Pokemon : Rewind

"I see…" Ash muttered, sitting alongside his companions in the living area of their camp's tent. 

Liza had just finished explaining the reason for her visit, and the group finally understood the situation.

"Sorry about that. I didn't think our training would disturb Charicific Valley," Ash apologized sincerely. 

He had chosen this location because it seemed desolate, with no signs of wild Pokémon activity. What he hadn't realized was how close they were to the valley.

At the same time, Ash couldn't help but feel curious about Richardon, the legendary leader of the Charicific Valley. 

If this Pokémon could sense their training from nearly four kilometers away, its strength must be immense.

"Um… Mr. Ash…" Liza began hesitantly, her emerald eyes darting nervously between Ash and his companions. She seemed to have something on her mind but was unsure how to bring it up.

Her demeanor didn't go unnoticed. Misty immediately narrowed her eyes in suspicion, glaring at Liza as if she were sizing up a rival. 

Meanwhile, Brock's expression shifted into one of heartbreak. His shoulders slumped as he quietly lamented, "Another love lost before it even began…"

Ash, caught off guard by their reactions, felt the pressure mounting. He cleared his throat awkwardly and addressed Liza directly. "Miss Liza, is there something you wanted to say?"

Liza hesitated, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Um… I didn't see your Charizard earlier. Did it not come with you on your journey?"

Misty and Brock blinked in surprise, quickly realizing they had misunderstood Liza's intent. 

Both relaxed, though Brock sighed in relief, clearly hoping the topic had nothing to do with Ash personally.

"Oh, my Charizard? No, I sent him back to Professor Oak's lab for a while," Ash explained casually.

"Ah…" Liza's expression fell slightly. She had been looking forward to seeing Ash's Charizard, a Pokémon she deeply admired.

As the administrator of Charicific Valley, Liza had been fascinated by Charizard since childhood. 

She knew of Ash's Charizard, whose golden flames and legendary strength set it apart from any other she had ever encountered. 

It was a Pokémon that could rival even the gods. Hearing that it wasn't here left her visibly disappointed.

Still, Liza quickly recovered, smiling warmly. "Well, that's unfortunate, but Mr. Ash, I'd like to invite you and your friends to visit the Charicific Valley. I'd love to show you around, and perhaps you could tell me more about how you trained your Charizard."

Ash and his companions exchanged excited looks. They had originally planned to explore the outskirts of the valley the following day, but this invitation was far better than they had hoped.

"Thank you so much, Liza! We'd love to visit," Ash replied enthusiastically.

"Great! Please, just call me Liza," she said with a smile.

---

The group quickly packed their belongings, preparing to leave the camp for good. Liza led them toward Charicific Valley, her Charizard, Charla, guiding the way.

As they approached, the scenery grew increasingly breathtaking. The valley was nestled among towering cliffs, with a pristine river running through it. Above the river stood magnificent arched rock formations, carved by centuries of erosion.

But the most striking sight was the series of colossal Charizard statues lining the valley. 

These abstract stone carvings depicted elongated, majestic forms of Charizard, leading the eye toward a massive mountain at the valley's center. 

Atop this mountain was a monumental Charizard sculpture, standing as the valley's guardian.

"Wow…" Ash breathed, staring in awe at the incredible craftsmanship.

"It's so spectacular!" Misty added, her voice filled with admiration.

"This is amazing," Brock said, taking in the intricate details of the sculptures. "I can't even imagine how much effort went into building all of this."

Liza smiled proudly. "My grandfather discovered this valley seventy years ago. Back then, it was already a gathering place for wild Charizard. He spent his life studying them and working with Pokémon to create a sanctuary where they could thrive. Everything you see here was built with his passion and dedication."

The group listened with admiration, marveling at the legacy Liza's grandfather had left behind.

---

After crossing the river, Liza's Charizard transported them one by one to the valley's entrance. 

Up close, the massive Charizard statue loomed even larger, its detailed craftsmanship capturing the fiery spirit of the Pokémon it represented. 

The gate beneath the statue was equally impressive, adorned with flame motifs symbolizing Charizard's Fire type.

Liza pressed a concealed button on a nearby rock. The ground rumbled as the massive gate slowly swung inward.

"What an incredible mechanism!" Brock exclaimed, examining the gate closely. "It's all mechanical, no electricity required. The engineering is remarkable."

Liza beamed, pleased by the compliment. "This was one of my grandfather's greatest designs."

However, as the gate opened, Liza's expression grew serious. Inside, a large group of Charizard had gathered, their fierce eyes trained on the newcomers. At the front of the group stood Richardon, the undisputed king of the valley.

Richardon was massive—more than twice the size of the average Charizard. His imposing presence radiated raw power, and his piercing gaze locked onto Pikachu, who sat on Ash's shoulder.

"Pika…!" Pikachu bristled at the intense aura emanating from Richardon. Sparks crackled from its cheeks as it leaped to the ground, standing its ground with determination.

Ash's eyes narrowed as he realized what was happening. "Richardon… wants a battle."

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