Chapter One: Comashipping; Choices

A/N: OK. So this idea is one that I had while watching the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl series. It deviates a lot from the plot of the Sinnoh region onward, so be warned.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to or about the Pokémon franchise.

Description: The basic situation of the AU is that Ash is actually somewhat smart and uses his previous experience from Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn to beat Paul in a Pokémon battle. Paul is somehow intrigued by Ash and his attitude towards Pokémon training and battles, and decides to travel with him. Of course, Paul has no clue how to act around people his own age due to his attitude. I had kind of intended that maybe his persona is a front to keep people away since he suffered an emotional trauma at an early age, so the snippet kind of put a bit of emphasis on that. So, Ash (being Ash) attempts to make friends with Paul, and eventually Paul kind of begins to trust him. But at that point, Brock and Dawn are sick of his prickly attitude and demand that he stop traveling with them. Ash tries to reason with them, but they force him to choose between them or Paul. Ash summarily chooses Paul and totally derails the plans of poor Arceus. That was about as far as I planned plot-wise, but the general story from there was kind of going on the lines of Paul either beginning to fall in love with Ash or just being really close friends/brother-like with him. Whichever way it goes, Paul eventually gets to be a bit of a Yandere when it comes to Ash. This plus Ash's strength and experience eventually leads to the spectacular downfall of Team Galactic. I had planned on Unova being a bit of a vacation/training trip and Kalos being a league challenge for them, but I didn't think that far.

The Snippet

"Ash, we can't keep doing this! He's a monster!"

Surprised at the outburst from his friends, Ash furrowed his brow. Paul wasn't a monster!

"Eh… isn't that a bit harsh guys? He's not that bad."

Why were they so against Paul? He didn't understand, but they had had something against him ever since their first meeting.

"His personality is horrible, every time we turn around he's gotten into some sort of confrontation, his training methods are brutal, and he treats his Pokémon like tools! What about that isn't bad?!"

What? Yes, he knew that Paul had some… okay, a lot… of issues, but he wasn't that bad of a guy.

"Look, Dawn, he's getting better. I've been talking to him, and he's a good person deep down. All he needs is a friend."

He could see how lonely Paul was, so why couldn't they?

"Ha! Ash, I know that you see the good in everyone, but he's truly horrible! I can't stand him and neither can Brock!"

Ash sighed as he saw Brock nodding along; agreeing with Dawn's every word. A soul deep tiredness set in, and he wondered what it would be like to have a peaceful journey, without conflict. Brock began to speak, rather calmly, as Dawn passed the conversation to him.

"Ash, I've known you for a long time now. I know how you can get when you want to fix someone, but Paul can't be helped. I think he's too far gone for you to reach and if you continue to try, your efforts are eventually going to blow up in your face."

He really should be more shocked, Ash thought, but at this point he was just about ready to actually head past frustration and right into anger. Speaking up, the strain in his voice clear, Ash was nearing the breaking point.

"Really guys, I'm rather disappointed in you. Brock, how many times have I ever backed down from helping someone who needs it? And Dawn, I thought you were more level-headed than this. Can't you just give him a-"

Brock cut in.

"Ash, I think your need to take a reality check. Paul can't be helped; he's truly just like this."

Frustration and tension seeping into his voice, Ash let out a breath.

"Look, I know you guys don't like him, but-"

Dawn suddenly let out a shriek.

"ARGH! Stop trying to defend him Ash! You have to choose! It's either us, or him!"

The rage inside of him let out in one deadly hiss of a word.

"What?!"

Dawn looked taken aback for a moment, as did Brock, before she gained a smug look. Sure that he would choose them she repeated her ultimatum.

"I said, it's either us or him!"

All of the fight drained from Ash in an instant, and Paul knew what was coming. He had returned back to the camp from collecting the water and wood a bit early, but as he had heard shouting from the camp he had stopped just inside the tree-line. Determining what the debate was about he had scaled a nearby tree to observe, already knowing what the verdict would be. Witnessing Ketchum defending him had been a surprise to say the least, and the insight that he had was terrifying. He knew he wasn't easy to get along with (his mask plus his normal personality made sure of that), and he knew that he was destined to be alone. Just like now, he knew that Ketchum would go with his friends and leave him behind. It was good he supposed, like the other times a trainer had decided to follow him, but something about Ketchum was different. He had almost dared to hope that maybe, just maybe, the kind-hearted trainer could look past his mask and see him. Yet, having a friend was something that was too much to hope for, and Paul steeled himself for the inevitable answer he had heard many times before.

Ash however, was thinking something much different. His rage had compressed into a tiny little ball of burning power, and the sheer audacity of her demand was infuriating. He really was disappointed in them both. He'd thought that they would be more open-minded, perceptive. It was why he'd invited Paul along in the first place, thinking that maybe they could all be friends. It hadn't been long before he'd realized that Paul needed a push in the right direction, that he needed help to open up a bit. He knew he could be a draining force on some people, and he moderated the contact between Paul and his friends, hoping that Brock and Dawn could get over their initial dislike. It seemed he was wrong. He couldn't just leave Paul when he was so lonely, and his instincts had been screaming at him to fix it ever since he'd met the other boy. He knew who he would choose, instinctively, long before Dawn had ever uttered that fateful phrase. The pull to follow his friends was strong, but the pull to be there for Paul and make sure that he was okay was much stronger.

"Him."

And with that one word, Ash Ketchum once again sent the universe into chaos.

"What!?"

The shocked look on their faces was hilarious, Ash decided.

"You heard me. I choose Paul."

Paul himself was having a hard time believing what he had just heard, and as such he overbalanced. He let out a very embarrassing screech as he fell from his tree, right next to Ash. Ignoring his stunned friends, Ash looked to Paul. Stretching out a hand, and feeling quite pleased when the shell-shocked boy let him help him up, he began to make travel plans.

"Alright then. Come on Paul, I'll help you grab your stuff. We're leaving."

Brock and Dawn were still silent and shocked by the time Paul and Ash had gotten their gear together. As they turned to leave though, Dawn shot forward. Pikachu, who up until now had stayed silent by Ash, whipped around and fired a thunderbolt at her. She managed to dodge, but was suddenly struck by fear as the tiny little electric-type hissed and growled at her. Ash picked him up, quite surprised at his behavior.

"Hey, buddy, calm down. I don't think she meant any harm."

Pikachu let out a little whine of protest, but scurried up to his best friend's shoulder keeping a wary eye on the two until they were out of sight.

"Thanks."

The whispered word was barely distinguishable to Ash, but seeing how red Paul's face was he didn't mention anything. Sending a warm smile at the other trainer, Ash had a feeling that something important had just happened in the scheme of things. Putting that at the back of his mind for now, he replied with a sincere "It was nothing." Neither he nor Paul knew just how important this was, that whatever happened in their tenuous friendship would affect the very fabric of the universe, but for now they were content to travel on a dusty old trail off into the sunset.