A/N: So, I've gotten quite a few questions in reviews so here's my answers. Yes, Ash and Dawn will get both Pokémon they had in the anime and ones they never caught. In fact, I've already determined the six Pokémon both Ash and Dawn will carry on them by the final stretch of this story. As for Riolu… I have no idea. We'll have to see when we get to that part won't we? I'm not being deliberately mysterious, I actually don't know what to do with that. It'll come to me. Also, I won't be putting Dawn in the cheerleading thing yet. They may be friends with real good chemistry, but Dawn hasn't known him for any long length of time. It wouldn't be realistic for her to cosplay as a cheerleader for a guy she hasn't known for a week. It will happen, just not yet. I mean, my female readers, if you went on a Pokémon journey, whether as young as 10 or as old as 18, would you cosplay for a male companion in under a week or two even if you were friends? I feel that the two should know each other and connect more before dressing Dawn up.
It's been three days since Ash had beaten Barry for a second time. The first was used as a break while Ash's Pokémon heal, letting them explore the city and watch a Pokémon contest being held. They were especially impressed by Dawn's favorite coordinator, Zoey Morrison with her Glameow. Dawn says she would've been a Pokémon Coordinator herself just like her mom, but after becoming Prof. Rowan's intern and started studying Pokémon, she realized the stage and lights just weren't her thing, given how her mom told her about all the preparation and presentation can be exhausting from the pressure. Being a research assistant also gets you actual money while contests just gives you ribbons except for the Grand Festival so it seemed like changing life goals was a good idea. Still, it was nice watching her idol perform when being on the road meant no internet connection, with only the GPS working on the MacBook Laptop. As they fought trainers, and did some more personal training, good things happened to their Pokémon. Their respective shared Pokémon of Starly, Bidoof and Shinx evolved into Staravia, Bibarel, and Luxio. Dawn's Kricketot also evolved into Kricketune. Dawn was so happy with the mass evolutions in their group. In this development, Dawn gave her Bidoof a new name of Bebe rather than Doofy. At around 12:30 of the second day, they reached the bottom of Mt. Coronet, the biggest mountain range in Sinnoh.
"Wow. It's so tall." Dawn observed as she looked up toward the top that was really hazy with blue.
"Yeah. I've done a report on the mountain." Ash admitted. "7500 feet up home to mostly rock and ice Pokémon. Scaled first by Theodore Roberts in 1739. I can't wait to get up there someday." He said wistfully.
"Well, we'll have to go through this tunnel here first." Dawn pointed out as they were in front of a man made cavern, which was the only way to Oreburgh City. She automatically went to his side, hugging his arm. Ash looked her with a raised eyebrow.
"Scared of the dark?" Ash chuckled.
"Not the dark itself, but I'm afraid of what could jump out." Dawn answered.
"Don't worry, I've got a brilliant idea. Call out Sparky." He suggested as he brought out a Pokeball. Dawn got her own and they each summoned their Luxio. Luxio having a bigger mane than Sparky. "Luxio, we're going through that cave, so could you illuminate the way?"
"Lux." He nodded. He turned to Sparky and asked, "Luxio Lux?"
"Lux." She said smiling while they cackled with electricity and entered the cave.
"How smart." Dawn complimented as she snuggled up to him in appreciation. Ash blushed and grinned sheepishly.
"Th-thanks. Let's go in." Dawn nodded as they went into the cave. Turns out that there were lights in the cave, but the lightbulbs were so small and weak that without their electric Pokémon, it would've just made the cave too spooky, which Dawn was thankful it wasn't. From out of nowhere, a zubat swooped down and nearly Dawn, making her cry out in fear, clinging to Ash even tighter.
"Luxio, use tackle!" Luxio snarled as it charged and hit the zubat, smacking it into a wall. It squeaked weakly.
"Dawn, catch it, quick!" Ash recommended strongly.
"Oh, right." She realized, briefly shaking off her fear to bring out a Pokeball. "Go Pokeball!" She cried out as it hit the bat Pokémon. It got turned into energy and absorbed into the red and white sphere.
It wobbled back and forth three times before clicking. Dawn cheered as she went to pick up the newly filled Pokeball. "I caught a zubat!" She brought out her Pokedex and scanned the ball.
"Zubat, the Bat Pokémon, even though it has no eyes, it can sense obstacles using ultrasonic waves it emits from its mouth."
"Nicely done, Dawn." Ash complimented with a big smile.
"Yeah, it's been a few years that I've caught a new Pokémon. I forgot how fun it was."
"And now you have six."
"Well, I'll be switching them in and out. The only constant Pokémon I'm keeping is Piplup and Star. We need to be versatile." She reasoned.
"Yes, I suppose that makes a lot of logic." Ash concluded, agreeing with her logic. As they walked along, listening to the soothing sound of soft cackling from their glowing Luxios' and their electricity, they came across a cavern lake, which was almost entirely clear and still, only being disturbed from the occasional water droplets.
"Wow, it's beautiful." They went over and looked at themselves, akin to looking at a mirror. "Yeah, you are." Ash whispered.
"What?" She asked. Realizing his slip, he coughed and quickly said back,
"Uh, yes. The lake is quite beautiful. Clear and sparkly." Clearly knowing what he's trying to cover up now, she gave him a knowing look that just made him blush harder before responding,
"Thank you Ash."
"You're... uh, welcome." He replied, grinning like a doofus It was then that the water became more disruptive as they saw a psyduck staring at them from the water, nobody making a sound as the humans and duck looked at each other before proceeding to spray Dawn with water from its mouth, causing her to cry out again.
"Hey-Gurgle!" Ash tried calling out, but he was sprayed by the Pokémon's water gun attack.
"Alright, you asked for it! Star, use Quick Attack!" Dawn yelled as she threw out her Staravia, which exited its Pokeball by ramming itself into the duck, causing it a great deal of pain."
"Go, Pokeball!" She yelled at it clonked against the Pokémon's head and absorbed it. After three clicks, Dawn swished her soaked hair around in annoyance as she picked up the ball. What she didn't realize was that as she did so, she immediately attracted Ash's attention as she looked even more alluring to him because she was wet. She then scanned the ball with her Pokedex.
"Psyduck, the Duck Pokémon. Overwhelmed by enigmatic power, it suffers a constant headache. It sometimes uses mysterious power." The Pokeball then activated the teleportation function and automatically went to Prof. Rowan's lab. Dawn sighed as she went back to Ash and asked worriedly,
"Tell me, what did the water do to me?" Ash thought she looked beautiful normally, but glistening with water and her hair looking shiny and more straight, she looked absolutely stunning. "Really? You think I'm stunning?" Dawn inquired, surprised. Ash then went from blushing to pale. Did he say that?! As Ash muttered trying to explain himself, Dawn began giggling and took his hat off before slicking his wet hair back. "You don't look so bad yourself, Slick." They both began to chuckle. "Now, how about you turn around so that I can change and not feel so damp and moist in this jacket." She suggested as she patted his face and went behind a decently sized rock. Realizing what she said, he promptly turned around and stood guard like a sentry. The two Luxio and Dawn's Staravia came to him, wondering what he's doing standing like a pole. Thinking of something, he grinned. He took off his hat and white scarf and placed them down on the ground.
"Can I ask for a small favor, guys? My hat and scarf are soaked, as you saw. Can you two slightly shock these so that the water evaporates?" The two lynx's purred in obligation as they touched the articles and sent the lowest flow of electricity into them. As for Star, he didn't know what to do actually. "Umm, perhaps you want to keep guard of Dawn? Make sure nothing happens." Star chirped and nodded as she fluttered to where she was changing. It only took a couple of minutes before his hat and scarf were ready. He wrapped it around his neck and noted how warm it felt. He hummed in content as he also put his hat on.
"Staravia, return. Okay, I'm ready." Dawn let him know. His eyes opened wide as she wore a black V-neck tank top with a long sleeved white shirt under it, a pink mini skirt with black shorts extending down to her mid-thighs, and a red scarf instead of her normal white. Her hair was put in a ponytail, the wetness making it very straight and shiny black. The only thing that didn't change was her knee high boots and black knee high socks. Blood started to drip from Ash's nose again. knowing what that means now, she grinned slyly as she said,
"Be sure to clean your nose so we can continue." Processing what she said, he wiped his hand and saw blood. He quickly got a tissue and wiped away all the blood before catching up to her. Unfortunately, he tripped on a lump of rock stuck in the ground, landing on his front. Dawn heard this and saw her fallen companion.
"Ash! Are you okay?!" Yeah, maybe a little scraped but-" He was interrupted as something grabbed his leg. He looked back to see a geodude push its way out of the ground, not liking being kicked. Before Ash could do anything, he was dragged from his position and thrown into a wall, grunting in pain. The two Luxios' ran to him in worry and protectiveness.
"Ash! Piplup, use Bubble!" She ordered as the blue Penguin Pokémon came out and assaulted the living rock with powered bubbles, dealing it great damage. She ran past the teleporting Pokeball to get to Ash. Piplup followed suite. "Ash, how hurt are you?"
"Ow. I don't feel too good. I may need help walking or something." He groaned.
"Of course. Brace yourself." Dawn wrapped herself around Ash and hoisted him up, making him gasp in pain. "I'm sorry." She apologized quickly.
"Don't worry about it. Just go please."
"Yes." Dawn asserted as she continued. Ash barely got out a Pokeball and summoned Turtwig.
"Wig? Turtwig?!" The Tiny Leaf Pokémon cried out in surprise and worry.
"Turtwig...protect is." Ash ordered before blacking out.
"Ash! Don't worry, I'll get you help. You guys ready?" She asked the Pokémon. They said yes in their respective words. They went deeper into the cave.
It was a little after 5:30 around sunset when they finally got out of the cavern and into Oreburgh City. It wasn't long when they saw Barry.
"Hey guy- OH MY GOD! WHAT HAPPENED TO ASH!" He screamed in horror.
"He's been hurt by a geodude that he kicked accidently. He needs to be taken to the Pokémon Center."
"Pass him to me! I'm the fastest runner in Sinnoh! I can get him there in no time!" He explained. She tried passing Ash over but Barry just straight up picked him up bridal style and carried him off, running about as fast as someone jogging without carrying someone. She ran after the two boys as the Pokémon followed her. When she and the Pokémon surrounding her finally caught up to them at the Pokémon center, Ash was already being carried away by Nurse Joy and her Blissey. Barry saw her and rapidly asked the poor girl questions.
"Who did this to him?! What the hell happened?! When did this happen?! Why is he in such a rough state?!" He was about to continue but Dawn shouted stopping Barry,
"Shut up! Nobody hurt him! He was thrown against a wall by a geodude that Ash accidently kicked. I caught it so that it couldn't further hurt him. I helped him through the tunnel and that's when you found us." She breathed in as she nearly said all that in the same breath. Barry looked relieved that it wasn't worse than it was. And then in a heartbeat, he hugged her, catching her off guard.
"Thank you so much, Dawn. I don't know if he would've died in there. He could've been found. But you were there to save him immediately. I could never properly thank you enough." He let her go and wiped away tears streaming from his eyes and making his face entirely soggy. He then tried giving her a grin and a thumbs up fully extended. "Still, thanks a ton. Officially, you're my second best friend." Dawn sweated from this with her nervous smile. She was truly glad he now viewed her in highest respects, but she didn't know if she could tolerate him for long stretches of time. 20 minutes later, Nurse Joy approached the two teenagers and the surrounding Pokémon, which was now only Ash's Turtwig and Luxio now.
"Are you Ash Ketchum's friends? She asked inquisitively.
"I'm Barry McDonald. I'm his childhood friend."
"And I'm Dawn Berlitz. I'm his travel companion. I brought him to the city but Barry is the one who brought him here."
"Well, I'll be happy to inform that Ash is mostly okay." Nurse Joy informed. Both teenagers sighed in relief, along with the Pokémon. "He had a mild concussion, bruising around the rib and general scraps, but nothing life threatening. Normally he may need to stay here for a week and that could range from $2000 to $5000 by estimation but since this is a very mild case and every nurse able Blissey is required to know soft-boiled, he should only need a good nights rest as he heals, and should only cost $714 dollars at most."
"Thank you so much Nurse Joy." Dawn thanked while bowing to her. Joy smiled.
"You're very welcome Dawn." She replied back as she left to do her duties.
"Hey Dawn, I rented a place here while I was waiting for you guys so if you wanted to sleep there, I wouldn't mind the extra charge." Barry offered. Dawn sincerely smiled.
"Thank you Barry, but if it's alright with you, I'll just stay here. I need to be there for Ash if he needs me." Barry nodded in understanding.
"Understood. We've both been there like that for each other. Unfortunately that made the both of us sick often, funnily enough." The two teens laughed. Dawn offered a hand to the hyperactive boy.
"I'm glad we're officially friends Barry. I had my doubts, but given how Ash talks and acts around you, you're truly a good friend." Barry's grin widened as big as it could as he shook it, and gave her another hug, though this time only lasting half a second.
"You're welcome Dawn. We'll call me when anything comes up. I'm going home. See ya." He walked out of the center, leaving Dawn alone with Ash's Pokémon.
"Twig." "Luxio." They said, looking up at Dawn with waiting eyes. Dawn sadly smiled.
"I'm sorry if this sounds weird, but could you two keep me company for the night? I'm not sure I can sleep comfortably alone." Dawn requested.
"Turtwig." The Tiny Leaf Pokémon said with confidence.
"Lux." The Spark Pokémon nodded with agreement in his eyes.
"Thanks a lot you guys." Dawn said as she petted Turtwig on his head and Luxio behind the ears, making him purr.
A/N: Drama! I bet you weren't expecting either of them to get hurt so early in the story, were you? Sure, Ash got healed, but an overnight stay is still something recommended for any hospital necessary stay, right? Also, I'm imagining some of you are thinking why Dawn needs to pay money for essentially a hospital bill. Well, think about it. For Pokémon, they can gain their full health from berries, and potions are as expensive as our real world soda. Even a Max Potion is less than $25 in USD. (I know MatPat from Game Theory covered the proper conversion rate but I'm not going to go through two currency conversions. One is enough.) But humans, we're more complex from Pokémon since they can recover much more efficiently than humans ever could. We need actual medicine, and Potions are not known for healing humans. (Is that true? I never heard of it at least.) Free Pokémon Healthcare may be a thing in the Pokémon world, but whether you're Bernie Sanders or Bernie Sandile, healthcare for all is still just a legendary thing to catch.