On to Onix Island (and longer chapters) we go! If anyone has a good pet name for Buneary to give Pikachu, please let me know.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Piplup POV:

Axew had beat me to the boat dock where the group was. It wasn't a race, but I was a little disappointed not to have been first; after all, I liked being first in everything. As I arrived, I saw Jervis had joined us, probably to take us to Onix Island.

I joined the group consisting of Pikachu, Axew and, unfortunately, Oshawott. 'Why oh why does he have to be out of his Pokéball right now?' I thought. I was already confused about my emotions surrounding him, and I really didn't need him around right now. I didn't want his presence reminding me of my inner turmoil.

"I will guide your way to the island" Jervis announced, snapping me back to reality. Just as I suspected, Jervis was our chauffeur. "Please, get on board."

"Oh wow, we're going by boat" Ash said while stepping forward. "I'm totally psyched."

"What a kid" Iris commented, and I chuckled.

"I sure hope he doesn't go overboard" Dawn added, causing Ash to stiffen. She laughed with Iris and I snorted. Her humor was clever as always, and entertaining too.

"Knock it off" Ash said, sounding slightly annoyed. I laughed along with the others. Dawn was right, teasing Ash was fun!

"Letta! (Hi guys!)" I heard.

"Hey, Meloetta!" Ash greeted.

I looked up and sure enough, there she was, looking as gorgeous as ever. I felt myself drowning in her beauty, her elegant charm and unyielding grace. Oh, how I had to be her lifelong partner, her one and only!

"We're going to a deserted island Meloetta" Ash told her. "Want to come too?"

"Lome lome (Of course I want to go Ash)" she replied affirmingly.

'She's coming too, awesome!' I thought. 'Now I can finally tell her how I feel about her! We can be happy together and be in love together and have kids together and grow old together and do anything together. How could this possibly get any better?'

Then I remembered who was behind me and turned to glare at Oshawott, who glared right back at me. 'Well, it would be better if he wasn't here.'

"Piplup pip! (Leave her alone, she's mine!)" I hissed at Oshawott.

"Osha. (Shut it.)" he hissed back and walked away, boarding the boat.

I was fuming. How dare he tell me to "shut it", what a jerk! I was reinvigorated to Drill Peck him into oblivion.

He wasn't going to steal my girl!

"Come on Piplup, we're leaving now" Dawn said to me, breaking me out of my angry thoughts. I quickly shook my head and walked onto the boat. With everyone now onboard, Jervis started the engine and began the ride to Onix Island.

I quickly hopped up on Dawn's lap as we set off. She wrapped her arms around me in a comfortable embrace as usual, although it did feel a little awkward with the life ring I was wearing. I frowned and looked up at her. I didn't want to wear this thing anymore!

She shook her head at me though. "No Piplup, the ring stays on. You promised you'd wear it, and I'm holding you to it" she whispered to me. "Besides, we don't want any accidents, right?"

I looked down, pouting. I hated it when she remembered my promises, but she was right too. If paralysis did happen the results could be disastrous for me.

"And don't forget the other part of the deal" she added.

'Huh?' I thought. It seemed I made another promise, but what was it? I looked at her and scratched my head in confusion.

"Pip? (What other part?)" I asked her. She just sighed at me in exasperation.

"You already forgot, didn't you?" she said. I felt bad as this apparently was important. But I still had no idea.

'Yep, I have no clue' I thought. I shrugged my shoulders at her, receiving a disapproving frown in return.

"You were supposed to be nice to someone, remember?" she hinted. I still didn't remember, causing her frown to deepen.

Then a memory flashed through my mind about what she said to me at the Pokémon Center last night.

"If, and only IF, Nurse Joy says you're alright to come, I need you to at least try to get along with Ash's Oshawott, okay? It's important to me."

Realization filled my face and now I felt bad. How could I forget that?

"Lup (Oh yeah)" I said, ashamed of myself. "Piplup (I'll take care of this)." I hopped off her lap without waiting for a response and headed over to the trio of Pikachu, Axew and Oshawott. They were all together, animatedly talking about something I didn't know or care about. My goal was to make peace with Oshawott, like Dawn wanted me to, not join a conversation.

Pikachu noticed me as I walked over. "Hey Piplup" he greeted me, being the only one who didn't have their back to me. Both Axew and Oshawott turned around to face me.

Axew looked cautious and a little on edge. I was pretty sure he was worried I might snap at him like earlier. It made me feel bad to see this; he should be able to trust me without question. I'd have to talk to him later.

Oshawott looked…happy when he saw me. His face lit up and he lightly smiled, his two canines protruding over his lower lip. As soon as I saw his face, that little Butterfree in my stomach started to flutter around again; and I had no idea why. 'What the heck is going on with me?!' I thought.

"Hey guys, can I talk to Oshawott for a minute? Alone." I asked. Pikachu frowned at me and crossed his arms, Axew mirroring his actions.

"Fine, but don't even think of trying anything" Axew said with caution filling his voice. Yeah, he definitely did not trust me. Pikachu turned to him.

"Don't worry Axew" Pikachu said to him before turning and locking eyes with me. "He knows better." His thinly veiled threat came across crystal clear; I definitely did know better than to make him angry. His Thunderbolts were no laughing matter, he could send me into a world of hurt at any time. I gulped and nodded as my feathers bristled.

I swear his real ability was Intimidate.

With that said, he and Axew walked over to their trainers, leaving me alone with Oshawott. I turned to face him and was taken aback at what I saw. He was still smiling at me, but also looked curious. Huh, why was I suddenly feeling nervous? And why was that Butterfree back?!

"Er, hi" I squeaked. Well that sounded pathetic. Arceus, what was wrong with me?

"Er hi to you too" he replied, snickering. Now I was really embarrassed. I was better than this!

"Look," I started, feeling more and more confident in myself, "this trip is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Let's try to be nice to each other, or at least tolerate each other." He nodded at me, the smile never leaving his face.

"Sounds good to me. Just don't call me that name, ok?" he said, frowning at the end. I knew he meant 'Clown-face' and his frown told me not to ask, so I simply nodded.

"Sure" I confirmed. I didn't know why being called 'Clown-face' was such a big deal to him, but whatever. Dawn wanted us to get along, and if that's what it took, that's what I'd do.

"Hey, now that we're friends, let's get to know each other" he said, hopping up on a bench seat and patting the spot next to him.

'Friends?' I wondered. 'Just like that? I don't know him. Heck, he doesn't even know me!' Did I even want to try to be his friend? Better yet, why would I want to be his friend?

'Why not?' a voice questioned in my head. I mentally sighed; it was a fair point.

I hopped up next to him, having decided to give it a shot. "Okay, let's talk then" I said. "What do you want to know?"

"Well, I haven't seen you battle yet. How strong of a fighter are you? Did you end up beating Pansage?" he asked.

I forgot he didn't see me battle Pansage, so he wouldn't know if I was lying. I grinned; I loved to brag, even if it wasn't true.

A little exaggeration never hurt anyone.

/

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