Break the limits Chapter 7, a pokémon fanfic

Wow I'm touched. Really. You guys rule :D

Anyway I finished touching up one of my old stories on this site. Pretty quick all things considered, so I decided to get back onto work on this one. I guess I just needed a small break. :)

Now back to our regular scheduled program.

CHAPTER VII: Reconnect

Last time: "Vivillon is unable to battle! Gym leader-Viola has run out of eligible Pokemon for battle! The winner of this match is Serena Yvonne from Vaniville town!"

And now:

A certain honey colored blonde then blinked in disbelief at her recent hard-earned victory. "W-We won…?"

Serena was then brought back to her senses by a somewhat familiar cry that pierced the air around her.

Grinning, the young blonde then met the black eyes of her newly evolved Pokemon and it wasn't long before she ran up to him and embraced the brown avian into a warm hug. "We won! We did it, Pidgeotto! We did it!"

Said Pokemon was more than glad to return the gesture with a small smirk on his feathered face.

"Yeah, that was an amazing battle! Both of you were awesome!"

"Pi-Pikachu!"

Now that the adrenaline was safely out of her system, Serena felt herself flush once she saw her old childhood friend slowly made his way over to her side of the battlefield. "A-Ash!"

The blonde then relinquished her hug and slowly stood up to make eye contact with the raven haired youth. She also noted how tall he's gotten over the years since she last saw him.

Serena then began to absentmindedly twirl a lock of her hair as she suddenly felt a little self conscious of herself. "Sooo…uuuh. How long have you've been here at Santalune city?"

As if sensing the awkward atmosphere in the air too, Ash couldn't help but sheepishly scratch the back of his head in response. If one were to look closely, a small speck of red began to dust his cheeks as well. "O-Oh. Just recently, actually! I was still a few ways off yesterday and had no choice but to camp for the night. Ahehe…"

"…"

Meanwhile, both Pikachu and Pidgeotto were looking at the two red-faced teenagers with half-lidded stares. It was like watching two innocent kids from their point of view.

The Pallet town trainer then smiled softly as he noticed the small white band on the honey colored blonde's wrist. "I see you've kept your good luck charm."

Returning the gesture, Serena slightly fiddled with the small bracelet as she began reminiscing her childhood days. "Yeah. Of course I would. After all, you…" The blonde then felt her face grew hotter for a few moments. "You gave it to me. Soo…thanks, it meant a lot to me. I didn't get a chance to say it after the whole move thing…"

Blushing a bit as well, Ash then slowly pulled out his own lucky charm for the blonde to see. "Wow. That means a lot. Thanks Serena! I…uh kept my lucky charm too! It…" Without realizing it, the raven haired youth gulped and felt like he swallowed something heavy. "It meant a lot to me too! So…uuh thanks! Thanks a lot! Ahehe."

Both teens then proceeded to smile at each other as they felt some of the awkward tension in the air, slowly disappear.

For a moment, it was like when they were kids again. A happier and more simpler time in their lives…

(FLASH!)

Said trainers then blinked at the unexpected flash and immediately turned their respective heads to find the source.

Only to blanch once they found out it was a grinning Viola and right in her hands was her standard camera.

The sandy colored blonde then gave the two younger trainers a teasing cheshire smile as she proudly showed off her latest shot. It showed the two teens smiling at each other softly, and the picture even had this warm feeling if one were to look at it long enough. "Sorry you two but that was such a golden opportunity for a shot, I couldn't help it!"

Serena then let out a small scandalized shriek as she felt her face turn to dangerous levels of red. "V-Viola! How could you! You gotta delete that photo!"

Sticking out her tongue in a playful manner, Viola was quick to shake her head in response. "Nu-uh! This is too good of a photo to just delete like that!" The sandy colored blonde then gave the two teens before her, a small wink. "How about I give you guys copies instead? What'ya say?"

Blushing bright red from embarrassment once more, Ash and Serena first looked at each other before quickly turning their respective heads away at the mere thought.

Meanwhile, Pikachu was both amused and curious at his trainer's strange behavior. As far as he knows, the only times that the raven haired youth turned red was with Misty or that Giselle girl. This was certainly interesting in a way.

As for Viola, the sandy colored blonde then blinked once she took a more closer look at her photo. The gym leader then squinted her eyes and turned her attention to the raven haired youth, then back to her picture. And rinse and repeat. "Hey wait a minute. You look familiar for some reason, have I seen you on tv or something?"

Ash and Pikachu then shared a somewhat bemused look once the Pallet town trainer felt his cheeks return to their more normal color.

"Ahehe. That's a funny story actually…"

-(scene change)-

"Oh wow! I can't believe this year's Sinnoh league champion is right here in front of me! What an honor!"

Needless to say, Viola was absolutely ecstatic in having a pseudo-celebrity inside her gym.

The much older female then nudged the younger rookie trainer beside her in a teasing manner. "And who would have guessed that you were his old childhood friend! You are one lucky girl, Serena~"

Said honey colored blonde couldn't help but blush again and was internally glad that Viola only whispered the last part to her in secret.

Seeing the situation, Ash then let out a low chuckle and decided to help out his old friend by getting back to the matter at hand. "Anyway, I was wondering if I can have my gym battle now? Me and my Pokemon are really excited in battling our first Kalos gym leader!"

Letting out a small nervous laugh, Viola then proceeded to rub the back of her head in a sheepish manner. "Ahaha. I'd love to…really! But as you can see," The much older female then gestured to the remains of her once pristine battlefield. ", I need to make some emergency repairs for now. I'm afraid, I'll have to postpone our battle till tomorrow. Sorry, Ash."

Hearing the news, a metaphorical cloud of darkness hovered over the raven haired youth's head as he slightly hunched his shoulders lower.

Seeing this, Serena couldn't help but feel responsible as she let out a sheepish laugh for the Pallet town native's current plight. "Ehehe. That was my bad. Sorry too, Ash."

Feeling a little bad from all the attention he was getting, said trainer was quick to recover and send the two females before him an appeasing grin in response. "Ah, it's alright you two. No need to apologize to me or anything. I understand! Stuff just happens, right?"

Grinning a bit, Viola clasped her hands together and was glad that there was no hard feelings between all of them. "That's great! Now the only problem left is how high should the level be? I want to make sure that I'll give you and your squad a decent challenge for tomorrow's battle!"

Ash then let out a small hum as he lightly scratched below his chin in a pondering fashion. "Yeah that's a tough one."

After all, sparring and the occasional fights with normal trainers is one thing but against a gym leader? It's a whole new level compared to your standard run-of-the-mill battles.

Without a doubt, it's their duties to help the next generation grow. To test their very limits and break right through it. His decision itself is crucial for his team's future development.

'Hmmm. I need to find a balance. Something that could still test us but not too overwhelming for Bulbasaur and Totodile's current power level…'

Snapping his fingers, Ash then finally came to a decision after he was done mentally debating with himself. "Okay, I've decided! How about a level four gym battle? I'm plenty sure my current team will get a lot of experience from it."

Nodding her head in acceptance, Viola was quick to extend her hand to the raven haired youth in response. "It's a deal then! I'll be looking forward to our battle tomorrow!"

Pumping his one fist in excitement, Ash was more than glad to return the gesture and firmly shook the gym leader's hand. "Ahaha. Same here! Fair warning though, even if I'm using a reserve team, we'll be coming at you a hundred-and-ten percent! I'm not one to hold back!"

Rising to the challenge, the sandy colored blonde gave out her own fierce smirk in response. "Same to you then. I'll show you how strong my bug types are!"

As for Serena, the honey colored blonde felt herself sweat a bit from the two trainer's fiery exchange. It was like the atmosphere intensified a bit as she swore there were sparks firing between their eyes. 'Was this the difference between how gym leader's interact with rookies and how they treat the veterans?'

Serena then felt a small shiver go down her spine as she only hoped for the best in tomorrow's match. 'I know Ash has what it takes to win but it makes me wonder…Just how strong will Viola's Pokemon be?'

-(scene change)-

"Fennekin use ember! Pidgeotto use gust!"

Ash then smirked as he saw the incoming opposition. With a single flourish of his right hand, the raven haired youth was quick to make his move. "Totodile, counter Fennekin's ember with Water gun! Bulbasaur, dodge with dig!"

Like clockwork, both of the Pallet town trainer's Pokemon was quick to follow his orders to the exact tee.

The result? Fennekin's ember was completely neutralized and the blue reptile got a direct hit in. The small yellow fox didn't even had a chance to recover when she was immediately blind-sided by Bulbasaur's dig.

Gritting her teeth at the grass Pokemon's sheer speed, Serena gathered her wits and tried to perform a counterattack back. "Pidgeotto, try to buy Fennekin some time to recover! Use sand attack!"

Letting out it's species signature cry, said avian Pokemon was about to kick up another pseudo sandstorm when it was abruptly interrupted by Totodile's scary visage.

The momentary distraction was more than enough for Bulbasaur to grab ahold off Pidgeotto's legs with his vine whip, much to the flying type's shock.

The raven haired youth then grinned at his plans success and was quick to follow up the golden opportunity before him. "Nice job on that Scary face, Totodile! Now let 'em have it Bulbasaur!"

Said Seed Pokemon mimicked his trainer's expression and proceeded to lift the marginally larger flying type into the air before he slammed the brown avian Pokemon into the ground.

A bell then resounded throughout the Pokemon center's spare training field, both trainers then turned their attention over to the noise and saw Pikachu waving his one paw over to them. Right beside the yellow rodent, was the standard timer for practice battles.

Seeing the signal, Ash and Serena then visibly relaxed their postures as they congratulated their respective Pokemon for a job well done.

The honey colored blonde then decided to reward her team by pulling out a familiar small brown sack from inside of her bag. "Good job you two! Now who wants some of my special Poffins?"

Both Fennekin and Pidgeotto then let out ecstatic cheers before they eagerly devoured the tiny treats with great zeal.

The Poffin's tasty aroma then wafted through the air and it was enough for Bulbasaur and Totodile to stop eating their respective lunches. A modest plate of Sitrus berries.

Subconsciously, both their mouth's began to drool as they stared hungrily at the bowl full of tasty and delectable looking Poffins.

Both Bulbasaur and Totodile then stared back to their plate of berries. Then back to the Poffins. Then to the berries once more and vice versa.

In the end, the grass type just decided to let out a wistful sigh as he began to eat his own lunch in a much sedated pace. Totodile however, was another story entirely.

The small blue reptile then gained a sneaky and mischievous look in his eyes as he discreetly kicked one of his berries away from his plate. The Johto native then made up some sort excuse in his native tongue and quickly made chase.

Meanwhile, Pikachu looked on with a half-lidded stare as he easily saw through the water type's plan. The yellow rodent then let out a low sigh as he regrettably put down his bottle of ketchup.

-(scene change)-

Fennekin then let out another sigh of bliss after swallowing another one of her trainer's poffins. Then before she could even think about taking another treat from her bowl, the small fire type was startled by Totodile's grinning face.

Confused by the Johto native's presence, Fennekin wasted no time in making her suspicions known to the blue reptile.

In response, said water type was quick to wave off the younger 'mon's suspicion and immediately started making small talk to divert the smaller fox's attention away.

And suddenly, right in the middle of his monologue, Totodile immediately pointed to something right behind Fennekin with a grossly exaggerated, shocked look on his face.

Slightly puzzled, the Kalos native complied with a curious and innocent look on her features.

Sadly, this was the perfect opportunity for Totodile to strike. And strike he did.

The water type starter then proceeded to take the remaining Poffins until there was nothing left. Not even a poor crumb.

A split second later, Fennekin turned her attention back to her bowl and found absolutely nothing, much to her dismay. The small yellow fox even let out a low yip as she felt tears starting to appear at the corners of her orange eyes.

Letting out a small awkward laugh, Totodile began to make his hasty retreat while walking in reverse. Behind the small reptile's back were the missing treats.

The Johto Pokemon then felt like he swallowed lead once he felt someone tap his back.

Accepting the inevitable, the blue reptile slowly turned around and came face-to-face with the stern visages of Ash, Pikachu, Bulbasaur and Pidgeotto. On the side, Serena was busy comforting her teary starter.

The raven haired youth then proceeded to pinch the bridge of his nose at his Pokemon's actions. "Really Totodile? Really? Y'know, you could have just asked me or even better, you could've asked Serena if you wanted some Poffins. You didn't have to steal from Fennekin."

Lowering his head in shame, Totodile returned said treats back to where they belong. The blue reptile then gave his most sincerest apologies to a still-teary eyed Fennekin.

Said fire type then let out a couple of sniffs before she hesitantly accepted the water type's gesture of peace.

Seeing this, Serena smiled a bit as she slowly bent down to meet the two Pokemon's gazes. The honey colored blonde then proceeded to pat the blue reptile's head to show there was no hard feelings between them. "Yeah it's just like Ash said. I'll be more than glad to give you some treats."

Serena then giggled a bit once the small blue reptile looked up to her with a hopeful look etched on his face."Just promise me you won't steal Fennekin's Poffin's anymore? Deal?"

Letting out a happy cry, Totodile was quick to nod back in response. The water type even did his signature dance routine to seal the deal.

The honey colored blonde then couldn't help but gush slightly from the Johto Pokemon's antics as she pulled out her small brown bag of treats once more. "Awww. That's precious! I didn't know you could dance! That's amazing Totodile!"

The small blue reptile then grinned as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head just like a certain raven haired youth, mused the rookie trainer.

As Serena then placed the promised Poffins onto Totodile's plate, a metaphorical light-bulb then lit up from above the water type's head.

Quickly grabbing a spare blue Poffin and an extra Sitrus berry from his plate, Totodile wasted no time in making his way over to Fennekin once more.

Seeing the familiar fanged grin, the small fire type was immediately set on edge. She event went as far to shield her bowl from view with the use of her bushy tail.

A small bead of sweat then rolled down the back of Totodile's head as he let out a small nervous laugh. The blue reptile then raised his one claw as a gesture of peace and with the other, he set the extra food he gathered onto the ground.

Bowing his head once more as a sign of apologies, the Johto native was about to make his exit when he heard a familiar yip that stopped him in his tracks.

Turning around, Totodile came face-to-face with a smiling Fennekin. The water type then noticed a pink Poffin on the ground that was near the fire type's paws.

Growing confused at the sight, the blue reptile wasted no time in tilting his head in an innocent manner as he stared at the pink treat.

Rolling her orange eyes, Fennekin then nudged the Poffin towards the Johto Pokemon with the use of her snout.

Catching on, Totodile then pointed to himself as he stared at the fire type in complete disbelief.

The small yellow fox then let out a small giggle as she happily nodded back in response.

-(scene change)-

"Ahehe. Well isn't that a familiar sight, eh Serena?"

Smiling softly, said honey colored blonde couldn't help but agree as she and Ash watched their respective Pokemon interact with each other from a nearby bench. "Yeah it sure does bring back memories…"

Serena then lightly elbowed the raven haired youth beside her in a teasing manner as she slowly recalled the events from her mind. "I remember you doing the same thing once when we were kids. You took half of my cookies during snack time and you apologized by helping your mom bake replacement cookies, the next day."

Blushing a bit out of embarrassment for one of his childhood follies, Ash couldn't help but lower his cap's visor in order to hide the color of his cheeks from view. "W-Well to be fair, it wasn't entirely my fault. The cookies served by professor Oak were a lot more smaller than what I'm normally used to…"

Serena's blue eyes then lit up as she giddily clasped both her hands together in excitement. "Oh yeah, I remember! Your mom really likes to bake her cookies big! Even as big as pancakes on some occasion! I almost forgot about those!"

Grinning a bit, the pride of Pallet town was quick to happily nod back in response. "Yeah, that's the one I'm talking about! Mom's mega cookies! A few of those bad boys were more than enough to tide me over till dinner time!"

A large bead of sweat then rolled down the back of Serena's head as the honey colored blonde remembered things a bit differently from her point of view. "A few? Ash, I remember you eating twenty of those cookies…"

Said raven haired youth then tilted his in an innocent manner as he failed to see the point that his old friend was trying to make. "So…? I don't get what you're trying to say here, Serena."

Shaking her head in a bemused manner, the honey colored blonde couldn't help but giggle a bit from the Pallet town trainer's antics. "Nevermind. I'm just glad that the more things change, the more they stay the same."

Ash then let out a soft smile as he briefly gazed at the large oak tree that was acting as their shade before he shifted his focus to the blue sky up above. It reminded him of so much of their days playing together in Pallet town. "Yeah I know what you mean. Despite everything that happened after you moved away, I'm glad that I got this chance to see you again."

Serena then mimicked the raven haired youth's expression as she began to reminisce about the old days as well. "Me too, Ash. Seeing you again has been great," The honey colored blonde then felt herself gulp as she slowly realized something. ",S-So after your gym battle tomorrow, where do you plan on going next?"

"Huh? What are you talking about Serena? Don't you mean, where do we plan on going next?"

"W-What?! Really?! You want me to travel with you?"

The raven haired youth then proceeded to give the blonde female before him a signature grin that was also accompanied by a cheesy thumbs up as well. "Yeah! After all, I made a promise to you when were kids, right? I'm sure you remember, I'm not one to break my promises! Plus, it's been really awesome hanging out with you again!" The Pallet town trainer then lowered his thumbs up as he felt his mood lower a bit. "That is, if you really want to. I don't want to force you or anything Serena."

"What?! No, I'd love to travel with you Ash! Really!" Said honey colored blonde then blushed a bit from her somewhat hasty and loud answer before she slightly lowered her head out of embarrassment. "I-It's just that…won't I just slow you down?"

Ash's brown eyes then widened in disbelief before he reassuringly placed both of his hands on Serena's shoulders. The Pallet town trainer didn't even seem to notice how the blonde's face began heating up to dangerous levels of red as he schooled his features into a more serious look. "Seriously Serena, don't put yourself down like that. You're one of my friends, regardless of how long we haven't seen each other, a friend is a friend in my book!"

The raven haired youth then released his hold, much to his old friend's relief but only for the honey colored blonde to gulp once more as Ash gave her a familiar boyish grin from their childhood. "And you Serena, are one of my best friends! So what'ya say?"

"…"

The pride of Pallet town then felt himself sweat a bit once he noticed that Serena was seemingly frozen in shock with her face as ripe as a tomato.

"Uh Serena…?"

"…"

Slowly but surely, a big grin started to spread on the blonde's face as she felt steam erupting from the top of her head and from out of her ears.

"…"

Growing a bit worried at his old friend's apparent dilemma, Ash discreetly shot his starter Pokemon an inquisitive look.

The raven haired youth then internally grumbled when all Pikachu did was shrug his tiny shoulders in response before going back to his ketchup bottle.

Deciding to return to the matter at hand, Ash then coughed into his one fist before he started waving said hand in front of Serena's face. "Uh Serena? Are you alrigh-"

"I'mSorryAshButINeedToCoolDownForAFewSeconds! See ya!"

And just like that, said honey colored blonde made a mad dash towards the Pokemon center's doors. In her haste, the Pallet town trainer didn't manage to see the absolute look of joy etched on her face.

Once Serena was gone, Ash then slowly pulled of his red cap and scratched the top of his head in utter confusion as he tried to make sense of what just happened in the past few minutes. "Was it something I said?"

-(scene change)-

A certain red haired man that was wearing an expensive looking black suit was currently sitting alone in a dark room. The only visible source of lights were the dozens and dozens of monitors that were scattered about. His most distinguishing features are his blue eyes and how his hairstyle seemed to mimic a lion's mane of all things.

The mysterious man then narrowed his eyes as he stared at the footage of the Sinnoh league finals which showed Ash's mega-evolved Charizard in action.

The red haired man then clenched his one fist before he tapped the hidden comm-link on his right ear. "This is Lysandre. I need a status update about our preparations for our future expedition on the Glittering caves."

"…"

The now revealed Lysandre then smirked as he slowly stood up from his position. "Excellent. I'll be heading out now. I have an appointment with Professor Sycamore and Diantha at Lumiose city…"

CHAPTER VII: END

To be continued in: Santalune showdown!

Aaand that's another wrap! Hope you guys enjoyed it…Now for some bad news again. I'll be starting my fourth year in college and my OJT in the hospital soon so I'll be a little busy in the coming days. But hey, don't worry, I promise to keep up the updates to the best of my abilities.

Anyway some usual notes before I end the chapter:

a.)The whole Ash and Serena dynamic. I was trying to show how close they still are but due to the whole time apart thing, they still need to start from scratch as friends. You hear me, FRIENDS. Friends, not lovers. Whole different thing. There may be some slight attraction on Serena's part but nothing serious.

As for Ash? Well that's a huge work in progress on his part. It may be hard but not entirely impossible. Unlike the later seasons where he was clueless as fuck, I want you to remember the original first season and it showed that he has the capacity to be attracted to a female. Misty and Giselle being the most notable examples.

One more thing, I admit I may not be a master of this whole romance thing but I swear to try and keep it as realistic as possible.

At least it didn't come out like the following skit:

A: Wow Serena is so beautiful after all these years! I think…I think I just fell in love with her!

S: Oh my Arceus! Ash is so hot now! I can't believe it! We haven't seen each other since we were kids but I think…I think I love him!

A: Serena…do you wanna be my girlfriend?

S: Of course Ash! We are so meant to be together!

Yeaaaahhhh I apologize for that brief scene. If you want, I recommend taking some brain bleach first before proceeding with the rest of the notes.

b.)Yup Lysandre is in this fic. After all, what's a story without a villain to spice things up a bit.

In my opinion, he's a pretty interesting guy so I'll look forward to writing his character more in the future. He's kind of like an anti-hero if you squint a bit. He wants to save the world and everyone in it but somewhere down the path he's chosen, he had fallen and decided that the means would justify the end more.

Anyway, team flare deserves more credit than just being 'the fabulous ones'. They're goals at least make more sense than team magma or aqua. No offense to you maxie and archie fans.

But seriously, they're respective goals were to increase the land/sea mass. That's a pretty dumb goal. Less land means less home for people and air breathing Pokemon, not everyone is born with gills. And less water means everyone and everything will eventually die of thirst. Think of plants and other crops dying due to the lack of water, then sooner or later, both people and Pokemon will get affected and massive death is sure to follow.

Okay morbid rant aside, moving on.

c.)Re-Reading this, it was not my intention to portray Totodile x Fennekin. Apparently my beta reader/close friend in real life says otherwise. I was originally going for something nice and fluffy with an undertone of friendship but he thinks otherwise. Meh, to each his own opinion I suppose.

On another note, are they even in the same egg group? My net has been on the fritz lately and I'm just borrowing his laptop and flash drive at the moment to upload this.

d.)Yeah not a lot of action this chapter but there was a pretty obvious reason why I called it 'Reconnect' in the first place.

e.)Now that you all know team flare is going to make an appearance soon, I bet you team rocket fans are wondering 'where the hell are they?'.

My answer is 'secreeet'. Don't worry I'll be addressing it sometime in the future of this story but after Ash and Serena made enough contact with team flare first. I have my reasons as to why team rocket is currently mia.

Okay that's about all the notes for now. I'll see you guys in the next installment.