Chapter 20: Huddling for Warmth on a Rainy Night
Carrying Charmander in his arms and Pikachu on his shoulder, Ash didn't dare linger in the heavy rain.
Together with Verity, he searched until they found a deep cave, and the two rushed inside without hesitation.
"You two…"
To their surprise, someone was already inside.
It was Sorrel—the boy who had helped Ash earlier.
"Sorry to intrude." Ash shook his head. "But this little one really needs shelter from the rain. Please, help us."
"Come here."
Sorrel nodded and offered them the warmest spot beside the campfire.
After running through the downpour, both Ash and Verity were soaked.
Ash didn't have time to change his wet clothes. He quickly spread out a picnic cloth, then gently placed Charmander on it.
"Pika~"
Pikachu hopped to the fire and shook off the water from its fur, letting out a relaxed sigh as the warmth hit.
Verity came closer, worry written all over her face.
"This isn't good… Charmander's tail flame looks like it's about to go out…"
Only now did Sorrel notice Charmander. His brows shot up immediately.
"What kind of trainer lets his Pokémon get this weak!?"
"No, no—this pokemon was abandoned by another trainer. Ash saved him."
Verity quickly explained on Ash's behalf.
"I see."
Sorrel's expression softened, and he glanced at Ash again.
But Ash had no time to pay attention to them—he was busy examining Charmander's condition.
"This isn't good… He's chilled too severely and has a fever."
Ash frowned deeply as he set aside the potion spray in his hand.
If it were a simple injury or status condition, the items in Ash's bag would've been enough.
But this Charmander was clearly malnourished, drenched in the rain, and had stayed motionless for far too long.
Now he was on the verge of collapsing altogether.
"Ash… how is he? Charmander won't die, right?" Verity asked anxiously.
Ash stayed silent, head lowered.
"Damn it… If only I had studied more. If Brock were here—"
"I can help. If you trust me."
Sorrel suddenly spoke up.
"I have medicinal herbs I picked in the mountains—good for treating chills and fever."
Ash's head snapped up.
"Really!?"
Sorrel nodded firmly.
"Of course. How could I let a Pokémon so devoted to its trainer die right in front of me?"
"I'm counting on you!"
Ash bowed deeply in gratitude.
---
Sorrel took out several herbs from his backpack, placed them into a mortar, and began grinding them carefully.
Soon, a bowl of thick, green medicinal paste was ready.
"It's a bit bitter, but it works extremely well."
Sorrel said confidently as he handed it to Ash.
"Thank you."
Ash accepted it and carefully fed the mixture to Charmander.
"Chii…"
Charmander's face wrinkled at the bitterness, but he still obediently swallowed it all.
Ash also fed him a little mashed Oran Berry to restore strength, and only then did he finally breathe a bit easier.
Silence settled inside the cave. Outside, the storm raged fiercely.
Ash removed his wet jacket and hat, hanging them nearby to dry.
He then held Charmander close, using his own body heat to warm him.
Verity had it worse. Since she was a girl, she couldn't take off her clothes to dry them. She could only remove her shoes and warm them by the fire, scooting closer for heat.
Ash, still holding Charmander in one arm, reached into his backpack with the other and pulled out emergency canned food, handing some to the two beside him.
"Wow—food! Thank goodness!"
Verity accepted immediately, looking delighted.
"Thanks."
Sorrel nodded and took his share, opening all three cans and placing them near the fire to warm.
"No need to thank me. One of my friends once said that only with a full stomach can you move forward properly.
So ever since I started traveling alone, I always replenish emergency food whenever I pass a shop."
Ash said nostalgically.
"That friend must be a wise elder."
Sorrel nodded with admiration.
"Mhm. A very good big brother figure."
Ash smiled softly.
"Speaking of which—Sorrel, you're really impressive. You even know how to treat injuries with herbs."
Verity joined the conversation.
"For someone aiming to become a Pokémon scholar, this is just basic skill."
Sorrel replied with a warm smile.
"Ohh—so you're the traveling-researcher type, like Professor Oak!"
Ash said in amazement.
"Professor Oak!?"
Sorrel suddenly tensed with excitement.
"You know the Professor Oak? The legendary pillar of Pokémon academia!?"
"Uh… we live in the same town."
Ash answered, confused.
"Please—let me travel with you! I must meet him!"
Sorrel dropped to one knee, and his Lucario mimicked the gesture, both looking at Ash with earnest eyes.
"Ack—don't be so dramatic! I'll take you!"
Ash waved his hands hurriedly.
"Is Professor Oak really that amazing?"
Verity asked, puzzled.
Ash scratched his cheek.
"Uh… Honestly, everyone in Pallet Town is used to him. But… yeah, he's probably really amazing."
"Of course he is!"
Sorrel immediately went into lecture mode.
"Professor Samuel Oak—permanent honorary professor of Celadon University, the Pokémon League's first Champion.
He traveled the world to study Pokémon ecosystems.
He insisted that scholars must have strong physiques and excellent battle skills—because scholars must understand Pokémon even more than trainers!
He's my role model, the one who inspired me to leave my hometown, Veilstone City, to travel the world.
I'm gathering data on myths and legends of every region, hoping to become a Pokémon Professor like him!"
"Veilstone City, huh…"
Ash looked at Makoto.
"Then that means you're both from Sinnoh, since Verity is from Twinleaf Town."
"What about you, Verity? Why did you come all the way to Kanto?" Sorrel asked.
"Ahahaha—my situation is a bit special. I'll tell you guys later.
Anyway, I want to become a trainer who can enjoy battles freely. What about you, Ash?"
Verity smiled.
Ash held Charmander close.
The little one occasionally blinked awake, but as soon as he saw Ash's face, he relaxed and drifted back to sleep.
"Me, huh…"
Ash took a deep breath, then declared loudly:
"I'm going to become—the world's No.1 Pokémon Master!"
"Huh? What's that? The world's strongest trainer?"
Verity teased.
"No, it's… different."
Ash shook his head.
"Being No.1 in the world doesn't necessarily make you a Pokémon Master. I still have a long way to go."
Verity snorted.
"Hearing you talk like that, people might think you already are the world's No.1."
[TL: Hah..u sweet summer child.]
"Haha… if only."
Ash smiled gently, his eyes filled with memories.
He had been world champion once…
A cold gust blew into the cave, and all three shivered.
"Here's some advice: it's best to return your Pokémon to their Poké Balls. It will keep them warm inside."
Sorrel said while recalling his Lucario.
Verity followed his example and returned Piplup.
When it came to Ash, he gave a helpless smile.
"That might be difficult. Pikachu never goes inside its Poké Ball—he doesn't like it."
"Pika pika!"
Pikachu leapt into Ash's arms, hugging him tightly to share warmth.
The next moment—
Pop!
All of Ash's Poké Balls on his belt opened at once.
Pidgeotto, Squirtle, Ivysaur… and the gigantic, fierce Gyarados.
Pidgeotto wrapped its wings around Ash's upper body.
Squirtle grabbed Ash's other arm.
Ivysaur pressed firmly against his back.
Gyarados coiled its enormous body around the group, forming a protective barrier.
In seconds, Ash was wrapped up completely by his Pokémon.
Seeing this, Sorrel's Lucario and Luxray, along with Makoto's Piplup, all came out of their Poké Balls as well—
On this cold, stormy night, they too wanted to stay close to their trainers.
Ash, surrounded on all sides, looked down, eyes glistening beneath the brim of his cap.
Trying to sound tough, he muttered:
"You bunch of idiots… If you catch a cold, I'm not taking responsibility…"
"Pika pika…"
"Ivy.. Ivy-saur~"
"Squirtle…"
"Pidgeot-ooo…"
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
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