"At the very mont you brought back to life, Ash-sama, I had already decided to entrust my life and soul to you. You are the only Trainer I can truly acknowledge and accept."
Tears stread down Marill's cheeks as it bowed its head deeply.
"Please, Ash-sama… for the sake of my sincerity, let follow you. Let beco your Pokémon. I promise I'll get along with your other partners. Please… let stay by your side."
Yet the more desperately Marill pleaded, the firr Ash's resolve beca.
"Marill," Ash said gently, "thank you for trusting so much. Thank you for liking . You're adorable, and your personality is straightforward and genuine. If I didn't already have so many Water-type Pokémon, I would gladly capture you."
He paused, his gaze steady.
"But the truth is, I already have too many Water-types. If I captured you now, I simply wouldn't have enough ti or energy to train you properly."
"And even after so ti passes—when I might have more energy—because there are so many Water-types on my team, you would still have to compete with many others for the chance to battle. Your opportunities to showcase your strength would be limited."
"That wouldn't be fair to you."
Ash crouched down so their eyes t.
"You trust . You like . I'm honored by that. But precisely because of that, I don't want you to suffer unfair treatnt in my team."
"So I can't capture you. No matter what you say, I cannot."
"Marill~ It's okay! I don't mind!" Marill cried. "As long as I can follow you, I'll already be happy. Even if you only let battle occasionally, I'd be satisfied. I don't ask for much."
"Marill~ I like you, Ash-sama. I want to follow you. For you, I'd do anything."
Hearing that vow, Ash's expression hardened.
"Marill. Snap out of it."
His tone, usually warm and gentle, turned sharp and stern.
"I'm Ash of Pallet Town. My dream is to stand at the pinnacle of the Trainer profession—to beco the strongest Trainer in the Pokémon world. The Pokémon I capture and the partners who follow must possess a strong heart—the heart of a champion."
"If you trust because you want to grow stronger, and you believe I can help you achieve that, then I respect that. Even if I can't capture you due to my team composition, I'd gladly recomnd you to another outstanding Trainer whose style matches yours."
"But if you only want to follow because I healed you… because I saved your life and you wish to repay …"
He shook his head.
"Then you don't need to. I opened free clinics under the Stone Bridge outside Pallet Town without ever expecting repaynt."
"And if you want to capture you simply because you like —then I'll tell you clearly: I won't. A blind, irrational attachnt like that does not et my standards for a companion."
His voice was calm—yet unyielding.
"Ash-sama…" Marill gazed up at him, eyes filled with heartbreak and pain.
"If your true desire is to beco stronger and more outstanding, I can recomnd other Trainers I know. If you have any other reason for wanting to be captured, I can help you find a suitable Trainer."
"So calm down. Think carefully. When you have your answer, co tell . I'll visit the Stone Bridge every day."
Ash stood up and turned his gaze back toward the battlefield at the estuary, saying nothing more.
"Marill…"
After a long mont, Marill lowered its head and leapt back into the sea, swimming away with heavy sorrow in its heart.
…
Marill's matter was only a brief interlude. Ash did not dwell on it.
Its potential and temperant simply didn't align with what he sought in a partner.
If Marill eventually thought things through, Ash could recomnd it to Misty. As a Water-type specialist, Misty would treasure a Pokémon like Marill—adorable in appearance, blessed with the dual Water/Fairy typing and the Huge Power Ability. With proper training, it could grow into a formidable dragon-slaying warrior.
Moreover, Misty's current team was small. Marill would undoubtedly be raised as a core mber there.
But within Ash's own squad, it would struggle to receive the attention and resources it deserved.
-----s
anwhile, the battle circle ford by wild Water-type Pokémon at the estuary continued roaring with excitent.
Feebas and Magikarp rotated onto the field, taking challenges one after another. While one battled, the other rested and recovered stamina.
Feebas vs. Marill
Magikarp vs. Krabby
Feebas vs. Poliwag
Magikarp vs. Shellder
Feebas vs. Goldeen
Magikarp vs. Staryu
When they first stepped into the challenge ring, both Feebas and Magikarp were only LV.5.
But thanks to the continuous stamina restoration from the surrounding waters—and their Mastered proficiency in Tackle and Water Gun—they quickly began sweeping through opponents.
Pokémon below LV.10 were simply no match for Ash's Magikarp and Feebas.
Even when facing opponents with decent strength and various control moves, battles rely lasted slightly longer. In the end, victory still belonged to Ash's side.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Defeated LV.5 Krabby. Gained 64 EXP.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Defeated LV.7 Shellder. Gained 86 EXP.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Defeated LV.6 Goldeen. Gained 70 EXP.]
[Ding! Magikarp has t the requirents to level up. Leveling… Current Level: LV.7]
[Ding! Feebas has t the requirents to level up. Leveling… Current Level: LV.7]
In the mid-to-late stages of a Pokémon's growth, Ash always stabilized their foundation with focused training after every one or two level-ups.
But during the early stages, rapid progression was acceptable.
Only after rising four to five levels would he halt their battles and arrange a full day of intensive reinforcent training to solidify their explosive growth.
Magikarp and Feebas started the morning at LV.5.
With the estuary filled with wild Water-types providing a steady stream of experience—
Magikarp:
LV.5 → LV.6 → LV.7 → LV.9 → LV.10
Feebas:
LV.5 → LV.6 → LV.7 → LV.9 → LV.10
After both Pokémon had climbed five full levels, Ash finally called a stop to the challenges.
The morning sun shimred across the water's surface.
Two once-overlooked Pokémon now stood proudly at LV.10—
And their journey had only just begun.
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