The Only Exception

2.

Late update because I'm using data and it takes a long time to post the chapter ;_; ENJOY.

"Wow! Contests sound so cool!" Bonnie exclaimed as she walked beside the coordinator. Dawn chuckled at the little blonde girl then looked over at Serena. "So, Serena, what are you planning to do?" She asked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Serena asked — offended from by the question.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it in any offensive way, I just meant to ask.. why'd you travel in the first place?" Dawn asked.

Serena stuck up her nose and turned away from her. "Because I wanted to go on a journey, is there a problem with that?"

Dawn shook her head, "no, no! Not at all. I think it's great to want to go on a journey on your own." What is up with her? I barely know her and she treats me like this?

Ash paid no attention to what Serena said to Dawn. He was too fixated on the fact that she was even in Kalos. "So, Dawn, why are you here in Kalos?" He asked.

"I came here because I heard there was something called Pokémon Showcases. Have you guys heard of it?" She asked.

"Isn't it a competition where trainers and their Pokémon perform?" Clemont asked.

"Right!" Dawn smiled.

"Oh, I get it. You wanna try out the Pokémon showcase here." Ash smiled. Dawn looked over at him and nodded. "Ever since the Hoenn Grand Festival and losing to Soledad, I've been thinking so much about training harder to become a Top Coordinator. It wasn't till then that Wallace actually came up to me and told me about Pokémon Showcases here in Kalos." She explained.

"It must have been tough for you, Dawn." Clemont said sadly.

"Not at all! Someone taught me that everything is an experience. As long as I'm with my Pokémon, there's nothing to worry about." She smiled proudly.

Ash smiled at his friend remembering the day he told her that.

Flashback

"So, I guess this it, huh?" The blue-haired coordinator smiled lightly.

"Aw, cheer up, Dawn! We'll see each other again real soon." A black-haired trainer smiled.

"It's just too bad that I can't come to Kanto with you, Ash." She said sadly.

Ash looked at the girl sadly. He did want her to come because she made his adventure a lot more fun. He started thinking back about all the fun times they had together on their journey.

"You know.."

Ash looked up at Dawn, waiting for what she had to say.

"I don't.. really have to do the Poké Chic thing."

Ash looked at her surprised. She was willing to give up an opportunity of a life time to continue traveling with him? He was happy, he really was. At the same time, he didn't want her to do this.

He smiled at her as he put both hands on her shoulders. "Don't. This is an opportunity that you definitely wanna take both for you and your Pokémon." He said.

"But, I—"

"Everything is an experience, Dawn! And as long as you have your Pokémon with you, there's nothing to worry about!"

End of Flashback

"So, this time I'm definitely ready for this new step!" Dawn said excitedly.