The Champion Stage {Path of the Aura Ranger: Book III}

II Dawn's P.O.V

I slouched on the edge of Lake Valor, my once vibrant spirit dimmed by a string of contest losses in the Orange Islands. Piplup, nestled on my lap, sensed my disappointment, and attempted to break through the gloom with its cheerful chirps. Despite his efforts, the beauty of Lake Valor failed to lift my mood.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the tranquil waters, but my thoughts lingered on the recent string of setbacks. Two victories felt like distant memories, overshadowed by the sting of three consecutive defeats. May, Zoey, and Drew, each contestant a reminder of my losses. Piplup nudged my hand, as if urging me to shake off the disappointment. I managed a weak smile, appreciating his unwavering support.

As the gentle ripples of the lake mirrored my turbulent emotions, I couldn't help but wonder how I'd bounce back from this slump. The Orange Islands had proven to be a challenging arena, testing not just my skills but also my resilience. Paul's suggestion echoed in my mind, the idea of returning to Sinnoh, to Lake Valor, for the Wallace Cup sparked a glimmer of hope. The cup, thanks to the unique friendship between Wallace and Ash, doubled as a regional ribbon in the Orange Islands.

As Paul shared his proposal, his typically stoic demeanor had softened with a hint of concern. I couldn't deny the logic in his words – a new environment might just be the remedy I needed to shake off the Orange Islands blues. However, the waves of frustration and inadequacy crashed against the shores of my emotions as the argument with Paul escalated.

My heart pounded in my chest, while I struggled with the sting of recent contest defeats, Paul stood atop the pedestal of triumph in the Sevii Islands Battle Frontier. His victories over formidable opponents – Milotic, Dragonite, and Rhyperior – as the Tower Tycoon Palmer, a renowned figure in the Battle Frontier, fell before Paul's relentless determination, yielding the coveted Tower Prints. And before our journey to Sinnoh even began, Paul had conquered the Arcade Star Dahlia's formidable lineup, including a Zapdos, securing his Arcade Prints.

The weight of comparison, the stark contrast between our respective accomplishments, fueled the flames of my troubled thuoghts. I couldn't bring myself to accept Paul's attempts at comfort when he had faced legendary Pokémon like Zapdos head-on, emerging victorious. A Zapdos! The very thought of such a feat left me both in awe and embarrassment gnawed on my insides. I felt exposed, vulnerable, as if my shortcomings were laid bare for the world – and Paul – to scrutinize.

I looked up surprised when I saw Paul approaching, his steps deliberate but concern etched on his face. "Dawn, we need to talk," he said, his voice calm but firm.

I met his gaze and sighed. He could not have found me at a worse moment. "Talk about what, Paul? More contests? More losses?"

Paul sighed, kneeling beside me. "I get it. It's been tough. But avoiding the issue won't help. Maybe a change of scenery is what you need. Let's go back to Sinnoh, to Lake Valor, for the Wallace Cup. It might help."

My frustration bubbled to the surface. "A change of scenery won't magically fix everything, Paul! While I've been struggling, you've been conquering the Battle Frontier in the Sevii Islands. You defeated Palmer, earned Tower Prints, and took down Dahlia's Blaziken, Togekiss, and Zapdos for Arcade Prints!"

Paul frowned, his tone trying to reassure me. "Dawn, that's a different challenge. Your contests are your battles. They're tough in their own way."

My embarrassment turned into a heated exchange. "Tough, huh? I can't even match your achievements, Paul! You defeated a Zapdos! I can't listen to your comfort when I'm feeling like this."

Paul's frustration mirrored mine. "This isn't a competition, Dawn! I care about you, not about who's winning what. But if you're going to be like this, then fine. Maybe we should have this conversation later when you've calmed down."