Hi guys! Here's another chapter! Btw, to some people who are wondering what Serena was wearing in the last chapter, you can check out the ending theme song of the Japanese XY anime. That's where I'm going to pick out her clothes as well as the Diancie movie because if you've seen her in those clothes, she actually looks like a classic anime girl :D . So sit back and enjoy!
Also, thanks to those who spotted some errors I have in my previous chapters! I really appreciate those who point out my typos. :)
"Uh…! That hurts…a lot…." Ash moaned out in exhaustion as he lied down onto the grass of May's backyard.
For the past few days, Ash has been constantly training with Norman to get ready for the deal he made with the four other Pokemon. He just finished today's training and was waiting for Pikachu and Charmander to get healed up by Norman.
"Here!" Serena sat down next to him and handed him an energy drink.
"Thanks Serena!" Ash said, opening the bottle and chugging it down.
"So how do you feel? Tomorrow's the big day and you've been training with Norman every single day ever since the incident with Lumiose High," Serena asked.
"I feel confident. Pikachu and I will have Charmander backing us up and with all the training we put in, I think we can really get a chance at proving ourselves to those Pokemon." Ash turned his head to face Serena.
"I'm sure you will!"
"I hope so…by the way, Serena?"
"Yeah?" Serena asked, noticing that Ash was looking at her.
"Thanks for always helping me and supporting me. You've been cheering me on from the very first day we met. And even now when you could be busy with homework or other stuff, you still stick with me when I train with Norman."
"No problem Ash!" Serena cheerfully said. It was really heartwarming to listen to Ash show his gratitude towards her. At least that assured her that Ash didn't take his friendship with her for granted.
"Um…Ash?" Serena spoke up after a moment of silence.
"What is it?"
"A-after you c-catch those four Pokemon…d-do y-you w-w-wanna….um…." Serena stuttered out while blushing.
Ash immediately grew concerned. Why's Serena so nervous? What's going on? Why is she so red right now?
"Um…do you want to….u-um….go watch a m-movie…and maybe get some dinner t-together? Just t-the two of u-us...?"
"Sure!" Ash smiled.
Serena let out a long exhale. She didn't know if Ash thought of it as a date but it would be the first time they actually did anything remotely romantic intentionally. Or rather the first time SHE did something completely romantic with him intentionally.
"Looking forward to it then!" Serena replied cheerfully.
Suddenly, the two heard a loud banging sound at the other side of the house. They ran to the door and were met with the sight of Norman talking to a blonde boy wearing an orange and white striped shirt with black pants and a green scarf.
"Listen, I know that you have my Heracross! My brother came back with some other Heracross I didn't recognize and he said you confiscated his Pokeball! If you don't hand over my Heracross, I'm going to fine you!"
"Calm down young man," Norman said.
"What's going on Norman?" Ash questioned.
"Oh, you heard all that. Well, this is Barry, Kenny's brother. He wants to know where his Heracross is."
"So you don't know huh?" Ash asked.
"Know what?" Barry replied with his own question.
"After my match with Kenny, he and his friends released their Pokemon, because they blamed their Pokemon for the loss, including your Heracross somewhere close to our school's parking lot. I made a deal with the four Pokemon that I would find them tomorrow and catch them so they could prove themselves to their old Trainers."
"No way! Kenny released MY HERACROSS!" Barry screamed out in frustration, ruffling his own hair.
"Sorry to break the news to you. You can go catch you Heracross if you'd like. After all, you're its real Trainer."
"Really?! Thanks so much! Here's something for all your help!" Barry said, reaching into his bag and pulling out a yellow Pokemon egg container that had an olive green egg inside of it.
"I found this egg on my way here. I took a flight to Blackthorn City all the way from the Kalos Region and had to run an errand for my dad on Mount Silver. I found this egg in a ditch, covered by dirt. I asked the rangers and they let me keep it but I think you deserve it more." Barry handed the container to Ash.
"Wow…thanks Barry, you really didn't have to but I really appreciate it." Ash said with a smile.
"No problem, now if you'll excuse me….I GOT A HERACROSS TO CATCH!" the blonde boy yelled out as he ran and ran towards the direction of the school.
"Nice boy…a little overactive but he's way better than his brother." Norman closed the door after Serena and Ash came back in.
The day came. The day Ash promised to come back for the three other Pokemon Lumiose High released, after their match, is finally here. What happened to Heracross?
Last night, Barry came back to tell Norman, Serena, and Ash the good news. Ash had to stay at Norman's house until his mom came to pick him up and Serena didn't want to leave him alone so she stayed with him.
But now it was about helping these three abandoned Pokemon. Showing the world that they deserve better than how they were treated. Although Ash thought about bringing Pikachu to school today, he decided against it as he hasn't been training Charmander that much lately.
As Ash, Serena, May, Brock, Clemont, and Dawn walked towards the place they last saw the Pokemon, they heard a loud rustling.
The group turned to the direction of the noise and spotted Froakie, Chimchar, and Treecko limp out of a bush. They appeared beaten, tired, and in desperate need for medical attention.
"Froakie, Chimchar, Treecko! What happened?!" Ash voiced out, running towards the injured Pokemon.
Just as he reached the three Starters, a bright beam of light and torrent of water came through the bushes and landed on Ash and the Starters.
"Ash!" the group of five screamed out in worry.
"Look what we have here….the same second rate loser who had to battle," Drew said, stepping out of the bushes with Kenny right behind him.
"We came here to get rid of these useless excuses of Pokemon for good. Do you have any idea how much trouble I got into when my brother found out what I did and told my dad?!" Kenny ranted.
"It's not like you didn't deserve it…" Ash mumbled sarcastically.
"What did you say Ketchum?!" Kenny spat.
"Leave him alone!" Brock stepped forward and stretched her arm out in an effort to defend Ash.
"What do we have here? Some nigger who doesn't know his place?" Drew taunted.
"Will you cut it out?! What the heck is wrong with you?!" Ash protested.
"You wanna know what's wrong?! Calem disappeared after we arrived back in Kalos, my dad and brother won't even bother talking to me, and worst of all, these three trash Pokemon are being used by the press against us!"
"Then how come only the two of you are here?" Serena asked.
"Weren't you listening? Calem disappeared and Paul doesn't give a crap about what others think of him!" Kenny replied in an annoyed tone.
"So what do you want?" Ash asked.
"These three Pokemon dead. Empoleon, Hydro Cannon!"
"Roserade, Solar Beam!"
From the two bushes came two powerful looking Pokemon. One was a green humanoid Pokemon that had a red and blue rose for hands, white hair made of white rose petals, and a green mask covering its eyes; while the other one was a large blue penguin that had sky blue metallic edges on its flippers and collar as well as a golden trident crest in front of its face.
The two Pokemon simultaneously unleashed their powerful attacks, with Empoleon launching a pressurized sphere of water and Roserade launching a beam of light from its two roses.
"Charmander, come out and use Fire Pledge!"
Chamander popped out of its Pokeball and quickly slammed its claw onto the ground, unleashing pillar after pillar of burning flames. Eventually, the multiple pillars surrounded the area Empoleon and Roserade were in and managed to block Solar Beam and weaken Hydro Cannon.
"Now send it back with Thunder Punch! Follow it up with Flare Blitz!"
Charmander charged up crackling electricity into its right fist and slammed it against the sphere, sending it back with more power as it collided with Roserade and Empoleon.
Charmander didn't stop there as its tail flame grew larger and engulfed its entire body, the flame turned from a fiery red to an even hotter blue color before Charmander charged forward and tackled the two fully evolved Pokemon, sending them back but not knocking them out.
"That was great Charmander! Nice job!"
"Char…" the Starter mumbled before it began shining brightly in a bright blue light. It grew significantly taller and had a much more slender frame and the claws on its feet and hands also grew longer; a protrusion appeared on the back of its head and the fangs Charmander once had, extended.
"Meleon…."
"You evolved! That's awesome Charmeleon!"
"Char!" the Fire-Type proclaimed before it began shining again but instead of the bright blue light it had previously been, this glow was a red glow. The kids and teenagers all noticed it began getting hotter and they also noticed the grass at Charmeleon's feet started to burn.
"What's going on…?" Ash, Serena, Kenny, Drew, May, and Dawn whispered. While most of them were confused, Clemont and Brock knew perfectly well what that glow was.
Roserade, Empoleon, Kenny, and Drew stepped back and began moving away from Charmeleon because of instinct but what they didn't expect was Charmeleon firing a powerful pillar of fire that had a vortex of fire swirling around it.
"Just as I thought…" Clemont started.
"That was Overheat," Brock finished.
The blast was enough to send the two Lumiose High boys and their Pokemon through the air and into somewhere else in Pallet Town.
"Quick! We gotta get these Pokemon to the Pokemon Center!" Ash said, returning Charmeleon and thanking it for battling and picking up Froakie, Treecko, and Chimchar in his arms and running towards the Pokemon Center.
"How are they, Nurse Joy?" Ash asked with his friends by his side.
"They'll make a full recovery. It's nothing serious but it did quite a bit of damage. You kids better go home, it's getting late," Nurse Joy advised before walking to a different room.
"Well, you heard what Nurse Joy said, see you guys tomorrow," Clemont said, getting up and heading towards the door.
"Yeah, me too, I have a big test tomorrow," Brock added in.
"Me three…" May complained, following Brock and Clemont out the door.
"I'm not leaving," Ash grumbled.
"Well, if you're staying, then so am I; we should consider ourselves lucky that we don't have any classes tomorrow thanks to Agatha giving us the day off, Ash. Just let me call my mom and yours too to let them know," Serena said, getting up and walking to the video phones.
Ash and Dawn sat in silence for a few minutes before Dawn spoke out.
"Hey, Ash?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you gonna be okay?" Dawn placed a hand on Ash's shoulder.
"I don't know…I'm just worried about those Pokemon right now…"
"No need to worry! Nurse Joy said they'll make a full recovery, remember? Anyways, unlike you and Serena, I don't have a free day tomorrow," Dawn said, trying to lighten the mood, only to get another grunt form Ash.
"By the way, Ash, thanks for helping me after what Kenny did to me last week. It was really sweet. I didn't get to say thanks but I hope this is enough," Dawn said, leaning over and giving the Pallet Town boy a quick peck on the cheek before running out of the door.
Ash just sat there, processing what just happened. Honestly, he would be confused right now but the guilt he is currently feeling is seriously messing with his head; however, he absentmindedly raised his hand and touched the spot where Dawn has just kissed him.
"Hey Ash, our moms said it's fine if we stay here for the night. The Pokemon Center rents rooms for free if your Pokemon are being treated for injuries and we have three Pokemon here that are being treated. By the way, my mom is sending over Fletchling over here with our toothbrushes and PJs, it was your mom's idea not mine," Serena walked over to him and said with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood as she was sitting down next to Ash.
The next hour was the worst for Serena. After Fletchling brought over their stuff, she had to drag Ash into their room, trying to convince him to change into his sleepwear.
"I'll change outside but when I come back, please be in the clothes your mom brought…" Serena pleaded before walking out the door.
A Few Minutes Later…
Serena came walking through the door dressed in pink shorts and a lavender hoodie. Her hair had been let down but she decided to adorn it with a pink ribbon. In her hands were the normal clothes, neatly folded.
She looked towards one of the two beds and noticed Ash sitting down on the mattress, clad in a pair of blue shorts and a white sleeveless shirt.
"There, isn't that better?" Serena asked rhetorically, placing her neat pile of clothes next to another not so neat pile that was on the desk.
"Listen, Ash, you know it wasn't your fault, right?"
"You're just saying that…" the boy grumbled, getting up and walking towards the open window of the room and placing hands on the window sill.
Serena just stared sympathetically. This was the first time she has ever seen Ash like this. She thought of a way to comfort him but came up with nothing, and so she decided to do something she never thought she would do at this age.
Serena slowly approached Ash, who was still looking out the window moping, and wrapped her arms around his torso from behind; however, she felt Ash suddenly tense. Taking a leap of faith, she lowered her head onto his back and tightened her grip, finally feeling Ash relax a bit.
"Ash…stop this, you know it's not your fault…"
Ash didn't respond. All he did was stand there and think. The last time Serena had hugged him was during her ninth birthday when she found out that Ash got her a present but that was to be expected. He never expected Serena would hug him just to comfort him, but then again, he was Ash.
Serena stopped hugging Ash and turned him around so he was facing her. She grabbed his hand and led him to his bed and pushed him down so he would actually lie down.
"Ash, just go to sleep, okay? I promise everything would be better when you wake up," Serena said, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
Ash didn't answer but merely turned on his side, facing away from Serena.
Serena sighed and stood up, making her way towards her bed but Ash's voice made her stop in her tracks.
"Serena…"
"Yeah?" the girl asked, turning to face Ash.
"Thanks…" Ash said, still facing away from her.
Serena just smiled and went to the other bed. She laid her head on the pillow and allowed sleep to take over her.
Morning came and Serena was awake fairly early in the morning. She noticed Ash was still sleeping and smiled, at least he's resting from everything that's happened recently.
She went into the bathroom and changed into a fresh set of clothes. She then walked out of the room and went straight to the cafeteria.
Serena quickly ate her breakfast and decided to get Ash's breakfast for him. She went to the buffet table and grabbed a stack of pancakes, a glass of orange juice, two Pecha Berris, and a plate of bacon and eggs.
She walked out of the cafeteria with the rather full tray in her hands. People were staring at her with shock since it made no sense how a young petite girl possibly eat all that food for breakfast. The thought made her giggle because these people clearly don't know how big Ash's appetite is.
She entered her and Ash's room, and spotted the boy still asleep. She smiled at the sight and simply placed the tray of food on his bedside table. She left the room once again to check up on the Pokemon.
Ash woke up suddenly. He thought he smelled some food nearby. He quickly scanned the room and found a tray full of food.
'Serena must have done this…' he thought, not noticing the small smile that crept onto his face.
Serena was now walking back to her and Ash's room. She was nervous but also excited. She really hoped her surprise would cheer Ash up.
She reached the door and opened it; however, she felt the door hit something. Serena looked inside and noticed that she had slammed the door into Ash's face, literally.
She quickly went in and closed the door, checking on Ash.
"Ash! I'm so sorry, are you okay?"
"Yeah…could you help me up?" Ash held out his hand which Serena grabbed.
Ash suddenly smirked when Serena grabbed his hand. He yanked and pulled Serena's arm so she would fall too. Unfortunately, he forgot that would mean she would fall on top of him.
"Ouch…." Ash mumbled.
"That's what you get for being so careless Ash," Serena said, getting off of the boy and helping him up.
"Yeah, I know."
As soon as they were up, Serena reached into her back pockets and took out three Pokeballs and placed them in Ash's hand.
"What are these?"
"Those are Froakie's, Treecko's, and Chimchar's Pokeballs. I talked to them earlier and they want to be your Pokemon," Serena explained.
"Are you sure?"
Serena merely nodded.
"Then, Froakie, Treecko, Chimchar, come on out!" Ash tossed the three Pokeballs that released the three Starters.
"Listen guys, this will be the last time I'll ask this but are you all sure you want to be my Pokemon?"
The three Starters all nodded, signifying their resolve.
"Then I promise I won't let you down!" Ash cheered, returning them back into their Pokeballs.
After the two left the Pokemon Center, they strolled around the park, thinking of something to do other than walking and talking.
"Serena, I'm really sorry we couldn't hang out like you wanted to…" Ash apologized all of a sudden.
Ash's words shocked Serena, she herself forgot their plans because of everything that's going on lately.
"No need to apologize Ash! You weren't in the mood for it, I can understand."
"Found you!" a new voice shouted.
The two pre-teens turned around and saw Drew and Kenny behind them. They were covered in dust, dirt, and did not look happy.
"I'm tired you two! Chimchar, Froakie, Treecko, Charmeleon, I choose you!"
Ash threw out four Pokeballs, each Pokemon instantly grew angry at the sight of their opponent, but none more than Treecko.
In its anger, Treecko started glowing blue and its whole body changed in shape. Its round fingers and toes grew into claws, its snout pointed out even more, three leaves grew out of each of its forearms, and the most prominent addition was the large single leaf that grew on its head.
"Grovyle…" the newly evolved Pokemon growled.
Ash quickly took out his Pokedex and scanned his three new Pokemon to see their moves.
"Flygon, let's go!"
"Go, Breloom!"
"Oh no you don't! Chimchar, Fire Pledge! Froakie, Water Pledge! Grovyle, Grass Pledge! And Charmeleon, Overheat!"
Chimchar, Froakie, and Grovyle slammed their fists into the ground and a pillar of steam and burning leaves erupted from the ground. A vortex of water, fire, and non-burning leaves was spiraling around the pillar.
Multiple more similar pillars popped out of the ground and eventually surrounded the two Lumiose High trainers. It was then that Charmeleon glowed a familiar red aura and fired a blast of searing fire and heat energy. As soon as the Overheat attack collided with the combined Pledge moves, it caused a powerful explosion that sent Kenny and Drew through the air for the second time.
"Hopefully they won't bother us again," Serena said with relief.
"Yeah, and congratulations Grovyle! You evolved!" Ash praised, earning an arrogant look from Grovyle.
"Okay, everybody, return!" Ash brought out his four Pokeballs and recalled his Pokemon.
The two then heard a scream, followed by a girl with orange hair, wearing a small sleeveless yellow top with red suspenders, a pair of jean shorts, and red sneakers ran out of a bush and hugged Ash.
"I finally found you!" the redhead exclaimed.
As Serena saw this, she was fuming. A random girl leaped out of bush and hugged her crush with no apparent reason.
"Um…who are you?" Serena asked in a sassy tone.
The girl didn't mind her but kept on holding onto Ash, squealing.
"Who are you?" This time, it was Ash who asked it except he did so with a confused tone.
"Call me Misty! I saw your match against Lumiose High and I just had to see you! I'm from the Unova Region!"
"Um…thanks?"
"So, will you go on a date with me?"
This question made Serena step in.
"No, he won't!" Serena sassed back and pried Misty off of her crush.
"And who are you? His girlfriend?" Misty retorted.
"Well, no but-" Serena was quickly cut off.
"You're not, so butt out!"
"Hey, don't talk to Serena like that!"
"C'mon, seriously, would you want to be with THAT thing?" She pointed her thumb towards Serena's direction. "Or me?" She gestured to herself.
"Definitely Serena," Ash answered without any hesitation.
"See? I knew you wouldn't wan-….WHAT?!" Misty stopped midsentence and screamed out her surprise and frustration.
Ash's statement brought a blush onto Serena's face.
"You'll regret this, but don't worry, this isn't the last time you'll see me," Misty said, walking away.
"Great…now I have another problem to deal with, this day just keeps getting weirder," Ash said.
"Yeah…" Serena pitched in. Truthfully, she was just content and happy deep inside. Ash said he would be willing to with her so that really made her day.
"C'mon Serena, I think we should head home before we bump into anybody else." Ash grabbed Serena's hand and led her the way out of the park but before they could go far enough, a Growlithe ran up to them.
"A Growlithe?" Ash and Serena questioned in unison.
"Growlithe, wait!"
A boy around the age of thirteen came running towards Ash and Serena. He had brown hair and brown eyes. He wore a red no-top cap, a blue short sleeved jacket, white shorts, and a pair of red sneakers.
"Gotcha!" Nate exclaimed, returning Growlithe into a Pokeball.
Nate looked at the two people he bumped into and smiled.
"Hey! Do you guys study in Pallet High?"
"Yeah," Ash answered, albeit carefully due to all the people they've been bumping into today.
"Nice! I'm Nate Black, I came from Unova. I'm an exchange student in Pallet High! Whoops, gotta go, I need to head home, catch ya later!" he said.
The two watched Nate run back home, it was weird but he seemed familiar though they decided not to dwell on it too much.
"Come on Serena, let's go home," Ash said.
To Be Continued…..
Have two weeks of no classes but after that I gotta get serious because I'm gonna need straight 100's for the past year if I ever want to get the grade I desire, so I will be updating even less, but still updating nonetheless :) . Btw, hope I didn't offend anyone with what Drew said. Trust me, I'm no racist, I just need Drew's character to be more unlikeable in this story; same goes for Misty.
Next chapter will have another time skip which is where the story really start because these first few chapters are kinda like introductions for the characters :)
Remember, REVIEW, FAVORITE, and FOLLOW please! :D
