Ash and Dawn: Together

I Need You

He ran.

You know how it is when you have been running for so long in one direction that you lose track of just how long you've been running? That's how Ash felt right. His legs were moving with a sense of urgency that matched his panic. The sting of the tree limbs lashing his skin didn't seem to register to his brain. There was only one thought run through his mind. One singular objective that he needed to do: She was in trouble. She needed him. And he was gonna do whatever he could to help her.

But first, let's rewind the clock back a few hours, so to better understand the situation.

Our traveling group of trainers had arrived in yet another town in Ash's quest to re-conquer the Kanto region and as luck would have it, it was the site of Dawn's first contest in his homeland. Naturally she was excited to be able to compete again and her hours of training with Ash would soon pay dividends. The only familiar face she saw at the contest was Kenny's, and it wasn't exactly pleasant. You see, despite her words to contrary, Kenny was under the belief that Dawn was now his girlfriend and upon their arrival, he was in this middle telling his fellow coordinators about his blue haired girlfriend. Needless, she wasn't pleased. As sweet a girl as Dawn was, she had a temper. Ash often said he'd rather have Misty angry at him than face the wraith of that coordinator. After some comical screaming, she was able to related to everyone that she was single, hence not Kenny's girlfriend. The red head of course was in denial and said he would "charming the pants off of her". Dawn of course, was doubtful. It was here that we are introduced to the person who would be the true source of trouble.

His name was Gene. He was a fairly famous coordinator in Kanto, known for his skillful combinations as well as his charming personality. He was a notorious lady killer amongst the coordinator community, making as much effort into hitting on his female compatriots as he did in his contests. May had been one of his would be conquests but she was smart enough to know what his game was. Not to mention, her heart was set on a certain rose carrying guy she knew. Sadly, Dawn was ignorant of this when he approached her and put on the charm. Kenny wasn't happy at someone making the moves on his girl but like she reminded him, she wasn't his girl. Ash, on the other hand, wasn't too keen on this guy, but if Dawn wanted to date him, he couldn't stop her. Sure enough, Gene asked her out for dinner. At first she was unsure if she should go on another date, given how the trainer reacted the last time she did but a nod of the head from him was all the conformation that she needed.

The date itself was better than her last one but it was very boring. Sure, she was flattered by his words of praise but they seemed...hollow. Plus, she didn't like how he looked at her. Almost like a predator stalking his prey in the woods. Towards the end, he was making references to his hotel room and on her seeing it. She knew well enough what he wanted and she turned him down. At the time, he let her off, like the gentlemen he was showing her to be but as she walked back to the room she shared with Ash and Brock, she had no idea of the hell that he would give her the next day.

The day of the contest started just like any other. Dawn had already changed into her costume and was full of energy, thanks to Ash giving her a nice energetic hug and kiss. All that changed when she went back into the staging area. Upon her arrival, she say Gene talking to a few of the male coordinators, laughing and slapping him on the back. The females were talking amongst themselves while eying her with disgusted looks on their faces. Just then, Kenny walked up to her, asking if it was true. She was clueless as to what he was asking. It was then that he told her something made her face turn pale: Gene had been saying that he and her had "done the deed" after their date. Anger. Shock. Outrage. Shame. All these emotion came flooding over her in a instant. How could a guy like Gene say something like that? She told him that it wasn't true and of course Kenny believed her but he was the only one. Gene went into details, false details that is, about what a animal Dawn was and how easily she gave into his advances. She walked over and slapped him hard but the damage was already done. The men thought she was easy and the women thought she was a slut. Gene himself said that "don't pretend you aren't a easy slut! I mean look how you dress! You just ask for it!". she didn't understand how they could take his side over hers. Nothing happened and now she labeled a whore by a guy she barely knew.