Pokemon: A different Ash

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"This is too over the top! If I'd known this would happen, I would have been more prepared." 

Watching the scene unfold, Misty couldn't help but complain. Gary's group of admirers stood side by side in the front row of the auditorium, cheering him on with unwavering enthusiasm.

Brock's eyes went wide, practically drooling. "Whoa! This match is going to be intense, heh!"

"Alright, alright! The battle hasn't even started yet! Go take your seat!" Misty rolled her eyes and tugged Brock away by his ear, while Ash made his way onto the field.

On the opposite side, Gary stood with his eyes closed and arms crossed, clearly waiting for Ash's arrival.

Professor Oak and Delia had arrived early, with Delia holding a camera and eagerly awaiting the start of the match. With no official referee present, it was decided that Brock would step in as the judge.

Ash took his position and looked across the field. Gary slowly opened his eyes, and the shift in atmosphere was palpable.

"So nerve-wracking!" Misty whispered, sitting next to Delia and Professor Oak as the tension in the stadium built.

"I don't know if it's just me, but even though I've watched Ash and Gary battle before, the feeling this time is completely different," Delia murmured, snapping a photo of the two on the field before lowering her camera.

"That's because this is their first battle as official trainers," Professor Oak explained. "As kids, they competed all the time, just as friends do. But now, they're putting their pride as trainers on the line, so it's bound to feel different."

Unnoticed by the crowd, a figure with striking red hair slipped quietly into the arena, standing off in the shadows, watching the match intently.

"Ash! Let's go all out!" Gary called out, his tone resolute. This wasn't an impulsive challenge; he genuinely wanted to see which of their paths was the right one.

"Sounds good to me!" Ash replied confidently.

"Alright! Next up is the full battle between Gary and Ash from Pallet Town! Both trainers are allowed to use six Pokémon!" Brock announced, standing at the center of the field in his referee role.

"Got it!"

Both Ash and Gary responded at the same time, each readying a Poké Ball.

"Go, Scyther!" Gary called out as he released his first Pokémon. In a flash of light, the green figure of Scyther emerged on the field.

With its Dual Wings spread wide, three-pronged horns atop its head, and sharp scythe-like arms, Scyther's whole presence radiated power as its eyes narrowed with fierce focus.

"It's Scyther! Gary is starting strong," Misty said in surprise, watching the fierce Bug-type take the field. Unlike weaker Pokémon like Caterpie and Weedle, Scyther was a formidable creature with a strong territorial instinct, and its pair of blades was nothing short of terrifying.

"How will Ash handle this?" Professor Oak asked eagerly, observing the tense situation on the field.

"Go, Pidgeotto!" 

In response to Scyther, Ash released his first Pokémon. In a burst of light, Pidgeotto soared into the sky, flapping its wings as it glared down at Scyther.

A natural rivalry sparked between them. Just as birds prey on insects in the wild, Flying-type Pokémon often have an innate advantage over Bug-types, even though Scyther itself has a Flying-type attribute. Scyther could fly but typically preferred hunting on the ground, making this an unusual and intense face-off.

"It's Pidgeotto! Not a bad choice for once," Gary remarked with a smirk, noting Ash's strategic selection.

Ash grinned. "Don't worry, this is only the beginning! Things are about to get interesting."

Because Ash and Gary never clashed in the Kanto League, Gary's true strength had never been revealed in the anime. Ash knew he'd have to tread carefully and gauge his rival's power before making any assumptions.

"Then let the battle begin!" Brock announced, signaling the start without dictating who should go first, leaving the match fully in the trainers' hands. Without missing a beat, Ash took the initiative.

"Pidgeotto, Quick Attack!" Ash called out, prompting Pidgeotto to surge forward in a burst of silver light, wings beating powerfully as it darted toward Scyther.

"Hah, Ash, you're as straightforward as ever! Scyther, Double Team!" Gary responded swiftly.

Scyther reacted instantly, blurring into multiple images that encircled it. When Pidgeotto's Quick Attack landed, it passed right through an afterimage, leaving the real Scyther hidden among the decoys. 

"Nice try, but it's no use. Pidgeotto, use Wing Attack!" Ash commanded, undeterred by the illusion.

"Pidgeot-tooo!" 

Pidgeotto's wings glowed with white energy as it launched a second attack, diving down with a sharp gaze fixed on one of the Scyther copies.

*Boom!*

The hit landed solidly, confirming that it was the real Scyther, which let out a low groan as it was knocked back, its clones fading away one by one.