Hey everybody, what's up? So this is going to be my last update for a while, since I've got finals coming up and as much as I love writing, I also love a school leaving certificate. Anyway, this was originally going to be a two-part chapter, but I'm turning it into just one long one.
Please enjoy!
It had been a week ever since Ash accepted Dawn's offer to go live with her in Sinnoh and to leave Kanto behind. The pair had already told Ash's mom Delia as well as professor Oak. Both of which were saddened,but knew that the young man needed to follow his own path. In all honesty they were more surprised that Dawn had offered up her spare bedroom so quickly.
Ash had already sent in his application to be a frontier brain in Sinnoh. The Sinnoh pokemon head; Barry ( yes the same one ), happily accepted Ash's application and had even offered for him a space in the Elite 4 as he was more than happy to boot out Bertha.
Whilst Ash could almost leave the region there was only one problem.
Most of Ash's friends lived in Kanto and he refused to leave before saying goodbye to all of them.
Originally, he was going to travel to all of their homes and say goodbye there, but Kanto wasn't exactly small.
It was due to this that Dawn came up with the idea of hosting a party to say goodbye to all of Ash's friends as a group.
Naturally Ash was originally opposed to this; he felt that since he had special memories with all of them, they all deserved individual goodbyes.
Eventually Dawn got him to come around to her way of thinking ( she was nothing if not persuasive).
This led to them turning on of professor Oak's fields into an outdoor venue complete with a makeshift bar.
The field was usually used to store Ash's pokemon, but Ash had already sent them to professor Rowan in Sandgem town.
-x-
'' What a pretty field'' Dawn marveled, as the pair began to set up fairy lights.
'' Yeah. You wanna hear a secret?''
'' Sure.''
'' I always had a weird fanatasy about getting married here.''
'' Really?'' Dawn said coyly.
'' Yeah, I know, nothing sadder than a grown man planning his wedding in his head.''
'' Actually I think its cute.''
Ash cocked his head in Dawn's direction. '' Are you drunk?''
'' Rude'' Dawn playfully breathed as she hung up the last of the lights.
'' I wouldn't say rude, more like...insensitive'' came a familiar voice from behind Dawn.
'' Misty! Hi'' Dawn embraced the redhead in a hug.
'' Hey Ashy boy, you going to say hello or do I have to bring out Umbreon?'' Gary called from Misty's side.
'' Sorry!'' Ash called, running to his old rival.
'' Not that I'm complaining but when does the bartender get here? I want to challenge your boyfriend to a drinking contest'' Gary winked at Dawn.
'' He's not my boyfriend/she's not my girlfriend!'' Ash and Dawn protested at the same time.
'' The bartender gets here in 10 minutes Misty'' came another familiar voice.
The voice belonged to professor Oak, who had happily allowed Ash and Dawn to use his now vacant field. Next to him was Delia, who put on a brave face, even though her only child was about to move away from her.
'' Hey mom'' Ash embraced his mother in a hug.
'' Hi'' she said, blankly.
'' Professor Oak! So good to see ya'' Dawn shook the older man's hand.
'' Likewise, how goes the coordinating?''
'' Not bad, although I am getting a bit bored with it.''
'' Wait, what?'' Ash asked.
'' Hey look, the grand 3 are here!'' Dawn changed the subject, pointing to the final 3 members of the ensemble; Tracey, his wife Daisy ,Brock and his wife Autumn.
'' Brock-o'' Ash greeted his friend.
'' Ash. Good to see you.''
'' Thanks. Hey Autumn, been a while'' Ash greeted the darker redheaded woman.
'' Yeah it has. Before you ask, I'm not a maid anymore. In fact I own that kitchen now'' Autumn announced with pride.
'' Wow, that's cool'' Ash commented.
'' Earth to Ash, I exist too '' Tracey called.
'' Huh?'' hey Trace. Its been a while.''
'' Yeah, weird considering the Battle Fortress isn't exactly far from the lab'' Tracey commented.
'' Hehe. Well, ya know…challengers.''
'' Hey Ash, who's this?'' Dawn asked, coming away from her catch-up with Misty.
'' Oh sorry, Dawn this is my friend Tracey. He's a pokemon watcher and a handyman.''
'' Freelance, handyman'' Tracey corrected. '' I'm not certified.''
'' Still, he does great work. You know the bolts above the fortress's entrance?'' Ash asked, looking at Dawn.
'' Yeah?''
'' Tracey. The guy can fix anything.''
'' Stop. You're embarrassing me'' the pokemon watcher chuckled.
That was how most of the night went, laughs, stories and endless fun.
Eventually though, Dawn was caught sitting on a nearby fence by her redheaded friend.
'' Sitting away from people? That's not the Dawn I know.''
'' Hey Misty. Guess I can't really believe he's leaving to come live with me.''
'' Because you like him?''
Dawn fell backwards with an audible thud. '' What? No! Maybe. Why? Who said anything?''
'' Easy'' Misty giggled. '' I can just tell is all. Afterall, I'm pretty sure he's into you as well.''
'' Really? I mean, how could you tell, that I liked him?''
'' Because I felt the same way for a while. I was convinced we'd be together, I know the look. If it helps you're the most forward of all the girls who've liked him.''
'' How's that?''
'' You've been spending almost all your time with him. You're really touchy feely with him and I've seen the way you look at him Even Serena was more subtle.''
'' Guess so. Whats her deal? Wasn't she obsessed with him?''
'' Oh yeah'' Misty nodded. '' According to Clemont, Serena almost had a shrine dedicated to him in her room back in Kalos.''
Dawn smiled. '' You think I have a shot?''
'' Oh definitely.''
'' Same reason as before?''
'' Mhm. Also he's been checking you out all night. My best friend is many things, subtle isn't one of them.''
'' Mhm, speak of the devil'' Dawn raced to Ash, the latter lifting her in a hug.
'' Hey. I'm about to bring up the news, you wanna do it with me?'' Ash asked.
'' Ow wo. Uhm...ok''
Great'' Ash grabbed Dawn's hand and practically dragged her to the center of the field, around them were the other guests, happily catching up and getting slightly drunk in the process.
'' Hey everyone'' Ash clinked his glass.
The group turned towards him.
'' So listen, this is probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make but…I'm leaving Kanto.''
This was met with horrified gasps.
'' As it turns out, Goodshow's been taking advantage of me and I'm not ok with that. Thankfully the Sinnoh League are happy to have me around and I'm going to be a Frontier Brain there. I just wanted to say goodbye to you all before we leave.''
'' We?'' Gary called.
'' Yep. I'm going to be living with Dawn.''
'' Subtle!'' Brock yelled, earning a shocked look from Autumn.
'' When do you leave?'' Misty asked.
'' Two weeks. Tomorrow I'm going into to the Indigo Plateau to hand in my notice.''
'' Here's to Ash. We'll miss you dude!'' Brock called.
'' Here here!'' came an echo.
-x-
'' You nervous?''
'' I guess. Not everyday you tell the people you dreamed of working for, your whole life that you quit, ya know?''
Ash and Dawn were at the Indigo Plateau, just as Ash had said; he was handing in his notice. Ash had been drafting the letter since he decided to move to Sinnoh with Dawn. This was definitely not going to be a pleasant experience.
'' Ash Ketchum, come on in'' Goodshow said, motioning his head from around the door.
Ash and Dawn came in and sat down.
'' Not often that you come here. Care for a scotch? Goldenrod city brew?''
'' Sir, its 9 in the morning.''
'' Pfft, who's counting. Now, what do you need?''
'' Well sir…I'm resigning.''
Goodshow, who had just poured himself a glass, spat it out in shock. '' Excuse me?! You're quitting, but you're the only one I know who'll work for so little- I mean, with so much experience.''
'' Sir, I'm living in squalor, you're obviously paying me less because I'm nice. Well, no more, I've been accepted as a Frontier Brain in Sinnoh. Their head; Barry Shon welcomed me with open arms.''
Goodshow slammed his fists onto the desk. '' Now you listen here whelp. I took you in when you had just won that Alola League. You're an amazing trainer for sure, but if you leave this place, I can find a hundred more like you.''
'' Go ahead'' Ash slammed the paper on the desk. '' I…quit! Oh and by the way. You look like Santa if he lived in his car'' Ash grinned as he and Dawn exited.
Dawn stayed silent for the rest of the walk out of the building. She more than liked Ash, she was in love with him.
And that's all folks. Thanks for reading, hope you're all enjoying September so far. And as per usual, stay safe and stay awesome!