Hello again, TheEnigmatic97 here. Well, there's nothing interesting coming my way. In terms of this story, it already broke the 5k+ view barrier as of this update, so I'd like to thank everyone who have made their time reading this experiment of mine.

Now about this chapter: The group prepares for a jam-packed afternoon, with a meet and greet with some fans and a press conference after. During this time, they are doing things in their usual routine, but are kinda rushed so that they won't be tired for later. A visitor will come, and...

So without further ado,

'Phone Call and Small Talk'

The couple woke up again in Lumiose City after a few long months worth of travel. This city became witness to a lot of things that happened to the group in general. First was the infamous 'Garchomp Incident,' which has made the raven-haired trainer known throughout the city. Next was that the city was the location where Serena got her first Pokémon, Fennekin, now a Delphox. Another was that Clemont regained the control over the Lumiose City Gym from a robot he made that went haywire afterwards. The gym was also the location of the gym battle that was a show of prowess from a great Trainer and a great Gym Leader. And coming in a few days time, Serena's Master Class showcase will happen.

-Professor Sycamore's Laboratory, Ash and Serena's Room, 07:02-

Ash woke up unusually early this morning. Unusual, because the group was used to this habit of his where he wakes up late. He would often sleep late since he would think about things that happened in his battles, sometimes, he tries to outline his strategies, which often end up unused, or changed mid-battle. This time though, he started to sleep early, not because he had to do errands early the next day, but because he had a good reason to do so. The reason is the one sleeping next to him. Ash tried to stand up from the bed, only to discover that her arms are wrapped around him, and any slight movement will wake her up from her tranquil state. When Serena woke up, she greeted

"Good morning, Ash. Slept well?"

"Good morning. Only when you're beside me." He replied "Well, aren't we going to stand up to prepare?"

"Right, today's gonna be a busy day." She said "Let's get changed and cook breakfast."

The two then changed to their usual attire. The only difference is that the two did not wear their headgear. Once they went out, Ash's Pikachu immediately hopped onto his trainer's shoulder, afterwards Ash petted it on his head which he liked a lot

"Good morning, Pikachu." The couple greeted

"Pikapika" (Good morning) Pikachu replied

-Professor Sycamore's Laboratory, Dining Area, 07:43-

When the couple reached the dining area, they smelled some great aroma coming from the kitchen.

"Good morning, Clemont and Bonnie." Ash greeted while he brought two mugs of hot chocolate with him. "We were supposed to do the kitchen work, but I guess you got here early."

"Good morning too, Ash." The siblings greeted the raven-haired trainer, while bringing a set of plates, and the food they cooked a few minutes earlier. "Well, we told dad that me and Bonnie would have our breakfast here especially that today's gonna be a busy day, so we better move fast." Clemont commented.

"What time did you two arrive?" Serena asked

"About seven in the morning" Bonnie replied "We immediately went here to the kitchen, knowing that you two lovebirds may still be asleep."

"Where is the professor? Did they eat already?" Ash wondered where Professor Sycamore and his assistants are

"They are in the enclosure with all of the Pokémon, and they had their breakfast already." Clemont replied "He said that we could do our usual routine since Aria and the press wouldn't arrive until after lunch."

After breakfast, the group went to do their usual routines. Bonnie went to the enclosure to play with the Pokémon, Clemont stayed at a work table tinkering with pieces of metal and wiring, probably for another invention of his. Serena went on to practice the routine for their performance coming in a few days, and her boyfriend suspended his training and was searching for a video phone.

"Ash, who are you calling?" Serena asked the raven-haired trainer

"I'm telling her." Ash replied

"Telling wh-" Serena immediately picking up what Ash meant "Well, let me come with you at least."

"It'll be short, Serena." Ash replied "Just stay here, I'll be back immediately."

"You know, it would be better if she would see us together." Serena insisted

Ash let out a sigh before saying "Alright, come with me."

Ash held out his hand in front of her allowing her to stand up and approach the video phone. When they reached the phone, Ash let his boyfriend sit first as he dialed the number

"...018" Ash thought while dialing "There we go."

When the call connected, as expected, Ash's mother appeared on screen

"Hello there, Ash and Serena!" Delia greeted the two.

"Hi, Mom."

"Hi, Mrs. Ketchum."

"So Ash, why did you call after such short notice?" She asked. Ash wouldn't often call his mother whenever he's on his travels. The only time he would call would be the times wherein some notable event happened, such as a few days ago, when Ash won the league conference.

"Umm...Actually,...how do I start this?" Ash thought nervously. Serena felt the nervousness in him, and grabbed his hand for assurance. Ash did not expect this causing his cheeks to take an extremely light shade of red, which was still noticed by his mother causing her to be excited internally.

"Do you remember the last time I called?" Ash replied to his mother's question

"Well, yes." Delia affirmed while keeping her excitement in her "What about it?"

"You see two people in front of you right?" Ash asked

"Yes"

"And those two people are a boy and a girl, right?"

"Yes"

"And that boy and girl duo are THAT close to each other, right?"

'Yes"

"Mom, I know that you get it already."

"Not until you say it."

"Uhhhh... okay." Ash sighed before he tightened his grip of Serena's hand and showed it on screen and have that signature toothy grin of his.

A loud, high-pitched scream then was heard all over the laboratory causing all of the people and Pokémon inside to be shocked. Outside, the flying type Pokémon resting on the roof of the laboratory flew away immediately.

"Pika?"

"What was that?"

"Ches?"

"Man, that was shocking."

"You said it"

"Gre~?" "~phox?"

"-nene..."

"MOM!" Ash said over the phone "I know how much you are happy right now, but let me get this straight. Don't tell this to anyone until later."

"Ash, what do you mean la-" Serena wondered "Ohhhhhh... that's nice."

"We are going to tell it to the world later." Ash said "And no one is going to spoil it before us."

"Okay, okay." Delia replied "Well, congratulations to the both of you."

"Thanks, mom." Ash replied

"Thank you too, Mrs. Ketchum." Serena said

"Serena, you would not believe what Ash told me about you back then." Delia said "If you only know how cra-"

"MOM" Ash, who became red in embarrassment upon knowing where she was going to, interrupted his mother "Not in front of her."

Serena giggled at Ash's sudden defensiveness, especially knowing that he would often open up to his mother.

"Okay, okay. Take care in all of your activities." Delia said "and I hope you two will be happy with each other. I know you will"

"Thanks, mom, bye." Ash said before disconnecting the call "Now that's over."

"I really find that behavior of yours kinda funny." Serena teased

Upon knowing that they were alone in the area where they were staying, the couple smiled at each other and let their faces to keep on getting closer, and closer, and clos-

"BOOOOOM!"

"Now that's even funnier." Ash said sarcastically

-Professor Sycamore's Laboratory, 2nd Floor, 12:42-

When the group finished their lunch, they started to prepare for their bag activities coming in a few hours. They went into their rooms to change clothing to make themselves presentable to the general public. Aria arrived minutes after and was received by none other than her opponent, Serena.

"Still wearing that smile I told you to keep, huh?" Aria said

"Of course." Serena replied "Your advice back then helped me a lot."

"Glad to help." Aria said "By the way, where are the others? Shouldn't they be out by now?"

"Well, the siblings are still changing, I guess." Serena replied "Especially after that explosion that happened here a few hours ago."

"Let me guess..." Aria said "Clemont made something again."

"Well, pretty much." Serena confirmed

"Hello there, Aria" Ash greeted while going out of their room

"Hi, there Conference Champ." Aria greeted "Congratulations"

"Thanks" Ash replied while approaching them "I'm kinda not used on being called that way"

"Sounds true." Aria said while noticing something "Serena, did Ash just went out of your room?"

"Kinda" Serena replied while her cheeks were glowing causing her opponent to smile

"I'd never thought that you two share the same room." Aria said

"Well, we did share a room as a group often, there's really nothing wrong with that." Ash replied before grabbing Serena's hand "Besides, it is just me and Serena, the siblings stay at their home near the gym."

"Hmmm... But to think that..." Aria was still fixing the puzzle, until she saw the hands "No way. You two..."

The couple just looked at each other, smiled, looked back at the Kalos Queen and nodded

"I knew it." Aria said "I knew that from the first time I saw you two together, you two have that chemistry."

"Almost every single person we told kinda predicted such." Ash said "Nothing surprising from your reaction"

"But still, isn't this what Serena wanted for a long time?" Aria asked

"Aria... not in front of him" Serena whispered while Ash was just smiling at her, cheeks taking a light shade

"No wonder that smile of yours was THAT bright" Aria commented "Same as yours, Ash"

"Well, she's enough for my happiness." Ash replied

"So, you won't challenge the Elite Four, since your happy with me?" Serena asked with a teasing tone

"It's a different happiness." Ash said while holding his hands in the air "I can't explain it."

While the trio were talking, the door of the other room opened and the lemon-blonde siblings went out.

"About time you came out." Serena said

"Getting the soot off took a long time" Clemont said

"Hi there, Aria" Bonnie greeted

"Oh, hello Bonnie." Aria replied "Still looking adorable as always."

"Thank you." Bonnie said "By the way, what are you wearing at the showcase?"

"Yeah, Aria, who designed you attire?" Serena asked before they started walking towards the lobby

"Women." Ash whispered to the inventor

"You said it." Clemont replied "I'm pretty sure that she will be shocked when she knows that you designed your girlfriend's dress."

"Never mind that." Ash said trying to change the topic "Is Bonnie going to be in the press conference?"

"Well, she's going to be at the meet and greet later," Clemont replied "but she said that she will stay at the enclosure with the professor during the press conference."

"Bonnie's so lucky that she will learn more from an expert." Ash said

"Didn't Professor Oak tell you anything?" Clemont asked

"Well, I only learned most of the basics, but I pretty much slept on the theoretical aspects." Ash replied

"No wonder" Clemont said "but I guess you adjusted your style and became a battle genius by experience."

"Well, if you only knew what happened in my gym battle at Cinnabar." Ash said "If I'm not mistaken, I commanded Pikachu to aim for the horn of the Gym Leader's Rhydon." (A/N: Episode Reference: EP058, Exact quote: "Pikachu, the horn!")

"I remember that, it kinda became famous around the internet for some reason." Clemont said

"Pika." (Memes.) Pikachu said

"But looking at your recent battles, you were at your best." Clemont said

"Well, I guess I was just that lucky that there was no trainer with an All-Legendary Pokémon team." Ash said

"You battled one before?" Clemont asked

"His name is Tobias, and we only managed to defeat two of his Pokémon, Darkrai, which wiped out my Heracross, Torkoal, and Gible, but fell to my Sceptile" Ash replied "then he had a Latios, which defeated my Sceptile and Swellow, and tied with Pikachu."

"Pika...pikachu." (Hard... really hard.) Pikachu commented

"That's why I lost in the Lily of the Valley Conference Semifinals in Sinnoh." Ash continued "It was the closest I've ever been before winning here. By the way, Tobias won that conference afterwards."

"But still, you managed to defeat two Legendary Pokémon." Clemont commented "It's quite an achievement."

"You could say that." Ash said

"Guys, look at the lobby" Serena said causing the group to look at the ground floor

"Wow, so many people and cameras" Bonnie said

"This afternoon's gonna be a long one." Ash commented

"I'm excited at what they would say after revealing your relationship." Aria said "I just hope that inspiration of yours would help you this Saturday. I won't go easy on you."

"I'm not dreaming about it." Serena replied "Let's just do our best."

"That's the spirit." Ash said

"Let's go to the backstage?" Clemont said

"Okay."

Well, that's for this chapter. When I wrote the original manuscript for this chapter, it is quite short, only consuming about 2 pages on my 8-inch notebook. To remedy this, I made some additional research to add on this chapter and you saw the fruit of it here.

Now to answer some reviews:

[reviewer] Minios0903: "It's longer than the last time, but why do I feel that it's...still short XD?

And if you want, I suggest that the last round for the master class will be a "dancing with someone" where Serena must choose a person to dance with and of course she will dance with idea had been used but still haven't reached the level of overused soooo...yeah!

Can't wait for the date chapter XD."

[reply] Regarding the length of what I write, let's just say that it is my weakness, especially when laziness hits me hard. About the showcase, I got other things planned for that chapter, but I hope you would like what I have planned for that one. Yes, they would dance, but after the showcase. Regarding the date chapter, I still have to write it, and I would really like to have some advice for that one.

[reviewer] ultimateCCC: "Pikachu's Trainer has density issues? This coming from an Electric-Type who can't Pokéballs up to asking Buneary out?"

[reply] Everytime I read that review of yours makes me laugh. Well, I didn't know why I typed in "Density Issues" the previous chapter, and it just came out. I'll try to do my research on LagomorphShipping, if I got it correct, but don't expect anything from me regarding that one since I haven't watched the DP saga.

[reviewer] Oni warrior: "Nice chapter, liked it, waiting for "date" chapter"

[reply] I'm happy that you liked the outcome of the previous chapter. Hopefully, I'll be reaching that chapter as soon as possible.

About the next chapter: Two words: Press Conference

So there we go, TheEnigmatic97 here, peace!