"At the very moment you brought me back to life, Ash-sama, I had already decided to entrust my life and soul to you. You are the only Trainer I can truly acknowledge and accept."
Tears streamed down Marill's cheeks as it bowed its head deeply.
"Please, Ash-sama… for the sake of my sincerity, let me follow you. Let me become your Pokémon. I promise I'll get along with your other partners. Please… let me stay by your side."
Yet the more desperately Marill pleaded, the firmer Ash's resolve became.
"Marill," Ash said gently, "thank you for trusting me so much. Thank you for liking me. You're adorable, and your personality is straightforward and genuine. If I didn't already have so many Water-type Pokémon, I would gladly capture you."
He paused, his gaze steady.
"But the truth is, I already have too many Water-types. If I captured you now, I simply wouldn't have enough time or energy to train you properly."
"And even after some time passes—when I might have more energy—because there are so many Water-types on my team, you would still have to compete with many others for the chance to battle. Your opportunities to showcase your strength would be limited."
"That wouldn't be fair to you."
Ash crouched down so their eyes met.
"You trust me. You like me. I'm honored by that. But precisely because of that, I don't want you to suffer unfair treatment in my team."
"So I can't capture you. No matter what you say, I cannot."
"Marill~ It's okay! I don't mind!" Marill cried. "As long as I can follow you, I'll already be happy. Even if you only let me battle occasionally, I'd be satisfied. I don't ask for much."
"Marill~ I like you, Ash-sama. I want to follow you. For you, I'd do anything."
Hearing that vow, Ash's expression hardened.
"Marill. Snap out of it."
His tone, usually warm and gentle, turned sharp and stern.
"I'm Ash of Pallet Town. My dream is to stand at the pinnacle of the Trainer profession—to become the strongest Trainer in the Pokémon world. The Pokémon I capture and the partners who follow me must possess a strong heart—the heart of a champion."
"If you trust me because you want to grow stronger, and you believe I can help you achieve that, then I respect that. Even if I can't capture you due to my team composition, I'd gladly recommend you to another outstanding Trainer whose style matches yours."
"But if you only want to follow me because I healed you… because I saved your life and you wish to repay me…"
He shook his head.
"Then you don't need to. I opened free clinics under the Stone Bridge outside Pallet Town without ever expecting repayment."
"And if you want me to capture you simply because you like me—then I'll tell you clearly: I won't. A blind, irrational attachment like that does not meet my standards for a companion."
His voice was calm—yet unyielding.
"Ash-sama…" Marill gazed up at him, eyes filled with heartbreak and pain.
"If your true desire is to become stronger and more outstanding, I can recommend other Trainers I know. If you have any other reason for wanting to be captured, I can help you find a suitable Trainer."
"So calm down. Think carefully. When you have your answer, come tell me. I'll visit the Stone Bridge every day."
Ash stood up and turned his gaze back toward the battlefield at the estuary, saying nothing more.
"Marill…"
After a long moment, Marill lowered its head and leapt back into the sea, swimming away with heavy sorrow in its heart.
…
Marill's matter was only a brief interlude. Ash did not dwell on it.
Its potential and temperament simply didn't align with what he sought in a partner.
If Marill eventually thought things through, Ash could recommend it to Misty. As a Water-type specialist, Misty would treasure a Pokémon like Marill—adorable in appearance, blessed with the dual Water/Fairy typing and the Huge Power Ability. With proper training, it could grow into a formidable dragon-slaying warrior.
Moreover, Misty's current team was small. Marill would undoubtedly be raised as a core member there.
But within Ash's own squad, it would struggle to receive the attention and resources it deserved.
-----s
Meanwhile, the battle circle formed by wild Water-type Pokémon at the estuary continued roaring with excitement.
Feebas and Magikarp rotated onto the field, taking challenges one after another. While one battled, the other rested and recovered stamina.
Feebas vs. Marill
Magikarp vs. Krabby
Feebas vs. Poliwag
Magikarp vs. Shellder
Feebas vs. Goldeen
Magikarp vs. Staryu
When they first stepped into the challenge ring, both Feebas and Magikarp were only LV.5.
But thanks to the continuous stamina restoration from the surrounding waters—and their Mastered proficiency in Tackle and Water Gun—they quickly began sweeping through opponents.
Pokémon below LV.10 were simply no match for Ash's Magikarp and Feebas.
Even when facing opponents with decent strength and various control moves, battles merely lasted slightly longer. In the end, victory still belonged to Ash's side.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Defeated LV.5 Krabby. Gained 64 EXP.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Defeated LV.7 Shellder. Gained 86 EXP.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Defeated LV.6 Goldeen. Gained 70 EXP.]
[Ding! Magikarp has met the requirements to level up. Leveling… Current Level: LV.7]
[Ding! Feebas has met the requirements to level up. Leveling… Current Level: LV.7]
In the mid-to-late stages of a Pokémon's growth, Ash always stabilized their foundation with focused training after every one or two level-ups.
But during the early stages, rapid progression was acceptable.
Only after rising four to five levels would he halt their battles and arrange a full day of intensive reinforcement training to solidify their explosive growth.
Magikarp and Feebas started the morning at LV.5.
With the estuary filled with wild Water-types providing a steady stream of experience—
Magikarp:
LV.5 → LV.6 → LV.7 → LV.9 → LV.10
Feebas:
LV.5 → LV.6 → LV.7 → LV.9 → LV.10
After both Pokémon had climbed five full levels, Ash finally called a stop to the challenges.
The morning sun shimmered across the water's surface.
Two once-overlooked Pokémon now stood proudly at LV.10—
And their journey had only just begun.
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T/N:
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