Chapter 2: Road of Dreams.
This one will be a serious story, and has an overarching story, it mostly centres around Leaf and her trials while eventually catching up with her love interest Ash Ketchum. This chapter is a build up chapter before I get into the really good parts of the story, luckily with more information just around the corner I should be able to start sooner than expected as well.
Oh and almost forgot a few more ages.
Gary: 20
Dawn: 19
Shauna: 17
Brock: 25
Since the information is limited, this chapter will be centred in Lumiose City.
Leaf walked around the large city wondering where to go, lost in the labyrinth that was Lumiose City, she had never seen such a large city before, she had never been outside Pallet Town where she spent most of her life, in awe at the tall buildings that surrounded her, she looked around in amazement to see more people riding a large brown pokemon holding the horns and green shrubs on their backs, "I have never seen anything like it, what are those pokemon?" Leaf enquired while pulling out her new pokedex, she scanned the new pokemon to gather information, the top part of the device slid up revealing a large blue screen.
The device gave information about the new pokemon causing the woman to gasp in awe, "wow, a pokemon that allows you to ride on it, I really want one," Leaf squealed while walking up to the pokemon.
Not realising that her other friends were walking up behind her, she started to pet the Gogoat gently, "alright Leaf, time to bring you back home," Gary said, standing next to the woman who then spotted Dawn with her backpack.
"When did you two get here?" Leaf asked in surprise.
Dawn handed over the bag that was given to her by Ash, "Leaf, I don't think you should make Ash worry, you know how protective he gets concerning you," Dawn commented.
Leaf grabbed the bag and looked at it for a moment, "Dawn, you know what I have had to go through, in the past, you and Gary didn't help, you were a part of the group that bullied me in school," Leaf replied with a frown.
Dawn looked away with guilt, she sighed sadly knowing that what her friend said was true, "you're right Leaf, I never helped, but eventually people grow up, when Ash hung out with you I felt a little jealous," Dawn admitted but clenched her hands tightly before looking up to the brunette, "but over time, I began to realise that you were an amazing person, you might not have had any money, but you lived life the way you wanted to always against the odds, but these odds are far too much even for me and Ash," Dawn explained the problem to her friend.
Leaf shook her head and turned around, "I don't care Dawn, I will face whatever odds that come my way, and I will succeed," Leaf said with determination.
Dawn impressed by the brunette's determination nodded, Gary stood in disbelief knowing that there was no changing her mind, 'this isn't the same girl I bullied all those years ago, I can see why I began to respect her more,' Dawn reminded herself about what she had done, it was those times where she hung out with Leaf and Ash that helped changed her perspective of her, "it was because I realised the type of person you are Leaf, strong and determined, you let nothing hold you back even Ash," Dawn said with a smirk while raising her hand into the air, "this is something I reserve only for Ash," Dawn told her friend with a proud smile.
Leaf raised her hand in the air and high fived Dawn, "thanks for understanding Dawn," Leaf replied joyfully as her tears started to build up.
"Well I cannot help you Leaf, I have an important research I need to deal with, but here," Gary explained his situation while handing over a wad of cash to the brunette, "I know you have been raised in a poor family, so use this money as you need it," Gary instructed his friend before walking off towards the exit of the city leaving Leaf and Dawn in the city on their own.
"He won't admit it, but then again men are strange creatures," Dawn giggled while Leaf looked amazed at the cash that was given to her, Dawn noted the fact that Leaf had never seen so much money in her life, "come on Leaf, I will help you prepare for your journey in the Kalos region," Dawn said while looking around for a shop to help her friend, "I know I have said this far too many times but I still want to know, I am sorry for what happened in our schooling days," Dawn stated with a smile as she led Leaf towards the shops.
"Nothing to worry about Dawn, stop apologising, I already forgave you and the rest of Ash's friends even Misty who I know for a fact still hates me," Leaf retorted proudly.
Dawn smiled at her friend and nodded at her, "I see," Dawn retorted fondly.
The two girls walked through the metropolis to help Leaf start her journey, it was the first time for Leaf and she knew that her road to catch up with Ash was going to be a difficult one, but the brunette was determined to follow her choice to the very end, "you don't need to come with me, I can follow my goal on my own."
Dawn sighed quietly, "yes Leaf, but I want to see this region too, remember, you will be a rival to Ash and he doesn't know it either," Dawn replied calmly, she looked at the almost destroyed bag and smiled for a moment, 'did you know she was coming to catch up with you Ash?' Dawn wondered while memories of Ash tutoring Leaf in the School library rushed through her mind, "you know Leaf, we also should get you a new bag," Dawn suggested with certainty.
Leaf held the backpack close to her and shook her head, "no Dawn, Ash gave me this bag for my birthday, I simply cannot get rid of this bag," Leaf returned while looking at her almost destroyed backpack, "you should know about that sort of stuff, you have something of value as well," Leaf commented while remembering Dawn staring at her mother's first ribbon.
"You're right Leaf, I do have something that no matter what, I can never get rid of it," Dawn professed.
The two girls walked up to the mall, it was crowded with shoppers, a fancy place that was expensive it was a place that Leaf had never seen before, the customer service workers were wearing mostly black suits, helping the people out, "um Dawn, don't you think that this place is a little up market?" Leaf asked with uncertainty about Dawn's choice of shopping location.
"Oh come on Leaf, if you want to impress Ash, you need to," Dawn started while pushing the brunette into the shopping facility.
"Don't say it Dawn, I am certain Ash would want me to look my best," Leaf replied to her friend.
Dawn continued to push her friend around the shop, wondering what to buy for the journey, "if you want to make a name for yourself Leaf and become famous, you need to look good in the process," Dawn commented playfully as she looked over towards a set of clothes that seem to suit the woman she was trying to help.
"What about Barry, you know he normally gets really upset if you help other people over him," Leaf said nervously while a pile of clothes were forced into her arms.
Dawn peered from the corner and grinned at her friend, "what's he going to do? Fine me?" Dawn asked while doing her best imitation of her boyfriend.
Leaf shook her head while a pair of shoes landed on the clothes and a nice hat, "um Dawn, I don't feel comfortable, I have never been shopping before, plus I only have five months to catch up to Ash," Leaf complained but Dawn in her carefree attitude, pushed her friend into the fitting rooms.
"Now try those clothes I found for you," Dawn demanded while walking away from the fitting rooms, she looked at her starter pokemon and sighed with guilt, 'I want to fix the mistakes I made, against Leaf, I was such a kid in those days,' Dawn reminded herself while her memories started to flash in her mind with her nasty attitude to Leaf, but it was when she first became friends with her that was seared into her memories.
(Flashback)
It was a cold winters day, the snow was covering the ground and Leaf was chasing after Dawn who had taken her jacket, it was a day that Ash was sick and she knew it too, Dawn knew how much Ash stood up for Leaf, "oh come on Leaf, there is no one to stand up for you," Dawn teased the brunette with a nasty laugh.
"Dawn, Watch out!" Leaf called out to the bluenette before crashing into a large brown pokemon, Leaf grabbed her pokeball and gulped, 'Ash was always so strong,' Leaf thought while picturing her friends Pikachu fighting off a group of fire type pokemon as he defended her from the bullies in school.
Dawn looked up in fear as the large bear like pokemon glared at her ready to slash down at her ready to kill her in a moment's notice, she closed her eyes and winced in fright, it was at that moment a powerful burst of flames crashed into the normal pokemon, Dawn looked up again after wincing in fear, she spotted Leaf standing next to her staring at the hibernation pokemon, "Leaf," Dawn called out in surprise, 'I was so mean to her and she still saves my life,' Dawn thought while she watched as the much weaker pokemon received a powerful Hammer Arm from the angry pokemon.
"Charmander!" Leaf screamed out in horror as another pokemon unleashed a powerful water attack on the angry pokemon.
"You will not hurt Leaf, Piplup attack with Ice Beam," Dawn instructed her pokemon quickly. The small blue pokemon powered up an icy attack before firing it at the normal pokemon.
Leaf watched in shock as she began to realise that even Dawn was stronger than her with pokemon, she sighed and recalled her pokemon, not wanting any thanks she walked away with her fist clenched, hurting that there was no way she could hope to be at their level, 'why am I so weak?' Leaf questioned herself with tears rolling down her face.
"Wait Leaf, there is something I want to say to you," Dawn called out to the brunette, but she didn't want to hear it, but Dawn persisted and ran over to her, jacket in hand she gave it back to her and smiled sweetly at her, "thank you Leaf, you saved my life, if there is anything you want help with, please don't hesitate to ask," Dawn instructed the brown haired girl happily.
Leaf in shock tried to drown out the rest of the noise, Dawn extended her hand out waiting for her to shake it, "after all you did in the past, you expect me to forgive you, I can only trust Ash at the moment," Leaf said with a frown.
Dawn nodded and started to feel guilty at her own actions, "I know Leaf, I was wrong, I don't expect you to forgive me straight away, but I hope in time you do forgive me," Dawn said with a cheeky smile, "hey you want to visit Ash, I know he has been pretty sick for the last few days, I am sure we can help him get over his illness," Dawn suggested.
Leaf was feeling uncomfortable about this, apart from Ash she never had any friends, "are you going to trick me?" Leaf asked still feeling that Dawn was being untrustworthy.
Dawn shook her head and smiled at the brunette, "I said, I am not expecting you to forgive me straight away," Dawn replied maturely, she walked a head of the girl and stopped when she noticed that Leaf wasn't walking next to her, "well what are waiting for the Flu?" Dawn asked the girl with a smile.
Leaf cautiously walked over to Dawn and walked next to her, expecting Dawn to do something she was surprised to find that Dawn wasn't going to do anything, 'she isn't going to do anything,' Leaf said while starting to ease up her tension.
Dawn pointed at a house with a red roof, "you see that's Ash's home, I usually go there with Gary, Misty, May and some of our other friends to do a study night," Dawn said with a smile. "I know for a fact that you also have a study time with Ash," Dawn commented while Leaf started to blush at the comment, Dawn noticed this and her grin started to broaden, "Say Leaf, do you have a crush on Ash?" Dawn asked the brunette with a playful smile.
"What makes you think that Dawn?" Leaf questioned her new friend.
Dawn started to laugh as the brunette huffed her cheeks up and crossed her arms, "it's fine Leaf, a lot of girls have a crush on Ash, but you need to be careful with Misty," Dawn warned the girl while patting her back.
"Why Dawn?" Leaf questioned nervously.
"As you found out a while ago Leaf, Misty can be a little possessive, even with Ash, he even said it was a little annoying, in all honesty I don't see you that way, I see that you want to prove yourself even to Ash," Dawn replied as she explained the problem Ash had with Misty, "to be honest I would love to see Misty's face when Ash ends up with another girl other than her," Dawn said with a smug smile as she looked over to Leaf.
"So we're rivals now," Leaf replied with a sigh.
"You and I are rivals, for I to have crush on Ash, I don't mind losing to you, just as long as I don't lose to Misty," Dawn professed with a clenched fist. The two girls walked up to the front door of the house Dawn knocked while Leaf stood behind the blunette nervously, "no need to worry Leaf," Dawn told her new friend.
"I have never been to Ash's house before, what are his parent's like?" Leaf questioned quietly.
"Well Ash's father hasn't been back in ten years, but Delia Ketchum is a really nice person," Dawn replied with a smile as the aforementioned person greeted them, the woman with brown hair, caring brown eyes, wearing a pink cardigan and a lilac dress, "Leaf, I would like you to meet Delia Ketchum," Dawn introduced the brunette to Ash's mother.
"So, you're Leaf," Delia said in a warm tone.
"Hello Mrs Ketchum," Leaf bowed politely.
"Stop that, just call me Delia," Delia replied with a gentle smile, "and Dawn, Ash is still in bed, so if you're here to visit him, he should be awake by now," Delia told Ash's friend calmly.
"I think I will wait outside," Leaf stated with a frown.
Dawn walked behind the girl and placed her hand into her back, "yeah and let you catch a cold, like I would let that happen," Dawn replied as she pushed the younger brunette into the house.
After entering the house Dawn told Ash's mother about the events that occurred earlier, it amazed Delia that Dawn would be that kind of person, but was also thankful that Leaf showed courage when she was being bullied by Dawn, "that's right, Leaf was amazing, I didn't deserve to be saved, but she did it anyway," Dawn commented with great pride.
Ash walked down to hear Dawn talking about Leaf's courage, he watched with a smile knowing that Leaf had finally made a new friend, "so Dawn, you finally accepted Leaf as a friend," Ash said while crossing his arms, he walked into the warm room, sneezing on the way, but that didn't stop him, he knew it was time for him to start his journey, he cleared his throat and looked at the two girls, "I am dropping out of school, I want to start my journey now," Ash decreed while the girls looked on in shock.
"But the Prom is only a week away," Dawn and Leaf replied in unison.
(Return from Flashback)
Dawn continued to think about what led her to be friends with Leaf, she remembered when herself and May had to stand up for Leaf who wasn't able to, "Misty was horrible, I couldn't believe that she would act like that," Dawn reminded herself while thinking about the motive behind it, "I guess Leaf has had a lot going against her, but this is for her to prove to others and to herself that she can stand on her own two feet," Dawn told herself before hearing Leaf walking out of the fitting room, Dawn looked up to see Leaf wearing a red dress and a black blouse, her hair tied up with no hat on, "well, don't you look presentable," Dawn teased her friend as she led her to the front counter.
After paying for the items Leaf looked around the shopping centre wondering what Dawn was up to, "um, what are we doing next?" Leaf asked quietly.
"Oh come on, you can't expect to survive out in the wild without food," Dawn replied in disbelief.
Leaf started to feel a little uneasy about this treatment from Dawn, "aren't there berries out in the wild?" Leaf asked the coordinator.
"You need more than just berries Leaf, you require vegetables and all sorts of food good for traveling," Dawn remarked as she led the brunette into the food stalls, "you see Leaf, it is important to maintain a healthy diet when traveling," Dawn stated while Leaf listened with great intent, "also Leaf take it easy, remember what I said when we first became friends?" Leaf asked the brunette.
Leaf looked away wondering what to do next, a smile graced her lips and started to feel slightly embarrassed, "you told me if I ever need anything, not to hesitate to ask," Leaf replied while following Dawn into the shop.
"That's right, May, Drew, Brock, me and everyone will be there to help you, still not sure about Misty, but even if you are penniless, we will be there to help you out because that's what friends do," Dawn explained the groups plans for Leaf, the brunette started to cry at hearing that she had finally found out that Dawn would be around to help her out, "what's the matter Leaf?" Dawn asked softly.
"I never had so many great friends, I was always alone," Leaf confessed to Dawn sadly.
"Is that how my rival is to act, crying because you finally realised that you had so many cool friends," Dawn said with a laugh.
Leaf cleared her tears and looked up to Dawn, "rival, what do you mean?" Leaf asked the blue haired girl.
"I haven't given up on Ash yet, but then again neither has May, and I hope you don't either," Dawn retorted happily as she walked through the aisles with Leaf picking up supplies for their journey. After paying for the items Leaf and Dawn walked out and started to get ready to pack things up ready for their journey in the Kalos region.
"What about Barry?" Leaf questioned her friend.
Dawn started to laugh, "he was always trying to get me to go out with him, I said I would help him out, but never stated when," Dawn replied with a cheeky grin.
"I bet I can imagine what he is saying now," Leaf giggled at Barry's misfortune.
Dawn and Leaf walked to the Pokemon Centre located in the middle of the massive city, walking through the streets with the Gogoats helping their trainers out, "wow, I have never seen pokemon like that," Dawn said in wonderment.
"My new pokedex said that these are Gogoat, they allow for people to ride them and that when trainers take their horns, the bond between trainer and their Gogoat becomes stronger," Leaf informed Dawn about the new pokemon.
"Amazing," Dawn replied amazed the information given to her by her friend.
After reaching the medical facility Dawn walked over to the phone, she knew that Barry was going to be upset, but that didn't bother her too much, after dialling the number of Barry into the phone she started to regret her actions, "Dawn, it's an emergency, there is no one to be my training dummy," Barry complained in a careless manner.
"Shut up Barry, I am no one's training dummy, plus I am travelling in the Kalos region for a while," Dawn berated Barry angrily.
Barry stopped trying to interrupt Dawn and looked at her serious expression, "but I need someone to help me train for the Hoenn League," Barry argued back.
Dawn shook her head and sighed at the same time, "train yourself, you're an experienced trainer much like Ash and I don't see him making such childish requests," Dawn stated while Leaf watched the exchange from a safe distance, Barry started to complain even more and loudly before Dawn sighed again, she hung up on Barry and walked away from the phone, "well, it is almost time to start your journey Leaf, the good news is, I am coming along to not only help you out, but to also see what other pokemon are in this region," Dawn explained her plan to Leaf.
"I am more than capable of looking after myself now Dawn, thanks for the help," Leaf thankfully before slinging her backpack over her shoulder.
"No Leaf, I mean it, I want to see this region, plus I can help you train up, I want you to be strong enough to defeat Ash," Dawn decreed while walking up to her friend with a broad grin. Leaf nodded and the two girls walked out of the building to face their new challenges in the Kalos region, "wait a minute Leaf, you need to register for the Kalos League," Dawn said quickly.
Leaf rushed back into the building and gave her pokedex to the pink haired nurse at the front counter, the pokedex was quickly scanned allowing for the registration to be complete, "alright now that is done, time to collect the gym badges," Leaf said with excitement, she walked back out of the medical facility and approached a waiting bluenette.
"Everything is set, now it's time to start the journey," Dawn commented while looking around to see which way to go, 'great I wish I got a map of this city,' Dawn thought with disdain.
As the girls looked around the city they were approached by Professor Sycamore who had a briefcase full of items, "this is just great, the people who were supposed to take the Mega Ring left for another region," the Professor complained.
"Excuse me is there something we can help you with?" Leaf asked the professor sincerely.
Augustine looked down at the girls and smiled, "can you two help me with an experiment, I will also give you a pokemon each if you do so," Sycamore replied while the girls looked at the professor eagerly awaiting for the items in question, "it seems like you're both eager to help me out," the professor chuckled while moving his briefcase over his left arm, he opened it up to reveal a black ring for the girls to see, "these are Mega Rings, they help with something called Mega Evolution," the pokemon expert said with a proud smile.
"Wow, amazing," Leaf and Dawn remarked in awe at the items, the professor signalled for them to take the items, they fit the rings on their wrists as the professor pulled out two pokeballs.
"Here are three pokemon to choose from, the first is Fennekin," Sycamore called out a mostly yellow pokemon with a bushy tail and orange fur coming from its ears, "Next is Froakie," Sycamore introduced a blue frog like pokemon with a bubble like collar, then the professor called out a small brown pokemon with a green hard hat and a cute expression on its face, "and this is Chespin."
The two girls looked at the three pokemon and smiled, "okay I will choose Fennekin," Dawn said with a smile, she received the pokeball which allowed her to recall the starter pokemon.
"The I will chose Chespin," Leaf replied, after choosing the brunette received the pokeball and recalled the small grass type pokemon.
"Thank you professor," Dawn thanked the professor with joy.
"Yes, thanks Professor," Leaf said with a grin.
Sycamore pulled out a folded bit of paper from his bag and handed it to Dawn, "oh and here is a map of the region, I sort of know that you both don't have one," the Professor stated while handing the two girls the map of the region.
(Outside Lumious City)
Ash sat on a log thinking about the days he had at school with his friends, fond memories that he had shared before he started his journey, he looked up to the sky to see the golden disc hanging over head and a few clouds moving across the bright blue sky, "this region is amazing, I sure hope Leaf can catch up, out of all the people I know, I have never battled her before, plus….." Ash started before seeing his friends placing food on the table.
"Quit living in a dream world Ash, lunch is served," Shauna belittled the trainer.
'Great, now I have to rethink what I was about to say to myself,' Ash thought with disdain, he got to his feet and walked towards the table.
"So Ash, what were you thinking about?" Brock asked his friend with a smile.
Ash started blushing knowing that Brock was right on the ball, "nothing at all Brock," Ash lied to his friends.
Brock started to chuckle at his friend, he knew that he was lying to him, "a bad liar Ash, I know it's more than nothing," Brock replied with pride, "it seems like you have more luck with the girls than I do," Brock laughed at his friend.
The trainer placed his fork on the table and started moaned sadly about the comment his friend made about his luck, "sometimes I wish I never had that luck Brock," Ash confessed while their traveling companion watched the exchange with a perplexed expression, "there was always two girls that were never obsessed with going out with me, the others well let's say that got really fiery," Ash explained while remembering the days he hung out with Leaf, 'she wasn't perfect but I still really liked her,' Ash thought while Brock noticed the fact he was thinking about one of the two girls.
"Ash, you need to say something," Brock pushed his friend but Ash resumed to consume his lunch.
"Well let's get back on the road after lunch," Ash said changing the subject to avoid giving an answer.
'He always does that, especially when he is thinking about Leaf, but I know that the other girl he is talking about is Dawn,' Brock thought while trying to figure out Ash's thoughts, it was like Ash was trying to make a decision and knew that he had the potential to hurt either one of them, "I see Ash, you don't want to hurt them don't you?" Brock enquired but was ignored by Ash who continued to eat his meals still ignoring his friend's enquiries.
Shauna shook her head unable to believe Ash's attitude towards his friend, "Ash don't ignore Brock, he is here to help you," Shauna commented with anger.
"Shauna, this is something Ash needs to figure out, he wants to figure it out for himself," Brock tried to settle the teen down.
Ash looked up with a guilty smile and placed his fork on the table, "thanks you two, nut Brock is right, I need to figure this out on my own," Ash commented quietly.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, sadly there was no information on the Kalos region so the next parts of the story will have to wait I guess. It also means that I will get onto the one shot series with Ash.
Next time chapter 3:
Well the chapter will get a name depending on the information that comes our way in the next few weeks. So please be patient and thanks for reading the stories,
While we wait please have a look at my other stories that I have done, some the two biggest ones are on hiatus for now. They are,
Trainer and the Princess 4: Adventures in Hoenn: Ash X Salvia.
Almost Easy: Ash X Dawn