This is for the LJ Community enemy rival 100. Obviously, as the name of the Comm states, this is for pairs who are rivals or enemies. So I choose Paul and Ash, because they'd just be that fun to write about. So the chapters I'll be doing will range from angst, to humor, to whatever. Some may be in first person, and others might be in third person. K+ to M (overall, I'm rating this T to be safe). And I might use their original names as well sometimes.

Prompt: 001. Strangers
Rating: K+
Word Count: 372
Genre: General
Summary: Ash would always wonder why Paul acted as if he didn't know him...


There were only a few things that Ash really hated: people who mistreated Pokemon, people who stole Pokemon, people who sold Pokemon just to make a quick buck and losing (lately, though, it didn't bother him as much). But none of those matched what he really despised.

"Hey Paul!" And he would just walk right on past him, as if he didn't exist. Ash hated that, he really did. He hated when he tried to show Paul that he was a decent rival and he would always shamefully fall flat on his face.

"Hey Paul, loot at this." Ash would sing out, pulling his badge case from his back pocket, showing arrogantly (or trying to) the five badges he had earned.

A simple 'Hm' would be Paul's reply before asking, "Who are you again?" and walking away to the local PokeMart.

"Just ignore him, Ash," Dawn had said, glaring at the purple-haired trainer's back. "He's not even worth it."

But, damn it, yes he was. Ash just absolutely hated it; what would it take for Paul to actually see him a worthwhile opponent? He didn't even know why it irritated him so much.

"Man, what do I have to do, Paul?" Ash asked himself, staring down at his badges. Seven, he had seven, just one more...

"What do you have to do?" A voice questioned from behind him. Ash turned, shoving the case into his pocket. "What do you have to do to be worthy of me?" Paul sneered and narrowed his eyes. "Truth is, am I worth it?"

Ash stared at him with the most stupidest look on his face, "What?"

Paul took out a sleek, black case of his own and flipped it open. Five glimmering, well-polished badges sat there. "This is why I've always treated you as a stranger, Ash. Am I really worth it?" He shut it before making his way out of the Sunyshore Pokemon Center.

Victory over Volkner would come easy and placing fourth in the Sinnoh League would be awesome. But still...

Ash caught up with him before he exited the center completely. "Paul."

He turned, "What?"

"Who are you again?" Ash grinned.

"That was extremely corny." And...Paul grinned right back.

...This was definitely more fulfilling.