fates collide // an ash xy love story

xxiv // house of cards

The two teenagers just ran for a few minutes, enjoying each other's company. Although they ran past a lot of people, they didn't care enough to look at the two of them. They kept going and going, smiles still strong and legs still barely working. Its when Ash starts to slow down that Hannah realizes how far they have gone from everyone at the league.

Running past the forest surrounding the league, the two are now in territory they don't know about, the deeper and denser forest further out from the Jeune building. Nothing populates this area other than wild Pokémon, finding other humans in this area is quite rare and coincidental.

The two teenagers stop running and ash falls to his knees, panting from the excessive exercise he was not planning on doing. He looks up to see Hannah only breathing heavier slightly, assessing the area to see no other signs of life in the nearby area.

Hannah looks down to see Ash gasping for air at that run and wheezing and goes down on her knees to check his condition, "I'm so sorry Ash! I didn't think I was going to fast or far..."

"It's okay..." Ash's words trail at into nothingness as he continues to talk. The silence was nice and serene, with it being a comfort the two of them now try seeking occasionally. Hannah goes to sit down next to Ash and basks in the natural noise of the world. Rustling trees, chirping Fletchling, Pokémon crushing the leaves beneath their feet. All was calm until the two of them heard something peculiar.

A large crash erupted from a little while away, shaking the ground slightly and causing all wild Pokémon to run from the chaos.

Of course, this means Hannah and Ash make their way to it.

The two run into the forest as soon as they hear the sound, worrying about what may have created the shout.

The two run out of the bushes to an open plain and see a single Pokémon lying on the ground alone, motionless.

A Fletchling, lying on the ground with no movement, looking pale, very ill and on the verge of death. Hannah and Ash with no hesitation run towards the ill Pokémon and see it doesn't have very long left.

"How did this happen?" Ash asks Hannah, with this situation being new to him.

Hannah mutters to herself, cupping the small creature within her hands. She looks at the Fletchling with pity, and the Pokémon opens her eyes to glance at Hannah. Her eyes compelling Hannah to help the Pokémon, to help her get better and to help her thrive in the world. Hannah could tell this wasn't the Pokémon's fault, rather another greater force is behind the pain.

"We need to get to the Pokémon Centre, quick!" Ash replies, standing up and about to run out of the forest. But he doesn't move far before he is stopped by her voice, "wait."

Ash hastily stops his actions to look at the girl, her still looking at the Pokémon, "We won't make it in time. We ran out into the forest in a random direction, we don't know where we are, or how far the Pokémon Centre is. Even if we sprint, we wouldn't make it." Hannah then looks to the ground to mutter, "I don't even think the Pokémon Centre can treat this condition."

"Then what do we do?" Ash asks quietly, the hope and ambition draining from his face and his body. He looks to Fletchling with sorrow all on his face, him thinking of the worst now that he thinks there is no hope.

But Hannah looks up from her hands to look at Ash with no hesitance, "Wait, I can try something."

Hannah directs Ash to kneel beside her and she outstretches the palms of Ash's hands and places the tiny Fletchling within them, "Stay still," she instructs the boy. With all the extraordinary things he's seen Hannah do, he obliges and lets Hannah do whatever it is she is planning.