Chapter 3
At the library, Serena and Calem found a spot to study. Serena whispered, "Hey Calem, can I ask you something?"
Calem nodded while still focused on doing his Pokehomework. "What's up?"
"How did you end up being an Elite 4 member? for Celadon High?" Serena asked.
"Well, it wasn't easy that's for sure. Okay. So the first Friday of every month, students have a big whole tournament that they compete in. Based on their experience with their pokemon, grades, and profession, they compete against each other. Say you're a pokemon trainer for Class A- battling. Then you'll have to face some other trainers who are into Class A. For example, Ash, Gary, Clemont and I are all Class A trainers. We battle. But let's say like Miette doesn't like battling. She would be in Class B. Class B usually has bakers who compete to make pokeblocks, pokepuffs, poffles, and so on. Class C is for Contest people who not only battle against other trainers, but use their pokemon to make combination moves to appeal to the audience." Calem explained. Serena nodded.
"So how I became an Elite member was that because every month we compete, it's a tournament and if you win a battle, you move up. You lose and you're out of the competition. So far, Ash has won all battles this semester. He's trying to go for undefeated but not if I can help it. There is a upcoming battle in 2 weeks and just because he's my friend, doesn't mean that I'm going to go easy on him." Calem chuckled.
"Ahh I see. Well...I'm gonna root for you!" Serena said cheerfully.
Someone did a "shhhhhh" at Serena, so the honey haired girl lowered her voice.
"Calem… what kind of class do you think I should be?" She asked.
Calem gave it a thought. "Hmmmm, I don't know. Whatever your heart tells you to be. I heard your mom is a Rhyhorn racer. That's a class D. So you can be a rider when you grow up."
Serena shook her head. "I'm not too fond of Rhyhorn racing…."
"Oh I see…. well there's always other classes that you'll be interested in. Just take your time and you'll find out what your dream is in no time!" Calem said with a smile.
1 hour later…
"Hey Serena? It's 7:45 and my mom just texted me that I have to go home now. She's pretty worried about me. Are you done with homework and ready to leave?" Calem whispered.
Serena replied, "Not quite. I'm still studying and because I transferred in so late, I have a lot of work to catch up on. You can go on home without me and I'll see you at school tomorrow."
"You sure? It's pretty dark out here, what if it's not safe for you to walk alone?" Calem said with a worried expression.
"Nah it's ok. I have my pokemon Fennekin with me. She'll protect me." Serena assured.
"Oh alright then. Here's my number. Text me when you get home safe." Calem said as he scribbled his number on a piece of paper and handed it to her.
"Thanks Calem. For everything. Be safe now!" Serena waved bye.
"I should be telling YOU that Serena. haha. Okay goodnight!" Calem waved bye as he walked out the sliding doors. Serena saw him get up on his Altaria and they started to hover above the air. The next thing she knew it, Calem was already gone.
1 hour later…
It was nearly 9 and Serena just finished her last subject of Professor Rowan's Pokemon Physics. The poor girl yawned and stretched. She got up to pack her stuff and said to herself, "Alright Serena. Time to walk home."
She exited the library and took a deep breath. To get to her home, she had to pass through a dark forest which was the quickest way to get there. She headed into the trees, although she was a little scared. She was still pretty new to this Region even though nothing has changed since she left.
It was quiet. Too quiet. A gush of cold wind blew at Serena as she shivered.
Just then, she heard a rustle.
"W-Who's there?" She said with a shaky voice. The rustling sound was headed toward her. Serena saw a big dark shadow in front of her. She screamed and started to run.
"HELLLLLPPP! AHHHHHHHHHHHH" Serena shrieked and ran for her life. She tripped on a tree root and fell. Serena was on the verge of crying when sudden she heard a voice.
"Pikachu, thunderbolt!" A bolt of lighting hit the dark shadow and it cried out in slight pain. Terrified, the dark shadow fled away in the bushes.
A pikachu approached Serena with a worried expression. Pi pikachu?
"I'm fine Pikachu thank you so much for saving me." Serena said with a smile.
The yellow mouse pokemon sighed with relief.
Just then, a trainer followed behind the pokemon. It was Ash Ketchum.
"S-Serena? Is that you?" He asked.
"Yeah it's me. Hey Ash…" Serena said shyly.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He asked, worried.
"Not at all. I'm fine, really." Serena said. She tried to get up but winced in pain.
Ash knelt down and said, "It looks like you've scratched your knee when you fell." He took out a bandaid from his backpack and put it on Serena's knee. Then he took her hand and pulled her up into an embrace.
Serena started to have slight blurry flashback memories of her when she was little. It reminded her of a deja vu situation.
Ash held Serena's waist and helped her walk out of the forest into brighter light.
They sat down at a park bench and he took off his jacket and put it on Serena. "You're freezing cold Serena." He said.
Serena turned slightly pink. Ash threw out a pokeball. "Charizard, come on out!"
An orange dragon like pokemon with huge wings roared and it echoed in the quiet fields.
"Hey Charizard, my friend Serena got injured while walking in the forest. Do you think you can help me fly her home safe?" Ash asked politely.
The orange pokemon nodded and got down so it was easier for Serena to climb up. Serena tried to but it still was too big for her so Ash carefully and effortlessly lifted her up and placed her on the orange pokemon's back. Its wings started to flap and it hovered in the air. Soon, they were off in the dark night sky.
"So Serena, why WERE you walking alone in the forest at this time?" Ash asked.
Serena said, "I was studying since I had a lot of work to catch up on. Calem had to leave a little bit early."
"When that pokemon tried to attack you, why didn't you call out your pokemon to protect you?" Ash asked curiously.
"Oh..I-I guess I was too panicked to call out Fennekin. The first thought I had was to run." Serena said bashfully.
"Ah well it's ok, without your scream, I never would have heard and you could have been in some serious trouble. Next time, whenever you are away from home past 8:30, just give me a call and I'll take you home." Ash said sweetly.
"Awhh thank you Ash. I really appreciate it." Serena said.
"Hold on tighter it's pretty cold and windy up here." Ash warned.
Serena blushed madly as she tightened her grip on Ash's waist.
"So where do you live Serena?" Ash asked.
"I live in Pallet Town. Riiiightttttttt there." Serena pointed.
"Oh my Arceus no freaking way." Ash said.
"What?" Serena asked.
"WE'RE NEIGHBORS!" Ash said happily. Serena smiled and laughed.
"Wow I didn't realize that. Well this is amazing! We can walk home together after school or now you HAVE to call me when you're staying out 'll be more convenient for the both of us." Ash joked.
"Haha, alright ash." Serena agreed.
The orange pokemon softly landed and Ash helped Serena get off.
"Wo-woahh" Serena fell and Ash caught her. Unfortunately they fell to the floor and Serena landed on top of Ash's chest. Turning beet red, Serena panicked and quickly got up. "OH MY GOSH IM SO SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. HONEST." Serena said as she sprung herself up and blushed red, it could put a Vulpix to shame. Ash got up and laughed. "Hey don't worry about it." He helped Serena walk to her door. She entered the house and turned to say goodbye to Ash.
"Well thank you Ash. I'll see you tomorrow neighbor." She winked at him and quickly closed the door. Serena slid down and sighed dreamily. "Oh Ash...if only you weren't taken…" She thought.
Serena crept to her window and saw Ash walking next door to unlock his house. When he entered the house, she turned away and smiled to herself.
Serena walked upstairs and crept into her room, to make sure she didn't wake up her mom.
She took a quick shower and texted Calem.
Hey, it's Serena. The text was delivered.
A couple seconds later, Serena's phone flashed. She picked it up to see a response.
Hey Serena, it's Calem. Did you get home safe?
Yeah. Ash kind of rescued me. Some pokemon attacked and he was there to save me with his Pikachu. Then he took me home so I'm perfectly fine.
This time, it took a bit longer for Calem to respond but he did respond.
oh. glad to know that. ok well it's almost 10 so you should get some sleep. we have school tomorrow. night serena.
Serena texted back goodnight with a smiley face. She put the phone down and slid into her bed. She stretched and yawned and turned off the lamp. The tired girl closed her eyes and fell asleep in just a couple of minutes.
