Writer's Note: Hey everyone back with another chapter. Thanks for all support and reviews, I'll keep the chapters coming as fast as possible. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. All Characters are the property of Nintendo, and this is a fanfiction purely made for fun and non-profit.

Chapter 7

"Issues to deal with"

Clemont stared at the front door of the pokemon center and gave out a small sigh, he was still upset at himself for not noticing Serena's absence earlier. The gym leader was on a journey to improve himself and this was certainly a setback in all the progress he made he thought. "I hope Ash finds her" he continued to pray as he finally glanced over at his little sister and smiled.

Bonnie was curled up by the window fast asleep, Dedenne was snuggled into her stomach and her arm was wrapped around Chepsin who were also both fast asleep. Clemont looked up at the clock and saw that it was after midnight. "Guess there's nothing I can do now.." he mumbled as he walked over towards his sister. It was clear to him at this point Serena wasn't coming back on her own and Ash wasn't coming back until he had found her. After returning Chespin to its pokeball he picked up his sister and and walked down the hallway towards their room.

Upon unlocking the door Clemont carried Bonnie in and noticed something was off. While the room was very nice, it didn't match the description Nurse Joy had given them earlier in the day. For starters there were two beds in thr room instead of one and not much as far as furnishings either. It took a moment before Clemont realized what had happened and chuckled to himself. "Guess I gave Ash the Royal suite key on accident when I dropped them" he thought as he tucked his sister into bed and wished her goodnight. "Sorry Bonnie guess your gonna have to make do without the royal suite" he thought as he gave a sad smile to his sleeping sister. After changing into his pajamas he climbed into the other bed and looked at the moon in the sky one last time. "Please Ash, you have to find her" he thought sadly as he closed his eyes and attempted to fall asleep...

"Ash" the honey blonde girl weakly muttered as she looked up to her saviors face. Part of her still couldn't believe it and thought she was still dreaming. Although one half knew Ash would come and save her no matter what, the other couldn't figure out how he managed to find her given what had happened to her.

"Serena! I'm so glad your safe!" Ash exclaimed as he looked at her with a small tear forming in his eye. He had found her despite the impossible odds, he trusted his instincts and pokemon and they all came through for him. "There's no doubt in my mind now" he thought as he quickly recalled in his mind the nights challenges leading up till now "I'm meant to be with her, this is just another sign" he concluded as he extended his hand to Serena. "Here lets get you out of that crate" he said warmly thinking back to when they were little. His expression quickly changed to one of concern as Serena didn't move, and tears started to run down her cheek again. "Serena whats wrong?!" he asked frantically as she tried to turn her head up to him. "T-t-they s-sprayed m-me w-w-with Stu-stun sporeee..." she weakly cried as the tears continued to fall from her face. Ash didn't even hesitate at that point as he reached down into the crate and gently lifted her into his arms. "Don't worry" he whispered softly into her ear "I've got you and I promise nothing is gonna hurt you ever again" he said as his instincts took over and he gently kissed her on the forehead. He wasn't sure what made him want to do that, maybe it was just to comfort her or maybe it just felt right. Either way his cheeks went slightly red after doing so.

Serena although still under the effects of the stun spore felt the kiss on her forehead and immediately blushed. Ash's words before he kissed her already had her heart racing, the kiss was completely unlike Ash and took her off guard. "I k-knew you f-f-find me" she said as wanted nothing more than to return the kiss he gave her and struggled with every ounce of strength she had to lift her head up to him. Ash, unaware of what she was attempting stopped her and gently placed her head back on his shoulder. "Hey..you just rest ok" he said with a warm smile as he placed his free hand on her cheek and cupped her face. "I'm gonna get you out here ok?" Serena realizing she would get another chance later simply replied "ok" as she closed her eyes with a content smile.

Watching Serena's eyes close and seeing the smile on her face filled Ash with a sense of thankfulness he never knew he had. He wrapped his arms around Serena and brought her into his chest like a young child would hold their teddy bear. He knew had to come up with a plan to get out of their situation, but right now he just wanted to hold her and never let go.

"Pika-pi.." a small voice said causing Ash to look up from Serena. Pikachu was standing near them looking at Serena with a concerned look on its face. "Don't worry buddy she's going to be alright." Ash said flashing the rodent a small smile. Pikachu nodded and smiled back and Ash took a brief look back at Serena before looking around the back of the truck again.

Although he had succeeded in finding Serena- Ash now faced another issue, figuring out how to get back to Starview Town. Several problems now plagued him, He had no idea where they were considering they were still in the truck. Second he didn't know if the people driving were friends or foes, and worst of all Serena was unable to move or protect herself.

"what am I going to do?" Ash thought to himself as looked down at Serena again. She wasn't heavy at all to him, but even with her lightness carrying her would still slow him down running with her. Ash had only a couple of options, jumping out of the moving truck with Serena was too risky. It would be dangerous enough if she was able to jump let alone her current status. Ash figured he would have to first get the truck to stop. Once the truck was stopped he had more issues to deal with. Did he attack the drivers of the truck head on or did he try to do enough to just get away with Serena? "That's to say the drivers are even the one's who took her in the first place" Ash contemplated to himself.

After thinking about the situation Ash came to a decision and call Pikachu and Frogadier over. "Ok guys here's what we're gonna do" he said quietly as the two looked on to him. "We're gonna toss crates out of the back of the truck and hope that makes them stop." "When they stop and come around to the back of the truck we'll wait see if they give themselves away as the one's who took Serena" he continued "If they are the one's who grabbed Serena, Pikachu you know what to do..." Ash said as looked at his partner with an angry look on his face. "Pika!" no other words needed to be said between the two. Pikachu knew how Ash felt about Serena and he was more than happy to give Serena's attackers a little payback. With that settled Ash turned to the frog pokemon. "Frogadier I have a special job for you..."

The truck continued to speed along as the two men in the front the truck began checking notes and times of various jobs going on in the area. "How we looking on time?" the man driving asked the other who was currently looking at a map then checking his watch. "So far so good" he responded "If we can keep this pace we'll be there by morning." He then looked out the window at the various stars in the sky and sighed. "I can't wait till this over and we can finally announce our arrival" he said with a frown on his face. "Everything we do right is important to the cause" the driver responded. "Its only a matter of time before the boss...WHAT THE?!" he all of the sudden yelled as he slammed on the brakes almost putting his partners face into the dashboard out of surprise. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR YOU MORON?!" he roared back "YOU TRYIN TO KILL US?!" "We're losing crates out the back" he responded as the man in the passenger seat turned around and saw the various crates scattered on the road behind them in the mirror of the truck. "what the heck happened?" he asked as the two exited the truck and began walking back. "You don't think..Hurry and check to make sure the girl is still in there!" he yelled as the two made it to the back and opened the door to a unexpected surprise.

Two men looked up in horror to what they had found. Standing the back of the truck was a young man holding the girl they had captured in his arms with a look of pure anger on his face. They looked down and saw a Pikachu standing next to him with an equally angry look on its face. "W-who the heck are you?!" The driver of the truck stammered. The young give him the angriest look ever and said "you two just made the biggest mistake of mistake of your lives" with a tone of venom that made the driver shake a little with fear. "Pull yourself together you fool!" the other man yelled "its just some stupid kid, and besides we still have our secret weapon.." he smiled devilishly as a Amoongus snuck up behind the young man in the truck. "Take this you little punk!" he yelled as the mushroom pokemon prepared to release its stun spore. The attack never came as like a flash a frog pokemon leaped out of the shadows and struck Amoogus with a powerful aerial ace attack, knocking it out in one attack. "You were saying?" the young man replied with an angry smirk on his face. The two looked on in shock as their pokemon was defeated so easily. "Pikachu your turn..." he said to the mouse pokemon next to him as its cheeks sparked with electricity. The next ten seconds we're arguably the worst for either man in their lives. When it was over they both lay on the ground knocked out shaking.

Ash looked on at the two men and scowled. He would have given them even worse even not for the honey blonde in his arms. Serena was his more important priority she needed treatment which meant it was time to get out of there. Ash looked down at the girl who's eyes had opened and smiled. "You ready to get out of here?" Serena smiled back and said "Yeah.." as Ash jumped off the truck and carried Serena into the nearby forest...