Secrets of Galar (Ash x reader)

Chapter Twelve: It's Now or Never...

(Ash has already caught Riolu)

Ash happily chatted to Y/N, just as Goh suggested. Y/N herself, though smiling, was feeling an immeasurable amount of guilt. What she was going to do that night could change their friendship forever.

And she wholly regretted it.

"Y/N? Y/N?"

She blinked.

"I asked you about the Gym Badges in Galar." he said.

"Oh! Um... The Badges are named after the corresponding types you will have to battle. We have 14 Gym Leaders. I used to be a Gym Leader myself." she replied, truthfully.

"You were?" Ash's eyes widened in shock.

"Mm-hm. I gave it up to compete in the League, though. I was a Psychic type Gym Leader." she added. "Say, where's Goh?"

"Helping Chloe with her research project." said Ash absent-mindedly.

"What's it about?"

"I don't know. Hey, do you want to go to this café I found near here?" he said, attempting to drive the conversation back to him.

"Oh, um, I'm busy. Sorry." she added truthfully.

"It's fine. I have, um... Something to do for Professor Cerise. I'll see you later."

His tone was falsely cheery, and she noticed his shoulders were slumped.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah." he replied, but as he walked, she heard him mutter, "Not really."

---------------------------------Night Time-----------------------------------------

Y/N knew Ash was acting weirdly. He hadn't eaten his dinner or lunch, even though he wasn't even training. He just sat around moping in his room, which was rather unlike him. At one moment, she had knocked on his door, and he did not reply, even when he was in there. However, this question wouldn't and shouldn't stop Y/N from doing what she had to do. 

She had to steal Ash's Zacian.

Later that night, when she was quite sure Ash and Goh were asleep, she let Hatterene out its ball. She gently pushed their door open.

"Hatterene, use Psychic on that Pokeball!" instructed Y/N.

It did so flawlessly, and the Pokeball flew through the gap in the door.

"Cinderace, Hatterene, we have to leave. Today." she breathed. "I have to find out who I am."

The two Pokemon followed obediently, though questioning.

Meanwhile...

Ash wasn't asleep. Of course, he hadn't noticed Y/N taking his Pokeball, as he was still wrapped up in his troubles, but he was awake nonetheless. 

I'm such an idiot, he thought. I was being foolish when everyone was trying to help...

He immediately resolved to apologise to Y/N, and everyone else, and also to thank them, for being the friends they are.

Y/N's Journey

It was dark outside. Clouds cluttered up the sky, and misty rain fell from the heavens.

"It's cold." she muttered to no-one in particular.

She pulled on a dark cloak, that enabled her to be completely invisible to the human eye. Another one of her inventions, of course. As she did so, Zacian's Pokeball slipped into her palm. Golden letters shone upon it by the light of the torch she had brought out.

______________________ can wield the sword and shield.

Bringing Zamazenta's Pokeball out, she pieced the two sentence parts together.

Only he who is just and loyal can wield the sword and shield.

Of course. She knew who it was referring to. The Hero of Galar. Or rather, Heroes.

Y/N had read a book on Galarian mythology, and it was specifically proven, that in contrast to the legend, there were actually two heroes who performed the deed, each wielding a sword or shield.

But how did it relate to who she was?

Pocketing the two balls, she immediately let her Galarian Articuno out, so as to ride it. It seemed to understand her intentions, for in rose into the air as soon as she climbed upon it.

She was going to the only place that made sense to her.

Ash's Point of View

He couldn't sleep. The guilt stayed in his mind, his thoughts continuously straying to that memory. He got out of bed, and walked to Y/N's room. He didn't know if she'd forgive him after how terribly he acted, but he could only hope. He headed for her room.

Y/N and Ash's Thoughts

It's now or never... and I choose now...