Chapter 200: Growth

Janine's Reaction

Ash watched as Janine turned and ran off, her back disappearing down the hallway.

✔ He wanted to apologize, to explain himself—

✔ But she was already gone.

His gaze shifted to Aya, who stood there watching her sister leave.

"I'm... really sorry," Ash said, his voice quiet.

Aya shook her head slightly.

✔ "No, there's no need to apologize," she reassured him.

✔ "She'll be fine soon."

Still, her expression betrayed her concern.

✔ Janine was still a child, not even ten years old yet.

✔ This loss must have hurt her deeply.

Aya turned and hurried after her younger sister, leaving Ash standing there.

---

Ash Reflects on His Mistake

Outside the Fuchsia Gym, Ash walked in silence.

✔ Misty and Brock followed, saying nothing.

✔ They could sense his complicated emotions.

Finally, after a few moments, Ash came to a stop.

"Brock, Misty... tell me," he said suddenly, looking at them, "Did I do something wrong?"

Misty was the first to speak.

✔ "If you mean that you didn't use your full strength in battle... then yes, you did something wrong."

Ash's eyes widened slightly at her blunt response.

✔ Even Brock hesitated, but then nodded.

✔ "She's right," he admitted.

Ash fell silent again.

✔ Pikachu, still perched on his shoulder, watched him with concern.

Then—

✔ Ash exhaled slowly.

✔ A small smile returned to his face.

"Yeah... I did do something wrong," he finally admitted.

✔ Holding back in battle hadn't helped Janine.

✔ Instead of making her feel better, it had angered her even more.

✔ She had noticed—and that's why she was so upset.

He had disrespected her without realizing it.

✔ A true battle means giving your all.

✔ Not holding back is a sign of respect.

And yet—

✔ He had looked down on her.

✔ Why?

---

A Shift in Mentality

Ash's fists clenched slightly.

✔ When had his mentality changed?

✔ Had it been after facing stronger opponents?

✔ Was it his growing ambition to get stronger?

No—those were just excuses.

✔ The truth was he had started underestimating others.

✔ He had no right to do that.

Not just because he had Pikachu and Charizard.

✔ Every Trainer deserved respect.

Ash turned to Misty and Brock, his eyes serious.

"I'm sorry."

Misty crossed her arms.

✔ "You don't owe us an apology," she said firmly.

✔ "The one you should be apologizing to is Janine."

✔ She didn't want Ash to become arrogant.

✔ She wanted him to stay humble and keep learning—like before.

Ash nodded slowly.

"I will," he said, "but not right now."

Brock raised an eyebrow.

✔ "Oh? And why is that?"

Ash smiled slightly, looking forward.

✔ "Because she said it herself."

✔ "She'll find me again someday."

✔ "And when she does, I'll apologize properly."

Misty and Brock exchanged glances.

✔ They could tell Ash meant it.

✔ He wasn't just making excuses.

Misty sighed, then smiled.

✔ "Alright then. Just don't forget."

Brock chuckled.

✔ "Looks like our Ash is back."

The three of them continued walking, leaving the Gym behind—

✔ With Ash a little wiser than before.

---

A Call to Professor Oak

That evening, at the Pokémon Center, Ash made a video call to Professor Oak.

✔ The screen flickered—

✔ Then the familiar face of Professor Oak appeared.

"Ah, Ash! What can I do for you?"

Ash grinned sheepishly.

✔ "I need to switch Pokémon."

✔ "I'm sending Tauros back, and I'd like Wartortle on my team."

Professor Oak nodded, adjusting his glasses.

✔ "Understood. I'll take good care of Tauros."

As Ash placed Tauros's Poké Ball into the transfer machine, he glanced at Pikachu.

✔ "We've got to keep improving, buddy."

Pikachu nodded firmly, sparks crackling from its cheeks.

✔ A lesson had been learned today.

✔ And next time, he wouldn't make the same mistake.

---

To Be Continued…