♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝔹𝕪 𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕪 (𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕘) ♛

Chapter 15: AFTERMATH

Chapter 15: Aftermath

Huff and puff.

The ragged breathing of the boy encompassed the silence of the room.

Cuts and bruises adorned his body.

The pain gradually dulled.

His body stubbornly rejecting its agony.

Ash glanced at adversary with tired red eyes.

Giovanni was defeated.

However, the Rocket Boss managed to survived Ash and Pikachu's [Slash (Fake)].

Beneath the man's clothes was a thick Kevlar vest.

Although the damage was mitigated, it was enough to draw blood.

Instead of fleeing from the scene as Ash initially thought…

Giovanni had blacked out from the pain.

Ash sat in the middle of the room, holding a fainted Pikachu in his arms.

A corner close to the broken glass were residue embers.

Charizard had been victorious.

But his neck was deeply wounded by the Nidoking's last ditch [Horn Attack].

And so, the orange dragon was resting, catching his breath.

Ash scanned the room.

His now normal red eyes tearing up.

His Pokémon were all badly hurt.

And it was all his fault.

He hung his head in shame.

"Is this the victory you wanted?" a familiar voice asked behind him.

The raven-haired boy needed not turn.

He already knew who it was.

"Is this your so-called 'very best'?" Gary asked again.

The orange haired boy was better off than Ash but wounded nonetheless.

His hand pressing onto his bleeding shoulder, trying to stop the blood.

But the pain did not stop him from chiding his rival.

"This is what happens when you go in guns blazing."

"Your Pokémon all harmed and bruised."

"These are the consequences of your bonds."

Gary turned away, clenching his fist.

"I'm not like you."

'There is only one thing I want now.' He began thinking.

'And its not these bonds of friendship.'

'They only served hold me back.'

'Instilling fear into me.'

'Fear of my Pokémon getting hurt.'

'No... What I want is power.'

'The power to win, no matter the odds.'

'The victor in every possible scenario.'

'And I will get that strength! Never letting it go!'

With that, Gary had passed out outside Giovanni's room.

"Excuse me! Please let me through!" Blue pleaded desperately.

Pushing herself amongst the crowd, she finally broke through.