Chapter 9: Tower of Terror.

It has come to pass recently that in some of my stories I have received stupid reviews from some anonymous reviewers (not all, but some), if that is the case, those reviews will not make it pass my moderation, only constructive criticism will be allowed, it is just that simple, now on to the story.


Police walked into the Pokemon Center leaving people in awe at what was happening, Ash and Serena looked at one another to try and figure out what was happing, Ash walked up to the police to ask them questions but remained uninterested, "excuse me sir, what happened?" Ash asked the officer while Serena waited for a response by the police.

"Two people broke into the Tower of Mastery and stole two Mega Rings," an officer replied calmly.

Ash looked back to Serena who was in shock to hear the news, "but officer, wouldn't there be security there?" Serena asked while spotting the gym leader approaching them.

"That would have been the case if the tower wasn't attacked last night, I went to investigate before I bumped into Ash," Korrina replied sadly, she walked up to Ash and Serena who were curious to see what had happened. "I read reports that Team Rocket and Team Flare have been after those rings, but two trainers took the chance to sneak in and steal the Mega Rings," Korrina explained while Ash and Serena crossed their arms wondering who would steal them.

"So do we have any clues as to who stole them?" Ash questioned the gym leader.

Korrina nodded her head and looked back, she pointed towards the two trainers, "two trainers much like yourselves," Korrina stated while the two rivals, gasped in shock, "don't worry I know it wasn't either of you," Korrina said causing the two to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Oh no the police are here don't tell me," Steven complained while walking up to them with Christine behind them.

"What happened?" Christine asked while looking around with displeasure.

"Two people who look like you, walked into the Tower of Mastery and stole two Mega Rings," Korrina replied with a frown.

"Why did they do it? Why did Mark and Blair do that?" Steven and Christine asked in anger.

Ash and Serena walked out of the medical facility and towards the stadium, "we will win them back," Ash promised as they continued to walk, Serena walked on ahead with her pokeball in her hand, 'I guess she wants to talk to Bagon,' Ash thought to himself, he followed his rival and leaned on a tree, he watched the blonde haired trainer call out her green dragon, 'wow, she has a Bagon of a different color,' Ash thought impressed with her capture.

"Bagon, I want to be your trainer, be your friend," Serena told the dragon type pokemon with a smile as she tried to approach it, Serena leapt back to avoid the dragon's headbutt attack.

Ash stopped his partner pokemon from intervening, "no Pikachu, this is something Serena needs to do," Ash told his partner pokemon, 'if Serena can get her Bagon to listen to her, it will become a powerful teammate,' Ash thought to himself, he watched Serena avoiding a fire type attack and a headbutt. Ash decided to walk up to Bagon and pet it on the head, "now attacking your trainer like that, that isn't what a pokemon should do," Ash told the green pokemon while petting it on the head, he closed his eyes to try and figure out why Bagon disliked the trainer, 'hmm, let's see, okay, ah there we go,' Ash thought to himself while noticing another Bagon, Ash started to laugh knowing exactly what had happened, "so Serena, you caught this Bagon near Ambrette Tow right?" Ash asked the blonde trainer calmly, Serena nodded in surprise after hearing Ash enquire about her capture, "was there any other Bagon around by any chance?" Ash asked his rival while the dragon remained calm around Ash.

"Yes there was, did I do something wrong?" Serena asked the trainer with a frown.

"Well, I think you angered this little guy, I think he was after this male Bagon, but you sort of captured it before it overcame it's nervous nature to sort of tell him how she felt," Ash stated with a chuckle while Serena started to feel guilty, about what had happened, "oh don't worry Serena, everyone makes mistakes, even I make plenty of them," Ash professed while Serena walked up to the small dragon type pokemon.

"Bagon, I am sorry for interfering like that," Serena told the little dragon but she tilted her head away from her.

"It will take time Serena, trust me," Ash told the rival while walking up to the end of the street, his Pikachu leapt onto his shoulder, Ash looked back and smiled at the younger trainer who was doing her best to get Bagon to trust her, 'soon Serena, will have the trust of Bagon, but now we have to deal with the last opponents,' Ash reminded himself, he walked down the beach side streets and then towards the stadium.

"You know Bagon, thanks to Ash, I think I can understand you a little more, I mean, when I heard what Ash told me about your interest in another Bagon, I realised more that my feelings for Ash keep growing," Serena told her pokemon as she turned to look at the trainer, thinking about how much longer she can hide it, she kneeled down next to the pokemon and smiled, "you know to a certain extent I am like Ash, he wants me to become stronger so I can face him in a great battle, I want you to become a proud Salamence, perhaps one of my strongest pokemon, but I cannot do that if you don't listen to me in battle," Serena explained while kneeling next to her dragon type pokemon, she started to pet the pokemon on the head.

After talking to her pokemon she recalled and started walking towards the stadium to battle in the final battle of the tournament, "it wasn't you who was rebellious, it was another, you just didn't like the fact that I stopped you from chasing the Bagon of your interest was enough to make you dislike me," Serena stated while approaching the tournament grounds, she look at her pokeball, thinking about her interest in Ash, she pulled her book out of her bag and thought to herself about something, "it has been a few weeks since I met Ash, we are teaming up and at the same time, he is teaching me some new things," Serena whispered to herself while looking at the book. The blonde haired trainer walked in ready to face the final battle with Ash.

Ash and Serena walked into the arena, the crowd cheering loudly causing some stage fright for Serena, Ash confidently looked around until he eventually spotted the opposing trainer with two black bracelets on their wrists, "hey Serena, do you know what those things are," Ash asked his rival calmly.

"Stolen property," Serena replied while glaring at the two trainers, "so Blair and Mark, you couldn't wait to try and win those, you had to steal them instead," Serena commented while shakingher head in shame, "too scared of losing to us?" Serena questioned the duo who growled at her angrily.

"Like we would ever lose to you, Ivysaur, let's go," the opposing female trainer called out her blue pokemon with a pink flower and green leaves..

"Charmeleon, let's show them our power," Mark called for his red fire type pokemon with a flame tipped tail.

The two watched them press the rings but nothing happened, "I learned about this Ash, they made a mistake," Serena whispered as the people started laughing at Serena's school yard bullies, "Charmeleon and Ivysaur cannot mega-evolve, I took the time to learn some of the basics," Serena whispered while the two trainers looked up in anger at Serena whispering to Ash.

"Wait a second, Blair and Mark didn't register the two pokemon," the MC stated while the referee started to lift his flag up.

"Wait, we will battle them, but like them, we will use a different pokemon, right Serena?" Ash asked his rival calmly. Ash looked over to his partner pokemon and signalled him into battle, "Pikachu, I choose you," Ash called to the small electric mouse pokemon, he then turned his attention to the hesitating young woman as she held her pokeball, "Serena, it will be fine," he assured her.

"Bagon, time to show them what we are made of," Serena called out her green dragon type pokemon.

Ash and Serena readied themselves for the battle, "Ivysaur attack Pikachu with Vine Whip," Blair instructed her pokemon.

"Charmeleon, use Slash on Bagon," Mark ordered his pokemon quickly.

"Pikachu dodge the vines, then use Iron Tail on Ivysaur," Ash countered the young ladies instructions.

Serena faltered a little as she hoped her dragon would listen to her, "dodge now Bagon, then use Headbutt," Serena instructed her pokemon cautiously, much to her surprise the dragon followed the command and dodged the attack attempts on her, she waited for an opening and rushed forth with her head lowered, slamming her head into the chest of the powerful fire type pokemon, she let out a powerful roar to show off her pride, 'what a little tomboy we have here,' Serena thought while her pokemon glared back at the fire type pokemon, she looked over her shoulder to see Ash's Pikachu easily dodging the grass type move.

"Now Pikachu, charge with Volt Tackle, and strike with Iron Tail," Ash ordered his pokemon quickly, his pokemon rushed through the battlefield easily dodging the attack from.

"Charmeleon, defend Ivysaur with Flamethrower," Mark ordered his pokemon calmly.

"Oh no you don't Bagon use Dragon Breath," Serena called for a defensive attack, the dragon unleashed a green flame while the flame pokemon sent out a burst of flames towards the small electric pokemon, the two attacks collided causing it to explode, the grass type slid back after the explosion as the smoke built up, emerging from the smoke was Pikachu readying his attack, he leapt into the air with his tail glowing white, "Bagon, use Dragon Claw," Serena called for her pokemon to attack the opposing fire type pokemon.

"Ivysaur attack with Razor Leaf," Blair ordered her pokemon quickly. The grass type unleashed a barrage of leaves towards the two pokemon.

"Charmeleon attack with Dragon Rage," Mark ordered his pokemon.

As the opposing fire type charged up an attack Ash switched his attention to Serena," we swap targets, I will attack Charmeleon, you hit Ivysaur," Ash told his rival calmly, his teammate nodded in approval as the two pokemon took the barrage of leaves, "Pikachu, stop the attack, use Thunderbolt on Charmeleon," Ash instructed his pokemon. A blast of electricity stopped Charmeleon from launching the attack causing him to fall back

"Bagon, use Ember now," Serena ordered the dragon type quickly, the small dragon breathed a small barrage of flames at the incoming leaves.

"Serena, I will leave the defence to you, I will hit Charmeleon and Ivysaur, when the time is right we go for one big attack," Ash instructed the female trainer with a confident smile. Serena nodded and waited for Ash to go on the attack, "Pikachu hit both Ivysaur and Charmeleon with Thunderbolt," Ash ordered his pokemon quickly.

"Use Razor leaf," the opposing black haired trainer instructed her pokemon in a hurried tone.

"Charmeleon attack with Flamethrower," Mark ordered his pokemon quickly.

"Alright Bagon, stand in front of Pikachu then use Protect," Serena instructed her pokemon quickly, the small dragon jumped between Pikachu and the incoming attacks, raised a green barrier protecting the small electric mouse, "now Ash, attack," Serena told her rival as the two pokemon continued their attacks.

"Pikachu, use double Electro Ball," Ash commanded his partner pokemon, the electric mouse leapt into the air, forming the first ball of electricity, he sent it flying towards the fire type pokemon as he formed another ball of electricity on the way down, Pikachu did a front flip sending the next ball crashing into the grass type pokemon.

"Charmeleon, attack with Slash," Mark panicked as his pokemon slide towards him.

"Ivysaur, attack with Take Down," Blaid instructed her pokemon with great confidence.

As the two pokemon rushed towards the Ash's and Serena's pokemon, both Ash and Serena nodded and looked at their pokemon, "dodge the attack now," Ash and Serena ordered their pokemon in unison.

"Attack with Volt Tack," Ash instructed his pokemon.

"Use Dragon Claw," Serena followed Ash.

Pikachu gained a powerful yellow aura as he changed towards the fire starter pokemon, Bagon charged towards the grass type with white claws, the two pokemon slammed into the opposing pokemon knocking them out of the battle, Ash and Serena turned around and gave one another a high five to celebrate their victory, they turned to see the opposing trainers recall their pokemon then walking away not wanting to congratulate the victors on their battle, "this is not over," Blair said while glaring at her former school victim.

Serena walked up to her dragon who had finally listened to her, but as she walked up to her the small dragon sent a small blast of flames towards her, "maybe not," Serena said while laughing as her pokemon turned away from her, 'seems like it was too good to be true,' Serena thought to herself, she recalled her pokemon and turned to Ash, "well it looks like we won't be getting our mega-rings," Serena said with disappointment.

"Not quite," Korrina told the younger trainer, in her hands she had two black bracelets, "I had these two stashed away just in case," Korrina remarked as she skated up to the two trainers.

The two politely took their new mega-rings and placed them on their wrists, it was then the two trainers noticed the concerned expression on the gym leader's face, "hey Korrina, what's going on at the tower," Ash asked with a concerned tone.

"Yeah, there is something wrong right?" Serena pushed the question, she knew that Ash was wondering what was going on.

"Alright, please follow me," Korrina requested while walking away from the arena.

Ash and Serena looked around to see the excited crowd watching them follow the gym leader, "Ash, what if it is Team Flare and this Team Rocket?" Serena asked her rival quietly.

"I believe so, it is too bad we have to leave before the true presentation," Ash retorted gently, the two rushed towards the entrance hoping to catch the gym leader of the city, it was then they spotted smoke billowing from the tower in the distance, 'as expected there is a problem going on,' Ash thought to himself while sensing the seriousness of the situation, "Serena, I need you to stay back, it could be dangerous," Ash told the blonde haired trainer with concern, he started to move towards the tower but was stopped by Serena who grabbed his hand.

Serena tightened her grip and pulled him back slightly, "no, I want to help you out," Serena replied proudly.

Ash turned to the young woman, he shook his head and laughed as the lady in front of him tilted her head, "what makes you so determined Serena?" Ash asked while the young lady stared into his eyes, determined to try and prove herself in Ash's mind, "what is pushing you to do better?" Ash continued to ask before turning to see three people battling at the entrance of the tower in a three way battle.

"isn't it obvious Ash, the one person I want to prove something to is you Ash, I seek your acknowledgement," Serena replied causing Ash to freeze on the spot, "the gym leaders are all good, but there is always one person that I need to hear that I am a great trainer from," Serena stated while letting go of Ash's hand, she walked to Ash's side and turned her blue eyes to him, she smiled softly and started to walk towards the tower leaving Ash in shock at what was happening to the young lady.

"You know buddy, I guess her abilities as trainer is getting there as well, I can sense that her Bagon has a lot of pride, it will never admit that it actually wants her as a trainer," Ash erupted into laughter, he started to walked to the direction of the tower to find out what was going on, he looked around to see people battling against one another, Ash noticed the red 'R's on the uniform of the people who were fighting the enemies with red suits, "Team Rocket are hear as well," Ash hissed while looking to see if Serena was around.

As Ash walked closer to the building he noticed that the number of people fighting it out, he looked at his wrist and remembered something about the mega-ring, as the explosions of the battle surrounded the tower Ash ran through avoiding attacks from every direction, Ash looked around to see if Serena was around and hoped that she was safe from danger, it was then he spotted Serena with her back to the wall in danger from the Flare grunts, "Pikachu attack Team Flare with Thunderbolt," Ash called to his partner pokemon, he ran up to Serena to see if she was okay after Pikachu unleashed a powerful bolt of electricity. The three Flare grunts leapt back while Ash rushed towards his rival, "are you alright?" Ash asked calmly, he knelt down next to Serena to see if she was fine.

"Houndoom, attack with Flamethrower," one of the flare grunts issued his command.

Ash looked back to see the fire type pokemon readying an attack on the two, without thinking Ash picked Serena up and jumped out of the way, Ash ran towards the stairway but was soon surrounded by Team Flare members, "Ash I will be fine," Serena proclaimed but Ash refused to put her back on the ground, he evaded the fire type attacks with Team Flare while trying to protect his rival, 'no way Ash is trying everything he can to keep me safe, why?' Serena questioned herself, Ash tried to avoid another attack from the fire type pokemon, it was then he tripped over almost hurting the young woman in his arms.

Ash looked back to see the opposing pokemon running towards him, "Pikachu, thunderbolt now," Ash ordered his pokemon quickly, the small mouse unleashed a powerful blast of electricity and knocked out another pokemon, Ash looked down the blonde haired trainer and smiled, "hey, are you alright?" Ash asked again but this time with more concern for her well-being.

Serena was now in awe at the bravery that was being shown in front of her, "Yeah I am fine Ash," Serena replied, she tried to get up, but she felt her ankle buckle beneath her causing her to fall to the ground, she fell on his back with her chin landing on her rival's left shoulder, it was then she watched Ash brutally take care of the opposing flare grunts.

"Alright, now we can head to the top of the tower," Ash remarked while looking around to find that there was a few people from Team Rocket entering the Tower, "Alright Serena hold on tight," Ash commented while noticing the young woman was having a hard time standing, 'that was my fault, she wouldn't have badly sprained her ankle if I was more careful,' Ash blamed himself for Serena's injury.

"I will be fine, really," Serena replied but Ash ignored her, she placed her arms over his shoulders and was lifted off the ground.

"Pikachu, let's go," Ash called to his partner pokemon, he unleashed another bolt of electricity to hold them back.

Ash ran up the stairwell with attacks zooming pass the heads of the trainers, Serena started to panic slightly with explosions occurring in front of Ash, it was then she rested her head on her rival's shoulder, "thank you Ash," Serena thankfully told the trainer while he continued to carry her up the with attacks continuing to hit the stairway.

"Attack with Hyper Beam," one of the rocket grunts ordered his pokemon.

Ash spotted a door that would lead them to a room, "Serena, we are heading into a room," Ash told his rival, he kicked open the door and ran in, a purple beam of energy flew pass the door causing him to sigh in relief, it was then he spotted the Team Rocket members running pass the room, he placed Serena on the bed and walked towards the door, he looked around to see another lot of attacks whizzing outside the room, forcing him to fall back in shock.

"Are we trapped?" Serena asked the raven haired trainer.

"Yeah, but I will fight out of here, you stay here where it is safe," Ash instructed his rival, but as he was about to exit the room Serena grabbed his hand to prevent him from leaving, "Serena let go of my hand," Ash ordered his rival.

Serena shook her head in displeasure, "not a chance Ash, don't be so reckless," Serena pleaded causing him to look at her in shock, "I want to help out," Serena told Ash but was pushed back by the force of another attack.

Ash and Serena landed next to each other with another two pokemon entering the room with two members of Team Rocket behind the pokemon, "Honchkrow attack with Night Slash," the rocket member commanded his pokemon as the two trainers started to get up.

"Arbok, attack with Poison Fang," the female member ordered her pokemon maliciously.

Ash got up and stood in between the pokemon and Serena, he quickly called out his Froakie ready to face the opposing pokemon, " Froakie, attack with Water Pulse," Ash instructed his pokemon, the small frog like pokemon formed a ball of water and sent it careening into the attacking pokemon, "Pikachu, not that the two pokemon were hit with Water Pulse, attack them with Thunderbolt," Ash commanded with confidence, the electric mouse unleashed an unforgiving blast of lightning at the drenched opponents.

"Wow, that's amazing, he used his Pikachu and Froakie with great precision," Serena whispered to herself as the two pokemon got back up with lightning arching around their bodies, Serena looked up to see the determination radiating from the trainer, 'wow he isn't giving up,' Serena thought to herself as she remembered the time she was in the forest, she remembered that she had fallen over, 'it was that time he helped me out, he told me never to give up,' Serena kept reminding herself as she continued to remember that moment, 'it changed my life forever.'

"Froakie, attack with Bubble," Ash ordered his blue frog pokemon to attack, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt in combination," Ash instructed his partner pokemon quickly, the small electric mouse pokemon sent a blast of electricity while Froakie fired a volley of bubbles at the opposing pokemon.

"Arbok attack with Poison Tail," The female Rocket member issued her command.

"Honchkrow, fight back with Shadow Ball," the other Rocket grunt ordered his pokemon, the big boss pokemon formed a dark sphere while the cobra pokemon charged towards the water type pokemon with a purple tail.

Ash's pokemon continued their attacks not willing to give in, their attacks landed causing significant damage, the Rocket grunts gritted their teeth with concern for their pokemon, "come on you can do better than that, you're Team Rocket," Ash chided the foes as their pokemon slowly got back up again to battle Ash's pokemon again.

"Arbok, time to change targets, use Poison tail on the girl," The female rocket grunt issued her command as her frustrations in the battle grew too much for her to take, the cobra pokemon charged towards Serena, the tail of the pokemon started to drip with poison.

"Cowards, Pikachu stop Arbok with Iron Tail," Ash countered the opposing trainer's command.

"Honchkrow, stop Pikachu with Dark Pulse," The other member for Rocket issued his command, the flying type pokemon fired a wave of dark energy at Ash's two pokemon as the poison type charged through the attack, quickly making its move on the young trainer who was still on the ground.

"No this cannot be," Serena said to herself frozen in fear.

"I will not let you hurt her!" Ash yelled out as he leapt between Serena and the attacking pokemon, the poisonous tail slammed into the back of Ash causing him to collapse to the ground on his knees, he looked up with a smile on his face, "sorry about that," Ash apologised to Serena who remained frozen in shock, Ash placed his hands on the ground still reeling from the attack that had hit him, his pokemon watched in horror, but soon grew a thirst for revenge, it was then that Froakie started to glow a pure white light, it grew slightly taller and the bubbles around the neck grew out even more, after the glowing had stopped a pokemon with a darker shade of blue emerged.

Serena eventually snapped out of her fear and moved towards an injured trainer, "why did you do that?" Serena said with tears starting to flow down her face.

Ash started to laugh at himself, he slowly got up and turned towards the opposing pokemon, "I don't know, but it felt like it was something I needed to do," Ash replied puzzling his rival greatly, he weakly smiled at his team of pokemon and nodded, "alright time to end this, attack with Water Pulse and Pikachu attack with Electro Ball," Ash instructed his pokemon quickly before falling to the ground again.

"Ash!" Serena screamed out, she tried to get back to her feet, but failed, the pain in her ankle quickly shot through her body, she tried yet again this time ignoring it, she limped towards Ash and tried to help him up, she felt his head and noticed the temperature, it was then Ash got back up and started to walk towards the doorway, with Team Rocket members long gone Ash slowly exited the room, he placed his hand on the wall and slowly walked up the stairway.

"I will not be letting those guys get away with this," Ash hissed, he was panting heavily as he continued up the stairwell.

Serena get back with the help of Ash's pokemon, she limped towards the exit and looked around the corner, she watched Ash courageously making it to the top, 'never give up until the end,' Serena kept reminding herself as pride filled her heart, 'that settles it, before we leave this city, I will tell Ash everything,' Serena thought to herself while thinking back to the moment when they first held hands, "you know Pikachu, your trainer is really important to me, so losing him is not an option," Serena told the small yellow pokemon, he looked over to the young woman in shock after hearing her admission, "maybe one day I will gather the courage to tell him," Serena whispered to herself as she continued to slowly move up to the stairway.

Ash made it to the top before collapsing to his knees, he was panting heavily, wincing in pain after being hit from behind, he slowly got back up, feeling dazed by the attack and with his face starting to turn a little red from the attack, it was then he noticed that the attack also inflicted poison on him, he struggled to push open the door, it was there he spotted a group of Team Flare members fighting off Jessie, James and Meowth, "great, I need to continue the battle," Ash whispered to himself, he tried to approach the combatants but fell again almost succumbing to his injury.

Serena finally made it to the top of the tower to see Ash on the ground, collapsed from his injury, "he sustained a nasty injury," Serena reminded herself while thinking back to the attack he took for her, the blonde haired trainer scanned the current battle, she approached Ash slowly while keeping an eye on the trainers fighting against one another, "come on Ash, I will help you," Serena stated while she tried to help him up, she was helped by Ash's newly evolved pokemon and his Pikachu, the team worked together and put him against the wall, "never give up until the end," Serena whispered into Ash's ear.

Ash woke up from the attack and looked up to see Team Rocket's pokemon as well as Team Flare's pokemon colliding violently, he couldn't do anything to stop the attacks, it was at that moment Serena got up and called out her pokemon to battle, "Serena," Ash called out to his rival who was courageously standing on her injured ankle to fight against Team Rocket and Team Flare. Ash placed his hands on the wall and forced himself back up again this time he looked towards his water pokemon, "I will fight on," Ash said quietly, the water type nodded and hopped towards the battlefield.

"Amaura, it's time to shine," Serena called for her fossil pokemon, the long neck pokemon growled ready to take the battle against the two opposing enemies, she looked back to see Ash staggering to her side.

"Frogadier, I choose you," Ash called to his water pokemon while trying to keep his balance, "use Ice Beam," Ash instructed his pokemon, the frog like pokemon started to glow as he fired a frigid beam at the opposing pokemon.

Serena gasped at the glow, she immediately noticed the ability that was taking shape on her rival's pokemon, "That's Protean," Serena whispered to herself while the blast of ice sprayed across the field hitting all foes within range, "Amaura, use Take Down," Serena instructed her pokemon quickly. The rock pokemon rushed towards the enemies with little to no hesitation.

"Pyroar, attack with Flamethrower," the Flare grunt issued his command in anger at the female trainer.

"Quick, Frogadier, defend Serena's pokemon with Water Pulse," Ash replied while about ready to collapse from the poison, the water pokemon formed a ball of water and threw it at the opposing fire type attack the moves collided causing steam to prevent everyone from seeing what was going.

"James, we have gathered enough data, it is time for us to leave, let Team Flare stay busy with the others," Jessie whispered to her teammate, a set of gliders formed from the backpacks of the Rocket Trio, they recalled their pokemon and got ready to take off, "we will see you around Team Flare, but know this our boss will be around soon enough to capture the pokemon of destruction Yveltal," Jessie stated as she took off with James and Meowth close behind.

As the steam cleared Team Flare spotted Ash and Serena standing on the spot glaring at them, a young woman with blue hair wearing a red dress and a visor with blue eyes, "we are pulling back, our goal, is still Xerneas, we cannot let Team Rocket stop us, as for you two, our boss is interested in you, so we will let you live for now," The woman told the two trainers they walked away leaving Serena in shock at what had happened.

She knew that Team Flare and Team Rocket had the advantage, but was wondering why they left the scene, "why, they had us against the wall, just what are Team Flare and Team Rocket really after?" Serena questioned while looking around with more concern etched on her face, "Xerneas and Yveltal, just what are those pokemon?" Serena continued to asked the questions. After looking back she witnessed Ash falling to the ground, she rushed to his aid, "Ash, are you alright?" Serena asked but there was no response from him, it was then another blast of pain jolted through her body, the injury that she had previously ignored during her brief battle had flared up again causing her to cry out in agony.

"Where did they go?" Korrina asked in shock as she spotted Serena putting Ash's head on her lap.

"Korrina, Ash is badly hurt, I don't know why," Serena called to the gym leader with concern. It was after asking that she had remembered that Ash taking a devastating poison tail attack earlier, "Poison Tail, he took that attack for me," Serena said with guilt written on her face, she gulped as Korrina approached the trainers and placed her hand over the raven haired trainer's forehead.

She looked out to the horizon and then back to the door, "alright, we need to get Ash to the Hospital," Korrina told the female trainer with a frown.

Serena recalled the pokemon and placed Ash's right arm around her shoulder, she tried to get back up but, felt her ankle buckle beneath her again, "alright, Machoke I need your help," Korrina called out a humanoid pokemon, the muscular pokemon picked up and started walking towards the bottom part of the tower, Serena followed close behind with the assistance of the gym leader, "Serena, you seem to have feelings for Ash, why don't you tell him?" Korrina asked the trainer while looking down at the unconscious trainer, "he defended you, it took courage to take a powerful attack like Poison Tail, he did that for you, it seems like he would do anything for you," Korrina told the trainer, they eventually made it to the bottom of the tower and exited the building.

"No Korrina, I will tell him later, I want to focus on my journey, I am certain Ash will want to focus on his journey as well, the truth is I want him to not hold back against me," Serena pointed out while limping towards the hospital. With Ash in her vision constantly, 'he helped me out like back in the day,' Serena thought with a gentle smile. Slowly making her way to the hospital, she looked up to the tower and thought about the situation with Team Flare and Team Rocket, remembering the ambush she was hit with by the two teams, 'I rushed in without Ash supporting me, I was too weak and Ash got hurt because of me,' Serena thought angrily at herself, she looked towards Ash and nodded at him, 'enough, I will no longer be the weak girl that I am now, when next I meet Ash,' Serena continued in thought, "I promise you Ash, the next time we meet in Lumiose City, I will be much stronger, I will battle you to prove how much stronger I have become," Serena promised herself with her blue eyes glued to Ash, 'it was my fault you ended up getting hurt like this, I rushed in not thinking about the consequences, but no more,' Serena thought to herself with her fists clenched in anger.

Korrina turned her attention to Serena who was still angry at herself for what had happened, "don't beat yourself up, not even I would be able to stop them all," Korrina assured the trainer but Serena still wasn't happy with the situation she got herself into.

"I ran into the battle, the same one Ash got hurt in, we were lucky that they retreated and continued their mission to find Xerneas and Yveltal," Serena pointed out much to the surprise of Korrina.

"Alright, take the next few days to recover, battle me at the gym I have something for the both of you," Korrina told Serena as the two girls made it to the entrance to the hospital.

Serena followed the fighting type in to the building, she watched the doctors help Ash out, she no longer cared for her sprained ankle she was not more concerned for the well-being of Ash, "I want to come along," Serena said while they watched them take Ash to the ward, she walked slowly behind with her thoughts of what had happened, the time Ash took the Poison Tail continued to replay in her mind, Ash was now on his bed sleeping, she walked into the room and took a seat on the couch with Pikachu sleeping at the end of the bed. The blonde haired trainer rested her head next to Ash and started to fall asleep.

Steven and Christine walked into the room to find Serena resting her head next to Ash, "well Steven, it seems like I am about to win this bet, better get ready to hand over the prize," Christine stated while walking in with a proud smile, she opened the bag and pulled out a blanket, "I know full well that she will say something," Christine stated while taking the younger trainer's hat off.

"Christine, we need to find Mark and Blair, they left with the Mega-Rings," Steven stated with a frown as he turned towards the main foyer, "Ash and Serena need to look after one another, we need to make sure our old friends don't do too much damage," Steven stated while walking towards the exit, it was then he noticed Christine placing Ash's arm around the blonde haired trainer, "Christine was that absolutely necessary?" Steven asked his girlfriend with his right palm hitting his head.

"Yep, they needed incentive, plus, I have no intention of losing this bet, how about since we won't be here, how about we make it in Lumiose City?" Christine suggested with a proud smile, she looked back and smiled at the two people, "plus they make the perfect couple," Christine stated while grasping her boyfriend's left arm.

"Fine, Lumiose City it is, we won't be here, but how about we up the ante a little, the loser has to pay for their date in Lumoise City, all expenses paid," Steven suggested with an overconfident grin.

"You will regret that Steven, I promise you," Christine told the trainer with a cheeky grin, "Ash and Serena will tell each other before they even reach Lumiose, I know so," Christine said with a proud smile.

Back in the room Serena continued to sleep unaware of Ash's arm around her, not noticing that Ash had slightly tightened his grip, her face had a soft smile as she started to realise what was going on, she didn't move, not wanting Ash to let go of his grip on her left shoulder, "yeah right, those two are too scared to say something, they will never tell each other how they feel about one another, we both know Ash and Serena love one another, but they are way to nervous to tell one another," Steven's voice echoed through the halls, but Serena was still fast asleep not hearing a single word that was spoken about her and Ash.


The next chapter will take part a few days after this one, as some may have also noticed I have skipped the parts where Serena skipped Geosenge Town and Reflection Cave, that is because it would have been a pointless filler. But as for Ash visiting Geosenge Town, well I want to see Ash and Team Flare battle it out there as well.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, now that Team Rocket and Team Flare have their set goals, I will want to build it up some more, plus there is also Korrina wanting to give both Ash and Serena something, what is it and how will it change their journey?

Next Time chapter 10: The Auras within