>>23582360It was probably the writers promotion of Ash and Dawn as co-stars and their high-fives that made people ship it. After May was taken by Drew during AG, and with Misty being gone forever, Ash/Dawn seemed like it could have been the big new Ash ship.
Of course Dawn didn't have a crush on Ash, and the writers had Zoey and Kenny/Conway all crushing on her, but most of this was either played for laughs or generally overlooked.
Besides back when DP was airing none of us had a clue a character like Serena with a huge blatant crush would ever be introduced in the show. Its only looking back at Ash/Dawn now that it looks silly, but back then it was something that had a decent following.
