Pokemon Indigo League Stories Part 2

A claim to Flame

Ash restlessly looked back to Gary, who was trying to untie his hands. " Hurry, or they'll get away with Pikachu! Untie it!"

Gary was still trying to untie it. " I know, calm down a bit!"

" I can't calm down! Team Rocket's gonna get away! And we haven't even started on the ones around my arms, let alone my wrists!"

Gary met Ash's gaze. " Ash, take a deep breath. Slowly."

" Bu-"

" Ashy, please."

" But they're gonna hurt Pikachu! They could do who knows what and-"

" Ash!" Gary snapped, but there was no real anger. " Please calm down."

Ash's breathing was erratic, and his eyes darted anxiously back toward the clearing where Team Rocket had disappeared with Pikachu. The ropes around his wrists were still tight, leaving his skin raw and red. Every fiber of his being was on edge, desperate to break free, to dash after them without hesitation. But the bindings held him back, and his growing panic made it even harder for Gary to work.

Gary gritted his teeth, knowing he wouldn’t be able to loosen the ropes if Ash didn’t stay still. Finally, he reached out, grabbing Ash by the shoulders and pulling him back firmly but gently. “Ash, look at me,” Gary said, his voice low and steady. "Take a deep breath. Right now."

“But Gary, Pikachu—he’s in danger! We don’t have time—” Ash’s voice broke, worry clouding his expression.

“Ash! Listen to me,” Gary interrupted, his gaze intense but calm. He kept his hands on Ash’s shoulders, grounding him. "Pikachu’s counting on you, and we’ll get him back. But you have to breathe. If you’re panicking, I can’t help you, and you can’t help him. So take a breath, okay? Slowly."

Ash clenched his jaw, his gaze flicking down as he tried to calm the pounding of his heart. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, letting the air fill his lungs as Gary continued to hold him steady. After a long, shaky exhale, he glanced back at Gary, who gave him a reassuring nod.

“There you go,” Gary said with a slight smile, his grip loosening but still firm enough to keep Ash focused. "Just stay calm. We’re going to do this together, and we’ll get Pikachu back."

Ash swallowed hard, nodding as he took another deep breath. “Right. Together,” he repeated, his voice steadier this time.

Gary’s hands returned to the ropes, now able to work more carefully. “Exactly. Now hold still and let me work. I’ll have you free in a second.”

Ash kept his focus on breathing, feeling the panic begin to fade, replaced by a calm determination. He watched Gary’s hands as he skillfully untied the knots, one by one. Slowly, the ropes around his wrists began to loosen.

“See?” Gary said, offering a small grin as he pulled the last knot free. “I told you we’d get through this.”

Ash rubbed at his wrists, wincing slightly. “Thanks, Gary. I… I just couldn’t stand the thought of losing him.”

Gary nodded, his expression softening. “I know. But that’s why you’ve gotta keep it together, Ash. For Pikachu’s sake.”

Ash looked toward the trees where Team Rocket had gone, the determination back in his eyes. "Let's go get him."

Gary ruffled his hair. “Now that’s more like it. Come on!”