Hope you enjoy the one shot and that you check out some of my other fics as well. Ashes is an Amourshipping fic, and of course the usual disclaimers apply here.
Depression, stress and puberty were a nasty business; even more so when mixed together. A friendly slap on the face was what Serena felt she needed. Something from somebody, perhaps a smile or a conversation would help make her feel alive. She looked down at the crashing waves as she decided what she wanted to do with her life. There was so many options, she wasn't sure what to do.
The curse of puberty made trivial things a stressful event. Her mother was a superior Rhyhorn facer, but she felt that she didn't inherit the same talent. Battles didn't always appeal to her, nor did contests.
A man was behind her. Somebody she was sure that she had seen before. He sweetened her dreams with eerie fantasies. He stamped hearts on her memories and turned her life into an adventure. Her heart trembled and her arms stirred around his neck.
He was also a champion too.
"Hey Serena," Ash said. He had a serious look, and the wind flowing from the east intensified it.
Serena gasped and tripped up on a passing by shuckle. Serena didn't scream. She didn't feel the need to, she knew that Ash was going to save her. She was right. Ash leapt onto the cliff and dragged Serena away from the edge of the cliff.
Ash commented on Serena's behaviour. "For somebody who nearly fell of a cliff you're pretty calm."
"Really?" Serena had no idea what she was doing. She didn't even know where she was going. She won the Kalos league, but the victories and glory felt superficial. Diantha was far too easy and her Delphox swept everything else. She refused her title as champion, and thus Diantha was still recognised as the Kalos League champion.
"Why did you refuse your title of champion?" Ash asked. "People train hard to get such a title."
"It's just a title," Serena hissed. "It didn't feel right. I don't deserve to be a champion. It doesn't fit me."
"You won fair and square!" Ash snapped. "I've battled many leagues, only to miss out on the top spot and then you get it and you refuse it. What's wrong with you Serena? This isn't you?"
"I guess the real me is dead," Serena muttered coldly.
"Now don't talk rubbish," Ash snapped. He held onto her hand and pulled her up from the floor. "Where has all this depression come from?"
"I don't know," Serena replied. "I guess I've been holding in too much."
Serena gazed at Ash, who all of a sudden appeared to be dense as if he had no idea what he wanted to say. They both smiled and chuckled. Serena had no idea where the bundle of joy came from, but she felt she had to credit Ash for being there for her.
The sound of the waves appealed to Serena. "Let's go swimming!"
"Sure..." Ash muttered.
With every peace of clothing that went off, Serena felt victorious. When she was ready, she held Ash's hand and together they ran to the cliff and dived into the deep part of the sea. Even when they splashed and hit the sandy bottom, their hands were locked together. It was the best swim she ever had in her life.
A sprinkle of Ash and her problems drowned away.
