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?!

" Oh Ash, you big baby." Gary muttered as he ran after the sound, concern overriding anything and everything he was feeling.

As the sound got closer, Gary took a deep breath to calm himself and peeked out of the rocks.

But then his mouth dropped open.

Because Ash was crying.

Like crying crying.

He was sitting on a rock, fists clenched and resting on his knees, hat pulled down, and tears dripping all over his hand.

But then something else went on Ash's hand.

Something cold.

Then he heard the person speak.

" Ash, talk to me."

Ash looked at his fists.

On his right there was sno hand on it. He turned to look at the person's shoes.

Boots.

There was only one person who wore those type of boots.

" G.... Gary?*

" Who else would it be Ashy?"

Ash blinked up at Gary, his vision blurred from the tears, but his heart felt a little lighter at the sound of Gary’s voice. Gary had always been so hard on him, but there was a tenderness beneath the tough exterior that Ash hadn’t always noticed before. It was as if all the years of rivalry had created something deeper between them—something that Ash didn’t fully understand but felt every time they spoke.

"Gary..." Ash whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I... I don't know what to do anymore. I don't want to quit, but I feel like I'm failing everyone."

Gary crouched down, his lab coat rustling as he did. He placed a hand on Ash’s shoulder, squeezing it firmly. "You’re not failing anyone, Ash. You're just being human. You’ve put so much pressure on yourself to be perfect, to win every battle. But that’s not how it works. It's about learning, growing, and doing your best, even when it feels like you're at your lowest."

Ash sniffed, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "But... but it doesn’t feel like enough. I lost to Brandon... again. I can’t even get past the Battle Pyramid."

Gary smiled softly, his eyes full of understanding. "You don’t get it, do you? Losing is part of it all, Ash. You're never going to be a master if you don't take those losses and use them to get better. It’s the toughest battles that teach you the most. And you're the last person who should give up."

Ash hesitated, looking at his hands. "But what if I'm just not cut out for it? What if I’m not strong enough?"

Gary chuckled, a little sarcastically, but there was no malice in it. "Then what? You're going to let one loss define you? I know better than that. Remember when I first beat you? Did you walk away then? No, you fought harder, and look at you now. You’ve come so far, Ash. Don’t sell yourself short just because things got tough."

Ash’s chest tightened as he thought back to all the challenges he'd faced, all the times he’d been knocked down and had to get back up. "You're right," he said quietly. "I can’t quit now. Not when I’ve come this far."

Gary gave him a teasing nudge. "That’s the Ash I know. Now, come on. You’ve got a battle to win. And I’m not letting you sulk around here. Let’s go show Brandon what you’ve got."

Ash finally looked up, meeting Gary’s gaze. For the first time in a while, he felt a sense of hope returning. "Thanks, Gary," he said, his voice steadier now. "I needed that."

Gary gave him a sly grin. "Don't mention it. Just don’t forget who’s still the better trainer, okay?"

Ash chuckled, a smile tugging at his lips. "You’re on, Gary. Let’s do this."