The forest was calm that afternoon, the kind of calm that felt almost too perfect. Sunlight dappled through the canopy in shifting patches, and the soft buzz of wild Pokémon echoed from deeper within. Bonnie strolled along with Dedenne perched on her shoulder and Chespin trotting beside her, humming a tune to herself as she nudged away low branches.
She had promised her brother she wouldn't wander too far, but there was a thrill in pretending she was the leader of her own adventure. With Dedenne and Chespin, she could handle anything.
At least, that was what she told herself.
Her steps slowed when she heard it. A faint sound, so soft it was almost hidden beneath the rustle of leaves. A cry. Not sharp like a bird Pokémon's call or playful like Chespin's chirps. This sound was low, mournful, carrying a weight that made Bonnie stop dead in her tracks.
Dedenne twitched its ears, perking up, and Chespin shuffled closer to her leg, both sensing her unease.
"Did you guys hear that?" she whispered.
The cry came again, drifting faintly on the breeze, longer this time, tinged with sorrow.
Bonnie's heart skipped. Her instincts screamed at her to turn back, to find Clemont and the others, but something stronger pulled her forward. She swallowed, squared her shoulders, and pushed past the bushes.
What she found made her breath catch.
There, by the edge of a quiet lake hidden within the trees, rested a Pokémon unlike any she had ever seen up close before. Its massive shell rose out of the water like a small island, blue hide marred by faint scars and the weight of exhaustion. A Lapras.
Bonnie froze, her small hands clenching around the straps of her bag. She had heard of Lapras before. Gentle Pokémon, often ferrying people across seas, but she had never thought she would see one herself.
This Lapras, however, did not look gentle. Its eyes were half-lidded with weariness, its breaths shallow. When it shifted, a weak ripple spread through the water, barely disturbing the surface.
Dedenne made a soft squeak, and Bonnie instinctively hushed it, as though afraid even a whisper might disturb the Pokémon's fragile rest.
For a long moment, she only stared. She wanted to call out, to run back for her brother, to do something, but the sight of Lapras stilled her. She saw not just a Pokémon, but a being clinging to the last threads of strength, holding on despite the odds.
And then, as if sensing her presence, Lapras raised its head ever so slightly. Its gaze fell upon her; not threatening, not angry, but tired. Searching.
Bonnie's breath hitched.
Without thinking, she stepped forward, heart hammering. Her small hand reached out, trembling but resolute.
Lapras did not recoil. Instead, it leaned ever so slightly toward her, its eyes softening as though recognizing something. Bonnie felt it then, the faintest brush of warmth, like the echo of a memory that didn't belong to her.
In that quiet moment, Bonnie knew. This Lapras had a story. A bond. And somehow, without words, it was trusting her to carry that secret until it could find the one it truly longed for.
She lowered her hand gently against its cool, damp skin, and whispered, "It's okay... you're safe now."
Lapras let out a low, rumbling cry, not strong, not loud, but filled with a quiet acceptance.
Bonnie kept her hand resting gently against Lapras's neck, listening to the way its slow breaths stirred the surface of the water.
Dedenne had settled quietly on her shoulder, unusually subdued, while Chespin tilted its head curiously, clearly unsure of what to make of the giant water-type.
For a moment, Bonnie felt like she was holding a secret too big for her small hands. A secret she wanted to keep safe.
That quiet was broken by the sudden crunch of footsteps on the forest floor.
Bonnie turned sharply, heart jumping into her throat, and saw three figures push their way through the brush. A girl with messy blonde hair in twin pigtails, a taller boy with a cap pulled low, and another boy trailing close behind. They all froze when they spotted her by the lakeside.
"Hey!" the girl barked, pointing accusingly. "What are you doing here?"
Bonnie instinctively drew closer to Lapras, throwing her arms out as though she could shield it. "I could ask you the same thing! Who are you?"
The girl puffed her chest proudly. "We're the Lapras Defense Force!" she declared. "I'm Heidi, the leader! And these are Jay and Kye."
The two boys nodded in quick succession. Jay offered a sheepish smile, while Kye simply adjusted his glasses and stared at Bonnie with a quiet, suspicious look.
"Lapras Defense Force...?" Bonnie repeated, blinking.
"Yeah!" Heidi crossed her arms with a defiant grin. "This Lapras is under our protection. So if you were planning on doing anything sneaky—"
"I wasn't!" Bonnie shot back, her cheeks puffing in indignation. "I was just... I found it here, and it looked like it needed help."
The three exchanged quick glances at that, and the air softened slightly.
Jay stepped forward first. "So... you weren't trying to capture it?"
Bonnie blinked. "Capture it? No! Lapras isn't mine. I wouldn't just take a Pokémon that's hurting like this!"
Her words seemed to surprise them. Kye tilted his head, studying her, while Heidi frowned, as though reevaluating her entirely.
Finally, Heidi jabbed a finger at Bonnie's shoulder. "Alright then. If you're not an enemy, prove it. Nuzzle your Dedenne with me."
Bonnie blinked. "What?"
Heidi grinned, crouching low. "It's a test of trust. If your Dedenne lets me hold it, then maybe you're not lying."
Bonnie hesitated, glancing at Dedenne. Her little partner squeaked uncertainly, sparks tickling its whiskers.
"Go on, Dedenne," Bonnie whispered softly. "She just wants to see if we can be friends."
Dedenne hopped reluctantly from her shoulder and into Heidi's waiting hands. The girl squeezed it gently, her face scrunching up in determination.
Zap.
A jolt of static made Heidi's hair stand on end as she yelped. Jay and Kye gasped, rushing forward, but Heidi only blinked through the sparks and forced a laugh. "See? Totally fine!"
She gave Dedenne back to Bonnie, who clutched it protectively, still glaring. But then she noticed the small smiles spreading across Jay's and Kye's faces. They looked... impressed.
Bonnie's frown eased a little.
Before anyone could say more, a sound echoed across the lake; a low, mournful cry, drawn out like a whisper of pain.
All four children turned back toward Lapras, who shifted uneasily, its gaze sweeping across them.
Bonnie pressed her lips together. "It needs help," she said quietly.
Heidi's grin faltered, her expression clouding. She looked away, kicking at the dirt.
Jay exchanged a look with Kye before sighing. "Bonnie... come with us. There's something you should see."
Bonnie hesitated, then nodded, hugging Dedenne close. Chespin padded at her heels as she followed the trio away from the lake, casting one last glance over her shoulder at Lapras.
Its eyes lingered on her, faint but steady, as though asking her not to forget.
[Line Break]
The path the three kids led her down was narrow, twisting through tall grass and patches of wildflowers that brushed against Bonnie's legs as she walked.
Bonnie trailed just a step behind, Dedenne perched on her shoulder again, while Chespin kept a cautious eye on the strangers. Every now and then, Bonnie would glance at them, Heidi marching in front, Jay jogging to keep up, Kye quietly scanning their surroundings.
Her thoughts buzzed restlessly.
They called themselves the Lapras Defense Force. That meant they cared about Lapras, right? But the way Heidi had shouted at her, the suspicion in Kye's stare... did they really believe she'd hurt Lapras?
Her hand curled into a fist against her chest. She wanted to prove she wasn't a threat, that she wanted the same thing they did.
But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel... proud. Proud that she had been the one Lapras let touch it. That moment was hers, no matter what they thought.
"Hey," Jay's voice broke her thoughts. He had slowed his pace until he was walking beside her. His cap shielded his eyes, but his tone was friendlier than before. "Sorry if Heidi scared you back there. She just... she really takes protecting Lapras seriously."
"I wasn't scared," Bonnie huffed, cheeks puffing.
Jay chuckled softly. "Yeah. I figured."
Heidi turned her head, calling over her shoulder without slowing. "We weren't trying to be mean. We just can't be too careful. Lapras has been through enough already."
The words made Bonnie's steps falter. She thought back to the way Lapras's cry had trembled, weak and full of something she couldn't name. Pain? Sadness? Both?
"What do you mean?" she asked quietly.
Kye glanced back at her, his glasses catching the sunlight. "You'll understand when we get there."
Bonnie swallowed her impatience. She wanted answers, but she also wanted to believe them. She hugged Dedenne closer, whispering so only it could hear. "Don't worry. We'll make sure Lapras is okay."
Dedenne squeaked softly, nuzzling against her cheek.
For the first time since leaving the lake, Bonnie felt a little steadier.
At last, the trees thinned, and the four children stepped into a small clearing where an old wooden shed stood, half-hidden under ivy. A faded tarp flapped against one side, and Bonnie could see crates stacked by the entrance, marked with odd scratches that looked like someone had tried to erase them.
"This is it," Heidi said proudly, spreading her arms wide. "Our hideout!"
Jay grinned, and Kye adjusted his glasses again, though even he looked a little proud.
Bonnie tilted her head, blinking. "Your... hideout?"
Heidi's grin softened. "Where we keep Lapras safe. Where it's been staying ever since we found it."
Bonnie's breath caught, her eyes wide. "So... you really have been taking care of it."
Jay nodded. "Yeah. And now, I think you deserve to know the whole story."
Inside the shed it smelled faintly of hay and seawater, an odd mixture that somehow felt comforting.
Wooden crates had been pushed against the walls, leaving space in the middle where a nest of blankets had been laid out. A few seashells were scattered nearby, polished smooth as though they had been collected one by one.
Bonnie's eyes softened as she looked around. There was nothing grand or fancy here, yet every small detail spoke of care. A bucket stood in the corner, half filled with water, while scraps of cloth had been stitched together into makeshift covers.
Heidi crouched near the blankets, running her hand over the fabric. Her usual brashness quieted, her shoulders dipping. "We found Lapras about two weeks ago. It was all alone, drifting near the shore. At first, we thought it was just resting, but..." She trailed off, biting her lip.
Jay took over, his voice steady but low. "There were marks on its shell. Deep ones, like it had been struck by something sharp. And it was weak. Too weak even to lift its head sometimes."
Kye adjusted his glasses, his expression darkening. "We learned soon after that it was not an accident. There had been poachers in the area, targeting Lapras and its herd. This one got away, but barely."
Bonnie's breath caught. Her arms tightened around Dedenne, who squeaked sadly. "That's awful... it must have been so scared."
Heidi nodded, her fists clenching. "It was. And we swore we would never let anyone hurt it again. That's why we became the Lapras Defense Force."
There was no laughter in her tone now, no trace of bravado. Only raw conviction.
Jay pointed at the seashells near the blankets. "Lapras seemed to like them, so we started collecting them. Little things to cheer it up, you know? Sometimes it would sing softly when we brought one back."
Kye's eyes softened behind his lenses. "It never sang for anyone else though. Only when it thought no one was listening. Like it was remembering something."
Bonnie felt her throat tighten. She remembered the warmth of Lapras's skin when it had let her touch it, the faint sadness in its eyes. She thought she understood now.
Heidi looked at her, meeting her gaze squarely. "That's why we were so harsh earlier. We didn't know if we could trust you. We've been hiding Lapras, making sure nobody finds out. Not even the adults. If the poachers learned it survived, they'd come back."
The words hung heavy in the air.
Bonnie lowered her eyes for a moment, then lifted them again with quiet determination. "I get it. You were protecting your friend. And... I want to protect it too."
The three kids exchanged glances. Heidi's shoulders eased, Jay gave the faintest smile, and even Kye nodded once.
For the first time, Bonnie felt like she was not just a guest in this secret place. She was part of it.
[Line Break]
The quiet inside the shed was broken only by the faint rustle of leaves outside and the occasional creak of wood. For a moment it felt almost safe, as if the outside world could not touch them here.
Then a sound cut through the air. A heavy crunch of boots on gravel.
The children froze. Heidi shot up to her feet, eyes narrowing, and Jay quickly stepped toward the door. Kye's hand trembled on his glasses as he peered through the small crack in the boards.
"Someone's here," he whispered.
Bonnie's heart began to pound. Dedenne twitched nervously on her shoulder, ears flicking. She followed Kye's gaze and saw the figure moving through the clearing. A tall man in a ragged coat, a sack slung over one shoulder. His face was shadowed beneath his hat, but the gleam of metal in his hand was clear enough. A capture net launcher.
Heidi's voice came out as a low growl. "It's him."
The poacher stepped closer, scanning the ground with a cruel smile curling across his lips. "I knew it," he muttered to himself. "One of the herd got away. Knew I smelled money here."
Jay's fists clenched. "We have to stop him."
But before anyone could move, there was a sharp, trembling cry from behind them. Lapras. It had risen slightly from its blankets, eyes wide with fear, body quivering as the scent of its tormentor reached it.
Bonnie's heart broke at the sound. She rushed to its side, placing a hand gently on its cool skin. "It's okay. We're here. You're not alone anymore."
The shed door rattled as the poacher's hand pushed against it. The children braced instinctively, but before the door could burst open, Lapras let out another cry. This time, though weak, it was sharper, commanding, carrying years of pain behind it.
In one motion Lapras surged forward, placing itself between Bonnie and the door. Its body trembled with effort, but the gesture was unmistakable. A shield.
Bonnie gasped, tears springing to her eyes. "Lapras..."
The door slammed open. The poacher stepped inside, his grin widening as his eyes fell on the creature. "There you are. Took me long enough."
He lifted the launcher, but before he could fire, a bolt of yellow light shot through the shed, striking the weapon with a crackle of electricity. Thunderbolt.
The man cursed, stumbling back, smoke rising from the metal.
Everyone turned toward the doorway just as Ash burst inside, Pikachu on his shoulder, sparks flying from its cheeks. Clemont, Serena, Bonnie's brother, and Korrina followed close behind, eyes widening at the scene.
For an instant, time seemed to freeze.
Lapras's gaze lingered on Ash, soft and searching, and Pikachu answered with a quiet murmur that only deepened the silence. For that single instant, there was warmth, a recognition that stretched back to shared journeys and the sea's open expanse.
But then Ash's hand curled into a fist at his side. His breathing grew sharper, shoulders tightening as if a storm had broken loose inside him.
Pikachu's tail lashed against the ground, sparks dancing across its cheeks.
Serena, standing close, saw it first. The soft light in Ash's eyes had hardened, his jaw set in a way she had never seen before. "Ash..." she whispered, her voice trembling with unease.
He did not look at her. His gaze had already locked onto the poacher.
Ash's fists clenched tighter. "You... you're the one who did this," he growled, his voice low but edged with fury. "You hunted Lapras's family."
The poacher smirked, utterly unrepentant. "That's right. This one's the last. A rare prize, worth more than—"
"Shut up!" Ash's shout tore through the clearing, startling even his friends. His usual warmth was gone, replaced by something jagged, something dark. "How dare you... how dare you hurt them!"
Pikachu felt the same fire searing in its chest. Without waiting for a command, it bolted forward, electricity blazing wildly across its body. Its fur bristled, and its eyes burned with the same rage as Ash's.
"Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!" Ash's voice cracked with venom.
Pikachu launched itself like a lightning bolt, its entire form cloaked in blinding energy. It slammed into the poacher's Pokémon with reckless force, sending them crashing back. The recoil tore through its small body, but Pikachu ignored it, shaking with fury, sparks still surging uncontrollably.
"Again!" Ash roared, his voice raw, his eyes unyielding. "Keep going, Pikachu!"
Pikachu obeyed without hesitation. Another Volt Tackle, then another. The impact was brutal, almost savage. Each strike carried not just power, but anger, grief, vengeance. The poacher's mocking grin faltered as his Pokémon staggered and fell.
Ash stepped forward, trembling, his face pale but furious. His friends called out to him, but their voices seemed distant, drowned beneath the storm raging in him. All he could see was Lapras, wounded and alone, all he could hear were the poacher's cruel words.
For the first time, Ash and Pikachu were united not in hope, but in rage.
The clearing shook with every impact. Pikachu hurled itself forward again, body wreathed in blinding electricity, and crashed into the poacher's Pokémon with a force that made the ground tremble. The recoil ripped through its small frame, yet it staggered back up, teeth gritted, sparks still burning across its cheeks.
"Ash, stop! Pikachu's hurting itself!" Clemont's voice cracked with panic, but Ash barely heard him. His eyes were locked on the poacher, his chest heaving with fury.
"Keep going, Pikachu!" Ash shouted. His throat was raw, his voice almost breaking. "They don't deserve to get back up! They don't deserve mercy!"
Pikachu charged again, another Volt Tackle, its cry more like a snarl than a shout. Each strike was heavier, more reckless, its movements wobbling with exhaustion but never slowing. It did not care about the pain tearing through its body. It understood Ash's rage. It shared it.
The poacher stumbled back, fear flashing across his face for the first time as his Pokémon crumpled under the relentless assault. He raised an arm to shield his eyes from the blinding light, muttering, "This... this isn't normal."
Serena's hands were trembling. She had seen Ash determined, she had seen him stubborn, but this... this was different. "Ash, please! You'll destroy Pikachu like this!" Her voice broke, but it did not reach him.
Ash's fists were shaking, his expression twisted with grief and fury. "Do it, Pikachu!" he screamed. "One more! Don't stop until they—"
Pikachu lunged again, electricity flaring wild and unstable around its battered body. The recoil from each strike was piling on, slowing its steps, but still it pushed forward, eyes blazing with the same anger that filled Ash.
The poacher stumbled back, cornered now, clutching at his last Poké Ball with trembling fingers.
Ash's voice ripped through the clearing, hoarse and furious. "Finish it, Pikachu! Don't let them walk away from this!"
Pikachu let out a shrill cry and hurled itself forward, its small body wrapped in raging light. The ground scorched beneath its feet, the air vibrating with raw energy.
Then a sound cut through it all.
A long, trembling cry—Lapras's voice, sharp and desperate, echoing through the clearing like a plea.
Pikachu skidded, its electricity flickering. Ash's head snapped around, his eyes wide.
Lapras pushed itself forward, weak as it was, and stretched its neck out toward Ash and Pikachu. Its eyes were full of pain, but not from its wounds. They begged. They pleaded. Not for itself, but for them.
The fury in Ash's chest cracked. His breath shuddered, his fists loosening as the storm inside him broke apart. Pikachu stumbled, the glow around it fading, sparks twitching weakly as it collapsed to its knees, chest heaving.
For a moment, the forest was silent except for the labored breaths of boy and Pokémon.
Ash's eyes stung. He looked at Lapras, at Pikachu, and realised what he had almost done.
Ash's hands shook at his sides, his chest heaving like he had just run a marathon. Pikachu wobbled back to him, sparks still flickering weakly across its fur, its body trembling from the toll of the repeated Volt Tackles.
Lapras lowered its head, eyes still fixed on the boy it once trusted, the boy it still remembered. Its cry had been enough to stop him, but the weight of silence pressed hard now.
Ash's throat felt tight. He wanted to speak, to explain himself, but no words came.
Then he felt a hand on his arm.
"Ash."
Serena's voice was soft, careful, but steady. When he turned, he found her eyes on him, not angry, not afraid, but filled with worry. Her grip was gentle, but firm enough to stop the trembling in his arm.
"This isn't you," she said quietly. "Not the Ash I know. Not the Ash Pikachu believes in."
He looked at her, eyes wide, mouth parting as though to argue, but nothing came out. Instead, he turned to Pikachu, who panted heavily at his feet, gaze wavering but still resolute. Pikachu had followed him into that fury without hesitation... and almost destroyed itself for it.
Ash's shoulders slumped, his anger crumbling into something heavier. Guilt. He crouched down, scooping Pikachu into his arms, holding it close as his head bowed.
"...I'm sorry," he whispered, not just to Pikachu, but to Lapras, to Serena, maybe even to himself.
Serena knelt beside him, her hand resting lightly on his back, staying there as the weight of the moment finally broke him down.
Ash held Pikachu close, Serena still steadying him with her touch. The silence hung heavy, broken only by the sound of Ash's uneven breaths.
Then Lapras let out a soft, weak cry. It was faint, trembling, but enough to draw every eye back to it. The great Pokémon swayed where it rested, exhaustion etched into every line of its body.
Clemont stepped forward, his voice tight with urgency. "Ash, everyone... Lapras needs help now."
Ash looked up, his eyes softening as he finally registered just how frail his old friend was. He nodded, swallowing hard, and rose to his feet with Pikachu still in his arms.
"Let's get to the Pokémon Centre," he said, his voice steadier now, though quiet.
Serena gave him a small nod, and together they moved quickly through the forest. Bonnie hurried ahead with Dedenne and Chespin, calling back encouragements for Lapras to hold on. Clemont kept glancing at Lapras's condition, calculating the best pace they could manage without worsening its state.
Behind them, Lapras followed, its breaths labored but its gaze fixed firmly on Ash. Even in its weakness, it pushed forward, trusting him to lead the way.
The storm clouds had broken apart, letting stray beams of light filter through the canopy. They cut across the forest path in long stripes, guiding their way toward the town ahead.
[Line Break]
The group burst from the treeline and onto the path that led into town, Ash running at the front with Pikachu in his arms, Serena close by his side. Clemont and Bonnie hurried behind, urging Lapras forward with every step.
By the time they reached the doors of the Pokémon Centre, Ash's heart was pounding so hard he could barely breathe. He shoved the doors open.
"Nurse Joy!" His voice cracked with desperation. "Please, you have to help Lapras, it's hurt bad!"
Nurse Joy rushed from behind the counter, her Chansey close at her side. The moment her eyes landed on Lapras, her expression shifted into urgent focus. "Quickly, bring it inside."
The group crowded around as Lapras was guided into the emergency room. Chansey hurried to steady it, and Nurse Joy began barking instructions to the staff. The sound of machines powering on and the urgent bustle of care filled the air.
Ash lingered by the doorway, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides, Pikachu still nestled weakly in his arms. Serena stood with him, her presence grounding him, while Clemont pulled Bonnie back to give the nurses space.
After a tense stretch of silence, Nurse Joy reappeared, removing her gloves with a sigh. Her expression softened as she faced them. "Lapras will be all right. It was weak and exhausted, but nothing beyond our treatment. With rest, it will make a full recovery."
Ash's knees nearly gave out as the weight left his chest. He tightened his hold on Pikachu and whispered, "Thank you."
Ash let out a long breath, relief flooding through him. He looked down at Pikachu in his arms, who gave a faint but reassuring smile. Then his gaze shifted to Bonnie and the three kids, who stood a little off to the side, worry still painted on their faces.
He walked toward them, his steps slow but certain. "Bonnie... everyone..." His voice caught for a moment, but he pushed on. "Thank you. You protected Lapras, even when it put you in danger. If it weren't for you, I... I don't know if we would have gotten here in time."
Bonnie shuffled her feet, her eyes wide at the weight in Ash's tone. "I couldn't just leave it. Lapras needed us."
Jay, Kye, and Heidi nodded in quiet agreement. Jay added softly, "We didn't want anyone to find out... but if Bonnie hadn't said anything, Lapras..." He trailed off, unable to finish.
Ash crouched down so he was level with them, still holding Pikachu close. His expression softened. "You all did the right thing. You were brave. And I'm really grateful... because Lapras is an old friend of mine."
The three kids blinked in surprise, exchanging glances, before Heidi whispered, "An old friend...?"
Ash smiled faintly, though his eyes glistened. "Yeah. We traveled together once, a long time ago. And now... you helped me see it again."
Serena watched from behind, her chest tightening at the raw honesty in Ash's words. For the first time since the storm, she saw not the fury that had scared her, but the Ash she knew. The boy who carried the weight of his friends, Pokémon and people alike, and never stopped caring.
The next morning, the Pokémon Centre was quiet, sunlight streaming through the tall windows in soft golden beams. The children padded carefully down the hallway, their footsteps light, not wanting to wake anyone as they crept toward the recovery ward.
When they pushed the door open, they froze.
Ash was there, slumped forward in a chair beside Lapras's bed, fast asleep with Pikachu curled in his lap. His hand rested gently on Lapras's fin, as though even in sleep he needed to keep the connection alive.
And he was not alone. Serena sat beside him, her posture straight but her head tilted slightly as she watched him sleep. The faintest smile touched her lips, though her eyes were shadowed with exhaustion. She had not left his side all night either.
Lapras stirred at the sound of the door, its eyes fluttering open. A low, soft cry filled the room, warm and relieved. Ash blinked awake at the sound, lifting his head groggily before realizing where he was.
"Lapras..." His voice was still thick with sleep, but when he saw the Pokémon awake and alert, his face lit up with quiet joy.
Pikachu stretched in his lap, letting out a cheerful squeak as it hopped onto Lapras's fin. The three shared a look, silent but full of meaning, as if time had never passed at all.
Serena exhaled softly, her smile widening. "Looks like someone stayed right where he needed to be."
The kids at the doorway exchanged glances, their surprise slowly giving way to small smiles of their own.
The children lingered in the doorway, hushed and hesitant. None of them dared to step forward, not wanting to shatter the fragile, tender moment unfolding before them.
Ash leaned closer, speaking softly to Lapras as his hand traced over its cool skin. "I'm glad you're safe... I thought I lost you again." His voice caught slightly, the emotions of the night spilling through in the quiet. Pikachu pressed against him, as if to reassure him too, its cheeks sparking gently.
Lapras responded with another low cry, softer this time, almost like a whisper of comfort. Ash closed his eyes, and for a moment it was as though the world outside the room had vanished.
Serena had not moved. She simply watched, her hands clasped lightly in her lap, her gaze resting on Ash with a softness that spoke volumes. There was no need for words. She understood him, she understood what this reunion meant.
Bonnie's lips parted as if to say something, but Clemont gently placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. Together with Korrina, they stepped back from the door. None of them spoke. They knew instinctively that this was not a scene to intrude upon.
The door eased shut with the faintest click, leaving the room wrapped in its quiet intimacy once more.
[Line Break]
The next morning dawned bright and clear, a golden sunlight streaming over the Pokémon Center as though the storm of the previous night had never existed. The group gathered outside in the fresh air, their Pokémon at their sides, waiting for Nurse Joy's word. When she finally stepped out with a gentle smile, everyone leaned forward in anticipation.
"Lapras has recovered," she announced. "It was exhausted, but thanks to your care and support, it has regained its strength."
A cheer erupted from Bonnie, Clemont, and Korrina, and Pikachu let out a delighted cry as it leapt onto Ash's shoulder. Ash himself exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Serena's smile mirrored his own, soft and relieved, as the two of them followed Nurse Joy around to the back where Lapras was resting.
The sight that greeted them made Ash's heart swell. Lapras lifted its head the moment it saw them, eyes bright with recognition, and let out a warm, melodic cry. Ash ran forward without hesitation, throwing his arms around its neck, Pikachu following close with a joyful cheer.
The others soon joined in, laughing as they splashed a little water while greeting the gentle Pokémon. Bonnie even stretched out her arms wide, declaring, "You're part of our family now!" Lapras leaned down, brushing its head against her in a gesture of trust.
Ash stepped back then, holding a Poké Ball in his hand. He looked into Lapras's eyes, his tone both firm and tender. "Lapras... I don't want to lose you again. If you're willing, I'd like for you to travel with me. Not as a memory, but as my partner."
There was a pause, a breathless silence. Then Lapras gave a long, ringing cry, nodding its head as if in agreement.
Ash threw the Poké Ball. The red light enveloped Lapras, and after a brief struggle the ball clicked shut with a satisfying chime. Ash picked it up with trembling hands, raising it high as the group cheered.
"Yay! Lapras will travel with us!" Bonnie jumped with excitement, her face glowing.
Clemont pushed up his glasses with a proud smile, while Korrina nudged Ash lightly in the shoulder. "You two were meant to reunite," she said warmly.
Serena simply stood close, her smile lingering quietly on him, her eyes shining with something softer and more private.
The day moved quickly after that. With Lapras safe and officially by Ash's side, the group spent one last hour celebrating together by the sea. Lapras reappeared in the water, splashing playfully as Pikachu rode on its back, laughter echoing across the waves. Even Bonnie managed to clamber up, squealing as Lapras carried her gently through the surf.
Finally, as the sun tilted toward afternoon, it was time to move on. Their journey to Coumarine City beckoned.
Ash stood at the front of the group, Pikachu perched proudly on his shoulder, Lapras's Poké Ball secure at his side. He turned once more to the sea, his voice low but resolute. "We'll keep moving forward. Together."
Finally, as the sun tilted toward afternoon, it was time to move on. Their journey to Coumarine City beckoned.
Ash stood at the front of the group, Pikachu perched proudly on his shoulder, Lapras's Poké Ball secure at his side. He turned once more to the sea, his voice low but resolute. "We'll keep moving forward. Together."
With that, the group set out, their laughter and chatter carrying along the path, while behind them the waves rolled on, carrying the promise of new journeys still to come.
AS THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!
Happy Birthday to Me 🎉 Happy Birthday to Me 🎉
A special release for my dear readers, a gift from my side. So please show some love to the story with powerstones and comments. Add the story to your library, leave a few reviews, and share it with your friends.
You can also support me on Patreon, and read upto 50 chapters ahead, at patreon.com/PoKeFaN1203