Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 5: A Taste of Trust

Route 2 opened with lighter wind, but the road did not feel simple. After Tepig's rescue, every rustle in the grass made me wonder whether another Pokémon was hiding because a human had taught it to be afraid.

Tepig rested in his Poké Ball at my belt, recovering from the rope. Pikachu stayed on my shoulder, watching the bushes with Patrat's seriousness rubbing off on him. Oshawott walked beside me, proudly guarding the road like every leaf needed his permission to move.

Iris walked ahead with Axew in her hair, turning every few steps to complain that we were too slow. Golly kept pace beside Eve, checking the route signs while Zorua and Purrloin moved like two shadows with very different opinions about discipline.

Alice was closest to me. She did not say much, but she kept glancing at Tepig's Poké Ball, and I knew she was thinking the same thing I was. Trust was not repaired just because someone joined a team.

A soft scrape came from my bag.

I stopped immediately. "Something moved."

Oshawott drew his scalchop with dramatic speed. Pikachu's ears rose, and Patrat clicked his tail against the dirt. Eve's Purrloin arched her back, staring at my bag with narrow eyes.

Alice leaned closer. "Ash, your side pocket is open."

I reached for it, but something purple and quick slipped out with a berry in its mouth. The Pokémon landed on a nearby rock, tail curled high, eyes bright with mischief.

Eve gasped before anyone else spoke. "A Purrloin."

Her own Purrloin stepped forward, offended in the way only a Purrloin could be offended. The wild one tilted its head, then gave Eve's partner a look that seemed to ask why stealing from Ash had not already occurred to her.

Iris pointed at the berry thief. "It stole from you and posed afterward. That is kind of impressive."

Golly's expression flattened. "Theft for attention is still theft."

The Purrloin nibbled the berry slowly, watching me like it expected me to remember something. I stared at its face, and the road around me blurred with an older Unova memory.

A smaller Purrloin had once followed a boy called N through a city alley, stealing snacks from market stalls and then returning them when he asked. It had pretended to be selfish, but every stolen thing had been a test. Did the human yell? Did he chase? Did he listen?

My voice softened before I could stop it. "You waited."

Alice turned toward me. "Ash, you know this Purrloin?"

The Purrloin jumped from the rock and landed on my shoulder, knocking Oshawott into an indignant squeak. It pressed its forehead against my cheek, purring like it had just confirmed something important.

Purrloin's meaning brushed my thoughts with sly warmth. "Different name. Same listener. Took long enough."

I closed my eyes for a second. "I am sorry it took me this long."

Iris stared between us. "Why are so many Pokémon in Unova acting like they were waiting for you?"

Golly answered carefully before I could say too much. "Brother came through Unova two years ago on International Police work. He did not capture every Pokémon he helped. Some of them remember him."

It protected what could not be said yet. I looked at Golly, grateful that she understood the difference between an answer and a confession.

Eve's face sharpened as she watched the wild Purrloin. "So this one was testing whether Ash was the same person?"