Ash ran over to find Clemont crying next to a strangely angry Luxray, who was growling and tapping in anger until Ash arrived, and then the Pokémon became concerned.
"Clemont?! What's wrong?!" He asked. The blond shook as he stammered, "A-are you gay?" Ash suddenly smiled and nodded saying: "I am, and I love you. I always have, ever since the day you saved my life when we first met. I felt something new. Will you be my boyfriend?" Clemont stared at him in awe, unable to believe his eyes and was about to gleefully nod until Serena's harsh words from earlier rung in his eyes. "I-I can't Ash..."
"Why not?!" He replied, his usual grin slowly fading as the scientist started to lie:
"I'm not gay Ash, and so I don't want to date a boy. And still, I don't want to date you, even if you were a girl. It's nothing to do with you, it's just you're... not my type... you're a bit reckless. But you're kind and brave, always athletic and ready to go. I'd hold you back in life, I'd fail you. That's why you deserve someone like Serena who's talented and pretty, and strong, athletic, brave, everything I'm not! I'm sorry Ash, but I don't want to be with you. Still friends?" Ash nodded sadly and said, "Oh... ok..." Walking off, Clemont flinched as Serena ran after him, yelling; "Ash: wait up!"
The scientist looked at Luxray and shook his head as the Pokémon growled at Serena and made to fire a Thunderbolt attack. "She's not worth it... and she's right in a way. If I came out, then I'd have no family, and Bonnie is worth more to me than love. Besides; Ash'll be gone soon enough to a new region where the boys and girls are all clambering for his number. I'm not worthy of him - he deserves better. Like Serena!"
"BULL!" A loud voice yelled and Clemont screamed loudly, turning around abruptly to see a very cross Bonnie stood behind him!
"GAH - how much did you hear?!" He stammered. The little girl shook her head and said crossly: "The whole thing. What do you mean, you wouldn't have a family?! Why do you think I'm trying to find you a wife?! To make you happy! And if that's by funding you a husband, then I'll just do that! And you are PLEANTY worthy of Ash! You should've heard how he described you earlier! I got a recording..."
Slyly pulling out her phone, Bonnie played a recording: Clemont's face grew red as he heard how Ash described him as smart, brave and talented. At the end, Clemont sighed and shook his head, replying nonchalantly: "Ash was mistaken - I'm not that guy. I'm a coward, and useless, and weak. I'm a failure too, and I'm CERTAINLY not good looking! I don't get why he had to pick me of all people..." Bonnie frowned and stared at him in wonder, saying incredulously: "I thought your glasses helped you see. Why can't you realise how amazing you are?! You're a lucky catch Clemont; any girl - or boy - would be happy to date you!" Clemont stared at her in silence before crying; "I really want to date Ash! But Serena threatened me not to come out, and dad can't know."
"Ooh, shit!" Bonnie yelled as she realised why their incredible straight father wouldn't appreciate his only son coming out as gay!
"WHERE DID YOU LEARN THAT WORD?!" Clemont screamed at her; the little girl's face lit up into a sly grin as she smiled and said:
"When your inventions blow up, you're not as quiet as you think you are..."
Serena rushed up to Ash and said: "What happened? Did you ask him out?!" Ash nodded and said quietly: "He rejected me because of his low self esteem, he told me he wasn't good enough and that he want gay. But from the way I showed him that gay magazine and he now buys one weekly gave me the impression he was.." the raven haired boy said in confusion. Making a mental note up remind Clemont not to mention the magazines ever again, Serena sighed and said, "People are deceiving. Clemont's just another human in this world - there are other people! Why don't you TRT dating a girl?" Ash shook his hand and said: "It doesn't feel right..." Serena grinned nervously and said confidently: "Perhaps... I could go on a date with you?! As an experiment and as a friend, just so I can understand!" Ash stared at her, and then slowly nodded, saying hesitantly: "S-sure!" The girl clapped and ran off as Ash stood there, looking down at the ground. He stared at it and said: "I'm sorry Clemont. I'm sorry you don't know how amazing you are, and I'm sorry you won't let me show you!! I love you, even if it's one sided..."
Meanwhile, Team Rocket were spying on the twerps from a concealed hiding spot in a nearby tree. Jessie sighed and said crossly: "We need a plan." James stared at her and said: "Agreed. But how do we trick the twerps and escape with the perks before being blasted off like zerks and landing in the (tree) birks?"
"Yeow - noice lyrics Jimmy!" Meowth exclaimed, nodding in approval. Jessie groaned and said angrily: "Quit it with the poetry before I kill you and run away with the body!"
"Dats it!" Meowth yelled. The other 2 looked confused as he says patiently: "Run away with da body!"
"I see..." James said. He looked at Jessie and said:
"It's risky... but it'll work. Which twerp?!"
Jessie groaned again and smacked him, yelling: "Did you not hear that declaration of love to the science twerp earlier or what?!" The Rockets all looked at each other and said:
"Easy choice!"
"Easy catch!"
"Easy job!"
"EASY WIN!" They all yelled, hatching a new despicable plan...
"Let's get to it!"