How to Act as a Pokémon Champion

Chapter 14: Shadows of the Past

(Anabel’s POV)

The Alolan sun was a harsh contrast to the cold, unforgiving world of Ultra Space. As I walked along the beach, watching Ash help Kukui and the others with the construction of the Battle Frontier, my mind drifted back to that time – a time I rarely spoke about, even to those closest to me.

~°~°~°~°~°~

Years ago, I was an enforcer for the International Police, a job that led me to the Ultra Beast dimension. It was supposed to be a straightforward mission: gather intel, ensure the safety of any potential breaches, and return. But nothing about Ultra Space was straightforward. The otherworldly terrain, the eerie silence, and the constant sense of being watched gnawed at my sanity.

Days turned into weeks, and then into months. I lost track of time. My only companions were my Pokémon, who stood by me through the worst of it. Espeon, my most trusted partner, sensed my despair and did its best to comfort me. It was during those dark days that a single photograph became my anchor – a picture of Ash and me taken years ago during our battle. His bright, confident smile and the warmth in his eyes were a lifeline, a reminder that there was a world beyond this one.

The isolation, the constant threat of Ultra Beasts, and the suffocating emptiness changed me. I became possessive, obsessive even. The need for control was the only thing that kept me from breaking. In Ultra Space, nothing was certain, and the unpredictable nature of the beasts we encountered only heightened my need to cling to the familiar – to cling to Ash.

When I finally returned to our world, scarred but alive, the relief was overwhelming. But the ordeal had left its mark. I couldn't shake the nightmares, the fear of losing control. My obsession with Ash grew. He was my beacon, my safe harbor. The thought of losing him, of not being able to control the situation, was unbearable.

~°~°~°~°~°~

"Anabel, you're zoning out again," Professor Burnet's gentle voice brought me back to the present. We were sitting in her office, a place that had become surprisingly familiar over the past few months.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Sorry, it's just... difficult to talk about."

Burnet nodded, her expression compassionate. "I understand. But you need to confront these feelings, Anabel. Holding onto the past like this isn't healthy, especially when it's affecting your present."

I looked around the room, the walls adorned with soothing colors and soft lighting. The very environment was designed to be comforting, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of Ultra Space. Burnet had been the one to suggest these therapy sessions. At first, I'd been resistant, but slowly, I started to see the benefits.

"Let's talk about why you feel the need to control Ash's life," she prompted, her voice gentle but insistent.

I took a deep breath, the words coming out haltingly. "When I was in Ultra Space, I had nothing but my Pokémon and that photo of Ash. It was my lifeline. Everything there was so unpredictable, so dangerous. Controlling what little I could was the only way I stayed sane."

Burnet leaned forward, her eyes filled with understanding. "And now that you're back, you feel the need to keep that control, to ensure that nothing can take Ash away from you again."

I nodded, the admission like a weight lifting off my shoulders. "Yes. But I know it's wrong. I know I can't control everything, especially not Ash. He's his own person, with his own dreams and goals. But the fear... it never really goes away."

Burnet smiled gently. "That's what we're here to work through, Anabel. You're not alone in this. It's going to take time, but you'll get there."

The therapy sessions were hard, often dredging up memories I would rather forget. But slowly, piece by piece, I started to rebuild myself. I began to understand that my possessiveness was a reaction to my trauma, not a reflection of who I truly was. Ash deserved someone who could support him without smothering him, who could love him without trying to control him.

~°~°~°~°~°~

One afternoon, after another session with Burnet, I walked to the construction site where Ash was busy with the Battle Frontier preparations. Watching him work, seeing his excitement and passion, filled me with a bittersweet longing. I loved him, but I had to let go of my need to control him.

As I approached, he looked up, his face breaking into a warm smile. "Hey, Anabel! How did the session go?"

I smiled back, feeling lighter than I had in years. "It went well. I'm starting to understand things better."

He came over, giving me a quick hug. "I'm glad to hear that. You've been through so much, but you're one of the strongest people I know."

His words, simple yet heartfelt, made me realize that my journey was far from over. But with Ash's support, and with Burnet's guidance, I knew I could find my way. I could learn to let go of the past and embrace the future, not just for Ash's sake, but for my own.

As the sun set over the Alolan horizon, casting a warm glow over the construction site, I felt a renewed sense of hope. The shadows of the past were still there, but they no longer defined me. I was ready to move forward, one step at a time, towards a future where love and trust replaced fear and control.