Chapter Two: Whiskey + Singing = Bad.

When the fog cleared, Gary Oak stood in full view of the entire crowd. The girls all seemed to faint at his bad boy getup, but Ash and Misty saw past it. The bottle of whiskey Gary was clutching in his hand didn't look good, either. Misty could see Tracey shaking his head as he looked at the bottle as well. Ritchie and Jimmy both clapped their palms to their face in disgust. They knew this show wasn't going to turn out well. Ash studied Gary's face closely. Since they were near the front, it wasn't too difficult. Gary looked like a wreck. His eyes were bloodshot to the point that his eyes looked pink, and we wobbled a bit as he strapped on his guitar. Ash couldn't believe how Gary could have involved himself in all this trouble. He was smart enough to know that bloodshot eyes meant drugs, and the whiskey didn't help his stop the wobbling, that's for sure. Gary nodded over to his band mates, indicating that he was ready. He set the whiskey bottle on the stage and took out his pick. Misty recognized the song immediately, now realizing that this was a cover band. Misty knew that if it weren't for Ritchie, the guitar sound would be totally off. He was saving Gary's ass, used to the extra pressure by now. But as "Seek and Destroy" started off with no help from Gary's guitar, Misty couldn't help but begin to tap her feet. This was one of her favorite songs. But she couldn't listen peacefully, because she could tell how messed up Gary was. It's not like Misty had ever had any feelings for him before, but she felt pity for the 17 year old who had seemed to already be in a downward spiral. She looked over to Ash, who was staring directly at Gary, with what seemed like anger. Misty took Ash's hand into her own, hoping to calm down. He looked over at her and blushed. As "Seek and Destroy" finished up without too much incident, Gary looked down and saw his favorite rival and whom he liked to call "Carrot-Top" and "Red". And in his high, drunken state, Gary was going to take advantage of this situation.

"Well well, if it isn't Ashy-boy and Carrot Top. Hey guys, say hello to these two right here!" Gary shouted at the crowd and gave a smug look at the two. Ash grew even angrier and he shouted at Gary.

"Gary, what is wrong with you? Why are you drinking and doing drugs?" Ash shouted at him. Gary gave a chuckle and took a swig of the whiskey.

"You wouldn't be able to understand, Ashy-boy. Ohh Carrot-Top! I never noticed what an ass you have! Your tits are great too!" Gary said. Out loud. In the microphone. To the whole crowd, who started to giggle. Misty became bright red and she jumped onto the stage. She was fuming now as well, and slapped the bottle out of Gary's hands. It made a loud CRACK! as it slammed on the stage. Then she slapped Gary right across the face. Ritchie, Jimmy, and Tracey all burst out laughing. Gary looked shocked at what Misty had done, and became angry as well.

"God DAMN it, Red! Why'd ya hafta go and kill my buzz? It wasn't empty." Gary said up close to her face, and she made a gagging sound. His breath reeked of alcohol and some illegal substance that she couldn't pin. Gary smirked when she backed away from his face.

"Now get offa my stage, Carrot-Top. I need to do our set." Gary said, following a loud *hiccup*, and Misty turned and walked off stage. Gary smiled knowing he got what he wanted. Ash ran over to her and took her back to where they stood.

"Ash, can we leave? I don't want to embarrass myself anymore." Misty said softly. Ash grabbed her hand but shook his head. She looked confused.

"Misty, you could wait in the car if you want to. But I'm going to wait for this to be over. I'm gonna beat the shit out of him. Especially after what he said. Damn... Just wait till Professor Oak hears about this! I'll get one of the guys to let us backstage, and then..." Ash said, beginning to ramble. Misty turned to look back up at Gary, who was playing a song from Thin Lizzy. It sounded like "Jailbreak", but Gary was so drunk his voice sounded awful. After a few minutes it ended, and all the crazy fan girls clapped their hands off for Gary. He bowed, and you could see Jimmy rolling his eyes from the crowd. Tracey shook his head and sighed. But Ritchie seemed indifferent to any of it, and simply went over to his amp to change the setting. Then Gary waltzed up to the mic.

"Now this one goes out to a feisty girl named Red who had just slapped me a while ago. She has a Van Halen shirt on, so that's exactly what we're gonna play. This song's called 'Feel Your Love Tonight'. And Red, my dear, I definitely can't wait." Gary said and winked at Misty. She grew very angry with him again, but stayed on the floor this time. Gary began singing.

"We're getting funny in the back of my car; I'm sorry honey if I took you just a little too far! Yeah, a too-too far! Oh no..." Gary's drunken voice rang out, clear to the audience. Misty realized that this would be a long night.