Ash and Serena followed behind a silent Kel as they walked out of Flower Lake. On the way they noticed many pokemon staring at Kel, most likely for two reasons Kel would explain as they walked.
"The first reason is that it's serious when I leave for a mission, and the second is how furious I am right now," Kel said quietly.
For someone who says they're mad, I'm surprised at how he handles it, I hope I don't find out what makes him go berserk. Serena grimaced as they walked down the same road Kit had brought them through when she first gave them the tour. The sun was still up although Serena now knew it was around 3:00 PM.
"I guess that it'll take us around thirty minutes to walk to Wurmple Woods, then I'd give it at most an hour to reach the heart of it if Ern set up camp there and leave, if not it will be less time," Kel explained.
The trio was crossing the bridge and passing the tent Ash and Serena had first met Kit at when they heard a familiar voice shout from behind them.
"Kel, hold on a second!" Turning around the three saw Feya running across the bridge, she looked a little better than she did before.
'What are you doing Feya, I thought I told you to go back to your house?" Kel asked coldly.
"I asked Kit to watch after him, please I have to save Irene." Feya pleaded.
Kel looked even meaner but as he began to think. Finally, he concluded.
"Fine, I guess I can't stop you," Kel sighed before turning to Ash and Serena. "I guess you don't have to come with me anymore, but I would deeply appreciate it if you still came. But the choice is yours."
"Don't worry I'll stay, the more the merrier Ash," Ash answered, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'll stay Kel," Was all Serena said.
Feya looked upset that the two young pokemon were not willing to give up but she didn't say anything.
"Thank you yet again, alright we should get going. I estimate that if we have no problems we'll be back in Flower Lake by sundown," Kel said.
With that, the group of pokemon resumed walking down the path. Ash and Serena remained silent as they walked.
I have no idea what Wurmple Woods is like but judging from the name it sounds fairly tame and we have two powerful pokemon protecting us. Serena reasoned, trying to calm herself down.
Kel noticed Serena's worry and spoke up. "What's wrong Serena, are you nervous?" He asked.
Serena took a breath before speaking. "To be honest this is the first time either of us has had to fight someone else under this kind of circumstance. As well I'm just a little scared at what might've happened if Ash and I went with Ern earlier," Serena answered.
"Hey don't dwell on those kinds of thoughts, that's not how you prepare for a mission," Kel said trying to help.
'If it wasn't for how big of a jerk Ern is, I would be eager to have a fun battle with him." Ash said with not much fear in his voice.
Kel couldn't help but chuckle. "Wow you sound just like me when I was younger, I'm guessing you've always wanted to be a guild member or a battler?" Kel asked curiously.
"Well I always wanted to be a master battler but it's cool what the guild does, I have a bunch of friends that are amazing battlers!" Ash got excited when it came to talking about his time as a pokemon trainer, even if he didn't admit that he was one to Kel, and it seemed to lighten the mood.
'Is that so, tell me, Ash, what are you're friends like?" Kel asked as the group continued walking.
"My best friend is Pikachu, and we've been through so much together. But right now I have no idea where he is and that's why we were wanting to look at a map." Ash sounded a little sad when he brought up Pikachu.
"I'm sorry about your friend, I know that must be hard," Kel said as Ash moved up to walk beside him.
Serena and Feya trailed by a little bit, not very far, but far enough that they were out of earshot. Right now they were passing the area Serena and Ash had first woke up at, looking down she could even see the river that flowed past Flower Lake. Continuing to walk Serena stopped for a second when she felt a tap on her back. Turning she saw it was Feya and continued to walk beside her.
"Serena, do you mind if I ask you a question?" Feya asked in a half-whisper.
"What do you want to know?" Serena responded.
"I was wondering, and no offense but you don't look like a fighter, so why are you wanting to battle Ern, I'm sorry if that sounds rude?"
Serena sighed before answering. "You're right, I don't battle or fight, and I don't have to. But the reason is Ash, he's never backed down from danger and well, I just couldn't be his friend if I ran away." She explained.
A smile formed on Feya's face. "I understand what you mean, you're both very brave for helping with this. Ash seems like a courageous pokemon. And a perfect mate as well," Feya giggled.
A blush formed on Serena's face but before she could say anything, Kel spoke up as Ash and he stopped walking. They looked to see on their left was a clearing that was surrounded by trees and in the far back there seemed to be a way past the thick wall of the trees.
"Well we're here, and judging by the cart tracks it looks like Ern was to. Ash and Serena if you stick close to Feya and me, the feral pokemon living here should leave us alone. Once we get close to Ern I have a plan on what to do," Kel explained.
Ash and Serena nodded in affirmation, they felt a little relieved at what Kel said but they wondered what exactly Kel meant by feral pokemon.
Is he talking about the pokemon that we would find in the wild back at Kalos? Serena thought.
She wasn't able to dwell on that thought as Kel entered the large clearing. The rest followed him as they walked through the large clearing. Walking through the clearing Serena felt an off feeling building up. The closer they got to the other side the stronger the feeling good. Everyone was silent as they crossed, although one look and Serena could tell that Kel seemed fairly confident.
They all stood at the very edge of the clearing where the ground was untouched by the light laying just a few feet away when Kel began to speak.
"Alright, this is it, the pokemon here are so weak that just the sense of power they'll feel off of me would be enough to make them flee. I'll be taking the lead and Feya will stay in the back. Since you're a fire type Serena you can scare off some of the more aggressive bugs in the forest."
With that, Kel stepped into the woods followed by Ash, Serena, and then Feya. Serena realized how cramped it was as they were forced to walk in a straight line. To the left and right were rows of trees so thick that not even Serena could fit through. It wasn't long before they came to another clearing, however, Serena could tell that it was still covered in shadows because of the trees looming over it.
More important was that there were a few pokemon in the clearing. Most of them were bug types like wurmple or scatterbug. They all had a look in their eyes that reminded Serena of the pokemon back in Kalos. Their eyes just gave off a feeling of hostility that only came from the meanest of pokemon. However, they all immediately cowered in the farthest corners of the clearing.
Serena was a little unnerved at the pokemon even if they were weak, but she was a little amused at how they got all afraid like Eevee would. However, she had to keep moving as she figured if Kel moved on they would soon be ready to attack her. Turning back there seemed to be a split in the paths as it tightened again, one went left and the other straight.
"Which way do we go?" Ash asked Kel.
Kel looked down at the ground before answering. "The tracks of his cart go left so I'm guessing that way."
The group turned left and continued to walk more. This would continue for the next twenty minutes where they would sometimes enter clearings just like before but they would keep going. They had thankfully not run into powerful or aggressive pokemon and so they never had to fight. Though Serena and Ash wished they could have a little practice before confronting Ern.
Soon sunlight started reaching more and more of the ground as the sky above them became visible again. Up ahead was a huge clearing even bigger than the one at the entrance and Serena thought she saw something. Suddenly, Kel stopped in his tracks, looked behind Feya, and moved to the side of the narrow path.
"Get down." He instructed in a somewhat quiet voice.
Ash and Serena moved over beside him and Feya did the same except she also crouched down.
"Do you see that over there?" Kel pointed a claw into the clearing.
Squinting her eyes Serena could see a four-legged figure and an object that looked like a cart, if her eyes were correct then it was Ern.
Looking Serena felt a faint rumbling in the ground below them. Kel perked his head up before his eyes widened in realization.
"Look out!" He yelled as he grabbed Serena in his paws and dove forward into the clearing.
Feya grabbed Ash in her psychic energy and teleported right beside Kel into the clearing. Turning around Serena watched as the rumbling intensified and a moment later a large sharp rock erupted out of the ground where they had just been standing. Kel released Serena from his grasp and she got up a little dazed.
Standing before them all was Ern who carried an evil look on his face. Kel and Feya readied themselves to attack while Ash and Serena got to their paws. Ern stomped forward a step and Serena flinched, Ern smirked at seeing her fear before speaking.
"Why it seems like the two little ratatas went off and squeaked didn't they. Oh, and the little brats mommy is here, to save her."
Serena turned and saw a look of pure rage coming from Feya. Ern turned his attention towards Kel.
"Pardon me Guildmaster, I didn't know you were so desperate for members you brought children with you." Ern snickered.
"Quiet Ern, give up Irene and we won't hurt you," Kel said in a cold tone.
"I'd like to see you try," Ern scoffed.
"Fine, you're on!" Kel roared as he lunged towards Ern.