How to Act as a Pokémon Champion

Chapter 10: A Possessive Heart

(Anabel’s POV)

Teleportation left a jarring ripple in my senses, a brief disorientation before I landed squarely in the heart of a Galar field. The scent of damp grass and wildflowers tickled my nose, a stark contrast to the polished hallways I'd left behind. But none of that mattered. My focus was singular – finding Ash.

And there he was, the sunlight catching the raven spikes of his hair as he moved with the effortless grace of a born battler. My breath hitched. He was even more captivating than I remembered, the fire in his eyes tempered by a gentle patience that made my heart clench strangely.

But then I saw her. The girl, Marnie, a streak of black and pink across the field. She held her ground, determination etched on her young face, but her inexperience was painfully obvious.

A pang of jealousy, sharp and unwanted, twisted in my gut. She was so close to him, receiving his guidance…the kind of attention I craved. And something more sinister whispered within me – a hunger, a need to possess him entirely. Who was she to claim a place at his side?

"Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!" Ash's voice echoed, breaking the tension. His starter Pokémon unleashed a flurry of shimmering leaves, forcing the girl's Morpeko into a frantic defense.

Marnie countered, her voice tight with frustration, "Morpeko! Bite!"

The tiny electric-mouse lunged, teeth bared. But Ash was ready.

"Dodge gracefully, Bulbasaur! Then use Vine Whip!"

His Pokémon moved with surprising agility for its bulky build, the whip-like vines snatching Morpeko out of the air, then depositing it gently back onto the grass.

Marnie's eyes widened. "Woah… that was..."

A grin split Ash's face. "Pretty cool, huh? Not about brute force with those attacks, see? More about control and accuracy."

I watched, a storm brewing within me. He was teaching her, guiding her. The sight of him sharing his knowledge, his passion, with another – it ignited a possessiveness I'd never known I harbored. The desire to shove her aside, to be the sole focus of his attention, was almost overwhelming.

The battle ended, their Pokémon exhausted but exhilarated. A wave of dizziness washed over me. Had I really just stood there, seething with childish jealousy? Yet, I couldn't bring myself to regret it. This feeling, however twisted, was proof of how deeply I cared for him.

Ash approached Marnie, offering her a hand. "Great battle, Marnie! You're definitely getting a hang of this."

"Thanks," she beamed, then glanced over at me. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. "Is that…?"

Before she could finish, I swept across the field in a shimmer of teleportation. "Ash!" My voice was saccharine, but my eyes were hard. "There you are, darling. I've been looking all over for you."

His eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Anabel? What are you doing here?"

"Chairman Goodshow sent me," I purred, linking my arm through his. "Big things planned for Alola, and you, my dear, are at the heart of it all."

Marnie stared at us, confusion giving way to a flash of suspicion. I met her gaze head-on.

"As for you," I addressed Marnie, a dismissive edge to my voice, "Your training session is clearly over. Perhaps you should run along now. Ash and I have important matters to discuss." My smile didn't waver. "After all," I added, my tone sweet as poison, "wouldn't want to interrupt his girlfriend, would we?”