"Aw, c'mon Paul, what's the matter?" Ash wondered whiningly.

"What's the matter?" Paul replied. He was using his Furious Paul voice, and that was never good. "Why do you think this can work, hm? What on Arceus's earth makes you think Dawn and me is an item worth pursuing? I want to know, and I want to know now."

Ash bit his lip worriedly. "Well, um, I can't exactly… tell you." He looked down ashamedly.

"You'd better, or I'm not doing this, no matter what."

"Okay, okay!" Ash crumbled. "Misty and I have a bet. She told me she could get May and Drew together before I could get you and Dawn together, and I really don't want to lose."

Paul blinked. "It's a bet with Misty?" he said, confused. Ash nodded without looking up. "What happens if you lose?"

"Bad things," Ash whispered weakly.

Paul leaned forward slightly. "How bad?" he prompted.

When Ash told him, Paul was left stricken and pale, with his eyes stretched out in a most uncharacteristic way. "And that," Ash finished shakily. His knees were to his chest, and he was rocking back and forth like a child, "is why I can't lose."

Paul swallowed, only to find his mouth dry. He wiped at his forehead, where cold beads of sweat had formed, and sat down hard next to Ash on the bed. "Alright," he managed, clearing his throat. "I'll do it. But only because you're my friend." He straightened up slightly. "And because I'm getting an Xbox out of it."

Ash's eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you so, so much, Paul. I can't express how grateful I am."

"Hang on," Paul interrupted, and Ash fell silent. "How do you expect to set us up if you're leaving tomorrow?"

Ash smiled sheepishly. "I have a plan."


"Come with me."

Paul stared at Ash with disappointment. That was his big plan?

Dawn pursed her lips. "I can't go to Kanto right now. I have too many things going on here."

"I'm the Sinnoh Champion, you idiot," Paul growled. "I can't leave."

"Sure you can!" Ash said happily. "Cynthia left all the time. And it's only for a little while."

"I haven't packed," Paul insisted, though it was already clear he was losing this battle.

"I can wait," replied Ash. When Paul just scowled, Ash smiled in victory and turned to Dawn. "Come on, Mom is dying to see you. Everyone will be there!"

Dawn just grimaced. "I've been really busy lately," she said, but her resolve was weakening. Paul watched in fascination. How did Ash do that?

"Please?" Ash begged. "I bet you could find a Vulpix! And nothing's more contest-worthy than a Vulpix!"

Dawn's expression soured. "Fine," she conceded.

Ash jumped in the air, throwing his fist in victory. "All right!" he cried.

Paul massaged his forehead in exasperation. "I'll go pack," he grumbled, retreating back inside.

An undetermined stay at the Ketchum residence with Dawn. Oh dear Arceus, Paul was doomed.


One very long boat ride later…

"No reporters!" Dawn exclaimed happily. She thrust her arms in the air. "Best vacation ever!"

Paul was the exact opposite of Dawn. It was hot, too hot for his liking. He had been forced to shed his sweater and long-sleeved shirt or risk spontaneously combusting, something Paul was not happy about in the least.

Ms. Ketchum was kind—she always was. She welcomed Paul with a warm smile and offered him a cookie, which he politely declined (although he would be damned if he didn't at least take one later).

"Oh, and I'm sorry, Ash, Paul," she said, and her face truly showed it. "But I really don't have much space in the house, and with all these people coming over, well, what I'm saying is you'll need to bunk up." She smiled. "I set up a cot in Ash's room for you, Paul. I hope that will be enough."

Paul had to smile (read: not scowl) at her. She was always so sweet. "It's not a problem, Ms. Ketchum, really."

Ash's mom smiled. "You go on and get settled then," she encouraged. "Oh, and Ash! Open your window. Your room stinks with just one boy in it, let alone three!"

The humor in her comment was overshadowed by the number she used. "Three?" Paul repeated hesitantly.

"Now announcing, Drew Hayden!"

The green-haired coordinator burst through the front door, a grin plastered on his handsome features and a bag slung over his shoulder. He put his hand to his ear. "Ah, I can hear the crowd cheering from here."

"Oh no," Paul breathed.

A girl with a bandana followed, slipping a yellow backpack off her shoulders as she entered. "Hey Ms K!" she greeted with a friendly wave.

Ash's mother waved from the kitchen. "Hi May!" She set her wooden spoon down on the counter and wiped her hands on her apron before rushing over to embrace the other girl.

May… Paul had heard that name before.

Misty and I have a bet. She told me she could get May and Drew together before I could get you and Dawn together…

Oh. Right. Which meant the cabbage-patch man was…

"You must be Drew!" Delia exclaimed, letting go of May to grin at him. "I'm glad I finally get to meet you."

"Thank you so much for having me over," Drew replied, smiling. "I've been wanting to come to Kanto for ages now."

Delia just smiled. "Make sure Ash shows you everything then. Paul, you know where the room is, would you show Drew?"

Paul jumped at being addressed. "Hn," he said, because he felt he had to make some sort of acknowledgement.

Drew turned and seemed to notice him for the first time. "Oh," he said, and he stepped forward, hand outstretched. "You're Paul? I'm Drew."

He seemed clean enough. Paul shook his hand with minimal repulsion. "Room's this way." He turned around and led the way up the stairs.

Ash was in the upstairs hallway, running a vacuum furiously across the carpet. He glanced up at saw them, his arm never stopping. "She left a list of chores on my bed!" he yelled over the whir of the vacuum.

Paul smirked mirthfully at his friend's suffering. Ms. Ketchum just went up a few places in his book. Still smiling, he beckoned for Drew to follow him. They stepped around Ash and the vacuum.

"Hey!" Ash called. Paul and Drew twisted around to look at him. "Is Misty here yet?"

The two boys shook their heads, and Ash went back to cleaning.

Ash's room was exactly as it was last time Paul visited. Posters of past Champions decorated the walls. The pokeball bedspread, which Ash wouldn't let his mother throw out, even though the bed was now too big for the blanket, was still there. Dozens of Pokemon figurines covered every available surface of dresser, desk, and shelf space. On one of the walls, Ash's past Gym Badges, tournament trophies, and contest ribbons were on display, shining as if just polished.

Two cots were set out, one by the window and the other by the dresser.

"Dibs on the window!" Drew exclaimed, rushing over to the cot.

Paul did nothing, though inwardly he was cackling at Drew. The poor imbecile had never seen a Kanto sunrise, and Ash's window didn't have blinds.

"So where are you from?" asked Drew. He had dropped his bag on the cot and gone to explore the room.

Paul unzipped his own bag and removed the sheets he had brought. Not because he doubted Ms. Ketchum's cleaning skills—it was just something he did. "Veilstone City," Paul stated.

"In Sinnoh?" Drew replied. He whistled. "Wow. That's one hell of a boat ride." Abruptly, Drew paused and straightened up. Paul could see him in the mirror on the dresser. "Wait, what's your last name?"

"Shinji," Paul said simply.

Drew actually took a few steps back. "Great Arceus, you're the Sinnoh Champion!" he cried.

Paul nodded silently. Inside, he was smirking. He really loved the recognition he got, humility be damned.

"Whoa, that is amazing!" Drew sat down on his cot, reeling from shock. "And here I am, a lowly Coordinator, yet to take any titles."

Personally, Paul had no respect for Coordinators (it was the sissy side of Pokemon). Wait. Dawn was a Coordinator. Okay, most Coordinators. The ones that weren't Dawn.

Paul scowled. He had meant to say something, but his thoughts were in a tangle and the moment had passed. So he let it go and tried not to think of Dawn.

He didn't do very well.

The Trainer could not believe how easily the girl had slithered into his mind. Troublesome, that's what she was. Just thinking about her made his mouth dry. He swallowed. He did not like these feelings.

"So Paul."

Paul grunted, only recognizing the sound of his name.

Drew smirked. "Wanna battle?"

"No," Paul said flatly.

"What?" Drew cried. "Hey, no! You're a Champion, you can't refuse any challenge or you default your title!"

"I can refuse any challenge issued outside of Sinnoh, and, in fact, most challenges issued outside the League." As if Paul would want to battle the talking broccoli anyways.

Ash's head (bearing Pikachu) suddenly poked into the room. "Guys, come on! We've got places to be, people to see!"

"You sound like my agent," mumbled Paul.

Drew, on the other hand, appeared thrilled. "Awesome, let's go!" he declared, and he followed Ash.

Paul sighed. He hated being the only sane person for a few miles.

Ash was waiting for him on the other side of the door. He clapped him on the back unexpectedly. "Paul!" he said happily. "Remember what I said about you and a certain someone?" He raised his eyebrows a few times, which actually frightened Paul. "Here's what we're going to do about that…"