CHAPTER ONE

Leaning on the side wall of the sterile lab that he was standing in, the young man named Ash Ketchum was carefully watching as his lifelong friend, Gary Oak currently had his head dangerously close to the open mouth of the easily excitable Gible that was currently standing on the examination table. The small pokemon turned to give its trainer a happy wave, resulting in the 18 year old to just smile and wave back to the little guy. Maybe this would be fine… though just to be sure, he had to ask.

"Are you sure that this is a good idea, Gary? I mean, he seems perfectly healthy and happy, if a bit… bitey at times…" Ash asked cautiously as he looked over at the young research assistant who was currently putting on gloves with an excited smile. Even if the two hadn't always been on great terms, Ash had to admit, Gary looked great. It had been a long, long time since the trainer had seen his friend this excited about something. He was happy that his friend had decided to give up on being a trainer and return home to work with his grandfather in becoming a great researcher like the Oaks before him had done.

The young researcher couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's cautiousness for his well being. "Thanks Ash, but I'll be fine. I've been nearly trampled by your Tauros more times than I can count. I'm sure that this friendly little guy couldn't possibly be any issue. Isn't that right, bud?" The Researcher declared to his friend while scratching under the Gibles chin, much to the pokemons delight. "Anyway! Yes, he bites, but the question is why! Pokemon are fickle little guys that can't talk so they show their emotions in different ways. I'm just checking to see if he's just trying to tell you that something's wrong with him."

The trainer just sighs in defeat as he shakes his head. Giving a shrug as he went back to smiling. "Okay… 'Mister Professor.' I trust y- Wait you've been nearly trampled by my Tauros HOW many times?!" The young trainer asked with worry as he took a step away from the wall with concern and shock clear on his body language. Just staring at his friend with a nervous expression.

Gary just looked back at him with a smile on his face as he kept scratching Gible. "Anyway…-" "Don't you ANYWAY me, Gary! We are talking about this lat-" "Ahem. ANYWAY! Open up, little bud. I wanna check around inside to see if anything is wrong." The researcher just chooses to ignore his friend's nagging as turned back to the pokemon who happily opens his wide jaws for his trainer's friend. The researcher got a small flashlight with a rotatable light source. The young professor gets in close as he begins to examine the small shark pokemons mouth.

"Hm… Well there doesn't seem to be anything worrying so far… The front sides of the teeth seem fine to me…. Now let's check the back." The excited researcher pronounced to nobody in particular before slowly positioning his head to the inside of the pokemons mouth in an attempt to not startle the little guy, much to Ash's worry as the trainer was prepared to jump in to pry his friends head out of the pokemons jaws. "Yep! Still looks like a healthy Gibble to me from back here! Hey… what's thi- ACK!"

With a sudden CHOMP! The Gible on the table suddenly looked very distressed and began to wiggle around to try and get away from the researcher, not realizing that by biting down, the pokemon had trapped the top of the researcher's head and hand inside of his mouth. "Ash! Little help please! Keep him steady!"

Ash, expecting this to happen from moment one, was already jumping in to help his now trapped friend as he tried to pry his pokemons jaw open with a panicked expression. "Pikachu! Where are you!? Ah, damnit! Just someone get Charizard and Krookodile to help! And hurry it up please!" He yelled out towards the back door towards the fields where the pokemon hung out in hopes that any of his pokemon understood. Too focused on helping his now trapped friend to notice Pikachu rush in to help, only to then bolt out into the snow covered field to go get the friends he requested.

Within a few moments, the cautious yet laid back and excited energy that once filled the examination room was quickly replaced with a sense of panic and emergency as three more bodies were now cramped inside. It would have even been comical if it weren't for the fear of the distressed Gible accidentally crushing the young researcher's skull. Ash, now standing on top of the examination table in a squat, was trying to lift up the pokemons jaws with just him human strength while on his left stood a tall, red and black pokemon wearing sunglasses who was currently trying to pry the Gible's mouth open with two sharp pieces of stone. To the trainer's right looked to be a large, winged dragon who was using the same method his trainer was using by just trying to pull with his brute strength. On top of the trapped researchers' back, stood what looked to be a large, yellow mouse who was looking at the distressed Gible and trying to convince the scared pokemon to calm down.

"Gary, Whatever you're doing, stop doing it! He's never been like this before! Lugia below, what is this Gibble made of?!" The trainer grunted out in between heaves of pulling. Yeah, he was absolutely going to work out more after this.

"Almost got it… Keep him stead- Ow! Dammit, I said to keep him steady! Someone hand me tweezers!" The young Oak demanded out before Ash, looking at the Pikachu that was currently standing on the Oaks back, and gesturing to the side table where the tweezers are. The pokemon jumps down to get the tool and quickly delivers the needed tool to the human's free hand, who quickly wiggles the appendage into the pokemons mouth. "Almost got it… almost got it… There!"

As if like magic, the once distressed immediately opens his mouth wide again with a seemingly shocked expression. The sudden lack of tension caused the trainer on the table to stumble back and fall off the table with a surprised 'Woah!' He would've landed on the hard floor of the lab if it weren't for the quick movements of his Charizard who caught his trainer with his strong wing. The trainer quickly thanked his pokemon with a bright smile and a nod before turning to his friend who was currently wiping the mucus of the tiny dragon off his face.

"Gary, what the hell was that? Are you alright? I'm sorry about that. Happiny is usually able to pry him off but that was… that was too close." The now stressed out trainer said with his hands on his knees. His Gible's teeth had dug into his hands a bit. Not enough to break skin or anything, but enough to bother him.

"That, my friend, was this!" Gary, now with a huge smile on his face, turned and presented a very small and smooth stone to the trainer. "Any idea what this is, Ash?"

"A um… a rock… oh! A nice rock!" Ash said first with confusion, then with excitement before Pikachu climbs up onto the trainer's shoulder and promptly smacks him on the back of the head with a 'Pi!', which Ash understood as 'Be better, idiot!' Gary just shook his head before giving his friend another shot as the trainer hummed and leaned into the rock with his hand on his chin. "Is it… an everstone? If it is, it's a bit small, isn't it? The ones I learned about at school were way bigger."

"Ding Ding Ding! And we have a winner for the 'Not Completely Hopeless' award goes to… Ash Ketchum! Here's your prize!" Gary declared loudly before chuckling and tossing the stone to Ash, who caught it easily and held it up to the light to look at it better while Gary went over to pet the now extremely relieved looking Gible's head. "I was right. That thing was stuck inside your little guy's gums. We only really find everstones once they grow big enough to actually spot but my guess is that it accidentally got stuck and Gible couldnt get rid of it because his body can't digest or get rid of everstones the way it can with normal rocks. Don't beat yourself up about it, though. It wasn't causing any pain as far as I can tell, just discomfort."

"Wow… thank you so much, Gary. I… actually think I may know who to give this to." The trainer said as he stuffed the stone the size of a marble into his pocket before reaching down and looking Gible in the eyes as he pet the pokemon. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you before, bud. That must have been why you were so desperate to learn Draco Meteor. You were trying to get this thing out." The little Gible just responded with a cheerful 'Gib' while biting down on his trainer's hand, though much gentler now. After letting go, the Gible jumped off the table and led the two other pokemon out of the room with an excited strut. Leaving just the two humans and the Pikachu.

"Never a dull day around here, huh?" Ash asked with a smile on his face as his hands went up to rest behind his head with a wide grin, causing Gary to just chuckle happily and rub his finger under his nose.

"Ash, the only dull thing that can exist around you is yourself!" The researcher jabbed playfully at his friend before turning to begin and gather the cleaning materials necessary to make the examination room sterile again. Switching gloves as he gathers chemicals. "Anyway, Gramps and Tracy should be just about finished setting up the riders pen for the Festival. Thanks again for offering your Tauros as kid rides. I'm sure that everyone will love that."

"Yeah, I'm sure that they will! Thanks for trusting me too. The Tauros can be a bit much sometimes but they can absolutely be gentle with kids." Ash said as he cautiously moved out of the way of his friend as he gathered cleaning supplies. Glancing at the clock and having his eyes go wide. "Ah crap. It's that late already? Mom's not gonna be happy!"

"Oh geez, it's almost as if when you barge in and say 'Hey Gary. Could you do a checkup on my five new pokemon?' with no warning or prep time, it takes a little while to get done!" Gary said in an almost annoyed sounding tone. Making sure to have his voice be high pitched and annoying when making an impression of Ash. In truth, Gary wasn't really angry or anything as he expected this from his friend. Always a doer and not much of a thinker… even if he graduated from school… somehow.

"Yeah yeah… Anyway, I got to go! Really, thank you so much, Gary. I appreciate this. The lab coat looks good on you." Ash said as he gathered his backpack while Pikachu quickly jumped onto Gary's shoulder just to nuzzle into the researcher's cheek with a 'chaaa~' before jumping back onto his spot on his trainers shoulder as he was walking out the door with a smile and wave. Taking a few steps out onto the snow filled pathways of Pallet Town before suddenly stopping and muttering to himself. "Wait… Did he call me dull back there…?"


It took a while of walking for Ash to finally see his house in view, though he never really minded as Pallet town was beautiful, especially at this time of year. Walking down the snow covered path while talking about nothing in particular at Pikachu who could only really shake their head or nod in attempt to make the walk not seem as long. Eventually reaching the white fence that surrounded the property and smiling as he touched it. Finally home after a long day. In truth, he arrived home from Sinnoh just the day before and spent most of the day with his mother about what their role was going to be during the winter festival. In truth, he was absolutely excited for it. Ever since he was a young kid, he had wanted to help out with the festivities instead of just partaking in thim like all the other kids, though now, at the age of 16, he was more than willing to help.

Stepping through the gap in the fence and heading towards his front door, he glances left and smiles as he sees two figures sitting in the screened-in porch of his neighbors house under an outside heater. Giving the duo a happy wave while walking towards the door. The woman with magenta hair gave a smile back with a similar wave as she stayed sitting in her rocking chair but the man with lavender hair seemed to not notice as he was too focused on massaging the woman's clearly swollen belly. Ash not thinking much of it as he stepped inside his warm house with a relieved sigh. "Hey mom! I'm back!"

A shout could be heard coming from the kitchen. "In here, dear! Was everything okay with your pokemon? You took a bit longer than I expected!" Her voice lowered in volume as her son had entered the kitchen to talk with her as she and Mimey were casually at work dipping apples into things such as caramel and different types of chocolate.

"Oh yeah, it was totally fine. Gible just had a bit of a…" He trailed off as he cautiously looked at Pikachu before going back to his mother. "Biting problem. Though dont worry, we got it figured out and it's fine. More importantly, what can I do to help?" He said with excitement as he rubbed his hands together while hungrily staring at the candy apples while Pikachu jumped off his shoulders to lick at the bowl of caramel, resulting in Delia just smacking at the pokemons nose gently.

"Nothing, really. You could make sure that Pikachu… or you-" She said as she shot a playful glare at her son who gulped nervously, "-don't try to sneak a bite before tomorrow. Oh right, didn't you say that you wanted to call your friends today? I shouldn't need to use the phone so it's all yours, dear." She said with a smile at her son while handing dipped apples on a stick to Mimey who put them on a spot to dry.

The trainer made a quick look of panic before giving a gasp. "Oh, that's right! Thanks for reminding me! Dawn and Zoey are about to start! Damn! I hope I'm not too late!" Ash yelled out before suddenly rushing out of the room and running up the stairs, followed by Pikachu, only after he took a lick of the carmel while Delia and Mimey were distracted by the youngest Ketchum's antics. Delia let out a 'Hey!' and trying to catch the mouse but the pokemon was just too quick. The woman just let out a loving sigh as she shook her head at Mimey while rolling her eyes and having a lighthearted smile on her lips. She always forgets how much Ash breathes life back into this house whenever he's home.


Back in the Sinnoh Region, where Ash and Brock had been just a few days ago, the settlement known as Eterna city was currently abuzz with activity as the wonderful spectacle known as a contest was about to be held there at night. Many rooms in the now overcrowded pokemon center were now filled with up and coming coordinators getting ready for what was to hopefully be a successful night of showing off the beauty and power of their pokemon in a brilliant result of their hardwork and dedication to the craft.

Inside one of the currently, very stuffy and cluttered Pokemon Center rooms, were two young women who were engaged in some sort of disastrous dance as they crudely threw around loose clothes in an attempt to find their missing coupling or button. One of the two currently locked in the 'dance' was a sixteen year old girl named Dawn who was currently in the middle of a losing battle against her hair. A piplup currently trying to mist his trainers hair in hopes that wet hair would be easier to brush, though being careful to not maike the dress that she was currently wearing to become wet. The incredibly simple, snow white dress with nothing but a large, light blue ribbon on her back that rested on her hips.

"Ugh! I think that the hair stylist fucked up my hair on purpose or something. How about you, Zoey?" The girl called out with a strained grunt as the brush finally went through. Taking a few moments to admire her new, light green highlights to her previously completely dark blue hair. It was a bit of a change but she liked it! That and anything to separate herself from her mother, even if it was a hair color change, would make Dawn happy. "Zoey… Zo? You okay?" The girl asked as she turned her head towards the red haired girl who was currently trying to button up the jacket of her suit.

"Its not… Why isnt it…" The red haired girl muttered to herself while continuously buttoning up the jacket to her suit, noticing that a button was not in the proper hole, only to undo the buttons, just for the cycle to repeat. Having only been broken out of the trace with a loud 'BABE!' to suddenly erupt from her right. "Wha? Oh hey! I like that dress on you! I love the new hair, too, by the way. Have I mentioned that?"

The dress wearing coordinator simply smiled and rolled her eyes at that remark from her girlfriend. She has been hearing nothing but that since she had gotten it a few days ago. "Not that I can recall… but thanks for the compliment!" She replied sassily while the Piplup who was previously helping to dampen his trainers hair jumped up into her arms as she walked over to the redhead to try and button up the jacket herself. "Oh, I see the problem… You're missing a button." The girl said calmly while rubbing the loose string that used to hold the missing button in its place.

There was a very quiet pause for a few moments as the two girls just kinda stared at each other before a shriek of "I'm missing a WHAT?!" echoed around the room, making everyone's inside ears ring as the redhead suddenly ran into the bathroom to look at herself in the mirror. "Oh no… oh no no no.. Come on! Do you think that we can find a tailor? Damnit why can't Brock be here?" The girl said before groaning and turning back to rummage through her bags some more in an attempt to find something else to wear."

Dawn on the other hand, couldn't help but giggle at her girlfriends antics. "Where in the world are we going to find a tailor in less than an hour? I mean, why don't you jus-" She was interrupted by the Video Phone Station (VPS) in the room starting to ring. "Oh that must be Ash to wish us luck." Dawn stated calmly as Zoey panicked in the background. Walking over to the VPS and pressing accept, only for the sight of Ash and Pikachu to appear on screen.

"Hey Ash! Hey Pikachu!" The girl said with a smile, only to be met with a very happy wave from the boy and his Pikachu. Said Pikachu jumping down onto the desk and nuzzling into the screen as Dawn couldn't help but smile. "Give him lots of scratches for me while you're over there, alright? Seems like he misses me already." Dawn said as Piplup got onto the desk on her end and puffed out his chest to seem bigger than he is… for no reason.

"Oh he definitely misses you. Your poffins, at least." Ash said before grinning as Dawn flipped him off. "But yeah, don't worry about him getting scratches. Mom was loving on him from the moment I got home yesterday. I was worried that he was going to be sore today from it all but he turned out fi-" The young man was interrupted by the sound of a very loud groan coming from the bathroom on the other side of the screen. "Was that Zoey? Is she okay?" Ash asked worriedly as Pikachu's ears stood straight up while trying to look around the screen for the redhead, though not being able to as the pokemon couldn't understand that this was a video and not a window. Dawn just lets out a sigh before opening her mouth to explain.


"Okay so… why don't you just go without the jacket?" Ash asked with his head tilted while his two friends reacted. Dawn just gave a happy laugh while Zoey let out a hopeless groan. "I mean, if you HAVE to use the jacket, why don't you get a bobby pin or something? Don't you use some of those in your dresses, Dawn?"

"Well, yeah but the idea is that they aren't noticeable and are hidden in the dress. Zoey… can't really do that though because she-" The girl turns away from the screen to say loudly towards the open bathroom door where Zoey ran off to, "- hates dresses apparently!" She yelled out before turning back to the screen while counting on her fingers down from three. Three, two, one, and right on cue, Zoey pokes her head out of the bathroom with her face as red as her hair.

"That isn't what I meant and you KNOW it, Dawn! Ash, don't listen to her lies! I meant that I hated dresses on myself." The girl yelled out towards the frantically giggling coordinator who was holding a similarly giggling Piplup. Ash just rolled his eyes and smiled at his friends. Ever since they had gotten together officially, Dawn seemed to have calmed down a lot and adopted a more 'go with the flow' attitude that Ash usually tries to stick with instead of seeming kinda angry with everything constantly.

"You should really stop teasing her like that, Dawn… Me and Brock haven't even been away from three days yet and the relationship is already falling apart." He said while smiling happily. He was so happy he was home instead of being stuck in the middle of the chaos that is the duo getting prepared for contests and such. He loved the two like sisters but god, do their constant stress just before a contest really exhaust him.

"I know but it's just too adorable. Oh hey, watch this!" She said with a wink to Ash before turning and calling out towards the bathroom. "Hey babe! You're adorable!" only to then turn back to the camera with a victorious smile as all the boy could hear was flustered, high pitched speaks coming from the girl in the bathroom, causing him to lean back in his chair and laugh.

He snickered for a few seconds before leaning forward again and smiling. Anyway, if she needs buttons, why not use your contest ribbons? Those would fit in and act like bobby pins, right? Ash asked while he tilted his head. Dawn just rolled her eyes at that idea, believing it to just be another one of Ash's 'non-battle related so practically worthless' ideas before she suddenly froze while thinking.

"Hey… that could actually work! Not bad, Ash! Okay, I really should get going and help Zo before we have to literally run to the contest hall like last time." She said while quickly getting up and rushing to her girlfriends ribbon case while Ash groaned about recalling the last disaster of a contest run up. Dawn just walked back up to the VPS and held her hand against the screen. "Wish me luck! Tell Brock that we're wishing him luck on his finals! You two enjoy the festival and see you back here soon!"

Ash just smiled brightly before smacking his hand against the screen of the VPS in some, long distance version of a high five. "We know Brock's got it in the bag already! And you two break a leg! I know that Monfernape has been itching to be used again since you didn't use him last time. Burn it up, Dawn!" He yelled as Dawn ran into the bathroom.

"Hey! What're you- ow! What the hell, Dawn? That hur- oh no, wait! That's a good idea!" was all that Ash heard before ending the call and leaning back in the desk chair that he was currently sitting in. Gently petting the mouse Pokemon's head as the pikachu seemed disappointed about not seeing his friend anymore.

"Dont worry, buddy, we'll see them again soon! Hey! I know what would cheer you up.~ Let's call Iris!" The young man said excitedly to his pokemon, causing the yellow mouse to practically jump back up with renewed vigor upon hearing that name. Ash just couldn't help but to laugh at the pokemon's wildly varying emotions as she went into the search bar for the VPS. It had been a good few months since the two had last spoken. Last time he saw her, Iris was on her way to Johto to meet with the Gym leader, and more importantly, Dragon Master Clair.


Ash sat in the chair and patiently waited as the VPS that he was sitting at kept ringing monotonously. He hoped that he put in the instructions right. The VPS is supposed to use the pokeballs tracking signal in order to find trainers all over the world, even if the trainer in question didn't have a pokedex, Rotom phone, or Dexnav, it was designed so that the call goes to the nearest VPS that the call recipient is near. So even though Iris didn't own a pokedex or anything, he should've been able to get in contact with her… hopefully. Though it's been a while already.

Ash was about to get up and go get water before the screen suddenly flashed on to the sight of a very rough looking Iris who was hugging her Axew in one hand while rubbing her eyes in the other. "Hello…? Who is it? Dragon Master Clair…?" She mumbled before opening her eyes fully and letting out a surprised 'Eep!', causing Ash to give her a big smile. He was always delighted to see his friends, even if the 12 year old looked a bit rough at the moment.

"Hey Iris! Been a while. Sorry… Did I wake you up? I thought that you were still traveling around Kanto? It's late afternoon here" Ash said as he gave an embarrassed chuckle. He was happy to see his friend, but hoped that he wasn't bothering her. She most definitely needed the sleep, if how rough she looked was anything to go on.

"Ash! You can be such a… ugh! Whatever. Hey… And no, I'm not in Kanto anymore. I'm over in Johto now, if it makes much of a difference. Sorry… if I look…" She trailed off as she got up out of the chair and went to go turn the light in the room on and grab a hairbrush while Axew happily stood in front of the screen and gave it a happy wave before trying to hug it, much to Ash's delight. Iris sat back down in the chair as she yawned and stretched a little, causing Ash to hear some pops from her back.

"Well if you're in Johto, you're just like an hour ahead from us. What're you doing sleeping now? Also are you okay? Sorry I haven't called in a while. Me and Brock have been traveling around in Sinnoh." He said as the girl began to brush her hair after moving Axew back to sitting on her lap. Smiling and rolling her eyes about how the trainer's eyes flash with excitement about being on another journey.

"Well I'm sleeping now because I was out all night trying to train. I finally got back to the pokemon center at like, one or something. It was in a cave so I didn't know how long I was in there until I walked out and the sun was up. And I'm fine. I, unlike someone I know, don't act like a little kid all the time." She said with a soft smile on her face as she playfully jabs at her friend. Finished with brushing her untamable hair before tossing the brush back onto the bed so she could use both hands to pet Axew. "Sorry for earlier. I'm hoping that Dragon Master Clair will call me already…" She said with almost a solemn expression on her face.

"Oh, then you must be in Blackthorn City, then! I think I know the cave youre talking about… Yeah. Me, Brock, and Misty went through there once. Anyway, why are you waiting for a call from Clair? Can't you just walk up to her and talk with her?" Ash asked with his hand on her chin. Sure, Iris can be a bit… much, sometimes, but just from the fact that Iris is an aspiring Dragon Master, that should mean that Iris could at least be able to talk with the woman.

"Ash, don't say stupid things. That's the first thing I did, obviously! I walked up to her and said that I was going to be a Dragon Master and was looking for advice and guidance but she just took one look at me, scowled, and went 'One such as you could never be a true Dragon Master. Leave.' before turning and walking away like a rude bitch!" Iris ranted at the screen with an annoyed look, obviously very stressed and fed up with the whole situation. Axew looking up at his trainer with a worried expression just caused the girl to sigh and try to calm down by petting the pokemons head.

"So… how do you become 'one such as Clair' then… I mean, that's not really much to go off of, is it… Maybe… hm… Have you challenged her to a battle? Maybe she respects strength and stuff?" Ash questioned nobody in himself more so than the girl on the other side of the screen. He didn't really understand how someone becomes a dragon master, and neither does Iris, so they're pretty much stuck.

"That's literally the second thing I- Ugh…! Can we please talk about actually anything other than this now? Where's Brock?" She just blurted out while rubbing her face with her hands. A shaky sigh escaped her lips as she tried to calm down. She didn't want one of her few friends to call, just for her to rant at him the entire time. "Been here a week already and nothing…" She mumbled under her breath.

Ash… okay, he CAN be an idiot, but he isnt an idiot all the time, and this is one of those times. He could see just how stressed his friend was and took a breath. "Oh, Brock is with his family over in Slateport City right now. Shoot, sorry I didn't mention! I'm over in Pallet Town right now. The annual Winter Festival is going on so me and Brock decided to come back and celebrate while we could." The trainer said with an obviously excited smile on his face. Hoping that talking about what he loves, that isn't battle related, would brighten Iris' mood.

"There's a Winter Festival there? I thought that Kanto was all like, not doing that kinda stuff anymore while Jhoto was dead set on keeping that kinda stuff around. I don't know, I don't really pay attention, whatever. Well, what usually goes on there? I've never been to a festival before." Iris said as she leaned back into her chair while trying to rub the sleep out of her eyes still. Glad that Ash decided to change the subject for once.

Ash's face lit up at the opportunity to talk about the tradition. The wide smile on his face was practically infectious as he leaned forward while Pikachu climbed up onto his head. "Okay so, like, tons of people come to visit every year. It's the biggest event in Pallet Town so we go all out. It's more for the younger kids with things like sledding and snowball fights. Everyone in town pitches in and sets up under a big tent in the big field near the Oak's lab. Mom is making candy apples, Jessie is apparently making his 'famous hot chocolate' that I'm pretty sure is just regular hot chocolate with sugar added. The Oaks are doing some pokemon rides with my Tauros while Tracy is going to be doing face painting. And I'm actually going to be the one lighting the fireworks this year so it's going to be awesome. You should bring you and your family next year. I think that you'll really enjoy it."

After finishing with his long speech, he leaned back on the chair while Pikachu jumped onto his lap to receive pets. "Pretty cool, huh? … Hey, are you okay? Can you hear me?" He asked as Iris' smile seemed to not be there anymore and she stared off into space. It wasn't until he tapped the glass of the camera that she reacted.

"Huh? Oh um… yeah sure, Ash, it sounds neat. Though it's probably not for me…" She said while not really looking at the boy on the other side of the screen in the eyes. It did sound fun but it absolutely seemed like something that you would go to with family or friends. Her voice was a little quieter than it usually was as she simply nodded at the screen.

Ash was honestly taken aback with that response. He truthfully thought that Iris would be excited as it seemed to be something that Iris would like. Had he said something wrong? "Hey… What's up with you? I'm sorry if I said the wrong thing there. Are you okay?" He cautiously asked the girl who just hugged her Axew closer to her chest.

"I promise, I'm fine. Please don-" The words got caught in her throat as she finally looked up at the screen again with a forced smile to see Ash and Pikachu sitting there with a worried expression along with a woman with a solemn look in her eyes. Before Iris had a chance to speak again, the woman walked forward with a smile while wiping her hands on her apron.

"Ash, dear, I think that she just doesn't want to come alone. I know! Why don't you go ask your friend if he could go pick up Iris and she could join us for dinner tonight and the festival tomorrow? The more, the merrier, right Hon?" Delia Ketchum said while smiling down at her son with her hand on his shoulder before looking back at the screen with the same smile that made Iris freeze up for some reason.

"I… You dont-" Iris stammered out before she was suddenly interrupted by Ash excitedly yelling out.

"That's a great idea! Thanks mom! Come on Pikachu!" He declared while hurriedly standing up and rushing out the door and down the stairs without even bothering to hang up the VPS. Iris and Delia just watch him leave with two vastly different expressions. Delia's being one of pride that she raised her son to be one that is so passionate about sharing joy with others while Iris being one of shock and dread.

"I would recommend that you start packing up, hon. I'm sure that he will be there in just a few minutes to come pick you up. And don't you worry about anything, alright! I'll have the guest room ready for you and everything. See you soon, dearie." Delia said with a delighted giggle as she turned back towards the screen and promptly ended the call before Iris could get another word in.

"Hey! Wait! How will-" Iris tried to speak up but it was useless as she was now staring at a black screen. Taking a few breaths in disbelief as she just kept staring at the system and trying to digest everything that just happened. Looking down at Axew's head as he happily waved at himself in the screen's reflection as she let out a shaky sigh. Trying to get her emotions in check before- Wait- what's that? Iris gently touched the top of Axews head and felt something wet? Why is it wet? Why does her face feel wet too? Leaning forward in the chair to examine her reflection on the screen to see that she was… crying. Iris was crying.

Iris just let out a soft grunt as she quickly wiped her face with her sleeve while damning Ash. Questioning to herself about why the hell Ash suddenly makes everything so complicated with her. Wondering why that woman's smile made her freeze up the way that it did. And why the hell won't she stop crying? Iris was practically screaming to herself inside her head to just pull herself together already! Dragon masters dont cry! They're strong! She's supposed to be strong. She needs to be strong!

Then why cant Iris stop crying?