Welcome back to J!S! and here is chapter three.

I will warn you that there will be a little Hoennshipping in this chapter.

And thanks to the amzing beta-reader, Animeflash!

It had been about ten minutes since Dawn and Paul had begun there search for the exit. Paul's irritation was growing, and unknown to the girl who was latched to him, she was the cause. Her navy hair was tickling his arm, and he had to fight not to yell at the girl beside him. He could hardly see her in the little amount of light they had, not that he truly cared.

A draft swept through the hall, floor boards creaked, and haunting noises sent chills up Dawn's spine. By now her vice grip had cut off the circulation in Paul's pale arm. It was obvious she was scared- then again, who would be afraid in this situation?

"Will you let go of my arm, you bothersome girl?" Paul grumbled softly, but still in his normal cold, harsh, voice. Dawn immediately released him.

"Um, sorry Paul." Dawn looked forward, trying to make out the path. The lack of light bothered her, although she wasn't afraid of the dark, she simply liked to know where she was. Then an idea hit her. "Paul, call out Monferno and use him as a light source."

Paul glared at the girl beside him. Nobody gave him orders, even if they were right about something. He scowled and took out a pokeball, expanding it. He called out the primate and the hall was quickly illuminated. The pokemon really had changed since Dawn had last seen him. Besides its evolution, it had also undergone a personality change. It was now silent and tended to glare at everyone other than Paul, giving it an angry feel. Dawn wondered if all of Paul's pokemon ended up this way from his training style, which she still didn't approve of.

Now with some light in the hall, it was easy to figure out how much longer of a walk they had. An arrow painted on the wall had the words 'ten yards minute until…' Where as it wasn't exactly a clear answer, it meant they were close to something. Unfortunately it wasn't quite the exit the wanted…

--------------------------------

Interlude

--------------------------------

May sat inside a high-class restaurant, fingering the tea-rose colored lace at the bottom of her dress. When she had first entered the restaurant she had been given a box from the host of the evening. She was escorted to the changing room and told to change quickly. The measurements were in fact perfect, surprisingly enough. The rose colored dress was a soft silk material with small black dots, making it look almost like a richly colored strawberry. Once she had changed and stepped out of the tiny room two young women came and tied matching ribbons into May's russet locks.

On the over all, she felt over dressed even if she was in a formal dining situation. It might have just been because she personally hated dressing up, but she wasn't going to argue; this was the first time she would be able to see Brendan since she had become a coordinator. Meeting up with him had been something she'd wanted to do for a long time, but she never actually had the time. So, although it forced her and Drew to break up, she was happy.

She looked towards the door constantly, waiting for her childhood friend to finally come. Finally, the silver haired male walked it, a regular black tux covering his form. A few girls swooned around May. Brendan had become famous through the years, having become the Grand Festival Champion of Kanto four years running. May blushed when he reached the table. He lifted her delicate hand and pressed a light kiss upon it.

"Hey May, you still weak like before?" At first May was offended, but then she looked up to see his joking smile. She grinned back at him and he finally sat down across from his date. The first few minutes were the awkward 'how have things been' 'what have you been up to' etc. Neither of them had really changed in the past few years, except for finally reaching puberty.

They ordered a meal to share, receiving envious glares from people around them. Both were famous to a certain degree, both were beautiful people, and both were acting like a couple. They continued to talk about there lives when finally there meals were brought out. A platter of roasted birds and fresh vegetation greeted there hungry eyes, garnished in mint leaves. They started in on there meals, talking less and eating more. Finally a familiar voice broke the silence.

"So, I break up with you, and in the same day you get a piece-of-trash boyfriend?" May looked over to find a certain green haired boy glaring at the two teens. May quickly stood to protest but Brendan, remaining calm, beat her to the punch.

"Excuse me, but you are interrupting our date and if you wouldn't mind leaving me and my friend here alone, I'd be thankful." Brendan said, trying to remain calm and reasonable. He knew who the green-haired male was: Drew. Drew had been the only trainer to ever beat him in a contest, which wasn't something the silver haired boy was proud of.

"I would leave, but not without her." Drew pointed at May and grinned. "I love her more than you ever will and I won't leave without her!"

May slipped out of her chair and walked towards Drew, tears beginning to build up in her eyes. Brendan looked towards the tabled and began to worried, would she truly leave? No, he didn't think she would do something like that. And he was right, instead of May begging for Drew to take her back, she delivered a hard slap across his face. Before he could even speak May began.

"If you loved me you would let me hang out with my friends." May growled out. The once perfect evening was being ruined, all because of one simple misunderstanding. "Get out now. We'll talk later!"

Both Drew and Brendan were surprised that she had yelled. By this point, the entire restaurant was watching the scene. Looking around, May told the people to stop eavesdropping and eat there meals. Silence filled the tabled while the two finished eating. The quickly paid and left, not wanting to be watched any longer. Once outside Brendon spoke in a low tenor voice.

"So… you want to go to Route 42, sit by the water, and just talk?" He asked hopefully. He didn't want the outing to end just yet; rather, he wished it could last forever. She was his childhood crush and he just couldn't let go of that. Now he only wished she felt the same. May nodded, lifting the bottom of the rose dress so it wouldn't drag in the dirt. Brendan took May's hand and led her towards the edge of town.

The moon light shimmered on the transparent pool of water. Both of the teens looked down into the water, looking at the other's reflection. Confusion and anger could be seen in May's reflection, where as concern was seen in Brendan's.

"Or, you know May, if you want, you could travel with me." Brendan stated, hoping from the bottom of his heart he would hear a yes, but he knew otherwise.

"I'm sorry Brendan… but right now I need to sort things out with Drew and figure out what I want from him." May replied, her voice low and careful. She didn't want to hurt Brendan like she had in the past, but she had no choice.

"May, we should go on an adventure when we get old, okay?" A young Brendan asked his friend. They were inseparable in those days, always planning there futures together.

"Yeah, and then we can get married and be the greatest trainers ever!" May added happily, like most kids, she said things like that without thinking of the future. They promised each other that those plans would one day be reality, but then Ash came into the picture…

May had decided to travel with Ash, and thus she had met Drew. That was how this entire problem had come into being. May now thought of those plans as just a childish thing, nothing important. Yet Brendan was still hoping that one day they would become his reality.

Brendan sighed and stood up, reaching a hand down to May to help her up. She took his hand gently and he slowly lifted her. He had a plan finally and now it was time to throw it into fully motion. Gradually, he took her other hand and pulled her pulled, right into his chest. May blushed, she didn't know if she should struggle, or accept the embrace. She decided to accept it for now, since it wouldn't hurt any. But Brendan had other plans. He took his index finger and set it on her chin, tilling her head up, toward his face. Slowly, he brought his lips to her soft pink ones, and they gently collided.

Now May was even more confused than before…

--------------------------------

Back with Dawn and Paul

--------------------------------

Dawn and Paul stood at the end of the hall way, trying to unlock the padlock on the basement exit. Small spiders moved about in there nests, freaking Dawn out to the point of just watching as Paul tried to work the lock. At the current moment he was using Monferno to melt the steel lock. Unfortunately, the flame wasn't quite hot enough, and Paul was fresh out of ideas. Then an idea popped into Dawn's head. Taking out her Pokeball she called out her newest pokemon, Espeon.

The purple-furred feline purred as it came out of it's ball, rubbing against Dawn's legs. Paul looked at the pokemon, disgusted by it's weak appearance. Dawn quickly thought of which move she could make the physic pokemon use to break the lock. A little while back she had taught Espeon the move 'Physic' via TM.

"Okay Espeon, use physic and break that lock!" Dawn called her command, and Paul gaped slightly. For such a weak looking pokemon, it had a fairly powerful move. A few 'tink'swere heard and finally the burning hot lock fell to the ground. Paul called back Monferno, Dawn congratulated Espeon and called her back, and they quickly exited the ghostly basement. Upon exiting they stood on a large hill, overlooking Ecruteak City, wind whipping their hair back. Dawn reached her arms up and stretched, allowing the breeze to caress her body.

Dawn sat down on the grass, but Paul stood, not wanting to sit around and become lazy. They both looked towards the city, knowing they would soon need to return, by midnight at the latest. It was already 10:52, and Dawn's eyes were beginning to droop. She stood back up when her PokeTech signaled that it was 11:00.

"We should head back before they close the city gates." Dawn said, motioning for Paul to follow her. Paul scowled, but complied, following her towards the town.

"Stop telling me what to do stupid chick, or else you figure out what a real battle is like. Got it?" Paul smirked when he noticed Dawn falter slightly. She nodded and continued to lead them into town. A security guard stopped them at the gate and requested an i.d. of some sort. Both trainers flashed there pokedexs and they were allowed passage. Once inside the city, Dawn turned to Paul and waved.

"I-I guess I'll see you around." She grinned nervously and headed towards the Pokemon Center. Then she stopped and turned quickly. "Wait, Paul!"

The boy stopped dead in his tracks and glowered at the poor girl. Dawn sighed, trying to gain enough courage to ask the violet haired boy before her a simple question. "Wo-would you like to co-come to the Contest tomorrow? I'm going to be participating and so I thought you'd like to, you know, cheer me on." She laughed lowly to herself. She sounded pathetic, which was something Paul hated.

"Maybe." With that he turned and left once again, leaving an overjoyed navy haired girl behind him. Now, Dawn also turned and skipped merrily towards the center. She had at least one person coming to cheer her on, maybe. But at least he would be thinking about it. Then she stopped in the court yard. Why was she excited that Paul, of all people, was coming to see her? She couldn't even answer that for herself.

Slipping into the dimly lit center, Dawn immediately went towards her bedroom, hoping not to awaken anyone. To her surprise, May wasn't in yet, nor had anything changed in the room. She shrugged it off and quickly changed into her nightgown. She slipped under the cotton sheets and anxiously awaited the following day.

--------------------------------

Dawn stood in the changing room in the contest hall, forcing her navy hair into a neat little bun. Her scarlet kimono swept over the floor, hiding two wooden sandals. She finished the bun and slipped in a bright comb, decorated with red lace and fake flowers. A few strands of hair had fallen out of the neat little bun, but she had officially given up on the perfection of the bun. A knock on the door brought Dawn back into attention. She turned to the small oak door and finally answered the knocker.

"Come in!" Dawn was surprised when she was May walking in, a red spider lily in her hands. The russet haired girl smiled and handed Dawn the flower.

"Ash wishes you good luck." Dawn gasped, she didn't know that May and Ash knew each other. May sensed this and quickly explained everything, from Ash ruining her bike, to leaving Ash to travel around Johto. Dawn tried to take in all the information as fast as she could, but forgot a few minor details.

"So how's Ash doing, and Misty, and Brock?" Dawn asked, frantic to know how her friends were. Even if it had only been a few days, it felt weird not knowing every detail of her friend's lives.

"Ash and Misty are in another petty little fight. Something to do with Ash and his friend Ritchie always sneaking out at night. Brock is doing fine, just trying to mellow everyone." May smiled and turned towards the clock. "We'd better get going, it's going to start soon."

Dawn grabbed her Espeon's pokeball; she planned on using her for the appeal stage of the contest and for the double-battle part. May held onto her Beautifly's pokeball for dear life, almost afraid that it might get snatched. Like all of the girls in the Ecruteak contest, May was wearing a kimono; a light blue color with a floral design. Dawn looked around, only two other people stood out to her, one being the green-haired boy he had seen with May at one point. The other was a tall blonde girl with hair down to her waist. Her kimono was ebony with a sapphire constellation of Scorpio stitched into the front. On the arms was the symbol of the zodiac, giving this girl a look of wisdom.

The blonde girl looked at Dawn in the corner of her eyes and smiled, Dawn was going to be easy to capture. She grinned at Dawn and then turned back towards the appeal list. The first appeal was going to be made by Dawn, which unnerved the girl a bit. In ten minutes the contest would be starting and she was the one who had to set the bar for everyone else. She took a deep breath, she wasn't sure she was ready for this. All of a sudden, she felt a hand being placed on her petite shoulder, making her jump. Turning quickly, she was delighted to see a familiar face. A black haired boy stood before her, two black zigzags on his face. Both May and Dawn were jumping for joy.

"Ash!" They both yelled before squeezing him to death. The choking boy laughed as best he could in the restraints and detached the girls.

"Hey you guys, how's it going?" He smiled at each of them before going on. "I figured since I had to head to Johto I would surprise you both."

The three of them started talking before Ash was forced to return to his seat. The buzzer sounded, telling Dawn that she was needed on stage in two minutes. She rushed down the dark hallway and was pushed right onto stage, meaning she had to put on her 'I-can-do-this' front. She smiled and waved to the crowd, then she took out her pokeball, a purple diamond sticker was placed on the ball. She called out Espeon, a flurry of purple diamond confetti sprinkled out onto the stage, making the crowd go wild.

"Espeon, start off with Physic, go!" Amethyst and wine colored beams covered the giant stage room, making the crowd gaze it wonder. A few cheered, others waited for the next move.

"Now, use Swift in the Death-Smile pattern!" Espeon nodded to her trainer, understanding the command. It released the golden stars in a pattern. In the end, a jack-o-lantern smile was shining through the physic haze. Now the crowd was going wild; it was something new to all of them, something fairly unique and invigorating. Dawn bowed and recalled her Espeon before leaving the stage.

A few more trainers went before May was told to go up. May walked onto the stage, waving and smiling to the crowd. She called out her Beauifly and started quickly with sleep powder. Then she went on with blowing the dust around, making the entire room sparkle. Then, to finish off her appeal, she ended with Fly. Beautifly flew around the room, collecting all of the powder on it's wings and making it a purple shadow in the air.

Once May's appeal was complete, it was time for round two. Luckily, there was a four hour break before the double battles began. Dawn walked outside, taking a deep breath of the cool, crisp air. It was just like old times, just a simple appeal, and then an intermission. Unfortunately, May and Ash had disappeared, leaving Dawn alone and bored. Although she had forgotten was person who was in the audience.

"Oi, stupid chick." Dawn looked up to see Paul walking towards her, no emotion on his ivory face. She gave him a small smirk and stood up off the edge of the fountain. She was happy he had actually come, but this, again brought up random question like the night before. She took a step forward and stopped when he was right in front of her. An awkward silence passed between the two, until an odd green fog surrounded Dawn. She looked around herself, confusion written all over her face. That's when Paul noticed a small green slip in Dawn's hair. It was releasing a gas, a sleeping gas from the look on Dawn's face. Paul jumped back, making sure the gas didn't get into his lungs.

Finally, the gas became too much and Dawn dropped to the ground, coughing quietly. Suddenly, two blondes walked up behind the sleeping girl and lifted her up. They both wore gas masks; one, to block out the sleeping poison, and two, to hide there identities. The laughed out loud and began to leave with the girl, tossing her body into a large van. Before Paul could send out his starter pokemon, Torterra, a smaller blonde jumped in front of him.

"If you want Miss Dawn back, come to Team Zodiac head quarters tonight." With that she threw down a smoke bomb, and the three girls escaped with Dawn in there grasps.

Okay, so I'm taking a vote. I'm not sure if I should do Contestshipping or Hoennshipping. I can easily fix Drew and May's relationship, or I can simply have May travel with Brendan, in which case I need to edit my author's note in chapter one. Which ever you guys want, I'm fine with it.

Anyways, Read and Review, as always.