I, Gary, Want to Become a Pokemon Master

Chapter 663 - 663: The Second Round Opponent, Maya

"You're so overconfident," Ash said, crossing his arms as he stared at Gary with a determined expression. "You're definitely going to use Pokémon you caught in the Sinnoh Region. If you're not careful, you'll get overturned."His tone carried more than just teasing. There was memory in it—a sting that hadn't faded.

Gary glanced at him briefly.

Ash had never forgotten what happened at the Ever Grande Conference. That defeat, that moment of collapse—it lingered like a shadow over every League he entered since.

And this time, Ash had clearly prepared differently. He had brought back Pokémon from previous regions—Johto, Kanto—relying on experience instead of blindly trusting newly caught Pokémon.

Gary understood that. But it didn't change his response.

"Don't worry about me," Gary said flatly. "You should worry about yourself."

His gaze sharpened slightly. "And try not to repeat what happened at the Ever Grande Conference."

Ash froze.

"…!"

The words hit exactly where they were meant to. His fists tightened at his sides, and his expression stiffened.

Dawn, standing beside him, blinked in confusion. "…What happened at the Ever Grande Conference?" she asked, looking between them.

She had noticed it before. Every time Gary mentioned it, Ash went silent—frustrated, almost embarrassed.

Ash didn't answer. He couldn't.

Gary waved a hand dismissively. "Anyway—move."

He stepped past them without waiting for a response and left the Pokémon Center.

That Evening

The contestant village was quieter now. The earlier noise had faded into a subdued calm as Trainers rested, prepared, and mentally rehearsed their strategies.

Gary finished dinner at the dining hall.

He returned to his room. The door slid shut behind him with a soft click.

The room was clean and minimal—a desk placed near the window, a terminal already active and awaiting input. Gary sat down.

Time to check her.

He accessed the database. Maya. Her profile appeared.

Sinnoh native. Fifteen years old. First League appearance.

Gary's eyes moved down the screen. Breloom. Lopunny. Infernape. All three had been used during the qualifiers. No hidden Pokémon yet, or she simply hadn't revealed them.

Gary leaned back slightly. Breloom… fast, aggressive. Lopunny… flexible. Infernape… dangerous.

His gaze narrowed. But still… not enough.

He shut off the screen. Tomorrow.

The Next Morning

Sunlight filtered across Lily of the Valley, casting long shadows across the stadium grounds.

Gary arrived early at Arena D.

The air carried a faint chill, and Trainers were already gathering.

Maya was there.

Gary spotted her immediately. She stood near the waiting area, her posture straight but slightly tense. She wore a simple outfit, her hair tied neatly, her expression calm—yet her eyes revealed a hint of nervous anticipation.

That's her.

Gary observed her for a moment. She looked young, but there was something composed about her. Not fragile, not weak.

She's prepared.

Then Maya turned, and their eyes met.

For a split second, she froze. Her face flushed slightly, and she immediately turned her head away.

"…?"

Gary blinked once. Shy? That was unexpected. Most Trainers at this level didn't react like that.

He didn't think much of it. Instead, he walked to a nearby seat and sat down, waiting.

It's just another match.

But a moment later, he noticed movement.

Gary glanced up. Maya was walking toward him—step by step, slow and careful—until she stopped in front of him.

Gary looked at her. "Do you need something?"

Maya hesitated, then spoke. "Hello… my name is Maya," she said, her voice soft but clear. "I'm… your fan."

Gary raised an eyebrow slightly. "My fan?"

Maya nodded quickly. "I was at the Indigo Plateau Conference three years ago," she continued, her cheeks turning red as she spoke. "I watched your battles there… and I really admired you."

Her hands tightened slightly around what she was holding—a notebook, Jigglypuff-themed, with a pen clipped to the side.

"I've followed all your matches since then," she said, her voice gaining a bit of confidence. "So… could you sign this for me?"

She held it out.

Gary looked at it, then at her. "You're not joking?"

"No!" Maya shook her head immediately. "I'm serious!"

Her face was completely red now, but her eyes were sincere.

Gary paused. She really is a fan. That was unexpected.

Fighting a fan…

Gary exhaled quietly. "We'll talk about that after the battle," he said, his tone calm and firm. "I don't sign anything before a match."

Maya blinked, then nodded quickly. "Yes!" She pulled the notebook back. "Then I'll come find you after the battle!"

She turned and walked back to her seat, her steps a little faster than before.

Gary watched her go, then noticed something else—other Trainers watching and murmuring.

"…Seriously?"

"That girl is his fan?"

"Why him?"

"What's the use of being good-looking…"

"Unbelievable…"

Gary closed his eyes briefly. Pointless. He ignored them.

9:00 AM

The matches began. The first battle ended quickly, followed soon after by the second.

Time passed. Twenty minutes.

Then the announcement came.

"The second match of the morning will now begin! Contestant Gary and Contestant Maya, please enter the battlefield!"

Gary stood. Maya stood.

They walked forward.

The stadium opened before them, revealing a rock terrain battlefield—uneven ground, jagged formations. A terrain favoring durability and positioning.

They took their places.

Maya looked at Gary. Her eyes were bright, focused, filled with anticipation.

Gary met her gaze calmly. She's serious.

The audience murmured.

"She's pretty…"

"Too bad she's facing Gary…"

"No mercy, Gary!"

"Three sweeps again!"

Gary ignored it.

The referee stepped forward. "This is a three-on-three battle! The match ends when all Pokémon on one side are unable to battle! The terrain is Rock! Both Trainers—send out your Pokémon!"

Poké Balls flew, and light burst onto the field.

"Breloom!"

"Rhyperior."

Two figures emerged.

Breloom was lean and agile, its stance low and ready. Rhyperior was massive and immovable, like a fortress carved from stone.

[Breloom ♂]

[Level: 48]

[Potential: Gym-tier]

[Rhyperior ♂]

[Level: 64]

[Potential: Champion-tier]

Maya's breath slowed. It's him… Rhyperior.

Gary's signature Pokémon from the Indigo Plateau Conference. The one she had watched, admired, and feared.

Her heart pounded. He's serious… He's using this Pokémon…

Excitement and pressure mixed in equal measure.

The referee's flag dropped.

"The battle begins!"

Maya moved first. "Breloom, Mach Punch!"

"Bre—loom!"

Breloom vanished forward in a blur. Its body surged with Fighting-type energy, its glowing fist closing the distance instantly.

It struck.

BANG!!

The punch landed squarely against Rhyperior's body—but Rhyperior didn't move. Not even slightly. Its massive frame absorbed the impact like solid stone.

Gary's voice followed immediately. "Ice Punch."

Rhyperior moved, lifting its arm. Cold energy gathered around its fist, sharp and freezing.

Maya's voice came at the same time. "Sleep Powder!"

Breloom didn't dodge. Instead, it leaned forward, and green powder burst from its body, spreading rapidly into the air.

Rhyperior's fist came down.

BANG!!

The Ice Punch connected cleanly. Breloom was sent flying backward, its body tumbling through the air before crashing onto the ground.

But the powder remained, settling over Rhyperior. A faint green glow surrounded the massive Rock/Ground-type.

The battlefield stilled.

Breloom lay on the ground, struggling to rise. Rhyperior stood motionless, covered in Sleep Powder.