" You can't expect amateur Pokemon Trainers to have any control over their pokemon."

" WHAAAAAAT?!"

" Keep your cool, Ash."

Suddenly, they heard whistling.

Familiar whistling

Gary and Ash groaned.

" Here comes the walking nightmare." Gary sighed.

" You mean monster." Ash corrected

Wisty smirked as she walked up to them, hands in pocket. " How are the two best friends doing?"

Harrison and Jackson exchanged a look. "' friends'?" Jackson asked

Harrison shrugged helplessly.

Gary groaned. " We're not friends!"

Wisty sighed in mock sadness. " Oh, that's too bad. I was actually hoping you two could marry and have kids."

" KIDS?!" they shrieked.

Wisty nodded. " Yeah. I thought standing up for Ash or Ash waking Gary up and defeating the Pokemon that hurt him was enough for you two to see how much you love one another."

" WE DO NOT!"

Harrison looked confused. " What's going on?"

This time it was Jackson's turn to shrug helplessly.

Gary and Ash were practically vibrating with frustration, their faces turning red as they glared at Wisty. Her teasing was always relentless, but this time, it felt like she had really outdone herself.

“Kids? Wisty, have you completely lost it?!” Ash exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

Wisty’s smirk only widened. “Oh, come on. You’re telling me that with all those moments where you two rushed to each other’s side, saved each other’s skins, defended each other—there’s nothing more than friendship there? Please. You’re basically a married couple.”

Gary, who had been standing there seething, threw his hands in the air. “For the last time, Wisty! We are not married, and we are not best friends!”

Wisty looked up thoughtfully, ignoring his protests. “You know, you’d probably have cute kids, too. A mix of Ash’s wild enthusiasm and Gary’s... well, whatever it is he’s good at.”

“WISTY!” Ash and Gary shouted in unison, faces practically glowing from a mix of anger and embarrassment.

Jackson and Harrison, meanwhile, were thoroughly entertained. Harrison leaned over to Jackson. “I’m still trying to figure out what the deal is here. Are they friends, rivals, or...?”

Jackson shrugged, still grinning. “Honestly, I don’t think they even know at this point.”

Wisty let out an exaggerated sigh, placing a hand over her heart dramatically. “Ah, the denial is strong with this one. But fear not—love always finds a way.”

Ash rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the headache that was surely forming. “Wisty, I swear, if you don’t stop, I’m going to—”

Wisty cut him off, waving a finger at him. “Careful, big brother. You don’t want to say something you’ll regret. Besides, I’m just helping you two come to terms with your true feelings.”

Gary crossed his arms tightly and glared. “The only feeling I’m coming to terms with is rage.”

Wisty chuckled. “Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

Misty and Brock, standing off to the side, exchanged a glance. “I kind of feel bad for them, but... at the same time, this is pretty hilarious,” Misty admitted, trying to hide a smile.

Brock nodded, a grin spreading across his face. “Yeah, Wisty sure knows how to push their buttons.”

Gary and Ash both groaned in unison again, clearly reaching the end of their patience.

“Look, Wisty, for the last time,” Ash said, struggling to keep his voice steady, “we’re not in love, we’re not best friends, and we definitely don’t need you pushing any more ridiculous ideas about us!”

Wisty gave them a knowing smile. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, boys.”

Harrison finally shook his head, utterly baffled. “So, wait... are they rivals or what?”

Jackson grinned. “I think they’re both—rivals with some unresolved best-friend drama.”

“Yup. Sounds about right,” Harrison agreed with a chuckle.