Hey guys! Here's chapter 2. I know I said in the last chapter I would update this fic on Saturdays. Fortunately, I realized I don't have any school in Wednesdays, so expect some that day :). I'm also sorry if this chapter is shorter than the last, but I'll edit it if I have any ideas. Anyways, enjoy reading and don't forget to review :)
Chapter 2: Grace
The wind, passing through his ears. Ash can't hear anything. Pikachu was on his shoulders holding for dear life. Charizard has been flying for over 5 hours without stop. Ash was glad that Charizard's endurance have improved a lot from their training in Mt. Silver.
They are flying through the clouds. They can't see anything below them, until they saw a flash of light. Ash got curious as to what the light is, and so he commanded,
"Charizard, you saw the flash of light? Go down there."
The dragon-like Pokemon lowered its altitude, and they saw land below them. It seems they've arrived in Kalos. They didn't even know they've arrived 1 hour ago because of the clouds cutting there visions.
When they are nearing the ground, the flash of light seems to get brighter every meter they get closer.
They saw a small village. Ash wondered what the flashes of light were.
When the image got clearer, they saw a group of news reporters gathered in front of a house. Ash was about command Charizard to go up again to avoid seeing by them since he is quite popular the moment he became Pokemon Master, until…
"I don't know where she is!"
Ash heard a familiar voice, and so he went near in front of the house, maintaining there stealth. He saw Grace, standing, talking to the news reporters. What? She doesn't know where she is? Is she refering to Serena? Wait, is this her hometown?
Ash went in front of the news reporters with Charizard blocking the reporters' views, and greeted Grace with a warm smile.
"Hi Grace! Long time no see."
"Oh, why hello Ash. I think this is not the perfect place to talk. Let's get inside." Grace insisted.
"I agree." Ash said
They went inside Grace's house, but before Charizard went in, it unleashed a loud roar to the reporters, resulting them taking several steps back from fear of getting Flamethrowered. The door shut closed. Ash returned his powerhouse to its Pokeball.
"So, this is…" Ash said.
"Vaniville Town." Grace completed his sentence. He didn't know the name of the hometown Serena lives in.
"You want some snacks? Juice?" Grace asked.
"Oh, no, I'm good." Ash said. He sat on a nearby couch. Grace sat too, facing him. Pikachu then sat beside him.
"So, what brings you here in Vanivilla Town? I assume you're here to see my daughter." Grace said, teasing Ash. She knew that Serena has a huge crush on him. She is her mother after all, so she has every right to know her secrets. She want to see how Ash would react to those words.
"Y-yeah, that is the case." Ash said, scratching his cheek. "So, is she here?" Ash asked. He wanted to confirm if Grace does not really know where she currently is.
"…Unfortunately, no she's not." Grace said. "She hasn't come home for two years. I'm really worried about her, considering she's really popular now. She might have been…" Grace said, her hands on her head, thinking where she possibly is, and not imagining the worst possible scenerios her daughter might be in.
"She's popular? What happened two years ago?" Ash asked in curiosity.
"She was crowned the new Kalos Queen. I saw her on TV. You didn't know" Grace asked.
"N-no, I don't. After all, Tripokalons are only exclusive here in Kalos. News about it won't go out to other regions." Ash said.
"So, she finally did it." Ash thought.
True." Grace said. Why haven't she come home yet?" Grace thought of many reasons why she hasn't return to her hometown. She thought of Serena not wanting to practice Rhyhorn racing. She thought she was a horrible mother, forcing her daughter to do something she doesn't want to do. She felt regret making her do so for the past years before she went to her journey.
"I think it has something to do with her career." Ash said. "I've been there; news reporters everywhere, not wanting to distance themselves from me. They're really annoying if you become a celebrity." He added.
"So you're…" Grace said.
"A Pokemon Master." Ash completed her sentence.
"Wow! I know it's a bit late, but congratulations!" Grace said with a smile.
"Hehe, thanks." Ash said, smiling back.
Ash looked to his surroundings. He saw a line of picture frames on a drawer. He walked up and looked at it. It portrayed a young Serena and her mother, together with a Rhyhorn. There's more to its side. It seems like they're arranged accoring to Serena's age, from a younger Serena to the present. He gently touched the picture frame, wondering where she could be. He just realized, upon becoming known around the world, one would want to be isolated from the rest of the people. That was another reason he came to Mt. Silver. He also wondered how May and Dawn were doing since he knew their dream is to become Top coordinators. They would have to deal with some disturbance. The name May made his heart crumble from dread, and so he wiped that thought off of his mind.
Since he doesn't have any clue where Serena is, he might as well look for some clues, and so he said,
"I'm going to Lumious City to look for clues. I'll be sure to find her once I get enough clues." Ash said walking up to the door. Pikachu followed him and hopped on his shoulders.
"Oh, thank you so much, Ash. Just be careful out there." Grace said.
"Why? Is there something I should look out for?" Ash asked.
"Oh, forget what I said. It's just some silly rumors I've heard. Take care of yourself." Grace said.
"Oh, ok. Bye Grace." Ash said, walking out the house, waving at her.
As he was walking towards the town's exit, he wondered about what Grace had mentioned to him. 'Be careful out there.' What would be out there, anyway? If it's threat, it'll be a walk in a park for him.
Somewhere in Lumious City, sitting on a table in a café, a girl wearing a green bandana, an orange sleeveless shirt and black spandex was taking a sip on her coffee. It made her squeal in delight.
"This is the best coffee I've ever tasted!" She said, taking another sip, and eventually drinking it whole. The intense heat of the coffee didn't bother her though. She wiped some coffee on her mouth, put the money on the table, and went out the café.
"Now, where is the stadium?" She asked herself, even though she already knew where it was. She walked towards its location. As she was walking on the sidewalk, she saw a girl with a honey blonde hair, wearing a black tank top with a white collar, a red skirt, black running shoes and black knee socks, and a Gardevoir beside her walk in the opposite sidewalk. She heard of her somewhere, but she can't tell where, though she knew her name. She began walking towards her, and said;
"Hi! You're Serena, aren't you?" She said.
Gardevoir began to release its Psychic energy. The girl gasped in fright, but the Pokemon was stopped by Serena.
"No, don't. It's ok." She said. "You look familiar. What's your name?" She turned and asked the girl. Serena thought she have seen this girl somewhere, but, like the girl, she can't tell where.
"Oh, my apologies. I'm May. Nice to meet you." May said with a smile. She stretched an arm, signifying a handshake. But before she accept the gesture, she said,
"You're May?! I've seen you in magazines! You're a Top Coordinator!" Serena said in surprise, then accepted the gesture.
"Hehe. I get that a lot." May said, scratching the back of her head.
"I know I've heard of you before. I just can't tell where…" May said, thinking.
"Oh. Tripokalons are only exclusive here in Kalos, so news wouldn't really go out to other regions. Also, if you've heard me, I think you've heard me as the Kalos Queen." Serena said.
"Oh, Tripokalons. They're like contests, but no battles, right?" May asked.
"That's right." Serena said with a smile.
May's Holocaster began to vibrate, indicating that she's late for her contest.
"Oops. I'm late for my contest. I gotta go. See you later!" May said, sprinting towards the stadium.
"You too!" Serena said, returning to her duty.
What lies await for our hero? May came into the picture, now will this appearance affect Ash and Serena? Also, wondering why Serena suddenly is in Lumious City? Find out in the next chapter! Don't forget to review :)