I have no excuse for not updating in over a year, I'm so sorry guys. I hope you still read this chapter, because I put a lot of effort into it!

I do not own Pokemon

Ash's POV

It was just a typical day summer day in Pallet Town. Watching reruns of Pokémon battles with my dad, feeling the adrenaline pump through me as I watched with admiration. I couldn't help it; they were incredible! The connection between trainer and partner was exceptional. I was certain my dad felt the same joy that I was feeling, although when I looked up at him he was giving me a look that I did not recognize, the one of guilt.

"Dad isn't this so cool?"

I could see him force a smile, "yeah Ashy it is." I remember the awkward silence that filled the room. "You know I love you and your mom very much, right?"

I nodded my head, "of course I do. Why wouldn't we?" My dad just shook his head, and asked if I wanted to go outside and play catch. However, before we got the chance his phone began to ring.

"Hello?... What? No I can't today... I understand sir but... I'm spending the day with my son... Yes, I understand. I'll be there soon."

"Where are we going dad?" I had asked him.

"I am going to work. You are staying home with your mother."

"I want to come to work with you! Mom always tells me the stories about how a Pokeball is made. I want to see!" I whined.

My father shook his head, "Well today I have a different task from my boss." I remember how confused I had been by what he had said.

"But why would you get another job assignment? Does mom know?"

He gave a small smile, "Sometimes I think you're too smart for a six year old. No mom does not know, so let's keep it that way okay, bud? I don't need her getting worried like she always does." I nodded my head in agreement, knowing how overprotective she is. My father looked outside, then at his phone before saying, "you know what? Come with me. Nothing important is happening anyways."

*.*

Once we got to my dad's work I realized how uneasy the place made me feel. It was a small building with barely any lighting. I had to wait in another room than my dad and his boss because it was a "private meeting."

After about 20 minutes my dad walked out. "Guess what buddy? We're going to Hoenn!"

"Oh my Arceus; that's so cool!" I exclaimed, but then frowned. "How are we going to get there?"

"We'll be taking a few Pokémon for a ride."

*.*

Ash harshly woke up, breathing hard with sweat beating on his forehead. The teen hadn't had this nightmare since leaving Kanto months ago. He shook his head, trying to erase the memory. Unfortunately it was no use as tears began to stream down his face.

"I never met for it to happen. I didn't know what was happening!" Ash cried. "Now if Gary really does know like he said yesterday... It will destroy everything I started here." The thought of his mom being treated as badly as she was in Kanto brought even more tears to his eyes. "How will Dawn feel knowing that my dad murdered someone and I just stood there and watched?"

Ash cupped his hands as water began to fill in. He stuck his head in, splashing the water on his face. The black haired boy grabbed the towel next to him and dried his face. He looked up into the mirror to meet eyes with his reflection. What exactly does Gary know? He can't know... No! There's no way! But if he does...It'll kill my mom. I mean that's why we moved here in the first place. Please Arceus don't let him know!

Suddenly Ash's phone lit up, with a text from Dawn. As soon as he saw her text he completely forgot his nightmare and his past.

Can't wait to see you today! :))

The teen smiled as he began to text her back.

*.*

Ash got out of his car and immediately was met face to face with his girlfriend. He greeted her with a big bear hug. "Well doesn't someone look outstandingly beautiful today?"

*.*

"Oh Arceus." Dawn furiously shook her head, and then stared into Gary's eyes. "How dare he do this to my father and then ever have the freaking nerve to show up here! For goodness sake we were on vacation and my father was murdered. By my boyfriend. I'm a disgusting monster!" Her voice was shaky, as fresh tears flowed out.

Gary reached out and held Dawn, trying to comfort her. "I am so sorry Dawn. But listen... Ash isn't a bad guy you know-"

"He was there Gary! He watched it all." The bluenette interrupted. She escaped from her friend's grip and looked back at the school from a distance. "I have to go back. He deserves nothing that he has now."

Before she could walk away the brunette grabbed her arm. "I get that you're in complete shock Dawn. I get that. But hear me out, okay?" She gave a small nod which encouraged Gary to continue. "Think about how this affects him too. I bet he didn't want to do it, come on. Yes this is just so unbelievable but I don't think he's a bad guy. What about his mom? Why do you think that they moved from Kanto all the way to Sinnoh? You have to remember that he lost his dad too."

"My dad was good man. He protected everyone in this region, and you know that. He was an elite higher than the freaking rangers. No one deserved to take him from my mom and I." With that she ran off, ready to explode. Dawn had always wanted to meet the man that was responsible for her father's death, and now that she knew, it wasn't the feeling of closure that she had wanted. It was nothing like that.

Dawn's POV

I could feel my heart breaking inside my chest. Why was this happening to me? I finally had everything I had wanted in life, and the one guy that had made me feel safe was the one I dreamed revenge on for years. How had things got so twisted?

No POV

Dawn busted through the cafeteria doors, scanning the room for Ash. When she finally saw him she raced to the table he sat at, along with her other friends.

When Ash saw her he gave her a big goofy smile, "we were wondering where you were!" Once he saw how her face was streaked with tears and her hands were clenched into fists he immediately reached out for her. In response she fiercely pulled away and slapped his right cheek, never breaking eye contact.

He held his cheek, mouth wide open. "Ow what the hell Dawn?!"

"You are a disgusting monster Ash Ketchum. How do you live with yourself every day?" She screamed, louder than she had anticipated. By now the whole cafeteria had their eyes on them, including their friends sitting at the table. Every single one of them had their mouth open, not knowing what had just happened.

Dawn had so much more she had wanted to say to him, but there was a part of her telling her to bite her tongue. She couldn't out him in front of everyone for the lone fact that it would destroy his mother. After Ash recovered from the shock of her slap, he began to explain. "Dawn let me explain. Please." New tears surfaced on both of their faces, as she turned and walked out of the cafeteria.

The black haired boy chased after her, begging for her to stop. Ash tried calling her name several times, and on the seventh time, she finally turned around. By now they were outside, where no one was around.

"I have never hated someone as much as I hate you Ash." Dawn managed to choke out, her body tense. She was full of rage, and it was easy to see with her scrunched up nose, and fiery eyes.

*.*

Gary rushed into the cafeteria, too late, after seeing Dawn leave with Ash right behind her. "Gary get over here now!" His girlfriend Leaf shouted. He closed his eyes, wishing to be anywhere than where he was. The brunette hesitated before slowly walking over to the table with all his friends, and taking a seat.

At first everyone was quiet, trying to comprehend what had just happened. It was Drew that broke the silence. "Can you please fill everyone in on what's going on?" When Gary just continued to sit there, eyes on the floor, Leaf decided it was her turn to try and get him to talk.

The brunette placed her hand on the back of Gary's neck, "What happened Gary? You can tell us." He looked up at Leaf, with sad eyes. He reached inside his pocket, and pulled out the newspaper article he had shown Dawn.

Leaf slowly took it from his hand, giving her friends a nervous look. She scanned over the article before letting out a loud gasp. One by one the article was handed around the table; receiving shocked expressions from everyone.

"I remembered his last name from somewhere, and I just couldn't put my finger on it. Then at Misty's with Zapdos.. I just had to look deeper." This time no one said anything; they sat there speechless.

"I can't fucking believe this guy!" Drew exclaimed, breaking his friend's thoughts.

Before everyone could agree, Gary stepped in. "The thing is guys, I don't think he's a bad guy. I mean when you look at it, he was young, do you really think he could have known what was going on?" When his friends didn't answer he continued, "Come on think about it. Ash moved out of Kanto with his mom, but none of us really asked why. I guarantee it was to get away from the constant guilt they had to be feeling."

"I think that's bullshit man." Tracey was the one to speak up, catching everyone's attention. "He was young? That's a load of crap. When I was that young I think I still knew that murdering was a crime, and plain sickening. How are you falling for his lies? I mean Gary Oak of all people." Misty nodded in agreement.

"He's kind of right, you know. I just... I don't get how you don't see this guy as a monster." She added. Drew gave his good friend a little nod, showing he was with them. Gary felt himself clenching his fist, trying to keep control.

May sniffled, trying her best not to cry. "How about the fact that Dawn has to experience this all over again? It was bad enough having to be there, dealing with it when she was so young. But now it's followed her again... I just wish the girl could stop being hurt. All I care about right now is Dawn getting through this."

Leaf remained silent, for once being at a loss for words.

Finally Gary had enough. He stood up with complete rage, not being able to control himself anymore, but keeping his voice quiet enough so only his table could hear."You think this was easy for me?" Everyone jumped a little, clearly surprised by Gary's outburst. "I had to look Dawn, someone I've known forever, in the eye and watch her heart break all over again. You think I wanted to be the one to rehash the past? What about being the one to tell her that her boyfriend, whom she loves dearly, had a father that took hers away? You think I enjoyed watching the life in her eyes go out? Because that's pretty much what it was. It killed her. And it killed me to be the one to tell her." He took a small pause, trying to keep tears from falling. "What did you guys want me to do, not tell her? Let her figure it out years later, or maybe never? Really great friends you're being. We all need to help Dawn right now, not argue." The brunette stormed out of school, into the parking lot, just sick of feeling guilty for all of this.

Leaf chased after her boyfriend, wanting nothing more than to comfort him. She knew that he must be devastated himself, and needed some healing time. The brunette finally found her boyfriend a few minutes after, sitting in his car with his head in his hands.

She gently opened the door and took a seat in the passengers spot. Leaf placed one hand on the back of his neck, rubbing her thumb over his skin. They sat like that for a while, neither of them speaking. Gary was the one to talk first.

"I feel like the worst person in the world."

Leaf shushed him, and said the most soothing words she could come up with. "I love you." When he didn't answer back or look up, she carefully moved his head so they were face-to-face. "You did the right thing Gary. We are all going to get through this. Okay? We have to be strong for Dawn."

"Do you..do you think I'm crazy for believing he's a good guy? I know he was there, but Leaf I've seen the way he looks at her. He really does love her."

The brunette gave her boyfriend a small smile, "I don't think you're crazy at all. As much as you pretend not to care, I know you do. You see the best in people Gary, and if you say Ash is a good guy.. Well then you and I are just going to have to prove it."

I am so so so so soooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry I haven't updated in over a year. It's insane to think about. I don't have an excuse other then I just didn't want to write. I didn't have the passion to write anymore. I'm starting to get it back a little, but it will never be what is used to be, as I found passion in other things. I can't promise when I'll update next, but I'll try not to wait long because over a year is just cruel. Anyways, all I can promise you is that I WILL finish this story. I will not give up on this, and as long as I write for this story I will put all my effort into it. I feel like I was such a bad writer in the beginning chapters that it's so hard to write for it now. I feel like I didn't make Dawn and Ash's connection strong enough, and thus I feel silly writing these later chapters. I would love to go back and re write my beginning chapters but the lack of passion and time are preventing me. Anyways, please review and let me know you guys haven't lost interest in this story (although I assume you have) Thanks everyone!