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, and he frowned, squinting in the direction of the faint sound. It was soft but unmistakable—the sound of sniffling. His frustration ebbed slightly, replaced by concern.

"Sniffs?" Gary muttered, running a hand through his wild hair. "Ash, you big baby..."

Following the sound, he walked cautiously through the grey expanse, his voice echoing slightly as he called out, "Ash? Hey, come on, where are you? I didn't mean to upset you, but you can't just run off like this!"

The sniffling grew louder, leading Gary to a small, shadowy corner of the void. There, sitting with his knees hugged tightly to his chest, was Ash. His hat was pulled low over his face, but it did little to hide the occasional sob that escaped him.

Gary sighed, kneeling down beside him. "Ash," he said softly, his earlier harshness gone. "Why didn’t you just talk to me instead of running off?"

Ash sniffled and wiped his nose on his sleeve. "I... I don’t know," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "You’re right, okay? I’m a quitter. A loser. I don’t deserve my Pokémon, or being a trainer, or—"

"Stop," Gary interrupted firmly but gently. "Just stop. You’re none of those things. Not even close."

Ash looked up at Gary, his eyes red-rimmed and glassy. "Then why do I feel like this? Why does it feel like no matter how hard I try, I just keep letting everyone down?"

Gary hesitated for a moment before sitting down cross-legged beside Ash. "Because you care," he said finally. "And because you’re human. Every trainer—every person—goes through this, Ash. But it’s not about avoiding failure. It’s about what you do after."

Ash tilted his head slightly, as if considering Gary’s words. Gary continued, "You think Brandon never lost before becoming a Frontier Brain? That he just woke up one day and was unbeatable? No way. I bet he failed a hundred times before getting to where he is. And you will, too. But only if you stop sulking and start fighting again."

Ash stared at his hands, the smallest flicker of determination returning to his eyes. "You really think I can do it?"

Gary smirked, ruffling Ash’s hair. "I don’t think—I know. You’re Ash Ketchum, for crying out loud. And if anyone can beat Brandon, it’s you."

Ash chuckled weakly, pulling his hat back down over his face. "You’re still annoying, you know that?"

"Yeah, well," Gary said, standing up and offering Ash a hand. "You’d miss me if I wasn’t."

Ash took Gary’s hand, letting himself be pulled to his feet. "Thanks, Gary," he mumbled, looking a bit embarrassed but grateful.

Gary grinned. "Anytime, Ashy-boy. Now let’s get out of this weird grey place and figure out a way to take Brandon down."

Together, the two began walking back, Ash's steps a little steadier, his heart a little lighter. For the first time in a while, he felt like maybe—just maybe—he still had a shot.