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"A Turtwig... so you caught one too."
For a split second, the icy mask on Paul's face fractured. Ash caught the flicker of nostalgia in his eyes—a brief, haunting reminder that even the cold-blooded rival from Sinnoh had once started his journey with a small green turtle. But as quickly as the emotion appeared, it was buried under layers of clinical indifference.
"How about a battle?" Ash suggested, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "This little guy has been itching for a real test, and I think you're the best person to give it to him."
Paul's gaze shifted to the Turtwig at Ash's feet. The turtle stood its ground, its seedling quivering with a warrior's anticipation. "Hmph. Fine. Let's see if your training amounts to anything more than sentimental posturing."
They found a flat stretch of earth on the forest's edge. Brock stepped into his familiar role as referee, while Dawn watched from the sidelines, her heart hammering.
"The Fire-type Chimchar vs. the Grass-type Turtwig," Dawn whispered, her brow furrowed. "Ash is at a total disadvantage. Why does he look so calm?"
"Experience, Dawn," Brock replied. "Ash has made a career out of winning battles the Pokédex says he should lose. Watch closely."
"Chimchar, Flame Wheel!" Paul barked.
The orange monkey didn't hesitate. It curled into a ball, the flame on its tail igniting its entire body as it transformed into a roaring sphere of fire. It tore across the dirt, a heatwave preceding its path.
"Turtwig, the subtle step—now!"
As the fireball bore down on him, Turtwig didn't scramble in a blind panic. He waited until the last possible second, then shifted his weight with a sharp, practiced tilt of his shell. The Flame Wheel whistled past, the heat singeing the air where he had been standing. Turtwig skidded to a halt and immediately pivoted.
"Bite!"
Before Chimchar could unfurl from its roll, Turtwig lunged. His jaws clamped down on Chimchar's arm with the crushing force of a vice.
"Chim!" The monkey shrieked in pain, its prepared Ember dying in its throat as it struggled to shake the turtle off.
"Now, Slam!" Ash commanded.
Turtwig didn't let go. Using his low center of gravity, he whipped his head back and forth, slamming Chimchar into the dirt repeatedly before spinning and flinging the monkey across the clearing.
Paul's face darkened. "Useless. Stand up and use Flame Wheel again!"
Chimchar scrambled to its feet, its limbs trembling. It tried to ignite its fur again, but its movements were sluggish, its spirit flagging under Paul's harsh tone.
"End it with Tackle—maximum output!"
Turtwig dug his feet into the earth and launched. He wasn't just a turtle; he was a green projectile. He hit Chimchar with the force of a runaway truck, the impact sending the fire monkey tumbling backward until it lay still, eyes swirling in defeat.
"Chimchar is unable to battle," Brock announced. "Turtwig wins!"
Paul stood in a long, oppressive silence. He looked at the fallen Chimchar, then at Ash's Turtwig. "That speed... it shouldn't be possible for that species."
"Training isn't just about power, Paul," Ash said, kneeling to let Turtwig nuzzle his hand. "It's about understanding the rhythm of the Pokémon."
Paul didn't answer. He walked toward his unconscious Pokémon, his face a picture of disdain. "Another disappointment," he muttered, raising his Poké Ball.
"Wait!" Ash intercepted him, pulling a Super Potion from his Bag.
Paul stopped, his eyes like daggers. "Mind your own business."
"I am," Ash said, stepping past him to spray the cooling mist over Chimchar's bruised arm. "I'm looking after a Pokémon that fought hard. You should try it sometime."
As the medicine took effect, Chimchar's eyes fluttered open. It looked up at Ash with a mixture of confusion and gratitude, then shrank back as Paul's shadow fell over it.
"Tsk. Don't meddle in my affairs again," Paul spat, recalling Chimchar with a sharp flash of red light. He turned on his heel and disappeared into the treeline without a backward glance.
"What an unbelievable jerk!" Dawn fumed, stomping her foot so hard it kicked up dust. "He didn't even say thank you! He treats his Pokémon like tools!"
Ash stood up, watching the spot where Paul had vanished. "He's chasing a ghost, Dawn. He thinks strength is something you can calculate on a screen. But he's wrong."
He looked at his team, then at the road ahead. "Come on. Jubilife City is just over the next ridge. We've got a Contest to get to."
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