Disclaimer:- I don't own Pokemon.
Chapter 3- Into The Past
Ash:-
Ash Ketchum was walking slowly towards Professor Oak's lab feeling somewhat nervous. He was still tired from yesterday's party.
"Pikapi!" his little yellow companion tried to cheer him up as they made their way through the peaceful roads of Pallet town which were lit by the early morning sun.
"I know Pikachu," Ash said to his long-time partner who was currently sitting on his shoulder, "It would probably be alright. But I can't help wondering whether Gary would be really mad at me," he finished with a sigh.
They reached Professor Oak's house and Ash knocked on the front door hoping against hope that the Professor or Tracey would open it. But luck was against him as the door swung open and a certain dark-eyed auburn-haired researcher stood in the doorway, his eyes widening with shock as he stared at Ash.
"Hey Gary," Ash said uncertainly, he had no idea of what to say now that he was finally in front of his ex-rival and friend, "Can I come inside?" he asked after an awkward pause.
"Sure," Gary muttered and turned around quickly.
Something about his behavior seemed odd to Ash. "Gary wait!" he called out behind his hurriedly retreating back, "I wanted to talk to you!"
"Really? I thought you were here to see gramps or Tracey," Gary replied in an icy tone, still refusing to look at Ash.
"No, I came here to talk to you, about yesterday. Why did you left the party all of a sudden? And why did you asked Serena to give me the gift you had bought?" Ash asked him. He never understood why he was always so direct but he needed the answers badly. Above all, he wanted to make sure that Gary had not heard anything he and his friends were talking about.
Gary turned to face him and for the first time Ash saw the hurt and anger in his eyes. He also noticed that Gary's eyes were slightly swollen and puffy which probably meant that he had been crying.
"Well, why do you think I left the party Ashy-boy? Maybe because I am not interested in attending birthday parties of little losers who throw a tantrum about how they were treated many years ago," he replied scathingly.
Whatever guilt and sympathy Ash had been feeling was immediately forgotten the moment he heard the word loser again. He'd had enough of it when he was a kid and he was not going to tolerate it again.
"We both know who the real loser is Gary. Did you saw the rerun of our match yesterday?" he asked Gary.
"That match doesn't mean anything. Your Charizard beat my Blastoise very narrowly," Gary said angrily.
"Looks like you are the one throwing a tantrum about the result of that match, huh?" Ash asked in a sarcastic manner. He didn't really wanted to pick a fight with Gary but he was absolutely done with his behavior.
"At least I don't talk behind people's back," Gary said with a hint of finality in his tone, "And if you have came here to pick a fight with me then I am not interested."
Gary made to leave the room but Ash caught his arm. "I hadn't meant to talk behind your back like that. They were showing the rerun and that's how the topic of our old rivalry came up."
"And it looks like you are still mad about it," Gary spoke sounding tired and upset.
"Anyone would be! You broke up our friendship for no reason and started insulting me in public. I had no idea why you had suddenly became like that and I still don't know," Ash knew he sounded really bitter as he said all this. It was the first time either of them had mentioned about their friendship in the past. Ever since Gary had broken up their friendship, both of them seemed to have made an unspoken agreement of never mentioning that they were anything more than rivals in the past ever again.
Gary opened his mouth and closed it again. He seemed to be struggling for the right words. At last he said, "I am sorry. But I can't tell you why I became like that. You won't believe me anyways."
This made Ash angry. After so many years they were finally talking about that topic and Gary was still refusing to tell him why he had started behaving like that. "Well, it's not as if you can go in the past and actually change your behavior. So you might as well tell me the reason for it so that we can start our friendship from the beginning again," Ash spoke feeling extremely annoyed.
He had expected some angry or harsh reply from the brunette. What he hadn't expected was for him to stare at Ash with surprise on his face and then ponder on something for the next few minutes. After some time he slowly asked Ash, "But even if we continue our friendship now, wouldn't you always keep a grudge against me for how I treated you in the past? Wouldn't you hate me for never being able to tell you why I had started behaving like that?"
"I can never hate you Gary," Ash replied but he wasn't sure that the researcher heard him. He seemed to be lost in some world of his own.
"If I go to the past I can change this. And there are so many other important things that I can change too," Gary spoke feverishly. He was staring down at his shivering hands and his eyes almost seemed to emit a glow. Ash wondered whether this is how he looked every time he made a new discovery.
He didn't understood anything that Gary just said, so he asked, "Gary what are you talking about? How can you go to the past?"
It was as if Gary had suddenly realized that Ash was present in the room as well. He jerked his head up to look at him and said, "I know a way, but it will require some planning and preparation. If I do this right I can change so many things. I'll see ya later Ashy-boy, I have some work to do," with that he got up and hastily left the room
Ash stared after him feeling a little dumbfounded, "Well, that was strange," he said to Pikachu who sat on his shoulder.
"Pika," the little mouse replied with sympathy.
After a little bit of thinking Ash decided that it would be rude to pester Gary anymore if he was indeed doing some work and was going to be busy. So he went in search of Professor Oak and Tracey instead.
Ash found the two of them seated before a computer in Professor Oak's lab and hastily taking some notes. He decided that it won't be nice to interrupt them either.
"I guess we should just leave," he whispered to Pikachu who nodded his head.
Ash slowly made his way back towards his house, all the time wondering about Gary's strange behavior.
Gary:-
Gary almost ran up to his room in a haste and sat down on his bed in a daze. Ever since Celebi had offered to take him to the past the idea refused to leave his mind.
Gary now felt like a fool for rejecting Celebi's proposal in the first place, although earlier he didn't had any idea of what he was supposed to do by going to the past. But now he could clearly see two important things that he knew he would be able to change if he could go back in time. And Ash's remark, even though it was carelessly made, worked as a motivating catalyst which Gary badly needed to make such an important decision.
He pulled a pen and a notepad towards him in which he had been making notes all night. Dates, places, important events from the past which he remembered, events which he wanted to change, possible plans on how to alter the past was all written in a neat and tidy manner, something the researcher was quite used to.
He decided to take the first step in his plan and called Professor Rowan.
"Ah, hello Gary. How are you?" he heard the slightly gruff but kind voice of Professor Rowan from the other end of the phone.
"I am fine Professor, thanks for asking," he replied.
"I hope you are enjoying your vacations, young man. Or are you missing your work already?" the Professor asked.
"Actually Professor, I had called you for something related to work. Ever since I returned to Pallet Town I had been feeling a little home-sick. So I was wondering whether it would be okay if I stayed a little longer in Pallet? And worked with my grandfather for some time?" he asked. Gary was hoping against hope for the Professor to say yes, as a large part of his plan depended upon him getting permission from his boss.
"He heard Professor Rowan laugh at the other end of the line, "Honestly Gary, is this even a question? Of course you can stay a little longer if it makes you feel better. I always felt you over-worked yourself and badly needed some break," he paused and continued, "And working with your grandfather is an excellent idea. He should also know how well I have trained you."
"Thanks Professor," Gary replied feeling some of his worry ebb away. Then he asked in a tentative manner, "And Professor Rowan, I was wondering whether you could send a recommendation about me for my grandfather? Something that contains a list of all of my achievements while I was working with you."
"But why would you need that? Wouldn't your grandfather already know how exceptionally talented you are?" Professor Rowan asked sounding a little confused.
'Except that his past-self won't know,' Gary thought to himself.
"He knows it Professor, but I wanted everything to be professional. I don't want him to take this casually just because I am his grandson," Gary hoped his reasoning didn't sound too vague.
"Haha, you and your silly worries young man," Professor Rowan chuckled looking amused, "But fine, I'll make a nice list of your achievements and send it to you in a few hours."
"That would be great Professor, thank you so much!" Gary replied feeling both happy and relieved. His plan was progressing quite well so far.
"No problem Gary, I hope you enjoy your time in Pallet town," Professor Rowan said and with that came the soft 'click' of putting down the receiver.
Gary put down the receiver at his end too. Now he had to get to the second phase of the plan. He carefully started packing his bag with whatever he thought would be useful in the past. It included six of his most trusted Pokemon, some food for himself and his Pokemon, lots of notes about all the details he could remember from eight years ago, a make-up kit to disguise himself, old photographs, spare clothes, his laptop and even a little guide-book on how to talk to little kids suffering from complex problems.
With his bag packed and Professor Rowan's reply on the way, he decided to go downstairs and talk to his grandfather and Tracey before leaving for the past. A part inside him felt guilty about arguing with his grandfather the previous night.
He saw his grandfather and Tracey in the lab exchanging some notes about the various Pokemon kept in the lab.
"Ah! There he is! I am sure Gary would definitely be able to help us with this," his grandfather said in a cheery tone and Gary felt a pang of guilt as he realized that his grandfather was trying to make up for yesterday's argument even though it was technically Gary's fault.
"Sure, what is it gramps?" Gary asked and was handed a bunch of notes about the Pokemon at the lab. Professor Oak and Tracey had been making a detailed classification of the eating habits of all the Pokemon. Although, he noticed that his grandfather was tactful enough to not give him notes about Ash's Pokemon, most likely because of yesterday's events.
He spend the next few hours helping his grandfather and Tracey to sort and classify all the information. As always, he was amazed by the number of Pokemon his grandfather's lab could hold.
"Very good Gary! You are really good at this, I don't know what we would have done without you," his grandfather spoke in an affectionate tone and patted his back.
"Yeah Gary you are really good," Tracey praised him as well.
Gary looked at both of them and felt home-sick for real. He was planning on leaving them and everyone else he was familiar with behind for who knew how long and go back to a time which he would have preferred to just forget.
He didn't knew what to say in response to them so he just smiled sadly and went back to his room where Professor Rowan's e-mail was waiting for him. As Gary took a copy of it, he realized that all of his preparations in the present were done and he now must go and find Celebi in the woods, he hoped the Pokemon was still there just the way he had said.
Gary clenched his fist in determination, he was now ready to go to the past.
Ash:-
Ash sighed and stared at his three friends who were staying with him. Most of his friends had left after the party but Ash was glad that at least three of them had decided to stay back because he always enjoyed the company of his friends.
Misty and Brock had said something about missing him and not getting to see him for a long time. So now they were finally making up for the long years spent apart. They all were getting to spend some time together again at last. Ash was certainly not complaining, if anything he knew he was going to enjoy it.
May had given a similar reason for staying behind but Ash couldn't help noticing some kind of apprehension in her eyes. He remembered how upset she had looked while saying goodbye to Drew and Max. He could tell that something was bothering the brunette, who was sitting opposite him on a sofa in his living room, her eyes barely glancing towards the romantic movie which Brock and Misty had chosen for watching that evening.
"What's the matter May? Why aren't you watching the movie?" Ash asked her. He knew May liked romantic things in general, so he found her behavior even more strange.
"It's nothing Ash, I am just feeling a little tired after yesterday's party," May told him.
"Are you sure? You look kind of nervous about something," Ash asked feeling worried for her.
"We can watch another movie if you don't like this one," Misty told her with a smile. Ash thought it was wonderful how Misty always managed to keep her temper aside while talking to May and was never angry at her. The two girls got along really well.
"No it's okay, I like this movie," May answered, and then asked Ash after a pause, "Hey Ash, how did your meeting with your friend Gary went this morning? Did you two patched it up?"
Ash wanted to groan with frustration and hide his face upon hearing that question. He had no idea what to make of Gary's behavior in the morning. But when he saw three pairs of eyes staring at him with concern and interest he knew he wouldn't be able to hide it from his friends forever.
"Well, we almost had a row. And after that he started saying something about going to the past. And now I don't know what to do anymore," Ash answered.
"He started talking about going to the past? What does that mean?" Brock asked curiously.
"He said he knows a way of going to the past and changing things. I don't know what that means," Ash replied. But even as Ash said this, a part inside him started worrying about Gary. Was he actually planning on going back in time and travelling to the past? Would he be able to come back to their time if he did that? Ash didn't wanted him to do anything crazy or dangerous.
"At least he realizes that some things need to be changed," Misty muttered.
"Based on what everyone was saying, this Gary sounds a lot like Drew," May observed, "Are you sure he doesn't have a crush on you?" she asked Ash, realizing a moment too late what she had said.
She blushed a bright tomato red color and so did Ash if his guess was correct.
"Come on May, he obviously doesn't have a crush on me!" Ash spoke feeling embarrassed and nervous for some reason.
"Wait, so are you telling us that that Drew guy who left today has a crush on you?" Misty asked her, looking interested.
"I think so. At least that's what he told me," May muttered in a low voice. Ash could sense that her cause of worry was somehow connected to Drew.
"I think you should go and talk to Gary again Ash," Brock suddenly said.
"Huh why?" Ash asked feeling surprised, he felt that he had already tried his best in the morning.
"Something about his idea of going to the past doesn't sound right. He had left the party all of a sudden and now he is talking about changing things in the past. I am worried about him," Brock spoke in a serious tone.
"I am feeling worried too," Ash told him, "I think you are right, I should go and try talking to him again."
"I'll come with you," Brock said.
"I think I'll come too," Misty spoke after some time, "I think I was being too harsh yesterday. If he has really changed then he doesn't deserve that."
"Pika!" Pikachu spoke from his place beside Ash, announcing that he was joining them as well.
"Obviously Pikachu, you won't be left behind," Ash told his little yellow companion and gently patted him on his head.
"Can I come too? I'd like to meet him," May asked them.
"Yeah, you can come too May! If we all go and explain about yesterday he would definitely understand," Ash said to his friends. He gladly switched off the movie, which he had found really boring anyways, and hurried outside. However, before leaving he grabbed the gift given by Gary and stuffed it inside his back-pack along with some Pokeballs. He was planning to have a Pokemon battle with Gary if the other behaved like a jerk again and return back his present, although a part inside him was concerned for Gary at the same time.
As Ash and his friends got near Professor Oak's lab, they noticed a figure hurrying down the path in the direction of the woods.
"That's Gary, I wonder where he is going?" Brock asked while staring after the figure.
"Let's go and see," Ash said and hurried after Gary. His friends and Pikachu quickly followed as well.
Ash followed Gary for quite some time into the woods, he finally came to a halt in front of a few trees. He peered through a narrow gap between the trees and saw a little clearing, a greenish light shone brightly in the empty space.
"What's happening?" Misty asked from behind him.
Ash turned and saw his friends and Pikachu standing behind him. Pikachu finally jumped on top of his shoulder to get a better view of things.
Ash turned again towards the little gap and gasped.
"It's Celebi! Gary is talking to him," he told the others.
"Celebi huh? Now I understand what he meant when he told you that he was going to the past," Brock spoke, looking deep in some thought.
In the cool evening breeze Gary's voice got clearly carried over to them as they heard him say, "I have made my decision Celebi. I really want to go to the past and change things for good. There are lots of important events in my life which I can change and I don't want to waste this opportunity."
"Celebi is a time-travelling Pokemon, right?" May whispered from the back.
"Yeah," Ash replied. He could hardly believe what was happening. Gary was really planning to go to the past. And who knew for how long? And all of this just because of what he had been saying yesterday. He was not going to let Gary do something so risky, something that might change everything and take Gary away forever.
He couldn't hear what Celebi said in response but he heard Gary's reply which was, "Thanks Celebi. I am glad you understand how important this is for me."
Then Celebi asked something and Gary said, "Yeah, I am ready."
Ash's eyes widened as he saw a greenish-golden light surround Gary. He found himself running before he knew it.
"Gary, no! You can't do this!" he shouted as he ran towards his ex-rival and friend. He wasn't sure whether Gary heard him or not but he heard his friends running behind him and saw Celebi turn to stare at the four of them in surprise.
Ash thought Celebi was about to warn them about something but before he knew it he found himself surrounded by the bright greenish-golden light and felt himself go weightless as his surroundings changed and shifted.
The last thing he heard before disappearing from the present was a voice saying, 'Be careful Ash Ketchum.'
Celebi:-
Celebi hadn't felt so surprised in quite some time. And that's really saying something because he was a legendary who had seen quite a few surprising things.
He didn't always used to send people to the past but he felt that Gary's problem was one which could be solved by time-travel. The boy had sounded really earnest when he had came to ask for Celebi's help just now. And Celebi couldn't forget how the poor boy had been crying so desperately the previous day. Sammy Oak's grandson deserved better than that.
He was certain that the boy would improve his past given another chance. Celebi felt really touched by the look of innocent eagerness in the boy's eyes when he had explained to him how he can restore his friendship with Ash Ketchum. Or more importantly, how he can save his parents who had died around the same time when Gary's behavior had started changing in the past.
However, what he hadn't expected was for Ash Ketchum and his friends to come out of nowhere. He was taken by surprise and couldn't be quick enough to stop them from following Gary in the past. But he had no idea whether they would end up in Pallet town just like Gary, or land in some different place. Jumping headfirst into time-streams was a dangerous thing and one could never guarantee where one would land if it wasn't planned from the beginning.
'I hope everyone remains alright, and Gary is able to finish the work for which he has gone to the past,' Celebi thought to himself.
Author Note:- Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! :)
