The Only Exception

1.

Clemont's invention began chasing them but, not the way it was supposed to. Serena and Fennkin began running away from the frenzied machine while Clemont and Bonnie chased after it.

With Ash

"Alright, it's time to get some special training done around here! If we're gonna beat Grant, everyone's gotta get into shape. Are you ready?" Ash asked his Pokémon.

They all cheered excitedly at their trainer as they began running. They all stopped and spotted Serena running away from Clemont's invention and Clemont and Bonnie chasing it. "Wow, that must be Clemont's new invention! Science is so amazing." Ash smiled.

"It is not amazing!! Please stop this thing!" Serena shouted as she continued running from the machine.

"Oh, right. Pikachu use electro ball!" Ash called out as Pikachu charged up its tail and aimed for the robot causing it to explode which left Serena and Fennekin all charred up. An angered Fennekin uses ember on Pikachu but, Pikachu moved out of the way as the ember hit Ash instead.

"I'd like to remind you that Fennekin likes to stay clean.." Serena said.

"Hey, this would be a good time for a wardrobe change!" Bonnie suggested.

"Great idea!" Serena said as she ran off to change and in a few minutes she came back donning a Fennekin costume. "So, what do you think? Don't these Fennekin ears and tail just give this it's charm?" Serena winked.

"It's so cute!" Bonnie exclaimed. "Hey, Ash, would you help us with the video please??"

"But, we've got some special training to do.." Ash said. Just then, there was a huge explosion in a nearby forest.

"What was that?" Clemont asked.

"We should go check it out." Ash said as he began running towards the explosion. Clemont and Bonnie following behind.

"But, what about the video!?" Serena shouted.

"We'll just have to do it later, Serena!" Ash shouted back at her.

Serena pouted as she ran after them with Fennekin at her side.

*•.•.•.•.•.•.•*

They made it towards the forest where the explosion was heard and saw nothing there. "Hm.. this was where we heard it." Clemont said.

"But, there doesn't seem to be anything here." Ash said as he looked around.

"Then, maybe we should head back?" Serena asked.

Just then, they heard it again and saw that it was close by. They ran towards the sound of the explosion again as Serena sighed and followed right behind them.

"Wow, Quilava. Your flamethrower is an even match against Piplup's hydropump."

The Pokémon smiled happily at its trainer as it began nuzzling against their leg. "Alright, then how about we put those two moves together for a combination?"

"Dawn?"

The trainers eyes widened as they looked over at a boy with black hair and brown eyes. Still the same face, but much taller than he was before.

"Ash?"

The black haired trainer smiled, "Dawn! It's really you! You're.. you're here! In Kalos!" He said excitedly as he ran up to her and embraced her into a long hug.

"Ash! It's so great to see you again after so long!" She said as she returned his hug. They then pulled apart after awhile and smiled at each other.

Serena looked over at the two but mostly glaring at Dawn. Who is this girl? How does she know Ash? Maybe she's his cousin? Or a close relative? Serena tried her best to think of a positive way to look at this. Ash and Dawn obviously didn't look like they were close relatives or anything and she saw that.
She noticed how they talked with each other casually as if they had just seen each other yesterday.

"Hey, Dawn, I want you to meet Clemont, Bonnie, and—"

"—Serena." Everyone looked over at Serena surprised. "Name's Serena. I've known Ash since childhood." She explained.

"Okay... I really like that Pokémon costume you're wearing. It's really cute!" Dawn smiled. "Thanks. I know." Serena said, in a rather rude tone.

"Um.. you're welcome.." What is with this girl!?

"Dawn, what were you doing here? Were you the one behind the explosion?" Ash asked.

Dawn smiled at him and nodded. They all looked at her surprised except for Serena who had her arms crossed.

"Your Pokémon must be really powerful!" Bonnie exclaimed.

"I guess so." Dawn chuckled.

"Proud of yourself, much?" Serena asked.

Dawn stared at her. Seriously, what is with her!?

"Mind showing us?" Ash winked. Dawn smiled and nodded at him as she looked over at Quilava and Piplup. "Alright, you two. Show them what you got!" Dawn said as Quilava used flamethrower and Piplup used hydropump. The two aimed it towards another as the two moves collided and exploded.

"Whoa! What power!" Ash shouted.

"I must say, you must have done a lot of training with your Pokémon to be that powerful." Clemont said.

"Yup. We've been training long and hard and that's why we've come this far on our journey." Dawn smiled.

"And your Piplup and Quilava are so cute!" Bonnie said as she ran up to both the Pokémon and began petting them. Ash walked up to Dawn, "hey, Dawn. Do you mind helping me with some special training?"

"Sure. But, for what?" She asked.

"I have a gym battle with the Cyllage City gym leader — Grant. He uses rock type Pokémon and he has an Onix that has the ability to use rock tomb."

"Hmm.. that's gonna be a tough match." Dawn told him.

"Not as long as you help me train! That explosion earlier was really something! And I could probably use that in my gym battle." Ash smiled.

Dawn chuckled, "Alright, Ash. I give." She couldn't say no to her long time traveling companion.

Serena glared at the two bonding again.

Game on, Dawn.. we'll see who gets to be with Ash just you wait!

And there you have it! That was chapter 1! How'd you guys like it? :D and yes, Serena is a bit OOC in this story again.

Update ya soon!