Ash's Little Sister

Gigantamax

Leaving the Grass Gym, I find a secluded spot and pull out Vulpix's Pokéball.

"We have some work to do." I toss it up, and Vulpix materializes in front of me. She snarls.

"Pix!" I scowl.

"I know that being caught by a person you don't know is scary and disorienting, but I will never hurt you." I hold my hand out, inching forward.

"We're partners now, so we need to learn how to work together." Riolu and Mudbray stand back. Vulpix glares at me, but doesn't seem like she wants to run away or attack me.

"Vul.." I stop just a foot away from her.

"I acknowledge your strength, and I hope that you'll trust me to stand by you in battle." Fire flickers along her coat. Ignoring the flames, I place my palm softly on her head.

"I know you're scared, but I'm going to take care of you." Fire licks at my skin, but it feels... warm? As the shock fades, I look down and see that Vulpix's eyes are closed, and she's pushing herself against my palm. A few moments later, the fire dancing on my skin turns painfully hot.

"Agh!" I yank my hand away. I stare at the burns on my palm and fingers.

"Too much too soon?" Vulpix trots over to Riolu and Mudbray. I nod.

"Yeah. Let's get going." My hand throbs with pain. I rifle through my bag, and pull out a Burn Heal.

"Does this even work on humans?" I spray the topical anesthetic, and the pain immediately vanishes.

"Huh. Good to know." We walk for the next twenty minutes in silence before my scream breaks it.

"AHHH!" I'm knocked to the ground. I roll over, and see a Drifloon floating around me, emanating shadows from its attack. Riolu crouches over me, shielding me with his body.

"Olu!" He snarls, angry that the Drifloon attacked me. I sit up, trying to remember everything about Ghost Types.

"They're immune to Fighting and Normal Types, and weak to Ghost and Psychic." I turn to Vulpix.

"Use Extrasensory!" Vulpix yips before following my orders. Drifloon yelps out in an eerie tone.

"Floon!" I'm about to continue the battle, but an overwhelming ache radiates through my chest.

"Hngh!" Riolu grabs my hand.

"Rio!" I clutch my chest.

"It feels like.. my heart is trying to.. break out of me.." Tears stream down my cheeks as the pain wracks my body. Drifloon lets out a strangled shout.

"FloOOnN" It glows with red light before growing. The pain subsides once it reaches max height. I crumple to the ground in relief.

"Hff." Mudbray nuzzles her nose under me, propping me up into a sitting position. I look around.

"I didn't know there was a Power Spot here." A voice calls out to me.

"There isn't!" I look to the side, and see my brother running toward me. Pikachu leaps off of his shoulder, crackling with electricity.

"PikaCHU!" Ash points at the Dynamaxed Drifloon.

"Use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu becomes engulfed with yellow light, striking the Drifloon with a huge spark that echoes through the air. Drifloon barely flinches.

"DRIF!" The Drifloon glows with purple shadows before they streak toward Pikachu. Pikachu screams.

"PiKAAAAAA!" Ash yells.

"Pikachu, no!" I shout.

"You need to Gigantamax!" Ash shakes his head.

"We can't! There's no Power Spot!" I stare at my Dynamax Band.