-Hey there, people! Here's chapter 2, so enjoy! Next chapters coming soon! Don't forget to review :)
Gary crossed Route 29, the road between Cherrygrove City and New Bark Town, in less than a day. He arrived at New Bark Town as soon as it got dark, and it turns out that the quaint little town didn't have a Pokémon Center or a hotel. Great, just what he needed, no place to sleep. Just as he was about to take the sleeping bag out of the backpack, a middle aged man with glasses and a lab coat bumped into him.
"Are you Gary Oak?", the man asked him. "In the flesh!" Gary smirked.
"You're Professor Oak's grandson! I'm Professor Elm, I once was your grandfather's student!," he excitedly added before asking a visibly worried Gary "Uh, is something the matter? It's not normal for a trainer like you to be alone at night on a town like this.."
Gary explained, "I'm on my way to the Silver Conference, but it got dark and I found myself here, and I have no place to spend the night unless I camp out."
Elm gave him a surprised look, and said "Well, why didn't you say so? You can stay over at my house! It'll be an honor to welcome Professor Oak's grandson into my house!"
Gary quickly accepted the offer, relieved because he didn't have to camp out in the open. Two hours later, after he ate something and took a shower, he threw himself into the bed Professor Elm had in the guest room. Thoughts about Ash flooded his mind, just like any other night, and with them came his worst nightmare, Ash having a crush on Misty. Maybe if he somehow erased Misty from the map... No, Ash would hate him for that. Gary loved him; he couldn't risk having Ash hate him even more. If he DID hate him, that is.
Failing in his attempts to remove Ash from his mind, he summoned Umbreon from its Poké Ball and told him to keep him company. Umbreon's presence made Gary feel safe and protected from any harm. The Pokémon acted like a stuffed doll of some sorts, keeping him company every time he felt desolate.
"You know what, Umbreon? You're the only one who listens to me and keeps me company when I'm sad and alone." Gary told the Pokémon, who purred and nuzzled him affectionately. Overwhelmed by his thoughts, he fell asleep, with Umbreon curled beside him.
The next morning, Gary video called his grandfather to tell him where exactly he was. "Hey Gramps, I'm in New Bark Town at Professor Elm's, I'm about to leave to Kanto."
Before Oak could even say a word, Professor Elm ran over to the video caller and screamed, "Oh my God! It's Professor Oak! I can't believe it, it's been so long!" Startled, Oak answered, "Why, Elm, it's been a while! How has everything been over there in Johto?" Elm happily said "Everything's fine over here! In fact, I've made some amazing discoveries about Pokémon breeding! You just have to see it!"
Oak awkwardly said, "That's wonderful, Elm. Now, Gary, you call me as soon as you get the chance, the road to Kanto is pretty harsh."
Waking up from his reverie, Gary smirked, "You don't have to worry about me, Gramps, I'm a pretty strong trainer, after all." Gary's sudden change in tone didn't surprise Professor Oak, and he sighed, "Well then, suit yourself. I still want you to call me whenever you get the chance." With that, the Professor hung up the phone and Gary bid farewell to Professor Elm before walking towards New Bark Town's coast.
As soon as Gary saw the coastline, he reached into his belt, pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it in front of him. "Blastoise, I choose you!," the huge turtle Pokémon appeared in front of him and let out a cry of greeting.
"Blastoise, I need you to Surf me over to Kanto from here, can you do that?"
"Blaastoise!", the Pokémon answered affirmatively. It then leaped into the water and let Gary mount its back, before they were off to Kanto. Gary couldn't stop thinking about Ash on the way, though, he was worried about the battle. The battle that would decide what would happen to their future. The battle that would make a difference in the relationship between them.