Charizard has his horns wedged in a tight stone opening, growling and flapping in frustration as Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and a few others tug with all their might. For a moment, it looks like they’ve almost got him free—until Charizard instinctively takes a heavy step forward.

CRASH! Everyone topples in a messy pile, Pikachu squeaking in surprise, Squirtle rolling on his shell, and Bulbasaur’s vines snapping back.

Charizard freezes, realizing he’s not only still stuck, but has knocked his friends flat. Silence falls for a moment. His chest rises and falls faster. His fiery eyes soften, and a shaky breath leaves his nostrils. Then—slowly—shimmering tears form at the corners of his eyes.

You watch as they slip down his scaled cheeks, one after another, dripping onto the ground with tiny pat pat sounds. The proud, fierce dragon seems small now, his tail flame dimming a little as he squeezes his eyes shut. He lets out a low, wounded rumble—half growl, half sob—as if admitting, for the first time, that maybe he really is stuck forever.

The other Pokémon, dazed from the fall, look up and go quiet. They’ve never seen Charizard like this… and neither have you.