Chapter 52: Payback  

I woke up and kept my eyes closed, hoping that Joey showing up had only been something REM had decided to torture me with while I slept.  

Something hit me in the face. My eyes flew open as I bolted upright. I glared at the fumbling sleeping mass that was Joey. My hands curled into fists, my heart hammering. It would feel so nice to hit him back. 

But then he'd wake up and his never ending conversation from Distortion World would begin again. 

I heard a rustling next to him and unwillingly let my eyes stray. Dawn was staring at me silently, softly, her blue eyes filled with sympathy. I exhaled, my anger fizzling into annoyance at the Trainer who just had to interrupt such a perfect moment- 

I continued staring at Dawn. I'd kissed her yesterday. I remembered the feel of her skin, her closeness, her lips. The thunder rumbling deeply in the background, the rain pattering the tent as I became even more tempted by this girl who used to repel me. 

How do you do this to me, Dawn? I thought as I stared back at her. 

Joey groaned in his sleep and mumbled, "No, that was my Ponyta. Top two percentage." 

He rolled extremely close to Dawn who cringed and gave me a desperate "help" look. I motioned for her to follow me outside as I unzipped the tent as quietly as possible. Joey remained asleep as we stepped out, studying the new day ahead of us. 

The sky was cloudy, a light grey color. It was a bit chilly in the morning air, but no longer raining. Dawn looked at the sky and hugged her bare arms around her body, shielding herself from the cold breeze. 

Silently, I took off my jacket and held it open for her to put her arms through. She smiled softly at me and allowed her arms to slip through the sleeves. I remembered the night I'd seen her illuminated in the moonlight in only a towel, how I'd let her borrow some of my clothes and how she hadn't wanted to sleep in a room away from me. 

I looked away quickly. She depended on me more than I'd really thought. Was I really ready for that, to be there for her through everything? I'd always hated dragging extra weight around. Would whatever I felt for Dawn disappear and become an annoyance as our relationship changed yet again? What would she really want from me if I told her what I felt?  

I wasn't sure if I could handle the responsibility. We were young, something I despised admitting about myself, and things changed. I was in no position to abandon my training, to stop pursuing my goals in life all because of this infatuation that had surprisingly fallen upon me. 

My eyes fell on Dawn again, my jacket too big on her. She had her eyes closed as she inhaled slowly. What she seemed to be so content about I wasn't sure, but she was at peace. As I stared at her I felt it too, how at ease I was around her that I couldn't attain when I was around anyone else. 

My thoughts continued back and forth, torn between what the future held for us. 

"Good morning," I said after a very long silence. 

Dawn hadn't seemed to mind the lack of speech, though at my voice her eyes gleamed. "Good morning. How are you?" 

The storm from last night seemed to have found a new home- inside of me. "I'm fine. And you?" 

"I'm great, thanks." Dawn smiled before it faltered. "Well, I want Joey to leave, but other than that I'm great." 

"You see why I don't like him now?" 

"In Johto did he follow you around too?" Dawn started playing with the sleeves of my jacket, her eyes focused on the material by her wrist. 

"He tried, but I gave him the slip. I usually give people the slip." 

"Except me." I could hear the smugness in her voice. 

"Except you."  

A silence fell between us and I felt myself grow distant from her, unsure if being close to her really was what I wanted.  

And what did she want? What did this innocent, pure girl want from me? She seemed to depend on me now. Our paths would eventually lead us in different directions, I knew. If I were to go to Unova and Dawn followed me she wouldn't have any Contests to help herself become a better Coordinator.  

I'd never thought that emotions could be more important than my own career as a Trainer, the life ahead of me. Now I still didn't, though I was surprised by the amount of pain at thinking of our paths eventually diverging their own separate ways. 

It was so odd that both of us started this entire adventure with absolutely nothing between us but friction and here we were now with a spark. I didn't see how being with her could be possible and yet I couldn't see a future where I traveled alone again. 

So as I looked at Dawn and her new solemn expression that showed how truly intelligent she could be, how thoughtful she was as a person, I knew that she understood that things between us were still complicated without me having to say a word. 

I smiled darkly. It was like taking a Mach Punch when I felt like the battle was mine to win and I ended up losing it all. 

"Why don't you ever talk to me about what's going through your head?" Dawn asked, her eyebrows furrowed as she frowned. 

"Because they're still my private thoughts," I said simply, my voice less critical than normal. "And I'm pretty sure you've been secretive with me lately as well, so don't be a hypocrite." 

Dawn looked away from me after nodding curtly. She hugged her body again, my jacket loose on her. 

"We'll talk soon," I stated calmly, pausing before adding, "You know I am a perfectionist when it comes with planning ahead, whether it's battling or life."  

She rocked back and forth on her heels before letting her eyes land on me. "Ok. Just don't keep me waiting, Paul." 

As I heard her say my name I held my breath against my will. She seemed to notice. Her eyes softened and I realized how close she'd gotten to me in this grey, sunless morning during our conversation.  

She took the last step forward, wrapped her arms around my neck, and put her head on my chest, hugging herself against me. After a few seconds of indecision and numb surprise, I hugged her back and rested my head on top of hers. 

Standing like that was peaceful. I still had the weighty subject of the future on my mind, but as Dawn and I embraced, a future where everything would work out didn't feel like an unreachable, impossible thing anymore. The pessimist in me was larger still, but I didn't think about it as I wished that I could never let go of this beautiful girl who seemed like such a big part of who I was now. 

Our hug eventually came to an end and Dawn and I made breakfast in quiet. Our only conversation involved plans on ditching Joey who seemed intent with sleeping in Dawn's pink nightmare until noon. Unfortunately, she refused to leave her tent behind, so we were stuck waiting for him to wake up. 

Not that I ever minded kicking people awake if they deserved it. 

We released our Pokémon so they could eat. Piplup seemed reluctant to be outside his Poke Ball at first, as did Bagon, until we reassured them that the storm was over. Piplup sighed in relief while Bagon's eyes darted around wildly, disbelieving my word. 

"Geez, he's acting like you're joking." Dawn grinned. 

"Yes, that's me. The comedic Trainer Paul, always kidding around about absolutely everything."

All of Dawn's Pokémon began laughing and Dawn joined in. It was the first time she'd really seemed happy today, and really the first time I could remember making so many beings laugh, that I couldn't help but smile. 

Hm. Maybe I could be funny. 

"Bagon," I murmured to him. 

He eyed me suspiciously. 

"Would you like to help me get back at a Trainer who needs to learn what happens when they overstay their welcome?" 

Bagon gave a mischievous grin.  

"Wait, what are you two doing?" Dawn eyed the two of us, frowning. 

"Oh, you'll see."

"This doesn't involve me?" 

"No, it's about Joey." 

"Oh, ok." Dawn began brushing her Togekiss's wings. "So what are you going to do?" 

"That, Dawn, is a secret." 

"Don't do anything illegal." 

I held back a chuckle. "I wouldn't dream of it." 

I stood at the edge of the trees, eyeing the pink nightmare with precision. 

"You know what to do," I murmured to Torterra who stood beside me. Torterra stomped the ground with his front two feet and Frenzy Plant vines crept slowly from the ground surrounding the tent. They wrapped around the ropes and pulled them upward, uprooting the tent and making it rise into the air. 

"Muddy Water," I ordered. Gastrodon slid in front of me and splattered the entire camp with a layer of muddy slime.  

I watched the Frenzy Plant continue lifting the tent. When it was a few feet off the ground, the vines farthest from the opening continued to grow, this time faster, causing the tent to grow lopsided and a large figure to roll out of the entrance and plop into the mud below. 

The figure screamed like a girl and slid through the mud. The supposed screaming girl was actually Joey. He went speeding through the mud, his face and body unrecognizable under the layer of filth. 

"Dawn, Paul. HELP ME!" Joey yelled. He was cut off as he began gagging on mud, obviously not understanding the positive qualities that keeping your mouth shut had.  

"Honchkrow," I called as Joey finally lost momentum and flopped over in the mud as he attempted to stand up, sending it splattering everywhere. 

Honchkrow took flight and flapped his wings quickly. A thick mist appeared and blew through the camp. 

"Uh, guys? Hello?" I heard Joey fall over in the mud again, but I couldn't see him and knew that he couldn't see either. 

"You're up." I nodded to Weavile. Weavile began performing a Swords Dance and Metal Claw combination. His claws glowed as he danced. Every time he touched them together, an ominous metallic sound would ring. Perfect. Now Joey would feel like he was in a horror film.  

"Guys? Something really freaky is happening. Hello?" I could hear him swimming around in the mud and held back a grin. I saw a flash of red light and frowned. He must have found his bag and released a Pokémon. "Oh, Raticate, we're in deep Muk right now. Maybe literally." 

I heard Bagon start laughing and shushed him. 

"Phase two, Weavile." 

Weavile fired an Ice Shard at the other side of the clearing. It hit a tree with a thunk! 

Joey gasped. "Who's there?" 

Weavile sent another Ice Shard in the opposite direction. And another. 

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. 

Joey began swearing. "Ok, whatever Pokémon is out there, we're going to take you down. I'm Joey from Johto and I'm not to be reckoned with." 

That was the biggest piece of Shinx I'd ever heard. 

In response, Electivire used a weak Thunder attack on the ground that mimicked an earthquake. Joey and Raticate both yelled. The suction sound of mud and bodies smacking into it was easily decipherable. 

"Ok, Bagon. Your turn." 

Bagon stepped forward and a large pounding rumbled the ground behind us to the left. I frowned, knowing it wasn't Electivire. He'd stopped using Thunder. 

It continued to grow louder. Bagon backed up and ran into my legs. I squinted, trying to see through the Haze Honchkrow had created.  

A glowing fire began burning nine feet off the ground like an Eruption attack as the Pokémon moved slowly with strong, earth shaking footsteps. I began making out a hulking figure and stayed absolutely still, as did my Pokémon. It was headed right towards Joey and his Raticate. 

Before I could do anything, what looked like two Ice Beam attacks flew from the front of the Pokémon in different directions. 

I'd never seen a Pokémon use three attacks at the same time, two of absolutely different types for that matter. I immediately went on guard and thought of the possibilities of this beast that seemed to have the strength I needed to become an unbeatable Trainer.  

Joey had noticed the new threat too and whimpered, "Oh, Arceus. Save us." 

A pink, sparkling light descended upon the camp. Squeal-like chatter was emitted from the Pokémon followed by a rumbling wail. The fire on its head grew brighter. 

"Please don't kill me," Joey pleaded. 

The Pokémon roared louder and emitted two more Ice Beam attacks that came very close to hitting Joey who had to face plant in the mud to avoid them. 

"I'm dreaming, please say I'm dreaming. Let me still be dreaming!" Joey stuttered. I could hear them both struggling through the mud, belly flopping into the mess a couple times by the sounds of it. "Run, Raticate! RUN!" 

After one last girlish scream I could hear them no more. 

The giant Pokémon was still in camp, but the fire and ice had ceased. I could still feel its massive presence. My heart started beating faster, my mind working quickly through battle strategies for Fire and Ice attacks. 

First I wanted to see what we were about to face. So far it seemed like it'd be an excellent addition to my team. 

"Honchkrow, blow the Haze away," I commanded. "Everyone else, stand by for battle." 

Honchkrow took to the sky and beat the Haze away, which dissipated slowly. My eyes stayed locked onto the Pokémon I'd been so eager to capture to find I'd been manipulated. 

Mamoswine stood in the center of camp, Buneary and Piplup on his tusks. Quilava rested on his head and Togekiss flew above in a graceful dance, causing the air to glow pink around its body every few seconds which reminded me of a very weak Dazzling Gleam. Dawn sat on Mamoswine's back holding Pachirisu who was chattering and squealing, causing Dawn to laugh and hush him. 

The Coordinator spotted me as I looked at her in wonder, amazement, and sheer idiocy. She called for her Togekiss who flew over. Dawn climbed on top of her eloquent Fairy type who descended to the ground. The blue eyed girl stepped off with a flourish and smiled brightly at me as I continued staring at her, wondering how my prank on Joey had somehow turned into a prank on me without her even meaning to. 

"I guess that takes care of our Joey problem," she said cheerfully. 

"How did you come up with that idea?" I asked. 

"That, Paul, is a secret." Dawn walked up close to me and pushed my shoulder playfully.  

Well then. 

"Too bad we didn't get a picture of the looks on their faces." Dawn laughed and mimicked Joey. 

I smiled as she began retelling the prank, glad that she seemed happy and that we were alone again without any pests getting between us.

Hey Readers!

Finally, a new update right? And one where Joey gets what's coming to him. This was so much fun to write, you have no idea. Now that the storm is over, things have changed between Dawn and Paul. I'm not sure how many of you expected Paul's thoughts to take this direction. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Oh, and if you liked the chapter, if you vote that would be awesome. And if you're not following already and want more updates, that'd be cool too :)

I have a month left of school until I have more time to write what I want instead of eight page essays, so I'm not sure when my next update will be on First Light. As always, I try to write and update as often as I can. Thank you all for your support- it means so much to me.

Pokemon Question of the Day: Who is your favorite Prehistoric Pokemon? By this I mean one that you get from a fossil from any generation, but if there are dinosaur-like Pokemon like Tropius you like more, that's cool too. 

Thanks for reading!

-Flips