Hello again, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to another chapter in A promise kept Ash's Johto journey Time for the Charizific valley chapter. From this point onwards, things will be much different in terms of the Anime, even in this chapter. Also, keep in mind that everyone who votes for what chapter to do is still up. It'll be up until after the Chikorita chapter is up. It's on my DeviantArt account under the same username in the polls. This chapter is a long time coming, so let's get going.
Chapter 7: The Charizific valley and Charizard's choice
'For Pokespeech
" For Human speech
As we join our heroes walking through the mountain area outside of Violet City.
"Wow, the mountains are sure different here than it was in Kanto," Ash said as he was taking in the scenery. "This must be the mountains that Faulkner mentioned to us," Brock said. "You mean the one with the place for the Charizard line, right?" Ash asked. Brock nodded. "Yeah, but according to the guidebook, it's a very protective preserve to the point that you either need permission to get into or knew the owner of the place," Brock explained as the group understood. As they noticed something was flying their way, it looked like a Charizard but has a ribbon on its head as it landed. "Hey there, I'm surprised that you're up here in this area of the mountains. I have taken you got a Charizard on one of you all's team, right?"
The lady said. Ash nodded. "Yeah, I do, but how'd you knew that one of us had one?" Ash asked. "I've gotten wind from the local gym leader that his most recent trainer had battled him using a Charizard," she said. Ash nodded. "Yeah, that was me. My name is Ash Ketchem. I'm from Pallet town, and these are my friends Brock and Misty. They are gym leaders of that region" Ash introduced the group to her. "Nice to meet you. I'm Liza. I'm the owner of the Charizific valley, and this is my partner Charla". She said as the Charizard nodded.
Ash decided to let his Charizard out, which Charla instantly recognized. 'Well, well, it seems like you've returned to Johto after all these years. It has been a long time Charizard.' Charla said which Ash's Charizard recognized her voice even when she evolved. He still remembered her, 'I nearly didn't recognize you there, Charla. It has been years since I see you're running the Valley now,' Ash's Charizard said. As Charla nodded, 'Yep, I see you haven't changed as much still the same old Charmander that I grew up with,' Charla said as Charizard chuckled, which caught Ash and Liza's attention as Liza instantly recognized Ash's Charizard. "Well, well, it seems like Charla's childhood friend here has returned to Johto?" Which caught everyone off guard as Charizard nodded. "So the former leader of the Charizard's son has returned, but I'm sure not to reclaim his family's title," Liza said, which caught Ash off guard "Leader's son?" Ash asked. "Oh right, sorry, you see, there were two leaders Charizard wise in the Charizific valley back when I was a kid, and you may have heard of them Lance's Charizard and Red's Charizard." The group nodded as Ash said, "Yeah, I'm more aware of Lance more than Red as he was out on his journey a few years before I became a trainer." Liza nodded and said, "Well, if you're wondering, your Charizard is Lance's Charizard's kid, and Charla here is one of two daughters of Red's Charizard." As Charizard looked down in embarrassment, the other was very surprised by this. "Given who he is, you don't need my permission to visit the Valley. I'll take you all there, but not one mention of the Valley's location. The only ones who know about it are mostly the gym leaders and the league" The group nodded and said in unison, "We promised."
Luckily for the group, the Valley wasn't that far from where they are it was in the revene about halfway where they were as Pikachu was questioning Charizard 'So what's this about Charizard you never mentioned about the whole you used to be next in line for the Valley before?' As Charizard shook his head, 'No, not like that. Remember the Charizard Hierarchy I mentioned a while back? There were two Charizard that ran the Valley. My side of the family was second in command after my father lost to Charla's father in an official battle.' Pikachu sighed. 'You know that Pidgeot doesn't like keeping secrets from right Charizard, and was it a bigger pain for you and Charla? You two seemed like you two are getting along well?' As Charla intervened. 'Not entirely. Our family may have different trainers, but we're technically family, just not blood-related. We kinda had an honor agreement, not to mess with each other's family.' As it was Charizard's turn to interrupt, 'In return, we can either be more than friends or train with each other I've trained under her father when my father was out under league stuff or something of that sorts.' Charla would continue her explanation about her and Charizard knowing each other. 'As for our relationship with each other in terms of boyfriend and girlfriend. That isn't an option as we're kinda cousins.' As Charizard again interrupted her, 'Step-cousins, our mothers were step-sisters, is another reason why our families are on good terms now. Still, we had no interest in a relationship or taking back the family hierarchy.' Pikachu nodded as Liza explained the same thing to Ash and co well, what she knew from the original owner of the Valley before she became the owner.
The more Ash heard this, the more concerned he was for Charizard and worried that Charizard might choose to stay in the Valley, but he'd known Charizard enough that he's more of a laid-back Charizard unless another Pokemon tested him. As Charizard noticed Ash's concern but he placed his claw on Ash's shoulder and shook his head, signaling that he has no intention of abandoning him. Ash smiled at this as the group arrived at the location, insight as it had stone Charizard that made the group in awe. 'Welcome home Charizard' Charla said as Charizard sighed 'I'd never thought I'd see this place again this soon and this early on my journey' Charla nodded 'You know that you're always welcomed to return here for training any time you know that right I'm sure that many of the other Char's you knew might recognize you at some point' Charla said 'There's one I don't want to see and you know who I'm referring to Charla' Charizard said as Charla nodded 'I'd figured you still have a grudge against Scar yeah he's trying so hard to get in second in command and to be with me in order to do so but I'm rather picky with anyone who challenges me need I remind you that I've beaten you in more battles than one Charizard' Charla said kind of hitting Charizard where it hurts a bit 'I know, I know don't need to remind me there let's just head inside okay' Charizard said as the doors to the Valley opened as it was a massive valley as many forms of the charmander line was there many of whom either saw Ash's Charizard as a new Charizard and a few recognized him as many of them either smiled or bowed to him as he was one of the higher up Charizards much to Ash's Charizard's dismay 'I wished that they be more suttle and less formal with me I'm not here to retake anything I'm just here visiting again' Ash's Charizard said as Charla told them that even scolding them to respect his wishes which made the group made a sweat drop "Well I can see who is in charge of the valley and why she's this famous" Ash said which Charla chuckled hearing this even his own Charizard laughed at this. "Well, as I said, she is the princess of the Charizards, and what she says goes," Liza said.
As the group was chatting Ash's Charizard caught the attention of a certain Charizard with a scar on his left eye as he was slightly taller than Ash's charizard and looks to be one who isn't the one to be messed with walked over to Ash's charizard 'Well well well If it isn't the former prince himself never thought you'd return back to here after that show you pulled back when you were chosen to be a starter' Scar said as Ash's Charizard sighed 'Of all the Charizard I don't want to see why'd it have to be him who instantly recognized me Scar I'm not here to fight nor' as he was interrupted 'Not here to fight you show up with Charla step into this valley humans who aren't allowed here say you're not here to fight what type of fool do you think I am to think that you're not here to reclaim your families throne' As Charla stepped in 'That's enough Scar you're out of line his trainer is here cause Liza permitted theme and said they're allowed here without permission on her order not trespassing' She growled at him 'Humph you always had a soft spot for him Charla I don't know why you two are getting a long given who you're fathers are' Scar said 'That's enough Scar I said that you are out of line' Charla said but she was pushed off to the side 'Stay out of this Charla what's he got what I don't fight me our is the son of Lance's charizard too scared to battle'. As Liza sensing what is going one stepped in. "That's enough, Scar these are the guest's not your punching bags. Another word from you, and I'll call your trainer and have you PERMANENTLY BANNED from the Valley FOREVER!" she said that with the tone of she means business as he scoffs 'Humph fine. Still, you're the same Charizard I knew who always hides behind others for help and always weak.' As that hit's Charizard, where it hurts as Scar continues. 'You're no Charizard, and you're not worthy of living here, let alone have the right to stay here. Consider this your option when you leave us. You'll be all alone again some Charizard "I'm going to be the best Charizard one day to be like my dad"' Scar quoted and mocked Ash's Charizard as that made him tear up a bit 'Humph some Charizard you're as you were back when you left weak no wonder your former trainer abandoned you.'
As that caught Charla and Ash's Charizard off guard as Charizard asked, 'H-How did you know that?' As Scar laughed, 'Because I'm your replacement on your former trainer's team, at first. I'd thought it was another Charmander, but your reaction and how he described you. It made it even more delightful to poke fun of you're not worth a flamethrower nor my breath' As he walked off as Charizard was in complete tears as much as he was manly but is very sensitive as he ran out of the Valley as Charla was going to comfort him. Still, Liza stopped her. "Let him go. Whatever happened is between them. Sadly I wished that I understood what they were saying," Liza said as Charla sighed and had to nod in agreement.
Later that night, Ash and the group were given a place to stay in the Valley, as they're going to leave the next day, that is. Seeing what had happened, even Ash was understanding for some reason why Charizard is upset. His reaction looked like it had to do with his old trainer, but what he wished he could understand. As Pidgeot noticed what is going on with them and noticed that Charla was watching him from afar, worried about him, 'So you must be the one who runs the place I see?' Pidgeot asked Charla as she noticed Pidgeot flying over to her. Charla nodded. 'Yes, and I am an old friend of his over there. You must be the Pidgeot Pikachu mentioned, right?' Charla asked which she nodded.
'Before you tell me what happened, what relationship you have with him, and then you can ask to tell me what happened' Pidgeot, not aware that Charla wasn't responsible for what happened, is questioning her like she was. Charla sighed, 'We're step-cousins. Our mothers are step-sisters.' As Charla explained, everything about the two is related to each other. And everything, including up till what happened earlier, which made Pidgeot feel upset, as she was hearing about how Scar was the Valley's bully to the point that he hated weak pokemon like Ash's Charizard and didn't see why she'd chosen him to train with him and such. 'I see that's what happened. His former trainer replaced him with another Charizard and one who picked on him as a Charmander, huh?' Pidgeot asked with an understanding look on her face as Charla nodded. 'Charizard was the one who gave him that Scar on his eye back then. When Scar pushed him too far, many other Charizard still looked up to him, but that was the straw that made Charizard there wanting to go out on his own I can see he's stronger than he seems, but he still has emotional scars from Scar' Charla said showing a massive concerned look on her face. 'I agree he rarely told us about his past before joining Ash, but I'll talk to him you rest and sorry for sounding rude to you' Pidgeot apologized. 'It's okay. I accept your apology but be careful of what you say to him, Pidgeot,' Charla said as Pidgeot nodded.
As Charizard was still in a hurt position, 'He's wrong, I still got a ways to go. Yes, I may be abandoned by Damien. Yes, I may have been disobedient to Ash'. He was moping as Pidgeot, who was behind him, listening to this 'But I regretted what I've done during my time with Ash before he saved my life again Scar I don't know where you're getting all of this information about me outside of Damien. Still, my past is something that you shouldn't get to' Charizard continued to cry as he said that. 'Then you should put him in his place in a battle one day, Charizard, ' Pidgeot said to Charizard as Charizard tried to wipe his tears with his claw. 'How long were you standing there, Pidgeot?' Charizard asked. 'Long enough, Charla informed me about everything, including your relationship with her family-wise look I'm aware that fighting in the valley that isn't training is forbidden, but that doesn't mean that you can't get back at him outside of it' Pidgeot said. As Charizard was silent as she continued, 'Look, he's wrong about you, yes you're stubborn, yes you can be a pain to talk with at times, and yes you can be a bit sensitive even now, but that's who you are Charizard and who I liked you can't just get stronger just by training alone here you need your team.' As Charizard looked down, 'While I was back in the flock, there were times that I felt like I couldn't protect them and that one day that Ash wouldn't come back for me or help my flock I've been called weak in the past before as well.' She said as Charizard said, 'You're not weak, not to me. I've seen you battle during our journey here' Pidgeot shook her head. 'I was also the weakest of my old flock back when I was a young Pidgey, I couldn't even see myself to what I am today I was even rarely used in battle even during my time with Ash thinking that I would stay a Pidgeotto and never evolved' Pidgeot looked down 'When I saw my evolutionary line in danger I had to do something that day I evolved was the step in the direction I need to be strong for a new flock and be like my own father who was very respected amongst his fellow flyers. She held her right-wing, showing that she and were the same in more ways than one. 'P-Pidgeot a sense of peace a legacy like me, but your father is a gym leader. Pokémon I'm now Champion's child there's a' As Pidgeot interrupted 'Difference? Are you sure about that Charizard? What's the Difference? We have the same goal in mind. I left my new flock to get stronger one day, even with a feeling of peace between the Fearow and me. I knew that one day that something would happen. I will need to get stronger not only for them but for myself,' She said with a tear in her eye as Charizard wiped it from her beak with his claw. 'You know what? You're right, Pidgeot?' as she was curious about what he just said. 'We may be from different families. Still, our goals are the same to be stronger not only for ourselves but also for those we care about when I move on from my past. Damien may be out there, but I'm not the same as I was back then. I will get stronger not with the help of the Valley but on my own with all of your help,' Charizard said with his claw gripped as his flame burst with determination.
'That's the Charizard that I knew talking,' Charla said, not realizing that it was morning already, but Charizard didn't care. 'How much of that you caught on, Charla?' Charizard asked. 'Just the last part whatever Pidgeot said to you brought the Charmander I grew up with back in you,' Charla said as that got Pidgeot, and Charizard smiled and nodded. As the three went back to Ash and the others. "Well, I'll still ask anyway do you still want to stay here, Charizard, and train to be stronger, or will you leave with Ash?" Liza asked as Ash looked at Charizard. "It's up to you, Charizard, and note whatever decision you make, I won't stop you," Ash said. "But you'll still be a big part of the team no matter what?" With what Ash just said to Charizard, he turned to Liza and Charla and shook his head, showing that he doesn't want to stay with them. "I see you want to be with Ash, huh?" Charizard nodded. 'There's nothing I can say to convince you otherwise. I mean, we can still get Scar off your back and' Charla said but was interrupted by Charizard.
'There's only one thing that I will admit that Scar said to me is true. My place isn't here in the Valley, not in my current state. I will train hard to not only surpass him one day but to be as strong as you are one day Charla not even close to our father's power hopefully one day' Liza can tell just by the way he was gesturing and speaking that Charizard's mind is made up. "You're still welcome back to the Valley anytime, Charizard. If you need more training or if you found what you're seeking, you'll be welcomed here with open arms and claws, of course," Liza said as Charla nodded. Ash nodded in agreement. "Maybe one day, yes, but it's his decision, not mine, and I accept any way to help him get there no matter what happens." As Charizard was taken back by this but smirked at this as Liza said, "Well, I wish you luck with that and take care of yourself, okay Charizard" Charizard nodded.
As Ash and the gang were led out of the Valley by Liza and Charla, "Follow the path, you'll be heading to Azalea town in a month from now," Liza said, pointing to the path that the group wasn't even close to when she met them. "Thanks, Liza. We'll see you again someday," Ash said as Liza nodded and added, "Well, we might see each other again. I'm close with one of the gym leaders, and she's someone who knows Lance as much as Charla does, but you're nowhere close to the city she's in". "Where's it at if you don't mind me asking?" Ash asked. "I won't go into too much detail as part of the city is also a reservation like the Charizific valley, but it is where the last gym of the region is located in Blackthorn city. Claire will tell you the rest if you ever meet her. Just a heads up, she is stubborn sometimes," Liza stated as the group nodded as they left, waving goodbye.
Charizard's spirit is now lifted, and a new goal is set for Charizard and Ash to get each other more potent as a team and help each other out as our heroes leave the canyon and head to Azalea town.
Stay tuned
And done boy, was this a chapter to write. Yes, I added new things like who Charizard is related to, and if you kind of think about it? It makes sense given that Charizard is much stronger even before going to the Valley, and how much stronger he has gotten when visiting Ash on Ash's journey throughout the Anime? I don't know; I'm just speculating here. Things will change for Charizard, and who knows how it'll turn out. And before "you changed his character" or "you ruined his development" in the reviews, keep in mind what the synopsis reads. You know what you're getting into. The Chikorita episode is next. See you guys next time.
