Hey, everyone! Sorry I was late getting this out, I meant to do it two days ago on my birthday, but I was out of town all day! Enjoy!

AguaGoddess does not own Pokemon.

Previously…

"You're never going to get off my case, no matter what I do, or who I like," I realized.

"I guess you're right, Ash," he decided.

I scoffed. "Nice chatting with you, Paul. Good talk."

*Dawn POV*

I was sprawled out on the floor of the balloon basket in a peaceful slumber, when I was rudely awakened by something jabbing into my side. I wearily looked up to see Paul standing over me, nudging me with his foot. He smirked.

"It's about time you woke up," he said. I sat up reluctantly.

"You could've just shook me," I complained, rubbing my new bruises.

"I tried," Paul said. I blushed.

"Wow, I must have been really asleep," I said sheepishly.

"I guess so," Paul chuckled. He cleared his throat, like he'd just remembered he wasn't supposed to be able to have a civilized conversation with me.

"Well, it's our turn to steer the balloon. That's why I woke you up," he said, going back to his usual monotone. I sighed and got up slowly, following him to the middle of the basket, where the engine was. We stood in silence.

"Paul?"

"What?" He looked at me.

"Why are you so….sad all of the time?" I asked in a small voice, half expecting him to scream at me. But as I stared into his deep violet eyes, I saw a flash of something else. Not anger. Only hurt and remorse. His eyes reminded me of a little cowering puppy dog that wasn't sure of what to do next. Paul shook his head, and his usual blank, cold stare replaced his frightful one.

"What do you mean?" he demanded.

"You…you just act like there's no good in the world. Nothing to even live for," I replied. He looked at his feet.

"So? What is there to like?" he snapped.

"A lot of things!" I said enthusiastically. "Like, look at that sunrise! It's beautiful!"

He scoffed.

"Yeah, the sun's real pretty. Until it dies out in a couple million years and leaves the earth to disintegrate to nothing."

I threw up my hands in frustration. We wouldn't even be alive in a million years!

"What?" Paul smirked, bemused by my exasperation.

"You!" I whispered as fiercely as I could without waking the others. "You only look for the negative things in life!"

"And?"

"Well, I just think that if you try to keep a positive outlook on life, you'll be a lot better off. I mean, there must be something that is causing you to feel this way." I replied.

The look on his face told me all I needed to know. The look in his eyes was so painful, so full of anguish and grief, that I almost felt a lump rise in my throat. Touchy subject. So I'd finally gotten through to him.

"Paul," I started slowly. He obviously wasn't willing to talk about it, so I'd have to ease it out of him. "You can tell me about it, I won't judge you. I understand people."

He looked at me, his face full of scorn.

"What would you know? Your life is perfect. Perfect clothes, perfect hair, top-condition Pokemon."

His words struck me dumb.

"Life isn't perfect for me either. I've been through stuff," I said softly, lowering my head. He scoffed, showing me he obviously didn't believe that. But it was true. My father had never really been in the picture, but when I was about four, he came back to live with my mom and me. We thought he'd really changed. But one night he got in a fight with my mom, slapped her, and then went out and got so drunk that he fell into a serious coma and never woke up. My father's death didn't have as much effect on me as my mom, but seeing her so depressed gave me the motivation to be a top coordinator and make her happy again.

I looked up at him. The look on his face was surprisingly sympathetic. I shook my head, as if willing my memories away. I couldn't live in sorrow because of my past, or I'd end up just like Paul.

Paul looked over at the sunset morbidly.

"You'd never understand. No one does," he whispered. He was dangerously close to crying.

It made me feel awful, how vulnerable he was. I'd never seen his like this, and from the way he was acting, I doubted many other people had as well.

"Look, Paul. Please, just talk to me. I wont even say anything if you don't want me to. I'll just listen," I said. He refused to meet my eye. He just gazed at the horizon, with a longing, glazed look in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, and fixed me with a steady expression. He took a deep breath, like he was about to speak. I stared into his eyes expectantly.

"Hey, twerps. Our turn," Jessie's voice broke through the silence. Paul's eyes widened, then he shook his head, like he knew he never could have told me in the first place. Jessie and James appeared from behind Paul. I looked at Paul, and his broken state was completely swept off his face. In its place was the same steely, gruff gaze that Paul always wore.

I could have kicked myself. I was this close, this close to getting a response out of Paul. And then Team Rocket had to come over and ruin it all.

I sighed, disappointed, and went back to my sleeping bag and laid down. I couldn't get back to sleep, though.

I just couldn't stop thinking about Paul. I suddenly felt horrible for all the times I'd scolded him. I was just in shock, altogether. Never in a million years would I have thought that I'd get such a reaction out of Paul. I felt many emotions. Anger, at whoever had done this to Paul. Regret, for all the things I'd said and done to him. And, mostly, I was confused. I was confused about everything. I hadn't noticed how tired I really was, but soon my thoughts turned into swirling blurs and blurs soon turned into dreams…..

*Ash POV*

I awoke with a start. I'd been in a deep sleep when a rough voice woke me up.

"…..twerps. Our turn," was all I heard. I groggily opened my eyes and was immediately blinded by the intense rays of sunlight.

I blinked a couple times, and my eyes finally focused. I looked around me.

Dawn was curled up in her sleeping bag, although it seemed she was just lying there with her eyes closed. A dark lump rested in the corner of the basket: Paul. A couple feet beside him was Brock. I looked to my other side and came face to face with fiery orange hair. Misty. I smiled. She shifted in her sleep, and faced me. A lock of bright hair fell in her face. She'd let it grow out, and it fell loosely around her face and shoulders in sleek waves. She tilted her head a bit, and the sun hit her face. It made her pale skin glow. She looked almost….angelic. She was fascinating. As she twisted around, the sun hit her hair at many different angles and brought out all the shades in her hair. There was a blazing orange, a deep, rich red, and a shimmering gold.

She stirred in her sleep, and slowly opened her eyes. She looked around, and her eyes widened in surprise when she met my gaze. I blushed. I realized how much of a stalker I probably looked like, staring at her in her sleep and all.

"Er, hey, Ash," she said, a little amused.

"Good morning, Mist," I replied. She grinned, and I knew she was happy I'd remembered her old nickname. How could I ever forget?

"Twerps, get up. We've landed in Saffron." Meowth bounded over to us. I stood up, and Misty followed my example.

Paul and Dawn were folding up their sleeping bags. Paul snuck a look at Dawn, who looked up and met his eyes. They both looked away quickly like they'd been zapped. I narrowed my eyes. What was that all about?

I shrugged it off and looked out over the city. The vibrant sun rose out over the horizon and cast a warm glow on all the city buildings. Stores were open and bustling, and the city was full of the lively chatter of people going to work.

We had decided to take the balloon from Cerulean City to Saffron, so we could take the Magnet Train back to Goldenrod City in Johto. Then we'd travel north to Ecruteak.

"Alright, kids. We're landed." James said. I grabbed my backpack and reached into my pocket. Yep, my stupid Mew-Phone was still there. I jumped out of the balloon and Misty, Dawn, Paul, and Brock followed me.

"We're gonna travel by balloon, it'll probably be more safe," Jessie said.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want to risk being noticed being caught by the cops, with us being top-secret criminals and all," James added.

"Cause travelling around in a huge infamous Meowth balloon doesn't give away anything," Paul muttered.

"Listen, kid, we didn't have to do any of this for you! You could have been left back in Cerulean, for all I care-" Jessie lunged. James quickly yanked her back and covered her mouth.

"We'll see you at the Ecruteak Ball!" James shouted and began to steer the balloon off the ground before Jessie could get any more physical.

Once the Meowth balloon was out of sight, we started for the Magnet Train. We bought our tickets and boarded the train. An hour later, we were back in Johto!

"Wow, I haven't been here in ages!" Misty commented as we walked the streets.

"Really?" Dawn questioned. "I thought with you being a Gym Leader and all, you'd get to go all over the place." Misty chuckled.

"I wish," she told the younger girl. "But the truth is, Dawn, I don't get to go anywhere. I just sit at the Gym all day and wait for challengers to come."

Dawn looked disappointed.

"But," she began, "Don't you have to go to important meeting and fancy dinner parties…or something?" Misty shook her head.

"Nothing. I mean, yes, the Gym Leaders do go to parties and meetings. But unfortunately, my sisters are also the Gym Leaders, so they always do the fun stuff and leave me to do all the work."

"That's terrible!" Dawn exclaimed. Misty shrugged.

"But they get away with it," she said. "But, the important thing is, I'm here with you guys now."

I felt bad for Misty. She'd been cooped up in that stupid Gym all these years, while I was on the road having the time of my life and chasing my dreams. I knew then that I had to make sure this journey was the time of her life, to make up for all the things she'd had to miss because of her sisters.

I knew Misty didn't want to stay at the Gym. Her dream was to be a Water Pokémon Master. She had all of the motivation and talent to go for it, so many would question why she didn't just ditch the Gym and start fresh. But I knew Misty, and I knew she was much too selfless to do that. The Gym was her home, and her parents' home, and she couldn't just let it run into the ground.

We had wandered into the forest of Route 35, and my thoughts were distracted by an odd noise. My head shot up. I looked around.

"Did anyone else here that?" I asked.

"Yeah, I kinda hear something," Misty agreed. Pikachu's ears perked up.

"Do you hear that, buddy?" I asked my best Pokémon friend. He nodded vigorously, his little black eyes alert. We followed the sound. A moment later, we heard it again. Shouts. People's shouts.

"I think we're getting closer!" Brock said.

"What is that?" Dawn wondered aloud.

"Your mom," Paul joked. We all glared at him, as if saying 'Be serious!' He looked at his feet.

"Arceus, can't anyone take a joke anymore?" he mumbled. As we got closer, I could clearly make out two oddly familiar voices.

(A/N: Gee, I wonder who they are…...)

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Ugh, stop being so annoying! You know I won this Wallace Cup fair and square!"

"Okay, I know this might be a foreign concept to you, but they said we had to SHARE it! So I'll just take this home and put it next to all the other trophies I've won!"

"You are SO conceited! Now give it back, you jerk!"

As we neared the voices, I could make out two teenagers: one boy and one girl. The girl had medium length brown hair tied back into a red bandana. She wore a simple red tank top and dark wash jean shorts with a white belt. She wore red and white ballet flats.

The boy had chartreuse hair, which surprisingly didn't clash with his emerald green eyes. He wore a casual green jacket over a purple t-shirt, and green trousers. As we approached them, I could see a snide smirk on his face. He reeked of confidence. He was standing calmly; clearly amused by the raging girl trying to reach for the trophy he was holding over his head.

"MAY?" we all shouted simultaneously. Said girl whipped her head around, and I recognized her sunny features instantly.

May gasped, and an exuberant smile crossed her face.

"Hi, guys!" she raced over to us. "What are you all doing here?"

"We're going to Ecruteak, for the ball," I replied.

"Iiiiieeeeeeee!" May shrieked and flew over to Dawn and Misty, and totally ignored me, I might add.

"Nice to see you too, May," I said sarcastically.

The boy who she was with was none other than May's old rival, Drew! The teenager came up to us guys.

"Hey Ash, Brock," he greeted us. I nodded in acknowledgement. I hadn't really known Drew that well, seeing as we only ran into him at Hoenn contests and other special occasions. All I knew was that he constantly drove May nuts, although there always had seemed to be a little more to it. Whatever that could be was beyond me.

"So, what are you and May doing here?" I questioned to break the awkward atmosphere.

Drew opened his mouth as if to speak, but was stopped by a shrill scream coming from the girls' direction. He smirked and looked over at them to see what all the fuss was about.

"Misty, your HAIR!" Dawn squealed.

"Yeah, you've let it grow out!" May agreed.

Misty blushed.

"Thanks, guys!"

"Sure, no problem!" Dawn said. "Oh, by the way…."

Dawn lowered her voice down to a whisper and the other two did as well. I didn't think much of it, but then they kept shooting sly glances over at me and giggling. Well, whatever they were talking about, it was making Misty's face as red as May's bandana.

Drew cleared his throat.

"As I was saying. May and I just tied in the Grand Festival, so they said we had to share the trophy," Drew explained, staring lovingly at the solid gold cup with his and May's names etched on it.

"So….." Paul said, Drew's point still unclear.

"She refused to let me keep it, so she's decided to follow me around. It looks like we'll be fighting over it for the rest of our lives." Drew rolled his bright green eyes. "But, at least she doesn't swoon over me like all those stupid fangirls."

"Aww, look who likes May," Paul teased. Drew blushed furiously.

"I do not. She's annoying, and rude, and she disrespects 'the hair'," Drew scoffed, waving his hands around his head in a dramatic flourish. I smirked to myself. He was exactly how I remembered him. Charming and self-centered.

Another shriek came from the girl's area. Paul, Brock and I didn't even blink an eye; we were used to the constant noise the girls would make. However, Drew was still a bit frazzled. He grimaced, and raised a hand to his ear.

"Geez, I think they just shattered my eardrum! It must be hard, putting up with those girls all day."

"You have no idea," Paul agreed.

May, Misty, and Dawn wandered back over to us.

"So why are you guys going to the ball?" May asked. While Misty and Dawn explained, Brock and I discussed other things.

"Should we ask them?" I said, a little doubtful.

"Of course! They're both really good trainers, and let's face it. We need all the help we can get," Brock exclaimed.

"But they'll fight all the time. I don't want to deal with that!" I whined. "We already have enough troubles with Dawn and Paul."

Brock gave me an accusatory look.

"Oh, you can't even be talking," he said. "Have you paid attention to any of you and Misty's conversations lately?"

I hung my head. He did have a point. I turned to May and Drew, who had just been informed of what was going on.

"Hey, do you guys want to travel with us?" I asked.

The girls looked psyched, Drew looked interested enough, and Paul looked, well…Paul. Not that his opinion mattered anyway.

"Sure!" May and Drew said simultaneously.

"Hey!" they shouted in unison, eyeing one another with bitter expressions.

"It was my idea!"

"It most certainly was not!"

"Uh, I think you need to get your hearing checked, because I obviously said it first!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"….Anytime you guys are done, we'd like to get going."

"SHUT UP!"

"Yeah, shut up!"

"Hey, I just said that!"

"Um, no you didn't."

"YES I DID!"

"Did not!"

"DID TOO!"

"DID NOT!"

We all sweat-dropped anime-style.

"This is going to be a looonnnnnnggggg trip."

*May POV*

I cannot believe I agreed to travel with Drew. I hate him so much, with his ugly green hair that always flows perfectly across his…snide…yet perfectly proportioned face…..and those gorgeous green eyes that light up when he laughs…..and…WAIT A MINUTE! NO NO NO NO! He's rude, and arrogant, and he has got to stop flicking his hair so much!

"….May? MAY?" Drew waved his hand in front of my face. "Hellooo? Can you hear me?" he said slowly, like I was some foreign person.

"What?" I snapped.

"Woah, don't freak out, you were just kinda spaced out for a while," Drew countered, throwing his hands up defensively. I laughed.

"I was just thinking."

Drew flipped his fringe.

"Daydreaming about me again, I see." He smirked.

"Why, you self-centered….freak!" I finished lamely, my arms flapping around me in rage. So what if I was thinking about him?

"You just think every girl on the planet would just drop ANYTHING to go out with you!" I continued.

"Ah, but May. I don't think. I know," he said coolly, whipping a teen's magazine out of nowhere. He pointed to the front page.

The main cover picture was of Drew holding the Wallace Cup. Bright red hearts surrounded him, and he was smiling brightly. To top off the whole cheesy display, a shiny white glint mark was placed in his teeth like on those fancy toothpaste commercials.

I studied the magazine cover with scorn.

"What does this have to-" Drew slapped his hand over my mouth, successfully shutting me up. I blushed. He pointed to the caption next to the picture, which read: 'Drew Hayden: One of the most talented and good-looking coordinators in contest history. See inside for a two-page poster of Drew!'

"Wha-What about me?" I whimpered. "I won that contest as much as you did! How come I don't get a magazine cover and a two-page poster?"

Drew smiled haughtily.

"Because you probably don't have a fan club. You probably don't even have any fans," he said simply.

"Ugh, just give me that!" I ripped the magazine out of Drew's hands and scanned the front cover. A picture of a girl caught my eye. As I got a closer look, I could make out the familiar chocolate brown hair and red contest outfit. It was ME!

"Hey, look, Drew!" I said excitedly. He took the magazine back and looked at it, bored.

"May Maple, a top coordinator. See page 67 for exclusive pictures taken by May's fan club," I read smugly. "What were you saying about 'no fan club'?"

He rolled his eyes and shoved the magazine back in my hands. I'd successfully shut him up.

We kept walking, the rest of the group silent. They were clearly entertained by our squabbling, because no one dared to say a word the whole time.

"Okay, this is so photoshopped," I said distastefully as I studied the front cover once again. "There is no way your teeth are that white."

Drew flashed a brilliant smile. Damn, they were. I looked away shamefully, unable to think up a good enough comeback. I turned to the rest of the group.

"So, how long until we reach Ecruteak?" I asked.

"We've got about a half and hour to go," Brock said, checking the coordinates on his PokeNav. I nodded and let my eyes wander throughout the group. First I saw Ash. He was playfully teasing Misty, and received a good smack from her new and improved mallet. He hadn't changed much. He was still the same determined and thick-skulled buy he was years ago. Misty had definitely grown up since the last time I'd seen her. She'd become incredibly more confident and comfortable over the years. But on the inside, she was still the same hot-headed teenager who was hopelessly in love with Ash. It was hard to believe that she felt anything but hate towards him by the way she was vigorously whacking him with her mallet. But it was all just an act. If Ash weren't so dense, he would've found out years ago. But he was too oblivious.

I switched over to Dawn and Paul. Dawn was pouting, probably because of something Paul had said. He was smirking proudly, and that was about the biggest facial expression I'd seen out of him since I'd met him. For some reason, Dawn seemed to have some interest in him. I didn't think much about it. It was probably just her over-friendly personality coming into play. I didn't understand how she could put up with him. They were complete opposites.

"Hey, guys, we'll reach Ecruteak in a few minutes," Brock announced, bringing me out of my thoughts.

When we arrived, I was completely astounded. Ecruteak was the biggest city I'd ever seen on my journey, and would probably ever see. Tall office buildings seemed to touch the sky. There were lights everywhere. It was nighttime, but everything was so illuminated that it appeared to be daytime, until you looked up and saw the midnight blue sky.

"Well, the ball is tomorrow. We should go find a hotel to stay in tonight," Drew suggested. We all agreed. We managed to find a hotel that had vacancy and wasn't too pricey. We entered the building and went to the front desk. Once we all paid, we figured out rooms.

"Two people per room. One boy and one girl," the lady said in a thick accent of some sort. We all looked at one another, horrified. Whose stupid idea is this? Do they want us to get laid?

"Um, lady, are you sure don't mean two boys or two girls per room?" Paul tried to reason with the lady. She gave him a death glare that would rival one of his own. We all looked at each other helplessly.

Then we all seemed to get the same idea. Although it was pretty low, it would work.

One by one we all turned to Drew expectantly. He just stood there with his signature cocky grin on his face, but then started to realize everyone's eyes were on him. He narrowed his eyes and looked around suspiciously.

"Why are you guys looking at me like that?" he asked nervously, his emerald eyes shooting back and forth in confusion.

Ash put his hand in Drew's arm in mock comfort.

"It's the only way. And don't worry. It'll be over before you know it," he said.

Then Drew suddenly realized what we were all getting at.

"NOOO!" he shouted, and lunged for the exit. Luckily, Brock and Paul were already there and easily pulled him back.

"Come on, man. There's a line starting behind us," Paul growled.

Drew bowed his head in defeat. In one swift movement, he pulled his green jacket off his shoulders to reveal a tight purple button-down shirt that barely held back his toned muscles. I'll admit, I did sneak a peek.

"You guys owe me. Big time." Drew shoved his coat into Brock's hands and looked at the hotel clerk like she was about to sign his death sentence.

"Wait a minute," Paul said and stopped him. He undid the top three buttons on Drew's shirt, much to said teenagers' dismay.

"I feel dirty," Drew mumbled, disgusted. "If I get charged for sexual harassment, you guys are going down with me."

"We'll take that chance," Ash said, his face serious but his eyes dancing with humor.

With a final sigh, Drew sauntered up to the front desk and leaned across the counter. He casually flicked his hair and flashed a smile male models would envy.

"Hey, uh…." He squinted in order to read the lady's nametag. "….Gertrude."

"What a name," Paul muttered under his breath. Ash burst out laughing but was quickly silenced by an elbow in the gut from Misty.

"Do you think…that just this once…you could….pull some strings for us? You know, switch up the rules a bit?" he said in a low voice.

"No," Gertrude said simply.

"Are you sure about that, Gertrude?" he said, and somehow managed to make her terrible name sound lovely. "Maybe we should discuss this over a nice candlelight dinner."

I shook my head. This was horrible. Horribly entertaining.

"I'm married!" Gertrude screamed.

"Really?" was Paul's reply.

"PAUL!" Dawn shrieked, smacking his arm.

"Get to your rooms NOW! Before you find your things on the street!" Gertrude ordered.

"C'mon, guys!" I said forcefully.

"I agree with May," Misty said. "Drew did what he could."

"But this is outrageous!" Paul protested.

"Yeah, for once, I have to agree with Paul!" Dawn said. Gertrude sighed.

"Well, I suppose I could throw in a complimentary hair and makeup kit for your troubles," she said.

"Did you hear that, guys?" Dawn exclaimed, her sour mood completely forgotten. "We get free stuff! Let's go!"

As crazy as the situation was, we just had to laugh at our bubbly little friend.

"Why don't we just take what we can and deal with it?" I said. "How bad can it be?"

You know, I really should think before I say things.

So, when we reached our rooms, we had to figure out who would room with whom.

Brock volunteered to stay in a room with all of our Pokémon, Misty 'reluctantly' agreed to go with Ash, and Dawn, being the one in need of the biggest closet space, got put with Paul, who had nothing but a little black knapsack.

So guess who I got stuck with?

I was in my room, our room, putting my few extra clothes into the dresser, grumbling incoherent things, when Drew walked out of the bathroom. Speaking of the devil.

"Hey, what's the big deal, May?" Drew said, putting his clothes in the other dresser as well.

"Well, I don't know," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "What could be better than sharing a room with the biggest jerk on the planet who will most likely try to murder me in my sleep?"

Drew's face was downcast.

"That's really how you think of me?"

I thought about it for a second.

"No," I said finally. "I mean, you're annoying sometimes, but you're not that bad. I'm just really wiped out. I haven't gotten much sleep since the Festival."

"Me either." Drew nodded his head in understanding. "Well, why don't you just put the rest of your stuff away, have something quick to eat, and go to bed."

"Sounds good," I agreed. I grabbed my brush, comb, shampoo, and conditioner from my pack and entered the bathroom. I was about to set my things on the counter next to the sink, but couldn't because Drew's hair products were covering the whole thing! So much for considerate Drew.

"Um, Drew? Could you clear a little space off for my things on the counter?" I called into the bedroom. Drew walked into the bathroom, an irritated look on his face. My face immediately flushed. He was clad in nothing but pajama boxers, which left his well-built chest hanging out.

"Take a picture, May," Drew said smugly. I blushed harder, and forced myself to look away from the wonderful, er, I mean, hideous, display in front of me.

"Take a picture of what?" I tried to sound innocent, but my voice was too shaky.

He gave me a knowing glance, his deep green eyes boring into mine. I rolled my eyes and took a few shampoo bottles off the counter and placed them on the floor. Drew's reaction was instant.

"Hey, hey, hey! What do you think you're doing with those?" Drew rushed to pick them up off the ground.

"You can't use this whole counter! I need some space!" I retaliated.

"Hair like this doesn't just happen, May," Drew fired back, stroking his hands through his lime locks lovingly.

"Ugh, you're so selfish!" I balled my fists, infuriated. "Never mind, just forget it!"

I grabbed my things and stormed into the bedroom. I jumped into bed, ignoring my growling stomach, and curled up. I was asleep in no time.

Paul POV

Well, this is sufficiently awkward, I thought to myself as I flopped down on the crisp white sheets of the hotel bed. Sharing a hotel room with Dawn hadn't really been on my 'To Do' list, but then again, I hadn't planned on any of this. But, I had to admit, this journey had been kind of…..fun. And I hadn't had fun in ages.

I was still confused about what had happened with Dawn this morning on the balloon. It boggled my mind; how she had figured me out that quickly. I liked to think I was good at putting up a barrier, and then Dawn had just waltzed in and shattered it as easy as anything. I'd been trying to avoid her ever since, and then I got put in a room, alone, with her. It was almost humorous how unlucky I was. Or maybe the legendaries just had it in for me.

I threw the covers over me so only my head was sticking out. At that moment, Dawn came into the bedroom, her royal blue hair loose around her shoulders and dressed in a pink tank top and matching pajama shorts. She collapsed on the other bed and sighed tiredly.

"Man, could you hear the others screaming at each other?" she said.

"May and Drew? Or Ash and Misty?" I shuddered just thinking about the ruckus they were causing earlier.

"All of them." She laughed.

"Yeah, I wonder what that was all about," I said.

"Or maybe we don't want to know," Dawn changed her mind. I chuckled.

"Yeah, it'd suck to go into their room to shut them up and find them on the floor, making out."

"PAUL!" Dawn screamed, repulsed.

"Well it could happen!" I defended. "Where do you think all that sexual energy goes?" Dawn laughed nervously.

"Hopefully we'll never have to find out," she said.

We laid in silence, having run out of things to say. I hoped I hadn't made her too uncomfortable with my latest comment. We were actually having a civil conversation, which was more than I could say about the others. I guess I should've known that when two hormonal teenagers are alone in a hotel room, you should not bring up the topic of sex, especially when the other person in the room was clad in only a teeny pink outfit…exposing her petite frame...OH MY ARCEUS! I squeezed my eyes shut, willing those images to go away.

"Paul?" Dawn said quietly, twisting over to face me. I grunted and turned over. My heart sped up as I locked eyes with her striking cobalt ones, bringing back all the feelings I had struggled to push away.

"Yes?" I said.

She looked up at the ceiling and bit her lip nervously.

"I'm, er, sorry about this morning. I should've known not to push you."

I gaped at her with incredulity. She hadn't done anything, but try to help me!

"It's alright. I was being a little difficult."

She was silent again.

"…..Well, I just want you to know that you can always come to me, okay? I'll listen."

"Okay," I said, though it was mainly to get her off the topic. She could think what she wanted, but if I ever talked to her I knew she could never understand.

"Night, Paul."

"Goodnight, Dawn."

She gasped. I looked at her, but it was too dark to see anything in the hotel room.

"You called me Dawn," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I guess I did," I said in realization. But she was already asleep.

I smiled to myself and rolled over. But a guilty nagging feeling filled my body. I wanted to push it away, but I knew it wouldn't leave me.

This had to stop.

I was becoming too close to Dawn. To all of these people. Too friendly. Too…comfortable.

I couldn't mess up again. And I couldn't let them down, especially Dawn. I couldn't tear apart another family.

But another voice tugged my mind.

You're a different person than you were, it told me. You've changed. What happened then was scarring, but you learned your lesson. You won't hurt these people. They're becoming your friends, and whether you like it or not, you care for them. Especially Dawn.

I wanted to believe it, but I couldn't. I'd been torn too deep. Dawn was a wonderful girl, and extremely fragile. If I were to be the cause of her tears, I'd never forgive myself.

*ASH POV*

It had only been three hours since we'd checked into this hotel, and Misty and I had already gone through three pillow fights, two Pepsi chugging contests, and watched two movies together. It was like we were fighting one moment and acting like civilized adults the next. But, no matter what we were doing, we were always best friends. And that's what made us so unique.

Misty was stargazing on the little balcony outside our room, while I was putting my toothbrush away.

I went outside and leaned against the railing next to Misty. Her face was scrunched up in a focused expression, her eyes gleaming as she studied the twinkling stars. She noticed me and smiled, her pale face highlighted by the radiant moonlight.

"Don't you think it's kind of weird, how we've all ended up in this mess one way or another?" I said.

Misty chuckled.

"Yeah," she agreed. "I mean, what are the odds of all of us ending up in the same group, in this freak journey that will most likely get us killed?"

"Pretty slim," I laughed. "But, you know, if we go down, at least it'll be with all our closest friends. And Paul," I added. Misty giggled.

"And Paul," she said. She frowned.

"I don't know what his problem his. He's so…." She trailed off.

"Anti-social? Depressing? A total jerk-face?" I guessed.

Misty shook her head.

"Well, he sure is quiet, but…he's not a jerk. I just can tell."

I furrowed my brow.

"Yeah," I observed. "Dawn seems to notice that as well. I think she knows something we don't."

"Well, if anyone can break the ice with people, it's Dawn. She sure is an interesting girl," Misty said.

We just stood in a comfortable silence, admiring the countless stars in the deep blue sky.

Misty sighed, causing me to look over at her.

She didn't say anything, she just smiled to herself, her vibrant hair gently swaying in the breeze.

"Isn't it funny, how different things are now?" she finally stated. I blinked.

"Like what?" I questioned. She glanced around hesitantly, like this wasn't something she usually talked about.

"I-I don't know. It's just…..we've all changed. And all of us together again…..made me realize….."

"We're never gonna be kids again. We're growing up," I said.

"Exactly!" Misty said. "It's just never going to be the same."

"It'll never be just us again, a few naïve kids on the road, learning and growing and chasing their dreams," I said.

"Those were the days. Going through life without a care in the world, other than for each other and our Pokémon. Now everything's just….complicated," Misty said, a distant look in her water-hued eyes.

"Tell me about it. I mean, I can't even have a private conversation with you anymore, without having the guys harping on me about it," I said with a laugh.

Misty's breath hitched in her throat, and she quickly looked away. I wanted to ask her about it, but decided to drop it. I didn't want to ruin this nice discussion we were having.

"Being a teenager sucks," she commented, her suddenly quiet attitude going back to normal.

"It really does sometimes," I laughed. "But it doesn't have to."

"Huh?" Misty had a baffled expression.

"If you think about it, that's what makes us the perfect team," I explained. "All of us- you, me, Brock, May, Drew, Dawn, and even Paul."

"Even Paul," she repeated.

"We bring out the best in each other. We may be older now, but we'll always remember our childhood. Sometimes we'll even act like we're still ten," I said.

"Paul's definitely changed. He's been a lot more…pleasant to be around," Misty observed.

"Never in a million years would I have ever thought that Paul would be helping us out, and I'd enjoy his company," I said. "But, I guess I wouldn't have expected all of this to happen, either."

"We've saved the world before," Misty said. "But this is different. The fate of our universe is in our hands. And that's a scary thought."

I felt my eyes widen. I hadn't really thought much about what we were doing. I'd done it so many times before. But what Misty said stuck with me. What we were doing was frightening. In fact, it was downright terrifying.

"In the past, we've dealt with all kinds of messed up Pokémon. But this is different. It seems we've come across a truly evil Pokémon," I said.

Misty shook her head vigorously.

"No," she said firmly. "No, I won't believe that."

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"I could never believe a Pokémon is evil. Or a human," she said. She paused to think for a minute.

"Do you know what it means to be evil? To be truly evil?" She didn't wait for me to answer.

"If you are evil, you are nothing more than a bloodthirsty, greedy creature. Something that cares for nothing but itself," she answered. "I could never think that of anyone. Even Arceus."

I thought about that for a while. What Misty said surprised me. She refused to think of anyone as evil, when she of all people would be expected to hate something, judging from how she grew up. But she was different. And that was truly astonishing. I didn't even think I could ever be that forgiving and humble.

"When we are born, Ash, we are all innocent." Misty continued. "Everyone is. But then as we grow and learn, that's when we start to take one path or the other. Why do you think Paul is the way he is? He wasn't born this way. He was probably bright and bubbly like any other toddler growing up, but then something happened to him, and now he's like this. And it's not his fault."

I gazed at the stars for a few moments, thinking.

"Why do we have to grow up?" I wondered aloud. Misty scoffed playfully and edged a little closer to me.

"Everyone has to get older sometime or another, Ash. But we don't have to fully grow up. We'll always be those little ten-year-olds at heart. We can't live in the past, but we don't have to forget it. We should remember yesterday and keep living today, wherever that takes us."

A/N: Well, that was a pretty cheesy ending, but I liked it! I hope you enjoyed the May and Drew parts; I know I did! So, the next chapter is going to be when they go SHOPPING! Brace yourselves! And then the next chapter will be the ball and there'll be a lot of romance and action and drama in that one! Also, please review. I got so many great reviews last time, so thanks to all who reviewed!

~AguaGoddess