"Alright, let me think. Silver, you're the odd one out, because...your hair color is bright, while the rest of ours is dark," May told Silver. "What? No it's not," he retaliated, causing everyone else to laugh. "Well, Brendan's the odd one out because he's the only one who's the son of a professor." "You got me there," Brendan admitted, before looking to the last member.

"You're the odd one out, because you're the only one who doesn't know who their dad is, Dawn." "Hey, low blow, Brendan," Dawn said back. "Sorry, I ran out of ideas," Brendan said, putting his hands up. "Eh, it's better than what Silver's used," Dawn said, nudging the redhead to her side. "I said that one time, Dawn!"

Suddenly, from the bushes behind them, a Stoutland appeared. "What the...a Stoutland? In Hoenn," May asked. The Stoutland approached the group carefully, looking scared about something. "Hey, it's okay," Dawn told the Pokémon, before getting up and petting it.

The Stoutland looked better for a bit, before grabbing Dawn's hat in its mouth and running back into the bushes. "Hey, get back here! You can't have that," Dawn yelled, chasing after the Loyal Dog Pokémon. She chased the Stoutland to a clearing, where a man waited. "W-well, Bea, what did *cough cough* you find this...time," the man asked, sounding like he was in a lot of pain.

"Sir, are you alright? You look like you're in a lot of pain. Also, your Stoutland stole my hat, and I want it back." "Alright, give it back, Bea," the man said, taking the white and pink hat out of the Stoutland's mouth. "Here you go, honey."

Dawn took the hat from the man, putting it back in her head. "Thank you. So, what happened to you?" "I was attacked by an Ursaring. It got me good, I don't know I'll survive."

"No, you can't say that! Why didn't you dodge or run?" "I tried to, but I wasn't fast enough. I was too late, and I paid the price. Ah, the story of my life."

"What do you mean?" "My whole life, I've been late for most things. For instance, I was late getting my first Pokémon, late for my first date, etc. But, the thing I regret most of all, is being late for my child. I was never there for them, and I never will be, now."

"I'm so sorry. My dad has never been in my life. What were you late for your child for? If it makes you feel better, you could tell me." "Thank you, that does sound nice."

"Well, I was late for my child's birth. I ran as fast as I could through the hospital, trying to find the room my wife was in. After I found the room, I rushed in as fast I could. But, my child was already being held by my wife. I was late, and I always would be."

The man began thinking again, his coughs getting rougher and more frequent. "There was another time where I missed my child beginning their journey. I flew from Johto as fast I could, hoping to send her off, but I just missed her. Once again, I was too late for her." "I'm so sorry, that must have been hard."

"Yes, but that doesn't compare to the worst time. My daughter was having her birthday, and I had a perfect gift for her. But, as usual, I was too late. She was already asleep when I got there." The man began to cough up blood.

"What was the gift you got her?" "I got her a hat, as that was what her mother said to get her. I flew to Kalos to get her a special hat, and I put it on her as she slept. And the hat...was white, with a pink Pokéball logo on it." Dawn looked at her hat, which was white with a pink Pokéball logo, before looking back to the man.

"Y-you're...you're my dad?" "I'm sorry, Dawn. I've never been there for you, and now, I never can be." Dawn's father's breathing was getting shallower, and his eyes were beginning to close. Dawn hugged her father, crying her eyes out.

"I never thought I would meet you like this. Please, don't go." "I love you Dawn," the man said, kissing her on the forehead, before slumping over. Dawn looked at her father's lifeless body, before calling someone on her Pokétch. "M-mom, I found dad..."

(3 Weeks Later)

Dawn walked with her mother to the top of the hill where they buried her father, tears stinging their eyes. When they reached the top, they set the flowers they brought next to his headstone. 'Here lies Joshua, beloved husband, brother, son, and father,' it read. "I can't believe you met him like that. Not even I knew where he was half the time," Dawn's mother told her daughter.

"I know, and though I barely knew him, I miss him so much." "I'm sorry he was never there. He always tried to be there, but...he had other duties." "I just wish I could see him again. I was too late to know him."

Dawn's mother gave Dawn a hug. "But, it's important we learn from this," she said. "I know. And when I have kids, I will never be late for them." "I know you won't, Dawn."

---O---O---O---
Word Count: 908 Words

I doubt this was very good, or even okay, but I had fun writing it. Thank you for reading this tripe I call a Oneshot, and feel free to vote, comment, do whatever.

Until next time, this is SSGSSJ2, Happy Reading!