Pokemon: I am Gary

At the Indigo Conference, the decisive championship of the second day has concluded, and the top eight contestants have officially been announced.

A Tao, who was eating a peach, ultimately could not secure a win against Gary.

His Wigglytuff battled fiercely with Gary's Rhydon for four to five rounds, but was caught off guard and knocked out of the arena by a powerful Heavy Slam from Rhydon.

However, Gary still shook hands with A Tao after the match.

"Keep up the good work in the future; you are always welcome to come back for revenge," Gary said reassuringly.

"I will!" A Tao replied with determination as he gracefully exited the stage.

Watching A Tao's swaying figure, Gary felt an urge to chase after him for another kick...

The avatars of the top eight contestants were displayed on the giant electronic screen at the arena.

Gary, Ritchie, Assunta, Hiro, Tyson. These are all star players, so their advancement is unquestionable.

The remaining three are Random Guy A, Random Guy B, and Raven.

There is also a special contestant, Raven Jenny.

Indeed, this person is a boy from the Jenny family and has a unique distinction: he is the champion of the original timeline's Indigo Conference!

Unlike A Tao, Raven follows a tough-guy route.

Dressed in camouflage and a black beret, he stands nearly 1.7 meters tall at almost ten years old, with prominent muscle definition, earning him the title of "walking hormone" in this conference...

Not only that, his fighting style is straightforward and aggressive. The known Pokémon he possesses include Arcanine, Magneton, and Machamp!

A typical riot police configuration!

He is also Lance's most admired contestant.

As names began to scroll randomly on the big screen, the matchups for the quarter-finals were officially confirmed!

Ritchie vs Assunta

Raven vs Gary

Hiro vs Random Guy A

Tyson vs Random Guy B!

Sitting behind a Squirtle while sipping milk tea, Gary looked up slightly; it was going to be hell mode from here on out—

However, after thinking it over, since he had to face someone anyway, Gary decided not to dwell on it.

Moreover, Ritchie and Assunta—if not for their high exposure levels, their actual strength would be comparable to Random Guy B and Random Guy C.

It's not bad for weaklings to peck at each other...

After announcing the matchups, the contestants exited one by one. Gary took his Squirtle and headed outside the venue.

"Did you feel disappointed not being on stage today?" Gary asked Squirtle as he held his milk tea and looked down.

"Squirtle~" Squirtle cautiously shook its head; as long as it could alleviate its master's worries, it was fine with holding milk tea!

"Is that so? No worries; you will definitely have your chance to shine later," Gary said earnestly.

After all, his next opponent's ace is a Fire-type Pokémon!

"Squirtle!" Squirtle nodded; whether it was cleaning up or fighting, it would give its all to keep its job!

"Gary~" Upon exiting the venue, Gary unexpectedly saw Ash and Ritchie waiting outside.

"Um... congratulations on making it into the top eight..." Ash hesitantly spoke up.

"Cut it out; you didn't even watch my match today," Gary retorted with a pout.

"I meant to!" Ash hurriedly replied.

Ritchie nearby smiled like an auntie. "You two chat; I need to go prepare for my match."

Gary nodded. "Ritchie, do your best."

Ritchie gave a thumbs up. "Of course; you too."

After saying that, he turned and ran off, leaving Ash awkwardly standing there with his toes digging into the ground...

"Sigh... so what do you think?" Seeing Ash's expression, Gary sighed.

"It's my loss..." Ash mumbled dejectedly.

"Get lost; is that what I'm asking you?" Gary raised an eyebrow. "My rival is someone who gives up that easily?"

"Gary~" Ash finally lifted his head.

Bang! Gary punched Ash's shoulder. "If you're my recognized rival, then get your spirits up!"

—`′—... Ouch... What material is your shoulder made of?!"

Holding his fist while blowing on it, Gary rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"?˙▽˙? Hehe, my body is pretty sturdy." Ash chuckled while holding his head.

"Ash~" Gary became serious. "One league tournament doesn't mean anything; our showdown will be saved for next time. Remember this: what we're competing for is who becomes a Pokémon Master first—not just winning or losing one league match."

"If you don't catch up to me soon enough, I'll claim the title of world champion!"

Ash's eyes gradually ignited with determination. "Gary, just wait! I will surpass you! No matter how many times I fail, I will definitely catch up and then surpass you!"

"Ambitious; then it's settled." Gary said earnestly.

"It's settled!" Ash nodded vigorously.

"Alright then; bring your Charizard." Gary suddenly said.

"Huh? Bring it…" Ash nodded in confusion.

"Follow me; I want to battle him." Gary turned towards the training grounds.

"Eh? Right now? You still have a match tomorrow…" Ash tried to persuade him as they walked together.

"Don't worry; it'll be over quickly." Gary smirked. "Just don't say anything; I want to teach him a lesson."

"Uh... Gary, Charizard is still just a kid…" Ash said nervously.

"That's even better; if kids misbehave, they just need a good beating…" Gary said enthusiastically.

"Sigh... fine then." Ash sighed and followed Gary along.

At the outdoor training grounds where matches had progressed to quarter-finals, it had become quite deserted with few people around anymore.

Gary stepped on the ground and took out two Poké Balls. "Bring out your Charizard!"

Ash swallowed hard. "Get ready then; Charizard—this is your moment."

Throwing out his Poké Ball with a flash of white light revealed Charizard lounging in the center of the arena like an idle sloth.

Charizard glanced at Gary before yawning and closing its eyes again for another nap.

It clearly didn't see Gary as someone important!

"Hehe... umm... don't mind him..." Ash awkwardly apologized as he realized how unresponsive Charizard was being.

"Hmph! Charizard! Give him a body slam!" Gary threw out his first Poké Ball.

"Ow!!" Recently irritable from not drinking alcohol, Charizard roared onto the scene in frustration.

Seeing Charizard lounging around in front of him made Gary frown tightly—is this really all there is?

"Let's wake him up." Gary waved his hand dismissively.

"Aow!" Charizard thought for a moment before approaching Charizard from above.

"Wow~" Charizard squinted at Charizard and exuded an air of indifference that seemed almost pretentious.

Since becoming Ash's top combatant, Charizard had become rather arrogant.

In truth, it was just an underdeveloped Charizard who had been given too much confidence by its trainer!

"Aow!!" Charizard wouldn't let this slide; it grabbed hold of Charizard's tail and swung hard!

Charizard immediately felt dizzy as its entire body was flung into the air.

An underdeveloped and smaller Charizard felt like nothing but a feather in Charizard's grip.

Holding onto its tail and swinging around once before tossing Charizard away effortlessly.

Bang!! It crashed heavily against the iron railing nearby; Charizard's eyes bulged as it spat out some bile in distress.

"Aow~" Charizard scoffed—what an embarrassment for Charizards everywhere...

"Charizard! Are you okay?" Ash rushed over anxiously.

Boom! Surprisingly enough, Charizard didn't appreciate this concern at all; instead blasted fire at Ash roasting him thoroughly.

Then angrily flew into the center of the arena and spat fire towards the sky.

"The weaker they are as Charizards—the more they love to breathe fire," Gary remarked coolly. "How pathetic…"

"Aow!" How could Charizard tolerate such humiliation? Flapping its wings furiously while soaring into the air unleashed another fiery attack.

However—it was weak fire that lacked substance or brightness—a pathetic display…

Charizard stood still without moving an inch; opening its mouth wide swallowed up all of Charizard's flames effortlessly!

"Wow~" Wiping its mouth clean afterward made Charizard's tail flames flare up even more energetically.

"Use Flamethrower followed by Dragon Claw!" Gary commanded.

Bang! Charizard opened its mouth wide as an orange compressed flame spiraled through space like an energy beam cutting through clouds.

Like a laser cannon made of flames striking directly at Charizard.

Charizard fell straight down from mid-air like an overturned sack before hitting ground hard—before even landing Charizard soared upward with powerful wings!

Using wing propulsion allowed for rapid acceleration directly reaching where it would land.

Green energy scales enveloped both claws as sharp dragon claws mercilessly pierced into Charizard's belly.

Bang! With a painful cry from Charizard rolling onto ground in agony.

Charizard scoffed while shaking off any residual energy before turning back towards Gary.

Gary stepped forward two paces looking down at fallen Charizard on ground below.

"What are you barking about? What are you being so arrogant about? You're just some abandoned Charmander picked up by Ash who cared for you tenderly." Although harsh words were spoken—they were necessary medicine indeed.

"You think you're some mighty dragon? Don't make me laugh—you're merely an underdeveloped arrogant Pokémon."

"Aow!" Struggling desperately trying to rise again only resulted in Charizard putting its foot back down firmly onto its back once more.

Gary crouched down staring intently at Ash's fallen Charizard speaking slowly word by word: "I don't know what makes you feel noble—you think weak Pokémon aren't worthy enough for your attention?

So now watching this fool lose matches due to regretful decisions made—what do you feel angry about now that my Charizard has pinned you down?

You should remember: weak Pokémon aren't trash—only those without fighting spirit are trash!

And YOU—a Pokémon that doesn't cherish its companions—is even worse than trash!"

Standing upright again while coldly brushing off sleeves—he declared: "Charizard! Let's go!"

"Aow~" Charizard scratched its head obediently following Gary away from there.

"Aow!!" Watching them leave made Ash's Charizard struggle fiercely pushing Ash aside getting back onto feet again!

Furious Charizard flapped its wings charging straight toward Gary!

"Charizard! No!" Ash shouted fearfully.

Crack! As Pokéballs began shining white light—a Weavile appeared right before them!

"Ice Beam!" Gary spoke coldly.

Buzz~ Blue-white cold air gathered from all directions condensing into Weavile's clasped hands together!

"Weavile!" With both palms thrust forward released intense cold air exploding forth—a blue laser shot directly from Weavile's hand freezing Charizard solid into ice sculpture!

Gary turned back smiling slightly saying: "Indeed—totally useless…"

Weavile casted an indifferent glance towards Charizard—had it not been instructed otherwise by its master wouldn't hesitate delivering two slashes right across!

Watching Gary leave without hesitation made Ash's Charizard howl towards sky tears streaming down uncontrollably filled with humiliation regret along with traces of remorse flooding through heart…

"Charizard! Are you okay? Don't worry—I'll take you straight over to Pokémon Center," Ash attempted but couldn't retrieve due to icy restraints affecting capture attempts…

Instead dragging out trash cart nearby struggling hard pushing forward loaded onto cart tying ropes around itself Ash turned back smiling foolishly saying: "Don't worry—I won't let anything happen!"

With every step leaving deep impressions behind red marks appearing upon shoulders due rope bindings while Ash kept trudging onward determined saying: "Charizard…don't worry…I'll save you!"

Charizard stopped fussing staring blankly watching Ash dragging cart feeling dazed recalling memories during stormy days when trainer held onto tightly…

Turns out within trainer's heart—it always regarded itself as precious family member…

Once again tears welled up within Charizard's eyes but this time filled warmth instead—

In nearby corner Professor Oak nodded approvingly saying: "Alright now Brock and Misty—you can go help him."

"Okay!" Brock and Misty nodded hurriedly rushing forward together joining assistance efforts alongside Professor Oak and Delia who'd been observing quietly until now finally giving consent allowing them approach closer…

"This way Ash won't need worry anymore—and future paths will surely become smoother too," Professor Oak stated cheerfully smiling broadly expressing contentment seeing how well things turned out overall…

Gary led Charizard along returning home glancing back towards training grounds direction asking: "Weavile—didn't go too far did we?"

"Weavile~" Weavile nodded confirming maintaining control without harming joints only restricting movements safely ensuring no injuries occurred whatsoever displaying impressive restraint abilities demonstrated throughout session earlier…

"Well done—you've truly grown stronger," patting Weavile atop head eliciting soft purrs emanating forth soothing sounds escaping creature's throat resonating gently throughout area nearby…

Charizard nudged closer licking face eagerly prompting Ash patting stomach saying: "Alright time go home eat dinner tonight making sweet rice wine for dessert!"

"Wow~" Charizard lit up eyes licking lips eagerly anticipating flavors ahead although sweet rice wine lacked alcohol content still flavorful enough satisfying cravings overall…