"Heracross, come out."
Gary's voice was calm, but beneath the surface lay a subtle firmness—a tone that conveyed intent rather than casual command.
A Poké Ball spun open in a burst of soft crimson light.
"Heracross!"
The Pokémon materialized in the center of the Pokémon Center lobby. Its dark, glossy exoskeleton reflected the sterile overhead lights, gleaming with a faint, violet sheen that marked its unique mutation. Though not particularly large compared to some of Gary's other titans, Heracross carried a quiet, commanding presence. Its horn shone like polished obsidian, and its posture—upright, steady—suggested strength forged through discipline rather than raw aggression.
It turned its head the moment it registered Gary's presence.
"Ha!"
Its call carried a mix of excitement and deep-seated respect as it stepped forward, lowering its massive frame slightly in a gesture of acknowledgment.
[Heracross ♂]
[Level: 59]
[Potential: Champion-tier]
[Status: Shiny]
Gary studied the data carefully.
Level 59. Just one step away from Elite-tier in practical terms.
A faint flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He hadn't paid much attention to Heracross during his tenure in the Johto Region. After the Silver Conference, it had been sent back to Professor Oak's Laboratory, left to train among the reserves.
And yet—it had grown significantly without direct supervision.
Gary folded his arms, observing the subtle tension rippling through Heracross's muscled shoulders and the unwavering stability of its stance.
"Not bad," he said. His voice held a trace of approval. "It looks like you've been working hard at Professor Oak's Laboratory."
"Ha!"
Heracross responded immediately, nodding vigorously. Its body leaned forward, claws flexing against the tiles, as if eager to explain itself. An unmistakable pride radiated from the Bug-type—confidence sharpened through repeated victories.
It gestured energetically, mimicking the arc of a punch.
Gary watched, a faint smile curving his lips.
So even Ash's Heracross couldn't beat it…
That detail alone told him everything. Ash's Heracross wasn't weak; it had seen battle after battle across multiple regions. And yet—this version had come out on top.
Gary's gaze softened just a fraction.
You've become the leader of your group.
That explained the aura. It wasn't arrogance. It was authority.
"In that case…" Gary said slowly, his voice lowering just a fraction. "…I should reward that effort."
Heracross froze mid-motion.
"Ha…?"
It blinked, clearly caught off guard. Then, its body stiffened. Excitement surged visibly through its posture.
"Ha!"
Is it finally my turn?
The thought seemed almost unbelievable to the Pokémon. It leaned forward, anticipation radiating from every movement, its claw scraping lightly against the floor.
Gary stepped closer. He raised his hand, placing it gently against Heracross's hardened shell. The surface was cool and solid beneath his palm, the texture rough yet reassuring.
[System Message]
Use the Ability Expansion Stone?
A faint pulse of energy spread outward through contact.
[Ding! Ability Expansion Stone used successfully.]
A translucent panel fluttered into Gary's vision.
[Pokémon: Heracross (Shiny)]
[Type: Bug/Fighting]
[Level: 59]
[Potential: Champion-tier]
[Ability 1: Moxie] (When the opponent is defeated, Attack rises by one stage.)
[Ability 2: Swarm] (When HP falls below one-third, Bug-type moves are boosted by 50%.)
[Ability 3: Guts] (When afflicted with a status condition, Attack increases by 50% and ignores burn reduction.)
[Moves: Tackle, Leer, Arm Thrust, Fury Attack, Aerial Ace, Horn Attack, Counter, Brick Break, Pin Missile, Megahorn, Close Combat, Reversal, Protect]
[Tutor Moves: Dig, Stone Edge, Rest, Hyper Beam, Lunge, Body Slam, Shadow Claw, Bulk Up, Rock Slide, Endeavor, Earthquake, Swords Dance, Rain Dance, Hidden Power]
[Friendship: 255]
Gary's gaze lingered on the ability section.
Swarm. Moxie. Guts.
A complete offensive synergy. But then, the system prompt surfaced again.
Do you want to enhance [Swarm]?
Gary's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't answer immediately. Instead, his mind raced through the variables.
If Swarm became EX-level, it would increase its Bug-type burst potential significantly. He recalled Blastoise's enhanced ability—the explosive spike. The overwhelming damage output.
But...
Gary exhaled slowly.
Toxic damage doesn't work like normal damage. Unlike burn or standard poison, badly poisoned status escalates over time. By the time Swarm activates—when HP drops below one-third—Heracross might already be on the brink of collapse. The duration of its peak would be short. Unstable. High risk.
Gary folded his arms. Not optimal.
His mind shifted to another variable. Ability Enhancement Stones were extremely limited resources. He had very few left—only eleven. And the ways to obtain them were equally restricted: Battle Frontier Leaders, Legendary encounters, or rare system rewards.
I can't waste them.
His gaze hardened. The decision crystallized instantly.
"Enhance Moxie and Guts."
The command was silent, but decisive.
[Ding! Ability enhanced successfully.]
[Ding! Ability enhanced successfully.]
The system updated, the text glowing brighter.
[EX Moxie] (After defeating an opponent, Attack, Special Attack, and Speed increase by one stage.)
[EX Guts] (When afflicted with a status condition, Attack doubles, and all stat reduction effects from status are ignored.)
Gary's eyes flickered.
"…Speed too?"
That part surprised him. Originally, he had expected only Attack to increase further, perhaps Special Attack as a minor addition. But Speed?
That changes everything.
He analyzed the implications instantly.
Attack boost + Speed boost after each knockout meant Heracross turned into a snowball sweeper. One kill leads to faster kills.
And Guts? Attack doubled, with no drawbacks from status. Burn, paralysis, frostbite—all ignored.
Gary nodded slightly. "This works."
He lowered his hand.
Heracross stood still for a heartbeat, sensing the shift in energy.
"HA!!"
It roared, power surging through its body. Muscles tightened, energy radiating outward in visible waves as it tested its newfound strength. The ground beneath its feet trembled slightly under the sheer release of pressure.
Gary watched calmly.
Good. You'll need that strength soon.
"It's time to head to Lily of the Valley."
His voice remained steady. The conference was close. Only a little over a month remained. If the system had a mission tied to the League, he needed to trigger it. Waiting passively wasn't his style.
—
The next day.
Morning sunlight spilled across Sunyshore City, reflecting off solar panels and illuminating the streets in bright, clean light.
Gary stood at the edge of the coastline.
"Garchomp."
A Poké Ball opened.
"GAR—!"
The massive Dragon/Ground-type emerged, its wings spreading wide as it let out a deep, resonant cry that echoed over the water.
Gary climbed onto its back smoothly. "Let's go."
With a powerful beat of its wings, Garchomp took off. The ocean stretched endlessly beneath them, shimmering under the golden sun. Wind rushed past Gary's face, sharp and cool, carrying the scent of salt.
The flight was fast. Direct.
Gary's eyes remained fixed on the horizon.
Lily of the Valley…
The heart of the Sinnoh League. A place where only the strongest gathered.
Soon, an island appeared on the horizon. Lush, green, covered in forests with patches of mountainous terrain rising within. Lily of the Valley.
As they approached, the sounds of activity grew clearer—voices, movement, the distant hum of a bustling port.
Garchomp descended. Gary landed at the pier.
"There are so many people."
His voice carried a hint of observation, not surprise. The dock was crowded. Trainers. Tourists. Spectators. All gathering for the upcoming Lily of the Valley Conference. Some carried their Pokémon beside them; others discussed strategies, animated gestures drawing attention.
The atmosphere was vibrant, charged with anticipation.
Gary didn't linger. He returned Garchomp and walked toward the Pokémon Center. Registration first.
Inside, the lobby was just as crowded. Lines had already formed, two long queues stretching toward the registration counter.
Gary stepped in. He waited. He observed.
Then, his gaze shifted. It locked onto something unusual.
A red figure. Not a person—a Pokémon.
Heat shimmered faintly around it. Molten patterns traced across its metallic body, contrasting sharply against the cool interior air.
[Heatran]
[Level: 60]
[Potential: Pseudo-Legendary-tier]
Gary's eyes narrowed. So it's real.
A Trainer entering the League with Heatran. That alone would attract significant attention. And it had. A crowd surrounded the Trainer, whispers filling the air. Excitement mixed with curiosity.
The Trainer himself looked young. Sixteen, seventeen at most. Gary studied him quietly.
Level 60? That's enough to dominate most League matches. And yet—he didn't recognize him. No records, no mentions.
Which meant two possibilities. Either he was hiding his strength… or he had already been eliminated early.
Gary's eyes sharpened slightly. If he'd used Heatran effectively, there would have been media coverage. There was none. Which meant he likely didn't use it, or lost before it mattered.
Gary exhaled softly, his thoughts continuing to turn—analyzing, calculating.
Until a voice cut through the noise.
"Oh! Gary!"
He paused. His thoughts stopped instantly. He turned his head. The source of the voice came from just behind him.