We were all silent and surprised at what we heard. With it, Serena repeated,"You heard me. I want to catch that Pancham." I had to ask,"But why do you want to catch it"? Serena then says,"When I found that Pancham near its cave, I discovered that it liked to perform." We stood in complete confusion as Pancham chirped in agreement. She then gave the respective back to Ash, Clemont and May as May asks,"Where did you find them"? Serena then says,"After it took them, Pancham was using them as props while practicing near a lake." Bonnie and I were still confused, but it was cleared up when Serena continued with,"I know why it crashed the pokemon showcase. Pancham wanted everyone to see what a good performer it is." Pancham was a little surprised that she understood its motives as I say,"That explains why it went on stage and began dancing." We all finally understood as we were also impressed, much to the playful pokemon's chagrin. May mentions,"For a little pokemon, ot has the most adorable smile I've ever seen." Not wanting to be embarrassed any more, Pancham began to walk away as we tried to stop it. What worked was when Serena shouted to it,"I know what I want to do! I want to be a pokemon performer, just like Aria, with Pancham as my partner"! We were all happy as Ash said,"Wondeful! You found your own dream," as I follow it up with,"See? I knew you'd find something that would be fun to do"! Serena then went up to Pancham, telling it that she wanted to catch him, before letting her Fennekin know that they were going to battle it.
They made it to opposite ends of the field as they prepared to battle. I looked on, mentally rooting for Serena to win. Serena then told Fennekin to use scratch, nut before it could make a move, it was caught it a net from Team Rocket and put in a box. After saying their boring motto, we all glared at them as May shouts,"Guess you guys didn't change since we last saw each other." When I shouted,"Let Fennekin go this instance," Meowth cackled before pressing another button that caught me in a ring trap as I was floated and put in the box too. When Ash says in an angered tone,"What are you going to do with them," Jessie says,"In order to be a successful performer, one needs to be beautiful"! I shouted,"You're just about as pretty as a angry Garboder," before Meowth pressed a second button that shocked me with electricity, leaving me in pain. Jessie continued with,"Dressed in a beautiful gown, my beautiful self will bask in the spotlight with beautiful Braixen! It's beauty times three, crowds will love what they see."
James took over and said,"As for this twerpette, we'll kindly make her an employee to our boss. Her power and strength will provide good things to our company." As they started to float away, the others chased after us. May called out Beautifly, who used psychic, which stopped the balloon in its track. Pancham then used stone edge, which destroyed the balloon, broke the cage and almost freed us, seeing we were still in ring and net. When James asks,"Why is Pancham on their side," Pancham was shouting things we couldn't understand. Meowth translated it to,"It's saying we're intruding its battle with the twerpette." Pumpkaboo and Inkay were rekeased to battle as Ash and May were ready to block them. Pancham used dark pulse on Pumpkaboo, which delt critical damage to the grass/ghost type. Beautifly then used silver wind as it blew Jessie, James and Meowth back. Meanwhile, Pikachu used iron tail on the ring trap and I was freed. Dedenne and Pancham soon came as we turned our attention to free Fennekin. Jessie and Pumpkaboo appeared and said,"You bore me with your twerpness. Pumpkaboo, shadow ball." Before it could even attack, something surprising happened that saved us. Serena ran and actually tackled Pumpkaboo, protecting us in the process. As we worried for her, she shouted,"I'm fine. Save Fennekin," which got Pancham inspired as the pokemon went back to freeing the fire type fox. Jessie, who was annoyed, said,"How dare you treat my Pumpkaboo like a volleyball? If you want games, we'll give you games. Time for leech seed"! Before Pumpkaboo made a move, I stood in front of Serena and shouted to Jessie,"You leave my best friend alone you heartless hag"! Jessie then smirked as James then has Inkay use tackle which hit me hard, sending me flying into the water which got the others scared and Serena terrified. As Clemont gathered my things, Ash sent out Froakie as May sent out Venusaur as they went to rescue me. Froakie swam in the lake and found me as it signaled Venusaur, who used its vines to help pull me out and back to dry land. Meanwhile, Pumpkaboo was eerily heading towards Serena, preparing a potent leech seed. Just in time, the pokemon freed Fennekin and Pancham used dark pulse on Pumpkaboo just in time and saved Serena. Chespin used vine whip to make sure they didn't escape as Pikachu used thunderbolt and blasted them off again.
Pancham and Serena rushed over to me, who I was still unconscious and being looked over by May. Slowly, my eyes opened as I coughed up a bit of water, but ok. Everyone was relieved as I soon became worried. I shouted,"What happened? Where's Fennekin? Where's my backpack?! It has all of my pokeballs in it"!! Clemont had my backpack which still had all of my pokeballs, first relief, and seeing Fennekin, second relief. Ash said,"Are you ok is the real question." I shakily stood, with assistance and said,"Aside from being sore around my ribs and being drenched and cold, I'm fine." Serena then says,"I was worried for a minute. I thought you'd be in critical condition." I just say,"It takes a lot more than a tackle to hurt me." Serena then turned to Pancham and thanked it for saving Fennekin and herself. She then says,"Now, what to do say we get back to having our battle," as it was good and ready. As the sun started to set, it was time for the battle to start. Pancham started with dark pulse, which Fennekin dodges and tries flamethrower. Pancham dodges it too as it hits Fennekin with arm thrust. It dodges another flamethrower from Fennekin, but this time misses its mark from arm thrust as Fennekin jumped into the air. Fennekin then delivers a hidden power, which dazes Pancham. However, when Serena threw the pokeball, it escaped on the first throw.
Fennekin used flamethrower which hits this time before hitting Pancham again with hidden power. Pancham was down and out as Serena was ready to try again. She says,"Pancham, I want to perform together. Please, come join me on my journey right now," as she throws the pokeball again while ot lands and wiggles before locking completely. Seeing Serena's smile as the pokeball dinged, signaling a successful capture, made my day a lot better and it made her happy since it was her first official catch. She smiles at us before saying,"I'm going to do my best so that I can become a performer like Aria," as she let Pancham out of its ball. Giving it the sunglasses from earlier, she also mentions,"And someday, I'll become Kalos Queen." Pancham was amazed as Fennekin was happy for its new teammate. She then turned to the two and asked,"Fennekin, Pancham, will you help me make my dream come true as they chirped in agreement. I say,"I know you're going to be a great performer Serena." I couldn't help but feel warm inside, which was iroironic considering I was freezing from being soaked. Taking my state into consideration, Ckemont decided that we should camp out tonight.
Later on, as we ate supper by the campfire, I was feeling a lot better. My clothes were being dryed out as I changed into my back up outfit in case anything happened to my original. Ash told me,"That was pretty brave of you to protect Serena like that." May added,"That's one of the best things about Liz. She cares so deeply about other people that she'd risk her life to protect them." I couldn't help but smile and say,"I only did what felt natural for me to do. You guys would do the same for me if you were in my perspective of it." Ash then says,"That's the best things about friends. They always have your back when you needed." Serena soon joined in, asking,"And how's our little hero feeling," which caused me to blush and sheepishly reply,"A lot warmer than from earlier when I felt like an iceberg." Serena, with Pancham on her lap, sat next to May and I as we chatted the night away. When we all fell asleep later on, I made sure I was extra warm, just to avoid being sick. However, I couldn't sleep. I felt fine, but it was just the urge of so much that happened today on my mind that kept me awake. I walked out of my tent and placed a cardigan on so I'd stay warm. Being careful not to disturb Lucario and Lycanroc from their slumber, I sat on a rock looking up at the sky. The memory of when I fell into the lake and seeing Serena when I woke up kept playing in my mind as I then began thinking Why do I still keep thinking about it? I care so much about her, but why? It's definitely not love, I know what love feels like, so what is this new feeling?I was so into my thoughts that I didn't hear Serena behind me until I turned around and mentally said Is there a mindreader in the midst? It's like something can read my thoughts. She sat down next to me and said,"I kinda felt that you'd be up and I guess I was right. So, what are you doing up at this time? You're not getting sick are you"? I instantly said, assuring her,"I don't feel sick, so don't worry. I just had something on my mind, so, I came out to clear my thoughts. Serena then said,"You want to talk about it," as I just smiled. I reached for something in my pocket and said,"I had a feeling you'd ask that so," I pulled out of the pocket my trusty hairbrush and gave it to Serena while saying,"So I came prepared in case you did ask." Eagerly grabbing it from my grasp, she smiled as I decided to start tslking as she started using it on me. Gathering courage, I asked her,"Hey, listen. Can I ask you a question? It may sound silly, but, I really need an honest opinion or answer." She gave me her signature smile and replied,"Of course. Ask away." I then shakily breathe and begin to piece my words together.
"You see, for about a few weeks now, since traveling with you guys, I've had this weird feeling. The craziest part is that I feel it the most...around you." Saying those last 2 words got Serena surprised as she continued with my hair as I continued with,"Ever since I've came, you've been on my mind most of the time. Plus, thinking about you or the situation just makes this feeling stronger. I don't think it's love because I know what love feels like. So, what exactly is this feeling and why is it strongest around you"? Serena gave me back the brush as I put it back in my pocket. She then moved and sat in front of me as I looked down in case what she said might be upsetting. Placing her hand under my chin, having my eyes lock with her, she says,"I think I gave your answer. But first, I want to ask you something that might help. When you see me, how woukd you describe me"? I made a mental list in my mind because there were so many words I could use to describe her. I then say,"Caring, kind, helpful, determined, very talented, brave, considerate, fun, beautiful, you have a great taste in fashion, you're an amazing baker, friend magnet and this isn't even half of my list. When I see you, it's like we're sisters." Serena then says,"There's your answer. I think the feeling you have is admiration and I'm glad you admire me in such a way."
I then stood up, saying,"You're right! I do admire you! I wish to be like you or at least be related to you! You're the kind of person I wish for in a sister. I..," I soon paused and looked down and said this with an embarrassed look,"I wish to turn back time so that I could be born with you." Serena the stood up, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and said,"I know you feel this way and it's ok. I can relate because..I feel the same way with you. I really wish we can be sisters." I smiled and showed a genuine blush as I say,"Thank you, for everything," as we hugged underneath the starry night. Serena then says,"It's pretty late. We should head back to our tents." I then ask,"Um...if it's ok...hope you don't mind, but...can I sleep with you tonight"? Serena smiled and said,"Fine by me "sis," as she playfully elbowed me. I replied,"You know we're not actually siblings, right"? She said back to me,"I know, I just wanted to try it out and see how it went." I went and quietly got my sleeping bag from my tent and brought it into the tent she stayed in. We both smiked at each other before falling asleep, dreaming about whatever we wanted.