GS ball Unlocked

Chapter 26, Restaurant meetings

Ash spend the entire day away training at the gym while Serena wanted him to go outside and see a bit more of the city he once fought so hard to protect. Despite Ash being incredibly strong she was still worried about how he reacted to Team Rocket. She wanted him to see he's been fighting for something and not see his current objective as some sort of trial he has to overcome on his own.

Maybe the prospect of food was enough to temporarily knock him out of his training regime. Even with all the power he now had, Ash was completely focused on getting Greninja up to speed. Almost ignoring everyone but his Pokémon it was almost time for dinner.

Clemont was already fixing up dinner for everyone but Serena wanted Ash to see a bit more of the city at night. She already explained to the Lumiose siblings that she wanted to take Ash out for the night after such a long day.

Bonnie snickered at her suggestion and might've known about her real motives but she wanted to take care of Ash's Pokémon after such a long workout. Greninja's progress was remarkable seeing that Ash's Sceptile always put him on to come at him. And with Lycanroc's own desire to grow stronger, all of his Pokémon could train themselves.

Clement was a bit more reasonable. Ever since Ash had gotten back here he was jumping from one place to another with the GS ball in mind. Serena didn't have any private time with him in which they could just sit down and talk in peace alone. Maybe this dinner she was talking about would help her in that regard.

''There's this restaurant I've been wanting to try out. Maybe we can grab a bite.''

''What's wrong eating with Clemont and Bonnie?''

''I just want you to see the city at night. Lumiose changes a lot when Prism Tower is lit and it's a sight I haven't been able to enjoy too much after becoming Kalos Queen.''

Ash was at first reluctant to leave all his Pokémon behind like that. Bonnie argued that they all would be safe and that the two should just enjoy their ''dinner'.

''What if one of those knights showed up?''

''In the middle of Lumiose City? No way they're going to be that out in the open. If there's something going on then the police would be there in an instant.''

So the two made their way to the place Serena had in mind. She'd been waiting for an opportunity like this. Sadly it was not to be a private night between her and Ash she wanted it to be.

''Miette? What are you doing here?'' Out of all the sights Serena was talking about, Miette in a waitress outfit wasn't one he was expecting at all. The city does change a lot at night.

''Part time as a waitress. So any luck with getting what you came for?''

''Sort of. I managed to beat one of them. Too bad he got away from me. At least I know I can take him on.''

''Are you sure your okay with letting him go like that?'' Miette knew why Ash was here. All the dangerous things she heard about in the Hotel was all over the news and she knew her friends were somehow involved.

''There wasn't much I could do. Either that or the hotel we were staying at would've been destroyed. And they outnumbered us by a lot. Next time they won't get away though. We'll just have to keep on going, till we find one of them again.''

''I know she wanted you to meet Palermo. How did it go?'' The mood around the table dropped significantly. Ash was here to have some good food. Talking about the producer would only leave a bad taste in his mouth.

''The lesser said the better.''

He answered. He didn't wanted to show his distrust towards the producer because Serena might suspect something. It would be a long day if he had to explain his actions. The blue haired baker looked over to Serena and she didn't even came to the defense of her mentor.

''Poor girl.''

Miette knew exactly how much the producer meant to her rival. Seeing that two people she loved, didn't go along wasn't reassuring to hear. As a performer rival she grew jealous over the fact that Serena was offered to train under a former Kalos Queen. But in the end her love for baking was bigger than the joy of performing.

And seeing it was during baking she met Jean, she grew to love it even more.

''So where's Jean? I thought he would be with you.'' Serena asked her.

''You know him. Always stuck in the kitchen.''

Jean's dream one day was to own a restaurant of his own. During his travels he'd been working as an intern in other restaurants in order to learn the trade. Wanting to be the taught by the highest quality chefs in the world, he was currently searching for Siebold. An Elite Four member who was also known as the greatest chef in Kalos.

''Jean's with you?''

''Of course he is. He's my boyfriend.'' Miette stated proudly.

Ash's mom forced him to read books about social behavior while on Mount Silver so he wouldn't grow unsocial from society. Ash never had shown any interest in relating with a girl like he'd seen on his journey. He came across some couples and married people but the idea of him settling down because of a girl was a strange idea for him.

''Wait? You have a boyfriend? Does she have a boyfriend?'' He questioned Serena.

''That's what she said. For nearly three years now.'' Serena explained him. Ash went deep in thought.

''Huh. I thought he won you the same way I won Serena with a battle. As did TJ with Shauna.''

''That reminds me. I need Shauna to keep up her end of the bet.'' But after the ball Shauna became quite distant from her. But Miette was going to get her prize from winning their small bet. And she had Ash to thank for it.

The bet was whoever would pick the winner of the battle for Serena's hand after Valerie's fashion show, would receive an all inclusive spa treatment from the loser. Shauna had been untraceable ever since she left Laverre City. Even TJ grew worried that she was growing so distant from him.

''No. TJ is Shauna's boyfriend.'' Miette told him. Maybe it was about time she would talk up on some things that happened during the time he was gone.

''Well it has been a long time since I was in Kalos after all.''

Pondering about this new information, he was thinking exactly about what this all meant.

''Does Serena have a boyfriend?'' Ash asked out of interest.

The Kalos Queen couldn't believe he would ask something that crucial in a public place like a restaurant. The honey blonde performer was pretty close to the definition of dying out of embarrassment. Her face was as red as Pikachu's cheeks right now being flustered that he actually asked her if she was seeing someone.

Miette nearly belted out a laugh that would rival Serena's embarrassment. Maybe Ash did have some clue about Serena's fondness for him and that he was a bit jealous if she had one. And being the tease that she is, Miette decided to give a small push.

''She doesn't. She likes someone, but she's still waiting for him to return her feelings.''

''MIETTE!'' Being afraid that Ash would now realize just who she was crushing on she grew full of fear. Her plan was to bring it slowly to him and to not scare Ash away. She promised herself to tell him before the League started in a few months but things were happening to fast right now.

''Whoever he is, he better treat Serena right!'' The Pallet town trainer boldly proclaimed. Serena let out a huge breath of relief at her secret still being save from him. Even when everybody else already knew.

''He isn't as far as I thought he was. Oh well.''

''So what is it what you're doing here?''

''Unlike you not anything dangerous. Jean's looking for the most exquisite taste here in Kalos. He's travelling far and wide to taste the most delightful flavor in all the regions. And to create the perfect 5-star three course meal for human and Pokémon. I'm just doing this to pay for all the ingredients he's using.''

''Well, what do you recommend?'' Ash asked her and Miette like an expert listed down all the different types of food that was on the menu. Ash was speechless. But not because he was willing to try all this delicious sounding food, he just had no idea what Miette meant with that.

''Yeah sure. Let's go with that.'' Doing a terrible job at hiding his confusion over it all he just took whatever it was they offered.

''What do we do now?!'' A loud yell came out of the kitchen and the three rushed back to see what was going on. Seeing a chef on his knees pretty much praying to the sky as if he was asking thecreator himself for an answer.

''Um yeah. Hey Jean. Long time no see. So why are you screaming?''

''There's this customer who always comes along with his Munchlax. They're always eating the entire supply away together. How can I possibly satisfy all sort of stomachs if I have to feed an enormous one!?'' Ash had the answer for his dilemma right in his pocket.

''Try this.'' He handed over a note which looked like an ingredient list.

''This is a recipe for a single Pokéblock. How do you think this is enough to keep a Munchlax satisfied?''

''Professor Oak keeps feeding these to my Snorlax. One Pokéblock is enough to keep him fed for a few hours at least.''

''You have a Snorlax?'' Serena sounded scared when she asked it. The amount of Poképuffs she would have to make to keep his stomach satisfied would be infinite.

''Serena? How about a competition for old time's sake?'' Miette asked her. She might've been the better performer but when it comes to Poképuffs Miette considered herself Queen.

''What kind of competition?''

''Taking this recipe let's make a Poképuff for this Munchlax. We both serve it and whoever it likes most wins.''

So the girls set off baking. Both of them incredibly focused on their task not willing to be outdone by the other. After some time they were finally finished and they each made three Poképuffs for everyone to try.

''You want one Ash?'' She wasn't one to taste her own creations, but Miette knowing that Ash would try one himself made her curious a bit after all.

''They taste awful. I tried one before and I've regretted it ever since.''

''So there is something you don't eat.'' Serena was thinking to herself. Ash wasn't one to be known to be picky what he eats. If it's on a plate and edible, he would consume it.

''I'll try one.'' Jean told them. Ash was looking at him as if he'd gone mad.

''As a chef I have to taste one. If there is any imperfections in my servings I have to start all over again. It's my duty as a cook to make sure every dish is to the highest quality.'' Ash gave him a final warning.

''Don't say I didn't warn you.'' The young chef took one in his mouth and started to chew on it. Miette and Serena were anticipating the chef's feedback on how exactly they tasted.

To Ash's shock Jean actually managed to swallow one. The young chef was quiet for a few moments until Miette asked him how hers were. She was certain that with all the extra baking practice she did, they would blow Serena's out of the water.

''Awful isn't the word for it. They're repulsive. It's impossible to make these taste good.'' Miette let her Slurpuff out of her ball to smell them. As soon as the Meringue Pokémon was out of her ball, she turned back into red energy immediately wanted nothing from it.

''Oh come on, they can't be that bad.'' Miette took one not convinced about their opinion. When the block hit her tongue she spit it out immediately in a nearby garbage can.

''Burn the kitchen.'' Was her response. How could anybody consider these tasteful at all?

''Well Serena. How about yours? Aren't you going to try one?''

''You don't have too if you don't want it Serena.'' Ash told her. He didn't want her to be pressured by Miette just because of some bet.

''Here goes nothing.''

Like Miette did, Serena swallowed hers not to be shown up by her blue haired rival. As soon as the Pokéblock went through her throat she regretted this decision. She was trying to come up with a new word for how they tasted. And it wasn't exactly complimentary.

''Let's call it a draw.'' Their rivalry in baking had to be settled some other day.

After Ash finished his courses he went back to the kitchen to see if the three had already recovered from their Poképuff tasting.

''You guys okay?''

''At least it was enough to feed the Munchlax. That's a positive.'' Jean replied. The amount of calories stuffed in this one Poképuff might've been useful in the future for small courses and yet still leave a full stomach. But as for the fact of tasting one ever again?

''So what next on the agenda for you two?'' Miette asked them.

''A visit to Professor Sycamore in two days and a trip to the Battle Chateau.''

''So you two are free tomorrow?'' Jean wondered as well.

''Why?''

''There's this place here called the Juice Shoppe. This place makes all type of juices out of Berries. These juices can make a Pokémon more friendly or even stronger by drinking it. But there's this special juice they only sell to customers who beat a certain employee of them. There's this one girl who works there who's never been beaten before.''

''You're asking him to battle in your place? Who do you think you are?''

Miette scolded Jean. The chef wasn't as much focused on battling as he was on cooking. He tried to beat this girl with his LickyLicky but to no success. Seeing how strong Ash's performance against TJ was he might have a better chance at it but Miette didn't approve of him using Serena's crush to get what he wants.

''I'll think about it. No promises.''

I should've made my story M-rated. That way I could Gordon Ramsay Jean instead.

''IT'S RAAAAAAAWWWWW!''

See you in two weeks (at least)