Pokémon, Ash Ketchum, Dawn, Pikachu, Misty and all other related characters are property of their respective authors (which I guess are Satoshi Tajiri and Nintendo). This is a work of fiction.
Pokémon – One more High Five
Dawn – The end of a thing, the beginning of another
Pallet Town-Viridian City Train Station
Its nighttime and nobody is around. The train has just arrived, and from it, a Pokémon and a young woman in her early twenties come down. The girl carries a big bag, which with great effort she moves down the transport and puts it on the floor near the exit. While she walks, limping can be seen in her right leg.
"We're here, at last", She says, enthusiastically. "I hope he's at home". Smiles while thinking of him, her best friend. Her smile is quickly replaced by a sigh, while her hands accommodate her blue hair behind her neck. "He's probably with her, though". States while looking at her partner, a little blue penguin. "Anyways, I can't wait to tell him that I came up on eight position at the great Kalos festival". Tries to cheer up herself, while her Piplup partner turns its eyes to the ground, saddened with what her master just said. "What a way to finish my coordinator career, don't you think?" Piplup just walks to the exit. "Hahahaha, what a wrong way to lose a contest". The master laughs with one hand behind her head, closing her eyes for a moment.
Piplup feels the sadness in its master's voice. It has been like that since that day. And all was its own fault, because its weakness as her starter Pokémon. Each time it remembers that contest, it can hear her cries of pain and frustration, and its feelings of guilt over it just grow stronger.
"No need to worry". The master tries to cheer up herself again. Even if she is being overwhelmed by sadness, she won't give up. She might have given up on contests, but not on her happiness. What happiness can come if she can't do what she likes anymore? That question pops up on her mind time to time. The bandage on her right leg acts as a witness of what happened, and as a reminder of what she won't be able to do anymore. She can't forget that, but now it's not the time for being depressed. She has come all the way to Pallet Town, and won't settle for showing him nothing less than her best smile.
"Come on, Piplup, let's find Ash's house". She says while opening her pink umbrella. She takes her bag and walks limping down the ramp. Her loyal Pokémon follows. The sky looks clouded, and rain begins to fall.
XXXXXXXXXX
"This doesn't have to be this way"
A reluctant voice can be heard among the silent and cloudy evening. Clouds of rainstorm make themselves heard through thunders in the distance. The wind blows cold, moving the grass at their feet. A couple is standing on a bridge at the lake on the road between the newly opened direct path between Pallet and Cerulean, were a no-stops bus can be taken to arrive at the destination terminal in a matter of minutes. The girl, a redhead, shows a distressed expression, hugging herself while avoiding his gaze. A Pikachu looks at them from a Rock nearby, knowing that right now is best not to interfere. In a similar situation is her Corsola, whom with a sad expression, cannot do more than to hide in the nearby water and wait for her master to come back at him.
"No, Misty. This time… it has to be this way. I must go". He answers, not capable to look at her eyes either. In his visual range only is her yellow shirt, and the lower half of her red hair, to which he is very used to. They usually argue a lot. A very lot of lots, but she knows this time is different. In her heart there is a frustration that has never been there before. She clenches her fists strongly while giving him a serious look, letting her anger take care of the situation.
"But… Ash… I…" She says, her eyes soaked with tears. What is happening is real. Her dream came true after too many years, and now is ending again. Ash is throwing her to the side because of his never ending dream of becoming a Master, not caring about anything or anyone, as always. Her emotions overwhelm her again and the rage takes over. "Ok, Ash Ketchum! If you are that fixated on chasing such a stupid dream, so be it!" She stomps the ground with her feet and advances towards his direction, pushing him back. "Go and live again your childish dream, but you're nothing but a child!" He pushes him again, crying, while rain falls on both of them. "You had a chance here! You could've been someone! Even a gym leader if you wanted to!" Her words alone make him flinch, stepping back a little. Misty's anger increases even more, the red on her cheeks more prominent. "But you chose to be a loser! Going again and again to each league without winning anything even once!" Her words cut through him like steel. "You're such a big fool". Says coldly. He still doesn't answer. She gets angry again and slaps him with her right hand. "The biggest fool ever, that's what you are".
The rain increases and both get very wet quickly. Misty cries loudly, her anger now sadness, hitting him on his chest, each hit weaker, until stopping completely, resting her head on him. He finally reacts, making her step back a little to look him at the eyes.
"A stupid dream, huh?" He answers, pondering her words. Misty looks at him, knowing those words were the worst possible to say to him, but also realizing that it is already too late to apologize. Ash sighs, while the rain baths them both intensely. "It might be a stupid dream after all". He says, hardening the look on his eyes. A fake smile appears on his lips, barely covering the fact that the youth is about to cry. "… But in the end… even if it is a stupid one… it is my dream." Realizes while Misty looks at him in shock. "Ten years ago, when we first met, I told you the same thing, and that hasn't changed since then. I will be a Pokémon Master". His eyes now reflect the sadness of accepting what has come to an end. "But then again, you're right in something: it is my dream, not yours". Misty's eyes open wide while she listens to his words. "What I can promise you is that I will be the very best Pokémon Master." He takes a Pokeball from his belt and shows it to her, serious. She gets upset and knocks the ball from his hand.
"Such a stupid boy, indeed". She says while crying, frustrated. "Good look in your travels" says while her expression changes to melancholic. "I just have one request".
"… Sure" Ash says, looking at her.
"Please… don't ever look for me again. I don't want to see you anymore."
"…."
She turns her back at him, takes a Pokeball from her pouch and calls back her Corsola to it. Then walks away to the road to the bus station. While she walks, Ash tries to extend his arm towards her to stop her, but his feet don't move, and his voice doesn't come out. In a matter of seconds, Misty vanishes from sight.
"Don't… leave my side…" The words finally articulate in his mouth, but is too late. Only he and Pikachu are in the scene, the latter covering himself from the water using a leaf he found nearby. The Pokémon trainer stands still, deciding whether he should chase her or not. "Pikachu" Says while addressing his partner. "If I go get her now…" He stops mid-sentence, clean his tears with his arm and smiles at his friend.
"Pikapi…" Answers the mouse. Ash sighs again, and looks back at him, not smiling anymore.
"It doesn't matter anymore. Let's go home". Pikachu climbs to his right shoulder. "Who needs girls anyways? Hahahhaahahaha" Laughs forcibly, to which his Pokémon reacts with another sigh. "You know what? Let's go to another region, just you and me, like the old times…" Tears are flowing through his cheeks again, without him even realizing it. When did he stop being that dense child? Those tears mix with the rainwater falling on his face. "She's such a crazy girl, always angry…" He lowers his face while looking at the raindrops fall on the soil. "I think I will be better without her. She didn't even go to see me at the tournaments anymore, like she used to do" His voice now hesitant. "But… you know…" He stops mid-sentence. Remembers the time when, after Brock finally made him notice Misty's feelings, he decided to finally give the step. It was shortly after he came back from placing 8th on the Indigo League regional tournament. That was 5 years ago, when he was sixteen and she was seventeen.
"Misty, I want to be a Pokémon Master" His words seemed pretty usual to her, just the same Pokémon Master stuff.
"Yeah, so what?" She answered back then.
"You know…" He said, flustered. Misty became interested and decided to tease him a bit.
"No, I don't know. What is it?" She leaned on him, making him blush. Being adolescent was a great thing for her.
"I… I want you to…"
"… You want me to…?" –She followed.
"I want you to be by my side when I make it" He said, while looking at her blue eyes.
"Well, I was planning to be, even if you didn't request for it" Her voice a little disappointed.
"No, that's not what I meant." He gathered courage and looked at her again. "I want you… to be… my…. Dang! You know what I mean!" Finished, nervous. She looked at him, perplexed. Nobody said nothing for a couple of minutes, until she finally realized that it was a serious request, blushing tremendously.
"I… er… Well…" Her hesitation crumbling Ash's resolution. She finally calmed down and smiled back at him. "…Yes, Ash Ketchum. I will be your girlfriend". Both smiled gently. "I never, ever thought than the hyper dense Ash Ketchum would finally see what he had in front of him this whole time" Said jokingly. "I will always be by your side, Ash". Her hand reached his, and their lips came near each other…
Now, five years later, it is the same dream the one that takes them apart. While he walks through the road on his way back to Pallet, he reminisces about the smile that he won't be seeing from now on. At the same time, he remembers the feeling of hearing the words that another girl used to say, a phrase that he now needs very much. Words that he hasn't heard since a long time, and that keep alive a little hope, forgotten since a long time ago.
"No need to worry"
The voice of that girl sounds in his head while he repeats her catchphrase. "No need to worry." He imagines her with her white hat on, near him, smiling. They saw each other for the last time long ago. She used to send him letters regularly, but when he told her that he and Misty got together, that "regularly" became "seldom". And that seldom stopped altogether two years ago, with the last letter telling him that she was going to participate in the Kalos Grand Festival, but never got a follow-up letter to let him know how it went. She didn't reply letters or e-mails anymore, and when he tried to contact her by phone, a simple reply by Johana was enough for him to stop trying.
"She says hello, but is away in a travel and won't be coming back soon".
He hung up and realized that maybe she got angry with him because of the thing with Misty, but there was no way to know. Did Dawn really think of him that way? He himself wasn't sure of how he felt towards her, but did know that thinking of her and being together made him happy.
But that stopped. And now Misty is gone too. The only thing left is a never-ending rain, his loyal Pikachu and a dream that every time looks farther and farther away.
"A stupid dream!"
Misty's words cleave through his ears. He remembers her, telling him that, her voice filled with resentment and pity. "I guess there's no turning back with her". Those feelings permeate his cool, shaking her resolution and bringing a feeling of distrust in himself that never felt before.
"Maybe… just maybe… she's right…" Says, his eyes darkened by the shadow of his cap.
"Pika…" His friend tries to cheer him up, but doesn't know how, so he just climb to his shoulder.
"Thank you, Pikachu. Let's go home and rest." He responds showing a fake smile, on that Pikachu inmediately sees through, but doesn't say anything. Suddenly, the silent rain is pierced by the sound of an old fashioned villain theme. Ash and Pikachu look up and find the usual Team Rocket's air balloon, with his usual enemies on it.
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!" Says the now-over-35 year old couple.
"Argh! There's no time for you now!" Ash interrupts them, angry. Jessie stops mid-air and catches a glimpse of the twerp's face, noticing his tears.
"The… twerp is…" She says, but before they can do anything else, Pikachu jumps to them, commanded by his enraged trainer.
"Pikachu, Thunder!" Orders angrily. Pikachu bursts out electricity and calls up for a thunder from the rain they're under. A flash of lighting comes from the sky, overcharging the mouse, in front of a scared team Rocket.
"PIKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" The blast destroys the balloon and electrocutes them again, sending them flying through the sky.
"Team Rocket blasting off again!" They yell while flying, until they become a shining star on the sky.
"WOOOOOBUFETT!" The blue Pokémon's scream can be heard in the distance. Pikachu lands back on his master's head, while he clenches his fists, having relieved somehow his pain with attacking the old trio.
"What's up with them? It's been more than 10 years and they're still at it." Says while looking at the sky.
"Wow, that was a very impressive thunder attack" A voice comes from behind. Ash and Pikachu quickly turn over to check who's there, finding what is seems to be person covered with a black hood.
"Who are you?" He asks, putting on guard.
"Impressive indeed. I haven't seen such a powerful Thunder since the one from Master Red's Pikachu". Continues the person, as if Ash weren't there.
"Red…" That name is familiar to him. Oak once told him about Red, the legendary Pokémon trainer, a legend of many feats. He tried to have the professor tell him more about him, but he always changed the subject. He didn't know he had a Pikachu too. "So what? Tell me who are you!" Insists Ash, his eyes filled with anger.
"Ah, that's a good look on your eyes. I have been watching you, and from what I can tell, you're just another mediocre trainer wannabe, but you will fulfill your role when Master Yellow decides so."
"Yellow…" That's an unfamiliar name to him.
"So, I will come back for you when the time comes, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town." Declares while turning his back on him. Ash doesn't miss his chance and has Pikachu go for him.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Declares, while his Pokémon runs at full speed to the shadow and tries to ram it, just to go through it, as if he wasn't there. "What?" Says the trainer, looking at the vanishing black figure.
"We'll meet again." Declares before disappearing.
"Mediocre trainer wannabe." The figure's last words resonate in his head again. Maybe because of what Misty said to him, but what just happened has left him even angrier than before. He tries to run in the dark towards the way the person left, but trips on a rock and hits the ground with his face. The rain continues to fall, and the mud formed by the water and soil now covers his whole body.
"Back in the mud again, huh?" He says to himself, not trying to get up. Pikachu comes near him, angry and about to say something, but stops to stare at the people they have in front now. "What's the matter now, Pikachu?" He asks, while finally trying to get on his feet, but an unexpected voice freezes him on his place.
"Piplup!" The familiar voice of her Pokémon surprises him, but becomes even more surprised at hearing the next voice.
"Ash?" He begins to wonder is he fell unconscious when he hit the ground, because right now, Dawn is in front of his eyes.
"Dawn…" Says her name in a tiny voice. The young woman, covering herself from the rain with a pink umbrella and carrying a big bag, stares at him, surprised.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Two years ago
"Now it's the turn for Dawn! This 19-years old Pokémon coordinator comes from Twinleaf Town, and brings a show she prepared with her very own starter Pokémon, Piplup!" The announcer says while Dawn appears on scene with Piplup, greeting with both hands, wearing a pink long dress, and her long hair tied on a ponytail.
"What do you think about this contestant, mister?" Another announcer asks.
"Well, she is the daughter of the legendary Johanna, so I guess we can expect nothing less of a great performance. When her mother won the Grand Festival, she was her same age." Explains while Dawn does some exercises with Piplup on stage before starting. "But let's ask Johanna herself, who is our guest for today's event". The camera shows Dawn's mother sitting next to the two announcers.
"Well, she has been training a lot. Since she started her career when she was ten, she has had many positive influences and experiences, and the result is that she's now here, at the Grand Kalos festival. But no one, never should take for granted anything, especially a Pokémon coordinator." Explains the mother, with a serious expression. Both announcers look at her and then return to narrate the event. The nurse Joy is giving the signal for her to begin.
"It looks that the judges authorized the presentation!"
"It's up to Dawn to do her thing now! She has quite a fandom here in Kalos, and it shows!" The camera pans to the crowd, cheering for her. Many cameras and flashes cover the scenario where the blue haired girl is now standing. She takes a deep breath and prepares to start.
"Piplup! Do the Bubble beam with Hydro pump combo!" She orders him, while the Pokémon jumps into the air. Johanna stands up with a worried expression.
"Dawn…" She says in a whisper. "Take care…"
Piplup jumps shrouded by liquid stream, firing Bubble beams around him, injecting them with water and making them denser and heavier.
"What's wrong?" Asks one of the announcers to the mother, who sits down and tries to explain, without taking her eyes of her daughter.
"That move…" Johanna explains with a worried expression. "The Pokémon must create a lot of bubbles with massive density and throw them to the stage, and then fire a Hydro Pump attack to make them explode, creating shockwaves of water that expand to form rainbows with the light of the place.
"That sounds nice" Says one of them.
"But…?" Intersects the other.
"But if Piplup misses, then all those attacks will only have one destination…" Both of the announcers realize with horror what Johanna means.
"… The stage where Dawn is"
"This appeal needs total and complete confidence and trust in her Pokémon. I don't doubt the abilities of Piplup, but…" Thinks the mother while looking at the little Penguin. "His body…"
Dawn commands Piplup to make the next move, and while doing so, looks at an empty seat among the crowd, imagining Ash cheering for her.
"This is for you, Ash" Dawn thinks. "You taught me to always give my very best, so I won't hold back!" looks at her partner. "Piplup! Hydro Pump!"
The water Pokémon fires its attack, but the pressure from having just created the bubbles and then firing its strongest attack takes a toll on its body, and becomes unable to control the strength of the attack, being pushed back by it and missing the angle. Dawn is standing in the middle of the stage, smiling, but doesn't realize what happened until the powerful stream of water is about to hit her, all within a couple of seconds.
"Dawn!" Her mother stands up and begins running to the stage. Everything goes in slow motion, painted in red. The Hydro Pump hits Dawn in her right leg, crushing it with such force that makes her bounce against the floor, and sends her flying to the bubbles, making them explode against her, throwing her to the floor again, where she lands with her right knee in front, breaking it and her entire leg, making a hollow sound.
"Gahhh…." Her voice is consumed by the pain, and the now unfocused bubbles begin to fall on top of her, like if a dozen of bowling balls, breaking many of her bones. Her last thought before losing consciousness to the pain is her last high five with Ash. "I just wanted you to…" She loses all her senses. After that, a series of unfocused memories follows, with no place and no order in time, only black and shadows everywhere.
"Her leg… it won't be the same again. It broke in many parts" A doctor says.
"I don't think she will be able to participate in a contest the same way she used to…" The nurse Joy explains while she lowers her head.
"I WANNA WALK! I WANT TO BE THE SAME AS BEFORE!" Hears herself crying, while her mom hugs her.
"You will walk, but it won't be the same for now." Another voice pops up. "The rest of your bones are almost fully healed, but that leg will take a lot more of work". Her world was crushed once again in that moment.
"My leg…"
"Dawn"
"I… will quit being a coordinator." She said. Johanna was stunned at the declaration, but couldn't do anything but to agree.
"Yes… I understand."
"But that doesn't mean I'm done. When I get strong enough to walk by myself again, there's someone I want to go see.
"You mean… to travel? By yourself?" Asked her mother, worried. Dawn, sitting on her bed, with her leg still covered in plaster, gives a nod.
"But…"
"Please, mom. I want to see…"
XXXXXXXXX
"Ash…" Dawn's voice breaks the yet again silent night. Pikachu and he just stare at them.
"Pikapi… Pikapika!" Pikachu runs towards them, greets Piplup and then jumps into Dawn's arms, giving her a hug.
"I missed you too, Pikachu" She says while smiling, then looks at Ash again. "Ash! I wanted to see you!" exclaims happily, trying to walk to him without having him noticing her limping. Her happy face and that aura of likeness to him leave no doubt. She is Dawn, and she is in front of him once again, just in time.
"Dawn…" Just saying her name makes him lose control of all his emotions, as if he didn't need to do that with her. She arrives at his side while he promptly stands up, and the two stare at each other for a moment.
"Wow, you're such a mess right now." Declares jokingly. Ash catches a glimpse of the still persistent bandaged aid on her leg, but doesn't give much attention, choosing to hug her instead, making her umbrella fall to the ground.
"Dawn…" Whispers while crying silently. Dawn blushes, but chooses not to ask anything yet.
"No need to worry" She whispers back. "Everything will be alright" says as if not only speaking to him, but to herself too. Ash is now by her side, the strength she needed, and the answer she is looking for is in front of her. She wonders if this path will take her somewhere, but right now really doesn't care. She hugs him strongly, closing her eyes and repeating her mantra. "No need to worry…"
The two hug silently for a long time. Pikachu and Piplup stand by their side, the latter still guilty over what happened to her master. And so, the four figures are engulfed by the night, while the rain finally stops, along with the rain on Ash's heart, thanks to the umbrella brought by the blue haired girl.
XXXXXXXXXXX
A Steelix crashes against the ground of the Pewter Gym, defeated. His master, Brock, the Gym leader, watches in horror as the shadowy figure walks towards him.
"You… what do you want from me?!" Asks, scared. The figures pulls out a green orb from his hood, showing it to the victim.
"I want… your mirror."
"Mirror?" Asks Brock, surprised by the answer received. Seconds after, a light can be seen in the distance. Brock falls unconscious to the ground, and the attacker now holds what looks like the Boulder Badge in his hands.
"Now, if I'm not mistaken, the next one is the Cerulean Gym… Misty the mermaid". Says with smacking lips. "Master Yellow will be happy with so many Kanto mirrors, fufufu." Declares happily. The next moment, no one is around.
To be continued.
Next chapter, Ash takes Dawn to his house and Delia has a chat with her, while she tries to hide her leg problem from Ash. Meanwhile, the Cerulean Gym is attacked! Misty stands up to battle using her pride as the best Water Pokémon trainer as her weapon, hiding the sorrow that stems from her fight with Ash, which might become her weak point…
Next chapter: Mirror! Attack on the Cerulean Gym!
"I will be the very best!"
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Okay, that's it. This is my first English fanfic, so please be kind to me, fufufu. I'm making this fic as an exercise to improve my writing, but I'm also a big Pokémon fan (and Dawn's fan), so any reviews are much appreciated. I also like Pokeshipping, so the fic will always flow between the two, even if Pearlshipping is my OTP. Anyways, please leave a review if you liked it.
See you around!