Chapter 4: Familiar Face
(Night time: 9:34 p.m.)
Serena grumbled as she rummaged through the freezer for an ice pack. Her wounds still were alive with pain, making her wince every few minutes.
"Serena," Grace had said from the couch, "Something unbelievable they say is about to come on."
Poking her head out of the freezer, Serena glared at her Mom, and responded, "Yeah, and something unbelievable happened to my face."
Turning her eyes to the corner,Grace took a sip of her tea, while going back to watching the TV, quite interested in what was on.
Sighing, Serena closed her eyes, thinking happy thoughts.
'Tomorrow is another day, another day. Rhyhorn really didn't mean to hurt me. I bet he's sorry. Another day, another day..'
"Hello, everyone! I'm Raina Hertz, and tonight, I'll be bringing you the news." A reporter had spoken from the TV, interrupting Serena's happy thinking.
"Ugh, Mom! Not the news again!" Serena complained, "It's so boring!"
"Please Serena! I can feel that tonight's scoop is going to be exciting." Grace had spoken, "Now, back to finding your ice pack."
Finding one almost instantly, Serena snatched it, and placed it on her forehead. Slamming the door to the freezer, Serena walked over to another couch, and plopped herself down on it.
"Tonight was a very frightening evening for the inhabitants of Kalos. A trainer that goes by the name of Ash,has a very big heart for his partner and all Pokemon. How can we prove this? Watch this footage that a person had caught of the incident." The reporter explained.
Clicking some sort of unique button, the TV screen focused on the footage that was taken, and Serena was already intrigued. The word 'Ash' was stuck in her mind. Was it Ash that she met in Kanto? The one that she played with until she moved away? The girl was shaking in her seat, anxious to watch the footage.
The boy looked like the Ash she knew, but he looked so different than before. Maybe it was a different Ash.
"No, Pikachu!" The boy yelled as he saw his partner falling to the ground. With no warning, the boy jumped over the building, arms wide.
"I'm coming, Pikachu!"
At a racing speed, the boy had caught his Pikachu, but then realized that he was plummeting to the ground. Closing his eyes tight, the boy was ready to go to the light. And then a light. A bright mix of red and white light had scooped the boy into its arms, and put him on the ground safely.
The flash of light was gone in a flash, and the footage had stopped. It minimized to the top right corner, and the reporter had a bright smile.
"Well, thank Arceus they are alright. Here's a picture that was just sent now."
The screen quickly replaced the reporter with the photo. The boy was covered in a dirty coat, and so was his pikachu, but had no signs of injuries.
"It's him.." Serena said aloud, "It's him! I can't believe it! Ash is actually here! Mom! Mom! Look!"
Grace looked up from the pile of letters that she had gotten, and glanced at the TV screen. Her eyes widened in astonishment.
"That boy looks like Delia's son so much." Grace had said to Serena.
"That's because it IS him, Mom!" Serena exclaimed,jumping up and down on the floor.
"Yes, yes." Grace mumbled, now looking at this letter in a red , Serena seemed to notice.
"Mom, what's wrong?" She asked.
"The president of Kalos if forcing children seven and older to go to a party. Even trainers that aren't from this region." Grace grumbled, "They say it's this Friday at seven at night. Are they kidding me? That's for teenagers!"
"C'mon Mom! I am a teenager! I'm thirteen years old, remember?"
"Oh right! But still, we should be able to decline."
"Mom! I want to go though! It could be a way for me to reunite with Ash."
"That would be good. It would also be a great way to meet new friends for you. Maybe even ones that are associated in Rhyhorn racing."
Serena gave a small groan, quiet enough that Grace didn't notice. She was excited yet,what if Ash never got the invite? It would be a waste of time. She just hoped that he would make it.
(Friday Night: 6:45 p.m.)
She was nervous. Standing there in a red velvet colored gown, with lace all around it, and glitter that shone in the light. She grasped the handkerchief that the young boy had given to her tightly.
Serena's wounds seemed to magically disappear in the afternoon, which made the girl filled with ecstasy that the tragedy of her messed up face was finally over. The two days were stressful for Serena. She was nervous about Ash being there, and then what if he wasn't there. She didn't want to hang on to that thought, but she just couldn't, well, forget about it. It was just such a powerful thought. But still, there was more to worry about. Serena didn't even have her own
pokèmon yet, no friends, no anything. Of course, Serena didn't tell her Mother that she would start her own Pokèmon Journey the day after tomorrow. Or tomorrow.
Entering the glorious building, Serena gasped at what she saw. It was just wonderful. Plush red carpet covered the floor, with little hearts decorated on it. There was a singing stage, where one boy and girl were singing karaoke together, looking like they were having a good time. The walls were the most beautiful. It was made entirely out of glass, which revealed the starry sky, with the moon in the center.
Walking towards the stage, Serena could see that the two were singing 'Getta BanBan', blushing while singing. The song ended, and everyone including Serena cheered.
"Now!" A voice boomed over a speaker, and spotlights began swirling around the crowd. "Let's just see who will be selected next!"
The spotlights began swirling around faster, until it slowed down and stopped. In front of Serena. The other spotlight landed on someone else, and a high pitched voice, that was muffled in Serena's perspective, had spoken, "C'mon Ash! Get up there!"
The whole crowd began to push the two towards the stage, and up the steps. Serena glanced at her partner, and couldn't believe her eyes. It was Ash. The boy was dressed in what looked like a prince suit. It was a light blue, but not baby blue. He wore fancy shoes that were a chocolate brown color. The two were so nervous, and their bodies were shaking. Slow Music started, and both of them looked up to see the lyrics, and were surprised to see what the song was. It was 'I Wish Upon a Star'.The remix version. Now with no choice but to sing,Ash had started singing.
"I wish upon a star… with
nothing but hope to lose. With
you by my side, no hope's going
to waste."
"You are my star, and I'm your little bright, light, that brightens up your heart..." Serena sang softly, but it was also shaky.
"With you, Oh with you, I can feel my confidence building up."
"With you, oh with you, we are rising together to the top…" Serena sang, stronger this time.
"Oh I wish upon a Star, with nothing but hope to lose. Your hope is shining bright along with mine, helping us reach our destination. Oh I wish upon a Star…" The two sang. The music suddenly turned up a little faster, and Serena was up.
"One last time, I need to be, the one, who takes you home.."
"One more time, I promise after that, I'll let you go."
"Baby, I don't care if you got her in your heart."
"All I really care is that you wake up in my arms."
"One more time, I need to be, the one, who takes you home…"
The music slowly faded, and the two were flushed with relief, yet also with excitement. The crowd cheered loudly. Louder than before.
"You were great." The boy next to Serena finally spoke, "I'm Ash, what's your name?"
"My name's Serena. And thank you." The girl blushed.
"Awesome name! My name's Ash. I'm from Pallet Town in the Kanto region!"
The words just stuck there. It was him. The Ash that Serena had longed to see for so many years. He was here, he really was here.
"I knew it!" Serena gushed, "I remember you! Do you remember us meeting at day camp every day, we went into the forest together, all the other thing we did?"
"Um, no?" Ash said, confused.
"Well, do you remember this?" Serena said as she revealed the handkerchief behind her back.
"Woah. Wait, you're that girl?!" Ash said astonished, "I can't believe it's you! After all these years, I thought I'd never see you again!"
"Well, I'm here. You can have this back." Serena replied gleefully as she placed the handkerchief in his palm. Ash took it immediately, and grabbed Serena's hand.
"C'mon! You're gonna meet all my new friends!" Ash exclaimed and dragged Serena with him.
