" ' The world's a big place', huh?" Ash muttered under the large Oak tree behind Professor Rowan's laboratory. " ' So many Pokemon you don't even know about '."

" Pika?"

Ash looked at Pikachu. " Oh. I'm fine. But are you fine?"

Pikachu looked confused. " Pika?"

" Do you ever wish you were someone else's Pokemon?"

Pikachu blinked at Ash.

" I mean, someone who's like Gary. Smart, cocky. Doesn't do dumb things."

Pikachu still looked confused.

" Really?"

" Chuuu....?"

" I mean, Squirtle, Charizard and Bulbasaur have their own new life. You want a new life too?"

" Pika pi......?"

" Do you think I should give up with the badges?"

" Give up?" A voice asked. " That's a word I never thought I'd hear from you."

Ash looked up at the brown haired boy. " What?"

The voice belonged to Gary Oak, Ash’s childhood rival, who was standing with his arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. His brown eyes gleamed with their usual mix of confidence and curiosity as he leaned casually against the Oak tree.

“What’s this about giving up, Ashy-boy?” Gary asked, though his tone was more curious than teasing this time.

Ash blinked, startled. “Gary? What are you doing here?”

Gary shrugged. “I could ask you the same thing. Thought you’d be halfway to your next Gym by now. Instead, I find you sulking under a tree.” He arched an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”

Ash glanced at Pikachu, who gave him a little nudge with its tail as if to say, Go on, tell him. Ash sighed. “I don’t know, Gary. Lately... I’ve been thinking. Maybe I’m not cut out for this whole Pokémon Trainer thing. Maybe it’s time to stop chasing badges and... I don’t know, figure out something else.”

Gary’s smirk faded, replaced by genuine surprise. “Stop chasing badges? Who are you, and what have you done with the real Ash Ketchum?”

“I’m serious!” Ash said, his voice rising. “I’ve been at this for years, Gary. And sure, I’ve come close to winning a few leagues, but close isn’t good enough. Maybe I’ve just been fooling myself this whole time.”

Gary was silent for a moment, studying Ash carefully. Then he sat down beside him under the tree, crossing his arms over his knees. “You know, Ash, I used to think you were crazy. Running around, jumping into danger headfirst, barely thinking things through. But then I realized something.”

“What?” Ash muttered, staring at the ground.

“You’re not just chasing badges or battling for fun,” Gary said. “You’re doing this because you believe in your Pokémon. You believe in yourself. And that’s something not everyone can say.”

Ash frowned. “But what if I’m wrong? What if Pikachu—what if all my Pokémon—deserve better than me?”

Gary let out a short laugh. “Better than you? Ash, look at Pikachu. That little guy’s been with you through everything. If he didn’t think you were worth sticking around for, don’t you think he would’ve left a long time ago?”

Ash glanced at Pikachu, who was now perched on his lap, looking up at him with unwavering loyalty. “Pika pi,” it said softly, nuzzling his chest.

Gary continued, “And as for Squirtle, Charizard, and Bulbasaur? They’re not living a new life because they wanted to get away from you. They’re living it because you helped them grow, and now they’re spreading that growth to others. Isn’t that what being a Trainer is all about?”

Ash was quiet for a long moment, processing Gary’s words. Finally, he asked, “So... what would you do if you were me?”

Gary smirked again, leaning back against the tree. “If I were you? I’d stop sitting under this tree feeling sorry for myself and get back out there. The world’s a big place, Ashy-boy. So many Pokémon you don’t even know about, right?”

Ash blinked, realizing Gary had just thrown his own words back at him. A slow smile spread across his face. “You’re really good at this motivational speech thing, huh?”

Gary chuckled. “Hey, what are rivals for?”

Ash stood up, Pikachu hopping onto his shoulder. “Thanks, Gary. I think I needed that.”

“Anytime,” Gary said, standing as well. “Just don’t forget to save some of those battles for me, alright? I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”

Ash grinned. “Deal.”

As Gary turned to leave, Ash felt a renewed sense of determination burning in his chest. The world was big, sure. But with Pikachu by his side and his friends cheering him on, he was ready to face it again—one step, one battle at a time.