Hey Everyone, I'm back and ready to go! I'll provide more details in an update below.

Now (for the first time in a short while), on with the story.

Chapter 5: Abrupt Disclosure

(The Next Day)

Ash and Serena were inside Prism Tower, preparing to make the announcement he was visiting Kalos. "Nervous, Ash-kun? Eon?" Asked Serena. "Yeah. I don't even know what to expect, Sweetheart." Said Ash. "At least we have each other." "That's true." Ash and Serena smiled at each other, knowing that no matter what happened, their love for each other would stay intact. "Ash, are you ready? You'll be set to make your announcement soon." Said Bonnie. "I am. I'll be there soon." "Ash-Kun, I love you. Eon." "I love you too, Sweetheart."

(Outside of Prism Tower.)

Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina were outside waiting for Ash, who was to make an announcement on his visit to Kalos. "What's taking Ash so long? I thought you asked Bonnie to get him." Whispered Korrina. "I did. I know it's taking a little longer than usual, but we both know Ash is a man of his word so we shouldn't be worried." Said Clemont. Ash then came out of the doors of Prism Tower. "Did I make you guys wait too long?" Asked Ash. "No, Not really." "I'll explain everything later." Ash then got up to the microphone. "Good morning everyone. As you may have heard by now, there are reports based off of rumors of me visiting Kalos. I can confirm that is the case. I am visiting Kalos for my vacation. However, I am not doing so alone. I'm visiting with my girlfriend, who does not wish to be identified at this time. We both chose to visit Kalos for a quiet and peaceful vacation and we wish for it to remain that way. Thank you." Ash then walked away from the microphone.

(Back at Prism Tower.)

"How did I do, Sweetheart?" Asked Ash. "I think you did well, Ash-kun. You handled the announcement with a calm demeanor. Eon." Said Serena. "The only thing I hope now is that people respect our wishes and allow us to enjoy the remainder of our vacation." Noting that Ash was unusually down, Serena then felt like a light bulb went off in her head. "Ash, I know what I can do to cheer you up!" "What?" "Let's have a one on one Pokémon battle. Eon." "A Pokémon Battle?!" "Yes. We can use Pikachu and Braixen respectively." "Alright then." Ash let out a mental sigh, relived that Pikachu wouldn't actually be battling Serena.

(Ash and Serena then get on their respective area on the battlefield.)

"This will be a one on one battle between Ash and Serena. Both challengers are to the use of only one Pokémon. The battle will end when one trainer's Pokémon is left standing. Trainers, please call upon the Pokémon you wish to use for this battle." Explained Clemont. "Pikachu, I choose you." Said Ash. Ash then lets out Pikachu. "Pika Pika! (Let's do this!)" Cried Pikachu. "Braixen, Let's show Ash-kun just how much we improved from last time! Eon!" Said Serena. Serena then lets out Braixen. "Brai! (Yeah!)" Cried Braixen. Pancham then gets out of his Poké Ball. "Pancham pancham. Pan cham pan pancham pancham. (Wait a minute. I want to battle Pikachu.)" Cried Pancham. "You do? I'll let you battle Pikachu next time. I promise." "Pancham. (Okay.)" Cried Pancham. Pancham is then recalled back to his Poké Ball. "Alright, we'll be showing how much we've improved! Now don't hold back just because I'm your girlfriend! Eon!" "I won't. You may have the first move." "Alright then, Braixen use Scratch!" Braixen then begins to run towards Pikachu. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" Pikachu then begins to evade Braixen's attempts to use Scratch on him via Quick Attack, with his immense speed causing Braixen to trip and fall. "Braixen, Are you alright? Eon?" "Brai. Brai-xen. (Yes. I'm fine.)" "Use Hidden Power." Braixen then keep an eye on Pikachu's movements before using Hidden Power on him. "Pikachu, use Iron Tail." However, Ash's timing was a tad too late, with Pikachu unable to deflect Braixen's move. "Keeping an eye on Pikachu before using Hidden Power, that's a nice tactic, Sweetheart." "Thank you Ash-kun. Eon." "Pikachu, use Electroweb." Pikachu then proceeds to use Electroweb on Braixen. "Braixen, use Flamethrower!" Braixen quickly uses Flamethrower to dissipate Pikachu's Electroweb, preventing her from getting caught in it. "Now use Fire Blast. Eon." "Fire Blast?!" Thought a shocked Ash to himself. "Pikachu, use Iron Tail to jump over it." Pikachu then jumps over Braixen's Fire Blast using Iron Tail as a boost in the nick of time, doing a front flip while doing so, however, this causes the Fire Blast to hit Ash unintentionally. "Ow!" "Ash-kun, Are you alright?!" "I'm fine. It's just a scratch." Ash then finishes rubbing his face. "Braixen, use Flamethrower. Eon." "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt." The impact of Pikachu's Thunderbolt and Braixen's Flamethrower causes a large cloud to appear on the battlefield, leaving both Ash and Serena to be unable to see their Pokémon for a few brief moments. "I really hope that Braixen and Pikachu are okay and that this battle cheered Ash-kun up." Thought Serena to herself. "That was one heck of a battle! Let's hope Pikachu and Braixen are alright." Thought Ash to himself.

(The cloud then dissipates, and Pikachu is revealed to still be standing while Braixen is lying on the ground with swirls in her eyes.)

"Braixen is unable to battle, meaning the match goes to Pikachu and the victory to Ash" Said Clemont. "Nice Job, Pikachu!" Said an excited Ash. "Pikachu. (Thank you.)" Cried Pikachu. "Braixen, are you alright? Eon?" Asked Serena "Brai-xen… Braixen… Brai… xen. (I can't… believe… we… lost.)" Cried Braixen, saddened and tired from the battle. "Braixen, I know we lost this time, but you battled very well. I'm proud of you and you deserve a good rest." "Braixen Brai. (Thank you Sis.)" "Both of you were excellent today, and you were right, sweetheart, this did cheer me up." "Pi-ka Pikachu. (That was amazing.)" "Braixen Brai, Braixen… (Thank you Ash, Pikachu…)" Braixen then begins to faint due to being tired before being caught by Serena's feelers and being recalled to her Poké Ball.

(Hours Later, At the Hotel.)

"Excellent, I'm glad to hear that they're doing well. Serena? I'll see if she wants to talk to her." Said Ash on the phone. Ash then makes his way to Serena, who is reading a book with Braixen and Pancham by her side. "Sweetheart, I don't mean to interrupt you…" Said Ash. "What is it? Eon?" Asked a curious Serena. "Professor Kukui is on the phone and Amelia wants to talk to you." "I'll be glad to talk to Amelia." Serena then marks and closes her book before Ash hands her his phone. "Hello Ms. Serena, how are you." Said Amelia over the phone. "I'm doing fine, Amelia. How about you? Eon?" "I miss you, Braixen, and Pancham. As well as Mr. Ash and Pikachu. How is your vacation so far?" "It has been nice so far. It's certainly different from Alola, that's for sure." Serena and Amelia would be on the phone for a little while before Amelia had to go to bed. With Ash and Serena happy about the day they had, they decided to call it a night.

(Meanwhile)

Inside a dark room, a television is seen showing Ash's announcement from earlier in the day with a female watching the broadcast closely. "So Ash is back, with a girlfriend. Interesting." Said the Female.

*End of Chapter 5*

Hey everyone,

Providing an update to the crazy situation in my life currently. Things have been on the upside, our landlord was able to find a spare apartment for us to move into. We don't know when we're able to move back into our apartment (if at all) and are currently evaluating our options for a long term solution, no one ever truly knows what the future may hold. To better deal with the uncertainty of the situation as well as any stress and issues that come with it, There will be a schedule change. Updates will now posted solely on Fridays! Feel free to leave constructive criticism and/or ask a question in your review. I hope you all have an excellent weekend. See you all next Friday.

To all those who have Favorited/Followed "Intertwined" and "Interweaved": Thank you! It brings me joy to know that you enjoy reading the stories as much as I do writing it.

From,

MasterOfDerp

P.S.: As for the last bit, You can try to guess who she is, but all things will be revealed in due time.