Bonds: An Ash Betrayal Story (Hiatus)

Why Quality Time is Important

As Lillie and I were heading back home, we were talking about the normal routines and a whole bunch of trainer mambo-jumbo. These are the moments that I feel like are irreplaceable. Moments that get my mind off of every stressor I face, 

"Says the one who can't keep Garchomp out of the cookie jar!" Lillie jokes as we watched Snowy run into the forest and pick out a ton of berries,

"At least he's reasonable," I retorted, "He doesn't steal them all,"

"Hmph!" She pouted as she laughed.

That was one of many stupid and fun arguments we had on the walk back to Mom's house. We have plenty of those and we don't hesitate to do our best to win these arguments because in the end, there's no hard feelings. One day Lillie may win an argument, the next day, we may have the same one and I may win it. It helps me keep my mind off of me losing nearly three quarters of my entourage.

We finally got back to the house, and as usual, Mom made us all dinner and we watched the news. They recapped the latest matchups and it went all according to plan. Also, it covered the most recent Pokémon Leagues, and it turns out, Max won the Hoenn League, and Bonnie won the Kalos League. They have the option to take on the Elite Four and Champion once this tournament ends. 

By the way, Max and Bonnie were disgusted with their siblings when the betrayal happened. They were the first to defend me once I was betrayed, then followed by Gary, and you know the rest. 

Also, the Galar Champion is coming in to participate in the tournament, they had a reserved spot for him that would be available for him to take up until his battle. Luckily for all of us, Leon accepted the offer to join in. 

Once we went up to my room for the night, I plopped onto my bed and just stared up at  the ceiling. I'm always unsure about myself in some way. Some days, I'm uneasy about different things, one day I could be worried about my next battle, the next day I'm worried about Lillie and the others and wonder if they would do the same thing the original group of traitors did. I know it's irrational, but those old friends of mine were everything to me. I lost a piece of myself when they left, and it's impossible to fill that void, even with a loving girlfriend and powerful friends in the regional champions,

"Something wrong, Ashy?" Lillie asked me, "Are you worried about them?"

"Yeah, There's no hiding from you," I replied solemnly, "I just don't feel good enough for you and the others,"

"Ash Ketchum!" She exclaimed, "You are the ONLY one who could be good enough for me! Don't you forget it!"

"Heh, thanks. I just don't see why you decided to pick a hermit like me over someone like Gary," I said lowly, "I just don't know what I did to deserve someone as perfect as you,"

"Hmph!" She began pouting and doing a classic Lillie rant, "One. You're strong. Two. You're kind. Three. You're Handsome. Four. You're brave. Five. You're selfless. Six. You're funny. Seven. You're Persistent. Eight. I love you." She exclaimed as she stood up over me and looked down on me,

"Eight reasons enough for you? Or do I have to list more?" She said jokingly, and then plopped down on top of me. I grunted as she landed on me,

"I think eight's enough, thanks," I responded with a smile, "I guess after what those idiots did to me, I second guess myself in every relationship that I'm in, romantic, professional, familial, you name it,"

"Well next time I see them, I'm going to make sure they second guess their decision to break your heart!"

"How will you do that?" I asked her,

"I'm going to be the one who faces you in the finals. They'll see the benefits that come with staying with you," She said confidently, "They'll see all the benefits of everything you put your travelling companions through on your journey all at once in one grand battle!" She was starting to sound like a little kid now,

"Then I'll hold you to that, Love," I said as I pinched her cheek. I haven't had some nice alone time with Lillie in ages, it feels good to finally get some time on my own with her. We were playing around with each other's hair when Lillie's phone rang, we looked and saw it was Gladion. I wonder what he's been up to lately. I haven't heard from him in years, not since Lillie and I got together.

"Pick it up Lillie, It's Gladion," I said,

"Um. . .I'm not so sure its the best idea," She said, clearly worried, "He's been. . .struggling."

"With what?" I asked, concerned for my possible future brother in law, "Is he ok?"

"He and I kinda had a big argument over us. . ." I was shocked when she said that, I don't know why Gladion wouldn't approve of us when Lusamine does. It must be older sibling instincts but something seemed really off with him when we got together now that I think about it, "I don't know what he'll say,"

"Relax. Just hear him out. He's your brother after all," I said, "He deserves to at least hear his sister's voice every now and then. Even if it's been a while."

"Ok, Ash," She said nervously and picked up the phone, "Hello?"

I could hardly hear Gladion's voice on the other end, but something seemed off. Lillie was starting to tear up, all I could hear from Gladion was "Remember the deal" before Lillie broke down after her conversation with him.

"Lillie. . .what happened?" I asked her as she laid back on top of me and buried her head in my chest, "And what's this deal?"

"He said. . .If he makes it farther in the tournament. . .than me, I have to go back home," She said while crying. I was pissed off. Nobody can take my girlfriend away from me that easily,

"Why did you guys make that deal?" I asked, now incredibly worried, "What made you think it was a good idea?"

"I don't know! I just know that I can't go back to being an Aether Foundation Executive! He owns Aether Foundation now! He wants the whole family working for it and wants it to be their priority! Work over everything!" She sobbed really hard now, I could barely understand her through her babbling. Whatever this deal was, it was forced on her. I know the Foundation means a lot to Gladion, but never did I think it meant this much. Going so far as to rob your sibling of their life is borderline unforgivable, "I don't wanna leave the League! I don't wanna!" She continued crying. She's reminding me of the time when she had Pokephobia. Whatever happened to the Foundation must be terrifying,

"Why are you so afraid of the Foundation?" I asked,

"Gladion. . .he's not really the owner. The company has stocks, and an evil team bought the majority of them!" She babbled out, "Now they're making him torture pokemon against his will! I don't want to be associated with that!" That was much better. I knew Gladion was a good person. So Gladion must have been forced into that by shady corporate business. This is going to be harder to deal with that I thought,

"Don't worry Lillie, we'll figure out a way to get Gladion out of that mess," I said lovingly, "Just get some sleep for now,"

I didn't need to say anything. She was already out, right there on top of me. Exhausted from crying. Lillie is just sitting there like a weight from a gym on my chest. A weight on my chest that I would move Heaven and Earth to carry for the rest of my life.