Morning came quietly in Cerulean City.
Ash sat on the edge of the Pokémon Center bed, elbows on his knees, watching the steady rise and fall of his Pokémon's breathing. Raticate rested closest, bandages wrapped fresh but neat. Poliwag floated lazily in a shallow recovery tank nearby, eyes half-lidded and calm. Pidgey perched on the rail, wing taped carefully, feathers ruffling each time it shifted.
Metapod hadn't moved at all. That was normal.
Ash let out a slow breath and leaned back, careful not to disturb anyone.
Maya finished tightening the last strap on her bag and glanced over. "You handled yesterday well," she said. "Most trainers rush after a badge. You didn't."
Ash shrugged. "Didn't feel like something to rush."
She smiled faintly. "That's usually when it matters most."
Nurse Joy passed by the open door, pausing just long enough to nod. "They'll all be fine. Give them today."
Ash nodded back. "Thank you."
Outside, Cerulean was already awake. Water shimmered in the distance. Somewhere, a battle whistle blew, sharp and excited.
Charizard wasn't inside.
Ash stepped out a few minutes later and found it where he expected. Just beyond the Center's shade, sitting on the stone path, tail flame low and steady. Not blocking the road. Not pacing ahead.
Waiting.
Ash didn't comment on it. He just adjusted his backpack and sat on the steps nearby, stretching his sore shoulders.
For a while, neither of them moved.
Misty passed by eventually, hands tucked into her jacket pockets. She stopped when she saw them.
"You heading out?" she asked.
"Yeah," Ash said. "After they rest a bit more."
Misty nodded. "Good call." She glanced toward Charizard, then back at Ash. "You did better than most who come through here."
Ash scratched the back of his neck. "Still a lot to learn."
"That doesn't stop," she said, already walking away. "Badge or not."
When the sun climbed higher, Ash went back inside. He recalled Poliwag and Raticate gently, thanking them as he did. Pidgey hopped onto his shoulder before he could stop it.
"Careful," Ash said quietly. "Short rides only."
Pidgey chirped, stubborn but pleased.
By late morning, they were ready.
They left Cerulean on the southern road, the city thinning behind them. Trees leaned closer again, shadows stretching across the path. Ash kept his pace slow, eyes forward, listening.
Training today stayed light. Footwork drills. Short sprints. Observation more than action.
A wild Pokémon rustled in the tall grass once. Ash paused, watched its movement, then shook his head and continued on.
Maya noticed. "Good choice. Wrong terrain."
Charizard walked beside Ash now. Not close enough to brush shoulders. Not far enough to drift away. Its steps matched his without effort, wings folded, scarred membrane catching the light when it shifted.
Ash pretended not to notice.
They stopped near a small clearing as the day cooled. Ash shared food carefully, measuring portions, checking reactions. When Raticate finished eating, it lingered instead of darting off, sitting near his boot.
Ash smiled faintly and rested a hand against its fur.
The road stretched ahead, quiet and uncertain.
Behind them lay water and stone and a badge earned the hard way.
Ahead, only distance.
Charizard settled near the edge of the firelight that night. Not guarding. Not withdrawing.
Just there.
Ash lay back against his pack and stared up through the trees, the stars barely visible between branches.
Tomorrow, they'd move again.
But tonight, this was enough.
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T/N:
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