( In the food court )
"A toast. To the new champion of the school." Grace says while raising her glass of champagne.
"Hear Hear." Brock says while everyone raise their glasses and cheer for Ash as well.
"Thank You. It was nothing." Ash says while blushing uncontrollably.
"Don't say it was nothing Ashy Boy. Paul and I have been trying to win against him for almost an year now. Till now we couldn't. Now suddenly you come and make him look like a third class trainer." Gary says while giving Ash a hard pat on the back.
"I must say I was impressed by the way you used that razor leaf with Torterra to defeat his mega evolved Absol." Paul says in a quiet tone.
"And the best part is that you also got that smart smug son of a b***h thrown out of the school." Gary replies while laughing.
Everyone cheers again for a second time including Grace.
"Indeed young man that was quite the Performance."
Everyone looks in the direction of the voice to see Palermo standing there with a smile.
"Oh. Thanks I guess. But I am sorry I don't know who you are." Ash says in an apologetic manner.
"Ash this is Palermo. She is my mentor and guide." Serena replies while smiling.
"Oh. I see. So she is the reason behind you becoming Kalos Queen. It is a pleasure to meet you ma'am." Ash says while shaking Palermo's hand. "Please forgive me for not recognizing you ma'am." Ash says while bowing his head.
"A gifted trainer and a gentleman. My my Serena. You must be the luckiest Kalos Queen in the history of Pokemon Performing." Palermo says while smiling.
Serena and Ash instantly blush. May and Dawn on the other hand fume in silence while clenching their fists.
"Well I must get going. I have other matters to attend to. I will see you tomorrow Serena." Palermo says while waving everyone goodbye.
"Well we should go out and celebrate Ash's becoming of champion." Brock says.
"An excellent idea Brock." Grace replies.
"We will celebrate but not today." Ash says quietly.
Everyone stares at him in silence. Serena finally breaks her silence and responds "Ash. But why. You don't want to celebrate you win with your friends and me?"
"Of course I do Serena but I will celebrate when I beat the elite four member tomorrow." Ash says while making a fist.
Everyone's eyes widen.
"I promise you. Regardless of what happens tomorrow. Win or lose. We will celebrate tomorrow. But today I need to go back and prepare for my match tomorrow because that will not be a walk in the park. Besides I feel kinda tired as well." Ash says.
"Oh sure Ash. That is alright. We will see you tomorrow and we will be rooting for you." May replies with a wink.
"Thanks May. You guys are the best. See you guys tomorrow." Ash says while getting up.
"I guess we should call it a day as well Serena dear." Grace says while getting up to follow Ash.
"Yup. It was nice to meet all of you." Serena says while getting up to.
After all 3 of them have left only Brock, May, Paul, Gary, Dawn, Clemont and Bonnie are left in the dining hall. After 10 minutes of silence Paul speaks up.
"Did you guys notice the change in Ash's behavior?" Paul says with a curious tone.
"I did." Brock replies. "He is no longer the rash and unpredictable Ash we used to know. He is more calm and focused. Even during the battle I saw. He did not get excited over his small individual victories and focused on the win till the very end without losing his composure."
"Yup. That is bugging me too." Gary says. "Don't get me wrong guys. I am not saying that he has changed for worst or anything but when I saw him on TV in the Unovo league quarterfinals. He was the old Ash which we all knew full of enthusiasm and optimism. Now within a matter of weeks he has changed completely. More mature. More respectful. Most importantly since when did he start refusing celebrations. What happened? He is like a complete new person."
"Not to mention. He has even started blushing. Did you guys see how he instinctively took Serena into a hug when Diantha intervened when Calem's Salamence tried to attack Ash. He never did any of those things with me." Dawn says with a sigh.
"I wish I were in Serena's place." May says.
"Fat chance. You and Ash." Dawn snaps back.
"Look who is talking. Ash is mine so back off." May says aggressively.
"Here we go again." Paul, Gary and Brock say with a sigh as May and Dawn start fighting like a pair of Meowths.
( Back in the apartment )
"Alright. Ash here we are. I will leave you. Best of luck in your preparation." Grace says while walking away.
"Thanks Grace." Ash says as he unlocks the door of the apartment.
Serena and Ash enter the apartment. Ash suddenly say "Oh Serena. I need to ask your mom something. I will be right back."
Serena nods and enters the apartment while Ash runs after Grace.
Suddenly he shouts "Grace. Wait I need to ask you something?"
"What?" Grace says while turning around in surprise.
Ash runs up to her and questions "Who do you think is the strongest in the Elite Four and who do you think is the weakest?"
Grace looks at him with a puzzled expression and says "Ash. I am no expert in Pokemon battling. I don't think my opinion will be of much help. You should get someone else's opinion."
"I know but I am still asking you. Who in your opinion is the strongest and who is the weakest."
"Alright if you insist. But give me a moment to think."
"Sure no problem. Take all the time you need."
Grace closes her eyes and stands in silence. Finally she opens her eyes and breaks the silence.
"Well now that I come to think of it in my opinion I have always found Wikstrom and his steel types to be the weakest in the elite four." Grace says "As for the strongest that is a hard one. Drasna is a dragon master. Malva's fire types pack a punch as well. Seibold's Blastoise is tough too."
"If you had to pick one in the three."
"As the toughest I would pick Seibold. 2 years ago when he challenged Diantha for her place as the champion he came the closest anyone has come in the elite four to beating her. Had it not been for a lucky shadow ball which found it's mark Diantha might've lost the battle."
"Thanks Grace. You are the best." Ash says while suddenly hugging Grace.
Grace is taken aback. But then she reciprocates the hug and asks him "Ash is something bothering you?" with a concerned tone.
"If I said no I would be lying." Ash replies.
"What is the matter dear. Is it Serena? Did she do something?" Grace asks with concern.
"No no. Actually your daughter is the best thing that has happened to me since the Unovo league." Ash says.
Grace smiles and tells him "You are also the best thing that happened to my daughter. Now you go and enjoy yourself with her. OK. Whatever problems you are having we will discuss it after tomorrows battle. Whatever happens Serena and I will be there to support you. Go for broke." Grace says with a smile before leaving.
( In the food court )
"Enough." Paul says in a loud and annoyed tone to make both girls stop fighting. Then he turns to the guys and says
"Should we investigate this sudden change in behavior. If something is bothering him then we should help him out we are his friends after all."
"I agree but let us not make hasty decisions. We will be interfering in his private affairs in a way. We don't want him to feel hurt as well." Brock replies.
"I propose we observe him for a week or 2 before taking any decision. I think we should head back as well." Gary says while standing up.
Everyone nods and leaves for their dormitories.
( Back in the apartment )
"Serena may I borrow your Poke-pad for a couple of hours?" Ash says while coming into the bedroom.
"Sure. Here you go." Serena says while handing the Poke-pad over to him.
"Thanks."
"Need anything else?" Serena says.
"A little peace and quiet will be nice. It would be great if you could watch over Pikachu and the others for me. Also can you order some spaghetti with meatballs for me when dinner time comes." Ash says.
"Of course. No problem." Serena replies with a wink.
Ash smiles and locks himself in his own bedroom.
( 2 hours Later )
"Ash your ordered dinner is here." Serena says in a loud voice.
"Thanks." Ash says while coming out of the room. He quickly starts eating.
"Slow down Ash. The food isn't going anywhere." Serena says as she eats her Seafood Lasagna.
"So you mind telling me what have you been doing for the past 2 hours." Serena says while taking a sip of her lemonade.
"Research. If I need to win against Seibold tomorrow I need to know what Pokemon he has along with his tactics and combinations." Ash replies without acknowledging her.
"Sound like a tedious job. Need any help?"
"No all I need is to be left alone." Ash almost snaps at Serena.
Serena get's shocked to see Ash behave in this way.
"I am sorry. I just got a little irritated without good reason." Ash apologizes.
"Compared to Calem that was a breeze in front of a hurricane." Serena says sweetly.
Ash smiles for a second then again goes back to the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
Serena gets suspicious and a little worried.
'Why is Ash behaving like this? Does he not care for me anymore? Well that can't be true. But then he met May and Dawn again so his mind changed. No stupid Ash chose you over them remember.' Serena groans in annoyance as all these weird thoughts come pouring into her head. She decides to call up the only person she can rely on for advice. Her mom.
Serena walks into her own bedroom. Locks the door and dials Grace's number.
"Hey mom it's me Serena." Serena says with Grace on the phone.
"Hey Serena why are you calling me around dinner time?" Grace asks.
"I guess it's nothing. But something is up with Ash. He isn't himself." Serena says.
"Alright what happened?" Grace says.
After a few minutes Grace says "I see what you mean. While I don't know what is happening with Ash right now but I do know that he is going through some personal issue."
"What do you mean?" Serena says.
"I will tell you." Grace says.
Serena hears Grace in pin drop silence while Grace narrates what happened with Ash after he had caught up with her.
"You should talk to him Serena?" Grace says.
"I will. Bye mom." replies Serena.
"Bye dear." Grace says while disconnecting the call.
(10 minutes later)
Serena knocks at Ash's door. She keeps knocking till he opens the door.
"What happened?" Ash replies in annoyed and bored manner.
"We need to have a talk." Serena says quite sternly as she pushes Ash aside to enter his room.
"What happened? Something wrong?" Ash says in a milder tone upon seeing Serena's expression as quite stern.
"Yes. Something is wrong. You need to tell me what is bothering you right now." Serena says while sitting on the bed.
"I am fine. Nothing is wrong with me." Ash says.
"I see. So it seems you trust your girlfriend's mother more than her when it comes to private problems. Furthermore you don't even feel uncomfortable before lying to her face." Serena says in a raised yet not angry voice.
"It's not that. This is something I need to deal with on my own." Ash replies this time with a raised tone as well.
"That is not an acceptable answer. Tell me what is going on right now or I will get very upset." Serena says in a loud yet unhappy tone.
Ash looks at Serena's face. He sees tears starting to form in her eyes.
'Crap I can't see Serena cry. I guess there is no getting around it. I will have to tell her.' Ash thinks to himself.
"Fine you win. But can I please have that one of those lovely macaroons you make before telling you." Ash replies with a sigh.
"Alright then let us go out in the living room. We will sit on the dining table and talk." Serena says.
( 5 minutes later )
"Serena do you remember my dad?" Ash says looking at her.
"No I don't. Why what happened." Serena says.
"Well I do. Actually I only remember seeing his face once. Once when he came to the house and my mom turned him away." Ash says.
"OK. But what has your father got to do with all this?" Serena says.
"After I got eliminated in the quarterfinals in the Unovo league before I went back to pallet town I was still exploring Unovo with Iris and Cilan. Suddenly one morning a Staravia came out of nowhere and dropped a letter into my lap. First I was confused as to where this Staravia had come from. Then I opened the letter inside it. the letter was from my dad." Ash says as he shuddered.
Serena seeing Ash's condition comes and sits on the next chair and hold his hand with her own.
"Go on." Serena says in a soft and soothing voice.
"In the letter my dad expressed how sorry he was for not being a part of my life. He said that he had followed everyone of my league battles and said that to see me on the stage filled him with pride. He also told me about where I had gone wrong in which league, the mistakes I had made and how should I change my battling style. What other moves my Pokemon could have incorporated etc." Ash said before pausing for a moment.
"But that is good Ash. Why are you upset about it." Serena says.
"I haven't finished yet." Ash says while taking deep and lasting breaths as if to reinforce himself. Then he continued.
"Then he expressed how sorry he is because now even if he wanted to he couldn't be a part of my life. He also in his letter made me promise to take care of my Pokemon and my loved ones." Ash said quietly.
"Why did he say that?" Serena asks.
"Because he wrote in the letter that by the time this letter got to me he would most likely be dead." Ash said while bursting into tears and burying his crying face in Serena's chest while pulling her in a bone crushing hug.
Serena was shocked at this revelation. Tears formed in her eyes. She cried a little and then rested her face on Ash's crying face while pulling him into a warm comforting hug.
"Oh Ash I am so sorry. I can totally understand what you feel like. I felt the same way when my father died." Serena says while attempting to comfort him.
(20 minutes later)
"Thanks Serena. I guess I could deal with this on my own but now I know I needed to get it off my chest." Ash says in a much more calm yet sad tone.
"Anything. I can do to make you feel better?" Serena says.
"No. Nothing I guess." Ash says in disappointment.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Serena says before she leans in and kisses Ash on the lips.
Ash instantly reciprocates and swings her arms around her neck while deepening the kiss. After a while they separate for air.
"Are you sure there is nothing I can do to make you feel better." Serena says while smiling mischievously.
"Now that you mention it, I guess I will have to make do with what I have got." Ash says quickly before pulling Serena closer.
Serena giggles before kissing him again.
"Ash it is getting late. Let us move to the bedroom atleast." Serena says after a while.
"As you wish. But I am not stopping kissing you." Ash says while lifting Serena up in his arms and carrying her to the bedroom, kissing her all the way.
( Meanwhile in Lumiose City Police Station )
"Calem Xavier. You have been released on bail." Officer Jenny says while opening the door of his cell.
Calem calmly walks out of his cell and finishes all the formalities of the bail.
Then he walks out of the police building and climbs into the limousine which is waiting for him.
"How are you son? Are you alright?"
"Thanks dad. I am fine. Would feel better if I could get my hands on that Ketchup and the pathetic Kalos Queen" Calem replies while grinding his teeth in frustration.
"Don't worry. Revenge shall be ours. We just need to wait for the right moment to strike."