What the heck! Can Blastoise actually MEGA Evolve?! No, that's not the point, the point is you're competing with me for Blastoise's Evolution Stone, are you even human!
This is his ace Pokemon, if it could MEGA Evolve, as long as he doesn't run into Ash in the Quartz Conference, reaching the top four is almost guaranteed!
And most importantly... showcasing Blastoise's MEGA Evolution in the Quartz Conference, a tournament that grabs everyone's attention, is such a spectacular, eye-catching moment!
This is much more enticing for Gary, but now this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity just slipped away, he's furious!
However, no matter how angry he was, he ultimately didn't make any outrageous demands for Ash to give him the MEGA Evolution Stone.
As always, he was lucky enough to pick up the Evolution Stones Ash left behind. Initially, if Ash hadn't taken him to watch the battle against Blaine, he might still not even know what MEGA Evolution is.
Let alone getting the MEGA Evolution Stone.
Also, to perform MEGA Evolution, besides the Evolution Stone, you also need a Key Stone. Ash said his grandpa has collected two Key Stones, and Ash already has one, so surely he could spare one, right?
As long as he has a Key Stone, he could figure out the rest about the MEGA Evolution Stone later.
Thinking this way, Gary felt somewhat comforted: "Take it then, take it. After all, you discovered this system first. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be clueless about it. But you must promise me one of those Key Stones!"
"Of course, of course, I'll also keep an eye out for any MEGA Evolution Stones you could use. Don't worry, you're my childhood buddy, I've got your back~" Seeing Gary didn't mind, Ash felt relieved, and then gave Gary a friendly pat on the shoulder with a generous smile.
Actually, with his current battle power, he didn't really need that MEGA Evolution Stone, but it just so happened to be Blastoise's.
Blastoise was struggling to keep up with the rest, so if it could MEGA Evolve, it would be beneficial for both its battle strength and future growth; this is why Ash really needed that MEGA Evolution Stone.
If Gary insisted, Ash wouldn't have fought over it with him. After all, to put it nicely, he found it and had Professor Oak collect it, but actually, he didn't give Professor Oak anything, not even the details about the MEGA Evolution Stone.
Professor Oak just trusted him unconditionally and collected these things for him, logically and emotionally, Ash should really let Gary have the MEGA Evolution Stone, but Gary just gave up the contention without much thought.
Both felt that the other deserved the Evolution Stone, but since Ash managed to get his hands on it first, Gary decided to step back.
"Let me see what Blastoise's MEGA Evolution Stone looks like, so I won't miss it if I encounter one outside."
Faced with Gary's request, Ash nodded, then approached Blastoise to have it release the Evolution Stone from its body.
After a moment, a large gem the size of a palm floated out of Blastoise, which Ash handed over to Gary.
This Evolution Stone was transmitted along with Venusaur; Ash was fully prepared to let Blastoise compete during the battle against Giovanni.
But to his surprise, the battle with Giovanni was forcibly changed into a two-on-two, so Blastoise didn't get the chance to appear.
Gary took Blastoise's Evolution Stone, his eyes nearly glued to it, examining it thoroughly and memorizing its appearance before giving it back to Ash.
"Alright, I've got it memorized, I definitely won't miss it if I see one outside. By the way, where are you heading next? You've collected all eight badges, right? Planning to return to Pallet Town?" Gary asked Ash about his next step.
"Yeah, planning to go back to Pallet Town for a bit, then prepare for some specialized training over the next two months. I've been away from home for so long, never went back once, and haven't called much recently either. My mom will definitely nag me when I return." Ash rubbed his temples, dreading his mom's nagging.
Due to his recent intense schedule, he barely had any time to rest, and even when he did make calls, it was usually to Professor Oak for Pokemon exchanges, almost never called home.
Delia did make a few calls, but they went to his mobile phone; she didn't say much, the usual reminders to eat well, sleep well, and be careful on the road.
Due to the lack of video calls, Delia felt like something was missing, so every time she called, she'd ask Ash to call her from a Pokemon Center.
But each time Ash got to a Pokemon Center, he forgot about it, and by the time he remembered, he was no longer there.
For this, Delia nagged him plenty, so Ash knew he'd surely be lectured by her when he got back.
"What about you guys? Headed back to the Gym?" Gary just chuckled at Ash's impending fate without further comment, then turned his gaze to Misty and Brock.
The two were gym leaders of the Cerulean Gym and Pewter Gym; now that they were going back to Pallet Town, where would they go?