Present Day

A few days later, Ferno wakes up to find Korrina holding herself close to him with a peaceful expression on her face.

'Almost reminds me of Serena when she had a nightmare, just more peaceful. Those were the days.' Ferno chuckles. 'She's so beautiful when she sleeps. I don't want to wake her up. So I'm just not going to move a muscl-'

"CHAAAAAAARRRR!" Charizard bursts through the door with a loud roar.

"Aagh!" Ferno cries, falling off of the bed.

"Aagh!" Korrina sits up immediately. "Ferno?"

"Down here." Ferno says, raising one arm.

Korrina leans over the side of the bed to see Ferno on the floor.

"Seriously, Charizard?" Ferno says.

"Char char char char char." Charizard laughs.

Ferno sighs. "Well, I guess it's time to get up."

"Charizard." Charizard walks into the room and helps his trainer up.

"Thanks, bud." Ferno says. "For helping me up, at least."

"Where's Lucario?" Korrina asks.

"Use Iron Tail!" They hear Ash shout from outside.

"Take one guess." Ferno says with a smirk.

Korrina sighs. "Makes sense." She chuckles. "Now, how about you get out of here so I can change?"

"Alright." Ferno says. Before leaving, he pecks Korrina on the cheek. He walks out of the room with Charizard.

The two walk to the field where they can see Ash training Pikachu and Fletchling against Lucario and Korrina's Machoke.

"Pikachu, use Electro Ball! Fletchling, Steel Wing!" Ash calls.

"Pika pika pika pika pika chupi!" Pikachu leaps into the air and creates an orb of electricity at the end of his tail. He throws the orb straight at Lucario.

"Fletch!" Fletchling's wings turn to steel and she charges straight at Machoke.

Lucario growls and uses Bone Rush to knock the Electro Ball right back at Pikachu.

"Dodge it!" Ash shouts.

Pikachu is able to leap out of the way at the last second.

"Choke!" Machoke uses Focus Blast, forming a ball of energy in his hands before throwing it at Fletchling, who doesn't dodge in time and is knocked to the ground.

"Fletchling!" Ash shouts.

"Ling!" Fletchling gets back up and flies back over to Ash.

Ash smiles. "Good to see that you're okay, Fletchling."

"Fletch!" Fletchling says, happily.

"Certainly seems like you're having fun, Ash." Ferno says.

"Huh?" Ash says before he notices Ferno and Charizard standing there. "Oh. Ferno! You're awake!"

Ferno nods. "Challenging Fletchling, are we?"

"Yeah. Fletchling wanted to go up against Lucario and Machoke." Ash says.

"Ling! Fletchling!" Fletchling says.

"Well, I'm just saying, wouldn't this be a bit more interesting if it were a trainer battle? I'd be happy to step in for Korrina." Ferno says. "You know... if Lucario and Machoke are okay with that."

Lucario and Machoke nod at Ferno.

"In your… before you change your clothes?" Ash says, confused.

Ferno suddenly realizes that he never got changed. "Th-That's beside the point!" He says, embarrassed. He hears Serena giggling in the distance.

Ash shakes his head with a chuckle. "What do you guys say?" He asks Pikachu and Fletchling.

"Pika!" Pikachu nods.

"Fletchling!" Fletchling nods.

"Alright. Let's do it!" Ash says.

"Great!" Ferno runs behind Korrina's Pokémon. "Your move, Ash!"

"Alright. Pikachu, Iron Tail! Fletchling, use Peck!" Ash says.

Pikachu dashes at Machoke before leaping into the air.

Fletchling starts flying at Lucario, her beak glowing.

"Lucario, use Metal Sound into Power-Up Punch! Machoke, counter with Vital Throw!" Ferno says.

Lucario growls and strikes the spikes on his fists together, causing an ear racking noise to disorient Fletchling, whose beak stops glowing. Lucario then charges one of his fists and punches Fletchling as she flies right at him.

"Fletchling!" Ash shouts.

"Pika!" Pikachu's tail turns to steel and he slams it into Machoke's chest.

"Choke!" Machoke waits for Pikachu's attack to land before grabbing his tail and throwing him into the ground.

"Pikachu!" Ash cries.

"Pika…" Pikachu slowly stands up. "Pika!"

"Ling…" Fletchling struggles to get up before falling over.

"It looks to me like Fletchling is unable to battle." Ferno says. "Lucario wins that one."

"You did great, Fletchling. I'm proud of you." Ash says, calling Fletchling back into her Pokéball.

"Fletchling held out for a pretty long time. I'm impressed." Ferno says. "Unfortunately for you, that means this battle just became two against one."

"Not exactly." Ash says, taking out another Pokéball. "Come on out, Froakie!"

Froakie pops out of the Pokéball. "Froakie!" He says, happily.

"I didn't realize that Froakie hadn't battled, yet." Ferno says. "Alright, then! Lucario, use Swords Dance. Machoke, use Low Sweep."

Swords appear and float around Lucario, strengthening his attack power.

Machoke runs at Froakie and quickly knees him straight into Pikachu.

"Froakie!"

"Pika!" The two Pokémon cry out.

"Great job, Machoke! Lucario, Power-Up Punch!" Ferno says.

Lucario growls and dashes a Froakie, charging up his fist.

"Pikachu, Iron Tail on Machoke! Froakie, use your frubbles to stop Lucario!" Ash says.

"Pika!" Pikachu leaps into the air as his tail turns to steel.

"Froakie!" Froakie takes some of his frubbles and throws them at Lucario.

"Machoke, Vital Throw!" Ferno says.

Machoke prepares for Pikachu to hit him with his tail.

Lucario growls as he dodges all of the frubbles as he advances on Froakie.

"Pikachu, quick! Switch to Electro Ball!" Ash says.

"What?!" Ferno says.

"Pika pika chupi!" Pikachu forms an orb of electricity at the end of his tail and hurls it at Machoke with great speed, knocking Machoke down.

"Machoke…" Machoke groans after landing on the ground.

Lucario finally reaches Froakie and leaps into the air, his fist fully charged.

"Froakie, quick! Throw your frubbles at Lucario's fist!" Ash says.

"Kie!" Froakie quickly takes his frubbles and starts throwing them onto Lucario's fist.

"Now, Lucario!" Ferno shouts.

Lucario growls and punches Froakie, barely dealing damage, if dealing any at all.

"What?!" Ferno says. "Machoke, are you okay?"

"Machoke." Machoke says, struggling to stand. Lucario shakes the frubbles off of his hand and walks over to Machoke to help him up. Once standing, Machoke gets back into a fighting stance.

"Alright, Ash. I'll admit. That was clever." Ferno says. "Machoke, use Brick Break! Lucario, Bone Rush and use Swords Dance as you run!"

"Machoke!"

Lucario growls as swords surround him and he creates two bones and both of the Fighting-Types dash at Ash's Pokémon.

"Pikachu, Iron Tail!" Ash shouts. "Froakie, Water Pulse!"

"Pika!" Pikachu leaps into the air with a steel tail, looking straight at Pikachu.

"Fro!" Froakie forms an orb of water between his hands, throwing it at Lucario.

Lucario growls and whacks the Water Pulse away with one of his bones.

"Machoke, scratch Brick Break. Use Vital Throw on my mark!" Ferno says.

"Choke!" Machoke says, preparing for Pikachu's attack.

"Now, Pikachu! Electro Ball!" Ash says.

"Pika pika chupi!" Pikachu hurls another Electro Ball at Machoke.

"Quick! Focus Blast!" Ferno shouts.

"Machoke!" Machoke forms an orb of energy between his hands and hurls it at Pikachu's Electro Ball with great speed. The two attacks collide and explode.

Lucario growls and attacks Froakie with his bones.

"Froakie, Bubble! Pikachu, back to Iron Tail!" Ash says.

"Now!" Ferno shouts.

"Choke!" Machoke catches Pikachu by his tail. He spins around and throws Pikachu straight into the ground.

"Kie!" Froakie shoots bubbles out of his mouth at Lucario.

Without instruction, Lucario uses Metal Sound, popping the bubbles and disorienting Froakie. Lucario then returns to using Bone Rush on the frog Pokémon.

"Seriously?" Ferno says to himself. "Even with me, he does things his own way."

"Pika…"

"Fro…" Both Pikachu and Froakie lay on the ground, unconscious.

"Looks to me like both Froakie and Pikachu are unable to battle." Ferno says. "Lucario and Machoke win, which means the victory goes to me."

"You did great, guys." Ash says.

Ferno takes out two Super Potions and hands them to Ash, who thanks him and uses them on Froakie and Pikachu. He then takes out two Hyper Potions and uses them on Lucario and Machoke. "Lucario, you know that you're not supposed to use a move without Korrina's, or in this case my, instruction. That's pretty much the entire reason why we're here."

Lucario growls, understanding.

"Good." Ferno says.

"Ferno!" Ferno turns around to see Korrina standing there, now fully dressed. "What are you doing with Lucario and Machoke?!"

"Ash will explain while I go get changed." Ferno says as he runs back to the room he shares with her to change into his everyday clothes, which include a pair of blue jeans, an orange and red tee-shirt, and a pair of black hiking boots. He keeps a jacket in his bag for when it gets cold outside (or inside). "There we go. That's better." He says to himself. He walks back outside to where the others are. He sees that Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie are standing over there, too.

"Alright, should we get going? Gotta find flowers for today's arrangements." Clemont says.

"I can't wait!" Bonnie says.

"Dennenne!" Dedenne says in agreement with Bonnie.

"I guess." Korrina says, suddenly bored.

Ferno decides to get to it. He walks over to Charizard and climbs onto his back. "Come on bud. Let's get this over with."

"Char." Charizard says, agreeing. He leaps into the air and starts flying around, looking for flowers to use.

"Lucario and Gogoat are unable to battle! Avalugg and Meowstic win, which means the victory goes to Olympia and Wulfric!" Blake announces.

"Awwwww…" Korrina says. "And we were so close!"

"You really weren't." Olympia says.

"Don't be so prideful, Olympia. I saw that look of fear on your face when Meowstic fell over." Ramos says.

"But we still won, Ramos." Wulfric says. "You're getting soft in your old age."

"My mind's focused on more important matters." Ramos says.

Ferno walks over to Korrina. "So, Korrina. Did that jog your memory at all?"

Korrina closes her eyes and concentrates. "It felt a bit more familiar than the battle you and I had, like déjà vu, but I still don't remember much. The last thing I can remember is being chased and the gunshots." She says.

"Well, we're still getting somewhere, at least." Ferno says, slightly disappointed. "I'm gonna go check on Astrid. Wanna come?"

"Sure." Korrina says. "I'm a little worried about her."

"At least she has her memory." Ferno says.

Korrina just rolls her eyes at the comment.

"Come on out, Charizard!" Ferno throws Charizard's Pokéball into the air, letting Charizard out.

"CHAAAAAAARRRRRRR!" Charizard roars. Right. In. Ferno's. Face.

Ferno sighs, his hair now a mess. "Yeah, I love you too, buddy." He rubs the massive dragon's head.

He and Korrina climb onto Charizard's back. Charizard leaps into the air and flies away.

"There goes that damn kid and his friend." Butch says.

"I say we get to the clinic before them." Cassidy says.

"How would do that? They're flying, we're not." Butch says.

"With a distraction." Cassidy says, taking out a radio. "Let 'er rip, boys." She says into the radio.

"You got it, Cassidy." A voice says from the other end of the call.

As they fly, Ferno, Korrina, and Charizard hear an explosion below them.

"What was that?" Korrina asks.

"Probably just a battle." Ferno shrugs.

"Then why are those houses on fire?" Korrina says, looking below them.

Ferno decides to take a look, too. He sees flames rising from a few houses. "Alright, definitely not just a battle. Charizard, let's go help." He says.

Charizard agrees with a nod and flies down into the chaos.

Ferno and Charizard land in front of Mabel's house to find that he's the first one there.

"Well, what do you know?" Ferno says. "Seems like we're first buddy."

"Charizard." Charizard says.

"Well, let's get to work." Ferno says. He and Charizard walk inside.

When they get inside, they see Mabel standing there.

"Oh. Hey, Mabel." Ferno says.

"Ferno. Can I speak with you?" Mabel says.

"Sure." Ferno says. "What is it?"

"I've been noticing that lately, you've been a bit tense around Korrina. Why is that?" Mabel asks.

"Oh, that." Ferno sighs. "I'm worried about her. And it's not because of the problem with Mega Lucario's aura. Two years ago, Olympia, the gym leader in Ani-"

"I know who she is." Mabel interrupts. "I'm guessing that this has something to do with one of her premonitions?"

"Yes. She foresaw something… horrible happening to us sometime around when we started traveling together for the second time." Ferno explains. "And this is our second time traveling together."

"I see…" Mabel says. "You're worried that this… horrible thing is going to come to pass sometime soon."

"Yes. And I don't want to tell Korrina because she's already worried about something happening to us. She told me that she has this… this feeling that we're going to be separated." Ferno explains. "She already has enough on her mind with her and Lucario's training to control Lucario's aura. I don't want to add to that."

"I understand." Mabel says. "Perhaps you should speak with Olympia about this, then."

"You're probably right." Ferno says.

"Alright. For now, get to work on that arrangement." Mabel says.

"Right." Ferno says. "Let's get to it, Charizard." He walks over to the table that he and Charizard have been using to make their arrangements.

Charizard lands a safe distance away from a burning house.

"Well, this is just great." Ferno says sarcastically.

"We need to help put out these fires." Korrina says.

"Do you have any Water-Type Pokémon?" Ferno asks.

"Don't you?" Korrina says.

"I'm a Fire-Type gym leader. There's no such thing as a Fire- and Water-Type Pokémon." Ferno says. "Well, except for Volcanion, but he's not here right now."

"Right." Korrina says, sheepishly.

"But, I have the next best Pokémon." Ferno says taking out two Pokéballs. "Arcanine, Electrike! Let's go!"

"Nine!"

"Trike!" Arcanine and Electrike pop out of the Pokéballs.

"Alright. Electrike use Rain Dance!" Ferno says.

"Trike!" Electrike summons a large rainstorm.

"Alright. Arcanine, get in there and rescue people! Your Flash Fire ability will protect you!" Ferno says.

"Arcanine!" Arcanine dashes into the fire and looks for people to rescue.

"Now we just wait for the fire department." Ferno says.

"The two kids were distracted by the explosion, as expected." A man says over the radio.

"Good. Now get out of there and we'll meet at the rendezvous point." Cassidy says.

"Yes, ma'am." The man says.

"I told you it would work, Butch." Cassidy says.

Butch just rolls his eyes. "Whatever; Cassidy."

"And now that we're at the clinic…" Cassidy says with a smirk.

Butch smirks. "Let's grab that girl."

"Alright Mabel, spill it." Ferno says as he walks with Mabel. "You were waiting for her to find those flowers specifically, weren't you?"

"I was." Mabel says. She walks away.

"Whaddya know?" Ferno says. "She's a clever old lady."

"Char." Charizard agrees.

Ferno walks back to his room and heads to the phone. He punches in a number and Olympia's face appears on the screen. "Ferno. How are you?"

"A little worried actually." Ferno says. "It's about Korrina."

"What about her?" Olympia asks.

"Remember that premonition you had back in Coumarine City when I was traveling to Shalour with Korrina two years ago?" Ferno asks.

"You're traveling with her again, aren't you?" Olympia asks.

"Yeah, and I'm really worried about what you said would happen." Ferno says. "You see, she and I are in a relationship now and she-"

"Wait, what did you just say?" Olympia interrupts him.

"She and I are in a relationship?" Ferno says.

"First off, congratulations." Olympia says. "Secondly, that could be part of it."

"My thoughts exactly." Ferno says. "In fact, a few nights ago she told me that she has this… feeling that she and I are going to be separated, somehow."

"So now you're really worried." Olympia says.

"Yeah." Ferno says. "I figured that I should talk to you about this."

"Well… I still don't know when or what it is that is going to happen, but this feeling that you say she has… be careful, Ferno. All I know is that it is going to happen soon." Olympia says. "I wish I could be of more help."

"It's fine, Olympia." Ferno says. "Nobody can help everyone."

"I suppose so." Olympia says.

"Anyway, let's talk about something less depressing." Ferno says. "How's the gym?"

"The gym is fine. I've been receiving quite a few challengers, lately." Olympia says.

"That's good to hear." Ferno says.

"How is Korrina? Memory fully operational, I hope?" Olympia says.

Ferno chuckles. "Her memory is fine, Lucario's aura… eh, not so much."

"Really? What's happening?" Olympia asks.

Ferno explains everything that's happened since Route 10. "... so now we're at Pomace Mountain, training with Mabel."

"Interesting." Olympia says. "I know who Serena and Clemont are, who's this 'Ash' person?"

"He's a trainer who is exceptionally caring for Pokémon and loves a good battle. He's aiming to be a Pokémon master." Ferno explains. "I'm sure that you'll get your chance to meet him sometime soon. He's challenging gyms."

"How many badges does he have?" Olympia asks.

"Well, only two so far. He's beaten Viola and Grant." Ferno says. "Korrina's next on his list."

"Well, I'm sure that'll be an interesting battle for you." Olympia says.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Ferno asks.

"Who are you going to cheer for? Your travel buddy, Ash, or your girlfriend, Korrina?" Olympia says.

Ferno realizes she's right. He's going to have to choose a side. He'd been cheering for Ash since he joined him in his journey across Kalos, but Korrina might get a bit angry if he cheers for Ash again. "I hadn't thought of that." Ferno says, with a nervous chuckle. "I think that my safest bet would be to cheer for Korrina. I'm sure Ash will understand."

"Probably a smart idea." Olympia says.

"Lady Olympia! You have a challenger!" A woman yells from somewhere behind Olympia.

"Tell them to give me a moment!" Olympia calls back. "Looks like I have to go. Au revoir!"

"Au revoir, mon ami!" Ferno says in Kalosian.

The screen goes blank.

Ferno gets up, walks over to the bed and lays down. He rests for a while.

After a few minutes of Arcanine rescuing people and Electrike's Rain Dance, the Fire Department finally arrives with their Vaporeon, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, Wartortle, Frogadier, and other Water-Type Pokémon.

"Alright! Let's get this fire out!" The Fire Chief says, who has a Blastoise and a Greninja with him.

"Blast!"

"Ninja!" Blastoise and Greninja both use Hydro Cannon on the fire.

"Vap!"

"Tortle!"

"Frog!"

"Whirl!"

"Wrath!" The other Pokémon all use Hydro Pump and Water Gun.

"Arcanine, get out of there! The fire department is here!" Ferno says. "Watch out for the water!"

"Kid! You sent your Pokémon in there?!" One of the firefighters says.

"Her ability is Flash Fire." Ferno says.

The firefighter nods and gets back to work.

"Canine!" Arcanine leaps out of the fire with one last victim. She walks over to the Fire Chief with the victim.

"Where's the medic?!" The Fire Chief says.

"On their way, sir!" One of the firefighters says.

"There's more people over there." Ferno says, pointing to the area where Arcanine had put all of the other victims she rescued.

"Thanks, kid." The Fire Chief says, taking the victim, a Leafeon, off of Arcanine's back.

"This one looks really hurt. Do you mind running him to Nurse Joy for us?" The Chief asks.

"Actually…" Ferno goes to grab his bag, but he realizes it isn't there. "Huh… Could've sworn I had my bag. Yeah. We'll take Leafeon to the Pokémon Center."

"Thanks, kid." The Chief says, handing Leafeon to Ferno.

"Not a problem, Chief." Ferno says, taking Leafeon. "Let's go, guys." He starts running to the Pokémon Center along with Arcanine, Electrike, Charizard, and Korrina.

They arrive at the Pokémon Center with Leafeon to see the place empty except for one Wigglytuff nurse.

"Wigglytuff?" Wigglytuff says.

"Wigglytuff. Is Nurse Joy here?" Ferno asks.

"Wig tuff." Wigglytuff shakes her head.

"Well, this Leafeon got caught in a fire downtown. Can you help him?" Ferno asks.

"Wigglytuff!" Wigglytuff says confidently. She wheels over a gurney.

"Thanks, Wigglytuff." Ferno says, placing Glaceon on the gurney. "You're gonna be fine, Leafeon. Just hold on."

Wigglytuff wheels Leafeon into the back to help him.

Ferno sighs in relief. Then the door opens behind him.

"Sorry I wasn't here. I had to restock on antidotes." Ferno turns around to see Nurse Joy with a basket filled with antidotes. "How can I help you?"

"Well, we just brought a hurt Leafeon here. Wigglytuff brought him to the back, but I think you might be needed downtown. There's a fire." Korrina says.

"A fire?!" Nurse Joy says. "I'll be there right away! I just need to grab some Rawst Berries, Burn Heals, and Potions."

"Alright. Can we help?" Ferno asks.

"Of course. Come with me." Nurse Joy says as she walks to a door leading into the back.

Ferno, Korrina, Electrike, and Lucario follow her.

"Gastly, come and help!" Once they reach the supply room, Ferno pulls out a Pokéball and a Gastly pops out.

"Gastly gastly!" Gastly says.

"Gastly, use Psychic to grab as many Burn Heals, Rawst Berries, and Potions you can carry." Ferno says.

"Gastly." Gastly's eyes glow blue as he uses his psychic powers to grab every Potion, Burn Heal, and Rawst Berry in the room.

Ferno rubs the back of his neck, sheepishly. "Okay, maybe we don't need that many."

Ferno is brought out of his memory when the door opens and Korrina walks in with Lucario.

"She still isn't training me." Korrina says, annoyed. "I swear, I don't know why Grandfather wanted us to come here."

Lucario growls in agreement.

"I'm sure he has his reasons." Ferno says, trying to calm her down. "And I'm sure that Mabel has hers. You need to be patient."

Korrina sighs. "I guess you're right."

Ferno smiles at his girlfriend.

Korrina then does something that neither Ferno or Lucario expect. She leaps onto the bed and pounces on top of Ferno. She immediately plants her lips on his, kissing him lustily for a good minute before separating.

"Well… what brought that about?" Ferno asks.

Korrina shrugs with a smirk, still on top of him. "Just thought I'd surprise you."

"Well… alright then. Your Meinfoo has defeated my Flareon. Now it's Lucario versus Charizard, and the last time I checked…" Ferno rolls them both over until he is on top of Korrina and has her arms pinned above her head, completely shocking her as he smirks at his girlfriend. "… Flying beats Fighting."

Korrina laughs at that. "Well, it looks like I'm at your mercy, then."

"Indeed it does." Ferno says, with a mischievous face.

Lucario sighs and walks outside of the room before closing the door behind him.

Alright, guys! That's the next chapter!

For all of you FanFiction readers, I am now posting this story on Wattpad. So if you want to be able to read this story on the Wattpad mobile app, you can!

I should probably say: no, Ferno and Korrina did not 'do it' at the end of the chapter, there. No clothes came off. This is a T-rated story. Their little private session consisted of mainly kissing.

Also, to all of you Amourshippers out there, trust me, I will get those two together… eventually. I have a plan.

…

I have twelve percent of a plan.

…

That's a fake laugh.

(Heh. Guardians of the Galaxy Reference.)

Anyway, thanks for reading. I'll probably do a small chapter for Valentine's Day. If I do, I'll have it out by the end of the week. But no promises on anything.