Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of the characters. Just the random plot bunnies that my mind creates.

Chapter Warnings: Language, bromance, abandonment, lots of feels

Chapter 11 - Surprise

The soldiers leave Lavender Town the next day after receiving permission from the Nurse Joy clone. Because she has to be one. There's no way cousins can look that alike AND have the same name.

Walking leisurely down Route 7, Gary decides to call a break after two hours. Might as well get a little training in since we are walking.

"How about a ball game?" The raven grins at his suggestion before calling out Tauros, Krabby and Pidgeotto. Gary in turn releases Scyther, Nidorino, Doduo and Squirtle. The soldiers and Pikachu quickly join in on the 5 vs 5 game.

The teams run around back and forth knocking a small ball around that Gary had bought in Lavender Town. Gary and Ash soon sit down out of breath as their pokemon's speed increases in a friendly show of competitiveness.

It's amazing how just a few days of training together caused them to bond so quickly. Even his moody Scyther seems to be having a bit of fun.

Gary watches his pokemon with a small smile on his face. They will all be strong soon. Not even the Riders will stand against them.

The brunet stiffens as he feels a light pressure on his lower back. He sees Ash stand slowly and back away out of the corner of his eyes.

What is it? Gary mouths at his partner.

"Growlithe. Don't move." Ash whispers back. Gary freezes as if his muscles were made of stone. He takes deep quiet breaths to remain calm.

Growlithe have extremely superb sense of smell. If it smells anything that might make it consider him a threat, he's going to have large canines tearing through his spinal cord or possibly his ass, and he is quite fond of both.

At the corner of his eye, he sees the puppy pokemon walk around to his left side. The Growlithe sniffs his hand briefly before sniffing one of the pockets on his cargo pants. It sits on its haunches and stares at him.

That's the pocket I have a snack in. Maybe it is hungry?

Gary slowly reaches out towards the pack next to him. The fire type watching the movement cautiously. It starts growling loudly when it sees his Ka-bar attached to the backpack strap. Gary freezes and glances once more at the pokemon.

It's still sitting. That's a good sign.

Moving even slower than before, Gary reaches in to grab his newly refilled bag of pokemon food and a small bowl. Upon hearing a small swishing sound, he looks back to see Growlithe's tail wagging behind it.

He pours some food in the bowl and offers it to the puppy who immediately begins digging in. He glances up to see Ash watching him curiously from a few feet away.

"Catch him Gary. You don't have a fire type yet."

Gary glances down at his belt. He has Pinsir and Fearow left on him since the rest of the pokemon were still playing in the middle of the path. Pinsir wouldn't last against a fire type but I don't want to bring out Fearow just in case he gets injured. I need a transportation option available at all times just in case and Doduo can't carry me until he evolves.

Gary reaches back towards his pack and pulls out a collar. He avoids Ash's most likely disapproving gaze as he slowly slides closer to the eating pokemon.

Quick as he can, he lashes the collar around the pokemon's neck and jumps up and away. He blinks in confusion as the pokemon keeps eating without so much as a flinch.

What the hell? All the others attacked me as soon as I put the collar on.

The brunet turns towards his partner who has his arms crossed over his chest and is looking at the orange and white pokemon with a calculating gaze.

"It must venture into the city a lot for food. It may not be the first time it's been collared. Even though it probably wasn't a League issued shock collar. Go ahead and catch it." Ash speculates.

Gary pulls a ball from the pouch at his belt and throws it at the Growlithe once it finished eating. Gary releases it once more after the ball stops rolling. He squats in front of the pokemon and once again stretches his hand forward.

"Hey Growlithe. My name is Gary. I'm your trainer now. That alright with you?"

After one last quick sniff, the puppy pokemon barks happily before rushing off to join the other pokemon. Their starters freeze at the new arrival but quickly start a conversation with it once they see the collar on his neck.

"You know it's strange how quickly they take to each other." The raven states as he watches their newest pokemon hop around the others trying to figure out how to play the game.

Gary hums in agreement before running back in to join the game.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

The sprawling metropolis of Celadon emerges from the forest as night begins to fall. A multitude of colorful lights illuminates the area as the soldiers approach the gate. After announcing their presence, they make their way inside.

Ash can't stop looking at the big buildings around him.

This is the first time I have ever been to such a large city. Look at all these skyscrapers!

Ash feels a hand grab his arm and pull him impatiently along.

Someone is 'hangry'.

Ash grabs a map from the front desk of the Pokemon Center as they make their way to the cafeteria.

Ash grabs a pen and starts checking off places for them to check out tomorrow as he digs into his dinner. He sends a happy smile to his partner but it falls when he notices that Gary's attention is on the newspaper in front of him.

With a start, Ash notices the date. Shit. Gary's birthday is the day after tomorrow!

Not noticing his inner panic attack, Gary points out the article he is reading.

"Ash look at this! They're saying the explosion at the Pokemon Tower was caused by a gas leak. Fucking nonsense."

Ash watches as Gary fumes and rips the paper in half before moodily picking at the rest of his food as he mumbles about "papers never getting the damn facts right."

Did he not notice the date? Maybe he can surprise him then.

A wicked smile slowly inches up his face causing a look of suspicion and nervousness to appear on the brunet's.

This is going to be fun.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Gary is exhausted. Ash has been pulling him all over Celadon since the freaking sun rose in the sky to "see the sights."

"I feel like a damn tourist." He grumbles out at an intersection. Ash seems way too amused at his irritable tone in his opinion.

"Well, we technically are tourists Gary." The raven laughs at the eye roll he sends Ash's way.

"Come on! I want to check out this major tech store! They apparently make all of the gear for the military. Maybe they have some new gadgets for us."

Gary follows behind his happy partner who enters into a large glass building across the street. GameFreak huh? Weird name.

Green eyes open wide to take in all of the equipment lying around. It looks like a secret lair from those spy movies we used to watch as kids.

Gary slowly walks around the walls and glances at each gadget on the display tables. He reads the descriptions of the ones that catch his eye or ones that he just has no idea what they are used for.

"Good afternoon sir. Looking for anything in particular?" Gary turns around to see a middle aged man with slick black hair in a black suit and black sunglasses next to Ash. Who wears sunglasses inside? Douche.

Turning back to the table in front of him, Gary shakes his head as he glances at the price of a bottle of water purifying tablets. $300 for 30 tablets? What a fucking rip off.

Gary glances around the store to see the man talking to his partner about a fancy looking butterfly knife. This place is way too expensive for us. No wonder we only got the basics when we graduated. How can the League afford any of this?

"Ash, let's go." Gary calls out to the raven. He sees his partner glance quickly towards him before whispering to the man and handing the knife back over.

Once out of the store, Gary slings an arm around his partner's shoulder and crushes him into his side as they walk back to the Pokemon Center. The raven hisses in pain at the rough treatment.

"You seemed awfully chummy with the creepy salesman back there Ashy-boy. Got something you want to tell me or should I not expect you home for the night?" Gary teases. Determined to get back at his partner after the long day of dealing with Ash's exuberant mood.

Ash flings his arm off of him. Brown eyes glare at him as his face turns red from anger and embarrassment.

"What the actual fuck Gary? Even if I was into dudes, why the hell would I go for a creepy middle aged man?!" Ash hisses at him.

Gary raises his hands in mock surrender with a smirk plastered onto his face.

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much. You know I would be fine with it. Just gotta tell me Ashy-boy."

Ash levels another fiery glare in his direction before stomping off.

"I am not gay!...And you quoted that wrong anyway!" The raven yells back over his shoulder.

Gary snickers quietly at all the odd looks thrown at his partner marching down the street. He could almost see the steam coming out of his ears.

Payback is a bitch Ashy-boy. Shouldn't have dragged me all over town.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

That ASSHOLE! I can't believe he started saying all of that shit. Especially in the middle of the sidewalk! And I was going to engrave that knife for his birthday present too. Ugh!

Ash stomps up to their room at the Pokemon Center and slams the door shut before locking it. Pikachu jumps up from his bed, startled by the loud noise.

"Sorry buddy. Go back to sleep. Gary was just being a dick."

Ash walks over to the bathroom with the intention of taking a nice relaxing shower to wash away his temper.

After stripping, he climbs into the hot spray and rests his head against the cool tile walls. Gary really can be such a jerk sometimes. Ash closes his eyes and just focuses on the warm water hitting his skin.

He slowly opens his eyes to gaze at the steam swirling around the ceiling. Gary is probably pouting somewhere now. I shouldn't have stormed away like that...maybe I did overreact just a little bit.

Especially since he is right after all.

With a long sigh, Ash turns the shower off and redresses in his uniform. Upon exiting the bathroom, he dries off his hair before laying down next to Pikachu on his bed. Staring at the ceiling, he buries his emotions deep down in his heart. He can never let Gary find out. It would break the bond they had struggled to build over the years.

He can't risk it.

Closing his eyes, he's asleep moments later. Pulled into the world of dreams and fantasies.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Forty-five minutes later, the raven awakes from his cat nap to a rumbling stomach. He glances down to see Pikachu already awake and pawing at his stomach that keeps making gurgling noises.

With a chuckle, he scoops the mouse up and places him on his shoulder. He meanders downstairs in search of dinner. Spotting a mop of brown hair, he grabs some food and slides into the booth occupied by his partner.

He can feel the green eyes upon him as he digs into his meal. He hears a small sigh but keeps his eyes fixed on the tray before him.

"I'm sorry Ash. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything. That guy creeped me out, and I was tired from walking around everywhere all day."

Ash hums noncommittally as he continues to eat his food. I can't let Gary know I have forgiven him yet, or I won't be able to sneak away to get his present.

Silence once again reigns over their table. He can see Gary squirm uncomfortably. This is actually kind of fun.

"I really am ok with it if you-" Gary starts again.

"Drop it." Ash interrupts him in a low, dangerous voice. He sends a glare at the brunet for good measure. His partner falls quiet once more.

Once he finishes his food, he stands up to put away the dirty dishes.

"I'm going on a walk. Alone." Ash adds the last part at the hopeful look that crosses the brunet's face as Gary begins to rise from the table.

Walking out of the Pokemon Center with Pikachu on his shoulder, he randomly picks a direction and makes a few abrupt turns down alleys in case Gary did in fact decide to follow him. After checking to see that the coast is clear, he makes his way back to the GameFreak building to get the butterfly knife. The salesman had agreed earlier to give him the blade half off if he got it engraved.

Walking into the building, he went up to the checkout desk to see the blade already wrapped up and ready to go. He quickly pulls out his money pouch and places a generous amount on the counter.

Giving the man a gracious smile, he slides the present into one of his many pockets and leaves the shop.

Glancing at the clock on his comms set, he notices that he still has about three hours to kill before midnight. Ash starts to once again roam the city. Weaving his way around drunk adults dressed in a range of top end clothes all the way down to the skimpiest dresses he has ever seen.

The atmosphere here really is different between night and day.

Two hours later, he is just about to turn around to head back when he hears a dim, rhythmic thumping sound. Following the sound to the source, he sees a door that leads into a small, dark building. As he watches from across the street, the door opens to reveal loud music and a mass of people dancing. Must be some kind of club.

Before Ash leaves, he hears a small sneeze. He turns his head towards the sound and sees a nearby alley. Glancing around the corner he sees no one. He's about to walk away when he hears a small whimper. Turning back, he walks in the alley and sees a large box that was hidden by a trash can from his previous angle.

Curiosity getting the best of him, he peeks inside the box. A grin quickly spreads across his face at what he sees.

Perfect.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Gary is currently pacing in the middle of their room. Ash has been gone for HOURS. He really wouldn't spend the night out with some random person just to spite him would he?

Gary freezes as his green eyes widen in horror. He violently shakes his head as he begins pacing once more. No, that's ridiculous. Ash wouldn't do that.

Gary sits on his bed and glares at wall. I'm pretty sure he has no experience in that department anyway. He wouldn't be able to seduce anyone if his life depended on it. Gary's eyes widen once more as an image of a shirtless post-shower Ash flashes through his mind.

That's it. He's going to go look for him.

Gary is just about to grab his jacket and sprint out of the room when he hears the door open. He stands to confront his partner, face already set in an angry scowl.

"Ash where the fuck have you been? It's past midnight!"

He walks around the bed to see Ash standing just inside the door staring at the ground with his hands behind his back. Perched on his shoulder, Pikachu glances at his partner sadly before jumping down and bounding away to lay on his pillow.

"Ash? Are you okay? Did something happen?" Gary asks quietly. He reaches for his partner but freezes as the raven stiffens.

"Gary…" Ash calls out quietly. Gary watches his partner lift his head. The first thing he notices is the raven's watery brown eyes.

Shit. He didn't.

The next thing he registers is the look on Ash's face. Wait what? Gary's eyebrows scrunch in confusion which unleashes a string of laughter that Ash has apparently been struggling to keep contained since he walked in.

His partner steps forward with a smile on his face as he brings his hands around to his front. Gary looks down to see a small, brown cat-like fox. He takes in the bushy mane and fluffy tail and long soft ears. His eyes widen in astonishment at the rare pokemon.

"Happy 19th birthday Gary." Ash explains softly as he gently places the small pokemon in his arms. He looks up at his partner completely flabbergasted.

"You got me an Eevee? Where the hell did you find one?" Gary asks as he gently rubs the creature between its ears. It purrs softly and gently licks his fingers.

"Believe it or not, I found her abandoned in a box in an alley on the way back here. I heard her sneeze and went to investigate. She looked cold and scared so I picked her up and brought her back. She's a little sweetheart though."

The raven laughs softly at the loud purrs coming from his arms. Gary stares at his partner speechless. I completely forgot that it's my birthday. And I thought he was still mad at me.

Upon noticing his dumbfounded expression, Ash quickly reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small black box. He hands it over with a smile and a slight dusting of red on his face.

"This was supposed to be your present. Hope you like it."

Gary grabs the box from his partner and sits down on his bed to free his hands as Eevee sits content in his lap. She sniffs the box curiously as he begins to open it. Taking off the lid, he sees a beautiful butterfly knife nestled in velvet. His initials are engraved into the handle in flowing script. He gently lifts the weapon from the box and flips it over his fingers. Perfect balance.

He stares into his partner's brown eyes as he sits next to him on his bed.

"Happy Birthday." His partner whispers again. "And I forgive you."

Setting the box onto the side table and setting his new pokemon onto the floor, he pulls his partner in close for a tight hug.

"Thank you Ash." He whispers into the black hair. The raven holds him tighter in response.

Even with all of the misunderstandings, this is truly the best birthday I've ever had.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

AN: Apologies if the emotions seem a little all over the place this chapter. I don't think I wrote it well but I honestly don't know how to change it.

Favorite/follow/review please!

Next up: Chapter 12 - Awkward