As the trio approached Hearthome City, Haley and Carlos learned about each other. Unlike in Mismagius' world, Carlos didn't know who Haley was, not that she minded. She happily explained what Carlos wanted to know.
"And you travel?" she asked when she was all done.
"Yep," Carlos replied.
"All over the world?"
"Of course."
Haley's eyes shined brightly. "So that means you've seen all sorts of people, places, and Pokémon, right?"
"Those are the three important Ps when you travel."
"So what kind of Pokémon do you have? Do you have a Nidoking and a Fearow? Because that's what Mismagius made you use."
Carlos held out two Poké Balls. "Right in here," he answered. He put the Balls back in his belt as he continued. "I also have a Banette, a Rapidash, and I most recently caught a Pawn-" He stopped and smiled. "Never mind. You two will see one, eventually, and I don't want to spoil the surprise." The two teens looked at each other and gave confused looks.
"Ah, Carlos dear!" Paul heard his aunt call.
"Father!"
Oh no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, NO.
He heard the footsteps come up to them and stop at the same time the trio did. Paul dared to look.
And sure enough, there he was.
Why did fate hate him so much? Why did this light purple-almost-blond-haired with gray eyes boy have to be here? That annoying...annoying...twat (Paul always tried not to use that word; sometimes it wouldn't work) wearing his long red sleeve sweater with the white scarf wrapped around his neck and his gray jeans and his brown dress shoes?
Their eyes narrowed. "Paul," his cousin greeted dully.
"Trey," Paul greeted with just as much enthusiasm.
"Simpleton."
"Pompous ass."
"Whoa, hold the phone!" Haley exclaimed, getting in between the cousins. "Is this seriously how you guys greet each other?"
Carlos sighed. "Unfortunately," he responded. "They've never failed to do so."
"Joy," Haley stated using the same tone as the cousins. "So are we going to have to listen to this the entire way?"
"The entire way to where?" Carlos' wife asked.
"These two are going to the Gym," Carlos explained.
The woman looked surprised. "Paul, dear, I didn't know you battled," she stated.
Paul looked at his aunt. "I do," he replied simply.
Trey snorted. "Barbarian," he insulted.
"Spoiled brat."
"Stop it!" Haley snapped. "So he likes to battle, so what? And Paul, haven't I already said something about letting people get under your skin?"
"Well, I for one would love to see my nephew battle," the woman piped up.
"I was thinking the same thing, Beverly," Carlos said. He laughed. "I was trying to think of a good excuse to come up with to let me watch, but I guess it won't be necessary."
Haley smiled. "Then let's go already," she advised. "I'm tired of standing around, and I've waited long enough to get this badge."
The group began walking again, and somehow the cousins got stuck walking next to each other, much to their displeasure. They didn't make eye contact and were completely silent as Beverly and Haley were chatting with Carlos jumping in every once in a while.
"Delinquent," Trey whispered, finally breaking the silence between the boys.
Paul shot a glare. "Kiss up."
"Smart ass."
"Look at that, you said more than one word."
"Proving my point."
"Idiot."
"At least I went to school."
"Ooo, look at bookworm over here. But are you street smart? I highly doubt it."
"Before we get to the Gym, can we stop by the Poké Mart?" Haley asked rather loudly. "I'd like to buy some duct tape."
Paul huffed. "Can we stop with the duct tape?!" he cried.
"Well maybe if you shut up, yes!" Haley retorted. "Either that, or instead of insulting each other, you guys try having a normal conversation. You do know what a normal conversation is, right?"
"What do you want us to talk about, the weather?" Paul asked dully.
When sarcastic comments are spoken and Haley is already annoyed, that leads to a whack to the head. Paul took note of this as he was holding his aching head and Haley was storming away.
"Just like my brothers," she grumbled. "Don't know when to keep their mouths shut."
Trey blinked. "Wow."
"Yeah, don't piss her off," Paul advised, shaking his head.
"Why do you travel with her if she treats you like that?" his cousin questioned as they began to follow the other three again.
"Because she doesn't always act like that," Paul answered. "And at least I don't think of women as being worth less than dirt."
The other teen bit his lip. "Look, I worded that wrong," he stated. "I didn't mean to make it sound like that. I meant that I'd rather have more control. A 60/40 thing favoring me, because if it's the other way I get that." He pointed to Haley.
Paul rolled his eyes. "That only happens because when Haley's pissed, she's pissed. I still have a functioning brain and I still use it."
"Okay, sorry," Trey apologized. There was a while of silence before Trey spoke up again. "So, you're a Trainer now." The last time the two had seen each other, they were eight years old, and that meeting started and ended like all of the rest.
His cousin nodded. "I've told you, you can have my position. I don't want it."
"Doesn't mean you're not in my way," Trey mumbled.
"Then that's Dad's problem, not mine," Paul snapped. "He's the one too stubborn to realize I don't want it."
Trey sighed. "Father keeps giving him that possibility and giving him the suggestion to give the company to me, but he keeps saying it has to be father to son."
"That's only proving my point, so could you stop hating me for it?"
"Only if you can stop hating me because... Why do you hate me?"
Paul looked at him, and for the first time it wasn't a glare of some kind. Trey's question made him realize he didn't quite have a clear reason as to why he hated his cousin. "Maybe because you act like a spoiled brat about the whole thing," he offered.
Now Trey looked at him, also not shooting a glare. "Maybe?" he repeated.
"I really don't know," Paul admitted. "That's the only thing I can think of."
"Or maybe every action has an equal and opposite reaction."
Paul snorted in amusement. "Nerd."
"Street kid."
"Thank you," they both answered.
The group finally made it to the Gym (with Haley and especially Trey's parents being surprised that the cousins were still in one piece), and Carlos knocked on the door. A few moments the door opened, revealing a woman wearing a sparkling dark purple dress and high heels. She also had violet hair tied up in four long buns.
(A/N: Fantina has a French accent, btw. I'm not writing that out, though, so rely on your imagination. Also, I will be putting in French phrases. They will always be in italics because I just like putting foreign words in italics. The translated version will be right after unless the phrase has already been used, is well known, or totally obvious. And also know that Fantina doesn't say the translated version, just the French version. One more note: I am NOT a native French speaker, nor have I taken any French classes, so some phrases may be wrong. Please don't kill me if they are.)
"Ah, what do we have here?" she asked.
Carlos showed the woman the two challengers. "These two were hoping to have a Gym Battle," he explained.
The woman grinned. "Fantastique!" she exclaimed. "Bonjour, you two! My name is Fantina, and I am the Gym Leader of this fabulous Gym!"
"My name is Paul."
"Haley. Nice to meet you."
"Charmant, lovely!" Then she looked at the other three. "And are the rest of you here to watch?"
"That's right," Carlos answered. He introduced his family. "Paul here is my nephew," he finished, "and Haley is a friend of his."
"Magnifique, wonderful!" she exclaimed. "So, which one of you will go first?"
"He will," Haley replied, pointing to Paul.
Her friend looked at her. "Are you sure?" he questioned.
"Of course," she told him. "I went first last time, so it's only fair. And besides, your family is here to watch you, not me."
"Dear, don't sell yourself short," Beverly voiced. "I would love to watch you battle."
Carlos nodded. "Though your first point still stands," he stated. "Come on, Paul, take her up on her offer."
Paul turned to Fantina. "Well, alright," he agreed. They're just Pokémon. You can do it. You've fought plenty before, and it's not like they'll scare you... Wait, why am I so worried about this? I don't even know where all of this came from.
Fantina smiled at Paul's response, not noticing his sudden internal worrying. "Then follow me, s'il vous plaît."
The five followed the Gym Leader inside, and soon all sides were ready as per usual. "The Hearthome Gym Match between Paul and Fantina will now begin," the referee announced. "Each Trainer will use three Pokémon, and when all three of one Trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue, the battle is over. Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon."
"Gengar, battle position!" Fantina shouted. She threw her Poké Ball and sent out the Shadow Pokémon, who, thanks to its ability Levitate, was floating over the field.
Paul felt his throat go dry as he looked at the red eyes and mischievous grin. Come on, what are you so worried about? he asked himself. You fought Morty's, and there were a few Trainers you've battled along the way. It's just a Gengar, get a hold of yourself.
"Honchkrow, stand by for battle!" Paul released his Pokémon, and he stretched his wings.
"The challenger calls the first move," the ref stated. "Battle begin!"
"Honchkrow, use Dark Pulse!" Honchkrow fired the dark purple beam.
"Dodge and use Shadow Claw!" Fantina ordered.
Gengar moved out of the way gracefully and flew towards Honchkrow. The Big Boss Pokémon quickly dodged. Gengar didn't expect its opponent to move out of the way so fast and couldn't stop its forward motion until it was right in front of Paul.
By that time, Paul was on his knees and covering his head, chanting that Gengar didn't exist.
"Oh my," Fantina gasped with concern.
Trey was wide-eyed; he had never seen his cousin like this. Beverly was very worried. "Paul!" Haley and Carlos shouted as they ran to his side.
"Paul, everything's okay," Haley said calmly as she knelt to his level.
"Come on, tough guy," Carlos encouraged. "You can do it."
"No, I can't," Paul argued weakly. "I... I'll go battle somewhere else."
"Absolutely not!" Haley argued back, standing both of them back up. "You can't just give up! What's gotten into you, anyway?"
"I don't know," Paul admitted quietly.
Carlos was thinking. "PTSD," he finally offered. "Something must have happened in Mismagius' dream world."
Haley thought back to their experience in the illusion. "I remember. Mismagius summoned a whole bunch of ghosts, human and Pokémon."
"That," Carlos began, "combined with the fact that it was a Mismagius running the show, has gotten to his brain, whether he really registers it or not."
Fantina sighed disappointingly. "Not the Mismagius again," she stated. "Such a fauteuse de troubles, a troublemaker. Well, if you don't want to battle here-"
"He's going to battle!" Haley interrupted.
"But if he feels uncomfortable, he should be allowed to leave, non?" the Gym Leader voiced.
"Paul can do it," Haley reasoned.
"No I-"
"Yes," his friend stressed. "The only way to get over your fears is to face them. I know I shouldn't be one to talk, but I am working on it, and you need to as well."
"But I don't think I can right now by myself."
Haley fell silent. Then she turned to Fantina and stepped forward. "Fantina, I have a proposal," she stated. "Would you be willing to listen?"
"Bien sûr, of course," she answered, nodding.
"I propose a double battle," Haley explained. "Paul and I versus you. The two of us will get two Pokémon each, while you get four."
Everyone looked at her. "What if one of you were to lose all of your Pokémon?" the ref asked, playing as the devil's advocate.
"Then that one loses, but the other one can still fight and try to get their badge. So say I lose both of my Pokémon. Paul can still fight and win, but I will have to come back another day to claim my badge."
"But should at least one of your Pokémon stay standing by the end you both shall earn your badges," Fantina finished, looking very excited. "Ooo, oui, oui, I think this idea is fantastique! A furious tango of power, non? Very well, I accept your proposal!"
Haley turned to Paul. "Do you agree?" she asked.
"I..." His eyes darted to the floor, and then they came back up. "Sure."
"That's it, kiddo!" Carlos exclaimed. "Now go get her!" The two nodded.
Now the challenger's box held the two challengers, and Carlos was back in the stands. "Father, I didn't know Paul was scared of ghosts," Trey noted.
"You never were there when the issue was present, were you?" Carlos stated. "Yes, unfortunately, but it seems Haley has figured out how to help him out."
"Such a sweet, smart girl," Beverly praised.
Mother must have been oblivious to her hitting Paul's head, Trey thought, sighing to himself.
"Duskull, battle position!" Fantina shouted. Now two levitating Ghost type occupied the Gym Leader's side of the field.
Haley picked out a Poké Ball from her belt. "Luxray, time to shine!" she exclaimed, releasing her Electric type.
Luxray stretched her body out. Then she looked at the field and was confused. She turned to see Honchkrow. "What's going on here?" she asked him.
"Paul got a bit spooked, so Haley proposed a double battle so she could stick by him," the bird explained.
"Huh." Luxray looked at her opponents. "Alright, ladies, you better be prepared!" she proclaimed.
"Anytime," Gengar answered.
"It's been a while since I have had a chance to battle," Duskull stated.
"How did you know they were both female?" Honchkrow asked.
It was actually supposed to be an insult, Luxray thought.
"Female intuition," she responded.
"Challengers still have first move," the ref announced.
"You want to go or should I?" Haley asked. Paul pointed at her. "Fine by me. Luxray, use Crunch on Gengar!" Luxray ran towards the Shadow Pokémon.
"Counter with Shadow Punch, Gengar!"
"Intercept with Dark Pulse, Honchkrow!" Paul ordered. The Big Boss Pokémon fired the beam at Gengar, who dodged it. But it distracted her long enough for Luxray to jump up, clamp her teeth around her leg, and slam her into the ground.
Haley smiled. "Thanks, Paul," she said. He nodded.
"Oui, oui, très bon, very good!" Fantina exclaimed. "What teamwork! But we will not be beaten so easily! Duskull, Shadow Sneak on Honchkrow!" Duskull's shadow began to stretch towards the Dark-Flying type.
"Luxray, use Thunderbolt on Duskull and stop her!" Haley ordered.
"No, her shadow!" Paul shouted. Luxray looked at the two Trainers, wondering whose order to follow. "Now!"
There was so much demand and urgency in his voice that Luxray decided to fire at the speeding shadow. And it was a good thing she fired when she did, because the shadow had just leapt out of the ground, ready to strike Honchkrow. But the bolt hit the shadow before it could reach its target, causing it to recoil back underneath Duskull. The Requiem Pokémon was surprised and even felt a bit of the shock from the attack.
"Wow, Paul, how did you know to do that?" Haley asked.
"When a Pokémon uses Shadow Sneak, the shadow is technically its own entity," Paul explained. "If we had hit Duskull, the shadow would have still been moving."
She nodded. "Good to know." Then she noticed Gengar going for Honchkrow with Shadow Claw once more. "Faint Attack!" she ordered quickly and without really thinking.
But Honchkrow didn't seem to mind. He disappeared out of sight, once again leaving Gengar in shock. What shocked her even more was Luxray's tail suddenly wrapping around her foot. After giving the Ghost type a smirk she whipped her tail, causing Gengar to fly and crash right into Duskull. They recovered, only to discover Honchkrow had reappeared right behind them.
"Dark Pulse!" Paul shouted. Honchkrow fired, and the two Ghost types were sent flying back. Gengar floated up just fine afterwards.
Duskull... Not so much.
"Duskull is unable to battle!"
"Noooo!" Fantina wailed.
"Awesome job!" Haley praised, but since she didn't say either name, Paul couldn't scold her for making his Pokémon soft.
Oh, what the hell. She already was.
"Nice shootin, Tex," Luxray complimented. The Big Boss Pokémon nodded in response.
Fantina smiled and pulled out a Poké Ball. "Merci, thank you, Duskull," she said. "Return." The Requiem Pokémon was beamed back in. "Ce que c'est drôle! What fun! But we are not done. In fact, we are only getting started. Drifblim, battle position!" The Blimp Pokémon appeared on the field, floating in the sky like the other two Ghost types.
Luxray chuckled. "Someone's confident," she remarked. "Bringing a Flying type out against me is a huge mistake."
"Yeah, you sure showed that Gyarados," Honchkrow stated sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"...Shut up."
"Your Luxray seems confident," the Gym Leader noted.
"Oh that she is," Haley replied.
Paul snorted. "Just another inflated ego we have to deal with," he informed.
"You mean like yours?" Haley joked. Paul smirked.
Fantina giggled. "Well, let me tell you something, s'il vous plaît," she began. "I have had Drifblim since it was an egg. It is my prized Pokémon, and it will not go down so easily."
Paul cocked an eyebrow, Haley had a "Bring it on!" face, and Trey was confused.
"Why would she bring out her best Pokémon now?" he asked more to himself, but it was loud enough for Carlos to catch.
"Different Gym Leaders have different ways of testing their challengers," his father explained. "By bringing her best out now rather than last, it could make the challengers cocky and lose to the easier Pokémon. That means they have to learn not to stop fighting until it's all over."
"Or... Maybe she's faking them out?" Trey offered.
Carlos laughed. "I knew there was a Pokémon Trainer mindset in there somewhere," he said with a grin. Trey sighed and yet couldn't help but smile a little.
"Alright, Luxray, use Thunder Fang on Drifblim!" Haley commanded.
"Honchkrow, Shadow Ball on Gengar!" Paul ordered.
"Gengar, Night Shade!"
From her eyes, Gengar fired a dark crimson beam, which collided with Honchkrow's attack. Meanwhile, Luxray was leaping for Drifblim, and she was dangerously close. But Fantina wasn't fazed.
"Psychic!" Drifblim's eyes glowed blue, and Luxray was stopped mid-leap.
Luxray growled at her forced stop and tried to get free by struggling. "Now I know how Umbreon's opponents feel," she muttered as she continued to squirm.
"Honchkrow, Night Slash on Drifblim!" Paul shouted. The Big Boss Pokémon lit up his wing and flew towards the Ghost-Flying type.
"Intercept with Shadow Punch!" Gengar rushed over towards her opponent, and the two attacks collided once more. "Drifblim, use Hypnosis!"
Now Luxray was struggling even more. "No, I'm not taking a dirt nap!" she protested. Her opponent thought otherwise. The Electric type still in her hold, Drifblim flew over to the feline and shot a yellow X at her. Luxray struggled to keep her eyes open. "I'm...not...sleeepppyyy..." And she fell asleep.
"Ah, Luxray!" Haley cried.
"Honchkrow!" Paul's shout made the Dark-Flying type break out of his struggle with Gengar and go for Drifblim instead.
Fantina smiled. "Ominous Wind!" she ordered.
Drifblim waved her arms and caused purple wind to hit the two opposing Pokémon. But they also realized, a little too late, that Ominous Wind was a move that also hit allies. So with two weakened Pokémon and a Pokémon weak to Ghost-type moves caught in the blast, Drifblim found herself with an accidental triple knockout.
"Gengar, Luxray, and Honchkrow are unable to battle!"
The Gym Leader wailed once more, Haley was left speechless at the predicament, and Paul swore under his breath. All three Trainers returned their Pokémon.
Then Fantina giggled. "Mon mauvais, my bad," she apologized. "But this makes things more interesting, oui? All of us are down to our last Pokémon. And our motto is to never give, never surrender! Mismagius, battle position!"
Paul knew it wasn't the same Mismagius as before. But that didn't stop him from almost hyperventilating when the witch-like Pokémon appeared above the field. The only thing that stopped such a thing from occurring was the feeling of fingers brushing against his own. Paul straightened up in surprise and looked over at Haley, who was smiling.
"You've got this, Paul," she encouraged. "And I'm right here, okay?"
He blinked, and then he nodded. He pulled out a Poké Ball. "Weavile, stand by for battle!" The Dark-Ice type materialized, completely battle ready.
"Empoleon, time to shine!" Haley shouted, releasing the Emperor Pokémon. Paul gave her a curious look. "He hasn't been in a Gym Battle since Oreburgh," Haley explained. "Psychic won't be able to pick him up - at least not easily - and he has Ice Beam to take out Drifblim." Then she directed her attention to the battlefield. "Ready, buddy?"
"Any time!" Empoleon announced.
"I'm ready!" Weavile declared.
Paul watched as the two gave their confirmation. He nodded, though he felt it was more to himself that anyone in particular. "Weavile, use Swords Dance!" The Sharp Claw Pokémon's claws glowed purple and extended.
"Jump on Empoleon's shoulder, Weavile!" Haley ordered. Weavile looked back, slightly confused.
"Do it," Paul agreed. His Pokémon nodded and jumped onto Empoleon's shoulder and wrapped his claw around one of his horns.
"Be careful with the claws," Empoleon commented with a smirk. The Dark-Ice type nodded again, matching the smirk with his own.
"Surf!" Haley shouted. The Emperor Pokémon created a giant wave and began to ride towards the opposing Pokémon.
Fantina marveled at the sight. "Now that is how you do an all-target attack," she complimented. "But that will not stop us. Mismagius, use Magical Leaf! Drifblim, control them with Psychic!" Mismagius released the leaves, and Drifblim began to circle them around the two males.
"Jump off the wave!" Haley commanded. Empoleon jumped back, and the leaves followed him. Meanwhile, without anyone to control it, the wave died, crashing onto the battlefield and soaking it.
"Use Ice Shard!" Weavile raised his hands up and created a ball of ice and threw it at the leaves, destroying both projectiles. Paul noticed the wet battlefield, and an idea flashed through his head. He bumped Haley's hand.
"I have an idea," he whispered. He quickly told her what he was thinking, and she nodded.
"Both of you, use Ice Beam on the field!" the girl ordered. The males took one look at the floor and figured out why that had been ordered. They fired, and the dirt battlefield was now covered in a layer of ice.
The Gym Leader was fascinated yet confused. "Now what do you two have up your sleeves?" she wondered.
"Weavile, go towards Mismagius!" Paul shouted.
The Dark-Ice type hopped onto the ice and began skating. "Just like back home," he reminisced with a smirk.
"Oh, I think I know what is happening," Fantina stated. "You are trying to build up speed to land a more powerful blow. Well, we won't let that happen. Drifblim, use Will-O-Wisp and melt the ice!" The Blimp Pokémon created blue flames that surrounded her.
"Empoleon, make sure that doesn't happen!"
"On it!" he answered his Trainer. He jumped onto the ice and slid on his belly towards his target.
"Stop it with Magical Leaf, Mismagius!"
"Ice Shard!"
While those two moves collided once more, Drifblim fired the flames, but Empoleon intercepted with Bubblebeam. "You are quite strong," Fantina commented. "I shall fix that. Hypnosis!" Drifblim went to fire another yellow X, but Weavile quickly skated around and jumped.
"What's up?" he greeted. Drifblim was taken by surprise, and he used that to his advantage. His right claw glowed purple and he used Night Slash, sending Drifblim crashing into Mismagius.
"Ice Beam!" the challengers ordered.
Their Pokémon fired, and the attacks hit the Ghost types. They crashed to the ground. Drifblim fainted, but Mismagius still had some fight in her as she picked herself up. Plans were cut short, though, when Weavile flew right into her with another Night Slash, and this brought her back to the ground in the same state as her teammate.
"Drifblim and Mismagius are unable to battle, Weavile and Empoleon win!" the ref declared. "And the match goes to the challengers Paul and Haley!"
"Alright!" Haley cheered. Empoleon, unsurprisingly, puffed his chest out. Weavile silently celebrated so that Paul wouldn't notice. And said Trainer nodded.
Fantina, meanwhile, carefully walked over to her Pokémon. "You two were magnifique," she complimented. "Now get some rest." She returned the two Ghost types and then carefully walked off the ice just as the opposing Pokémon did. She giggled. "You two have made it hard to walk over my Gym floor," she commented as she approached the victors.
"Sorry," Haley replied.
The Gym Leader laughed. "No, no, it is quite alright," she assured. "You two put on quite the performance, not to mention you were both fantastically strong. All of your Pokémon were admirably strong, and I could not be happier to say that." She looked to her referee. "Hans?"
"Of course, milady." He presented the teens with Relic Badges, and they took the small metal badge that looked like a ghostly aura.
"I believe you two have definitely earned the Relic Badge," Fantina stated.
The victors turned to her. "Thank you," Haley said with a smile. Paul bowed.
"Congratulations, you two," Carlos spoke up from behind. They turned once more to meet with Paul's family. "That was some pretty good teamwork out there."
"Better than his last attempt at teamwork," Haley muttered. She suddenly found herself on the floor. "It's true!" she shouted as she looked at Paul.
"You don't have to remind me," Paul mumbled.
Because he was already failing of doing so himself.
Then Chimchar would be useless.
We could have killed Chimchar!
It had taken everything in his power to try and not think about the last time he had been in Hearthome City.
You're out of here.
I don't want another Fire type!
But when Haley had brought up the idea of a double battle, he couldn't help but think about it just a tiny bit.
I don't remember doing anything else wrong!
He knew he should be scolded for his behavior those three days, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.
This represents friendship!
Your point?
You don't want friends, Paul, FINE!
Couldn't he, for once, when he was in this city, not be reminded of painful memories?
Would you like to come see me battle for the Brave Symbol?
Just once?
"Father."
The sound of his cousin's voice made Paul realize he had been tuning out his aunt and uncle's praise. He looked to see Trey looking at Carlos. "Do you think we should treat them to dinner, as a celebration?"
Everyone looked at him, and after a while Carlos beamed. "I think that's an excellent idea," he agreed.
"Ooo, I have an idea!" Beverly piped up. "I've heard of an amazing steakhouse called The Blue Bayou."
Paul's eyes widened in shock and Haley panicked. "But that's a 5-star restaurant!" she argued. "That's way too expensive! I don't want to make you guys spend that much money!"
"Don't worry about it, dear," Beverly assured. "It's no trouble." Carlos nodded.
"I don't even have something to wear to a place that nice!" Haley countered. Paul seconded that.
"That won't be any trouble, either," Carlos stated.
"Look, Uncle, this is a really nice offer, but-"
Paul was cut off when Carlos placed his hands on the teen's shoulders. "Paul, I understand your discomfort," he began, "but it's only one night. Come on, let your aunt and I spoil you a little."
The two friends looked at each other, a little uncertain. But they caved in. "I guess," Haley answered.
Carlos smiled. "Perfect!" he exclaimed.
"I agree!" Fantina chimed in. "A wonderful dinner for such wonderful Trainers, non?" Then she smiled. "You know, food always reminds me of traveling, and after this battle, I feel like traveling again."
"But... Milady, you just came back," Hans informed.
"Oui, oui, but this battle has made me want to brush up my battling style." Paul noticed Hans sigh in defeat. "I think I'll leave tomorrow and travel to Celestic Town. I hear they are having a Contest up there, and I wish to see it. And I have always wanted to visit the Ruins there."
Haley turned to her. "There are ruins?" she asked.
Fantina nodded. "They are right behind the Historical Research Center," she explained.
The girl's eyes shined brightly. "Yes, we can go," Paul said.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were going to, so I answered so you didn't squeal out an unnecessary and stupid question." Haley huffed.
"Well, wherever you go, I wish you good luck," Fantina told them.
"Thank you," Haley replied as the group began to leave.
"Au revoir!" the Gym Leader called after them, waving.
Beverly decided to go shopping for her nephew and Haley. The Saffron City Trainer was about to go with her, but the woman stated she didn't need to and explained she could just tell what size she was. So as she walked off, the rest of the group decided to head to the hotel Carlos and his family were staying at.
"Just let her be," Carlos advised. "Otherwise, I don't think you'd survive." Haley chuckled, and the two began talking about battle strategies or something like that.
"Trey," Paul addressed his cousin, getting his attention. "Why did you suggest this?"
"You looked out of it," Trey explained. "After Haley's comment, you just looked like you were lost in space. I know rich people things aren't your thing, but I wanted to see if I could at least try and cheer you up."
Paul looked surprised, and then he smirked. "You? Do something nice for me?" he questioned. "Who are you, and what have you done with my spoiled brat of a cousin?"
"Keep talking, asshole."
The four reached the hotel, and went into the elevator to go to the eleventh floor. That kind of freaked Haley out, but Carlos reassured her that she would be fine. "Besides, the view is spectacular at night," he added. Haley nodded slowly.
When the elevator doors opened up on the floor, Carlos revealed that they had two rooms. Originally Trey had one all to himself, but - after about five minutes - his father convinced him to let the travelers take it over and have Trey sleep in the other room with his parents. Trey went to retrieve his things, and the friends threw their bags onto the floor. Haley marveled at the beautiful-looking room, and then sat down on the bed farthest from the window.
"Wow, these are comfy," she noted. She kicked off her shoes and brought her feet onto the bed. "...Hey Paul."
He turned to her. "Yeah?"
"I'm...sorry for what I said...back at the Gym," she apologized. "It was uncalled for, and I shouldn't have said it." Paul didn't say anything. Neither of them did for a while. "Do you...regret not staying in Mismagius' world?"
"What would make you think that?"
"I mean, you could have lived the life you always dreamed," she explained. "Your mother was there...and Reggie still battled...and I bet, if I hadn't physically been there, you would have someone like me who doesn't yell at you or makes you do things you don't want to do or even-"
"Haley," he interrupted. He sat down next to her and looked her in the eye. They just stared at each other until finally Paul smirked. "Has anyone ever told you that you sometimes talk too much?" Haley looked appalled, but before she could say anything, he continued. "What did I tell you when we were sitting by the lake?"
She blinked. "That I was important to you," she recalled.
Paul nodded. "I don't say things I don't mean," he told her. "And... Thanks for today. I wish someone like you were there when I battled Morty. It probably wouldn't have taken me three tries, then." Haley smiled. "One day, though, I'll be able to do it on my own."
"I believe you will," Haley agreed.
He gave off a tiny smile to that.