Ash's Little Sister

The Truth

I close my eyes, finally beginning to accept the abilities I've been developing since setting out on my journey.

"There's too much to blame it on coincidence. It's time I figure out how to actually use my powers." I reach a hand out to Oddish.

"Let's see what you found." Oddish leans into my touch and I close my eyes. I draw on that deep well of power residing within me. I try to draw it to the surface, thinking about each time I felt that spark ignite inside my chest. Sweat trickles down my forehead.

"Come on.." Finally, I feel something. A faint stirring of magic that glows as bright as the red Dynamax light. I push it into the air around me, channeling it into the bond I have with Oddish as Pokémon and Trainer. I feel it connect the moment I link with Oddish's mind, like two pieces of string tied together.

"Got it!" I delve into her memories. I search for the memories of this evening, but a familiar voice echoes through the void.

"You useless whelp!" I freeze.

"That's Oddish's old Trainer's voice." I follow the sound, and the void fades away around me. I see a forest clearing. I feel Oddish's grief as if it were my own emotions. Her old Trainer stands over her.

"I gave you one simple task, and you couldn't even do that right!" I step between Oddish and the man.

"Back off! I won't let you hurt her." I put a hand on his shoulder, intent on shoving him back. My hand passes right through him. He continues to scold the already distraught Oddish.

"I should've left you to die in that river!" I kneel down in front of Oddish, and place a spectral hand on her cheek.

"I know you can't hear me right now, but I want you to know that you are incredible. You're strong, and I know that you can overcome this. I'll be waiting for the moment you realize this. I can't wait." Oddish looks up as though she heard me. I stand and let the memory fade away. I return to the black void.

"Enough detours." I listen for Oleana's voice. After a few silent moments, my name drifts toward me.

"..Sapphire.." I clench my fists.

"That's her." I float toward it. The conversation grows louder as I get closer.

"Eternatus must have transferred his power to her." I stop in my tracks just on the edge of the memory.

"What?" Rose's voice answers.

"That'd explain why Eternatus no longer responds to Wishing Stars." I stare at my hands.

"Is this true?" Doubt clouds my mind.

"It can't be. A Pokémon can't transfer their power to a human. Can they?" I step forward, plunging straight into the memory. I see Oleana and Rose standing in the shadows outside the Stow-on-Side Gym. Rose shakes his head.

"It could be true, but it doesn't feel right." He pulls out his phone.

"Eternatus stopped radiating Dynamax energy on February 5, 2012. It didn't all vanish at once. Over the course of the day, it slowly ebbed away. On February 6, it was completely gone." My eyes widen.

"I was born on February 6." Rose's voice darkens in annoyance.

"I practically bombarded that monster with Wishing Stars, but it did nothing. It was all a massive waste of time and resources." Oleana pulls out a Power Spot Detector.

"Then little Sapphire Ketchum joins your Gym Challenge, emanating four times the Dynamax energy that Eternatus ever did. How do you explain that?" Rose hums.

"I'm not sure yet. We need to run tests on the girl to be sure, but I think it has something to do with the legendary Sword and Shield. The pieces are right in front of us, but we just need to figure out how to put them together." I hear the annoyance in Oleana's voice.