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Ash bit into his meal, his tongue loving the sweet sauce and fruit between two freshly baked crusts. He offered Pikachu a bite from his shoulder, which the Pokemon happily did so. As they walked around the large city, they couldn’t help but take in the sights of this new region.
Ash couldn’t wait to see what kind of Pokemon were out there. And especially any strong trainers that came his way.
He only been in Paldea one day, however. And as far as he could tell, they sure did enjoy their sandwiches. There had to be a stand for sandwiches at every other block. Not that Ash was complaining. He loved all kinds of food, and there was certainly no shortage of variety here.
Still holding his food, Ash turned to his partner with a smile.
“Hey, Pikachu. Want to check out that school that Professor Oak told us about? He said all the students are trainers, so I bet we can find plenty of people to battle.”
“Pika!” the yellow mouse agreed.
“Great. I’ll just finish the rest of this,” Ash then began to scarf it down. As he munched away like a dying Snorlax, he didn’t notice someone creeping up behind him.
Suddenly, two arounds wrapped around his frame and pulled him close. Before Ash realized it, a pair of lips kissed his exposed neck. Ash’s eyes went wide, too shocked to move or even speak.
“Enjoying your sandwich, pal?” a voice chuckled behind him.
“Pika!” Ash’s friend yelled at the intruder for violating Ash’s personal space. That got Ash moving again. With a glare, he turned around to face the weirdo.
“Hey! You can’t just kiss strangers on the neck like that! I should tell----” he paused. Pikachu made a noise that sounded just as confounded as Ash felt, “Gary?”
The boy frowned with a shake of his head, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“When did you start talking? I can’t…wait a minute,” Gary took a second look at Ash. While he did so, Ash took a second look at ‘Gary.’ Something was wrong here, “You’re not Red.”
“And you’re not Gary,” Ash blinked. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He almost looked like an exact replica of his childhood friend. Did Gary have an evil clone?
The Gary look-a-like covered his mouth and his eyes widened as realization of what he had just done sank in.
“Oh my Arceus. Dude, I am so sorry. I thought you were my boyfriend. Y-you…look just like him. You have the hat, the hairstyle, even the Pikachu on your shoulder.”
Pikachu’s cheeks began sparking. It was still angry at what the guy did to Ash without asking for Ash’s permission. Ash cooed at his friend.
“It’s okay, Pikachu. I think it was just a mistake. Don’t worry about it,” he said to the boy.
“And did you say Gary? You know my cousin?”
“Yeah. He and I started our Pokemon adventure at the same time. But I didn’t know he had a cousin,” Ash smiled, interested in this new person.
The boy beamed in greeting. It seemed the awkwardness of their first encounter was already starting to pass.
“Name’s Blue. I’m also a grandson of Professor Oak and I started my journey way before Gary did. Started it with Red. We weren’t on the best of terms back then, but we’re all good now. We're as close and steak and eggs.”
“I can tell,” Ash wiped away at the kiss on his neck.
“Hey, I said I was sorry.”
I wonder what it would feel like if Gary actually had kissed me like that?
Ash paused. Where did that thought come from? He felt himself blushing and now Pikachu and Blue were both staring at him in confusion. Flustered, Ash faked a cough and attempted to direct the conversation somewhere else.
“Um….I’m Ash, by the way. You said Red looks like me?”
“Yeah. I swear, I’d think you were his brother if I didn’t know he was an only child.”
“Is he strong?”
Blue tsked at that, “Stronger than me, actually. And even though we’re dating, I still don’t forgive him for that. Seriously, he doesn’t even need to evolve his Pikachu and he’s always kicking my behind. So, Ash. You and my cousin tight?”
He talks kind of funny. So informal. Gary does that a little bit, but not this much. Speaking of Gary, I wonder what he’s doing now?
Geeze, why was thinking about Gary getting Ash all flustered?
“Well….we don’t really hang out a lot anymore. He’s too busy trying to be a professor and I’m trying to be the world’s greatest Pokemon Master.”
Blue nodded in understanding while crossing his arms, a knowing smile on his face.
“I remember him talking about being a researcher during our last reunion. Can’t believe he’s not constantly following you around like a baby Rockruff though. Seriously, someone as cute as you in his life and he doesn’t take a chance? Lame.”
“Take a chance…..you mean?” Ash blushed and looked at Pikachu. Also, did Blue have to say ‘cute’ instead of ‘handsome?’
“Well yeah. After all, you should be with the one you care about all the time, I always say.”
“Well if you think that….why aren’t you with Red now?”
Ash’s curious question produced a sigh on Blue’s face. The boy gave a solemn smile.
“He’s a free spirit. Can’t be tied down with romance like I want us to be. He just goes in any direction he chooses. Honestly, I don’t even know what region he’s even in. I try calling him but he doesn’t always answer.”
“Have you tried telling him that you feel? I’m sure he would be willing to change if it upsets you.”
Blue chuckled, “It doesn’t upset me. Not really. I hate not seeing him all the time, but I wouldn’t have him any other way. But look at us. I kissed you thinking you were my bf and now you’re giving me relationship advice. That is too funny. Hey uh….mind not telling anyone about that, by the way? Especially gramps?”
“Sure thing. Hey, Blue? Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah?”
“How about a battle?”
Somewhere in Hoenn…
Gary closed his notes with a sigh. All day of Spoink watching wasn’t as fun as he thought it would be, but at least he got some much needed research. Now maybe he could reward himself with some ice cream. As he walked around Slateport City, something caught the corner of his eye.
Ash? Was that Ash just heading into an item shop just as he glanced in his direction? But that couldn’t be right. He was in Paldea….right? That's what Grandpa had told him
Gary rubbed his eyes. He must be so tired he was seeing things. Better skip the ice cream and go to sleep altogether.