Author's Note: For this chapter, we will be taking another break from the journey of our three heroes, and take another look back in Pallet Town to see what's happening with Dawn and her mom, Johanna.

Dawn's POV

My mom had been staying with me for a few weeks now. After all, she was there to help me deal with everything that had happened until Ash returned home. Ash had been missing for four months now.

I stood in the kitchen, fixing some tea. My mom was looking around the house. I guess she was trying to figure out what I was doing, since I was home alone.

"Mom, the tea is done." I called.

I heard my mom's footsteps approaching and she entered the kitchen. "Thank you, sweetie." she said, taking the cup I held out to her.

I grabbed my cup and followed her into the living room and I sat on the couch. She followed my actions and placed her cup on the table.

"Dawn, what has happened?" my mom asked, looking at me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, although I knew perfectly well what she was asking.

"Dawn..."

I stared at my cup, placed it on the table, and softly said, "A lot has happened."

"Start from the beginning of when things started to go wrong, after his...disappearance."

I knew my mom just wanted to know so she could help me, but honestly, so much had happened.

"Well...have you seen the Elite Four press conferences recently?" I asked.

"The Sinnoh ones. The Kanto ones, no."

"It was a little before the ship incident. I was scrolling through the channels and I saw the Elite Four symbol on the screen." I explained.

My mom nodded her head, telling me to continue.

"They...they declared that if Ash didn't return in nine months; which would equal to a year of him being gone, they would replace him with a new trainer as Pokemon Master."

My mom was thinking, since she had leaned back.

"That isn't right. They're supposed to contact you first, correct?" she asked.

"Yes, which brings up another thing. What's your opinion about them replacing him after a year?" I asked.

"Well, I don't think it's right that they think he's not going to return. I do agree with the year, though. At least they didn't replace him after the first month or so."

"True...I didn't think about that." I said.

"I think they also have faith that Ash is still alive, but they're losing faith. They're just making future plans in case..."

'In case he's dead', which is what my mom failed to say, knowing it would make me upset. I felt my heart ache just thinking about the possibility that Ash was dead. I knew that he wasn't dead, my heart told me that he's still alive.

"That makes sense. I didn't think of any of that. I was so angry."

My mom placed her hands on my hands. "Never let your anger cloud your judgment. Always try to find the reason for one's choice." she said, looking into my eyes.

"Now, tell me more." she said, taking a sip of her tea.

"Well, when Ash became Champion, the Elite Four said that they would tell me if anything happened or if they made any changes. So I just don't understand why they wouldn't contact me and tell me that they had made this decision. They're supposed to." I said.

"Well, they probably placed themselves in your shoes. Take a moment and think. What would you do if you had to call the Champion's wife and tell her, 'Oh, we would just like to let you know that if your husband doesn't return within nine months, he will be replaced.' Or, 'Oh, and if by any chance he did return after a year, he couldn't get his title back without participating in the league again.' Would you do that?"

My mom had me there. "No, I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't have the heart to do it." I replied. "Knowing that it could make the person lose their faith in the chance that he would return." I added softly.

"Exactly, which might be why they didn't contact you."

"Okay then, how do you explain them not talking to me when I called them?" I asked. "Is the League trying to hide something from me?"

My mom thought for a few minutes as I took a sip of my tea. "Well, Dawn, your reaction was anger after you saw the news, right?" she asked.

"Yes, I was angry at them." I replied.

"They probably knew that you would be angry. After all, they did this without telling you, and of course it would anger someone who is supposed to have a say in it."

"Right..."

"When you called, how did you sound? Did you demand them to talk to you? What?"

I thought back to what I had done. I had dialled and asked to speak to them, but they refused. "I just called and asked to speak to them. I think I was more curious to know why than angry. They refused to talk to me, which made me angrier."

"Okay, maybe they didn't know how to answer the questions you would ask."

There was a possibility that she was right. I was going to be asking questions that they might not have had the answers to. But for them to immediately jump to that conclusion...?

"Has anything else happened?" asked my mom.

I frowned, but then my hands became fists in my lap as I got angry, remembering what had happened.

"Dawn, what happened?" my mom asked, concerned by my sudden change.

"I received a phone call...from a childhood friend." I said slowly.

"From who?"

"Mom...a childhood friend."

She thought for a moment and she looked at me. "Kenny?"

"Yes,"

"What happened?"

I thought of how I could tell her the story. "Do...do you remember when I was travelling with Ash in Sinnoh?"

"Yes, of course I do."

"Well, do you remember when I called you one day in the late afternoon? When I was really upset?"

My mom thought for a little while, thinking back. "I think so, dear."

"What was the reason?"

"You said that Ash and Kenny had a battle. A rematch..."

I nodded my head, letting her know that she had the story right so far.

"Kenny had told you after the battle that he had feelings for you and he loved you."

I nodded my head.

"You were shocked and told him you loved someone else. You ran away crying, and called me."

"That's the story. Do you think you know what I'm about to tell you now?"

"Maybe,"

I took a breath and looked at my wedding ring. "Kenny called me, saying he was just calling a friend. Things didn't add up, though. He's had all these years to call me to talk to me, and then he just calls out of nowhere. It didn't make sense, until he told me why." I explained.

My mom nodded her head.

"He asked me if I remembered that rematch. I told him that I remembered and it felt like I knew what was about to happen, but I was hoping it wouldn't. I was uncertain if I should have said that I remembered. But now I wish I hadn't said that I did."

I traced my ring with my finger. "He told me...he told me that his feelings hadn't changed and he still loved me. He wanted me to give him another chance."

I glanced at my mom and she looked shocked.

"It's not over yet, mom." I said softly.

"Continue,"

"I got defensive and reminded him that I was married to Ash and I was Dawn Ketchum now. Then he then said something that really hurt. I'm really shocked that I didn't cry while I was on the phone with him."

"Dawn..."

"I'm fine, no need to worry." I said, waving my hands. Then I frowned at what I had just done. I had done that a lot when I travelled with Ash as a young girl. I would always wave my hands around and say my famous catch phrase. I could still hear Ash's voice in my head saying, That's when I worry the most.

"Kenny told me Ash was dead and he wanted to be with me. He said I wouldn't be able to care of Adam by myself. He asked me if I really wanted Adam to grow up without a father, like Ash did. He also said that Adam deserves better than that...and that I do, too."

"He...he said that?" my mom asked, truly shocked.

"Yes, but it's still not over. I then got REALLY defensive. I had told him that Ash turned out fine without a father. I told him that I could care for Adam by myself and I wasn't the same girl that I was in preschool when we were kids. I told him not to say that Ash was dead."

I shook my head, refusing to cry.

"He then reminded me that Ash had been missing for three months at that time. He told me that Ash was gone. Forever. That's what really hurt me. He was now begging for another chance and once again said that he loved me. I then lost it and lashed out on him, telling him to not tell me that Ash was gone and I told him that I would never see Kenny the way he saw me. My heart belongs to Ash, and Ash alone. I said that I would never give up hope that Ash was alive until I see him wit my own eyes. Once I said that, Kenny looked truly hurt. He told me that he was sorry to bother me and ended the call, saying that he would always love me."

My mom was silent for a while, probably shocked by what I had just told her and she was still processing everything.

"...That really doesn't seem like Kenny. Love can make you do crazy things, though. Dawn, you love Ash and Ash alone. You have faith that's he's alive out there. Just never forget that you will have people that will try to break your love for Ash. Don't let them get the chance. Ever."

"I won't, mom. That, I can swear to you." I said.

"The love you share with Ash is very special. In all of my life, I've never seen two people love each other more than how much you and Ash love each other."

My mom paused for a second before saying, "Anything else, dear?"

I nodded my head. "I told you about this one before. Adam...he almost died and I was all alone for a while, believing that he was dead." I said, my voice cracking.

"I know, sweetie. I know. Adam has the sense of adventure and trouble that Ash seemed to have. He'll be safe, for Arceus is watching over him and his friends. They'll all be safe. Remember that Arceus is watching. Always."

"You're right. And with Arceus watching over Adam, I know he'll be protected." I said, smiling.

But my smile fell from my face quickly. "The last thing is...Team Rocket, may be back." I said quickly.

My mom had raised her cup of tea to her lips, but put it back down. "What did you say?"

"Team Rocket...they may be back."

"How do you know?"

"Adam and Jason called me after they met Michelle for the first time. Adam and Jason ran into Team Rocket at Mt. Moon. Team Rocket tried to attack them while their Pokemon were distracted. A Fire Pokemon and its trainer saved them. But they don't know who it is."

"How can Team Rocket be back, though? They disbanded years ago when Ash and the Elite Four banded together to destroy their old HQ."

"I'm not sure, but they could be back. I don't think many people believe that they could be back after all these years."

"Well, if they ARE back, Adam and his friends need to be careful. This new Team Rocket could be trouble."

A silence fell upon us. I hugged my mom and she hugged me back after the small shock.

"Thank you, mom. I feel a little better." I said.

"That's because you have someone to talk to about your problems. Dawn, if you ever need to talk, just tell me. I'll be here to listen."

"I know, mom. And thank you for being here." I said, pulling away.

My mom looked at me. "Dawn, I want you to listen to me." she said.

I nodded my head and waited.

"Remember all of the times that you, Ash, and Adam have spent together. Remember a different one each time you feel lonely. And every night when you go sleep, think of Ash and Adam and dream of all the things that the three of you will do as a family when they return."

I smiled and nodded my head. "I will, mom."

For the rest of the day, my mom either read a book that she had brought along with her or she helped me with fixing food or doing laundry.

My mom went to bed at around ten, since she was tired. I sat in my room on the bed.

I really did miss Ash dearly. I missed his light snoring when he was having a good night's sleep. I missed seeing his wild, untamed hair and dark chocolate brown eyes looking at me with love every morning when I woke up. I missed the times when he would stroke my hair, running his fingers through it whenever I was feeling upset or stressed. It always helped me calm down. I just missed everything about him.

I missed Adam, too. But he's living his dream and having fun, so I knew I should be happy for him.

I hopped off of the bed and walked to the dresser and undid my hair, letting it fall down my back. Ash always said that he liked my hair best when it was down like that. I then climbed into bed, thinking of the two most important boys in my life, and fell asleep. Then I began to dream.

Adam, Ash, and I were on a boat, traveling to the Orange Islands. Ash had said he would take us there one day, ever since Adam saw his Orange League battle. I hadn't been there since Ash and I were on our honeymoon.

I looked up as I stood, looking at the ocean, watching as Pokemon jumped from the water and landed. I smiled at the Pokemon and leaned against the rail. I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist and pull me towards them.

"Are you okay?" Ash asked, resting his head on my shoulder.

"I'm fine, just watching the ocean." I replied.

"We're almost there, Adam's in the room getting his things."

I nodded my head and leaned back against Ash.

"So what's the reason for this trip?" I asked, turning around in his arms and facing him.

"Adam said that he wanted to come here someday. I said that I would take you both. I'm finally fulfilling the promise. Besides, it's been too long since the two of us were here together."

I laughed as we shared a kiss. "You're the best husband that a girl could ever have." I said as I stared at him lovingly. "I love you so much, Ash."

"And I love you too, Dawn. I always will."

"Attention, all passengers. We are now docking. Enjoy the Orange Islands."

"Mom! Dad!" Adam cried, running over.

"Well, now we can get off and go." Ash said to us.

We walked off of the boat and stepped off to the side and looked around.

"So where are we going?" Adam asked.

"Anywhere you want, son. We could stay here for a while so that you can see all of the islands that I saw when I was here." Ash replied.

"Really?"

"Yeah, as long as it's okay with your mom. Hopefully, she won't mind staying."

"It is okay, mom?"

I smiled and nodded my head.

"Well, I know where I want to visit." Adam said suddenly.

"Where?"

"Shamouti Island,"

"Of course you would." I said, looking at Adam.

"Hey! I want to see where dad met Lugia and saved the world, and everything." Adam defended.

I just smiled and laughed softly."Well, okay. It's a nice place to visit."

I remembered the story that Ash had told me one day when I was travelling with him through the islands. He had also told the story to Adam, who had been amazed by that story ever since.

After a few days of just doing nothing but some tourism, we were finally heading to Shamouti Island and Adam was very excited.

"Do you think anyone will remember you?" Adam asked Ash as we sailed through the water.

"I think at least one person will." Ash replied.

"Could we visit Fire, Ice, and Lightning Islands, too?"

"I don't see why not, it's all around the same area."

"Awesome!"

I smiled at Ash and Adam, glad that my boys were back safe and sound.

Author's Note: Talking with her mom has really helped Dawn out and made her feel better. Also, keep that dream scene at the end of the chapter in mind. It will play a part later on in the story.

We hope you've enjoyed this 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 on Pokemon NG!