectly fine without his father! I can take care of myself, Kenny. I'm a grown woman now, not the same little girl you knew in preschool. I can handle raising Adam just fine! Ash is alive, so don't you dare say that he's dead!"

"Dawn, he's been missing for three months! Yeah, three months. He's gone, Dawn. Forever. Please give me another chance. I still have the same feelings for you, Dawn...I love you."

"Kenny! I don't care what you say or what anyone else says! Ash is alive and I know it! I can feel it in my heart. And I don't love you that way! Why can't you understand?"

"Dawn, he's gone!"

"He's not gone, Kenny! Don't you dare tell me that he is! I won't see you the way you see me, I'm sorry, but I can't! My heart belongs to Ash and Ash alone! I'll never give up hope until I see him with my own eyes."

"...Fine. Dawn, sorry to bother you. Just remember this, I'll always love you." Kenny said, and the call ended.

"...And I'll only ever like you as a brother, Kenny. Nothing more." I said.

Ash, wherever you are, just remember that I'll always love you, no matter what. I thought, as I looked at my wedding ring on my finger.

Normal POV

An unknown man shrouded in darkness sat in his office, speaking to the three henchmen standing in front of him.

"In the mountain area south of Cerulean City is a hidden area where wild Pokemon gather to rest when injured. There is a cabin there, kind of like a Pokemon Center. Attacking and stealing from a real Pokemon Center is too risky but this one is hidden away in the mountains and nobody ever goes up there.

"Therefore, you will be going there to capture these Pokemon. Since all of the Pokemon there are slightly weakened, catching them will be easier. And because they are wild Pokemon, when they are brought here, they will be captured in Pokeballs and added to our Pokemon arsenal. Be warned that there are many hidden traps leading to this area to keep out intruders. Therefore, you will be airlifted directly into the area, bypassing most of these traps. But stay on your guard for any other traps that we may not know about. There is only a single woman who lives in the cabin and treats the injured Pokemon. She shouldn't be a problem. We can't allow there to be any witnesses, so kill her and dispose of the body.

"Oh, and one more thing. In case you weren't already informed with the other grunts, if you come across the pair of boys who foiled our plans at Mt. Moon, capture them and bring them to me alive. But don't be afraid to rough them up a bit. We don't have much info about them, but we do know that one has very spiky brown hair, and the other one resembles Ash Ketchum to a tee, complete with a Pikachu on his shoulder. If you bring them to me alive, you will be rewarded very greatly...and I don't mean with just money.

"Any questions? No? Good. You'll leave tomorrow. You are dismissed." he finished, and the three henchmen left.

A man in his mid to late 30's with sharp, narrow red eyes and dark blue hair walked into the room as the henchmen left. He was wearing a long black coat over a red jumpsuit. He walked right up to the mysterious man and said, "Father, I've just received news that most people around the world are beginning to doubt the possibility that Ash Ketchum is still alive."

"Yes, I've already heard, Darien." the mysterious man replied. "That should make things easier for us, since it means that nobody will be out there looking for him."

"Oh, but I know somebody that will always be believing that he's alive." the man now known as Darien replied.

"Yes, that wife of his, living back in Pallet Town. We have nothing to worry about from her."

"Without her husband, she's useless! Oh, you have got a lot to learn about power and strength, SISTER! Hahaha!"

Author's Note: Dun Dun DUUUUNNNN! Plot twist!

Okay, before you all freak out, we will tell you that there is a perfectly logical reason why the Elite Four announced that they will replace Ash, and why they did not contact Dawn, and why they refused to speak to her when she called them. But that reason will be revealed later on in the story.

So for right now, most people are believing that Ash is dead and gone forever, but Dawn refuses to give up hope for him. Kenny believes that since Ash is dead, Dawn will give him another chance in her life. Fat chance!

Meanwhile, another sinister plan is being hatched by Team Rocket. Can you guess where they'll strike next? If you've watched the show, you probably already know. If you have a guess, leave a comment!

We hope you've enjoyed this shorter chapter as we take a break from Adam and the others. In the next chapter, we'll be back with them again as they continue their journey. What will they face? Who will they meet? What Pokemon will they capture?

Find out next time on Pokemon NG!