Pokemon Indigo League stories

Playing with Fire continuation

“And Harrison is the winner of this round! Ash is disqualified!”

The announcer’s voice echoed through the arena, but for Ash, it felt like the ground had fallen out from beneath him. He bowed his head, feeling the weight of disappointment crushing his spirit. Before he could even think, he instinctively grabbed his hat, swerved, and dashed out of the exit, leaving a stunned crowd behind.

Gasps filled the air, and Gary was the first to shake off the shock. “Ash!” he yelled, bursting into action as he sprinted after his friend. “Ash! Where are you?”

Panic bubbled in his chest as he scanned the area, desperate to find Ash before he disappeared entirely. “Come on, Ash! Don’t do this!” he called, his voice strained with worry.

As he ran through the trees, he suddenly caught a whispering sound that sent a chill down his spine. “So much for making Gary proud," the trees murmured, their leaves rustling in a mocking tone. “More like lose."

“Ash?” Gary called again, his heart racing. He needed to find him.

There was a flicker of movement just ahead, and Gary's pulse quickened. “Ash, I know you’re there! Please come out!"

Silence enveloped the forest, and for a moment, he thought he might have lost him completely. “I get it! You’re upset! But you’re not alone in this! I’m here, buddy!” Gary shouted, trying to pierce through the weight of Ash's despair.

After what felt like an eternity, Ash emerged from behind a thick tree, his expression shadowed with hurt. His eyes, usually filled with determination, were dull, and his shoulders slumped.

“Why did you follow me?” Ash asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Because you’re my best friend,” Gary replied, his tone earnest. “And I’m not going to let you run away from this. You’re stronger than this moment, Ash!”

Ash sighed, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Stronger? I just lost, Gary! I failed!” His fists clenched at his sides, shaking with pent-up emotion. “How can I ever be a Pokémon Master if I can’t even win a single round?”

“Everyone loses sometimes, Ash,” Gary said, stepping closer. “What matters is how you bounce back from it. You’ve faced challenges before. This is just one round, one moment. It doesn’t define you."

Ash turned away, staring into the dense foliage as if it held all the answers. “I don’t know if I can bounce back this time. Maybe I should just quit.”

“Don’t you dare say that!” Gary’s voice was firm, cutting through the haze of doubt surrounding Ash. “Quitting is never an option for you. Remember why you started this journey? To become a Pokémon Master, to prove to everyone—and to yourself—that you can do it!”

Ash clenched his jaw, the anger and hurt swirling inside him. “But what if I never get there? What if I just keep failing?"

“Then we’ll face it together,” Gary said, his eyes steady. “You’re not in this alone. We’ve trained together, fought together, and we’re going to get through this together. You know I believe in you, right?”

Silence hung between them as Ash took a shaky breath. Gary’s words echoed in his mind, fighting against the dark thoughts clouding his heart.

“You’re right. I can’t let this defeat define me,” Ash finally said, though doubt still lingered in his voice. “I just… I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

“You’re not disappointing anyone,” Gary reassured him. “In fact, I’m proud of you for getting back up after every fall. That’s what makes you a true trainer.”