Chapter Twenty one: I need you to tell the truth

June 15th 2015
9:30pm
Lumiose City – Pokémon Center – Bedroom

As night approached them Ash lied quietly in his bed. A warm hand was resting on his torso as a woman with beautiful brown locks of hair slept peacefully by his side. Her warm breath crashing onto his chest as she sleepily snuggled closer to her man. Her eyes closed as she moaned before falling into silence once again.

Ash stared at her silently, even though it would be creepy for others but Ash couldn't help himself. It was so rare for them both to just stay still in one place without anything crazy or dangerous happening around them. Turning to his side while staying in the same spot Ash moved a little closer, something he rarely would do.

With their foreheads touching Ash lowered his guard and closed his eyes. It took him long enough to admit to himself he loved May for who she is and even with the admission on how they felt, their time together was short. Now she was back he wasn't going to let another moment pass him by.

But the glee in his chest was stopping him from falling asleep completely and knew May was starting to wake up slowly as he noticed her smile.

"You can stop the teasing now."

With one eye open, half lit, "Aw, but I like this cute side of you."

Smiling, "Well, don't get use to it as it won't happen often." Ash rolled onto his back. He took a sigh of relief.

Playfully, May jumped onto Ash, her chest pressed against his. "No, I want more of it. I need to see more moments of my man blushing because of my cuteness." May bragged in a cheeky manner.

With his face blushing at his girlfriend's attempt of flirting Ash looked left and right before admitting defeated.

"O-Ok, you win. I sometimes like hugs from you. Is that wrong?"

Embracing Ash, May placed her chin on Ash's chest and stared him down with puppy dog eyes. "Yes." She grinned. Proud that she had defeated the man in battle.

As soon May thought the night was hers she suddenly felt her body move to the left in a sudden rush. Closing her eyes to brace from the fall May opened them up seconds later to discover Ash was looking down at her with a grin of his own. Slowly moving closer until their lips was so close to touching.

He passed her lips and moved to her ears. "As a hunter I don't like to admit defeat that easily. I challenge you to a rematch." Moving back their eyes locked once again.

"And how is this rematch going to be settled?" May spoke in a cocky manner. She wasn't going to let her moment pass her by so easily.

Still showing off his grin of his own Ash leaned down forward and placed his lips onto May's in a quick manner before pulling away. May's face flustered within a second as she continued to lie down on the bed with an off guarded reaction on her face. Ash chuckled as it took a few seconds for May to realize what just happened.

"W-Wha-" The brunette blinked in confusion, stuttering she sat up, her forehead touching with Ash's. "I'm pretty sure Hunters don't do that."

"Well things changed ever since I ran over the place." The smile on Ash's' face couldn't be replaced so easily. Ash glanced at the door, "Wait, I think someone is here."

May turned her head around and looked at the door for a moment. Seeing no one was there, "Ash, no one is-"

As soon May turned around to face Ash again her lips crashed into Ash's once again. It took a few seconds before May noticed Ash took her for granted again. Instead of pulling back May leaned forward and kissed Ash harder, catching Ash off guard as he fell onto his back. May smiled as she was on top of Ash again and had gained her rightful place once more.

With her hands holding Ash down in place, "Once is enough Mr. Ketchum."

Still pinned down, Ash burst into laughter, "Alright, this night is yours. Just let me go."

May soon laughed afterwards and soon released her grip from Ash. As soon their laughing came to an end Ash looked up at May.

"Hey May?"

"Yeah?"

"After all of this, you want to travel together again? We can both chase after our dreams again."

"You think I can manage being on a stage after so long?"

Sitting up, "Well I can say the same for myself. But we'll manage I'm sure."

Looking outside her window May pondered for a moment as Ash watched in silence, waiting for her answer. Looking back, "Well it's not like we have anything else better to do."

Footsteps soon entered into the room followed by a nervous and awkward knock on the door. Peeking into the room was a certain blond man with huge glasses. His face was red after disturbing the young couple having a moment together.

"H-Hey there Ash." Clemont greeted nervously.

"Hey Clemont." Ash greeted in an upbeat manner. "Is something wrong?"

Looking at Ash's female companion he nodded. "It's just…Serena. She isn't in her room."

"Maybe she decided to take a walk about the city?" May suggested as she sat with her Glaceon by her side.

"Serena isn't from here. Even if she did she would at least take Bonnie with her but Bonnie has just been home here. She hasn't gone anywhere tonight." Clemont sighed.

Jewelz stood by the entrance of the door, her arms crossed and leaning against the frame of the door. Her eyes stuck on the trio discussing where Serena had gone so late in the night. Ash was quiet as Clemont's and May's voices filled up the room. Jewelz knew what he was thinking but decided to stay quiet and just stay where she was.

"M-Maybe it's my fault. Maybe she still can't accept it."

Clemont was puzzled, "How so?"

"Ever since we fought about her in the Expansion Suit and pretending to be May there was a disconnection between us. I had a gut feeling it was because she likes me. You know the more-than-friends type of like." Ash shifted his eyes away from his friends. "I-I'm sorry."

A warm hand was placed on his shoulder, causing Ash to turn towards that direction. He discovered it was May.

"Never blame yourself or anyone for falling in love. She didn't know and neither did you. I think it's best if we all go and try to find her."

Soon Bonnie rushed into the room with her Dedenne in her arms. Her tears were running down her face as panic was evident all over her face. Clemont stood up from the bed and rushed over to his sister.

"Bonnie, talk to me." Clemont spoke in a reassuring tone.

Wiping her tears away and gathering courage to speak. "It's the town. A huge fire has started and the news is blaming Serena!"

"What?!" Ash and May both spoke. "Serena can't start a fire like that. She only has one Pokémon and that's Fennekin. A Pokémon that size can't start a fire and there is no way…" Ash shook his head as he spoke, "…there is no way that would stand against her morals."

Clemont grabbed Bonnie's shoulders. "Are you sure what you saw was Serena? There can be plenty of people that can look like her and-"

"Just turn on the TV!" Bonnie shouted, her tears finally escaping. "Please…"

Seeing the girl distressed the three agreed and looked for the remote and soon turned the television on. Jewelz moved from her spot to join the others as Clemont flicked through the channels until they arrived at one that was just beginning its news broadcast. It first showed a café of Luminous city alight before showing another photo of a young lady that took a shocking resemblance to Serena. Her black top, her red skirt, her pink felt hat, and even her long light brown hair were swaying in the breeze. Her back was faced to the camera as other figures were seen in the distant but were too far away to recognize.

The news then showed other news stories at the room felt silent.

Clenching the sheets, tears were starting to build in Ash's eyes. He shook his head, "No, that's can't be."

"That outfit, that hairstyle. It's too much of a coincidence Ash." Jewelz spoke. "After all, she is the daughter of Lysandre."

Clemont and Bonnie looked up to the woman. Jewelz was then suddenly reminded that Clemont and his sister were the only ones that had not been informed about Serena's true family background.

"She isn't anything like that monster!" Ash blurted out. Determined to defend Serena to his last breathe. "That is like when people compare me and you to J. We are nothing like her and the same goes with Serena and Lysandre!"

"Ash?" Clemont interfered. "What are you guys on about?"

The hunter glanced at the two other hunters in the room. After receiving a nod from both parties Ash took in a big breathe and began the explanation."

"Clemont, Bonnie, you see there is something I-no we haven't told you. You see, we are Pokémon hunters. We use to steal Pokémon from other trainers and sell them to the black market. We were the top dogs in the business until we discovered mega stones and that if we stole these stones alongside Pokémon that could mega evolve from these stones we could get paid more. But Lysandre soon noticed our presences…"

Seeing her boyfriend was finding it hard to finish May continued on, "…he then started to plan the destruction of our company. He got a lot of people that we cared about involved like my brother and was then soon able to crash our ship, causing the death of our leader, Hunter J."

"And lately I saw Lysandre and Serena in High Sushi Roller, the most expensive restaurant in town having a discussion. They were talking about how Lysandre wanted Serena to do one last favor before she could quit as a Team Flare Member. Of course, Serena wasn't happy by this and left." Jewelz added on.

Ash looked at his friends and could see the horror in their eyes. He feared this and sighed. "I bet he asked Serena to kill the three of us so our company can fully die alongside us. He doesn't want anyone else in the market stealing his mega stones."

Silence poured over them before Clemont's voice was heard in the room.

"So that's why you didn't want to get close to us and explain everything to us. This is your dark past huh?"

Avoiding his gaze, Ash nodded.

"I see. I understand. So the story of you being kidnapped at the age of ten by Hunter J was true. You became a hunter as soon she took you away from your friends. You were in the Unova region back then right?"

Looking at his friend, "Yes, all of that is true."

Clemont's footsteps were heard in the room. Ash had looked away from friend once again before he saw his outfit in the corner of the room. He had his hand out to him.

"Well thank you for telling me, all of you."

Shocked, Ash just stared. "Y-You don't hate us? You don't find us disgusting? We stole Pokémon for years and made a living out of it. I'm a head leader of the company my late kidnapper left to me! I'm the reason that Serena is missing!"

With his hand still out to Ash, "From the short moment that I've know you Ash I know you're not the type of person you believe you are. I'm sure from all the times where you stole Pokémon, not a second went by where you wanted to return them and say sorry. And your hunter company? I'm sure your leading your men much more differently than this J person. Should I hate you because you were involved in things that you didn't have a choice in? No because you're not that bad Ash. You're not a bad person. You were just a victim of misfortunate events."

"You're not a bad person Ash." Bonnie added. "You could have stolen our Pokémon from the day we met. You could have stolen Korrina's mega stone but you didn't."

Looking at the hand Clemont was offering to him, Ash felt like a huge weight had lifted off his shoulders. He reached his hand to his friend and shook it.

He was accepted. He finally had more people to rely on. He wasn't spit out or stepped on like he feared. It wasn't like with Max back years ago where he stepped on his current life and job without considering who he use to be or the journey they once had together. Maybe that was where his fear came from when he unexpectedly added Clemont and Bonnie onto his list of friends.

He smiled as he thought to himself, "You'll be just fine Ash. You'll be just fine."

"Thank you. Thank you so much guys." Ash smiled as he tried not to break into tears. He accepted Clemont's handshake. "This really means a lot to me."

June 15th 2015
9:50pm
Somewhere in Lumiose City

"Isn't it beautiful? The world is finally changing and it's because you decided to help your old man out once again."

Her father's voice echoed in her mind, as she watched silently with empty eyes as the building in front of her slowly get engulfed by the flames she had made. She watched as the tower of fire grew in size as it swallowed the building in a matter of minutes as people and Pokémon ran out from all directions. Screams that followed were the victims of the flames intense desire to eat and grow whatever was near it.

The wind picked up and soar the fire to grow much faster as she watched with her father by her side. She had become an empty hollow; a husk. A person that felt nothing because if she ever did, she would never be able to face the sins she had done on this very night.

She might as well kill the being, that being that is herself, on the same night.

"Well, shall we move on?"

Serena looked up to her father, her expression bland and empty. "After this, you won't have anywhere else to go but home." Serena looked at her father whose expression was lost and confused by his daughter's suddenly words.

For a moment, Lysandre felt he was talking to an empty and hollow person. He suddenly want that daughter of his back, even if it was only the anger she had to him from High Sushi Roller. For that moment he was convinced he had killed his daughter from the inside and was left was nothing but an empty case of what use to be there.

"After this, the whole world will be our home." He placed his hand on her head softly.

Emotions were starting to return to the woman as tears started to run down her face slowly but she didn't seem to notice them herself.

"Then let's continue. Let's continue until we can go home."

June 15th 2015
10:00pm
Lumiose City – Pokémon Center – Bedroom

"Alright, here is the plan." Clemont laid out a floor plan of the city. Ash and May looked at the map astounded at the many little alleyways and paths the city had. They were glad to allow Clemont in helping them to create a plan to find Serena and save her from whatever hell she was in.

With a red marker the gym leader started to circle the buildings that had already been destroyed by Team Flare. "These are the places already on fire and with police and the fire department occupied. There is no way Serena or this Team Flare people to be there."

"So far they have been burning apartments or cafes. Since Luminous City doesn't close until late there are still people about there." Jewelz added on.

"Lysandre is a man that enjoys genocide as long it reaches his end goal of a new world with no sin and it can remind unharmed and beautiful." Ash added. His words sent shivers up everyone spines. It was an uneasy concept to accept. "And I'm afraid Serena might share the same concept as her dad."

"NO!" Bonnie screamed. "Serena isn't a murderer. Didn't you say that yourself?"

Caught off guard, Ash agreed. He did say he refused to accept Serena was as dark as her father.

"I still stand by my belief that Serena isn't like her dad. It's just I'm starting to get afraid that she could start to accept her father's twisted ideology. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe Serena is running back to us right now and asking help to stop her father."

"But we can't rest now. Not until we get answers from Serena." Clemont added. "I want to believe that she is still the Serena we all know and care for." Clemont circles the Luminous City Tower, the place where his gym laid and provided the most light in the city. "I'm afraid that it will be a matter of time before the head out way here." He pointed at the landmark on the map with the red marker.

"You really believe Serena is going to burn us alive in our own home?" Bonnie's voice sounded like it was about to break.

Clemont turned to his sister and with a comforting smile. "That's why we are going to wait for her and scout for her nearby. We are going to get her back."

With determine look on their faces Clemont knew everyone agreed with the plan. They would scout for Serena near the base of the tower and try to stop her before any harm would be caused to herself.

"Alright, let's go!" Ash cheered, hoping it would lift the spirits in the room a little.

Slowly one by one, everyone made their way out except Jewelz who stop both May and Ash by the door. Her expression dead serious and with a glare that could kill if it could.

"Jewelz?" Ash asked. "What's wrong?"

"Between the three of us we all know Serena and her group of merry men will be after one of us. They won't stop until our blood is on their hands. Since Ash and I have aura we can keep track of one another easy but May," The woman turned her attention to Ash's girlfriend. "If ever you find an opponent that is too much, come to one of us and we'll try to figure out a plan together."

"I see, you're still teaching me the ways of a hunter aren't you?"

A cocky smile crossed the woman's lips, "It's starting to become a habit. It's quite annoying actually."

June 15th 2015
10:20pm
Somewhere in Lumiose City

The sensation of intense heat flashed in front of her as another building she was in charge of set into flames. Her Fennekin in her arms watching in horror. The little yellow fox wanted to run away but her love and concern for her trainer outweighed her own needs. The little Pokémon had hope that her master's friends would come in and save them from the hell they were both stuck in.

Serena watched on as the blue sapphires in her eyes that once shined with glee and hope slowly dull into the shade of red as she watched on. It was only the voices of the grunts she was in charge of remind of that they had to keep moving before the police and journalists would catch any of them.

"Go on ahead, I have to check something first."

With her empty voice the grunts obeyed their leader's daughter and when there was no more sights of them she let her Fennekin out of her arms as the little fox stood by her feet, looking up to her trainer. Serena reached over to her pink felt hat and looked at it intensely. She remembered how she ended up getting the hat. She asked what hat would look cuter on her; her mother picked the red one but ended up picking the pink hat on her hands believing that what mother thought was cute was the opposite.

"I'm sorry Mom." Serena flicked the pink felt hat into the flames in front of her. The hat burnt up into ashes in seconds. Reaching into her pink bag Serena pulled out a device similar to the other admins. It was a strange device with a bright pink light emitting from it. Slowly putting on the device over her eyes it soon locked into place, blinding everyone from the empty eyes that portrayed the husk of her being.

"Let's go Fennekin."

Serena looked down at her Pokémon and saw the utter fear she had in her eyes. With a smile she held her hand out to her Pokémon, "It's just a silly device. I'm still the same person in the inside."

Fennekin shook her head, refusing to believe Serena's words as she barked at her trainer and quickly fled from her. Serena still in shock withdrew her hand back and looked the other way.

"She'll come back, probably with the others too." Serena sighed as she looked at her outfit, dusting her red skirt. "I better fit the part then. I don't want to disappoint them."

June 15th 2015
11:00pm
Somewhere in Lumiose City

Watching from the skies with his Salamance and Charizard by his side they could only watch in horror as what use to be the most beautiful city in the world was turning into ashes as hot spots and fire all over the place. Ash could sense the horror from people and Pokémon alike and sensing Serena from the chaos was going to be hard.

Ash swooped down as low as he could before the heat of the flames pushed him and his Pokémon to fly higher. The horror sunk into him once again as she flew past dead bodies of both creature and people as the street ran red with blood. Children hid behind buildings that haven't collapsed yet as Pokémon fought off the fire that tried to take their homes away. Some mourned while other just accepted their fate.

Ash held onto Salamence tighter and the Pokémon noticed his trainer's fear. The Pokémon sighed and kept on flying above the heat of the fire.

In one of the streets Ash felt a certain aura as he glanced down onto the streets. Unexpectedly it was the little yellow fox that Serena treasured so much, Fennekin. The little fox panicked as she ran from street to street to avoid the horror it was witnessing right in front of her own eyes. Without holding back the young hunter jumped down from his Pokémon and jumped onto a nearby building, jumping onto each roof like a staircase, using his aura to slow down his fall and reduce the impact of each jump.

Soon Ash made his way to the ground and saw the little fox being ganged up by other different type of Pokémon, thinking it was the fire types (or any fire types) fault of the destruction they were all stuck in.

"Fennekin!" Ash called the fox's name and without hesitation the little fire type ran past the Pokémon and into his arms. With a smile Ash held the fire type in his arms before seeing the Pokémon were now ganging up on him instead. He could hear their growls and spite and attacks were lashed out at them before feeling the sudden wind pick up right past him. It took him a moment to see Charizard has swooped in to save him as Salamence flapped his wings to redirect the attack to an already destroyed building before joining up with his trainer.

Still in the arms of Charizard Ash looked down at the frightened Pokémon. She was shaking and shivering in utter and total fear.

Charizard landed them all onto an unharmed building's rooftop. It was slightly far away from most of the fire as it was much darker than most part of the city.

"It's okay now Fennekin. You're here with me now."

The little fox finally open her eyes to see Ash was still there and he saving her was not a dream. The little fox suddenly broke into tears as Ash feared for the worse.

"Has she changed that much?"

All Fennekin could do was nod as tears continue to run down her face.

Hugging the Pokémon back, "Don't worry I'm scared too. But don't lose faith; we'll get your trainer back."

Suddenly Ash's ears rang with the sound of the air cutting as turned around to see a pink crescent move shape attack heading straight for him, ready to slice him and Fennekin into two. With fear running through him he had little time to move until his Pokémon around him swooped down and picked him up, making the attack miss.

Once again it was Charizard that had saved him and the little Fennekin in his arms to be sliced up into two as they watched from above to see who had tried to kill him. As the smoke subsided they all focused on a single figure of a woman, dressed in mainly orange and black with a strange eyepiece locked onto her face. The light that was emitting from the machine was bright pink.

Fennekin shuddered in the arms of Ash and that gave a good enough warning to him to know that the person that had tried to kill him was no other but Serena. Her long hair gone was replaced with a short cut, her brown hair dyed black with a strange Pokémon by her side.

Like a gun it released rounds of what Ash recognized as Pyscho Cut. The Pokémon was spamming it left and right as Charizard dodged the attacks as Salamance released a powerful hyper beam at the source. This caused the pair to stop their attacks and move back to dodge the powerful beam for the moment.

Still in the arms of his Pokémon all Ash could do was staring and blame himself. Was it his fault that caused Serena to turn her back on all of them and return back to her father's side? Should he blame J for her kidnapping him and Jewelz so many years ago? He was so lost. He needed answers from her but worried if she would ever let him now her reasons behind the motive to kill him and possible Jewelz and May.

"Tell me why!" He screamed. "Tell me Serena!"

Her expression silent she waved her arm at him and pointed her Pokémon to released move Psycho Cut attacks at him. Ash noticed that there were much more being released at them and made dodging more difficult. Ash closed his eyes as he prayed that Serena would forgive for fighting back.

Reaching for his key stone he touched his key stone. "Mega evolve, Charizard!"

Bright light engulfed them as streaks of yellow and blue lights connected from his key stone to the Charizardite had on him. Seconds later Ash opened his eyes and saw his Pokémon had changed shape as he felt a sudden heat wave pouring over him. The bright light removed the shadows to wear Serena was standing to show that beside her was an army of Absol, before long the army of Absols fading.

"She must have told her Absol to use double team."

"Again."

Another round of Pyscho Cuts headed his way. Having enough Ash leaned forward with Fennekin in his arms. The hunter slipped out of the grasp of his Charizard and was falling straight to the attack.

Looking determined to stop Serena at her games Ash took in a big breathe. This all happened because he was so happen to be bless by aura which caused J to chase after him years later in Unova and be kidnapped. He was then raised by her with another strange girl blessed with the same aura. They were trained to become elite Pokémon hunters working under her name.

Years later he was told to kidnap Pokémon from May that was celebrating her win from another Grand Festival. They meet again which causes May to chase after him even with Max despising the decision. Just when they were ready to give up J catches May and forces him to train her to be a hunter like him. They grew closer until they fell for each other until Team Flare found them, killing J and some of the grunts aboard their flying ship.

And now here he was, years later escaped to Kalos to escape his path of either running the company J had left for him and Jewelz or return to his dream of becoming Pokémon master. He ran into a gym leader Korrina in which he helped himself and her Lucario to master mega evolution and where he started to let everyone around him know who he really was. When his mind was set, Team Flare had finally caught up to him and one of his friends ended up the daughter of the man that killed J.

He was finished running and letting anyone else suffer because he couldn't make up his damn mind up.

Taking in a deep breath he swayed his arm forward. His eyes going bright neon blue after so long bright aura surrounded him. The blue aura released from his fingertips and quickly expanded into a huge shield. His hand outspread he kept it up and with one eye closed he kept himself afloat until the wave of Pyscho Cuts ended. Knowing he was in the clear the aura faded from him as he started to fall until his Salamence came in and made Ash land onto his back.

"Ouch." Ash held out his shoulder as Fennekin mad her way out of Ash's arms. "Damn it, I hate using my aura like that."

"How…" Serena's voice was heard after so long. "How could you pull off aura like that? The reports said that you and your sister use aura to improve your eyesight, hearing and jumping capabilities!"

"Well if you focus enough you can turn aura into a projectile but that can take too much out of me." Still holding onto his shoulder. "But I'll use whatever it takes to save you from that stupid ideology your dad has gotten you into!"

"I'm just doing this to get him back from the world that took my dad away from me and my mother. I thought you would understand as you too, grew up without a father. If you ever met him wouldn't you do everything to bring him back home?"

Ash watched on quietly. True, he never met his father and there were times he wished he knew a little about himself. Even still, he couldn't let his life center around his missing father. If he was ever to meet him then he would let destiny decide that.

"But that doesn't mean my life has to focus on him! I have my own life and so do you Serena!" Standing on the back of his Salamence, "And if you like it or not, I'm going to get you out of the hell you're in and show that to you."

Her body shook at his words before pulling herself once again. "My life can only resume again if I just get rid of you and the others. Then my dad can come home and mom can be happy again…" Tears fell past her mask. "So why…did it have to come to this."

Ash looked down at Serena with pity and sadness. "Yes…why indeed." Taking in a breath he held his keystone and looked at his mega Charizard. Holding the stone tightly,

"Heatwave Charizard, let's go."

A/N: I'M SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING THIS IN LIKE 3 MONTHS. I HAD A WRITERS BLOCK AND WAS SUPER CLOSE TO PUT THIS ON HIATUS BUT I DECIDED NOT TO BECAUSE THIS STORY HAS BEEN GOING FOR YEARS I CAN'T QUIT NOW.

Now I had a ending in plan and this story will finish this year for sure. I really am enjoying writing this story as its my longest yet. I don't plan to beat the record for any other story in the future.

Anyway please leave your thoughts on the story and I'll do my best to reply. Thanks for reading once again!

~midnight