Chapter 2: A Mission Without a Map

  The forest was unnervingly silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. Ash stood frozen, fists clenched, eyes locked onto the small, hovering figure before him.

  Celebi’s glow, usually so vibrant, so full of life, flickered like a candle struggling against the wind.

  “Please, Celebi,” Ash said, his voice tight with frustration. “Just tell me what I’m supposed to do. What am I here to stop?”

  He had asked that question at least three times. He had tried everything, patience, curiosity, even desperation, but Celebi just hovered there, its luminous eyes filled with something that looked a lot like regret. Pikachu sat quietly beside him, ears drooping, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife.

  Celebi lowered its gaze. “Ash… I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.”

  Ash’s jaw clenched. A sharp, bitter frustration clawed at his chest, but he forced himself to swallow it down. Getting angry wouldn’t solve anything.

  “Why?” he asked again, quieter this time.

  Celebi drifted closer, hovering at eye level. “Arceus believes in human free will. When the world faces danger, he trusts people to make the right choices. If he intervenes too much… that trust is lost.”

  Ash inhaled sharply. “Arceus… believes in humans?”

  Celebi gave a tiny nod. “Yes. And he’s been watching you.”

  The words sent a shiver down Ash’s spine.

  “All those times you risked your life for Pokémon, for your friends, he saw that,” Celebi continued. “He saw your heart, your determination. That’s why he sent me to bring you here, to this time. You have the potential to change the future. He trusts you.”

  The weight of it crashed down on him all at once. His breath hitched.

  “Me?” His voice came out hoarse. “I’m just… I’m just a kid. I just want to be a Pokémon Master.”

  Celebi’s glow softened. “That’s what makes you the right person.” It hesitated, then added, “You’re not here because you have all the answers. You’re here because you care. Deeply. Fiercely.”

  Ash’s hands slowly uncurled at his sides.

  It wasn’t enough. It didn’t feel like enough. He wanted a mission, a goal, something solid to grasp onto. Instead, he was stranded in the past with nothing but questions and a future that hadn’t even been written yet.

  His voice cracked. “But… what am I supposed to do?”

  Celebi didn’t answer. It simply spiraled upward, drifting into the moonlight. Its glow, once dim, brightened into something radiant. Above it, a swirling portal of light began to form.

  Ash’s stomach dropped.

  “No, wait...”

  Celebi looked at him one last time, a sad, knowing smile on its face.

  Then, just before it disappeared into the portal, it spoke:

  “Just be yourself, Ash.”

  The words echoed, lingering in the night air. They pressed against his chest, heavy as stone.

  Ash reached out instinctively, but the light swallowed Celebi whole.

  “Wait, what the fu...”

  Ringggg! Ringggg! Ringgggg!

  A shrill alarm tore through the silence like a Drill Peck to the skull.

  Ash jolted awake with a strangled groan, blindly smacking at the offending noise until his palm found the clock and silenced it. For a moment, he lay still, eyes squeezed shut, heart hammering in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, it had all been some bizarre dream. Maybe he was still on that ship bound for modern-day Sinnoh, his biggest worry being what Gym he’d challenge next.

  He cracked one eye open.

  White walls. Worn wooden floors. A single rickety chair beside the bed.

  No ocean. No hum of an engine beneath him. Just the distant murmur of a waking town beyond the window.

  Ash let out a breath, running a hand down his face. “Arceus above… it’s real.”

  “Pika pi?” Pikachu’s concerned voice piped up beside him.

  Ash turned his head. Pikachu sat on the pillow, ears twitching, eyes searching his face.

  “Yeah, buddy,” he muttered. “There’s no escaping this.”

  With a sigh, he forced himself upright and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. The new clothes felt stiff against his skin, though by now, they were starting to feel… familiar. He tugged on the deep blue vest, fastening the gold buttons over his untucked white shirt. His black pants fit snugly beneath the brown trainer belt at his hips, and the suspenders hung loose over his shoulders. Last came the thigh-length sun-and-rain coat, the fabric settling around him like a weight he still wasn’t used to carrying.

  He exhaled, adjusting the collar.

  “Well,” he muttered to Pikachu, stepping toward the door, “time to prepare for the day.”

  :??(???)??:

  The Pokémon Center’s lobby was quiet, dimly lit in the hazy morning light. A television mounted on the wall crackled with static before shifting to a grainy broadcast of a Pokémon battle.

  “This year’s Conference Challenger fought hard, but in the end, Rowan defended his title with his signature strategic prowess! Rowan has now reigned as Sinnoh League Champion for eighteen consecutive years!”

  Ash stopped mid-step, eyes locking onto the screen. The image shifted to a man in his mid-40s with a sharp mustache and peppered black hair. Even through the blurry footage, his eyes held a calculating coldness.

  “Rowan,” Ash thought. “Champion of Sinnoh… for eighteen years? He must be the Champion before Cynthia.”

  A groggy voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

  “Ring the bell if you need me,” Nurse Joy muttered, stifling a yawn behind her coffee cup.

  Ash blinked and turned to the counter. She barely seemed awake, her half-lidded eyes barely acknowledging him. He gave an apologetic smile before tapping the bell as instructed.

  “Need to finish my trainer registration,” he said.

  Joy let out another yawn, sliding a clipboard across the counter. “Fill it out. And print clearly.”

  Ash took the form to a nearby table, slumping into the chair as Pikachu hopped up beside him. He gave the paper a quick once-over, trying to ignore the dull ache in his temples.

  Alright, this shouldn’t be too hard…

  “Name… Ash…” He hesitated, tapping the pen against the table. “Klayton? Grayton?”

  Pikachu, already suspicious of his hesitation, narrowed its eyes. With a tiny growl of warning, it released a small jolt against Ash’s wrist.

  “Ow! Okay, okay!” Ash winced, shaking his hand. The spark had done its job—his mind snapped back into focus. Right. Graybolt.

  “Good call, buddy,” he muttered, scribbling down Ash Graybolt before Pikachu could strike again.

  “Pikapi,” Pikachu huffed, satisfied but still watching him like a teacher monitoring a struggling student.

  Ash moved through the rest of the form, answering as quickly as he could.

  Age: 13.

  Address: Celestic Town.

  Birthplace: …Celestic Town.

  He hesitated, pen hovering over the paper. The weight of the lie sat heavy in his chest. He had to do this, but that didn’t make it feel any less wrong.

  “Well… time travel’s probably illegal anyway. What’s a little paperwork fraud on top?”

  Pikachu snorted, clearly amused.

  Ash scrawled out the final details, trainer goals: exploration and battling. Emergency contact: none. With a final stroke of the pen, he signed Ash Graybolt at the bottom. The name felt strange. Like it belonged to someone else.

  With a sigh, he returned to the counter and tapped the bell again. Nurse Joy, still half-conscious, took the clipboard and glanced over it. Without a word, she pulled out a small camera.

  “Photo first,” she said, gesturing.

  Ash straightened and forced a natural smile. The camera clicked, and the machine whirred. Next, Joy retrieved a thin, pen-like device.

  “Left hand.”

  Ash obeyed, flinching slightly as the device pricked his fingertip, drawing a tiny drop of blood.

  “Give it about thirty minutes,” Nurse Joy mumbled, already retreating to her desk with her coffee in hand.

  Ash slumped back into his chair, Pikachu watching him from the tabletop. He exhaled sharply.

  “Thirty minutes,” he groaned, rubbing his face. “Feels like forever when you’ve been thrown fifteen years into the past with no instructions.”

  Pikachu gave a low, sympathetic chirp. Ash smiled faintly, rubbing his best friend’s head.

  Minutes passed, and his mind wandered, back to his past, back to the weight of his situation, until Nurse Joy’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

  “Ash.”

  Ash stood and walked back to the counter. Nurse Joy slid a laminated card across to him.

  “Congratulations, Ash Graybolt,” she said flatly. “You’re officially a registered Pokémon Trainer. Good luck out there.”

  Ash took the card, turning it over in his hands. His photo stared back at him, familiar but… wrong. The name beneath it only made the disguise feel more real.

  “No Pokédex,” he muttered, spinning the card between his fingers. “Usually, the license data gets uploaded automatically.”

  “Pika,” Pikachu agreed, ears twitching.

  Before Ash could dwell on it, a voice called out to him.

  “Are you Ash?”

  Ash looked up, startled. A woman stood before him, appearing to be in her late fifties. Her pale blonde-and-silver hair was neatly bobbed, soft V-shaped bangs framing her face. Sharp gray eyes studied him with quiet intelligence, but there was kindness there too. A long white coat draped over a light pink blouse and dark skirt, marking her profession immediately.

  Ash stood quickly. “Yes, ma’am. You must be Professor Carolina?”

  She extended her hand with a polite nod. “That’s right. My granddaughter said you’re a rookie trainer, is that correct?”

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  Ash stiffened. Rookie? He hesitated. If she thought he was inexperienced, would she turn him down for the escort job?

  “I mean, technically,” he said carefully. “But Pikachu and I have been training together since I was ten. We’ve battled plenty of other trainers, just… never got officially registered until today.” He met her gaze. “I promise we’re capable enough for this mission.”

  Carolina’s lips quirked slightly. “No need to be so nervous, young man. My granddaughter’s much the same, registered at ten, but too interested in history to leave town and chase Gym badges. I know better than to underestimate young trainers.” She gestured toward the door. “Shall we?”

  Ash exhaled, shoulders relaxing. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

  As they stepped outside, the morning air greeted them with a crisp chill. Ash adjusted the coat draped over his shoulders while Pikachu leapt onto his usual perch.

  He cast one last glance toward the horizon, where the sun peeked over distant hills. The past stretched before him like an endless ocean, uncharted and unknowable. His mission was still as murky as ever.

  “Be yourself,” huh? Ash thought, tightening his grip on his coat’s lapel. Let’s hope that’s enough.

  :??(???)??:

  The morning sun hung low in the sky as Ash, Pikachu, and Professor Carolina made their way toward Celestic Town’s western exit. The cobblestone pavement beneath their feet soon gave way to packed dirt, the trail winding toward Route 211. The forest loomed beyond the town’s borders, its towering trees casting long shadows over the path. The crisp air carried the scent of damp earth and pine, fresh and sharp in Ash’s lungs.

  Ash walked slightly behind Carolina, hands tucked into his pockets. Pikachu perched on his shoulder, ears flicking at every rustling bush and snapping twig. The quiet of the woods wrapped around them like a thick blanket, broken only by the crunch of their footsteps.

  The silence pressed on Ash’s thoughts, leaving them to wander. Finally, curiosity won out.

  “Professor,” he asked, glancing at her. “If you needed company for this trip, why didn’t your granddaughter come with you? I mean… she’s here in town, right?”

  Carolina chuckled softly, though something in her expression dimmed. “I did ask her. Many times, actually. But Cynthia has a rather… rigid schedule these days. Mornings in the library, poring over ancient texts. Afternoons out in the wild, catching Pokémon and training. Even in the evenings, she’s usually writing notes or debating theories with me.”

  Her voice softened as she added, almost to herself, “She has so much curiosity… sometimes I worry she forgets to just be a child.”

  Ash nodded, but his chest tightened. He knew that feeling all too well. He thought of his mom, always waving him off with a bright smile, always telling him to follow his dreams. She never complained, never told him he was away too long, but he knew. Knew that she probably felt lonely sometimes, just like Carolina did now.

  Pikachu nuzzled his cheek, grounding him in the present. Ash exhaled and reached up to scratch his partner’s head.

  The trail sloped gently downward, leading them deeper into the woods. The mountain’s distant silhouette sharpened through the thinning canopy as Carolina spoke again.

  “My energy monitor at the lab detected unusual wavelengths near Mt. Coronet,” she explained, retrieving a small, handheld device from her bag. Its screen glowed faintly, displaying fluctuating graphs. “It happened twice: once around sunset and again a few hours after nightfall. The readings were… odd. Different from the natural magnetic fields of the mountain.”

  Ash’s breath hitched. Pikachu’s tail twitched as they exchanged a quick glance. Sunset… and then again at night… That was when Celebi had brought them here. And then disappeared.

  “Hmm…” Carolina adjusted the dials on her device, her brows knitting in concentration. “The wavelengths resemble temporal energy signatures, but I’d need more data to be sure.”

  Ash’s stomach twisted. “Te-temporal energy…?” That sounds like something Celebi would leave behind.

  “Yes,” Carolina confirmed. “Mt. Coronet is connected to some Legendary Pokémon that could be the cause of these readings… probably Dialga. The Legendary Pokémon of Time.”

  Ash swallowed hard, thoughts spiraling. If Carolina kept digging, would she figure out the truth—that Celebi had sent him here? And if she did… then what? Would she believe him? Would she tell anyone?

  Was he even allowed to tell anyone?

  Celebi had said Arceus trusted him. He had been chosen—no one else. Did that mean he was supposed to keep it secret? Or was it his decision to make?

  There was no way to know. And gambling with something this big… it was too much. Too risky.

  Before he could think further, a distant rumbling reached his ears. Pikachu’s ears snapped upright. The ground trembled beneath them.

  “Professor, stay close,” Ash warned, stepping in front of her.

  The rumbling grew louder. Then, through the trees ahead, a herd of Ponyta burst onto the trail, their flaming manes flickering wildly. Their hooves pounded against the dirt, kicking up dust as they charged forward, panic in their eyes.

  Ash’s instincts took over. “Pikachu, Thunderbolt! In front of them, not at them!”

  “Pika—CHUUU!”

  Electricity crackled through the air, striking the ground just ahead of the charging Ponyta. The herd reared up with panicked whinnies, hooves skidding against the dirt as they veered sharply into the woods. The ground trembled beneath their retreating stampede until, finally, the pounding faded into the distance.

  Ash let out a slow breath, muscles still coiled with tension. That could’ve been bad.

  Carolina exhaled as well, adjusting the strap of her bag. “Goodness… that gave me a fright.” She shook her head, regaining her composure. “They must’ve been doing their morning run. Still… that was quick thinking, Ash.”

  “Thanks,” Ash said, rolling his shoulders as the tension left his body. Pikachu hopped back onto his shoulder, cheeks still sparking faintly.

  They continued along the path, which soon opened into a wide clearing at the base of Mt. Coronet. Carolina checked her monitor again. The fluctuating readings from earlier had weakened significantly.

  “Strange,” she muttered. “Either we’ve passed the epicenter, or the energy itself is fading.”

  “Maybe it’s both,” Ash suggested, hoping that meant they were done here.

  Carolina hummed in thought but didn’t press further.

  A sharp cracking sound cut through the quiet. Gravel tumbled from above.

  Ash’s eyes shot upward. Perched on a rocky ledge, several Graveler glowered down at them. Their rough, stone-like bodies blended into the terrain, but their narrowed eyes locked onto the intruders with unmistakable hostility.

  “Graveler,” Ash muttered. He clenched his fists. “They’re territorial.”

  A low, rumbling growl rolled through the air before the Rock-types launched themselves from the ledge, rolling straight toward them in unison. The ground quaked under the force of their descent, dirt and stones flying in their wake.

  “Professor, back! Pikachu, Iron Tail!”

  “Pi-KA!” Pikachu sprang from Ash’s shoulder, his tail stiffening into shimmering steel. The first Graveler rolled straight into the attack, getting launched backward on impact. The second swerved to avoid the first, only to take another Iron Tail squarely to the side.

  Ash grabbed a fist-sized rock and hurled it at a third attacker. It struck the Graveler’s forehead with a hard thunk, making it wobble and lose momentum. Pikachu finished the job with another swift Iron Tail.

  The remaining Graveler hesitated. The fight had turned against them. After a beat, they backed off, rolling up the slope to reclaim their perch. Their narrowed eyes lingered on Ash and Pikachu before they finally retreated into the shadows.

  Ash exhaled and turned to Carolina, offering her a hand. “Let’s go.”

  They moved quickly, jogging back into the forest until Mt. Coronet was out of sight. Carolina finally stopped, leaning against a tree to catch her breath.

  “You’re quite the protector,” she said, giving him a tired but impressed smile.

  Ash shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed. “Just doing my job, ma’am.”

  Carolina checked her monitor again. The readings flickered as she adjusted the dial, spiking slightly toward the left. She followed the signal deeper into the woods, eventually stopping beside a small ring of stones.

  Ash’s heart skipped.

  He knew this spot.

  The rocks were arranged in an unnatural circle, the grass within slightly scorched. The air here felt… off, like something had lingered but was now long gone. This was where Celebi had left him.

  “Interesting,” Carolina murmured, crouching down. She retrieved a sample vial from her bag and carefully placed one of the stones inside. “Residual energy… definitely temporal. This is remarkable.”

  Ash forced a laugh. “Huh. Weird how nature works sometimes, right?”

  Carolina didn’t respond right away. She turned the stone over in her fingers, her expression thoughtful. “Yes… weird indeed.”

  The tension in the air thickened until Carolina finally stood and packed the sample away. “Well, we’ve got what we need,” she said. “Let’s head back.”

  :??(???)??:

  The walk home was quieter. Ash kept his guard up, but no more wild Pokémon attacked. As they neared the town entrance, Carolina reached into her bag and pulled out two cloth-wrapped pieces of bread.

  “Here,” she said, offering them with a smile. “You both earned it.”

  “Thanks!” Ash said, unwrapping his snack. Pikachu nibbled eagerly while perched on his shoulder, his tail flicking contentedly.

  As they approached Celestic Town, a sudden buzzing filled the air. A swarm of Yanma darted across the road, their red eyes gleaming.

  Ash reacted instantly. “Thunderbolt, Pikachu!”

  Lightning flashed. Pikachu’s attack formed a web of electricity, forcing the Yanma to scatter in alarm. The trio hurried the last few meters back to town, the swarm giving up the chase.

  At the town gates, Carolina slowed to a stop and turned to Ash. “I appreciate your help today, Ash. You’re an exceptional trainer.”

  Ash rubbed the back of his head. “Thanks, but Pikachu did most of the work, Professor.”

  “Chuuu!” Pikachu cooed, pressing his cheek against Ash’s.

  Carolina watched the two with a warm smile. Their bond was unmistakable, deep, natural, and unshakable.

  “Well,” she said after a moment, “how about you two come over to my place? I’ll cook a late lunch for you.”

  Ash hesitated. “You don’t have to, Professor. We’ll get the commission from the Pokémon Center anyway.” He shifted uncomfortably. After all, he was still keeping secrets from her, accepting more than he deserved didn’t sit right.

  Carolina waved off his protest. “Still, I insist.”

  Ash glanced at Pikachu, who tilted his head.

  “…Okay,” he finally relented. “But a simple lunch is fine, Professor. We’re not picky. Right, Pikachu?”

  “Pika pika!” Pikachu agreed, his tail swishing in approval.

  With that settled, they headed back into town.

  :??(???)??:

  The afternoon sun cast short shadows across the lawn as Ash and Professor Carolina approached her home. The modest house sat nestled at the edge of Celestic Town, its wooden porch adorned with potted plants and ancient stone carvings.

  Standing in the front yard was Cynthia, a notebook in one hand and a pencil in the other. Beside her stood a Gabite, its eyes sharp, its stance unnervingly still. The Dragon-type’s scales shimmered faintly in the sunlight, giving it an almost metallic sheen.

  Carolina’s face lit up. “Cynthia! You’re home early.”

  Cynthia glanced up from her notes, her expression composed but softer than before. “Yeah. There weren’t many Pokémon around the usual spots today.” Her eyes flicked to Ash. Recognition sparked as she took in his neater appearance, a stark contrast to the worn, faded clothes he had worn the night before when they spoke at the Pokémon Center.

  “You’re the one who helped my grandmother,” she said, her tone calm with a hint of realization. “Ash, right?”

  Ash rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little self-conscious under her gaze. “Uh… yeah. Just did what was needed.”

  Cynthia’s gaze lingered just a fraction longer than necessary, her gray eyes cool and assessing, as if quietly cataloging something she couldn’t quite place. But then, she gave a slight nod, her expression neutral but not unkind.

  “Thank you,” she murmured, almost as an afterthought. But Ash caught the sincerity beneath her calm tone.

  “How was the trip, Grandma?”

  “It went well,” Carolina said with a warm smile. “Ash was a big help during the field survey.”

  “Hmm.” Cynthia’s eyes drifted back to him, a flicker of curiosity flashing before she masked it with her usual composed demeanor.

  “I’m making a late lunch for Ash as thanks. Have you eaten yet, dear?” Carolina asked.

  “Yes. Gabite and I have eaten,” Cynthia replied, her fingers brushing lightly over Gabite’s head, a subtle sign of affection.

  “Good. Well, Ash, come sit on the porch while I get things ready.”

  Ash climbed the steps, Pikachu hopping onto the railing beside him. From here, he had a clear view of Cynthia and Gabite.

  The sharp hiss of a Poké Ball opening broke the quiet.

  Ash’s eyes snapped toward Cynthia as a small, brown-and-black bird materialized in front of her.

  “Starly,” the Pokémon chirped, fluffing its feathers.

  Cynthia crouched to its level, notebook tucked beneath one arm. “All right, Starly. Here’s the deal: if you do well against Gabite, you get food. If you don’t…” She straightened, crossing her arms. “We’ll see.”

  Starly ruffled its feathers and gave a determined chirp.

  Ash blinked, his brows furrowing as he replayed her words in his head. She was standing close enough that he couldn’t have misheard her… right? He shook the thought off. ‘Maybe I’m just tired. Or hungry.’

  “Attack.”

  The Starly shot forward, wings pumping furiously. Its beak struck Gabite’s chest with surprising force. Gabite didn’t even flinch. Its claws shimmered faintly green.

  The hit landed clean. Starly squawked as it crashed to the ground and didn’t get back up.

  Cynthia recalled it with a click. “Okay,” she muttered, scribbling something down. “Weak impact. No follow-through.”

  Ash exhaled slowly. She was spot on in her observation. But something about her tone… didn’t sit right with him. He pushed the thought aside, convincing himself he was overthinking it.

  The porch door creaked softly behind him.

  “Here you go, Ash.”

  Professor Carolina’s voice was warm but gentle as she set a cool glass of lemonade beside him. Condensation glistened on the surface, tiny droplets rolling down the side. “Might help after all the walking we did today.”

  “Thanks, Professor.”

  Ash picked up the glass but barely took a sip. The tart sweetness brushed his tongue, but his mind was elsewhere. His gaze stayed locked on the field, where Cynthia stood with Gabite at her side, her posture poised, her expression unreadable.

  Carolina followed his line of sight.

  “Ah,” she murmured softly, her voice carrying a knowing weight. “That’s Cynthia’s usual process. She catches several Pokémon of the same species and tests them against Gabite.”

  Ash’s grip tightened slightly around the glass. The coolness against his palm did little to ground him.

  “…Why?”

  “To find the strongest.” Carolina’s tone was even, but there was something guarded in her eyes. “Ifany can hold their own, she keeps them. If not…”

  A heaviness settled in Ash’s chest.

  The next few minutes unfolded like a bad dream. Not bad enough to be a nightmare, but still unsettling in a way that made his skin crawl.

  Cynthia released another Starly. “Same deal. Attack.”

  It rushed in. Gabite didn’t flinch. Another Dragon Claw. Another unconscious Pokémon.

  Again.

  And again.

  And again.

  Five Starly. All caught today. All knocked out in seconds.

  Ash’s knuckles turned white around the glass as the last one crumpled to the ground. He fought the instinct to look away, but he couldn’t. His eyes stayed fixed on the battlefield, on the tiny, motionless form.

  Cynthia unclipped the Poké Balls from her belt, her movements smooth and practiced. One by one, she long-pressed their release buttons.

  Light spilled onto the grass, not the usual white shimmer of a Pokémon being sent out to battle, but the red, dim, somber glow that meant permanent release.

  Ash’s chest tightened. He knew what was coming.

  The Starly blinked, disoriented as they emerged. Their chirps were soft, confused. One fluttered to Cynthia’s feet, tilting its head as if waiting for praise or perhaps another chance.

  Cynthia barely spared them a glance. She tucked the Poké Balls back into her bag with practiced indifference.

  “I’m done testing you,” she said softly, but her tone carried no warmth. “You’re free to go.”

  The hopeful glint in their eyes vanished.

  The first Starly left, leaving a faint unease in Ash’s chest, but he brushed it aside. The others followed. When the last of them left… the unease had settled into something heavier.

  ‘Is this how the future Champion of Sinnoh catches her Pokémon?’

  Pikachu let out a low whimper beside him, his cheeks sparking faintly, sensing his partner’s unease.

  Cynthia snapped her notebook shut with a quiet thump and turned toward the porch, her movements measured, unhurried. Gabite followed, gliding behind her with smooth, effortless grace. Its claws barely disturbed the grass, each step controlled and precise.

  As she passed, her gaze met Ash’s, brief, casual, unreadable.

  But Ash felt it linger just a heartbeat too long.

  His stomach twisted, and he quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the distant treetops where the Starly had vanished. The birds were gone, but his mind was still stuck on the way they had looked back at Cynthia, hopeful, only to be met with indifference.

  A knot of discomfort settled in his chest.

  ‘Why does this feel so...’

  “…Something wrong?”

  Cynthia’s voice was calm, but Ash caught the slight shift in her tone, just enough curiosity to make him wonder if she had noticed his unease.

  Ash forced his hands to relax, prying his fingers loose from the glass he hadn’t realized he was gripping too tightly. The condensation left a faint chill on his skin.

  “No,” he said, but the tightness in his voice betrayed him. “Nothing at all.”

  Cynthia’s gray eyes lingered on him, narrowing slightly, analyzing, weighing. But whatever she was looking for, she didn’t press.

  “Alright.”

  With that, she turned and stepped inside, Gabite close behind.

  Ash let out a slow breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. But the tension didn’t leave him.

  He sat there, unmoving, the distant rustling of leaves filling the silence.

  The soft creak of wheels on wood pulled him from his thoughts.

  “Ash?”

  Carolina’s voice was gentle, the kind of warmth that felt like a soft nudge back to reality. She was pushing a small cart toward the table, plates and bowls neatly arranged, steam rising faintly from the food.

  “Come on,” she said, her tone inviting but patient. “Let’s eat.”

  Ash stood to help, quietly thanking her as he transferred the dishes. He set a small plate on the floor for Pikachu, who chirped a grateful “Pika!” before digging in, his tail swishing contentedly.

  But Ash’s mind was still elsewhere.

  As they began eating, the quiet stretched longer than usual. Carolina’s movements were steady, but her gaze flickered toward him more than once, thoughtful and observant.

  Finally, she spoke, casual, but with purpose.

  “What do you think of Cynthia’s training methods?”

  Ash’s spoon hovered midair, the question hitting harder than he expected.

  What did he think?

  His mind drifted back, back to his first days as a trainer, to Pikachu’s stubborn refusal to listen. To Charmander, left out in the rain. To Bulbasaur, standing guard over that hidden garden. To Squirtle’s mischievousness with his squad.

  Sure, sometimes strength mattered. But more often, it was instinct—a flicker of understanding that couldn’t be measured.

  Some captures happened on impulse, others after shared moments of trust.

  He thought of his team, of all their struggles and triumphs. Pikachu, who had learned to trust him through patience and persistence. Charizard, who once refused to obey but had grown into one of his most loyal partners. Even when they were weak, even when they stumbled…

  Ash never once wondered if he should’ve caught a stronger one from the same species instead.

  They grew stronger together.

  His fingers curled tighter around the spoon.

  How was he supposed to explain that?

  Carolina’s gaze was steady, her expression kind but knowing. She saw his hesitation.

  “You can be honest, Ash,” she said softly. “I won’t get mad.”

  Ash exhaled slowly, setting his spoon down with a quiet clink. He took a sip of lemonade, letting the coolness settle his thoughts.

  “I’m just a stranger, ma’am,” he murmured, his voice quieter than before. “My thoughts don’t matter.”

  Carolina’s smile was gentle, but her eyes carried a depth of understanding.

  “That’s true,” she said, her tone light but laced with something more. “You are a stranger.”

  Her gaze softened, the warmth in her voice settling over him like a comforting breeze.

  “But you don’t have to be someone important to share your thoughts.” She tilted her head slightly, her expression patient but encouraging. “Just be yourself, Ash. I gave you permission to speak your mind, remember? I’m only curious. But if you don’t want to say anything, I won’t force you.”

  Ash froze.

  Just be yourself, Ash.

  The words echoed in his mind, tugging at something deep inside.

  Celebi’s words.

  The same words that had haunted him ever since he was thrown into this past. Words that had felt like a riddle, a burden, one he couldn’t solve no matter how hard he tried.

  But now…

  For the first time, they didn’t feel like a mystery.

  They felt like a challenge.

  Pikachu paused mid-bite, his ears twitching as he sensed the change in Ash’s energy. His sharp black eyes met Ash’s, filled with quiet encouragement.

  Ash set down his glass, his movements slower, more deliberate.

  He met Carolina’s gaze, no longer clouded with doubt.

  “Strength…” His voice was quiet, but steady. “Strength comes from the bonds we share with our Pokémon.”

  Carolina’s eyes widened, her expression distant, as though his words had tugged at memories long buried. Memories of battles fought. Friendships forged.

  For a moment, the weight of the past danced in her eyes.

  Then, a soft, nostalgic smile curved her lips.

  “Well said,” she murmured, her voice soft with distant memories. “Even after all these years… that truth never changes.”

  :??(???)??: