Hey here is the next chapter! I hope you all like it because I worked really hard on it. My longest chapter yet!
Paul's POV:
I stared at Dawn, waiting for her answer. It had taken me all day to work up the nerve to ask her. That was why I had been so silent during our walk here, not because I was antisocial like I think she thought I was.
Dawn's face was bright red as she stared at me. Then she gave me her answer, "Yes."
"Okay, well that is settled then," I said, then quickly headed into the bathroom to shower.
Dawn's POV:
As soon as Paul disappeared into the bathroom I began to do a happy dance around the room. Everything I had ever wanted since first meeting was coming true, I was going to travel with Paul! I let Piplup out of his Poke Ball to tell him, since he was the only one who had listened to me for so long.
"He asked me to travel with him!" I celebrated.
"Pip Piplup!" he cheered.
"Now I am going to have to ask him a very important question that may change my life," I told Piplup, a somber air coming over me.
"Piplup?" he asked, staring at me in confusion.
"I want to learn to fight and become stronger and less like me currently. I can barely throw a punch right now and it would probably be good for me to learn. I would ask Misty but since we kinda aren't talking right now…" I trailed off, staring at my feet as tears began to leak out of my eyes again. I sat down on the bed as tears overtook me. Laying down, I buried my head in the pillow, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Troublesome, what's wrong?" a voice asked, as footsteps hurried over to me.
I looked up into Paul's face, which was filled with uncharacteristic concern. "I don't want to be so helpless anymore," I said, my voice breaking as I tried to speak through my sobs. "I want to be able to fight off anyone that comes towards me; I want to be able to defend myself! You don't know what it is like to feel so helpless!" Tears came flooding back out of my eyes again.
Paul stood in front of me, his hard, stony look coming back. "I can train you Troublesome, but it is not going to be easy. You also have a Contest coming up and you said you wanted to enter that."
I wiped my face and looked him square in the eye. "Paul, this is something I have to do. Contests can wait, but I need to learn this now! I can train a little while for the contest and then you will help me learn to fight."
Paul gave a small laugh and looked me over. "This isn't going to be easy, you realize that? You need to ditch the makeup and put your hair into a pony. Also go and put on some workout clothes, you need to be able to move and sweat."
I nodded at that, and if I didn't know any better, I think I saw respect flash through his eyes. "See you outside in twenty minutes," he told me, walking out the door.
Paul's POV:
I paced around outside the Pokemon Center, checking the clock every five seconds. Where is she? It has already been thirty-five minutes! I looked back towards the doors and saw someone I scarcely recognized coming out.
"Hey Paul, what do you think?" she asked, twirling around in a circle. The fingernail polish had been removed and so had the makeup on her face. She had replaced her normal clothes with a workout shirt and athletic shorts and had put tennis shoes on. Her hair had been placed in a French braid, with no stray wisps or stupid clips. In other words, she looked very normal and possibly very pretty. Setting her backpack down, she laughed at the expression on my face. "I look that good?" she asked, walking over to me.
Shaking my head I didn't answer her and instead started stretching. She watched for a minute then began to copy me. Neither of us said a word the entire time, and the quiet was nice. Something I hadn't thought she was capable of. Every once in a while I caught myself staring at her, but quickly looked away. After stretching, I walked over to my backpack and pulled out a Poke Ball. "Let's start with contest training."
"Okay," Dawn said, walking over to her backpack.
"Weavile, stand by for battle," I ordered, sending Weavile out.
Dawn threw her Poke Ball up into the air, "Go Pachirisu!"
"Okay, I have seen your battling and you aren't that bad, but you have cute Pokemon here that don't have the greatest of moves. You need to learn how to use their moves to your advantage." I watched as she nodded and looked at me, waiting for my move.
"Weavile use Shadow Ball," I ordered as Weavile gathered up a huge black and purple ball and launched it towards Pachirisu.
"Pachirisu, spin and use Discharge," she called, her face flushed with excitement. Blue electricity flew around Pachirisu and blocked the Shadow Ball. "Now use Super Fang!"
"Weavile, use Beat Up!" Weavile waited until Pachirisu was close enough then began punching it. Pachirisu slumped to the ground afterwards, fainted.
"Pachirisu are you okay?" she cried, running out to her Pokemon. Picking it up, she cradled it until it woke up. "Okay Paul, I know that you are a trainer and everything, but that was the worst contest battle I have ever seen."
"That wasn't a bad battle, Weavile did everything I commanded, your Pokemon was just too weak to stand up to it," I said, keeping my usual angry face on.
Dawn's face reddened in anger and she stomped over to me, picked up her foot, and brought it down on my toes. I didn't react which angered her further, as she slapped me across the face, leaving an angry red mark. "Paul you are a horrible jerk; you just make me so angry!"
I smiled at that, making her face contort into a look that really didn't suit her face. "Take it you are ready for some fight practice?"
"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Dawn yelled angrily. "You were just trying to get me to fight you!"
"Well, if you are so angry, why don't we go ahead and start." I walked away from her a couple steps and then turned to face her. "Why don't we start with a couple of punching techniques?"
"Yeah, yeah let's just get going today, I need to learn this!" Dawn exclaimed, doing a few punches into the air.
"Okay, well the first thing you need to learn is how to fold your hand when you punch. Make a fist like this and put your thumb on the top," I explained, forming a fist. Dawn attempted to copy me, but she obviously was not a fighter. I reached out and grabbed her hand, forming it into a fist. My heart rate increased as I held her hand. "Now when you throw a punch, you want to aim straight, not with your elbow at that weird angle." Walking around to stand next to her, I guided her hand in a punch a couple times. I then let go and went and grabbed my jacket. "Hit me," I ordered.
"I don't want to hurt you!" her face betrayed fear, as she stared at me.
I choked back my laughter and folded my jacket a couple times, poising it over my chest. "You won't hurt me, now punch! Or are you just going to let people hurt you because you can't defend yourself."
A look of determination appeared on her face. Walking up she kept her fist in the same position then swung. It hit the jacket, but had no force behind it. "Try again, Troublesome."
Dawn kept punching and punching and near the end her punches actually were starting to hurt a little through the jacket. Sweat was beaded on her forehead but she made not motion of wiping it off. Pulling her fist back parallel to her body, she swung forward with full force and hit the jacket, right in the middle. The punch sent me stumbling back a couple of steps and her face lit up with excitement. "Was that it?"
"Yes Troublesome, that actually was pretty good. Now let's start jogging." I took off in a light jog as she stared at me, her jaw dropping. "Come on, let's get going!"
Dawn's POV:
Paul and I were headed to dinner after training, and I don't think I had ever felt so tired in my life. Paul's idea of jogging was a three mile run through the woods, and didn't slow down once, even when I tripped. Then he had made me go back and practice again for the Contest. Sitting in the booth at the Pokemon Center with our trays, I ate more than I think I have ever eaten in one meal.
"Hey you need to leave food for the rest of us Dawn," said a voice behind me. Turning around I saw Zoey standing behind me, smiling.
"Zoey, I haven't seen you in forever!" I exclaimed, giving her a hug. After pulling away she examined me critically.
"Dawn, what are you wearing? And what perfume is that?" she asked, a smile appearing on her face.
"These are my new workout clothes! Oh, and that perfume is sweat, isn't it so pretty!" I gushed. "Your new outfit is so cool!" Zoey was wearing a dark purple shirt and denim jeans with a leather jacket. She had also grown her hair out and it now hung past her shoulders, styled. "Why don't you come and sit with us?" I asked, heading back towards our table with my third tray of food.
"Who is us?" Zoey asked, following me.
"Paul is traveling with me right now," I told her, sitting opposite Paul. Zoey sat down next to me and stared at Paul.
"Troublesome, who is this?" Paul asked, staring at Zoey with his usual look pasted on his face.
"Oh, Zoey this is Paul, Paul this is Zoey," I introduced them quickly.
"This is the Paul that you…" she trailed off as I kicked her, and she laughed. Zoey didn't answer as she continued looking back and forth between us, shaking her head in surprise.
"Hey Zoey, what are you doing? Oh, hey Dee Dee!" exclaimed an all too familiar voice. I looked up into the face of Kenny. He was blushing as he stared at me.
"Oh hi Kenny, are you hear for the contest?" I asked. I may have used to crush on him before I left on my journey, but anymore he just seemed kind of immature.
"Yeah, me and Zoey…" he trailed off as he finally noticed Paul, sitting there quietly.
"What are you doing here?" Kenny asked, his voice taking on a defensive note.
"None of your business," growled Paul. "I will see you back in the room later," he addressed it to me, but wouldn't meet my eye. Standing up, he left the table and Kenny visible relaxed.
"Are you traveling with that jerk?" he yelled at me, attracting quite a bit of attention. I opened my mouth to reply but Kenny obviously wasn't done. "Do you know what that guy has done? What kind of person he is? He is not the kind of guy you should be hanging out with!"
I filled with rage at that, and I was very happy that Paul had taught me to punch today. "Who do you think you are?" I screamed, and anyone who wasn't watching was watching now. "You are not my dad and I am allowed to travel with whoever I want! Paul is perfectly nice most of the time, and I know that he would never hurt me!"
"Hey guys, why don't you both take a couple of deep breaths, and think before you speak?" Zoey asked, trying to calm us down.
Kenny didn't appear to hear her and continued on his tirade. "Now you even change your appearance! Paul is not worth it and you deserve a lot better Dawn!" Kenny brought his fist down on the table and a couple people at the tables closest to us got up, as if to stop this before it got too bad.
I shoved Zoey off the bench and stood up, clenching my fists at my sides. "I changed my appearance because I was training and wanted to be able to fight! And how do you know what kind of guy I should be with? What is so wrong if I like Paul?" I stood right in front of him, and poked him in the chest.
"Because I know you and I am going to make sure you end up with someone that is on your level. He is not a charity case!" Kenny glared down at me. Nurse Joy was walking towards me and at that moment I didn't care. Pulling my arm back the way Paul taught me I punched him straight in the nose. Blood spurted out and Nurse Joy ran in between us as Zoey grabbed my arm.
"Both of you need to go to your separate rooms and calm down before you talk to each other again!" Nurse Joy ordered. Zoey cast me one last desperate glance before leading Kenny off. Grabbing my tray I dumped it in the trash and realized my thumb was throbbing really badly.
I hurried off to my room and went and sat down on the bed. Paul glanced over at me from where he sat on his bed, but didn't say anything. "Hey Paul, I punched Kenny in the nose," I said, looking over at him. Paul didn't visibly react so I continued. "I think it was pretty good because his nose started bleeding; although my thumb really hurts now." Still no reaction, I was really getting tired of this. "Blood came out of his nose in a fountain, gushing all over. I think it even went into his face," I said, waiting for a reaction. Still nothing! "Paul will you please talk to me!" I screamed, getting up and marching around to the front of his bed. I was surprised to see what looked like the ghost of a smile lighting up his features!
"Wow, gushing blood, after your first real fight, huh," he glanced at my thumb which had now turned an interesting shade of purple. "Forgot how to fold your thumb, didn't you?"
The next few days passed in a blur, full of constant training, for Pokemon and for me. Paul didn't let me take a break and even had me lifting weights, which is a lot harder than it looks. I was very happy with the results though, I was beginning to get some muscle tone. Kenny avoided me, his nose was indeed broken. Zoey talked to me in passing, just letting me know that she was currently traveling with Kenny. Wonder if more is going on there?
I was currently reapplying my nail polish while Paul stared at me. Probably wondering why the heck I would pretty myself up for a contest. Well I had to look great; I was going to be on TV after all! "Will you hurry up Troublesome?" asked Paul. "If you want me to watch it you at least need to be there."
I stuck my tongue out at him as I grabbed my Poke Balls and shoved them into my bag. Going to the mirror, I gazed critically at my reflection. Smoothing out the wrinkled in my pretty new light blue blouse and khaki shorts, fingering my curls, and adjusting my flats I was ready to go.
"I am so glad I am not a girl," muttered Paul as we walked towards the Contest Hall. I was beginning to wonder why he was going at all; it wasn't like I had invited him.
"I am glad you aren't either!" I joked. Of course, his expression never changed. I was beginning to suspect Paul had perfected his poker face at an early age. "See you later!" I called, separating from him to head backstage. I thought he would be relieved but instead he followed me. "What are you doing?" I asked, curiosity killing me.
"I wanted to say hi to my biggest fan," Paul said impassively.
I rolled my eyes as we walked into the staging area. As always, I felt most at home here, surrounded by what I held closest to my heart. My heart raced nervously in my chest though, because I saw Kenny walking towards me, his face twisted in a cruel grin.
"Hey Dee Dee, you and Paul been having a good time?" Kenny asked, coming to a stop in front of me.
"Your nose feeling any better?" replied Paul. He chuckled when Kenny subconsciously reached and rubbed his nose. I glanced back and forth between them, but it appeared that they had forgotten about me.
"At least I don't have scars like an emo," Kenny said, glancing down at Paul's arm, where a couple scarcely visible scratches laced his upper arm.
Paul's fist tightened at his side and he stepped forward threateningly. Kenny took a small step back, but didn't just leave like I hoped he would. "Paul, you don't want to get kicked out do you?" I asked him, grabbing his arm.
He didn't get a chance to reply; however, as the announcer, one I didn't recognize began the contest. Paul glanced up then, locking eyes with Kenny, "This isn't finished." Without a word to me, he turned and strode out.
"You two deserve each other," said Kenny with a sneer, and then walked off to the stage for his appeal.
"Ignore him, you injured his pride," murmured Zoey, walking past me to watch Kenny on the TV.
"Up first is Kenny hailing all the way from Sinnoh!" shouted the announcer. Kenny ran up onto the stage, his hair flopping in his eyes.
"Go Floatzel!" he yelled, sending out an otter-like Pokemon. "Use Aqua Ring and Water Gun!" Floatzel took off in a spin, the one I had created, water twirling around it. Rings slashed through it, sending droplets out that glittered prettily. "Floatzel, now use Ice Beam!" Floatzel shot up a huge beam of ice that stretched high towards the ceiling. "Now use Sonic Boom!" The Sonic Boom carved the ice into a Tiki, pretty cool admittedly. Kenny bowed and walked off, praising his Pokemon.
Several others went, none matching Kenny, and then it was my turn. Running onto the stage I called, "Pachirisu spotlight!" Pachirisu jumped out and performed a somersault before landing. "Now use Discharge!" Pachirisu sent out blue electricity and spun up towards the ceiling, using its tail to launch. "Now use Sweet Kiss!" Little pink hearts floated around the stage where Pachirisu pushed them into each other, forming one gigantic heart. Then Pachirisu used Super Fang and sent pink fluffs everywhere. I bowed, smiling at the praise from the judges. I scanned the stands out of the corner of my eye but didn't see Paul, had he left me?
Trotting back to the staging area I watched Zoey's performance along with the rest and nervously waited for the results. They flashed up onto the screen and I clasped my hands in joy, seeing that I was in first place. Kenny had also made it through, but Zoey didn't, her mess-up costing her. Kenny and I battled our way through the others until it was between us for the finals, just like last Contest.
"Ready to lose, Dee Dee?" Kenny whispered to me as we walked towards the stage. I reached up and touched my nose as he watched, making him blush and turn away. Smiling in triumph, I stood and watered for the battle to begin.
"Go Pachirisu," I watched as my cute little Pokemon danced around the stage.
"Dumb little Dee Dee," Kenny laughed, "Go Machoke!"
I tightened my fist at my side, hoping my plan worked. We battled each other for a while and we were about tied as the clock ran down to thirty seconds. Time to shine! Kenny smiled as his Machoke moved forward to use Submission on Pachirisu. Just as it was about to hit, Pachirisu's fist glowed yellow as electricity surged off of it. Thunder Punch hit its mark in Machoke's eyes, making him roar in pain. Kenny's points flew way down as the clock ticked to zero. Everybody's eyes flew to the scoreboard as the final points were calculated. Kenny was smirking as he watched the scoreboard flash up the picture of the winner, until he realized it was me.
"Dawn is the winner of the Greenday Town Contest!" yelled the announcer as everyone cheered. Hugging Pachirisu I ran towards the center of the stage as Mr. Contesta handed me my ribbon.
"I won the Greenday Town Ribbon!"I yelled, posing with Pachirisu as cameras flashed. I was all smiles as I header backstage and out of the arena. Skipping I headed outside only to skid to a stop at seeing a crowd gathered around something. Running over I pushed my way through the crowd to see Kenny and Paul facing each other.
"You said it wasn't over!" screamed Kenny in outrage. "Now you stand here and won't even move to defend yourself!"
Paul didn't say a word, just turning around to head away from him. Kenny's hand lashed out and grabbed the back of Paul's shirt and spinning him around to face him. "Okay, now you have gone a step too far," growled Paul, his face looking scarier than I had ever seen it before. Pulling his arm back he prepared to lay a knock-out blow onto Kenny.
"Paul stop!" I screamed running forward and grabbing Paul's arm. "Don't hit him; he won't stand a chance against you!"
Paul stared in surprise at me, his eyes losing a little of their dangerous gleam. "Troublesome what are you doing here, this doesn't involve you?"
"Paul you may end up doing something you regret, you don't know who might come up at anytime! You can't risk it!" I pleaded.
"Yeah Dee Dee this doesn't involve you!" Kenny added, trying to shove past me towards Paul.
"Kenny, don't you dare say anything! Do you want your eyes to match your nose?" I threatened.
"Is there a problem here?" asked Mr. Contesta, walking into the fast disappearing ring. It seemed like my life anymore involved fights and someone breaking them up.
"No there is not," Paul said smoothly, "Just a slight misunderstanding." Paul walked off, dragging me along behind him, Kenny glaring after us.
Okay, end of chapter. I only got three reviews last chapter so people please review! Also take my new poll please! Remember, I love reviews! Even one word!