" ' The world's a big place', huh?" Wisty muttered to her Pokemon. " ' So many Pokemon you don't even know about '."

" Eve?"

Wisty looked at Eevee. " Hm? Oh, I'm fine. I'm just quoting what Gary told me brother."

She sighed and rolled onto her back. " Of course, Ash isn't really the best at taking advice. That's why he listens to Gary."

" Toge?"

Her Pokemon watched as their trainer looked up at the sky. " See, I love all of you, but I feel like if I keep dragging you with me, you'll never really be able to make your own choices in life. I want you all to be happy."

" Toge!"

" I know you're happy, Togepi. But I just feel guilty."

" Chika!"

Wisty looked at her grads pokemon. " I appreciate you guys trying to cheer me up, really I do."

She sighed as she stared at her two badges. " Forest and Fen. Six more to go. But do I really want to challenge gyms? I mean, Professor Oak made me take a month off to relax but...." She turned. " I can't relax."

" Chika?*

" Because." Wisty replied.

" Hey."

Wisty looked up to see the brown haired dude.

" What happened?" Wisty asked, squinting slightly.

Gary took a seat next to Wisty, his signature smirk softened into something more understanding. “You tell me,” he said, resting his arms on his knees. “You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

Wisty sighed and sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. “I’m just... overthinking everything. I thought taking a break would help, but it’s just making me feel worse. I keep asking myself if I’m doing the right thing.”

Gary raised an eyebrow. “The right thing? You’re one of the best trainers I’ve seen, Wisty. You’ve got two badges already, and you’re what? Eight? You’re doing fine.”

“But am I?” Wisty countered, her voice wavering. “I love my Pokémon, but what if I’m holding them back? What if I’m dragging them along on my journey when they’d be happier somewhere else? I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Gary frowned, glancing at Wisty’s Pokémon. Togepi waddled over and nestled against her leg, while Chikorita and Eevee exchanged worried glances. “Wisty, look at them,” Gary said, gesturing to her team. “Do they look unhappy to you?”

“No,” Wisty admitted, stroking Togepi’s head. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not scared of messing up. I feel like I’m supposed to have it all figured out, but I don’t.”

Gary leaned back, staring up at the sky. “You know, even my grandpa doesn’t have it all figured out. And he’s Professor Oak. Life’s not about having all the answers, Wisty. It’s about figuring things out as you go.”

Wisty frowned. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re, like, perfect.”

Gary laughed. “Perfect? Me? You must have me confused with someone else. I’ve made more mistakes than I can count. But you know what? That’s part of being a trainer. You’re gonna screw up sometimes. The important thing is that you care enough to keep trying.”

Wisty didn’t respond right away. She stared at her badges again, then at her Pokémon, who were all watching her with unwavering trust. “I just don’t want to let them down.”

“And you won’t,” Gary said firmly. “Because you care. That’s what makes you a good trainer, Wisty. You’re not dragging them along—you’re leading them. And they want to follow you.”

Wisty bit her lip, her eyes stinging. “Thanks, Gary. I guess I needed to hear that.”

“Anytime,” Gary said, standing up and brushing off his pants. He offered her a hand. “Come on. Let’s get moving. You’ve got a journey to enjoy, and a team that believes in you. Don’t waste it.”

Wisty took his hand, a small smile forming on her lips. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Her Pokémon cheered as they set off again, their bond stronger than ever. And for the first time in weeks, Wisty felt a little less overwhelmed and a little more like herself.