Chapter 4
To say Serena was bored would be an understatement. She didn't want to come with her mom to a Rhyhorn competition where she couldn't even participate! Her mom was called to be a judge and she insisted her to come along since she had nothing to do presently. In the last few years, Serena travelled far and wide to Hoenn region and Sinnoh region and participated in various pokemon performances. Currently, she was one of the best known pokemon performers. Yes, even Serena was fulfilling her dreams she made while being in the fateful journey with Ash as a newcomer. She was slowly becoming the person she knew Ash would be proud of and that made her feel better. Although not meeting Ash in all these years kind of sucked. She still missed his presence. Yes, she made new friends in her various journeys, but no one could stand out as Ash did. Sometimes, she wondered what would have happened if she took the offer Ash had made to her years ago.
"Serena, if you want, you can travel with me. I'll always be happy to have you as my companion as long as you want to stay." Ash said while smiling at her. She was wonderstruck. Her idol was asking her, to continue travelling with him.
But Serena knew she had to travel by herself to grow as a trainer and a performer. She knew if she travelled with Ash, she would always rely on him and he would always look after her. If she again got the chance to travel with him again, she'd definitely take it. Because she was much mature and stronger than she once was.
"Serena?" her mother's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see her mother entering the hotel room.
"Yes mom?" she replied.
"I'll be heading to see the trainers now. Would you like to come along?" Serena internally groaned. She didn't want to. Suddenly her mood brightened with a thought.
"Actually mom, if you don't mind, I'd like to go to the Vermilion Forest to look around for some new pokemons. I haven't been to Kanto much and I'd like to catch one or two from here." Her mother smiled and nodded, understanding.
Soon, Serena was out of the town running towards the forest, grinning in delight. She'd love to be in presence of pokemons rather than being with trainers. She stopped and grabbed one of her pokeballs, throwing it to the air. Her beloved pokemon, Sylveon soon came out and nuzzled close to her. She softly stroked her head and said, "Let's go Sylveon and spend time together."
…
Ash, Goh and Chloe were in the research laboratory of Professor Cerise. They had been previously listening about pokemon eggs when Chrysa interrupted them about a certain Rhyhorn race.
"Woah! Wont it be awesome if we participate in it?" Ash asked in delight while Goh looked excited as well. Chloe was the only one who didn't seem much interested about the race. She continued stroking Eevee, who was laying on her lap.
"Yes, I must say it is quite exciting and you both might not have tried it." Ren said.
"Well, I've tried riding it before when I was in Kalos." Ash said, surprising Goh.
"Wait, when were you in Kalos? And you rode Rhyhorn? Why am I hearing about it today?" Goh complained. They were best friends, but Ash never bothered to talk much about his past journeys.
Professor Cerise laughed and said, "Goh you might not know but Ash has been to all the regions to participate in the Region's league. And Kalos and Alola were his most victorious regions where he became the champion. Am I right, Ash?" Ash nodded, smiling awkwardly.
"WHAT?!" Goh, Chloe, Ren and Chryse yelled in unison. This was news to them.
"Well yes. I did become the champion in Kalos and Alola league."
"Wow Ash, we knew you were strong but didn't know you were this strong.'' Ren said impressed.
"Well, I need all the details now!" Goh said glaring at Ash while Chloe stood behind him, wanting to listen as well. He told them about it, and they both listened to it, awestruck. Finally, Goh said, "I didn't know I was travelling with a two-time champion till now." Ash laughed and said, "Don't you worry much about it. I'm still learning and I plan to be the best!"
"Of course, you would be." Goh said admiring Ash more than ever. He always liked Ash for the deep understanding he had for pokemons. Now he knew why he always sounded so mature when he talked about pokemons.
"Well, Chryse, you were telling us about the Rhyhorn race?" Ash asked again.
"Oh yes. It also says that it should be your own Rhyhorn." She added as both the guys groaned. They didn't have one.
"Oh, and also I've heard the famous Rhyhorn racer Grace will be here." The name sounded familiar as Ash remembered it was Serena's mom. His suspicions were soon confirmed when she showed them her picture. He wondered if Serena came along but dismissed the thought because she was travelling on her own. He felt dejected but he wanted to meet Grace.
"Oh, I know her. She was my friend's mom. Do you mind if I go and meet her?" He asked as they nodded in affirmation. Goh decided to tag along too.
"Chloe, do you want to come with us?" Goh asked her as she shook her head.
"I think I'll go for a walk with Eevee." She said as Goh looked disappointed but nodded. Soon they headed out and Chloe went her own way. She was deep in her thoughts thinking what she could be. Her two friends were quite experienced. Ash was a skilled pokemon trainer and a champion. Goh, although a newcomer had caught a number of pokemons and befriending them. They both were research fellows as well. But she didn't know what to do. People always expected her to follow her father's footsteps as a Pokemon Professor, which she didn't want to. She and Eevee both didn't know what to do. But she was certain one day she will find her own dreams too along with her Eevee.
While being lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize she entered the forest. Suddenly, she realized she was deep in the forest. And she didn't know where to go from there.
"Oh damn." She whispered.
"Eevee?" Her companion asked as she smiled in reassurance. Suddenly she was distracted by a wild Fearow. It looked at her menacingly as she yelped loudly. She was surprised, that's all! Eevee stood in front of her protectively. Soon she maintained her demeanor and commanded, "Eevee, use Tackle!" Eevee immediately responded but missed. The Fearow yelled in anger and soon many other Spearows appeared. Chloe gulped in nervousness. But soon she heard a voice.
"Sylveon, use Quick Attack." A beautiful pokemon came infront of them and attacked the Fearow.
"Now, use Sand Attack." Soon, the Fearow backed and flew away along with its partners. Chloe sighed in relief and looked at the pokemon who protected them. She realized it was a Sylveon, an Eevee evolution. She softly stroked its head as thanks. Sylveon sighed happily as Eevee rubbed itself against its evolution.
"Hey, are you okay?" The same voice asked as she looked behind to see a girl running towards them. Sylveon ran towards her and she said, "Good job, Sylveon."
Chloe went towards them and said, "Yes we are. Thank you for your help earlier."
"Glad to be of help! What's your name?" The girl said, smiling at her.
"I'm Chloe. And you?"
"Oh, I'm Serena. Pleased to meet you and Eevee, Chloe!"
A/N - Hello and Happy New Year everyone. There were some issues in uploading but we finally introduced Serena to the story! We hope you will enjoy this part!
