EDIT: this is what happens when you're STUPID. Sorry everyone, I posted an unedited version of chapter 9. So here's the replacement, hopefully with a little less awful writing. You probably won't notice the difference, but I do! xD
Notes: Wow you guys. I'm so, so sorry this chapter is so, so late. I never got my files back from my old computer, but that's no excuse! If anyone is actually still reading and keeping a track of this rambling mess, you are far more patient than me, and thank you!
Chapter Features- Rampaging Pokemon! Drama! Broken things!
Chapter 9
The night air was warm as it breezed about Ash, looping his hair into messy knots. Opposite him, by only a few inches, Gary was unaffected. He was smirking, his eyes narrowed.
"A battle?" he asked quite softly. He didn't look surprised. "It's about time. I thought you'd never ask." he stood up and looked down at Ash. "Well?"
Ash felt a bit disheartened.
He'd hoped Gary might be a little shocked by his declaration of battle. He'd hoped it'd sounded dramatic and would have caught his rival completely off-guard. Because it wasn't every day Pokemon battles took place in holes in the middle of Mount Moon, as far as he was aware.
He stood anyway and levelled a glare which matched Gary's. "Alright. How about three on three?"
"Fine," Gary said nonchalantly. "You have got your Pokemon with you, haven't you?"
Gary's taunting face looked especially malicious against the darkening sky, and it was only then that Ash realised it truly was night time. Little stars pricked through the sky, and a half moon glowed down on the campsite.
Ash hardly cared about that; "Yes," he said sharply. "Come on, Pikachu."
Pikachu, the initial spark of inspiration for this battle, looked weary and unsettled between the two rivals. Gary's Eevee appeared much the same. But they both turned respectively to their trainers sides.
"Let's make it interesting," Gary said. "first, your Pikachu versus my Eevee. After that, whichever Pokemon you like."
"Fine." Ash agreed, if only to start the battle.
He'd been itching for this day since the moment he'd gotten back to Pallet Town, and found Gary lounging without explanation on his couch. There was still no explanation for that now, Ash realised. But a battle was a good start. Finally he could test his skills against his most pronounced adversary.
In the past Gary hadn't really given him the time of day when it came to battles. Maybe he hadn't thought Ash was worth it. Maybe he was afraid he might lose?
Ash smirked a bit. He looked at Gary's Eevee, which was tensed and ready for battle. It was cute, and surely it wouldn't stand a chance against Pikachu.
The battle started before Ash was barely ready;
"Eevee, take down!" Gary commanded; and Eevee ran forwards with more speed than Ash had thought possible.
Pikachu obviously hadn't wagered on such a rapid move either, because it met Eevee's with full impact, and fell on it's back.
"Pikachu, thunderbolt!" Ash cried.
Pikachu sprung upright, raced forwards and delivered a shock;
"Doubleteam, Eevee!"
Ash watched, with vague confusion, as Eevee seemed to split into separate parts, so fast and without final destination. Pikachu's attack was wasted, the thunderbolt spreading and sizzling out into nothing amongst the duplicate Eevee's. Pikachu stared between them all, confused as it tried to decipher which was the real one.
Ash chanced a glance at Gary; he looked triumphantly smug. He knew what he was doing.
Ash realised this with a sinking sensation in his stomach, and he watched, feeling sick and full of disbelief, as Eevee delivered a Dig attack. Pikachu was knocked to the ground; and there it remained, looking dazed and worn out.
Eevee halted by it's master, and Gary sneered; "your Pikachu's not fast enough."
Ash gritted his teeth, but knew it was true. It would be heartless to put Pikachu through more redundant pain.
"Pikachu, come back. You gave it your best shot."
Pikachu stumbled away, quite grateful.
"So, whose next, Ashy? Or would you like to call it quits now?"
"No!" Ash fumbled for another Pokeball, and he chucked it in vicious frustration. Pidgeotto emerged, and flew about above their heads.
Gary didn't look at all concerned; his mouth curving up as he ordered Eevee back on the attack.
Eevee, as small and apparently cute as it was, was apparently also fearless in battle. And Ash was realising, with a mingling of horror and embarrassment, that he had misjudged this Pokemon badly.
It really was, as Gary had said, a Pokemon with the heart of a killer. Or something along those ridiculous lines.
It sprang up into the air and bit Pidgeotto on the neck. The surprised bird crashed to the ground with a loud squawk, and was not quick enough to defend itself as Eevee delivered a Quick Attack.
"Pidgeotto! Whirlwind!" Ash cried desperately, and could only watch on as a dust cloud began to form thickly before them, concealing both the battling Pokemon. Ash held his breath, waiting for the dust to clear.
Just in front of him, he could make out Gary's foggy form, and even in silhouette he looked cocky and self-assured. He knew he was going to win.
No! Ash couldn't let it happen! He didn't think he could bare Gary's gloating face, his stupid bragging after all of this...
The dust cleared, and Ash despaired.
Eevee was standing over Pidgeotto's fallen form.
"Two down, one to go, Ash," Gary grinned.
Fine. Ash thought, and he let his hand fall over his remaining Pokeballs. There were three left.
He picked the one he knew he shouldn't.
It felt odd in his hands, even though it was a normal Pokeball, just like all the others hanging off his belt. But somehow he could feel the unleashed and fierce energy within this one. And even as he held it out, he felt a little sick with nerves.
But to hell with it. He needed to beat Gary. He couldn't lose...and he couldn't lose with this Pokemon...
"Charizard! I choose you!"
The bright stream of red light which beamed from the Pokeball revealed the intimidating form of the fire Pokemon in all of it's untamed glory. Ash shielded himself against the gusts of rough wind that hit his face, as the Charizard batted it's wings, roaring wildly. Already, Ash knew this had been a dumb idea.
Gary stared up at the Charizard. He seemed apprehensive for a moment, but composed himself enough to give Ash an interested look.
"I thought you said it wouldn't obey you?" he yelled. He had to; Charizard had started snarling unpleasantly.
"I..." Ash gulped, watching as Charizard began stomping about. Really dumb idea.
His fist tightened about the pokeball he'd released Charizard from, and suddenly he wished it wasn't empty at all, and that Charizard wasn't standing before him, like some great Godzilla with a nasty headache. Pity wishes didn't really happen like that.
Just past Charizard, Gary was looking at him as though debating if he might be sane or not. He seemed to be considering the latter.
Ash stammered again; "I...it..."
"Will it obey you?" Gary asked, his eyes flashing incredulity.
Ash stared back at him, and was pretty sure his face gave away the answer. Gary seemed to realise too, and he opened his mouth to say something; probably something along the lines of how stupid Ash was, but was interrupted by a riotous roar, and then a breath of fire rushed from Charizard.
Ash staggered backwards, avoiding the flames.
"Ash, you idiot!" Gary yelled, stumbling back too.
The Charizard roared again, and this time it's flamethrower nearly met Ash. Ash scrambled and got to his feet.
"Charizard! Stop it!" he shouted; but his voice was fraught with fear, and Charizard turned it's back on him anyway.
"Ash! Call it back!" Gary sounded distant, above Charizard's increasingly thunderous calls. Ash saw, through forming smoke, as he dived out of Charizard's attack and landed on his stomach.
But the Charizard turned with ease.
Ash stared, feeling like his body might be separate from his numbed mind, as his Charizard lashed out, and hit Gary with a whip of it's great tail.
Gary was flung a few feet and landed, unmoving, in the dirt.
"No!" Ash staggered forwards; his first instinct to race to his rival, but another breath of fire sailed closely by him, and the Charizard had all eyes for him now. Ash was too worried to be scared, though; "Gary! Are you alright? Say something!"
Momentarily, Ash was so relieved. Gary moved, and lifted his head. He looked dazed. But he was okay.
Ash just wished he could get to him.
He strained his eyes through increasingly thickening smoke of the flame thrower attack; "Are you hurt?"
Gary blinked, then his face set as he shook his head; he looked furious. "Get that Pokemon into a pokeball, now!"
Ash snapped out of his panic. Gary's voice brought brutal common sense back into his mind, despite the situation they were in. He grappled in his pocket and pulled out a pokeball.
His hand was shaking so badly, he could barely hold the pokeball out. He spoke in a unsteady, faint voice; "Ch-Charizard, return!"
The blink of light which shot from the pokeball did not effect Charizard at all. Instead it bounced away from him and the pokeball jerked in Ash's hand. Charizard was looming over Gary now; who still lay on the ground, apparently not able to run away.
"Charizard...return!" Ash repeated wildly.
It was useless. Ash knew it.
"Ash! Make it return!"
"I can't!" and Ash ran forwards, careless of any flames which might hit him now, and came to Gary's aid. He grabbed him by the shoulders. "Get up! We have to run!"
"Ash!" Gary looked incredulous. "It's your Pokemon! You have to return it!"
"You have to run!" Ash pulled uselessly on Gary's shirt; wondering why the idiot wouldn't do the normal thing, and just move. "Charizard won't return!" he felt a shadow cast over them, and Ash could tell, just from Gary's terrified expression, that Charizard was almost on top of them.
"Ash," despite everything, Gary's voice was calm, and his face resolved into some vague sort of reason. "Listen; you need to weaken it. To get it back in the pokeball."
"What?" Ash blinked at Gary. "How can I...none of my Pokemon..."
"I know!" Gary said suddenly. And then he pointed past Ash toward the hole they'd been digging earlier.
"Try and lure Charizard into the hole?" Ash thought that was a stupid plan, even if the situation had become rather desperate.
Gary pulled a face; "Ash, I would kill you. But current circumstances prevent such pleasures." he grabbed Ash's head and steered it passed the hole. "Look."
Ash squinted through smoke and then saw the coiled string of boulders which were Brock's Onix. It was looking at Charizard and was ready for battle.
"Wow, I can almost see those little cogs whirring in your little brain." Gary commented, and probably intended to sound sarcastic, but it came out more petrified. "We're about to get fried, by the way."
Ash whirled round, at the same moment seeing Charizard's nostrils snort thick smoke.
"But what if Onix doesn't obey me?" he felt sick with the thought.
"It will obey you!" Gary cried. "You have badges, don't you?! You have loads of badges!"
Ash was startled by Gary's pledging face; it was something he'd never seen before. It spurred him into action somehow;
"Onix! Bind Charizard! Bind it now!" he commanded.
Onix came forwards with a roar which matched the ill-tempered Charizard's. It dodged a flame attack and then coiled into a stony circle; surrounding the Charizard. The fire Pokemon swiped at the rock type, but Onix was unaffected, and just snarled, curling his tapering heavy body closer round Charizard.
"Is it working?" Ash breathed.
"I think so."
Onix closed in, until it was too late for the wayward Charizard to fly free. Rock's creaked and roars whimpered as the Charizard found itself clamped and helpless in the Onix's tough bind.
"It worked!" Ash sighed relief, and then stared at the sight with anxious awe.
"Yeah, wonderful. Now hurry up and call it back," Gary sounded faint against the two roaring Pokemon.
"Okay." Still shaking, Ash held out his pokeball, and called out to his bound Pokemon; "Charizard, return now!"
Not without a shrieking protest, Charizard returned. Onix crawled away into a tight ball, looking singed and disgruntled. The smoke, which had been so thick it had made Ash's eyes water, was beginning to thin out into the night air.
Everything had settled.
With Pikachu running to his side, Ash turned around, and in the same moment Gary groaned and slumped back onto the ground.
"Gary!" Ash hesitated a small second, then arched his arm around the other boy's back, lifting him upright a little bit. "are...are you alright?"
"Urgh, don't do that," Gary muttered. "Idiot." he winced and then cried out as he started to sit up properly for himself. "My leg..."
"It got you leg?" Ash swallowed hard, remembering Charizard's attack, and how it had thrown Gary. "You hurt your leg?"
"Yes," Gary said in a patronising, acidic voice which Ash knew was reserved only for himself; "didn't the fact that I wasn't running for my life clue you in at all?"
"I..."
"You are such an incredible genius, Ash. I envy you far too much."
"Can you get up?" Ash decided to ignore him.
"Hm. I suppose so," Gary attempted, but barely managed an inch before whimpering in pain and collapsing back against Ash again.
Ash saw, despite the darkness around them, that he was blushing.
"I guess that wasn't a good idea." he said with agitation. He rolled his eyes at Ash, and then tried to bat his arms away again. "Figures. I'll be alright in a minute."
"Are you sure?" Ash was doubtful, and wished Gary wouldn't struggle against his grip so much. He was only trying to help.
"Can't you just go and get the others?" Gary glared at him.
"I can't just leave you here."
"I'm a big boy. And I'm not scared of the dark."
Ash cursed under his breath. Gary was still unbearably stubborn, even in times of distress, it seemed.
"I'm not going to leave you here," he said firmly, "and anyway, I have an idea."
"An idea?" Gary looked horrified. "Don't make me die of shock, it's not nice."
"Shut up. I've got Pidgeotto. I can ask it to find the others for us." He let the Pokemon go before Gary could protest otherwise. Pidgeotto wasn't in the greatest condition after the battle against Eevee, but it flew away fast enough, somewhere toward Mount Moon.
Gary watched it bleakly; "Why didn't you just go?" he murmured.
"I said I'm not leaving." Ash wasn't sure why he felt so very adamant about it, but there it was.
"Fine." Gary's glare lingered on him for a few seconds- maybe he was deciding how much he hated Ash right now- and then he closed his eyes and sighed in a frustrated way. "What sort of idiot releases an untamed Charizard anyway?"
"I didn't mean to..."
"Of course you didn't."
"Look." Ash paused, unsure of how he should take Gary's grim expression. He wasn't sure he wanted to take it the way it seemed to be implying. "Look, I didn't...I never meant for this to happen, okay?"
"Who cares? It's done now." Gary shrugged angrily away from him. "Can't you just go? "
"Pidgeotto's good at finding things. The other's won't be very long," Ash said, trying to sound rational.
"Well, with your help it might find them faster!" Gary snarled, suddenly more angry than hurt. Ash couldn't understand it.
"Why are you so eager to get rid of me?" he demanded.
"Cos I feel sick! And I don't want you to see me pass out!"
"You...what?" Ash stared at Gary. But Gary had turned his eyes away from him, toward to the ground.
Then Ash noticed; for the first time taking in Gary's entire disposition; how terribly pained he looked. His face was a pale sheen of perspiration, and his chest was heaving up and down at a shaky pace. Ash could feel the frantic thump of his heart beneath the palm of his hand.
Ash quickly removed the hand; he hadn't even noticed that it had been there.
"Can you please just get the others," Gary repeated, in a quiet voice. He still wasn't looking at Ash.
Ash thought he looked pitiful, and in that same moment a deep pang hit his stomach. He realised, when he caught the glossy look in his rival's eyes, that he felt so guilty. Really, what sort of idiot did release their untamed Charizard into battle, expecting anything good to come of it?
He looked at Gary, and knew he was never supposed to see him like this. This was his rival, who was always cool, and always had something to say. Who had confidence in buckets, and could grin and make Ash's friends laugh and like him. He was charming and he was a total jerk but he still got away with it. And Ash was never supposed to know anything else.
Gary rubbed an arm over his eyes, and made a strange weak sound.
Ash wasn't supposed to know that Gary cried either.
"Look, it's okay...the others will be back really soon-"
"You don't know that." Gary rubbed his eyes a bit more, and took a few moments to raise his head. Then looked at Ash properly. Despite everything, he seemed to smirked a bit.
"What?"
"Nothing," Gary shook his head. "But I'm getting deja vu here."
"You mean hurting your leg?" Ash tried to think; "was it that time we went-"
"No," Gary pulled a face. "I mean those other times you're such a moron."
Ash groaned embarrassment, but was quite consoled by the fact that Gary was at least feeling well enough to tease him.
"Considering that, every moment of my life should be a case of deja vu really, shouldn't it?" Gary said.
"Very funny." Ash muttered.
Gary's smirk broadened, and his pained face seemed to ease a bit with it. Ash felt him relax a bit more against him.
"My leg really hurts."
Ash glanced down at it, but was no expert, nor confident enough to assess the actual damage. He didn't feel he should attempt to move Gary at all, but also, he was distracted by how vulnerable his rival looked.
It reminded him of his guilt, and he swallowed hard when Gary closed his eyes.
"Listen, I'm sorry about all this. I'm really-"
"Shh," Gary interrupted, not bothering to open his eyes. "If you insist on being a stubborn moron, you could at least be a quiet one."
Ash felt himself smile faintly. He nodded, even though Gary couldn't see the gesture anyway. He held him a bit tighter.
"The others should be back soon."
"You've already said that. Don't try and reassure me, it really doesn't help."
"Sorry," Ash apologised again, not sure what else he was supposed to do. He wished Brock was here, or Misty or Tracey. Anybody else would have been better. Anybody else got on with Gary, and Gary actually liked them.
But then, anybody else didn't randomly release vicious Charizard's onto their fellow trainers...
My fault. Ash remembered. All my fault. He looked back down at Gary; who was watching him now with some sort of suspicion. Only the pallid sheen across his face gave away that he was injured.
"It's amazing," he said quietly.
"What is?" Ash asked.
"Oh, nothing. You were just quiet for a moment."
"Why is that so amazing?" Ash was confused. "I can be quiet."
"Not that. You just listened and did as I asked. It's impressive."
"What makes you think I wouldn't-"
"-Hey!"
Ash was saved further confusion, as he looked up and saw three figures were suddenly jogging into sight, a little blurred against the thinning smoke.
"What happened here? Did you guys light a barbecue?" it was Misty, and Ash was comforted by her unbelieving voice.
"Either that or they had a bonfire," Tracey decided.
He reached the campsite and his face quickly crinkled into concern when he looked at Ash and Gary, and probably their very odd looking situation. Ash wasn't sure why, but he blushed a bit and moved away from Gary. It didn't matter anyway. Tracey was good at getting involved and holding Gary for himself.
"What happened here?" Brock asked, he and Misty quickly flanking all sides. "We heard lots of noise, then Pidgeotto came. We thought maybe-"
"Gary's hurt. I think his legs broken," Ash said at once, not halting for breath. "He probably needs the hospital."
"Oh my god." said Misty, "Did you try to kill each other?"
"Again?" Tracey added wryly.
"No! We were having a Pokemon battle. Then I released Charizard, and it started going crazy, and it got Gary-"
"You released Charizard?" Misty looked horrified.
"Never mind that now," Tracey seemed to gather Ash's pale face. He lifted Gary upright a bit, who looked rather dazed now. "Hey, are you alright?" Tracey spoke gently.
"My leg is dying, I think."
Tracey shook his head, a faint smile crossed his worried face. "I'm sure it's not so bad." he bent to Gary's legs and then attempted to move one of them.
"Ow! I told you!"
"Okay, I'm sorry," Tracey said quickly, then looked a bit grim. "Yeah, it's broken."
"I could have told you that." Gary frowned.
"Look, there's lots of blood too." Misty said, pointing at the blossoming red that was coming through the leg wound onto Gary's clothes. Ash felt sick looking at it, so he turned away.
"Thanks for pointing it out." Gary said sarcastically, and looked rather sick too.
"Well we need to get him to a hospital." Brock said.
Ash was glad that neither Tracey or Brock were choosing to interrogate him too much about the Charizard incident just yet, although he was very conscious of Misty, who was looking between he and Gary with a strange face.
"The nearest hospital is in Viridian City," Tracey informed, as he rubbed a hand soothingly on Gary's back.
Ash wondered if he should have done the same. Then he wondered if he should have touched Gary at all. He began to feel a bit awkward about it. He dared a look at Gary; he'd resigned to shutting his eyes again, but his brows were knitted into annoyance.
"Has anyone got a Pokemon that can take us there? That'll be quicker," Misty suggested.
"I've got a Pokemon that can do that," Gary said grouchily, "and stop talking like I'm dead." he struggled, but pulled a pokeball from his pocket; and then his Arcanine was released.
"Ah, perfect." Tracey said.
"He can only hold two people, though."
Ash felt uneasy, wondering if he was supposed to accompany Gary to the hospital. It would make sense. Hadn't he caused all of this after all...
"Ok, I'll take you," Tracey said at once. "Here, Ash. Give me a hand."
Then Tracey wrapped one of Gary's arms round his shoulder, and Ash guessed he should get the other arm. He gathered it clumsily about him, and it felt lax and unreal over his shoulder. They both lifted Gary upright; and he groaned and his legs gave way beneath him.
"Easy," Tracey said, and he and Ash barely caught him.
"This is humiliating," Gary closed his eyes, sounding sleepy. "and should only happen in nightmares," his head rested involuntarily against Ash's shoulder, and his hair tickled Ash's nose.
"Well just think of it as a really vivid nightmare then, if it helps." Tracey suggested.
"That won't work. I already know it's not a nightmare now."
"Count Pokemon," Brock suggested brightly, "it'll take your mind off the pain."
Ash felt an uneven sigh against him; "I can't. And I'm going to pass out."
The sudden dead weight, which fell almost entirely against Ash, was a shock, but Tracey easily kept Gary upright.
"He's fainted," Misty said with some concern.
Ash was still more aware of Gary's head on his shoulder, and then he caught a close glimpse of his face; which was much too pale and wrought.
"Are you guy's okay walking?" Tracey asked. He mounted the Arcanine with relative ease, sitting behind Gary and clamping his arms securely round the younger boy's waist. He looked at Ash, and he seemed concerned.
For some reason, Ash couldn't find his voice. And his focus, as much as he hated to see it, kept on returning to Gary's unconscious form.
"Yeah. We'll be fine." Brock spoke for him anyway, his smile tight. "You just make sure he gets seen to. We'll take care of Ash."
Ash startled and stared at Brock, not noticing as Arcanine departed.
"Brock, I-"
"Ash, are you alright?" Brock's gentle voice dispelled Ash's fears. Both he and Misty looked sympathetic. Not furious with him for making such a stupid mistake.
"I'm fine." he croaked out, and was shocked at how distraught he actually sounded.
Misty hesitated, then stepped forwards and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure, Ash? You look really pale. And that Charizard-"
"Charizard didn't get me," Ash blurted, and didn't care that Misty looked surprised. "It got Gary. And it's my fault," he turned on his heel, ignoring even a startled call from Pikachu. He stormed in the vague direction of Pallet town.
He ignored Misty and Brock's calls, which didn't last very long anyway. Ash was glad. He didn't want their sympathy or concern. Mostly, he just wanted to be by himself.
&&&
Ash got home late the next morning. He knew his mother would be worried, everyone would be worried, but he wasn't sure if he deserved it.
He'd taken a long route back to Pallet Town, revelling in the welcome blackness of night, and wondering whether he would ever be able to look Gary in the eye again after this. Assuming Gary was alright, of course. Of course he would be, because he was perfect like that, but Ash found himself worrying anyway.
He reached Pallet when the sun was high in the sky. The first person he saw, just to worsen worried thoughts; was Professor Oak.
"Ash!" the Professor cried, and looked immensely relieved as a ran to meet him. "Ash, where have you been all morning? Everyone's been so worried..."
"I'm okay. I just wanted a walk." Ash said, and hoped he did look okay. He looked at the Professor sombrely. "How's Gary?"
The Professor smiled. "He's fine, Ash. A lot better than you, by the looks of things."
"Huh?" Ash followed the Professors concerned gaze to his arm, and for the first time he noticed a red streak slashed across it. He couldn't remember, but he guessed it was the result of Charizard's flame thrower attack.
"Ash, you need to get that cleaned up."
"I will," Ash said dully, and allowed himself to be guided to Professor Oak's house.
Inside, Oak helped clean and bandage up the stinging arm, and Ash just stared at the carpet, feeling blank and useless.
"Everyone's waiting for you at home. You should go and see them."
Ash blinked up and noticed the kind look on Professor Oak's face. "What about Gary? Shouldn't I see him first?"
"He's had a hectic morning. I think he's asleep right now, Ash." he seemed to gather Ash's worried face. "But I can assure you he'll be perfectly fine in no time at all."
Ash didn't feel convinced. He just felt more terrible. "My Charizard did this. Gary got a broken leg and all I got was a scratched arm. That doesn't seem right."
"What's done is done," Oak said firmly, and Ash followed him gloomily the short length to his own house. He listened to the Professor, who seemed to be surprisingly flippant about the entire incident; "Of course, your Charizard must be a very high level. There's no doubt about that. I mean, if it wouldn't even obey you, Ash-"
"Please, Professor. Don't try and make me feel better about all of it."
"Oh but it's true," Oak carried on. "Even Gary was commenting on how powerful it was."
"Gary told you?" Ash looked properly at the Professor. He'd assumed that Brock, Misty or Tracey might have filled him in.
"Yes, he did," Oak grinned. "He was very impressed by your Charizard. He thinks it's a very high level."
"Impressed?" Ash was dumbstruck. "But it could have killed him."
Oak chuckled; "Well, he did mention that too."
When they reached the gate of Ash's house, Ash felt suddenly very sick, and wanted nothing more than to turn and run in the opposite direction. He wasn't ready for interrogation, he wasn't ready to be told how stupid he'd been, and how much it upset him to know what he'd done...
"Ash," Oak said gently, "Your mother is very worried about you. She's not angry."
Ash could barely bring a smile to his lips. Somehow he wasn't really so scared about what his mother thought at all. She could shout at him, like she had when he'd ran out into the rain, and he'd take it and know he deserved it.
He could handle that.
He wasn't sure if he could handle seeing Gary, though. Whether he'd be angry, hurt and upset, or just normal and nasty.
"Are you coming in too?"
"No," Oak shook his head, smiling slightly. "I've been here all morning and am already behind on my preparations for the fete."
The fete. Ash recalled distantly. "Oh," he said, and wished he could go help the Professor.
"I'll see you later, Ash. You take care of that arm."
Ash watched the Professor go, and lingered for as long as his tortured mind might allow, just on the doorstep of his house. Then, when the waiting became more unbearable than the prospect of actually going in, Ash turned the door knob and entered the house.
It was a bizarre sort of hysteria that greeted him, because everyone was so quiet, yet so ecstatic at the same time. Pikachu sprang into his arms, delighted, and then Delia wrapped him in a hug, muttering whispered words such as;
"I'm banning you from digging for fossils! I'm banning you from going out ever again!"
And then Brock, just as hushed; "Ash! We were beginning to think you'd never come home!"
Misty simply buried him in an embrace and sounded a bit tearful; "we were so worried, you idiot."
Tracey waved at him from the couch, and nothing else. The reason was self explanatory; because lying on the couch, his heavily cast leg strewn across Tracey's lap; was Gary. He was fast asleep.
"Hey, Ash." Tracey said quietly, smiling at him.
Ash walked tentatively into the room, unable to take his eyes off Gary's prone form. He looked to be sleeping quite deeply, and Eevee was curled up on his chest, looking content. Ash was more than a little surprised that Gary was here; he'd guessed he was still at the hospital. But then he realised Professor Oak had never actually said that.
"He's been here a couple of hours. He hates the hospital." Tracey said in explanation.
"Oh." Ash said hollowly, and felt his mother rub her hands on his shoulders.
"Ash, are you alright, dear?" she asked, "Oh, look at your arm! It's hurt!"
"I'm ok," Ash assured, not wanting the attention.
"-and what were you thinking, going off into the forest in the middle of the night like that? Anything could have happened to you-"
"Really, mom. I'm fine." Ash still couldn't take his gaze off Gary. "How is he?" he asked pointedly. "I mean, was it very serious?"
Delia shook her head; "Oh dear. He was in a state when he got to the hospital, poor thing." she explained, "but it's just a broken leg and a few bruises, the doctor said. I don't know, you boys." she looked at Ash, not especially annoyed.
Ash suddenly wondered what she actually knew of last night.
"Mom, I'm sorry. It was me...I-"
"I know all about it." Delia's eyes flashed faint severity. "Don't think I'm not disapproving of you boys and your ridiculous rivalry. Honestly, what you did was beyond stupid. But really, I'm just glad you're both okay." and then she wrapped him in a tight, unexpected hug, and breathed a deep sigh of relief. "Don't scare your mom like that again, Ash."
"He won't," Misty said with soft assurance. She was fixing Ash with a determined look; "I'm going to be keeping those boys in line from now on."
"Well someone's got to," Tracey added, with a laboured sigh. Ash noticed Gary shift slightly against Tracey's lap, but he didn't wake up.
"Well so long as I can trust you to try to behave." Delia seemed to deliberate the idea for a few seconds, then she just rolled her eyes. "I'm going to the lab," she said, giving Ash a swift kiss on the forehead. "Please try not to cause each other anymore bodily harm, alright? Professor Oak and I are already so behind on the fete preparations, we don't need you boys worrying us to death at the same time."
Ash watched his mother leave, feeling a little more desolate than he had moments before. And now, when he looked between his three friends, they all seemed a bit uneasy. Making a point of avoiding their gazes, Ash sat down opposite Tracey and Gary, and stared at the floor.
"Erm. Sorry if I worried you."
"Hey, it's okay." Tracey assured. "We're all just glad you're okay."
"Yeah. Your mom has been worried sick." Brock said. "All morning, since we got back. She thought maybe you'd done something stupid."
"I did do something stupid, remember." Ash said, prickled.
"Oh, Ash," Misty stepped forwards, looking a bit upset. "We know you didn't mean for anything bad to happen. You couldn't help that Charizard would-"
"I don't want to talk about it," Ash said quickly. And he couldn't. Not when Gary was there, and looked quite helpless and harmless. And as though he'd been created just to make Ash feel bad about himself.
Why did Gary do that to him? It wasn't fair.
"Would you like something to eat?" Brock asked carefully, perhaps sensing that Ash wasn't in any kind of mood to sit and talk about things.
"I'm not hungry." he mumbled. Gary was still distracting him, with his completely out of order sleeping.
Ash couldn't stand it.
"I need to go lie down. I'm really tired." it wasn't entirely untrue. He stood up and went upstairs before anyone could say anything else.
&&&
"I can't believe you. You think you're funny but you're really, really not."
"C'mon. I think it's a pretty good likeness."
"You would say that, because you drew it."
There was interesting conversation and laughter coming from downstairs. Ash recognised one laugh in particular; it was Gary.
So he was awake then.
Reluctant, but knowing he couldn't do the pathetic hide-in-his-room act forever, Ash decided to go downstairs that evening.
When he entered the room, nothing very dramatic happened.
"Oh. Hey Ash." Brock greeted with a grin. But Ash couldn't keep his attention on him for very long.
On the settee, in very uncompromising positions, were Tracey, Misty and Gary. Gary looked most absurd, wedged between them both, and his cast leg was stretched onto Misty's lap, whilst his upper body was leant heavily on Tracey. Misty, with a leg entwined clumsily in Gary's, looked to be in the process of performing some sort of wildly adventurous sex act.
Ash wondered whether he should just exit the room and pretend he hadn't seen anything.
"Oh, Ash!" Misty greeted, and then Ash noticed the pen in her hand. "I'm trying to sign the cast, but they keep making fun of my drawings."
Gary sniggered, and Misty elbowed him sharply in the ribs.
"Misty!" he yelped, and then looked piteous. "Attacking a cripple! That's low even for a wicked girl like you!"
"Me, wicked?" Misty was incredulous. But then she laughed; "Don't think the sympathy act is gonna work with me. I'm wise to your tricks."
Ash didn't think so. By the awful closeness she seemed to be sharing with Gary, Ash didn't think she was very wise at all.
"Uh, hi," he said unenthusiastically, and sat down. He half expected Pikachu to join him, but then noticed it was too busy playing with Eevee.
Gary, who hadn't seemed to notice Ash yet, finally did. His eyes narrowed; "well, it's Ashy the reckless. The kamikaze wonder." his grin was malicious.
"Gary!" Tracey warned. "Be nice."
"I am." Gary said plaintively, and he struggled against Misty's hold on his cast.
"Hey, I've not finished drawing yet."
"What are you doing? Some sort of masterpiece?"
"It might be," Misty's grin was a little shady. "You'll just have to wait and see."
"Oh fun." Gary folded his arms, which was quite a fete considering the awkward position he was sat in.
Tracey laughed; "Ash, would you like to sign the incredibly detailed cast?
"Erm..."
"I don't want him to,"Gary looked at Ash with a dislike he'd not seen in a long time. And even though Ash had almost become used to such hostility in the past, it came as something of a shock now.
He glared, hoping it covered up the shock. "Good. I don't want to sign it!"
"That's even better. Cos like I said, I don't want you to."
Ash opened his mouth, wanting to shout, but Misty gave him a warning glance, so he held his tongue, and just settled for glaring at the carpet.
Misty quickly untangled herself from Gary, and looked much more serious all of a sudden. She spoke a pledging voice;
"I know it's incredibly hard and almost impossible for you both, but can't you please, please try to act civil? Just for the sake of my sanity?"
"I didn't know you had any to begin with." Gary said, and was rewarded with another sharp nudge in the ribs.
"It's no laughing matter." she said sternly, "you two almost ended up getting killed last night, and even if Mrs Ketchum is too nice and forgiving to punish you, I'm not!"
Ash straightened in his seat, and Gary stopped smirking and looked vaguely apprehensive.
"I can't believe you'd go to such dangerous and stupid lengths, just to try and prove you're better than each other," Misty continued. "It's idiotic boys being...idiotic boys."
No-one said anything. It seemed Misty's word was the authority when Delia was away. Although awkward silence was reliably broken by Tracey, who cleared his throat and spoke in a cheerful way;
"We saw some Clefairy last night, you know." Everyone blinked at him, and he continued, a little awkwardly. "They were very...er..."
"Pink?" Gary suggested.
"Yes. They were." Tracey nodded. "And cute. Exceptionally cute."
"Cuter than the evil being which is Togepi?" Gary wondered. This time he shifted out of the way before Misty could elbow him.
"They were very cute," Misty conceded. "and we saw about five, all separate sightings."
"How wonderful for you," Gary cooed, clearly taunting. "I wish I could have been there, to share in the magical...what was it? Romantic experience."
Tracey whacked him on the head with good humour. "Hey, at least I saw something. What happened to your fossil hunt, huh?"
Gary looked regretful. "I blame people. Unnamed people, who will remain nameless, but could also be called Ash."
Ash gritted teeth. "I helped you."
"Yeah. Until you tried to kill me with your insane Pokemon."
Ash decided to hold his temper, for the moment. He felt too tired for argument, and when he glared at Gary, he could tell his rival wasn't in the mood for it either.
"I think we should have a bet," Misty said in a deceptively pleasant voice.
"A bet?" Brock asked curiously.
"Yeah. To see how long they can go without tearing each other to shreds."
"Aw," Gary moved away from Tracey, and rested his head gently on Misty's shoulder. "You're so mean. We're just idiotic boys, remember."
Misty shrugged him off of her; "I already told you, don't play puppy-dog with me," she warned. But Ash noticed that she let her arm linger for a needless amount of time round his neck, and her hand briefly caught his hair. Ash couldn't tell if it was intentional or not.
Gary raised his head, and looked at her through a smirk; "would you kick a puppy dog when he's down?"
"Yes. When puppy dogs are like you." Misty said with conviction.
Gary just laughed; he seemed to have this bizarre repour going on with Misty, and Ash didn't like it at all. It was almost, now that Ash really thought about it, like they were a couple...
No. that was stupid. Misty barely knew Gary, and she didn't like him. She'd said she didn't like him.
Ash thought he should be comforted by this, but the more he watched the both of them, levelling formidable smirk with smirk, the sicker he felt.
Tracey rescued Ash from potential sickness though, by tugging tugged Gary backwards and away from Misty. He landed clumsily on Tracey's lap.
"You're a terrible flirt," Tracey said.
"Well I need the practise." Gary shrugged, looking up at Tracey. He was grinning. "You know how hopeless I am."
Ash was more than a little surprised. Even if he'd half suspected that Gary might like Misty, when it was said aloud it was suddenly real, and not just some paranoid inner thought anymore. And more than that, Ash didn't think Gary was hopeless.
Misty didn't look very shocked by the admittance. In fact she looked amused.
"Gary, you have a lot to learn about romance, and please don't go practising your dodgy lines on me. I might throw up."
"I thought you were the romantic type?"
"I am. When it's the right person!"
"But I could be the right person," Gary said with insistence. "And besides, I haven't got anyone else to practise on."
"Why is that?" Misty asked, tickling her Togepi's stomach.
"Because no-one else can stand me!"
Tracey tugged him back by his hair.
"Ow-are you trying to kill me, Tracey?"
"Yeah, because you are so stupid it hurts." Tracey grinned.
"My leg is broken and you're calling me stupid. I'm seriously hurt now."
Tracey sighed; "you're going to milk that forever, aren't you?"
"Yeah." Gary looked completely at ease against Tracey, and he closed his eyes. "My leg is broken and I want a cookie. And some lemonade. Also, my leg is broken."
"I can't move," Tracey pointed out, "You're lying on me,"
"Well you'll have to take me with you, then,"
Ash watched with reluctant amusement, as Tracey easily lifted Gary up, but staggered a bit into the kitchen; looking like some warped odd couple. They teetered about for a minute, before Tracey managed to retrieve both lemonade and cookies.
He dumped Gary quite ungracefully back on the sofa and they both laughed in between munches on cookies and spilling of lemonade. Misty scowled at them both;
"Well it's nice to know you both have such respect for Mrs Ketchum's home." she dusted cookie crumbs off the sofa.
"I'll make it up," Tracey insisted. "Besides, I'm moving out very soon."
"Are you?" Gary straightened a bit.
Tracey nodded; "I was telling Ash a few days ago. I'm looking for a place in Pallet, so I can be near the lab, you know." he looked at Ash rather knowingly, but Ash couldn't really recall such conversation with Tracey at all. Too much stuff had been happening to remember that.
"Well of course you need to be nearby. Being my man-servant will require you being near enough to tend to my every whim." Gary said.
"Oh, yeah," Tracey scoffed, and gave him a playful shove. "I forgot about that, didn't I?"
Ash felt glum and unsociable as he watched Gary and Tracey laugh together, and then Misty somehow got involved, and was tugging Gary's top and making him laugh even more.
Ash didn't even gain any comfort from Brock, who was watching tv in between feeding Pikachu, Togepi and Eevee his homemade Poke food.
"You know, if it wasn't for your incurable ego, I'd actually really like you, Gary," Misty said, as she began doodling once more on the leg cast. She was smirking.
"That's nice to know," Gary said, and he was looking at his top with faint annoyance. "You've stretched it out of shape. And my ego is perfectly sized."
"Perfectly sized for a large blimp, maybe. That tops too loose on you, anyway."
"Blimp? You exaggerate," then Gary blinked at his top. "Since when were you a fashion guru, Misty?"
"Since now, apparently." Ash said, remembering her comments on how positively stocky he was.
"I'm just saying," Misty said fiercely between the two boys. "And would it really kill you to brush your hair once in a while?"
Ash guessed she was directing the question at both of them.
"I do brush my hair," he said lamely. "It just doesn't like brushes."
"Not an excuse." Misty shook head, then sighed. "Why bother, anyway?" she was watching Gary, who was having his hair ruffled by Tracey.
"Are we really that awful, Misty?" Gary asked, grinning. "Why don't you come out and say it. You think we're a couple of eyesores."
Misty flushed; "I...I don't...I never said that!" her eyes darted to Ash. "I never meant that!" she looked perfectly aghast.
"Well that's what it sounded like." Gary's grin fell into a smirk, and he looked like he knew something that Ash didn't. Ash was getting far too used to that look.
"Well it's not what I meant!" Misty snapped at him. "And you can keep your wise guy mouth shut. Or you'll be getting another, much more well-deserved broken leg."
Gary looked mockingly upset. "You wouldn't."
"Don't tempt me."
Ash thought she looked perfectly liable to completely destroy Gary in that moment, and if he was feeling kinder, Ash would have warned his rival to keep his stupid trap shut. But he wasn't feeling very kind, and Gary was annoying with all his stupid smiles and knowing glances.
"Misty, you know I'm joking," Gary's laugh was gentle this time. And he leant forwards and slung an arm round her neck.
Misty stared at him a moment; their faces unbearably close, "Ok," she said finally, and her hostile gaze melted into a vague smile.
Gary smiled back at her. "Good."
"But you got lucky this time. Don't think I wouldn't hesitate to beat up on you." Misty added.
"I don't doubt it," Gary said, and then held out a cookie to her. "Accept this as my apology."
Misty stared at the cookie, as though it might sprout teeth and viciously attack her. Then she looked at Gary, unimpressed. "A cookie?"
"The cookie of peace." Gary corrected. "Eat it and you have to swear never to hurt me ever again."
"Ever again?" Misty was incredulous, but took the cookie anyway. "Since when have I hurt you before?"
"Every day," Gary suddenly looked dramatic, "Every day we're together, you hurt me, Misty. With your beautiful, sea-green eyes, and the way you hold that Togepi of Evil. I just die inside, knowing I can never be as near to you as that cursed egg."
His face was dreamy and absent, and his eyes were wide and penetrative as he stared at Misty. Ash thought he looked so serious and so undeniably sincere.
For a short second Misty's face was a sheet of shock, and Ash was quite positive his was too- his insides seemed to have drained into pathetic little pools. Then Misty raised a hand and batted Gary sharply around the head, and any moment of madness, involving Gary declaring undying love for Misty, was quickly vanquished into the ridiculous.
"Gary! You're such a JERK!"
Gary dodged Misty's tirade to little effect, but he didn't seem too bothered anyway. He was laughing.
"Hey...practise, remember?" he said with glee. "I need to perfect my technique!"
"Whoever falls for that will deserve you," Misty sniped, "cos they'd have to be a real dope."
Gary looked mildly affronted. "I thought it was okay," he peered round at Tracey. "Don't you think it was okay?"
Tracey smirked; "Irresistible."
"See," Gary turned back to Misty with a grin. "Irresistible."
Misty snorted. "Tracey is your man-servant. It's his job to tell such hideous lies, in the interest of keeping you happy."
Gary's face fell in realisation, "Well who should I go to for a totally unbiased opinion?" fleetingly, his eyes fell over Ash, but he was quick to dismiss him, "No, not you. How about Brock-"
"Why not me?" Ash asked, indignant.
"I want an unbiassed opinion."
"Yeah? I'm unbiassed."
"You hate me," Gary reminded.
"I-" Ash faltered.
He hated Gary? Actually hated him? No, that was not true. He'd never hated his rival. He just disliked him, pretty intensely. It wasn't the same thing. Surely it wasn't?
Ash blinked at Gary. "I don't hate you."
Gary seemed to startle, and it was only for a small second, but Ash caught it.
"Well, okay," Gary looked a bit awkward, then he cleared his throat, and his face resolved into a familiar look of indifference. "Well, seeing as you're so keen to judge me on my wonderful flirting skills, let's have your verdict."
Ash felt himself blush furiously. He hadn't been so keen to do that. He didn't know a thing about flirting with anyone at all. He'd just been annoyed that Gary had chosen to dismiss him like that. Like he alwaysdid.
"Um," he mumbled, and looked at the floor. "I don't know. It was alright."
He expected a spiteful laugh from his rival.
So he was more than a bit surprised when Misty laughed instead.
Ash blinked up at her, and she was looking at him with faint surprise. Tracey and Brock were grinning too.
The only one apparently not sharing in their amusement was Gary himself. And when Ash steeled himself and glanced at him, he saw his rival was staring at him with totally bare confusion.
Ash could only blush a little bit more, and he clutched his legs to his chest, feeling so self conscious, it almost hurt. He avoided everybody's faces and mumbled;
"Well. I wasn't being biassed. And I don't know anything about stupid chat up lines and thing like that anyway. It's just my honest opinion. You said you wanted it, right?"
Misty was still giggling and it was beginning to annoy him.
"What?" he glared at her.
"Well, I'm glad someone here appreciates his terrible lines," Misty said between more giggles. She placed a hand; which shook a bit with her laughter, on Ash's shoulder. "You're much too kind, Ash."
Ash wanted to be grateful that she'd payed him the rare compliment, but for some reason it didn't much effect him.
He looked up and caught the well worn smirk which had finally touched Gary's face. He was looking at Ash. "well, it's nice that you think I'm so charming,"
Ash might have blushed again, if only he wasn't already quite embarrassed about everything.
He scowled, "I don't personally think that. But a stupid girl probably would. I'd rather puke up."
"Touche." then Gary looked thoughtful. "Although it does explain a lot. Ash Ketchum thinks my chat up lines are alright. No wonder I'm not getting laid."
Tracey poked him in the ribs. "Or it might just be that you're so self-centered and stupid."
"I'll go with that," Misty agreed.
Gary didn't look too annoyed by their jibes. Instead he turned to Brock with a pleasant face; "hey, that reminds me. You wanted a number, right?"
Brock instantly came to attention, "you mean the ex-cheerleader?"
"Mm-hm." and Gary pulled a slip of paper from his pocket. "I kept it handy for you, cos I think it's a bit of a tragedy that a guy like you can't get a girl."
Brock took the piece of paper with a modest smile, but Misty quickly cut in;
"What do you mean, tragedy?" she was disbelieving "Brock is the worst! Have you seen him with girls he fancies? He's terrible! He drools."
"Maybe some girls like that sort of thing?" Gary suggested.
Misty gave him a withering look, raising her eyebrow.
"Or not." Gary amended. "Maybe he just needs some practise, then."
"Easy to say," Brock looked grim, "But when I see a girl I like, I can't help it. My brain seems to detach from my body and I say crazy things and do crazy stuff."
"I think that happens to everyone," Tracey said sympathetically. "Some of us are better at hiding it than others."
"Well it shouldn't matter anyway," Gary said. "Because Brock already has one thing going for him."
"What's that?" Brock looked bewildered.
"You've got many kids. If there's one thing I know, it's that girls dig guys with kids."
"Then clearly you know nothing." Misty snorted. "Just how do you work that out?"
"Girls like guys who take care of kids, like all your brothers and sisters," Gary explained, like it might be law. He was very convincing about it too. "Girls like that. It shows you're...sensitive. Or something. Anyway, just mention that next time you're out on a date."
"It might also put off potential girl friends." Misty pointed out. "Brock's family is...big."
"Hm. Maybe." Gary didn't look convinced though. He slouched down a bit more, leaning slightly against Tracey's shoulder. "If it fails, just mention your amazing Onix. That's like your son...er, I mean daughter, right?"
"Yeah," Brock was smiling. "More or less. Just without the messy birth."
Ash could only watch on, and realise that Gary had somehow pointed out an obvious point about one of his best friends; what a great guy Brock really was. He had been a gym leader, and a full time mother more or less, for most of his life.
And to Ash, Brock had always acted the wise, older brother.
He hated that it took Gary to make him realise and appreciate this properly.
God. He just hated Gary, full stop, right now. Him and his smarmy, know-all words.
"It's interesting you're so sure about this," Misty said, sounding amused as she prodded Gary in the arm. "For someone whose never had a girlfriend, I mean."
Gary's eyes shot open. "I'm picky. Very picky."
"Really?" Misty raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Very, very picky." Gary spoke hurriedly; "and I don't remember saying you could ever mention that again,"
Misty rolled her eyes. "There's no reason to be embarrassed. We all admitted we've not been in relationships. Serious or otherwise." then she turned to Ash, "Ash hasn't had a girlfriend yet,"
"That doesn't surprise me at all." Gary said solemnly.
"Hey!" Misty jabbed him. "Ash is much more charming than you. He's much more modest."
"Aw. How sweet." Gary cooed. He smiled at Misty before pressing a finger to her nose. "So. You go for modesty, huh?"
"I...what?" Misty looked confused, then started to blush. She batted his hand away. "I don't know what you're talking about!"
Neither did Ash, and frankly it was all beginning to give him a headache.
"I'm going to bed now." he got up hastily.
"Oh?" Misty looked surprised. "Are you sure, Ash?"
"Yeah. I'm tired."
He turned without a second glance at anyone, not wanting to know their expressions. He could already see Gary's snide face in his mind, and how hot and humiliated it made him feel, just to imagine it, never mind actually see it.
He went upstairs into his room and collapsed onto his bed. Pikachu, as always, sat near to him, looking concerned.
Ash didn't have much time to wallow in private pity, though, because the door creaked open a little bit later and Tracey peered in, looking nervous.
"Hey. Um, is it okay to talk?"
"Uh. Sure." Ash shrugged.
Tracey sat down on the edge of the bed. He looked at Ash with some sympathy.
"Erm, Ash. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. After everything that happened last night, you must be shook up about it."
"I'm okay, I guess." Ash shrugged, not really feeling like talking about it.
"Listen, you should ignore Gary. Whatever he might say. He can be mean and likes to embarrass people."
"Don't I know." Ash grumbled, turning away. "But why does he pick on me?"
Tracey sighed. "It's been a long sort of day. All that stuff with your Charizard-"
"I didn't mean it to happen!" Ash had said before he could stop himself. He stared at Tracey fiercely. "You all know that, don't you? I didn't want Gary to get hurt!"
"Of course we know that." Tracey assured with a soft smile which brought some relief to Ash. "We know you'd never do something like that intentionally."
Tracey was like a voice of wonderful reason; a comforter to Ash's ideas of turmoil. Tracey was an adult, Ash realised. And he probably saw things differently. Then Ash remembered that Tracey already knew Gary very well. Ash had seen the way they interacted, the way they were at perfect ease with one another. How they seemed to share looks with each other.
A dull thrum of envy beat in the back of Ash's head. He wasn't sure why.
"Gary doesn't think I didn't mean it." Ash lowered his gaze to his bed sheets. "He thinks I meant to do it on purpose."
"That doesn't matter," Tracey shook his head. "Everyone else knows you didn't. So Gary can think what he likes, alright?"
Ash nodded slowly. "I guess so."
"And anyway," Tracey cleared his throat, looking somewhat serious. "Gary can be mean, but he doesn't always mean to be. Does that make sense?"
"I...er, I think so." Ash nodded, though he wasn't really sure he understood.
Tracey smiled, then his eyes lit up into some sort of realisation; "ah, I remember, now," he dug into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Here, a late present."
"Present?" Ash took it with intrigue. Encouraged by Tracey's grin, Ash unfolded it and saw it was a drawing of a Clefairy. It was incredibly detailed and had been shaded very intricately.
"I said I'd give you a doodle," Tracey reminded. "I forgot to give it you cos of all the drama earlier."
Ash smiled. "Thanks," he looked properly at Tracey; and then remembered that Tracey was still one his best friends, no matter how friendly he might also be with Gary.
He needed to get over that.
"So, you saw five Clefairy at Mount Moon, huh?"
Tracey nodded his head in frantic enthusiasm, and they spent much of the remainder of the night talking about Mount Moon, the Clefairy's and a little bit about Seymour, who Tracey was very interested to learn about.
At the back of his mind, Ash remembered Gary, but it was fleeting. So brief that Ash knew he could put his guilt-ridden thoughts to rest, for tonight at least.
Some problems needed a brand new day to be faced properly.
&&&
Notes: So I'll apologise again for the lateness. It's pretty horrific! I do plan to continue this story though! It's mostly all planned out, with ship wars and all ;)
I'm sorry I included a "Pokemon, I choose you!" in this chapter, but hey, it's sort of Ash's thing. It had to be done!
Previews for later chapters: Richie will make an appearance; yes, Richie!! As will Gary's lovely older sister May ;)
Oh, and your reviews are so nice and make me so happy :)