Pokemon Indigo League Stories Part 2

Ash's check up

Gary could feel Ash’s whole body trembling, his breaths coming in sharp gasps. His best friend was spiraling out of control, and Gary could see it. Ash’s eyes were wide, panicked, and filled with fear, and the words he was spitting out made no sense.

“I’m dumb, Gary... I’m always such a loser,” Ash choked out, shaking his head as if he could somehow erase everything. “I’m sorry you have to spend time with someone like me, just... just a failure.”

Gary’s eyes narrowed, and he felt a surge of anger bubble up. Not at Ash, but at how this situation was unfolding. How Ash felt this way when he was far from any of those things. Ash was his best friend, and Gary wasn’t going to let him tear himself down like this.

"Hey!" Gary snapped, tapping Ash’s thick skull with his fingers, trying to ground him. "Ash, buddy, calm down, alright? Take a deep breath for me." He leaned closer, staring into Ash’s eyes, locking in on him, trying to get through the fog of panic. "You’re freaking out, and that’s half the problem."

Ash’s hands were shaking as he tried to steady himself, but it wasn’t working. His breathing only became more erratic, chest rising and falling with each rapid intake of air. He looked like he was about to pass out. Gary’s heart clenched at the sight.

Without asking, without thinking twice, Gary reached over to the tray next to them. He grabbed a wipe and swiped it across Ash’s arm, lifting up his sleeve. Ash’s face was still flushed with anxiety, his body stiff, but Gary didn’t wait for permission. He just needed to get it done. He gave Ash his flu shot, quickly and efficiently. Ash barely even noticed.

“Ash,” Gary said softly but firmly, watching as his friend flinched slightly at the prick but didn’t acknowledge it. "You need to breathe. I’m gonna help you, alright? You’ve gotta stop panicking. Breathe with me."

He sat beside Ash, ignoring the awkwardness, and reached for his hand, holding it gently but firmly. He was not going to let Ash slip further into this spiral. Gary could feel Ash’s pulse, racing wildly, but he didn’t let go. He squeezed Ash’s hand, giving him an anchor.

“Okay, Ash,” Gary said, his voice low and steady. “Breathe with me. One... two... three... four... five...” He counted slowly, trying to guide Ash’s breathing. But Ash’s chest kept rising and falling rapidly. The sound of his labored breaths filled the room.

Gary’s jaw tightened. “Ash... buddy, look, if you don’t calm down, I’m gonna have to give you anesthesia. I don’t want to do that, but if you keep this up—”

Ash’s breathing hitched, and his body trembled harder, his face now streaked with tears. His throat tightened, and he coughed, unable to catch his breath. The panic seemed to flood through him, overpowering any chance at logic.

Gary was not going to let Ash hurt himself with this panic attack. He couldn’t.

“Buddy, please,” Gary urged softly, feeling a deep ache in his chest. “I’m here. You’re not alone. I know you’re scared, but I need you to trust me. Take a deep breath, just one... for me, okay?”

Ash was still struggling, his whole body shaking in Gary’s grasp. Gary was listening to his heart closely now, his hand still gripping Ash’s, steadying him, making sure he didn’t lose control. He could hear Ash’s erratic heartbeat, faster than it should be, and his breath coming out in frantic bursts.

“Come on, Ash,” Gary said, his voice now urgent, but still soft, trying to guide him through it. “You’ve gotta breathe. One... two... three... four... five... you’re not alone. I’m right here, okay?”

Gary could feel Ash’s grip tightening on his hand, but there was still no real control over his breathing.

“Ash, please... I need you to listen to me. Calm down, okay? Or I will give you something to help you. I don’t want to, but I will if I have to."

Finally, the words seemed to reach Ash, just a little. His breath hitched once more before he managed to take a shaky, deep inhale. The tension in his body loosened just slightly. He was still crying softly, his face buried in his hands, but Gary didn’t let go.

“It’s okay, Ash,” Gary murmured, rubbing his back gently as he continued to help him breathe. “You’re gonna be okay. I’ve got you.”

Ash hiccupped through his sobs, his body still trembling, but there was something in his expression that was different now. The panic hadn’t entirely left, but for the first time in what felt like forever, Ash felt just a little bit of peace.

Gary was there. He wasn’t going anywhere.

Gary pulled Ash closer, his arm wrapping around him, and Ash let out a soft, strangled cry as he buried his face into Gary’s shoulder.

“It’s okay,” Gary whispered, squeezing him tighter. “I’m right here, Ash. Always. You’re not alone. You never have to be alone.”

Ash’s body shook with each breath, but now it wasn’t as wild. His heart, too, started to slow down, and for the first time in what felt like hours, he wasn’t suffocated by his fear.

Gary kept his arms around Ash, offering the silent comfort that Ash needed—because sometimes, words couldn’t fix everything. But Gary’s presence could. And that was all Ash really needed.