The city of Slateport is the jewel of the Hoenn Region. It may not be as big or exciting as Mauville, but every tourist to the Tropical Isles begins their adventure at the bustling Slateport marina. James King was no different. He was a young man, aged 18, and he had sought adventure all his life. He was, however, somewhat different to the other young boys and girls who now stood around him, waiting to step foot onto the pier. James was born and raised in Littleroot Town, a tiny village in the heart of Hoenn, and was accustomed to the warm climate. Unlike the two girls in front of him, who he chuckled at quietly to himself as they complained of the humidity. James hated the cold. He hated it with a passion. The girls in front of him kept complaining how hot and sticky they were, which only made James chuckle more. A sharp whistle pierced the air, and the line started to shuffle forward. Before he knew it, James had stepped foot onto the long wooden pier of Slateport City. He had not been back in his home region for 5 years. After finally earning his parents permission to set out on his Pokemon adventure, James hadn't looked back. He had jumped from region to region, earning several gym badges, until he came to the Unova Region. On a visit to Undella Town, James had a chance encounter with the Pokemon League Champion, Cynthia, who offered him the chance to become her apprentice. 4 years of training later, he had decided that he was ready to make his mark on the world, and had set off on the first boat home. It was here that he now found himself, standing in front of the hulking, pearlescent white ship. He checked his Pokedex for the time; 12:04pm. He grabbed his duffel bag, slung his backpack over his shoulders once more and joined the crowd of people streaming into the city over the golden sands of Slateport Beach.

James found himself a bus station and sat down under the shelter. Several other people hovered around him, all looking to catch busses to different corners of the region. "Excuse me-" a friendly voice called out from behind him. He turned and looked over his left shoulder. The first thing James noticed was the girls hair. It was blue. She had an adorable face, with a smile to match, and as his eyes looked her up and down (from safely behind his dark wayfarer sunglasses) he couldn't help but notice her perfect legs. She wore a short, snow-white sundress.

"Can you help me? I need a bus to Littleroot Town, but I can't even find it on the map!" She grinned sheepishly. "Would you mind?" Her crystal blue eyes sparkled.

James grinned, and ran his hand through his messy, honey-brown hair. "Actually I can, I'm catching that bus too." The girl beamed at him.

"Fantastic!" She came and sat at the bench next to him. "My name is Dawn! Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you Dawn." James flashed his signature smile, showing off his perfect white teeth. "My name is James."

It was only once they got onto the bus and sat down next to each other that James noticed Dawn's backpack was slightly ajar. On closer inspection, a sleeping Piplup was curled up inside amongst all of her things. Over the course of a 45 minute bus ride, James learnt a lot about Dawn. She was from the Sinnoh Region, as he had guessed from the sleeping Piplup in her bag. She was a coordinator like her mother, and a good one judging by the ribbons she showed him. She was staying with a friend in Littleroot for a few days over christmas. James smiled and listened. He was a good listener. Dawn was a confident, friendly, interesting girl, and James enjoyed her company. As they arrived at their stop and exited the bus, Dawn's Piplup stirred from her backpack. He held out his little flipper to shake James' hand, and Dawn giggled. A warm tropical breeze blew the tall grass ever so gently as the two teens walked down the old beaten path, still deep in conversation. They finally reached the top of the hill, and as he listened to Dawn talk about her adventures a familiar site greeted James King. His hometown of Littleroot was visible in a large clearing beneath them, surrounded on all sides by large, luscious forests. Paths winded in several directions through the trees. The tiny cluster of houses he had known as a child had expanded greatly. There were plenty more houses, a few shops, and the old Pokemon Lab was looking substantially bigger than he remembered. Dawn stood next to him as she too admired the view.

"This place looks a lot bigger than I remember." James told her.

Dawn looked at him with a curious smile. "How long has it been since you've seen your parents?"

He sighed. "5 years."

"Come on then. I bet they are dying to see you."

With sudden pep in her step, Dawn headed down the path towards town. James could only shrug and follow his blue-haired new friend.

As the pair strolled though the small, quaint town of Littleroot, James took in his surroundings. Some things had changed dramatically, and some things looked as if they had been frozen in time. It was not until he was nearing his house that he could figure out how much of the town had been newly developed. There were several new houses only a few hundred metres or so from his. Before long, a familiar face presented itself to him. James had caught and raised a Cinccino several years ago while in Unova, and had sent it home to help his mother and Father with things around the house. Now, the same little excited Pokemon was bouncing over to greet him. "Hey buddy!" The little normal type leapt into James' awaiting arms with a squeak. After a few seconds of embracing, Cinccino noticed Dawn smiling at him. "Hi! I'm Dawn!" Piplup waved from Dawn's shoulder as she leant over to say hello. Cinccino waved back. James' mother must have noticed that her little helper was missing, because she suddenly appeared at the front door.

"James!" She shouted, smiling happily at the return of her son.

"I'd better be off then James." Dawn turned to her new friend.

"Are you sure? Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"

Dawn giggled. "Maybe another time." She winked at him. "No doubt i'll see you plenty while i'm here!"

He smiled. "I'm sure you will. You are welcome to come and visit any time."

Dawn smiled back and him, before leaning over to hug him. James blushed, and hugged her back. The two parted, waved each other goodbye, and set off in opposite directions. James' mother was waiting at the door, smirking.

"Who was that?"

James went pink again. "A girl I met on the bus. Her name is Dawn."

He embraced his mother. "It's good to see you James, i've missed you."

"I've missed you too Mom."

"Welcome home."