The present:
Chapter 1- This is only the beginning.
"Oh mom, of course I know the risk. You don't have to explain it again. I just don't
understand your intense fear of me getting struck by lightening or miraculously tripping over a
diglett hole, sliding in a mud puddle into the side of a pine tree and knocking a Spearows nest
out and getting pecked to death by an angry flock." Ash said putting on his rain coat. "I just
don't see odds." "Oh Ash, don't be a fool. The exact same thing happened to a head strong young man just like
you. Those Spearows are nasty little birds, it's so muddy out there and I'm pretty sure I did
hear thunder." She said in a generally worried tone. Ash rolled his curious ebony eyes.
"Okay mom calm down. Ill keep that in mind. But today, I think the odds of that very scenario
happening are pretty low… I'm still going to go." Ash stated sarcastically.
"Oh just be careful hunny. Please." She said her big hazel eyes full of worry. "Ah, mom of course I will." Ash said kissing his mom on the cheek. "And anyways, you know
Prof. Oak wants me to come see him before I leave again."
"Okay. I guess." She said smiling weakly.Ash smiled back and pushed the door open and started off. The lab was hardly far away. His
mom always worried about things that she didn't need to worry about. And to tell you the
truth, Ash found it quite annoying at times. But it didn't really matter in the long run because
Ash loved his mom more than life itself. And although it didn't shine through too much, Ash
needed her much more than he led on. Not having a father or any siblings growing up Ash
needed his mother to raise and love him. She was his family, and for the longest time was his
whole world. Ash often wondered to himself how he would have turned out with out his
mother there to love and raise him. Would he have turned out more like Gary? He didn't
know.Gary was Ash's best friend and also his greatest rival. Gary had grown up the hardest way
there was. The only people he had left in this world. Were his older sister May and his
Grandfather Samuel neither of them actually there for him during his child years. May had
always been fine with the fact she had to be alone. It didn't bother her at all. Actually, I'm
pretty sure she preferred it that way. And Samuel, well he had his research to conduct. And
well. It really payed off considering the fact that Samuel is now the most respected Pokemon
Researcher known to the Pokemon world. Hey, don't get me wrong, Gary turned out
fabulously. A lot better than most kids do in his situation. Don't think he just sat around and
wallowed in self pity. He actually made something of himself. He had a lot to live up to. He
had money and a huge ego to show for it too. But one thing he didn't have was a sense of
empathy or love. He was cold and lonely on the inside. And that was due to loosing the most
important people in his life. Gary had locked himself away from the world. He knew if no one
could break through his barrier he would never have to deal with that pain again. And he
would be able to keep his promise to his mother. And for the longest time no one could break
through. And after a while no one even cared.Ash pulled out his newly equipped pokenav and pressed the button indicating Professor Oak's
number. "Samuel Oak here," The older man piped. "Hi Professor, It's Ash, I thought I might stop in and pick Pikachu up before I head out
tomorrow."
"Oh, Just the Pokemon trainer I wanted to talk to. Hurry on over. I have a few things I need to
discuss with you, before you leave tomorrow." Professor Oak beamed."Oh, alright I'll see you in a bit then. Bye." Ash said and hung the call up.
"May, have you seen your brother around anywhere?" Professor oak questioned the young girl
as she entered the study."Ah, no I haven't Grandpa. But I know where he is." She said pausing."Oh well could you be a dear and go and fetch him. Ash should be here any moment. And I
need to discuss a matter with both of them, preferably before Ash leaves again tomorrow." He
stated."Oh sure Grandpa.. no prob-lem…" May trailed off. She hated to lie to her grandfather; quite
frankly she couldn't stand it. But the truth is, she has to do it on a regular basis. She can't
stand going up all the way to Gary's room at the top of the house. And she hates to ask her
younger brother to do things for her. It always ends up in some sort of argument, or some
rude comment, leading to a psychological war between the two. But because she adored her
grandfather the way she did, there wasn't a thing she wouldn't do for him. Even if it included a
little white lie now and then, up the stairs she went bracing herself for the oncoming event."Gary, oh Gary-eee," May taunted lightly as she stormed down the hall "oh baby brother,
where art though down our hall?" She braced herself as the usual escapade of Gary's wrath
was about to hit the fan."Fuck May what the hell are you doing up here now?" Gary said as he pushed his bedroom
door open."Grandpapa dear, that's what brings me up here on this unusually gloomy day." She giggled
wildly as Gary scowled in annoyance."Would you cut the crap? Jesus fucking Christ and your always asking yourself why your
single. PFFT." He said and smirked at her."Ahaha, Gary oh Gary your such a gas you know that?!?!?!? Now get your ass down stairs and
see what Gramps wants, before that huge thing between your shoulders grows too large to fit
through your fucking door." May snapped and then turned away."Fine, fine don't get your panties all knotted. … OH WAIT! I forgot! You don't wear panties."
He said quietly and then passed her in the hall and flew down stairs. May gaped in disgust. "You're a pig you know that?" She said as she came up behind him."Well as long as were exchanging truths here. You're a bitch." He said smiling brightly. "Oh so when it comes to come backs baby brother couldn't think of anything but a dirty word
to get back at his big sister." May laughed."Why no May, that's not what I've done at all. I've simply replied your animal association with
one of my own." Gary smirked."Well at least I'm not a cheap whore like you." May finished and stormed away.Just as Gary was about to respond to May's last statement his grandfather entered the room. "Gary please take a seat." Samuel requested."Oh I would Gramps. I really would but I actually just came down here for the task you
obviously want me to complete. And then it's back to my work, there isn't actually any time to
sit and chat." Gary said."Gary just sit down. This is much more important then your research at the moment. And I
pretty much can't dismiss you until Ash has come and gone. So sit." Samuel demanded. "Wait… you invited the twerp?" Gary scowled in disbelief.
"Oh Gary be nice. You know very well Ash is your closest friend." Samuel scolded.
"Whatever." Gary rolled his eyes as he sat back. Yeah he knew that his grandfather was right.
Ash really was his best friend. But the rivalry between them always beat that factor out of the
picture. Gary found that it was a lot more fun taunting Ash then it was to befriend him. Gary
shifted uncomfortably in his seat a bit more."Grandpa seriously, what do you want me to do, that includes Ash." He said interrupting the
previous silence. Samuel looked up at Gary and then sighed. "Gary, you love me right?" He asked humbly.
"Awe Gramps, not this again" Gary sighed impatiently and then said very firmly yet very
quietly. "Yes I love you."
"Then, you respect my decisions and actions?" He questioned. "Yeah… where's this going?" Gary answered while eyeing his elder suspiciously. "Gary, I want you to do some field work for me." He said quickly.
"Alright, I still don't understand why this includes Ash." Gary said scratching the back of his
neck in confusion.
"It includes Ash… because I want you to go with him when he leaves tomorrow. And Gary…
please don't argue. Just do it, for me?" Samuel pleaded. "What! Go with Ash?! Why?! How will that benefit us in anyway?!" Gary said quickly in defense
careful not to upset his grandfather."Going with Ash, you will be on foot. You will experience Pokemon in there element first hand.
And no offense Gary, but you tend to become distracted a little too easily by young women."
Samuel trailed off. "Ash can keep an eye on you…" "Gramps!?!? That twerp keeping an eye on me? He's way too immature to do that." Gary said
in a defensive voice. He looked into his Grandfathers sad tired eyes. And saw the look of
yearning for agreement. "Gary, Ash has matured immensely since the last time you've seen him. He's been through so
much on his travels. And it's changed his perspective on life. He will have no problem keeping
an eye on you. But that's not the point. This would be a really good experience for you and who knows. Maybe you'll make new friends, catch a new Pokemon or two or even find your
self a girlfriend." Samuel said calmly. "Not to mention you'll learn a lot."
"Uhg…… Alright I'll give a shot. When can I come home?" Gary said sighing in defeat. "I'll give you a list, of a few the Pokemon we have here. You will observe each one in the wild.
I will keep you and Ash close in contact. But only when I tell you it's alright, may you come
home." Professor Oak said in response."Okay… one thing though. There's nothing you can say that's going to make me be nice to Ash
or his dorky friends." Gary said firmly.Samuel sighed and nodded as he did Ash came storming into the house. Both Gary and
himself looked up."Professor I'm here. Sorry I'm so late something came up…" Ash said quietly not feeling the
need to explain how he almost got struck by lightening twice and practically fell in every mud
puddle out there. "What did you need to talk to me about? Oh, hi Gary." Ash said running a
hand through his soaked raven hair. "Ash, I was wondering if Gary could accompany you when you leave tomorrow." Samuel said
right off the bat."Hi Ashy boy," Gary said in response as Ash took in the proposition he then nodded.
"Well, it's no problem with me. All I'm wondering is how eager Gary is to do this." Ash said
hanging his rain coat up. And then looking over at Gary."He's fine with it. I've talked to him already." Samuel said as Gary frowned slightly and rolled
his eyes."Okay. So what, do you want me to just stop by tomorrow on my way out?" Ash questioned.
"Yeah. That sounds good." Samuel finished. "Okay I will then." Ash said quickly. "What time tomorrow Ash?" Gary asked. "Around 7:30. Have you bags ready to go." Ash said then looked back at Professor Oak.
"Anything else before I leave with Pikachu?" Ash said sitting down beside Gary. "Actually, yes I need you to take Togepi and Horsie to the gym where Misty is. I would
normally just send them there but their transfer system is down." Samuel said getting up."Oh, okay." Ash said quietly. "Ill go get Misty's Pokemon and Pikachu. He will be really excited to see you." Samuel said
getting up and leaving the room. Ash and Gary alone. "How ever did Samuel convince you to do this?" Ash whispered to Gary. "Who knows? He's like that. But just because I have to go with you twerp, doesn't mean I
have to be nice." Gary said in a fowl whisper back.
"Whatever Gary, your little nicknames and crude comments won't scar me. I'm not so naive
any more." Ash said firmly. "We'll have to see about that, now wont we." Gary shot Ash a cocky grin.
"PIKA!!!!!"((ASH!!)) The small electric mouse cooed in excitement as he bolted
across the room towards his master."Ahaha!! Pikachu!!! Hey buddy! Did you have fun? I missed you!!" Ash said picking Pikachu up
from the ground and the small Pokemon nuzzled his face. Gary watched and rolled his eyes.
But he did notice something, ever since Ash had gotten to the lab this was the first of what he
though he saw of that generally happy young man he use to bug all those years ago again."Pika! Piii, Pikachu!!"((I learned some new attacks!!)) Pikachu responded proudly. Just then
Professor Oak entered the room holding a Poke ball and a sleeping Togepi buried deep in its
egg.
"Here Ash, well really this was all I needed you for. You can leave whenever it suits you now."
He said and handed him the ball and baby. "Okay, I should be off." Ash said putting the Pokeball and Togepi carefully into his bag and
stood up. "See you tomorrow morning Gary. Be sure to be ready to go when I drop by. Bye
Professor Oak." He finished as he put his rain coat back on. Pikachu happily perched on his
shoulder.
"Whatever." Gary said not remotely interested.
"Goodbye Ash and thank you." Samuel smiled and waved.
"No problem." Ash said out the door. As he ventured out into the rain once more. He had no
time to worry about thunder or mud puddles. He was instead deeply lost in thought. Unlike the
trip to the lab, the trip home was virtually flawless no thunder or mud. Pikachu tried countless
times to break Ash's train of thought. But utterly failed each attempt, Pikachu wasn't the only
one who couldn't get through Ash's inexplicable barrier. As they reached the house Delia ran to the door in utter delight to see her boys. But to her disappointment they didn't return the
love. Instead Ash went straight to his room without a word.
"Pikachu, I've been thinking." Ash said finally.
"Chaaa."((obviously)) Pikachu responded."And I've come to the conclusion that I'm not so sure that I am mature enough to handle this
trip...""Pi? Pika kacu?"(Why? You've been on many journeys. And have matured greatly.)"Sure I've grown a lot. But I know defiantly that I wont be able to handle all of Gary's critism
and then an awkward empty visit with the girl I thought I was in love with a few years ago,
and lets not forget that she's my ex-best friend. I don't know if I still have those feelings for
her. And I'm not sure I'll be okay if I see her in the arms of another man." "Pika, Pikachu."((Everything will turn out right. You'll see.))"I sure hope your right buddy. I sure hope your right…" Ash said finally.
As soon as Ash had left Gary stormed up stairs. He didn't have a lot to say except for
the fact that he really didn't want to go. But his mind pondered on one thing his grandfather
said to him. The girlfriend bit. He never thought he was capable of settling down. He was
always perfectly fine with absolutely no commitment. But now his mind lingered on the
thought… could he ever fall in love? He had never had this problem before. Not even the
slightest crush, sure he found plenty of the women who he picked up attractive. But he never
developed any feelings for them. Mostly he found them quite boring; they were all the same
floundering bimbos who were completely mad for him. He had a different chick almost every
two days. The thought of love was completely redundant to him, for all he knew it didn't even
exist. He just shrugged the thought off and went to get ready for bed. Unfortunately this has
only just begun.
A/N:
Hai,...Okay, so it was short. But not as short as the preview!
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I dont know what to think about it... I guess if you like it you'll review and and stuff. And If you dont. Than you wont bother.
Anywaaaaays. It may be a while until I update again. I've been awfully busy latly but I'll do my best to update as soon as possible.
Much love Cliche.