Title: The Heart of the Ocean
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Egoshipping (Gary x Misty)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #28, Justice
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Satoshi Tajiri, Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Warnings: AU, het

I woke up with a familiar hangover, feeling sick to my stomach from the roiling of the ship. That fancy-pants businessman whose ass I had saved last week had ‘rewarded’ me for my services with a week-long trip on a cruise. Still, his six thousand bucks had gone a long way towards mending our relationship. I’d located his runaway daughter for him, and that money had been enough to shut up my landlord for a good long while.

I was contemplating going back to sleep when an insistent knock came at my cabin door. A look in my mirror was enough for me to go for a comb and some hair wash real quick. I looked like my old partner, Ash Ketchum, with his rat’s nest.

I may be a private eye, but I’m no sleaze. I’m Gary Oak, the best detective in all of Kanto and beyond, if I may say so myself. I tossed down a shot of vodka from my nightstand and went to see who was up at this early hour.

If it was some customs officer coming to rag me, I’d blow his brains out.

The girl at the door was a real dish – long, red hair and one nice frame with good-sized knockers. She was wearing an expensive black hat, fur stole, and a neat sapphire dress. She smelled of old money, definitely.

“Mr. Oak?” She asked, fixing me with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.

“That’s me, doll face. How can I help?”

She fidgeted uncomfortably. “I’ve heard that you’re a private eye. Colonel James was talking about you last night.”

Ah, yes. Jamie-boy, the guy whose daughter I’d located. Well, maybe this boat ride wouldn’t be such a drag. “Yes. What can I do for you, angel?”

“I’m Misty Waterflower.” She blushed. “I need you to find a necklace for me. Its sapphire pendant surrounded by diamonds, called ‘The Heart of the Ocean’. It was a gift from my mother before she died…”

“And you think someone on this ship took it?”

“I know someone on this ship did. I put it in my jewel case before we left Vermillion.” She looked at me pleadingly. “Please, Mr. Oak. You have to help me!”

Well, how could I resist such a request? Besides, she sure looked cute like that.

“Do you know anyone who might have wanted it?”

“Well, I have several older sisters who were interested in it. Oh! And there was a jeweler named Gold.”

“Hmm,” I stroked my chin. “Is he the jeweler on this ship?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I can go talk to him first.” We could discuss payment later. I wasn’t lacking for money at the moment, and the way she lit up – well!

Gold was one obsequious man, stuffed in a plum suit clearly two sizes too small for him. He confessed that he had wanted to buy the ‘Heart of the Ocean’ from Misty, but had not seen it since the first night when she had worn it to dinner.

I didn’t like the way he kept licking his lips and eying her cleavage, but that’s not enough reason to book a man. Still, I should keep an eye on him.

She took me to her suite next.

Misty’s sisters were a knockout! I could feel my pants getting uncomfortably tight as I tried to interview them. Misty and Violet went at each other’s throats in a catfight pretty quick, and I had to pry them apart. I got a nice look at their tits though, so it was definitely worth a few scratches.

Anyways, I told Misty she’d better let me handle her sisters one at a time if she wanted any info. The heiress got a little huffy, but when I gave her my patented smile, she just melted.

I’ve still got it.

Anyways, Violet and Lily were taken care of right quick. Daisy required some more persuasion. I was just leaving her room when I saw a glint of blue.

Huh.

The babe was still out like a light, so I took a look. Sure enough, it was the Heart of the Ocean.

Well, looked like things were pretty square between Misty and her sisters. She’d probably want the necklace back.

I wonder what exactly she’d give for it. What can I say? I’m a man first and foremost and a detective second.

Needless to say, she was pretty willing, and I got my own ‘Heart of the Ocean’ in the end, more than once, too. Misty and I are getting married in a week, and maybe it’s time to retire.

After all, I’ve got much better things to do now.

End Fic

Completed 3/7/08

My first attempt at ‘Film Noir’ detective style fic! I haven’t written mystery much, so I hope it’s good!

I must admit, however, that this is probably Gary’s personal definition of justice. I also entered this story in one of the ‘Guess the Author’ competitions on the Tower Forums. ^^