Waking to the sound of thunder, Serena jumped slightly. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she sat up, turning about in a circle in an attempt to find the digital clock she spotted on the way in, scowling sleepily. She finally found it, and she gasped out loud at the time. It was 7:50! She turned around, glancing outside the wide glass panels that made up the sliding door which lead to the wooden patio outside. The setting sun cast warm colors upon the sky, ruddy oranges and soft pinks paired with a deep, crimson sphere slowly sinking below the waves. The light reflected through the window behind Serena, casting the room in soft, warm, glowing light, illuminating features she hadn't bothered to notice when she entered, exhausted as she was. Stretching her limbs with a yawn and a groan, she sat up and, grabbing her pokeballs from the end table next to the sofa, released her pokemon. Soon, all six of her pokemon stood before her in a semi circle. Diancie danced in place, spinning in circles repetitively. Purring in delight, Sylveon rubbed against Serena's leg, causing her to smile. Pangoro and Absol seemed to be in conversation, and Delphox and Dragalge merely let out appreciative cries in greeting. Serena smiled deeply at the sight. Her pokemon had been there for her through thick and thin, and although some team members were newer than others, such as Diancie and Dragalge, they were all her trusted friends. That she would share this vacation with them was a given. Addressing the pokemon before her, Serena said "I'm going to change into my swimsuit and then we'll go for a swim. How does that sound?". The assembled pokemon let out jubilant cries, many of them trembling in anticipation. Grabbing the new swimsuit she had bout in Celadon, Serena turned and dashed into the bathroom in the middle of the hallway, closing the door behind her. Seconds later, she emerged, and after confirming her actions with her partners, rushed out the door onto the sand below, making for the crashing waves. She paused, however, when she noticed a pokemon battle taking place at the southern edge of the shoreline after a bright green beam of light fell from the heavens above. She sniffed in disdain, turning and heading for the northern part of the beach. Really, you would think they'd have the decency to battle somewhere else! She would just have to do her best to avoid the commotion until they moved away. Soon, her pokemon were playing in the water, Pangoro and Dragalge playing about in the crashing waves. Meanwhile, Diancie and Delphox were building a sand castle. Even though it had grown dark by this point, Serena could see the castle they were building. It was at least five feet wide both ways, with a portcullis and tiered walls a foot tall, surrounded on all sides by a water filled moat. There was even a drawbridge sculpted in the center of the front wall, although it's functionality was certainly questionable. Meanwhile, Absol sat upon a jagged rock that jutted out from the wake, gazing at the starry sky laid out before him. All the while Serena laid on a towel with Sylveon cuddled against her side, reading a book on her rotom phone.
It was so very rare for herself and her pokemon to have the time to do something like this. I can't remember the last time we got a chance to just sit back and relax like this. The last time I was able to do something like this was… was when I was traveling with Ash, Clemonat, and Bonnie. Serena smiled wistfully, fully immersing herself in the bittersweet memories of the past. She was still in touch with Clemont and Bonnie, but she rarely saw them, busy as the three of them were. Of course, as the regnant Queen of Kalos. Serena was generally kept very busy. And Clemont had become quite busy himself within the last year or so. Less than six months ago he had been invited to join the Kalos Elite Four, as Malva wished to focus her attention of the newly reformed Team Flare, who had become something akin to a secret agency since Malva had taken over. But Clemont had refused, as he was content with merely being the Lumiose City Gym Leader, as it allowed him to stay in Lumiose City. This would be important for him going forward, as he had recently proposed to Lilia, and they would be wed sometime next year. As such, Lilia's father wanted to hand control of his company to the promised couple, claiming that it was his time to retire and let the next generation take their place. In light of these things, Clemont had turned down Malva's offer.
Then there was Bonnie. She had, along with Dedenne and Tyrantrum, who had one day appeared at their home in Lumiose City and practically demanded to go with her, been traveling through the Johto and Hoenn regions, inspired by the stories she had heard of Ash's journeys throughout the regions. Apparently, one of the gym leaders of Hoenn's son had asked her out after witnessing Bonnie battle his father, claiming that she was the most beautiful and fierce trainer he had ever met. Bonnie had originally turned him down, claiming that her only goal was to challenge the Hoenn League, but he had insisted on journeying with her throughout the region, boasting that he had traveled with Ash Ketchum himself on his journey through Hoenn. Eventually Bonnie warmed up to they boy, and they had been dating for the last year and a half. I think his name was Mark? Or maybe Max. I'll have to ask Bonnie the next time I talk to her.
In the meantime, Serena's other friends had been just as busy. Tierno had opened a dance studio in Camphrier Town two years ago, and he and his proteges had been invited to perform at many an occasion, including last year's League Finale. Just before he had hopped on stage, Tierno asked Shauna out, something that had shocked everyone present, especially Serena. Of course she was happy for both of them, but at the end of the day she was mostly relieved that Tierno had finally gotten over his crush on her. Of course, Shauna was doing well for herself too. She and Tierno had been dating since last year, and she had made it big with her performances, even landing a sponsorship. The same could be said of Miette, who had journeyed to Johto and Sinnoh in order to, quote on quote, "Expand my horizons in order to finally beat you!". And so she had entered contests in Sinnoh for a year and a half, and when she was done with that, she traveled to Goldenrod City in Johto and entered the Pokeathlon, which came as a surprise to Serena. That said, Serena couldn't be more proud of her self proclaimed rival, and they had grown close over the last five years. Last but not least was Trevor, who had earned himself an apprenticeship with Viola in both photography and as a trainer. He had challenged the League multiple times within the last few years, but each time he was soundly beaten by Alain, who had retained his position as a member of the Master's Eight.
Serena would have continued reminiscing, but her thoughts were interrupted by a bright green flash which lit the entirety of the night sky, blinding her momentarily. Serena turned away, shielding her eyes with her arm, both phone and comforting memories forgotten. The flash resided after a minute or so, and she turned towards the source scowling openly in displeasure. Dropping her phone in her bag, she got up and marched towards the southern edge of the beach, thoroughly upset at this interruption. And of course it had come from the two idiots who were somehow still battling. It's fine. Its fine. Just FINE! I'm going to give them a piece of my mind, Arceus DAMNIT! "HEY! Do you mind?! We're trying to-..." She froze in place, winded as if she had been punched in the gut. There, not thirty yards away, was the spitting image of a grown up Ash. His hair was longer and unruly, and it was clear he hadn't shaved in a while (is it strange that she found it oddly attractive?), but even so, it was Ash! It can't be! It- it can't… "ASH!?"
Sorry about the wait. As of now, the relationship poll has been taken down. You'll find out who won in time. On another note, I have a new poll up on my page. This one pertains to another story, or rather, which one I should write next. I plan on taking a short break once Ash is done with the Kanto region, and that time would be well spent starting a new story, wouldn't you agree? So, go vote! You guys will get to decide what I'll write about next.
