"Pikachu, we need to train extra hard today! The Indigo League Conference is next month!" Ash stood in an open field on the outskirts of Pallet Town, speaking to the Pikachu on his shoulder.
"Pika Pika! (Got it!)" The yellow electric mouse perked up its ears, and the electric sacs on its cheeks flickered with tiny sparks.
Brock, who was organizing the Berries in his backpack, looked up at this: "Ash, training is important, but you also need to balance work and rest. I've prepared some Oran Berries to restore your stamina…"
"I know, I know, Brock, you're starting to sound more and more like Professor Oak." Ash waved his hand with a smile, then turned to Xiao You, who was grooming her Torchic's feathers. "Xiao You, how about we practice combination moves today?"
Before Xiao You could answer, a familiar voice came from a distance: "Ash! Wait a minute!"
The three turned their heads and saw Ash's mother, Delia, hurrying towards them, pushing an empty cart, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead.
"Mom? What's wrong?" Ash went to meet her, puzzled.
Delia caught her breath and stopped the cart in front of the three: "Sorry to interrupt your training, but Ms. Linzi from the herb garden in the back mountain just contacted me. She said she needs help collecting some special herbs. I thought since you were already going to the back mountain to train…"
"Linzi?" Ash's eyes lit up. "You mean Ms. Linzi who works at the botanical garden? We haven't seen her in ages!"
Xiao You also nodded excitedly: "Yeah, the last time we met was half a year ago! Her knowledge of herbs is so extensive."
Brock looked at the two curiously: "This Ms. Linzi is…?"
"She's the administrator of the back mountain botanical garden, specializing in cultivating various medicinal plants," Ash explained. "Mom, we'll go help right away!"
Delia smiled with relief: "Then I'll leave it to you. Linzi said she needs a full cart's worth, and she's written all the types on the list." She handed Ash a slip of paper. "Oh, and she said some herbs grow in rather hidden places, so you might need a Pokémon's help."
"No problem! Pikachu, Gardevoir, they're best at that!" Ash patted his chest.
Ten minutes later, the three climbed up the winding mountain path. Brock pushed the empty cart, occasionally asking Xiao You about Linzi.
"Is this Ms. Linzi very pretty? Why are you two so excited to see her?"
Xiao You shot him a sideways glance: "Brock, wipe that expression off your face. Linzi already has a fiancé."
"What?!" Brock was struck by lightning, almost letting go of the cart. "So young…?"
"They're childhood sweethearts, and their relationship is great," Xiao You added with a mischievous grin. "And Linzi is three years older than you."
Ash walked ahead, completely oblivious to the conversation behind him, discussing his training plan with Pikachu: "…So I think we should first let Lucario and Gardevoir practice that combination move…"
"Pikachu! (Agreed!)"
Turning around a mountain hollow, a garden enclosed by a wooden fence appeared before them. Plants of various colors were scattered artfully within it, some bearing strange flowers, others odd-shaped Berries. In the center of the garden was a wooden cottage, with wisps of smoke rising from its chimney.
"Linzi! We're here!" Ash shouted loudly.
The cottage door creaked open, and a young woman with a ponytail and a gardening apron walked out. Seeing Ash and his companions, a smile immediately bloomed on her face: "Ash! Xiao You! Long time no see!"
Linzi walked over quickly, her gaze falling on Brock: "And this is…?"
"I am Brock, the former Gym Leader of Pewter Gym." Brock immediately straightened his back, flashing what he considered his most charming smile. "It's an honor to meet you, beautiful Ms. Linzi."
Linzi covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "What an interesting person." She turned to Ash, "Aunt Delia told you everything, right?"
Ash nodded and pulled out the list: "Mom said we need to collect a cart full of herbs, and the types are all on here."
"That's right." Linzi took the list and looked at it. "Mainly three kinds: Moon Grass needs to be found in the shade, Sunflowers require plenty of sunlight, and Stardew Vines, which usually entwine on high branches."
Xiao You leaned over to look at the list: "Sounds like we need to work together."
"Pikachu! (Leave it to us!)" Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder, full of fighting spirit.
Linzi squatted down and gently stroked Pikachu's head: "Thank you, Pikachu. Oh, and this is…?" She noticed a Poké Ball on Ash's waist shaking slightly.
Ash understood, taking off that Poké Ball: "It's Gardevoir. It seems to have sensed something." He pressed the button, "Come on out, Gardevoir!"
A flash of red light, and the elegant Gardevoir appeared before everyone. It looked around, its gaze falling on Linzi, and suddenly let out a soft Growl: "Gardevoir~ (It's you~)"
Linzi's eyes widened in surprise: "Is this… Ash's Kirlia? Has it evolved already?"
"You still remember her!" Ash said happily. "Gardevoir, Linzi recognized you."
Gardevoir floated gracefully in front of Linzi, bowing slightly. Linzi extended her hand, and Gardevoir gently placed its hand on hers, closing its eyes as if sensing something.
"It's using telepathy…" Linzi said softly.
Ash smiled and explained: "Gardevoir says it remembers your scent; you took care of it when it was injured last time."
A flicker of emotion crossed Linzi's eyes: "It was so small back then…" She suddenly remembered something. "Oh, what about that Riolu?"
"It evolved too!" Ash took out another Poké Ball. "Lucario, come out and say hello to everyone!"
The blue and black Lucario appeared in the clearing. Upon seeing Linzi, it immediately took a battle stance, but quickly relaxed, tilting its head as if recalling something.
"Lucario? (You are…?)"
"It says your scent is very familiar," Ash translated.
Linzi smiled: "It seems they both still remember me. That's great, with their help, collecting herbs will be much easier."
"He's always used this ability," Xiao You said as a matter of course. "You're not just realizing it now, are you?"
Ash scratched his head: "Actually, I don't know why either, I just understand what they're saying. Professor Oak said it might be a special talent."
Linzi clapped her hands: "Alright, let's get to work. Ash, have your Pokémon help collect the high-up Stardew Vines; Xiao You, you're in charge of the Sunflowers; Brock and I will go collect the Moon Grass."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and just as they were about to split up, another Poké Ball on Ash's waist suddenly opened on its own, and a rainbow light flashed.
"Eevee! (I want to help too!)"
An Eevee with rainbow-gradient fur jumped out, affectionately rubbing against Ash's leg.
"Wow!" Linzi exclaimed, "This is… a Rainbow Eevee? I've never seen this color before!"
Xiao You also showed a surprised expression: "Ash, when did you catch it?"
"It was in a forest in the Kanto region." Ash squatted down to pet Eevee. "It was in Team Rockets' laboratory at the time, and I rescued it. Later I found out its color was due to Team Rockets' genetic experiments…"
Linzi cautiously extended her hand to touch Eevee, but the Rainbow Eevee immediately hid behind Ash, only peeking out half its head to look at her warily.
"Eevee… (Unfamiliar…)"
"Sorry, it doesn't like anyone but me touching it," Ash said apologetically.
Linzi withdrew her hand, nodding understandingly: "Special experiences can make a Pokémon more cautious. It's alright, I'm already lucky to have seen a Rainbow Eevee with my own eyes."
Brock, however, was eager to try: "Let me try! I have a great affinity with Pokémon!" He slowly approached, showing a gentle smile, "Hi, little one…"
"Eevee! (Go away!)" Eevee suddenly bristled its fur, its rainbow coat sparkling in the sunlight.
Brock looked at Eevee helplessly: "No one but Ash can touch Eevee, not me, Xiao You, or Delia."
Xiao You grabbed Brock's ear: "I told you not to force it! Why don't you listen?"
"Ow, ow, ow! I get it!" Brock wailed.
Linzi was amused: "You all have such a good relationship. Come on, let's start working. I've prepared special herbal tea and snacks for lunch."
Hearing about snacks, Pikachu immediately perked up: "Pikachu! (Let's go!)"
Everyone dispersed, beginning to search for the required herbs in the vast botanical garden. Ash led Pikachu, Gardevoir, Lucario, and Rainbow Eevee towards the tall tree area deep in the garden.
"Gardevoir, can you sense where the Stardew Vines are?" Ash asked.
Gardevoir closed its eyes, and the red antennae on its head glowed faintly. A moment later, it pointed northeast: "Gardevoir~ (There are many over there~)"
"Great! Lucario, you handle the lower ones; Gardevoir, use Confusion to pick the higher ones; Pikachu and Eevee, help me collect the fallen ones on the ground." Ash skillfully assigned tasks.
"Pikachu / Eevee! (Understood!)"
Under the tall oak trees, Gardevoir floated in the air, carefully using Confusion to untangle the Stardew Vines wrapped around the branches. These vines were silvery-blue, shimmering with starlight in the sun. Lucario, agile, climbed the tree trunk, precisely cutting specific parts of the vines with its claws, letting them fall perfectly.
Ash and the two smaller Pokémon waited below, neatly tying up the fallen Stardew Vines. Rainbow Eevee seemed to particularly love these glowing plants, occasionally touching them with its nose and letting out joyful Growl.
"Eevee~ (So pretty~)"
"Yes, they glow even brighter at night," Ash said with a smile. "Linzi said they're an important ingredient for making calming medicine."
On the other side, Xiao You collected golden Sunflowers on the sunny south slope. She had released her Venusaur and Sylveon to help.
"Venusaur, can you help me find where the Sunflowers are blooming the most?" Xiao You asked.
Venusaur nodded, closed its eyes to sense for a moment, then pointed to a patch of flowers: "Venusaur (The energy is strongest there~)"
"Thanks!" Xiao You walked over, carefully picking the full-petaled flowers.
Meanwhile, Brock and Linzi searched for Moon Grass in the shade of the trees. These grasses were light blue, with white, crescent moon-like patterns on their leaves.
"Ms. Linzi, how did you and your fiancé meet?" Brock asked while picking grass, trying to make his tone sound like casual conversation.
Linzi smiled: "We're childhood sweethearts, grew up together in the back mountain. He's a pharmacist in Celadon City now."
"I see…" Brock's voice clearly fell. "What an enviable relationship…"
Linzi gave him a meaningful look: "Mr. Brock seems very persistent about relationships. But…" She lowered her voice, "I noticed the way Xiao You looks at Ash. Are you sure you want to focus your attention on me?"
Brock froze: "Xiao You and Ash?"
"She hasn't caught Ash yet," Linzi whispered. "But the competition is fierce, I hear Lucia and Serena also…"
"Linzi! Brock! How's your collecting coming along?" Xiao You's voice came from a distance, interrupting their conversation.
Linzi stood up and waved: "Almost done! How about you?"
Ash walked over, carrying a large bundle of Stardew Vines: "We're done over here too! Gardevoir and the others helped a lot!"
Everyone sorted the collected herbs and loaded them onto the cart, quickly filling it up. Linzi invited everyone to rest under the pergola in front of the cottage, bringing out fragrant herbal tea and homemade cookies.
"You've worked hard. This tea is made with calming flowers grown in the garden, it can help restore your stamina." Linzi poured tea for everyone.
Rainbow Eevee curiously sniffed the teacup, then sneezed: "Eevee! (So strong!)"
Everyone was amused. Ash gently stroked Eevee's back: "You're not used to this smell, are you? Here, have a cookie."
"Speaking of which," Linzi suddenly remembered something, "Ash, that girl named Serena you mentioned last time, have you kept in touch?"
Ash looked bewildered: "Serena? Oh, the one from Kalos? We occasionally call each other to discuss training methods."
Xiao You put a hand to her forehead: "Oh my god, you blockhead…"
Linzi covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "Looks like someone needs to put in more effort."
"What effort?" Ash completely missed the implied meaning, taking a big bite of a cookie. "Linzi, this cookie is so delicious!"
"Pikachu! (Agreed!)" Pikachu also held a small piece of cookie, eating with relish.
As the sun set, everyone pushed the cart full of herbs and set off on their way home. Linzi stood at the garden gate, waving goodbye: "Thank you for your help! I wish you good results at the Indigo League!"
"We will!" Ash shouted back, "We'll come visit you again next time!"
On the way down the mountain, Brock remained pensive. Xiao You couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong? Still thinking about Linzi?"
Brock shook his head: "No… I was thinking, the bond between Ash and his Pokémon is truly amazing." He looked at Ash, who was walking ahead, discussing tactics with Pikachu. "Perhaps that's why he can continuously grow stronger."
Xiao You showed a gentle smile: "Yes, he just has this magic that makes the Pokémon and people around him willing to follow him."
"Including you?" Brock winked mischievously.
Xiao You's face immediately turned red: "S-shut up!"
Ahead, Ash was completely unaware of the conversation behind him, excitedly gesturing: "…So tomorrow's training focus is speed! Pikachu, we need to break through our limits!"
"Pika Pika! (Full throttle!)"
Rainbow Eevee followed at Ash's feet, occasionally looking up at him, its eyes full of trust: "Eevee~ (I'll do my best~)"
The setting sun cast their shadows long, long, as if a path leading to their dreams, stretching far into the distance.