"Look, Ash! I think she's starting to stir." Brock pointed out.
The girl was waking up. The first thing she saw was Pikachu staring right at her. "Pika...chu?" She breathed weakly, reaching out to pet him.
"Pika-chu~!" He nuzzled into her hand happily. 'I'm glad you finally woke up, miss!'
The girl smiled. "Thank you..." She looked down at herself to see a blanket draped over her body. "Who..?"
'My master, Ash helped you!' Pikachu explained with a smile.
"Ash..?" She looked up to see two boys staring at her. "Humans..?"
"Wait! How do you know my name?" The boy with jet black hair and wearing a red and white cap spoke up.
She looked at him. "Pikachu told me." She said simply. She looked to his companion, who was taller and had tanned skin.
"That's Brock!" Pikachu said.
"Brock..?" The woman repeated.
"Yep, that's me! Did Pikachu tell you that too?"
The girl nodded. "I have the ability to communicate with Pokémon." She stated.
"So cool!" Brock stepped towards her, holding a hand out. "Nice to meet you."
She stared at the hand.
"I won't bite." Brock frowned, feeling disheartened.
She hesitated before reaching out and taking his hand. "I only trust you because you helped me and because Pikachu said that you are good people." She mumbled.
"So what's your name?" Ash shook her hand too.
"Freya." She replied.
"Such a pretty name!" Brock fawned.
Ash punched his shoulder. "I think for the time being, you shouldn't be scaring girls after you take them into the middle of the forest." He looked back at Freya. "Are you a Pokémon trainer too?"
She shook her head. "I live to protect Pokémon, not catch and train them. It has been my fate since I was born." She replied.
"Whoa!"
"So why were you laying on the ground?" Ash asked.
Freya thought about it. "I must have over exhausted myself..." She mused.
"Well, are you hungry? I made extra food for you." Brock offered a bowl of stew.
She took the bowl and sniffed it.
"Pika-pika!" Pikachu encouraged her.
Freya nodded and took a bite. She stopped still.
"Freya?" Ash asked, concerned.
Brock stared as a blush crossed the pretty girls face in the firelight.
She still had her hood up, so they couldn't really see her eyes.
"Is it bad?" Brock panicked a little.
"Delicious..." She mumbled and lifted her head, flashing a brilliant smile. "I've never tasted anything like this!"
Brock felt like his heart was going to burst out of his chest. "R-Really?!"
Ash frowned. Everybody knew Brock's food was good. Why is he taking a compliment so dramatically like that?
Freya nodded and quickly ate the rest of her meal. "Thank you!"
"N-No problem!" Brock stammered. What the hell?! Why am I so nervous all of the sudden?!
Freya stood up. "Thank you for helping me and providing me with food. But I must be going now." She stated. She petted Pikachu. "Thank you, Pikachu. I owe you the favour." She smiled.
'Anytime!' Pikachu exclaimed.
Freya giggled. "Look after your master now, he's lucky to have a partner like you." She looked to Brock. "I'm looking forward to another amazing meal, the next time we meet." She waved.
"O-okay! But do you really have to leave now? It's so late." He replied.
Freya looked up at the moon. "Pokémon everywhere need me." She said before heading deeper into the woods. "Stay safe all of you!" She called before she vanished into the darkness.
Ash turned to Brock, who was blushing wildly. "She's just another girl, Brock. You'll forget about her when you see another one."
"I know it's normally like that, but... have you ever seen me nervous around girls?" He looked at his hands. "I only saw her face slightly, and that smile... what is wrong with me..?!" He put his head in his hands.
"Well, I think a good night sleep will do you the world of good." Ash patted Brock's shoulder.
Brock nodded and lay down in his sleeping bag. Who in the world was she?