“And Harrison is the winner of this round! Ash is disqualified!”

The announcer’s voice echoed through the arena, but for Ash, it felt like the ground had fallen out from beneath him. He bowed his head, feeling the weight of disappointment crushing his spirit. Before he could even think, he instinctively grabbed his hat, swerved, and dashed out of the exit, leaving a stunned crowd behind.

Gasps filled the air, and Gary was the first to shake off the shock. “Ash!” he yelled, bursting into action as he sprinted after his friend. “Ash! Where are you?”

Panic bubbled in his chest as he scanned the area, desperate to find Ash before he disappeared entirely. “Come on, Ash! Don’t do this!” he called, his voice strained with worry.

As he ran through the trees, he suddenly caught a whispering sound that sent a chill down his spine. “So much for making Gary proud," the trees murmured, their leaves rustling in a mocking tone. “More like lose."

“Ash?” Gary called again, his heart racing. He needed to find him.

There was a flicker of movement just ahead, and Gary's pulse quickened. “Ash, I know you’re there! Please come out!"

Silence enveloped the forest, and for a moment, he thought he might have lost him completely. “I get it! You’re upset! But you’re not alone in this! I’m here, buddy!” Gary shouted, trying to pierce through the weight of Ash's despair.

After what felt like an eternity, Ash emerged from behind a thick tree, his expression shadowed with hurt. His eyes, usually filled with determination, were dull, and his shoulders slumped.

“Why did you follow me?” Ash asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Because you’re my best friend,” Gary replied, his tone earnest. “And I’m not going to let you run away from this. You’re stronger than this moment, Ash!”

Ash sighed, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Stronger? I just lost, Gary! I failed!” His fists clenched at his sides, shaking with pent-up emotion. “How can I ever be a Pokémon Master if I can’t even win a single round?”

“Everyone loses sometimes, Ash,” Gary said, stepping closer. “What matters is how you bounce back from it. You’ve faced challenges before. This is just one round, one moment. It doesn’t define you."

Ash turned away, staring into the dense foliage as if it held all the answers. “I don’t know if I can bounce back this time. Maybe I should just quit.”

“Don’t you dare say that!” Gary’s voice was firm, cutting through the haze of doubt surrounding Ash. “Quitting is never an option for you. Remember why you started this journey? To become a Pokémon Master, to prove to everyone—and to yourself—that you can do it!”

Ash clenched his jaw, the anger and hurt swirling inside him. “But what if I never get there? What if I just keep failing?"

“Then we’ll face it together,” Gary said, his eyes steady. “You’re not in this alone. We’ve trained together, fought together, and we’re going to get through this together. You know I believe in you, right?”

Silence hung between them as Ash took a shaky breath. Gary’s words echoed in his mind, fighting against the dark thoughts clouding his heart.

“You’re right. I can’t let this defeat define me,” Ash finally said, though doubt still lingered in his voice. “I just… I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”

“You’re not disappointing anyone,” Gary reassured him. “In fact, I’m proud of you for getting back up after every fall. That’s what makes you a true trainer.”

Ash’s shoulders relaxed slightly as he looked at Gary, the flicker of hope returning to his eyes. “You really think I can bounce back?”

“I know you can, ” Gary replied, grinning. “Now, let’s head back. I can’t let you leave the arena without a proper send-off. Plus, Misty and Brock are probably worried sick. They’ll want to hear you talk about your next challenge!"

After a moment’s hesitation, Ash nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”

As they turned to head back, Gary felt a sense of relief wash over him. The road to recovery was always a difficult one, but he was glad to see Ash willing to take the first step.

“And Ash?” Gary called, glancing back.

“Yeah?” Ash replied, his voice steadying.

“No matter what happens, you’ll always be a Pokémon Master in my eyes.”

“And Harrison is the winner of this round! Ash is disqualified!”

The announcement echoed through the arena, but the sound was drowned out by the heavy silence that followed. Gary pushed off the wall, glancing at Ash, who bowed his head, his expression unreadable. Just before Gary could approach, Ash pulled his hat down low, swerved, and bolted toward the exit.

Gasps erupted from the crowd, but Gary was the first to shake off the shock. “Ash!” he yelled, his heart racing as he sprinted after his friend. “Ash!”

As he raced through the arena, panic began to set in. “Where are you? Come on, Ash, where are you?” His voice echoed against the trees surrounding the arena.

Suddenly, he heard muttering among the rustling leaves. “So much for making Gary proud,” the trees seemed to whisper. “More like lose.”

“Ash?” Gary called out, his voice steady despite the worry gnawing at him. He scanned the area, trying to pinpoint where his friend might be hiding. “Ash, I know you’re there! Please come out!”

After a tense moment, Gary heard a shuffling noise, and he stepped closer to a cluster of bushes. “I can hear you, Ash! Just show yourself!”

Finally, Ash emerged from behind a large oak, his face streaked with the remnants of unshed tears. His expression was a mix of anger and despair. “How’d you find me?” he asked, his voice trembling.

“Because we’re best friends,” Gary replied, his heart aching at the sight of Ash’s distress. He stepped forward, hoping to bridge the gap between them. “Why’d you run?”

“I let everyone down!” Ash shouted, throwing his arms out in frustration. “You, my mom, my Pokémon, Misty, Brock, Professor Oak. I failed!”

“No, you didn’t!” Gary insisted, shaking his head vehemently. “You didn’t fail anyone, Ash. That was just one round. It doesn’t define who you are or how far you’ve come!”

Ash clenched his fists, anguish written all over his face. “Yes, I did!” he cried, covering his face with his hands as if trying to shield himself from the weight of his emotions. “I let everyone down, and I can’t take it back!”

“Hey!” Gary exclaimed, stepping closer and grabbing Ash’s shoulders gently, forcing him to meet his gaze. “You’re not alone in this. I’ve been there too, remember? We’ve both had our fair share of losses. It’s part of being a trainer!”

“But this feels different!” Ash shouted, his voice breaking. “I thought I was ready, that I could finally make everyone proud, but instead, I just—”

“Listen to me, Ash,” Gary interrupted firmly. “You’ve accomplished so much, and you’re not defined by one disqualification. You’ve got your Pokémon, your friends, and your mom who love you no matter what. They see how hard you work. I see it. Don’t throw that away because of one match!”

Ash’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, the storm within him slowly beginning to calm. “But I wanted to win,” he said quietly, the fight draining from his voice.

“We all want to win, but winning isn’t everything,” Gary replied, his grip softening as he tried to reassure him. “It’s about the journey and the friends we make along the way. You’ve inspired so many people, Ash. Don’t forget that.”

Taking a deep breath, Ash pulled his hands away from his face, revealing the determination slowly returning to his eyes. “You really think I can bounce back from this?”

“Absolutely,” Gary said, a genuine smile breaking through. “Just give yourself some time. You’re stronger than you think, and I’ll be right here with you every step of the way.”

Ash finally nodded, a small spark of hope igniting within him. “Okay. I’ll try.”

“Good,” Gary said, relief flooding through him. “Now let’s head back before Misty and Brock send a search party for us!”

“And Harrison is the winner of this round! Ash is disqualified!” The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, but the words felt like a thunderclap to Ash. As he bowed his head, his features unreadable, he felt a mix of humiliation and defeat wash over him.

Before anyone could react, Ash abruptly grabbed his hat and, in a whirlwind of emotions, swerved and bolted out of the arena's exit. Gasps echoed behind him as the crowd absorbed the shock of his sudden departure.

Gary pushed off the wall, immediately snapping into action. “Ash!” he yelled, his voice cutting through the murmurs of confusion and disbelief. “Ash!”

His heart raced as he glanced around, panic settling in. “Oh, come on, Ash! Where are you?” he called out, desperation seeping into his tone. He sprinted away from the arena, adrenaline driving him forward.

Suddenly, he heard a murmur from the trees nearby. “So much for making Gary proud. More like lose,” the whispers taunted, mocking the very essence of Ash's struggle.

“Ash?” Gary called, his voice softer now, searching. “I know you’re there, so please come out!” He strained his ears, hoping for any sign of his friend.

After a tense moment, he finally caught a glimpse of Ash, crouched behind a cluster of bushes, face hidden in his hands. “How’d you find me?” Ash’s voice trembled, barely a whisper in the wind.

“Because we’re best friends,” Gary replied, approaching cautiously. “I’m always going to find you, no matter where you go.”

“I let everyone down!” Ash blurted out, his voice cracking as he fought to keep the tears at bay. “You, my mom, my Pokémon, Misty, Brock, Tracy, Professor Oak…” His words tumbled out in a frantic rush, heavy with self-recrimination.

“No, you didn’t!” Gary insisted, stepping closer. “You’re being too hard on yourself, Ash. Losing doesn’t define who you are!”

“Yes, it does!” Ash shouted, his frustration boiling over. He jumped up, covering his face with his hands as he turned to run again, the weight of his emotions propelling him forward.

“ASH!” Gary called out, quickly sprinting after him.

Just then, Professor Oak and Tracy caught up, breathless from their own sprint. “What happened?” Oak asked, concern etched on his face.

“Where’s Ash?” Tracy added, looking around frantically.

“He’s… he’s upset!” Gary panted, glancing back to see Ash disappearing further into the trees. “He thinks he let everyone down!”

Tracy frowned, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Well, we all expected that,” he said quietly, recognizing the emotional toll of the competition. “It’s tough for anyone to lose like that, especially Ash.”

“No, this is different!” Gary said, frustration flaring. “He needs us right now. If we don’t find him, he might really think he has no one!”

“Let’s split up,” Oak suggested, urgency creeping into his voice. “We’ll cover more ground that way.”

“No!” Gary shook his head. “I’ll go after him alone. I can reach him better without scaring him off.”

“But—” Tracy started, but Gary cut him off.

“Just trust me! I know Ash!” he insisted, darting deeper into the forest.

As Gary raced through the trees, he called out, “Ash! I’m not giving up on you! You’re stronger than this!”

He knew that deep down, Ash needed to hear that, needed to be reminded of the countless times he’d triumphed over adversity. He pushed himself faster, navigating the underbrush with a clear goal in mind.

After a few minutes of frantic searching, Gary finally spotted Ash sitting on a fallen log, head in his hands. His heart ached at the sight. “Ash, please,” he said, slowing to a jog as he approached. “Talk to me. You can’t keep running away from this.”

Ash looked up, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Why does it matter, Gary?” he choked out. “I failed! I couldn’t even win this battle. I’m just a joke!”

“NO!” Gary shouted, the word reverberating in the stillness of the forest. “You’re not a joke! You’re the bravest person I know! You’ve come so far, Ash. Just because you lost this round doesn’t erase everything you’ve accomplished!”

Ash shook his head, the weight of doubt heavy on his shoulders. “But what about everyone? They’re all counting on me. I let them down, and I don’t know how to face them now!”

“Facing them is the first step to moving on,” Gary replied gently. “And you don’t have to do it alone. I’m right here, and I’ll help you through this. Together, we can show them what it really means to be a Pokémon Trainer.”

Taking a deep breath, Ash looked into Gary’s eyes, searching for hope in the storm of his emotions. “Really? You think they’ll still want to be around me after this?”

“Of course! They love you for who you are, not just for winning battles,” Gary reassured him, stepping closer. “Let’s go back together. It’s what friends do.”

Ash hesitated, but slowly nodded, a flicker of determination igniting within him. “Okay, but I’m still scared.”

“That’s normal,” Gary replied, placing a supportive hand on Ash’s shoulder. “But I’ll be right next to you. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

“And Harrison is the winner of this round! Ash is disqualified!”

The announcer’s voice echoed through the arena, but it felt muffled to Gary as he pushed off the wall, glancing back at Ash. His friend stood there, head bowed, features unreadable. But before Gary could reach him, Ash suddenly grabbed his hat, swerved, and bolted toward the exit.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Gary's heart raced as he called after him, “Ash! Wait!” He sprinted out of the arena, panic surging through him. “Ash! Oh, come on, Ash, where are you?”

The forest loomed ahead, and suddenly, he heard faint muttering, almost like whispers among the trees. “So much for making Gary proud,” they seemed to say. “More like lose.”

“ASH?” Gary called, desperation lacing his voice. There was a rustle, a slight movement among the leaves, and he pressed forward, determined to find his friend. “Ash, I know you’re there, so please come out!”

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ash emerged from the shadows of the trees, his eyes wide with disbelief. “How’d you find me?” he asked, his voice trembling.

Gary stepped closer, relieved to see him. “Because we’re best friends, remember?” he said, trying to keep his tone light, but worry crept into his voice. “Why’d you run?”

Ash clenched his fists, shaking his head as if trying to block out the world around him. “I let everyone down!” His voice cracked with emotion. “You, my mom, my Pokémon, Misty, Brock, Tracey, Professor Oak… I—”

“No, you didn’t,” Gary interjected firmly, stepping closer to Ash. “You didn’t let anyone down. We all know how hard you’ve worked.”

“Yes, I did!” Ash shouted, his frustration boiling over. He turned, covering his face with his hands, and took off running again, deeper into the forest.

“ASH!” Gary yelled, chasing after him, heart pounding. “Please, just stop!”

As he pushed through the underbrush, he heard footsteps behind him. Brock and Tracey caught up, breathless and wide-eyed. “What happened?!” Tracey asked, scanning the area.

“Ash ran off!” Gary replied, glancing back at them. “He’s really upset about losing!”

When Tracey heard this, he shook his head. “Well, we all expected that,” he said, glancing at Gary. “He takes these things really hard.”

But Gary couldn’t afford to waste time discussing Ash’s feelings. “I need to find him,” he insisted, shaking off the concern for a moment.

“Wait!” Brock shouted as Gary dashed ahead, determination fueling his steps. “We’ll help!”

But Gary felt he needed to do this alone. He weaved through the trees, calling out Ash’s name, the forest echoing his desperate pleas. Finally, he stumbled upon a small clearing, where he found Ash sitting on a fallen log, his face buried in his hands.

“Ash…” Gary approached cautiously. “Please talk to me.”

Ash didn’t look up. Instead, he picked up small stones from the ground and began throwing them into the nearby stream, each splash seeming to mirror the frustration boiling inside him. “Brock,” *splash*, “Misty,” *splash*, “Tracey and Gary.” *two splashes*. “My mom and Professor.” *two more splashes*. “And a bunch for my Pokémon.”

Each name felt like a weight, and Ash’s anguish poured out with every stone he threw. Gary’s heart ached at the sight of his friend so lost and broken.

“Stop this, Ash!” Gary urged, stepping closer. “You’re not letting anyone down. We all know how much you care about your Pokémon. Losing one battle doesn’t define you.”

“I just wanted to make you proud!” Ash exclaimed, his voice thick with emotion. “I thought this time… I thought I could finally do it.”

Gary knelt beside him, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. “You make me proud every day, Ash. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about the journey we share and how we keep getting back up when things get tough.”

Ash looked up, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “But what if I can’t get back up this time?” he whispered, vulnerability creeping into his voice.

Gary shook his head, squeezing Ash’s shoulder gently. “You will. You always do. Just take a moment, breathe, and let it out. We’re in this together, no matter what.”

After a long pause, Ash finally nodded, his resolve starting to return. “Okay,” he said, his voice steadier. “I’m… I’m sorry for running off like that.”

“No need to apologize,” Gary said, relief flooding through him. “Just remember, I’m always here for you. We can face anything together.”

With a slow, deep breath, Ash got to his feet, brushing dirt off his clothes. “Thanks, Gary. I really needed that.”

“Let’s head back,” Gary suggested, smiling as he turned to lead the way. “And maybe we can talk to the others together? I’m sure they’re worried sick.”

“Yeah,” Ash replied, a hint of a smile breaking through his earlier despair. “I’d like that.”

As they walked back toward the arena, Gary felt the weight of worry lift from his shoulders. No matter what challenges awaited them, he knew they could face them together. That bond was unbreakable.