21. A Gible In The Hand

Chapter 21. A Gible In The Hand.

Summary. Ash was discharged from hospital, while Jim and Cynthia made it to the next round.

"Pikachu, Iron Tail." Ash gave the order, before leaning against Snorlax. He was heavily out of breath, even after only ordering a few attacks.

Pikachu's tail started to glow with a white light, before it slammed it down on Heracross' horn. Heracross rubbed it angrily, before yelling at Pikachu in the universal language.

"Easy Heracross." Ash said, before bursting into a coughing fit.

Pikachu looked at him with concern before being hit from behind with a Mega Horn attack. It fell to the ground, before turning to Heracross and angrily zapping it with electricity. It was Heracross' turn to fall to the ground and start twitching.

"Stop!" Ash coughed, as Torkoal and Sceptile tried to break it up, but ended up fighting each other.

Sceptile roared as it was badly burned by Torkoal, before hammering down on its shell with Leaf Blade. He looked at Snorlax, who had a strange look in its eyes, before flopping down on Ash with all its weight, breaking every bone in his body.

Ash awoke instantly. He hoped that this feverish dream was the last. He instantly felt under his pillow, for the item that he had asked Brock to get him, and slipped it in his pocket.

As he got out of bed, he felt a lot better though. He could at least walk without help, which was an improvement. He staggered into the bathroom, hoping that he could resume his training.

As he came out, he heard a knock on the door. Ash opened it to see May stood there with a bag.

"Hi." She said. "Are ya hungry?"

"Actually, I am." Ash replied, as May handed him the bag.

"Chicken sandwich with extra salad."

Ash made a face.

"I'm joking about the salad."

Ash quickly smiled.

"You're the best."

"Hey, you should know that by now." May grinned. "How are you feeling?"

"I'll be better when I've eaten." Ash replied, as he took a bite out of the sandwich. "This is great!"

"How great is it?" May asked, with a sly smile, as she and Ash sat down on his bed.

"Pretty good." Ash replied.

As he finished the sandwich, Ash threw the bag at the bin, and missed, before turning to May.

"May, you've done so much for me. Not just since we got here, but since I first met you. I wished that I had realised back then what I know now."

A strange beeping started to erupt from Ash's bag.

"What is that?" Ash asked, forgetting what he was going to say to May for the moment.

May looked puzzled for a moment, before a sign of recognition passed on her face.

"The egg!" She said, urgently.

Ash instantly went for his bag and pulled the container holding the egg out. Through the glass, he could see the shell cracking, and he forced it open quickly, putting the egg on the bed.

"What do you think it is?" He asked.

A bright light burst from the egg, and as it faded, Ash's new Pokemon appeared.

"What is that?" May asked, taking her Pokedex out.

"Gible. The Land Shark Pokemon. It nests in small, horizontal holes in cave walls. It pounces to catch prey that stray too close.

Gible was a small grey Pokemon with a fin on its head, as well as two torpedo shaped ears. It stood on two legs and had two small arms, as well as a large mouth.

"Wow." Ash exclaimed. "My very own Gible. He's so cute."

Ash started to tickle Gible's nose with his finger.

May instantly knew what a stupid idea that was, and the scream of pain a few seconds later proved her right.

"Owww!" Ash shouted. "Son of a bit..."

"Not in front of the kid!" May said, threateningly, before she and Ash burst into laughter.

They suddenly stopped when Gible vanished.

"Hey, what gives?" Ash yelled.

"It'll have gone to the PC." May replied, rolling her eyes.

"I best go get it." Ash answered, as he threw his jacket on.

After swapping Snorlax for Gible, Ash held the upset Pokemon against his chest.

"There there, I'm sorry about that." He said, comforting it. "Sorry. My name is Ash, and what is yours?"

"Gible!" Gible said, happly.

"Really, is your name Gible?" Ash asked, tickling it under the chin. He quickly withdrew his finger before Gible could bite him.

"I can't believe how strong your Bite is." Ash said, stroking the fin instead. "I hope we can spend a lot of time together."

Pikachu jumped on his shoulder and smiled at Gible.

"This is my friend, Pikachu." Ash said. "And the girl over there is May."

Ash pointed to May, who was getting some new Pokemon out of her computer.

"Isn't she wonderful." Ash said, as Gible laughed. "I love her, because she brought us together."

May watched Ash and Gible, before becomming aware of Misty stood next to her.

"What do you want?" She asked.

"Nothing." Misty replied. "I was just calling Lola to check on the Cerulean Gym."

"I'm just getting my Venusaur and my Skarmory to help Ash train." May said. "Look at him with his new Pokemon."

Misty looked over at Ash and Gible. Ash was throwing Gible into the air, and catching him before he hit the ground.

"Ash has always loved Pokemon." Misty remarked. "I remember when he caught his first Pokemon. God, I hated that Caterpie." She paused. "Was Gible in that egg you got him?"

"Yes." May replied, as Ash started spinning Gible around.

Misty turned to May. Both of them turned their back on Ash.

"How is he?" She asked. "I heard he was in hospital, but they wouldn't admit me, because I'm not a family member. I was going to sneak in, but Gary advised me not to."

"Gary?" May said. "Are you two..?"

"Yes." Misty replied. "I thought I hated him when I travelled with Ash, but there was a certain sense of bias there. I saw him in Vermillion City, and wanted to hate him so much, but when I saw him walk into the Pokemon Centre, I just became so attracted to him, I wanted to rip his clothes off right there. Then I saw a couple of his battles, and he does it with such passion and intensity. Not like Ash, who wings it to the point of making everyone cry."

"Ash doesn't wing it." May protested. Behind her, Ash was throwing Gible in the air again. However, he nearly dropped him this time, and Pikachu had to scamper over to stop Gible from landing on the floor. "He does a very responsible job. I've been training with him, and he really has developed a strategy for dealing with his next opponent."

"Wow, you really must be having an effect on him." Misty replied.

As May finished speaking, Gible got tired of being thrown in the air, and blasted a wave of fire from his mouth, nearly burning Ash.

"Holy crap!" Ash shouted, as he jumped back to avoid being burned. "You can use Flamethrower."

Gible looked mildly amused.

"What other attacks do you know?" Ash asked.

Gible looked at him, curious.

"Ash!" May scolded. "Don't you even think about using that Gible against Olly."

"I wasn't." Ash protested. "I'm probably not going to use Gible at all in this tournament. It might be too much for him. Hello, Misty."

"Hi Ash." Misty replied. "Still busy winging it?"

"As always." Ash grinned. "Have you ever known me do anything else?"

Misty gave May a sarcastic grin, causing May to go red with embarrassment.

"First hit to the torso wins." Ash said.

"Venusaur, take the stage!" May shouted.

May's Venusaur appeared.

"I know how to do this." Ash grinned. "Sceptile, I choose you!"

Ash sent Sceptile out.

Gible and Pikachu were watching nearby.

"Sceptile, Quick Attack."

"Stop it with Vine Whip."

Sceptile charged at Venusaur, but was stopped by two powerful vines.

"Cut through with Leaf Blade." Ash shouted.

Sceptile created two blades on its forearms, and hacked through the vines, freeing itself.

"Now use Bullet Seed!"

"Counter with a Razor Leaf."

Sceptile fired a barrage of seeds from its mouth. Venusaur countered with several powerful leaves, which cut through the seeds.

As Ash and May were busy battling, Gible got up and walked away. Pikachu didn't notice.

"Venusaur, Earthquake."

"Hide in the trees."

Venusaur raised its two front legs off the ground and sent a shock wave at Ash's Sceptile who jumped into a nearby tree to hide.

"Now, I know where you are." May grinned. "Use Leaf Storm."

Ash groaned, as Venusaur sent a huge amount of leaves into the tree where Sceptile had vanished to. However, when the leaves stripped the tree bare, Sceptile was nowhere to be seen.

"Where did it go?" May asked.

"Leaf Blade." Ash said, very deliberately.

Sceptile jumped out of another tree and landed a solid blade attack on Venusaur's plant.

"Looks like I win." Ash remarked.

"Well done." May replied. "Are you planning on using Sceptile against Olly?"

"Well, he has an Empoleon, so if he uses that then it might be a good choice."

"You can't rely on that though." May said, seriously. "I saw his Empoleon battle Paul's Torterra, and it is a strong Pokemon."

"Well, no matter how strong it is." Ash replied. "I can always use Pikachu if it comes down to it. Right buddy."

Ash looked over at where Pikachu was sat.

"Hey, where's Gible?"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest, a woman, a man and a Meowth were sneaking towards a trainer, who was meditating with his Pokemon.

"This guy has powerful Pokemon." Jessie said, under her breath.

"We swipe them, and we'll be rich." James followed up.

"Foiget dat." Meowth continued. "We'll give them to da boss, and then we'll all get promoted. And I'll be da top cat."

"No fantasy, Meowth?" James asked.

"Not dis time, let's just get dem." Meowth shouted, as he charged out of the bush and towards the trainer. However, he was stopped short by a barrier.

"Oww, dat hoit." He muttered, as he crashed to the ground. "My nose."

"You don't have a nose." Jessie reminded him, as she and James dragged him away.

As they were dragging Meowth away, a small grey Pokemon walked in front of them.

"Huh?"

"Is that?"

"A Gible." Meowth grinned. "We can give this to da boss."

"How is that going to work?" James asked.

"Well, when the boss gets into the office, on a hot day, ready for a hard days woik, he can sit at his desk with the fan on. But, oh no. It blows all his valuble documents over da joint. Da boss can't woik out what to do, until he see's Gible. Then he plonks Gible down on da surface top, and it stops da papers from blowing over da joint. And who will he think of? I'm so glad that Meowth and friends gave me this unique poipa weight that I'm going to give dem huge raises and a seat on da board."

Jessie and James looked at each other, before shrugging.

They turned to see that Gible had gone.

"This is all your fault Meowth." Jessie screamed, kicking him in the head.

"You and your big mouth." James said, angrily.

"Look, instead of beating down on me, let's go find it." Meowth yelled.

Jessie and James stepped away from Meowth, before looking for Gible.

"Gible!" Ash shouted. "Where are you?"

"Gible." May yelled, as her Skarmory flew down. "Did you manage to find Gible?"
Skarmory shook its silver head, before Heracross flew down.

"Did you find anything?" Ash asked. Heracross gestured in the direction it had just come. "Then let's go."

Ash, May and Skarmory followed Heracross into the woods.

"Dere it is." Meowth exclaimed, as the trio saw Gible running around in a clearing. "Lets grab it and run."

Jessie and James ran over to Gible. James picked it up.

"This was easy." He remarked.

"Almost too easy." Jessie said.

Gible looked at James, before blasting him with flames.

"Ahhhhhh!" James screamed, as he ran around with his hair on fire.

"I guess old Meowth'll have to grab da little rat." Meowth muttered, as he walked over to Gible.

Gible bit down on Meowth's tail, causing the Scrath Cat to run around in agony.

"Get it off!" He yelled, in pain.

"Gible!" Someone yelled.

"Oh nuts." Meowth said, as Gible ran in the direction of the voice.

A few moments later, Ash and May came into the clearing.

"There you are." Ash said, as he picked Gible up. "Where did you run off to?"

"So it's your Gible." Jessie remarked.

"Team Rocket!" Ash and May said.

"What are you guys doing here?" May asked.

"You didn't hurt Gible, did you?" Ash asked, as he cradled the Land Shark to his chest. He could feel Gible trembling.

"Dat crazy Gible managed to beat us into mulch." Meowth exclaimed.

"We are going to take it from you by force." James said, angrily.

"Seviper."

"Carnivine."

Jessie and James sent out their battling Pokemon.

Ash and May looked at each other.

"Skarmory, Aerial Ace on Carnivine."

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt on Seviper."

Pikachu and Skarmory launched their attacks, knocking the Rocket's Pokemon away.

"Meowth, use Fury Swipes." James said.

"Gible, Flamethrower."

Gible jumped down from Ash's shoulder, and blasted Meowth with fire.

"Can we just run off, before you send us blasting off?" James asked.

"We're running off again!" They shouted, as they vanished into the forest.

Ash rolled his eyes, as he crouched down next to Gible.

"Are you okay?"

Gible nodded, before licking Ash.

Ash laughed, as Gible jumped in his arms.

May scratched Gible's fin, causing it to close it's eyes in happiness.

"He likes you." Ash exclaimed.

"He should do." May replied. "I used to talk to him when I was transporting the egg over."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What did you used to say?"

May went slightly red. "It's nothing."

"Go on." Ash said.

"Well." May began. "I used to talk to the egg about you."

"Me?"

"Yes. I used to talk about how wonderful you were, why I cared so much about you, how much you loved your Pokemon, and what a great person you are."

Ash felt a few tears come to his eyes.

"So Gible would be a symbol of our love." He remarked causally.

"If you want to put it that way, then yes."

Ash reached into his pocket, feeling for the item.

"Do you really think you can do this?"

"I can." Ash said.

"Well, I asked my Dad to send one over." Brock replied, as he held his hand out. "Made from the finest rock in the Pewter City Gym. I only hope that she likes it."

Ash took the offered item, before holding it up to the light.

"It looks good." He remarked. "Thanks buddy."

"Hey, what are friends for." Brock said, as he clapped Ash on the shoulder. "Maybe you can accomplish what I never could."

"That would be a miracle." Ash replied, with a grin, as he closed his hand and pictured May's smiling face. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."

"Can't comment." Brock quipped. "I feel that way all the time."

"I just hope that she feels the same way about me." Ash said, as he reached into his pocket, and handed Brock some money.

"She does." Brock replied, as he counted it. "She told me the story of her love for you. It started when she first saw you and Pikachu together, and how much you cared for it."

"I know." Ash said. "But part of me has a doubt over it."

"Let me know how it goes." Brock said, as he picked his jacket up.

"Brock!" Ash called. His friend turned. "You don't think I'm rushing into things, do you?"

"Do what you always do." Brock replied. "Rush into something without considering the consequences."

"I'm trying to stop doing that!" Ash shouted, as Brock walked out.

"Well, what I guess I'm trying to say is..."

"Aaaaaaahhhhh!" Team Rocket exclaimed, as they ran back into the clearing. Chasing them, was a Garchomp.

"Haven't you guys given up yet?" Ash shouted, exasperated.

Garchomp swooped down, and tried to grab Jessie by the hair.

"Knock it off, you overgrown Gible!" She yelled. "Yanmega, Sonic Boom."

Jessie threw another Pokeball, sending out Yanmega. It sent a shockwave at Garchomp, which barely fazed it.

"Flamethrower." Someone ordered.

Garchomp blasted Yanmega with flames, knocking it out instantly.

"Now use Dragonbreath."
Garchomp blasted Yanmega, and Team Rocket, sending them blasting off into the stratosphere.

"Where did that Garchomp come from?" Ash asked, as its trainer walked into the clearing.

It was Olly.

"Excellent job, Garchomp." He said, as the Mach Pokemon landed next to him. "That'll teach those thieves a lesson."

"Olly!" Ash said.

"Hey Ash, May." Olly said, as he walked over. "I didn't know you were here. How are you feeling, Ash?"

"Better." Ash replied. "I'm sorry about missing the battle."

Olly raised a hand. "No problem. Nice Gible."

Ash looked at Gible. "Thanks."

Olly's Garchomp was looking at Gible in a very strange way, before starting to sniff and lick it.

"Knock it off." Ash said, as Olly looked at Gible with a strange look.

"Can I see Gible for a second?" Olly asked.

"Why?" May asked.

"Just something I want to check out." Olly replied.

Ash held Gible out. Olly took a pair of glasses out of his pocket, and examined Gible.

"Interesting." He muttered.

"What is it?" Ash asked.

"Where did you get this Gible from?"

"I got it from a breeding center in Kanto." May replied. "Is there something wrong."

Olly grinned. "Not at all, but there is something I need to tell you about that Gible."

"What?"

Olly took a cell phone from his pocket. "All in good time, but someone else needs to be here."

He dialled a number, before saying a few words into the receiver.

"I'm in the clearing in the forest. Come here, quickly."

A few minutes later, there was the sound of beating wings, and another Garchomp landed in the clearing. On it's back, was Cynthia.

Her Garchomp was in a bad shape, it had several scrapes, bruises and scratches on it's body.

"Cynthia?" Ash said, confused.

"Hello Ash, Olly." Cynthia replied. She spied the Gible in Ash's arms. "I see."

"What is going on?" May asked.

"You are..?" Cynthia asked.

"May."

"Well May." Cynthia said. "We have a story to tell you."

"Do you want to tell them, or me?" Olly asked.

"I'll begin." Cynthia replied. "A couple of months ago, we met in the Survival Arena."

"We had met before, a long time ago." Olly said.

"We had a battle, and it ended up being Garchomp vs Garchomp." Cynthia noted. "Then something happened. Something strange."

"Our Garchomp fell in love."

Ash was stunned.

"After the battle, Cynthia stayed in my cabin for a bit, while our Garchomp had some time together."

"Then, we discovered that they had left an egg."

"An egg?" May said.

"We decided that the offspring of two powerful Garchomp would be powerful, so we decided to put the egg up for adoption so it didn't have pressure placed upon it, by being owned by either Olly, or myself."

"You left it at the breeding centre?" Ash asked.

"I did." Olly replied. "We thought it was the best thing to do. Gible would hopefully have ended up with a kind and caring trainer and gone on to become powerful in its own right, without the pressure that comes with being near the parent."

"What makes you think that this is the one?"

"It's either that, or coincidence." Olly replied.

"Ash." Cynthia said. "Whether or not, it is the offspring of these two Garchomp, I have faith that you will treat Gible with love and respect."

"Thanks, Cynthia." Ash replied. "I will treat Gible with love."

"Then, it is a good thing you got it." Olly said.

"Can you hold Gible for a moment?" Ash asked, giving it to Cynthia. "I need to do something important."

Ash walked over to May.

"May. I can't think of how to say this properly, but you have been so great over the last few days, helping me when I was sick, helping me train, and generally being there for me. I love you, and I know now that you love me as well. I know that words mean only so much, but maybe I can convince you that we belong together."

Ash took May's hand, and gazed deep into her brown eyes. He would have been uncomfortable with both Olly and Cynthia watching them normally, but he had been interrupted twice already and he was detemined to get it out.

"May Maple." Ash said, letting go of her hand. "You make me feel special. I wish I had known then, what I know now. If that had been the case, I could have awoken to your smile every morning. I could have told you how much I love you everyday. But I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I can only hope you feel the same way."

He slowly reached for his pocket, feeling for the item.

He sank down to one knee, before holding the ring in front of her. He could see the light in her eyes, as he started to speak.

"Will you marry me?"

Author's Notes. I didn't feel like putting a huge battle in this chapter. So instead, I chose to do this instead. Cue suspense and music

So Ash has a Gible. Stranger things have happened.

As previously said, I want this to be about more than just battles. I couldn't face writing one though in this chapter, so I came up with this.

Thank you so much to everyone wishing me the best after my misfortune.

I feel a bit better after that, so I came up with a new chapter. If I'm typing, I feel less sad, as I'm focused. I'm also a fast typer, so I came up with this. I'm coping though, so more chapters will be coming up.

The battles will resume in the next chapter. I hope.

There were two endings for this chapter. The one used, and then there was one which ended with Gible going on a mad rampage.

Will May accept Ash's proposal?

Find out soonish

Thanks to the people who have reviewed.

Don't forget to review.