The Pantheon

Gary Oak

Hey everyone! So, I just realized how long it's been since my last update for The Pantheon, and wow—time really got away from me. I got hit with this wild burst of inspiration for another fic, and it kind of took over my brain for a bit. But I promise I won't let that happen again!

I'll be updating throughout the weekend to make up for the wait, so you won't have to suffer much longer. Thanks for your patience, and sorry for the delay! Hope you're all ready for what's coming next!

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At first, it had been perfect. Cruising from city to city in his sleek red convertible, the wind in his hair, the sound of his cheerleaders calling his name in sweet, sing-song voices. Gary Oak! Gary Oak! He's our man, if he can't do it—no one can! He was a prodigy, a rising star, and every town he passed through reminded him of that fact. He had the skills, the confidence, and—let's be real—the looks. It wasn't just about being good. It was about being the best.

So, he hadn't even blinked at the fact that Ashley had beaten him to Professor Oak's lab. She got there first? So what? It didn't change anything. He had his first pick of Pokémon, his Wartortle was thriving, and he was setting records on his way through Kanto.

Or at least... he thought he was.

It wasn't until he reached Pewter City that he realized something was off.

Ashley wasn't there.

That wasn't possible. He had a car. He had speed. He had the advantage. How could Ashley Ketchum, of all people, have gotten ahead of him? He figured maybe she was taking her time. Maybe she was stuck in Viridian Forest, lost in a swarm of Beedrill, fumbling around in her usual chaotic way.

But no.

No, because when he called Gramps to brag—because of course he did, three Pokémon caught before his first badge? That was elite—Gramps just had to drop the bomb on him.

"Ashley? Oh, she's on Cinnabar Island. Mentoring under Blaine."

Gary had nearly dropped the phone. "She's where?!"

Blaine. The Fire-type Gym Leader. The genius scientist. The Elite-level Trainer.

The absolute last person Gary had expected to take Ashley under his wing.

But that wasn't even the worst part.

"Oh, and she caught a Growlithe," Gramps added, like it was just some fun fact. "Quite the find, wouldn't you say?"

A Growlithe?!

Gary had practically choked on his own words. "How did Ashley Ketchum find a Growlithe?!"

They were rare. Practically legendary for trainers starting out. And she just—what? Stumbled onto one? Got lucky?

It wasn't possible. It shouldn't have been possible. But it was.

And that's when Gary had felt it.

That first, sharp prick of doubt.

Because it wasn't just the Growlithe. It wasn't just Blaine.

It was everything.

Ashley was already miles ahead of him, and she hadn't even been trying.

And for the first time, Gary didn't feel like the best.

It all started going downhill from there.