Scissor Street; otherwise known as Breeder's Lane. A cluttered town with tall buildings, a bustling tourist population, and Pokémon Salons, Breeding Clinics, Daycare Centers, and Poké Stylist salons all clustered within the town's commerce sector.

This was where Ash, Dawn, and the now-accompanying Brock found themselves, after departing from Suzie and Zane's 'To the Nines.' Their next stop was to see a Poké Stylist who'd called on Dawn from Vermilion City, to have a meeting with her increasingly popular Buneary.

"Did she say where the place even is?" Ash asked, leaning past Brock to ask Dawn.

"She did! It was… 24 Slash Lane," Dawn said. "Brock, have you found it?"

"Hold on, hold on." Brock held a small town brochure in his hands, glancing over the layout. "You'll have to give me a break, here. It's been a while since I've been the group tour guide…"

Rosa looked off as she walked alongside Ash, feeling a tad impatient. Unlike their last stop, she had no idea who the person behind Dawn's appointment was. Her Aura was no help, so she was better off just sightseeing. To her surprise, something did catch her eye.

There was a nearby Pokémon Center. More importantly, a training field was set up beside it. Unlike the standard dirt plot, this one was well-nurtured with grass and flowers; some surviving previous encounters, and some not. Ornate stone benches and birdbaths surrounded the field.

~Hey. Pa.~ Rosa tugged on Ash's hand.

Ash stopped walking. "Huh? What is it, Rosa?"

She pointed to the field. ~Can we split off and stop here? I want to get stronger.~

"Here? Now?" Ash frowned, rubbing his head. Dawn and Brock had also stopped with him. "But, what about Dawn's appointment?"

~They can still go. I feel like it's important,~ Rosa replied.

"I don't know…" Ash grumbled. "I feel bad, leaving Dawn and Buneary behind."

"Don't worry about us." Dawn placed a hand on Ash's shoulder, with Rura occupying her other arm. She nodded sternly, communicating an air of seriousness behind her smile. "You guys do what's best for you. We'll be alright on our own."

"Empol!" Empoleon volunteered, raising a wing.

"Oh, do you want to go, Empoleon?" Dawn asked.

"Pol!"

"I think he wants to help his lil' sister out," Ash smiled. "Alright, big guy. Let's do it!"

"Don't you worry about Dawn and Buneary!" Brock added. "I'll keep them company."

"Right," Ash nodded. "Good luck, Dawn!"

~Good luck, Buneary.~

Buneary nodded, and raised a paw. "Bun-Buneary!"

"Yeah. Thanks, you guys." Dawn inhaled, then exhaled deeply. "No need to worry."

With the group short Ash and two Pokémon, Dawn, Brock, and Rura were left to wander Breeder's Lane on their own. While Brock was often quite reliable for directions…

It hadn't stopped them from wandering up and down a couple of blocks in pursuit of the elusive studio. "Maybe you're misremembering the address…?" Brock asked, scratching his neck. Even he, in his infinite patience, was getting tired of navigating crowded streets in perpetuity.

"No, I wrote it down!" Dawn insisted. "But, I haven't seen one flashy-looking studio, yet."

"Well it may not look flashy," Brock pointed out. "Didn't you say that this Poké Stylist was visiting Kanto? They might not have bothered yet."

Dawn looked at Brock as if he'd grown two heads. "What kind of professional wouldn't bother?"

The elder stared at Dawn in silence, going through the all-too-familiar process of biting his tongue, rather than unravel a lecture. Moments like this reminded him that Dawn was, indeed, still only a teenager. "...Let's just look more closely," he said, pinching his nose.

Lo and behold, they did find the elusive 24 Slash Lane. A nondescript commercial studio, with an ordinary framed door and glass exterior. Dawn hesitated, before pulling on the handle. An automatic chime went off as the trio stepped inside.

The interior was a basic, barebones lobby with a few black leather chairs near the window, and a desk up-front, with a wall and curtain leading somewhere further. The desk was unoccupied.

"...You know, maybe you're right," Brock grumbled. "This doesn't seem right."

~This place bites.~ Rura huffed.

"But, I know this was the address… This is where the Poké Stylist told me to visit. Today."

"Did you put a deposit on the visit, or anything like that?" Brock asked. "Because this is starting to feel like a scam."

"A scam!?" Dawn balked, hugging Rura tightly to her. "No way! I didn't… I wouldn't even know how—"

"Hello, hello~!" A mature, giddy voice could be heard from behind the curtain, before a figure stepped out. "Sorry to keep you waiting for silly ol' me."

"Oh, it's no—" Brock turned around, only for his jaw to drop towards the floor. "Do my eyes deceive me!?"

"Huh? What do you mean, Brock?" Dawn quirked a brow, turning her attention to the store owner. "Um.. Hi! You're the woman I spoke to, over the video phone!"

"Indeed, I am!" The woman giggled. Standing at about average height and stout in figure, she smiled with kind, round hazel eyes, and a matching hair cut into a curly, tight-knit bob cut held down by a hot pink sun hat with a yellow flower pinned to the front. A round face and a stout, pointy nose framed her face, complete with pink lip gloss. A creamy yellow sundress went down to her knees, and a pink shawl matching her hat hung over her arms.

"Sorry I kept you waiting. I've just had my head in the clouds… But, I can promise that I'm no fraud!" The woman giggled behind her hand.

"Please excuse me, my dear!" Brock bowed his head, taking the woman's hand. "I never should have been so hasty as to slander your good name."

"Her good name?" Dawn tilted her head. "You know her, Brock?"

"Of course!" Brock was back on his feet, gesturing grandly to the woman. "I could never miss the tender hands and fine eye of the one-and only Pashmina! Ahem." He coughed into his hand, pulling a microphone seemingly out of thin air to speak into it. "Pashmina is a decorated and accomplished Poké Stylist, hailing from Bloomingville, in Johto!" Brock knelt again, taking Pashmina's hand. "Pashmina's laidback and gentle approach to fashion and all things Pokémon is her trademark; with her trademark Skiploom, she had no trouble standing out in a town most known for its Sunflora. Her favorite scent is peppermint, and her favorite color is yellow! And—"

A wheeze of pain erupted from Brock, as a poisonous hand buried into the man's back. "Ack…! Paralyzed…!" Brock groaned, slumping over to land on the floor facefirst.

Croagunk sat at the man's feet, holding up a glowing Poison jab. "Tsk!" Croagunk looked off.

"Oh, my…!" Pashmina cupped a hand over her mouth.

"I… can't believe I've never heard of you before," Dawn said, frowning. "But, I guess if anyone would beat me to the punch, it's Brock…"

Rura squirmed out of Dawn's arms, landing beside Croagunk. ~Why the heck did you do that!?~

A low, rhythmic hum was Croagunk's answer, and nothing more.

~...You're weird.~ Rura frowned.

"Urgh… Tough love," Brock grumbled. "I'd have to venture to guess that Croagunk is trying to protect me, because love is even more painful than poison." Still grounded, he raised a fist with romantic enthusiasm. "But, the beauty of love is more than worth the pain!"

~Wait, for real!?~ Rura's eyes widened. ~But, Meema's always told me that love is icky and dangerous…~

"Dangerous, it may be, but it's far from 'icky.'" Brock swore. "Ask Buneary! She'd be able to… oh." The man realized his mistake too late. Buneary hid her face in Dawn's hair, not replying.

"...Sorry, Buneary."

Dawn groaned, hiding her burning face in her hand. The whole scene playing out in front of her was nothing short of hectic, and she felt like the situation was slipping right through her fingers. "Sorry, Pashmina… I'm sure this is a lot—"

"Ohoho! It's fine, entirely fine." Pashmina laughed it all off, before starting to offer Brock a hand. By the time she had, though, the man was already on his feet. "...Oh! Spry and with the tides, this one. I like him."

"Y-you do!?" Brock stood up straight, voice wavering in disbelief. "Well, my dear…" His eyes darted quickly to Croagunk, who was eyeing him dangerously. "Ahem. If you like me, then you'll love our friend, Dawn! She's a fine Coordinator, with fine taste and fine Pokémon."

"I'm well aware!" Pashmina cooed. "I've seen her Buneary in prior works. I just love her whimsy, behind those darling eyes! And I just happened to be taking a hiatus from my main studio, when this year's Wallace Cup took place! So, I reached out to Dawn's mother, who reached out to that doll Delia, who put me through to Dawn!"

"Wait… seriously!?" Dawn balked, eyes wide. "That's… a lot of trouble, just to reach us!"

"Oh, nothing of it," the woman nonchalantly waved her hand. "Serenity is the mother of serendipity!"

"I… have no idea what that means," Dawn said flatly.

"Serendipity is the fortune of unexpected discoveries," Brock explained. "So, what Pashmina means is that keeping your mind clear of worries will allow you to make new discoveries!"

"Oh! That's a lot like my catchphrase; No need to worry!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Very good!" Pashmina clapped her hands together. "Then, I have high hopes for you and Buneary, yet. Come on! Follow me." She gestured for the group to follow, stepping behind the curtains. "We'll have Buneary looking brighter than a Sunflora in full bloom!"

"Ehe, yeah…!" Dawn stammered out, forcing a smile. As the group moved ahead of her, her eyes darted to her Buneary and she sighed. 'But, I'm not so sure if that's the case, this time…'

Pasmira guided the group to a corner of the shop lined with shelves and standing racks of accessories and garments. Every piece of the collection was bright and sunny or else a delicate, buttery pastel tone.

They were pretty. Buneary knew they were objectively well made and would definitely look good on her, but even as Pashmira encouraged Dawn to look over the offerings, the sight of it all just irritated the normal type more somehow!

"What about this, Buneary?" Dawn suggested, holding up a little blue dress with smiling dittos embroidered on the hem. "The quality's incredible!"

Pashmina puffed out her chest. "You wouldn't believe how long that one took! But, it was totally worth the time!"

Buneary's standing ear flopped. The coiled one almost went limp!

Brock tilted his head. "Maybe she's more of a warm color kinda gal? She liked that orange vest. Remember, Dawn?"

"Oh, you're so right!" the young coordinator agreed. "Pashmina, what do you have in warm autumnal colors? She's totally an autumn!"

"It's a little early in the year for that, but I think I've got some stuff," Pashmina offered with only a slight judgemental lift of her brow. Autumn colors in summer? The customer was always right, she supposed.

Buneary impatiently tapped a foot as Pashmira held up two different outfit choices. The frilly, multi-tiered scallop collar in yellow, orange, and red might have been a cute choice if Buneary was feeling whimsical. And, the Beautifly themed bows would have been amazing if the normal type wanted to show off her grace or elegance.

But, the thought of joking around now or playing all of this off with a stoic, calm air almost sent her to angry tears. The Buneary shuddered and let out a grunt.

"Bun-EARY!"

"So, that's a no," Dawn mused. She cocked her head. Dawn knew that look; she'd sported it herself a thousand times.

… Well, Dawn had outwardly cried from frustration a thousand times. Buneary was holding it in a lot better. Actually, why was Buneary holding it in? Dawn wondered if she should encourage the rabbit to maybe have a quick cry session so they could focus on getting a good accessory.

While Dawn wondered on how to approach her normal type, Pashmina continued on. She frowned. It was rare that her accessories weren't a hit!

"Well, if that won't work… How about this? It's a creamy cardigan inspired capelet." She squatted before the rabbit-like pokemon, smiling with blissful obliviousness. "Feel how soft it is! All your worries will melt away once this is on you."

A well knit capelet was going to get rid of her worries? Seriously?! Buneary just stared at Pashmina for a moment before stomping her foot three times in rapid succession. She knocked the capelet and its hanger away with a well aimed Dizzy Punch.

At least, Pashmina thought it was well aimed. Because, if it had missed and gotten her instead…!

Pashmina fell onto her butt, staring wide eyed at the rabbit. Brock rushed over, hands on Buneary's shoulders.

"Haha, hey, let's maybe take it down a notch."

Pashmina nodded in agreement. "How about a five minute break? Maybe Buneary's overwhelmed with all the choices? You let her look, I'll… grab some coffee from the break room."

As Pashmina scurried off, Dawn walked over. "... She's kind of pushy."

Brock silently looked at Dawn, certain hypocrisy wasn't the girl's point.

But, ignoring the other stylist, Dawn squatted down before Buneary. "You look like you're about to cry."

Buneary stomped a foot again, throwing her little paws up before roughly rubbing her face. That wasn't it! She wasn't just sad!

Brock tilted his head. "... Crying doesn't feel like it'll solve anything right now, does it?"

Thinking it over for a moment, Buneary nodded. That was the problem. "Neary… Bun-Bun." Nothing felt like it would solve anything right now. Her issues were bigger than just herself or something she could fix quickly.

"... So, this might not help any, huh?" Dawn mused. "But, Pashmina's stuff is nice… Maybe she has other recommendations?" Dawn ruffled her own hair, becoming frustrated. "I dunno what to do!"

"Well, at least you two are in sync for that much," Brock said, voice somewhere between amused and apologetic. What a rotten situation! But, it was nice that Dawn and Buneary looked at each other with a bit more understanding.

"Ruah… Rah!"

"Pol!"

Cries of effort echoed and overlapped in Scissor Street's complementary training field. While Empoleon reared his head back and spat a powerful Hydro Pump, Rosemary pivoted one foot behind the other, and summoned an Aura Sphere that she chucked overhand.

The two attacks collided in the center of the fray, pushing stubbornly against one another. Vibrant and stubborn as it was, the Aura Sphere was malleable, and started to cave in to Hydro Pump.

Rosa grunted in annoyance, leaping clean over the coming torrent.

Empoleon wielded his wings over his head, summoning a roaring Whirlpool far more ferocious than he'd managed as a Piplup, or even Prinplup. He tossed the cyclone overhead at Rosa.

The airborne Lucario was moments from being swallowed up, before a shining construct appeared in her place. She pressed her paw atop the Substitute's head, using it to spring over Whirlpool.

The attack ate up the Substitute, tossing it about before it shattered.

From Empoleon's vantage point, though, all he could see was Whirlpool hitting its mark. He was fairly confident that his little sister would be down for the count after—

"Squawk!" Empoleon yelped. A painful punch struck his back, sending him flying forward. He dug his steel-tipped wings into the dirt, dragging himself to a halt, rather than an undignified face first fall. He stood upright, turning to face Rosa.

The Lucario stood poised, one fist outward leaking fiery fighting spirit; Reversal.

"Pol…"

~Not bad, huh?~ She smirked. ~Come on. I know you can do better than that!~

Ash and Meema sat on the sidelines, on the finely-crafted bench facing the center of the field. They watched the battle unfold with interest, though both of their heads were elsewhere.

~They're quite good,~ Meema remarked. ~Both of them.~

"That's what you get from a Contest star! And, my little girl," Ash boasted.

~I could hardly believe Rosemary's age,~ Meema admitted. ~Mere months old, for someone so strong.~

Ash nodded. "You said that Rura's growing up, earlier. That's how I'm feeling about Rosa. But, it's not just battling; she's gone out of her way to accept more and more responsibility, lately."

~...I've had trouble allowing Rura to do the same,~ Mema admitted. ~He's technically old enough to hunt.~

"Yeah. I get you. That's parenting, huh?" Ash laughed. "I worry about 'er. I know how she thinks. She's a chip off the ol' block." Ash sat up, then, eyes wide. "...Wait a minute. Meema."

Meema tilted her head to face him. ~Yes, Leader?~

"You said you couldn't even hunt for two, when you were wild." Ash frowned. "You could've been doing better, and eating. But you still sheltered him."

The Zoroark averted her eyes again. She assessed her surroundings; any other human was a fair distance away. Empoleon and Rosemary were busy, trading blows. The only one listening was her Leader. ~...I didn't want to lose Rura. The way I did his father.~

"...Meema." Ash felt his chest tighten. He took a deep breath, lest he cry again so soon. Lest Meema regret sharing this with him. He had to be strong. She had been. "Well, you'll never lose someone again. Not with us by your side."

Meema's immediate response was to flop into Ash's lap. Despite her unhealthy weight, she was still heavy enough to pin him down where he'd sat. ~I'm fine with that. As long as you don't get yourself hurt, along the way.~

Ash felt a harrowing sense of deja vu. It rang eerily similar to the promise Peeks had asked of him. The one that Professor Oak and even his mother had begged; that he'd failed to keep.

Ash started to gently stroke Meema's mane, and said nothing else.

Back in the fray, an Ice Beam drew a quick path to Rosa, managing to catch her before she could escape. A path of solid ice spanned the training ground, successfully capturing and freezing the Lucario's legs.

Rosa growled and drew back a fist. Reversal burned more brightly than it did before, and promptly shattered the ice into shards and diamond dust.

By the time she'd freed herself, Empoleon was upon her with Steel Wing.

Her eyes took in the solidifying of Empoleon's wings, and quickly played them in reverse in her mind. The power to coat her limbs in steel was internalized, and she quickly did so herself, striking back.

Rosa's imitation Steel Wing bashed into Empoleon's coming swing, parrying it. She followed it with a jab at his belly, which his other wing disarmed. Gritting her teeth, she pressed for an offensive, using her more flexible limbs to her advantage.

Empoleon started to lose ground, or so it seemed. Spinning around on his sharp talons, he parried her latest strike, and backhanded Rosa with his next. Clefairy's training was paying off.

Rosa stumbled back on both feet, struggling to gain balance after the dull pain was inflicted on her jaw. She bared her teeth and growled, drawing back her fist. Little did she know that Copycat had worn off, leaving her arms once again bare.

"Riaaah…!" She roared, swinging out with a punch more lustrous than ever before. A blinding blue aura enveloped her fist, her wrist spike, and then her entire body.

The sudden development shocked Empoleon, and prompted him to cross his wings in front of him. It did little to prepare for the coming haymaker; a sudden impact completely knocked the wind out of him, and sent him flying.

A trail of star and stardust-like particles shot across the fray with Empoleon, kicking up clouds of dust.

"What the hell was that!?" Ash exclaimed, suddenly sitting up. Meema was shrugged off him, watching the scene with wide eyes.

~Wha…?~ Rosa stared at her paw in awe, as a torrent of strength washed over her in a red aura, following the blue. She felt stronger. But, how?

Ash flipped open his Pokédex. "Rosemary has learned Meteor Mash. A Steel-type Attack which hits the target with a hard punch fired like a meteor. This may also raise the user's Attack stat. "

~Meteor Mash… Didja see that, Pa!?~ Rosa sprinted over, holding up her fist with a grin. Residual light from the move emanated and sparkled from it.

Empoleon finally collected himself, waddling over to laud his praises.

Ash, for his part, could only smile. "You're really growing into your own, Rosa."

Pashmina's coffee break turned into a snack break for everyone. Pashmina's Skiploom floated out with a little bag of minty Poké Treats.

Croagunk ate them without much reaction, much to Skiploom's quiet confusion.

Rura, on the other hand, winced at every other bite. "They're wrong-spicy!" he announced.

"You mean minty?" Buneary asked, too sardonic in poke-speak to offer him a full explanation.

"... Like the plant?" he asked, revealing exactly how sheltered he had been in Unova.

Croagunk nodded along. "Yeah, like the plant."

"It's delightfully refreshing, though, isn't it?" Skiploom implored. "It centers you and helps you feel nice and calm…!"

Rura ate another before deciding, "I can feel the entire inside of my nose."

Meanwhile, the humans sat on Pashmina's couch as she looked sadly over her collection.

"I never have this much trouble with a client," Pashmina lamented.

"Well, we're not typical clients," Dawn offered. "It's been… rough lately. Our good friend Peeks is gone to recover from all of it. We're all pretty frazzled."

Pashmina frowned. "All the more reason I can't fail you! I'll find just the thing to bring some harmony into your lives! You'll be able to greet your friend with tranquility and calm once he returns! Won't that be nice?"

Brock felt sweat dripping down his brow. She was a bit one note, wasn't she? Her intentions were good and she was obviously extremely skilled, but maybe Dawn had met her match with stubbornness. So, sensing a confrontation brewing, he tried to smooth it over. "Well, Pashmina, sometimes… Things aren't that easy."

The woman pouted, shaking her head. "Oh, I know just what you mean. Back when Skiploom and I first started out, there were very rough periods. But, we learned to embrace knowing we couldn't fix everything and decided to live positively." She laughed, recalling the now bittersweet memories. "One must find their own serendipity. You can't go through life without it!"

Dawn frowned. "I can't just ignore this. None of us can."

"Oh, but you must let some of it go. You can't always be upset!" Pashmina countered.

Brock could feel the tension in the room mounting, but before he could react, Dawn sat up so suddenly that her plate fell from her lap and shattered. "We'll always be upset about our friends!" Dawn snarled. "Stuff your serendipity if I can't do that!"

Realizing that Pashmina was staring at her as if she'd grown a second head, Dawn let out a growl of frustration. Embarrassment burned her cheeks. She'd meant what she said, but the idea of blowing up like that at another PokeStylist felt wildly unprofessional and childish.

"I'm gonna take a walk!" Dawn decided. "I'll clean that up when I'm back."

As the bluenette headed for the door, Pashmina began to follow. "Dawn, no! Let's talk."

"Let her go," Brock warned. "If I know Dawn, she needs a minute to just get it out of her system. If she takes too long, then we can go looking for her."

Buneary, meanwhile, took one look at the way her trainer had stomped off before departing the circling conversation between Rura and Skiploom (fascination with how herbs could be used in pastries was definitely not interesting to her) to follow Dawn.

Buneary trailed after Dawn before finding the coordinator at a corner fountain. It was low but large, clearly meant for pokemon of all sizes to take a sip from. The Sinnoh-born girl stared at the bubbling water with a severe frown.

The normal type joined her quietly.

"... I don't know what to do," Dawn confessed, "for you or for the rest of us." She rested her elbows on her knees, slumping. "It's frustrating, you know?"

Buneary's posture was less tense than it had been in the last hour. She nodded along, kicking her feet idly. "Bun… Buneary."

"I want you to be happy, but… not like that." Dawn shook her head. "I don't want you to… to fake it if you don't feel it!"

The normal type nodded along. "Neary! Neary-bun."

"And… I want to understand you more." Dawn frowned. "That's what's really upsetting me." She wiped a watering eye. As nice as crying sounded, this talk was important. "I don't know what to do for you, and I should! I'm your trainer."

"... Buneary."

"That's what was taking you." Brock's voice heralded his arrival. He stood before the two girls, his hands in his pockets. "Water break?"

Grinning at his weak joke, Dawn tilted her head. "I made a mess back there, huh?"

"Don't worry about it," he encouraged. "I helped Pashmina clean up. I think everyone needs some time apart."

"You're telling me," Dawn blubbered, remembering the issue all over again. "She just doesn't get it! Buneary's not just stressed! I know she isn't! This sucks! Our friends have been hurt—we've been hurt! And, it felt so… gross! It was so gross having to hide and be afraid, and of Team Rocket of all people!" Dawn's face felt hot and wet, awash with her own angry tears.

A soft pressure pushed against one of them, though. With one eye shut to avoid being scratched by the fluff, Dawn saw it was Buneary using her ears to wipe away Dawn's tears.

"Well, that's why she's a Poke Stylist and you're Buneary's trainer," Brock offered, sitting on Dawn's other side. "Pashmina can make something beautiful, maybe even make it perfectly suited to how a Pokémon looks or moves… But, only a trainer knows if it really suits their Pokémon. Because, only a trainer knows what their Pokémon has been through." Brock patted Dawn's shoulder. "So, what do you think Buneary needs?"

Here, Dawn really had to think. "... I dunno. I, I know she's upset about Peeks, but if going to see him would solve this, I'd have already taken her." Dawn stared at the Normal-type. "... I think you just need a minute to feel all of this."

A little high pitched squeak was all the warning Dawn got before Buneary jumped into the coordinator's lap, giving her the first real smile the Normal-type had offered in some time.

"And, how's she going to do that?" Brock prompted, sure he knew where Dawn was going with this but wanting the two of them to see it through.

"She's going to do it… like this!" Dawn held Buneary in one hand before digging through her bag in the other. She pulled out the little leather jacket and spiked cuffs from back in Seafoam.

Buneary accepted them with slight trembling. Her own emotions were getting the best of her.

Just as Dawn set Buneary down, a glorious pearlescent light overtook the little Pokémon. It grew and shifted; compact, rolled ears blossomed into long, voluminous ones that dwarfed her height. Her torso quickly grew to match, taking on a teardrop shape. Strong, stout haunches became long, slender legs. A round head became a more mature, pronounced shape, last of all.

Once the light faded, where Buneary once stood was now Lopunny. The taller Pokémon pulled Dawn in for a hug. The force of it was crushing, but somehow that just soothed Dawn. She grit her teeth and laughed through tears.

"Yeah… Yeah, you needed to feel all of it. The anger, the shame, the frustration… It hurt, huh?"

Lopunny nodded, her own eyes misty but a certain vitality coursing in them.

Brock silently watched as Lopunny stepped back from Dawn. The rabbit wound up a fist, face tensing in concentration. She swung a fluffy fist into the air, detonating a heart-shaped burst of light. Strong winds blustered through the studio, breaking up the fountain's flowing waters. A brief, light drizzle caught in the sunlight and a promising rainbow shimmered for just a second.

"She learned Return," Brock observed. "I think that's the sign of a breakthrough if I've ever seen one."

Dawn nodded, admiring Lopunny's new, fierce costume. "Yeah… Alright, let's go back." She took the rabbit's hand in her own. "I know how you need to express yourself now."

With a grin so wide her eyes shut, Lopunny pumped her fist. Blowing off some steam was just the trick!

Rura looked up from the mint green boots he'd been trying on. His conversation with Skiploom about herbs had decidedly spiraled out in a silly way. Everyone was looking at the trio as they walked back into the shop, but it was Rura who scrambled away from the mirrors first to stand before the newly evolved Lopunny.

~Whoa! AWESOME!~

Pashmina and Skiploom followed. Croagunk looked on from a distance.

"Oh, my…" Pashmina tilted her head. "That's certainly a statement."

"You're telling me!" Dawn boasted. "You should have seen Lopunny's Return! Talk about a powerhouse! Let's see if you've got anything that suits her! Something like what she's got on now!"

"I don't."

Dawn blinked. "Huh?"

"I don't have anything that suits her." Pashmina tilted her head. "She looks fantastic. Very cool, very tough… But, that's just not what I do." The woman shrugged, her Skiploom copying the motion with a smile. "Oh well! Make some sales, lose some clients! That's business!"

~...Are you stupid!?~ Rura exclaimed.

Being brushed off so easily was a new, uncomfortable feeling for Dawn, but the feeling of Lopunny's hand squeezing hers brought the Coordinator back to what actually mattered. She knew now what Lopunny needed. "No need to worry," Dawn decided. "Thanks for your time."

"If you ever have a different Pokémon you want styled, let me know." Pashmina offered her card. "I've also got a sister in Johto who can help out if you're ever in the area."

Dawn took the card, head tilted. "... Maybe one day. But, we're good for now, thanks." She offered an arm out to Rura after sliding the card in her pocket. "Let's get out of here."

Rura launched himself into Dawn's waiting arm as Brock called for Croagunk. ~Seriously, that outfit's incredible. I want something like that!~

Lopunny shot him a look, as if to say wait your turn.

Brock walked alongside Dawn. "You're not seriously going to go back to her, are you?"

"For Lopunny? No way! And, not until I know that I know what all my Pokémon want." The coordinator lifted her chin. "Pokemon aren't just the nice, happy, carefree moments… The sad, angry moments matter, too, and I don't ever want to not appreciate them during those ever again." She nodded. "I think that was my mistake back in the Fuschia Contest. Lopunny helped me see that everything is incredible about Pokémon."

The Normal-type's heavy ears twitched ever so slightly before she continued to walk hand in hand with her trainer.

Brock let out a sigh of relief. "Good. All of that talent and no sense…" He grumbled, hearing the chime of the shop's front door before it closed, leaving Pashmina completely behind them. He put a hand on Dawn's shoulder. "Are you going to be okay?"

Dawn finally let her guard drop, now that Pashmina was out of earshot. "I guess." Her shoulders slumped, fists balled up in frustration. "I'm just bummed out. Of course I did the right thing, standing by Lopunny! But, that could've been a major connection."

Defeat still stung.

"That's totally understandable," Brock replied. "But, I don't think you should see this as a defeat. After all, you grew closer to your first caught Pokémon. You even evolved her!"

~Yeah, don't feel bad!~ Rura vouched, hopping from Dawn's shoulder to Brock's. ~Brock's love was a bust, too!~

"Thanks for the reminder…" Brock sulked, hanging his head. He collected himself afterward. "Sometimes, affections can blind you to who someone really is. I admire Pashmina's skill and her beauty. But, no one who's that out of touch with a Pokémon's needs is for me." Shaking his head, the young man closed a fist. "But, there are always wonderful people out there who will bring out the most in you! Like Peeks, for Lopunny!"

"Yeah!" Dawn agreed. "Or like Ash, for me!"

"Mhm…" Brock muttered, before reality sank in. He tripped and stumbled over his own feet, flailing to catch his balance. "Wait, WHAT!?"

"Hey, Dawn! There you are!" Ash called out, waving from across the street. He was accompanied by Rosa. Meema, and Empoleon.

"Ash!" Dawn called out, running across to meet him with Lopunny at her side.

"Sorry we missed the whole thing… Woah! Is that Buneary!?" Ash exclaimed, gawking at the Pokémon.

"You bet!" Dawn stood upright, smugly brushing a hand through her locks. "But, it's Lopunny, now!"

~Oh, dear. Congratulations,~ Meema lauded.

"Hang on, you guys," Brock stumbled over, still shouldering Rura. "When were you going to tell me this happened!?"

"That's awesome, Lopunny!" Ash gushed. "But, guess what? Rosa learned a new move!" He didn't hear a word out of Brock.

"Oh, yeah? Well, Lopunny learned one, too!" Dawn boasted. She didn't, either.

"Hellooo? You guys? Are either of you going to bring me up to speed?" Brock urged.

"Oh, I need to see it! Like, right now!" Ash exclaimed.

"Let's show them both off at the same time!" Dawn suggested.

"You're on!"

"One…!" Dawn started counting. Lopunny pivoted on her feet, rearing a fist.

"You guys…?"

"Two…!" Ash was next. Rosa did the same as Lopunny, grinning.

"Three!"

"Three!"

Ash and Dawn's voices overlapped, and so did the actions of their Pokémon. Lopunny and Rosa both swung. The bright and attention-catching pink of Return smashed into the metallic, starry might of Meteor Mash.

A deafening explosion followed, swallowing the block in pink hearts, teal stars, and overpowering winds. The entire group, save Lopunny and Rosa, were knocked off of their feet.

'Urgh…" Brock groaned, laying in a heap with his chin on the pavement, and Rura on his back, before Meema scooped him back into her mane. "Well, it's official. I've become the third wheel again. I guess I'll just have to ask them about it, later…"

At a short distance, from Brock's grounded view, Ash and Dawn had reunited. They slapped their hands against one another's with their signature high five, making their elder friend smile.. "After all, it's the end result here that's important."

"I'd call that a success!" Dawn winked, standing by Lopunny, before her posture slacked. "Unfortunately, the Poké Stylist thing didn't work out."

"Aw, what!?" Ash frowned. "Seriously? Sorry about that, you two."

"Pun." Lopunny shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't much fond of this Stylist, anyway.

"No need to worry," Dawn shook her head. "Because it's time to show off my Pokémon to a crowd that'll really appreciate them! In Cerulean City!"

"That's the attitude I want to hear!" Ash agreed. "...But, I'm not gonna lie. I'm sad that we'll be leaving Brock behind, again."

"Yeah, that is a bummer," Dawn agreed.

"Punny."

"Actually," Brock replied, back on his feet once more. "If you don't mind, I'd like to stop by to talk to Suzie and Zane, for just a moment."

"...So, basically. Thank you for letting me be your understudy." Brock bowed his head. "But, I think it's about time that I accompany my friends again. My failure with Meema reminded me that I still have a lot to learn, that I won't pick up being stationary. No offense, of course," he excused, rubbing his neck.

"Besides. I'd also like to look out for my friends in their time of need." He looked to Ash, Dawn, and their Pokémon, and smiled. "Ash is going to need my help with nutrition, after all. If that's alright with the both of you."

"Actually," Suzie laughed, "we had a feeling this would happen."

"You did!?" Brock exclaimed, taken aback.

"Sure! The writing was on the wall," Zane added, smiling. "Whenever Suzie and I have seen you, you were with your friends. It was easy to see how much you missed them."

"Well, that was easier than expected." Brock exhaled. "Again, thanks a lot for your time and experience."

"It was our pleasure!" Suzie chimed. "But, before you go…" She held her hand out, and dropped a Poké Ball into Brock's palm.

Brock clutched the sphere, raising a brow. "Uh, Suzie…?"

"I'm sure you're familiar with it," she continued. "That's Ninetales's Poké Ball, after all."

"W-wait! But, why… I couldn't!" Brock protested. "Ninetales is your Pokémon!"

"She might be my dear friend. But, that sort of label is a bit arbitrary, don't you think?"

"Nine!" Ninetales waltzed over, sitting in front of Suzie and Zane, facing Brock.

"Ninetales did journey with you too, after all. And I'd be remiss to not notice her feelings. Ninetales has missed the stimulation of meeting a variety of people; of Pokémon! She'd always get excited about customers, but that and the enrichment of the open road just aren't the same."

"Besides!" Zane volunteered. "She'd make a model fox to help you understand Ash's Meema, am I right?"

"Ninetales~." The fox cooed, pridefully turning her nose in the air.

"I… guess that logic follows," Brock muttered, ever modest. He was caught off-guard, though, by a hand on his shoulder. It was Ash's. His friend had adopted a somewhat stern expression.

"C'mon, Brock. When in doubt, listen to your Pokémon, right?" He nodded towards Ninetales. "Ninetales wants to come along."

Brock blinked, a bit stunned that Ash was the one giving him advice, for once. It made him wonder just what'd changed while he was gone. But, that was a question for a later time.

"...Agh, you're right, Ash! Alright, Ninetales. If you'll have me, then I'd be happy to have you along!"

"Nine!" Ninetales cooed, before nudging her nose against her Poké Ball. She disappeared in a flash of light, residing in the cool steel capsule. Suddenly, Brock noticed, it felt just a bit warmer.

"I'll do everything I can for her," Brock vowed. "With all the knowledge I've gained as a Breeder, and as a Doctor."

Yellows and oranges were starting to paint the skies, as the restored trio of trainers left Scissor Street to head north. With nothing but the bags on their backs, and their Pokémon at their sides, the scene painted a certain nostalgic feeling.

"Feels like old times, doesn't it?" Brock asked, smiling.

"It does!" Dawn agreed. "It's only been a few hours, but I really missed this."

"Yeah," Ash agreed. "Plus, we'll get to have Brock's cooking again!"

"Of course that's where your mind goes," Brock shot back, smirking. "You know, you seem happier than when you first arrived, earlier today."

Ash shrugged. "I'm still feeling pretty glum, to tell you the truth. But I think Peeks would want me to be happy." He then felt a tap against his leg. Well, less a tap, and more of a light punch.

"You better mean that." Lopunny scolded. "He wouldn't want you faking, either."

"Lopunny's right, Ash." Dawn scolded. "You shouldn't have to bundle up your feelings. It's okay to be sad or angry! …Not that we don't want you to be happy. But, you should mean it!"

~Besides! You're no good at it.~ Rosa piled on.

"Okay, ow." Ash whined, rubbing his thigh. All the same, he wore a smile far more genuine. It sounded like Dawn and Lopunny were finally back on the same page, again. "You're right, though. I'll be honest with you guys, okay?" He held out a fist hopefully to Lopunny.

She thumped her paw against it. "That's what I wanna hear!"

"Well, I'm glad to see that this group makes for a great support system," Brock remarked. "I know times are tough… But, I have to say, you all have really grown. I'm proud of you."

"Aw c'mon, Brock," Ash whined. "You don't have to embarrass us about it."

"Yeah, jeez!" Dawn complained, sporting a red face.

~Ditto!~ Rosemary looked off with a huff.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Was that too mature?" Brock laughed.

Lopunny tutted at the squabbling. She couldn't quite shake a melancholy feeling, however dulled it was by their company, and her trainer. But, at the very least, she was no longer bottling her feelings, liable to explode at any time. She'd never have to, again.

Just one more time, she looked over her shoulder, towards Vermilion City.

She allowed herself just a moment to wonder how he was doing.