I, Gary, Want to Become a Pokemon Master

"Nido!"

"Nido Nido!!"

"Nido!!" Fresh chapters posted on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁

The Nidoran♂s strutted and flexed their small yet muscular bodies one after another, vying for attention and attempting to win the favor of the Nidoran♀s. Each movement was precise, each posture calculated, a natural display of strength and vitality.

Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀, though the same species, had a peculiar pairing ritual. From a young age, they would bond, grow up together, and often remain lifelong partners, hand in hand through the forests and fields they called home.

Gary observed quietly, his gaze drawn to a particular Nidoran♂ among the trio.

Why did he focus on it?

It wasn't merely because this Nidoran♂ possessed superior battle potential. What caught Gary's attention was its unusual appearance.

Unlike the typical violet-blue of male Nidoran♂s, this one's entire body glimmered a soft blue, identical to a Nidoran♀'s natural color.

Amid the other two standard-colored Nidoran♂s, it stood out like a sapphire in a bed of amethysts.

Yet, even with this distinct coloration, it was undeniable: this Shiny Nidoran♂ had the highest level and potential among the three.

It carried itself with confidence and authority, as if it were the leader of the group, earning the implicit right to be chosen first by the Nidoran♀s. And there it stood, proud and fearless, directly in front of the largest Nidoran♀.

But the reaction of the female Nidoran♀s was unexpected. Their friendly, curious eyes instantly shifted to expressions of disapproval and disgust.

One by one, they bypassed the Shiny Nidoran♂ and trotted toward the two standard-colored males. Each female quickly paired with a conventional Nidoran♂, leaving the Shiny Nidoran♂ alone.

"Nido! Nido!"

Seeing that a single Nidoran♀ remained unpaired, the Shiny Nidoran♂ hurried over, eager to demonstrate its courtship prowess.

Yet the last Nidoran♀ recoiled, letting out a disapproving cry before darting away.

"Nido! (??)"

The Shiny Nidoran♂ froze, stunned. Its head lowered, ears drooping slightly. How could this happen? It was, without a doubt, the strongest among them. Why would it be rejected?

Gary's curiosity was piqued. He had seen wild Pokémon mate based on strength and instinct.

Usually, the most powerful male would automatically attract the females. And yet, the Shiny Nidoran♂—the undisputed strongest—had been overlooked entirely.

As the forest grew quiet, with only the Shiny Nidoran♂ left behind, Gary stepped out from the shadows.

"Nido!"

The Nidoran♂ turned sharply, ears flicking. But when it saw a human approaching, its ears drooped further, and a cloud of frustration crossed its face. It had expected the female to change her mind—but a biped? This was an entirely different problem.

"Nidoran♂, you've been abandoned?" Gary asked calmly.

"Nido!!" The Shiny Nidoran♂'s eyes blazed. It stomped the ground angrily, letting out a sharp, indignant cry. "Abandoned? Don't make me laugh! It's the Nidoran♀s who have no vision!"

Gary smiled faintly. This little creature had spunk. Perfect.

"Don't get too worked up. I think I know exactly why you haven't found a partner yet. Do you want me to tell you?" Gary said gently.

"Nido?"

The Shiny Nidoran♂ cocked its head, wary. Why would a human know its problems?

Gary crouched, bringing his eyes level with the Pokémon's. "You have higher potential than the other two males, and your strength is unmatched," he began.

"Nido~!"

The Nidoran♂ perked up, pride lighting its face. Of course! Finally, someone recognized its superiority.

"By all logic, a female should have chosen you immediately. But you came here with the other males, and yet, you were passed over. Have you ever thought the reason might be… yourself?" Gary asked softly.

"(?~?)!"

The Nidoran♂'s ears twitched. Gary's words stung, yet they rang true. No matter how strong, it had been rejected. Perhaps it wasn't a matter of strength at all.

"Nido!"

A loud, frustrated cry erupted from the Shiny Nidoran♂, a mix of anger and confusion. Its little fists trembled. If Gary pressed on, it might just charge with those tiny but sharp horns.

"The reason is actually very simple," Gary said calmly. "It's your skin color."

"BB?"

The Nidoran♂'s eyes widened. It looked down at its paws, noting the soft blue sheen. Yes, it was slightly different from the other males, but surely, that couldn't explain why it was unwanted.

Gary reached into his bag and pulled out a small mirror, placing it gently in front of the Pokémon. Then, with a tap on his Pokédex, he pulled up the image of a Nidoran♀ for comparison.

"Nido??"

The Shiny Nidoran♂ stared into the mirror, its expression shifting from confusion to shock. Never before had it seen its full reflection in the wild. Even at the stream or lake, the ripples distorted its image. But now, every detail was visible.

Gary pointed. "Look closely. Your skin color… it's exactly like a Nidoran♀'s."

"Nido!!"

The Nidoran♂'s ears drooped completely. It looked left and right, comparing itself to the Nidoran♀s in the forest. The realization hit—it really did resemble the females, down to the smallest detail.

Gary continued, bluntly: "That's why the Nidoran♀s rejected you. They see you and think you're not masculine… they think you're a female male, if that makes any sense."

"Nido!!"

Impossible! The Shiny Nidoran♂ thought. I'm strong! I'm powerful! I'm the best!

"Strength alone doesn't guarantee admiration," Gary explained. "First impressions matter. A Pokémon—or a female of any species—decides attraction based on appearance first, and then strength. If the first impression is off, no matter how powerful you are, you won't get chosen."

The problem, he explained, was simple yet heartbreaking: the Shiny Nidoran♂'s unusual coloration caused female Nidoran♀s to misinterpret its gender. In their eyes, a "girly male" could never compete for mates.

"Think about it," Gary said, softer now. "Even your fellow males treat you unusually. They back down in fights, avoid conflict, or refuse to challenge you fully. They instinctively see you as… different."

"Nido!"

The Shiny Nidoran♂'s ears perked up. It nodded slowly. True. Every fight, every challenge—other Nidoran♂s hesitated.

Gary continued: "It's all because of your appearance. The other males think you're closer to the females, and they hold back. Even if you're powerful, they don't see you as a competitor."

The Shiny Nidoran♂'s mind raced. This was why its potential was higher than most—it didn't need to fight constantly, so it grew more slowly but more steadily. Its natural talent was unrivaled.

"Nidoran♂! (^)^!!"

Tears welled in its eyes. Sadness, frustration, and helplessness mingled in that small body. From birth to now, it had been rejected by its own kind. And the reason could not be changed—its skin color was intrinsic.

"Nido?"

The Pokémon looked at Gary, hope flickering. Perhaps this human had a solution.

Gary shook his head gently. "I can't fix this for you. Not unless you find a partner who isn't a Nidoran♀. Other Pokémon, companions—they might accept you. But as long as you insist on Nidoran♀, there's no way around this."

"Nido! !!"