The Arrival of Anabel!
At the moment, Ash was focused on giving Charizard a back massage. The Fire-type Pokémon lay on the ground, completely relaxed and enjoying the pampering. Nearby, Pikachu used gentle, tiny electric discharges to soothe Snorlax's muscles. The slight jolts left Snorlax so comfortable that it started snoring loudly.
"Pika?" Pikachu's ears suddenly perked up.
"What's wrong, Pikachu?" Ash asked, noticing the shift in its behavior.
"Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu pointed toward a nearby bush. Following its gaze, Ash, Misty, and May saw someone step out—a woman in a gray and white outfit.
Ash's eyes lit up as he recognized her.
She had short, neatly cropped lavender hair, light purple pants, and a relaxed aura that instantly made others feel at ease. It was none other than Anabel.
Anabel stepped out with a hint of awkwardness, clearly surprised that a Pikachu had noticed her. She explained that her home was a small villa nearby in the forest. Hearing voices, she had wandered over to investigate, only to find Ash giving Charizard a massage—a heartwarming sight that captivated her as a fellow Pokémon lover.
"Hello, I'm Anabel," she introduced herself confidently.
Misty and May responded with their own introductions, but Anabel's attention was primarily on Ash. As she drew closer, she noticed his eyes—bright and full of warmth, drawing her in.
"Ash, nice to meet you! This little guy is Pikachu," Ash said, smiling. "It was Pikachu who noticed you. Do you live around here?"
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu grinned cheerfully.
"Yes, my house is just a short walk away…"
Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere shattered as a loud commotion erupted from the center of the nearby lake.
"What's that?!"
A massive Gyarados burst out of the water with a thunderous roar.
"A Gyarados?!" Misty froze, her face pale. Memories of her fear of Gyarados flashed through her mind.
The normally tranquil lake seemed to explode with energy as the fearsome Pokémon lunged forward aggressively.
"Pika-chu!" Pikachu leapt in front of Ash, cheeks sparking with electricity, ready to defend him.
Ash, however, stopped Pikachu with a shake of his head. He had faith that Anabel would handle the situation.
True to his expectations, Anabel stepped forward, placing herself between the raging Gyarados and the group.
"Gyarados, stop! I know you're upset, but we can't understand what's wrong if you keep thrashing around. Please, calm down and tell us what's bothering you!"
Her slender frame stood boldly before the massive Water-type, exuding a sense of unwavering determination.
"Anabel, what are you doing?!" Misty exclaimed, panicking.
Charizard flapped its wings and let out a low growl, signaling its readiness to intervene, but Ash held it back.
"Relax. I trust Anabel; she can handle this," Ash said confidently, loud enough for Anabel to hear.
Anabel's heart fluttered at his words, but she stayed focused on the Gyarados, which paused its rampage. Opening its mouth, it began making guttural, distressed sounds.
Ash activated his Aura abilities, using his power to understand the emotions and thoughts of the Gyarados. Meanwhile, Anabel relied on her innate connection with Pokémon, interpreting its cries through her intuition and empathy.
"I see now," she said softly, nodding. To everyone's surprise, she stepped closer to the Gyarados.
Misty covered her eyes in fear, unable to watch.
Anabel crouched down and carefully inspected Gyarados' tail, where she found the problem—a thick branch was lodged painfully in its scales.
"This is why you were so agitated, isn't it? Don't worry, I'll take care of it," she said gently.
With careful precision, she removed the branch. The relief was immediate—Gyarados visibly relaxed and even managed a sheepish smile.
"See? All better now. But next time, don't lose your temper, okay? Rushing into things won't solve any problems," Anabel said, her voice filled with warmth.
The massive Pokémon let out a soft growl of gratitude before retreating back to the lake.
"Anabel, you're amazing!" Misty and May exclaimed, their expressions full of admiration.
"You… you can understand Pokémon?" Misty asked, still in awe.
"Well, kind of. Growing up in the forest, I learned to connect with Pokémon emotionally. I can pick up on their feelings and interpret their actions," Anabel explained modestly. "But… Ash can do it too?"
This revelation surprised Anabel. The idea of someone else sharing her ability intrigued her, and she found herself thinking back to the sight of Ash gently massaging Charizard earlier. His unwavering trust in her during the Gyarados encounter only deepened the impression he'd left on her.
For reasons she couldn't quite explain, Anabel's heart stirred with a new and unexpected emotion.
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T/N:
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