All For One

by licoricejellybean

League rules force Ash and his friends to attend a competitive Pokemon High school, but Ash ends up fighting with his oldest rival over something far more important than a Pokemon battle. Poke, Ego, Contest and Ikarishipping. Not AU, fits into canon

14. Now Or Never

Hey people….

First of all, I want to offer you all my sincerest apologies (I'm getting déjà vu as I write this, something tells me I've apologized for this crime before…) for taking so hideously long to update. I think every writer on has cited this excuse at least once and I'm sure you think it's lame, but…writers block got me. Bad. It was horrible, really – I knew people were waiting but I just couldn't get this right no matter what I did. I developed something of a mental block towards this chapter, for absolutely no apparent reason, though battle scenes usually come pretty easily to me. I just couldn't seem to get a grip on the emotions involved. And then one day it just started agreeing with me again, and within a few days this thing was complete. Stupid, contrary story. Anyway, I hope you think it's worth the wait – I am actually really pleased with how this came out.

Oh, and since he so rudely demanded an introduction, as if it was his right to be mentioned or something, it is with great reluctance that I introduce my super official beta/PM stalker/frenemy (wow, I can't believe I just used that word) Texas Longhorn, who sort of might have helped me just a bit with his chapter. But I helped him a lot more with his and if he tells you otherwise, he is lying. He does that a lot, like when he tells people his story A New Journey is better than this story. I have suggested he seek professional help as he is clearly deluding himself. It's sad, really :P

And now I'm sure you being bored to death with my insanely long Author's note, so let's begin :) enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen: Now Or Never

Misty stalked up the steps to the trainer platform without a tremor, her hands clasped firmly together so they would not betray her in their weakness. The heady rush of adrenaline that always came with confrontation was beginning to fade, taking with it the anger that had seethed so heatedly through her veins. Misty clung to the last shreds of her own fury as it slipped through her fingers, suffocated by fear. She needed that anger. Without it she was left with nothing but icy dread seeping from the cold weight of despair that had settled with such finality inside her. Without anger, there was nothing left to protect her from Gary.

Misty settled her hands on the metal bar in front of her, her shaking fingers tightening hastily around the cool, solid surface as she endeavored to appear composed. He was already ascending the opposing platform and it would not do to look afraid.

Misty could hardly believe that Gary could be so cruel as to force her into this situation – and at the same time, she utterly could.

She couldn't lose this one. She just couldn't. Misty was no stranger to competitive Pokemon battling but she'd never wanted to win anything so intensely in her entire life. Nausea clawed at her stomach as she contemplated the cost of loosing with clouded detachment. Lose this and she would lose everything.

Ash would be devastated at her betrayal. There was no hope that he would ever guess or discover the real reason for her abandonment, not after she had aided his lies so enthusiastically back when Gary had tried to ask her first. He would have to endure yet more public humiliation as his best friend apparently dumped him for his biggest rival, and after all the torment he had received at Gary's hand since losing to him, it would not be long before he cracked under the strain. But worst of all he would be hurt. Crushed that she could possibly, after almost eight years of friendship, treat him so callously. He would never forgive her.

Misty felt hot tears stab unfeelingly at the back of her eyes as she tried not to think about hurting Ash that much. It was one thing to endure agony herself, for his sake, but it was another to think about forcing him to bear such pain and censure. It wasn't fair. He had so much to deal with at the moment anyway; his own unbeaten record smashed in an unfair battle and enduring his defeater's constant, mortifying, overtly public crowing. This would be the last straw.

But what choice did she have? She knew that if she had not agreed to this wager, Gary would not hesitate in carrying out his threat. And that could never be. Ash could never know her secret. For though she was condemning him to certain pain and mortification if she lost, it was nothing to the horror he would suffer if he found out the depths of her emotions. Ash, faithful and true to the end, yet utterly innocent, would have been aghast to discover that his best friend could mutilate and destroy their relationship by allowing herself to feel such things.

He would hate her either way. Their friendship was over. At least this way, he would hate her for the wrong reason. And Misty thought she might just be able to survive that.

Misty gave no thought to the agony that was certain to be hers if she lost, though she did wryly acknowledge that if she were to fail she would at least suffer more than her precious Ash. Losing him, who was everything to her, would leave her desolate and broken, perhaps for good.

She would have borne it. She would have borne the public condemnation that her own feelings would have brought upon her, just as Gary threatened – if it meant Ash would hurt less. But she knew him better than that. His world would falter in the sight of such soul wrenching emotions, and he would turn away from her. And either way it was not the opinions of the public that gave her cause for fear. It was the torture his certain disgust, or fear, or horror would inflict upon her; a steely knife blade of anguish that had always been carved with her name.

Misty was blank, her face motionless as her hands reached for her Pokeballs almost without her command. She reached automatically for her favorite, deciding vaguely that she was going to need all the fire power she could get.

She froze as her fingers touched the familiar curved surface for the second time that day.

Misty had committed the cardinal sin of practice battling. In her earlier fire of rage she had been foolish enough to send Gyarados out as her first Pokemon, and her powerful half Flying type had proceeded to defeat its three opponents single handedly. Gyarados had survived the last battle but its skirmish with her opponent's most powerful Pokemon, a Venosaur, had left it wavering. She'd hardly given it a second thought earlier, distracted and furious as she had been, but now the cold oppression of her rash decision came back to haunt her. She was now left facing the most important battle of her life without her best and most versatile Pokemon.

Misty cursed her own pride and her own fiery temper that had prompted such an imprudent move as a Trainer, and her legs quaked unsteadily beneath her.

Breathe, she tried to tell herself, her internal voice echoing weakly around her head. Get a grip on yourself. You can still win this.

Misty thought about Ash. She thought about how much she loved him, and how much it had hurt all these years, keeping such a secret. She thought about how happy she had been traveling with him so long ago and how she had been even happier since their reunion at Pokemon High. She thought about his smile, his laugh, the light that gleamed in his eyes as he battled and the blush that had bloomed as he told her how much he enjoyed her show. She thought about the moment when all this had begun – when he had put himself out there to save her from being forced into going to the dance with Gary. She thought about her reputation not only as a Gym Leader and a Water Trainer but for her indomitable determination and infamous refusal to back down from any challenge, ever. And as she stared coldly at Gary's silently smirking face, she thought about her spiky-haired adversary, and his intentions to destroy Ash's life and make her beloved miserable.

The blood began pounding in her head as her hand reached for a Pokeball.

'Starmie, go!' Misty shouted, breaking the long disquiet, flinging the Pokeball out onto the dry, dusty surface of the battle field.

Gary smirked at her visible fury. 'Umbreon, go!' he retaliated, lazily tossing his favorite Pokeball out in front of him.

Misty cursed under her breath, the heat of her assurance that determination would carry her through dampening immediately. She should have remembered that Starmie was a half Psychic type, and though she'd never trained it to use any of its extrasensory abilities, it was still vulnerable to Umbreon'sDark attacks.

Gary's first move was evidence that he knew this as well as she did.

'Umbreon, Shadow Ball!' he shouted.

'Starmie, dodge it and then counter with Tackle!' Misty snapped back, willing herself to get a hold before her rash temper lost this match.

Her command came just in time. Starmie barely managed to launch itself into the air before the glowing purple ball of dark energy struck the ground where it had stood. But Umbreon was just as quick, recovering from the use of the attack with enough speed to dodge Starmie's Tackle when Gary called on it to use its Agility.

Misty gritted her teeth as Starmie dropped back into its original position opposite Umbreon, both Pokemon panting slightly from the strain of the pointless attacks.

'Starmie, Swift Attack!' Misty tried next.

Starmie responded instantly, emitting a stream of glittering white stars from its pink central jewel core and sending them straight for Umbreon.

'Double Team, Umbreon!'

Misty gasped as Umbreon unleashed the most powerful Double Team she'd ever seen. A whole pack of Umbreon materialized instantly on the field, surrounding Starmie in a threatening circle. The river of damage dealing stars stuttered and failed as Starmie panicked, under the impression that it was suddenly outnumbered twenty to one.

Misty thought quickly. How to counter a Double Team?

'Starmie, use Rapid Spin!' she shouted.

Starmie seemed to gain focus under the order of a direct command and threw itself into the twirling Rapid Spin attack, revolving its body so quickly that its ten spiky limbs became a blur of violet action. Misty relaxed a little as she saw her strategy was working. Starmie's superior speed meant that within seconds each illusion had dissipated, destroyed when it came into contact with the attack, leaving the real Umbreon open and vulnerable.

'Umbreon!' Gary shouted instinctively as the Dark Type was thrown backwards under force of the Rapid Spin.

'Starmie, Water Gun!' Misty shouted, pressing her momentary advantage. She reasoned that an attack which didn't involve physical contact between the two Pokemon was probably a safer move – she didn't want Starmie suffering any unnecessary damage.

But Starmie was still righting itself after the use of such a draining attack, and the few seconds it needed gave Umbreon the time to struggle back to its feet.

'Umbreon, Moonlight!'

Misty watched in amazement as the Dark Type threw back its head, absorbing the flickering gold sparks that suddenly surrounded it. Umbreon's coat glowed briefly as its yellow rings flashed, and it turned to glare at Starmie with its sharp red eyes clear, avoiding the admittedly weak stream of water with ease.

'Umbreon, Skull Bash!'

Misty's throat went dry as Umbreon surged forward, lowering its gleaming skull as it built momentum for the attack.

'Starmie, use Double Edge!' she shouted.

Starmie had sufficiently recovered from the tiring Rapid Spin now and, without another word from Misty, sprung towards the charging Umbreon with its extremities glowing yellow gold as they tensed for the coming collision.

Starmie's superior aerial agility allowed it to angle its more powerful attack so that instead of meeting Umbreon head on, its strengthened limbs came down hard upon Umbreon's exposed back, sending the Dark Type sailing backwards.

Misty suddenly remembered that though Umbreon had used Moonlight to regenerate itself, the particular self-healing move was a lot less effective in broad daylight than it was on a moonlit night. Umbreon had only managed to partially recharge itself.

Misty saw her chance to seize the upper hand.

'Starmie, use Water Gun again!' she called, hoping the tension wasn't too evident in her voice.

Starmie was tiring rapidly, particularly from the strain of the last attack, but it responded as quickly as it possibly could, emitting a jet of water from the vertical spike above its middle core. Umbreon, preoccupied with the task of struggling to its feet, failed to see the attack coming, and the canine Pokemon crumbled to the ground again. It didn't stir.

Misty released the breath she hadn't known she was holding, clutching the supportive metal bar in front of her as she absorbed a heady wave of near hysteria. She'd won. She'd actually won the first round, even at a type disadvantage.

She wished momentarily that they were allowed to recall Pokemon for a rest during practice battles as she eyed her weary battle partner. She remembered all too well how the strategy had worked to Ash's advantage when he'd done it with Tauros during his battle for the Orange League Champion title. A faint smile crept unknowingly onto Misty's face. Ash. He was always cropping up in her thoughts, no matter where she was or what she was doing.

Cold dread clenched her insides as the reason she was fighting so hard came tumbling back down upon her and she slowly raised her head, stony faced, to look at Gary. He was smiling almost pleasantly, not looking at all perturbed when he casually recalled his unconscious Pokemon.

'Nice job, sweetie,' he said calmly. 'You won the first round.'

He scoffed as he withdrew his second Pokeball, spinning it effortlessly between his fingers. 'Let's see how much longer you can hold out against me.'

'Bring it, Gary,' Misty snarled, the rage at her degrading position rising rapidly. 'I'll take your best shot, so then when I beat you I'll know I'm truly better than you.'

Gary grinned, as if he found her rudeness amusing in some way. But before she could demand an explanation for his snigger he lobbed his second Pokeball of the day into the field below.

'Blastoise, go!' he shouted, as the large turtle Pokemon appeared in a flash of red light, bellowing threateningly.

Misty paused, momentarily wrong-footed. She cocked her head to the side as she stared at Gary's oldest Pokemon. There was nothing specifically wrong with Gary's choice – Blastoise was an experienced and powerful Pokemon, if she remembered its Silver Conference battle with Charizard correctly, and there was no way her tired Starmie could defeat such an opponent. But given her reputation as an all out Water Trainer, it seemed a little unusual that he should pick a same-type Pokemon to battle her. Challengers usually tried to capitalize on her Pokemon's well known weaknesses in their choice of Pokemon – it was rare she actually faced a Water Type.

Misty's temper flared as she hit on the most obvious reason. Gary must be trying to prove he knew more about Water Pokemon and thus made a better Water Pokemon Trainer. Well, she'd show him. She hadn't grown up in the Cerulean Gym for nothing.

'Get ready, Starmie!' Misty shouted, her nerves tingling. 'Swift Attack, now!'

'Blastoise, counter with Water Gun,' Gary retaliated lazily.

A fountain of water immediately burst from the two steel tipped water guns atop Blastoise's shoulders, and the jets of water collided mid-air with Starmie's starry Swift. Both attacks refracted under the force of the other, Starmie's Swift blasting out to Misty's right and Blastoise's Water Gun to the left, soaking a nearby trainer and his distressed Jigglypuff.

Misty breathed a sigh of relief. Although Starmie's own attack hadn't managed to cause any damage, she was happy her Pokemon had escaped the force of the Water Gun. She'd certainly been right about Blastoise's power.

'Blastoise, Rapid Spin!' Gary called.

Misty bit her lip nervously. This was something she hadn't considered when she'd questioned Gary's choice of Pokemon. Blastoise held an obvious and considerable size and strength advantage. It was clear that Gary was going to use that to finish her physically weakened Pokémon, instead of specialized Type attacks. She feared Starmie wouldn't be able to hold out much longer.

'Starmie, dodge it!' she cried urgently as Blastoise lunged forward, withdrawing its limbs into its shell and spinning into a destructive cyclone.

For the first time that day, Starmie did not respond. It stood motionless, quivering slightly under the strain of some unknown effort as its inner core began to glow a deep, purplish magenta Misty had never seen before. It made no indication that it knew inevitable destruction was almost upon it as Blastoise approached.

'Starmie!' Misty gasped in desperation as she cursed her own over-competitive nature.

I should have recalled Starmie, she thought frantically. I shouldn't have pushed it so far, I'm one battle up and there's no reason for me to be so cruel –

Misty blinked rapidly, her train of thought coming to a stuttering halt as she watched the startling events unfold on the field before her eyes. Blastoise was still spinning as it continued its attack, but instead of gaining speed and momentum, it seemed to be slowing down, its circular motion becoming oddly stiff, as if hindered by some invisible force. Misty stared, wondering wildly if she was seeing things, but it was unmistakable – the closer Blastoise came to Starmie the slower it moved. The lessening centrifugal force made Blastoise's limp limbs slip out of its protective shell, a frosty blue force field enveloping its body like a cloak.

Starmie twitched and Blastoise rose helplessly high into the air, bellowing as it writhed in agony and struggled for freedom. Misty stared from the trapped Blastoise to her straining Starmie and finally understood.

'Starmie!' she gasped as her Water Type trembled, its core beginning to blink and glimmer like an ambulance light. Pride and hope swelled like a balloon in her chest as she gaped at her Pokemon, trying to grasp the enormity of the event. Starmie had learned Psychic for her! All by itself, right when she needed it the most! She gazed fondly at her oldest friend, a sudden rush of affection melting the nerves and fury of the battle.

Misty snuck a glance at her opponent. Gary was staring intently at Blastoise, who was still suspended twenty feet in the air, his face carefully devoid of expression. Misty rejoiced, choosing to interpret Gary's smooth, blank look as shock, faltering confidence, self doubt, grudging admiration, and other entirely un-Gary emotions.

And just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. Starmie staggered as it struggled with exhaustion, and its momentary falter freed Blastoise from the confines of the attack instantly. As the shellfish Pokemon careened towards earth and met the ground with a terrific crash, Starmie keeled over backwards in a dead faint, its inner core continuing to flash feebly.

Misty didn't hesitate, throwing all the rules of Trainer conduct and self control out the window. She leapt over the rail of the Trainer's platform, and pounded up the dust of the battle field as she raced over to her fallen Pokemon.

'Starmie, I'm so proud of you,' she whispered as she cradled her dazed friend in her arms. 'You learned Psychic for me. You did awesome, my friend. Take a good long rest, cause you totally outdid yourself today.' And with a final, gentle hug Misty reached for the Pokeball on the belt of her skirt and recalled one of her oldest friends.

Misty rose smoothly and pointedly avoided looking at Gary. Instead of attempting to scale the front of the Trainer platform like a Mankey in a tree (she wasn't about to try that in front of Gary Oak – especially not in a skirt) she marched around and mounted the ladder to the top of the platform. She felt another giddy burst of pride as she dwelt on the events of the past battle, the happy recollections dissolving the stress and stakes of the wager. She could barely grasp the fact that she now owned and trained a Pokemon with competent Psychic abilities (Psyduck didn't fit into that category), and she could hardly remember the last time she was so pleased with one of her Pokemon.

However, when she gazed down into the field and saw that Blastoise had struggled to its feet, the weight of the stakes came crashing down upon her once more. Pride and delight in her Pokemon would have to wait. She had a battle to win.

'Corsola, go!' she cried. Her tough little half-Rock Pokemon materialized in a flash, its pale pink upper body glowing deep red in the Pokeball's flash.

'Spike Cannon, now!' she called, attempting to seize the offensive advantage over the tired Blastoise.

'Blastoise, Withdraw!' Gary shouted a little too quickly for his cool demeanor, causing Misty to smirk. She couldn't help feeling a little smug now, sure she had rattled Gary's cage a little. Seconds later though, she was left growling as Corsola's glowing white spikes ricocheted uselessly off Blastoise's diamond hard shell.

I should have seen that coming, she thought in chagrin. Shaking the thought, she tried again as Corsola cried out indignantly.

'Bubblebeam, Corsola!' she shouted as Blastoise began to unwrap itself from its shell. Corsola squeaked its approval, emitting a powerful stream of multicolored bubbles aimed at Blastoise's head.

'Blastoise, avoid the attack and use Hydro Cannon!' Gary shouted back.

Misty froze. Did he just say what I thought he said? She thought numbly. But Blastoise was powering up, and after barely dodging the painful stream of Corsola's attack, it drew itself up and unleashed two jets of curling water from its cannons, roaring from the strain.

Misty's mouth dropped open as she watched her enemy prepare its attack, and she had the sudden, wonderful urge to laugh. How could Gary, big shot Pokemon Trainer and boastful researcher extraordinaire, make such a fumbling, foolish, amateur mistake? Even the overzealous ten year olds that had once set out on the road with nothing but a starter level Pokemon and six empty Pokeballs knew that a key part of success as a Pokemon Trainer was to know your opponent's Pokemon's attacks and defenses, and prepare your own offensive and defensive accordingly. And Gary, who had spent the last three years and however many months researching Pokemon and their abilities, had clearly forgotten either this key rule or one of Corsola's signature moves.

Misty's smirk widened as she saw her opponent's defeat in her minds eye as clearly as if it was unfolding at that very moment. Gary had directed Blatoise to use its most powerful move, its special, a maneuver that guaranteed the destruction of its opponent – but at a cost. Blastoise would have to rest and recover after its use, leaving it vulnerable to attacks. And of course, Hydro Cannon would only succeed in taking down Corsola if the attack could reach it.

'Corsola, switch to Mirror Coat!' Misty said clearly, the glee ringing clearly in her voice as she anticipated the final stroke.

Corsola responded, its face twisted in concentration as it raised its arms and began to glow a pale, yellow gold. The torrent of undulating water blasted against the protective shield with a deafening crack, the jet changing directions as suddenly as if it had hit a brick wall.

Forced back under the power of the Mirror Coat, the water surged back towards Blastoise. Caught unawares and sapped of energy from the tumult of battle, Blastoise was engulfed in the swell of water and crashed to the ground, defeated.

Misty felt a heady thrill wash over her as she watched Gary recall his unconscious Pokémon. His face was still perfectly smooth ashe stared with unsettling intensity. She glared back, her eyes dark with satisfaction. Gary really should have known that Corsola could perform Mirror Coat, Misty thought smugly – she couldn't help wondering if he'd known or remembered Corsola's attack and simply taken a heavy risk in the heat of battle, or if that little part of Corsola's impressive arsenal had escaped him. But if he had known, why did he command Blastoise to execute an attack that was known to drain the user's strength immediately? Misty cackled to herself triumphantly. Gary might call himself a researcher but she still knew more about Water Pokemon than he did.

Hope swelled quickly in her chest as she ran the battle over in her head. Gary had just one more Pokemon, and her Corsola was still fresh. It was two to one, she realized, relief seeping through her tense limbs like hot liquid. There was no way she could lose this one now. Gary would have to stay true to his word and keep her secret – she'd make sure of that – and Ash would be hers for the keeping.

Misty stared confidently over at her suspiciously quiet opponent, the silence between them dripping with her victorious gloating. She felt invincible and vindictively smug; victory so close she could almost taste it. She'd done it. She'd won. She'd shown Gary she wasn't afraid to back down, and she was sure the underhanded prick would think twice about tangling with her again. And most importantly, she'd protected Ash when it mattered the most.

And then she caught sight of the gleam in Gary's eye as he fingered his last Pokeball, and her triumphant mood evaporated instantly, stony dread crunching into her stomach.

Gary's expression was positively dangerous.

As Gary raised his hand Misty leaned forward, seized with a sudden, threatening premonition of doom. She had to know what it was that was in that Pokeball which made her adversary so calm, collected, and clearly confident.

'Pokeball, go!'

The blinding flash of red cleared and Misty froze, her stomach twisting painfully as icy realization swept over her.

An Electivire.

Misty wanted to slap herself for being so cocky and stupid. She'd had no idea that Gary possessed such a powerful Electric Type Pokemon, and she could only surmise that he had obtained it in the years following his clash with Ash at the Silver Conference, which had been the last time she'd seen him before arriving at Pokemon High.

Misty's Pokemon were well-used to going up against Electric or Grass Types. Indeed, they were all her Pokemon ever seemed to face in Gym battles; as most amateur trainers assumed the only thing needed to beat the famed Water Leader of the Cerulean City Gym was a starter level Bulbasaur or Pikachu. Though it usually took but a few short and painful minutes to correct them of that foolish assumption, she doubted it would be that easy against a fully-evolved Elekid.

As she realized this, Gary stared at her with open, malevolent gloating, his face written with satisfaction. And with a humiliated jolt, Misty understood. She had fallen straight into his trap. He's fooled her into believing she could win, lulling her into a false sense of security and supremacy by carefully allowing himself to be beaten in the first two matches. He'd cruelly allowed her to hope, and now his final stroke would fall infinitely harder, slicing through her puffed up pride and dreams of saving Ash as well as her hopes for victory and triumph.

It no longer shocked Misty that Gary could be so cruel.

There was nothing left to do but work with what she had. There was no time to savor the last moments of hope, or scold herself any further for her presumptuousness. She could only hold her head high and do her best. She would not think about what was coming. If she did, she would fall apart.

Misty thought quickly, gripping the bar as her legs weakened beneath her. Electivire was, naturally, strong against Water attacks, and though it was not especially weak to Rock or Normal Types she knew using those attacks would lead Corsola to the most likely road to victory.

'Corsola, Spike Cannon!' she tried.

Corsola, who had been huddling rather nervously in the shadow of Electivire's looming figure and rather unsettling toothy smirk, shook off its fear and followed its Trainer's command, its spiky body glowing white as it released a barrage of needle-like pins.

'Protect, Electivire,' Gary called languidly, examining his fingernails with an expression of utter boredom. Misty's rage, which had been tempered by the pressing matter of the match and the hovering anguish that was certainly heading her way, bubbled to the surface like molten lava. She wanted to scream at him in a storm of fury and resentment to at least pay attention to the match. She wanted to rant and rage and howl the indignity of this thing he had forced upon her. She wanted to tear that smirk from his face for good with the well-measured razor sharp words for which she was famous. But she would not allow herself to speak. She would not give him an inch more, a drop more satisfaction. She would not allow him to see her agony. If she was to go down, she would go down with dignity.

Corsola's attack bounced hopelessly off the glowing green sphere that Electivire had summoned to protect itself, and before Misty could command another attack, Gary delivered his first assault.

'Electivire, Thunderbolt!'

It was an attack Misty had seen too many times to count, usually resulting in the "blasting off" of two interfering humans and their Meowth as they failed in their attempt to steal her best friend's prize Pokemon. And yet she had never seen one like this before – no more powerful than Ash's supercharged Pikachu, but with a certain kiss of death that left her cold inside.

'Corsola, Mirror Coat!' she tried desperately.

It was no use; the electric current simply melted straight through Corsola's glowing protective shield, unaffected by the defensive maneuver. Corsola was left blackened and smoking as the surge of electricity receded, too weak to block the next strike.

'Electivire, Thunder Punch!'

Misty watched in anguish as Electivire raised its arm, its tightly curled fist glowing and sparking with electricity. A second later the limb made contact with the side of her helpless Corsola, who fell back, engulfed in a wave of electricity. When the current finally receded, it was out cold.

'Corsola, return!' Misty called shakily, determinedly not looking at Gary. She did not want to see his face just now – or indeed ever again.

She was now left with an impossible choice, the fear of her impeding loss numbing the rage that hummed in her veins. Who would she send to a certain defeat? Had Gary seen her earlier match and thoughtless choice, and known she would be without the Pokemon that was her only hope of success against such an Electric Type? There was no way to tell. All Misty knew that without Gyarados this final battle went from difficult to impossible. Her fingers itched toward her favorite Pokeball, willing it to be ready for battle. Just this once, she told herself persuasively. Gyarados isn't that tired, it could take just one more match, it's strong and I need its Fire attacks, anything other than Water…

She sighed, allowing her fingers to ghost over the other spherical tools on her hip. Even in the face of certain defeat she couldn't do that to her prize Pokemon. And after letting Starmie strain so hard in the early part of the match she could not bear to see another of her Pokemon suffer for her – and she knew her job well enough to know it was a stupid idea to send a tired Pokemon into the most important battle of her life, even if it did give her Type equality.

Misty exhaled nervously as she mentally scrolled through her options, sparing a moment to be silently glad that she'd brought a strong team with her today. Misty usually used Training matches as a chance to work with her less experienced Pokemon – she hadn't really had a tough training match since her double battle with May against Ritchie.

'Politoed, go!' she shouted reluctantly. She hated to do it, but she had no choice - Politoed was the strongest Pokemon she had with her. Other than it she had nothing but her newly evolved Marril and her unusable Seaking to choose from.

'Politoed, Swagger!' she called immediately. Swagger always yielded unpredictable results – though it would leave Electivire confused and enraged it would also serve to boost her enemy's attack power, which could prove fatal for her poor Politoed. It was a risk, she knew, to use such a move, but it was a gamble she had no choice but to take – it was painful to admit it, but Politoed was no match for the Type-dominant Electivire. This way she had at least half a chance to deal her enemy a blow before the detrimental side to the attack kicked in. She would not think about what would happen after that.

Politoed obeyed immediately, striking a daunting pose as it crossed its arms and glared, its round green body glowing with an oddly reddish light. Electivire's eyes glimmered redder than ever as it let out a low feral growl, clearly incensed by Politoed's provocative stance. Misty stared at her Pokemon and the cocky expression she had ordered it to wear, and was uncomfortably reminded of her ever present opponent.

'Politoed, Mega Punch!' she called, shaking the thought.

Misty held her breath as Politoed sprang forward, its glowing fist raised. This was it – if this attack could get through, she might just be able to press her momentary advantage and by some act of kindness from whatever legendary Pokemon were watching over her, at least weaken Electivire's attack strength.

Politoed delivered a crushing blow to the side of Electivire's face, and for the briefest moment Misty thought she saw Gary's expression flicker from one of certain triumph to something a lot less cocky. Her stomach lurched. Perhaps Gary was not quite as self- assured of his victory as he made out to be.

But just as she allowed a tiny spark of hope to flare and flourish, Electivire sprang nimbly to its feet, its face alight with fury, and Misty knew her chances for success faded more with every passing moment. The horrific consequences of a loss bore down upon her like a shower of hail and drove her to her last, desperate effort.

'Politoed, Double Slap!'

'Electivire, Thunder!'

Politoed leapt forward bravely, undaunted by the menacing expression on its foe's face, but Misty already knew it was too late. She looked on in wretched helplessness as Electivire's electricity, summoned from the two sphere-tipped horns on the side of its head, collided with her Pokemon as it stepped forward. Politoed cried out in agony as the field of electrical energy enfolded it, sending it crashing to the ground.

'Politoed!' Misty cried worriedly.

Gary's face was unreadable. 'Finish it with a Shock Wave, Electivire!'

Misty gasped as Electivire roared vindictively, raising its hands as a shimmering sphere of blue-white electricity whirled around it. Electivire raised its hands and the sphere melted, blasting outwards in a jet of energy towards Politoed, who was struggling to its feet. It never saw the attack coming and was thrown back like a limp ragdoll, defeated in a match that it had never hoped to win.

There was a smothering, choking silence in the field as smoke curled languidly into the air from the blackened spots where Electivire had struck. Misty could hear the battle cries rising from the nearby fields, the earth shattering crashes and squeals of rage as attack met attack. All around her, the world went on, unaware.

Then Electivire roared its victory and Misty realized, with sudden, shocking clarity, that her life was over.

She gasped as her heart twisted with sadistic pain in her chest, tears seeping from under her eyelids as she fought to stay on her feet. It was over. The best friendship that had sustained her since she was ten years old; the one source of comfort in her years at the Gym, alone; her inspiration, her light, her laughter. It was all gone. She had failed herself at this most critical juncture, but more importantly, she had failed Ash. Things would never be the same and it was all her fault.

Images rose unbidden in her mind - Ash reeling in shock as Gary boasted the horrific news; Ash turning on her, his face contorted with pain and betrayal; Ash shouting cruel words, borne of a hurt she had never meant to inflict upon him; Ash's disgust when Gary let slip the secret that had forced her into accepting this wager in the first place…

No, it was not her fault. It was not her fault at all. It was Gary's fault, and no matter what it took, she would make him pay. Her eyes brimmed with vehemence as she stared at her defeater, tears still spilling silently down her cheeks. Gary had brought this upon her, and in doing so, he had brought something beyond his comprehension down upon himself. He would not escape unpunished.

He contemplated her from the other side of the field and seemed to decide that no words could encompass the entirety of his satisfaction at her loss and his gain, his eyes never leaving her as he recalled Electivire. She watched as he turned away, stepped slowly down from the Trainer platform and walked steadily out into the middle of the field.

Misty stumbled as she followed suit, trying to steel and shield herself from the pain this customary post match encounter would inflict upon her. She would not speak. She could not trust herself to that yet. She would lull him into a false confidence, just as he had done so viciously to her, so that when her revenge came it would be all the sweeter. She would give him no warning of what was to come – not now.

In the brief moments Misty was out of the range of Gary's gaze she hastily wiped her cheeks, pulling her clothes straight and wishing futilely that she still had Togepi to cradle in her arms. She could do with something to cling to just now.

But her pace was cool and measured as she walked towards Gary, who had chosen to linger in the middle of the field, her eyes staring fixedly at a spot inches above his head. He smiled lazily as she drew near, raising a hand for her to shake.

'Great match, Misty.' His voice was bright and airy but his eyes gleamed with mockery. Misty shuddered. 'You did awesome.'

Misty resisted the urge to smack him hard on the face and instead seized his hand, gave it one shake and dropped it again quickly, making to turn around and walk away. She could not bear to be in Gary's presence right now. Every second with him reminded her of her own failure, and she was not sure how much longer she could stay composed.

'I can't wait to tell Ash about this,' he called after her lightly. 'He's going to be so excited for me, isn't he?'

Misty hesitated, battling the urge to whip around and pour out the stream of curse words and death threats and rage pounding through her head, her fists clenching unconsciously. She gritted her teeth and stepped forward, refusing to give him the satisfaction of drawing a reaction.

'I told you, princess,' he continued silkily. 'No one can win against me.'

Misty felt something taut inside of her snap and she froze, wheeling around to face him. Her eyes narrowed dangerously and when she spoke her voice was rough and low and dripping with finality.

'I will.'

And with that, she turned sharply on her heel and strode away, leaving Gary in the dust of the battlefield as she went in desperate search of her best friend.

*****

Owari! How will Misty tell Ash? Will Ash lose his grip and kill Gary? Is Gary ever going to get the slap in the face he so richly deserves? You'll have to wait and see!

Well, once again I am so sorry this took so ridiculously long to get finished, but you will be pleased to learn that work is going extremely well on the latest chapter. It is coming up to Christmas so I probably will have less time to work but I will have the next installment up as soon as I can. Thanks for reading!

Review Replies:

If you are still reading this, you rock my world. To all my old reviewers – thank you for your unending patience, you have no idea how much it means to me that you are still reading this story. Your continued support, input and enthusiasm is just invaluable to me.

To new reviewers – I can't believe I am even still getting new reviewers. Your fresh feedback and overwhelming appreciation is so encouraging and helpful. Thank you all SO much, I cannot even begin to say how much I appreciate you all!