Chapter 10: Actions speak louder than words


"Sir?" called the nurse. Her face was dripping with sweat, and she chewed her lip nervously.

Ash looked up at her. "Y-yeah?" he replied, his voice scarcely above a whisper.

"Your friend... She's, well, her injuries are very severe. It's gonna take a long time for her to make a recovery, and I'm... I'm not sure if she's going to ever return to full health again." she explained.

Ash's body turned rigid when he heard those words. His mouth went dry and his stomach felt like it was made of lead. "It can't be..." he muttered. "But there's still a chance...?" he begged.

The nurse nodded. "Of course there's a chance! We'll do everything we can to help her!" And with that, she turned back and walked towards the ER, where Serena was.

"Wait!" he shouted. "Please, please may I see her?"

The nurse looked into his eyes. They were pleading, eyes filled with genuine fear. "Yes... Yes you may. Go on."

Ash thanked her profusely, and turned away, towards the ER doors in the hospital.

He walked in silence and with balled fists jammed in his pockets, frightened emotions plaguing his mind. Then suddenly, he remembered something. Something that happened not even a month ago.


Serena's eyes opened slightly, and tears rolled out of them. "A-A-Ash... I just had a-a-a nightmare..." she gasped.

Ash put his hands on her shoulders. "Its okay, it's okay, I'm here. Deep breaths, okay?" He told her gently. She obliged, breathing in and out, slowly, her breaths unstable.

"It was about you..." She whispered when she had got her breath back.

Ash's brow furrowed. "Me? What do you mean?"

She dried her eyes with her pyjama sleeve. "I dreamt about when I saw you on TV when you were on Lumiose Tower, except Blaziken Mask never appeared in my dream. You... You..." Her eyes lost focus as they began to well up again.

Ash put his arm around her. "Listen, that's all in the past now... All that's left to think about now is the present, and the future. So don't give your nightmare a second thought, you got it?" He explained. Serena nodded slowly, Ash's soothing voice calming her down.


He thought back to what Serena said, and he was struck by a revelation. "I think I understand now..." he thought firmly. "I understand now how you've been feeling all along."

His mind cleared slightly, but he saw the room the nurse had told him that his friend was in, and he laid a hand on the handle, almost too scared to push and see the aftermath. But he swallowed his fear for now, and creaked open the door.

"Serena!" he gasped when he saw her.

She had a brace on her neck, and was attached to a machine and several wires. It was too cruel a fate... Ash took a seat beside her.

Moments later, Ash saw her eyes flicker open. "A-ash?" she croaked, her eyes distant. "You came for me..."

Ash's eyes unfocused. "Serena, please don't push yourself... Don't worry, I won't leave your side until you get better, I promise. I'll never leave you like this." he whispered.

Serena smiled, and her eyes slowly closed once again. Her breathing became softer and less ragged.

Ash clasped her free hand tightly. "Serena, you've been so brave... Just don't give up, please..."

Ash gazed at the girl. "When I first met you in camp, I told you to never give up, right? And throughout our entire journey together, you took that message to heart." he told her gently. "You worked so hard, and now you're the Kalos Queen! So please..." a tear rolled down his face, followed by another. His fists clenched in his lap, as he cried onto his whitened knuckles. "Not until it's over... You're such an amazing person, Serena..."

Serena didnt respond. Unconscious, most likely. Ash never moved from his spot. He just waited.

And waited.

Several hours past, and Ash even passed out from the exhaustion.

He woke up abruptly when he heard a sound nearby. He slowly turned his head. Nobody there. His eyes darted towards the hospital bed. Serena was still safe, thank Arceus.

The noise Ash heard was Alain, who had just entered the hospital. After talking with the nurse for a minute, he went over to Ash.

Ash saw the door open, and his friend appear from behind it. "Hey Alain." he whispered.

"Ash..." Murmured Alain softly. He had only just taken in Serena's position.

"She'll be okay." Ash smiled, though his voice was strained. "She's... I believe in her. I'll have faith in her til the end."

Alain glanced back at his friend sadly. "Do you want to have a battle?" He asked, hoping to cheer his distraught friend.

Ash shook his head. "Sorry Alain. I promised Serena I'd never leave her alone like this."

Alain stayed quiet. Ash never turned down a battle offer. Finally, he said, "Ash, yesterday you asked me how much Mairin means to me. I told you that I would do anything to protect her."

Ash nodded so Alain continued. "I can see just how much Serena means to you, Ash."

Ash turned away. Tears streamed down his face. "I-i-i wish that it was me instead of her."

"Ash, don't say anything like that..." Alain protested.

Ash shook his head. "Serena's the best person that's ever come into my life. I've always travelled with people I could get along with, people with good morals, good personality, but Serena had always been so kind, gentle, mature, even when I get into trouble or do something reckless, she looks out for me..." Ash's sobbed; his voice was in the verge of breaking. "And she's told me that I was her biggest role model. But when she snapped me out of my mindset, I realised that now she should be mine. She's such an amazing person, and I could owe her my life."

Alain stared at the floor complacently.

Ash wiped his face with his sleeve. "If I only could tell her how much she's impacted my life, just how happy I feel when I'm with her..."

Alain smiled softly. "It sounds like love, don't you think?"

Ash drew back. "W-what? I... I love Serena?" He whispered. He stared at his hands, and then at her.

He had never really thought about it before, but now that he had, things started to form in his head. His feelings, his emotions, they all began to make more sense to him.

Love was something Ash could never understand. He couldn't care less for those romantic TV shows where it was focused on a couple's relationship. But now, he thought about it. He understood everything.

What was strange to him now was that it didn't come across as a huge revelation. Perhaps he had known all along, but he was just too dense to have told himself his feelings towards her.

He gazed at Serena. Despite the tube in her nose, she still looked beautiful as she did when she was in a showcase, or walking alongside him. Her honey-coloured hair lay over her face, covering her brilliant blue eyes. Her skin was light - a lot lighter than his, and warm to the touch. Ash felt warm every time he looked at the sleeping girl.

Her beauty wasn't what drew him to her though. It was everything she had done. In the span of the year he had been travelling with her, she had picked up everything good about him, in particular his perseverance, and has never once said anything bad to him. She became everything that Ash appreciated about someone. And she had taught him so much without him realising until later.

He sat down again, a small smile blossoming on his face. "Well... Perhaps I do." He finally concluded as his face turned red. "I love Serena." Even her name felt light and airy to say. "Serena... She's kind, caring, thoughtful, hardworking, constantly wants to improve, selfless, never gives up..." Ash hesitated. "She's everything I admire about someone."

Alain raised an eyebrow. "You know, I can see you as everything you mentioned. I bet you passed that on to her."

Ash shook his head. "It's different with her. I may have helped her, told her stuff, but ultimately, I'd be lost without her."

Suddenly, he broke down crying. "Why did this have to happen..?"

Alain hesitated, but came closer to Ash, and laid an arm on his shoulder. "She'll be okay, Ash. Only you know just how strong she really is."

Ash looked up at him, his eyes full of tears. "Okay... Thanks, Alain. And, I'm sorry for leaving you alone on that rock-"

Alain shook his head. "No, don't be. Serena's important to you, close to you. You did what you had to."

Ash smiled through his tears. "I gotta stop acting so... So weak." He wiped away his tears, and lowered his eyebrows. "There's gotta be something I can do for her... There must be."

He massaged his temples. A moment later, he jerked his head up. "Alain, could you do me a favour?"

Alain nodded, waiting expectantly. "Can you find Clemont and Bonnie for me?" They should be back in Prism Tower, I think. Just tell them It's about Serena."

Alain nodded again. "You got it, Ash. I owe you one, after all." He left through the door, and Ash was alone once again with Serena, and his thoughts.

His eyes were hard and determined. "Don't worry about a thing, Serena. I swear that you will get better. From the bottom of my heart, I promise."


Clemont and Bonnie burst through the doors, about an hour later. "Ash!" they exclaimed in unison, and both of them in very hushed tones, yet the worry was clear in their voices.

Ash got up. "I need you to look after her. There's something... I've got something I need to do. You can call me on this if you can't, and I'll be back in an instant." he pointed to the blue receiver that Clemont gave him.

The Lumiose siblings stared into his eyes. They couldn't protest - not that they wanted to. Serena had been with them so long, she was more than a friend. They were family.

"Don't worry, Ash. We'll stay." Bonnie said, resolute. Clemont agreed.

Ash stepped near to Serena's bed. "I'll be back before long. Clemont and Bonnie are with you now." he whispered.

Ash felt something on his wrist. He looked down - Serena's hand was holding onto it with whatever little strength she had.

He felt like he was about to cry again. "Please, Serena... I won't be long..."

A tear dripped out of Serena's fluttering eyes. "Ash..." She whispered.

Ash stood up straight. "I'm leaving her in your care now. please don't leave her!" He mumbled, and bolted out the room. His breathing was harsh and erratic.

He paused for a moment, to calm down. "Alright. She's trusting me, as are Clemont and Bonnie. But i've just had an idea."

He bolted from the room to the nurses unattended desk. Serena's bag was there. Ash opened it up, and took what he needed from it. Once he had done that, he carefully zipped it back up again and left the hospital. Around him he saw the hideous vines that once threatened the region being torn down by construction workers. He smiled. There was always hope. He couldn't ever give up hope. Ash remembered his own motto, that Serena had taken to heart and made it her own. 'Never give up until it's over.'

"Charizard! I choose you!" Ash shouted. He threw the pokeball, and his faithful dragon appeared in a rush of blue light, roaring.

Ash stared at his pokemon, with determined eyes. "Charizard, Serena is really hurt. But if I know my stuff as well as I think I do, then we can make her better. Are you able to fly me?"

Charizard contemplated it. Finally, it gave an approving, fiery snort. Ash and Pikachu hopped into Charizards back. "Okay Charizard, let's do this!"

They flew over Lumiose City, and when Charizard eventually became too tired to carry, he landed in a forest.

Ash pulled out a pokeball and one of Serena's pokepuffs. "Here Charizard, have a taste of this." Charizard glared at it gingerly before devouring it instantaneously, and his face melted into ecstasy from the bite.

Ash grinned. "Serena made them specially for fire types. Good, isn't it? I personally loved her electric type special puffs, probably because of the countless shocks Pikachu's given me." he chuckled. Pikachu sweat dropped, but laughed along.

Ash stopped and looked around. "Alright Charizard, you've been awesome buddy, return!" He held up the pokeball and Charizard was withdrawn in a flash of light.

Pikachu looked up at his trainer with a questioning look about his face.

Ash put Charizard's pokeball back on his belt, and produced four more from his bag. "Alright, come on out."

Four pokemon lined up in front of Ash. Braixen, Pancham, Sylveon, and Popstar the Pikachu. They all looked at Ash sadly.

"I know how you all feel. But for now, I've had a plan on how to make her get better. For now, follow me." explained Ash.

The five pokemon followed Ash, as Pikachu filled them in on what Ash was trying to do. Nobody argued, and were instead ready to focus all their attention. "Okay!" Ash said. "When you find one, find some way of signalling to us and we'll be right over." Ash hesitated. "Actually, we'll split into pairs. Braixen, Pancham, you go together, how about the Pikachu's go as a pair, which means... You alright going with me, Sylveon?"

She nodded, actually more eagerly than Ash had expected. Sylveon wanted to spend more time with Ash anyway; the person that her trainer loved, but as an Eevee she was too scared of him, and especially how loud he was. However, this was totally different from the loud, happy-go-lucky Ash Ketchum. Right now, she felt his worry for her trainer, and therefore knew that she could trust him fully.

They all split up. After a while of Ash and Sylveon silently walking side by side, Sylveon heard a voice protrude her thoughts. "Hey Sylveon. Is performing with Serena fun?"

Sylveon nodded, happily recalling the Master Class finals in her head.

"I'm glad that you've got such a good trainer." Ash continued.

"Sylvi?" The white dog asked. While she agreed that, yes, Serena was indeed a good trainer, she wondered why Ash brought it up, and so waited for him to continue.

"You see, it's not every day that a trainer comes along with as much care and kindness as Serena. Heck, I've been on this journey for years and I'm still learning. Some pokemon like to be pushed to their limits. Others should be nurtured kindly in order for them to achieve their full potential. It didn't take your girl long to be a fully fledged Kalos Queen, after all. I'd say I'm envious, but more than anything, I'm glad. After all, you four... And all pokemon in general deserve the best. You, Braixen, Pancham and Popstar - well, you already have that."

Ash smiled to Sylveon, who returned it. "Sylvi, Sylveon." She said. Ash's eyes widened.

"You what? Serena talks about me?"

"Veon, Sylvi vi!" The pokemon giggled.

Ash took a moment, in which he struggled with himself. "But I... I don't want to hold her back in any way. It'd mean the world to me if we could continue traveling, but I'll need to return to Kanto soon, and I'll bet she needs to stay and train with you four as the Queen."

Sylveon frowned, and looked sadly. The truth was, Sylveon was already very attached to Ash. The fact that her trainer had a very blatant crush on the boy made Sylveon appreciate him more. She also felt upset that they'd have to part ways, sooner or later.

Ash lowered his head, looking glum. However, out of the blue, appeared a wild Chansey, springing out from behind some bushes!

Ash jumped for joy. "Yes, a Chansey!"

The round pink Chansey turned around to face him, looking confused.

Ash dropped to his hands and knees in front of the pokemon. "Chansey, I need your help!"

Chansey looked into Ash's eyes. They had dried by then, but they were visibly reddened and hard. His bottom lip had been recently chewed out of stress. Sylveon moved to Chansey, and began to explain. Chansey stared back at Ash kindly. "Chan, Chansey!"

Ash's eyes brightened. "Really? Thank you so much! Hey Sylveon, can you call the others?"

Sylveon nodded, and fired a swift into the air, and soon Pancham, Braixen and the Pikachu pair emerged from the bushes. They saw Chansey and looked gleeful.

"Okay." Ash said. "Here's what we'll do. Sylveon, Popstar, you two ride Charizard and Swellow to the hospital with Chansey, and I'll get the others back safely. Don't worry, just focus on getting Serena better."

He let Swellow and Charizard out, and the pokemon took the others on their backs as they flew off to the hospital.

Ash then faced Pikachu. "Hey buddy, I have one more thing I have to do. You think you'll be able to take Pancham and Braixen back?"

Pikachu nodded, and the three pokemon ran off, leaving Ash standing there on his own. "Now then." Ash determined. "I can't let them down. I'd better get to the Pokemon Center."


After coming back to the hospital after a brief trip to the Pokemon Center, Ash walked through the doors of Serena's hospital room to find the nurse, alongside Clemont, Bonnie, and the pokemon who helped him look for Chansey. To his surprise, Alain and Mairin were also both there, with Chespie cuddled in Mairin's arms, standing in the corner. Alain was staring complacently at the machine monitoring Serena's heartbeat, until Ash came in the room. "Oh, hey again Ash." He greeted.

The nurse faced Ash. "Were you the one who brought that Chansey?"

Ash nodded. "Well, it was a great idea!" she smiled. Ash lit up, relieved. She however didn't look at ease just yet. "Chansey left after using Softboil, but it looks like we'll still need something to speed up the healing process..."

Ash nodded, and reached onto his belt. He plucked a pokeball, which opened in his hand. A large green Pokémon appeared, harnessing a tree on its shell. "Hey Torterra." Ash beamed. "Long time no see, buddy."

Torterra grinned at the sight of his trainer. "Terra!" He growled happily.

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Torterra, I'll fill you in on what's going on a bit later. Right now, do you think you could use Synthesis on Serena?"

Torterra nodded, and his body began to glow bright green. The green seeped into Serena's body, making her own glisten. Green sparks emanated around her. Soon, the move ended, letting Torterra withdraw into his shell, partly due to his tiredness.

The nurse inspected Serena with awe. "Her wounds are gone!"

The trio breathed a huge sigh of relief and ecstasy, glad their friend would be okay.

"That's... That's an incredible Synthesis! I've never seen anything like it!" she mentioned, starstruck.

Ash smiled. "That's all thanks to Torterra."

The nurse looked at him, admiringly. "Well, thank you very much for the help, Torterra!" She said to the retreated shell. Torterra poked his head out and nodded before returning to rest. Meanwhile, Ash took a chair beside Clemont. The nurse continued. "She should rest here for perhaps one more day, and some crutches for her broken leg and arm should be arriving as well, so she'd be up and walking by then! You all don't need to worry!" The nurse explained, to the joy of everyone in the room.

Clemont put a hand on his chest. "What a relief! Thank goodness Serena'll be okay, even if she will need crutches." He turned to Bonnie. "I guess, now that we know Serena's doing well, I'd better head back and continue working on Clembot again."

Ash's eyes widened. "Oh! How's that going!" He asked.

"Better than I was expecting. It's still very sad knowing Clembot will be starting again from square one, but it's better than never seeing him again."

Ash nodded in agreement. "You get back to it then. I'll keep watching over her, so I'll call you when she's better." He motioned to the receiver in his pocket.

Clemont nodded, and the two Lumiose siblings left.

Ash leaned back in his chair. Alain glanced at Serena, and turned to him concerned. "So Ash, do you think you'll confess your feelings to her?"

Ash's face fell into one of deep upset. "I... I'm not sure. It would be horrible to be turned down, but it'd be even worse if I knew that I had stopped her from reaching her dream. So... Arrgh!"

Ash's slammed a hand against his forehead, fighting harsh conflict with his own mind. "I wish I could tell her..." He murmured.

Mairin put a hand on his shoulder. "Ash, you should tell her."

Ash gazed at the green-clad girl. She continued. "Nothing good can come of keeping your feelings hidden. Last time someone I knew hid his feelings, they ended up accidentally giving an evil organisation enough power to destroy Lumiose City." She exclaimed.

Alain bowed his head in shame. Mairin quickly apologised. "Sorry, that was too soon. But what I'm saying is that if you two shared the same feelings, then you'd be able to find a way to make it work when it came to it." she winked.

"Thank you, Mairin." Ash smiled gratefully. He stared up at the ceiling, and his eyebrows furrowed into a determined expression. "I guess I needed a bit of a boost. I'll... I'll tell her then." He looked up and closed his eyes, leaving Alain and Mairin stricken but pleased.


However, they weren't the only ones overjoyed by Ash's words.

It took all Serena's willpower to keep from crying. She felt two overwhelming, polar opposite emotions. Joy, and guilt.

Joy because she had overheard Ash and everything he had said. The love of her life, admitting to having feelings for her.

Guilt, as the last thing she would ever want is to make him so grief stricken as he was.

Serena knew now that there was no way she could hide her feelings for Ash. But she had very little time left, and there was still the matter of her newfound career as Kalos Queen. After all, she had read the terms. The Kalos Queen would be half a year free after the Master Class, then she would need to actively take part in performances and showcasing the Kalos region to the world.

Serena pondered on her hospital bed. Was that really the life she wanted to lead? And she decided, yes, she did want to end her journey by achieving her ambition, but she didn't want this journey to end just yet.

Two people lay there in that hospital room that evening, those two people bound together by their hopes and dreams. They lay there, thinking hard, about what their futures would entail. And most importantly, if their futures would make room for each other.


And that, my friends, is the end of the chapter! I hope you enjoyed. This certainly has been difficult to write, but I'm certainly having fun doing it. It's a welcome break from revision and exam stress.

Reviews:

What a cliffhanger! Also, Pyroar's a lion not a dog.

Ah, thanks for the kind words! And I'll be sure to double check pokemon species beforehand; I appreciate the heads up!

Thanks for reading, and I'll see you next chapter!