"Castelia City Chaos"
By MisterAnimeFan
Part of the DP Love Series
As promised in the last chapter, he is the side-story I was working that's nothing but fluff between Dawn and Paul. I know that there hasn't been much Ikarishipping moments since the beginning of this particular fanfiction, and I do apologize for that. Hopefully, this will tide you over until I'm done with "Paul On The Rocks."
The story takes place in the Unova region from Pokémon Black and White. Paul and Dawn have been dating for about two years now, and as such, they're two years older (Paul 17-years-old and Dawn 16-years-old). I'm fully aware that in the anime, Dawn actually goes to Hoenn and not Unova, but just ignore that and pretend that she went to Unova with Paul to participate in the Pokémon Musical.
Disclaimer: Does anyone ever notice that Paul's eyebrows are extremely thick? Oh and Pokémon belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak. The fan fiction exists out of fun and enjoyment.
Seriously though, Paul has some really thick eyebrows.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Dawn stared out the bus window, looking out towards the horizon. She could see the towering skyscrapers of the Castelia City in the distance.
Dawn and Paul were onboard a bus crossing the Skyarrow Bridge, heading to Castelia City. After traveling all around the Sinnoh region and taking on the Pokémon League, Paul headed to Unova to face the region's gym leaders and challenge the Unova Pokémon League. He hopes that he'll have better luck in Unova than he did in Sinnoh. He had kept half of his Sinnoh team (Torterra, Drapion, and Luxray), but he had captured some new Pokémon from Unova (Timburr, Pignite, Scraggy). He had already won his Trio Badge from the Straiton Gym and the Basic Badge from the Nacrene Gym. Now his next badge is the Insect Badge from the Castelia City Gym.
Dawn decided to accompany him despite there not being any contests in Unova. However, she was excited to participate in the Pokémon Musical in Nimbasa City, the next city over. She also wanted to catch a few Unova Pokémon so that she can showcase them in other regions. Like Paul, Dawn kept some of her Sinnoh Pokémon (Prinplup and Buneary), but also captured a few Unova Pokémon (Emolga and Lilligant).
"There it is!" Dawn said, as they drove closer and closer to the city. "We're almost there!"
"Will you relax?" asked Paul, somewhat annoyed. "You're acting like a six-year-old. We'll get there when we get there."
"I know," replied Dawn. "I'm just so excited to see Castelia City!"
"What's the big deal?" asked Paul. "I'm sure it's just like any other city, just bigger."
"No it isn't," replied Dawn. "Castelia City has one of the biggest and some say the best fashion districts in the entire world. I want to go there and find the best dress I can find for the Pokémon Musical."
"Don't you already have enough dresses?"
"Of course, but I need something that will truly wow the judges!"
Paul then grabbed her hand. "Dawn, you beautiful enough to wow anybody," complimented Paul. "Don't worry about it."
Dawn smiled after hearing Paul's comment. "Aww...thanks," she said. "So, are you worried about your next gym battle?"
"Wait? Of course not," boasted Paul. "I practically stomped the last two gym leaders. I'm sure this gym leader will be no different."
"Well, you may never know. He could be the gym leader that'll take three attempts to defeat."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well...how many times did it take for you to defeat Fantina?"
"Look, that was back in Sinnoh," Paul said. "It's a new region. I've been doing great with gym battles. So here's hoping that I can beat this gym leader without much hassle."
"Oh I know you can do it, Paul." Paul only smiled at his blue-haired girlfriend.
Eventually, the bus made it over Skyarrow Bridge and into the city. Dawn was in awe as she looked out of the window and up towards the tall skyscrapers, which pierced the clouds in the sky. She then looked down and saw the busy streets filled with cars and people, most of them businesspeople, some tourists and trainers. "This place is amazing!" she exclaimed, happily.
Paul then leaned over and looked out the window. "Wow, there's a lot more people than I thought there would be," Paul said. "Hopefully, the gym isn't busy."
Soon, the bus began to slow down as it pulled into the city's unusually large Pokémon Center. It was four-stories tall and was as wide as a department store.
"Ladies and gentlemen," announced the driver. "We have now arrived at the Castelia City Pokémon Center. Please gather your belongings and watch your step as you disembark the bus. Thank you for riding Skyarrow Transit!"
Dawn and Paul grabbed their bags and carefully stepped off the bus.
The two of them walked inside the Pokémon Center. Paul and Dawn were surprised and yet amazed at how large the first floor was. The first floor had the usual Pokémon Center set-up, with many Nurse Joy's and Audino tending to injured/sick Pokémon, but there was also a small market, many televisions hanging from the walls, and a mezzanine where all of the videophones and computers were placed. The remaining three floors provided lodging for trainers visiting.
"Look at this place!" gasped Dawn. "Have you ever seen a Pokémon Center this big before?"
"Honestly, I can't say I have," replied Paul. "Come on, let's get a room."
"Oh...you want to get us a room, huh?" asked Dawn in a sly manner.
"Of course I want to get us a room. Where else do you think we'll sleep toni..."
Paul's voice suddenly trailed off when he realized what Dawn was hinting at. He lowered his head to hide his blushing face. "You have a dirty mind," he muttered.
"I was just messing with you," laughed Dawn.
The two of them walked up to the main counter. One of the Nurse Joy's immediately came to their aid. "Hello, and welcome to the Castelia City Pokémon Center!" she greeted. "How may I help you?"
"Do you have a room for two?" asked Paul.
"I believe we do. Just let me get your keys."
"And can you also give me directions to the Castelia City Gym too?" requested Paul.
"Certainly, just give me one second."
Nurse Joy then walked away and grabbed the keys to Paul and Dawn's room. She came back and handed them to Paul. "Here you are," she said, happily. She then placed a map of the city on the counter. "And I outlined the directions to the gym," she added.
"Okay, thanks," Paul said, grabbing both the keys and the map. "Have a nice day!" waved Nurse Joy, as Paul and Dawn headed towards the elevators.
They took the elevator and got off on the third floor, where their room was located. "Well, here we are," Paul said, as he and Dawn arrived at their room. "Room 311."
He used the key to unlock the door and he and Dawn stepped inside. It was a basic room, with two beds, a bathroom, a single window looking out towards the city, and a T.V. Dawn immediately jumped onto one of the beds. "This feels so good," she sighed, happily. "It's been a long time since I got to sleep in a bed."
"Yeah well, don't get too comfortable," Paul said sternly. "We're going to head to the gym in a few moments."
"Oh come on Paul," pleaded Dawn. "Let's just relax, you and me."
"No," replied Paul. "I want to face the gym leader now and get my Insect Badge."
"But Paul, we've been traveling non-stop since Nacrene City. Can't we just take a break?"
"I said no," Paul replied, again.
"Please?" begged Dawn. "I'll rub your shoulders."
For a moment, Paul glanced towards the wall on the left, thinking about Dawn's offer. But he then shook his head. "Look, if you want to stay here and rest, that's fine," he said. "But I'm going to the gym."
"Oh alright! I'll come too."
Dawn reluctantly got off the bed and joined her purple-haired boyfriend as they walked out of the room towards the gym. As they walked down the hallway towards the elevators, Paul noticed his girlfriend pouting. "Look, I'll make it up to you," he said. "Once I won my Badge, I'll take you someplace special."
"I want to go to the Fashion District," Dawn replied, hastily.
"Fine," agreed Paul. "Once I win, I'll take you there and I'll buy whatever dress you want."
"Really? Any dress?"
"Any dress."
"I'm going to hold you to that."
They stepped into an open elevator and rode it down to the first floor. "So Paul, do you have any strategy in mind for the gym battle?" asked Dawn.
"Well, when we ran into him at Nacrene City, he used Bug-type Pokémon," began Paul. "So, I think Torterra and Timburr can take care of them with Rock Edge and Rock Throw. If I get myself into a hole, then I think Drapion can overpower them..."
"What about Pignite?" interrupted Dawn. "I think a Fire-type Pokémon like him could easily defeat Bug-type Pokémon."
"Perhaps."
They took the elevator down to the first floor and left the Pokémon Center. Once they were outside, Paul looked at the directions that Nurse Joy gave him. "Okay, according to this," he said. "The Castelia City Gym is located on...Gym Street. How convenient. Anyway, let's get going."
Dawn didn't hear what Paul said. She continued looking all around, staring at the tall buildings and all the people passing by. "Hey Dawn, let's go!" shouted Paul.
"Oh! Coming!" Dawn shouted back. She then followed Paul down the busy sidewalks to the gym.
"Honestly Dawn, do big buildings like that really fascinate you?" Paul asked.
"It's not just the buildings," explained Dawn. "There's just something about this city. The atmosphere is definitely different here than in other cities."
"Well, don't drop your guard," Paul said, sternly. "If there's one thing that this city has the other cities have too, its crazy people and criminals. You need to be careful."
As Paul said that, a tall man in raggedy clothing approached him and Dawn. "Hey, you kids got any spare change?" he asked.
"Get a job!" snapped Paul. The tall man then continued on his way, bothering other people passing by.
He turned back to Dawn. "See?" Paul asked.
"I can take care of myself, thank you very much," snorted Dawn.
The two continued walking down the busy streets of Castelia City, heading towards the Castelia Gym. Along the way, they passed by several big businesses, restaurants, and a couple of art museums. Dawn loved seeing all of the sights, much to Paul's dismay. "Pay attention, Dawn!" he shouted.
"I know what I'm doing!" Dawn snapped back.
Eventually, they reached a street named "Gym Street." Paul was delighted to see this sign. "We're almost there," he smirked. "Let's go, Dawn."
He and Dawn made a right turn into Gym Street. They were immediately greeted to a large crowd of people blocking the street. Paul and Dawn's eyes popped upon seeing the crowd. "Huh? What's going on?" asked Dawn.
"Don't tell me all of these people are waiting to battle the gym leader," complained Paul.
"Its Team Plasma," said a deep voice.
Paul and Dawn turned their attention to a tall, lengthy man standing by. "Team Plasma?" asked Dawn.
"Oh no," groaned Paul, "those guys again?"
"Yep, and this time they blocked off the whole street," continued the man. "They're protesting the actions of the Burgh, the gym leader, and anyone who wishes to battle him."
"What?" Dawn asked, surprised.
"Are you kidding me?" Paul asked, angrily.
"I wish I was," replied the man. "I got half a mind to go up there and show them a thing or two!"
"I'll do that for you!" proclaimed Paul. "Come on Dawn!"
He then began pushing and shoving his way through the crowd. Dawn reluctantly followed after him.
They eventually made their way to the front where they saw a group of Team Plasma grunts spread out in a line across the street, acting as a human barricade. They each carried a flag with Team Plasma's insignia on it. Standing front and center was N, the green-haired young man and king of Team Plasma. Paul rolled his eyes upon seeing N again. The two had previously met in Nacrene City before Paul was about to challenge Lenora. They had a battle, a battle that Paul wishes he can forget.
They listened as N continued rallying. "Ladies and gentlemen please hear me out!" he called out. "We have come here, not to stir up violence or cause any harm to anyone, but to calmly protest the actions of Burgh, the gym leader of Castelia City. Much like many of you here, he uses Pokémon to increase his strength and power amongst everyone, without even considering how the Pokémon feel about it. He goes on using them to make his way up to the position of gym leader that he occupies today. And that message of using Pokémon spreads through the younger trainers who look up to this so-called man. I, myself, am sickened by this and I wish to put an end to it today! I am calling on Burgh to surrender his Pokémon and resign his position as gym leader. I hope that the remaining other gym leaders follow suit as well."
Everyone in the crowd began chattering amongst themselves.
"He's not serious, is he?"
"I don't think Burgh would agree to give up his Pokémon."
"This guy is a freak!"
"Maybe he has a point."
Paul again rolled his eyes as the various conversations continued around him. "Paul, what do you think of all this?" asked Dawn.
"I think that everybody here is wasting their time listening to this moron," replied Paul. "I'm going to the gym and these guys aren't going to stop me."
Paul then broke away from the crowd and walked alongside the street. "Paul, wait!" protested Dawn.
Before Paul could go any further, he was stopped by a Team Plasma grunt. "Excuse me," he asked, sternly. "What are you doing?"
"Going to the gym," Paul answered, calmly.
"I will not allow you to cross our line!"
"Try and stop me."
Paul tried to push the Team Plasma grunt aside, but the grunt violently shoved Paul back. "Look kid," scolded the grunt. "N says that this is supposed to be a peaceful demonstration, but if I have to get violent I will."
"Figures," replied Paul. "You guys are nothing but a group of hypocrites. Now get out of my way!"
"I don't think so, punk!"
"What's going on over there?" N asked, angrily.
N then saw Paul hassling the Team Plasma grunt. His angry expression slowly turned into a more sinister smile. He began making his way over to Paul. "Well, well, well," he said, in a snarky tone. "It looks like you and I meet again. Paul, is it? You always have to be the instigator of everything. Remember what happened back at Nacrene City?"
"Hello N," Paul said. "I see you're still going on with this ridiculous "free the Pokémon from their evil trainers" thing."
"It is not ridiculous!" snapped a Team Plasma grunt. "N as well as the rest of Team Plasma is trying to liberate Pokémon from people like you who use Pokémon to battle against their will."
"You think I'm going to buy that garbage?" questioned Paul. "I never hear my Pokémon complaining about battling against their will."
"That is because you are so dense and so self-observed in your own goals that you fail to heed the true feelings of your Pokémon," explained N. "But I understand Pokémon. I can hear their voices in my head."
"Oh, you're hearing voices, alright," replied Paul. "But I don't think they're from my Pokémon."
Some of the people in the crowd shook their heads, agreeing with Paul. "Besides, who are you to call us evil trainers?" Paul asked, angrily. "In your own deluded mind, you accuse us of using Pokémon against their will. But in this place we call reality, you're the evil ones."
"Yeah!" shouted the crowd.
"You go around stealing Pokémon from people against their will!" ranted Paul. "You go around accusing people of mistreating Pokémon when you're the one doing the mistreating. You accuse us for having Pokémon battle for us against their will even though you're doing the exact same thing!"
"YEAH!" the crowd shouted.
"When I look at you clowns," continued Paul, "I don't see a team of people supporting Pokémon. I see a group of dirty, crooked, hypocritical scumbags."
The crowd began cheering loudly as Paul called out Team Plasma. Most of the Team Plasma grunts grew angry at the act of defiance. N, on the other hand, remained indifferent to the whole situation. "Now you listen to me, you little punk!" scolded a grunt.
Dawn suddenly came by and grabbed Paul's wrist. "Come on Paul," she pleaded. "Let's just go." She tried to drag her boyfriend away, but Paul stood his ground. N noticed her right away and approached her. "And who is this lovely young lady?" he asked.
"None of your business!" snapped Paul.
"Now, now Paul," N said. "Be a gentleman and introduce me to your friend. Actually, don't bother. I'll introduce myself."
Despite Paul's objections, N grabbed Dawn's hand and held it as if she was royalty. "Why hello," N said to an anxious and confused Dawn. "I am N, king of Team Plasma."
"Uhhh...I'm...I'm Dawn," Dawn replied, nervously.
N then began feeling Dawn's hand with his thumb. "Your hand is soft," he murmured. "You know, you would make a fine queen."
Paul violently shoved N away from Dawn. "I don't think so, freak!" snapped Paul.
"Why so protective, Paul?" N asked.
"I don't like the way you're touching my girlfriend!" answered Paul.
"Girlfriend?" N asked, surprised.
N looked at Dawn and then to Paul. "Was Paul really the best you could do, Dawn?" asked N. "Your standards must have been really low."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Paul asked, angrily.
"Paul, please, let's just go back to the Pokémon Center," begged Dawn.
"I'm not leaving until this freak and the rest of his team of misfits pack up their things and leave the city," replied Paul.
"Sorry Paul," replied N, "but we're not leaving until we get what we want, and that's for Burgh to relinquish his Pokémon."
"That's right!" shouted a Team Galactic grunt.
"Good, N! Stand your ground!" shouted another.
Paul and Dawn watched as Team Plasma continued their protest. "Let's go," said Dawn.
"Dawn, I'm not going anyway," replied Paul.
"Well, what are you going to do?" Dawn asked, angrily. "Team Plasma's not going to leave today. Can't you get your gym badge tomorrow? Maybe they'll be gone by then."
Paul rubbed his chin as he thought of a plan to get rid of Team Plasma. At first, he thought of having Pignite ignite the team with Flame Charge or Torterra break the team up with Frenzy Plant, but he quickly shuttered those thoughts. The last thing he wanted was for Team Plasma to have a good reason to chew him out for "mistreating" his Pokémon.
Finally, Paul had a sensible idea. "Hey N!" he shouted.
"Oh no, what are you going to do?" Dawn asked, worriedly.
"N, how about you and I have a battle?"
"What's that?" N asked, stopping his rallying for a moment.
"Let's you and me have another Pokémon battle," repeated Paul.
"What?" Dawn asked, shocked.
N only snickered after hearing Paul's request. "You can't be serious?" N asked. "Did you forget the brutal beating I gave you back in Nacrene City? I see no point in battling you again, unless you want to embarrass yourself again in front of all these people."
"You caught me off-guard that time," replied Paul. "This time, I'll beat you."
"Sorry Paul, but I'm not interested in battling you again," N said. N then turned back to the crowd and continued with his rally.
Paul stood his ground, determined to get N to battle him. "Paul, can we please just go back to the Pokémon Center?" Dawn asked.
"Hey N!" Paul called out.
"Are you even listening to me anymore?" Dawn asked, angrily.
"Dawn, I know what I'm doing!" snapped Paul.
He then turned to N. "Hey N!" he shouted again.
"What is it now?" asked N, annoyed.
"How about we make this battle interesting," continued Paul.
"Oh...how so?" N asked.
Paul reached into his pockets and took out all of his Poké Balls. "You and me have a three-on-three battle," began Paul. "If you win the battle, I'll do as you preach and I'll release all of my Pokémon to you."
Dawn, as well as everyone else, gasped at Paul's words. "Paul, are you crazy?" Dawn asked, frantically. Paul ignored her and saw N's expression change to one of intrigue. "I see I'm speaking your language now," Paul smirked.
"So, let me see if I got this right," N replied. "You and me battle. If you win, I'll agree to taking our business elsewhere. But if I win, you will release all of your Pokémon?"
"That's right," confirmed Paul.
"You really are determined to humiliate yourself again, aren't you? Very well. Consider your challenge accepted."
Paul smiled as N dug through his pockets and took out his Poké Balls. "Paul, are you seriously going to risk releasing your Pokémon just to prove a point?" Dawn asked, angrily.
"Dawn, you're really getting on my nerves right now!" Paul shouted. "I have to do this! I have to shut this green-haired moron up! If you're not willing to stay by my side, then just go!"
Dawn was a bit shocked at Paul raising his voice at her. "FINE!" she shouted back. She then angrily stomped away from the battle, shoved through the crowd, and headed back towards the Pokémon Center, red in the face and very upset. Paul's heart began to sank. "Dawn...wait!" he called out.
"What's taking so long, Paul?" asked N. "Are you going to battle me or not? Or perhaps you've reconsidered?"
Paul watched as Dawn continued walking down the street away from the battle, towards the harbor. He felt bad that he angered her, but he then remembered that he had a battle with N. "Well?" N asked.
"I'm not going anywhere!" Paul replied, confidently. "You and me are doing this!"
The crowds then spread out to allow for a makeshift battlefield. Paul and N then walked towards the opposite edges of the battlefield with a Team Plasma grunt standing in the middle as the referee. Paul and N stared each other down. While N showed no signs of weakness, Paul was determined to defeat N and avenge his loss at Nacrene City.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N: I had a lot of fun writing the first part to this two-shot story. Admittedly, it was a nice change of pace from "Paul On The Rocks," in that I actually focus more attention towards Dawn and Paul then I did towards his family.
For the record, I'm NOT stopping "Paul On The Rocks." I'm going to finish this side-story up first and then go back to "Paul On The Rocks." It's just that I needed to do something different from what I have been doing previously and go back to a simple "Ikarishipping" story.
There's a couple of reasons as to why this story took longer than usual. One was that I wanted to come up with a fun story that's not complicated or anything, just a simple fluff story. At first, I wanted to do a story of Dawn and Paul going to the beach with their Pokémon playing Capture the Flag. But after playing Pokémon Black to the end, I thought of this idea with Paul battling N.
Two, I wanted to finish Pokémon Black so that I can capture N's character. Admittedly, I might have made N more snarkier than usual. Hopefully, that didn't bother anybody. I just wanted a good antagonist for Paul.
Three, school and real-life. Yeah folks, as much as I love you guys, real-life and school are a top priority.
Well anyway, I hoped that everybody is enjoying this story so far. Part two shall be finished in about a month or so, maybe sooner. But I make no promises.
Next time: Paul vs. N: Three-on-Three battle. Paul is confident that he can beat him, but after seeing N's first Pokémon, he may start having second thoughts. Can Paul avenge his loss at Nacrene City? And what will happen between him and Dawn?