Blue Heaven

By Spruceton Spook

Part 17

...and Rivalries

Ash shuddered as his rival's words drilled his ears with a start. He was dazed, the sight of Gary before him like an illusion; his words, as innocent and amicable as they could be, hanging over his head like a foreboding cloud. It was only briefly that he was trapped in this sphere of shock before he blinked, managing to form the first word that his lips could scarcely produce.

"G-gary?" Behind him, his friends' dancing came to a standstill, their eyes misting with dread. It was Gary all right, dressed a bit more casually but still sharply tasteful in his pleated khakis and crimson shirt, his head tilted contentedly with a smile to match. His appearance couldn't have been more harmless, but it succeeding in making their stomachs lurch at once.

"Hey, Ash," he said breezily. "How're you doing?"

Ash just stared. He couldn't utter a word, be it cold or indifferent—his tongue became mute. He didn't even feel Pikachu climb to his shoulder. It was quite a blow beholding the person he detested most before him, the person he swore he never wanted to see again if he could help it. Yet here he was, smiling as if nothing in the world was wrong, trying to speak to him without the least bit of wariness in his tone.

He didn't know what to do. Misty could see it, and it frightened her. Although Gary was airy and Ash was paralyzed with panic, she wasn't going to take her chances, especially knowing how easily Ash could be set off. Gulping, she inched her way beside the silenced boy. She tried to keep her eyes from Gary, but it was impossible; she flashed one unavoidable glimpse at him before turning her attention to Ash. Cautiously, she took hold of his arm.

"Ash, come on," she said inaudibly. Brock and Tracey looked on tensely, feeling awkward with what was occurring.

"Ash? What's the matter?" Gary asked before Misty was able to lead him away. He shrugged, a hint of concern surprisingly present in his voice. "You can't even say hi to me?"

Hi? Ash thought. The absurdity of such an idea rendered him unresponsive to Misty's tender but insistent yanking. He wanted a "hi"? A "hi"!? As he repeated Gary's request over and over inwardly, his eyes gradually narrowed.

"What are you doing here?" he said thickly.

The inquiry seemed to startle Gary. His face scrunched with confusion, but he smiled and shrugged again. "What am I doing here? I came for the party," he answered simply.

"You came for the party?" repeated Ash. Misty shuddered, her anxiety increasing with a jolt.

"Ash, come on," she tugged again, her voice a little louder this time. She didn't care how rude this would be to Gary; she needed to get Ash away from him. Already his sparse words were heavy, that highly discernible threat of hostility brewing in his tone. "Let's go back and dance."

"Pika pi," Pikachu encouraged quietly, pulling his hair. The encounter even made his fur bristle with discomfort.

Ash wanted to listen. Dancing sounded good. Deserting Gary without the dignity of a greeting sounded even better. But he couldn't tear his eyes away from him. Just seeing him there aroused a wave of resentment. He didn't want him on the dance floor—he didn't want him at the party period. It was worse actually witnessing him there rather than simply perceiving it.

"Ash," Misty entreated.

Gary sighed, realizing by Ash's glare that this wasn't going to lead anywhere pleasant. It wasn't like he didn't expect this. He thought himself crazy at that moment for thinking he'd get an acceptable response, but he figured it was worth a shot. "Look, Ash, it's all right. I saw you, and I thought it'd be rude not to say hi. It's okay. It's cool to see you again."

And that's very kind of you, Misty thought, rolling her eyes to herself as she gave Ash another pull. He wasn't budging. Instead, he nodded rigidly at Gary's words.

"Sure...yeah," he said. That's it, you can do this, he told himself. Just walk away. Follow Misty. And he did.

It was both easy and hard to turn his back on Gary. Part of him wanted more than anything to shoot some snide remark at him, get out all the frustration that had built up in the last sixty seconds. But another part of him wanted to be good. He knew the best thing to do was brush him off, for any contact would likely result in an argument that would attract eyes, and not to mention put a damper on his day. He didn't need that happening any more than it already was.

Misty sighed with relief as Ash finally allowed her to guide him away, leaving Gary standing in their wake. Very good, Ash, very good, she praised him in her mind, making a point to let him know this when she would draw him a good distance away from Gary. Though he couldn't have been any more unfriendly, she was proud of him. Knowing him, this must have been a hard thing to do.

They made their way deeper onto the dance floor where Brock and Tracey awaited them. Ash kept his eyes glued to the floor, still feeling Gary's stare penetrating into his back. It was a sensation that chilled him with rancor, but he was determined to ignore it.

"Phew, that was close," Tracey said, the animosity dripping from Ash's disposition clarifying just how bad it really was.

"You did good, Ash," Brock commended. Ash looked up at his friends unemotionally.

"Yeah," Misty agreed, giving him a wide smile. "See? It was weird, but it wasn't hard, was it?"

"You did exactly what you were supposed to do," said Brock, giving his friend's shoulder an approving whack. "Now it's out of the way. We can forget about it."

"Yeah! After that, he isn't gonna come near you again," Misty asserted. She snorted whimsically. "God, Ash, you couldn't have been any colder!"

"I know," Tracey shook his head. "I didn't know it was that bad!"

Brock gave him a face. "Oh, it's that bad. It's worse. You don't want to know." Tracey cringed, chuckling.

Ash didn't crack a smile in acknowledgement to their approval. He lowered his head again and studied his shoes, trying his best to combat the repulsive thoughts of Gary's presence. It was easy for them to say it was over, but he knew better. He didn't believe Gary would approach him again, but he strongly feared the awareness that he could no longer take his mind off him. He would try. Part of him hopelessly realized it was going to be impossible, as he scoffed at just the thought of him being at the party all day. He might not see him again, and he certainly might not consort with him, but he knew he was there. And Ash couldn't stand it.

Misty ecstatically leapt before him and took his hands. "Aaash," she sang. She rested her forehead against his, giggling. "You okay? C'mon, let's go dance some more."

Ash breathed deeply, squeezing her hands tightly but not lifting his head. He wanted to dance...but he was there.

"Hey, stop it," Misty responded knowingly, still peppy. "He's gone now, forget about it. Gone," she grumbled playfully.

I wish he was, Ash thought. Misty cocked her head, wondering why he wasn't livening up. After Ash's cold shoulder, there was no way they'd see Gary again. She wanted that frown gone, his memory washed once again of his problem. There really wasn't a problem here—the encounter was inevitable, but it was over. They could go back to having fun again.

"Ash, forget about it," she restated. The music pounded, enticing her to dance. "Come on, dancing helped the last time. Let's do it again. We'll have fun."

"Stop thinking about it," Brock advised, giving Ash an easy smile. "It's okay."

"Yeah, let's dance!" Misty cried again unrelentingly.

"Pikachu!" the Pokémon proclaimed, hopping off Ash's shoulder as the call to dance excited him.

"We'll go and request a song," she continued. "Come on, we have to do it before they start serving dinner! Otherwise we'll have to wait! You don't wanna hafta wait, do ya, Ash?"

Ash sighed, and gazed into her blue eyes, wavering with excitement and persuasion. But her bliss wasn't doing what she intended it to. He was trying to catch it, but he couldn't shake the overwhelming feeling of despondency that wrenched him. He wanted to comply to her wishes and have fun—he wanted this himself—but he couldn't get his mind to embrace it. He was there.

"No," he shrugged dully and quite unconvincingly.

Misty grinned nonetheless. "Then let's go!" With a jerk, she lugged him across the dance floor, Brock and Tracey following with amused smiles. Ash wasn't pulling against her, but he lagged so much she could have been hauling dead weight for all she knew.

Snap out of this, Ashton, he scolded himself, realizing the nonsense of his despair. You know you want to dance and have fun. Why are you doing this to yourself? Gary's here...and there's nothing you can do about it. You have to accept it. You have to.

He loathed the thought of spending the whole day moping. He had waited for it too long, and now that it was here, he wasn't going to let Gary ruin it for him. After all, he didn't let Gary spoil his desire to enjoy pokémon training, so why should he allow this? All he had to do was put it behind him, follow Misty's delightful lead, and pretend that the untimely meeting had never occurred. He could do it...he hoped.

"What song do you want to hear?" Misty asked him as they stopped before the DJ's booth. Her voice was loud, straining to outmatch the speakers that made the ground beneath their feet quake.

Ash perked, considering it. "Ummm...I dunno."

Misty gave him a playful shove. "Oh, please! All those songs you like! How can you not know?"

"I just...don't know," Ash smiled weakly. He tried to browse his brain for a song he liked—but his mind swept back to Gary.

No, no, stop it! he growled to himself, gritting his teeth. Don't think about him! Think about a damn song! Ummm...

"Ash!" Misty laughed, giving him a soft smack upside the head. She knew too well what was causing his disarray. "Stop thinking about him." Ash tensed as his rival, once again, surfaced in the dialogue. "Think about a song."

But he couldn't. Her simple reference to Gary seized control of him again, overpowering any thoughts he held for music. He bit his lip distraughtly, trying with every ounce of determination he had to stop thinking about Gary.

Just quit it already! You don't want him here, but you can't do anything! There's nothing you can do, forget about it! Nothing you can do...

The hell there wasn't something he could do! No matter how much he attempted to instill in himself the notion that he could neglect Gary, the spark of irritation that zapped through him at every mention of his name completely annulled it. Ash locked eyes with Misty, his breath escaping him. She didn't deserve to have his depression ruin her day, and come to think of it, neither did he.

Misty stared perplexedly at his odd look. She hardly had a chance to inquire, however, as he brusquely spun on his heels, looking back at where he and his rival had so unexpectedly met minutes ago.

And there he was, not having moved an inch. An angry chill ran up Ash's spine as his eyes narrowed on Gary. Granted, he was facing the opposite direction, leaning lazily against the frame of the tent and not even looking at them, but he was still there. Just the way he was lolling in the pleasant atmosphere made Ash shiver with vexation.

Misty, Brock, and Tracey froze as they witnessed Ash's scowl set on Gary, but before any of them had a chance to react, he huffed and proceeded to march stiffly over to him.

That got Misty's tongue working. "Ash, no!" she cried, but he bluntly ignored her. She panicked as Ash verged upon Gary, whose head turned instantly. He flinched slightly at his former friend's fierce glare.

"Get off the dance floor," Ash ordered, his eyes odious slits.

Her face paling in distress, Misty tore after him. "Ash, stop it! No!"

"What are you doing!?" Brock shouted as he, Tracey, and Pikachu followed immediately.

Again, Ash disregarded his friends. To him, they were just noises among the others of the party. He didn't turn around to face them, knowing their expressions and hardly caring. Misty grabbed hold of his arm viciously, but his piercing eyes never left Gary's.

"What?" Gary stammered, confounded.

"Get off the dance floor," Ash venomously repeated.

"Ash!" Misty barked, her fist clutching his jacket pleadingly. "Stop it!"

Gary jerked his head, arching his eyebrow. "Are you crazy?"

"I'm not crazy," Ash replied distinctly. "I want you off the dance floor."

"Why should I leave?" challenged Gary, narrowing his eyes right back at him. He turned to face him defensively.

Exasperation rose with Ash's weakening temper. "Because you're not dancing, that's why. I want you off."

"Ash, quit it!" Misty yelled, sensing the calamity that would come out of this if she didn't end it fast. She tried with all her strength to pull Ash away, but it was futile; his feet were firmly planted. Her eyes darted fearfully between Ash and Gary, absorbing the forthcoming disaster. What happened all of a sudden?

Gary was not at all justified with Ash's reason. "What the hell are you talking about? You can't tell me to get off! I can stand here and do nothing if I please!"

"You cannot!" Ash bared his teeth. "I want to dance, and I'm not going to with you standing here. Now get off!"

"I'm not gonna get off!" Gary spat, shrugging at the ludicrous demand. "What's wrong with you? Mind your own business!"

"I won't mind my own business! I can't with you being here and—and doing nothing!" belted Ash, his fists stiffened at his side. Misty, Brock, and Tracey tensed considerably. This wasn't good...

"Ash, please!" Misty begged, her fury rising at being ignored. She tore ruthlessly at his jacket, but he still paid no heed. "Don't start anything!"

Gary scoffed. He couldn't understand how his innocent hello had brought such conflict, but he sure as hell wasn't going to let Ash conquer. Arching his shoulders, the couple inches he achieved over him fortified. "Ash, what's your problem? Look, just get lost, will you? I don't need this!"

"You're my problem!" Ash retorted, startling his friends. "And I'm not going to get lost, you are!"

"ASH!" Misty roared, once again unsuccessfully.

"Ash, stop it! That's enough already!" Brock attempted.

"Please don't fight!" pleaded Tracey.

"Pika piii!" even Pikachu begged, tugging helplessly at Ash's pants. Ash was doing quite a good job of ignoring them, provoking Misty to the brink of rage.

The others' pleas were meaningless to Gary as well, whose anger was augmenting. "Don't tell me to get lost, Ash."

"I will tell you to get lost! Get off the dance floor! In fact, just leave the whole party! Why are you here, anyway? You don't care!"

"I do to care!" Gary objected. "And besides, I was invited! I have every right to be here!"

"You do not!"

"What the hell!? Says who?"

"Says me, that's who! Leave! Now!"

Gary's eyes widened outrageously. "What right do you have to tell me to leave!?"

"This is my parents' party!" came Ash's reason hotly.

"This is my grandfather's backyard!"

Ash struggled with that, but only momentarily. "W-well," he stammered, "I don't care! I've been looking forward to this day, and I'm not going to have you ruin it! I didn't need to see you here, and I don't want to anymore! So—so just go away!"

Gary stood his ground. "No."

"How can you even show your face here!? After what you said about my parents, I can't believe you have the nerve to come and say hi to me!"

"Ash, I told you," Gary frowned, "I didn't mean it when I said that! Okay? How many times do I have to apologize?"

"You can apologize all you want, but I'm never going to forgive you for it!"

"Well, that's just too bad!" declared Gary. "I apologized, and I can be here if I want to—especially since I was invited."

"No you can't! Go away!"

By that point, though, it was clear Ash had no supporters—and that Misty had reached her wit's end. "Ash, I swear to God!" she bellowed, her face puffed. She reached out and brutally snatched hold of his ear, yanking him back to reality. "I told you to cut this out! Now stop it!"

Ash yelped, his face reddening from Misty's impulsive reprimand and his vehement anger. "Misty, stop! Let go of me!" he growled, able to break from her grasp—though rather painfully. He winced terribly, shooting her daggers with his eyes.

"I won't!" Misty glowered, a fistful of his jacket promptly in her hand again. "This is dumb, Ash! You're being an ass!"

"I'm not being an ass!" he snapped.

"Heh, I couldn't have said it better myself." Ash faltered suddenly at Gary's derisive remark, slowly turning to find him grinning. He despised that grin. "She's right, ya know, Ash. It's no use picking a fight with me and expecting to win it." He began to wave him away. "You'd better just giving up now like your little girlfriend wants you to."

Ash's heart pounded madly. He couldn't believe this. All Gary needed was those few seconds to gain the upper hand that stabilized his arrogant charm.

"What's that supposed to mean?" The mock in Gary's voice wracked him with enmity. That, and the embarrassment of having being sternly dictated by Misty in front of him.

Gary smirked haughtily. "You're kidding, right? What part of 'you're an ass' did you not understand?"

Ash snarled. "That's not what I meant!"

"Oh, so I guess you do understand that you're an ass! My mistake," he shrugged. He suddenly cringed, though his contemptuous grin remained. "And comin' from your girlfriend, too—ooh, that must hurt."

Again, the increased quip at the word "girlfriend" made Ash shake. If Gary thought he was taking a stab at him with that false insult, he was sadly mistaken. "Don't you dare bring my girlfriend into this! This is between you and me, you jerk!"

Gary was taken aback at his last outburst. "Wh-what?" he gasped. "Wait a second—you mean she really is your girlfriend?" Misty tensed at that, while Ash fumed.

"You're damn straight she is! Why? Does that shock you, Gary?"

"Actually, yeah, it kinda does!" Gary said, emitting a chuckle. He gave the ticked-off couple the once over, nodding almost approvingly. "Though I don't know why I'm shocked. It's about time actually—you've been tagging her along long enough. Might as well make the most of it."

"HEY!" cried Ash appallingly. "That's not the reason why! You take that back!"

Misty shuddered as Gary's comment stung, but unlike Ash, she felt it wasn't even worth dignifying with a response. She just wanted to walk away—but not, of course, without Ash. She still held tightly onto his arm, feeling him shake furiously.

Gary's hands shot up in defense. "All right, all right, I take it back. Geez, Ash. You know, for someone whose parents just got remarried and are throwing this awesome party, you're getting pissed over nothing! Chill out, would ya?"

"I won't chill out!" Ash defied. "Not until you leave!" He wasn't going to give up. Especially after that intolerable crack at his relationship with Misty, he wasn't going to quit until Gary was unquestionably out of his sight for the rest of his party. This whole thing was making him sick to his stomach.

The humored look that Gary had attained quickly faded. "I'm not going to leave, Ash. You can't make me. So tough."

His headstrong stance was pushing Ash past his limit. "Leave the party. Now," he reiterated.

Gary just huffed. "I have a better idea, Ash. Why don't you leave the party? You're obviously not having fun, and since I'm not leaving, guess you won't be for the rest of the day. Oh well."

Ash's temper was seconds away from snapping. He stomped over to Gary, glaring straight into his eyes. "Shut up! I'm not leaving this party, you are!"

"And who's going to make me? You?" Gary asked impudently.

"You bet I will!"

He smirked, folding his arms. "You and what army?" He looked Ash boldly in the eye. "Face it, Ashy boy, I'm here and there's nothing you can do about it. Your parents invited me, not you, and unless I misunderstood something about this being your party, you have absolutely no power to make me leave. None."

Ash took deep breaths; Gary's haughty defiance was making his blood boil. For a moment, he was speechless, leaving his three friends hanging in suspense. Misty was stagnant, still clinging onto Ash's arm, waiting dreadfully for his next retaliation. She trembled. This wasn't supposed to be part of the party. Even if this did miraculously end on a peaceful note, she knew this was the end of their fun. There was no way Ash's buoyant happiness would return.

"I'm sick of you, Gary," Ash finally grumbled. His voice was low, but his anger was not gone. "I'm sick of you acting like you're so damn great."

"Well, it's because I am," he shrugged matter-of-factly.

This made Ash tighten his fists ferociously. "You are not!"

Needless to say, Gary was getting quite fed up as well. "Oh, really? And you are? I must've missed that along with the announcement that this party was being held in your honor."

"I'm better than you are, and you know it!" barked Ash decisively.

"Didn't seem that way the last time we battled," Gary cocked an eye at his seething friend. "Or did you forget that?"

Grinding his teeth, Ash said, "I didn't forget it! But that doesn't mean it's not different now! That was a long time ago; I'm ten times better than you now—more than that!"

"Heh, is that what you think?"

"You bet, and it's true!"

"Well then," Gary said, frowning but confident, "you wouldn't be afraid to prove that, would you? Whaddah ya say? You, me—right now."

Their eyes all widened incredulously at that, but only three felt the immediate sinking of their stomachs. Ash, on the other hand, had no difficulty grasping the challenge that was sent his way, and had no difficulty accepting it, either. Suddenly, the party and his friends became obsolete, his mind set on his new task.

"All right, you're on!" he declared, pumping a fist.

Misty thought she was going to faint. "Ash! No! What are you doing?" she choked.

Gary smiled. "Just as I thought." He turned his back and began to make his way in the direction of the house. "I wasn't planning on battling today, so I don't have any of my pokémon with me. I'll have to go and get some. Meet me at the field beyond the tents—unless of course you realize it's pointless and wuss out. I'll understand."

While his aghast friends gawked, Ash huffed. "That won't happen. I'll be there, and I'm gonna beat you this time, too, Gary! You just wait!"

"Sure, whatever," Gary brushed it off, proceeding on his way. Ash watched him for some time, glowering, no regret arising from what he had just agreed on. Reception or no reception, he was going to battle him, and this time it was going to be different. With everything he had, he would defeat Gary, and nothing was going to stop him.

Not even his friends.

"Ash, are you insane!?" Misty belted out as he began his trek to the field destined for the long-awaited triumph over his rival. He was hardly waiting for them to follow, even Pikachu, the only pokémon he had in his possession. "What are you doing?"

"Ash, you're making a huge mistake!" Brock yelled, trying to keep up alongside his tramping friend. "Don't do this!"

"I am going to do this," Ash replied, head still forward. "I'm not gonna have him acting like this anymore. I'm finally going to show him who's the better trainer."

"But at your parents' wedding reception!?" Misty screeched. "Ash, you're crazy! You can't do this! Not here, not now!"

"I don't care, Misty," Ash said resolutely, glaring at her. "I'm sick of Gary, and I don't want him at this party. And if this is how I have to get rid of him, then I'll do it."

"But this is ridiculous!" Brock said rigidly. "You don't realize what you're doing! This isn't the right place to battle Gary. You're going to make a scene!"

"He's right," Tracey agreed, his voice a bit softer. "People are gonna know."

"So what? I have to get rid of him."

"It's called ignoring him, Ash," Misty said, almost coming right up to his face. She was desperate to stop this, for he had no idea the situation he was setting himself up for. "You don't have to battle! You're going to be sorry!"

"Not when I beat him," Ash insisted.

"Ugh!" Misty cried. She stopped dead in her tracks and stomped her foot irately. Brock and Tracey halted, too, but Ash continued his violent promenade without missing a beat. "Ash, stop! I...I—I'm gonna tell your parents! I'll do it, Ash—I'm gonna go tell your mom right now!"

Ash turned his head slightly, shrugging. "Go ahead, Misty. Go tell them," he replied nonchalantly.

Oh my God, what's gotten into him? "I will!" she determined, pointing at the tents, which were now distant. "I swear, I'm going right now!" To strengthen her threat, she started off slowly.

This time Ash did stop and face her, a dash of irritation mixed with his determination. "Fine, Misty! I don't care, go tell them! Go! By the time they come anyway, I'll've already kicked Gary's ass! It won't make a difference."

Misty opened her mouth to shout again, but nothing came out. She couldn't believe it; he had completely lost all sense! Just how much could he possibly think this was right? Their eyes burned into each other's momentarily before Ash staggered around, heading further into the field.

"Come on, Pikachu," he said. The mouse hesitated, threw a regretful glance at the other three, and obeyed.

Breathing heavily, Misty did all she could to keep from lashing out uncontrollably. This was just ridiculous. I hope you lose, she thought.

Brock sighed beside her. "Brock, do something," she told him.

He gave her a face. "What can I do? He won't listen to me."

Misty slouched. "Well then, what are we going to do?" she asked hopelessly.

Watching Ash again, Brock shrugged with his eyes. "Go tell his parents."

Despite her previous threat, Misty was startled by his answer. Her eyes shifted again to focus sheepishly on Ash.

"Not that you'll have to," Brock continued. "There's no way there's going to be a pokémon battle here without anyone knowing it."

"You think so?" Misty cringed.

"Yeah," Tracey affirmed. "If Ash is using Pikachu, everyone will see the electricity bolts."

"Go tell them, Misty," suggested Brock again, giving her a look of serious urging. "We don't know how long Gary's going to be. Maybe they can stop this before it even starts."

Misty lingered. As much as she dreaded this, a part of her actually did want to see the battle take place. Just so Gary could beat Ash and prove how dumb his decision was, that nothing came out of foolish stubbornness. That would show him.

But she also knew the tension that would ultimately arise. Maybe it would be better to get Jay and Delia...sure, they wouldn't be pleased, and it would cause an awkwardness between her and Ash for the remainder of the party, but it certainly would be better than allowing him the possibly to create trouble.

She realized the decision she had on her hands: be on Jay and Delia's side or Ash's.

"This is just a big mess," she groaned.

"It's going to be an even bigger mess when Gary comes back," Brock said. "This isn't going to go smoothly."

A chill ran up Misty's spine, and yet she remained where she was. For some reason, she couldn't get herself to reveal to Jay and Delia what Ash was doing, that instead of eating and dancing along with the rest of the party, their son was preparing a nasty skirmish with his rival on the outskirts of the reception. Maybe...maybe it wouldn't be that bad. There was a chance that the battle could end swiftly and uneventfully. And then no one would know, things could go back to normal.

Somehow, though, she had a sinking feeling that it wouldn't happen that way.

Ash, in the meantime, was pumped; he was going to finally gain his victory over Gary. He believed that fully. Taking a deep breath of the humid air, he gazed out at the sweeping meadow that was undisturbed in the tranquility of the hot, Sunday afternoon, save for the muffled pounding of an obscure tune from the DJ's speakers. The sun beat down ferociously on him; he was sweltering inside of his heavy suit and beads of sweat formed along his hairline. He didn't mind, though. Excitedly, he awaited Gary's return, his heart racing.

"This is it, Pikachu," he told his pokémon. "We're gonna win this time."

"Pi." Pikachu, looking as apprehensive as Misty, pricked his ears and raised his head. Even he didn't like the idea of this, but he wasn't going to deny Ash his help. After all, he wasn't too fond of Gary, either. Memories of Ash's painful last encounters with him stirred his resentment as well, but nonetheless he wasn't too excited about this upcoming battle. It was hot, for one thing. He scratched the moist area beneath his bow tie where it began to itch.

It didn't take much longer for Gary to return. Ash narrowed his eyes while Misty held her breath, grabbing a fistful of Brock's jacket tensely. A smug smile was painted easily on Gary's face, and he rambled casually to a position a hundred yards across from Ash. He dug a single pokéball out of his pocket, enlarged it, and tossed it daintily from one hand to the other. Ash ground his teeth bitterly.

"So what's the deal here?" Gary asked.

"I win, you leave," Ash answered.

Gary shrugged. "Fair enough. And what about me when I win? What do I get? You know, other than the satisfaction of still knowing I'm better than you?"

"Don't get your hopes up about that yet!" Ash barked, completely ignoring his question. There was no point discussing Gary's reward. "One pokémon each!" He nodded to Pikachu, who sprang forward on command. "I choose Pikachu."

"Whoa, that's a surprise," Gary remarked sarcastically. He waved his pokéball in front of his face suspensefully. "But it's no match for what I got."

"That's what you think!"

Smirking, Gary tossed the pokéball into the air. With a fabulous flash of bright light, its inhabitant materialized before their eyes: two pointed, brown ears reaching for the sky and a long tail with a jagged end flicking back and forth, the pokémon seemed to smile with that sense of egoism similar to its master's.

Misty gasped as Ash drew back, astonished. "A...raichu?" he muttered.

"Pikaaa..." Pikachu's ears immediately pinned back at the sight of his enhanced opponent.

"That's right," Gary replied unwaveringly, glimpsing happily at his raichu. "Captured it just last month. Strong-looking, isn't it?" For a moment, Ash gaped, and Gary smiled. "Knew you'd like it."

Ash quickly snapped out of it. "Doesn't matter how strong it looks! It's no match for Pikachu!"

"Pikachu!" exclaimed Pikachu, still shooting a rather ferocious glare at the raichu. The evolved pokémon absorbed Pikachu's look, and its fur bristled competitively.

"We'll see about that," Gary said. "Make your first move."

Ash nodded once. "All right!" The attack came readily to his lips. "Pikachu, agility!"

"Pika!" Bounding instantly off his toes, Pikachu took off, haphazardly darting towards the raichu.

Misty covered her face with her hands, not even wanting to watch. Oh, Ash, stop it, please!

"Don't worry," Brock said calmly, sensing her despair. "It'll be over fast." Misty wasn't sure if the rapid victory he was referring to would belong to Ash or Gary.

Gary reacted promptly. "Raichu, agility! Go!"

Raichu obeyed, dashing away from Pikachu. The pokémon evaded each other, their ears flat, waiting for the order to strike.

"Pikachu!" Ash called. "Tackle it when you get the chance!"

Pikachu was eager to comply. Despite his fleetness, his eyes never left Raichu's. Suddenly, the battle became more than just Ash's attempt to finally prove his greater talent, but Pikachu's, also. After all, it was he who had caused Ash's loss the last time. And although this was not the eevee who had handed him defeat, it was bad just the same—worse, perhaps. Pikachu wouldn't lose, especially to his evolved form. He was going to be stronger. He was going to be the victor. Ash's resolve quickly became his.

Raichu was just as agile as Pikachu, the thumping background music almost matching their zipping strides. They halted at first opportunity, and with a tremendous burst of speed, the two rammed each other. The impact sent them both back forcefully, but it was clear Pikachu bore the effect of the attack. He staggered to his feet, wincing.

Ash, Misty, Brock, and Tracey all seemed to flinch at the collision. Misty groaned, turning away again.

"That didn't look good," Tracey observed in a whisper.

Ash's heart skipped a beat, but he regained himself. "C'mon, Pikachu!" he shouted, clapping his hands. Pikachu got up, shaking the pain from his body. "Try another tackle!"

"Tackle, Raichu!" Gary cried, repeating the successful attack. Raichu appeared to be shaken, but not as much as Pikachu.

Pikachu heard Ash's order, but he heard Gary's, too. Already he could feel how powerful his opponent was, and a rare feeling of fear invaded him. He couldn't take another tackle; he wasn't going to lose this. With a jolt of impulsiveness, his cheeks sparked. He sprang out of the way as Raichu charged, and released a sizzling thundershock, zapping its target dead-on.

"Huh!?" Ash's eyes went wide. "Pikachu! I didn't say thundershock!"

"What?" Misty gulped.

"Why did Pikachu do that?" Tracey asked.

"I have no idea. That's weird," Brock commented, his voice shaky with curiosity. "Pikachu doesn't normally do that."

"Oh no, now what's going on?" Misty wailed. Their eyes were fixed on the battle with heightened interest.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" Gary shouted. "Your Pikachu won't even do the attack you tell it to!? Good training job there, Ash!"

Ash growled, clenching his fists. What possessed Pikachu to completely ignore his demand like that? Already Raichu was up, however, allowing no time to question Pikachu's action. "Pikachu, I said tackle attack! Now!"

Pikachu was hunched, now on the receiving end of a malicious glower from Raichu. He wanted to do as Ash said, but he couldn't tackle. He did what he felt was best, what would win the fight. Again, he gathered his energy, and fired off a thunderbolt. This time Raichu was ready, and escaped the electrical assault.

"Raaaai!" it snarled in ire, its own cheeks crackling.

"Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed in shock. "What are you doing!?"

"Hey, come on!" Gary called, now in annoyance. "Control your pokémon! What is this, a battle or an 'anything goes'?" Ash cringed, feeling more confused than abashed. He couldn't quite answer the inquiry.

They were both in for a shock, though, as Raichu suddenly let out a piercing battle cry and mustered his own mighty thundershock. Pikachu leapt out of the way just as it singed the grass, and without a moment of delay, retaliated with the same. Raichu dodged it, a look of serious repulsion flared with aggression glimmering in its eyes.

"Raichu!" Gary screamed angrily. "What are you using thundershock for!? I didn't say you could use it!"

"Pikachu!" Ash roared just as sparks began to yet again emanate from Pikachu's electric sacs. He recoiled in surprise as his pokémon ignored him, sending a shock Raichu's way. "What—what are you doing!? Stop!"

"Stop, Raichu! Listen to what I say!" Gary balled his fists, but Raichu was too burned up now to let Pikachu get away with his sneak attack. Both Gary and Ash's desperate orders were ineffective. Before they knew it, the two electric mice were exchanging subsequent attacks in what was now a personal contest rather than a controlled battle. The audience around them could only confoundingly watch as the bolts shot back and forth, Pikachu and Raichu scurrying in circles, trying to avoid each other and get in a good hit.

Misty could feel her heart leaping to her throat. "What's happening? Why aren't they listening?" she squeaked.

"Ash!" Brock exclaimed. Ash, his face twisted with puzzlement, turned to him. "What's wrong with Pikachu?"

"I don't know!" he replied fretfully, flinched as another one of Pikachu's thundershocks drilled their ears. "Pikachu! What's gotten into you!? Stop it, now!"

But Pikachu didn't listen, and neither did Raichu; they were too involved now with their strife. Ash could only watch in dazed awe, and across the field, Gary was doing much the same. Their state was quickly broken as one simple act ended the affair—and began another in a matter of a second. Ducking one of Raichu's attacks, Pikachu's hustling feet entangled, sending him to the ground half-way. Raichu instantly followed up with another shock, this one connecting and eliciting a yelp of discomfort deep from Pikachu's lungs.

Lifting his head as the current numbed, Pikachu swayed, his mind overtaken with rage. With squinting eyes, he glared at the raichu, growling warningly. Raichu returned it, but it didn't intimidate Pikachu in the least—it made him angrier, more inflexible. Suddenly, the urge to tackle took hold of him. Taken off guard, he smashed into Raichu and sent him somersaulting numerous times. He didn't wait a single second for Raichu to fight back as he charged once more. Raichu scrambled to his feet, and began to canter away from him, ready to strike again, but by now Pikachu was pursuing him. Raichu had no choice but, with voltage prepared, to take off running, Pikachu right on his heels—directly in the path of the bustling reception at the end of the hill.

The whites of Ash's eyes flared with trauma. "Pikachu, no! Stop! Where are you going?" he yelled as he immediately took off after the pokémon.

"Raichu! Come back!" Gary choked, grabbed hold on his pokéball and tearing after them as well.

"They're heading straight for the party!" Brock hollered in panic.

"No!" Misty exclaimed, the color draining from her face. All of her worries came true in an flash as she watched the pokémon fly down the hill, Ash pumping his legs frantically, straining to catch them. "Ash!"

At that, she joined the chase, ignoring the brutal pain as her bare feet beat the hard ground in an attempt to catch up.

"Misty! Wait up, hold on!" Brock said, he and Tracey following suit.

Pikachu and Raichu were now yards ahead of them, sprinting at full speed, looming on the unsuspecting party with their precarious electricity haywire in fury. They barely knew where they were headed, their cutthroat ambition driving them on. Shock after shock discharged from their unrelenting sources.

"Pikachu! P-please, stop! Come back!" Ash pleaded, panting as the sudden run left him breathless. He wouldn't stop, though. His heart pounded as he witnessed them draw dangerously closer and closer to the party. This wasn't supposed to happen! What had gotten into Pikachu? All Ash was frightfully aware of was the regret surging in his veins. This was not good; this was horribly, horribly wrong, it was bad, there was no way he could stop them in time...

"Raichu! Return! Now!" Gary was gaining on Ash, just as desperate to catch Raichu. He knew their will to prevail was not going to make them conscious to the fact that they had to stop before slicing a line of mayhem through the party. Brock and Tracey knew this as well, but they could see that the pokémon were not slowing, and that there was no chance Ash or Gary could recall them in time.

And Misty saw this, too. She was just as scared as Ash, more even. All the despairing thoughts of what would come of this flashed through her mind as she ran on, nearly tripping as her dress got caught between her knees. Oh, why hadn't she tried harder to stop Ash? She knew this was going to go wrong; why had she given up?

The music became louder as the distance narrowed between Ash and the party, but unfortunately not between him and Pikachu. It was too late.

"No!" he howled as Pikachu and Raichu made a beeline through the party, darting around shrieking people's legs and hurdling over chairs. Heads turned and shouts of commotion were voiced, making Ash practically cry as he, too, ran through the party in pursuit. He could feel the eyes on him, even sense their surprise to see him involved. Gary was right behind him, but Ash knew that made no difference. Everyone there knew him, not Gary.

If matters weren't bad enough, Pikachu and Raichu took the opportunity to make it worse. It was Raichu, actually, who initiated the final and most ruinous incident of their battle, one that Ash would see each and every time he closed his eyes that night after the reception was over. Heading straight for one of the long tables that already seated many guests, Raichu gained slightly ahead of Pikachu and leaped onto the table. Screams of alarm resounded, people jumping from their seats as Pikachu hopped to the tabletop, also. Together, in a display of true catastrophe, the contending pokémon ran down the center, knocking over glasses of soda and cocktails, upsetting centerpieces, and galloping through plates of hors d'oeuvres. It was the slick tablecloth that ultimately ended their run, making the two slip and slide nearly to the end of the table, too stunned to regain themselves.

"Pikachu! Stop! No!" Ash moaned, his tone high-pitched in despair and humiliation.

Raichu sat up and shook his fur as Gary came running up, wheezing. "Raichu, return now!" he ordered, and Raichu was recalled into the pokéball. Gary shakily brought his hand up to wipe the sweat from his brow, blown away at what had just occurred.

"Pikachu! Look what you did!" Ash whined. Pikachu's head perked, and seeing Ash approaching him sent a spark of fright through him. Before Ash had a chance to grab him, he spun around, jumped off the table, and scampered away, leaving his trainer to helplessly give up, his legs like rubber from the unsuccessful chase.

"Oh man," he moaned, shutting his eyes. Taking deep breaths, he heard the hubbub around him, and hesitantly, he turned around to inspect the damage.

Most eyes were on him, giving him confused and disgruntled looks. Others were tending to the ravished table setting, muttering things Ash wasn't sure he wanted to hear. Misty, Brock, and Tracey stood at the end of the table watching the ravage's outcomes unfold. His heart raced at the sight of the mess he had a considerable hand in causing. Especially when his eyes met Misty's, and she gave him a disappointed shake of her head, he couldn't feel any more miserable or scared. He knew he screwed up. And judging from the looks he was receiving now, he was certain his image was going to be tarnished for the rest of the party. It was enough to send him into a fit of trembling.

The trembling induced by their looks wasn't half as bad, however, as what was to come. Ash could almost feel the formidable presence behind him, one he wasn't ready to face but knew he had to. Holding his breath, he slowly turned around to behold his father, gaping at the table with his mouth open in appall. Within a second, Jay's eyes rolled on him and promptly narrowed, making Ash's stomach lurch. The peppy and carefree attitude Jay previously had was gone.

Idly and rigidly, Jay extended his arm and pointed towards Professor Oak's house. "Get in the house," he said densely. "Now."

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

Hey everyone! Oh geez, I apologize a million times for the wait on this one. I didn't want it to be that long, but school got in the way. Plus, a great deal of this was a pokémon battle, which I hate writing about because I'm so bad at it. ^^;; I hope it was at least somewhat exciting and understandable. What a mess! :P

Anyways, school ended, and therefore I will have more than enough time to dedicate to writing the next chapters. There's only the rest of the party and two days afterwards that I have to focus on, so I'm predicting about three more chapters. Don't worry, they're good ones, I assure you! ^_^ In the meantime, hope this was good and long and worth the wait. If not…me sorry. ^^;; Hehe.

Thanks for reading!