Hello Everyone, It's Friday! And that means a brand new Chapter for all of you. But first, We have a review to respond to.
Sakura Bum: Thank you for your support. it places a smile on my face to know that you and your loved ones enjoy the story.
Now, On with the story.
Chapter 14: Loved
(Inside Stella's Dream.)
"Finally, you're back right where you belong. In front of my presence." Said a darkened figure in a distorted voice. At that point, A Sylveon-Human Hybrid girl began to back away in fear. "Where do you think you're going?" The figure then creates a barrier to prevent her from escaping. "You cannot run away or defy your fate. The only thing you can do is accept it." The figure then begins to move closer and closer to the girl. "N-no please. Move away. S-stop. T-turn around." Said The Hybrid, but her words proved to be ineffective. The figure then picks up the girl and smiles vilely. "It is time for fate to take its course!"
(Inside Stella's Room.)
"Sylveooooon!" Cried Stella loudly after waking up. "Fenn? (Sis?)" Cried Fennekin in a worried tone. "Pan Pancham? (Are you okay?)" Cried Pancham in the same tone. "No. I'm n-not alright. I'm sc-scared. Eon." Stella then hears knocking on her door and uses her feelers to open it, allowing Ash to enter. "Stella, what's wrong?" Asked a worried Ash. "Pika? (Stella?)" Cried Pikachu in worry. Stella then begins to cry uncontrollably, causing Ash and the others to comfort her. They were all worried since they had never seen Stella act like this, they knew something was wrong, but calming her down was priority number one.
(Thirty Minutes Later)
"I-it was so scary. I felt like I couldn't do anything." Said Stella. "So let me get this straight. A vile figure boldly claims his triumph and then proceeds to walk closer to you while preventing you from escaping, and then before anything else happens, you wake up." Said Ash. "Yes. Eon. And to think that everything was going so well too. I haven't had a nightmare in three weeks." It's alright. Nightmares happen to everyone, including me." "W-what are your nightmares l-like? Eon?" "My nightmare are oftentimes thoughts of what would have happened if I had lost my mom earlier or the early memories of when I lost her. They're not as frequent anymore, but they can still happen." "Oh. Do you have nightmares of other things?" "I do. Sometimes I often fear about losing my friends, human or Pokémon. Losing someone you love or care about is never an easy feeling to deal with. Recently, one of my biggest fears that has been repeatedly popping up in my head is me not being able to fulfill the promise of protecting you from Team Rocket, should they return." Stella was shocked. She never expected Ash, her boyfriend, the Alolan Champion, the one who had rescued her from the lab and been there for her, to have fears of his own. "Ash, I never k-knew." "It's fine. Everyone always expects males to be fearless, but Mom always told me that it was ok to be scared, to be worried, or to be nervous about something because it shows that you are human. These things are mostly temporary, but can be permanent if they're not addressed or taken seriously. My mom always took the time to listen to me and help me get better from these. So when someone comes to me and tells me their fears or worries, I always take the time to listen to them." "Your mother truly was an amazing and loving person. Eon." "I know. I love you, sweetheart." "I love you too, Ash-kun." "Ash-kun?" "Oh! I'm sorry! I can call you something else if you like." "I actually like it, since some people affectionately refer to their male friends or kids the 'kun' suffix in Kanto." "Really?! Eon?!" "It's true." Stella then wraps her feelers around Ash. "I love you Ash-kun." "I love you too sweetheart."
(Downstairs in Ash's kitchen.)
"So do you like it, Ash-kun? Eon?" Asked Stella, who made Ash some Oran berry waffles. "This tastes amazing! You're really getting the hang of this!" Said Ash in amusement. "Thank you Ash-kun, my love." "Professor Kukui called me last night. He told me of your learning progress." Stella looked with anticipation. "What did he say? Eon?" "He says you're improving greatly! He told me that you're doing everything at sophomore level!" "Sophomore?" "Tenth grade level. After middle school the grade names go by idioms rather than numbers. Freshman is 9th grade, sophomore is 10th, junior is 11th, and senior is 12th." "I see. Eon." "Your moveset is also nearly mastered. It seems as if you just love to learn." "I do. But Fairy Wind has been a bit of a struggle. Every time I do it, I get prepared and focus, but somehow I always seem to hesitate at the last second." "I think it's because of that night." "Eon?" "Remember that night when you first used Fairy Wind, you accidentally launched me and Pikachu off the bed." "Of course. What makes you think that can make me hesitate?" "Think about it. While we were asleep, you retracted your feelers and prepared them to attack. However, you were asleep, so you weren't aware of it. By the time you woke up, you already attacked and both me and Pikachu were on the floor. I believe this event caused you to fear the move because you fear hurting me, Pikachu, and/or anyone else you care about." "So you're saying that that's the reason? Eon?" "Most likely." Now that you put it all together, it makes sense. But what can I do to alleviate this fear?" "That I don't know at the moment." "Oh. Eon." Stella then fell into a deflated mood. "But I know that we'll get through this. I just have to think of a way." "Thank you Ash-kun." At that point Stella's mood picked back up a bit. Part of the reason Stella loved Ash was because he was caring and proactive, always willing to help her even if he did not have an immediate plan available.
(Hours Later)
"Ok. Yep, I'll see you tomorrow. Good night." Said Ash, who was on the phone. "Tomorrow really is the day. I just didn't think it would go by very quickly. Let's check what Stella is doing." Thought Ash in his mind. Ash then went to the living room to see Stella playing with many of his Pokémon as well as her Fennekin and Pancham. "How's everything?" "Good Ash-kun! I studied for a while and then I began playing with the others. It's helped me unwind throughout the day. Do you want me to make dinner? Eon?" Said Stella. Not having eaten for hours, Ash knew he was hungry. "Yes. That would be nice." "Can you watch the others while I get to work then?" "Of course. I'd be happy to, sweetheart." Stella then went into the kitchen with Fennekin and Pancham while Ash watched a large chunk of his Pokémon. After a half hour, Stella called him into the kitchen as dinner was ready. She made him a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, which made Ash smile. As he began to eat, Ash and Stella looked at each other's eyes and laughed a little. "Tomorrow's the day you return to work, Eon?" "Yes." "Are you looking forward to it?" "Although I'm looking forward to returning, I enjoyed the two week break we got to spend together." "Why? Eon?" "Because the two week break were our first two weeks together as a couple, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way." Stella then proceeded to blush due to Ash's words. "Oh! How are the spaghetti and meatballs?" "Amazing, sweetheart! At this rate you could be as good of a chef as Mallow!" "Thank you Ash-kun. Eon." "No, thank you for making this delicious food." "Ash-kun, I love you." "I love you too sweetheart."
*End of Chapter 14*
Hey Everyone, before I go, I do have some good news and bad news.
I'll start with the bad news, I unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19. It sucks and I do feel fine at the moment, but I'll be taking it one day at a time. The good news is that I will be utilizing the weekly upload schedule so you won't have to worry about missing any new chapters of Intertwined.
Regardless, I hope you all have an excellent weekend and are doing well during these trying times.