Author's notes: I would like to first extend special thanks to Serverus'
Potions Mistress, Tiffanylm, Thunder Mouse Pikachu, Arcanine Gal 242, and
whoever signs their anonymous name as Ash and Misty forever for giving me
the information I requested about the part of what AAML and AAMRN mean. For
the RN part I suspected that that's what it meant, but I couldn't be too
certain. I'd also like to even extend that thanks farther to Serverus'
Potions Mistress, Tiffanylm, and Thunder Mouse Pikachu for giving me the
information of what statements like Pokeshipping were. Also I would like to
have that thanks also extend a little to Ash and Misty forever for at least
trying to think of what it meant; even though the information that I
received varied a little. It was quite helpful. Thank you all for that
information. Now, I remember noting that Ash was going straight to the
final battle because he didn't lose a battle to not be the champion, he was
replaced due to circumstances that was beyond his control. I just wanted to
clear that up for those who were wondering about that. Anyway, I've delayed
getting to chapter 13 long enough. Her it is and please enjoy!
*
Ash was very uncomfortable telling Misty this. He didn't want to hurt her at all, but he knew that he would hurt more if he didn't. Ash could tell that this was really hurting Misty just by seeing the pain in her eyes. He was certain that his eyes were reflecting the same thing, even though he couldn't see it. It was times when they were alone that she seemed most willing to show what she considered weakness. In truth Ash knew that he was her greatest weakness, but he wondered if that also meant that he was one of her greatest strengths because of that. He at least hoped that was the case. The main thing that he couldn't tell Misty was that he wasn't certain if he would want to live with her the rest of his life or with Marin. He knew that he loved Misty with his heart, but he knew that he was unconsciously making room in his heart for Marin.
He didn't want to, but he knew that he already had. Yet, everything else that he wasn't telling Misty were things that either he wasn't certain about or that he hadn't fully been able to remember. Like he thought that there was a memory about him having a Tentacool as a friend, but he wasn't certain. He really didn't want to tell Misty about that, as he remembers what his comments about Tentacool when he first met up with some. Another point was he thought that he met up with Team Rocket, but wasn't at all certain about that if it actually happened or if all the times that he met with them combined into him thinking that he was doomed to keep on meeting up with them. However he had to admit that they hadn't met up with Team Rocket while they were traveling throughout Johto.
Ash felt a stray tear slide down his cheek as he wondered how Misty was taking this. He wanted to be there for her, but couldn't bring himself to ask her how she was feeling while he knew that he was keeping things from her himself. Misty moved her hand and reached for Ash's face and tentatively touched the tear with her forefinger and began to trace the tear trail up back to his eye where it came out, then moved her hand back to where it was before. "I-" Misty started, but couldn't seem to get the words out, but tried again after swallowing once. "I'm glad that you told me. I understand that this is how things have worked and I want you to know that no matter what you decide or choose to do I will still love you and be there for you." Misty took a deep breath before continuing, "I'm sure that you have a lot of things that you can't tell, but I want you to know that you have my full support whatever you do and whoever you choose."
Ash was relieved to know that Misty understood that he hadn't told her everything, but was caught off guard by her telling him that she would continue to support him whoever he chose. He had no clue to what she was talking about, but she could be talking about an impossible possibility. I have no intention of leaving Misty just like I didn't have one with Marin, Ash told himself, not realizing exactly what he was telling himself.
About an hour later, they left Ash's room and made their way to the awards ceremony that was announced at that time. Afterwards, they went to the party together and had to laugh as they saw Brock trying to get ANY girl to dance with him even just for a moment. Ash and Misty danced through several of the dances, but also took time to interact with others at the party. However, throughout the party, Ash could not find Gary and wondered where he had gone. Yet, Ash didn't think much on it and focused on enjoying the party. When they were done and alone in Ash's room again, Ash asked Misty to ask Professor Oak to send his daughter a Pokedex, as she would need one when she began her journey. Misty agreed to help, knowing why he wanted her to do it. If he asked, and the media found out about it, then there would be a lot of attention focused on it and neither wanted anyone to have that happen, especially when they were just begging to go on their journey.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Gary had left the Indigo Plateau when the awards ceremony was over. He didn't want to stay for the party, as he didn't really feel comfortable there. While he was in Cherrygrove city, he had learned about how Ash had lived for eight years with the name Yellow, as he couldn't remember his real name. The most disturbing part of all the chain of events was that Marin Navarne was also married to someone else named Yellow. Although, this Yellow had blonde hair and gray-green eyes, the coincidence was just too much for Gary. Gary also wanted to find out about Ash's daughter, Misty, and help her out on her journey.
Gary knew that she wouldn't be leaving for at least a year and a half, so he figured that he would go into training near there and maybe asking Marin Crystal for lodging while he was around. Gary also would offer to help with whatever chores that needed his help. Gary wanted to get to know what kind of person Ash was when he didn't know who he was. Gary wanted to learn that, with as few people knowing who Yellow Crystal really is. All that people knew that he was, was someone who had been going around, asking where Ash Ketchum was. They didn't need to know what connection Ash and that Yellow had.
However, as Gary was leaving, he noticed Team Rocket trying to hide from his view while he passed and failing miserably. He decided to confront them, so as to not let them ruin the party. "What do you want!?" Gary called out.
Gary could see that one of the hidden figures started to stand, but was pulled back down. He couldn't see who they were from this angle, but guessed that they were Jessie and James. The same two who caused him to lose Ash when he had finally found him. He could hear them talking, although it was obvious that they were trying to keep him from hearing them. "Get back down! He's just calling out to someone else!"
Gary then knew it was confirmed that it was Jessie and James. They owed him for causing him to lose Ash, even though Ash had been found, they still owed Gary for causing Ash to lose his memory again. Gary felt no need to let them burst out their stupid introduction thing and decided to pay them back justly. He brought out his Arcanine and whispered in his ear to run over Jessie and James. Five moments later, Jessie and James were in serious pain, but not fatal pain. Gary then decided to leave then. He had his revenge and Team Rocket wouldn't ruin the party. Gary was content with leaving them there.
Ten days later, when Gary phoned in to his grandfather, Gary was completely surprised by his grandfather's reaction. "Where have you been, Gary?!" Professor Oak raged.
"I- I don't know that you had to know," Gary replied, a little numb from the shock of seeing his grandfather so upset.
Professor Oak seemed to calm down a little, but it didn't seem like much. "I expected to return with Ash, Misty, and Brock!" Professor Oak paused for a moment when he was electrocuted, but then continued, "And Pikachu."
"I don't see why I had to come back, gramps!" Gary snapped, angry that his grandfather felt like Gary was still a child.
Professor Oak seemed taken aback when Gary snapped at him. Apparently, Prof. Oak didn't expect Gary to react that way. Gary could see his grandfather make a real effort to calm down. Gary was really surprised to see that, but was glad for the change. The Professor being upset really wasn't how his grandfather usually acted and Gary wasn't too used to it. "Well, anyway, I want you to come by the lab so I can let you what I need you to do. By the way, you're heading to Johto, right?"
Gary nodded, not completely sure that this was really a good thing. "Yes, I was planning on going that way."
"Great! If you get here soon, then I can get the package on the way. Oh! Was there anything else that you wanted to talk to me about?" Prof. Oak asked.
"No, I just wanted to see how things were going," Gary answered, not really sure why he called in the first place.
"Well, I'll then see you when you get to Pallet, okay?"
"Fine. I'll see you then," Gary replied, hanging up and then deciding to just quickly get there so that he could get it out of the way. Then he could do what he chose to do and didn't have to have anything expected of him, other than to train and possibly find a semi-job to pay for his upkeep.
In the morning, Gary flew over to Pallet and quickly got over to his grandfather's lab. When he got in there, he saw Ash and Misty talking to the Professor. He quickly walked over. They stopped talking shortly after Gary arrived and when Gary knew that he had an opening, he asked, "So, what is it that you wanted me to take?"
"Ah Gary! I need you to take this you a young girl who is working on being a Pokemon trainer near Cherrygrove city. Misty asked me to do this. I thought that it would be nice to have more trainers in the world. This should help her out."
"So, who is she?" Gary asked, confused. Why could Ash go deliver it? Gary understood why Misty couldn't, though Gary knew that his grandfather also had several assistants that could easily have taken it there. So, Gary figured that they must not want any of the media to know that they were doing this. In that case, Gary knew that he would need to know who it was that he would take it to them.
"Misty Crystal," Misty answered.
Gary caught his breath. No wonder they didn't want the media to find out. It could really cause the pokemon orphanage to get a lot of unnecessary attention. Also, with Misty beginning her journey in two years, the last thing that she'd need would be to have the reporters following her around. That would really make it difficult to train. Although Gary was planning on going over there, he knew he didn't want them to know, so he decided to do what he could to throw them off track of what he had initially intended to do. "What's in it for me?"
Misty, Professor Oak, and Ash all sighed. It had been a long time since Gary had acted this way, but they figured that he would eventually become like this, or so Gary hoped they were thinking. "Fine, what additional Pokemon would you like?" Prof. Oak asked.
"Well, you do have one of the legendary pokemon around right?" Gary asked.
Professor Oak nodded. "Yes, but you know that I have them here for a chance to study them. They are not fit for battle."
"I know that. But I also know that they have an egg. I want that," Gary told them. With a lot more arguing, Professor Oak relented and agreed to give Gary the Articuno egg. Gary was satisfied with that. When Gary was leaving, he smiled to himself. That was so much easier than when he had initially started to train. He knew that they would have been suspicious of him if he agreed to take the Pokedex to Misty Crystal or Ash's daughter without him asking for payment. Gary smiled to himself as he made his way to Johto, and where his friend's daughter lived.
*
Author's Notes: I figured that that was a good enough place to stop. It has a nice end feel to it and so I thought that it would be a good place to stop for a little. Now, the current vote is still 8 ½ and 1 ½. Of course Ash being with Misty is still in the lead of being first. If anyone is confused by that last bit, you'll eventually find out. Anyway, I'm thinking of ways to make Ash's life much worse by combining things that he didn't like in the beginning when he started to train as well as things that he didn't like during the nine years that he was gone. One example is how he didn't seem to like bugs during the time he was missing as I noted in chapter 11. If there is anything that you think I should add to the list, please suggest it in a review. If not, I can try to come up with a few more things, but I haven't seen too many episodes, as I'm not fully certain of all the pokemon Gary uses, I think that Arcanine is one of them, but I could just as easily be mistaken. Please look forward to chapter 14! And thank you for reading.
*
Ash was very uncomfortable telling Misty this. He didn't want to hurt her at all, but he knew that he would hurt more if he didn't. Ash could tell that this was really hurting Misty just by seeing the pain in her eyes. He was certain that his eyes were reflecting the same thing, even though he couldn't see it. It was times when they were alone that she seemed most willing to show what she considered weakness. In truth Ash knew that he was her greatest weakness, but he wondered if that also meant that he was one of her greatest strengths because of that. He at least hoped that was the case. The main thing that he couldn't tell Misty was that he wasn't certain if he would want to live with her the rest of his life or with Marin. He knew that he loved Misty with his heart, but he knew that he was unconsciously making room in his heart for Marin.
He didn't want to, but he knew that he already had. Yet, everything else that he wasn't telling Misty were things that either he wasn't certain about or that he hadn't fully been able to remember. Like he thought that there was a memory about him having a Tentacool as a friend, but he wasn't certain. He really didn't want to tell Misty about that, as he remembers what his comments about Tentacool when he first met up with some. Another point was he thought that he met up with Team Rocket, but wasn't at all certain about that if it actually happened or if all the times that he met with them combined into him thinking that he was doomed to keep on meeting up with them. However he had to admit that they hadn't met up with Team Rocket while they were traveling throughout Johto.
Ash felt a stray tear slide down his cheek as he wondered how Misty was taking this. He wanted to be there for her, but couldn't bring himself to ask her how she was feeling while he knew that he was keeping things from her himself. Misty moved her hand and reached for Ash's face and tentatively touched the tear with her forefinger and began to trace the tear trail up back to his eye where it came out, then moved her hand back to where it was before. "I-" Misty started, but couldn't seem to get the words out, but tried again after swallowing once. "I'm glad that you told me. I understand that this is how things have worked and I want you to know that no matter what you decide or choose to do I will still love you and be there for you." Misty took a deep breath before continuing, "I'm sure that you have a lot of things that you can't tell, but I want you to know that you have my full support whatever you do and whoever you choose."
Ash was relieved to know that Misty understood that he hadn't told her everything, but was caught off guard by her telling him that she would continue to support him whoever he chose. He had no clue to what she was talking about, but she could be talking about an impossible possibility. I have no intention of leaving Misty just like I didn't have one with Marin, Ash told himself, not realizing exactly what he was telling himself.
About an hour later, they left Ash's room and made their way to the awards ceremony that was announced at that time. Afterwards, they went to the party together and had to laugh as they saw Brock trying to get ANY girl to dance with him even just for a moment. Ash and Misty danced through several of the dances, but also took time to interact with others at the party. However, throughout the party, Ash could not find Gary and wondered where he had gone. Yet, Ash didn't think much on it and focused on enjoying the party. When they were done and alone in Ash's room again, Ash asked Misty to ask Professor Oak to send his daughter a Pokedex, as she would need one when she began her journey. Misty agreed to help, knowing why he wanted her to do it. If he asked, and the media found out about it, then there would be a lot of attention focused on it and neither wanted anyone to have that happen, especially when they were just begging to go on their journey.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Gary had left the Indigo Plateau when the awards ceremony was over. He didn't want to stay for the party, as he didn't really feel comfortable there. While he was in Cherrygrove city, he had learned about how Ash had lived for eight years with the name Yellow, as he couldn't remember his real name. The most disturbing part of all the chain of events was that Marin Navarne was also married to someone else named Yellow. Although, this Yellow had blonde hair and gray-green eyes, the coincidence was just too much for Gary. Gary also wanted to find out about Ash's daughter, Misty, and help her out on her journey.
Gary knew that she wouldn't be leaving for at least a year and a half, so he figured that he would go into training near there and maybe asking Marin Crystal for lodging while he was around. Gary also would offer to help with whatever chores that needed his help. Gary wanted to get to know what kind of person Ash was when he didn't know who he was. Gary wanted to learn that, with as few people knowing who Yellow Crystal really is. All that people knew that he was, was someone who had been going around, asking where Ash Ketchum was. They didn't need to know what connection Ash and that Yellow had.
However, as Gary was leaving, he noticed Team Rocket trying to hide from his view while he passed and failing miserably. He decided to confront them, so as to not let them ruin the party. "What do you want!?" Gary called out.
Gary could see that one of the hidden figures started to stand, but was pulled back down. He couldn't see who they were from this angle, but guessed that they were Jessie and James. The same two who caused him to lose Ash when he had finally found him. He could hear them talking, although it was obvious that they were trying to keep him from hearing them. "Get back down! He's just calling out to someone else!"
Gary then knew it was confirmed that it was Jessie and James. They owed him for causing him to lose Ash, even though Ash had been found, they still owed Gary for causing Ash to lose his memory again. Gary felt no need to let them burst out their stupid introduction thing and decided to pay them back justly. He brought out his Arcanine and whispered in his ear to run over Jessie and James. Five moments later, Jessie and James were in serious pain, but not fatal pain. Gary then decided to leave then. He had his revenge and Team Rocket wouldn't ruin the party. Gary was content with leaving them there.
Ten days later, when Gary phoned in to his grandfather, Gary was completely surprised by his grandfather's reaction. "Where have you been, Gary?!" Professor Oak raged.
"I- I don't know that you had to know," Gary replied, a little numb from the shock of seeing his grandfather so upset.
Professor Oak seemed to calm down a little, but it didn't seem like much. "I expected to return with Ash, Misty, and Brock!" Professor Oak paused for a moment when he was electrocuted, but then continued, "And Pikachu."
"I don't see why I had to come back, gramps!" Gary snapped, angry that his grandfather felt like Gary was still a child.
Professor Oak seemed taken aback when Gary snapped at him. Apparently, Prof. Oak didn't expect Gary to react that way. Gary could see his grandfather make a real effort to calm down. Gary was really surprised to see that, but was glad for the change. The Professor being upset really wasn't how his grandfather usually acted and Gary wasn't too used to it. "Well, anyway, I want you to come by the lab so I can let you what I need you to do. By the way, you're heading to Johto, right?"
Gary nodded, not completely sure that this was really a good thing. "Yes, I was planning on going that way."
"Great! If you get here soon, then I can get the package on the way. Oh! Was there anything else that you wanted to talk to me about?" Prof. Oak asked.
"No, I just wanted to see how things were going," Gary answered, not really sure why he called in the first place.
"Well, I'll then see you when you get to Pallet, okay?"
"Fine. I'll see you then," Gary replied, hanging up and then deciding to just quickly get there so that he could get it out of the way. Then he could do what he chose to do and didn't have to have anything expected of him, other than to train and possibly find a semi-job to pay for his upkeep.
In the morning, Gary flew over to Pallet and quickly got over to his grandfather's lab. When he got in there, he saw Ash and Misty talking to the Professor. He quickly walked over. They stopped talking shortly after Gary arrived and when Gary knew that he had an opening, he asked, "So, what is it that you wanted me to take?"
"Ah Gary! I need you to take this you a young girl who is working on being a Pokemon trainer near Cherrygrove city. Misty asked me to do this. I thought that it would be nice to have more trainers in the world. This should help her out."
"So, who is she?" Gary asked, confused. Why could Ash go deliver it? Gary understood why Misty couldn't, though Gary knew that his grandfather also had several assistants that could easily have taken it there. So, Gary figured that they must not want any of the media to know that they were doing this. In that case, Gary knew that he would need to know who it was that he would take it to them.
"Misty Crystal," Misty answered.
Gary caught his breath. No wonder they didn't want the media to find out. It could really cause the pokemon orphanage to get a lot of unnecessary attention. Also, with Misty beginning her journey in two years, the last thing that she'd need would be to have the reporters following her around. That would really make it difficult to train. Although Gary was planning on going over there, he knew he didn't want them to know, so he decided to do what he could to throw them off track of what he had initially intended to do. "What's in it for me?"
Misty, Professor Oak, and Ash all sighed. It had been a long time since Gary had acted this way, but they figured that he would eventually become like this, or so Gary hoped they were thinking. "Fine, what additional Pokemon would you like?" Prof. Oak asked.
"Well, you do have one of the legendary pokemon around right?" Gary asked.
Professor Oak nodded. "Yes, but you know that I have them here for a chance to study them. They are not fit for battle."
"I know that. But I also know that they have an egg. I want that," Gary told them. With a lot more arguing, Professor Oak relented and agreed to give Gary the Articuno egg. Gary was satisfied with that. When Gary was leaving, he smiled to himself. That was so much easier than when he had initially started to train. He knew that they would have been suspicious of him if he agreed to take the Pokedex to Misty Crystal or Ash's daughter without him asking for payment. Gary smiled to himself as he made his way to Johto, and where his friend's daughter lived.
*
Author's Notes: I figured that that was a good enough place to stop. It has a nice end feel to it and so I thought that it would be a good place to stop for a little. Now, the current vote is still 8 ½ and 1 ½. Of course Ash being with Misty is still in the lead of being first. If anyone is confused by that last bit, you'll eventually find out. Anyway, I'm thinking of ways to make Ash's life much worse by combining things that he didn't like in the beginning when he started to train as well as things that he didn't like during the nine years that he was gone. One example is how he didn't seem to like bugs during the time he was missing as I noted in chapter 11. If there is anything that you think I should add to the list, please suggest it in a review. If not, I can try to come up with a few more things, but I haven't seen too many episodes, as I'm not fully certain of all the pokemon Gary uses, I think that Arcanine is one of them, but I could just as easily be mistaken. Please look forward to chapter 14! And thank you for reading.
