After passing the giant rock, Ash and his group finally arrived at a remote Pokémon Center.
The buildings here looked much simpler compared to those in larger cities, but the essential facilities were still complete.
"This place is very close to Route 24," Brock said after checking the map. "There's a Pokémon Center right beside the road."
After walking for so long, they could finally rest.
They asked Nurse Joy to heal their Pokémon. As usual, Brock's face turned red as he chatted with her enthusiastically.
What was strange was that Brock could actually tell the difference between every Nurse Joy.
Was that Brock's hidden talent?
"Alright, stop bothering Nurse Joy," Misty said, trying to pull Brock away. There were already many Trainers in the Pokémon Center, and it looked like the Chansey were getting overwhelmed with work.
Under Brock's reluctant gaze, Nurse Joy led the Pokémon into the treatment room.
Taking advantage of the healing time, Ash and his friends booked three rooms at the Pokémon Center and washed up.
Ash lay down on the soft bed.
He had been so busy lately that he hadn't had a proper rest.
"Charizard… you haven't come yet, right?"
Looking out the window, he saw dark clouds gathering.
It looked exactly like what the weather forecast had predicted—it really might start raining.
A sudden urge rose in his heart.
Maybe it was because he couldn't stop thinking about Charmander.
After thinking it over, Ash put on a raincoat and headed toward the giant rock again.
Back then, Charmander had lost a battle and hadn't even received treatment before its Trainer abandoned it on that rock.
Its condition was already poor.
Even though it tried to shield itself from the heavy rain with a large leaf, it still had to endure attacks from Spearow, and the flame symbolizing its life slowly grew dim.
The more Ash thought about it, the worse he felt.
He shook his head, trying to push those thoughts away.
Light rain began to fall.
Ash quickly arrived near the giant rock and carefully searched the area.
Aside from some common wild Pokémon, there was no sign of Charmander.
After a long moment, the anxiety in Ash's heart finally eased.
Charmander wasn't here.
And with the weather turning into a heavy storm, very few Trainers would be traveling outside in the rain.
Just to be safe, Ash placed some Potion under a tree nearby.
Hopefully it wouldn't get stolen by a Rattata.
On the way back, Ash felt relieved.
Even though he hadn't found Charmander, at least it hadn't suffered through the same situation as in the original story.
Maybe… it wouldn't be abandoned after all.
"Ash, where did you go?" Misty asked.
She had just finished washing up and changed into fresh clothes. Her long fair legs were still uncovered as usual.
"I went out for a walk."
Ash noticed several more Trainers had arrived at the Pokémon Center—likely people taking shelter from the rain.
"Come eat something," Brock said. He had already ordered food and happened to meet them.
"The rain is getting heavier."
Misty looked out the window at the pouring rain and awkwardly smiled.
Not long ago she had complained that the weather forecast wasn't reliable…
And now it was pouring.
"Weather forecasts are hit or miss anyway," Brock said, handing everyone a slice of pizza to ease the embarrassment.
Ash watched as more Trainers entered the Pokémon Center.
Could it be…
Did that guy really abandon Charmander outside in this rain?
Suddenly, Ash's Pokédex beeped.
It was a message from the Pokémon Center—Pikachu and the others had finished their treatment.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy."
Ash went to the front desk to retrieve the Poké Balls. Pikachu jumped energetically onto his shoulder.
At that moment—
[ New Mission Triggered!]
Find Charmander and protect its weakening flame.
(The flame on Charmander's tail represents its life force.)
Reward: Pokémon Affinity Reputation +1
(The higher the reputation, the more favorable Pokémon feel toward the host.
Also effective with wild Pokémon.)
Ash's eyelid twitched.
Did that guy really abandon Charmander right now?
"Hey! Stop fighting!"
Nurse Joy rushed over when she saw Trainers about to start a fight in the lounge.
Ash turned and saw Brock gripping a Trainer by the collar, shouting angrily.
"It's pouring outside, and you left an injured Charmander there waiting for you!"
"Yet you're here relaxing and chatting!"
"Someone who abandons Pokémon like that doesn't deserve to be a Trainer!"
"W-What does it have to do with you?" the Trainer stammered.
"My Pokémon—I can do whatever I want with it!"
The Trainer's name was Damien.
Earlier he had been bragging to his friends about Charmander, saying it couldn't even defeat a Poliwag.
He claimed it was useless and that even a random Pokémon caught on the roadside would be stronger.
So he tricked Charmander with a lie—
And abandoned it.
"Chansey~!"
(Please stop fighting!)
A Chansey stood between them, trying to mediate.
But it was too gentle to stop the argument.
"I've already called the police," Nurse Joy said angrily.
"None of you leave until the officers arrive."
"Misty, when the police come, show them the video you recorded," Ash said.
After putting his raincoat back on, Ash asked Damien where Charmander had been abandoned.
Sure enough—
It was that same giant rock.
But when Ash checked earlier, Charmander hadn't been there.
Maybe it had been chased away by other Pokémon…
Ash didn't have time to think.
He rushed out into the storm.
He originally wanted to leave Pikachu at the Pokémon Center, but Pikachu insisted on going with him.
"Ash! Pikachu! Be careful!" Misty shouted anxiously.
Inside the Pokémon Center, Brock glared at Damien like he wanted to kill him.
The surrounding Trainers also looked at Damien with disgust.
If you didn't want the Pokémon, you could release it into the wild or give it to the Pokémon Center.
But instead—
He betrayed the Pokémon's trust.
"Mind your own business," Damien muttered dismissively.
To him and his friends, a weak Pokémon wasn't worth raising.
Why waste time training something useless?
The rain had turned the dirt road into thick mud.
Ash struggled forward until he finally reached the giant rock.
And there—
He saw it.
A badly injured Charmander lying on top of the rock.
It was covering itself with a large leaf.
But the flame on its tail had grown extremely weak.
Looks like it had already been bullied by Spearow…
"Charmander!"
Ash quickly picked it up and held it in his arms.
Pikachu stood on his shoulder, trying to block the rain.
Charmander slowly opened its eyes.
It recognized this Trainer and the yellow mouse.
For a moment, hope appeared in its eyes—
But that hope soon faded into disappointment.
"Don't worry," Ash said gently. "I'll take you to the Pokémon Center."
He hugged Charmander tightly, trying to shield it from the rain and wind.
After a while, Ash felt something wet on his chest.
He thought it was rain and leaned forward even more to protect Charmander.
"Did I hurt you?" Ash asked softly.
Charmander's body trembled slightly in his arms.
Ash thought he might have touched its injuries.
"It's okay. Once we get you treated, you'll be fine."
The Pokémon Center was already in sight.
Ash quickened his pace.
Charmander's condition didn't look good at all.
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