(March 4, 2016 EDIT: Revised Chapter 1. Chapter Eight in progress)
Greetings. ChiiRyeeBiee here. This story here is my freaking first baby! I remember coming home from school to write it and getting ideas in the middle of class, and I pretty much explored every corner of my brain to come up with a plot. I never did finish it, but I could, that is if I start editing it again. I'll never know what's wrong until I share it huh? I still have doubts about it, so please be kind and message me about any ideas or error corrections! :) I wanna continue nurturing this here, hehehe... It's quite descriptive and uses my old, very amateur writing style. Hope that doesn't discourage you or anything...
Given that I do finish this story: it'll be quite long, so bear with me. I'm not very committed when it comes to finishing projects, but if it's well liked, I'll try. Anyways, as already known (or maybe not), I'm a Palletshipping freak, so this is a yaoi story. I don't have any claims on Pokémon. With all of that said, I hope you enjoy reading this! XD
Missing Piece
Palletshipping; told in alternating viewpoints.
Summary: Sixteen (turning seventeen) year old Ash Ketchum was supposed to become a Pokémon Master; but along the way his original goal had changed, since there was always "something missing" from him as he worked towards his goal. Now he was trying to search for it; this "missing piece" that may complete him.
Seventeen year old Gary Oak had everything he wanted: two great careers, a good reputation and his extremely irresistible looks. But what he didn't have was the special best friend he used to have. So when he finally had the chance and to repair their broken relationship, he took it.
Little did Ash know that his "missing piece" wasn't really that far, and little did Gary know that what he felt towards Ash was more than what he thought.
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Missing Piece
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"You're the voice I hear inside my head, the reason that I'm singing. I need to find you. I gotta find you. You're the missing piece I need the song inside of me. I need to find you. I gotta find you."
-Joe Jonas
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Chapter One - Starting All Over Again (Ash's Point of View)
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The past repeated itself.
The past repeated itself, or so they said.
Who would have known that I would repeat the past I've already lived through, and repeat it on purpose? Certainly not me, of course. But unless you were really keen for something special to happen or you wanted to remember the memories that meant so dear to you, then yes, you would want to relive your past once again, even if you could never replicate the same events your good memories were based upon or rewind to where you were back then just so you could change the mistakes you have done. What has happened in my past will stay the way it is, and yet I was able to relive it, the way I never expected it to be relived.
I, Ash Ketchum, was no Pokémon master... yet. I have spent the last six years of my life aiming for this one true goal, travelling to places I never even believed I would visit as a child. Yes, you could say I've been everywhere – I've travelled around Kanto and Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh; I've even travelled around Unova and competed in every Pokémon League Tournament across all five regions. I've been training Pokémon for as long as I can remember, and of course I enjoyed making a variety of new friends. But the day I was up for competition in the Vertress Conference Tournament, I realized something. No matter how hard I tried to become the best by winning battles and competing in a few Pokémon contests, there was something – I didn't know what – that always felt missing inside.
I was able to bond with my friends and Pokémon respectively, and even though I hadn't won every competition I've entered, I still competed. What else could be missing in my life?
Could it be that something felt missing because I needed to win every Pokémon League Tournament? Or maybe I had to make newer Pokémon friends, and form bonds with them all?
Whatever it was, something was missing and it left me discontented and empty. And so, I repeated my Pokémon journey once again, in search for that missing piece I so greatly longed to find.
Ten months ago I left Pallet Town on my own in hopes of re-travelling every single region that I have visited so far. I decided to start with the Kanto region since I was already in it and it IS my home region. It just seemed convenient at the time – starting another Pokémon journey where your home was. Add the fact that it was reassuring, knowing that I wasn't that far away from home.
I've earned seven badges so far, and I've made friends with new Pokémon I hadn't encountered well enough back when I was ten years old. I even got the chance to re-battle Brock and Misty at the Pewter and Cerulean Gym, and I've got to say, they put up a really good fight. Alongside me in the same journey were my best buddies Pikachu and Bulbasaur, my new buddies Vaporeon and Haunter, Chansey, and lastly my old pal Charizard. Together through thick and thin during the past ten months, we've stuck by each other, winning battles and getting stronger every day. I really had to thank my Pokémon; it was because of them that I'd gotten so far once again, nearing the battle for my eighth and final badge. It was because of them that I could continue to become the very best I can be, but moreover, they have allowed and accompanied me to go on this long and hard search for the part of me that was missing in my life.
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That was my story thus far. Corny right? Like, what kind of sixteen year old goes on a search for 'something missing'? I didn't even know what it was! But for some reason, my gut feeling kept telling me to find it, whatever IT was. If you were me, I don't think you would have been able to ignore this something, either. It constantly bothered me day and night, so one day I just gave up, left Unova, left Cilan and Iris and went on this repeated journey of mine. Alone, when all this time I've been reliant on my friends to guide me wherever I needed to go. It was a good thing though. I've learned how to become independent, and there was less hassle doing things my own way.
Mom said to me the day I left Pallet yet again that I've been travelling far too long for her liking. Six years – sure, that was a really long time. I've only had a few month-long breaks at Pallet here and there, but after a while I'd be on the road again, with Pikachu and five other Pokémon friends, unknowingly working harder to achieve the goals I'd set for myself.
I guess I'd settle down once I've found what I was looking for. I've always liked travelling, so it may become hard for me to find somewhere to stay. I never could stay at the same place for too long; it was probably always my nature to explore the big wide world. Maybe somewhere in the future, I'd find the perfect place to stay. A place close to home, preferably. If I ever stopped travelling.
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I'd just arrived in Viridian City a few hours ago from Pallet Town. It may have been a little cliché for me to say it but it's just as I remembered, with the afternoon August summer sun shining beautifully all over the city, blazing strongly through the leaves of the many deciduous trees around. It was a perfect day to have an epic Pokémon battle – nothing was going to stop me from earning a badge I so greatly deserved. I took a ferry from Cinnabar to Pallet Town, stopped by at home for about two days (Mom wanted me to stay a little longer – she missed me too much) and went on the road to Viridian. I was currently staying at the Viridian Pokémon Center, resting up with Pikachu and my other Pokémon before we could start warming up for our long-awaited battle at the Viridian Gym.
While I waited rather prissily, I wondered to myself who the gym leader was. The last time I challenged the Viridian City Gym, I didn't even meet the gym leader as I recall battling Team Rocket for the Earth Badge. I've been asking some of the people on the way to the center and they all looked at me with faces that gestured, "I can't believe you don't know the Viridian City Gym Leader". I've even been looking in travel guides and pamphlets but nothing. Guess I'd just have to find out once I finished waiting for my Pokémon buddies to be ready to move again.
When Pikachu and the others were done resting up, we all proceeded to the direction of the Viridian Gym. Pikachu was sitting contentedly on my shoulder, holding on tightly as I jogged towards my destination. I came to a soft halt when the gym was finally in sight, taking my time to gaze upon the black-coloured cemented walls, which looked both smooth and shiny from where I was standing. Splashes of red and black were evident, and there was a contrast of red and blue neon lights around the edges of the walls, lit brightly even though it was still around two o'clock pm. The cloudy white pillars I'd seen in the past were now coated with a raven black, the colour of my hair.
Oddly enough the colours of the gym reminded me of... me. Black and red – they've always been my favourite colours. I wondered why and when this gym was modified. I really need to keep up with Pokémon News more often.
The entrance was still as large as I remembered, but it was glazed over with crimson paint and there were no guards to scare the life out of me.
"It's now or never, right Pikachu?"
My yellow buddy looked at me and nodded in agreement. "Pika-pi!"
Boldly I tried to push the crimson doors inward, but before I could even touch the steelness of it, it opened in a rather unwelcoming manner on its own, making a whirring sound as it moved.
The gym had automatic doors. Of course. I had to remind myself that a lot of things must have changed in this building in a time span of six years.
Trudging inside the chilly gym, I could see an abundance of blue neon lights and darkness. Everything about the gym screamed 'creepy'. There were windows, but they were tinted black. The outside of the gym was also black. And inside, black and blue. More and more black. Was the gym a Ghost-type gym?
"Hello? Excuse me? I'm here to challenge the Viridian City Gym Leader!" I yelled uncomfortably in the blue darkness. It was the afternoon for goodness sake, how could a building be so damn dark? Even a guy my age would be a little weirded out by that. I could feel Pikachu shivering beside me, his electric sparks audible in the inescapable silence. Suddenly, the lights flicked open, illuminating the darkness that consumed the room.
The room definitely looked better with the lights on. The place looked sophisticated and I could finally see the battlefield, glowing out an aquamarine colour and bordered around by neon lights. A much better environment, I thought in my head. I was surprised those lights were sturdy enough to withstanding the heat of a battle.
Suddenly, a type of dancy music started playing around the room. It was then that Pikachu jumped off my shoulder to inspect his surroundings. He kept looking around for any dangers or suspicious activities.
"Pika-chuu! Pika-pi-pi-pi!" Pikachu pointed at the ceiling. Something was falling from above – was that glittery confetti? It showered on me like the drift of snowflakes in the winter.
While I paid attention to the extremely weird welcoming, I didn't notice that someone was standing behind me. I just felt soft hands covering my eyes, rendering me sightless.
"Guess who?" A familiar male voice whispered in my ear.
"Hey! What are you–? Who are you?" I screeched disapprovingly, putting my hands on top of the person's hands to pull them away from my eyes.
That voice...
I knew it, but I didn't know it...
I've heard it before, but I can't really remember.
The voice of an irritating person...
I could also smell the stranger's distinctive scent, lingering unknowingly in the air.
It smelled like vanilla...
The weird thing was I only knew one person who actually loved vanilla enough to smell like it.
"Gary?" I questioned reluctantly. If it was Gary, why was he here in the Viridian Gym? Unless... Was he really...?
"I knew you'd be able to tell. You know me too well." The guy answered nonchalantly.
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I squirmed away from the older boy's presence, initiating a self-defence stance and going all commando. Chocolate locks and pale skin hit my vision after previously being sight deprived, feeling terribly unamused.
Gary was wearing a white lab coat and a black and red attire with the same shade as that of the outside of the gym. His spiky chocolate hair looked as stylish as always, and his green eyes sparkled even under the indoor lights.
The brunette blinked twice at my sudden reaction. "Woah there, Ashy. It's just me."
Just HIM. I shivered inwardly at the still lingering warmth on my eyelids from his hands.
"You scared me! Why'd you sneak up behind me like that? You could've been an assassin and I wouldn't have known!"
He chuckled at me mockingly. "Well it's a good thing I'm not an assassin. You should be more careful yourself, world's future Pokémon Master. Your ability to detect presences is lacking."
The nerve of him–! How dare he insult me!?
"Why you–! Shut up, you big jerk! Eat bricks, Gary Oak!"
"Alright, alright. Ash, I'm sorry, okay? Now please, drop the foul aura. I just wanted to welcome you in, that's all..." The emerald-eyed teen sighed deeply, slouching and running his fingers through spiky hair.
Gary Oak said sorry and please? THE GARY OAK? What kind of trick was this?
"What have you done to the real Gary? Not that I care, but the Gary I know would never say those magic words because he's supposedly so superior!" I chipped in, emphasis on the last word. I came to the Viridian Gym to earn my eighth badge, not this!
"Very funny, Ash. Very funny. But the "real Gary" you speak of is here in front of you. Things change you know."
I crossed my arms in annoyance. "Hmph. The world with two Garys would mean the end of it anyway..."
Once all conflict has ceased to a minimum, Pikachu jumped at Gary excitedly, nuzzling into his face as the brunette picked him up. It really surprised me since Pikachu wasn't that friendly with anyone besides me.
"Hey, Pikachu. Long time no see, aye? I'm sorry about earlier, okay? I didn't mean to make Ash angry. Eevee's in my lab. Hey Eevee! Pikachu's here!" Gary called out to the direction of the door at the other side of the battlefield while he patted Pikachu happily.
Once Eevee emerged from the door excitedly, the emerald-eyed teen let Pikachu down so that he could play with her. It evident that our two Pokémon friends really liked each other's company – they were so happy, finally reuniting after a long time. They skipped off towards the so called 'door-to-the-lab' to play who knows where.
"What are you doing here anyway?" I asked rather rudely. I was still annoyed at the fact that he insulted me the minute I walked into the building and met him. Seemed almost like déjà vu too.
The older boy couldn't really be the gym leader right? He was supposed to be at Sinnoh. And he was supposed to be a Pokémon Researcher, not a gym leader. Right?
"Are you really that much of an idiot? You're looking at the current gym leader of the Viridian City, thank you very much." The said gym leader bragged.
"Pfft. Since when were YOU a gym leader? I thought you were in Sinnoh and a Pokémon Researcher, not in Kanto and an official gym leader. Let alone the Viridian City Gym Leader! That position's known to be the best in all of Kanto. The type of person who gave you that honourable position must have been affected by an Exploud's Supersonic."
I was really taken aback and infuriated by the fact that Gary was so famous and successful. Of course I'd overreact a little. I didn't even know, and he was a jerk. If I was ever to compose my own dictionary, the word 'jerk' would be a picture of him.
I saw him twitch in annoyance at my comment, but being the jerk he was he recovered completely. "Please Ash, no more of this conflict. You're being childish."
"Well I'm sorry for being so childish! You mocked me! Of course I'd be angry!"
"I want to make things right, okay? No more fighting. Please. Can't we just be friends?"
It was about time we stopped hating each other. That was what I thought, anyway. It has been eleven years since our stupid rivalry began. We were kind of friends, but only slightly, back when we parted ways at Johto and met each other a few times at Sinnoh. To be honest, I didn't even exactly hate the emerald-eyed boy. I just resented the fact that he insulted me. I was sensitive and over-critical with everything he said about me, though I had no idea why.
"Okay..." I dismissed in a defeated tone. He held his hand out for me to shake, which I took unwillingly.
"Anyway, where was I? You asked me how I was a gym leader, didn't you?" The older boy tried to confirm. I nodded at him, more friendly this time.
"I accepted the gym leader position last year – You were in Unova at the time. I wanted to settle down near home, since staying in Sinnoh was a bit too far for my liking. And yes, I'm still a Pokémon Researcher. I just missed battling a lot, and Gramps told me there was an open position for a gym leader in Viridian so I accepted it. It's actually quite convenient for me since I get very few challengers; it gives me more time for my research."
"Oh."
That was the only thing I could say at the moment. To be honest, I thought Gary was amazing, being the industrious perfectionist he was with his work. It was impressive; how someone could take on three known positions at the same time: Professor Oak's grandson (he was born that way, so it wasn't much of a surprise), a Pokémon Researcher and the Viridian City Gym Leader. And yes, you could say I was slightly jealous of him. JUST slightly.
"Uuuh, what's with the confetti? Do you always shower your challengers with so much glitter?" I blurted out in a confused manner, remembering that I was basically covered with the rainbow-coloured stuff.
The older boy chuckled at my remark. Err?
"Hahaha. Did you like my attempt in welcoming you into my gym? I wanted to surprise you about my becoming a gym leader so I told everyone in the city, including Gramps and your mom not to tell you and specifically you that I was the gym leader of Viridian. I wanted to wait for you to come here and shock you, and I guess I did."
"Tch. You're as arrogant and boastful as always, aren't you Gary? Pulling up a stunt like that, just so you could brag about being so AWESOME." I frowned, not pleased at all.
Seriously, he was still tormenting me after all this time. I just didn't understand why.
"No! You got it all wrong. I'm not bragging or anything – I just wanted to surprise you, that's all. Aren't you happy for me?"
"No."
Great, I couldn't believe he surpassed me ONCE again and became one step AHEAD of me, like always. That guy would never let me see the spotlight.
"Aww, why not? We're friends now, aren't we, Ash? Plus, you know that you're way better than me. Having competed in five different leagues, travelling constantly across five different regions – hah! – and you're doing it again! Now that's AWESOME. Me, I'm just staying here, researching and battling. Nothing special compared to you." He cooed, putting his hands on my shoulders and grinning profusely.
What a suck up. Since when was THE Gary Oak even ABLE to suck up to people? Let alone suck up to me, of all people? Tch.
I guess we were kind of 'friends' at the moment, but the sarcasm in his words were so obvious he didn't even need to say it sarcastically. Either that or he was trying to be nice to me. But Gary Oak being nice? I didn't think that could be possible, not in a million years.
I tried to change the subject and decided not to talk about it anymore.
"Uuuh, I like the appearance of your gym. So techno-looking and mysterious. Since when did you like black and red as well? I always thought if you had a gym you'd make it indigo…"
My so called childhood rival flashed me another one of those smirks that I was used to seeing already.
"I still like indigo of course, I just thought, why not use black and red instead? Hah, I'm glad you like it. I wanted it to remind me of you; the black and red I mean."
"Okaay...?" I replied bluntly.
What an embarrassing thing to say. Gary actually thought about me? This guy was trying to flatter me and it wasn't very nice.
"Anyway, how'd you know I was travelling again? Did you hear from Professor Oak or something?"
"You guessed it. Oh, I've been waiting so long to finally battle you again! I take it that you're ready to battle for your eighth badge? Seeing as how you're here and all. You wanna battle now or eat first?"
I grinned. Finally, he was talking about my eighth gym battle! Things were gonna get interesting...! I dusted myself free of the remaining confetti and clenched my fists determinedly.
"I thought you'd never ask! I already ate sooo, let's battle!"
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"Okay! You've heard all the rules all before! This is going to be an official three-on-three Pokémon gym battle! I'm not allowed to switch Pokémon, but you are! You ready, Ashy-boy?" The older boy dictated from the other side of the battlefield.
The excitement welled up in my stomach, feeling ready as ever. I just loved Pokémon battles...
Wait... Did he just call me Ashy-boy again? Oh come on! That nickname was so overrated! If he called me that one more time, I swear he'd pay the price.
"DON'T CALL ME ASHY-BOY! But yes, I am so ready! Prepare to lose, Gary!" I yelled back.
I already beat him once before, and he was previously trying to suck up to me so, this battle was gonna be easy.
Or so I hoped...
"No way, Ashy! We may be friends but I definitely won't go easy on you!" The emerald-eyed teen snapped at me, his arrogant personality striking once again.
"Wish me luck, Pikachu!" I winked at my yellow mouse friend who returned with Eevee to watch our battle. Eevee sat next to him comfortably, cheering on for her trainer who I was about to defeat.
"Pi-pi-kachu!" He grinned, throwing another one of his signature peace signs in the air.
Hmm, let's see... Gary used all types of Pokémon, including his Blastoise and Arcanine and Nidoking... Which one would he choose first, I wonder?
Throwing his first Pokéball, Gary beamed, "The first match is on! Arcanine! I choose you!"
A fiery orange and white dog Pokémon emerged from the red light emitted by the thrown Pokéball.
"Arr-arr!" he barked actively, coal-coloured eyes burning with the readiness to attack. Arcanine's coat was gleaming and shiny, indicating he was being well taken care of. As expected from the perfectionist-of-a-trainer nonetheless...
"A water-type Pokémon has the advantage over a fire-type! Vaporeon, do your best!"
My buddy Vaporeon looked so happy that I chose her for the first match. She pulled a backflip before landing on the glowing battlefield with the same determination to win as Arcanine.
"Impressive Vaporeon. I could see you've been training her really well with her speed and agility. Let's see if she does well in battle! Arcanine go! Try a Take Down attack!" the Pokémon Researcher called out quickly.
Arcanine jumped off from his previous position and sprinted speedily towards Vaporeon.
"Vaporeon dodge it and use Scald!"
Before Arcanine could use his Take Down attack on Vaporeon, she gracefully made a long leap and landed behind the dog Pokémon, using the attack I told her to use. She opened her mouth to release a powerful jet of water, which eventually seared Arcanine's fur from the back. Arcanine yelped sadly in pain.
"Oh! Arcanine! Are you okay buddy?" responded Gary, worried.
"Arr-arr!"
"Sorry, pal. But hey! Let's attack back! Hit Vaporeon with another Take Down!"
"Vaporeon, dodge and use Scald once again!"
"Don't let her hit you again Arcanine! Dodge her attacks! You can do it!"
The two Pokémon moved quickly with our commands, dodging each other's attacks and firing their own. At that moment, it became apparent to me that if I were to win this battle, I should refrain from wasting Vaporeon's energy.
"Vaporeon! Withdraw far from Arcanine! We have to conserve your energy for your attack moves!"
"Vaporeee!" My water Pokémon replied, agreeing.
Vaporeon leaped up again, trying to get away from the fiery dog by moving back without losing her eyes on him. Arcanine continued to use Take Down, aggressively jolting towards my mermaid-like Pokémon in an attempt to give her a hit.
Come on, Ash. You need a strategy. What was the brunette up to...?
"Now Arcanine, while her guard is down from retreating! Jump and use Flame Wheel!"
"Counter it with Ice Beam, Vaporeon!"
Arcanine let out an incredible flaming inferno from his mouth, targetting Vaporeon as she moved. My Pokémon allowed a freezing beam to wham directly at the fire, causing ice to melt which poured down on the battlefield as pure water.
Okay, so the field was now wet. Harder for Arcanine to run but easier for Vaporeon to glide across. Nice.
"Arcanine, watch out for your surroundings! It would be harder for you to move, now that the ground is wet! Wait... Try to dry the water up! Aim a Fire Blast at Vaporeon!"
Another flame from Arcanine was shot directly at Vaporeon. The Eeveelution was still tired from the Ice Beam attack, but the water in the field would make it easier for her to move.
"Vaporeon, glide across the floor to dodge the attack! Use Hydro Pump to finish up that Arcanine!"
Vaporeon did as she was told; she moved away from the Fire Blast attack then leaped up high into the air once more, curling herself into a water ball that was aiming to hit the fire-type.
"Arcanine no! Try to dodge it!"
"Arr-arr!"
Unfortunately for Gary, Vaporeon was too fast as she successfully hit Arcanine with her beautiful water attack. She landed on the ground gracefully as usual, purring proudly with her achievement.
Arcanine on the other hand was too weak to stand up and sadly fainted on the ground, exhausted.
"Yes! Nice job Vaporeon!" I ran to my water-type and patted her head joyfully.
"Vaporeee!" She cried back, smiling at me contentedly.
"Hey, Gary, is Arcanine okay?" I could see him patting his fire-type happily, proud of the battle he just fought.
"Yeah! Arcanine's fine! Don't worry about him Ash! Congratulations!" He replied, returning said Pokémon to his respective Pokéball.
"Pika-chuu-pii!" Pikachu echoed from the sidelines. He looked as happy as me, having Vaporeon win against the arrogant gym leader's Arcanine.
"Vaporeeee!" Vaporeon squealed in a gleeful manner.
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"Nice battling Ash! Your Vaporeon is incredible! But let's see you beat my next Pokémon! Let the second match begin! Electivire, make me proud, buddy!"
A large, black and yellow monkey-like Pokémon took its ground on the battlefield, its red eyes so intimidating it would cause a Pidgey to faint just by looking into them.
"Electivire? Is there no rule against using Pokémon from other regions?"
I asked, a little puzzled.
"Nope. No such rule. Plus, it's just you and me Ashy, so it's not like it would matter. You know my Electivire really well."
I looked at Vaporeon, who finally took her stance in the battlefield. She looked really tired and exhausted from the previous battle. It would probably be best to switch her out.
"Vaporeon! I want you to return! Electric-attacks have an advantage on you!"
She looked at me and frowned sadly. "Vaporee..."
It seemed that Vaporeon wanted to keep on battling. She did really well in the previous battle, so it may have hurt her pride if she didn't battle this one too. I didn't want her to be in any critical danger though.
"Are you sure you wanna fight? You might take lots of damage! You should rest up first, buddy."
"Vaporee..."
Vaporeon pleaded me to stay in the battle. Her cerulean eyes grew shiny and she pouted like a child, desperate to charm me out. I could never ever resist her cute face.
"Okay then, buddy. Go do your best once more!"
The Pokémon Researcher took my remark as a sign to start the match once and for all.
"Okay, Electivire, start this battle with your Iron Tail!"
"Vaporeon! Counter it with an Ice Beam!"
"Vaporeee!" Vaporeon purred.
"Electivii!" The electric-type began to race towards Vaporeon and swung his glowing tail as hard as he could.
Vaporeon was exhausted – there was no way she could win this battle. She was working her hardest though – I didn't want to hurt her feelings.
"Poreeee!" Vaporeon whimpered as she got hit by Electivire's Iron Tail. With Electivire up close, she resiliently got back up and fired an Ice Beam at her opponent, scoring a direct hit.
Both Electivire and Vaporeon were down on the ground, tired from their recent hits. Vaporeon looked awful – I couldn't stand watching her so weak!
"Vaporeon, are you okay?"
"Ree! Ree!"
"Electivire, now's your chance! Thunderbolt!" Gary commanded the monkey-like Pokémon.
Electivire was charging up its electricity – ready for a powerful attack. I needed to do something!
"Okay, Vaporeon! Do your best! Leap up behind him and use Hydro Pump!"
Vaporeon glided up in the air – not as agile as she should have been, but she got to where she was.
"Electivire! Behind you!"
Just before my Pokémon could unleash her Hydro Pump, Electivire defended himself with the Thunderbolt he originally had to do. Vaporeon fainted afterwards, her energy overexerted.
"Vaporeon! Buddy!" I ran to her frail body and held her against me.
"Vaporeeee-ree..."
"You did well, Vaporeon, have a rest now." I said, returning the mermaid-Pokémon to her Pokéball.
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Gary was really concerned with Vaporeon's loss. He even ran up to me and tried to reassure me by patting my shoulder. "Ash, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go so ha–"
I interrupted the older boy by saying, "Hey, it's a battle, Gary. She just needs to rest."
"Hehhh, right... Sorry..." He replied uneasily.
What was up with the older boy and his so called concern for me? It was really weirding me out. Did he think I was so pathetic that I couldn't win this battle and if I lost I would break down and cry like a baby? No way! I had to show him who's boss!
I stood up, taking my stance at my side of the battlefield and shrugged him off a little too rudely. "I haven't lost yet, Gary-Berry! Don't go all soft on me!" I shouted at him.
Gary-Berry. I didn't know how I thought of that. Hah! Now I had a nickname for big mean Gary! That would get him so riled up, I just knew it. It would stop him from going all soft on me and serve as revenge after calling me Ashy-boy for years!
"GARY-BERRY? Whatt?" The emerald-eyed boy questioned, his eyebrows furrowed to achieve a confused look.
"Yep. That's right. Garyyyy-Berryyyy! I'm not a baby, if that's what you think! So are we gonna battle or not? !" I pouted and teased him. But I get it now. Those years of calling me Ashy-boy – it's not half bad when you're on the dealing end.
Gary looked red in the face. He didn't look angry, more like, embarrassed from what I just said. That wasn't something you saw everyday! X mark's hit the spot! Haha!
"Fine, Ashy-love! I'll battle you with all my berry might!" He countered, returning to his original battle stance.
ASHY-LOVE? That was worse than Ashy-boy! Fine! Two could play it that way...
"Grr! Why you! Charizard, go! Knock the smirk off Gary-Berry's face!"
My fire-type buddy appeared before the both of us, roaring magnificently like a strong gust of wind.
My Charizard was very powerful. Even Gary should have known that. This battle was gonna be my victory!
"Electivire, pal! His wittle mittle baby Charizard is all yours! Thunder Attack now!"
From the really awful phrasing, the chocolate-haired teen's electric type wasn't exactly sure whether or not that was a legitimate command, so he stood there just looking at his trainer in a daze.
Charizard however was not pleased at all. No one should ever call my fire dragon a baby! Especially not Gary!
Without me telling him what to do, Charizard flew towards Electivire and lifted him up into the air. Seismic Toss! My Charizard was definitely highly-trained.
Minutes after the attack, Electivire came crashing to the ground. His dazed and dizzy state indicated that he was unable to battle any longer.
I was extremely proud of my Charizard. That win was just too easy.
"Nice going Charizard! Way to show Gary-Berry who's boss! Nobody calls you a baby, ever, right pal?" I congratulated my buddy Pokémon. He in return gave me a toothy smile and winked one of its blue eyes at me.
"Chaaaaaaar!"
o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o
It was the third and final match for me; if Charizard won this match, then I would have officially defeated Gary again and I could finally earn my Earth badge! One more step closer to finding what I was looking for.
Gary made a face that didn't look like he knew how the battle was going to end. It was going to end with me victorious and him, the loser! That's what! He just had to accept it; I was so much better than him. He even said so himself!
"Now you're going to see my best, Ashy-love! Blastoise! Do me good!"
I knew it was going to be Blastoise. It was his starter Pokémon – a pal he'd been with forever like Pikachu and I. He had the advantage type at that moment, but Charizard was definitely going to win. He's done it before, so he can do it AGAIN. I was sure of it.
"Charizard, start with a Flamethrower!"
"Blastoise, counter it with Water Gun!"
That was a really stupid attack from me. I should have known better that the flames Charizard fired out would be immediately doused with Blastoise's water attacks. The battle was not over yet, however.
Blastoise was a heavy Pokémon, so his speed was not very good. I needed to tell Charizard to attack from the air.
"Blastoise! Hydro Cannon! Aim for your opponent!"
"Charizard, fly up high! Use Smokescreen from above and approach Blastoise from the back!"
Hearing what I said, Charizard rose, emitting an abundant amount of black smoke in the air. He was going to be harder to track in such thick smoke. Great advantage for me.
I've been training Charizard to be able to see in his own Smokescreen for a long time, so even I could see exactly what was going on.
"Blastoise! You heard what he said! Use your ears to find Charizard and Hydro Cannon behind you!"
Charizard was not a stupid Pokémon. Our bond was strong enough that sometimes I let him come up with his own tactics, and I was fine with that. I trusted him. I trusted him to dodge and win this for the both of us. That was how Pokémon battling should be, after all.
With the turtle Pokémon's guard down, Charizard scored a direct hit with another one of his powerful moves – Fire Blast. The water-type was firing a jet of water from behind him and did not notice that Charizard was actually in front of him. Blastoise was thrown off balance - he tripped over and fell to the ground, making a crashing noise and an earthquake-like shake could be felt around the the battlefield.
"Blastoise? Are you alright?" asked the emerald-eyed boy with concern in his voice tone.
"Toise!" His Pokémon writhed in pain.
"Alright, use Hydro Pump on the air to get rid of the smoke! Afterwards, aim for Charizard, pal! If in doubt, use Withdraw to boost your defense!"
"Toise!" The turtle Pokémon stood up resiliently, initiating the attacks he was set to do.
The smokescreen unfortunately turned into acid rain as Hydro Pump rained down on it. Darn it.
"Charizard, dodge those water jets and use Seismic Toss, now!"
"Chaaaaaar!"
"Hydro Pump as Charizard approaches!"
A jet of water knocked Charizard off-balance, but he continued flying and dodging his opponent's attacks.
My fire-type was already close to Blastoise when the Pokémon Researcher commanded his Pokémon yet again. "Now Blastoise, jump and use Skull Bash!"
Skull Bash unfortunately hit my fire dragon down to the ground, and it was used pretty close too so Charizard definitely took a great deal of damage.
"While he's weak. Use Hydro Cannon!"
"Charizard, counter it with your Fire Blast!"
The two attacks clashed together forming another cloud of smoke around the gym. This was like déjà-vu from the Silver Conference!
"Gooo Charizard!"
Blastoise was too slow to notice that Charizard used his Fire Blast to draw his opponent's attention away from his presence behind him. It was then that my fire-type used the Seismic Toss that was interrupted earlier. Even with Blastoise using Withdraw, I didn't think the water Pokémon could stand after being thrown to the ground once more. And I guessed right, determining me as the champion of the battle. Charizard was flying around the neon-lit gym, roaring what I believed was a, "Hah, who's the baby now, Gary?" kind of call.
It was too easy a win for me.
Which was weird, seeing as how this was Gary that I was battling. And he was supposed to be the best gym leader in Kanto! He wasn't that hard to defeat at all!
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"Congratulations Ashy. You've earned yourself an Earth Badge..." The brunette began, walking swiftly towards me after recalling his Blastoise back.
When he was finally standing in front of me, he extended his hands, taking my own and placing the badge I'd earned in the middle of my palm before closing it into a fist. The badge felt really warm; it was probably because Gary was just holding it. The brunette continued to look at me with those sparkly green eyes, smiling proudly at my achievement.
Pulling away from him, I teased the older boy.
"You went easy on me! Do you really think I'm that pathetic? Even after what you said about me being so AWESOME, I don't think you took me seriously enough! Brock and Misty fought me fair and square but you just let me win. You jerk!"
The chocolate-haired boy sighed quietly to himself. "Ash, you know I'd never do that. Plus, I've only started battling again a year ago. You have way more experience than me. So if it seemed that I was too easy to beat it may have been because you were too strong of an opponent to actually lose to me."
I furrowed my eyebrows questioningly at him. "Really?"
"Yeah, really."
I scratched my head, a little flattered by his words. How could I have doubted my own abilities?
Staring at him for a moment, I tried to find some kind of smirk or lying expression hidden on his face from what he said to me. It was just weird; a nice Gary was almost impossible to comprehend. He'd always been such a jerk to me. He looked a little stressed the more I looked closely – he had eye bags that flawed his supposedly perfect face.
Had he not been sleeping right? Not that I cared – of course I didn't – but it looked like he needed a really good rest.
"Gary, you look really tired. If you're feeling sick and tired you should get some rest! You work too hard." I pointed out honestly, thinking out loud.
"Why so concerned, hmm, Ashy-love? I'm fine as I am now."
Scowling, I turned away from his snide remark. The nerve of him~! He made it sound like it was wrong to care! Gosh!
I didn't even notice that Pikachu and Eevee left the sidelines of the battlefield from when Vaporeon won her match until they both arrived in front of us, side by side. I guess the battle was too much of a commotion for them to take their well-deserved naptimes.
Pikachu jumped at me and made himself comfortable in my arms. I take it he was trying to congratulate me for the battle with his simple sign of affection.
"Thanks buddy."
"Pi! Pi-pikachu! Pika-chuu pika..." My yellow friend exclaimed, pointing to the door. He jumped back down and ran towards it, Eevee following close behind.
That's right! Now that I've earned my eighth badge, I promised my Pokémon we'd go celebrate with some kind of buffet at a restaurant as a reward or some kind of break from battling so hard.
"Soo uuuh, Gary?"
"Hm?" He looked at me expectantly. He was just standing there, spacing out from the world, like he didn't even exist. Earth to Gary! I swear, he definitely needed some sleep. Stress could tamper with your everyday thoughts and actions.
Excusing myself, I spoke nonchalantly, "Well, I have to get back to the Pokémon Center now. Me and my buddies are gonna go celebrate or something. Thanks for the battle today. I hope you have a good day."
He looked at me with sad eyes, like he didn't want me to leave.
"Yeah... Okay..." He didn't move an inch as I began advancing towards the door, waving goodbye to the said Pokémon researcher and gym leader.
"Sleep some more Gary! I don't want anything else to happen to you! Come on, let's go Pikachu."
"Pi-pikachuu!"
Just as I was about to take my first step alongside my best buddy out the door, a strong hand grabbed my wrist and yanked me back gently.
"Wait, Ash!" The older boy pleaded, his hand still on my wrist, not wanting to let go.
"Gary?"
"Let's catch up. You know. Go out to have a vacation or something. You said it; I really need a break, and you're celebrating so you might want to reward yourself as well as your Pokémon with a vacation too right?"
A vacation with Gary? A little peculiar but, I wouldn't pass off an offer to one! He was right – I did need a vacation, he did need more sleep, and we both needed to catch up with each other, seeing as how we were… friends and all.
"I happen to have two tickets on my desk that Daisy gave me to the Sevii Islands. It's about a week long – the vacation – one day to visit each island I guess. The ferry there from Pallet Town is in two days and I've already packed... I don't really want the other ticket to go to waste." He continued.
I looked at my electric-type still standing next to the gym door for some reassurance. He was nodding at me excitedly.
"That sounds awesome! Sure! I'd love to go! But, I don't have much money... and where exactly are the Sevii Islands?"
Gary finally let go of my wrist to straighten his lab coat and hair just a bit. " It's okay, Ashy. Everything's on me, but just bring some money anyway and I'll pay it off. It's such an awesome place there, you know!"
"Really? Thanks! Well, I haven't ever been there."
"Well soon you would! Okay, I'll be off to Pallet Town in two days. I'll meet you at your house, alright? I just need to tidy up a few things here and there until I'm ready."
I smiled at him gleefully. Yay! A vacation! With the beach! And swimming! My Pokémon and I would love that! It was also a chance to catch up with my childhood rival – a chance to finally make things right between us, I guess. Although I opposed the thought of being with the jerk for an entire week I did want to become friends with him again. He was my childhood best friend after all...
"Sure! I'll pack my things at home tonight then. See you then!"
He waved at me more cheerfully than he looked when I said goodbye previously.
"Yeah, see you. Bye Ashy-love!"
And he still had the ability to tease me. Once a jerk, always a jerk.
"See you too, Gary-Berry!"
Before he had the chance to complain, I left the Viridian City Gym with Pikachu in my arms, happily contented with what had happened during the day. A vacation huh? I couldn't wait! Although it was with Gary, my long-time rival and childhood friend. With Gary…
I wished to myself that just this once, I hoped things would all be well. Hopefully we could nurture a new friendship, revive our old one and start over, all over again.