A/N: To all my new readers, welcome! To all my old readers, welcome back! And my deepest apologies for the ungodly long delay. I don't want to bore you with the reasons, so let's get this next chapter started!
Oh, and if you don't remember what happened in the previous chapters, here's a short, er, long recap :)
Recap: On a fateful day, Brock is visited by Ash, who surprisingly comes to ask him for advice on girls. Or, as Brock strongly suspects, on one certain girl, namely Misty. When Brock visits Misty a few days later, he finds that Ash has almost set her kitchen on fire when he attempted to cook for her. Misty gets angry, but Ash avoids a fight, leaving both Misty and Brock flabbergasted. As Brock listens to Misty, he comes to the conclusion that Ash has been trying his tips on Misty, but failed miserably. Brock can't help himself, and tries to find out whether Misty likes Ash back, by telling her that Ash is in love with May and that he's going to travel to Hoenn to see her. Enraged, Misty demands to go with them, but Brock manages to calm her down. To do damage control, Brock goes to talk with Ash and convinces him to make Misty jealous by acting as if he likes May. He agrees and asks Misty along, who, of course, agrees.
Because Brock knows that he's going to need May's help in his plan, he calls her, with the intention to convince her to help him. But May isn't home and Max picks up the phone. Somehow, Max manages to find out about Brock's plan, and although reluctant at first, he agrees with it, on the condition that May won't get hurt. Brock agrees, and finally everything seems to go smoothly for the matchmaker. But when the day comes to board the plane to Hoenn, another complication arises. Gary is invited along, and Misty, out-of-characterly cheerful and prettily dressed-up, flirts with him, obviously with the intention to make Ash jealous. And successfully so.
Due to getting lost on the airport and bumping into a lot of people – among which was a girl that actually blushed when Brock helped her up – they miss the plane, and Gary runs in with old friend Leaf. Brock immediately sees the connection between the two, and decides to pair them up together, so that Misty will be free for Ash. Although they have missed the plane, Leaf agrees to go with them to Hoenn, and miraculously, two stewardesses turn up to usher them in another plane to Hoenn. The plane doesn't look too trusty, and when, after a long journey, they are asked to release their Pokémon in the plane, Brock's suspicions grow. And with reason, because the stewardesses and the pilot turn out to be the Team Rocket Trio in disguise.
When they attempt to capture the Pokémon, Brock sees the possibilities of pairing Jessie and James together, because then they would hopefully leave Ash and his companions alone. Hopefully. Nonetheless, Brock decides he's going to try. As soon as their attempt at capture fails, Team Rocket sabotage the plane and make a tactical retreat with their parachutes.
After a near-death experience during which Brock manages to land the plane in water, they swim to the land, and soon the group finds out they are in Unova. After a long time travelling – during which Gary and Misty flirt some more, and Leaf turns her aim to Ash – they arrive in a city, where they decide to stay in a Pokémon Center. Because there had been an accident in the kitchen of the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy is unable to provide them with any food, and so Brock is assigned to cook for the group. When he goes to buy food in the supermarket, he meets Cilan and Iris. It doesn't take Brock very long to figure out those two have something going on. When Cilan offers to help with the cooking, Brock uses it as an opportunity to find out the true nature of his feelings for Iris. Unsurprisingly, it is the age difference and the feeling of Iris being so much younger that holds Cilan back, and Brock is determined to help them out.
The meal is rather uneventful, with the exception of the revelation that Ash walked in on Misty showering and the fact that Iris and Cilan decided to accompany the group to the nearest airport in Opelucid City, and the group turns in for the night. Brock is abruptly awakened by Iris however, who demands to know whether he could fall in love with her or not. He declines, shocked, but when Iris leaves with tears in her eyes, he realizes that it wasn't about him, but about Cilan. Because he and Cilan are around the same age, Iris used him as a test to find out whether the age difference would be a problem. And since he declined, Iris now thinks that it would indeed be a problem. Following Iris into her room, he quickly straightens the matter and then is able to return to his much-needed rest.
Brock wakes up from a dream about the girl from the airport to the smell of pancakes. Downstairs, he's pulled aside by Misty, who's spying on Cilan and Iris, who are having a moment together during the preparation of breakfast. They are joined by Leaf and Gary, and Ash soon follows. When Leaf asks him some questions about what he sees between Iris and Cilan, Ash proves himself smarter than they gave him credit for. After breakfast, they leave the Pokémon Center and Brock finds himself talking to Gary. With some pushing from Brock, Gary admits to liking Leaf, despite his flirting with Misty. Having drifted off from the rest of the group, they quickly catch up again, during which Brock thinks to see the suspicious sight of a Meowth with binoculars. He disregards the idea of Team Rocket being near when Gary starts talking to Ash and therefore ignoring an increasingly more furious growing Misty. Leaf, with whom Misty had been talking before, is ignored as well and so ends up walking next to Brock. An awkward conversation soon ensues, while Brock tries to think of a way to get Leaf to confess her love for Gary.
Okay, hope you remember everything now again ;) Go on, read the chapter, only the replies to the guest reviews and the disclaimer are separating you from it. Enjoy!
To Cutiepiepo2: Wow, thank you! That means a lot to me, I'm very glad you enjoy it so much. As for the girl for Brock… you'll have to wait and see ;) Thanks again, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
To Pokelovergurl: Thank you very much for your reviews! Don't worry, jealously is certain to come. I ain't gonna make it easy for them :P Thank you!
To skitty28: Thank you! I'm glad you like it, and I hope you like this chapter as well. Thanks again!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
Leave It To Brocko
Chapter 14
"…wasn't as easy as I had expected it to be, of course. Then again, I had pretty high expectations, thinking we'd be best buddies instantly."
Leaf let out a laugh, and I grinned vaguely, pretending to be listening but too preoccupied with my own thoughts to really hear what she was saying. After the awkward beginning of our chat, I had somehow managed to steer the conversation towards the topic of her Pokémon, and now she was enthusiastically telling me how she had met each of them.
Her enthusiasm – and her obliviousness to me not listening – proved to be very handy, because now I could use the time to think of a way to get her to talk about Gary. And I needed that time, because I wasn't really succeeding with thinking of a plan.
It was only logical though, I suppose. Despite all my brilliant ideas, all seemed to encounter the same problem. No person in their right mind would confess their deepest feelings to someone they had just met.
Then again, Leaf didn't really seem to be in her right mind. She did like Gary after all. Or Ash. That was what I was trying to figure out. But I think – hope – Gary.
Like I said, not in her right mind.
Ah love, turning us poor humans into fools. Not me though. I'm not a fool. I'll never be a fool. No way, I always stay cool and sexy and absolutely irresistible. And let no one tell you differently.
Back to Leaf and Gary. As far as I could see – I couldn't see really far in this case, considering I had only known her for two days – Leaf was pretty much the perfect girl. Intelligent, pretty, nice, cheerful- if only she were older…
Eew Brock, wrong.
I gave myself a mental shake, forcing my thoughts onto a different trail. So, Leaf was pretty much perfect. Although, I thought, glancing to my left, she could talk too much. And perhaps she wasn't as smart as I had thought, if she still hadn't noticed that I wasn't listening. But maybe that was also caused by her enthusiasm for her Pokémon.
And Gary… well, he's not dumb, for a start. He is studying to be a Pokémon Professor after all. And I suppose he could be described as good-looking… And he seems to have this charm-
"What are you thinking about?" Leaf suddenly asked.
"Gary," I answered promptly, without giving it a second thought. And immediately regretting not giving it a second thought, because Leaf was now staring at me, obviously freaked out.
I still could've saved the situation. I could've said something along the lines of 'Yeah, I was wondering how the two of you had met.' or 'Any idea what kinda hair gel he uses? His hair is always so spiky…'
Of course, that still would've been weird, but at least it would've given the situation some of its normalcy back. And it was way better and waaaay less creepy than my actual reply.
"Yeah, he's smart, and handsome, and he has this charm…" I trailed off, my mind finally managing to shut my mouth.
Leaf's mouth however, was not shut. Quite the opposite really. She actually looked like a fish, with the bulging eyes completing the picture.
In the few seconds it took Leaf to compose herself, I made a decision. I hadn't been able to think of a plan, and apparently, this was the best I got. Might as well go with it.
"Don't you think so?" I asked, doing my best imitation of a dreamy sigh without sounding as if I was about to throw up.
Leaf was still eyeing me warily, but her face had taken on a semi-neutral expression again. I said semi because the slightest hint of pink seemed to linger on her cheeks.
"Well, uh, sure…" Leaf said finally. For a few seconds we were silent, before Leaf turned to me and said in a gentle voice, "But Brock… I'm sorry, but I don't think Gary… er, rolls that way, to be honest."
Aha! She is protecting her property! She so likes Gary.
I grinned at her. "I know, that's why I was only pretending to be interested in him so you would admit you liked him. And you just did!"
"What…?" she asked, utterly confused. Perhaps I should explain her behavior to her.
"You just said that Gary wouldn't be interested in me," I said slowly.
"Yes…?"
"So…" I urged her on, hoping she would see the answer herself.
"So…?" she repeated.
"So you were defending your property! In other words, you like Gary!" I said as if it were as clear as day. And it was, mind you. It was so glaring obvious that even a blind and mute Zubat would've been able to see that.
But apparently it still wasn't clear to Leaf.
"Or…" she said slowly, "I was just trying to protect a new friend from heartbreak by gently telling him that his crush wasn't interested in him."
Dammit, that girl was good.
"I don't like Gary, Brock," she said, looking absolutely serious. "He's a good friend, but I don't like him romantically. He's too much of a player to settle on one girl, and I don't want to set myself up for heartbreak by being one of the many."
Her tone seemed to sadden just a slight bit, but her face showed nothing of the sort, the serious look still in place.
"Although it's cute you want to play matchmaker for us, Brock," she said with a slight smile, before it disappeared again, "It just doesn't work like that in real life."
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I had not expected that. Unconsciously, I had opened my mouth to say something, but before I could think of any words, Leaf continued, the smile back on her face.
"But really Brock, if you are genuinely interested in Gary, I'd say go for it. I'm sure you can convince him to go on a date with you." She gave me another winning smile, all the seriousness of before gone, and skipped forward to the rest of the group.
…There is only one logical conclusion possible after this whole conversation.
That girl is a damn good liar.
Because that could not be the truth. I had seen too many hints already, and I did not misinterpret them. Or did I?
No Brock, don't start doubting yourself, doubt will be the start of your downfall, keep your confidence. You are Brock the Rock, Gymleader of Pewter City, Don Juan extraordinaire, irresistible and sexy, smart and good-looking, funny and-
I'm getting off topic.
Nonetheless, even if it wasn't the truth, the girl did have a good point. Gary had indeed the reputation to be a lady-killer – he would have to show her that he was genuine. That she was more than those cheerleaders to him- where had he gotten those anyway? He had been ten! Those women-
Before I could continue this line of thought, loud noise coming from in front of me distracted me. Loud noise that could also be described as a male and a female voice engaging in hormone-fueled bickering. Or Ash and Misty yelling. Whichever description you prefer.
Whatever conversation Gary and Ash had been having before, it seemed that Misty had refused to be left out like that. So she had joined in, and subsequently turned it in another arguing competition between her and Ash. And therefore excluding Gary.
Although I usually would've been the first one to break up the fight – mostly because I was the only one who dared getting close enough – this was the perfect opportunity to let Gary in on my discoveries.
After making eye contact, Gary seemed to get the hint and silently withdrew himself from the 'conversation'.
"So, did you, you know, find anything out?" Gary asked quietly. I slowed my pace slightly, creating distance between us and the rest of the group.
I glanced at Gary, wondering how to break the news. He looked the perfect image of calm and collected, even a slight air of disinterest hanging around him. But I noticed the little things, the way his eyes shifted over the group in front of us, the way his jaw clenched and unclenched, the way he forced his hands to relax- it was obvious that he was all but relaxed.
That knowledge didn't make it any easier for me to tell him that Leaf wasn't interested in him. Right now, that is. But if Gary was able to show her he was genuine…
Gary was still looking at me expectantly, and hastily I said, "Well, to be honest…"
I hesitated, and cracks were starting to appear in Gary's poker face. Better get over with it quick.
"She said that she liked you as a friend, but that she wasn't interested in you romantically."
His face fell, and my heart clenched. I knew all too well how rejection felt, yet I doubted he'd get over it as quickly as I could. For me, a rejection was like a needle piercing through my heart – going deep, but healing quickly and leaving a minimal scar. But if Gary's expression was anything to go by, it more seemed as if someone had slashed a kitchen knife across his heart, and without some proper stitching up, the wound would continue bleeding on.
Man, I'm good with metaphors.
Anyway, as I was saying, that boy needed some stitching up – sadly, mending broken hearts is one of the few qualities I haven't developed fully yet. Experience has taught me a many great things, but that was one of the few aspects of love that continued to be difficult for me.
Nonetheless, I could try. Besides, I did have at least one proper reassurance to offer.
"But," I continued quickly, before Gary's hope was completely lost, "she also told me why she didn't like you that way. She simply doesn't believe you're genuine in your affections for her – show her, and she's yours."
"But she said-"
"I suspect she was lying," I cut him off. Expertly lying, yes, but all those hints- she had to be lying. Right?
Silence. Well, from Gary anyway, as mindless chatter and arguing from our other companions kept me from enjoying the sounds of the nature around us. Gary was obviously still contemplating my answer and at the same time attempting to pull his face back in his nonchalant expression from before.
"How would I do that?" he finally asked.
"I think," I started, without really knowing how to continue, "perhaps-"
In front of me, Leaf, Cilan and Iris were swallowed by the ground.
Screams hit me a moment later, just as Ash and Misty disappeared as well.
My mouth opened in a soundless scream, and beneath my feet the ground crumbled. My hands stretched out, vainly trying to hold onto something that wasn't falling down.
Something hard met my back unpleasantly, and I slid down the last part, my nails digging in the earth to slow down my descent. I was finally stopped by something – or some things – warm and living.
When the screams died down and time seemed to go back to its normal pace again, my mind finally caught up with my body.
"Is everyone alright?" I called out, my voice not as strong as I had hoped it to be. From the heap of tangled limps and awkward positions in front of me several grunts were heard, indicating that my friends were fine.
I pulled my legs free and shakily stood, my bruised body protesting, and leaned against the sloping wall for support. Above us, light came from the big, perfectly circular hole we had fallen through. Perfectly circular… that reeked of a trap, in my opinion.
Iris seemed to have come to the same conclusion, holding up a few branches the floor of our hole was scattered with.
"A trap," Cilan agreed, bending forward for a closer inspection of the branches.
"Team Rocket," Ash muttered, clenching his fists. "I should've known."
With a shock I remembered the Meowth with binoculars I might or might not have seen. Team Rocket indeed.
"Did someone say 'Team Rocket'?" a voice above us inquired, followed by a maniacal laugh.
"I believe they did, Jessie," James answered gleefully.
Heads snapped up simultaneously, followed by eyes narrowing when three silhouettes bend over the hole. Their features were hidden in the shadow, but we didn't need to see their faces to know who they were.
"Team Rocket!" Multiple voices exclaimed at the same time, my own included. I could even hear Pikachu yell something to the same effect in its own language.
"Prepare for trouble!"
Arceus no.
"And-"
"No no no!" Meowth interrupted them. Unusual, but definitely not unwanted. "We'd be short and swift, rememba?"
"So no motto? You never said that!" Jessie jabbed an accusing finger at the Pokémon. But Meowth held his ground against the temperamental woman, and credit where credit is due, that Pokémon is brave. Or suicidal.
"Just stick to da plan!" he yelled back at her, slapping her finger away. "Grab da Pokémon and be gone!"
Jessie seemed to consider his words for a moment, before pulling out a blaster-like device from nowhere.
"But the motto-"James started, but shut up when Jessie shot him a glare. "Right, I'll get the magnet."
He disappeared from view, while Jessie activated the blaster. From the blaster end came two cables, with something resembling big rubber gloves on the ends. Jessie pushed some buttons on the device, and the two 'hands' shot down in our hole, obviously aiming for Pikachu.
"No way!" Ash yelled, pulling the yellow rodent close to his chest and turning his back towards the opening. "You'll never get Pikachu!"
The rubber gloves bumped uselessly against Ash's back, unable to grab anything Pikachu-sized. Jessie wasn't paying attention though.
"Jessie, it's too heavy!" I heard James complain from a distance. "I can't put it over the pitfall on my own!"
Jessie reacted instantly. "Meowth, hold this!"
The blaster device was thrust into his paws, and Jessie too disappeared from view. Meowth didn't continue with the assault of Ash's back though, instead he was staring at something in front of him.
A huge shadow fell over the hole. A big, round thing had appeared straight above the opening, cutting off most of our light.
"Get it ready!" Jessie yelled.
"I'm working on it!" James said in response. Then I noticed that they were holding up this round object together, only their legs visible from our point of view.
The thing rumbled to life and a feeling of dread filled me. What was it? Usually they explained their plans beforehand… A magnet, they had said, but how…
At first, nothing seemed to happen, but then Ash reacted. He yelped and straightened up, releasing Pikachu so his hands could fly to his belt. Then it hit me. Ash wasn't straightening up by himself – he was floating several centimeters from the ground, lifted up by his belt.
A moment later his Pokéballs snapped from his belt and shot upwards, hitting the magnet with a clank.
"A Pokéball magnet!" Misty exclaimed, holding down her own backpack that apparently wanted to rise upwards as well. But she couldn't stop her Pokéballs from escaping, as they slipped through her grasp and flew to the magnet.
It was only then that I felt something tug on my own backpack as well. Before I could obtain a good hold of it, it flew open and my Pokéballs disappeared.
"No!" I yelled, desperately and in vain making a grab for them.
Panic reigned. Everyone was yelling, holding onto their Pokéballs or jumping. Among the noise, I could hear Ash yell "No, Pikachu!" and when I looked upwards, I could see that Meowth had used the chaos as a distraction to take Pikachu.
Several seconds later, the situation had calmed, but not in our favor. Our Pokéballs were glued to the magnet, Pikachu was stuck in the rubber-gloves and we were still in the hole.
"Dat will be all, little twerps!" Meowth laughed, while Jessie and James removed the magnet from our view. Light cascaded back in, but it soon disappeared again, when another shadow fell over the opening.
"And now we'll make sure ya won't escape!" Meowth laughed again, this time joined by Jessie and James. "Time to close dis thing off!"
The object Jessie and James had been holding was lowered down on the opening, closing us off and putting us in complete darkness.
As their evil cackles died down, we were left alone in the silent darkness. And Brocko, that pitch-black darkness reflected my mood perfectly.
A/N: Thank you very much for reading! I hope you guys enjoyed it, despite the incredibly long wait. I once again apologize for that. I'm aiming to have the next chapter up in four weeks. Because I am going to finish this story! :D Doesn't mean this story is anywhere close to ending though, don't worry. It's going to be at least 20 chapters, and considering I make this up as I go, probably longer.
Anyway, to keep you guys busy during the wait and because us writers need to stick together, I decided to recommend a few great stories. Feel free to give them a read, they're worth it. Let's start with the Pokémon ones.
The Buzzards and The Bees by Aiselne Phoenix Nocturnus: Complete, T-Rated, slight PokeShipping, Brock and Pikachu. Hilarious short multi-chap, with Ash being our usual adorable idiot and completely misinterpreting a situation. Can't say too much, otherwise I'll spoil it, but definitely a fantastic story.
Finding Distant Skies by Apheleia: In progress, K plus-Rated, mainly ContestShipping, but with some side Shippings too. Includes Ash, Misty, Brendan, Dawn, Gary and Leaf. A long adventurous story, full of mystery, suspense and romance, with flecks of humor here and there. Normal teenagers May, Dawn, Brendan and Ash somehow end up in the Pokémon world, and in a race against time, they have to find their way back home. But of course it's not that easy… Anyway, amazing story, and incredibly well thought out, so go give it a look!
And for those who want to have a look outside the Pokémon fandom, here's a good Star Wars story.
Tranquility by ruth baulding: Complete, K-Rated, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. A cute short multi-chapter story, about Qui-Gon trying to teach a young Obi-Wan the art of meditation. Very funny, light-hearted fluff.
Well, that's all for today. If you know a good story for me to recommend, whether it's your own or someone else's, let me know and I'll give it a look. Just keep in mind I'm not all that familiar with most fandoms.
Once again, thank you for reading, I hope you liked it, and please leave me a review! Tell me what you liked and/or what you didn't like, any mistakes, any tips for improvement, please tell me! I found Meowth's accent particularly hard to write, so if you have any ideas on that, do tell. Thank you, and hopefully see you all in four weeks!