Heath bit his lower lip, and tapped his foot, anxiously. His partner Pokemon, Growlithe, whom had far more experience than his new human handler, was in a much calmer state. It kept its head up, and kept surveying the area. Heath did the same, but he could hardly keep a calm composure. Although it was possible that the freezing cold was having an effect on that. He knew it was unseemly for a police officer to give off anything other than cold, calm, self composure, but it wasn't exactly his choice at this point. He was a recent recruit, barely a few months on active service. He had only recently had his previously long hair shaved off to comply with uniform regulations. He was fresh, and anxious to do a good job.

Although, that was at the bottom of his list of priorities right now. He was focusing on not catching frostbite.

"Freaking eggheads..." He muttered to himself. He had been asked to run security duty for a science team in a warehouse outside Lumious City. In reality, he had been half asleep when the briefing had occurred, so he had no idea why these scientists couldn't do this in some suite with a radiator and a cup of coffee, because such thoughts were not a million miles from his own.

He petted his Growlithe lightly. "Come on, let's take a minute." He said, leading his partner to a nearby bench. From the inside of his best, he procured a flask. Silver and metallic in colour. He opened it, and, to his chagrin, no steam came out, the heat had disappeared. Regardless, he poured some of the coffee inside it into the cup and placed it on the ground. "Growlithe, buddy, you mind?..."

His Growlithe nodded happily, and used a light ember attack, nothing major, essentially like a very hot wave, until the cold liquid gave off steam. Heath smiled, and produced a treat for the fire type. "Thanks bud. Here, your favorite."

He lightly threw it into the air, and his fire breathing partner jumped up, catching it in mid air. It began chewing at it eagerly, much to the humor of Heath. Heath took a large drink of his coffee, feeling the caffeine revitalizing his senses. It was warm. He shuddered. "Thank Arceus for that."

"For what, private?"

Normally, Heath would have snapped to attention. But he recognized the voice. Aside from nearly giving him a heart attack, he was calm about it. "Kazu, dear God, man. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

His sergeant, but above that, his close friend, approached him. Three years his senior, he was much more composed. "Mind if I sit?"

Heath nodded. "By all means."

His friend sat by him, letting out a grunt as he did so. "Enjoying night shift?"

"Nope." Heath replied immediately. "Hating it. I wouldn't have agreed if Officer Jenny had specifically asked for me."

"She recognizes you've got talent."

"So she's trying to give me frostbite?"

Kazu chuckled and reached into a plastic bag he had been holding. From it, he produced a small bread ball. "Here, eat this."

"A bread ball?"

Kazu took a bite of his own, seeming to savor the taste. "The brain can function as long as it contains glucose. Bread had glucose. It adds to the bloodstream slower. Trust me, this is gonna keep you awake far longer than any coffee could."

Heath hesitated for a second, but followed his sergeants, his friends, advice. "Thanks, sir." He took a bite. It was freshly made white bread. Although it didn't taste of much without any butter or jelly, he welcomed the chance to eat something filling.

"I'm not your sergeant when we're alone, Heath." Kazu smiled. The warm, friendly smile Heath always saw in his friend. "I've known you since elementary school. We traveled together for a long time. I was there when you met Larian. I saw you off with a smile and best wishes when you left with her that day. I might have requested your presence in my unit, but that does not give you permission to go formal on me."

"Uh, in that case, then I'm glad you had the damn presence of mind to do some research for once, you unorganized idiot."

"Better." Kazu chuckled.

Two two sat in a comfortable silence, finishing off their snack. Heath offered Kazu some coffee, but he politely refused. They stayed there for a few minutes before Kazu stood up, stretching his arms, hearing a light click. "I should get back to the front. Jenny will want a perimeter report."

"Quiet." Heath informed. "As always."

"Thanks, Private." Kazu said. "Keep at it, you'll get used to the night shift. Although, you might want to fix up a new sleeping schedule. It helps. Believe me, it..." Kazu tried to finish his sentence, but couldn't. He felt heavy all of a sudden. As in, his entire body felt like it weighed the same as a truck. Each individual bone, an iron bar. His skin, like a suit of armor.

"Kazu?"

Heath stood up, noticing his friends struggle. Had he not been focused now, he wouldn't have noticed. A very faint purple haze surrounded Kazu. The sergeant fell to his knees, fighting to stay upright, eventually failing, collapsing into the floor.

Heath bit his tongue. "That's Gravity. What's -" a speeding, spinning metallic object suddenly slammed into his ribcage with what felt like the force of a freighter. Heath coughed, blood coming along with his saliva as he grunted, and fell to his knees, clutching his ribs in pain. A steam of blood ran from the corner of his mouth to his chin, one eye was shut tightly, but his other eye was wide opened, focused, piercing, searching for the source. Coughing, he forced an order to his equally confused partner. "Growlithe, flamethrower, as soon as you can confirm a target!"

The fire type loyal dog Pokemon nodded, but never got the chance. Spinning at speed, the figure hovered above the sentry Pokemon, sending a psychic attack into the Pokemon. Suddenly, Growlithe fell unconscious, without conflict. Hypnosis.

"Very good, Bronzor."

Heath looked at Kazu. The pressure had been too much for him, and he had fallen unconscious. Heaths sweat turned cold, and his teeth gritted. He was alone. He didn't have the strength to reach his radio. He couldn't call for backup. His lungs felt like that had been crushed anyway.

In front of him, a man stood above, smugly smiling, and with a hand on his hip. His vision dazed, Heath couldn't identify any specifics about the man. "I must applaud you, I don't think I've seen anyone conscious after Bronzor hit them with such force. You must understand, that he hit it with easily the equivalent force of a bullet. I image you're suffering some internal bleeding right about now?"

Heath opened his mouth to tell the man, whoever he was, to shut the hell up. Instead, he could only cough up dark red Crimson colored fluid. He was right, weather Heath wanted to admit it or not. He was definitely not in a good state.

"I don't want to cause someone so strong willed harm. It would only cause more pain than is needed. Tell us where the science team is, and you can go. We won't mention you, you have my word." The figure bent down, so Heath and he were face to face. Heath showed no signs of weakness, of letting the secret loose. He remained silent, glaring at the figure he couldn't properly see. "I understand you're close to a 'Larian'? Would that be your wife per chance?"

Heaths teeth gritted.

"Wouldn't it be a shame if she never saw her husband again?"

Heath made a fist with his right hand, and, defiant of the pain and threats, threw a powerful right hook punch, aiming for the mans face. He missed, only by an inch, as his opponent jumped back. "Screw... You..."

"Aha!" The figure smiled. Heath could now make out red and black looking suit. Around his hand, a white wrist collar. But nothing else. "Defiant and loyal! I thought there was something about you. Unfortunately, I must keep my schedule. Bronzor, Gravity."

Heath felt his bones become heavy. He fought with all his might, but fell to his knees. His body felt like a double decker bus was crushing him. He used every ounce of his strength to stay upright, but he felt a sharp jab hit him in the gut - a front punch from this figure - causing him to hit the ground. He looked up, defiantly, glaring, refusing to give up. Even if he was on the floor, he wouldn't give this figure the satisfaction of a physical victory over him, forcing him into surrender. He knew it was inevitable, but he refused to surrender quietly. "Look on the bright side." He heard the voice say. "I wasn't serious. You'll see your wife again. I'm not that cruel." He saw a foot hover over his face. "Lights out!"

And everything went black.


Ash pulled on his fingerless glove tightly onto his right hand, and used his left to pull hit hat onto his head. It felt good. It had been far too long since he had felt this sort of rush in a morning. The rush one felt when preparing for what they knew for a fact was going to be a good day. The same rush he felt all the time when traveling. The rush that had been gone for two years.

He grabbed his backpack and swung it over his shoulder. Adrenaline flowing through his veins. He stopped for a second, looking in the mirror of his room. He grinned. He had that look. That unmistakable look.

The look of a traveling trainer, with drive.

He slammed his right hand into his empty left. An audible slam was heard upon impact. "Right!"


"Uh, could you elaborate on that please?" Serena had her arms folded, and leaned mostly on her left foot. She stood in front of a video call phone. She had called the Lumious City gym,min the hopes of contacting Clemont and Bonnie. It had been an idea that she and Ash had discussed previously. If nothing else, Ash had wanted to visit them again before heading to Igneous. While Ash was preparing, she thought it would be a good idea to get ahead and call Clemont and Bonnie, to make sure they were available. She had instead been answered by Clembot, apparently still active, and now Clemont had returned, was acting as a glorified secretary.

"I have provided all available data." Clembot repeated. "Master Clemont has been called away from the gym to assist Officer Jenny in a security matter. I am not permitted to provide any additional data."

"What kind of matter? Can't you at least give me the location?" Serena asked, sighing in frustration.

"I am afraid I am not able to provide that information."

"Can you contact him then or something?"

Clembot seemed to analysis his instructions for a few seconds. Running his processor at speed, he quickly responded. "Sending communications request. Please hold."

"Thanks, Clembot." Serena said, sighing again. She couldn't be mad. It was just doing its job after all. It was just annoying. She had wanted to get ahead of things before Ash showed up. Instead, she had been forced to deal with a logic driven mech following orders from her former traveling companion.

"Any luck?" Miette asked, calling from a sofa cushion a few meters away, tending to her Pokemon.

"Not sure yet." Serena called back, briefly explaining the current situation.

Miette sighed. "I told you it wouldn't be that easy."

"Hello?"

Serena's head quickly turned towards the video phone again. There was her blonde haired scientist friend. He hadn't changed even a bit since the old days, an exact copy of himself two years ago. "Clemont?"

Clemont adjusted his glasses, a habit he seemed to still have. "Serena? That you?"

"I'm hurt. You don't recognize me?"

"No, not that... Sorry, it's been a long night." Clemont said, shaking his head, a smile forming in his face. "Forget about that, how're you doing? I haven't heard from you in a while. I'd assumed you'd forgotten about me."

"I'm doing absolutely fantastic." Serena said, he words full of sincerity, though she didn't say why. "I tried calling the gym, but Clembot wouldn't tell me where you were."

"Seems about right." Clemont said, glancing to the right, inspecting something that briefly caught his attention, before he dismissed it.

"What's going on?"

Clemont visibly bit his lower lip. Unsure of what to say. He had been about to speak, to deny Serena information, out of necessity rather than malice when he was interrupted from her side of the call. An old, familiar voice.

"Morning, Serena." Ash called over, walking over to her casually. "I'm set up, ready when you are."

"Ash?"

Ash tilted his head to the right, only now noticing his friend was actually using the video phone. If it was to anyone else, he would have backed out immediately. But he recognized the blue jumpsuit wearing scientist. "Clemont?"

A grin of unrivaled proportions, much wider than when he had seen Serena, grew on the young gym leaders face. "Ash! What're you doing in Kalos?"

"I only got here yesterday, Clemont." Ash replied, with a grin of his own, his teeth showing. "It's damn good to see you."

"Likewise, Ash. It's been too long."

"You haven't changed a bit."

"I've been so busy with the gym, and my inventing... Haven't had much time to go out and get a new glasses frame or anything like that." Clemont replied with a humorous grin. "You in the other hand... You look better than I last saw you. You look healthier."

"Sorry I didn't mention it, Clemont. I was going to get around to it, but," She shot a glance at her crush. "He showed up before I could."

"Don't worry about it." Clemont said, shaking his head. He sighed. "I won't exactly get to hang out anyway, sorry to tell you."

"Why not?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow. "You busy with work?"

Clemont sighed. "Technically I'm not supposed to say... But there was a break in. A science team and their police guard were all knocked out and their research stole. Brutal take outs. Thankfully, worse anyone got was a few broken ribs and a heavy hit to the face. Nothing fatal... But he's gonna have a few weeks bed rest, and he's gonna be in a lot of pain. They asked me to help the investigation. I know the area

"Where are you?" Miette spoke up from behind the two trainers. She had approached nearly silently.

"Miette?" Clemont questioned, his eyes widening slightly, and his voice raising in tone. "I heard you were traveling with Serena. Where the heck did you come from?"

"Tell us where to find you and I'll tell you."

"Fair enough." Clemont sighed. He planned to tell them anyway. "Follow the road from the Pokemon centre where we went the first time we met Ash. The same one you registered for the Kalos league, and head down the right hand road from the door. Follow that and you'll find us eventually."

Ash nodded. "Got it."

"See you there."


Clemont hadn't been kidding. Objectively speaking, unless you were blind, it was not physically possible to not notice the police presence. Crime tape, cars, and officers, the police weren't exactly bothering with being subtle in the slightest. As the group approached the yellow tape, they noticed a few local residents asking various officers what the issue was, and some giving descriptions in anyone who had been seen out here at a certain time.

"Yikes." Miette muttered.

"What the heck has Clemont gotten involved in?" Serena wondered, feeling her nails dig into the palms of her hands. She had tightened her fist to tight, her hand was shaking.

Ash placed a hand on her shoulder. "Relax." He said, soothingly. "You're gonna hurt yourself if you keep that up."

Serena now only seemed to notice her hand was actually in a fist. She immediately relaxed it, inspecting the marks her nails had left in her flesh. Barely recognizable from a distance. That gave her some comfort. But it still hurt a bit, now she had noticed it. "Thanks."

"Don't worry about it. Just relax. Clemont'll be fine."

"Yeah... You're right..."

Ash tilted his head, quizzically. "Are you okay?"

Serena nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Ash looked at her closely for a brief second. He could have sworn he saw something...

Serena's eyes met with his in this brief second.

Miette cleared her throat. "Save the staring for later you two." She said nonchalantly, tapping her fist gently on Ash's hand, which still hadn't left Serena's shoulder. " I think I see your friend ahead." She walked ahead of the, her hands behind her back.

Ash and Serena both blushed, and quickly shot their glances in opposite directions, and Ash reclaimed his hand, as quickly as it had found itself on Serena's shoulder, it was now by his side. Ash could hear his heart beat a bit louder, why, he wasn't sure, while Serena was gritting her teeth and silently cursing Miette to oblivion for her comment.

"Sorry." Ash said, quickly.

"It's fine." Serena replied, calmer, but still embarrassed.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...We should go."

"Agreed."

"Where'd Miette go?"

Serena looked around briefly, scanning, until she spotted the blue haired walking annoyance incarnate further ahead, her image having been blocked by a wall of passing officers just a few moments prior. She was stood, with her hands behind her back, at the edge of the police tape, talking to someone in a light blue overall. Serena had to do a double check to make sure who it was. She couldn't help but smile.

"Over there." She said, her smile widening, shaking off the awkwardness from barely twenty seconds ago. "Looks like she found Clemont."

Ash tilted his head slightly to the right, moving so he could follow Serena's line of sight. His own mouth curled into a smile when he saw his Kalosian friend. He hadn't even changed slightly. Same outfit as well. He didn't even look to have grown in height, expand or reduce in mass, or even a change in his hair length. He looked like an exact replica of himself two years ago. The expression on his face was one of a unique combination, one of humor, surprise, and skepticism as he spoke with Miette. It was the same expression Ash had worn on his own face when he saw Miette with Serena for the first time. One of surprise and pleasure simultaneously, albeit it pinched with uncertainty and disbelief. Seeing it on Clemont, Ash wondered how he looked when he made the same face.

Ash waved over from a distance and made his way over, breaking out in a light jog as he made his way to the scientist gym leader. His wave was unnoticed for a few seconds before the gym leader noticed and returned the wave, Miette turning with him as he saw his old friend. It took Ash maybe thirteen seconds to reach the police tape, him standing in one side and Clemont standing on the other. "Clemont." He said, a smile on his face in greeting.

"Ash." Clemont responded, with a grin of his own. The two then extended a hand each and firmly shook the others hand, Ash patting Clemont on the opposing shoulder. "It's been way too long, buddy."

"Defiantly." Clemont replied, with a large grin. "You look good. Better. More rested than you were before."

"Work at home for so long, you'll eventually end up like this." Ash smiled. "Looks like you've been keeping busy."

"Defiantly." Clemont repeated, noticing Serena walking up in the background. "Thanks for the message, Serena." He greeted the blonde performer warmly. He would have greeted her with a friendly hug, had he not been on the other side of police tape.

"Good to see you, Clemont." The Kalosian girl smiled at the jumpsuit wearing gym leader. Her face seemed to turn serious afterwards, her eyebrows dropping and her eyes narrowing. "What's going on? Why are you at a police site? You mentioned a break in on the phone... But they don't call in gym leaders for break ins on the outskirts of the city."

Clemont sighed. Before he could speak, another voice calling from further away, accompanied with the rattle of plastic and crunch of gravel, yelled over from a distance away. Clemont's attention turned away from his group, apparently having recognized the combination of the two. "Clemont? What are you doing?"

Ash turned his head to face Clemont's direction. Immediately, the sounds made sense. A higher pitch in speaking, and what sounded like rollerblades coming ever closer.

"Korrina?"

The fighting type gym leader stopped in her tracks, literally in her case, at the sight of the old Kalos group that had aided her so much when they had crossed paths. She had changed lightly. She still retained her apparent love of rollerblading and speed, but she seemed taller and her figure seemed more developed in the past two years. She had apparently gotten a new helmet, this time picking out a new one that presented a light yellow color on the outside. Her hair was the same length, but thinner. It seemed silkier from a distance. Facially, there hadn't been a change whatsoever, and it seemed that personality wise, she was the same girl, albeit more mature and experienced, than previously.

"Ash and Serena?" She seems to do a light skip while saying their roller blades in her shoes retracted into the soles of her shoes, fixed firmly in place before she hit the ground again. She warmly smiled in nostalgia at the group. It missed everyone except Bonnie. Instead, she had apparently been replaced by a blue haired girl. She made a mental note to question them on the new inclusion later. "I haven't seen you guys in so long!"

Ash smiled back at the roller blading girls enthusiasm, happy to be seeing so many old friends again at once. "Good to see you too Korrina."

Korrina, unlike Clemont, was un-phased by the police tape between them, and gave Ash a warm, friendly hug of reunion, one Ash returned gladly. Once done hugging the Kantoean, she clasped hands with the Kalosian girl to his immediate left, before going towards the blue haired girl, offering a handshake. A brief greeting followed, with names being introduced and very brief stories being told, before everyone remembered what they were there for.

"Forget what I said a minute ago, Clemont." Serena said. "What're you doing here, Korrina?"

"Not happy to see me?" She asked, her voice full of humor. She glanced at Clemont, who didn't return the glance at all. Korrina's glance shifted between the group and her fellow gym leader, before a smile captured her face. She then out her arm around the back of Clemonts neck, placing him in a sort of affectionate headlock, with her face near his, due to her essentially bringing the sides of their foreheads together. "You didn't tell them?"

"I've kind of been busy -" Clemont started to explain.

"You aren't now." Korrina said. It almost sounded like a reprimand. "I'll handle things here. You take a few minutes."

"Korrina -"

"I'll be fine." Korrina said, standing upright and letting the other gym leader go. "You get a lot of respect as a gym leader. You know that, right? I'm not totally incompetent, either." Her face fell serious. "I'm not going to mess up or sabotage your investigation, Clem."

Clemont would have protested, but instead he simply sighed and agreed, knowing arguing was pointless. "Alright, okay, follow me you guys." Clemont instructed, ducking under the police tape and leading the group to the side of the pavement. Finding a few boxes to substitute as chairs, he, Ash and Serena all sat down. Miette remained standing, behind Serena. Clemont bit his lower lip. He had already told them more than he should have on the phone. And even if he did tell them everything, what could the police honestly do? He was essentially leading the investigation. "Okay," he said, clapping his hands together to emphasize his words. "What's first?"

"First things first, what the heck is going on?" Miette asked the gym leader with burrowed eyebrows.

"Like i said," Clemont said, taking his glasses off and cleaning them. "Break in. Only... I was sparing the details, mostly out of respect for the police procedure. But the police Sargent told me that the press already heard, so there's no real reason to keep quiet anymore." He put his now clear glasses back on, his eyes becoming serious. "A group of scientists were attacked here. Police guard was knocked out, minor injuries, with one officer suffering more harsh injuries. Uncharacteristically so. Uniquely so. Anyway, not relevant, the science team was also K.O'd, and some minor plans were stolen."

"Minor plans?" Serena asked, voicing the two words that stood out to her.

"Right." Clemont nodded. "The group were there in secret, working on several theories, but their main research was into the legend of Arceus. They were looking to create some kind of portal to find it based on the legends." Clemont shook his head. "Or, they were going to build a shrine to it out of Lego. I have no idea. That's my best guess. I wasn't involved in the project directly."

"I remember meeting Arceus." Ash said, nonchalantly, remembering his experiences with the Jewel of life. "They aren't gonna find him with portals, I'll tell them that right now."

Clemont thought it best to just ignore that statement. That was one level of crazy he couldn't deal with right now. "Uh... Anyway... The plans that were taken were... Barely even... Well, even notes. Stuff on Pokemon like Beldum, Porygon."

"That seems like an odd choice." Miette said, with a raised eyebrow. "The god Pokemon, or a steel or normal type Pokemon, and they go with the latter?"

"That's why the police asked me for help." Clemont explained. "They know my uh... Reputation. They thought I could help them figure it out."

"And?"

Clemont looked at Serena. "Not well. I'm a scientist, and even if I could help, there's barely anything to go on. Aside from the notes missing, drowsy officers and one beat up cop, there's no evidence of a break in at all."

Ash scratched his temple, trying to keep up. "... I'm guessing that means you can't come with us."

Clemont sighed with a sad smile. "I had a feeling that was what you called me for..." He glanced between the three of them. "I'm sorry guys, I really am... But I can't just leave the investigation. And even if I could... I've committed to my gym leader duties now."

Ash smiled. "It's fine. I understand. Traveling with us for a few days is a lesser concern than dealing with this crime, and your job." He spoke genuinely. "It's a shame you can't come with us though."

"Thanks..." Clemont said with a sigh. "I can let you know if anything changes."

"Yeah, speaking of that..." Serena said, a smile slowly growing on her face, and a look that made Clemont's heart freeze for a brief second. "What's going on with Korrina?"

Clemont sighed and smiled. He knew that was coming. "We're together." He said, calmly, with a small hint of pink materializing on his cheeks. "Happened about a year and a half ago."

"You kept that quiet." Serena said, leaning back now, with a huge grin on her face. She wasn't alone, either. Miette also had a similar grin on her face, while Ash was more surprised than anything else.

"I've been busy." Clemont rationalized simply. "Not really an appropriate time to mention it."

"Don't worry." Miette said, a hint of teasing in her voice. She had become so familiar interacting with the group, it felt like she had been a part of them forever. "I don't think anyone is judging you."

Ash had next to no experience with relationships. He knew next to nothing about their affects on people. Well, that was a lie, but he had no first hand knowledge. The closest thing he could think of was when he was working at Oaks, a traveling girl, probably about 14 if Ash had to put an age on her, had attempted flirting with him. He suspected he made himself look more like an idiot than anything else. But all of that aside, he could see Clemont was actually a bit different after all. He seemed happier. More relaxed. Around Korrina, he had seemed a bit energetic. "She seems good for you." Ash said, not really thinking about it.

"I think it's adorable!" Serena said, her voice conveying her joy and, evidently, her excitement for their old friend, along with her hands around Clemonts, shaking them as one hand, against Clemonts wills. "You two got on so well when she traveled with us! I thought she liked you when we were all together."

"Would have been nice if you told me that then." Clemont said with a nervous laugh, weakly attempting to reclaim his hands, embarrassed by Serena's excitement for his own love life.

"I said thought." Serena justified. "Plus, I didn't think she'd want her heart broken..."

"Hey now." Clemont's face turned serious for a second, but still warm and kind, as he would be for any friend. "I care about Korrina. I'm not gonna hurt her in any way."

Ash found himself smiling subconsciously at these words. It surprised him that Clemont was now apparently with Korrina, but he didn't disapprove in any way. Seeing how happy Clemont clearly was, he doubted he could ever disapprove of any relationship anyone could ever have. The affectionate nickname Korrina had given him, 'Clem' made more sense to him now. He could only describe it as heartwarming.

Serena felt the exact same way.

"I'm glad you found someone." Serena said warmly, acknowledging Clemont's previous statement. "I bet Bonnie had lots of fun teasing you."

Clemont laughed again. "She did. Trust me."

The group had spoken for a while, before Clemont had been called back to work, separating the group once again. Before he left, he had brought the group up to speed on the specifics of his life.

Excluding his romance with Korrina, much had gone on in his life. After the group had separated, he had gone back to his gym, eager to put everything he had learned to the test, and to teach it all to the trainers that came to him gym. Hard hitting, honest and educating, he had taken on lots of opponents, won many, lost many. He felt like had had improved his work as a gym leader massively. His Pokemon had strengthened, and he felt better as a battler.

Additionally, Bonnie had been at a sort of training camp, or school. Clemont didn't go into the specifics, but the bottom line was that she was gone for a while. He smiled, knowing he could tease her about that when she returned. It would be fun to see her as the frustrated one for a change.

His inventing had also improved. Granted, he still felt he had much to learn, but he could now at least make something without it being a 95-5 chance in favor of it exploding In his face.

That last bit of information made Ash smile.


"I'm so happy for them~"

Serena had been in a bubbly mood since having left the police sight. She walked with a skip in her step, pacing up and down the street outside the main gate. She and Ash were waiting for Miette, who wanted to buy some equipment, not specifying what she was getting, leaving the two traveling companions on their own.

"Didn't think Clemont would..." Ash started, trailing off. He shrugged. "I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

Ash scratched his head. "I just... I dunno. Seeing them made me smile, but..." Ash blinked a couple of times. "Now I kinda feel empty. Jealous maybe?" He saw what almost looked like a panicked look from Serena. "Like... I'm kinda jealous that they're happy, if you understand what I mean. Like, I'm not jealous of them themselves, but they seem really happy together. Like..." He went silent, trailing off. "I'm happy for them, but... I dunno."

Serena relaxed and smiled. "I think I know what it is."

"Yeah?"

"You're envious."

"I guess that's the best word." Ash sighed. "Still, not sure why. I've not had any experience with stuff like that." His eyebrows burrowed inwards while he looked to the ground.

Serena smiled, and went a little bit red in the face. "Maybe you subconsciously, secretly want something like that?"

Ash looked at Serena warmly. "Maybe." He sighed afterwards. "Still, I agree. They do look good together."

"They're adorable~" Serena made a squealing sound, her hands on her cheeks. "They're so cute~"

Ash smiled and shook his head, bemused. He looked up at Serena, still awestruck in excitement.

'Maybe.' He thought.


And that ends this chapter, guys!

Sorry for the late update. I went to a games convention with my college group for a couple of days. I got to speak with some of the people who worked on stuff like Life is Strange and Mass Effect, which was pretty damn fun. Learned a lot about games and writing.

So this is a chapter I've been planning for quite a while. It was planned to be an earlier deal, but I decided against it. There is a custom plot line to this story, so don't worry, I didn't just decide to add five minutes worth of brutality into Pokemon for no reason. I'm also a minor supporter of Korrina and Clemont. I just find them cute is all, and I'm excluding Bonnie from the story at this point because I always forget about her character, and she's difficult to write, so I can focus on the good parts.

I'd like to say, thanks for all the support this story has gotten. It's magnificent, and motivating as hell. I'll do my damnedest to finish this one, and make it my longest and best story to date. Your reviews, follows and favorites mean so much, and anyone who writes as well knows what I mean. So, if you feel like giving me some extra motivation, be sure to leave a review for me, or follow and favorite the story too. ^_^

Regarding other things... Anyone know a place I can upload my independent writings? I'd upload them here, but that's not an option, so, does anyone know a good site to upload original stories? Cosmic Hand has a chapter or two ready to go.

Also, I do plan on doing a mass effect Shepard X Tali fic at some point. Not sure when. I'm reading lots of them to see what I can find. See what I like. What I wanna do.

Finally, I'm going to make it a point from now on, reply to as many reviews as possible. I wont give away information regarding the story, but if you leave a review, i will attempt to message you, if only to say thank you for the review.

Any want, ranting over. As always, I'm great full to you all, and I hope you enjoyed. I'll see you next chapter, and until then, see ya!