I was feeling productive, so the next chapter is here! This is where the plot gets spicier than ever, and I hope you enjoy!
HNN Newsroom
HNN was in absolute chaos.
Interns and their Pokémon were scrambling across the office like Rattata being chased by Spearow, trying to hold together after the recent bombshell. Gabby, HNN's news anchor, was stressfully sitting at her desk, her Whismur poking her arm as she doomscrolled across her Rotom Phone. It was nothing but people pinging her on Chattr account with "anonymous tips", some of which were even Farfetch'd conspiracy theories like Team Aqua returning or a bunch of Voltorb using Explosion in one spot. Her scrolling was soon interrupted by her trusty cameraman, Ty, poking her on the shoulder.
"Commercials end in a few seconds Gabby. The whole region's counting on you."
Gabby set down her phone as she pet her Whismur on the head, reassuring the small Pokémon. The last time she had to report on a story this big was CNN's coverage of the Eternatus crisis in Galar. As Ty gave her the countdown with his fingers, she returned her Whismur to its Poké Ball, stacked her papers together, and sighed internally, looking at the teleprompter.
"Welcome back to HNN's coverage of the Route 120 explosion. We've just received news from the Mossdeep Space Center of the cause of the explosion, that being a stray meteorite. We now go live to Professor Cozmo at the site of the incident."
One of the screens next to Gabby began to show Professor Cozmo standing in front of what appeared to be a gigantic crater. Firefighters and paramedics were present all throughout the area. Several Pokémon and their trainers were even being hauled onto stretchers.
"Thank you Gabby. I can confirm that the explosion was caused by a small object of extraterrestrial origin that crashed here. The death toll is unknown at the moment, but there are numerous injuries and several small forest fires. We'll report back with more information as we receive it. Back to you Gabby."
As the cameraman in front of Cozmo turned off his camera, Cozmo sighed to himself. It was up to the Trainers to get the Primal shard for the Link Cable now.
Jagged Pass
Once Ash and company received the news about the explosion, they almost immediately hightailed it to the abandoned Magma hideout near Mt. Chimney. While the Jagged Pass had proven to be difficult to navigate, with its excessive heat and hordes of dangerous Pokémon, but the group managed to push through the danger. The hideout looked to have been abandoned for some time, with broken pillars and a shattered "M" for Magma laying on the ground. Chloe picked up a broken picture frame; the photo showed three trainers standing in front of a Camerupt.
"We'd better be careful here," Ash noted. "There's no telling if Team Magma left any traps here."
"You know Team Magma?" Chloe asked.
"We're near a volcano while a meteor is due to strike the planet and the first thing you worry about is traps?" Goh snarked back. Ash rolled his eyes before looking towards Chloe.
"Well, yeah, Goh," he snarked back to his friend. "Chloe, I've fought Team Magma a few times. I even saw them dissolve once they realized that awakening ancient Pokémon was a terrible idea. Let's head inside."
As the group walked through the entrance, Serena kept close to Ash, worriedly looking around. Dark, abandoned areas always gave her the creeps and this was no exception. Ash looked towards her in concern, and subconsciously offered her a hand. She took it, blushing lightly, as Ash blushed in response upon realizing what he just did. Chloe, looking at them from a distance, couldn't help but smirk. Goh picked up on this and shot her a questioning stare.
"What are you so happy about Chloe?" he questioned.
"Just seeing two friends getting closer," Chloe responded, nudging towards Ash and Serena. Serena was practically rubbing up against Ash's arm, which led Goh to look towards Chloe.
"You don't think-"
"Whoa!"
Brendan's words interrupted Goh's train of thought as the group arrived in the central chamber of the hideout. A large lava river, protected by reinforced glass, adorned the floor along with numerous computers and crates.
"I'll check the computers while you guys check the storage," Brendan ordered.
The group quickly got to work as they scoured the room for the Primal shard. As they did so, the temperature began to rise ever so slightly, due to them being underneath a volcano no doubt. Brendan sat down at one of the computers as he looked for any files regarding Primal energy, Goh and Chloe were throwing open crates, and Ash and Serena were checking file cabinets. Eventually, a singular, red-colored button fell out of a crate Goh had tipped over. He held it briefly, before looking to the rest of the group.
"Hey, I found this," Goh stated. "Should I press it?"
"I'd advise you not to," Brendan shook his head in disapproval. "It could cause something-"
As Brendan was talking, Goh's Grookey was now holding the button and smiling.
"Groo!"
Grookey placed the button down as he hit his stick to the left and right of it, then right on top. Immediately, sirens began to blare as a large glass wall fell to the ground, separating Ash and Serena from Goh, Brendan, and Chloe.
"INTRUDER ALERT. DEPLOYING ELECTRODE DEFENSE GRID."
"WHAT?!" Goh yelled as he flinched from the alarm. Several holes opened up on the walls as a horde of Electrodes rolled into the room, surging electricity out of their bodies. Brendan looked towards Ash and Serena, noticing there was a hallway behind them.
"Ash, Serena, we've got this!" he yelled. "Go find the Primal shard!"
"But you'll die!" Ash yelled.
"We can handle it!" Goh exclaimed. "Just go!"
Ash pounded on the glass, but Serena held his arm back worriedly as she looked at him. He sighed as he lowered his arm and nodded at her. As the two of them left, Brendan and Goh gripped their Poké Balls, while Chloe's Eevee jumped out of her backpack without a word.
"Swampert, let's go!"
"Magneton, now!"
"Eevee, help 'em out!"
The three Pokémon leapt out of their Poké Balls as they stared down the Electrode horde. Eventually, the Electrode charged forth, prompting the battle to truly begin. Brendan pointed at one of the Electrode, grinning.
"Swampert, Ice Beam!"
Chloe pointed towards Brendan, then back to Eevee as she smiled.
"Eevee, use Copycat!"
"Magneton, Discharge!"
Swampert and Eevee blasted ice-cold beams of energy at the Electrode, while Magneton let loose a burst of electricity. Eevee ducked under the Discharge, while Swampert simply grounded it and went undamaged. The Electrode took the hits as several hit the walls, while other walls went undamaged. In particular, Goh noticed that the glass was beginning to crack, giving him an idea.
"When I say dodge, let the Electrode charge over us," Goh whispered to his friends.
"Are you insane Goh?!" Chloe screamed at him. "That'll give them a free hit!"
"Trust me," Goh assured her. Chloe sighed as she looked at Brendan, who nodded back. Currently, the Electrode were all gathered together in a triangle formation as they prepared to all use Spark and charge the group.
"On three. One…"
The Electrode were glowing an intense yellow.
"Two…"
The Electrode leapt forward, rolling through the air as they lunged at the group.
"THREE!"
All three Trainers and their Pokémon ducked as the Electrode sailed right over them, crashing into the glass. It had cracked even more, but more importantly, the impact had stunned them.
"Swampert, Hammer Arm!"
"Eevee, Tackle!"
"Magneton, Flash Cannon!"
As if on cue, the three Pokémon retaliated against their ambushers, unleashing a barrage of attacks at the pile of Electrode. However, all five Electrode began to glow all of a sudden.
"Explosion!" Brendan exclaimed. The group ran towards the nearby door, but found that it was shut tight.
They only had seconds left.
"I NEVER GOT TO COMPLETE MY POKÉDOLL COLLECTION!" Brendan exclaimed as he held onto his Swampert tightly in fear.
"I NEVER CAUGHT MEW!" Goh exclaimed as he and Grookey held onto Magneton for dear life.
"I NEVER GOT SERENA TO TELL ASH SHE'S IN LOVE WITH HIM!" Chloe yelled, cuddling her Eevee. Goh and Brendan slowly turned towards her in sheer surprise.
"YOU WHAT?!"
The Electrode detonated as the room was consumed by a blinding white flash.
Ash and Serena, walking through the Magma hideout, heard a loud rumble from behind them, right as the exit behind them collapsed.
"We're trapped!" Serena exclaimed, holding tightly onto Ash. "Will the others be okay?"
"I'm sure Goh, Chloe, and Brendan will be able to get out of it fine," Ash assured. "Trust me, Team Magma isn't stupid enough to not have multiple ways in and out of here."
Serena nodded as the two of them trudged forward, hand in hand. By now, they were heading deeper into the volcano as the temperature mounted up, sweat dripping down their necks. Serena was practically attached to Ash by the waist, which gave him that odd feeling again. He couldn't help but feel protective of her right now, wanting to keep her safe no matter the cost.
The two of them entered a large room with a glass capsule in the center. A glistening red and blue shard was inside, shining brilliantly. Ash and Serena couldn't help but eye it in pure awe.
"This has to be it," Serena noted. Ash nodded as he opened up the capsule and grabbed the shard.
Right as the sound of clapping filled the room.
"Well done."
Wait, WHAT?!
"You've successfully continued to defile one of the Draconids' holy places. Are you proud of yourselves?"
Ash looked around the room, but nobody was in sight. Was this one of Team Magma's tricks? Just who the heck is a Draconid?
"Whoever you are, show yourself!" Ash exclaimed. Grasping one of his Poké Balls, he looked around the room. Pikachu sparked electricity from his cheeks, while Serena gripped a Poké Ball in hand, just in case.
"With pleasure."
A hooded figure leapt from the ceiling, a Whismur jumping off their back. They stood up and lowered their hood to reveal a young black-haired woman. She looked at the duo in contempt, grasping a Poké Ball. The young woman then proceeded to introduce herself.
"My name is Zinnia, one of the last Draconids in this region. I know about the meteorite."
"You do?" Serena questioned. "That's great! We're working to stop it and we could-"
"Quiet."
Zinnia placed a finger to Serena's lips, earning her a glare from Ash.
"You don't understand," Zinnia whispered. "It is the duty of the Draconids to watch for and stop the Grand Meteor Delta from colliding with our world. We have foreseen it since ancient times. You two are not to interfere."
"Interfere?!" Serena exclaimed. "How is it interference if we're trying to save the lives of billions?! We have a common goal! Ash and I fought against Team Flare in Kalos and saved the world before! We can easily-"
"I'm not interested in hearing from an arrogant, pompous little girl from Kalos," Zinnia snarled through her teeth. Upon hearing those words, Ash stared down Zinnia in anger, clenching his fists.
"Don't you DARE talk to Serena like that!" Ash exclaimed, earning a small blush and smile from Serena. "I'll have you know that she's far stronger and compassionate than you could ever hope to be!"
"Be that as it may, you two are still getting in my way," Zinnia snapped. "It is MY destiny to stop the meteor. And unless you leave, you'll be joining your three other friends six feet underground."
"What do you mean?" Ash questioned, before glaring at her in realization. "What did you do?!"
"Did you really think Team Magma's Electrode security system would still be intact all this time?" Zinnia scoffed. "I reactivated it knowing you five were coming here. That rumble you heard? That was the sound of the Electrode detonating and eliminating your compatriots. Now I'd scurry along unless-"
Zinnia's words were interrupted by a fist heading straight for her, coming from one Ash Ketchum. Immediately, she grasped Ash's fist and grinned wickedly at him. Serena looked at the two of them, both in surprise and anger.
"A punch? Really?" Zinnia questioned, still gripping Ash's fist. "We both have Pokémon at our command, and you choose to throw a punch instead?"
"You let our friends die to justify your goals," Ash spat. "I won't stand for that."
As Ash lowered his fist, a faint rumble could be felt by the three Trainers. Serena held onto Ash's arm as he nodded at her. Zinnia simply smirked in response, grasping her Poké Ball.
"Maybe you'll listen if I beat you down in a way you know better," Zinnia retorted. "Salamence, I call you on!"
Zinnia tossed out her Poké Ball as a Salamence flew out. It snarled at Ash and Serena, who stood their ground. Ash looked towards Serena, noticing the way the orange lighting of the room reflected on her eyes. He had never seen them like this before, and it was almost intoxicating. Breathing in to himself, he handed Serena the Primal shard and looked directly at her.
"Serena, I'll take on Zinnia," Ash stated. "I don't want her hurting you."
"But Ash, I can help you!" Serena responded. "We're a team, remember?"
Ash put a hand on Serena's shoulder, continuing to look at her. Why was he feeling so protective of her? Why was the weird feeling acting stronger now, more than ever?
"We are, but there's no telling what tricks she has up her sleeves. Trust me."
Serena frowned slightly, before closing her eyes and nodding at Ash. She took a few steps back to observe the battle, clutching her bag, as Ash looked at Pikachu. Immediately, the Electric-type jumped from his shoulder onto the ground, letting out electricity from his cheeks. Zinnia simply smirked in response, staring down the duo.
"A Pikachu? How cute," Zinnia snarked. "Too bad it won't last long. Salamence…"
Zinnia tapped an anklet on her leg, which looked to have a rainbow-colored stone on it.
"Mega Evolve."
Salamence roared as rainbow energy engulfed its body, forcing Ash, Serena, and Pikachu to shield their eyes from the light. Eventually, it cleared to show Salamence in its Mega Evolved form.
"Sala!"
Ash looked at Pikachu and nodded, before throwing his finger forward.
"Electroweb and Iron Tail!"
Pikachu threw down an electric web, before jumping onto it and charging forward. His tail glowed silver as he slashed Salamence across the face, before rebounding back onto the ground. However, Salamence seemed to shake it off as if it was nothing, while the room continued to rumble around the group.
"Salamence, Dragon Claw please."
Salamence lunged forward, rocketing along the ground, before flipping upwards and striking Pikachu with a glowing blue leg. The Electric-type was sent flying along the ground, gripping it as he clenched his teeth.
"Thunderbolt, now!"
Pikachu leapt into the air, channeling electricity through his body, before letting loose a blast of electricity forward.
"Dodge and use Crunch!"
Salamence barrel rolled to the side of the Thunderbolt, rocketing upward as it caught Pikachu between its fangs. Clamping down with them, Pikachu let out a small squeal of pain as Ash clenched his teeth, gripping his fist. However, it was at this moment that Pikachu let out a jolt of electricity, paralyzing Salamence. Static had taken effect!
"Thunderbolt again while we have Salamence on the ropes!"
"CHUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"
Pikachu let out another surge of electricity. With Salamence grasping Pikachu between its jaws, this one was a sure hit, blasting the Dragon-type all across its body. Pikachu was freed from Salamence's jaws as he landed back on the ground, while Salamence was drifting about in the air, struggling to counteract the paralysis.
"Salamence, Dragon Claw!"
Salamence lunged forward with his foot glowing once more, preparing to spin upwards with a claw strike.
"Counter with Iron Tail!"
Pikachu flipped forward, his tail glowing silver, as it met the Dragon Claw. The two Pokémon locked attacks for a few seconds, staring at each other with their teeth clenched.
"Now! Quick Attack!"
Pikachu used the pressure from Salamence's Dragon claw to flip himself upward, before crashing down at lightning speed and slamming directly into him. In the process, Salamence was sent flying into a nearby pillar of the room, causing it to shatter and the ground to shake. Several large rocks fell from the ceiling onto the ground, one of which fell very close to Serena. She yelped slightly, taking a few steps away, which then caused Zinnia to grow a face of amusement.
"Salamence, Dragon Claw on the ceiling."
Salamence rushed upwards, feet glowing, as it neared the ceiling.
"Pikachu, intercept with Electroweb!"
Pikachu hurled an electric net forward, but it missed Salamence. The Dragon-type made impact with the ceiling, and it began to collapse further as several rocks fell to the ground, cracking it. Serena tried to balance herself top of one of these cracks, but slipped on a small rock. She screamed as she slipped, falling into a crevice with lava at the bottom. Ash, hearing her scream, almost immediately ran from his battle, practically threw himself over the ledge, and caught Serena's hand, dangling over the ledge.
"Gotcha!"
Serena looked up towards Ash, blushing softly, as she gripped his hand. Ash was in the process of pulling her back up when a rock fell on his leg and sent him tumbling down with Serena.
"Piiika!"
Pikachu dove for the group, grabbing Ash's hand, and used Iron Tail to lodge himself into a wall above the crevice. He struggled to lift the group up as Zinnia stood over the crevice, smirking smugly.
"Well well well," Zinnia snarked. "Looks like you three are in quite a pickle. I'll take that as a forfeit Ash. Now I get to see you three wallow in your last few moments before your Pikachu inevitably loses his grip and dips you all into hot lava. Good game!"
Zinnia walked out of the room, leaving Pikachu to attempt to pull the group up. Ash gripped tightly onto Pikachu and Serena's hands, before turning towards Serena. Her face was in a state of pure terror as she stared at Ash, tightly grasping his hand. She breathed in, knowing that she needed to make something clear.
"Ash, in case we don't make it, I need to tell you something," Serena stated. "For the longest time I've always respected and cared about you."
"Serena, I feel the same way," Ash responded. "You're one of my best friends and I don't want to lose you."
"No Ash, it's more than that!" Serena exclaimed. "I lo-"
"Piika!"
Pikachu was hit by a stray rock from the ceiling, causing him to lose his footing and tumble off the wall. The group fell down and down, into what appeared to be a larger cavern, right above a pool of lava beneath the volcano, until…
"Swampert, grab 'em!"
Suddenly, a Swampert dived across the lava, grabbing the trio tightly, and landing on a small island of rock in the middle of the lava pool. Letting the group out of its arms, they looked at the Swampert before noticing someone step forward from behind.
"Took you guys long enough!" Brendan exclaimed, walking forward. He had a burn along his left arm, and a band-aid under his right eye. Ash and Serena hugged him tight.
"We thought you were dead after the Electrode blew up!" Ash exclaimed.
"Are Goh and Chloe okay?" Serena questioned.
"We're fine!" Goh exclaimed. Currently, his arm was slung over Chloe's shoulders as she helped him walk. Ash and Serena were visibly happy, hugging the two of them tightly.
"How'd you escape?" Ash asked them. As he finished talking, a voice coughed, which led Ash and Serena to turn behind them, noticing a familiar face. There was NO way, it was–
"I found these three huddling around their Pokémon," Sawyer stated, getting up off of a rock. "Turns out Brendan here didn't know his Swampert's Ability was Damp."
"Well, nobody was stupid enough to use the move Explosion in Trainer Hill," Brendan responded. "But yeah, Sawyer here found us after the Electrode detonated, and while we couldn't leave the way we came, we found our way here looking for an escape route, but heard you two from above so we decided to stay just in case."
"Sawyer, what were you even doing here?!" Serena exclaimed. Sawyer smirked in response, opening up his journal.
"My work with Stephen Stone had me initially acting as his bodyguard and personal assistant," Sawyer stated. "When I saw some hooded lady eavesdropping when he retrieved the Link Cable, I followed her and ended up battling her. That Salamence of hers was one powerful Pokémon. She spilled that she was coming here, so I decided to follow her and lo and behold, I found my way here, but no sign of the hooded lady."
"Oh, we ran into her," Ash responded. "Her name's Zinnia and she claims to be a Draconid. Apparently she believes that only her people can stop the meteor, and attempted to prevent Serena and I from leaving with the Primal shard. Did I mention she was also the one who reactivated the Electrode defense systems?"
"That seems very problematic," Brendan noted. "But we have one pressing issue at hand: escaping from here."
"Leave that to me," Sawyer responded, grasping a Poké Ball. "Aegislash, head on out!"
Aegislash emerged, staring at Sawyer proudly. The sword Pokémon noticed Ash and Serena, and extended an arm to wave.
"Aegislash, think you can help us dig a tunnel out of here?" Sawyer asked. Aegislash nodded as it changed into Blade Forme, before rearing back its sword and slashing forward.
"Let me help with that," Ash responded. "Sceptile, head on out!"
"Inteleon, go!" Goh exclaimed.
"Eevee, take it on!" Chloe yelled.
"Aggron, show your support!" Brendan declared.
"Sceptile, provide your aid!" Serena stated. The five Pokémon came out of their Poké Balls, and immediately got to work on digging their way out, using all sorts of moves to clear a path through the ground. Eventually, the clanging of Aegislash's shield indicated that the way forward was clear, and the group began to make their way through the tunnel.
As they walked, Serena was still clutching onto Ash in fear, especially after what had happened earlier. She had nearly confessed to him while they were dangling over the lava, and now that they had survived, she knew she could return to the waiting game. Ash looked at Serena, gripping her hand tightly, smiling at her.
"Don't worry Serena," Ash stated. "As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you."
"I'm sure of it," Serena smiled back. "Thank you for saving me."
"It was Pikachu who saved us," Ash noted, still carrying a tired and injured Pikachu in his arms. "Though you could argue it was also Swampert."
"Yes, but you went to save me first," Serena noted. "I…I don't know what could've happened if you weren't there!"
Serena began to tear up as Ash wrapped an arm around her, holding her close to his chest.
"It'll be okay," Ash assured. "We've been through worse, and we always spring back up stronger than ever!"
Serena smiled as Ash spoke. The fact that he had put his life on the line to save her only made her admire him more. She knew that one day she'd have the confidence to tell him how she truly felt.
Ash meanwhile was being struck by the "Serena Effect", which was his name for the weird feeling he had been getting around her. In the past he had often put his life on the line for others, but this case was different. He had felt incredibly protective of Serena while going through the hideout, and knew that he had done this for a different reason than just saving a friend. No, he was beginning to see Serena in a different light now. He just didn't know what exactly it was.
Lavaridge Town Pokémon Center, 11 pm
The group walked into the Pokémon Center, worn out from their injuries. As they set down their Poké Balls on the counter, they sat down on the couches in the reception area, recovering from the day's events.
"I'm going to go check in with Steven," Sawyer stated. "I'd suggest you guys get yourselves rooms for the night."
Sawyer walked off as Ash got up from his chair, about to head to the desk, when Serena pulled his arm.
"You need to rest Ash," Serena stated. "I can get us rooms."
Serena walked over to the desk, where Nurse Joy had just returned from the medical wing of the center.
"Two medium-sized rooms please," Serena asked. Nurse Joy checked the computer, before shaking her head in disappointment.
"I'm sorry, but we only have smalls tonight," Nurse Joy stated. "Would you be okay with those?"
Serena gulped upon hearing those words. Small Pokémon Center rooms only had a single bed! Would the rest of the group be okay with that?
"Y-yeah, that's fine," Serena responded. "Three small rooms please."
Nurse Joy nodded in response as she handed Serena three sets of keys. Clutching the keys, Serena returned to the rest of the group. Sawyer had returned at this point, and was writing in his journal.
"Bad news guys," Serena stated. "I could only get us small rooms."
"That…doesn't make any sense" Chloe shook her head. She thought to herself; maybe there's a convention in town…
"Smalls?" Goh responded. "But those only have a single bed!"
"I know it's not ideal, but we'll have to stick with it," Serena replied. "I guess we'll have to choose bunkmates for the night then. Chloe, do you want to-"
"Actually Serena, Chloe wanted to bunk with me tonight," Goh responded. "She said there was something urgent she wanted to discuss, right?"
"Y-yeah," Chloe responded, gulping. Geez, Goh, way to be pushy, she wanted to say, but said, "Sorry Serena, you'll have to bunk with someone else. Ash, how about-"
"No, I was thinking of bunking with Brendan tonight," Ash responded, blushing softly. "We should probably check with Birch about-"
"Nah, I'm gonna bunk with Sawyer," Brendan stated. "I want to compare research notes with him."
"I don't see a problem," Sawyer said as he looked up from his notes. How was he still writing?!
"Alright then," Serena responded, nervously blushing. "Guess that leaves you and me Ash."
"Y-yeah, I guess it does," Ash responded, shaking slightly. He had wanted to discuss what was going on with Brendan and Goh, but now he was sharing a room with Serena!
Ash and Serena walked into the room, looking around. It had a single double bed, a small couch, and a desk. The couch looked like it was made for Pokémon instead of humans. The window had a relaxing view of the local hot springs
"Serena, you can have the bed," Ash stated. "You deserve it after what we've been through today."
"Ash, I am not letting you sleep on the couch," Serena shook her head no. "You must be exhausted after trying to pull me up."
"I am not going to-"
"Piikaaa…"
Ash realized that he woke up Pikachu, who was practically asleep in his arms. He had forgotten that they also had to account for where he would sleep, and there was no way he was putting Pikachu into his ball!
"We could give Pikachu the bed, and we'd sleep on the couch?" Ash questioned. Serena rolled her eyes.
"No silly," she laughed. "We give Pikachu the couch and sh-share the bed."
Ash blushed like crazy upon hearing those words. Sharing the bed with Serena? It didn't feel right! What if he rolled on top of her like a Snorlax, or worse, his sleep habits scared her off?
"Are you sure Serena?" Ash questioned. "I don't want to feel like I'm invading your privacy."
"Ash, it's fine," Serena smiled as she assured him. Ash sighed to himself as he slowly set down Pikachu on the couch, and sat on the bed.
As Goh and Chloe got ready for bed (Chloe had insisted Goh take the couch much to his annoyance), they heard a knock on the door. Goh went to answer it, and was met with Brendan's face peering into the room.
"Oh good Brendan, you're here," Goh stated, letting him in. "Now we can talk."
"About what?" Chloe responded. Brendan laughed softly to himself in response.
"Did you already forget about your near-death words Chloe?" Brendan stated. "That Serena was in love with Ash?"
"O-oh," Chloe stammered, looking away from everyone else. "I thought we were going to die, so I decided to tell a joke and-"
"We won't tell Ash, don't worry," Goh assured, causing Chloe to breathe in relief. "We do want to know more however."
"Alright," Chloe explained. "It all started in Slateport."
A lot has happened here as you can tell. I hope you all enjoyed, and make sure to leave a review if you want more!