Chapter 4 Gary (pt 2)
A gorgeous sunny day with a light refreshing breeze had graced Pallet Town, as Gary found himself helping out with the pokémon husbandry around the corral. A lot of the other staff we're on clean up duty after the party, so Gary found himself luckily taking over pokémon duties instead.
Brushing down a ninetails, he didn't notice the approaching figure till a shadow was cast over him.
"Gary. Hey, how are you?"
"Misty!"
The beautiful red head walked over to greet the researcher. She donned a casual yellow sundress, high top red sneakers with her growing hair styled in a low ponytail over one shoulder. A far cry from her usual tomboy attire, whilst still maintaining her unique bright colour style.
Gary got up and immediately exchanged a friendly greeting kiss on the girl's cheek. "You've brought the sun with you I see." The pair looked up at the beautiful weather as Gary gestured to her cute bright outfit mirroring the vibrant sunshine.
Misty slightly blushed at the compliment. "Thanks Gary. Sorry we didn't get much time to talk at the party. I guess I got caught up catching up with everyone and when I looked, you'd already left."
"Yeah, as you can see, I had a full day on my hands today. Needed an early night." Oak gestured out over all the pokémon.
"I see. How very responsible of you. Hey, Ash told me you can't make it to our wedding. He's really disappointed. We both are."
The teenaged boy looked away from Misty. "Yeah sorry, duty calls 'n all that."
"Gary. I know you're the reason Ash came back to Cerulean City that day. Back to me."
The young man's eyes widened on hearing this.
Misty continued talking. "He told me so himself. Sending him that photo of the two of us, goofing around." She let out a small laugh. "You always know how to rile him up in just right way. If it wasn't for you there might not even be a wedding."
Gary looked back at Misty.
"There would have been … sooner or later. Likely later. I just helped speed things up a bit I guess."
"Maybe … maybe I wouldn't have waited for him …"
Gary and Misty maintained eye contact for a moment, neither saying a word.
If I tell Misty Ash had been in Kanto for months at the Cerise Laboratory in Vermillion City, it'll only make her feel worse about Ash … but would it make her feel better about me?
The researcher shook his head, dismissing the thought.
"You would have Misty." Gary conceded. "Because you love him."
"I really do Gary."
A breeze blew past them.
Gary was first to break the silence. "Well … I've got a lot to do ... so if that's everything?" He turned to leave.
"It's just one day Gary and it won't be the same without you there. … Please say you'll come?"
He turned to face the girl and blushed. She was staring at him with big pleading Lillipup eyes and clasped hands. Gary felt his resolve completely crumple. How could he say no to her? "Look I really have got a lot going on Red, so I can't be an usher … but …" He looked Misty dead in the eye, he sighed in defeat. Nope, he couldn't say no to her. "I'll be there for you on your big day."
"Pinky promise?"
Gary smirked and looked down in defeat. He held out his little finger. "Pinky promise."
The two shook on it.
Misty's face immediately lit up. "Thanks Gary." She gave the researcher a big hug and walked away a slight skip in her step as she waved him goodbye.
Ash watched the exchange between the two from a distance. He had gone over to Oaks Lab with Misty and Pikachu to catch up with all his pokémon residing there. Ash couldn't explain it, but he didn't like the interactions between Gary and Misty. Of course they were both his friends, he liked that they got on and he trusted them implicitly, no question. But that same queasy feeling bubbled up in his stomach, just like it had when Gary sent him that photo. He wasn't jealous … was he?
As he watched his fiancé walk away, Ash decided to approach his old rival, leaving Pikachu playing with his other pokémon residing at the corral.
"Gary. I heard you and Misty talking, I'm glad you came around. Afterall it is one of the most important days of my life, Project Mew missions come and go, but me getting married is a once in a lifetime, like winning the World Series all over again." The young pokémon champion grinned widely.
Gary felt irked for a moment at Ash bothering him once more, but cooly decided to do what Gary Oak did best. Wind Ashy Boy up.
"That's great … for you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ash pushed further, he didn't like Gary's tone on adding that last part.
"Let's just say, I'm not exactly a "settler" like you Ash."
"Settler?" The pokémon master squinted an eye in confusion.
"Yeah, like how you settled on always using the same pokémon, battling and how you've settled on the very first girl that looked your way. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing. You've done well, Misty is way outta your league."
"Out of my league?!"
"Um hum. I'd hang on tight too if I were you. I, on the other hand have been with tons of girls and I've got no desire to stop yet. Because I can." Gary gave Ash a side look, a glint in his eye.
"I'll have you know I've been with tons of girls too!" Ash pouted.
"Really? Like how?" Gary sneered, prodding and pushing at all right buttons to rile Ash up. Honestly when it came to Ash it was too easy …
"Well … I mean I've travelled with at least 8 …" The young pokémon master confessed sheepishly, counting his female friends across his fingers.
"Wow you walked around with girls?! … Oh Ashy Boy, you cad, I'm blushing! Before you know it, you'll be telling me ya even held hands." Gary retorted, holding his cheeks in a fake blush, his voice teasing.
Ash could feel himself getting more and more riled up as his old rival stood there, turned away, nose in the air, smirking. He had to prove Gary wrong! "I did more than hand holding! As a matter a fact in Kalos me and Serena kissed! And she was real pretty! Prettier than any girl you've kissed I bet!"
Gary turned to taunt Ash further when he stopped dead, his face paled, he pointed behind Ash. Ash's eyes widened and he turned slowly around to see a completely broken-hearted Misty standing behind him.
"You … kissed … another girl …"
Ash's face went ghost white. "Misty …! Wa..wait … I … I can explain!"
Her face began to change to beet red in colour as her shock changed to anger. "GrrrrrrGHHHHH! DON'T BOTHER! I'VE WAITED AROUND ENOUGH FOR YOU ASH KETCHUM! SEEMS YOU COULDN'T DO THE SAME!" With that Misty stomped off.
The researcher felt terrible. "Ash! I had no idea she was standing there I swear."
Ash turned to give Gary a look before chasing after Misty. "Misty wait please!"
Tracey came walking up. "What did you do?"
"Me? I …" For once Gary Oak was at a loss for words, but only for a moment. "I didn't do anything! Ashy Boy decided to run his mouth off not me."
"If you say so. But know this Gary, being a pokémon watcher has made me very observant. You think I haven't noticed the attention you've given Misty since her "glow up?"
"What are you getting at?!" Gary snapped back, his face heating up.
"I think we both know. Ash may not have realised it at the time, but he's always been protective of Misty. She isn't some footnote in a little black book of girls."
"Well, he has a very funny way of showing it."
"I'm watching you." With that Tracey put up two fingers to his eyes and then pointed them back at Gary, in a poignant gesture.
Gary inwardly gulped but outside remained completely composed as he watched Tracey leave to catch up to Ash and Misty.
Gary spent the rest of the day feeling awful. He kept picturing Misty's heartbroken face and Tracey's chilling words making him feel even worse. He tried to find Ash and Misty to clear the air, though a part of him didn't want to wade into the drama further, the guilt couldn't leave him till he did.
Finally, as the afternoon sun was sitting low, Ash emerged with Pikachu in tow, a pensive look plastered on his usually carefree face.
"Ash! There you are I've been looking all over! Is everything ok? Is the wedding still on?"
Ash looked at Gary, his face filled with determination. "It will be. Gary where can I find luvdisc?"
"Luvdisc? South East Hoenn why?"
"I need to find one and catch it, to win Misty back."
"You'll never make it Hoenn and back before the wedding … but we could look for luvdisc along Tohjo Falls, they've been known to migrate there during the rainy season. If you leave now, it would take no more than a few days there and back."
"Then we're going Tohjo falls. Let's go Pikachu."
"Pika!" His pokémon bounded after him.
Gary also followed Ash. "I'll come too. You'll need all the help you can get finding one."
Ash nodded in agreement. The trio set out towards route 27.
After a full day travelling the small Pallet Town group set up camp for the night.
Ash looked up at the night sky from his sleeping bag. Pikachu curled up on his lap, sleeping deeply.
"So Ash, I've got to ask why a luvdisc? You know Misty already has one?"
"She has?" Ash felt disappointed in himself. Why did Gary know Misty had a luvdisc and he didn't? He didn't dwell on the fact long. "Brock said any couple who see luvdisc will be blessed with eternal love, and it's tradition to gift one to the person you love. So if I gift Misty a luvdisc, it will show her my love her for her will never end. We can put this fight behind us and be happy again."
Gary couldn't help but snort. "Really. You're pinning everything on hearsay and legend? Typical."
"What do you mean typical?"
"It means typical! Typical Ash, relying on dumb luck instead of putting in the hard work, just like always!"
"Dumb luck?! It's called instinct!"
"Perhaps if you spent a bit more time with Misty instead of going around kissing other girls you wouldn't be in this mess. Honestly you don't deserve her!"
"Spend more time with her?! We were together every single day for 3 years!"
"And how long ago was that?!"
Ash fell silent for a moment before speaking up quietly. "I've been a jerk Gary. You're right. All this time I've been in Kanto, at the research centre with Goh and Chloe. I could have easily gone to Cerulean City and met up with Misty, at almost any time. But I didn't. I took it for granted, took her for granted, that she'd always be there. I left her on the back burner and focused on me. Who does that to the person they love? That was why … when you sent me that picture it churned me up inside. Brock made time for her, Tracey made time for her … you made time for her. … But me … I didn't." His voice cracked on the last part.
Gary looked at his childhood friend. He saw the regret and sadness in the teen's eyes, a rare look on Ash. Gary sighed. He softened his tone.
"Ash … you were focused on your dream of becoming a Pokémon Master … and unlike me you succeeded. Maybe if I spent less time spreading myself between pokémon battling, pokémon research … girls … I'd have achieved half as much as you have."
"But you've done and seen so much Gary. You've experienced loads, even more than me."
"Never been in love though." Gary turned and looked back up at the starry sky. "Not really. … How do you know Ash? That Misty is the one for you? You haven't even dated?"
"She's the one who lights a fire under me, excites me, challenges me. She's the one. It's hard to explain. I just know."
Gary looked from Ash up to the sky, the stars aligned joining up to make Misty's face. The researcher sighed. "I get it Ash."
As morning broke the trio made for the falls. They set up their gear and began the laborious task of fishing for luvdisc. As the hours passed with no bites the frustration was getting to Ash, though his determination was not lost.
"Are you sure luvdisc come here?! There's no sign of them."
Gary although more patient and composed than Ash, couldn't help but snap back at his long-term rival. "It's well documented. Maybe you'd like to do the research for yourself?"
"There's only one thing for it." Ash pulled out his Mini Misty lure.
"What is that?!" Gary commented, never having seen a lure like that before.
"Misty gave it to me years ago before my re-match with Brandon at the Battle Pyramid, it's her secret weapon for catching water pokémon, and now it's mine!" Ash cast his rod out, his confidence renewed.
But the time past with still no luvdisc, only magikarp were biting.
An idea came to Gary "Ash, send out your water pokémon."
"Ok." Ash released his Corphish which he had on hand.
"Corphish, dive down into the water and see if you can find any sign of luvdisc." Gary ordered the pokémon.
Doing as he was told, Corphish dived into the water and began to hunt for the heart shaped pokémon.
Ash, Gary and Pikachu waited tensely on the shore, waiting for the water pokémon to come up with news on luvdisc.
What seemed like eternity passed, Corphish emerged but it was not good news. The orange pokémon shook his head. There were no luvdisc to be found.
"Guess they haven't come up this far this season …" Gary deduced.
Ash gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw in frustration. "Then I'll find one myself!" He took off his jacket and pulled his cap round backwards.
"Wait … what?" Before Gary could cotton on, Ash dived into the water.
"Is he insane?!" "Pika pi!" The two watched as the teenager disappeared out of sight into the depths of the water.
After some tense moments, bubbles appeared before Ash rose to the surface. "There's no sign of any here …" The Champion sighed completely deflated.
Climbing back out and sitting on the shore. Ash clutched his mini-Misty lure tightly in his clenched fist. He just had to get a luvdisc for Misty or he would lose her forever … maybe he deserved too after what a jerk he'd been … but he really did love Misty. More than anyone …
He remembered the day they first met, her fishing him and Pikachu out the water when they were running from a flock of angry spearow. Her walking into the pokémon centre in Viridian City accosting him over her charred bike. Him taking her arm and twirling her around in the Viridian Forest when he caught his first pokémon, Caterpie. Her absurd fear of bug pokémon. The times they'd held hands. Times they'd argued … Her taking care of him when he was sick, him protecting her when she was hurt, falling asleep with each other, the battles they'd had, the excitement and fire facing off against each other.
He recalled the sadness in his heart when she had to leave him to go back to the Cerulean Gym …
Tears formed in his eyes as he fought hard to hold them back. He just couldn't lose Misty. Not now, not ever …
"Pika Piiiiii" Pikachu patted his best friend's leg in comfort.
Gary walked up and down the shoreline. There had to be some angle he hadn't thought of. Then in the sand an odd, stand out object caught the researcher's eye. He pulled up the item and dusted it down. It was a heart shaped scale. "Hey check this out."
"What is it?" Ash and Pikachu walked over to look at the object in Gary's hand.
"It looks like a heart scale … but look at it. There's no glow, no shimmer …" The teenager flipped the scale over studying it as it lay dull and lifeless in his hands.
"A heart scale?"
"A heart scale is a very rare and precious item, shed from a luvdisc. Each a one of a kind. It's said when in the presence of true love, the scale softly shines all the colours of the rainbow and holds a magical power within."
"Hmm. Let me see." Ash took the scale into his hands to look over the object himself and just like that a shimmering rainbow appeared along the scales surface, giving the object a magic like shine. "Heyyy look! It's glowing all the colours of the rainbow!"
"I knew it! It is a heart scale!" Gary exclaimed.
"A heart scale from a luvdisc! I can give this to Misty to prove I love her!"
"Pika Pika!"
As Ash and Pikachu celebrated their find, Gary bowed his head and conceded. Well, that settles it. As the scale gleamed in the champions hands and not his own, it showed that Ash truly did love that girl. His love was deserving of Misty and so Gary silently gave him his blessing.
"Guess there's something to be said for that luck and instinct after all." Gary smiled at Ash. "Let's get back to Pallet Town and get this wedding back on track."
"Yeah!" "Pika!" Pikachu jumped enthusiastically onto his trainer's shoulder and the two began to leave eager to get back to Misty as soon as possible.
"Ash."
Ash paused in his tracks and looked back at Gary.
"I'll be there, you know, for your big day. I'll be there for you."
The Pokémon Master smiled and nodded his head. "I know. Thanks Gary."
It was the day of the wedding. Gary Oak looked in the mirror and sighed as he adjusted the cufflinks of his designer suit. Well, no one could say he didn't make the effort. Deciding to go date-less, he left his room and joined his Grandfather as they made their way to Cerulean City.
Upon arriving at the venue Gary immediately noticed Goh hanging around, but he was acting odd and definitely not dressed for attending a wedding … putting 2 and 2 together the researcher added up the dots.
"You go ahead Grandpa, I have something to take care of."
"What really, right now? Well don't be late! You must be seated before the bride!"
"Don't worry, I'll be in before Misty." Gary ushered his Grandfather safely into building before turning to go and face the seemingly out of place guest.
Waiting for Goh to approach the entrance, Gary slammed the entrance door shut, preventing the boy from entering. He knew Goh's deal and just as he'd promised, he was there for Ash and Misty. No one would be spoiling their day under his watch.
After a discussion of Goh's wedding crasher intentions, the plot was adverted and Goh was on his way, with Gary now feeling free to join the ceremony. He watched in awe as Misty walked down the aisle, she looked absolutely beautiful. His eyes then went to Ash, stood nervously at the end of the alter. Pikachu in his little matching bow tie. Brock on the verge of tears, Tracey who menacingly looked back at Gary with the "I'm watching you" gesture again when the "speak now or forever hold your peace line" came up. The young Oak couldn't help but roll his eyes.
He felt the small stab in his heart as Ash and Misty both finally exchanged "I do's," their eyes filled with affection for one another. A feint glow caught Gary's eye. Misty was wearing the heart scale they'd found around her neck, shimmering all the pastel colours of the rainbow.
Gary bowed his head and smirked. He conceded. Ash had won.
After the ceremony the reception was in full swing. Once again Delia Ketchum, mother of the groom was on full form making sure drinks and food were flowing to all the guests. Brock made a … questionable speech, Tracey had finally stopped giving him death stares and all Ash's friends and companions seemed to be having a great time.
Ash and Misty joined hands and began to slowly move together on the dance floor. It was their first dance as newlywed husband and wife and despite a few missteps by Ash and trodden on toes, the two were smiling and laughing, thoroughly enjoying their special day together.
Sat at a guest table several feet away, Gary Oak turned his head from the dance floor and sipped on his drink. After a fun encounter with Dawn and her boy drama, another lady approached the stag guest.
"My my. What do we have here? Legendary ladies' man Gary Oak dateless at his best friend's wedding? How can such an anomaly be? Unless you were keeping your options open for the bridesmaids?" Leaf smirked looking over at Misty's three sisters, surrounded by a small horde of suitors prying for a dance from the famous Cerulean Waterflowers.
"Huh? Oh it's you Leaf. Meh go away I'm not in the mood." Gary shooed off the young woman. But the tenacious trainer wasn't about to give up so easily.
"Come on, don't be so dull, you're making this wedding seem like a funeral."
"That doesn't even make sense."
"Then show me a bit of life! Come on Oak. Let's dance."
"No thanks Leaf, I just had a refill on my! Omph!"
"I wasn't asking." With that Leaf pulled the pokémon researcher up onto his feet and dragged him onto the dance floor. Gary reluctantly took Leaf's hand in his and placed his other hand on her waist as she draped her arm around his neck, leaning into him with everything she had. The two began to sway to the music. "So, why so glum, chum?"
Gary sighed. "It's just … well … my whole childhood I looked down on Ash."
"You looked down on everyone Gar." Leaf interrupted.
"Well yeah, but more so Ash. He was this incompetent, uncouth, well nobody. He didn't ever seem to put in any effort. He just goofed through life. Oblivious and ignorant. It really grated on me."
Leaf nodded for him to continue.
"Ok he got better, and the bitterness mellowed. But still."
"Yep. I get it." Leaf rolled her eyes slightly.
"Now look at him. He's Champion of Alola, a Pokémon Master. He beat Leon, world's number one, meaning he's now world's number one. He has a kinship with legendary pokémon, tons of friends who'd give their lives for him and." Gary took a deep breath and looked over to see Ash dipping Misty down in a comedic romantic gesture, the two laughing brightly, eyes full of love for each other. "He got the girl." Gary looked back at Leaf "Whilst me, the grandson of the great and famous Samuel Oak, stuck here no further forwards in life, researching rocks instead of Mew."
"Oh." Leaf looked over as Ash clumsily twirled Misty into his arms and back out. She then looked back to Gary. "Yeah ok, looking from the outside in, Ash is kinda living the dream right now. We all left Pallet Town swearing we'd be Pokémon Masters, and as unlikely would have it, he's the only one who's done it. But you know what? We all underestimated him. I'm proud of the little Sunkern, but yeah I suppose can't help feeling a little jealous either. Though honestly, he just fires me up to be better. So much so, I've decided I'm going to participate in the Kanto League this season."
"You are?" Gary looked Leaf in the eye, surprised at her new ambition. Though this was Leaf Greene they were talking about. She never failed to surprise him.
"Sure am. I'm finally going to finish what I started, and I'll make it through to the Elite Four. Just watch me."
"Wonder if Ash will be competing in Kanto this year …"
Leaf and Gary looked back over at Ash, who had outstretched his arm allowing his Pikachu, up onto his shoulder to share in the wedding day fun.
"You know, I kinda hope so." The girl looked back to Gary with a confident smile. "Maybe he is a Champion. Maybe he is a Master. But maybe he doesn't have to be the only one. And hey Gary." Leaf drew her lips to the young man's ear and gently whispered. "Maybe he isn't the only one to get the girl either." With that Leaf planted her lips softly against Gary's jaw, leaving a light but lingering kiss. "It's not too late for our dreams to come true too. Smell ya later. Gary Kun." Gary's eyes widened in shock as Leaf let go of him and sauntered away. She looked back giving the researcher a cheeky wink before melting seamlessly into the crowded dance floor.
Gary stood dumbfounded and held his hand to the side of his face, still tingling from the contact.
Smell ya later. Leaf.
Authors Note: I actually really love Egoshipping. Despite there being no hints in the cannon, I love the idea of Ash and Gary rivalling for Misty's affection. For a bit of game referencing decided to put in some Oldrivialshipping for good measure.
For anyone who read my side Rocket Tale story from my head cannon Electric Tales I hope this Gary Oak story ties in well - especially some world building between Tracey and Gary not getting along that well.
Next: Brock