The boy stepped forward, leaning against the same tree Ash was sitting under. His smirk was unmistakable, as was the glint of confidence in his eyes. “Of course, I care, Ashy-boy. What would the world do without your grand speeches about how you'll 'catch 'em all' or 'become a Pokémon Master'?”

“Gary,” Ash muttered, rolling his eyes. “What are you doing here?”

Gary crossed his arms, still smirking. “Research, obviously. You know, working with Professor Rowan. Some of us have moved on to bigger things instead of sitting around under a tree sulking.”

“I’m not sulking!” Ash snapped, though his tone lacked its usual energy. Pikachu tilted its head, glancing between the two boys.

“Could’ve fooled me,” Gary quipped, shrugging. “But seriously, what’s with all this ‘give up’ talk? That’s not the Ash I know.”

Ash sighed, looking down at the ground. “Maybe it’s time I stopped pretending I’m something I’m not. Everyone else is moving on, Gary. Squirtle’s back with the Squad, Charizard’s training, Bulbasaur’s at Oak’s lab. And me? I’m just... stuck. Running around collecting badges like it means something.”

Gary raised an eyebrow. “And it doesn’t?”

“Maybe it used to,” Ash said quietly. “But now? I don’t know. It feels like everyone’s growing up, and I’m just... stuck being the same dumb kid chasing the same dumb dream.”

Pikachu tugged at Ash’s hat, making him look up. “Pika-pi!” it exclaimed, as if scolding him.

Gary snorted. “Even Pikachu thinks you’re being an idiot. Listen, Ash. You’ve always been stubborn, but you’ve also always had heart. You’re the guy who dives headfirst into danger for his Pokémon, who doesn’t back down even when the odds are stacked against him.”

Ash frowned. “Yeah, but—”

“But nothing,” Gary interrupted. “The world’s a big place, Ash. And yeah, it’s full of Pokémon you haven’t seen and challenges you haven’t faced. But that’s the point. If anyone can take on all that and come out on top, it’s you. Not because you’re perfect—Arceus knows you’re not—but because you never give up.”

Ash blinked at Gary, his usual fiery determination flickering faintly in his eyes. “You really think that?”

Gary smirked again, leaning down to poke Ash’s forehead. “I know that, Ashy-boy. And if you quit now, you’ll just prove me right when I say I’m better than you.”

Ash swatted Gary’s hand away, a small grin forming despite himself. “In your dreams, Gary.”

“There he is,” Gary said, stepping back. “Now get up. You’ve got a journey to continue, and I’ve got research to do. Who knows? Maybe I’ll see you at the top someday.”

Ash stood, brushing the dirt off his pants. “Don’t hold your breath, Gary. I’ll be there long before you.”

Gary chuckled, turning to walk back toward the lab. “We’ll see about that, Ashy-boy.”

As Gary disappeared into the distance, Ash looked down at Pikachu. “What do you think, buddy? Should we keep going?”

“Pika!” Pikachu exclaimed, leaping onto Ash’s shoulder with a spark of electricity.

Ash grinned, his resolve returning. “Alright, then. No more doubts. Let’s go show the world what we’re made of.”

And with that, Ash and Pikachu set off once more, ready to take on whatever the world had to offer.