Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Piplup POV:

It had been a long, restless night. I kept having dreams about being with Meloetta, my future mate. It always started out so beautiful and perfect. But whenever I went to kiss her, I saw Oshawott in her place instead. Then I'd wake up screaming or gasping, usually both. An Audino would shortly burst into my room, thinking I was in trouble. When it was clear I was fine, the Audino would wish me a better night's sleep and leave. Then I'd fall asleep again and have a different version of the dream. Over and over this cycle repeated. I got no deep sleep at all and maybe an hour's worth total.

I didn't know why these dreams happened, and it was irritating. Why was I having them? What did they mean? Was Buneary right that I should have been "fried more"? My mind was spinning from all these questions and I didn't like it one bit.

What was wrong with me?

Dawn came to see me in the morning and asked Nurse Joy if I would be okay to go on a trip with her. Nurse Joy said I should be fine but warned her I might still have a little paralysis that hadn't healed yet. She did not mention the trouble I had sleeping overnight, which I'm sure the Audino told her. I was grateful. I didn't want to worry Dawn over something I didn't understand, after all.

Dawn had told Nurse Joy she had an idea how to help me stay safe in the boat. I was nervous to hear this, as her ideas weren't always good ones. She still hadn't told me what her idea was, and I was getting anxious.

Jervis picked us up in the limo to take us back to Cynthia's vacation home. While we were driven back, Dawn asked him what the others were up to. He told her that everyone was down at the beach training. Just as I suspected.

"Here we are" Jervis said as we pulled up in front of the villa. He got out, went around the car, and opened the limo's doors. Dawn got out with me on top of her head. "Let me know if you need anything else."

"Thanks Jervis!" Dawn said to him.

"Piplup! (Yeah thanks!)" I added as we passed through the front doors and into the house.

Once inside, Dawn went up the stairs and into her room. She closed the door as I jumped down from her head onto the bed.

"Okay Piplup, I need to pick out a swimsuit to bring if we're going to the island" she spoke. "So give me your opinion." She did this with me often, and I had a feeling she wanted to catch Ash's attention too. She went over to a dresser and pulled out the first one, holding it against her body. It was a solid light blue two piece with silver buckles on the sides. Very plain and somber. "Whatcha think about this one?"

"Lup, Piplup (No, it's too bland)" I told her. It wouldn't catch Ash's eye. That's why she wanted to bring the right swimsuit, after all.

"Yeah, I don't like it either" she replied. She put it back, then pulled out a black one with a similar style but without any buckles. "How about this?"

"Lup, Piplup (No, it's as boring as the first)" I told her. I wondered if this would even make a difference. This was Ash, after all. He gave dense a whole new meaning.

"Okay, not that one then" she muttered, frowning slightly as she put it back. Suddenly her face lit up with an idea. "I wonder if now's the time" she mumbled as she reached deep inside the dresser. She smiled as she pulled out an outfit that caused me to blush immediately. It was a very light pink two piece that was so thin it was almost see-through. White frilly lace draped off the ends, thin as well. The sides had thin strings to tie together, so thin they looked like they were meant to be ripped off. Everything about it was thin and very little was left to the imagination. Doubt filled her eyes as she watched me while holding it up. "Is this too much?"

"Piplup (Depends on what your goal is)" I said, snickering at this. Honestly, I wasn't even sure that was a swimsuit, let alone one meant to be worn publicly. Dawn choked on air and blushed furiously, hastily turning from me and putting the article away.

"You never saw that one" she said sternly, still blushing heavily. I nodded in agreement. It wasn't like I wanted to remember that outfit either.

She then pulled out a differently styled swimsuit. The top piece was a light green with vertical blue stripes. The bottom was a skirt the same shade of green as the top.

It was much more modest looking then the previous one.

"Piplup (I like that one)" I told her, nodding my head.

"Alright, I'll bring this one then" she said and put it into a bag. "Thanks Piplup, you're always such a big help." That always made me feel good.

"Piplup! (Happy to help!)" I replied, puffing out my chest.

"Oh yeah, that reminds me," she started, walking over and rummaging through the closet. She then emerged with a life ring that was my size. Immediately I frowned at her. I was not wearing that!

"Come on, Piplup, it's for your own safety" she pleaded. "Nurse Joy said you might have some lingering paralysis and I want you to be safe." I didn't stop frowning, still not wanting to wear it. "And if anyone asks, we'll just say it's a fashion accessory."

I stopped frowning and inspected it closer. The orange stripes on it didn't really go with me, but the pale yellow matched my beak perfectly. I thought about it and figured I could make it work. I grumbled a bit though. I really did not want to wear this.

"Pip (Fine)" I sighed, stepping inside of the ring and letting Dawn pull it up around my waist. As long as it made her happy, I would wear it.

"Thank you Piplup, this makes me feel better" she said, smiling. "Plus, I'm sure Meloetta will notice your fancy addition."

How could I forget about her, I knew I'd be adorable with this on! I bet she'd tell me I looked really cute right now!

Dawn picked up her bag with the swimsuit in it and opened the door as I walked over. This life ring wasn't comfortable, but oh well. "Alright, lets head on out" she exclaimed. "Onix Island, here we come!"

"Piplup! (Let's go!)"

/

Like it? Constructive criticism? Have any suggestions for future chapters? Leave a review please!