Pokemon Indigo League stories

The Unbeatable light of Seeing

" Hey don't forget you managed to beat me. You're telling me you're gonna hang it up over this?"

Ash didn't reply.

Gary opened his eyes and blinked. " Ash? Are you still there?"

He turned, and found his best friend sitting, hands resting on legs and arms wrapped around knees. He was staring at the water, with this hat down.

" Ash?"

Ash shook his head slightly. " I.... It's not worth it."

Gary sank to his knees. " What's not worth it, buddy?"

" Being a trainer."

Gary opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Ash did.

" You stopped being a trainer and you're just fine. I think it's a good thing, because defeat after defeat, loss after loss-" every word was spoken faster and faster, every breath as if he was going to break down. " It's not worth it, Gary. I let my Pokemon down, I let you down, I let everyone back home and my friends down. I don't want to suffer that."

Gary looked at Ash, who's face was now burried in his knees fully, and every few seconds there was a soft sniff.

Gary scoot closer and held Ash's knee. " Ash......"

" Gary, even I know I'm not cut out for this trainer position. Your grandpa should give it to someone else. Someone who deserves it."

" That's ridiculous, Ash!" Gary said fiercely. " My grandpa wouldn't have made you a trainer if he didn't feel you were ready!"

Ash buried his face in his knees. " I... I'm fine." He whimpered.

Gary wrapped Ash in a hug. " Buddy, even I know that's not true."

Ash didn't say anything.

" Ash....." Gary sighed.

Gary held Ash tightly, feeling his friend tremble under the weight of emotions he’d buried so deep for so long. It was strange to see Ash like this—so full of doubt, so vulnerable. The same guy who’d faced down legendaries and impossible odds was now doubting himself, unsure of his worth as a trainer.

“Ash, listen to me,” Gary began, his voice softer now. “There’s a reason you’ve come this far. You’ve done things no one else has. But being a great trainer isn’t about always winning; it’s about caring enough to keep going.”

Ash stayed silent, his face still hidden in his arms. Gary could see the tension in his shoulders, like he was trying to hold himself together.

Ash finally muttered, “But… what’s the point if I keep losing? Every time I think I’ve gotten stronger, I just… I let everyone down. My team, my friends, even you, Gary. I’m supposed to be better than this by now.”

Gary took a deep breath, looking out at the shimmering water before them. “You know, Ash, being strong doesn’t mean not struggling. It’s about how you deal with that struggle. And you? You’ve got more determination than anyone I know.”

Ash shook his head. “You stopped being a trainer, Gary. You moved on, and it looks like you’re happy. Maybe… maybe I should just do the same.”

Gary’s eyes widened, taken aback. “Is that really what you want?” he asked quietly, searching Ash’s face. “Because I know the Ash I grew up with loved every part of being a trainer—the battles, the friendships, the adventure. Do you really think you’d be happy leaving that behind?”

Ash didn’t reply, but Gary could see his friend’s hands clenching, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

Gary sighed, tightening his grip on Ash’s shoulder. “Buddy, I may not be traveling the world battling anymore, but that doesn’t mean I gave up. I found something that worked for me, something that makes me happy. And you? You’ll find that too. But you don’t have to decide right now.”

Ash looked up slightly, wiping his eyes. “But… what if I’m just not good enough?”

Gary shook his head. “Ash, you’ve got a strength most people can’t even imagine. I’ve seen it firsthand. And your Pokémon? They believe in you, no matter what. They’re with you because they know you’ll never give up on them. That’s the Ash Ketchum they know.”

Ash’s shoulders started to relax, and he let out a shaky breath, looking at Gary with a faint, hesitant smile.

“Besides,” Gary smirked, leaning back. “You still have to beat me, remember? You can’t quit now. I’m still not letting you live down that last win you got over me.”

Ash chuckled, a small, genuine sound that broke the tension in the air. “You’re never gonna let that go, are you?”

“Nope,” Gary grinned. “And if you’re thinking of giving up, just remember—you’ll have to beat me at least one more time before I ever let you quit.”

Ash’s gaze softened, his spirit a little brighter. “Thanks, Gary. I… I needed that.”

Gary nodded, slinging an arm around Ash’s shoulders as they looked out over the water together. “Anytime, Ashy. That’s what rivals—and friends—are for.”