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A small fire crackled to life in a forest clearing, fed by a gathered
bundle of sticks of varying thickness.

Finally. This had been after a full minute of effort.

One of these days, Zoey thought to herself, she'd have to catch a fire-type
Pokemon. At the very least, it'd save herself on matches.

After starting the fire, she rolled out her sleeping bag in her tent, then
set food otuside, and pressed the large buttons on each of her Pokeballs to
give her Pokemon a much-needed chance to stretch out.

"Soup's on, guys," she said. "Try to eat it at a decent-"

In a flash, her Glameow, Shellos and Misdreavus were out and about, making
beelines for the spread.

"-pace. Yeah."

Zoey chuckled to herself. They never listened.

After a bit of chowing down from all three, Glameow walked over to Zoey,
and curled up in her lap. Instead of sleeping as it usually did after a
nice filling meal, it simply looked up at its trainer inquisitively.

"Hmm?" said trainer asked. "What's up?"

Glameow simply continued to stare, unblinking, and Zoey wondered if maybe
it was trying to tell her something.

"Awww, come on, Glameow. Don't give me that look. At least not without
letting me know why..."

Glameow looked around itself, then back at Zoey, and finally offered a
"meow" in response.

Now Zoey knew. Darn her Glameow sometimes--it always had been good at
speaking volumes using only body language. Right now, it was asking the
same question that Zoey had been asking herself for a good number of hours,
and was no closer to answering.

"And don't give me that lip, either," the coordinator said, stroking the
feline Pokemon's fur, and sighing. "You think I should have taken her up on
her offer too, huh?"

Glameow said nothing this time, instead, it left Zoey's lap, and curled up
on the grass by itself, closer to the fire, and away from the rest of those
gathered.

It didn't normally do that.

Finicky as it was, Glameow was normally quite sociable. But right now, it
looked as if it was purposefully trying to be alone, for no good reason
whatsoever.

"Okay, Glameow," Zoey said with a huff, "/now/ you're just rubbing it in."

Pokemon (Diamond and Pearl): "One Step Ahead"
Characters copyright Nintendo/The Pokemon Company/Game Freak.
Story copyright Racewing.
Created: June 2008.

Though both have been around for many years, compared to Pokemon battling,
Pokemon coordination is newer, yet just as organized and widespread.

Anyone can run the Gym Leader gauntlet in any region of any participating
country in the world, competing for badges and taking part in sanctioned
competitions where the sole goal is to make sure that once two Pokemon
enter, only one leaves under its own power. In fact, the majority of
Pokemon trainers start out with this endeavor in mind.

Those who answer the call of the coordinator, however, walk a path just as
noble, if not more so. Coordination requires a different mindset. It
requires that the owner not simply be in sync with their Pokemon, but be
completely slave to their Pokemon's whims, quirks, and limitations. It must
know them inside and out, as living creatures, and not just as abilities.
While making friends with a Pokemon and acknowledging its feelings is an
optional aside for a Pokemon battler which may actually help to up their
game... for a coordinator, it's all prerequisite.

Anyone can have their Pokemon launch a Thundershock attack--it takes even
more skill, willpower and finesse to make such an ordinarily brutally
offensive move pleasing to the eye. Pokemon battling can often get ugly.
The coordinator's purpose is to maintain the original majesty of the sport.
The myriad Contests held around the world, designed to showcase the
simultaneous strength and beauty of Pokemon potential, serve to uphold this
ideal.

Right now, a match is taking place between two people: one who is still
grasping the true meaning of Coordination, and the other who--at least as
far as she's concerned--understands it, all too well.

To a fault, in fact.

To put Pokemon before oneself is one thing; to put Pokemon before the rest
of the world is quite another... and quite dangerous.

Neither of them are aware of each others' circumstances--because neither of
them are fully aware of their own.


"Go, Misdreavus!"

"Let's do it, Aipom!"

Shortly after trading her Buziel for Ash's Aipom, Dawn's inagural match
with Aipom as an official Coordinator's Pokemon had been interrupted by
Team Rocket.

The bandits had been dealt with in the usual fashion, and were now no longer a
problem.

Thus, neither was Zoey and Dawn finishing what they'd started.

"Go for a Double Team!" Zoey said, and with a haunting chant, Misdreavus
split itself into multiple copies--at least, to the naked eye. Aipom looked
around itself, somewhat intimidated.

"No need to worry, Aipom! Focus Punch through them all!"

"Aiiiiii-pom!" it said, bouncing into a powerful punch with its tail. It
barreled through the clones, knocking them out of existence one by one.

"All right, Aipom!" said an ecstatic Dawn. "You're doing it!"

"You haven't won yet! Misdreavus! Confuse Ray!" Zoey said, and just as
Aipom began its movement towards the real Misdreavus, its flight path went
erratic.

"Aipom!" Dawn gasped, just before the confused primate Pokemon crashed face
first into a tree trunk, and comically slid down its length. Dawn ran over
to it. "Aipom! Are you okay?"

"Ai...pom..." It sat up, looking a bit dazed, but otherwise uninjured.

"Oh, thank goodness," Dawn said. "Come on, we need to get back in there! We
can still win this!"

"Actually," Zoey said. "Were this a real contest battle, it'd be over right
now. Humiliating crashes like that cost mega-points."

Dawn's face fell. "Oh. Oops..."

Zoey was quick to cut back into Dawn's thoughts. "But this isn't one of
those times, so get back in the game! You can't get distracted from your
goal every time you lose. Otherwise, your Pokemon will too!"

"Oh, right..." Dawn straightened herself. "...right! I won't give up!"

"Great!" Zoey said, just as Aipom jumped back up. "See? Aipom's shrugged it
off, too! Ready to go again?"

Dawn clenched a fist. "You bet!" she said determinedly.

"All right," Zoey said, calling back Misdreavus, and pulling out another
ball. "Shellos! Curtain!"

"Aipom! Back in the spotlight!"


Some time later...

"Whew! Now that was one heck of a match!" Dawn fell backward, sitting on
the grass. "/This/ is why I call you a high-level coordinator, Zoey. I feel
like I've gone through just as much of a workout as my Pokemon!"

"Hey, back at you," Zoey said, wiping her own brow. "Speaking of your
Pokemon, though..." She then walked over to and picked up Dawn's
Aipom, whose toothy smile returned upon looking at the coordinator.

"You," Zoey said to the Aipom, "are going to kick so much butt when you
finally get in the ring. You know why?"

"Aipom?" it said in response.

"Because you've got a trainer behind you who'll do whatever it takes to
bring out your best. No disrespect to Ash at all, but that trade was a
better idea than I expected," she said, giving the pseudo-primate a
squeeze.

As she did so, she glanced out the corner of her eye, and was treated to
the sight of Dawn, back on two feet, yet staring and kicking at the ground,
with a reddish hue spreading across her cheeks.

"I, uh, appreciate the vote of confidence," said Aipom's trainer, in a
muted voice.

"Hey, I was just saying stuff I already knew." She peered closer at Dawn,
who was clearly trying to look upbeat, but... oh, she'd seen that
troubled look before; usually after a contest. Surely she couldn't...

"Oh, come on," Zoey said. "You mean to tell me that you're still worried
after Hearthome? I thought we talked about that."

"What? No, no!" said Dawn, shaking her head and arms wildly. "Well, not
anymore. Everyone loses sometimes. I know that now. But even beyond that,
I... um... it's complicated?"

Zoey's first impulse was simply to set Dawn straight, as she'd done before,
on a number of records, the least of which being that if she was going to
make it anywhere as a coordinator, she needed to stop being so unstable,
darn it all.

Yet something in Zoey's heart told her to humor Dawn, just this once. She
wasn't sure what it was, but it seemed like this went just a small bit
beyond being bummed over a simple contest loss. If it was, and Zoey ignored
it, she would never forgive herself down the line.

In decision, Zoey put her hand on Dawn's shoulder. Her smile was that of
pure self-confidence--something Dawn had seen little of in either of them
lately.

"Complicated, huh? Maybe I should be the judge of that."

Dawn smiled back.


"Huh. Wow, no kidding. He broke down and everything?"

"Uh huh. It was weird. And that's what led to their fighting us a few hours
ago." Dawn shrugged. "I guess James wanted a replacement."

They'd been walking for fifteen minutes, across the grassy meadow, while
Dawn took the time to tell Zoey about James, his Cacnea, and the massive
amount of drama that had ensued as both Dawn's party and Team Rocket had
tried--and failed--to get it to master the Drain Punch attack. Eventually,
James had given up completely, lending Cacnea to a regional gym leader, who
just so happened to be a well-known mistress of grass-type Pokemon to boot.

"Well, at least he found that Cacnea a good home," Zoey said. "Though, you
know, I've run into Gardenia more than once, and I swear, she's got a
greenery /fetish/. At least she can't hug a cactus at all hours of the day
like she does her other Pokemon."

Dawn remained conspicuously silent at this.

"...wait," Zoey said, with mild apprehension. "/Can/ she?"

"Um..." Dawn said sheepishly.

"But--but Cacneas have, like, spikes and stuff, don't--oh, never mind. I
don't think I wanna know."

"You don't."

"Seriously, though," said Zoey as the two of them found a spot to sit.
"I've seen those two Team Rocket trainers in 'action'--if one can call it
that. Not only that, but from what I'd heard of them before, they've been a
losing team for /years/. So what about them would make you afraid to-"

A second later, it hit her--and she gasped. She now officially wasn't sure
whether or not to feel emphatic, or insulted.

"Wait," Zoey said, her voice rising a bit with incredulity. "You mean to
tell me that-"

And Dawn, now hugging her knees, shifted into her soft voice again. It was
a voice Zoey was getting to know well, and wished she hadn't. "I... I know
it's silly, but... the possibility's always there, right?"

"What the...!" Zoey sighed. "You do use Piplup to fix your bed-head every
morning, don't you?

Dawn gasped, pulling down her hat in mild embarrassment. "Oh, no! Did the
guys tell you that?"

Zoey pulled Dawn's hat clear off in reply. "Even if they hadn't, I could
tell. Because all those Bubble Beams are finally starting to mess with your
brain/. Look, you are /not going to end up like that guy! Ever! Okay?"

"But... how can you be so sure? How can anyone?"

Because I won't /let you/, Zoey almost said. Instead, she bit her lip,
and worked around it.

It was a decision that gave her more than she bargained for--an unexpected
opportunity to speak her mind, and her heart, all at once, and to worry
about the consequences later--assuming she did at all.

"Because you're not the type. I've seen enough of you in action, and I've
seen you get better. I've seen you pick up on things in the blink of an
eye, and I've seen you battle me to a standstill with a Pokemon you just
got a few hours ago. You're smart, you're capable, you have a sense of
style, I know you and your Pokemon have a strong bond, and I can't believe
I even have to say any of this!"

...now if only she had planned for all of that to come out.

So here was the record-setting, after all.

Dawn, for her part, certainly looked taken enough aback from the outburst.
Sure enough, "Zoey, I..." was all the younger trainer seemed to be able to
say in reply.

With that in mind, Zoey decided that she may as well go for broke, yet tone
things down at the same time.

"Honestly." With a soft groan, she put her hand to her forehead. "And this
is the girl who promised she was going to beat me?" A mischievous smile
crept across Zoey's lips, and she made sure to let Dawn see it. "You sure
won't catch up to me with this kind of attitude."

A slow smile crept across Dawn's face in response, much to Zoey's relief.
"I... I guess you do have a point," she said. Her voice was still soft, but
firmer than before. Maybe there was still hope.

"I know I do. So, before I run myself ragged trying to explain things you
should already know, can we please stop with the worrying already?
There's just no need... oh, geez, I'm stealing your catchphrase again. I
really gotta get one of my own."

The two girls broke into giggles at that.

Zoey closed her eyes with a contented sigh--it looked as if it all turned
out for the best.

Seconds later, she felt the warmth of a body that wasn't her own pressed up
against her, and a pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders.

She opened her eyes, and looked toward the only person it could be. Sure
enough, there was Dawn, having wrapped her in a giant hug, and wearing the
most grateful expression ever on her face.

Silence ruled the moment, if only because the flip-flops that Zoey could
feel taking place in her heart carried no discernible sound.

"Zoey?" said Dawn, making the redhead jump inwardly.

"H-huh?"

"Thanks so much."

"Um... why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Dawn said, firming her embrace. "As long as you're
around, well, I feel like I always have something to shoot for. I don't
think anyone could ask for a better teacher than that."

That's when the two girls' eyes met.

"Oh. Well, uh... you're welcome..."

Oh my gosh, that /smile/.

Two minutes ago Dawn has been bummed as all get out, and now, she was
wearing the cutest face in the world.

Must not melt. Must /not melt/.

.../goodness/, Zoey didn't know her head was capable of feeling this heavy.
At least, she reasoned, her face must match the rest of her outfit quite
handily at the moment.

Breaking the hug as quickly (but also as gently) as possible, Zoey stood
up, doing her absolute best not to show just how flustered she actually
was. "H-hey, I've gotta go," she managed to get out. "But it was... nice
seeing you again. Really nice."

She turned to leave--and to her credit, she actually made it a few steps
before:

"Wait a minute," Dawn said. "It's going to be dark in another hour! Why
don't you just..."

Zoey turned back, and looked at Dawn, who certainly appeared to have
something on her mind--something she had to get out now, no matter what.
"Hmm?" she asked, prompting her fellow trainer to do so.

Dawn didn't disappoint. "L-look, w-wh-why don't you travel with /us/? So
what if we're competing for the same ribbons? You're our /friend/, too! I
know the guys wouldn't mind having you along, and as for me, well..." And
here came that soft, innocent voice again. "...would I ask you if I didn't
like the idea?"

The question was asked with such heartfelt earnestness, such sincerity,
such... such love behind it, that to be perfectly honest, Zoey was unable
to see how anyone could refuse it.

Which made it all the more baffling when she found herself doing just that.

"That's a sweet offer, especially coming from you, but... sorry. I can't."

"Huh?" Dawn looked predictably deflated at the response--it certainly
hadn't been what she was expecting. "But... why-"

"I like training with you, Dawn. I really do. But if you knew all of my
secrets, you'd have nothing to shoot for," she said with a wink. "Gotta go
it alone for a while longer. I hope you understand."

It was a credit to Zoey's acting prowess that Dawn was unaware of just how
much each of those words stung to say.

"Oh," Dawn said, crestfallen but relenting. "I guess that makes some
sense."

"But don't worry. You'll see me again." Once she managed to get a good
distance--a safe distance--away, she turned back once more. With her
glasses over her eyes and her usual challenging expression on her face, she
waved, and said, "Keep practicing. Okay?"

"I will," Dawn said, waving back, and it wasn't just a reply--it was an
oath.

One day, she'd catch up to Zoey. In skill, in ribbons, in worthiness.

And once that happened, they'd walk on the rest of their respective quests
together.


Zoey sighed again as the memory faded, and her lonesome night returned.

Truth be told, the mere thought of Dawn's arms around her, at that very
moment, was keeping her warmer than the fire was.

Best to put it out, then, if it wasn't serving its purpose.

After a quick Water Pulse from Shellos, she recalled her Pokemon back into
their balls, crawled inside her tent, and curled up into her sleeping bag.

I still didn't know how to tell her. But at least I've kept her motivated.
That's all that matters. And it'll buy me some time.

As she closed her eyes, she hoped for a dreamless slumber--or at the very
least, to dream of something other than the trainer who refused to leave
her waking mind for days...

...no... weeks?

Who was she kidding?

Ever since they'd met.


Notes:

Finally! This ended up being longer and taking longer than I expected.

"Lines," at best, was a haphazard proof of concept--this is far closer to
what I originally had envisioned for these two. And I'm not done with this
concept yet; we'll probably see you in another couple of months once a
certain few episodes have finally been dubbed. However, in the meantime,
I've got a neglected magical girl fandom to get back to.

Till next!

- Racewing


At the same moment, in a Pokemon Center one mile back, Dawn stood in front
of her room's window, looking out into the dense forest, then up at the
stars.

She sighed as well.

Did it have to be this way, every time...?

"Yo, Dawn," said Ash, walking in and interrupting her reverie. "Brock says
dinner's just about ready, so you guys should-" He looked around just then,
noticing something, or someone, rather, was missing. "Hey, where's Zoey?"

"Huh? Oh, hi, Ash," Dawn replied in a faraway voice. "She left a couple of
hours ago. "Into the forest, alone. I hope she's all right."

"I'm sure she is. I mean, she's handled training by herself this long, and
always has something to show for it."

"That's true. She doesn't sit still. She's always moving. Always one step
ahead of us..." Her gaze lowered. "...and of me."

"Sometimes that's what works for a person," Ash said, with the experience
of his years as a trainer clearly behind him. Said experience wasn't always
apparent, but whenever it managed to surface, it shone with incredible
brightness and clarity. "Zoey's tough, and a great coordinator. As far as
rivals go, I really think you picked a good one."

Dawn nodded. "I know I did. It's just there are times... I wish I
didn't always have to keep chasing her. Because I never know when I'm going
to see her again."

Ash nodded back, now certain that his hunch was spot-on. Dawn really did
care for Zoey, and quite honestly, from what he'd seen, it looked like the
reverse was true as well. In his travels as a trainer, something like this
was a much rarer sight than two trainers always being at odds with one
another as they increased their skills.

That didn't make it any less welcome. If all trainers who battled each one
another made it a habit to befriend each other and compare notes, instead
of staying bitter rivals until and even past tournaments, maybe the world
would be a better place. It certainly would be for the Pokemon.

Reassuringly, Ash put his hand on Dawn's shoulder. "Hey, no need to worry,
right? The way things are going, I seriously think it'll work itself out.
Just give it time."

Dawn thought about this for a short while, and decided that there was
something to those words. With a smile the elder trainer didn't see due to
her back still being turned to him, she said, "Thanks a lot, Ash."

"No problem. So, ready for grub?"

"Yeah, but... there's this one other thing."

"What's that?"

Dawn turned around, away from the window. "Zoey said something earlier
about one of you guys telling her how I fix my hair in the mornings. Any
idea who it could have been?" she mock-asked, glowering at her traveling
companion, who was forced to back away.

Clearly she already had her list of suspects; or suspect, one should say--
singular. Ash raised his hands in defense. "H-hey, what makes you think it
was me?"

"Cause Brock's Brock, and you're you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

With a manic, toothy grin on her face, Dawn proclaimed, "Figure it out
while you get the same treatment! Piplup, /fix his hair/!"

"Piiiiiip-LUP!"

"WAAAAUUUGH!"

From outside of the Pokemon Center, a single stray bubble could be seen
escaping from one of its windows.

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