Pokemon: I am Gary

On a sunny afternoon, Gary was holding Eevee and arrived next to the Pokémon Center's open area with Reggie.

"How's the preparation going?" Gary asked with a smile.

"Absolutely no problem, bring it on!" Reggie nodded and responded gently.

As a preliminary battle for challenging the Battle Frontier, Reggie naturally hoped to get a good start.

However, standing on solid ground, Gary is invincible~!

"Now then, let me explain the rules." Gary calmly raised a finger. "The match consists of two parts: singles and doubles.

Two singles and one four-versus-two doubles.

You lose when all your Pokémon can no longer battle."

"Okay, I understand." Reggie's expression turned serious; the battle rules are surprisingly complex, and the intensity is higher than expected~

"So, for the first singles match, let's go." Gary beckoned with his finger.

"Please take care of me." Reggie nodded in salute.

"Then, my first Pokémon, Eevee, you go!" Gary clapped his hands.

"Eevee!" Eevee jumped into the arena and crouched low, emitting a cautious growl.

"A normal-type Pokémon, and it's a ground-type variant." Reggie analyzed and took out a Poké Ball. "Then, Staraptor, it's you!"

"Staraptor!" The dashing eagle Pokémon with a slanted fringe appeared.

"I see." Gary raised an eyebrow.

He intends to use an aerial attack against the ground Pokémon, then take advantage of that to engage in close combat for a quick victory.

"Staraptor, use Brave Bird!" Reggie commanded.

Bang! A white light flashed from its wings as Staraptor suddenly accelerated. It then crashed heavily into a wall...

Watching Eevee sit calmly behind the light wall without a care in the world, Reggie's pupils shook.

Did it predict my command?

Gary dug at his ear. "Brave Bird is something my friend also likes."

As everyone knows, Ash's favorite tactic is to recklessly charge in, especially using Brave Bird most often~

"Staraptor, ascend rapidly!" Realizing the danger immediately after his first plan failed, Reggie quickly adapted.

However, Gary was already waiting for him.

"Use Rock Slide!"

"What?" Reggie was confused; can Eevee use Rock Slide? Did it pop out of a rock?

Before Reggie could react, Eevee flicked its tail, and yellowish energy surged up.

Bang! A rock as big as a brick slammed directly into Staraptor's handsome face.

"Staraptor…" The latter fell over in an instant.

"Thunderbolt." Gary waved his hand.

Crackle~ The dazzling electric light shone as golden lightning struck down; Staraptor exploded on the spot...

Boom~

As the smoke cleared, Staraptor lay on the ground, twitching all over...

"Oh dear, still not down; quite resilient. Then let's use Rock Slide again." Gary stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Reggie held his head in disbelief. "This is unscientific…"

Duang~ A massive rock fell from the sky and slammed into Staraptor again.

It can be said that the force was just right—dazed but not injured...

"It seems I win this round first." Gary smiled and shrugged.

"Come back, Staraptor; you did well." With mixed feelings, Reggie recalled Staraptor and looked seriously at Gary. "I'm going to get serious now!"

Gary shrugged. "I was looking forward to it."

"Drapion! Get ready for battle!" Reggie confidently sent out one of his trump cards, Drapion!

With its massive body filled with venomous fangs and tail capable of moving 360 degrees, it combines strength and agility.

"Come back, Eevee; it's your turn now, Arcanine!" After recalling Eevee, Gary sent out his own dog Pokémon.

"Arcanine!" As soon as it entered the field, the imposing Arcanine bared its teeth and intimidated Drapion!

Swish~ A blue light flashed across Drapion's body.

Its attack power was lowered!

"Intimidate ability?" Reggie frowned; this is troublesome~

As a physical attacker, having its attack power lowered is undoubtedly a fatal blow.

Moreover, since singles matches are two-on-two, Reggie has no more Pokémon to switch out; this is quite uncomfortable...

"Gary, who exactly are you? You clearly aren't very old yet command your Pokémon so skillfully…" Reggie couldn't help but marvel.

"Let's begin!" Gary shouted.

"No matter what, I'll go for an initial strike! Drapion uses Toxic!"

Puff! Drapion raised its mouth and sprayed a jet of purple-black venom directly at its opponent.

"Use Quick Attack~" Gary remained unfazed.

The future comes first! Arcanine's figure wrapped in fierce wind instantly created a red afterimage. The Toxic attack missed entirely!

Bang! Even though Drapion was strong and robust, it was still knocked back slightly.

"Face-to-face Flamethrower!" Gary continued to output attacks.

"Awoo!" Arcanine excitedly opened its mouth wide as scorching orange flames erupted forth, engulfing Drapion completely.

"Drapion! Use Swords Dance!" Reggie decisively commanded.

Bang! The violently spinning claws sent Arcanine flying back while the burning flames were blown away by the pressure from Swords Dance.

That counterattack was beautiful!

Gary smiled slightly; after all, this is one of Reggie's trump cards—its stamina and execution are commendable.

"The match has only just begun." Reggie rallied himself. "Next up is Cross Poison!"

Drapion lunged at Arcanine with its crossed pincers glowing with dangerous purple light.

"Quick Attack followed by Fire Spin!" Gary remained calm and collected.

Arcanine's high mobility isn't just for show...

Swish! A gust of wind blew up as Arcanine dashed forward! Boom!

The fiery red figure surrounded by flames resembled a running fire unicorn! It dodged Drapion's attack and slammed into it from the side!

Sizzle~ Drapion's side was instantly scorched black by the flames.

"Grab it!" Reggie took a gamble.

Drapion suddenly turned around; its upper body and neck spun 180 degrees as its powerful pincers tightly ensnared Arcanine.

Arcanine was forced to stop moving; the tide had turned!

"Cross Poison!" Finally seeing a glimmer of victory, Reggie shouted eagerly.

Gary shook his head regretfully; this is where it ends! "Now's the time! Dragon Rage!"

"Awoo!!!" Arcanine howled to the sky as blue dragon flames erupted like a tornado from around it.

Boom! Drapion was once again engulfed by dragon flames.

With a thud this time, Drapion couldn't withstand it and fell unwillingly to the ground.

"Sorry~" Gary sighed.

"No worries; that's how matches go. Thank you for giving it your all; however, I haven't given up yet!" Though Reggie's face looked somewhat grim, he still forced himself to stay spirited.

"Well~ Mr. Reggie is indeed very gentle~" Gary nodded; if this were some fierce person right now, they would probably be flying off to bite someone...

"And we still have doubles left; come on." Reggie continued to challenge him for another round.

"Alright; I will give it my all." Gary nodded.

After all, singles were just a warm-up. Doubles allow for more dirty tricks... uh cough! More tactics!