Ash's Little Sister

Get Your Head in the Game

I stride into the lobby of Motostoke Gym, trying to look more confident than I feel. All eyes turn to me, and people immediately start whispering. I catch a few of them.

"Ash's sister"

"Weird"

"Can Gigantamax"

"Really strong"

I do my best to ignore them, heading to the front desk.

"Challenger 313 here to challenge Kabu." He nods, tilting his head toward the dressing room.

"Change. Then you'll be escorted to your trial." I nod and follow his instructions. When I make it to my Gym Mission, I freeze in my tracks.

"What?" Three large patches of grass dominate the room, and three Trainers stand in each one. A man makes his way to me.

"For this Gym Mission, you need to earn five total points. Catching a Pokémon earns you two, while defeating them earns you one." I smile.

"Glad I stocked up on Pokéballs then." I struggle through the mission, awful dream still haunting my mind. Eventually, I've caught another Vulpix, a Sizzlipede, and a Litwick. I frown. I'll probably just send them to my Pokémon Boxes. I've already got a Fire Type on my team. I stride through the tunnel, eager to get my Badge. Kabu meets me on the pitch.

"So you're the famous Sapphire." I nod.

"Yeah." He holds a hand over his heart.

"You may possess the flames of youth, but my years of experience will trump that. Let's begin!" He sends out his first Pokémon. A Ninetails. I bite my lip.

"Umm... Mudsdale." Mudsdale canters onto the field. My dream self's scream echoes through my head.

AAAAAAAAAAAIEEEEEEEEEEE

I snap back to reality just as Mudsdale gets hit with Ember. She cries out in pain.

"Dale!" I shout.

"No!" I try to think of a move that we can use.

"Use.. Earthquake!" Mudsdale looks at me, confused. My eyes widen.

"You don't know that anymore. Crap!" Kabu takes advantage.

"Fire Spin!" A tornado of pure heat forms around Mudsdale. I yell, desperate.

"Iron Defense!" Mudsdale tries to form a metal shield, but the flames melt it before it can be completed. Tears pool in my eyes as desperation to help my partner churns within me.

"Uh. Mud Slap?" Mudsdale kicks up some mud, dousing the flames. Mudsdale heaves, clearly suffering from major burns. Kabu pushes on.

"Quick Attack." Ninetails rushes Mudsdale, hitting her with all of its weight. Mudsdale falls over and stays down. I sigh, calling her back into her Pokéball.

"I'm sorry." I wipe my eyes on my sleeve.

"Riolu, you're up." Riolu walks onto the field, but glances at me over his shoulder. I see the concern and worry in his eyes. I try to push all the lingering anxiety from my dream away, but it proves to be impossible. Kabu once again makes the first move.

"Will-O-Wisp!" Three flames strike Riolu, burning him. I shout.

"Get in close and use Force Palm!" Riolu runs directly toward Ninetails. Kabu smirks.

"Aim Ember right at the ground, spinning in a circle." Ninetails widens its stance and waits for Riolu to get closer. I realize what they're doing a second too late. A circle of fire blazes to life around Ninetails, and Riolu runs right through it. His pained screams reach my ears.