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"Rooaar!!"
A deafening dragon's roar shook the entire forest!
The next moment, Garchomp, under the stunned gaze of Ash and Greninja, whipped up a Sandstorm even more massive than Greninja's water shuriken tornado from before! The towering sand dragon blotted out the sky, surging upward and roaring furiously toward the clouds!
"Rooaaar!"
With another thunderous bellow, endless quicksand gathered around Garchomp, swiftly condensing into a pair of menacing sand-claw wings. As the claws and wings slowly unfolded, Garchomp's majestic and domineering form appeared before Ash and Greninja.
"Th-this…!"
Ash's eyes widened in shock, his mouth hanging open, unable to utter a single word as he stared at Garchomp's new form.
"Mi! Mi!"
Not far away, Celebi, who had been hiding behind a large tree, panicked even further upon seeing Garchomp's current state. Letting out a flurry of frantic cries, it turned to flee, as if afraid that Liam would use this moment to retaliate against it. But in its haste, Celebi slammed straight into the tree trunk… its eyes spun in circles as it slid down to the ground.
"Hah… to see Garchomp like this again…"
Delia, who had also been hiding a short distance behind Liam, couldn't help but sigh softly as she looked at Garchomp on the battlefield. Then she turned her gaze back to Ash, worry flickering in her eyes.
"Now you understand, Ash. You're not the only one who can achieve bond evolution. Do you still think you have any chance of winning?"
Liam sighed slightly as he addressed the utterly shocked Ash.
"I… I… ugh!"
Ash couldn't find any words to respond. Just as he opened his mouth, a sudden surge of pain coursed through his body. He let out a muffled groan, collapsing to his knees as cold sweat poured down his cheeks.
"NInja!"
Greninja, who had been supporting Ash, also fell to one knee at that very moment. It squeezed one eye shut against the unbearable pain, glancing at Ash with deep concern. Then, a flash of determination flickered in Greninja's pink eyes.
"Ninja!"
With a quiet grunt, Greninja's water shuriken on its back suddenly shattered into light, its special form dissolving as it reverted to its normal appearance. The next instant, Greninja closed its eyes and collapsed sideways to the ground, unconscious.
"Greninja! You…"
As Greninja reverted, much of the pain Ash had been enduring dissipated. But when he turned to see his partner lying fainted on the ground, struggle and grief crossed his face.
"I… I lost…"
After a brief silence, Ash lowered his head, his voice heavy with unwillingness.
"…Roaar."
Hearing Ash's surrender, Garchomp turned its head back to glance at Liam, then let out a low growl. Its sand-claw wings quickly dissipated, and in the next moment, Garchomp returned to its normal form.
The sound of hurried footsteps approached.
Suddenly, Liam felt his arm tighten. When he turned his head, he found Delia had run up beside him without his notice, clutching his arm with both hands, a conflicted look on her face.
"Liam… I don't know exactly what's going on between you two. But I can tell—Ash really, really wants to go back. Please don't make things harder for him…"
Her bright eyes shimmered as she shook his arm lightly, pleading with him.
Liam felt exasperation wash over his face. Of course… as expected of a mother. Always protecting her child no matter the situation…
"…I know."
Liam didn't argue further. Instead, he raised his other hand and roughly ruffled Delia's hair, which made her pout and swat at his mischievous hand, letting go of his arm in the process.
Then, Liam turned around and slowly walked toward Ash.
When he reached Ash, who was kneeling gloomily beside Greninja, Liam suddenly smiled faintly. He reached out, plucked the red-and-white cap from his own head, and firmly pressed it down onto Ash's.
"Huh?"
Ash blinked in confusion, looking up at Liam, puzzled by the sudden gesture.
"Here. This is a Full Restore—use it to quickly heal Greninja. And this is Moomoo Milk—it's for you, to restore your stamina. Go on, take them."
Liam held out two bottles, a gentle smile on his face.
"Th-this…"
Ash hesitated, staring at the two bottles in front of him, reluctant to reach out.
"What's wrong? Don't know how to use them? Do you need me to teach you too?"
Liam raised an eyebrow at Ash's hesitation.
"Ah! I-I know how! Thank you!"
Startled, Ash quickly snatched the bottles from Liam's hands. He hurriedly uncorked the Full Restore and carefully poured it into Greninja's mouth.
Liam didn't interfere. He simply sat cross-legged beside Ash, watching quietly.
"Phew… finally finished…"
After a bit of fumbling, Ash managed to get the entire bottle of Full Restore into Greninja. He let out a long sigh of relief before slumping onto the ground, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Don't forget that one."
Liam tilted his chin toward the Moomoo Milk still lying beside Ash, his meaning clear.
"Uh… right. I'll drink it."
Ash gave Liam a speechless look, but still popped open the bottle and downed it in one go, right in front of him.
"Good. That's better."
Only after Ash had finished the bottle did Liam nod approvingly, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Ash, you did well just now. I'm satisfied."
Hearing those words, Ash looked intently at Liam, waiting for what he would say next.
"My only worry was that you weren't strong enough. If you got hurt again after returning, we'd all be heartbroken…"
Ash lowered his head, silent.
"But after watching you fight, I understand. You're stubborn, determined. Once you set your heart on something, you'll never give up halfway… so…"
Ash raised his head, eyes shining with hope.
"…So, I've decided to let you go back. To fulfill your own mission."
"Really?! That's awesome!"
Ash leapt up with joy, cheering loudly.
Liam couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head at the boy's happiness.
"Mi~ mi~"
At that moment, Celebi wobbled over, finally regaining its senses after its earlier collision. It floated first to Greninja, whose injuries were mostly healed, and with a flash of green light, completely restored him. Greninja's eyes snapped open, and after inspecting his arms, he looked confused to find himself entirely healed.
"Mi~ mi~"
Then Celebi drifted onto Ash's shoulder, patting his cheek lightly, signaling that it was time to depart.
"…Yeah, I know, Celebi. Just let me say goodbye first."
Ash understood, but he turned back toward Liam and Delia, his expression full of reluctance.
"This time… thank you both for everything! I'll never forget what you've done for me!"
All the farewells he had wanted to say seemed stuck in his throat. Finally, Ash bowed deeply, his voice loud and trembling as tears rolled down his cheeks, falling into the dirt below.