Pokemon: I am Gary

Along the winding mountain path, Gary arrived at the Big Riddle Inn.

"Hello, I am Gary Oak from Pallet Town, here to challenge the Cinnabar Gym," Gary pressed the doorbell and introduced himself.

"Pallet Town? What's your relation to Professor Oak?" Blaine asked curiously as he opened the door.

"Professor Oak is my grandfather," Gary replied straightforwardly.

"I see; you are Professor Oak's grandson. Please come in," Blaine nodded, his tone becoming friendlier.

In recent years, due to too many tourists treating gym challenges lightly, Blaine had rarely accepted challengers.

However, since he was Professor Oak's grandson, Blaine decided to give Gary a chance.

Upon reaching the backyard, Blaine stopped and said, "Before we head to the gym, let me test you. Above is a flood, below is a volcano; what is that?"

"Bathhouse?" Gary blurted out.

"Wow! You guessed it right on the first try!" Blaine looked at Gary in surprise.

"Isn't this just a riddle? It's something kids play with…" Gary shrugged.

"Damn it—forgot he's Professor Oak's grandson; his brain is indeed sharp…" Resigned, he patted a statue beside the hot spring, revealing a secret passage leading underground.

"Please go ahead," Gary politely gestured to Blaine.

"There's really… no fun in guessing…" muttering under his breath, Blaine led Gary down the passage.

The tunnel connecting to the underground volcano grew increasingly hot, prompting Gary to loosen his bathrobe.

Blaine walked calmly ahead without breaking a sweat.

"This old man has some tricks up his sleeve," Gary thought to himself.

Soon, they passed through a heavy iron door and arrived at the battle arena of the Cinnabar Gym.

The arena was suspended above lava by four iron chains and was bathed in a red glow from the underground fire.

It looked like quite a harsh battlefield.

With one hand tucked into his bathrobe, Gary calmly walked to the contestant position.

Blaine removed his wig and fake beard, revealing a bald head.

"Come on, Gary! Show me what you've got to challenge my Cinnabar Gym," Blaine beckoned dramatically.

As one of the toughest gyms in the Kanto region, with an average Pokémon level of 40, veteran trainer Blaine had his own pride as well.

"Eevee!" puffed up its fur and glared at the opponent. It had no understanding of human affairs; it only knew that if Gary wanted victory, it would fight—that's all there was to it.

"It's okay, Eevee. Let's give our other partners a chance today," Gary picked up Eevee and spoke gently like soothing a child.

"Eevee~" nodded Eevee, understandingly standing behind Gary. Perhaps it was too hot; it licked an evolution core and transformed into Flareon.

Ah~ that feels good~

"This! Is this—unstable genetics?" Blaine exclaimed in surprise.

Gary smiled slightly. "That's right. This is Eevee I asked my grandfather to help me find when I was five."

Almost forgot; this person before him was not only an experienced trainer but also a genius researcher.

You can tell how genius he is just by looking at his hair.

"I'm really looking forward to this. Now, let's start the gym match!" Blaine nodded seriously.

"The rules are three-on-three single battles; only the challenger can switch Pokémon. My first Pokémon will be him—go, Ninetales!" Blaine sent out his first Pokémon.

With golden fur and nine beautiful tails swaying behind it, Ninetales appeared on stage.

"Golduck, it's your turn!" Gary threw out his Poké Ball for his first Pokémon.

"Golduck~!" Golduck gave a thumbs up; "You got this!"

"A Water type? A straightforward choice—let me show you the power of fire! Ninetales, use Flame Burst!" Blaine attacked first.

"Golduck, use Psyquic!" Gary clenched his right hand tightly.

Buzz~ The ruby on Golduck's head shone brightly as it extended a finger stylishly.

Ninetales' fiery breath was halted mid-air by Golduck's psychic force.

"Push it back!" Seizing the opportunity, Gary commanded confidently.

Boom! A dazzling gem formed on Golduck's forehead as its Power Gem shot out toward Ninetales.

Ninetales was directly hit and slid several meters across the battlefield before stopping.

"Oh~ So you're not just using Water moves! Ninetales, use Double Team, then Solar Beam!" Blaine launched another attack.

Gary softly instructed, "Block it."

Boom! The field filled with Ninetales' afterimages launching golden flames that exploded towards Golduck like a railgun shot.

In an instant, a massive explosion occurred, filling the arena with black smoke!

"Did we take it down?" Blaine frowned uncertainly.

Buzz~ A vibrating sound suddenly rang out.

Blaine's expression changed. "Ninetales, dodge quickly!"

Gary smirked. "Too late; you can't see where the attack is coming from, but Golduck has already found Ninetales."

"Water Pulse!"

Boom! From within the black smoke, Golduck leaped up with its hands clasped together at its waist as blue energy waves gathered around it.

Boom! Dragging blue energy ripples behind it, Golduck launched a massive water pulse energy ball towards Ninetales.

Splash!! The furious water energy struck Ninetales squarely in the face; its battle power and beauty faded away…

"It looks like I've won," Gary said with a smile.

Blaine looked at Gary in shock as flames gradually ignited in his eyes. "This is what I wanted—a battle that gets my blood pumping!"

Seeing Blaine reaching for something on his belt made Gary jump. "No need to get so fired up…"

"Go! My second Pokémon—burn away everything! Go, Arcanine!"

A howl echoed as Arcanine with warm yellow fur faced them against the explosive wind; its red-black pattern radiated an aura capable of tearing everything apart—the legendary beast from far-off lands appeared!

"Tsk tsk! Look at that imposing presence; truly extraordinary," Gary couldn't help but admire it.

Golduck turned back and gave a white-eyed glance at Gary: "Am I not handsome?"

"Golduck, can you handle this? If not, should we let Electivire go first?" Assessing Arcanine's strength made him uneasy.

Gary couldn't help but grin: "Blaine must have lost his mind!"

With levels above 60 and moves like Flamethrower, Wild Charge, Thunder Fang, Extreme Speed, and Bite, Arcanine was undoubtedly part of his top lineup!

Do you believe I'll tell my grandfather you're bullying me?

Golduck confidently gave a thumbs up towards Gary: "A man cannot say he can't do something. Leave it to me!"

I have to admit that although this duck is lecherous and greedy for food, when it matters most—even for its own pride—it truly fights hard!

Watching their interaction made Blaine nod emotionally: "This is the bond between Pokémon and trainers."

"The feeling of fighting wholeheartedly for your trainer—how moving!" Unable to hold back anymore, he ignited with passion: "Let me return this favor with all my strength!"

With an amused smile, Gary raised his voice: "Golduck! Don't give up; I want to see your glorious victory!"

"Arcanine! Use Flamethrower!"

"Golduck! Use Hydro Pump!"

Boom!! The fierce clash between both sides intensified!!