What's up readers? Welcome to the next chapter of this story! We're already 30 chapters in, let's keep this going! Also, happy late Thanksgiving to everyone! I know it's December right now but I'll still say what I am thankful for. One thing I will say thankful for is the support so far on this story. Well, this and also Pallet High, no matter how hard I try or work. Just know as well that for both of these stories, there's no giving up! Like Ash Ketchum says, never give up until the end! Anyways, let's start the chapter! Last time, The group runs into a snowy mountain taking care of a sickly Snover. This time, Serena practices for an upcoming performance with her Pokemon but a problem appears with Braixen's flame stick as it breaks. What should Serena do? Read and find out! This is based on the 85th episode of the XY series, "Mending a Broken Spirit!" Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or its characters!
Chapter 31: Braixen's Help In Need!
April 5, 2014 (Pokemon Center) (12:00 PM) (Days until Ash's Birthday: 19)
Ash and friends are still miles away to make their way to Anistar City. They've been walking for some hours until they agreed to take a break when they arrived at a nearby Pokemon Center. Serena thought that this break is her chance to try to work on practicing for her next Showcase. It has been more than a week since she bested Miette during the last Showcase. There's no telling who's going to competing in the upcoming one. But she's always going to be at her best making sure she can win the next one.
"Alright guys, showcase is coming up in more than a week, so it's time we practice for our best. I don't know if Miette's competing this one, but I know that Shauna texted me that she's going to compete so gotta make this performance one that is something that'll blow the audience away!" Serena said.
Near from Serena is some bushes and guess who's hiding in those bushes? Yep. It's the criminals of Team Rocket. Apparently they were eavesdropping to Serena conversating to her Pokemon. Let's see what they have to say.
"That twerpette's practicing for an upcoming performance, huh? Well, I know I'll be winning gracefully and she'll be crying elsewhere. Maybe like at a pier." Jessie said.
"I don't know, Jess. You've lost for the past few times since that twerpette made her debut." James said with doubt.
"Yeah, she's been doin her skills for almost 2 months and she's been going strong doing these performances." Meowth said.
"What the hell you two say?!" Jessie said with some anger flowing through her.
"Nothing!" James said scared with shivering.
"If anything you're the most wonderful and beautiful performer on stage." Meowth said reassuring Jessie's anger.
"That's better." Jessie said calming down.
"Man, she's scary but she is also pretty. I've been having a crush on her for quite a while and honestly, I do love whenever she's competing in contests or performances. Alright, James. Cool it down." James thought. One thing never revealed up to now is James' crush on Jessie. He's been having a crush on the magenta haired Rocket member since they were in Kanto trying to capture Ash's Pikachu.
"Hmmm...I know that I have different crushes on men in my life and want to get married someday, but James...he's been on my side for a long time." Jessie thought. She might know for herself if she truly has some feelings for James.
Back to Serena, she begins her practice with some moves that'll dazzle the audience but next came the one mistake that happens turning it into a problem. Serena orders Pancham to do a move while Braixen does what she does best while in the middle of a performance.
"Pancham, use Stone Edge! Braixen, jump across the stone pillars!" Serena ordered.
Pancham slams into the ground with the stone pillars creating and leaping out of the battlefield Serena's on. Braixen starts to make a leap onto each pillar but an unfortunate moment happens...
As Braixen makes another leap onto a stone pillar, she accidentally slips up and trips herself falling to the ground. Serena's surprised seeing her Braixen fell as she runs over to the fox Pokemon. "Oh no!"
Braixen gets herself back up while she's still holding the stick only to find that in front of her eyes that it breaks. The sound of the break snapping causes Braixen to gasp and feel shocked of this.
"Braixen...your stick..." Serena said.
Braixen stares at the broken stick for a bit until she cries out and gets mad turning her head to Pancham. "Braixen! Braixen! Braixen Braixen!" (You! Why must you ruin my stick?! I hate you!) Braixen yelled.
Pancham got scared of Braixen's anger and runs off hoping to find another stick for the fox Pokemon.
"Guys, we should find some branches too for Braixen." Ash said.
"Right!" Clemont agreed. The group runs off finding another stick for Braixen to perform with...
10 minutes later...
"Okay, we found as much branches there were nearby." Ash said dropping the branches he carried.
"Braixen, you find one you like?" Serena asked.
Having to be a quick process, Braixen looks at the branches and picks a few up until she drops them down to the ground and doesn't accepts them. "Braixen! Braixen Braixen! Braixen!" (No! It's not the same! I love my original stick!) Braixen said before she takes off running to the neaby forest where Ash and friends find the different branches for her.
"Braixen!" Both Serena and Pancham in his own language called out for the fox Performer. Both of them then leave and went after her with Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie staying. "Honey!" Ash called out for his girlfriend but it was too late.
Of course, the team were still eavesdropping witnessing Braixen's loss of her stick and seeing Serena and her Pokemon leaving the battlefield. "Wow, that twerpette's got it all messed up with her Braixen's broken stick." Jessie said.
"Yeah, dat's really weird dat Braixen's stick is something she attaches to the most." Meowth said.
"Well, I remember to when I was little and I cared so much about my bottle cap collection." James said.
"Oh boy, here's another bottle cap memory he has." Jessie said.
"When I was younger, I had a perfectly good collection full of bottle caps in my room and I loved it. One day, my mom comes in and she takes it away and I never saw those bottle caps again. Each of those bottle caps were special to me. I still remember it to this day. I still collect bottle caps today whenever I see one. If I were to keep bottle caps in my room again, I would stand up against mother to keep them!" James explained. He then went to his thoughts again thinking, "Well, the only thing that I love more than bottle caps is...Jessie." He then looks at her in which case she's still spying from the bushes. "That crush will have to be on hold. I know how that twerpette feels." James then went out of his head to sneak away from Jessie and Meowth which they unnoticed him missing.
Back to Serena and Pancham, they were able to catch up to Braixen. "Braixen, why don't you like those branches? One of them must fit for your tail." Serena asked. She and her Pokemon keep running until a man is in front of them. "Excuse me, who are you?" Serena asked.
This man looks very familiar. He has blue hair, but wears a vest and jeans. Actually, behind that disguise is James! Yes, apparently he sneaks away from both Jessie and Meowth to change attire from his Team Rocket uniform to a different outfit.
"Why, my name is Jeeves. I can give an explanation why your Braixen doesn't accept a new branch. See, Braixen loves that branch much only because of the memories it has for it. She can't have those memories replaced with a new branch." James said in a disguised voice.
Serena realizes from what James said, she glimpses back to a memory she had with her Pokemon.
Flashback begins...
Sometime ago...
Okay, since that branch is the main thing that Braixen uses, let's all swear that I can become Kalos Queen with her branch." Serena said. Everybody put their hands in the middle and raises it up in the air along with Braixen holding up the stick.
Flashback ends...
Serena flashes back to the present as she turns her head to Braixen asking, "Is that why, Braixen? I mean, we did do that but you love that branch but is that why? The fond memories you had?"
"Brai." (Yes.) Braixen replied.
"Well, I do get what you're saying. I still remember the time when Ashy saved me from an injury I had from camp and he helped me back there." Serena said before she turns her head to James. "You see, Ashy is my boyfriend and that memory to when we first met is one that I never forget. Ashy is the one thing in the world who I truly love the most. I don't want him out of my life or to see us breaking up. He's my KFF now and forever." She then looks at her wrist seeing the KFF bracelet. The bracelet is the thing that represents both Ash and Serena's relationship. She and Ash vowed not to take off those bracelets as long their relationship stand for each other.
"Wow, the twerpette feels so special about the twerp. I know that I feel somewhat similar to Jessie. Other than my bottle caps, she seems special to me too." James thought. He turns himself back to reality and talks to Serena. "Well, why don't we go to Nurse Joy and see if she can fix the branch."
"Alright." Serena said as the two make their way to the Pokemon Center.
Pokemon Center (12:30 PM)
When both James and Serena arrive at the Pokemon Center, they head to Nurse Joy for help. Unfortunately, Nurse Joy gives out bad news. "I'm sorry, but fixing a stick that a Pokemon is using is out of my job."
Serena has her head down staring at the ground until Nurse Joy brought some other information to share to her. "I do know someone who might help that for you."
"Really? Who?" Serena curiously asked.
"His name is Woodward. He's a tree surgeon in which he is known for fixing a horn that was broken from a Sawsbuck." Nurse Joy said.
"Hmmm...that might help. What do you think?" Serena said asking James.
"I say we should go this person's house." James said agreeing.
"Okay!" Serena said.
Woodward's House (12:45 PM)
It was a bit of a short walk from the Pokemon Center to Woodward's House that both Serena and James went. When they arrive, Serena knocks at his door and waits for a bit until the door opens up revealing an old man wearing some sort of hat and has a gray mustache and beard wearing a dark gray shirt with a dark blue overalls. "Hello?"
"Hi, are you Woodward? My name is Serena and with me is Jeeves. We come to here to ask you...can you fix my Braixen's branch? We heard that you fixed a horn on a Sawsbuck." Serena said.
"Oh, I'm afraid I can't. The reason why that I was able to fix that was because of the determination of Sawsbuck. It was fortunate enough for its horn to heal back to him." Woodward said.
"Oh, really? My Braixen has determination too. Now I would really like if her branch is fixed so that she can use it again!" Serena said in a snappy manner.
"Hmmm...the only way to show if your Braixen has the same kind of determination is if you have a battle with my Gallade. How about that? Will you battle?" Woodward asks.
Serena thinks about it for a bit until she responds, "Yes, I challenge you! I'll show you that Braixen is determined."
"Okay then. Let's head outside." Woodward said.
5 minutes later...
Both Woodward and Serena has themselves prepared on a battlefield readying themselves for battle. It was about to start just to when Ash and friends arrived on the scene finding the honey blonde thanks to help by Nurse Joy.
"Honey!" Ash said.
Serena turns her head around to see the raven haired boyfriend along with the yellow haired siblings arriving. "Ashy?!"
"Honey, what are you doing? I texted you and you didn't respond. What's going on?" Ash asked.
"Well, after Braixen's branch broke, I went after her and a guy named Jeeves found us in which he guided me some help to Nurse JOy in which I'm pretty sure she told you that I was here." Serena explained.
"Yes, she did. Honey, are you actually battling this person just to have Braixen's stick fixed?" Ash asked.
"Yes, Ashy. That stick has fond memories to Braixen. Just like you and I have. I wouldn't want to lose you ever." Serena said.
"I don't either. I love you." Ash said having to put his hands on Serena's shoulders before having to kiss her on the lips in which Serena returns.
"Awwww..." Everyone around them said.
The two let go forming a big blush on their faces while smiling. Clearly, they feel a bit embarrassed.
"I understand. I'll watch from aside." Ash said
"Well, in that case. I'll referee this battle." Clemont said. He then goes to the side of the battlefield and starts to speak. "Okay, this battle between Serena and Woodward will begin. Trainers, start!"
Serena vs. Woodward! Battle begins!
"I suggest you make the first move." Woodward insists.
"Alright, Braixen, use Scratch!" Serena commanded. Braixen tries to scratch the Gallade as she sharpens her claws to it when Woodward orders for Gallade to dodge. Missing the scratch impact, Serena was feeling a bit disappointed but Bonnie was not expecting for her to start with a normal-type move.
"I'm surprised that Serena didn't start with her usual move." Bonnie said.
"You mean Flamethrower? Well probably because, without that stick, Braixen might be having trouble doing any fire type moves." Ash said.
"Pancham..." (Oh boy...) Pancham said.
"Don't worry, Pancham. I'm sure she'll win." Ash said to the Playful Pokemon. He then encourages his girlfriend out by saying, "Come on, honey! You can do it! I love you!"
Serena hearing this, of course, makes her smile so she isn't letting herself down for the match. She then continues with some more attacks. "Okay, keep using scratch!"
"Dodge them!" Woodward commanded.
She tries to do some scratch attacks to ensure that Gallade would be hit by them but it turns to be a failure as it dodges every single scratch that Serena tries to strike.
"Okay, now use Slash!" Woodward yelled.
"Braixen, dodge it!" Serena shouted. Braixen moves out of her way to dodge the Slash attack right when it was about to hit.
While they're watching, a surprise attack was then launched as Pikachu sees a net fit for the electric type and dodges it by an inch. Ash notices this and starts to be suspicious of the electric net. "Okay, what is this? What's going on?"
Revealing themselves is Jessie and Meowth about to start to attack when James show up. But this time, he has his disguise off and he runs to Jessie.
"What the? James?" Jessie said.
"My dear Jessica, I want to say this to you. We've been working together for about sometime and since we've been trying to catch the twerp's Pikachu...I have this strong feeling for you." James then holds Jessie's hands together as he continues to talk. "Jessie, I love you. Will you please be my Rocket girlfriend?"
"James..." Jessie said in shock. "Holy crap...he just asked me to be his girlfriend...I don't believe this...I've been chasing myself to men and James asks me out...oh, what the hell, why not? He seems to be a longtime partner of mine." Jessie thought.
"James...yes...I'll be your girlfriend." Jessie said before she takes out her lipstick and applies it to her lips.
"Really?" James asked.
"Yes. I can't believe we're doing this." Jessie said.
"Well, we've been working together for many years and we started to have different memories together. Having to steal Pokemon all the time and..." James rambled before his new magenta haired girlfriend interrupts him. "Oh shut up and kiss me!"
James and Jessie's lips lean in where they have a moment of passion sharing their first kiss as a couple. Of course anyone call them as lovers-in-crime. During this, everyone was feeling baffled at what they speculated.
"What just happened?" Bonnie asked.
"I need a moment to think that they're a couple now and I've been facing them for almost 4 years..." Ash said having to facepalm himself.
"Hey, lovebirds! Don't forget what we're here for!" Meowth said reminding the new Team Rocket couple. They both then let go of their lips as they remember their mission. "Oh, right." Jessie said. They then continue by doing their usual motto.
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"It's Jessie!"
"And James!"
"Team Rocket, now a couple, blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth! That's right!"
"You evils are going to pay for interrupting this battle! Pancham, start with Stone Edge!" Serena shouted.
Pancham creates a bunch of stone pillars with Braixen having to join in. "Braixen...Flamethrower!"
Braixen puts her branch back together only to when she does the Flamethrower attack, the branch burns. However, that attacks turns into another attack in which case a huge flame comes straight at Team Rocket covering them in soot.
"Woah! That attack!" Ash said in surprise.
"That's Fire Blast!" Clemont said pointing out.
"Okay, Pikachu. You know what to do...Thunderbolt, let's go!" Ash shouted.
"PIKA...CHU!" (GOOD...BYE!) Pikachu screamed as strikes a lightning bolt to the trio causing an explosion to send them off once again.
"Please, help her to fix that branch!" James yelled pleading Woodward.
"Why are you asking him?" Meowth asked.
"I might have the dumbest boyfriend already..." Jessie said.
"We're blasting off again!" The trio screamed in defeat.
Back to Ash and friends, They turn their heads to Woodward with Serena asking, "Can you please fix Braixen's branch?"
"Yeah, this is my girlfriend's dream. It would mean a lot to her if she achieves it since I love her." Ash said.
"Well, unfortunate news. This branch was already broken." Woodward then turns to Braixen to explain. "See, the reason that I challenged you to a battle was to teach you a lesson that needs to be learned. It's comprehensible that you keep your branch for all the memories you share with it and you really love it. But letting them go makes you stronger as shown in the match."
Braixen thinks of this and it was exactly how Woodward has explained it. Of course when she was a Fennekin, Braixen loved to eat twigs and now she has a branch of her own as a Braixen. Braixen feels now to her understanding of what Woodward said especially since she also learned a new move being Fire Blast. Pancham then runs to Braixen holding out a new branch.
"Pancham Pancham. Pancham?" (Hey, Braixen. I have this new branch. Do you think you can accept it?) Pancham asked.
Braixen thinks about it and turns to Serena. "Brai...Braixen. Braixen Braixen?" (Hmmm...Let's see. Serena, what do you think of this?) Braixen asked.
"Hey, I have an idea." Serena said. She goes into her purse to find a pink ribbon inside and applies it to the new stick. "There. Let's all renewed our promise. We all promise to ourselves that we can achieve of being Kalos Queen." Serena and her Pokemon put their hands together and raise it up high.
"Well, with that out of the way. Why don't you say we continue this battle?" Woodward asked.
"Sure! Let's do it!" Serena said agreeing.
"Alright, then let this match continue!" Clemont said going back to his referee job.
Serena vs. Woodward! Battle restarts!
"Gallade, use Psycho Cut!" Woodward commanded.
"Braixen, dodge it, then use Fire Blast!" Serena shouted.
Gallade lounges forward to Braixen striking her with the Psycho Cut but Braxien once again dodges the attack in time then does the Fire Blast shooting out a flame that's in a symbol looking like a Japanese character in which case it directly hits Gallade causing it to fall down ending the match showing it's fainted.
Serena vs. Woodward! Battle ends! Winner: Serena Yvonne!
"Gallade is unable to battle! The winner is Serena!" Clemont said.
"Yes! We did it, Braixen!" Serena said holding her hand out to Braixen to high-five.
"Braixen Braixen!" (We sure did, girl!) Braixen said as she returns the high five.
30 minutes later...
Ash and friends have one final thing to do before they set off on their continuing journey in which they see Woodward pick up the different scraps of Braixen's burnt branch and slips the pieces into a nearby plant in which makes a new sapling. "There. perhaps this will bring a new life to this plant." Woodward said.
"That looks wonderful! I promise that I will visit this once I become Kalos Queen and once it grows. We'll even tell it about any adventures we had." Serena said.
"That sounds amazing." Woodward said.
"Well, we better get going. Gotta earn my seventh badge!" Ash said.
"Oh right! Coming, Ashy!" Serena said as she runs to her boyfriend.
"Bye! See you later." Woodward said farewell with the group saying their farewells vice versa.
The group walks down their continuing path one thing that is left in Serena's mind. "Hmmm...I wonder what happened to Jeeves?"
Of course, it'll be a remaining mystery for her as the journey continues for the heroes!
End of Chapter! And that's another chapter finished! I hope you enjoyed this one as usual.
Serena has renewed her lifelong dream promise with her Pokemon and she will hopefully makes it into being the Kalos Queen. Ash always keeps his promise the same trying to become a Pokemon Master with the teamwork of his Pokemon and sometime he will if he wins the Kalos League.
The number one promise with the two of them is to achieve their dreams as long their relationship stands.
Also, regretted of doing this, but something that should have been done once Ash has arrived in Kalos. Yes, the Rocketshipping. From now on in the story, James and Jessie are a couple despite for working at Team Rocket for who knows how long? I hope you like it anyways.
Anyways, update right now and also in my profile as well, but can I guarantee an Amourshipping one shot Christmas chapter since it's December right now? Probably not. Honestly, my focus on this site right now is this story and Pallet Town High. But maybe I can release a chapter for whichever story it'll be on that day. We'll see.
Next chapter, our heroes meet up with Trevor again and they learn of his relationship with Shauna. What adventures do they go on?
Pallet Town High chapter will release in a couple of days, so be sure to be on the look for that. Can confirm if I do get to it but there will be Christmas chapters for Pallet Town High as well. Still working on Chapter 9 since I have been working on this chapter and I do want to get a lot of chapters to y'all as possible but they will get done whenever so as usual,
Make sure to favorite, follow, and review! I'll see you guys next time, Peace!