"Mum, should I take some snacks?" Dawn asked with her head turned towards the kitchen. Her hands had paused in tightening her white scarf around her neck. The mother in question, Joanna, poked her head around the wall which separated the lounge from the kitchen.

"Yes, you should. I'll pull out some chocolate from the pantry for you. Have you packed?" Joanna replied, louder than usual to be heard over the whirring blender. Dawn fingered the bag strap in front of her. In the small bag there was a change of clothes, her white hat, and a mobile stuffed in the side pocket. But there was one item that she wasn't sure about.

The Griseous Orb.

It was sitting on a couch cushion beside the white bag.

At first glance, it could be mistaken for a dark golden rock. It was roughly cut, like a stone and it glowed from an inner light. It had captivated Dawn just as easily as the golden-eyed man who owned it.

She stuffed her grinning face into the couch, insides squirming, already imagining the scene that might occur in an hour.

"Dawn, don't suffocate yourself by the couch, there will be plenty of that later when you return."

Dawn hurriedly sat up and busied herself with fixing the couch's surface. Once the embarrassment had died down a little, Dawn faced her mother in the doorway.

"Alright, I have two whole, yes Dawn WHOLE, slabs of chocolate. Now I know that one is more than enough for you, so you can't eat it all," the stern look upon Joanna's face was enough to stop Dawn from jumping with joy, "However, I thought that Zero might like some. So, you should..." there was a moment where Joanna studied her daughter's face, "Actually, no, you're only getting one to share."

Joanna turned back inside the kitchen talking over her shoulder as she went, "Besides, it might be more...romantic if you shared." Dawn heard the smile on her mother's face.

"You could feed each other piece by piece..." Joanna left the thought trailing off as Dawn's face glowed like a cherry.

"I'm joking! Joking! Well, not quite, but almost!" Joanna laughed as Dawn hid her face in her hands. Joanna placed one of the blocks in Dawn's hands before placing the other inside the pantry.

"In any case, Dawn, I trust that you will treat Zero with kindness." Joanna's serious tone caused Dawn to lift her head. "I think he needs it." Joanna nodded firmly and clasped her daughter in her arms, for a final hug.

Encased within her others arms, Dawn silently returned the hug, listening to her mother's words of comfort that were murmured into her hair; "Stay safe, Dawn. Stay safe."

Dawn pulled away and silently placed the Griseous Orb within the white bag. She couldn't speak. She felt a single tear trickle down her cheek as she zipped the bag up. A long finger expertly flicked across her face, smearing the tear away. Before Dawn knew it, she was smothered in her mother's arms again, this time with more feeling.

"Alright, no more crying. You're going on a date tonight." Joanna grinned as Dawn shoved her away with a red face. "You need to be happy, just like I was on my first date." Dawn paused between hauling her bag on her shoulder and set it down in the couch.

"Your first date?" Dawn asked curiously. Joanna never talked about her father, and there was only one picture remaining in the house of him. Dawn had inherited his straight black hair and his black eyes, and little else. Most of her other features came from her mother's side of the family. Joanna shoved a pillow aside on the couch and sat down. Dawn joined her and watched her mother run her fingers into her blue hair.

"He was a handsome fellow too, smiles all around and very polite..." Dawn's mother dabbed her misty eyes, "He took me out to dinner in candle light and everything! And after that we went and sat on a hill under the stars." Joanna sighed and placed her hands over Dawn's and peered into her eyes. "You are filled with that same kindness. I know it. You need to share that kindness with Zero. He needs it dearly."

A few moments later, Dawn left her house and waved back at her mother before turning the street corner. The sun had set only a few minutes ago and was bathing the buildings a delicate orange. Most people were hurrying inside their own homes for dinner and Dawn spotted one familiar man leaning against the street lamp that marked the edge of town.

It was Mugen.

"Dawn, I heard from Cynthia. You're heading into the forest now, right?" He asked, grinning at Dawn's surprised look.

"Yeah, I am actually. I need to see Zero again. Tell him a few things and such..." Dawn felt her stomach squirm and fumbled nervously with the bag strap, somewhat shy of the red-haired man in front of her.

"Oh really? Any...ah...interesting plans with him?" There was a full blown smirk across his face which somehow grew wider at Dawn's stammers and head shaking. "Oh, I think you'll do just fine..." He winked and Dawn hid her face in her free hand. Mugen laughed and clapped his hand on her shoulder. "Only teasing! Only teasing..." His grim slipped into a small smile as they stared into the forest trees, watching as their shadows steadily vanished out of sight as the world around them grew blue and cold. Dawn tightened her white scarf around her neck a little more and Mugen pulled her into a one armed hug.

"Stay safe ok? That forest has Pokémon other than a mystical and forgotten legendary being. You'd do well if you steered clear of nests and burrows. No one wants you hurt in any possible way." His grin returned with vigour and stretched across his stubbled face as he turned and swaggered back the way he came.

"Say hey to Zero for me will ya?" Dawn nodded and waved at his retreating figure before returning her gaze into the black forest. She plucked up her courage and headed straight into the forest undergrowth.

It wasn't long before she started to stumble on invisible rocks and fallen trees. It made sense as her only source of light was small inlets through the dark and menacing-looking branches. Through the slits of patches in the leaves above she could make out twinkling silver stars. Her eyes dropped to the ground before her as she stepped over another rotting trunk. There was no sign of the lake yet.

She persevered through the darkness, eager to see the shimmering waters again. She ignored the faint humming of Combees in their nests and the shuffles of woodland Pokémon arriving in their den for the night. Then, a little way ahead, she heard a splash.

Struggling to keep a shout of happiness inside of her, she shouldered her way through the dense collection of trees. The lake shone in the moonlight before her, the water's reflection playing on the trees close by. The stars were veiled by a thick cloud, but the moonlight persevered bravely through.

Her bag fell with a heavy thud against the grass. She sat down next to it, her eyes fixed on the landscape around her. After a moment she fumbled with her boots, placing them with her white socks stuck inside beside her bag. Lying back with her head against the cool grass, she took in pale green leaves and the small worm-like Pokémon snoozing in the trees. Closing her eyes against the lush scenery, she thought that this was the most peaceful place she had even been to.

Something warm gently brushed her fringe from her face. Opening her hopeful eyes, she found the man with the gentlest smile looking down at her.

"Zero."

Dawn sat up on her elbows as Zero's fingers drifted across her cheek. He was lying on the ground, propped up with his hand resting against his face. He had ditched the grey jacket and gold band and had kept the red and black striped t-shirt. His grey jeans were smudged a little with dirt. His free hand was tracing her jaw line.

Zero was first to brake the comfortable silence.

"You came back." He muttered, his golden eye wandering over Dawn's face. "Why?"

"I wanted to see you." Dawn admitted as her eyes closed in content as Zero traced the shell of her ear. "I just...needed to." Dawn shook her head a little and Zero's fingers fell away. She missed them instantly. "I can't explain it." She opened her black eyes and smiled warmly at him. "I just feel...happy when I see you."

She picked up his fallen hand and placed it against her cheek. It was warmer than her own. She let out a happy sigh.

It came to her that Zero hadn't said a word after asking his question. Worried that what she had said may have offended him, she released his hand and looked at him nervously.

He seemed stunned. Eye wide and mouth slightly open in surprise, he sat up cross-legged and placed both his hands against her cheeks.

"Do you really think that? About me?"

It seemed something crucial to him. Dawn hesitantly nodded and then jerked her head rapidly when she realised that she truly did. His hands were just starting to warm her face when Zero released her. He sat back with one hand against his mouth and his eyes went towards the lake. He shook his head slowly in disbelief.

Dawn fidgeted with the hem of her dress. She thought about reaching out to him, to get his attention, but decided against it. She had seen that distant look before. If I talk to him now I'll have better luck talking to a brick wall...

Maybe if I offered him some chocolate he'll focus some more!

She reached behind herself to grab her bag. As she opened it she glanced up at Zero who was searching the cloudy sky for answers to questions only known to him. His head tilted in her direction as the wrapper crinkled underneath her fingers.

Revealing two rows, she broke off a couple and held it out to him, smiling as she did. He watched her silently for a moment, expression incomprehensible, before reaching over and taking it from her hand. She popped some into her own mouth and happily bit into it.

There was a quiet silence between them as they ate.

"This is chocolate right?" Zero said with a sideways glance at her, "It's good." Dawn placed the chocolate block between them and occasionally snapped off a piece. Zero did the same but in a slightly hastier manner.

Dawn happily watched him. He seems to like it! Thank you Mum!

Zero sat back with one hand resting in the grass, cleaning his fingers. His face was that of contentment. The silence of the clearing was strangely comforting as they sat side by side.

Dawn reached back into her bag and pulled out the Griseous Orb and placed it in her lap. As she expected, Zero's attention switched from his finger cleaning to the orb that her hands were resting on. Dawn watched his golden eye move from the orb to her face, slightly wary.

"This is yours right?" She asked, while patting the gold rock with her hands. "You should have it back." She held it out to him, waiting for him to pluck it out of her hands. The wary expression was replaced by a surprised one and followed by a small smile. He caught both of her wrists and lowered them towards the ground. Dawn let go of the orb and was yanked forward into a hug.

"Z-Zero? What-?" Dawn voice came a little muffled to her own ears as he had her tightly against his shirt. But Zero had heard her perfectly and spoke softly into her ear.

"Give me a moment please." Dawn pulled her legs into a slightly more comfortable position while Zero pondered. Eventually he started to speak again.

"I cannot truly find the words to express just how these last couple of days have been for me. First you found me, and did not run in fear. You stayed and so I took an interest in you. You seemed good of heart towards me and in return I brought you back to the town." One of Zero's hands had started running through her hair at a slow pace and it made her relax against his chest.

"I thought it would end there, to be honest. I returned back here and tried to sleep, but I could not get you out of my head." His voice grew distant and Dawn felt his chin rest on the top of her head.

"So I returned to the house where I had dropped you off. I wasn't quite sure how you would react to me, and I nearly walked off as I waited for the door to open." He had stopped stroking her black hair and had placed his hands gently on her back.

"I'm sure you could imagine my surprise to the welcome I received from you and your mother." Dawn smiled at the memory.

"You hid it very well back then." Dawn murmured and Zero snickered silently. "It feels like a whole month ago but it was only this morning..." Zero nodded in agreement.

"I went along with you today and met other people for the first time. I heard my own story from someone else's mouth. And, most importantly I believe, you stayed right beside me the whole time." He paused for a moment and his grip tightened on her back. "I had many painful memories return and once again you sought me out. But I had to escape from your questions. From your voice and eyes. You wanted to know me in a way I had never thought possible from someone else."

"So you transformed...scaring all the people in the process." Dawn put in, thinking about the screams from at the time.

"That I did. But somehow you still prevailed. You still hunted and pursued me even in my Origin forme...And you let me break the curse that I had been bound into by that man so many years ago..." Dawn felt him shake his head in disbelief. "I still cannot believe it. And just when I had thought everything would return back to normal for me, you came looking for me once more." He gently tugged her away and looked her in the eye. "And you tell me that you feel happy just by seeing me. I cannot, just cannot express how that makes me feel!"

And Dawn, in a spur of the moment, simply leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth.

"...That's what I feel right now for you Zero." Dawn whispered to him as she pulled away. Zero didn't respond. Instead he pulled her forward again and gently rested his head against hers. He was smiling.

"I believe...that's how I feel as well. Although, I do not know what to call it..."

Dawn smiled and told him. "It's called love."

They remained head-to-head for a moment longer, enjoying the deep sense of peace and happiness they had found together.

Dawn's bag buzzed with a small tune, breaking the content silence between them.

"That might be my mother..." Dawn said as she reached around and rummaged in her bag. She glanced down at the text message and bit her lip.

"It's from mum." She read the message.

"What does it say? Do you have to go home?" Zero looked disappointed at that thought.

Dawn shook her head.

"No, she's asking...asking about you actually. Cynthia's at our house, wondering what you'll do next." Dawn said.

"What I'll do next?" Zero lent back on his hands and stared at the starry sky in thought. "Spend some more time with you if I can." Dawn's face reddened again, "I think though...I'll go and explore the world around me once more. See some sights and maybe meet some old friends of mine."

Dawn looked up from the message she had just sent back to see Zero's serious face level with her own. "Come with me, Dawn. I don't want you to leave me so soon. We'll see the world together!" He grabbed her motionless hands and squeezed. "Come with me, please!" Dawn watched Zero hunt her eyes for her answer. She spared him with a single nod.

"I'd like that. Spending time with you." Dawn shut her eyes and smirked. "My mother was wondering when I'd go on a journey. I suppose I was waiting for the right time. With you." Dawn opened her eyes and smiled brightly at Zero.

"Thank you Dawn. Again. For everything." Zero stood up and offered a hand down to Dawn. She took it.

Zero bent his head towards her and she righted herself.

"...I love you." Blinking in surprise, Dawn replied. "I love you...as well." She knew her face was red. She was still a little surprised at her own daring.

She picked up the Griseous Orb that had almost been forgotten and placed it in her bag, grabbing her boots along the way.

"Let's head back to your house shall we? Maybe we'll leave in the morning." Zero suggested as he started towards the nearby trees towards the town. Dawn took one last glance around her, marvelling at the pristine beauty that the clearing held. She turned back to Zero.

"Alright. Let's go!" Clasping Zero's hand in hers, they headed into the trees and onwards into a new journey.

I'd just like to thank every single reviewer, alerter and favouriter of this story. It's been a long run for me with this one, and I know I've made plenty of people impatient with this chapter. I did enjoy writing it though...I hope you enjoyed reading it! Cheers!