Ash stayed focused on healing the injured Pokémon, carefully applying the potion to Machop's wounds while giving Bulbasaur a gentle pat. "You're going to be okay," he said softly, his calm voice reassuring. Pikachu sat close by, watching intently as the two Pokémon began to relax.
The moment of peace was broken by Damien's angry voice. "You'll regret this!" he shouted, stumbling to his feet and glaring at Ash with all the fury he could muster.
Ash didn't even blink. He turned to Pikachu and said evenly, "Buddy, keep an eye on them."
Pikachu gave a confident nod. "Pika!" it said, moving to stand protectively beside Bulbasaur and Machop.
Ash stood up slowly, his calm yet intense demeanor unmistakable. He turned to face Damien, his cold, unwavering gaze sending a visible shiver down the boy's spine. Without a word, Ash began walking toward him, his steps deliberate and steady.
Damien's bravado faltered immediately. "S-Stay back!" he stammered, stumbling backward as Ash closed the distance. His retreat ended abruptly when he tripped over a tree root and fell to the ground with a loud thud.
Ash stopped, towering over him. His shadow loomed over Damien, who scrambled to back away further. Ash crouched slightly, his piercing gaze locking onto the boy's panicked eyes. His voice was low but firm, each word cutting through the tense air. "Where did you leave the Charmander?"
Damien swallowed hard, his arrogance now replaced by sheer terror. "I-I left it near the Pokémon Center on Route 24!" he stammered, his voice trembling.
Ash's eyes narrowed as he studied Damien's face. Finally, he nodded. "Good." He placed a hand on Damien's head, his palm glowing faintly with Aura. Damien's eyes widened briefly before rolling back, his body slumping unconscious.
Ash stood, his expression unreadable as he turned back to Pikachu and the recovering Pokémon. "Pikachu, let's go," he said, his voice steady and determined. "We have a Charmander to save."
Pikachu's ears perked up as he glanced between Ash and Damien's unconscious form. Pointing a small paw at the boy, he asked, "Pika pika? (What do we do with him?)"
Ash followed Pikachu's gesture, considering for a moment before a thought struck him. Tilting his head slightly, he spoke calmly. "Mew, I know you're here. Show yourself."
Pikachu froze mid-gesture, his eyes widening in disbelief. Turning back to the injured Pokémon, he muttered under his breath, "Pika pika pi… (My trainer's officially lost it. He thinks he can summon a mythical Pokémon.)"
Bulbasaur tilted his head while Machop raised an eyebrow, both looking skeptical. They exchanged glances and subtly nodded, silently agreeing with Pikachu's assessment.
Ash sighed, catching their expressions and Pikachu's incredulous stare. Crossing his arms, he muttered, "I can't understand what you're saying, but I know you're doubting me."
Pikachu gave an exaggerated innocent look, tilting his head. "Pika pi~ (Me? Doubt you? Never!)"
Before Ash could reply, a soft, melodic giggle echoed through the clearing, instantly silencing everyone. A shimmering pink light descended from the treetops, growing brighter until a small figure floated into view. Mew, its playful eyes twinkling, emerged from the glow with a delighted chirp.
"Pika?! (What the—)" Pikachu squeaked, his jaw dropping as he stumbled backward.
Ash smirked, looking up at the mythical Pokémon. "Told you I wasn't crazy."
Mew twirled gracefully in the air, clapping its tiny paws as if applauding Ash's confidence. It floated closer, its expression amused yet warm.
Ash gestured to Damien's unconscious body. "Think you can help us out and take care of him?"
Mew's eyes sparkled with mischief as it chirped in agreement. With a faint glow, it enveloped Damien in a bubble of light. In a blink, the boy vanished, teleported far from the clearing.
Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Machop stared in stunned silence. Pikachu finally broke the quiet with a groan, covering his face with his paw. "Pika pika… (This guy's unbelievable.)"
Ash chuckled, kneeling down to the two injured Pokémon. "Now that we've handled that, let's get you both somewhere safe. Then, we'll find Charmander."
Mew gave an encouraging nod before zipping playfully around Pikachu, who swatted half-heartedly at the mythical Pokémon in protest. Machop and Bulbasaur, meanwhile, exchanged another glance, their skepticism replaced with awe.
As they left the clearing, Pikachu climbed onto Ash's shoulder with an agile leap. Tugging at his cheek, Pikachu asked, "Pika pika? (What in the world just happened?)"
Ash chuckled, gently brushing Pikachu's paw away as he patted his tiny head. "Trust me, buddy. Stick around, and you'll see that with me, anything can happen."
They continued their way back toward the cabin when Misty suddenly appeared, running up to meet them. Her face was a mixture of relief and irritation. "Where have you been?!" she exclaimed, her hands planted firmly on her hips.
Ash offered her a calm smile, gesturing to Bulbasaur and Machop. "Just helping these two out. They needed some care."
Misty sighed, shaking her head as her arms crossed. "Next time, let someone know before you wander off like that! I was worried."
"Noted," Ash replied with a nod, his tone light. Then, steering the conversation, he added, "But now, we're leaving."
Misty blinked at his sudden shift but decided not to press further. She turned toward the cabin, calling out loudly, "Brock! We're heading out!"
Inside, Brock was still trying—unsuccessfully—to win Melanie over with his usual antics. At Misty's shout, he sighed heavily and finally tore himself away, walking over with a dramatic wave. "I'll come back to see you when I have more time," he promised earnestly.
Melanie smiled gently, returning the wave. "Take care and travel safe," she replied warmly.
As the group began walking down the path, Ash felt a light tug at his ankle. He stopped and turned, spotting a vine wrapped around him. Looking back, he saw Bulbasaur and Machop standing together, their eyes fixed on him with determined expressions.
Melanie approached with a knowing smile. "It seems they want to go with you," she said softly.
Ash knelt down, meeting their gazes. "Is that right? Do you both want to join me?"
Bulbasaur let out an enthusiastic "Bulba!" while Machop gave a firm nod of agreement.
Ash smiled, pulling out two empty Poké Balls from his bag. "All right then," he said, tossing the balls toward the Pokémon. They hit their marks, and with a flash of light, both Pokémon were pulled inside. After a few tense wobbles, the Poké Balls clicked shut.
Standing up, Ash clipped the new additions to his belt without much fanfare. "Let's get moving," he said, already turning to head down the path.
Misty groaned, catching up with him. "That's it? No excitement for catching two new Pokémon?"
Ash glanced back, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "We've got a lot to do. I'll celebrate when the real work's done."
Brock chuckled as he walked alongside Misty. "Classic Ash," he remarked.
The trio arrived at a cliff overlooking a rugged, rocky path. The terrain ahead was tricky, but Ash didn't hesitate. He closed his eyes, focused, and with a steady breath, lifted himself, Misty, and Brock over the cliff. Once they were safely across, Ash turned to his friends, his expression serious.
"There's something I need to tell you both," he said, his tone calm yet urgent.
Misty and Brock exchanged a glance before turning their attention back to Ash, curiosity and concern evident on their faces.
Ash took a steadying breath and began. He recounted everything Damien had confessed: the abandoned Charmander left near the Pokémon Center on Route 24 and the cruel treatment he had inflicted on Machop and Bulbasaur.
Misty's face darkened with anger, her fists clenching. "That's awful! How could anyone do something like that? We need to save that Charmander—right now!"
Brock's usual calm was replaced with grim determination. "Misty's right. A Charmander's life depends on the flame on its tail. If it's weak or goes out, it's over."
Ash nodded, his voice steady. "I know. That's why I'm not wasting any time. I'll go ahead as fast as I can. You two follow and meet me at the Pokémon Center near Route 24."
Misty's eyes narrowed with worry, but she nodded. "Fine, but don't do anything reckless, Ash."
"Be careful," Brock added firmly, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder.
Ash gave them a faint smile. "I'll be fine. Trust me."
Without another word, Ash took off. Channeling his Aura to enhance his speed and strength, he sprinted forward with incredible agility. The wind rushed past him as his surroundings blurred, his focus unwavering.
The path was rugged and uneven, but Ash barely noticed. His thoughts were consumed by a single goal: reaching the abandoned Charmander before it was too late.
Meanwhile, at the Cerulean City Police Office, Officer Jenny was enjoying her usual peaceful day, sipping coffee and petting her Arcanine. However, her calm was interrupted by a loud thud outside her office. Curious, she stepped out and found a boy, Damien, lying on the ground with a note pinned to him. The note read:
Illegal trainer with more than six Pokémon.
Guilty of Pokémon abuse.
Jenny sighed, shaking her head. "Great, just what I needed to ruin my peaceful day," she muttered, rubbing her temples.
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"This is my first time using Pokespeech—what do you think? Should I continue using it like this in the future? Also, I've updated the status for Bulbasaur and Machop in Ash's Pokémon list, so be sure to check it out!"