GS ball unlocked

Chapter 36, Like an open book

Not knowing how to come close to him and try to talk to him, Serena went to sit down on a rock that was nearby. Ash was already releasing all his other Pokémon and set up a training schedule for today. After meeting the old woman again, he and his Pokémon needed to blow off steam. Seeing her ruined his day even more and he didn't regret one word that was said.

Serena didn't why understand why. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. She would have to make a choice seeing that her crush and her mentor disagreed on so many things. She knew the two of them well enough to have enough clues that they would get along before they ever met. Maybe it was a bit much to expect that it would've been that easy and that people could clash over some things but this went beyond silly arguing.

''Why did it have to be like this?''

She knew that some things in life didn't come easy, but she had a feeling that no amount of hard work could bridge the gap between the future Pokémon Master and the former Kalos Queen. They were too similar or just too different. Whatever it was she needed to find a way to make them understand each other.

What could possibly be the one thing that connects them together and that they could agree on?

They loved Pokémon for starters. Ash's fondness for the creatures was no surprise and Palermo wouldn't be a former Kalos Queen without great partners. But Palermo's statement about strong Pokémon was completely wrong. Goodra was the example Serena was thinking about right now.

Goomy. Known as weakest of all Dragon types, a Pokémon that no strong trainer should take an interest in was adopted by one of the strongest trainers she knew. Ash spend his time making him stronger while he could've taken on more powerful Dragon types to train. He never talked down on him or criticized him for being so scared at first. If there was one person who would improve himself before focusing on his Pokémon it was her crush.

They loved different type of tournaments to compete in.

When Serena rejected Palermo's offer for the first time she went to Hoenn to compete in Contests. The old lady explained that it would make her a better Performer and after travelling through Hoenn and Sinnoh she agreed. And Ash always enjoyed himself watching performances. He could've easily skipped time to focus on his Gym Battle training, yet he always made the time to watch her compete even if he had more important things on his mind.

Trying to come up with another similarity she felt a hand on her shoulder and was a bit startled. Seeing it was the hand of her best friend calmed her down a little. Shauna knew exactly why she was here and what she was thinking right now. Shauna looked compassionate and tried to think of something to say that might cheer her up a little bit.

Shauna blamed herself for the situation they were in. Palermo was quite protective towards Serena and herself and knew that she wanted nothing but the best for them. The woman was experienced but she had no clue with who or what they were dealing with. She was happy that Ash was with them the whole time especially after his training these last three years.

Shauna heard the story about their first meeting but that it went this bad was shocking this fast. Hopefully Aria was talking to Palermo right now about this and maybe could bring some sense into her like they were going to try with Ash later after he finished his workouts.

''It hurts.'' Serena spoke up. Shauna nodded understandably. Keeping quiet she hoped that Serena would poor her heart out right now which she did.

''You do know how I feel about him. You know how close we are to Palermo. You know how much I wanted Ash to accept her offer.'' She started to sob. This must've been what Ash felt like yesterday when she scolded him for the Battle Chateau incident. He didn't cry that time but he must've felt like he'd been in the gutter like she was right now.

''He has a lot on his mind. He wants to keep you and everyone safe. That's just the kind of guy Ash is. He cares more than you think. And I think she does too.'' The Kalos Queen being eyes and ears listened.

''I think they're scared. Scared of losing you. They want to keep you safe at all costs. Maybe there methods of keeping you safe clash. '' Ash was one who always wanted to stay near Serena and was confident in his new abilities to protect her. If he wasn't he wouldn't have agreed with Shauna's plan of luring one of Team Union's knights in a trap. Palermo on the other hand had a lot of political power and a small army of actors who were all respectable battlers. So it was Ash's one man army against Palermo's organization.

Ash would prefer to face him head-on by accepting the ''Rules of Conduct'' while the producer would be more inclined to keep everyone hidden away and eventually planning an ambush. They both had clearly different strategies for handling the knight and Shauna wasn't sure about which method was best herself. Ash was capable but she doubted if the knight they were looking for was as cooperating as Unit who Ash beat in the Battle Chateau. He had no ill will towards her best friend letting her go just like that. The brunette had a big hunch this one wasn't as cooperating.

''That might just be because he wants to be a good friend like you said. I've tried so hard to make something known to but I'm starting to think he doesn't care about me. Why else would he do this all the time to me? After aging a bit I hoped he would notice a bit more you know. But no matter what I do I always seem to run at a dead end. I'm starting to think it's a hopeless effort after all.'' Obviously referring to her feelings for the raven haired boy. It was elfish to think about them right now but she knew that if she could become Ash's girlfriend the two would see each other more often. They say that when people get older their emotions change with time but apparently like a lot of things those didn't apply to Ash.

''Well. He has been training on a mountain for three years. I'm saying he needs to find his feet in society again. He did tell there was nothing much to do up there but train. Wonder how he still knows how to interact with people. I would go crazy after a month of not seeing anyone.''

''What did you say?'' Serena's mood changed on the spot. Shauna made it a point that after three years in somewhat seclusion he was still sociable to a degree.

''Are you that distressed that you forgot? He has been secluded from other people but Nurse Joy for three years. I'm surprised he's doing this well. Except for a few people of course.'' Referring to the producer. Even Shauna wasn't sure things would ever work out between the two of them but maybe after the security lockdown on the canyons is gone and they handled the knight she would try and persuade Ash and Palermo to talk again.

Suddenly Serena stood up and went up over towards the boy who was training. Shauna immediately sat up and wanted to go after her but Serena reassured her that she wasn't going to talk about Palermo to him and that it was something only for her to hear.

''Where are you going?''

Ash was deep into his training. Not doing much aerial training right now he would get to that when he calmed down somewhat. He wasn't in the right frame of mind right now and it would affect his own and his Pokémon's performance when trying to learn how to Sky Battle again.

Nothing could break his concentration. Except for one thing.

''Ash!''

He knew the tone well enough to know it was Serena who wanted something from him. Looking over to his Pokémon he told them he needed a minute with her before going on and that they could take a temporary break. Waiting for what Serena would ask him he knew he had to tell the truth. He was on a strict no secrets base with her now trying to bring their friendship to where it was before.

Her eyes looked red. He figured she must've been crying from the arguing he did before with her mentor. He felt rotten for making her cry but he couldn't stand the old lady disrespecting him and his Pokémon. Ash had no intention of talking with the producer so soon. Serena might want him to talk to her again, but that was a line he wasn't going to cross until he's finished retrieving the GS ball and he would tell Serena if she would bring this up.

''I've been discussing things with Shauna and she brought up a pretty good point. How are you so good with people and conversations?'' Looking confused at her question Ash said he didn't get where she was going with this. He was thinking she might've been asking something from him that considered the producer. Sure his interactions with her mentor were different than anyone else's but why would she ask this now? Serena explained herself further on why she wanted to know.

''I know you went up Mount Silver and did dangerous things up there. You also said there weren't any people around there but Nurse Joy. So I'm asking from you how are capable of talking to people normally and why did you keep this a secret after the session we had?''

''Because I thought it wasn't really important. And it's not really a secret of some sort. When Professor Oak gave me permission to go up Mount Silver and my mom found out she packed my bag full of books.'' The Kalos Queen didn't know that Ash read. During their Kalos journey Ash never read a book in her presence. The furthest he went was reading a newspaper looking for messages about an upcoming tournament or strong trainers around too challenge.

''What type of books?''

''Mostly about how to behave to people. Making a good conversation. Listening and speaking. Types that teach people how to behave normally. But she also put in a weird bunch as well.'' Thinking about it for a moment he listed the titles off.

''Don't lead them on'', which was a detective story. ''First base to second'', which was a sport story. ''Head in the clouds'', in what was a story about something that happened on an airplane. ''Hooking up'', which I first guessed was about pirates or a story about fishing.''

''That's odd. All of those sound like…''

''Strangely most of those books the main characters ending up with each other.''

This went on for a while and he went down the list of books that were similar. Serena's jaw dropped at every title she heard. Almost not daring to ask for more titles she did. Ash continued on listing them her not believing at what she was hearing. And every single one confirmed her suspicion.

''ALL OF THOSE BOOKS TITLES ARE SLANG FOR DATING!'' Needing a moment to compose herself she tried to react as normal as possible.

''And you actually read those?'' Even if it was a question her voice was filled with amazement.

''Mom forced me. Every once in a while she would take pop quizzes at me to see if I actually read them. Or else she would've dragged me down the mountain with me kicking and screaming.'' The Kalos Queen turned around and went back towards the rock Shauna was sitting on.

''Was it something I said?'' Ash still being oblivious at what exactly he told Serena and why she walked away like that. He knew she was mad at him for what happened with Palermo but this wasn't a response he wasn't expecting. Maybe Serena liked reading as well?

At least he reasoned it that way.

''Where are you going?'' Shauna watched Serena passing her. After her talk with Ash her entire demeanor changed. She wasn't looking angry right now so it must've been something surprising that set her mood a bit alight.

Continuing her march the Kalos Queen only responded that she had some required reading to do. Anything to get her mind off of some things. After this all settled down, Ash and Palermo had a better relationship and would leave the canyons Serena would try again to tell Ash her feelings for him. She has found the lock to making Ash realize her crush for him and he pretty much gift wrapped the keys to her. If Serena's actions didn't make him realize that she was crushing on him than she would just have to copy the actions in the books he mentioned.

Shauna went after her not willing to let Serena alone. This might be the safest place in Kalos but she wasn't going to take any chances. She called out to Ash that she would go with Serena and keep an eye out while the boy returned to his Pokémon and training.

''That boy is unbelievable. I can't believe Serena ever suggested him.'' The producer was fuming like the raven haired boy was. She was expecting an argument with him like before but he tried to put her on the spot. After hearing about what he and Shauna did to Serena it was a perfect opportunity to teach the boy some humility. She figured he was just another young trainer who loved battling to show off and go for glory. At least until he told his Pokémon's story about being left in the wild.

When his trainer told the story she saw everything she needed to see. Every word that escaped Ash's lips was given strength and conviction by the look in Charizard's eyes. This wasn't a story he made up to get Serena and Shauna on his side.

''Some tea maybe?'' Aria offered. Remembering the boys remark about her sipping tea all day she wasn't in the mood for tea. She wouldn't give him the pleasure of being right about her like he didn't grant her the pleasure of lecturing him.

''Coffee will do.'' Not a fan of the bitter taste of it she wouldn't let Ash have the privilege that he was right about her. The boy had his pride as a Pokémon trainer and she had a pride as a Pokémon Performer.

She had seen it all in her old age. Male and female. Trainers, Coordinators, Performers and everything that consisted as an occupation with Pokémon. But like Aria and Serena he was different. There was something about him she couldn't place and it bothered her. He was looking forward to proving people wrong about him and held his honor as a Pokémon trainer in high esteem.

''I'm thinking he has too much pride. Who's actually crazy enough to accept their conditions for battle? Pride becomes for the fall.'' It was clear she didn't agree with the boy's naivety to accept the villains rules for battles. He should be focusing on keeping Serena safe and not go his own personal gain in battle. If anything would happen to one of her girls he would live to regret it.

''Maybe you should look at yourself first before you say that.''

Aria thought it was pretty ironic since Palermo herself was akin to making mistakes like that even with all her experience. And Aria knew one day those mistakes would come back to haunt her mentor. And the red head had a feeling that Palermo had a few skeletons in the closet that were going to show themselves soon.

I had some time to spare recently so I was able to make this one a bit quicker than usual.

So what's the bigger threat? The Team Union knight? Or Ash and Palermo in the same area?

See you around