Hi guys. Thanks for all the reviews I've had still not decided whether Piplup should evolve. Please tell me through your reviews –it would help! Also, there will be more Pokémon in this story from now on. Paul might talk a lot in this chapter. Dawn still "loves" him. In the last chapter, Paul actually blushed! It was so weird. He still doesn't know his feelings. Poor Paul. Not!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon

Chapter 4: Pokémon Talk

Dawn's POV

Yes! Score! My journey is not boring anymore (not that it was boring before but…you know)! I then suddenly stopped walking, realizing something.

"Paul? You know when I hugged you…" I started while blushing madly, thinking about the hug, "did you… By any chance, call me 'Troublesome'?"

I hoped for an immediate no, him telling me that was stupid and that he would never call the love of his life a silly nickname. Then, he would swoop down to my level, and kiss me. The sunset would be behind us, and birds would tweet in the background...

Oh, I'm daydreaming! That's not good for me! I get wrinkles, and people think that I'm imagining perverted things.

Anyway, I was wrong with my assumption (both verbally and imaginative).

Paul was silent for a while. He then turned to me (hoping I saw his smirk). "Yes. I did call you that."

I glared at him. "Just don't call me that anymore."

He grunts. "Of course…Troublesome."

"WHAT?! I TOLD YOU TO STOP CALLING ME THAT" I shouted at him.

He simply smirked me. "Actually, I'll start calling you that now but it's not a nickname. It should be your name because it's true. You are trouble"

I stamped my foot and growled. I tried to come up with a good comeback.

We walked until Route 30 (pretty near to Violet City). My tummy was rumbling so I suggested we have lunch. He grunted. I produced a few sandwiches from my bag. I gave some to him. He bit into it. I looked at him eagerly.

Paul's POV

When I bit into her sandwich, I had to stop myself from smiling. It was so good. I know it was just a cheese sandwich, but I loved it. It was like she added a secret ingredient that makes my taste buds sing, while filling my belly. So much texture… It tasted like chili, or some cinnamon. Does cheese and cinnamon even go well together?

I decided something when we were walking: I must show that I do NOT like her. I do like her (I-I guess) but I can't be happy again after that incident… It was too horrible, and it makes me feel very bad.

NO! Don't think about that horrible day.

"It's alright," I say sourly to her, swallowing.

I see her face fall. I want to say sorry, but I suck it in. If I decide on something, I need to stick with it. I can't just forget about it if I see a sad face.

After we finished lunch, I notice that she seemed really sad. Ouch. I must have really hurt her. Who cares? I sure don't.

Before I can stop myself, I ask her a question.

"So, is Piplup your only Pokémon?"

She looked embarrassed. She nodded.

Dawn's POV

Stupid me! How could I do that? Now he thinks I'm a weakling! I plan to catch lots of Pokémon, but I just...haven't had a chance to, yet.

He gives me a weird look (I wince at that) and says, "Do you want to see my Pokémon?"

I nod. I really do.

"C'mon guys. Out of your poke balls," Paul orders quietly.

Out came two Pokémon. The first one was a Turtwig. He's like a mini dinosaur/turtle. The Turtwig had a green body, a brown shell on his back, and a little twig that stood upright on his head. He was the cutest (and only) Turtwig I had ever seen. "Twig twig!" said Turtwig jumping up and down excitedly.

I smiled at it. Paul rolled his eyes at Turtwig. I got slightly irritated.

His second Pokémon was a Murkrow. He's a navy blue bird, with a slightly hunching figure, a yellow beak and matching claws on his feet. "Murk" it said halfheartedly. He looked at his trainer with sad eyes.

"What are you looking at?!" Paul growled. Murkrow looks sad.

"Paul, you shouldn't do that," I said defensively.

"You can't tell me what to do," he countered.

Before we could have an argument, we heard a crash. I was curious and so was Paul. We silently decided that we should investigate.

He grabbed my hand (I blushed so hard I looked like a walking tomato) and pulled me along into the trees.

Paul's POV

After a lot of running, we saw what the commotion was about. A whole load of Ratatas and one Raticate seemed to be picking on a helpless Buneary.

They had cornered her in the clearing. The Buneary seemed to be frozen in fear, but was still whimpering like a baby. I shook my head at helpless Pokémon. If it ever wanted to get stronger, it should fight back.

I still decided to help, regardless of my thoughts. Maybe it was because I wanted to impress Dawn? I mean, she wasn't exactly happy with me after I had insulted her food.

"Lets split up. I'll handle these Ratatas and you handle that Raticate," I told Dawn.

She nodded. "No need to worry." That's a weird thing to say. She doesn't seem very strong, and she's taking control of the situation really well, as if she's been trained by a pro.

Dawn's POV

I stare at the Raticate, glaring at how horrible those eyes look. It should really spruce up if it ever wants a lady. The Raticate is basically a big rat with its two front teeth sticking out of its mouth. It was hunched on two back feet, its tail curled around it's surprisingly soft fur.

"Piplup, go defeat it with Bubble Beam!" I shouted, pushing my hand towards the Raticate. "Oh, and mind out for Buneary!"

Piplup raced towards Raticate. Bubbles popped out of my Pokémon's mouth. They glisten in the sunlight, making me feel more of the rush and adrenaline.

The bubble repeatedly hit Raticate, making it stumble backwards. Unfortunately, it jumped up, performing a Bite move. Piplup moaned in pain, and I checked to see if my partner was okay. Thankfully, Piplup was.

"Piplup, use Bubble Beam again!" I ordered.

Piplup nodded and used the move again. Eventually, the Raticate fainted.

That Raticate was hard to beat, but I finally succeeded! Mom would be proud of me! I saw Buneary sigh with relief.

The Buneary looked at me. It was a brown rabbit, with cream ruffles on its waist down, and the top of its ears.

Paul was also done with defeating the others. I was surprised to see him congratulate both his Pokémon.

"You alright?" I asked the Buneary. Buneary nodded.

"Let's go, Troublesome," Paul whispered, tugging my arm gently.

I frowned at him but nodded.

"Bun Buneary!" exclaimed Buneary. I turned around to see Buneary following me.

I got an idea. I took out an empty poke ball. Buneary nodded, knowing what I wanted to do. I threw it. It took Buneary inside it. After a few seconds, it stopped moving.

"Yeah! I've just caught a Buneary!" I shouted, fist pumping in the air.

"Pip Piplup!" said Piplup.

I give Paul a smug smile.

"Let's set up camp…Iron Man," I said, smile on my face.

Yay! Another chapter done! You will understand why she calls him that in the next chapter. Until then. Review, review and review! =)

That nickname has to be the best one I've ever made up! Some reviewers have laughed too many times!