" wow! Sounds like Gary's working hard too!"

Ash looked at the postcard and closed his eyes

When he opened them again, he was standing in a grey area with a boy wearing a lab coat and had spooky brown hair.

" Everything's cool. Just hang in there."

The figure turned, and Ash gasped

" Oh, Gary?"

" Hey, don't forget you managed to beat me." Gary looked away. " You're tellin me you're gonna hang it up over this?!"

When no one replied, Gary's eyes widened. " Wait, you're gonna hang it up over this?!"

He turned to Ash, who was sitting on the ground drawing in the dirt.

" Well I have no other-"

" YOU'RE GONNA HANG IT UP OVER THIS?!" Gary yelled.

Ash winced. " Easy Gary. No need to yell."

" Oh, there is a very good reason to yell, young man. And you had better start talking right. Now."

Gary took a deep breath, kneeling down to meet Ash at eye level. The tension in the air was palpable, but his voice softened—though still firm.

"Ash, listen to me. Losing isn't the end. It's part of the journey. You’ve been through worse and came out stronger every time. Remember when you lost to me? Did you give up then?"

Ash’s fingers paused mid-doodle in the dirt, but he didn’t answer.

Gary continued, his tone rising slightly. "No, you didn’t! You trained harder. You got better. And you beat me! That’s who you are, Ash! A fighter. Not some kid who quits when things get tough."

Ash looked down, his shoulders slumped. "But the Battle Pyramid… it’s different. Brandon's way too strong. I keep losing no matter what I do. Maybe I’m not cut out to be a Pokémon Master."

Gary’s eyes narrowed, and he grabbed Ash by the shoulders, shaking him lightly. "Oh, come on! Since when do you decide who you are based on one loss? You’ve faced legendaries, taken on the toughest trainers in the world, and inspired more people than you even realize! You’re Ash Ketchum! The kid who never gives up, remember?!"

Ash blinked, Gary’s words starting to sink in.

"Do you think Pikachu would give up on you because of a loss?" Gary asked pointedly. "Or Charizard? Or any of your Pokémon? They trust you because you never stop trying, no matter what. And you're just gonna quit? What are you gonna tell them?"

Ash’s lip quivered as he thought about Pikachu, who had given his all in the battle. He thought about his other Pokémon, who had fought by his side through thick and thin.

Gary stood up and crossed his arms. "If you’re really gonna quit, then fine. Go back to Pallet Town and tell Professor Oak, your mom, and everyone who believed in you that you’re done. But don’t expect me to sit here and feel sorry for you. You’re better than this, Ash."

He heard footsteps go away. When he turned to where Ash was sitting, he froze

Ash was gone.

He looked up to see a figure running.

Gary groaned. " Ash, get back here!"

But Ash didn't turn.

Gary sighed. Great. Now he had upset his poor Ashy Boy.

Amazing.

And WHERE was he supposed to find Ash?

By following the sniffs, of course.

Wait.... Sniffs?!

Gary blinked, confusion furrowing his brow as he realized something strange was happening. The familiar landscape around him seemed to blur, shifting into a dream-like haze. He could hear soft sniffs in the distance. Not just any sniffs, but the unmistakable sound of Ash quietly sobbing.

"Great," Gary muttered, wiping his hand across his face, feeling the weight of his frustration mix with concern. "Ash, you're gonna make this harder than it already is, aren't you?"

He took off in the direction of the sounds, the ground beneath his boots crunching with each step, the air thick with tension and the occasional breeze carrying a faint trace of something salty—tears.

As he approached a small grove of trees, the sobs grew louder, and there, sitting under the shade of an oak tree, was Ash. His face was buried in his hands, his shoulders trembling with each quiet cry. The sight of his friend in such a vulnerable state made something tighten in Gary's chest.

"Hey..." Gary's voice was softer this time, the harshness gone, replaced by a quiet earnestness. "I didn't mean to—"

Ash didn't look up, but his sobs stopped as his body stiffened, the only sound now being the occasional sniffle.

"I’m sorry," Gary continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was just... trying to get you to snap out of it. I didn't mean to make you feel worse."

Ash wiped his face, the dirt from his hands streaking across his cheeks. "I... I don’t know what to do, Gary. I just keep failing. And everyone’s counting on me, and... what if I can’t do it? What if I’m not strong enough?"

Gary stepped closer, crouching down beside Ash. "Ash... you've never let anyone down. Not me, not Pikachu, not even yourself. It’s not about winning every battle. It’s about how you fight, how you keep getting up after you fall. And that’s why you’re gonna win the Battle Pyramid. Not because you're perfect, but because you're Ash Ketchum. And no matter what happens, that’s always been enough."

Ash’s lip trembled, but he looked up at Gary, his eyes red and puffy. "You really think so?"

Gary nodded firmly. "I know so. And hey, if you're still worried, we can go through it together. I’m not gonna let you do this alone, Ash."

The words hung in the air, warm and real, as if they had always been true. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Ash allowed himself to believe it, wiping his face again and offering Gary a shaky smile.

"Thanks, Gary."

Gary gave a slight grin in return. "Yeah, yeah. Don’t make me say it again. Now, let’s get back to training. We’ve got a Pyramid to conquer."

With a nod, Ash stood up, feeling the weight of his doubts lift, at least for now. Together, they walked off into the growing sunset, the world ahead of them waiting to be conquered, just as it always had been.