Another one of my favorite chapters in the series (though I may have too many favorites, since Safe Travels is very near and dear to me). But I hope you enjoy this chapter as much I enjoyed writing it!

Thanks for the love as always!

22. A Good Luck Charm

The scenery of Kalos Route 4 is breathtaking, with a serene river flowing alongside the path and verdant valleys stretching out before them. Dawn and Paul walk together in comfortable silence, taking in the natural beauty around them.

As they walk past the river and through the valley, Paul turns to Dawn, his curiosity piqued as he recalls her behavior these past few days. "Why do you want to meet Professor Sycamore?" he asks.

Dawn purses her lips before answering. "I'll ask him to give you a starter Pokémon."

Paul shakes his head. "You don't have to do that again," he says, though her deflection does not slip by him.

As they reach the end of Route 4, they approach a series of hedge mazes, and Paul notices a sign indicating different paths.

"Looks like we have to go through these mazes to get to Santalune City," Paul remarks, studying the map posted nearby.

Dawn nods, looking at the maze entrances. "It can't be that hard, right? We'll just stick together and find our way through."

They choose a path and start walking, but as they turn corner after corner, the maze becomes increasingly confusing. The hedges are tall and dense, blocking their view and making it easy to get disoriented.

"Let's keep an eye out for landmarks," Dawn suggests, glancing around. "That way, we won't get lost."

Paul agrees, but as they continue, the paths become more convoluted. At one particularly confusing intersection, they pause to figure out which way to go.

"I think we should go left," Dawn says, pointing down one path.

"Pip, lup!" Piplup, in Dawn's arms, waves to ahead.

Paul shakes his head. "No, right seems more straightforward."

The three of them exchange glances, and then Dawn shrugs. "Okay, let's try your way."

They head right, but after a few more turns, the path splits again. Paul stops to reconsider. "Maybe we should have gone left after all."

Dawn sighs. "Let's just backtrack and see where we went wrong."

As they turn to retrace their steps, they encounter a group of wild Pokémon. A swarm of Vivillon flutters around them, their vibrant wings dazzling in the sunlight. The sudden appearance startles Dawn, causing her to lose both sight and thought of Paul and Piplup momentarily.

"Oh, wow!" she whispers to herself as she admires the Pokémon, slowly pulling out her Pokédex to scan them.

"Vivillon, the Scale Pokémon. Vivillon are skillfully able to find a source of water. It has been said that you'll find a spring if you follow a Vivillon."

"Vivillon . . . " she murmurs in awe to herself, pocketing her Pokédex. As she does so, it hits her that she has been hands free this whole time. "Aah, Piplup! Paul! Where are you guys?" she calls out, her voice tinged with worry.

"We're right here," he responds, along with Piplup's chirp, but their voices sounds faint, as if coming from another part of the maze.

Dawn tries to follow their voices, but the hedge walls seem to swallow the sound. The Vivillon flutter around her, adding to the confusion. In her attempt to find Paul, she takes a wrong turn and ends up in a different section of the maze entirely.

"Great, just great," she mutters, looking around. "Togekiss, help me find Paul."

She releases Togekiss, and they start searching. Meanwhile, on the other side of the maze, Paul, with Piplup and now Honchkrow by his side, realizes Dawn is no longer near him.

"Stay close, Piplup," Paul says, his tone firm. "We need to find Dawn."

They move through the maze, calling out for Dawn, but each turn seems to take them further away from her.

Meanwhile, Dawn spots a lively figure dancing his way through the hedges.

"Hey! Need some help?" the boy calls out, his moves fluid and rhythmic.

Dawn raises an eyebrow but smiles amicably. "Sure, I'm a bit lost," she admits sheepishly. "My name is Dawn, and this is my Togekiss." She gestures to her Pokémon, hovering above them.

"I'm Tierno," he replies with a grin. "I'm a dancer, and I train my Pokémon to dance too. Let's get you out of here."

As they walk, Tierno shares stories about his dance routines and his dream to create a Pokémon dance team. "You know," he says, "dancing isn't just about the moves. It's about feeling the rhythm in your heart and sharing that with your Pokémon. What about you? What do you do?"

Dawn giggles, finding his enthusiasm contagious. "I usually compete in Pokémon Contests, but I'm here in Kalos to try something new. Fashion, maybe, or performance competitions."

Tierno nods appreciatively. "That's awesome! Kalos has a lot to offer for someone with your talents."

Dawn and Tierno chat as they walk, his upbeat attitude lifting her spirits. "Thanks for helping me, Tierno. I was really starting to get worried after getting separated from Paul and Piplup."

"No problem," Tierno replies with a grin. "Getting lost is just another adventure."

Dawn lets out a chuckle. The situation reminds her of the time she, Ash, and Brock got lost in a maze. She recalls faintly that even Paul was there too, although he was not lost. Maybe he is having a better time navigating through the maze than she was before she ran into Tierno.

.

Paul's path is blocked by a cheerful girl with a big smile and a lively demeanor.

"Hey there! You look like you could use some help," she says, her voice full of energy.

Paul eyes her warily, but nods. "Yeah, I'm trying to find my way out of here."

"Well, you're in luck! I'm Shauna," she replies brightly. "I love exploring and making new friends. Let's get you out of this maze."

As they walk together, Shauna chatters excitedly. "So, Paul, was it? What brings you to Kalos? Are you a trainer?" she asks.

Paul nods, keeping his answers short. "Yeah, I'm here to challenge the gyms and compete in the Lumiose Conference." A part of him regrets accepting her help - there's only one person whose incessant chatter doesn't give him a headache.

Shauna beams. "That's great! Kalos has some amazing gym leaders. You'll have a lot of fun. Do you know anyone here?"

Paul's thoughts briefly flicker to Dawn. "My . . . friend." The word feels weird coming out of his lips. Friend is not the correct word to describe his relation to Dawn. "We're traveling together."

Shauna's eyes sparkle with curiosity. "A friend, huh? Must be a good friend if you're traveling together."

Paul resists a smirk at that, briefly recalling the kiss they shared in Kanto.

" . . . but do you have any goals in mind?"

Paul hesitates, reeling to catch up on Shauna's words before shrugging. "Just to get stronger. And maybe . . . something else."

Shauna tilts her head, intrigued but respectful of his privacy, which he appreciates. "Well, whatever it is, I hope you achieve it. Everyone has something they're striving for."

Paul appreciates her words despite his usual reticence. "Thanks for the help."

"Anytime!" Shauna replies brightly. "Exploring is always more fun with company."

"Togi!" they suddenly hear a Pokémon cry out.

"Krow!" Paul's Honchkrow calls in reply as, after what feels like an eternity of winding paths and dead ends, they see Dawn, Togekiss, and Tierno ahead waiting at the end of the maze.

Paul quickens his pace to reach her. "Dawn!" he calls out, relief evident in his voice.

Dawn spots him across the clearing and rushes to him, Togekiss flying beside her. "Paul! Oh, Piplup! You're okay, thank Mew!" Piplup leaps into her arms and she snuggles into him.

"Tierno?" Shauna recognizes in surprise.

"Hey, Shauna!"

The four people cross paths at the intersection between the hedges, while one shorter boy with an orange, round bob of hair, stands before them all at the mouth of the maze.

"Oh, hey, Tierno! Shauna!" he greets cheerfully.

This time, Tierno and Shauna exclaim his name in unison. "Trevor!"

Meanwhile, Paul, ignoring the others momentarily, looks up at Togekiss and Honchkrow. "Thanks, guys," he says in gratitude, before he and Dawn recall their Pokémon to their respective Pokéballs.

They exchange quick introductions with Tierno and Shauna, and the other boy, Trevor, and learn they are all also friends.

Tierno, Shauna, and Trevor bid Dawn and Paul farewell with warm smiles and wishes for good luck, and the pair makes their way to Santalune City, where the picturesque town welcomes them with its charming cobblestone streets and vibrant atmosphere.

Dawn's eyes light up as she spots an outdoor stage near the main square. Performers and their Pokémon dazzle an eager crowd with captivating moves and routines. She tugs on Paul's sleeve, practically bouncing on her toes.

"Paul, let's check it out!" she says, excitement spilling into her voice.

Paul raises an eyebrow but shrugs. "You go ahead. I'll look around," he replies, clearly more interested in scouting for a gym.

Dawn pouts slightly but doesn't push him. "Fine, but you're missing out!" She runs ahead, eager to see the performances.

As Dawn reaches the stage, a honey-blonde girl finishes her demonstration. Her Fennekin stands beside her, gracefully executing a Flamethrower that creates a dazzling fiery arc in the sky. The crowd bursts into applause.

"That was amazing!" Dawn claps enthusiastically as the girl steps down from the stage.

The performer turns toward her, blue eyes lighting up at the compliment. "Oh, thank you! I'm Serena. Are you visiting Santalune?"

Dawn beams. "Yes! I'm Dawn, a Pokémon Coordinator from Sinnoh. Your performance was incredible!"

Serena's face brightens with excitement. "A Coordinator? I've always been curious about Pokémon Contests, but we don't have them in Kalos. What are they like?"

The two fall into a lively conversation, exchanging experiences and ideas about performances. Dawn explains the structure of contests and her passion for coordinating, while Serena shares her experiences as a Performer.

Meanwhile, Paul finishes scouting, unable to find anything of interest nearby, and wanders back to the square to find Dawn. He spots her chatting animatedly with Serena and lets out a reluctant sigh as he walks over.

"Paul!" Dawn calls out when she notices him. "Come meet Serena!"

Paul approaches with his usual stoic demeanor, hands in his pockets. "Hey."

"Hi!" Serena greets warmly. "Are you a trainer too?"

Paul nods. "Yeah. I'm here for the gyms and the Lumiose Conference."

Serena's eyes widen. "Wait . . . Paul? You're one of Ash's rivals, aren't you?"

Paul's brow twitches slightly, but he remains composed. "Depends on who you ask."

Serena giggles. "Ash has mentioned you before. He said you're a tough trainer."

Paul smirks faintly. "Did he?"

Serena's expression softens as she adds, "Ash inspires a lot of people. He has this way of making you believe in yourself."

Dawn notices the subtle blush spreading across Serena's cheeks and smiles knowingly. "You seem to know Ash pretty well," she teases.

Serena's blush deepens, and she fidgets with the hem of her skirt. "Well, we traveled together. He's . . . special."

Paul rolls his eyes but keeps his comments to himself.

"Sounds like someone has a crush."

"Dawn!" Serena squeaks, her face turning crimson.

Dawn laughs, though her tone softens. "It's okay. Ash has that effect on people. He's always been someone who brings out the best in others."

Serena nods, visibly relieved. "Exactly. He's one of a kind."

Paul crosses his arms, his tone laced with dry humor. "Great. Another Ash Ketchum fan club meeting."

Serena and Dawn exchange amused glances before resuming their conversation. Serena offers Dawn advice about confidence and performing, and the two find common ground in their shared love for showcasing Pokémon.

When the conversation wraps up, Serena waves them off. "It was so nice meeting you both! I hope to see you again sometime."

"You too!" Dawn says cheerfully. "Good luck with your showcases!"

Paul nods curtly before turning to Dawn. "Done making new friends?"

Dawn grins. "You should try it sometime."

He scoffs but allows a faint smirk to appear as they walk away.

.

They finally meet up with Lila, who greets Dawn warmly and introduces her to the city. As they walk through the picturesque streets of Santalune, Dawn learns from Lila that Fantina, the renowned Pokémon Contest Master, also hails from this city. A mutual designer friend of Lila and Fantina is willing to take on Dawn as a fellow.

Lila glances over at Paul, who is walking beside Dawn, and teases, "So, Dawn, who is this handsome young man traveling with you?" Her tone is playful, and Dawn feels her cheeks heat up.

"This is Paul," Dawn manages to say, her voice slightly flustered. "Paul, this is Lila."

Paul smirks at the exchange, enjoying Dawn's embarrassment. "It's nice to meet you." He stops walking momentarily to bow respectfully.

Lila winks back. "Oh, Paul! I've heard so much about you from Johanna. It's nice to finally meet you."

Dawn turns an even deeper shade of red. "Mom talks too much," she mutters under her breath.

Lila laughs, finding Dawn's reaction endearing. "Come on, I'll show you both around."

She leads them to a charming boutique, pointing out the various shops along the way. "Santalune City specializes in hats and accessories," Lila explains. "There's also an introductory fashion class at the Trainer's School if you're interested, Dawn."

Dawn nods eagerly, her excitement growing. "That sounds amazing! I can't wait to check it out."

Lila then turns to Paul. "Johanna told me that you are a trainer," she says, her smile warm.

Paul nods respectfully. "Yes, ma'am."

"Well," Lila continues, "Santalune has a Pokémon Gym right by the Trainer's School. My friend's sister is the Gym Leader there."

Paul's eyes light up with interest. So, his suspicion was correct after all. "Thank you. I'll be sure to check it out."

"And I'll be sure to cheer you on," Dawn adds, sharing a smile with Paul.

Lila guides them to the boutique's entrance. "Feel free to explore and find something that suits you both. This city has a lot to offer."

As they step inside, Lila gives Dawn an encouraging nod as she parts ways with them. "Remember, Dawn, this is your journey. Embrace every moment of it."

Dawn looks at Paul, feeling a sense of excitement and determination coursing through her. "Thanks, Lila. I will."

Paul and Dawn spend some time in the boutique, admiring the stylish hats and accessories. Dawn tries on a few hats, laughing as Paul gives his honest (and often blunt) opinions. She eventually makes a purchase, her mind already buzzing with ideas for her new fashion endeavors and designs ahead.

As they leave the boutique, Dawn turns to Paul. "So, what's next? The Gym or some more sightseeing?"

Paul smirks, his eyes glinting with amusement as he swipes her beanie off her head. As she cries in protest, he switches it with a light blue beret, cutely adorned with a green ribbon and a yellow bow, from the boutique gift bag in her hand. "That's better." He pats the top of her barrette.

"Paul," she whines, reaching in to pull out a pink beret instead from the bag. He has a terrible sense of fashion. "The blue doesn't match my outfit at all."

He rolls his eyes, but takes the cyan-colored hat off her head and stuffs it back in the shopping bag. "Fine. Now come on, I want to find the gym and schedule a battle. Then, maybe we'll have time for some more exploring."

Dawn nods, excited at the idea of exploring more of the city with him. "Sounds like a plan!"

.

After his victory against Viola the next day, Paul decides to head off to challenge other gyms, while Dawn plans to stay in Santalune for a while. The sun is setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the city as they stand outside the Pokémon Center, ready to say their goodbyes.

Paul extends a hand to shake Dawn's. She hesitates for a moment, puzzled by the gesture. Aren't they past handshakes at this point? She isn't expecting a kiss or anything, but she hoped for at least a hug.

Despite her disappointment, Dawn places her hand in his. To her surprise, instead of shaking her hand, he turns her palm over, his fingers trailing up to her bracelet and tugging it gently.

She shivers at his touch, a tingling sensation running down her spine. It takes her a moment to realize what Paul has done. "H-Hey! My bracelet!" she exclaims as he slides it off her wrist. She mourns the loss immediately—it was made from real pearls, a gift from her father (whom she is reminded she needs to meet soon) before he left Sinnoh.

But in her hand, she feels something lightweight. Elesa's gym badge.

"A fair trade," he says simply.

"Paul, but this is Elesa's Gym Badge . . . why are you giving me this?"

"A good luck charm."

She furrows her eyebrows. "A good luck charm, Paul? You're acting like you're not going to see me again." She pauses, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought. "Are you leaving?" she asks him softly.

His eyes widen as he takes in her crestfallen face. "No, no!" he immediately reassures, his hand reaching for hers.

She blushes as she stares into his softened eyes.

Unbeknownst to her, he is promising just the opposite. The day he earned that badge was the day they had parted ways and she had given him a Torterrite. Elesa's badge will always serve as a reminder to him that leaving her was a mistake.

"I want a good luck charm from you, so it's only fair that I give you one myself." His face becomes stern. "But I want it back when I see you again. I need it for when I participate in the Vertress Conference."

This makes her relieved, knowing that he isn't saying goodbye for good, but his behavior strikes her as odd. "My bracelet for your gym badge . . ." she says blankly, as her fingers grasps the bracelet in his hand and holds it up. "Paul, why do we need good luck charms from each other if we're only separating for a few weeks?" He should have thought of this when they were parting ways back in Unova and were separated for months. Unless . . . he's giving her a guarantee that he won't be gone for long? Dawn's mind swirls with different theories, but no decided conclusion.

He rolls his eyes. "Just give me the damn bracelet, Dawn."

"How romantic," she deadpans, dropping the jewelry back into his waiting palm. The idea of keeping good luck charms are cute, Dawn admits, but she really knows how to pick 'em.

Ignoring her comment, he gingerly places the bracelet into his pocket. "When we meet again, I will give it back to you."

Finally, Paul places a hand on her shoulder, making her acutely aware of their height difference. "I'll see you soon," he tells her.

"Let me know when you reach Snowbelle City," she says.

He holds up his Holocaster, waving it in the air. "I will."

As she watches him walk away, Dawn looks at the badge clenched in her hand and holds it to her chest, shaking her head and laughing to herself. She doesn't know what's going through that man's mind sometimes, but she loves him anyway.