'The twerp's sentimental.'

'Uh-uh, uh-uh,' Meowth and Jessie chorused while Paul tsk'd.

'I already know that.'

'Really? It doesn't seem like you did, considering the way you've handled this so far!' James sniffed as only one of high birth could, looking strangely condescending. 'Why, from what I've heard from Meowth, you might as well-'

'What, hide in denial? At least I know my preferences! What's your excuse?'

James leapt to his feet. Paul did the same. By now, for the both of them, a fight would be a welcome distraction.

'Well, what do you know, you big brute?'

'At this point, definitely more than you, you pathetic wimp!' By now both males had their foreheads butting like angry Tauros. The rest watched with mild interest before turning back into the little planning circle they had made. 'Well, we're not getting very far, are we?' Jessie muttered grumpily, scratching at her arm as she watched Paul and James. Torterra hummed in agreement next to her, while Meowth shrugged.

Paul rubbed at his temples as James abandoned staring him down and rejoined their little question corner to happily jabber about more stupid plots. How did he ever come to this? It was stupid. And pointless. And Team Rocket was stupid.

'Maybe if we swoop down an' grab Pikachu to get the twerp's attention, Paul culd' swipe da twerp, an be off wit him!' As Team Rocket clapped in eager agreement, Paul deadpanned.

…Did he say this was stupid?

It was deducted that after many long discussions far later (mostly by Team Rocket) that they- no; Charizard, that Charizard should quickly scan the route for Ash's location. Thus it was decided quickly and the orange dragon Pokemon departed at dawn (by which that time Team Rocket were out on the grass, snoring away). Only Torterra saw him off.

He spent an hour scanning the dusty track, dirt battle arenas, solitary Pokemon centres and forest clearings along the way with no luck. He then turned his head towards the large and tall city ahead of him silhouetted by the rising sun. He flew briefly over it, immediately unable to discern one face from the thousands that would soon be rushing through it, and although he could see them clearly with his sharp eyes he knew there was no way Ash and his group would be up and travelling yet, much less here. Even so, later didn't seem nearly so hopeless. Wheeling about in the sky, he didn't get back until well into the morning.

By then Paul was up, dressed, washed, and grumpily stamping out the fire. He merely glanced up when Charizard arrived back with no more than a 'Oh, you're here.'

Team Rocket was asleep aside from Meowth, who was inclining on some daisies, grooming. Charizard allowed his open shock to show; the fact that Meowth cleaned at all was something of a marvel to him. Meowth frowned at the look, then hissed softly. 'Wat's da report?' he asked curtly.

'The city's the best chance,' Charizard answered back just as shortly.

Torterra watched him with unimpressed benevolence. 'That's all you've got for us?' he asked. Charizard looked to him and shrugged with a hopeless grin before slumping down and wholloping the back of Paul's legs with no small amount of glee. Paul teetered unceremoniously before losing the battle and crumpling to the ground. Even so, he managed to inflict a small amount of pride into it, for he landed on his hands and knees, and was up immediately, unabashedly punching Charizard in the closest part he could reach; the reptilian's leg.

Torterra rolled his eyes. 'With teammates like these, I doubt the mission shall be accomplished.'

'You kiddin'?' Meowth abolished with an all-knowing grin. 'Never underestimate th' power of a crazy team. Da crazy are always da determined!'

'Who would have guessed?' Torterra answered after a moment's respite. 'There is more in your ridiculously thick skull than one would think.'

Meowth gave nothing more than a rueful grin. Charizard's roar overtook this. In the background, the remaining members of Team Rocket remained dead to the world. Scowling, Paul asked, 'What the hell is that damn lizard saying?' It was obviously directed at Meowth, because for possibly the first time, Paul looked at him.

'He says, you're an idiot.'

'Yeah, got that the first thousand times. Anything else?'

Meowth jumped up and pointed to the sky in enthusiasm. 'He says;…' he cleared his throat (everyone, quite overly used to his antics by now, let him do so without immediately pushing him out of the limelight), '"to the city!"'

It had been a few days since Ash had received Paul's message, or even seen Paul at all for that matter. And he was starting to feel ridiculously ignored. He had been scouring all the battle hotspots, and frequenting the few Pokecentres on the long road in hopes of encountering his rival again, but his quest so far came up short. Both Brock and Dawn had followed, laughing quietly at his short bursts of energy but nonetheless following. It was only when Pastoria city finally loomed high in front of them did any thing of apparent interest happen.

The three of them made their way toward the city centre, still wary of Ash's now distanced gloomy state, when completely out of the blue, Ash sighted a familiar lavender head amongst the crowd. Giving a shout, Ash ran for it, dislodging Pikachu. He gave a squeak of shock, and Ash reached up with one hand to steady his best friend, not pausing in his dash.

He long outpaced Brock and Dawn, who had no idea what Ash's sudden animation was for. He was getting quite excited because knew it was Paul from the way he slaunted, the certain way his head was tilted and the hands that were shoved deep into his pockets. Ash ducked around and under a few people, then clamped his hand onto Paul's shoulder.

The person in question jumped and spun around, face screwed and a curse visible on his lips. But then he saw Ash and all movement within him seemed to shut down involuntarily. 'Hey,' Ash said brightly. 'I got your message.'

Paul shuffled, his eyes almost wide. He glanced around, gathered his wits, gradually relaxed, and finally rewarded Ash with a smirk. 'Well, duh,' he said. 'I think you missed the point of it being a message.'

'It was nice of you,' Ash said simply. 'I was surprised.'

Paul stared back at him. Ash did the same. Both struggled for something to say, and could only come up with things of no importance that never got out anyway, so they just stared, slight smiles on their oblivious faces. Pikachu yawned, then growled softly. If he could have pushed Ash forward, he would have.

Brock and Dawn arrived. 'What the hell, Ash!' Dawn cut herself off when she saw Paul, then scowled. 'Oh, it's you,' she said. 'You're the reason Ash has been sulking for the past few days!'

'Dawn- no I haven't!' Ash said indignantly, looking from his friends to Paul.

'Really?' Paul looked slightly delighted at this.

'No, I haven't. Dawn!' Ash turned to Brock for help, who stepped back, struggling not to laugh. 'Keep me out of this!' he said.

'I don't know why you stand up for this guy, Ash, he's not worth it!'

'Likewise, beanie girl.'

'DAWN! My name is Dawn! We. Have. Met. Before!'

Paul merely turned to Ash, who stared at the two of them confounded and torn. 'Ash, listen.'

Dawn huffed, and Brock tugged at her arm, diverting her attention to him. Ash was turning to Paul as the atmosphere calmed around them when the worst happened. A wild card appeared, one that Paul found himself internally banging his head against an internal wall at said wild card's appearance. Wild card: Gary Oak, aka annoying brunette bastard. Opportunity: lost. Day: now a waste of time.

The group spotted Gary the same time he spotted them, and the reaction between all of them varied a great deal. Ash, however, was delighted to see his old friend. 'Gary! What are you doing here?'

'Hi Gary!' Dawn shouted while waving alongside Brock.

Gary approached grinning warmly, but it turned into a look of confusion when he spotted Paul. 'What are you doing here?'

Ash looked between them, at first pleasantly surprised. 'Do you guys know each other or something?' Gary nodded, looking morseso confused than angry, country to Paul, who had started scowling at the sight of Gary and had yet to stop.

'We met a few days ago at the battlefields. But I didn't catch your name,' Gary politely said, a delicate sharpness within his voice. Paul's eye twitched and he didn't answer, feeling anger overtake him. It had been such a good time, and he was ready. Dammnit, dammnit, dammnit!

Ash frowned at the heavy tension, and glanced unknowingly again to Brock. Brock shook his head and nudged Ash forward, who said; 'Well, this is Paul,' he smiled at Gary. 'He's… a friend.' Paul looked to Ash sharply at that. 'And Paul, this is Gary! He grew up with me in Pallet town.'

Gary nodded to Paul, his smile tight. But it was still there, even so. He glanced around, then back to Paul in patient disbelief. 'Where's-?'

'None of your business.'

Ash's mouth opened to question the two, then closed as he listened intently, his brows furrowing. Gary raised an eyebrow as his gaze travelled to Ash before locking back on Paul. 'Why-'

'I told you, none of your goddamn business,' Paul snarled with an air of defiance. Gary's eyebrow rose, and he took a slow step closer. 'Well, if it's none of mine, don't you think it's Ash's?' he growled.

'No, I fucking don't,' Paul answered, a little too quickly. He immediately regretted some part of that, because Ash was looking between them, confused, and also because Gary grabbed his shirt. Paul's hackles rose in full force and his glare intensified. Without thinking nor considering, he swung his fist at Gary.

Gary had no time to duck and took it full on, his face bending under Paul's iron knuckles before they retreated and Gary's red face reappeared, looking furious. Gary tackled him, and the two went down wrestling.

Paul was nearly aware of Dawn and Ash screaming above him; one angrily and the other shrilly, and couldn't distinguish between them, although he had an inkling Dawn was the angry one. Pikachu was yapping in his ear, but he paid no attention as he rolled around with Gary, both of them snarling threats and boasts, lost a sea of testosterone fuelled brawling.

'Pi-ka-CHHUU!' Electricity filled the air and dashed eagerly to the fighting trainers.

That shut them up. And separated them. And had them hacking and gasping on the ground, their clothes smoking and their hair tinged. For a moment, Gary fussed at his hair and Paul just seethed in extreme anger, but that was before both of them looked up at Ash.

Confusion, of course, and a little bit of worry, but most of all, disappointment. To Paul, that hurt. He felt it enter and sting his insides, like a Tentacruel had wrapped itself fully around him and squeezed. His face slackened and he fell silent. Gary started muttering out an apology.

'What's going on?' Ash asked, cutting Gary off, his voice now a bit more guarded than before.

Paul was still quiet, watching Ash with an almost lost look on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, conscious of Gary blabbering on next to him, then failure overtook him. It seized him and shook him inside out. He was just as he had always been; a lost and alone failure. And he couldn't take it anymore. Howling within, he pushed himself up and ran.

'!-Paul!'

'Ash, wait!' Dawn called as Ash took off, and Gary followed.

Once Paul broke through the initial crowd barrier he was lost in an ocean of faces, all disinterested and unwelcome. Gary caught the heartbroken look on Ash's face as the young boy slowed to a stop. Even worse, he had caught the completely defeated expression on Paul's face before he had departed. Ash hadn't.

'What was that about?' Ash asked in despair, more to himself than any around him. Next to him, Gary mused sullenly for a moment before saying 'I don't really know… but Ash, I think it was about your Charizard. And you.'

Ash perked up, looking even more confused, while Brock echoed him as the older man skidded to a stop, having finally caught up. 'What does Ash's Charizard have to do with Paul?' And there was Dawn was right behind him, panting. 'That damn Paul…' was all she muttered. 'Always a drama…'

'When I saw Paul a few days back he was with your Charizard, Ash.'

Brock's mouth fell open, and Dawn squealed; 'Ash has a Charizard? Where?' Ash's face however, didn't change. He cocked his head, waiting. Pikachu mirrored him with a squeak, almost glaring at Gary.

'I don't know why or how, but your Charizard was with Paul, I swear. He seemed fine, like he was just travelling with Paul for the hell of it… but I thought you would have known. Or, maybe, Charizard went wild.'

Ash's eyes flashed, and he was quick to counter, 'My Charizard would never desert! Gary, how could-?'

Gary frowned, taking Ash's shoulder. 'All I was saying is that it was a possibility. I didn't know… and especially now that I know you didn't know. Ash, how well do you know this Paul guy?'

Ash shook Gary off, his lips pressed into a thin line. 'Paul wouldn't take my Charizard, if that's what you're saying, Gary,' he said thickly. 'Paul might not be the most friendly guy, but at his core he's genuine.' Gary fell silent, studying Ash's determined expression, before stepping back with a sigh. 'I trust you. But, now the problem is, why is Charizard here? And with that Paul guy?'

'I know.' Ash looked down without seeing, deep in thought. 'Why didn't he say anything…?' Ash had a moment of clarity, and his head shot up, eyes blazing. 'The tree-!' He laughed. 'That idiot! he knew all along! No wonder he was so grouchy!'

Gary echoed a 'huh?' from Dawn before an arrogant voice from behind them said, 'Hah! I tol'd ya da twerp was smart! We din' even halfta tell im!'

'I don't know what's weirder, that the twerp got it or Meowth was right for once.'

'Hey!'

Dawn whirled around, her frown intensifying. 'Team Rocket! Really, now of all times?'

They stood behind them, all dressed in their usual over-the-top disguise garb, and for once, their intrusion wasn't met with annoyed shouts, seeing as James had up his hands held up in gentle mock surrender.

'We're not here as expert Pokemon thieves,' he told them as they gathered around Ash in excitement. 'We're here for the dawn of romance!' James practically had hearts in his eyes, and no-one was really surprised.

'You stupid twerp!' Jessie scolded Ash. 'You were too late! That means we failed as well!' She turned on Gary, who watched her with a twitching eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. 'And you! You spoiled everything, just turning up! It was going perfectly!'

Brock shoved his way in front of Team Rocket, looking aggravated. 'WHAT are you guys talking about? Ruined what?'

'Well-' started James.

'You see, you idiots-' Jessie began.

Meowth popped up in front of them all grinning toothily. 'The grouchy twerp was gonna ask you out!'

Ash's mouth fell open, Dawn shrieked (from anger or excitement, no-one could tell), Brock simply stared and Gary slowly tilted his head, looking shocked and thoughtful. 'Well, that was an unexpected twist,' he said after a moment, his voice somewhat amused. Somewhat.

Ash now looked ecstatic. 'Where's Charizard?' He asked Gary. Gary looked to Ash in apparent disbelief. 'How am I supposed to know, Ash?' Team Rocket shoved forward, answering; 'He's following Paul!'

'Right!' Ash whirled on his toes and went to bolt, but was stopped by the hand on his arm. 'Ash…' Gary said slowly, studying his friend's face. Ash grinned at him. 'Sorry, Gary! Paul needs me!' And he ripped his arm from Gary's hold, taking off after Paul with Pikachu.

Dawn jumped, then took off after Ash, yelling. Brock followed, shaking his head. It wasn't a moment too soon before Team Rocket followed, all yelling their own lame encouragement.

Gary stood there thoughtfully for a minute, his mind churning. Then, slowly, as if he was in a daze, he withdrew a poke ball from his belt. Looking at it for a moment, he slowly smiled. 'If that's your decision then, Ashy-boy…'

Oh fuck, fuck, fuck. Not fair, not fair, fucking. Not fair.

Paul was used to being ignored, but today it was a given. Charizard stood next to him mercifully (and uncharacteristically) silent. Paul punched the tree once, and again, and one more after that until he no longer kept count. His forehead rested against the very same tree he was abusing in Pastoria's grand park.

'Why the hell can't I do this?!' Paul growled to himself over and over.

Charizard nudged Paul on the shoulder. He had witnessed Paul's encounter with Ash moments before from high, and had quickly followed the distraught trainer. Crowded cities were not really his thing, so he had taken to following Paul from the sky, lounging around in the park whenever he was tried, hungry or bored. The amount of stupid trainers that had tried to catch him was astounding, and lowered his already dismal view of the general trainer.

'Oi, you. Paul.'

Paul whirled around to be faced with someone he positively could not deal with at the moment. Snarling, he stomped away from the intruder. Gary spared Charizard a quick patronising glare before running after Paul and grabbing him by the shoulder.

He was only half-surprised when the other man turned with a fist ready and ducked deeply, just avoiding the blow. 'Stop- hey-' He let go as Paul kept swinging and danced back. 'Listen dumbass, I just want to talk!'

Paul swung his fist forward, but it was caught by an orange tail. Sneering, he tried to yank his hand out, but Charizard only tightened his hold, glaring purposely. He growled softly and let Paul's hand go with a shake. Paul let his hand fall limply to his side. Not looking at Gary, he snarled, 'Well what?'

'He's near the Pokemon centre. Go back and face him.'

Paul had not been expecting that. 'What?'

'You heard me. Go back, and face Ash.'

Paul stared in disbelief. 'Why would I do that?'

'Because he wants you too. Badly.' That had Paul glaring all the more furiously. 'What the hell do you know?' he said, his voice cold. Gary, on the other hand, sniffed in offence. 'What are you, thick? He cares about you too. And I should know, I grew up with him. The idiot's a little predictable, you know? So, go and get him.'

Paul was silent, watching the dirt at his feet with interest. Finally, he raised his head, still scowling, even though it had lost most of it's edge. 'It's no use. He deserves someone better. And I've already proved how worthless I am.'

Gary shook head. 'So prove yourself.'

Paul growled but slowed as the other man continued. 'Tell me, what's the best way you two connect? Maybe you're going about this in the completely wrong way.'

Gary nodded to Charizard in a final notion and left. As he did, a small smile broke out on his face, unseen by the two behind him. And because of that, he didn't see the look of realisation on that hit Paul's face.

Paul was running. Charizard was behind him, flying and completely out of the loop. A swagger-inducing grin was on Paul's face, his head was high and he was sprinting. Charizard was indeed perplexed, but also glad. His Paul was back, which led him to believe that maybe Gary wasn't as useless as he had always thought.

As he swooped low in the city people stopped and pointed, which only made it easier for Paul to push through them. He reached the Pokemon centre and looked around expectedly, spotted someone in the distance that could be Ash sitting at an outside restaurant in the city plaza. He took off for that figure. Charizard overtook Paul and flew across the wide area in a second, making for the person, already knowing it was Ash. Besides his never-wrong sight, he could see Pikachu on the table.

Within moments, Charizard was on them, flaring his wings to stop right by Ash's table as Dawn gave a short shriek. His draft sent people, chairs and Pokemon flying alike, as well as his person; Ash toppled backwards over in his chair and Pikachu wrapped himself around the umbrella pole as Brock and Dawn ducked, holding onto the table.

Ash blinked at Charizard from his spot on the ground for a few minutes. It was slow progress, but his eyes eventually widened and shone with delight, and his mouth stretched as far as it could. 'Pikachu-pi Pika! Pi Pika!' Pikachu leapt for Charizard at the same moment, sporting a toothy grin of his own.

'Man, can this day get any more exciting?' Brock said, part amusement, part annoyance, as he emerged from beyond the table, waved to Charizard, then proceed to stare mournfully at the remains of his burger. Dawn, however, was caught somewhere between terror and awe. 'Oh, Ash,' she whispered. Ash scrambled to his feet and threw himself at the Pokemon, which gave a loud excited roar and started nuzzling Ash's head. '….Is that…?'

'Dawn!' Ash exclaimed happily. 'This is Charizard, one of my first Pokemon!'

Charizard pulled back, and bathed Ash merrily in flame. Pikachu sighed from Charizard's shoulder. 'So typical of you. Did you ever think Ash might not like that?'

'Still as soft as a Rattata, huh?' Charizard grinned and head butted Pikachu as soft as he could, which wasn't much. That earned him a half-hearted hiss, and a swipe at his head. 'And Ash is laughing, so I think he likes it,' Charizard concluded with a smug snort. Pikachu rolled his eyes, because Ash was indeed laughing below them.

As Dawn approached in fear and then almost immediately retreated, Paul stood no more than a few metres away, watching their reunion with something akin to fondness, a light smirk on his lips. The first pokeball on his belt wriggled impatiently, and Paul placed a stern hand over Torterra. 'Not yet, you big lug,' he said.

Gradually, Charizard pulled away from his beloved trainer and stepped back. He looked at Ash, then turned his head to Paul, nodding to the both of them roughly. Ash followed his gaze and gasped, then grinned. Before he could say a word, Paul held up his hand. His hand didn't stop Ash though, who was already running.

Paul's eyes widened and he had a moment to swear before Ash barrelled into his fellow rival. Behind them, Dawn giggled. 'Everything Ash does has to be overboard, huh?'

'Paul!' Ash quipped happily. He fell against Paul, hugging fiercely and laughing. 'Gary told me everything!' he said quickly, his gaze flying to Charizard and back, grinning.

Paul held Ash for a moment before pushing him off and coughing lightly. Ash rose an eyebrow, but stepped back, waiting expectantly. And impatiently.

'I have something to say to you,' Paul said smoothly. Ash waited still, and the beginnings of worry were beginning to appear in his eyes.

Paul smirked. 'I challenge you to a one-on-one Pokemon match, Ash ketchum. And if I win, you have to kiss me.'

Having a new Mac is awesome and shitty at the same time. Mac's are awesome, but mine keeps auto-correcting EVERYTHING. I will be happily speed-typing, then, much much later, find all these ridiculous words within my poor text. Tell me, how the hell does Mac-correct mistake me typing 'best' for 'beast'? Grr.

Other than that, we are reaching the end, ooooh!