"Following Route 2 seems to be the fastest way to get to Striaton City," Paul muttered, looking at the map on his watch.
"That's a pretty short route. We could reach Striaton by tomorrow," Dawn hummed. "And we may run into Ash if we're lucky."
"What would be lucky about that?" Paul scoffed, lowering his arm.
"Well, we could ask him more about his encounter with Zekrom, figure out where it might have gone," Dawn answered.
"And here I thought you were stupid," Paul said with a smirk.
"You are not funny." Dawn grumbled, glaring at him.
"Didn't you want to shop before we left?" Snivy said.
"Oh, that's right!" Dawn gasped, remembering. "I promise it will only take a while! Please?"
"Fine, let's go," Paul agreed reluctantly.
"So what do you wanna do?" Oshawott asked.
"I wanted to buy a new outfit. Something with true Unova fashion!" Dawn said with a smile and a wink. "I figured that if we're going to be chasing after legendary pokémon, a skirt would be a pretty bad thing to wear. I want a new outfit, or at the very least some shorts."
"You're on a roll with smart ideas," Paul smirked.
"Let's just go," Dawn grumbled, exiting the pokémon center. "Hey, there's Cheren!" she smiled, running up to the younger trainer. "Hey Cheren!" She greeted.
"Oh, hi," he greeted nervously.
"You aren't scared of me are you?" Dawn asked with a giggle.
"Scared? Why would I be scared?" Cheren said rather quickly.
"Because we're not ordinary people," Paul answered, approaching them.
"Oh, well, yeah, I guess that's true," Cheren said meekly.
"Hey, we were going to go shopping, you want to join us?" Dawn asked.
"I was actually on my way to Striaton city," Cheren confessed.
"What a coincidence, we're heading there after I buy a new outfit!" She smiled and took his hand. "Come on, I could use a Unova native to tell me what's hot and what's not."
"I don't really think I'll be of much help. I'm not really that into fashion," Cheren told her.
"Too late!" Dawn laughed, dragging him off.
"Aren't you going to stop her?" Oshawott asked.
"Hey, better him than me," Paul said, following them.
"What about this one?" Dawn asked, holding up a blue top. Cheren looked around nervously.
"It's nice," he answered.
"I feel like there's a protest in there," Dawn said.
"No! There isn't!" Cheren said quickly.
"Just pick a shirt so we can be on our way," Paul huffed, leaning against the wall.
"Excuse me, may I be able to help?" a worker asked. She had brown hair that was in a ponytail. She wore a yellow shirt and regular jeans.
"No, we're fine," Dawn answered.
"I think your friend over there might be a bit nervous, are you sure?" She chuckled, looking at Cheren.
"Well, I guess so," Dawn shrugged, placing the blue top. "Got anything for travelers?"
"Oh, I think I might have the perfect thing!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Follow me!"
"Awesome," Dawn smiled, following her. "Snivy, you stay with the boys, okay?"
"As you wish," Snivy nodded. She walked over to Oshawott and jumped onto the bench next to him.
"Is she always like this?" Cheren asked, sitting on the bench as well.
"Don't know," Paul shrugged. "I met her a few times in Sinnoh, but never really paid much attention to her."
"Why not?"Cheren asked, looking up at him.
"She was travelling with this pathetic trainer who thought I was his rival," Paul shrugged. "He was a good trainer, but he wasn't very smart."
"Oh, I see," Cheren nodded, looking forward.
"Hey Paul, how much time should she take?" Oshawott asked.
"Who knows," Paul muttered. "She just better not take too long."
"I hope she's quick," Oshawott said.
"Shame on you!" Snivy scolded, slapping the otter pokémon with a vine.
"Ow! What did I do?" Oshawott shouted, rubbing his head.
"You should never rush a lady. Especially when it concerns getting dressed," Snivy huffed, crossing her arms.
"But she's already dressed!" Oshawott protested.
"Don't even try it Oshawott," Paul sighed. "This is a battle you're going to lose. Reggie can't even beat Maylene when it comes to this."
"Who are they?" Cheren asked.
"Reggie's my brother, and Maylene is his girlfriend, and a pathetic gym leader," Paul huffed.
"So is Reggie like you?" Cheren asked, looking away.
"No, He's my half-brother," Paul stated. "We share a father, and I get my gene from my mother."
"Oh, I see," Cheren nodded.
"Tada!" Dawn cheered, running in front of them. She had on a white long sleeved shirt with a pink tank top over it. The pink top had two black straps that fell off her shoulders. The v-neck had a thick black stripe. The edge of the pink shirt was torn fashionably. She had on denim jeans that were slightly baggy. A long pink scarf was tossed over her shoulder. Her white beanie was on her head, covering her yellow clips. She had on light gray and light pink running shoes to complete it.
"What do you think?" She smiled, turning around for them to see.
"Its fine," Paul sighed. "Can you pay for it so we can go now?"
"You are no fun at all," Dawn said, a blank look on her face.
"I think you look wonderful Dawn," Snivy complimented.
"Aw, thank you Snivy," Dawn smiled, walking over to check out. She dug into her bag, taking out a coin purse. She laid the money on the counter and thanked the woman for her help.
"Can we go now?" Paul huffed, pushing himself off the wall as Dawn approached.
"Yep, we're all set," Dawn said with a smile.
"Finally." Paul quickly exited the shop, with Oshawott trailing after him. The otter pokémon leaped onto his shoulder, settling comfortably. Dawn picked up Snivy and followed Paul. Cheren exited the shop awkwardly. He started to walk the opposite direction of them, heading back for the pokémon center.
"Cheren! Where are you going?" Dawn asked. The new trainer flinched and turned around.
"Striaton's this way," Paul said, jerking his head towards the next route.
"Aren't you coming with us?" Dawn asked.
"Coming with you?" Cheren repeated.
"Yeah, you can travel with us, you know," Dawn told him.
"Wouldn't I just get in the way of your mission?" Cheren asked.
"Please, Troublesome over here is enough trouble, you'll be fine," Paul told him. Dawn glared at him for a moment but turned back to Cheren, smiling.
"So come on, the first gym awaits," Dawn said.
"Well…I guess I could," Cheren said, walking back over to them.
"Great!" Dawn cheered.
"Are you sure this is okay?" Cheren asked.
"We talked it over and it's fine with me." Paul shrugged.
"So come on." Dawn smiled, pulling the younger boy with them.
"Alright, if you say so," Cheren said.