A/N

For anyone that is coming from future installments of the Wings series, this story was the starting point of what was written. However, it does not need to be thought of as the beginning of the series itself. I personally consider this story to be more of a prequel to 'My Wings,' which provides some context to the way things work there. Since this was written years ago, the narrative focus of this story is very different when compared to its successor, but again, you will find context and clues to some subjects that are developing in 'My Wings.'

Thank you in advance if you've made the effort to go looking through these stories. I hope you enjoy what's ahead. So, with that, you may read.

Chapter 1

We all have a pair of wings.

Big or small, they're all the same.

Our wings take us to new heights, to our goals, our hopes…our dreams.

But then there's those of us who can't take flight. Their wings are bound up. They're stuffed into cages.

So, they raise their voices and await the day that they too, can take flight.

-X-X-X-X-X-

One choice, made in the fraction of a second. Thoughtless or premeditated, you did something.

Was it significant? Now that's the question.

To be honest, you won't really know. It's not until you're staring at the results of said decision that you finally realize what you've done.

With a glance around the barren walls of his room, this young man knew he could've made a better choice somewhere down the line. He sighed and readjusted himself on the stiff mattress which groaned in protest.

Now he had all the time in the world to figure out how he ended up here.

Friday, September 2nd

Consistency and excellence.

Darach polished the golden plaque that sat at the center of the kitchen island. He adjusted it slightly and watched as the light gleamed across it. With a breath, he straightened his posture and took a glance at the digital clock on the electric stove.

6:23am.

His first set of tasks was done, which afforded him some time to sit at the head of the dining table and pass the time. The owner of the home left the morning paper where he previously sat, and Darach took that as an invitation to see what left the man so irate during his breakfast. As he skimmed over the cover article, Darach raised his eyebrows.

The headline: Berlitz Shipping Yards suffers significant damage in recent Pokemon gang battles!

The article covered the aftermath of a Pokemon battle that took place downtown in the shipyards, with considerable damage done to a crane that was situated on one of the docks. There was an image that displayed the collapsed crane and splintered concrete around it.

As the servant of this home, Darach had a history with Pokemon who exercised grace, elegance, and most of all, self-control. But the image displayed in the newspaper illustrated the opposite end of the spectrum, though Darach was well aware of what could spark a conflict such as this.

Footsteps echoed through the corridor, and Darach folded the newspaper in anticipation of more company. He rose from his seat and returned to the island at the heart of the kitchen where he set down the paper. As he did so, a teenage girl jumped into the doorway of the kitchen where she struck a pose and flipped her long blue locks extravagantly.

"Good morning, Miss Dawn," Darach said with a small bow.

"Good morning," She replied before she took a new pose. "So, what do you think of this outfit?"

Darach cleared his throat. "Now Miss Dawn, you know our opinions tend to differ when it comes to the matter of dress and grooming," Darach pointed out.

"And that's exactly why I want to hear it," Dawn remarked "As a fashion designer, I need to hear other opinions to see how they can influence my work," She explained as she spun for him to complete his observations. "So come on, tell me what you think."

Darach rumbled his lips before he complied. Her clothes were nothing extraordinary, a bright blouse with a floral embroidery sewn around the collar and waist, which were neatly tucked into a pair of designer jeans.

"I suppose its…appropriate for your first day of school," Darach offered as an answer. Dawn pursed her lips, so he continued. "It should give a good first impression to your teachers and peers," His addition earned a smile from Dawn.

"Why thank you, Darach," Dawn said kindly as she joined him at the island. Despite the time of day, she went straight for the glass jar of lollipops.

"What have I told you about sweets in the morning, Miss Dawn?" Darach asked, his voice low.

His question didn't stop her from popping off the lid to reach in for the treats. "They're for later, geez Darach," Dawn answered as she pulled out a pair for herself. She decided to change the subject for Darach could press any further. "Did dad leave for work already?"

"Yes, Mr. Berlitz left early today. About ten minutes ago," Darach answered.

Dawn noticed the newspaper that Darach left on the counter and she quickly read the headline on the front. "I take it he wasn't happy after reading the paper?"

"He was…" Darach trialed off with an upward glance. The comments made by Mr. Berlitz were…less than pleasant. "Not pleased."

"Well, at least no one got hurt, right?" Dawn inquired.

Darach gave a nod. "There was no one manning that particular dock last night," He explained.

"What are you two talking about?" A new voice called out to the duo. It was the woman, Johanna Berlitz.

"Ah, Madam Berlitz, good morning," Darach said with a small bow to her.

"Morning mom," Dawn said. "Darach was just telling me about how upset dad was earlier," Dawn explained as her mother joined them at the island.

"Oh yes, I saw the paper before him this morning," Johanna said as she too reached into the lollipop jar. "I'm pretty sure that's why he left in such a blaze earlier."

"Madam, sweets in the morning?" Darach asked her with one eyebrow raised.

"Be quiet Darach, you know they're for later," Johanna snapped at him.

Darach snorted and looked away to conceal his smirk. The women of the house had an insatiable sweet tooth, one that they spared no expense when attempting to satisfy. Darach watched as the two of them exchanged a few words, flashing their teeth that were in perfect condition despite the amount of sweets that they ate.

"Are you ready to go, Dawn?" Johanna asked as she tucked away her treats into her pocketbook.

"I'm ready when you are," Dawn answered.

"Great, I've got the car out in the driveway already," Johanna said with a gesture for Dawn to follow her.

"Miss Dawn, would like some breakfast?" Darach called out to her.

"No worries, I can grab something at school," Dawn replied as she and Johanna waved to Darach.

Darach raised his brow as he realized that he was already alone, and it wasn't even seven o'clock yet. He listened as their footsteps faded down the corridor, and then he set his sights on the lollipop jar to scan its contents. Soon enough, his eyes settled on a green wrapper near the bottom, his favorite. He opened up the jar and dug in to retrieve his little treat, unaware of two pairs of eyes that watched him.

Johanna and Dawn peeked through the doorway of the kitchen to see Darach with the jar in one arm and using his free hand to rummage through the sweets.

"I knew it had to be Darach," Dawn whispered to her mother. Johanna winked at Dawn and then she began a countdown on her hand.

When the timer struck zero, Johanna opened her mouth. "Darach!" She barked suddenly. There was a gasp in the kitchen which was followed closely by the sound of glass shattering. "Darach, what was that?"

"No-nothing Madam!" He responded as he rushed off to retrieve a broom and dustpan.

Dawn and Johanna struggled to contain their laughter as ventured to the main foyer.

"I knew it," Dawn giggled. "I knew it had to be Darach taking all the green ones."

"Well, that's one mystery solved," Johanna remarked as the two of them reached their destination. Together they slipped into their shoes and Dawn snatched her backpack from the coat rack. With this being the first day of her senior year, she could travel with next to nothing. Just the way she liked it.

The mahogany wood of their front door glistened under the sunlight, though Dawn paid it no mind as she and her mother stepped outside. They followed the stone path to the driveway where a bright red convertible was waiting for them.

"Mom?" Dawn began as she looked at her mother. Johanna recognized that look, which was always followed by a request. "Can I drive?"

"Dawn, your father and I have already told you," Johanna began. Dawn knew what came next, and mouthed her mother's words with her. "After you graduated, we'll consider it."

"But mom," Dawn whined. "All of my friends have been driving since our junior year. I'm a senior now and I'm honestly like…the only person who's not driving yet."

"We've already discussed this, Dawn," Johanna stated as she got into the front seat of the car. "Just bear with it, it's only one more year."

"A whole year?" Her daughter exclaimed.

Johanna wrinkled her nose before she pointed to the empty passenger seat. "Dawn, stop being dramatic and get in the car."

Dawn circled the vehicle and took her place beside her mother. "I'm not being dramatic, I'm being realistic," Dawn explained. "What high school senior do you know that isn't driving?"

Johanna shot her a smirk. "I know you, don't I?" Dawn huffed before Johanna continued. "Besides, you're the only high school senior that I need to know."

Dawn groaned as she buckled her seatbelt. If there was any conceivable way to convince her parents to change this decision, Dawn hadn't thought of it yet. As far as she was concerned, nothing could prove to her parents that she was ready to drive.

"By why, mom?" Dawn didn't know when to give up. "It's not like I'm irresponsible. I get good grades and I never break curfew," Dawn pointed out as her mother started the engine and shifted the car into reverse.

"Dawn, you know what I'm going to say," Johanna stated as they reached the front gates of their property. As the car passed a sensor on the driveway, the gates separated to let them out onto the roadway. Diglett's Boulevard.

"But mom!"

Johanna turned on the raid to drown out the voice of her daughter. Once she reversed out into the empty street, Johanna waited a moment for the gates to close. She took the opportunity to glance at the golden plaque that was mounted on the stone column of the gate.

Berlitz Estate.

Glittering white sand on the beaches, fabulous weather, famous landmarks, the foundation for a cultural hub. Vermilion City offered all of that and the best part? It was like that year-round! Of course, Vermilion City also offered a strong public school system to prepare its youth to make the most of the many institutions that would be at their disposal.

North Vermilion High was considered the school the city had to offer, servicing students from all over the city. However, its location left a lot be desired. It sat within a cluttered cul-de-sac where parking was tight and first come, first served. Dropping off students was rough, and often took time if one arrived during the fifteen-minute rush before classes began.

Familiar with the process, Johanna and Dawn arrived early, which granted them a parking spot on the roadway. At the very least, Dawn would start off her 'last' first day of school without much of a hassle.

"You have money for lunch, right?" Johanna inquired. "And did you bring your supplies with you?"

"Mom," Dawn exclaimed. "We've been over this already! I have everything that I need," Dawn answered as she opened up the passenger door.

"I'm just making sure sweetie," Johanna sent a glance at Dawn. "I wouldn't want you to call me to bring you something like last year."

Dawn's cheeks turned pink. "That's only because I tried to leave extra early with dad last year!" She pointed out.

"And you learned your lesson, huh?"

"Yup, don't ever leave with dad," Dawn said as she shut the door. With what she hoped was one last wave to her mother, Dawn looked across the street to see her peers seated on the low wall that surrounded the school property. As Dawn made her way across the street, Johanna lowered the window on the driver's side with a grin.

"Have a good day sweetie," Johanna called out. "And don't forget that I love you!"

Dawn froze in the middle of the street as her face turned bright red. "Mom!" She shrieked as she swiveled on her heel to look back at her mother. Dawn wanted the conclusion to her high school life to be perfect, from beginning to end. That required a strong start, which was already ruined by her mother's antics. Dawn was positive that she could hear the students across the street snickering at her.

A car horn blared.

Johanna's eyes flashed straight to her side mirror. There was a car racing toward her daughter!

Dawn's feet were locked in place, her heart now firmly lodged in her throat. Tires screeched as the brakes were applied at full might. Even as the car slowed, they were too close…

The students on the sidewalk and wall all jumped to their feet with shouts for Dawn to move.

Johanna screamed as she reached for the door handle, but with the time available, she was too slow. Her heart sank as the realization set in that she couldn't do anything to save her daughter. But…there was someone who reacted fast enough. Johanna felt her car dip forward, and out of the corner of her eyes, she saw someone on the hood of her car.

A body suddenly lunged out at Dawn. Her body contorted in response to the sudden contact, and the wind was knocked out of her when she hit the ground. Dawn rolled twice before she settled on her side with a groan. Her hair was sprawled out, her blouse was torn and a dusting of gravel was on her clothing. But the worst of her pain was the scrap on her exposed forearm.

Dawn opened her eyes, and despite the haze that encroached her vision, she found herself staring at a boy. He laid beside her and their gaze was locked on the other. He spoke, but his voice was drowned out by the ringing in Dawn's ears. All she could do was try to read his lips.

Despite the driver's best efforts, his car finally came to a stop several feet beyond where Dawn previously stood. If not for the heroics of this young man, Dawn would've been hit. Johanna breathed for what felt like the first time in ages. Her lungs expanded and she leaned back into the seat of her car. Dawn was safe!

Traffic started to back up on the street, so Dawn was assisted onto the sidewalk by her peers. One of the students even went out of their way to call the school nurse to check on Dawn.

Within minutes, Dawn found herself receiving a full examination by none other than Nurse Joy under her mother's watchful eyes. By then, Dawn had regained a measure of composure and her hearing.

"How are you feeling, Dawn?" Nurse Joy asked as she disinfected the cuts on Dawn's forearm. Dawn winced from the burning sensation and bit down on her lower lip as she saw her shredded skin.

"A little…a little dizzy," Dawn answered softly.

"It was a hard fall, that's to be expected," Joy noted as she concealed Dawn's wound with a layer of gauze. "Do you feel any pain in your neck or chest?"

"No," Dawn shook her head. "Just dizzy and kind of…" The image of the car barreling toward her flashed in her mind. "Frazzled."

Nurse Joy placed her hand on Dawn's and their eyes met. "It'll be in the back of your mind for a while. Try to relax," Nurse Joy stated. "Maybe it would be better if you went home."

"I agree," Johanna interjected. "I think that sounds like a good idea. I'll take the day off and stay home with you."

"Mom," Dawn cut in. "I…I don't want to go home."

"But you heard Nurse Joy," Johanna responded. "Doctor's orders are that you go home and relax."

"It's just a recommendation," Dawn retorted. "I don't want to miss my first day and…I'm a senior this year. I don't want to miss any of it!" Rather than plead with her mother, Dawn directed her efforts toward Nurse Joy in a ploy to gain the number's advantage. "I promise I'll take it slow today, and I won't get into any trouble."

"Well…it is the first day of school," Nurse Joy noted. "Let's do a quick test."

Nurse Joy instructed Dawn to rise to her feet. Once she was standing, Dawn extended both of her arms outward and took a few steps to test her balance. Dawn moved comfortably, enough to satisfy Nurse Joy.

"I still want you to take it easy. Go a slow a pace today, even if you're late to class," Nurse Joy advised her. "Come with me to the nurse's office and I'll write you a note for any late arrivals during the day."

"Awesome, thank you, Nurse Joy!" Dawn exclaimed before she looked at her mother. "So can I stay mom?" Johanna bit down on her lower lip, so Dawn continued. "I'll be okay, there's no need to worry!"

Johanna took a deep breath before she embraced Dawn in a hug. "Alright, I'll let you go. But this will also be a lesson for you too," They separated and Dawn furrowed her brow. "I got to talk with the driver that almost hit you. He wasn't expecting you to stop in the road…of course, I played a part in that," Johanna admitted. "But driving is much more than looking cool or doing something because your friends are doing it. It's a big responsibility that could involve your life and potentially others."

Dawn gulped as the image of the car crossed her mind once more. She wouldn't say it out loud, but her desire to drive waned…just a little bit.

"Oh yeah, did you find the guy who saved me?" Dawn inquired.

Johanna pursed her lips. "No, apparently he slipped away at some point. But if you run into him today, thank him properly. Invite him to our house for dinner, I'd love the chance to talk to him myself."

"Will do mom," Dawn said with a nod. "I have to get going now."

After a quick visit to Nurse Joy's office, Dawn was given a note to explain any tardiness during her school day. Nurse Joy also advised her, once again, to take it slow during the day. Despite that suggestion, Dawn had little time to make it to her first class, one where she wouldn't accept being late. She had five minutes about five minutes to get down to the school's basement level for this class, but no one made it easy for her to get there.

Apparently, word got around about the events outside. It was no surprise, but the amount several people stopped her a moment to see if she was okay. Seniors that she knew for years, and some freshmen that she didn't recognize. Dawn assured them that she was alright, though her clothes could beg to differ.

"Dawn?!" A voice cried out.

Dawn turned from the group that she spoke with at the call of her name. A brunette was approaching her, with her signature red bandana tied around her head.

"May!" Dawn exclaimed before she was smothered in a hug from her best friend.

"I heard that you almost got hit by a car! Are you okay?!" May asked as shook Dawn in her arms.

"I might not be if you keep this up," Dawn replied.

May quickly released her hold on Dawn. "Sorry," she said with pink cheeks. "So, what happened, fill me in already!"

"Well…" Dawn made an attempt to recall the events of half an hour ago. She gasped sharply as she saw the car hurtling toward her once more, and her shoulders became rigid. May quickly spotted this and placed an arm around her friend and direct her away from the others.

"Too soon?" May asked as they gained a little privacy. Dawn nodded, and May dropped the subject. "No worries. Do you have your schedule with you?"

"Y-Yeah," Dawn said slowly. She focused on May's question and dug into her backpack in search of her schedule. It was a crumpled from her earlier tumble, but still easy for May to read.

The two of them were practically inseparable from the day they first met. Every year they share a number of classes together, and with how May squealed after reading Dawn's schedule, that trend would continue into their final year.

"We have first, third, and fourth period together!" May exclaimed. "Plus, gym and a free period…and lunch! This is going to be awe-some!"

"Then that means we can start every day together with Ms. Fantina," Dawn added.

However, May wrinkled her nose at the sentiment. "I haven't been in her class since I was a sophomore. Has she gotten any better at speaking English?" May asked. It took a miracle and some help from Dawn for May to pass Fantina's art class since May could hardly understand her.

"She's gotten so much better since then, you have no idea," Dawn answered. "She speaks more English than French now. Not to mention, she said that she would spend the whole summer practicing, so I'm sure she's even better now."

"Well, as long as she tells me the homework in English, you won't hear any complaints from me," May remarked. Dawn stifled a laugh, and with a shared destination, the two of them went on their way to the basement floor.

"How was your summer, tell me about Hoenn?" Dawn inquired, much to May's delight.

"It was a-ma-zing!" She declared, eager to share all the details. "I spent two months in Lilycove City, and those were the best two months of my life! The restaurants were great, the beaches were beautiful and the top it all off, Drew was there on vacation too!"

"Really? How did you two run into each other?"

"His mom works for the same firm as my dad or something like that, and their employers offered everyone the same vacation package" May explained, but she waved off those details. "Anyway, since we were in the same hotel, I got to go to dinner with Drew a few times! It was a more a family thing thought since our parents used that time to talk business. At one point, the two of us went out for a walk on the beach together, it was the best! And then Drew said he wanted to hang out with me some more back in Vermilion City."

Dawn clapped for May's accomplishment, and she beamed proudly. Drew was the senior class' heartthrob with his fair share of admirers. May fell into that category, although she wasn't satisfied with just that.

"And what about your summer? Did you convince your parents to let you start driving?" May asked.

Dawn sighed. "They still said no. Even this morning, my mom gave me a big fat N-O." Dawn replied. "Although, I think I can live with that after this morning."

"Well, don't forget, I can give you a ride if you ever need one…" May paused for a moment. "Well, once my parents give me my car back."

Dawn couldn't help but chuckle at May's offer.

"What's so funny?" May questioned her with a frown.

"Let's be real here, May, you're not going to get your car back any time soon."

"And what makes you say that?"

Dawn raised her brow as she looked at May. "You and I both know why, so stop giving me that lame story," Dawn stated.

"For the last time, Dawn, I had nothing to do with those parking tickets!" May exclaimed before she slapped a hand over her mouth. Conversations between the students around them were paused at May's exclamation, and several people were looking at her.

Dawn laughed openly, much to May's chagrin. "Smooth May," she said after a few moments. "It's a good thing Drew wasn't here to hear that one."

"God, I would've died of embarrassment," May admitted as she struggled to develop a story to explain this.

The two of them arrived at the entrance to their first period class. Dawn observed the familiar entryway to one of her favorite rooms in the whole building. She couldn't count how many hours she spent working there during and after school. Upon entering, Dawn immediately spotted a woman clothed in an extravagant sundress with her hair tied up into four large buns.

"Ms. Fantina!" Dawn called out to her favorite teacher.

Fantina was adjusting one of the easels in the back of the room, but she recognized the voice that called her name. At the sight of Dawn, she smiled brightly and invited her and May to join her in the back.

"Dawn, mon amie!" She proclaimed as a greeting. "It's so good to see you again! I hope you spent the summer working as hard as you did in my class."

"Of course, I did! I can't wait to show you some of the designs I've been working on," Dawn replied. "And I can tell you've been working on your English."

"Certainly," Fantina said proudly as she placed her hands on her hips. "I hate having a language barrier between myself and mes étudiants." Fantina stated before she covered her mouth with a small gasp. "Pardon, a bit of French still escapes every now and then."

"Well, it beats the first year I had with you," May pointed out. "I had no idea what you were saying most of the time."

Fantina chuckled. "I won't deny that I struggled back then, but hopefully your experience in my classroom will be much um…smoother this year," Fantina said as she recalled her time with May. "But I'm very happy that you're willing to give me a second chance."

May flashed her a smile before the bell chimed, a signal that classes would begin shortly.

"Ah, let's speak again later," Fantina said before she motioned to the open desks around her room. "Find a seat you two."

Dawn and May occupied a pair of seats toward the front of the room. Once there, they watched as Fantina then positioned herself at the entrance to her room where she warmly welcomed her students to her painting and drawing class.

Dawn took this course as a junior, and this year she took it again purely for the free time to practice. May, on the other hand, was searching for a class to take it easy in, and there was no better place than art class, especially with Dawn for company. Soon enough, the seats were filled and the bell chimed again to signal the start of class.

Fantina started with an introduction of herself as she handed out blank sheets of paper and pencils. She encouraged them all to sketch as she discussed the expectations of her course.

"Hey Dawn, check this out," May said as she slid her paper to Dawn. Her first sketch was complete after ten minutes in class.

Dawn tilted her head as she looked at May's work. "What is this?" Dawn asked in a whisper.

"It's the new purse that I bought over the summer," May replied as she turned the sketch upright for Dawn to take a second look. "Can't you tell?"

"…No," Dawn answered in a deadpan.

"Well, I'm uh…out of practice," May retorted as she took back her page to make a second attempt.

"Yeah," Dawn nodded. "Whatever you call it, May," Dawn giggled as May shot her a narrow glance.

The door to the room opened up, which forced a pause from Fantina. One of the school's guidance counselors entered the room, followed closely by a male student. Dawn's eyes widened when she saw him. It was the same guy from this morning!

May heard a small gasp from Dawn, and looked to her friend who was frozen in her seat.

"What's the matter, Dawn?" May whispered to her.

"That's the guy who saved me earlier," Dawn responded. May furrowed her brow and Dawn realized that she needed to fill in some of the pieces for May. As she shared those details, Fantina was approached by the guidance counselor and they spoke briefly.

After a few moments, Fantina called for everyone's attention and made a gesture to her newest student who was guided to her classroom by the guidance counselor.

"Présentez-vous." Fantina said to him.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "What?"

"It's French," Dawn jumped in before even Fantina could correct herself. "She wants you to introduce yourself."

Fantina always had her students introduce themselves at the start of a new school year, and there would be no exceptions this year.

"Oh," he said with a small nod toward Dawn. Then he looked out to the other students. "Mmm, let's see. My name is Ash Ketchum. I just transferred to this school during the summer. I'll be turning eighteen next May…and I hope we all get along."

Short, sweet, and to the point. Ash then turned to thank the guidance counselor for his help, and then he went to the back of the classroom to take a seat.

"That's him?" May asked once against as she looked back at Ash. He was actually pretty good-looking. "So…what are you going to do?"

"What do you mean?" Dawn asked May in return.

May raised her brow at Dawn. "He saved your life, right? Aren't you going to talk to him?"

"Well, obviously," Dawn muttered. "My mom told me that I should invite him over for dinner, but do you think that's enough?"

"I don't know, no one has ever saved my life before," May replied and Dawn rolled her eyes. "But I think you should start by talking to him. Oh, and since he's new, you should help him find his next class."

"Hmm, that's actually a good idea, May," Dawn said.

"Yeah, I know. I'm full of them," May replied. Dawn rumbled her lips in reply.

Once the bell chimed to end their first class, Dawn rose from her seat to approach Ash. As she came close, she saw that he was hunched over his desk, scribbling away at the sketch paper that Fantina provided earlier. Now standing over his desk, she was able to take a good look at his work and if it could, Dawn's jaw would've dropped to the floor. In practically half a class period, Ash produced a stunning sketch of the classroom in front of him.

Everything within his line of sight was down on the paper. It was incredibly rough, but Dawn could clearly make out each of the students, and even Fantina at the front of the class reading from her syllabus. She even found May and herself near the front of the room, and above her head, he wrote 'translator.' Dawn stifled a laugh as she saw this, which was enough noise to summon Ash's attention.

Their eyes met once again, and Dawn's voice was caught in her throat.

"Can I help you?" Ash asked to break the silence.

Dawn was snapped out of her thoughts and gave a weak laugh. "Sorry, uh hi Ash…I just um, my name is Dawn," Dawn stammered and she forced herself to take a breath to regain her composure. "And I wanted to thank you for this morning."

Ash shrugged and returned his gaze to his sketch. "It's no big deal," He replied.

"Are you…joking right now?" Dawn asked him. "You saved my life, that's a pretty big deal if you ask me."

"I happened to be in the right place at the right time," Ash stated. "Anyone in the same position as me would've done the same thing."

"You might be right about that, but we still can't ignore that you saved me," Dawn continued. "I owe you big time, so at least let me invite you to dinner with my family."

"Not interested," he said simply and Dawn huffed.

It was almost like he didn't want any attention at all. Dawn looked up in thought as she realized he abandoned the scene after rescuing her this morning, and even now, he was hiding in the back of the classroom.

"You don't like to stand out much, do you?" Dawn asked him.

He looked back up at her and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm in a new place with new people. I don't really want to stand out right now."

"Well, you're off to a great start considering half the school is talking about you," Dawn remarked with a smirk.

Ash nodded. "And by lunchtime, no one is going to remember."

Dawn frowned at him. "You really don't want to stand out," She concluded. "Is that why you disappeared right after?"

"Kinda, sorta…" Ash said through pursed lips.

"You shouldn't have left so quickly," Dawn pointed out. "The nurse came to check on me. You deserved a checkup too."

Ash wrinkled his forehead. "Why? I wasn't in any danger and I didn't get hurt. As you can see," He motioned to himself. "I'm completely fine. But a better question is, are you okay?" He pointed to the bandages around Dawn's forearm.

"Well, as you can see, 'I'm completely fine," Dawn said to parrot his response. She spun on one of her heels as a demonstration and then she gave him a smile. "Thanks to you."

"And we're back at square one," Ash muttered as he lowered his shoulders.

"Okay, how about this? Let me see your schedule, and I'll help you find your classes today since you're new," Dawn suggested.

"And you'll move on from everything that happened earlier?" Ash asked in return.

"That's not going to happen, but I'll stop bringing it up if that's what you'd like."

"Alright, that sounds fair," Ash said as he reached for his backpack to retrieve his schedule. Once Dawn received it, she looked it over and discovered that they actually had a few classes together.

"You're free during second period, do you know what you're going to do?" Dawn asked him.

"I mean, I can hang around here, right?" He asked in return as he looked around the room. "I kind of like it here."

"That's perfect. I have fashion and design here during second period, and we can meet after class," Dawn said as she extended an open hand toward him. "It was nice meeting you, Ash."

He looked at her hand for a moment and then raised a closed fist in response. He offered a small smile, which Dawn returned as she bumped fists with him.

"Same to you, Dawn."

A/N – (1/14/2022)

It's so weird to come back to something you wrote years ago, especially some of these authors' notes.

Since this one was especially long, I suppose I'll summarize the thoughts that were previously here. This is an AU, in which I put a large twist on the Pokemon world, revamped the history, and added events that altered how the world functions and interacts with Pokemon. Despite the high school setting to start, this is NOT a high school fic. This isn't the world of Pokemon as it was designed, so characters are out of place from where you would expect them to be. As this story continues, the premise has been for these characters and world to slowly become the Pokemon world that has been established in the anime/games, but it will take time. This story was inspired by many different sources, all of which I intend to give their proper credit as the story goes on.

One thing I can say is that this project continues to grow faster than I can actually write it, not to mention I made it a small project to come back and remaster the earliest chapters of 'Caged Wings.' I feel like I improved enough that it would be worthwhile to revisit and update these chapters. Of course, there were no major changes to the overall narrative, but I did use the opportunity to tuck away some more secrets related to future stories. I couldn't pass up on the opportunity.

As a final point of discussion, I can say that the goal of this story was for this to feel real. It's Pokemon, but in a modern setting as opposed to the 'fantasy' of the Pokemon universe. Being a Pokemon trainer involves more than running around collecting badges, it's a test of conviction, courage, and willpower. Things won't always go smoothly, and I'm hoping to show that here. The Pokemon world that we love, but with a hard splash of real life.

Feedback is always appreciated if you feel the urge, but there's no pressure to do so. Thank you for reading, and all the best!