Being Second
An Egoshipping Fanfiction
by: i need sleep
A/N: Thanks to Crazy On Noodles x for reviewing! :) Anyway, here's the second chapter. Hope it's not disappointing, haha. I just used one of the most overused reasons to get them together. XD
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. If I did, Gary would have more screen time, and would've travelled with Ash for a few episodes.
Chapter 2: Can You Do Me A Favour?
Professor Gary Oak ran his hands through his cinnamon coloured locks with a sigh. His life had been a whirlwind lately, as if a Pidgey had used a gust attack on him. His days have become a flurry of work and one night stands; to sum it all up, he had a deadline to meet. A report on the possibility of other Eevee evolutions was rather overwhelming. He had to check through several aspects – what else could trigger evolution, and why?
It was all complicated. So complicated.
Grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair, he slipped off his lab coat and walked out. Umbreon, sensing her owner's stress, clambered off gracefully and sauntered beside him. With a smile, Gary acknowledged one of his best buddies.
"Hello, Umbreon."
"Umbree!"
He walked in the kitchen to find his grandfather sipping coffee. I knew he'd be here, he thought, as his grandfather looked up with a smile. "Gary!"
"Hey, Gramps," he smiled back and tilted his head to the direction of the back door. "I'm just going to get a break; I'm going to go check on the Pokémon outside."
The older Professor nodded, "Sure, of course."
The brunette held the door open for his Umbreon and walked out, to be greeted by the cool breeze. Thank God Pallet wasn't 'urbanized' yet; had he been in Saffron, he would be breathing in smoke, not air.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he waltzed off, checking on the Pokémon. Ash's Tauros were all calm, and his Snorlax was asleep—as per usual. He laughed as he realized Snorlax and Ash were too alike for their own good. When they were children, he remembered how Ash often took naps while watching TV.
And the size of his stomach…
Gary's face turned thoughtful. I wonder why Ashy-boy never gets as big as a Snorlax.
"Bay!"
He fell to his side as he was tackled by Ash's sassy Bayleef. With a laugh, he stood up and rubbed Bayleef's head. "How are you, Bayleef?"
"Bay! Bay-ee!"
Taking it as an "I'm fine," he continued to pet her while Umbreon rubbed his leg. Kneeling, he petted both Pokémon. Deciding she had had enough, Bayleef left with a final "Bay!" leaving Gary and Umbreon to continue their walk.
He was then greeted by his own Blastoise, who wrapped Gary in a massive bear hug. "Hey, Blastoise," he gasped, as his lungs fought to obtain air.
"Blast, blast!"
-o-
He must've been out for a good hour and a half, because he came back to the mansion when it was near dark. Umbreon lit the way for him with her gold rings, and he thanked her several times when they got to the door. Getting in, he heard the familiar voice of his grandfather.
And the similarly familiar voice of Ms Delia Ketchum.
"Hello, dear," she greeted with a smile.
"How were the Pokémon, Gary?"
He replied to his grandfather, "They're fine and well, gramps." Turning to his ex-rival's mother, he bowed. "Hello, Mrs. Ketchum; how are you?"
She giggled. "Oh, Gary, you can just call me Delia, really." She turned to his grandfather and both shared a look of amusement. "Mrs. Ketchum makes me feel old!"
He nodded. He didn't mind her company. She was his second mother, in a way, until his and Ash's rivalry. Until he had let pride get to his head. Until he wished for more than he could have.
He chuckled, not knowing what to say. "Well, Gramps, Mrs. Ketchum," he said, as he slowly walked towards the lab, "I'm afraid I have unfinished business to take care of."
As he turned, he heard her call back. "Gary!"
Looking sheepish, he turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Well," she began, "I'm throwing a party for Ash and I was wondering if you can help me with it, seeing as you too were so close."
He nodded deafly, seemingly losing control with his body. Delia Ketchum beamed, sincerity and gratefulness flooding her features. "Thank you so much Gary!"
"No… problem."
-o-
'Ring! Ring!' went the videophone, but she chose not to answer.
'Ring! Ring!' again.
Finally, at the third set of ringing she marched over to the videophone and answered. "Hello, Cerulean Gym, Misty Waterflower speaking."
"Misty!" A familiar voice called.
The screen sprang to life, and the red-head turned her head to face the now glowing screen. Delia Ketchum, Ash's mother, stared at her from the other side, with Mr Mime (or Mimey) standing behind her. "Hello, dear!"
She grinned, genuinely surprised. "Hello, Mrs K! How are you?"
The older woman's hand went to her cheek and she laughed, "Oh, dear, Delia, please." She paused and gave Misty a joking look, "Mrs K makes me feel old!"
The red-head laughed, "Alright," she said. "Can I help you with anything, Delia?" she asked and it felt strange to her, calling Ash's mother Delia instead of Mrs. Ketchum.
"Oh, yes!" She exclaimed, and with a look around her whispered, "I'm throwing little Ashy a party!"
"That's great, Mrs Ke—Delia!"
Delia laughed at her slip-up. "Well, I need your help to make it happen." She smiled a motherly smile. "You know my Ash so well; it would be nice if you were to help. Goodness knows I'm too old to throw 'hip' parties for teenagers!"
"I'm sure that's not the case."
"I want to believe that," she replied, "but, it's inevitable. One day I'm going to have to stop correcting people when they call me Mrs. Ketchum!"
Yeah, because you'll probably be Mrs. Oak by then, Misty taught with a giggle. "Anyway, I'd love to help!"
"Thank you, Misty!" Delia said, cheerfully. Her cheerfulness was contagious, and Misty couldn't help but be jolly with her. "So will you be able to drop by on Saturday?"
She nodded. Daisy can keep an eye on the gym, and Tracey can help her. She wouldn't mind spending the whole day with him. "Alright, sure!"
"Great! Let's say… 10 o'clock?"
"I'm in," she said with a smile, writing a note on her hand.
"So, Misty," Delia began casually, taking a motherly aura. "How have you been? Have you had dinner yet? How are your sisters? How's Psyduck?"
She was stunned. Misty couldn't remember the last time her mother asked her such questions, and with a warm smile, she replied to them all, savouring the moment.
A/N: Sappy moment between Delia and Misty. I thought I'd put that in because that will be a bit important as the plot unravels itself in my head. If it's not important, well.. It's still a nice scene.
Thanks for reading! :)