As they watched Gary left, Ash felt a pang of sadness. He turned to Goh and Oak.

" I.... have to go somewhere. Keep Pikachu safe, will ya?"

Before anyone could say anything, Ash had thrust Pikachu into Goh's arms and he ran, wiping his face.

And out of his jacket came a letter.

Goh picked it up and waved it. " Hey, Ash! You left something!"

But Ash was gone.

Goh furrowed his brow as he unfolded it. A bunch of words came staggering to him.

I can't believe you're the famous Pokemon Master. You're not any master! You put your Pokemon in danger and yet they still love you.

Goh said each word out loud.

Loud enough for Gary to hear.

" What?!" He ran back and snatched the letter and read it. 

" I.... I can't believe Ash never said anything!" Goh said as he rubbed his hair.

" Ash never says anything." Oak replied.

Gary handed Goh the letter. " Let me handle this. I know exactly where Ashy- Boy is."

Gary’s heart pounded as he sprinted through the woods, his mind racing. He clutched the letter tightly in his hand, the cruel words etched into his brain. How had Ash been carrying this pain for so long without saying a word? Gary didn’t care where Ash was hiding; he was going to find him and make sure he knew the truth.

It didn’t take long for Gary to reach the clearing near the old tree by the riverbank, a familiar place where Ash often retreated when things became too much. As he approached, Gary could hear faint sobs, and his chest tightened at the sound. There, huddled beneath the tree, was Ash. His shoulders shook violently as he tried, and failed, to hold back his sobs. Every few seconds, another sharp sob tore through him, his face buried in his hands.

“Ash,” Gary whispered, kneeling beside him. He gently placed a hand on Ash’s shoulder, feeling the tremors of his friend’s anguish.

Ash flinched at the touch, but when he realized it was Gary, he didn’t pull away. Instead, he turned and buried his face into Gary’s chest, his sobs growing louder, more desperate. “G-Gary,” Ash choked out between sobs. “I—I can’t—”

“Shhh, Ashy-boy,” Gary murmured, wrapping his arms around him in a tight embrace. “It’s okay. I’m here.” He could feel Ash’s tears soaking through his shirt, but he didn’t care. All that mattered was letting Ash know he wasn’t alone.

Ash clung to Gary as though he were a lifeline, his body trembling with each sob that escaped him. “I... I don’t understand,” Ash whispered through his broken voice. “Why do people hate me? Why am I never good enough?”

Gary’s heart broke hearing the raw pain in Ash’s voice. He tightened his hold, his voice soft but firm. “Ash, that letter—it’s just garbage. None of it is true, you hear me? You’ve done more than most trainers could ever dream of. You’re not just good enough; you’re amazing. And anyone who says otherwise doesn’t know you.”

Ash didn’t respond right away, his sobs continuing to rack his body. But after a few moments, he lifted his tear-streaked face to look at Gary. His eyes, red and swollen, were filled with confusion and hurt. “G-Gary,” Ash stammered, his voice shaking. “Can I... c-can I ask you something?”

Gary brushed a few stray tears from Ash’s face, giving him a reassuring nod. “Of course, Ash. You can ask me anything.”

Ash hesitated, his lips quivering as he tried to form the words. “Why’d you b-become my friend?” His voice cracked, and he squeezed his eyes shut as if bracing himself for the answer. “I’m just... I’m just me. I don’t know why anyone would want to stick by me.”

Gary’s breath caught in his throat. He could feel the depth of Ash’s insecurities, the weight of years of silent struggle. He placed his hands on Ash’s shoulders, his gaze steady and filled with warmth. “Ash,” he began, his voice gentle but unwavering, “I became your friend because you’re you. You’ve got this heart, buddy—this unbreakable spirit that never gives up, even when things get tough. You inspire people. You inspire me.”

Ash’s lip quivered again, more tears slipping down his cheeks. “But I mess up... so much,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

“And so does everyone else,” Gary replied, squeezing Ash’s shoulder. “But you keep going. You never let it stop you. That’s why I wanted to be your friend. You’re not just some Pokémon Master—you’re Ash Ketchum. You’re the kid who believed in his Pokémon, who never gave up on them, even when the odds were stacked against him. That’s who you are, Ash.”

Ash looked up at Gary, his expression one of disbelief, as if he was struggling to believe the words being said to him. “I don’t know what to say,” he admitted, his voice trembling.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Gary said softly. “Just know that I’m not going anywhere. Neither are Goh, Pikachu, or Grandpa. We’re all here for you, no matter what.”

Ash finally managed to catch his breath, though tears still streamed down his face. He leaned back into Gary’s embrace, letting out a deep, shaky sigh. “Thanks, Gary,” he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out,” Gary replied with a smile, resting his chin on top of Ash’s head. “Because I’m not letting you face any of this alone. Ever.”

Gary sprinted through the forest, the sound of leaves crunching beneath his feet as he navigated the familiar path toward where he knew Ash would be. His heart pounded, both from the physical exertion and the overwhelming concern he felt for his best friend. The cruel words in the letter echoed in his mind. He couldn’t believe Ash had been carrying that weight in silence.

After what felt like hours, Gary finally reached a secluded clearing near a small lake, a place Ash often went to when he needed to be alone. His breath caught in his throat when he spotted Ash, huddled on the ground, trembling. Ash was hugging his knees tightly to his chest, his face hidden as he tried — and failed — to stifle his sobs. Every few seconds, another sharp, broken sob escaped him, making his small frame shudder.

Gary’s chest tightened at the sight of his friend so utterly broken. He cautiously approached Ash, his heart aching with every sound of distress that came from him.

“Ash…” Gary whispered, his voice soft but full of concern.

Ash flinched at the sound, his head lifting slightly as he tried to wipe at his tear-streaked face. “G-Go away, Gary,” Ash managed to say, though the words were flimsy and unconvincing, barely a whisper as another sob caught in his throat.

Gary knelt down beside him without hesitation. “No way. Not a chance, Ashy-boy,” he said gently, before wrapping his arms around Ash in a comforting hug. He didn’t care if Ash resisted or pushed him away—his friend needed him, and he wasn’t going anywhere.

For a moment, Ash stiffened in Gary’s embrace, but then the dam burst completely. He collapsed against Gary’s chest, gripping his shirt as the floodgates of his emotions opened wide. Sobs wracked his body, and all he could do was cry, each one sharper than the last.

Gary held him tighter, rubbing his back soothingly. “It’s okay, Ash. Just let it out,” he whispered, his own voice tight with emotion. “I’m right here.”

Ash sobbed uncontrollably, unable to stop, his breath hitching as he tried to speak between the tears. “G... Gary... c-can I... ask y-you a q-question?” Ash choked out, his words barely audible through his crying.

Gary pulled back slightly, enough to look at Ash’s tear-streaked face, but still kept him close. “Of course, Ash,” he replied softly. “Anything.”

Ash sniffed, trying to wipe his tears away with the back of his hand, but they just kept coming. His voice wavered as he asked, “W-why’d you... become my f-friend?”

Gary blinked in surprise, his heart breaking a little more at the question. He could see how deeply Ash was hurting, how much doubt and pain were clouding his mind. With a gentle hand, he wiped a stray tear from Ash’s cheek and gave him a small, sad smile.

“Because, Ash,” Gary began, his voice tender, “you’ve always been someone I’ve looked up to—even when we were rivals, even when we were kids.” He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. “You’ve got this heart, buddy. This huge heart that never gives up on people or Pokémon. You always push yourself, not for fame or glory, but because you care. That’s why I became your friend. Because you inspire me.”

Ash’s lip trembled, and fresh tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn’t seem to find the words to respond. Instead, he leaned into Gary’s shoulder, holding on tighter, as if the answer alone gave him a small bit of comfort he hadn’t realized he needed.

“And you don’t need to prove anything to anyone,” Gary continued, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “Not to me, not to anyone else. You’re already enough, Ash. You always have been.”

Ash clung to him as if he were afraid to let go, sobbing into Gary’s shirt, his words coming out in broken fragments. “I-I thought… I thought I wasn’t good enough…”

Gary shook his head, his heart heavy. “You’re more than enough, Ashy-boy. You’re one of the best people I know.” He tightened his grip around Ash, hoping that his words would reach his friend’s heart. “And I’m not going anywhere. No matter what anyone says.”

Gary sprinted through the forest, his feet pounding against the dirt as he navigated through the familiar terrain. He had been here countless times before, but this time felt different. His heart raced with worry for Ash, knowing just how deep his friend’s pain ran. That letter had cut through Gary like a blade—if Ash had been carrying that weight for so long without saying anything, who knew how much more was buried inside him?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Gary spotted a figure hunched near a large oak tree by the riverbank. Ash was sitting there, knees drawn up to his chest, his hands trembling as he wiped away tears that wouldn’t stop. His sobs came sharp and jagged, breaking through the quiet sounds of the forest. It was as if every breath Ash took was a struggle, and the sight broke Gary’s heart all over again.

“Ash!” Gary called out, slowing his pace as he approached.

Ash tried to lift his head but barely managed to look at him. His face was streaked with tears, eyes red and puffy. He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was a weak, “G-Go away…”

The words were shaky, flimsy, as if even Ash didn’t believe them.

Gary knelt down next to him, his brows furrowed with concern. “Nope, not leaving you, Ashy-boy,” he said softly. “Not after this.” He held up the crumpled letter, waving it in front of Ash.

Ash’s eyes widened for a brief second before he looked away, his breath hitching in his throat. “I-It’s nothing…” he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper.

Gary frowned and shook his head. “No, I don’t think it’s nothing. Ash, I need you to tell me the truth. What’s really going on? Why didn’t you say anything?”

Ash tried to stifle another sob, but it broke free despite his efforts. His whole body shook with the force of his emotions, and his words were barely coherent. “I-I d-didn’t want t-to bother you... o-or anyone… Y-you’re all s-so much better... a-and I’m just—"

Gary couldn’t take it anymore. He didn’t wait for Ash to finish before wrapping him in a tight hug. “Ash, stop,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re not a burden, okay? You’re my friend, and I want to be here for you. Don’t you get that?”

Ash clung to him, his sobs turning into uncontrollable, gut-wrenching cries as he buried his face into Gary’s shoulder. “I-I… I don’t know w-what to do anymore, Gary,” Ash whimpered between sharp sobs. “I t-try so hard, but it’s n-never enough. W-Why… w-why would an-ny-o-o-one  e-even b-be friends w-with someone like me?”

Gary squeezed him tighter, feeling Ash’s pain as if it were his own. He let Ash cry into his shoulder, his hand rubbing slow, comforting circles on his back. After a long moment, Ash’s sobs began to quiet down, though they still shook him every few seconds.

Ash hesitated, his voice shaky. “G-Gary… can I... ask you something?”

“Of course, Ash,” Gary said gently, still holding him close. “Anything.”

Ash sniffled and pulled back just enough to look up at him, though his gaze was still filled with tears. “W-Why’d you become m-my friend? Why… why did you s-stick around?”

Gary smiled softly, wiping away the remaining tears from Ash’s face with the sleeve of his jacket. “You really don’t know, do you?” he asked, shaking his head in disbelief. “Ash, I became your friend because you’re one of the most amazing people I know. Not just because of what you’ve done as a trainer, but because of who you are. You never give up, even when things get tough. You’re loyal to your Pokémon, to your friends—you always care.”

Ash sniffed again, his voice barely a whisper. “But… I mess up so much…”

“We all mess up, Ash,” Gary said, his voice soft but firm. “That doesn’t make you any less of a person or a trainer. You’ve done things I could never do. You’ve faced challenges head-on, no matter what anyone says. And I’m proud of you for that.”

Ash’s lip quivered, and he looked down, clearly still struggling with the weight of his emotions. “I… I just don’t know if I’m good enough anymore.”

Gary pulled him back into another hug, this one even tighter than before. “You are good enough, Ash. You always have been, and you always will be. I’m your friend because I believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself.”

Ash hugged him back, his grip tightening as if he was holding on for dear life. “T-Thank you…” he whispered, his voice breaking with a mix of relief and lingering sadness.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Gary murmured into Ash’s hair. “I’m just glad I found you before you ran yourself into the ground. Now, we’re going to figure this out together, okay? You’re not alone.”

Gary sprinted through the woods, his heart racing with worry. He knew exactly where Ash would be—there was only one place he would go when he was feeling this low. As he approached the clearing by the river, his suspicions were confirmed. Ash was huddled on the ground, his knees drawn up to his chest, and his face buried in his arms. Every few seconds, a sharp, ragged sob escaped him.

Gary slowed his steps, his heart sinking as he saw his friend in such a state. He took a deep breath and approached cautiously, not wanting to startle Ash. "Ash?" Gary called out softly.

Ash didn’t look up. His voice was barely a whisper, trembling with emotion. "Go away..." But it came out flimsy, as though he didn’t have the strength to say it.

Ignoring the weak protest, Gary knelt down next to him, pulling out the crumpled letter he had just read. "Ash, what is this?" he asked, waving the letter in front of him.

Ash lifted his head slightly, his eyes red and swollen from crying. "It’s... it’s nothing," he mumbled, his voice shaky and unconvincing.

Gary frowned, his voice firm but gentle. "No, I think it’s something. Ash, I need you to tell me the truth—everything." He placed a hand on Ash’s shoulder, his grip warm and reassuring. Then, without another word, he knelt down fully and wrapped his arms around Ash, pulling him into a tight hug.

Ash didn’t resist. In fact, he melted into Gary’s embrace, his body shaking with uncontrollable sobs. He clung to Gary like a lifeline, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. "G... Gary..." Ash choked out between sobs. "Can I... can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Ashy-boy," Gary whispered, his voice filled with concern.

Ash sniffled, his voice barely audible. "Why... why’d you become my friend? I’m... I’m not even that good of a trainer... Why would you want to be friends with me?"

Gary’s heart clenched at the raw vulnerability in Ash’s voice. He hugged Ash tighter, resting his chin on Ash’s head. "Ash, you’re one of the best trainers I’ve ever met. But more than that, you’re one of the best people I know. You never give up, no matter how hard things get. You care about your Pokémon, your friends, everyone around you. That’s why I became your friend—because you’re *you.* You’ve got a heart of gold, and that’s worth more than any badge or title."

Ash’s sobs grew softer, though he still trembled in Gary’s arms. "But... that letter... they think I’m a fraud..." he whispered, his voice filled with pain.

Gary shook his head, pulling back just enough to look Ash in the eye. "Who cares what they think? They don’t know you like we do. They don’t know how hard you’ve worked, how much you’ve sacrificed. You’ve earned every bit of your success, Ash, and no one can take that away from you."

Just then, Professor Oak emerged from the trees, his brow furrowed with concern. "What’s going on here?" he asked, his voice gentle but worried.

Gary glanced up at his grandfather and sighed. "Well, remember that letter that slipped out of Ash’s pocket? Turns out there were loads more." He gestured to the letter in his hand.

Oak’s face darkened with understanding as he knelt beside the boys. "Ash, I’m so sorry you’ve been carrying this burden alone," Oak said softly. "You’ve accomplished incredible things, but you’re still human. It’s okay to feel hurt, but you don’t have to face it by yourself."

Ash wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to steady his breathing. "I just... didn’t want anyone to know... I thought maybe if I worked harder, I could prove them wrong..."

"You don’t have to prove anything to anyone," Gary said firmly, placing a hand on Ash’s shoulder. "You’ve already proved what kind of trainer and person you are, countless times. And we’re here for you—always."

Ash looked up at his two friends, his eyes still red but filled with gratitude. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice trembling but sincere. "I... I don’t know what I’d do without you guys."

Gary smiled, ruffling Ash’s hair affectionately. "You’ll never have to find out, Ashy-boy. We’re not going anywhere."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Ash allowed himself to believe it. He wasn’t alone. Not now, and not ever.

( Insert image here)