Songzao City — Songzao Gym
Red looked at Ash and Gary standing in front of him.
"Not bad. The number of badges you handed out these past few days is acceptable, and there weren't too many issues in the Gym."
"You both pass this 'house-sitting' test."
"Of course!"
Ash beamed with excitement.
Gary, meanwhile, rubbed his nose a little awkwardly—
but the smile on his face gave him away.
"Then how about your training? Did you keep up?"
Ash's eyes lit up.
"Master, are you going to test us?"
Red waved his hand, glancing at his three Pokémon currently training.
"I'll pass. The battles on Champion Island already wore me out."
"How about you two battle each other?"
"You've been my disciples for a while now, but you haven't had a proper match yet."
"The League Conference is less than two months away."
"Don't you want to test yourselves?"
"Of course I do!"
Ash immediately agreed.
But Gary waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm not interested in battling you."
"? Why?"
Ash looked confused.
Gary flipped his hair smugly.
"Did you forget? My Wartortle evolved two days ago."
"My Blastoise completely outclasses your baby Pokémon."
"Battling you would just be bullying a kid."
"What did you say?!"
Ash instantly exploded.
"Who are you calling a kid?! My Pokémon are way stronger than yours!"
"Can your Blastoise beat my Pikachu?!"
Pikachu stood on Ash's shoulder, sparks crackling across its cheeks.
(For reference: Gary's Blastoise is Level 33, while Ash's Pikachu is Level 29. Their other Pokémon average about 2–3 levels lower.)
"Then let's battle!"
"I'll beat you so badly you'll admit defeat!"
"Bring it on!"
"6v6 full battle—dare?"
"What's there to be afraid of?!"
Xiaowen couldn't help but interject:
"Do you even realize how long a 6v6 battle takes?"
"What about the challengers?"
Ash and Gary scratched their heads awkwardly.
Red patted Xiaowen's shoulder.
"It's fine. Let the challengers watch from the stands."
"I'll speed things up later and handle them all together."
Xiaowen sighed.
"…Fine. Your Gym, your rules."
"I'm just an intern anyway."
Red smiled.
"Thanks for the hard work."
On the battlefield
Ash and Gary faced each other, battle intent surging.
"Let's settle this!"
"Go, Pikachu!"
Ash sent out his ace immediately.
Gary, however, surprised even Red.
"Go, Elekid!"
Red rubbed his chin.
"Right… I remember in the anime, Gary eventually uses an Electivire."
"So this is the beginning?"
"Electivire and Pikachu really are destined rivals, huh?"
"Still, unlike Ash's mixed style, Gary is clearly going for a standard Songzao Gym build—"
"A Rain Team."
"Good choice."
Red opened Gary's disciple panel:
[Disciple Profile: Gary Oak]
Status: Grandson of Professor OakCurrent Strength: Veteran TrainerTactical Talent: ★★★☆☆Pokémon Affinity: ★★★☆☆☆Willpower: ★★☆☆
(White stars = potential, Black stars = current level)
Pokémon: Blastoise, Eevee, Elekid, Scyther, Pidgeotto, Lotad…
Special Talent: Breeder
Faster Pokémon growth+1 Pokémon affinity cap
Exclusive Quest: Reforging初心 (89% Complete)
Next Reward: 30 Points
Red's eyes lit up.
Gary's Willpower and Affinity had both improved—
and his Tactical Talent cap increased.
That was a huge boost.
"And the quest is almost done…"
"The final reward probably won't just be points."
"Likely a rare item."
Back on the field—
the battle was intense.
Pikachu was stronger—
but Elekid had clearly undergone anti-electric training.
Pikachu struggled.
But Ash had learned something crucial from Red:
Expand the move pool.
For a trainer like Ash—
who relies on flashes of inspiration—
a wide skill set was everything.
"Time to finish this!"
"Pikachu—Surf!"
Gary's mouth twitched.
Even though he'd seen it before—
it still felt absurd.
A Pikachu… using Surf.
It was like:
Wooper learning Ice Punch without handsCorphish or Barboach learning Dragon DanceWhile actual Dragon-types sometimes can't
Completely ridiculous.
The massive wave crashed down—
Elekid was knocked out instantly.
But Gary remained calm.
"Go—Eevee!"
Red smiled.
"Looks like this is just getting started."
At that moment—
a gentle voice sounded beside him.
"Gym Leader Red, long time no see."
Joy Xue appeared, smiling warmly.
She casually sat beside him.
"Champion Island was too hectic—we didn't get to talk."
Red's eyes lit up—
especially seeing Latias beside her.
"Welcome."
"It really has been a while."
Xiaowen glanced at the two—
then quickly looked away.
Joy Xue smiled.
"In just a short time, you've completely turned things around."
"Saved your Gym, discovered Tyranitar's evolution, and made a name on Champion Island…"
"At this rate, next time we meet, I might have to call you 'senior.'"
Red scratched his head awkwardly.
"You're exaggerating…"
At that moment—
Xiaowen noticed something on the computer.
"Gym Leader Sabrina… appointment request?"
A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"…Perfect timing."
She clicked Accept.
Outside—
Sabrina appeared instantly.
Her face was as cold as ever—
but inside, she was a mess.
Will Red be angry?
What if he tells me to leave?
But I did help on Champion Island…
But I didn't know he was there at first…
She took a deep breath—
and stepped into the Gym.
Then—
she saw it.
Red—
chatting happily with Joy Xue.
…
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