ey guys, I know this is short, but I just really wanted to get a quick chapter in before the week started since I won't be able to write at all this week (I procrastinated on some AP summer work and I gotta cram it all in before this Friday). So wish me luck on that! I'll be doing schoolwork everyday from the end of soccer practice til I go to bed :( Anyways, enjoy the chapter...

Chapter 4: Reminiscence

Serena watched Ash walk out of the elevator with Shauna, Mairin, and Alain. Then she watched as Ash stood by Brock, Dawn, and a boy who's name she did not know, but who she assumed was Dawn's boyfriend. Shauna stood next to them as well, next to Ash.

Why is she standing so close to him? Serena wondered. Shauna's shoulder was lightly grazing against Ash's, who didn't seem to mind at all.

Serena shook her head and returned her attention back to the Champion, who had just begun speaking.

"I want to thank you all for coming here," she said. "And I can only pray that you won't regret it."

Diantha's first two sentences were short, simple, and powerful. Immediately, everyone began whispering to each other frantically, wondering what could possibly be going on.

"What did she mean by that?"

"Why would we regret coming?"

"Just how dangerous is this gonna be?"

"I swear there were at least three drops on the floor!"

With a solemn expression Diantha raised her hand up high. Within just a few moments, everyone stopped talking and began listening intently again.

"Two Gym Leaders have been reported missing as of two days ago. No one knows where they are, but I have some of my trustworthy members of the Elite Four searching for them as we speak," Diantha continued.

"Who?" Ash suddenly exclaimed. He had, of course, met each Kalos Gym Leader and defeated them all. But he had also bonded with most of them in some way; he had learned something from each of them and became a better trainer and person as a result. After hearing that two were missing, his first thought was to leave and find them.

Diantha looked down slightly. "The courageous, high-spirited Gym Leader of Shalour City and her precious partner Lucario were the first ones to be reported missing. Shortly after, the man who is said to be tough as an iceberg vanished as well. I encourage you all to fear not for them; Siebold and Malva are doing their best to locate them as we speak."

Korrina... Ash thought.

"We have to go find them!" Ash and Serena both blurted out.

Everyone turned to either Ash or Serena as the two of them realized that they had talked in unison. It was a little hard to notice, but both of them were blushing slightly.

Ash glanced at Serena and their eyes met. Again, Ash forgot about everything else in existence; he almost forgot about where he even was. All that mattered was that she was there, safe.

Shauna gently took hold of Ash's arm in an effort to comfort him. Noticing this, Serena quickly looked away, trying not to be bothered by Shauna's gesture.

Diantha smiled sadly. Such brave souls...impetuous, but brave nonetheless...

She cleared her throat. "Ash and Serena, I admire your courage, but I will need all of you to be patient and bear with me. Perhaps eventually you will end up saving Korrina and Wulfric, but for now...we have a lot on our hands as it is."

– –

~ Sea Spirit's Den ~

Siebold set foot on the shore of the Sea Spirit's Den, an ancient cave said to be the home of a Legendary Bird Pokemon.

But the cave was no longer there. In its place stood a large building, rising about three stories above the ground. Siebold cautiously approached it as his mind rapidly raced with thoughts. What the hell is this place? he thought. Suddenly, he heard voices coming from inside.

"Sir, the Legendary Bird Pokemon finally gave up and fled; the area is secure and the facility has almost reached completion."

"Good work, good work. Is our subject still sleeping?"

The grunt nodded. "Yes, sir, it wont awake for another few hours. We are still figuring out how to force it to undergo Primal Reversion, however."

"That's fine, but hurry. We need it battle-ready in two days' time. I don't wanna disappoint Archie...especially after Shelly succeeded in capturing that blonde chick," Aqua Admin Matt said.

"Yes, sir. And shall we send a search party for the Legendary Bird?" the grunt asked.

Matt laughed and shook his head. "Nah, forget about that thing. It won't matter once we execute the plan, as long as Tabitha and Courtney don't fuck up."

Siebold had heard everything as he stood outside the building's entrance. He quickly took out his Holo Caster when suddenly a big, meaty hand grabbed him by the collar.

"What do we got here? Admin Matt, we've caught a spy!"

Siebold's eyes widened with fear. Shit, he thought. Diantha has to know about this...

He was trying to quickly come up with an escape plan when Aqua Admin Matt snatched up the Holo Caster in his hand, laughing menacingly.

"Well, well...the great Siebold of the Elite Four. I'm honored that you decided to pay a visit to our little hideout here. I apologize, I know it's not much to look at," he said mockingly, handing the Holo Caster to one of the grunts. "Take this and bring it to my office. I have a feeling we'll be able to make good use of it later."

– –

"What?!" Ash, May, Max, and Brock all shouted.

Diantha nodded. "Yes...we don't know why, but both Team Aqua and Team Magma have returned...we don't where they are, but they could be anywhere..."

"Man, I thought beating the shit outta them the first time was good enough," Ash said angrily, his hands gripped into fists.

"Ash, May, Max, and Brock: I understand that you've fought them before. And that is exactly why I've asked you to help," Diantha said. "You four will come with me to the top of the tower, where we will discuss the situation and form a plan. The rest of you may go."

The four Hoenn traveling companions nodded and headed to the elevator with Diantha. The rest of the trainers immediately began talking about the situation. The atmosphere was tense, but somewhat exciting as well. The anticipation of a huge battle consisting of dozens of trainers was exciting, no matter how much danger the world was in. In fact, the danger of it made it all the more exhilarating to think about.

Clemont decided that he should work on his latest invention, which was something that he had been keeping a secret for a very long time. This hadn't stopped Bonnie from finding out, however; Sanpei had taught her how to conceal herself and spy on others. She knew what it was, but she hadn't told anyone. Yet.

Dawn and Kenny left to go for a walk through the streets, just to get a bit of relaxation time in before Ash and the others presented them with a plan. The lights of Lumiose made it a very romantic scene for the young coordinator couple, and they wanted to enjoy every moment of it.

Gary and Paul were having a battle on the Lumiose Gym battlefield, attracting numerous spectators. Gary's Umbreon and Paul's Electivire were fiercely competing to see who was the stronger of the two.

Serena found herself staring off into space after Ash had gone up the elevator with the others. She thought about how just fifteen minutes ago, she had been holding him in her arms again, and how she didn't want to let go. She felt a sense of guilt as she looked at Calem, who was busy talking to Tierno and Trevor.

After Shauna had interrupted their awkward conversation at the top of the tower, Serena had walked away feeling a little jealous. She had thought she was completely over Ash, but seeing Shauna flirt with him irritated her to no end.

When she had gotten into the elevator, she found herself crying. Her tears had fallen to the floor as she gripped her hands into fists. She stopped the elevator on one of the middle floors so she could cry alone without anyone hearing.

Everything about him made her feel warm and fuzzy inside. His dreamy eyes, his messy black hair, the hat that covered it, his amazing smile, and his selfless personality...made Serena wonder why she ever got over him.

She could only come to one conclusion, one explanation: she never had.

"Serena?"

Serena almost jumped into the air when Misty approached her, snapping her out of her little daydream.

"You're Serena, right? The one who spoke up at the exact same time as Ash did?" Misty asked, a slight smile playing across her face.

Serena blushed and nodded. "Yep, that's me! And I guess that was just a crazy coincidence, haha!" she said nervously. Arceus, I must sound so weird right now...

Misty looked skeptical. "Mhm. Yeah..." she said. "So anyway, I hear you've known Ash since you were little kids. That's so cute! It's great that you two are still good friends."

Serena shifted her foot back and forth. "Um...yeah...well we're not exactly as close as we used to be..." she said.

"Oh? Why not?" Misty asked.

"I-I don't really feel like talking about it...I have a boyfriend now, and I just want to think about other things," Serena said.

Misty laughed a little. "Now, hang on. I didn't say anything about boyfriends," she said. "So now I'm guessing you and Ash had a little...something going on, hm?" she asked, smiling.

Shit, Serena thought. I'm an idiot. Why does she wanna know about Ash anyway?

Serena sighed and said, "Well...sort of. See, I had the biggest crush on him when we were younger. I saw him on a news report in Lumiose City and I instantly remembered him...in fact, I left home and started my journey just because I wanted to see him again."

Misty nodded. "That's so sweet! So he remembered you too, right?"

Serena smiled a little as she recalled the events of the past. "At first, he didn't...I was devastated. But when he finally did remember me, I instantly set my heart on him. It was only after he had won the Kalos League when I had the courage to admit my feelings for him..."

"That is so cute...you should tell May and Drew the whole story, they live for romance," Misty joked. Then she glanced at Calem and frowned. "So then what the hell is he doing in your life? Instead of Ash?" she asked.

"Well after a few years without hearing from Ash at all, I-"

"Whoa, stop right there. Why even let Ash leave? If you guys liked each other, why didn't you continue traveling together?" Misty interrupted.

Serena looked down. "I...I chose to continue performing...and since they only have showcases in the Kalos region, I had to stay here. I really, really wanted to go with Ash, I really did..." her voice trailed off, and Misty could tell Serena truly meant everything she was saying.

"Oh, right! I totally forgot you were a performer. I see. Believe it or not, I was in a situation not unlike yours when I was traveling with Ash," Misty said.

Looking up, Serena looked genuinely curious. "Really? You were?"

Misty nodded and smiled. "I used to have a crush on Ash, too, you know. He was cute, funny, and so determined...he still is, of course. But I don't know what it is, it's just...I don't see him in that way anymore. He's like a brother to me...and I'll always love him, just not in that way. Get what I mean?" Misty asked.

Serena shook her head. "Honestly, I really don't..." she said, smiling a little. "But I appreciate you telling me that. Did you ever tell Ash how you felt?"

This time Misty shook her head. "Nope. I never did. Who knows, maybe if I had, things would be different...but I know in my heart that we're better off as friends."

"Oh...I see," Serena said.

They were interrupted by loud cheering coming from the battlefield. Paul's Electivire had fallen, with Gary's Umbreon standing over it, victorious.

Dawn and Kenny had just walked in the entrance, hand in hand. They were smiling and laughing about something.

Serena noticed Misty staring. She followed her eyes and realized that she was looking right at Gary. She decided not to say anything about it, though.

At that moment, the elevator door opened with Ash, May, Max, Brock, and Diantha coming out of it. Their faces looked grim, but something about Ash's demeanor made everyone think that they definitely had a solid plan.

Misty waved to Serena. "It was nice meeting you, Serena," she said. "I hope we get the chance to talk again."

Serena nodded. "Y-yeah! Thanks for everything," she said, walking over to Calem and standing next to him.

Ash began to explain their ideas and what actions they entailed. Serena wasn't paying any attention, though...she was too focused on Ash himself.

She hadn't gotten the chance to really look at him yet. He was taller, a little more muscular, but still had that relatively lean body she liked. His hair was the same, which she absolutely adored. And as usual, Pikachu was on his shoulder.

Oh Arceus... she thought. I'm nowhere near over him...

– – – –

So the secret is out...there was water on the elevator floor! Haha anyways, leave a review for me if you want to share any thoughts and opinions on this chapter or just this story in general. I can't stress enough how much reviews help. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for the next chapter.