Destiny, Eh?

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, or the anime scene references or the characters from Pokemon in this story.

Warning: Swearwords

A/N: Gary and Misty and others ages will vary through out, as this story will be kind of based off of my 'side moments' that I plotted to happen from the anime episodes…Yeah something like that xp

"…" Talking

'Italic' Thinking

Chapter 4: Again In Cerulean City

Some Months Later – Pallet Town

"Well girls, I'll see you all in a couple days to continue my great master journey. Take care and have fun in our boring town. Bye." Gary waved to all his girls, as they waved back before taking off in their direction towards home. He stood at the front of his grandpa's mansion gate, watching all his girls safely walked away from him. Gary then turned around and headed back up towards the mansion. "Woo, man! I've been on the road for so long, I don't even remember when the last time I was here. Months? A year or two? Man, I don't know…" Gary shook his head but then just shrugged and entered into the mansion. "…Well it's nice to be back for a bit for a break and to see all my Pokemon. I wonder what gramps has been doing. Heeey Gramps!" Gary yelled out heading towards the one place he knew for sure where his grandpa is at.

"Gary? Is that really you?" Prof. Oak popped his head out from the Lab doors, as a smile crept up on his face. "My, what brings you here for a visit?" Prof. Oak asked, as he welcomed Gary into the lab.

"Well I just felt like taking a break for a couple of days. And I figure why not visit my home town where all my Pokemon are at and of course, the big man, gramps." Gary said with a smirk and threw a pointing gesture at him.

"Yeah, yeah but hey, since you're here I need your assistant."

"Sure what is it? Help you on proving the PokeDex? Or collect new data on a Pokemon I caught? Oh, I know, walk around town, announcing that the best Pokemon Researcher of the Pokemon Region, that his grandson is surpassing all the other trainers of Pallet?"

Prof. Oak just stood his head at Gary. "That attitude of yours, well I don't know what to say about it, since you're my only grandson. But word of advice, tone it down. Especially around with the girls, not all of them fall for cocky-egotistic guys…" Prof. Oak said to Gary with his back turned against him, so he didn't caught the rolled of eyes. "…Anyways, I need you to go buy some water stones for me. I'm all out and all the near towns are out too. So the best city that I know would have a whole load of them is Cerulean City."

"Cerulean City? We just drove passed by that city not to long ago coming back here. Couldn't you have given a warning a few days ago?"

Prof. Oak let out a sneer and hit Gary on top of his head with a folder. "How could I? Especially when you don't call or stay in one spot at a city or town when I send a message to the Pokemon center? I didn't even know you were coming. Anyways, I would really appreciate it if you head out right now and be back as soon as possible so I can continue on my research."

"Fine. How many do you need?" Gary gave in with a mend tone.

"Six for sure but if you can get some more please do."

"Ok, I'll be back as soon as possible. But if you don't mind I'm going to call a chauffer and charge it to your name k, gramps? My driver made plans to have dinner with her family tonight." Gary said, as he slowly made his way towards the phone but still kept his ears wide open.

"Sure, sure whatever gets you to Cerulean City. Thanks!"

About 5 Hours Later – Cerulean City

Gary left the one store that would have a lot of water stones in stock. But due to the other towns and cities being all out, every one had purchase more then 1 case set. Gary only managed to purchase the remaining two stones, as the owner of the shop said if he needed it for Prof. Oak; he could ask the Cerulean City Gym leaders, Daisy, Violet or Lily. Gary was left no choice but to head to the gym. Once Gary reached the gym, that he had already visited and defeated for his Cascade badge, Gary didn't understand why there was such a long line for the gym, compared to last time. Reaching at the end of the line and curiosity got the best of him, he asked the person in front of him.

"Hey what's going on here at the Cerulean Gym? Is there really a long line for battling?" Gary asked the guy, as he had to look at the long line again.

"No, haven't you heard today is the Waterflower's sold out grand opening of their underwater performance. And here's a printed version of the star mermaid chick, she's a real cutie." The guy handed a fold poster to Gary.

Gary grabbed the folded paper and unfolded to see a very familiar chick on the poster flyer, dressed up as the mermaid. "Red? That couldn't be her?"

"Dude, you know the mermaid girl? I heard that she's the fourth Sensational Sisters that bloomed out from her shell. Like I said earlier, she's a reaaal cutie. So I'm guessing you don't have tickets to the show huh? Well what a shame."

"Yeah what a shame indeed." Gary said in a tiny sarcastic tone, as he handed back the flyer, but the guy mention that he could keep it. 'I wonder if that's really Red. I didn't know she was related to the Cerulean City gym leaders. So that would make her a gym leader too—' Gary's thoughts were interrupted by an elder lady's voice from behind.

"Hey I couldn't help but to over heard your conversation with that guy in front of you. But I have an extra ticket that my friend couldn't make it today. So if you like you can have it. It's front row too." The lady held out the extra ticket in front of Gary, as she waited for him to grab a hold of it.

"Thanks. I appreciate it. I really want to see if the star mermaid is who I know. How much was the ticket? I can pay for it."

"No, no it's alright. It seems that the ticket is going to good use with you—Uh, what is it honey?" The lady looked down at her daughter, when she felt a tugged.

"Mom, after the show, can we go to the Evolution Stones store so I can get a water stone for big brother's birthday present tomorrow?"

"Sure thing honey." The lady then looked over at Gary when he spoke up.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry to say that the store is all sold out of water stones. But you can have one of the two last ones that I purchased. It'll be a fair trade for the ticket show." Gary then reached into his bag and pulled out the case and pulled out one water stone out.

"Oh no-no, I couldn't do that. With the price of the ticket comparing to the water stone, it's not a fair trade." The lady pushed the case with one water stone, back towards Gary.

"Well, I can't have you doing this to me either…" Gary knelt down towards the little girl's height and placed the little case into her hand. Then he patted at the top of her head, with a smile along with a wink. Gary cocked his head up towards the mother with a flirty smile. "…I can't have a little cutie like her, not be able to get a present for her older brother.

"My, what a sweet little gentlemen you are. Thank you so much." The lady thanked Gary with a smile, as she notice he looked away back down at her daughter.

"Hey-hey, dude! Thank you for the water stone. So what's your name? Are you a trainer too? My big brother is going to be a trainer starting tomorrow! That is why I wanted to get him a water stone sooo he can use it on whatever water Pokemon he wants!" The little girl threw both her arms in the air in excitement, almost causing Gary to fall over.

"Haha, yeah I'm a trainer myself, the name's Gary and what's yours? Oh and you are welcome for the stone..." Gary let out a smile, at the smiling brunette. "…So are you going to be a trainer later on when you're old enough too likes your big brother?"

"Mmmhmm! But I don't know a whole lot of the names and types of Pokemon yet. As I heard that the underwater ballet show, the Waterflower sisters has a ton of water Pokemon staring in it! Oh and my name is Lela."

"Well how about this Lela, since we will be sitting next to each other, I'll name each Pokemon we see and tell you want ever you want to know about it. I know a whole lot about on the different kind of Pokemon there are. And if we need too, I also have my handy PokeDex, which you will someday have one of your own."

"Yay! Ok, sounds like a deal! I can't wait! You must be a smart trainer huh?"

"Well, not to brag, but let's just say, I study real hard to get a name for myself. Well how about I just show you the PokeDex, while we wait. It seems like the line isn't going to move anytime soon." Gary said with a smirk, as he pulled out his PokeDex out of his bag.

Sometime Later – Inside of the Cerulean City Gym

Gary placed his PokeDex into his bag when he, Lela and everyone else heard the announcement over the intercom of the introduction of the beginning of the show, as the pool aquarium raised up from floor. The spot light hit the water Pokemon in the middle of the pool, as Gary leaned in and whispered to Lela.

"What we see so far is a bunch of Goldeen, the little red and white fish with the horn on it's forehead. The bigger looking one is a Seaking. The little blue one next to it is a Horsea. And the yellow star is a Staryu and the purple on is named Starmie. That one white, is a Seel. And that…" Gary paused for a second and looked in the direction of the spotlight on the driving board to see a red head with long hair, a pink shell bra and a light blue fin, with arms wide open. As he then watches she jumped off of the driving board into the pool. "…And that is Red."

"Red? The mermaid is named Red? What a funny name for a pretty mermaid. She is pretty don't you agree?" Lela asked quietly and looked at Gary next to her, who seems to be a bit mesmerized by the 'mermaid'. When she saw the mermaid dived into the pool, she elbowed Gary on the side, as she let out a giggle when Gary let out a confused look.

"Huh? What? Sorry, I was a bit occupied and surprised with myself for seeing who really is playing the mermaid. I really didn't think that it was her. Seriously what were the chances of seeing her today?" Gary asked out loud, as he watched Misty twirl around with the water Pokemon and disappeared through the cave.

"So do you really know the mermaid in real life? And is her name really Red?"

"Heh, well that's what I call her. I guess you can say we do know each other. Most of the time, not on the best terms…" Gary trialed off deep into his thought, as he and Lela watched Misty, the magic mermaid in the big shell. '…Man, I wonder how it's going to be this time, when I have to ask her for the stones. Damn, sorry gramps, you might only get one water stone when I return.'

"Hey, look! There's a Meowth with the villains. And their costumes are sure funny looking." Lela pointed at the diving board, where a dark long haired redhead female, in a light blue male suit. While the other 'villain', plight purl haired male, was in a pink ballerina tutu.

"I don't think they are part of the show. Those three look really familiar. Oh it's Jessie and James from Team Rocket!" Gary comment among the cheering crowd, who all thinks its part of the show. Next thing he knew, a hot air balloon came crashing through at the top of the Cerulean gym ceiling. Busy covering Lela from the ceiling pieces hitting her, Gary notice down in the water Misty was tugging at the net full of the Goldeens. "What are you doing? Why aren't you calling or using your Pokemon Red?!"

Right when Gary yelled out, it was like Misty had heard him, as he saw her pointing to call out her Horsea to attack the Arbok that Jessie had sent out. He then let out a sneer when he saw Ash and Brock behind Misty, as he then looked down at Lela when she tugged at his shirt. After asking what she wanted to know on what's happening, Gary told her to watch as a battle is going to happen in front of her. Next thing he and Lela saw was a Seaking doing a horn drill after the smoke screen done by Horsea. Everyone then looked in the direction of the diving board where the other three Waterflower sisters were standing, as Violet called out Psyduck to join in the battle underwater. But only to float back up helplessly in mere seconds of can't breathe underwater. Gary couldn't help up to laugh out loud, along side Lela, at the fact of a water Pokemon that had trouble breathing and being under water. As he commented to himself on how pathetic it was. Gary then looked back down at the base of the pool to see Ash had called out his Squirtle with a tackle, and followed by an order from Misty with her Starmie and Seaking tackling Arbok. But seconds later after the attacks, Arbok had the upper hand and cornered Starmie, Seaking and Squirtle about to use its poison sting attack. Right when Arbok was about to make it's attack, Seel came into the rescue spinning in around in circle with it's head-butt attack from every side. Gary then saw Misty pointing, as he then looked over at Seel and he knew what attack she called out when he saw Seel's horn glowed. Lela asked what was happening, as Gary told her that it's going to use its 'aurora beam' attack. And right after the attacked happen, Seel evolved into a Dewgong, which made Lela jumped for excitement and yelled out its name, due to remembering seeing it off of Gary's PokeDex. All Gary could do was just watched what the next order Misty was going to call out, as he then spotted Dewgong shooting out it's ice beam, freezing Team Rocket to a boulder. Gary then wondered what Misty, Ash and Brock were planning to do when they all swam up towards the floating boulder with the Pokemon and got out of the water. Next thing he and everyone else saw was Pikachu using its thunderbolt, electrifying Team Rocket and sending them blasting out from the pool into the air for Dewgong to tail wipe them hard. As the attack sent Team Rocket blasting off through the hole in the ceiling they made earlier. Gary the let out a smirk and stared in the direction of Misty waving to the crowd, showing it that was the end of their water performance.

'Well Red, I got to admit, you did another outstanding battle. Now, let's see how if I can get to you or either your sisters.'

Gary then got up and bid bye to Lela and the mother and thanked them again for the ticket. After receiving their thanks for the water stone and the good byes, Gary waved and soon made off his way through the crowd. It took him about 10 minutes to manage to sneak off towards backstage and up one of the stair case, where the dressing set was at. Gary let out a smile when he saw the 'dressing room set' sign above the 'office' sign. He then slowly opened the door and made his way in hoping Misty was still around. And she was, when he heard her voice.

"What do you want now Ash? I've kicked you out once already and I'll kick you out again! Can't I have a moment to myself?!" Misty yelled out loud, with her back turned away. As she then roughly-annoyed started pulling out her set of clothes and tossed it down on the bench and turned around with total shock-ness. "Gary?!"

"Hey Red! Or should I address you the Magical Mermaid?" Gary asked with a chuckle, while he leaned against the wall with arms crossed.

"What are you doing here in Cerulean City?! Better yet, what are you doing here in the private dressing room set?! Is this some kind of sick game of stalking me?! You win, as you are one twisted guy Gary!"

"Red, don't give yourself too much flattery. Do you really think that I'm desperate to be stalking a tomboy like you? But I'll admit, with the mermaid get-up you actually look like a decent prettygirl. But that attitude of yours, it just ruined the image."

"Who cares what you think jerk!" Misty yelled out and threw her orange wig with the pearls towards Gary, to only see it land beside him when he dodged it. She then did a quick-fix on her messy short hair.

"Apparently you do, because you're getting worked over at my last comment…" Gary made his way towards Misty with a cocky smile, when he picked up the wig and held it out in front of her. "You know, I think you look a lot cuter with shorter hair."

"Yeah whatever! Are you done being the idiot that is a waste of perfectly good air?!" Misty asked with a glare, as she snatches back the wig out of Gary's hand. "Not that I caaare, but seriously what are you doing here?!"

"Well I'm here to ask you or your sisters, if I could buy some water stones off you. Because it seems like everywhere else it's all sold out at the moment."

"Hah, well I guess tough luck on you! You're not walking out here with any stones. Especially not even a minute ago of you were somewhat insulting me. Seriously, you're an idiot."

Gary let out an annoyed glare toward Misty for being called an idiot one too many times. "Ok, you know I didn't come all this way just to get called an idiot. If my gramps didn't need the stones, I wouldn't be here in the first place and watched your stupid performance show."

"Well you didn't have to watch in the first plac—Wait, you need the stones because of your grandpa? For Prof. Oak, right? Weeell since it's him, I might reconsider if you claim yourself as an idiot and apologize." Misty let out a smirk, as she just couldn't wait to hear Gary do her command.

"I'm an idiot and I'm sorry ok? So would you reconsider about the water stones?" Gary asked in an unpleasing tone, which got Misty to let out a tiny laugh.

"Heh, how about just get out of here so I can change and I'll think about it. Now shoo!" Misty waved Gary to get out.

Gary left with no choice but to do Misty's commands, he left the room mumbling. After shutting the door, Gary leaned against the wall and waited on Misty's decision on the stones. About 20 minutes of waiting by himself, his patience was on thin ice, as he wonders what was taking so long. He then took a step towards the door and raised his hand to knock on it, as he was hand was in about to hit the door, it was suddenly swung opened. Thinking it was perfect timing for the door being open when he was about it knock, but his luck wasn't on his side, as he ended up knocking straight on Misty's forehead. Instead of apologizing, Gary suddenly started laughing out loud, due to the look Misty gave out when she was hit on the forehead. But he soon quickly shut his mouth when he got a nasty glare from Misty, as he turned away.

"So hah…About, haha, the stones?"

"Not going to happen." Misty said teasing tone with her hands behind her back, as she then let out a smirk when Gary turned around.

"What?! Are you serious?! I waited for about 20 minutes and you just couldn't tell me 'no' sooner?! You can be such a cruel—" Gary was cut off by a sudden shove blow to his chest by a case by Misty, as she then walked passed him.

"You're seriously no fun and can't get a stupid joke. But anyways, I didn't know how many you need but there are six water stones."

"Hey thanks. My gramps need at least six of them. Um so, how about I treat you to dinner? As a thanks?" Gary asked, as he tossed the case into his bag. But then caught Misty raised eyebrow towards him.

"My-my, am I hearing this correctly? You want to treat me to dinner as a thank you? Or is it some kind of an excuse to get me on a date, so you can add it to your idiotic count of yours?" Misty asked in a sarcastic tone, as she crossed her arms with a tiny smile. "You know it's tempting but then it would still kind of consider as a date, because it's just the two of us. Until you find that book, I really don't want to be or hang out with you alone."

"Are you being serious? First off, it's a thank you dinner, so it's not a date. Unless you really still think I'm that desperate to still want a date with you…" Gary said in an annoyed tone, ignoring Misty's glare, as he then added his middle finger up right next to his index. "…Second, are you still hung up on that stupid book hunt? I haven't bothered looking for the book, but yet we still run into each other."

"Hey, you're the one who played off that stupid, red string of fate line on me, just to get some score settles with that tiny brain of yours. Not that I care to be with you or want to go on that suppose date, I just wanted to put that pick up line of yours to the test because you were so full of yourself. Besides, I knew you were the type to not even bother looking for the book. And-or you would had forgotten about it or stop looking for it within the 10 years, so it all good on my part. Anyways, I'm tired of this back and forth insulting bicker we are having, so could you just leave now? You got your stones and do me a favor, go down those set of stairs and out the exit door on the right. Because if you go down the other one with me, my sisters are going to freak that you were up here. And let's not forget Ash, he would definitely start freaking out and start throwing a fit when he hears you. Bad enough he does it when your name is mention. As the moment, I already have bad headache like my Psyduck just by dealing with you. I don't need to add Ash's pointless ranting and whining." Misty commented rubbing at her temples, while ignoring Gary.

"Psh, aren't you being the humble one? Especially by asking me to you a favor likes that in that attitude of yours. Maybe I should go down with you or even without you, it doesn't matter. I would love just to see Ash's reaction and then I could rub my badges in his face too." Gary said with a tiny smirk.

"You can be a total ass you know that? But seriously, I'm exhausted dealing with my sisters' play. So please, I'm asking you nicely now, could you do me that favor and be off on your merry little way? And if you oh-so want to thank me for the stones, just go down those set of stairs. And tell Prof Oak I said hi." Misty said, as she pointed at the set of stairs Gary had used earlier. But being a bit tired and impatience, Misty just let out a long angry sigh and just started heading towards the other stairs. But then she stopped in her track, to look over her shoulder with annoy-ness in her eyes towards Gary when he mumbled something. "What was that?"

"Nothing too big, it's just me mimicking you behind your back. As now, I'll just go and merrily make my way down those stairs and leave this place. See ya Red!" Gary said, as he caught Misty set of rolled eyes and a quick snappy 'good bye' wave. He then turned around and made his way around the little corner and down the stairs, but stopped at the first few steps, due to Ash's yelling voice in the distance. As curiosity got the best of him again, Gary tried to listen on their conversation.

"Misty! You're finally out! But anyways, since it's getting late and I figure you might want to stay for the rest of the day here in your home city with your sisters. We can take off on our journey to Viridian City tomorrow morning."

"My sisters asked you to stay for dinner didn't they? Heh, you're just too easy on selling yourself out Ash. But sure, it would be nice to be able to sleep in a nice soft bed. But you do realize with our little detour here, we most likely won't reach Viridian City like in 2 to 3 days on foot. But that also depends if we don't get lost by your sense of direction either."

"Ha, ha, it's not like you are any better with your sense of directions either. I would say we could take a taxi, as it'll be like about 4-5 hours drive? But it's not going to happen, as for one, I don't want to miss out on catching or seeing all the Pokemon. And two, it's going to be a hell of an expression bill and I just don't have that kind of money, even if we even spilt the bill 3 way."

"Ok! I get the point. Just turn around and march your butt back down the stairs. And do whatever you want until dinner. I think I want to be alone in my room, as I'm going to set up my dolls collection that I won in the Queen of Princess Pokemon battle!"

"Boooring!" Ash said out loud, followed with a snore and a pretend yawn, but then only to receive a hit to the head. "Ow!"

"Who asked you for your input?! That's why I said you do whatever!"

Gary let out a chuckle and finally made his way down the stairs after the hard bonk sound on Ash's head by Misty and their footsteps down the stairs. Gary shook his head and smirk crept upon his face. 'Heh, so I guess I'm not the only person you're snappy with. But you guys are headed to Viridian City, eh? Hmmm, even though I have 10 badges already, I really don't need an Earth badge. But since I'm going to be in Pallet for a few days and I couldn't get the chance to show you my success in your face just yet, Ash. Maybe, just maybe I'll show you up at Viridian City's gym…' Gary reached at the end of the stairs and exited through the right door. Looking up at the sky, Gary could tell the sun had just set away for the moon to come out within a couple of hours. Not wanting to waste any more time, since his grandpa wanted him to be back with the stones as soon as possible, Gary ran towards the direction of the Pokemon center to make a phone call to the chauffer to take him back home. After only the wait of 20 minutes for a chauffer to pick him up, Gary was in the car of the back seat, when the car drove pass the book store that he had his second encounter with Misty. For some reason he was tempted to ask the driver to stop the car, but realized it was pointless. So he didn't because the fact he saw it was 'closed'. About 10 minutes went by in the quiet car; Gary decided to go through his bag to grab his PokeDex to do some more studying. While rummaging through the bag, Gary finally pulled out his PokeDex along with the fold poster flyer stuck to it. A tiny smirk crept on his face, as he couldn't help but to unfold the poster flyer to look at the painted version of the mermaid Misty. 'I think I like this version of you better on the poster. You're portrait more elegant like and definitely much quieter than compare seeing you up front in person. But then again, you do have your moments. I wonder how we're going to interact with each other next time…' Gary commented to himself, as he then quickly folded up the poster and tossed it in his bag and opened up his PokeDex. '…I guess, we'll find out maybe in a few days at Viridian City.'


A/N: (6/23/07) Yay for ch4 for being done XD!! But ughhh, I just realize, this story is now going to be a long story plot instead of a short one. Going off by certain episodes is making it into a long one, as there's sooo much more anime episode reference I'm planning to use XD

Thanks again to Chase Nirvs, A Rose for Me-A Rose for you, Nan-LIITA, Kathy, LIFx2, N-Candy, Solin and Shadow for your guys reviews! Before I die from being murdered by DA and here on ffnet, I'm going to start on ch26 IWYTWM now, hopefully no more mini-writer's block xp

Well hope to hear from you all as always and I'll will catch ya all laaater, until than ta-ta for now!

Lili Neko