"I can't help you master that power, and even if I explained, you wouldn't understand. But if you could control it… I'd be able to stand against even Elite Four and Champions. What a shame."
Paul shook his head.
Regret?
Why would he regret it?
He wasn't a child anymore. Every decision he made, he had already prepared himself to bear the consequences.
Wasting time on this Chimchar?
He would rather go catch a stronger Pokémon!
Because of his brother Reggie's influence, his current goal was crystal clear—he wanted to accomplish what Reggie had failed to do.
To defeat Brandon at his peak.
The Battle Pyramid's King—Brandon!
Chimchar stood frozen, still in shock.
Before it had gone to sleep, all it could think about was how it needed to work even harder the next day.
After all, Paul had high expectations for it—higher than for any other Pokémon in his team.
It just had to push itself further.
But no matter how much it tried, as long as it failed to control that special Blaze power, Paul never once gave it an approving glance.
In fact, just seeing Paul filled Chimchar with an instinctive fear.
"Chimchar, leaving this guy is the best thing for both of you. Where do you want to go? You're still injured, so why don't you stay with us for now? Once you've recovered, we'll figure things out."
"Pika! Pika-chu!"
Ash's voice, along with Pikachu's, reached Chimchar's ears.
Chimchar had seen how Ash treated his Pokémon during their battle.
It looked… warm.
It had wished, countless times, for Paul to praise it just once.
Just once would have been enough.
But that had never happened.
Because as long as it failed to control that special Blaze, Paul would never acknowledge it.
"Tch. You… You're the kind of person I hate the most. Just like my brother, treating Pokémon with kindness. That only spoils them. Overindulged Pokémon waste their own potential."
Paul had already released Chimchar from its Poké Ball.
Without another word, he turned around and walked away.
Tomorrow morning, he planned to leave with his injured Pokémon—no matter their condition.
He believed that recovering from injuries through battle was the best way to improve a Pokémon's strength.
As long as they weren't at risk of dying, it didn't matter.
Ash watched as Paul's figure disappeared into the night.
Above, a Murkrow let out an eerie caw from its perch on a nameless tree.
The night felt darker than ever.
Chimchar felt like its heart was sinking into an abyss.
"Chimchar, from now on, you have to live for yourself. We all have to grow stronger for our own sake."
"Pika, Pikachu."
Pikachu nodded, standing firmly on Ash's shoulder.
A feeling Chimchar had never experienced before spread through its chest.
But the pain of being abandoned was too overwhelming, and its eyelids grew heavier and heavier…
Ash didn't put it into a Poké Ball.
Instead, he held Chimchar in his arms and carried it back to the Pokémon Center.
He was certain that Chimchar wasn't seriously hurt—just emotionally devastated.
After a good night's sleep, things would be different.
"Paul… You're going to regret this."
Muttering under his breath, Ash held the sleeping Chimchar close as he returned to the Pokémon Center.
Without waking anyone, he simply stayed by Chimchar's side for the night.
He knew how much this moment meant.
Chimchar's journey—from rejection to becoming a fighter who would shine the brightest—was what made it special.
Blaze? That was secondary.
What truly mattered was its story.
Because this wasn't a game.
This was a real world, where Pokémon had feelings.
—
The Next Morning
As soon as Chimchar woke up, it instinctively tried to leave.
Its body moved on its own.
Because that was its routine—wake up, train until exhaustion, then push itself even further.
It had always been that way.
"Chimchar, where are you going? You're free now. Come have breakfast with us."
"Pika!"
Ash and Pikachu's voices snapped Chimchar out of its daze.
Right… things had changed.
Soon, Dawn and Anabel arrived.
Dawn took one look at Chimchar and shot Ash a questioning glance.
Ash gave a small shake of his head, signaling her not to ask too much.
Once Chimchar wasn't paying attention, he briefly explained the situation.
Dawn's disgust for Paul immediately skyrocketed.
"Thank Arceus Chimchar left him early! Who knows what would've happened if it stayed?"
She and Anabel both agreed—they needed to help Chimchar move on from being abandoned.
—
Not far from the Pokémon Center, a vast grassy field stretched out under the morning sun.
They decided this would be the perfect place for breakfast.
And because of Chimchar, Ash—for the first time in a long while—volunteered to cook.
"Alright, everyone! Come on out!"
With a bright flash of light, Ash's Pokémon emerged one by one:
Tyranitar, Buizel, Sceptile, Gengar, Pidgeot, Latias, Electabuzz, and of course, Pikachu.
Dawn and Anabel did the same, releasing their teams.
Piplup, Pachirisu, Aipom, Buneary…
Stantler, Espeon, Metagross…
Pokémon that had battled together, trained together, grown together—they knew exactly what to do.
Without any orders, they instinctively divided tasks among themselves, getting everything ready for breakfast.
Chimchar stood there, eyes wide with disbelief.
Is… is this really how a meal is supposed to be?
Everyone working together? Setting up tables, chairs, dishes?
Laughing as they cooked?
How… warm.
Compared to its time with Paul…
"Here. Eat. Don't waste time. After this, more training. And we're increasing the intensity."
It was night and day.
"Chimchar, you're recovering well. You can help too! We need your fire to light the stove."
"Pika, Pikachu!"
Ash pointed at the pile of wood beneath the pot.
Chimchar hesitated, then took a deep breath.
A small burst of flames ignited the firewood.
The warmth flickered across Chimchar's face.
For the first time…
It didn't feel alone.
The Pokémon around it—laughing, chatting, smiling.
This is… happiness?
It clenched its tiny fists.
I want to stay here.
—
Author's Notes:
(I made some minor adjustments to Chimchar's storyline and moved some events forward. Personally, I think it works pretty well! Thanks for all your support everyone!)
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T/N:
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