Lies

Chapter 6

I am back, kind of? Let me know if you guys still care about this story by voting or commenting, I am very sorry for just disappearing and not saying anything. Hopefully you can forgive me? :(

I am going to be doing third person from now on. I think that I have done enough first person for Ash to show his emotions, thoughts and the way he interacts after his mother's death. The last chapter (Lemon) won't be canon because to me it doesn't fit Ash's character within this story. Just to clear that up.

Anabel will be talking to her pokemon through telepathy during battle and will be shown through italics inside the speech marks.

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It was a beautiful afternoon, the sun shining as high and as bright as possible. Everyone was waiting in the stands sitting down patiently for the challenger about to battle for the ability symbol. Ash, Scott and the frontier brains stared down the entrance to the battlefield like Fearows waiting for prey.

"I wonder how Paul will battle after all this time." Ash said while reminiscing the many annoying and fond memories he made with his rival.

"Seeing you two battle after the Sinnoh league quarter-final back then, I knew I had to get Paul for the Frontier challenge. I heard he even challenged Brandon once to a battle during your Sinnoh journey." Scott said this while moving his head to look at Ash and then carried on talking, "This all made me certain that he would be the next big challenger, though it took me a long while to track him down, even with him being here in Kanto." Scott explained.

"He was here in Kanto?" Ash asked, curious about something Scott had mentioned.

"Yes, after his loss to you he had to see your home region for himself." Scott replied gaining the full attention of the raven-haired boy next to him. "He was inspired by your climactic match with him at the Lily of the Valley conference." Scott added, lifting Ash's ego and spirit while also raising his level of respect that has always been high for Paul since their league confrontation.

The group of trainers conversed more, but not for long as the doors opened signalling Paul's arrival.

"Welcome, Paul Shinji, to the battle tower!" Anabel announced to the challenger.

Paul scanned the battlefield to settle into the familiar surroundings and to win the symbol he has been striving for. Paul and Ash's eyes connected, shock evident on the Sinnoh native's face. They gave each other a nod to acknowledge each other and say everything that was needed, all in one simple action.

Scott chuckled at this, experiencing their bond in person was very fascinating to him. "Come on Paul! Give us a good show." Paul mustered a small smile and nodded once again showing his 'man of few words' personality.

"This will be a three on three battle! Only the challenger may substitute pokemon. Trainers, please send out your first pokemon!" The referee projected clearly and loudly as they repeated the official protocols of the battle tower's match rules.

Paul looked back at Ash once more, giving him a straight, but challenging expression. "Weavile, stand by for battle!" Paul grabbed his pokeball and threw his right arm forward while releasing the monster ball. The red and white ball popped open releasing white energy that morphed into the shape of the navy blue and red pokemon. Weavile proceeded to flutter its sharp claws, as if it were warming them up ready for battle.

"Going with Weavile, again?", Anabel questioned while noticing the familiarity with the strategy.

"A very skilled pokemon trainer taught me that revenge can be used in the right ways as long as you channel the energy and don't lose sight of the goal." Paul said, not turning his head, keeping his eyes on Anabel, but clearly directing his words to Ash. This caused Ash to think, think back to his mothers death. All the pain, all the anger, all the hatred, but most importantly how much revenge he wanted, how much pain he wanted to give to Brock in that one moment. This caused Ash to smile involuntarily.