Kanto Chapter 31 - Rematch with Gary Oak
Amber and Pikachu entered the Viridian Forest, the once bright sunny day plunged into the darkness of shade as they stepped into the dense canopy of trees.
"This is a very special forest Pikachu."
"Pika?" The mouse pokémon looked up at his trainer questioningly.
"Um hum. You know why?"
***Flashback***
Amber and Lt Surge were walking side by side to the gym exit. Surge was packed up and leaving for a small excursion. His leg was almost fully healed from the skirmish with Team Rocket at the Vermilion City Gym and he was leaving his young understudy in charge for a while.
"Why go all the way to the Viridian Forest? You could catch wild pikachu near that old power plant off Cerulean City. It would be much closer and easier for you."
"Cause Viridian Forest pikachu are da strongest in Kanto. Besides if I take da shortcut through Diglett tunnel I'll be there in half the time."
"Really?" Amber replied her eyebrow arched slightly unbelieving. "But I thought that forest was just full of caterpie and weedles. Surely the wild power plant pikachu would be way tougher?"
"I can see why ya'd think that. From the offset yeah, route 10 pikachu pack a pretty powerful punch. But trust me, you put da hard work inta raising a Viridian Forest Pikachu, absolutely no other pikachu on the planet is gonna touch it."
"Wow, they're really that tough?"
"If ya got the skill and the patience."
"Do you think Dad's Pikachu came from there?"
"Stands a very good chance." Surge hoisted his backpack up onto his shoulders.
"Amazing! I'm going to catch and raise my own Viridian Pikachu someday." Amber beamed with excitement, clenching her fists thinking about raising her very own strong Pikachu.
You have no idea how right ya are kid … Surge thought to himself with a smile.
"Haha. Well, I gots everything I need, da gym is in your hands. Serve it well, I have every faith in ya kid." With that Surge ruffled his proteges hair and began his trek to the Viridian Forest. "Be seein' ya!"
*** End ***
"Surge told me that you are the baby of a Viridian pikachu, Pikachu."
"Pi Ka!" Pikachu's face lit up, "chuuuuu" the pokémon looked around the forest taking in his ancestry.
"Yup, so that means you are the strongest Pikachu around, not my opinion but fact!" Amber winked at her little buddy.
"Pi kaka chuuuuu" The mouse giggled slightly in his response.
"I'm hoping we get to meet some of your family whilst we're here."
"Pikachu!"
The duo began to hunt around the dense forest, getting deeper and deeper into the winding maze of trees and vegetation.
"Hey you! You better not be catching my weedle!"
A boy appeared from the bushes, he was slightly shorter than Amber, probably around 13 or 14 in age. He dressed in board shorts, a long green vest, and sandals. His eyes were dark and intense, floppy dark hair was covered by a large tan straw hat. In his hands he carried a comically large catching net.
"Um weedle? No, in fact I haven't even seen any …"
"Well I saw it. And it was right around here! You must have scared it off with your loud flat feet!"
"Loud flat feet?!" Amber's jaw dropped. "Hey! I do not walk loudly!" Amber retorted back; cheeks flushed red. The nerve of this kid!
"Yes you do! I could hear you a mile away. You can't be very good at catching wild pokémon stomping through the woods like that. Everyone knows you gotta be stealthy quiet to get the drop on bug pokémon."
"Oh, an' I expect you're an expert?!" Amber glared back, hands on hips, unimpressed.
"Sure am. Rick's the name and catching bug's is my game. I'm Bug Catcher Ricky" The boy showed off some of his "stealthy" moves before posing with his oversized catching net.
"Oh, you collect bug types, that's cool. I'm Amber, this is my pikachu, I train electric types. I was actually looking for pikachu around here." Amber smiled, trying to strike up friendly conversation with the new stranger.
The boy looked from Amber to Pikachu and then sneered smugly "Ha why are you wasting your time looking for pikachu round here? Everyone knows this forest is famous for it's bug type pokémon! I'm looking for a weedle to add to my collection."
"A Weedle?" Amber couldn't help the slight look of aversion, it's not that she hated bug pokémon like her mother, but well, they definitely weren't top of her catch list …
"You got a problem with weedle?!" Ricky continued to antagonise Amber, pointing his finger upwards menacingly whilst getting up close to her face, invading her personal space.
Amber panicked slightly and leaned back from the very forwards boy, holding her hands up in surrender. "I don't have a problem with weedle! But come on it's not like they're ever going to win you a pokémon league tournament."
"WHAT?!" Ricky was outraged. "You don't think I can win with a weedle?! Don't you know they evolve into beedrill? Beedrill are super strong! And they can even mega evolve! I bet you're one of those trainers, only bothered about catching strong wild pokémon, too lazy to put the hard work into raising them!"
Amber sweat dropped, this kid was intense! "Nonono, you've got me all wrong, of course I think any pokémon can become strong if you raise it well, … but still … there's … limits?"
"You think Bug pokémon are weak! I'll show you! Let's battle!" The Bug Trainer held up a pokéball ready to challenge.
"Gladly." Finally, Amber felt in her comfort zone again as she and Pikachu squared off against Ricky. The boy lifted his arm and threw out the pokéball. "Go Caterpie!" Soon the little bug pokémon emerged, ready to battle.
Ok Caterpie are known for string shot, so I need Pikachu to keep his speed … "Pikachu start off with Agility." Amber began the battle.
"Caterpie, Tackle attack!"
Caterpie charged full speed towards Pikachu, but the experienced pokémon dodged out the way easily.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Amber commanded.
"Piiii kaaaaa chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu" Pikachu let off a mighty thunderbolt attack, engulfing Caterpie in pure electricity.
The fried bug fell to her side. Eyes swirling.
"Alright we won!" Pikachu leapt up and slapped the flat of his tail against his trainer's hand in a "high five" celebration.
"Caterpie! Noooooooooo! Look what you've done!" Ricky bellowed as he recalled his feinted bug.
"Umm … I'm sorry?" Amber replied, stunned.
"Ow, Caterpie are you ok" The bug trainer teared up looking at his pokéball, soon his expression turned to a deep frown. "Great. Now I have I get my pokémon to the pokémon centre in Viridian!"
"Hey, I'm going there too, maybe we could travel together?" Amber raised her finger, loving the idea of some human travelling company around her own age. Maybe her and Ricky would become best friends! Amber's mind flew through images of them chatting whilst walking down sunny lanes, squabbling over directions getting hopelessly lost, camping out under the stars, laughing about the day's events in the dimming light of a communal campfire.
"Hmph! No thank you! You're the reason I have to take my pokémon to the centre in the first place!" Ricky responded angrily.
"But … it was a pokémon battle …" Amber mumbled out quietly, bewildered by what she was hearing.
"Pi kaaaaa" Pikachu matched his trainers puzzled expression.
"Yeah! With you using overpowered pokémon! Don't you have any shame?! Who uses Thunderbolt on a Caterpie! You … you … Impidimp!" The boy snapped back.
"Impidimp …? What? Me?" Amber's chest fell before she in turn puffed out her cheeks, her face reddening with anger. "Hey! No fair! I do not pick on weak opponents! You challenged me! Remember?! I wasn't just going to lose!"
"Whatever. Go pick on some other trainer! Impidimp!" With that Ricky stomped off.
"Grrrrrr! Whatever yourself! I didn't need you tagging along anyway! Ya sore loser! Meh!" Amber pulled her eyelid down and stuck her tongue out before spinning on her heels and walking off in the opposite direction, nose in the air. "Hmpfph! Impidimp … I'm no impidimp … what a kid!"
"Pi kaaaaaaaaa" Pikachu ran alongside his fuming stomping trainer, looking up at her sympathetically as she continued to quietly rant.
"He was the one bigging up bug pokémon! Not my fault my electric pokémon are way stronger than his dumb bugs … …" The ranting and stomping continued as Amber marched through the forest, steaming mad. "Stompy feet! As if he's so great at catching pokémon! All he had was a caterpie. I've got eight pokémon! … Though I guess technically Lanturn was gift … so was Geodude and Jolteon, and you of course Pikachu. Electabuzz wanted to come along … … but still I caught Magnemite! And Electrode, and not to mention all those Voltorb! … But I guess I did release them …" The hot-headed young trainers tone began to change from anger to sadness as she slowly calmed down. "Ok maybe I'm not really good at catching wild pokémon …"
"I don't get it Pikachu …" Amber mumbled; her voice quiet. "Dad makes friends wherever he goes, he's never short of travelling companions. I've been out on the road for months and I haven't made any friends."
"Pikachu!"
"Oh sorry, I mean human friends." Amber corrected herself immediately.
"Pikaaachu." The mouse accepted the apology.
"I'd just like to hang out with someone my own age for once … Why can't I meet anyone? …" Amber sighed sadly.
"Pikaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Her pokémon tried to comfort her as best as he could.
Suddenly the pokémon's ears pricked up.
"Pi Kaaaa!"
"What is it Pikachu?"
"Pi Kaaaaa, pi kaaaaa! Pikachu pi ka chu!" The little mouse danced frantically; his eyes wide.
"Pikachu? What are you?! OH!" Amber stopped in her tracks and looked around. "Ohhhh no."
The duo had stomped into a beedrills nest. Beedrill lay in the trees, Kakuna hung from the branches, weedles lay against the trunks.
"Ok, just step away Pikachu, realllll quiet like." Amber whispered as the two of them began to step slowly backwards.
Crrrrrrrrrrrrackkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Amber's foot, crunched on a large twig, snapping it, creating a large crunching sound.
Amber and Pikachu paled as the beedrill's eyes lit up.
Oh no maybe I do have heavy feet!
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa RUN!" The duo ran full pelt as they were chased by a swarm of black and yellow wasp pokémon. Diving through the trees onto the ground, desperate to escape the oncoming needle onslaught. Amber and Pikachu turned their heads to look back hoping to have lost their assailants but instead saw the beedrill's stingers were coming straight for them!
"Caterpie string shot!"
A stream of sticky fluid flung out from nowhere, tacking the flying bugs up to the trees in a sticky web like effect.
Ricky and his Caterpie came into view.
More and more string came out the small green caterpillar pokémon until all the beedrill were either stuck in the tangled adhesive mess or fleeing to avoid capture.
Amber and Pikachu sighed in relief; they had been saved. Amber rose to her feet, dusting herself off.
"Are you ok?" The bug catcher began to walk over to them.
"We're fine thanks to you Ricky. You and Caterpie really saved our tails there." Amber smiled.
"Pikaaa pikaaaa" Pikachu nodded in agreement.
"Beedrill aren't pokémon you wanna mess with." Ricky nodded. "You get stung by them. It hurts. I know."
Amber looked around at the struggling bee pokémon, stuck fast in their sticky web traps.
"Hey! Now's your chance to catch a beedrill!" Amber called out to the younger trainer, pointing at the trapped bug pokémon.
"Hmm. Na I only wanna catch weedle."
"Really? Why? Beedrill are the evolved form. They're pretty tough pokémon, you said so yourself."
"Yeah, beedrill are great, but if I catch a weedle then I can raise it myself into the strongest beedrill!"
"I get that." Amber smiled softly. "Oh! Hey I know where there's plenty of weedle! Follow me!"
The pair followed the trail back to the beedrill nest and sure enough in the clearing was a whole hive of kakuna and weedle.
"There they are." Amber whispered.
"Wow, I've never seen so many … " Ricky whispered back, his eyes glistening with pure joy at the sight before him. "Right let's do this!" The bug trainer jumped out the bushes and commanded his pokémon.
"Caterpie use strong shot!"
"Eeeeeee" The little green bug flaked out.
"Oh no Caterpie … you're totally out of energy …" Ricky sighed, looking at his worn out pokémon sadly.
The weedle began to scamper away from their intruders in all directions.
"Oh no! The weedle!" Ricky cried in despair. He ran around with his oversized net, try desperately to secure one of the fleeing bugs, albeit unsuccessfully.
"Pikachu! Let's help Ricky and Caterpie out." Amber looked down at her pokémon.
"Pika!"
Pikachu somersaulted forwards out the bushes expelling electricity from his cheeks that formed into a web-like pattern, creating an impenetrable electric net. It flung over a fleeing weedle, encasing, and trapping it down perfectly.
"Pikachu! You learned Electroweb!" Amber squealed with delight, her eyes big and doey with admiration.
"Pi pikachu!" The little mouse held up a peace sign.
"Now Ricky! Throw a ball!" Amber called out.
Ricky pulled out a pokéball and flung it at Weedle.
The pokémon morphed into red light and entered the ball. The pokéball wobbled. Amber, Pikachu, Ricky and Caterpie watched the ball intently. It wobbled again, and again, until finally it clicked.
"Alright! I got my Weedle." Ricky walked over and held up his pokéball in celebration.
Amber clapped cheerfully and walked over to the younger teenager. "Nice one Ricky, you finally got your pokémon."
"Yeah!" The younger teen's eyes glistened with excitement over his new capture.
"Ricky, I'm sorry I said bug pokémon were weak. You were absolutely right, any pokémon can become stronger with the right trainer. Trainers like you." The girl smiled. "And maybe my feet are kinda stompy for going around catching wild pokémon."
"Thanks Amber, I'm sorry I said you were no good at catching pokémon. You were great. You know, Pikachu's electroweb move is awesome, I'd love to teach my pokémon that." The bug catcher smirked as the two shook hands.
"Looks like we finally agree on something." Amber smiled and giggled slightly. "So Ricky, do you still want to travel to the Viridian Pokécentre? I'm going to head there now if you want to come with me?"
"Na. Realised I don't need to, I've got potions." The boy grinned.
Amber fell to the floor.
"Now I'm off to find more bugs. Maybe even a pikachu! Later!" With that the bug trainer left into the bushes, his hunt continuing.
"Pi Ka Chu" Pikachu sweat dropped.
"Oh well, you win some, you lose some." Amber sighed.
After a quick pit stop at the Viridian pokécentre and stocking up on a few supplies at the shop, Amber found herself stood outside the Viridian Gym once more. She looked up at the building and a cold wind blew past making her shudder. This place had a whole new meaning to her now, from her previous loss to Gary Oak and hearing about the sins of the past from her father. It was a sombre almost haunting feeling.
Amber furrowed her brow and made her way towards the entrance as she'd done before, only now she felt heavy and apprehensive. The entrance light lit up green and the door unlocked.
No turning back now.
Amber took a deep breath and entered. There as he'd stood many times before was Gary Oak, but right now he wasn't Uncle Gary, or Researcher Gary, or Pallet Town star hero Gary, he was Viridian Gym Leader Gary. And he'd beaten her before. Hard.
"Are you ready again to face the Viridian City Gym and earn an Earth Badge?" The elder man called out.
"I am." Amber shouted back across the gym.
"Then I, Gary Oak, of Pallet Town and Leader of the Viridian City Gym accept your challenge."
Gary walked towards his new challenger, his face stern and serious. He extended his hand out as though to shake hands with his opponent but instead diverted up and ruffled the girl's hair, his face breaking out into a cheerful grin. "How you doing squirt?"
"Hi Uncle Gary." All the previous tension instantly melted away.
"Seriously though, how are you doing after Cinnabar Island? Your dad told me what went down with you and Team Rocket. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I should never have left you alone."
"It's ok …" Amber looked towards the floor. "You weren't to know; besides I was the one that went off."
"No it's not ok. You got dragged into business, that was never your fight. It's unforgivable."
"I'm just glad I know the truth." Amber affirmed.
"You should never have had to know." Gary stated.
"Maybe, but everything makes a lot more sense to me now. I understand why everyone was so overprotective, how naïve I was being … I made some pretty stupid mistakes …"
Gary placed his hand on the teenager's shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. "Absolutely none of this was your fault squirt. This was all on us. Don't blame yourself for anything you hear me. You saved Zapdos. You saved us all."
Amber looked Gary in the eye. The elder man's expression read empathetic and sincere. The teen nodded and offered a smile.
"It's kinda creepy being here, knowing it's past." Amber hugged her forearms for comfort. "I'm kinda surprised you took it over as Gym Leader."
"Yeah, all that business was pretty messed up alright. This place sure does have it's history. I for one have experienced it's darker side more than once." Gary added, his voice taking on a slightly solemn tone as he flashed back to his devastating loss against Mewtwo as a child and then the battle against Giovanni as young adults. The stone figures, the monstrous Thufizer and Leaf laying motionless in his arms. Gary's eyes steeled. "I guess that's why I had to take it over. Exorcise the demons of the past so to speak."
Gary looked to Amber and offered a side smile, lightening the mood. "Nothing like confronting your demons head on. Right?"
The two walked over to the battle area.
"I still think it's weird though." Amber mused looking around the empty gym. "You not having any gym trainers here at all. Are you always here all alone?"
"Yup. I find it's the best way to combine my working life as being both a pokémon researcher and as a gym leader. No annoying distractions. Except from pesky challengers of course." The Viridian Gym Leader added the last part with a teasing wink.
"Don't you get, you know, lonely?"
"I don't have time to get lonely and I definitely don't have time to train lackies. You've either got it or you don't." Gary stated, holding up his hands and shaking his head dismissively.
"I thought Elaine might be here, you two seemed pretty chummy." Amber gave a small knowing smile.
"Elaine? Oh,no, she left here some time ago. She got her Earth Badge. … Again" Gary added the last part in a quiet grumble. "Pestered me for a short while and then left. I think she was heading to Victory Road to get some training in before the league competition or something."
"Elaine reminds me of Champion Leaf."
"Like Leaf? How so?" Gary mused. He'd never really thought about it.
"Well, they have got the same brown hair just styled differently, same brown eyes, similar fashion style, both famous female pokémon trainers from Kanto, both tenacious and smart and cool ..."
"Well, when you put it like that …" Gary put his finger to chin thoughtfully.
"What happened between you and Champion Leaf? Is it true you used to date?" Amber pushed.
"Me and Leaf?" The question took Gary by surprise. "Oh it's all boring adult stuff, you wouldn't understand." The elder man dismissed.
"Ow come on Uncle Gary! I'm 16, I'm not a little kid anymore!" Amber frowned.
"Ok, I'll tell you. But only because we're best friends and I trust you not to tell anyone."
Amber nodded "Pinky Swear."
The two latched pinkies and shook.
"Alright … we were both young, we were very much in love, but we could only communicate through a time-traveling mailbox at my lake house."
Amber deadpanned. "You're mocking me."
"Well, I had to get you back for making me sit through that dumb film when I babysat that time."
"Oh come on Uncle Gary!" Amber whined.
"What? I don't know what you want me to say. Look me and Leaf were friends, good friends. We tried to be something more, it didn't work out, these things just happen."
Amber narrowed her eyes. "Just happen?"
"Sure, you know, like with you and that super model."
"That was Cole."
"Oh … right, well you and that socialite with the billionaire philanthropist father then."
"… Again that was Cole." Amber gritted her teeth, her eyes still narrowed.
"Oh … … who have you dated again?" Gary sweat dropped.
Amber narrowed her eyes further.
"Well look it doesn't matter." Gary continued defensively. "It didn't work out, boo hoo, life goes on. I quite enjoy the free and single bachelor life thank you. I can do what I want, when I want, with whom I want. It's great."
"If you say so …" Amber was unconvinced.
"I do! Now I thought you came here to battle not to talk!" The seasoned trainer took out a pokéball and spun it on his finger, demonstrating he had not lost his touch. "This will be an all out 6 on 6 battle. The challenger is allowed to switch out pokémon. Are you ready this time?"
"We've been through a lot and trained hard along the way, my team is bigger and stronger than before. We're ready for you this time!" Amber walked over to the challenger side and stood battle ready.
"Then let's go!" Gary snatched the pokéball from his finger and called out his first pokémon. Scizor appeared on the battlefield and flexed, grinding massive pincers together giving off sparks.
Hmm Scizor. Well guess this battle was never going to be easy … Amber mused as she pulled out a pokéball.
The battle was lengthy and hard fought on either side, each trainer pulling out a multitude of strategies to tip the scales in their favour. After a long-drawn-out slug, both trainers were finally down to their last pokémon.
"Magnemite return." Amber recalled her feinted pokémon. She looked down at her last pokéball and up at the stomping victorious Exeggutor on the battlefield. "Jolteon, it's down to you."
"Hmm cool Jolteon." Gary commented. "Let's see if she has the skills to match. Exeggutor start things off with Seed Bomb!"
"Exx Eggg utor." The large leafy pokémon began to launch a bombardment of giant seeds at Jolteon.
"Jolteon use your agility! Avoid those bombs!" Amber commanded.
Jolteon darted around the area using her increased speed to help dodge the incoming bombs. But it was clear Jolteon wouldn't be able to keep up with the intensity. Amber had to retaliate and fast.
Hmm, electrical movies aren't gonna pack a punch against that grass type … A spark went off in young trainer's mind. But I know a move that will!
"Jolteon, use Pin Missile attack!"
The spikey electric pokémon went ridged as spines flung out from her fur, aimed at the grass psychic dual type opponent.
"A bug type move! Clever …" Gary commented. "Exeggutor use reflect!"
The pokémon created a psychic barrier, it helped deflect some of the damaging spikes, but Exeggutor was still taking damage.
"Another round Jolteon! Keep 'em coming!"
The bug move hit home again, Gary's exeggutor swagged around, barely holding on.
"Now, let's finally finish this battle! Electro Ball!" Amber cried out confidently.
"Jolt!" The spiky pokémon charged up a giant ball of electricity, summersaulted forwards and bashed the ball out with her back paws, using everything she had, sending it hurtling towards Exeggutor.
The ball hit, Exeggutor taking it head on.
"Exeggutor …" Gary was speechless as his pokémon fell to ground, unable to battle. "That was my last pokémon. No way … we lost …"
"We … won?!" Amber paused letting the moment sink in before she exploded with joy. "WE WON! WOOO HOO ALRIGHT! WOO HOOO YEAH! We beat Gary! We beat Gary! We beat Gary!" She began to sing chant.
As the teenager celebrated, Gary bowed his head modestly, a small smile of pride appearing on his face. "Well you did it squirt. You finally beat me. The Earth Badge is yours."
"Jolteon you were awesome. Have a good rest now." Amber smiled down at her friend.
"Jolt!" The eeveelution barked back happily at her trainer. Amber recalled her pokémon for a well-deserved rest in her pokéball.
"You guys should be proud. You've come a long way since our last battle, and you've trained and strengthened your team well. Here." Gary placed the green plant like badge in the palm of the teens hand.
"The Earth Badge … awesome …" Amber's eyes glistened as she admired her new token, holding it up against the gym floor flood lights to see it sparkle. It really was something special to behold.
"Also take this TM. I think it will suit your battle style well."
Amber took the disc and grinned. "Iron Tail, cool!"
"Sure is. That is my gift to you as the Gym Leader of the Viridian City Gym. Now comes my gift to you as proud honorary Uncle."
Gary reached into the top pocket of his jacket and pulled out a red smart phone, handing it over to the young redhead.
"Oh, cool a smart phone, thanks." Amber studied the device in her hands.
"That's not all." Gary smirked. The researcher gym leader then pulled out a pokéball and released the contents. A crazy ball of energy emerged and began to ping around the gym at lightning speed before settling down above the two trainers. An orange orb formed in the centre and began growing, showing off a spiked head, bright blue eyes, and a brilliant grin. Arm like limbs formed by it's sides through it's blue energy aura.
"A Rotom!" Amber's face lit up at the sight of the electric pokémon entity.
"Ok squirt, lift up the phone I just gave you."
Amber did as Gary instructed and Rotom drew closer to the device. The pokémon flashed blue, turning itself into a small bolt of electricity, engulfing and entering the device.
"Woah!"
The phone screen glowed as the device powered up. The phones casing developed a lightning bolt form on the top and suddenly a pair of brilliant blue emerged on the back with the trademark grin.
"OHMYARCEUS! It's a Rotom Dex! Ohhh WOW this is amazing! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Amber could barely contain her excitement.
"Technically it's a Rotom Phone. But yes, it does double up as a pokédex and a" Gary corrected.
"Rotom Dex!" Amber repeated clutching the precious device tightly and caressing it to her cheek.
Gary rolled his eyes. "Speak to myself why don't I ..."
"Thanks so much Uncle Gary." Amber beamed, her eyes starry.
"Well, I couldn't let you carry on your journey without some form of pokégear now, could I? What kind of researcher would I be? But in return I want you to do something for me."
"Of course! What?"
"Don't you dare lose your next gym battle against Lt Surge. I'd never live it down." Gary placed a hand over his eyes and tilted his head back dramatically.
Amber broke into a laugh. "Deal."
"I'm serious!" Gary had a slight laugh in his voice. "I think I'd have to give up my position here as gym leader and go live on the top of Mount Silver in solitude or something. Now pinky swear!"
Amber giggled and the two latched their little fingers, shaking them down and sealing the promise.
"I think maybe you'd like living there in solitude, at least you wouldn't be bothered by pesky challengers" Amber giggled.
"Ha … maybe. Now go on, scoot young 'un, go forth with RotomDex and learn the ways of a Pokémon Master." Gary placed his hand firmly on Amber's back and led the teenager out the gym.
"Oh Ok … well bye Uncle Gary!"
"So long squirt. All my love, I'll be routing for ya in the pokémon league, blaa blaa blaa. Buh-bye now." With that the Viridian Gym Leader shoved the young trainer out. Amber blinked a couple of times faced in the harsh sunlight of her abrupt departure.
Gary closed the gym door behind him and slumped his back against it. His eyes looked upwards at the ceiling as he sighed recalling a painful memory.
**** Flashback 12 years ****
"You're going to the Galar Region?" Gary asked wide eyed as he watched Leaf stomp back and forth in her room, packing a suitcase.
"Yup. If there is any chance to undo what happened … then … I" The young woman's eyes glistened, tears threatening to appear before she wiped her eyes and dismissed them, her eyes steeling over. "I owe it to Clefable to go and help in any way I can."
"How long will you be gone…" Gary looked at the overfilling luggage. It was clear from the volume of items this would be no short trip. "For?"
"For as long as it takes." The young woman replied sharply.
"I see …" Gary grimaced. Leaf had been cold and distant since what happened at the Viridian Gym a few days ago. He couldn't blame her; it had been traumatic for all involved. But still just as Gary thought he had finally made a connection with this beautiful, mysterious, and bold pokémon trainer, she was about to walk away. "It's just I thought … well … where does that leave us?"
"Us?" The brunette raised an eyebrow.
"Well … we've been spending so much time together lately, and I guess I just thought … well I figured that maybe we were … Well maybe we are … but I'm not saying we are … but are we? Could be?"
As much as Leaf was enjoying seeing the great Gary Oak squirm, she decided to give the man an out. "Come with me."
"What?!" Gary hadn't been expecting her to say that.
"Come with me." Leaf repeated. "You have nothing keeping you here, so come with me."
"Leaf … I …" Gary thought about the prospect but shook his head dismissively. "I can't. There's too much to do here. We've got to testify against Team Rocket, round up the stragglers and close down what happened at the Viridian Gym once and for all. We can't let what happened, happen again to anyone else. It's not exactly an overnight job."
"That's for Ash and the pokémon league to sort. They don't need you to stay here."
"Ha, leave it to Ashy-Boy? Please the guy doesn't know which side of the Earth a Solrock comes up on!"
"Ash is the current Kanto Champion you know. He's more than capable!" Leaf argued back. "Plus, he has the backing of Lance and the Elite Four."
"Humph, like they were much help …"
"You're running out of excuses Oak." Leaf teased.
"… Well, what about Gramps? He needs me here, Arceus knows he's so old and frail, I haven't got much time with him."
"Ok Gar. I get it." Leaf resumed packing, forcefully shoving her items into her bags.
"… Are you mad?"
"I'm not mad Gary, they are all perfectly good reasons. I just can't help thinking though if a certain red head was asking you go away, your answer would be different." Leaf huffed.
"What are you talking about?"
"I think we both know!"
"No, we don't." Gary snapped back, his voice almost a growl. The young man pressed the palm of his hand to his forehead and ran it through his hair, aggravated.
"No?" Leaf raised an eyebrow.
"No." Gary responded bluntly. His tone offering no rebuttal.
Leaf looked at Gary with sympathetic doe eyes.
That's what makes it all the more sad …
The girl shook her head dismissively and looked downwards. "Never mind. I'm being silly. Please, ignore me …"
Like you did for all those years …
Leaf zipped up her last suitcase and hauled her backpack over her shoulder. She sadly approached Gary and placed her hand gently against his cheek.
Gary registered the coolness of her palm against his skin.
Please Gary, move on. You deserve to be happy.
Leaf slowly slid her hand down his face. "Smell you later Gary Oak."
Gary squeezed his eyes tightly shut. Blocking out the pain and memorizing the feel of her skin against his for the last time.
Her hand left his face and with that Leaf departed into the bright white and didn't look back.
*** End ***
Gary gritted his teeth and bowed his head as he stood alone in the dimly lit gym. He walked over to his desk and pulled out an old, dog-eared photograph he'd done many times before. His young 19-year-old self, staring back at him, carefree and winking, arm draped over teenage Misty Waterflower. Her beautiful aquatic eyes, mesmerising and taunting.
Gary placed the photo back into the draw and slammed it shut. He then pulled out his phone and scrolled down the contacts list till he reached the letter "L." His finger hovered over the contact before he swiped the screen dismissing the list and threw it on the desk.
No! Back to work Oak.
Amber walked off towards the Pokémon Centre. She mulled over the conversations she'd had with Gary about loneliness and friendships.
"Maybe being in my own company is good." Amber pondered out loud to herself. "But I sure would like to find out any different."
Authors Note: Only 1 more badge to go then the Pokémon League! As per a request I will do a Team Rocket side story that ties in with our protagonist. When will that be? I don't know ... but I have some of it written :-)