Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. Pokemon belongs to GameFreak, etc.
Serena bent her back backwards and released some tension. She had never had to ride Braviary for hours before. She was lucky she even knew how, or else it might have been her falling into the water instead of the radio.
It was pitch black. She could only see because of the light emitted from the Pokemon Centre. She walked in through the doors to see Ash staring blankly at a PC screen while the others were slumped over the couches.
"I'm back guys."
She noticed none of those on the couches moved, so she assumed they were asleep. Ash turned towards her direction and looked at her. His facial expression went from emotionless to one of worry. He bounded in front of her in two fast steps.
"Where were you? Why didn't you pick up when any of us called? I was... I was concerned for you!" He flung the two questions at her wildly.
"Sorry, Ash. Please forgive me. My radio dropped into the ocean." Serena squeaked.
Understanding dawned in Ash's eyes. He pulled her towards him into a hug.
"It's alright. As long as you're okay."
Serena felt so good in the position she was in, her head resting on his shoulder. She almost fell asleep before Ash shook her lightly.
"Um... hi. I'm still here, you know?"
"Oh, right, uh, sorry. You were really comfortable, that's all." Serena giggled.
"Then how about I carry you to your room?"
"Eh? What-" She was cut off by Ash swooping down and hoisting her up into his arms. He lifted her up to her room, but stopped at the door as he didn't have a free hand to open it with.
Little did he know, Steven had been awake the whole time and had been watching his every move.
"You're learning, Ash." He smirked.
Meanwhile, back upstairs, Serena was thinking about what had just happened between her and Ash. Perhaps he was beginning to understand how she felt about him, and was reciprocating those feelings.
"Nah, impossible." She muttered.
Ash, however, was thinking close to the opposite.
"I wonder why she was blushing. I know she likes me but... maybe I surprised her too much? Oh well." He whispered.
He fell asleep, tired from searching for hours on end. In her room, Serena had also dozed off.
XXX
Ash woke up later than usual, but it was only natural as he had waited much later than the others for Serena to come back. He slipped into his day clothes and went downstairs to eat. The others were all there, already consuming everything on their plates.
"Hey, come on! Wait for me!"
The whole group laughed at Ash's half-serious joke. He ended up laughing along with them.
By the time he started eating, everyone else had finished and Diantha had begun to discuss their plans for tomorrow, when they would attack Team Flare's base.
"We're going to focus on one side of the ship so we break in easily, then when we're inside, we'll split up. Serena, I want you to stay with Ash because I know we all have Pokemon that can stand up to Team Flare's but you... I must say I have my doubts."
"I know what you mean. I will."
"After we find Bonnie and capture the grunts, we call Officer Jenny over and-"
"NOT THAT WOMAN!" Ash roared.
"He despises Officer Jenny." Serena added.
"So how do you propose we move the grunts?"
"I... didn't think of that."
"So Officer Jenny it is!" Steven proclaimed. Ash grumbled but this only resulted in chuckling from Steven.
"Great. Now, everyone take the day off, so we can be relaxed for tomorrow's assault." Diantha ordered calmly.
"I'm sorry what?" Ash shouted.
"Uh... we're taking a break for now. Something the matter?"
"Yes! They're planning to use Bonnie to control Zygarde and make it destroy the world!"
"Ash, you can't rush things. We need to be not only physically ready for this but also mentally ready. It's better for us to be collected than stressed."
"You're right. So what are you guys going to do?"
"Steven and I are going to have a battle for fun." Diantha replied.
"Charizard and I are going to the beach because it's a nice day for it. I think we could do with some sun." Alain told him.
"So Serena. Did you have anything planned?"
"Uh... well I thought maybe we could uh... take a walk around the general area?"
"Sure!" Ash answered. For some reason he was really happy she had asked him. Ash had wanted to spend more time with her. He was really beginning to think that Bonnie and Steven were right, that he was in love with Serena. He just didn't have the guts to tell her yet. He wasn't in fear of rejection – he knew that she liked him. He was just waiting for the right time.
Diantha and Steven went out the back to battle, Alain flew off on Charizard and Ash, deciding to be brave, took Serena's hand and walked with her out the door. It could be said that the colour of Serena's face rivaled that of Yveltal's body. Pikachu bobbed his head up and down, as if approving of Ash's actions – which he did.
"So, where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere with you is fine." Serena blurted out. She refrained from covering her mouth to make what she had just said seem normal.
Her attempt proved to be a failure as Ash easily saw through what she had tried to do. He grinned at her, but she was too busy hiding her blush to see.
"Why don't we go shopping?" Ash suggested.
"Wait, I thought you hated shopping!"
"But I know you love it. If you're happy I am too. Your smile just brightens up my day."
"Uh... thanks?"
They set off, Pikachu still riding on Ash's shoulder. Neither of them spoke at all. Ash wasn't used to having this awkward silence between the two of them. If this were when they were still travelling Kalos together, they probably would be conversing casually. Now there was nothing said between them, and Ash began to feel uncomfortable.
"Tell me if you want anything." He offered. It was more to just break the silence.
"Oh, no. I can't have you pay."
"Why not?"
"It's kind of... embarrassing, almost."
"How so?"
"You wouldn't understand." Serena smiled.
Little did she know Ash was suspecting what she thought made it embarrassing. He knew it would make them seem like they were in a relationship, not just friends. He was definitely understanding this subject better and better.
Then he realised that they were still holding hands. Why isn't this making her uneasy then?
Ash decided to just throw the issue aside – for now, anyway. He let go of her hand only for his hand to be snatched up by Serena's again. He glanced at her sideways – which she noticed.
"I hope you don't mind..."
"Um... sure."
They continued walking until Serena stopped in front of a cake shop. She gazed longingly through the window at the samples.
"You really want one, don't you?" Ash asked her teasingly.
Serena ignored his tone, but still replied. "Yeah..."
"Well come on then. I'll buy some."
Serena was taken by surprise when Ash dragged her inside. She sure wanted something but she had literally just told Ash not to buy anything for her.
Unfortunately for her, Ash had already paid by the time she could stop him. Instead of scolding him she just shook her head playfully. There really was no stopping Ash when he was passionate about something.
A thought suddenly hit her. Ash had bought it because she wanted it... did that mean that he was... passionate about HER?
A blush flooded her face for possibly the fifth time this day. She worked to quickly cover it before Ash saw it.
Lucky for her, Ash collected the cakes spun around to her just as the last remnants of the red had faded away. She sighed inwardly.
"Here. Enjoy."
Ash put down a plastic box on a table, and motioned for her to sit down. He even pulled the chair out for her. After doing so he sat down himself to eat. Of course, he cut off a piece for Pikachu.
Serena believed this may well be the best day of her life so far. Sure, that day when she kissed Ash was nice, but that was the day they all left each other so at the same time it was depressing. She and Ash were actually on a date – well in her eyes they were. She wondered how Ash thought of this...
Ash had in fact been thinking the same thing as her. Amazing how his density had cleared up in the matter of just a day or two. Maybe that talk from Steven had helped. Who knew?
Ash tried to eat as politely as possible as he was in front of both Serena and strangers. Serena savoured her piece, and closed her eyes blissfully every so often.
When they were both finished eating, Ash took both their boxes to throw away. Serena giggled at his gentlemanly behaviour.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, not much." She replied vaguely.
Ash dropped the subject. It couldn't be that bad anyway. Instead, he just continued walking. His hand was almost instantly taken hostage by Serena's.
Now it was Ash's turn to chuckle. Serena was sure enjoying this. To be honest, he was too. He felt free and happy when he was with her.
They halted once again but this time in front of a cosmetics store. Also again, Serena was peering inside fervently.
"You want that too, don't you?"
"Um... yeah."
"I think you're beautiful as you are." Ash complimented her sincerely.
Another blush formed on Serena's face. She didn't bother to conceal it. It was normal. Any girl, if called beautiful by Ash, would redden up like she did.
She took Ash's advice and skipped out. It was then they passed by a park, and took a rest. They let all their Pokemon out, even Charizard, who Ash had prepared specifically for the next day, and Pangoro, who had evolved from Serena's Pancham.
Currently those two Pokemon were having a bit of a wrestling match, as if to see who was stronger. Needless to say, Pangoro was battered and bruised at the end of it.
"Oh Arceus why. Pangoro, return."
Ash sat there, watching Serena as she returned Pangoro to his Pokeball. He liked that she cared for and respected her Pokemon. Somehow, he fell asleep watching the Pokemon play. Serena did so too, leaving their Pokemon to fight, perform or do whatever for Arceus knows how long.
XXX
Ash was sleeping peacefully.
The keyword there, is 'was'.
He was sleeping peacefully until he felt his face get toasted. He jolted up and saw Delphox, Infernape and Charizard all grinning at him evilly. He looked beside him and saw that Serena had received the same treatment.
"Why, guys? Come on!"
Ash saw something that sparked his memory from years ago. The ribbon on Delphox's twig.
"Braixen, we were unable to become Kalos Queen with your broken stick as we'd promised, but let's swear it on the stick Pancham has given to you this time! We've got to take the next step. We're going to become Kalos Queen!"
Serena then pulled out a red ribbon from her bag. She tied it around the stick in a bow fashion.
"This is the symbol of our pledge."
Ash's mind came back to the present, to where Serena was wiping soot off her face. He himself wiped some off his.
"You need to win that Master Class."
"Why?"
"Because you haven't kept your promise you made on that stick yet." Ash explained, pointing to Delphox's twig.
"Oh, you're right! Thank you for reminding me! I need to make good on my promise. I will beat Aria and be the Kalos Queen, like we promised."
"That's the spirit! Now, I think we should get going – we slept for quite some time."
"How do you know?"
Ash wordlessly pointed to the sky, where the sun was directly above them. They had left just after nine in the morning and there was no way walking around could take three hours.
"Oh." Serena breathed. She picked herself up off the grass and dusted her back to get rid of any stray blades.
Ash saw that she wasn't doing the best job of reaching behind her, so he gave her a hand. She smiled at him gratefully, a smile he returned. They recalled all their Pokemon and were about to leave the park but Ash wasn't moving.
"Um... are we going to leave, or what?"
"Oh, I thought you were going to hold my hand?"
"W- well, being honest I was going to when we started walking but um... s- sure."
Again she took his hand and they set off. Also again, Serena blushed immensely. At this time of day there were many more people out and about, meaning more people to see the two of them holding hands.
Serena was loving the day so far. After they browsed a few more stores she felt her hand being tugged by Ash. She looked at him, and saw the sheepish expression.
"Can we eat?"
Somehow she knew he would ask that. Admittedly she was getting hungry too, so she smiled at him.
"Of course!"
They found a nice restaurant that didn't look too fancy, but their expectations were incorrect when they read the menu.
"This is so expensive! Let's leave, Ash."
Ash remained still, except for when he gripped Serena's wrist to prevent her from leaving.
"No, don't worry about the price. I have more than enough money to take care of that."
"But-"
"Just sit down."
"Alright."
For the second time that day Serena gave up on an argument. Ash was clearly intent on eating here, so she knew trying to reason with him would be useless.
When their food came and they started eating – Ash once again eating like a normal person – Serena understood why it was so costly. It was certainly worth the money they, or rather Ash, would spend on it.
Ash paid as hastily as possible so that Serena had no chance to even do as much as drop a few coins. This time, he made the move and held her hand.
Serena had gotten used to it, and wasn't flushing anymore. Instead she acted like it was normal – she hoped that it would be sometime in the future.
They were running out of things to do in Cyllage City. It wasn't huge like Lumiose City was. Ultimately, they returned to the Pokemon Centre.
Inside, Steven and Diantha were joking with each other and Alain listening in, laughing along with them at times. Upon seeing them, Serena immediately dropped Ash's hand.
Steven was the first to notice as he was sitting facing the entrance.
"You two lovebirds have fun?"
"Uh, what? We're just friends!" Serena said as honestly as she could. For now we are, anyway.
"Don't think I didn't see you holding Ash's hand."
Serena ignored him and sat down. She noticed Diantha and Alain both grinning at her devilishly.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh, no reason."
"Sure, sure."
"So how was your date, you guys?" Steven asked innocently.
"It wasn't a date." Serena replied firmly.
"Of course it was. You two were getting all-" Diantha started.
"Well I could say the same for you and Steven." Ash butted in.
"That's none of your business." Steven rebuked.
"Well then our love life is none of yours!" Serena half-shouted.
"Did you just say 'our'?" Steven had the most wicked grin on his face when he said this.
"You screwed up big time." Alain threw in.
"Oh, just shut up. What do you guys want for dinner?" She asked abruptly, changing the topic.
"You may have gotten off the hook this time, but next time you better be ready. Anything is fine for me, by the way."
"That's right! Any food cooked by you is great!" Ash commended Serena.
"If that's the case, cook anything you want." Diantha told her.
"Alain? Any requests?"
"None. I believe in Ash's opinion."
"Alright, I'll start then."
Serena left them and went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Meanwhile, the others seemed like they totally weren't about to raid Team Flare's base the next day. Ash quickly excused himself from the conversation and went to the phone booths. He dialed a number and waited patiently for it to- oh wait... sorry, impatiently for it to go through.
"Hello?"
"Hey Forrest. Long time no see. Do you know where your brother is?"
"Which one?" Forrest questioned him wryly.
"You know which one." Ash chuckled.
"Yes, I do. Last time he called he was in... Cyllage City in Kalos I-"
"WHAT?"
"Something wrong?"
"We're in the same city, I've been out for the whole day and I still haven't seen him!"
"Well, tough luck. He's staying with a fellow Gym Leader I believe he said."
"Okay, thanks Forrest!"
"You're welcome."
Ash hung up faster than he would run for dinner- oops, don't mind that... he can never be faster than when he's running for food.
He ran out, passing the two Regional Champions and Alain. They look at him, bewildered.
"I'll be back before you can say 'Blast Burn is Greninja's least favourite move'."
They went back to their chatter while Ash bolted out the door and sprinted in the direction of the Gym. It was time to pay Grant a visit. For maximum efficiency, he left Pikachu with Nurse Joy.
He wasn't even close to being out of breath when he got there, despite it being on top of a mountain. Years of travelling had done so much for his endurance. He entered the tunnel and out into... well whatever it was.
A man, Grant's referee, approached him.
"Hello, are you here for a battle?"
"Can't say I am. Do you know where the Gym Leader is?" Ash enquired politely.
"He's training with his Pokemon. Why do you ask?"
"Actually, he's not the one I need. Is there perhaps a man, about Grant's height with spiky hair-"
"Staying with him? Yes indeed there is."
"You should make your own Psychic-type Gym somewhere." Ash joked.
"Well he's in his room."
"Could you lead me to where that is please?"
"Of course."
The man started a friendly chat. "So, you been here before?"
"Yes I have. Climbed that wall of Grant's and I'm proud of it."
"Proud of that? You should see the rock climbing he has on the other side of the mountain. Goes right to the top."
"I... think I'd be better not see that."
"Well, here we are."
They stopped in front of a door with the sign 'GUEST' on it. Ash thanked the referee and knocked.
"Who is it?"
Ash wanted to be as playful as possible, so he tried his best to imitate Grant.
"It's Grant. Mind if I come in?"
Brock had no idea why Grant would want to talk now. He went to open the door anyway. Instead of seeing the dark-skinned Gym Leader, he saw a boy with chaotic raven hair and a cheesy grin.
"Ash?"
"Hey man, good to see you. I'd like to ask a favour of you. Two, actually."
"Of course. Come in."
Ash sat down on the leather-backed chair in the corner of the room. Brock splattered down onto the bed.
"So what did you want to talk about?"
"I need some... you won't believe it... love advice."
Brock was legitimately drinking a cup of water and almost choked on it. Ash was the most dense boy he'd ever known, and now he was asking for... love advice?
"Um... sure."
Now Ash spilt everything about his feelings towards Serena, and asked how and when he should tell her.
"You really do love a girl. Arceus smack me back to Kanto. For when you should tell her, you'll know. And how, everyone has their own ways."
"Okay, thanks old friend. Now, my second request: a friend of mine has been captured by Team Flare – an evil organisation that operated in Kalos which we stopped – but they're back and I want your help rescuing my friend, and it's going to mean so much if you could help."
"Gladly. Just let me get some Pokemon sent over."
Ash arranged a meeting time with Brock for the next day, and returned to the Pokemon Centre to inform everyone of the good news.
XXX
In the morning, everyone was up early. The sun had barely risen.
"So today, we are raiding Team Flare's base. However, we must not be overconfident. We may have beaten them once, but that means that they will only be stronger than last time. Be prepared. If you find Bonnie, send a buzz on these."
Diantha handed them each a small remote-like item. It had one button on it, and a small screen.
"The screen will show you where the sender of the buzz came from. Speaking of which, Ash, now that we have your friend helping out I want you going in alone. Serena, stay with Brock, alright?" Diantha ordered.
Everyone who had been addressed nodded in understanding.
"Right then. Let's-" Diantha suddenly paused.
"What's wrong, Diantha?"
"I... don't have a Water or Flying type large enough to carry me..."
Ash facepalmed. He held up a hand, asking her to wait. He went back to the phone booths and called Professor Oak.
"Ash, my boy. What would you like?"
"I need Noivern here quick."
"Of course!" Oak exclaimed cheerfully. He left the screen for a brief moment before returning with a Pokeball in hand.
"Scan your Pokedex on the nearest transfer machine please."
Ash did as he was instructed and soon enough a ball rolled into the small pocket.
"Thanks Professor." Ash cut off the call, walked over to Diantha and handed her the Pokeball.
"And this is?"
"Noivern. He's strong enough to carry you."
Diantha ran back up to her room and dropped off one of her own Pokeballs. She came back down within one minute.
"Right then. Let's head off. Stay safe, everyone. Though I doubt we can."
I'm sorry for being a lazy pig, updating this story once a week, but I'm trying to make it as good as possible. Speaking of which, the ending may not be the best, I rushed it a little so I could get this chapter out. Anyway... hope you enjoyed. Feel free to review!
