Chapter 1

AN: Welcome back! I hope! Or, simply, welcome! This is my second Pokemon fic, and my second Amourshipping fic! I had such a fantastic time writing the first one that I simply had to write more, and I thank you all for being with me to enjoy my writing – I am truly honored that you do. I can't thank you guys enough for your support!

This fic takes place between episodes 36 and 37 of the XY Series 1, so the first few paragraphs of the fic are scenes directly from the end of episode 36, so I hope I convey it well. Snuggle up with a blanket, a cup of hot chocolate on me, and enjoy chapter one, I hope you like it! Please let me know what you think and as always, cheers to you!

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Pokemon, I simply borrow it!

Ash felt the sweat beginning to bead on his forehead as one droplet slipped down his back. His eyes reflected the dazzling display of shining crystals that surrounded him in the strange place that was known as the Cave of Mirrors. Hours ago, he had jumped rashly through a shimmering portal that brought him to another strange dimension – which even he was surprised at his lack of hesitation to accept. It was strange seeing himself so timid and Clemont run so fast. Bonnie spoke with eloquence more befitting of a well-read adult, and the fierceness with which Serena battled him was… Ash shook that off, remembering where he was. How he was running out of time.

Ash watched as Serena's hand stretched out to him, the fear deep inside of him reflected so visibly in her blue eyes which were wide and unblinking. Suddenly, it wasn't a question of how he was going to get back to her, but he simply felt a definitive urge to get back to her and to cling to her outstretched hand.

Tucking Pikachu under his arm, Ash grunted as he pushed himself as hard as he could off of the platform where he stood, the entrance to the world he belonged in getting farther and farther away from him. Ash saw Serena, if it was even possible, throw herself towards him as he reached for her, yelling as he did so. The seconds seemed to drag on as he floated towards the portal, the rainbow of colors blinding him.

Finally, his foot caught hold of the opposite portal and felt a small sense of relief before he slipped, unable to find sure footing. Pikachu cried out and he became deaf from the rushing sound in his ears that came so quickly as his body began to plummet towards the never-ending space between the two worlds. Ash looked into Serena's eyes, begging his body to just go back up towards her when he suddenly felt his body jerk as she clasped his wrist.

"Hold on!" Serena shouted, struggling to pull him up.

"We've got you!" Clemont joined, grabbing Serena's arm to support her firm grip on his wrist. Ash felt as though nothing would separate them now that they were joined. Even Bonnie was grabbing Serena, pulling her back as Ash slowly began to rise, pulling himself up to join them firmly on the side where he belonged. Ash looked up towards the smiling faces of his three companions, momentarily stunned by how he had managed to get out of this one.

"You're safe!" They chorused together. With a tremendous sigh, Ash slowly pulled himself upright and looked back on their relieved expressions and smiled. He was back where he belonged.

Ash looked ahead, a small smile playing on his lips. He felt the cool breeze that often accompanied nightfall as the red and orange stained sky reflected brilliantly in his brown eyes. Had another moment passed, Ash thought about the other sunset he might have seen and almost wanted to shudder. He had had many close calls, but as he stood still and watched Clemont and Bonnie's blonde hair walking away from him, he understood just how close this one had been. Without warning, Serena's voice was suddenly in his ear, sweeter than honey. Ash turned to look at her, gasping lightly.

"Hey Ash? We're going to stay on our journey together too, right?" Serena's smile was contagious enough to spread to his face, as it always was. A quick moment flashed behind his eyes when he blinked towards her, her usually content and lovely face distorted into panic and her hand stretched as far as it could towards him.

Without a moment of hesitation, Ash quickly responded to her, forcing the image out of his mind. There was something more than discerning envisioning the fear that took a hold of Serena's normally beautiful features. Wait, did he just use the word beautiful? "Of course we are! Wouldn't have it any other way."

Pikachu responded in affirmation on his shoulder, his tiny paw raised towards Serena. "Pika pika!"

Ash hardly heard Clemont and Bonnie's responses as he continued to stare into Serena's face glowing with the fading sunlight. He thought back on the moment where he leapt from the alternate dimension he had found himself in, springing forward with every ounce of strength he had. There was a moment that he was able to separate clearly, apart from the rationality of returning back to his own world, which allowed him to make the seemingly impossible jump that sent him nearly plummeting to the space between worlds. Ash's stomach fell so quickly he felt sure it had vanished, but he was certain that he had felt something strong and primal pulling him towards Serena. Only Serena.

The next thing Ash knew, Clemont and Bonnie were getting father away from him and Serena, who had held back by his side. He put a hand up, waving her on towards the two siblings and allowed himself to smile, forcing the thoughts out of his mind. "Come on, let's hurry Serena."

Serena made her way towards him, her smile reaching every part of her face. Ash was momentarily stunned by the way the almost nonexistent sunlight was hitting the wisps of hair that fell out from beneath her hat. He felt his feet moving autonomously onward and realized he was walking in a comfortable silence with Serena. Clemont and Bonnie had stayed ahead, leading the group down the well-trodden path towards Shalour City. Ash let the sounds of their soft conversation mingle with the oncoming sounds of night fast approaching wash over him and he sighed heavily.

As he watched the dust gather at his feet, he felt Pikachu move to sit on top of his head. "Pikapi?"

Ash tilted his eyes upward, just making out the tips of Pikachu's ears seeming to float above him when soon Serena's voice joined the chorus of inquiry from his best buddy. "Pikachu's right Ash, you seem unusually quiet. You've gone hours without eating and not even a peep!"

Ash directed his gaze towards her, where she was walking with her hands folded innocently in front of her. Her glance came from underneath long eyelashes where Ash could make out the blue that was dimmed by the long shadows from the tall trees that were obstructing the final rays. There it was again, that stomach dropping feeling and he gulped audibly before answering.

"I guess I was just thinking about the other Ash, Clemont, Bonnie and Serena." Ash lied easily. "I wonder if they've eaten anything yet too!"

Serena giggled behind her hand as Pikachu nearly fell off of Ash's head in embarrassment. Ash looked ahead, grateful he seemed to have dodged some sort of bullet and saw Clemont turn towards them, walking backwards. "Serena's right Ash, it is getting late. Maybe we should stay here and camp for the night."

Bonnie leapt joyously into the air, her hands flying above her head as Dedenne peaked out from his usual spot in Bonnie's yellow satchel. "Yippee! That means big brother will make us all dinner!"

Clemont stopped and smiled at his sister, shrugging his backpack off onto the ground where it landed with a soft thud. "Bonnie would you like to help me with dinner?"

Bonnie's eyes seemed to shine as she stood excitedly next to him. "Yeah! Dedenne can help too! Right Dedenne?"

Dedenna struggled to slip his body out of Bonnie's bag but did so happily, nuzzling his cheeks until small sparks of electricity formed there. "Nenene!"

Pikachu suddenly slipped off of Ash's shoulder and made his way over to the trio an waved his arms happily. "Pi Pikachu!"

"You want to help too buddy?" Ash laughed, scratching idly at his nose. "That sounds great to me. I'll go see if I can find some wood for a fire!"

Much to Ash's immediate relief, to which he was surprised at, Serena raised her arm high into the air before volunteering herself for a task as well. "Great! I'll start setting up our tents!"

As everyone began to move methodically towards their tasks, Ash looked on silently and observed for a moment. Clemont had already begun laying out ingredients he had carefully wrapped and tucked away in his backpack and was directing an ever watchful Bonnie towards them, Pikachu and Dedenne looking onward over her shoulder. Ash spent a slightly longer amount of time moving his eyes over Serena, who was bent low to the ground, beginning to set up the tent her and Bonnie would be sharing later. He watched her long hair, tied in a loose pony tail at her waist, sway with her subtle movements and felt his heart move oddly, fluttering underneath his rib cage. Concerned and confused, Ash brought his hand over his chest, for a moment gripping his jacket.

What is happening to me? Ash took a step back from the group, but not in enough time. Serena noticed him standing with what he was sure was an incredibly dumb expression on his face and furrowed her brow.

"Ash? Are you okay?" Serena's voice carried towards him. Ash saw Bonnie and Clemont's eyes flash towards him, with Bonnie putting her hands accusingly on her hips.

"Ash! If you don't find wood for this fire we'll never eat!" Bonnie pouted, her foot practically stamping. Dedenne chittered on her shoulder in agreement, an admonishing look on his face.

Ash felt his cheeks burning as his hand flew behind his head, gripping his hair nervously. "Uh sorry, must have zoned out there for a minute!"

With his face still threatening to become redder than a Charmeleon, Ash turned on his heel and threw himself into the more densely wooded area surrounding the clearing they had chosen to set up camp in. It was more difficult to see in this part of the forest and Ash blinked rapidly, attempting to adjust his eyes. He realized then just how significant the forest they were walking through was and was oddly glad they had chosen to stop when they did.

Ash knelt to the forest floor, his hands feeling for small twigs that would be suitable for kindling and let his mind wander freely. Try as he might, Ash couldn't seem to shake the strange sensation that had overcome him in the void he had passed returning to his proper dimension. What should have been self-preservation in the purest sense had instantly seemed to turn into desperation of an entirely different kind. It had only taken one look at Serena, who was nearly beside herself with distress, to get him to take that leap. Ash collected another twig in his arms, feeling the sweat begin to pool at his forehead.

Ash knew he had not leapt in that moment simply for the reason of making everything right in the two joined worlds. There was something else, something that Serena's outstretched hand reaching urgently for him, and her fingers spread with tension, which flipped a switch for him. It had sent a chill cascading down his spine, reverberating through him and sent him flying. Ash questioned himself for the second time that night, an audible moan slipping through his lips.

What is happening to me?

Bonnie's voice cut through his thoughts like an Air Cutter, dampened by the thick vegetation that separated them. "Ash! Are you ready yet?!"

Clemont's voice joined Bonnie's, laced with more patience than his little sister. "Food is nearly ready to be cooked, Ash!"

"Pikapi!"

Ash let out a rush of air and collected himself, forcing the thoughts out of his mind. Easily, a smile came to his face as he finally began to feel his stomach growl, entering the clearing.

"Ash! Tell us the story about Mew and Mewtwo again!" Bonnie asked excitedly, her legs kicking out behind her as she held her chin in her hands, lying on her stomach. Her flushed cheeks were illuminated by the dying embers of the fire and Dedenne sat comfortably between her elbows, flush to the ground.

Ash was sitting with his legs crossed directly in front of her across the modest fire. He smiled sheepishly at Bonnie's request and glanced down at Pikachu in his lap, who looked up at him, ears twitching.

"Again Bonnie? Don't you want to hear about Ho-Oh or Lugia?" Ash said, much to Serena's amusement, as she giggled next to him. Ash snapped his head towards her before looking back into the dying fire, attempting to hide his quick movements.

"Chu…" Pikachu shrugged, only nestling himself more firmly in Ash's lap.

"Come on Ash, tell it again!" Serena smirked at him, elbowing him in the side before bringing her hand back to stroke Fennekin, who had taken up sentry on Serena's other side. Fennekin's tail, smooth from Serena's careful brushing, had curled against her nose, drifting to sleep.

Ash was embarrassed, but looked into Bonnie's expectant eyes and sighed. There was a soft spot he held for Bonnie's unwavering sense of adventure that had only grown larger in the time they had been together. As he opened his mouth to recount the tale of the terrifying battle that had ensued between the two legendary Pokemon, he was cut off by Clemont standing from his position beside Bonnie.

"I think it's time for bed, Bonnie." Clemont yawned, stretching widely.

Bonnie flipped onto her back dramatically, huffing. "Clemont! I want to hear about the time Ash turned into stone!"

"Dene!" Dedenne agreed, his tail swinging back and forth wildly, echoing his caretaker's displeasure.

Ash and Serena exchanged glances, both attempting to stifle the laughter that threatened to bubble over their covered lips. Ash reveled in this moment, all previous thoughts forgotten and he breathed steadily. These moments under the blanket of inky black skies scattered with twinkling stars were what he lived for, easy like breathing.

"Bonnie, of all the stories you want to hear…" Clemont marched over to the mouth of the tent pulled open invitingly, pointing into it, his glasses flashing in the dim firelight. "Come on! Bedtime!"

Bonnie groaned as she threw herself into a sitting position and with an effort, pushed herself to stand up. She brushed the forest floor that clung to her pajamas and began stamping towards the tent, Dedenne following just as angrily. "Why do you always have to ruin the fun?!"

Clemont groaned, looking up towards the night sky in desperation before Ash decided to take some pity on him. "Bonnie, if you go to sleep now, I promise tomorrow I'll tell you an even cooler story about Zekrom."

Bonnie turned her shining eyes back towards him, her fists brought underneath her cheeks. "Yay! Did you hear that big brother?!"

Clemont nodded, a smile on his face as Bonnie slipped through the open tent. He leaned his head in as she settled herself and Ash heard the sounds of her slipping into her sleeping bag. "Goodnight, Bonnie."

Clemont hardly had to wait for Bonnie's response, which was a light snore, an indication that she had once again underestimated how tired she was. Clemont closed the tent flap as quietly as he could before walking towards the tent he shared with Ash, his hand raised towards them. "Goodnight guys!"

Ash and Serena looked over their shoulders at him and smiled, simultaneously responding. "Goodnight!"

There was a moment where the rustling of Clemont entering his own sleeping bag broke the quiet of the forest around them when just as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped and silence ensued. There was occasional crack as sparks from the embers leapt around the hot kindling that glowed dimly, mixed with the intermittent cries of night Pokemon making their rounds. Besides that, Ash felt rather than heard Serena's steady breathing beside him and felt that feeling in the pit of his stomach again.

Chancing a glance at her, he moved his head to get a clear look and was met with her skin glowing softly in diffuse orange light of the fire that did little to warm them now. A smile sat at the corner of her lips, curving her cheeks towards her eyes. Ash couldn't help but notice how shiny her blue eyes were in the light of the moon that just managed to reach them through the canopy of trees above them. Ash felt like someone had trickled a cool cup of water from the top of his head where the droplets found a secret path down his spine and shivered. Serena caught this movement and looked back at him, concerned.

"I guess it is getting a bit late now." Serena whispered. The silence fell between them once again before she spoke again, the sleepiness in her voice thick. "Ash, I'm glad you're with me."

Ash's eyes widened for a moment, the automatic stroking between Pikachu's ears momentarily ceasing. He answered honestly, letting the first words come to slide between his lips. "I'm glad you're here too, Serena."

Serena closed her eyes in a smile, letting soft sound escape her. "I've learned so much already with you, Clemont and Bonnie. I can't wait for what tomorrow holds!"

Ash nodded at her, letting the smile she gave him fall into him. "Right! Me neither!"

Serena stood then, brushing her clothing off in the same way Bonnie had done earlier, Fennekin stirring beside her. Serena brought out Fennekin's Pokeball and recalled the Fox Pokemon, carefully setting it back inside of her bag. "I think I should go to sleep too, Ash."

Ash stood then, holding Pikachu in his arms, bringing a foot up to stamp out the fire when Serena through a hand out to stop him. "Wait! I'm going to walk down to the stream nearby to get some water before I go to sleep. I'll take care of it when I come back."

Ash nearly fell onto his back, losing his balance as he wobbled to regain his footing. He did so quickly and exhaled, glad to have escaped sure embarrassment. "Are you sure? I can come with you if you want."

Serena was gathering the thermos that was connected to her bag, already straightening and walking towards Ash. She placed a hand on his shoulder in passing, a normal movement between all of them now, that usually Ash would acknowledge with a smile. Tonight however, Ash felt his heart leap into his throat and his face burn hotter than the fire that had blazed earlier.

"That's okay Ash!" Serena tilted her head, a smile decorating her face with such sweetness Ash's mouth began to water, tasting sugar. "It's been a long day for you, I'm sure you're ready to lie down… I'm really glad you made that jump, Ash."

Ash looked at her fingers resting lightly on his shoulders, overwhelmed with confusion in this moment. Since when had he reacted so strongly to Serena barely brushing by him, lighter than a passing Hoppip riding the wind? Understanding he had to answer, Ash opened responded as quickly as he could. "Me too, Serena. I couldn't have done it without you."

Serena released his shoulder then, walking away from him towards the dark path the led towards the stream that Ash knew was running swiftly, brimming with cold fresh water.

"It's about time someone saved you for a change, isn't it?" Serena joked, the hand that was just warm on his body trailing back from her in a wave. "Goodnight Ash!"

Ash watched her go, an interesting feeling in the pit of his stomach that set him on edge. He waved in farewell as she vanished into the dense trees and tried to ignore the feeling that had his teeth gritted, but couldn't. Instead of turning back towards the tent where Ash could already hear Clemont's soft snoring to slide into good dreams, he sat back down on the forest floor next to the now dead fire, placing Pikachu back in his lap.

"Chaaaa…" Pikachu sighed contentedly, happy to be nestled so closely to his trainer.

Ash looked at his partner and smiled lovingly, snaking his fingertips along his curled body where he felt Pikachu relax into his touch.

"I'll just make sure she gets back okay…" Ash said to no one in particular, his fingers moving in circular motions along Pikachu's back. Their only companion now the odd pressure that exerted on his ears during silent hours, Ash was able to breathe slowly, feeling his eyelids drooping.

Ash collected Pikachu in his arms and leaned on his elbow, slowly lowering himself onto the ground next to the ground that was still warm from the fire. Unable to resist the static heat the radiated from Pikachu's body close to his chest, Ash let his eyes close and felt his world dissolve into nothingness.

"I suppose a couple minutes of rest couldn't hurt…" Ash whispered, his words slurring together into a garbled mess that was hardly coherent.

Ash breathed in deeply, a soft scent of green tea and what he thought to be vanilla pushing him harder towards unconsciousness. It was a familiar scent and soothed him, although he was unsure of where exactly he knew it from. His mind was clouded with sleep and he struggled to place it, cycling through a series of muffled images in his head. Pikachu only seemed to press further into him, Ash automatically tightening his hold on the small Electric Mouse Pokemon.

"Where is that… coming from…" Ash managed to push out through the sweet moment of limbo where his mind hung in the balance between sleep and awareness, much like his body had been suspended between the two worlds barely hours ago. His confused mind suddenly flashed to an image of Serena, her hair swinging forward as she nearly launched herself towards him, desperate to catch him as he leapt towards her. He seemed to hover endlessly, staring into the two blue irises that made up Serena's expressive eyes when suddenly he was snapped back towards consciousness.

"Serena…" Ash said, forcing his eyes slowly open, his vision blurred and confounded in the dark clearing that surrounded him. She should have been back by now.

Just as Ash thought about this, putting it off as time passing strangely when sleep took over, a high, shrill and ear piercing scream broke the calm of the night that pushed heavily around him. Ash shot up like a rocket, his eyes wide and his breath held, instantly awake. Pikachu's ears twitched as he joined his trainer, listening closely.

"Pikapi?" Pikachu looked up at Ash, who's face had gone pale. "Pikapi!"

In that moment, a second scream, laced with panic. The same panic that Ash had seen etched across her face in the instant his foot left the crumbling rock that pulled farther and farther away from her. It was the panic and the unfortunate recognition that sent him flying upwards, leaves that had stuck onto him when he had been curled on top of them falling gently back to the ground.

"Ash!" Serena's voice, anxious and loud before blending right into a third ear piercing scream that yanked Ash forward.

"Serena!" Ash yelled, his feet slipping out from under him as he struggled to find footing. Pikachu quickly jumped onto his shoulder, sensing the same dread that had instantly washed over his trainer. "Serena, hold on!"

Ash began his desperate sprint towards the dark, thick trees that Serena had ventured down, his heart in his throat as he tore through the vegetation, sure the same look of panic that had been on her face hours ago now settled heavily on his.

Suspense! I hope! And hopefully, enjoyment! Stay tuned for chapter 2, coming sometime at the end of this week! Cheers!