A/N: Now, in a review a pearlshipper asked me a few questions. Here's my responses. No, Dawn is neither a trainer or a coordinator. If anything, she'll take Brock's position as the brain and be doing the job of filling the Pokedex 100% for Prof. Rowan, since Ash never bothered to catch every species of Pokemon. But don't fear, she won't just be Miss Exposition either. She'll only talk about Pokémon facts when it's warrented, and she'll be training with Ash personally to make sure she stays in the general ball park as him if her help is required or needs to defend herself. She may do one performance in Hearthome City, but that will just be for the sake of experience, not a personal dream. But, on everything else you asked for, yes to the cheerleading, yes to the shows of confidence and yes to the high fives. And much more in that kind of department. Anyway, if you want to ask me more questions, ask away.
"I've always wanted to say this! The time has finally come! Ash Ketchum, I challenge you to a battle!" Barry challenged. The two boys turned their back to each other, and took ten steps away from each other. They waited for a few seconds before throwing out their Pokeballs.
"Turtwig, I choose you!"
"Chimchar, get ready!" The two Pokeballs flew until they released their content. On one side was a green Pokémon with a twig on its head, true to it's name. It had yellow eyes and a odd looking head. It had four stubby feet and had a brown shell on its back. It was Turtwig.
"Turtwig! It shouted its name bravely. On the other end was a Pokémon very similar to a monkey with a light colored swirl on it's stomach. It had a short tail that was on fire. It was Chimchar.
"Chimchar!"
"Chimchar, use scratch!" The chimp charged forward and landed a scratch on the head of the Tiny Leaf Pokémon, hurting it to some degree.
"Counter with tackle!" Turtwig pushed forward, hitting its head against Chimchar. He grunted in pain the fire chimp fell on his back.
"Chimchar, scratch it again!" The Pokémon got up and landed another hit on his opponent. "All right! Scratch it again!" Barry cheered.
"Dodge and use tackle!" Ash ordered. Despite his lower speed, Turtwig was able to avoid a third scratch and bashed into the chimp again. He was starting to struggle.
"No way! We can keep going! This is where we hit our stride! Scratch!" The Chimp Pokémon was able to get up and prepare another attack.
"Jump forward and use withdraw!" Ash commanded. Turtwig leapt forward, and let his shell harden up. Chimchar's fingers hit the shell and the little monkey cried out in pain. "Tackle!" Turtwig rammed itself into Chimchar again, doing all it's best to stand up.
"Chimchar! Let this be our moment of glory! Scratch with all your remaining strength!" Barry yelled with passion as Chimchar prepared another attack.
"Counter with tackle!" Ash instructed. Turtwig and Chimchar made one last charge as the chimp landed a blow against the grass type, but despite the damage it received, Turtwig was able to plow through and smash into Chimchar, sending it flying into Barry. He crashed onto his back, looking to see his first Pokémon knocked out.
"Alright! We did it Turtwig!" Ash cheered.
"Turtwig! The Pokémon said with glee.
"Aww, you mean we lost? Chimchar, return." Barry moped as he let his Pokémon return to it's Pokeball. "You did well for your first fight. Rest up now." He noticed Ash was above him and was offering him a hand. Barry smiled as he took it and got to his feet.
"You okay?" Ash asked in concern.
"Yeah. I'm okay. Let's go home. I'm beat after that battle. And so is Chimchar. Here, let me give you this."
"No no, you don't need to give me money." Ash tried politely declining, but Barry wasn't having it.
"No, I insist. You won your first battle. You deserve something." Barry gave Ash $4.64. "You may have gotten my week's allowance, but trust me, when we fight again, I'll win back twice as much. Anyway, see you later." Barry ran back to his place. Ash looked at his watch to find that only 10 minutes has passed since he walked out of his house. Wow. A lot happened in 10 minutes. He felt a light biting on his left foot and looked down to see Turting lightly gnawing on him affectionately. Ash smiled and dropped to a knee to pet the Tiny Leaf Pokémon on it's shell.
"You did well, Turtwig." Ash held up a Pokeball. "Turtwig, return." Turtwig turned into red energy before retreating into the sphere. Ash got up and returned to his home.
It was a couple of hours later as Ash and his mom were enjoying some brunch together while Turtwig was resting in front of the tv as if he were a new puppy.
"You know, you boys were really lucky to have met Prof. Rowan when you did. I'm so glad you could get a new Pokémon and not have to get into the tall grass alone." Delia commented with a content sigh.
"Yeah, so am I." Ash agreed.
"Perhaps you should go and thank him properly? Have you said thank you?" She asked in a motherly tone.
"Well, Barry did, but I guess I didn't." Ash answered looking a little awkward.
"Well, at least Sandgem Town is just a few miles away. You can easily walk there in the same day." She looked over to Turtwig who was just waking up from its nap. "And with Turtwig by your side, I know you can accomplish your dream." Ash smiled hearing that.
"Thank you Mom." He looked over to Turtwig. "You ready buddy?"
"Turtwig!" It said with enthusiasm.
"Hmm. Turtwig, return." With his Pokémon returned to its ball, he headed out again to Route 201 where he spotted Barry again. Huh, Deja vu.
"Too slow! Ash, I'm sick of waiting!" Yep, back to normal. "I need to go see Prof. Rowan so I can thank him properly!"
"Hey, looks like we have the same goal here." Ash chuckled.
"Really? Neat! You know, I had this great idea..."
("Oh no, here we go again.") Ash thought nervously.
"You know that lake we always play at?"
"Yeah. It's literally the only remarkable feature of Twinleaf..." Ash noticed the hurt look on Barry's face. "...Aside from the number 1 runner in Sinnoh, the Orange Lightning Bolt." Barry regained his confidence again.
"That's right! Well, rumor says a legendary Pokémon lives there! Let's catch it!" Barry explained.
"We don't have... and he's gone again." Ash sighed as Barry ran off before he could point that crucial bit of info out. With slumped shoulders, Ash followed the path that led to the lake. "Not really sure if fresh starters could beat it anyway. You'd need a master ball, and even that could miss if it doesn't hit it." He mumbled to himself. Once he found Barry, he found it odd he was hiding in the bushes. "Barry, wh-?"
"Shh, I'm spying on someone." Ash looked to see someone that certainly looked odd. There was a young man in a grey suit. He had spiked light blue hair and what appeared to be a very chiseled face, and was not having a good day at all.
"...The flowing time...the expanding space. I will make it all mine one day. My name is Cyrus Hall. Remember it. Sleep while you can, Pokémon of the lake." He then started to walk away, but not before saying, "It's rude to spy on someone, punks." Barry and Ash gulped as the man continued leaving.
"Wow, now he's stern and scary. Like Clint Eastwood." Barry commented as he wiped his forehead. A Pokémon cry rang through the air. "Oh, was that the cry of a Pokémon?!" Barry inquired as he shot up and looked around frantically. "That wasn't any starly or bidoof! Not even a krickitot! It's the legendary Pokémon! We need to catch it!" He rummaged through his bag but couldn't find what he was looking for. "What?! No! I can't find any Pokeballs!
"That's why I came to tell you-Augh!" He was picked up from his spot and shook around.
"This is no time for mumbling and sitting around! Wait!" Barry yelled as he dropped Ash. "Maybe Prof. Rowan has Pokeballs he can give us! You remember right! He said if we have any questions, we should go see him at his lab! I'll race you Ash! First one who gets there rules!" Before Ash could say anything else, he ran off again.
"He'll likely get there in less than half an hour. I'll just take my time." Ash said as he dusted himself off and made his way to Sandgem Town.
True to his word, it took Ash about an hour to reach Sandgem Town. He remembered coming here a few times, whenever he and his mom wanted to play on the beach. He took in that fresh smell of saltwater from the beach, feeling invigorated. He eventually found what looked like Professor Rowan's laboratory and was about to knock on the door when Dawn opened it.
"Oh, hello. Hasn't been too long since we last saw each other have we? You know, I don't recall your name."
"It's Ash Ketchum. Nice to meet you again." Ash responded, having a slight blush. He didn't realize it before but this girl was beautiful She had lustrous black hair, her face and clothes were breathtaking, and she was only an inch shorter to his 5.5 feet height. Ash offered his hand, and Dawn gladly shook it.
"Nice to meet you again Ash. You likely remember what my name is?"
"Dawn Berlitz?"
"That's right." She replied smiling. "Please, come into Rowan's lab. The air is a bit nippy. Especially in this Autumn air." Ash was just about to enter when Barry ran into him full force and both boys tumbled into the ground. "Oh my gosh, Ash! Are you okay?" She asked worriedly.
"Yeah, this happens more often than you think." Ash wheezed.
"Augh, you again Ash?! Even different towns, we still run into each other like this!" Barry got up and brushed himself off and then hoisted Ash onto his feet before he was ready. "Well, I'm out of here! Already got what I needed! Smell you later!" Barry exclaimed before he ran off somewhere else again.
"Wow. Your friend sure seems to be impatient." Dawn commented.
"That's nothing. Wait till you see what he's like for events, holidays and his birthday." Ash chuckled before groaning from remembering those times.
"Well... anyway. Let's go inside." Dawn suggested. Ash nodded as they entered the laboratory. Dawn led Ash to the professor who had his back turned to them working on something.
"Prof. Rowan, Ash Ketchum is here."
"Mr. Ketchum?" He asked before looking to see the teenager. "Well well, I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon. Neither was I expecting Barry coming in a real jiffy asking me for pokeballs before hitting the road. He even slammed into poor Lucas coming in. He's resting in the other room. What a odd fellow. So, how is your Turtwig doing?" The professor explained before asking.
"He's really happy. After Barry and I battled, I took him home, we rested, and my mom wanted me to come here so I could properly thank you since I never technically did a few hours back. Prof. Rowan, Dawn, thank you." Both the professor and Dawn smiled.
"Well, a polite young chap ain't he? Certainly nicer than that bumbling Barry."
"Professor. Be nice. You gave them starters for a reason." Dawn called him out.
"Oh, yes yes, quite right. Sorry for my rude behavior, Ash. Well, from the looks of it, entrusting the both of you was no mistake! You know, when I saw you two about to burn rubber into the tall grass without Pokémon, I was quite frosted from such reckless behavior. Well, Barry mostly but you would've counted too if you joined him. But now, you're proven how responsible you are. Both of you. Already there's a bond growing between you and your Pokémon. I feel privileged to have met you. I'm sure Turtwig feels the same way. Cherish him, and all the other Pokémon you catch from this day forth."
"I'm so glad you're a nice person. I don't want to think about if you weren't." Dawn commented happily.
"Now then, let's get to the main point why you're here." Prof. Rowan said, getting to the point.
"Oh, I realized that I don't have any Pokeballs to catch them."
"Right, as I've heard from Barry. Unfortunately, he took all the Pokeballs we could spare." The prof. said regrettably.
"Oh." Ash said, disappointed.
"But, perhaps there's something you can do for me." Rowan said thoughtfully to himself.
"Huh?" Ash asked, confused.
"Ash, there's something else I want to entrust you with." Ash looked intrigued as the prof. walked to his desk and brought out a machine, making Dawn gasp. The little machine was colored red. "This is a Pokedex. It records any and all information about Pokémon once it's captured. Will you help me on this quest of capturing Pokémon for me?"
"Ash, you should totally take it. Only people truly worthy get a Pokedex from a professor. I only know of five other people who had Pokedexes before, and none of them are in the Sinnoh region. I'm also someone who owns a Pokedex." Dawn recommended excitedly.
"Okay, sure." Ash agreed as he took the Pokedex.
"Good answer! Now, this is a high tech device. Go and find every Pokémon you can in this region. Dawn, perhaps you should go with Ash?" The prof. asked his protégé. She gasped again.
"Professor Rowan... but what about help here? Can Lucas do this on his own?"
"Don't worry yourself, young lady." Rowan laughed. "I have plenty of other help. You two were always just my favorites here in Sandgem. But a responsibility such as this can't be done with just one person. I wouldn't mind setting you off to help him reach our mighty goal. In fact, I'll raise your salary by twice if it's necessary." Dawn's eyes sparkled.
"Wow! You must have real faith in us! Professor Rowan, I won't let you down!" She said saluting.
"Me neither." Ash confirmed with her.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Your adventure has already begun. Go!" He said rather cheerfully as the two teenagers ran out of the building to succeed in this quest.
A/N: In case you're wondering, Rowan's weird lingo he frequently says is specifically phrases commonly used in the 50's. I checked, and his younger years match with the decade. Fun addition, isn't it? Well, leave me reviews on what you think. Sayonara.