Pokemon Indigo League Stories Part 2

The Unbeatable light of Seeing

" wow! Sounds like Gary's working hard too!"

Ash looked at the postcard and closed his eyes

When he opened them again, he was standing in a grey area with a boy wearing a lab coat and had spooky brown hair.

" Everything's cool. Just hang in there."

The figure turned, and Ash gasped

" Oh, Gary?"

" Hey, don't forget you managed to beat me." Gary looked away. " You're tellin me you're gonna hang it up over this?!"

When no one replied, Gary's eyes widened. " Wait, you're gonna hang it up over this?!"

He turned to Ash, who was sitting on the ground drawing in the dirt.

" Well I have no other-"

" YOU'RE GONNA HANG IT UP OVER THIS?!" Gary yelled.

Ash winced. " Easy Gary. No need to yell."

" Oh, there is a very good reason to yell, young man. And you had better start talking right. Now."

Gary took a deep breath, kneeling down to meet Ash at eye level. The tension in the air was palpable, but his voice softened—though still firm.

"Ash, listen to me. Losing isn't the end. It's part of the journey. You’ve been through worse and came out stronger every time. Remember when you lost to me? Did you give up then?"

Ash’s fingers paused mid-doodle in the dirt, but he didn’t answer.

Gary continued, his tone rising slightly. "No, you didn’t! You trained harder. You got better. And you beat me! That’s who you are, Ash! A fighter. Not some kid who quits when things get tough."

Ash looked down, his shoulders slumped. "But the Battle Pyramid… it’s different. Brandon's way too strong. I keep losing no matter what I do. Maybe I’m not cut out to be a Pokémon Master."

Gary’s eyes narrowed, and he grabbed Ash by the shoulders, shaking him lightly. "Oh, come on! Since when do you decide who you are based on one loss? You’ve faced legendaries, taken on the toughest trainers in the world, and inspired more people than you even realize! You’re Ash Ketchum! The kid who never gives up, remember?!"

Ash blinked, Gary’s words starting to sink in.

"Do you think Pikachu would give up on you because of a loss?" Gary asked pointedly. "Or Charizard? Or any of your Pokémon? They trust you because you never stop trying, no matter what. And you're just gonna quit? What are you gonna tell them?"

Ash’s lip quivered as he thought about Pikachu, who had given his all in the battle. He thought about his other Pokémon, who had fought by his side through thick and thin.

Gary stood up and crossed his arms. "If you’re really gonna quit, then fine. Go back to Pallet Town and tell Professor Oak, your mom, and everyone who believed in you that you’re done. But don’t expect me to sit here and feel sorry for you. You’re better than this, Ash."

He heard footsteps go away. When he turned to where Ash was sitting, he froze

Ash was gone.

He looked up to see a figure running.

Gary groaned. " Ash, get back here!"

But Ash didn't turn.

Gary sighed. Great. Now he had upset his poor Ashy Boy.

Amazing.

And WHERE was he supposed to find Ash?

By following the sniffs, of course.

Wait.... Sniffs?!

Gary’s ears perked up at the faint sound of sniffles echoing through the grey void. He groaned again, dragging a hand through his already-messy hair. "Seriously, Ash? You're just gonna run off crying? Real mature..."

Despite his grumbling, concern flickered in Gary's chest. He muttered to himself, "Alright, Ashy-boy. Let’s find you before you trip over your own feet or something."

He followed the sound, the grey surroundings shifting as if responding to his movements. The sniffles grew louder, leading him to a small patch of light breaking through the gloom. Sitting in the middle of it was Ash, knees drawn to his chest, face buried in his arms. Pikachu wasn’t there ( how was he this was a daydream)—just Ash, looking lost and small.

Gary sighed, his earlier frustration melting away. He walked over quietly, sitting down beside Ash.

For a moment, neither said a word. Gary let the silence linger before finally speaking, his voice softer now. "You know, running away doesn’t solve anything."

Ash sniffed but didn’t lift his head. "I’m not running. I just… needed to think."

"Think? About what?"

"About how maybe I’m not cut out for this," Ash muttered.

Gary rolled his eyes but kept his tone gentle. "Ash, you’ve said that like, a hundred times already. And it’s still not true. You’re one of the toughest trainers I know. But even the best fall down sometimes."

Ash peeked up at him, his eyes red. "Even you?"

Gary smirked, leaning back on his hands. "Especially me. You think I never had a bad day in the lab? Or lost a battle I really wanted to win? It happens. But it’s what you do after that matters."

Ash was quiet for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "What do you do when you feel like giving up?"

Gary tilted his head, thinking. "I remember why I started. I think about my goals and all the people who believe in me. And then… I just take it one step at a time. You don’t have to figure it all out at once, Ash."

Ash wiped his eyes with his sleeve, the faintest hint of a smile appearing. "You’re really annoying sometimes, you know that?"

Gary laughed, giving Ash a playful nudge. "Yeah, yeah. And you’re a pain too. But that’s why we’re rivals, right?"

For the first time since the conversation started, Ash chuckled. It was small, but it was something.

Gary stood up and held out a hand. "C’mon, Ashy-boy. Let’s get out of this weird grey place and back to the real world. You’ve got a Battle Pyramid to conquer."

Ash hesitated, then reached up and took Gary’s hand. As they stood, the grey surroundings began to fade, replaced by the vibrant colors of the real world.

Gary grinned. "That’s more like it. Now, let’s show Brandon what you’re made of."

Ash nodded, determination returning to his eyes. "Yeah. Let’s do it."

And with that, the two rivals walked off together, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.