Author's Comments: World building/drama chapter!
Ash chuckled as he sat in the hallway, his lap full of giant, spoiled cat. Since he was the last battle he had nowhere to be quite yet and he still had to meet up with Lance, and Cynthia, though they would take a while due to having to contact Unova. Persian rubbed her head against his cheek, shooting snide grins at Raichu, who pouted from his spot floating beside them. Ash found it kind of hilarious that his Psychic rodent, and Dark feline had their own little rivalry, especially because Persain was extremely physical with him the same way Meganium was, and loved stealing Ash's attention away from Raichu when she could, but Raichu and Persian were also extremely close, and worked well together during double battles. "Don't give me that look Raichu, you know Persian needs cuddles after battling." Raichu gave an exaggerated sigh, but calmed down. Suddenly however, both Raichu's and Persian's round ears flicked, drawing Ash's attention up.
A familiar young lady stood just in front of him, a meek smile on her face. "Hi Ash." She greeted, voice low and uncertain.
Ash swallowed his surprise. "Dawn." He greeted hesitantly, petting Persian's fur rhythmically. "Um, what are you doing here?"
Dawn winced and slid down the side of the opposing wall until she was sat on the floor across from him. "Buneary wanted to see Pika-er well Raichu." She started, unable to meet his eyes. Just as she finished talking Buneary forced herself from her Pokeball, and pulled her fluff over her face to hide a blush as she laid her eyes on Raichu.
"I see." Ash nodded in understanding, chuckling as Buneary greeted his partner with unbridled enthusiasm. Persian shifted to lay fully in his lap, her thin violet eyes staring at Dawn with unhidden skepticism.
Dawn was silent for a number of minutes, cloaking them in a tense, heavy silence until she cleared her throat. "I owe you an apology."
"You do."
Dawn winced. Ash didn't deny that an apology was due, nor was he rude about it. He responded as if she asked what color the sky was and he answered 'blue'. It would have been easier if he had decided to be a butt about it, but Dawn supposed that was never Ash's style, at least not with her, with Gary and Misty perhaps. Inhaling, Dawn raised her head. "I'm sorry for all the things I said, they were rude, and uncalled for."
"Thank you for the apology." Ash responded and Dawn felt her head break.
He didn't forgive her, and that alone made Dawn's chest burn with self loathing. "My uh, my mother, when she found out, she yelled at me." She admitted. "She then refused to allow me to talk to May, or Misty or anyone from before until I turned 18. I've never seen my mother so mad, its almost as bad as Misty." She tried to joke, but Ash shifted uncomfortably and she sighed guiltily. "I'm not-I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, or to make you forgive me. I-I know I'm not entitled to your forgiveness, and frankly, I don't think I deserve it. I just, I am sorry. I regretted saying all of it the moment I found out you ran away, and I-"
"Why?" Dawn halted, glancing up at him. Ash licked his lips and swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat. "Why did you say any of that to me? Why would you, any of you, betray me like that? I've asked myself that so many times, and I just don't have the answers. Brock, Brock said he wanted me to grow up," Ash laughed bitterly at the notion. "So what, what's your reason?"
Dawn leaned her head back on the cold wall. "Its the dumbest reason," Dawn admitted. "I was angry." She knew the explanation was weak, but Ash deserved the truth. "I had just lost in Johto, barely made it into the Grand Festival. I was so angry at myself, and then you lost to Cameron, but you seemed so calm about it! And then Misty started talking and she had made so much sense at the time." Dawn sighed and knocked her head against the wall.
"Thats so stupid." Dawn nodded in agreement. Ash sat up straighter against the wall. "I helped you, all through out time together in Sinnoh." Dawn faced him, resisting the urge to drop her head in shame. "I taught you how to catch Pokemon, I encouraged you after every loss, I trusted you enough to trade you one of my Pokemon, I risked my life for you. Did that mean nothing? Did it mean so little that you being angry was enough for you to stomp on my feelings, my dreams?"
Tears started streaming down Dawn's face. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Ash heaved a heavy sigh. "I can't forgive you, not now, and I'm not sure if ever."
"I understand." Dawn pushed herself up, wiping her eyes and cheeks in a weak attempt to stop her tears. A handkerchief floated over to her, and with a hoarse sniff, Dawn used it to wipe her eyes. "Thanks Raichu." She smiled weakly. "Um May wanted to come with me, but we thought it would be too much for you, but she does want to speak to you soon, if you sniff if you don't want her to then she'll stay away. She wanted me to tell you that."
Ash sighed, and nodded his head in understanding. "Maybe, but not, not right now."
"Okay." Dawn agreed easily, and beckoned to Buneary. "I'll leave you alone now."
"Thank you." He gave her a tight lipped smile, which she returned.
Dawn started making her way back down the hallway before halting, as if remembering something. She turned towards him, and scratched her neck awkwardly. "Um Iris saw you with that blonde haired guy, she hasn't told Misty yet, on account of Dragonite." She winced at the memory. "Me and May will try and keep her away from you but…"
"Its Misty." Ash nodded in understanding. "Thank you, for telling me." He said awkwardly. Dawn nodded and continued on her way.
Ash let out a deep sigh and buried his face in Persian's fur, breathing in the scent of battle that still clung to her pelt along with the smell of Colbur berries. Somehow he felt lighter, and heavier at the same time, like a problem was solved and a new one shoved onto him.
"Rai Raichu." Raichu chirped, causing images of Lance and Cynthia waiting with Alain at the front of the stadium with Gladion.
"Thanks buddy." Ash lifted his head and reached out, scratching Raichu under the chin. "Lets get this over with so we can go home and sleep, thank goodness tomorrow is a rest day." He yawned, shifting. Persian jumped off his lap, letting him use her shoulders to push him up off the floor.
—-
Due to the break day the Alolan group decided to hit up a local Private Karaoke Bar* for a few hours. Gladion was refusing to sing, but Kiawe had sung Hero's Come Back, Serena and Lillie duo sang Dori Dori, Lana, Serena, and Bonnie sang(and danced to) Kokoro no Tamago, and even Delia sang Ryuusei Dreamline. Ash had been waiting for the group song, and he regretted nothing!
"I wanna be the very best, Like no one ever was!" Ash sang, followed by Lana.
"To catch them is my real test, To train them is my cause!" Lana threw her arm around Lillie in encouragement."
"I will travel across the land, Searching far and wide." Compared to Ash's and Lana's boisterous outburst, Lillie sang quietly. "Each Pokemon to understand, The power that's inside!"
(Pokemon, gotta catch 'em all)
Kiawe scooped in dramatically. "Its you and me, I know it's my destiny!"
(Pokemon)
Serena and Bonnie broke in, singing the next line simultaneously. "Oh, you're my best friend, In a world we must defend!"
(Pokemon, gotta catch 'em all)
Gladion sighed as the group stared at him expectantly, however, like Lillie his enthusiasm didn't match everyone else's. "A heart so true, Our courage will pull us through."
Delila giggled, joining in. "You teach me and I'll teach you!"
"Pokemon!" The whole group finished in one big belt, falling into giggles as the song tapered off.
Lillie heaved a sigh as she took her seat, face flushed. "Has the waiter brought in our refills?"
Ash shook his head. "Not yet, but it's probably taking a while because they're busy." A lot of people came to spectate the tournament, and Celadon was already a big city, the Karaoke Bar was probably swamped. "I can go see what's taking so long." He offered, making his way to the door.
Lillie nodded gratefully. "Please."
"Can I come too please? I want to order some cake!" Bonnie asked, bounding over to him.
"Sure, I'll probably need some help bringing things back if they are busy." Ash ruffled her hair and opened the door as Lana and Serena were picking their next song.
The pair of adoptive siblings wandered down the halls. The rooms were soundproof, so they couldn't hear any of the songs coming from other rooms, making the halls surprisingly quiet. Ash approached the front desk just as a blue haired waiter bustled out of the kitchen with a tray of food.
"Oh you're from room 15 right? I'm so sorry its taking so long! We're packed." She halted as soon as she saw them.
Ash waved them off. "We thought so, but if someone could bring us our order I can take it back to our room."
"Oh thank you so much, I'll tell the other waiters." She heaved a sigh of relief and vanished into the back, coming back out with a brunette individual. While the Brunette approached them, the blue haired lady continued down the hall.
"Three Ice waters, an iced tea, a strawberry milk, and two colas right?" The brunette asked, setting the tray of drinks down.
"Can I also get five orders of cake and two orders of strawberry tart?" Ash asked, glancing towards the excited blonde beside him.
"Of course, give me a few minutes to get them." They vanished back into the back.
"Don't tell your brother I'm letting you eat so many sweets." Ash warned her. While the cake and tarts were for the whole group Ash had also let her eat a bunch of candies. He was weak to his little sister, and she knew it.
Bonnie simply giggled. "Of course not. I'd be the one to get in trouble!"
"Ash, what are you doing here?"
Ash jumped at hearing his name, and turned on heel, coming face to face with Cilan and Tracy. Ash's feelings towards the two were complicated. Unlike the others, Cilan and Tracy never verbally said anything to him, but they didn't step in to defend him either, which hurt just as much as if they had specifically said anything. "Cilan, Tracy." He greeted, pushing Bonnie behind him a bit.
Tracy had the decency to look away, unable to meet Ash's eyes. Cilan had no such shame. "It has been so long!" The green haired connoisseur beamed. "I didn't think I'd run into you here of all places."
Ash raised his brow and hummed. "We're having fun before the tournament tomorrow." He answered briskly.
"So are we! May and Dawn insisted!" Cilan chuckled. "You should come by and say hello to everyone."
"No, I don't think I will." Ash stated firmly.
Cilan's face twitched. "Are you still mad? Ash, that stuff happened three years ago, surely you can grow up and let it go."
Chocolate brown eyes narrowed into a hearty glare, and Bonnie peaked out from behind Ash to stick her tongue out at them. "'That stuff' was traumatic, so yes, Cilan, I'm 'still mad'."
"Heres your order sir-is there a problem?" The brunette waiter walked out with a dray of cake and tarts, glancing between Ash and Cilan warily.
Ash smiled at the waiter and shook his head. "Small disagreement. Do you think you can carry the tray Bonnie?"
Bonnie nodded. "Yep! I'll be very careful!" She promised, and Ash handed her the tray of sweets while he took the tray of drinks. Without paying any mind to Cilan and Tracy, Ash and Bonnie walked past them, and back to their room.
When Ash and Bonnie walked into the room, they were halted by Lana and Serena singing Friday at the top of their lungs. Gladion looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please make them stop!" Ash simply snorted and handed Lillie her water.
Author's Comments: Ok so this is the drama chapter, hope you liked it. I actually really like May and Dawn and their parents seem like the type to put an end to the kind of things they did to Ash so while everyone else didn't have anyone to scold them, May, Max, and Dawn did, which made them feel guilt sooner than say Iris, Brock, or Misty(lets face it, if you did something wrong but no one is around to tell you you were wrong, its going to take longer to come to terms with, and make yourself better). That being said, Max is still a spoiled little brat that will have his comeuppance. As for Cilan and Tracy…they're boring? I can't really name any faults, but no good points either so I really just wanted them out of the way.
Next chapter with be Semi Finals A part 1, unlike previous chapters where there were two matches per chapter all battles will be only one match, but 3 on 3 no substitutions.
Karaoke Bar: A private karaoke bar is a place you go to and can buy a room for an hour or more and can have a private karaoke party with your friend group or family. There's soft chairs, a table, a booklet with songs, a menu, and usually a television that displays the words to the songs. You place orders from the menu and then the food and drink is brought to your room.
Hero's Come Back by Nobodyknows+
Dori Dori by Shoko Nakagawa
Kokoro no Tamago by Buono!
Ryuusei Dreamline by Plasmagica
Gotta Catch Them All by James Paige
Friday by Rebecca Black