Chapter 11 Best Friend...Worst Nightmare

In Cerise Laboratory, Ash and Serena are now at the park as they say, "Good morning, everyone."

Ash's Pokemon are rushing towards Ash and Serena as they greet them. "We sure capture a lot of Pokemon." Serena says.

"I know, old and new, I'm glad to be friends with every one of them." Ash says.

"That's true, don't forget that training is part of the journey as well." Serena says. "Speaking of which, where is Dragonite?"

Just then, they see Charizard and Sceptile are having a stare with Dragonite, Serena gasps, "Oh no, what are they doing?"

"Let's wait and see." Ash says, and much to their surprise, Dragonite hugs the two Pokemon, causing the two of them to lower their guard.

"I told you." Ash smiles.

"Wow, you're right." Serena says.

As the Tauros are running past, Serena says, "Ash...I am curious about something...since we have that many Tauros, do you think we are going to use all of them for training?"

Ash says, "I have been asking the same question. I usually use the head Tauros, so I feel like the other Tauros are left out..."

"If that's the case, how about we ask Professor Cerise to do a trade?" Serena asks, and Ash is shocked at the mention of the word. "You mean...trading away all 29 of the Tauros and leaving the herd? But...will they agree to be with a new trainer?"

"That's why we should talk to them first about the situation." Serena adds, and Ash can only sigh.

After gathering the Tauros, Ash tells them about the truth, a lot of Tauros are sad since they don't want to leave Ash, but there is no other choice as they know that Ash won't be able to train all of them. So before they agree with the plan, they all decide to give him a stomp, causing Ash to be a little in pain.

As they get outside, they see Chloe saying goodbye to Yamper. Ash says, "Serena, looks like now it is our chance."

"You're right." Serena says. "Chloe!"

The sudden yell causes both the Professor and Chloe to get shocked. "Good morning, Chloe." Ash says.

"Good morning." Chloe says, not in a happy tone.

Serena turns to Professor Cerise and says, "Professor, our Wurmple has evolved!"

"I see." Cerise says. "That's really great, right?"

"I know, it is very touching, really made us feel how wonderful Pokemon are." Ash says. "Hey, Chloe? How about we go to the park and talk a bit?"

"B-but I have to go to school..." Chloe says.

"Oh, I guess you're right." Ash and Serena frown, and suddenly Chloe feels guilty all of a sudden. Then Chrysa comes and she says, "You better hurry, Chloe. Or you'll be late."

"Of course, I'll see you later." Chloe says as she runs off, and Ash and Serena frown. "We missed our chance again." Ash says.

"We have one more for today and that is when she comes back after school." Serena says.

Chrysa says, "By the way, Professor, I have a question about the latest project..."

"I got it, let's talk in the main room." Professor Cerise says as they walk indoors.

Serena asks, "Hey, Ash. Isn't Chloe interested in Pokemon?"

Ash says, "Back when we are in childhood...she wasn't like this before, but nowadays, she's kinda cold...I wonder is it because of the shock to see us two together?"

"Or maybe something happened during these years." Serena frowns. "People have different ways of interacting with Pokemon."

Chrysa and Professor Cerise step into the particularly dark Laboratory, and they feel something is not right. Ren's Magnemite appears, still entangled in electrical cords, he takes them to Ren, who is lying lifeless on the floor.

"Oh no!" Cerise says as he rushes to Ren, he says, "Ren, hang in there!"

Just then, they turn around and see Gengar, who moves right through them.

As Ash and Serena enter the lab, they also sense something and Yamper is barking. Ash asks, "Is there something?"

Yamper attacks the invisible shadow, revealing it to be Gengar. "A Gengar?" Serena asks in surprise.

"Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. A Ghost and Poison type. Gengar can pass through dimensions and appear almost anywhere. Since Gengar absorbs any warmth around it, the temperature suddenly drops wherever it appears."

As Gengar uses Shadow Ball, Pikachu deflects the attack with an Iron Tail. Gengar resorts to using Psychic, causing many things in the room to float.

"Sylveon, use Dazzling Gleam!" Serena yells as the light causes Gengar to get scared, and then it disappears and all the things are back to normal.

"Why is there a Gengar?" Serena says. "And I start to remember the time when we are at the Spooky House at Route 14 in Kalos..."

"You mean the old man saying, "I'm already dead?" It was just a way to scare us as he just likes to use Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar to scare travelers."

"But still..." Serena mutters, and then they decide to continue to find the Gengar.

"Gengar...where are you?" As they are walking on the corridors, Yamper finds the Gengar and Ash tries to capture it with the Pokeball, but Gengar simply uses Psychic to repel the Pokeballs.

Ash notices Mr. Mime approaching and he yells, "Watch out! Mimey!"

Just then, Mimey is forced to use Psychic to levitate his neatly folded sheets into the air to avoid them being ruined.

Gengar unleashes a Shadow Ball, which Pikachu slices with his Iron Tail. Gengar retaliates with an Ice Punch, but Yamper gets caught in the crossfire as Pikachu leaps out of the way, leaving the Puppy Pokémon frozen.

"Delphox! Use Majistic Fire to save Yamper." Serena tosses a Pokeball and Delphox uses the move to thaw Yamper from the ice.

Gengar fires an even larger Shadow Ball at the boys, with Pikachu using an Electroweb to block it. However, the resulting smoke allows Gengar to escape again.

Meanwhile, the Professor and his assistants are analyzing the Institute's recorded temperature distribution for any sudden drops to find Gengar's location, and Ash and Serena are still searching.

"Hey, Gengar!" Ash says.

"Ash, don't let your guard down." Serena says as he nods. Just then, Yamper feels something as he rushes out, as they chase after the puppy, they see Chloe returning to the lab.

"I'm back!" Chloe says as she notices Yamper. "Oh, I'm back, Yamper."

Yamper is wagging its tail at Chloe, who smiles, "Yes, yes, that's enough."

Just then, the Professor gets the readings and he says, "Lobby! Gengar is in the lobby!"

As Chloe is about to pet Yamper, it suddenly barks as Chloe turns around, finding Gengar in front of her.

Gengar unleashes a large Shadow Ball, though Yamper leaps in the way to defend Chloe from the attack.

"Yamper!" Chloe yells in horror as she immediately scoops Yamper from the ground and prepares to get away, but Gengar is determined to stop her and blocks her path.

"Chloe!" Ash and Serena rush in and Gengar is about to charge another Shadow Ball, Serena says, "Delphox! Shadow Ball!"

Delphox waves its twig as a Shadow Ball collides with Gengar's.

Gengar retaliates by immobilizing the couple, Delphox and Pikachu with its telekinetic powers. "Ash! Serena!" Chloe yells in horror.

Seeing Gengar's Cheshire grin, Yamper rebounds from the earlier blow and snarls at its foe. Professor Cerise and its assistants arrive and Cerise notices how Yamper is snarling at Gengar, he says, "Chloe, tell Yamper to use Spark!"

"What?" Chloe asks in shock, and her father says, "If you command it, I'm sure it will listen."

"But I've never done this before!" Chloe says.

"Yamper is desperate to try to protect you! Chloe's father says, and Ash says, "Do it, Chloe!"

Chloe nods and she says, "Yamper! Use Spark!"

Yamper charges straight through an oncoming Shadow Ball, sending Gengar out of the Institute.

"You did it, Yamper! Gengar is gone." Ash says, and Chloe and Yamper embrace each other in celebration.

After a while, Ash notices Chloe sitting on the sofa in the room, and Ash says, "Chloe, can we talk?"

"Ash?" Chloe wants to turn away, but Ash grabs her hand and he says, "I am not going to let you ignore us again. You can tell me what is wrong."

Chloe just gives an angry pout and says, "Nothing is wrong with me, let me go, Ash."

"No, there is definitely something wrong. Just tell me..." Ash says. "You weren't so cold towards us and Pokemon when we are together a lot of years before. I am worried about you."

Chloe is not going to continue struggling and she says, "Because of Pokemon...a lot of people are thinking that I am going to follow my father's footsteps...but I am not sure if I really want to be a Professor...and it is driving me crazy."

"If you don't want to be a Professor, then you shouldn't do it." Ash says. "I don't know what exactly happened in school that causes you to be so much hate, but you should focus on what you want in your heart instead of listening to others. You are the only one to decide your future, not the other way around."

"Ash..." Chloe says with a surprise, and Ash says, "Like Serena. Her mother wanted her to be a Rhyhorn Racer, and she doesn't like it. This is why she follows her heart as she tries to join in Performances and Contests, and now she wants to be a Pokemon Master just like me."

"Serena again..." Chloe mutters with a frown. "How did you two get together?"

Ash says, "When I was traveling in Kalos, we traveled together because Serena wants to return the handkerchief that I used for her in the Summer Camp back to me. She comes to Kanto after our journey so that we can travel together."

Chloe can only nod, and she says, "You know, I am really jealous of you two...you two have accomplished some things that I couldn't do..."

Ash takes a breath and he asks, "Your feelings for me, how long does it happen?"

Chloe is surprised with a small blush, and she says, "Are you sure you want to ask me about this? You already have Serena."

"I know, but Serena and I have a talk, and she agrees to share with you." Ash says, "All we need is your opinion."

Chloe frowns and she says, "I will need some time to think about it."

Ash can only nod as he leaves Chloe alone.

Once they get back to the room, Serena says, "So how is it?"

"I managed to get her to talk to me, it turns out that she has pressure about her goal just like you had when we were in Kalos." Ash says. "Chloe is conflicted about following her father's footsteps to be a Professor."

"I see...I am sure she can find a goal just like I did." Serena says, "By the way, I have asked Professor Cerise and he has put some of your Tauros on the Global Trade System."

"Really. Now I wonder what we are going to get tomorrow..." Ash says. "But that Gengar from today was tough."

"Yeah, it will be great to capture it." Serena says, but unknown to them, Gengar isn't completely gone, rather it is seen standing atop the Institute's spire awaiting its next moment to strike.

Here is a new chapter, there is no new capture for this chapter, but I decide to have Ash talk with Chloe about her problems, and ask her if she wants to join in the Harem. But Chloe needs some time to consider, so it won't be fast if she joins in the harem. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be in Galar again.