Pokemon: A different Ash

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"Since this is the case, let's compete! Let's see if you really don't need the trainer's command!" 

Ash looked at the Charmeleon in front of him and spoke firmly. Facing the prickly and disobedient Pokémon, Ash had his own way of handling it. He couldn't afford to have a Pokémon that ignored commands during an official match. 

Such disobedience reflected poorly on a Trainer's abilities. While Charizard later on occasionally followed Ash's orders, it was only when it found the challenge interesting enough to ignite its fighting spirit. 

Charmeleon stared at Ash, still lying motionless. It opened its eyes briefly, glanced at Ash, and then at the Pokémon by his side. 

As Ash expected, Charmeleon had become arrogant after evolving and gaining strength. Ash understood that it would only acknowledge its true nature when confronted by what it considered a real rival. 

Now, it remained indifferent. To Charmeleon, none of Ash's Pokémon were worthy rivals. 

"What's wrong? Are you scared? Don't you feel powerful after evolving?" 

"If you win, I won't hold you back anymore," Ash taunted deliberately, using an aggressive strategy to provoke Charmeleon. 

Though evolution had made Charmeleon stronger, Pokémon were inherently straightforward creatures. Ash's challenge hit its mark. Charmeleon's eyes narrowed, irritation flashing in them. Slowly, it stood up and leaped down from the rock. 

"Char!" 

Taking a battle stance, Charmeleon signaled its readiness to fight. Seeing this, Ash took a step back to create distance. 

"Squirtle, squirt!" 

Squirtle, as hot-headed as ever, couldn't tolerate Charmeleon's arrogance. It stepped forward eagerly, knowing its Water-type moves were advantageous against the Fire-type Charmeleon. 

"Pika pika!" 

Pikachu stopped Squirtle, not out of doubt in its abilities but because it wanted to take on Charmeleon itself. Pikachu hadn't forgotten the flames Charmeleon had carelessly unleashed earlier. 

"Okay, you two, calm down. Devileon, you're up!" Ash finally declared, sending out his trusted Pokémon, Devileon. 

"Devi!" 

Devileon leapt forward, standing before Charmeleon with an equally fiery spirit. Devileon, known for its fierce and competitive nature, was clearly displeased with Charmeleon's dismissive attitude. 

"Come on! Show me what you're capable of now that you've evolved!" Ash challenged, his gaze calm yet provoking. 

An arrogant Pokémon despises being looked down on, and Charmeleon was no exception. Ash's apparent disregard stoked its anger further. 

Misty, confused by the scene, approached cautiously. "What's going on? Why are they fighting? And why has Charmeleon's attitude changed so much?" 

At that moment, Charmeleon roared loudly. 

"Char!" 

Without hesitation, it unleashed a Flamethrower at Devileon. 

"Hmph! He was right—weaklings always lash out impulsively," Ash muttered, recalling the words of his friend, who had observed that inexperienced Charizards often relied on brute force over strategy. 

Ash's calm demeanor belied his readiness. "Dig!" 

Upon hearing Ash's command, Devileon quickly burrowed into the ground, easily avoiding Charmeleon's attack. 

Charmeleon froze momentarily, scanning the field for its opponent. In past battles, it had always relied on Ash's voice to guide it in moments of uncertainty. Now, however, that guiding voice stood opposite it, leaving Charmeleon to fend for itself.

At this moment, Charmeleon might be muttering to itself, acknowledging its mistakes deep down but too prideful to admit them. It refused to concede defeat or show any sign of weakness. 

"Devileon, use Phantom Force!" 

Ash issued the command with precision. He had mastered the combination of Dig and Phantom Force, a strategy he had honed during their battles against Sabrina. While Dig could be anticipated by skilled opponents with sharp reflexes, Phantom Force added an unpredictable edge to the move. 

"Devi!" 

With an eerie silence, Devileon vanished, phasing into another dimension. Charmeleon, still scanning for movement, suddenly felt a presence behind it. 

Boom! 

"Devi!" 

Devileon reappeared in a flash, surrounded by a ghostly purple aura, and struck Charmeleon squarely in the back. The impact sent Charmeleon sprawling across the ground. 

Charmeleon groaned, lying on its stomach before glaring at Devileon, now floating confidently in the air. With a furious roar, it leapt forward, its jaws glowing with a fierce, fiery energy. Flames burst from its mouth, surging straight toward Devileon. 

Ash observed the scene and sighed. "It's blinded by rage and arrogance. Fighting like this is nothing more than a wild brawl," he muttered. The disorganized and reckless style of combat was precisely what Ash wanted to exploit, but it still left him feeling slightly disappointed. 

"Jump up to dodge! Use Confuse Ray!" 

Hearing Ash's calm directive, Devileon swiftly ascended, effortlessly avoiding Charmeleon's flames. As Charmeleon charged past, trying to pivot for another attack, Devileon's eyes glowed with an intense, hypnotic light. The gemstone on its forehead shimmered and released a dazzling burst of red energy. 

Charmeleon stumbled, its movements becoming erratic as the disorienting effects of Confuse Ray took hold.