Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or any of its wonderful characters. They all belong to Satoshi Tajiri and the Nintendo Company. If I did own it, Gary would have caught all the legendary Pokémon already…
Summary: Misty's day at a carnival turns from bad to worse, until Gary turns her frown upside down…
Warning: This fanfiction is an egoshippy story. Yes, that would be a Gary/Misty… If this pairing disturbs you, I suggest that you leave… Pokéshippers beware… But if you enjoy this pairing, I warmly welcome you here and I hope you enjoy!
Reminder: The texts in italics refer to either a flashback or a thought.
CHAPTER 4
"Woman, you seriously need to get a life," he mocked as they arrived at the front of the shabby- looking stall. "Good afternoon, Sir!" said the beefy storekeeper as he motioned them to come closer. Gary was amazed when he peered at the contents of the booth… There was some sort of machinery inside with a punching bag hanging from it… And the one managing the machine was a full-fledged Poliwrath… "Wow… I guess there is more to this booth than meets the eye…" he thought, cupping his chin.
"Would you like to try our little test, sir?" said the storekeeper as he brandished a cane, pointing the machine with it. "Punch the bag with all your might and your strength score will be shown on the panel. If you get a perfect score of 180, you get this life-sized Starmie plushie." "Wow! Can you try Gary, please? I need to have that Starmie doll," begged Misty.
"No way! I am not degrading myself any further by playing a child's game," he replied, turning around. He started to walk away… "Well fine… You're not that kind of guy, anyway," she said maliciously. He paused and turned around, smirking. "What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm not manly enough?" he said.
"If you are what you say you are, then this wouldn't be much of a challenge," she continued, with an evil grin. That did it… She hit Gary in his softest spot… He wouldn't back out of a challenge because he's an egomaniac.
"Fine," he said, with a complimentary shrug. "I'll show you what I'm capable of," he said arrogantly, as he cracked his knuckles. He took a deep breath as he hit the purple punching bag with all his might, with his right fist…
Perhaps a little too much… The cord holding the bag snapped. The punching bag was sent hurtling to the back of the booth… The storekeeper's jaw dropped to his knees… The panel displayed the power of 185, before it shortened out… Misty was flabbergasted as she saw the number…
"Well, I win, and you definitely need a new machine," said Gary, with the smuggest of smiles, as he motioned for the storekeeper to get the Starmie doll…
"Wow, Gary! You were incredible!" praised Misty, as they walked out of the midway, with the Starmie plushie in tow. "That's me… Is there anything I can't do?" he insisted, wearing the same smug smile he had earlier. He looked up and saw the orange glow of the sky…
"Wow, time sure flies, doesn't it? You'd best go back to Ash or he'll faint from worrying. Then again, he might have already been placed on a stretcher in an ambulance because of a heart attack." he continued, pocketing his hands. Misty giggled heartily.
"OK, this is the part we have to say bye-bye," he said glumly "But why!" she protested. "I'm a very busy man. I expected your large, empty head to comprehend that," he said jokingly as he gently poked Misty's forehead. "I still have to spend quality time with my Pokémon, you know? It's already Umbreon's favorite time of the day, nightfall…"
"Oh, I see…," she muttered disappointedly. Seeing Gary leave was the last thing on her mind…. But then again, she can't hold on to him forever… "OK. But can I see you off?" she pleaded, holding Gary's hand. "Sure," he said softly as he smiled. "God, I love that smile…" she thought. She wanted to spend as much time with Gary as possible… It had ended too soon…
The walk to Gary's red convertible was a long and silent one… Misty struck a conversation, asking him the question that was bugging her mind all day… "Gary, you're afraid of heights, right?"
"Don't rub it in… We both know that already," he answered, smiling slightly. "That's not it… I just wanted to know… Why didn't that Banette show it then? You said that it shows the worst fears of the humans it encounters… It could've shown us an illusion on us walking on a rotting rope bridge at the top of a cliff while being chased by that Ariados. A potent combination of height and bugs… Our worst fears."
"That's a good question, Misty… I didn't think you were capable of noticing that," answered Gary. Misty laughed the silly insult off, as if it was nothing… It was strange… They just got together in one day… She already knew when he was being serious or not…
They already reached his car… He unlocked the door… He faced her as he answered Misty's question… "It didn't show us that particular illusion because the Banette knew that height wasn't my greatest fear."
Misty was highly surprised to hear this new information… "The Banette did show my worst fear. But you were too darn busy being in banshee mode to notice," he continued.
Misty could only stare… and noticed that Gary was blushing a deep red… He can't believe that he is about to reveal his deepest, darkest fear… The fear no one knew about…not even his Grandpa and sister. He gulped as he went on…
"Tell me this… Why do you think that the Ariados went for you first, instead of me?" he said, as he took a deep breath. "Come to think of it… Why did that giant spider go for me, instead of Gary? To scare me even more? No, the mere sight of it already scared me half to death…" she thought deeply.
She recalled the drama at the haunted house… She recalled how Gary protected her… The gears in her brain began to turn… Then, the truth hit Misty like a ton of bricks. It touched her deeply… Tears started to sting her eyes…
"I guess you must have realized it already, huh?" said Gary smiling. "That's right… I was afraid to lose the ones I care about… the people that I love… That Ariados tried to skin you alive… But, I didn't let that happen now, did I?" said Gary affectionately, with a hint of embarrassment.
She was so touched by those last words… She cried… She let go of the plush Starmie… She hugged him as tight as she could… She was afraid to let go of him… But, she found herself being embraced back… She loved the feeling of her being protected by his strong arms… It was like a sanctuary, a paradise here on earth…. She admitted it. She loved him. She loved his strength, his wit; his words… even his childish insults and overwhelming ego. She loved everything about Gary Oak, from top to bottom…
They remained in each others arms… feeling the warmth and comfort it gave… Misty looked up to his face. He was smiling. "I hate to break this precious moment… But, I gotta go. Duty calls." he said weakly, smiling, an attempt to cheer Misty up.
"OK, I understand," she answered sadly. "Oh, come on… I didn't realize you were this emotional. It's not like we won't see each other again," he said with a grimace, as he started his baby up. The engine started to hum… She wiped her tears away and gave Gary a thumbs-up, clutching her precious Starmie plushie. She smiled.
"Now that's the Misty I know and love," said Gary, as he put his gear on reverse, backing out of the parking space. "Try not to miss me too much, OK?" he said flirtatiously, as he winked. Her eyes narrowed, but a playful grin made its way to her lips.
Well, that's Gary for you…He may now be a mature, smart and responsible hunk; but he's still the same arrogant flirt when they were teens.
She watched as Gary's convertible drove away; as it disappeared from her view…
"Misty, there you are!" said a worried voice. Ash and Tracey were running up from the entrance of the park… She was shocked to feel that she wasn't mad at them anymore… "We're… really… sorry," they blurted out, between deep breaths…
"Forget it, you guys… It's OK… I'm sorry how I acted earlier," she said sheepishly. Ash and Tracey were relieved beyond reason… "Sorry for ruining your birthday bash, Tracey," she continued, apparently ashamed. "You shouldn't apologize. It was us who ruined it," said Tracey sheepishly.
"Hey! Can I have that cool Starmie merchandise, please?" begged Ash as he began to tug it away from Misty. "Ash Ketchum, don't start this again," she said frustratingly as she rolled her eyes…
"Well it's too late to go back in there, I guess. It's closing," Tracey said sadly, realizing his birthday party had a backfire. "There's always next year!" said Ash excitedly. The guy never runs out of energy…
"OK, you guys, I have to go now… My sisters will be back and they'll be worried sick if I'm not there," announced Misty as she hailed a taxi cab. "OK, Take care!" said Tracey as Misty got in. Ash continued to beg for the Starmie plush doll…
"Can you guys do me a favor? Can you get my red shirt from the baggage counter and dry clean it for me? To atone for earlier?" she requested as she gave them the tag. They nodded. "Bye!" shouted Misty as the cab sped off, bringing her to her home sweet home…
"This day wasn't so down the drain after all…" she thought while taking a deep breath and looking at the houses they were passing by.
She recalled the events that occurred… She decided to drop Gary a line when she got home…
"It's amazing how a single embrace can change a person's life forever…," she thought happily as the taxi sped off in the glorious orange sunset…
END
Author's Note: Thanks for all those who read, reviewed and stood by my very first story until its completion! I promise that I would give ya all more egoshippy love! I'm just getting started with a brand-new fic, so expect more updates! Until later, see ya! –Momentum's Strife
