บท 34: Chapter 34: Crossroads of Fate(Blaze and Ash)
The aftermath of the battle still hung in the air, like the smell of rain after a storm. Ash Ketchum's eyes remained fixed on the floor of the Pewter Gym, the faint hiss of the recently doused sprinklers playing in his mind. His fingers brushed the cool, smooth surface of Pikachu's Poké Ball, a mixture of pride and doubt swirling in his chest. Pikachu had given everything, but Ash knew deep down that it wasn't skill alone that had won them the battle—it was luck.
Blaze Ketchum stood a few feet away, his amber eyes sharp and perceptive as they took in his younger brother's silence. He had seen that look before. Ash was grappling with more than just the exhaustion of the fight; he was wrestling with what it meant to truly earn a victory. Blaze's jaw tightened for a moment before he finally spoke, his voice lacking the usual competitive edge.
"You did what you had to," Blaze said, his tone measured, offering a rare moment of comfort. He wasn't one to coddle Ash, but he knew when his brother needed reassurance.
Ash looked up, meeting Blaze's gaze. For a moment, his lips parted to respond, but he closed them again, unwilling to voice the question that lingered on his tongue. Instead, he nodded, slipping Pikachu's Poké Ball back onto his belt. He had no words for this moment, not yet.
The brothers walked out of the gym, the fading light of the evening casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets of Pewter City. Pikachu perched on Ash's shoulder, his ears drooping in fatigue, but his eyes still sparkled with that unshakable loyalty. Ash's footsteps were slower than usual, each step weighed down by his thoughts. Blaze kept pace beside him, silent but watchful.
As the city's noise faded behind them, the dirt path leading out of Pewter stretched before them, lined with trees whose leaves rustled gently in the evening breeze. The stars began to twinkle overhead, small reminders of the vast world they still had to explore. Blaze paused, taking in the peaceful night.
Just as they began to move again, the sound of running footsteps broke the silence, growing louder with each passing second. Blaze's sharp eyes darted toward the source of the sound, his body tensing out of instinct. A figure burst out from the shadows, breathless and wide-eyed.
"Brock!" Ash called out in surprise, recognizing the familiar figure. The gym leader skidded to a halt in front of them, gasping for breath. His usually stoic expression was replaced with one of urgency, a rare sight that immediately set both brothers on edge.
"I almost forgot," Brock said between breaths, his voice strained but determined. He opened his hand, revealing a small, gleaming object—the Boulder Badge. "Ash, you earned this."
Ash stared at the badge, his shock evident. "But... the battle—" His voice trailed off, unsure of how to accept something that didn't feel entirely deserved.
Brock met his gaze, his dark eyes steady. "It wasn't just about the battle," he said firmly, pressing the badge into Ash's hand. "It was about your kindness to Pokémon. That's what really makes a great trainer."
Ash hesitated, his hand hovering over the badge, doubt flickering across his face. He felt Blaze's eyes on him, watching, waiting. Finally, Ash's fingers closed around the badge, its cool metal feeling heavier than it should. He looked up at Brock, who gave him a reassuring nod.
Blaze stepped forward, his gaze shifting from the badge to Brock's face. "You're a strong trainer, Brock," Blaze said, his voice direct and without any sugarcoating. "But taking care of your siblings... that takes something more." There was no hint of mockery or challenge in Blaze's tone, just respect, something he rarely offered so freely.
Brock's face softened at Blaze's words, his usual confidence faltering. He lowered his eyes, struggling with a weight he had carried for far too long. "I can't leave them," Brock admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "They need me. I'm all they have." His gaze drifted to Ash and then to Blaze, filled with the burden of responsibility he bore for his younger siblings.
Before anyone could respond, another figure stepped forward from the shadows, his silhouette barely visible against the dimming light. The man's cloak was tattered and dusty, but there was no mistaking the face beneath the hood.
Blaze narrowed his eyes, instantly recognizing him. Flint.
The man pulled back his hood, revealing a face marked by years of hardship and regret. His voice was rough, cracked by years of silence. "Brock," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You don't have to do this alone anymore."
Brock's eyes widened in shock, his voice trembling as he spoke. "Dad?" His fists clenched at his sides, torn between disbelief and anger. "Why now?" The words hung in the air, heavy with the pain of abandonment.
Flint stepped forward, his hand shaking as he reached out toward his son. "I failed you as a trainer," Flint said, his voice faltering. "But I should never have abandoned you as a father. Let me help you now. Let me take care of the family."
Blaze stood still, watching the exchange with quiet intensity. This wasn't just a family reunion—it was a moment that would define Brock's future. Blaze could see the internal battle Brock was fighting, torn between his duty to his siblings and his desire to be more than just their caretaker.
Ash remained silent, glancing between Brock and Blaze. This wasn't a battle of Pokémon, but something deeper, something more personal. It was the kind of battle Blaze had always told him about—the ones that weren't fought with Poké Balls but with choices and sacrifices.
Brock's voice, steady now, cut through the silence. "If you're serious, if you're really going to be the father we needed all these years..." He paused, looking Flint square in the eyes. "Then maybe it's time for me to focus on my own journey."
Flint's face softened, his eyes filling with relief, though the guilt still lingered. "I'll do right by them, Brock. I promise."
Blaze exchanged a look with Ash—a silent acknowledgment that things were shifting for all of them. Brock wasn't the only one at a crossroads.
The stars above seemed to shine a little brighter as the weight of the past began to lift from Brock's shoulders. The road ahead was long, but for the first time in years, it didn't feel so lonely.
---
Ash, eyes narrowed with the weight of his thoughts, glanced over at Flint. "Why did you help me, Flint? Why not Brock?"
Blaze's sharp amber eyes flicked toward the older man, suspicion stirring in his gut. There was more to this than Flint had let on, more than the half-hearted smiles and casual shrugs he'd given so far. Blaze had learned over the years to trust his instincts, especially when someone was holding back. He watched as Flint's face softened, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.
"You reminded me of myself, kid," Flint finally admitted, voice tinged with the ghosts of past failures. "A young, determined Trainer with everything to prove."
Blaze couldn't help the smirk that tugged at his lips. "So, you saw potential in Ash, huh?" His voice had a bite to it, a challenge. Flint nodded, but Blaze's expression hardened, the competitive fire in his chest blazing hotter.
"Well, let's hope Ash can live up to that," Blaze continued, his tone sharpening like the edge of a blade. "Because I won't let anyone—family or not—slow me down."
Ash stiffened at the words, glancing at Blaze with a mix of frustration and determination. But before he could respond, Brock stepped forward, his gaze shifting between Flint and his younger siblings. The look on their faces—a mix of hope and worry—made Brock hesitate for a moment, his grip tightening around the badge Flint had handed him.
After a long, silent moment, Brock handed it back, determination hardening in his eyes. "You take care of them, Flint. I've got a dream to chase."
With that, Brock turned his back on the past, falling in line beside Blaze and Ash as they started to walk off. But before they could put too much distance between themselves and the gym, Misty's voice sliced through the air, her fiery tone impossible to ignore.
"Hey, Ash! Don't think you're getting away that easily!" she yelled, her voice thick with both frustration and a strange mix of affection. Blaze glanced over his shoulder, catching the fiery glare Misty was shooting their way as she rushed after them.
Ash groaned, and Pikachu chuckled on his shoulder, amused by the whole ordeal. Blaze just shook his head, smirking at the familiar banter. Misty's stubbornness was a constant, and though it grated on Ash, Blaze found it... amusing.
But before the moment could stretch too far, Brock suddenly caught up, his face set in a serious expression. "Oh, by the way," he started, his tone casual despite the intensity in his eyes, "you two have a message from Rio."
Blaze's eyes narrowed. His competitive streak, already burning, flared even hotter at the mention of Rio. He clenched his fists, his voice low and measured. "What did he say Again?"
Brock's lips curled into a teasing smile. "He said you're both late as usual."
Blaze's jaw clenched tighter, his gaze hardening as he imagined Rio's smirk, the one that always set Blaze on edge. He hated that smirk. Hated that Rio always seemed one step ahead, always there to remind Blaze that he wasn't invincible.
"We'll see who's late," Blaze muttered, his voice cold, "when I crush him in our next battle."
Sensing the shift in Blaze's mood, Ash quickly tried to change the subject. "Come on, Pikachu!" he shouted suddenly, his voice taking on a playful urgency. "Let's go, we've got to lose Misty!"
Ash took off without another word, Pikachu bouncing on his shoulder. Blaze exchanged a quick glance with Brock before the two of them broke into a sprint after Ash, their feet pounding against the ground in sync. Behind them, Misty's voice echoed, filled with determination and irritation as she struggled to keep up.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily, Ash!" she shouted, her words barely reaching them as they pushed forward.
Blaze didn't slow down, his eyes forward, focused on what was ahead. But as they raced through the thick forest, the ground beneath them suddenly gave way, and in a split second, all three of them found themselves tumbling into a pit.
Ash groaned as he hit the bottom, Pikachu landing next to him with a light thud. Blaze, quick on his feet, was the first to rise, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings.
It didn't take long to figure out what had happened.
Team Rocket.
"Ugh, not again," Ash muttered, brushing dirt off his clothes. He glanced around at the pit, spotting Jessie, James, and Meowth, all dirt-covered and disheveled, looking just as frustrated as the rest of them.
Jessie sighed deeply, her voice thick with resignation. "We've really hit rock bottom this time, haven't we?"
James nodded solemnly, and Meowth rubbed his head, groaning. "This is gettin' old, guys…"
Blaze, having pulled himself out of the pit, dusted off his red and black jacket, his amber eyes filled with a steely resolve. He looked back at Team Rocket, his expression one of barely contained annoyance.
"You'd think they'd learn by now," Blaze muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with disdain as he focused his attention back on what mattered—becoming the best, surpassing Rio, and proving himself to the world.
Misty finally caught up, panting but still filled with her usual fiery determination. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, Ash!" she huffed, glaring at Blaze, who simply rolled his eyes and smirked.
"Good luck with that," Blaze shot back, his voice laced with sarcasm.
The group quickly broke into another sprint, leaving behind the chaos of Team Rocket. As they charged through the forest, their faces were etched with a mixture of emotions—Ash's determination, Blaze's competitive fire, Brock's quiet resolve, and Misty's unyielding tenacity.
In the blur of the forest, Blaze's thoughts sharpened. Each step brought him closer to his goal. No matter who stood in his way—whether it was Rio, Ash, Gary or anyone else—he wouldn't stop. He couldn't. He had to be the very best. Nothing else mattered.
With the ground rushing beneath their feet and the next challenge on the horizon, the adventure was far from over.
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