Sorry for the seemingly long update. I have many reasons for this.
1. Pokemon Dream World-I have been addicted to it for a while and I couldn't work on this chapter of the saga of Battles of Conquest.
2. The second chapter of Book II-I worked on that for a bit and realized that I could spoil elements I could put in this story. So I decided to leave it alone for a while.
3. I was working on other stories. You can see some of them in my profile.
4. I had absolutely no idea what should happen in this chapter, so this is what I thought up. It should explain why Paul is out of character most of the time in my stories.
So, moving on, here's the next chapter. This is mostly what happens in Chargestone Cave, so if you don't play the games, turn away now.
Chapter 8 - Betrayal
Ash and his friends formed groups to go through Chargestone Cave and go to Mistralton City. His group, discounting himself, was comprised of Paul, Alexis, Iris, Cilan and Burgundy. He said that Burgundy and Cilan should be friends, and on top of that, he and Alexis had a lot of catching up to do.
While they explored the cave, three strange men showed up in front of them like ninjas.
"… …Come.", said one of the men. The group were then escorted to a man with tea green hair. Paul and Alexis recognised him as N.
"…My Lord N, we brought you the ones you needed.", said another one of the men. After they disappeared, N decided to discuss something with the group.
"So, you must be Ash Ketchum, leader of Team Galactic. My name is N.", said the man.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, N. By the way, who were those men? Also, my employees have the same thoughts as your's.", asked Ash who the men were.
"Ah, yes. That was the Shadow Triad, just now. Ghetsis enlisted them in Team Plasma.", said N smugly. "Chargestone Cave... I like this place. Formulas express electricity and its connection to Pokémon... If people did not exist, this would be an ideal place. You have been chosen, you know. Does it surprise you I said that?", he asked Ash."Yes, it somehow does.", replied Ash. He was surprised that he was chosen.
"Of course. Such news should be a surprise. I told Ghetsis about you and your friends. After I did, he apparently used the Shadow Triad to find out about you. Cheren is pursuing the ideal of strength. Poor Bianca has faced the sad truth that not everyone can become stronger. And you are not swayed either way-more of a neutral presence. Which is apparently a good thing. Team Plasma will be waiting for you ahead. Ghetsis wants to see what kind of Pokémon Trainer you really are.", concluded N before departing.
"Okay, let's go!", Ash commanded.
Everyone went to battle the grunts and all their Pokemon. With everyone's strongest Pokemon (Ash's Empoleon, Alexis' Infernape, Paul's Torterra, Burgundy's newly evolved Samurott (It evolved from Dewott during the Cold Storage battle), Iris' newly evolved Fraxure and Cilan's Pansage), everyone defeated the grunts without any problems. Then they ran into N, as well as a boy with dirty blonde hair."Trip! Why are you here? Have you completed your battle at Mistralton City yet?", Iris asked curiously. Paul looked at the boy, very outraged.
"Obviously, I have.", Trip said arrogantly. Alexis was absolutely disgusted with the smooth act that the Nuvema Town native was pulling.
"Oh, cut the act, Trip! My brother may not know a lot about you, but I do! Your acts of Pokemon abuse are overlooked by the Don George of every Battle Club you went to, as well as Gym Leaders, making you the most mysterious person from Team Plasma to haunt the streets of Unova! Well, here's a headline for you: I don't care! Also, you can't keep trying to steal me from Paul!", Alexis yelled. To say Ash was shocked was an understatement. His Unova rival was part of Team Plasma. He made a mental note to exclude Trip from the Team Plasma members he would recruit into Team Galactic.
"Please, Alexis. You know as well as I do that you're too good for Paul. He's a worthless individual who doesn't care about anything but himself.", Trip replied selfishly.
"That is anything but true! Just because I'm usually quiet and distant doesn't mean that I don't care about anyone! You think Pokemon are only tools to be used! Going for power and abusing Pokemon are two completely different things! You can never defeat me, so why bother?", Paul yelled back.
"Alright. I'll back off for now. But know this, Paul Shinji. Alexis will be mine!", Trip said in his smug tone before leaving Chargestone Cave.
"Uh…", Iris said, confused as to what just happened. Ash, Burgundy and Cilan were also confused as to what just happened.
"I guess I'd better explain. While Paul and I were in Accumula Town, we ran into Trip. When Trip tried to get me to be his girlfriend, Paul caught him and challenged him to a battle. Paul won it easily, defeating his Servine with his Torterra. Since then, Trip has had a grudge against Paul. For the reason why Paul defended me, he and Trip are cousins. Trip's uncle is also Paul's father-Pyramid King Brandon. Paul and I are already dating, so try to understand. Especially you, Iris! Ash already understands that Paul and I are dating, because their arguments and disagreements back in Sinnoh were all an act. In actuality, they are best friends.", said Alexis, giving her story in it's entirety. Ash was the only one who isn't shocked by this.
"Well, now that this is out of the way, let's get to Mistralton City!", announced Alexis as everyone followed her. Alexis then decided to think.
"Everyone is so friendly. I just wish that I could tell them about what went on between me and Paul. Ash already knows, so that's a plus." thought Alexis, concerned about her and Paul's act three years before.
Now that's this chapter done! I tell you, it's difficult thinking when you have time constraints and your computer's battery gets hot too fast. What was that act Paul and Alexis did three years before this story, you may ask? I will tell you in a future chapter. Also, could you guys PM me a shipping name for Paul and Alexis? Please? Lastly, I will do a poll! Check it in my profile! Well, read and review, folks!
