Chapter 5: A Meeting of Minds

Realizing that some privacy was needed, Akari led Ash and May into her small hut. There wasn't much room, but it was enough. Once they were all inside, Akari whipped around to face them.

"Alright," she said. "Clearly you two know more about what's going on around here than I do, so spill!"

Ash and May were slightly taken aback by her abruptness.

"Honestly, we don't know much more than you," Ash responded.

"Just that we're somehow supposed to stop the space-time rift," May added.

"Space Time rift? What are you talking about?"

Ash pointed out the window. Sure enough, there was a noticeable rift in the sky. Akari just groaned in frustration.

"Great, more problems."

"Sorry," Ash replied.

"It's not your fault," Akari sighed. "Everything's just all overwhelming. I wake up in this weird place, no memories other than my own name, and I'm supposed to catch all of the Pokemon here? Why? And now there's the hole in the sky I somehow have to fix?"

She flopped down onto her cot and moaned.

"Why me?"

"Hey, you won't have to do it alone!" Ash said.

"We're here to help," May said.

"No offense, but I don't know you two at all, so that's not really reassuring."

"Well, why don't we get to know each other then?" May suggested.

So Ash and May spent the next hour telling Akari all about their adventures. Akari could only gape in shock.

"Really? You guys went through all that?"

"All of that and more."

"But if I hadn't been sent back in time, I never would've met the love of my life."

May smiled, and kissed him on the lips.

"Lucky," Akari groaned. "At least you have your memories. All I know is my name, the fact that I'm from the future, and my mission."

Ash nodded in sympathy.

"I know what you mean. I don't know how I would've taken it if I couldn't remember my friends and family."

"You mean you willingly left your life in the future behind?"

Ash shrugged sheepishly.

"That's just love for you."

"Well, I sure wish I remembered what my time was like," Akari said. "I mean, do I have a Mom and a Dad? Just one of them? Neither? A sibling? I don't know, and it's killing me."

May moved over to her, and gave her a gentle hug.

"It's going to be ok, Akari…"

"Dawn."

"Huh?"

"Dawn, my name's Dawn. But if I'm really from the future, I don't want to mess up the timeline more than I already will, so I gave them a fake name. Don't even know where I heard it, but it was the first thing to come to my mind. If you would…please call me that when we're in private."

May nodded.

"It's going to be okay, Dawn. I know it's scary right now, but I promise we'll do everything we can to help you."

"Really?"

"Of course!" Ash interjected. "I mean, when I first landed back in this time, I had no idea what was going on. If I hadn't run into May, who knows what would've happened to me?"

"Our point is, you don't have to go through this alone," May concluded. "It's going to be alright."

Despite her worries, Akari couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, where's this Wallflower I've been hearing so much about? I'm starving!"

Akari could only watch in awe, bewilderment, and a little bit of horror as Ash and May wolfed down the helpings of Potato Mochi.

"Mmmm," Ash said as he took a moment to breathe. "This Potato Mochi is delicious! Thanks, Beni!"

"Yes, thank you!" May said. Beni grumbled, but was grateful for their praise.

"Yeah, well just remember I have other customers besides you."

Professor Laventon chuckled.

"Oh, leave them be Beni! They must be starving after their long journey."

Beni snorted, but returned to the kitchen without another word. Afterwards, Professor Laventon turned his attention to the two royals.

"So, Princess-"

"Please, you can just call me May. I get that enough back home."

"Just Ash is fine for me, too."

"Alright, May, Ash, I can't help but notice how comfortable you are with your Pokemon."

"Well, Pokemon training has been a major part of Hoenn's culture for years," May added.

"And Pikachu has been with me since I started," Ash stated. "I can't think of any other Pokemon I'd want as a partner."

Pikachu smiled, and nuzzled his cheek as Ash gave him another spoonful of Mochi. Professor Laventon smiled before continuing.

"In that case, would you mind helping me with my research?"

"Professor, don't you think that's a little rude?" Kenny interrupted. "I'm sure they have plenty of other things to do."

"It's not a problem," Ash said. "I'm interested to see what kind of awesome Pokemon Hisui has."

"Of course we'll be happy to help!"

Professor Laventon smiled, while Kenny huffed in defeat.

"Excellent! Stop by my office after dinner."

Once they were done eating, Ash and May did as Laventon asked, where they found him standing in front of his desk with his final two remaining Pokemon.

"Woah!" Ash said excitedly. "I've never seen these Pokemon before."

"This little guy is Rowlett, and the Water Type is Oshawott," Laventon explained. "I've been keeping them here for research, but it's become clear to me that being cooped up in the lab isn't very good for them."

"After they escaped for the 50th time," Kenny said, making Akari giggle.

"Anyway," Laventon said, trying to change the subject. "Given everything I've heard about your exploits, I figured you'd be the best ones to train them."

"Not that I'm not honored," May interrupted. "But why don't you give one of them to Kenny?"

Kenny chuckled, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.

"Let's just say I'm still starting out."

"So, what do you say? Will you guys help raise them?"

May stepped up, looking at her two choices. Rowlett quirked his head, staring up at her curiously, while Oshawott tried to buff himself up in order to impress her.

"Hmm….Why don't I go with…Rowlett!"

Oshawott's face fell, while Rowlett cooed happily and flew up onto her shoulder where he perched.

"Well Ash, I guess that leaves you with Oshawott, Ash."

Ash smiled, and picked up Oshawott to give him a big hug.

"I'm not left with him, I wanted him! You and I are going to be the best of friends!"

"Pika Pi!"

"Right, sorry. Best of friends right next to Pikachu!"

Oshawott smiled, and happily returned the hug. Professor Laventon smiled.

"They're in good hands."