"To protect the world from devastation."

To unite all peoples within our nation."

" To denounce the evils of truth and love."

" To extended out reach to the stars above."

" Jessie."

James."

" Team Rocket, blasting off at the speed of light."

" Surrender now or prepare to fight."

" Meowth! That's right!"

Pikachu stepped forward, but Ash picked him up.

" Pikachu, no. You're not gonna battle."

" Pika pi?"

" They want you, Pikachu. They want to take you and the other Pokemon away! I need you to go with Misty and Brock, got it?"

" Pika pi!" Pikachu said stubbornly.

" Go with them or get into your Poke ball. Your call."

Pikachu growled, but he went to Misty.

" I'm sorry, Pikachu. I just want to keep you safe." Ash said as he walked to scratch Pikachu.

" Pika- tchu!" Pikachu nuzzled his arm.

Ash turned to Brock and Oak. " You two round all the Pokemon up, take them inside the Observatory, and keep them safe."

Misty, Oak and Brock nodded, while Gary stood there. " What about me?"

Ash took a Poke ball out of his belt. " Charmander, I choose you!"

The orange lizard came out. " Charmander!"

Ash picked his Pokemon up and handed him to Gary. " Listen. Don't let Charmander see Team Rocket. He hates them."

" Then what should I do?" Gary asked as he took Charmander.

" Run in and wrap it in a blanket. Give it hot chocolate with loads of marshmallows.  If you have any ice cream, feed it to him with a spoon. And make sure he doesn't see the battle. Got it?"

Gary nodded. " What about you?"

" I've got Squirtle and Bulbasaur. I'll manage." He turned to Team Rocket. " Go!"

Gary nodded and ran in. " Stay safe, Ashy-boy." He muttered.

Ash smiled faintly. Then his face hardened, and he took out two Poke balls. " Bulbasaur, Squirtle, I choose you!"

The two came out.

" Bulba, saur!"

" Squirtle Squirtle."

Ash nodded. " We've got a battle. Squirtle, water gun! Bulbasaur, vine whip!"

" Wheezing , cutie, sludge attack!"

" Arbok, poison sting!" Jessie yelled.

But instead of directing it to the Pokemon, they went to Ash.

" AHHHHH!" Ash yelled as the thorns hit him and sludge blinded him. " WHERE IS EVERYONE?!"

" saur!" Bulbasaur stood protectively in front of Ash. Squirtle followed.

" Squirtle, water gun, again! Bulbasaur, razor leaf!"

The two nodded and executed the move, restraining the two pokemon on the other team.

" Yes!" Ash pumped his fist in the air.

Suddenly, Ash saw Beedrill zoom in.... AND HEAD DIRECTLY TO HIS POKEMON!

" NO!" he yelled, and dived to shield them.

" Come on, Charmander. Eat!" Gary was he held a spoon in front of the stubborn lizard's mouth. " Eat!"

" Char." Charmander looked away.

Gary groaned. " Look, would you please, please, please, PLEASE eat?!"

Charmander ignored.

Gary sighed. " Fine."

He put the spoon away and walked to the kitchen, returning with a warm mug of hot chocolate.

" Drink it. But it's hot."

Charmander slurped it all up. " Char!"

He then proceeded to scoot next to Gary and lean into his lap.

" Woah, woah, woah, what are you doing?!" Gary exclaimed.

" Char." The Pokemon replied, already half asleep.

Gary sputtered. " You cant just-"

But it was too late. The Charmander was already asleep.

Misty came into the room carrying Pikachu. " How is he?"

Gary sighed. " Sleeping."

" Ah." Misty sat across from Gary. " Can I ask you something?"

" Go ahead."

" Were you and Ash friends at one time?"

Gary looked confused. " What makes you think we aren't right now?"

" I dunno.... It's just... Last time I said your name to him he fell into depression. For five minutes."

Gary's eyebrows furrowed for a second. " That's just Ash being Ash. Dramatic as always."

Suddenly Oak yelled, " GARY! I NEED YOUR HELP!"

He stood up. " Would you look after Charmander for me? I have to go help my grandpa."

misty nodded, and Gary ran out the door and into another room.

Ash stumbled into the house, clutching his eye. " Ow...."

Then he looked at his snug Poke balls.

" I did what I had to do." He muttered.

He stumbled to the bathroom and closed it. Then he opened a cabinet.

" Okay.... Which one has medication again...?" Ash muttered as he went through Each cabinet, making quite a ruckus.

" Aha!" Ash stood up as he held the ointment proudly.

Then he heard a gasp. He turned to the door.

It was open.

He had forgotten to lock it!

And standing there, in the doorway, was Gary

Except he looked more concerned than cocky, his smirk  replaced by a concerned frown.

" Uh.... Hi, Gary." Ash said sheepishly.

Gary marched up to his room, holding Ash's hand firmly in his. He turned the knob, and pushed Ash in before locking the door.

" Sit." He said firmly as he pointed to his bed, which was neatly made.

" Uh.... Gary, it's fine." Ash said. " I can-"

" Ash Ketchum, sit on that bed right now."

Ash sighed in defeat and walked to Gary's bed and sat down. Gary walked to his drawer and pulled out his medicine kit.

" Let me guess." He said while he took the stuff out. " You saved your Pokemon?"

" How'd you guess?"

" Just call it a lucky one."

Ash sighed. " It's not a big deal, Gary."

" Not a big deal?" Gary asked sharply. " You're injured, Ashy. Injured."

Ash winced. " Since when did you care so much about me?" He muttered.

Gary paused and turned. " I always have, Ashy Boy."

Ash looked up at Gary, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. The nickname "Ashy Boy" felt different now—not teasing, but softer, almost nostalgic. He shifted uncomfortably on the bed, unsure of what to say.

Gary continued cleaning Ash's wound, his movements gentle but focused. "You’ve always been reckless," Gary muttered, not meeting Ash’s eyes. "Charging into danger, throwing yourself in front of your Pokémon without thinking about the consequences."

Ash let out a small laugh. "That's what a trainer does, right? We protect our Pokémon."

Gary shook his head, tightening the bandage around Ash’s arm. "Yeah, but who’s gonna protect you, Ash?"

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Gary’s words hanging in the air. Ash bit his lip, glancing at the door, as if wanting to escape the tension, but he stayed. Something in Gary’s tone made him feel like this conversation had been a long time coming.

"Gary…" Ash began, not sure how to continue. "You’ve always been so—"

"Competitive? Annoying?" Gary cut in, a wry smile on his face now. "I know. But I always pushed you because I knew you had it in you to be great. Not just as a trainer, but as a person."

Ash blinked. Gary’s words were hitting harder than any battle he’d been through. He'd always seen Gary as a rival, someone to beat. But now, it was clear that beneath all the bravado, there was something deeper.

"Thanks," Ash said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "For everything."

Gary smirked, his usual cockiness returning for a brief moment. "Don’t go getting all mushy on me now, Ketchum."

Ash chuckled, but the moment was short-lived as a loud crash echoed from outside. Both boys immediately stood up, their instincts kicking in.

"Team Rocket’s still out there," Ash muttered, eyes narrowing.

Gary grabbed Ash's wrist before he could bolt out of the room. "You're not going back out there like this."

"I have to!" Ash snapped. "They’re after Pikachu and the others!"

"You're not invincible, Ash. Let me help this time." Gary’s voice was firm, and for the first time, Ash saw not a rival, but an equal. Someone who was ready to fight by his side, not against him.

Ash hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Let’s show Team Rocket what we can do—together."