Hey this is my first Fanfic, so don't criticize it too harshly. Enjoy!

A Birthday Like No Other

Chapter 1: Just My Luck

It was another beautiful morning for Pallet Town, home of none other than Ash Ketchum. Tomorrow, Ash will be finally be 13 and Ash cannot wait for this because every year, there would be a birthday party for Ash and it would also be a reunion for him and his friends. Last year, he got to see Misty, Brock, Tracey, Gary, May, Max, Professor Oak, and his mother, Delia. Ash really enjoyed spending time with all of them that day. This year, his newest friend, Dawn, will be coming along and Ash would be able introduce her to his other friends as well as catch up with all of them see how they're doing.

Ash is in his home, eating breakfast with Delia and Pikachu. He's wearing a red and white hat with a blue pokeball on it as well as his blue and white hoodie and black jeans. He's also wearing his high tops sneakers and black finger-less gloves with a green border around it. As they were eating breakfast some news came up on their TV.

"And it seems that Kyogre is not in a good mood as an intense storm is hitting the Hoenn region." said the weatherman. "Officials are forbidding any transportation going in or out of the region for the next week."

Upon hearing this, Ash said, "Damn. Guess May and Max can't come here then."

"It's okay Ash, you still have your other friends to talk to," replied Delia.

"Yeah, I guess."

"I can't wait to meet your new friend, Dawn. You spoke so highly of her," said Delia. Ash responded, "Yeah me too. Hopefully, Sinnoh doesn't have a storm too." He then looked at their TV to make sure there wasn't anything about Sinnoh.

He wont say it out loud, but he misses Dawn. More than anyone else he had to say goodbye to. In the short time they spent together, Ash and Dawn became so close together that you would think they were childhood siblings or actual siblings. When they said goodbye in Sinnoh, Ash felt sad to leave her and was confused by this. It's not like when he said goodbye to Misty and Brock where he actually cried. It seemed worse to the point that Ash took a break from travelling. He hasn't left Pallet Town since his Sinnoh adventures. Sure, it allowed him to spend time with his mother and his pokemon, but it also gave him time to reminisce on his lost against Tobias and his farewell with Dawn. That goodbye is still in his head and heart.

"Wait a minute," said Dawn. She raised her hand. Ash understood what she was doing and gave out his own hand for one of their trademark high fives. Maybe their last one. Time started to slow down more and more as their hands got closer together. Ash... Dawn... so close, yet so far away...

"Ash. Ash. Ash!" Delia clapped her hands together. This brought Ash back. "Huh?" "Didn't you say you were going Professor Oak's Lab?" she asked.

"Oh, that's right! Let's get going Pikachu." "Pikapi" Pikachu hopped on Ash's shoulder and they headed out the door to their way to the professor's lab.

-(At Professor Oak's Lab)-

"Well good morning to you Ash," said one of Professor Oak's aides. "Good morning to you too, sir," responded Ash. "Hey, have seen Professor Oak yet?"

The aide shook his head. He said, "Gary called his grandfather last night. Gary said that he and Professor Rowan might have a breakthrough with what they're doing. Professor Oak decided to head to Sinnoh to assist in anyway he can."

"So, they wont be here tomorrow?" Ash asked. "No. Why? What's tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow's my birthday." The aide responded, "Oh, congratulations. One step closer to adulthood. Oh! look at the time. I have to do something. Goodbye Ash."

"Oh, okay. See ya." Ash was disappointed. He thought, Man, first May and Max, and now both of the Oaks cant be here. Well at least I know for sure Tracey will be here. He looks around the lab. Say, where is Tracey anyways?

Ash headed outside to the Oak Corral. Upon seeing his friends, Pikachu hopped off Ash's shoulder and ran to his other pokemon to play with them. Meanwhile, Ash looked around for Tracey. Well, he's not feeding the pokemon, He thought. And he's not at the tree where he sketches. Maybe he's in his bedroom.

When he was at the Tracey's door, Ash started off with a knock. "Hey Tracey. Are you in here?" He was answered with coughing inside the room. Ash responded, "I'm coming in."

"Tracey has Nemungis," said a female aide. "This isn't fatal, but its extremely rare. Normally, people would have symptoms for months, but with proper treatment, the symptoms can go away in a few weeks. Unfortunately, due to it being so rare, none of us aides can give Tracey proper treatment."

Ash quickly said, "My mom knows how. I had this before when I was younger. I'm sure she would be more than happy to help you, Tracey." Before anything else was said, he rushed out to get his mother.

(Later)

"Yep, this is definitely Nemungis," Delia said. "It will be alright Tracey, I know what I'm doing." She turns to her son. "You don't mind if I'm here most of the time during your birthday?"

"No, it will be alright. As long as Tracey starts feeling better." To Tracey, Ash said, "No need to worry, Tracey. Just focus on getting better." Tracey responded with another cough.

Now that Tracey was sick, Ash became concerned. At this rate, Ash is going to spend his birthday alone, with the exception of his pokemon of course which would be the first time ever. So that means Misty, Brock, and Dawn might make it. Maybe I should call them to make sure that they're coming.

Back at his house, Ash immediately calls Dawn's home. No answer. Okay, time to call Misty. Ash had to wait for a minute until Misty answered with the screen turning on.

"Hello?"

"Hey Misty. What happened to your arm?" asked Ash. Misty's left are was covered in a cast.

"Oh this? Well, a few days ago, I uh, was chasing someone and I crashed into something." A smirk appeared on Ash's face. Typical Misty. Misty's temper tended to get the best of her sometimes.

"Anyways," Misty continued. "I'm not allowed to travel. Doctor's order."

"Damn. Hey do you know where Brock is by any chance?"

"Actually, Brock was the one that treated my arm. He told that He can't come either. Something about his teacher being really strict and not letting him get out of town unless its an emergency." Ash was speechless. Them too huh? "I got to go now. Sorry that I can't come and have fun tomorrow. Bye."

"Bye," Ash said quietly. With this, Misty hung up and the screen turned black. Dawn! Ash called Dawn's house again. Ring... ring... ring... no answer.

Ash sighed and laid down on his couch. This really will be his first birthday by himself. Of course, Ash has his pokemon whom he loves all of them dearly, but pokemon company can't completely replace people company. With these thoughts, the boy closes his eyes and eventually drifts into the dream world.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Ash woke up and stood up. He looked out the window. The sky was a dark orange changing to black. "Coming!" he said.

As he opened the door, he didn't expect to see who he saw: a familiar looking blue-haired girl with a black mini-dress, a pink mini-skirt, a pink scarf, a white beanie with a pokeball, and a very annoyed face.

"Finally Ash!" said Dawn. "I have been here for half an hour. And I know this is your house bec-" she was interrupted by two arms going around her. Ash hugging her, he said, "I'm so glad that you're here."

A smile quickly appears on her face as she returns the hug. "It's good to see you too Ash."

That's the end of Chapter 1! Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading.