" Ash, take a deeeeeeeeeeep breath." Gary advised as he presses the stethoscope to Ash's chest.

Ash sighed. " Gary, remind me why we have to do this before we go up a mountain?"

Gary looked up. " Because we have to. Now, take a deep breath."

" I did!"

" No you didn't. You've still got a case of the heebie-jeebies."

Ash groaned but complied, taking a slow, deep breath. "There. Happy?"

Gary listened carefully through the stethoscope, nodding slightly. "Better, but you’re still wound up."

Ash crossed his arms, fidgeting. "Of course, I’m wound up! We’re about to hike up a mountain with wild Pokémon everywhere. Not exactly a stroll in the park."

Gary smirked. "That’s exactly why we need to make sure you're okay first. If you can’t breathe properly now, how are you going to handle it when we're climbing?"

Ash rolled his eyes. "I’ll be fine, Gary. I’ve climbed tougher things."

"Maybe, but I’m not risking it." Gary pulled the stethoscope away and packed it into his bag. "We’ve still got a long way to go, and I don’t want you passing out halfway up because you didn’t take care of yourself."

Ash gave a playful salute. "Yes, sir."

Gary stood up and pointed at him. "Keep that attitude, and you’ll be carrying my bag, too."

Ash laughed. "You’d make a great nurse, Gary."

Gary shot him a look. "Ha ha. Just take care of yourself, alright?"

Ash smiled, then adjusted his backpack. "I got this. Let’s go before it gets too late."

Gary nodded. "Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you if you start wheezing halfway up."

Ash turned to Tracey. " How is it you're not wheezing? We're up so high!*

Gary nodded as he kept an eye on Misty. " Yeah, Tracy. " How?*

Tracey shrugged. " I dunno. Guess I'm just used to it.*

Then he squinted. " Look! There's a rare pokemon!" He took off running, and Ash walked behind. " Wait up!" He called

As Tracey dashed off after the rare Pokémon, Ash groaned, picking up his pace. "Does he always run that fast? We're already up a mountain!"

Gary chuckled, keeping a steady pace behind Ash. "You know Tracey. The second he spots a rare Pokémon, he’s gone."

Misty, who had been quietly observing, nodded. "He really should pace himself. There’s no telling what kind of terrain we’ll hit ahead."

Ash sighed. "I don't get it. How's he not feeling the altitude at all?"

Gary grinned. "Maybe Tracey's got a secret training routine we don’t know about. Either way, we should keep moving before we lose him."

As the group continued, Gary added, "By the way, Ash, if you're curious about how altitude affects physical performance, there are some great research papers on altitude sickness and athletic training at high altitudes. It might help you understand why you're struggling more than Tracey."

Ash rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the info, Professor Gary."

Gary laughed. "Hey, knowledge is power!"

Ash hurried after Tracey, his steps slightly uneven on the rocky terrain. "Wait up! You always take off like that!"

Gary chuckled as he jogged beside Ash. " You two are impossible."

Up ahead, Tracey was already crouched behind a bush, sketchpad in hand. "It's a Dratini!" he whispered excitedly, eyes wide as he observed the rare Pokémon swimming in a nearby stream.

Ash's eyes lit up when he spotted it. "Whoa, a Dratini! That’s awesome!" He quickly reached for a Pokéball, but Gary stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Hold up, Ash. Let Tracey do his thing first."

Ash sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Fine, but don’t be surprised if I challenge it after he’s done." He grinned, already imagining the battle.

Gary rolled his eyes, smiling. "Of course you will."