Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town stepped onto the streets of Viridian City, his backpack snug, the Pokédex at his belt, and Charizard—wounded but steady—walking a few paces ahead. Caterpie clung to his shoulder, Pidgey perched on a nearby signpost, watching the city bustle around them.
"I can't wait to see the Gym!" Ash said, eyes sparkling with determination. "I want my first badge."
Maya followed calmly, notebook in hand. "Patience, Ash. The Gym won't just hand out badges because you have a strong Pokémon."
Ash nodded. "I know, but… it feels like we're ready."
Charizard's tail flame flicked, and it glanced at Ash briefly. It didn't speak or acknowledge, just a small puff of smoke from its nostrils as if saying "We'll see."
The Viridian City Gym loomed ahead, a massive stone building with a polished metal sign: "Viridian Gym". Trainers walked by, some giving curious glances at Charizard, their expressions more interested than shocked.
Ash stopped at the entrance and straightened. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town," he said clearly, introducing himself to a small group of trainers waiting near the doors. "I want to challenge the Gym Leader."
A boy nearby whispered to his friend, pointing at Charizard. The words were careful, curious. "That's… a fully evolved Charizard. From the looks of it, someone trained it a lot already."
Ash smiled faintly. "He's traveling with me now. He's… my partner."
No awe. No gasps. Just genuine curiosity. It was unusual, but not impossible.
Ash pushed the doors open and stepped inside.
The interior was quiet, polished floors and rows of training equipment. A few trainers practiced with their Pokémon in corners, and a faint hum of electricity from the Gym's equipment filled the air. A clerk behind a counter looked up.
"I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town," Ash repeated. "I want to challenge the Gym Leader."
The clerk's eyes softened with familiarity and then polite regret. "The Gym Leader isn't here today," she said. "He's… not available for challenges right now."
Ash's face fell. "Oh… I see."
Maya rested a hand on his shoulder. "Every Gym has rules, Ash. Even if your Pokémon is big and strong, you still have to follow them."
Ash's gaze drifted to Charizard, who was watching the trainers in the corner, wings folded, tail flame steady. "Yeah…" he said quietly. "I guess we still have a lot to learn."
He knelt beside Caterpie. "You're going to help me, right?" he asked softly. Caterpie chirped in agreement.
Pidgey hopped down from the signpost and landed beside him. Charizard, finally moving, walked to a window and looked out over the city streets. Observant, patient, cautious.
Ash exhaled. "Even when we can't fight, we can still grow."
Maya smiled. "Exactly. The journey isn't just badges and battles. It's learning when to act… and when to wait."
Ash glanced at Charizard, then back at the Pokédex. "And one day," he said, determination shining, "we'll be ready."
Charizard turned slightly, nostrils flaring faintly. Not a promise. Not acknowledgment. Just… awareness.
And for Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, that was enough.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N:
Support me and Access 30 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/mythostales