Gary leaned against the sturdy tree, the rough bark digging into his back as he glanced up at the sky, his arms crossed tightly. He sighed deeply, glancing at the phone pressed to his ear. "Come on, pick up..." he muttered under his breath.

After a few moments of silence, the phone clicked, and a voice on the other end finally responded. "Hello? Gary?" Professor Oak's familiar voice asked, sounding curious.

"Yeah, it's me," Gary replied, relieved that his grandfather had finally answered. "Listen, Grandpa, I need you to contact Ash. He's way ahead of us, and we've been hiking for hours. We can't catch up with him!"

There was a pause on the other end of the line as Professor Oak processed the request. "Ash, huh? I can try, but... you know how he is with his sense of direction."

Gary could practically hear the smirk in Oak's voice, and he rolled his eyes. "Just call him, Grandpa. We need him to come back to us."

Professor Oak didn't waste any time. He picked up another phone and dialed Ash's number, waiting for the connection. After a few rings, the phone clicked, and Ash's voice came through loud and clear, full of energy and slightly out of breath.

"Hello?" Ash answered, sounding cheerful as always, clearly unaware of the chaos he had left behind.

"Hey, Ash, it's me, Professor Oak," came the elderly voice on the line. "Your friends want you to come back to them."

Ash paused for a second, and his voice turned more confused than usual. "Wait, what? You want me to... do the chicken dance?"

Brock and Misty, who had been standing silently off to the side, exchanged puzzled glances. Gary sighed and muttered, "No, Grandpa. He didn't say that."

But Professor Oak, ever the optimist, continued speaking without missing a beat. "No, no, Ash, I'm saying your friends want you to come back. They're waiting for you."

Ash, however, misunderstood once more. "Oh! You're telling me there are peas in the freezer?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement, apparently thinking Professor Oak had offered him some bizarre advice on food. "I love peas!"

Brock's eyes widened. "Did he just say peas in the freezer?" he asked, incredulous.

Misty slapped her forehead in frustration. "How does Ash hear that as 'peas'?" she groaned.

Gary, feeling the weight of the situation, took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Grandpa, he's not listening to you! Just... just tell him in plain words."

Professor Oak, chuckling at Ash's confusion, finally gave up on the indirect approach. "Ash, listen carefully. Your friends are waiting for you. They're all the way back at the third mountain, and they need you to come back now."

There was a long pause on Ash's end before he responded, his voice completely clueless. "Okay! Got it, Professor! Thanks for the... uh, the chicken dance tip. See you later!"

Gary could barely hold back a groan. "Forget it, Grandpa," he muttered under his breath, clicking the phone off and shoving it back into his pocket.

Brock and Misty exchanged looks again, but this time, they couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Misty shook her head, smiling despite herself. "I swear, Gary, Ash is the only one who could misunderstand an entire conversation like that."

Gary turned to look at them both, a faint grin on his face despite his irritation. "I guess we'll just have to keep going. No way he'll ever catch on unless we drag him back ourselves."

With that, the trio resumed their climb, determined to make it to Ash-though none of them were sure whether it was to rescue him or drag him back to sanity. As they trudged up the mountain again, the echoes of Ash's confused comments rang in their heads. The chicken dance... peas in the freezer... What was going on in that kid's head?

Misty sighed, still laughing lightly. "At least we know he's not going to be bored."

As Gary trudged up the mountain with Brock and Misty, trying his best not to lose his patience, his phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't Professor Oak calling-it was an unknown number, but the caller ID gave away the mystery.

"Great, what now?" Gary muttered to himself, still worn out from the long hike and the ongoing confusion about Ash's whereabouts.

He answered the call, trying to sound as cheerful as he could despite his frustration. "Hello?"

"Gary? Is that you?" came the warm, familiar voice of Mrs. Ketchum. Her voice was filled with concern and care.

Gary froze for a moment, surprised to hear from her. "Oh, uh, yeah, it's me, Mrs. Ketchum."

"Gary, dear, how are you doing?" Mrs. Ketchum asked kindly. "Are you eating well? Are you staying hydrated on this trip?"

Gary glanced at Brock, who shot him a sympathetic look, and sighed. "I'm fine, Mrs. Ketchum, I'm doing well. Just... you know, trying to keep up with Ash." He gave a tired grin, though his exhaustion was evident in his voice.

"Oh, that's good to hear. But make sure you're eating properly!" she added, clearly not noticing his tired tone. "You know, I always worry about you kids when you're out there on your adventures. Don't skip any meals, okay?"

Gary rolled his eyes slightly, knowing full well he was no longer a kid in Mrs. Ketchum's eyes, but it didn't seem to matter. She still treated him like one of her own. "Yeah, I'll make sure to eat. Thanks for checking in."

"Good," she replied. "And are you getting enough sleep? You know, staying up late and hiking all over these mountains can really take it out of you. Don't overdo it, Gary. You have to take care of yourself."

Gary chuckled, though it was tinged with exhaustion. "I'm doing okay, Mrs. Ketchum. Honestly, I'm just trying to catch up to Ash-he's practically on another mountain while we're stuck here."

There was a brief silence on the other end before Mrs. Ketchum responded, her tone changing to one of disbelief. "Oh, Ash... is he really that far ahead? I thought he was supposed to stay with you guys. That boy never listens to anything anyone says, does he?"

Gary laughed softly, glancing over at Brock and Misty again. "You've got that right. He's like a one-man army sometimes, always off doing his own thing. We're practically sprinting just to keep him in sight."

Misty, overhearing the conversation, couldn't help but jump in. "Yeah, and then he gets distracted by something shiny, and we're stuck doing the work."

Gary smirked at Misty's remark, then turned his attention back to Mrs. Ketchum. "But don't worry, we're all good. Just a little tired. I'll make sure to take care of myself."

Mrs. Ketchum, clearly not satisfied with just hearing the words, continued with her usual motherly persistence. "I'm serious, Gary. Don't push yourself too hard, okay? Make sure you're staying safe. I know Ash can be a handful, but you're all in this together."

Gary smiled, appreciating her concern even though he was getting a bit tired of the repeated questions. "Thanks, Mrs. Ketchum. I promise we're okay. We'll keep an eye on each other."

There was a brief pause before Mrs. Ketchum let out a small, contented sigh. "Alright, but if you need anything, don't hesitate to call. And tell Ash I said hi, okay?"

"I will," Gary replied. "We'll catch up with him eventually."

Before he could say anything else, Mrs. Ketchum's voice softened with a final piece of advice. "And Gary... try not to let Ash wear you out too much. Remember, you're the smart one in the group, so make sure you're taking it easy."

Gary chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease after her call. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks again, Mrs. Ketchum."

"Of course, dear. Take care of yourself now!" And with that, the call ended.

Gary lowered the phone, a slight grin on his face, though it was clear he had mixed feelings about the conversation. "You know, I don't think I've ever been asked about my eating habits that much in one call," he said, still smiling.

Brock, unable to hold back a laugh, shook his head. "That sounds like Mrs. Ketchum for you. Always the worried mom, no matter how old you get."

Misty nodded. "She's got that 'mother hen' thing going on, for sure."

Gary sighed, leaning against the tree again. "She means well. But right now, I just need to find Ash before I lose my mind."

Brock clapped him on the back. "We'll get there. But I think we might need to take a very long break before we start up again."

"Who doesn't?" Misty muttered, glancing up at the mountain ahead.

The three of them took a brief moment to rest, knowing they still had a long way to go before they could catch up with the ever-energetic Ash. Despite their exhaustion, though, there was a shared sense of camaraderie, each of them understanding just how strange their journey had become.

As they walked up the mountain, Gary's phone rang again. He took it out and sighed.

Mrs. Ketchum.

" Hello?" Gary asked.

" Gary, dear, do you need new boxers?"

Gary blinked. " No....?"

" You know how important hygiene is, right?"

" Uh huh?"

" I'll send you some of Ash's boxers, if you'd like."

" No thank you ma'am, I'd rather you not.'

" Oh yes they may be too small. Should I send you your grandpa's?"

" I'll.... Think about it."

" How about shirts? Do you need any new ones, my dear?"

Gary was blushing. " N.... No."

" Pants?"

" No."

" Toothpaste?"

Gary ran a hand down his face, trying to hide his embarrassment as Brock and Misty, walking beside him, exchanged amused glances. Misty raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying his discomfort.

"Mrs. Ketchum," Gary said carefully, his voice strained, "I appreciate the concern, but I've got all the supplies I need. Really."

"But Gary, you can never have too much toothpaste!" Mrs. Ketchum insisted. "What if you run out? Or what if you lose your toothbrush? Do you have a spare? Oh, maybe I should send you Ash's old toothbrush as a backup. It's still in decent shape-"

Gary's face turned crimson. "No! No, that's okay, Mrs. Ketchum! I've got a spare toothbrush, I promise!"

Brock tried to stifle a laugh but failed miserably. "Spare toothbrush, huh? Sounds like Mrs. Ketchum has you covered, Gary," he teased, earning a glare from Gary.

Misty smirked, whispering loudly enough for Gary to hear, "Maybe she should send him a whole dental kit-just in case."

"Not helping," Gary muttered through gritted teeth, clutching the phone tighter. "Mrs. Ketchum, I'm good on hygiene products, really. I swear."

Mrs. Ketchum was undeterred. "Well, alright, but what about snacks? Have you been eating well? I know boys your age can be so picky sometimes. Do you like peanut butter crackers? Or maybe I should bake you some cookies! Oh, and I can pack some fruit-bananas are great for energy, you know."

Gary felt like he was sinking into the ground from sheer embarrassment. "I... I'm eating fine. Brock's got the food covered," he managed to say, casting an exasperated look at the Pokemon breeder, who gave him an innocent shrug.

"But are you eating enough?" Mrs. Ketchum pressed. "Gary, dear, you need to keep your strength up! Hiking is hard work! I could pack you a whole care package if you'd like."

Gary sighed, resigning himself to the endless conversation. "I'm eating plenty, Mrs. Ketchum. I promise. We're all doing fine."

There was a pause on the other end before Mrs. Ketchum's voice softened. "I just worry about you kids out there, Gary. You're all like family to me, you know? I just want to make sure you're alright."

Gary blinked, his annoyance fading as he realized how much her concern came from a place of genuine care. He smiled faintly, though his cheeks were still pink. "Thanks, Mrs. Ketchum. That means a lot. Really. But I promise, we're good."

"Alright, dear. But if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me, okay? I'll be happy to send you whatever you need."

"I'll keep that in mind," Gary replied, relieved the conversation seemed to be wrapping up.

"Good. Now, one last thing-"

Gary winced. "Yes?"

"Do you have enough socks?"

Misty burst out laughing, and Brock doubled over, clutching his sides. Gary pinched the bridge of his nose, groaning. "Yes, Mrs. Ketchum. I have enough socks."

"Alright then, Gary. Take care, dear! And give Ash a good smack on the head for me when you see him, okay?"

"Will do, ma'am," Gary muttered, finally ending the call and stuffing his phone back into his pocket.

As the laughter from Brock and Misty subsided, Misty grinned at Gary. "So... need us to check your sock inventory?"

Gary glared at her, his face still bright red. "Not. A. Word."

Gary's phone buzzed again as the group continued their hike. He glanced at the screen, groaned, and reluctantly answered.

"Hello, Grandpa," Gary said warily.

"Gary, my boy," Professor Oak's cheerful voice came through. "I just got off the phone with Mrs. Ketchum, and she mentioned you might need some new underwear. Why didn't you just tell me, son? I could've gotten you something more your size."

Gary froze mid-step, his face heating up as Brock and Misty turned to look at him, clearly trying to suppress their curiosity.

"Wait, what?" Gary stammered.

"Now, now, don't be shy," Professor Oak continued. "I understand how these things can be embarrassing, but there's no need to worry. For now, you're welcome to use some of my boxers until we sort this out. They might be a bit big, but they'll do in a pinch."

Gary's jaw dropped, and he could feel Misty and Brock struggling to contain their laughter beside him. "Grandpa, I never said I needed underwear!" he hissed, mortified.

"Mrs. Ketchum said you told her you might need some," Oak replied, sounding genuinely confused. "I was just trying to help."

Gary clutched his forehead in frustration. "I didn't say that! She asked me about it out of nowhere, and I said I was fine!"

Misty snickered, finally losing her composure. "Boxers, huh? Sounds like Mrs. Ketchum started a chain reaction," she teased.

Brock grinned. "You know, Gary, maybe your grandpa's onto something. Oversized boxers could be a new trend."

Gary shot them both a glare before speaking into the phone again. "Grandpa, please don't send me your boxers. I don't need them. This is all just a misunderstanding."

Professor Oak chuckled. "Alright, alright, if you say so. But if you change your mind, you know where to reach me."

"Thanks, but I won't," Gary muttered, ending the call as quickly as possible. He turned to Brock and Misty, his face bright red.

"Not. Another. Word," he warned, but the two were already in fits of laughter.

Misty wiped a tear from her eye. "Gary, you're going to have the weirdest care package by the end of this trip."

Brock grinned. "Think of it this way-you'll never run out of embarrassing stories to tell Ash."

Gary groaned. "I hate all of you."

Gary's phone buzzed again as the group trudged up the steep mountain path. He glanced at the screen, dreading what fresh horror awaited him this time. Sure enough, it was Mrs. Ketchum calling. He sighed heavily, muttering, *"What now?"* before reluctantly answering.

"Hello, Mrs. Ketchum," he said, already bracing himself.

"Gary, dear, I was just thinking," Mrs. Ketchum began in her usual sweet tone, "do you need a portable toilet?"

Gary stopped dead in his tracks, nearly causing Brock to bump into him. "What?"

"You know, for convenience while you're hiking! It's important to have a clean and comfortable option in case of emergencies," she explained. "Ash used to struggle with finding proper facilities, so I always kept one handy for him."

Gary's face turned bright red as he tried to process what was happening. "Mrs. Ketchum, no, I don't need a portable toilet," he said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, don't be shy, dear. Everyone has needs! I could ship one to you overnight," she offered enthusiastically. "I'll even pack extra cleaning supplies!"

Misty, who had overheard everything, burst out laughing so hard she had to lean against a tree for support. Brock wasn't far behind, clutching his stomach as he tried to hold back tears of laughter.

"Mrs. Ketchum, please don't send me a portable toilet," Gary said, his voice strained with embarrassment.

"Are you sure?" she pressed. "It's no trouble at all! You can never be too prepared on these adventures."

"I'm sure," Gary emphasized. "I appreciate the thought, but I'm fine. Really."

"Alright, dear, if you insist," Mrs. Ketchum said, though she sounded unconvinced. "But if you change your mind, just let me know. Take care, Gary!"

"Thanks," Gary mumbled, quickly ending the call before she could offer anything else.

When he turned around, Misty was sitting on the ground, practically howling with laughter, while Brock wiped at his eyes, struggling to catch his breath.

"A portable toilet?" Misty wheezed. "Gary, you're officially the most prepared hiker I've ever met."

"Forget the toilet," Brock added, grinning. "I'm waiting for her to offer you a portable shower next."

Gary groaned, covering his face with one hand. "I don't know why I answer her calls anymore."

"Because deep down, you love the chaos," Misty teased, smirking.

Gary glared at her. "I hate you both. So much."

Just as Gary thought he was in the clear, his phone rang again. He took a deep breath and checked the caller ID. This time, it was Professor Oak. Oh, come on... he thought, his patience hanging by a thread.

With a sigh, he answered, "Hello, Grandpa."

"Gary, my boy!" Professor Oak's cheerful voice boomed through the speaker. "Now, listen. Mrs. Ketchum just mentioned you needed a portable toilet for your hike. Well, if that's the case, why didn't you just ask me to rent a limousine with all the amenities? It could have a portable toilet, a sink, maybe even a mini fridge!"

Gary's jaw dropped, and he could practically hear Misty and Brock snickering from behind him. "Grandpa, I- I don't need a portable toilet, and I definitely don't need a limo with a bathroom!" he said, trying to keep his voice down as his cheeks flushed bright red.

"Oh, nonsense, my boy! You should be comfortable out there in the wilderness," Professor Oak insisted, his voice filled with grandfatherly concern. "You know, when I was your age, I didn't have such luxuries available, but I would've loved a portable restroom option on my hikes!"

Misty burst out laughing again, barely able to stand upright. Brock leaned against her, clutching his stomach, both of them openly enjoying Gary's torment.

"Grandpa, I'm fine! No limo, no portable toilet-just... I'm fine, really," Gary said, running a hand over his face.

"Well, if you say so," Professor Oak replied, sounding a bit disappointed. "But remember, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call! I'll be waiting by the phone, ready to help."

"Thanks, Grandpa," Gary mumbled before quickly ending the call.

As he turned around, Misty raised her hands, grinning. "So, Gary, still 'fine,' or should we call for a limo?"

Brock chuckled, adding, "Yeah, maybe with a portable shower and mini-bar too?"

Gary shot them both a glare, shoving his phone back into his pocket. "I'm never answering my phone again."

Two hours later, just as Gary was finally relaxing a bit, his phone rang again. He glanced at the screen and groaned. Professor Oak.

He answered with a wary, "Hello?"

The voice on the other end was soft and grave. "Gary... I'm dying..."

Gary froze. His eyes went wide, and his voice shot up several octaves. "WHAT?! Grandpa, are you serious?! Are you okay? What's happening? Where are you?"

There was a brief silence, and then Oak's voice returned, calm as ever. "I'm dying, my boy... if I don't get to see you soon! It's been too long!"

Gary clutched his chest, exhaling a deep sigh of relief, his heartbeat still pounding in his ears. "Grandpa, you can't say things like that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Oh, come now, Gary," Professor Oak chuckled. "I just wanted to remind you how much I miss my favorite grandson!"

Gary let out a long sigh. "I miss you too, Grandpa, but please... next time, maybe try 'I miss you' instead of... that."

Misty, who'd overheard the whole thing, was covering her mouth, trying not to laugh. "You okay there, Gary?" she asked with a grin.

Gary gave her a look of mock exasperation. "No, Misty, I think I just aged about ten years."

"Don't worry, I'll send you a birthday card," Brock teased with a smirk.

Gary rolled his eyes, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Next time I visit Grandpa, I'm bringing him a set of cue cards."

Gary had barely put his phone away when it buzzed again. He stared at the screen in disbelief. "Mrs. Ketchum?" he muttered before reluctantly answering. "Hello?"

"Gary!" Mrs. Ketchum's voice sounded alarmed. "I cut my finger!"

Gary's heart immediately skipped a beat, his voice rising in panic. "WHAT?! Are you okay? How bad is it? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

There was a slight pause on the other end before she casually replied, "Oh, no, nothing like that. I was just cutting tomatoes, and I slipped a little."

Gary slumped against a nearby tree, exhaling sharply. "Cutting... tomatoes?"

"Yes! And don't worry; I didn't even ruin the salad! I cleaned up the blood right away." Her tone was as chipper as ever, like nothing had happened.

Gary rubbed his temples. "Mrs. Ketchum, you can't call people like that. You scared me half to death! I thought it was serious!"

"Oh, Gary, don't be so dramatic," she said cheerfully. "You're such a sweet boy for worrying about me, though. I'm fine! Anyway, how are you doing? Have you eaten? Do you need me to send anything?"

Gary groaned. "No, ma'am, I'm fine. Just... be careful with knives, please?"

"Of course, dear. I'll call if anything else happens!" she chirped.

As the call ended, Gary stared at his phone in disbelief. "She didn't even feel bad about it," he muttered.

Misty raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Let me guess-she's fine, but you're traumatized."

"Exactly," Gary grumbled, shoving his phone back into his pocket. "Next time, I'm screening my calls."

Brock laughed. "Good luck with that. She'll find a way."

Gary had just managed to get his breathing back to normal when his phone rang yet again. He groaned as he glanced at the screen-Professor Oak.

"What now...?" he muttered before answering. "Hello, Grandpa?"

"Oh, Gary, thank goodness you picked up," Professor Oak said in a slightly frazzled tone. "I burned my hand with the iron!"

Gary's eyes went wide. "WHAT?! Are you okay? What happened?"

"Well, I was ironing my lab coat, you see, and... I forgot the iron was still hot," Professor Oak explained, sounding somewhat sheepish. "So, uh, what should I do?"

Gary pinched the bridge of his nose. "Grandpa, run it under cool water, and maybe put some burn cream on it if you have any. Do you need to go to the doctor?"

"Oh, no, no, no, it's nothing that serious. Just a little singe," Oak replied. "You know, this reminds me of the time you burned yourself on the stove when you were eight. I had to wrap your hand in bandages, and you were so dramatic about it-"

Gary sighed. "Grandpa, focus. Burn cream, cool water. Got it?"

"Yes, yes, I'll handle it, my boy," Oak assured him. Then, he added thoughtfully, "You're such a responsible young man now. Why, if I'd known you'd turn out so helpful, I would've burned my hand more often!"

Gary blinked in exasperation. "Please don't start making a habit of it," he mumbled.

As he hung up, Misty couldn't help but smirk. "Ironing his lab coat? Really?"

"Yup," Gary muttered, shoving his phone back into his pocket. "If I get one more call about household accidents, I'm turning this thing off."

Gary had barely taken two steps when his phone buzzed again. He groaned, looked at the caller ID, and saw it was Mrs. Ketchum. Again.

With a sigh, he answered. "Hello?"

"Gary, dear!" Mrs. Ketchum's voice was high-pitched and urgent. "What should I do if my house is burning?!"

Gary froze, his eyes widening in sheer horror. "WHAT?! Mrs. Ketchum, are you serious? Is there an actual fire? Are you safe?!"

"Oh, yes, I'm perfectly fine!" she replied, sounding amused. "But in this game I'm playing, everything's on fire! My entire virtual house is burning down, and I can't figure out what to press to stop it."

Gary blinked, his shock quickly turning into exasperation. "You're calling me... about a game fire?"

"Yes, dear! It's very dramatic! I think my character's kitchen exploded," she continued, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "The stove was on, and now everything's gone up in flames! Oh, poor little me, I don't know what to do!"

Gary couldn't help but laugh a little. "Um... have you tried pressing the 'extinguish' button or, I don't know, turning off the game?"

"Oh, Gary, I would, but my character is still screaming and running in circles!" Mrs. Ketchum sighed. "I just can't stand the idea of leaving her in this burning house alone!"

"Mrs. Ketchum, I promise you, she's a bunch of pixels. She'll be fine," Gary chuckled.

"Oh, you're right, of course," she replied, though she still sounded a bit hesitant. "But I can't help it; I just want to take care of everyone! Including you, dear. Are you sure you don't need any new boxers?"

Gary slapped a hand over his face, fighting laughter and embarrassment all over again. "No, no, Mrs. Ketchum, I'm good. Just, uh... good luck with the fire."

"Oh, thank you, Gary. You always know what to do! Talk soon, dear!"

As the call ended, Gary just stood there, trying to process everything, while Misty and Brock stared at him with raised eyebrows.

"Don't ask," he muttered.

Misty snickered. "So... virtual fires and boxers, huh?"

Gary sighed. "It's been a long day."

Gary's phone buzzed again, the familiar name flashing on the screen. He groaned, clutching his temples.

"Thirty minutes of peace. That's all I ask," he muttered before answering. "Hello, Grandpa. What now?"

Professor Oak's voice came through, weak and dramatic. "Gary... I'm sick."

Gary straightened immediately, his tone filled with concern. "Oh no! Grandpa, what's wrong? Are you okay? Do you need me to come back?"

There was a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. "I... I just feel so... ill."

Gary's heart started pounding. "Grandpa, do you need me to call a doctor? Should I-"

"I'm sick..." Oak interrupted, his voice now suspiciously brighter, "of not seeing my grandson!"

Gary froze. "What."

Oak continued, unfazed, "Oh, it's terrible, Gary. The pain of missing my favorite grandson is just unbearable. My soul aches!"

Gary slapped a hand to his face. "Grandpa, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"You gave me a heart attack by staying away so long!" Oak retorted with an exaggerated sniff. "When will you come visit your poor, lonely grandfather?"

"I'm literally climbing a mountain right now!" Gary shot back, half-laughing, half-exasperated. "And I'm your only grandson! You can't play favorites if there's no competition!"

"Exactly!" Oak replied. "That makes you both my favorite and my least favorite! But let's focus on the favorite part, shall we?"

Gary groaned loudly, causing Brock and Misty to glance over. "Grandpa, I'm hanging up now. Take some medicine for your grandson withdrawal and rest."

Before Oak could reply, Gary ended the call and stuffed his phone in his pocket.

Misty smirked. "Grandson withdrawal, huh?"

Gary glared at her. "Don't start."

Gary's phone rang again, and this time, he sighed heavily, expecting another ridiculous conversation. But when he saw the name *Mrs. Ketchum* pop up on the screen, his stomach dropped.

He answered quickly. "Mrs. Ketchum, what's-"

"Gary..." Delia's voice was serious, quiet, and strangely ominous. "Your grandpa... he's dead."

Gary's heart stopped. His entire body froze. His mouth went dry, and for a split second, he didn't know how to respond.

"Wait-WHAT?!" Gary shouted into the phone. "What do you mean he's dead?! What happened?!"

There was a long pause, and then Delia's voice cut through the tension like a knife.

"Oh, no. I mean, in this game."

Gary blinked, his mind trying to process. "In the-what game? What are you talking about? You just said-"

"I said in the game, Gary," Delia repeated, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "You know, the one where he's dying every second..."

Gary was completely lost. "Wait, so... Grandpa's not actually dead?!"

"No, no! He's not dead... yet," Delia said, a little too cheerfully. "But every second that passes, he's getting older and older, you know? Like, I swear, by the time you get back, he'll probably be a hundred years old."

Gary stared at his phone in disbelief. "You DO realize this is not helping, right?"

"I'm just saying, he's very close to being ancient, so maybe hurry up," Delia added, sounding nonchalant. "You know how men get when they're older-grumpy and confused, and asking for boxers and portable toilets and such."

Gary wanted to facepalm but was still too stunned to do so. "Okay, but-"

"Oh, and by the way, Gary..." Mrs. Ketchum's voice turned sweet again. "If you need a snack, let me know! I've got cookies, but I cut my finger cutting the tomatoes earlier, so... you know... there might be some blood on the edges of the cookies, but they're still good!"

Gary was silent for a long moment, trying to process it all. Finally, he managed to mutter, "Mrs. Ketchum, please... I need a break from all the random stuff happening today."

"Well, you know where to find the cookies," Delia said, completely unfazed. "Take care, dear!"

Before Gary could even respond, she hung up, leaving him alone with the bizarre situation and a slight headache. He just stood there, staring at his phone for a second.

"Am I going crazy?" Gary mumbled to himself.

Brock and Misty were snickering in the background.

"You okay there, Gary?" Brock asked, his voice filled with amusement.

Gary sighed deeply. "No. No, I'm not okay."