Serena made it her goal to find out what was going on with Ash. All day she watched, trying to find some clue as to what had happened but there was nothing. Outside of a more feminine style, it was the same old Ash. He participated in the same subjects, and slept through the same ones as well. Everything seemed just, normal.
"We need to think of some way to make sure it's really him." Serena texted Chloe.
"If Goh is right, and Ashley is back. She's not a fighter, we find someone Ash would have to try in order to beat, and we'll know for sure." Chloe sent back.
"But who, neither of us are exactly worthwhile opponents." Serena replied.
"I'm looking for the trainer named Ash Ketchum." A knight said in front of the schools gates. "I was told I could find them here."
"I'm Ash Ketchum. What's your name?" Ash said walking up to the night.
"I am Wilkstrom, a knight of Kalos. And I am here to challenge you to a battle." Wilkstrom said, holding out a Pokeball.
"Very well, I accept." Ash said.
'The normal class match between Ash and Wilkstrom will now begin." A Rotojudge declared.
"Scizor, come out."
"Quillava I choose you!"
"Well we wanted a match." Chloe admitted, taking a seat.
"Scizor use Bullet Punch."
"Quillava use Lava Plume!"
Flames shot up from the ground, knocking Scizor off course.
"Now use Flamethrower!"
"Use Night Slash."
Still getting up from the previous attack, Scizor was pinned by the flames of Quillava's attack.
"Quillava keep pouring it on!"
"Scizor get out of there. Fly up then use Iron Head."
Despite its best efforts wherever Scizor went, flames followed, knocking it out.
"Scizor return. You are a strong battler, but your style is unrelenting, what happens if you meet an immovable object? Probopass come to the fight." Wilkstrom declared.
"Quillava use Lava Plume!"
"Probopass use Earth Power."
The ground broke as the two attacks pushed against one another.
"Probopass use Power Gem."
"Quillava use Flamethrower!"
As the rock type attack struck Quilava, it's flames flew off into the distance.
"Ash, watch what you're doing!" Chloe scolded, having jumped out of the way of a flame.
"Don't worry Chloe, I've got this." Ash said. "Quillava use Flamethrower!"
"Probopass use Earth Power."
The ground shook, throwing Quillava off balance, it's attack missing by a lot.
"Now finish this with Power Gem."
As Quillava struggled to get up, it was knocked down by the attack, being defeated in the process.
"Quilava return! Gliscor come on out and use Fire Fang!"
"Probopass use Flash Cannon."
Gliscor leapt out of the way, it's jaws clamping down on Probopass, releasing flames onto the other Pokémon.
"Probopass use Power Gem."
"Gliscor use Stone Edge!"
The rocks fired at each other, creating a cloud of dust.
"Probopass use Flash Cannon."
"Gliscor use Giga Impact!"
A thud was heard, moments later Gliscor bounced out of the dust cloud, followed by a poorly aimed Flash Cannon. As the dust cleared, Probopass was stuck in between rocks from Stone Edge.
"Finish them with Fire Fang!"
Gliscor swooped down, delivering the final blow.
'Probopass is unable to battle, the winner is Gliscor, and the match goes to Ash'. The Rotojudge said.
"''Twas a great battle Ash." Wilkstrom said extending his hand.
"I hope to battle you again." Ash said, returning the gesture.
"I guess we were wrong to think you weren't you." Chloe admitted. "Ashley could never battle like that."
"I told you I was still me." Ash said. "You believe me too, right Serena?" Ash said fluttering his eyes.
"Guys don't trust whoever that is, that isn't me!" Ash shouted from wherever he was. His powers weren't working either, and he had yet to find an exit.
"It's true, Ashley can't battle the way you just did, but I'm still not convinced everything is okay." Serena said.
"Thank you Serena." Ash said, pumping his fist.
"Let's just head back to the lab for now, maybe you're just a little stressed out." Chloe said.
"Maybe, but my gut says somethings wrong." Serena assured.
Ash clung onto Serena's arm the whole way back, snuggling into it, making it impossible for Serena to tell Chloe what she thought.
"Mom?! What are you doing here?" Ash said in shock at seeing his mother.
"Your friends were worried, so I came to check on you, can we talk?" Delia asked.
"Sure, I don't see any problem with that." Ash said, letting go of Serena's arm.
In Ash's room
"These are quite the sudden changes." Delia said, looking at Ash's new style and room decor.
"Please don't tell me you're against it to." Ash whined.
"I didn't argue when you took the first step, and if this is what you want, who am I to stop it." Delia said with a caring tone. "May I ask what brought this all on?"
"I just finally accepted that there's no way back, so maybe diving in headfirst is the best option." Ash said.
"Are you still going by Ash my son, or by something else now?" Delia asked.
"It's still Ash, at least for now." Ash said.
"Is there something you'd prefer me to call you, just between us?" Delia asked.
"You'll still love me no matter what?" Ash said.
"You are my child, boy, girl, or anything in between, I will love you all the same." Delia reassured.
"Then can I be your daughter Ashley, at least in private?" Ashley asked.
"Of course sweetie." Delia said.
"No Mom! You have to realize it's not the real me!" Ash said banging on the view he had.
"Ahh." Ashley said, grabbing her head.
"Oh, is everything alright?" Delia asked.
"Yeah, just a headache, I think I have something if you give me a minute." Ashley said.
"Of course Ashley." Delia said.
Ashley went into her bathroom, shutting the door, and her eyes went blank.
"Look here Ash. I'm in control now. You've had your time." Ashley said walking up to Ash.
"Where am I, how do you exist?!" Ash argued.
"You're in your own mind, kind of a backseat driver. It's why I know how to battle so well, as for me being here, I've existed ever since our time in Alola, but you broke free, and shoved me into the darkness. Now it's my turn to live life, and your turn to watch it happen!" Ashley said. "And soon I'll have everyone convinced I'm you. A little flirting and agreeing will have Serena like putty in my hands."
"I'll stop you!" Ash said.
"How, you're trapped unless a psychic force breaks you free. Have fun, I know I didn't." Ashley said, as she took control again.
With Serena and Chloe
"I don't see what you're arguing about here." Chloe said. "That was definitely Ash battling, and he's clinging onto you again, if anything things have gotten better."
"Except I'm sure that wasn't Ash battling." Serena said. "He let Quilava go down, that's not his style anymore, he battles with passion, that was just ferocity."
"He's battling trainers of a whole other level, maybe he needs to battle differently in order to win." Chloe said.
"Maybe, but I still don't think it's really all him." Serena said.
That night
"So I see your mom is staying for a bit." Serena said, as Ash walked into the lounge.
"We haven't spent a lot of time together lately, and there's still more to talk about." Ashley said snuggling into Serena's side. "But for now, let's talk about us. I'm ready to give it another go."
"Not tonight, your mom is here, it'd be weird." Serena said.
"Yes, stay strong Serena." Ash said to himself.
"Can we at least snuggle for a bit then?" Ashley asked, fluttering her eyelashes.
"Okay, I guess that won't hurt." Serena relented.
In Alola
"Look, I know it's late, but you're the only one I can find, and I think Ash is in serious danger, but I'm not sure from what." Goh said panting.
He had ran all the way around the island looking for someone, and finally found a friendly face.
"Well why didn't you start with that." Brock said. "Olivia I need to leave for now, I'll be back in a few days."
The Adventures of the Mysterious Pokémon
The tan Pokémon had reached a town, he could feel strong energy of the human he was looking for, but he could also smell food. His stomachs grumbling let him know he might need something to eat if he was to continue looking for the powerful trainer. Climbing over a fence, he found a bowl of pellets nearby, he wasn't sure what they were, but they smelled amazing!
"Hey, who are you?" A voice called out.
The Pokémon turned to see a greenish Pokémon with a bulb on its back.
"I do not know who I am Green One, but you share the energy of the one I seek." The Pokemon said. "Who is your master?"
"My master, do you mean my trainer?" The Green One asked.
"If they are the human I saw on the mountain, then yes." The Pokemon said. "Where can I find them?"
"Ash? Why do you want to find him?" The green one said taking an offensive stance, vines coming out from the bulb.
"I wish to show them my true power, but if I must defeat you to get that information, I will." The Pokemon said.
A blast of light hit the Pokémon sending it soaring into the air.
"And I thought team rocket was easy to send flying, be careful Ash." Bulbasaur said, looking into the sky.