GS ball unlocked

Chapter 37, It just goes on

''Alright guys great job. That's enough for today I think. Let's get rest up and continue tomorrow right away.'' His Pokémon having made progress and getting accustomed to the harsh winds circling the valley he was pleased with the progress. After his earlier ''meeting'' with the producer set him off a bit and he felt better having to have released some tension during his workouts.

Returning everybody but Pikachu back to their Pokéballs and thanking them for their hard work today he promised them that their food would be served soon. Making his way back to the Sky Trainer facility his path was blocked by a man in a black suit. Must've been a security guard since he wore Palermo's symbol on his jacket. Ash already huffed at seeing the official in front of him. If the old lady wanted something from him let her come by herself and not send someone else to do her dirty work.

''Ash Ketchum?'' The man politely asked. The boy confirmed he was who he was looking for. This better be good.

''Miss Palermo has requested you to join her at dinner with the others tonight. Will you be there as well?'' He wanted to eat and enjoy his meal in peace. Having that diva around would only spoil his appetite. And he wasn't ready to see Serena again after she left him like that this afternoon after his book story.

''If she wants something from me let her come by herself. Any place where we can get something to eat?''

''That way sir.'' The man pointed towards the area that was reserved for guards and other employees to eat. Ash thanked him before the guard left to tell his boss the news.

''That sure hit the spot, right guys?'' Ash and his Pokémon already had the nutrition they needed when another guard came around for him. All of his Pokémon staring at the guard wondering what he wanted from their trainer. This one was quite a bit bigger than the last one. Having a more muscular build than the last one he was more intimidating than the guard Ash met earlier today.

''Once again miss Palermo has requested your presence.'' After seeing Ursaring for everyday for three years straight the man was more a Teddiursa compared to them not being impressed with the act the producer was trying to use on him.

''Not interested. Let her get me herself.'' Ash repeated himself. Maybe there was some leftover dessert he could take but before he could go back and check the guard took a hold of his shoulder. Clearly he wasn't taking no for an answer.

''She insisted you'd come.'' Taking out a Pokéball the guard took on a more imposing tone. Ash looked weird at him. Didn't she tell him that challenging him was the dumbest thing he could do. Ash was never one to think he was better than anyone else but it was really tempting to send him packing back to Palermo. Looking to his Pokémon he asked them one question.

''Which one of you wants a workout after dinner?''

Palermo was growing impatient. The guard who was send to get the boy second time round was gone for far too long. If anybody could get that brat to cooperate it was him. Surely he would've been intimidated by the large man. All of the girls in attendance were nervous not being used of seeing the producer in such a state of stress.

To get their mind of things the females were going to discuss plans for future showcases. They had meetings like this every once in a while to determine what themes will be used for the first round. Aria had the idea of including Ash and seeing an outsiders perspective of things. If he was as traversed as Serena claimed he was, Ash might have some great ideas they could take inspiration from and implement in the showcases.

Their waiting was interrupted by a loud noise. The doors were immediately locked and all access to the room they were in was restricted. Nobody could get in or out. All of them waited in anticipation of a report from outside and to hear if the Team Union knight was here. A few seconds passed before the intercom that covered the building was run.

''False alarm everyone. It's just that someone's Noivern used Boomburst on another trainers Hariyama and set off the alarms. Return to your stations.'' The message ended while the four females looked at one another. Palermo wondered.

''A Noivern with Boomburst? I don't have someone under contract or a Sky Trainer who has one.''

''But I know who does.'' Shauna already feared Serena's reaction when she found out who she meant.

The four women left the room and went to where a location they suspected the boy was right now. Arriving at the scene where the loud sound came from the area told them what they already suspected.

Laying on the ground was a Hariyama while a Noivern was hovering above it. The Noivern belonged to who they thought it was while the large guards Hariyama already being taken care of by doctors on the scene.

''ASH!'' Serena yelled at him. What was he thinking battling Palermo's personal guards? What happened to that control training he was talking about? This was as far removed from control as he could be.

''He grabbed me. It was self defense.'' Ash defended himself. Not knowing what to do with him everyone was at a loss for words. Ash was getting closer and closer to a loose cannon. He was a wildcard in the controlled and safe environment set up for the performers. Unpredictable and proving to be unhinged he was playing with fire.

At least Aria explained what they were going to discuss and if he wanted to join them. The producer wanted to deny him after his actions against her personnel but before she could speak up the boy said sure.

Ash rubbed some salt in the wound by saying.

''See. Is it that hard to ask yourself?''

The five of them were now back inside the room where the showcase discussion was being held. It wasn't much of a help that Ash and Palermo sat right against each other. Instead of a discussion it seemed the two were locked into a staring contest.

Aria tried to lighten the atmosphere by asking Ash something. And maybe it could get a response out of her mentor too and proceed with the discussion they had planned.

''Now that we're here in a more private setting I want to discuss themes for the next showcase. Ash, do you have any suggestions yourself? I'd love to know the opinion of someone who hasn't competed in one before and travelled all over the regions.'' Serena was relieved Aria broke the pressuring silence. The blonde was going to go crazy if no one talked.

''You're asking him to come up with a theme performance?'' The producer immediately put him down again. Ash had a feeling that no matter what he would do, the producer would ignore his opinion completely.

Palermo talked to him negatively when they first saw each other. Ash having said her teaching offer wasn't on the table right now and saying he had something more important to do cooled her attitude immediately. And the second time after she insulted him as a person and trainer by saying he only cared about strong Pokémon cooled their relationship even further.

''How about a witch theme? Since you and Aria have Braixen and Delphox. Maybe something like making some sort of drink like your Poképuff contests?'' Ash responded calmly not being drawn in by the producer's comment just now. Serena became somewhat happy with his answer. Maybe this would be the first step in a long healing process.

''You mean like stirring a pot? Like berry blending and create some sort of berry juice out of it? The Juice Shoppe in Lumiose is becoming quite popular. Maybe we can do something similar?'' Shauna tried to do the exact thing Aria did. By talking about a topic every person on the table liked it should be something that Ash and Palermo could relate to a bit.

Ash admired Aria's opportunistic nature in trying to get them to reconcile a bit. But both times Palermo was the one who instigated the negative emotions. This time Ash would be the one to throw the first punch and he wasn't going to hold back.

''And Palermo should be able to appreciate that theme since she's so similar to one herself.''

Everyone in attendance stopped dead in what they were doing. Cold stares were being shot across the table. One boy and one woman facing off already in a contest of words after a few minutes. Serena's day went from bad to worse. Was it a cruel joke fate was playing on her? How can two people actually dislike each other that much?

Scratch dislike. More like hate.

Ash showed her the determination he always showed in battle. When the boy was in a tough battle his brown eyes glistened and there was a look in them that couldn't be copied in any other scenario. A small but excited smile came over his face that challenged the producer to come up with a retort. The Kalos Queen could only describe it as his game face and while she loved seeing it, it was aimed at the wrong person.

The old lady grew tired of their bickering. What was it with this boy that he seemed nice to everyone else but her? As a strong trainer she wanted him to learn how to be a bit more humble and not waste the power he had on something mundane as battling alone. Guess he was quite stubborn and she would keep this up until he learned his lesson.

''How about a battle round instead? It's something primitive that you can relate too.'' And this was the moment it all reached breaking point.

''Primitive. Funny. Is that your age as well?'' The girls gasped. The flood gates were open now. Nobody dared to speak until Palermo started again.

''No wonder you've never won a League. You don't have what it takes.'' Hitting a sour spot inside him he wasn't going to take that.

''But what I have is enough for what you have. How about you battle me in person and find out?''

''How about that Sky Battle trainer I…''

''There you go again putting someone else in the firing line. If that knight comes around you'll have no trouble sacrificing everyone to safe yourself. So who's the first to get used as a make shift shield? Serena, Shauna or Aria?'' Ash provoked her having lost his cool completely.

Hearing someone sobbing they all looked where it was coming from. A honey blonde girl had her arms across each other on the table and her head between them. Serena sat bend over. She didn't want to hear anymore. She broke down in tears. They stopped their arguing and looked over the poor girl. Being stuck between the middle was tearing her apart. Losing the will to do anything right now but cry. Nothing could or would cheer her up right now. This was truly the worst day of her life.

Shauna looked over her best friend. It wasn't hard to see why's she was crying. Even before Ash returned to Kalos for his mission Serena spoke nothing but admiration for him and Palermo. Seeing them being reduced to playground children throwing insults around was not the scenario Serena had in mind. Feeling sorry for her she could nothing for her being powerless to say or do anything that would make the situation better.

Gently rubbing Serena's back in comfort Shauna wondered what to do now. How to salvage an unsalvageable situation was being asked of her right now and she was guilty of not having an answer.

''If you don't mind I'm taking Serena away from here. You two can squabble without her around. At least don't hit each other.'' Aria told the two of them while she and Shauna lifted the poor girl and would bring her to her sleeping quarters. Clearly this wasn't the place to be and the two would need to think about what they just did.

Shauna wondered if leaving the two of them was the best move right now but Serena was more important right now. Having hoisted an arm over shoulder they guided Serena to a calm and silent place where she could cry her heart out without anyone seeing her.

Seeing the three girls leave the dining room made the two finally contemplate on the issue.

Ash knew he was half of the reason why the Kalos Queen broke down like that. And on hindsight he maybe went a bit too far. And this was the second time in two days he felt like he betrayed her. Some friend he was being right now. It was a miracle Serena still wanted to be friends with after last night and what happened just now.

He felt everything leave his body seeing her like this. He hated seeing her cry. He wanted her to smile. How could she be a proper Kalos Queen with a sad face while the whole point of it was to give smiles to others. And he didn't wanted to be responsible for Serena's depression because he didn't get along with her mentor.

He knew would have to tolerate the producer as long as he was here. He would do it for Serena's sake. And maybe admit he was wrong to judge so quickly. How many people did he know that where actually in a position of power like she was and were really evil?

Sure Lusamine and Lysandre were a handful of those. But how many directors or executives of companies did he meet during his journey that were helpful to him and his friends. Maybe if he would actually give her a chance she might be not that bad. Understanding why she was like this to him would be a good step to start.

Even with all her experience Palermo didn't know what to do. She could've been the smarter person but he was just so stubborn. The current Kalos Queen must've had a reason for the teaching offer she had for the charity foundation and Shauna vouched for him as well. Did she miss something?

From Serena and Shauna he was strong. He might be the strongest trainer walking in a fifty mile radius right now. The actor Henri was known as quite a capable battler who's contracted under her agency and was considered one of the best she had. And yet Ash had no trouble sweeping him aside during her first test for him.

Did it have to something with his training? Did he witness something terrible and wanted to make sure that would never happen again? He was one of the cornerstones of stopping Team Flare five years ago so that might've something to do with it.

Or maybe it was the five years since he left Kalos. Her research showed her that was quite a successful battler before he seemingly vanished for five years and came back one day. Maybe him telling what he did during that time might explain why his behavior is the way it is now.

Both knew there was only one thing they could do now.

Discuss why things escalated like this and put an end to it for Serena before it would destroy her mentally and would never smile again.

This one just came on its own. When I started writing this, there was no way I could stop till I was finished. Next one will take a bit longer though. This is a one off in how fast it was.

See you around.