Hey everyone, it's me W. R. Winters bringing you another pearlshipping one shot(actually that might change though). I got this idea while feeling melancholy about the likely hood that Dawn won't return to the anime. I was talking to one of my fellow pearlshipping friends about it when one sentence they said caught my attention.

"I just wish I could see Dawn again."

Now the reason that caught my attention was because my inner writer started to think. Would Ash think the same thing? The gears started to turn in my head and after a few minutes of giving it a bit of thought this story was born.

Okay this story takes place while Ash is traveling through the Kalos Region, a little after Serena cuts her hair and Sliggoo evolves into Goodra(for those of you that don't know what I'm talking about, sorry about the spoiler).

Okay so here are the ages for this story.

Ash: 16

Clemont: 16

Serena: 15

Bonnie: 9

Well either way, this story might get a little emotional, so you have been warned. I don't own Pokémon, if I did I wouldn't be having this depression about Dawn not returning. Forgive me if this story doesn't completely follow the events of the anime or if the characters are OOC.

-*X*x*X*-

"C'mon Ash, you don't wanna miss your Gym Battle with my brother do you?" Bonnie said as she turned around to call out to her two companions that were falling behind her.

"Were coming Bonnie, just slow down." Serena said as she tried to run as fast as she could, while at the same time keep her hat from flying off her head. The three of them had been traveling through the night to get to Lumiose City as soon as possible. But Bonnie had a lot more energy than her teenaged companions did as of right now.

"Yeah Bonnie, you're going too fast." Ash said.

"Pika!" Pikachu screamed as he struggled to keep a firm grip on Ash's shoulder.

"C'mon you can see the city from up here." she said, "You need to see this." She said her eyes shining at the view in front of her. Serena and Ash caught up to here slightly tired and out of breath. Then they looked up and saw just what Bonnie was looking at.

It was Lumiose City, but behind it the sun was rising slowly turning the sapphire blue sky into a pink with a mix of orange. The city seemed to sparkle under the rising sun's rays. They traveled up the region until they slowly crawled across the three of them warming them up.

"Wow, it's so beautiful." Bonnie said.

"Nothing is prettier than the Pink-rose Dawn in Kalos," Serena said with a slight sigh.

As looked at the beautiful scene in front of him, but his mind started to wander when Serena said 'Dawn' he looked at the changing sky and then he saw something. He say a transparent vision of a beautiful girl with sapphire blue hair and eyes to match, she gave him a smile before winking and completely vanishing from view. A warm breeze gently whistled its way through the air, and Ash could swear he heard a familiar and soft giggle.

"Hey Ash you okay?" Serena asked looking concerned, "You kind of zoned out for a second."

He shook himself out of his daze, "I'm fine, I guess just caught in the beauty of it."

"Yeah this is probably the prettiest dawn I've ever seen." Bonnie said agreeing with him.

Ash looked at the sunrise once more, "I can think of a prettier one."

"Really?" Bonnie asked, "Where?"

Ash smiled before he started walking again, "When I traveled through the Sinnoh Region." He said his smile falling slightly, "And once in the Unova Region."

"Pikaka Pikapi?" Pikachu asked his trainer. Ash scratched Pikachu's head giving him a slight smile and answering his question.

"C'mon guys let's get moving." Ash said to his companions. Serena and Bonnie found his change of mood a little concerning, but they decided not to push it, at least not right now.

The city looked just like it did the last time they were there, the crowds hadn't changed a bit either. Everybody seemed to be in a huge rush to get somewhere. They were chatting on whatever communication device they were using, walking their Furfrous and Herdiers, out for a morning jog, whatever they were doing, the gang was having trouble getting to a Pokémon Center.

"With it being this early in the morning you'd think the crowds would be less crowded," Ash said and he struggled to get through it.

"Tell me about it," Serena said.

A few minutes later they were at the Pokémon Center, Ash was sitting on a bench catching his breath, "Ash if you're tired you can always battle Clemont tomorrow." Serena said.

"No, I'm fine," Ash said standing back up, "I'll get my energy back while I'm battling Clemont." He said to reassure her.

"Pika pika," Pikachu added and Ash looked at the clock.

"That reminds me, I need to get over to the gym." Ash said getting up, "I'll race you guys there." Ash said running out of the Pokémon Center.

"Hey that's not fair you got a head start." Bonnie complained as she ran after the raven-haired trainer. Serena ran after them too, but she couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with Ash.

The battle was a lot harder than Ash expected, mainly because more than have of his team was weak to Electric-type attacks, but now he was on Clemont's last Pokémon, but so was he, and Goodra wasn't looking too good right now. He might not be able to battle for much longer.

"Alright Ash, let's see how you handle this guy," Clemont said adjusting his glasses, "C'mon out Luxray." He said releasing the Gleam Eyes Pokémon.

"Lux… RAY!" he roared and Goodra looked nervous now that he was on the battlefield.

"Shake it off Goodra, he's just trying to intimidate you." Ash said, "Let's win that badge, use Rain Dance."

"Goo," the Dragon-type rumbled as storm clouds began to form above them causing a light rain.

"Luxray, Electric Terrain." Clemont said to his Pokémon. Luxray reared on his back legs before slamming his paws on the ground sending bolts of lightning everywhere causing the ground beneath him to crackle with electricity. Luxray seemed to soak up some of it making him look stronger and full of energy. "Let the battle begin. Let's weaken him with a Thunder Fang." Luxray ran toward his opponent.

"Get out of the way Goodra," Ash called, but Goodra didn't move, either because he was too exhausted, Luxray was too fast, or a combination of the two, but Luxray got close to the Dragon-type he opened his mouth where his teeth slightly extended and were covered with electricity before biting into Goodra.

"Dra!" Goodra roared in pain.

"C'mon Goodra shake him off, I know you can do it." Ash said and Goodra looked back at his trainer with pained eyes, but the pain was soon replaced by determination. Goodra then grabbed Luxray with his arms and threw him up into the air. As Luxray came back down Goodra's tail glowed green and extended slightly before jumping into the air and smacking him with his powerful tail tending him down into the ground, "Whoa." Ash said in a surprised tone.

"Hm it seems that Goodra now knows Power Whip," Clemont pointed out, "you still think you can take him Luxray." He nodded and Clemont smiled, "That's what I like to hear, now use Wild Charge." Luxray's mane started to glow yellow and send out sparks. Then his eyes glowed red and he charged his opponent.

"Counter with Dragon Pulse." Ash said, Goodra sucked in a deep breath before unleashing a powerful beam of purple energy. The two attacks met in the middle and Luxray stopped and went back a few feet his claws making marks in the dirt. He was still covered with electricity, then step by step he started to push back against the Dragon Pulse and make his way toward its source.

Serena watched Goodra with a worried expression, she had to do something, "Goodra come you can win this, no need to worry." Serena shouted to the Dragon Pokémon.

Ash was about to give a command when what Serena said made him tense up, he looked at Serena in the stands and his vision changed and instead of Serena, he saw a girl in a cheerleading outfit. "LUXRAY!" the electric-type roared bringing Ash out of his thought and he looked to see Luxray had regained his momentum and was getting close to Goodra.

"Goodra look out." But it was no use, Luxray crashed into Goodra creating a large explosion. When the smoke faded it showed Luxray standing over an unconscious Goodra. Ash had lost the gym battle.

Ash walked through the streets of Lumiose, he had just dropped off his Pokémon at the Pokémon Center, all save for Pikachu. Now Ash felt like he needed to clear his mind and brought Pikachu along for company. Serena wanted to come too, but Ash didn't want to burden her with his problems so he encouraged her to stay behind with Bonnie and Clemont.

Ash wasn't sure how long he had been walking, but he knew that it must've been a while since the sun was starting to set. "Pika pika?" Pikachu asked his trainer, he knew what his trainer what thinking about, but it was getting late.

Ash looked at Pikachu, "Yeah we should start heading back." He said before his stomach growled, "Though maybe we should find a place to eat first." He looked around and saw what he was looking for, "Café Soleil, seems as good of a place as any. Let's go Pikachu."

Ash ordered some treats to sustain him and a few Poképuffs for Pikachu to enjoy. He looked around and was surprised that he was one of the only people there at the café today, but that changed when someone walked into it. He was a man that looked around the same age as Ash's mom, he had messy black hair that could be close to growing grey, his skin was a pale color that was almost familiar to Ash and he was wearing sunglasses so his eyes weren't visible. He was wearing what looked like an old brown leather coat over a dark grey shirt, faded jeans and worn boots. Sitting on his shoulder was an Espeon.

The man walked up to the counter, "Moomoo Latte with an éclair and a Lumiose Galette." He said in a rough voice that sounded worn out.

"Right away sir," the cashier said as she prepped his order. "Would you like it to go or to stay." She asked as she started mixing his drink.

"To stay please." He said accepting the éclair and galette from her.

"Here's your drink and your receipt," she said, the man paid for the items and looked around for a place to sit.

"Is this seat taken?" Ash looked up and saw the man. "You look like you could use some company."

"No, it's not go ahead." Ash said, the man nodded and sat down as the Espeon jumped off her perch on her trainer's shoulder and gently onto the table.

"My name is Dusk and this is Espeon." He said stroking the Psychic-type eeveelution.

"I'm Ash Ketchum and this is Pikachu." Ash said introducing him and his partner. Dusk took note of the tone of voice Ash was using and he ate.

"Had a rough day I see." He said as he took a sip from him latte and gave the galette to his Espeon.

Ash nodded, "Lost a gym battle today, I've had a lot on my mind." He said.

"Hm, lost your focus during your match?" he asked and Ash nodded and looked out the window. Dusk smiled, "So what's her name?" that caught Ash's attention.

"What?" he said turning to Dusk his cheeks blushing slightly.

Dusk chuckled, "I've been traveling probably since before you were born Ash, and after meeting several trainers I can tell when one is thinking about a girl." He explained, "So who is she?" Ash stuttered unable to reply, "Okay you don't have to say your name if you don't want to, just tell me about her."

Ash sighed, "Someone I traveled with a year or two ago, I was traveling through the Sinnoh Region and she had just started her journey to become a Top Coordinator."

Dusk raised an eyebrow, something about all that sounded familiar to him, "Really? One of your past traveling companions?"

Ash nodded, "Yeah, but she wasn't just a traveling companion. She became one of my best friends. We went on several adventures and helped each other out in several ways. I helped her gain more confidence after she suffered a streak of contest losses and she helped me develop some new battle strategies."

Dusk nodded, "You two sound really close, are you traveling with her now?" he asked. Ash shook his head, "Hm, well that's certainly a surprise, why not?" he said dipping his éclair into his latte before taking a bite.

"I wanted to, after I got to the semi-finals of the Lily of the Valley Conference and lost I asked her if she wanted to return with me to Kanto and perhaps try the contest circuit there. She wanted to, but her Buneary got a deal with a model magazine and she had to stay."

"Well that's a shame, it's must've been a sad goodbye." He said.

Ash nodded, "It was, I traveled through the Unova Region to take my mind off it and while traveling there she actually came to visit me, but it was only a visit and she had to leave again." Ash said.

"And now you just can't get her out of your head sometimes can you?" Dusk asked.

Ash nodded, "Yeah and I just don't know what's wrong with me." he said putting his face into his hands. "I just want to see her again."

"I think it's obvious what's wrong with you," Dusk said, "You miss her, and not just because she's your friend, but perhaps something more." He said and Ash blushed, "It's nothing to be embarrassed about, I know exactly how it feels."

Ash looked up, "Really, how?"

Dusk looked out the window and looked a little distant, "During my travels I met a girl that was really special to me, we traveled together for a few years, but our paths led us in different directions and when she left I missed her more than anything." Dusk said.

"What happened?" Ash said, Pikachu was curious too.

Dusk smiled, "After a few years I went looking for her. When I did I didn't want to leave her side. We were the perfect duo people would say to us." Dusk said.

"So what happened?" Ash said.

"I married her," Dusk said, "I was happy and so was she, but then one day we discovered she was pregnant, I was happy, but at the same time scared. I thought I wasn't ready to become a father, a little after the baby was born I talked to her about it and things didn't go the way I planned them to. We had a huge argument and the result was me leaving on another journey. I haven't seen her since." Dusk said. "I couldn't have made a bigger mistake."

Ash raised an eyebrow, "So why don't you go back?" he asked.

Dusk shrugged, "How can I after doing what I did, I left her to raise out child by herself and I haven't even written or called her since that argument, and now I have a kid I can't show my face around them again. They probably hate me for leaving them alone." he said. He shook the thoughts out of his head and looked at Ash, "Listen Ash, I can't offer you much advice, but I can tell you this. You can't travel to keep your mind off of her, I've tried and it just doesn't work. If you really miss her you need to take a small break from your journey and go visit her." He said.

Ash considered it for a minute, "I'll think about it," he said getting up, "C'mon Pikachu." He said and Pikachu got up on his shoulder, "Oh and about your wife and kid, you should really visit them, just to should your kid they do have a dad that does care." He said before walking away.

Dusk waited until Ash left the café until he slumped in his seat, took his sunglasses off and rubbed his eyes, "Espeon?" his Pokémon said feeling concerned.

Dusk removed his hand to reveal sapphire blue eyes, "I'm fine, just thinking about what he said." He said before reaching into his coat and pulling out an old photo of him, his wife and their newborn child. The child was a little girl and had her mother's hair, but his sapphire blue eyes, "Maybe I should see them again… to show that her father still cares for his little Dawn."

Ash walked through the streets back to the Pokémon Center, "What do you think Pikachu, should we take a little break to visit Dawn?" he asked. Pikachu smiled playfully and made a face that included a dreamy smile and heart-filled eyes, Ash blushed, "Oh stop that, we both you you'd like to see Buneary just as much." Now it was Pikachu's turn to look flustered. Ash laughed, "Well I guess a small break wouldn't hurt." Ash said, "What do you say tomorrow we find out where Dawn is?" Pikachu nodded happily.

-*X*x*X*-

Okay that's a wrap.

Okay now I know this isn't going to be a one-shot, perhaps a three or maybe a four-shot instead.

I'll try to update why I can, but how fast I update depends on you readers. The more feedback I get the more motivated I am to continue this story. I'd like at least 5 or maybe even 10 reviews, but I won't make it required(I will do review responses, just so you know).

The next chapter will focus mainly on Dawn, so that's something to look forward to.

This is W. R. Winters signing off.