Pokemon: I am Gary

The first rain mixed with snow of late autumn came unexpectedly.

On the rooftop of the Battle Factory, Gary was contentedly holding Eevee while sitting under the eaves, watching as rain and ice crystals gradually soaked the earth.

These past few days have been so fulfilling!

Aside from eating, sleeping, and playing games, it was all about battling Noland. As the battle chief, he symbolizes knowledge.

Noland's Pokémon army seemed to have experience with almost every type and battle style.

Gary has indeed gained a significant amount of experience points.

Noland, sitting in his steam-powered car, ignored the weather and let the rain drench him. "Cold rain, keep falling... soaking my body and hurting my heart..."

Sergio: "...Master, are you okay?"

"Ha ha~" Noland looked forlornly at the sky. "What could possibly be wrong with me... I just lost over a hundred battles! Damn it if I can hold on..."

Originally, Gary just wanted to have a normal battle and accumulate experience.

But Noland insisted on showing off his Breloom.

Gary thought, fine~ let the conflict begin!

After being tormented by Noland's Toxic strategy for several rounds, he finally broke through.

What's wrong? Is everyone using Toxic strategies? Do you know any other tactics?!

Then Gary took out Togepi and played a quality Rock Slide...

Noland: "Pfft Σ???」∠…"

"Ah~ Master~ You've worked hard." Sergio shook his head sympathetically.

This Mr. Gary Oak, while having brilliant tactics, really messes with people's minds...

Beep beep beep~

Gary pulled out his Rotom Phone

Lorelei: What's doing?

Of course, Gary is training hard!

"Wow~ Awesome! Hey, do you have time? Can you come to Indigo Plateau ahead of schedule?" Lorelei asked.

Calculating the time until the Indigo League's opening match, Gary readily agreed. "No problem! If Charizard isn't hungover, we should arrive by evening."

Lorelei, brushing her red hair, thought for a moment before replying, "No worries; I'll have Pidgeot pick you up."

"Okay, see you then." Gary, not being polite, agreed since it wasn't the first time Charizard had driven under the influence...

After packing his luggage, Gary politely bid farewell to Noland.

"Thank you for your care recently." Gary bowed at a ninety-degree angle.

"No problem; don't come back!" Noland, overwhelmed...

The atmosphere was getting increasingly strange...

Fortunately, the league's airbus arrived quickly at the Battle Factory with Pidgeot.

Once on board, Gary soared into the sky and left the factory.

Noland, happily patting his apprentice's shoulder said, "Sergio, go book a nice meal; I'm going to set off fireworks!"

With a helpless smile and shake of his head, Sergio replied, "Yes... Master."

...

Flying at speeds exceeding Mach two, Pidgeot's flying ability was both fast and stable.

In just a few hours in the afternoon, Gary arrived at the headquarters of the Indigo Plateau League.

Familiar with the place, he entered the office building without hindrance and messaged Lorelei, letting her know he had arrived.

As the grandson of Professor Oak, he often came here to play when he was five or six years old. Therefore, no one stopped him from wandering around.

Before long, familiar high heels echoed as Lorelei, dressed in a black suit with a tight skirt and black stockings walked over.

"Sister Lorelei~" said Gary, smiling in greeting.

"Yo ho ho! I can't take it anymore~" A little old man with braided beard playfully peeked out from behind Lorelei.

"Grandpa Goodshow?" said Gary, somewhat surprised. This old rascal is here too.

With an exasperated explanation from Lorelei, "Earlier I heard you play piano and guitar. This time I brought you here because the chairman has something he wants to ask of you."

"Ask me?" said Gary, tilting his head.

"That's right." Grandpa Goodshow stroked his beard kindly as he looked at Gary. "I wonder if you're interested in composing a theme song for the Indigo League?"

"A theme song?" The first thing that popped into Gary's mind was Aunt Matsumoto's voice saying: "I got Pokémon!"

"Yes! You know that the league's march has always used pure music from an earlier era.

I feel that times are changing; you young people are changing too.

So I want something more fitting for now—more passionate and inspiring. What do you think?" Grandpa Goodshow blinked expectantly at Gary.

"Well, I think it sounds promising," said Gary, nodding as he contemplated.

The league march is indeed classic battle music from the game. It is a bit outdated now...

Plus releasing a single could earn some easy money while adding some passion to the Indigo League—why not?

"I can rewrite a song for the league including live band performances; my Pokémon and I can handle it!" said Gary, seriously.

"Yo ho ho~ No wonder you're from Professor Oak's family; truly impressive!" Grandpa Goodshow excitedly raised his hand. "Can I participate?"

"Uh... Grandpa, what instrument do you play?" asked Gary, curiously.

"I can whistle like nobody's business!" Grandpa Goodshow proudly replied.

"Cough cough; Chairman, there are still several segments that need your confirmation. Also, before the competition starts, you need to escort the Olympic flame throughout..." reminded Lorelei.

"Huh? Yada! I want to play with Gary!* The esteemed chairman of the Pokémon League threw a tantrum...

"Oh? Who's throwing a tantrum here? Aren't you ashamed?" The cold voice of Grandma Agatha echoed over.

"Huh? Who are you? Did you see that?" Chairman Goodshow rolled over quickly to get up and dust himself off. "Crap! I really have to attend a meeting now; I'm leaving!"

Seeing how fast that old man moved on those short legs made it clear how much he feared Grandma Agatha.

"Hmph! Old lecher," Grandma Agatha snorted coldly before gently advising Gary, "Just focus on your work these days; let Lorelei accompany you. If you need anything, just tell her."

"Okay! Thank you, Grandma~" said Gary, affectionately calling out.

"Oh~ Good child! Grandma is leaving now." Grandma Agatha smiled broadly as she turned around humming a tune.

Exchanging glances with each other, both Lorelei and Gary smiled warmly as they said together: "I'll take you to the recording studio."

Nodding in agreement, Gary replied: "Alright! I need to hurry up."

With less than a week until the Indigo League opens up, it's indeed time to get to work quickly.

Arriving at the recording studio, satisfied with what he saw—various instruments neatly arranged—soundproof booths and advanced mixing consoles were all present.

Next to the recording studio was a lounge equipped with bathrooms and kitchens—a combined dormitory space.

For these two days, Gary decided to stay here directly.

After spending several hours finalizing lyrics and sheet music for "I Got Pokémon," he waved his hand as band members took their positions.

Golduck would be on drums; Gengar was an electronic keyboard master; Togepi served as mascot and shakers; plus Gary himself as guitarist and lead vocalist.

The Gary Family Band was assembled!

"So today we'll familiarize ourselves with the song; everyone feel free to improvise so any issues can surface," said Gary, holding his guitar while addressing Golduck and Gengar.

"Togepi!" cheered Togepi, shaking its maracas excitedly.

Golduck twirled drumsticks in hand while Gengar grinned wide with its tongue hanging out—

"Is this... really okay? Can these Pokémon handle this? Will they understand how to keep up?" Grandpa Goodshow asked sourly while peeking into the recording studio door.

Lorelei shook her head helplessly: "Chairman didn't you go to a meeting?"

Gary smiled slightly: "Golduck, someone doubts your drumming skills."

"Cuba?" Golduck's lazy demeanor shifted as it adjusted its sunglasses down from its forehead.

Receiving this cue Gengar pulled out sunglasses too and pouted its mouth downwards: "Gengar! Rock and roll!"

Gary snapped his fingers pointing upwards.

Boom boom boom boom~ Boom boom! A series of dense drum beats followed by harmonies from keyboards filled the air.

As Gary strummed his electric guitar, youthful passionate shouts erupted:

"Pokémon!Gotta catch 'em all!!"