I got dared to write a fic using the prompt aliens and having two characters discus the theory. They derail a lot but... who doesn't love good Paul and Barry friendship?

"I was never expecting for this to be a topic of our conversation. Then again, I never thought we'd have a conversation," Paul said, mumbling the last part just loud enough for Barry to hear it.

Barry took no offense to it. After all, this was Paul he was dealing with, and he was known for speaking his mind.

"But hey, it is an interesting one, right?"

"Depends on what you think is interesting."

This was getting absolutely nowhere.

To pass the time, and to fill the awkward silence that would be present without this failure of a conversation, Barry had decided to talk about something with Paul. The first thing that had popped into his mind was battle style, but he knew that it would eventually break into an argument over whose training style was better. Especially since Paul hadn't changed much after losing to Ash in the Sinnoh League.

And then this idea sprung into his mind. It was odd and required a lot more thinking than what he normally talks about, but if something was covered in an anime, well, he has to be able to get some points of it.

"Anyways, I mean, wouldn't it be cool if they actually did exist? I mean, we already have Pokémon that came from the moon."

"But it doesn't really prove anything. We already have Pokémon made of sludge. Next you're going to tell me real life sludge exists because of it."

"But technically there is. You just mentioned them."

Paul faceplamed. "Not the point."

"Alright, fine, let's pretend you're the smart one – and if you make some remark I'm gonna fine you –"

"It isn't like you charge me anyways."

"- and … wait." Barry looked at Paul, who was grinning his normal smug grin. The blonde-haired trainer half got out of his seat and slammed the table. "That was a smart remark. I'm totally gonna fine you!"

"Just get on with the theory."

"Remind me to do that later. Anyways, isn't Clefairy technically an alien?"

"I'm surprised you even know that."

"Hey, that's another –"

"I'm genuinely surprised."

"Oh," Barry said, his face turning an embarrassing shade of red. It was hard to tell when Paul was being sarcastic and when he wasn't. "Anyways, doesn't that mean aliens do exist? I mean, if there's a Pokémon that's technically an alien, then shouldn't they exist?"

"Then they'll be classified as Pokémon. Clefairy is a Pokémon after all."

"But what about those non-Pokemon ones? You know, those green ones with those odd eyes?"

"That's impossible."

"But –"

"It just is. Anyways, where's Conway? You're already wasting my time as it is."

"Eh, knowing him, he'll just pop out of nowhere. And maybe…"

"Don't say it."

"Maybe Conway's an alien?"