6. Of New Pokemon and Old Friends

"Hmm." Her eyes flicker between the three Pokémon. Mudkip. Treecko. Torchic.

Mudkip . . . Treecko . . . Torchic.

Mudkip, Treecko, or Torchic?

"You still haven't realized which one is best for you?"

Dawn turns around to scowl at Paul. "If you think you know which Pokémon is best for me, then say it."

"No." He folds his arms over his chest and looks away haughtily. She knows he is impatient for her to choose – after all, Professor Birch promised to take them to the Pokemon Center to register them for contests, so the sooner she finishes, the sooner they can get their contest passes. He has to call Reggie and she has to call her mother, too. "Figure it out yourself – it's not my problem you're too oblivious and can't see the answer that is right in front of you."

"What did you call me?" Dawn growls at him.

Professor Birch holds up his hands in front of the two sheepishly, trying to stop the argument. "H-Hey now, I think we should give Dawn some time to decide. It's a very hard decision to make, so I understand the indecision."

"Dawn," a familiar voice calls out exasperatedly. "You haven't picked your starter Pokémon, yet?"

Dawn gasps as she sees a giggling May walk into the lab. "May!" She runs over to her and pulls her into an embrace, which May returns with equal fervor.

"So, you're Dawn."

Dawn releases May from their hug as her eyes take note of the green-haired boy behind May. He has a smirk on his face. "That's me!"

"Dawn," May begins, a smile on her cherub face. "This is Drew. My friend and rival. Drew, this is Dawn."

Drew extends a hand out for Dawn to take. "Ah, right. You defeated May at the Wallace Cup. It's nice to finally meet you, Dawn. I've heard so much about you."

She beams, returning the handshake with equal fervor. "Thanks, Drew! It's great to finally meet you as well!" Letting go of his hand, she gestures towards her own traveling companion. "This is Paul – he is Ash's rival from Sinnoh. We're travelling through Hoenn together."

Paul briefly raises a hand in the air in greeting.

"Sup." Drew gives him a two-fingered salute.

"Hi, Paul!" May greets cheerfully. "I'm May!"

He simply nods at her. "I saw your battle during the Wallace Cup. You fought well."

"Hey, thanks!" May gives him a wide grin, pleasantly surprised, and quite frankly, Dawn is shocked by his polite behavior as well. She was expecting him to act a little more aloof, if she is being honest.

Dawn's eyebrows knit together and she gives him a confused glance. "Hold on. When did you watch the Wallace Cup?"

He shrugs. "I saw a rerun of it last night."

"Oh," comes out of her mouth dumbly. Dawn didn't know he was so dedicated to a victory at the Rubello Town Pokémon Contest that he watched the Wallace Cup. What is he going to gain from winning it, anyway? Is the incentive in the prize? What kind of prize would make Paul of all people want to participate in a contest?

" . . . been in Johto to take part in their contests, but as soon as May found out Dawn was coming, she dragged me back home with her . . . "

Dawn's breath suddenly hitches, and her eyes slowly move to the right so she can peek a glance at Paul, who is nodding at Drew's words, his face pensive. If he has seen her win against May in the Wallace Cup, does that mean he has seen her loss against Zoey in the Grand Fe –

"Dawn!"

She jolts, a surprised gasp escaping her lips breathlessly. "Huh?"

"Did you hear me?!"

"W-What?"

May rolls her eyes and sighs. "I said that I'm going to take you to the best places to eat around here!"

"Yeah, if she ever picks a starter Pokémon and stops overthinking it," Paul mutters scornfully.

"Oh, no," Dawn moans, recalling her original predicament. "I still have to pick one!"

May giggles. "Oh, Dawn. What am I going to do with you?" Her hand reaches for a Pokéball on her trainer's belt. "Blaziken, come on out!"

Blaziken is released with a cry, and gracefully lands on its feet.

Paul's interest is piqued.

"It's nice to see you again, Blaziken!"

"Pip, piplup!"

"A Blaziken," he murmurs to himself, as Dawn and Piplup greet May's Pokémon.

Drew smirks. "While May here has a Blaziken, I have a Swampert at home."

"My kid, Brendan, also picked out a Swampert," Professor Birch chimes in, as May calls back Blaziken into its Pokéball.

"I must admit that I, too, have an affinity towards Water-type Pokémon due to their performance of illusions in water."

Paul looks over his shoulder to the source of the last voice, only to have his eyebrows raise in surprise at the sight of the Hoenn region champion standing before them.

"Oh, Wallace!" Dawn, who is also a little star-struck and shocked by his presence, nonetheless remains her cheerful self.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Dawn," he responds back, his voice pleasant and serene voice.

That's right. The troublesome girl has met Wallace before – she won the Wallace Cup, after all.

"Hello, Wallace! What a surprise!" Professor Birch exclaims, taking a step forward to shake hands with the champion. "What brings you to the lab?"

"Hello, Professor Birch." He returns the handshake with equal fervor and a dazzling grin. "I am the one who brought Drew and May here to the lab from Sootopolis to meet Dawn and Paul." His eyes then move to meet Paul's.

The Hoenn Champion already knows about him? A surprised Paul also steps forward and holds out his hand. "Hello, Wallace . . . it's an honor meeting you."

Taking his hand, Wallace shakes it in another handshake. "Paul," he starts, and Paul is surprised how his soft voice commands attention. "I have seen your battles on television – the Hearthome Tag Battle, the Sinnoh League, among some. You are a very strong trainer."

"T-Thank you."

Wallace offers an encouraging smile. "I also heard from May that you are travelling with Dawn. Traveling with a coordinator is a splendid way to pick up new training techniques and help you see the different methods of raising Pokémon as well . . . I can tell that you are very determined to learn and better yourself."

Paul takes a glance at Dawn, who appears to be lost in thought herself.

Wallace's eyes flit to his right before he suddenly chuckles. "And I can also tell you, Paul, that in the very few moments I have been here, I've noted that Professor Birch's Torchic has not taken his eyes off you."

Paul turns in surprise, his eyes slowly moving to the fire-type starter. "Is . . . is that so?" He takes a step closer to the Torchic. "Hey," he greets the Pokémon simply.

"Tor, tor, Torchic!" he determinedly chirps back.

"Uh, I don't . . ." Paul trails off, confused by what the Pokémon is trying to convey.

Wallace tilts his head and smirks. "I think he wants to come with you."

Paul's eyes widen. "How can you understand its words so easily?" His voice is slightly awed, which takes Dawn by surprise.

"To understand and fully connect with not only people, but Pokémon as well . . . is not only the mark of a good trainer, but an important aspect of being champion." He looks at Paul knowingly.

As Paul ponders Wallace's rather perceptive statement, his eyes on Torchic, Dawn decides to examine the other two starters once more.

She starts with Mudkip, who stares at her, blank-faced. So, in an effort to have her warm up to Dawn, she stretches a hand out to gingerly pat Mudkip's fin.

"Wait, Dawn, she's a little sensitive – "

But Mudkip spews out a stream of mud from her mouth and into Dawn's face.

"Aah!" she cries out in disgust. Mudkip Mud Sported her.

"Mud, mud kip!" The mudfish Pokémon chortles to herself.

Paul, too, cannot resist making a jab at Dawn as he crosses his arms over his chest and smirks. "Maybe, it wasn't as obvious as I thought. You should pick Mudkip."

Dawn grits her teeth as she wipes some mud off of her face. "Shut. Up."

"No, Mudkip! That's bad!"

"Kip!" Mudkip opens her mouth again, but this time, it is to release Water Gun to clean Dawn's muddy face.

She blinks momentarily at the action, before her face morphs into horror and her hands touch her head. "Oh, not my hair, again !"

That does it for Paul – he almost howls in laughter, and it triggers a giggle out of May as well. Dawn would marvel at the break in Paul's stoic nature in wonder, if it wasn't at her expense.

"It's not funny!" she screeches, her hands on her hips.

Mudkip then leaps off the table and defiantly scampers around the lab, as Professor Birch and Wallace try to chase her, until she finally hops onto a tall file cabinet and stays put.

"Kip, kip!"

What a mess. "Oh no," Dawn moans, a palm going to the side of her dripping head. "I'm so sorry, Professor Birch."

"Don't worry about it, Dawn." Professor Birch looks abashed himself as he hands her a towel that he picked up while running after Mudkip. "I should have mentioned before that Mudkip is a little skirmish and stubborn."

May, too, laughs sheepishly. "Yeah, Dawn. Don't feel too bad about it. I had a similar experience with one of Professor Birch's Mudkip once, too." She places a reassuring hand on Dawn's shoulder.

"Oh, yeah, I remember that, May. You tried to save me from the Poochyena, but Mudkip wouldn't listen to you at all."

"Mudkip." Wallace's gentle coaxing grabs everyone's attention, as he stretches his arms up to reach for her. "Please come down." But Mudkip is stubborn and steps back.

"Tree, treecko."

"Huh?" Dawn twists her head towards the Pokémon's voice.

Professor Birch's Treecko gives Dawn a reassuring nod before it springs to her hat, startling her and her Piplup in her arms. It then jumps to Wallace and crawls onto his shoulder.

Lifting and pressing the tip of its tail to its mouth, the Treecko blows into it. Its whistling causes the Mudkip and Piplup to fall drowsy and, in a matter of seconds, fall asleep.

"Grass Whistle?" Wallace mutters to himself, as he reaches up to grab Mudkip.

"Oh, no, Piplup! Return!" Dawn holds a sleeping Piplup upright as she summons him back to his Pokéball.

Treecko leaps back to Dawn's shoulder, and her lips can't help but twitch into a smile. Her hand reaches over to gently pat Treecko's head. She looks around the laboratory, pleased by how natural it feels to have Treecko with her.

And then she notices that Paul's focus is trained on the Torchic once more, who simply blinks back at him.

"You're still awake," he states in surprise, as Dawn realizes it herself.

At his comment, the chatter around them stops, and all eyes are on Paul and Torchic.

"Tor?" the little chick Pokémon chirps as Paul slowly walks towards him.

When he finally reaches the table where Torchic has been, he holds out a hand towards the Pokémon. "Do you want to come with me?"

Torchic nods happily and nuzzles its beak into his palm, and in her peripheral vision, Dawn sees Wallace tilt his head and smile.

.

"Hey! Is that a Shinx?"

"Shinx, shi!" the pokemon at his feet cries happily, scampering to Dawn, Piplup, and her new Treecko.

Slightly startled by her outburst, Paul looks over his shoulder to glare at his traveling companion. "No. It's a Patrat," he deadpans, before shaking his head at her.

Dawn rolls her eyes, but bends down to pat Shinx on the head affectionately. "Well, aren't you a ball of sunshine," she mutters under her breath.

Ignoring her comment, he explains, "Shinx seemed to display an interest in contests. I was going to release it but Reggie took him off my hands."

"Took him off your hands?" Dawn echoes incredulously, then placing her hands on her hips. "That's so rude!"

He scowls. "Hmph. I'm a trainer, not a coordinator. He wasn't of use to me. At least, till now." His eyes ever so slightly soften at the slight of the feline Pokémon burrowing against Dawn's legs. "Reggie sent him over last night."

With her jaw slackened, Dawn is rendered speechless.

Paul looks up at her with earnest eyes now, and the unnatural sight makes her breath hitch. "Will you give us a demonstration of a performance for the Appeals Round?"

"Yes." She looks down to Treecko, who nods back determinedly before jumping in front of her. The newest member of her team may be inexperienced, but is resolved to perform well in contests.

So, as Dawn commands Treecko in a low voice, Paul watches studiously. (Usually, she's so loud and boisterous, especially when she's training. What is she planning?) She makes Treecko use Grass Knot, and, suddenly, he weaves vines from the grass around his own body.

Dawn never fails to surprise him with her ideas, and today is no different.

Paul, along with Shinx, is completely surprised, and it must show on his face, as Dawn's eyes, which are glinted with excitement, meet his.

"Remember, Paul, your Pokémon is the star of the show, and you have to show off its strength and beauty. But the focus is more on beauty for the Appeals."

"So . . . show its beauty through its strength?" From the corner of his eye, Paul spies Shinx, who is looking at Treecko with resolve.

Dawn purses her lips. "Ah, not quite. Just watch." She turns back to her Pokémon, who has obediently remained still. "Now, use Mega Drain." Her voice is still quiet and Paul is confused.

Treecko closes his eyes before his body glows a radiant yellow, and as he closes his eyes, a dark, green encases the vines around him. Paul and Shinx revel in the amazing contrast of glowing colors.

It takes a few seconds before these vines snap into smaller strands of grass that hover around Treecko's entire form for a moment before they are blown away by the wind.

The air becomes peaceful and silent. Everyone watches Treecko's calm, still form quietly.

And then Treecko finally opens his own eyes.

Paul lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

Dawn managed to simultaneously heal and rejuvenate Treecko as well as create an appealing visual display out of him that captivated Paul and Shinx. She used his type to her advantage, too: the Grass type is supposed to be calm and peaceful, and that was the image that Treecko preserved throughout the presentation. That also explains her quiet instructions.

Simple, yet so efficient and effective.

"Wow," he whispers in awe.

Dawn lets out a deep breath, before she and Treecko bow at Paul and Shinx. "Do you understand what I am trying to get at now?"

"Yes. Show its strength off with its beauty." He nods to himself, satisfied, as Dawn pats Treecko's head affectionately. "Shinx can participate in a contest with you, then."

" Huh ? Why would he do that? You're his trainer."

"I want him to gain experience, but he's . . . a little stubborn with me." Paul looks slightly . . . abashed ? "And he has a reason to, I'll admit." He clears his throat awkwardly. "Anyway, it's just for one contest. I want him to learn how a contest works firsthand, as soon as possible."

Dawn sighs, crossing her arms over her chest. "We'll see, but it would be much better if you build a better bond with Shinx and try it yourself."

"I only need to participate in the Rubello Pokémon Contest," he mutters, mostly to himself it seems, which leaves Dawn confused.

Before she can question him any further, May and Drew return from their shopping at the Oldale Town Poké Mart, bringing back ingredients to make dinner tonight. As they greet and converse with Dawn and Paul, they set their grocery bags onto the foldable table Paul assembled earlier.

"I was talking to Drew about the Wallace Cup at Lake Valor," May says, nibbling on a breadstick she purchased earlier. "He wants to try his hand at contests in Sinnoh."

"Yeah," Drew confirms, before reaching for May's breadstick, tearing a piece off – which she yelps at, and then scowls – and popping it into his mouth. "You guys are lucky – I wish Hoenn used the seal function. It would be so nice for contests."

Dawn frowns. "It's a shame that you don't use seals here." She looks at Paul, sitting on a log nearby. He looks mildly disgusted by how May and Drew have been talking while chewing their food, and she can't help but smirk at that. "I would have had fun showing Paul the different seals and their uses."

"Can I see another demonstration?" Paul asks instead.

"Sure thing," she replies, unfazed by his abrupt request. "I can use Piplup again, or if you want, Treecko can – " She stops, as her eyes flash in recollection. And then, she beams, turning to their two companions. "Actually, May and Drew, you both are coordinators, too. Very established and well-experienced coordinators. Would you be willing to demonstrate a contest battle for Paul?"

Drew gives May a crooked grin. "How about it, Princess? Shall we show Paul what you're made of?"

"That's right," Paul realizes, as Dawn plops onto the log and sits next to him. "They call you the Princess of Hoenn."

"Yep. She's one of Hoenn's best." Is that pride Paul detects in the voice of May's rival ?

May blushes and waves her hands in front of her body defensively. "No, no! You've got it all wrong! It's not just me! Drew's an amazing coordinator, too!"

"Then, let's see it."

So, as the "Princess of Hoenn" beats Drew in a spectacular display of both power and beauty, Paul watches studiously.