Race of a Lifetime

Chapter One-Gladion's POV

"Where are we heading Mother?"

"We are going to Galar Lillie, Magearna pointed to it using the beam of light on a map that I showed it before we left." 

"Do we know where to go afterwards? I know next to nothing about Galar except that it is one of the largest regions." 

"I have made arrangements with the two professors in Galar, Professor Magnolia and Sonia. We will meet them in Wedgehurst." 

"Are we going to be there soon?" 

"Yes my baby girl." 

"Mother!" 

Watching the two most important girls in my life while trying to listen to their conversation is concluding to be quite the difficult task. Also, Umbreon is eager to be petted and has made itself comfortable on my lap while I'm sitting down at a table with my younger sister Lillie and Mother. Basically heading to who knows where to find Father, who has been thought to be dead by all of us until recently. 

"Gladion!" Looking up, I see Lillie and Mother staring at me. Looking at them, Mother sighs. 

"Go get packed, apparently we are arriving earlier than thought before." Nodding, Umbreon jumps from my lap and I head over to my bedroom on the ship. Lillie following close behind as we have been sharing a room with two beds. Something deep down in my gut is telling me that this trip will not only bring us to Father, but also to someone else. But who, I am unaware, which concerns me. I'm not afraid of the unknown, but I am not reckless either. 

"Gladion?" I look at her to see Snowy nudging her comfortingly as Lillie seems scared as heck. I look at her with concern. "What is it Lillie?" 

"Do you think something happened to Father? Do you think that's why he never came back?" I stare at her, slightly shaking in her dress, making one of the lillies in her sunhat fall out and onto the bed. "No matter what has happened to Father, he will be coming home with us on the other side. I promise." Lillie nods and picks up Snowy, hugging her comfortingly. 

"Vul? Vulpix?" 

"Its okay Snowy. I'm okay. Promise." 

"Vulpix!" Watching my sister touch pokemon alone again makes me smile slightly. I remember back when I first met Silvally and afterwards watching Lillie squeal in fright and run away from pokemon. I remember leaving, wanting to destroy every last Ultra Beast due to her being traumatized. I remember the first time seeing her after leaving and noticing her lovingly holding Snowy, her own partner after being hurt so badly. The shock and amazement that hit upon seeing her holding a pokemon. It hit my body like a shock from the move Thunderbolt. 

"Gladion?" Snapping out of my daze, Lillie giggles. 

"You need to get your head out of the clouds big brother. The captain announced we are arriving to port but the crew needs time to set things down correctly and register upon arrival before we can leave. Around fifteen minutes I think he said." I nod. 

"Oh and Gladion?"

"Yes?"

"I have one more mission besides finding Father." 

"What is it?" Lillie smirks at me that I have never seen on her face. One filled with mischief. Oh Arceus. What is my sister planning? 

"You'll have to find out!" Then, giggling, she waltzes her way out of the room, leaving me severely confused and worried. Her face never had a smirk like that before. Maybe she learned it from Ash. She probably did. He was a strangely hyper mischievous kid with a knack for unusual battle strategies. Most likely, this rubbed off a bit onto Lillie, as they were closer, going to Pokemon School as classmates anyway. 

Great. 

This trip might lead to large complications.