Disclaimer: If I was the owner of Pokemon, Gary and Ash would be lying half-dead on stretchers. It's a pity I don't own it...

It's such a cold day.

The wind howls past, brushing a hint of rain through the grey streets. A man, dressed in a white dress shirt that hangs untidily over stained slacks stumbles along. He is muttering to himself, most of the words hardly coherent even to him. "Witch...bastard...never...forgive..."

"Ashy-boy!"

The overly bright, overly sober voice jerks him out of his stupor. He clutches at his head and lets out a long, low groan. "God..."

"Ash!" the man says again, irritably now. He has caught up to him, his smart leather shoes hardly making a sound. He can feel his autumn-coloured eyes looking him up and down critically. "You look like Satan had you over for a drink."

"Gary." he moans reluctantly. He doesn't have the brainpower to wish he would go away.

The man smirks. "Satan must serve good beer."

"Go...away..."

"Not in the mood for a good comeback, I see."

"Go...away!"

"The Pokemon Master, drunk. The kids are going to go mad. Gossip, too."

He wonders why every word seems to taste of vinegar.

Abruptly, Gary grips his arm. "Ashy-boy," he says softly, almost guiltily. "Let's get you back to Misty."

Just that one word, just a simple name that had always reminded him of fresh flowers and morning dew. "Misty," he whispers, a breath that falls from his lips with the ease, the unconsciousness of familiarity. He pulls away with a sharp jerk of his wrist.

Gary stares at him. "What?"

He continues down the street, his steps fast and sure. He can hear the other man's footsteps behind him, and the surprise of his tone is as cutting as the shine of a diamond ring. "Ash, are you alright?"

He has made up his mind.

He pushes through the people crowded around the pedestrian light. It blinks red above them, a simple stick man standing still. Five sticks and a circle. Anyone can draw it. Anyone can erase it.

Three words. 10 strokes, two circles and three-quarters of a circle. Just as fragile. Just as worthless.

He steps off the kerb.

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