The smoke began to clear from the battle field, and Gary's smug smile was clear for all to see all the way to the stands when it was revealed that his Electivire stood strong against the gym leader's fallen Pidgeot.

"And the winner is, Gary Oak from Pallet Town!"

The spiky haired brunette smirked and waved as his cheerleaders burst in to loud cheers, all rushing over to congragulate their 'king' with wet kisses and hugs and some even with tears of joy in their eyes. Well, all that is, except one. And he expected it. Even through all his various cheerleader's pompoms and arms, his stormy blue eyes actively sought out her short stature, and the long dark locks that was signature to one Catherine Thorne, more commonly known as Kitty.

She was never one to stand in throngs of people, and from that Gary could see that she didn't like being the center of attraction. But he could also see how she genuinely wished him to do well, and that was perhaps the main reason why he couldn't bring himself to treat her with the same disregard he treated the rest of the cheerleaders.

Spotting the dark head of hers standing just after the bleachers where the bunch of girls had sat, he untangled himself and left the flighty females to cry themselves silly over his win, and instead walked over to flash her a triumphant smirk. "I won."

"I know. I have eyes, I saw." she retorted, her sarcasm not even fazing Gary anymore. At first, he had been surprised that someone like her would've even joined his cheerleading team, but after awhile he got used to it, even relished it. So his smirk didn't even falter whilst he waited for further comment from her, comment that he knew would come. And rewarded he was, as the wry smile she wore melted in to one of true joy whilst she stood up. "Congratulations."

Funny how one congratulations from her triumphed the standing ovation he got from any other girl out there. But whilst his twelve year old head didn't get it, his twelve-year old heart simply refused to admit it.


The night sparkled, but Gary refused to enter the Pokemon Centre and retire for the night. Quite unlike his friends Ash and his gang, Gary travelled with ease, the red sportscar making it a breeze for him and his gang of cheerleaders to make their way to the next Pokemon Centre before night fell. But it wasn't because Gary wanted to, no. It was because those flighty girls simply refused to camp outside, something that Gary wasn't aversed to at all. But despite being a touch arrogant and sure, Gary wasn't a complete ass, so he conceded to make sure they spent every night at a place with a bed, if just to placate the girls. But he really did enjoy the outdoors, so the guy couldn't help but spend some time just sitting on the lawn outside of the Centre, eyes turned to gaze at the star studded sky whilst he thought back on his win.

Electivire was strong, but how could he have let his Blastoise lose to a fire-type Charizard? That lost still bugged him, and fired his determinance even more to find out about Pokemon and their weaknesses, so as to cover up his own team's available ones. Just as he was starting to figure out what type of moves he could learn though, the opening of the Centre's glass doors distracted him, and glanced over his shoulder, grinning when he saw the familiar form of Kitty walking out.

Her dark hair was pinned back, the shorts and shirt she wore unlike the more... delicate ones the rest of the girls wore. But then, Gary admitted to himself, Kitty was not like any other girl he's ever known anyway.

Grinning as she took a seat next to him, the two fell in silence, one that wasn't awkward nor odd. They did this often, Kitty joining him for a midnight talk once in a while. It was why Gary considered the girl more of a friend then a simple supporter, and why he shared more of his thoughts to her then anyone else. Usually, he would break the silence by asking her what she thought of the day's battle, because while she may not look the part, Gary knew Kitty was far more observant and intuitive then she let on. But this time, it was Kitty who broke the silence. "Gary, why do you only train the strongest pokemon you can find? Why are you a trainer?"

He blinked, surprised and a little bewildered at her question. Why? Because that Ashyboy was one! And anything that spike-head could do, Gary Oak could do better. Afterall, was he not the grandson of Professor Oak, a famous Pokemon scientist? "Strength equals power, Kitty. What is the point in training those that are weak?" he said.

"To help them!" she retorted heatedly, and Gary blinked in surprise again, a little taken aback. Kitty had never spoken in such a tone before, what was the matter? When he turned to look at her, her eyes held a passion he had never seen before, never expected to come from the silent, docile girl he had come to know.

"Training Pokemon is an art Kitty. One helps them by increasing their strength."

"But would you still be doing this if it wasn't for one Ash Ketchum?" Her silent question came, and for once Gary had no idea what to respond to that. Would he still be battling, be insisting on all of his Pokemon being the best if it wasn't for Ash? He didn't know, because honestly, his rival had always been his goal. Whatever Ash did, Gary Oak had to do, and he had to do better.

"You're brilliant, Gary. You can do so much, help so many. Battling is something you excel at, but it just proves that you have intelligence that makes you capable of excelling at so much more. I don't understand why must you immerse yourself in this life of being surrounded by girls and pushing yourself to battle when you can do... so much more."

"What do you mean?"

"That your life is the type of life I fear I might fall in to, if I don't leave now."

"Leave?" Gary echoed quickly, surprised at the fear that creeped in to his heart at the idea of Kitty leaving his troop. What would he do without her silent encouragement, their little playful banters, and their silent talks every night?

"I'm leaving Gary. I want to be a researcher, a Pokemon researcher to help Pokemon yet undiscovered, or fossils yet to be found. Its a dream, a dream I want to realize." she admitted silently, and Gary responded harshly, getting up quickly that when Kitty turned to look at him, he was already standing and glaring at her.

"What do you mean leave? You can't leave!"

"Why not? Its my dream Gary. Its always been my desire to follow in my father's footsteps. I can't be your lackey my whole life!"

"What's wrong with that? You don't want to see me winning battles?"

"I do! But... not like this. You're too concerned over power to see that Pokemon battling is about working together with your Pokemon, understanding them, not just working them to the bone just so you could beat your rival."

"And you do?" he sneered, a mean streak in his voice he's never used on Kitty before. Immediately, he regretted it when he saw the hurt flash across her face. But arrogant as he was, he would never apologize. So he said nothing as the girl spoke up again. "I understand that there is so much more to Pokemon then just battling against each other. I want to know more. I want to do better and meaningful things in my life. And I know you can do it as well, if you just put your mind to it."

It was a soft response, one that was tinged with regret and hurt as she finally turned and walked away. Gary's chest ached at her retreating figure, and when the glass doors finally closed to hide her figure from his watching eyes, the guy scowled and turned back to gaze at the stars. But no longer was his thoughts on his battle, or on anything else but the person who had just walked away. "Fine." he hissed, crossing arms over his chest with a stubborn sulk on his face. "See if I care. I don't need you."

But what Gary Oak wouldn't admit, was that he needed Catherine Thorne far more then he would admit. And he cared more about her leaving far more then he would ever tell anyone.