Alrighty then, so here's chapter seven! Gary comes into the picture and Paul doesn't like that much….I wonder what complications will happen this time….oh and for anyone who was wondering, I know I made Paul seem WAY changed in the last chapter but I figure love does do that and since it was only then that he realized it,…..well it just made sense when I wrote it. But don't worry, jerk Paul is still there. He reappears lol. On with the story!

Favor For A Friend? 7: Gary…

Emerald eyes looked around as he walked to the top of the hill. He looked down at city below him. "Well Umbreon, looks like we finally made to Veilstone."

"Umbre!" The black fox Pokémon agreed.

"Come on, let's get down there, get some supplies, stop for lunch, and head out. We need to catch up with Ashy-boy. We want to be at the league cheering him on." Gary told his partner. The black fox nodded and the two started the walk down to the city.

*At the house*

"Alright, Staraptor, use Brave Bird and try and hit me!" Ash commanded to predator bird. He took off running with Staraptor right behind him, using his most powerful attack.

After breakfast, the five stayed outside and talked when Ash remembered he wanted to perfect the angle of Staraptor's Brave Bird. Now Brock, Dawn, Reggie, and Paul were watching as Ash trained sitting at the table while the rest of the Pokémon were watching while being spread out around the grass.

"He's going to get himself killed." Paul stated watching him run and dodge the attacks.

"Nah. He does this kind of stuff all the time." Brock said.

Paul glanced at the younger breeder. "All the time?"

"Yea, this is how he trains. He believes if his Pokémon should have to train then he should too." Brock then laughed. "And if you think this is dangerous, you should have seen him training Charizard, Sceptile, and Snorlax. Now THAT was dangerous." He said with a laugh.

"So, he's always been like this?" Reggie asked.

"Oh yea. When Misty and I first started traveling with him, we tried everything in our power to make him stop and think about it, but he never listened. Always has to do it his own way." Brock explained.

"Misty? Who's Misty?" Paul asked.

"Oh, she's the Cerulean Gym Leader." Dawn answered. "Apparently the two have an extremely close relationship."

Paul felt jealously rise up in his stomach. The realization hit him. "Gym Leader?"

"Yea, her sisters were taking care of the gym while she was traveling with Ash for three years, but after the Jhoto League, they called and needed her back. Same with me. My family called and needed me back at my home at the Pewter Gym so I left as well but met up with him again a few weeks later a few later in Hoenn."

"Wait, Pewter Gym?" Paul questioned.

"Yea, I was the Gym Leader when I met Ash. He battled me and I gave him Boulder Badge." Brock told him.

"You were a Gym Leader?"

"Yea, my dad came back and took over the gym when Ash was leaving Pewter City so since I wanted to be a breeder; I asked him if I could come along with him. We've been traveling together for what now, almost six years? I stopped traveling with him when he went to the Orange Islands, but came back when before he went to Jhoto."

"So he traveled with two Gym Leaders? Wow." Paul said.

"Not just that," Dawn said. Reggie and Paul looked at the coordinator. "Aren't May and Max the son and daughter of the Petalburg Gym Leader, Norman?" She asked Brock.

"Yes they are." Brock said. He then noticed the looks of confusion Reggie and Paul had and laughed. "Ash met up with May and Max in the Hoenn Region. May was a beginning trainer and Ash sort of took her under his wing. Max is her younger brother who wasn't a trainer yet, but Norman thought it would be good for him to travel with Ash and May so he could learn about Pokémon with them. They were already traveling together when I met up with them in Hoenn."

"Wow, Ash has had a lot of traveling companions, hasn't he, Paul?" Reggie said. Paul shrugged and turned his head. He wouldn't let his brother see how jealous he felt that all these people got to be close to the boy he had feelings for. Reggie shrugged at Brock and Dawn. All the sudden there was an explosion.

The four turned quickly to see smoke on the grass. They stood as Staraptor came out of the smoke and quickly blew it away. Ash was on the ground coughing. "Ok, break time." He said sitting up and rubbing his side. "You're getting faster. I'm going to have to pick up my own speed." Ash told Staraptor.

"Star…"

"Hey," Ash said standing up as the bird landed next to him. "Don't feel bad, I was your target and you hit me. It was great!" Ash told his Pokémon cheerfully. Staraptor then nuzzled his trainer.

Paul face-palmed. "I told you he was going to get himself hurt."

"Actually, you said he was going to get himself killed." Reggie told his younger brother.

"Same difference! They're both bad!" He told him. Reggie held his hands up in surrender. 'Note to self,' Reggie thought. 'Don't talk back to him about the boy he has feelings for.'

"Umbre, Umbre!" Everyone turned to look towards the gate, Ash and Pokémon included, and saw an Umbreon jump the fence, run to Ash, and tackle him.

"Ash!" Brock and Dawn yelled. Paul scowled and was about to call out one of his Pokémon to attack the black fox when the four noticed Ash was laughing.

"Stop it, Umbreon! That tickles!" Ash exclaimed as the black fox licked and nuzzled him.

"What?" Reggie questioned confused. Brock, Dawn, and Paul were equally confused.

Ash sat up as Umbreon got off of him and stood. "Hey, what's going on?" Brock asked the trainer as he walked towards them, Umbreon walking beside him. Pikachu quickly ran over and tackled the black fox playfully.

Ash laughed at the two Pokémon and then turned his attention to the others. "Oh it's…"

"Ashy-boy!" Everyone turned towards the gate and saw Gary standing there waving.

Ash's face lit up. "Gary!" He called out happily and ran towards his friend. Ash literally jumped the fence and ran straight into Gary's arms. The brunette laughed and hugged his longtime friend back. "I've missed you so much, Gary!"

"I've missed you, too, Ashy." He said to the trainer while in the embrace.

Paul glared hotly at the brunette, balled his hands into fists, and started shaking angrily. "Who the heck is that?" He asked to no one in particular.

"Oh that's Gary Oak, Professor Oak's grandson." Brock answered with a smile on his face while watching the two old friends hug one another.

Violet eyes widened. "That's Professor Oak's grandson?" He asked turning his head towards the younger breeder. Brock nodded. Paul looked back at the duo. He couldn't believe it. He was expecting his grandson to be some geek or something. Not someone so…so tall, and handsome, and…attractive. And Paul couldn't help but notice Gary's right arm was wrapped very tightly around Ash's waist and his left arm around Ash's back, his hand gripping Ash's shoulder. He didn't even know the guy and already hated him.

"Ash and Gary are best friends." Dawn said. "They've been friends since childhood growing up together in Pallet." She told Reggie.

"Well that's cool. We should get him to join us." Reggie said.

"Say what?" Paul asked his older brother. Reggie ignored him.

"Hey Ash!" He called. Ash and Gary, whom both had smiles, turned towards the breeder. "Come on, bring your friend inside!"

Ash smiled at Gary, grabbed his hand, opened the gate, and dragged him into the back yard. "Hey Gary!" Dawn exclaimed as Ash dragged him towards the others.

He chuckled. "Hey Dawn, hey Brock." He said shaking both their hands.

"Gary." Brock greeted shaking his hand and smiling. "What are you doing out here?"

"I was actually on my way to the Sinnoh League." He replied.

"Really?" Ash asked.

"Yup." He said turning his head to his old friend. "Gramps told me you had gotten all eight badges and were on your way yourself so I thought I'd leave early and catch up with you."

Paul noticed the light blush that appeared on his face. "You were coming to catch up with me?"

"Of course! I wasn't going to let my best friend go through the Sinnoh League without me there cheering him on." Gary told him with a wink. Ash smiled at him and hugged him making Gary laugh as he hugged him back. Paul scowled and crossed his arms around his chest. Brock and Dawn smiled at one another.

"So you're Professor Oak's grandson?" Reggie asked. Gary turned towards him as Ash and him broke the embrace.

"Yes I am." He answered.

"That's very cool." Reggie said with a smile. Gary nodded.

"Gary, this is Reggie." Ash introduced. "He's a breeder here in Veilstone."

"Oh, it's very nice to meet you." Gary said shaking his hand.

"You too." Reggie replied.

"And this is Paul." Ash told Gary gesturing to the mauve haired boy. "He's my-"

"Rival, yea, Gramps has mentioned him a couple of times." Gary told his best friend. Paul arched his eyebrow. "Well it's nice to meet you." Gary told him. Paul barely nodded, not removing the frown on his face, or moving his hands that were crossed on his chest. Gary shrugged at his friend and Ash rolled his eyes with a smile on his face. "So what are you guys doing here anyways?" He asked Ash.

"Uh…." He said with a blush. Brock and Dawn laughed and Reggie chuckled. Gary arched his eyebrow. "Perhaps we should sit; it might take a while to explain." Ash told him.

*Thirty minutes later*

Gary laughed out loud. "Wow, great job, Ash. Make up your own plan without anyone else knowing." He said between laughs.

Ash pouted. Paul noticed the cute gesture. "Hey it worked didn't it?"

"Yea, it has been working perfectly." Reggie told the researcher.

"I never said it wouldn't work, it's just funny to see how Ash hasn't changed." Gary told Reggie.

"Hasn't changed?" The breeder asked. Paul also looked at him curiously.

"Yea, Ashy-boy here has always liked to take matters into his own hands when it comes to helping people. Even if it does mean he could get into trouble." Gary explained. "He did it all the time growing up. It's funny how much he's the same."

"Well I'm sorry I haven't changed." Ash told him pouting a little. Gary laughed.

"Hey, I'm glad you haven't changed. You wouldn't be the same Ashy-boy I know." Gary told him.

"What's with the 'Ashy-boy'?" Paul asked sourly. Everyone looked at him surprised. Those were the first words he said since Gary had been there.

Gary shrugged. "It's just my nickname for him." He answered.

"More like pet name." Paul mumbled to himself.

"Yea, Gary's been calling me that since we were what, six?" Ash said.

"Something like that." Gary said with a smile. The two smiled at one another and Paul scowled at the older teen. 'Jerk.' Paul thought.

"Hey I know, why don't you let your Pokémon out, Gary?" Dawn suggested.

"Uh, am I allowed to?" Gary asked.

"Sure, go ahead." Reggie said.

Gary nodded, stood, and walked away from the table some. "Come on out guys!" He called throwing his Pokeballs into the air. Everyone watched as Arcanine, Blastoise, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen came out of their balls. Ash jumped up and ran beside Gary.

"Hey guys!" Ash called. When the four Pokémon noticed Ash they all smiled and ran up to him, Arcanine actually tackling him. The four Pokémon all nuzzled him. Umbreon also ran over to Ash and licked him. Paul tightened his hands around the chairs handles his hands were resting on. 'How the heck is he friends with his Pokémon as well?' He thought. "Hey Gary," Ash said looking around. "Where's-"

"Right here." Gary said taking the final Pokeball out of his pack around his waist. He threw it into the air.

"Electivire!" The large cat like Pokémon called as it was released.

"Hi Electivire!" Ash exclaimed.

"Electi!" It cried and walked up to the trainer.

Paul stood and his jaw dropped. He took a glance at his Electabuzz sitting a ways away. "Electivire, how cool." Reggie said walking over to the two Pallet trainers. Gary looked at the breeder. "I haven't seen one in person in a while." He said. "And looks super strong."

"Oh he is." Ash said. "Gary's Electivire is on the top of the most powerful electric Pokémon I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. Not to mention what a great trainer Gary is. One of the best I've ever battled." Ash complimented. Paul felt his stomach bubble hotly at Ash's praise towards the brunette.

"I don't know if I'm that good." Gary said sheepishly. "But I evolved my Electabuzz so he'd be more powerful. Plus, I needed some electric type to keep up with Ashy here and his Pikachu. Those two are hard to beat as a team when Ash has his time to strategize out his battle plan."

Ash flushed. "I don't if we're that hard to beat…"

"Of course you are." Gary told him with a smile. He took one of Ash's hands in his own. "You and Pikachu are one of the best teams I've ever seen, Ashy-boy. You don't need to be so modest." Ash smiled back at him and Paul seriously wanted to kill the researcher at that moment.

Reggie smiled at the friends but took a glance at his brother and noticed the jealous look in his eyes. He had to stifle a laugh. He then noticed a look of determination flash across his eyes. Reggie watched as Paul walked up to Gary. "Let's have a battle." Ash and Gary looked at him.

"Battle?" He questioned.

"Yes, your Electivire against my Electabuzz." Paul said. Reggie face-palmed. Ash, Brock, and Dawn all gave looks of surprise. "We'll see whose is more powerful."

Gary saw the look in Paul's eyes and gave one of his all Gary Oak smirks. "Alright. You're on, Paul, but be warned. I was Ash's very FIRST rival and his very FIRST friend. I know all of his tricks and so I also know all of the tricks people use to beat him. If you think just because I'm a researcher now that means I'm not a powerful trainer, you'd better think again." Gary could tell Paul was jealous of his relationship with Ash and so decided he'd use that to his advantage. Whether Paul had actual feelings for the younger trainer, he wasn't sure, but he knew Paul hated the fact they got along so well.

"Whatever, let's just battle." He said walking towards the open field. Gary smirked and followed. "Electabuzz, let's go." He told his Pokémon.

"Come on Electivire." Gary called. The two faced each other.

"Ok, I guess I'll referee." Brock said walking to the middle of them but outside the battle area.

Ash, Reggie, and Dawn sat down in the chairs. Dawn on one side, Reggie on the other, and Ash in the middle. Ash then noticed Gary's Pokémon came and sat on his right side, while Paul's came and sat on the left. He looked between the two teams.

"Come on, Gary!" Dawn cheered happily. Gary's Pokémon let out a cry of support.

"Use your head Paul! Don't let your emotions control this match!" Reggie called out to his younger brother. His Pokémon, being able to sense their trainer's emotional dilemma, cried out an agreement. Ash looked between the two back and forth. 'Who the heck am I supposed to cheer for!' He exclaimed in his head. He glanced between the two and sighed.

"Alright, this one on one battle between Paul and his Electabuzz and Gary and his Electivire has no time limit!" Brock called. "Begin!"

Paul smirked. "Use Thunder now!" Electabuzz charged his attack and fired it at his evolvement. Reggie and Ash face-palmed. Dawn noticed.

"What?" She asked.

Ash looked at her. "Electivire don't take damage from electric type attacks." Ash told her.

True to Ash's word, when the attack hit Electivire and cleared, he stood there completely unfazed. Paul's eyes flashed a surprised look and Gary smirked. "Come now, everyone knows electric type attacks don't do any damage to Electivire." Gary told him. Paul scowled. "Now it's our turn, Electivire, Flamethrower now!"

Everyone's eyes widened and before Paul could react, the Flamethrower hit Electabuzz. Luckily, out of instinct, Electabuzz held his arms up, blocking the fire attack. Ash sighed. 'Huh? Why did I feel relieved?' He pondered. "Now use Ice Punch!" Gary commanded.

The larger cat Pokémon ran up to the smaller one, it's fist glowing blue, and aimed to take the hit. "Protect now!" Paul called out. Electabuzz used it's attack, a green force field appeared around it, making Electivire hit that instead of Electabuzz himself. "Now Dynamic Punch!" Paul commanded. Electabuzz dropped the shield, it's fist glowing, and hit Electivire dead on, pushing the larger cat Pokémon back towards it's trainer. However, it quickly shook the attack off, showing it didn't do too much damage.

Paul scowled and Gary smirked. "Electivire, use Charge Beam." Gary told his Pokémon. The cat did as it was told and charged his attack. Paul glared hotly, and as the attack shot at Electabuzz, called out an attack as well.

"Block it with Thunder!" Paul told him. Electabuzz complied and the two attacks collided in midair causing an explosion.

As soon as the smoke cleared, both trainers called out to their Pokémon. "Iron Tail!" Both Pokémon used their attacks and collided in midair as well. "Thunder Punch!" They commanded again and they both hit each other dead on sending both Pokémon back towards their trainers.

Electivire recovered first and Gary knew it. "Fire Punch now!" Electivire quickly used the attack and hit Electabuzz sending it to the ground. Gary smirked while Paul scowled. "Hm, I have to say, I expected a little more." Gary told the mauve haired boy.

"It's not over!" Paul called. "Use Iron Tail!"

Gary smirked. "Dodge it." Electivire used it tail and jumped in the air to dodge. Paul looked up in surprise, Electabuzz did as well, stopping the attack. "Thunder Punch, let's go!" Gary commanded.

"Protect now!" Paul told his Pokémon. Electabuzz did as it was told, creating the shield.

Gary smirked again. "Use Feint!" Electivire's armed glowed and destroyed the force field around Electabuzz hitting him.

"What! It knows Feint!" Paul exclaimed.

"This isn't good for Paul." Reggie said. "He's in trouble now." Ash looked sadly at his rival.

"Use Iron Tail one more time!" Gary called.

"Block it!" Paul called out to his own Pokémon. The Iron Tail was blocked by Electabuzz's hands but it still did some damage. Electivire landed in front of Gary, still looking completely strong and ready to battle, but Electabuzz who landed in front of Paul looked exhausted and worn out. Paul scowled at the smirking Gary. Ash already knew Gary had this match. Paul's strategy of using Protect wouldn't work against Electivire's Feint. Paul couldn't come up with anything to use against it.

"Electivire, let's finish this up, use your Thunderbolt." Gary commanded.

"Use your own Thunderbolt to block!" Paul told Electabuzz. Gary inwardly smirked. He had him now. When the two attacks met in midair, it caused an explosion and smoke covered the field.

"Flamethrower!" Gary called. A powerful Flamethrower came through the smoke and hit Electabuzz sending him back on the ground towards Paul. "Finish it up with a Fire Punch!" Electivire came out of the smoke at top speed and knocked out Electabuzz with the attack. Electabuzz landed at Paul's feet, out cold. Paul scowled.

"Electabuzz is unable to battle, Electivire wins!" Brock called. Electivire landed victoriously in front of Gary. Gary gave a smirk to Paul across the field. Dawn jumped up and ran to the brunette.

"Awesome battle, Gary!" She exclaimed.

Brock also walked towards the researcher. "Yea, I wasn't expecting Electivire to know Flamethrower. That was a great surprise." He told him.

"Thanks, it took a while for him to learn it." Gary told the breeder.

"I bet. It's a hard move to get down." Reggie said walking up to the trio and they started talking. Ash looked at Paul across the field and noticed he wasn't taking the loss very well. He walked up to him instead of Gary.

"What an awesome match, Paul!" Ash exclaimed happily to his rival. Paul looked up in surprise at him. Gary, Brock, Reggie, and Dawn also noticed Ash complimented the mauve haired boy.

"What are you talking about? That was horrible." Paul stated.

"Nonsense." Ash said with a wave of his hand. "You should have seen the battle I had with Gary and Electivire, now that was horrible." He joked. Paul didn't laugh so Ash continued. "But really, that was amazing. And Electabuzz was great too! The fact Electabuzz got up after that first Fire Punch says a lot. And you didn't even have to tell Electabuzz to block that Flamethrower! Now that's product of some really great training! And considering Electabuzz and Electivire had the same power in all those attacks says a lot too. You've trained Electabuzz great! I can't wait for our rematch in the Sinnoh League!" Ash told him.

Paul looked at him. He just couldn't understand this boy. He's all friendly with Gary the whole time he's been here and instead of going up to him first and congratulating him, he's here complimenting HIS Pokémon, and even his training. It just didn't make any sense to Paul. This boy never did. 'How is it you have feelings for someone you can't understand?' He thought. "Well," Paul started. He didn't know what to say. "Thanks, I guess." He told Ash. Ash smiled brightly at him.

"Ash is right you know." The two looked to see Gary, Reggie, Brock, and Dawn walking towards them. "Electabuzz has been trained well. I was impressed. You're a good trainer, Paul. There's no doubt about that." Gary told him with a smile.

"See? Gary agrees." Ash said happily. Paul nodded with a very small smile. It was then Gary could see the hidden feelings Paul had for his best friend. 'Yea, I thought that's why he challenged me.' Gary thought.

"Hey kids!" The six turned to see Steve and Laura walking through the gate. Ash and Reggie both waved.

"How'd your morning go?" Steve asked as he and his wife walked up to them.

"Great, just about ready for lunch." Reggie told his parents.

"Yes, us too." Laura said with a laugh. The two parents then noticed Gary.

"Oh, you're new." Steve said to the researcher.

"Oh, sorry, I'm Gary, Gary Oak." The brunette said.

"As in Professor Oak's grandson?" Steve questioned.

"Yes sir." He said.

"Well it's very nice to meet you. Ash said you were his best friend." Laura told him. Gary laughed.

"Yea, Ash and I have been friends for years." He told them.

"Well very good then. Mind if I ask what you're doing here in Veilstone?" Steve questioned.

"Oh, just passing through. I was actually on my way to catch up with Ash so I could watch him participate in the Sinnoh League." Gary answered.

"Well in that case, why don't you stay here in the guest house with Brock and Dawn? Ash is, of course, sharing Paul's room, but that's no reason why you can't stay." Laura suggested.

"Oh, well, wow, thanks. I'd love to." Gary told the parents. Paul sighed.

"Very good. Why don't we all start to fix lunch?" Steve asked. "It's a good time to."

"I agree, and I'll be happy to do the cooking." Brock said.

"I'll help with that." Reggie told him. Then the two breeders and the parents walked towards the house.

"Hey Gary, you think you and I could have a practice battle?" Dawn asked.

"Sure, why not?" He questioned.

"Yay!" She exclaimed running ahead and calling Piplup to her. Ash shook his head and turned to his rival.

"She's so weird." He told him.

"Yea, weird…" Paul said. It was going to be a long few days with Gary around. He wasn't sure he liked this idea anymore.

OMG! I can't believe how long that took! This chapter is way longer than I had expected, like five pages longer lol. Oh well, anyways, I hoped you all liked it! Oh and yes, Electivire CAN use Flamethrower. I looked it up. So please don't bite my head off about it lolz. And sorry for anyone who wanted Paul to win. For Paul to stay at the jealous stage he's in, I needed him to lose. Sorryz…please forgive me…XD Anywho, I hope to get the chapter done sooner…ugh, I'm having problems coming up with more complications…

Oh and if anyone has any ideas, I need a last name for Paul. I use their Japanese names for they're middle names so that won't really work. But any suggestions anyone has would be great! And thanks again for the reviews!