Pokemon Indigo League Stories Part 2

Ash's check up

Ash’s voice wavered as he pulled back slightly, his eyes filled with frustration and guilt. "No, I'm not!" he cried out, his hands trembling. "I'm so sorry, Gary... I’m always so dumb. I’m such a loser. I make everything harder. You don’t deserve to waste your time with me." His voice broke, and the tears came harder, unrelenting.

Gary’s heart clenched, but instead of giving in to the urge to reassure Ash in the usual gentle way, something inside him snapped. He couldn’t stand seeing Ash like this—self-deprecating, spiraling, lost in his own head. His best friend, his buddy, didn’t deserve this.

Gary’s hand moved with surprising force, tapping Ash on the forehead with a solid thunk. “Ash, buddy, calm down!” he said firmly, his voice full of authority. “You’re freaking out, and that’s half the problem right now.”

Ash recoiled at the tap, his breath catching. His heart still raced, but Gary’s sharp tone pulled him out of the cloud of negative thoughts, if only for a moment.

Gary’s gaze softened but his tone remained firm. "Listen to me, Ash. You’re not dumb. You're not a loser. You’re my best friend. And if you think you're a burden, then you’ve got it all wrong. I’m not wasting my time with you, I’m spending it with the most stubborn, brave, and determined guy I know. And I’ve got your back no matter what."

Ash opened his mouth to argue, but Gary cut him off. "No, Ash. Stop. I’m not hearing any more of that nonsense. You’ve been my friend since we were kids, and you’ve always been there for me. So now it’s my turn to be there for you. You got that?”

Ash bit his lip, blinking back more tears. He wanted to argue, wanted to tell Gary he was wrong, but the sincerity in Gary's voice left him speechless. Gary had always been the strong one, the confident one, and seeing him this determined made Ash’s heart swell with something he couldn't quite place.

Gary took a deep breath, pushing his frustration aside for the sake of his friend. "Alright, buddy," he said in a calmer voice. "Here’s what we’re gonna do. Take a deep breath for me, okay?"

Ash’s breath was ragged, but he tried to follow Gary’s instructions, sucking in air through his nose, though it wasn’t easy. His chest felt tight, the weight of everything pressing down on him.

“Come on, Ashy,” Gary coaxed, his hand resting on Ash’s back once more. “Deep breath. In... and out. You’re gonna be alright. You just gotta take it one step at a time.”

Ash nodded hesitantly, his chest still tight, but his shaky breaths gradually started to steady as Gary’s words seeped in. The world felt a little less heavy, just a little, with Gary here, guiding him.

"Good," Gary said with a smile, though it was a soft one this time. "Now, take another deep breath. You’re not in this alone, okay? We’ll get through it together."

Ash’s leg finally stopped bouncing, his heart rate slowing just a little as the warmth of Gary’s presence wrapped around him like a comforting blanket. He let out a shaky laugh, his voice thick with emotion. "I just... I don’t want to keep messing up, you know?"

Gary's hand gently squeezed his shoulder. "Nobody’s perfect, Ash. And you’re not supposed to be. You just need to trust yourself, and trust the people around you. I’m not going anywhere, okay? You’ve got me. Always."

Ash wiped his eyes quickly, feeling a bit embarrassed by the outburst, but he felt a weight lift off his chest with every word Gary spoke. Gary was right. He wasn’t alone in this.

Gary stood up and ruffled Ash’s hair affectionately. “Now, let’s finish up this check-up, alright? You’re doing great, and after this, I’m getting us some ice cream. My treat.”

Ash chuckled, though it was still a little shaky. "Yeah? You’re not just saying that to bribe me, right?"

Gary smirked, shaking his head. "Nope. I’m bribing you with the best kind of ice cream. You earned it, buddy."

Ash finally gave him a genuine smile, feeling a warmth in his chest that had been absent for far too long. "Thanks, Gary. I... I needed this."

Gary nodded, his expression softening. "No problem, Ashy. Now let’s finish this check-up, alright? You’re not getting away that easy." He winked, and Ash couldn’t help but laugh—genuinely this time, his nerves starting to settle.

As they moved forward with the rest of the check-up, Gary kept his usual playful tone, but there was an unspoken understanding between them. They were more than just rivals. They were brothers in arms. And no matter what Ash thought about himself, Gary was always going to be there to remind him of his worth.