A/N: I…uhh…apologize? I've been so busy…I'm lying. D: I was focused on my Star Ocean fic, I neglected all my other fics. If you think this is late, look at my profile. My Kingdom hearts fic hasn't been updated since…April! My other Pokémon fic was posted on February. Late much? ^w^; But I was just giving my pet iguana food that I got a tad slight ambition to update~ Enjoy~!
Summary: Suddenly attacked by the enemy ship, Dawn watches as her greatest fear unfolds. With a chance safety, she is forcefully shoved into the escape pod. Now it's up to her to find the scattered pieces of the Adamant Orb in Sinnoh with a little help, that is. IKARISHIPPING/AU.
Extra note: Thoughts will be written in italics. SC means Special Chapter. Heh, I'm trying to get Paul in character as much as possible. Am I doing it right?
Disclaimer: Here we go again. Sigh. Do not own. Happy now?
Playlist/Song of choice: Like I do before in other previous fics, I'll repeat myself like a broken record. I have two in store for each chapter, one 'instrumenta/classical', one that is 'normal'. Go ahead; you're free to choose which one~ Just in case you have different preferences! Artist/band first, song next. And let not me forget to mention this, I usually listen to these songs while I'm typing, it sometimes doesn't match the chapter. Got it?
~.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.~
D.J. Amuro - AA
Naoki - Will
~.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.~

Please refer back to the Prologue for any additional information.

『„ø¤º°°º¤ø„¸¸„P a r a l l e l
O p p o s i t e„¸¸„ø¤º°°º¤ø„』

Chapter 4: Trying & Haunted

This is utterly the most embarrassing moment of her life; the chills from Paul's icy glare didn't provide much support to her discomfort. Instead of battling like intended a short moment ago, the two aces trainers backed away as much as possible with their pokémon as they watched with their very own eyes Torterra and Empoleon—mostly Empoleon—attacking one another with all their strength. The large turtle did not give much an effort to attack the furious emperor penguin, at every attempt Torterra calmly used protect or deflected Empoleon's attack with razor leaf. Dawn constantly tried to call back her partner, but the beam of red shot from her poké ball was easily evaded to hold out the fight a little longer. Her blue eyes subtly pleaded Paul to call back Torterra, but he seemed partially amused that Empoleon is close to its limit. After all, Torterra could effortlessly use synthesis on itself.

And yet at the same time Paul grew rapidly annoyed to waste so much time on a single quarrel. He shook his head in agitation and fetched his pokémon's ball, Paul's purple eyes were fixed on Empoleon. He then took a stance, ready to call back the large turtle-like beast until his eyes widened for the emperor penguin rose from the ground—since it landed there a while trying to conquer over the razor leaf Torterra shot at it—when a large amount of power formed in its mouth. Dawn had her mouth quivering for Empoleon to stop, and by the expression of her plum haired companion the move didn't look so much like a friendly one.

"Use frenzy plant, now!"

Dawn heavily gulped. She heard about special moves, but frenzy plant was truly a difficult and superior move. To think Paul could be so cruel to his pokémon but trained them to this extent. Her sapphire eyes adverted back to Empoleon, squinting, analyzing what move her pokémon could be using. In the end somehow neither of them won and came to realize later that her Empoleon - the same small penguin that grew so much has just learned hydro cannon all by itself without further guidance.

Now if the stress of the aftermath was not enough, the shortcut to get to Eterna city much more quickly backfired. Paul somehow acquired a bike out of the blue and yet here she was… bike-less. And without a bicycle for herself she cannot pass anyway without the counter ladies blocking the exit to non-bike owners. The Celestian teen fiddled her fingers together, fidgeting at the very least to ask her frustrated companion for further help.

"Get on." Paul said suddenly, his words lashing to Dawn as she gulped down the lump in her throat.

And so they wouldn't waste any more valuable time—as if they already haven't—Dawn stuttered a word of thanks before adjusting herself on the device. She promptly adjusted her feet on the crankset, Dawn hesitated to plop her hands on the other teen's shoulder, although the audible sound of teeth gritting made her think otherwise. The counter people let them go through the passage as they finally fix their ways to arrive even closer to Eterna city. The Celestian sighed in relief. This route is a better—still a hassle in its own way—to get the city and with a bonus point to avoid going through the murky forest.

Her eyes wanders to the side, from above she could see passing shrubs, berry trees, and various pokémon willing to engage in battle. Some were very small critters and it only made her think of her precious little Riolu. Her expression delved austere, clearly visualizing every memory with her two partners on the passing clouds…when the times were pretty decent before this entire trouble brew because a shattered orb and an invasion… And speaking of a shattered orb Dawn vaguely remembered Riley in a conference with other higher-ranked angels. It was awful enough to remember Riley than the consequences of eavesdrop, but he also grew a temper those several days after finding out the Lustrous Orb is in the Demon Emperor's clutches.

All of Celestian groups were held responsible for Adamant Orb ever since. Dawn was not aware all her thoughts caused Paul to twitch; her nails were digging in his shoulder blades. She kept prying more out of the topic, how in the world did the Adamant Orb shatter in the first place? How was it drawn out? Straying from the subject, was it alright for Roark to see her communicator? And why does that strange redhead just butt in on said communicator. More or so on the notion Dawn grew probing - looks like Volkner will be getting another call. Unless he ends it halfway like the night before. Dawn's eye twitched.

How dare he cut her off so suddenly?

"Could you stop!?" barked Paul, his voice successfully penetrated through Dawn's contemplation for her cheeks to darken in various shades of red.

"S-sorry."

"If you're sorry, don't do it." He hissed further, gripping the handle bars tightly throughout his aggravation.

"Al-alright…" she squeaked, clamping her eyes shut from fear and embarrassment. So far these last few days were nothing but horrible. A little support could do her wonders, a pat in the back for reassurance that everything will be alright. That, of course, won't happen with Empoleon in dire need to go to a Pokémon Center—no less Torterra—or Probopass - they wouldn't be allowed under any condition unless asking one of these cyclists for a battle. Now if she had her little blue creature it would just plop itself on her head and nuzzle her for comfort.

Now that Riolu is gone, even that cannot happen.

---

To get along with another needs trust, to be able to get along or find each other in a perfect—if not almost—equilibrium in a way to rely on one another. That is always what Dawn figured, but once they entered Eterna city the blunette and Paul still were not in the best of terms - hell, they never were to begin with. The plum haired rubbed his shoulders since the other teen plunged her nails deep within the skin, but not to the extent of bleeding. Nevertheless his Torterra is injured after the incident with Empoleon as it was a full-powered hydro cannon versus a devastating frenzy plant. Not only that, her Riolu almost tried to attack said injured teen yesterday night. And the time before that Dawn left Empoleon in Paul's care without his consent when battling Roark. He has every right to stay quieter than usual.

'I have to try!' Dawn thought, pumping a fist whilst following the male. 'We have to get along!'

"—she won't come back until later. Gardenia must still be looking at the Old Chateau."

"Oh well, she's just looking at it, right? I don't think she wants to be inside that freaky place. Didn't you hear that—"

Dawn eyed travelers chattering, so Gardenia was out? The blue haired quickly gasped, she had to challenge the Eterna city's gym leader before anyone can beat her to it or else she could say goodbye to a fragment of the Adamant Orb.

That is to say if she can actually beat Gardenia, clearly Dawn is at a disadvantage in one point: Probopass should not be used for this battle and Empoleon—as strong as it may be—can only handle so much even with all its powerful moves, no less since it doesn't know any ice attacks. Riolu is gone which leaves her on a single pokémon to fight against three—also from what she has heard—so what is she to do? Her sapphire eyes steadily made its way to the male; he stopped abruptly to look at the monument of a legendary pokémon. The keeper of time itself and the real keeper of the Adamant Orb: Dialga. The blue haired looked around to see if there is a monument of Palkia around…apparently not.

Dawn shook her head; this was not the time to dawdle in something so insignificant.

"Paul…? About the battle--"

"--you have no chance. Those weaklings of yours won't do much; you might as well sit it out and forget it." He began with this cocky smirk, "No matter how much you're going to try, it will al be useless."

The Celestian teen bit her bottom lip, her fist clenching tightly as her knuckles grew white, "Don't call my pokémon weak! Empoleon always tries its best, but when you called back Torterra, you only degraded it! You shouldn't treat your friends like that!"

The other teen only grunted, facing away from Dawn to examine the faded letters on the monument. For a moment he remained in silence, his chilling purple eyes were directed on Dawn's sapphire hues in a very hostile glare, "That's the same kind of dim-witted idea that will get you nowhere. They aren't meant to be friends."

"That's not true!"

Paul merely walked away, but Dawn followed his trail in a fume. Her hands relaxed, the imagery of the oceanic waves or baby pokémon calmed her in a way. Before Paul entered the Pokémon Center, the blunette boldly caught his sleeve. Despite her legs trembling through his intense glower and the scrunched-up expression of disgust being touched, Dawn continued, "I'm your friend." Or at least I'm trying to be.

He shook her grip on his navy blue sweater, dusting off the imaginary dirt with a scowl, "But I don't want to be yours." His other subtle message passed by: 'Never touch me again' got her gulping.

---

After being ordered to stay in the room while Paul went by to do several errands—stocking supplies to be exact—the time lagged on for a certain trainer. She buried her face on the pillow, bored as anyone could be just cooped up inside a room without anything to entertain oneself. Volkner never answered his communicator no matter how many times she tried to get on line with him - it was probably her umpteenth time until she gave up. Her Empoleon is getting healed and Probopass is sleeping next to her bedside. The girl sprang up, reaching out for a magazine sacked in a rack on the oak desk. Flipping through some pages she came across the Old Chateau with the hidden secret for old gateau considering being a great treasure. Dawn threw the publication on her bed, gently voicing out Probopass to wake up. Its azure eyes gradually opened, sleepily gazing at its trainer.

"C'mon, we're going on a little trip!"

Her excitement woke the pokémon completely from its nap, her arms wrapped around the red hat-like rock structure; her feet had a good position on some rigid stone pieces for her to calmly ride on while her shiny Probopass led the way as it stayed afloat - levitating? It would be fine if her shiny rock creature was a normal because it drew unnecessary stares from the town dwellers, the light seem to be hitting Probopass for it to glimmer. She made her way out of Eterna, coming closer to the Old Chateau with a perky smile. No was around for a tour or such that meant she is lucky enough to make her own gateau without anyone pushing and shoving for the lack of ingredients.

As Dawn came closer to the entrance, she jumped off her pokémon and opened the front gates. Unaware that someone sent her a deep glare.

Who?

"Does she ever stay still?" wearily said Paul, picking out the last of the berries to follow the pair inside despite them already entering.

And most likely to get lost.

---

The atmosphere felt light and dark all at once, statues that held in representation felt like they gave cold shivering glowers. Her enthusiasm manages to be kept alive only for the kitchen, but over everything else it felt horrible to be in here. Dawn was never fond of dark places; it absolutely frightened her to be in shadowy areas. She would never even dare to step foot in something as creepy as this Chateau unless accompanied by someone - most preferably Riley when she tagged along in his missions. Her mood gloomed painfully; will there be a moment she loses another?

The pair followed the corridor leading through three separate rooms; the blunette kept following the line to the very left door to begin. Opening the rusty knob, Dawn poked her head. Her smile came back at rapid speed as she turned on the lights, all around where kitchen appliance—and the appearance they gave that it was still usable—with ingredients set on the counters. Probopass gladly assisted to hold the tray on its head structure because Dawn speedily finishes batches of the gateau to keep using up the trays.

The shiny pokémon made its way with the first tray, but it opened on its own. It got Probopass a slight fear, however the tray slid off its head, down the nose and into the oven. With the first set in place, it used its nose to lift up the cover a sealing it. Turning around to gather another batch of the gateau, a spark of flame hit its side. Probopass flinched from the heat, its azure eyes looking back with a sudden realization the oven grew into a completely different color and with a face. A grinning smile with a set of eyes, pumpkin-orange in all. The strange machine struck more fires on the innocent rock creature, grinning even more deviously as Probopass flees away from the scene.

"You got it done? Good, here's another tray."

Probopass violently shook, "P-Probo!"

The hinges on the shiny pokémon's pointed towards the oven, it blinked twice to find out it was…a regular oven. Dawn giggled, patting the hat-rock in amusement, "It'll be done in a jiffy, Probopass. I'll set the heat later." She lifted up the whisk, frowning slightly until she placed it on pokémon's red hat, "The gateau needs more texture. What could be in the fridge…?"

The Celestian hummed opening the handle to the refrigerator, busily looking through the items, and some clattering from things accidentally dropped. A jar of open jam tumbled over the cabinet, the reddish-berry sugary gel staining her snow-white scarf. Dawn irises were glued to the scarf for a matter of a few seconds, Probopass watching idly for any sign of reaction or motion to its trainer.

"Shoot! They have to have something to clean this with!"

And she dashed right out of the room, her only pokémon trying its best to keep up at her pace. To her relief she found a washing machine, and then she dumped it inside filled with the supplied soap, bleach, and vise versa in a stored closet. Dawn took a sharp breath then exhaled; at least her scarf could stay white like intended.

Probopass entered the room exhausted, the blue haired clapped her hands to figure now was the time to get back to cooking. Taking one step forward, a snickering and a click echoed the silent room. Fearfully she turned around, her teeth chattering and blue orbs as wide as saucers at the orange machine with a pair of eyes and devious smirk. It held out one extension, blasting the blunette with powerful water.

"G-g-gh-gh-ost!" she stuttered, ergo by the shrill shriek she gave running out of the door and accidentally inside the kitchen again. Her direction came to by the oven—surprisingly it was a self-monitored heat system—and quickly snatched the gateau, wrapping it around napkins that sat on the side—and stuffed it inside her pocket. Of course the strange creature controlled the oven and tried blasting her with fire, then to the fridge where it attempted to discharge ice abilities on the on-range Probopass.

The pair desperately scrambled in the main hallway, taking the unknown door and ending up in the garden outside. The two sets of blue eyes twitched to a single mechanical machine outside: the mow. From a normal instrument to a deadly color of orange, the eyes coming back with its signature signal.

"Probopass, to the main exit then!"

"And I'm following!"

Blue eyes came across the stumbling and tripping gym leader whilst holding a small Turtwig in her arms. Her bi-colored hair stuck to her face from the sweat, her bangs messier than the general appearance shown in the magazines or pamphlets. Then again, she could be stuck in the same situation—with a different scenario—trying to escape this strange ghost.

"Let's go! Rotom will not stop at anything to have fun without considering the dangers."

Dawn followed the woman, coming back to the corridors to be thrown off guard by a strong gust of wind. Her vision could only see an orange fan. When did that get there?!

The wispy winds stopped momentarily, all remained quiet except the collapse of Probopass being hit by water. Dawn called it back in its ball, scared to know she is all alone and seems to be with a completely scared gym leader. Rotom controlled the fan again, increasing the power of the winds. Her eyes clamped shut, her fingers tightening the hem of her red coat.

---

A wetness on her forehead.

The warmth of blankets.

The sweet scent of tea and honey.

The comfort of plushness supporting her body.

Blue irises caught the glimpse of a beautiful night, the stars twinkling in bright radiance, most blocked by the window's curtains swaying back and forth with the wind. She slouched a tad bit, letting her arm support the faint feeling of dizziness stirring her head. Her vision is all but steady until she finally regained full consciousness of her surroundings, her eyes catching the moving blue blur clattering a tray of peculiar items. The blur turned around, silly her, it was just her Empoleon. But the penguin was quite relieved to see its trainer awake from sleeping to the very morning at this late at night.

On its flipper held a single cup on a tray: tea so it seems as she smelled before.

"Thanks. Who made this?" Her slender fingers held the handle, her other hand supporting the base of the porcelain cup. Little by little Dawn took tiny sips, bearing in mind how hot the liquid is.

"'Poleon."

It was a surprise that the emperor penguin pointed its flipper towards itself.

"You? Err," Dawn looked around the room, "Where's Paul? I remembered that he helped me."

Empoleon looked the other way. It cannot speak human, but from its expression Dawn understood as much. It became clearer that the penguin made a reenactment of what happened:

Empoleon held a plush doll of a Lopunny in its flippers—a substitute for Riolu, she assumed—dumped the plush doll in the bed and left out of the door momentarily. Then finally it returned back inside.

"So, let me get this straight…" Her fingers ran through her messy blue locks, "He did…save…me from the mansion. Dumped me on this bed and just left?"

Empoleon nodded.

"You were the one helping me all along while I was unconscious. I see." Weakly she got out of her bed, the penguin slightly panicky that she got up from the comforter so quickly, but more shaken when her thin arms wrapped around its blue body.

"That's right. Why would he do more? Not like I'm any better than anyone he sees. We're…he doesn't he see me as a friend." Dawn held on a bit tighter, "He doesn't want to be friends. You, Probopass, and even Riolu are all I have now…"

Empoleon awkwardly held its flippers in an attempt to hug her. It hesitated and never did, the large flippers only returned to its side. It wouldn't even try to explain that it was Paul who did three considerate things:

One - He saved her.

Two - He took the time to get her scarf - probably still with him.

And finally he had the decency to look over Probopass for several hours as it recovered, despite muttering how weak or useless - something along those lines.

Then again, Empoleon thought, why make him look good for driving Riolu away?

Dawn felt horrible to be saved, it's time to walk on her two legs. Even if she might no be capable of defeating Gardenia on her own, maybe there is still a chance. The blunette rationed her thoughts, she would forget about asking the plum haired teen for his pokémon again. There was a feeling of strong confidence that Dawn felt ascertain to.

She will win.

¤º°°º¤¤º°°º¤¤º°°º¤¤º°°º¤

A/N: Uh. Wow. I looked on my story stats. Like dude…660+ hits! Thank you ever so much! Who knew I could get so much in just four flimsy chapters? xD

Featuring in the next chapter ~ Dawn will go forth on her own power to fight Gardenia. Can she win? Can she get the Orb's piece? Dum dum duuuuuummm~! If you haven't notice, I got too lazy to revise. :D Review?