Hey, everybody! I kinda had this idea bouncing around in my head for a while, so I thought I give it a shot and put it on computer paper. Oh, and just in case you didn't notice the summary, some of these chapters may contain yaoi, depending on what kind of public feedback I get.

Read and enjoy!

Merp. Don't read if you don't want,

Rachel V.S. World

(P.S. : I have been very patient about reviews ever since I started out, because I didn't want to be rude and ask. Well, now I'm asking. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEEEEEASE review.)

(P.P.S. : Pikachu will be sad if you don't.)

(P.P.P.S. : And I just got him off his ketchup addiction.)


It was a quiet, blissful night in Twinleaf Town, where the snow was falling in soft, gentle flakes on the ground, accumulating into small piles. Despite it being winter in Sinnoh, a few lone Starlys chirruped lowly, preparing for a good night's sleep. The stars reflected behind the icy trees in sparkles, shining beautifully, while the moon hung low in the sky, silently watching over its sleeping kingdom of white.

A few small houses stood in the middle of this tiny clearing, their occupants obviously in worlds of their own, for they seemed constantly ignorant of this stunning background. Every once in a while, they would stop to stare through a frosty window, but no more than that.

Suddenly, a defiant scream sliced through the calming atmosphere like a pick through a piece of rock, causing some of the bird Pokémon to promptly fall off their perches in surprise.

"NO! We are NOT playing that stupid game!" Dawn shrieked, her face pink in annoyance.
She had come to Barry's house (reluctantly) after a long, life-changing Pokémon journey, in response to a rendezvous invite from Lucas and Barry, hoping to patch up some old gashes in their friendship, and (maybe) finally being able to tell Lucas about her secret crush on him. But, no, all of that had to be interrupted by a sleepover-inducing round of Truth or Dare.

Dawn inwardly smacked herself. She had the worst luck in the world, and the most insane friends.

"Come ON, Dawn!" Barry pleaded, jumping up and down on his knees, his striped pajama bottoms becoming a blur. "Where's your sense of adventure?" His Chimchar tugged at Dawn's skirt frustratedly, with a pleading glance similar to Barry's. As the fiery monkey jumped up and down in desperation, motioning towards his best friend, Dawn had the inward feeling that the Chimchar had something else in mind.

"See? Even Chimmy wants to do it, to!" Barry jumped up and down excitedly. "Please?"

Dawn was about to refuse, but as soon as she opened her mouth, it covered by the blonde's hand. He gave her an earnest look. "But if you would rather play Spin the Bottle…" he whispered, his orange eyes gleaming. "That's fine." He whipped his hand away, and pointed his finger at her. "But I'll fine you a million Pokedollars if you don't!"

Dawn's mind halted for a minute, her heartbeat flooded her ears. She noticed his mischievous smirk, and how soft his hand was. Wait, wait…Think, Dawn, think. She snapped out of her fog, and batted his finger away. She glared at her childhood rival. "Fine, I'll play, but if you try anything, I'll-"

She was interrupted by a loud "Ahem." Dawn turned her head to find Lucas standing in the doorway, three cups of hot cocoa in his hands.

"Maybe we should just get on with the game then, considering we're all…eager." He stared at Dawn and Barry. Dawn realized that she was in a strange position with Barry, and pushed him off, flushing red in embarrassment.

Why did Barry have to embarrass her so much? Especially in front of Lucas…

Lucas shot a warning glare at Barry, setting the steaming mugs of cocoa on the table by the sofa. He sat down next to Dawn, who shifted awkwardly in her seat, her face red for what seemed the third time.

That stupid Frenchy! What give him the right to come in and…? Barry's body reacted before he could finish his thought. Jumping into the reclining chair at unfathomable speed, he exclaimed, "Alright, then let's get started!"

I'll show that idiot! He smiled to himself.

Then the game began.


Lucas chugged his twelfth Mountain Dew and threw the can on the ground, reeling from the sugar and caffeine. His coherent thoughts of "I'm going to KILL Barry when this is over." vanished after the sixth can, transforming into a trippy, delirious mindset. "WHY IS THE SKY BLUE!" He screamed, supported by the arm of the couch, shaking. "I don't know anymore…" he shuddered. His Turtwig, Arthur, patted his head in sympathy.

Meanwhile, Barry was lying on the floor, arms and legs splayed out, groaning in pain. Three empty jumbo-size marshmallow bags lay beside him in a crumpled heap. His distended belly rumbled, and he let out another groan, curling up in the fetal position. "Ugh…. I think I'm sick…"

"No dib, Sherlock." Dawn sighed, sitting on the armchair with an impatient look on her face, angry at the boys' immaturity. They had done nothing but do terrible moronic dares one after the other, at each other, for the whole night. It was now 1:00 in the morning, and Dawn hadn't even been dared yet.

"Can we just dare me and move on? I'm tired of this, and I wanna go home."

Barry flinched, then sat up, with a little difficulty. After gasping and letting out another groan, he started, "Okay, you big baby… I... dare you to….augh." He fell over again, clutching his stomach.

"Alright, that's enough. I'm finished for tonight." She got off the chair, and started walking towards the door. "Come on, Pip, we're going home." Her Piplup jumped down from its place on the table, and waddled towards the door.

"Dawn, wait…" Barry tried to sit up again, but failed. "Please stay…"

"No, I think I'll go crazy after another moment of… this." She paused, looking at Lucas, who had started to put the moves on the couch.

"You're so beautiful…." He burped, leaning his head on the arm and stroking the soft material with his hand. "I could be with you all night…" He hiccupped, then began to furiously make out with one of the cushions.

"Okay… I…see the point..." Barry grumbled, rolling over face down onto the bags, which made a crinkling noise. "Mmph…" He murmured, before falling into an unconscious stupor.

Dawn sighed, opened the door, and slammed it in irritation. As she stomped through the snow, she mumbled angrily to herself.

"This was such a stupid idea… Why did I even bother? I don't even –"

She felt a small tug at her boot. Dawn glanced behind her, and spotted a familiar Pokémon staring at her back. "Chimmy? What are you doing here?"

The Chimchar tugged at her boot even harder. "Chim!" He motioned back towards Barry's house. "Chimchar!"

Dawn knelt down and gently pried the Pokémon's paw off of her boot. "I'm sorry, Chimmy, but I can't go back." She felt Pip snuggle even deeper in the hood of her jacket. "I have to get home now."

"Chim?" He questioned. The Chimp Pokémon shook its head, as if her answer did not make sense to him. "Char! Chim CHAR!" He begged, gripping Dawn's boot again.

"Chim…" He looked up at her, a sad look in his brown eyes. "Chim…?"

Dawn looked at the Pokémon, wondering.

He really wants me to go back. But why…?

Suddenly, she realized what he wanted her to do. She turned around and started back towards the house, Chimmy following right behind her.


Dawn slammed the door open, the snowy wind blowing through her dark hair. The redness in her cheeks deepened as she saw the renewed scene before her.

Barry, who was passed out earlier, was nowhere in sight, but the marshmallow bags were still on the floor. Lucas' shirt, beret and scarf were laying on the floor in a heap, and he was making out with the couch even more furiously than before, his usually tidy hair now messed up and fuzzy.

Dawn quickly trudged past the couch lover, ignoring the smacking noises from the kissing he was making, and made her way up the stairs. If anyplace, Barry would be in his room.

As she walked through the doorway to his room (labeled by a KEEP OUT sign) she found the spastic boy collapsed on the floor, snoring. He didn't make it to his bed. Dawn sighed, and nudged him with her foot. The blonde head stirred, and started snoring again, curling up and holding his stomach while sucking his thumb.

"Hmm. I guess he's comfortable that way." She walked toward the doorway, only to have it slammed in her face. The lock clicked.

"Damn it…" Then she heard a familiar groan. Barry had stirred again.

"Dawn…? You came back…" He mumbled, slowly sitting up. He had a tired, lopsided grin on his face. "I guess you're staying after all, huh?"

Dawn clenched her fists. Of all the dirty, rotten luck, I get trapped in a room with marshmallow boy…

"Yeah. Just don't get your hopes up."

"Alright…" Barry sat up, his shaky elbows propping him up from the carpet. "Say, could you help me…?"

"…"

"Please…?"

The door rattled, pounded by tiny fists.

"Fine." Dawn shuffled towards Barry, and picked him up under the armpits. With a little effort, she eventually heaved him onto the bed.

Barry smiled. "Thanks…"

"No problem." She walked to the doorway, eager to finally leave this place. "I'll just be going now..." The doorknob rattled, but stayed in place. Crap, I forgot it was locked. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have the key, would you?

Barry smirked. "Nope, I don't. My parents lock me in during the night, and unlock it in the morning."
Of course, Dawn thought, of course they have to contain it…er, him. She grumbled. Why me?

"I'll just jump out the window, then." Dawn said, tiptoeing towards the window. She opened the blinds, where the silvery moonlight shone through, making everything shine. She hoisted her leg over the edge, and prepared to jump off.

"Dawn, WAIT!" Barry exclaimed, "That's a two-story drop!"

A broken limb is much better than staying with you! Her mind angrily replied. But of course, being the mostly silent protagonist, her inner voice remained inside. She readied her feet on the ledge.

Barry leaped from the bed in panic, and snatched her scarf. "Dawn!"

"What?" Dawn glared at him, her moonlit hair blowing in the cold breeze. "What is it NOW?"

"I- ..uh…" Barry stammered, trying to think of another excuse for her to stay.

"Goodbye." She deadpanned.

Oh no! What do I do? I can't let her leave without telling her… That I.. As if on instinct, Barry's mind made his arm yank on the soft scarf in his hands. Dawn fell to the floor with an almighty crash, her throat gasping for air.

"But you haven't been dared yet!"

Dawn shot him an icy glare, "If…. I ...do your… stupid dare, can I …GO?" She managed to gasp out.

"Yes!" Barry smiled, he was finally victorious. He bounced over to his bed, motioning her to sit.

Dawn stood up. "I think I'm fine…. right here." She said.

Barry grinned, and gave the scarf another huge tug. Dawn tripped and fell face-first onto the bed. Dawn mumbled silently in the place where she landed. "You little bastard..."

She slammed her fist in frustration, and it collided with something solid. "Ow."

Dawn looked up, and let out a tiny scream. Barry's face was mere centimeters from her own, his orange eyes locked on her blue ones. The realization (ahem) dawned on her that she was… on top of Barry.

Immediately, Barry wrapped his thin arms around her waist and pulled her closer, her chin resting on the nape of his neck. She tried to wriggle free, but somehow, her body was frozen. He shifted until they were side by side, and brought his mouth close to her ear.

"I dare you…"

Dawn noticed through her frozen eyes that his soft hand cupped her cheek. Her heartbeat flooded her ears, and her mind started to mist. He brought his face closer.

" …to kiss me."

Dawn closed her eyes, and let his lips touch hers.

But, before the fireworks crescendoed in her mind, and she became lost in the world of marshmallows, her inner struggle shouted out one last, unforgiving thought.

"Why me?"


Twinleafshipping. Yup.

I can't help it, I love this pairing. And, yes, Lucas is in love with a couch.

I DECLARE THIS TO BE COUCHSHIPPING!

Over and out,

Rachel V.S. World