Hi Folks, I'm extremely sorry for not updating for a while I've been very busy for the past few weeks. So, welcome to my new story 'Start of a New Chapter'. By reading the summary you may already know what this story is about – a light hearted collection of chapters involving the family life of Ash and Dawn along with few of their best friends. This is a complete AU means no existence of Pokemon and all just the characters that you love. Please be patient I'm working on the new chapter of It's time to be Champion and it would be uploaded shortly. Let's get started. Enjoy!
I DO NOT OWN POKEMON
Forever Yours
It was Saturday evening, a handsome young man 24 years of age was seated on his bed staring at a small box which was held in his hands. He was busy thinking or rather lost in memories. He had unruly raven hair, chocolate brown eyes and a well-built body. He was clad in a white tuxedo for a special event which he had planned for himself and someone very close to his heart.
'There is no turning back from here Ash, you have to gather courage and tell her what you feel.' he said to himself getting lost again in deep thoughts. Yes, his name was Ash Ketchum. He works in a private firm involving sports which gives him a decent pay scale or rather say a high pay scale.
Flashback 11 years ago, Pallet High
Ash was standing in the hallway along with his best friends Gary and Drew discussing about their upcoming football match against Viridian High. He then suddenly noticed a certain bluenette approaching them, who was obviously a new student as he hadn't seen her before.
The first class was of Mrs. Cynthia their class teacher and next to her stood the same girl who Ash had seen earlier in the hallway. He couldn't help but admit that she was beautiful.
"Dear Students please welcome your new transfer of this year right from Sinnoh". she said as the girl began to introduce herself to the class. "Alright Dawn take a seat next to Ash. Ash please raise your hand." Ash felt a little nervous as she came and sat next to him.
"Hi, I'm Ash Ketchum." he said trying to start a conversation. "I am Dawn Berlitz, nice to meet you." she said.
That was the first time he had meet her 11 years ago when he was in grade 8. She was a transfer student from Sinnoh. Right from day 1 something about her and Ash had clicked. They became instant friends and she started hanging out with his group that included Gary, Drew, May and Leaf.
A smile crept on Ash's face as he relived a certain memory.
Flashback 9 years ago, Pallet High
The Sophomore year had just ended and the school had arranged a special prom as a party for the students. It had been 2 years since Dawn had joined Pallet High and she couldn't be happier. It was a lot better than her previous school and she had made some great friends.
The friendship between her and Ash grew a lot stronger and he was her best friend. Although majority of the students including their friends considered there was something beyond friendship that existed between the two, but they weren't sure.
It was the Prom night and Dawn was very excited. She was thrilled by the fact that Ash was going to be her date for the prom. He had asked her about it a week ago and there was no chance she was going to say no. She kept on denying the fact that she liked him only as a friend but deep within her heart she too knew that she had a crush on her best friend.
The night went out amazing. Dawn was amazed as Ash had danced a lot better than she had expected. Their friends too had a great time. May's date was obviously her long-time boyfriend Drew and the most unexpected of all was Leaf's date – Gary. Though the two were childhood friends but Gary always got on her nerves teasing and irritating her almost every opportunity he found.
It was about 10:30 and the Party had ended. Ash and Dawn were on their way to home. "Dawn did you enjoy the night?" Ash asked casually starting a conversation.
"Yeah, it was pretty nice and you sure are a good dancer than I expected." Dawn complimented him followed by chuckle.
"Um, Dawn you won't mind if I ask you something?" Ash asked with a small blush on his face.
"Not at all Ash, you're my best friend you can ask anything you want." Dawn said with a hint of confusion in her voice as to what Ash had to ask.
"Dawn please don't take me wrong, recently I've been feeling a lot differently when your around me, my heart starts beating fast the moment I see you. I enjoy spending time with you, it makes me feel special, I think I…I like you more than a friend…" Ash finished leaving Dawn in complete shock.
"Hey Dawn it's okay if you don't" Ash was cut off as Dawn tightly hugged him shocking him completely.
"It's not that Ash, I just couldn't believe that you confessed to me. I too like you and have been since a long time." she said with a wink as she released herself from Ash's embrace.
"Oh, so does this mean you're my girlfriend?" Ash asked with a curious look on his face.
"Stupid! It surely does, boyfriend of mine." she said in a rather amusing tone, followed by a chuckle from Ash. It surely had been a special night for both of them.
Ash couldn't help but grin at this memory as it was the day when he had finally gathered courage to ask her out. Ever since then he enjoyed being with her, spending as much as time with her enjoying his High school days which undoubtedly were the best days of his life so far. But out of all those memories the best one had to surely be the Valentine's Day one 8 years ago.
Flashback 8 years ago, Kanto Amusement Park
It was 14th of February, Valentine's Day. Dawn was very excited as Ash had promised to take her on a date to Kanto Amusement Park. It had been almost a year since they had started dating and she loved it. She had decided to take this relationship at a slow and steady pace rather than rushing at things. That's one of the main reason's they hadn't kissed yet. They only held hands, sometimes kissed each other on the cheek, nothing more than that.
"Hey Ash, it's so beautiful I want that!" Dawn exclaimed as she pointed towards a pearl pendant which was offered as the first prize by the stall. It was a Rifle shooting stall to be specific, if you hit 6 targets perfectly using the coax rifle you get the first prize.
"Here you go!" Ash said as he handed over the pendant to Dawn who took it happily. The shopkeeper was stunned by his accuracy as he aimed all the targets perfectly. What else can you expect from one of Pallet High's finest athletes.
"Let's end this day with a Ferris wheel ride." she suggested dragging Ash towards the ride.
"The view from here is so beautiful!" she exclaimed completely mesmerized by the beauty of the place. The Amusement Park was built right on the foothills of the Indigo Plateau, the most amazing view was of the bright sparkling Cerulean lake with the added effect of sunset.
The Ferris wheel had stopped for its regular halt and they were right at the topmost point. Suddenly an idea popped up in Ash's mind and he thought this was the best opportunity he could do that.
"Hey Dawn there is something I have to tell you, I… I don't like you anymore." Ash said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Dawn was completely shocked, she couldn't believe what she heard, Ash just told her that he didn't like her anymore. 'If he didn't like me then why did he took me on this date?' Dawn couldn't help but imagine. All the affection that he had shown was all acting. 'How could he play with my emotions like this?' she thought.
She was broken away from her thoughts when she heard Ash speak again "I don't like you, because I love you!" Ash exclaimed with a mischievous grin on his face.
He then leaned in to kiss Dawn, finally their lips met for the first time. Dawn was taken aback by his actions as well as words. She too then leaned into the kiss cherishing every single second their lips were one. Dawn couldn't explain how she was feeling currently, she was definitely on cloud nine.
Finally, their lips parted in order to gasp breath. "Ash, I love you too." Dawn said breathing heavily from their previous activity. They then leaned into another kiss, this time more passionate, their tongues battling in for dominance.
There were many more moments like these between them but for Ash this was the most special one. He had planned something special for Dawn today and he couldn't wait for Dawn's reaction. He suddenly heard his phone ringing and the caller was none other than his annoying childhood friend a.k.a his, best friend Gary Oak.
"Hey Ashy-boy all set for today, hope you achieve what you're planning." Gary said. Ash shared every little information of his life with Gary and Drew his second best friend.
"I am, and how many times I have to tell you that, quit with that nickname I'm 24 already and I am a man now not a boy!" Ash exclaimed getting annoyed at his childhood nickname.
"Yeah, but you still act like a child!" Gary pointed out.
"Whatever, you don't have any work or what in that Lab of yours?" Ash asked completely annoyed of his antics.
"Today's Saturday loser, the Lab's open only till afternoon and Leaf too took an off today, so I closed it early." Gary explained. He is a researcher and co-owns a Biological Lab along with his fiancé Leaf.
"I just called to wish you luck, knowing an idiot like you can mess up things so just be careful, bye." Gary said.
"Thanks!" Ash said as he hung up the call. 'I have no idea why this jerk is my best friend' Ash thought to himself. But he too knew that he couldn't live without his constant teasing's and all.
Gary's parents had passed away in a car accident when he was five. He was raised by grandfather Samuel Oak. Being a famous researcher, he didn't have time, so he would leave Gary at Ash's house which was at the exact opposite of their house.
Most of his childhood days were spent along with Ash, Leaf and Drew who were his neighbors and Pallet Town natives. May was initially a Hoenn native who moved along with her parents in Pallet Town, when they were 11, followed by Dawn who moved in when they were 13.
Drew owned a Hairstyling Saloon in Viridian City, but still lives in Pallet Town as Viridian City is just an hour's drive away. May too lives in Kanto and works as a Child Psychologist, the main reason being she loves children and spending time with them helping solve their various mental health relating issues.
Even though they were busy with their jobs and other work they somehow always found time to hang out with each other minimum twice a week, the main reason they being so close still after completion of their high school.
"Wow! Ash why are we dining in such a fancy restaurant?" Dawn couldn't help but ask as Ash had brought her to one of Kanto's most fancy restaurant 'The Johto Delicacy' which serves quality Johtonian cuisine.
"Nothing sweetie, date in such a restaurant once a while is not a big deal." Ash lied in order to save his special surprise.
"O-okay" Dawn said nervously. She was wearing a fancy purple-coloured dress prepared by herself obviously. She is a top-grade fashion designer and owns a Boutique in Pallet Town. She is a little shorter than Ash and has a slender body. She has midnight blue hair along with sapphire eyes which added to her beauty.
"Welcome to 'The Johto Delicacy' my name is James and I will be your attendant for tonight." a man in his mid-50's said as he bowed and served them water.
"What would you like too have?" James asked.
"Um, Dawn what would you like too eat?" Ash asked
"Hmm, let's see I would like to have some Shitake Fried Rice along with Water Chestnuts." Dawn answered as she took a quick glance over the menu which offered great diversity.
"Shrimp in Butter Garlic Sauce along with some Plain Noodles would do for me." Ash said as he closed the menu after giving it a quick look.
"Okay, one Shitake Fried Rice along with Water Chestnuts and one Shrimp in Butter Garlic Sauce along with Plain Noodles, something to drink?" the waiter asked.
"Red wine would do." Ash answered quickly earning a nod from the waiter, who then went and came back with their order rather quickly. The food tasted quite delicious and they truly enjoyed it.
Suddenly a song began to play and the guests began to dance along with the low rhythm slow music. "Wanna dance Milady?" Ash asked in a gentleman's tone earning a giggle from Dawn.
"Lead the way sir." Dawn said and they began to dance. Ash wasn't a great dancer as Dawn, but he could dance pretty well. The music and dance continued for a while and the lights went dim.
Ash thought this was the perfect moment and he should make his move. He went down on his knees and removed a small red box from his pocket and opened it revealing a beautiful platinum ring.
Dawn was thrilled, she was speechless, now she understood why Ash had taken her too such a fancy restaurant and what his next words or actions are going to be.
"Dawn, I meet you for the first time 11 years ago in high school and somehow we clicked, we had a lot in common. You were my best friend for a couple years until I asked you out after the prom and we started dating. I enjoyed spending time with you and the 2 years we weren't together were the worst years of my life." Ash said pausing a bit and tears of happiness began to fell from Dawn's eyes.
"I want you to never leave me and be at my side forever and there is only one way." he said as took out the ring from the box and continued "I love you with all my heart and want you to be mine forever, will you make me the happiest man by becoming my wife, Dawn Berlitz will you marry me?" he completed his speech with the main question.
Dawn was in complete awe, she felt like the happiest woman alive, Ash was proposing her and she couldn't stand dumb just staring at him, she had to say something, right? "Yes Ash, yes I will!" Dawn exclaimed as Ash slid the ring in her left ring finger and leaned in a passionate kiss receiving applause from the guests present in the restaurant.
After releasing from Ash's embrace Dawn couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed as the whole restaurant was staring at the couple. Ash payed the bill and they made their way out of the restaurant and climbed into Ash's car. Dawn gave a look to her engagement ring and smiled at words that were engraved on it 'Forever yours'.
~ To be continued
That's the end of chapter 1 hope you all liked it. I know this isn't the kind of stories that I write but I decided to give it a try, please suggest in the reviews whether you liked it and should I continue? It was a bit cheesy but I can't help it such kind of stories are meant to be cheesy. Also the Johtonian cuisine is basically the Chinese cuisine in my story. Those who like my Adventure stories do not fret I am working on the new chapter of 'It's time to be a Champion and will update it shortly, so stay tuned. This chapter was mostly Ash's Pov but the next chapter would focus on Dawn's Pov. That's it for now see you'll in the next chapter until then B'bye!
~TheDarkRising