CHAPTER 22: An Ocean of Memories...

"Are we almost there?" I hear Gardenia's voice beside me as we fly through the air above Mt. Moon.

"Almost!" I answer, pointing to the large tree, which stands a good couple hundred feet above the rest in the distance.

The twins fly us right up to in, and into the nest.

"Whoa..." Gardenia gasps, as we dismount the Noctowl, and walk right up to the edge.

"Thats Pewter city there, and if you look REALLY close, you can see Viridian, just over there, and thats the gym that Ash and Misty are in!" I point out all these places, as Gardenia just stares.

"It's so... so... beautiful up here." She gasps, and i laugh.

"This is where i met the twins!" I laugh, rubbing the owls beaks affectionately.

"You guys can go fly around if you want, we are good here." I release Alto, Ace, and Beatrice, letting them all out to fly around and play.

Gardenia and I both grab a seat at the far edge of the nest, looking out over the fields and forests below.

"How did you find this place?" Gardenia asks, and i tell her the story of the injured Noctowl, show her my scar, and tell her about how i came to meet the chicks.

"Wow... that is so... hard." Gardenia says, tears in her eyes.

"But it was worth it. Look at those two BEAUTIFUL Noctowl." I laugh as i point to the two owls, who are flipping and flying around.

"Ser, I'm so sorry." Gardenia suddenly hugs me, sending us both backwards into the nest, tumbling over each other.

Laughing, we finally pick ourselves up, and dust ourselves off.

"So, should we go say hi to the brats?"

"We shall."

And with that, i signal Belle and Bane, and we take off for the gym.

"I'll go this way, you go that way!" I whisper, and we both take off into our own parts of the maze.

I ended up going the opposite way than last time, but i eventually make it to the opening that leads to the battlefield.

I peek in, and see Misty, sitting at the edge of a pool, with her feet in, kicking and splashing with her pokemon.

I quickly step out.

"So THIS is what gym trainers do?" I laugh as she starts, then realizes who i am.

"SERENA!" She launches into my arms, crying happily.

I swing her around, crying as well, when i hear a faint "GARDENIA!" from across the gym.

"Gar is here to?" Misty sniffles, laughing still.

"Yep! She'll be over in a bit, when i go to see Ash." I explain, and she nods.

"I have someone i want you to meet. This is Corsola." Misty steps aside to reveal a little pink ball with coral spikes sticking out of it's back.

"Hi there sweetheart!" I bend down, petting the pokemons head, and she cooes happily.

"And i have someone i would like you to meet!" Her eyes go wide as i release Beatrice.

"BUG?!" She hides behind her little Corsola, as Beatrice tries to say hi.

"Com? Combee?" She flutters quickly around, but Misty avoids her.

"Whats wrong, Mist?" I ask, and her face goes red.

"I... I don't... like BUGS!" She squeals as Beatrice hugs her from behind.

"Comb!" The little bee pokemon twitters happily.

"I'm so sorry, Misty, i didnt know!" I return Beatrice, and Misty laughs shakily.

"That's okay, shes a real sweetheart." Misty laughs, stepping into the pool.

"Well, i'm going to rip over and say hi to Ash, then maybe we could all go out for supper? My treat!" Misty nods and i laugh, hugging her then going on my way.

I head back to the beginning, where Gardenia is just heading my way as well.

"That went well. And hey, watch out for Tia. She's a hugger." Gardenia laughs as she takes off, leaving me to wonder who Tia is.

I make it the the opening, and walk right in.

"Did somebody say Se-" I get tackled against the ground, Ash hugging me tightly.

"SERENA!"

"Hey bud." I hug him back, as we stand back up.

"I have someone i want you to meet!" He says suddenly, pointing behind us.

I turn around in time to get bowled over again by a huge pile of rocks. Then it licks my face.

"Serena, meet Tia. She's my Rhyhorn!" Ash laughs, pulling the eager rhino pokemon off of me so i can stand.

"Hey sweetheart." I kiss it's forehead while i dry my cheek off on my shirt.

She grunts happily, toddling off to her corner again.

I release Beatrice, who hugs Ash immediately.

Ash hugs her back, eyes wide.

"This is Beatrice. She is a Combee, a bug flying type native to Sinnoh." I laugh as she kisses his cheek with all three mouths, then takes off again.

"Whoa! Shes so cool!" He laughs, chasing her around.

"Can i leave her with you while i go see Brock?"

"Oh of course! I'll treat her like she my own!" He shouts, distracted as him and now Tia try to catch the buzzy little bee.

Laughing, i start to head to the final battle platform.

I finally make it, with Brock waiting for me as i arrive.

"Just couldnt stay away, could ya?" He laughs as i hug him.

"Nope! Had to come make sure Misty was watching you boy's alright!" I laugh as he pretends to look hurt.

"Well, i'm glad you did. It's boring up here when they wont let anyone win!" Brock whines.

"You kinda picked two of the most competitive kids you could have for the positions." I point out and he shakes his head, laughing.

"As if i had a choice! But for real, they are doing amazing. Tia is almost ready to evolve." Brock points out.

"Hm? How'd you know that?" I ask, and he laughs.

"I know the signs of pre evolution for rock types. Her horn is growing, and she's shedding pebbles."

"Thats so exciting! Does Ash know yet?"

"No, and i'm not telling him. It'll ruin the surprise."

"Fair enough, i'll keep my mouth shut. Anyways, would you be up for coming out for dinner tonight, with me, Ash, Misty, and Gardenia?"

"I don't see why not. We can even close early today, to be honest. It's been pretty dead today, just a couple challengers." Brock laughs, and heads down into the maze.

I wait on the platform, and watch as he makes his way to both kids, telling them to pack up and head out for the day, then locks the door.

Both kids run up, Gardenia behind them, and Beatrice floats onto my shoulder.

Brock gets back as well, and we head into the kitchen to chat for a bit.

"So?! Hows being a gym trainer?" I ask, and both kids stand up.

"You go first!" Ash sits back down, and Misty smiles at him.

"Thanks, Ash. So! Yesterday, i had a trainer from a far off region called... um... Alola? Yeah, Alola! She challenged me, and she used pokemon i didn't even know EXISTED! IT was so cool! She had a Rattata, but it was a different typing, and it was black!"

"And i had a Trainer from Kalos! Oh, wow! His Pokemon were so COOL! He had a fairy that attacked on a flower! I HAVE to go to Kalos someday!" Ash gushes finally, unable to hold it all back.

"That sounds so cool guys! I'm so glad you're both having fun!" I laugh, as they go on, telling me about their adventures as gym trainers.

The sun starts to go down outside, so i quickly break the conversation, and get us moving to the nearest restaurant.

We get in, sit down, and start chatting where we left off.

"I wonder if Alola is nice? Maybe I'D go there some day, use it as a training experience, maybe even catch some new friends..." Misty rambles.

"I betcha Kalos is beautiful! Maybe its even BIG!? I wonder how many different types of pokemon are out there..." Ash mumbles.

"Well, anyways, i'm glad you guys are having fun. When are you guys coming back? I'm ready for some gyms!"

Brock, Ash, and Misty look at me with a confused look.

"Hm? What is it?" I ask through a mouth full of food.

"You do know what gym is next, right?" Ash asks carefully.

"No... why?"

"The next gym in the circuit is Lt. Surge." Misty explains.

"Okay. And?"

"Lt. Surge... is an... electric type trainer." Brock finishes.

"Are you okay, Serena? Your face is white!" Gardenia pats my back, and i cough.

"Electric? WHY ME!?" I moan, and every one laughs.

We finish our meals, pay, then head back to the gym. The sun has now gone completely down, leaving wisps of orange and pink in an otherwise navy sky.

"Well, me and Gardenia better get back. We will see you guys in a few days!" I hug Ash and Misty.

"Fly safe! And say hi to Hilary and Bill for us!" Misty says, tears in her eyes.

"We will! Love you guys, and we'll see you soon!"

Me and Gardenia take off on Belle and Bane, respectively.

"Bout time you got back!" Hilary scolds us as we walk in the door.

"Sorry sis! We ended up visiting Ash and the gang." I laugh.

"And how are they?"

"Tired, but excited! Ready to come back." Gardenia laughs.

"And how are you guys feeling? How was the trip?" Bill asks.

"Good! Ser showed me the Noctowl's nest. It's so stunning up there." Gardenia says.

"So, whats the plans for tomorrow?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Well, i was hoping to train some more, maybe head out to the next city." Hilary says.

"Wait, you're going to move on? Without us?" I ask, but she shakes her head.

"Not to challenge the gym or anything, but im going stir crazy here, Ser. I really am. No offense to you, Bill, but i cant stand the ocean, it reminds me of..." She trails off, and i hear Mizara's voice, who is sitting in the corner with a book;

It reminds her of Christina.

Mom had lived her whole life in Sunyshore City, a city surrounded by water, on the ocean.

"Okay." I say quietly.

"Huh? What was that?" Hilary asks.

"Okay, you can go. But promise me you wont challenge the gym?"

She runs over and hugs me.

"I promise, sis!"

I hear her sob quietly into my shoulder, before she runs off to her room, mumbling about packing.

"Your mom..." Gardenia starts, but Bill cuts her off.

"I think thats enough about their mother for today." He says reassuringly, squeezing her hand lightly, but Gardenia goes on.

"I knew their mother. She treated me like i was her own, as if i was part of the family. She was an amazing woman, and every time i see Serena, or Hilary, i'm reminded of how amazing she was. She brought the two strongest girls to this earth, and i'm sure she is watching them right now, SO proud of the women they've became."

I don't realize im crying, till i start to sob.

Gardenia rushes over, grabbing me by the shoulders, and leading me outside.

Bill goes to follow, but she puts her hand up.

"Please, Bill. She needs this."

She leads me out the back door, and out to the cliffs, where we sit down, feet dangling hundreds of feet above the salty water.

And i cry.

I sob, heart wrenching, painful sobs.

The whole time, Gardenia just sits there, head on my shoulder, listening.

"Why her, though? Of all THE FREAKING PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET, WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE HER?" I scream.

I scream at the ocean, at the memories i have tried to repress, and at myself.

I scream and sob and kick, until i've worn myself out.

I stare blankly at the ocean.

The waves arent nearly tall enough to hit us, but the spray from them is.

I see plenty of water and flying pokemon, out towards the ocean, splashing and playing, when i hear footsteps behind me.

"Want to sleep out here?" I hear a soft voice beside me, and i turn to see Misty standing beside me.

"What... what are you doing here?" I whisper, my voice coarse and rough.

"We decided to come back early, Brocks here to."

I nod.

"I'll go grab you some blankets."

In what feels like seconds, she returns with pillows and blankets, and Gardenia sets a spot for me, just a ways off the cliff.

I curl up, lean against a rock, and watch the ocean as it glimmers and shines in the moonlight.

I fall asleep to the sound of my mothers voice, being carried in off the coast on the breeze, as if she was really here.