I was overwhelmed by all the enthusiastic reviews that were submitted when I uploaded chapter 2. So as I promised, here is chapter 3. I hope you all enjoy it :)

Chapter 3

The next morning, Paul decided that it was better that Ash didn't know that Paul had been lying next to him the entire night. He quietly stood up and made his way to the kitchen of the pokemon center. He felt like he should apologize. He activated his psychic and opened all the cupboards in the kitchen, looking for something he could give to Ash to make up for …. for what ? Paul stared into empty space.

"Did I do something wrong ?" He sat motionlessly, the items in the cupboards floating gently through the air. Paul wasn't paying attention. His emotions controlled his powers, and soon, the room was filled with floating objects. "I must have done something to upset Ash. Something worse than disobeying him. Even an idiot like Ash wouldn't get this hurt by a bit of disobedience...Right ? Paul sniffed at an old pancake mix. Pancakes would make a nice breakfast... Wait ...Why am I trying to win Ash's affection ? His affection means nothing to me ! I don't like him ! I CAN'T like him ! I can't allow myself to get hurt like that again." At that thought, the countless floating objects clattered to the ground, creating a shock wave of sound that resonated through the large room.

Paul dashed out of the room and ran out of the pokemoncenter. He kept running until there was only blissful silence around him. He should never had trusted ash. He should never have tried to be friends with that moron. He knew that his sexual orientation would come to haunt him once again, as it had all his life. Paul choked back a small sob. This was no time for crying. Remembering the past wouldn't help. Paul shook his head and jumped, leaping from tree to tree, just enjoying the strong wind blowing through his fur.

Paul had always realized that Ash was not the person he could be friends with. Ash was the only person who still believed that he had some good in him. Becoming friends with Ash was impossible. Paul knew that if he had allowed himself to become friends with Ash, he would not be able to keep himself from falling in love. He would have crossed that line, and he would have been rejected once again. So he had kept his distance, acted coldly and mean. But now that he had finally allowed himself to love, he was unable to show it. Ash would never understand a pokemon, let alone return feelings of love.

"It-...it happened again..." Paul bit his lip to keep himself from crying, and took shelter in a hole located beneath a big tree. "Why can't I just fall in love with a girl for once ?"

Paul didn't move from his hidinspot. He just waited. He had nothing to do. Two parts of himself were battling in his mind. He wanted Ash to come find him. He wanted Ash to be worried. He wanted Ash to be happy when he found him. He wanted Ash to love him. But he knew that he would only be causing himself pain. Even as a human, he had been rejected by everyone he had approached. His parents, his family, his friends... Even strangers rejected him. So he had put up a barrier.

He had been very quick to let down his guard once someone had broken through the walls he had build around himself. But in every single case, after learning about Paul's true self, they would go. Leaving Paul to recover all by himself. The situation as it was now was torture. He could not utter the words to Ash, he could not speed up the painful blow that was to come. He knew Ash would reject him, but he could not extinguish the small flame of hope. He would remain hopeful, while never getting what he hoped for.

That was even worse than getting rejected. Knowing he wouldn't be rejected, but at the same time knowing he would never be accepted. Paul closed his eyes and curled up. He didn't want to think anymore. He just wanted to sleep it all away.

….

"Espeon ?... Espeon ?" Ash was running around the pokemoncenter, a worried look in his eyes. "Nurse joy ! Have you seen my Espeon ?" Nurse joy shook her head. " I'm very sorry, but I haven't seen your Espeon..." Ash grit his teeth. Did Espeon run away ? Was Ash not a worthy trainer ? No. I musn't think like that. Espeon is... Espeon is going through a though phase... Dawn came walking down the stairs, yawning loudly, her piplup following at her feet. She halted in her tracks as she spotted Ash. "Ash ? What's wrong ? Where's Espeon ?" Ash looked away. "I don't know. We... We should go looking for him. I'm sure he'll manage... but..."

Dawn nodded. "I understand Ash...We should tell Brock that we're off to look for Espeon, but I think he won't be joining us now..." Ash gave her a dumbfounded look. " Didn't you hear all that noise early in the morning ? A wild pokemon snuck into the pokemon center and destroyed almost everything ! Brock is helping Nurse Joy with cleaning."

Ash walked into the kitchen, and indeed, it was a horrible mess. Pots and pans were scattered everywhere, and flour was drifting through the room like dust. Brock was collecting the countless pans, and he looked up as soon as he saw Ash and Dawn. "What's going on ? It's a rare thing to see you both up so early !" Dawn giggled a bit, but Ash couldn't spare a smile. "Brock, have you seen Espeon ? I can't seem to find him..." Brock raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Espeon ? I thought he was sleeping in your room..." Ash sighed. "Dawn and I are going to look for him..." Brock nodded. "I'll stay here in case he comes back, okay ?" Ash gave him a small smile and nodded enthusiastically. "Thanks Brock !"

Ash ran upstairs. He grabbed his backpack and stuffed all his stuff in it, should their search continue for multiple days. He was taking no risks. He needed to find Espeon, even if he had to search this land twice. "Ash, I'm ready ! Let's go looking for Espeon !" Ash nodded and ran outside.

Dawn and Ash searched the entire day. Every pokemon they had was searching along with them, turning every stone they found twice before moving on. Each of the pokemon could feel how important this was to Ash. But even when they searched with all they had, Espeon was nowhere to be found. The pokemon were getting tired, and Pachirisu was already out cold. The sun was close to setting, and a few wild hoothoot's were already waking up.

Ash kept on searching. But Dawn had already given up, her pokemon already called back, and her piplup sleeping in her arms.

"Ash. Even if we continue to look now, we won't find him. It's going to be dark pretty soon. Maybe Espeon is at the pokemon center ?" Ash shook his head in determination. "No way Dawn. I really need to find Espeon ! I can't... I can't just leave him like that !" Dawn was quiet for a moment, but when she spoke, it made cold shiver runs over Ash's spine.

"Are you really worried about Espeon ? Is it really the pokemon you care about right now ? Or the trainer he used to have ?" Ash halted in his movements. "Don't say that Dawn. Please... Not... Not now..." Dawn gave Ash a sad look. He was trembling a little, and quiet sobs shook his shoulders. Dawn walked up to Ash and put her arm over his back. "Let's go back okay ?"

Ash didn't answer, but neither did he complain when Dawn started leading him towards the direction of the pokemon center.

….

Paul woke up when the sun was already setting. He stared at the sunset. In his eyes, it had lost all the beauty it had once held. He hated sunsets. They reminded him of the countless times people had left him at the light of such a sunset. Paul grit his teeth. His futile hope was still there. It had it's own voice, and it was constantly speaking to him, feeding him lies. Is Ash looking for me ? He likes me, so he must be. Right ? Does he miss me ? Does he like me ? A part of him wanted Ash to be looking for him. He wanted to believe that this love had a chance.

But the other part looked at reality. Ash would never fall in love with a filthy pokemon, especially not Paul. Ash seemed to dislike him the most out of all his pokemon. Even if Paul would suddenly regain his human form, Ash would probably just push him away with disgust... Suddenly, Paul stopped dead in his tracks. He had ran away from Ash, right after almost murdering a foe's pokemon ! What if Ash... had already given up on him ? What if he was just continuing with his journey ? Leaving him forever ? Paul broke into a dash. He needed to find Ash. Right now. Right now ! Even if Ash couldn't love him the way Paul wanted, he would still he able to be friends with Ash.

But that wasn't possible if Paul wasn't together with Ash.

The pokemon center came into sight, and Paul was shaking on his paws in anxiety. This moment. It could break him. Or it could mend some of the places where he had already been broken. He dashed into the pokemon center flew up the stairs to where Ash's room was, frantically looking around for any sign of the trainer and his dumb groupies. The ran through the kitchen, almost bumping into someone who was on the floor, cleaning up pans. But Paul ignored it, and dashed on. The door to the apartment was also blasted open with Psychic, and Paul jumped inside.

The room was empty.

All of Ash's scattered clothes were gone, the backpack was no longer lying at the door, and there was no Ash to be found. Still, Paul didn't want to give up. He activated his psychic powers again, and started throwing around any object around him in an attempt to find Ash. He could hear trainers running up the stairs, wondering what was causing the loud noises. Why isn't Ash here ? Why is he playing this cruel prank on me ! AShelgon appeared in the opening of the door, quickly followed by a few other pokemon, some curious trainers running in after them.

"It's an Espeon ! What is it doing here of all places ? Where is it's trainer ? We better restrain it for now, Go shelgon !" Paul suppressed a panicked sob, and dashed towards the window. He jumped out, and tried to soften his landing with psychic. But his psychic powers wavered slightly, and he took a short tumble. He ran away as fast as he could.

Ah. S-so he dumped me huh ?... T-that's f-fine. I can... I can h-handle... this. I totally saw it coming. Y-yea. Paul felt pathetic. Again. Again he had let it happen. He had allowed himself to like someone, and like before, that person left him. Paul refused to believe that he was crying, even when small tears were dripping in his fur.

But his sadness was soon replaced by chaotic panic as a gloved hand closed tightly around his tail and roughly yanked him off the ground. Paul let out a pained shriek, but it was muffled by a black sack that was pulled over his head. Paul struggled against the hands that were pushing him roughly inside, but it was no use. The bag was closed over his head, and he could hear cruel laughter. "Best catch we had in ages ! The boss will be very pleased !" The person carrying Paul ran off, and soon Paul had lost any sense of direction. He didn't know what up or down was, and he was on the verge of breaking down.

Then, the bag opened and he landed face-first into a cold cage. He could hear a slot clicking into place behind him, and he turned around with a weak squeal. Team Rocket. He used to think they were no threat at all, but right now, fear induced adrenaline was rushing through his veins. He was still crying.

A stun gun was shoved between the bars, and a harsh shock ran through Paul's body. His legs gave out, and he fell on the cold floor of the cage, his paws twitching in pain. " Don't even think about escaping. That was just a light shock. The bars of the cage are under high-voltage, so see this as a light warning." Paul's cage was lifted off the ground, and put on the Team rocket balloon. "Liftoff !"

Paul curled up in a small ball and tried to take comfort in the setting sun. He knew the rockets were staring at him, big grins on their faces. "Hehehe ! Even if the boss decides the thing is useless, it can still be sold for a nice price !" A kick to the cage made Paul twitch in surprise. The Rocket's laughed again, and started squabbling about their success. Paul tried to tune them out, beginning to clean himself out of pure nervousness. "Yea totally ! Besi-...Hey... What's th-"

A loud ripping sound met Paul's ears, and gravity seemed to lose its grip. "GAAHHH ! THE BALLOON ! We're FALLING !" Paul looked around frantically, his cage falling down together with the balloon. He was falling to his death ! Again ! But then a high-pitched screech reached his ears. "Staravia! Staravia ! Espeon ! Over here !" Never before had Paul been so glad to see Ash's Staravia. He slammed his body against the bars of the cage, but they didn't budge. Ash's staravia was pecking at the bars, while trying to keep the cage airborne. "Cacnea ! Use Pin missle !" Paul turned his head, only to see hundreds to tiny spikes flying towards them. They hit staravia , and the bird pokemon let out a weak cry. "R-Ravia ! Espeon, you... you're too heavy for me ! I can't... hold...on... Ack !"

Staravia's claws let go of the cage, and Paul tumbled down again, a thunderbolt shooting past him, and hitting the rockets. Before Paul could try to see where he was, the side of the cage got stuck on a branch. Paul shook on his paws, a huge abyss beneath him. "Espeon ! ESPEON !" Paul could hear Ash's voice, and his heart leapt up in joy. "I'm here ! Ash Ash Ash ! I'm here I'm here ! Please save me please please please ! I don't want to die again ! Ash !" For a small moment it was quiet, then Ash spoke again. " Try to be still Espeon ! I'll climb down with this rope to get you ! I sent Staravia to get some help !"

Paul nodded, and shakily began cleaning his paws. It had become a habit to clean himself when he was stressed. It seemed to take ages before Ash appeared by the cage. But Paul didn't mind. As soon as he saw Ash he mewled loudly. "Ash ! Thank arceus you're here ! I'm so sorry I ran away ! Please take me back ! Please !" Ash just smiled his trademark smile. "It'll be okay Espeon ! I just know it !" Paul nodded nonetheless. Just Ash's presence was enough to calm him somewhat. Ash grabbed one of the bar's, and tried to pull it. Paul noticed that the electricity was gone. Or maybe it wasn't there in the first place... "Ugh ! It's not working !" Paul tried to stop himself from rolling his eyes. "Ofcourse it doesn't worke idiot... It's a steel cage ! You can't just bend it with your bare hands !" Ash grabbed a stone that was sticking out of the abyss's wall, and started slamming it against the bars.

Ash looked exhausted, sweat dripping down his face, and his breath shallow. "One... One last time should do it !" Ash lifted the stone and brought it down with as much force as he could muster. The cage broke. So did the rope that Ash was hanging on. Paul stared as Ash was tumbling down the abyss. "No... I won't let this happen !" Paul jumped after Ash, catching up with Ash quickly. He then clawed his sharp nail into Ash's skin, closed his eyes, and used all the power he had.

For a tiny moment, Paul though he had failed. That Ash and himself were still plummeting down a huge abyss. But when he opened his eyes, they were floating in the air, a blue aura surrounding them. Psychic. Paul breathed out in an attempt to calm himself, and nuzzled his nose into Ash. Ash was trembling, and his arms were around Espeon. "W...Whoa... I don't... Don't ever want to do that again..." Paul nodded. He tried to lift them up, to get them back up on the ledge they fell from, but the power that he was trying to call was too big for him now. Paul was exhausted. It had been a long time since he had rested, and restored his powers. He shivered when he realized that this was his last use of psychic. Just imagine that he had used Psychic only once more. Then he and Ash would have died.

Paul closed his eyes, and began to lessen the power of his psychic. Slowly they floated downwards. A thick forest greeted them, and Paul tried to maneuver them around the countless branches and trunks. When Ash's feet touched the ground, Paul let go of his Psychic, almost falling asleep. "I don't think we can get back up when we're exhausted like this... Come on Espeon, we should go look for a place to sleep." Paul barely had the energy to nod, and just lied in Ash's arms.

It didn't take long before it was completely dark. It was impossible to find a good resting place in the dark. So Ash curled up beneath one of the many large trees, Espeon lying next to him.

….

The next morning was a strange one. It was silent. Everywhere around them it was completely silent. The trees were high, and it was almost impossible to see the sky. "Staravia won't be able to spot us like this Espeon... We have to get to a high point !" Ash set Espeon down, and sprang into a tree. Only to slide down a second later. "These trees are way too smooth ! I can't hold on ! I'm afraid we'll just have to walk around until we find a mountaintop or a climbable tree." Paul nodded. He still felt weak from the attack by the rockets and the near-death- experience from yesterday, but it wouldn't help just to sit around and cry about it.

The forest around them was still eerily quiet, and not a single wild pokemon could be seen. Even Paul couldn't detect any lifeforms with his psychic powers. It scared him. There was something drifting around in the air here, and the other dimension was closer than ever. Though not in a good way. It was closer, but it held nothing. It was emptiness. Paul was sure that Ash could feel it as well.

They kept on walking in silence, until they found a small river. Ash drank some water and stored some in a bottle he was carrying with him. Then he sat down on a rock near the river bedding and stared into the water. Paul sat next to him. It was silent for a while, and then Ash spoke up. "This river... It reminds me of Paul..." Paul stared at the small river. Not a single magicarp to be seen. Ash spoke again. "You know Espeon... I always thought that Paul and I were friends. I missed him when I didn't see him for a long time, I liked battling with him, and I always wished he would stay around for lunch or dinner." Ash took a deep breath. "Espeon. You... You were close to him right ?... Does... Did he like me ?... Was I more than a nuisance to him ?..."

Paul stared at Ash. He wasn't sure what to do, or what to think. But before he could answer, Ash went on. "Heh... Yea. I thought so. He must've disliked me a whole lot... But... even when knowing that I was only bothering him with my presence, I can't help but wanting to be with him." Paul stared at Ash, completely astounded. What was going on here ? Ash... Liked him ? The flame of hope exploded in Paul's chest, almost burning him from the inside, only to be extinguished a moment later. "B-but now it's all too late Espeon. All t-too late ! He's dead... he's dead ! J-just as I f-found some courage t-to tell him, he just... dies ! How...I..." Ash hugged his knees and started crying, his pained sobs echoing through the silent forest.

Paul swallowed. He shouldn't start crying now. He should be comforting Ash. Because it was the only thing he could do for the trainer now. He mewled softly and nuzzled against Ash. "I'm here Ash... You just... don't know it. But I'm here. Please stop crying..." Ash hiccuped and hugged Espeon. "I'm sorry Es-Espeon. I'm s-sure this is a p-painful subject for y-you too..." Paul rolled his eyes and after a small hesitation he gave Ash a small lick on the cheek. Ash smiled through his tears, and then wiped them away. "Yea, You're right Espeon, we should move on. Just sitting here and crying won't do anything... Hey Espeon ! Let's play a game ! Tag ! You're it !"

Paul stared at Ash as the trainer ran into the forest, daring Paul to catch him. It only took Paul a few seconds to set away his pride and join Ash in his silly game. Normally Ash wouldn't have been a match, but Paul wasn't at his best at the moment, so it took a long time for him to catch Ash. They were both tired from running, and they sat down at another tree. "Now I'm hungry... I don't think playing tag was such a brilliant idea after all..." Paul sighed. He hadn't eaten for quite a while, but being hungry didn't bother him that much. Berries grow in every forest, even deserted ones. It shouldn't take long to run into some fresh oran berries.

Surely enough, a few hours later, a big bush filled with big blue oran berries greeted them. "Ah ! Oran berries ! Come on Espeon ! Let's go eat !" Paul was too busy stuffing himself with oran berries to answer. But just when he was about to eat another one, a huge blast of Psychic power rippled through the other dimension, making Paul collapse under the sheer weight of it. The huge power was pressing down on him, and he could only barely stay concious. As soon as it had come, it vanished, leaving Paul lying on the ground, breathing heavily. He got up shakily and turned to Ash. He was out cold.

Ash !... Unconscious...No wonder... That immense pressure... No wonder it's so quiet around these parts...I'm a psychic pokemon, and still this psychic attack almost knocked me out ! If I hadn't eaten that much oran berries it might have... Paul shook his head to clear his mind. Then he quickly made his way to Ash. "Ash ! Get up !" Ash gave no response, so Paul took matters in his own hands. He extracted his claws and swiped them over Ash's cheek.

"YEEEOUCH !" Paul mewled and Ash looked over to him. "Espeon ?... What happened ? Why was I asleep ? ... Ugh... My head hurts..." Paul suddenly tensed up. The same psychic presence revealed itself. It was softer this time, more careful. Held back. It was swiftly approaching Paul and Ash's location. This time, it was not a huge weight crashing down on them, but a question that drifted through the air. "Those who rest in my forest. Leave if you have no purpose here. If you do have a genuine goal that requires my help, then follow my power and visit me."

Paul stood still for a moment, mesmerized by the pureness of the power that flowed through his soul. When he looked over to Ash he could see that he also felt the pure power radiating through the forest. Ash stood up and looked around.

"Did you hear that Espeon ?..."

Paul nodded.

"I think we should follow it."

Paul was already on his way.

Okay then. That concludes Chapter 3. It was in the fridge for a week because I had a lot on my mind. But now it's vacation and I managed to work out this chapter. I hope you all like it.

Reviews always get replies. (Unless you review anonymously ofcourse.)

See you in Chap 4.

Lanny-Sama out !