*Dawn's Flashback*

He was my first friend. As well as my first partner in crime. My first male friend.

And also, my first love.

I met him when I was five years old, in a Christmas Party held by Professor Oak, in Pallet Town. I don't remember how he looks, or what we used to talk when we were so little but all I remember is, he had those sweet and warm chocolate brown eyes which I love.

We met eleven years ago, in that party. He is someone close to Professor Oak, I know, but exactly how they are related, I don't remember. He had those two friends, both boys, with whom he used to goof around everytime my eyes landed on him in the party. It was the first time I saw him but definitely not the last.

My Mom was invited to attend the party, probably because she was a native Kanto Citizen before she moved to Sinnoh for her Pokémon contest career.

It was snowy, and cold. I was lost when I was separated from my Mom and somehow ended in a dark, secluded part of the research laboratory. It was the first time when we talked. It was one of the first times when he came to my rescue.

"Momma," I was crying when I couldn't find my way back,"Where are you?"

Everything was so white that I couldn't find my way back. Even my footprints were gone. And thats when he came, with a small yellow pokémon closely behind as he extended his hand and asked,"Are you lost?"

His brown eyes were so comforting that I took his hand and nodded as he pulled me up, saying,"Come, lets go and find your mother."

"Thank you," was all I could say that time.

"Pi!"

The small Pokémon was walking beside us, chirping slowly and definitely enjoying the Christmas mood. The boy was wearing a red jacket with black jeans with a red muffler around his neck. It was cold after all.

"Are you cold?" He had asked when he felt me shivering and I nodded. He was kind, so kind that he wrapped his muffler around my neck, grinning widely,"It will warm you up."

"Thank you."

"Yaah!" I heard him exclaim after we were walking for a minute or two,"We are finally out!"

"I can see my momma!" I gleefully said as I noticed Mom talking to a Green haired women with a boy who was around my age. I turned around and thanked him again,"Thank you for helping me."

"You say thanks a lot, don't you?" The boy joked as he rubbed his nose.

I smiled and began unwrapping the muffler around my neck but he stopped me, grinning again,"Keep it as a souvenir. You won't be cold again. What was your name again?"

"I never told you my name!" I corrected him as I folded my palm together and placed it above my chest,"I'm Dawn Berlitz."

"Nice to meet you!" He rubbed the underside of his nose again,"I'm.. Wait, where is Pichu?"

And he ran away, looking for his Pokémon but as he was leaving, he turned around and waved me goodbye,"I hope we can talk again, Dawn."

I know he was gone but I couldn't help but whisper,"Me too."

The winter trip was the last time we met or talked. But I know, I will meet him again someday and tell him how thankful I was that time for saving me. I wish I could tell him how made my heart race that time. I wish I can tell him how I still admire his selflessness, integrity and charm.

I wish I could just remember his name.

I wish he still remembers my name, remembers me. And remembers the promise we made when me met next time.

.

Present time

Dawn's POV

I closed the diary which I had written when I was five. And then smiled.

Memories began flowing in my mind and all I could see was his silhouette, with snow falling in the background and a Pichu on his shoulder. I wonder if he is still in Pallet Town. I wonder if he still remembers me. I wonder how he looks now.

"Dawn!" I heard my Mom calling from downstairs,"Come fast. Or you will be late."

That's right. I'm Dawn Berlitz, a sixteen years old girl who is going to attend highschool here in Pallet Town. After completing my elementary and middle school in Sinnoh, Mom decided to move to Pallet Town, to stay close to Dad who worked for Professor Oak. Though I was not at all excited to move here, leaving all my friends behind but, Mom really misses Dad.

And I don't think she will listen and leave me behind.

Besides, I really hope I can find that boy I met last time when I was here.

"Coming, Mom!" I answered back as I tied my hair in a pony tail and looked at the mirror. White full sleeved blouse with blue tie and blue skirt, along with matching shoes. Though school uniform sucks, I don't look half bad.

"Got it!" I picked up my phone and placed it inside my bag. Then I picked up two pokeballs, of Piplup and Buneary, and hooked them in my belt. It is a shame we can't carry more than two pokemons. But I'll take turns and make sure I can show everyone my school.

Mom looked happy, happy that she could see Dad everyday instead of just vacations.

"Morning Honey!"

"Morning Dad," I wished as I took a seat opposite to him and saw my Mom coming with a plate of pancakes, saying,"Eat up Dawn. Morning."

"Morning Mom!" Then I dug into plate.

"Oh?" Then unhooking the pokeballs, I clicked them so that Buneary and Piplup could come out,"Mom! Their food?"

"I will get it!" Dad rose up and went through the cupboards, and then placed their food in the bowl. He smiled fondly when the two greeted him and he turned to me, proudly saying,"You're raising them well. They look healthy and happy."

"If only she could take care of herself like that," Mom commented from the kitchen.

"I can!" I answered, flushed. Yeah, maybe I oversleep or forget to take extreme good care of myself, but that is okay. After all, I've Mom to look after me.

"She will learn, right Darling?" Dad commented too and before they could end up discussing about me, I picked up my bag and ran out, saying,"Thanks for food! Come on Piplup, Buneary! Time for Rosewood high!"

"Will she be okay?" Johanna asked her husband as she watched Dawn leave,"Its her first day of Highschool."

"She will be," Tagg Berlitz consoled his wife,"Give her time."

.

Ash's POV

"Lets see," I said as I watched Leaf pulling Gary by the ear when he tried to flirt with another girl passing by,"That makes it seven times. Leaf stopped seven sexual harassment cases."

May giggled as she heard the comment I made and Leaf shook her head, completely irritated by Gary's behaviour, saying,"Seriously Gary, you will scare all the new girls."

Drew flipped his hair as he watched the scene in front of him, smirking,"Leaf is right, Garebear. You will scare the girls."

"I'm not a bear!" Gary folded his arms above his chest as he stood beside me, pouting,"It's not my fault my Tediersa likes me so much."

"Excuses, excuses!" May said, whistling in thin air, annoying Gary furthur as he screeched,"Why are you all teaming up and targeting me?"

"Gary," I said as I placed my hand on his shoulder, getting his attention,"You're not worth the attention. So stop."

"Oh yeah Ashy-boy?" He stared at me, flipping his hair,"Trying to be smart?"

"I don't have to try!" I laughed. This is how it has always been since we all became friends. May and Drew moved her in middle school while me, Gary and Leaf were friends since we were born. Leaf is a distant cousin of mine and lives with my family while Gary lives with Professor Oak, and is also his apprentice.

Drew Hayden and May Maple have their sight set on Pokémon contests while Leaf Green wants to become professor Oak's helping hand, mostly because her family had always been helping the Oaks. For me? I want to become a Pokémon Master once I get my license after I finish highschool.

"Pika!"

I crouched down and picked up Pikachu as he pointed in a random direction, chirping,"Pika! Pikapi!"

"Gary ran away?" I asked and looked around, seeing that he indeed wasn't around. Leaf was growling and May and Drew were trying to calm her down.

"That son of a -" Leaf stopped midsentence, rethinking her words,"Beautiful Woman! He is dead when I catch him."

"Where did he run off to?" I asked.

"He saw another girl entering the premises," May giggled, infuriating Leaf even more,"Gary sure is something."

''I am going to find him before someone complains about him," Leaf mumbled but before she could leave, May stopped her,"You really care about him, don't you?"

"I don't!" She replied quickly, her eyes wide as she shuttered,"Uh- I mean.. He is my friend and I don't want him to land in trouble."

Drew chuckled from behind,"Or more like you can't help but feel jealous."

"Thats it!" Leaf stomped her foot, totally embarrassed,"I don't care what he does! I'm going to class."

As she was walking away, we burst out laughing and May couldn't help but comment,"She has been in denial ever since I remember."

"Yeah," Drew cursed under his breath,"Like another girl I know." I know May hadn't heard it as she turned to ask Drew,"Sorry, did you say something?"

"Yeah," the green hair boy spoke up,"Lets find Gary."

"To save another harassment," I added as we ran in the direction where Pikachu pointed.

And we were not at all surprised when we found Gary, trying to start a conversation with a girl we had never met before. And by the looks of it, the girl looked pissed.

I had hardly taken a step in that direction when May tapped my shoulder, stopping me as she pleaded,"Can we watch how Gary fails? Please?"

"You've some weird fantasies, May!" Drew whispered from behind. May asked him,"Don't you wanna see?"

That shut him up as he nodded,"I do."

May then yanked me down as we hid from the view, and watched as Gary began using his charms to impress the blue haired girl.

She was...different. I mean, any other girl would've been creeped out or confused but it seemed she knew exactly what was going on, she was uncomfortable. And she looked like she was about to punch Gary, or kick him. And her blue hair. Blue hair... Blue hair... I know I've seen her somewhere but I can't recall.

"Hey Miss," Gary flipped his hair as he cornered her. They were on the first floor, near the girls toilet and thus we didn't have to try hard to hide ourselves.

"What?" The girl asked out, looking extremely uncomfortable. If it wasn't for May holding me back, I would've rushed in to stop Gary. Seriously, can't he see?"

"You're new here, right?" There he goes again, smiling like an idiot.

"Yes. Thank you. I'll be leaving now," she bowed and looked ready to run away. Meeting a creepy man on first day of school must be horrible.

"Ah~ Won't you tell me your name?" Gary smirked as he placed a hand near her head, restricting her movements. Now, other than pissed, she looked afraid. Seriously Gary needs to back off.

"Please excuse me!" She softly pushed him by his chest using her right hand as she placed another hand on her pokeballs, unhooking one. Gary was in trouble.

However, as soon as Gary backed off a little, she moved away, turning away from him. We sighed in relief as for a moment we thought she would make her Pokémon punish him. Gary was a jerk, a big one, but we still cared about him. Though a black eye would suit his idiotic face.

Or just a punch would've been acceptable too.

However, Gary had different plans as he grabbed her arms from behind, saying,"Come on, don't be a prude, you can tell me your name, or your phone number even. Maybe I can make time and drop such a beautiful lady home."

And before I knew it, I was climbing the stairs as I jerked Gary's hand away from her but was too late as she turned and punched me, her fist aiming for the face but I just blocked it in time with my arm.

"Shit!" She cursed and looked between me and Gary, who looked horrified.

If I wouldn't have been there, then he would have received the punch on his face, I knew it.

She just turned around and ran away, leaving the four of us standing there, silent and stupefied.

When the initial shock wore off, Gary slumped down, holding his face,"That girl would've destroyed my face with the punch."

"You are okay, right Ash?" May quickly came and checked on my hand then hissed again,"You're bleeding, probably from the ring she was wearing."

"Thanks man," Gary patted me on the shoulder, though he didn't look a bit grateful,"You saved my face."

"By accident," Drew remarked as he helped me up,"You have awful luck, Ash. Getting punched for no reason."

I was still staring in the direction she ran away and before I knew it laughter bubbled up from inside my stomach as I laughed out loud.

"You think he hit his head somewhere?" Maybe it was Drew who made the comment or maybe it was Gary. I don't know why I found the situation so funny but I would definitely like to become her friend. After all, she is different. I sensed it.

.

Dawn's POV

What have I done? What have I done?

I was so tensed up and afraid that I didn't know what to do or how to react. I don't know who the boy was whom I punched instead of the creep and I ran away without even saying a sorry. Oh no!

I completely forgot one cannot use a Pokémon except in classes and was completely out of option. I l stared absentmindedly outside the window, trying to process what will happen if it leaks out that I got into a fight on my first day? Will anyone even support me? I'm new here after all!

Not knowing what to do, I clutched my head and closed my eyes. So much for having a wonderful time here.

"New student? "

I heard a voice and looked up, and saw a girl, with the same uniform as mine standing there. I nodded silently.

"Then before the teacher arrives and assigns new seat, can I sit here?"

I nodded again and watched as she sat down, placing her bag on the desk.

My mind was forcing me to start a conversation but what could I do? I don't even know how to start!

"If you're feeling awkward, don't be," the girl started and I looked at her as she continued talking,"Don't feel left out, okay."

"Thanks, umm."

"I'm Maylene Maple, or you can call me May," the brown haired girl extended her hand,"And you?"

"Dawn Berlitz," I shook her hand,"Nice to meet you."

"Well," she leaned back a little,"About Gary.."

"Umm.. You're talking to me?" I asked as I pointed at myself and she nodded, saying,"Gary was the boy whom you met while coming here. He is my friend."

I knew it, I knew it! She is here to scold me for what I did back there! I quickly bowed my head, apologising,"Sorry! I didn't mean to punch him!"

"Hey!" May grabbed my shoulder,"You don't have to apologize. You punched Ash, Gary was the creepy one. I'm sorry for what he did there. I guess anyone would be startled if that happened to them."

"Oh!" I'm saved!

"And, as an apology," May smiled at me,"Come join me today. I'll show you around."

"Okay. If that's not a problem."

"It isn't."

"WHO WAS THE ONE WHO PUNCHED ASH INSTEAD OF GARY?"

I gulped as I watched another brunette enter the classroom, scanning everyone. This time, I know I'm done for. Her eyes caught May's and she stormed over us. I could already feel my soul leaving my body.

She slammed her fists on my desk and stared at me, making me more uneasy. Why wasn't May saying anything?

"So?" The girl raised her eyebrows,"It must be you, blue hair huh?"

"I'm sorry for that!" I apologized again. Crap everyone was watching us now!

"Oh man!" The new girl groaned as she pulled a chair and sat opposite me,"Why did you miss!"

Huh? "What?"

The girl rubbed her knuckles as she mumbled,"You should have broken his nose atleast."

"I'm sorry! I couldn't live up to your expectations!" I blurted out and quickly covered my mouth,"Ah! That's not what I meant!"

May laughed along with the new girl as she patted my head,"Don't be so nervous Dawn. No one is angry at you or anything."

I sighed as I placed a hand over my thumping chest,"Thank God!"

"I'm Leaf Green by the way!" The new girl pulled my hand into a handshake,"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

"So, wanna show her around school?" May suggested and I quickly crossed my arms, saying,"You don't have to do so much for me!"

"Its fine," Leaf giggled,"Take it as a apology for what Gary did!"

May pointed at Leaf as the latter raised her eyebrows, asking,"What?"

"Thats exactly what I said!" May highfived Leaf and despite everything that happened today, I could feel a smile on my face.

I heard commotion coming from outside the class and as the door opened, few boys stepped inside but my eyes instantly locked on that Ash guy. The guy whom I kicked.

"Crap!" I whispered to myself,"He is coming here."

"Yup, he is in our class afterall," it was Leaf who said it.

I saw Gary and some other boys were approaching too and without a warning, I felt my body tensing up. I have to apologize. Soon.

"Hey!" Ash waved his bandaged hand and I looked up at him. He was smiling, at me?

I shyly waved back at him and slowly muttered,"Sorry for that."

He grinned as he sat near Leaf, saying,"Its fine. Don't be so worked up 'bout it."

And that's when I noticed.

He had brown eyes.

And a Pikachu on his shoulder.

.

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And tadddda! Here is the new story I've been working on! Review, favourite and follow! And of course tell me if you don't understand something or have any questions. Any feedback is appreciated.

So, how was the first chapter? Good? Awful? I'm really nervous about it! And well, I'm excited to write it too!

See you all next time!

~ darkestlightofhope