"Hey Paul, I was wondering..." Ash started, turning to Paul. Paul gave his rival an uninterested look in return.
"What is it?"
"I noticed that you barely smile. At all," Ash said. "Other than the occasional smirk or two, I have never seen you smile."
"What of it?" Paul scoffed back.
"Well, I wonder what truly makes you happy."
Paul gave Ash another look of disinterest. "What truly makes me happy is long gone now..."
"Well, what was it, then?" Ash asked, piping up a bit.
Paul looked back at a memory he wished he could forget.
(flashbask)
A seven year old Paul was happily walking towards his favorite place in Veilstone City. He had a big smile on his face as he walked into the Veilstone Ice Cream Parlor. He went on the line and ordered his favorite ice cream flavor, Purple Surprise.
Happy that he got his ice cream, he walked out the door, licking the treat with excitement.
"Oh, how much I love Purple Surprise! I can eat this all da-ack!"
Paul suddenly tripped on the concrete and fell flat on his face. He looked up to see his ice cream was all over the ground.
"No! My ice cream!" Paul cried. He knew he had no more money to buy another cone. He'd just ask his brother to give him some more tomorrow so he could buy another one.
The next day he ran to the shop, full of money for ice cream, but was halted by a big sign on the door.
LOST OUR LEASE. WE ARE PERMANENTLY CLOSED. SORRY.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Paul fell on his knees in despair. "I can never be happy again!"
(end flashback)
"I forgot," Paul said, and he got up to leave the area.
"What? How can you not remember?" Ash asked, confused.
"I just don't," Paul replied. "I gotta go. I'll battle you later."
"...Okay then..." Ash responded, still confused. "I wonder where Pikachu went..."
Paul walked a little more until he was far enough from his rival.
"...Purple Surprise...sniff."
END.