Chapter 8: Sparks Fly

The Gates of Oreburgh, a massive cave entrance stood as a natural divide between Jubilife City and Oreburgh City.

The cave's mouth was vast and imposing with jagged rock formations framing the entrance, almost like weathered sentinels.

Additionally, the cave filled to the brim with Zubat who clung to the ceiling praying on wandering passersby. Geodude and the occasional Onyx slumbered near the cave floor, their rocky forms blending in flawlessly with the surroundings.

In truth, the cave was intentionally designed to be a daunting trial for newbie trainers to prove their mettle. Only those truly ready for the journey ahead would be able to make it through without turning tail.

And there was another trainer who was added to the list of those who managed to make it through. Dawn emerged from the shadows of the cave, her eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight as she stepped out of the cave.

Dawn's clothes were covered in dirt and grime from her trek through the cave. Her red overcoat clung to her from the moisture, while her white beanie was smudged with dust, and her white scarf was streaked with mud. Her white bag, once pristine looking was now marred by smudges and dirt stains.

Her steps were slow and labored, each movement causing her massive discomfort. Sweat dripped down her face, matting her hair and making her pink hair clips gleam fully in the sunlight.

Behind her trudged Starly and Chimchar, both looking as battle worn as their trainer. Starly's feathers were ruffled and covered in dust, while Chimchar's fur was matted and streaked with dirt. All the while scratches and bruises marked their bodies.

"Not... too much longer till, Oreburgh," Dawn muttered as she pressed forward, her voice barely audible through her exhaustion.

The girl halted abruptly as she turned to cast a glance back at the entrance of Oreburgh. She had been trapped in there for 10 hours straight, and without a single other trainer or person aside from herself, it'd be enough to make anyone crazy. The excessive amount of Zubat she had to battle didn't help either.

"How're we feeling guys?" Dawn pivoted to face her Pokémon. "You feeling as exhausted as I am?"

Chimchar and Starly, their chests heaving with exertion stumbled and plopped on their bottoms, unable to even speak a word.

"Alright, I'll take that as a yes..." Dawn acknowledged with a nod of her head.

She glanced around catching sight of her destination, Oreburgh, probably just a 15-minute stroll away. But much closer, amidst the rocky landscape a wooden house caught her eye, drawing her attention.

Dawn wrinkled her nose, taking a cautious sniff of her jacket before recoiling in disgust. "Well, I certainly don't wanna enter Oreburgh while smelling like trash," she remarked. "Maybe we can go check out that house over there. If the owner's nice enough, theymight even let us rest for a bit."

The trainer led the way towards the wooden house with her tired Pokémon trailing behind her. Each step felt heavier, but it was nothing a little sleep could fix.

At the front door, Dawn knocked on the old wooden door, the sound echoing softly in the quiet surroundings. After a moment of waiting, she tried again, her voice carrying a note of hope. "Hello? Is anyone home?"

Chimchar and Starly stood just right behind Dawn, the fire-type's breath came out in little puffs, and the Starling Pokémon's feathers ruffled slightly in the gentle breeze as they both waited.

Dawn glanced back at her Pokémon with a resigned shrug before facing the door again, giving it another hopeful knock. "Hello! I promise I don't bite!"

After about another minute of waiting, Dawn turned away from the door as she walked back towards the path. "Darn, maybe really no one is home," she mumbled to herself moving past her Pokémon. "C'mon guys, maybe we can find a bathhouse in Oreburgh."

As Dawn walked past the front porch, a sudden gust of wind caught her off guard causing her dress to flutter wildly around her legs. She quickly closed her eyes and instinctively grabbed at her dress to keep it from flying up.

"W-what the heck is going on?" Dawn's voice quivered with shock as she opened her eyes looking in front of her.

It was a Pokémon. It was a sight to behold, with its sleek, feline-like physique poised in a battle stance. Its fur crackled with electricity, emitting a faint glow that outlined its form with an intimidating aura.

Dawn aimed for her Pokédex, her hands trembling slightly as she aimed it towards the electrifying creature before her.

"Shinx, the Flash Pokémon. The extension and contraction of its muscles generate electricity. It glows when in trouble."

With a fierce gaze, the Shinx locked eyes with Dawn, its posture exuding a predatory aura. The Pokémon emitted a low growl, its sharp teeth glistening in the light as it barred them at Dawn. Simultaneously, it flicked its star-shaped tail at the ground with rapid, jerky movements.

As Chimchar and Starly moved forward, a sudden shift in the Shinx's demeanor seemed to halt their advance. The air around them crackled with an unseen force causing both Pokémon to hesitate, their confidence waning.

"Now, now, I promise I mean you no harm," Dawn cried, raising both her hands up. "Just let me and my Pokémon go, we don't want to cause any trouble."

"Shinx!" The electric-type emitted a deafening roar, its body enveloped in a crackling electricity as it lunged forward with tremendous force.

Despite the fear in their heart, Starly and Chimchar darted forward positioning themselves protectively in front of Dawn. Starly took the brunt of the attack head-on while Chimchar stood guard behind it.

Even with their valiant effort, the force of the collision sent Dawn tumbling backward, her head striking the porch step with a resounding thud.

Starly crashed to the ground convulsing as stray bolts of electricity crackled around his body. The super-effective shock overwhelmed his senses rendering him unconscious.

Chimchar struggled to rise, his fur damp with sweat as he labored to regain his footing from the powerful attack.

Shinx lunged forward with lightning speed, jaws agape as it aimed to sink its sharp teeth into Chimchar's skin with a Bite attack.

As Shinx descended upon Chimchar like a predator closing in on its prey, its jaws aimed directly at Chimchar's face. With quick timing, Chimchar raised its arms, intercepting Shinx mid-air. A fierce struggle ensued as Chimchar desperately fought to hold Shinx's snapping jaws at bay, their faces locked in a tense standoff mere inches apart.

With a sudden surge of force, Shinx's jaws clamped down on Chimchar's shoulder, sinking its sharp teeth deep into Chimchar's flesh. A sharp agonized cry escaped Chimchar's lips as pain shot through his body.

Despite the pain, Chimchar's claws gleamed as he extended them, aiming to strike Shinx. But Shinx dodged the attack with a nimble leap, effortlessly avoiding Chimchar's Scratch attack.

"Char... Char..." Chimchar heaved as he pushed himself upright, his breaths further labored, one hand nursing the bite mark on his shoulder.

It didn't help that he had been battling for nearly 10 hours straight prior to this, he didn't stand much a chance.

Shinx's growl reverberated through the air, a low and menacing rumble that sent shivers down Chimchar's spine. Had he truly met his match?

The creak of the front door swinging open cut through the tension, interrupting Shinx's advance.

It was a tall woman, standing at around five foot nine or ten, appearing from the doorway. Her long brown hair was neatly tied into a bun, and her hazel eyes held a hint of ferociousness. She wore a blue blouse adorned with a subtle stitching of a Pokéball and white slippers with blue heels.

The woman's voice echoed with authority as she scolded the electric-type. "Sparky, how many times do I have to tell you? We do not attack visitors. Are you trying to upset me!?"

Shinx's ears flattened against its head, and its tail drooped slightly as it backed away, much to the surprise of Chimchar who dropped his battle stance.

Chimchar's eyes widened in alarm as he turned towards his trainer, only to find Dawn unconscious with her head resting on the stairs. The sight startled him, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Chim!" Chimchar let out a distressed cry, dashing past Starly's limp form to reach Dawn. Dropping to his knees beside her, her frantically attempted to shake her awake, his heart pounding with worry.

With concern glued to her face, the woman hurried to the Pokémon's side dropping to her knees beside the young girl.

Dawn's eyes slowly fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light filtering through the room. She pushed herself up, finding herself sitting on a futon, feeling the soft cushion beneath her.

The girl glanced around the room taking in her surroundings. A box TV sat in the corner, its screen dark. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. She noticed a clock hanging on the wall and squinted to read the time: to which it was about 3 in the afternoon.

Dawn stretched and kicked off the blanket, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin. "Sitting on a futon in the middle of the day huh," she mused to herself. "I feel like Mom."

Dawn rose from the futon and made her way towards the door. As she stepped into the hallway, she noticed a series of framed photographs adorning the walls. Among them was a woman with a warm smile, surrounded by a family—there was a man, possibly a husband, and a young boy, likely her son. Dawn couldn't help but pause for a moment, studying the images as she walked down the hallway.

Entering the living room, Dawn saw the woman standing by the stove, cooking some eggs. The scent of sizzling butter and eggs filled the air. The room was cozy and inviting, with soft lighting filtering through the lace curtains. A plush sofa sat against one wall. A wooden coffee table stood in front of the sofa, cluttered with magazines and a half-finished knitting project. The walls were lined with some more family photos.

The woman looked over to Dawn, giving a warm smile. "Good to see you finally awake. Tell me, how do you like your eggs, sunny side up, scrambled, or maybe an omelette?"

Dawn looked around the room. "Where are my Pokémon?" she asked, ignoring the woman's question.

The lady turned around, carefully tending to the eggs as she spoke. "I saw that they were pretty disheveled," she said, adjusting the pan on the stove. "I hope you don't mind, but I got them some food and cleaned them up a bit. They're resting upstairs right now; they'll probably be awake soon."

"Wow, really," Dawn exclaimed. "You're awesome, but uh... man, I remember walking up to your house, but not much else. What happened?"

"I walked outside after hearing some commotion. My Sparky was getting into a fight with your Chimchar," she explained, placing the eggs on a plate. "Then I found you lying on the stair's unconscious. It looked like you may have suffered a serious blow to the head. Are you feeling alright?"

Dawn rubbed the back of her head. "It's throbbing a bit, but I'll survive."

"I'm glad to hear that," the woman said with an audible sigh. "Please forgive Sparky, he's uh... special. He means well, really, he does. He's just going through a lot right now."

"Sparky?" Dawn muttered, before catching sight of something outside the window. There, staring at her, was the Shinx. Suddenly, memories flooded back and Dawn recalled the events that led to her waking up in this unfamiliar place.

The Shinx's gaze was piercing, its eyes so intense and focused Dawn felt as if it could see right through her. There was something about it that was so... enigmatic.

The woman approached Dawn with the plate in hand, gently setting it down on the table before her. "Please, eat. I'm sure you're just famished," she said kindly.

Dawn glanced at the eggs which to her surprise were shaped like a Poké Ball, with a light dusting of salt and pepper on it.

"Thank you for this, it means a lot to me," Dawn expressed about to take a seat before the woman halted her.

"Sorry if this sounds rude, but I noticed your clothes are a bit dirty," the woman remarked. "I can wash them for you; it wouldn't take too long. If you'd like, you're free to use my shower."

Dawn glanced down at her once vibrant red overcoat, now significantly darker in color from all the accumulated dirt and grime. "Yes please, if you don't mind," she replied, unbuttoning her overcoat.

She removed her soiled overcoat, along with her scarf, beanie, and bag. Underneath, she wore a snug black V-neck mini sweater dress, paired with short black tights. A very short pink skirt peeked out from the hem, and a crisp white blouse.

Dawn finally kicked off her shoes and socks, handing them to the woman.

"Alright, I'll get these cleaned up for you. Just make yourself at home, honey," the lady said, walking towards the laundry room.

"Oh, um, one thing," Dawn said, halting the woman's movements.

The woman stopped just before the hallway, turning around to face Dawn.

"I don't think I caught your name," she said, her voice soft and curious. "My name is Dawn."

The woman smiled warmly. "It's Gloria. Gloria Cordano," she introduced herself. "Enjoy your food, okay?" With a friendly nod, she disappeared down the hallway.

Dawn slid the chair back and settled into it, reaching for the knife and fork. She delicately sliced the egg, the yolk oozing out as she lifted a bite to her mouth. "Wow, that lady can cook!" she exclaimed before glancing up, noticing the Shinx still staring at her from outside the window.

After taking another bite, Dawn rose from her seat casually strolling around the room. Her gaze wandered until it settled on a book sitting on the counter. As she approached she noticed it was a photo album, filled with pictures of the same family: the woman, the husband, and the son.

Intrigued, Dawn flipped through the pages until she stopped at one, revealing a photo of the boy and the Shinx, the Pokémon's eye sparkled with joy as it snugged close to the boy.

Dawn sat on the front porch, wearing her now clean red overcoat and beanie. Above her, the night sky stretched endlessly bathing everything in its gentle night. The girl simply gazed at the sky, lost in the beauty of the night.

The door behind her creaked open, Dawn turned to see Gloria who held in her hands a steaming cup of hot chocolate. "Here you go, sweetheart," she said warmly, extending the cup to Dawn.

"Thanks Ms. Cordano," Dawn said gratefully, accepting the cup from the woman's outstretched hand. She took a sip of the hot chocolate. It tasted wonderful, a perfect blend of rich chocolate and creamy sweetness.

"Oh please, just call me Gloria," the woman replied, settling into a seat beside Dawn on the porch.

"Um, listen," Dawn began tentatively, "I hope you don't mind me saying this, but uh, your Shinx, he's uh..."

The girl looked ahead of her, Shinx's teeth were clenched so tightly that drool dripped from its jaw, with stray bolts of electricity crackling and zapping around it. Standing directly in front of it, Chimchar assumed a battle stance, his muscles taunted and ready for action. Steam billowed from his blared nostrils.

"Those two have been glaring at each other for hours!" Dawn exclaimed; frustration evident in her voice. "I mean, it'd be one thing if they were battling, but they're not! They're just looking at each other. I actually counted," she said, flashing her Pokétch for emphasis. "It's been two and a half hours now!"

Gloria sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping. "I know... I know..." she murmured. "Listen, Sparky is..."

"He misses his trainer, right?" Dawn interjected, cutting the woman off gently. "I hope this isn't rude, but I looked through your picture album. I saw a bunch of photos with Shinx... sorry, Sparky. The dates on those photos were from three years ago give or take... So, what happened to this boy, if you don't mind me asking."

"That is rude," Gloria countered, rubbing her forehead.

"You're right... I'm sorry," Dawn apologized, her head hanging in acknowledgement of her mistake before Gloria continued.

"The boy in the photo you saw is my son, Matthew," Gloria began, both nostalgia and sorrow in her tone. "My husband, see, he was a friend to all Pokémon. He got Sparky for Matty when Matty was just 5 years old, and they've been best friends ever since."

Dawn turned her gaze towards Shinx. It was just the mere mention of Matty's name that caused it to break its intense stare with Chimchar and look towards Gloria, its eyes softening with emotion.

"My husband... well, he passed away a few years ago, around the time Matty turned 10," Gloria said, her voice wavering as she tried to maintain her composure. "Um, not too long after, Matty left to become a Pokémon Trainer. You see, my husband never wanted Matty to become a trainer. He thought it was so dangerous, at least while Matty was so young. But after he passed, I guess Matty decided he'd do his own thing. He left to become a trainer, even when I begged him to wait a few years."

"I-I see, I'm sorry to hear that," Dawn muttered, her gaze dropping to the ground. "Well, what happened to Shinx... Matty didn't take Shinx—I mean, Sparky, with him?"

"No, he didn't," Gloria admitted. "To this day, I don't understand why. When we talked about it, I got pretty nasty. I said some things I regret." She sighed deeply. "He doesn't call, he doesn't write, I haven't heard from him in over a year. I worry about him a lot. And Sparky hasn't made it any easier. His behavior... he was deeply hurt when Matty left him behind. He's changed so much because of it. He's so hostile now whenever he sees anyone. That's why I try to make a good impression for Sparky around guests, to teach him."

Dawn opened her mouth to say something but found herself at a loss for words, unsure of how to comfort the woman. Instead, she gently placed her hand on Gloria's shoulder, offering her support.

Gloria gave Dawn a warm smile, a flicker of curiosity igniting in her eye. "Dawn, how old are you?" she asked, her tone all of a sudden more inquisitive.

"Thirteen this December" Dawn answered honestly.

"Twelve-years old, huh..." Gloria mumbled, her gaze distant for a moment. "You're nearly the same age as my Matty, maybe a little younger."

Gloria stood up and waved her hand. "Sparky, come here for a second," she called out, her voice firm yet gentle.

"Shinx!" Shinx barked in response, bounding straight for the woman darting past Chimchar.

Gloria kneeled down, resting her hand on the Flash Pokémon's head. "Sparky..." she muttered softly, her voice filled with remorse. "I've seen it these past few years, you've been in so much pain. And I want to apologize for how I've been treating you. I should've been more considerate of your feelings."

Shinx's ears drooped, and its tail sagged low to the ground as it failed to meet the woman's gaze.

Gloria glanced back at Dawn, a genuine smile spreading across her face before she turned her attention back to Shinx. "This child right here," she said, her voice filled with warmth, "she reminds me a lot of the person Matty was. How would you like to go with her and have your own journey?"

"Shi-Shinx?" the electric-type cried out, tilting its head in confusion.

Dawn stood up with a delayed reaction as she processed Gloria's words. "Wait a second, you said what now!?"

The woman looked at Dawn, her gaze earnest and pleading. "I know it's a lot to ask," she said softly, "but please, give Sparky the journey he longed for. I think you can bring back those feelings he had long ago, when he was with Matty."

Before Dawn could utter another word, Chimchar leaped into the air positioning himself between his trainer and Gloria. "Char, Char, Char!" he screeched emphatically, his stance and tone just begging Dawn to decline the offer.

Dawn offered a bittersweet smile towards Chimchar before her gaze shifted to Shinx. The electric-type Pokémon looked up at her with a curious stare. She made up her mind.

"I got pretty fed up watching you and Chimchar glare at each other for so long," Dawm exclaimed, crossing her arms. "How about this: if I can beat you in battle, then I get to catch you, and you come with me. How does that sound?"

"Char! Char!" Chimchar cried out even louder, waving his hands dismissively in a frantic attempt to change his trainer's mind.

Dawn giggled, "Sorry Chimchar, but I want to take Shinx with me. I'm sure you'll come to like him in no time. Plus, this is your chance to finish that fight you two had earlier. You know, instead of just... staring into each other's eyes. I mean, if you like him, just ask him out already," she teased, a playful smirk on her lips.

"C-Chim..." Chimchar grunted in embarrassment before he rested his eyes on Shinx, who assumed a battle-ready stance.

With a fire igniting in his eyes, Chimchar pulled his hand, claws sharpened, and immediately lunged forward with a Scratch attack.

Shinx leaped into the air, executing a midair flip with agility before landing firmly on the ground, avoiding the attack.

"The battle's starting!" Gloria cried out, her eyes glued to the unfolding scene.

"Alright Chimchar, use Ember!" Dawn called out, her voice ringing with determination.

Chimchar paused for a brief moment, recalling how he managed to tie with Lucas's Turtwig the other day only after he started listening to his trainer. With renewed confidence, he unleashed a powerful Ember attack. Flames erupted from his mouth his mouth swirling and intensifying before shooting towards Shinx.

Shinx swiftly dodged between the Embers, its movements agile and precise as it weaved through the flames with remarkable speed.

With a burst of energy, Shinx unleashed another Spark, a torrent of bright electric energy surging forth like a thunderbolt as he closed the distance between himself and Chimchar in a dazzling blur.

"Quick, use Flame Wheel!" Dawn urged just in the nick of time.

Chimchar began to charge up Flame Wheel, spinning rapidly on the spot with increasing speed. As it spun faster and faster, a vortex of swirling flames enveloped it kicking up a whirlwind of smoke and debris almost like a mini tornado. With a burst of momentum, Chimchar launched itself forth like a blazing comet.

Both Pokémon collided in a spectacular clash, the flames of Flame Wheel igniting the air around them while Spark crackled with intense electricity. The collision created a dazzling explosion sending shockwaves rippling through the air.

But Shinx's Spark proved to be too overwhelming, overpowering Chimchar's Flame Wheel with sheer force. The collision sent Chimchar to the ground with a resounding thud that created a mini crater where he lay.

"What?" Dawn muttered in surprise, her brows furrowing in confusion. "The power of that Flame Wheel... I know Chimchar, that attack should've been stronger!"

Gloria looked at Dawn with a solemn look on her face. "My guess would be that Sparky's ability kicked in."

"Ability, what do you mean by that?" Dawn asked, her voice reflecting her unfamiliarity with the term.

"What, you've never heard of abilities?" Gloria said, surprised by the girl's question. "Pretty much all Pokémon have them; they just need to awaken them. In Shinx's case, he possesses an ability called Intimidate, which weakens any opponent's physical power by an unquantifiable amount."

"So Chimchar's physically weaker...?" Dawn exclaimed, her expression reflecting concern. "The way you word it, it sounds like his non-physical moves work just fine. So, use Ember, Chimchar!"

The fire-type unleashed another Ember attack, flames billowing from its mouth and hurtling towards Shinx once more.

"Shi, Shinx!" The Pokémon cried out, reacting swiftly with a powerful Thunder Shock. Crackling bolts of electricity surged forth, colliding with the flames of Ember. The two attacks met in a spectacular collision, canceling each other out with a burst of energy that sizzled through the air.

"Char..." Chimchar muttered, wiping a drop of sweat from his forehead before he sensed a rush of wind behind him. Slowly turning around, he found himself face to face with Shinx's gaping jaws.

With swift speed, Shinx sunk its sharp teeth into Chimchar's arm with a ferocious Bite attack. Chimchar desperately tried to shake Shinx off his arm, his movements frantic as he attempted to dislodge the Flash Pokémon's vice-like grip.

"Oh no, Chimchar!" Dawn gasped, her heart sinking as she watched the struggle unfold. It wasn't a pretty sight to behold, seeing her starter in such pain.

Gloria watched intently, her eyes locked on the unfolding struggle before her. Not a word escaped her lips nor did she even blink for a moment.

Chimchar thrashed wildly, his struggles growing more frantic as he attempted to shake Shinx off his arm. In a desperate move, he tried to slam his opponent's head against the ground hoping to force Shinx to release its grip.

With his arm trapped in Shinx's jaws, Dawn quickly realized the advantage. "Chimchar, use Ember!" she commanded with urgency.

Responding to his trainer's call Chimchar summoned all his strength. Flames erupted from his mouth with an intense roar, almost akin to a volcano. The flames collided with Shinx's body with explosive force, engulfing the electric-type Pokémon in a searing blaze.

The impact sent Shinx staggering backwards, its grip loosening as it recoiled from the powerful attack.

"Now, Scratch!" Dawn swiftly commanded, despite knowing it'd be weaker than normal.

Chimchar extended his sharp claws once more and delivered a swift strike to Shinx. The attack landed true, causing Shinx to wince from the impact.

But Chimchar didn't stop there. Ignoring Dawn's next command, he continued to lash out with his claws, striking Shinx in a relentless flurry of blows. Each strike came faster and more ferocious than the last, leaving Dawn perplexed.

It wasn't until Chimchar's onslaught showed no signs of slowing down that Dawn realized something was amiss. With a dawning realization, she realized the relentless barrage of attacks wasn't a normal Scratch attack—but a powerful Fury Swipes.

With the last swipe of Fury Swipes, Shinx was sent sliding backwards with a powerful impact. Shinx staggered, panting heavily in exhaustion as it struggled to maintain its footing.

Dawn reached into her bag, her hand closing around a Poké Ball. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the Poké Ball into the air releasing it with a determined throw.

The Poké Ball sailed through the air with precision, homing in on its target. It struck Shinx squarely on the chest, engulfing the Pokémon in a bright flash of light.

The ball quivered once, twice, as it lay on the ground, finally, with a definitive click, the Poké Ball ceased its shaking signifying the successful capture of Shinx.

"Char..." Chimchar scoffed, closing his eyes and crossing his arms before raising the V-sign triumphantly.

Dawn stood still for a brief moment, her eyes wide with awe at the successful capture. But soon, excitement bubbled up within her, and with a bright smile plastered across her face, she dashed forward towards the Poké Ball as she reached out and snatched it off the floor.

"Alright!" Dawn cried out in excitement, throwing one arm up in the air in triumph. "I caught a... Shinx!" she exclaimed; her voice filled with elation as she celebrated the newest addition to the team.

Gilda smiled fondly. "You're amazing, Dawn. Please, take good care of Sparky for me, show him the world," she said, walking towards Dawn with a sense of gratitude in her voice.

Dawn returned her smile. "You bet I will! And I promise, one day soon we'll return. You can reunite with Shinx every time I'm coming through this area!"

"I'd like that," Gilda replied, a hint of emotion in her voice as she wiped a stray tear from her eye. She extended her arm towards Dawn. "Take care of yourself, Dawn. And stay safe."

"You two, Gloria, and thanks for everything," Dawn said, returning the handshake with a firm grip.

Before entering Oreburgh City, Dawn paused, standing at the edge of a rocky terrain with her back to it and arms crossed. She gazed ahead at the bustling cityscape, taking a moment to soak in the sights and sounds of the industrious town before embarking on her next journey.

But there was just one thing on her mind, one thought that she couldn't stop thinking about.

The words Gloria spoke echoed in her mind like a haunting refrain. When we talked about it, I got pretty nasty. I said some things I regret. He doesn't call, he doesn't write, I haven't heard from him in over a year. The weight of those words lingered heavily on Dawn's thoughts.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Dawn reached into her satchel and pulled out a notepad.

She flipped to a page containing the numbers of emergency contacts, including her Auntie Gilda, her Uncle Palmer, and of course, her mother.

Dawn had never owned a phone before, so she kept those numbers in her belongings at all times in case she needed to make a call at a pay phone or wherever else. Glancing at her Pokétch, she recalled that it could call numbers in addition to a great many numbers of features which she was still figuring out.

Dawn entered a sequence of digits and listened as the phone began to ring. Gazing up at the night sky, she waited patiently until finally, the person she had called picked up the phone.

"Um, hello, may I ask who's speaking?" Her mother's voice echoed through the receiver, bringing a smile to Dawn's face.

"Hey Mom, it's me..." Dawn said, her voice brimming with warmth as she slowly walked towards the entrance of Oreburgh. "How've you been?"

Hey boys and girls, again, like in the Starly chapter, if you've read the original version of this story then you'd know that Dawn's third Pokémon was Shinx!

This chapter is nearly the same as the original version, but yeah, I always planned on giving Dawn the exact same Pokémon I intended to give her in Metal Platinum, but anyway, Shinx is now here!

Anyways, I'll try and knock another chapter out in no time. And as always, please leave reviews, it gives me the motivation to keep going.

—yonas813, out.