Sorry for the wait, guys! Honestly don't know what took so long to get these next couple chapters uploaded. Other than we're just lazy and have bad memory.
Anyways, hope you enjoy!
Gary hadn't expected the sound of Ash's voice to fall so rightfully upon his eardrums. His tone was an octave lower, more matured. There was a recognizable and familiar warmth laced within it as he spoke the brunette's name- like lighting shooting up his spine. The sensation only churned Gary's stomach farther—he didn't want to acknowledge that volt he felt zap across the room, like the two of them could have been eight years old again playing in the fields of Pallet—like nothing ever changed, as if Gary was still welcome open-arms in the Ketchum household. Yet they both knew something between them would remain broken as the days passed, things could never go back the way they were—the fate of Gary's raticate evident enough of that. Despite these thoughts, Gary felt a sensation of numbness harden his chest and he watched his rival wearily. He wanted to be angry—furious at Ash, but the feeling just wouldn't bite. For the first time in his life, Gary Oak felt tired. His gaze wavered down upon Umbreon, who's lithe body trembled with enough furry for the both of them it seemed. She refused to falter her stance. The golden rings along her frame continued to flash rapidly, highlighting the floor around them. Gary's heart thumped to the rhythm of her lights, contradicting his collected demeanor. The following breath escaping Ash however, shattered Gary's silence and his eyes narrowed threateningly. Ash knew damn well why they were there.
"Funny—I was about to ask you the same damn thing." Gary chided. Umbreon's ears twitched irritably as she absorbed the other trainer's words with comprehension. Her fangs bore completely as her features bulked with lines of stress and her scowl deepened. Her reddened eyes were wild and Gary pursed his lips as he watched the small tendrils of black energy beginning to construct amongst her open jaw. Part of him just wanted Umbreon to let it fly, but the other side of Gary—the one that actually wanted Ash back in his life, it made Gary speak otherwise. "Easy." He whispered sternly, though Umbreon's focus remained solely on the pikachu several feet away. The sparks on his cheeks snapped farther out, licking up along the wooden planks around them. Umbreon's gaze frothed with a resentment Gary had never witnessed in his starter before, and passively he wondered if he'd rubbed off on her over the years. "Umbreon." Gary's tone deepened as he held a keen eye on Ash's Pikachu, who looked prepared for battle- but Gary would be damned if he'd watch his umbreon undergo the same fate that Radicate had. Before he could stop her, Umbreon was lunging forward with a ferocious howl, snapping her teeth at the other pokemon. Instantaneously Gary lurched forward, his arms out in a defensive manner. "Don't you hurt her!" He snapped, then turned to face the fox pokemon. "Umbreon, stop." Gary's tone dropped and she propelled herself back towards the farthest wall from them. The light of her rings dissipated, concealing her frame completely within the shadows.
"Look what you've done now." Gary reared back, turning his aggression on to the intruders. "Like she wasn't upset enough already." His tone was venomous, and regardless of the pain residing deep inside his chest as the anger poured, Gary couldn't seem to hold himself back. The spiteful words dripped from his tongue as smoothly as they ever had. "Why the fuck do you think we're here for? Huh, Ash?" His eyes darkened as he glowered down on the other boy, who upon closer approach, was now taller, but Gary was too riled up to notice. "Definitely not because of you, I can assure." His tone was sharp and snide. "Haven't you ruined things enough for me?" Gary cocked his head and parted his lips for another stab, but the second he was in proximity to feel heat emitting from Ash's body, his heart plummeted. He took an immediate step back, gnashing his teeth together as he drug his hand back through his hair. Gary crossed his left arm, supporting the other by the elbow as he pinched the bridge of his nose. A burning sigh of air escaped Gary and he stood there silently, re-gathering himself as best he could. He was not going to fall apart in front of his rival—in front of Ash. Like losing to the kid wasn't enough salt already in Gary's wounds.
He finally faced Ash again, with softened eyes and resignation in his tone – truthfully, he wanted no trouble. But being hit all at once with these memories and feelings he had worked years to suppress, having them all brought to light again in a matter of seconds was more than Gary could deal with. "Listen—" His words were hard, but weaning towards defeat. "I'm not looking for a fight—you're surely mistaken if that's what you're after." Gary's gaze trailed upon Ash's frame solemnly. "Just leave us alone." He murmured before walking off in the direction in which Umbreon had jumped, unaware of a third pair of eyes following him from above.
Gary maneuvered around Raticate's gravestone and back onto the walkway that sectioned off and separated the graves. He headed towards the section of newly placed lumps of grain, unmarked and alone. The sight of the nameless slate was unnerving, though Gary kneeled before them anyway, facing out towards the blackness that lined the room behind them, where he knew his pokemon was. "Umbreon." He tiredly whispered."Please come out." The room remained deathly silent, save for his own, quieted words. "Just ignore those losers." Gary added with the only twinge of light he could muster. "Please, girl." There was still no response. At this, another heavy air expelled Gary and he lowered his head. An idea struck him suddenly however, and a small grin curled his lips. There was one thing in particular Gary knew Umbreon couldn't resist. A hand dove into the side pocket of his pants, rummaging amongst the inside a moment before retrieving a tiny purple bag with its strings drawn back in a knot. He pulled the sack open slowly and dumped a few of the contents into his palm, radiating the fruity scent.
"Guess I'm just gonna have to eat these all by myself." Gary gave a scoff, upturning his nose to the right. His emeralds shifted to the side as well, peeking through his peripheral with a cocky smirk. "It's no mankey on my back." The berries began to roll as he raised his wrist to his mouth and just as the first blueberry touched Gary's bottom lip, a loud chirp sounded from within the darkness. He opened his eyes, lowering his hand slightly as Umbreon's red eyes peered beside him. Her rings ignited, glowing gently to reveal her body perched atop one of the unmarked gravestones. She hopped down calmly, clearing the few inches between them. She bowed her head without hesitation as Gary leveled his hand to her snout. Umbreon chowed down on the berries, purring quietly as the succulent flavors embraced her. After finishing them off, she sat down with her back arched and neck craned to the floor. Her ears went flat, while her rings dimmed. Umbreon cocked her head, passing a weak glance back over to Ash and Pikachu, whom Gary seemed to momentarily forget about, then back to the floor below her. Gary cast his gaze upon them both now, sourness returning to his features as he analyzed them from afar, though at the sudden prick of fingertips against the back of his neck, Gary shuddered and averted his eyes, dismissing the familiar ghostly touch.