Hi guys! I know I'm in the middle of working on another story, but I just can't get this idea out of my head. Don't worry, I'm working on the a new chapter for "You're Enough" right now! This takes place after Ash lost to Paul at Lake Acuity. Anyways, enjoy!
He looked inside and saw all his Pokemon, with bruises and bandages covering all of their bodies. He had just lost badly against his rival Paul. Ash had been silent, simply just looking at how hurt his Pokemon were.
It was a devastating defeat for Ash. Not only had he lost against Paul, who raised his Pokemon with the upmost disrespect, but he let his Pokemon down. They had all worked so hard to beat the rude trainer. All Ash wanted was to beat Paul so he could have at least a little respect for his training style.
Not being able to see anymore, Ash walked away. His Pokemon were hurt because of what he did. He failed him.
Brock and Dawn were worried for Ash. Never had they seen his spirit so dim. He hadn't spoken a word ever since the battle had ended.
Ash couldn't handle seeing his Pokemon like this anymore. With his hat still covering his eyes, he turned away.
Dawn noticed the boy walking away. She all wanted was to have her old bright Ash back.
"Ash, wait" she said. Dawn began to walk towards the boy when she left a hand on her shoulder. It was the hand of Brock. He shook his head. Even though it pained her to see him this way, Dawn knew that Ash needed some time alone. She put her hand to her heart and decided that she would talk to him later.
Ash walked outside to the place where the battle had taken place. He looked and noticed how quiet it was. A few hours previously, it was chaos and now it was just peaceful. As he looked out into the landscape, images of the battle began to replay in his head. Ash laid down with his head towards the sky but his eyes were still not able to be seen.
He had let everyone down. Himself, his Pokemon, Brock, Dawn, everyone. This battle meant so much to him. Why didn't he come up with a plan before? It was foolish of him to just go and wing it. But… that was his battle style. He never had a complete plan, only parts. That was what made him lose. It was his foolish and horrible battle style. Paul was right, he was pathetic. Everything he had done in his journey to become a Pokemon master was
Ash was so deep in thought, he hadn't noticed Dawn coming up behind him.
"'This seat taken?"
Ash didn't respond. He didn't want to talk to Dawn. He couldn't face her after the pathetic battle he just had.
Dawn didn't want to pressure Ash into talking to her. If he wanted to talk, then he would. She just wanted to be there for him if he wanted to talk.
The two sat in silence for awhile.
"What do you want Dawn?"
She had to stay calm. This wasn't the Ash she admired so much. She had to remember that every person goes through their ups and downs. She recently just went through her lowest herself.
"I'm just sitting here, enjoying the how peaceful and gorgeous Lake Acuity is"
Ash knew that was not it. He knew that she wanted him to cheer up, but if he was being honest with himself, nothing could. He just stayed silent but sat up, looking around onto the landscape.
Once again, thoughts of the battle filled his brain again. All the mistakes he made, how much of a failure he was.
"When every life meets another life, something will be born" said Dawn.
Ash looked to Dawn confused. Why was she reciting the Sinnoh space time legend now? That was what Cynthia used to describe the relationship between Ash and Paul.
"You know, that applies to so much, I never realized it"
Ash was peaked with curiosity.
"Between two Pokemon, or two trainers, or trainer and Pokemon, something is always born"
"Dawn, what do you want?" Asked Ash. All he wanted was to be left alone.
"When I saved Pikachu, I never thought that I would meet some of the best people and Pokemon in my life"
She is just saying that to try and cheer me up. She doesn't mean it.
Ash and Dawn just kept their eyes towards the sky. The sun was nearing the horizon. Ash started to look down again towards his chest. Why was she here?
"I have learned so much on this journey because of you and Brock, I'm so lucky to have met you guys"
Dawn knew that Ash was listening, but he wasn't truly taking to heart. Even though he had only spoken 5 words to her. He was still here and that is what mattered.
"By showing me the passion, love and care you guys have for Pokemon. I have become a better person"
All of that was a waste of time. I should have spent more time looking for strong Pokemon instead of taking so much time to work on Pokemon's strong points.
"I know how you feel right now Ash"
This made Ash go over the limit. Why couldn't she understand that he wanted to be alone. Suddenly Ash stood up and looked down at the coordinator.
"Dawn stop, I know what you are trying to do and I appreciate it but there is no way you know how I feel. I just lost to Paul. And I lost so badly. It was all my fault because of how horrible my training and battle style is. So no, you don't know how I feel. You don't know what it's like to let everyone you care for down. When I lost, it wasn't just a defeat for me, it was a defeat for my Pokemon, my mother, Professor Oak, everyone I had travelled with in the past, Brock, you…"
Ash had begun to walk away. He wanted to be alone and start to plan his next move.
"When every life meets another life, something will be born"
Why had she chosen to say those words to him? He stopped walking but still didn't face her. Dawn slowly rose and turned to face the trainer. It hurt her to see him like this, but she had to do it for him.
"When I met you Ash, I finally found myself"
Found herself? What does that mean? How could she lose herself? It is that possible?
Clearly, the boy did understand what she meant, but Dawn knew Ash and knew that he wouldn't.
"Ash, you taught me that it's okay to not be perfect. That if you never give up, you will always win in the end. That the only way to truly be happy, you have to be yourself. After I lost in the first round twice in a row, all I wanted was give up and stop. When I lost to Kenny, the person has never taken me seriously, I lost my sense of self. I thought that everything I had done was for nothing. The passion and constant hard-work that you showed is what changed that. I saw how hard you worked for everything you did. I never got the chance to thank you. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today"
Ash had no idea that he was the reason that Dawn was able to get back into it. He never noticed that he had that affect on her.
"Ash, I know right now it's hard to look on the bright side. But you are an incredible person. I know I'm not the only person or Pokemon who's life you have changed"
Ash didn't know what to think anymore.
I guess I never realized that either.
"When every life meets another life, something will be born. Those words are the reason why I came out here".
With that, Dawn walked away and back towards the Pokemon Center. She hoped that she had gotten through to Ash. He missed that spark and passion that he had. She missed the Ash she cared for so much.
Ash looked out onto Lake Acuity. The sun was setting and it's reflection in the water was memorizing.
"When every life meets another life, something will be born"
Ever since Cynthia said those words to him and Paul, they had constantly confused him. What was born between him and Paul, between him and Monferno? What about everyone else he has met? Misty? Tracey? Max? May? Brock? Dawn?
Ash then looked to his bag and found the pictures he kept of all his past companions with the Pokemon he caught from that region. Every time he looked that these pictures, he couldn't help but smile. These people and Pokemon had meant so much to him.
"When every life meets another life, something will be born".
Ash turned to the picture of his first traveling group. These group were the firsts. They experienced for the first time together. They learned the basics together. Misty and Brock taught him all the basics that he needed to know in order to chase after his dream. That's what started it all.
Looking to the group that travelled with him during the Orange Islands. This group taught him how to build on what he has learned from the past. This was the first time he was able to build off of what he learned from his journey in Kanto. Tracey taught him to look at the little details in everything and appreciate them.
In Johto, Ash learned how to really focus on his skills and really was able to develop the battle style which has been praised by so many people. He met so many people and was able to refine his infamous style.
Hoenn is where Ash truly started to learn how to become the leader of a group. Having Max and May travel with him showed Ash that he should use his past experience to help others. Throughout this journey, he learned how to be a role model to others.
Now he looked to the recently taken picture everyone at the Pokemon Summer Academy where they won first place! He had made a great new friend in Angie and it was great trying something new and learning about Pokemon. Man, Dawn and her Grimer were just great together!
Man, I am so lucky to have the opportunity to travel with such amazing people and Pokemon. They really were the reason why I have been able to achieve everything I have.
Suddenly, Ash heard a noise. He turned around to face his injured Pokemon. There stood Pikachu, Staraptor, Grotle, Monferno, Buizel, and Gliscor. They were covered in bandages and still looked hurt but you could not tell if you looked at their faces. They looked at him with only but smiles. They began to crowd around Ash and give him a hug or nuzzle up against him. Ash couldn't believe what he was experiencing. He was sure that his Pokemon were going to be upset with him, how he had caused them so much damage and how he lead them to defeat.
When every life meets another life, something will be born
When he met these Pokemon and people, a forever bond was created between them. They became his family. They were there for Ash during the good and the bad. They supported him and helped him follow his dreams. They were the reason why he is the person he is today.
"You guys…"
Ash couldn't help but cry. He couldn't believe that he was actually doubting how he trained his Pokemon. The way that he trained his Pokemon were based on everything he has learned from the past. His battle style was Ash.
With that, Ash and his Pokemon began to walk back to the Pokemon Center. Suddenly, a loud noise was heard.
"Oops! I guess I forgot to eat today!"
Him along with his Pokemon laughed and walked. Just enjoying everyone's company.
Back at the Pokemon Center, Dawn and Brock were helping Nurse Joy take care of the other Pokemon that were hurt. While Brock was inside the caring room helping Nurse Joy, Dawn was outside collecting the items that were needed for care.
The door swung open and there was Ash and all his Pokemon, laughing about probably some silly thing Ash did. Dawn was smiling. She was the one that asked Nurse Joy if the Pokemon could go outside and see Ash. She knew that they were the only ones that could truly get Ash to feel better again.
"Hi everyone! Great to see everyone laughing! Nurse Joy and Brock should be done making everyone's medicine, so if you guys could head back into the room, that would be great!"
Ash had begun to walk with this Pokemon but then stopped and turned around. His Pokemon turned to face him, wondering why their trainer wasn't following them.
Ash saw this and said, "I'll meet up with you guys soon, there's something I want to take care of".
With that, the Pokemon went off into the room. Leaving Ash and Dawn in the lobby.
"Dawn, thank you"
Dawn smiled. She was glad to have the Ash she knew and lov- cared for so much back.
"No need to worry Ash. I'm always going to be there for you, even when you don't want me too" she said, with that last part in a little bit more playful tone.
"I'm not just talking about that talk you had with me. You have done so much for me and I guess I never really thanked you for it. Dressing up for my gym battles, always helping me train, helping me come up with next strategies to use in battle. I don't think I could ever repay you for what you have done"
Dawn was touched by what he said. Even though she already knew that he was appreciative to what she has done, it was the fact that he was saying it now, after he had gone through a difficult loss to Paul that meant so much to her.
"Ash, you don't need to thank me and you don't need to repay me either. You.. and Brock of course mean so much to me."
Ash smiled and he and Dawn exchanged one of their sacred high fives. Now he understood what Dawn meant when she said she found herself when she meet him.
When every life meets another life, something will be born. When I met Dawn, I found the missing piece of myself.
He knew that for sure, looking at the girl smiling at him.
Wow, Dawn is amazing
The end
Soooooo did you like it? This was about 6 pages! This is how I wished that episode carried out. I feel like they didn't really explore whether or not Ash was having doubts about his own training style which would have been super interesting to watch because Ash was always shown to be super confident with himself. I know there is not many fellow Pearlshippers out there but I grew up with the Diamond and Pearl Anime so I have a small bias towards Dawn. But trying to put that aside, I still think they have the best friendship between all the Poke girls. I loved when they high fived. Anyways I'm getting sidetracked. If you have read the manga then I highly encourage you to read my other story 'You are Enough'. I'm almost finished with the new chapter! Hope everyone is staying safe! Bye!