Chapter 20: Pokemon Contest, Route 204 and Floraoma Town

Kenny couldn't believe what he had witnessed - not only his crush was falling for a bad boy, but the Champion of the Pokemon League herself deciding to lie about something so serious. His feet pounded against the ground as he ran to the nearest police station in Jubilife City, much to his relief, it was open. He barged in and panted as he ran to the desk where Officer Jenny herself was sitting going through paperwork.

"Officer... Jenny..." Kenny said, panting between each word.

"Yes?" The officer looked up at the trainer.

"It's urgent! I just witnessed my friends Pokemon being stolen and the champion herself won't do a thing about it!" Kenny blurted out, panting between each word.

"Woah kid! Hold on - have a drink of water, sit down and tell me what happened from the beginning" Officer Jenny said. She got the boy a glass of water and nodded for him to sit down. Kenny told the officer everything that happened that night with Team Shadow and told her that Cynthia's not doing a thing about it. He told her how Paul treats his Pokemon in hopes to get the boys Pokemon taken off him in revenge, Officer Jenny was alarmed by all of this news.

"Team Shadow? I've never heard of them - our team is watching Team Galactic and the fact that Paul is mistreating his Pokemon requires investigating. If he's found guilty, he can have his Pokemon license removed from him" Officer Jenny said. "He might spend time behind bars too!"

Kenny looked away and smirked, as he imagined Paul in jail for his cruelty towards others and Pokemon. 'That'll teach you to be around my Dii-Dii!' Kenny thought. He looked at the officer with a straight face expression. "If you want to talk to Paul now, he's at the Pokemon Center. As are the others. I don't know where Team Shadow are though" he added.

"Right - I'll send a team to look for Team Shadow and I'll talk to your friends and Paul at the Pokemon Center then reach out to the media about Team Shadow. Thank you for all of this, Kenny" Officer Jenny said, smiling to the young trainer.

"You're welcome. Should I go with you to the center so I can point out who Paul is?" Kenny asked, longing to get revenge on the mean trainer. 'Dii-Dii won't have to worry about him now!' he thought.

"Yes, if you would. We'll go right now before he leaves, and we'll interview your friends too" Officer Jenny answered, smiling to the trainer. "Let's go now!" she then left the office with Kenny, locking the door behind them.

Paul was in his room, with Chimchar out of his Pokeball. "Chimchar, look... I don't say it very often but - I'm sorry how I treated you earlier... It was just that... I wanted to see you use that power when I first met you. I'll ensure I'll never be a jerk to you and the others again. Troublesome made me realize how I was to my Pokemon and I didn't notice at the time how it affected all of you. As a trainer - I need to look after you all better and it's my responsibility to be nicer" he calmly told the surprised fire type Pokemon. "You're allowed to stay out of your Pokeball and to express yourself. I didn't realize it at the time, but I never noticed how cute you are. I was too focused on winning rather than how my Pokemon felt around me. I want to help Troublesome find her missing Pokemon with your help and corporation and I want that bond that Ash has with Pikachu but with you, again, I'm sorry, Chimchar and I promise to be better towards you and the others" with that, Paul gave the surprised Pokemon a hug, Chimchar in returned smiled and hugged him back.

"Char-Chim, Char? (No more tough training?)" Chimchar asked.

"No - we'll do it the right way this time. It was Troublesome who pushed me into the right direction, seeing how she bonded with her Pokemon. I think, I'm falling for her too and seeing how she bonded with you. I would do anything to keep a smile on her face. The way you were on Troublesome's shoulder was cute. I'd like for us to be like that too, Chimchar" Paul said, still hugging his Pokemon. "What has me most worried is Team Shadow. I don't want them taking you away from me if I can help it" Paul told him.

Chimchar simply smiled and climbed onto his surprised trainer's shoulder. For the first time in a while, a smile came across Paul's face when the Pokemon did that. "Thank you, Chimchar for dealing with the tough training. Tomorrow, I'll get you some... Huh?" Before Paul could even finish telling Chimchar what he was going to get the Pokemon, a knock at the door was heard.

Paul opened the door and was surprised to see Officer Jenny and Kenny behind it.

"Paul - you're under arrest for Pokemon cruelty" Officer Jenny's voice boomed before Paul could open the door. When he opened it, he saw a surprised officer who then looked at Kenny funny.

"He doesn't look cruel to me, Kenny. Given the fact that Chimchar is on his shoulder and smiling" Officer Jenny responded. "Let me guess this Team Shadow thing is a lie too" she frowned at Kenny.

"Pathetic" Paul simply said looking at Kenny. "Is this because I was protecting Troublesome?"

Kenny flinched. "No - it was because I'm sick and tired of you being mean towards your Pokemon and calling other trainers weak! Why is Chimchar on your shoulder? You shouldn't have any of your Pokemon!"

Paul frowned at Kenny. There were many different things he'd like to call the trainer right now but figured it wasn't the time.

"Who is Troublesome?" Officer Jenny asked.

"She's my girlfriend" Kenny answered quickly. "I call her Dii-Dii. Her name's Dawn though" he added smiling to her.

Paul grit his teeth.

Officer Jenny looked at Paul and Chimchar then back at Kenny. "I think we need to talk to Dawn - she can tell us exactly what's going on then. Paul - come with me" the officer for now cuffed the annoyed trainer's hands. Chimchar stayed with Paul.

'Not like I have much of a choice to come with you, Officer Jenny... I'm so mad at you, Kenny!' Paul thought. 'You're a dirty rotten scoundrel!' Paul added to his thoughts, glaring at Kenny. 'Troublesome better be okay!' Chimchar hugged Paul's head who in return hugged him back with his head.

"It's okay, Chimchar, we'll be fine" Paul calmly told his Pokemon.

"Yeah - behind bars!" Kenny retorted. "And your Pokemon taken off you!"

"Kenny - silent. Right where is Dawn's room?" Officer Jenny asked. Neither of the boys knew so she went to Nurse Joy to ask and received the answer from her.

Dawn found it hard getting to sleep, mainly because she was thinking of Paul how he protected her that night and wanted to make her smile regardless the situation. The more she thought about it, the more she realized one thing: she was in love with him. 'He's just so cute. He's not liked any other guy I've met' she thought, longing to see him again and to be in his arms and sharing their first kiss together. 'I need to figure out how to tell him though...' she thought.

Ash, May, Max and Brock were lying awake thinking of other things like their missing Pokemon. It wasn't long before the five heard a knock at the door.

"It's Officer Jenny, Dawn - I need to talk to you!" Officer Jenny's voice boomed through the door. "Open up!"

Jumping out of bed, Dawn looked at the others in confusion as she and her friends answered the door, surprised to see Paul arrested and Chimchar by his side.

"Paul!" Dawn quickly pushed past her friends and ran up to him, hugging him in concern. "What happened?" she asked.

"Kenny" Paul simply replied in anger.

"Paul is arrested for Pokemon cruelty. Your boyfriend, Kenny told me about how Paul mistreated his Pokemon he also informed me about Team Shadow" Officer Jenny explained. Brock normally would be swooning over the officer, but tonight he felt wasn't the right time.

"Kenny's not my boyfriend and Paul's not cruel!" Dawn came to Paul's defense, glaring at Kenny in anger. "This is about tonight, isn't it, Kenny? Because Paul was protecting me from Team Shadow" she snapped. "And I don't let you call me Dii-Dii!"

Kenny didn't say anything but was surprised by Dawn's outburst.

Paul was surprised by Dawn defending him, Ash, May, Max and Brock looked at one another and nodded. They were all in for supporting Dawn.

"Dawn's right. I think you've got the wrong person" Ash told Officer Jenny. "I mean, look at him and Chimchar."

'I guess you're not so pathetic after all, Ash' Paul thought, looking at the trainer.

"Hm..." Officer Jenny looked at Paul and his friends.

"If you ask me, Officer Jenny, I can vouch for Paul. The way he and Dawn were dancing together tonight, it was romantic" May said smiling to Paul.

'Neither are you, May' Paul thought, looking at the coordinator.

"I'm with them" Max and Brock said nodding to Ash and May.

"Hm - I guess the only way to confirm it is for Paul to release all his Pokemon to show me if they physically look traumatized - if not, then he'd be free to go!" Officer Jenny said.

"Troublesome, could you reach for my Pokeballs? They're in my trousers pockets" Paul requested. "Would do it myself but I'm a bit tied up!"

Kenny frowned as he watched Dawn grab Paul's Pokeballs - she took the six out and released his Pokemon, who appeared to look strong, happy and healthy to Officer Jenny.

"I'm sorry - Paul. It appears I have made a mistake" Officer Jenny undid his hand cuffs. "You're free to go!"

Dawn simply smiled and hugged Paul in response, blushing, Paul returned her hug, planting a kiss on her forehead in the heat of the moment. "You had me so worried, Paul! I didn't think our baby would be able to meet their father!" she gushed, burying her head into his chest, enjoying the moment with him.

Kenny looked at Paul in disgust after he had witnessed Paul planting a kiss on Dawn, though, Ash, May, Brock and Max looked at him in surprise.

"Your baby?" Officer Jenny asked in surprise, thinking that she was a bit too young to have a child.

"Yeah - Paul and I won a Pokemon Egg tonight at the dance contest and the Pokemon would technically be our child!" Dawn explained, smiling as she looked at Paul lovingly.

Paul simply nodded - if that was to make her happy then he would agree with her too. "What she said" he replied.

Kenny looked at Dawn and Paul then back at Officer Jenny. He didn't smile though - he was still mad with Kenny and being arrested and almost jailed.

"Why did you let him go?" Kenny asked looking at Paul then at Officer Jenny.

"His Pokemon all look in good health - his Chimchar seems to adore him as does his girlfriend so I'm fine with letting him go for now. As for Team Shadow - I'm not sure whether or not to believe you about that, Kenny. I'll keep an eye out on you in future" Officer Jenny said, watching how Dawn had been hugging Paul.

Ash, May, Max and Brock smiled to one another then at Dawn and Paul.

"Dii-Dii isn't his girlfriend" Kenny corrected her.

"She might as well be" Officer Jenny told him. "Since he kissed her. That's proof enough to me that he's not cruel"

"It's Dawn! Not Dii-Dii! You know I hate that nickname" Dawn snapped at Kenny. For now, she wasn't even sure how she'd feel about Kenny - she was mixed. She was angry that he attempted to take Paul from her, confused to why he did it, unsure as she didn't know if she could trust him as a friend.

Paul simply kept an arm around Dawn, as he looked at Kenny. "Troublesome doesn't like that name" he reminded Kenny. "I think you need to choose your words wisely on what you tell Officer Jenny next time. What you did was pathetic and almost ruined things for me" he snapped.

Officer Jenny looked at Paul's Pokemon in admiration. "I must say - if anything your Pokemon are very well trained, Paul. I admire how much effort you put into their training" she complimented, making Kenny feel bad. "You should have no trouble defeating the gyms! Once again, I apologize for the confusion - I hope you all forgive me and have a good night" Officer Jenny said then left.

Kenny gulped after the officer had left. "I'm going to head to bed now, Dii-Dii" he simply said as if nothing happened. 'Damn - I was so close on having her!' he thought, looking at how Dawn and Paul were hugging one another.

"So that's it? You're not going to apologies? Our baby's father almost got taken away from me and you just walk away like nothing happened? Our baby could never have met their father" Dawn snapped at Kenny with tears of anger and hurt forming in her eyes. "Whatever Pokemon they hatch into we will love them!"

"What is there to apologize about? Paul's a jerk and got what he deserved - maybe this will be a wakeup call for him to treat his Pokemon better and to get his hands off you!" With that, Kenny stormed off angrily.

Dawn was going to go after him; however, Paul held her, back. Ash, May, Max and Brock looked at one another then back at Paul and Dawn.

"Don't worry about him, Troublesome" Paul replied, pulling her closer to him again to calm her down. Dawn nodded and hugged him again.

"I think it's safe to say we'll leave you two alone" Ash said smiling to Dawn. Ash, Max, May and Brock left to go back to their room to talk about what had just happened, while Dawn simply continued hugging Paul, not wanting to let him go.

"I can't believe I nearly lost you, Paul" Dawn whispered, with tears coming from her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you" she said and began sobbing in his arms.

Paul blushed and knew what she meant. "I nearly lost you too, Troublesome" he whispered, softly to her. "You mean a lot to me - and I don't want to see you hurt."

Blushing, she nodded. "Paul..." she simply said his name. She leaned forward to press her lips against his, however, was interrupted when Kenny returned to apologize about what happened - instead he looked stunned to see them almost kiss.

"Dii-Dii?" Kenny asked.

"What do you want?" Paul snapped - he was pretty mad at Kenny for what happened.

"I want to apologize for all the trouble I caused. I realized I was in the wrong - I was talking to my mum about what happened. She said it could've costed me our friendship. I rather stay friends with you, Dii-Dii. I want the best for you and for you to be happy" Kenny apologized. "You see - I thought Paul was going to hurt you since he's mean to his Pokemon and other people."

"Troublesome doesn't like it when you call her that, remember, Kenny? I think its best if you call her by her proper name" Paul told him. "I wouldn't hurt the people I feel close to and love" he simply told him, hinting he loved Dawn too.

Though they didn't know one another well, she had enjoyed his company and didn't want to part from him. "Paul's right - the name's Dawn not Dii-Dii. Do I need to wear a name tag? I nearly lost Paul and I don't want that to happen again!" she said, looking at her crush then back at Kenny. "I can't form a relationship with you, though, Kenny" she told him. 'My heart belongs to Paul - haven't told him yet but it's his and no-one else's!' she thought.

Kenny rubbed the back of his head. "You're a lucky guy - Paul if you end up with Dii-Dii, promise you won't hurt, her. I won't see you around much, Dii-Dii but will most likely only see you in contests and good luck with them."

"Pathetic - I nearly went to jail because of you. I wouldn't call that lucky and I can't forgive you for that" Paul told him. "You have a lot of work to do if you want my trust."

Dawn nodded in agreement with Paul. "He's right - Kenny."

"Could you forgive me for what I did, Dii-Dii?" Kenny asked, wishing he never told Officer Jenny everything.

"I'm not sure yet - Kenny. You'll have to work hard for it and start by calling me by my real name. I'll see you around in contests" Dawn was getting tired and wanted to head back to bed.

"R-right. Later" Kenny said with sigh. He left the two friends alone.

"You'd better get some sleep, Troublesome" Paul said as he recalled most of his Pokemon except for Chimchar who jumped on his shoulders again.

"Mhm! You too, mind if I walk you to your room? I don't want to risk losing you again" Dawn asked.

Paul held his hand out to her. "If it makes you smile, and I'd like to see how our child is going tomorrow" he said - referring to the Pokemon Egg of course. Dawn smiled and nodded, putting her hand in his. The two friends made their way to Paul's room.

"I wonder what Pokemon will come out of our Egg" Dawn said, smiling as she imagined the egg hatching.

"One that will be spoiled by its parents" Paul simply replied. "And loved by its mother the most."

Dawn nodded. "And it's father" she said imagining her and Paul spoiling the Pokemon. "Whatever it will be - is going to be cherished when it hatches. I want you to be there when that happens" she said smiling to Paul.

"I could tag along with you and the others until it hatches" Paul said as they got closer to his room.

"I'd love it if you do - Paul! That way I know you'd be safe by my side" Dawn said with a smile.

"And you by mine. Night, Troublesome" Paul said, nodding to Chimchar who jumped from his shoulder to give Dawn a good night hug.

"Good night, Paul - and Chimchar, you're a cutie! Look after one another and see you tomorrow sometime" Dawn said smiling to Paul and Chimchar. She hugged Chimchar then gave the fire type back to Paul. With that, the two arrived at Paul's room, which was untouched thankfully. They gave one another a hug good night; Paul went inside his room.

'Wait - does that mean he loves me?' Dawn thought referring to the two almost kissing until Kenny interrupted them and him kissing her head. 'I understand what Kenny did was to protect me, but it was still wrong - I'm so relieved Paul is okay. But that makes me worried for Aerodactyl and the others' she thought imaging Team Shadow making a move once the news gets out.

Dawn safely returned to her room noticing her friends were in their beds but lying awake for her to return.

"Hi guys!" Dawn said smiling to her friends. She then looked at the Pokemon Egg that was left on the counter. "Hi, my little sunshine!" she gushed as she looked at the egg in delight. "Your daddy wants to see you tomorrow!"

"Hi Dawn, and who do you mean by daddy?" Ash asked in confusion.

"Paul - he and I are close friends. I'm so relieved he's okay" Dawn answered.

"Does that mean you two are together as a couple?" May wondered.

"I wish! I love him. He said he wants to be there when the egg hatches" Dawn said in delight.

May smiled. "Reminds me of the time when Ash and I were Manaphy's parents, right, Ash?" she looked at Ash. Ash nodded.

"We still technically would be, May" Ash said smiling to her. "That's fine with us if he wants to be there when the egg hatches."

Max wondered how Paul would react when the Pokemon Egg hatches. "Do you think he'd be happy with the result of the Pokemon?"

"Mhm! I'm certain he will - he said he made up to his current Pokemon and look at how he and Chimchar are now" Dawn said. "I'm heading to bed, night all!"

Kenny sat in his room crying. 'I don't get it. I did what I could do to protect Dii-Dii from him and he still gets away with it. He's cruel to his Pokemon and I'm worried he'd hurt her. What else can I do? It's like he hypnotized her or something. Officer Jenny called me a liar and put me on the watch list' the trainer thought, as he sat on his bed.

'I was only doing what was best for Dii-Dii because I love her and want her to be mine. I don't get why she loves Paul - what do I need to do? Record everythig he does in a battle or something to prove a point? It's just unfair... Dii-Dii was my first and only love and I'd do anything for her. I'm stumped on what I can do next to help protect her from Paul' Kenny thought. 'If I was with Dii-Dii I'd do anything to make her happy!'

"You were WHAT?!" a shocked voice on the other side of the video phone burst out in anger and surprise.

"Arrested by Officer Jenny, Reggie" Paul answered and told the person on the other side what had happened, annoyance was heard in his voice. Chimchar was still on Paul's shoulder, the first thing he did was call his brother and let him know what happened from the dance and what led up to the arrest, he left Team Shadow out. It was a good thing the rooms had video phones. It was late but he didn't care, and he was certain his brother would've liked to have known about what happened.

Reggie could only stare at his younger brother in disbelief. "You were lucky that bluenette girl stood up for you! She sounds like she really likes you and loves you. I see you and Chimchar are good now which is nice to see! Chimchar's evolutions are super strong!"

"We almost kissed but then Kenny butted in at that moment... Wait they are? I never looked up Chimchar's evolutions. I-I love her too. It's just something about her which makes being around her enjoyable. Her friends stood up for me too though I was rude to them when I first met them - I thought they were pathetic, but when they wanted to help me get out of that situation, I changed my mind. She's got a lot of good friends who appear to be like family to her" Paul told him.

"You almost kissed?! That escalated quickly. Does Troublesome have a real name? She sounds like she's the perfect match for you, Paul. Maybe if you get together you and I can have double dates with her and Maylene! I'm sure Maylene will enjoy that" Reggie said smiling.

"Heh! Her name's Dawn - but I call her Troublesome, she doesn't seem to mind that name" Paul replied. "Maybe. Tonight, was just too close for comfort. But wouldn't it be rushing things?" he asked.

"Not really - if you love someone and have your mind set on them - and they feel the same way which she clearly does since she calls you the Pokemon's Daddy, I say go for it. Tell her before someone else does" Reggie said smiling to his brother. "Maylene and I knew one another for a few weeks before we got together."

"That's a good point... I'll see what I can do when I'm ready. Right, Chimchar?" Paul gently scratched the Pokemon under the chin.

"Char, Chim-Char! (That feels nice!)" Chimchar said, enjoying the pat from him.

Reggie smiled to his brother. "I'd better get going - Maylene and I have a date tomorrow and she's handed the gym to the gym keeper for the time being. Let me know when you and Dawn get together - glad you didn't end up in jail."

Paul nodded. "Me too. Have fun - later" with that, the brothers bid one another good night and Paul hung up then went to his bed. "That was too close, right Chimchar?" he asked looking at his Pokemon.

"Chim-Char, Chim! (Way too close!)" Chimchar agreed watching as Paul changed into his night clothes before hopping into bed. Chimchar climbed onto Paul's bed and went to the end of it.

"It's more comfortable up here, Chimchar" Paul patted the pillow - watching as the Pokemon joined his side. Paul hugged him then rested his head on the pillow, as did Chimchar.

"Chim-Char! (Good night)" Chimchar said.

"Good night, Chimchar. We'll visit Troublesome tomorrow and check on the Egg - as she calls it our baby" Paul said then soon drifted to sleep.

The next morning, Dawn woke early and happy, she showered and changed then looked at the Pokemon Egg. "Morning, cutie!" she gushed as she held it close to her. "Your daddy will be over sometime today to see you."

Ash, May, Max and Brock soon woke up and changed, smiling to see Dawn cradling the Pokemon Egg.

"I think it's exciting having a Pokemon Egg" Max commented. "I remember when yours hatched into an Eevee, May" he added looking at his sister.

"Mhm and sometime later, she evolved into a Glaceon when I was in Johto!" May said looking sad as she recalled those memories. "I must have her back!"

"I wonder if I'll get an Eevee from this Egg" Dawn said as she looked at the Egg.

"That's a good question. Only one way to find out. Let's go and get breakfast" Brock said. Ash, Pikachu, May, Max, Treecko, Brock, Dawn and her Pokemon Egg all made their way to the cafeteria, bumping into Paul and Chimchar on the way there much to Dawn's relief.

"Paul!" Dawn said smiling to him as she ran up to the trainer with the Pokemon Egg.

"Morning Troublesome and our child" Paul looked at the egg then at Dawn. Chimchar looked at the egg out of curiosity too.

"We were just about to go for breakfast if you want to join us" Dawn said smiling to him. "Our child would love your company!" she added.

'She really does love him' May thought as she watched Dawn being so happy around him. 'It's how I feel when I'm with Ash.' May looked at Ash then back at Dawn and Paul, watching as Dawn gently handed the egg over to Paul who carefully held it. Chimchar jumped from Paul's shoulder over to Dawn's when Paul took the egg.

Ash watched Paul looking at Dawn and noticed his eyes appeared somewhat softer around her. 'That's like the look I give May. He must really like Dawn' he thought.

"Last one in the cafeteria has to do dishes!" Max exclaimed.

"I guess that'll be us" Dawn said as she looked at Paul then back at Max. Ash, Max, Brock and May ran ahead to allow the two friends to have time with the Pokemon Egg and Chimchar.

"How are you this morning, Chimchar?" Dawn gushed as she patted the fire type Pokemon.

"Char - Chimchar? (Great, thanks, you?)" Chimchar said, smiling to the coordinator.

The two friends slowly made their way to the cafeteria, with Paul holding the Egg and Dawn having Chimchar on her shoulder. On the way they saw Kenny talking to Zoey.

"May told me that her Pokemon Egg hatched into an Eevee - I wonder if ours will" Dawn said, gushing as she looked at the egg and at Paul as she passed Kenny and Zoey.

"Thats if it doesn't get broken" Kenny retorted. "Dii-Dii why are you letting a bully hold an egg?"

"Kenny was telling me what happened last night" Zoey said, which made Dawn annoyed.

"Did he? What did he tell you?" Paul asked with anger in his voice. He had every right to be mad with Kenny at that time.

Kenny stayed quiet after what Zoey said, not daring to look at Paul, but instead he glanced at Dawn - the girl of his dreams. "Dii-Dii"

"For your information, Kenny - Paul's not a bully and it's his child too. He has parenting responsibilities" Dawn said. "And it's Dawn!"

Zoey was taken back by Dawn. "Wow - I didn't know Paul could be a father figure to a Pokemon... Heh. Is that Chimchar yours?"

"No - he's mine but Troublesome loves having Chimchar on her shoulder so I'm fine with that - I like seeing her smile" Paul said as he held the egg protectively in his arms - not trusting Kenny after the night before. "We'd better get going, the others are waiting."

Zoey looked at Kenny then watched the two friends walk off. "I think you have a lot of work to do getting back on their side, Kenny. But you're still a friend of mine so I'll help you if you want - but I think you've lost Dawn to Paul."

"What do you mean by losing her to Paul?" Kenny asked hopelessly.

"Paul said he likes seeing her smile - sounds like he enjoys keeping her happy though he doesn't show it through his emotions. If they end up together, they'd be a great couple - but I can help you win her friendship back" Zoey said. "I can see why you did it - you were worried he was going to hurt her, but I somehow doubt it. I think you need to accept that she's not going to be your girlfriend" she added.

"I guess you're right, Zoey. It's just that... I really love her, but I think... I have no choice but to let her go and follow her heart. If it makes her happy being with someone so horrible then she can be with Paul. I'll find another love interest" Kenny said with a sad sigh.

"I'd be that person but I'm already in a relationship" Zoey said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You'd make a nice boyfriend to someone though - Kenny. You can admire her from afar but don't be obsessed with her. That's the worst someone can do" she added.

Kenny nodded. "What's your partner like?" he asked.

"They're very nice - all I can say is my partner's a gym leader and an incredible person" Zoey said smiling as she thought of her lover.

After breakfast that morning, Ash spent the day preparing for the upcoming contest with Dawn, Max and May. Paul watched the group as he held the Pokemon egg and Brock helped them with the training. Chimchar watched in interest to see how they came up with the contest moves - the contest itself was a few days away and the four were looking forward to it. The four days went fast and soon the four coordinators were getting changed into their contest outfits - May and Dawn wore cute dresses, while Ash and Max wore tuxedos. Brock and Paul didn't bother changing but they were going to watch from the crowd while Paul looked after the Pokemon Egg for Dawn.

The contest hall itself was rather crowded and many familiar faces from Zoey to Jessalina were there with their Pokemon. Paul thought most of the entries were rather boring except for Dawn's but was disappointed and angry when it turned out that Kenny had indeed won the Jublife City contest. After the contest, the six friends packed their bags and made their way to Route 204 the next day. When they got there, they noticed a Pokemon Center in the middle of it.

"That's handy!" Ash said looking at Pikachu then at the Pokemon Center.

"It looks dodgy - I wouldn't go there" Paul said, as he held the Pokemon Egg. He and Dawn would take turns in holding the Pokemon Egg. "Wouldn't give them the egg even if they claimed to be legit!"

"How can you tell if it's dodgy? Looks real enough to me" Ash asked.

"I've seen enough fake ones in my travels - compare the images of a real one then you can see the differences - I wouldn't go giving my Pokemon to them" Paul told him.

Dawn looked at Paul in admiration. "I think it's best if we keep moving, Ash" she told him.

"Right" Ash nodded. The six took three days to reach Floroama Town as they wanted to battle trainers along the way and catch some more Pokemon (Dawn caught a Budew and May caught a Sunkern, Max caught both of them for his Pokedex entry and made a mental note to sort out his Pokemon party when he reaches the Pokemon Center). When they got to Floroama Town - Ash smiled and looked at May. His dream was going to come true soon.

To be continued...

Badges:
Dawn: 1
Ash: 1
Max: 1
-

Ribbons:
May: 0
Max: 0
Ash: 0
Dawn: 0

Pokémon:

Ash:
Current: Pikachu, Sceptile and Swellow
Stolen: Noctowl, Turtwig, Starly and Charizard

May:
Current: Bidoof, Sunkern and Munchlax
Stolen: Blaziken, Shinx, Beautifly, Skitty and Glaceon

Dawn:
Current: Starly, Cubone, Budew and Shinx
Stolen: Piplup, Aerodactyl
Shared: Pokemon Egg
Max:
Current: Treecko, Kricketot, Zubat and Shinx
Stolen: Azumarill, Magikarp and Ralts

Brock:
Current: Croagunk and Onyx
(Stolen: Geodude and Bonsly)

To be continued...