Chapter 29 Confession from Serena
While trying to get out of the Galar Mine No.2, Gloria steps on something and it causes an Earthquake that shakes the mine.
"Everyone, dodge!" Ash yells as he sees the rock on the ceiling starts falling. Then he is in horror as he sees a rock falling on top of Serena, so he quickly pushes her out of the way, and then the constant rocks fall between Ash, Serena with the rest of the group.
"Oh no, Ash! Serena!" Alice yells. "Are you okay?"
"We are fine, how about you guys?" Ash yells.
"Same here." Dawn says. "But what causes the Earthquake?"
Ash and Serena notice a Pokemon laughing in front of them. Ash says, "Hold on, is that a Stunfisk?"
"But it looks different from the one we know before..." Meowth adds.
"Leave this to me." Rotom says as he shows the entry of the Pokemon.
Stunfisk Galarian Form: The Trap Pokemon: Ground and Steel Type. Living in the mud with a high iron content has given it a strong steel body.
"So instead of Electric-type, it is now a Steel Type, and much like Foongus and Electrode, it disguises itself as a Poke Ball..." Serena says.
"Though it looks really different, I can't let that Pokemon do what he did. So I am going to capture it." Ash says.
"But how are you going to do it?" Serena asks with a frown.
Ash says, "By defeating it with Pikachu." Pikachu nods he battles the Stunfisk, even though he is at a disadvantage because of the Ground-type. While they are capturing the Stunfisk, Alice has Wooloo, Trenor has Skwovet, and Mark has Blaziken to destroy the rocks. Alic says, "Hang in there, Ash. I will try to break these rocks."
Once Stunfisk is captured, Ash is sitting beside Serena as Pikachu, Sylveon, and Meowth are breaking the other side of the rocks. Ash sees Serena, who is holding her knee in pain. He asks, "Serena, are you okay?"
Serena says, "No...my knee hurts...again..."
Ash sees the injury and he says, "Stay still." He takes out the medicine from his bag and then uses it on her, causing her to wince a little. And then he wraps it up with his blue handkerchief.
"How are you feeling, Serena? Can you stand up?" Ash asks in worry.
Serena tries to stand up, but she winces, "No...it still hurts..."
"Don't give up until it is over." Ash says as he helps her up, then she manages to stand up until Ash carefully lets her sit on a rock nearby the wall.
Serena says, "Ash, do you remember...this is the second time you do this to me..."
Ash notices the handkerchief and says, "You are right... the last time it happened...it is the time when I first meet you, right?"
Serena nods and says, "Thank you so much for helping me."
"No problem, Serena." Then Ash takes a deep breath and sits down as well. He says, "Serena, can we talk?"
Serena nods as Ash says, "I want to ask you, what do you think of our friends, the four girls that are traveling with us?"
Serena is confused about why Ash is asking about this, but she honestly answers, "Ehh? Well...they are all nice. And I am glad to travel with them since we have a lot in common. Why do you ask?"
Ash says, "I want to ask you for a long time, but I couldn't since we were not in a private situation. When we are leaving Kalos, the words you said, the actions you made, why will you do that?"
Serena starts to blush as she knows that Ash is talking about the kiss at the escalator. "I don't know...I..."
"Serena, can you please be honest with me?" Ash looks at her with determined eyes. Serena then takes a deep breath and she says, "Fine, it is because I like you. Ever since we met in childhood, I have had feelings for you. It is also the reason I started my journey in the first place, not only because I want to return the handkerchief, but also to be with you. But every time I was giving out hints, you seem not to understand it or ignore it..."
Ash sees that tears are about to form in the girl's eyes. Ash says, "Serena. I'm sorry that I had made you cry, but can I be honest with you?"
Serena looks at him as he says, "Well, it is true that I love you as well." This causes Serena's heart to beat faster and she can't believe what she is hearing. Ash admits that he loves her. "But, there is a reason that I acted densely...you are not the only one I love, and I am afraid that if you learn about this piece of news, you will be heartbroken."
Serena frowns as her heart is about to break. Ash says, "You see, the other 4 girls that we are traveling with, I also had some affections with them as well. But I didn't say anything because I don't want any of you to be sad about my decision. I don't know what to do since love is confusing, I told my problems to Alice, and she has tried to give me some answers for this."
Serena is confused as Ash says, "As the prince of the Galar Region. It will be fine for me to have a harem. I will love all of you equally and there will be no preference. But the problem is that I don't know if you are okay with this."
Serena is in deep thoughts, she knows that Alice and the others are in love with Ash as well. Maybe he can be shared since it is no big deal. Serena smiles and says, "If I can love you as I did before, then yes, I agree to join your harem."
Ash smiles at the girl and gives him a kiss, causing her to widen her eyes, but she doesn't resist it. Once the kiss is over, Ash takes out the red gem and says, "Serena, this is the Ketchum Gem. It is given by my mother so that I will have to find my princess. And there are seven in total. I gave one to Alice, so the Red one is for you."
"So Alice knows about this? That means I'm not the first one, right?" Serena asks.
"Yes." Ash says. "And since Alice is originally an Aura User, so the gem has no use rather than showing that she will be in one of my harems. But you, on the other hand, can become an Aura User with the gem."
Serena takes the gem and then she can feel warm energy flowing into her body. She says, "I feel warm...is it because of Aura?"
"Yes. Serena. Now you will be the same as us, you can talk and hear your Pokemon, it will be a big help if you are achieving something big."
Serena nods as they decide to keep working on the wall. On the other side, the three people are still working on the wall, and Alice's Wooloo and Trenor's Skwovet evolve into Dubwool and Greedent already.
Dawn says, "I know you are worried about Ash. Alice, Mark, Trenor. But I don't think that is going to work..."
"But at least we need to try." Alice says. "I can't give up now, who knows what danger Ash and Serena have to face..."
"What seems to be the problem here?" A man walks towards them with a red outfit and the fire logo on his shirt. Hop says, "Kabu, the Motostoke Fire Type Gym Leader..."
"Ah, you two are the Trainers endorsed by Leon! Hop and Gloria, am I right? I was just training right up until the last moment so that I can guarantee the perfect match when I face you Gym Challengers."
"I know. But we can save the introductions later, Kabu." Gloria says. "Prince Ash and one of our comrades are stuck behind this wall, and we need to get them out."
Kabu says, "Is that so?" He takes out the Carkol and says, "Step back and let Carkol do its work."
Then Carkol's Giga Impact causes the wall to break down, and the 3 Pokemon on Ash's side jump out of the way as they are surprised.
"What?" Ash and Serena turn to the wall as they see that it breaks and everyone is there looking at them.
"Ash, are you guys all right?" Lillie asks in worry as Ash and Serena smile, "We are fine."
Kabu comes and helps Ash hold on to Serena after hearing that her knee hurts, the other females are worried for her, but Kabu says, "Don't worry. Prince Ash has done some treatments, so it should be fine."
The others sigh in relief. And Ash says, "Kabu, thank you for helping us. But why are you training in the Galar Mine No.2?"
Kabu says, "I specialize in Fire-type Pokemon, and the Water-type Pokemon in Galar Mine No.2 is the perfect opponents to train against!"
He looks at the sun that is about to set, "Regardless, it's getting late. Just go straight once you get out of this mine, and you'll reach Motostoke. Get a good rest at the hotel, and make sure you're all in your top condition." Then he turns to his Carkol, "Come on, Carkol. Time for us to head back to Motostoke."
Carkol nods and then he says, "We are going to be on fire tomorrow."
As he leaves, Hop says, "I remember Lee talking about Kabu. He said that a lot of Gym Challengers give up because they just can't beat Kabu."
"But that is also why we are fired up as well." Gloria says.
"That Carkol that Kabu had..." Alice says. "I guess it must've been here on a job. You do know about Poke Jobs by now, right?"
"Poke what?" Dawn asks.
"Well, basically, you can have your Pokemon go about and help companies or other folks who are in need of something. You can take Poke Jobs from the Rotomi at any Pokemon Center." Lillie says. "I read them from a book."
"I see." Ash says. "We can go try it out."
"But for now, I am cream-crackered! I'm for the Budew Drop Inn and some sleep. Come tomorrow, that Fire Gym Leader Kabu better be ready, because I'll be coming for him!" Then Hop leaves the group.
"So?" Serena asks.
"We might as well go there." Ash says as they start moving.
Here is a new chapter, as you can see, this chapter concludes Galar Mine No.2, and Ash has Serena added into the harem, don't worry about the others, they will eventually join in the harem of seven eventually. I hope you like this chapter and we will be getting to Motostoke Outskirts in the next chapter.
Ash's New Pokemon: Thwackey, Greedent, Corvisquire, Dottler, Thiveul, Eldegoss, Dubwool, Drednaw, Boltund, Carkol, Applin x2, Arrokuda, Toxel x2, Linoone (G), Meowth (G), Farfetch'd (G), Alcremie x63, Stunfisk (G)
Mark's Pokemon: Blaziken, Gyarados, Ninjask, Shedinja, Arrokuda, Dottler, Delibird, Alcremie (Strawberry, Ruby Cream)
Trenor's Pokemon: Greedent, Gloom, Swampert, Pumpkaboo, Onix, Basculin, Noibat
Alice's Pokemon: Wooloo x29, Dubwool, Butterfree (Pink), Sizzlipede, Drizzile, Eldegoss, Pikachu, Eevee, Applin
Gloria's Pokemon: Minccino, Tranquill, Drednaw, Raboot, Wimpod, Ferroseed, Eevee, Woobat, Liepard, Kirlia
Dawn's Pokemon: Buneary, Noctowl, Mudbray, Duskull, Piplup, Quilava, Pelipper, Gloom, Pachirisu, Wobbuffet, Mamoswine, Togekiss
Serena's Pokemon: Diggersby, Pancham, Drifloon, Budew, Vespiquen, Drilbur, Braixen, Steenee, Chinchou, Nuzleaf, Sylveon
Lillie's Pokemon: Eevee, Hitmonchan, Shuckle, Ribombee, Haunter, Magearna, Shellder, Boltund, Cherrim, Meowstic, Vulpix (A)