"Ah!!!" Both looked at Ash in surprise. Ash's bond with Pikachu allowed him to understand Pikachu's meaning, which was not strange.
What surprised them was the matter of Charmander. They hadn't expected this Charmander to be abandoned.
"Char!"
However, at this moment, hearing Ash's words, the Charmander, which already looked very weak and was huddled on the rock, suddenly cried out at Ash.
Because Charmander didn't feel abandoned. It was wholeheartedly waiting here for its trainer to come back and pick it up. Of course, it was worried that its trainer might not find it, so it didn't move an inch.
So it kept waiting here, and didn't look for food. After a long time, it became very weak.
"How could this happen...? What kind of person is that?" Misty looked at Charmander with a bit of heartache.
"But, if it was abandoned, it should have left, right? Why is it still here?" Brock narrowed his eyes, hitting on the key point.
"I think it's not as simple as abandonment. Its trainer probably tricked it into believing he would come back for it, which is why it's been waiting here all this time."
"That hateful person, how could they do such a thing." Hearing Ash's words, Misty and Brock both showed angry expressions on their faces. Such a trainer was indeed despicable.
"Then what do we do now? We can't just leave it here, can we? Is there any way?" Hearing Ash's words, Misty asked with some concern.
If it truly waited like that, it would eventually collapse. This child was too naive.
"There is a way!" Ash looked at Charmander and smiled. Then, under Misty's and Brock's curious gazes, he walked in front of Charmander, lowered his head, and spoke.
"You're waiting for your trainer, aren't you? You won't find him waiting here. I know where he is. If you want to see him, follow me!" Ash said to Charmander.
Hearing Ash's words, Charmander, which had originally ignored them, suddenly flashed with hope in its eyes, but it seemed to hesitate.
Perhaps it didn't know if Ash was telling the truth, or perhaps because its trainer had told it to wait there for him to return, it worried that its trainer would be angry if it left without permission.
But Ash didn't give it a chance to hesitate. After speaking, he immediately signaled Brock and Misty to leave. The three walked forward, and Pikachu quickly followed.
"Ash, will this work?" Walking on the road, Misty occasionally looked back.
"What's wrong?"
"Do you really know where its trainer is?"
"No, I don't!" Ash replied lightly. He really didn't know. Although he knew who abandoned it, he wasn't sure if he would encounter them at this time.
"Then you still... Aren't you lying to it?" Misty couldn't help but say, but then she realized she was too loud. She looked left and right, then said to Ash.
"I'm helping it. From the way it is, it will definitely keep waiting. If it continues to wait like that, even if it doesn't starve to death, it will definitely die if it rains someday." Ash didn't show any burden. He was just telling the truth; it had almost died originally.
"But... but what if we can't find its trainer then?" Misty, hearing Ash's words, also felt it made sense, but she was still worried.
"There's a Pokémon Center not far ahead. Let's go there first. No matter what, let Nurse Joy treat it first."
"What if it tries to run away?"
"Once we're there, it won't be up to it. If it tries to run, I'll have Ivysaur use Sleep Powder to stop it." Ash chuckled upon hearing this. Little guy, I can't handle you?
Misty listened. Although this method was a bit crude, it was still a good one. At this moment, Brock, who had been paying attention to what was behind them, also suddenly spoke.
"Shh! It's following us."
Misty also turned her head and saw Charmander timidly following behind. Ash also turned to look. He wasn't afraid of it following; he was afraid of it not following.
Brock also believed Ash's approach was correct. If it kept waiting there foolishly if it rained, that would be terrible. He greatly resented those who abandoned Pokémon, so he was quite concerned.
"Sigh... I hope this child can come to terms with it later!"
Without saying more, Ash didn't care. He walked along, and soon a road appeared before them. Following this road would lead to Vermilion City, but this road was long, and it would take a few more days to reach Vermilion City.
However, they soon found a place to stay. There was a Pokémon Center by the road, which was set up for passing travelers. There were many similar places around the world.
Charmander also followed along. When it reached the Pokémon Center entrance, Charmander was still following. Seeing Ash and the others about to enter the center, Charmander roared at Ash.
"Char!!!"
"Hmm?? Your trainer is inside. If you want to see it, go in!" Ash said, then walked in himself. Brock and Misty immediately followed. Charmander hesitated for a moment, then also walked in.
After entering the Pokémon Center, there were many people in the main hall. It was clear that there were many traveling trainers. Charmander immediately looked left and right, searching for its trainer.
"Char~~Char!!!"
But after searching for a while, it didn't find its trainer. Ash had already taken out his Poké Ball and prepared it. After Charmander didn't find its trainer, it immediately glared at Ash and roared.
"I'm doing this for your own good!" Ash didn't pay much attention to Charmander's angry expression.
"Char!!!"
But Charmander was very angry. However, it didn't intend to argue with Ash and turned to leave.
"Ah! Is it going back to that place again?" Misty's first reaction was that it was going back again.
"Don't worry!" Ash also prepared to throw his Poké Ball, but at that moment, Charmander, which had just turned around, stumbled and fell to the ground before Ash could even make a move.
"Ah! Charmander!" Seeing this scene, Misty and Brock were the first to rush over. Ash also put away his Poké Ball and ran forward.
PS: I just re-watched it recently and found out that Brock almost caught Charmander, but in the end, Brock voluntarily gave it to Ash.
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