Libero
Author's Note: I'm being a masochist and projecting to when Ash and Goh inevitably part ways at the Sword & Shield era's closing. Enjoy the story and R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Pokémon franchise.
Summary:
Goh's fear of being let down has Cinderace playing defence against Ash Ketchum's musings on the future of their friendship.
"You know me too well, Cinderace."
He sighed dismally toward himself toward the Striker Pokémon, who kicked a spectacular Pyro Ball. Goh just never intended for Cinderace to kick that scorching soccer ball into Ash.
Or perhaps, as Cinderace's unsure side-eye implied, Goh truly did.
Don't let him get too close! If he gets too close, then…
Goh was wary – no, terrified – Ash would disappear. That he might blink, and that'd be the end of Ash Ketchum.
Friendship for Goh bore elusiveness on par with Mew. Chloe excluded, the friends Goh met, they weren't what you would call permanent fixtures.
The last friend he allowed close to him stood him up when they were supposed to be finding Celebi. And though they cleared things up three years later, unlike his Pokémon after a Pokémon battle, the sting in his heart wasn't an injury a simple trip to the Pokémon Center could heal.
Cinderace had read Goh's uncertainty and slide-tackled between Ash and Goh to defend its Trainer. It was a move that startled Cinderace; something rising from pure reflex.
"Pikapi." Pikachu brought Ash a cold rag to soothe the minor burns.
"Thanks, Pikachu."
"We're so sorry, Ash!" Goh and the big bunny bowed.
"This? Don't beat yourselves up! My old pal Charizard used to blow Flamethrowers straight into my face, and my face came out of it more or less the face you're looking at right now! Come to think of it, that was around the time he evolved from Charmander into Charmeleon, so I guess he and Raboot went through the same growing pains, ha ha ha!"
"You're laughing about this?"
"Yeah! That was an awesome Pyro Ball, you guys!"
"Ash, you're insane!"
"This one's on me. I shouldn't have opened my mouth about the future of our friendship."
"Ash…"
"Goh, I'm not saying soon. But there'll come a day when we will probably go our separate ways. And when that happens, I'll be very sad. But at the same time, isn't the future exciting? The Trainers we meet and battle, they're a part of us! Make us stronger!"
"Chaa!" Pikachu concurred.
"When did you become as wise as an Oranguru?"
"It helps when you've been on a Pokémon journey as long as I have. A year can feel like you've gathered over two decades' experience!"
Interesting position.
"You'll always be my friend, Goh, whether we're bunking or in different regions."
Ash must've become as wise as an Oranguru! He was making sense!
Through fire or through water, they'd be friends. On 1, 2, 3, he'd dive back in!
Goh high-fived Cinderace's foot, then high-fived Ash.
"Now show me Pyro Ball again! Maybe not while aiming at my head!"