Race of a Lifetime

Chapter Eighteen-Gladion's POV

That moment brought me to an unintentional vow that I know I will never break. To protect my father, mother, sister, and these new found travel companions from Giovanni. Adira needs help. From what she told me, this won't end until Team Rocket is stopped. 

"We have to keep everyone safe. That includes you Adira. I'm not going to allow you to throw your life away any longer." She pulls away and frantically wipes the tears away from her face. I gently bring her hands away from her face, trying to calm her down. She shakes her head.

"Marie... you... Lillie... I need to go-" I shake my head.

"What you need is some rest and a start on a plan to set in motion. If you try to stop me, I'll have your pokemon here who agree with this help me." 

"Milo!" 

"You traitors!" The Salazzle starts to snicker. 

"Salazz!" All of our pokemon either snicker or back slightly away from the toxic lizard pokemon. I look over to see Adira's face a light pink. 

"Hestia! There is no way I am saying that! Please keep your colorful language to a minimum." I smirk. 

"Are you blushing Adira?"

"N-no!" 

"You are!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!" 

"No!"

"No!" 

"Yes! Wait- you-you-you are so-so-so-" I start to laugh, still smirking. 

"Fantastic? Smart? Wonderful? How nice of you to think that about me." 

"...I hate you."

"No you don't." 

"Right now? Yes I do!"

"No you don't."

"Yes, I do." 

"No."

"Yes."

"No." 

"I am not going through this again!" I start laughing harder, holding my stomach in slight pain. This is so worth it. 

"It worked though."

"What worked?"

"I got you to calm down and ignore your worry for a bit. It worked." 

"Oh. Well, thanks french fry."

"Your welcome. Wait-I am not a french fry!" 

"Your hair is." I roll my eyes and start speaking in a sarcastic tone. 

"Yes, that's correct. My hair might look like good french fries. But does it change your life in any way, shape, or form?" Now both of us are laughing. Once we calm down, we both stare into each others eyes. Adira's eyes are completely enveloping me. They are making time seem to slow down into a violet crystalized world. I'm being taken into a world more unique than the Ultra Beasts world, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Unlike the place inside the Ultra Wormholes, I will gladly stay here. Taken over by amethyst. I can barely hear Adira's voice, but it snaps me out of my trance. 

"G-Gladion?" Blinking, I notice that we had somehow moved closer to one another. I can feel myself heat up as I notice Lycanroc and Adira's Salazzle motioning for me to get even closer. Then we would be sharing breaths, but that could cause me to... 

"Lets get started on that plan. What do you think Adira?" I ignore the fact that I desperately wanted to kiss her in that moment. She would push away, break even more than she is. She isn't ready for anything involving romance. Why am I even thinking of romance? This isn't me! What is wrong with me?