Indigo League 5: Gary

**"Indigo League 5: Gary"** is the is the fiftieth (fifty-second in Archive of Our Own and Royal Road) chapter of *Pokémon Reset Bloodlines.* The night prior to the Top 16 round, Ash's female companions talk about their feelings for him. On the next day, as the League conducts a survey for a possible future competition that will take place across all regions, Gary Oak prepares for his next battle against Paul, even getting help from Ash and the twins Elwood and Aideen.

## Plot

The night prior to the Top 16 round, Misty, Iris and Anabel are having a chat in their room before going to sleep. The chat begins about their hair styles, as Ash apparently likes them long, before moving on to their dates with Ash so far, and thinking about what else they can do with him. Anabel mentions a parade, while Iris suggests a picnic to get away for a bit and have some peace and quiet. They comment how fun it is to plan dates, and they want to make sure to give Ash one per round, as they're confident he's going to make it all the way to the finals. Iris comments that there's no reason for them to stop after the league, since they still love Ash, causing Misty to freeze up at the word. Despite having accepted her feelings for him, she still has trouble saying the word "love" out loud, to which Anabel tells her she shouldn't be ashamed to say it. Misty finally admits it, several times and listing every single thing she loves about Ash until she's out of breath, to which Anabel points out it's enough bravery for one night. After they go to sleep, Misty is left pondering about how Iris is willing to share Ash, and Anabel seems to be on the same page as her. She then wonders if she can do the same, and if Ash would be willing to as well.

The Top 16 day begins with a group of interviewers asking questions to many participants of the League, including Ash, the Hiker, Fergus and Ritchie, among others. Apparently, the Pokémon League is interested in exploring new models of competition and fostering international interaction, given the tentative name "Pokémon World Championships" while considering others like "World Coronation Series" and "International League". Battles would be arranged by an app that helps identify participants and rank the trainer's based on their performance and victory versus loss ratios. The tournament itself would be set in four tiers for the fairest opponent selection possible with the intent of having those in the highest tier meet up for an international tournament hosted annually alongside existing leagues. The tournament would also allow Gym Leaders, Elite Four members and even Regional Champions to participate, across all of the trainer regions. The survey is also discussing rules and possible loopholes to be covered that could be exploited by participants in order to make it as fair as possible for everyone participating.

While Ash is having breakfast at a restaurant, he's approached by Gary. The two exchange some bantering and discuss how they've fared in the tournament so far. Shortly after they're joined by the twins Elwood and Aideen, who are using their last free food time for themselves. The twins have come to offer some support for Ash and Gary, as they're the only ones from their Summer Camp left in the tournament, and they discuss what they could do after they're done in Indigo. The twins have considered going to Johto to participate in the Silver Conference, although they would like to maybe go a bit further away, with Aideen mentioning that Jeanette and A.J. apparently plan to head for Galar of all places, much to Ash's surprise, also taking notice that Gary seems nervous. Elwood thinks it doesn't matter much where he goes as the Gyms are mostly the same everywhere, and wonders if he could try elsewhere with less rounds given how tough the five he managed through were in Indigo. Ash mentions that he plans going to Johto partly because Misty wants to participate in the Whirl Cup, and he would like to do so as well. When he inquires Gary about his own plans, the latter replies that he'll decide in the afternoon later, since now his only goal right is to beat Paul and take revenge for the humiliating defeat he suffered at his hands, saying that he would be happy if he just wins this one match and nothing else. Internally, Ash recalls his own matches against Gary and Paul and how satisfying they felt, making his Johto and Sinnoh achievements more complete. The twins immediately offer some help, with Elwood offering him an Assault Vest and Aideen a Mystic Water. Ash seems willing to offer his Gengarite, but Gary doesn't have a Gengar who can use it, though he does think of something that involves Pikachu. The rodent isn't keen on being borrowed by one of Ash's rivals, but Gary explains he wants Pikachu to help his Porygon master an Electric attack, which he agrees to.

## Continuity

* This chapter takes place at the same time as the previous one, covering the early timeframe.
* The Top 16 round of the Indigo League begins, with Gary defeating Paul and advancing to the Top 8.
* First appearance of Daisy Oak in the main story.