Ash's Little Sister

First Step

Mom knocks on my door, waking me up.

"Sapphire? The big day is almost here!" I roll over, covering my head with my pillow.

"Five more minutes." The door opens.

"Afraid not. Someone's here to visit you." I sit up, rubbing my eyes.

"Who is it?" A familiar guy barrels into my room.

"Good morning, sis!" I bolt upright.

"Ash?" A familiar yellow blur leaps onto my bed.

"Pika!" Ash's Pikachu jumps up, head butting me in my face in excitement. My eyes widen.

"Don't let your-" Pikachu's electricity sacs rub against my chin. Electricity courses through my body. I scream.

"AAAGH!" The room spins as the pain saps my strength.

"Great to... see you." The covers are yanked off of my bed. Ash, seemingly not caring that his Pokémon zapped me, grins with delight.

"You're turning ten tomorrow! What Pokémon are you gonna choose?" Mom pulls him back.

"Go easy on her, Ash. She probably doesn't want to talk Pokémon this early in the morning. I gently push Pikachu off of me, swinging my legs off the bed.

"I don't know what I'm going to choose. I've always had my heart set on a Squirtle, but I assume that won't be a Starter Pokémon here in Galar." I sigh. After Ash achieved his dream of becoming a Pokémon master, we moved here so he would have a home base closer to Leon. Even though Leon isn't Champion anymore, he's taken Ash under his wing as an apprentice. Mom pulls us both into a surprise hug.

"It just makes my heart soar that both of my babies are under the same roof again!" Ash and I both cry out at the same time.

"Mom!" She lets us go with a laugh.

"Come on. Why don't I fix a breakfast worthy of two Trainers!" I flush.

"I'm not a Trainer yet." Ash throws his arms around me.

"You will be tomorrow! I'll bring you to meet Leon. He's excited to meet my little sister." I shake my head.

"I already told you, Ash. I want to do this on my own like you did." Pikachu climbs onto my shoulder. I scratch his head before returning him to Ash's arms.

"I appreciate the enthusiasm, though." I grin.

"Besides, why give the person who's going to beat you tips? You may be a Pokémon master, but I'm gonna get even stronger than you!" Ash laughs.

"You have a long way to go, Saph." I wrinkle my nose.

"Ash! I'm not five anymore. Call me Sapphire." He ruffles my hair.

"Sorry. You'll always be Saph to me." Pikachu laughs.

"Pika Pikachu!" I groan.

"Not you too." The smell of banana waffles wafts through the air. Ash and I immediately rush to the kitchen, ready to eat. I see Mr. Mime pretending to cut an orange. My eyes widen when the orange actually splits in half.

"What?" Mom looks over at Mr. Mime.

"Thanks for the help, Mimey!" The day goes by in a flash, and soon it's time for bed. Mom turns to Ash.

"Unfortunately, work is calling me away for a few days. Think you can help get Sapphire up?" Ash grins.

"Of course. There's no way I'm letting Saph sleep in." I groan.

"Not even a little bit?" Pikachu hops over to my shoulder.

"Pika!" I scratch his head.

"Alright. I'm counting on you two."