GloomyDayz here, writing another fanfiction. Why? Pure boredom. And curiosity. My brother went paintballing one recent weekend and I thought 'I wonder what would happen if the Pokemon characters went paintballing?', and so this creation was born. Reviews are very much appreciated.

Sadly, the names of the chapters do not fit into the boxes. So, each shall be named Chapter 2, Chapter 3 etc. The next chapter name will be shown at the end.

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Chapter 1

Invites, Frights, and Extremely Random Sights

March 25th

4.00 pm

Just outside Veilstone City

Paul cringed at the sight of his Torterra failing yet again at another Double-Edge. It had been practising the technique for the seventh time, and still no results. Torterra panted heavily and looked innocently at his master. He was hopeful that Paul would give him some sympathy. Alas, the frustrated trainer returned the giant back to it's Pokeball. No praise was given, not even his remarks that he usually said were spoken. The boy turned on his heel and was about to walk off when he heard shouting:

"PAUL!" Startled, he looked around. The voice was female, and seemed to have come from a southerly direction. Unfortunately, when he twisted round to see what it was, all he spotted was a bluenette and a cream letter.

Dawn.

She gasped for air as she approached him, and weakly held out a letter for him.

For him?

Who in their right mind would send Paul, the world's most cruel purple-haired guy on the planet, a letter? He ripped it open, and out slid a small invitation.

Invitation?

"So…" Dawn managed to catch her breath, "Will you go?"

He was silent. I haven't even read the letter yet, Paul thought.

You are cordially invited to Dawn's Piantballing party! He was surprised you could put 'cordially' and 'paintballing' in the same sentence. It's not my birthday or anything. So, no pressies (though they are always appreciated!). He mentally rolled his eyes. Come along at eleven o'clock next Saturday, at Lake Valor! Saturday was tomorrow. He replaced the invite back into the envelope.

"Well?" Dawn was impatient.

"Why are you inviting me?" Paul was mean, but he had slight tendencies to get curious when someone was nice to him. A sly smile widened on Dawn's face.

"I thought it might actually teach you teamwork," she replied, almost proud, "And besides, we're short of another member."

Paul scowled as he remembered the last party he went to. It was misty in his memory, as he was five. And it was his own.

Dawn frowned as he scowled. She took it as a no.

"Fine, but I'm not inviting you again!" She moped, attempting to snatch the letter from Paul's hand.

"I never said no" To be completely honest, Paul was a helpless lonely boy and he wished way, way deep down to have some friends. He hadn't had the thrill of parties since he was a tender age.

Dawn raised an eyebrow, "But you were scowling…"

"That doesn't mean no" Troublesome was a pain, and annoying. He supposed it was her nature.

"So you'll go?!" Dawn was suddenly bright and happy again. Her random mood swings were starting to freak him out.

"I never said ye--"

"That's great! I'll see you there!" The bubbly trainer clapped her hands excitedly, squealing with delight. Before Paul could object, she suddenly turned 'doom and gloom'.

"If you don't appear, I will know, and you have no idea what happens when I get angry"- He knew he did, she blew up like a volcano when he forgot her name-"See you there, don't be late!" The bluenette, having transformed back into the annoying trainer she was, skipped off towards Lake Valor.

Paul blinked. What the heck just happened? He read the letter again to make sure it was no fake. Sighing, he shoved the now-crumpled invitation into his backpack, and began to return to Veilstone City, wondering what his brother would make of it.

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March 26th

10.56 am

Just Outside Veilstone City

Paul was taking his time to get to Lake Valor. After getting a teasing from Reggie, Paul hoped this 'party' would be an easy one that went by quickly.

Perhaps this party would form new friendships for him?

Yeah, right.

Why was he going? Because he didn't like the idea of getting practically murdered on the spot. By a teenage girl.

If he was lucky, the party would be cancelled due to massive thunderstorms. He glanced upwards; it was a bright and sunny day with next to no clouds in the sky. Even if it was raining, he knew all to well how persistent the bluenette was. And he didn't want to take his chances.

"It can't be!" He suddenly heard shouting from behind him. He turned to look at what it was this time. It was a blonde boy, hair spiking out on odd ends, wearing a green scarf, running up to Paul and looking at him as if he was some god.

"It IS you!" The boy stared in awe, "You're Paul! The winner of the Tag Battle in Hearthome City! It's so great to finally meet you" Not so great to meet you though, Paul thought.

"My name's Barry and I'm a Pokemon trainer like you! You're so cool, and… you're way better than Ash!" At least someone agrees, Paul couldn't help but think. How did he know Ash and him were rivals? Was the blonde possibly…stalking him?

"Get away from me loser" Paul edged away, restraining himself from running all together. He was going to be late now.

"Listen, I know you're awesome and all, but that doesn't mean I can't fine you" Fine him? What was he on about?

Barry checked his watch. Shocked at the time, he said "Ah! I'm late! If I don't get there soon I'm gonna be the one fined!" He rushed off without another word. Paul stood there motionless. What was with these random encounters?

It was his turn to check his watch now. Because of his meeting with Barry, he was now late. He wasn't planning to waste his energy on dashing to Lake Valor, and simply swaggered his way there.

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March 26th

11. 12 am

Somewhere in Route 214

Paul was running now, running unlike ever before. He was now extremely late, and Dawn was going to have him for breakfast. Or lunch. It depended on what time he actually arrived. Lake Valor wasn't even in his view yet. He took this opportunity to think of some cleverly-made excuses that would perhaps get him out of non-literal execution. Paul wasn't the type to be 'fashionably late', as some would put it. In fact, he hated being late, and usually was about ten to twenty minutes early for things. Tournaments would be almost a day. It wasn't his fault, technically, as the blonde stalker had held him up. Although, it seemed that Barry was late for something as well.

Maybe they were attending the same party?

Nah. Not possible. Paul did not like the idea of going to the same festivity with some fan boy. Especially his fan boy.

Just a couple more metres, he thought to himself as the grand body of water came into sight, and you may not be Troublesome's next target practice.

He could see people now. They were all huddled around a building, which strangely enough, he had never noticed before. One stood out in particular. A raven-haired boy with a Pikachu on his shoulder sending out his Staraptor.

Oh great. Ash Ketchum was invited.

This didn't really surprise Paul. Ash was Dawn's current travelling companion, as well as Pokemon Breeder-in-training and former Gym Leader Brock. He hoped, out of the ninety-nine point nine percentage, that Ash wouldn't show up.

"Staraptor!" The bird chirped when it spotted the now exhausted trainer. All eyes were now on Paul, only just arriving at the scene. Dawn managed to push her way out of the somewhat familiar faces to talk to him.

"You took your time!" the bluenette pouted, hands on hips, "You're fifteen minutes late. Not even fashionably."

He already knew that. No need to tell him twice. He did not reply due to breathlessness, much like the way Dawn had when she gave him the invite. Said trainer only just managed not to explode right then and there.

"Ok, well, now everyone's here! We can finally start!" The young girl jumped eagerly, hiding her anger. There were a few excited whispers in the group. Ash promptly returned his bird Pokemon, without saying anything along the lines of 'hello' to Paul. And for that he was thankful.

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And that's it…for now. (attempts evil laugh)(fails)

The review Rampardos loves you! DON'T FEED HIM! He might get angry.

Cookie to those who can guess why the date is significant. Hint: It's Pokemon related. :P

Thanks for reading! ~GloomyDayz

Next Chapter: '2. A Team, a Scheme, and the Chance to Redeem'. It will hopefully be bundled with the third.