Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
Xxx
Crippled!
"I quit…" The words rang in Leaf's head as she caressed the asleep Ash's head. The way Ash delivered those words, the broken tone, the tearful eyes, and the shattered posture of his denoted it all.
Leaf sighed, leaning down and pecking Ash's forehead. He was shattered, she knew it. To see your Pokémon be tortured like that from so close up yet again was...
It would break anyone.
"I quit," Ash repeated as they handed over the pokéballs to Nurse Joy. "And that's final," Ash mumbled as he saw Leaf try to counter. "I… I'm going to my room; I just need some personal space."
"A-Ash," Leaf called out, grabbing his wrist. Ash turned around to meet her brown eyes thick of emotion. "I- I'm here if you need anything,"
"…I know," Ash replied in a low tone. "Thank you Leaf, for everything." Leaf couldn't help the lone tear sliding down her left cheek. The way Ash said it…
It was like he was ending everything.
"I'll see you later Ashy," Leaf mouthed letting go of his wrist. Ash walked away leaving the brunette standing there alone.
'He's hurt pretty bad,' Misdreavus chimed in. Leaf scowled at her presence.
'You bloody little piece of shit!' Leaf cursed. 'You promised me you wouldn't let Ash get hurt if you had your way!'
'I know,' She replied nonchalantly.
'What do you mean you know?!' Leaf roared. 'He's hurt if you can't see!?'
'Look missy, while I may be very old, ancient even, I know a bit about Pokémon Battles.' She retorted. 'Whatever happened, it was all legal.'
'Heck it was!' Leaf snarled. 'Ash forfeited! She forced him to continue the battle! It was anything but legal!'
'Then why didn't you intervene?' Misdreavus asked.
'Sabrina mind razed Luna. What chance would I hold against her?' Leaf asked.
'You had me,' Misdreavus pointed out. 'I could've protected you from Sabrina.'
'Yeah, as much as you protected Ash,' Leaf rolled her eyes. Realizing that the people in the lobby were staring at her (what would you do when you see a lady standing in the middle alone and giving off angry expressions?) she walked over to Nurse Joy.
'Look, I don't possess Ash,' The ghost began. 'But newsflash! I possess you! I could protect you directly.'
'I'm done trusting you,' Leaf growled. 'I'm going to do this the only way I see it.'
'And that is…?' Misdreavus remarked dryly.
"You'll see," Leaf mumbled out loud and headed out of the Pokémon Center.
Sometime later…
"…your point is valid Ms. Verdant but we cannot submit a report against such a respected Gym Leader on such petty basis," The officer in charge replied to her.
"You can get the Gym Battle recording directly from the gym! You can see it was forced!" Leaf replied exasperated.
"We would need a Search Warrant for that," He shrugged. "It will take some time to get Miss."
'Oh fuck him,' Misdreavus growled. Before Leaf knew it, her eyes flashed purple and she slammed her hands on the desk angrily.
'You're going to investigate the case, and you're going to like it.' Leaf growled voice layered and demonic. The officer stared at her shocked, his pupils flickering purple.
"Hey madam-" Leaf turned around and the remaining officers shut up as well.
"Do it. Now," Leaf ordered. "Submit the report to the League right now or…" She left the threat hanging in the air.
'Um Misdreavus, I respect the save and all,' Leaf began. 'But I don't think we can threaten Police Officers and get away with it-'
'They won't do anything.' Misdreavus eased her. 'They're scared of Sabrina. They're scared of me, well… us, as well.'
"Here," Leaf handed him a paper. "DO IT." The officer, sweating a pond in fear, quickly scribbled down whatever she told him.
Sometime later…
'He was inexperienced and new,' Leaf told Misdreavus as they left the Police Office. 'That's why he is so easily pressurized,'
'You humans and your little corruptible minds,' Misdreavus chuckled. 'You guys are so gullible!'
'Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up,' Leaf rolled her eyes. 'But yeah, thank you.' She mumbled. 'Couldn't have done it without you,'
'Thank me after this,' Misdreavus focused and Leaf blinked. 'I picked it from the official League database; Sabrina isn't allowed to use Jynx or Alakazam against rookies. They are League Trainers level Pokémon.'
'We could've included it-'
'Already did it,' Misdreavus replied. 'Sabrina has so blatantly broken so many rules, the League should remove her.'
'…you can protect me against Sabrina, right?' Leaf asked.
'I'm an ancient Ghost. You really think that psychic bitch can outlast me?' Misdreavus asked.
'Let's find out,' Leaf replied and turned on her heel, changing her path.
'What are you doing?' Misdreavus asked.
'Going to get some answers,' Leaf replied angrily.
Xxx
"Sabrina!" Leaf roared entering the battlefield. The Gym Leader was seated upon her throne on the opposite side, a weird doll in her hand.
"Leaf Verdant, what a pleasant surprise." Sabrina smiled. Leaf's eyes flashed purple and she began to close the distance between her and the Psychic Master.
"Why did you hurt Ash so much?!" Leaf roared, staring at her with pure hatred and angry.
"Because I wanted to," Sabrina replied simply. "I had immense fun breaking that spirit of his, his agony was… delicious."
"You monster!" Leaf reached Sabrina by then and was only a few steps away. "You mind razed Luna! You tore his team apart! You shattered a little boy just for your kicks! How could you!? You're a monster!"
Sabrina didn't reply, cocking her head. "I don't know why the League isn't taking action but someone has to! I won't let you destroy any more innocent trainers!"
"Try it," Sabrina gave her a small smile. Leaf's left arm formed a large Shadow Claw and she slashed at Sabrina angrily. Sabrina's eyes flashed and she froze Leaf, lifting her in the air and throwing her away.
Leaf, actually Misdreavus, landed on her feet and unleashed three shadowy orbs at Sabrina. Sabrina flicked her finger and they imploded on themselves.
"Misdreavus," Sabrina looked at her pityingly. "You've gotten so weak, bonding with mere mortals to survive."
"Shut up…!" She growled and a wave of darkness blasted over to Sabrina. Sabrina formed a Psychic Barrier which blocked the way easily.
"I'm disappointed," Sabrina teleported behind Leaf. "You're weak," She whispered in Leaf's ears making her jump. Leaf turned around but Sabrina grabbed her by the neck. "Here, let me purge you."
'Don't give in Leaf!' Misdreavus warned. 'She'll-Ah!' Sabrina placed her palm on her chest and scowled. A pink glow enveloped Leaf matching Sabrina's eye color.
"This is called Psychic Purge, by the way." Sabrina grinned and Leaf convulsed. "It's extremely painful," Leaf shrieked out in pain as she felt herself get torn into two. "And extremely enjoyable for me,"
Leaf's eyes widened as she saw Sabrina pull a wispy dark strand from the center of her chest. "I won't kill you," Sabrina assured Leaf. "You're at no fault here," She looked at the wispy dark strand. "I'll just make her existence hell."
Sabrina tugged the strand making Leaf gasp. She fell down on her knees, hacking and convulsing for breathe, as she clutched her chest tightly.
'Misdreavus… come out.' Sabrina grinned as the wispy strand expanded and took the form of the Screech Pokémon.
"S-Sabrina…" Misdreavus stared at her in fear. "You-you're no ordinary-"
"I was," Sabrina replied idly. "But I found a stronger entity, I bonded with him." Sabrina gave Misdreavus an evil smirk. "You, on the other hand."
"I- I'm sorry Sabrina!" Misdreavus pleaded. "Don't kill me! Don't- Ah!" Sabrina's eyes glowed and Misdreavus's form was pulled apart, exploding.
She gestured to the suffering Leaf and the remaining wisps floated back into her, the brunette shuddering. "W-what was that?" Sabrina kneeled down in front of Leaf, looking at her with mock worry.
"That…" Sabrina clutched her face with one of her hands, running a slim thumb across her cheek and wiping a tear. "Was a purge."
"W-what did you do to Misdreavus?" Leaf asked, feeling it hard to even breathe.
"Nothing," Sabrina grinned. Leaf was skeptical until she felt her head ache.
"S-Sabrina-" Leaf gasped, clutching her arm tightly as her world began to swirl up and down. Sabrina grinned.
"What's wrong Leaf?" She asked. "Weren't you going to… I'm sorry, avenge Ash? Your boyfriend? Your childhood friend? Your favorite Luna?"
Leaf felt it hard to even think. "Yes, you were." Sabrina pitied. "You were going to destroy me. End my madness, weren't you?"
"I-" Sabrina's finger traced her lips. "I was,"
"Then what happened?" Sabrina asked. "I'm right here, go ahead. Do it." Sabrina challenged.
"W-why-" Leaf gasped. Sabrina's hands went to the back of her head and she pulled Leaf's face close to hers.
"Because I can," Sabrina whispered. "I can do whatever I wish to, and I will." She clutched Leaf's hair roughly and pressed her lips against Leaf's. Leaf felt her mind get overwhelmed and her eyes rolled to the top of her head.
'N-n-n-no!' Misdreavus screamed. Sabrina smirked evilly as Leaf's resolve broke and she succumbed.
"Never enter my Gym again," Sabrina told Leaf sweetly after finally breaking the kiss. Leaf sat there, dazed and mouth dropped open as she tried to process what had just occurred.
Sabrina snapped her fingers making her blink. "Go, enjoy the time you have left with Ash."
"What have you done?" Leaf asked.
"You'll know soon enough." Sabrina replied.
"Luna…" Ash stirred. Leaf broke out of her stupor and held his quivering body tightly.
"I'm here Ash, don't worry." She cooed. Ash's eyes opened, fear filled. "Hey, I won't let anyone hurt you, don't worry," Leaf mumbled, pulling his body close to her and hugging him tightly.
"Leaf…" Ash broke down into sobs, burying his head into her shoulder. His whole body wracked as he let go of his pain. Leaf couldn't help the tears leaking down her own face.
"Hush, it's okay… h-hush-" She had never seen Ash so broken before! "It's going to be okay A-ash, I promise." She muttered sweet encouraging words to Ash, holding him tight.
Ash eventually calmed down, lying in her arms contently. A comfortable silence overtook the sobs and cries, Ash clinging to his girlfriend while she caressed his head and back comfortingly.
'You'll pay Sabrina,' Leaf promised. 'You'll pay,' She felt anger rise and quickly squashed it down. Ash needed her.
"L-leaf," Ash finally broke the silence.
"Yeah," Leaf asked.
"Promise me one thing," He began.
"Anything," Leaf mumbled.
"Promise me you won't leave me ever," Ash whimpered. Leaf grabbed his cheeks and pulled him into a loving kiss. Ash felt himself blend into the feeling, all his worries and anxiety taking the backburner for that very moment.
She broke the kiss, smiling at Ash's content face. "Does that answer your question?" Leaf asked.
"Yeah," Ash pushed her down on the mattress and snuggled up next to her. "You're amazing, you know,"
"You make me amazing," Leaf giggled.
Sometime later…
"…have you gotten an update on them?" Ash asked Leaf. Leaf, burned out due to her encounter with Sabrina, shook her head.
"No… I didn't have the chance." She replied. Ash sighed and pushed himself up. "Where are you headed?" She asked.
"To get an update," Ash replied. "You coming?" Leaf nodded. Leaf quickly got into a sitting position.
"Yeah, sure-" Leaf gasped and fell back down.
"Leaf?" Ash called out alarmed. "What's wrong?"
'Sabrina happened.' Misdreavus dryly retorted, her voice fading in and out.
"A splitting… headache," Leaf mumbled. "It's fine though, I'll-" Ash kissed her making her shut up.
"Rest easy, you have already done enough." She scoffed. "I don't want to lose you too, take some rest."
"You're not losing anyone Ash," Leaf told him. "Now go, get to know their hurt."
"I'll inform you later now," Ash leaned in and pecked her cheek before leaving the room quickly. Leaf waited until he was gone and then moaned in pain.
'What's wrong?' Leaf thought.
'Sabrina could've killed me…' Misdreavus told her. 'This is her warning me, by wounding me.'
'No wonder the League is scared of her…' Leaf frowned.
'Maybe Agatha could take her down,' Misdreavus moaned in pain. 'She's a Ghost Trainer, could probably Mind Raze Sabrina to oblivion.'
'Then why hasn't she yet?' Leaf wondered. 'What are you hiding Misdreavus? What was Sabrina saying about-'
'Who knows… now let me hurt in peace!' Misdreavus growled and Leaf was left groaning and crying on the bed.
Xxx
"Nobody can save you now!" A monstrous silhouette roared. Cynthia crawled into a corner, looking at it with fear and panic.
"D-don't!" Cynthia cried out. "Please don't! No!" The monster grabbed her Riolu and snapped his neck.
"Oops," He grinned throwing his limp body away. "Come here Cynthia… I want you." Cynthia looked down at her clothing and whimpered, realizing they were all torn and barely covered her body.
"N-no!" Cynthia curled up into her corner, hiding her face. "Please! P-please don't! I beg-"
"Ah!" Cynthia gasped jerking awake. "A nightmare…" Cynthia gasped. "God damn it, another nightmare." She wiped off some sweat off her forehead. "I- I can't take this anymore- I- I quit," Cynthia whimpered, breaking down.
The blonde didn't know when Janine came back, and when she comforted her and cradled her back to sleep, but one thing was certain for the blonde.
'I quit.'
Xxx
"How are they?" Ash asked Nurse Joy. The pinkette stared at him before pulling out a report.
"Well," She frowned. "Your Haunter is going to be fine. He isn't hurt much." Ash breathed a sigh of relief. "The rest of your team… however,"
"W-what about them?" Ash asked. Nurse Joy pursed her lips.
"Lairon's armor is heavily dented." Nurse Joy told him. "Fortunately, we have its treatment. Lairon could've been crippled for life if we didn't have the proper methods and machinery to treat him. However, he is in no condition to battle. Not for a good amount of time. Let his armor solidify properly. He's sensitive and vulnerable till then."
"Did you remove his armor and replace it with a new one?" Ash asked, having studied it once. It was torturous, he had concluded back then. Nurse Joy nodded.
"Yes," She replied. "Don't worry; the surgery was conducted by a specializing doctor. He'll be back to hundred percent within a few weeks."
"Glad to hear that," Ash swallowed.
"Your Servine needed some stitches to cover those deep gashes." Nurse Joy said. "Extreme delicacy had to be taken because the gashes were near her organs. She'll be fine too but it'll take a long time for her to be able to move freely, and even more to train."
"Will she be in pain?" Ash asked worriedly. All of the updates he had gotten so far seemed extremely painful.
"Yes, Lairon will feel awkward and his new armor will take some time to get used to, it'll feel like a burden." Ash winced. "Servine will have a lot of restricted movement. Also, she cannot activate Overgrow. It strains her muscles. On the bright side, your Haunter is not harmed much."
"Okay," Ash balled his fists tightly. "And…"
"Your Pikachu is in a condition similar to your Servine." She continued. "There are a lot of internal injuries, however, and broken bones. He'll have to walk around with plastered body parts for some time."
"Oh Mew…" Ash closed his eyes, willing his tears away. "What about Oceanus and Luna…"
"Your Seadra is badly hurt as well." Nurse Joy continued. "His body will take time to heal up. Preferred environment is aquatic. His pride is hurt really badly though," Ash nodded. That made sense.
"Luna… well," Ash hated the look on her face. "Her mind is shattered. I presume she has gone through a Mind Raze?" Ash nodded. "Well, she's hurt extensively both physically and mentally."
"Physically, she'll be fine. It'll take time but she will be. Mentally though, Sabrina has left her on the brink of death. I have consulted with others and we have come to the conclusion that she'll need proper Psychic Therapy to heal."
"W-what?" Ash choked. Nurse Joy nodded.
"Yes, the best Psychic Therapist, licensed, in Kanto is currently abroad. He's pursuing further studies in Unova." She continued on. "It'll be really expensive if you send Luna to heal over there."
"What about others? Anyone in Kanto?" Ash asked. Nurse Joy shook her head.
"Sabrina is one of them, but…" Ash scowled. "Psychic Therapy is very difficult. Even masters of the type cannot do that properly. Otherwise I would've contacted Elite Four Will."
"If I send her to Unova, would she be properly healed?" Ash asked. Nurse Joy nodded. "Isn't the League covering all the medical expenses? That's the message I got on my pokedex after filing a complaint."
"They're covering all of the expenses up to a certain extent." Nurse Joy rectified. "Even if you eliminate all of the other expenses, her solo treatment will take much higher."
"Psychic Therapy is that expensive?" Ash was shocked. She nodded. "C-can I see Luna?" Nurse Joy nodded.
"She's in deep unconsciousness right now." She signaled her Chansey to get the Psychic Type in question. "She won't wake up. And be careful of her injuries."
Ash nodded. "W-why isn't the League taking any action against Sabrina?"
"They're helping your team heal back." She replied. "I have nothing else to tell you I'm afraid," Ash spotted his starter and tears immediately fell down his face.
Bandages, plasters, and whatnot covered her once pristine pink fur. Her gem was dimmed and her face was swollen. "L-Luna…"
"Now, if you'll excuse me." Nurse Joy told him. "I have to go tend to others."
"Y-y-yeah, thank you." Ash left the lobby and headed outside, holding his limp starter delicately.
A certain purple haired girl followed him quietly outside.
Xxx
"Um… excuse me," Ash looked up from his unconscious starter and took a moment to see clearly through his blurry eyes. A small and slender young girl with shiny lilac-colored hair and purple eyes stood there awkwardly.
"Y-yeah?" Ash spoke voice choked and full of emotion. Ash could see the girl flinch a little for some reason.
"Uh…" She paused. "How is she?" She began. An obvious attempt to kick start the conversation but Ash wasn't interested.
"She's- I just want to be alone with her for some time." Ash mumbled looking back down to his napping Sun Pokémon.
"You're in turmoil." She began. "You blame yourself for her condition don't you?" Ash returned his eyes to her.
"…yes," Ash mumbled. "How do you know that?" Ash wondered. The girl gestured to the bench he was sitting on.
"Mind if I sit?" She asked smiling. Ash scooted to the side gently, not wanting to wake up his crippled Psychic Type. "She looks very hurt,"
"Yeah she is," Ash mumbled. "Sabrina- she…" Ash took a deep breath to compose himself.
"Easy Ash," The girl soothed. Ash blinked. How did she know his name? "I know everything; I was there at the Gym. I train there," Ash gazed up at her in surprise.
"You were?" Ash parroted. She nodded. "What do you want?" Ash asked anger rising up from within him,
"To help," She replied.
"All of you have already helped enough," Ash snarled. "Your beloved Gym Leader almost sent my entire team to meet Mew. What more can you help?" The girl flinched.
"I- I know what Sabrina did was wrong b-but Ash, I swear I'm here to help you," She looked at Ash directly in the eyes. Ash wanted to tear her face off in his angry state but…
The innocence and genuine concern in those purple eyes shone through and Ash found his anger reducing just a bit. "Just give me a chance Ash; I'll make it up to you."
"Fine…" Ash relented. The mysterious girl looked over Luna's body and her hand, resting atop her lap, tightened into a ball. Ash's eyes trailed to her but he didn't comment.
"What did Nurse Joy tell you?" She pursed her lips.
"Sabrina's Mind Raze has messed up her ESP way too much. Only a Psychic Therapist; and that too a skilled one can heal her now. And I cannot afford one at this stage…" Ash seemed ready to cry.
"…what about her physical injuries?" She herself seemed horrified. Ash took a few moments to gather himself which she thankfully provided.
"They're extensive but they'll heal up given time." Ash managed. "My entire team is ripped apart like that."
"Sabrina is a monster!" Her face swelled up in anger. "She-" The girl paused. "How much is the cost of her therapist?"
"More than seventy grand," Ash spat bitterly. "I don't have that much, nor does my family." She was taken aback too.
"She's pretty strong," The girl praised. "Even in the face of such a monster, she…" Ash remembered her defiance and couldn't help the smile on his face.
"She deserves a better trainer than me…" Ash whimpered. "I should just quit…"
"… Is that your fear of Sabrina talking?" The girl questioned gently.
"She was right…" Ash began. "Most of what she said made sense. Heck, all of it did." The girl frowned.
"I honestly don't know whether that's true or not," The girl saw Ash's starter stir. "Mind if I…?" She asked. Ash handed her his Luna. His new associate took the asleep injured girl in her arms with the most care.
Ash was a bit surprised by the care and gentleness the girl was treating Luna with. Her facial expressions, her gestures, it was as if she was just as hurt as Ash.
"What's your name?" Ash found himself asking.
"Annabel," The girl replied, looking up just to see Ash staring. Ash flushed, realizing just what he was doing.
"I- I'm sorry," Ash shook his head and wiped his tears. The girl, now identified as Annabel, laughed.
"It's fine," She spoke sweetly and scratched Luna behind her ear where she liked. Luna purred lightly in her sleep. "She's so cute,"
"You sure know how to handle an Espeon." Ash commented. Annabel flushed a little.
"I have an Espeon myself so I know a little," She replied humbly. "Yours seems stronger though."
"She just got her ESP properly handled when this happened," Ash sighed. Annabel looked at him curiously. "Remember what Sabrina had mentioned? Lavender Tower?" She nodded. "It's related to that."
"You can share if you want to… if you're comfortable." Annabel said simply. Ash sighed.
"I traveled to Lavender Town through the Rock Tunnel. We had stayed there to train and be capable of preventing another Hidden Village scenario… you don't know that either do you?" Annabel shook her head. "I'll tell you after this. So, after reaching Lavender Town I got to know that an evil entity, a Spiritomb, was inhibiting the tower and my childhood friend Leaf, now my girlfriend, had entered the tower but hadn't returned."
"I entered inside to save her, and Luna, an Eevee back then, got really hurt inside there. A Misdreavus and Spiritomb both dealt heavy damage to my entire team. Viper, my Servine, she almost lost faith in all of us. Leaf lost two of her Pokémon, Butterfree died, and Poliwag deserted. All of us, me, Leaf, Anpu, and our entire teams were hurt really badly."
"We managed to stop Spiritomb and saved Lavender Town but Luna suffered from PTSD. She was having difficulty utilizing her ESP and I benched her for the entirety of my travel from Lavender to Saffron until recently Leaf applied a Psychic TM on her, helping her overcome the blockade."
"She even tapped into telepathy!" Annabel was impressed. "But then this happened…" Ash felt tears drip down his cheeks. "She didn't deserve it!" Ash cried.
"I know Ash," Annabel bit her lower lip and shut her eyes close. "I'm so sorry Ash, I really am." Ash spotted a tear rolling down her pale cheek.
"Hey, Annabel." Ash began, seeing her hurt. "You have nothing to be sorry for, you didn't do this." Annabel took deep breathes trying to compose herself. "You have nothing to apologize for,"
"I should've intervened; I should've tried to stop the match." Her voice crackled. "But I was so paralyzed in fear, the referee, everyone was. Sabrina had never been so ruthless before until a few weeks ago."
"It's not your fault," Ash mumbled. "Why isn't the League taking action?" Annabel looked at him with a scowl and teary eyes.
"Sabrina… she can…" Annabel shut up. "The League doesn't want to interfere. You can guess why,"
"Even the League is afraid of the monster she has become," Ash mumbled.
"Not afraid," Annabel corrected. "They are focused on something else. I don't know what but, it visibly holds a higher priority than a few trainers and Pokémon dying."
"Priorities huh," Ash scoffed. "No wonder very few trainers decide to go on a journey."
"True," Annabel looked genuinely hurt. "A-Ash…" She began. "Do you know what a mind raze can do to Psychic Types?"
"It destroys a Psychic Pokémon's main asset," She began, not even bothering to stop her tears. "It's mind. Without it, a Psychic Pokémon slowly loses control of itself and everything. Basic abilities like eating, motor functions, movement, even forming the simplest of thoughts, everything fades away. It kills a Pokémon from the inside."
"W-what?" Ash choked realizing just what were to happen to Luna now. Annabel nodded slowly. "Y-you mean…?"
"If not given proper care and treatment, Luna will meet the same fate." One of her tears hit Luna making her stir. Ash ran his hands through his messy raven hairs, eyes clenched close.
"Oh Mew…" He whispered. "Why did I even think about challenging Sabrina?"
"I can help her," Annabel chimed in suddenly. Ash looked at her. "Yeah, I can help save her."
"H-how?" Ash asked a little surprised.
"Sabrina doesn't accept just anyone within her Gym." Annabel began. "I- I'm an empath. I can sense the feelings and emotions of Pokémon and humans around me." Ash blinked.
"Huh?" Annabel nodded letting him take it all in. "How is that possible?"
"We live in a world full of miracles and wonders." Annabel continued. "Anything is possible here." She flashed Luna's trainer a smile. "I'm one of Sabrina's best students. I can help her heal."
"You're a Psychic Therapist?" Ash asked skeptical though hopeful. He could take whatever help was being offered to him by the universe. Annabel shook her head much to his disappointment.
"I'm not, but I don't have to be." She commented adjusting Luna in her grip. "I'm a Psychic Trainer. I can help her get better and stronger." Seeing Ash's unsatisfied look, she resumed. "I'm learning from Sabrina. Nobody is a better teacher than her in the Psychic Type."
"What if you can't help her? What if you just make it worse?" Ash asked evidently angry. "Your 'teacher' put her in this condition in the first place!" Annabel flinched a little at his tone.
"…I'm sorry for that Ash." Annabel apologized. "I really am…" Her voice cracked and she turned her face away from his view. Ash sighed, anger spilling on the wrong person.
"I'm sorry Annabel," Ash began. "It's just… I don't want Luna to be hurt anymore…" Annabel took a deep breath and met his gaze.
"I don't want to hurt her any further too Ash… believe me." The amount of hurt and pain those violet eyes carried was far beyond what Ash could understand. Why was Annabel so…?
"You really are an empath," Ash finally understood. "All of my anger and sadness and pain and everything, it's… it's bleeding onto you." Annabel nodded.
"Hers too," She looked down at the asleep Sun Pokémon. "I- I'm sensitive to such strong emotions. I-I get rattled easily."
"Then why are you hurting yourself by interacting with us?" Ash asked gently. "What Sabrina did have nothing to do with you. Her misdeeds and sins don't have to be accounted by you,"
"…If I can help, then I will help." Annabel told him. "She has suffered enough Ash." Annabel clasped his hand and stared at him pleadingly. "Please Ash, I swear just give me a chance! I can help her get better!" Ash paused a few moments, thinking.
"Won't you get in trouble if Sabrina discovers Luna?" He asked finally. Annabel shook her head.
"I can deal with her don't worry." She assured him. Ash ran a hand through his messy hair and nodded.
"Okay Annabel, you can heal Luna." He sighed at last. "I don't have much money but-"
"-I don't want your money," Annabel interrupted. "Just let me help Luna. And you be happy, that's enough for me." Ash was stunned for a few moments.
"Thank you Annabel, I don't know how can I ever repay you?" Ash confessed. Annabel smiled shyly.
"By not being so angry and rude to me next time?" Annabel suggested. Ash blushed bashfully. "Yeah,"
"I was stressed," Ash tried.
"I know, I know." Annabel giggled. "So, tell me more about Luna. What she likes to eat, her hobbies, her habits, everything."
"Well, let me tell you from when we met." Ash cleared his thought. "So basically, we met in…"
Leaf spotted Ash sitting on a bench with a purple haired girl a little older than him and frowned. "Who's she…"
'You humans replace each other pretty soon,' Came Misdreavus's sneaky remark. 'We ghosts mate for eons. No wonder you guys die so much!'
"Shut up," Leaf muttered. "She's probably some associate of his from before." She spotted Ash laughing and smiled. "I'll check up on him later, she's making him happy."
'Something you were unable to since morning.' Misdreavus sung. 'She's better than you,'
"Shut up,"
…
Indefinite hours later…
"Ash?" The boy in question turned around to see his girlfriend Leaf standing there. "What's happening?" Annabel's purple eyes met her brown ones and she could immediately feel jealousy and anger rising from the brunette.
"Hey Leaf," Ash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Guess I lost track of time while conversing with you," He mumbled to Annabel who forced a smile.
"It's okay," Leaf managed and walked over in front of them, extending a hand. "I'm Leaf, Leaf Verdant. Ash's girlfriend," Annabel got up and accepted her handshake, hiding her grimace when Leaf pressed a little too firmly.
"I'm Annabel. Annabel Chase," She replied back. "I work at Sabrina's Gym and… well, I had to do something."
"You could've stopped the match way before," Leaf remarked coldly. Ash frowned about to intervene but Annabel beat him to the punch.
"I didn't see you do anything to help him either," She smiled sweetly.
"I can still do a lot now," Leaf uttered darkly and Annabel recoiled, feeling an intense burst of dark, eerie energy radiate off her. "Anyways, you might want to eat something Ash. It's very late now."
"True that," Ash looked at the sky. "Annabel, I'll drop off Luna to you tomorrow after properly introducing both of you."
"Sure," Annabel murmured.
"I'm sorry, you're going to do… what?" Leaf exclaimed.
"I'll fill you in on the way back, don't worry." Ash told her feeling a bit put off out by her cold reception towards his new friend.
"I'll take my leave now," Annabel told them. "It was nice meeting you Leaf." She bowed in respect.
"Likewise," Leaf managed with a smile. Annabel gave Luna one last scratch before leaving the training field. Leaf waited until she was gone before turning to Ash. "Who's she?"
"Stop acting so weird Leaf," Ash retorted. "She's just trying to help me save Luna. She can treat Luna and bring her back to tiptop condition."
"And you what? Just trust her out of the blue?" Leaf asked. "She works at the Saffron Gym! She's under Sabrina! What makes you think she's any better?" Leaf argued.
"Leaf, I trust her." Ash uttered firmly. "I don't know why you have-"
"Luna is my friend too!" Leaf hollered. "I get a say in her matter too Ash!"
"…no you don't," Ash managed. "Please Leaf; I finally got a chance to save my closest friend. Don't you dare try to make me second think it,"
"…I'm your closest friend too Ash," Leaf tried. "I don't trust her Ash, that's all I'm trying to say. I'm not trying to stop you from saving Luna!"
"I know," Ash got up, cradling his unconscious starter carefully. "Now c'mon, let's eat something. I'm starving,"
"S-sure," Leaf managed a smile and followed him inside.
Xxx
And done! I know, you guys are not understanding a few points and a few things are left vague and unclear! That's intentional! Also, I've decided to not reply to reviews now since you guys force me to give spoilers! Some of your predictions are so spot on that I can't just give a vague response!
I'll still reply in Private Messaging so there's that! Next update will come in February or March, I'm completely busy now. So let's see! Review for faster reviews! Till then!