Mm, my first Pokefic on this Ship. Yes, The SatoIkari pairing is my third fave ship on this series. And seeing the childhood friends to lovers tope being applied to this ship intrigued me into doing my own spin on the idea. Usula and Paul will be the total baddies in this fic, that is the only detail that I'll put on here. The rest will roll on its own as the story goes. Main ship is of course our Pearl couple. Misty, Brock, May, Serena, and Leaf will be shipped with other characters. Their ages are listed below;

Misty, Brock, Cilan, Clemont - 22

Ash, Gary, Serena, Paul, Drew, Leaf - 17

May, Dawn, Zoey, Kenny - 16

Max, Bonnie, Alex - 12

I don't own the characters (unless they are OCs) and places mentioned in this story they are all owned by Satoshi Tajiri and Co. Any and all literary references or songs used are the work of the specified artist/author/composer.

September 12, 2016

Hoenn Region

Evergrand City

Have you ever felt like there is that one thing missing in your life that was once there but then disappeared for a long time? This is how one Dawn Berlitz felt after remembering a memory from her childhood. One of a boy with raven black hair, warm auburn eyes like melted chocolate and that easygoing smile. She didn't want to be away from him all those years ago, but her mother had moved them to Sinnoh when she turned nine and it has been nearly a decade since they had last seen each other. Her mind flashed to the day before her and Joanna left Pallet Town...

~ Flashback ~

She had tears in her eyes as she sat under the tree with her best friend Ash Ketchum, the boy held her close trying to offer her as much comfort as he could. He also felt the unbearable pain she was feeling, though he didn't want her to leave he knew that she needed to. He wanted her to go after her dreams just like he going to go after his. He knew they were going to cross paths again someday, he prayed to Arceus that they would!

"A-Ash I don't want to leave you!" She sobbed clutching onto his shirt tightly.

He gulped back his own tears, "I don't want you to go either Dawn. But..."

"B-but what?" She says looking up into his eyes her own azure orbs filled with tears.

He sighed heavily, "But I also know that in order for you to chase your dreams you'll have to go to Sinnoh. They give better opportunities for aspiring coordinators like you to learn the tricks of the trade then Kanto's schools ever can."

"I want you there with me though Ash. I don't think I go through school there alone." She says voice filled with uncertainty.

Ash's gaze turned steely, her self- doubt was grating on him. He knew it was normal to feel uncertain about things, but Dawn was such a confident girl filled with joy and positivity that seeing her like this broke his young heart. He pulled out something from his pocket, it was a rectangular midnight blue velvet box. Dawn looked up and saw the box, her eyes went to Ash again.

He smiled, "I bought this for you awhile back. It was supposed to be a birthday gift, but it looks like I'll have to give it you earlier then I meant to."

She sat up and took the box, she opened it. She gasped bringing a hand to her mouth the other still holding the box. Inside was a necklace with a blue Piplup charm hung on the end. Slowly her mouth formed into a smile, she placed the box down and hugged Ash softly, he returned the gesture smiling. She pulled away and held the box out to him.

"Would you mind putting it on?" She asked timidly.

He smiled nodding, "Of course."

He picked up the necklace as she turned her back towards him pulling up her hair, he placed the accessory around her neck before locking the clasp. She placed her hair down and turned towards him a bright smile on her face.

"So how do I look?" She asked him softly.

He placed a stray lock of hair behind her ear grinning, "Just perfect."

She giggled hugging him once more, her sadness slowly evaporating like snow under the fresh spring rays. Then she pulled out a small black square velvet box, presenting it to him. He took it from her hand, slowly before opening it. Inside was a bracelet with a Pikachu charm hanging from it. His eyes shone brightly.

He chuckled , "Looks like great minds think a like, eh?"

"I suppose so. We are best friends after all. Here let me put it on for you." She says taking the accessory from the box and clasping it around his wrist.

He studied the charm smiling delightedly. She knew about his goal to become a Pokemon Master and he knew her goal to become a Top Coordinator. These gifts were a promise that they would reach their dreams one day, that one day they would meet again and share their success with the other.

"Ash?" She says snuggling into his side.

He pulled her closer, "Yes Dawn."

"Promise me something..." She tells him clutching onto his shirt.

He tightens his hold on her waist, "Anything."

"Don't ever forget me." She says her eyes shutting as her tears began to flow once again.

She heard a gasp, then felt her face being turned, a hand cupping her cheek. She opened her eyes, seeing the slightly pained expression on his face but his eyes also held reassurance.

He then replied with a strong edge to his voice, "I will never forget you Dawn. Never in a million years would I ever forget our close friendship. I promise you, when we do meet again, I'll still recognize the amazing girl you are."

"And I will still recognize that goofy smile of yours as well. No one has a smile quiet like yours after all." She responds placing her head on his shoulder.

He placed his head on top of hers, their eyes closing for a nap. And so their pact was made.

~ Present Time ~

Unknown to them at the time, Delia and Joanna had heard their promises to each other. Both mother's smiled knowing that both their children will do anything to fulfill their promises to one another, they also took pictures of the scene before them knowing that Ash and Dawn would both want to keep a copy for themselves.

And so here we are back to the present, Dawn stared out the car window watching as the scenery of Evergrand City sped by slowly through her car window as her mother drove her to school. They had moved to Hoenn at the start of the year to start anew. Her mom got a job in Evergrand Prep to teach young aspiring Coordinators the basics of being a Coordinator. While she had enrolled to Evergrand High to learn more about being a Coordinator and the world.

Joanna looked her then asked, "Are you ready for your first day Dawn?"

The young teen smiled nodding enthusiastically, "Of course Mom! This is all just so exciting I hope to meet some new people and become friends with them."

"Hold on there for a second dear. Don't forget, you'll have to go to the Principal's office first to get your schedule before anything else." Joanna says chuckling at Dawn's exhilaration.

Dawn nods taking a breath, "No need to worry Mom. I know what I have to do first."

"But that's when I worry the most." The mother says smiling at her daughter.

Joanna knew Ash also went to the school, and from what Delia had told her Ash was now a popular young man. But he never forget he roots, and neither did her daughter. It seems that the promises that they had made years ago still held steadfast in their hearts, and their mothers thought that their bond would only strengthen once they met each other again.

"Good luck honey. Make sure to be good and always help others, alright?" Joanna says as she pulled up in the driveway of the school.

Dawn nods and then hugs her mom, "I will mom. And good luck on you first day as a teacher too. Those kids are so lucky to learn from you, just like I did."

Both mother and daughter shared fond smiles, before the latter got down the car and went up the entrance which led to an opened set of double doors. Dawn took a breath and settled herself for a new adventure once again.

"I hope I find him here." She thought a hand going under her shawl covered neck lightly touching the Piplup charm that held so much meaning to her. She continued to walk into the bustling crowd of students, trying to find her way to the Principal's office with renewed confidence.

And cut. A bit of a trip into memory lane here. I hope this story will be toe your liking. This is more or less like an intro into Ash and Dawn's friendship that will later become more. I was debating whether I should let them meet earlier or a bit later on, then thought why not let her meet another familiar face before she meets Ash again. That one will be a surprise for sure.

Alrighty! For those who have supported my previous Pokefics thank you all so much! You are all awesome for following and liking those stories. Your suggestions will be much appreciated for any future stories I may work on, just drop them in the comments or DM them to me. Until Next time!

Signing off,

WL_17