Nothing noteworthy happened during the night.
The next morning arrived.
Because their train would depart at 7:45 a.m., Ash didn't take his Pokémon to the beach for their usual morning training session.
Everyone got up early, washed, dressed, and packed their belongings.
After eating breakfast in the hotel restaurant, they headed downstairs.
By then, Misty and her three sisters had already arrived in their cars outside the hotel.
Just like when Ash and the others had first arrived from Viridian City a few days ago, they once again rode in the sisters' sports cars toward Cerulean City's high-speed rail station.
Before long, they arrived.
Standing before them once again was the Mermaid Fountain Plaza where they had first met.
Back then, when Misty had come here to meet Ash, she had been nervous and shy.
But more than anything, she had been excited.
Now, standing in the exact same place once again, she knew it was time for Ash and the others to leave.
The thought made her heart ache with reluctance.
"Ash..."
"I..."
"Alright, Misty."
Ash gently rubbed her head.
"It's only a temporary separation, not a permanent goodbye."
"Besides, Viridian City and Cerulean City are connected by high-speed rail. It only takes about five hours one way."
"When I have time, I can come visit you."
"And if you miss me, you can always come to Viridian City."
His gentle words immediately soothed much of Misty's sadness.
"Mhm..."
She nodded.
Just as Ash said, it wasn't as though they would never see each other again.
She could always visit him in Viridian City.
Or he could come back to Cerulean City.
"By the way, Misty."
"Before we leave, can I ask you for a favor?"
Ash suddenly said.
"Huh?"
"What is it?"
"As long as it's something I can do, I'll definitely do it."
Misty nodded without hesitation.
"It's actually very simple."
"Valor, come out."
Ash tossed a Poké Ball.
A flash of light appeared.
The enormous golden Gyarados emerged.
"ROOOAAARRR—!!"
The massive creature towered several stories high, its body gleaming like molten gold beneath the morning sunlight.
The moment it appeared, Gyarados instinctively released a thunderous roar.
Combined with its Intimidate Ability—
Misty's face instantly turned pale.
She unconsciously stumbled backward several steps.
"Ash..."
"What are you...?"
She looked at him with both confusion and fear.
Ash met her gaze calmly.
"The favor I want to ask of you…"
"Is for you to reach out and touch Valor's head."
Misty froze.
Ash knew better than anyone how deeply she feared Gyarados.
But he also knew that she was the future Gym Leader of the Cerulean Gym.
A girl who dreamed of becoming the world's greatest Water-type Pokémon Master.
When facing life's obstacles, sometimes all someone needed was a little push.
And Ash believed Misty had already gathered enough courage to take that step.
"Valor."
"Lower your head."
"Close your eyes."
"And keep your mouth shut."
Ash gave the order directly, leaving Misty no opportunity to refuse.
"Rooo..."
Gyarados obediently complied.
The gigantic dragon lowered its head.
Its eyes closed.
Its massive jaws shut.
Then it carefully brought its head down in front of Misty.
"..."
Even though this was Ash's Gyarados.
Even though she had known and loved him back when he was still a Magikarp.
Even though he had closed his terrifying eyes and hidden his fearsome fangs.
The sheer size of that enormous head still filled Misty with instinctive terror.
She swallowed hard.
Her entire body stiffened.
Then she looked up at Ash.
His expression was serious.
There was no teasing.
No joke.
No escape.
Taking a deep breath, Misty clenched her fists.
Determination slowly replaced the fear in her eyes.
Under everyone's nervous gaze, she slowly stretched out a trembling hand.
"Gulp..."
"Gulp..."
"Gulp..."
Daisy, Violet, and Lily all felt their hearts leap into their throats.
As her sisters, they knew exactly what had happened when Misty was younger.
They knew better than anyone how deeply rooted this fear was.
Gary, Green, and Clarissa also watched nervously.
During the past few days, they had learned that although Misty adored Water-type Pokémon, Gyarados was the one exception.
The one Pokémon she truly feared.
None of them had expected Ash to make such a request right before leaving.
Yet they understood his intentions.
And deep down, every one of them hoped Misty would overcome this obstacle.
Sometimes...
The strongest medicine was exactly what a patient needed.
"Gulp..."
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Misty's trembling hand finally reached its destination.
And gently rested on top of Gyarados's head.
The instant her fingers touched the cool scales—
Her body shuddered violently.
Her face turned even paler.
But Ash said nothing.
He didn't tell her to stop.
Nor did he tell her to continue.
He simply waited.
The morning mist drifted through Mermaid Fountain Plaza.
Few people were around at this early hour.
From the nearby roadway, passing drivers could see a strangely beautiful scene.
A majestic Gyarados knelt peacefully with its head lowered.
A young girl stood before it, her hand resting gently atop its head.
Neither moved.
The image was quiet.
Warm.
Almost dreamlike.
To outsiders, it looked like a touching moment.
But for Misty, every second felt agonizing.
Fortunately, after the initial wave of fear subsided, her breathing gradually steadied.
Her expression slowly relaxed.
The cold sensation of Gyarados's scales had terrified her at first.
But as she grew accustomed to it...
A realization suddenly struck her.
Wasn't this feeling familiar?
Wasn't it exactly the same cool, watery sensation she had always loved in Water-type Pokémon?
The moment that thought appeared—
Much of her fear began to melt away.
A smile slowly appeared on her face.
Seeing that smile, Daisy, Violet, Lily, Gary, Green, and Clarissa all smiled as well.
They were genuinely happy for her.
Happy that she had finally begun overcoming the fear that had haunted her for so long.
"Has Misty already conquered her fear of Gyarados?"
Ash suddenly spoke after remaining silent all this time.
Then he shook his head.
"No."
"Not yet."
Everyone froze.
Ash looked toward Gyarados.
"Valor."
"Open your eyes."
The next instant—
The golden Gyarados slowly opened its eyes.
Like the finishing touch on a dragon painting.
Like a sleeping beast awakening.
The moment those fierce draconic eyes opened, a terrifying aura erupted outward.
The pressure that had been suppressed instantly crashed down upon everyone like a tidal wave.
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals