"Gasp—!"
Just moments ago, Misty had finally begun to feel at ease around Gyarados.
But the instant Gyarados opened its eyes, she sucked in a sharp breath.
Her entire body trembled violently.
An overwhelming urge surged through her—to pull her hand back and run.
Yet just as she was about to retreat, Ash spoke again.
"Misty."
"You are the Gym Leader of the Cerulean Gym."
"You carry the responsibility of restoring and strengthening the Cerulean Gym on your shoulders."
"..."
Ash's words instantly halted her retreat.
The fear was still there.
Gyarados's powerful gaze still made her body shake like a leaf in a storm.
But she did not remove her hand.
And she did not step back.
Instead, she kept her palm firmly pressed against Gyarados's head.
"Misty."
"Look into Gyarados's eyes."
"Yes, it looks frightening."
"But it doesn't have any ill intentions."
"In fact, right now, it's filled with kindness and affection toward you."
"Never judge a Pokémon's heart by its appearance."
"Don't let fear make you narrow-minded, blind, or prejudiced."
"Gyarados is also a Water-type Pokémon."
"Treat it the same way you treat every other Water-type Pokémon."
"Feel its emotions."
"Understand its heart."
Listening to Ash's voice, Misty gradually calmed down.
Her breathing steadied.
The trembling slowly lessened.
She stared into Gyarados's eyes.
One minute.
Then two.
And little by little, she sensed what Ash had been talking about.
There was no hostility.
No aggression.
Only warmth.
Only friendliness.
Only trust.
A smile slowly appeared on her face for the second time.
And just then—
Ash spoke again.
"Valor."
"Open your mouth."
"Roar…"
Following Ash's command, the golden Gyarados slowly opened its enormous jaws.
A deep growl rumbled from its throat.
Powerful gusts of wind and overwhelming sound waves rushed toward Misty.
The smile that had just appeared vanished instantly.
Once again, the fear returned.
The childhood nightmare she thought she had escaped rose from the depths of her memory and seized her heart.
Just as she felt the urge to flee—
Ash's voice rang out once more.
"Misty."
"You want to become the world's greatest Water-type Pokémon Master."
"And Gyarados is a Water-type Pokémon."
"Why are you afraid of it?"
"You should be closer to it than anyone else."
"Think about your responsibility as a Gym Leader."
"Think about your dream."
"So open your eyes."
"Face it."
"Defeat your fear."
"And break free from the shadow of your childhood!"
Ash's voice echoed across the plaza.
"Haah…"
Taking a deep breath, Misty's expression hardened with determination.
Then—
She opened her eyes.
She looked directly at Gyarados.
Directly into those fearsome eyes.
Directly into its enormous maw.
Directly at the nightmare that had haunted her for years.
Time passed quietly.
Several minutes later—
Misty's emotions settled once again.
This time, Ash did not push her any further.
He didn't ask her to step into Gyarados's mouth or attempt anything more extreme.
After all, strong medicine was useful—but too much could become harmful.
This Gyarados was Ash's Pokémon.
Although Misty had formed a bond with it back when it was still a Magikarp, their relationship wasn't yet deep enough for anything more drastic.
The fact that she had come this far was already enough.
The rest would happen naturally when her own Magikarp eventually evolved into a Gyarados.
"Mighty…"
"I'm sorry."
After finally overcoming her fear, Misty didn't smile immediately.
Instead, guilt filled her face.
"Mighty…"
"You're actually so gentle."
"But I was afraid of you."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm really sorry."
With tears in her eyes, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Gyarados's head.
"Roar~ (^○^)"
Gyarados gently rubbed its head against her cheek.
Its affectionate response further dissolved the last remnants of fear in Misty's heart.
The next time she encountered another Gyarados, she might still feel nervous—
But she would no longer be so terrified that she couldn't move.
"Misty."
"You don't need to apologize."
"Mighty knows your story."
"It never blamed you."
Ash stepped forward and gently comforted her.
"Misty!"
"You actually did it!"
"I can't believe you really overcame your fear and touched a Gyarados!"
Daisy exclaimed excitedly.
"You were so brave!"
"If it were me, I definitely couldn't have done that."
Violet added.
"Misty, you're amazing!"
Lily said proudly.
"..."
"..."
The moment Ash's test ended, everyone rushed over.
Her three sisters.
Gary.
Green.
Clarissa.
All of them surrounded Misty, offering their congratulations.
Misty shook her head.
"Not really."
"I'm only not afraid of Mighty anymore."
"If it were someone else's Gyarados…"
"I'd probably still be scared."
She wasn't getting carried away.
She understood her own situation clearly.
"That's fine."
"The fact that you're no longer afraid of Mighty is already a huge step forward."
"I'm sure it won't be long before you completely overcome your fear of all Gyarados."
Ash smiled reassuringly.
Then his expression softened.
"Misty…"
"I'm sorry."
"I suddenly forced you to do all this."
Looking at the girl before him, Ash felt a trace of guilt.
He had always been strict with himself.
Strict with his Pokémon.
Without realizing it, he had begun applying those same standards to the people around him.
"Mm~"
Misty shook her head.
"I know you only did this for my sake."
"And honestly…"
"I'm grateful."
"If it weren't for you…"
"I don't know how long it would have taken me to overcome this fear."
"Just like you said…"
"I'm the Gym Leader of the Cerulean Gym."
"I carry the responsibility of reviving the Gym."
"And my dream is to become the world's greatest Water-type Pokémon Master."
"I can't keep running away forever."
"I want to become as amazing as you, Ash."
"I want to catch up to you."
"So from now on…"
"I'll work even harder."
Her voice was firm.
Filled with conviction.
Ash smiled.
"Yeah."
"I believe you can do it."
Then, before she could react—
He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.
"Mmph!"
With so many people watching, Misty's face instantly turned bright red.
Embarrassed.
Shy.
Yet overwhelmingly happy.
The sweet expression on her face was utterly adorable.
Nearby, Daisy, Violet, Lily, Gary, Green, and Clarissa all wore knowing smiles.
"Aww…"
The collective auntie smiles were impossible to hide.
"Alright, Misty."
Ash glanced at the station clock.
"It's already 7:30."
"There are only a little more than ten minutes before departure."
"We need to go through ticket inspection now."
"Remember our promise."
"We'll both keep getting stronger."
"And one day, we'll travel together."
"If you miss me, come visit me in Pallet Town."
"Or I'll come back to Cerulean City."
Ash gently patted her head.
"Mhm! (^▽^)"
Misty nodded obediently.
"Then…"
"We're off."
Ash turned toward the three sisters.
"Daisy, Violet, Lily."
"Thank you for taking care of us these past few days."
"When you have time, you're all welcome to visit Viridian City or Pallet Town."
With the final farewell spoken—
The moment of parting had truly arrived.
--------------
T/N:
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