A Sinking Ship

The Ninjask were buzzing in the trees as the sun had finally set. It had been a long day for everyone; with everything that had happened, all anyone could think about was when it would all end. That is until Clemont and Bonnie had cooked up that plan for Ash to finally ask Serena to come to Alola with them. Ash was nervous enough as it was, but compared to him Serena was a complete wreck.

"What should I do, what should I wear?!" she said as she frantically ran around her room rummaging through her clothes. "It's just the two of us, what's it going to be?! Formal, semi-formal, is it just dinner like any other night?!" Serena was in a panic, as Shauna watched her pace back-and-forth from each bag and closet. Shauna placed her hand over her face as she slowly shook her head in grief until she got up and stopped Serena in her tracks.

"Serena," she said firmly. "Take a deep breath and get a hold of yourself." She took a deep breath as she tried to help Serena do the same and calm down. Serena did as she did and started to relax, but not that much. "Why are you so scared about this? This morning you seemed pretty adamant about moving on from Ash, and now you're acting like it never happened."

"I don't know!" she said still flustered. "I knew it was big when he asked me this afternoon, but it's only just hitting me now… Ash asked me out on a date! A real date! He said we're going to the café downstairs, and Nurse Joy told me they have dancing on Tuesday nights! Dinner, dancing, and then he's going to ask me to come to Alola with him, but then there's Palermo who's been waiting and.. and… OOOOOH!" Serena fell back onto the bed and planted her face in the dress she had been holding. She wasn't crying, but her face was flaming red; it may have been too much for her to take in. Shauna understood what she was saying, and grew concerned about her friend. She walked over and put her arm on Serena's shoulder, as she sat down next to her on the bed. "I just… I just don't know what exactly I feel anymore. This morning, I was so sure I wanted to stop getting my hopes up and move on. But now, here I am getting ready for a date with the guy I'm trying to move on from, and it's like everything's spinning out of control. What does it mean?" Serena looked down to the floor, more confused than ever. Shauna pondered what to say next, and before long knew exactly what Serena had to hear.

"Well," she started. "Someone once told me, that if you're thinking about them a lot, and you're getting confused by it, it pretty much guarantees you have feelings for them." Serena looked up at her, thinking she knew what was next, but a little confused. "Basically, you still have feelings for him. I guess you were just trying to move on because you felt hurt that he was being so dense. Not his fault, some people are just like that. But, one thing I've learned is that you need to be true to your feelings; even if you're not ready to tell someone, you can't lie to yourself about it. You're the one who taught me that." Serena's head jumped back an inch in surprise. "So, what I don't understand is, if you're saying I should be honest with myself, why won't you do the same? You've been dreaming about this for a long time, so why don't you just stop trying to make this more complicated than it is, and just do what it is you've been thinking about for so long?" Serena looked down, lost in thought about what Shauna was saying. What she said made sense, though she was a little frustrated she couldn't see it herself. She took a deep breath, to clear her head, and with that, she knew what she wanted.

"Alright then," she calmly replied. "Shauna, hand me that ribbon please." Shauna smiled, happy her friend knew what to do, and happily complied. Meanwhile, while Serena was finally sorting out what she wanted, Ash was starting to lose it himself.

***Meanwhile...***

Clemont and Bonnie were helping Ash into a formal suit, appropriate for the theme of the café's special event tonight. Pikachu and Dedenne watched but were just more and more confused by what exactly was happening. Ash had been acting calm and casual about everything going on, in spite of how nervous he was on the inside, but now that nervousness was starting to leak out. Ash was wearing a black suit, with an unbuttoned coat, and a red tie. He was so nervous, though, his hands kept shaking whenever he tried to tie it around his neck.

"N-n-no, that's not right," he stuttered. "It goes around, then through, then overlaps… No! Ugh, aren't these things supposed to have clip-ons?!" Bonnie, walked up to him and made him bend down so she could tie it for him.

"Only if you're five years old," she said. "Actually, not even then." She finished tying it, just as Ash took a deep breath as he stood up. He tried to relax a bit more, but all he did was face palm himself as he began to pace around the room again.

"How did I let you guys talk me into this," he said on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "Why did I let you guys talk me into this?!"

"Ash calm down, please," Clemont said trying to ease the situation. "All you're doing is going to dinner with her, then dancing later when the café clears out the dance floor. What's the big deal?" Ash turned his head and glared at Clemont as if the answer should've been obvious.

"The big deal is that it's Serena!" he exclaimed. "The girl I've been traveling with for the past year, one of my best friends!"

"Come on, Ash," Bonnie said. "Clemont's right, it's not like you haven't done this before. What about at that dance for the performers, when you were Miette's date?"

"That was different," Ash replied. "We were supposed to dance with everyone, and I didn't even get to dance with Serena… Y'know what, forget it! I can't do this; there's no way any of this is gonna make Serena change her mind about Palermo just because I ask her." Ash sat down on the bed and started to tear off his tie in frustration. Pikachu tried to comfort him, when Clemont walked up to Ash and grabbed him by the hands, just as he had almost gotten it off.

"Ash, listen to me," he said sternly. "Serena cares about her dream, but there's one thing she cares about more: Us, her friends. But you, you're her oldest friend; she cherishes that friendship more than anything. I'm certain that there's more than one way for her to work towards her dream outside of Kalos, and if there is, she will find it. All you need to do is give her the reason to." Clemont re-tied Ash's tie as he tried to help Ash feel more confident about the plan, but it didn't do as much as he'd hoped. There was a knock on the door just as Clemont was finishing up, and he walked over to get it. "Just do what you can to show her a good time, and when the moment's right, ask her. You're going to do fine." Ash sighed and shrugged at what Clemont said, and just looked down at the floor.

"I just don't know if I can go through this again," he said to himself. Bonnie heard what Ash said, and looked at him a bit puzzled.

"What was that?" she asked, snapping him out of his trance.

"Uh, nothing," Ash replied. "Just thinking out loud. *Sigh* Alright, here goes." Ash walked up to the door as Clemont opened it. He looked out into the hall, and his eyes widened with awe. Serena was wearing a maroon dress with long sleeves, and cream colored fringes on the front, which all went down just above her knees. She also wore matching boots, with raspberry colored stockings, and red ribbon in her hair, with a fairy flower necklace. Ash was completely awestruck by how radiant Serena looked, and couldn't help but gasp a bit.

"Well… You ready?" Serena said, after whipping her slightly grown back hair to the sides. Ash snapped out of it just before anyone could notice he was spacing out.

"Yeah," he said. "As ready as I'll ever be." The two of them joined arms and walked off together; neither one of them looking at the other, but blushing redder than they ever had before. Clemont, Bonnie, Pikachu, Dedenne, and Shauna all stayed back and watched, certain things would go well. Though, Ash and Serena weren't as confident.

***Later That Evening***

The night had gotten deeper and darker; the Volbeat and Illumise had come out to play around the Pokémon Center. The doors to the outside were open, so they could fly in. Dinner had just ended, and the café was now a sparkling dance floor, lit up by hundreds of colorful lights from the firefly Pokémon. A slow song was playing, a deep and romantic melody, that made dancing to it that much more intimate, and Ash and Serena were caught in the middle of it. Ash had gotten nervous after dinner when the hostess announced they were about to start the dancing, and he had asked Serena without even thinking. Now they were sealed in, trapped in the melody of the music like a cage, with only the last key of the song to unlock it and let them out, but that would be a while. Serena and Ash just stared into each other's eyes, trying everything they could to enjoy the evening without making it awkward, and for the most part, it was working.

"You know," Ash whispered. "I've actually been wanting an excuse to dance with you, ever since we just missed it at the event for the performers." Serena blushed a bit as Ash spun her around, into his arms.

"R-really?" she asked nervously. Ash spun her back to face her before he answered.

"Well, yeah," he replied. "I was actually really looking forward to it, and the music stopped just before we could. Some bad stroke of luck, huh?" Serena gently nodded as the music began to get deeper and more romantic. Without realizing it, Ash began to hold her closer. Serena could feel it, but did nothing to stop it, and just let it happen. "I'm sorry, I guess I got caught up in the music. I'll back awa..."

"No," Serena calmly interjected. "It's alright. It makes it easier to dance this way." Serena started to get caught up in the music as well, and slowly, she started to place her head against Ash's chest, and closed her eyes. Ash felt her heart beating with his, and began to hold her tighter until a sour note on the piano player's part snapped him out of it.

"Um, Serena?" Ash said, snapping her out of it too. Serena jumped back a bit and blushed hard as they looked at each other.

"I-I'm sorry!" she said starting to panic. "I don't know what came over me, I just…" Before she could finish that ramble, Ash stopped her.

"It's okay," he said calming her. "I… I feel it too…" Serena knew just what he meant, and she began to tear up a bit, as did Ash. They both finally realized that this was the end of their time together; the thought of how far apart they were going to be after this was torturing them, and it began to show. Ash took her back in his arms, and they just stood there, in one another's embrace, reveling in it until the music stopped.

By the time the music ended, everyone started to go back to their rooms. Except for a few who strolled outside to watch the Pokémon fly off, and watch the starry night sky, including Ash and Serena. The two of them walked outside onto the balcony and looked up into the vast cosmos that surrounded them. Ash leaned back against the rail, and Serena leaned forward onto it, as they got lost in the glimmering lights all around them.

"It's an amazing night," Serena said trying to continue their night together. "Looking out at all this really makes you think." Serena looked to Ash, who returned the glance to concur with her. "What does it make you think about?" Ash looked back up and took a deep breath before answering.

"Stuff," he began. "The things I've seen, the people I've met, all the people and places I'm still gonna see and meet. All the Pokémon out there, hiding in the forests, swimming in the oceans, even traveling deep in space where we can't go. It just makes me think about what else is out there." Serena looked back to the stars above them and smiled. "What about you? What do you think about when you look at this?" Serena tilted her head and pondered an answer.

"I guess," she said figuring it out. "When I look at it, it makes me think ahead. Sometimes, I just stop and think about my dream, and how far I've come. Then, when I look up at all of this, I remember how much further I have to go, how I still have so much to learn. I get a little scared and a little jittery, but then I get this warm feeling, and I feel like there's so much I can do. So I feel like I can do it, whatever's next, I'll be able to get past it and another step closer to my dream." Ash glanced back up, and his expression began to dim a little.

"So," he started. "You think going with Palermo will help you do that?" Serena broke her concentration, and looked back to Ash, hoping he was going where she was told he would.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure," she said partly implying something like it was so obvious. "Palermo is the biggest talent agent in the world, and she said she saw something in me herself. I'm pretty-much-guaranteed fame and adoration if I go with her. Besides, it's not like any other options have opened up." Serena began to come closer to Ash, and he did the same the more they talked.

"I'm sure there are other places with people that need amazing performers like you to help brighten up their part of the world," Ash said slowly closing in on her.

"Probably," Serena replied. "It would be easier if I had a reason to go to those places. Figure out where I could go to perform, where I could make other people happy." Serena and Ash were incredibly close now, almost kissing. They could feel each other's breath as they stood there, no longer saying a word until Ash broke the silence.

"Serena," he partially whispered.

"Yeah, Ash?" she partially whispered back.

"There's something I've been wanting to say to you all day," he continued. "And, I think now's the time to say it." Serena began to blush a bit and became more enthralled in what he was going on about.

"What's that?" she asked, as they almost went in for a kiss.

"I… I," Ash stuttered. He tried to muster up the courage to finally ask her, but he got cold feet and went back. "Want you to know how happy I am for you." Serena went back from her dazed state and started seriously listening to what Ash said. "When you and I met up again, you said you didn't know what you were gonna do; all you said was you were trying to return my handkerchief, and that was pretty much done when you found me. But, now look at you; you found a dream that you're passionate about, and you've made it so far. You even got to challenge Aria, and now you're going to be learning from one of the best there is. You've really come a long way, and I can't believe how lucky I've been to watch you do it. I-I'm really proud of you." Serena's face began to blush a bit more, as a grin slowly crept up on her face. She soon had a big smile, and she hugged Ash right there and then. She was so overjoyed to hear that from Ash, she began to tear up, but they weren't only tears of joy. Ash's eyes became a little teary at the edges as well, they both felt what just happened, and they both knew it wouldn't go any further than that. After they had finished, they walked back to their rooms; Ash stopped in front of his, while Serena walked a few feet ahead, to hers. They both opened their doors a bit and, just before going in, looked at each other to say goodnight. They shut their doors simultaneously as they turned into their rooms for the night, but before they could get ready, their friends all had stayed up in anticipation.

"Well?!" Shauna said to Serena, catching her off guard. "How did it go?!" Serena tilted her head down and shook her head a bit. Shauna just became confused and asked what happened.

"I had the time of my life with Ash tonight," Serena began. "And, I finally have the answer to the question I've had since the day we met up again: Ash and I are just friends, and that's all it's ever going to be." Serena began to take off her excess clothing and walked over to the shower, ready to turn in for the night. Shauna watched as she glumly made her way to the bathroom, and couldn't help but feel her pain with every step she took.

Meanwhile… "Well?!" Bonnie said jumping up in Ash's face. "How'd it go?! Did she freak out?! Did she squeal?! Did she hug you and you both fell over onto the floor in excitement?! Tell me!" Clemont reached out with his Aipom arm and pulled Bonnie out of Ash's face.

"Sorry Ash," he said calmly. "But we simply have to know, how did it go when you asked her?" Ash looked down, disappointed in himself, which gave Clemont all the clue he needed. "You didn't ask her, did you?" Bonnie became shocked and started to freak out about it.

"What?!" she exclaimed, almost loud enough to be heard in the room next door. DENENENE! "Dedenne's right, why didn't you ask her?!" Ash just kept staring off into space, until Pikachu walked up to him and started to rub up against his leg. Pika-pika, the mouse Pokémon squeaked trying to comfort Ash. He bent down to pet Pikachu on the head, then got up to face them.

"I just couldn't do it," he began to explain. "Serena's dream means everything to her, and she's come so far. Even if there is a way for her to accomplish it out in Alola, I just can't take her away from the biggest thing that could ever happen to her. She'll be able to make it so much further with Palermo… And, that's just how it's gonna have to be." Ash untied his tie and placed it on the bed. "Now, I'm gonna shower and go to bed, I've had enough of this craziness for one day." He walked off as Clemont, Bonnie, and both the electric mice watched him; lost in thought about what would happen now, and how this would change everything… Forever.