"You are only this level after all. You can't beat me like this."
"What did you say! It's a draw. Why do you say I lost?"
"We are 2 vs. 2, but in the first battle, your Pikachu lost control and electrocuted itself. Doesn't that count as my win?"
"That... that's because I just caught it. Give me more time, and I will definitely make it my good partner."
"When you fight, will the enemy give you time?"
"······"
The two Trainers were arguing, but it was clear that the boy with the hedgehog-shaped hair was analyzing the situation calmly, while the other boy, who wore his hat backwards, was a little flustered and clearly struggling to win the argument.
"Hmph, Ash, as a Trainer, you can't even tame your own Pokémon. That's your own problem."
"···This is indeed my problem. Even if I lose this time, I will definitely beat you next time, Gary!"
"Anyone can say nice things, and frankly, I would rather compete with the guy next to me than with you."
Gary, the boy with the spiky hair, suddenly turned around and addressed Eddie, who had just approached him and Ash.
"I just saw it. What you have in your hand is a real Pokédex, right? You are the third Pokédex owner, Mr. Morning Sun, right?"
Gary had noticed Eddie long before. Even during the battle, his vigilance remained high.
At first, he had thought Eddie was just a random bystander watching the match between him and Ash, until Eddie pulled out his Pokédex.
"Compared to this impetuous Ash, I'm more interested in you, who seems calm. Mr. Morning Sun, my name is Gary, and I am also a Pokédex owner. Would you like to have a Pokémon battle?"
Gary pulled out his Pokédex, which was identical to the one Eddie held, confirming it was genuine. By revealing it, Gary was making his own identity known.
"Gary, is he also a Pokédex owner?"
The boy wearing the hat backwards, that is, Ash, did not notice Gary's mockery of him just now, but became more interested in Eddie.
Facing Gary's invitation to battle, Eddie was a little confused at first.
The two boys in front of him were the famous Ash and Gary, the original game characters who owned Pokédexes, and the future leaders of the "Pokédex owners."
The Ash and Gary here were not the same as the ones in the anime Eddie had watched in his previous life. Although they shared the same names, their personalities and battle abilities were completely different. In particular, their strength far exceeded that of the two characters in the anime.
Because these two were just like the characters in the game—both incredibly strong.
How so?
First, they had destroyed the headquarters of Team Rocket, severely crippling the organization for a long time.
Second, they reached quasi-elite strength in less than six months, and champion-level strength in just over a year.
In fact, there were many other achievements that highlighted their awesomeness, but the two above were the most representative.
So, Eddie planned to approach them and make friends. Not only because they were future strong individuals, but also because they were key figures in advancing the plot of the game, much like Yellow.
Eddie intended to communicate with them, and when they needed help (for hidden tasks), he could "kindly" assist and earn rich rewards.
Wasn't that a great deal?
However, Gary suddenly referred to him as the third "Pokédex owner."
Eddie thought to himself, How did I become a "Pokédex owner"? Isn't the term referring to the group represented by you two?
"Wait, I have a real Pokédex now. Even though I'm a player, I'm still a 'Pokédex owner.' Gary's title is correct."
Eddie thought for a few seconds and realized that Gary's words were correct. He was indeed the third "Pokédex owner."
"Ahem... Yes, I'm the third 'Pokédex owner'. Call me Morning Sun. You are Gary and Ash, right? We are both Pokédex owners. Please give me more advice in the future."
Eddie organized his words and greeted Ash and Gary.
"Hello, Morning Sun, my name is Ash. Please take care of me in the future."
Ash, seeing that Eddie was very polite, suddenly became a little reserved.
"So, Morning Sun, do you want to have a Pokémon battle?"
Gary ignored Ash at this moment and continued to challenge Eddie.
"Gary, why did you challenge Morning Sun to a fight as soon as we met? That's very impolite."
"Huh? Ash, it's a new experience to be called rude by someone as impulsive as you. Go away, I'm not challenging you."
Gary seemed to have a "well" character floating above his head as he scolded Ash.
"You two have a good relationship," Eddie observed, looking at the two who were arguing but clearly had a strong bond.
"Who has a good relationship with this guy!!" *2
"Why are you imitating me!" *2
"Hmph!" *2
Eddie: "······"
Looking at Eddie's teasing eyes, Ash and Gary exchanged a glance.
Then they continued to bicker.
Author's Note: The author did not write according to the anime, Gary here is Charmander instead of Squirtle, so please don't worry, thank you