Hey guys! This is my first fanfic on here, so I hope you enjoy!

EDIT 8/21/2012: I have started editing all my work so that the story may be more enjoyable! This includes grammar and spelling corrections. As of today, I have started on the sequel to this!

EDIT 7/1/2014: Two years! The sequel will continue as planned. I did not expect it to take as long as it did, but it will be posted soon! Continuing edits will be made.

EDIT 7/26/2016: Another two years have gone by! The sequel is currently on hiatus. Edits and updates to the sequel will continue.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or characters in any way. All rights go to the Pokémon Company.

Sleepless Nights On Lake Valor: A Pearlshipping Fan-Fic

Chapter 1: Overnight at Lake Valor

Dawn's Point of View

I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night and found my arm outstretched—pointing toward Ash's bed as if I were yearning for him in my sleep. I checked my Pokétch for the time. The green, blocked letters read 3:00 am. The sun hadn't come up yet, and it was pitch black in the room. Light was only visible through the window, coming from the moon and the far-off glare of Veilstone City. I could hear Ash and Brock's quiet snores and the waves crashing against the shore of Lake Valor.

Suddenly, feelings of anxiety that I'd been suppressing for weeks started to resurface. Well, the Grand Festival was only two days away... I looked for my ribbon case in the dark, but my efforts were fruitless at first. The darkness was disorienting, but I remembered placing it on top of the desk to the right side of my bed before falling asleep. Steadily, albeit clumsily, I felt around for the desk's ridges, its handle, and then its surface.

Aha, finally—my ribbon case.

Holding the case up in my hands, I opened it to see five ribbons, their colors evident in the moonlight—gold centers with hints of green, blue, pink, purple and red.

To be honest with myself, the Grand Festival wasn't the only thing I was anxious about. Lately, I'd been acting weirdly around the guys, especially Ash. I really didn't know why. He's just so smart, funny, cool, and determined. I suppose I sorta liked that... whoa. Where was I going with this? These thoughts revolved in my mind for a while before I decided to go outside for some fresh air. Maybe that would help clear things up.

I carefully turned on the small desk light and twisted the adjustment knob once to make sure the light wouldn't be too bright. Then I quickly went to the bathroom, making sure to lock the door, and changed from my pajamas into my black top, pink skirt, and the white beanie I always wore—my usual outfit. I came back out and removed my slippers, exchanging them for my pink boots. When I was ready, I looked at my Pokétch again. 3:10 am. Good, it only took 10 minutes. I turned off the light and crept on my tip-toes to the bedroom door. When I got to the door, I opened it slowly and it creaked! I tried to keep myself from shrieking. Suddenly I heard a snore. Ash.

I started to laugh, but quickly covered my mouth with my hands to keep myself from being too loud. Can't blame me, though! He sure has a cute snore—hey! I was going off on a tangent again. The floorboards creaked as I made my way out the door. I walked through the dimly lit hallway, my eyes still adjusting to the darkness. I then increased in pace as I entered the kitchen.

Before going outside, I felt the need to make myself a Cheri Berry iced tea. I grabbed some Cheri Berries from the fridge and some iced tea mix. I mixed the Cheri Berries, iced tea mix, and some Fresh Water together in a carafe. After pouring myself a cup and taking a few sips, I put the leftover ingredients away and headed out the door to the front porch. I had some thinking to do.