It was starting to get dark as the group entered Lumiose City, Clemont turned to Ash "Hey Ash, Bonnie and I are going to stay with our dad tonight; you can come with us if you want."

"Thanks for the offer Clemont but Serena and I are going to check into a hotel for the night. Is the gym open tomorrow?"

"Of course Ash, but I warn you just because we're friends don't think I'll hold back."

"I wouldn't expect you to Clemont, battling's no fun when your opponent doesn't give one hundred percent." Serena giggled at that last remark once again admiring the determination of her boyfriend. However this reminded Ash of a promise he made her. "Urgh, I said that we'd go shopping as soon as we got here."

"It's fine Ash, I love your determination for gym battles. Our little shopping trip can wait until after you beat the gym." Serena stroked his cheek and then told him. "I want you to give me all your attention but I know that unless you've already beaten the gym that's never going to help."

"Thanks honey." Ash then kissed her to show his thanks.

"See you tomorrow guys." Serena told Bonnie and Clemont.

"Good night love birds." Bonnie giggled.

"Hope you have a good night Clemont, it's going to be a tough day for you tomorrow." Ash said with all the confidence in the world.

"Ash, don't get too cocky." Serena warned.

"It's okay Serena, Ash can talk all he wants but we'll see who's going to be boasting this time tomorrow." Clemont answered in an extremely cool demeanour, and with that he and Bonnie walked away.

Serena and Ash then checked into one of the high class hotels that were in Lumiose City. They then order room service and whilst eating dinner Serena asked Ash about the how he planned to defeat Clemont tomorrow.

"I never really go into the battle with a plan; usually I make things up as I go along. I thought you knew this you've seen me battle in gyms before." Ash told her.

"Yeah but you know Clemont, you know how he battles, so you can prepare properly." She told him, although she secretly wanted him to succeed both to make him happy and so the two of them could spend more time together.

"I've battled Clemont my friend before but I've never battled Clemont the gym leader before."

"What's the difference?" Serena asked slightly confused

"A gym leader is different, he or she isn't supposed to fight to win, they are meant to test you in any way possible to see if you are worthy of the badge." Ash told her while slurping the last of his oran berry smoothie.

"Okay I understand now. You've battled electric gyms before why not think back to how you defeated them and then use those tactics."

"I guess your right I'll do that, but for now I've got more inviting things to think about." Ash told her as he then got up and went over to her and slowly kissed her neck.

Although Ash was acting calm he was worried, he knew with a water type and two flying types the odds were stacked heavily in Clemont's favour. After that the couple spent the next hour or so lying on the bed, watching television and making out. Soon Serena got tired and wanted to go to bed.

"I'll go to bed soon, but I'm going to get some fresh air first." Ash told her. He was only telling her half the truth though, on the roof of the hotel there was a battlefield where Ash intended on deciding the team of three that he would use against Clemont tomorrow he made decisions best when alone.

"Okay, don't be long you need to be rested to do your best tomorrow." She told him as she got into bed.

When on the roof Ash took a moment to observe the city. It was beautiful in the dark. In the city centre Lumiose Tower, although it housed the gym, that was only the top floor and a special lift that went from the ground floor straight to the battlefield, reserved for the challenger. The rest was mainly shops and restaurants. The tower shone with a small glow that emphasised its huge presence without keeping the entire city awake all night. Ash thought about his Pokémon, he knew that he would use Pikachu as he was the only one without a type disadvantage but whom else. Ash knew that Clemont would finish with Heliolisk and so he decided to use Hawlucha, his fighting type would help, seeing as Heliolisk was also normal type. He was unsure about Clemont's other Pokémon so he could not be sure whether Frogadier or Talonflame would be better. Ash decided that seeing as Talonflame was faster and more agile which suited his style more that Ash would use him. After making his decision he returned to the room and got changed then crawled into bed and wrapped his arms around his girlfriend kissed her on the forehead then went to sleep.

The next morning after breakfast the two strolled hand in hand to Lumiose Tower. When they entered the saw a large crowd was heading up to the gym floor. Word had spread that Clemont was back and he would be fighting this challenger not his robot and they wanted to see how the young trainer acted in his role as a gym leader. Ash and Serena walked up to the elevator reserved for challengers where a guard was waiting.

"This is reserved for challengers to the Lumiose City gym by entering the elevator you confirm you are officially challenging gym leader Clemont and that you have at least three Pokémon. Do you still wish to enter?" The guard told them.

"Yes I wish to enter." Ash told him.

"Then step in the elevator."

Just as Ash was about to go in Serena said "Wait Ash." As he turned around she kissed him on the lips for a long time. "For good luck." She told him, and then went to the join the rest of the crowd.

Serena found Bonnie in the front row; she had reserved a seat for her. "I never knew my brother had a fan base." Bonnie told her looking at the people getting ready to watch the battle. Serena was about to reply when Clemont stepped out and a roar went up from the crowd.

"Thank you everybody, most kind." Clemont was speaking through a microphone attached to his ear. Serena noticed that he spoke differently to his usual self; Ash was right there really were two Clemonts; a normal Clemont and then a gym leader Clemont. "Now challenger. Show yourself." As he spoke the ground at the other end of the battlefield parted and Ash rose up from his platform onto the battlefield also with a microphone. Serena saw him, and felt even more attracted to him, this is where he is most at home and where his is most confident.

The referee, a man about twenty five, also with a microphone announced the gym rules. "The battle between gym leader Clemont and challenger Ash will now begin, the battle will be three vs three and only the challenger is allowed to substitute his Pokémon."

"Magneton, show us your skills." Clemont shouted as he threw his Pokeball. The Pokémon appeared and roared its name. "MAGNETON." The steel-electric Pokémon was one of Clemont's first and most trusted Pokémon.

"Talonflame let's go." Ash shouted. He threw the Pokeball and his mighty flying type appeared.

"TALONFLAME!" The bird announced, not wanting to be out done by his opponent.

"A flying type, a brave decision Ash." Clemont said over the microphone.

"Oh, come on Clemont, as a gym leader you know more than most there's more to a battle than types. By the way don't forget Talonflame is a fire type so has the advantage over steel." Ash replied.

"True Ash. Now Challengers go first." Clemont said.

"Talonflame, flamethrower!" Ash commanded, as soon as he said it a jet of fire erupted out of the beak of Ash's Pokémon.

The battle continued for almost half an hour, Talonflame was unable to defeat Magneton so ash sent out Hawlucha who triumphed quickly but still took a beating. Clemont sent out Emolga. Ash called Hawlucha back and sent out Pikachu who managed to defeat Emolga with a direct thunderbolt but soon fell to Clemont's last Pokémon Heliolisk who used dig but not before Pikachu managed to do some damage. Ash sent out Hawlucha for the final showdown.

"Hawlucha, brick break." Ash commanded. The hawk like Pokémon bared down on his opponent with its frightening pace. A glancing hit was all the fighting type could manage as Heliolisk dodge wasn't fast enough to avoid the attack fully. Clemont saw his Pokémon was struggling so decided he would try and sap Hawlucha's health.

"Heliolisk parabolic charge!" The Pokémon put its frill up as it released a ball of solid electricity that exploded in the air.

"Hawlucha avoid with dig." Ash's Pokémon burrowed under the battlefield to avoid the explosion of voltage, then reappeared after it was safe. "Now bounce up then use brick break." Ash had thought of this when he remembered in the Hoenn region Treeko powered up his attack by coming down from high above. Using its wings Hawlucha was able to follow Heliolisk around so that brick break was a direct hit. After the attack Hawlucha returned to in front of Ash. Heliolisk stood strong for a few seconds, and then fell unconscious.

"Heliolisk is unable to battle. Gym leader Clemont is out of Pokémon the winner is Ash." The referee announced.

Both Clemont and Ash returned their Pokémon to their Pokeballs, and then Clemont walked over to Ash and pulled a small case out of his pocket.

"Here you go Ash take the Voltage Badge."

Clemont said handing the case to Ash. Ash took the Badge out of the case and put it in his badge holder. He then went over to Serena held out his hand which she grabbed. He then pulled her up and kissed her with the same passion she kissed him before the battle, the crowd let out a large whoop. He then whispered in her ear "Your kiss worked so I thought I'd return it." This made Serena smile and she hugged him tight.

"Good battle Ash, Dedenne and I really enjoyed it." Bonnie told him.

"Yeah, you battled very well." Serena congratulated him with another kiss.

"Thanks guys, but I couldn't have done it without Serena." Ash told his friends.

"Aww, thanks sweetie." Serena spoke to him with her arms draped over his shoulders.

"No I mean it you reminded me to think about my other gym battles and without doing that I'm not sure I could have won." Ash admitted.

"That's what partners are for." Serena said.

"Pika Pikachu." Pikachu protested obviously angry that Serena had called herself Ash's partner and not him.

Sensing this Serena knelt down and spoke to Pikachu "Don't worry Pikachu I'm not trying to take your place as Ash's best friend." As she did so she scratched the electric mouse's head.

He smiled while saying. "Pika." Showing he understood.

The four of them then went to one of the many cafés in Lumiose City for lunch.

"So Clemont are you and Bonnie staying here in the city or are you going to keep travelling with us." Serena asked her friend.

"I think I still have a lot to learn about being a gym leader and a trainer in general so if it's okay with you guys we were hoping that we could still tag along." Clemont replied.

"Of course it's okay, we'd be happy to have you along with us." Ash told his friends.

"Yay!" Bonnie yelled in excitement.

"However if it's okay with everybody I was hoping we could spend a week or two here in the city." Serena told everybody.

"Of course it's okay with me and Bonnie. It'll give us more time to hang out with our dad and I can add some upgrades to the gym." Clemont told everyone.

"Whatever you want honey." Ash told Serena kissing her forehead whilst doing so.

"Thanks guys, Lumiose is such a beautiful city I just want to spend a while exploring." Then speaking only to Ash "Besides you promised we'd do something." She stoked his cheek whilst doing so. Clemont then cleared his throat intentionally loudly worried they were talking about something dirty in front of his little sister. "No, Clement. Ash promised me we'd go on a big shopping trip around the boutiques in the city." Whilst speaking she gave Clemont a disapproving look to the young gym leader, she never believed he had such a dirty mind.

"Oh, right my apologies." Clemont said blushing like a Slugma.

"It's okay. Now Ash I want to start this trip." Serena said. Then she realised she was being rude to the siblings. "Do you want to join us?"

"No it's okay dad wants us back in his workshop for the afternoon." Clemont told them, both Ash and Serena were relieved that they would be alone.

Ash thought that Pikachu might get jealous if he witnessed all the attention he would give Serena, so he had a plan. "Hey Pikachu would you like to spend the day with Clemont, Bonnie and all the other electric types at their dads workshop. If that's okay with you guys, I don't think spending the day shopping is really Pikachu's thing."

"Sure, me and Dedenne love hanging out with Pikachu." Bonnie told them with a huge smile

"Pika." Pikachu said jumping out from under the table and hopped onto the Bonnie's shoulder.

"Okay enjoy your day, buddy." Ash told his best friend then led Serena out of the café.

"Have fun you two." Clemont said as they were walking out.

The couple spent the next few hours visiting the boutiques of Lumiose City, Ash had never seen his girlfriend happier and although he spent the majority of the time making comments she would go on to ignore, the smiles on her face made him happy. By the evening Ash had bought Serena a blouse, two skirts, a pair of shoes and a new hat, Serena also told Ash to buy a new jacket which of course he did.

While in their hotel room that night Serena decided she would model her entire new outfit for him.

"Put your new jacket on Ash." Serena called to him as she was getting changed in the bathroom.

"Already wearing it." Ash replied, as he looked out the window over the city once again admiring its beauty. The jacket was not what Ash would usually wear however Serena said that it looked good on him and so he bought it, unable to falter his girlfriend's sense in fashion. It was made from a thick jet black fabric; Serena said it matched his hair, the only decoration was on the right sleeve a white 01 was half way down his forearm. She said that every time he saw it he would remember his goal the top trainer in the world.

"What do you think?" Serena said as she walked out of the bathroom. She was wearing the dark green skirt he bought her; it went down to just above her knees, with faint floral patterns pressed in to the fabric . The blouse was dark electric blue, covered her shoulders but left her arms bare; it had small crimson stars on the front and was buttoned at the front, it was tighter that what she usually wore but Ash wouldn't be complaining about that. She wore the dark grey heels he bought her, in the shop she said they added both class and beauty and her new hat, it was black with a pink ribbon similar to the one she usually wore.

Ash was speechless for a few moments then simply said "Beautiful." He couldn't believe it; she had managed to become even more gorgeous than she already was. He walked over to her, she was still grinning at his last comment. He then kissed her first on the next then the lips, as he did so he ran his right hand through her hair accidentally knocking off her hat as he did so.

"My hat." Serena said not wanting to ruin her new clothes.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Do you want me to stop?" He said sarcastically.

"No, whatever you do don't you dare stop." She told him

"Good, because I wasn't going to let a hat stop me." He said as he lifted her up and threw her the bed, she let out a small squeal of excitement at the unexpected gesture. As Ash was kissing Serena on her neck, he started to slowly undo the buttons on her blouse. Serena was unsure about this however, she loved Ash with all her heart but it was too fast, she leant back and placed her hands on her chest.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you." Ash told her feeling like he had taken advantage of her.

"Ash it's okay." She told him. "It's just too soon for that."

Ash understood completely and decided that he would make it up to her by taking her on a moonlit walk around the city. With most of the shops closed and the beautiful architecture the city felt more like a piece of art than the hive of activity it was during the day.

The group spent the next eleven days in Lumiose city during which time Clemont had three more challengers only one of whom defeated him, Ash and Serena went on four more shopping trips and they all visited some of the museums around the city before they made decision to continue with their journey. By which time Ash was itching to head out to the next gym.

"It says here that the next gym is in Laverre city." Clemont told the rest of them reading from his map.

"Well I guess Laverre city is where we're heading." Ash said as his sprinted off in his usual determined manor.

"Ash, slow down." Clemont shouted but Ash was too far ahead to hear, either that or he just didn't want to. The siblings then ran off as well chasing the man Serena loved. She giggled to herself once again admiring Ash's determination then ran to catch with him herself.