Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or its characters and place names, but in the spirit of fanfiction I own this story and the characters I created around it, although I seek no financial gain from these stories.
Caution: Light Lemon warning.
HonestyShipping
Brock and Duplica
Chapter 4
A New Breed
Ash awoke to thumping. The noise came from outside. Inside was the bedroom of Brock and Duplica, who were asleep in each other's arms. Ash was in the arms of his future bride, Misty. All four were naked and covered in the dry juices of last night's love making.
A distant voice called out, "Hello. I came for a gym battle."
"Duplica! Brock! You have a customer!" Ash said in a very loud whisper.
"Huh?"
"There's a trainer at the gate," explained Ash.
Duplica looked at her naked self and saw evidence of a long night of sex. "I can't see them like this," she protested. "None of us can."
Ash untangled himself from Misty and said, "You guys get cleaned up, I'll stall them."
"How?" asked Brock.
"I'll get them to help feed the Pokemon," said Ash as he left the bedroom. He ran downstairs to the main room and grabbed his kimono from the night before. Ash ran out the back door to the Pokemon Park, dropped his kimono, and jumped into the pond. Whatever he couldn't clean off, he covered in dirt. He scrambled out of the pond, grabbed the kimono and ran to the gate. As he tied the sash, he asked, "Who's there?"
"I'm Red, from Pallet Town," said a squeaky voice behind the gate. "I came for a gym battle." Ash opened the gate and saw a young boy. "What happened to you?" asked Red.
"I fell. You're here early," Ash said.
"It's eight o'clock," the young man pointed out.
"Yes it is, and I need to get the Pokemon their breakfast. Want to help?" asked Ash as he opened the gate.
"I just want a gym battle."
"The gym leader just woke up and needs a bath. The Pokemon just woke up and need breakfast. I just woke up and need both. The sooner the Pokemon get fed, the sooner you get a battle."
The young one looked disappointed and said, "Okay."
Ash walked the boy to the back of the house and said, "The gym leader gives you a choice of battlefields. Go over there and look them over." Ash turned and ran into the house. He grabbed a bucket of Pokemon food, a stack of bowls and his Pokeballs. When Misty, naked and yawning, wandered into the room, Ash said to her, "There is a young trainer outside. Hurry and get dressed and bathed." Misty was shocked awake, and ran off for her kimono. Ash returned to the boy's side and handed him the stack of bowls.
They walked to the Pokemon Park and filled bowls of food for the waking Pokemon. "Which Pokemon are the gym leader's?" asked Red.
Ash looked over the Pokemon and said, "None of these. These are my Pokemon and Misty's."
"Oh. What's that smell?" said Red as he put food before Cubone.
Ash walked over to Cubone and sniffed. The little ground type smelled like sour apples. "This is what happens if you give your Pokemon too much candy." Ash turned to the Pikachus and asked, "Everything okay?"
The father-son team gave Ash a thumbs-up, as they ate their breakfast. The humans watched everyone eat. Ash noticed Brock and Duplica running from the bathhouse to the main house, a little later Misty ran to the bathhouse. When Cubone and Paras finished eating, Ash recalled them into their Pokeballs. Ash cleaned the area, and directed Red to sweep.
After Misty ran back into the house, Duplica stepped out. Duplica, in her usual T-shirt and jeans, walked to the young trainer and said, "Good morning. I'm Duplica the gym leader."
"I'm Red, from Pallet Town. I challenge you to a gym battle."
Duplica replied, "You have your choice of a one-on-one battle, or a two-on two battle. You also have your choice of battlefields."
"I want a one-on-on battle on the grass field."
"Very well." Duplica turned to Ash and said, "Brock is fixing breakfast, could you judge this battle?"
"Okay."
The three of them took their positions on the grassy field. Ash announced, "This is a one-on-one battle for a Mirror badge. Both trainers can use only one Pokemon, with no time limit." Duplica released a Ditto. Red released a Charmander. "Begin."
"Charmander, Flamethrower!"
"Itto, Transform into Charmander."
The pink, blob Pokemon changed into a copy of Charmander, just before the flames hit.
"Charmander, Flamethrower!"
"Itto, dodge and use Rage."
The Ditto, tried to avoid the flames, as it closed with Charmander. Itto, caught some flames on its shoulder, before it slammed into Charmander. "Now use Scary Face," ordered Duplica, but her Pokemon froze in place so she shouted, "Rage again!"
"Charmander, Flamethrower!"
Again, the Ditto tried to dodge, and didn't take the full effect of the flames. This time it slammed the Charmander with more force.
"One more time Charmander, Flamethrower!"
"Itto, dodge and use Rage."
The Charmander blew flames more intense than before, but Itto avoided the brunt of it. When Itto hit Charmander, the fire Pokemon flew back and collapsed. When it couldn't get up, Ash said, "Charmander is unable to continue. The battle goes to the gym leader. Now I need a bath."
Red ran to his Pokemon and cried, "Charmander, are you okay?"
Duplica recalled her Pokemon and said, "Let's take him to the first aid station."
The young trainer followed Duplica, while Ash ran for the bathhouse. He washed and found a clean kimono hanging on a hook. Ash jogged back to the house, and upstairs. Once dressed in his regular clothes, he went down for a much needed breakfast with Misty and Brock. After they ate a quick meal, the three of them went outside.
Ash found Duplica in the first aid station and asked, "Can you do another battle?"
"I've got more Pokemon."
"I'll take a two-on-two battle on the earth field." Duplica left the small building, but Red stayed behind clutching his Pokeball and looked like he was crying. "How many gym battles have you fought?" asked Ash.
"One."
"I lost my first battle too. I lost a lot of battles. You just have to come up with a new strategy to win. You owe it to your Pokemon. Come watch me battle Duplica, maybe you can find her weakness."
"But she uses Ditto. Her Pokemon have the same strengths and weakness that mine does."
"I didn't say her Pokemon's weakness. Come on." Ash left the building, and walked to the Pokemon Park. He called to his Pokemon, "Come cheer on Cubone and Paras." Ash's Pokemon followed him to the battlefield and stood to the side with Misty. The Pikachus and Donphan stood close to Misty, while Bulbasaur and Charizard stood farther away.
Brock took his position as judge and said, "This a two-on-two battle between Duplica, the lovely gym leader, and Ash from Pallet Town. Each trainer will use two Pokemon, with no time limit." Duplica released two Dittos onto the field. Ash noted that Cubone's Pokeball also smelled of sour apples, before he released his Cubone and Paras.
Both trainers nodded to each other, so Brock said, "Begin."
"Ditto transform into Cubone. Dit: Paras," ordered Duplica.
"Cubone go! Paras, Solarbeam."
Cubone ran towards a copy of herself, while Paras gathered sunlight.
"Now Cubone, attack their Paras."
Duplica noted the way Cubone moved like Pikachu and said, "Ditto, use Iron Tail. Dit, use Stun Spore."
"Cubone, Flamethrower!" shouted Ash before Cubone stopped and engulfed Dit in flames. The charred Paras transformed into charred Ditto, before returning to the Pokeball. The enemy Cubone looked confused.
Duplica realized her mistake and said, "Use Flamethrower on Paras."
"Cubone, use Headbutt."
One Cubone crashed into the other, and they both tumbled and rolled around. When they both got to their feet, Paras's body glowed with power.
"Cubone jump back," ordered Ash.
"Mirror her moves," Duplica added Pokemon jumped back, and copied each other's movements. "Which one is yours Ash?" taunted Duplica.
"Par, Paras?"
"Easy Paras, we only get one shot. Cubone slowly walk towards me." Both Cubones walked toward Ash until he said, "Stop." Ash tried to think of which Cubone to hit. Paras shifted its aim from one Cubone to the other. Both Cubones were sweating and so was Ash from the pressure. A little breeze stirred the grasses and cooled him. "Paras move to your left." Paras did so until its eyes watered, and then Ash shouted, "Hit the Cubone on your right!"
Paras turned and fired his Solarbeam. Duplica shouted, "Counter with Flamethrower." The enemy Cubone softened the blow with its flames, but caught enough to send it reeling.
"Earthquake!" shouted Ash. Cubone hit the ground with her club and the shock wave knocked the Ditto down and out. Paras just danced about.
"Duplica's Pokemon are unable to battle. The winner is Ash from Pallet Town," announced Brock.
While the humans performed their post match customs, Charizard said to Bulbasaur, That Cubone is cute.
You've got Gyarados, countered Bulbasaur.
Pikachu Jr. ran off to congratulate the winning Pokemon. Pikachu walked over so only Bulbasaur and Charizard could hear him. You're sick Charizard, he said.
Why?
That Cubone is your daughter. Bulbasaur and Charizard just stood with their mouths open. Pikachu told them, The last time we went to Pallet Town, Ash found a baby Cubone that knew Earthquake and Flamethrower. He also found a baby Paras that knew Dig and Solarbeam. Both babies were abandoned, so he captured them and kept them at Professor Oak's.
So the Paras is my son? asked Bulbasaur.
Yes.
Cubone is cute, added Bulbasaur.
She takes after her father, boasted Charizard.
Red stared at the scene and said, "Ash from Pallet Town." Then he shouted, "You're Ash Ketchem from Pallet Town, the Indigo Conference Champion?"
Ash turned to him and said, "Yes."
"No wonder you won, you're so strong," the young boy gushed.
Misty had an arm around Ash and winked at her love. Ash gave Misty a smile then answered the boy, "It doesn't matter if I'm strong. Because Duplica used Ditto, it doesn't matter if my Pokemon are strong. We won because my Cubone ate too many sour candies." The adults all had a little laugh.
"What?" asked Red in his confusion.
Ash explained, "I thought that I could win if I surprised Duplica with a Flamethrower from Cubone which would knock out a Paras in one hit. After that the battle would be two-on-one. But once Duplica knew that Cubone could use Flamethrower, she could use it against my Paras. When the two Cubones fought, I couldn't tell which was which and didn't know which to attack with Solarbeam. Luckily my Cubone ate a lot of sour candy, so we could identify her by smell."
"You won with luck?"
"A little. I could have had the Cubones fight until one was knocked out. If her Ditto was knocked out, I would have won. If my Cubone was knocked out, then I could use Solarbeam."
Duplica walked up to Red and said, "But Ash didn't want to risk Paras getting hit by a stray Flamethrower. The purpose of this gym is to test how well a trainer knows their Pokemon. Do you know your Pokemon strengths and weaknesses enough to win against one? Do you know your Pokemon well enough to identify it? The two-on-two battle is very challenging. I have trained my Ditto to confuse the opponent by mimicking their movements, so the other trainer doesn't know which to attack."
Duplica put a hand on Red's shoulder and said, "Now you see that winning isn't impossible. Ash did it. Pikachu did it. You can do it too. Maybe Ash can help you learn how."
Ash glanced to Misty, who gave him a nod of approval. Ash asked, "Are you ready for a lesson?" Red nodded, so Ash recalled Cubone and Paras to their Pokeballs, and said to them, "You two did a great job. Take a rest." Then to his Pokemon on the side lines he said, "Come on, let's go for a hike." With that Ash and Red hiked to the gate and onto the road. They were followed by the Pikachus, Donphan and Bulbasaur. When Misty glared at Charizard, he flew after his trainer.
When the Ditto Village was out of sight, Ash asked, "Did you figure out Duplica's weakness?"
Red scratched his head and said, "No."
"Here's a hint. Pikachu, use Iron Tail on that rock," said Ash to his loyal assistant. Pikachu crushed a boulder with one blow from his glowing tail.
"But your Pokemon didn't use Iron Tail."
"That's because Cubone doesn't know Iron Tail. But Pikachu and Pika Jr. both know Iron Tail, and they helped train Cubone yesterday, so Duplica thought Cubone knew Iron Tail."
"You tricked her?"
Ash chuckled, "Yes. Ditto can only use the attacks that your Pokemon know when the Ditto uses Transform. Yesterday, Pikachu Jr. fought Ditto as a Pichu then evolved in the middle of the battle. As a result, Pikachu Jr. had an advantage of power and learned a new attack."
"If you already won a badge, why did you battle again?"
"I didn't win a badge yesterday." Ash smiled at the yellow Pokemon pair and said, "They won a badge. Pikachu acted as the trainer of his son and they deserve the credit. And so do the other Pokemon that helped to train him." Ash gave Donphan a pat on the head, then gave Bulbasaur a thumbs-up. Charizard landed and rumbled for attention. Ash gave Charizard a victory sign.
"How do I trick Duplica?" asked Red. "Do I make Charmander evolve in the middle of a battle? Do I teach him a new move?"
"Teaching him a new move is easier than evolving in the middle of a battle," admitted Ash. "But remember, once you use an attack Duplica will know it too." Ash glanced at Red's Pokeballs and asked, "Where did you get Charmander?"
"I got him from Professor Oak."
"Did Charmander already know Flamethrower?"
"Yes."
"What other attacks, did it know when you got him?"
"I don't know. In our first battle with a Rattata, I called for a Flamethrower and he used it. I guessed that I didn't need to use other attacks if he knew one that strong." Then Red added, "I guessed wrong, didn't I?"
"It must have worked well in the Viridian Forest."
"It worked well against trainers with bug Pokemon," boasted Red. "But Charmander would get tired in a hurry."
"We need to learn what attacks Charmander knows. Release Charmander and use your Pokedex to go through the list of attacks that a Charmander can know."
Red released his groggy Pokemon, and then went through the list of learned attacks. Charmander knew Flamethrower, Rage and Dragon Rage. The little fire Pokemon sat down to rest as Ash thought out loud, "There should be at least one more attack. Pikachu, can I have Charmander use an attack on you?"
"Pi," said the yellow Pokemon as he braced himself.
"Red, have him use Seismic Toss."
Red did as Ash asked, and Charmander grabbed Pikachu and slammed him into the ground. Pikachu was less worn from the attack than Charmander. Pikachu got up and looked at Charizard. Bulbasaur and Ash both gave Charizard a look. Charizard, his face a storm of confused emotions, stared at Charmander. "You better let him rest," suggested Ash. Red recalled his Pokemon and looked at Ash for answers.
"Charmander isn't high enough level to make use of Seismic Toss, maybe we can teach him something else," said Ash as he thought out loud. "You might win with Dragon Rage alone."
"How?"
"Do you know what Dragon Rage does?" When Red shook his head Ash told him, "Look it up in your Pokedex."
After Red consulted his electronic encyclopedia, he asked, "If it always does the same amount of damage, how will that help?"
"Remember the battle? Did Charmander hit Ditto directly?"
Red recalled the battle then said, "No. Ditto tried to dodge, so it only caught a little of the Flamethrower."
Ash grinned and said, "Look up Rage." Red did as he was told and then looked puzzled. Ash explained, "Rage boosts the strength of your Pokemon's next attack, if your Pokemon is hit in battle. It doesn't have to be a direct hit."
"So Ditto wanted to be hit?" exclaimed Red. "Take enough damage to use Rage?" Ash just nodded. "So if we use Dragon Rage, Ditto will take the full damage?"
Ash pointed out, "Yes, but as soon as you use Dragon Rage, Duplica will know that she can use it too. But since both Pokemon will have the same health level after Ditto transforms, you now have better than a fifty percent chance of winning."
Ash glanced at Charizard, then after some thought said, "If all you want to do is win a badge, you can win easily with a Magikarp."
"Why is a Magikarp better than a Charmander?"
"It isn't, and I don't believe that one Pokemon type is better than others. All Pokemon are special," lectured Ash. "As for the set of attacks that a Magikarp can learn, that is worse than a Charmander. But if Ditto copies your Pokemon's attacks, then the Ditto suffers. Ditto have a special weakness. They can copy your Pokemon's attacks, but they can't use the attack as often as the original Pokemon. Imagine a battle between a Magikarp, that can use tackle about 30 times, and a Ditto, that can only use tackle 5 times."
Ash released his Cubone and Paras. "You two did a great job," he said to them. "Paras and Cubone, these are some of my other Pokemon. Charizard, Bulbasaur and Donphan, come say hello to Cubone and Paras." The older Pokemon greeted the younger pair, although Charizard seemed cold to his daughter. Donphan and Pikachu Jr. made up for Charizard's lack of excitement, and soon the younger Pokemon were running and chasing each other.
After a while of playing and thinking, young Red's stomach started to growl. Everyone returned to the Ditto village for lunch. The Pokemon, including Charmander, ate in the park. The humans ate in the house.
"Do you think Charmander will be ready for a rematch today?" asked Duplica.
"After lunch and a nap, Charmander should be ready," replied Ash. "Are you ready?" he asked of Red. Red nodded yes.
After lunch, Ash and Red went to the Pokemon Park. Red took Charmander to a sunny spot on the grass, where the two of them took a nap. Ash and Charizard looked on at a distance. In a quiet voice Ash said to Charizard, "He's your son, isn't he?"
Charizard just nodded.
"Would that make Charla the mother?"
Again Charizard nodded.
"Did you know your own parents?"
Charizard shook his head.
"It's been so long since I lost dad, that I can't remember him anymore," said Ash. "I wish I knew him better. I wonder if Charmander wonders who his parents are. Do you?"
Charizard just shrugged.
Ash patted his fire Pokemon and said, "I won't tell Charmander or Red if you don't want me to. Charmander could learn a lot from you, even if you don't tell him. Your daughter Cubone could learn a lot too." Ash gave Charizard another friendly pat, before returning to his chores.
Charizard watched over his son before drifting off to sleep. Charizard dreamed of the happy times of being a Charmander. Charmander dreamed of being a Charizard, and Red dreamed of being like his hero Ash.
When Charmander awoke, he was nestled against Red. As the little fire Pokemon stirred, Red awoke and asked, "Are you ready to try again?"
"Char!"
The young team from Pallet Town returned to the Ditto house, where they found Duplica painting. Soon everyone was assembled at the battlefield for a rematch.
"The challenger and the gym leader have agreed to a rematch," announced Brock. "The rules are the same as before: One Pokemon each with no time limit." Duplica called out another Ditto, while Charmander walked into position on the field. "Begin!"
"Charmander, use Flamethrower!" shouted Red.
"Itto, Transform." The Ditto changed its form to match Charmander and took a direct hit from the Flamethrower.
"Again Charmander!"
"Itto, dodge and use Rage!"
The Ditto dodged and only took the flames on one arm. Itto slammed into Charmander. Charmander staggered a bit, but recovered quickly.
"Charmander: Dragon Rage!"
"What?" exclaimed Duplica. "Quick Itto, use Dragon Rage," she ordered hastily, but Itto was already committed to slightly dodge the attack. Itto was sent flying by the power of the Dragon Rage attack. Itto stood and its fire grew brighter. "Flamethrower Itto!" commanded Duplica.
"Dragon Rage," countered Red. The two attacks met in the center of the field, then twisted and churned. Finally both attacks were released, and both Pokemon were sent flying. "Stand up Charmander, you can do it."
"Itto, can you go on?" asked Duplica.
Charmander and Itto both tried to rise. Charmander stood, but shakily. Itto tried, then collapsed and returned to its Ditto form.
"Itto is unable to battle," declared Brock. "The challenger, Red from Pallet Town is the winner!"
Red ran onto the field and hugged his Pokemon. "You did it Charmander! You're the best!" he gushed. When Charmander started to glow, Red asked, "What's happening?"
"Your Charmander is evolving," declared Duplica.
Charmander evolved into Charmeleon. "This is great Charmeleon!" cried Red, who was so happy, he was almost in tears. But after Charmeleon breathed flames on his trainer, Red's tears of joy turned to tears of pain.
"Oh great," muttered Ash, "Just like his father."
Charizard was standing next to Ash and heard his trainer's comment. Charizard's feelings of pride changed into shame, then anger. Charizard stomped onto the field, before Red could recover, grabbed Charmeleon by the scruff of the next and flew off.
"Charmeleon? What's going on?" pleaded Red.
The humans ran to the fallen Red, and everyone looked to Ash for answers. "Don't worry. I think Charizard is just going to talk to Charmeleon," said Ash.
What are you doing? demanded Charmeleon.
We are going to have a little talk, replied Charizard. By the way, do you like the view?
Charmeleon looked to the horizon, then to the ground below. He spread his arms out and pretended to be a Charizard. Charmeleon had a big smile as they flew to the training spot from the morning. This is great! This is why I want to grow up to be a Charizard, so I can fly. Charizard landed in the field then dropped Charmeleon like garbage. Ow, why did you do that?
If you keep up that bad attitude, you can forget about flying, replied Charizard. Charmeleon looked angry and confused. Charizard sighed then said, I was like you once. When I evolved into a Charmeleon, I thought I was powerful and that I knew more than my trainer. As a result Ash couldn't trust me. He wouldn't use me in battles, and I even lost a tournament because I thought my opponents were beneath me. If Red can't trust you, he won't use you in battle, and you'll never evolve.
Charmeleontried to protest, But...
Just because you want to be strong, that doesn't mean that you can't show your love for your trainer. I wish I did back then, but I didn't, said Charizard remorsefully. Don't make the same mistakes that I made. It takes a lot of time to re-earn someone's trust and love.
Charmeleon said sheepishly, I didn't mean to burn him.
Good, and try not to in the future. If I knew that my son made the same mistakes that I did, it would break my heart. Before Charmeleon could process everything that he heard, Charizard added, If you promise to be good to your trainer, I'll give you a ride back.
The young one nodded, and then climbed onto Charizard's back. While Charizard flew over the trees and into the clouds, Charmeleon asked, Are you really my father?
Yes. A Charmander could be born knowing Flamethrower and Dragon Rage. But you would only know Seismic Toss, if your father knew it.
Oh. Who's my mother?
Your mother's name is Charla. When you grow up to be a strong Charizard, you'll get to meet her.
Strong like you? askedCharmeleon.
If you're good to your trainer, and he's good to you, you'll be stronger than me. As Charizard circled the Ditto village, he said to his son, Your trainer hasn't moved from where we left him. I hope you care for him as much as he does for you.
I do.
Then that makes me proud of you, son.
Charizard landed and Charmeleon hopped of and ran to Red and apologized.
"You didn't mean to burn me did you Charmeleon?" asked Red.
Charmeleon shook his head.
Red gave his Pokemon a hug and said, "I knew you wouldn't do that Charmeleon. It had to be an accident."
"Now that Charmeleon is back, I would like to present you the Mirror Badge," said Duplica as she offered Red the badge. Red took the badge and fell silent as he dreamed of his future with Charmeleon.
Red was convinced to spend the night in the village. Charmeleon spent the evening listening to Charizard's stories, before falling asleep.
It was breakfast time in the Ditto village. Red was helping his hero feed Pokemon. Ash looked upon Red's Charmeleon, who was sleeping next its father Charizard. Ash smiled and thought about being a father too, someday. "Where are you going next?" he asked of Red.
"I'm not sure," replied Red as he put out food for the Pokemon.
"Here's some advice: Don't go to Cerulean City for a battle, yet."
"Why not?"
Ash pointed to the Gyarados, Politoed and Seaking who were eating their breakfast. "Those Pokemon belong to the Cerulean City Gym leader. Do you think that your Charmeleon can beat all three of them?"
"No."
"Do you have other Pokemon that could beat them?"
"I haven't caught any other Pokemon," admitted Red. "When I saw how strong Charmander was I didn't want to catch any other Pokemon."
"You are going to need other Pokemon. Some gym battles are two-on-two battles, so you have to have another Pokemon. Your Charmeleon has to be very strong and very high level if he is going to beat water Pokemon. Misty's water Pokemon will require even more strength."
Red thought for a moment and asked, "Is Misty the Cerulean City Gym Leader?"
"Yes," said Ash. "So when you come for a badge, we can visit. I think that my Charizard would like to visit your Pokemon as well." Ash finished feeding the Pokemon and headed back for breakfast. As Red followed, Ash said, "If you find someone selling Magikarp, don't buy. Come to the Cerulean Gym, and you can have one for free."
In the Ditto house Ash and Red joined Misty, Brock and Duplica for breakfast. "Where are you going next?" asked Misty.
"I think I'll go back to the Viridian Forest and catch some Pokemon," replied Red. "I don't think that I can compete in the Indigo Conference with just Charmeleon."
"Planning ahead?" asked Brock.
"Well, I do have to win seven more badges," admitted Red.
After breakfast, Red went to pack his gear, while Ash returned to the Pokemon Park. Charizard was eating with Charmeleon. Ash asked his Pokemon, "Did you tell him?"
Charizard nodded.
"Can I tell his trainer, Red?"
Charizard looked to his son. Both Pokemon looked to Ash and nodded yes.
Ash busied himself with chores until Red came out to collect his Pokemon.
"Charmeleon, are you ready to get going?" asked the young trainer.
Charmeleon stood and offered to shake with Charizard. Charizard started to shake Charmeleon's hand, but hugged him instead. After a moment, Charmeleon walked back to Red. Red offered his hand to Ash and said, "Someday, I hope my Charmeleon will be as strong as your Charizard."
Ash took Red's hand and said, "'Like father, like son.' You started with a Charmander that inherited some of Charizard best qualities. I know that you will be as proud of you Pokemon as I am of mine. Take care of each other."
"I'll do my best," replied Red. Red turned to Charizard and said, "I'll do my best to train Charmeleon and take care of him."
Charmeleon added, I'll do my best to help him.
Good, replied Charizard. Next time we meet, let's fly together.
Charmeleon nodded, and then he and his trainer turned and walked away.
"Don't worry, we'll see them again someday," said Ash to Charizard. "He has to come to Misty's gym for a badge. Besides, you still have a Cubone to raise. She inherited some of your bad qualities and she's a handful."
Charizard gave a low chuckle. A little tear formed in one eye, as he watched a part of himself walk off into the future.
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