[Ding! A novice mission has been issued. Please check the details.]
Sam opened the mission panel.
[Mission Description: Battle against Gary Oak and win.]
[Mission Type: Normal Task]
[Mission Difficulty: Novice Level]
[Mission Reward: Regular Lottery Ticket ×1]
[Time Limit: 1 Day]
Sam frowned. The mission itself wasn't difficult—but the problem was that Gary had picked Squirtle, and he had a Charmander. At level 5, with a type disadvantage, how was he supposed to win?
Should I summon Riolu? But if I do, Professor Oak might not give me Charmander... Sam fell into contemplation.
Gary approached, spotting Sam interacting with Charmander. "Sam, want to battle?"
"Sure, bring it on," Sam agreed. Completing the mission was his priority.
"Let's head to the battlefield," Gary said, walking confidently to the training yard outside Professor Oak's lab. Sam followed, thinking hard about strategy.
As they reached the field, Gary tossed a Poké Ball.
"Go, Squirtle!"
Squirtle
Base Stat Total: 314
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Naughty
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Water Gun
Potential: Excellent
Sam nodded and called out, "Let's go, Charmander!"
Charmander
Base Stat Total: 318
Ability: Blaze
Nature: Brave
Moves: Ember, Scratch, Growl
Potential: Excellent
"Hah, you picked Charmander? You're at a disadvantage! Squirtle, use Water Gun!" Gary ordered.
"Charmander, dodge to the left and close the distance!" Sam commanded through Telepathy.
Thanks to the psychic link, Charmander reacted instantly, leaping aside and rushing toward Squirtle.
"Charge up Ember in your mouth, then use it point-blank!" Sam said mentally.
Gary saw nothing unusual. "Squirtle, keep using Water Gun!"
But Squirtle had already used the move several times—its PP was exhausted. Nothing came out.
"Now, Charmander—use Ember!"
Flames burst from Charmander's mouth at close range, catching Squirtle in the face and making it stagger.
"Follow up with Scratch—right across the face!"
In real battles, it wasn't turn-based. Before Gary could react, Charmander's claws slashed down. The combo of fire damage and a direct hit was too much. Squirtle fainted.
[Ding! Mission complete. Reward: Regular Lottery Ticket ×1.]
Gary stared, stunned. "But I had the type advantage… how did I lose?"
"You kept trying to spam Water Gun, relying on the super effective bonus," Sam explained. "But you didn't consider its limited uses. And you stayed at range instead of closing in with Tackle to lock me down before firing off a Water Gun. Strategy matters."
"…You're right. I was too fixated. Sam, you're the rival I really want to defeat! Next time, I'll win for sure!"
Sam smirked. Next time? I'll have Zeraora and Lucario. You won't even stand a chance. This was your last shot, my guy. You should just battle Ash instead—at least you're childhood friends.
"See you around, Gary. I'm heading home to pack. Ash should be getting his starter soon."
Professor Oak stepped outside just in time to see Gary storming off, and Sam waved before heading home.
The moment he opened the door, he heard chaos.
"Mom! Why didn't you wake me up?! I'm late! I won't make it to Professor Oak's in time!"
Sam looked up to see a boy scrambling into his clothes. Tan skin, messy hair, energetic face—it was none other than Ash Ketchum.
Damn… this is anime-level handsome Ash. No wonder Serena, Lillie, and the others all fall for him. That sunshine jock energy's got universal appeal.
"Relax, Ash. I just came back from the lab. I picked up Charmander."
"You already went? That means… I'm last?! What did I get?"
"Charmander's mine. Gary got Squirtle. That leaves you with the electric one Professor Oak hides away," Sam said, throwing in a little push. Can't mess up the timeline and miss Ash meeting Pikachu.
"Electric-type?! You mean Professor Oak has a secret stash of Electric-types?!"
"Yup. It's powerful and cute."
"Then I gotta go, fast!" Ash grabbed his bag and raced downstairs.
"Ash! Breakfast!" called his mom, Delia Ketchum.
"No time, Mom!" Ash bolted out the door.
Sam chuckled. Delia stood nearby—dressed just like in the anime, but she looked surprisingly youthful and elegant, her face untouched by time.
"Sam, you're up early. Come eat before heading out," she said warmly.
"Thanks, Auntie Delia. I'll grab my bag real quick."
Sam went upstairs and slung on his backpack—inside were mini-capsules labeled "Tent," "Cookware," "Sleeping Bag."
Ah, so that's how they carry so much in those tiny bags. Capsule tech like Poké Balls—makes sense.
After finishing breakfast with Delia, Sam set off again toward Professor Oak's lab.
*I just want to see if Ash meets his destined partner—*the Pikachu who once beat a Latios and tanked a Mega Lucario.