Hello everyone, it's time for another chapter. There aren't any reviews to respond to this week, but if you do feel like it, feel free to leave constructive criticism or ask a question in your review.
Now, on with the story.
Chapter 3: Anomalous Arrival
(At Lumiose Airport.)
After a long 20 hour flight, Ash and Serena were ready to relax for a few hours before getting ready to explore the Kalos region. "That was one long flight Ash-kun. Eon." Said a very tired Serena. "Tell me about it. At least we're here." Said Ash, who felt the same. "That's true." "Want to head to our hotel?" "Absolutely Ash-kun. Eon." Ash and Serena made their way out of the airport and got a taxi, where Serena marveled at the sights of Lumiose City. "Ash-kun, I never knew Kalos would be this beautiful." "I'm glad you're enjoying it, Sweetheart." "Pardon me, and if you don't mind me asking, is this your first time in Kalos?" Asked the Taxi Driver. "For me, No. This is my second time visiting Kalos." "What about you, miss?" "Technically speaking, yes. I've been here before, but this is my first time being in Kalos in years. Eon." "I don't mean to upset you or anything, but I am curious, Are you the hybrid that helped get Team Rocket imprisoned last year for their various crimes?" "Umm y-yes. How do you know about that?" "I followed the trial in the news last year. The stuff they did was very horrifying. I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through all that." "I see. Eon." "And you must be the Alolan Champion, Ash Ketchum, am I right?" "Yes." "My name is Kiro." Said Kiro, introducing himself. "My name is Serena. It's nice to meet you." "The pleasure is mine. If you guys want to keep a low profile, I promise I won't tell anyone of this." "That would be nice." "Your hotel is nearby. If you need a ride anywhere, feel free to contact me." Kiro then gives Ash a business card. "Thank you Kiro." "I hope you both have a nice time here in Kalos." "We will. We hope you have a nice day. Eon." "Thank you." Ash and Serena would arrive and check in at their hotel before going into their room to take a nap.
(Four Hours Later)
The hours of early evening had begun to settle when Ash and Serena had woken up from their nap, although due to the time difference, it felt like it was early in the morning to them. Serena was just reading a book while Ash was looking outside at the city from the window. "It's been a while." Said Ash. "What do you mean, Ash-kun? Eon?" Asked Serena, placing her book on the table before walking up to Ash. "Oh, I was just thinking about how long it's been since I was last here." "I see. What's that building over there?" Ash then looks to where his girlfriend is pointing. "That building over there is Prism Tower, the largest building in the Kalos Region. It stands at 1,063 feet or 324 meters tall." "I can only imagine what it's like up close. Eon." "By comparison, Mount Lanakilla is roughly 6,500 feet or 1981.2 meters tall." "You have to go up that high to get to work! Doesn't it get cold over there?" "It does, but you eventually get used to it." Ash and Serena then laugh a little. "I love you Ash-Kun. Eon." "I love you too, sweetheart. Say, do you want to actually go to Prism Tower?" "I would love to, Ash-kun."
(At Prism Tower.)
"Prism Tower looks so beautiful! What's inside the building, Ash-kun? Eon?" Asked Serena, sitting on a bench with Ash. "A Pokémon League Gym, an observation deck, and transmission antennas for most of the TV and Radio stations in Kalos." Answered Ash. "A Pokémon League Gym, What's that?" "A Pokémon League Gym is a place where Pokémon trainers battle Gym leaders. It's the standard system of trainer progression in most leagues throughout the world." "How does trainer progression work in Alola? Eon?" "Simple. Instead of using the Gym based system, The Alola league uses the Trial Challenge in its place." "I see. So a Gym leader is like a Trial Captain and a Gym Battle is like a trial." "In some ways, Yes. Though there are differences." "Did you ever come here during your travels in Kalos? Eon?" "Yes. In fact, the Gym Leader is a close friend of mine." "Really?!" "It's true. Although we haven't kept contact since we parted ways." "I can imagine it being hard to manage schedules when you're regions apart, even if you're just friends. Eon." At that point, a young girl wearing a brown short-sleeved top and black compression shorts with a puffy white skirt, along with pink shoes and a bag carrying a Dedenne exits Prism Tower, followed a man wearing a blue jumpsuit with yellow accents, along with black sneakers and a cybernetic backpack, and a woman wearing a helmet, red and white skater attire and black cycling shorts along with a pair of red and white sneakers. They all walk for a few moments before stopping suddenly. "Ash? Is that you?" Asked the young girl. "It is, and it's nice to see you again, Bonnie." Ash then gives Bonnie a hug, happy to see his one of his Kalosian friends again. "How have you been, Ash?" Asked the young man. "It's been Good, Clemont. It has been busy with the Alola League, so it's nice to finally catch a break." "I got your letter a few days ago. I'm surprised I didn't hear anything regarding it since." Said Clemont. "Yeah, we're trying to keep a low profile." "I understand, a lot of attention can drive a person crazy." "You still owe me a battle, Ash." Said the young woman. "I'll definitely give you one as soon as I'm able to, Korrina." "I'll be ready, and you better be as well." Said Korrina. "Definitely. I also want to introduce you guys to someone." Ash then helps Serena off the bench. "Clemont, Bonnie, Korrina. This is Serena. Serena, this is Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina. They're the friends that traveled with me in Kalos." "Hello, it's really nice to meet you three." "The pleasure is ours, Serena." Said Bonnie. Clemont then noticed Serena looking back at Prism Tower. "Is this your first time looking at Prism Tower up close?" "Yes. Eon." "Do you guys want to head inside and talk there?" "I'm fine with that. It would be nice to look inside for old time's sake." "I would love to." Ash, Serena, Clemont, Korrina, and Bonnie then go inside Prism Tower.
(Inside Prism Tower.)
"So this is what a Pokémon Gym looks like. Eon." Said Serena. "The overall appearance will vary pending on the location and the gym's specialty type, but this is what a Pokémon Gym generally looks like." Said Clemont. "I've been meaning to ask, how have things been going for you guys?" Asked Ash. "Excellent, I've been working hard on some new ideas I have for inventions." "I've been working hard, training with my Pokémon, dealing with challengers. You know, typical Gym Leader stuff." Said Korrina. Ash, Clemont, and Korrina then see Bonnie looking at Serena with curiosity. "Are you able to use your Sylveon feelers as extra pairs of arms and hands?" Asked Bonnie. "Bonnie!" Clemont then places his head down, embarrassed by Bonnie's question. Serena then places one of her feelers on Clemont's shoulder. "It's fine Clemont. I actually get asked about my Sylveon features a lot, so I'm used to it." "Really?!" "My Sylveon features are a part of who I am. I've learned to embrace that and am not generally bothered by those who ask about them out of regular curiosity. I'm likely the only hybrid Bonnie has seen, so it's natural that she would ask questions. Eon." "I have one question Serena, How long have you known Ash?" "It's a little complicated to give a direct answer, is it alright if I explain everything to you?" "Of course."
(Serena then explained how she became a hybrid, how Ash found and took care of her in Alola, and how she had found that they were childhood friends when she unexpectedly gained back her memory.)
"I can't believe you had to go through all that trauma!" Said a shocked Korrina. "It's nice that Ash was able help you be free from them and to adjust to society." Said Clemont. "And you get to be with your childhood friend as well." Said Bonnie. "It's a bit more than that at this point, Bonnie. Eon." Said Serena while blushing. "What do you mean?" Serena and Ash then look at each other. "We're in a romantic relationship." Bonnie and Korrina then have a shocked reaction on their faces. "Ash found a girlfriend before Clemont!" Shouted Bonnie. "I'm surprised, and curious as to how the others will react when they find out Ash isn't as dense as we all thought." Thought Korrina to herself. "How long have you two been dating?" "Little over a year now, Clemont." Said Ash. Ash, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina spend some more time chatting and talking before going him for the night.
(Hours Later, At the Hotel Room.)
"Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina are nice people. It's nice that you have friends from all over the world, Ash-kun. Eon." Said Serena. "I suppose so. Though I've never really thought about it like that, Sweetheart. I've always thought of my friendships as an extended makeshift family, regardless of where they're from. But it is nice to know that there are people that have your back all over the world now that you mention it." "I love you Ash-kun." "I love you too sweetheart." Ash and Serena then share a kiss before proceeding to fall asleep for the night.
*End of Chapter 3*
Hey Everyone, How do I start this? I know I said that updates for the story would be released on Mondays and Fridays, and that was due to the planning I made for this story. However, that was before something unexpected happened. My family apartment wound up catching fire due to one of the air vents. We're all safe and I was able to take my laptop with me, but since the side my family's apartment is on was damaged and reeks of smoke, we had to relocate to a hotel room for the time being. It's a crazy and sometimes confusing situation and as a result of this, it's very likely that I'll have to put this story on hiatus for the time being, If that is the case, I'll let you all know. The uncertainty has thrown me off schedule and I will likely have to plan everything again, but I know it'll all be worth it. Regardless, I hope all of you enjoyed reading this chapter and have an excellent day on top of that.
For those who have Favorited and/or Followed this story so far (as well as "Intertwined"): Thank you it brings me joy to know that you are enjoying this story (especially at this time).
See you all next time.