This was written to celebrate Paul's return in the Anime. Well, I was planning to write something else but I didn't like it so I decided to start over again. The idea came from the thought that having a favorite character can make someone's day better and I wanted to apply that idea to Ikarishipping. So, you can maybe think of yourself as Dawn. But don't get too much absorbed into her.

Also, seeing how Paul's attitude changed more mildly made me think that I didn't do a terrible job here. (This was planned and written a week ago)

It's short because I'm working on something else as well.

You make me feel special

No matter how the world brings me down

Even when hurtful words stab me

I smile again 'cause you're there

- TWICE, 'Feel Special'

Dawn rubbed her hands as she nervously looked up at the screen, waiting for the result to come out. Dawn really wasn't doing great. For the last 2 Contests, she wasn't even able to pass the first round and she was finally able to get to the final round for the first time in past few months.

In that brief moment right before the computer decided who the winner was, she was praying to whoever was up there.

When the winner's name was announced, and it wasn't her, she felt devastated inside. She clenched her fist for a short moment but clapped her hands with a fake smile to congratulate her opponent. But, soon she felt tears welling up in her eyes and she turned around quickly and headed to the lounge. She dabbed her eyes with tissue and dressed herself into her normal outfit. She looked at herself in the mirror.

Her makeup was now smudged with tears and she looked miserable. She couldn't believe herself that she lost so many times. Was she that bad? Should she just give up on this season's Grand Festival and take a break? But would she be okay after taking a break? She quickly shook her head and wiped off her makeup and headed to the restroom.

She came out looking better than before, but still looked gloomy. She walked down the hallway and peaked at the lobby. There weren't many people there because it had been some time since the contest was over. She sighed and did her best to sneak out of the contest hall.

"Why, if it isn't Deedee?"

Dawn flinched at the nickname as she turned around to see a pink haired girl.

"Good to see you too, Ursula." Dawn groaned. She didn't know Ursula wasn't in the town. Ursula didn't compete in the contest.

"I saw your performance. And I should say, they were terrible compared to the ones you did back in Sinnoh." Ursula didn't even hesitate to state her opinion even after seeing Dawn looking so miserable.

"Is that all you have to say? I'm really not in a mood to argue now, Ursula." Dawn bit her lips and averted her gaze.

"No. That's not all."

Dawn stopped Ursula from continuing, "I still don't want to hear any of it. Come back when I feel like I could stand your sarcasm"

With that, Dawn turned around, ignoring what Ursula was telling her from behind, she headed back to the Pokemon Center where she could lock herself up and cry in peace.

She stayed in her room for the rest of the day. Pondering over what was wrong. She just couldn't get her head into the problem. What was wrong with her? If Ash and Brock were here, they would've cheered her up, but they weren't. Her Piplup approached her to offer her some comfort but the Pokemon had its limits.

As Dawn sobbed, Piplup and Buneary brought her some food to eat from downstairs, they managed to do it somehow. Dawn thanked them but could only eat 1/3 of the sandwich.

Dawn was just sitting in her room, and without thinking she picked up her phone and was about to go to the Coordinator's community but then remembered that the last time she went there, there was a heavy criticism about her performance. She guessed that it was Ursula who wrote it. It didn't affect her that much that Ursula had to be the one to say bad things about her but seeing that there were a lot of people who thought the same about her performance made her feel even more gloomy.

"Maybe I should get out of here." She mumbled to herself. And not realizing how late it was, she stood up, packed her things, put Buneary back into her ball, which was by the way trying to stop her from going out, picked Piplup up and left the Pokemon Center.

The sun was setting when she left the Center and Piplup chirped, apparently worried that they might get into trouble, but it was obvious that Dawn couldn't think straight. She quickened the pace to head to the next city. As the sun was disappearing down into the horizon, Dawn's pace quickened. Soon, they were in the dark woods with a faint moonlight providing them a little guidance.

Piplup finally had it, and pecked its trainer.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Dawn dropped the Pokemon and it blocked her path. Even in the Pokemon's point of view, its trainer looked miserable.

"You know, we should really get going and."

Dawn stopped as she heard something in the bush. That brought her back to reality. She turned to the direction where the sound came from. She couldn't see it, but something was definitely moving in the woods. And the sound was getting bigger every second.

Piplup flapped its flippers as Dawn picked it up and ran. She ran as fast as she could but she could still heard the rustling sound coming after her. She ran through the woods, trying her best to get away from the sound but it wasn't getting smaller.

Tears welled up in her eyes. She was regretting her actibon for leaving the Pokemon Center and was regretting not listening to her Pokemons. She was getting out of breath but the rustling noise wasn't getting smaller.

Piplup was freaking out as well, which wasn't helping. Dawn was about to give up and face whatever it was facing her when she bumped into something. She fell on the ground and so did the thing she bumped into.

"Ouch! Watch where you are going!"

She recognized the grumpy voice and squinted her eyes to see if she was right. She really wasn't in a mood to face him. She did bump into him a few times while traveling in Unova. Each encounter wasn't a pleasant memory for her.

"What are you doing here, Troublesome? It's literally middle of the night." Paul also recognized her and growled at her.

"Traveling. Can't you see?" The words came out more sharply than she intended to. She quickly closed her mouth after that, her lips forming a straight line. Paul noticed the difference in her tone and stood up.

"Why were you running?" He asked, looking down at her.

"Something was coming after me." She explained, avoiding his gaze.

"You mean that Zorua?" he nodded toward the direction she came. She quickly turned her head to see the small fox creature snickering at her.

"Guess you've fallen into its trap." Paul rolled his eyes.

Dawn stared at the creature. It stared back. This little thing was what scared her to death? Even to this Zorua, she must've looked fun to pick on. The whole world was looking down on her like she was some kind of scum bag.

Dawn bit her lips to stop the tears from forming in her eyes but it didn't work. She burst into tears and buried her head into her knees. Zorua jumped in surprise as it approached her, nudging her with its nose. Piplup huffed, trying to shoo it away.

Paul was just staring down at her in disbelief, having no clue why she was crying.

"Troublesome?" He called her, he thought about maybe leaving her behind, but the idea sounded too cruel even for Paul.

"Just go! That's what you do anyway. You are not really helping here with any of my problems, okay? So, just go!" Dawn cried out, not even looking up to see him.

Paul didn't go though. It was too late in the night and she seemed too vulnerable. He slowly crouched down next to her and sat down. Dawn could feel his presence next to him but didn't glance at him.

"Go away." She repeated in a small voice.

"Troublesome, I don't know what made you like this,"

"You don't even care." Dawn cut in.

Paul frowned but continued, "but I'm sure it's nothing. What scared you was that Zorua. It's just a small illusion, nothing too serious. You will get over it."

What Paul was doing was stating the fact. Not comforting her. But it was enough for Dawn to raise her head and look his way.

"Why are you here? You don't even like me."

"Who says I don't like you?"

Dawn pondered for a moment, "No one. But you sure didn't act like you like me."

Paul didn't know how to answer to that, "Never mind that. Again, whatever it is that's bothering you, isn't worth considering as a threat. It's nothing. Just like that Zorua, you can probably beat it. There's up and down in everything, Troublesome."

Zorua didn't seem enthusiastic hearing Paul's words and barked at him. Dawn giggled at the Pokemon's attempt to threaten the trainer who was just giving it a stern look.

"Aren't you going?" Dawn asked.

"How heartless do you think I am? I'm not going to leave a weak, meek trainer like you behind in this dark wood. You might freak out over something like Zorua again. Or get actually hurt."

"I'm not weak! I can take care of myself, Paul."

"You sure?" He raised his brow.

Dawn was about to say 'yes' but couldn't answer.

"See? I thought so." Paul said as he watched Zorua and Piplup bickering.

Dawn watched them too, feeling down again.

"Troublesome, you do your own thing. That's what's important. Keep doing what you are good at, what you think makes you you, and what makes you feel special," He paused and frowned, "That was really cheesy. That's from Reggie by the way, not my words."

Dawn looked up at him and giggled as Paul looked away from him. He was really trying his best to make her feel better. Very unlikely of him, but it certainly did work.

"Paul, you do have a heart." Dawn grinned.

Paul looked disgusted at the phrase, "What, you thought I was Tin Man or something?"

She giggled, "Well, no. But you sometimes act like one."

Paul grunted.

"Thank you." Dawn said. Paul glanced at her.

"There's no need to mention it."

"Well, you were the only one to say kind words to me recently. I really wasn't myself and it felt like the whole world hated me. You did your trick and made me realize that it's not." Dawn said through her grin and Paul's frown disappeared a little.

"Glad to know I helped."

Dawn smiled at his sarcasm and sighed. Maybe this was what she needed. Some genuine comfort. She missed it. She glanced at Paul, thinking about asking him to travel together, then realized that Paul wasn't her counselor. She shouldn't use him like that. So she swallowed the thought and glanced at Piplup, which was now sitting on her laps and glaring at Zorua.

"Hey, thank you for trying to comfort me." Dawn said with a smile.

Zorua perked up and jumped up and down.

"Would you like to come with me?" Dawn asked, taking her Pokeball out. Piplup looked shocked but Zorua ignored Piplup's shocked squeak and jumped into the ball.

"So you caught your greatest fear." Paul commented and Dawn rolled her eyes.

"So much for all those nice words you said earlier. You know, if I weren't all so gloomy, I wouldn't have met you and I wouldn't have met Zorua as well. Maybe it was all meant to be."

"If that's what you want to believe."

"Stop being so mean. I'm going to try express what I felt today using Zorua's illusion."

"Sounds nice."

At least Paul was answering to her words.

"Paul, thank you again. I'm really glad I ran into you. I think I needed comfort and you gave it to me."

Paul didn't answer to that. Dawn stood up and set up her tent. Paul stood up to help her and when they were done, Dawn told him good night.

The next morning came, and Dawn really was feeling much better than before. Dawn and Paul shared breakfast, and when the tent was down, Paul was about to leave. But Dawn stopped him.

"Wait!"

Paul turned around.

"Here's my number," Dawn handed him a piece of paper, "You comforted me last night. When you feel down, I don't know if you ever will, but if you do, please call me. I want to be there for you as well. I want to make you feel special." Dawn said with a smile.

Paul stared down at the paper and put it in his pocket.

"I will see you later, Paul." Dawn said, walking up to him, and gave him a hug, which surprised him.

Before Paul could say anything, Dawn released him, giggling as she saw how startled Paul was.

"Troublesome." Paul grunted, not knowing how to react.

"Whatever, plumhead. I will see you later, okay?"

Paul looked down at her, it looked like he had something to say but he didn't say it.

"Okay." He finally said it and Dawn smiled at that.

As Dawn walked through the woods, the sun rose and shone down, showing her the path. Her pace fastened as she skipped through the woods. She knew everything was going to be better.

And this was only the beginning. The start of something new.