"Sorry again, guys, I got us into that situation…" Dawn said sadly as they were walking down a clearing, she was still upset she made that Ursaring charge towards them because she couldn't control Piplup's [Bubble Beam].
Verity glanced over at her and waved her hand, "Dawn, it's fine. Nobody got hurt."
Dawn frowned, "Yeah, but I could've gotten you guys hurt."
Ash walked ahead of them with his hands behind his head, "But you didn't."
Dawn looked at him, "That doesn't mean it was okay."
Ash glanced back at her, "No, it means you made a mistake." Ash smiled and nudged her with his elbow, "Everyone makes mistakes. The important part is that you learn from them."
Dawn looked down at Piplup, who was walking beside her with his head lowered, "I think Piplup feels bad too."
Piplup looked up at her, "Pip…"
Dawn crouched down and picked him up, holding him against her chest, "Hey, don't worry. I'm not mad at you."
Piplup looked surprised.
Dawn smiled and rubbed his head softly, "Hey, it's alright. That just means we have more work to do to get better."
Ash chuckled as he stopped, "Yeah, it's about time. How about I prepare lunch? We could use a break right about now."
"Ohh, that sounds great. I'm already getting hungry," Verity rubbed her hands together greedily.
Dawn raised her hand, "Oh, I know! How about I make it up to you guys and bake something! I'm great at baking!" Dawn said, looking proud of herself.
Verity, meanwhile, looked a bit sheepish, considering she was fully intending to eat without contributing, but she cleared her throat, "Then how about I help you, Ash? I can at least peel stuff, I guess."
"Sure, why not," Ash said, pulling out the things that he needed and a small table, where he put some vegetables, "Can you peel that for me? I'll get everything else ready."
Verity carefully held the potato in one hand while Ash placed the peeler into her other, "Just take your time. You don't need to rush."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Verity muttered, staring at the potato like it had personally offended her.
Ash turned back toward the rest of the ingredients and started chopping vegetables. Pikachu, meanwhile, had apparently decided that helping was far too much effort and climbed onto Ash's shoulder, then curled up against the side of his neck with a satisfied little sigh.
Ash glanced up at him, "Already tired?"
"Pika," Pikachu replied lazily, closing his eyes.
Ash chuckled, "Fair enough."
Vee had also decided that he wanted nothing to do with cooking. He wandered over to a nearby rock, curled himself into a little ball, and rested his head on his paws.
Verity looked over at them, "Wow. So they just get to sleep while we work?"
Ash shrugged, "They're tired too."
"That doesn't seem fair."
"You're welcome to take a nap."
Verity immediately looked back at the potato, "...I'm good."
Dawn laughed as she began gathering ingredients for whatever she was planning to bake, "Come on, Verity. It's not that hard."
"Easy for you to say. You've probably cooked before."
Dawn paused, "...A little."
Verity narrowed her eyes, "That's not very convincing."
Dawn laughed nervously, "Well, I've helped Mom before!"
Ash smirked, "That's still more experience than Verity."
"Hey!"
Ash chuckled and went back to chopping.
A few feet away, however, something was watching them. A small Buneary slowly poked her head out from the tall grass. Her long ears twitched as she watched the strange group of humans and Pokémon working together. She had been curious about them ever since they passed through the area, but now she had even more reason to watch.
Verity, meanwhile, was having considerably less success with her potato. She held the peeler against it and slowly dragged it down, but it didn't cut into the skin. She tried again, and a tiny strip of potato skin came off.
Verity frowned, "Why is this so difficult?"
Ash glanced over his shoulder, "You're barely putting any pressure on it."
"I don't want to accidentally cut myself."
"You're using a peeler."
"I know!"
Dawn giggled, "You're really bad at this."
Verity glared at her, "I've never cooked before!"
Ash raised an eyebrow, "Never?"
"No!"
"What do you normally do?"
Verity shrugged, "I eat."
Ash stared at her.
Verity added, "And sometimes I do the dishes."
Ash sighed, "That explains a lot."
Verity huffed and tried again, this time applying more pressure, and the peeler finally went through the potato.
"See?! I'm doing it!" She grinned proudly, but then the peeler slipped, "OW!"
Verity jerked her hand backward, accidentally nicking the tip of her finger with the peeler she had been holding. At the same moment, the potato flew out of her other hand and sailed into the air.
Ash immediately turned around, and Pikachu opened one eye. Ash moved over to Verity, while Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder, flashing through the air and catching the potato before landing while spinning the potato on his finger.
The Buneary's eyes widened with sparkles, her ears shot straight up. She stared at Pikachu as if she had just witnessed the greatest thing in the world. Pikachu casually spun the potato one more time on his finger, and Buneary's eyes sparkled even more.
Meanwhile, Ash had completely ignored Pikachu's little performance. He was already beside Verity, "Let me see."
Verity looked down at her finger, "It's just a little cut."
Ash gently took her hand anyway and examined it. There was a small bead of blood on her fingertip.
Ash frowned slightly, "Still, be careful."
He pulled a clean cloth from his bag and gently wiped away the blood before placing his other hand over her finger, and a faint blue glow surrounded his hand. Verity felt a warm sensation spread through her finger, then the tiny cut slowly closed.
Ash kept his hand over Verity's finger for another moment, making sure the cut had completely healed before the blue glow faded. He then gently turned her hand over, checking it one last time before looking up at her.
"There," Ash said softly, "All better."
Verity stared down at her finger, then at Ash. She had expected him to make some joke about her being careless, but he didn't.
"Thanks…" she mumbled.
Ash smiled and gently let go of her hand, "Just be more careful next time, okay?"
"Yeah, I will."
"And you don't have to feel like you need to contribute just because everyone else is doing something."
Verity blinked, "Huh?"
Ash stood up, but he was still over her, "You don't have to prove that you're useful all the time. You're traveling with us. That's enough. If you don't know how to do something, that's fine. I can teach you."
Verity's face immediately started turning red, "I-I know that," she stammered.
Ash raised an eyebrow, "Do you?"
Verity looked away, suddenly finding the ground incredibly interesting, "...Maybe."
Ash smiled and gently patted the top of her head, "Good. Then don't rush yourself."
Verity's face became even redder, "Y-Yeah…"
Ash picked up a potato and showed her how to do it, "Here, and if you can't do it, you can use gloves to cover your hands. Got it?"
As this was happening, however, in the background, Pikachu looked at the potato and considered if he could eat it. Slowly, from the bushes, the little Buneary scooted over, covering her face with her little cotton on her stomach and looking embarrassed.
Pikachu looked down at the potato in his paws, clearly debating whether he should eat it or not, when suddenly he felt something brush against his side.
"Pika?"
He slowly turned his head. The little Buneary had finally worked up enough courage to come closer. Her cheeks were slightly pink, and she was nervously rubbing the cotton-like fur on her stomach with one paw. She glanced up at Pikachu, then quickly looked away, seemingly embarrassed.
Pikachu blinked, "Pika?"
Buneary took another tiny step closer, then another, and she slowly leaned against Pikachu's side, rubbing her cheek against him with a lovestruck expression on her face.
Pikachu's eyes widened, "Pika! [Hey, wait! I-I'm flattered, but I'm taken!]"
He immediately took a step backward. Buneary followed. Pikachu took another step back, and Buneary followed again, still staring at him with sparkling eyes. She seemed to block out what he just said.
Pikachu looked increasingly confused as he glanced around, almost as if he was silently asking someone for help, "Pika... [Guys, Ash, please, help me! Vee, we're friends, right?!]"
Ash finally noticed the strange noise and looked over, "What are you doing?"
Pikachu pointed toward the Buneary, "Pika! [Get this crazy Pokémon away from me!]"
Ash looked over and snorted, poking Verity and Dawn on the shoulders.
Verity looked over as well, "What's going on?"
"I think Pikachu has an admirer," Ash said with a smirk.
Pikachu's ears immediately perked up, "Pika?! [What?!]"
Buneary happily grabbed onto Pikachu's paws, and Pikachu froze. Buneary then started spinning around with him, practically dragging Pikachu into a little dance, "Buneary! [You're so cool!]"
"Pika-pika?! [Hey, let me goooo!]"
Pikachu's cheeks puffed out as he tried to keep his balance, but Buneary was having the time of her life.
Dawn suddenly stopped mixing the bowl in her hands, and her eyes widened. She slowly turned toward the two Pokémon, "...Buneary?"
She immediately dropped the spoon into the bowl, "BUNEARY!" Dawn practically jumped to her feet.
Verity blinked, "What?"
Dawn pointed excitedly toward the Buneary, "It's a Buneary!"
Ash looked at her, "Yeah, we noticed."
"No, I mean it's actually a Buneary!"
Dawn immediately grabbed one of her Poké Balls, "This is my chance!"
She quickly pointed toward the little Pokémon, "Piplup, let's go!"
Piplup immediately perked up, "Piplup!"
He jumped to his feet and ran toward Dawn, ready for battle. However, the moment he saw Buneary, he stopped, and then two giant heart-shaped sparkles practically appeared in his eyes, "...Pip."
Dawn blinked, "Piplup?"
Piplup slowly walked forward, staring at Buneary like she was the most beautiful Pokémon he had ever seen, "Pip... piplup..."
Dawn stared at him, "Oh no."
Verity looked between Piplup and Buneary, "Wait... is he doing what I think he's doing?"
Ash sighed, "Yep."
Verity covered her mouth, trying not to laugh, "Oh my gosh."
Dawn lowered her head and pulled Piplup back before he ran to grab Buneary. Verity's Piplup also helped hold him back.
"How am I supposed to catch Buneary if I can't use Piplup…?"
Meanwhile, Vee looked over. He finally saw Pikachu's situation and laughed, "Vee-vee [Oh yeah, how do you like it? Not so funny when it happens to you, huh?!]"
As Dawn was dejected, Ash pulled her close and whispered something in her ear. Dawn was surprised at first, but she listened and nodded. Then a slow little devil smile appeared on her face.
Dawn stood before Buneary, presenting Pikachu like a grand prize, "Look, Buneary! This is Pikachu. He's very brave, very strong, and he's going to be traveling with me. If you want to be with him every single day, all you have to do is join the team, and if you don't believe me, then let me give you some more motivation."
She dramatically pointed at Pikachu and called out, "Use Attract, Pikachu!"
Pikachu looked shocked. As Dawn said that, he looked over to Ash for support, but Ash looked away. He looked over to Vee, and he did walk up next to him, but then he raised his paw and slapped him on the back, "Vee! [Come on, you were laughing so much when I did it. Go on, give her a wink!]"
Pikachu gulped and tried to give the most awkward attractive wink he could, but as he did, Buneary looked at him, then immediately her face went pure red and steam came off of her head, and she fell over onto her back, completely knocked out from overstimulation.
Meanwhile, Dawn's Piplup watched the scene and immediately felt like he had been turned to stone, and fell over.
Dawn pumped her fist and pulled out a ball, tossing it at the little bunny. She went in, and the ball rolled three times before finally clicking. Buneary was caught.
Dawn looked excited as she grabbed the ball and held it up in victory
"Yes! I caught a Buneary! Finally, my losing streak is over! From now on, it's only winning from here!"
Verity immediately threw both fists into the air, "YES!"
Dawn blinked and looked at her, "Why are you more excited than I am?"
"Because that means we're going back to town!"
Dawn's expression immediately changed as she realized what Verity meant. She slowly looked toward Ash.
Ash was standing there with his arms crossed, trying very hard not to laugh.
Verity practically ran over to him, "Ash! She caught one! That means we can go back, right?!"
Ash nodded, "Yep."
Verity's face lit up like someone had just told her she won the lottery, "YES!"
She immediately turned toward Dawn and grabbed both of her shoulders, "Thank you!"
Dawn laughed, "You're welcome, I guess?"
"You have no idea how happy I am right now."
Ash shook his head, "You act like I was keeping you trapped out here."
Verity pointed at him, "You said we weren't going back until everyone caught a Pokémon!"
"I did."
"And now everyone has one!"
Ash glanced over at himself, then toward his Pokémon, "Yeah, looks like we're done."
Verity immediately pumped her fist, "Freedom!"
Ash chuckled, "Alright, alright. Calm down. We'll finish lunch first, then we'll head back toward Jubilife."
Verity froze, "...We still have to finish lunch?"
Ash stared at her, "Yes."
Verity slowly lowered her fist, "Oh."
Dawn laughed as she walked over with the ball behind her back, "Come on, Verity. You can survive one more meal."
Ash smirked, and he couldn't let this chance pass. He put a hand on his chest and looked devastated, "Oh, is my cooking not good enough for you now?"
Verity immediately looked horrified, "No! That's not what I meant!"
Ash put a hand over his heart, "After everything I've done for you, too."
"I didn't say your cooking was bad!"
Ash slowly turned away, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye, "I see how it is."
Verity panicked and stepped in front of him, "Ash, wait! I like your cooking!"
"No, no, I get it. You just hate ME specifically, then. I'll get over it eventually," Ash said, covering his face.
Verity's eyes widened in horror, "No! I don't hate you! I was just saying I wanted to go back to town!"
Ash peeked through his fingers, "So you don't hate me?"
"No!"
"You promise?"
"Yes!"
Ash slowly lowered his hands, his expression suddenly completely normal, "Okay."
Verity's eye twitched, "...You were messing with me."
Ash shrugged, "Maybe."
"You jerk!"
Ash laughed as he walked back toward the cooking area, "Come on, help me finish lunch."
Verity stood there for a moment, staring after him before letting out a long sigh, "I can't believe I fell for that."
Dawn walked over and patted her shoulder.
—
Eventually, after lunch and Dawn's cakes she made, they made their way back to town. And now that it wasn't night and they were just going to get a place to sleep, they could finally explore the town.
Verity looked at the big city with stars in her eyes, looking excited at every billboard, every second wondering what to do first.
"Wow..." Verity whispered, "This place is huge!"
Ash walked beside her with his hands behind his head, "You've never been to Jubilife before?"
"Not like this!" Verity pointed toward one of the giant screens mounted on a building, "Look at that! And that! And-oh my Mew, is that a shopping mall?!"
Ash chuckled, "Yep."
Verity looked like she was about to sprint toward it.
Ash immediately grabbed the back of her shirt before she could get any ideas, "Not tonight."
Verity turned around, "But why?!"
"Because it's getting late."
Verity looked up at the sky, then back at Ash, "It's not that late."
"It's late enough."
"But-"
Ash pointed toward Dawn, "We have plans that come first."
Verity looked toward Dawn, who had barely even noticed the giant city around her. Instead, Dawn was staring straight ahead, "The Contest Hall."
Ash nodded, "Exactly."
Dawn immediately smiled, "I want to get registered as soon as possible! If the Contest is only a few days away, I need to know exactly what I'm dealing with."
Verity sighed, "Fine..."
Ash released the back of her shirt, then Verity immediately took two steps toward the shopping district. Ash grabbed her again.
"Hey!"
"Dawn's stuff first."
"But-"
"Verity…"
Verity sighed dramatically, "Fine."
Dawn giggled, then she smirked, "Wow, Ash really has you on a leash, doesn't he?"
Verity looked at her, "Don't you start."
The three continued through the city, with Pikachu riding on Ash's shoulder, Vee walking beside him, and the rest of their Pokémon resting inside their Poké Balls. Dawn was already talking about everything she needed to prepare for the Contest, while Verity kept getting distracted by every store they passed.
"Wow, the new Pokétch is out. I wonder how much it'll cost," Verity said, but then she checked her wallet and closed her eyes, holding back a helpless tear, "I can't afford it anyway…"
"Oh, a Pokétch?" Dawn said as she led the group, "If you want one, I can call the CEO and ask for the next model. My uncle owns 51 percent of the shares of the Pokétch Company."
Verity let out happy tears and raised a thumbs up, "I love having rich friends."
"You know, I really forget how rich your family is. What do they actually do?" Ash asked, putting his arms behind his head.
"Oh, well, other than research, they-oh, hey, we're here." Dawn was interrupted as they got to the building, and they saw a lot of other Coordinators practicing different routines for the Contest. Dawn confidently walked in and quickly signed in. No, there was no Lisia to announce her arrival, even though Ash kinda half expected that, but hey, not too surprising either. Lisia is kinda very busy in Hoenn, and since May isn't there, she might not be doing Contests for a bit.
Anyway, once Dawn walked out happily, she looked at Ash and Verity, "Okay, now we can go look around town."
Dawn immediately grabbed Ash by the arm, "Then let's go!"
Ash blinked as Dawn started pulling him toward the shopping district, "Whoa, hold on."
Verity quickly grabbed his other arm, "She's right. We finally made it back to Jubilife, and I have been waiting all day to see what this place has!"
Ash looked between the two girls, both of whom were now dragging him in opposite directions, "You two are really excited about shopping, huh?"
Dawn grinned, "Of course! We have to see what Jubilife has!"
Verity nodded enthusiastically, "Exactly! There could be all kinds of cool stuff here!"
Ash sighed, but he couldn't help smiling, "Alright, alright. Just don't drag me into every single store."
Dawn and Verity exchanged a glance, "No promises," they said together.
Ash immediately looked concerned, "Oh boy."
The three of them headed deeper into Jubilife City, the streets still bustling despite the late hour. Bright advertisements covered the sides of buildings, massive screens displayed commercials for Pokétch models and various Pokémon products, and Trainers from all over Sinnoh wandered through the streets.
---
{Alright boys and girl, it was a good run, but all good things have to come to a end, daly uploads are over, i have to go back to collage, there is a chance i can't uplode tomorrow since i need to get used to my new schedule, but tbd}