Barry's POV
I was mortified by what Paul was about to say. Paul continued with his story and said, "I didn't want the kiss to end but I had to make sure my mom was okay. So, I headed home. But, when I got there I found my mom out the floor-badly hurt. My dad jumped out of the shadows. I ran and he ran after me. Without me knowing about it, I ran straight to Ranee's house. She had just gotten in. She saw my worried expression and jumped to right conclusion…my dad was going crazy." I felt like I was there as he was telling the story.
He continued, "Her parents left out the back way to get help for my mom. Ranee and I were just standing there-hoping that my dad wouldn't come here. Just then, Ranee did something totally unexpected. She left the house and went outside. I ran after her screaming that it was too dangerous. I kept running and found her-passed out at the Veilstone meteorites. She was lucky. She only had a broken arm. My mom was a different story-she died from her injuries. My dad left Veilstone before they could arrest him. Reggie got back in time for our mom's funeral where it was there I decided not to let anyone close to me ever again. I left with Reggie without telling Ranee-the hardest thing I ever had to do. I went through each region and eventually came back here to Sinnoh. I met you guys and ran into Ranee. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do-was to face her face-to-face. I kept crying and running like I've been doing all my life." My heart went out to Paul. He was my idol until the Sinnoh league but now after hearing this, I was staring to change my mind about him.
He took a deep breath and said, "I never saw her after that until at the Sinnoh league. I never ran into her, though." He had a tear in his eye. That really must have of hurt him to not talk to her and run into her in his hour of need. Dawn spoke up and said, "I saw her at the Grand Festival. She got top eight. She was really good." Paul looked surprised and said, "What? I had no idea she wanted to be a coordinator." I spoke up next and said, "She also got top eight at the Sinnoh league, too. She was really good. She lost to that Darkrai trainer." Paul looked mortified by what I had just said. He still loved her but one wonder if she still loved him?
Dawn's POV
Paul looked so worried after what Barry had said. Even Ash had lost to that Darkrai trainer because he was wicked tough. I couldn't help but wonder if she was okay. I never met her personally but she did give a shot of advice at the Grand Festival. She never introduced herself but she said to always follow your heart-it knows what was right. I had to tell Paul that.
I cleared my throat which got Paul's attention, "Paul, she did give me a piece of advice. She had told me that you should always your heart-it knows what was right and then even though her boyfriend was away in ordinary to protect her, she would always be there for him-in spirit." Paul had tears in his eyes. He truly loved her. Before anyone could say another word on the subject, Nurse Joy ran over-worried. She said to us, "All of our poke balls are gone! They were all filled with Pokémon!"
We all gasped and Barry asked, "Who would do such a thing?" Ash, Brock, and I jumped to the same conclusion. "Team Rocket!" All three of us said. Paul shook his head and said, "Those dummies who keep trying to get Pikachu?" I nodded. Pikachu looked mad and said, "Pi pika chu!" Piplup squeaked, "Piplup!" Brock looked at the nurse and said, "Don't worry, Nurse Joy. We'll get your poke balls back." With that, the five of us bolted out of the door.