Chapter 20

Paul knew there was a perfect word for the situation he was in but, the word just kept escaping him. One minute it was himself and Dawn in a corner. Then along came wilderness girl towing Stuff shirt and Drew’s interest.

Did it look like he wanted some sort of company? He wanted to talk alone with Dawn but there they were. Not looking like they were going to leave him anytime soon. And what was with the determined look on Iris’s face?

Had she noticed the atmosphere with Ash and his rival and Misty? If so why could she not observe that he was trying for an atmosphere. Paul had just begun to open his mouth to state his opinion on the others inviting themselves into his personal space when Dawn spoke up.

“Iris! That was so cool! That has got to be the most intense showdown I’ve seen so far!” Dawn gushed escaping Paul’s grip and flinging herself on May. Iris lost her determined look as she nodded happily. Cilan broke into an amused smile and Paul aimed a glare at Dawn’s back.

Just what did the girl think she was doing? They were supposed to talk alone. Just what made her encourage them to stay and talk? The airhead!

“When Ash issued that challenge I thought I would faint!” May whispered holding her cheek with one of her gloves hands. She swayed dreamily making Paul highly uncomfortable. What was wrong with all of them?

This kind of girly stuff made his skin crawl. So Ash made progress, more than Paul had anticipated sure. Still it was progress. But that was no reason to start going all bright eyed and syrupy voiced. It was scary and weird, and exactly why guys would always trump girls when it came right down to it.

Girls got way to distracted by things that had nothing to do with them or the situation. Paul knew he had underestimated Ash and overestimated him as well. When Georgio turned up Paul had been waiting for things to heat up.

Ash had shown possessiveness towards Misty from the beginning. The way he had glared at her rivals that had gotten a little bit too friendly. The tenseness he had shown at the beginning of the journey when Georgio had been mentioned. It all pointed to an explosion occurring when the two met face to face.

  “It was so amazing the way he stood up for her. He sounded so mature!” Iris said joining the other two. She looked ecstatic at the current events. Paul could understand part of why. Meeting Cilan’s gaze though he had to stifle and uncharacteristic grin, losing the money was worth it. Making the bet was worth it too.

Paul sat backing Drew while Cilan paced in front of them. The stuff shirt had been going on about what he had observed lately. Drew stifled a yawn that Paul felt since they were back to back. It was not that they were bored, it was just that Ash and Iris were taking a long while.

Cilan did not look worried; he was still coming off his feeling from the win. Paul felt Drew shift uncomfortably behind him and sigh.

“Look, I’m sure we have all been thinking it.” Drew said making Paul try to look around himself. Drew had his head bent as if he was in some deep thought. “This whole Ash and Misty thing. It is all the girls talk about when those two disappear.”

“Ash is an idiot.” Paul pointed out generously. There was no way Ash could handle a relationship, or feelings. Or a proper thought that did not involve Pokémon in some way. Just was not happening.

“He has matured.” Cilan said slowly causing Paul to frown. They were going to debate this seriously? The stuff shirt stopped pacing and instead sat on the ground facing Drew and Paul’s sides. Drew turned to face Cilan and Paul heaved a sigh before reluctantly doing the same.

This was just utter madness. They were going to debate on Ash’s love life. Paul smirked, to be specific they were going to debate on Ash’s ability to understand his love life. His ability to take what he had and make it a love life.

Paul groaned, what a waste of time the discussion was. The boy was so dense. Cilan sent Paul a curious look while Drew just sighed heavily.

“I think, there is a chance that Ash will unfriendzone Misty.” Drew said causing Cilan to widen his eyes and stretch out his hands shaking them negatively.

“Friendzone is a harsh term for what that is. It is more like Ash is like a dish which takes a while to mature and cool  before you can move on. Misty understands that and reacts accordingly. Presenting the calm and cool rival and friend and keeping the girly Misty away.”

Drew looked pained. “More like he doesn’t notice. I bet 20 that if Ash meets Georgio he will let the boy do what he wants not understanding a thing just watching.”

“I’ll join that.” Paul said nodding

“And I say, that Ash when pressed will come between Misty and Georgio whenever we meet him and challenge him.” Cilan said nodding as Drew and Paul scoffed.

“Well in that case.” Paul grunted. “If what Cilan says happens, I bet that Ash won’t go all lovey-dovey on with it. He is going to say something about giving her a choice or her Pokémon a proper choice to choose. He won’t become all goofy like.”

Drew nodded his agreement with Paul with Cilan the one now that was scoffing. Drew laughed before turning to Paul.

“Say Paul, between me and you I think Ash knows how Misty feels, just a feeling that he knows he means something really special to her.”

“No way,” Paul scoffed thinking about it. “He’s clueless and firmly in friendzone land. The two of them are rivals and buddies nothing more in the fool’s mind.”

“20 that I’m right.” Drew said arrogantly. Paul rolled his eyes before shaking hands with the coordinator. It did not matter really; he was going to win all the money. Whenever Ash did meet, Georgio there was no way that Lord Clueless would go that far out to do anything.

The guy was just slow that way. He did not even know that he was jealous of the admirers the gym leader had. If he could not see that. There was no way he knew or could show Misty his feelings. Meaning that Paul’s money was safe where it was.

Paul groaned mentally at that memory. Just who knew Ash had pulled himself from friendzone land long enough to go all knight in shining armour? Rescuing the maiden in distress while claiming territory. It just puzzled him.

Ash had hid the maturity he had gained from them, from him. The guy had been acting the same old Ash all that time but obviously he had been waiting for the explosion. Most likely, from the moment he had met Brendan.

Paul could not have put his fingers on it. But he recognised that the guy’s story was missing some vital things. That must have been nagging at Drew too. If he and May travelled together, met Misty together that guy had to have met Georgio. And even gotten the whole tale of the stuff.

The guy supposedly held Ash up, so meeting Misty he would have put two and two together. Seeing Georgio he would have figured out more. Seeing the scene with Ash and Misty as they waited all night together would have cleared things up further.

With all of that, Paul knew that Georgio’s appearance had to do with Brendan passing on the word. No other explanation. Georgio had known exactly where Misty was. Ash had been expecting trouble, meaning what Paul did not know. But it was more a puzzle that a play.

But that was how the girls was treating the whole situation. Dawn sighed before releasing both Iris and May. Turning around she clasped her hands together as she gazed around the Pokémon centre.

“There is such hope for Ash right now. I just want to scream, I always thought he would be just kidlike forever.” Dawn gushed.

“I know, I mean look how long he travelled with her! He now realises he wants to battle to protect her? Ash is kind of slow.” May said not as gushy.

“He’s just a kid. What do you expect?” Iris said hands on hips. “No one ever really pushed him before when it came to this sort of stuff.”

Pausing Iris gaze narrowed in on Cilan who flinched. “Speaking of shoving.” She continued in a dangerous tone making May and Dawn freeze and concentrate on Iris.

“Exactly why were Drew and Paul pushing money at you earlier Cilan? And why did it look like you had taken some sort of bet?”

Cilan shrank before Paul’s eyes becoming frail and weak. “Iris.” The stuff shirt gasped weakly. “I swear, it was just a little side bet on Ash, it was harmless I swear!”

If possible, Iris grew taller and an aura of menace began to seep from her. Paul cautiously steeped back and began to slowly edge away. Sometimes the bravest soldiers needed to retreat from the battlefield. Presides it looked like Cilan had it all in hand.

Before Paul could properly make it away from Iris in her scariness, the Centre doors whooshed opened. Causing everyone to look at the doors and him. In his head Paul cursed his luck as Iris began to gesture for him to join Cilan.

Backing away as May and Dawn advanced; Paul was going to break into a run, something he had not done in long when he heard Cilan break down babbling, confessing and begging for forgiveness. The guy could not even properly hold out. Talk about worthless.

“Iris! Forgive me! Don’t hurt me, please don’t! The bet was all Drew’s idea! He came up with it. It was harmless, please don’t hurt me. We didn’t mean any harm. You could think this as practise for me. Yes practise you know my evaluating skills. Evaluating Ash. All harmless, no high stakes. Look. Look. Look! There is Drew! He’ll tell you it was harmless!”

Turning his head Paul saw that Cilan was right. It was Drew that had come into the Centre. But not exactly. This Drew had a rather familiar pose and the arrogance was seeping from him like water from a bag with a small hole.

This was the contest Drew. But what made him decide to use that persona here? Glancing at May Paul understood. The real Drew needed some time, so the contest Drew was there as a cover. This was going to get messy.

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Drew narrowed his eyes at the others in the corner as he walked in. Iris had Cilan pinned down on his knees before her angry image. Paul looked ready to dash off facing Dawn and May. They did not have the aurora that Iris was emitting.

But it looked enough to justify why Paul was sweating as he attempted to slide away. Flicking his hair away, Drew rolled his eyes. At the moment all he wanted to do was be alone.

To be caught up in Iris’s ire because she figured out about the bet was nowhere in his plans. And that was what it had to be about.

That was the only reason Iris would be mad at them in particular, and there was the fact he noticed Iris had spotted the money trade going on. Drew snorted before taking his time and deliberately stalking towards the rooms and rooms.

He really did not have time to be messing with them. He wanted to think about the battle, about Georgio and that Brendan.

“HEY!” Dawn yelled at him causing one eyebrow to shoot up. Was she serious? Crazy? Did she somehow miss the dark atmosphere he was producing, or did maybe she think Paul would save her?

Or even worse, did this blue haired twit think he was harmless? Drew flicked his hair before slowly facing Dawn who was fast approaching him May hesitantly at her heels.

“Look, I don’t have the time for this or you.” He said cutting to the chase. Dawn paused, one hand going to her throat while May’s eyes flew open.

“I’m sure you don’t.” Dawn said slowly the hint of a temper emerging from her words. Paul sent Drew a warning look but Drew ignored it.

“Since we both know, let’s narrow this down quick so I can get away from all of you. Yes, we made a bet. Yes, I collected money. You think it is wrong to bet on Ash like that. I don’t care. You do the same thing just without money. We can develop a gambling problem. Again I don’t care, none of your business.” Drew finished running one hand through his hair.

Dawn stood frozen looking at him, her mouth moving but no words or sounds escaping. He had successfully answered everything she would have asked cutting her tirade before it could start. Paul glared as he came to join them but Drew just shot the other teen a dark look.

Narrowing his eyes Paul sighed before grabbing Dawn’s hand and dragging her back to Iris. Cilan had managed to get on his feet again and was stuck between looking at Iris who had calmed down by a lot and Drew.

May blushed before trying to meet Drew’s gaze, he was not having any of that though. His eyes held nothing but contempt when she finally looked at him. Gasping the girl stepped back causing Drew to smirk in response.

Walking past her frozen image Drew pulled his entire contest persona together. He did not want to talk to her. The time for that was gone. He heard her dimly whisper his name and forced himself to arrogantly stalk to him room.

Seeing the battle between Ash and Misty’s stalker really did make it personal for him. There was no doubt who had passed on the information of where they were going. That Brendan. The guy who said he looked up to Ash to his face and sent his rival running to him behind his back.

Or maybe it had to do nothing with Misty and Ash. Maybe it was all about May like he suspected. There was no way the Tower King did not know about him and May. They were rivals, they had a bond and there was no way anyone could mistake it for anything else.

May was his. Sort of. More like his student, most of the times. His firefly helping bring hope of a brighter day in the contest world.

Drew stopped outside his room staring blankly at the door. Just what could May mean to him? Sure he worried about her and her feelings. He liked to push her to her limits. Seeing her smile made him feel content, especially when he was the one responsible for the smile.

But he knew he did not ever want to lose her again. Sinnoh had been so hard. Not knowing where she was, praying that he would see her clumsy self, stumbling out from somewhere. He wanted to keep her at his side where she would never escape again.

But where did that put her? Before he thought, they were on the road of becoming best friends. Even though as Drew, he did not have close friends far less best friends. Drew opened the door and entered the room feeling less arrogant and more dazed.

Seeing May here, he just wanted to get a little closer to her. So she could not run again. He wanted to learn her so he could always know her thoughts and stop her outrageous plans. But not this time. Now meeting Brendan, Drew hated to admit it but another guy had his plan.

Another guy he could not simply brush away. He was a Tower King, a researcher and a past travel companion. Brendan had just waltzed in and pushed Drew down the rating board without even trying. And the bastard knew it too, Drew just knew it.

Dropping his body on his bed, Drew stared up at the pale ceiling. A Tower King would need a Queen. He just knew that. This guy would not hesitate to go all out on the princes and knights surrounding the queen.

Drew knew it because it was what he would do. Normally he was the King, now he was delegated to the lowly prince. The prince with his soft roses while the King came with his castle and a ticket to see the world.

Drew sighed heavily. Watching the battle had made emotions in his rise. Ones he really did not need anyone else seeing. When he had spoken to Misty to stop her, he was really feeling what he said. If it was him, he would have wanted to be the one to protect.

To be stopped would have made him feel weak and worthless. Drew slumped. Not if it was him. It was him. When the battle between himself and Brendan came, he wanted no interferences. For May to stop him would kill him. He wanted nothing more than the chance to prove the Tower King weak.

To show that guy that he was the one May looked up to and needed. Closing his eyes Drew yawned. He would stay away from the others until he could be the proper Drew in front of them. Paul might be mad at him but the teen had to understand.

Dawn was nothing to him. The girl hated his guts on a level unimagined. She was excessively rash and it was a stupid move to approach him thinking to remain unscathed He wanted to be alone. If she had approached him alone then maybe it would have gone different, but she dragged May along.

He really did not want to have to see or talk to May for a good few days.

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May remained frozen long after Drew had left. Paul grimaced when Dawn shook off his grip and went to her side cautiously.

Paul was irritated at Drew for talking to Dawn in such a dismissive manner. Yes, Blue was out of line. But to cut her off so hard. It had made Dawn freeze and her face pale. For a few seconds she had appeared afraid.

Paul knew that the contest Drew was harsh, and even why the contest Drew was glooming the place up. Still he hated the way it made him have to choose his loyalties. Contest Drew could be harsher than that so he had to be, grateful.

Dawn understood that Drew had his touch of mean that only needed a target. Now if she had just pushed the others away then the whole thing could have been avoided.

“May, can you move?” Dawn said hesitating on whether or not to touch the girl. May’s eyes were wide open as small shudders racked her frame.

“He.....hates me...hates me.” She whispered causing Paul to roll his eyes. Now he was going to be caught up in the drama. They all complained about Ash being clueless but to tell the truth, they were the ones without a clue.

“He needs time alone.” Paul said causing the girls to turn to him. “Only reason why he is acting that way is because you were in the way when he wanted away.” Paul paused, he was supposed to stay out of it but he really did not want to owe Drew a favour so....

“If that was me in such a mood, and you two came up like that. I wouldn’t have been so nice and considerate. I know I would have moved you out the way too.”

Dawn gasped at him and Paul grinned. Had Blue really thought he had become the nice guy? This was him, Paul and nothing would change except how he treated his Pokémon. He never said he was on this trip to improve human relationships.

“But there was no need for that menace.” Iris put in causing Paul to flinch. The girl and stuff shirt had crept up on them with no warning at all.

“The guy needed to think.” Paul repeated feeling irritable. These people were beyond slow.

“So there was a need for that? He was like this huge monster ready to attack anything!” Iris claimed looking angry. Paul just felt his eyebrow twitch.

This was the same girl ready to kill over a harmless bet. A girl that was snarling and ready to roast both him and Cilan with no regrets and plenty of pleasure. Just where did she get off?

“Um, Iris, it is maybe not a good idea for you to say that.” Stuff shirt spoke up making Paul grunt in agreement.

“Eh? Why not?” Iris said hands on hips. Cilan looked down at her before flicking his gaze away nervously.

“A few minutes ago you were ready to send me and Paul to the afterlife. Compare to you. Drew was pale in comparison. Even Axew left.” The boy pointed out.

Iris paled and ran her hand through her hair in shock. “Where did he go?” She shrieked before dashing off.

“Towards the snack machine!” Cilan laughed running after her.

“I’m going out for a bit.” May mumbled pulling away from Dawn. Sighing in relief Paul felt a smile begin as finally it was just he and Dawn.

Nervously Dawn glanced at their surroundings, slowly more and more people were trickling in. Not a problem, seizing Dawn’s wrist Paul began to tug her to the storage room. Not a soul went in there.

The door slammed shut behind them and he could sense Dawn’s unease. The moment he loosed his grip the girl was backing away and looking everywhere but him.

Paul took a deep breath; he really just wanted to get this over with. It was getting late and he was hungry. “Blue, we have to talk. Like really talk.”

Dawn finally met his eyes. “About what?” Paul squinted at her as he fought the need to jump across and strangle her where she stood.

“About this. Us, having time alone. Doing whatever we are supposed to do when we are alone.” Paul gritted out. This was so painful.

Dawn blushed. “You mean...”She squeaked trailing off.

Paul stared at her in horror; maybe the contests had emptied her head after all. “I mean getting to know each other better, hanging out. Not doing something that would put me before Officer Jenny and your parents.” He paused to take a calming breath. “Just where is your head?”

“Just I was thinking how lucky Misty is right now.” Dawn sighed as she looked away trailing her hand over a shelf.

“Not very lucky if you ask me.” Paul grunted stopping her hand. “I’m aware of my feelings, I’m acting on them. All Ash is doing is feeling his way in this unfamiliar territory. He isn’t doing a good job either. If you think that battle is something to be impressed over, don’t”

Dawn watched her hand in his before flicking her gaze to his. “You don’t like what he did for her?”

“It was necessary because the guy is obviously delusional. He has no pride, no sense. He is less than a man. I would never do what Georgio did.”

“I thought it was romantic! Are you scared or something?” Dawn snapped trying to tug away. Paul rolled his eyes before dragging Dawn closer so he was speaking directly in her ear.

“Chasing after a girl that will never want me is not me. Far less to chase after a girl who can’t understand that is not my thing. He tries so hard, not seeing he is only causing her pain. Where is the romance Dawn? Him running after her? It only makes her more miserable. What? Did you think because she was so embarrassed in the beginning that something was going to happen?”

Pausing, Paul took the opportunity to seize a lock of her hair and rub it against her cheek. “I like how innocent you think. But the thing is, Misty hates this whole thing. He is not her type. Ash is what she wants, the more Georgio pushes himself at her the shakier the relationship between Misty and Ash will get. Not that I care.”

“You are wrong, it will get stronger.” Dawn whispered into his chest. Paul snorted.

“If it was me, I’d get rid of him. Or dump the girl, but Misty makes it clear she doesn’t want him, so Ash will put up with it. She is lucky he doesn’t understand girls or relationships properly yet. Now, Dawn.” Paul said gripping her tighter. Her intake of breath sounded shaky and he wanted to smile, however.

“Did you or May tell Brendan to pass along information?” He asked. The stiffness of her body told him everything. Georgio’s visit had been deliberate.

“It’s not like that. Brendan and Georgio are friends!” Dawn said trying to push back to look into Paul’s face. Paul tightened his grip, she was wary of his enough already. She really did not need to see the scary look on his face.

“So what? You two told Brendan for Misty’s sake you should pass along where you guys were going?”

“No Paul!” Dawn struggled harder against him but it was no use. The interrogation would go on. “I swear! Brendan told May that Georgio had come here and was doing his own thing! All we did was tell Brendan to tell Georgio he could tell us hi!”

“What were you thinking? You could have told him to call you on your PokeGear if you wanted to hear a freak like that!”

“He isn’t a freak! Just a quiet guy who is going after what he wants. He wants her to be happy!”

“Then he should stay away from her!”

“Misty wants romance!” Dawn cried out finally twisting away from Paul. Paul quickly adjusted his face wiping all traces of rage to allow his blank expression to cover it.

“Not from HIM! You just don’t want to admit you made a mistake little Blue.” Paul said making a move again for her as she backed away to the door.

“She needed a guy to show her what she is missing.” Dawn whispered as she wrenched the door open.

“A guy like that Misty won’t want to take her hand far less take her out and kiss her!” Paul yelled ready to pull out his hair in frustration. He slammed his fist against a shelf only to hear Dawn fleeing. As it was, he needed more answers. He got the how. Now he needed to understand an airhead’s mind.

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Paul sat looking at the videophone screen. There was still time to turn back. Still time to pretend he was not going to call this person. It was early morning there. The person would be happy to see him. Happy to hear about Dawn. Still, the person irritated his nerves like no other.

“Paul!” Reggie looked sleepy as his face appeared on the screen. Still his face was surprised. Whether at the time or the person Paul did not know.

“I wanted to talk.” Paul said. No sense in beating around the bush.

“I’m....Surprised Paul. You don’t usually ask for help. Or ever.” Reggie said glancing over his shoulder. Paul narrowed his eyes. Something was wrong.

Then again, what was the sense asking Reggie of all people about girls and their thoughts? Reggie was like Ash, except Reggie was smarter. Still he had no time for girls.

“Forget it.” Paul said. He was going to continue when he saw the most disturbing shocking sight appear behind his brother. A Lucario walked past the screen. One that he knew. And Paul knew he was not imagining things.

“What is the gym leader’s Pokémon doing at the house.” Paul said fighting to keep his face blank and his tone from revealing his horror. Reggie’s grin accompanied by the blush told him he was right to be horrified.

There would certainly be no more early morning calls home that was for sure.

“Well you see Paul.” Reggie said his grin growing wide.

“Don’t bother explaining.” Paul said failing to keep the curtness from his voice. “You can help me after all. Just not for that.”

For once, Paul was able to witness confusion and fear appear on his brother’s face. It was worth it. Paul let his grin free. Reggie was confused and afraid; this was going to be good.