Julia looked at her mom. "Who's Princess Salvia?" she asked. Dawn had never mentioned anyone named Salvia before.

"I met Princess Salvia while I was travelling as a coordinator. I'm not kidding when I say this, but we looked exactly alike. We could pass as twins! Anyway, I met her and switched places with her for a day. I switched places with her so that she could compete in a Pokemon contest. Competing in contests was her dream, but being a Princess, she couldn't leave to follow that dream and achieve her goal."

"So you got to be the Princess? Did anyone else know?" Julia asked.

"Yes, I got to be a Princess for a little while. And yes, a few other people knew who I really was, they were in on it. They even came to find me in town and take me to the palace."

"What was it like being a Princess?" Julia asked, amazed and fascinated.

"It was a different experience. I got to wear a gown and a crown. I have to say, it's a lot of work. You have to walk and stand a certain way, you have to talk a certain way...it's really stressful."

"Oh, wow...that doesn't sound fun."

"Well, I think if you're raised in a royal family, you get used to it. Either way, it's an experience that I'll never forget."

"So what did she say to you in the letter?" Julia asked.

"Well, she has invited me, plus one guest, to a royal ball at her palace in honor of her recent coronation. Princess Salvia is now the Queen."

A big smile came over Julia's face and she bounced slightly. "You should take Mr. Ash! That should be your plus one!" she cried excitedly.

Dawn laughed and smiled at her daughter. "Of course I'm going to ask him to come!"

But then, Dawn's smile quickly vanished and a frown replaced it. Disappointment was present on her face.

"What's wrong?" Julia asked.

"I...don't have a gown formal enough for a ball and I don't have the money to buy one." she said sadly.

"Mom...you're forgetting about the money."

"Money?"

"The money that Cynthia gave you. The extra money for the pictures at the Pokemon League."

"Thank you, sweetie!" Dawn cried, hugging her daughter. "I had forgotten about that."

"We should go and find you the perfect dress." Julia said.

Dawn nodded her head in agreement.

"And we can help you pick one out!"

Dawn looked at her daughter, confused. "We?"

"Yes, we. Grace can help! If there's one thing that she knows best, it's dresses!"

"Okay."

Dawn, Grace, and Julia got out of Dawn's truck, walked to the entrance of the Hearthome Mall, and walked to the directory.

"The best shop would be Gracie's Formal. My mom used to work there. The dresses there are amazing and very pretty. They aren't too expensive, either." Grace explained as she looked for the location.

"Number twenty." Julia said, pointing.

Dawn looked and found where they were. "Well, it isn't far. We just have to keep going straight until we reach the other side of the mall." Dawn said.

As the three walked, Grace was chatting excitedly to Dawn.

"This is so cool! I'm excited to get to do something like this with you. I wish I could go to the ball, too."

"I thank you both for helping me pick out a dress." Dawn said, smiling at the two girls.

"When you get back from the ball, could I come over and hear about it?" Grace asked in an excited voice.

"Of course, Grace. I'll tell both of you what happened."

They arrived at the entrance of Gracie's Formal and walked into the store. Soft music was playing and the walls were a light pink color. There were many racks with dozens of dresses hanging from them and the mannequins were dressed in some of the new arrivals or top seller dresses.

Dawn and Grace picked up multiple dresses while Julia grabbed various types of gloves, since gloves would complete a formal look. Once Dawn had a good amount of things to try on, she walked into a changing room. Grace and Julia sat in the chairs, waiting for Dawn to come out.

Dawn opened the door and walked out. She was wearing a pale yellow dress that was held up by two thin straps. She also had on white gloves, reaching to her elbows.

"What do you think?" Dawn asked.

"It's pretty, but it's a little too pale for your skin color." Grace said.

"Yeah, I agree. A pretty color, though." Julia said.

Dawn turned and went back into the dressing room. She walked back out in a white strapless gown and still wore the white gloves.

"This reminds me too much of a wedding dress." Dawn said, shaking her head. This wasn't the one for her.

After a few more dresses, they still had yet to find one.

Then Dawn walked out, dressed in a strapless light blue dress with sparkles covering it and matching light blue gloves with sparkles that reached up a little past her elbows. The dress graced the floor as she walked and stood.

"Oh wow...mom, that's so pretty." Julia said in awe.

Dawn had a huge smile on her face, showing that she loved this dress. She gave a small twirl and the sparkles shimmered as the light caught them, making her look even more stunning.

Grace then realized this was a dress that she had picked out for Dawn.

"I love this dress. It's one that you picked out, right?" Dawn asked.

"Yes...I did."

"Well, I love it. Don't you two agree?"

The girls nodded.

"Grace, you really know your stuff when it comes to dresses." Dawn said, smiling. "Thank you,"

Grace was shocked and freaking out slightly on the inside. Her idol had just given her praise. Praised in fashion, something that she loved. "Thank you...I try my best."

They walked to the checkout once Dawn had changed and she brought the dress and gloves. After dropping Grace off and getting home, Dawn grabbed the invitation.

"Julia, I'll be back." Dawn called.

"Okay," Julia replied from her room.

Dawn walked across the street to Ash's house. She held the invitation in her hand. She knocked and waited. The door opened to reveal Ash.

"Hey," he said, smiling.

"Hey, I wanted to ask you something." She handed the invitation to him and he looked at it. "Would you like to come with me?" she asked as he read.

"Of course," he said, giving her a quick kiss. "I enjoy every moment that we're together."

Dawn smiled. "And I adore every moment that we spend together. You've made me the happiest that I've been in a long time and being with you is something that I wouldn't trade for anything." she said, giving him a chaste kiss.

Ash pulled in through the gate. The palace stood before them. The path made a circle around a huge fountain in the middle. The palace was a light color with balconies on every other window. The sunlight was hitting a few windows, causing a shine to come from them. It looked like a beautiful place to live. Cars were parked in a row and many people were getting out of their cars. As the two looked around, off in the distance they could see small buildings, possibly a stable.

Salvia had asked that all of her guests come and stay overnight in the palace after the ball. A room would be provided. There had to be a ton of rooms if every guest was going to stay.

After getting out and grabbing their bags, the two walked across the marble stones and to the huge mahogany doors. A servant was waiting, dressed in black attire with his blonde hair slicked back and his dark eyes looking at the guests approaching.

"Names?" he asked.

"Ash Ketchum and Dawn Berlitz." Ash said.

"Go ahead."

He sidestepped slightly and the two walked in. They saw high ceilings with a window on the ceiling, letting natural light into the foyer, marble floors, and pictures of the past royal family were hanging on the wall. A staircase was straight ahead, splitting to the left and right. The foyer also had many other hallways leading to who knows where.

"Hello and welcome. Queen Salvia is pleased that you have come to her ball. May I please know your names so that I may show you where you will be staying?" another servant asked, making the two return to the real world.

"Ash Ketchum and Dawn Berlitz."

The servant checked a list in his hands. "Follow me," he said as he started walking towards the staircase.

The staircase was covered with a dark blue carpet in the middle of the stairs. As they walked, they noticed that dark red curtains were pulled back from the windows, letting in the sunlight.

The servant lead them up the stairs and to the left. They walked past many doors. Then the servant stopped. "This is where you will be staying. Queen Saliva hopes that you like the room. Have a good day." he said, opening the door and nodding goodbye.

Ash and Dawn walked into the room.

"Wow..." Dawn said in amazement.

The room was far bigger than their own rooms at home. A white carpet was covering the floor. The curtains were red and were pulled back. A balcony was with the room, too. The bed was a queen sized bed with red curtains surrounding it which were tied back. It had blue silk sheets and white pillows were placed neatly at the head of the bed. There were two doors, one must've been the bathroom and the other would be the closet. A small bedside table was there with an 'S' carved into the wood. A small couch was also in the room and a glass table.

Dawn walked to one of the doors and opened it to find the closet.

"I wish I had a closet like this." she said, staring at the size of it.

The closet was a walk-in closet and it was empty. She removed her dress bag and hung the dress up, still in the bag. Ash put his tux in the closet, too.

They had just finished settling in when the door opened. They looked up to see Salvia. She was dressed in a long gown that was light purple, the color of lilac and she had white gloves on that reached her elbows. Ash and Dawn bowed before the Queen.

"Hello, I hope you are enjoying everything." she said.

"We are,"

"Dawn, it's lovely to see you again! It's been too long!" Saliva cried.

"Wait...how do you two know each other?" Ash asked, confused.

"While I was travelling as a coordinator, I met Salvia. We swapped places for a day, I was her and she was me." Dawn said.

"I wanted to compete in a Pokemon contest and since we looked so much alike, we were able to pull it off. I can't thank you enough for letting me do that, Dawn."

"It wasn't a problem."

"I'm sorry, but I must get going. I have to greet the other guests. I am glad you came and I'll see you at the ball tonight. To pass the time, you may explore the palace grounds if you wish." Salvia said.

She then crossed the room and hugged Dawn. It really is wonderful to see you again." she said, pulling away.

Ash stood in front of the mirror, fixing the jacket and tie of his tuxedo. His tuxedo was black, with a white collar shirt, a black vest underneath the jacket, and a black bow tie. For once, he was wearing dress shoes too, and not his normal dress shoes, which were boots. He fixed his clothes and looked at Dawn, who wasn't dressed yet.

Dawn had her hair pulled into a low ponytail, tied with a light blue ribbon with a few strands of her side hair curled and framing her face, clipped back by some light blue clips. Her makeup was done with some shimmery white eyeshadow, light blush, and light pink lipstick. She had on the necklace that Ash had given her for Christmas and some diamond stud earrings. She was currently wearing her robe.

"I can't wait to see your dress, since I haven't seen it yet." Ash said.

Dawn smiled and shook her head. "Oh no, I want to surprise you. Go ahead and head down to the ballroom while I get it on and I'll be down shortly." Dawn said.

"Okay, I'll see you then." he said.

Ash walked out of the room and Dawn walked to the closet to get her dress. She removed it from the bag and looked at it. She put it on and quickly fastened her clear heels. After putting on her gloves, she looked at herself in the mirror and once satisfied with her appearance, she left the room, heading for the ballroom.

She started down the stairs and looked for Ash among everyone that was there. The ballroom was very pretty. There were chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, huge glass doors were at the back of the ballroom, leading out into a garden, and an orchestra was playing in the corner.

Ash looked towards the stairs and saw Dawn as she walked down. He stared at her in shock, completely mesmerized. Ash couldn't take his eyes off of her. He had never seen her look so beautiful before!

Dawn walked over to him and he was quiet for a moment before he found his voice.

"You look so beautiful, Dawn." he said.

"Thank you, Ash. This is the best I've seen you dress since I've met you." Dawn replied.

Dawn glanced around and saw that a lot of the other women there were dressed in ball gowns that were poofy, unlike hers.

The talking stopped and looking towards the stairs, they saw Salvia. She was dressed in a dark blue dress that was held up by thin straps and long white gloves were on her arms. Like Dawn, her dress wasn't poofy. Her hair was falling in curls across her shoulders and down her back. A diamond crown was on her head, completing her look.

Everyone in the room bowed and Salvia looked at everyone.

"I would like to thank everyone for coming. I hope you have all enjoyed your time here. It is my honor to be the Queen and I will do everything I can to make everyone in Sinnoh happy. Now without further ado, let the ball begin." she said, smiling at everyone.

The orchestra started to play some soft music and people broke off into couples to dance. Salvia also found a partner to dance with. Ash glanced at Dawn. He held out his hand to her and she smiled and took his hand. Ash kissed her hand and they started to dance with everyone else.

Ash held Dawn's hand in his own while his other hand was on her side. Dawn's other hand was on Ash's shoulder. Unlike the other guests' dresses, Dawn's gown flowed as she moved and danced, the sparkles making it glisten.

As they danced across the ballroom floor, Dawn rested her head against Ash's chest, listening to his heartbeat. A smile graced her face. Ash was looking at Dawn with the uttermost love and care visible in his eyes. Both of them were feeling a new feeling inside. It was similar to their love of being together, but this love felt different, stronger.

Ash placed a kiss on Dawn's head and then their lips met in a long, loving kiss. Dawn looked at him and smiled at him as the kiss ended. Nothing could compare to the way either of them felt at that moment.

After dancing for a while, an announcement was made that there was a supper in the palace's dining room if anyone was hungry. A variety of food and champagne would be there.

"Are you hungry?" Ash asked.

Dawn nodded her head. Neither of them had eaten any supper that day. They walked to the dining room. They got some food and a glass of champagne before sitting at the long table to eat.

"How are you enjoying tonight?" Dawn asked.

"I'm having a great time. You?" Ash replied.

"It's wonderful. I'm having a great time, too."

"By the way, I didn't get the chance to tell you something." Ash said.

"What do you mean?" Dawn asked.

"You always look so beautiful, but this is just amazing. Your dress is stunning, it fits you perfectly, and you are just so beautiful that I can't stop looking at you. I love you."

Dawn smiled and took a sip of her champagne. "Thank you, that means a lot, Ash. I love you, too."

They finished their food and walked back into the ballroom.

"How about we go and look at the garden?" Ash asked.

"Some fresh air sounds nice."

The two made their way to the other side of the ballroom and slipped out through the glass doors. The air was warm, but refreshing. Other people were outside as well.

Ash wrapped his arm around Dawn's waist and held her close as they walked through the garden. The garden was full of beautiful flowers and plants. Some of them, they didn't even know what the names were. There were a variety of roses and a lot of rosebushes. It seemed that Salvia liked roses best. There were carnations, lilies, daisies, and many others. They continued to walk around the garden and once they had walked all the way through it, they went back to the ballroom.

As they started dancing again, a woman standing beside the orchestra began singing, creating a comfortable atmosphere in the room.

"Oh, I love this song." Dawn said softly.

They danced for about another hour before the ball finished. Salvia said goodnight to them and some other guests as they left the ballroom.

Ash unlocked the door to their room and let Dawn walk in first and he followed behind her, closing and locking the door.

Dawn walked into the bathroom, going to change into her pajamas, clean off her makeup, and brush out her hair. Once she walked out in her robe, Ash walked into the bathroom to change and Dawn removed her earrings and necklace and hung up her gown.

Dawn stood by the bed, thinking about her night.

"Thank you for inviting me to come with you." Ash said, walking over to the bed.

"You're welcome. Thank you for teaching me how to dance before. If you hadn't taught me how to dance, I wouldn't have come to the ball in the first place." Dawn said.

They smiled and Ash leaned over and kissed Dawn. Dawn smiled into the kiss as she returned it. Ash deepened the kiss and his arms wrapped around Dawn. One of Dawn's hands was resting against his chest and the other was around his neck. The simple kiss then turned into a makeout session as their tongues danced around in each others' mouths. Both of them once again felt the strong feelings that they had felt while they were dancing earlier.

Ash leaned forward, causing Dawn to lean backwards onto the bed. He broke the kiss and looked down at her.

"Dawn, I love you so much. And...I want to show you how much I love you." he said.

Dawn nodded her head. "I want to show it to you too, Ash." she said.

Their mouths met again as they continued and their hands began to move along each others' bodies.

They proved their love for each other that night.

To Be Continue....