Chapter 51: Storm 

I sat with my back resting against Torterra who was lying down in our camp and enjoying the relaxation that I hardly ever allowed. I stared at the words in the Pokemon training book Dawn had given me for my birthday as the sun set. It was impossible to read with all the thoughts running in my head, but I refused to look like I was troubled by anything except battling strategies.  

"Terra," he growled. 

I ignored him. A few seconds later a small Frenzy Plant root jabbed my leg. Annoyed, I closed my book. "What? I'm busy." 

I stood up and frowned at Torterra who stared back absolutely unintimidated by me. 

"Do you have a problem with how I'm living my life?" I glared at him. My partner stared back, unblinking. "I'm fine." 

Torterra shifted and rolled his eyes at me. Before I could retort Bagon, who had been dozing on Torterra's back, woke with a start and yelled. 

"What is it?" I studied him. He looked quite scared. Just then, the wind began picking up and the branches of the trees shook threateningly. Bagon leapt off Torterra's back and into my arms. I raised an eyebrow at him, not used to him showing any intimate contact with me. His body shook a bit. 

Torterra stood up and looked at the sky, grumbling. 

"Is there a storm coming?" I asked. He nodded and I looked at Bagon who seemed as afraid as a Ratata facing off against a Mega Gyrados. "Bagon, it's just a storm. Stop groveling." 

A low rumble of thunder shook the ground and Bagon gave a small yell again before burying himself deeper into my arms. 

This is ridiculous, I thought, irritated. "Torterra, watch the scared little Starly while I set up Dawn's tent, won't you?" 

After a few moments of shaking Bagon, who was gripping my arm so tightly it might lose circulation, he fell off. Torterra grabbed him with a Frenzy Plant, which twisted around Bagon's body like an Arbok. He didn't look very happy, but I knew the vine wasn't too tight to hurt him. I unwillingly began setting up Dawn's pink nightmare, not sure if I should be glad that we would be dry tonight. At least it had a tarp to keep the water out. 

As soon as I'd finished setting it up, Dawn ran through the trees carrying Piplup. "Guys, it's about to start raining. Quilava got really upset when he heard the thunder. You know how Fire Pokemon get around water." 

I was still admiring my handiwork with the tent, trying not to look at Dawn. I'd gotten anxious for no reason. Right then I glanced at Torterra, regretting it instantly. He'd always been a sap for feelings. 

"Oh, you built my tent. Thanks, Paul." Dawn put Piplup down who ran inside immediately, jumping up and down like he was greeting an old friend. Why did she never keep him in his Poke Ball?  

A flash of lightning made us flinch, followed by a loud roar of thunder. Bagon whimpered and used Flamethrower on the Frenzy Plant trap, which turned to ash. He dived into the tent, still anxious. 

"Awe, poor thing," Dawn murmured. 

"Torterra, return." I held out his Poke Ball, watching the red light envelop him as he calmly looked at me before turning to Dawn. "Ok, grab your stuff. We're going to be stuck inside for a while." 

We both gathered our things and ducked our way into the tent. The space was small, especially with Bagon and Piplup added to our group. They looked scared as the rain began pattering against the roof of the tent seconds later. Piplup wouldn't shut up, increasing the noise, while Bagon wouldn't sit still. He first crawled into my lap, looking up at me with Lillipup eyes as if expecting pity. After receiving my disapproval, he scurried to Dawn's lap where she cooed to him as if he were a baby. 

"It's alright, Bagon. It's just rain and noise, that's all." Piplup continued screeching, now with obvious dislike that his Trainer was being nice to someone other than himself, "Don't worry, it'll be over soon." 

Another peal of thunder later Bagon buried himself in my sleeping bag. The wind bellowed against the tent, moving its side. The inside of the tent was getting extremely dark now despite being quite early in the evening. The rain came down harder, pounding against our forced sanctuary. The tent resisted. 

"Alright, that's it. Bagon, you'll be safe in your Poke Ball. I can't stand the insanity of your fear." I dug into my backpack in search for his Poke Ball. 

"Hey, everyone's scared of things, Paul. Stop getting on his case. It's his first big storm. He's still really young, you know." 

"Maybe so, but he obviously can't handle it," I retorted as I saw the bulge beneath the material that was Bagon crawl deeper into my sleeping bag, practicing the move Dive until he made it to the very bottom. 

"He needs to learn that we're there for him and there's nothing to fear." Dawn crawled over to my sleeping bag, unzipping it. "Don't worry, Bagon. There's nothing to be afraid-" 

A gigantic, ear splitting burst of thunder made the tent shiver. Dawn gasped and Bagon cried out and ran from the sleeping bag, pushing Dawn in the process. She let out a small scream as she began falling towards me and used her good hand to catch herself on my shoulder. I felt her lips brush against my neck, as did her beautifully smelling hair, and her warm breath, before she lifted herself slowly to stare at me, her face inches away. 

I slowly exhaled. It was too dark to really see her now. With the darkness, I allowed myself to shed my facade I'd put up, feeling a calmness wash over me. All I noticed was Dawn. I could smell her Pecha berry scent. I could feel her so close to me. I could almost taste her mouth. "You said there's nothing to be afraid of, Dawn?" 

"Nothing at all." Her voice sounded far away as she whispered so closely to me. 

I leaned forward slowly, my mouth meeting hers. Her body tensed at first before she melted into the kiss. She kissed me back and I could sense our desire for one another was mutual. Her lips were sweet, just like the rest of her, and her skin was soft as I traced it gingerly, at awe with how delicate she seemed. For once, we felt harmonious, in alignment with one another, not two people who were exact opposites of one another.  

For the first time I wondered if I loved her.  

A larger crack of lightning made Dawn break apart from me as Piplup and Bagon both yelled in terror. I sensed her staring at me, breathing quickly, before she said in a dazed way, "It's alright, you two. Everything's fine." 

"I still think we should put them in their Poke Balls," I said softly, my eyes not leaving hers. We were only inches apart and I could feel her breath on my face. I wanted to kiss her again without interruption. 

"I think you're right. They're too scared and not ready for this storm." Dawn moved away from me. "Piplup." 

I heard Piplup let out shrill cries while Dawn comforted him, saying it was only until the storm ended so he could sleep without worrying over the storm. I returned Bagon who didn't put up any fight. He looked relieved to be somewhere safe as he disappeared. 

"Return," Dawn murmured after hugging Piplup to her. "Sweet dreams." 

The red light sent Piplup vanishing into his Poke Ball. When it was gone, the tent seemed even darker than before. We were both silent, sitting a few feet away from each other. The rain continued pattering loudly on the roof while rumbles of thunder and occasional flashes of lightning clashed outside.  

"Dawn." 

I felt her move closer to me again. I put my hand up to her cheek, stroking it with my thumb as we both leaned in- 

"HEY! Anyone in there?" A yell came from outside the tent. 

Dawn held back a scream and hugged herself against me. I glared at the tent entrance where I saw a shadow move. Out of all the times to interrupt- 

"If anyone's in there, I'm freezing, soaked in rainwater, and about to get struck by-" A flash and a roar of thunder cut what I guessed was a boy's voice off, "lightning! Please let me in." 

Maybe he will get struck by lightning before I have a chance to do anything. I mused, turning my attention back to Dawn who moved to sit next to me. I'd liked her better in my arms. 

"Should we let whoever this guy is in?" I whispered. 

She was silent for longer than I thought considering she was such a good doer. "I guess." 

I sighed. "Fine." 

I unzipped the tent opening and studied the young looking Trainer who stood absolutely drenched with rain water and somehow grinning at me despite his obvious bad day. 

"Oh, hey Paul!" he greeted me warmly. 

"Joey?" I said blankly. 

"Yep. Long time no see." He barreled past me and grinned at Dawn. "Oh, and here's Dawn. Hi, beautiful." 

"What are you doing here?" Dawn asked with surprise. I couldn't help but notice her obvious dislike of the situation and held back my amusement. 

"Training, of course. I caught that Mightyena by the way. I bet he's the best Mightyena ever. At least top five percentage. I've been training him every day-" 

"Why aren't you at a Pokemon Center? Didn't you know it was going to rain?" Dawn asked. I heard a bit of impatience that I knew Joey wouldn't pick up on.  

"I don't know where one is and I didn't know it was going to rain. Say, why's it so dark in here anyway? Here, I have a flashlight." Joey scrambled in his bag and I heard the click. The light illuminated the ceiling and revealed Dawn's annoyed face and Joey's rain streaked, happy one. "That's better. I always hated the dark when it's raining." 

"I don't mind it," Dawn replied a bit coldly. 

Joey studied her for his first time, his mouth open in surprise. "You ok, Dawn?" 

"Yeah. I'm just tired." She gave me a quick glance of unhappiness before smiling at Joey. "Have you had dinner yet?" 

"No, I'm starving though. I have this really awesome chocolate cake for dessert if you guys want some. I owe you for letting me stay in here. I didn't mean to cause any problems." Joey started looking through his bag for the cake with enthusiasm. 

"Oh, you're not a problem," Dawn said coolly. "I'll get some sandwiches. Are you hungry too, Paul?" 

"Extremely," I stated, staring at her intensely. 

Dawn stared back, seeming unsure what I meant by that. She gave me a small smile. 

"Um, guys?" Joey said uncertainly. I frowned and looked at him. "Uh, were you having a moment?" 

"Here's your sandwich, Joey." Dawn dropped a sandwich into his hands. She handed me one in a more graceful fashion. 

I took a bite and thought, The power of friendship sure does change when it gets in the way of kissing. 

After eating, I started getting ready for bed. Anything to get away from Joey and his constant talking. Didn't matter if I wasn't tired and my heart began beating an extra few times every time I looked at Dawn, I was going to be unconscious to avoid listening to incessant repetitive conversation about percentages.  

I laid down in my sleeping bag, trying to listen to the rain which was being drowned out by Joey. "And so now my main goal is to catch a Tropius. Have you ever seen one? They've got those bananas on their neck? Yeah, well I really want to catch one. Hopefully it will be in the top three percentage-" 

"I'm going to bed, you two," Dawn announced suddenly, pulling her sleeping bag up and turning over so she could see me. 

We stared at each other, our eyes softening, before Joey collapsed in between us and groaned, "Ahhh, yeah it's time to hit the hay." 

I switched to my other side so I wouldn't have to look at Joey anymore. I was sick of him. I heard Dawn moving around too, turning so she wouldn't have to be as close to our uninvited guest. 

"Good night, you two." Joey sighed happily. "It's always so much fun hanging out with you." 

See you in my nightmares, I thought darkly. "Good night." 

"Good night. Sweet dreams, Paul," Dawn said gently. 

"You too." I thought about our kiss, her warm lips against mine. Perhaps I would have sweet dreams. 

"Me three," Joey said. 

It was going to be a long night.

Hey :)

Ok, so finally, right? FINALLY I post and finally they make some progress. And then Joey ruins it, but it was still progress. (If you don't remember, yes that's Youngster Joey that I wrote about in a chapter way far back).

Sooo, how'd you all like the chapter? Make sure you tell me in the comments and vote for the chapter if you find it worthy of one :P 

Chapter updates will still be less frequent for First Light. I can't believe my homework load, but I'm one of those over achievers that spent my entire Spring Break getting a month ahead in two of my classes. Hopefully that will give me more time to write, but we'll see. :)

Pokemon Question of the Day: (I'm not sure if I did this one already or not) If you could learn one Pokemon move, what would it be and why? It doesn't have to match your "personality" or "type" you'd think you are, but it can if you want to. And if you want you can learn four moves if you really like this question. And you can have a reason behind the move too if you want. Whatever works! Have fun with it.

Thanks, as always, for reading <3 You all make First Light possible and give me inspiration to write.

-Flips