Pokemon: A different Ash

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"Ash, what are you doing? Charmeleon just has a childish temper. Isn't it a Trainer's job to guide their Pokémon?" 

Misty spoke sternly, her voice carrying over to Ash, who continued walking ahead. Pikachu stood by Ash's side, its large eyes filled with concern, hoping Ash would forgive Charmeleon. 

Though Misty had previously felt that Charmeleon was acting ungrateful, she hadn't imagined the situation would escalate to the point of a potential separation. The poor Pokémon had already been abandoned once before, and another rejection could break its spirit completely. 

"You've already taught it a lesson. Can't you give it another chance? Ash, are you even listening to me?" 

"If you act like this, how are you any different from Damian and those Trainers who abandon their Pokémon on a whim?" Misty pressed on, her voice rising as Ash remained silent. 

"Is that enough? You're being annoying!" Ash snapped, stopping in his tracks to glare at her. 

Misty froze, stunned by Ash's uncharacteristic harshness. She had never seen him so irritated, and the sudden outburst left her too shaken to respond. After a long pause, Ash resumed walking, his Pokémon reluctantly following. 

"What? I'm only doing this for your sake," Misty muttered to herself, her frustration giving way to concern. 

Brock approached, his expression serious as he glanced at Ash's retreating figure. "Ash hasn't changed, Misty. Do you really think he'd become the kind of person who abandons his Pokémon?" 

Misty bit her lip, conflicted. "You mean..." 

"Ash must be hurting more than anyone else right now," Brock explained. He didn't know Ash's exact intentions, but he had faith that Ash had a reason for his actions. He knew Ash too well to believe he'd simply give up on one of his Pokémon. 

Misty looked down, feeling guilty for her earlier accusations. "I was too quick to judge... I didn't think about how he might feel." 

"Let's head back," Brock suggested. His gaze shifted toward Charmeleon, who remained motionless in the distance. "Maybe giving both of them some space is the best thing for now. It's not our place to interfere." 

Meanwhile, Charmeleon knelt on the ground, its claws digging into the earth as its mind replayed Ash's cold words. 

"Weak and arrogant..." 

"Arrogant and disobedient... no wonder you were abandoned." 

"If you think you don't need a Trainer, then you're free." 

Each word pierced Charmeleon's heart, leaving it in turmoil. Memories of its first encounter with Ash began to surface—how it had been abandoned by its former Trainer and had waited in vain for someone who never came back. Then Ash had appeared. 

Ash had taken it to the Pokémon Center, cared for it through the night, and stood up to its previous Trainer, restoring its lost dignity.

The scenes were vivid in Charmeleon's memory. At first, Damian had abandoned it, deeming it too weak. Now, after becoming stronger, it felt as if it was being abandoned again—this time by Ash, the one who had rescued it from the depths of despair.

"Isn't this just like Damian?" Charmeleon thought bitterly, recalling its former Trainer who had cast it aside so callously. Its body trembled as it glanced back at the Poké Ball resting atop the rock. Its fiery eyes glistened with tears that it couldn't hold back any longer.

"Char!!!"

Boom!

In the forest, a massive plume of flame erupted into the sky, accompanied by a heart-wrenching roar that echoed across the woods. The sound startled nearby Pokémon, sending flocks of Pidgey scattering into the air in panic.

The cry carried far, reaching Ash and his companions as they made their way back to camp. Misty and Brock stopped in their tracks, turning to look at the fiery display in the distance. Both seemed momentarily stunned.

"That cry..." Misty murmured, her voice filled with sorrow.

"It's full of pain," Brock said, his expression somber.

Ash froze for a moment, but instead of turning back, he adjusted the brim of his cap with a firm hand and continued walking. Misty and Brock exchanged glances before silently following him, finally understanding what Brock had meant earlier—Ash was hurting deeply.

"Beep, beep!!!"

"That's so moving, Meowth can understand this feeling! I never thought the little twerp could be so heartless when he's angry. Poor Charmeleon, meow!" Meowth sniffled, his claws wiping away his tears as he observed Charmeleon from a nearby bush.

Jessie, James, and Meowth had been lurking, intending to steal Pokémon, but the raw emotion of the scene had captured their attention.

"What are you talking about? Isn't the twerp just as pitiful? Imagine how painful it must be to have a Pokémon you've trained so hard for refuse to listen to you!" James chimed in, sympathizing with Ash.

"And how would you know? If he feels that way, why doesn't he turn back?"

"Because..." James adjusted his posture, his voice turning serious. "At any time, a Trainer doesn't want to show weakness in front of their Pokémon. A Trainer's job is to protect them, no matter what. That's a man's responsibility."

Jessie rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. "I can't believe you two are getting all sentimental over this! Don't forget what we came here to do!" she snapped, landing a sharp punch on both of their heads.

"It hurts! Ow!" James and Meowth yelped in unison.

But then, Meowth suddenly noticed something. "Hey... Charmeleon is gone, meow!"

The three peered through the bushes. Charmeleon, after venting its anguish, had turned to leave. Its steps were slow, its head hung low in defeat. It didn't even glance at the Poké Ball still perched on the rock, leaving it behind without hesitation.