Sleepless Nights on Lake Valor

Chapter 4: The Walk to Happiness

Part 1: Dawn's Last Glimpse?

Dawn's Point of View

I grabbed my swimsuit, goggles, Pokéballs, sunblock and some extra clothes to wear after swimming. I also brought my journal so that I could write in it after enjoying the beach. I put all of my stuff into my backpack. My Pokémon were stored in their Pokeballs except for Piplup. He wanted to walk alongside me on the way there. After assuring myself that everything was in order, I went to the bathroom to change into my swimsuit. After changing, I went to kitchen and packed some cans of Electabuzz Soda, a few bags of Cherubi Gummis, and one box of Snover Berry Popsicles in my bag.

"Dawn!" Ash shouted from outside. "Are ya' ready? We're ready to go to the beach!"

"Yep! I'm ready!" I walked out of the cabin and down the little stairs to the sandy shore.

"Dawn, you look great!" Ash said with his eyes wide and a smile plastered on his face. "Let's go!"

Ash grabbed my hand and we ran down all the way to the water. My face heated up. I was probably the happiest girl in the world at that moment. Ash let go of my hand, swam toward deeper waters, and plunged beneath the lake's surface. A few seconds later, he rose out of the water with a big smile on his face. I reciprocated with a smile of my own.

"Hey, Slowpoke!" Ash teased. "Are you coming in or not!"

I waded through the water. "I'm on my way!"

When I got close enough to Ash, I dove down. Since Lake Valor is a freshwater lake, not saltwater, I could open my eyes without fear of hurting my eyes. There were a lot of Pokémon underneath the clear, blue waters: Ash's Buizel, Corsola hiding in the coral, Horsea playing in the seaweed while the elder Seadra were watching, some Shellder—so many happy Pokemon.

A couple of feet away, Ash also plunged into the water. He turned and grinned at me again. I waved at him. Just then, a school of Luvdisc came by. We watched them until they were out of sight. There was one wives' tale about Luvdisc... What was it again? Something about... LOVE?!

Bewildered, I accidentally inhaled water. I rose to the surface quickly and coughed out the water. After catching my breath, I swam away from Ash, Brock, and all of our Pokémon.

"Don't go too far, Dawn!" Ash said as he cleared his eyes. "You're heading toward the deepest part of the lake!"

"No need to worry!" I answered back. "I'll be fine!"

I faced away from them. Unconsciously, I began to float even farther away from the group. By the time I had realized this, it was too late. When I circled around, they were little specks in my field of vision. I paddled swiftly through the water but something stopped me. Something started to pull at my leg. I looked down and saw two grey colored tentacles. A Tentacool! I tried fighting my way out of its grasp but it was too strong. The Tentacool pulled me down into the water. I struggled against the Pokémon and eventually made it back to the surface. Taking a deep breath, I shouted as loud as I could.

"ASH! BROCK! ANYONE! PLEASE HELP ME!"

I don't think anyone heard me; no one budged from their spots in the shallows. I knew I should've stayed over there with the others. Now there was nothing I could do. Tentacool pulled me back down underneath the water. Having been dragged down so quickly, I wasn't able to take another breath. As my vision started to blur, I could faintly discern a figure making its way towards me. Am I going to make it?

Chapter 2 Continued

Part Two: Where are You?

Ash's Point of View

"Hey, Brock." I scanned the waters around me worriedly. "Have you seen Dawn?"

"No," Brock paused, surveying the area with me. "I haven't."

"It's been ten minutes since she swam out toward the deep end... and I'm really starting to panic."

"I'd look for her myself, but the Pokémon need to be watched. Why don't you try to find her? I'll stay here."

"A-are you sure?"

"Of course I am. Just be careful, Ash. Take Buizel with you; he might be able to help you out."

I nodded and began to swim away from Brock. I hope she's alright. Even after she assures us that there's no need to worry, it's still difficult not to do so.

All of a sudden, I heard screaming not too far away. Dawn.

"ASH! BROCK! ANYONE! PLEASE HELP ME!" Dawn's voice echoed.

"Dawn, I'm coming!" I shouted and swam towards her as quickly as I could.

When I reached the spot where I thought her voice had come from, she wasn't there. Where are you, Dawn? In a last ditch effort to find her, I dove underneath the water. Luckily, I saw Dawn... but I also spotted a Tentacool grabbing her foot. I swam deeper into the water and noticed that her eyes were shut.

"Daaawn! Don't drown!" My voice gargled in the water. "I'll save yooou! Buizel, use Aqua Jet on Tentacool!"

"Bui!" Buizel surrounded itself with more water and propelled itself at Tentacool. Upon impact, Tentacool let go of Dawn and the jellyfish Pokémon retaliated with a Poison Sting. The poison spikes hit the water surrounding Buizel but they didn't directly hit it. Another Aqua Jet from Buizel finished the job.

"Tenta!" It screamed as it shot away.

"C'mon, Buizel! Help me get Dawn!"

I took hold of her. Buizel helped me carry Dawn all the way to the beach. Brock started asking me a bunch of questions, but I just ignored him. I focused on saving Dawn. Brock and the other surrounded Dawn and me. I asked Pikachu to try a Thundershock. When I almost drowned once and was unconscious, Pikachu used an electric attack and woke me up. Maybe that same tactic would work on Dawn, too. Pikachu used a weak Thundershock and as I expected, Dawn convulsed as she regained consciousness. She coughed up a bit of water, but got up and hugged me all of a sudden.

She whispered, "Thank you, Ash. You saved me."

Dawn laughed a little.

"Ash, I need to tell you something. Something... important."

She broke away from our embrace and motioned me to follow her. I did. What could be so important that it's the first thing she wants to talk about after almost dying?! We walked up a few flights of stairs and onto a viewing platform. I followed her to the railing, gazing at her figure as she looked out to the horizon.

"Play Twenty Questions with me, Ash."

"Uh, okay."

"Alright. Um... let's say that there's a girl who likes you."

"Really? There's someone that likes me?"

"Yeah. That's the topic. Okay, the game starts... now."

"Let's see... do I know the girl?"

"Yes. You've known her for a while."

"Hm. Does she perform in contests?"

"Yes."

"Does she have five ribbons?"

Oh... so that's who it is, huh? Well, let's play around for a bit.

"Yeah..." The ground suddenly became of great interest to the bluenette.

"Has she ever travelled around with me?"

"Mhmm... This is her first time, actually..."

"Does she have blue hair?"

"Er, yes…" Okay... she must realize that I know who the girl is now.

"Does she have beautiful blue eyes?"

"Um…"

"You have to answer the question. Yes or no?"

I sure was having fun with this—making her uncomfortable.

"I guess so… but maybe not beautiful."

"Alright. I know who it is."

"…"

I leaned in close to Dawn, almost pressing against her, and whispered in her ear. "It's you."

"Mhmm... It's me." She responded meekly and playfully pushed me away. "Don't tease me about it, alright?"

I smirked.

"No need to worry."