This chapter will feature a certain Pokémon being identified as a typing it isn't in the main series games. This typing comes from the rom hack, Radical Red. (Google it)

Snowpoint Gym

Although the fire had gone out inside the cabin before the sun had risen, the bed proved to be more than warm enough. Neither trainer taking refuge in that cabin for the night were any the wiser that the roof had been completely covered in snow, as the blizzard got heavier overnight. Despite the weather, the two young lovers slept peacefully through the night, the troubles in the world seemingly fading out of existence in each other's embrace.

No alarm had been set by either. Instead it was the sound of Chris's phone ringing that woke him up. He didn't reach out for it, deciding to rub his eyes clean of debris from his relaxing slumber. He did his best as he stirred out of bed to not wake up the angel resting her head on his chest, but to no avail. Dawn's eyes slowly opened as Chris moved, which he quickly realized. He reached down to gently lower her head onto the pillow. "I'm gonna get us some breakfast. I won't be gone long." Dawn nods her head in her groggy state, and she's already asleep once Chris plants a soft kiss on her forehead.

Looking at her already sleeping peacefully again, Chris cracks a smile as he gets out of bed. He checks his phone to see that it was Professor Rowan calling him, so he sends a text to say that he's taking a shower. He takes a quick one afterwards, thinking while washing his hair that it might be time to cut it. But then when he looks at himself in the mirror after drying off, he thinks differently. He notices that it is getting a bit cold inside the cabin before leaving, so he grabs his Infernape's Poké Ball before leaving, placing it securely inside the pocket of his jacket.

While walking to a nearby restaurant to pick up breakfast, Chris gives Rowan a call back. "Good morning, Professor." He says to his mentor.

"Good morning, Chris." The Professor's voice starts on the other end of the line. "What news do you have? Is Dawn safe and sound?"

"Safe, yes. Sound... I'm not completely sure. She got beaten pretty badly by Team Galactic."

"Is she unharmed?"

"They didn't go that far, no. I stayed with her for the night to make sure she'd be okay."

"Very well. What of Team Galactic? Do we know anything about their plans?"

"They have a headquarters in Veilstone City. The agent from the International Police is going to ask for my aid in the next couple of days, so I can only assume that he's planning something."

"Are you sure that you're qualified for this situation, Chris? If you don't think you can come out of a raid completely unscathed, then I'd prefer you tell your agent friend as much."

"I haven't even begun to show what I'm fully capable of from a physical standpoint, Professor. I'm not afraid of any fight that might come my way. I'll be okay. You have my word."

"Very well. Even so, exercise caution. I will see you when this is all over."

"Yes sir." Chris says, before hanging up the phone. After getting off the phone, Chris goes to turn on his Bluetooth headphones, but is then greeted by the sight of someone who he didn't realize how angry he was at until now.

Barry comes into his line of sight, making Chris roll his eyes at first. Despite the nonchalant response to seeing the wild-haired blonde, Chris could feel anger boiling to the surface. "Hey there Chris, long time no see!"

"Yeah that's what happens when you get busy." Chris says, as he doesn't slow down for a moment.

Bewildered, Barry hurries up to stand in front of Chris, finally slowing the orphan to a stop. "So busy that you can't make time for me? C'mon, lets battle!"

"I ain't in the mood." Chris responds as he fights the urge not to snap at Barry.

"What do you mean you aren't in the mood?" Barry says, turning around to continue following Chris with his arms up in the air. "What kind of Pokémon trainer are y-"

They were walking in between two buildings when Chris cut Barry off, grabbing him by his coat, and forcing him against the wall in the alleyway. "You know something Barry?" Chris starts, no longer keeping his anger away from his tone of voice. "I have never met someone as tunnel-visioned and self-centered as you are. The Professor wanted to see you in Canalave City to ask for your help in researching the legendary Pokémon of the three lakes, and that ended up becoming a doomed to failure rescue mission when Team Galactic captured them." Chris pauses for a moment to make Barry look into his eyes. "You and I have the same long term goals: becoming Champion. But here's the thing. I don't know how much time you spend watching T.V. at all, let alone the news. But the threat of Team Galactic is a real one. There's more important things than our goals right now."

"Chris, easy man! I get it, I really do! Why do you have to get so physical with me?"

"How long have you known Dawn?"

"What?"

"Barry, answer the fucking question!"

"Okay, okay! I've known her since we were little, probably five or six! She might be... she might be the best friend I have."

"Yeah, well maybe you should try being there for her a little more. She did everything she could to try to save Uxie at Lake Acuity, and got beaten for it. Pretty badly. If you weren't so selfish, Rowan might've asked you to go with her, and the two of you could've had each other's backs." Chris digs his knuckles into Barry now, as he concludes his rant to him. "If you claim to be a good person Barry, then you need to remember this: Life isn't all about you." Having said all he wanted to say, Chris lets Barry go, then turns to walk away from him.

"Wait!" Barry calls out, making Chris stop in his tracks again. "Where is Dawn? Is she okay?"

"She'll be fine."

"Can I go see her?"

"It's a little late for that, Barry." Chris saying that was a bit selfish on his part, but at the same time Dawn was nude in bed, covered by nothing but a blanket. "Did you win the badge from the gym here?"

"I did."

"Then get out of town. I don't wanna see you right now." Despite saying that, Chris does turn around to look Barry in the eyes again. "Maybe really think about what someone's telling you, for once." Chris turns his back on Barry again, then continues on to the restaurant.

A half an hour later, Chris returns to the cabin he and Dawn rented for the night, still with two hours left to check out. Before coming up to the front door, Chris sets the food down on a small table on the porch, and activates his Infernape's Poké Ball. He lets out his Pokémon before stepping inside. "Caesar, head over to the fire pit, and get it going." He tells his fire/fighting-type. Caesar does as Chris asks, and hurries past him towards the fire pit.

Chris can see Dawn still sleeping peacefully, her pretty face lit up by the soft morning sunlight poking through the snow-coated windows. He can't keep the smile from his face, especially as the sight quells the remaining anger from his confrontation with Barry. It doesn't take Caesar long to get a fire going in the pit again, and Dawn awakens right as the flames illuminate the rest of the cabin. Chris sits down next to her in bed, setting the boxes of food down on the nightstand.

He was expecting Dawn to still be lying down when he turned around, but she instead greeted Chris with a kiss on the lips before he could speak. "Good morning." She says to him after the kiss.

Chris smiles, caressing her cheek before kissing her forehead. "Good morning." He says back, then embraces her as she rests her head against his chest. "Did you sleep well?"

She nods her head. "I wouldn't have, if you weren't here."

Chris laughs softly, then kisses the top of her head. "Glad I could help." Chris sits still to hold her for a moment, until he hears her stomach growl. Chuckling, he reaches over to the nightstand he set the food down on, and grabs what he ordered for Dawn. "I got your favorite." He says, earning a warm smile from her.

"Thank you." She says.

"You're welcome." He says back, before grabbing his own box of food. He sits back under the blanket with Dawn, kissing her forehead when she scoots over to be closer to him. The two share breakfast in bed, whilst conversing about their individual childhoods until the conversation turns to what's next. "Where do you go from here?" Chris asks Dawn.

"I... I'm not sure. Before I head to Sunyshore City, I feel like I really need to take some time to reflect after what happened at Lake Acuity." Saying that out loud, Dawn realizes something. She stops eating for a second, then leans up to plant a kiss on Chris's cheek. "I never did say thank you by the way."

"Yes you did. Just not in a... conventional manner." Chris knew he got her there.

Even though she tried her best to hide it, Dawn failed to keep Chris from noticing her blushing face. She looked away from him as she bit her lip, a shy smile plastered on her face. "Anyway," She starts after clearing her throat. "What's next for you?"

"I was told by the people that came to get that snowmobile last night to expect a call in a couple of days, so Snowpoint gym is next for the time being. Then I'm getting flown back to Veilstone City."

"Why Veilstone City?" Dawn asks as she finally takes another bite of food.

"Gonna do what I can to help the authorities take down Team Galactic."

Dawn pauses again as she says, and looks up at Chris. "Will you be okay?" She says, and in that moment, Chris feels something that he's been missing since the Medina's daughter passed away: A genuine connection with someone. Despite of the fact that he doesn't believe last night truly changed anything about their relationship status, and that he suspects Dawn knows as much too, she truly does care about him.

Chris gently rubs her chin with his thumb as he looks Dawn in the eyes. "I will. If the circumstances become overly extreme, I want you to return to Rowan's lab in Sandgem town. I'll see you there, I promise."

Dawn nods her head. "I will." She goes to finish the rest of her breakfast. "By the way, you should be able to just walk into Snowpoint Gym, and lay down the challenge. Not that many trainers make it this far."

"Did you already do just that?" Chris asks. Dawn simply responds by nodding her head. Chris scoffs. "Ahead of me again." He says, as he hears Dawn giggle in response.

Setting off a couple hours after breakfast, Chris and Dawn's shenanigans in the shower had them pushing the clock more than just a bit. But they avoided any late fees regardless. Dawn's Pokémon had spent the night at the Pokémon Center, and she told Chris that she'd be waiting for him there after his battle with Candice.

Approaching the gym, Chris couldn't help but notice that the gym looked more like a temple than the actual Snowpoint Temple. From the hexagonal shape, the pillars connecting the roof to the ground, the fact that Chris couldn't see the roof once he got to the front door. Snowpoint Temple was a tower in comparison to the gym.

Upon stepping inside, Chris was greeted by a robotic voice. "Welcome trainer. Before you can commence your Snowpoint City Gym challenge, you must verify that you have earned six gym badges." A panel lowers from the ceiling, and lights up with a dim blue light. "Please place your official Sinnoh League gym badge case on the panel for scanning. Ensure that your Pokémon trainer's identification is also inside of the case." Chris takes a second to prepare his case, then places it on the panel. "Scanning." The voice says, and then after a few seconds continues. "Scan complete. You have been confirmed as having earned six official Sinnoh League Gym Badges. Please retrieve your belongings." Chris grabs his case back, as the panel rises back up to the ceiling. A door ahead can then be heard unlocking itself. "Please proceed into the arena, and best of luck on your battle with Gym Leader Candice."

Chris looks to the door, which opens itself as he approaches. As Chris enters the arena, he is thankful that the thought to keep his coat on crossed his mind. It is probably as cold inside as it is outside. And as the rows of lights flicker to life as he walks to his side of the arena, it makes more and more sense why it is so cold inside. This arena is covered in an icy terrain. Despite this, Chris knew better than to assume that this battle would be all Caesar's.

As the final row of lights illuminated his side of the room, the remaining lights slowly sparked to life until Chris saw Candice on the other side of the battlefield. She stands with her eyes closed, and a confident smile painting her face. "You want to challenge Candice?" She suddenly asks, her tone reflecting her expression perfectly. Finally, she opens her eyes. "You're on! I was waiting for someone tough!"

"Your wait is over." Chris responds as she pauses for a moment.

"Oooo, I like that!" Candice says, before giving Chris a wink. "But I should tell you, I'm tough because I know how to focus. Pokémon, fashion, romance..." Candice pauses for a moment to clear her throat. "It's all about focus! I'll show you just what I mean." Candice takes another pause to activate her first Poké Ball. "Four-on-Four, Mr. Harper. Get ready to lose!" Chris activates his first Poké Ball, and readies to throw. "Alright Sneasel, let's go!" A familiar sight for Chris, seeing Candice's own Ice/Dark-type Sneasel.

The thought to test Frostclaw, his own Sneasel, against Candice's did cross his mind. But Chris stuck to his original plan. "Caesar, post up!" With the flame from his head providing a not insignificant amount of warmth to the field, Chris's Infernape stands at the ready. Were he not so battle tested, Caesar might be drooling over the idea that he could possibly sweep the opposition on his own. "Caesar, Mach Punch!" Chris's Infernape prepares to launch itself at mach speed, his fist already cocked for the blow.

"Sneasel, Feint Attack!" Right as Caesar is about to punch Candice's Sneasel, the Sharp Claw Pokémon fades into the shadows, only to reappear and strike a clean shot on Caesar's back. "Now that you have an opening, use Aerial Ace!" Faster than Caesar can react, Sneasel rolls in mid air, and slashes at Caesar for a super effective strike.

Candice's delight at her Pokémon's performance is short lived however, because Sneasel cannot get away from Caesar fast enough. Chris watches his Infernape grab a hold of Sneasel, and immediately knows what his next command will be. "Use Flame Wheel!" As Caesar curls up into a wheel, the fire on his head engulfs his entire body, whilst engulfing Sneasel's by extension. With no escape, all Candice can do is watch as the flame moves towards her, and slows to a stop as Caesar gently places the fainted Sneasel at her feet. With a massive backflip, Caesar than lands briskly in front of his trainer.

"That was a good touch up, Mr. Harper. But let's see how you handle the next wave." Candice says, activating her next Poké Ball. "Alright Piloswine, let's go!" Candice sends out a large, Swine Pokémon, with its eyes covered by its fur.

Chris stays unfazed, yet doesn't underestimate Candice's Piloswine just because of its apparent disadvantage. "Caesar, Flame Wheel!" Caesar leaps into the air, rolling into a wheel as the fire begins to engulf his body. Neither the Pokémon, nor the trainer have experienced what comes next however.

"Piloswine, Hail!" Almost exclusively above the battlefield, a heavy hail storm came crashing down. Somehow the ice storm was rough enough to completely stall out Caesar's attack, who was also taking damage from the ice slamming his body.

With no idea what Candice's next move would be, yet knowing the possibility because of Piloswine's part Ground-typing, Chris threw out a desperation attack. "Caesar, Mach Punch!" Chris's Infernape launches itself at full speed towards Piloswine, landing a solid punch for a considerable amount of damage. Caesar back flipped through the air, his fiery body now adjusted to the hailstorm.

But it was too late for that development to do them any good. "Piloswine, Earthquake!" Candice's Piloswine stomped hard on the ground, and the very ground that Caesar stood on violently shook underneath him. The pain took over immediately, as Caesar tumbled to the ground in a heap. And as the hail continued to come crashing down, Caesar was left completely susceptible to its merciless downpour. As much as he didn't want to believe it, Chris knew that the one Pokémon that was best suited for this battle could not continue.

And yet, he didn't feel despair for even a fraction of a second. "Caesar, return." He says calmly, as he recalls his Infernape. "Excellent." He adds as he looks down at the Poké Ball before deactivating it. It wasn't time for plan B yet, but Chris had plenty more to throw at this battle. He reaches down, and chooses the perfect Pokémon to take down Piloswine. "Zyra, you're up!" He exclaims, as he sends out his Leafeon into the battle.

While she didn't particularly enjoy getting pelted by the hail, Zyra stood at the ready as Chris called out his first command. "Now, use Bullet Seed!" Zyra forcefully fires off seeds at Pilowswine, but can only manage a small burst. As susceptible as Piloswine is to the attack, Zyra doesn't muster enough seeds to take it down.

And that in turn gives Candice a chance to respond. "Nice try, Mr. Harper. Piloswine, Avalanche!" Piloswine stomped on the ground again, and sends shards of ice from the battlefield hurdling towards Zyra. She takes a massive amount of damage, not at all being helped by the hard hail still pouring down on her head.

Seeing this move from Candice, Chris realizes he needs to stop messing around. "Hell no! Zyra, use Leaf Blade!" The large leaf of a tail Zyra sports shines with a bright green energy as it sharpens. Zyra then dashes towards Candice's Piloswine, which has no chance of escaping from the speed she moves in. Zyra leaps at Piloswine, front flipping to slash the Ice/Ground-type for the final hit it can take. Piloswine falls on its side in defeat, and Candice has to recall it. But the bad news for Chris comes right afterwards, as Zyra falls to the ground herself. The building damage from the battle and the hailstorm was more than she could bear, falling to the ground in defeat.

Both trainers recall their fallen Pokémon, and then ready their next team members. "One thing's for sure, you and the last two challengers have got my blood going, Mr. Harper." Candice tells Chris before sending out an Abomasnow. The tree yeti would've been the perfect prey for Caesar, but what is done is done. A shame that Chris's next Pokémon was taught Ice Punch instead of Fire punch, but Chris knew his Electivire could get the job done regardless.

"Zapsquatch, it's your turn!" Chris calls out, as he sends his Electric/Fighting-type into battle. Zapsquatch comes out on one knee, with his eyes closed. He slowly rises up and an electric surge fires off from his body to burst through the hail drops, as he roars his own species name.

Candice can't keep from chuckling as she lays her eyes on Chris's Electivire. "Now this one's mighty. I can tell just by looking at him." Her expression then shifts to reflect her determination. "But oh how the mighty can fall. Abomasnow, use Focus Blast!" A power surge can be seen flowing through Abomasnow's body, as it concentrates that power in its hands. That power begins to manifest itself in between the palms of its hands, before it launches it at Zapsquatch.

"Zapsquatch, Brick Break!" At the sound of Chris's command, Zapsquatch completely leaps over the incoming attack, and readies the side of his hand while in the air. He brings the side of his hand down on the dome of Abomasnow's head, sending it teetering back.

"Two can play that game." Candice says as she realizes just how in range Zapsquatch still is. "Abomasnow, Wood Hammer!" Abomasnow raises its fist into the air, which then glows with a bright green energy. It brings the fist down on to Zapsquatch's dome, but then finds both of its arms being bound by his two tails. "What the?" Candice says in bewilderment.

"I get the feeling you played that game a little too hard, Candice. Zapsquatch, Thunderbolt!" As Zapsquatch completely restricts Abomasnow's movements, it has no escape from the ferocious jolt of electricity Zapsquatch sends through its body. No room separating it from the Thunderbolt Pokémon, Abomasnow gets completely taken out by a brutal critical hit. Collapsing to the ground in a heap, Candice now fully understands how mighty Chris's Electivire truly is.

As she recalls her Abomasnow, Candice remarks on something. "You know, I have a feeling that the two trainers I battled recently are friends of yours. And I have to say, you have the best synchronicity with your Pokémon between the three of you."

"Its the trust factor. They trust me, and I place that same trust in them."

"It shows." She pauses, and activates one last Poké Ball. "But you haven't won yet. Frosslass, it all falls down to you!" Candice sends out a near-lady like Pokémon, floating above the ground, with its purple face sending a chill up Chris's spine.

But he pushes that chill to the side, when he noticed the damage of the battle was mounting on Zapsquatch. Not wanting to risk his best chance for this battle, Chris decides to see what his own Sneasel is capable of. "Zapsquatch, return." Chris says, as he recalls his Electivire back within his Poké Ball. Activating his Sneasel's Poké Ball, Chris readies to throw. "Frostclaw, it's time to battle!" Out comes Chris's Sneasel, full of exuberance. He has had very little time to train, but Chris already knows from what he did yesterday that the little one does have a lot of potential. "Alright, Night Slash!" Frostclaw eagerly charges at Frosslass, his claws growing darker with every step he takes.

Unwittingly, Chris has played into Candice's hands. "Frosslass, Double Team!" illusionary copies of Frosslass appear out of thin air, surrounding a shocked Frostclaw. He tries his best to find the real one, and even goes for a slash. All he hits is in fact a clone however, which vanishes as quickly as it appeared. The real Frosslass has an opening that Candice capitalizes on. "Now, Shadow Ball!" Frosslass creates a shadowy blob that it sends hurdling at Frostclaw. Frostclaw takes the hit from the side, falling to the ground in pain.

Through that pain however, Frostclaw locks eyes on Frosslass. He rises back to his feet just in time for Chris's next command. "Ice Shard!" Frostclaw swiftly flings a sharp chunk of ice at his opponent, whose clones have now faded away as well. Frosslass easily tanks the hit, but is caught off guard by the suddenness of it. "Now, Night Slash!" Frostclaw holds its claws to its chest in an x shape, as it dashes towards Frosslass.

"Frosslass, Blizzard!" Frosslass sends a howling blizzard forth to strike at Frostclaw, the force of which reminds him of the weather Chris had trudged his way through just one night ago. Although pained, Frostclaw trudges his own way through the attack, and strikes Frosslass for a massive hit.

Frostclaw gave that singular attack everything that he had, and now stood before Frosslass painting, not able to move. And neither Frosslass, nor its trainer were going to take pity. "Frosslass, Shadow Ball!" Frostclaw could only look on as another shadowy blob comes hurdling towards it. He eats the hit, then goes down and out. Now Chris is down to his final Pokémon of this battle.

Even so, as Chris recalls his Sneasel, he is comfortable in the knowledge that he has found a genuinely great battler. "We'll probably be down to our last moves." He remarks to Candice.

"So it would seem. May the best trainer win."

"I will. Go, Zapsquatch!" Chris sends his Electivire back out to the battlefield, knowing exactly which move he's going for. After he readjusts to the hailstorm, Zapsquatch stands at the ready. "Zapsquatch, Thunderbolt!"

"Frosslass, Psychic!"

A yellow energy goes colliding against a pink energy, before both bypass each other, and strikes their targets. Both Pokémon take major hits at the same time, as both fall to the ground. The difference being that Frosslass falls down and loses consciousness, whereas Zapsquatch falls to a knee, closes an eye tightly, and grunts through his pain. Looking to see that Frosslass is now laying prone, Zapsquatch rises back up to both feet, and lets out a victorious roar. Chris has won his seventh gym badge.

Right after he hears Candice recall her final Pokémon, Chris then hears her applauding him. "I must say, I've certainly warmed up to you. I might even admire you, Mr. Harper."

Chris tilts his head up, as he steps up besides his Electivire. The ice of the battlefield was certainly much more solid than it was at first glance, as Chris had no trouble walking on it. "Thank you." He says, to both his Electivire and Candice.

"Vire." Zapsquatch responds, as he pounds fists with his trainer.

"You're focus and will bowled over my team today. You've certainly earned my respect. And without any further Ado," Candice pauses, and pulls out a trey. "your Icicle badge." Chris removes it from the trey, and smiles.

"Thank you, Candice." Chris says, as he puts the badge inside his case. "Listen, I don't mean to be so abrupt, but there's someone waiting for me at the Pokémon Center."

"I understand. Only one badge for you to go, Mr. Harper. Best of luck to you from here on out."

Chris nods at her, and then exits the gym. Dawn was likely just relaxing at the Pokémon Center while she waited for him, so when he saw the gorgeous view of the sun contrasting the snowy terrain, he took a moment to truly appreciate the beauty of nature. It had been quite some time since he had taken a moment for anything that wasn't pleasure related. Even so, the moment was short as his body remembered how cold it really was outside. In an effort to fight it, he lit up a cigarette to try to keep warm as he continued on to the Pokémon Center.

Once inside, he took a look around for Dawn, but didn't see her. Assuming that she was in the bathroom, and would be back out shortly, Chris walked up to the front desk. He spoke to the Nurse Joy in attendance, as he took the inactive Poké Balls off his belt of the Pokémon he had used to battle Candice. "Good evening, sir." She starts. "Would I be correct in assuming you just battled Candice?"

"You certainly would be. These four right here could use some attention." Chris responds. "I won't be far, just waiting on somebody."

"Oh... I'm sorry sir, but if you're waiting on someone, then I believe this is for you." Nurse Joy hands Chris a letter, in exchange for his inactive Poké Balls. Chris has a sneaking suspicion he has some idea of what is written on this letter. Despite the frown painting his face, Chris remembered his manners. "Thank you." He said to the Nurse Joy, as he went to sit down alone to read the letter.

Now isolated, Chris opened up the letter, and it was indeed from Dawn. He wasn't going to be seeing her today, possibly not even for a while.

Dear Chris,

If you're reading this, then I assume that the battle with Candice was rough for you. Knowing you, you probably pulled off the win, and have a shiny new badge. I'm happy for you. I just wish that it was enough.

You've probably already figured out that I'm not here by now, so I'll just get to why I left. I believe that even despite of last night, and this morning, you haven't moved on from the past. I believe that you still want to find that girl one day. And as much as I'm still learning about life and relationships, I know for sure that I can't be with a boy who'll constantly be thinking about another girl. Even if you don't have any romantic feelings towards her.

Truthfully, I hope that I'm wrong. I hope that you have moved on, and the next time we see each other, you make me believe as much. I care about you Chris. You've come to mean so much to me in such a short amount of time. But I can't force you to move on. I can't influence you like that, to the point where you make the decision I want you to make. You have to do that yourself.

No matter what happens from here, I do need to say this, or write this rather, while its on my mind. I never apologized to you for how I treated you when we first met. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that, and I'm sorry. I'm equally as sorry that I went back on my word to see you after your battle with Candice. I hope that I can make it up to you, hopefully by finding some way to help you against Team Galactic. If there's nothing that I can do, then hopefully I see you in Sandgem Town. Best of luck, whatever happens.

Dawn

Chris closed his eyes after reading her name at the end of the letter. He knew she was right to feel this way. He knew that it wouldn't have been a good move on his part to be thinking about someone else if he and Dawn became official. And he knew that he couldn't get his mind off Danielle. He had to find her, and that meant one day he'd have to leave Sinnoh. He didn't know if Dawn would even want to leave Sinnoh, let alone to find someone else. And that realization brought another right along with it: How long would Chris spend all alone if he committed to finding Danielle.

There were more questions for him than answers, and he took them with him all the way to the motel he would end up spending that night in. The more he sat around, and wallowed in his feelings, the more he realized he couldn't deal with this without some advice. He might have known people who could give him better advice for this, but the only person that he could think to call at the moment was Professor Rowan.

The phone rang twice before Rowan answered. "Chris?" The old man greeted with concern. "Is everything okay, my boy?"

"Professor, I... I think I need some advice. Life advice."

"What happened? Is anyone harmed?"

"No, I'm okay. Dawn left Snowpoint on her own, earlier today."

"I'll have to give her a call tomorrow. But what of you Chris? You said you needed advice?"

"I need to know if I'm right or wrong to think the way I do."

"That's rather vague Chris. Tell me exactly what's going on, and leave out no details."

"Okay. You know how I'm an orphan, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, before my parents died, we were neighbors with the Vespucci family. And the Vespucci family had a daughter only six months younger than me. Danielle. The last time I saw her was a few months after my parents died, and the courts decided to send me to the foster care system, even though Mister and missus Vespucci were willing to take me in. My last memory of Danielle, who was my best friend, was the two of us crying as she saw me for the last time."

"I see. That is... well, that's terrible to do to a child. Let alone two."

"That's not the end of it. Professor I want to see Danielle again. But at the same time... Dawn and I have gotten very, very close since we've met."

"Ah... I understand now."

"She really cares about me, Rowan. And I care about her, too. But I can't get my mind of Danielle, and Dawn knows this. She can't be with me because of that fact alone, and she's said as much to me. Am I being an idiot?"

"In most other circumstances, I would say yes. Let me explain why I cannot say the same in this circumstance, Chris. For someone as young as you are, you have a past that could do with much closure, more so than some adults twice your age. Closure does not always require you confront, or in your case track down the past. There may come a time where you move on from that part of your past all on your own, but that day is not today. There are risks to you pursuing this path, as Dawn may very well move on from you one day. But you are each other's first love. The sad reality is that a first love does not always last."

"So it isn't wrong of me to feel like this?"

"I would say that it is neither right, nor wrong. It is simply the way you feel."

Chris nods his head, then sighs. "Thank you, Professor. I've... I've got a lot to think about. But it wouldn't be as easy without this call."

"Anytime my boy. I know I have already said as much, but do be cautious with this Team Galactic business."

"I've already given it to you, but you have my word regardless. Good night, Professor."

"Goodnight, young Chris."

Chris hangs up the phone afterwards, then sighs to himself. It wasn't even that late at night, and all Chris wanted to do was prepare for bed regardless of that. He laid down hopeful that he'd get the call from Looker tomorrow, and also hopeful that a good nights sleep would provide him the clarity he needed.