Too Late

After Serena finally achieved her lifelong dream, she felt a sense of accomplishment that made her all giddy as she stood in front of thousands of her fans. She waved happily as the crowd would cheer her even louder. Today she had become the Kalos Queen, a title that she chased after since her journey with Ash, Clemont and Bonnie. She smiled happily at her friends who held equal joy in their eyes.

At the age of 16 now, Serena had outgrown her baby features and looked more exotic and eye candy worthy. Her chest had bloomed finely within few years and her face just got even more attractive than before. She was easily the most beautiful girl across the whole region.

"Miss Serena, now that you have been crowned the new Kalos Queen, what is your plans? Where do you go from here?" One of the many interviewer, asked. The flashing lights would definitely turn her blind if it wasn't morning. She gracefully sat down on her chair, which was in the stage where the ceremony was taking place. Everyone eagerly waited for her reply. Anticipation of the press was amusing to her to say the least as their pens were attached to their notes, ready to jot down whatever came from her mouth. Serena wasn't new to all this attention. When all this first started, her first contest to be specific, she was all nervous and had hard time keeping her voice steady. But with time came experience. She wasn't the same nervous child anymore. She was confident and graceful with her words. Skills that she got from her journey that will always be her strong points.

"My plans have always been to achieve the top." She replied blissfully with her charming smile.

"So miss Serena, are you saying you haven't reached your goal yet? Do you plan any alternate career?"

Serena briefly closed her eyes. Once she opened her eyes with newfound determination, she nodded. "I got offers from few Showbiz industries."

The reporters quickly posed more questions. She stood up and smiled before turning her heels. The guard escorted her back inside the building. But just before she left, one question struck her.

"Is it true that you are dating someone?"

She turned around and looked at the female reported who had asked the question. Seeing her nervously holding the pen, it was evident that she was new. Serena took a deep breath before replying.

"I am not dating anyone. I plan to keep it that way for foreseeable times. I want to concentrate on my acting career and don't need a distraction." She then forced a smile, clearly annoyed from the question. "Hope this clears up any such questions on my sexual life. Thanks."

(Scene Change- three days later)

To celebrate her success in the Kalos Queen Competition, Serena invited her closest friend Shauna and her travelling companions to a five star hotel. She was dressed nicely in a white skirt and white tops, leaving her long honey-blonde hair loose freely. She smiled brightly seeing Ash, Clemont and Bonnie join her in the round fancy round table.

"Serena!" Bonnie greeted excitedly to her older sister figure. Clemont waved his hand but his eyes were too fixed at the surrounding. This was the first time they had met in such an expensive place. Serena had told them that her recruitment company had all the expenses covered and they needn't pay a dime. So of course he was excited to try all the luxuries they had to offer.

"You haven't called since the interview, is everything alright Serena?" Ash asked with a slight worry in his voice. After travelling together for so long, it felt weird separated from her for a while. He knew the reason why he felt this way. It wasn't because of the separation, there had been many companions he had stopped travelling with. While he felt bad leaving them, it wasn't the same feeling with Serena. He loved her. He had been keeping it a secret from her for a while. He had planned to confess to her after winning the Kalos region tournament. But life didn't always go as planned. He had come real close to winning the tournament this time, placing in the second position, only loosing to the current Pokemon Master. To everyone it was awesome but he knew it wasn't good enough. It's not his first tournament so he had no excuse. He was really touched by the fact that he kept loosing but when Serena won her contest, it made him feel happy. It gave him a newfound determination to keep trying until he achieved his dream.

But that was his dream, and Serena is his aim. He would confess his feelings for her tonight, he couldn't think of a world without her. He knew his love for her had just grown as they travelled to the point of obsession. Her every movement would catch his attention. Her smiles would let thousand bells ring inside his head. The occasional hugs she gave him would freeze him like Clemont's failed projects. He wanted to get past this. He was going to tell her about his feelings and hoped she would return them.

"Oh, I was kind of busy signing up contracts and all." She replied as she eyed him briefly.

She held her palm on her lips and faked a gasp. "Oh my gosh Ash! You and suit?"

A faint tint of pink brushed his cheeks from embarrassment. He opened his mouth to say something but of course he couldn't say that he wanted to look presentable for her. He wanted to look his best when he confessed to her tonight. He couldn't tell her that she spent whole day researching on 'How to impress a girl'. He hated this dress. He felt like he was inside a prison. But he would deal with it for now. For her.

"Well big brother, you should learn a thing or two from Ash. You are still on your usual clothes." Bonnie spoke with a huff. Ash inwardly let out a breath of relief and thanked her.

"So are you Bonnie." Clemont pointed with a straight face causing the younger girl to blush this time. Serena giggled seeing the two siblings engage in their usual tantrum. All while Ash just kept looking at her. Once Serena looked at him, catching him staring, he quickly sat down and averted his eyes. She raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"Is there something in my face, Ash?" She asked as she took a seat beside him. Ash audibly gulped and looked at her.

"U-Uh, no."

"Hmmm?" She looked at him doubtfully. "Why were you staring at me then?"

This time the two siblings stopped arguing as they looked at them. Bonnie had a clear smirk on his face while Clemont smiled.

Ash feeling the pressure from the awkward silence, looked everywhere but at her. Lucky for him the second time, a waitress arrive to his rescue.

"Hello, what would you like to have?"

"Banana!" Ash quickly closed his mouth and slumped down on his chair.

'What the hell am I saying?!'

And it didn't help when everyone started laughing at him. Even the waitress.

'There goes impressing Serena. Good job Ash...'

(Scene Change- Night)

Serena had no idea why Ash had called her outside the hotel suddenly. She noticed him acting really different today and this worried her. She walked down the hotel stairs, occasionally hearing people chatting about her. She loved the popularity and grinned excitedly.

'Guess who is shining today, Fenekin!'

Once she stepped outside, she could see Ash standing near a small fountain. She approached him quickly. "Hey Ash! Guess what? Everyone is talking about me!"

Ash turned around, obviously shocked and startled. He had been practicing his pitch when she just popped out suddenly.

'Geez, hopefully she didn't hear anything...' He trailed off. 'On second thought, it would be a lot easier if she had heard me...'

"O-Oh... that sounds great!" He spoke excitedly, but he had to force the excitement. He was nervous. He could care less about anything else at the moment. Serena was the only thing in his mind at the moment.

"I know right?!" She grinned. "So! What did you want to talk about? We could have spoken inside?" She asked.

'Here it goes... it's now or never.' He took a deep breath.

"Serena I,... uh..." He inwardly face palmed. 'Yup, what did I expect? Me who hasn't dated someone in his life to just say he loved someone in front of her? Yeah right, wishful thinking. I can Imagine Misty laughing at me at this very time... pfft'

"What is it Ash? Is something wrong?" She asked, the concern coming back to her voice.

He blushed seeing her concern. He blushed seeing her eyes. Her lips. Her eyelashes, even if they were fake lashes. Point is, he was just crazy about her. With a newfound boost, he just let it all out to her. All his worries leaving him at that time.

"I love you Serena. I have been in love with you since we met again. I just can't see a day without you and I..." Finally realizing what he just said, he widened his eyes. His face was more red than before. He quickly averted his eyes away from her, missing the indifferent look on her.

"I-I-I... uh... y-you see-"

"I am glad you feel like that Ash. I truly am." Her voice brushed all his nervousness away as he looked at her with the biggest smiled he could muster, but...

"But I have to decline Ash." Her voice held no sign of deception that he wished it held. She was not blushing. She was looking through him. He felt his palm go numb and his lips agape. He didn't know what to say except the one question.

"W-why?"

Serena averted her eyes away from his as she looked on the grass, a worried look on her face.

"Ash, I want to focus on my career. I-"

"I am not t-telling you to leave your profession. W-we can work it out!." He desperately looked at her for a nod of approval but there was none. What hurt him more was she didn't look at him. He wanted her to look at him. Only him. Always.

"Ash listen, I can understand you are saying all this in the heat of the moment and-"

"No! I am no joking Serena! I truly love you. So please... S-so p-please don't do this to me... I... I can wait for you! I won't bother you in your career and I will keep waiting and-"

"Ash stop!" Serena finally snapped, this time tears gathering on her orbs. "It's not easy for me, but I can't do this. You will..." She looked away shamefully. "Y-you will held me back."

Ash just stared at her dumbly. He wished it was just a dream... a nightmare. His Serena would never say this... she would never-

"I can't get in a relationship with you Ash... your past records in tournament are questionable to the world." She quickly looked at him to explain, but her heart broke seeing the hurt look on his face. With a heavy heart, she continued.

"Ash trust me, I don't doubt you. I know you will be one of the greatest trainer... no you already are! But..." She looked down again, not meeting his eyes. "The world sees you as a failure and... I can't jeopardise my career by being bind with... w-with-"

"A failure like me huh..." His voice was just above a whisper. Serena looked at him but he turned his face away from her.

"A-Ash hear me out-"

"I get it, give me a few seconds." He quickly wiped his eyes, trying his best to stop his tears. It took more than a few seconds but he was able to control his emotions briefly as he looked back at her. Serena felt pathetic seeing his face. She was heartbroken.

"Ash I-"

"I understand Serena. You don't need to explain." He cut her off. His voice was dull but confident. "I get it..."

"Ash listen to me please. We can work this out-"

"How?! You don't care about me, you career is more important than me! How can you fix this?!" Finally he broke out of his shell and let his anger flow. Serena expected this and didn't blame him.

"Sleep with me tonight!" She yelled back. Ash opened his mouth and gasped.

"W-what?"

"You crave me right? My pretty face, my body... you want me right? Then I am giving you tonight. You can have me. It will decrease your love phase and we can move on."

...

"Ash, trust me. This craze will go after-"

"Serena, don't destroy the last bit of respect I have for you. Just stop..."

"Ash, you are not being practical. We are not kids anymore. Try to think logically- Ash! Wait!" She called out but he didn't listen. Kicking the gate open, he sprinted as fast as he could. He needed to be away from her. Far far away. Serena just stood there with tears in her eyes.

'Ash I love you... please understand me ...' At that time she didn't know that the one who needed to understand was herself. She didn't know what grave mistake she had just made. She didn't know that she just lost the love of her life. She didn't know how she broke him.

Fame can blind even the best of the best. But she didn't know.

Author's Note: Hiya! Here's a new Pokemon fanfiction I am working on! Hope you like it? Any comments? Reviews are always encouraging! For suggestions please pm!

Review~