Dawn Toyoguchi

Hikari Dawn Toyoguchi is one of the main protagonists of Tears of the Fallen. She's from Twinleaf Town in Sinnoh, but ended up moving to Jubilife City. She's a member of the Mokusetsu, traveling with Alain Takahata and Ash Ketchum.

Background
Dawn's dad abandoned her mom after realizing her mom was pregnant.

Dawn lived with her mom, Johanna, in Twinleaf Town until it was time for her to start attending Sinnoh Academy. Then, they both formally moved to a new house in Jubilife City; they didn't stay in PokéLife Apartments like most others who had to move to attend the academy.

A Victim of Assault
Three girls from Sinnoh Academy constantly pick on her: Misty, Iris, and Ursula. It was just wordplay at first, but it escalated past that over time. Because of the Tekiyoku, they force her to pay them money to help them pay the Tekiyoku taxes. If she doesn't, they take her somewhere away from others and just assault her. Sometimes, they even beat her up just because they want to, even if she has the money to pay.

The 3 girls weren't really worried about any other students seeing this, since no one at the academy likes Dawn, but they still beat her up away from open areas. Dawn constantly begs them to stop, but it's to no avail. This usually happens after a day at the academy.

Her mom is at work when she gets home, preventing any chance of her mom seeing the injuries; Dawn also usually stays locked up in her room at home. The 3 girls also know where Dawn lives (they forced that from her one day) and have threatened to come to her house to beat her up if she tries to escape. Dawn's mom usually doesn't come home until around 10pm, by the way, which the girls know.

Beginnings in Sinnoh
In Episode 1, on July 12th, Dawn was behind Sinnoh Academy, in Jubilife City. The academy was out for summer break and thus, abandoned. Dawn was a recent graduate from this past year. She was being questioned by Misty, Iris, and Ursula, three girls who constantly messed with her at the academy. They were wondering where her money was, because they expected her to pay them so they can have help with paying their taxes to the Tekiyoku. This was a common occurrence. She didn't have money this time, so the girls beat her up pretty badly and left her lying behind the academy in tears.

She was soon approached by a young man her age who asked her what happened, upon seeing her disheveled appearance and torn clothes. She nervously didn't say anything to answer him. He then offered to walk her home, to her surprise. He said his name was Ash Ketchum. They got to know each other a bit more. At home, she felt happier from his friendship and asked if she'll see him again. He told her he was in town for a week and would definitely see her again.

Not long after, Ash returned and knocked at her door. He brought a friend of his whom he just met, named Alain Takahata. Alain was quickly annoyed at her and didn't like her. Dawn was very nervous, as she was hoping to just have time with just Ash. Ash promised he'd see her the next day and left. She smiled and thought to herself about his kindness and hospitality.

That night, Dawn heard a knock at her door. Her mother was still at work. She answered it to see Annie and Oakley, members of the Tekiyoku. They asked where her mom was, saying that she was behind on her taxes. With her mother not home, the girls gave Dawn and her mom 5 days to have the money. They left, troubling Dawn deeply.

In Episode 2, Ash didn't make it over to see Dawn the next day, saddening her. She was hoping for him to be there because she was supposed to meet Misty, Iris, and Ursula again at the academy or else they'd come over her house while her mom was at work to beat her up worse. She went there, but still didn't have money to pay them. She got beaten up again. They gave her 5 days (July 18th, the day before her birthday) to have the money. That night, she cried, thinking Ash didn't like her anymore.

The next day, in Episode 3, Ash finally went to see Dawn. He revealed he didn't make it the previous day because Alain wouldn't let him get a break from his martial arts training. Dawn was happy and introduced him to her mother, Johanna, who was just about to leave for work. They went to a park, where Ash informed Dawn about the full reason he was in Jubilife City. He told her about Ash's mission to travel with Alain as ordered by Arceus. This was to find all of Arceus's Plates and stop the Tekiyoku, thus returning the world to normal. She also learned more details about Ash's life, while she told him more about her, excluding her Sinnoh Academy bullies. They continued hanging out over the next few days.

On the day before her birthday, Dawn was with Ash, but Ash's break was shorter this time around. Dawn had to see the bullies at the academy again and was hoping for Ash to stay with her more. She went to the academy and told Misty, Iris, and Ursula that she still didn't have the money. The girls decide to pay their own taxes this time, but beat her up again even worse this time. They told Dawn they'll beat her up every day until she pays, but that they'll let her have the next day free, since it's her birthday.

The day of her birthday, she hung with Ash some more and felt much better from talking with him more. It was the day before Ash had to leave Sinnoh to start his journey. This concerned Dawn, who wouldn't be able to see Ash again, but she stayed happy during their hangout.

That night, she was visited by Annie and Oakley again, this time with her mom home. It was 2 days past the previous 5-day-limit. They brought a third Tekiyoku member, Merilyn Flame. Upon learning that Johanna still didn't have the Tekiyoku tax money, Oakley used Bestial Demon to transform. She then charged at Dawn's mother and stabbed her with a knife, killing her. Dawn was shocked and started crying. Merilyn then used Azul to burn the entire house down. The Tekiyoku fled the scene, while Dawn stayed outside the house, watching it burn down. She cried and stayed sleeping out there for the night.

Ash found Dawn asleep on the ground outside the next morning, next to the remains of her burned house. He learned what happened from her and then convinced Alain to allow Dawn to travel with them, making Dawn a member of the Mokusetsu (which wasn't named that at the time).

Kalos
Dawn traveled with the Mokusetsu to Lumiose City in the Kalos region to find the Water Plate, Shizuku, which Alain knew the location of. She traveled with Clemont and Bonnie. She hid with Pikachu during the fight for the Plate as Ash and Alain fought James, Jessie, and Meowth. After Alain and Ash were victorious, Alain dug up the Plate, and Dawn marveled at its beauty. She held the Plate for a little bit and then they left the area. Dawn, however, forgot to put the Plate back in Alain's bag and left it on the ground. The enemies who were just defeated ended up getting the Plate shortly afterwards, infuriating Alain. He yelled at Dawn, which saddened her. He wanted Dawn gone from the group, but Ash wouldn't let that happen. Dawn was very troubled after this and vowed to be more careful.

She met Serena when Ash brought her along shortly after when he met her in the nearby forest, disheveled and void of recent memory. The 6 of them ended up traveling together, since Clemont and Bonnie stuck around longer. The mission was to find Serena's mother. Dawn was there when Professor Sycamore came to try to help with Serena's mom's whereabouts, but to not much avail. She stayed on the sidelines as Dr. Zager, Celosia, and Mable, appeared to fight Ash and Alain for possession of the Electric Plate, Ikazuchi, after Ash's Pikachu previously found it. After Ash and Alain's victory, and Bonnie's subsequent kidnapping by the retreating enemy, she traveled with them as they went to rescue Bonnie from the Science Division and successfully reunite Serena with her mom.

Before returning Serena to her mom, though, Dawn had constantly noticed Serena staring at Ash, aware of the possibility of her having feelings for him. This deeply worried her, due to her own feelings for Ash. She even saw Ash and Serena awake in Ash's tent one morning after a night of camping, despite her and Serena having slept in the same tent that night. She was unaware of the real reason for this, being the events that transpired late in the night, but she didn't say anything about it. She even saw that Serena wanted to talk to Ash privately before they departed when she was brought back to her mom. This worried Dawn deeply, who asked Ash what the conversation was about, but she was interrupted by Alain, and never got an answer.

Dawn then traveled with Shauna, Korrina, and Miette throughout Snowbelle City, Kalos to get the Ice Plate, Tsurara. She saw Alain fight Butler in a sparring before Miette threatened to join Butler and the Tekiyoku in fear of the Mokusetsu not being able to defeat them later. Ash persuaded her to come back.

Dawn watched as Ash and Alain fought Cyrus and Lawrence III for possession of the Ice Plate. Ash and Alain were victorious, and Alain's Charizard found the Plate. However, Miette then stole it and tried to throw it over the edge of an ice-cold waterfall, rendering it incapable of being recovered. Alain threatened Miette, making her fall over the waterfall, but Alain saved her. In the hospital, Dawn stepped out as Ash and Miette had a private conversation before they all left her there.

Johto
The next destination was the Johto region. In New Bark Town, while walking with Ash, she encountered Lyra and Casey and Ash invited them to travel with the group. They did and they then walked to Ecruteak City, the location of the Bug Plate, Tamamushi. Dawn, Ash, and Lyra played baseball with Casey in her favorite field here, but stopped when hearing a commotion in the city. Archie was terrorizing the place and tied up a girl to a fence. Once Archie left the scene, Dawn and the others ran up to her and Ash freed her. They learned her name is Bianca, who was deeply grateful.

Dawn then witnessed Ash and Alain fight Archie and The Iron-Masked Marauder. Ash and Alain won, but somehow, Dawn was not aware of her surroundings after the fight and ended up getting captured by Archie and Marauder. They held her hostage as they returned to demand the Bug Plate or else they'd kill Dawn. Alain agreed and the group got Dawn back. Alain was deeply furious at her and yelled at her immensely. He wanted Dawn out of the group again, but Ash still defended her. However, Ash was also angry and sternly told Dawn to get it together. Dawn cried after this and continued crying for a while after this.

Dawn later saw Alain encounter Tekiyoku member, Domino. Ash was ready for a fight, but Alain said it was all right and went to talk with her privately. He returned, reporting no fight happened.

Next, Dawn went with the Mokusetsu to Blackthorn City, Johto, to find the Grass Plate, Midori. When arriving there, a girl came up to Ash, claiming to be his little sister, shocking Dawn. This girl was named Mairin. They learned she wasn't Ash's actual blood sister, but considered herself to be. While still confused, Ash, also with Dawn, spent time with Mairin and had fun in the city. She witnessed Mairin teaching a lullaby to him.

The group learned that Mairin stayed in a foster home here and was originally from Camphrier Town, Kalos. A Nurse Joy was overseeing the foster home and was happy Mairin had someone to play with.

While Mairin was still with them, Dawn, hiding with Mairin, witnessed Ash and Alain fighting Barret and Kodai over possession of the Grass Plate. During the fight, Mairin became angry at the enemy for attacking her "big brother" and ran out from her hiding spot, despite Dawn's warnings not to. Kodai attacked Mairin and threw her across a river bank. This infuriated Ash, who stopped being like his usual self and viciously attacked Kodai. With Alain's help, the two defeated the enemy, who retreated.

Mairin ended up having the Grass Plate the whole time, not knowing what it was at first. She found it while digging. The Plate's discovery led to a weird, purple tree stump sprouting that transmitted Mairin's singing to Ash, which is why he was hearing it. Ash and Dawn spent more time with Mairin before the Mokusetsu left the city.

Return to Sinnoh
After this, Dawn traveled with the group to the Sinnoh region. They met up with Zoey, Barry, and Kenny of Division B of the Mokusetsu, who traveled with the group for the three Plates located there.. Right away, Alain had Zoey become a Grass Manipulator. In Snowpoint City, Dawn, hiding with Kenny and Zoey, witnessed Ash and Alain fighting Argus Steele, Mars, and Jupiter for possession of the Fairy Plate, Seirei, which was not found yet. The Mokusetsu won. Dawn then went off on her own. She went to a nearby fountain they saw once arriving at the plaza they're at now. Out of instinct, she went into the fountain and made a wish. She wished for the Fairy Plate. The Plate appeared in Dawn's hands. She returned with the Plate, surprising everyone. Everyone congratulated her on finding it.

At this point, Kenny decided to organize a "Plate-searching" team to inspire himself, Dawn, and Pikachu to find more Plates while they're on the sidelines, similar to what Dawn recently did. This was more of a comical thing, as Kenny named Pikachu the leader and asked him what they should do to hone their searching skills. Kenny erroneously translated what Pikachu said to abnormal, impossible tasks for them to do. Dawn kept trying to come up with excuses to get herself out of doing these tasks.

When venturing out for the next Plate, the Dark Plate, Kowamote, in Eterna City, Sinnoh, the group was encountered by a girl who wanted to join them. It was Ursula, one of Dawn's bullies from Sinnoh Academy. This terrified Dawn, while Ursula evilly looked at Dawn and eagerly awaited their interactions. The rest of the group happily accepted Ursula to join them.

Ursula ended up privately talking to Dawn, who was deeply afraid. Ursula asked what happened and why Dawn wasn't in Sinnoh anymore. After basic questions were answered, Ursula demanded more Tekiyoku tax money from Dawn to help her, Misty, and Iris pay their taxes. Dawn didn't have money, which prompted Ursula to beat up Dawn some more. This happened on two separate occasions. Dawn still opted not to tell anyone about this.

In the city, Dawn witnessed Ash, Alain, Zoey, and Ursula ready to fight as enemies were approaching. They were encountered by Heidayu and Kagetomo. As a fight started, Ash was suddenly stabbed from behind, deeply shocking Dawn. Ash fell, as the man who did this was Pierce, a Ghost Manipulator, which prevents Alain from being able to sense him. Ash was carried off the battlefield and couldn't participate in the rest of it. Dawn was crying by his side and comforted him during this. The Mokusetsu ended up being victorious and made the enemy retreat.

Barry was having doubts around this time and was considering becoming a Dark Manipulator, despite it not being possible. He wanted more power to defeat Paul. Barry started to admit this out loud after the fight. Dawn calmed down Barry and peacefully persuaded him to not seek that kind of power. After talking, Barry was happy and the darkness was "driven" out of him. This made the Dark Plate appear in her hands, shocking everybody. Dawn figured this would work, and everyone was happy she discovered the Plate.

Dawn went with the Mokusetsu to Floaroma Town, Sinnoh next, since this was the location of the Psychic Plate, Fushigi. After Ursula left, Alain had Ash try to meditate to become an Electric Manipulator. Before this, Dawn expressed deep worry to Ash, hoping that he'd be all right. During the meditation, this worrying was clouding Ash's mind and made him lose focus, prompting an angry Alain to stop the meditation, noting that Ash was losing focus. Ash was dejected as the meditation was canceled for now, as Dawn was still worried.

In Floaroma Town, Dawn and Kenny watched as Ash, Alain, Barry, and Zoey were prepared for a fight as they neared the Psychic Plate's location. They encountered Annie and Oakley. Dawn immediately recognized them as the ones who killed her mom. Ash became extremely angry at those two and vowed to make them pay. Zero then came to the scene, followed shortly by Paul. A series of one-on-one fights ensued. The enemy ended up getting defeated and left the scene, while Alain retrieved the Psychic Plate from the top of a nearby mountainside.

Alola
After Division B once again separated from Division A, Dawn, Alain, and Ash went to Alola for more Plates. They went to Hau'oli City on Melemele Island and went to an unofficial summer academy owned by Professor Kukui. There, they recruited Kiawe, Mallow, Lana, and Lillie to travel with them as they go to Paniola Town on Akala Island for the Fire Plate, Hi no Tama.

While traveling, Dawn learned more about the backstory of Kiawe, Mallow, and Lana. She also told them a little about herself. When it was time for Lillie to tell about herself, she stammered and suddenly ran away. Alain and Ash ran after her. After this, Kiawe, Mallow, and Lana spoke to Dawn. They said they needed to tell her something about Lillie. They ended telling her about Lillie's past, including how her brother, Gladion, is a member of the Tekiyoku. They also informed her that Gladion had returned to the family years later and killed his father, Mohn, right in front of Lillie, while his mother, Lusamine, was at work.

Later, Dawn learned more about Mallow, mainly about her father, Abe, and his previous involvement as a member of the seafolk, a wandering group from Seafolk Village. Mallow mentioned how she felt guilt since she knew her father missed this group, but couldn't go back, due to his family. She says Abe still hasn't gone back to them, even after she moved out to live with her brother, 'Ulu, and Lana. Dawn then did a great job with cheering up her and Lana about their situations, even declaring that no matter what, the Mokusetsu will find Lana's twin sisters and reuinite her with them. It became evident that Ash's upbeat nature was rubbing off on Dawn.

In Paniola Town the next day, Dawn met Kiawe's family, Sima, Rango, and Mimo. After unsuccessfully searching for the Fire Plate after this, people were approaching, so Dawn hid with everyone except Ash, Alain, and Kiawe. The enemy turned out to be Tupp, Rapp, and Zipp, three former members of Team Skull who are now with the Tekiyoku. Dawn watched as a fight began.

In this fight, Ash fought Zipp, Kiawe fought Tupp, and Alain fought Rapp. Lana was uneasy watching this, but Dawn told the Alolan traveling companions that these fights get easier to see after a few of them. She has confidence that their side will win. Dawn expressed concern for Ash whenever he was in danger and was even afraid at how vicious he was against Zipp. The fight ended up with the Mokusetsu winning and the former Team Skull enemies retreating.

Dawn searched with the rest of the Mokusetsu after this for Hi no Tama again. The search went for a while with no luck and a scorching sun, due to the drought. Dawn spoke with Lana during this, who is amazed at how Dawn can watch so many of those heated battles. Dawn mentions that Ash assures them that everything will be all right, which comforts her. Lana also expresses that Lillie has changed a lot and is more jubilant and speaking more; she credits this to Ash, mentioning that she thinks Lillie feels closer to Ash. This worries Dawn, although she hides that from Lana.

After more searching for Hi no Tama, Ash ends up using Alain's Charizard to ride to the top of a nearby silo, which is 45 feet in the air. Ash jumps off into an opening at the top, which scares Dawn. Dawn tries to run inside, but Kiawe holds her back, saying she wouldn't see Ash if she went inside. Ash ends up flying back to the ground with Charizard with the Fire Plate. Ash explains it was in a hidden higher layer of the silo. Rain then started to fall, another strange occurrence when finding some Plates. The drought was effectively ended. Dawn stayed with everyone as they left Paniola Town to head back to Hau'oli City and spend the night with everyone at Lillie's house. While there that night, she saw Ash and Lillie talking outside at around 1am, concerning her. She watched, but couldn't make out what they were saying. The next day, she stayed with everyone as they journeyed around Hau'oli City since they were going to wait a few days before seeking Ganseki, the Rock Plate, in that city. She learned that Ash and Lillie's talk consisted of him helping her to feel better about the bad memories of Lillie's brother, Gladion. She later learned about eXpulsion.

(More plot summaries of Dawn)

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Personality
Dawn is extremely shy. Her personality is very timid and reticent. She rarely, if ever, gets angry. She gets scared easily and becomes nervous whenever someone other than her mom speaks to her. She is quiet and never really speaks to anyone. She even didn't say that much to her mom at home. She didn't open up to her mom about anything that was troubling her, usually pretending that everything was fine. Her mom sensed that Dawn is introverted, but didn't fully know the extent that this reached.

She's constantly depressed. She's sad about how she doesn't have friends nor anyone to talk to. She cries very often, usually in private.

Dawn has intense feelings for Ash. These feelings started when Ash was there for her after she got beaten up by Misty, Iris, and Ursula behind Sinnoh Academy on Ash's first day in Jubilife City. He was very helpful to her and Dawn looked forward to seeing him more while he was temporarily in the city. The feelings grew exponentially larger when Ash fiercely argued with Alain to allow her to travel with them after her mom was murdered and her house was burnt down. She really wishes to be more than friends with him, but her shyness keeps her from confessing to him, saddening her deeply.

General
Growing up, Dawn had no friends at all. She stayed to herself at the academy and no one really talked to her. She has no Pokémon. She's too shy to catch and keep one. She usually runs away whenever one of considerable size confronts her. She's never been in a relationship. However, she feels very lonely at times and wishes she had someone to be with.

Dawn has thought of ending her life many times.

Ash
As stated earlier, Dawn has a very large crush on Ash. This is due to how kind Ash is to her, compared to others in her incredibly lonely life. She gets very nervous around him, but still feels comfortable around him to talk about things she doesn't talk about with others.

While traveling, she's usually very quiet unless Ash starts conversation with her. She supports him throughout all of his endeavors. She smiles around him more than she's smiled in her whole life. She feels that her life is much safer and more worthwhile with him looking after her.

Ash is enthusiastically supportive of Dawn. He gives her pep talks and motivates her often to keep pushing forward, despite all that she's been through. He relates to her problems, since they both have a mom who was killed by the Tekiyoku. The difference is that Ash remains positive and happy while spreading kindness everywhere, even with all the pain he's been through. This shines as an example to Dawn, who has improved and is happier throughout her trauma. This shows how much of an influence Ash has on her.

Dawn has tried on several occasions to tell Ash how she feels about him, but she can't bring herself to do it. She gets really nervous and might even cry. She really wishes to be closer to Ash, but she keeps it to herself, which makes her feel even worse.

Alain
Without a doubt, Alain doesn't like Dawn. He finds her extremely annoying and in the way. He constantly bickers at her and yells at her if she messes up. She's saddened by this and just accepts it; she does not try to correct him when he calls her, "Girl" instead of her real name.

Alain continuously makes Dawn feel less worthwhile, but she's so nervous and timid that she doesn't say anything about it, in fear of making things worse. Part of why she takes it possibly might be due to her being used to this treatment from Sinnoh Academy. She's very apologetic to him when she messes up or loses a Plate.

In fact, Dawn is terrified of Alain. Whenever Ash leaves her alone with him, she's nervous and either stays away from him or unsuccessfully tries to spark small conversation. She fears for her own safety after seeing Alain's powers and skills, so she stays close to Ash when possible.

Naming

 * Her first name, Hikari, is her Japanese name in the anime. It means "light" or "shine".
 * Her middle name, Dawn, is her name in the English dub of the anime. It comes from the meaning of the name, "Hikari", which is "light", since dawn is the day's first light.
 * Her last name, Toyoguchi, is the surname of her Japanese voice actress, Megumi Toyoguchi.

General

 * Her birthday, July 19th, is the same day as PearlShipping Day. PearlShipping is the name of the ship between Ash and Dawn.
 * PearlShipping is Nocturnal Jay's current favorite ship.
 * Dawn may be the most different character of this series compared to how they are in the officlal Pokémon anime. In the anime, Dawn is not shy nor timid, has Pokémon, gets angry, and doesn't have a confirmed crush on Ash.
 * A lot of screenshots of the Pokémon anime have Dawn with Piplup. But since Dawn doesn't have a Pokémon in Tears of the Fallen, you'll notice that there's not a single picture of Dawn with Piplup (unless it's shown a little, due to not being able to fully crop out Piplup from the picture).