Andrew sat in his Pokémon Center room, staring at his Pokédex. Messages had been flooding in since the broadcast—trainers wanting battles, reporters wanting interviews, sponsors wanting to back him.
He'd ignored most of them.
What he couldn't ignore was the incoming video call from a number he recognized immediately.
He answered.
"Mom? Dad?"
James and Jessie's faces filled the screen, and Andrew could see they'd been crying. Behind them, Meowth peeked into frame.
"Andrew," Jessie said, her voice breaking. "We saw everything. The whole world saw everything."
"You jumped out of a building," James added, his voice a mixture of terror and pride. "You jumped out of a building to save Charmeleon."
"I couldn't let him fall alone," Andrew said quietly. "He's my partner."
Jessie wiped her eyes. "We're coming to see you. We're already in Saffron City. We needed to see you in person, to make sure you're really okay."
"You're here?" Andrew asked, surprised. "In Saffron?"
"At the main Pokémon Center lobby," James confirmed. "Can we come up?"
"Yeah," Andrew said, standing quickly. "Yeah, I'll come down right now."
Pokémon Center Lobby - Reunion
Andrew stepped off the elevator to find his parents waiting. The moment Jessie saw him, she rushed forward and pulled him into a crushing hug.
"Don't you ever scare us like that again," she said fiercely, holding him tight.
James joined the hug, and for a moment, they just stood there—a family reunited after Andrew had faced death and come out the other side.
When they finally pulled back, Meowth hopped onto Andrew's shoulder next to Pikachu.
"Kid, that was the craziest thing I ever saw," Meowth said. "And I used to work for Team Rocket, so that's sayin' somethin'."
Andrew laughed, wiping at his own eyes. "I'm okay. Really. Charizard saved us."
"We want to meet him," Jessie said. "Properly. And the rest of your team."
They moved to the outdoor training area, where Andrew released his entire team. Charizard emerged with a roar, and James and Jessie actually took a step back at the sheer presence of the fully evolved dragon.
"That was our little Charmander," James said in amazement.
Charizard lowered his head, and Jessie reached out tentatively to touch his snout. The dragon rumbled affectionately.
"You've grown so strong," Jessie whispered.
Andrew introduced the rest of his team—Pikachu (who they already knew well), Ivysaur, Gengar, and Froakie. Each Pokémon responded to his parents with trust, sensing how important they were to Andrew.
As they were talking, a familiar voice called out from behind them.
"James? Jessie? Is that really you?"
They all turned to see Ash Ketchum walking toward them, his Pikachu on his shoulder, a surprised but warm smile on his face.
Ash!" James said, genuinely pleased to see him.
Ash jogged over, and there was a moment of awkwardness before he extended his hand. James shook it, then Jessie.
"It's been years," Ash said. "I heard you two left Team Rocket. Started a family."
"We did," Jessie said, gesturing to Andrew. "This is our son, Andrew."
Ash grinned. "Oh, I know. I've met Andrew already. Gave him Froakie, actually."
James and Jessie's eyes widened. "You gave our son a Pokémon?"
"Froakie chose him," Ash clarified. "The son of my Greninja. I was looking for the right trainer, and when I met Andrew…" He looked at the young trainer with genuine warmth. "He reminded me of myself when I was starting out."
There was a pause, then Jessie laughed—a real, genuine laugh. "Our son impressed the Ash Ketchum. James, pinch me."
"I watched the broadcast from Silph Co.," Ash continued, his expression becoming more serious. "What you did, Andrew—standing up to Team Rocket like that, saving Charmeleon, the evolution… that was incredible. The whole world saw it."
"I just did what any trainer would do," Andrew said, feeling his face heat up.
"No," Ash said firmly. "You did what a great trainer would do. There's a difference."
Meowth, who'd been watching this exchange, spoke up. "Hey, Ash-boy, no hard feelings about all those times we tried ta steal your Pikachu, right?"
Ash laughed. "Water under the bridge, Meowth. You guys aren't with Team Rocket anymore. That's what matters."
"Actually," James said, "we were about to take Andrew to dinner. Would you like to join us? It would be nice to catch up properly."
Ash's face brightened. "I'd love that."
Dinner - Saffron City Restaurant
They found a nice restaurant with outdoor seating that accommodated Pokémon. Charizard lounged nearby, too large for indoor spaces, while the others rested or played around the patio.
Over dinner, stories flowed freely.
Ash talked about his journey to becoming World Monarch—the battles, the friends he'd made, the regions he'd explored. James and Jessie shared how they'd left Team Rocket, built a life together, and raised Andrew.
"We always wanted better for him than what we had," Jessie said softly. "We made so many mistakes when we were younger. But Andrew… he's everything we hoped he'd be."
"You raised a good kid," Ash said sincerely. "He's got heart, determination, and he cares about his Pokémon like they're family. That's the most important thing."
Andrew, sitting between his parents and across from his childhood hero, felt overwhelmed with emotion. This was surreal—his parents and Ash Ketchum, chatting like old friends, talking about him.
"Andrew," Ash said, turning to him, "I saw your Charizard during the broadcast. He looks powerful. Have you thought about what kind of battling style you want to develop with him?"
"I've been thinking about it," Andrew admitted. "Charizard's got raw power, but I want to give him techniques that make him unpredictable. Something opponents won't expect."
Ash nodded thoughtfully. "That's smart. A lot of trainers just focus on brute force with Charizard, but the best ones develop unique strategies."
An idea was forming in Andrew's mind—something from his previous life, from the games and anime he'd watched. But he'd need to test it first.
"Actually," Andrew said, "would you be willing to have a battle? Charizard against Charizard? I want to see what he's capable of against a really strong opponent."
Ash's eyes lit up. "You want to battle me? With your Charizard against mine?"
"If you're willing," Andrew said. "I know I'll lose, but… I'll learn from it."
James and Jessie exchanged glances, and Jessie smiled. "Our boy, challenging the World Monarch to a battle."
Ash grinned that infectious grin. "I'd be honored. Tomorrow morning? There's a sanctioned battlefield on the north side of the city."
"Deal," Andrew said, excitement and nervousness mixing in his chest.
The Next Morning - Saffron City Battlefield
The battlefield was a professional arena, and word had spread that Ash Ketchum was going to battle. A small crowd had gathered—trainers, reporters, curious citizens.
Andrew stood on one side of the field, Charizard beside him. The dragon looked eager, flames burning bright.
Ash stood on the opposite side, and when he released his Charizard, Andrew's breath caught.
Ash's Charizard was massive—easily a foot taller than Andrew's, with scars from countless battles and an aura of pure power. This was a Charizard that had fought legendary Pokémon and won.
The referee, a local gym trainer, raised his flags. "This will be a one-on-one battle between Challenger Andrew and World Monarch Ash Ketchum! Charizard versus Charizard! Begin!"
The Battle: Andrew's Charizard vs Ash's Charizard
"Charizard, let's start with Flamethrower!" Andrew called.
"Meet it with Flamethrower!" Ash countered.
Both dragons unleashed massive streams of fire that collided in the center of the battlefield. The heat was incredible, but Ash's Charizard's flames were noticeably stronger, pushing back against Andrew's attack.
"Air Slash!" Andrew commanded.
His Charizard's wings glowed as he sent razor-sharp air blades toward his opponent.
"Charizard, Dragon Claw to deflect!"
Ash's Charizard's claws glowed with draconic energy, and he slashed through the Air Slash attacks like they were paper.
"Now, close in with Seismic Toss!"
Ash's Charizard moved with incredible speed, grabbing Andrew's Charizard mid-flight and spinning rapidly before launching him toward the ground.
"Charizard, recover with your wings!" Andrew shouted.
His Charizard spread his wings and managed to slow his descent, landing heavily but staying in the fight.
"Dragon Claw!" Andrew called.
"Dragon Claw!" Ash countered.
The two Charizards clashed in midair, claws meeting claws, power against power. But Ash's Charizard was stronger, more experienced, and he overpowered Andrew's, sending him tumbling backward.
Andrew's mind raced. Direct confrontation wasn't working. He needed something different, something unexpected.
Then it hit him—a move he remembered from the games. A technique that could turn the tide if executed perfectly.
"Charizard, use Dragon Dance!"
His Charizard began a fluid, almost graceful aerial maneuver—draconic energy swirling around him as he performed the ancient dragon ritual. His speed and attack power increased.
Ash's eyebrows rose. "Dragon Dance? That's a smart play! But it won't be enough! Charizard, Blast Burn!"
Ash's Charizard unleashed a devastating blast of concentrated fire—one of the most powerful Fire-type moves in existence.
"Dodge with your increased speed!"
Andrew's Charizard, boosted by Dragon Dance, managed to evade most of the attack, though the shockwave still singed his wings.
"Now, while he's recovering from Blast Burn's recoil—Dragon Claw!"
Andrew's Charizard dove in, striking Ash's Charizard while the more experienced dragon was momentarily vulnerable.
It was a solid hit—the first real damage Andrew had dealt.
But Ash's Charizard shook it off and countered with Thunder Punch, catching Andrew's Charizard in the chest. The electric attack was super effective, and Andrew's Charizard crashed to the ground.
He struggled to rise, breathing heavily.
"You're doing great, Charizard," Andrew encouraged. "One more time! Dragon Dance into Dragon Claw!"
His Charizard rose into the air again, performing another Dragon Dance—stacking the stat boosts.
"Impressive strategy," Ash called out. "But here's the difference between us right now! Charizard, Blast Burn again!"
Another devastating blast of fire.
"Counter with Fire Blast!"
Andrew's Charizard unleashed a massive fire attack shaped like a star. It collided with Blast Burn, and for a moment, the two attacks were evenly matched.
Then Ash's Blast Burn overwhelmed it, striking Andrew's Charizard directly.
The dragon fell, crashing into the battlefield and creating a crater.
When the smoke cleared, Andrew's Charizard was down, unable to continue.
The referee raised his flag. "Charizard is unable to battle! The winner is World Monarch Ash Ketchum!"
Andrew rushed onto the battlefield, kneeling beside Charizard. The dragon's eyes were closed, but he was breathing steadily.
"You were amazing," Andrew said softly. "We'll get stronger. I promise."
Ash walked over, his own Charizard following. The larger dragon looked down at Andrew's with something like respect in his eyes.
"That was a great battle," Ash said, extending his hand to help Andrew up. "Using Dragon Dance to increase your stats mid-battle—that was smart thinking. Most trainers your age wouldn't have thought of that."
"I still lost," Andrew said, though without bitterness. "Badly."
"But you learned," Ash countered. "And you gave Charizard a real challenge. He actually had to work for that win." He glanced at his own Charizard. "Didn't you, buddy?"
Ash's Charizard snorted flames in acknowledgment.
"You know what I noticed during that battle?" Ash continued. "Your Charizard has incredible potential. With the right training and the right moves, he could become something really special."
"That's what I was thinking," Andrew said. "Dragon Dance is just the start. I'm thinking about teaching him moves like Dragon Pulse for ranged attacks, maybe Flare Blitz for a high-risk, high-reward option. And…"
He paused, thinking about the techniques he remembered from his previous life.
"And there's something else," Andrew continued. "A technique I want to try creating. In my… research, I learned about a concept called 'Blast Burn Cancel'—using another move immediately after Blast Burn to eliminate the recharge period. It's theoretical, but if I can train Charizard to master it…"
Ash's eyes widened. "Blast Burn Cancel? That's… I've never heard of anyone successfully doing that. The recoil period is built into the move's mechanics."
"But what if we could train through it?" Andrew pressed. "If Charizard could learn to channel a different move fast enough, theoretically, he could bypass the recharge. It would make Blast Burn—one of the strongest Fire-type moves—spammable."
Ash was quiet for a moment, then he smiled. "You're thinking like a true innovator, Andrew. That's the kind of creativity that makes trainers legendary. If anyone can figure out how to make that work, it's a trainer who's already created techniques like Chidori."
James and Jessie, who'd been watching from the sidelines, came onto the field.
"That was incredible, sweetheart," Jessie said, hugging Andrew.
"You stood toe-to-toe with the World Monarch's Charizard," James added with pride. "Even if you lost, that's still remarkable."
Ash's Charizard lowered his head toward Andrew's still-recovering Charizard and made a low rumbling sound—a gesture of respect between dragons.
"He's saying your Charizard fought well," Ash translated. "And that he looks forward to their next battle when they're both stronger."
Andrew's Charizard's eyes fluttered open, and despite his exhaustion, he managed a small roar in response.
That Afternoon - Pokémon Center
After Charizard was fully healed, Andrew sat with his parents and Ash in the Pokémon Center's lounge.
"So what's next for you?" Ash asked Andrew.
"Four more gym badges," Andrew replied. "Celadon, Fuchsia, Cinnabar, and Viridian. Then the Pokémon League."
"And you're going to keep developing custom techniques?" Ash asked.
"Definitely," Andrew said. "Pikachu's still working on perfecting Chidori. Gengar's multi-projectile Shadow Ball technique needs refinement. And now Charizard… I want to create a whole fighting style for him based on speed, power, and unpredictability."
He pulled out a small notebook where he'd been jotting down ideas.
"Dragon Dance for stat boosts. Dragon Pulse for ranged pressure. Flare Blitz for high-damage close combat. Air Slash for aerial control. And if I can figure out Blast Burn Cancel…" He looked up at Ash. "That would make Charizard a threat to anyone."
Ash leaned forward, genuinely interested. "You're thinking several steps ahead. That's good. But remember—technique is important, but the bond between you and your Pokémon is what makes those techniques work. Everything starts from trust."
"Like you and your Greninja," Andrew said. "The Bond Phenomenon."
"Exactly," Ash confirmed. "That level of synchronization—where you and your Pokémon are so in tune that you move as one—that's the peak of what a trainer can achieve. And you've already shown glimpses of it. When Charmeleon evolved into Charizard to save you both, that was your bond manifesting in the most powerful way possible."
Andrew looked at Froakie, who was resting on the couch beside him. "Do you think Froakie and I could achieve that? The Bond Phenomenon?"
"I think you can achieve anything if you work for it," Ash said. "Froakie chose you for a reason. He saw something in you that resonated with him. That's the foundation. The rest is training, trust, and time."
James spoke up. "Andrew, we're so proud of everything you've accomplished. But promise us something—be careful out there. Team Rocket knows who you are now. You've made yourself a target."
"I know," Andrew said seriously. "But I can't stop fighting them just because it's dangerous. They hurt people. They hurt Pokémon. Someone has to stand up to them."
Jessie cupped her son's face. "We know. And we'll support you. Just… don't forget you have people who care about you. Don't take unnecessary risks."
"I won't," Andrew promised.
Ash stood up, preparing to leave. "I've got to head out—meeting with the Pokémon League about some World Tournament stuff. But Andrew?"
Andrew looked up.
"Keep that hat safe," Ash said, pointing to the iconic cap on Andrew's head. "And keep training. Next time we battle, I want to see how much stronger you've gotten."
"I will," Andrew said, standing and shaking Ash's hand. "Thank you. For everything. The battle, the advice, Froakie… all of it."
Ash smiled. "Just pay it forward someday. When you're strong enough to inspire the next generation, remember what it felt like to be where you are now."
As Ash left with his Pikachu, Andrew watched him go—a legend walking casually through the Pokémon Center, stopping to chat with young trainers who recognized him, taking pictures, signing autographs.
That's what Andrew wanted to become. Not just strong, but someone who inspired others to be better.
He looked down at Froakie, who looked back up at him with those intelligent eyes.
"We're going to get there," Andrew said quietly. "All of us. Together."
Andrew sat in his room, reviewing his notes on Charizard's potential move set when his Pokédex chimed.
Gary Oak appeared on screen, looking exhausted but pleased.
"Andrew. I heard about your battle with Ash today."
"News travels fast," Andrew said.
"When the World Monarch battles someone, yes, it does," Gary replied with a slight smile. "Dragon Dance was a smart tactical choice. Shows you're thinking beyond just raw power."
"I want to create a complete fighting style for Charizard," Andrew explained. "Something that makes him unpredictable and dangerous at any range."
He outlined his ideas—Dragon Dance for setup, Dragon Pulse for range, Flare Blitz for aggression, Air Slash for control, and the theoretical Blast Burn Cancel.
Gary listened intently. "Blast Burn Cancel… that's ambitious. I've seen records of trainers attempting similar techniques with other recoil moves, but success rates are extremely low. The energy expenditure required for Blast Burn is so massive that channeling another move immediately after is nearly impossible."
"Nearly impossible isn't the same as impossible," Andrew said. "And if Charizard can master it…"
"You'd have a signature technique that could challenge even elite trainers," Gary finished. "Alright. I'll send you some research data on recoil move mechanics. Maybe it'll help. But Andrew—don't rush this. These kinds of innovations take time."
"I know," Andrew said. "But I've got time. Four more badges, then the League. That's months of training."
"Good," Gary said. "Oh, and one more thing—the League officials are impressed with your performance at Silph Co. You're being considered for a special commendation. They don't give those out lightly."
Andrew felt his face heat up. "I just did what needed to be done."
"Exactly," Gary said. "That's what makes it commendable. Get some rest, Andrew. You've earned it."