In the Black World—
Ash didn't rush to challenge the weakened Charmander.
Instead, he tried to lift it into his arms, wanting to take it to the nearest Pokémon Center for treatment.
The little fire-type looked exhausted—completely worn out.
But as soon as Ash stepped closer, Charmander bared its fangs and let out a warning growl, trying to drive him back.
"Charmander, you need medical help right now!"
"Char! Char-char!"
"…Are you waiting for someone? Your Trainer, maybe?"
Charmander froze.
He hadn't expected this human to understand him.
After a brief moment, he nodded, confirming Ash's guess.
Ash's expression fell.
So this Charmander… already had a Trainer.
Then why… why did he still feel that powerful tremor in his chest?
Was it really just bad timing?
Had fate crossed their paths too late—one not yet captured when the other had not yet appeared; now appearing, but already belonging elsewhere…
Silently, Ash took out a packet of universal Pokémon food from his backpack and placed it on the stone beside Charmander.
Then, without another word, he turned and left with Misty and Brock.
After walking some distance, Misty couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer.
"Ash… did you actually understand what that Charmander was saying just now?"
Charmander hadn't made any gestures or movements, yet Ash had somehow understood that it was waiting for its Trainer.
That couldn't just be intuition—he had understood its words.
Ash nodded calmly.
"Yeah. It's… one of my abilities. It first appeared when I was eight, during an arm-wrestling match with a Machoke. Suddenly, I could sense what Pokémon were feeling—hear their hearts, even understand their words."
"And sometimes… I can use an energy that goes beyond what humans should have. Professor Oak calls it… the Aura Force."
"He doesn't know much about it, but over the past two years, I've noticed that it seems to grow stronger as I train my body—just a little at a time."
Riley: It's Aura Force! That faint blue glow—it's Aura! No wonder it felt familiar!
Korrina: Aura Force…? Wait, humans can use Aura? That's supposed to be exclusive to Lucario!
Bruno: Not necessarily. Lucario aren't the only ones who can use Aura. Pokémon like Mienshao, Clawitzer, and even Gardevoir can tap into it.
Bruno: But a human using Aura? That's a first for me.
Professor Oak: Actually, there's an old legend—about a thousand years ago, a warrior named Sir Aaron was said to freely wield Aura. He even had a Lucario as his partner.
Professor Oak: But in modern times, I've never heard of anyone possessing that power.
Caitlin: I've met humans with psychic powers, sure—but Aura Force? That's new to me.
There were plenty of psychics in the world—humans who could bend spoons or move objects with their minds—
but people who could wield Aura? Almost unheard of.
Irene : The legend of Sir Aaron is real. In our city of Rota, his name is still honored to this day.
Riley: Sir Aaron was actually my ancestor. I can use Aura too—but only at a very basic level, nowhere near my ancestor's mastery.
Riley: And to be honest, I didn't awaken my power until I was eighteen. Compared to Black World Ash… I'm nothing.
His words shocked the audience.
So there really was someone in the world who could use Aura Force—
and he was a descendant of the legendary Aura Guardian himself!
Misty: Black World Ash and White World Ash have the same talent, right? The only difference is their mindset.
Brock: Which means… maybe our Ash could awaken Aura someday too—it just hasn't happened yet.
Back in the Pokémon Center—
Ash subconsciously looked down at his own hands.
So… he really had such potential within him?
And yet, all that potential had been quietly wasted—year after year.
The gap between him and his counterpart wasn't just that one extra year of training—
it was the four years before the journey even began.
To catch up to Black World Ash now, he'd have to work twice as hard for the rest of his life.
Seeing his expression, Misty and Brock immediately understood what he was thinking.
They each placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling.
"You're both Ash. I believe in you. Our Ash won't lose to him."
"That's right. So what if you're behind right now? What matters is recognizing it—and catching up. That's the Ash we know!"
Ash lifted his head, eyes shining with determination.
"Misty, Brock… thank you. I'll do my best!"
"Pika pi! Pikachu!!"
My Ash is the strongest!
Pikachu chirped proudly, cheering him on.
Back in the Black World—
After explaining his Aura abilities, Ash left Misty and Brock both stunned.
They never imagined that someone with superhuman powers had been traveling beside them all along.
Powers beyond human limits were generally known as psychic abilities—
and apparently, Ash had one of the rarest kinds of them all.
As they strolled down the street, the skies suddenly opened up with a downpour.
They hurried into the nearest Pokémon Center for shelter, dripping wet by the time they arrived.
Ash immediately went to Nurse Joy and asked for three towels, handing them to his friends.
He even brewed two cups of ginger tea for them.
"Thanks, Ash," Misty said softly, blowing on the steaming cup. "But… aren't you having any?"
Ash waved his hand.
"Nah, I've got a tough constitution. A little rain's nothing to me."
The three of them sat by the window, watching the sheets of rain cascade down, each quietly worried for Charmander.
"I hope Charmander's okay…"
"With this kind of rain, his Trainer must have come back for him by now," Brock said.
But then—a loud, arrogant voice echoed across the Center.
The kind of voice you could recognize and hate instantly.
It was Damian—the same person White World Ash had once encountered.
Damian strutted around, bragging about how he owned more than six Pokémon, laughing with his lackeys.
Misty shot him a look full of disgust—his tone and arrogance made her skin crawl.
Ash frowned slightly, pulling out his Pokédex and discreetly pressing the record button.
He wasn't about to let this guy's illegal boasting go unpunished.
If Damian bragged one more time about exceeding the six-Pokémon limit, Ash would have solid evidence to hand over to Officer Jenny.
Especially since Damian's every word dripped with disdain—as if Pokémon were nothing but disposable tools.
But then… Damian said something that made everyone's blood boil.
(To be continued…)
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