Hidden Interests and Testing Friendship

Serena's POV

Serena woke up from her sleep feeling a little groggy. She stood up and looked in the mirror to see a terrible bed head. "Well, might as well fix this up," Serena said to herself. Once she was finished, she walked back into the sleeping area when she heard something fall to the floor. Looking around, she saw what looked like a black sketchbook lying next to Alec's bed. Serena picked it up and saw what was on the front page. It looked like Arco, Lifesaver, and Starlord. In pretty good detail too. "Didn't know Alec was an artist," Serena muttered to herself.

"Bre, Breon," Ethan suddenly said. Serena looked up and saw Ethan looking right at her.

"You… don't mind if I look at this, do you?" Serena asked him. Curious about what else was in the book. Ethan shook his head but did refer to Alec. "So, I can… but I have to be careful?" Serena asked. Ethan nodded. After getting ready, Serena took a closer look at Alec's sketchbook and saw multiple Pokémon that she hadn't seen on Alec's team before. One drawing, however, caught her attention. It looked like a Charizard, but something was off about it. Before Serena could get a better looked Alec woke up and Serena hid the book under her pillow. Once he left the room Ethan signaled Serena to put the book back in his bag and Serena did.

Alec's POV

The group was finishing up breakfast as Sycamore took the stage. "Good morning everyone. Welcome to our sixth day at summer camp. Today, we have an interesting activity for you all. Today's activity, is Pokémon Visionary!" he announced. This raised questions from everyone as Sycamore explained. "Pokémon Visionary is the activity where you will go around camp and will find one Pokémon out in the wild. You'll then have to either draw or take a photo of said Pokémon. The team with the best picture will be the winner. For those of you who don't have cameras or sketchpads, we have some here for you to borrow," he finished.

"Alright, some easy points for Team Squirtle!" Tierno said excitedly, referring to Trevor and his camera.

"Don't be too sure," Serena said with a surprising amount of confidence. Normally it was Ash how was so confident, not Serena. The groups then started to separate to look for Pokémon and Ash seemed a little confused about how to do this.

"So… Are we going to try to take a photo or are we going to draw a Pokémon?" Ash asked.

"I thought you would never ask," Clemont started. "The future is-"

"Nope," Serena interrupted.

"What do you mean Serena?" Bonnie asked.

"Alec can draw us something. Right?" Serena asked him.

"What are you talking about Serena?" Alec asked, getting a bit suspicious.

"I mean that you could easily complete this activity," Serena told him.

"Alright then," Alec said and the group headed out into the forest to search.

"Why not search the beach for Pokémon?" Clemont asked before they entered.

"Everyone will be looking for Pokémon there. We're more likely to find something in the forest where there will be fewer trainers running around," Alec explained. The group entered and didn't find anything for the first hour and a half. Then, a group of Fletchling's flew past them.

"Awesome, we can get those," Ash said excitedly as he, Pikachu, Bonnie, and Clemont ran after them. Serena was about to go as well but Alec stopped her.

"Alright, out with it Serena," Alec told her.

"What do you mean?" Serena asked, failing ignorance.

"I mean, why do you think I can do such a good job at this when I've shown no talent in the past?" Alec asked. Serena sighed before continuing.

"I saw your sketchbook," Serena admitted.

"You what?!" Alec shouted. A feeling of panic falling over him.

"I saw your sketchbook," Serena repeated, looking at the ground.

"What… what did you do with it?" Alec asked nervously.

"I put it back in your bag," Serena told him, still looking at the ground.

"Did you looked in it?" Alec asked, getting really worried.

"Yes. I did," Serena admitted. Alec then turned to Ethan.

"Did you tell her it was okay?" Alec asked, his nervousness slowly being replaced with anger.

[Yeah, I did,] Ethan admitted with no remorse or regret. Betrayal swept through Alec. Ethan knew how much he wanted to keep that a secret from everyone. Alec didn't even tell Ethan about it till late in his journey. For him to rat him out like that…

"Look, Alec, I'm sorry," Serena apologized. Alec ignored her and headed deeper into the forest. "Alec! Wait!" Serena shouted behind him, but he ignored her.

Serena's POV

Serena watched Alec disappear and Ethan looked like he wanted to run after him. "Ethan, wait! You could get lost in there. We don't need two people lost," Serena told him. Ethan didn't run after Alec, but he looked unsettled. The rest of the group then came back.

"Hey, Serena. We've got a good spot for Alec, where is he?" Ash asked.

"Alec ran off," Serena explained.

"But why would he do that?" Bonnie asked, shocked.

"I found something out about him that he took personal and he just… ran off," Serena explained.

"Then we'd better find him," Ash said, determined. Everyone else nodded, but Serena didn't want to find him. Not because she didn't care about what happens to him, but how will he react when he sees her. She didn't want to know.

The group set out and started searching but they weren't having any luck. Not even Ethan was able to pick up his scent. "We'd better find him quickly. It's past noon and we have to be back with the picture if we want those points," Clemont said after a while.

"No way. I don't care if they kick us out of camp, we are not leaving Alec," Ash told him.

"Why are you so sure in looking for him?" Serena asked.

"What do you mean Serena? He's our friend," Ash answered.

"Is he though? Think about it, he's barely talked about himself and everything we know about him we found out in stressful situations. I'm not saying we should abandon him, but I wonder if he really is our friend," Serena pointed out. The group stood in silence as they all seemed to think over what Serena said.

"Pi, Pika Pi!" Pikachu suddenly shouted as he jumped off of Ash's shoulder.

"What is it, buddy?" Ash asked.

"Pikachu," Pikachu said, pointing to some footprints, human footprints.

"Alec's tracks! Let's go!" Ash said as he ran down the path. The rest of the group followed with Serena and Ethan trailing behind them. They found Alec crouched down by a large clump of fallen debris looking away from them. "Alec, there you-"

"Shhh," Alec interrupted as he motioned them to get low. Serena went up to him and what she saw surprised her. A Tyranitar, in the middle of the forest and it was just walking around like it was nothing. The group then whispered as to not startle it.

"What's a Tyranitar doing out here?" Clemont asked.

"I don't know," Alec responded. He then looked down at something and Serena recognized his sketchbook. On the page Alec was drawing on, was an amazing drawing of the Tyranitar.

"Wow, Alec, that's amazing. I didn't know you were so good at drawing," Bonnie commented.

"Oh, um… thanks," Alec said. He then turned back to Tyranitar. "Is it just me, or does that Tyranitar look… lonely?" Alec asked them. Serena looked at Tyranitar and was confused. It looked like any other Tyranitar, though she was more curious about why it was in a forest.

"Tyranitar's don't get lonely," Clemont said matter of factly. "They tend to be by themselves and are pretty fierce Pokémon."

"Umbre, Umbreon?" Ethan seemed to ask Alec.

"Yes, I am thinking about catching it," Alec answered Ethan.

"You want to what?" Ash asked, shocked. But he was, thankfully, smart enough to keep his voice down. Alec then closed his sketchbook.

Alec's POV

Alec walked out into the open where Tyranitar could see him and it reacted immediately. [What do you want?!] he roared.

"I just wanted to talk," Alec answered.

[What?] Tyranitar asked and flinched back, likely from the answer and the fact that Alec seemed to understand him. Alec had seen the latter reaction all to often to know what it looks like.

"Relax, I just want to talk," Alec repeated.

[How are you doing that?] Tyranitar asked.

"Understanding you? Wish I knew, it sort of just happens," Alec answered.

[Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt…] Tyranitar said to himself. [Alright, what did you want to talk about?]

"Well, I've been watching you for a while and you seemed kind of lonely," Alec said.

[What?! A fierce and powerful Tyranitar like me? What a joke,] Tyranitar countered.

"You don't really think that," Alec said, calling his bluff.

[No. I don't. I… know this sounds… weird… but one of the things I've always wanted was a friend,] Tyranitar explained.

"What do you mean?" Alec asked.

[Well, every other Pokémon I've met run away in fear from me for being a Tyranitar. And my own kind don't like me for because I'm not enough of a Tyranitar,] Tyranitar clarified.

"I see, that's a pretty tough situation," Alec noted.

[It is,] Tyranitar said, looking at the ground.

"Well, if you want a friend, I can get you some," Alec told him.

[You mean by joining you?] Tyranitar asked.

"If that's what you want. But I can try to talk to some of the Pokémon here," Alec answered. Tyranitar seemed to think it over for a bit.

[I'll join you. But you're going to have to catch me in battle. I want to see what you've got,] Tyranitar said, getting into a battle stance.

"Alright then," Alec said as he pulled out a Poké Ball. "Arco, let's go!" The Lucario appeared in front of Tyranitar in his own battle stance and the two were ready for battle.

Tyranitar's Sand Stream Ability activates causing a sandstorm to start, but that won't affect either Pokémon. "Arco, use Flash Cannon!" Alec commanded. The attack fired and Tyranitar countered with Dark Pulse, causing a clash then an explosion. Tyranitar then slammed his fist into the ground using Stone Edge.

"Counter with Earthquake!" Alec shouted. Arco slammed his foot on the ground and stopped the Stone Edge. Tyranitar then ran at Arco with such speed that Alec didn't even know Tyranitar's could move at.

"Hit it with Ice Punch!" Alec shouted. Arco slammed his icy fist into Tyranitar's face, but barely even reacted. Tyranitar then revealed another surprise by using Focus Punch on Arco throwing the Lucario.

"You alright Arco?" Alec asked.

[I'm good. I didn't know that Tyranitar could learn Focus Punch though,] Arco answered.

"Neither did I. That just makes this battle better, use Flash Cannon!" Alec shouted. The move connected this time and sent Tyranitar back.

Tyranitar then used Ice Beam and froze Arco's feet to the ground. "What the?" Alec commented in shock. Tyranitar then ran it getting another Focus Punch ready.

"Use Aura Sphere!" Alec shouted. The move hit Tyranitar, but it kept going with the Focus Punch still active as it slammed into Arco sending him out of the ice and onto the ground.

"How did you do that? Focus Punch disappears when the user takes a hit," Alec asked Tyranitar.

[Years of special training. It took a long time, but it was worth it,] Tyranitar answered.

"This is really getting good then. If you are going to go all out, then so are we. Ready Arco?!" Alec asked him.

[Ready,] Arco said as he stood up. Alec then pulled the keystone out of his pocket.

"Then let's do this. Arco, Mega Evolve!" Alec shouted. Mega Lucario now stood against Tyranitar, ready to win this.

"Use Flash Cannon!" Alec commanded. Tyranitar countered with Ice Beam and now Flash Cannon pushed through Ice Beam thanks to Adaptability.

"Use Earthquake!" Tyranitar countered with Stone Edge and used the opportunity to close the distance for another Focus Punch. Alec then signaled Arco to get up in the air and slam down an Aura Sphere. Arco followed threw and the super effective move slammed into Tyranitar's head.

[Did that do it?] Arco asked himself. Tyranitar was, somehow, still standing, but Alec could see that it was really weakened.

"Alright then. Go Ultra Ball!" Alec shouted as he threw the ball right at Tyranitar. After three shakes and a click, Alec let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Alright, we got Tyranitar!" Alec shouted into the air.

"That was awesome Alec!" Ash shouted excitedly as Alec picked up Tyranitar's ball, shrinking in his hand to show that he couldn't use it.

"Great work!" Bonnie added.

[Nice! A new member of the family,] Ethan commented, jumping onto Alec's shoulder.

"As cool as that was, we'd better get back," Clemont said pointing to the sun, which was starting to get low. Alec returned Arco and the group ran back to camp, turning in the picture Alec drew. Alec then went to transfer Sandtrap back so he could use Tyranitar. He really needed to think of a name for him.

At dinner, Alec got his team's attention. "Sorry for running off like that, I haven't been a good friend recently," Alec apologized.

"Yeah, you haven't. So, you'll just have to work hard to make it up," Ash told him. Alec was surprised, that wasn't the response he was expecting.

"You're all forgiving me? Just like that?" Alec asked.

"Sure, that's what friends do after all," Bonnie answered.

[Even if you were a huge jerk about it,] Dedenne added, but Alec ignored him.

"Attention everyone," Sycamore said, stepping on stage. "I hope you all enjoyed your meal, so now it's time to announce the winners in today's activity. In third place, is Team Fennekin for a good photo of a group of Sandile," he said, showing a copy. The group applauded before Sycamore continued. "In second place is Team Treeko, with an exceptional drawing of a beautiful Butterfree." The picture appeared on screen and was really good. After another round of applause Sycamore finished. "Now for first place, it's a tie between Team Squirtle with a great photo of a Braviary, and Team Froakie with an amazing drawing of a Tyranitar." The two photos showing beside each other. "Congratulations to our winners." Applause rang out for both teams.

"Whoa, who drew the Tyranitar?" Shauna asked.

"It was Alec," Bonnie answered.

"Really? That's really cool Alec," Tierno said. Alec flushed with embarrassment.

"Oh, thanks, but Trevor's photo is better than anything I could make," Alec admitted.

"Are you kidding me? My photo may be good but I'm nowhere near your skills," Trevor told Alec.

"And Tyranitar! I didn't think there was one around here," Tierno commented.

"I got lucky I guess," Alec admitted.

After dinner, Alec was on the beach getting ready for some late-night training, but he had something else to do first. He threw out Tyranitar and he let out a roar upon release. "How are you feeling?" Alec asked.

[I feel great. I can't wait to meet everyone,] Tyranitar said with enthusiasm.

"That's good to hear, but before I do, you are going to need your own name," Alec told him.

[What do you mean?] Tyranitar asked.

"I've found that giving every member of my team their own name really helps for everyone to get along," Alec explained.

[I see,] Tyranitar said.

"To be honest though, I don't know what to call you," Alec noted.

[What about, Zilla. I kind of like the sound of that,] Tyranitar said. Alec said nothing as he threw out the rest of his Pokémon.

"Everyone, I'd like you to all meet Zilla. Let's help him feel at home," Alec told them.

"Hey, Alec," someone said behind him. He turned around to see Serena standing behind him.

"What's up Serena?" Alec asked.

"I just wanted to say sorry, for looking in your sketchbook without permission," Serena said.

"You know, I was mad at first," Alec started. Serena looked at the ground as Alec continued. "But, now that I think about it, I shouldn't have hidden everything from you all. I guess old habits die hard."

"You haven't been a great friend recently," Serena admitted.

"I know. You out here just to tell me that?" Alec asked.

"That and I thought you needed to talk to someone," Serena admitted.

"So, you came out here to talk to someone like me instead of planing on how to tell Ash you love him," Alec teased. Serena turned red as a tomato at that.

"I-It's not like that!" Serena said quickly. Alec chuckled before continuing.

"You know, you should tell him," Alec said seriously.

"What do you mean?"

"How you feel. Before you lose him. That's a mistake I made years ago. I didn't tell someone I liked how I felt about them, and by the time I did they were with someone else."

"That must have been hard."

"At the time, yeah, but looking back it wouldn't have worked out anyway. A part of me just wasn't in it."

"I see."

"And about me not being a good friend, I'm sorry too. I'm just so used to keeping things hidden that it makes friendships hard," Alec admitted.

"It's alright. I've thought it over and you've pretty much been going along with what the rest of us wanted to do. So, maybe when this is over, we can all do something you want," Serena told him.

"I'll think about."

"Good luck with your training by the way," Serena said as she left to the cabin.

[She seems pretty great,] Ethan said, standing by Alec.

"Don't you start shipping Ethan. I don't think I could ever see her as a love interest for me. A sister at most," Alec told him. He then turned to the rest of his Pokémon who had finished introducing themselves to Zilla. "Alright everyone, let's start training."