Chapter 7- The Waiting Game
The early hours ticked on, and throughout every passing second the rain continued to fall. Not once did it show any signs of easing.
It kept on falling. Drowning golden leaves and bloating ageing trees.
Time continued advancing, until the morning stumbled past the night.
Light began to break through the fog and clouds. Somewhere, the sun was shining, but as a new day dawned, it wasn't shining on Mélancolie Path.
Serena strained to lift her neck up from where she had been resting her head on Ash's mattress. Her back ached, and she had a horrible morning taste in her mouth. She stretched her spine as light crept in through the window.
Ash hadn't moved.
Nothing had changed.
It didn't even feel like a new day. The rain still fell.
It was more of a white night than a new morning. She still felt isolated.
A chilly wind whistled through the open window, the weather was still out there biting.
Ash was still there, in the same position from when she had fallen asleep. It turns out one night's rest wasn't enough. She felt her hopes disappear once more. Stumped, and frustrated, she stretched her back and cusped her hands together, watching on at Ash, still there, still not moving.
She saw Pikachu still sleeping by his side. Pikachu too refused to give up, knowing Ash and him had overcome so many problems in the past that surely this one couldn't defeat them. Yet Serena felt drained. A day had passed since he fell, since the incident, but it felt like much longer. She knew the strain of waiting would catch up on her. She felt completely rid of all energy.
She continued to stare at Ash's body, zoning out into a daydream, drifting away from the dreary daylight that polluted her eyes. For now she saw and felt nothing. Slipping into the very back of her mind, she wondered if there was still more that she had to do.
From behind Pikachu's round body popped up the head of Noibat, those yellow eyes tried to camouflage into its friend's yellow fur, but Serena snapped away from her senses, seeing Noibat tentatively edge towards her. It had rebelliously escaped from its PokeBall during the night, just to watch over its trainer, while Serena settled into her sleep.
She offered out a hand.
"Morning, Noibat." She said softly.
It picked up its paces and ran straight back to her lap. Those big innocent eyes looked back up at her, they bared an expression of guilt. Nevertheless she began to pet it once more.
"Couldn't find him, huh?" But at least the baby bat tried.
Her strokes became more tender, deeply rustling through its short fur.
"Well... maybe he's still trying to find his own way out." She tried to console its disappointment, hoping the words would reflect back at her. It seemed Noibat was also taking traits from Serena. Maybe it did really see her as a parent alongside Ash. They both bared the same disappointment from pinning their hopes, both hoping they would be able to bring him back, both adamant that they would be there for him.
She leaned over, holding Noibat in her lap, and placed a hand near Ash's heart.
Still beating; still there.
Their wait had to continue. Yet that was all she had. She leaned in closer, placing her ear onto his chest, listening for the blood flow under each beat. Knowing that inside, everything was still working.
She closed her eyes, and let the sound of Ash's heart fill her mind; until the sound of stumbling footsteps in the background cracked her peace.
"Good morning, Serena."
She flinched, shooting up from the sudden surge of words flying towards her. It was Clemont, rubbing his eyes from where they struggled to open. He too had endured a rough night. Even for him, turning over in his bed and seeing Ash wasn't there was unnerving. He had become so used to the sight of the raven-haired trainer being by his side, it felt almost unnatural having him not there. The feeling began to sink further into Clemont this morning. There was no one to rally the group and force him to stretch his muscles ahead of training. There was no eruption of energy; there was nothing.
Serena turned around, instantly realising that Clemont too was in a bad shape.
"Morning, Clemont..."
"Did you sleep well?" Even now, he was trying to be polite.
"Not at all... did you?"
"I too endured a rough night." Words meant nothing, they could immediately tell just by looking, and feeling the lack of energy in the room.
"Where's Bonnie?" Serena asked, she was usually up before her big brother, usually she came close to matching Ash for energy in the mornings.
"She didn't want to get out of bed yet." Worry struck Serena. It was bad enough to feel down after the events of the past couple of days, but for Bonnie to be suffering like this was terrible. She must have been really struggling to cope.
"So... What are we going to do today?" Clemont seemed swift to change the subject, like he too wasn't comfortable with it. The truth is, he had no plan at all for what to before Ash would wake up. It was the first time he had been in a situation, and like the rest of the group, he didn't know how to cope.
Serena turned back to Ash.
"You two don't have to worry, I'll stay here and watch over Ash." She firmly said, reiterating her intentions.
Clemont felt her definite tone.
"... Don't you want to get some fresh air outside?" But he still had his concerns. There was very little to do with the rain still falling. Serena took a glance at the window, and returned the look to Clemont. He lowered his head, knowing the group really were caved in.
"Well... When the rain eventually does stop, I will go and take Bonnie out fishing for a while. Hopefully it should take her mind off things."
Smart thinking from Clemont. Relaxing was just what the group needed, yet Serena recalled her worries at the table with Finn the day before, knowing she couldn't go a second without knowing how Ash was doing.
Clemont eventually returned to his room, while Serena sat there, letting time tick on by. She remained in her pyjamas, and didn't move. Just sitting there watching over him, while stroking Noibat, and making sure Pikachu was comfortable by his side.
Daybreak; and the rain eased. Moisture loitered in the air, but eventually the relentless rain had stopped. Serena heard Clemont's calls for Bonnie to get ready, as he prepared a fishing rod.
She heard Bonnie slowly shuffle herself into the room, dreading the sight of Serena sitting there, waiting for Ash to wake up. She had a face too white for words.
"... Will he eventually wake up..?" Her youthful voice quietly murmured from the doorway. Bonnie had began to doubt. Confused, and distressed in the situation; she needed guidance; just like everyone, she needed a firm way of being reassured. Serena always played the role of the big sister, and even in moments like this she had to keep strong for her. Instead of getting flustered, she thought about it, putting Bonnie's doubts into perspective. She needed a reason to smile. She needed a reason to believe.
"Come here." She whispered, calling over the younger of the Lumiose siblings. Bonnie ran over, intrigued with what Serena had to say.
"Put your hand here." Serena lightly placed a hand on Ash's chest. Bonnie followed, placing her small hand next to Serena's right on top of his heart.
Serena looked up at Bonnie with a flare soaring through her cerulean blue eyes.
"Can you feel it..?" She pressed the question. Bonnie nodded back.
"That's Ash right in there. This is his heartbeat. This is what's telling us that somewhere deep down, he's fighting. Just like he always does." Serena spoke with conjured up confidence, just to see that smile return to her surrogate younger sister's face. Just in that moment, a flicker of belief was visible on Bonnie.
"Bonnie? Let's go!" Clemont called from downstairs. Bonnie started to make her way out of the room, but stopped on the doorway, and looked back around at Serena.
The honey-blonde girl winked.
"Never give up until the end, right?"
Bonnie grinned, and ran out to join her older brother.
Serena had been repeating that phrase religiously to herself constantly over the past two days. She just hoped that the eventual end wasn't worth giving up on. She saw out of the corner of her eye the two flashes of yellow make their way out onto the clonking wood of the fishing shack. She saw it as a welcome opportunity to calm down amongst the stress, but it wasn't for her.
"Braxien, Pancham, come on out." She limply tossed both PokeBalls up, and allowed her two performing partners to sit by her side. Pancham sat on her shoulder, keeping a close grip as the two observed ahead. Braxien snuggled into Serena's arm, trying anything to comfort her as her eyes remained in that fixed stare forward.
"I guess both of you already know what's up..."
Her performing duo had become accustomed to that particular gaze, a gaze only present when Ash rippled through her cerulean eyes.
She instinctively felt her hand begin to run through Braxien's soft and thick fur. Knowing she could share absolutely any thought with both of her Pokemon, she began to speak. She was about to dwell into secrets, now that she was completely alone with them.
"Do you two think... Ash would appreciate me watching over like this?" She asked with a lingering doubt.
Braxien nodded in approval, while Pancham poked at Serena's shoulder with an assertive 'yes'. At last some answers that she wanted to hear.
"I wonder if he'll ever awaken to notice..." The thought felt fragile as it slipped from her lips, dwelling into a timid melancholic tone. Pancham continued its eager poking to encourage her, while Braxien gave a long gaze into Serena's eyes. They exchanged feelings. Connected by their bond. They had been together since the very start of her journey. Braxien knew Serena better than almost any one else. It knew what she had hiding in that heart of hers.
Serena clenched a fist; accepting the reality.
"You're right... I have to make him notice. He has to know I will be here the whole time, watching over him. I can't leave him like this." She tensed up.
"If only he would wake up." Braxien and Pancham felt Serena begin to shake, suppressing even more raw emotions inside her. Braxien put a paw around her back, while Pancham slid into her lap.
No tears, just remaining strong for him.
Outside, Clemont and Bonnie both sat on the edge of the small wooden pier, dangling their legs near the calm water. The rain had provided them relief, but the sky was still grey. The sun still shined in a direction that neglected Route 16.
Bonnie kept still, not uttering much to Clemont as he quietly pondered by the lake.
"Brother... just tell me. How long will it be before Ash wakes up?" She sent the question to him, hoping he would have a definite answer, regardless of whether she would want to know it or not. Clemont put his fishing rod back on its stand, and took his glasses off, pulling out a cloth to clean them, where he began to explain.
"Concussions can vary in severity. They can range from being short periods of sleep to days, weeks, possibly even months of unconsciousness. There really isn't a definite way of saying. If anything... it doesn't look promising. He suffered quite a fall. He won't be back to normal any time soon." He felt guilty at breaking the reality to his little sister, another difficult to digest lesson on her travels. She dipped her head, and concentrated ahead on the waters.
It was a slow session on the lake, neither sibling knew what to say. Supporting each other was a difficult task when they both held the same doubts and fears. There was no way of telling when Ash would wake up, or if he would even wake up at all. Clemont gulped at the thought, but continued fishing, anything to ease his mind.
The day dragged. Not that it ever felt like a day to Serena. Ever since the fog descended, she felt as if she was caught up in long stream of seconds, none with any relevance to each other, none with any meaning. She felt time itself move away from her, as the hours passed. Bonnie would occasionally come in and sit by her side, but little conversation followed. Clemont would pass meals to her throughout the day, making sure she didn't forget to eat, making sure the group stayed physically nourished in the testing times.
Without knowing, the night drew closer. Another autumn night where the light dimmed, and the darkness breathed over, cooling the temperature. She felt no change, nothing worth breaking her gaze at Ash for. Sadness worked its way back into her. Sitting there in her pyjamas all day, she had no place to go. She felt as if she belonged by Ash's side throughout his recovery. If her feelings were that strong, then she had to ensure she would always be there, right until the very end.
Clemont passed through again, this time informing Serena that he and Bonnie would be going to bed once more. She bid them goodnight, experiencing a strange sense of deja vu, feeling as if she had only just said goodnight to them yesterday like it was a few moments ago. Time had deserted her, but once again she was left alone just with Ash, and his Pokemon.
Pikachu stood up. Strangely it was the first time he had made a movement all day. He sat there opposite Serena, wishing for any movement from his trainer. He had a tired look in his eyes. He too looked drained from playing the waiting game with Ash. The yellow mouse made his way over to Serena, carrying his sleepy eyes, he joined the rest of the Pokemon in settling on her lap. He too wanted to be babied, to be loved when a feeling of blankness had descended in the room.
She saw him, in those deep black eyes. Pikachu was feeling lonely without Ash. This was the longest the two had ever been apart, and it was taking its toll.
She tended to him, rustling through his bright yellow fur. Where he had been tired and sad came the small hint of a purring sound in response. Pikachu always felt comfortable with Serena. She began to think, Ash and Pikachu were really so similar. Pikachu was basically Ash, but as a Pokemon. Maybe Pikachu knew what would go through the raven-haired boy's mind.
"I wonder what he's dreaming about, huh Pikachu..." She began to softly speak.
"Pika Pi..." He sighed in response.
"I wonder if he can hear our voices right now..."
Her tone had slipped back into melancholy, as Pikachu's ears dipped in front of her. Braxien tried to reassure her once more with an arm around her back. She looked around at Braxien and Pancham. They were her two closest partners, but right now she needed to consult Pikachu. She felt like only he had answers that she could accept and wanted to hear. With a sense of guilt sitting inside her stomach, she reached for both of their PokeBalls.
"Thank you, both of you, but please, take a rest for now." She beamed them back to their PokeBalls, and then recalled Noibat too. Once again it seemed sleepy, but this time she felt like a parent protecting her child from serious discussions; shielding it from the truth. She needed to be alone with Pikachu. She needed to be able to sit there and talk to who knew Ash better than anybody else.
She took a deep, sharp gulp. She felt a hint of nerves creep in as she looked into those deep black eyes to address him.
"He'll wake up, right Pikachu?" She asked with a tone of anxious doubt.
Pikachu looked up, and stared deeply at Serena's worried gaze. He set out to rally her with confidence, knowing his trainer would come back to his senses again soon. Pikachu too was playing the waiting game, but never doubted for a second. Serena grinned, and laid a hand over Pikachu again to stroke him. "Cha~!" He purred, enjoying every stroke from her soft hands. Pikachu rekindled the confident flare that Ash always had in him, just for that moment she felt his aura radiate from Pikachu. She kept smiling, feeling grateful that Pikachu was with her during the moment.
"I hope he wakes up soon, huh Pikachu?" She said in a lighter, more lively tone as she lay a hand over Ash's stomach. Pikachu looked back up at Serena in confusion, tilting his head.
She began to pat it, hearing the sound of a hollow gut that hadn't been fed recently.
"Can you imagine how hungry he's going to be?" She added with a laugh, Pikachu joined in, chuckling at the thought of Ash feasting to his heart's content after such a long sleep. It was almost a scary thought, the accumulation of all that hunger would probably be enough to eat a Pokemon Centre out of business.
She revelled in the light-hearted moment with Pikachu, feeling a sigh of relief release as for once after what felt like an eternity she was able to laugh. In worrying, anxious times, laughter really was the best medicine. She was glad Pikachu was there, he always seemed to have an understanding when it came to matters concerning Ash.
She relaxed into her chair, and once again began to ponder. If Pikachu really did understand, then maybe he knew exactly what Ash thought of her, and whether the raven-haired trainer was as dense as he was made out to be. She awkwardly looked around, and wondered just how it could be so difficult to confront a Pokemon, but as she looked at Pikachu she felt slightly apprehensive. On her lap was Ash's partner since the very start of his journey; his best friend. She knew what best friends could be like, they could be protective, and the one thing she didn't want to do was spoil her close bond with Ash.
No, surely not; Pikachu wasn't over-protective.
She tried to dismiss the worrying thoughts that fuelled her doubts.
She could trust Pikachu, just like he knew that he could trust her.
Surely it was worth asking a few questions, as the night lingered on. A tinge of desperation beckoned; she just needed someone to relate to.
"You know Pikachu sometimes I wonder- wait no it's silly..." She began a sentence only to abruptly halt it, as she twirled her short honey blonde locks around her fingers. Pikachu once again offered that confused look, before smiling again and patting her arm in encouragement with those tiny little hands. He seemed perfectly content with whatever Serena was going on to say, although maybe it was a reflection of Ash's open, and sometimes dense personality.
"Oh, it's nothing really!" She tried to dismiss the claim that she wanted to proceed with. Games were being played.
Pikachu began to prod at her arm, his child-like anticipation was naturally rising.
"I just sometimes wonder... Yknow..." But Pikachu didn't know. He was still confused at what Serena was trying to convey. He leaned his head forward, filling her eye-line.
"... If he has ever noticed." Pikachu's prodding stopped, as he felt Serena's increasing heartbeat begin to push against his back. She tensed up, but still Pikachu couldn't work out what she was talking about.
"Oh Pikachu... You too?" She asked in a condescending tone, slightly disappointed that Pikachu too was oblivious to what she was clearly sending signals about.
She pulled Pikachu into her arms, hugging him as she began to speak. She felt her emotions brim from her throat to the tip of her tongue. No, she couldn't spill everything now. Was Pikachu even safe with such information?
"Has Ash ever... 'liked' anyone?" She asked, her voice crackling at the prospect of the dreaded question. She asked it purely to set the scene, but wished to shy away from any potential horrors that Pikachu knew about. Pikachu gave a blunt look, partly saying that he didn't understand, while also conveying that it was never in that sense.
"Does he even know how to 'like' someone?"
Many questions were now being fired at the confused yellow mouse. He scratched his head, unsure whether or not he could vouch for his sleeping friend in this respect.
"Oh never mind..! This is Ash after all; I guess he hasn't ever noticed anything."
She tried to laugh off the notion, but a slither of sadness slid from her mouth, and quietened the atmosphere. Once again the rain had begun to fall outside, and the gentle tapping on the window only served to highlight how silent the room had fallen. Pikachu felt her mood drop. He turned around to face her, and immediately noticed the rippling waves in those sad blue eyes.
"Maybe he'll never notice." She then added. Pikachu remained confused, but pushed her to elaborate, wanting to know what was troubling her. She tried to hold back the heavy tear drops, gaining weight from the previous emotional days.
"Oh Pikachu I'm sorry to be like this. I just... really want him to wake up." Her voice was gentle. Pikachu felt the tenderness from her beating heart.
"I miss him, and I don't want him to leave us all without getting the chance to tell him."
Pikachu grew eager for her to tell, to say what she seemed to be hiding away so secretively. He climbed onto her shoulder, like he would do with Ash, to comfort her. She knew she could tell him anything, at this moment Pikachu was there to listen.
"I'm just really worried; and right now there's a part of me missing without him. I just feel empty, but the thing is, there's nothing else I would rather do right now than remain by his side each day until he wakes up. I don't mind washing him, changing his clothes and making sure he's comfortable. I just want to be here by his side." She began to dive into her deepest thoughts. She really could support Ash in any way, she knew she was happy at his side. Only in the most dire of situations had she come to notice; he really was so much more than a friend. Even now, she felt a connection to him that was different to any other person she had ever met. Their heartbeats were always in sync. Maybe that's why she was led back to him. Maybe that's why she was the one sitting here caring at his side right now.
"Even now it has made me realise just how I strongly feel..." She turned to face Pikachu, with an expression white with worry.
Locking eye contact, there was no way out from saying it now.
She gulped, feeling her stomach sink.
"Pikachu... Will Ash ever realise that I like him?"
Her words cornered Pikachu, who took a step back, and opened his mouth slightly as his mind hurried to digest the information. Now he was beginning to understand.
All emotion had deserted Pikachu's face. She cringed, knowing this was probably the end of the normal travelling relationship she had shared with Ash and Pikachu. He just sat there, on her shoulder, seemingly shocked.
"Pika..."
"Sorry; I guess that's just the way I've felt... You don't need to worry about it. F-forget it!" She quickly tried to retract her statement, covering it up in fear that Pikachu wouldn't react positively.
"Pi pika pi!" Pikachu's face suddenly flared up with energy. His tail spiked up, like he was almost ready for battle. He shouted at her face, a call full of energy. A call of sympathy, a call of belief.
"What..?" Serena was overcome with surprise. He continued to cry at her, surging his energy directly at her face. She felt an influx of Pikachu's spirit, the same feeling she would get from Ash.
"W-what do you mean?" She couldn't quite believe Pikachu's reaction, but he continued to sit there, leaning its head forward at her from her shoulder. A confident, courageous look with his tail and ears pointing upwards. He continued to lash strings of sentences at her, his breath crashing against her face. Maybe he couldn't comprehend just was 'liking' meant, but he knew Serena had to make him consciously realise. He knew she harboured strong feelings.
"You mean... I've got to make him realise?" Pikachu frantically nodded as Serena continued her questioning. It struck her that Pikachu had the exact same answer as Braxien and Pancham. She didn't quite know how, but maybe they had spoken about it before. Somehow, they both gave her the same response, maybe because in reality it was the right response. She knew however tough it may be, it's what she had to do.
Her head dipped.
"But how..?" She started to play with her fingers, pondering her previous attempts at trying show him how she really felt. Some of them ended with no success at all, while others just resulted in indigestion from eating too many cookies. She sighed once more, making him realise was much easier said than done. Pikachu this time jumped over her, sitting on top of her head and running about like Dedenne would with Bonnie. It was late at night, but his energy had come from absolutely nowhere. He jumped around the bed and onto her lap. She had been told by three Pokemon what she needed to do. It was time to stop doubting.
She stood up and faced Ash, still sitting upright in his bed. Just the sight of him lying there without motion was enough to feel her energy drain. She had pinned so many hopes, waiting was becoming ever the more painful. She had to find a way of sending her voice through the pulses in his heart. She had to find a way for him to hear her. She had to find a way to make him notice she was there. She leaned in close, and felt the rhythm of his heartbeat once more. She placed a hand over his chest.
It was beating faster than usual.
Something was happening deep inside.
Maybe he could hear her.
Whatever it was, she would let him know she was there still.
His heart raced, it seemed hurried, rushed, and possibly even scared. Maybe Ash was truly coming into touch with fear for the very first time. Was it fear? She really don't know, and deep down, maybe Ash didn't either.
Love and fear; you could be excused for believing they were the same.
She continued to listen to him. His chest gently rising and falling with each slender breath, gradually becoming more rapid with each heavy heartbeat.
"Hey." She whispered, sharply sending her voice soaring across his body. She gently pressed her hand into his chest.
"It's going to be okay. I'm still here." Her tender voice rustled his raven-hair.
"Just rest now, don't be afraid." She began to feel like a guardian angel, soothing Ash in his recovery. A yawn tried to escape from her. She was becoming tired, and was fatigued from another draining day. She gave in to her fading muscles, and let her head rest on Ash's chest. She faced Ash, and felt his body become warmer. It definitely felt more comfortable than yesterday. Maybe she really had helped the previous night. The sound of his heart knocking on her ears bought her comfort, throughout the night she would know he was there. As she felt her eyelids become heavier, her whispering voice had once last call for Ash.
"Please Ash, if you could do one thing for me... Please wake up. I really do miss you." Her voice drifted towards him, soft, and tender. Quite possibly they were words that Ash felt strongly. She felt her eyes almost fully shut, until the sensation of her head being buoyed by his rising stomach tapped her awake again briefly. In that moment, Ash released a huge sigh, she sunk with his declining diaphragm, and then locked her attention on him, as his head suddenly tried to jerk forward. He seemed to be trying to reach something. The slightest of movements, the heaviest of breaths; he was there. He was with her. She was with him. His movements soon stopped, but she was satisfied. She knew he was fighting back. She allowed herself to melt into his chest, as she set out on another night by his side, waiting for her crush to come back to her.
On the warmness of his body heat, she relaxed into a much more comfortable night than the one before, but come the morning she wasn't ready to wake up. She was still drained of all energy; both physically and emotionally.
Neither had moved during the night. Serena remained warm and snug on his chest, this time with his heart beating at a more steady pace; it seemed her words and presence had brought him calmness.
The same could not be said for the Lumiose siblings however. Once again they both stumbled out of bed, only this time it was less of a task for Clemont to drag his sister outside. They edged into the room, where to their dismay, saw Ash still there unconscious, while to their surprise, saw Serena resting her head on him, still asleep. Her face was pointed away from them, as she remained in the direction of where Ash was lying. Clemont and Bonnie briefly watched on in silence. They both felt their emotions swell up, Serena really did mean it when she said she would be with him until he wakes up. A tinge of guilt rustled at Clemont. He felt as if he should be doing more to help out, yet Serena was adamant; he felt it would be best to leave her to it.
"Serena really cares about Ash, doesn't she." Clemont muttered to his younger sister. He couldn't lie in thinking that as a family he felt a sense of pride at their great efforts to help each other.
"You really don't get it, do you brother?" Bonnie's voice had an unsettling volume to it. It jolted Clemont, who couldn't understand the faithful smile she was wearing as she gazed up ahead at Serena. He adjusted his glasses.
"Well, she cares a lot, right?" He was stumped, as they both looked ahead at her, still asleep with Ash, still waiting, still hoping. Bonnie enlightened the moment, sensing her affectionate feelings from afar.
"Yeah but... can't you see? It's obviously so much more than that."