[Ash’s POV]

It has been a few days since the incident and the commotion about my identity has died down a little. I still get people giving me glances when I go in public. But it isn’t bad.

Today I was visiting the store to buy some health items for my pokemon. Since the change of my plans I have been training harder. Now I will be using one pokemon for each match. This will take a toll on my pokemon a lot but this way I can save my best pokemon till the end. This will also put pressure on my opponents. Doing the whole battle with a single pokemon, yeah that’s something only a legend would do.

I remember my battle with Alain back at the school. I used only my Pikachu against his whole team and he didn’t stand a chance. Maybe he’d have trained harder by now but I still think I can win. Pikachu has got better at his aim now. So things are going good.

Charizard is still in recovery so he won’t be available for battles much. I doubt I can get him back to full health by the tournament. I guess Greninja is my trump card for now.

All my other Pokemon are at their best health and I’m sure we can make things work. All I need to do is make the right choice before each match. I don’t want any type advantage to pop up at the wrong time.

I was in Santalune city at the moment, Pikcahu was with me and Hilbert was back at home. As we walked some young trainers would approach me to ask questions or ask for my autograph. I felt kind of awkward giving mini interviews but it was a good experience.

Most of them would want to pet Pikachu and ask about his eye. Some would ask tips for battling. Some just wanted to say hello.

We reached the store and went inside. There weren’t many people inside but they were all trainers so they recognised me immediately and came to me. I was surrounded by them, they were all thrilled to see me. It was kind of uncomfortable even for Pikachu so he got nervous and released a shockwave which hit everyone in the store.

I apologised for the sudden surprise but they didn’t mind it. They asked a few questions about battling and stuff then went on with their work.

Finally I reached the counter.

“Hi, can I get these?” I said handing the shopkeeper a list of items. He carefully went through it.

“Yeah, we have all of the items. Just wait for a moment I’ll fetch them for you.” he said as he went to the shelves to get them.

I stood there looking at all the different medicinal items. The door opened and I looked up to find Dawn entering the store. She also noticed me and paused at the door.

“H-hi..” she whispered.

“Hey Dawn.” I replied, Serena had told me the incident about what had happened at the school with the girls. I was happy to hear about dawn.

She walked up to the counter slowly, and stood beside me. She didn’t say anything for a while but the man from the counter was not there so it was hard to stay quiet.

“I- uhh.. About th-” she started but was lost at words.

“I know.” I cut her off, might as well make things easy for her.

“Huh?” she looked up at me with confusion.

“Serena told me what happened at school that day.” I said.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, I was glad to hear about you though.” I said, she turned to look at me.

“Really?” she asked cheerfully.

“Mhm, I felt happy cos I felt that there weren’t all who hated me.”

“Yeah. I really wanted to tell you, but they were very scary. I was surprised when Serena left us. She wasn’t very bold about these things but she beat me to this one.” she then looked up at me again. “So, are you guys dating?” she asked with sparkles in her eyes.

“Umm, yeah..” I replied nervously.

She squealed at this and punched the side of my arm. “You better be treating her right, or I swear I’ll- uhh I’ll punch you.” She spoke, trying to be intimidating which she failed miserably.

“You just did and it didn’t hurt at all.” I spoke solemnly. I knew this was gonna make her mad.

She shrieked and then pouted with a "hmph!"

I just laughed at her reaction.

The shopkeeper came back with my things and I paid him the cash.

"I'll see you later then." I said as I walked towards the door.

"Wait!" Dawn called out suddenly, I turned back to look at her. "Just wait for a moment I wanna talk to you. I'll just take my…" she said gesturing towards the counter.

"Okay." I replied with a nod.

She bought what she needed then walked up to me.

"Let's go." She said.

"Where?" I asked her, a little confused.

"Anywhere, where we can talk." She replied with a shrug.

"Hmm.. alright let's have a walk together." I suggested and opened the door.. She nodded at that and followed me out.

We started walking towards the park which was connected to the forest from where I could go home. But I didn't walk exactly to my home, just strolled around. It has been 10 minutes now and Dawn hasn't spoken a word.

"So?" I announced. No reply. I glanced at Dawn and she seemed to be in some thoughts.

"Umm Dawn?" I called out and nudged her with my bag I was carrying. She suddenly broke off her trance and looked at me.

"Huh?!" She was totally confused for a second.

"You okay? What did you wanna talk about?" I asked.

"Oh, uhh yeah.. I was just collecting my thoughts." She replied in haste.

"Alright."

"Yeah, it's just.. it's been a long time since I talked to you.. properly that is, so I wasn't sure where to start." She stuttered a little here and there.

"Yeah."

"So, I'm sure Serena might have told how I felt being with those friends and why I couldn't speak up. But I wanted to tell you personally. I feel that way I will really be able to deserve to be forgiven." Dawn kept looking down while speaking.

"That's alright, I am not angry at anyone who isn't good towards me, it's not thei-"

"Please hear me out." Dawn cut me off in between. I let out a soft "ok" which she took it as her cue.

"I never believed the rumours that were spread around about you. I knew they weren't true at all. I had seen you in battles and I saw the love you have to your Pokemon. I would have never believed you could be treating them wrong. But when I wanted to speak up for you. I don't know why I just couldn't find the courage.

Every time I saw them beating you, I felt guilty. Because I couldn't do anything to stop it. I felt helpless. I used to try to ignore you, because I couldn't handle the look on your face whenever you were treated badly.

But when Serena broke up with us and stayed with you. I was surprised, she was very shy and would usually just go with the flow. She never stood for herself, we used to give her a push for anything which required some will power. Seeing her stand against her own friends for someone she never knew, was just shocking and at the same time it gave me confidence. If she can stand against her friends then so can I.

So when I got my chance I chose Your side over theirs. And I feel I made the right choice because now, I don't need to hide in my guilt. I feel better, I don't need to hear the constant nonsense they spewed about you. You aren't bad at all, you're just as you were since childhood. You're kind, caring, you love people and Pokemon alike. You're different from others." Dawn quicker her pace and walked in front of me. I kept listening to her.

"I was sad when I realised you guys were dating, but then it was Serena, my best friend. So I felt happy at the same time. She really deserves someone like you, you're truly amazing."

Her voice seemed to change as she was speaking, it got weak. Like she was crying.

"As much as it pains me to see you gone, I feel I never deserved you. Cos I did nothing when they treated you bad. I was weak."

Suddenly, she turned around, tears were streaming down her cheeks. Her hands were shaking.

"Dawn…" I walked forward and put my hand on her shoulder. She was shaking a little. "It's alright. It isn't your fault. I don't blame you for anything. Don't cry.." I tried to calm her down, I gripped her shoulder softly.

"No.. I should have done something. It hurt me to see you like that. It hurt me when they spoke trash about you. It hurt me when I saw you alone on your own. Because I loved you! I loved you, and I did nothing to help you." She cried out, suddenly she dropped her bags and lunged at me. She took me in a hug and cried onto me. My bag dropped on the impact but I stood there still trying to process the situation.

Dawn kept crying, so I decided to give her a hug to calm her down. I didn't know what I should say at this. She had just confessed she loved me and I was in no way able to accept this confession.

She was shaking miserable, must have been holding in for a long time. And she spilled everything today when she saw me. It must have been hard to hold it all in. Slowly she calmed down. She broke the hug but didn't back off. I placed my hand on her shoulder again.

"You good now?" I asked softly, she nodded at that with a smile. She wiped off her tears and Stood there.

She didn't speak anything, just stared at me. I wasn't sure of the situation so I tried to move back but before I could do that, Dawn leaned in on her toes and her lips came crashing onto mine.

At the same time a flash happened. A camera flash to be precise.

To be continued..

Oh my god.. that was unexpected.
Who do you think is the samera person? What do you think is gonna happen now. Ash is famous again so will thus create trouble in his life? I bet it will..

Stay tuned to know what is gonna happen next.

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Thanks for reading this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it.

See you all next time.
Stay safe.