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Chapter 10: Secrets Revealed, Rivalry Renewed
Ash and Misty headed out towards Professor Oak's lab to visit Gary like they promised the day before. Even though Misty was trying to look joyful, Ash could tell that there was still something on her mind. He wondered desperately what it was, but she wouldn't tell him. So for now, he had no choice but to forget about it. Meanwhile Misty was thinking hard. God, I have to tell him eventually. I don't think he would be too upset when I did, but I'd better wait until after we visit Gary. Just to be safe. When he said that I could tell him anything... Misty sighed out loud and looked ahead. Ash turned to see her worried expression and became concerned.
"...Misty, please tell me what's wrong. I wan to know." Ash said and looked into Misty's troubled eyes. She just looked away and sighed.
"I can't right now, Ash. Just wait a little, please." Misty said softly. Ash sighed but nodded and they continued walking up the hill to Professor Oak's lab. When they got to the top, they knocked on the front doors but got no answer. Confused, Ash went to peek around the back and Misty stayed there in case anyone opened the door. As Ash disappeared from view, Misty heard a rustle in the nearby bushes. She crept closer to investigate. Her heart was pounding as she approached the bushes. Then...
"BOO!" Gary screamed and tapped Misty from behind. She shrieked and turned around and kicked his shin. He yelped in pain and Misty then realized her mistake. She saw Gary on the ground clutching his shin, so she bent down to help him up. Meanwhile, Ash came running towards the front of the lab again, startled by Misty's shriek.
"Oh my god, Gary are you ok?" Misty said desperately trying to help Gary up. He smiled and stood up.
"Yeah Misty I'm fine. Just gonna have a bruise tomorrow." Gary said and chuckled. Misty then saw Ash running towards them and he slowed down when he saw Gary and Misty were all right. Meanwhile, a small Rattata scurried out of the bush when no one was looking.
"Guys are you ok? I heard Misty scream." Ash said, looking very worried. Misty and Gary just laughed and nodded.
"We're fine, but Gary scared the poop out of me and I accidentally kicked him in the shin." Misty said, looking embarrassed. Ash burst out laughing after hearing what all the fuss was about. Misty and Gary joined in laughing too, then Professor Oak stepped outside to see what all the ruckus was about.
"Ah, Ash and Misty, welcome! Why don't you come in and join Gary and me for tea?" Professor Oak said and bid them inside the laboratory. The gang followed Professor Oak through many hallways until they arrived at a big dining room. There, butlers were pouring tea for the guests as they sat down in front of a huge table. Gary looked over to Misty and raised his eyebrow, as if to ask something. She furiously shook her head and looked over to Ash, who was staring at them. Misty then looked down at her cup of tea, swirling the bad aimlessly. Ash then looked over to Gary, who was looking rather furious as he drank his tea. Ash stood up and slammed his fist on the table, startling everyone there.
"Goddamn it, what is going on? First it was you who won't tell me anything, and now it looks like Gary already knows! So tell me!" Ash demanded and glared at the both of them. Gary and Misty gulped at the menacing tone of Ash's voice, but Gary looked at Misty and nodded. She then looked straight into Ash's eyes and sighed.
"Ash, I hope it doesn't bother you but Gary and I were together before you came back." Misty said quickly and quietly. Ash's face became pale at the thought of Gary being with Misty.
"What? Wow. That explains why he had that kind of reaction when we said we were dating, huh?" Ash said, trying to cover his intense anger at the two. But his fists clenched and Misty became worried. She knew he was trying to act mature, but it wasn't going to last long. And poor Professor Oak was caught in between all of this, just sitting there looking confused. Misty got up and went over to put her hands on Ash's, but he pulled away. She looked heartbroken, but Ash couldn't get used to this kind of information right away. Gary had been the first to hold her close, to kiss her lips. He was the first to go on a date with her, to be her boyfriend. He slowly backed out of the room and tried not to make contact with Misty's emerald eyes. Then he ran out of the lab.