I, Gary, Want to Become a Pokemon Master

"Ash has been competing with Gary since they were kids. This time, Ash has the most Gym Badges, so you can see why he's acting this way," Brock explained.

Brock had been traveling with Ash since their journey in the Kanto Region and understood Ash's personality better than most. He also knew that the person Ash most wanted to surpass was Gary.

But Gary didn't see Ash as a rival in the same way anymore.

Only kids squabble over wins and losses—it's more important to maintain good relationships.

Gary pushed a cart forward and addressed the Gym Leaders standing nearby. "Hi, my name's Gary. I'm also from the Kanto Region, like Ash. I'd like to challenge the Mossdeep Gym. Would you two be willing to accept?"

Tate and Liza blinked, clearly surprised. They had just wrapped up a battle, and another challenger had already appeared—one who personally knew Ash. That meant this Trainer was likely no pushover.

Given Ash's attitude toward him, this Gary was clearly no ordinary Trainer. Their strongest Pokémon—Solrock and Lunatone—had already been taken down in a previous match. While they had other Pokémon available, they weren't sure if they could stand up to someone like Gary.

"Sis, what do you think?" Tate asked.

Tate and Liza were twins. Liza, the older sister, usually took the lead in their battles. Their Gym specialized in double battles.

"Let's do one more," Liza said confidently.

"Are you sure?" Tate asked, somewhat surprised.

They had already lost their key Pokémon. Without Lunatone and Solrock, it would be a challenge to win this next match.

"Tate, do you plan to rely on Solrock for every Gym battle from now on?" Liza asked with a soft smile.

Tate paused, understanding her message instantly. As Gym Leaders, they couldn't depend solely on a single strategy.

"I get it. Okay, let's have another battle," Tate agreed, nodding.

[Ding! New Task Available!]

1. Win the Mossdeep Gym Badge.

Rewards: x5 Intermediate Rare Candies, x1 Zen Headbutt TM, x1 Premium-Grade Twisted Spoon

Win the Mossdeep Gym Badge using only Hoenn-region Pokémon.

Rewards: x5 Intermediate Rare Candies, x1 Permanent Psychic-Type Skill TM of Your Choice, x1 Random Battle-Effect Item

Since they agreed to the match, Gary asked, "So, should we battle in the Gym, or just do it here?"

"There's no need to go inside," Liza said. "Let's do it here."

They had battled outdoors earlier. When Ash had challenged them, Team Rocket had interrupted, and the match had been moved outside. The indoor battlefield had also been damaged and was undergoing repairs. So, they had continued conducting Gym Battles outdoors for the time being.

"Alright then," Gary said with a smirk. "Let's have a proper Gym match."

Their mother stepped forward to officiate. "This Mossdeep City Gym Battle will be conducted as a 2-on-2 Double Battle. Are the terms acceptable?"

"No problem," Gary nodded firmly.

"Then both Trainers, please send out your Pokémon!"

Since this was a double battle, both sides would send out two Pokémon at once. There would be no switching—only one team would walk away with the win.

"Let's do this! Claydol, I choose you!"

"Xatu, it's your turn!"

Ting!

Tate and Liza tossed their Poké Balls into the air, releasing their chosen Pokémon in unison.

🟩 [Lv. 41 Claydol – Quasi-Elite]

🟩 [Lv. 42 Xatu – Gym Leader Tier]

Claydol was Tate's Pokémon, while Xatu belonged to Liza.

Seeing the two new Pokémon, both Ash and May instinctively pulled out their Pokédex devices.

Ash's Pokédex chimed:

"Claydol, the Clay Doll Pokémon. The evolved form of Baltoy. Formed from clay and brought to life by mysterious rays, Claydol floats through the air and can unleash powerful beams from its arms."

May's Pokédex added:

"Xatu, the Mystic Pokémon. It is said to be able to foresee both the future and the past. Many consider its divinations extremely accurate."

Gary reached into his belt pouch and pulled out two Poké Balls. "Let's make this count! Aggron, Gardevoir—go!"

🟥 [Lv. 44 Aggron ♂ – Elite Tier]

🟩 [Lv. 38 Gardevoir ♀ – Elite Tier]

"Whoa… What's that Pokémon?" Ash asked, focusing his Pokédex on Gardevoir.

"Gardevoir, the Embrace Pokémon. A Psychic-type. It will risk its own life to protect its Trainer, capable of generating a small black hole using its psychic energy."

"A Psychic-type? Gary's going all-in with strategy," Ash muttered. "He must've done his research before challenging this Gym."

"Looks like he's using Hoenn-native Pokémon just like you did, Ash," Liza observed.

Both Aggron and Gardevoir were native to the Hoenn Region. It was clear Gary had trained and captured new Pokémon during his journey here.

"Claydol, use Earthquake!" Tate commanded.

"Claaaay… DOL!!"

Claydol slammed the ground with its arms. Xatu, acting on instinct, quickly took flight to avoid the shockwave.

"Gravity!" Gary ordered sharply.

"Voooiiir!"

Gardevoir's eyes shimmered with psychic energy, and the battlefield was suddenly saturated with an invisible force. The air grew heavier—Xatu, who had just taken off, was yanked back to the ground and hit by the incoming Earthquake wave.

The tremor rocked the field. Gardevoir and Aggron braced themselves, but the damage was minimal.

"Aggron, use Stone Edge—target Xatu!" Gary followed up.

"AGGRRROOOONNN!!"

Aggron stomped the ground. Jagged stone pillars erupted beneath Xatu and shot upward.

"Claydol, block it with Extrasensory!" Tate responded.

Claydol's eyes glowed as it unleashed a wave of psychic energy, intercepting the stone spikes just in time.

"Now, Thunderbolt!" Gary called.

Gardevoir fired a crackling bolt of lightning, catching Xatu off guard and zapping it mid-air.

"Xaaaa-TUUUUU!!"

Electric sparks danced across Xatu's body as it screeched in pain.

"Keep going—Rock Slide!"

Aggron gathered and hurled boulders toward both opponents.

Claydol couldn't hover—Gravity had grounded it. It had no legs to run or dodge.

"Claydol, Ancient Power, now!" Tate shouted.

"Xatu, use Psychic!" Liza ordered.

But Xatu, still reeling from Thunderbolt and unable to recover quickly, didn't respond in time.

"ZAAAA!!!"

Boom!

The rocks slammed into Xatu with a thundering crash.