Chapter 3: A Surprise Guest

Author's note: I forgot to state in the first chapter that Ash and Serena are both 16 years old. Clemont is 15, and Bonnie is 8. I also had a feeling that Noibat would evolve into Noivern, so I put him in the story as its evolved form. For those wondering, Ash still only has 5 Pokemon with him: Pikachu, Greninja, Talonflame, Hawlucha, and Noivern. But don't worry, that will soon change in the next couple of chapters.

One more thing, in the story when you see BOLD and ITALIC words, that means the character is speaking to themselves in their thoughts, or in the unique case between Ash and Greninja, to each other. There are some parts in Chapter 1 that I missed, but I can't edit it now.

It took several minutes for the realization at what Serena faced. She was overjoyed that Pancham will make a full recovery eventually in a couple of months, but the Master Finals was 10 days away. Clemont made the calculations and said they could reach Luminose City, where the finals would be, in a three day journey if they left in the morning. So Serena had to create an entirely new performance and practice it in Snowbelle in 6 days.

It took all the support of her friends to believe that she could pull this off. Ash's determination gave Serena the emotional support to keep on going. Clemont recorded each practice session so Serena and her pokemon could review their movements. And Bonnie kept Serena's spirit alive with optimism.

On the last day before they would leave for Luminose City, Serena was getting extremely anxious. They couldn't get the last bit of the performance down, and time was running out. Sure they could practice on the way over, but in the wild it would be difficult to find the right amount of space to practice. It was then, when during one of their last practices before lunch, a surprise guest arrived to root Serena on.

"Pancham! What are you doing here?" Bonnie had heard him walk up behind them as they were getting ready. Pancham, though still had the cast on his arm and a bandage over his ear, had made a good recovery on his legs and was able to walk again. However, when he tried yesterday it was still labored and he could barely make it a few feet without hurting.

Serena rushed over, "Pancham you shouldn't be up. You need a few more days to recover" Pancham shook his head. Serena was worried that Pancham was being reckless with his injures, and he might make them worse.

"Pan, Pan, Pancham cham Pancham!"

Serena couldn't quite know what Pancham was trying to say, "You want to see how I'm doing?" Pancham shook his head. Ash knelt next to Serena, facing Pancham. "No, I think Pancham wants more than that, you want to make sure Serena is ready to go. You want to help Braixen and Sylveon?" Pancham clenched his non-injured paw and nodded his head with an determined look. "Pancham!"

Serena took care at picking up Pancham and sat him down next to Bonnie and Pikachu. With the return of their friend, Braixen and Slyveon renewed their vigor and for the first time, succesfully completed their last part of the routine. However Pancham had some things to say to Braixen and Sylveon. Though the trainers didn't know what he was saying, and the occasional nods from Braixen and Sylveon, Ash knew that Pancham was giving them sound advice.

Throughout their lunchbreak Pancham continued to talk with it's fellow performance pokemon. And when they were all done, Braixen and Sylveon were pumped and ready to go for another practice session. Serena had been watching Clemont's tape recording of their previous run, and while they had finally completed the routine without a mess up, it had several flaws throughout it.

Ash, who had been watching the tape with Serena and Clemont finally spoke up. "Wait, Clemont go back to the beginning and play it at normal speed." Both of them looked back at Ash wondering what he was thinking. Up to this point it was Serena and Clemont who were criticing each routine. Ash, while great at battling and understanding pokemon, wasn't the best person to go to for advise on performing and dancing. Clemont though gave Ash the benefit of the doubt.

"What did you see Ash?" Serena asked as Clemont played the tape from the beginning. Ash just stared at the screen, but said, "Just you." Serena had mixed feelings with what Ash had just said. She slightly blushed that Ash had just been watching her, but also a bit frustrated that he was pointing out only her supposed mistake. Sure, she made a few mistakes during the routine, which she and Clemont went over, but Braixen and Sylveon had mistakes too. As the video ended, Ash stood back, put a hand on his chin and nodded his head "That's it..."

Clemont looked at Ash confused. "What Ash? What's it?" Clemont asked. Serena was looking down, in thought trying to figure out her emotions, but was shocked out her trance when Ash walked up to her and lifted her chin with his hand, just like he did several days ago at the canyon. "It's your smile Serena. I was looking at you to entire time, and not once were you smiling." Serena's face was burning. Ash hadn't just been looking at her, but her face. "You were looking like me when I battle, all rigid and focused" Ash said as he laughed. "But the one thing I know about Performing is that everything revolves around you Serena, you and your smile"

Serena was shocked. She had a Deerling in the headlights look. She didn't know what to say as she stared at Ash as he just smiled back at her. Clemont took a look back at the tape and went through it again. "Wow, he's right Serena" The two trainers looked back at the tape as Clemont paused each time Serena turned back toward the camera. "Wow Ash, very perceptive, I was just looking at their movements, but this might be the main reason Serena" Clemont concluded. Serena just looked at the screen

He noticed that I wasn't smiling this whole time. How could I have not noticed? Is...is he...? No, that can't be it. Is he finally giving me hints? I've been sending him dozens of hints for almost a year now...but these last couple of days. Has she been getting hints from...HIM?

Serena was lost in her thoughts again as she didn't notice that Ash and Clemont had left her, they had shouted a name and ran off to the other side of the arena along with Bonnie and most of the pokemon. It took her a second to recollect her thoughts and look over at the new guest as they were welcomed by the group.

"Professor Sycamore?"

"What are you doing here Professor?" Serena asked as she walked up to him, it seemed Clemont and Bonnie were asking the same thing. "Ash hasn't told you?" They all looked at Ash who put a hand behind his head and laughed. "I guess I didn't, haha, it was supposed to be a surprise." Serena noticed that Sycamore was holding a metal briefcase. "What's that Professor?" Sycamore held up the briefcase. "The surprise"

Professor Sycamore told the group that Ash had contacted him the day after Team Rocket's attack and Pancham's incident. Nurse Joy had said that Pancham would have to stay in Snowbelle's pokemon center for a while. Even in a pokeball, Pancham was not fit to travel to Luminose City with the group. They were going to have to leave Pancham behind. Clemont had offered to stay with the pokemon. "Don't worry Serena, I'll make sure Pancham sees your performance on T.V" That was the plan initially, but that's when Ash contacted the professor.

"He wanted to know if there was a type of pokeball that Pancham could be in so that it would be safe for him to travel with them." Professor Sycamore explained. "It so happened that I heard of a special 'Medical ball' that could heal pokemon that was in it's prototype stage at the Pokeball Factory in Kalos. Ash had told me how important it was for Serena that Pancham was there in person at the performance"

The group looked toward Ash who was standing near Sycamore. Ash was blushing from the looks, as he was kind of embarrassed.

"So I traveled to Laverre City and asked the President there for the Medical ball. While hesitatent at first since they only had 5 prototypes, he finally agreed to to lend me one for their first field test." Clemont intrupted the Professor, "But isn't there already a Heal Ball available?" Sycamore laughed, "Of course they have, but that's only good on weak or fainted Pokemon, due to a battle, but I hear Pancham is a different story." Clemont nodded his head. "So the Heal ball isn't strong enough to help Pancham," The professor nodded his head in agreement. "But wait...This will be their first field test?!" Professor Sycamore nodded his head again. "They would never injure a pokemon so much just to test their new ball" Sycamore answered, Clemont agreed. "Even in the name of science and good intentions" Everyone nodded their head in agreement.

"Ok Serena, this is for you" Sycamore placed the briefcase down and opened it. Inside was a pokeball that was pink, like a Heal ball, but had a white cross on the top of it. Next to it was a small gadget with a video screen on it. He gave the pokeball to Serena, then he picked up the small gadget. "This computer is linked to that Medical ball and will tell you how Pancham is doing on this screen. I believe you Clemont should have this" The professor said as he handed the device to Clemont. Bonnie looked up to Serena, her face hidden by the shadow of her hat. "Serena what's wrong?"

They all looked at Serena, she started to shake. "Y-you don't know how important t-this is for me." She said trying to hold back the tears. Sycamore just smiled, "Oh I think I know...remember it was Ash that told me how much Pancham being there with you meant to you and your pokemon." Serena looked up at Professor Sycamore, her eyes tearing up, then shifted her gaze towards Ash. Ash had his hand behind his head with an embarassed smile.

She rushed him, almost tackling him and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her head into his chest now openly crying. Ash, after just getting his balance again felt him being hugged from both his sides too. He looked down and saw Braixen hugging both him and Serena and Sylveon wrapping its ribbons around both his and Serena's legs. The rest of the Pokemon celebrated in joy, they were relieved that they didn't have to leave their friend behind. Bonnie was hugging Pancham who was trying its best to not cry, from the realization of what happened and from the pain of Bonnie's embrace.

After Serena calmed down a bit and stopped crying she kept hugging Ash, but simply whispered to Ash, "Thank you Ash...thank you so much" Ash whispered back, "You've helped me plenty of times in the past, anything for you Serena". Serena's cheeks, though red already now burned.

Anything for you Serena...

After everyone had calmed down and Serena dried her tears, Professor Sycamore asked about Serena's progress for her finals performance. She wiped her eyes one more time, "Let me show you, ready you two?" Serena said as she looked down at Braixen and Sylveon. They were wiping their own tears off, but then gave her a determined look. As everyone cleared the arena, Serena got into position.

Anything for you Serena...

That kept echoing in her mind, and as the music started to play, her face was radiating from her smile. She had been feeling down for having to leave Pancham behind, a decision that crushed her but now, there was nothing keeping her spirit down.

As they went through their performance, everyone was watching in amazement. The small mistakes and errors that had plagued their friends routine were gone. Braixen timed its Firespin perfectly, and Sylveons Fairy wind was just right. Serena, who previously was stiff from focus and concentration, was now more relaxed and had the whole performance under control. As they ended their routine. Everyone stood up and applauded, their friends had done it.

"Wow, simply marvelous Serena," Sycamore stated. "I've seen all your performances on T.V before but this one has got to be the best thus far." Clemont came back from the camera, "Everything came together you three, amazing!" Bonnie was jumping up and down. "You were all so cute and awesome and beautiful and amazing and and...Ah! Serena you're going to win for sure!" Serena, blushing from the compliments looked over to Ash. He smiled back and said one word.

"Perfect"