Allison Illuminated
7/22/20
::
CALIBER
::
One day turned into two days, and two days turned into a week. Ash and Serena wandered the city together, taking in the sights and enjoying each other's company. They visited the ironworks deep within the city's bowels and the famous statues within the Budew Drop Inn, walked the promenade by the river together, sat on the grand steps at the city's entrance overlooking the Wild Area, and walked the incredible walls of brick that spanned half of Galar's width.
To Ash, it felt like the days traveling from Coumarine to Lumiose across Route Thirteen, when Clemont had gone ahead to prepare for their gym battle. The rapport between them was easy and free-flowing, like a conversation which never stopped, and only deepened the longer they reacquainted their company. Serena took to Motostoke with a happiness that Ash found stunning, even when it meant he was dragged to every boutique and salon on the main drag. She had grown with him – a thought that never failed to make Ash beam.
Today they were searching for the last main piece of Serena's furniture: a bed. They stood in the middle of an all-purpose furniture store, considering a wide array of bedframes. Pikachu sat on Ash's shoulder; Serena had Delphox out, standing by her side. Delphox was nearly as tall as Serena now, and when she had first come out of her ball, Delphox had given Ash a proper hug, just like Serena.
"This one." Ash spread his arms wide to display a Swallot bed, where the pillow sat inside of the mouth. He waved Serena over. "This really seems like your style."
Pikachu sighed, putting his hand over his eyes. "Pikapi…"
Serena took one look at the Swallot bed and smacked Ash's arm, tugging him away. "That's a kiddie bed, idiot!" she exclaimed, dragging him toward the adult section by the collar. Ash winced, receiving some sympathetic looks from the shoppers around them. "I am eighteen years old and I'll have an adult bed, thank you very much! Now, which one do you like better?"
Ash stared at the endless sea of boring old beds. He sagged and moaned, "They're all the same…"
"Hopeless." Serena and Delphox gave identical sighs, and Serena pointed between two beds. "See? That one's pink, that one's white, and the white one has cool carvings. In fact, I don't need you to decide! I just need… Um… Ah…"
Delphox sighed again, this time at Serena. "Phox…
She reached for Serena's belt and knocked a ball off. Pancham materialized, crying out energetically, and raced onto the pink bed, puffing out his chest for his trainer.
"Can't you just choose one already?" Ash grumbled, plopping down on the other bed and falling onto his back. Ooh… Soft mattress…
Serena glared at Ash. "Are you trying to make your own dinner tonight?"
"No…"
As Serena went back to consulting with her Pokemon, Ash closed his eyes and tried to take a map. The Slumbering Weald, huh? What Pokemon could have created such a strange mist? Like Sonia, Ash's first instinct was Musharna – he'd come face to face with the dream mist firsthand, and he knew what strange things could pass within. But the kids had been convinced a different Pokemon had been waiting for them in the mists with a message. He'd been happy to explore Motostoke, but he was itching to get back out into the field and solve the mystery.
"Morpeko!"
Something small and furry collided with Ash's face – startled out of his restful contemplation, he jumped off the bed, whipping to his pokeballs, Pikachu flying off the bed at his side with sparking cheeks. Team Rocket?
Jessie, James, and Meowth were nowhere to be found. Rather, a small yellow, orange, and black mouse-like Pokemon with cheeksacs stood on the bed Ash had been lying on, staring up at Ash with innocent eyes.
"Hey, what's the big deal?" Ash shouted at the mouse, Pikachu sparking angrily behind him. "I was sleeping there!"
The mouse just cocked its head.
His anger melting, Ash drew his Rotom Phone and pointed it at the Pokemon. Rotom buzzed to life, scanning the Mon. "MORPEKO, THE TWO-SIDED POKEMON. HUNGER HORMONES AFFECT ITS TEMPERAMENT. UNTIL ITS HUNGER IS APPEASED, IT GETS UP TO ALL MATTER OF EVIL DEEDS. ELECTRIC/DARK TYPE."
Morpeko yawned, curled up, and went to sleep in the spot where Ash had been lying down.
Ash's eye twitched. "Evil deeds?" he repeated incredulously. "You look like a nice little guy, Morpeko, isn't that right…" Creeping back toward the bed, Ash reached out to move Morpeko. "Now, you little monster, if you could get off my bed so I can go back to sleep…"
Pikachu cried out in alarm moments before Ash's hand brushed Morpeko's fur.
"MORPEKO!" A fiery dark aura exploded to life around Morpeko's body; its fur turned black and purple, and its eyes glowed a demonic red. Springing to its feet, the thing beat its chest and roared, sending Ash stumbling back in terror. It hissed, showing a row of sharp teeth, and launched itself at Ash.
"AAH!"
Ash sprinted away, Pikachu at his heels, and went for his pokeballs. He opened one on his belt. "Infernape, Protect!"
Infernape materialized in front of Ash and threw up a protect just in time to block a furious dark spinning attack from the devil Morpeko, sending the little electric type bouncing back. Morpeko chittered in wordless rage and launched another wheel attack at the Protect. To Ash's eyes, it almost looked like a dark-type Flame Wheel.
"Ash!" Serena raced over, Delphox and Pancham at her heels, and skidded to a halt at the sight of Morpeko's assault. "I leave you alone for five minutes- What the hell is that thing?"
"I don't know," Ash exclaimed, flinching behind the Protect. Luckily, Infernape's stamina was better than Morpeko's, and Infernape didn't look particularly bothered by the little mouse. He loomed over the smaller Pokemon, giving it a threatening snarl. "It jumped on my face then attacked me!"
"Sorry, sorry! Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" A goth girl with an elaborate leather jacket, a choker, and black bangs ran up to Morpeko, clutching a bag of pork rinds in her hands. "Morpeko, stop! I have your food!"
At the word food, Morpeko instantly stopped attacking Ash and turned to the girl who appeared to be its trainer, gleefully snatching the pork rinds from her hand and ripping the bag open. As it ate, it slowly shifted back to its original state. The now-sedate orange mouse sat placid on the floor, munching on the snacks.
"Oh god, it's a carnivore," Serena said faintly.
Using Morpeko's distraction, the goth girl drew a dusk ball and stealthily returned Morpeko, who cried out in protest. Sighing, she placed the pokeball back on her belt. The girl turned to Ash and bowed at the waist. "Please forgive Morpeko. He gets cranky inside of his pokeball, but when you don't feed him every second of the day, he, well… You saw what happened. Were you hurt?"
Ash rubbed his cheek and shook his head. "Just my pride," he said, holding back a smirk when Morpeko's ball rocked in anger. "Infernape's got a great Protect. What's your name?"
"I'm Marnie." Marnie's expression smoothed out, becoming stoic, and she tilted her head. "You're a trainer. And you've spent time in the wild, with those reflexes. You're good."
"You bet." Infernape posed and Pikachu crossed his arms over his chest. Ash readjusted his cap, pumping a fist. "Ash Ketchum. I'm running the PWC ranks. You?"
Marnie gave a little cocky smile, barely a quirk of the lips. "Beat the gym challenge. I'm next in line for Spikemuth's gym. But I'm ranked, yes. 492."
"873," Ash said.
"Hm. Seems low." Marnie sized Ash up, then narrowed her eyes. "I'd take you on. Are you down? Seems like I owe you for Morpeko assaulting you, anyhow."
From the sidelines, Serena made a disgusted noise, stepping in between Ash and Marnie. Ash, who had forgotten Serena was there, gave her a sheepish expression, and Marnie's eyes widened. "Trainers," Serena groaned. "Honestly. We're in the middle of a crowded store, remember? Can we at least go outside before you have a battle? And I picked the white one, Ash, no thanks to you."
"I know you," Marnie breathed. "You're Serena Yvonne! You won the Wallace Cup this year."
"Really? You know me?"
"Oh, yes. Your fashion sense is incredible! Is it true that Aria taught you? And this must be your Delphox – you're so beautiful…" Marnie shot Delphox a reverent look – even when she fangirled, her voice kept an even keel.
Serena blushed, and she scratched the back of her head. "Yeah, Aria and I are friends," she agreed. "But really, I'm just a performer. Ash has way more accomplishments than I do. Can we go? All this staring is making me uncomfortable."
Sure enough, they'd drawn a crowd in the furniture store. Ducking his head, Ash led them out into the street.
"She's being humble," Ash said to Marnie under his breath. "She's awesome, keep complementing her."
"You know I can still hear you," Serena said.
Marnie gave another lip-quirk of a smile. "You guys are quite the power couple."
Ash and Serena both went red.
"Oh we're not together!" "What gave you that idea?" "That'd be crazy!" "Well, not totally crazy…" "We're just friends!" "Good friends!" "Roommates!" "Power friends!" "Yeah!"
They shared an awkward high five, then blushed. Serena turned away, covering her face with her hands, and Ash tried and failed to look nonchalant, smiling through his embarrassment. Marnie laughed.
"Whatever you guys say…"
"So, are we on?" Ash asked.
Thrusting her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket, the charm tinkling on her choker, Marnie smirked. "Can you wait a few hours?" she asked. "I can get us a proper referee if we do – and trust me, I promise you'll like the results."
::
Rising from the ground like a red blossom, its lights soaring high over the city, Motostoke Stadium stood proudly at the head of the main drag, lit up in neon. Chattering people streamed in the entrance, families, couples, all manners of folk excited to see a battle. Gaping in awe, Ash and Serena followed Marnie in the front door, sticking close together to avoid getting separated.
"Marnie!" Ash called. "When you said a proper match, I didn't think you meant an exhibition!"
"There must be five thousand people here!" Serena exclaimed.
Marnie spun on her heels and spread her arms wide, giving Ash the biggest smile he'd seen from her so far. "Welcome to Galar!" she declared. "We take nothing more serious than our battles. You might not realize it yet, Ash, but the World Championships are a big deal, even in Great Ball tier! I'm rather famous, and so are you – plus you're a massive underdog. I take tours around the region doing big battles, so an unannounced battle for these people is a big deal."
Ash gave Serena a wide grin, then looked back to Marnie. "Is it always like this?" he asked.
"This?" Marnie laughed. "This is nothing. You'll see. I promise you if you put on a big show today, next time you run a public match, you'll fill out the stadium."
A deafening chorus of vuvuzela blasts interrupted their conversation; Ash turned in alarm to find a horde of people in punk colors bearing banners plastered with Marnie's face and name stampeding toward them. "Who're they?" he yelled, barely making himself hear over the chaos.
"My fan club!" Marnie shouted back. "They call themselves Team Yell! They're harmless, mostly!"
"They named themselves an evil team?!" Serena shouted.
"Yeah!" Marnie shouted back. "It's super metal! I have to go – find Kabu!"
Buffered by the crowd, they were swept away from Ash's opponent. The chaos in the lobby was dizzying. Serena grabbed Ash by the hand and pulled him out of the way over to the side, where they both caught their breath. They exchanged a look.
"She has a fan club?" Serena panted.
Pikachu seemed to be pumped up by the crowd; he scampered onto Ash's hat, looking out over the sea of people. Ash felt the same. "This is incredible," he breathed, running a hand over his pokeballs. "This is like battling in a league, but it's just a regular battle. We're gonna win, I can feel it."
"Forget that," Serena said. "Who the hell is Kabu?"
"I am!" One of the strangest men Ash had ever seen trotted up to them with high knees, tugging a towel around the neck of his fire jersey, his salt and pepper hair slicked with sweat. Kabu nodded to them. "Ash Ketchum! Serena Yvonne! My pleasure. Let me welcome you to my city – I am the gym leader for Motostoke, and your referee. I'd heard you moved in, but I hadn't gotten a chance to drop by and greet you. Let us greet each other through battle!"
"Nice to meet you," Ash said.
"Do you have somewhere we can get out of the crowd?" Serena asked.
"Follow me."
Mercifully, the locker room Kabu led Ash and Serena to was empty, save for a few league attendants. Ash and Serena sat down on one of the wooden benches, and Kabu sat across from them. At the head of the room, a wide tunnel led out to the stadium; they could hear the dull roar from the locker room, the pounding of feet and music, thrumming through the walls, a deep bass that rocked Ash's check and sent adrenaline coursing through his veins. He was excited. He needed to get out there and show Marnie his stuff.
Ash and Serena shared a glance, and he could see the same feeling in her expression. They both had the bug. The performing instinct ran deep in their blood.
"This is our culture," Kabu said, wearing a knowing smile. He looked at Ash with a glint in his eye, tugging the towel off his shoulders and folding it neatly in his lap, placing his hands on top. "Everything we do, we do it Dynamaxed. You've got the spirit, I can see it; if you weren't already beyond the level I would urge you to take our gym challenge so all our leaders could experience it."
"I want to," Ash said honestly. "But I've got a higher calling now."
"Good. I'm glad you can see that. This is the way to a Dynamax battle – come at every battle with a champion attitude and everything you've got, and never hold back! Put on a show! The whole region – no, the whole world is watching, so there's no time like now to make your mark!" Kabu spoke with an unrelenting passion, rising from the bench, burning with a fiery will. Then he gave Ash a sheepish smile. "Of course, Dynamax is forbidden in the Pokemon World Championship format until Ultra Ball tier. All itemized transformations and power attacks are."
"Good to know," Ash said, mentally crossing off Z-Moves, Ash-Greninja, and Pikachu's new form off his list of tricks.
"You have six Pokemon?" Kabu asked.
Ash patted his belt, nodding. "I do. Riolu's only a baby, though, so really I have five for this battle."
His eyebrows rising, Kabu nodded, and Ash felt as though he had just gone up in the other man's estimation. "A Riolu. Impressive. It's no matter, of course; this battle will be three vs three, no substitutions, first to take the other's team down wins. Are you prepared?"
"Yes."
"Good. I will go out to take my place on the field. Good luck, Ash Ketchum. Show them your fire!"
Kabu waved and trotted out of the locker room the way he came in, leaving Ash, Serena, and Pikachu alone together. Serena watched Kabu go, then stood, hoisting her backpack up and meeting Ash's eyes. "I should go to the crowd, too," she said. "You're going to do awesome, Ash. I'll be rooting for you!"
Ash smiled at Serena. "Thanks. There's no way I'll lose!"
Serena gave Ash a quick hug and darted out of the locker room, leaving Ash alone to his thoughts.
This is the start of my real journey. Ash felt it in his bones – this battle, no matter the outcome, mattered, in a heart-pumping, game-changing way. He could see his paths diverging. He wanted to win. He wanted to prove himself, to build on the momentum from winning the Alola league, to lift himself and his dreams up to the top. He was ready. His Pokemon were excited. They were going to beat Marnie.
"Pikachu?"
Pikachu jumped up onto Ash's shoulder and shouted a battle cry. Nodding to himself, setting his resolve, Ash rose to his feet and walked down the tunnel: into the din, into the lights, into the battle.
The crowd roared as Ash walked onto the battlefield, stomping and cheering. A siren wailed. "And the challenger from Pallet Town and new resident of our very own Motostoke!" cried the announcer. "It's Ash Ketchum!" Grinning, Ash waved, taking up his spot in the challenger's box. Marnie already stood across the field, tossing a dusk ball, watching Ash with a level determination. Ash waved to Marnie, earning a little smile and a wave back.
"Now, folks, we've got local star and rising force Marnie, ranked #492, as our clear favorite! She's ranked almost four hundred spots higher than Ash, and she's been on a hot streak since her finals performance at last year's Galar league." Horns blared as an entire section of the stadium full to the brim of punks and Marnie cosplayers roared their support; Team Yell was out in force. "But don't count out Ash, ranked #873! He's competed in leagues around the world, winning the inaugural Alola league, and I have it on good word that he hasn't lost a PWC match yet! Can he put up a real challenge? We'll see!"
"Greeting everyone!" Kabu stepped into the ring and spread his arms wide, basking in the crowd. "Welcome to tonight's big match! As Motostoke's gym leader, it is my honor and pleasure to referee tonight's match. Here are the rules for Great Ball tier – each competitor may use three Pokemon! There will be no substitutions! The first trainer to earn a surrender or knock out all of their opponent's Pokemon will be crowned tonight's victor! Are the competitors ready?"
"Ready!" Marnie called.
"Ready!" Ash called.
"Then," Kabu exclaimed with a dramatic flourish, "May this match between Marnie, ranked #492, and Ash, ranked #873, begin! Marnie, please send out your Pokemon first!"
"Morpeko, you're on."
Morpeko materialized out of the dusk ball in a cloud of shadows, earning an unnecessarily loud wave of cheers from Team Yell. Ash glared at Morpeko, who stared back innocently, then canvased the crowd. He found Serena sitting in the front row nearby and caught her eye – she cheered, yelling, "Go Ash!"
His confidence swelling, Ash looked to Pikachu. "Showtime, buddy."
"The Pokemon are out! It's Pikachu vs Morpeko! Two electric types, but Morpeko has an additional dark-typing. How will this affect the battle? We've seen..."
The announcer droned on, and Ash cringed. League-level audience meant league-level inane color commentary. He tuned it out and focused on Marnie, who was giving her first command. "Use Aura Wheel."
Morpeko chittered and spun into a ball of electricity, shooting toward Pikachu. Electric moves won't do much! Ash thought, turning his hat backward in anticipation. "Pikachu, block it with Iron Tail!" Pikachu leaped into the air, whipping around, and brought his steely tail crashing into Morpeko's momentum. Static raged across the battlefield; Pikachu's superior size and strength won out, sending Morpeko falling back, the attack doing almost nothing to Pikachu.
Ash sank back into a battle stance, sinking back into the place where he connected to Riolu to give himself focus. His aura. It centered him. Brute force and speed is the way to go, he decided. Pikachu is older, stronger, and bigger. We need to be relentless.
"Use-"
"Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu's Thunderbolt crashed into Morpeko and sent the smaller electric type flying. Marnie narrowed her eyes.
"Again!" Ash called.
"Block with Bullet Seed and dodge with Quick Attack!"
Pikachu used his tail to springboard into the air, cheeks sparking, and unloaded a vicious bolt of electricity with a cry of "Chu!" Morpeko dragged a paw against the ground to recover, hissing in anger, and returned fire. The Bullet Seeds collided with Pikachu's Thunderbolt, generating an explosion that let Morpeko get away with a Quick Attack!"
"Don't let it!" Ash called. "You're faster, Pikachu! Follow it with Quick Attack!"
Pikachu shot through the smoke, catching Morpeko's trajectory, and crashed into it. Morpeko flew back again but stayed in the Quick Attack. The crowd shouted. They danced, darting around each other, Morpeko barely dodging another full collision by leaping over Pikachu. Pikachu zeroed in and-
"Torment!"
Morpeko stopped short and glowed with dark energy, catching Pikachu off-guard. Ash cursed under his breath. Not Torment, that's the worst… No double moves…
"While it's distracted, Electroweb!"
Pikachu whipped up an Electroweb and lobbed it onto Morpeko, trapping it beneath. Pumping his fist, Ash caught Marnie's panic and grinned. She's used all her moves. Aura Wheel, Quick Attack, Torment, Bullet Seed. I've got her now.
"Iron Tail!"
Morpeko was struggling and slowed down – Pikachu came crashing in with the force of a Rampardos, slamming his tail down on Morpeko's head with full force, then darting away. "Get free with Aura Wheel!" Marnie cried, and Morpeko spun out of the Electroweb in a crackling yellow ball.
Ash restrained his best instinct – send her packing with a Volt Tackle – in the interest of letting Marnie think she knew all of Pikachu's moves, and called, "Thunderbolt!"
Marnie smirked, and Ash paled. Uh oh. "Quick Attack into Aura Wheel. Show them what we've got."
Morpeko spun out of the way of the Thunderbolt, speeding up. Its fur turned dark; a dark aura exploded around its body; with a furious cry, it spun into a hypercharged dark Aura Wheel that slammed into Pikachu's side, sending Pikachu sprawling into the dirt toward Ash.
"Pikachu!" Ash yelled. "Are you alright?"
Pikachu got back to his feet. "Pika!"
"Alright, enough games. Let's end this." Ash narrowed his eyes. "Volt Tackle!"
Marnie's eyes went wide. Morpeko, recovering from its big attack, didn't have to time to get out of the way of Pikachu's lightning fast attack and took a Volt Tackle to the face. The electricity seemed to do more damage in its dark aspect, sending it flying back to Marnie's feet with swirls in its eyes.
Pikachu stopped in the center of the battlefield, fur crackling with recoil, and cried out triumphantly.
"Incredible! Ketchum's Pikachu pulls out a rare fifth move and absolutely obliterates Marnie's Morpeko! What a Volt Tackle!"
"Morpeko is unable to battle!" Kabu cried. "The match is 3-2, Ash!"
Returning Morpeko, Marnie shook her head and called over to Ash. "I was right! You're way underranked! Your Pikachu is quite impressive."
"Thanks," Ash called back. "We've been together almost a decade."
"It shows. But we're only getting started. Toxicroak, game time."
Toxicroak appeared on the battlefield with its species' trademark apathy, staring Pikachu down with an impassive gaze. Its poison sac rose and fell with every croak. Ash watched the Toxicroak nervously. Morpeko had shown him that Marnie had tricks up her sleeve, and he'd faced some vicious Toxicroaks before. He only hoped this one would be more like Brock's and less like Saturn's. He caught a glimpse of Serena celebrating Pikachu's win, which brought a smile to his face.
I got this.
Ash considered Toxicroak. Fighting/Poison. Pikachu is still Tormented. I can't afford a stupid novice slip-up on something like that. It's physical, and it's got a massive movepool. I could be looking at anything. I can't afford getting poisoned on top of the Torment, but my only distance attacks are Thunderbolt and Electroweb, and Electroweb is a lot less versatile. That Torment is gonna screw me, and I can't substitute to get out of it.
Oh well. He'd figure something out.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Marnie's gaze turned clinical. "Dodge. Earthquake."
Ash yelled, but it was too late. Pikachu's attack missed and the earth split asunder, tearing into massive chunks and spearing Pikachu skyward. "Pika!" Pikachu landed hard, struggling back to his feet, and staggered.
"Now, Drain Punch."
In an instant, Toxicroak was in Pikachu's face. It sucker-punched Pikachu back to Ash's feet, where, once again, Pikachu struggled to get up.
"And Toxicroak comes out the gate swinging! Marnie's not messing around here, folks."
I've never been good at fighting Toxicroaks… Ash grit his teeth. "Pikachu, are you good to keep going?"
Pikachu nodded, cheeks sparking. "Pika."
"Here's the deal," Ash said. "He's too fast; we've got to slow him down. We're going to hit him with everything we've got! Let's do it! Quick Attack!"
"And Ketchum rushes back in? Is this the start of a combo?"
"Counter with Drain Punch!"
"Electroweb!"
Quick as lightning, Pikachu pulled back out of range and shot an electroweb into Toxicroak's face. Toxicroak, who'd been priming for collision, ate dirt, and Ash grinned. "Now, Thunderbolt!"
"Chu!"
Toxicroak shrieked in pain under Pikachu's Electroweb. Marnie winced. "This Pikachu is a force of nature!" the announcer cried. "Who would have thought it? In fact, my sources are reporting that this very Pikachu brought down a – I can't be reading this correctly – a Latios at the Lily of the Valley Conference a few years back. Just who is Ash Ketchum, and where has he been?"
The Torment! Ash cursed – he needed another Thunderbolt to push his advantage, but he couldn't use one. "Quick, get another Electroweb down!"
"No way." Marnie extended a hand. "Break free with Gunk Shot."
The corrosive attack ate through both Electrowebs and Toxicroak sprang free, priming for another Earthquake which Ash knew he couldn't afford. He panicked, calling, "Iron Tail!"
"Catch it with Drain Punch!"
Pikachu and Toxicroak collided, steel on fist.
"Now, Ice Punch!"
Ash's eyes widened.
The Ice Punch caught Pikachu in the face and sent him flying out of the battlefield. He soared back and crashed into the wall, falling to the ground in a dead faint. "Pikachu!" Ash cried. He sprinted over and scooped Pikachu into his arms, whipping out a potion and spraying him where a wound on his flank was bleeding. Pikachu's eyes blinked open. "Pikapi…"
"Pikachu is unable to battle! The match is tied 2-2!"
The crowd roared, rising to their feet, stomping out their applause for Marnie. Marnie soaked it in, basking in her adulation. Toxicroak climbed a jutting spear of earth from his Earthquake and stood theere, its chest rising and falling.
"Incredible! What a combination from Marnie, to take an impossible situation and turn it around. Morpeko's Torment ended up being the difference between a sweep and a comeback! Now there's what sets the cream of the crop apart – thinking ahead matchups, setting up win conditions. What a battle we've got on our hands here."
Ash set Pikachu down at his feet to rest, pulling an oran berry out of his pocket and setting it next to him. He thought furiously.
The Ice Punch was a show of force. She could have beaten Pikachu with Drain Punch, which means she's warding off flying-types. I bet she doesn't want to fight one, which means I was right and she doesn't have any special moves. Ash cursed again. But Dragonite only has physical flying moves, and one Ice Punch will knock him out. No good. Bayleaf is useless against a Toxicroak, and I need to save Infernape. Which means…
Groaning internally, Ash drew his second pokeball. "Oshawott, I choose you!"
"Osha!" Oshawott appeared triumphantly, puffing his chest out to the crowd. Then, he caught one good took at Toxicroak, looming above him, shadowed by the stadium lights, its yellowed eyes glowing ominously, and panicked. "Wott!"
Ash facepalmed as Oshawott started running in circles. "C'mon, Oshawott, you're embarrassing me," he mumbled, trying not to look at Marnie or Serena.
"An Oshawott! Now you don't see many of those in Galar. Oshawott is a Unova native, a gifted starter Pokemon to elite young trainers. Does Ketchum have a preference for unevolved Pokemon? Clearly they're well trained – or, erm, maybe not so clearly – they're powerful! But can they take on Toxicroak's might?
Ash groaned harder, wishing the announcer would disappear. Shut up…
"Oshawott!" he barked. "Focus! Toxicroak has Earthquake, Drain Punch, Gunk Shot, and Ice Punch – he's got nothing on you. Keep your head on and we'll be fine!"
Oshawott stopped looking for an escape and snapped to attention, crying an affirmative.
"Let's do this." Ash tugged on the back of his cap, grinning. "Clear the battlefield! Hydro Pump!"
Rearing back, crying out, Oshawott opened into mouth and unleashed an enormous torrent of water, far greater than could possibly fit in his body, that tore across the battlefield like a Hyper Beam, ripping up and pulverizing the Earthquaked terrain. The crowd roared – Marnie ducked for cover. Toxicroak, who could not have possibly dodged, was sent flying by the Hydro Pump.
Oshawott cheered and struck a pose.
Well, that's why Oshawott joined me, Ash decided. That was many times more powerful than in Unova – Oshawott had been training, and training hard, and Ash could see in the way he looked to him for approval that he wanted Ash's recognition.
"What on earth? What kind of curry is Ketchum feeding these Pokemon?"
The now-flat battlefield gave Ash a great shot of Marnie and Toxicroak. He grinned. Let's tear it up. "Get in there! Aqua Jet into a Razor Shell! Give 'em a taste of your scalchop!"
Oshawott barreled down the battlefield in a spiral of water, carving a trench down the battlefield. He's making a total mess. "Counter with Drain Punch!" Marnie called. Toxicroak geared up, waiting for Oshawott, but at the last second Oshawott stopped short, leaned out of the way of the Drain Punch, then fired back into an Aqua Jet and slammed the scalchop into Toxicroak's gut with a brute violence that sent Toxicroak flying again.
Ash blinked. Unrefined but powerful. I didn't tell him to do that, though. His fears were confirmed when Oshawott fired off an Ice Beam without confirmation, forcing Toxicroak out of the way. "No!" Ash yelled. "Get out of the way and ready a counter!"
"Wott!" Oshawott tore of in a random direction across the battlefield, carving another trench, barging through a mud pile. Toxicroak, enraged and covered in mud, roared and raced after Oshawott.
"Gunk Shot!"
"Razor Shell!"
The attacks collided. Toxicroak's noxious sludge fell all over, sinking into the puddles. Oshawott was smaller and in closer, exactly where Ash didn't want him to be. "Aqua Jet! Then use Hydro Pump to blast yourself away!"
"Counter with Drain Punch!"
Oshawott slammed into Toxicroak again, but immediately took a punch to the side. Rather than using Hydro Pump, Oshawott was overtaken by panic again. Toxicroak, with a malicious glint in its eyes, unleashed another Drain Punch, which Oshawott sloppily dodged. Ash watched the trainwreck unfold – Oshawott, drawing his scalchop, danced backward away from an enraged Toxicroak, stumbling, until he tried to turn and run and faceplanted into his own ditch.
"Gunk Shot!"
The purple explosion plumed skyward. When the smoke cleared, Oshawott was unconscious and covered in mud. Ash massaged his forehead.
"Return, Oshawott." The red light disappeared into the pokeball, which Ash held up and glared at. "This is why you listen to me," he hissed. "You did great. But c'mon, Oshawott."
"MARNIE! MARNIE! MARNIE!" the crowd chanted.
"And Oshawott trips on his face," the announcer drawled. "Oh well. That's the difference four hundred ranks makes, I suppose. Good power, and Toxicroak is tired, but can Ash take down two of Marnie's Pokemon with just one of his own?"
"Oshawott is unable to battle! The match is 2-1, Marnie!"
Ash caught sight of Serena's worried face in the stands, and he narrowed his eyes. I'm not going to lose today.
"Infernape, I choose you!"
When Infernape appeared, the crowd's chants quieted. Infernape exuded an aura of strength, from his old eyes to the size of the flame on his head. He beat his chest and roared, his flame flaring, staring down an exhausted Toxicroak. He took one look at the battlefield, a quagmire of mud and trenches and puddles, and gave Ash a disgusted look.
Ash shrugged helplessly. "Oshawott."
Infernape sighed.
"Now there's a Pokemon!" the announcer cried. "Infernape, another rare foreign Pokemon – and this one's fully evolved! Toxicroak has a tough matchup here."
Ash and Infernape turned to the battlefield in unison as Marnie gave Infernape a respectful nod. "Toxicroak!" she cried. "Use Gunk Shot! Give it everything we've got!"
A focused calm came over Ash. He extended a hand. "Protect."
Toxicroak reared back and unleashed a wave of poison that crashed against Infernape's clear shield with relentless force. The volume and strength increased. A toxic miasma filled the battefield. But Ash and Infernape stood unmoved, the shield unyielding, until Toxicroak was forced to stop in exhaustion, panting in the middle of the battlefield.
The crowd went wild, cheering on Infernape. Marnie shook her head in amazement. Ash nodded, his expression still serious. "End this. Dig and stay under."
Infernape disappeared beneath the ground. Marnie, just like Ash had planned, narrowed her eyes and yelled, "Earthquake."
Toxicroak slammed the earth, but nothing happened save a rolling tremor beneath his feet. He cried out in alarm as Ash smirked. "Oshawott liquefied the earth!" he exclaimed triumphantly. "Earthquake was neutralized. Which means you have no counter for this! Flare Blitz!"
The battlefield exploded. Fire roared up, evaporating the water, sending earth soaring into the air like a volcano, eviscerating what little remained of the field. Toxicroak landed behind Marnie with a crash, knocked out.
Ash nodded at Infernape when he reappeared, grinning. Just as powerful as at Lily of the Valley.
"Toxicroak is unable to battle! The match is tied 1-1!"
"An overwhelming show of force! Ketchum might not be polished, but his Pokemon pack quite the punch."
"Impressive." Marnie nodded to Ash, titling her head to contemplate him across the battlefield, which was now more of a crater. "Most people can't break through Toxicroak. But you haven't seen my ace in the hole yet."
Taking her pokeball, Marnie cast it onto the field with an elegant spin, much to the adoration of Team Yell, who made a cacophany of vuvuzela blasts and unorganized chants. The dusk ball revealed a bizarre humanoid Pokemon Ash had never seen before, with a green face and giant bulky dark limbs. The crowd recognized it, though, because they went wild.
"What is that?" Ash muttered under his breath, going for his Rotom Phone. He held it up to the Pokemon.
"GRIMMSNARL, THE BULK UP POKEMON. WITH THE HAIR AROUND ITS BODY HELPING TO ENHANCE ITS MUSCLES, THIS POKEMON CAN OVERWHELM EVEN MACHAMP. DARK/FAIRY."
Ash gulped, staring at Grimmsnarl. Dark/Fairy? He had never fought that type combo before, and he had no idea what to expect. The Grimmsnarl looked strong, physical, but appearances could be deceiving. He had only Infernape. Luckily, Fire/Fighting versus Dark/Fairy was mostly a wash, but Ash preferred to be cautious around fairy types.
What the announcer had to say only made Ash feel worse. "And here's Marnie's trademark Grimmsnarl!" he exclaimed. "We've seen it time and time again – promising trainers, felled by Grimmsnarl and Marnie's superior strategy! Does Ash stand a chance? As a foreigner, of course, it's unlikely he's ever run across a Grimmsnarl, as the Impidimp line lives only in our very own Glimwood Tangle…"
"Hey! Stop being so biased!" Serena hollered from the stands, loud enough that Ash could hear. He shook his head, seeking her out, laughing under his breath. They met eyes; she huffed, Delphox and Pancham cheering for him at her side, and crossed her arms, offering him an encouraging smile. Ash turned back to the field, smiling.
At least somebody was on his side.
"Let's do this!" Ash exclaimed, pointing toward Grimmsnarl. "Infernape, Flamethrower!"
"Infer-nape!" A gout of flame shot across the battlefield; Grimmsnarl, without a command from Marnie, casually leaned past it, springing out of the line of fire.
"Again!"
This time, Infernape rushed forward, spinning and leaping into the air. Even with a shouted "Dodge!" from Marnie, Grimmsnarl couldn't dodge, and the fire caught his chest full on, splashing against him. But, when the smoke cleared, Grimmsnarl still stood, seemingly unaffected by the attack.
"Close Combat!"
"Incredible!" the announcer cried. "Ketchum pulls out a second Pokemon with more than four moves. I don't need to impress how unusual this is for a trainer in Great Ball tier – it's training I'd expect from someone ranked in the top fifty!"
"Take it!" Marnie shouted. "Then trap Infernape!"
"What?" Ash shouted.
Infernape crashed into Grimmsnarl like a tank, pummeling blow after blow into Grimmsnarl's chest. Grimmsnarl roared in pain, but wrapped its arms around Infernape. Like tendrils, its hair wrapped around Infernape's arms and legs, effectively trapping him in its embrace.
Marnie smirked.
"Infernape, no!"
"Play Rough!"
Infernape yanked and tugged, thrashing in Grimmsnarl's grasp, but he couldn't break free of Grimmsnarl's hair and arms. Grimmsnarl glowed pink and flung itself onto the ground, bashing Infernape's head against a rock, rolling, kicking up a cloud of dust so it was impossible to see what was happening.
Ash gritted his teeth, trying to keep his cool. I have to get Infernape out of there. "Hurt him back!" he shouted. "Flare Blitz!"
Dust, fire, and smoke pooled in the cratered battlefield. Out of the chaos, Infernape came racing out back to Ash's side of the field, skidding to a stop and falling to one knee, the recoil hitting him hard. As the smoke cleared, Grimmsnarl's silhouette became visible next to Marnie.
Marnie cast her hand to the battlefield. The crowd swelled. She shouted, "SPIRIT BREAK!"
Grimmsnarl shrieked an unearthly noise, the pink glow around its body intensifying, raising its arms like a cultist. The noise in the stadium rose to a fever pitch, Marnie playing the crowd like a fiddle, all of Team Yell leaping to their feet. To Ash's horror, Infernape screamed in pain, every muscle going rigid like paralysis, his eyes glossing over pink.
"Infernape!" Ash shouted desperately. His Pokemon continued to scream in pain, oblivious to the world around him, and Ash turned to Marnie. "What did you do?"
"Spirit Break is Grimmsnarl's signature move!" Marnie shouted back. "Infernape can't escape – it attacks his soul, his fighting spirit. Surrender, Ash. I don't want to hurt Infernape, but-"
Ash tuned her out, narrowing his eyes. Like hell there's nothing I can do. Infernape was strong, but he didn't know how long it would be before he broke free from the foreign move. It attacks the soul. He had willpower, more than Marnie could know – and he'd been mind controlled before. This was weaker. Wielded by an inexperienced trainer. He could break it.
Closing his eyes, Ash reached out a hand.
Greninja. Riolu. I need that [connection]. "Come on, Infernape," Ash whispered, listening to his Pokemon's screams. "Listen to me, buddy. You can break free. You got this." He and Greninja had been one. He knew where in his body his soul rested – he just needed to… reach out!
Ash's eyes snapped open. His vision flashed blue for a second, and in that moment, the entire stadium glowed like a beacon, shining with impossible light. Infernape blinked, staggering back, falling to one knees – Marnie gave a wordless exclamation of surprise – right as Infernape's eyes snapped open with a red haze and his head exploded with flames, invigorating Infernape, ripping a roar of pain and exultation from his throat.
Blaze.
"Folks, I don't believe this. Infernape has broken free of Grimmsnarl's Spirit Break, a feat we've never seen from a fire-fighting type, save Leon himself! And now Infernape's ability Blaze has activated. This battle just swung in Ketchum's favor!"
"Flamethrower!" Ash cried.
Infernape drew back with his entire body and unleashed a Flamethrower into Grimmsnarl. Grimmsnarl, still stunned, had no chance of dodging and took it full in the face, crashing back near Marnie. It was slow to get to its feet.
"We're not done yet!" Marnie shouted. "Grimmsnarl, Darkest Lariat!"
"Protect!"
Grimmsnarl's arms flared to life with dark energy, and it spun across the battlefield and crashed into Infernape's shield. Behind the shield, Infernape snarled at Grimmsnarl, a vengeful edge in his eyes, and Ash winced. Whatever Grimmsnarl did must have hurt real bad. That's not a friendly look. Dark types…
"End it," Ash called. "Flare Blitz, one more time!"
Caught off guard by the protect, Grimmsnarl took the Flare Blitz full-on in the side and went flying back into the crater. It hit the side and impacted, knocked unconscious. Infernape stared impassively over the side for a few moments, then groaned and fell to one knee, the Blaze dissipating.
The crowd was silent for a stunned moment, then erupted into cheers. Kabu ran onto the battlefield, waving his arms. "Grimmsnarl is unable to battle!" he exclaimed. "Ash Ketchum is the victor!"
In the stands, Team Yell was booing and groaning, shouting threats to throw a riot, until Marnie waved them off. But Ash only had worried eyes for Infernape, who slowly returned to his side, giving him a long look. Ash nodded. He could see the pain and gratitude in Infernape's eyes even without the hand Infernape put on his shoulder and the quiet "Nape" his Pokemon murmured to him.
"That move is vicious, huh?" Ash murmured back, and Infernape nodded. "Get some rest. You've earned it."
He returned Infernape, tuning out the announcer, and raised a victorious fist for the crowd's benefit, earning a wave of cheers. Marnie came over and offered him a hand. "That was a great battle," she said, offering him a half-smile. "I was right about you. You deserve that victory."
Ash shook her hand. "Thanks," he said, scratching the back of his head. "You really had me there for a second. That Torment was wicked, and then I thought Toxicroak would have me for sure."
Marnie smiled for real this time. "Thanks. If you ever want a rematch, I'd be happy to go another round."
"You really love the spotlight, don't you?" Ash asked. "You don't show it, but I can tell. Feeding the crowd, scheduling the match for prime time. It's impressive."
Tilting her head, Marnie turned away. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," she called loftily over her shoulder, her punk cuffs jangling. "See you around, Ash."
"Ash! You won!"
Serena ran onto the battlefield, her Pokemon at her heels, and threw her arms around Ash. Grinning, Ash spun her around and released the hug. "Was there ever a doubt?" he asked, turning his hat back the right way around, shooting Serena a mischievous look.
Serena met his eyes and shook her head. "For you?" she said. "Not a chance."
There was an enormous crash, followed by a horde of horn blasts and Pokemon cries. Ash and Serena both paled to see Team Yell stampeding onto the field with a growing collection of strangely colored Linoones and a Pokemon that looked to be its evolution – a regional evolution? Ash wondered until he realized the entire team was furious at him for beating their idol.
Without thinking, he grabbed Serena's hand. "We gotta run!" he yelled.
Serena laughed, and they dashed off into the bowels of the stadium together, leaving Team Yell to tear up the already destroyed field in their wake.
::
"All healed up!" Smiling her sweet, hereditary smile, Nurse Joy slid the tray of two pokeballs and Pikachu across the counter to Ash. "Thank you, please come again."
Pikachu exclaimed, "Pikapi," and jumped onto Ash's shoulder. Clipping the balls to his belt, Ash grinned and waved at Nurse Joy, heading to the entrance where Serena was waiting. "Thank you, Nurse Joy," he said to Joy, whose pink hair was done up in a side ringlet. Joy waved, and Ash and Serena left the Pokemon Center together.
They'd spent the better part of a breathless hour dodging Team Yell, who had to be carted out en masse from Motostoke Stadium by Officer Jenny. At the Center, while Ash's Pokemon got healed up, they'd eaten a nice dinner together and called Serena's mother Grace, who had been delighted to see Ash.
"I'll admit, that wasn't the way I expected today to go," Serena said as they descended the grand lift and walked down the main promenade side-by-side, close enough that their shoulder could brush together. Ash watched the sky as he walked, a flock of Pidoves passing overhead. When Serena gave his a sidelong, searching glance, he returned it with a soft look.
"Me neither." Ash and Serena passed a young couple intertwined beneath an iron lamppost and shifted closer together to give them space. "But I don't mind at all. That was a great battle."
"For sure," Serena agreed.
The dark blue shadows passed over the red bricks, yellow light streaming out of windows, streams of people darting in and out of late-night shops, as Motostoke came alive in the night. Electronic music filled the air; people and Pokemon gathered on the riverbank, dancing and laughing.
"It just reminds me how far I have to go," Ash said, thrusting his hands into his pockets. When Serena threaded her arm through his, staying close to his side, he didn't push her away. Maybe we look like that couple, he thought, and his face warmed. "We fought a great battle, sure, and we really showcased our strengths, but we were sloppy. I should have seen that Torment coming, and I wish Infernape hadn't needed to use Blaze, and Oshawott and I have got to do some serious training to control his power. I know we could have won that battle easily if we'd been more on top of things."
"She was ranked four hundred higher than you," Serena said, placing her palm on his chest. Ash was close enough that he could study her delicate features, the way her short blonde hair framed her face, drew his attention to her eyes and lips.
"I know that," Ash said, laughing softly. "I know I'm getting overeager again, like I always do. Something about battling in front of a crowd really gets your blood pumping, I think. The lights go up and I'm right back in a league fight. She fights like a gym leader and works the crowd like a performer, and I got into it too."
Serena poked his cheek, leaning into his side. "You'll figure it out," she said. "This was just an appetizer, right? Galar won't know what hit them."
"That's the spirit."
They ascended the stairs to their apartment, rounding the bend of their apartment building and coming out over the river, where the stars unfolded above and the moon shone full in the sky. Wind whistled over the distant Wild Area, blowing through the endless fields of wild grass and the waters of Lake Axewell. Ash fumbled with his keys, letting them in for the night.
They let their Pokemon out to sleep and paused in between their rooms, still touching. Ash felt reluctant to let go of Serena. Serena calmed his anxiety and self-doubt, made him feel better about his victory – he wanted to fall asleep on the couch with her again, or spend another full day shopping together. The physical proximity between them was new but welcome. He liked the way she folded effortlessly into his side, her soft touch, the way she smelled and moved and spoke in her light, determined voice.
Quiet, their Pokemon watching them in curiosity, Ash and Serena stood together in front of the bathroom and swayed together, looking into each other's eyes waiting for the other to move away first. Ash's hand lingered at her side, above her hip, hers folded over his, and he was hyper-aware of it, as though the slightest motion would make the whole illusion fall away.
Serena gazed into his eyes regretfully. "I need to go to bed, Ash," she murmured, rocking back and forth.
"Yeah," Ash said. "It's been a long day."
"You did great today."
"I'm glad I went shopping with you, even if we got interrupted."
Serena hesitated, then stepped back. "Good night," she said.
Even when they separated, the moment wasn't lost; the air between them only stretched, elastic, buzzing with electricity.
Ash smiled. "Good night, Serena."
::
He couldn't sleep. He couldn't stop thinking: about his battle, about his journey, about Serena. He tossed and turned in his bed, disturbing Pikachu and Riolu, who left to go and curl up with Dragonite, throwing the blanket off his chest. After a while, he gave up and got out of bed, wandering out into the living room.
All the Pokemon were asleep. It was an adorable scene – most of all Bayleaf, who had taken up guard by Ash's door, snoozing in the path of any intruder. The only light in the kitchen came from the digital microwave and the moon. But Serena's door was ajar, and her light was on. Ash wandered over.
He knocked twice. "Serena?"
Nobody answered, so Ash swung the door open; her futon was empty, her pink sheets cast aside, and there was no sign of her in there or the bathroom. Ash tiptoed through the sleeping Pokemon and stepped outside.
Serena stood on the catwalk, leaning against the railing, staring at the stars. She wore only her pajamas, a t-shirt and a pair of short shorts that exposed her long legs, and her wavy hair gently blew in the wind. Her figure was beautiful – she was older, more mature, and she had gentle curves where she hadn't before. The moonlight caught her sad and distant expression, shining over her in a pool of silver beauty like a spotlight, taking Ash's breath away.
"You couldn't sleep either?" he asked quietly.
Serena turned slightly. "Oh, Ash," she said, like she wasn't really surprised to find him behind her. Her sadness turned knowing, and a smile played at her lips. She inclined her head toward the moon. "Join me?"
They stood at the railing together. Ash leaned against the edge, watching the world turn.
"Do you remember what I promised you?" Serena asked.
"I do," Ash said.
Serena took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air, and let it out. "I promised you that I would become a mature woman," she said. "I promised you that I would keep following my dreams. And I know that I did, that I won the Wallace Cup, that I've grown and changed and everything, but I don't feel like I have. I feel like I've failed, failed you."
"Failed me?" Ash echoed, staring at Serena. "What are you talking about? You're amazing, Serena, and you're- you're beautiful, and strong, and a great trainer. You did follow your dreams and you did become a mature woman. So why are you sad?"
"Because I don't know what my dreams are anymore," Serena said. "I was happy when I won the Cup, but I don't want to coordinate for the rest of my life. I'm not sure what I want at all. And I was so, so sure when I left Kalos, but I guess I realized when I was alone that I don't really know what I want. So I was sitting at home trying to figure it all out, because I couldn't- I didn't want to come back to you until I knew. Because I was afraid that if you saw me like this again, all- all- listless, that you wouldn't… I don't know. It sounds stupid when I say it out loud."
Serena… "It doesn't sound stupid at all," Ash murmured.
"And then you called me out of the blue, and I was so happy." Serena shook her head, wiping at her eye. "But I feel like I don't deserve to be that happy. Because I haven't done enough for it to be my happiness, it's you, it's always been you. I want to stand by your side. I want to be the very best at something like you want to be, I want to be able to meet legends and travel the world and not be the one who's always on the sidelines or getting left behind, but I'm here and I'm not. But I'm still just so happy and I can't help it, Ash. You make me so happy."
"You don't have to deserve anything," Ash said, his tone fierce. "Listen to me. You're my best friend, Serena, you're the person I call when I don't know what to do. You don't have to do anything for me to care about you or want you around! I want you here because you're you."
"I know that, I think," Serena whispered. "I just don't feel it. That's what I meant when I said you were my goal. You're my goal because no matter how much I circle around it, what I want always comes back to being with you. Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't have been better if we'd never reconnected. Because it scared me, sometimes, how much I care. I feel helpless but it's a good kind of helpless."
Ash closed his eyes and let her words sink in. So this is the depth of her feeling. It scared him too, a little, but as he thought about it, the more it made sense, the more he felt the same.
"Can't we find your dream together?" he asked. "That's what we did last time, isn't it? I know you love being on stage, dressing up, performing with your Pokemon. You've got your team and a whole region to explore – there's no way you won't figure it out!"
Serena gave Ash a weak smile. "Thank you," she said. "But I need you to tell me something."
"Anything."
"If I never find my dream again." Serena turned toward Ash, the moonlight beaming across her face, her hair blowing toward the city. She met his eyes. "If I've already become as strong and as brave as I'll ever be. If you leave me behind and become a Pokemon Master, and I… I never become anything, like I always thought as a kid, if I'm not a performer or a coordinator or anything. If I have no dream at all but… but you. If I- If I wanted to stay with you for the rest of my life, would you still want me? Would you still care?"
Ash looked Serena square in the eyes. "Of course I would," he said. "I'll always be here for you. No matter what."
Tears gathered in Serena's eyes. She mustered a smile, swaying, then darted forward and threw her arms around Ash, hugging him desperately. Ash hugged her back, cradling her head against his shoulder. She buried her face in his chest.
"I love you."
For a moment, Ash stiffened. Then he relaxed, stroking her hair as she sniffled, breathing in her scent. "I love you too," he murmured.
"Bay?"
Ash and Serena turned, wrapped up in each other's arms, to see Bayleaf standing by the door, watching them with a strange emotional expression. "Bayleaf?" Ash asked. "Is everything alright?"
Nodding slowly, Bayleaf walked out onto the catwalk, swaying her leaf back and forth. "Bay bayleaf bay," she said, brushing up against Ash's leg, and gestured to the sky.
"Ash?" Serena questioned.
Ash nodded to Bayleaf and gave Serena a glance. "I think she wants to show us something," he said.
Bayleaf closed her eyes and began to glow. From the leaves around her neck, streams of glittering dust and pollen rose into the sky, spreading a sweet, fresh odor over the catwalk. The streams swirled together and exploded to life, hanging in the air like glowing stars, a gleaming nebula, lighting up the sky – a million fireworks in the dark night, rising and falling on the breeze in a luminous chorus. The motes were beautiful. Serena gasped in awe and put a hand over her mouth, her eyes welling.
"Beautiful…"
Ash's mouth was open in amazement. He turned with Serena in his arms, trying to take in everything. "This is Aromatherapy," he whispered. "Wow, Bayleaf. I had no idea."
Bayleaf gave Serena a long, meaningful look, and she pressed herself to Ash's side. "Leaf…" she said, stepping back to give them space.
"Hey, Serena?"
"Yeah?"
"Remember that ball we went to at Pierre's mansion?" Ash asked.
Serena looked at Ash with wide eyes, her expression swelling with hope. "I do."
"Well, I was thinking…" Ash rocked back and forth with Serena, wondering why they hadn't broken off their hug yet. "We never got to dance that night, did we?"
"I thought you hadn't noticed," Serena whispered, a rosy blush coloring her cheeks. "I've been waiting a year and a half for that dance, I think."
Ash blushed too. "I'm kind of clumsy," he said. "And I don't want to let go."
Pulling herself to his chest, her smaller body pressed against his, Serena rested her head against him and closed her eyes. They began to sway, slow dancing out on the balcony with the Wild Area unfolding into the distance. All around them hung motes of shining light, drifting, glowing, drifting skyward into the stars. All around them was the smell of flowers and honey and strawberries. Quietly, Bayleaf slipped back into the house, leaving Ash and Serena alone with the stars.
"Then don't."
::
[A/N] This is the second of two chapters in July.
It's a good thing I split this chapter up. 18K is simply ridiculous. And today, tomorrow, this week, it's all relative – we're living on quarantine time anyway. I'm simply happy I get to share this with you.
Ash vs Marnie kicks ass, imo. Marnie's got one helluva team, and Toxicroak is a monster. Obviously Marnie and Gloria and Hop did not all start their journeys at the same time here. I'm gonna play fast and loose with Sword and Shield, picking and choosing which elements suit me and which ones don't. Pikachu is an absolute badass, Infernape's a mellow powerhouse, and Oshawott is Oshawott lmao.
Side note – Grimmsnarl is filthy if you look at its lore. The hair thing – disgusting. Spirit Break sounds horrifying. Did you know it's gmax is just hair. Ugh. Goddamn.
If you love Amourshipping, then you've gotta go and check out QUALITY CONTROLLED AMOUR, the premier Amourshipping community on the web. Give some love to all the other awesome Amour authors for me, and remember to follow the C2 so you stay hip to the coolest new fics!
Thank you to everyone who reviewed Chapter Two! That's a huge thanks to MetalBatt, Ri2, The N01 Master, ThatOneWriterFromShef, Dustin, rektbyasian, hina, A_Simple_Girl, and six guests for reviewing! Also, we blew past 100 follows! Woohoo! My seventh fic to that milestone!
To answer some questions:
Ri2 - Team Rocket will appear in this fic, I promise - maybe not in the "problem of the day" role though.
Guest - Oh, please, we all know Grace can't wait for grandbabies.
Guest #2 - the 19th is my goal for updates, yes. We'll see how successful I am.
rektbyasian - I have all the evolutions planned out. There won't be any rushing or random evolving, don't worry - I've got a plan. You can trust your fearless author!
That's all for now. I'll see you guys on August 19th.
Cheers, Allie
NEXT TIME: Cymthia visits Galar and Ash and Serena enter the Slumbering Weald