Secrets of Galar (Ash x reader)

Chapter Eighteen: From Here to Eternatus!

"Wait, hang on." interjected Y/N, snapping back into her thoughts. "Before you tell me anything, I need to tell you to watch out for Chairman Rose.

"Wait, he offered to me help on my path-"

"Yes, I know." she said wearily. "You said that before."

Ash had only now noticed the dark circles under her eyes.

She hides it well, that one, he thought secretly.

"Y/N," said Goh through the phone. "I'm with Sonia, and we aren't sure what to do with the book."

"It contains the real legend of Galar." she replied. "We'll fly over there as soon as possible."

"Tomorrow?" yawned Ash. "I'm exhausted."

"No, not tomorrow," said Y/N impatiently. "Today. There's no time to lose."

It was like the darkness under her eyes had never existed. She dashed to Articuno with surprising agility.

"Alright, Y/N. I trust you."

Trust, she thought. Does it even mean anything to me anymore?

"Come on, let's go." she said gruffly.

They flew for a few minutes before Ash yelled out.

"Hey, is that Chairman Rose?" he asked.

Y/N squinted. 

"You're right!" she answered incredulously.

The two crept behind a stadium and listened.

"The Champion won't be harmed." came Rose's slimy voice. "Take Eternatus from her and I won't even attack anyone."

"You must be joking!" said Leon furiously. "You're asking too much of me - I thought you were working for the greater good."

"Ah, but don't you see?"

At this, Leon frowned.

"I don't." said Leon simply.

"I'm doing this for the future of Galar. I'm doing this so no child will have to suffer like I once did." 

"You're not." hissed Y/N quietly, so only Ash could hear her.

"This is vile!" yelled Leon. "Even if I did agree, Y/N would never let me have Eternatus anyway. She sees through you. She is far stronger than you, and will defeat you if you try to take Eternatus."

Chairman Rose squirmed.

"He knows." grinned Y/N. "I've defeated him recently. Seems to can't handle the truth."

I didn't want to do this, boy." snarled Chairman Rose.

"Nor do I." stated Leon.

The two Trainers brought out their Pokemon. Y/N's blood ran cold.

"They're going to destroy the stadium, but they don't know it yet." she muttered.

"What's more, you need to hide. I'll cover for you." said Ash, getting ready to call out his Pokemon.

Y/N glared at him.

"As if I'd let you do that." she snapped. "I'm a much stronger Trainer than you are, like it or not. However, I won't keep you in the darkness. You can go battle Rose."

Ash began to blink really quickly.

"Rose? Y/N, you're not serious, are you?"

"I always am." she said. "Anyway, in the middle of your battle, Goh will appear with the final details I need. I shall stop the Darkest Day with Zamazenta and Zacian - provided that you'll give Zacian to me, of course."

Ash gulped, but plastered on a brave face.

"You know what you're doing. You always do, so I trust you." he smiled.

"Thanks." she said, as Ash handed her Zacian's ball. "Good luck on defeating Rose."

A laugh simmered in his throat.

"Yeah, I'll need it." he said nervously.

She gave him a pat on the back, which was somewhat painful yet encouraging.

"You'll do fine. Well, 'till we meet again."

Chairman Rose stood at the highest point of the stadium.

"Ferrothorn! Copperajah!" cried Chairman Rose as they came out of their balls.

Now's my chance, Ash thought. I'm doing this for my friends, for Galar, and for Y/N.

"Just look at you." taunted Rose. "You can't win. I'm the one who made your success. Besides, you're all alone. I have my assistant Oleana."

Leon growled.

"He's not."

The both of them looked up.

"A person once told me that it's not popularity that creates success. It's your own inner strength." Ash said, jumping down.

"How lovely." snarled Rose. "Sounds like a Y/N-ish thing to say, but she's no here to help you now, is she?"

"The advice she gave me is invaluable." smiled Ash, maddening Rose. "Right here, right now, I'll defeat you, and create a legacy of my own."