My Sister, the Princess

A/N: Okay, so this story is kind of based off one of my favorite Disney Channel movies back when I was growing up, "Princess Protection Program", along a couple of elements from "The Princess Diaries". Now that I finally have some free time for a little bit, I can finish working on some of my other stories, including this one.

Well, let's first begin this story by introducing a normal guy from a small town, living a normal life. And I think you all know his name. So let's get on with the show! And action!

Chapter 1

Ash's Normal Life

It was autumn in Pallet Town, which was a small, quaint town nestled on the western side of the Kanto region, about mid-September. Leaves on the trees were turning red and gold, gently falling onto the ground with the cool breeze of fall. On the outskirts of the town, there was a little white ranch-style house with a large yard and a matching shed in the back that was almost the same size as the house itself. It was a Pokémon Daycare Center, and the ranch house was where the residents lived and worked.

Over in the large field were some of the bigger Pokémon napping in the autumn sun before breakfast. Most of them were Tauros, but there were the occasional Ninetales or Nidoqueen, or even a Flygon or Pidgeot flying above. Patrolling around the perimeter of the field was a magnificent male Arcanine, his orange and cream fur glowing healthily in the morning sun of early autumn with the black stripes contrasting beautifully against his skin.

The Arcanine had a rider on his back, carrying some bowls of Pokémon food in his hands. The middle-aged man looked quite handsome; looking about thirty-five years old and having wild raven-black hair, electric blue eyes, and tan skin with Z-marks on his upper cheekbones. He wore a navy blue T-shirt with a black leather vest over it, slightly worn out blue jeans and black hiking boots on his feet. The man was Jayce Ketchum, the owner of The Pallet Town Pokémon Daycare Center.

He got off his Arcanine and carefully placed the bowls of food on the ground. Immediately, some Pokémon came over to him and then dug right into their breakfast. He smiled happily at the happy Pokémon eating away, and then got back onto his Arcanine. As they gently romped away, they soon heard someone calling out.

"Come and get it, guys!" It sounded like a younger male voice. "Breakfast time!"

Jayce then turned to look over at the smaller play area a few meters away from the main plains that meant for younger and smaller Pokémon, which was closer to the main house. There, in the center of it, was a teenage boy about fifteen years old, holding a few bowls of Pokémon food over his head as baby Pokémon jumped up at him and begged for their food. He just laughed at their eagerness as a male Pikachu, who was perched on his shoulder and much older than most of the little ones, jumped off and began gently shooing them away to give his Trainer some space so that he could give them their food.

The teenage boy was pretty much the spitting image of Jayce, having the same wild raven hair and the same tan skin with the little Z-marks on his cheeks like his father, but the boy had chocolate brown eyes instead of Jayce's electric blue. The boy was currently wearing a navy blue work jumpsuit and black and white sneakers. On his head was a red and white cap with the Pokémon League symbol on the front.

That boy was his son, Ash Ketchum. He was Jayce's assistant at the Ketchum Daycare Center, currently a new sophomore student at nearby Viridian High School, and an aspiring and talented Trainer with big dreams of becoming a Pokémon Master. Jayce couldn't be prouder of his son. He had quite a natural talent with Pokémon, which sometimes got him to get his own clients, and he loved the Pokémon very much. However, he did lack a bit of self-confidence, which unfortunately, made him the go-to for a lot of rude kids to pick on at school.

Ash really liked working with his father at the daycare, and school wasn't entirely bad. His dad made sure that he was keeping up with his studies, even if he doesn't always quite like it, and he did have a couple of friends there. But all in all, he still wished that he could go out, explore the world, and accomplish his lifelong dream. Well, soon that day will come, after he has graduated high school.

The younger Pokémon were still jumping up at him, eager for their food. Ash just laughed again as he gave each Pokémon their food. There was a trio of young Eevee; two boys and a girl, a female Mareep lamb, a duo of infant Plusle and Minun, both of them girls, a male Shinx cub, a young female Emolga, and a pair of young Espurr kittens, one of them male and the other female.

Once he gave all of them their food, Ash then started to head back over to the farmhouse, ready to get changed into his normal clothes. He still had school, after all. The younger Pokémon were a little disappointed that he and Pikachu couldn't stay and play with them, though. They all loved to play with him and Pikachu. Any Pokémon could sense his good and pure heart if they tried to get to know him.

"Don't worry." Ash assured them. "When Pikachu and I get back from school, we'll hang out with you guys while I do my chores."

That seemed to perk them all up a bit, which in turn made Ash happy as well as he chuckled. Then, he headed back inside the farmhouse.

*******************

Within minutes, Ash was out of his work jumpsuit and had changed into a simple black T-shirt underneath a blue and white vest and jeans. On his hands were green fingerless gloves.

He was currently eating a bagel while he was quickly finishing up his geometry homework that was due that day. He had started on it the day before, but he was having some trouble with some of the math. He was lucky that he remembered to contact his tutor the night before and ask if they could meet up at school before classes started so that he could finish it.

Math had never been his strong suit; at least when it's on paper. When he is out on the battlefield however, it almost becomes like instinct as he quickly calculates his next unorthodox move.

As he stared blankly at the remaining problems of his confusing math assignment, he started tapping out a little beat with his pencil absentmindedly on the table before it started to take on a bit of a rhythm. Then, he started to softly hum the same tune before the humming turned into singing. He actually liked to sing, but he would never do it in public. He only ever sang for himself when he was alone, or for the younger Pokémon if they couldn't sleep at night sometimes. However, everyone could all agree that he had an amazing voice.

I see this life,
Like a swinging vine.
Swing my heart across the line.

And in my face
Is flashing signs,
Seek it out and ye shall find.

A loud knock then came at the front door, making the teenage boy stop abruptly in his quiet singing. Ash remained silent for a few fearful seconds, hoping that no one had heard him before the knocking was heard again, and he groaned in annoyance. Whoever was there at the door better be either a customer or have something good to explain to him about why he had to get away from his homework, which was due today and he is only two-thirds done with it.

He stood up from his spot at the table and headed to answer the door. When he opened it, there was a pretty girl about his age with short honey blonde hair, sky blue eyes and fair skin. She wore a pink sleeveless knee-length casual tunic under a long red overcoat, black leggings and brown ankle boots. On her head was a red fedora.

"Hey there, Serena." Ash greeted her, quickly putting on a polite front.

Serena Ryder was an old childhood friend of his, but he can't say that he was particularly close with her. They always seemed to have different interests, with Ash wanting to care and train Pokémon in the art of battle, while Serena wanted to perform with her own Pokémon, which sometimes seemed a little too prissy for his taste. But both can relate that they want to explore the world and accomplish their dreams once they graduate from high school.

Serena's cheeks turned a delicate pink when she saw him. "Hi, Ash." She returned the greeting, a little flustered. "I, um...I'm here for-"

"Don't worry." Ash kindly cut her off, and then turned to look over his shoulder. "Pikachu! Bring Eevee! Serena's here!"

A few seconds later, Pikachu came up to the door, with the timid female Eevee following close behind him. She perked up at the sight of her Trainer, and then happily jumped into her arms.

"Were you good, Eevee?" She asked the Evolution Pokémon. Her answer was a loving nuzzle to her face.

"She was great as usual." Ash reported to his old childhood friend. "She's still a little shy around most of the others, but Pikachu was there for her, right buddy?"

"Pika!" Pikachu chirped cheerfully as he jumped onto his Trainer's shoulder.

"Hey, uh, Ash?" Serena suddenly asked, holding Eevee, who was looking up at her Trainer curiously. "Y-You know that there's the Homecoming Dance next month?"

"Yeah. What about it?" Ash asked.

It was one of the most discussed topics he had been hearing ever since school started up again, and he was already getting sick of it. Most of the guy gossip he would hear would either be talking about one of three subtopics: who they were going to bring to the dance, why they weren't going, or if Ash had someone in mind to take to the dance if they included him in the conversation. When it came to the third sub-topic, Ash's answer was always a big, fat, "no" . He wasn't even planning on going to it anyway.

Serena's cheeks turned from a soft pink to a bright red as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "W-Well, I, uh...I was just wondering if-" She was interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing from inside the house.

"Hang on a second, Serena." Ash said to her and then went over to the videophone and answered it. "Ketchum Pokémon Daycare." He said automatically.

"Hey, Ash!" A female voice answered, making Serena slightly puff her cheeks out in frustration when she recognized that voice, the blush on her face gone and replaced with a small but jealous pout. "Hi there, Pikachu!"

Ash smiled brightly at the girl on the screen. "Hey, Dawn!" He greeted his best friend.

Serena had to bite her tongue to keep herself from quietly muttering foul things under her breath. Why couldn't Ash smile like that at her? But even so, she could never bring herself to really hate the girl that he was talking to, even though Ash does kind of spend most of his time with her when he wasn't at home or working. She was much too nice for Serena to actually hate her, but there was no denying that she was definitely jealous of her.

Dawn Berlitz had been Ash's best friend ever since Serena had briefly moved away to Kalos, and they always seemed to be hanging out together, even after she came back to Pallet Town just a year ago (Much to her dismay, it took Ash several minutes to actually remember her back when they first reunited). They both have the same drive and passion when it comes to their dreams. And as much as she hated to admit, Ash's best friend, whom he shared almost all of his classes with, was considered to be very pretty.

The girl that was displayed on the screen had long blue hair, matching sapphire eyes, and fair skin. She was wearing a black tank top, a pink miniskirt, pink boots, long black socks and a white beanie with a pink Poké Ball design on the front. Her smile was bright and kind. In her arms was a little male Piplup. He chirped happily at the sight of Pikachu, who returned the greeting. Both of them were like their Trainers; best friends.

Dawn had clicked with Ash ever since she had moved from Sinnoh back when they were in middle school because of their equally passionate love for Pokémon and for their dreams. They made a great team, and Dawn was an excellent battler like him. She wished to become a Top Coordinator, just like her mother.

Ash knew that even though he preferred intense but normal way of battling, he quickly saw that Pokémon Contests were pretty awesome too, with the cool visual effects added to the battling, and he did learn some interesting strategies that can be quite effective in battles if he needed to get the upper hand by surprise. He could tell that Dawn was meant for Contests, and he certainly wouldn't mind if she asked him if he would want to compete in a Contest one day. It could be good for the experience.

"Are you coming to school early today?" Dawn asked him.

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, of course. Why?" He asked, secretly hoping that the reason for her call was just social and not what he thought it is really about.

Dawn rolled her eyes, knowing that he must've forgotten about their plans to meet up. "Because you called me yesterday to see if I can help you with that geometry assignment that's due today." She reminded him.

Ash smacked a palm against his face, his false hope that she would have forgotten dashed away. "Of course." He said with a groan. "And here I thought you were calling because you missed me. You know I hate geometry when it's on paper."

Dawn giggled at his little sarcastic joke. "Chill out, Ash." She said. "I'll be at school, in the library. You better have at least most of it already done."

"I do!" Ash exclaimed. "At least I try to do my schoolwork, unlike some other people. Have a little more faith in me."

"I can count on you as a tag team partner one hundred percent, Ash." Dawn said. "But when it comes to schoolwork, you need some serious help."

Ash just rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence." He muttered sarcastically. "I have enough with Dad getting on my case about it. He says that if I can't keep my grades up this year, I won't be able to help out at the daycare anymore."

"So basically, that's his way of saying that you'll get fired." Dawn summed it up, a little teasing smirk on her face.

"He can't fire me!" Ash said, crossing his arms against his chest, a pout on his face. "I'm his son!"

"That's not really a good excuse." Dawn continued to playfully argue.

"You know I'm good all around in only four subjects!" Ash said. "Languages, science, history and gym."

"At least consider yourself lucky that I immediately volunteered to be your geometry tutor instead of you-know-who." Dawn teased.

"Please do not mention that name." Ash said. "She just gets way too close to me whenever she finds the chance. She just seems more interested in flirting with me than helping me."

"Well, at least you're not completely as dense as you were back when we were in middle school." Dawn teased him, turning Ash's cheeks a light pink.

"Don't go there." He pleaded with her, making her laugh as he lightly stuck his tongue out at her, making her giggle at his childish retort.

All that friendly banter going on between them, making them appear as if they were the only two people in the world, only soured Serena's mood. She knew Ash much longer than she did, ever since elementary school, and yet, he had never looked at her that way. Again, she didn't really hate Dawn, but she'd give anything if she could have a normal conversation with Ash like Dawn does. Then maybe, Ash might finally give her a chance.

"Fine." Ash surrendered. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes tops."

Dawn smiled kindly at him. "I'll be counting on it. See ya soon!" With that, she waved at him with a smile and the call disconnected.

Ash rolled his eyes again, but there was a fond little smile on his face. "Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without her." He said to himself.

He was very grateful that he had a great friend in Dawn Berlitz. He could tell her pretty much everything and anything. Well, except for one little thing.

If he was being honest with it, he was still coming to terms with the realization that somehow, he had developed deep romantic feelings for her. But there was no way, in any known dimension, that he was ever telling her that, not unless he wanted to ruin their beautiful friendship. That fear thankfully helped him build up a subtle wall so that she doesn't catch onto his feelings.

He then turned over to Pikachu. "Can you get my backpack for me, buddy?" He asked.

Pikachu gave him a salute in affirmation, and then jumped off his shoulder and headed back into the living room.

Ash returned to the doorway, where Serena was still waiting. "Sorry about that." He apologized. "What were you saying?"

Serena quickly erased her jealous frown and her cheeks once again turned a rosy pink, remembering what she was trying to say to him.

"Well, uh, Ash, I was wondering if-"

A car horn suddenly blared, cutting her off again. "Hey, Serena!" Both her and Ash turned over towards the driveway and saw that a fancy dark blue car was parked there, making Ash grimace deeply. He knew who was driving that.

Even though Serena was considered his friend because they knew each other ever since they were young, and because she was a regular client at the daycare, the rest of her little group of friends, he wasn't too fond of.

Shauna Gardner was friendly enough. Nini Robins, he wasn't particularly close with but remained cordial to her, but Miette Pavone was the worst. Not just because she was mean and snobby, but also because she would always flirt with him, especially since they share the same geometry class. It was really getting annoying, and he wondered when it would ever get through her head that he wasn't interested in her, and never will be.

"Stop talking with Mr. Hot Stuff there and get in the car!" Miette called out, making Serena blush bright red.

Ash however, glared hatefully at her. He had to fight back a wicked little grin when Shauna had lightly slapped her arm to make her shut up.

"Shut it! I'll be right there!" Serena answered back, her blue eyes narrowed at her friend, her cheeks taking on a darker hue.

"You better get going, or else we'll both be late." Ash said. "I'll see you in class."

"Yeah." Serena said, her blush softening, but she had a sad look in her eyes about not finishing her conversation with Ash. "I'll see you later."

She then looked down at Eevee in her arms. "Let's go, Eevee."

Ash waved goodbye to Serena as she got into her friend's car, her face flushed bright pink at something that Shauna had said to her. Miette then smirked flirtatiously at the raven-haired boy.

"See you soon, handsome!" She called out to him.

Ash fought back a shudder of discomfort, but he did give her a look of disgust as they all drove away. He then caught the pitied glance of his father, who was brushing the fur of his Arcanine.

"Come on, sport." He said to his son, putting the brush away as a little smirk formed on his face. "You don't want to be late today for your little tutoring date with Dawn."

Ash felt his face grow a bright red color, feeling like there was a Fire Blast burning in his skin. "Dad, for the hundredth time, it's not a date!" He shouted. "Besides, even if I did like Dawn like that, which I don't, it would be way too awkward."

Jayce just shrugged, knowing very well that his son was attempting to lie to him and that he did have a crush on Dawn. "Whatever you say, pal." He said. "Let's get a move on."

Ash quickly nodded and hurried back inside the house to get Pikachu and his backpack, while his father followed him to change into some normal clothes.

*******************

Minutes later, both father and son were driving down the long dirt road in Jayce's jeep, with Pikachu sitting on Ash's lap. However, his Trainer was still in a bit of a foul mood, not because of his father's teasing, but because of what happened earlier with Serena and her group of friends. In his mind, the main reason why they all were friends was only because they wanted to be Performers.

"I can't stand her!" He exclaimed, his tongue tasting like there was something bitter in his mouth at the thought of Miette flirting with him like that. "Prissy little princess!"

"You make that sound like it's a bad thing." Jayce said, making his son frown and glare at him dryly. "Ash, she's a teenage girl. It's basically her job to know and notice stuff like that. That, and it's kind of my fault you inherited my good-looking genes."

That last comment made Ash snort in slight amusement. "Well, I'd rather look like you, so that everyone knows that I'm your son and not adopted." He said.

"Our job, as men, is to either go along with a woman's choice and approval, or to ignore it." Jayce continued.

Ash rolled his eyes. "Well, I've been ignoring Miette's 'choices' for almost a year now. It's just really starting to get on my nerves."

"If she annoys you that much, and she's not taking a hint, why not date someone else to get her off your back?" Jayce asked. "Or pretend to?"

"Pretend or not, Dad, I'm just not ready for dating. I'm only fifteen." Ash answered. "Besides, even if I want to date right now, it would be with someone who likes me for me, not because they pity me or because of how I look. I want... love... the way you found it, Dad."

A ringing sound ended their deepening conversation as Jayce picked up an earpiece communication device from the glove box and put it in his left ear. Ash immediately tensed up and instinctively held Pikachu closer to him. He knew that whenever his dad used that, it was for something really serious.

"It's Ketchum." He answered. Ash and Pikachu remained silent as Jayce had his conversation on his earpiece phone.

"Yes, sir." He replied to the person on the other end. "Right away."

The call ended and Jayce put away his earpiece. "You're leaving again?" Ash asked him carefully.

"Right after I drop you off, for two days max." Jayce answered his question.

He saw the worried look on his son's face, and on Pikachu's. "It's no big deal." He tried to assure both of them. "It's just a minor routine operation."

"That's what you always say." Ash retorted back, knowing very well that his dad's other job was very risky.

Not that he should speak for himself. He's also done some very reckless things himself in his life. Like father, like son. Still, whenever he would leave, Ash would worry immensely, hoping that he would see his father again.

Ash then sighed, petting Pikachu softly to give himself and his partner some comfort. "Just be careful." He said.

Jayce nodded. "Always." He promised.

***************

Soon, they had arrived at Viridian City High School, which is in Viridian City, a good few miles away from Pallet Town. It was the closest school that kids in Pallet Town could attend until there would be an actual school in the town limits. Jayce stopped the jeep in front of the school's main entryway. Students and their own Pokémon were walking in and out of the large and long building.

Jayce looked over at his son, and then held out his fist. Ash smiled and then bumped it with his own, then they did a couple of side high-fives before they both snapped their fingers as part of a father-son handshake that they came up with.

"You and me, Ash." Jayce said.

Ash smiled. "You and me, Dad." He replied.

Pikachu then jumped onto his Trainer's shoulder, getting his attention. "Pika, pika!" He exclaimed, not wanting to be left out.

Both Ash and Jayce laughed as the older Ketchum man lightly ruffled the fur on top of Pikachu's head, making the Mouse Pokémon squeak happily. And then Jayce took off his son's cap and ruffled his own hair, making him laugh lightly. He put back the cap back on his son's head and then Ash grabbed his backpack and got out of the jeep. He properly put it onto his back as he walked up the steps and then turned back to wave goodbye to his dad one more time.

Jayce returned the wave and then began driving out of sight as Ash walked towards the main doors. He stopped and looked in the direction where his dad had driven.

"Stay safe." He whispered quietly.

His dad was all he had left of his family, minus Pikachu and all the other Pokémon that they would take care of at the daycare. He never knew his mother. All that Jayce ever really said of her was that she did love both of them very much, but they could never be together as a family because of the stupidly strict rules of her own. So she was forced to leave them. Ash sometimes wondered what kind of stupidly strict rules his birth mother lived under that made her leave them, while Jayce had to raise him alone.

Pikachu gently rubbed his cheek against his Trainer's own to give him some comfort. Ash smiled at him gratefully and then slowly entered the school after taking a deep breath. Time to face another day. Such was the reality of his life.

A/N: That's how life is for one of the main characters. Next chapter, we'll see how life is for the other one, and it is a completely different world than his. No promises on when that will be, because I'm already busy enough with other things in my life besides my other projects I have.

Until next time! I'll see y'all! Please leave a comment about what you think, and remember to stay healthy! The worst is not over yet, but we're almost there.

Got to fly! ;)