Believe Again

Hi Ego Shippers! I have been writing this story for a few weeks now so I am excited to finally put it on here. It will be a few chapters long and Ego Shipping all the way. :) I hope you all enjoy it. Please leave me a small (or large!) review and let me know what you think of each chapter. I love any feedback because it helps me improve my writing and inspires me to write more. This chapter is short and more of an introduction into the story, but I promise they will get longer. Ok, enough from me! Onto the story…

Chapter One

Gary Oak ran a hand through his mahogany spikes of hair as he stared at the computer screen in front of him. His dark green eyes read over the figures for what felt like the millionth time, but he sighed with frustration as he failed to come to the conclusion he was searching for. Deciding he needed to take a break, Gary stood and walked out of the laboratory, closing the door behind him. He wandered down the hallway, past the yellow walls and framed pictures of various Pokemon, and entered the living room, where he found Mrs Ketchum sitting on the couch, facing his grandfather – Professor Oak.

"Oh, Gary," she called him over to where they sat. "How are you, dear?"

"I'm fine, thanks," Gary replied. "And yourself?" Since coming back home he had discovered that Mrs Ketchum was a staple in their household, so he was not surprised to see her, but she did have a look of despair in her chocolate eyes which he noticed instantly. Just like her son, Deliah wore her heart on her sleeve – she was very easy to read.

"Oh, I'm fine sweetie but as I was just telling your grandfather, I'm a little worried about Misty."

"Misty?" he asked, crossing his arms as he recalled the name. "Oh, Ash's friend?"

Gary remembered her alright – that crazy redheaded tomboy with the side-ponytail that used to follow Ash around. She was the Cerulean Gym Leader now.

"Yes," Deliah replied, glancing between Gary and Professor Oak. "I'm very worried. I called her this morning to check on her – her sisters are away so she's running the Gym by herself again – and the poor dear is really very unwell."

"Oh, that's not good," Professor Oak leaned back in his chair, his forehead creasing in concern.

"She said she's fine, but she didn't look fine. Call it mother's intuition. So I was wondering, Professor, is there any way you could have Tracey visit her at the Gym, just to check on her? I'd go myself, but I'm working on Lucas and Mia's wedding cake, and it has to be ready by the weekend."

"I'm sorry, Deliah, but Tracey went back to the Orange Islands this morning to visit his family. He won't be back until next week."

"Oh, no," Deliah put her hands to her cheeks, worry intensifying in her eyes. "What can we do?"

"Well," Professor Oak leaned forward. He looked to his grandson. "Gary, how about if you go to Cerulean City for a few days and help Misty out at the Gym."

It wasn't a question so much as it was an order. Gary groaned inwardly.

"But grandpa, I'm about to make a really big discovery!" he argued.

"Oh, please, Gary, it would mean a lot to me. Misty is a dear friend and I'd hate it if we couldn't help her in some way." Under her pleading gaze, Gary faltered. How could he say no to her?

"Fine…" he muttered.

"Oh, thank you so much, Gary!" a smile lit up her face, and he forced one in reply, all the while gritting his teeth in annoyance at this sudden 'errand' that had been forced upon him.

'Darn it, I barely know this girl, and now I have to go look after her Gym for her?' Gary thought as he sauntered back down the hallway until he got to his bedroom. He closed the door behind him and pulled his backpack out of his cupboard. As he packed a few things, he tried to recall the last time he had seen Misty. He figured it must have been at the Johto League Silver Conference, when he lost to Ash and decided to leave the trainer life and become a researcher, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. He had worked so hard to live up to his grandfather's expectations – Gary always acted as though he lived by his own rules but deep down, he just wanted his family to be proud of him. He was now a highly recognised researcher with quite a bit of experience under his belt, including working with the Sayda Island Laboratory and for Professor Rowan in Sinnoh. He had come home because his grandfather was getting older, and somebody needed to take over the lab, and Gary couldn't think of a better way to further his career. It was an honour to take the reigns from his grandfather, and to start new trainers on the path to achieving their dreams. It was something he never thought he would consider doing, but after all his travelling and experiences he thought it would be nice to return home, to settle down to one job, to have a real home. Though, he never expected returning home would be so short-lived, nor did he expect that he would be spending the next few days with Misty Waterflower.

'How do I get myself into these messes?' he mused as he dumped his last few items into his bag, zipped it up and hoisted it upon his shoulder.

"Let's get this over with," he mumbled to himself as he walked out the door.

To be continued…