Red's words shocked everyone.
No companions…?
Did that mean—
That to become strong, one had to become lonely?
[Red]: "The presence of companions can breed dependence. Weakness. Reliance.
That is why Ash hasn't been able to unleash his talent in this world fully."
[Leon]: "Are you saying that traveling with companions is the wrong choice for Ash?"
[Ash]: "I don't agree!"
Ash's reply appeared immediately.
[Ash]: "Red! Leon! I do rely on my companions!
But it's also because of them that I've come this far!
So please—don't deny them!"
Ash…
Misty and Brock nearly teared up reading his words.
For a brief moment—
Even they had doubted themselves.
After all, in the parallel world—
Ash without them was undeniably stronger.
Closer to Red.
With only five Gym Badges, that world's Pikachu already possessed power rivaling Elite Four Pokémon.
If he reached the eighth Gym—
He would likely be only one step away from Champion.
That was Ash's fully unleashed talent.
And yet—
This world's Ash, after seeing that growth—
Felt no regret traveling with them.
Because to him—
Traveling with Misty and Brock…
With May, Dawn, Iris, Clemont, Serena…
Those weren't detours.
They were his most precious memories.
This world wasn't only about bonds between humans and Pokémon—
It was also about the bonds between people.
[Red]: "I never said Ash's choice was wrong."
[Red]: "I was only explaining why he hasn't grown as quickly in this world."
[Red]: "In fact—this path suits him better."
[Red]: "Companions create reliance. They create softness."
[Red]: "But they also awaken a far greater power."
[Red]: "Ash possesses more bonds than I ever did."
[Red]: "Given time… he will surpass me."
Those words carved themselves deep into everyone's minds.
Bonds—
They could create weakness.
They could create dependence.
But they could also create unparalleled strength.
Red's power was unquestionable.
At ten years old, he had defeated high-tier Legendary Pokémon.
And yet—
Red believed Ash would someday surpass him.
So what kind of future awaited Ash?
At Oak's Laboratory
"Red…"
Ash looked at him, deeply moved.
Red hadn't denied his path.
He had affirmed it—
Even saying Ash might one day surpass him.
"I'm not exaggerating," Red said calmly.
"I'm just stating facts."
"If you followed a standard growth path, it would take time to reach my level.
But I still believe—your future strength will exceed mine."
"Not just because of bonds—but because…"
Because you are the protagonist of this world.
Red didn't say it aloud.
But after seeing the footage—
After hearing the Champions' discussions—
He had already reached an answer.
"Still," Red added, a faint smile appearing,
"That was the past."
"Now that I'm here—
You should prepare yourself for hell training."
"You ready, Ash?"
"Of course, Red!"
"I'll definitely keep up with you!"
Ash was brimming with excitement.
Nearby, Gary hesitated.
If this continued—
Wouldn't Ash leave him far behind?
With Red training him, how could Ash grow slowly?
Damn it… when is my cheat arriving?!
Back to the Projection
After Pikachu defeated Snorlax, the outdoor battle ended.
Ash and the others went to a nearby library.
There, Sōji found a book titled:
"Ho-Oh Is My Life."
It contained far more detailed legends than even Sōji knew.
"When the Rainbow Wing rests in the hands of one who is righteous, pure, and kind, it shines brilliantly."
"But should it fall into the hands of one harboring malice, it will be stained by darkness—and lose all its light."
Ash took out his Rainbow Wing.
It still radiated dazzling colors.
"Looks like mine's fine!"
"Well, yeah," Molly laughed.
"You are a simple, reckless idiot with no evil thoughts."
"Hey! When it comes to being simple and reckless, I don't lose to anyone!"
Sōji and Molly burst out laughing.
Only then did Ash realize—
She had added reckless.
"Hey! What's so funny?!"
As laughter filled the library—
A shadow quietly slipped away from the entrance.
[Lance]: "That shadow just now—"
[Steven]: "Cross. I'm sure of it."
[Alder]: "That's bad. He knows about the Rainbow Wing now…"
[Cynthia]: "Believe in Ash."
The Battle
Following the Rainbow Wing's guidance, Ash continued his journey.
In another free battle—
Pikachu defeated a Golem with overwhelming force.
Since leaving home—
Aside from being chased by Spearow on day one—
Pikachu hadn't lost once.
This was the terror of Ash's fully unlocked talent.
Then—
A cold voice emerged from the crowd.
"Next one's me."
A dark-clad youth stepped forward.
Beside him stood a ferocious red wolf Pokémon.
"Cross…"
Molly whispered.
Sōji stiffened.
"So he's the one who abandoned Charmander."
Free Battle Arena
Cross sneered.
"So you really took in that useless Charmander?"
"Trash Pokémon and trash Trainers really do belong together."
"Don't joke around!" Ash snapped.
"There are no weak Pokémon—only unqualified Trainers!"
"Come on, Charmeleon!"
Ash released his evolved partner.
In this world, Charmeleon hadn't become disobedient.
Perhaps because Ash was different—
Or because Charmander's past was different.
Charmeleon roared—
Then froze.
The opponent was—
His former Trainer.
"Tch. Evolved, huh?"
"Still trash."
"That's not true!"
"As long as Pokémon grow with their Trainers, they can become incredibly strong!"
Cross raised another Poké Ball.
"Then let me show you reality."
"This is the Fire-type I caught after abandoning that thing."
"Go—Incineroar!"
A massive, muscular tiger Pokémon appeared.
Lycanroc before.
Now Incineroar.
Was Cross raised in Alola or something?!
Incineroar's presence made Charmeleon step back.
Ash didn't know Incineroar.
He hadn't traveled beyond Kanto.
"Charmeleon—Flamethrower!"
Incineroar slashed through the flames with clawed arms.
The fire hit head-on.
Its hands were scorched.
Cross's expression darkened.
That trash actually grew this much…
Doesn't matter.
I'll crush your 'friendship' nonsense.
"Incineroar—Flamethrower!"
"Charmeleon—Flamethrower!"
Ash mirrored the command.
Red frowned.
Red's Analysis
"Too impulsive," Red said quietly.
"Eh?"
"I mean the Ash in the footage."
"He's trapped by obsession.
Trying too hard to prove bonds through direct victory."
"The idea isn't wrong—but the execution is."
Professor Oak nodded.
"Charmeleon hasn't fully adapted to evolution yet.
Incineroar is a seasoned fighter."
"A head-on clash is extremely unfavorable."
"If the strategy doesn't change—defeat is inevitable."
Ash fell silent.
He understood now.
But the Ash in the footage—
Had no one to tell him.
Defeat
Five minutes later—
Charmeleon fell.
Ash held his unconscious partner, devastated.
Cross sneered.
"How naive."
"Cheap friendship. Meaningless bonds."
"He's trash—and so are you."
"You're the worst Trainer I've ever seen."
Then he left.
The World Responds
The audience exploded.
"That bastard!"
"He won once—what gives him the right?!"
"If Pikachu fought, Incineroar wouldn't last ten seconds!"
Even Champions spoke.
[Lance]: "Ash rushed things."
[Alder]: "He wanted to prove bonds—but too quickly."
[Misty]: "Worst Trainer?! He's the one who doesn't deserve the title!"
[Dawn]: "Ash isn't bad at all…"
[May]: "If he were my mentor, I'd have nightmares.
I'm glad my guide was Ash."
[Serena]: "Ash… you'll always be the best Trainer to us."
[Clemont]: "A Trainer without bonds is the one unworthy of the name."
Back to Reality
"Hey—Ash," Gary muttered.
"You're not letting that idiot get to you, right?"
"Of course not!" Ash snapped—
Wiping tears from his face.
Author's Note :
This arc intentionally diverges from the movie.
Ash will make mistakes.
He will struggle.
But he will never blame his Pokémon.
That is the Ash who can stand beside Red.
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