The Cinnabar Island letter read:
Dearest Delia, love of my life:
I'm sorry... if you get this letter, I'm probably lost, perhaps forever. I was followed. Remember what I told you about the orphanage where all the other kids were killed? This thing knows that now I'm old enough to be believed, and that I've got Pokémon to help me defend myself... but I still find myself spiraling to insanity. My mind keeps playing tricks on me and I can no longer distinguish reality from my mind and from its mind... I know you always thought I was joking around about the evil clown because the culprits had been incarcerated. The autopsia revealed poisoning. But I'll tell you a secret I fear is too late to be useful: they were not poisoned. I saw them all get killed. I managed to get a file of it at the Viridian police station and hid it behind locker 16 in case the truth needed to be told. Sneak in and grab it so you're prepared if you ever feel like a target. I saved it from being burnt, and I don't think anything else will happen once it's done with me, but you'll know why I seemed to be such a coward...
I was too cowardly to tell even you, the woman I chose as my wife, about this... but now I realize fear can only beat you if you let it corner you... I can't explain, but now it's too late. Please take care of Ash and make sure to tell him I'll always love him, and I'll always love you.
I'll be watching over you from above,
Your husband
Gary woke up before Ash next morning on the Snorlax pouf's belly. The sun was already white and up, so it must have been about 10am; they'd planned to wake up at the same time they usually woke up for school, but they'd had too much fun the night before to accomplish it.
He'd woken up in a good mood because yesterday night had actually been a lot of fun after he'd recovered from the awful contents of that creepy old box... and his stomach twisted inside him when he remembered why he had stayed over in the first place.
Ash was still lying face up on his bed. His hair was messier than ever, if that was possible, and he was drooling peacefully. Gary would make so much fun of that at breakfast..! But he was feeling uninspired even if Ash looked hilarious; he was too nervous to get in his Ash-Ketchum-Professional-Annoyer mood on. He sat up, took off the blanket and walked up to the still-sleeping Ash.
-Ashy boy... -he shook him lightly- hey, Ash! -Ash turned around and groaned. Gary lifted an eyebrow. He tried shaking him again without results other than a light snore. Time to play rough.
-ASHY! -Gary jumped on the bed and made Ash bounce almost into the ceiling. While in middair, Ash shouted like he'd just seen a ghost, kicked the wall beside the bed and made the Voltorb alarm clock fall on his stomach to bounce onto Gary's head. The awful electric-sounding alarm started sounding and startled Gary, who let out a shout of his own, which made Ash shout again once he'd landed, but then he realized it was just Gary and the Voltorb. He wasn't in a good mood.
-What was that for, Gary?!
-You wouldn't wake up, so I jumped on the bed to shake you more, but you bounced too high and made a terrible mess of things... I didn't know you applied that to every field of your life, Ashy-boy! -Gary laughed- some things are part of the person, huh?
-I'll show you a mess! -Ash threw a pillow at Gary, but he dodged it and grabbed another one
-If you can! -he was about to throw it when they heard footsteps approaching
-Hey kids! Guess what I made for breakfast? -Delia Ketchum stood on the door, cooking apron on. The boys both smiled as the smell of pancakes entered the room.
As breakfast was done, fun had been made of Ash's drooling sleeping face and Gary's bad wakeup call had been recrimminated by Ash and laughed at by Ash's mom, the children set out to the pond. Suddenly, they weren't quite as merry anymore.
They had brought some improvised fighting equipment in their backpacks in case their minds alone wouldn't be able to beat the thing: two silver knives from Delia's tea set, weilded by Gary, who was taller and older. He believed the tale of the werewolf and the vampire who were slain by silver blades he read some time ago might have had some truth in it. He was glad he was the type to read anything that fell on his hands.
Also, a few stones that Ash carried because he was confident about his aim. Maybe he wasn't that strong, but he wouldn't have to use his body's strenght if he knew where to aim with aerial attacks. He was pretty good at sports, so the speed shouldn't be a problem for him.
The grass on the path to the pond was taller than he remembered. It really hadn't been kept at all during the time he hadn't come.
-I bet nobody wants to go there... who knows, maybe one of the missing kids is still alive out there! Come on, Gary, let's hurry up and check it out! -Ash ran ahead of Gary into the grass. Gary followed somewhat reluctantly. He didn't want to find a dead body, himself, but he had no choice but to risk it all and have the possibility of winning this nightmarish game.
Had the path always been this long? It felt like they'd been walking for hours.
-Gary... I don't remember well, but the pond wasn't this far, was it?
-I don't remember the way so well... but maybe the fog is making it seem longer; watch your step!
They could still see the tall grass and the trees ahead of them, and an occasional spider running along the strands of dandelion, fallen leaves, grass and clover. The dried leaves creacked with their every step, and the fog was getting thicker.
-Ash... -he looked around- now I'm sure the path wasn't this long -Gary whispered, worried. He realized the sound of their footsteps was becoming steadily silent, and it was also getting colder -Maybe we took the wrong path.
-No, we didn't... remember this pond is almost next to my house, but I've noticed something: we haven't passed by the things that are past the pond, so we're still here. Let's walk a little bit more.
Gary nodded. This fog didn't feel like the smooth fog he knew; this fog was actually cold and a bit like icy shards on the skin, but the day wasn't cold at all when they'd left the house.
Maybe it was just him, but it looked like the fog was shaped like little tentacles that wrapped around the strands of plants, as if combing them. It was closing in around them, and Gary couldn't hear the birds anymore. That's when he realized he was right about one thing: this fog wasn't normal.
-Ash, I think this fog might be a trap. I know it looks like a weather antic, but something tells me the path got long because the thing is nearby. -Ash stopped walking and looked at Gary, and the later stretched out a hand- hold my hand, remember the clown sepparates kids before he kills them.
Ash took Gary's hand immediately. Gary would hate to admit it, but he felt safer this way, and so did Ash; especially because soon they could not see anything and the ground was getting muddier by the step.
-We're near it! -Gary announced, stopped them both and suddenly he put his free hand's index on his lips to tell Ash to be quiet. He thought he heard something among the unnatural silence.- I think something's behind us -he whispered when he confirmed two sets of footsteps behind them
A shape not much taller than Gary emmerged. Hadn't they heard two people though?
Gary was almost disappointed it wasn't the clown. It was just Matt.
-What, your secret date spot was discovered, Gary? Aww you're sad? Why the long face? We'll make it our secret spot now, so scram.
-Why do you say "we", Matt? Are you going crazy or are you just dumb? -Gary replied smugly- or have you finally reached some kind of dignity and aren't hiding behind Broomstick or whatever his name was?
-Digny-who? -Matt fake laughed- I'm sure you just make up words to pretend to be interesting, but that's just one more reason why you have no friends, Gary Oak... nobody really likes you. -Ash took a step forward defiantly, not letting go of Gary's hand, which made him visible through the fog- Ewww! So you ARE togheter?! You guys are disgusting; did you come here to kiss? -Matt wasn't as confident after he realized Tonfers wasn't there; he was outnumbered. Gary grinned- Oh, you are, Haaa-ha-ha, I'm gonna tell your grandpa now! -Ash made a fist, but Gary stopped him.-
-Matt... say hi to your bodyguard from me. You lost him in the fog, and I bet you won't even be able to get out of here without him, because that's just the kind of loser you are. Bye-bye.
Gary made Ash turn around with him and they both dissappeared into the fog from Matt's sight, and he realized his stooge was indeed more than a few steps gone. He paled as a clown beckonned him from behind a bush. It smelled terrible, but maybe he'd help him find Tonfers...
They stopped under a small tree once they reached the pond, which was not entirely veiled by the fog; it only looked like it went on into the horizon forever. Ash was still embarrassed about what Matt said, but was too scared of letting go of Gary's hand. His own hand was growing sweaty. He wondered what a kiss on the lips was like, though.
-Gary... if today is the last day... can we try...? -he paused and Gary turned his head to look at him inquisitively, but Ash averted his eyes- uh... nevermind. -he hoped Gary didn't notice the small blush that had appeared on his face
But he didn't. Gary couldn't think about anything else than the mission right now; he was no longer scared but he was angry. Where was the thing now? It was just like Matt and the other bullies; it only attacked the weak, the loners, the different and the outcasts!
That meant it was probably just like Matt: helpless in the face of a genuine opponent. Now he really wanted to beat it up to a pulp or whatever the minimal expression of its shape was. He couldn't stand cowardice, and he would go into its lair to get it out to fight if he had to! He'd had enough of this thing invading his dreams and interfering with the places he could trust himself to approach alone in peace. He was tired of being afraid of even opening the fridge alone just because of the putrid smell of fear and despair. And now he knew he could do it... they both could undo it.
-Gary... this thing won't come out; it looks like it's afraid of us.
-This has to be a joke. Don't let go though, Ashy... it's probably just waiting for the minute it's able to isolate us from each other to attack; his presence is here or we'd hear birds and maybe even a Poliwag would come to play.
-You mean you've met a Poliwag here? -Ash's eyes shone- That's awesome! Tell me about it!
-Gary! I've looked for you everywhere! -professor Oak emerged from the tall grass, with a wound on his chest held by a scientist robe dyed red in blood. Gary turned around and stared in horror; had he come all the way here for him with that wound?
-Do you know how much I have to deal with already, and then I hear you're at the pond I told you not to go to since day one you're here? Do you wanna drive me insane?
-It's not like that, gramps; there's something I have to do here, but I'll be back at the Lab in... -Gary gasped. One of his grandfather's eyes had fallen off his sockets and left a black hole on his face. No blood came out of it-
-Look what you made me do, Gary... -he said groggily. Gary almost let go of Ash's hand but Ash stopped him, nearly crushing his hand in his own.
-Gary, no! Don't you see it's it? Professor Oak would never come up here with a wound that big! -Gary's emotions came back to reality; he calmed down a little and the image dissappeared into the fog. Ash got a small jolt of pride. This was new! The scary stuff had actually gone away!
-So it really is here... careful, Gary; seems like it does want to divide us first!
Was it raining? Ash started to feel water drops on his arm, and Gary had apparently gotten a drop inside both his eyes before he looked up and wanted to wipe it off. Gary started wincing and rubbing his eyes with his free hand.
-Ash, something fell into my eyes, I can't see anything! I can't wipe both at once; what's going on?! Please say everything!
-It's... raining? But the pond water is gray and still... Wait, the drops are actually red?! I don't wanna look up, Gary... it smells horrible! Like mud with maggots... something worse and blood!
-It smells rotten; it's the smell of It! Whatever you see, Ash, don't believe it! I'm scared I might go blind... I can't wipe this off! -Gary barely contained the hysteria welling up inside him. Something ugly fell off the treetop with a wet thud.
Ash had his gaze set in that direction and had no choice but to realize it was a human arm. A kid's limb ripped at both ends. He froze and looked up to find a severed head with no face, only a mouth that had been cut into it. It said "come and play!"
Ash shouted as he realized the other limbs dripped on them
-Gary help me! There is a severed... child up there, and it talks! I swear it's real! It mangles kids up, doesn't it? And it eats them! Please, Gary let's go!
-Throw a stone! -Gary was on the verge of tears due to his seemingly imminent blindness- Describe them to me, are the bodyparts fresh?! Like it's not really dead, do they move?
-Yes, Gary, it's horrible! -Ash was fighting panic as well- We could have saved this kid..!
-The last attack was about two weeks ago; it couldn't be fresh! It's IT again! It's not real! It just knows your worst fear is ending up like that if you lose to it! He knows I can talk now but can't see so he's trying to get you instead!
-You're right! -Ash threw a stone and the whole image disappeared to reveal a normal tree with nothing besides leaves and branches- it's gone now.
Gary felt like he was made of lead. He couldn't believe the thing wouldn't get out of his eyes no matter how hard he rubbed.
-Ash, I'm gonna be blind! I won't be able to do anything like this! How can I become a Pokémon trainer this way?! How could I be so stupid? In an instant everything is gone! How can I repay my parents this way?! -he crouched and clutched his eyes.
He let go of Ash then, and the clown appeared briefly before him, but only Ash could see him. He lunged into the floor to wrestle Gary from the back.
-You can't give up like this! Are you the Gary I know? The Gary who always wins against me? Hear me out; this substance came from that tree, and it was all a picture to scare me so he could grab you first! And probably me after that... Gary, I'm still here, like it or not! And unlike what Matt said, you do have at least one friend, and that's me!
Gary couldn't hold the tears of desperation, fear and sadness in anymore. Ash got off his back and held both his hands as his eyes leaked a red substance that gradually became transparent. Gary could see again. Blurry at first, then clear. -I... can see! -Gary said and cried some more. Ash was scared he'd lose control of this situation, and that he might end up blind any second now as well... and then the red haired clown grabbed him, despite having his hands in Gary's. He didn't have time to shout, because the clown dived him straight into the pond, and made sure his mouth and nose were covered in water before the scream was let out.
Gary got up, horrified at the realization Ash had been ripped out of his reach. That was not even expected! When had Ash given in?! The clown laughed maliciously, pointing at the older boy with its free hand as he held Ash by the throat with the other. Time to grab the silver knife.
-Ash! I'm coming! - He knew he couldn't reach the laughing clown before he drowned Ash on time, and it had his claw-like teeth out already almost on Ash's head, which was half underwater, struggling to go up; the white water lillies were almost at Gary's feet. No time to get there for him!
He threw the silver knife with all his might and hit the clown's head. Its eyes went black as coal and so did its mouth. The body seemed to be turning inside out, but all there was inside appeared to be just a black nothing. Then it dived into the pond and vanished with no trace of having ever existed. Not even ripples on the water next to Ash's.
Gary then pulled Ash into the surface with a long, heavy stick. Once again, he'd saved his friend from drowning, and possibly, being beheaded. Ash came out of the water, panted, tried to stand up, but fainted. Gary caught him just before he hit the ground.
-Ash! -he panicked and didn't bother to check his heartbeat as he had never seen someone faint; Gary just buried his face in the younger boy's chest to sob uncontrollably and mutter apologies he thought Ash wouldn't be able to get. Just like his parents. Maybe he should have come alone! That way, only he would have had his life in peril, and nobody who would be missed would have left this world! There were far too many people in the next world now... why hadn't fate chosen him? Did he really have to remain?
He kept holding Ash, who was freezing and pale. He grabbed his hand once again and looked at his closed eyes. He couldn't believe it; he'd trade places with him if he could. The fog was clearing, the birds chirped again in the sunset and the white lillies receded in number. But Gary, instead of contemplating it all, plucked a few water lillies to put them around his friend after he'd lain him down on the ground.
He kissed his forehead after saying something like what he'd heard the priest say at his parents's funeral. He knelt still, holding his hand. He didn't know how much time he'd been like that, until something rustled the strands of grass in front of him. It was Poliwag.
-Hey... -Gary said quietly- I can't play right now... look what I did..! -he sobbed-
Poliwag wagged his tail and jumped into Gary's lap, but seemed to be smiling. Was the tadpole insane? He looked at the Poliwag, puzzled.
-You don't know what death means, right? -but Poliwag was still calm and playful. Gary tried to fight the idea that this was just the clown. But then, as rage started to flood his system, Poliwag got itself upside-down and did something with a beam that came out of its belly spiral to Ash's head. Ash's hand tightened around Gary's. What?
Ash groaned and opened his eyes slowly. He saw Gary's wet, red, swollen and beaming face and a Poliwag jumping happily next to him. He was surrounded by white lillies. Had Gary thought he was dead? He didn't feel so good, but smiled weakly at them.
-Gary... thank you, guys! Ugh... -Ash had an excruciating headache. His vision began to blur again and he lay down again- I'm still feeling bad.
Ash fell into deep sleep, but color had returned to his face at least. He seemed to be almost ok now if it wasn't for the uncontrollable need to sleep he'd suddenly had. How was he supposed to go to a doctor to get checked? Gary had an idea.
-Poliwag, do you think you and your friends could help me carry Ash to the playground? There's a phone where I can call gramps to get help for him!
Poliwag nodded and went into the bushes, and returned with three other Poliwags and a Poliwhirl. That helped a lot!
-Ok, guys! I'll carry the feet which is the hardest part; Poliwhirl will hold the head and the others will help us carrying the weight of the rest of the body; ready? -he grabbed the feet- Let's go! -he said, looking up at now clear, blue sky. He could live on to be a Pokémon trainer after all!
Ash would be in observation at the small hospital in Pallet Town for the rest of the weekend; he'd had a pretty bad case of energy loss and seemed a bit unstable emotionally, but he should be fine in a few days.
Gary snuck into his hospital room, as people younger than sixteen were not allowed to visit other patients. He was there both to see how Ash was, and, now he had recovered from the fright, to tell him it really was gone.
Ash didn't really want visitors, but didn't have the energy to tell Gary to go away. After the initial relief to hear the thing at the pond wouldn't attack again in a while, he grew stern.
-Gary... what if it returns?
-We'll be able to get it again. We know how to do it and what it is now.
-Promise me that if it appears again, you'll help me end it.
-I don't even have to promise that. As long as I'm alive, I'll make sure it doesn't stand a chance at killing kids again.
Ash was satisfied with that answer.
-About the Poliwag... is he your Pokémon?
-No, Ashy, I don't have my licence yet, I can't own Pokémon! But imagine; if I could already give orders to a wild Pokémon, how much faster will I become a Pokémon master than you?
-You..! -Ash's vitality came into his body again, as they started discussing who would be the next champion of Kanto and the possibilities of catching more Pokémon. But the nurse came to expell Gary out of the hospital, and it was Ash's turn to make a face at him.
(End of childhood part of story)
(A/N): Yeaaaaah bad me! I hadn't posted for so long, what with getting used to live in a new continent and all, but I hope I can do it more from now on ^^')