Ch 7: Grass Field! Expected Rivals!


Ash and Serena sat with their friends in the water stadium. Gary with his Blastoise facing against a Dewgong.

"This match has been extremely intense, it comes down to Blastoise vs Dewgong."

Ash and the others were watching intensely, Leaf trying to keep a calm demeanor, but still showed signs of fear for Gary.

"Come on Gary!" Ash shouted, not wanting his rival to lose here.

"Dewgong use ice beam, freeze the water." The Dewgong began unleashing ice beam underwater. Blastoise avoiding it but feeling the water get colder and harder to move in.

"Aqua jet!" Blastoise hurled himself through the water like a torpedo at the Dewgong. Gary's opponent smiling.

"That's it, come to daddy, now Cheer Cold!"

"Dodge it!" Dewgong unleashed the insta-knock out move, but Blastoise curved his path and narrowly avoided Sheer Cold.

"Eh!"

Blastoise came back up, hitting Dewgong's stomach and hurling her out of the water.

"Iron Tail!" Blastoise hurled himself out of the water and crashed his metal tail into Dewgong's head like the arm of a crane. Dewgong slammed into one of the platforms with swirly eyes.

"Dewgong is unable to battle, the winner is the red trainer Gary!"

"Yes!" Gary's Blastoise leapt out of the water in excitement, nearly crushing his trainer under him as he landed.

"Whew, I mean. There was never any doubt." Leaf said.

"She's definitely the right match for him." Ash said quietly to Serena who giggled a little.

"With this trainer Gary Oak will now continue to the Indigo Stadium for the victory Tournament!"

Ash and Pikachu watching intensely as they heard this.

"He finally made it, now we just have to make it back there."

"Pika."


Ash and Serena split up from the others to head back towards their condo.

"When are we meeting the others again?" Serena asked.

"May wanted everyone to meet at her place later. But whatever happens I think we should take it easy tonight."

Serena nodded.

"You have your fourth round and I have my second. I suppose we'll see if my routine is good enough."

"Have faith Serena, you've put everything you have into it. When you're out there-"

"Ash." Serena said in a different tone. She was pointing to a screen showing the matches for the last round 4 battles the next morning. Ash looked up with Pikachu and saw they were facing none other than Paul.

"Paul." Ash said.

"Pika."

"Ash." Serena said putting her hand on his shoulder.

"This should be interesting." His tone not like it ever was with cross. Making Serena feel relieved.

When they arrived at their condo they were surprised to see none other than Gary and Leaf waiting for them.

"Gary?"

"Hey there Ash, I just thought I'd make it easier for you to congratulate me."

"Humble as always." Ash said, the two exchanging competitive but friendly looks.

"I didn't make it past round 4 the last time I was here. But you did, I expect you to at least make it to me."

"I'll exceed your expectations." Ash said.

"Pika!"

"You've already beaten this Paul guy."

"I did, but it wasn't easy. I'm sure he's improved just as much as I have."

"Well all the same, don't lose."

"What about you Serena, have your routine planned?" Leaf asked.

"Planned, rehearsed, and ready to perform." Serena said confidently.

"I hope so, there's only six of us this time, with just two going on to the final round, which means you'll have to be better than the other 4." Leaf said in a certain manner, Serena getting the jest and returning her confident smile. That night Ash and Serena slept soundly in each other's arms. Pikachu and Sylveon both cuddled up by their feet.


Elsewhere in another condo, Paul was laying awake. Staring intensely at the ceiling fan. Miette was beside him noticing the intense expression on his face.

"Paul, is everything alright?"

"…..I'm just , not tired."

"If you're not tired, we could always find another way to pass the time." She said with a red face, stroking his chest with her finger.

"'Sigh' I'm not really in the mood."

"Ahhh, I…."

"I have to face him again tomorrow."

"Ash?"

Paul closed his eyes.

"I was a different person before I lost to him. Facing him again, it just…..I don't know, if I lost again I'm not sure where my path would take me."

Miette began thinking too, Serena had made her rethink many things about herself. Because of her, she was set on a different path in life. Yet here she was, at the crossroads of her career wondering where it would go.

Paul grabbed a necklace he had on, looking at the stone in the center.


The next morning Ash slowly walked to his side of the grass stadium. Both him and Pikachu feeling calm while they did so. Ash stopped for a moment near the entrance and took a deep breath.

"We've done this before, we can do it now." Ash felt a hand on his shoulder.

Serena behind him with a confident look.

"Go, do your best!"

In the other tunnel, Paul was standing near the entrance with his fist clenched. His body almost shaking while Miette put her hand on his shoulder.

"Paul, are you ok?"

He took a deep breath.

"I will be." He walked forward , leaving Miette still concerned.

The two trainers were met with excited cheers from the audience. Their girlfriends sitting in the close up seats on the side of the grass field.

Ash got on the green platform and Paul the red.

"Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the fourth round here at the lovely grass field! The green trainer Ash and the red trainer Paul will now commence, one of them will continue onto the victory tournament!"

"Ash vs Paul again, it was intense last time, but Paul seems to have changed." Dawn said.

"If he learned from Ash, this will be interesting." Brock said.

"The battle between trainer Ash and Paul will now begin. Each trainer is allowed three pokemon and both are allowed to substitute, trainers choose your pokemon!"

Paul said nothing , he simply stared Ash down.

"Go Magmortar!" Paul shouted, the grass starting to wither almost immediately when the fire bird landed.

"Mor."

"The red trainer has chosen a fire type, Magmortar."

"I choose you Infernape!" Ash shouted.

Paul nearly grunted when he heard that name. Infernape coming out and pounding his chest for a moment.

"Both trainers have chose fire types, this should be a heated match."

"Oh , that was just bad." Brendan said, Brock, May, and Lucy nodding.

Miette almost covered her mouth seeing Infernape, Paul having told her their history together.

Paul wanted to say something, but couldn't find words, wondering if Ash had chosen him just to get under his skin. Then again, he knew Ash too well to do something like that."

"Paul, I just want you to know, Infernape doesn't hold anything against you anymore. For him this is just a battle."

Paul looked closer at his former pokemon's eyes. The way he was looking made Paul believe Ash, his anxiety lowering with an exhale.

"Clear smog!"

Magmortar raised his arms and began letting out the cloud of clear poison.

"Work up and flame wheel!"

"Ape!" Infernape flexed and pounded his chest, the flames on his body growing larger in prep for the flame wheel. Infernape covered himself in fire and rolled forward, the poison being burned away by the fire on his body.

Serena excited to see this while Miette almost bit on her finger nails.

"Thunder Punch!"

"Over him!" Magmortar pounded his fists together, sparking them with electricity. They came down at Infernape hard with only air as their destination. Infernape forced himself up and over Magmortar.

"Mach Punch!"

"Smokescreen!" Infernape landed behind Magmortar with his fist striking forward. Infernape's eyes glowed blue for a moment while Ash's did the same. Ash mimicking the strike. At the last moment, Magmortar blasted the ground with smoke. Infernape finding his opponent no longer there.

"Thunder punch!"

A mean left hook crashed into Infernape's face hard, sending currents of electricity through him.

"Infernape move back!" Infernape recovered from this strike with an agile backflip. Avoiding a second blow from Magmortar.

"A hard blow but Infernape avoids further damage!"

"Keep up the pressure, Lava plume!"

"Work up and Flame wheel!"

"In furnace!" Infernape roared, pounding his chest even more. He and Ash sharing another aura gaze while Infernape's fire turned blue. He rolled forward fast, Magmortar blasting lava like a fire hose.

"Get him!" Miette shouted intensely.

"Infernape you can outrun it!" Serena shouted.

Infernape rolled fast, some of the laval hitting his fire but none reaching Infernape.

"Smokescreen!"

"Flare Blitz!" Magmortar blasted the ground again, but Infernape emerged from Flame wheel covered in blue fire. The sheer brightness of his flame illuminating through the smoke, making Magmortar visible.

"Thunder Punch!"

The two pokemon clashed hard, each trying to exchange their powered blows. Magmortar had size and power, but Infernape had strength and speed. Both keeping up with each other well, counteracting the blows.

"Fire Blast!"

"Tar!" Magmortar roared, letting out a symbol blast of fire into Infernape, carrying him back a few feet.

"Thunder Punch!" Magmortar readied his arms for the next blow.

"Work up!"

"Apeeee!" Infernape roared one final time, his flames glowing a brighter blue.

"Close Combat!" Infernape leapt forward at the last moment, his eyes glowing blue with Ashes while they performed the same strikes. Each being a lighting fast and continuous series of strikes, knocking away Magmortar's blows and hitting him more times than Paul could count.

"Magmortar!" Paul shouted in concern.

"Keep going Infernape!" Serena shouted.

"Pikachu!"

"Hahah!" Ash shouted with infernape, each delivering one final blow that brought Magmortar down to his back.

"Tar."

"Magmortar is unable to battle!"

"Yes, awesome Infernape!" Ash shouted, Infernape pounding his chest hard.

"The green trainer's Infernape has scored the first win."

"Magmortar return…You performed well, I played it too long." Paul took out another pokeball and held it tight.

"Go Torterra!"

The ground shook as the great grass turtle came out.

"Torterra against an Infernape?" Misty asked.

"Paul's Torterra is tough, don't underestimate him." Dawn said.

"The red trainer has chosen an Torterra!"

"He'll probably try a ground type attack, which means we need to move fast. Infernape use Flame wheel!"

"Ape!" Infernape rolled forward covered in blue fire fast. Torterra holding his ground.

"Hyper Beam!"

"Gruuuua!" Torterra roared, a beam of pure orange energy blasting from Torterra into Infernape, blowing him backwards.

"Earth Power!"

"Huh?" Ash said.

Despite using Hyper Beam, Torterra smashed his feet into the ground, causing a terror that moved across the field hitting Infernape just as he reached the ground.

"Infernape!" When the dust cleared, the fire ape was unconscious in front of Ash.

"Infernape is unable to battle!"

"Yes!" Miette shouted, Paul smiling while Serena gave a slightly frustrated look.

"It seems the red trainer is just getting started."

"Infernape return, great job getting us started. We'll take it from here, I choose you Torterra!"

Ash's own Torterra came out and roared, facing down his opponent.

"Two Torterra's we're in for an exciting one today folks!"

In a private box, Lance and Daniel watched the battle closely.

"A Torterra duel huh, this ought to be fun." Lance said.

"Cynthia told me Paul has determination from what she told me, he reminds me of Pyramid king Brandon."

"Is that a complement , personally I found him overrated. Dragonite made short work of his Regirock last year." Lance said.

"Well you are a regional champion." Lance sweat dropped.

"….Right."

"No way we're losing to another Torterra, Hyper beam!"

"Grauuu!" Torterra roared, unleashing his blast at Ash's Torterra.

"Outrage!"

"Outrage?" Serena said in surprise, Paul and many looking just as surprised. Felix only smiled.

"Dragon moves, that's my boy."

"Gruuua!" Torterra roared, unleashing a storm of dragon energy forward. The attacks collided and cancelled each other out.

"Leaf storm!" Both trainers shouted. The two Torterra's charged forward, each letting out a storm of leaves that covered the entire stadium.

"Incredible despite using hyper beam and outrage neither Torterra needs to recharge or recover from confusion. These must be very well trained Torterras folks."

"Torterra hit him with everything you've got!" Miette shouted.

"Torterra do your best!" Serena shouted. The leaves of leaf storm were sharper than blades and swarmed like locust , but both Torterras' hides were too thick to take any real damage.

"Earth Power!"

"Earthquake!"

"Grauuu!" The Torterras crashed the ground at the same time, the tremors moving past each other and each impacting their opponent. Despite this , each held their ground, not giving an inch.

"Iron tail!"

"Curse!" Paul's Torterra waded through the leaves with his tail turning to metal. Ash's Torterra intentionally allowing his speed to lower and his defense to raise. Torterra was hit by Paul's Torterra and moved back.

"Frenzy plant!"

"Grauuu!" Torterra glowed green, the ground shaking with violent roots coming upland ensnaring Paul's Torterra, including his mouth.

"Torterra break free, Hyper Beam!"

Torterra tried to break free, but the roots wouldn't budge.

"Outrage!"

"Grauuuu!" Ash's Torterra roared, letting out another storm of dragon energy. Paul's Torterra was hit hard, grunting as he endured the storm of dragon energy.

"Torterra!" Miette shouted.

"Torterra Superpower!" Paul's Torterra opened his eyes and burst forward covered in red energy, hitting Ash's Torterra with all of his strength.

"Torterra!"

"Pika!" Ash's Torterra falling off his legs with swirly eyes.

"Torterra is unable to battle!"

"That was close, well done Tor-" Paul started, his own Torterra's legs wobbling before falling forward with swirly eyes.

"As is the other Torterra." The ref said sweat dropping.

"Amazing, a double knock out folks!"

"Geez this is nerve racking." Delia said.

"It'll be alright." Felix said.

"Torterra return, you endured well." Paul said.

"Torterra return, that was great battling."

Paul took a deep breath, looking back at the box where he saw Lance and Daniel watching.

"I can't stop here. I won't, we can do this, I choose you Electivire!" Paul shouted, Ash seeing his electric champion come out with a strange looking head band holding a black and yellow stone in the center.

"So that's it then. I thin it's time he get's a chance for a real fight eh Pikachu?" Ash said smiling.

"Pika!" Pikachu shouted with his fists raised.

"Alright, I choose you Lucario!"

Serena got excited seeing Ash's red Lucario come out and stand before Ash after doing a front flip.

"The trainers have chosen an Electivire and Lucario for their final pokemon."

"A Lucario huh, always wondered why he never had one. If this is the last battle, we have to leave everything out there." Paul reached into his shirt and took out a necklace with a keystone on it.

"Reggie." He said touching the stone.

Just as Ash thought, the Electivirite began to glow, a yellow and black sphere forming around him before revealing his mega form. Electivire seemed almost more dragon like in his body design. His body leaning more forward with a long tail that had a black end like a power cord. His fiss adorned with large yellow shield like tips that had plug like blades coming out, His face more beast like having long fangs and fur on the back of his neck spiked up.

"Unbelievable folks, it's a mega Electivire!"

"Lucario ready!"

Lucario looked up at Daniel's box, noticing Daniel's Lucario beside him.

Lucario excited that his master was watching he closed his eyes and clasped his paws together , respectfully bowing to Mega Electivire first.

Ash touched his own keystone, a colorful sphere forming around Lucario. When he rose back up, he had become Mega Lucario and took a fighting stance with Ash.

"Aura sphere!"

"Thunder!

Mega Electivire and Mega Lucario each channeled their natural power and began dashing acrobatically to the side. Mega Electivire blasting bolts of lightning through his plug claws while Lucario hurled his aura spheres through a series of punches and kicks

Both pokemon able to avoid the other's blows or cancel them out by collision.

"Dynamic Punch!"

"Extreme speed!" Mega Lucario smiled while Mega Electivire hooked his fist with as much power and speed as he could. Mega Lucario using his speed to avoid or knock away the blows, Ash mirroring him while their eyes shared aura for a moment.

"Keep it up Lucario!" Serena shouted. Mega Lucario continued this movement, Felix's own lucario watching in admiration as his other master.

Once Lucario had cleared the Dynamic Punches he struck Mega Electivire with two extremely fast strikes. Mega Electivire wasn't moved by the blows and readied to counterstrike.

"Get him Electivire , we can do this!" Paul shouted.

"Vire!"

"Thunder Wave!"

"Dodge it!" Mega Electivire let out a wall of electrified energy towards Mega Lucario who leapt up high above the wave.

"Got you, Thunder!"

"That's it!" Miette shouted seeing Mega Electivire spark his tail and claws, blasting lightning into the air.

"Look out!" Serena shouted.

"Metal Claw!" Mega Lucario's claws shined metal, allowing him to catch the incoming lightning and redirect it through a fluid movement.

"Dodge it!" Paul screamed, Mega Electivire moved back just in time to avoid the redirect lighting as it exploded.

"Low Kick!" Mega Electivire leapt forward low at Mega Lucario.

"Dodge it!" Mega Lucario was on the ground for a moment only, leaping up and over Mega Electivire while performing a front flip.

"Close Combat!"

"Dynamic Punch!"

Mega Lucario and Mega Electivire turned in time to face each other head on. Mega Electivire striking hard while Mega Lucario struck fast. Ash and Mega Lucario striking together into Mega Electivire, Paul gritting his teeth seeing this.

"Thunder!"

"Dodge it!"

Mega Electivire roared with lightning crashing in front of him. Mega Lucario leapt backwards, narrowly avoiding the lightning.

"Swords dance!" Mega Lucario kept backflipping while also sharply raising his attack, finally landing when the lightning ended.

"Dynamic Punch!

"Focus Punch!" Mega Lucario readied himself as Mega Electivire leapt froward, both fists cocked back, Paul sweating bullets while Ash smily prepared for a strike himself.

"Now!"

"Pika!"

"Grouuuu!" Mega Lucario's fist glowed red with aura and hit Mega Electivire like a freight train, sending him back across the battlefield as a normal Mega Electivire.

"Electivire." Paul said.

"Electivire is unable to battle, the winner is the green trainer!"

"Yes! You did it!" Serena shouted now standing up.

The audience let out their applause, Ash and Pikachu leaping over the railing on their platform. Electivire opened his eyes and saw Lucario over him. The red pokemon clasping his hands before respectfully bowing again.

Paul sighed, Lucario rushing back and lifting Ash up in his arms while howling in victory.

"Electivire return. That's that then."

"Paul." He heard, Ash below his stand with Pikachu and Lucario.

Paul came down and met Ash in the field.

"That was a great battle, thank you for facing me again."

Paul nodded, even forcing a slight smile on his face. Both locking arms for a moment before Paul returned to Miette who was now on the verge of tears.

"Sweetheart." She said.

"Come on." He said taking her hand.

"Don't let what happened distract you from your performance tonight." Miette looked back and saw Serena holding Ash in her arms, her fist tightening as she nodded.


With the battle over, Ash and his companions went to the last fourth round match. Ash and Pikachu watching intensely as Ritchie battled another trainer. It having come down to Ritchie's Fearow and his opponent's Persian.

"Persian use Power gem!"

"Fearless use Agility!"

"Chu!" Sparky shouted sitting on Ritchie's shoulder.

The Fearow moved fast enough to avoid the incoming blasts from Persian's forehead gem.

"Taunt!"

"Pers!" Persian shouted, turning around and taunting him in a certain fashion.

Fearless got enraged and squawked in fury.

"Fearless don't fall for it!"

"No dodging it now, Power Gem!"

"Looks like we have to attack, Fearless use Steel wing!" Fearless flew down, knocking away the power gem blasts with his metal wings. However, even so the blasts were still wearing him down.

"Come on Ritchie you've got this!" Ash shouted.

"Pika!"

"Fake out!"

Persian leapt up and jabbed Fearless, making him flinch.

"Power gem!"

"Fearless just hold yourself and fall."

Despite flinching, Fearless was still able to do what Ritchie said. The large bird allowing himself to fall straight down while Persian's blasts flew just above him.

"Lower Persian, lower!"

"Drill run!" Fearless flew fast across the ground, causing a small quake with his beak before impacting Persian and knocking him out.

"Persian is unable to battle, the winner is the blue trainer!"

"That's it folks, trainer Ritchie has won the battle and will be continuing on to the victory tournament."

"We did it Fearless!" The Fearow flying back and nearly tackling his trainer to the ground.

"That's it ladies and gentlemen, we have our elite trainers who will be moving on to the victory round. Be sure to get to the Indigo Stadium tonight at eight sharp for the second round of the showcase tournament signaling the beginning of the victory tournament."

"Well I guess it's our turn now." May said.

Serena took a deep breath with her.

"We should head down to the meeting room. We'll see you guys there." Serena said.

"Alright, just remember to have fun and do your best." Ash said coming up and giving Serena a short kiss.

Brendan doing more or less the same for May.

Serena and May joined Leaf, Miette, and the other performers with Wallace and his assistant. Serena had Phione and Sylveon out beside her. May having her Beautifly and Skitty out as the two young woman helped each other get ready.

"So you've finally decided to embrace your heritage." Serena heard from Miette who was getting ready with her Vivillon and Nidorina.

"I'll always embrace who I am, I just thought I'd make a spectacle for the locals." Serena said in Kalos with the heaviest Kalos accent she could make.

"Alright you're ready." Serena said finishing up May's sinnoh style dress.

"Thanks, I'll finish your hair." May said touching up Serena's hair into a ponytail, using the blue bow to tie it off.

"Merci." She said.

"Are you lot ready?" They heard from Leaf. A Vulpix and Clefairy beside her while she stood in a similar kimono as the opening ceremony. Only this one was black and more Johto in design.

"I'm always ready. I won't let my sweetheart down."Miette said confidently.

"She may have a point, they're going to be judging us with much higher standards than last time." Serena said.

"We'll just have to take our performances to the next level. I'm quite confident in our routine , right guys."

"Fly!"

"Skitty!"

"I even got Brendan to help me out."

"Really, Ash did the same."

"That sounds like Ash, he use to help me back in Hoenn, of course contests back then weren't as performance based as they are now. Brendan is a darling, but he's just not much of a performer."

"Neither is Ash, but it's still sweet they try to help us, and in a way it almost helped even more." Serena said smiling with May, both young woman blushing a little.

Hearing the two made Miette and Leaf think. Both recalling times their boyfriends tried to help them. Miette and her Vivillon sweat dropping thinking about practicing with Torterra. Leaf only laughing thinking about Gary's sincere but failed attempts to help her practice.

"Alright everyone, I congratulate you once again for making it here, but alas only two of you will continue on. The stage being prepared will offer each of you more space than last time. You were each given an assigned number for the order. We'll be starting soon , best of luck to all of you."

The performers resumed talking when Leaf heard heavy breathing behind her, turning to see Wallace's assistant with a creepy look on her face as she reached for the back of Leaf's Kimono with a pair of scissors. The girl's expression turning terrified when she saw Leaf's face.

"Ahhhh!" The others heard , all turning and seeing a pair of broke scissors on the ground with a series of cut marks on the assistant's cloths.

"Damn it Maddy again with the scissors!" Wallace shouted, the other performers looking afraid while Leaf walked past them with a smile.


In the stands of the Indigo Stadium, Ash wasn't sitting with his his usual companions. Instead he sat with Alain, Gary, and Ritchie.

"So this is it, the four of us and three others." Ritchie said , his words mixed with excitement and nervousness while rubbing Sparky's head.

"Who will face who first?" Alain asked.

"If you're lucky, you'll face me last. You'll at least get to second place." Gary said.

"If I recall out of you, me, and Ash, you got the least far the last time we were here." Ritchie said.

"That was ten years ago." Gary said looking down at the stadium.

"Still, if any of us get that spot on the elite four, it's only going to be someone who truly deserves it." Gary said. Gary's tone turning more stone like.

Ash thought more about what Gary said, he had gotten almost sidetracked in the fun of the league that he had almost forgotten the true goal. Ascending to the elite 4, as much as he wanted to Ash realized Gary had a point.

However, this didn't make Ash feel more intense, if anything it was a slight relief. Even if he didn't end up winning, the person who did would have earned the elite 4 spot. Ash himself would have had this opportunity again and he loved it.

"Gary, do you remember seeing ourselves here when we were kids?"

Gary smiled a little.

"Duh, I always swore I'd get here first. Guess I was wrong all considered."

"Eh, I didn't last that long in here." Ash said turning to Ritchie.

"I didn't go much farther than you either. Fact is only one of us here has actually won a league." Ritchie said looking at Alain.

"Ash and I were very closely matched. I won't act like I'm unstoppable."

"Well whoever wins, they get to do it in front of Daniel Rian. Who knows, they might even become a champion one day." Gary said.

"You dream high Gary." Ritchie said.

"Maybe not high enough." Ash said smiling with Pikachu, the two looking at the head box where the champions were. Ash not focusing on Lance, but Daniel.

Soon Ash's other companions joined them, the sky turning darker as night began to take hold of Kanto.

"Ladies and gentlemen! We've seen dozens of amazing battles in this years Indigo League. Now to celebrate the beginning of the victory tournament, we present six prestigious performers tiers above all others!"


Below the stadium, Serena and the others anxiously waited for the ceremony to begin. Her nerves and excitement mixing well. Serena could heard the sounds of the audience cheering and readied herself.

"Alright let's go!" Serena said to her pokemon. Wallace lead them up and into the massive circular stage. From the outside, it wasn't as big as the super stage used in the opening ceremony, but still an sight to see.

The lights in the stadium turning to one part of the stage. A curtain raised revealing May with her pokemon.

Sinnoh esk music began to play with Beautifly spinning around over May letting out spinning silk over her companions. Skitty let out charm, hearts and pink fairy energy caught in the silk.

"Go May!" Brendan shouted, Ash and the others also cheering when they saw May perform.

Serena, Phione, and Sylveon anxiously waited for their turn.

"I have to ask, are you up next?" She heard from Ash.

"I am."

"Good that means we don't have to wait much longer. Do your best." Serena smiled and blushed a little hearing his warm voice in her head.

When the curtain in front of her raised and the lights came on her Serena was ready.

"Let's go!" Traditional Kalos music began to play. Sylveon let out a moon blast into the sky that burst into a series of glittering lights around them. Serena took Phione's hands and began dancing with her, Phione's Aqua ring surrounding them and collecting light from the moon blast.

"Go Serena!"

"Pika!"

Dawn , while happy to see her friends performing, was sad that she wasn't able to perform there too. Still she wasn't angry about it.

Serena lifted Phione up through her aqua ring , carrying some glittering water with her. Sylveon was lifted up onto Serena's arms. Moving across them while Serena continued to dance, Sylveon not faltering or slipping up. All the while Serena danced full of energy , Sylveon letting out Fairy wind around the three. Phione landed on Serena's other arm , Serena's dance not slowing a bit from this.

"No!" Phione shouted while letting out whirlpool around them. The water moving in a stylistic manner mixing with the fairy wind.

Seeing Serena dance so full of energy, life, and happiness. He could see it and feel it, she was truly happy, and loved what she was doing. Brock turned and saw something he hadn't seen Ash do for almost anyone else, he was blushing.

Lucy saw Brock nearly tearing up.

"Are you ok honey?"

"I'm just, 'sniff' just so proud of him."

The whirlpool lifted Serena up while not soaking her or the pokemon. Sylveon let out one more moon blast, the shining water coming down around Serena's team as they performed a finale. Each holding their arms or tassels up.

The audience began to applaud, Ash cheering the loudest.

The curtain came back down on Serena. The next one raising revealing Miette and her pokemon.

"Let's go!" Miette shouted, her Vivillon and Nidorina joining Miette.

Paul watched, trying not to dwell on his loss that day by focusing on her.

When Miette finished, there was great applause followed by another curtain rising. Leaf standing there with her own pokemon.

"Time to amaze them!" Vulpix letting out fire spin around them while Leaf and Clefairy danced together with Johto style fans.

"That's my girl." Gary said. Dawn hadn't seen Leaf before, now that she did it almost blew her mind. Leaf's combination of style and energy was like Serena's but in a different fashion. More bold and almost aggressive, but not in a bad way.

When Leaf finished, Gary stood up and applauded with the crowd.

"Well folks, tonight we say beauty alive. But as stupendous as our performers were, I'm afraid only two can continue on to the final round. Our first performer is!" Ash's body shook seeing the curtain in front of Serena raise.

"Huh? We, we did it." Serena said shaking as well.

"Phione!"

"Syl!" Her pokemon leaping into Serena's arms while she almost teared up holding them.

The others were almost scared by Ash and Pikachu shouts of excitement and joy.

"Alright Serena, now May." Brendan said.

"No way, Leaf." Gary said.

"Ma-"

"Guys." Brock said. Brendan and Gary turning to see a curtain raise up revealing Leaf.

"Ha ha!" Leaf shouted , her pokemon embracing her.

Paul saw this and sighed.

"That's that I suppose."

May looked down at her pokemos' sad looks.

"It's ok guys, we did our best. We made it farther than a lot of really good performers." May said hugging them.

Miette ended up stumbling out of the Indigo stadium. She gasped for breath with years in her eyes.

"Miette." She heard, Paul's hand taking hers.

"….Darling, I'm sorr-" Miette was cut off by a warm kiss from Paul, her face blushing as he did so.

"It doesn't matter, any of this. We have nothing to prove here, we just try again somewhere else. I don't care about the Kanto Elite 4, and you don't care about proving yourself to blonde."

Miette smiled a little, hugging Paul tightly.

"You're right, who needs this. I say we go back to sinnoh and prove ourselves there!" Paul smiled.

"Sounds nice."

"But first, I saw we spend our last days here having plenty of fun." Miette said into Paul's ear, his face turning red while she took his hands and guided him away.


Elsewhere, Ash and Serena returned to their condo. Pikachu and Sylveon were already asleep together on the couch while Ash and Serena toasted wine together in Serena's room.

"We did it Ash! We both made it!"

Ash nodded.

"You were beyond amazing out there." Serena blushed.

"Only as good as you are on the battlefield. Thank you for helping me practice, I wouldn't have pulled it off without you."

Ash blushed a little putting his hand behind his head.

"You snapped me out of more than one bad time. Plus my help was minimal, you were the one who-" Ash was cut off by Serena's kiss, Ash's beloved putting her hands on his face as she did so. Ash kissed Serena back, both getting more passionate with each other.

Their eyes closed and their passions racing between their physical beings and aura connection. Ash's tongue danced with Serena's like they had been dancing together the last few days. Ash and Serena moving their hands across the sides of each other's bodies.

Each letting out passionate sounds, for what felt like an eternity. They only stopped to catch their breath, both almost shaking as they looked at each other. Neither said anything, only felt the burning sensation of their love for each other. They had both known it for a long time, but it had only been so recently they admitted it.

Almost out of impulse Ash grabbed the end of his shirt and slowly pulled it off. Serena taking in his muscular body. Ash saw the look on Serena's face.

"I, I can put it ba-"

"No! I,-" Serena tried to find words. Her impulses guiding her more and more. Serena slowly reaching behind her own dress for the zipper. It was Ash who now shook when he saw the back of Serena's dress open. His sweet Kalos flower removing it to reveal herself in just her bra and panties.

Both breathed heavily and almost began to sweat. Their nerves on fire as they tried to reach for each other and kiss again, but just as their lips met again the young couple almost threw themselves away from each other.

"….."

"…."

"I, I'm tired, I think I'm going to bed." Ash said.

"Ok, I'll see you in the morning." Serena said.

Ash walked back to his rom and sat on his bed holding his head.

"Fucking idiot! You're a fucking idiot!" Ash shouted to himeself.

Serena holding herself and shaking. Despite what she had accomplished that day, what just happened nearly brought her to tears.

"What's wrong with you!?" She almost shouted to herself.


Author's note

Ash and Serena are moving on to the victory round,

Paul has moved on,

But are Ash and Serena ready to move into the full extent of their relationship?

So until next time,

Please review, comment, suggest, or ask(VIA PM)