Outskirts of the Ancient Ruins – Sinnoh
Normally a deserted site, the ancient ruins today had drawn quite the crowd. All eyes were fixed on the elegant figure standing before the weathered stone monolith.
A stunning woman in a black trench coat, with flowing golden hair and a commanding presence was inspecting the monument. In stark contrast to her serious demeanor, she casually licked at a melting ice cream cone—an image so contradictory it stirred the hearts of onlookers.
"So the Champion has this kind of side to her too..."
"Right? I've never seen this version of Ms. Cynthia before!"
"She's so adorable… I want to—"
A group of spectators whispered excitedly from a distance, unable to take their eyes off her.
Nearby, a boy with a Pikachu and two companions arrived at the scene.
Ash: "Hey! That's Cynthia!"
Dawn: "It's really her—Cynthia in person!"
Brock: "She looks even more beautiful than she does on TV… Ah, if only I could be that ice cream…"
Dawn's face turned visibly awkward at Brock's outburst, while Ash had long since gotten used to it.
Suddenly, a figure stepped into their field of vision—a calm boy with purple hair walking forward.
Ash: "Paul?!"
The boy turned, his face was expressionless as he looked at Ash.
"Paul": "Haven't seen you since at the Oreburgh Gym. How many badges have you earned since then?"
Ash clenched his fist, fired up with excitement.
Despite their last encounter ending in harsh defeat and ridicule, Ash didn't hold a grudge. In fact, he saw "Paul" as one of his strongest rivals.
"Paul": "Obsession with badge count is meaningless."
With that cool remark, "Paul" turned and walked straight toward Cynthia.
Yes, he had met Ash in Sandgem Town, and per the instructions of "that person," began keeping an eye on him.
At first, the more he watched, the less he understood.
'Why pay attention to such a weak Trainer?'
But one day, out of curiosity, he searched Ash's history online—and that's when things shifted.
In terms of the Pokémon League, Ash hadn't been particularly impressive—only reaching the Top 8 in the Silver and Lily of the Valley Conferences. "Paul" had reached second place before; he considered himself more accomplished.
He assumed Ash was still chasing his first League Championship.
To "Paul", competing in the League over and over wasn't impressive—earning eight badges was the bare minimum. If you couldn't even do that, might as well retire.
But then he found out Ash had defeated Drake of the Orange League and Brandon, the Frontier Brain of the Battle Frontier in Kanto.
Those two were practically at the level of the Elite Four!
"Paul's" thoughts: 'I couldn't beat them... and Ash could?!'
Based on Ash's records, he clearly hadn't reached Elite Four-tier. How could he have possibly defeated such Trainers?
Driven by doubt, "Paul" dug up and rewatched the battle footage—again and again.
His conclusion?
Drake had grown too arrogant, drunk on glory. His Pokémon got lazy. He underestimated Ash and paid the price.
Brandon... "Paul" found footage from Ash's first and third battles against him.
The first battle? A crushing loss for Ash—nearly identical to when "Paul's" own older brother lost. No surprises there.
But the third battle? "Paul" was dumbfounded.
Brandon typically led with Regirock, or occasionally Registeel.
But in this battle? Neither appeared. Instead, Brandon sent out Regice, a Pokémon he had clearly only recently caught—and one much weaker than Regirock or Registeel.
The rest of Brandon's lineup? Completely underwhelming. Practically trolling.
"Paul's" conclusion: Drake threw the match, Brandon went easy.
Even with this reasoning, "Paul" didn't completely underestimate Ash. After all, luck is part of strength, and achievements—flawed or not—are still achievements.
But ultimately, none of that mattered. If "that person" deemed Ash worth watching, then "Paul" would keep tabs on him—until the day he crushed him outright.
But for now… there was something more pressing.
"Paul": "Ms. Cynthia, right?"
Cynthia: "Hmm?"
"Paul": "I'm "Paul" from Veilstone City. I want to challenge you to a battle."
As he issued the challenge, scoffs and jeers rippled through the crowd. Yet he was unfazed.
Compared to his brother's surrender, compared to the shadow of "that person", what others said meant nothing.
Cynthia: "It's been a while since I've accepted a battle in the wild. Are you competing in the Sinnoh League?"
"Paul": "Yes."
Cynthia: "Then it sounds like you've battled in quite a few League tournaments already. Alright, I accept your challenge."
Cynthia stepped forward and faced him directly.
Cynthia: "Shall we make it a full six-on-six battle?"
"Paul": "Okay."
Cynthia: "Soar through the skies, Garchomp!"
Without hesitation, she sent out her ace—Garchomp.
Seeing her signature Pokémon, "Paul's" eyes narrowed, and he tossed a Poké Ball.
"Paul": "Skorupi, battle ready!"
The one he sent out was Skorupi, a descendant of Reggie's Drapion, freshly hatched shortly before "Paul's" encounter with Ash.
"Skuuu~!"
Skorupi raised its claws, staring warily at the formidable Garchomp across the field.
Dawn: "That Skorupi looks impressive, but… is it really enough to take on the Champion's ace?"
Brock: "Maybe "Paul's" hoping to land a Toxic status on Garchomp, soften it up for his next Pokémon?"
It made sense. No one expected "Paul" to beat all six of Cynthia's Pokémon. Just taking out Garchomp would be a huge win.
???: "Nice theory—but not gonna happen."
A familiar voice cut in nearby.
Brock: "True… after all, it's the Champion's Pokémon. Landing a Toxic on it won't be easy…"
He nodded, then turned to see who had spoken—and froze. Even his ever-squinting eyes widened to normal size.
Brock: "Wha—Why didn't you finish your sentence, Pau—?"
Dawn turned as well and was stunned too.
Ash: "What's going on with you two—?"
Pikachu: "Pika…?"
Ash turned—and his expression mirrored theirs.
"Two Pauls?!" all three in unison
The trio stared at the newcomer beside them, then back at the "Paul" already locked in battle with Cynthia. Their voices trembled in disbelief.
Paul: "Focus on the battle."
He waved a hand and used Psychic to mute them all, preventing any distractions for the "Paul" currently battling.
On the battlefield, the match had already begun.
But unlike her anime appearances, this time Cynthia wasn't holding back.
Ash's Chimchar might've stood a chance if it could land a few good hits and endure long enough. But Skorupi's poison strategy? Against a fully-powered Garchomp? That would be far harder to pull off.
The battle had began.
Skorupi launched Toxic, but Cynthia's Garchomp shattered the poisonous attack with a single swipe of Dragon Claw.
Immediately, Skorupi dug underground with Dig, attempting a surprise attack. However, Cynthia, wary of damaging the surrounding ruins, refrained from using Earthquake and instead had her Garchomp counter with Dig as well.
Within five seconds, both Pokémon burst from the ground—one chasing, one fleeing.
Skorupi crashed onto the ground, fainted and unable to battle. Garchomp appeared unharmed at first glance—but traces of poison shimmered on its body.
"GAAAAAAR!" Garchomp roared.
Just as "Paul" believed his strategy had succeeded, Garchomp let out a surge of aura. The poison was shaken off entirely, failing to penetrate its body.
"The level gap's too wide... the poison couldn't take hold?"
The thought flashed through "Paul's" mind. Wordlessly, he withdrew Skorupi into its Poké Ball and released Ursaring, which he had caught earlier in the Lush Forest.
At the start of the round, Ursaring charged forward with Hammer Arm per "Paul's" command, heading straight for Garchomp.
Garchomp, unfazed, intercepted the attack. At Cynthia's calm command—Brick Break, Garchomp raised one arm to block Hammer Arm, then its other wing-like claw glowed white and struck Ursaring squarely.
A direct hit!
Ursaring collapsed instantly.
"Paul" silently recalled Ursaring and sent out the newly caught Ninjask.
Although its level didn't match Garchomp's, Ninjask's terrifying speed let it pressure Garchomp momentarily, landing a flurry of successive hits.
But the moment Garchomp locked onto it with a chilling surge of killing intent, Ninjask froze in mid-air, unable to dodge.
Then came a single blow: Dragon Rush. Instant KO.
"The gap... it's terrifying."
"All of them were one-shots. The difference in power is just too overwhelming."
"So this is what it means to be a Champion…"
Nearby, the previously silenced trio whispered among themselves, exchanging shocked glances. They turned toward "Paul," wondering how he compared to the "real" Paul.
On the battlefield, all three of "Paul's" recently trained Pokémon had been decisively defeated. A heavy expression clouded his face.
At last, he sent out his ace trio—his main team.
Electivire, Torterra, and his own Garchomp.
These Pokémon were on an entirely different level—none were knocked out in a single hit, and they even managed to exchange several rounds with Cynthia's Garchomp before falling.
The result, however, was inevitable.
Even this upgraded "Paul" was no match for Cynthia.
Still, he fared far better than the version in the original timeline—his Torterra wasn't taken down in one blow, after all.
With his strongest and most promising Pokémon all defeated, "Paul" remained stoic.
"Come back and rest." He finally said, recalling Torterra.
Then, turning to Cynthia, he offered a respectful bow and said:
"I'll return to challenge you again."
With that, "Paul" turned and walked toward the Pokémon Center.
Given everything that had happened and the fact that all of his Pokémon were injured, it would be reckless not to go.
But as soon as he turned around, he was caught off guard.
There stood the real Paul.
"You again?" "Paul" asked, surprised.
Paul nodded calmly. "Yeah. Send out all your Pokémon."
Without asking why, "Paul" tossed out all six of his Poké Balls. His weakened Pokémon reappeared on the field.
"Take care of them for me."
Paul stepped forward, handing the Pokémon Egg he'd been cradling to "Paul," then threw his own Poké Ball.
A massive Pokémon—Torterra, but significantly larger than "Paul's" appeared on the ground.
The crowd, already buzzing from seeing two versions of Paul, gasped even louder.
Paul patted his Torterra and scanned the six injured Pokémon.
"Heal them all."
"Raaa…" Torterra responded, unleashing a glowing Life Dew.
In an instant, all six Pokémon began healing before their wounds vanished altogether. Even Cynthia's Garchomp had its minor injuries completely restored.
Once the healing was complete, Paul turned to Cynthia.
"Miss Cynthia," he said, "I'm Paul from another world. I'm about to enter the World Coronation Series and face off against another version of you. Before that, I'd like to battle you myself."
"Another world?" Cynthia's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Interesting. I accept."
So her hunch was right, this Paul came from another dimension.
And if he planned to challenge the Champion version of her in that world, did that mean she was also Champion there?
Fascinating.
"Then follow me." Paul said, walking toward an open field in the distance.
"Worried about damaging the ruins? Thoughtful." Cynthia smiled as she followed, her impression of Paul quietly rising.
"Paul" glanced at the Pokémon Egg in his arms and followed in silence.
Dawn: "Let's follow them."
Brock: "Opportunities like this don't come every day."
Ash: "I'm really curious how strong this other Paul is. I've gotta watch!"
After a quick exchange, the trio followed the two Pauls.
So did everyone else.
After all, if this Paul wasn't lying, then he was about to face Champion Cynthia from another world. That would make him at least Elite Four level—or higher.
A once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness such a battle.
Soon, in an empty clearing, Paul and Cynthia stood facing each other. Spectators encircled the field.
"Paul" silently stood behind his counterpart, cradling the Egg—eager to watch the battle from up close.
"What are the rules? Full battle?" Cynthia asked, gently stroking the fin on Garchomp's back.
"3 vs. 3 will do." Paul replied.
In the anime world, if this were a full battle, Paul could crush Cynthia effortlessly.
But no need for that.
"Very well. Soar, Garchomp!"
"GAAAAR!" Cynthia waved her hand, and her Garchomp soared onto the field once more.
It was clear she intended to lead with Garchomp again.
But Paul had no intention of sending out his own Garchomp.
His Garchomp might be slightly lower in base level, but it far outclassed Cynthia's in every other aspect.
With buffs like Swords Dance, Mega Evolution, Bloodline Mode, Dragon Form, and Sandstorm Terrain, it embodied four or five different system advantages.
To restrain all of that power just to match Cynthia's Garchomp wouldn't make sense.
So Paul chose a different Pokémon.
"Get ready for battle…"
(To be continued...)
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