Exiting the Pokémon center, the trio started their way to the Pastoria City Gym. Pikachu and Piplup were happily playing while the trainers trailed them.
"It's so nice to just explore the city!" Dawn said as she stretched.
"Yeah, especially when you had to wait for someone for over two hours, because that's how long it takes for them to do their hair." Ash rolled his eyes.
"I don't tell you how to live your life." She placed her hands on her hips.
"Calm down guys, let's just focus on-" Brock stopped walking.
"Brock? Are you okay?" Dawn stopped and looked back at her friend.
"Earth to Brock…" Ash knocked on his head.
Brock's mouth was twisted up into a smile, and his cheeks were burning. He had that dreamy expression on his face, which would often pop up whenever a pretty girl came into view.
"I think we should stay a while." Brock said dreamily.
"Why?" Ash raised a brow. Brock just answered him with a point towards the poster ahead of them.
"Hey a water show!" Ash ran up to the sign.
"That sounds awesome! Why don't we check that out first? We haven't really taken a break for a while and this is perfect." Dawn suggested.
The poster featured a close-up of a girl with her head down, and her long fiery orange hair covering her eyes. On either side of her are two boys, one with a rose in his hand, and another with a crown on his head. Both of their eyes are covered, sealing their identities.
"This looks so romantic." Dawn said dreamily. "It looks like a love triangle story."
"NEVER FEAR!" Brock exclaimed. "There is no way I would ever let another guy steal my girl. No matter what, I will fight for our love! Whether it is on land, at sea or in the air! There is no-!" Croagunk fired a poison sting right at its trainer just in time to prevent another incredibly long speech of love.
With a sweatdrop, Dawn began dragging him towards the ticket booth of the stadium. "Don't worry Brock, we are definitely getting tickets to see this show!"
"How do you expect us to pay for all that? I'm pretty sure a show that big is expensive." Ash asked.
"I'm cute, I'll get by." Dawn shrugged. A sweatdrop appeared on both the boys and the Pokémon's heads as she lined up.
"Come on Brock." Ash dragged his friend to where Dawn was standing.
"I can't wait to see the mermaid! I bet she'll be absolutely beautiful." Dawn sighed.
"She looks kind of familiar to me." Ash pondered.
"You know a mermaid?" she asked.
Ash fell over. "You know what I mean!"
"Well Ash, this is the first time I've ever heard you compliment a girl." She eyed him mischievously.
"These tickets look really pricey." Brock stated.
"I told you guys, I'm cute so I'll get by." Dawn winked.
"You're gonna have to be extra cute to score a ticket." Someone told them.
"May!" the three exclaimed, both shocked and happy to see their old friend from the Hoenn region.
"Hey guys, great to see you again." May greeted.
"Are you here to watch the water show too?" Brock asked.
"Yup, and I've got pretty good seats. You guys should come and watch with me."
"This show is selling like hotcakes, it'll be a miracle to get a good seat, let alone a seat."
"Don't worry about it, cause you guys are invited." She winked.
"That's real nice of you May, but what about the organizers? I'm not sure if they'll be happy about it. Unless, you're in charge?" Dawn replied.
"No I'm not in charge, but we know the organizers." May tugged her friends into the stadium.
Following May, the trio made their way past the guards and entered the stadium. They were astonished by what they see. A giant water tank is filled with water Pokémon. The stadium itself was given an oceanic feel, decorated with paintings of the majestic water/dragon Pokémon.
Dawn's eyes were sparkling at the beauty, it was hard to snap her out of it. "This is so beautiful."
"And familiar." Ash and Brock muttered.
"I think I know why you brought us here." Brock smiled at May.
"Why?" Ash asked.
May and Brock fell over. "I see nothing's changed." May's head fell in her hands.
"Well I haven't seen you guys in like, forever." Lily suddenly appeared beside May.
"Oh hey Lily." Ash greeted, stunned at the appearance of the sensational sister.
"Actually I was talking about Pikachu, but hi Ash." She waved.
"My fair princess!" Brock shoved Ash out of the way. "You are even more beautiful than when I last saw you." He said as he held her hand.
"Uhhh… it's nice to see you again too Brock." Lily tried stepping back.
"Well it's like about time." Violet said as she and Daisy showed up.
"Hi Ash, Hi Brock!" Violet and Daisy greeted.
"Hey guys." Ash greeted back, still stunned.
Dawn elbowed him in the arm. "Ahem!"
"Oh right, hey guys this is Dawn." He said as he rubbed his arm.
"It's nice to meet you all." She smiled at the sensational sisters.
"We should have known you guys would be here, after all, water shows are your specialty." Brock chuckled.
"Wait so that means…" Ash realized.
"Okay, I guess he finally learned how to connect the dots…" May whispered to Dawn.
"Hey you guys." A familiar voice emerged from behind them.
"Misty!" Ash and Brock exclaimed.
"I missed you guys!" Misty ran up to hug her two close friends.
"Hey Mist. We missed you too!" Ash hugged her back.
"Why didn't you tell us you were coming to Sinnoh?" Brock asked.
"I wanted to surprise you guys." She giggled.
A sudden flash caught their attention.
"Sorry I just wanted a picture of the original team." Daisy said, grinning at her camera.
A/N:
Reunited at last! Haha hope you guys liked this. Get ready for longer chapters :)
Thank you again for the reviews! I appreciate every single one of them.