As Ash playfully teased his girlfriend, he completely ignored the young man standing nearby — Green. This disregard irked Green, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that if he interrupted them, Ash's Houndoom might just snap his throat.
Watching Ash's Houndoom, Green furrowed his brow slightly.
"A Dark-type Pokémon, huh..."
It was hard for Green to imagine someone who would raise a Dark-type Pokémon. Throughout his experiences and observations, Dark-types had always been viewed with disdain. Their fearsome appearances often made people shun them. Many Eevee trainers would abandon their Eevee after it evolved into an Umbreon because of fear. Thus, Dark-types had a poor reputation among humans.
However, Green sensed something different about the situation. The masked figure before him and his Dark-type Pokémon shared an extraordinary bond, one that was deeply emotional — something ordinary trainers could rarely achieve.
Houndoom silently regarded Green with indifference; Green's unexpected expression irritated it, bringing back memories of its youth as a Houndour.
Back when Houndour was still looked down upon, many disliked it simply for its fearsome looks. It had faced attacks from humans just for being a Dark-type Pokémon.
Because of its classification as a Dark-type, and due to its more intimidating appearance, the Pokémon was often feared, causing many to reject it. Houndour recalled countless times when it was driven away and assaulted for these very reasons, pondering why being a Pokémon of its kind meant it was destined for disdain while other Pokémon garnered affection from humans.
As Houndour lay in the wild, on the brink of death after another attack, resentment swelled within it. However, when Houndour awoke again, it found itself not dead but resting on a hospital bed, with Ash watching over it.
"Hey, you're awake? You were in pretty rough shape out there in the wild. If I hadn't brought you in, you might have died! Don't worry, in Nurse Joy's eyes, every Pokémon's life is valuable, so you don't need to fear being harmed here."
"Woof..." Why...
Though weak, Houndour desperately tried to ask why this human would save it.
"Meow, the Boss wants to know why."
"Oh, you want to know why? Because I think you're really cool, Houndour! I want to catch you."
"Woof?"
It was the first time Houndour heard someone call it "cool," leaving an indescribable feeling in its heart.
"Tell me, Houndour, do you want to be my Pokémon? I really like cool Pokémon like you."
Houndour didn't know how to respond, but Ash's words stuck with it.
In the past, Houndour always heard insults — "monster," "demon," "bad guy."
And now, for the first time, it heard a compliment and felt its first sense of self-worth.
After that, Houndour became Ash's Pokémon, joining him in rigorous training, pushing its limits daily. Houndour wasn't afraid of the toughest challenges because...
"I've already faced hell; now I only desire to be by his side…"
Houndour had vanished, and in its place stood Houndoom, returning from the depths of hell, using the flames forged in agony to incinerate any enemies that dared to stand in front of Ash. Because...
"I don't long for paradise, but... please allow me a place by his side; it is my final 'home.'"
—— Divider Line ———
Under Houndoom's watchful gaze, Green felt a deep sense of anxiety — the kind of frustration that comes from standing before an insurmountable force...
"Damn it... just an executive, and yet..."
Thinking of Raticate, who had been poisoned while trying to protect him, Green's fists clenched tightly.
"I'm sorry, Raticate... I'm still too weak..."
Feeling powerless, Green was filled with unwillingness. The first encounter with Team Rocket had already shown him the harshness of reality when Raticate was poisoned for his sake. Now, facing Houndoom made him realize how insignificantly weak he still was...
"Hey, what's on your mind, kid? Is it your Pokémon?"
Just as Green was consumed by pressure, Ash's voice broke through, and he suddenly found that the masked figure was standing right in front of him.
"Still thinking about your Pokémon?"
"Only you... only you! You're the ones I can't forgive! Charizard, use Flamethrower!"
Just at the thought of his poisoned Raticate, the last shred of Green's rationality seemed to snap.
What fear? What weakness? All he wanted now was to do one thing — defeat this guy! Even if it was just for Raticate!
"This is for my Raticate!!!!"
———— 🌟🌟 ————
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