Another Road Repaved - Coordination

Unity

Cinnabar Island couldn't come fast enough.

That was Dawn's mentality, as she leaned on the foremost railing of the ship's deck that was currently carrying her, Ash, and their Pokémon towards the site of this year's annual Wallace Cup.

A roller coaster of events had preceded her place here, in the past couple of days. The awful taste of defeat at the hands of Team Rocket, that she was doing her best to forget. The chaos and triumph that emerged from her and Ash's time in the Seafoam Islands, where she'd finally voiced her feelings for him. Ash had responded in kind; a fact that she often found herself replaying in her head, every time she looked back at her companion.

Right now, he was trying to secure a peach from the snack bar that Pachirisu had swiped from him, a bit further back on deck. Looking back, Dawn smiled, shaking her head. It was all real. As real as Prinplup, who watched the turning tides at her feet.

All of that was well and good... But, it was still chaos. It wasn't an anchor, nor a definite direction to step in to further her dreams. Another ribbon, however? A chance at a second Aqua Ribbon, specifically? It made Dawn smile, and she felt her heart race.

The cool ocean breeze felt nice on her skin, and she much enjoyed the feeling of her long tresses being nudged about... as long as not a bang was put out of place, that was. "So, Prinplup."

"Lup...?" Prinplup; Dawn's very first partner, proud and hotheaded. Though, he'd admittedly grown up a good deal, since their venture to Kanto. He was, after all, no longer a tiny Piplup, clinging to the past. He was a growing boy, with growing talents. He tilted his head, looking up at his trainer. Waiting for her to finish her thought.

"You're excited too, right? To see what sort of competition we have, and come out on top? I just know there are some amazing things waiting for us, at the Wallace Cup. Techniques we've never even seen, or thought of!"

Prinplup's baby blue eyes sparkled with brilliance. He chirped his agreement, waving his wings with enthusiasm. He was just as eager to scout their foes! But, even greater than that...! "Prin! Prinplup!" A wing was gestured towards the sky.

Dawn giggled. "Right! And we'll come through, and beat them all for that Aqua Ribbon. Just you wait, Cinnabar." Dawn beamed at the open seas, closing a fist over her heart. "We'll take you by storm, and we're not going to wait for anything to get there!"

Unfortunately, an ear-splitting screech rudely interrupted Dawn's musings, over the ship's loudspeakers. "Attention, passengers! The ferry will be docking in just a couple of minutes at the port to Dark City! Several hours will be spent on restocking and refueling; many of our amenities will be unavailable, so we advise you take that time to explore and stretch your legs. Just don't forget to return in time for departure!"

"Aw, what? Seriously!?" Dawn exclaimed, hanging her head. "I think I went and jinxed it... Me and my big mouth!"

"Lup... Prinplup." Prinplup consoled, patting Dawn's leg with his flipper.

"Well, that's a real bummer." Ash walked over, patting Dawn's shoulder. He leaned on the railing, taking a bite into his retrieved peach. After a moment, his eyes grew wide, and he started to choke on the fruit, furiously thumping his chest.

"Ash!?" Dawn panicked, thinking only to... smack him on the back. She wasn't exactly a trained physician, but it seemed to work. "What just got into you?"

"Ack... thanks." Ash sighed, wiping off his mouth with the back of his arm. "Did they really say Dark City, though? It's hard to imagine that place having its own port."