I was back in our bedroom before I realised what I was really doing. Even if I'd had a choice, I would still be fetching my clothes and bag. I had decided the moment I saw his face on the television.

Seeing how I was frantically dressing myself, Paul stood quickly from where he'd been sat on the bed, sulking. "What are you doing?" He asked.

"Leaving." I replied bluntly, I had no time to explain. I didn't realise what that would have meant to him.

"Because of me?" He spoke quickly, not letting me answer. "I'll go apologise to Reggie now, I'll get over it."

It cut me short as I realised who was begging here. This was extremely out of character. I shook my head, unable to speak. He frowned at me and thought before he came to another conclusion; "Is it because you might be pregnant?"

I sighed impatiently; "No, Paul." I slung my bag over my shoulder. "Ash and Brock are in trouble." I didn't need to saw with whom.

He gave one quick desperate laugh; "You're not going are you?" He asked in the tone that made my idea sound stupid and ridiculous. As if there were other options.

"Of course." I said simply. He was stood in the doorway to stop me from leaving. "You do realise you've only just recovered from what they did to you last time?"

I tried to side-step him, and he blocked me quickly. Shooting a glare, I growled; "which is why they need my help."

"You can't leave me." He frowned. "Not now."

I frowned back at him, I didn't feel the need to reply, he knew what I was thinking.

"I know..." He paused, taking a step closer to me and blocking me even more from my exit. His head hung as he looked at my hand gripping the bag's handle. I tightened my hold, leaving my knuckles white with tension. "I know I left you, but I need you. Don't put them before me."

I stuttered, stopped short by his ridiculous accusation. "They need me more at the moment. They could die!"

"So could I." He said simply.

I shook my head; "You have Reggie and Beth. They have nobody. They need me." I repeated.

He met my gaze; "Or do you need them more?"

A whoosh of air rushed into my lungs as a sharp pang ran through my body like a thunderbolt. "Why would you say that?"

"Prove me wrong." He challenged, but he wasn't being his confident self. He was begging me. It tore me apart to see the pleading look in his eye. I had to look down, look anywhere that was away from the pain that shone in his irises. I shook my head slowly; "You're incredible." I stepped towards him, and it only took a gentle push. He stepped aside for me.

I walked to the top of the stairs until I could no longer keep myself from looking back. My protective side longing to see how damaged he was so I could fix it. He leant against the door frame that I'd pushed him to and slowly slid down it with his hands through his hair.

I turned and flew down the stairs before I saw any more. It took all of my will power to keep myself from turning back and forgetting Ash and Brock.

"Dawn?" A hand caught my upper arm as I reached the door. Reggie tugged me back. I hadn't noticed when I'd come down before, but his bruise had already started colouring.

"Let me go, Reggie." I warned.

"What's going on?" Beth entered, she'd noticed the more obvious things first. Me leaving with my bag packed full and Reggie holding me back. Then she spotted the subtle purple forming under his eye. Her voice rose in pitch; "What the hell happened?"

I shrugged away from Reggie and circled Beth, but she tugged me back into the house. "Do I have to ask a third time?" She growled.

"Get off me!" I cried, trying to pull free.

She ignored me; "Where's Paul?"

"Upstairs." Reggie muttered.

"No I'm not." We all turned to look at him, back to his cold emotionless, self again.

Beth let me go, but closed the door. Paul turned to her; "She's going to save her friends from Team Rocket." He snitched on me! What a child! I growled at him without words, he knew Beth would side with him.

"No way, after what they did to you both?" She practically shrieked. I began tearing up in desparation; "I can't leave them! They saved me! I can't let it happen to them too! Please. Please!"

"Dawn, I can't let you chase after them, it's too dangerous." Her attempt at reasoning failed. I turned away from her, she didn't know Ash or Brock. They meant nothing to her. My eyes brushed over Paul, he wouldn't care. He didn't want them in his way. He wasn't thinking of me at all. As a last resort, I turned to Reggie. He met my pleading eyes with a sombre look in his.

"Please." I whispered.

He looked to his brother, who was glaring back at him. I admitted defeat quickly. It was enough of an answer. He would side with Paul to make up for his harsh words earlier. He looked to the floor, unable to watch as he delivered the final blow. "No Dawn, no..."

I tried to make a dash for it, but I knew escape attempts would be useless with these three. Paul was already there, his strong arm wrapped around me in restraint. I didn't hold my weight, why make his life any easier? He'd sentenced my friends to death, after being through the agony already himself. He had no compassion, he was a monster. I dropped myself so I hung over his constricting grip like a dead weight. He tried to drag me, but I thrashed my limbs. I quickly gave up when Beth locked the door.

He twisted me so I was curled in his arms. I coiled in on myself and whimpered the names of my doomed friends repeatedly. He did nothing to stop me, he didn't even wince as I called him names too. Monster... Selfish... Loveless.

"I'm doing this for you." He muttered to me, as we reached the top of the stairs. I pushed out of his arms and hurried into the bedroom, slamming the door to make it apparent I didn't want him there. He took the hint.

I sat in the corner with no furniture, huddled up and cried. My friends were fated for death, and I was too weak to help. Too weak to fight my way out of this place. They'd outnumber me, as well as overwhelm me with all their powerful pokemon. No amount of combinations would defeat all three of them.

Unable to do anything, I rocked back and forward, my spine crunching along the brick wall as it collided. My hands found glass on the floor, and reflexes made me wince away from the pain before I registered it. My palms were cut in several places, but I just wrapped them around my knees, mourning for them whether they were still alive or not.

Short chapter, I know. Bite me. :P

Nothing really exciting happened, but it needed to be done. It's about time some rivalry sets in. Oh and nobody got my super subtle hint. I'm glad you'll probably be shocked when it arrives.

On another note, I'm thinking about writing a different Ikarishipping fanfiction, which would be AU as they'd be going to School. Only they won't be like young teenagers, but Sixth form/College sort of thing. What do you think? Would you like me to write that? I've nearly finished my SSshipping, so I'm open for suggestions. It doesn't have to be Ikari either. Review with your ideas you'd like me to write, and I might pick one if there's something I find interesting. :3