DISCLAIMER: Don't own. Pokemon.

FOREVER THANKFUL TO: Christy C.

The Dreaded Rose of Prim

Ash and Johanna both looked up warily as the hospital room door opened and in walked in, someone they recognized, Paul.

Ash stood up to greet his once great rival, and Paul nodded tiredly at him. Ash looked like a mess. His hair was ruffled, and pointing in all different directions more so than usual, and only one side of his shirt was tucked into his pants. His eyes looked sunken as though he hadn't slept in a few days.

"Paul, it's nice of you to come." Dawn's mother, Johanna spoke from Dawn's bedside. A very forsaken sound, her voice was. Paul nodded slightly to her, still staying silent.

He turned his gaze to Dawn, who looked virtually unharmed. Her hair was spread around her head like a halo of sorts, and she looked paler than usual, but that was about it. She looked like she was peacefully dreaming.

Ash shook his hand, before returning to his seat. Paul shifted slightly in place, not sure what to do. He had dropped Honeysuckle off with one of his colleagues, who told him she would watch her for the night if he wanted. Now, why was it he decided to come here again?

Johanna must have sensed his discomfort with her motherly intuition, and offered him the seat next to her. He nodded gratefully to her, still determined not to say a single word to either of them.

He leaned back in his seat, just staring at Ash and Dawn. Everyone expected them to become a couple, and when they did, everyone was ecstatic. He remembered that day, when the man who had become his best friend stole the woman he loved...

Everyone was happy for him, but when Paul acted just as nasty as he usually did, no one was surprised, so it was easy to hide his hurt.

May attempted to convince Drew to fly to Sinnoh with her, just to celebrate. They were happy now, two children, nice house, quite a few ribbon cups between the two of them.

Misty and Gary were out on a research trip, so they didn't do anything except laugh, happy those two finally got together. This couple, they weren't that happy now. After a nasty divorce, and split custody of their son, Paul rarely got to see either of them anymore, but now Gary was a drunk and Misty gave up on life.

Basically, everyone had a life he wished he had. No matter what, he hated his life now. He basically had an adopted daughter, which he didn't mind, but no wife, which was something he wanted, just not with anyone but her.

His best friend's girlfriend.

Primrose opened the door to the house with the key that the Police had given her, welcoming herself in. She'd probably freak a few people out, naturally, who wouldn't? But, it was her house now. So, she picked up the phone, opened up the phone book, and decided to order a pizza.

"Arcanine, let's chill tonight before we have to break the bad news," Primrose smirked and flopped down on the couch. She flipped the TV on to a Pokemon battle.

Arcanine sat by Primrose's feet, warming the cold room. "And what would that be, my master?"

Primrose laughed. "That I'm back and better than ever!"

"Oh," the Pokemon rolled her eyes at her hysterical master. "By the way, aren't you underage?"

"What? Naturally, you think I've been drinking?"

"Well...you are a bit…what's the word? Oh yes, tipsy."

Primrose howled with laughter.

Paul's Pokegear suddenly rang. Everyone frowned at the noise, afraid it would disturb Dawn. Paul sighed and went out into the hall, practically yelling into the phone, "What?"

"Mr. Shinji, it's Colette, from the Veilstone Police Department."

Paul's eyes widened. "I'm sorry. Is there any news for me?"

"Yes, and it's about Ms. Primrose Shinji."

His eyes widened more, face pale. "Pr...primrose...?"

"Mr. Shinji, your niece has been found."

And everything went black.