Gary had clearly been lost in this forest for quite a while.
Ash and his friends had spent two days training in Donphan Valley, and still ended up catching up with him here.
Gary had actually arrived in Johto earlier than they had, but the boy wouldn't admit it. He claimed he'd been busy catching several Pokémon in the forest and had gotten "absorbed" in it.
Ash pouted. Yeah right, who are you trying to fool?
With Gary's Hoothoot leading the way—and Ash's Aura sensing the ghost-types' positions—the four of them quickly made it out of the Confusing Forest and arrived at Higashi Gate Town.
Since it was already late, Ash and Gary agreed to rest at the Pokémon Center for the night and battle the next morning.
And so, the following dawn—
"The battle between Ash and Gary will now begin! Each trainer may use only one Pokémon. Begin!"
"Go, my darling partner—Blastoise!"
"It's you, Charizard!"
Blastoise looked every bit as imposing as expected. As Gary's original starter, it had been raised exceptionally well.
For all his arrogance and showboating, Gary did have real skill.
But Ash's Charizard now radiated no less presence!
"Your Charizard looks stronger than before! But type disadvantage is something you can't overcome!" Gary, for once, offered praise. "Blastoise, Hydro Cannon!"
Twin torrents of water blasted forth from Blastoise's shoulder cannons.
"Charizard, dodge and close the distance!"
Water attacks were super effective against Charizard—if they landed, the result would be devastating.
But Ash remained calm. With their bond growing stronger, his coordination with Charizard had reached new heights.
Without the Forced Training Device, Charizard had discovered a new sense of speed.
The moment Hydro Cannon fired, it dove low and skimmed the ground, dodging the attack and rushing Blastoise head-on.
"Dragon Claw!"
Emerald energy flared on Charizard's talons. From below, it slashed upward, sending the massive Blastoise hurtling backward.
"No way!" Gary stared in disbelief, though he quickly recovered.
"Blastoise, Rapid Spin!"
Blastoise tucked in its limbs and spun furiously, landing safely on its feet.
"Not bad at all!"
Both Ash and Gary praised each other in unison.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Ash struck first. Fire might not be very effective on Blastoise, but it was still an attack.
"Rapid Spin again!"
Gary's training had clearly paid off. Blastoise's whirling winds scattered the flames.
But at that exact moment—Charizard struck again!
"Damn, Ash… so that Flamethrower was just a decoy!" Gary instantly realized.
"Dragon Claw!"
But this time, Charizard's Dragon Claw failed to trigger—its newly learned move still unstable. The opportunity was lost.
"What a shame!" Misty sighed, then stood and shouted, "Ash! Charizard! Don't give up!"
Seeing Charizard staring blankly at its own claws, Ash only smiled.
"It's okay. Next time, you'll nail it."
"Rooaaar!"
Gary and Blastoise regrouped. "Ash, are you using me as practice fodder?"
The revelation that Dragon Claw was newly learned annoyed him. He realized Ash had planned this from the start.
"Haha, don't be mad, Gary!" Ash admitted openly. With their rivalry, there was no need to hide it.
And who better than Gary as the perfect sparring partner?
"Charizard, let's go again! Flamethrower!"
"Hmph! The same trick won't fool me twice! Blastoise, Hydro Cannon!"
Flame and water collided mid-field, billowing steam across the arena.
"Blastoise, Skull Bash!"
"Charizard, Dragon Claw!"
Through the mist, both trainers commanded close combat.
A roar of pain echoed—Charizard had taken a hit!
"Ash, Charizard's tail flame is like a beacon! Blastoise, Hydro Cannon!" Gary laughed, certain of victory.
But the attack never came. No water burst through the steam.
"What's going on?"
Gary couldn't see—but Ash's smile told the story. His Aura let him perceive everything in the mist. He had predicted Gary would counter Flamethrower with Hydro Cannon.
A proud heir like Gary would never be satisfied as just a sparring partner.
When the mist cleared, Charizard was clutching its belly, breathing heavily—it had taken damage.
But Blastoise lay collapsed, unable to battle.
"Blastoise!" Gary called, then sighed, recalling it to its Poké Ball. "You did great."
"Blastoise is unable to battle. Charizard wins! The victor is—Ash!" Brock declared.
Thus ended another clash between rivals.
"Ash, you really have gotten stronger!" Gary stepped forward, extending a hand. "Let's save the final showdown for the Johto League. I've got to keep getting stronger—can't let you catch up!"
Like Ash, Gary could accept the results with grace.
"This time I won—and next time, I'll win again!" Ash laughed, grasping his rival's hand firmly.
Charizard: 195/255