Several days after they left the Veilstone City, and were on their way to the Pastoria City; Ash, Lillie, and Dawn have made a stop at the Pokémon Center, so they can rest a little bit, but also to do some training.

The one most interested in training is Ash, as recently, he has seen that his Sinnoh Pokémon, aren't progressing as much, and as fast as his Pokémon from other regions did.

Normally, he wouldn't really care about that, as he knew that his Pokémon are working hard, and knew that one day, they will become strong. The thing is, even though he doesn't care… well, doesn't care too much, Ash knows that his Pokémon do. He knows that they are very competitive, and don't want to be weak.

He knows that the main reason for this is because his new Pokémon, have seen how powerful his older Pokémon are, and they want to be just as powerful.

Ash started to wonder, though. His new Pokémon have only seen his Alola Pokémon, and not those from before. If they see them, and see how powerful they are, Ash isn't sure how they would react. They might actually start to feel inadequate, and that won't do.

As such, Ash decided to put more work in training his Pokémon, but to also restart the training he did a long time ago, but has stopped while in the Hoenn Region. That being the use of his older, and more powerful Pokémon, to train his new and weaker ones.

Thus, as Ash currently has 10 Pokémon which he caught since he came to the Sinnoh Region, he also brought two, which he caught in Alola. He plans to use them, to train his new Pokémon.

While at the battlefield outside of the Pokémon Center, Ash was training his Shinx, Turtwig, and Buizel; Dawn was inside of the Pokémon Center, and has just learned that there will be a Pokémon Competition held at Lake Valor, and that the competition will be named, the Wallace Cup, after the Hoenn Region Champion, and Top Coordinator, Wallace.

As Wallace also happens to be one of Dawn's heroes, and she wants to be a Champion Level trainer, and Top Coordinator, just like he is; she is very excited to learn of the upcoming competition.

The training Ash did, showed him that his Pokémon are steadily progressing, but that they still have a long way to go. He has seen that his Turtwig's Energy Ball has become much stronger, and his control over it is great. It made Ash happy, especially considering how long it took him to teach Turtwig that move. He wasn't even sure if he would have been able to teach him, if not for the fact that Ash brought a Grass Type Pokémon he caught in Alola, to help teach Turtwig. With the help of that Grass Type, Turtwig was able to learn Energy Ball, and Bullet Seed. On top of that, Ash already taught him Protect, so along with the moves Turtwig new from before, he now has quite a move set. Ash plans to teach him Leech Seed, as his next move, and after that, Turtwig will be ready to evolve.

When it comes to Shinx, Ash already taught him Protect, and Take Down, which is basically a stronger version of Tackle. Now they are working on Crunch, which Ash is sure it will be useful one day.

Shinx has also become quite powerful, and is definitely strong enough to evolve into Luxio, but Ash can tell that his Electric Type is still waiting to evolve.

Buizel is stronger than his mother is, but isn't as strong as his father is. Ash knows that his Buizel's father, was stronger than Buizel currently is, when he evolved into Floatzel before Ash caught him. As such, Ash knows that his Buizel won't evolve any time soon.

That isn't a problem though, as Ash still has several moves he plans to teach his Buizel, before he is ready to evolve. He has already taught him Iron Tail, and Buizel managed to learn Water Pulse on his own. Ash plans to teach him Protect, next, before he moves onto the Quick Attack, and Hydro Pump, which would basically be a stronger version of Water Gun, and make the Water Gun unnecessary.

By the time Buizel learns all that, he will also gain enough speed, and stamina, to be able to evolve into Floatzel. When that happens, Ash might teach him some other moves. Like Aqua Tail, for example. Or even one of two Fighting Type moves, which Floatzel would definitely be able to do.

As for his other Pokémon, Ash will also make sure that all of them receive equal amount of training, and since he decided to use two of his older Pokémon to help him, that means that he will be able to train all 10 of his new Pokémon, at the same time.

He did decide that he personally will put a bit more work in his Kirlia, who is ready to evolve, but both he, and Ash want to do a bit more training, before Ash gives his Kirlia a Dawn Stone, which will allow him to evolve into a Gallade.

"So, Ash," Lillie spoke, as she was also at the battlefield along with Ash, and some of their Pokémon. "Which of your Pokémon are you planning to use in the Pastoria Gym?"

"Well," Ash spoke. "As it's a Water Type gym, Grass and Electric Types should be a safe bet. But, every good gym leader has a way to fight against his Pokémon weaknesses, so I'm sure it won't be that easy.

"What I do know for sure is that, Buizel will be one of the Pokémon I will use. As for the others, I will decide by then."

Dawn stood to the side with her Piplup, Pachirisu, and Ambipom, and admired at the way Ash trained his Pokémon. She watched as Ash's Buizel, and Shinx performed the flying spin move, something which she came up with during her contest training, but what Ash made look so easy to pull.

"How does some serious training, sound?" Ash asked her three Pokémon. They nodded, before all four run off to do some of their own training.

She did call her Buneary to join her, as she was standing with Lillie, and watching Ash, and his Pokémon train. Once she had Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu, and Ambipom with her, Dawn also released her Onix, and Gible as well. She then stood there with her eyes closed, and took a deep breath. Then, she turned around and looked at her Pokémon.

"Now, I know you've all been worried about me lately, but now's our time to shine!" Dawn shouted, and her Pokémon joined her at it.

Then, Dawn started the training, and for a whole of one minute, everything was fine, but then… Dawn remembered Zoey's words from after the Solaceon Contest. Then it all went straight to hell, as Dawn was hit by the attacks of all of her Pokémon, and left lying on the ground.

Dawn was instantly surrounded by all of her Pokémon, as well as Ash, Lillie, and the Pokémon they had out of their Poke Balls at that moment.

"Dawn, are you OK?" Lillie asked the younger girl. She seemed worried.

"No need to worry," Dawn said… but then she got up, and added. "That's what I'd like to say. But I'm not feeling so good." Her hair exploded at the moment, and she suddenly looked like a porcupine, much to her dismay.

"What happened, Dawn?" Ash asked her.

"I was focusing on making all those moves big and powerful, but then I remembered what Zoey said, and I realized it was all wrong." Dawn said.

"Come on, Dawn," Ash spoke, as he kneeled next to Dawn. "You are still young, and it's normal that you are making mistakes, especially since you didn't have any form of training before you became a trainer. With time, you will get experience, and then you will know what to do to win, and what not to do.

"Do you understand?"

"I understand, Ash," Dawn said. "But I just can't focus right. I want to do what's necessary to make my Pokémon look as appealing as possible, but all I end up doing is giving it my all, and ruin everything."

The conversation was interrupted when Nurse Joy approached the group, flanked by Rhonda and her crew. The gang has run into the woman once, or twice, so they knew who she was, and she knew who they were, thus, no introductions were needed.

Rhonda ended up asking Ash, and the girls, if they have by any chance seen Wallace somewhere around there. This confused them all, but made Dawn jump to her feet, and straightened her hair.

Dawn couldn't believe that Wallace was somewhere around the Pokémon Center, or the surrounding area, and she really wanted to meet him.

Ash and Lillie know of Wallace, mostly from Dawn, as she spoke how she wants to be Champion Level Trainer, and Top Coordinator, just like Wallace is.

They learned that there is going to be a Wallace Cup held at Lake Valor – well, Lillie and Ash learned at that moment, as Dawn already learned earlier. They also learned that the winner of the Wallace Cup will be given a prestigious Wallace Cup Ribbon, which counts as an official ribbon at any of the competition all over the Country.

"That's right on our way to Pastoria City." Lillie said.

"That's right," Dawn said. "And I'm thinking of entering the Wallace Cup."

Hearing this, Dawn's Pachirisu, Piplup, and Buneary were very happy. Ambipom was happy as while, while Onix and Gible seemed neutral. What's up with that?

"So that's why you were so pumped-up during your training?" Lillie said.

"So, Rhonda," Dawn spoke. "What did you say about Wallace hanging around here?"

"It's his day off, so his whole staff refuses to tell me where he is," Rhonda said. "But my sources tell me he's somewhere around here."

Dawn rejoiced when she heard this. She even got a small blush on her face.

"A shot of Wallace relaxing would be priceless," Rhonda said. "As such, we just got to find him. If any of you see him, you've got to let me know."

Rhonda turned around and left after that.

"I guess you want to meet that guy, ha?" Ash questioned Dawn.

"Of course," Dawn said. "He's the type of trainer I want to be. A Pokémon Master, and a Top Coordinator."

"Well then, let's go and look for him," Lillie suggested.

"Sure, why not." Ash agreed.

XXX

After some time of searching, the gang arrived at the nearby lake, which was covered in fog. Inside of the lake, close to the shore, they saw a Milotic singing in peace.

Dawn checked out the Milotic at her Pokedex, as it's usually what she does when she sees some Pokémon for the first time.

Dawn looked around, and suddenly saw a guy with green hair, seating on the large boulder not far from them. Dawn instantly recognized him, and said his name, which drew Ash's and Lillie's attention.

Wallace also noticed them, and looked toward the gang. They all looked at each other for a few moments, before Wallace smiled. "Hallo, everyone." Wallace said.

XXX

Minutes later, Wallace was still seating on the boulder, while Lillie and Dawn were seating on the grass next to the boulder. Ash was just standing next to Dawn and Lillie.

They spent several minute talking, with Wallace doing most of the talk, while the gang listened.

He gave Dawn an advice, or two, and was actually interested in seeing Dawn, and Ash battle.

Ash didn't see any point in battling against Dawn at that moment, but Dawn wanted to show her moves to Wallace, so Ash agreed.

Dawn chose her Piplup, while Ash went with Buizel.

While the two were battling, and showing off their moves as best as they could, Dawn mostly, as she is a coordinator; Lillie was standing to the side with Wallace, as they were looking the match.

"Wonderful performance by both Buizel, and Piplup," Wallace said, as he clapped with his hands for them. "Shell we end it there?"

"Sure, why not." Ash said, before he thanked his Buizel for a nice battle.

Dawn did the same with her Piplup, as she lifted him up, and smiled.

Few minutes later, they were all seating down. They were talking, and Wallace said that Lillie told him that Buizel used to be trained by Dawn, and that he has a unique battle style. He ended up suggesting to Ash, that he should enter the Wallace Cup with Buizel.

"I don't think that would be a good idea," Ash said. "I'm a battler, and my Pokémon are the same. With contests battles, it's more about performance, and less about straight up battling. As such, I don't see a point in entering."

"You know, I would love to see you two do some performance," Dawn said, drawing Ash's attention. "You've watched a lot of contests, and you know how to do it. The only reason you don't want to, is because you are not interested. But, you won't lose anything if you enter, and try at least once."

"I agree with Dawn, Ash," Wallace said. "You are one of the best trainers in the world already, but I'm sure that you might be able to improve your battling style even more, if you add some contest moves into the mix."

Ash looked at Wallace with raised eyebrows. Wallace saw this, and smiled. "I recognized you, Ash," Wallace said. "You are the youngest ever winner of the Indigo League, and Silver Conference. You are also the only trainer ever who won Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn Region's in a raw, and hasn't lost a single official match in years.

"As such, you are very famous, even among Elite Four members, and Regional Champions."

Ash shrugged his shoulders. "I've had a lot of training before I even became an official trainer," He said. "That's what gave me the advantage over most of the other trainers. Not to mention that I had a unique training system, which I know that not many people use."

"That may be so, but that doesn't make your accomplishments any less than they are." Wallace said, before he asked. "I am curious, though. What happened to you after Hoenn? Many expected that you will go to another region, and compete there, but you completely disappeared for over a year. Also, why haven't you been trying to battle members of the Elite Four after you won Silver Conference, and Hoenn League?"

"Well, for your first question, I was in Alola Region for a full year," Ash said. "Professor Kukui - who teaches in the Pokémon School over there - is a friend, and he asked me to become a teacher in the Pokémon School. He also asked for my help in making the Alola league, which hasn't existed until few months ago.

"I agreed to be a teacher, but only for a year, before I return back to my journey. During that time, I was also planning to help him with his mission. In the end, we were successful, and the Alola League is now official league, just like all the other Regional Leagues. I also finished my contract with the Pokémon School after a year, and then I returned to my travels, by coming here.

"As for your second question; I never challenged the Elite Four of Johto and Hoenn, as I didn't see a point. Win, or lose, I get nothing. Even if I defeat all of them, AND the Regional Champion, I would get nothing, as I'm not interested in being a member of the Elite Four, or a Regional Champion until I decide to stop traveling. Once I decide that I've had enough of visiting different regions, challenging the gyms and competing in the Regional Tournaments, I'll simply enter the World Coronation Series, and go for the title of Monarch."

"I see," Wallace said with a smile on his face. "So you want to be a Monarch?"

"I want to be a World Champion, but to become one, I first have to become one of the four Monarchs."

"What's a Monarch?" Dawn asked.

"You know how world has four quarters, right," Ash asked Dawn, and she nodded. "Well, Monarchs are basically the Champions of those Quarters. For example, we are in the Eastern Quarter, which consists of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, and Galar Regions. There are also few smaller regions, and archipelagos, but that's about it. Each region, has a champion, but among all of them, there is a single trainer, who stands at the top as the Eastern Monarch.

"Currently, the eastern Monarch is Galar Region Champion, Leon.

"Now, there are three other Monarch. Western, Southern, and Northern Monarch. The four monarch fight against each other every year, and the winner has the chance to challenge the current World Champion for the title. If the Monarch wins, then they become the new World Champion, while another person takes their place as a Regional Champion, and the Monarch in the World Coronation Series, which is also held every year. As for the one who loses the World Champion title, they have to start from scratch as they would have to compete in the World Coronation Series, win it, and then defeat all the other Monarch's, so they can have another chance to become a World Champion.

"Do you get it now?" Ash asked Dawn after he finished his explanation.

"I do," she said. "But who is the current World Champion?"

"That is a secret only a few know," Ash said. "The battle for the title of the World Champion can't be seen by the masses. It is only watched by some members of the Pokémon League, as well as the Regional Champions of all regions in the World."

"So you don't know?" Dawn questioned.

Ash looked at her, before he looked at Wallace, and then said. "I do know," Ash said. "Someone who knows told me, but I can't tell you, as that's a Pokémon League secret, and isn't for everyone to know."

Dawn really wanted to have that information, but she wasn't going to push it to find out, as she didn't want to put Ash in a bad spot with the Pokémon League, if he reveals something which he shouldn't have.

"Ok, Ash, I understand," Dawn said. "But, what about the Wallace Cup? Are you going to compete?"

Ash looked at Dawn, and saw an interested look on her face. He saw the same on Lillie's, and Wallace's face. He looked at his Buizel, and asked him what he wishes to do.

Buizel shrugged with his shoulders, and said that it was up to Ash. If he wants to, then Buizel is fine with it.

Finally, Ash said that he will compete, if for nothing else, then to satisfy Dawn, and Lillie, who really wanted him to compete.

After that, Lillie asked Wallace what he thinks of Dawn, and Piplup's performance.

"The way you show your moves is flawless," Wallace said to Dawn. "Very well researched, and rehearsed, but I heard some things about Piplup from Lillie, and I believe you may be focusing too much on the moves themselves.

"Think for a moment of Piplup's basic nature. It can't be all about dramatic performance, so I suggest keeping it more natural. Dawn, I was wondering. Have you played with your Pokémon, lately?"

Dawn was confused for a moment, before she got up from the stone she was sitting on, with Piplup in her arms. She said how she has been concentrating more on other stuff, and was thinking only of herself. She was basically putting her needs over those of her Pokémon, the whole time.

"As such, I guess we haven't been playing that much at all, have we?" Dawn said with a smile at her Piplup. Piplup smiled back at her.

Wallace smiled, before he decided to put up a performance for the gang, and show Dawn how it's really done. He said it's his way of thanking them for a wonderful time.

XXX

Wallace put up an amazing show for the gang, before he said goodbye, and left.

Dawn was left speechless at the performance, and realized that she has a long way to go before she was even close to the level of skills, and talent Wallace has. The same goes for her Pokémon, who will have to leak a lot of blood, sweat and tears before they can even hold a candle to Wallace's Milotic.

The gang eventually returned to the Pokémon Center, and it was while there, later that evening, that Ash was approached by the Nurse Joy, who informed him that there was a message for him to call the Pokémon Center in the Snowpoint City.

Ash was confused by this. Snowpoint City is the northern-most City in the Sinnoh Region - at least as far as majority of people are concerned - and as far as he knows, he doesn't know anyone there who would wish to talk with him.

In the end, he decided to call the Pokémon Center in the Snowpoint City, and see what's this all about.

The next day, sometime in the afternoon, Ash, Lillie, and Dawn were standing at the shore south-east of the Lake Valor.

There, they are waiting for May, who has talked with Ash last night, and informed him that she is in the Snowpoint City, and that she will be coming to Lake Valor the next day, which is today.

After a little while of waiting, May has finally arrived via a yacht. Once she boarded down to the port, Ash, and the girls were able to fully see her.

May's hair is tied in a braided-ponytail on the left side by a green hair tie. She also has two long bangs on the sides of her face, as well as a third bang over the middle of her forehead. She wears coral colored tank top and denim shorts. Finally, she wears black flat sandals. (Think of Chinatsu Hayase from Masamune-kun no Revenge)

She has a yellow backpack on her back, and has a bunch of bags in her hands.

As she saw Ash, May dropped the bags, and run toward him. Once she was just in front of him, she jumped in his arms, and hugged him with her legs, and arms, before she kissed him right on the lips.

As Ash, and May went at it, and kissed each other like there is no tomorrow, Lillie was just standing there with a smile on her face. Dawn was standing next to Lillie, but instead of a smile, she had a deep blush on her face.

Once they finally stopped kissing, which was almost five minutes after they started, Ash let go of May, and she stood back on her legs, but was still leaning on Ash. The kiss has left her breathless, and she had weak legs, unable to support her at that moment.

Ash was perfectly fine, as he held May close to himself, and had a satisfied smirk on his face.

"I'm happy to see you, May," Ash said. "And I have to say… you look great."

"I'm also happy, Ash." May said, before she slowly moved away from Ash, and stood in front of him. "I'm also happy to finally meet you two, Lillie, Dawn. I heard a lot about you, but I haven't had a chance to meet you until now."

"We are happy to meet you as well, May," Lillie said, as she and May shock their hands, and hugged. May and Dawn did the same. "Ash has spoken a bit about you, but not that much. I hope we can fix that now."

"We sure will." May said with a smile. She wasn't surprised, or offended that Ash hasn't spoken about her. She would be surprised if he has spoken about any of his girlfriends to Dawn, and Lillie. He just isn't the kind of guy who speaks to his girlfriends, about his other girlfriends. Though as far as she knows, Dawn still isn't Ash's girlfriend, but Lillie is.

"What's up with all that luggage?" Ash asked while motioning with his head toward the bags which May has dropped when she saw him, and before she jumped in his arms.

"Oh, that," May said, before she went and picked up the bags. "This isn't luggage. It's the presents I brought for you."

She pulled out a Pikachu doll carved out of wood, as well as Alolan Ninetales, also carved out of wood. She gave Pikachu to Ash, and Ninetales to Lillie.

"Thanks, May, this is awesome," Ash said. "It reminds me of my Pikachu."

"Yeah, thank you," Lillie also said. "But where did you buy this?"

"Oh, well I heard from Ash that you love Ice type Pokémon, and that one of the Ice Types you have is Alolan Ninetales. I loved it, and I found this guy in Johto Region who carves Pokémon figurines out of wood. I showed him the picture of Alolan Ninetales, and asked him to make me one. Pikachu was easy, as he already had one made, and was selling it in his shop.

"I hope you like it." May finished.

"I really do," Lillie said, while Ash already said that he likes it, and that it reminds him of his Pikachu.

May then pulled out another gift, and gave it to Dawn. "This is for you, and Piplup, Dawn." May said, as Dawn took the present, and thanked May.

Dawn went and opened the gift to see what it was. Once she did, she saw the pendent, which looked like Piplup's face. Fully colored and all.

"It's adorable," Dawn said. "Thank you again, May."

"You are welcome." May said with a smile.

"So," Ash spoke. "What brings you here? I thought that you are traveling through the Johto Region, and challenging the gyms."

"I am," May said. "But I missed you, and have decided to come a visit for a few days. Hope you don't mind."

"Why would I," Ash questioned, as he hugged May with one arm. "I'm happy to see you again, as it's been few months since I came here, and you went to Johto Region."

"Yeah," May said. "Time really does fly by. Right?"

"Right." Ash agreed.

They decided to move away from the port, and head to the town. As they were walking, they talked. "So, how is your journey through Johto going?" Ash asked May.

"It's going great," May said. "I have four gym badges so far, so I'm half way to Silver Conference. Since the Conference won't be any time soon, I had some free time, so I came here from the Olivine City. I haven't had my gym battle there, but I will after I get back to Johto."

"Four badges, nice job," Ash praised May. "Lillie, and I are only on three so far."

"Well, Johto is smaller," May said. "The gyms are closer, and I haven't had a lot of troubles in between, nor have a made a lot of stops. Though I did compete in several contests."

Ash rose his eyebrows in surprised when he heard that, while Dawn, and Lillie rose theirs in interest. Neither knew if May was interested in contests, and they wanted to know.

"How come," Ash asked? "You weren't interested in the Pokémon Contests the last time I saw you, and it hasn't been THAT long since then."

"I realized that if I can learn how to do performance battles, then I can incorporate it in my battle style," May said. "I thought it would help me, and it actually did. I found out that regular trainers have a lot of trouble with those who do performance style battles, compared to regular battles."

"So does that mean that you plan to become a coordinator, and a regular trainer, like Wallace?" Dawn asked May.

"No," May said. "I'll stay a regular trainer, but I'll train my Pokémon like a coordinator, because it would suit my battle style."

"I see," Dawn said. "I hope Zoey won't get mad."

"Who's Zoey?" May asked. "And why would she get mad?"

"Zoey is a coordinator I met a while ago," Dawn said. "She's a good friend, and has helped me a lot. The thing is, she believes that if you are a regular trainer, you shouldn't enter contests, as people who do that, usually don't take them seriously."

"Hm, well that might be a problem if she's here," May said. "But I don't look down on the contests. I just use them to become better."

Dawn shrugged. "Well, she did accept me," she said. "When I told her that I want to be a trainer, and a coordinator like Wallace, she accepted it. I'm not so sure she accepted Nando, though. He's a guy who couldn't decide what to do, and started to take on the gyms, and the contests."

"Well, everyone has the right to choose their own path, regardless of what others say." May said.

Dawn couldn't argue with that.

From there on, they moved onto other stuff to talk about. "What's with Max," Ash asked? "He should have started his journey by now."

"He has," May said. "He was taking care of our father's Pokémon, and was learning from Professor Oak, before he started his journey. He decided to start from Hoenn, as that's our home region, and is there right now. I talked to him few days ago, and he said he is about to take on the first gym in the Rustboro City."

"I hope he does well," Ash said with a smile. "He won't have an easy time with Roxanne, though."

"No, he won't." May agreed.

"Hey May," Dawn drew May's attention. "Have you competed in any tournaments so far?"

"I did in the Indigo League in Kanto," May said. "When I traveled through Hoenn, I was a new trainer, so I decided to just travel, train, and learn. But when I traveled through Kanto when Ash was in Alola, I challenged the gyms, and I competed in the Indigo League. Now, I'm challenging gyms in Johto, and plan to enter the Silver Conference."

"How did you do in Indigo League," Lillie asked? "Ash never mentioned that."

"I got to the quarterfinals, but there I lost to Amber." May said.

"Amber?" Dawn questioned.

"My little sister." Ash suddenly said.

"Oh, right," Dawn said. "I remember her from your battle at the Silver Conference Final."

"That's her." Ash nodded.

"Well, as it was your first tournament, you did very well." Lillie said to May.

"I know," May said. "And I don't feel bad losing to Amber. I plan to win the Silver Conference now. I lost in Kanto, but I won't lose in Johto."

Ash smiled at May, and gave her a one-armed hug. "That's the spirit," He said. "Never give up no matter what."

May nodded.

"When exactly did you arrive in Sinnoh?" Ash asked her. "And why were you in the Snowpoint City, if your plan was for us to meet each other?"

"Actually, besides wanting to see you, there was another reason I came to the Sinnoh Region," May said. "It's why I first stopped in the Snowpoint City when I arrived in Sinnoh, three days ago."

"What did you do there?" Dawn asked.

Instead of answering verbally, May pulled out one of her Poke Balls, and called out the Pokémon from inside of it. "Glaceon, come on out."

One of the Eeveelutions came out of the Poke Ball, and stood in front of the gang.

"You're Eevee evolved." Ash stated, and May nodded.

Dawn went to her knee in front of Glaceon, and checked it out on the Pokedex. "Glaceon, the Fresh Snow Pokémon and the evolved form of Eevee. Glaceon can freeze the fur on its body, and make it stick out like sharp needles." The Pokedex said.

"It's so cute." Dawn said.

"Up at the Snowpoint City, there is an Ice Cave with a large Ice Cristal which causes Eevee to evolve," May said.

"So that's why you went there," Dawn said. "So your Eevee can evolve."

"That's right," May said. "As I wanted to see Ash, and was already coming to Sinnoh, I decided to first stop and Snowpoint City, and get this done. After that, I'm free to see Ash, and enter the Wallace Cup. On top of that, getting back to Johto with a newly evolved Pokémon, and a Glaceon at that, would be interesting, and would help me a lot in my next gym battles, and occasional contest I enter."

"Did you actually win any Johto Ribbon, or do you just compete to improve your battle style?" Ash asked.

"I only compete," May said. "I feel like it wouldn't be right for me to win, and get a ribbon which won't be of any use for me, when someone else who really needs it, can get it."

"That's honorable from your side." Lillie said.

"Yeah, well…" May blushed slightly at the compliment, before she asked. "So, what are we going to do now? There is still three days before the start of the Wallace Cup."

"Well, there is a place, which I wanted to pay a visit," Ash said, getting looks from the three girls. "It's east of here, and It's out of the road to the Pastoria City. But as we are here now, and have a few days free, I thought I should go, and check it out."

"What place is that?" Dawn asked.

"It's a cave," Ash said.

"Why is this cave special," May asked?

"Well, the cave itself is not special, but there is something in there that I want to check out." Ash said.

"Is it dangerous?" Lillie asked. "We can all go, but I'm not sure if we should if we are going to run into trouble."

"I can't say if we can run into trouble or not," Ash said. "But it could be dangerous."

Lillie, Dawn, and May looked at each other for a moment, before they all sighed. "Well, if you are going, then so are we." Lillie said.

"I hoped that we can check this place here in this town, though." May said.

"What place?" Ash asked.

"It's the most popular restaurant in Valley Lakefront." May said. "It's a Seven Stars Restaurant," May said. "It is the hottest place to eat in the whole Sinnoh Region."

"It sounds like an awesome place," Dawn said. "I wouldn't mind checking it out."

"Well, why don't the three of you go there, and have a lunch," Ash suggested to the girls. "It will on me. While you do that, I'll go and check the cave I was taking about. That way, you get what you want, and I get what I want, without you being put in danger."

"Are you sure about this," Lillie asked? "We can go with you, just in case."

"I can take care of myself, Lillie," Ash said. "It would be better if I go by myself, as it would be easier for me to take care of myself, then if I have to watch over the three of you, in the event that something goes wrong."

"What is that place, anyway?" May asked.

"It is basically a lake, and is said by some to be where the deceased go to journey to the world beyond," Ash said. "On the shore of the lake in the center of the area is the entrance to Cave I want to visit. It's where the barrier between our world and the Distortion World is weaker."

"What's a Distortion World?" May asked.

"It's basically an alternate dimension," Ash said. "And it's a true home of the Legendary Pokémon Giratina."

"Never heard of it." Dawn said.

"It's one of the first Pokémon created by Arceus, along with Dialga, and Palkia," Ash said. "Dialga and Palkia represent Time, and Space, while Giratina represents antimatter. It lives in the Distortion World, cut off from this reality."

"Why are you interested in Giratina?" Lillie asked.

"I want to see if I can get Giratina on my side," Ash said his reason, and it confused the three girls. "With the appearance of the Team Galactic in the Veilstone City, I have a feeling that they might go after Dialga, Palkia, or Giratina, and I want to have at least one of them on my side, in case I'm right. Besides, if Giratina refuses to be on my side, I would be happy if I can at least convince it to be careful, and not end up in Team Galactic's clutches if it's Giratina they are targeting."

"Are you really sure that Team Galactic will go after those Legendary Pokémon," Lillie asked? "Pokémon like that are no slouches."

"They are not," Ash agreed. "But Saturn mentioned that they want to build a new world, and if he means that literally, they can only do that with Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina."

"Why didn't you mention that before, if you knew it," Lillie almost yelled at Ash!? "You should have told that to the Officer Jenny in the Veilstone City."

"Why," Ash asked back? "What would she be able to do? I doubt that the police will be able to stop an organization like Team Galactic. Kanto and Johto police forces weren't able to stop Team Rocket without my, and my fathers, and uncles help. Hoenn police wasn't able to take care of Team's Aqua and Magma, and I had to do it. I doubt that it would be any different here in Sinnoh. I knew that from the moment I learned about Team Galactic, and their goal."

"I still think that you should get someone to do something about Team Galactic," Lillie said. "Maybe your father, or uncle. They are Aura Guardians just like you."

Ash shock his head. "I only call them in the event that I can't handle, or don't want to handle the problem, like I didn't want to deal with the remnants of the Team Rocket, as I was going to kill all of them if I had to go to Goldenrod City, and deal with them.

"Team Galactic is a problem, which I will take care off, if I can. If I can't… then, and only then, I'll ask someone for help."

"You shouldn't become too full of yourself, Ash," May suddenly told him. "I don't know about this, Team Galactic, but I know how problematic Team Aqua, and Team Magma were, and I don't want you to go through what happened back them. You were successful in stopping them back them, but that doesn't mean that you will this time."

Ash didn't feel like arguing with the girls, as he doesn't have the patience for it. As such, he decided to change the subject. "What have you decided," he asked? "Are you coming with me, or are you going to that restaurant?"

The girls looked at each other, each knowing that Ash was changing the subject, as he didn't want to argue. They accepted it, as they didn't want to argue either, so in the end, May said. "If Lillie, and Dawn are up for it, then we will go to the restaurant."

Lillie and Dawn agreed with that, and nodded at Ash.

"OK," Ash said. "The lake, and the cave is about a day of walk from here. That means that it will take me a day to get there, and a day to get back, unless I teleport back here. With a few hours of stay in the cave, I will be back just in time for the Wallace Cup to start."

"You didn't register." Dawn reminded him.

"I'll do that right now," Ash said, and the girls nodded. He then pulled out his wallet, and gave Lillie 50 thousand Poke Dollars. When she, May, and Dawn saw this, they looked at him in surprised.

Before they could ask anything, though, Ash spoke. "That's the 7 star restaurant you want to go to. You don't think those places are cheap. Right?"

"I know they are not cheap, but this should still be too much." May said.

"Don't worry about it," Ash waved his hand. "If you don't spend it all in the restaurant, you can spend it on something else, while I'm away."

"Are you sure?" Lillie asked.

"I'm sure," Ash said. "You and May are my girlfriends, so it's my job to pay for these kinds of stuff. And since Dawn is a friend, I'm not going to tell her to pay for herself, while I pay for the two of you."

The three girls didn't say anything at that. Ash did, as he turned around, and walked away. "I'll see you later."