Chapter 42 A Talk to Remember

Once Ash and his friends are taken into the training hall, they see a lot of familiar faces in front of them.

"No way...there are a lot of people..." Zachary says.

"Though I have been here before, to think that there are already a lot of people..." Nora says.

"Just then, the chosen who are training notice them, they are shocked and they quickly go towards them.

"Ash! You are finally here." Kukui says.

"Professor Kukui? Professor Burnet? Alain? Diantha? Cynthia? Steven? Ritchie? Barry? What are you doing here? Are you also being chosen?" Ash asks.

"We are." Cynthia says. "We have been waiting for your arrival ever since we knew that you are still alive."

Diantha says, "And it is a good thing that you are fine..."

Ash frowns a little, and then Dawn, Serena, and Bonnie decide to walk towards Ash. "Ash..." Dawn says.

Ash notices the three, he feels a little tense up and he says, "I have heard from N that you three are Chosen as well." He says, "I was betrayed by you guys, you said some hurtful words to me, and you also took my Pokemon. This is not the worst."

He takes a deep breath and says, "I was attacked by the Cult of Darkrai, I was declared dead because of them. My Mom and my Dad are missing...and even Lillie..." He starts to form a tear. "I have been in a misery, all because of the words you said..."

"But Ash..." Dawn says, but she is stopped.

"I have decided to forgive you guys, so you don't need to apologize again. But right now...I don't think that things can be changed back to the way they were..." Ash says, and the words are indirect to Serena, as Ash infers that his love for her is now gone.

"I understand..." Serena frowns, at least this time Ash is going to forgive her.

Red says, "Now that it is done...we should lead you to your rooms. And also, Ash, we have bought some presents for you."

"Presents?" Ash is confused. But when they go into his room, much to his shock, there are a lot of Pokemon inside.

"No way...how many Pokemon are there? This is too much for me..." Ash gasps.

"You see. Our future leads to a battle that determines fate, so these Pokemon are your warriors, your friends that can help you overcome it." Calreath says.

"No way..." Ash says, and he also sees Infernape, Samurott, Floatzel, and some Pokemon inside. They rush to Ash and hug them. "You guys are here as well? I thought that the traitors take you away..."

"They did, but after they learned that you were still alive, they left them and comes to us." Red says.

"Thank you guys..." Ash says. "Now who is ready to start training?"

The Pokemon all cheer as they are ready, then Ash starts to do his own usual training.


After a while, Ash smiles at all the Pokemon trying so hard to work with one another, he then goes to the other Pokemon to give out some pointers.

"Gothitelle, I know that you haven't mega evolved before, it is fine, just take your time and you will get used to the power."

Gothitelle nods, then Ash sees that both Empoleon goes into a fight with Samurott. He says, "Cut it out. You too. Fighting won't solve anything. Right now you should have a battle if you really want to fight."

The two lowers their heads in shame. And then Ash is tackled by Meganium. Ash laughs, "I am glad to see you as well, Meganium, but what are you doing here? I thought that you were in Professor Sylvan's Lab."

"I brought them here." They see Professor Sylvan comes inside the room with Nora, Zachary, Gladion, Dawn, and Serena.

"Professor? What are you doing here?" Ash says in surprise.

"Well, I am also a member of a Chosen as well." Sylvan says. "Though my Pokemon is a Pokemon that you haven't seen before."

She shows them the Pokemon made by glitches, Nora asks, "What is this Pokemon?"

"It is Missingno." Professor Sylvan says. "This Pokemon suddenly appears inside my Computer and I befriend him."

"That is so cool." Ash says. "I really wanted to talk to you more, but right now I have to work for more. So I see you guys later."

After Ash leaves, Dawn says, "Is he the Ash we used to know? He looks really different..."

Gladion says, "I know what you mean, back in Alola, he is more cheerful and also optimistic, even in the league as well. But after I met him back in Telnor Town, he feels much mature...and also...he cares more of us...especially Lillie..."

Serena frowns and says, "Speaking of Lillie...she did appear back in Alola..."

"What?" Nora asks. "She was in Alola? But why?"

Serena says, "According to the man...I think his name is Malde or else, he says that she wants revenge...for Ash...she tries to attack Mallow and the others."

Nora asks, "They were the traitors, right? But why? She did manage to injure Brother when we were in the Abyssal Cult Base..."

"I don't know...but when I mentioned Ash, I saw that she flinches a little, it is also why Malde took her away." Serena says.

Nora then turns to Serena, "Speaking of which, as Ash's blood-related sibling, I have rights to know. Why did you say those words to him?"

Serena frowns and says, "I didn't mean to say those words at all...at first Professor wanted me to betray Ash, I refused, but somehow I feel I am not under the control of my actions...I can't believe I made such a big deal..."

"It sure is a big deal." Zachary says. "Words are like weapons, you think that it is no big deal, but to others, it might be."

Nora nods, "From what I heard from Brother, he did love you ever since childhood. He is just afraid to confess because he didn't want you to think otherwise...the kiss you gave him back in the Airport really gives him an impact, he couldn't stop thinking about you. But then you decided to break it and tells him that it was a goodbye kiss and it is nothing..."

Serena just feels much sadder and Nora continues, "Since I am not my brother, so I can't judge anything about it. But I suggest that you should have a talk with Ash about it."

Serena nods as the group then goes to help him train.


That night, Ash is sitting near the window, he is thinking the events about Lillie. Pikachu jumps onto his lap and Ash pets him. "I am fine, Pikachu, it is just...I can't believe that it has been almost a month since Lillie was being controlled...and I have yet to save her..."

Ash frowns and looks outside, at the same time, Serena walks inside the room and she says, "Ash? Can we talk?"

Ash turns around and sees Serena, he sighs and says, "Fine...I also have something to ask you."

Serena sits beside Ash, Ash says, "Every time I look at the stars, they shine so bright. They give me courage...but they also give me pain as well..."

Serena is confused, Ash continues, "The courage of moving forward, and the pain of reminding the past...the past when I lost all seven leagues...You told me to give up because I lost 7 leagues, but did you know how I lost all of them?"

Serena shakes her head, then Ash says, "In the Kanto League, I lost to Ritchie, my Charizard doesn't listen to me and he is the one that causes me to forfeit the match. In the Johto League, just like Greninja and Alain's Charizard, my Charizard has a great fight against Blaziken...but we are so close to winning, only to fail...in the Hoenn, it is the same, only that it is Pikachu and the opponent's Meowth..."

Serena is keeping silent, and then Ash continues, "And then in Sinnoh, I have to face Tobias...he uses Darkrai and Latios against my team, how can you beat two Legendaries? At least I managed to do what the other participants couldn't do. I defeated his Darkrai...and in Unova, Pikachu lost to a Riolu who then evolves into Lucario...and you knew the rest."

Ash laughs weakly. "So close...always so close...to see my dream almost come true, only to fail in the end...and because of it, I was treated as weak by you guys..."

"Ash...I..." Serena says.

"I can't forget what you said to me, even though Persephone, the Darkrai Cult Leader tried to wipe out my memories, she didn't wipe them out. I had to think about your words every night..." Ash says while turning away.

Serena says, "I am sorry, Ash...I just thought that..."

"You just thought that I was dense?" Ash asks. "Which is why you said those words? Since it might not hurt me much? You really are naive."

"No, I was being hypnotized..." Serena says, "I didn't mean to say those words..."

"You're father told me about this, and I forgive you for it." Ash says while turning away. Serena decides to ask, "Why didn't you say anything back in Kalos? Or after Alola?"

"It is hard to say it out, you know." Ash says. "Then why didn't you say as well? Isn't it the same reason that I didn't tell you?"

Serena stops as she can only nod. Ash says, "As for in Alola...I also met a girl, I have the same feelings for her as you...I couldn't choose one of you, which is why I didn't tell you."

Serena frowns and says, "Let me guess, Lillie?"

Ash can only nod. Serena asks, "Can you tell me about her?"

Ash says, "In the first day we met, I saw her almost being crushed by the Tauros, so I helped her, and it was our first meeting. Then I attended school, she had Pokephobia, so I tried to help her conquer her fear, which is why I often went to her house. We took care of the egg, which hatched into Snowy, her first Pokemon, an Alolan Vulpix, and it is the reason why Gladion is fine for me being close to her...she also has amnesia, so we walked together back in Alola to help her find her memories...it is memorable, except that their mother is being kidnapped by Nihilego."

"Sounds like you and she had a lot of adventures..." Serena can't help but feel a little jealous. "When did your feelings for her grow?"

"It is when Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet's wedding, we kinda danced with each other..." Ash confessed. "It is then I had doubts about my love. Since I had never danced with you..."

"Yeah, at that time when we were going to dance, it ends." Serena sighs.

"And I am sorry about that..." Ash says. "After the Alola League...I didn't think that she would go to Torren, after all, they were on a search for their father...not only that, she had saved me from the Darkrai Cult with Mew..."

Ash frowns, "She saved me from the darkness...but I couldn't save her from hers..."

Serena nods and says, "I am sure that you will save her, just remember what you said, never give up until it is over."

Ash looks at her, Serena sighs, "To be honest, I am really jealous of her, but after hearing about how you talk about her...maybe she is the one you loved."

"Serena..." Ash looks at her with surprise.

"I know it is going to hurt me, but what can I do? I already hurt you." Serena says with a frown. "Take care of her, she is lucky to have you."

Ash then nods and gives her a friendly hug. He says, "Thank you, I really need that."

"Anytime." Serena says.


Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, I give you guys a talk between Ash and Serena. This is the Aureliashipping, but I have to make the Amourshipping in this story end peacefully so that the former shipping can grow. I hope you like it. The next chapter is the gym.