AN: I'm trying to write longer chapters but I can't think of quality content to really put in besides continuing what's going on. I'll continue to try to improve chapter length to get more content for you all but it might be a gradual process. I hope you all understand. Now to the reviews!

Aryen-Dono: I'm glad you like this little project of mine! The movie events will be included, I just need to figure out where in the story it'll coincide with it happening to Ash!

Yifto: yep, that was the purpose of it. The whole story line of Black and White (the games) is really fascinating and dynamic. It was a blessing to see black and white 2 be a sequel of characters we've already seen. My hope was that the previous chapter would sort of bridge that gap between the games and show some characters that might be included laaaater on.

KingAntasma: I agree, Hilbert if a fun character. I just hope in doing so will take from Paul's spotlight so to speak. I am trying to keep parts of Paul intact, but it's hard to pin down his style of sass in another way. I've been introducing some new aspects of his character that I hope you all like but who knows? Maybe this chapter will open up some of my interpretation on this new Paul while keeping some of his previous character in :).

Thanks for any other review. I greatly appreciate any feedback I get!

"I wonder what Pokémon will come out of this egg," I muttered out loud in my room. For some reason, I had picked up the habit of talking even though no one was nearby. Letting out a sigh, I go back to my thoughts about the egg.

It has an orange-brown color with a white line through the middle, making humps. I do not recognize what Pokémon will come out of it, but I can't help but get a mixture of anxiety and excitement over it.

I had received this egg, my prize, after the majority of the crowd had gone away after my victory. This was what I came to the tournament for, besides the challengers. Speaking of which, Isla and Hilda forced me to agree to meet up with them tomorrow, so that's what we're doing. Not like I'd planned to go anywhere though considering my Pokémon deserve a break after all this battling and training they've been doing with me. I mean, Croagunk took on a mega evolved Pokémon and came out of it the winner. If that doesn't show how hard my Pokémon are pushing their limits, I don't know what will.

The plan is to check out the history of Sinnoh that Celestic Town is known for whilst also relaxing from the heated battle. Celestic Town is known for keeping not only records of but also shrines and ruins containing all the old ways of life, something that I don't know can be seen in any other region. My knowledge of Sinnoh is limited to say the least, so being able to see and take in all this knowledge and culture is a dream come true.

Of course, a lot of supposed dreams of mine have already come true.

With those thoughts, I set aside the plans I had for tomorrow and rested. Night became day and I awoke to take advantage of that.

Drifting through the normal routine of getting up, preparing supplies, and (in this circumstance) walking down the stairs to eat away at an early meal, I was certainly prepared to have my curiosity satisfied today.

I was the first to arrive at the agreed upon meeting location, meeting my expectation. I'm an early riser, even as sluggish as I can be in the bright mornings, accompanying a Sinnoh day. With nothing on my mind, I could do nothing but attempt to wake myself up before anyone else arrived.

"Good Morniiiiing! How're you doing Paul?" came the loud, yet cheerful voice of Isla. Ah, a morning lover, my enemy.

"Spectacular," I mumbled in a slightly sarcastic tone. "What about you?"

"I'm doing great! I wonder when Hilda will arrive?"

"Well, we're a little under 10 minutes early from when you said to meet up, so I think she has time to get here."

Isla adopted a curious look. "True, true. By the way, you have a mild case of bedhead today."

Reaching out to touch the ends of my hair, I found that some of the hairs in the back were curved up slightly. "Ah, I see." I mumbled, lamenting that I didn't check a mirror before leaving my bedroom.

I had looked down to mute the slight embarrassment I had over my bedhead before looking up to find that Isla's eyes were widening. "Hilda's here!" Isla shouted, looking at me with a wide smile.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm here, but please don't yell again," Hilda said. Ah, a morning hater, my sympathies are with you.

"Alright, now that we're all here, let's give it our all to relax after that hard tournament!" Isla shouted, putting her fist to the sky.

"Yay," Hilda and I said lazily, raising our fists up in the air slightly.

(-)

In what can only be described as a mess, we looked over the ruins that lie near Celestic Town. From what I hear, initially, the town was centered around said ruins until the town got too large to really feasibly be around the town while maintaining the historical integrity of the ruins. Anyway, the leftover wreckage of the old pillars and columns perhaps tell that this cave was used as a place to worship Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie? That would make sense considering the legends surrounding the three are that they taught humans knowledge, emotions, and willpower. Truly something that I cannot even fathom.

Isla and Hilda had vowed to set up a camp of sorts, so they didn't stick around for long after getting their fill of the ruins. I, on the other hand, was glued to the main centerpiece of the ruins, the fresco depicting Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie. I was about to turn around to check out what Hilda and Isla were up to when I heard a voice from behind. "Ah, it's always interesting to find new trainers thinking about legends of old."

I turn around and it's some old guy that was walking with a cane. His features aren't very distinct, and I don't recognize him from anywhere, but it seems that he has a story to tell. "I wouldn't call myself new," I spoke clearly, "but I am interested in the power that mythical and legendary Pokémon have. Can a regular Pokémon reach the heights of power to that of a legendary? Would it be worth it to even attempt that feat?"

The old man held a thinking face throughout my questioning. I turned to the fresco and his voice carried like a whisper to my ears. "Humans and Pokémon may have coexisted from the dawn of time and space themselves, but It is simply impossible to comprehend how much power one Pokémon can have, let alone one that has been around for centuries. It's been a question that many in our world have tried to test the limits of, but time and time again been proven that a legend's power should not be questioned."

Letting out a sigh that foretold of a harsh truth being said, the old man continued, "I only know what the legends say." His hand pointed to the Lake trio. "These three were put in place by Arceus to soothe Dialga and Palkia should they ever become enraged by the machinations of mankind. Does that mean that they could be challenged and defeated by a trainer? Perhaps, but I think a better question is should they be challenged."

Is he saying that legendary and mythical Pokémon shouldn't be challenged? Say that to Tobias or even Cyrus! I… am of the opinion that if I ever get to the heights of capturing a legendary, not a mythical, then it's well deserved. But that won't be for a while, not if I'm forgoing using cheap gimmicks like Cyrus or simple unquestionable means like Tobias. I will forge my own path whether that means taking on a legendary or mythical.

Turning around to leave, I left the old man with these words. "I don't care what history has taught us. I'm here to make my own mark on the world, not to study others."

With Paul's retreating figure, the old man said, "Seems that he's merely saying what he wishes to do, not what he has already done. Truly intriguing." The man took out a picture that was in his coat pocket and reflected.

(-)

After that… intriguing conversation to put some things in perspective, I arrived to an arrangement of tables set up with Isla and Hilda putting out what I can tell to be Pokémon food.

Hilda noticed me first and so she gave out a "Hey!" that I responded to with a wave. I walked up to the duo and asked, "Is this some sort of banquet being held or what?"

Isla spoke up first saying, "No, silly! Hilda and I were talking about hanging out with our Pokémon yesterday, so what better way to do that than by preparing a grand lunch."

Taking a small scan at the arrangement of food with small decorative streamers designed all over, it was obvious that it was less grand and more of a personal celebration for the two. The two, after meeting each other yesterday, seemed to connect almost instantly for some reason. Maybe it's because they're both strong female trainers who are super into the competitive scene.

In any case, it matters not to me.

Turning to leave, I was stopped by the brunette with a ponytail through the cap. "Where are you going? You should celebrate with us! We have a lot to talk about after all."

Hmm, I didn't think I was intended to be a part of this. I was going to get on the road through route 210 as that's going to be at least a three-day journey without battling or capturing Pokémon, so a seven-day venture for most. Anyway, while I normally wouldn't indulge myself in a break that could eat into valuable time for my journey, I think my Pokémon… have earned this break. Not to mention I could use a break of sorts myself.

"Fine," I said, relenting that I'd be sticking around. Hilda's face lost its skepticism and turned to a happier demeanor. A quick glance to Isla showed her largely amused by my answer.

She met my eyes and said, "Oho? Finally, Mr. 'I only relax with my Pokémon' has learned how to relax without his Pokémon?"

Moving to get certain items out of my bag, I mumbled, "Not quite." Within a flash, they were all out. Nidoking, Ninjask, Torterra, Electabuzz, Monferno, Croagunk, and Staravia. Gesturing to them, I left them to their own devices before turning back to an amused Hilda and Isla.

"I guess I should've expected that," Isla said with a sigh.

Hilda looked to Isla and said, "Hey, we set out this Pokefood for a reason." Gathering her Pokeballs, Hilda said, "Come on out everyone!" The only new faces to her crew were Carracosta and Golett. Isla had thrown her Pokémon out shortly after, no one new from what I could tell.

"Alright guys," Isla said, addressing all our Pokémon. "There's enough Pokefood laid out for everyone so eat up! Have some fun after all that battling!" My Pokémon looked to me for confirmation. I nodded my assent and turned away from them to collapse into an empty chair. Taking out the egg container, I laid it on the table so that it wasn't just stuck in my bag which I laid on the side of the chair.

"Sooo, any idea what Pokémon is in that egg?" Hilda questioned.

"A few, but nothing solid. It'll be a few weeks before it hatches so I'll have plenty of time to figure it out."

"Hmmmmm," Isla hummed. "It has to be a pretty rare Pokémon for it to be a prize."

"Who knows?" Paul said. "All I can do is wait until it hatches."

A quiet silence overtook them as they contemplated what Pokémon it could be.

Hilda decided to switch gears with the conversation topic. "Anyway, what's your story? Your carry limit is over 6, showing that you're at least been through one region and some of your Pokémon aren't Sinnoh natives."

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours," I smirked, amused by my own joke.

Hilda gave a grimace. "Really? Did you have to phrase it like that?" I just gave a shrug in response.

Isla ignored Hilda as she said, "I'll go first if you two don't mind."

"I don't mind," mentioned Hilda. I nodded my agreement.

"Alright, so I guess I should start from my home region, Kalos. I competed in the league there last year and placed within the top 8." She stared at her Gardevoir who was seemingly chatting with Isla's Gothitelle.

"Gardevoir has been there with me since the beginning and the rest of my team has been built up along the way. My Pokémon have been a giant inspiration to me, and I love each of them for the strength that they lend me, and I can tell that you two feel the same about your Pokémon." Isla gave an intensely megawatt smile towards the two of us which made me fumble around in my seat with how uncomfortable the conversation topic makes me.

"I mean, you're right for me anyway," Hilda confirmed. "I started out in Unova with only Emboar, as Tepig, helping me along my path. I did have some friends to compete with while I faced the gyms and won badges, but my Pokémon have been a major support throughout."

I decided to cut in, saying, "I heard there was an evil organization causing trouble around in Unova. Team Plasma if I'm not mistaken."

Hilda looked a little spooked by their mention. Giving a sad smile, she said, "Yes, they were largely a problem during me and my friends' journey. They called for Pokémon liberation from trainers, completely. Many people questioned whether they were doing the right thing, having Pokémon fight by their side in Pokeballs. Even I had to do some reflection about the topic."

That must've been a difficult situation to go through. Experiencing it through a screen isn't the same as living it out. There are scenes the games can't possibly show, and it seems that this world didn't stop for Ash to enter into the region.

"But," Hilda's tone went in a happier direction. "My friend, who is the new champion by the way, set everything straight and made their leader know the error of his ways." Hilda gave a faraway look as she continued, "Team Plasma's influence is gone from Unova which I'm glad to see."

I decided to ask one more question of Hilda. "What made you decide to go to Sinnoh? For Isla it looks like she wanted to move on from Kalos, right?" She confirmed me with a nod. "Are you trying to move on from Unova?"

She shook her head in exasperation. "I don't know. I just needed a change of pace. A new adventure to sick my Pokémon on so to speak."

"I hope you'll be able to benefit from Sinnoh them. As a Sinnoh native, I know the people are pleasant and accommodating."

Hilda just sat there in a gentle silent contemplation. Isla wanted things to move on and so, with a mischievous grin, she asked, "Well? Paul, what about you?"

"What about me?" I'm not here to tell my life story. I'd rather avoid telling anyone everything, especially not that.

Hilda added her own input, now cheering up from her story, nudging my side, saying, "C'mon Paul. We said our piece. Why don't you say yours?"

With a sigh, I summed up my journey. "I've traveled through Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh now in that order. Torterra was who I started with and I haven't won any leagues yet. I will be winning this league though."

The two gave me a look before Isla drawled out, "Boooooring. Where's any of the juicy details. How well did you place? Did you meet anyone interesting? Give us more!"

"Right? You made me spill the beans about Team Plasma. Did anything interesting happen to you?"

I don't recall them saying anything too personal so why are they wanting that from me? Whatever. "I was the top 8 in Kanto, top 16 in Johto, and top 4 in Hoenn. I didn't meet anyone, and those adventures were largely uneventful. The only thing close to anything eventful happening was before I adventured through Kanto."

"Oh?" Hilda grinned.

"Elaborate please," added Isla.

Did I really just blurt that out? This is a very troublesome situation to be in… "I have some beef with the Pyramid King and I want to face him one day. That's all. End of story."

The two moaned and groaned that I didn't elaborate further. My attention was drawn elsewhere while they communicated their grievances to me. Nidoking was chatting up Camerupt and Carracosta with something that I can only imagine is related to their ground/rock dual-typing, Ninjask was buzzing around the silent Golett, Croagunk and Gengar smiled at each other like they were plotting something, Staravia and Braviary were racing with Mantine supervising, Monferno and Electabuzz were interacting with Zoroark who switched up disguises in a fast fashion. Eelektross and Glaceon watched on at the trio, Gardevoir and Gothitelle spoke with one another and seemed to get along fine, and Emboar and Torterra were silently overlooking everyone while having some chat among themselves.

It's fun to see my Pokémon enjoying themselves and with that thought, I took a sip of tea that was offered by Isla and contemplated what to do next.