Jordan's adventure in the Pokémon world

Gary Oak POV –

The air at the Viridian City airport buzzed with the hum of travelers. Eleven-year-old Gary Oak sat in the VIP lounge with his family, absentmindedly flicking through a Pokédex his grandfather had given him months earlier. His sapphire-blue eyes flickered with determination and frustration as he glanced at the sparse entries in his Pokédex.

"Still can't believe we're flying to Sinnoh," Gary muttered, adjusting his purple jacket. "Grandpa, what's so special about the Sinnoh League, anyway? Kanto and Johto are plenty exciting."

Professor Samuel Oak chuckled, his weathered face creasing with amusement. "You'll see soon enough, Gary. Sinnoh has produced some of history's most extraordinary trainers and Pokémon battles. This will be a learning experience for you."

Beside him, Blue Oak, Gary's father and a former Pokémon Champion, smirked. "It's not just about watching battles, son. It's about meeting the best of the best. Trainers like Jordan Smith—someone your age—compete at a level most trainers only dream of."

Gary's ears perked up. "Jordan Smith? The one who's already beaten eight advanced gyms in Sinnoh? Isn't he like... Ash's cousin?"

Yellow Oak, Gary's mother, smiled gently, brushing a strand of her golden hair behind her ear. "That's right. And from what I hear, he's quite remarkable. But don't worry about comparisons, sweetheart. You'll carve out your path."

Gary leaned back, crossing his arms. "Comparisons? Please. I'm not worried about some guy who just got lucky with a big Pokémon team. I'm Gary Oak. I've got legacy on my side."

Professor Oak raised an eyebrow, his tone turning serious. "Legacy doesn't win battles, Gary. Hard work, knowledge, and respect for your Pokémon do. Keep that in mind."

Gary huffed but stayed quiet, pretending to look out the window as their plane to Sinnoh was announced.

The plane touched down in Jubilife City, and the Oak family was whisked away in a private car to the Sinnoh League headquarters on Lily of the Valley Island. Gary's initial disinterest was quickly replaced by awe as he stepped onto the sprawling grounds of the League stadium. Trainers from all over the world milled about, their Pokémon towering beside them or perched on their shoulders. The air crackled with energy.

"Whoa," Gary whispered, unable to hide his amazement. "This is... incredible."

"It's bigger than I imagined," Blue admitted, his tone impressed.

Professor Oak smiled knowingly. "This is what it means to be at the pinnacle of Pokémon training. Take it all in, Gary. Learn from what you see here."

Gary nodded, his earlier arrogance tempered by the sheer scale of the event. As they walked through the grounds, he spotted trainers practicing with their teams, adjusting strategies, and engaging in fierce battles just outside the main arena.

One trainer, in particular, caught his attention—a boy about his age standing beside a massive Torterra. The boy's dark hair was wild, and his sheer size made him look much older than he was. He commanded his Salamence to execute a precise Dragon Pulse, which arced through the air and struck a target with explosive precision.

"That must be Jordan Smith," Gary said under his breath, his eyes narrowing.

As the Oak family toured the League grounds, they stumbled upon a familiar face—Ash Ketchum. The younger boy was chatting animatedly with his parents, Delia and Red when he spotted Gary. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Gary!" Ash exclaimed, running over. "What are you doing here?"

Gary folded his arms, smirking. "What does it look like, Ashy-boy? I'm here to see the Sinnoh League. Not that you'd understand—you haven't even started your journey yet."

Ash flushed but stood his ground. "I'm starting in two months! And I'm here to meet my cousin, Jordan. He's way ahead of you already."

"Cousin, huh?" Gary said, pretending to be unimpressed. "I've heard of him. Big deal. Let's see how he does when he's up against real competition."

Before Ash could retort, Professor Oak intervened. "Now, now, boys. This isn't the time for rivalries. Ash, it's good to see you. I trust you've been paying attention to the battles here?"

"Yes, Professor," Ash said, his tone respectful. "Jordan's been showing me some cool stuff, too. His Pokémon are amazing!"

Gary bristled but kept his thoughts to himself. If Jordan was as good as everyone claimed, he needed to see it for himself.

Later that day, Gary finally got his chance. The Oak family found Jordan training with his team near a secluded part of the League grounds. Torterra was sparring with Empoleon, while Salamence watched from above, roaring encouragement. Bastiodon stood like an unshakable fortress, and a newly evolved Charizard hovered nearby, flames licking at its tail.

"Jordan Smith," Professor Oak said warmly, approaching with a friendly smile. "It's been some time since I've seen you."

Jordan turned, his intense green eyes softening as he recognized the professor. "Professor Oak! It's good to see you again."

The two exchanged pleasantries before Jordan's gaze fell on Gary. "And you must be Gary," he said, extending a hand. "I've heard a lot about you."

Gary hesitated before shaking his hand, surprised by Jordan's firm grip. "Yeah, that's me. So… these are your Pokémon?"

Jordan nodded, motioning to his team. "Meet Torterra, Empoleon, Salamence, Bastiodon, and Charizard. They've been with me through thick and thin."

Gary tried to hide his awe. The sheer size and power of Jordan's Pokémon were unlike anything he'd ever seen. Even Torterra, already an imposing species, seemed larger and more majestic than usual.

"How did you get them to be so… big?" Gary asked, unable to mask his curiosity.

Jordan shrugged modestly. "A lot of training, the right diet, and a strong bond. They grow stronger when they trust you."

Gary nodded, filing the information away for later. "Maybe we'll battle someday," he said, trying to sound confident.

Jordan smiled faintly. "Maybe."

Ash and Gary's Rivalry Rekindled

As the day went on, Ash and Gary found themselves watching a heated battle in the main arena. The energy between them was palpable, their rivalry simmering beneath the surface.

"You know," Ash said, leaning forward, "Jordan's already done more in a year than you or I could dream of."

Gary scoffed. "Please. He's just another trainer. I'll surpass him in no time."

Ash smirked. "You can try, Gary. But I think Jordan's in a league of his own."

Their argument was interrupted by the roar of the crowd as a Garchomp delivered a decisive Draco Meteor, ending the match spectacularly. Both boys fell silent, their focus returning to the action before them.

By the end of the day, Gary felt a strange mix of emotions. Watching Jordan and the other Sinnoh League contestants had humbled him in a way he hadn't expected. For the first time, he realized that legacy alone wasn't enough—he needed to work harder, learn more, and push himself beyond his limits.

That night, as he lay in his hotel bed, Gary stared at the ceiling, his mind racing with possibilities. "I'll show them," he muttered. "Jordan, Ash, all of them. I'll prove I'm the best."

But deep down, he knew it wouldn't be easy. And for the first time, he felt the thrill of a real challenge.

3rd person POV –

The warm glow of the chandeliers bathed the Sinnoh League's finest restaurant in an inviting light. The hum of quiet conversation and the clinking of silverware filled the air as the Oak, Ketchum, and Smith families sat together at a round table near a large window overlooking the serene Lily of the Valley Island coastline. It was a rare opportunity for the families of three remarkable young trainers—Gary, Ash, and Jordan—to come together, share stories, and reflect on their children's journeys.

"So," began Samuel Oak, sipping a glass of sparkling water, "it seems both Ash and Gary will be starting their journeys in a couple of months. Quite the exciting time for the Ketchum and Oak families."

Delia Ketchum smiled warmly, her auburn hair catching the light. "It is exciting, Professor. Though I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. Ash has been talking about nothing but Pokémon battles and exploring the world since we got here. I just hope he's ready for the challenges ahead."

Red Ketchum, Ash's father and a former Pokémon Champion, chuckled, his crimson eyes filled with pride. "Delia, you know as well as I do that Ash has a fighting spirit. He'll be fine. Besides, he has a great role model in Jordan."

Across the table, Lily Smith, Jordan's mother, beamed. "Jordan is passionate about his journey. But it's so nice to hear he's inspiring others, especially family." She turned to James, her husband, whose calm demeanor was as steady as a mountain. "Don't you think, James?"

James nodded. "He's always been a curious and determined kid. Even when he was little, he'd dive into books and experiments like nothing else mattered. Remember when he asked Professor Rowan if he could study in his private library when he was just eight?"

Samuel Oak chuckled. "I remember that! Rowan called me, baffled by Jordan's request. But then he saw the boy's dedication and took him under his wing."

Yellow Oak, Gary's mother, leaned in, her golden hair framing her kind face. "Jordan's achievements are remarkable for his age. He's only 11, but he's already set records, like beating all eight advanced gyms in Sinnoh in just eight months. It's no wonder he's the talk of the League."

Blue Oak, Gary's father, smirked. "Still, records or not, the journey's what shapes a trainer. Gary's ready to make his mark too. He's been itching to prove himself since he saw the competition here."

As the parents chatted, Gary and Ash had excused themselves to explore the League grounds together. The two boys had always shared a friendly, albeit competitive, rivalry and their excitement about starting their journeys was palpable.

"Two months," Ash said, kicking a small pebble as they walked. "That's all the time we've got left before we get our first Pokémon. I can't wait!"

Gary smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah, well, don't think you'll be able to keep up with me, Ashy-boy. I've got big plans."

Ash shot him a challenging grin. "Oh yeah? Well, just wait. I'll catch the strongest Pokémon and become the best trainer in the world!"

Gary laughed, shaking his head. "Keep dreaming, cousin. But seriously, seeing Jordan and his Pokémon… it's inspiring, you know? Torterra, Salamence, Bastiodon—they're monsters."

Ash nodded, his brown eyes lighting up. "I know! And did you see how big his Torterra is? I'm going to train my Pokémon to be just as strong."

The boys continued their banter, their words carrying the excitement and determination that would soon fuel their adventures.

Back at the restaurant, the discussion had shifted to a secluded garden terrace reserved for private gatherings. James and Lily had just introduced a topic that piqued everyone's interest.

"You mentioned something earlier about Jordan creating something… groundbreaking?" Delia asked, leaning forward.

Lily nodded, pulling a small, cylindrical object from her bag. "Yes, these are what we call Dino Capsules. Jordan designed and built these entirely on his own. They're portable storage devices capable of holding anything from houses to vehicles, all in this small form."

The group leaned in as James took over the explanation. "It's an adaptation of Poké Ball technology but designed for inanimate objects. Think of it as carrying your entire life in your pocket."

Blue raised an eyebrow. "That sounds… incredible. Can we see it in action?"

Lily smiled. "Of course. Let's step outside."

The group followed James and Lily to a nearby clearing. With a press of a button, James activated one of the capsules. A puff of smoke erupted, and when it cleared, a fully equipped camping setup appeared, complete with a tent, cooking station, and even a portable power generator.

"Unbelievable," Samuel murmured, inspecting the setup.

"How does it work?" Yellow asked, her curiosity evident.

Lily explained, "Jordan reverse-engineered the spatial storage technology of Poké Balls and applied it to non-living objects. The capsules compress the items into a stasis field, which can then be reactivated at will."

Delia looked stunned. "And he did this… by himself?"

James nodded. "We gave him the tools and resources, but the design, coding, and mechanics were all his work."

As the demonstration ended, the parents returned to their table, their conversation taking a reflective turn.

"I have to admit," Yellow said, "it's intimidating to see what Jordan's accomplished at such a young age. It makes me wonder how Gary will find his way."

Blue placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Gary's got his strengths. He's sharp, determined, and carries the Oak name with pride. He'll do great."

Delia chimed in, "And Ash might not have Jordan's head start, but he's got such a big heart. Once he sets his mind to something, he never gives up."

Samuel nodded. "Every trainer's journey is unique. What matters is that they grow from their experiences and become better—not just as trainers, but as people."

Lily smiled. "And it's not just the kids who are learning. Watching Jordan has taught James and me so much about patience, trust, and how much potential lies in the next generation."

As the night wound down, the parents raised a toast to their children's futures. The warmth of their camaraderie and shared pride filled the air.

"To Gary, Ash, and Jordan," Samuel said, lifting his glass. "May their journeys be filled with challenges, growth, and triumph."

The others echoed the sentiment, their hearts swelling with hope and anticipation for what lay ahead. While their paths would diverge, their shared goal of nurturing their children's dreams united them, making this gathering a moment to cherish.