Nine Months Seven - Homecoming, Part 1 Written by Globie Anime Characters who Actually Talk: Ash Ketchum - 14 Gary Oak - 14 Misty Waterflower - 14 Brock Slate - 16 May Oak - 16 Daisy Waterflower - 17 Melanie Shrub - 17 Giselle Gravelpot - 15 New Characters: Dario Novetella, Chopper Wallace, Scott McGwire, The two coaches, Jeanette Fisher, Male Rocket, Female Rocket, Kevin Studebaker ( ) denotes a character action, an in-story author’s note, or the song being played [ ] denotes translated Pokémon speech **** denotes a scene change Disclaimer: For purposes of this fic, the Freedom Fighter owns the extras...I have rights to Scott...he's my character. "Nine Months" is rated PG, although some chapters don’t qualify for that rating. ************************************************************************ October 22nd, 9:00 p.m., Viridian City Senior High School, Van Graveler Stadium A shadowy figure is seen moving along the 50-yard line, towards the camera. Then, all of the lights go up in the stadium, and the identity of the figure is revealed. It's sixteen year old Jeanette Fisher, dressed in a pink fleece sweater and blue jeans. Her hair is tied up as usual, though. Spotting the camera only feet away from her face, she begins to talk. Jeanette: Good evening. You're probably wondering what in the world I'm doing on the football field. No, I'm not about to get stabbed to death by a serial killer, as so many of you might think. But just last week that might have been more fun to experience then the tale that I'm about to tell you. She takes out a pocket flashlight from her pocket, and shines it on the number '50' on the field... Jeanette: And believe it or not... it all started on this very spot exactly one week ago... ************************************************************************* Flashback - October 15th, 4:30 p.m., Geodude Practice Field The Viridian City football team is practicing for their big game against the Celadon High School Oddish. The winner takes sole position of first in the Indigo High School Football League Standings. Among those practicing are Gary and AJ. AJ: Twenty-three, fifteen, sixty-six, double zero, hike, hike, hike! The center snaps the ball from the fifty-yard line, and AJ catches it. He takes a few steps back, then fires it down field towards Gary. Gary leaps over his defender and catches the ball. He then lands and sprints the rest of the way to the goal line, scoring a touchdown. Gary: (spikes the ball) Oh yeah! AJ: It worked like a charm! The whole team begins to rejoice in the end zone. Their coach doesn't take long to break the celebration up, though. Coach: Alright you guys, enough celebrating... I forgot to introduce to you our new star from Canada, just transferred from the Oddish school. Gary: This should be interesting. AJ: I dunno... We'll see what he's like first. Coach: (Glaring at Gary) Boys, our answer to those Celadon punks... Scott McGwire. Everyone goes over, and shakes Scott's hand. His bleached blond hair seems to shine in Gary's dark auburn eyes. Coach: Everyone give me two easy laps around the field, then hit the showers! Gary: Great throw, AJ! AJ: Great catch, Gary! Scott: Hey, guys. Gary turns away, and AJ follows. The two laugh as they join their teammates, who have already started running. Scott is left standing clue less on the field, a little annoyed. After a while, he follows them into the locker room. Unknown to the members of the team, though, two pairs of sinister eyes belonging to Team Rocket members are watching high in the stands, with their identities hidden by the shade of a nearby tree. Female Rocket: They won't be celebrating after tomorrow... Male Rocket: It'll be Team Rocket who'll be throwing the homecoming party! Meowth: (stepping out from beneath the shade) Meowth! And that's a fact! ************************************************************************* October 16th, 8:15 AM, Viridian Senior High Dorms, 202 Flame Hall Ash is busy staring at two pictures... Gary's sister, May, in her cheerleading outfit, the other of Giselle, from her performance at the Talent Show two weeks ago. Ash: (sigh) which one should I ask out to the homecoming dance? May or Giselle? Gary: (looks over his shoulder) Don't go with Giselle...That tramp will dump you faster than you can fail an algebra test. Ash: Then it's settled... I'll ask May out to the dance. Gary: As if... do you really think my sister's interested in you? Ash: Then who I am to go out with? That scrawny redhead who keeps nagging me about that bike of hers I destroyed four years ago? Gary: (yelling in Ash's face) Don't dare talk about my homecoming date like that! Ash: (pointing his finger at Gary) You mean you're going with Misty? Gary: Of course... she just doesn't know yet. Ash: (facefaults) You mean you haven't asked her yet? Gary: No. Every time I try to ask her in class, someone or something gets in my way. Ash: Well you'd better hurry... homecoming's this Saturday. Gary: Speaking of classes... what are we doing here in the room this late on a Thursday morning? Ash and Gary: (simultaneously) AAAAAAAAAAA! We're late for class! The two scrambles to put their books together and then they rush out, nearly knocking each other out in the process. ************************************************************************ 5:15 p.m., 310 Blizzard Hall Daisy is busy searching for a dress to wear to Saturday's dance. May, on the other hand, is debating whom she should go out with. Daisy: (holding up a red strapless dress) May, do you think this would impress everyone at the dance? May: (ignoring Daisy) Larry? Barry? Jerry? Who should I go out with? Daisy: Um, May? Are you paying any attention? May: No. Daisy: Good. (Realizes what May just said) Wait a second... May: I'm sorry, Daisy. It's just that I can't decide whom I want to take me to the dance. Daisy: You mean no one's asked you out yet? May: No, it's not that. (Smiles at Daisy) I received about a dozen offers this week! Daisy: (Sweatdrops) Only a dozen? May: Okay, a BAKER'S dozen. But seriously, most of them are slobs who think they'll become popular instantly when they're seen with me at the dance. Daisy heads over to the mini-fridge and opens a can of soda. Daisy: Oh, I see. Any gems among the trash? May: (as Daisy begins to drink the soda) Yep. Dario Novetella... Daisy: The Celadon City football team's star linebacker? Forget him, girl. Bringing him to the dance is like bringing Team Rocket to an Officer Jenny reunion! May: (continuing on) ...Kevin Studebaker... Daisy: (yawns) The self-proclaimed 'macho man?' Pass on that one too. May: ...and Ash Ketchum. Daisy: (spits out her drink onto the floor) Ash Ketchum? May: What's wrong with Ash? Daisy: May, he's a freshman, for crying out loud! Us upperclassmen aren't supposed to deal with people like him. May: (getting up from her chair) I don't care. I think he likes me. Daisy: He likes you because you're a cheerleader! Freshmen will do anything to get a date with any cheerleader... (Whispering under her breath) even someone of your stature. May: Daisy, Ash isn't like that. He's kind, caring, and ALWAYS does the right thing. The last thing he'd do is try to flash an image of popularity. Daisy: (sarcastically) I'd bet. May: Besides, who else would he find that is more attractive than I am? ************************************************************************* 312 Blizzard Hall Ash: So... what I'm asking is: will you go out to the dance with me? Lily: Like totally! I couldn't believe I'd get asked to go the dance by a guy! Ash: So it's a date? Lily: Totally! How's 7:30? Ash: Cool! Lily: Cool! (Blows Ash a kiss) See you Saturday night, Ash! Lily closes the door, and Ash walks off, happy that he's finally got a date for the dance. ************************************************************************* 5:25 p.m., 310 Blizzard Hall Daisy: You're like, serious? Lily: Yep. Ash Ketchum asked me out to the dance, and I accepted! May: (Begins to strangle Lily) Are you out of your mind? I thought he was going to ask me out to the dance! Violet: (separating the two) Like chill, May! There'll be other fishermen in the boat. May: Huh? Daisy: In other words, May, there are plenty of eligible bachelors. Take your pick! Violet: Oh, I've got the perfect choice for you, May! May: And who's that? ************************************************************************* October 22nd, 9:08 p.m., Viridian City Senior High School, Van Graveler Stadium Jeanette: Oops... you weren't supposed to see that part yet. Anyway, let's move on to something that happened at the school the following afternoon...Violet was in such a shock at the dance when May appeared with an another date! (Snickers) ************************************************************************* October 17th, 9:15 a.m., Viridian Senior High, Main Classroom Bldg., Rm. 155 The bell rings to signify the end of first period. Students are beginning to file out into the hallway. In Miss Miyamoto's room, Gary stops Misty on her way to the door and pulls her aside. Misty: What do you want, Gary? You know I need 5 minutes to get to my class on the other side of the building. Gary: I'd like to ask you if you've got a date for the dance yet. Misty: Actually, no. (Begins to blush) Oh... you mean... Gary: Yes... will you go to the dance with me? Misty: Well, seeing that no one else is going to ask me... oh, okay! Gary: (kisses Misty on the cheek) Thanks! You're a lifesaver! Misty watches as Gary runs through the crowd. Misty touches her cheek where Gary kissed her, and begins to ponder whether or not Gary might actually have a sensitive side. Misty: (to herself) could it be? Does Gary have a crush on me? ************************************************************************* 3:30 p.m., Celadon City Senior High School, Oddish Practice Field Celadon Coach: Okay, boys. The big game against Viridian is tomorrow! We all know what we're going to do to the Geodude tomorrow, right? Football Players: Crush them! Celadon Coach: And we're relying on three individuals to do the job. First up is Chopper Wallace, our hot running back! Chopper: I'd like to see those sissy-pants Viridian kids try and stop me from reaching the goal line! Celadon Coach: Second, our superhuman quarterback, Jeff Star! Jeff: They won't stand a chance when I fire a rocket into the end zone! Celadon Coach: And last, but certainly not least, our star linebacker, and captain... Dario Novetella! Dario: (laughs) Those fools won't know what hit 'em! Celadon Coach: So it's settled. Tomorrow, we crush Viridian City! Football Players: Crush Viridian City! Dario: (Under his breath) And destroy Scott.... Jeff: Dario? You all right, man? Chopper: You still mad at Scott? Dario: What do you think, numbskull! ************************************************************************* October 18th, 7:30 PM, Viridian City Senior High School, Van Graveler Stadium Jeanette: (Off-screen) Well, the day has come! The game the whole school has waited all year to see! As everyone continues to try and get a date, the players are focused on trying to win this game for their school. The stakes are high...higher than the ones that were on "Survivor"! And the one who wins is destined to win the crown... Inside the Geodude dressing room, AJ looks at Scott, who is playing with his Gloom in front of his locker... AJ: (Thinking) He's a traitor for BOTH sides! I knew it! Gary: Did you do the check? AJ: Man, he's a girl! That Gloom is for little pussies! Gary: (Under his breath) A Sandshrew is wimpy too... AJ: (Angry) WHAT DID YOU SAY? Gary: (Sweatdrops) Oh, nothing! The coach comes into the room, and looks at his players. He quietly posts the starting list on the door, and everyone rushes to see. Some begin to jump up and down with joyful glee, others with disappointing looks, and some really calm. Gary doesn't see his name on the starters' list, but both AJ and Scott do. AJ jumps up, but Scott just picks up Gloom and gives it a hug. The coach silences the players, and begins to talk. Coach: Now, this is for all the marbles, people! I want everything thrown at those wusses from Celadon, each and everything! Players: Right! They rush out the locker room, putting their helmets on and also making a few gestures to certain places (a la the movie Rudy), and rush out onto the field to cheers of the crowd. The Celadon team is already on their side, and all the game needs is to begin! Meanwhile, as we speak, Ash, Misty, her sisters, Giselle, Brock and May are in the front row, trying to find their friends. May: Where's Gary? My little brother's growing up (Sniffs.) Misty: (Annoyed) He's over there, beside number 11, the blond guy. Giselle: He's certainly cute! Brock: That's Scott McGwire... it can't be! Ash: What're you talking about? Brock: Um, nothing! Mind your own business! Daisy: What, is it Gym Leader stuff? Lily: Or are you afraid of the fact that he's the Vancouver Gym Leader? Misty: Brock, are you afraid of HIM? Brock: (Angry) Not! Shut up and watch the game. Meanwhile, at the mention of the name, May's already got her sights on Scott. She's 16, and according to Daisy, he's 16 too... older by a few months. I guess I'll just go and meet him after the game... besides, I can tag along to the dressing room with Gary. And then, it hit her: What about Ash's feelings? If he's got Lily already, let it be... a person needs to let their heart wander once in awhile! Meanwhile, on the Celadon side, the coin toss has taken place, and the starters are already on the field, led by Dario. He spots his arch-nemesis in the shotgun, and decides to order Chopper to deal with him. Dario: (Thinking) With Chopper in there, no one's safe. Not even that traitor... Jeanette: (Still off-screen): Time passes, and here we are at the 4th quarter! The Geodude is leading by... oh, a touchdown. 41-34 Viridian City, with 3 minutes to play. One more TD will put it away for the Geodude, but... Coach: What's up with Kamensky? Trainer: He twisted his knee. He's finished. Coach: Gary Oak... where is he? Trainer: On the bench, coach. He's just chasing the stars away. Coach: Those Oddish rats! Using Chopper Wallace to wipe away my team! Kevin Studebaker: Uh, coach? Coach: Yeah, what? Kevin: Since I was supposed to be your first-stringer, why don't you let McGwire rest? Then you can put me in. Coach: Too risky... besides, he seems to be immune to Chopper's hits! Kevin: I dunno, coach. That Canuck seems tough, but it's not gonna last long. Coach: What do you mean? Kevin: Uh, he did fall down the stairs yesterday in the International Hall. Coach: How the did that happen? Kevin: It didn't turn out too good... he destroyed his knee. Coach: WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME! Kevin: Guess he wanted to impress you. Coach: Well, he did, alright... I gotta pull him. The coach calls a time out, and pulls Scott aside, and puts Kevin in. He goes in to a few cheers from the crowd. Scott limps back to the Geodude bench, and collapses. The coach leans over, as Gary smiles. Gary: This guy's tougher than I thought... Meanwhile, in the stands as the coach talks with Scott, May is way more than upset after the team pulled him out. Brock was conversing with Melanie, while Ash and Misty were going to get snacks. The sisters were still giggling like 5 year olds over their dance dates. Except Lily, who is constantly on the offensive for her decision to go with Ash! May: Oh, what's going on? Brock: Seems like he's in pain. Melanie: I heard he fell down the stairs at the International Hall. May: Oh, my Starmie! And he's playing? Brock: And he's going back out! May: If he hurts himself, then he'll NEVER be able to go to the dance! Brock: (Under his breath) In a hospital, maybe. May glares at Brock, as the game continues, the Oddish is pushing a way down the field toward a touchdown. Kevin botched a 3rd down, and an interception occurred. Scott was back out, but for how much longer? ************************************************************************* 10:30 PM, Viridian High, Geodude Locker Room, Van Graveler Stadium May waited for Gary, whom they were going out for pizza together at a place downtown. When he emerged, May went over, and asked of Scott's condition. The Geodude won a thriller: 41-37, with a last minute play by the Geodude to get it back, but it didn't matter anyway. The parking lot was almost empty, as students of Viridian High were all out on the town celebrating the win. Gary: He's inside... the doctor is here. May: Will he be okay? Gary: After surgery, maybe... but he's a tough guy. May: Can I go in? Gary: If you want the attention, go ahead. May: You wait outside... I'm going to get me a date to the dance! Gary: May, you're screwing Dario for Scotty? May: Why not? He's not as brave. Gary: (Sighs) It's your own funeral... She goes into the locker room, and looks around. She found her quarry, Scott, and the doctor in the trainers' room. He was wearing only his boxer shorts, so his well- built body was open for May to see. Instantly, her heart rate went up to a thousand beats per minute. Deciding not to lose a moment longer, she goes in. Doctor: Well, I guess I'll be scheduling that surgery for next week. Scott: Thanks, doctor. Doctor: Meanwhile, keep your knee on ice, and wear the support I gave you! Scott: Yes, doctor... May admired his soft, yet masculine voice. It was gentle like a cool breeze on a summer day, and his hair was like a brown river with wide gold streaks. Scott: Uh, hi. What are you doing here? May: I'm just Gary's sister...are you THE Scott McGwire? Scott: That's me. May: Are you really from Canada? Scott: What do you think, eh! May: That's so cute! Scott: (Sweatdrops) Uh, what do you want, Miss Oak? May: Oh... Miss Oak. No one's called me that before! Scott: Are you May Oak, the cheerleader? May: (Snaps out of her trance) Yeah. Scott: SWEET! May: Ya wanna go to the dance with me tomorrow night? Scott: I can't dance... my knee won't take it! May: Oh, just go with me! Scott: Sure... okay. May: WHOO-HOO! Scott: (Putting on the knee support, and getting ready to exit) So I guess I'll see you at 7:30 tomorrow night at Seaking Hall? May: Yeah... you wanna come for pizza with Gary and I? Scott: Got homework to do. Sorry. May: Don't be a geek! C'mon! Scott: All right... Jeanette: (Back on the football field) And there goes who was supposed to be MY date! I guess all's fair in love and war... anyhow, Homecoming is next... but what is TR's reason and plan to crash the dance? ************************************************************************* 11:35 PM, Celadon High School Cafeteria Male Rocket: It's time... Female Rocket: Well do it this time! Meowth: We can't fail! Owth! The faces are revealed in the darkness: Butch Phillips and Cassidy Patterson, along with Meowth, Giovanni's right-hand cat. The trio cackle evilly, as they knew what they had to do. To be continued...