DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon

Thank you for all the support on the series

Sorry for the wait everyone, my laptop decided to kill itself on me

Ark II, 03

Chapter 8: It's Bonding Time

"Ash!"

Ash came running out of the bathroom with his toothbrush still in his mouth. "What?"

"Hotel. Mr. Bonding. Rapist. Dawn. We go now!" Daniel said simply.

The toothbrush fell out of Ash's mouth. He ran over to his pile of clothes, put the on frantically. The raven haired trainer grabbed his pokeballs before running out the door. But he forgot something.

"Pika pi!" The electric mouse, known as Pikachu, squealed as his trainer left without him.

Daniel walked over to the Electric-Type. "Don't feel bad, come on let's go get Officer Jenny."

"Pika! Pika-chu!" Pikachu yelled frustrated.

"No, we can't help right now. He has to do this alone."

The electric mouse's expression faded and climbed onto Daniel's shoulder. They knew what Ash would do for Dawn.

And that's what worried them the most.

Ash busted through the doors of the hotel. He ran to the hotel receptionist, nearly falling over the counter.

"Which room is Mr. Bonding staying in?" He asked the receptionist as calmly as possible.

She frowned. "Well isn't he a popular guest today." She said bitterly.

"Has any body else came to visit him?" Ash asked.

She looked up from her computer, looking annoyed. "Three people. Some girl and an old couple with a Meowth." She turned back to her computer.

'Team Rocket.' Ash thought, not being surprised.

The woman looked up from the computer. "Second floor, room eighteen."

Ash thanked her and ran up the stairs. 'I'm on my way.'

Dawn opened her eyes and grabbed her head. She noticed her hands were bound together with rope, her mouth was gagged. She lowered her hands and saw they were covered in looked to her left, a mirror hung on the wall, which confirmed the blood was from where Mr. Bonding had hit her. She the gazed upon a large, metallic flashlight on the bedside table. Probably what he hit her with.

Dawn's eyes fell on a door to her right, light escaping form the bottom. There was a dresser pushed against the wall beside the door. She heard a faint voice from the other side of the door.

"Yes, I have her." One said.

"Good, what about the boy?" The other said. The voice didn't sound natural, like it was being discussed.

"Wait, you didn't tell me to get him!" The first declared.

The deeper voice sighed. "We need all FOUR of them for this plan to be achieved. You only have one of them. Dawn Berlitz may not look like a threat, but she is almost as strong as Ketchem and Vetalls! I will handle our fourth target personally. Now, get the other... I will not except failure."

The light under the door dimmed. Mr. Bonding stepped out and straightened his tie. Behind him, in the other room, was a video-phone. The man walked over to the dresser and grabbed a bottle of red wine, pouring himself a drink. After a few sips he noticed Dawn was awake.

"Ah... so your up. I guess you heard my conversation with the boss?" Dawn didn't answer. One part of it was her fear took over, the other was that her mouth was gagged. "No one is coming for you. Even if they do notice you missing they won't come."

Dawn eyes widened as she realized he had a point. In the three days they were in Kalos what had she done? Hide behind Ash and Charizard? She wondered why Ash asked her to go to Kalos with him. Why not Misty? Dawn had heard how close they were. But why Dawn Berlitz?

In the hallway Jessie, James and Meowth were listening in on the one-sided conversation.

"So, it was a trap for the tweerpette." James said.

Meowth nodded. "Yeah, but we are one step closer to finding Team Flare."

"Do you think he works with them?"

"It's not in stone, but I believe he was hired."

Guys, we need to leave!" Jessie interrupted.

The trio looked down the hall to see the raven haired teen running in their direction, his eyes red with anger. Never before had they seen him like this. They decided to retreat back to the streets not wanting to be harmed by the enraged teen.

As they left Mr. Bonding continued. "You are a pretty one." Dawn's fear soared above the clouds. "The boss said to keep you alive..." He unbuckled his belt. "He said nothing about keeping your virginity alive." He throw the belt aside, making his way towards Dawn. "I'm gonna enjoy this."

"OPEN THE DOOR!" The voice echoed throughout the building. It was filled with anger that could rival the might of Entei.

Dawn looked at the door recognizing the voice. 'Ash?"

Ash started pounding on the door. Mr. Bonding sighed grabbing his belt and escaped into the other room.

Outside, Ash continued to beat on the door, then saw Pikachu run up to him.

Ash stepped back from the door. "Pikachu use Iron Tail on the door knob!" Ash commanded.

Pikachu's tail turned metallic and slammed onto the door. Ash stepped forward and the door knob was still intact.

"That's not going to work." Ash turned to see Daniel behind investigating the door. "It'll take something powerful."

"You mean like Charizard?" Ash suggested.

Daniel frowned. "No, something much, much stronger." Daniel reached into his hoodie and took out a necklace with a strange stone on it. "Ampharos, go!" He throw out a pokeball and the light pokemon came out.

Daniel took a deep breath and tapped the stone on his necklace. It glowed a vibrant purplish-blue and seeked over to Ampharos , who started to glow green and change shape. It grew a white main and became more muscular. White fur grew on it's tail and multiple red bulbs dotted around it.

Ash looked in amazement. "What the-"

Ampharos, use Dragon Pulse!" Daniel ordered.

The light pokemon formed a turquoise orb in it's hands and threw it at the door. The door was blown back and started to disintegrate. Daniel turned to Ash.

"The police are on the way, go get Dawn!" He said as he returned his amped up Ampharos.

Ash ran in and found Dawn tied up on the bed. He ran to the bed and took out the gag in her mouth. He saw a blood stain on the side of her head and hands. As he finished untying her, she hugged and cried into his chest. Ash blushed at her action. He pulled away reluctantly and looked into her eyes.

"Where did he go?" She pointed to the door near the dresser. He turned back to Dawn. "Stay here."

The blunette looked like she wanted to object, but stayed on the bed. Ash walked to the door and turned the knob. This one was unlocked and Ash stepped in. He noticed Mr. Bonding in the corner holding something in his hand.

Ash stepped forward slowly. "What did you do to her?" Ash asked, his rage boiling up again.

Mr. Bonding looked over his shoulder. "Nothing. " He said simply. He continued to fiddle with whatever he had in his hand. Ash looked at the video phone, it had a orange flame on the screen.

Mr. Bonding turned around, holding a bomb detonator. He took a deep breath and looked Ash in the eyes.

"So your Cynthia's Prodigy, you don't look like much." Mr. Bonding stated. "But looks are deceiving. Like your friend in the other room. And Daniel and his exquisite 'gift', but the last of the four. She is the most impressive of all."

Ash's eyes narrowed. "Who?"

"I believe you already met her, quite rebellious if I do say so myself."

There was a faint yelling in the other room over.

Mr. Bonding smirked. "I'll be seeing you."

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" The electric mouse zapped Mr. Bonding's hand that held the detonator which clattered to the ground. Mr. Bonding's clutched his hand in pain.

Ash tackled him, then started to punch him in the face. Daniel burst through the door with Officer Jenny and Dawn behind him.

"Ash!" Dawn stepped forward, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see it was Daniel, he shook his head 'no'. Dawn looked back to Ash continuously punching the man.

Daniel walked to the corner and picked up the detonator. He walked over to Officer Jenny. "We need to inspect the building for bombs." He said giving her the detonator.

She nodded and walked out of the room with Dawn to question her. When Ash was finished, two policemen took the unconscious form of Mr. Bonding out of the room. Ash stood up and sighed. He closed his eyes for a moment. Daniel walked up to the teen.

"I think you should talk to Dawn, she's kinda... out of it. She is the first person that Eevee couldn't cheer up."The shiny pokemon lowered it's head, but Daniel rubbed it affectionately.

Ash nodded and walked out of the room. He spotted Dawn sitting against the wall, her arms around her knees. Ash walked towards her and sat down.

"Hey." He said. Dawn didn't move, she then shuddered. Ash took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders. The blunette looked at Ash surprised. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know... he could have-"

"I know. Ash put a hand on her shoulder. "I know."

Dawn cuddled into Ash arms, the raven haired trainer ran his fingers through her hair.

"You know-" Ash stared.

"Ash, do you think if he did anything to me, would people look at me the same.?"

"Why? Did he do anything?" Ash tensed up.

"No, nothing sexual anyways."

Ash sighed in relief, he didn't want to have to kill Mr. Bonding. "I can't speak for anyone else, but I would look at you as if it didn't happen."

(A/N: I know it's cliche, but it was all I could think of at the time.)

Dawn looked into Ash's eyes and a unspoken realisation passed between them. Unknowingly they both started to lean in.

"Ash," Dawn started. "Why did you ask me to come with you here?"

Ash chuckled a bit. "It's pretty simple."

Dawn frowned. "Then, what is it?"

"I... I." Ash sighed, took a deep breath and cupped Dawn's cheek. "I love you."

Dawn was too stunned to say anything. Ash lowered his head.

"I know you wouldn't fell the same." Ash stood up to leave, but was pulled back down by Dawn and she crashed her lips into his. The raven haired trainer, after a moment, kissed her back. Reluctantly they separated for air. They stared into each others eyes for what seemed to be hours.

"Oh Ash, you don't know how long I've waited for you to say that. I love you too!" Dawn kissed him again. In the exit Daniel stood with Eevee perched on his shoulder and Pikachu at his feet.

"It's about time." He muttered. "Next stop, Vaniville!