Pokemon: I am Gary

Who am I, where am I, and what was I here for…

After finishing two singles matches, Reggie's gaze became clearer.

"Now, it's time for the doubles match. You can choose any two from the four Pokémon and switch them out at any time. If all four Pokémon faint, you lose," Gary emphasized the rules.

"Okay, I understand," Reggie quickly nodded.

"Then it's your turn to send out a Pokémon first," Gary said with a grin, showing his teeth.

"Alright! Swallot and Bibarel, prepare for battle!" Reggie waved his right hand, and two Pokémon with a distinctly common appearance appeared before Gary.

"Hmm? Swallot?" Gary stroked his chin, pondering seriously. Could this person be a hidden quality battler?

Swallot is capable of learning many moves; its thick skin and bulk allow it to withstand hits. If it inherited the move Acid, it could definitely be quite annoying.

Given that, Young Master Gary decided he should take this seriously as well.

"Nidoqueen, Squirtle, you're up!" Gary also sent out his combination.

The balanced Nidoqueen paired with the explosive Squirtle had a simple goal: concentrate fire and take down one Pokémon first!

"Swallot, use Stockpile! Bibarel, use Yawn!" Reggie changed tactics this time and began to play mind games.

Gary tilted his head; tactics? This I know a little about… just a little…

"Squirtle, use Hydro Pump! Nidoqueen, use Earthquake!" Gary suddenly launched a fierce attack.

"Squirtle!;｀ヘ′!" For the sake of his hard-earned family and master's recognition, that Bibarel better accept its fate!

With a smack of its little head, Squirtle suddenly powered up its legs!

Boom! The ground cracked and sank as Squirtle shot forward like a rocket.

White light spread from the top of Squirtle's head, and its sharp headbutt was unstoppable!

Bang! Just as Bibarel opened its mouth to yawn, a little headbutt knocked it back down…

Boom! Bibarel flew backward.

On the other side, Nidoqueen was equally fierce; it was the first major Pokémon that had been with Gary. Recently, newcomers had been so active that it felt unsatisfied and wanted to reclaim its main position!

"Roar!! (You think you can... block... me?!)

With Nidoqueen's full-force strike, the entire mountain shook.

Swallot shut its eyes in pain as its round body swayed with the tremors…

Σ???」∠Ugh… Swallot's eyes widened in fear as the stored energy… my true energy… dissipated…

"Return, Swallot! Bibarel!" After one round, both were severely injured; Reggie felt overwhelmed.

Is this the difference between geniuses and ordinary people? With this kind of strength, isn't participating in the Indigo League a bit like bullying?

Reggie began to doubt himself.

He recalled when he first started out; he made it to the top 16 in the Indigo League and thought he was quite impressive.

But looking at Gary now—this is really a first-year Pokémon trainer?

Gary raised an eyebrow; Uncle Giovanni's special training was no joke.

Even the strongest Tyranitar had been seen secretly shedding tears; did he think it was just for fun?

"I admit defeat," Reggie sighed and then said seriously, "But! I want to battle one last round. I want to confirm whether I have what it takes to challenge the Battle Frontier!"

Gary scratched his head awkwardly; he hoped his tough love wouldn't backfire…

What if Reggie gave up being a Pokémon Trainer from now on? Wouldn't Paul just redirect his hatred towards him…?

Just thinking about that fierce purple-haired boy who comes looking for challenges every day made things quite interesting!

"?ˉ??ˉ??～Experience Pack～Sluurp～" Gary suddenly stopped worrying.

"Then let's bring out our trump cards," Gary nodded seriously.

"Alright!" Reggie's eyes sparkled with determination. "Torterra, Typhlosion!"

As the Poké Balls opened, two different regional starters appeared before Gary.

"I see. You are indeed a rare opponent. Then go, Venusaur, Charizard!" Gary's expression turned serious.

Boom! The ground trembled as the massive Venusaur and slightly dazed Charizard entered the battlefield!

"Oh man, Charizard, you're not hungover are you…" Gary's lips twitched.

"Wah wah wah～" Charizard sleepily gave an OK sign to Gary…

Indicating that fighting was no problem…

"Uh, we're just having a friendly match; don't go overboard…" Gary couldn't help but remind him.

Charizard tilted its head. Promoting friendship? That's what I do best!

"Uh… is your Charizard okay?" Reggie asked curiously.

"It's fine… fine…" Gary waved his hands dismissively. "Just be careful…"

Reggie felt touched; even before the match started, Gary was so concerned about his opponent. What a good guy!

The match began!

"Typhlosion, Sunny Day!" Reggie aimed to enhance the weather right off the bat.

Then Gary broke down: "Dude… with our line-up, are you sure?"

Reggie stood there dumbfounded; oh no, I forgot that all four Pokémon on the field benefit from Sunny Day…

"Charizard, Flamethrower! Venusaur, Solar Beam!" Gary didn't hold back either and launched an attack immediately!

With Sunny Day set up for him already, not launching big moves would be ungrateful…

Charizard didn't even prepare; it simply whipped its head around and unleashed a scorching Flamethrower aimed directly at Torterra.

Almost simultaneously, Venusaur fired a pale scorching beam from its flower at Torterra amidst the energy explosion—the light beam shot straight toward Torterra!

"Torterra, use Protect!"

Boom! Both attacks failed miserably. Gary's eyes widened; wow kiddo, you're indeed a quality battler! No wonder Paul used Protect so smoothly—it must be family tradition!

Seizing this opportunity, Reggie immediately began to divide the battlefield: "Typhlosion, use Smokescreen!"

Whoosh! Typhlosion opened its mouth wide as thick black smoke billowed out—instantly obscuring visibility across the field.

Reggie smiled slightly; now no one could see anyone else.

"And whoever shows their face first will be in trouble!" Gary smirked.

Currently on the field, only Charizard could escape… Reggie was definitely waiting for Charizard to reveal itself so they could focus fire on it.

Wait! Charizard!

Crack! A familiar sound of teeth clashing echoed as a flame flickered in the thick smoke.

"Venusaur, use Protect!" Gary's expression changed dramatically!

Charizard opened its mouth wide with an excited grin…

Boom!! The smoke ignited instantly followed by a violent explosion!!

Bang! Bang! Typhlosion and Torterra were both blown backward by the blast.

On Gary's side, Venusaur had already raised its Protect shield in advance—nothing happened at all.

As for Charizard, steam rose from its skin while scorch marks covered its body from the explosion.

Yet this guy shook off two puffs of black smoke while his eyes sparkled brightly.

"Uh… does that count as sobering up?" Gary shook his head helplessly. If this guy went to rescue hostages, it would probably end up being nine enemies dead alongside one hostage…

"Bah～" Venusaur also called out in exasperation. If you wanted to take me away easily just say so!

"Roar～" Charizard stepped forward as flames danced higher on its tail!

Charizard was fired up!!

Gary shrugged helplessly: "Let's continue."

"Torterra, use Leaf Storm!" Reggie activated again.

Torterra roared back while its small tree pot whipped up a green tornado aimed at Charizard and Venusaur.

To be honest—this effect is slightly better than scraping skin…

"Charizard, fly up and use Wing Attack on Torterra!" Gary didn't hold back either and counterattacked directly.

"Don't let him succeed! Typhlosion support Torterra with Flame Wheel!" Reggie countered immediately upon seeing this move.

Torterra's weight meant that even running felt like dragging a tractor—there was no way to dodge quickly; Reggie's choice was very stable.

However—

"This is doubles after all! Venusaur controls the field!!"

This is where Venusaur surpassed Torterra! Dozens of thick vines shot out directly binding both opposing Pokémon tightly together.

Binding you up while attacking—that's what I mean—

Bang! Charizard descended from above with massive wings glowing white as it crashed into Torterra's back.

Despite Torterra's heavy weight, it slid back two or three meters upon impact—clearly injured!

"Typhlosion uses Overheat on Venusaur! Torterra uses Rock Climb!" Reggie quickly chose to counterattack!

Bang! Without needing Gary to say anything more, Charizard spread its wings wide blocking Typhlosion's attack path directly.

Facing Typhlosion's incoming Overheat attack excitedly extending its claws…

Bang! The Overheat was caught by Charizard who blocked it outright!

On the other side facing Torterra's Rock Climb attack—Gary couldn't even be bothered to complain: "Venusaur uses Petal Dance!"

All four claws protruded as Torterra climbed atop one of its own stone pillars for half an eternity before finally reaching the top where it raised its paw only to be met with flying petals!

Boom! It crashed heavily onto the ground—Torterra flipped over in defeat—

"Stop!" Gary called out voluntarily with an exasperated smile. "Let's call this round a draw; no more fighting~"

On Charizard's side already gripping Typhlosion by the neck with claws poised to stab into its belly...

Upon hearing Gary's words it reluctantly let go...

Reggie wasn't shameless either; recalling Torterra and Typhlosion he spoke sadly: "I~ lost…"

Gary patted Charizard's belly then gently stroked Venusaur's head before turning around: "What? Doubting life?"

Reggie awkwardly smiled while lowering his head: "Maybe I really don't have talent…"

"I remember you participated in four regional leagues right?" Gary spoke again. "Those thirty-two badges must be crying."

"Sometimes maybe you really can't just rely on talent. You've only traveled one region yet you're already this strong while I…" Reggie hesitated mid-sentence.

"How do you know how much training my Pokémon and I have gone through?" Gary began counting on his fingers: "From breeding to raising them properly then specialized training."

"My Pokémon eat only top-tier food; we have four or five types of supplements alone."

"We have formal training routines every day—even at my grandfather's research lab there are dedicated teachers for Pokémon."

"For special training we utilize state-of-the-art sunlight rooms along with gravity chambers and gyms."

"You've only put in three more years than me. Do you know how many times more effort and resources I've invested compared to you?"

"It can be done like that?" Reggie looked up incredulously.

"Of course it can—I'm not saying this to point out how inadequate you are," Gary stepped closer to Reggie. "I just want to tell you that sweat doesn't lie. Pokémon won't give up on their trainers."

"Only you can give up on yourself while also betraying your Pokémon."

"Betrayal… my Pokémon…" Reggie looked at Gary somewhat confusedly.

"Yes indeed—Pokémon don't understand talent or wealth disparities or power differences. They only know if you want to win they'll train their hardest." Gary sighed deeply: "Pokémon always respond to our expectations don't they?

And right now you look like this—what are you trying to do? Wanting to give up? Wanting to betray your Pokémon right?"

"It's easy if you just lie down—it feels good doesn't it? Very simple right?"

Reggie recalled moments since leaving home alongside his Pokémon:

Failing captures then searching for new partners!

Losing gym battles meant special training followed by re-challenges later on...

Tears shed during losses contrasted with cheers after victories!

In total he earned thirty-two badges—each badge representing sweat and tears shared between him and his Pokémon.

His face gradually flushed red as he shouted loudly: "I won't give up! I want~ I want to walk together with them because… because I love Pokémon most!!"

Gary smiled appreciatively: "I hope you mean what you say."

Reggie solemnly bowed in thanks: "Gary thank you for teaching me such an important lesson!"

Underneath the sunset shadows of trainers stretched infinitely long—their shoulders bore not only responsibility but also their Pokémon's eager expectations.