Pokemon Center, Night…

Ash and his friends were enjoying a meal while a girl with fair skin, brown eyes, and brown hair in ponytail sat by herself eating away at her meal. She wore a blue shirt with a black semi-circle on it, white shorts over blue leggings, and pink shoes with black straps.

Once she finished, she stood up and walked by the group's table. As she walked by, a photo fell out of her pocket landing on the ground. Pikachu noticed this before moving to grab the photo, but that girl seemed to be gone. He ended up climbing onto the table and putting it before Ash.

"Huh, what do you have their buddy?" Ash took the photo and looked at it in shock. "No way!"

The picture was of two people. The first was that girl he had noticed enjoying her meal but younger. The second was an older woman who was recognized as the champion of Sinnoh, Cynthia.

She was a tall, slender woman with wavy blonde hair. Her eyes were gray, and a portion of her bangs covered her left eye. She wore a blue top that has a medium-sized collar, a teardrop-shaped object, a blue ribbon tied on her waist, and open-toed heels.

"What are you looking at Ash?" Serena asked.

James and Brock were just as curious.

"Check this out Serena." Ash stated. "Pikachu found this on the floor."

The moment Serena had the picture, and was looking at it, that girl ran back into the restaurant seeming rather frantic.

"Isn't that Champion Cynthia?" Serena asked. "Wait, who's this girl with her?"

"Hey!" The girl ran right over and took the photo. "This photo is not supposed to be touched by anyone but me." She checked over the photo to make sure it was okay. "I swear, you better not have messed up my photo!"

"Uhm, I'm sorry." Serena stated shocked. "Honestly, we just found it on the floor and didn't know it meant this much to someone."

"Still doesn't excuse any of you from looking it over." The woman declared.

The four of them noticed that the girl's eyes were watering as she looked at the photo.

"Miss, are you okay?" James asked.

The girl seemed to realize what was happening with her eyes as she hastily tucked the photo away. "I'm fine!" She was rubbing her eyes. "For the record, my name is Verity." She turned away from them and stormed off. "Just… forget this happened."

"That was weird." Ash commented. "Wonder why she has a picture of herself with Cynthia?"

"Maybe it was a prize Verity won for something." James commented. "I hear that while Cynthia is indecisive about the mundane, she can be quite the approachable champion."

"That might be the case, but I think we're missing something." Serena stated. "Sure, that photo could be important to her for that reason, but those tears forming in her eyes leads me to believe it's something else."

"Without more information, we're not going to figure it out." Brock stated. "I think we should continue to focus on Serena's game plan for tomorrow."

He wasn't saying that to discredit Verity's emotions but talking about her wasn't going to give them any answers. In the end, they got back to the topic of how Serena would tackle her next Chateau Challenge.

Saffron Chateau, Next Day…

It was time for Serena's third Chateau Challenge. Out of her six pokemon, she can only register four as a Viscountess. The first she decided to bench was Gloom. Her grass type had already evolved, and she wanted to give the others more experience.

The second pokemon was harder to decide on, but she ultimately decided to bench her starter since Doduo had been itching for some action. The group now stood outside of the Chateau building...

"Alright Serena, are you ready to raise your rank again?" Ash asked.

Serena took in the building one last time before turning to her friend with a warm smile. "Yes Ash." She nodded with determination. "I'm certain we will."

"The three of us will be there cheering you on all the way." Ash replied with his signature thumbs up and toothy grin.

Serena blushed. "Thank you, Ash."

Ever since the dance and their time at Maiden's Peak, the two of them have been growing closer. Serena has loved it even if Ash is too dense to realize it. Still, with how often they've been around each other, Serena was feeling more and more ready to confess to him.

"What are you four doing here!?" Verity shouted as she came up behind them. "Are you here to steal more photos?"

"Hey, we weren't stealing your photo!" Ash shouted back. "I already told you it was on the ground and my Pikachu picked it up."

She stared at them firmly. "Is that the truth?"

"Yes, we would never steal anything." Brock spoke up. "Honestly, when you entered the restaurant, we had practically just gotten the photo from Pikachu."

"Alright, I'll believe you." Verity sighed as her anger seemed to dissipate. "Anyways, what are you four doing here?"

"Oh, my name is Serena, and I'm here to compete for an increase in rank." Serena declared.

"Is that so?" Verity smirked. "Well then, you'll have to end up beating me sooner or later." She crossed her arms. "I have every intention of going all the way straight to the battle with the Grand Duchess."

"That's what I'm aiming for as well." Serena declared. "If we battle, my pokemon and I will give it our all."

At this rate, these two would end up missing the challenge.

"Hey, maybe you two should save it for the battles." Brock stepped forward. "If you keep going, you'll just end up missing your chance to battle each other in the first place."

Everyone agreed and walked together to the front gate.

"Morning ladies and gentlemen." The butler bowed. "My name is Manson, and I am the butler of the Saffron Chateau. May I ask who is competing today?"

"My name is Serena/Verity, and I'm a returning competitor." Serena/Verity stated together.

This caused them to look at each other before Verity glared at her. Serena wasn't going to be intimidated, so she glared right back.

"Very good, may I see your member cards?" Manson requested.

Both girls smiled and handed them over before Manson looked to the other three.

"Oh no, we are just here with Serena to cheer her on." James explained.

"Very good." Manson checked the two cards before handing them back. "Now, Viscountess Serena and Verity, you are both suitable to compete in today's tournament."

"Thank you." Both girls replied with a grateful bow.

Realizing they copied each other again, they glared at the other once more.

"Now." Manson cleared his throat drawing their attention. "If you would follow me."

Manson walked in without waiting for a response. Everyone immediately followed him with the two girls now glaring at each other. It appears Verity was just trying to psych Serena out to start with, but it now appeared as though a rivalry was blooming between them.

Inside

After officially registering, the maids took the two girls off to the changing rooms while the rest of the group waited in the main lobby with the other trainers competing. Eventually, Serena and Verity exited the room with the latter walking off.

Rather than a dress, she wore a blue with silver trimmed suit. As Serena approached Ash, he stopped breathing. It felt like his heart also stopped, but a quick check made him realize it was going ten to the dozen. His chest was becoming tight again. Tighter than ever before.

"What is happening to me!?" Ash gulped. "Y-you l-look great. S-Serena." Ash walked off. "I... I think... I... need some water. Excuse me."

Ash dashed off feeling completely flustered, and Serena blushed.

James and Brock had amused smirks as they thought the same thing. "Ah, young love."

Later…

Eventually, the first match was announced. "Could Viscountess Serena and Viscount Kyle please report to battle room 3 for your battle."

Serena and Kyle came to stand across from each other. "This is a first-round match of an official Battle Chateau Tournament between Viscountess Serena and Viscount Kyle. May both participants exchange pleasantries?" Serena curtsied and Kyle bowed. "Now, both participants may choose their pokemon."

"Doduo, it's battle time!" Serena declared.

"Poliwhirl, battle dance!" Kyle shouted.

Serena took out her pokedex:

Poliwhirl, the Tadpole Pokémon. Its highly developed muscles allow Poliwhirl to move efficiently on land, but it is even more agile in water.

"A water type vs a normal/flying type." Ash smiled. "That should be a pretty even match."

"Perhaps, but Poliwhirl is a second stage evolution while Doduo only has one evolution." James stated. "In the end, it'll come down to how well Serena has raised her pokemon."

"Yeah, well I just know Serena will win." Ash stood up. "COME ON SERENA! YOU CAN WIN THIS!"

Hearing Ash cheer for her made Serena blush, but she quickly wiped the redness away before looking over the field with determination.

"Begin!" The ref declared.

Viscountess Serena VS Viscount Kyle

"Poliwhirl, use bubble beam!" Kyle shouted.

"Doduo, dodge and use feint attack." Serena ordered.

The twin headed bird lunged to the right avoided a stream of bubbles before charging in.

"Use mega punch!" Kyle commanded.

Poliwhirl moved to meet Doduo's feet head on, but the bird dodged at the last second before landing a powerful kick knocking the water type away.

"Let's speed you up with a rain dance." Kyle declared.

Serena could guess his pokemon had swift swim as an ability, but her pokemon wasn't about to be outclassed. "Set up with an agility!"

Rain fell on the arena as Doduo ran about increasing his speed by a stage.

"Agility again!" Serena shouted.

"Use body slam!" Kyle commanded.

Doduo ran around some more increasing his speed by another stage while Poliwhirl came in slamming into the twin headed bird knocking them down.

"They're in close now so strike with drill peck!" Serena shouted.

"Poliwhirl, ice punch!" Kyle declared.

The now speedier bird's beaks spun as they lunged at Poliwhirl. Doduo managed to slam their beaks into the water type before he could punch them with the ice-covered fist. Poliwhirl hit the ground with swirls in their eyes.

"Poliwhirl is unable to battle which means Viscountess Serena is moving onto the second round." The ref declared.

Serena ran over and gave her pokemon a hug.

Kyle passed her with a nod. "Thank you for the battle."

"No problem." Serena smiled. "It was great fun."

Ash, James, and Brock came over to congratulate her.

"Well done, you two." Ash praised. "You were great out there."

"He's right." Brock nodded. "The hard work you've put in your pokemon is really showing."

Serena smiled. "Thank you."

"Excuse me, but could you clear the field and return to the lobby?" The ref asked. "We have another battle about to take place."

The group was happy to comply and walked out into the lobby. Once in the lobby, Serena let out her: Magnemite, Squirtle, and Machop along with her Doduo who stayed out. The rest of the group stood back and watched the team talk.

"Okay guys, Doduo just won his Chateau battle, so we will be moving on." Serena announced to the joy of all four pokemon. "Now, the battles will only get harder from her on out, so I will probably choose who's next based on the opponent."

"I see you made it past round one, too." Verity appeared behind Serena.

"Verity!" Serena exclaimed in shock.

"Since I'm here in a good mood, you can guess I made it through as well." Verity declared.

A Prinplup stood proudly at her side. Serena's Squirtle and Verity's Prinplup locked eyes. It was like they were the only two in the room. Flames appeared behind them as they stared each other down. They wanted to prove themselves as the best water type.

"Hey, what's gotten into those two?" Ash asked.

"If I had to guess, they probably feel an intense rivalry." James replied. "They are both water types, so they want to test each other."

"I guess that makes sense, but isn't it normally fire and dragon types which do that?" Brock butted in. "Water types are usually calm like a flowing river."

"If I had to wager a guess, I'd say those two have been picking up on their trainer's feelings." James crossed his arms. "Given how a pokemon can come to resemble their trainer, it's not out of the question they'd develop a rivalry.

"Maybe." Brock stated.

"Hey guys, they just posted the second-round matches." Ash informed. "You should go and check them out."

The two girls agreed and went to do just that after returning their pokemon.

Ash made certain to scan Prinplup before they left:

Prinplup, the Penguin Pokémon, and the evolved form of Piplup. A strike of its wings can be harmful as it searches the oceans for prey.

"Hey Serena, you noticed the way our water types were looking at each other, right?"

"Yeah, I noticed it." Serena looked at her. "Why?"

"Well, I'm just thinking that if we battle, we should let them do it." Verity suggested. "After all, that is what they want."

"I guess that's fine." Serena replied.

"Perfect." Verity offered her hand to Serena. "We'll meet in the finals and have an all-out water type showdown."

Serena shook the hand with a determined expression. "See you there."

Serena's second round match was against Viscount Adam. Serena used her Magnemite who went head-to-head with a Bellsprout. In the end, Serena and Magnemite came out victorious proceeding to the next round. Serena's third round match was against Viscount Dusk.

Serena used her Machop against their Growlithe. While it was a tough battle, one lucky burn saw Machop activating his guts ability. With one final dual chop, Serena would proceed to the final round against Verity. Everyone made their way to the battle room.

"This is a final round match of an official Battle Chateau Tournament, between Viscountess Serena and Viscountess Verity. May both participants exchange pleasantry?" The girls smiled at each other with Serena curtsying and Verity bowing. "Now both participants may choose their pokemon."

"I choose, Squirtle!" Serena shouted.

"Prinplup, shine on!" Verity shouted.

"Begin!" The ref declared.

Viscountess Serena VS Viscountess Verity

"Metal claw, Prinplup!" Verity declared.

"Match them with iron tail, Squirtle!" Serena declared.

Prinplup's claws met Squirtle's iron covered tail with neither water type coming out victorious.

"Aqua jet!" Serena shouted.

"Drill peck!" Verity shouted.

Prinplup spun as his beak was coated in flying energy, and he met the water covered Squirtle head on before overcoming him. The turtle was sent flying.

"Now, use bide!" Verity smirked. "We'll end this after two attacks so make them count."

"Squirtle, we need to hit them hard." Serena asked. "Can you do it?"

Squirtle nodded. "Squirt!"

"Alright, since they're going to take our attacks strike them hard with iron tail double time!" Serena shouted.

Squirtle's tail was cloaked in metal energy as he rushed forward slamming it into Prinplup and forcing them back. The turtle pokemon did it again immediately after. While each attack pushed the mid stage back, he held his ground.

"No…" Serena was shocked. "Get out of there Squirtle!"

"Now, unleash it all Prinplup!" Verity declared as her pokemon glowed a brilliant white. "Turn their damage against them!"

"Prinplup!" Prinplup shouted.

Squirtle tried to run away, but the white energy consumed him. "Squirtle!"

"Try withdraw!" Serena panicked.

In a last-ditch effort to possibly survive this, Squirtle tucked inside his shell managing to raise his defense by one stage. The light died down leaving Prinplup still standing and Squirtle within his shell. Everyone waited with baited breath to see the result.

"Squirtle!" Serena shouted. "Please, don't give up!"

Squirtle slowly emerged from his shell as a blue glow overtook the turtle. Energy surged into his very being allowing the injured turtle to stand.

"Squirt!" Squirtle yelled.

"Is that Squirtle's torrent ability?" Ash questioned.

"It sure is." Brock smiled. "Roughly 7 times out of 10, a pokemon with a boosting ability like that will be defeated before it reaches the threshold, but that other 3 time out of 10 will see an ability like these doing wonders for a pokemon."

"At this point, Squirtle's physical strength is at an all-time low, but his water moves just gained a powerful buff." James added.

"Alright, let's do it Squirtle!" Serena shouted. "Water pulse!"

"Prinplup, use bubble beam to stop that attack!" Verity panicked.

A sphere of water, at least double the normal size for Squirtle, tore off straight for Prinplup. The powerful attack tore through the bubble beam like it wasn't even there before smashing into the mid stage evolution taking him straight into a wall. Prinplup hit the ground with swirls in his eyes.

"Prinplup is unable to battle!" The ref declared. "The winner of this Chateau challenge is Serena, whose rank will be raised to a Countess."

"Squirtle!" Squirtle cried in victory.

At that moment, a brilliant white light surrounded the turtle pokemon as he grew to double his size. When the glow died down, Serena's Squirtle was now a Wartortle. Before Serena could run over to hug her pokemon, he fell back having used up the remainder of his energy to evolve.

Wartortle!" Serena ran over and knelt by his side only to smile upon seeing him resting. "Thank you for giving it your all." She returned him. "You deserve a good rest."

Saffron Pokemon Center

After the battle, Serena got changed and returned to the pokemon center with her friends. She handed her four pokemon over to Nurse Joy before they took a seat.

"Unless Ash wants to take another crack at the gym, we need a new destination." Brock stated.

"Nah, we'll return when it's time for my seventh badge." Ash declared. "Until then, we should go wherever the next gym and chateau are."

"At this time, we could head to Celadon or Fuchsia." Brock offered. "Either one is an equal distance from here, and both do make a sort of square around Saffron."

"Basically, we could go to one and head towards the other immediately after." Serena stated.

"If it's not too much trouble, could we check out that Lavender Town Arcana recommended?" James questioned. "It doesn't have a gym or chateau, but I'm certain I could learn something from the orphanage. Not to mention, we'd need to pass through there to get to Fuchia."

"Like I said before, this isn't just my journey." Ash replied happily. "Besides, I want to check it out to. See if this Mr. Fuji has any pokemon I could adopt into my team."

He was hoping Mr. Fuji had a bug, psychic, or even a rare dark type, but Ash would certainly see if any of them spoke to him really.

James smiled. "Alright, Lavender Town it is before we press onto Fuchia City."

"Here you are Serena." At that moment, Nurse Joy came over. Your pokemon are just fine."

Serena happily took her pokemon back. "Thank you, Nurse Joy."

Edge of Saffron: Next Day…

The group were ready to head onto Lavender town until they heard Verity calling out to them. "Hey, wait just one minute!" They turned as she stopped before them, but Serena specifically. "Good, I caught you before you left."

"What is it?" Serena asked.

"I'm just here to say that you may have won this time Serena, but this isn't over between us." Verity declared. "I'll keep getting stronger and will raise my rank to battle you again. If anyone is to battle Duchess Rui, it'll be me."

"Sorry Verity, but I've backed away from too many things in my life. No matter how strongly you compete with me, I'll match it." Serena smiled. "I'm not going to rests on my victories. I'll train just as hard and beat you for that chance."

Verity started to walk away. "May the best trainer win then."

Serena nodded. "Yeah." Once her new rival was gone, Serena decided to put her remaining confidence to good use by looking to Brock. "Hey Brock, do you think you could teach me how to cook?"

Brock was shocked, but it was quickly replaced with a warm smile. "Sure Serena. I'll happily teach you how to cook."

"Thanks Brock." Serena replied.

Brock then moved to Ash's side, put an arm around him, and whispered, "Hey Ash."

"Yeah Brock." Ash replied happily.

"I think we need to have a chat." Brock replied seriously.

It was time for the love doctor to do his thing.

"Sure Brock." Ask replied confused. "What's it about?"

"Serena." Brock replied.

Ash gave him a weird look, and Brock knew the love doctor would have his work cut out for him. Soon, the group set off on their adventure towards Lavender Town.


Verity: Like Cross, she is a character from the I Choose You movie who I've decided to flush out as I have been doing with him. Judging by the picture she had, you can guess that I'm using that theory even if the people who made it debunked it. As for her being introduced in this chapter, well I have been thinking Serena needs a genuine rival. Calem, her cousin is on the friendly rival spectrum while Green is more like that goofy rival. Verity will serve as her rival like... I wouldn't say Gary to Ash... More like Cross to Ash if that makes any sense.


Reader: Well, I like to think I'm not most authors. You took the time to review every chapter, so the least I could do was respond to them. I honestly love responding to reviews even if all I have to say is thank you. I just appreciate all reviews. Well, it made sense considering Sabrina is off in Unova catching a Mewtwo for Giovani. Someone should be there or I'd just have to send Ash off without getting a battle.

In the end, I think it was the better call to have a battle here. Yeah, Fairy Types are a thing... Mega Evolution comes much later. Anyways, you are right that Hitmonchan wasn't the worst call comparatively. Still, the fighting type was taken out far to early for the effectiveness to be seen. Going up against a Hypno after... yeah fighting type did his best.

As for Ash using a dragon move, he's not all that familiar with typing's like that. Essentially Ash has matured and is smarter than canon, but he still is only three badges in, so some mistakes are bound to happen. This time around, Ash won't be catching Haunter to match up against Arcana at their rematch. There is a list of pokemon he'll catch, and I'll put it here again since it's more concrete this time.


Ash:

1. Pikachu

2. Nidorino

3. Pidgeotto

4. Ivysaur

5. Charmeleon

6. Dratini

7. Hitmonchan

To Catch/Recieve:

1. Abra/Kadabra

2. Scyther

3. Lapras

4. Snorlax

5. Eevee

(The main thing I wanted to do here was keep the number of pokemon Ash caught during his Kanto journey minus 29 Tauros. That means Ash caught 12 pokemon over the course of Kanto and the Orange Islands. In addition, I wanted to eliminate as much type overlap as possible. Snorlax and Eevee are the exception because of what I intend for Ash's Eevee to become in Johto.)

Serena:

1. Eevee

2. Magnemite

3. Doduo

4. Gloom

5. Wartortle

6. Machop

To Catch/Receive

1. Cubone

James:

1. Koffing

2. Growlie(Growlithe)

3. Golbat

4. Weepinbell

5. Ditto

6. Elekid

To Catch/Recieve

1. Togepi

Brock:

1. Graveler

2. Onix

3. Ryhorn

4. Bonsly

To Catch/Recieve

1. Aerodactyl

2. Kabuto

3. Omanyte