Shattered • Pokemon

16. Dissociative Amnesia

"She seems to be suffering from dissociative amnesia." The nurse concluded, as she'd done a bit of an assessment on Dawn. Dawn knew her name and age.. she had no issue with identity, but she seemed to have forgotten everything else.

"This could have been caused by overwhelming stress, which could have been caused by traumatic events.." The nurse explained, she'd learnt a bit about Dawn's backstory over the few weeks of being her nurse. "With everything that happened when she was stuck with Paul.. and then being back in that house again.. it must have been too much.. not to mention he tried to kill her." Ash thought.

"So.. you don't remember who we are?" May asked, sadly. "I'm sorry, I don't." Dawn replied, sympathetically. She felt bad for the group, but also felt ashamed in herself for not remembering anything.

"All I can suggest is taking Dawn to a doctor, they might have a solution to her amnesia." The nurse explained. "Alright, we'll do that." May admitted.

Dawn was soon signed out and able to leave, she left with Johanna to go home. May and Ash stood together, waving the pair goodbye as they drove away.

"I can't believe she doesn't remember who we are.." Ash trailed off, looking down. "I know.. it's crazy.." May sighed, also looking down. "But at the same time.. maybe this amnesia is for the better.." She admitted, as Ash looked to her. "She's forgotten about everything that happened with Paul.." May added. "That's true.." Ash admitted, feeling relieved in a way.

-

Dawn sat in the passenger seat of Johanna's car. The girl was quiet, she looked around as they drove.

"Do you remember this area, dear?" Johanna asked, as they were driving through Sandgem town. Dawn sighed disappointed in herself, before shaking her head. "We've been to Sandgem town so many times.. This town is where you got your first Pokémon, Piplup!" Johanna admitted, hoping she might remember something. "What's.. a Piplup?" Dawn asked.

"I'll show you once we get home.." Johanna decided, as Dawn's Pokemon were at their house. Johanna had mixed feelings about Dawn's amnesia.. it really sucked that she'd forgotten almost everything about her life.. but at the same time.. she was pleased that her daughter had forgotten the abuse and trauma she'd suffered when living with Paul.

"So.. you're my mother.. you're the one that raised me.." Dawn began, looking to Johanna. She was trying to remember who Johanna, May and Ash were to her.. Johanna gave her a brief explanation in the hospital. "That's correct." Johanna smiled, as she faced her daughter for a moment.

"May.. she's my best friend?" Dawn asked, "Yeah, she was your best friend all through school!" Johanna explained. Dawn nodded, "Okay.. she seems cool.. very hyper." She laughed. "She's always been that way." Johanna laughed.

"What is Ash, to me?" Dawn asked, still facing Johanna. "Ash is.. well that's a bit complicated at the moment." Johanna laughed nervously. "Oh I see.." Dawn trailed off before looking out of the front windscreen. "Oh god did we have a one night thing?" Dawn asked, embarrassed and disgusted. Johanna couldn't help but laugh, "No actually.. you two were.. in love." She admitted.

Dawn blinked in surprise before turning back to her mother, "Ash and I were together?" She asked. "Yeah.. you two were together for a really long time." Johanna smiled. "What happened to us?" Dawn then asked, curious. Johanna bit her lip, not wanting to tell her the truth. "I don't really remember.. I guess you both grew apart a bit." She lied. "But you've both become really good friends again." Johanna added.