Chapter Text
“You’re pathetic,” Paul spat, scowling at the raven-haired trainer gaping at him. “Why do you waste all your efforts trying to please me when you should be investing your time pleasing yourself?” Ash made to interrupt but Paul continued. “Brandon once accused me of being too emotional, but so are you. Every time we battle, you’re so determined to show me what you’re capable of, but you never do.”
Ash gritted his teeth.
“You obtained badges in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova,” Paul listed off his fingers, his frown deepening, “and at best you got top four in a Pokémon League ranking.”
“And I’m Champion of the Orange Archipelago,” Ash muttered.
“I didn’t know that,” Paul shrugged. “Well, there we go.”
“And what?!” Ash exploded, throwing his hands in the air.
“And you did what I haven’t yet been able to do,” Paul declared. “You conquered the Battle Frontier. Why do you need validation from other people? You’re good.”
Ash’s eyebrows raised into his hairline, the glower fading from his face.
“Was that a compliment?” he asked, amazed.
“An observation,” Paul commented, the frown never once leaving his brow. “You know that I never thought much of Gym Leaders, and I thought even less of you when we met.” He thumbed behind him.
“But for some reason I can’t fathom, there’s a Gym Leader who thinks a lot of you.”
Ash’s eyes widened, the brown of his eyes more prominent in the moonlight.
“So, do as I do,” Paul said slowly and steadily. “Get. Over. It.”