Pokemon: Release? Nonexistent

Fearow, who had just escaped, showed panic in its eyes. It tried to hide, but the side effects of the Hyper Beam attack prevented it from dodging.

Boom!!

The merged Flame Vortex hit Fearow in midair with tremendous force, knocking it back. The power of the Flame Vortex, a fiery whirlpool, trapped Fearow as the flames continuously burned it. While Fire-type moves don't specifically counter Fearow, the fusion of flames still caused significant damage.

The force sent Fearow flying backward, crashing into several large trees before it finally stopped. Fearow remained engulfed in flames and fell heavily to the ground.

"Ah! This is..."

The two staff members, who had just arrived with Ser Lena on their backs, saw the chaotic scene and Fearow plummeting from the sky. They were stunned.

Caw!!

Fearow let out a screech, flapping its wings rapidly to shake off the flames. After a moment of fear in its eyes, it glanced at Ash, terror clear in its gaze. Despite its injuries, it managed to fight through the pain and flapped its wings to take flight once more.

Fearow fled without looking back, its body trembling in the air as if it could fall at any moment. It was clearly severely injured. Seeing their leader retreat, the Spearows followed in a panic, also fleeing.

"Unbelievable... It was really defeated." The two staff members exchanged incredulous looks as they watched Fearow retreat.

---

Ash's Relief

With Fearow gone, Ash let out a deep sigh of relief. He also noticed that the light connecting the two Growlithes had faded.

Huff! Huff! Huff!!

Exhaustion hit him hard, and he collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

Woof!

The two Growlithes, seeing Ash fall, quickly approached and began licking his hands, as though concerned about his condition.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Ash said with a weak smile as he forced himself to pat their heads.

"Ash!!"

At that moment, Ser Lena, who had been carried on the staff member's back, jumped down and ran toward Ash. She wasn't seriously injured, but her skin had been scratched.

She couldn't stand earlier not because of injury, but because of fear. Seeing Ash in this condition, she forgot about her pain.

The staff members were equally taken aback, surprised by how much strength Ser Lena seemed to have.

"Ash, are you okay?" Ser Lena asked, concern clear in her voice.

"I'm fine, don't worry!" Ash looked up at her, smiling reassuringly as he shook his head.

"Has your injury healed?"

"Ah!! I… I seem to be fine now. Ash, I… I didn't mean to…" Ser Lena stammered.

She realized she had been carried without a reason, but at the time, she had felt the pain and was too scared to stand. Now, reflecting on it, she felt foolish for being so timid. She didn't know how to explain, afraid Ash wouldn't understand.

She nervously clutched her skirt, her head lowered in embarrassment, on the verge of tears. Seeing this, Ash stopped teasing her.

"Haha! Just kidding," he said, his tone light.

He had almost recovered, though still a little drained, but he managed to get up slowly. When Ser Lena saw this, she quickly rushed to support him.

The staff members watched the scene, touched by their bond. The two Growlithes sat beside them, wagging their tails.

"Ah, youth…" one of the staff members sighed.

---

The Return to Camp

"Hey!!!!"

A voice came from behind them. When they turned, they saw more staff members rushing toward them.

"I just saw Fearow! Are you all right?" One of them asked. They had seen a large group of Spearows and, for a moment, felt something was off when they noticed Fearow.

"We're fine. That kid defeated Fearow," one of the original staff members replied with relief, glancing at Ash and Ser Lena.

"What?! You're saying that child did it?!" The newly arrived staff members were shocked upon hearing this.

"Yeah, he used our Growlithes," they explained.

Even adults like them couldn't defeat Fearow with Growlithes, but this seven-year-old kid had done it. He commanded two Pokémon at once—something only a top Trainer could manage.

"Oh my god. A genius!!" The others, hearing the descriptions, were in awe, unable to contain their admiration.

In their eyes, Ash was already a prodigy who could become a top Trainer.

"Alright, let's head back quickly! The professor and the others must be really worried."

With that, the staff led Ash and Ser Lena back to the camp. During the walk, they had already contacted Professor Oak, and upon learning that Ash and Ser Lena were safe, Professor Oak was greatly relieved.

---

Back at the Camp

"Look, they're back!!"

The children at the campsite perked up when they saw Ash, Ser Lena, and the staff members returning.

The tents were already set up, and when Gary saw Ash, he stood up immediately, a sigh of relief on his face. But as Ash walked in, Gary returned to his usual smug demeanor.

"You guys really know how to cause trouble. You want to be a Trainer, but you get scared away by a few Spearows? Ash, you really are something!"

Gary acted tough, but deep down, he was worried about Ash. Seeing him safe, Gary felt more relieved than anyone.

"Yeah~~~" Ash replied nonchalantly, putting his hands behind his head to block what Gary was about to say.

Gary didn't push further. After all, he didn't really want to upset Ash. His concern for him was obvious.

At that moment, Professor Oak also walked over. Ash turned to him when he saw the familiar face.

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