Elysia's emotions churned within her, a mix of doubt about herself and regret from what she said to her partner clouding her thoughts. Even after taking Gible to the Pokémon Center for recovery, the little dragon type remained withdrawn, refusing to emerge from its poké ball as if mirroring Elysia's own reluctance to face the world. Owen and Adrian, sensing her need for space, maintained a respectful distance, understanding that the wounds were more than physical. Elysia, wrapped in the shadows of her own emotions, wasn't ready to share the details with her friends.

Owen, sensing the heaviness in the air, cautiously approached the psychic boy.

"Hey, Adrian. Do you think now's the right time to talk to Elysia? She's been through a lot, and we can't just stand by and watch."

But Adrian, seemingly unaffected by the suggestion, gazed into the distance with his signature calm demeanor. Owen, frustrated by his apparent detachment, spoke up.

"Look, I get it. You might not see me as a friend, but we share a friendship with Elysia. We can't leave her alone in this!"

Adrian finally turned his gaze to him, his purple eyes piercing through the young boy’s insistence.

"Elysia knows we're here. But right now, she needs time to navigate her own emotions. Pushing her to be open about them might do more harm than good. Let her find her way back, Owen."

Owen, now more upset by Adrian's composed demeanor, couldn't hold back his annoyance. "You know, Adrian, for someone with psychic abilities, you seem to lack a basic understanding of when a friend needs help. It's not about pushing her; it's about showing we care."

But Adrian, maintaining his calm, delivered a straightforward response. "Owen, you can't comprehend what's going on in Elysia's mind. You don't have the burden of being the child of renowned figures, expected to meet everyone's expectations. Even I, with psychic parents, can't fully grasp her situation. All we can do is be here when she's ready."

Adrian's words struck a nerve, leaving Owen momentarily at a loss for words. He stammered, attempting to find a counterargument.

“Why should Elysia conform to others' expectations?” he finally asked. “She’s the daughter of the World Monarch and Kalos Queen, but that doesn’t mean she can’t forge her own path!”

Adrian's response was stern. "That's the kind of answer I would expect from someone who’s completely clueless,” he said with a scornful tone as if he was imparting a lesson to someone detached from his world. “Since Elysia decided to embark on a journey to become a Pokémon trainer, an inherent set of expectations has surrounded her, from within and from others, whether her parents meant it or not. It's a kind of 'curse' she must eventually grapple with. Trust me, I've lived with similar burdens and understand more than you think."

Owen, confused and feeling as if Adrian had shown him an invisible wall between him and the two children of renowned legend, couldn’t find an answer. He gave up trying to convince him to lift Elysia’s spirits and gave a last statement.

“Well. I’m not the kind of person who waits and does nothing.”

Adrian, unfazed, acknowledged Owen's decision.

“I won’t stop you, but before you venture into this task, ask yourself this”, he said as he turned his back as he was about to leave the scene. “Are your actions genuinely motivated by helping Elysia, or are they just an excuse to make yourself feel better?”

Adrian left for the Pokémon Center, Owen remained in contemplation, grappling with the weight of those last words. He shrugged them off, confident in his own way to approach the situation and optimistic on his way to help his friend.

As Adrian walked back to Turffield’s Pokémon Center, the weight of Elysia's situation lingered in his mind. Despite his psychic skills, he felt a sense of powerlessness in helping her. The burden of legacies and high expectations were something he understood all too well, and yet he couldn’t find the right approach to them.

Then, as he neared his destination, his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice who greeted him with the usual warmth tone.

“Oh, my... Is that really you, Adrian? You’ve grown so much since I saw you!” a man said, catching the boy’s attention.

At first, Adrian couldn't quite place him, but as he approached, recognition dawned on him, his eyes wide opened as an unusual and genuine sensation of surprise filled his soul.

----------------------------------------

Sitting alone on a weathered bench beneath the sheltering branches of a tall tree, Elysia clasped Gible's poké ball tightly in her hands. The atmosphere around her echoed with a somber tone, mirroring the whirlpool of emotions churning within her. As she reflected on the events that transpired, the weight of regret and self-doubt seemed to cast a heavy shadow over her.

The memories of the harsh words she uttered in the heat of the battle lingered, haunting her like a wicked Ghastly. The pain of her own actions stung deeper than any defeat she'd experienced. It felt like a regression, a return to the time when Gible was merely an egg, and she tirelessly worked to nurture the bond with her yet unborn Pokémon.

Gazing into the poké ball, she couldn't help but wonder if her recent actions had irreparably damaged the connection she'd forged with Gible. Despite her numerous attempts to apologize, the ball remained closed, a silent testament to the barrier that had emerged between them.

As other trainers traversed the area, their glances bore varying shades of recognition and judgment. Some turned their heads with a nod of acknowledgment, a silent understanding of her lineage, while others couldn't conceal the subtle expressions that hinted at disappointment. The expectations tied to being Ash's child weighed heavily on her shoulders, and the unspoken judgment only added to the burden she carried.

Owen, having finally made his decision to intervene, approached the bench where Elysia sat, the weight of Adrian's words still lingering in his mind. Taking a deep breath, he attempted to initiate a conversation, his nerves evident in the shaky start.

"H-Hello, Elysia," Owen began tentatively, eyeing her troubled expression. "I-It's a lovely morning, don't you think?"

Elysia sighed, her response a mere exhalation of the heavy emotions she carried. She didn't acknowledge Owen's attempt to lighten the atmosphere, and he quickly sensed the futility of his well-intentioned intrusion. Maybe Adrian's words held more truth than what he wanted to admit.

"I know you're still upset about the result," Owen continued, attempting to steer the conversation towards encouragement. "But I remember what your dad always says: to never give up!"

Elysia's response cut through the air with an unfamiliar coldness, catching Owen off guard.

"Owen, I appreciate you trying to cheer me up, but right now, the last thing I want to listen to is one of my father's famous quotes." The words hung in the air, creating an uncomfortable tension between them.

Owen shrugged his shoulders, a mix of embarrassment and impotence filling him, as if his good intentions were once again mistimed

.

"I-I'm sorry, Elysia... I don't know what to do or say to make you feel better. But maybe if you could tell me..."

"Just leave me alone for a while, okay?"

Elysia's words were like ice shards piercing his soul. The fact that Adrian was right from the beginning also took a toll on the young trainer. He just nodded, a knot in his throat making it difficult to find more words. Fulfilling his friend's wishes, Owen left, the weight of his own inadequacy hanging heavy in the air.

Elysia continued contemplating Gible's poké ball, holding it tightly as if she were trying to reach her feelings through it.

"I didn’t mean to..." she said, a pair of teardrops falling. An apology that was not just directed towards her partner but also extended to her loyal friend who had tried to comfort her. The weight of her actions pressed on her heart, and the poké ball seemed to hold the echoes of her regrets.

Suddenly, and as Elysia looked down, the unexpected and familiar growl interrupted her moment of melancholy. Turning to her left, she was surprised to find Pikachu right beside her, greeting her with its cheerful demeanor.

"P-Pikachu?! What are you doing here?!" Elysia exclaimed, a mix of confusion and surprise replacing her previous melancholy. Pikachu nuzzled against her cheek, showing affection as if they had been separated for quite a long time. "Ok, ok! I'm also happy to see you again!"

A smile crossed her face as she received Pikachu's care, but then realization struck. If Pikachu was there, that meant...

"It hasn't been that long, but we still missed you, Pikacharm," the tender voice of Elysia's father came from behind, startling her. She turned to meet him, and under other circumstances, she would have launched herself towards her dad's arms in celebration. However, this time, she could barely meet him eye to eye.

Merely meters away from father and daughter’s reunion, Owen stared at the scene unfolding with a mix of excitement and anxiety dominating him.

“I-I-It’s him! T-The!” he stammered, trying to say Ash's name, but he couldn't mutter the words. His hands fumbled with his device to control his cameras and finally get the picture he had sought after for quite long in order to add it to his almanac.

“Indeed it’s him: Ash, current World Monarch and Elysia’s father,” Adrian completed his statement, his normally stoic expression still showing a hint of surprise. "This is something I could have never expected. Perhaps now, Elysia will find the comfort and encouragement none of us could provide."

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As Ash approached Elysia, a sense of unease and shame gripped her. Pikachu hopped from her shoulder to Ash's. Elysia couldn't shake off the discomfort that her father's unexpected arrival brought to her troubled heart.

“Dad, why are you here?” she asked with unfamiliar coldness.

Ash, with a warm smile that tried to appease her spirits, responded.

“Well, remember that the World Coronation Series is in little less than a year, so I had to come here and help prepare the next batch of exhibition matches. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to come by and see how you’ve been.”

Elysia, however, was not convinced. Her expression showed she was even more upset at her father's obvious lie and turned her gaze to the ground, avoiding eye contact with him.

“It’s not the best moment, dad. I-I cannot even look at you.”

"Pikacharm, I know that what happened is bothering you," Ash said, his tone a bit forced since he tried to hide his concern since Elysia’s state of mind seemed to be worse than he expected. "I may not understand everything, but I'm here for you. We can talk about it."

Elysia hesitated, unsure if she was ready to open up to her father.

"Dad, I appreciate it, but it's complicated. I just need some time."

Pikachu, sensing the tension, nuzzled against Elysia, offering silent comfort. Ash nodded, respecting her feelings.

"Alright, take your time. Just remember, I'm here whenever you're ready."

Ash sat down beside Elysia on the worn wooden bench, and a heavy silence enveloped them. Turffield's serene surroundings seemed to contrast sharply with the turmoil in Elysia's heart. She stared ahead, not meeting her father's gaze, as her mind replayed the events of her recent defeat.

The air was thick with emotions—regret, frustration, and a looming sense of inadequacy. Elysia's eyes glistened with unshed tears, mirroring the vulnerability she felt. Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, exchanged a concerned glance with its trainer.

"I remember losing my very first gym battle against your uncle Brock," Ash began, his voice carrying a weight of understanding. "And your mother lost her first showcase due to a silly mistake too. It was harsh, I know, and I understand very well. But the only thing we can do is to learn from that, see what we did wrong, and try next time."

Elysia listened, but her silence spoke volumes. Ash wished he could take away her pain, make her see that setbacks were a part of the journey. Yet, he sensed the layers of complexities in Elysia's emotions.

"Were you and Mom also the children of famous and renowned people?" she suddenly asked, her tone revealing the depth of her inner turmoil.

"Well, we were not, but..."

"Then you can't understand how I really feel, Dad," she interrupted, sinking to her knees. "I didn't just embarrass myself but you and Mom too."

"Oh, Pikacharm. You could never..." Ash tried to interject, wanting to reassure her, but Elysia continued.

"I know you and Mom will love and support me no matter what, but try to understand," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "Not only will other people always put high expectations on me, but I do too! And not only did I lose in an embarrassing way, but I lashed out against Gible, and I just feel horrible for that and… and."

Her voice faltered, and Elysia couldn't continue. The weight of her remorse and anxieties spilled out, and she leaned into Ash's comforting embrace. Pikachu, sensing the somber moment, nestled against Elysia's side, offering silent companionship.

"And what kind of trainer has her father travel thousands of miles just to comfort her? You're spoiling me like a rich kid!" she exclaimed amidst her emotional discharge.

The humor in her words resonated with Ash, and a genuine laugh escaped him.

“Well… technically you are. I mean, have you seen your mother’s income?”

As the minutes passed and Elysia's anxious energy began to subside, Ash gently wiped away the lingering tears from her cheeks.

"Ok, I’m sorry about that. I may have been a bit… well, very overprotective coming all this way from Kanto, but since I’m already here I want you to listen to what I have to say, okay?" he said with a soft yet firm tone, his hands tenderly brushing away the remnants of her distress.

"First, you're right. I can only imagine what you feel about being in the spotlight just because you're our daughter. And I'm sorry to tell you, Pikacharm. But it is the burden of having decided to follow my steps," Ash spoke with a kindly honesty, his words carrying the weight of experience. Elysia nodded reluctantly, accepting her father's shared insight.

"Secondly, and I want you to be sure of, is that there will be nothing you’ll do that will disappoint either me or your mom. We deeply love you and know the kind of beautiful person you are. So brush off that weight, okay?" Ash's voice, filled with reassurance, slightly lifted the burden of expectations that had momentarily overwhelmed Elysia.

"Now, ask yourself what you did wrong," Ash continued. Elysia recaped every moment of her previous battle, searching for the precise moment she lost her focus.

"I was so afraid of what others expected of me that I didn't concentrate nor consider Gible's feelings," she admitted, feeling a regenerating relief after having said that.

"Good," Ash said as he nodded as he approved and appreciated his daughter's honesty. "So what do you have to do now?"

Ash's words hung in the air, carrying a profound truth that resonated with Elysia. The gentle breeze whispered through the leaves as she contemplated her father's advice.

"Learn from my mistake and apologize to Gible," Elysia declared, her resolve strengthening as she acknowledged her lapse in understanding Gible's feelings. “But dad, I’ve done that over and over without result. He still doesn’t want to come out. He must hate me after what I said to him”.

“Gible doesn’t hate you at all, Pikacharm,” Ash corrected her. “But he doesn’t feel safe yet. Not until you accomplish one thing first."

Elysia's eyes widened in anticipation of her father’s advice as she held Gible's Poké Ball tightly in her hands.

"You must forgive yourself," Ash said, his words imparting a crucial lesson in self-compassion. Elysia processed the notion, realizing that before she could fully mend the bond with Gible, she needed to release the burden of guilt that weighed on her own heart.

"We've made many mistakes throughout our journey, right, Pikachu?" Ash mused, his hand gently caressing Pikachu's fur. "And we still often make them."

"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed, a testament to the shared experiences of their adventurous journey.

"Depending on how we face them, we can either recover and learn, or we let them consume us. It's just part of growing up, Pikacharm," Ash imparted his fatherly wisdom, his words carrying a soothing cadence. "So at the end of the day, it's just a matter of what you decide to do."

Elysia gazed into her father's eyes, finding comfort in his understanding presence. What she initially deemed an irreparable mistake now felt within reach of repair.

"But what if I fail again?" she questioned, her vulnerability laid bare.

"You try until you get it done... Or find another way. That's also fair," Ash reassured her, his assurance carrying the weight of experience.

Elysia, still troubled by the opinion of others, confessed, "I'm still concerned about what others say. It's... Difficult for me to just ignore it."

Ash nodded empathetically, acknowledging her fear of being in the spotlight due to her upbringing.

"Yeah, I understand. And in your case, well... You'll have to prove to them and yourself how wrong they are," said Ash, the commitment and sympathy in his voice reflecting his unquestionable support for his child.

As the midday sun bathed Turffield in a warm glow, Elysia gazed at the horizon, contemplating her father's wisdom. The gentle breeze whispered through the leaves, carrying a sense of serenity that seemed to resonate with the evolving moment.

With a determined expression inherited from her father, Elysia rose from the bench. The heavy weight on her heart had finally been lifted, replaced by new found resolve. Turning to face her father, she spoke with an air of determination.

"I'll try it again," she declared, her voice carrying the echoes of a decision made. "For me, for you and mom, and for my trusted partners."

A smile tugged at Ash's lips as he looked at his daughter. He saw in her the same spark of determination that had fueled his own journey. Pikachu, sensing the significance of the moment, joined in with an excited growl.

"That's what I expected to hear from my girl," Ash praised, his eyes reflecting pride and resolve. "Finally, and remember this for now and always: make your weakness your strength." The sentiment hung in the air, a beacon of guidance for Elysia as she embraced the challenge ahead.

As she tried to figure out the true meaning behind her father's words, she looked at Gible's poké ball once again, holding it close to her chest as she sought to embody her father's wisdom. She spoke softly, attempting to comfort her troubled partner.

"Gible, it's okay to be afraid and nervous. I shouldn't have talked to you in that way, and I'm sorry for not considering your feelings... But I need you to overcome this challenge along with me. So please... Come out."

A moment of anticipation hung in the air, a silent plea transmitted from trainer to Pokémon. Elysia kept her gaze fixed on the poké ball, her expression a mix of hope and sincerity. However, the poké ball remained there as if the young trainer’s attempt had not been enough to lift Gible’s burden.

“Well, Pikacharm. Seems that your partner also needs more time. If I may…”

Before he could finish his sentence, the poké ball opened, and Gible emerged with renewed vigor, jumping into Elysia's arms. Overjoyed, Elysia hugged her partner and affectionately pet him with her chin.

"Gible! I'm so happy to have you back!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "Let's find our strength in our weakness, okay?"

"Talking about a quick recovery," Ash remarked as Gible returned the gesture, signaling its regained confidence with its trainer.

Elysia, now looking down the path towards the center of Turffield, contemplated her next steps. Her gaze shifted, searching for her friends among the trees, wondering if her previous mood had driven them away.

"We're here," announced Owen, stepping out from behind one of the trees along with Adrian.

Elysia breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for their presence. She knew she had some mending to do, especially with Owen.

"Guys, I... I'm sorry if you felt I didn't appreciate your company," she began, addressing her friends. "Especially with you, Owen. I shouldn’t have talked to you in that rude way when you just tried to cheer me up."

Owen shook his head, a reassuring smile playing on his lips.

"Elysia, there's nothing to apologize for. We're just glad to see you back in your usual, spirited demeanor. Friends are here to support each other through thick and thin!"

Adrian, maintaining his usual solemnity, nodded in agreement. "Your father's intervention was timely and fructifying. It seems you've found your way back to yourself."

Elysia, grateful for her friends' understanding, offered them a warm smile. "Thank you, both. Your support means a lot to me."

As the trio shared a moment of camaraderie, Ash stood at a respectful distance, silently witnessing and approving of his daughter making amends with her friends. The atmosphere lightened, and Elysia felt a renewed sense of determination, buoyed by the companionship of those who stood by her side.

"I've decided to give the gym battle another shot, but this time, I want to train Gible properly. Owen, Adrian, would you be willing to help me out?"

Owen, displaying his usual enthusiasm, declared, "Absolutely! You've got our full support, Elysia."

"I'm more than happy to assist you in overcoming your challenges," Adrian expressed, maintaining his calm demeanor.

Ash and Pikachu approached, their presence causing Owen to momentarily freeze once more in awe of the World Monarch he admired.

“Seems you’ve also found such good friends along the way, Pikacharm,” Ash congratulated her as he turned his gaze to the paralyzed boy. “And you must be Owen, right? Elysia has told me a lot about you and how kind you are. Thanks for accompanying my girl!”

“I-I-I-I-I’m an honor to meet you, Mr. Ketchum!” Owen nervously responded. The World Monarch chuckled, appreciating Owen's candidness and making him feel welcomed.

Elysia couldn't help but laugh at Owen's endearing awkwardness, finding amusement in the interaction her friend had expected since the very first day they met. Adrian, appearing deep in thought, stroked his chin before directing a thought-provoking question to Elysia.

"Do you sense that Gible has managed to overcome its fear of crowds?" His gaze was focused and contemplative.

Elysia exchanged a glance with Gible, looking for any clue in its body language that would evidence some progress through the little dragon’s predicament. Reluctantly, she admitted, "Not entirely, but I'm determined to find a way to help him through it."

"If you allow me, may I suggest something that could prove useful for both of you?"

His unexpected proposal captured the attention of everyone present, Owen included, who was still grappling with the surreal realization of being in the legendary World Monarch's presence. The tranquil green surroundings transformed into a backdrop for their collective contemplation, with all eyes fixed on Adrian as he prepared to unveil his suggestion.