Ash's Little Sister

Sword and Shield

I try to project my thoughts into Ash's head, but can't muster up the power to do so. Frustration wells within me. Rose must have taken enough of my power that I can't use my abilities. I clear my throat.

"Ahem." I catch Ash's attention, and beckon him toward me with a nod of my head. When he gets close, I whisper in his ear.

"I can't rely on my powers to win this fight. I need my Pokémon. Can you take Lucario to go find them? I'll stall for as long as I can." Ash nods, and hurries away, Lucario trailing behind him. I turn to Rose.

"What are you going to do after today? You've gotten what you want." Rose smiles.

"There's still much to do. I need to harness the power of the Darkest Day, and convert it to energy. Galar shall prosper forever thanks to me." I bite my lip, impatience making me agitated.

"What's your plan for me? You've taken everything from me. I only have enough power left just to exist." Rose shrugs.

"Naturally, I'll need that too. I hate that you would disappear, but it can't be helped. You've been most useful. Some would say reckless, but I say compliant."

Ash's POV

I rush through the maze of corridors, following after Lucario. I step on something, and nearly sprawl out on the floor. I stop and pick up the object.

"Oh!" I examine it closer and see that it's a Sun Stone. I pocket it, running to catch up with Lucario. He leads me to a storage room, gesturing to five Pokéballs.

"Cario!" I try to remember the moves I've seen Sapphire do with Lucario.

"Pikachu, Iron Tail. Lucario, Iron Claw." They each attack the chains in turn, not stopping until each Pokéball is free. I pocket them.

"Let's get these back to Sapphire." As I'm running back, something catches my eye.

"What is that?" I enter a room where two objects are locked up.

"A sword and shield." I'm about to run back to Sapphire, but I'm drawn back to the Sword. Feeling foolish, I run a hand through my hair.

"It feels like it's calling me." I nudge Pikachu.

"Iron Tail." He slams his tail into the glass, but it doesn't budge. I sigh.

"Alright. Lucario, try Force Palm." Lucario's palm glows with power, and he slams it into the glass. Cracks spiderweb across the surface, but the glass still doesn't shatter. I tap my foot, trying to figure this out.

"Oh!" I grab Sapphire's Mudsdale's Pokéball. I toss it up and Mudsdale leaps out, cantering around in a panic. I throw my hands up in front of me.

"Hey! Calm down, it's just me." Mudsdale rears, clearly distressed. She gallops at me. Pikachu growls, launching an Electroweb at it.

"PikaCHU!" Mudsdale gallops right through the web without stopping. Fear fills me.

"Mudsdale is a Ground Type!" Lucario throws himself between us, planting his paws on Mudsdale's chest to keep it from trampling us. The fur under Lucario's palms begins to glow red. My eyes widen as I sense the magical signature.

"That's Sapphire's power." Confusion clouds my thoughts.

"How?" My mind flashes back to all those times Sapphire connected with Lucario. It hits me like a bolt of Pikachu's lightning.

"When Sapphire links with someone, she must leave a little of her power in them." Mudsdale calms as Sapphire's power washes over it, soothing it with its Trainer's aura. When Mudsdale's breathing calms, I make my command.