The road to Olivine City was rougher and longer than they had imagined.
After several days of continuous travel, Ash and his companions finally found an ideal campsite beside a crystal-clear lake.
"The water is so cool!" Ash crouched by the lake, scooped up a handful of water, and splashed it onto his face. The refreshing chill immediately washed away his exhaustion from the road.
To let all their partners relax, the three of them released their Pokémon.
Ash's current team consisted of Pikachu, his ever-present companion, the gentle Bayleef, the newly evolved Kirlia, the lively Eevee, and his recent captures, Jigglypuff and Swinub.
Mewtwo had also temporarily joined their large family. Since Team Rocket would not be pursuing them for the time being, it would be good for Mewtwo to spend more time interacting with the other Pokémon.
After evolving, Typhlosion had been sent back to the lab to undergo specialized Fire-type training alongside Houndoom and the pack of Houndour.
Brock had Graveler, Steelix, Stantler, Golbat, and Pineco with him, while Misty had Psyduck, Poliwhirl, Goldeen, and Starmie.
All kinds of Pokémon roamed freely around the lakeshore, creating a peaceful and harmonious scene.
Misty carefully set up the dining table in the clearing and admired her work with satisfaction. "Everything's ready over here! Brock, is the food done yet?"
However, Brock, who was tending the fire, did not respond.
A thought occurred to Ash. He remembered that Brock had indeed fallen ill during this part of the original story.
When he walked closer, he found Brock staring blankly ahead, his face flushed red.
"I hope it isn't what I think it is..." Ash prayed silently as he gently patted Brock on the shoulder.
The moment he did, Brock collapsed to the side.
Ash hurriedly caught him and placed a hand against his forehead. "He's burning up! He has a high fever."
Misty rushed over to check as well and immediately panicked. "What are we going to do?"
"Let's take him to the cabin so he can rest." Ash supported Brock, and as he felt the heat radiating from his body, guilt welled up inside him.
Throughout their travels, Brock had always taken meticulous care of everyone, yet none of them had considered that he might become exhausted too.
After settling Brock into bed, Ash analyzed the situation. "We've been traveling too quickly lately. Brock has also been responsible for cooking and caring for the Pokémon. On top of that, the sudden temperature changes after we came down from the snowy mountain must have made him sick."
Misty looked worriedly at Brock. "Then let's stay here for another day. We can set out again after he recovers."
"No... I still have to look after the Pokémon, boil water, and cook..."
Ash immediately held him down. "No. You're sick, so you need to rest! Leave everything to me."
Faced with Ash's insistence, Brock finally relented and handed over his notebook. "If there's anything you don't understand, you can check this..."
However, the densely packed notes and instructions left Misty dizzy. "It's all written down in great detail, but I still don't know where to begin."
Ash took a deep breath and sent his consciousness into the system interface.
He exchanged his points for three abilities: "Master-level Cooking," "Master-level Medical Expertise," and "Master-level Life Skills." Although it cost him a third of his World Points, it was worth it for his friend.
"Don't worry. Leave everything to me," Ash said confidently.
Misty eyed him skeptically. "Can you really do it?"
"Just watch!"
Ash then extended his right hand and placed his fingers against Brock's wrist. After closing his eyes and feeling his pulse for a moment, he devised his own treatment plan.
Ash wasted no time and immediately began assigning tasks. "Pineco and Golbat, you two look after Brock. Steelix and Graveler, take a few of the others and keep watch around the campsite. Swinub, use your Ice-type moves to help cool him down."
Watching Ash direct the Pokémon in an orderly manner, Misty could not help feeling surprised.
Ever since she had met Ash, he had always excelled in battles and when dealing with dangerous situations. Now, however, he was showing an unexpected level of calm and competence in everyday matters too.
"Misty, you should eat first," Ash said gently. "The food Brock made is already done. I'm going to cook some porridge especially for him."
As Misty watched Ash busily working in front of the stove, waves of warmth rose in her heart.
Who would have thought Ash had been hiding a talent like this? He really was full of surprises!
Once the porridge was ready, Ash filled a bowl and handed it to Misty. "Try it and tell me how it tastes."
Misty carefully scooped up a spoonful, gently blew on it to cool it down, and placed it in her mouth.
The next second, her eyes lit up. "It's delicious! I never knew you were such a good cook!"
Ash smiled faintly and added the medicinal herbs Bayleef had gathered to the pot. "I'll let it simmer a little longer. Once Brock drinks it and gets a good night's sleep, he should recover by tomorrow."
When Ash brought over the medicinal porridge and fed it to Brock, the usually strong young man's eyes glimmered with emotion. "Thank you, Ash..."
"Get some rest. You'll feel better tomorrow," Ash said softly.
Under the effects of the medicinal herbs, Brock soon fell into a deep sleep.
After leaving the cabin, Ash immediately wrapped an arm around Misty. "Now we finally get to enjoy some time alone together!"
Misty's face instantly turned bright red. "Brock is still right inside! How can you already be thinking about that?"
"I can't help it. I've been holding back for too long..."
Night fell, and Misty sat beside Ash on the grass near the lake.
The sky full of stars was reflected across the lake's surface, as if the entire Milky Way had fallen into the tranquil water.
"Ash," Misty said softly, "thank you for today. If you hadn't been here, I really wouldn't have known what to do."
Ash turned to look at her. Under the moonlight, Misty's profile looked especially gentle. He reached out and pinched her pretty cheek. "We're a team. Of course we should take care of each other."
A light breeze swept past, and Misty unconsciously moved a little closer to Ash.
Seeing this, Ash pulled her tightly against him.
"Misty, there's something I've always wanted to ask you," Ash said quietly. "You're afraid of Gyarados because of what happened when you were little, but why are you so afraid of Bug-type Pokémon too?"
Misty froze for a moment, not expecting Ash to ask her that.
"Isn't it normal for girls to be afraid of bugs? They're hideous, and some of them are even scarier after they evolve!"
"But your dream is to become a Water Pokémon Master." Ash's tone grew serious. "What will you do if an opponent takes advantage of your weakness one day and sends out six Bug-type Pokémon? Will you run away?"
Misty fell silent. Ash's words struck her like a heavy hammer, forcing her to confront the problem she had always avoided.
"Fear itself isn't frightening. What's frightening is refusing to face it," Ash continued. "Your fear of Gyarados is something you have to overcome. As a future Water Pokémon Master, Gyarados could very well become your ace."
Misty raised her head and met Ash's determined gaze.
At that moment, it was as though she could see within his eyes a brave version of herself who faced every challenge head-on.
"I believe you can overcome these fears." Ash gently took her hand. "Because you're Misty, the Water-type Pokémon Trainer who never admits defeat."
Misty stared at him in surprise. She had never imagined Ash would encourage her like this. In the past, he had never asked about such things.
Ash stroked her head. "You'll overcome both of these obstacles. I believe in you."
He believed in me?
After returning to her tent, Misty kept thinking about Ash's words.
Did he really have that much faith in me?
...
RedX43's Note:
➤ Want More? Get up to +25 Extra Chapters on Patreon!
➤ [email protected]/RedX43
➤ +200 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter Drop!
➤ Consider giving a review or leave some comments, it help boost the story!
➤ Thanks for reading! 🙌