Ash the Dragon Specialist

New Beginnings

Celeste's eyes narrowed as she watched Paul walk away, leaving his distraught Chimchar behind. Anger coursed through her veins, a mix of fury and disbelief at the sight unfolding before her. The inconsolable cries of the abandoned pokemon echoed in her ears, tugging at her heartstrings.

"How could he just leave his own pokemon like that?" she seethed, her voice a low, simmering growl.

The bond between trainer and pokemon was sacred to her, a connection built on trust and loyalty. The sight of Paul callously abandoning his companion shattered that ideal. She turned to Ash, who had rushed over to the weeping Chimchar, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. Celeste's own anger matched his, their shared outrage radiating between them.

"This is unforgivable," Ash declared, his voice trembling with restrained fury. "How could someone abandon a pokemon they once cared for? Chimchar doesn't deserve this. No Pokémon does."

Celeste nodded, her fists clenched tight. "It's a betrayal of everything we stand for as trainers. Pokemon rely on us, trust us to protect and guide them. To see someone discard that responsibility so callously... It's infuriating."

Their anger burned bright, fueled by their unwavering dedication to their Pokémon. In that moment, Celeste and Ash silently vowed to be the antithesis of Paul's actions, to stand as beacons of compassion, support, and unwavering loyalty to their team. As Ash gently comforted Chimchar, Celeste's mind raced with thoughts of justice and redemption. She vowed to do everything in her power to ensure that Chimchar would find a loving home, surrounded by trainers who would cherish and nurture their potential.

"I'll talk to Cilan," Ash sighed, craddling Chimchar in his arms once he had fallen asleep. "His brother specializes in Fire-types, I am sure he would love the chance of training a starter pokemon."

"That's a great idea!" Celeste perked up with a huge smile. "The Dent family will be great for Chimchar and will help him heal!"

So, that's what they decided to do. With Chimchar fast asleep and in need of care, Celeste and Ash wasted no time and rushed to the nearest Pokemon Center. They dialed a call all the way to the distant region of Unova, the call connected, and an eager Cilan appeared on the screen, his face beaming with a wide smile.

"Hi there! How are you guys? Congratulations on your victory in the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition!" Cilan greeted them warmly, his enthusiasm shining through.

Celeste couldn't help but chuckle at his energetic greeting. "Thanks, Cilan! We were lucky to have been paired up as teammates. It made the competition a breeze for us."

Ash's expression, however, carried a hint of sadness as he tightened his embrace around the sleeping Chimchar. The weight of recent events hung heavily upon him. "Not everyone had a good time, though," he murmured, his voice tinged with sorrow.

Cilan's smile faltered, his brows furrowing in concern. "Wait, isn't that Chimchar the one Paul trained? Even through the screen, I could sense the troubled dynamic between them. It seemed like Paul pushed Chimchar too hard, running him ragged in every battle."

Ash let out a humorless chuckle, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "That's the Chimchar. He was abandoned just a few minutes ago."

Cilan's expression turned grave, a sadness settling in his features. He sighed and shook his head in disappointment. "Oh no, that's truly disheartening to hear. Poor Chimchar deserved better."

With a heavy heart, Ash nodded in agreement. "We called you because we weren't sure what to do next. We know that neither of us can take Chimchar in, especially considering our preferences in Pokémon."

Celeste's voice, tinged with shyness, chimed in. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke. "We thought about sending him to Chili, as one of the Striaton City Gym Leader. As a Fire specialist, we believed he would be the best option for Chimchar."

Cilan's eyes sparkled with pride and warmth as he listened to Celeste's suggestion. "That's a sensible choice, my friends. Send Chimchar through, and my brother Chili will take good care of him. As a Gym Leader, he has the experience and expertise to nurture Chimchar and help him grow."

Ash and Celeste breathed a collective sigh of relief, their worries gradually easing. They were grateful for Cilan's support and reassurance, knowing that Chimchar would find a new home where he would be cherished and given a fresh start.

"Thank you, Cilan," Ash expressed his gratitude, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes. "We appreciate your help, as always. It means a lot to us and especially to Chimchar."

Cilan smiled warmly, his eyes filled with compassion. "You're both welcome. Helping pokemon in need is what we strive for. Chimchar will be in good hands with my brother. Remember, you've done a great thing by reaching out and finding him a safe place to call home."

With those encouraging words, the call ended, leaving Ash and Celeste with a renewed sense of purpose and a flicker of optimism for Chimchar's future. They knew that they had made the right decision, and that with Chili's care, Chimchar would have the opportunity to heal and find happiness once again. Once Chimchar had been safely captured in a new Poke Ball and sent through the reliable services of the PokemonCenter, Celeste and Ash made their way back to their room in solemn silence. The weight of Paul's decision hung heavily in the air, leaving them both with a mix of disbelief and concern. They couldn't help but wonder about Chimchar's well-being and the emotional journey that lay ahead.

In the stillness of the room, Celeste reached out to gently pat Pan, her Leafeon, seeking solace in the comforting presence of her pokemon. Her voice broke the silence, laced with hesitation, as she voiced her worries. "Do you think Chimchar will be alright?"

Ash, his expression softened, turned his attention to Bruce, playing on the bed. A small smile tugged at his lips as he contemplated Celeste's question. "I think it might take some time for Chimchar to warm up to Chili and trust him completely. Both of them have experienced hurt from humans before, and it's not something that can easily be erased."

Celeste nodded, her eyes filled with concern. "You're right. It's important to remember that healing takes time and patience. I hope Chili can understand that and give Chimchar the space and support he needs."

Ash's smile widened, albeit with a tinge of sadness in his eyes. "Chili may have a fiery temperament, but deep down, he's an incredibly warm and kind-hearted person. I believe he will do everything in his power to prove himself as a trustworthy trainer and build a strong bond with Chimchar. However, it won't happen overnight. We shouldn't expect them to become best friends right away."

Celeste tried to infuse her words with optimism, but it came out more as a hopeful question. "You think Chili can do it?"

Ash's gaze met Celeste's, revealing an undeniable sadness within his own eyes. "I have faith in Chili's potential, but it won't be an easy journey. He'll need to prove himself, not just to Chimchar, but also to himself. It's a challenging path, but I know Chili has the strength and determination to rise above it."

Celeste's concern for Chimchar lingered, but she took a deep breath, mirroring Ash's resolve. "You're right. Chili will need to earn Chimchar's trust through his actions and unwavering support. Together, they will overcome any obstacles that come their way."

Ash, feeling the weight of the day, sighed wearily. "Let's get some rest now. Tomorrow holds new adventures for us, and we need to be well-rested to face whatever challenges come our way."

With that, Ash moved to switch off the lights, enveloping the room in a gentle darkness. The two friends settled into their beds, the soft sounds of pokemon breathing filling the room. As they closed their eyes, thoughts of Chimchar, Chili, and the uncertainties of their journey swirled in their minds.