POKEMON : THE WAY OF PERCEPTION

"Sorry, Bulbasaur, but could we take shelter in that house to get out of the rain?" Brock spread his hands, signaling that he and his friends had no ill intentions. He tried to communicate with the cautious Bulbasaur, hoping to ease its vigilance.

However, Bulbasaur was unmoved. It remained rooted in place, its sharp eyes locked on Ash and his companions. With a low growl, it made its stance clear: no further steps would be allowed.

The situation was tense. Ash and his friends exchanged awkward glances, unsure of what to do. They didn't want to attack the determined Bulbasaur, and the Pokémon didn't seem willing to back down. It was a complete stalemate.

"Bulbasaur!" A clear, feminine voice rang out, breaking the silence. A girl with long indigo hair appeared, holding an umbrella as she hurried toward them. Her expression was filled with concern. When she noticed Ash and the others, she stopped, momentarily startled.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur's ears perked up at the familiar voice, and it turned toward the girl. However, its protective instincts quickly reasserted themselves, and it kept its gaze fixed on Ash and his companions.

"You…" The girl hesitated, glancing between Bulbasaur and the group of strangers. She seemed unsure of their intentions and nervous about their sudden appearance.

"I'm sorry to bother you," Ash began, stepping forward. "We were heading to the Pokémon Research School, but it started raining out of nowhere. We saw the house and thought we could take shelter for a while. Is that your home?"

"Oh, so you just want to avoid the rain…" The girl's tense shoulders relaxed, and a small smile appeared on her face. Just as she seemed ready to respond, Brock dashed forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Hi there! My name's Brock, and—"

Before Brock could finish, Bulbasaur sprang into action. Its vines whipped forward, sweeping Brock off his feet and sending him tumbling into the muddy ground.

"I'm so sorry!" Ash and Misty exclaimed in unison, rushing to the girl and Bulbasaur to apologize.

"This is all Brock's fault," Misty groaned, shaking her head. "He always does this when he sees a pretty girl. He just can't help himself!"

The girl blinked in confusion but kept her focus on Bulbasaur, which seemed even more on edge after Brock's actions. Its vines twitched in readiness, prepared to launch another attack.

"Bulbasaur, wait!" the girl called out, her voice gentle but firm. Bulbasaur glanced back at her, its resolve unwavering.

The tension escalated when Bulbasaur prepared to strike Ash and Misty. Sensing danger, Pikachu leaped from Ash's arms.

"Pika!" Pikachu landed on the ground between Bulbasaur and Ash, sparks crackling from its cheeks. It stared at Bulbasaur with a serious expression, warning it not to attack.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur turned its attention to Pikachu, its eyes narrowing. It could sense the immense power Pikachu possessed despite its small size. However, Bulbasaur's determination didn't waver. It had to protect the girl and the house, no matter what.

"Pikachu, stop!" Ash called out, stepping forward to defuse the situation. "We don't mean any harm!"

Pikachu hesitated, but the sparks on its cheeks gradually dissipated. With a final glare at Bulbasaur, it returned to Ash's side. The tense atmosphere eased slightly, and the girl let out a sigh of relief.

Her gaze softened as she looked at Ash and Misty, noticing their drenched clothes and shivering forms. Even Brock, still sprawled in the mud, looked utterly pitiful.

"Bulbasaur, it's okay," the girl said softly. "Let them come inside to get out of the rain."

"Bulba?" Bulbasaur turned to the girl in surprise, its expression questioning her decision. When she nodded, it reluctantly withdrew its vines and stepped back, though its wary gaze never left Ash and his friends.

"Thank you so much," Ash said gratefully. "I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and this is Misty from Cerulean City. And that guy over there…" He gestured toward Brock, who was still trying to clean himself up.

"His name is Brock. He's the former Pewter City Gym Leader, and I promise he's harmless," Misty said. "He just has this annoying habit of falling for every girl he meets."

"It's not a habit—it's appreciation for beauty!" Brock protested, attempting to regain some dignity.

The girl chuckled softly. "Well, it seems like you're all harmless enough. Come on, let's get you inside before you catch a cold."

The group followed her toward the house, grateful for the offer of shelter.

As they approached, Ash noticed a pond near the house. Various Pokémon swam in the water, their eyes filled with a mix of fear and distrust as they watched the newcomers.

Inside, the house was small but cozy. The living room was connected to a modest kitchen, while a curtain separated the girl's bedroom. Despite its simplicity, the house was neat and well-maintained.

The girl handed them towels. "Dry yourselves off, and I'll make some tea. Misty, you can change in my room. The boys can stay here in the living room."

"Thank you so much… um, what's your name?" Misty asked.

"Stephanie," the girl replied with a smile before disappearing into the kitchen.

As Ash and Brock changed into dry clothes, Bulbasaur kept a close watch on them. Its sharp eyes missed nothing, ready to act at a moment's notice.

Ash, however, paid no mind to the vigilant Pokémon. Instead, he focused on drying Pikachu's fur.

"Pikachu…" Pikachu sighed contentedly as Ash carefully patted its damp fur dry. It smiled at its trainer, grateful for his care.

"No need to thank me!" Ash said cheerfully, giving Pikachu's head an affectionate rub. When he glanced at Bulbasaur, he noticed an unusual expression on its face. For a moment, it seemed almost… envious?

Before Ash could dwell on it, Stephanie returned with a tray of steaming tea. She placed the cups on the table and gestured for them to sit.

"Here you go. It's just some simple tea, but it should help warm you up."

"Thank you, Stephanie," Misty said, wrapping her hands around the warm cup.

The group began to relax as they sipped the tea. Stephanie finally asked, "So, what brings you all this way in such bad weather?"

"We're traveling to learn more about Pokémon," Ash explained. "I heard there's a great Pokémon Research School nearby, and I wanted to check it out."

Stephanie nodded. "Yes, the school isn't far from here. Many trainers pass through this area. But not all of them are as kind as you. That's why Bulbasaur is so protective."

Ash nodded in understanding. "It's really loyal to you. You must have a great bond."

Stephanie smiled warmly at Bulbasaur, who stood nearby, still keeping an eye on the group. "Bulbasaur has been with me for a long time. We've faced a lot together."

Brock leaned forward. "Stephanie, if you ever need help protecting this place, I'd be honored to—"

"Brock, cut it out!" Misty snapped, yanking him back by the ear.

Ash laughed nervously, steering the conversation back on track. "Stephanie, have you always lived here?"

"Yes," she replied. "This was my parents' house, but they travel a lot for their research. I stay here with Bulbasaur and the other Pokémon. It's usually peaceful, but lately, we've had trouble with poachers."

"Poachers?" Misty echoed, alarmed.

Stephanie nodded, her expression darkening. "They've been targeting the Pokémon in this area. Bulbasaur has been working hard to protect everyone."

"That's terrible!" Ash said, his fists clenching. "If there's anything we can do to help, let us know."

Stephanie looked at him, surprised and touched. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

As the rain finally began to let up, Ash, Misty, and Brock prepared to continue their journey. Bulbasaur stood beside Stephanie, watching them with a guarded but slightly softened gaze.

"Thank you for your kindness, Stephanie," Ash said earnestly. "We'll make sure to visit again someday."

"You're welcome anytime," Stephanie replied with a smile.

As they waved goodbye, Ash couldn't help but feel they'd made a new friend—and found a shared mission in protecting Pokémon.

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