Gary walked over to a group that appeared to be older teens practicing their Pokèmon moves. Once there, he cleared his throat to get their attention.

"Excuse me? Hi, I'm a trainer and would like to know about what these Pokèmon Contests are all about. About how coordinators work and are different from trainers like me, and breeders. You… you all think you can… help me understand the difference between the 3? It's really for research purposes, to help me be a better trainer for my Pokèmon. Um…. please?" he asks, his confidence breaking at the 2nd half. Although he mentally was appalled at himself becoming hesitant like that, as he's Gary Oak, he couldn't stop himself from showing an unsure side of himself to these strangers.

"You are in luck, kid. We were just practicing for the contest that will be happening later today. You see, coordinators are wonderful people who raise their Pokèmon for Contests. Contests are battles in their own way, battles of appeal to wow the crowds, and be judged by a panel of judges. Who would judge your Pokémon's performance in appealing to the audience, and their battles," one of the trainer's responded.

"As for breeders, they are people that raise and take care of a Pokèmon with unconditional love. They also are very good at Pokémon grooming and an understanding of Pokémon nutrition," another trainer said.

Gary nodded, filing all this away mentally. "Thanks. If you don't mind, I'm going to watch you all practice."

After getting nods from the older teens, Gary sat down on a nearby bench watching them practice for the Contest. Nidorina popped out of her Pokèball to watch alongside her trainer.

After two hours of this, Gary bid them goodbye, and left down the road to go see if his Pokèmon were all healed up. As he rounded the corner, he spotted a familiar car by the Pokèmon center.

Smiling, Gary ran off to the car, spotting his driver and his cheerleaders stepped out. The girls had all cheered for Gary, while the driver smiled down at the young Oak boy that stopped in front of him.

"Master Gary, how have you been?" He asked the boy.

Gary took out his badge case showing off his Spotlight Badge. "I've been alright. My Pokèmon and I have been making a lot of progress," Gary answered, acting his usual arrogant self. Though this was a mask, however. He's just conflicted with what was said after gaining the badge. "The contest hall for Pokémon Contest is close by. I'm going to watch, you should all come too. I'm sure the girls would like it."

The driver and cheer squad were quite happy for the invitation to watch the contest with Gary.

"We've got some time before it starts," his driver says smiling. "Why don't you tell us about your Pokèmon that's with you? We can walk to the hall while we talk."

Gary hearing this gave him the chance to really show off his notes and his Pokedex, at the number of Pokemon he's caught so far. Causing his driver to nod and smile at the boy.

"Oh look, it is almost time to start. I would enjoy hearing more after the contest, Master Gary."

They quickly left for the contest hall. Once they had entered, Gary looked around, spotting people in outfits different to normal clothes that people would normally wear alongside their Pokèmon.

After finding their seats, Gary and his entourage watched the Pokémon Contest play out. The Appeals round was something alright. It was as those coordinators had told him. The goal was to wow the audience and the judges to receive high marks. And only those with the highest marks would move on to the battling round.

And the battling round, was to show off your Pokèmon's moves in battle, while chipping away at your opponents points while doing so. Gary noted all this pretty fast, while being able to keep up with how some moves were used, and how some could have been better. After the last match was over, the winner and their Pokèmon were presented with a ribbon for winning the contest. Clapping along with the crowd, Gary nodded at what he had witnessed. Seeing how the winner and their Pokémon hugged each other for winning, Gary was reminded of what Yuma had said about becoming more than what he currently is at.

"They were phenomenal. I guess that was what Yuma was talking about," he muttered to himself, once the contest had ended Gary and his group had left.

"I admit, that was a good contest to witness," the driver said, walking beside Gary towards the car. To which the cheering squad were already there waiting. "I take it, you know where your next gym destination is?"

Gary stopped, and pondered for a moment. "I guess Vermillion City would be on my next watch. It would take me quite a while to get there…"

"Then may I suggest you go back the way you came, towards Commerce City?" the driver suggested.

"Commerce City?"

"Right. There is a gym there that has quite an interesting battling challenge. You would have to double back the way you came, but not quite heading back towards Cerulean City. You do have your map, yes?"

Gary pulled out his map, and quickly looked it over, and found the city that was spoken about. About 5 miles east of a lighthouse on a cliff. Looking at where he was, he smiled at seeing the path he would need to take, to get on the right path towards Commerce City.

"Alright! It'll probably take me a week to get there, but that's my next gym!" Gary declared loudly, and with confidence.

"Then we shall meet you there, sir. Safe travels, and good fortune to your Pokémon captures," the driver smiled, before bowing and waving farewell to Gary.

Gary waved back, and entered the center to retrieve his Pokèmon. Once they were collected, and he made some swaps with his grandpa, he left the center, and rode his bike out into the evening and out of town. His next destination was Commerce City.

Authors notes: Gary has a lot to learn about being a trainer, what lies ahead? find out next episode!

Thanks to https//u/1725082/the-black-shinobi for this awesome collab between us!