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Chapter 10: Wondering
Over the past few days Ash was hard at work doing the errands he needed as well as helping Stella master her moveset and tutoring her in reading, writing, and math. Today, however, is different since they've decided to take a break. Ash and Stella were playing with Pikachu, Fennekin, and many of Ash's Pokémon. "Ash, I want to thank you. Eon." Said Stella. "What for?" Asked Ash. "For all that you've done so far. If it weren't for you, I would have never learned how to do anything, meet all the friends we have here in Alola, or each other." "Stella. You're welcome, but we still have a ways to go." "I know. I just wanted to thank you for all that you've done to help me so far. Eon." Stella then wrapped Ash in her arms and feelers for a hug. "I see that you're bonding with Fennekin very quickly." "Of course. We're like best friends at this point." "Fenn. (Absolutely.)" Cried Fennekin in a happy tone. "I beg to differ. You two are more like sisters." "Really?! Eon?!" "You two are practically inseparable and you do everything together now." A thought then returned to Stella's head. "Right! Ash, those things I was wondering that day. Do you mind if I ask about them?" "Of course."
(Ash then goes up to his room with Stella following him.)
"What's this?" Asked Stella. "This is all of the badges I've won from all of my years of traveling through other regions before I settled in Alola. I traveled and beat every gym from Kanto to Kalos, including the Orange Islands." Said Ash, referring to his Gym Badge collection. "That's a lot of battles. Eon." "It was hard at times, but we got through it by never giving up." "What about this?" Asked Stella pointing to another thing. "This. This is my Alolan League Championship trophy. This is the prized achievement of all the hard work we put in over the years." "You're the champion?" "Yes. In fact, I still am. We've held up against tough challengers from all over the region. I won this trophy little over two years ago today, and it's still the greatest moment of my career so far." "I see. What about this photo here? Eon?" "This photo is of an old friend of mine from my childhood." "Really?! You two look really young in this photo." "That's because we were really young when the photo was taken." "How did you two meet? Eon?"
(Ash's thoughts go back to when he was six years old.)
"We were kids in summer camp, and we wound up meeting each other when I found her crying after she had hurt herself. After I helped her up, we became the best of friends, but summer camp was over before we knew it and we had to go our separate ways. Over the years I wanted to reunite with her, but I never knew where she lived. Finally, after some looking around I found that her family lived in Kalos." Explained Ash.
(Ash's thoughts then go back to the present time.)
"Did you reunite with her?" Asked Stella. "No, I did not." Said Ash "What happened? Eon?" "I found her family and the household, but I learned that not long after summer camp all those years ago, she had gone missing and that while she was presumed to be dead, they believed that she may still be out there. I was heartbroken. I was hoping to reunite with an old childhood friend of mine, only to find that the last time I saw her at summer camp would be our last encounter. I have that photo up there because she could possibly still be out there, I'm hoping that one day we could reunite and possibly catch up on what happened over the years. The reason why her parents haven't ruled out their daughter being dead is most likely because they want to know for sure." Said Ash. "How horrible! W-who would even think of taking a child from their family?! Eon!" Said Stella. "Unfortunately, more people than you think. With all that aside, is there anything else you want to know about?" N-no. Let's head downstairs. Eon."
(Ash and Stella then go back downstairs.)
"Ash, I'm curious, what does a champion do?" Asked Stella. "It's not always battling other trainers who hope to take the top spot from you. Sometimes, it's helping others grow in being a better trainer or person along with their Pokémon. Other times it can be answering the questions of young school children on how to be a trainer. It can also consist of helping the region in a large scale deadly event, taking care of your Pokémon or having to take part in league meetings." Said Ash, answering Stella's question. "So you were in a league meeting when you were gone that day?" "Yes. I regret not telling you in person while you were asleep or not handling the situation better, but these meetings are mandatory and can sometimes happen on such short notice." "Okay. Eon." "It's not easy nor is it for everyone, but having a shot at becoming the next champion is helpful, since if they realize that it's not for them, they will have already have knowledge of career paths to follow." "W-what would you do if someone took your place as champion in a battle?" "I know that if my career as a champion does come to a close, I'll be the first one to congratulate and wish them good luck." "Ash, I've also been wondering, How old are you?" "Let's see I was 10 when I explored Kanto and the Orange Islands, 11 when I went to Johto and Hoenn, 12 when I explored Shinnoh and 13 for Unova, 14 when I went to Kalos. I was 15 when I went to Alola, Finished school, became Champion, and settled down here. It's been two years since then, so I am currently 17 years old." "I see." "Pika Pika. Pika Pika. (Come here. We're bored.)" Cried Pikachu. "Fenn. Fenn Fennekin. (Please. Come play with us.)" Cried Fennekin. "Alright. Let's go."
(Hours Later)
"Ash. I've b-been thinking of a-asking you this." Said Stella. "What is it?" Asked Ash. "Have you wondered how I became a Sylveon-Human Hybrid?" "Didn't Professor Alva explain that before?" "Yes, but let me rephrase this, have you wondered how I evolved into a Sylveon-Human Hybrid?" "That question never came to my mind, but given how Professor Alva stated that you were Eevee-Human Hybrid before, it was only inevitable that you would evolve. "It is said that for Eevee to evolve into Sylveon, it must have a strong bond with its trainer and know at least two Fairy Type moves, am I right?" "Yes. Why?" "Because t-that's w-what they did to me." "I don't understand." "It all happened some time ago…"
(Stella's thoughts then shift back to her time as an Eevee-Human Hybrid.)
"I do not remember exactly how long ago this happened, but it was most likely after Professor Alva had left. For so many years I had felt powerless at the hands of those at that horrible place. Going through so many painful experiments and procedures. You could say that I had felt like an object, but it was much worse, I felt like I was nothing. I felt like the only reason I had not died was because they did not let me. The pain was unbearable, every experiment I would be in some sort of pain, unable to walk back to the room where I was held so usually someone had to carry me back. Sometimes it would be so unbearable, I wouldn't be able to sleep, and when I had tried to run or hide, they would often double or even triple the dosage of Eevee DNA as punishment." Said Stella. "What was the pain from that like?" "The pain from that, I can't describe. All I remember was blacking out from the pain and waking up some time later. Eon." "If that was the case, then how were they able to have you evolve?"
(Stella's thoughts then shift again, this time to her capsule.)
"One day, there was a girl waiting in the room where I was held. That day they had doubled the dosage and I was unconscious, so I didn't know until I regained consciousness." Said Stella. "What was her name?" "Her name was Lyra. She was friendly, lovely, and caring. She did her best to understand my pain. She often let me cry on her shoulder, and when things were real bad, she would stay by my side while I was unconscious. Over time our friendship grew stronger, and she had even wanted to give me a name, but had to call me 700 like the others to not raise suspicion. Later, we made an escape plan, one that we would enact when the time was right. Unfortunately, it never came to be." Said Stella. "What happened?" Asked Ash. "The night we were to escape, I evolved. Lyra said it would be better to modify the plan so we would make good use of my new abilities. She told me to get a head start so that she could create a diversion. I ran as fast as I could, but there were Rocket grunts in the way and before I knew it, I was paralyzed from a Thunder Wave coming from Lyra's Elekid."
(Flashback, A few Years Ago.)
"L-Lyra, W-Why?" Asked XYZ-700 (Stella). "Did you really think that we were friends and we're escaping from here? Sorry to break your heart 700, But I needed your trust to get the desired results." Said Lyra. "H-how could y-you do this? Eon?" "Hahahaha. It's simple really. You are nothing."
(Present Time)
"Lyra's betrayal hurt me in many ways. I thought I had someone who cared for, understood, and tried to help me. I thought I had someone to trust, but it all was a cruel joke. Eon." Said Stella. "Are you afraid that I might do the same for you?" Asked Ash. "I-initially, I was, but as time went on you reassured me that you would never leave me behind, that you care for me and that you want to help me. With the help and care of your friends and Pokémon as well, I feel like I'm someone for what might be the first time in my life." As tears were running down Stella's eyes, Ash gave her a hug, one that she embraced. "Stella. I'm glad you're feeling that and know that I will never leave you, ever."
(Half an Hour Later, In Stella's room)
"I heard what happened Sis, Pikachu told me everything. I'm sorry you had to go through all that." Said Fennekin. "It's fine, Fennekin. It was only inevitable that you would find out." Said Stella. "What's on your mind Sis?" "Is it alright if I tell you a secret to keep from Ash and his Pokémon?" "Of course. But why would you need me to keep it from Ash and the others?" "Because it has something to do with him." "What is it, Sis?" "Fennekin, I think I might have romantic feelings for Ash."
*End of Chapter 10*
To all those who are reading and have made it this far, I hope all of you have a nice weekend.