Ash tapped his foot impatiently on the floor, but he couldn't deny he felt nervous.

After all, who knew what Gary could do to Ash?

They were rivals, after all.

No.

They were best friends.

Have been since they were little.

They was no way Gary would do something.

... Would he?

I mean he has all these different Pokemon.... And some of them were poisonous.

Wait..... What if Gary poisoned him?!

His thoughts were interrupted when a guy wearing a white lab coat on top of a purple shirt stood in front of him, arms crossed. " Let's go, Ashy-boy."

Ash's eyes twitched. " Uh.... Sure, I guess."

Gary smirked and lent him an arm, and Ash took it and followed Gary, albeit a bit slow.

He was thinking of his fate

Could Gary poison him?

Gary was five months older.

And this was a check up......

Argh! Ash didn't know anymore! Gary could, Gary might not.....

WHO KNEW?!

Gary turned and saw Ash dragging his feet while staring into space, dazed out. Gary sighed. This always happened.

" Ash, snap out of it!" Gary exclaimed as he waved and arm in front of Ash's eyes.

Ash shook his head. " Yeah?*

" Hurry up!*

Ash sighed and nodded. Gary sighed and turned, waking until he came to a room.

" 345. This is the one." He turned to Ash, who was now biting his nails. Gary sighed.

" Hey, buddy. You okay?* He asked, nudging Ash.

" Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine."

Gary raised an eyebrow at Ash, clearly unconvinced. "You sure? You look like you're about to faint or something."

Ash forced a weak smile, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm fine, Gary. Just... y'know, thinking."

Gary let out a small laugh. "Thinking? Ash Ketchum, actually thinking? Now that's something new." He gave Ash a playful nudge, trying to lighten the mood, but Ash didn't respond the way he usually would. There was no comeback, no sarcastic remark. Just a weak chuckle.

"Come on," Gary said, turning to open the door to room 345. "It’s just a routine check-up. Nothing to worry about."

Ash hesitated for a moment, his fingers fidgeting nervously. He glanced at Gary’s back, trying to read his body language. What if Gary really was planning something? He was always unpredictable.

But then again, this was Gary. They had known each other for so long. He wouldn’t actually hurt him... right?

Ash’s stomach churned as he followed Gary into the room. The sterile smell of the doctor’s office hit him immediately. The clinical white walls, the examination table with crinkling paper, and the dull hum of the fluorescent lights didn’t help his nerves at all.

Gary pointed to the table. "Hop up," he instructed. "It’ll be over before you know it."

Ash swallowed hard and sat down, his legs swinging slightly as he tried to calm his racing thoughts. Gary handed him a clipboard with a standard health questionnaire, but Ash could barely focus on the words. He was too busy eyeing the various tools on the counter—hypodermic needles, vials of unknown liquids, and strange-looking devices he couldn't identify.

Gary noticed Ash's nervous glance. "Dude, relax. It’s not like I'm going to dissect you or anything."

Ash's face paled slightly at the thought, and Gary quickly added, "That was a joke, Ash."

Ash blinked, forcing himself to laugh awkwardly. "Yeah... a joke." He fiddled with his hat, adjusting it nervously. "I knew that."

" I have to get something. Be right back." Gary exited the door, leaving Ash by himself.

Ash sat on the examination table, his foot tapping nervously against the metal frame. He couldn’t help but feel uneasy. After all, this wasn’t just any check-up—it was Gary giving him the exam. Sure, they were friends, but Gary was his rival too.

Rivals didn’t give each other check-ups, did they?

He glanced nervously at the door as it opened. In walked Gary ( again), dressed in a white lab coat over his usual clothes, a stethoscope hanging around his neck, and a smug smile on his face.

"Let’s get this over with, Ashy-boy," Gary said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe.

Ash’s eye twitched at the nickname, but he forced a smile. "Uh... sure. This’ll be quick, right?"

Gary raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Depends. You nervous, Ash?"

Ash froze. " N.... No."

Gary shook his head, still smirking, and walked over to Ash, gently putting his gloved hand on Ash's trembling one. " Hey."

Ash blinked and bit his lip.

Gary chuckled softly and squeezed Ash's hand. " It's only a small check up, kiddo. Nothing to be afraid of."

Ash didn't reply.

" You're scared, aren't you?" Gary said softly, rubbing circles on Ash's hand.

No reply.

" Buddy, it's me. Your best friend. I'd never do anything to you, promise."

Ash looked up nervously and gulped. " Promise?"

Gary rubbed his shoulder. " I promise."

Ash nodded nervously, and Gary rummaged in his pocket, pulling out a flashlight. " Okay Ashy Boy, I'm gonna shine this light into your eye, okay? It's gonna be a little bright, but it's not gonna blind you."

Ash nodded ever so slightly, and Gary gently used his thumb to gently open Ash's eyes a little more and used the flashlight to check for any abnormalities.

His eyes were clear and healthy.

Gary cliched the flashlight shut, and wrote on his clipboard.

" Your eyes are okay, Ashy Boy. Congratulations."

Ash smiled faintly, and Gary took that as a little reward.

Then he turned to the counter and opened a drawer, pulling out an otoscope.

" This'll help me look in your ears, okay?" Gary said softly.

Ash gulped but nodded, and Gary gently tilted his head.

" It might feel ticklish." Gary warned as he inserted it.

Ash flinched slightly but stayed still.

" That side's okay. Now the other side."

Ash gulped as Gary checked, and squeezed his eyes shut.

" Ash, you can open your eyes now."

Ash peeked through one eye to see a grinning Gary. " Your ears are fine."

" Th... Thanks."

Gary unlooped the stethoscope from his neck and put the buds to the ear. " Okay, Ash, I'm just gonna listen to your heart."

Ash nodded, and Gary gently lifted Ash's shirt slightly, sliding the stethoscope underneath and pressing in different spots.

Ash watched Gary's face closely. He was.... Frowning.

Wait, frowning?!

Was there something wrong with him? Why was he frowning? Did he finally decide spending time with Ash was a waste?

He didn't realize, but a tear slipped down his face

Then another.

And then another.

Gary, though, noticed. He quickly looped the stethoscope around his neck again and took Ash's hand again, rubbing soothing circles on it.

" Talk to me." Gary said gently as he wiped Ash's tears away. " I want to know what's going on."

Ash shook his head, and Gary gave him a firm look. " We're not going anywhere unless you tell me what's going on."

Ash looked at Gary and his hand and sighed softly, his voice shaky. " I guess.... I guess.... I guess I was thinking about what's wrong with me and if you had finally realized today you didn't want to be-" his voice cracked, and he looked down.

Gary tilted Ash's head up. " You thought I wouldn't want to be your friend?"

A nod.

Gary wrapped his arms around Ash and gently pulled him in. " Oh, Ash. Please don't think like that."

" B... But it's true." Ash whispered. " You were right all those years ago. I am an " Ashy Loser Boy"."

Gary blinked, confused. " Ash, I never said anything like that."

" But the time when you sent me the postcard....."

Realization dawned upon him. " Ash, you were daydreaming."

Ash looked up. " Huh?"

" Ash, the time I sent you the post card, Grandpa told me you were imagining something. Then later he realized you were imagining an encounter with me."

" B... But-"

" Take it from me, Ash. All the people you've traveled with, each and every one of them, they're your friends. But I'll always be your best. No matter what."

Ash smiled faintly. " Thanks Gary."

Gary pulled back. " Anytime. Now, we've got a check up to finish. Open wide, Ashy Boy."

Gary gently placed the clipboard aside and grabbed a small flashlight and tongue depressor from the counter. Turning back to Ash, he gave him a reassuring smile. "Alright, Ashy-boy, next up is your mouth. Open wide for me."

Ash hesitated, his lips trembling. He fiddled nervously with the hem of his shirt. "Do I have to?"

Gary rolled his eyes playfully, leaning forward and gently tilting Ash's chin up. "Yes, you have to. I promise, it’s not scary. Now, come on—say 'ahhh.'"

Ash reluctantly parted his lips. "Ahh..."

Gary used the depressor to press Ash’s tongue down gently and shone the flashlight inside. "Good. Just hold still for a second… Perfect. Throat looks fine. No redness, no swelling." He stepped back, tossing the tongue depressor into the trash. "See? Easy peasy."

Ash sighed in relief. "That wasn’t too bad."

Gary smirked, grabbing a notepad. "Told you. Now, let’s get your weight and height checked. Over to the scale."

Ash slid off the examination table, his shoes squeaking on the linoleum floor. He walked to the scale reluctantly, feeling like each step was leading him closer to doom. Gary adjusted the scale and motioned for Ash to step on it.

"Stand still, Ash. Let me get this right," Gary said, his voice calm and measured.

Ash held his breath, watching Gary fiddle with the weights. He couldn't stop thinking about what might come next. Shots? Blood tests? Needles?!

Gary jotted down Ash’s weight and stepped back. "Alright, now stand straight so I can measure your height."

Ash complied, although his posture was stiff and awkward. Gary pressed a hand lightly against his shoulder to relax him, then lowered the measuring rod to the top of Ash’s head. "There. All done." He wrote the numbers down with a satisfied nod. "Not bad for a nervous wreck," he teased.

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Ha, ha. Very funny."

Gary chuckled and put the notepad aside. "Okay, Ashy-boy, there’s one last thing we need to do: your shot."

Ash froze. His eyes widened, and his breathing quickened. "W-what? A shot? Do I really need it?"

Gary gave him a patient look, sitting down beside him on the examination table. "Yes, you really need it. It’s just a vaccine. It’s quick, and it’ll keep you healthy. Trust me, it’s not a big deal."

Ash hugged himself, shaking his head. "I don’t know, Gary. What if it hurts? What if something goes wrong?"

Gary wrapped an arm around Ash's shoulders, pulling him close. "Ash, look at me." He waited until Ash reluctantly met his gaze. "I promise you, nothing’s going to go wrong. I’m right here with you. You trust me, right?"

Ash gulped and nodded slightly. "Y-yeah… I trust you."

"Good." Gary reached for the tray where the syringe was prepared. "Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to sit with you the whole time, alright? I’ll hold your arm so you don’t feel as tense."

Ash’s voice was barely a whisper. "Okay…"

Gary positioned himself beside Ash and gently guided Ash's arm over his shoulder, holding it securely. "Alright, buddy, take a deep breath. Relax your muscles. You don’t want to feel it, do you?"

Ash shook his head frantically. "N-no!"

"Then relax. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. You’ve got this," Gary said, his voice calm and steady.

Ash closed his eyes tightly, his entire body trembling. "I… I can’t…"

"Yes, you can," Gary said firmly. "You’re braver than this, Ashy-boy. Think of all the crazy adventures you’ve had. This is nothing compared to facing a wild Charizard, right?"

Ash’s lips twitched into a faint smile at the thought. "Yeah… I guess…"

Gary took the opportunity to swiftly and smoothly administer the shot while Ash was distracted. "All done."

Ash’s eyes snapped open. "W-what? That’s it?"

Gary grinned, disposing of the syringe. "That’s it. See? Told you it wasn’t so bad."

Ash stared at his arm in disbelief. "I didn’t even feel it…"

"Exactly," Gary said, patting his shoulder. "Now, no more worrying. You survived. Want a lollipop or something, Ashy-boy?"

Ash rolled his eyes but smiled, feeling the tension finally leave his body. "Very funny, Gary. But… thanks."

"Anytime, kiddo," Gary said, ruffling Ash’s hair. "Now let’s get out of here. You’ve got a clean bill of health and no excuses to slack off in training."