Chapter 184: Gary’s Challenge

A Rivalry Rekindled

"Because I also want to see the world."

Brock adjusted his backpack, standing beside Ash.

"And traveling with Ash is a good choice."

He admitted it without hesitation, showing no embarrassment or doubt in his decision.

Gary raised an eyebrow at this, observing Ash closely.

"Ash..." He murmured, his gaze shifting. "He's earned the recognition of a Gym Leader."

For the first time, Gary seemed to acknowledge Ash in a new light.

Ash noticed the change but didn't comment on it. Instead, he decided to introduce his friends.

"Alright, let me introduce everyone."

He gestured towards Misty first.

"This is Misty, the younger sister of the Cerulean Gym Leader."

Misty crossed her arms and gave Gary a challenging look.

"And this," Ash continued, turning to Brock, "is Brock, whom you already met."

"He used to be the Pewter City Gym Leader, but he stepped down to travel with me."

Hearing this, Gary's eyes flickered with even more interest.

"Cerulean Gym, huh?"

His voice was laced with undisguised disapproval as he glanced at Misty.

Misty instantly tensed up.

"You—!"

Her fists clenched, her face turning red with frustration.

She had seen that look before—a mix of arrogance and dismissal.

Gary wasn't just looking down on her.

He was insulting her sisters and the entire Cerulean Gym.

"Pika, pika!"

Pikachu, sensing Misty's anger, glared at Gary as well.

Even though Pikachu had known Gary for a long time, his bond with Misty was much stronger.

Seeing her upset made Pikachu angry too.

Gary, however, simply raised a hand and cut Misty off before she could say anything.

"Relax," he said dismissively, his eyes shifting back to Ash.

"I thought we'd only meet again at the Indigo Plateau Conference… but I didn't expect to run into you here."

Ash folded his arms.

"What, are you looking for a battle?"

He wasn't in the best mood either.

Gary's attitude had already annoyed him, but the way he disrespected Misty only made it worse.

Gary smirked.

"Battle?"

His expression turned thoughtful for a moment before he nodded slowly.

"You could call it that. After all… I lost to you back then."

A rare moment of humility from Gary.

But before Ash could respond—

"However..."

Gary's smirk returned.

"I'm not interested in battling you just yet."

Ash narrowed his eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Gary crossed his arms, standing firm.

"Tell me your conditions. If you're going to battle me, let's make it worth it."

---

A Battle with Stakes

Ash stared at Gary for a long moment, considering his words.

Then, his expression hardened.

"Alright."

He clenched his fists.

"If you lose, you have to apologize to Misty and the Cerulean Gym."

Misty blinked in surprise.

"Ash...?"

Gary scoffed. "That's it?"

Then, he smirked again.

"Fine. If I lose, I'll apologize."

Then, his eyes gleamed with challenge.

"But what if you lose?"

Ash hesitated for only a second before reaching for something around his neck.

From under his collar, he pulled out a small, old necklace—

Hanging from it was a broken half of a Poké Ball.

Gary's expression immediately changed when he saw it.

Misty noticed and frowned. "Ash… what is that?"

Brock also looked curious.

Ash exhaled and held up the broken Poké Ball half.

"If I lose… then this belongs to you."

Gary's eyes darkened with understanding.

For a moment, there was only silence between them.

Then, he let out a quiet chuckle.

"Heh... I see."

Misty, confused by the serious atmosphere, spoke up.

"Wait, what's so special about that Poké Ball?"

Ash glanced at her before looking back at Gary.

"It's a long story…"

He turned the Poké Ball half between his fingers, his voice turning nostalgic.

"When we were kids, we both caught the same Pokémon while fishing. We argued over who it belonged to..."

"And in the struggle, the Poké Ball split in half."

Misty's eyes widened. "Wait… so you both kept a half?"

Ash nodded. "Yeah. And we made a promise."

He held up the Poké Ball half again.

"One day, we'd battle for it. The winner gets the full Poké Ball."

Brock whistled.

"That's actually kind of deep."

Misty, however, frowned again.

She wasn't sure how she felt about Ash using such an important thing as a wager.

Gary stared at Ash for a long time.

Then, his smirk returned.

"Alright, Ash. I accept your terms."

He turned toward the exit of the campsite.

"Let's settle this outside."

Without waiting, he walked ahead—

His excitement clear in his posture.

He had been waiting years for this.

And now, he was going to win.

---

A Battle Set in Stone

Ash watched Gary go, his grip tightening around the Poké Ball half.

Misty hesitated before speaking.

"Are you sure about this, Ash?"

Her voice was gentler than usual.

She still wasn't happy with Gary, but she couldn't ignore how serious this battle felt.

Ash smiled at her.

"Yeah."

He tucked the necklace back under his collar.

"This battle was always meant to happen."

Then, with determination in his eyes, he turned and followed Gary outside.

Brock and Misty exchanged glances before quickly running after him.

As they reached the battlefield, both Ash and Gary stood on opposite sides—

Their eyes burning with determination and years of rivalry.

Gary smirked.

"Ready, Ash?"

Ash grinned back.

"I've been ready for this my whole life."

Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder, sparks crackling.

Gary pulled out a Poké Ball.

"Then let's do this."

With one swift motion, he threw the Poké Ball—

And the battle began.

---

To Be Continued…