1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 19: Hidden Tears

Route 5 did not become quieter just because we had stopped rushing it. When we returned toward the bridge, the noise had shifted instead of vanished. Team Yell's voices rose and fell near the far side, bicycles clattered against the path, and Gym Challengers kept trying to squeeze past one another on their way to Hulbury.

The road carried too many purposes at once. Challengers wanted the next Gym, workers wanted clear space, cyclists wanted the bridge, and small Pokémon wanted everyone to stop shaking the reeds. After the last stretch, I understood why forcing speed through a crowded route only made every hidden problem worse.

Gossifleur drifted near Alice's shoulder, petals trembling whenever the wind came over the bridge. Far above the route, several wild Eldegoss floated like pale clouds, letting the breeze carry them across the open span. Gossifleur watched them with complete attention.

Alice noticed too, but she only smiled. "Still listening?"

Gossifleur leaned into the bridge wind, petals open and steady, "The sky is showing me how to move without being pushed."

"Then keep listening," Alice said.

The crowd surged again when a pair of Team Yell Grunts shouted at a cyclist near the bridge. The sudden noise scattered several smaller Pokémon in the grass, and a faint splash sounded from the reeds below the path. I turned toward it, but saw only wet footprints appearing and vanishing near the water.

Pikachu's ears twitched. "Something is there."

A challenger near the railing suddenly wiped his eyes. "Why am I crying?"

Then another person sniffled. Gloria blinked hard and rubbed her face. "I am not sad. Why am I crying?"

The reeds shook again. A frightened cry spread through the damp air, and tears sprang into my own eyes before I understood what was happening. Alice held one sleeve to her face, not panicking, only searching the ground for the trail.

"Sobble," Elena said carefully. "There is one nearby."

A small shape flickered in the water's reflection. For one second, I saw wide eyes and a trembling body. Then Sobble vanished, leaving only ripples and more wet footprints between the reeds.

No one chased. That felt important immediately. The road was already too loud, and every footstep toward the reeds made the invisible Pokémon retreat farther.

Alice lifted one hand to stop the nearest challenger. "Please give it space."

"It made everyone cry!" the challenger complained, though he was still wiping his own eyes.

"It is scared," Alice said. "That is not the same thing as attacking."

Shiny Gardevoir appeared beside us in a soft glow, reading the tension before I asked for help. I kept my voice low. "Gardevoir, Life Dew. Gently."

Gardevoir raised both hands, and a veil of mysterious water scattered through the air. The droplets fell across the crying challengers, our Pokémon, and the damp grass near the reeds, soothing the sting in our eyes without forcing Sobble into sight.

Move Dex Entry Updated — Ash and Alice's Shared Galar Record

Life Dew — Water. The user scatters mysterious water around and restores the HP of itself and its ally Pokémon in the battle.

The road settled enough for us to hear the water again. Sobble had moved under the bridge shadow, not far, but far enough that reaching blindly would only frighten it.

Gardevoir lowered one hand, eyes soft with careful warning, "Comfort opens the door. It does not drag anyone through."

"I know," I said. "We follow the water, not the fear."