Gary had clearly wandered Bewilder Forest for a while too.
Ash's group had spent two days training in Sudowoodo Valley, yet they caught up to him here. Gary had arrived in Johto first, but his pride held firm—he claimed he'd caught several Pokémon in the woods and lost track of time.
Ash pressed his lips together. Sure you did.
With Hoothoot piercing the illusions and Ash pinpointing the Ghost-types' positions through aura, the four of them escaped the forest and reached Ecruteak City as night fell.
They agreed to rest at the Pokémon Center, battling at dawn.
The next morning, Referee Brock stood ready.
"This 1v1 battle between Ash and Gary begins now! One Pokémon per side!"
"Go, my sweetheart—Blastoise!"
"You're up, Charizard!"
Blastoise loomed large, cannons primed, a testament to Gary's skill. The Squirtle starter had grown into a powerhouse under his care. Gary talked a big game, but he backed it up.
Charizard matched the presence, wings half-spread, eyes locked forward.
"Your Charizard's stronger," Gary admitted, rare praise. "But type disadvantage doesn't lie. Blastoise, Hydro Pump!"
Twin water jets blasted from the cannons, thick and unrelenting.
"Charizard, dodge and close in!"
Water hit Fire-type Pokémon hard—a direct strike would hurt. But bond values built trust, and trust sharpened instincts. Free of the Power Bracer, Charizard knew its speed inside out.
It dropped low the instant the pumps fired, skimming under the streams and surging forward.
"Dragon Claw!"
Green energy sharpened Charizard's claws upward, slamming into Blastoise's underbelly and hurling the massive turtle through the air.
"How?!"
Gary's shock lasted a split second. "Rapid Spin!"
Blastoise curled into a spinning shell, drilling back to earth with control.
"Not bad!" Ash and Gary said in unison, voices overlapping.
"Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Fire led this time. Water resisted it, but the pressure still landed.
"Rapid Spin again!"
Blastoise whipped up wind, scattering the flames into harmless sparks.
That opening was all Ash needed. Charizard's claws glowed green once more.
"Clever," Gary muttered. "That Flamethrower was bait."
Dragon Claw slashed—but faltered mid-strike. The energy fizzled. Charizard stared at its claws, thrown off.
"Too bad!" Misty called from the sidelines, jumping up. "Ash, Charizard—keep going!"
Ash grinned at Charizard's puzzled look. "Next time, buddy."
"ROAR!"
Gary seized the moment. "You using me as a training dummy, Ash?!"
Blastoise spun back into position, ready. Dragon Claw's raw newness had shown—Gary pieced it together fast and bristled.
"Haha, don't be mad, Gary!" Ash laughed it off. Their rivalry ran too deep for grudges. Perfect sparring partner? He wouldn't waste it.
"Charizard, one more Flamethrower!"
"Same trick won't work twice! Blastoise, Hydro Pump—meet it head-on!"
Fire and water collided center-field, exploding into thick steam that swallowed the arena.
"Rocket Headbutt!"
"Dragon Claw!"
Both called close-range strikes in the haze.
"ROAR!"
Charizard's pained roar cut through.
"Your tail's like a beacon, Ash! Blastoise, Hydro Pump!" Gary laughed, victory close.
No water followed.
"What's going on?"
Gary couldn't see through the steam. Neither could Blastoise. But Ash's aura mapped every shift. Gary's counter came exactly as expected—too proud to play punching bag.
The mist cleared. Charizard clutched its stomach, breathing hard, scorched and battered.
Blastoise lay sprawled, unmoving.
"Blastoise!" Gary rushed forward, then recalled it. "You did great."
"Blastoise is unable to battle. Charizard wins—the victor is Ash!" Brock declared.
"You've gotten stronger," Gary said, extending a hand. "Save the rematch for the Silver Conference. I've got work to do—can't let you catch up."
Ash clasped it firmly. "I won this time. Next time too."
Charizard: 195 / 255