Foreign territories.

Summary: While Ash is busy in a tournament in Pewter City, Misty decides to take a stroll on her own to kill some time. Little does she know how to get around Pewter, so when she gets lost and meets someone unexpected, what will happen?

Story is Egoshippy. This means, The pairing is Gary&Misty. As a warning, those who can't digest the couple, I suggest you not to read this. No flames, you have been warned. Constructive criticism is more than allowed! )

Important Author's note:

Do NOT relate these characterizations of Gary and Misty to the ones in Pumpkin Fights. I like to try different takes on these two characters, so now they're different, But still try to be loyal with the obvious parts. Also, If Pumpkin fights could be classified with a little of humor, Forgein territories is not so much with the humor. XD I like to spice things up once in a while, try different things. Otherwise, the same all the time would be kinda boring, huh?

Ages:

Misty: 18

Gary: 18

Ash: 17

Brock: 20

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Chapter 1: "The booze"

It had been a surprise to them all to hear that the next tournament was going to be held in Pewter. Brock was thrilled; of course, he got a chance to meet up with his family, his father, and his little brothers and could catch up with them. They had been all growing fast, as any child that age would, and the oldest one was so tall he was almost Ash's height.

It was the tryouts for the tournament, which was very exclusive, and it was that particular reason why it was so prestigious to enter. Brock decided to spend his stay in Pewter with his family, and as Misty and Ash were waiting in the long line of trainers outside the tournament coliseum they started to miss his oldest friend to fill in the voids in their conversation.

The sun was blaring, and Misty was idly holding Togepi in her arms. Up ahead, a tall guard was requesting every competing trainer's ID. He quickly made his way to Ash and Misty. "ID" He stated, as impersonal as a security guard could be. Misty idly wondered where Officer Jenny was.

Ash reacted just in time to avoid some serious glaring from the impatient guard that Misty already didn't like. He reached out and pulled out his Pokedex from his bag. The guard practically snatched it and ran it through the scanner, typing something on his device. Misty sweatdropped, uncomfortable, but he soon returned the pokedex to a perplexed Ash and continued on Misty "ID" He repeated, a little huffed.

Misty shook her head. "Oh I'm not enteri—"

He interrupted her "Only competing trainers can enter"

Misty raised her eyebrows. "But I'm with—"

"Only competing trainers can enter the faculty"

Misty glanced back at Ash. 'Gees, what is this guy, a robot?' She rolled her eyes, annoying the guard even further. "Guess It's my cue to leave then" Ash sweatdropped as the guard continued along the line, checking pokedexes. "Sorry Mist" He said sheepishly, he was really sorry as well, Misty was his best friend after all, and he had wanted her to be there. Misty sighed. "I guess I'll see ya later at the gym"

Ash did a thumb up as he usually did "You won't see me, you'll see a tournament-participant!" He cheered as Misty laughed. "Good luck". Ash smiled and waved as she stepped out of the line and watched the other trainers move a spot ahead. The line was huge and everyone was eager to start, and Ash in the last half, so she assumed it would take more than just a while. Sighing, she cradled Togepi and turned around. The thought of returning to the gym was disregarded as soon as she decided to give Brock some more family time. She would only be a bother there anyway.

"Pewter, here I come!" She said to herself triumphal, as if killing time had just become some legendary quest.

It was going to be a fun day.

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Pewter had grown so much since the last time they had visited; there were so many monuments, buildings, blocks, statues, fountains she did not recognize. As a little girl, she knew her way around Pewter very well, not as well as she knew Cerulean, but since the two cities were near, she spent some of her weekends in Pewter, and with no friends there, not even knowing about Brock's existence, she used to roam around aimlessly, until she could lead any unfamiliar tourist around town.

Tourism was really picking up, hoards of people with shopping bags jostling through the crowd, running around, taking pictures, the city was really glowing now, and she smiled. Of course, it didn't last long.

She had been walking for at least an hour. Of course, Ash still had the city map, and she was flat out broke, and couldn't afford a new one. The day was starting to suck, and it really went down as she realized she was really, really lost. She couldn't remember the name of the street she was walking on, and it seemed a whole new neighbourhood. The tourist count was dimming down, and she could feel the sun dimming down. That meant it was a late afternoon, and she started to panic. Meeting dusk in a place you knew nothing about was still scary, even in a place as guarded as Pewter. Most of the police had gone to the tournament area, to stop riots and such, anyway.

"This day sucks!" She said to herself and would have slumped her shoulders if she hadn't been carrying Togepi, which was getting hungrier by the minute. Her eyes were scanning around for a Pokemon Center, But her luck had apparently run out, so she wasn't surprised when she found none.

'Everyone Must know where the gym is, though' she thought. So giving up her reluctance to approach strangers she started to ask around. "Excuse me, sir, could you point me to—"

The stranger walked by her, without even noticing her presence. "Well, that was rather rude" She said out loud. She sighed, turning around as another person walked near. "Sir, can you—" She felt some coins hit her on the head and realized the man had just thrown some coins at her. "I'm not a beggar you insensitive jerk!" She yelled after him, already fed up. The man seemed frightened for a moment and disturbed and only walked faster.

"Is there no one nice in this city?" She said out loud, making the multitude only walk further away from her. The sun was dimming out, as the late afternoon was settling in, and Misty's heart started to race as she realised there were less people on the street. The more she walked forward, the more disoriented she was, and the less crowded streets made the alleys strangely creepy.

Togepi was starting to chirp, the more peckish it felt, Misty sighed in dismay, Togepi was only a baby pokemon and it needed to be fed. She cursed reprehending herself for not going to the gym in the first place and advanced down the street, slowing down with every step she took. She turned everywhere looking for someone. Anyone. But as she found the street empty she felt a vibe in the air that irked her out.

"A clerk!" She said smiling. "Of course!" The street was full of shops and restaurants, so she entered the nearest one, pushing the wooden door. Her shoes tapped against the wooden floor so loud it seemed hollow, and she shifter her arms around her pokemon protectively as the felt the thick air of cigarette smoke fill her lungs.

It was a restaurant, or a karaoke bar, or a mix of both things, It was a vast place, that reeked of food, cigarette, and alcohol, and she timidly walked forward. Noticing almost no waiter nor waitress, she headed for the bar.

"What's it gonna be" The barman asked as he saw her approach. Misty coughed. "I'm not looking to b—"

"Sorry Miss, Can't stay here If you don't buy"

She fumed. Did all the impolite and impatient people come together just to annoy her on that particular day? "What! I don't have any—"

"She's with me" A male voice said from a couple of meters beside her.

Her first reaction was to clench her fists and wonder why no one would let her finish her sentences, but as soon as she took in what the man that she hadn't noticed in the first place said, her head jerked to the side in utter disgust. She gaped.

"Gary!"

He smirked, charming as usual and nodded, acknowledging her presence. The barman raised an eyebrow and nodded his consent, leaving to attend some more costumers in the other corner of the bar. Misty pulled up a stool and sat, still surprised, and, she had to admit, she was relieved to see a friendly face. No, a… familiar, no. a… non-stranger around. "Gary thank god, I'm so lost"

Gary looked back and around the store groggily "Where's Ashy boy and the other tall guy?"

Misty paused. "Ash is in the tournament try outs, and Brock's in the Pewter gym"

Gary smirked bitterly. "Figured Ash would want to enter the tournament"

She tried not to look too desperate; she still had her pride after all, but she couldn't help sounding rushed. "You have to help me, It's gonna get dark soon, I'm lost, I have to get to the gym".

Gary seemed to space out and Misty frowned, Sure, she didn't know the guy much, but he seemed different. He finally stopped looking straight ahead and turned his head to face her. "Sure, I can drive you there"

She had never felt so relieved in her entire life. She let out a breath and felt a load lift from her shoulders, so she left Togepi in the barstool and smiled when she found a bowl of nuts that looked healthy enough. So she left it in the stool next to her and Togepi chirped happily munching away. "I owe you big time" She declared casually. She stood up but Gary remained seated, and she raised an expectant eyebrow. "Come on! Let's go".

Gary threw his head to one side unsure. "Yeah, I can't really drive you now"

Her eyes wavered in mistrust. "What! Why?"

He chuckled. "I don't think I can walk straight right now"

She remained silent trying to make sense of what he was saying, and took real notice of him. He was rather pale, his right hand was still clasping a small empty glass, and next to it, to the far right, which is why she didn't notice before, a half empty bottle of scotch. Her jaw dropped open. "Gary Oak, are you drunk?"

"No I'm not" He replied quickly.

"Yes you are"

"No I'm not"

"Yes you are"

"I am not"

"You are too!" She yelled back. The barman stared at them and shook his head at the display. Gary and Misty exchanged glares for a long moment as she sat back down in the stool and crossed her arms. Togepi chirped happily in the stool next to Misty, watching the argument. A tense moment of silence settled in between. Misty tried to suppress a cough, still affected by the cigarette smoke that was leaving a stench of smoke in her hair and clothes. Gary rolled his eyes and took the bottle, filling his glass again.

"Nah uh, Mister, No more drinking for you" She said trying to get the bottle of scotch; Gary pushed her back by taking a hold of her by the ribs. They struggled like that for a brief second until Misty realised she wasn't going to get anywhere like that and pushed Gary away, brushing her clothes. She was getting pissed off. "So I'm stuck here until you pass out, wake up, and sober up!"

Gary smirked, his usual smugness seeping through his eyes. "Yup, and I'm not even thinking of leaving until I finish this" He said raising the bottle. Misty sized it with her eyes and thanked god it wasn't a big bottle, it was a medium size, and the one to drink it wouldn't end up in an emergency room, at least.

However, her eyes glanced over and she looked at Gary. If looks could kill, a dagger would have actually come out of her iris and stabbed him to death. So she looked away, bitterly and looked back at him. She was mad, she was impatient, and she was seething. Looking at the bartender, she raised her arm.

"Bartender! An empty glass over here!" The serious tone of her voice made him comply immediately, and handed her a glass identical to the one in Gary's hand.

Gary looked at her in blatant scepticism. He arched an eyebrow silently mocking her. He didn't believe she was serious, but when she reached over to the bottle, filled up her glass, and drank it without blinking an eye, he was actually amazed. Feeling the alcohol burn in her throat she winced and wrinkled her face in disgust, amusing him. She wasn't very used to those kind of beverages, and the only parties she had been to that offered alcohol were Brock's 20th birthday, and she only could manage to keep light drinks up.

It was like a silent duel was on and she had just won round one.

As he snatched back the bottle and filled up his glass she mentally sighed.

It had been the longest day in her life, and the evening didn't look that much promising either.

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Author's Note: Ah, yes, a brand new egoshippy story.

The age limit for drinking in this fic is 18 years old, I do not condone underage drinking, by any means!

Also, this story will only have 3 chapters, and hence, since I like cramming stories into short ones, XD Foreign territories will have semi-long chappies. Hope you like them. And for that, updating will take a bit more. But It's almost drafted entirely. I like to advance a lot before posting it up to diminish the chances of abandonment. XD

Please review!

I eat reviews at breakfast, and breakfast's the most important meal of the day! HeheThey keep me writing alright.

Midnight Mist.