Chapter 2
Author's Notes follow at the end.
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She felt drunk.
She'd never really been drunk before. As a matter of fact, she'd never touched an alcoholic beverage. She'd eaten some of those little chocolate bottles with a tot of spirit inside them, but her still woozy mind didn't really think those qualified.
The hills around the town of Pallet watched in a detached fashion as the red-haired girl lay there, at 8 O'Clock in the morning, her unkempt hair showing the tell-tale signs of a good night's sleep, feeling drunk.
Never having been drunk before, she could really only guess as to what being drunk felt like. She'd read somewhere about the feeling of wooziness, as if some invisible force was holding one down. She'd read about the detached feeling, as if everything around her wasn't quite real and that at any moment she could suddenly wake. She considered pinching herself, but as the events of the previous night continued to demand attention in her sleep-addled brain she discounted the idea.
Inevitably, HE was the first real clear image.
Mind becoming more alert, her thoughts began to gather, using him as a focal point.
She'd run, and he'd come after her. She'd run to her secret place, the one she never told him about. He'd found her. Briefly, the issue of how exactly he'd found her crossed her mind. Footprints, maybe. Perhaps he'd reached into her mind with a hitherto unknown telepathic power. Perhaps the bitter tears she'd cried during her flight had left an ethereal trail of sorts, silvery markers glinting in the moonlight.
Or perhaps he'd just known her better than she'd ever have given him credit.
Deep down, she knew the how and why of it didn't matter. He'd come. In a display of the most un-Ashlike behaviour, he'd sat down and apologized to her. Not a false apology; but the sort generated by your heart screaming at you that you'd made a mistake. He'd said she was important to him.
Said he needed her. And beyond the clumsy words, she'd seen nothing but truth in those golden flecked eyes.
Unbidden, a phrase came to mind. And the Truth shall set you free....
* * *
Gary Oak, on the other hand, did not feel drunk.
Rather, as he splashed water over his face and peered at the bloodshot eyes that stared back at him in the mirror, he felt mildly hung over. His mouth felt dry his tongue seemed to stick to the roof of his mouth. "Ugh. I overdid it last night. Why'd May have to keep giving me that stuff, anyway?"
The black shape, which had been observing its master with some curiosity, narrowed its eyes in an expression of mirth.
[warned you.]
Gary turned to look at his friend with a sneer. "I didn't see you hesitating when she gave YOU some."
The Umbreon flashed him a grin. [not like you. can handle it]. Gary sighed, remembering some old adage about Pokemon taking on some of the traits of their partners.
"Huh! Well, next time i'll let you drink and wear the lampshade as a hat." Silence reigned for a few moments. Gary could tell the pokemon was gearing himself for something.
[you talked when drunk. talked much about it]. The creature managed to sound almost apologetic. Gary shambled over and scratched between the Umbreon's ears, and it responded by closing its eyes in contentment.
"Geez Blackie, don't worry 'bout it. You know you shouldn't listen to me even when I'm sober, definitely not when I'm wasted!" Gary tried to inject a levity into his tone he didn't really feel.
Blackie's tone became concerned. [seen it hurt you before. like in the days before].
He closed his eyes and gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Just forget it. We're not going to be ready for the next League final if you're worrying about me." This seemed to placate the Umbreon, but even as it turned to leave the room, Gary felt the familiar sense of self loathing wash over him. It was a bitter sensation, the type born of endless nights alone. The endless nights of hating himself for what he said, but unable to find any other way to cope with the pain. Pain borne of wanting something he could never have.
Winning had just made it worse, in a way. He'd hoped the victory would make it go away, but if anything, seeing what effect it had on his opponent underscored the sheer elation.
Still, Oak, no use dwelling on it. You could never expect him to understand.
He shook his head as if to banish the demons, and then left in search of some hot tea.
* * *
"Are you sure about this, Pikachu?"
The little rodent puffed out his chest and looked bombastic. [Never have I been in error]. He sobered a little, before adding [You know it is best].
Ash didn't attempt to contest that statement. He stared down at his shoes, something he could've done for a while, before taking a step forward.
This was it. Time to confront his demons. Time to bury the past and move on to fulfill his dreams.
He gave a tentative knock, barely audible, then spun around and started back down the path.
His next sentence was rushed. "Heh! Well, nobody here I guess, I'll come back later, maybe next we-WAAAAH" He didn't get to finish that statement, because Pikachu gave him a large jolt of electricity and he fell to the ground, smoking.
He lay in the dirt for a moment trying to collect himself, but the familiar sardonic voice came from behind him, causing him to shudder in barely repressed anger.
"Still can't control that Pikachu, can ya Ash?"
Still on the ground, Ash rolled over and stared at Gary. He was still dressed in his nightclothes, and his normally sharp eyes seemed a bit clouded and unfocused. He caught an almost imperceptible flash of consternation across his rival's face, but it left so quickly he swore he'd imagined it.
Ash pulled himself up and swept the dust off his clothing, the embarrassment burning at his cheeks while Gary's sardonic grin silently mocked him. He finally fixed a stare on the slightly taller boy.
Ok, you didn't come here to fight him. Just keep calm.
He pretended not to have heard Gary's comment. "Uh, hey Gary. You, uh, mind if I come in?"
Surprise flickered in Gary's eyes, then vanished. "Well, sure Ketchum. I'll let Blackie keep you company, just gotta get a robe."
Ash followed the Umbreon into the Oak's living room. He sat on the couch, oblivious to the venomous stares the Pikachu and the black creature were exchanging.
It's been years since I was here last. Looks like any normal room, I guess. Except.... His eyes swept across the room. The standard memorabilia was littered throughout - photographs, ornaments, a portrait. Much like the room in his own house. Except none of Gary's Pokemon awards. Not a badge, not a trophy, not a certificate.
Gary isn't the sort of person who plays down his victories. Neither am I. But why is there almost no trace of what he does here? Mom keeps my trophy in full view.....
Ash broke abruptly from his chain of thought as Gary came in and threw himself down on an opposing couch. "Well, Ash, since I don't think ya'd be here for a social call, why don't you get on with it? Some of us have real training to do."
Ash let out a long breath, determined not to rise to the bait. "Actually, Gary, I came here to.....well, uh, to say thanks, I guess." He was rewarded with a suspicious and slightly confused look. "After......what happened, you were a lot nicer to me than you have....err, uh, than you COULD have been. I just wanted to thank you, I guess."
Ash forced himself to meet Gary's gaze, watching in perverse fascination as a variety of emotions flittered across the other's face. Pride, surprise, suspicion, anger, pain. Pain? It didn't seem to honestly fit. For a moment they simply stared at one another, Gary's eyes boring into his. 'What do you want from me?' was the unspoken question reflected within, but Ash lacked the courage to say as much. Gary, however, felt no such hesitation.
"You aren't sure what it all means anymore. What you're doing. You're not sure if you can go on." It wasn't a question.
Ash wrenched his gaze from the other boy, unable to meet the harshness behind Gary's eyes as the words came out. Hey! Why'd he have to figure that out so quickly? That wasn't supposed to be how this goes! He simply moved his head in a barely noticeable nod of assent.
He'd expected derision, perhaps even mocking. Maybe pity.
He hadn't expected anger. No, fury was more like it. Gary had stood, his back to Ash, his fists balled. He was shaking in rage. For a second Ash thought he might snap and go berserk. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and dangerous.
"You listen to me, Ketchum. I don't care if you're hurting because you lost! You're being a big baby, Ash."
He turned, now towering over the seated Ash.
"I always knew you were a loser. That you couldn't handle being a Pokemon trainer! You're simply pathetic!" He began stalking around the table, but the anger in his face conflicted with a look of bitterness. He wrung his hands and then mopped his shaggy hair. Then he just stood for a moment, his face filled with an expression of bitter self loathing and self reproach, muttering to himself.
I don't get it. Normally he just insults me and then laughs in my face. Ash was more puzzled than anything else.
Gary spun quickly, his eyes suddenly taking on a look of hope. Hope, sadness, even empathy. Ash had been disturbed before, but that quickly gave way to shock.
"I got over it after I lost that first year in the League, Ash! You're......you're a strong trainer, too." The taller boy stuck out a hand, gripping Ash's shoulder. "Don't give it up because of this!"
Silence descended upon them both. Gary's face twisted into a sort of anguished smile, before suddenly jerking his hand away from Ash's shoulder as if he'd been burnt. His hand seemed to instantly gravitate to the yin/yang medallion he wore. Then, as quickly as before, his expression became bitter.
"Now get outta here, Ketchum! I'm too busy to waste my time with loser trainers!".
Ash backed out of the room slowly, as Gary just stood there with his eyes closed.
* * *
The two had snuck out while the boys talked - well, if Gary's vicious
admonishing counted as 'talking'.
The Pikachu was the one to break the silence, obsidian eyes peering
through the window.
[Yours is most perceptive. I did not think he would figure out
Pikapi that quickly].
The black and yellow lump let out a grunt as it stretched itself languidly out. [Yours is completely blind. He stumbles through everything. Cannot tell the most basic things about those around him.] The Umbreon snorted. [Like the girl with the fire hair.]
Pikachu gave a quick flick of his ears before flashing a grin. [It has.....resolved itself. I no longer worry.]
[I do not share your lack of concern where mine matters. It hurts him badly.] Blackie's tone became worried. [I cannot let him be hurt like this. Hurts more when yours is so thick-headed about everything].
The two said nothing for a while, a light breeze providing the only sound.
It was Pikachu who broke the silence. [They're still nothing but newly hatched Pichus. They know so much, yet they know nothing].
[They need us.] The umbreon's voice sounded tinged with contempt.
[And you know deep down, we need them]. The pikachu's comment ended that exchange.
The door opened, and Ash stumbled out of the house looking dazed. Pikachu leapt over to his friend's shoulder, settling into his normal perch.
As the boy turned back to head home, the Pikachu gave one final nod at the Umbreon , who returned it in kind. Age-old gestures of mutual respect between two adversaries after a respite, knowing that things would not be so cordial when next they met.
* * *
If they'd had faces, the Hills around Pallet town probably would've been smiling - content, lazy smiles. The ones borne of knowing that even though life marches on, for a few hours peace can be obtained. They'd have smiled down on the red-capped boy and the red-haired girl. The former pensive, the latter carefree, as each attended to their Pokemon in a sun drenched field of flowers.
Misty crouched, squatting in an ungainly fashion as she gazed upon the small egg-creature before her. It sat, staring intently a stone a few metres in front of it.
"Ok, Togepi. Just concentrate! You can do this!"
The baby pokemon began to strain as a light blue aura surrounded the stone, and the stone gave an unsteady wobble as it rose into the air, hovering a few centimetres before dropping back to earth with a thud.
Misty gave a small laugh and scooped the Pokemon up. "Great work, Togepi! I knew you could do it!"
"Togepri, prii!" it trilled happily, relishing the attention.
Misty sobered when she saw Ash. The poor boy was a near wreck, his attempts with Bayleef and Croconaw giving him nothing but a Psyduck-esque headache.
"Waaah! Bayleef, no! Wait until I throw it before using your vine whip!". He began waving the small target disk above his head. This, however, succeeded only in drawing the attention of his bored Croconaw, who suddenly broke out of his daydream and fired at the targets, assuming it was his task.
The spray of water managed to hit Ash fully in the face, and Misty winced as he was hurled back a few metres into the bushes. Croconaw and Bayleef exchanged embarrased glances before scuttling over to the other end of the small meadow.
Ash pulled himself unceremoniously out of the hedge, wet and covered in leaves. Misty couldn't help but giggle, desperately trying to stifle her laughter at the sight.
Ash gave a scowl, stalking over to her and then simply dropping to the ground.
Life isn't being very fair today. First Gary, now this. Why can't it just make sense?
He felt a small hand grip his shoulder, and turned his head to see Misty giving him a smile. She'd done a lot of that this morning, he'd noticed, but he was long past caring about that. It was just enough that she did.
"Look Ash, I think we need a break right about now." She gestured to a small overhang about thirty metres above the edge of the meadow. "Why don't we take our lunch up there. I bet the view is wonderful!". She swept her hand to the east, where grey clouds were busy gathering on the far horizon. "If we don't go now it'll rain, and you're damp enough as it is".
She hoisted him up by the arm, slowly dragging him. He sighed and recalled his Pokemon. Maybe she was right, though. A brief break might let him forget about the fact that he couldn't even train his Pokemon. That he didn't belong here, doing this.
* * *
A/N: The perceptive will notice that there is a very large gap between chapters, time-wise. This chapter wasn't supposed to end so abruptly, but i've posted a short version of it because it needed posting - its been on my harddrive for about 7 months :P
A VERY big thank-you to everyone who reviewed the first chapter. Apologies to those of you who got fed up waiting for the next installment. The reasons why are complicated but to make a long story short, I couldn't summon the emotional reserve needed to actually continue writing - I know where things are headed, but right now it'd be just splashing words on a page in a mechanical fashion, which is a waste of time.
Finally, there will be another installment or two, but I can't promise
when. Sorry to keep you all hanging :P