Chapter 13: Damian and Charmander

When Luigi felt the jolt of energy through his bond with Mario, he almost sent Bulbasaur and Clefairy crashing to the floor. He looked out the window of the Pokémon Center they'd stopped at – The sun had just barely risen over the horizon. No doubt, he was the only one awake.

He focused on the energy. It was fading fast, but the signal was clear. Mario, wherever he was, had gotten into a fight and resorted to his special moves. Luigi gave a sigh of relief. Mario was still far away, but at least Luigi knew he was (somewhat) safe now.

Travelling with Ash, Misty, and Brock over the past few days had been strange. For once, no one was focused on the resident Mario Brother. For once, he could just take it slow, instead of speeding through the countryside.

As usual, his usual luck had made things difficult and dangerous. Thankfully, his companions managed to avoid getting injured, and he managed to avoid any potentially awkward questions about why none of the things that happened to him seemed to hurt him that much.

He got out of bed, careful not to wake either of his companions, and went for a little walk to clear his head. He waved to Nurse Joy's Chansey (who ran the center at night) as he walked out the door.

It wasn't long before he came to the rock that his friends had been so interested in yesterday. He didn't know what or who 'Charmander' was, but they'd seemed really concerned about it. Regardless, the rock seemed like a nice place to gather his thoughts, so he jumped onto it and laid back.

He looked to the sky, and allowed his mind to wander. Was everyone doing alright without Mario? His brother stood as an icon of hope, someone who could fight against impossible odds and come out on top. For good reason, too. Fighting Bowser on equal terms was all but impossible for anyone else. Hopefully Bowser wasn't…

He stopped his train of thought, remembering that gaping hole in the side of the building. How close Bowser had been to them when the portal opened. He smacked himself in the face. What was he doing? Having a relaxed adventure, 'looking' for Mario, when an evil tyrant was loose on an unsuspecting world? He'd seen the destruction Bowser could cause by accident, and still lived in fear of what he could do on purpose.

"I'm a complete moron." He tried to focus and sense where Mario was, but couldn't get a clear idea – His brother must have been asleep, or unconscious. He sincerely hoped it was the former, even though he knew it really wasn't likely. He kept trying to find his brother in between bouts of trying to assess the situation, but was interrupted around half an hour later by two people talking.

"- don't need your advice." This one was a kid around Ash's age with purple-gray hair and a harsh voice. "You're just another trainer who doesn't look for strength."

The other boy – This one with wavy blue hair and a pair of sunglasses perched on his forehead – looked at the younger one with a displeased expression. "I was like you once, I know how it is."

"That just makes you more pathetic," the younger boy snapped. "I don't need your advice."

The older boy glared. "I was pathetic. Just like you are now, and it took losing a friend for me to see that."

The purple-haired boy 'hmphed'. "A Pokémon, a friend? I knew you were just as pathetic as the rest of them." He turned towards Luigi. "And you! I know you've been listening in on us. Butt out!"

Luigi backed up a bit. This kid was… intimidating. And it wouldn't be good for him to lose his temper and punch out a ten-year-old, no matter how much of a jerk he was being.

"Y'know, I think he can help. I could use a second opinion," The blue-haired boy said, and turned to Luigi. "My name is Damian. This is Paul."

"Um, I'm Luigi… Luigi Mario."

"Who cares," Paul said.

Damian glared at Paul again. "He's trying to release a Squirtle he caught recently for being 'pathetic'."

"Hmph. It is pathetic! It refuses to evolve, and just does its own thing or puts on sunglasses whenever I send it out!"

"Can't imagine why," Damian said, with the clear impression that he could imagine exactly why. Paul didn't seem to notice, and just kept going.

"It's a delinquent," Paul growled. "Worse, it's the leader of a squad of delinquents. Apparently, it 'had a change of heart', so it was looking for a good trainer, but it has never listened to a single order I gave it."

"There's a key part of that there you're missing," Damian said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Paul snapped.

"You see?" Damian asked. "I was like him once. You can't expect Pokémon to respect you if you keep hammering in that they're pathetic and unwanted. You're a step away from leaving them out on a rock in the rain."

"It'd serve it right," Paul said. "I've no use for a disobedient Pokémon."

Luigi narrowed his eyes. "You're giving up. Just because it isn't good enough, it's not even worth your time? If you gave it a chance, if you actually tried to be friends…" Luigi was seething now, and stood up on top of the rock. Anger in his eyes, he began to shout. "Then maybe, just maybe, it'll accomplish something amazing! But you'll never get there by looking down on it for not being good enough! Do you really think that's going to help anyone get better, even if it is true? I know better than anyone that it doesn't work! Maybe it's best if you do release it, just so it never has to deal with you again!"

"Fine. You want it so much, you take it!" Paul threw a Pokéball at Luigi, clocking him on the head. Luigi fell backwards off the rock.

"You'll be perfect for each other," Paul said, already walking into the forest. "It's just as pathetic as you are." He didn't look back.

"Are you alright?" Damian asked Luigi, as he helped him up.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Kid's got an arm on him, but I've been punched by… A Pokémon that hits like a freight train, so this is nothing," Luigi said, as he brought up Squirtle's Pokéball.

"Good… I can't stand him," Damian said. "He's everything I could have been, in the worst possible way. You sound like you know how it is, too."

"… My brother's the only person who really believes that I can be more than his shadow," Luigi said.

"Sounds like you've had a rough life."

"Probably," Luigi admitted. "I think the good outweighs the bad, though. Damian… You said something about Paul being like you. What did you mean?"

Damian laughed mirthlessly. "I left a Pokémon out on a rock in the rain. I promised I'd be back, but I just left it there to die. I didn't know, or maybe I thought it would tough it out, but in the end, I just didn't care enough. Someone came along and helped it out, and taught me the lesson I deserved. I didn't understand it right away, but things are different now. At least, I hope they are."

Luigi looked down. "… Damian, I've put a lot of people in danger over my lifetime, and it wasn't always by accident. The only thing you can do is do your best to make things right. My brother believes in second chances, and I do my best to. Good luck."

"Thanks," Damian said. "… It's the whole reason I came back here. That rock is where it all happened, and that trainer, Ash Ketchum, should be coming around here soon."

"Ash?" Luigi asked. "That's a weird coincidence… Story of my life… I'm traveling with him."

"Oh… Huh. Well, could you let him know I want to talk to him later? I'll just be out here," Damian climbed on the rock. "Thanks again, for everything."

Luigi nodded. "I'll tell him. Good luck moving forward."

"You too."

Later in the day, Ash walked with Brock, Misty, Pikachu (who was, as usual, riding his shoulder), and Bulbasaur to the rock where he'd first met Charmander. Luigi had stayed in the Pokémon Center, to meditate. Misty had briefly wondered if that meant he was psychic, before deciding it really wasn't her business.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Ash?" Brock asked. "Damian was kind of… Not the nicest person we've made the acquaintance of. He must remember everything that happened between you."

"He's actually changed quite a bit," Misty said. "He comes to me for advice pretty often. I blasted him off the first few times, but I think he's really trying to be a better person."

"Pikapi?" Pikachu said to his trainer. "Pika-pikachu?"

"I don't know," Ash said. "I remember all the stuff that he did to Charmander, but if he's really changed… I just don't know."

"I understand," Brock nodded. "That's what I like about you, Ash. You're always open to others."

"Come on, that's not the only thing you like," Ash said. "I'm cool in all sorts of ways."

"You do make a very convincing girl," Brock teased.

"That's right," Misty said. "Boy, we didn't even notice. By the way, Brock, what was with that Croagunk last night?"

"He's mine, from Sinnoh," Brock said. "He must have followed us and caught himself while we were sleeping. I didn't even know he was around. Anyway, Misty, you didn't see the other times Ash dressed as a girl. Once he dressed up as a girl I had a crush on to help me out."

"Only Ash…" Misty said.

"I can't imagine anyone else doing that," Brock agreed.

Ash huffed. "You weren't even there the last time… Pikachu had to dress up, too. He had a heart-shaped piece of paper stuck to his tail."

Misty laughed. "And what, you called him 'Pikachu-ette'?"

Ash's silence said it all. Misty and Brock laughed harder, while Pikachu just ducked into Ash's neck in embarrassment.

Bulbasaur had absolutely no idea what to make of this, and so just stayed silent.

"I wonder if you'll have to do that this time…" Misty said. "I'd like to think you're not stupid enough to insult Erika again."

"Pika… pichu…"

"Really, Pikachu?" Ash asked. "You too?"

"What did he say?" Misty asked.

"He thinks I'll probably do it again." Ash quieted down, a thought coming to mind. "Hey, guys? When do you think we should tell Luigi about… All this? The time travel, how long we've been friends… All of it?"

"I honestly thought we were just going to keep it secret from him as long as possible," Misty said. "No need to get him into our mess."

"With everything that's been going on around the world, we'll have to tell him," Brock said. "We can't do much about most people, but Luigi's right there in the thick of things with us. He deserves to know about the crazy things we get up to, and the strange happenings all over the world."

"How about this," Misty said. "We'll tell him once we're in Vermillion City. Lance can probably help us explain a lot better, too."

Brock nodded. "Sounds good to me."

"I feel bad keeping all this a secret from him," Ash said. "I know he doesn't mind, but… Friends tell friends stuff, you know?"

Brock nodded once again. "Who knew we'd have such a conversation now… Ash, Misty, the rock where we met Charmander is just ahead. Are you ready, Ash?"

Ash sighed. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Damian and Charmander were eating lunch together next to the rock when they reached it. Damian turned to Ash. For a moment, he looked shocked, but just laughed nervously and turned back to Charmander. "So, you do remember me," Damian said.

"… I remember," Ash said. "What's this all about?"

"Charmander, this is the trainer I told you about. His name is Ash," Damian told his Pokémon. "In another time, he took amazing care of you."

"Char?"

"Ash, when you took Charmander from me, I wondered why he chose you. I watched all of your league matches, hoping to figure out what made you so much better than me. After seeing you in Johto, I finally figured it out."

Ash sat down, ready to hear Damian out.

"With you, it's never about you," Damian said. "If that makes any sense. I don't know how you do it, but you really seem to know what your Pokémon are saying. I told it everything, but Charmander doesn't remember any of the things I've done. If it did, I'm pretty sure I'd be well done by now. It did that to you enough times, didn't it?"

Ash actually laughed. "Yeah, I think he's used Flamethrower on me more than he ever used it in battle."

"I'm not sure what I expected to happen, but this is definitely a surprise," Brock whispered to Misty.

"Told you so."

"Yeah… Charmander, Ash… I've seen you on your journey together. How much you've grown together." Damian paused for a moment. "You're a better trainer than I could ever be, Ash. I want Charmander to go on a journey with you again."

"Char?" Charmander asked. "… Mander? Charmander…"

"Damian, I'm honored…" Ash looked at the other trainer. Somehow, Ash knew he was being sincere. He wasn't sure how, exactly, but it was the same feeling he got when he listened to his Pokémon. "… But I don't think that's fair to Charmander. Charmander, which one of us do you want to go on a journey with?"

Damian closed his eyes. "I thought you'd do this… It won't change anything. Charmander, you'll be great with him. Trust me, I've seen it."

Charmander tugged on Damian's pants.

"Charmander, even if you don't remember, you know all the stuff I did to you." The lizard didn't budge. "You're too loyal for your own good. I don't deserve a second chance from you, Charmander."

"Sometimes, Pokémon understand trainers better than they understand themselves," Brock said.

"Damian… You did some pretty bad stuff, it's true. But, you know, you've worked pretty hard to be better," Ash said. "Charmander knows what you've done, and thinks you deserve a chance to prove yourself. As much as I'll miss him, I agree. Everything I've seen today… you're just doing everything you can to do the best thing for Charmander."

"If that doesn't prove you deserve a second chance, nothing will," Misty added.

"That's right," Ash said. "Charmander, if you ever change your mind, I'll always be happy for a new friend. Damian, Charmander… I wish the both of you good luck."

"I… I…" Damian sighed. "Thank you, Ash. Once I'm a Gym Leader… I'd be honored if you would battle me."

"It's a promise," Ash said.

"Also, just to be sure…" Misty pulled a large mallet out of her backpack. "Remember this, in case you ever think of doing anything to Charmander. I'll find you, and this has your name on it."

"Trust me, I remember the mallet…" Damian said. "I don't blame you, after everything. Here, just to be sure…" He took out a scrap of paper, and scribbled something down. "In case you feel like making sure I'm caring for Charmander properly."

Luigi had finally been able to locate Mario. Based on a map he'd borrowed from Nurse Joy, and his own bond, he was able to figure out where his brother was. Luckily – and surprisingly – This map was actually readable.

Mario was somewhere on the coast, just east of Pallet Town, and not terribly far from Vermillion City. The very same place he and his new friends were already heading…

He couldn't very well just leave now, could he? That wouldn't be right to them.

That was awfully convenient, but Luigi had gotten used to that by now. No matter how far apart they got, they'd always come back together.

Luigi became curious about his new Pokémon, and so threw Squirtle's Pokéball. A blue creature that looked a lot like a very short Koopa Troopa popped out, put on a triangular pair of sunglasses, and announced his name while striking a pose like he was in an action movie.

"Clefairy?" At least Luigi wasn't the only one completely bewildered by this turn of events.

"Stars above, it's a Ninjakoopa," Luigi said. "What have I gotten into?"

Squirtle tucked into his shell and began breakdancing.

"Maybe…" Luigi trailed off. "Hey, uh, Squirtle? I got you from this Paul guy…"

"Squirt…"

"Yeah, that's about the impression I got of him. But he said you had friends." Squirtle nodded. "If you want, I'll take a detour and bring you back to them. I get the feeling Paul didn't give you a choice, but I don't want to drag you into the endless stream of disaster that is my life."

Squirtle considered his options. The little turtle paced around for a minute, before finally nodding.

"Alright. Well, I'll have you lead the way. Best of luck to you, Squirtle."

"Squirtle-squirt." Luigi couldn't understand Squirtle, but he had a feeling that he'd wished him luck as well. Futile or not, the sentiment was appreciated.

Don't kill me.

So, I knew I was going to have to touch on the subject of Damian eventually. As bad as Damian could be, he didn't completely ignore what Ash and Brock were saying to him throughout the episode. He seemed like he could change, given time. And... I wanted to show just how much Ash Ketchum can affect a person. I hinted that Damian had changed before - Back in Chapter 7, Bonnie mentions that he's the leader of the Seafoam Gym.

Squirtle also remembers, and got the Squirtle Squad to shape up and actually start helping out the town sooner. Because of this, Paul caught him. Squirtle proved to be a bit too spirited and independent and having heard about Paul from Ash's other Pokemon. He also wants to go back to the rest of the Squirtle Squad, instead of going on a journey again.

While Ash doesn't (and probably won't) make a big deal out of it, he does have some unusual abilities.

Luigi got a bit more melodramatic than I expected this chapter. Well... Being melodramatic is kind of part of his character? That's an excuse. I guess it works though.

... I may have been slightly occupied by Sonic Mania recently. I was always more excited for it than Forces, but it's even better than I expected. But, uh, avoid getting it on PC if possible. It can be a bit of a pain on PC, but is just fine on consoles.

Rocker on: At the moment, no, they do not know that it isn't their fault. The trouble that follows them around isn't controllable. The Moon Stone being 'corrupted' (it looked bad but was mostly harmless) is actually Luigi's fault, though. It's from when he used it to power up.

More than one Mew exists, yes, but I don't think that there will be others appearing in person. Yes, the movies are considered 'canon' to this story.

It's just Mario and Luigi's chaotic power that produces that violent of a response. Bowser's might, as well.

A wand is essentially a focus. Metal for a conductor, and glass or a jewel for the lens. Dry wood does nothing, but it's a lot cheaper and lighter than building the whole thing of solid metal. That's how I thought through this, anyway.

The currency is called Pokemon Dollars, Pokedollars, or just pocket money (or Pokemoney, if you prefer). Poke is from the Mystery Dungeon games. Despite being called dollars, their worth is closer to one cent each.

I don't know when or if they'll be referenced. Most likely it'll be Mario saying something about competing with Sonic in the Olympics if anything though.