A New Dream

Interrupted Preparations: Dawn's POV

I watched him leave (my eyes blurry from the tears that I couldn't stop) until he walked past the adobe home and out of sight. Raising my shaking hands I covered my face with them and took long, calming breaths until my tears stopped. I'd wanted to show Paul that I was strong enough to say goodbye without crying, but that obviously hadn't happened, so I promised myself that I would do better the next time I saw him.

You... you rely too much on Draining Kiss. Paul's words floated through my mind and I felt myself smile as I gently brushed my fingertips against my lips. There was nothing that he could have said that would have given me more hope. His giving me that last parting advice meant that somewhere inside him he wanted to be with me as badly as I wanted to be with him.

Time to train, Dawn. I thought to myself firmly. 

With one last, longing look towards where I'd last seen Paul I turned around and started walking back to my campsite. When I got back I released my pokemon and they all looked around as if wondering whether Paul's announcement last night was actually a joke. When it was obvious that Paul and his pokemon weren't going to pop out of some hiding place they all came over to me and I smiled sadly at them.

"Yah. They're really gone. But Paul is going to be watching us at the tournament and then we're going to be training for the pokemon league," I explained and Piplup looked up at me in surprise. Swallowing quickly I knelt down and looked at all of my pokemon one at a time.

"If we can beat Paul, then he's promised that I can continue to travel with him. I know you don't always get along with Paul, Piplup," I said and he turned up his beak angrily. "But I love him."

Instantly Piplup jerked back and gave me a guilty look. Ribombee fluttered over to sit on my shoulder and rub her head against my cheek while Mirageon came over to curl up on against my leg. I stroked the soft fur on the back of her neck and turned my attention back to Piplup, who was looking at the ground and hiding his expression from me.

"Will you please help me beat him, Piplup?" I asked quietly. 

He continued looking down at the ground for several seconds but eventually, he lifted his head, looked me in the eye, puffed out his chest, and tapped his chest firmly in agreement. Smiling widely I held my arms out and Piplup ran over to accept my hug. Arcanine barked loudly with obvious anticipation and Vulpix watched us from between his front legs.

The next day was our battle against Hapu and I was grateful when she didn't ask where Paul was. Piplup was a superstar in our battle, taking out both her Mudsdale and Flygon with his water and ice moves, but her Gastrodon landed a massive body slam that paralyzed him. I had momentarily panicked since I didn't have any pokemon that knew a grass type move, but Paul's last words of advice came to mind and I chose Ribombee. Using Double Team and her superior speed to our advantage we were able to defeat Gastrodon and Hapu congratulated us on a good battle.

After showing me how to use the Groundium Z Hapu kindly gave me a ride to the Pokemon Center where Nurse Joy cured Piplup's paralysis quickly. Once I had my pokemon back though I spent the morning restocking on food and other camping necessities. It felt lonely to be shopping alone so I released Piplup and after we got everything we needed from the small floating stores in Seafolk Village I immediately set out for Vast Poni Canyon again. For the rest of the day, I explored the canyon, searching for the perfect place to set up a long-term camp spot and practice for the upcoming tournament.

"It's getting kind of dark, Piplup. Maybe we should stop for the night," I said disappointedly. 

To my surprise, Piplup squirmed in my arms and I let him go so that he could drop to the ground. I watched as he walked over to the cave wall where a small hole was carved into the bottom. Before I could stop him Piplup walked into the dark hole and I gasped.