Chapter 23: Grow Up
Later that night, after ash Pokemon was healed, Whitney invited them to he farm, as they went there in the next morning after a while, they saw Haru and Whitney train, as they fought aftee seeing Whitney Miltank in action ash got a strategy, as Ash asked for a training match, as Whitney aggressed to it
Ash first sent out Quilava, it did goode, made the ground hot and event did some damage, but Miltank won, after that Ash sent out Totadile it did good, making some trenches on the ground but in the end it Lost but then Pikachu came out, as then after a while Pikachu hided in the trench and then used Thunder bolt to win.
Haru clapped his hands. "If this was real Gym battle you would have gotten the badge ash".
As then he saw something that made his eyes wident, Whitney was giving ash the badge, in her words, she said sense he defeated her top pokemon he gets here badge, as Whitney was going to give rrh Badge Haru takes it.
Haru looked at Whitney. "What are you doing".
Whitney stopped and looked at her boyfriend. "Giving him the badge because he won"
Haru narrows his eyes. "He didn't win this badge, and he doesn't deserve it".
Ash just looked at him and spoke. "Hey"
Haru looked at him. "Shut it". He then looked at him and spoke. "This is a pity badge, noting more noting less, you didn't win, you agent's of a Gym Leader you won agents a trainer.
Ash stepped back as he looked at him. "And what does it matter to you".
He just looked at him and spoke. "Because ash, this is a joke to all trainer, that challenge Whitney, not only did you not win, you are getting a badge out fo Pity, you're strategy was greath, but this was not for you and I am not giving your this badge"
Ash got angry as he spoke. "Oh yeah, what makes tig judge of this battle, I earned and I will be like red".
That was the last straw for Haru, as he looked at him as he spoke. "Really, you think you can be like Red, fine then". He then pukled out PokeBall. "Then defeated me, My one Pokemon Vs your whole team, if I win you come back to Whitney Gym after you got 5 or more badge, if you win you get the badge".
Ash grunted, as he was ready for the battle, as Whitney knew this won't end will for ash, he was going to do, it and he did he pulled out Scizor, as the battle started first was Ivysaur which lost to an Stab Bug bite, then came our Heracross which with a sword dance and Aeral Ace combo from Scizor the Bug figthing type lost, Totadile them lost soon after, ash sent out his shiny Noctowl the Phsyic flying bird put of a decent fight but it was taken out, then Quilava cane out which also lost, at this point Scizor had put up 6 different sword dance and then Pikachu fell as ash just felt on his knees
Ash looked up. "I-i-i lost".
Haru walked up and saw his face. "Yes yoy did, why because You are weak, Your never going be the strongest getting badge's for putty, nor will you ever get in Red Level, you don't know how to train, and yig wing everything, and at this rate you suck, so Give up".
Everyone was shocked and taken a back, when Whitney, as for why Haru said this, it was simple Ash remind Haru about his last self, not the one of this time, but of his past life when he was the prince of Unova and the holder of Zekrom, as he just looked at ash.
Haru then sighed. "But you have heart, you have potential, and you can grow, so Grow up". Haru then spoken looking at ash. "If you want to win the Johto League, you'll need more than heart. You need strategy, precision, and training that pushes you to the limit. Are you ready for that?"
Ash looked down at the ground, his hands trembling. Haru's words cut deep, far deeper than any loss ever had. It wasn't just about losing; it was about being told he wasn't good enough, that he didn't measure up to his dream of being like Red. For a moment, the fire in him flickered, uncertainty clouding his determination.
Misty and Brock rushed to his side, their faces a mix of concern and anger. Misty glared at Haru. "That was too much! Ash may have lost, but you didn't have to crush his spirit like that!"
Brock nodded, his voice stern. "There's a difference between giving someone constructive criticism and outright tearing them down. What's your problem, Haru?"
Haru crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "My problem? My problem is that people like Ash need to hear the truth. You think the world of Pokémon battles is easy? That it's all about heart and spirit? It's not. It's about strategy, skill, and relentless effort. Red didn't become a legend by winning out of pity. He earned every step of his journey."
Whitney stepped between Haru and the group, her voice firm but gentle. "Haru, enough. You've made your point, but you're going too far. Ash may have lost, but he's still learning. And you can't judge him based on your past."
Haru's eyes flickered with something unspoken, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned away, his shoulders tense. "If he wants to prove me wrong, he'll have to grow stronger. That's the only way."
Whitney sighed and turned to Ash, kneeling beside him. "Ash, Haru's harsh, but he's not entirely wrong. You've got potential, but you need to work on your skills and strategy. If you come back with five badges and show me how much you've grown, I'll gladly give you a rematch. But until then, this badge stays here."
Ash nodded slowly, wiping his face as he stood up. His voice was quiet but determined. "I'll be back. I'll get stronger, and I'll prove you wrong, Haru. I'll show you I can be as great as Red."
Haru glanced over his shoulder, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I'll be waiting."
With that, the group left the farm. Ash's resolve burned brighter than ever, fueled by Haru's challenge. He knew he had a long way to go, but he was ready to face whatever came his way.
Whitney just looked at Haru. "So you ok".
Haru just sighed and looked at her. "I think I was to harsh on him, he just reminds me to much of me"
Back with Ash and the group.
Ash was looking at his phone, as he was wondering if he should call Processor Oke, of his mother, as the group was wanlking out of Goldenrod City, as Brock looked at him.
Brock looked at Ash as he spoke. "hey ash, we never asked but why do you wanna be like Red".
Ash looked back at them, as Pikachu looked at him. "It is Because Red is my Older brothers".
Let's say this shocked Both Brock but Misty then went and grabbed ash collar of his shirt.
Misty looked at ash as she shakes him. "Where is he, no one has been Red for 2 years, where did he go, did he till you anything".
Ash just looked at the girl who was shaking the shit out of him. "I don't know, why does it matter to you".
Mistye just looked at him. "It matters, he is my fucking Boyfriend".
Brock them blinked, he finally noticed something and releasing that they didn't know how old was Musty.
Brock then spoke. "Hey Misty, how old are you"
Misty just looked at Brock as she spoke. "14, same age as Red".
Ash blinked, trying to process what Misty had just said. His older brother, Red, had been missing for two years, and now he was learning that Misty had been dating him? It was a lot to take in.
Brock, meanwhile, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So, you're saying you and Red were a thing, huh? That's... surprising. I mean, no offense, Misty, but you never mentioned anything about dating the Red."
Misty crossed her arms, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "Well, it's not like it was a secret, but it wasn't something I went around bragging about either. Red didn't like drawing attention to himself."
Ash frowned. "Wait, if you're his girlfriend, why didn't you go looking for him when he disappeared? And why are you just now bringing this up?"
Misty's expression softened, a trace of sadness in her eyes. "I tried. I searched everywhere I could, but he left so suddenly, and without a trace. All I had was a letter saying he had to go on a personal journey, that he couldn't tell anyone where or why. He asked me to wait for him, so I did... but it's been two years, Ash. I'm worried."
Ash looked down, gripping the straps of his backpack tightly. "Red's not the type to just vanish without a reason. If he said he had to go, he must've had a good one. But I'll find him, Misty. I promise. I'll become a Pokémon Master, and I'll find out what happened to Red."
Pikachu, sitting on Ash's shoulder, let out a supportive "Pika!" while Brock placed a hand on Ash's shoulder. "We'll all help, Ash. Red is a legend, but he's also your brother. We're in this together."
Misty nodded, her determination renewed. "And when we find him, he's going to have some serious explaining to do. But first, you better prove Haru wrong and start working on those gym badges."
Ash grinned, the fire in his eyes reignited. "You bet I will. Red might be my inspiration, but I'm going to carve my own path. Let's go, guys!"
As the trio continued their journey, the lingering mystery of Red's disappearance hung in the air, but so did their shared determination to uncover the truth.
Meanwhile in the top of a snowy mountain, was a serten trained with his own Pikachu, as he was wearing all red and has a bit of Spiky black hair, as he was just seating down
[ Insert Image of Red, of will Manga Red ]
"Knew I will find you here".
Red turned his head to see one of his old friend, he looked like one time he would be cocky, or arigent, but now he grows our of it
[ Insert image of Blue here ]
Red looked at Blue. "Been a while old friend, I supirse your the one to find me".
Blue rolled his eyes. "Yeah, the reason I came here is Because team rocket is back, and Lance has called for Help something big is happening".
Red just looked at him as he got up. "I thought I delt with them, so why does Lance want us"
Blue looked at him. "They are in Johto now, so now Lance has called for help, to investigate and get through everything, also I pretty sure your girlfriend is very pissed at you"
Red's expression flickered for a moment, but he quickly masked it with his usual stoicism. He adjusted his red cap, the Pikachu on his shoulder letting out a small spark of interest. "Misty, huh? I figured she'd be mad. I left her without much of an explanation."
Blue crossed his arms, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Mad is an understatement, Red. She's probably ready to hit you over the head with a Starmie. Not that I'd blame her. You disappeared, cut all ties, and left her hanging for two years. You're lucky she hasn't teamed up with Lance to hunt you down already."
Red sighed, looking out at the endless snowy peaks around them. "I had my reasons, Blue. There's more going on than even you or Lance know. Team Rocket might just be the tip of the iceberg. But if they're in Johto, and Lance needs help, I can't ignore that."
Blue raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading into a more serious expression. "I don't doubt you've been busy, but you can't keep carrying all this on your own, Red. Whatever your reasons were, you've got people who care about you. Misty, your brother, me... even gramps is worried about you."
At the mention of Ash, Red's gaze hardened. "Ash? How's he doing?"
Blue chuckled, shaking his head. "The kid's got a long way to go if he wants to be like you. He's got heart, though. Ran into that guy Haru, who gave him a reality check about earning his badges. Kid's stubborn, just like you, but he's learning. Slowly."
Red's lips twitched into a faint smile. "He'll figure it out. He's got potential, even if he doesn't realize it yet. But if Haru's around, that means things are heating up. Team Rocket's movements, Lance calling for backup, and Haru showing his face... it's all connected somehow."
Blue stepped closer, his tone dropping. "That's what Lance is worried about too. It's not just Johto. There are whispers about something bigger—regions working together, shadow organizations, legendary Pokémon disappearing. Whatever's coming, it's bad."
Red nodded, his expression now set in stone. "Then let's not waste any more time. Tell Lance I'm in."
Blue smirked, tossing a Pokéball into the air and catching it. "About time. Just don't keep Misty waiting too long. She might end up siding with Team Rocket just to get her hands on you."
Red chuckled softly, the first real emotion he'd shown. "She'll understand... eventually. For now, we've got work to do."
With that, the two old friends descended the mountain, their presence a beacon of hope—and a warning—that Red and Blue were back in the game.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones and enjoy