I am half tempted to take this fic off this site.

[Back to school.]

It was just his luck that there were no planes heading to Melemele Island. Instead, the earliest plane he could board was to Akala Island and the Heahea City. When the poor attendant saw his face, he started to babble to him in a squeaky and unnecessarily loud voice that started to attract attention of other airport employees and travelers. Apparently, Akala Island is a much better tourist spot than Melemele as it has more hotels and customer service. Paul couldn't care less about that and he told him so in a chilling voice. He was there to murder his better half; not admire tourist spots. He didn't dare to voice that though. More trouble than it is worth to voice such intentions out loud at the airport after all, especially with all the attention he already gained, and Paul still retained some wits in the face of this disaster. Finally, the guy behind the counter handed him a prospect about something called Poke Ride. If he would like to visit Melemele, it would not be a problem, sir.

Grudgingly, he bought the cheapest seat on the plane, tagging along only his rucksack, which he still did not have a chance to properly unpack, and his Pokemon. He had the seat to the aisle and had to get up twice for the other two passengers. He sighed irritably and waved away the pretty flight attendant when she asked if everything is okay. She stayed anyway as it looked like the guy in the middle next to him would be sick before they even got in the air.

Good god. And it was not even like he didn't have the funds to afford a better seat. His steady Pokemon battles and performances brought some serious money in, same with Ash. But the ingrained habit of saving as much money as he could while he was on the road in Sinnoh were hard to shake off. The flight attendant sold the sickly guy a chewing gum, handed him a bag in case he was sick and told them all to buckle up. And then the airplane started to move for takeoff. The guy next to Paul whimpered. Paul himself just tried prepare for the longest ten hours of his life.

After the plane was in the air and they were told they could unbuckle, Paul took out his newly repaired C-Gear and in dismay stared at the empty inbox and zero missed calls. He sighed as he turned the device off; he still couldn't believe he was actually on his way to Alola. There were several reasons for that. To name a few: never before had he chased after Ash when he decided to stay in a different region unless it was meticulously planned outing they have been looking forward to for months. And maybe most importantly, it was completely unreasonable. He was never the type of boyfriend to hog all the attention of his better half, although the general populace seemed to think otherwise. He could still recall, in vivid details, how Ash's closest friends reacted when it was announced he and Ash started to date. Simply put, he never wanted a repeat of that situation.

Paul was never prone to fits of jealousy. Well, usually. The reactions some people (a face from Kalos he'd rather forget popped up in his mind) brought out of him notwithstanding. So why did he react like he needed to go and personally cause a ruckus instead of trying to sort it out through video call or a message?

Oh, yes. Paul didn't want to face heartbreak through a phone call.

That Ash decided to stay there (to be in a fucking school of all places) without consulting him or telling him he was going to do so was harsh. But he could deal, shit happens. Ash, as Paul knew, was always impulsive and whenever he decided to do something, he would do it right away. But not contacting Paul since? True, his C-Gear was broken and Reggie's phone as well, but he could have left a message. Maybe try again every few days. But there was nothing and the implication left a hollow feeling in Paul's chest. So he filled the void with rage and boy, was Paul mad. And he intended to keep it simmering until he could pour it boiling all over Ash.

It was a relief when the plane finally landed. Paul tried to sleep for a bit as he knew of the time difference and wanted to avoid most of the repercussions. Unfortunately, the guy next to him was shaking in fright the whole flight. Paul couldn't wait to get rid of him.

After his passport was handed back to him, Paul finally got a first look at Alola region. The airport was wide and seemed almost empty as there were barely fifteen people in attendance. Paul thought absentmindedly that later during the day it would probably fill up with people and look much more lively. After all, it was quite early in the morning in Alola. "I wish I slept on the plane, I feel awful," some other passenger in his flight grumbled unhappily behind him. Paul sighed for what had to be the hundredth time in the last twenty four hours.

Thankfully, even though it was very early in the morning, a coach was departing from the airport to Heahea City every few minutes. As they left the asphalt and airport behind them, Paul unhappily had to acknowledge that he could understand why people were so eager to live in Alola. Akala Island and Alola region at first glance seemed like a paradise. Heahea City was a coastal city and even from inside the vehicle people couldn't help themselves but admire the view. As Paul got off the coach, the first thing he saw was the water near what had to be a ferry terminal. He couldn't believe how was amazingly blue and see-through the ocean was. You could hardly see that in Sinnoh, their sea, with few notable exceptions, was usually stormy and grey (and beautiful in its own way!). The driver gave him few helpful tips along with a map how to get to the city centre and the nearest Poke Ride. What the driver forgot to mention was how seamlessly the city disappeared off to a jungle. And from what he could see of the jungle just behind the city's borders, it was brimming with life.

Although the driver was very clear in his directions, Paul quickly found himself completely lost. Luckily for him, despite the early hour, people were already up and walking with their Pokemon. Which only proved to be another distraction. Paul actually stopped a random passerby to have a quick chat (absolutely out of character for him) because while he understood that there are some species of Pokemon that he never heard of before, some species that he knew looked entirely different! The guy he stopped was fortunately very understanding and briefly explained why his Persian looked so different before he along with his feline Pokemon went on their way.

It just added to the charm of this place. For a second Paul even entertained the idea that he might enjoy his stay here regardless of the lovers' spat that brought him here. Well, until he realised how hot it was and yup, Paul knew he was right not to fly here with the Ketchums. He was wearing shorts and sleeveless shirt, it was four thirty in the morning, and still he was sweating. The earlier he could leave, the better!

And then he finally found the nearest Poke Ride station and was met with the irrefutable proof of the reality of this place: Alola was (undeniably) hell on earth. Four in the morning and the company could not offer any Pokemon to ride and get him to Melemele. "I am sorry," the kind man behind the counter apologised. "But the last Pokemon we had was just booked by that lady to help with delivery of Moomoo milk around the islands. They had an accident at the ranch last night and could use the help." The man gestured towards a dark skinned woman with red streaks in her hair preparing a large Pelipper for departure. Paul almost groaned. Just his luck. "It's really important, is there anything else that can be done? Is there a ferry departing soon? I saw the terminal when I arrived." The man nodded, muttering that he needs to find a time table for him. That was reassuring. While he knew it would be quicker by flight, he couldn't be picky now. He had no hotel to stay in at the moment, the only person he knew around here was currently on his black list and he was wearing shorts and was being roasted alive. He was starting to get truly desperate.

"Oh, I don't think that will be necessary," the dark skinned lady approached the counter. "Alola. My name is Sima, I just booked a day with their Pelliper." She extended her hand and Paul quickly categorised the muscles on her arms and callouses on her hands. It looked like she was used to continuous work. Paul could relate to those values. Altogether, she looked stern but her expression and mannerisms contradicted his first impression. He shook her hand unflinchingly, "Paul, nice to meet you."

"You said you need to get to Melemele Island?" And she apparently didn't believe in beating around the bush. "Yes, ma'am. It is very important I get there as soon as possible. I am looking for someone." She snorted. "Call me Sima. Oh no, a family emergency?" she enquired. When Paul hesitated, Sima smiled sheepishly. "Sorry if I am too nosy."

Paul studied her for a second and then nodded. It wasn't exactly a lie after all. "Kind of, I need to get Hao'li City or Iki Town as soon as possible." Sima smiled. "Well then, if you come with me back to the ranch, we can let you use the Pelliper on the way there. We just need him for extra canisters of milk and you don't carry much on you so it should be fine!" Paul couldn't believe his luck. "Really?" Sima shrugged. "It's nothing. My son Kiawe will take care of the delivery and you will save money. The only ferries this early in the morning are those really expensive ones. And my son's last stop is on Melemele Island so it's really no bother."

This was almost too good to be true. Paul couldn't help but be surprised and thankful. These kind of offers were usually reserved for Ash and his baby face; not Paul and his expression of imminent doom. "Thank you, ma'am." She shook her head. "What'd I say? Not ma'am, call me Sima. And come on, help me load the Pelliper on the truck. Kiawe will need to leave soon."

Sima turned out to be a very good company. While she could stern as Paul first though, she was also fair and possessed a weird sense of humour. Must have been a result of her family as she had a young daughter with a stubborn streak and almost adult son who could be even worse than his younger sister. Sima's family owned the ranch for generations now, their land spread miles by the foot of a volcano bearing the name Wela. "And what 'bout you, Paul? What kind of family emergency happened that you had to come to Alola region in such a hurry?" Paul couldn't help it and scowled at the thought of his empty headed fiancé. "My partner is a pain in the ass," he told her honestly and she laughed. Thankfully, it did not distract her from watching the road. "Oh my, that sounds serious. Trouble in paradise?"

"Not exactly. He is just being obtuse." She patted him on the knee. "Advice for later life, kiddo, they always are. And I am sure he would say the same thing about you." Well, there was no doubt about that.

Seeing the ranch in person didn't compare to Sima's description. Their land was spread over a large clearing just beneath the volcano and as sun was almost up, nearing almost six o'clock, the heat got almost unbearable. Paul couldn't imagine how he'd survive the rest of the day. Sima parked her truck just by stables of some pony Pokemon Paul didn't recognise. He deduced that they must be only native to Alola.

"Okay, we're here. Kiawe must be preparing his Charizard for the delivery." Paul did not need to be told that a Charizard is around. Just as Sima started to speak, he heard a low growl he recognised as that of a Charizard. He spent enough 'quality time' with the menace Ash trained to recognise it.

Paul helped Sima to unbuckle the Pelliper and the bird Pokemon gladly hopped down on the ground. "Mum?" A boy, well almost a man around Paul's age, appeared from around the corner bearing a striking resemblance to Sima. "Kiawe! Just on time. This is Paul, he needs to get to Iki Town and I offered him a ride on the Pelliper we will be using for delivery. Just arrived to Akala two hours ago from Kanto." She grinned and Kiawe nodded. "Nice to meet you, Paul." Paul inclined his head in greeting. Anyone who can successfully train a Charizard is a good person in his books. Ash currently didn't count.

Until he was actually presented with the Pelliper with all the buckles on, Paul did not even give a thought about flying on a Pokemon. It made him nervous. He anxiously checked the security buckles on the milk canisters and the saddle for the fifth time in the last few minutes. Kiawe, already prepared with his Charizard, watched him in complete amusement. "First time flying like this?" he asked and Paul had to grit his teeth not to snap at him. "Yeah, we do fly in Sinnoh, but usually only a small number of Pokemon are trained to do it or are willing to do it. It's not practiced much outside certain Pokemon trainer circles to be honest. I never owned a Pokemon that could do it nor did I feel the need to actually own a Pokemon like that. My stubborn ass of a boyfriend, well, fiancé, does have a Charizard he flies on sometimes... but that beast would rather eat me alive than let me climb on its back." He tugged on a strap. Seemed sturdy enough. "No offence," he added when Kiawe's Charizard grumbled. "But my partner's Charizard is... just frustrating." Kiawe grinned. "Territorial, is he?" You could put it like that. In its eyes, no one was worthy of its trainer's attention. "And don't worry about the straps, they are fine. Anyway, Charizard and I are brilliant flyers, if something happens, we'll be able to catch you."

Finally taking pity on Paul, Kiawe climbed down and went over the straps once again to reassure him. The next few seconds were spent in silence until Kiawe tentatively asked, "I thought mum said you are from Kanto?"

Paul shook his head. "No, I am living there most of the year nowadays, but I grew up in Sinnoh. Kanto is where my partner's from." And where they will be returning soon, he hoped. School, Ash, really? "Oh, we don't see many Pokemon from Sinnoh here. Or trainers from Sinnoh, I wonder why that is." Kiawe wondered out loud and Paul looked in dismay at his clothes. Very light by his standards, yet he was being roasted alive. "It's the heat," he said curtly and climbed onto the Pelliper. The seat was surprisingly comfortable. "I thought Sinnoh had beaches and nice tourist spots as well. Isn't the weather there similar to Alola's?" Kiawe asked, confused.

Paul rolled his eyes, how many times did he hear that fallacy? Too many times to count. He wouldn't exactly call it 'similar'. Okay, yes, it was nice sometimes. Their beaches were really nice during heatwaves in summer, yes, but the rest of the year only when it wasn't raining (or snowing if you got that lucky), which was only a chance of one in seven. But he wouldn't change it. Sometimes he hated the way Sinnoh was represented on TV. "Not exactly. Some spots are fine and really warm in summer, especially by sea, rivers and some lakes, but we are used to much, much colder weather. Mt. Coronet divides the entire region and makes our weather a tad more miserable than you see on TV. It's either raining, or snowing, depends where you are, almost every day of the year. Hell, if you look at a map, the entire region looks like a mountain!" Paul loved geography when he was kid. At four, he couldn't comprehend how anyone could live in Hoenn or Alola. No land at all. "Even Kanto is much more warmer than Sinnoh. Unfortunately our climate is very telling, we have lots of ground, rock, grass, bug, water and ice Pokemon native, but don't have that many fire Pokemon."

"Oh," Kiawe sighed as they finished with preparations and Paul had no choice but to climb onto the saddle. They took off just as Sima was shouting to visit them again, properly this time.

Paul gripped the handle, almost afraid to move. "That's a shame. That there are not any fire type Pokemon in Sinnoh. I love them. Fire type Pokemon, I mean." Paul shook his head. "I said not many. We do have them, you know. I used to own a Chimchar," he winced, that one really didn't like it when Paul and Ash got together, "but now he's my partner's. He evolved to Infernape, dual type Fire and Fighting."

"What was that expression for?" Kiawe asked with a smirk. Paul wanted to wipe it off. "Another one of my partner's Pokemon that don't like me." He said simply. And there were many, and each and every one hated him for different and sometimes a very specific reason. "You are funny, Paul." Kiawe remarked and Paul rolled his eyes.

After Kiawe did most of his deliveries, Melemele Island came into sight. Paul could almost taste the sweet and hot revenge. Kiawe landed with him by a small hotel near the sea. "The Ten Carat Hill is only a mile or so from here. Hao'li is just down this road and if you need anything, Pokemon Centre is that way as well. I hope you find what you're looking for, I have to deliver the rest of these." Kiawe said as he mounted his ride again. "Thanks. I really appreciate it."

After saying goodbye to Kiawe, Paul checked himself in to a nice stylish room in a moderately sized modern hotel. He booked it for five days, just in case, and for a surprisingly cheaper price than he expected. Feeling gross and absolutely exhausted, Paul decided a long and cold shower was necessary before he departed but within an hour was on his way to town. He forgot to ask Kiawe where the school was and could kick himself for that idiotic slip of mind. So exploring it was then. Soon he discovered that walking with his Beartic was a good idea - while Beartic was as cold as always, the bonus was it didn't seem to mind the hot temperature at all. As opposed to Paul. Few looked at him oddly, but he only glared at them in retaliation. So he didn't want to be cooked alive, so what.

Finally, he found himself at the centre of town, in a market of sorts. He stopped by one with many luxurious looking berries on display. An elderly woman was giving a cat Pokemon one, cooing, "Now, Litten, why are you here alone again? Where is your trainer?" The Pokemon, Litten, just meowed and grabbed the berry before running away. "His trainer doesn't care about him?" He asked and the woman looked up. "Alola, young man. Oh no, he does care, very much so, but Litten here is such a free spirit. When they are not training, he is always wandering around." Paul narrowed his eyes. "That's very reckless," he said simply and she laughed. "Well, Litten used to do this all the time, before he finally found a family, you know? Old habits die hard although his trainer is really trying." Paul still couldn't help but feel offended on that Litten's behalf. There were too many what ifs. "Well, it is not any of my business. Anyway, do you know which way to go to the school?" The lady blinked before smiling. "Oh, do you wish to join? You do have a really nice Pokemon." Oh hell no. And Beartic was more than nice, he was impressive!

Turned out the school wasn't that far from market and after he thanked the market stall lady, he was on his way. Apparently, the classes just started so it might be difficult to speak to anyone before lunch. Paul was willing to risk it. But for the first time since he departed for Sinnoh all those weeks ago, luck seemed to actually be on his side. On the way to the school, Paul found a nice little beach underneath cliffs where he heard shouts and unmistakable sounds of Pokemon battle. Intrigued, after descending a set of man-made stairs built into the cliff side, he spotted a group of trainers battling each other while a man in a laboratory coat, with no shirt underneath (Paul could sympathise but also, what the heck?), was watching them intently and sometimes gave pointers.

But that was not what caught his attention. While Ash was nowhere in sight, it suddenly didn't matter because Paul knew he'd be close. He wouldn't leave that sparkly yellow menace alone for long after all.

They didn't even notice him as he walked closer, but finally a girl with long green hair did when he snatched that yellow rat off her shoulder. "Hey, give him back!" She yelled and attracted attention of the entire group. "Steenee!" her Pokemon cried, probably a grass type (or a fairy) going by the smell and plant likeness, completely outraged on behalf of her trainer. Beartic, in retaliation, growled lowly and as if on cue, the rest of the group turned to him, ready for a battle.

They had a Vulpix, why it was white he could only guess, that was standing apprehensively by the feet of a young girl, maybe fourteen years old, with blonde hair and a wide posh hat. Then there was a mouse Pokemon on a shoulder of a short ginger haired guy. The aforementioned grass type Pokemon belonging to a green haired girl who had Ash's Pikachu on her shoulders. And then there was an aquatic looking Pokemon with pink ball shaped nose in arms of a blue haired girl. Not one of them looked particularly dangerous to his Beartic or Electivire, but Paul knew not to take any chances. He had no idea what these Pokemon could do after all. The guy in lab coat frowned but didn't make a move. Yet. Another thing to look out for.

Pikachu in Paul's arms panicked for a bit before calming down a notch after he recognised him, just fussing mildly and looking a bit apprehensive. Good. "No," he said simply and turned to walk away. He had his hostage, Ash would be quick to find now. Especially if those kids pass along the message. "Hey, Pikachu is not yours, give him back!" The ginger guy shouted and then, of all stupid things to do, gave his Pokemon an order to attack. "Togedemaru, roll!"

The mouse Pokemon started to very quickly roll their way, sand flying everywhere. Pikachu started to fuss even more, squirming in Paul's hold, alarmed by the progress of events. "Beartic, Ice beam, freeze its path!" Beartic bellowed and froze the sand around them, making the Pokemon skid around. Alarming part was that it seemed to enjoy it. If any Pokemon needed to go to a school...

"Hold on!" The guy in lab coat finally intervened. "Stop the battle! Young man, give Pikachu back before we call authorities." Paul raised his eyebrows. "This Pokemon is not yours either, is it?" That seemed to stop them all in their tracks. "Thought so. Well, I'm sure you'd mind, but I am going back to my hotel room. Peacefully. Tell that moron training this yellow thing," he tightened his grip on Pikachu as the squirming continued, "that it's with me." And then he proceeded to give them his name and address at the hotel. It was only slightly less stupid than when he decided to "fuck off" to Unova. Only slightly, mind you. And this time, he did not even have the excuse of being drunk.

"Pika..." Ash's Pokemon whined and Paul rolled his eyes. "Don't act so dramatic," he told Pikachu as it was sprawled over the pillow, looking completely drained. The opposite was the truth as it managed to eat a whole plate full of some bean shaped candies Paul had in the room when he checked in. His Pokemon, aside from Frosslass, didn't look all that interested in tasting them, and left them just lying around. Pikachu picked up on it. "With any luck, we'd all be off of this island soon." Pikachu startled from its relaxed and whiny state and jumped on his lap, shaking its head and looking panicked.

Tough luck. Paul scowled at it. "Look, if your useless excuse of a trainer told me about this, then we wouldn't have any problems and we wouldn't have to be in this hotel room together. He didn't say anything and now he's planning to stay here longtime? I am sorry, but I have my piece to say about that!" Pikachu huffed, dark eyes glowering at him.

There was no going around it, Paul felt betrayed and unwanted. Maybe he wouldn't mind as much if it was at any other time. But before the Ketchums left for Alola, Paul and Ash were kind of planning to stay on the same continent and give up the "long-distance relationship" label for a while.

But then this happened. Rationally, he knew that Ash couldn't possibly tell him. Both Paul's C-Gear and Reggie's phone were destroyed. But there were other ways to reach him. For example, that friend of his, Dawn, was on tour still. When she passed their breeding farm, she could have easily passed on a message. Yet she didn't. (Paul pointedly ignored the exasperated voice in the back of his mind that Ash really wouldn't think of that solution at all and even if he did, she or any of his friends might have not been able to do it anyway.) "Just leave it for now, the lump should be here soon," he gritted his teeth and as if on cue, his hotel room phone started ringing. Someone was going to meet him in the garden. It was finally looking as if the universe was truly on Paul's side.

With Pikachu on his shoulders and his Beartic following behind, Paul knew he probably wouldn't be challenged to a Pokemon battle right away, but was anticipating it. What he really didn't expect was the blur of his fiancé to tackle him to the ground just as he showed his face in the hotel garden. "Paul?" Ash sounded very surprised as he stared down at him. Then he realised he tackled Paul to the ground and could have hurt them both."Oh my god! I am so sorry! I didn't mean to!" He started to babble as Paul wheezed when he tried to get up and not injure himself - or Ash - any further. "What - the hell are you doing?" Paul fought to start breathing again. Ash looked apologetic as he continued to explain himself, "I was running and I stumbled and..." he stopped as if he remembered what he was doing before. And then the screaming started. Right in Paul's face. "What the hell am I doing? Seriously? What are you doing? You took Pikachu, asshole!"

Paul, who finally managed to get up and helped Ash to do the same, retorted angrily: "And you thought I would hurt him?! As if I could!" Pikachu recovered from its haze and hopped on its trainer's shoulder, chattering happily.

"How was I supposed to know! I thought it was Team Rocket!" Ash pouted. Paul knew how to recognise those by the second month of their romantic relationship and this pout meant that Ash was angry. Actually, his hands were shaking, that's how enraged the usually happy-go-lucky person was. Paul felt faintly guilty for being the source of it, but then remembered he had a bone to pick with Ash and suppressed his instinct to calm his lover down. Instead, Pikachu nuzzled its trainer's cheek to calm him down. It did not do much good. "Wait a moment," Paul exclaimed as the words finally caught up to him. "Those losers are here as well and, more importantly, you thought I was one of them? What the fuck, Ash!"

"What, my friends told me some bloke with blue hair," Ash started to wildly gesticulate as Paul shot a death glare at the assembled peanut gallery that must have followed Ash to the hotel. All of them were bewildered, probably expecting something a little bit different. "Which one of these idiots thought I had blue hair?" he asked dangerously. "It doesn't matter! Some guy just apparently walked up to them and took Pikachu. What was I supposed to think! Just tell me!" Their raised voices started to gain attention now, hotel staff gazing at them in concern.

"I told them my name!" Paul argued and then someone else ran into the garden as well. "Tell me now what is happening!" The figure, which Paul belatedly recognised as Kiawe, demanded of the group of kids Ash apparently considered his friends. The guy in lab coat ran in as well, panting, hands on his knees. But Ash didn't even acknowledge their arrival and continued on. "Well, even if they did tell me your name, you still stole my Pokemon! You complete idiot! That's just not done!" Paul growled. "Pikachu didn't even try to escape, didn't that strike them as a bit odd?! And it's not like I even knew where you were! Couldn't exactly walk into that school of yours and demand your presence!"

Ash froze for a bit, opening his mouth, but Paul didn't let him to even start. "I just arrived back from Reggie's place when I heard you were gone. Again! Without telling me a word! To be at school of all places! School, Ash!" Ash finally found his words. "If one of your phones worked, I would have! Why did I even buy you one if you are not going to pick it up?! And by the way, you are one to talk about leaving without letting anyone know -" Paul cut him off by childishly putting his hand over Ash's mouth. The younger trainer immediately protested and tried to dislodge his grip. "I thought we were finally planning on doing something together! For the first time in ages, we were together on one continent for the foreseeable future! And then you fucked off here." Yes, he chose those words deliberately.

He uncovered Ash's mouth.

Ash fiercely scowled.

"Togedemaru, no!"

For the record, Paul probably did deserve the second tackle to the ground that followed.