Gary leaned back in his seat, the newly acquired Ability Expansion Stone resting on the table in front of him.
Its smooth surface glead faintly under the stadium lights, pulsing with an almost living energy.
This was no ordinary item — the potential it held for his team was imnse.
But with limited uses and countless possibilities, the decision of who would receive it was far from simple.
Aggron imdiately ca to mind. The towering Steel/Rock-type was one of Gary's more battle-tested Pokémon, its armor-like plating and sheer physical power making it a fearso presence in any fight.
Aggron's standard Ability was Rock Head, preventing recoil damage. Its second Ability was Sturdy, allowing it to survive what would otherwise be a one-hit knockout.
On paper, both abilities were valuable… but in Gary's mind, they lacked the explosive utility he wanted for the Expansion Stone.
"Practical, but not ga-changing… Aggron's out."
Next was Gardevoir — and here, Gary's eyes lit up.
Gardevoir's standard Ability was Synchronize, reflecting any status condition it suffered — paralysis, burn, or poison — back onto its opponent.
Its second Ability, Trace, was far more situational but potentially devastating. It allowed Gardevoir to copy an opponent's Ability at the start of battle.
While not every Ability could be replicated, most could — and in the right matchup, this could completely turn the tide.
Gary smirked at the thought.
"Copying Swift Swim from a Kingdra in rain… or Levitate from a Flygon… that could win battles outright."
Of course, the downside was obvious — sotis the copied Ability was useless. If Gardevoir traced Blaze from a Charizard, the boost to Fire-type moves was aningless for her.
But if she copied Solar Power, the special attack boost under sunlight could be lethal.
Gary tapped the stone with one finger.
"System… will Trace overwrite the other two abilities if I use this stone?"
[No. Trace only affects the ability it replaces temporarily. Your other activated abilities will remain unchanged.]
Gary smiled.
"Perfect. That removes my only concern."
Gardevoir officially beca a top candidate.
Other Possibilities
Gary ntally cycled through his roster. He needed Pokémon with three abilities — a standard, a second, and a hidden — all of which could be useful in real battle.
Annihilape ca first:
Vital Spirit (immunity to sleep)Inner Focus (immune to flinching)Defiant (attack boost when stats are lowered)
All three abilities had excellent competitive value.
Then there was Scizor:
Swarm (boost Bug moves at low HP)EX Technician (power boost to weaker moves)Light tal (halve its weight)
Light tal, while not as flashy as Technician, had hidden benefits — lighter weight ant reduced damage from moves like Grass Knot and increased aerial maneuverability.
Heracross was another strong contender:
SwarmGuts (boost attack when inflicted with a status condition)Moxie (attack boost after knocking out a foe)
With a held Fla Orb to trigger Guts, followed by a Moxie snowball effect… Gary could already imagine opponents panicking.
Finally, Alakazam:
Inner FocusSynchronizeMagic Guard (immune to indirect damage)
Gary knew Magic Guard's immunity to weather, poison, and entry hazards could swing matches in his favor.
He frowned, leaning back in his chair.
"If I give this to one of these Pokémon… what if the Sinnoh League has restrictions like Hoenn?"
In Hoenn, he had been required to use only regional Pokémon. If Sinnoh followed the sa rule, his investnt in a non-Sinnoh Pokémon could backfire.
Gary's thoughts drifted to his eventual confrontation with Tobias — the mysterious trainer who had crushed Ash's Sinnoh dreams.
His Darkrai and Latios were easily Champion-level, likely around level 70. By comparison, Pikachu was level 63 and would peak around 65 before the Sinnoh League.
Training a Pokémon of that caliber wasn't a matter of days or weeks — it was years of dedicated work.
"We'll cross that bridge when we co to it. For now… let's win the Ever Grande Conference."
Gary sighed, glancing toward his Blastoise's Poké Ball.
Blastoise's abilities were:
EX Torrent (boost Water moves at low HP)Hidden Ability: Rain Dish (heal in rain)
Rain Dish was too situational — it required weather support and offered slow healing. If its recovery were stronger, it might be worth it, but in high-level battles, it was rarely ga-changing.
Gary posed another question to the system:
"If a Pokémon has multiple abilities and then ga Evolves, which ability takes priority?"
[The Pokémon's base ability will change to the ga Evolution ability, while the others remain active.]
That gave Gary an idea.
"So… if I use an Ability Capsule to make Rain Dish the base ability, then use the Expansion Stone to unlock Torrent… after ga Evolving, Rain Dish becos ga Launcher, and I keep Torrent as well?"
[Correct. But Expansion Stones are extrely rare — even winning the Ever Grande Conference will only grant you two.]
Gary grinned.
"Then Blastoise will just have to wait."
Although Ash had been eliminated by Tyson, the Ever Grande Conference rolled on. The stadium announcer's voice echoed over the crowd.
"Match three of the quarterfinals — Gary Oak versus Sasuke!"
Gary stepped onto the battlefield, scanning his opponent. Sasuke was dressed like a ninja from head to toe — black tunic, gloves, and boots — though he lacked a forehead protector. His eyes were sharp and unreadable.
Gary smirked.
"Guess we're bringing so Kanto flair to this ninja act."
The battlefield selection roulette spun, flashing through Grass, Water, Fire, Ice… before landing on Rock Field. Imdiately, jagged stone pillars and uneven ground erged from the stadium floor.
The referee raised his flag.
"Full battle format! When one side loses three Pokémon, we break for halfti. Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"
Gary threw his Poké Ball.
"Let's go, Salance!"
"Salance, take flight!"
"Saaala-NCE!!" The massive Dragon/Flying-type landed with a heavy thud before letting out a sky-shaking roar.
Sasuke smirked and tossed his own ball.
"Masquerain, take flight!"
"Mas-que-RAIIIIN!" The Bug/Water-type erged, its patterned wings spreading wide, mimicking large eyes to intimidate its foe.
Masquerain's Intimidate lowered Salance's attack by one stage. But Salance's own Intimidate triggered in return, lowering Masquerain's attack — and because of Masquerain's fragile build, even its defense dropped under the dragon's sheer presence.
Gary stayed calm.
"Salance, start with Stone Edge!"
Salance stomped the ground, conjuring sharp, glowing rock shards that shot forward at blinding speed.
The air filled with the sound of whistling stone blades as they streaked toward Masquerain — dozens of them, no safe route to evade.
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