Chapter 11: The Night before...

As they got ready for their last night in Luminose, Serena made her move. "Hey Ash, I'm going for a walk. Would you like to join me?" She asked as casually as possible. Ash didn't seem to mind, "Yeah sure." He said. Bonnie jumped out of the bathroom, "Oh! Can I go too!" She asked. "No Bonnie, you still need to pack up. We've got an early morning tomorrow." Clemont said. Serena had told Clemont her plan to find out what was wrong with Ash, so Clemont played along. Bonnie was noticeably frustrated, but obeyed her brother's wishes. They were going to leave at sunrise, and walk the whole day to Victory Road.

Ash looked for Pikachu as he was about to leave, but Pikachu was already on one of the pillows on his bed. Pikachu had a hard day training so Ash left him be and he left alone with Serena.

They exited the Pokemon Center and walked along Luminose streets as they were lit up in a yellow glow by dozens of street lamps. They walked for a bit without saying a word until Ash broke the silence. "Where we going Serena?" He asked.

"Oh somewhere I thought was really beautiful to see at night." She replied. Ash was wondering why she had asked him for this walk. While he was dense, he at least knew she wanted to talk about something. He guessed it was alright, they hadn't really had time to talk this past week since they got over their misunderstanding and they would talk when they reached their destination.

Serena turned a corner, and started walking down a side street, with Ash following next to her. Ash had been around the city many times, but he had no idea where they were now. "Almost there" Serena said as they came to another corner. When they turned, Ash could see a small grassy courtyard with a fountain in the middle. Serena grabbed Ash's hand and led him to the other side of the courtyard. She led him to a bench and sat down. "Quite a view isn't it?" She asked.

Ash didn't know what she was talking about, sure the courtyard was beautiful and simple but was that it? Serena pulled Ash's arm, making him sit next to her on the bench. It was then he saw the view she was talking about. Behind him when he was standing up was Prism Tower, lit up in all it's glory against the night sky. Ash let out an audible "Wow" as he looked on.

They sat there for some time, admiring the view. The only sound was the fountain behind them, and the occasionly distance chatter from people on the main street. Ash took a deep breath, "Ah...thank you Serena. This was a good place to clear my mind after this week of training." And then Serena did something that made his heart skip a beat. She had scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Uh...Serena?" He asked, his voice almost trembling. "What's wrong Ash?" She asked. "Nothing, you just took me by surpise that's all." He said, trying to keep calm.

Serena giggled, "No, not that Ash. I mean about this last week. I've been watching you and something is troubling you." Ash shook his head, trying to deny it. "It's just me trying to think up any other strategy I could use at the Pokemon League." He said, but Serena shook her head.

"Ash Ketchum...I know you. You've always helped other people, even complete strangers. You have been willing to sacrifice yourself to save Pokemon, to the point of recklessness. You've never backed down from a challenge, not just that, you've always gone after those challenges with a smile and determined eyes." Serena said, Ash started to blush from the complements.

"But most of all...You've helped me become who I am today. You helped me, a clumsy little town girl, turn into a Pokemon trainer. You helped me realize my dream of being a Pokemon Performer. You've saved me around a dozen or more times. Protected me from harm..." Serena trailed off. Ash didn't say anything so Serena took a deep breath.

"What I'm trying to say is...You've always been there for me, and...I can tell something is on your mind, and so...I don't know. How can I help?" She finished.

Ash was taken aback from Serena's concern. He didn't know what to say. His face was red, but little did he know that Serena's face was more red than his.

He isn't saying anything...Short of confessing my true feelings for him I've laid everything out for him. Did I go too far?

Thankfully Ash responded before Serena could get any more anxious. He put his head on her's just like they did in the hotel room. "You're already doing it" He said softly.

It was Serena's turn to be surpised at Ash's answer.

I am? Just being here with him...? Maybe his distraction was that he wasn't spending enough time with me. Does he really like me like that? Should I...tell him the truth? My true feelings for him? Will that be too far? No...this is the best time as any. I'm going to tell him, right here right now!

"There you are Serena!" Both Ash and Serena jumped up from the sudden voice coming from behind them. They both looked at the person running over to them from across the courtyard. "Aria?!" They both said in astonishment.

Sure enough, Aria walked up and gave both of them a hug. "I'm glad I finally caught you!" She said to Serena. Serena just looked at Aria with a confused look, "What do you mean? How did you find us?"

Aria laughed, "Oh, I knocked on your door at the Pokemon Center, and your friend Clemont told me" Ash this time looked at Aria with a confused look, "How did Clemont know where we would be?" He asked, though his question was more directed toward Serena. Serena had told Clemont her plan, but didn't want Ash to know, but now with the Meowth out of the bag, she confessed. "You see Ash, I told Clemont of what I saw with you, and told him that I wanted to talk with you alone. He told me about this great relaxing place" She said.

Aria giggled, making both Ash and Serena look back at her, "What?" They said in unison. "Oh nothing, but uh, Ash? I hope I wasn't interupting anything, but could I talk with Serena?"

Are you kidding me Aria?! I was so close to confessing my feelings to Ash!

"Uh, ok. What's so important?" Ash asked. Aria looked down, a bit ashamed. "You see, I have to leave tonight for the Sinnoh region for a tour. And I know that you two will be leaving tomorrow to the Pokemon League. It'll be some time until we would see each other again." She said. Serena instantly forgave Aria for her intrusion. "It's ok Ash, it'll just be a minute." Serena said.

The two girls walked over to the other side of the courtyard out of earshot of Ash who was still watching them.

Serena is so kind. She gives me too much credit. She's been looking after me, after all of us during our journey. While I may have saved her once or twice, she has done the same for me. But what she said...Is there any doubt that she likes me more than just a friend?

Remember...Serena was willing to go all the way to become Kalos Queen. To leave you all behind.

Ash didn't know where that thought came from. He shook it away, but it still lingered in the back of his mind.

"You didn't think I was going to let you get away without answering my question were you? Aria asked Serena as they reached the other side of the courtyard. "Huh? What ques...!" Serena started to say but instantly turned red as she remembered.

Do I love him?

Aria giggled, "Well? Do you? From what I saw, it seems you two are really good friends" She said with a wink. Serena tried to say something in her defense, but she was too flustered. She stuttered, trying to say something but then eventually gave up and sighed. "Ok Aria, you win. I do..."

As she said it, it felt like a great burden was lifted from her. Though Bonnie, Miette, and probably even Clemont knew, it was something else to actually confess it to someone. "I knew it!" Aria shouted. Ash had turned toward them from Aria's sudden outburst.

"Oops, sorry." Aria said with a laugh.

"Aria!" Serena said with a whispered shout. Aria once again apologized with a giggle.

"Is that all you wanted to know, Aria?" Serena asked once they both had calmed down. "Well not completely," Aria said. "After Ash takes on the Pokemon League, what are you going to do? Are you going to continue to perform here in Kalos?" Aria asked.

Serena looked down, unsure of her answer. In truth, Serena didn't want to think about what would happen when their journey in Kalos would come to an end. "I don't know..."

Aria put a hand on Serena's shoulder, making Serena look up. "Well if you really do love him. Then your answer will be simple. If you ever need help in deciding, just follow your heart." Serena hugged Aria. "Thank you Aria, you're a good friend." She said as they pulled away.

Aria's phone rang, and she answered it. "Oh hello, what? I just went out for a walk. Yes I'll be there in time." Aria said. As she hung up, she called over Ash.

Ash walked up and Aria gave him another hug. "I have to go now. The plane won't wait, not even for a Kalos Queen." She said, as she gave Serena a hug. "You take care of Serena, alright Ash" She said as she winked at Serena. Ash laughed, while scratching the back of his head. "Aria!" Serena said as Aria started to run off. "Bye..." Serena said to herself.

"It's getting late Serena, we should head back if we want a good night sleep." Ash said after a minute. Serena didn't want to. She hadn't told Ash what she wanted, but knew that her chance had passed, so she agreed. They walked the rest of the way in silence, but Serena could of swore that Ash was now walking closer to her than when they left the Pokemon Center.

As they quietly opened their door to their room. Clemont and Bonnie were already asleep in their beds. Ash and Serena shared a silent giggle, then went to their own beds. "Goodnight Ash" Serena whispered across the room as they both got into bed.

"Goodnight Serena"

Narrator note: So close, yet so far. But now Ash and company must travel to Victory Road for the opening ceremony. With the Pokemon League so close, will Serena have another chance to confess her feelings? Ash is concentrated on winning the Kalos League, but there is something that continues to distract him. He now goes to Victory Road to meet someone who could help him.