A/N: Finally there is an Ash-focused chapter. The story has mainly been in third-person limited as of right now and will continue to be that way until Ash and Serena reunite in a few chapters. You guys have been awesome, thank you so much for the support and I hope that you'll continue reading, and now, on to the story.
"Was that," a boy looked at his partner in confusion, "Ash?"
"Rab," his Raboot said, shrugging.
Wondering what it was, the boy stood up and Raboot jumped on his shoulder and they walked over to Ash.
"Hey, Ash."
Pikachu jumped up from where it was laying and started having a conversation with Raboot while its trainer sat up.
"Hey, Go, what's up?" Ash asked.
"Raboot and I heard the groan, you okay?"
"Oh, well today is a friend's-" he said, unsure if it was the right word, "-fourteenth birthday, and she's in Hoenn."
Go smirked, "Are you sure this friend isn't a girlfriend you're talking about?"
"You sound like my friend Bonnie," Ash said, rolling his eyes at Go.
"I'm all for hearing the story, did you meet her before or after you became the Alolan Champion."
I can't blame the kid, he's three years younger than me and just started his journey, I mean that's probably how I sounded to Brock when I was ten.
"Before actually, seven years before. Were you at camp the year the girl from Kalos got lost in the forest?"
"Yeah, I was."
"Well, that was her. She got lost and I used a Poliwag to try and find her, and it somehow worked. We met again when I was in Kalos and we ended up traveling together. She became a performer and almost got to be Kalos Queen, and if it wasn't for her hitting me in the face with a snowball I would've never gotten into the Kalos League in the first place. I haven't seen or talked to her in six months, and the last time I saw her, well she...she…"
"Oh come on, spit it out," Go blurted, being impatient for this conclusion.
"Ok fine, the last time I saw her, she kissed me and left to catch her flight," Ash said, pulling his hat down and looking down to hide the fact that his face was redder than a Tamato Berry.
"Hmmm, yeah you definitely like her," Go said, crossing his arms.
"Go, you're three years younger than me, you are just starting out on your journey and the closest you've ever been to a girl is standing next Chloe who barely acknowledges your existence," Ash blurted, instantly regretting it.
"Jeez, I'm sorry. I'm assuming I way overstepped my boundaries."
Ash nodded.
"One more thing about your...friend, what's her name?"
Ash looked up, "Serena Yvonne, from Vaniville Town in Kalos."
"You mean the girl that won the Hoenn Grand Festival?"
"Yeah, that's her."
Go nodded, looking impressed. Ash checked his watch since it was starting to get dark, it read 5:15.
"Let's start heading back, I'm starving."
Go tried to protest, wanting to catch more Pokemon, until his stomach growled in betrayal.
Defeated, Go said, "Yeah, me too."
The two walked back discussing what was happening when Go brought up that they might have next week off because of the Wallace Cup overcrowding the city and everything being impossible because of the tourists.
Ash smiled. She'll be there, I know it, it's the very first contest after the Grand Festival. And even if she doesn't compete she'll be watching, I heard May yell her name for crying out loud. Hopefully, I won't ruin the moment by doing something stupid.
Ash and Go continued talking until they reached Professor Cerise's Lab.
Meanwhile, happy endings weren't in the thoughts of another man residing across the world from Ash, only revenge.
"Sir, we have confirmation that Alain and Korinna have been exchanging a fake, and that the performer still has it in her possession," a man said, swiftly walking in but slowing his pace when seeing the man he wished to talk to.
"Is there any reason you haven't just taken it from her, she's a performer, she can't fight back."
"Sir, with all due respect, we risk global outrage, retaliation from the gym leaders of Kalos and Diantha, and we've discovered her mastery of mega evolution with a well-trained Absol."
"Is there any way to steal it in a place where the only thing we have to deal with is her Absol."
"Yes, sir. The Wallace Cup in Vermillion City, she'll be attending. And one more thing."
"What is it?"
"We've discovered its trainer is a research fellow at the Pokemon Research Laboratory that recently opened in the same city," after saying this he left, leaving the other man alone in the room.
"You thought you could hide from me, but I will have my revenge and I will not fail again."
