Hey guys, Jeff here!

Wow... it has surely been a while since I have written a chapter and released it for any of my stories... I do apologise. The main reason behind it is just my school work. It always gets in my way and I just have to keep delaying the release of chapters, so I am so sorry about it. Also, I am not on hiatus, so don't worry about that :P

Nevertheless, I will try to write chapters as soon as possible, so please bear with me.

Anyway, I am here with a new chapter now, so...

Without further ado, let's get to reading...


It was now afterschool. Its that time of the day for everyone to head home for the night and then be back again into school the next day. As the bell rang all throughout the school, it indicated to everyone that the day is finished. Most students left the school and headed home by walking, but some are lucky enough to have a bike, so they can then ride home. On the other hand, this is actually the time of the day when some clubs begin their activities such as the football club starting to play football on the field or the suddenly empty classrooms were half-filled with students. Of course, this is a typical atmosphere in the school. Though, today is special, since it was a Friday. There were no clubs active and everyone was just heading home.

As for the group, they have actually separated themselves out. Paul, which was not surprising, immediately went home after saying his brief goodbye with everyone. Gary, Barry and Drew headed off to an arcade that recently opened in the city centre. The rest of the group, which were Misty, Dawn and May were planning to go to a sleepover together in May's house, but they are just waiting for Serena, who is apparently with Ash, since they are in the same class. They have been waiting for Serena for around five minutes or so, but then again their class finished early, so that might be the reason why they were late. Then again, the other reason was probably Serena getting her stuff ready to bring for the sleepover. Who knows?

May sighed. "Oh, where could Serena be?"

"Um, how long have we been waiting here for?" Dawn added.

Misty smiled. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure she's on her way and that she has a good reason why she's late."

May nodded. "Yeah. Professor Oak might have let their class out late."

Dawn laughed. "That can't be helped now, can it?"

At that moment, there was someone running towards them with a cheerful smile as well as panting, and that person was Serena. Behind her was Ash, who has just been left behind, but was catching up as Serena slowed down to meet the group.

Serena smiled. "Hey guys, sorry I'm late."

Misty smiled. "You don't have to apologise. I'm sure its not your fault."

Ash laughed. "Yeah, you can blame Professor Oak for letting us out late."

May laughed. "Oh, I knew it!"

Dawn face palmed. "Typical Professor Oak."

The whole group then laughed after that.

"Anyway, I better get going." Ash interrupted. "I need to get home, so see you all later!"

May waved at Ash. "Olay, see you later, Ash."

Dawn pouted. "You're such a spoil sport, aren't you, Ash?"

Misty smiled. "All right, Ash. Goodbye."

(Serena's POV)

As I watched Ash goes off into the distance, I waved at him as he turned around. He then waved back and then headed to the direction to where I call home. As he was gone and out of my sight, I felt kind of sad, how he is not here with me anymore and how I won't see him for tonight, but its not all that bad since I've got my other friends with me. Looking back at it, Ash and I have been dating for about a week now and we are both happy about it; however for the past week, we have been keeping this detail as a secret from everyone, even from our group of friends. We don't really want them to find out about it since we are just too embarrassed for everyone to know, but then again, we both know that we can't find it from them forever. They either will find us suspicious or they will just 'investigate' us in that sense or in another way to put it – to spy on us.

At that moment, May called us all that were left that we are going now, so as we have finished our conversations, May then led us towards her house where we would apparently be sleeping tonight, since that is the only thing that I have thought of that people do in a sleepover. We walked and as I looked around my surroundings, I noticed how things were kind of busy once we got our of the school and entered the city centre. Since its Friday, people were out and about, and enjoying themselves or maybe shopping as the next day, its the weekend, so no one has to worry about work or even school.

Also, the other thing I noticed as we walked, I saw some other couples walking around too, most likely that they were on a date. Some of them were holding bands with one another, some of them has their arm clinging on the other, or some were just walking around and do some window shopping. I then sighed. I wondered and thought about Ash and I, how if we can eventually do these type od things, how we can be together and do these things that I see, how we can act like a couple and not be too embarrassed about it or concerned about what people think about us. I guess it wouldn't be as bad as I think, since its kind of a common sight to see wherever we can go.

Misty tapped me. "Um, Serena? Serena? Hello? Earth to Serena?"

Dawn laughed. "Serena, you lost in thought? Serena have we lost you already?"

I shook my head. "Oh, sorry..."

May laughed. "What happened, Serena? You just lost reality or something?

I laughed. "Probably. Sorry, I was just day dreaming... "

May, Dawn and Misty laughed, which made some people turned their heads.

I smiled. "Anyway, can I ask you guys something?"

Misty nodded. "Yeah, sure. Ask away."

"So, what do you actually do in a sleepover?" I asked. "I mean, I haven't been in one before, so I thought we just sleep, right?"

There was a minute of silence before anyone has got a response to me.

May laughed. "Oh, Serena. Have you been living under a rock or something? You have missed out on that."

"Well, what you do in a sleepover is not just sleep with your friends." Dawn explained. "Its also about having fun with them too."

"That is true." Misty added. "You can have~"

"Wait, Misty." May interrupted as she winked at Misty. "Why don't we leave everything a surprise for Serena?"

Misty nodded. "That's a good idea!"

Dawn winked. "We'll make your first sleepover the best one yet!"

May smiled. "Not wait to long now, since we're nearly there."

As I looked around my surroundings once again, I noticed that we were out of the town and we are coming up to a house, which I noticed and deduced that its about the same size as Ash's house or my house. It also has a similar look to it too, which I found quite interesting. It was just a normal house and to be honest, for some reason I thought that May's house might have been a bit more grander than I can see, but then again, its nice to see how its just a normal house. As of now though, I am actually quite excited about this since May, Misty and Dawn hyped me up a bit as the impression that I got for sleepovers is wrong as I haven't expected. I mean, they said that what I thought about sleepovers is absolutely wrong, how they said it would be more 'fun' and all that, so I really am looking forward to it.

Now, I wonder what Ash is up to now...

(With Ash; Ash's POV)

As I walked along, I saw Serena go off into the distance along with May, Misty and Dawn. It seems that they are going to have a good time, which relieves me a bit. Seeing Serena smile like that whilst she is with her friends relieves me since now I don't have to worry about her fitting in with everyone else as it looks like she is happy at where she is right now. I'm really am glad for her, since she has now learned to open up to people and not just to me, especially after what has happened to her in the past and how she has now moved on from it. Of course, I am here for her and going to be by her side to support her and to take care of her the best that I can.

On the other hand, there is still things that worry me, things that she is part of that I don't want her to be, which is my and her current situation. Recently, I have found out that Serena possess a sword just like I do, but the main problem is that she cannot remember anything about it, how she possess this sword which controls the power of wind, how I too have a sword that controls lightning, how there is someone after her that is the same as us. I then have to protect her no matter what the cost, because she is very important to me and I treasure her dearly

Looking back at it, the main reason that I was late is because I received a text message from a sender with no identification whatsoever about Serena and I. In summary, the text was about how this anonymous sender wanted to meet us both in this location concerning something ourselves, how apparently they have found us out and they wanted to meet in person to 'discuss' about something important, so I went and decided not to bring Serena to not expose her to danger since I found things a bit too suspicious. I asked Drew about this, but he said that he has nothing to do with it, so the only person who could have done this is Trip, the very same person who attacked in Serena's house.

A few minutes has passed and I am nearly at the location as to where they were going to meet. It was just beyond my sight, but I have caught a glimpse of it. I saw an abandoned factory. One that was rusted away, no one to be seen around it, not even a sound. It looked like this factory has been closed down for a while now as I have heard rumours about this place about how it is haunted or how they could hear creepy sounds and that sort of things. Of course, I could not trust those rumours and I don't really believe in ghosts or in any of that sense; but then again, I still have to keep my guard up, especially for any traps that may be there, since I find this location a little bit too suspicious.

Now, I am really up close to the said location. I can easily tell that this is one abandoned and derelict building that I have ended up going to. I don't know what is in store for me inside or once I go in, but I feel something's not right. I saw the factory, all rusted, debris scattered on the ground, shattered glass on the floor, and even holes on the roof. I saw that this derelict site is in pretty bad shape and I thought this was the perfect place to hold this 'meeting' that this person has arranged. I don't know how this person who has asked to meet me has my phone number or how he knows about me, but I am keeping my guard up to clear my suspicion.

I entered the building itself and I looked around me. The state of the outside is also the same on the inside. It was completely silent too, you can even hear a pin drop because of it. It truly was a sight to behold. Though, at that moment, I then heard some footsteps, but I couldn't see who it was, but that person started to speak...

The mysterious person laughed. "Oh, I'm surprised you turned up, Ash. I thought you would not come~"

"What do you want?!" I demanded an answer as I tried to look at where this person is.

"You probably know what I want..." The mysterious person answered back. "You know why you're here, right?"

I chuckled. "Probably, I don't know exactly; but since you specifically asked for Serena and I, then it must be something between us..."

The mysterious person laughed. "That's exactly right, Ash~"

"Then, if you asked us..." I interrupted. "...why don't you show yourself?!"

The mysterious person laughed even more. "Oh, we're really hasty aren't we? Don't worry Ash, all will come in good time..."

"Just tell me what do you want from us!" I shouted.

The mysterious person chuckled. "Oh, Ash... how can you fool me?"

"What now?" I grunted.

"I don't see Serena with you." The mysterious person complained. "Why is that? I asked for you both, didn't I?"

"So what?" I snapped. "You don't have to involve her in this."

The mysterious person tutted. "No, this can't do. I needed you both. Oh well, I guess I have to dispose of you instead..."

I clenched my fist. "What does that suppose to mean?"

There was a moment of silence between us. From this point on, I wonder what is going to happen, but also I wondered about what he just said, about how he needed to see both of us here, Serena and I, as well as coming alone too. I mean, I did come alone, but I didn't bring Serena with me, which caused this person to be upset about it, but still, I wondered about what this person wants between Serena and I, however...

"By the power of this sword, grant me the power to release what is imprisoned." The mysterious person chanted. "Earth Projection!"

At that point, the ground started to shake and then immediately caused the whole structure of the building to wobble too. I don't know what was going on, but what I do know is that I know that chant too. I remember it; however now is not the time to worry about that little detail as I need to worry about myself. I saw how the building was vigorously shaking and I know that it is then on the verge of collapsing. I heard the rattles and the creaks that the whole structure is making and I saw even more debris as well as bits of the building falling apart even more. I need to get out of here, but how?

The mysterious person laughed. "Goodbye, Ash. It was nice talking to you."

I clenched my fists. "I will get you for this!"

'I need to get out of here.' I thought. 'But I know that chant he said. There's no doubt about it, he was a Schwertkämpfer... just like Serena and I..."


There you have it, guys! Chapter 23 is done! Hopefully you have enjoyed this chapter! :D

Well, what can I say from this chapter! Who is that mysterious person? What will happen to Ash? Will he escape in time or not? Also, what about Serena? Find out in the next chapter ;D

Again, I apologise for the massive delays, but I am not on hiatus, so expect me to at least write chapters :D

Anyways, I'll see you all in the next chapter, but also please put your thoughts of this story in the reviews! Please show some support!

But also Private Message me for any story suggestions!

Also, please check me out on Twitter at jeff_amour if you can for updates of my stories!

So, that's it from me!

See ya! Have a great day!