GS ball unlocked

Chapter 10, Preparing to set off

After TJ had his Tropius healed by Nurse Joy, Ash was preparing to say his goodbyes for now. He enjoyed hanging around with his new friends, but Kurt was counting on him to solve a mystery. Ash was about to make his next move known to the group before Serena started talking before he got the chance.

''I'm scheduled to have a surprise performance in Dendemille Town. You can see how much better we've become. I'm sure you'll enjoy our new performances.''

''We? Did you remember why I'm here? I promised I would come to you after I'm done here.'' Ash told Serena.

''Oh no. I told you I would help you with retrieving it. It's my turn to help you Ash.'' A bit mad saying that he would be travelling alone without her and Bonnie again she went up right in his face. But Ash was not backing down as well.

''I don't want you to get involved in this. I need to figure this out on my own.''

''Ever thought about what I want? Ever thought about what Bonnie wants? I'm not taking no for an answer. I don't care how much you think you've gotten stronger. I don't trust it. You'll be walking right into their hands. And Kalos has changed since the last time you've been here. You'll need a guide to help you through this. And as much as I hate to brag, I pretty much know the region inside out as the Kalos Queen.'' Serena boasted. A scowl appearing on her face. Just last night they made a promise not to leave any secrets for each other and that she would help him. Ash breaking it after one night wasn't going down with her.

This was a surprise for him. What happened to her? Wasn't she supposed to smile the entire time? And he really didn't want to argue with her but it was for her own good. At least he thought about it that way.

''But…'' Ash tried to give an explanation for travelling alone but Serena wouldn't have any of it. She loved him and would do anything for him. But a bit of tough love was necessary at this point.

''I'm not taking no for an answer. Now where are you going?'' Serena waited for his answer still looking angrily at him. This was a side he never saw before from her and he didn't like seeing Serena mad. Miette, Shauna, TJ and Jean were quiet during all this. Especially her female friends were quite stunned that Serena would lecture her crush like that.

Bonnie was just waiting patiently to help Serena out if Ash would speak up again. The whole idea of going with him in the first place was because she wanted to help Ash catch the thief as well. The young blonde gave a suggestion for their next course of action.

''Have you tried opening it that ball they tossed you?'' Ash explained that he tried last night but like the GS ball it gave no response. He tried to force it open, have Pikachu use Thunderbolt on it and trying to chip away at the crystal that decorated the top. But maybe it was made from the same material as the GS ball but just a different color.

''You do know there's a Pokeball factory here right? Maybe they can help you out.'' Bonnie knew if Clemont would notice her having a hidden motive instead of just going to Laverre City, the overprotective brother would come out again. Ash, Serena and her brother were doing dangerous activities at her age. She always felt left out because she was so small but now that she was a young teenager she was going to prove she was a grown up now.

''Whatever this thing is, it's not made in a Pokeball factory. You think a Pokeball this shiny would be locked away more secure. And they just gave it to me. Would you just give up an one of a kind Pokeball? They told me it's the answer to my problems, whatever that's supposed to mean. It just doesn't make any sense to me. Any idea where we should go first?'' If Serena knew as much about Kalos as she said she did, than the first suggestion would instantly be a success. He had faith in her that she wouldn't let him down. She never did.

''Back to one of Valerie shops.''

A shiver went up Ash's spine. It scared him more than any horror movie. Was she really taking him clothes shopping? He normally wore what his mom made for him for his journeys and that would suffice for him. He wasn't looking forward at being stuck in a clothing store for a few hours when he had more important things to do.

''What does having new clothes have to do with Pokeballs and bad guys? You're dressed great.''

Serena and Bonnie already grabbed his hands and was pulling him towards Valerie's workshop. Despite Ash's protests the two girls ignored him. But Serena was more distracted by his final comment. She was wearing nothing special in her eyes. Just a red top with some blue jeans with a light pink jacket with the sleeves hanging over her shoulders.

''Did he just say I looked great?''

*At Valerie's workshop*

''I still don't understand why you're getting clothes at a time like this.''

''It's not for us. We are going to get YOU new clothes. You can't run around chasing bad guys looking like that.'' Bonnie argued. Ash begged to differ. But the two girls were right.

The jacket and pants he wore were completely torn and were ready to be replaced. Ever since he came off the mountain he didn't had any new clothes to pull on. Ash put it away as a side thought but he knew she was right. Not that he would admit it. But still he had doubts. This was a shop for young girls. He saw dresses and all sorts of female clothing hanging on coat racks. Ash was not known with shops like this, but he got a pretty big hunch they don't have sports jackets or just ordinary jeans laying around.

''Why not? Its more comfortable than what I wore last night. And I doubt they will care what I wear.''

''But Serena cares how you look.'' Bonnie replied with a small smile. Ash didn't understood what she meant with that. Was she planning to dress up like him again in case he gets sick? Or did Bonnie mean something else with that?

Serena was already through the clothing racks trying to find something suitable for him. But she just couldn't help herself. She just loved fashion too much to not look for something herself. Not only that, her little experiment was about to start. She remembered the comment he made about her look last night and this morning.

''Still you look amazing. You really look like those princesses my mom used to read me stories about.''

''What does having new clothes have to do with Pokeballs and bad guys? You're dressed great.''

And those comments were, surprisingly flirty to her ears. Did Ash Ketchum finally develop an interest in the other gender? Was he now really aware of other people romantic expressions? Or maybe he was just nice towards her like he always is? It was egotistical to think like that considering he was here for the GS ball and this Team Union seem to be having business with them. Serena willed herself and decided to test her luck. Ash meant too much for her just to let go of him again like she did the last two times. Or at least let him know about her feelings somewhat.

But she couldn't wait too long. And even though he would say he would think about the job she would like to give him, she already had her suspicions he would say no. He liked travelling too much to stick to a schedule on where to appear. It went against his free spirited nature. He already had trouble sitting still when they travelled together but the fact he remained around one place when training gave her a slimmer of hope. But until then she would try to support Ash in every way she could so that he could accomplish his mission. She owed him at least that much after everything he did for her.

''I want him to try all of these just to see which one fits. But I doubt he has the patience to try all of them.'' Bonnie later joined her to try and find something for him as well. But the young girl was more focused on teasing her friend.

''How about you try them yourself first?'' Bonnie asked with a grin. Serena dressing up as Ash to battle in his place was a sight she would never forget. And she would make sure Serena wouldn't either.

''Bonnie!'' Serena now saw the torment Clemont had to go through whenever his younger sister tried to find a keeper for her older brother. Serena at first thought it was cute that your sibling is trying to take care of you, but in the long run she understood Clemont for being so embarrassed with her all the time.

''Just get whatever he would like. Why not something similar to what he has right now? Or what he did wear when we travelled with him? I'm sure he won't mind. He's not picky.''

''Clever girl.'' Serena thought. She returned all the clothing she had collected and went out to the back of the shop. If she couldn't find anything suitable for him then she would just make some herself.

While Ash was waiting for Serena to return Shauna and TJ walked in. A reluctant TJ was following her knowing exactly what was going to happen. The poor boy was under the impression that he was going with her just to carry her bags. But Shauna came to Ash to warn him.

''Hey guys. Why are you here? Where's Miette and Jean?'' Ash was still waiting for his female companions to return from their search. He decided to make small talk to them to pass the time.

''So how is Serena doing?'' Shauna ignored his question and looked at him worriedly. Something has been bothering her since last night.

Ash's thoughts wondered to last night. When he told his new friends about his time on Mount Silver, Serena reaction was completely different to that of Clemont and Bonnie's. They didn't bat an eyelid over the fact how dangerous he'd been living up there, while Serena nearly burst out in tears. And the fact that she promised him she would help him, even if he didn't want her help to keep her out of harm's way. But the girl had other ideas.

''Why?''

''I know your against the idea of Serena going on this adventure, but there's something I need to tell you. It's about one of those knights last night.'' Shauna told him that the one in the silver armor talked about destroying the idea of what a performer should be and that soon the Kalos Queen and all aspiring performers will be taught a lesson. What business do they have with Serena? She didn't even know what a GS ball was until last night.

''That's why I think that Serena should stay with you for the time being. After seeing you battle these last two days you're more than qualified to keep her safe. I know you're not here for her, but maybe staying with Serena for the time being can make them come to you instead. One of them clearly has it out for her. In the meantime I'm going to try and find out more about our mysterious visitor. Just see exactly who has it out for performers.''

''You want me to keep this a secret from Serena? But I promised her last night I would tell her if something is wrong. You've seen how she reacted this morning when I told her I would be travelling alone.''

Serena was finally done creating the outfit for Ash. When she came back she Ash was still thinking about what Shauna said to him. She decided to wrap up the conversation swiftly before Serena did return.

Eventually she followed Bonnie's advice and went for a blue jacket with a white stripe running across the zipper. Some blue jeans and red shoes made it a similar look to what he wore when he first went to Kalos. But for one small detail. Considering Greninja had agreed to join Ash again, she added a little shuriken on the back for decoration. Hoping that it will help them grow back together again.

''Are you ready yet?'' She just hoped she's gotten his measurements correctly.

''It's fine. Although the shirts a bit tight.'' Ash opened his jacket to show them.

''You're right. Wow look at those muscles. Can you train my brother one day? He needs to be in better shape if he wants to find a keeper.'' Bonnie was impressed with what she saw. You could see the muscles he's been developing from his training. The two girls stared at them with big eyes. Serena's stare was most the most intense. She's seen Ash sometimes in his swimming shorts, but never did she think he would grow this muscular.

''That's pretty neat. Right Serena?'' Bonnie complimented him while asking her best friend. Completely zoned out Serena was thinking how it would feel to run her hands on those abs. And to massage those shoulders of his. And…

''Hello?'' Bonnie waved her hand in front of Serena's face.

Ash found it weird that Serena was spacing out like that. He did notice ever since last night there were a few little quirks she had when it came to him. Her cheeks turned quite pink after he complimented her ballroom dress last night and how worried she was for him compared to the others. Maybe he'll figure it on this adventure.

''Well that do you think Pikachu?'' The small mouse pointed his small paw up and gave him somewhat of a thumbs up. Satisfied with his new clothes Ash was preparing to pay for them. Serena told him there was no need too because she made them herself. Thanking her for doing such a great job he complimented her by saying it was exactly what he would've picked himself.

And so the group started to make their way to Dendemille Town. But Ash didn't like it one bit about what Shauna asked off him. It started eating away at him. A feeling of guilt washed over him knowing he had to lie to Serena after he promised her there will be no more secrets.

''I really hope Shauna comes up with something quick. This whole lying thing really stinks.''

I'm actually a bit earlier with this one than normal.

And I promise the battles are going to pick up in the next few chapters.

See you in two weeks.