Return of the defeated (on hold)

/part 2/

"Maybe one day Ashy-boy, probably when I run out of things to tease you about. Now to what pleasure do I owe this phone call?" Gary asked while taking a sip of water.

"Gary my pokemon and I decided we've done all we can do here. Its time to come home and see what we can do in a league." As Ash said coming home Gary spit his water out and coughed as he looked in disbelief.

"Ash you really mean it? You're finally coming home?" Gary asked in a hushed shocked voice as not to wake his grandpa.

"You seemed so shocked old friend, I promised I'd come home when I was ready and I never break a promise to my friends." Ash said with a hearty laugh.

"Its not that, bud its just perfect timing if you're fast enough." Gary explained, seeing Ash's confused face he continued, "Tomorrow is Dawn and Paul's wedding at your mom's house" he finished.

"Well then i guess its perfect timing to come home isn't it, everyone will be there to beat on me. Its about time they tied the knot its been two and a half years since he asked her." Ash said with a chuckle. "By the way how are things with Zoey going?"

"They're going well man. You know I need to thank you, if you hadn't disappeared me and her would have never met." Gary said stifling a yawn.

"Err.. you're welcome I guess." said Ash as he rubbed the back of his head, "You seem beat man I'll let you gey to bed. I'll see you tomorrow then. What time does the ceremony begin so I don't interrupt it."

"It starts at noon on the dot so don't be late." Gary answered while standing and stretching.

"Ok noon we'll definitely be there before then." Ash stated with confidence.

"Sounds good Ash be safe on your way here. See you soon." with that the screen went black.

End flashback

After this they started having small talk as the moved outside and continued down the road to where they had set up for the ceremony to take place alongside Delia's flower garden. As the reached the garden something caught Gary's attention.

Twenty minutes earlier...

"Charizard land in the woods just past the Oak's house ok buddy." Ash said to his faithful fire type. They landed silently in the trees with no one noticing. "Ok now i just have to get Gary's attention to let him know we're here without spoiling Dawn and Paul's big day with our unannounced arrival. Pi think you're fast enough not to be seen except by Gary?" The small mouse looked slightly angry and annoyed that his trainer question his speed. His reply was to vanish leaving a small dust cloud behind as he sped off towards to young researcher.

Gary just caught a small yellow blur out of the corner of his eye as it vanished into the shadows of the trees. His gaze fell upon a dark figure just at the edge of the shadows. He gave a small grin and barely noticeable nod as the figure moved back onto the darkness of the trees. 'This should be interesting' Gary thought. Moments later he heard an annoyed voice arguing with a slightly angry arrogant voice.

"Drew what are you even doing here? I know you don't like either Dawn or Paul." asked a visibly annoyed May.

"Simple, I'm here to tell you to give up on that pathetic loser Ketchum ever coming back and that you should go out with a real champion like me." replied Drew while he flicked his green hair out of his face.

"Drew even if you were the last man on earth I would never go out with you and for your information Ash is a thousand times the trainer you'll ever be." May angrily said with fire in her eyes.

"You know she's right you know, Ash is light years ahead of you in every way." Gary chimed in as he stepped next to May. "I would also suggest you stop running your mouth before it gets you hurt."

"Ooo big bad researcher thinks he's tough. You're just as pathetic as Ketchum." Drew said smugly.

"How about you back your talk up bitch I'll mop the floor with you with no problems." Gary said through gritted teeth as he drew a poke ball from his belt.

"Boys thats enough." came a stern voice from behind them. It belonged to Delia Ketchum, "The ceremony is about to begin May, Gary you need to get into position and you young man should go take a seat." Drew just shrugged as he walked off, while Gary glared daggers at him 'just wait punk Ash will destroy you.'

"Thank you Gary, he wouldn't leave me alone." May said with a hug.

"No worries May I look after my friends. Now lets hurry and get in line." Gary said as they moved to the tent with all their friends waiting to start.

Ash picked a good vantage point where he could stay out of sight but still see everything. As the music began Paul wearing a jet black tux led Johanna in a light yellow dress to her seat, at the next sight Ash felt a tug at his heart seeing May in a sapphire blue dress (he's still dense and doesn't understand what his feelings mean) walking down the isle with Reggie by her side in a deep purple tux, they were followed by Misty in an ocean blue dress with Brock in a dark grey tux. Following them came Zoey in a fire red dress and Gary in a silver tux. Finally came Iris in black dress with Cilan in a traditional tux and green bowtie. Tracy was taking pictures of everything. Everyone stood as Dawn came out in a pearl white dress escorted by Professor Oak in a crimson red tux. They reached the altar where Paul stood with a smile, which made Ash chuckle as he had always just seen a smirk on his face.

The ceremony went well as the couple said there vows, Ash couldn't help but be happy for his friends getting married. After the ceremony ended Tracy started posing people for pictures. As he gathered the girls, Gary took a moment to lean against a tree in the shade when he heard a deep calm voice behind him, "They look happy over there don't they."

"Good hell Ash are you trying to kill me." Gary muttered while clutching his chest and trying not to draw attention his direction.

Ash chuckled, "Sorry about that. I'm just staying hidden until later when things wind down a bit "

"Just don't do that again its creepy how quite you are." Gary said. Just then a voice called out, "Gary its the guys turn for pictures, get over here"

"I guess thats my que, gotta go Ash see you in a few. By the way its good to have you back." Gary said over his shoulder as he headed towards thr group of men.

"Its good to be back." Ash said to himself. Just as he turned he heard the sound of a slap and a pained cry to his left. "Come on Pi let's see what's happened." as he ran through the brush.

.............I ..... m-m-my poor h-h-h-handed hurt 😢🥲I hope you had fun reading this 👋👋👋👋

Bbbbbbyyyyyyyeeeeeeee