Paths Crossing and Fates Colliding - A Gladion x Reader Story

Chapter Five: Partner Swap

I sighed as Null and I hauled ourselves over yet another rock shelf. The sun had gone completely down by this point, so we had to tread lightly and carefully so as not to step on any more weak ground. Honestly, after I find Gladion and Banette and beat this trial, I am not climbing any more mountains. 

We stopped and checked our surroundings, and over my own exhausted panting, I could hear Null panting quite loudly as well. I sighed and knelt down to its level, causing it to also stop. After digging around in my bag for a bit, I eventually found a patterened pokebean. I held it out to the once again hesitant Pokemon, but it was quicker to accept my offer this time around. Maybe it was warming up to me after all. I gave the creature a soft rub on the head and looked up to the giant shadow that I assumed was the mountain beside us. 

"I'm sure we're almost there, Null," I meant to reassure the Pokemon, but I was secretly also trying to comfort myself as well, "It feels like we've been climbing for hours... we've got to be close to the top by now."

Once Null was done eating, we started to hike again.

Not long after we resumed our trek did I notice an oddly-shaped shadow not too far from us. I paused, extending my hand out to stop Null as well. It noticed the shadow and dropped down into a readied stance, a low growl resonating from its throat.

I let out a short breath and reached into my bag, gripping onto my (C/P)'s Pokeball. "Null," I whispered and the Pokemon looked at me out of the corner of its eye, "I don't know what that thing is, but get ready to fight. If you and (C/P) work together, we'll be out of here in no time." 

Null nodded and we began to slowly stalk forward. Of course, me being me, I had to step on a dead brush twig, immediately alerting the shadow to our presence. Null shot me a glare from where it stood as the shadow quickly turned to face us, another, smaller shadow appearing at its side. 

I brought my hand up, signaling for Null to get ready to fight. But of course--with Null not being my Pokemon and all--it dashed forward anyways, leaping at the shadow.

I heard a yell and another Pokemon cry, but I quickly recognized the type of Pokemon that let out the cry.

"Banette!?" I cried as I sprinted over.

Sure enough, it was my partner standing there, and he quickly dashed over to greet me. I put my hands out wide, allowing the small ghost type to happily leap into my arms.

"Thank Arceus you're safe!" I breathed, "I would've lost my sku--er--I would've freaked out if I didn't find you."

I looked back to where Null had pounced, wondering who Banette had been traveling with and sure enough, it was the edge-lord himself.

Gladion was lying on the ground, an actually relieved smile on his face.

Wow, so he does have human emotions. I thought to myself. Huh, I guess he is kinda cute when he-

NO. NO NO NO. NO. WHERE DID THAT COME FROM? NO.

I have a job to do, I don't have time for things like... that. Speaking of which--

I turned my head away from Gladion, spotting a clear path to the peak. I sighed and looked at Banette, silently nodding my head toward the top of the mountain. My partner nodded back and I cleared my throat, catching Gladion and Null's attention.

Gladion immediately stopped smiling as soon as he noticed me, Null stepping off of its trainer to allow Gladion to stand.

"Uhh..." I began awkwardly, "Thanks for uh, saving Banette. I um..." I fought with myself, but I knew I had to get over at least a little bit of my pride, "I owe you one."