Dawn: Part 2

-x-

Stepping out of the ferry and onto the pier was an overwhelming experience, even when Dawn was quickly escorted to a limo with darkened glasses. From there they drove to the Training center, easily one of Castelia's tallest skyscrapers, which would work as the trainers' home for the week preceding the games. As soon as she was inside Dawn was taken to a white room and told to strip and wait for her preparation team. It was, no doubt, her most uncomfortable experience in the Capitol: being alone, naked and in a weird place when two strangers barged into the room.

"This one is in better shape than the one last year," a woman in a black frilly dress remarked solemnly.

The other, a woman with braided green hair, hummed softly in agreement. "Yes, we must be in luck this time. Still, there is always so much work to do… Marley dear, could you—"

"Yes, yes…" the first one cut through, sounding bored, as she turned to address dawn. "The name's Marley and this is Cheryl." The green haired woman waved a bit. "We're here to get you ready before Riley dolls you up in those creations of his."

Dawn nodded and the woman sighed.

"Well, let's get on with it then."

From there on for what felt like hours Dawn was bathed and soaked with luxurious, scented lotions and perfumes. Her hair was washed at least three times and then dried and at first curled, then, after the prep team received a message from the head stylist, straightened back again and tied up in the most elaborate style Dawn had ever witnessed. She had to admit it made her look extremely pretty and stylish in the Capital sense of style.

After that it was time for makeup. While working Marley told her that they were asked by Cynthia to make her look as "natural, cute and girly" as possible. Dawn agreed that it was a good idea… she hadn't ever worn makeup and had been worried that it would completely change her. Cheryl didn't talk as she worked, but smiled gently at Dawn every time she glanced her way. When the women were finally done and apparently pleased enough with the results, they dragged Dawn's chair in front of a large mirror and left her there to wait for her head stylist.

"Riley's visiting your boyfriend now," Marley said with her flat voice. Dawn blushed. "He'll be here in no time. Don't bite your lips or sweat."

With that they were off. Dawn felt nervous, but tried not to fiddle. She didn't want to ruin the gorgeous work her prep team had done. Soon enough the door slid open and a man in a blue, old-fashioned suit and a matching hat stepped in. He looked up and grinned when he saw Dawn. She instantly liked him.

"Hello Dawn," the man greeted her, crossing the distance and coming to stand besides her. Their eyes met via the mirror. "You probably know already, but I'm Riley and from now on I'm the one deciding what you'll wear."

Dawn was very conscious of the fact that she was wearing only a thin white gown at the moment and felt her cheeks heat up. Luckily the makeup prevented her from turning all red.

"The purpose of stylists is to create an image of you—to make you desirable or likeable in the eyes of the viewers, which will help you gain sponsors." Riley explained calmly. "I've had a chat with your mentor and I completely agree with her. Our best strategy is to play the cute girl angle. In order for that to work you need to play the part too, but my job is to make it really easy for you… and I have the perfect method for that."

Dawn looked up, hopeful and Riley cleared his throat before continuing. "You must know that the first big event of the games is the opening ceremony, later tonight. Now, for that there's a tradition to dress the trainers to present the pokémon of each district's legends."

"Oh," dawn couldn't help the sigh of delight, remembering the amazing outfits from the past games. Iris had worn the colors of hydreigon in an amazing flowing black and blue gown with six wings growing from her back, matching those of the dragon. "What am I going to be?" She asked.

"Well, considering what we're aiming for, there's only one possibility really…" the man replied nonchalantly.

Dawn held her breath. Riley smiled fondly.

"Cresselia."

-x-

Before the ceremony, Dawn met Lucas in the floor appointed to their district's team. Lucas had apparently been fussed over by a pair of red haired brothers, who were both talkative and seemed to know Volkner well. The other, Flint, had even offered to reveal Volkner's mystery first name but had been interrupted when Riley had appeared to the doorway. Lucas had gotten a Darkrai themed outfit to match Dawn's and to add up to his slightly ghastly look. Dawn agreed that it would make him seem like one of those creepy kids they'd heard about in horror movies—not that either had seen one, but the people of Capitol had, and if they liked them they would hopefully be fascinated by Lucas.

Cynthia and Volkner offered them last pieces of advice on how to act during the chariot ride while they ate dinner, carefully avoiding smudging their makeup.

"Stay cool," Volkner said very seriously, pointing the boy with a fork. "You can't be your annoying self this time. You have to keep you head and look at the crowds as if they were disinteresting, like you're above them and not the brat you are."

Lucas looked slightly offended, but nodded.

Cynthia chuckled softly. "Don't mind Volkner's manners, dear," she said around a sip of white wine. "It'll add a great effect if you're all silent and distant and Dawn by your side will be smiling and enthusiastic, if a bit shy like a good girl only should. It'll make you both look more interesting."

After finishing eating the trainers headed downstairs to be dressed and readied for the ride. As they waited Dawn hoped that they had gone with ponytas on what pokémon pulled the chariots. She had always been rather fond of the way the ponytas' manes would light up the chariots, casting glow on the trainers.

She turned to be in luck when they were lead to stand and wait in the chariots. Dawn gasped. The ponytas stationed in front of the carriages had brilliantly glowing blue manes. She wondered how the Capitol had managed to find so many of the rare breed, but didn't feel like thinking about that when the effect was so beautiful.

When the doors opened, a huge wall of noise hit them like wind in the face. The other trainers stood proud in their own carriages, waiting as the pair from the first district started forward. Dawn suddenly realized that she had so far paid no mind to the other people taking part in the games—she had been so absorbed in reminding herself of the way she should act. With the first two chariots out in the open already, it was too late to start ogling now. Based on the calls from the crowd they all had amazing outfits.

The girl and boy before them started moving out. Lucas let out a shaky breath.

"This is it," he said and offered Dawn one final weak grin. "Let's roll."

If opening the doors had been a shock, it was nothing compared to how it felt when they were out there, making way down the street, surrounded by screaming crowds all around them.

"And here ladies and gentlemen are the trainers of District four! Please welcome Dawn DeBlanc and Lucas Leon!"

The announcer's voice boomed in Dawn's head like thunder. Still, she remembered what she was doing there and acted as well as she always had, as well as her mother had taught her to act. She waved to the crowds, held her bright smile and turned her head into every direction as if dazed by all the attention. Honestly, it wasn't an act for the most parts—she was a bit lost at sea being the center of all the people's attention.

The entire crowd was screaming in adoration, and the noise must have doubled when they truly came to view. Dawn fiddled with her sparkling ribbons, hoping to look cute. Her dress was truly magnificent, flowing around her in a swirl of pink and pale purple. Beside her, Lucas kept his stony expression even though Dawn could see sweat forming on his brows. She offered him a dazzling smile and was suddenly faced with her own face on the big viewing screens all around her. People rose from their seats, throwing confetti to the street.

"Wow folks, look at that! It seems that the stylists have dressed the pair as Cresselia and Darkrai, the deities of night and the moon! What a brilliant match, right? Outstanding, simply outstanding… ladies and gentleman, give it up to Dawn and Lucas from District four!"

They pulled to a stop in front of the platform where President Harmonia always held his speech and waited for the last chariot to fall in line. Then the Capitol's anthem sounded as the green haired old man in his luxurious robes slowly walked to the podium and made gestures for the crowd to quiet down before starting with the welcomes to the trainers.

Dawn didn't exactly listen—she had heard the speech so many times and it practically never changed. Besides, it was hard to concentrate when she felt like she was in a dream. Everything was too good to be true. Still, a small part of her dreaded the moment it would turn into a nightmare.

-x-

Later that night, when Dawn was already tucked up in bed, Cynthia knocked on the door before quietly slipping inside the girl's room. Dawn rose into sitting position. She was having trouble sleeping anyways. Her mentor sat down on the edge of the bed, looking more serious than Dawn had yet seen her.

"Tomorrow is going to be the first day of the training," she said gravely, staring right into Dawn's eyes. "It's your first day as a real trainer and one of the days that really settle your fate in the upcoming games. You did really well tonight," she paused to smile encouragingly, "but even the love of the Capitol audience won't be enough if you cannot choose your pokémon wisely."

Dawn hesitated. "Then... what should I do?"

"Definitely don't follow my example," Cynthia grimaced, obviously embarrassed by whatever memories she had of her own games. "I made a terrible pick, thinking that I needed a fierce attack-based pokémon, and that almost got me killed."

"Which pokémon did you choose?" Dawn asked curiously.

The woman's expression softened. "A gible," she murmured. "She was an amazing fighter and protector to the very end, but... we can't all be winners." Cynthia had lost her partner to poisoning in the last moments of the games. "But that's enough of me. We need to focus on you, Dawn stone, to ensure your victory, right?"

Dawn smiled. "Right."

"That's the spirit!" Cynthia reached out and ruffled her hair. She squirmed. "Now, here's my best advice to you so listen closely..."

The girl forced herself to concentrate, even if sleep was quickly catching up on her.

"Pick water," Cynthia said, slow and serious. "You need water to survive, that's the first rule every single mentor teaches their trainers. Food you can go without, but if you don't have water to drink you're as good as gone. Most water-type pokémon can produce drinkable water, so if you have one as your partner you're at an evident advantage."

She fell silent, waiting for the young trainer to file away the information.

"Secondly, if you have any knowledge on pokémon, and you do, use it. If there's a pokémon you know from beforehand and know it to be good, pick that. There's no reason to go with a shot in the dark, even if those pokémon could prove to be far better in skilled hands, simply because you are not that skilled and neither is anyone else you'll be facing. Go with what you know."

Dawn nodded signaling that she had understood. Cynthia seemed pleased.

"And finally, one thing to help you along in more ways than one… If you can recognize one, pick a predator. They're obviously better in attacking than the rest so you can imagine how that will be useful." The idea sent shivers down Dawn's spine. "But predators are hunters as well, which many trainers seem to forget. A predator may help you catch food on the arena and thus add up to your chances of survival."

The room fell silent around them and they shared a small smile. Dawn tried to remain positive, she had a great mentor just like Lucas had said, but she was afraid it wouldn't be enough. She herself was lacking in so many ways. What use were smiles and laughs to her if she failed the following day? She would be eaten alive by the other trainers.

She swallowed, trying to push the fear to the bottom of her stomach. A flash of some strange emotion passed Cynthia's eyes and suddenly Dawn found herself flush against the woman's chest in a tight embrace.

"Try to think positive," the mentor whispered, words falling soft in the silence surrounding them. "I know it's hard, but it'll get you through this, I promise."

Dawn only hugged her tight, unable to speak.

-x-

She woke up when Fantina pounded on her door the next morning.

"Rise and shine, ma petite, it's a new day full of exciting new adventures!" she called through the door.

Dawn had the urge to groan, block her ears with a pillow and go back to sleep. Suppressing it, she slipped out of bed and padded to the door. The woman marched in like she owned the place—for all that Dawn knew, maybe she did—and unceremoniously dropped a pile of clothes onto her bed.

"Voilà," she boomed out. "Here are the clothes Riley sent you. You'll be wearing these during training so get a move on."

Dawn obediently did as she was told, put on the clothes and headed out for some breakfast. Lucas was already eating a strangely turquoise omelet when she arrived. He greeted her with his mouth full, ended up choking on a peanut and coughing so hard that Volkner, who was also sitting at the table, had to slap his back repeatedly. All in all, it was a rather stress relieving way to start the morning.

The whole time Cynthia was nowhere to be seen and when Dawn asked Volkner about it, he shrugged and said that she had some business to take care of. She figured that her mentor had already made sure she would be prepared for the day and tried her best to steel her nerves.

From the breakfast table they headed straight down. Only the girl from District Three was already lounging about in the gym when they arrived. She looked up when they walked in but seemed disappointed upon recognizing the newcomers and soon returned to staring at the far wall. Lucas frowned at the girl, muttering something about 'prickly careers'. Dawn had to agree—the girl most definitely had that look about her.

So to speak, only District Five was regarded as a career district, producing trainers specifically trained for the games. District Three had honestly almost as many volunteers, but it wasn't seen as a career district as many of the volunteers had not in fact been preparing for the games. They merely saw volunteering as a way to escape their miserable living conditions and were toughened up by the harsh work at the sea. Most of the region's population worked as fishermen, providing fresh food for the whole federation.

The girl from Hoenn, as the district's old name was, didn't seem starved or sickly at all, definitely not in the way Lucas still looked even though he was starting to get some color on his skin. She was tanned and almost buff, but feminine enough to be considered beautiful by the society's standards. Her brown hair was held up with a red bandana that matched her top. The red color choice was excellent, Dawn noted with nervousness, because it made her look more aggressive even when she was still and rather impassive.

Some of the assistants called them over to have their district's number sewn onto their clothes. After that they were told look around a bit while they waited for the remaining trainers. Before they managed to heed those words, Volkner waved them over impatiently.

"Cynthia asked me to deliver a message to you, sugar cube," he said, pointing at Dawn. "Try your hand in all of the stations that deal with survival skills. And as for you, brat…"Lucas glared at his mentor, but the man didn't even notice. "I suggest you do the same. But I urge the both of you to train just as hard with your pokémon. There's no way either of you will be much use on your own against… well any of the other trainers, but if you can tame your pokémon well enough, they'll do the dirty work for you. Now that's food for thought."

He straightened up and for a passing second he looked more… sad than bored, as was typical of him.

"Good luck, kids," he muttered, turning away and heading back towards the door. Before he was out he called out over his shoulder one last piece of advice:

"Choose well."

-x-

As soon as the last trainer—the girl from District Two—had arrived and been assigned her number, a woman in a white lab coat stepped forward.

"Hi there! I've been waiting for you young people!" She spoke with the enthusiasm of someone who didn't really care that nine of the 'young people' before her were not going to be alive by the end of the games. "Let me introduce myself… I am Professor Juniper and I'm responsible for handing out the pokémon, which, as you all well know, will be your most important allies in the arena. Your training will commence right after you have gotten your very own partner and I stress that it's important for all of you to train your pokémon. Otherwise you might end up getting cut by your own sword, so to speak. Now, if you'd all follow me, I will take you to the lab…"

She led them to the back of the gymnasium and through some doors into a clean white room, where five tables were presented before them, each containing three of the red and white capsules Dawn knew were called pokéballs. They had been illegal ever since the Great Liberation and as such were only used during the games to contain the pokémon used by the trainers.

"This year we have set a theme," Professor Juniper started explaining once more after everyone was gathered around the tables. "Each table contains one fire, one water and one grass-type pokémon, each typical to a single district, though not as common in wild as they used to be long ago. The order in which you get to choose your pokémon will be decided by lot and I shall do the honors of acting as lady luck." She smiled, rather pleased of herself. "Any questions? No? Then, Fennel, please if you could…"

Another woman in a lab coat appeared carrying a glass bowl exactly like the ones used in the reaping. Juniper grandiosely stretched her arm before diving it into the bowl. She picked out one of the white pieces of paper and folded it open.

"May Birch!" She read out with a clear voice.

The girl from district 3 smirked and stepped forward.

"Right this way," the professor's assistant, Fennel, directed. "You may try out what's inside. Pick whichever you deem most suitable."

May didn't take too long making her pick. In fact she only threw out one of the balls, containing an orange bird-pokémon like which Dawn had never seen. She seemed pleased with it, calling it back and silently walking out of the room pokéball in hand.

After her it was the boys from districts one and five and then, as suddenly as it had happened in the reaping, professor Juniper picked up another paper and called out:

"Dawn DeBlanc!"

Lucas elbowed him, grinning, but there was something painful in his eyes. She couldn't dare to hold his gaze for long, stumbling forward almost too fast.

"Ooh, eager aren't we?" Fennel laughed and the professor joined her. "There's no rush dear… here, try these and remember to choose wisely."

Dawn tried the first pokéball, unleashing a small tortoise-like creature with a leaf on top of its head. It was charming with its bulky figure, but Dawn remembered Cynthia's words—this wasn't what she was looking for. Water, she thought, I need a water-type. She called the pokémon back and reached for the next ball.

This time she was in luck, in more ways than one. A piplup materialized on the table before her widened eyes. She had seen piplups in the contests. It was a water type and a predator, as well. Pick something you know. Pick water. Pick a predator. Dawn smiled.

-x-

A/N:

Not as much to say this time… and aren't you all glad for that? :D

Great Liberation is the name of the Plasma uprising that resulted in the separation of people and pokémon. The prologue was about this, but I intentionally made it vague. Ghetsis is the hero that seized control after the first few years. This whole fic project began from the idea that he should be the president in this kind of a universe. It's an idea I borrowed from another (sadly unfinished) pokémon/hunger games fic The Hungry Pokemon Games by Windflicker, which I highly recommend.

Next time we'll see how Dawn manages in training! Until then, reviews are always appreciated.