Dawn's POV

"I-It's y-you..." The shadowed figure said as its grip on my muzzle loosened on me. I quickly took the chance to free my muzzle and bite down hard on its hand. I felt blood trickle into my mouth as the figure let out a pained noise and jumped off me.

I got to my paws and stared down the attacker, my fangs now bared and my tail lashing furiously.

"Who are you and why did you attack me?!" I demanded.

The tall figure didn't answer, making me angry.

"Answer me!" I took a step forward.

Still no answer. A growl stirred in my throat.

"I said, ANSWER!" I risked an assist and out came Serena's Fairy Wind.

The shadowed figure grunted as it was blown back and its body slammed into a tree. It grunted in pain.

I jumped right in front of it and prepared a Thunderbolt. Tiny bolts of lighting raced through my fur.

"W-Wait..." The shadowed figure chokes out, its voice laced in pain. "D-Dawn..."

My eyes widened.

It knew my name.

The figure then slumped on the ground, passed out. I cautiously walked towards them, the Thunderbolt still charged in case they did anything. The sun set and the figure was no longer shrouded in the shadow of the sunset. My nocturnal vision came on and I gasped.

There, knocked out against a tree, was a shiny Zoroark. It's fur, some a brilliant purple instead of red, was matted and dirty and it's right hand was bleeding from my bite earlier. But that wasn't what shocked me the most.

His scent. It was so familiar. Just like his.

Realization hit and I rushed to his side. I quickly sniffed him over and detected many bruises and injuries.

"Dang it, what have I done?!" I grit my teeth. I had to get him back to the lab. But how? There was no way I could carry him.

I let out a frustrated sigh and grabbed him by the mane. As carefully and quickly as I could, I started dragging him back to the lab.

"Don't worry, I've got you," I muttered through his fur.

"...Paul..."

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When I reached the lab, I went up to the door and pounded my paws against it. Crystal opened it a few minutes later and looked at me.

"Dawn? What is it?" She asked.

I was out of breath from dragging Paul here, but I managed to get a few words out. I used my forepaw to point at him.

"P-Paul... help... him..." I panted.

She arched an eyebrow at me before turning her head to look at where I was pointing. When she saw him lying on the floor, her eyes widened.

"Ah-! What happened?!" Crystal asked, rushing to his side. She grabbed his arm and slung it around her shoulder to support him as she walked into the lab, me following behind.

"Professor!" Crystal shouted as she entered the study part of the lab.

"Hmm? Crystal? What is it?" The professor asked from his desk. When he looked up, he let out a small gasp.

"Goodness, what happened here?" He asked as he walked toward Crystal and Paul.

"I don't know exactly, but Dawn found him in the woods. Please heal him!" Crystal said.

The professor nodded and led her towards the treatment room. I followed silently behind.

Professor Rowan had Crystal set Paul on the counter and hooked the machine to him. I couldn't tell what was going on after that, but a little while later, the Professor said, "He'll recover well. Just let him sleep and he will be all healed up in the morning."

Crystal nodded and thanked the Professor before walking towards the stairs. She called for me to follow but I told her that I'd be there later. She didn't question it and made her way to her room.

I stared at Paul through the treatment room's window. His breathing was calm and he didn't seem to be in too much pain. I mentally scolded myself for attacking him so carelessly. I even used a super effective move on him. I sighed aloud before staring at him again.

"Get better soon, Paul..."

Short chapter, but I updated! I apologize for the long wait, but I'm back and kicking in action again! Expect to hear more from me soon!

~Crystal

Word Count: 737

10/28/18