Pokemon: I am Gary

"Count, count, count the badges, count to one Celadon Badge~" In the rest area of the Pokémon Center, Gary Oak sat at a table humming a tune while polishing his Poké Balls and badge case.

After all, Gary loved to kiss his Poké Balls, so it was better to keep them clean…

Counting on his fingers, he realized he had already collected five badges.

Aside from the last Viridian Badge, he only needed two more badges before participating in the Pokémon League at the Indigo Plateau.

"Sigh~ I'm really a genius~" Satisfied, he put away his badge case and calmly returned his Poké Balls to his belt.

However, a new problem arose: with over three months until the Indigo League, he had too much time on his hands!

"I need to find some reliable activities—preferably something that's quick and efficient." Rubbing his chin, Gary pondered.

Firstly, training couldn't be neglected. His team's average level had reached level 35. If he continued steadily, by the time the League arrived, his team would be well-prepared.

Secondly, with time still on his side, he could do some special training—especially since he still had Lorelei's ice-type insights and Giovanni's notes on Earth's mysteries. He couldn't let those go to waste.

Lastly, since there was still plenty of time, Gary thought he could also work on earning some extra pocket money.

According to Giovanni's notes on training methods—if he just sat around waiting for money to come in, his Rhypherior and Nidoking would probably eat through the back mountain of Professor Oak's lab!

"Forget it; no need to overthink it. There will always be a way when we get there." Nodding to himself, Gary got up to head to the kitchen for breakfast.

"Eevee-chan, can you please go outside and call everyone back for breakfast? We're about to set off." After giving instructions to Eevee, Gary donned a pink apron and walked into the kitchen.

Eevee scampered outside to gather all the Pokémon that were training in the morning.

Since the Pokémon Center was a public place, Gary had sent Golduck with the kids outside early that morning for training.

Swish! A red flash rushed into the cafeteria as he grabbed a frying pan!

Just as he was about to start cooking, Gary's mouth twitched. "I haven't even started yet."

"Let's go!" Scizor, pretending to be calm, sat down and began practicing its energy gathering. If it weren't for how emotional it looked with tears in its eyes, he might have believed it!

Before long, Eevee and Golduck led Arcanine and Sneasel, along with the newly joined Elekid, back inside.

Since Nurse Joy had worked late into the night yesterday, Gary decided to brew a pot of coffee.

Breakfast consisted of toast spread with cheese sauce. As a cheese enthusiast, Gary's bag was filled with cheese sauce and mayonnaise. He loved any food that had a dairy flavor!

As a side dish for today's sweet and savory pairing—he prepared assorted oden.

The broth was made from bonito flakes and seaweed powder with toppings including shiitake mushrooms, chikuwa, fish cakes, kelp knots, konjac noodles, mochi bags, fish balls with stuffing, small sausages, and the soul of oden—daikon radish!

Looking at all the ingredients that had soaked up the broth since last night made him nod in satisfaction as he took a spoonful of broth for a taste.

"Ah~ Life is all about this bowl of soup." The refreshing flavor spread warmth throughout his body.

He placed the toast and coffee along with oden onto a tray for Chansey to deliver to Nurse Joy in her room.

Only then did Gary turn around to feed his Pokémon.

This morning felt particularly lazy. Plus, since they had run out of Pokémon food just right now—he decided to use energy cubes as breakfast instead.

These were great! Nutrient-rich while also boosting Pokémon happiness levels.

Not being stingy at all—he poured two cans for each Pokémon according to their favorite flavors.

Eevee and her friends began eating without hesitation.

After all—when it came to food—Gary never skimped on his Pokémon!

Since he could make energy cubes himself—having them around wasn't too rare either.

Therefore, seeing breakfast consist only of energy cubes didn't faze them much at all.

The new Elekid imitated everyone else sitting in front of its bowl,

Gary, rummaging through his backpack for energy cubes pulled out two cans of lime flavor saying: "Electric-types like something sour right?"

Watching as Elekid gingerly picked up a pale yellow crystalline cube and slowly put it into its mouth,

"Bzz!???!" What is this? This addictive taste!!

With its arms flailing wildly—Elekid stuffed six or seven energy cubes into its mouth at once like a hamster!

Gulping down after chewing just twice—it excitedly raised its hands shouting: "Elekid! This is amazing!"

Zing~ A blinding white light erupted causing Gary and other Pokémon to stare wide-eyed in shock.

Wow! It was their first time witnessing one evolve due to how delicious food was!

Soon enough—a towering figure covered in yellow-black stripes appeared before them—a newly evolved Electabuzz.

Smiling at Electabuzz, Gary patted its shoulder: "Hey there! You're quite spirited! Trust me; good days are still ahead. Keep working hard!"

"Elek!" It nodded vigorously flexing its arms showing off its muscles indicating it would strive even harder!

Golduck shook its head feeling pressure from how hard everyone else was working…

Sneasel started eating even more enthusiastically; it planned on filling up before studying ice techniques thoroughly aiming for an early evolution into Weavile!

Having witnessed one evolution during breakfast made Gary feel quite magical indeed.

However upon further reflection—he guessed why this happened. Originally Electabuzz was already on the verge of evolving.

And with Zapdos's power infused within—it possessed all necessary elements for evolution already present within itself.

Then delicious energy cubes triggered emotional fluctuations leading ultimately towards its evolution process!

After everyone finished eating—seeing Nurse Joy still asleep inside her room—Gary greeted Chansey before leaving the Pokémon Center. Riding Arcanine, Gary initially planned on heading straight towards Fuchsia City.

However just after leaving Gringey City—not far along the forest path—he encountered someone posting a bounty task.

Wearing gray overalls and a white hard hat—a burly man with a bushy beard immediately noticed Gary's Arcanine due to its impressive appearance.

"Young man! Are you a strong Pokémon Trainer?" The chubby man asked enthusiastically.

Leaning forward from behind Arcanine with interest—Gary replied cheerfully: "Well… I'm not sure how strong I am; why don't you give it a try?"

"Hey hey~ Don't misunderstand," raising his hands awkwardly—the chubby man continued: "I just wanted to ask if you'd be interested in taking on a job? We pay daily; it's quite lucrative!"

Thinking about how early it still was—Gary agreed: "How much is the pay?"

The chubby man straightened up confidently quoting: "If you can help me drive away wild Pokémon affecting our construction team—it'll be 100,000 yen for one day's work! What do you think?"

Clicking his tongue thoughtfully—Gary replied: "Hmm… better than nothing I guess."

The chubby man nearly stumbled backward in shock; wow! Was this guy truly indifferent towards money or did he have so much that my offer seemed trivial?

"Hahaha! Anyway since you've accepted—I'll have you hop aboard!" Pointing towards a bus parked nearby—the chubby man explained: "Soon this bus will transport everyone who accepted tasks directly to their locations."

Frowning slightly—Gary replied: "A Pokémon Trainer isn't something you can just pack into a bus like cabbages."

"Ahem! There's no choice; you don't understand—we're facing some tricky situations," spreading his hands helplessly—the chubby man explained further.

"I can go myself." Sighing heavily—Gary assessed him closely before deciding against joining them on their bus ride instead…

Suddenly—a shuriken flew out from within trees striking firmly into the ground pinning down one of the posters held by the chubby man!

"I'll take your task; I don't need any extra help. You can take me directly to meet whoever posted this job." A girl dressed in purple-red ninja gear appeared gracefully stepping out from shadows wearing red scarf covering half her face along with purple ponytail swaying behind her as she approached confidently!

"A ninja?" Intrigued by this sudden appearance—Gary's eyes widened slightly observing her closely now…

Perhaps startled by her presence—the chubby man turned tail running obediently towards the bus without another word spoken!

Moments later—the bus engine roared alive driving off down distant mountain roads leaving behind dust clouds swirling around them both…

Looking at Arcanine beside him—he turned towards this mysterious ninja girl saying: "That guy seems frightened by you."

Lifting her scarf slightly revealing delicate features beneath—the girl playfully stuck out her tongue saying: "Father says ninjas shouldn't reveal their names; I won't tell you mine!"

Almost laughing aloud—Gary's eyes sparkled as he teased back: "But… didn't you just tell me? It's Janine right?"

"Ah! Did I say that?" Covering her mouth surprised she exclaimed: "What should I do… but only my father knows! It should be fine…"

Amused watching this adorably innocent girl made him shake his head; such vigilance yet she calls herself a ninja?

"Hey! If you don't decide soon—the bus will disappear!" Reminding her gently yet playfully…

"Ah? Oh no! I still have tasks ahead!" She exclaimed hurriedly pulling out her Poké Ball releasing a large Zubat which flew upward soaring high into skies above while she grasped tightly onto Zubat's feet launching herself into air heading toward where tasks awaited completion…

Patting Arcanine gently on its mane—he declared: "Let's go too! Use Extreme Speed…!"

Boom! With fiery determination ignited within him—the flames burst forth transforming into blazing silhouette racing forward swiftly trailing behind Zubat soaring high above skyward bound…