The latest chapter in Dying Flames. Author's Notes at the end will go over my plans regarding this story. Enjoy and leave a review if you like it!


Chapter 10

The words never should've left his mouth. There wasn't a reason to justify his feelings to Drew in the first place. It didn't involve him in any way, yet he was roped into revealing intimate emotions liked a damned fool. If she wasn't standing behind him, he wouldn't have been able to control his anger. Through sheer force of will he ran off without escalating the situation and sprinted after Serena.

He didn't know where Serena took off to and was just blindly running through puddles in the direction of their hotel, the only place he could think of. His chest ached, eyes stung from the slashing winds and rain, but he kept running. A little rain wasn't about to slow him down and keep him from setting things right. The winds, though, were a bigger issue. No matter how fast he ran he wasn't making great strides in the freak weather. His superior stamina was no match and only led to frequent breaks and huge intakes of breath. It was like running in a hurricane. The cold was all but gone with the constant running, leaving him tired more than anything.

Taking off his hat, he slicked his hair back and wiped his face with the sleeve of his sweatshirt. With such a late start in the chase, he was wasting minutes walking the next few blocks instead of continuing his run. He took quick glances through the many shops lining the streets in hopes of catching sight of her. Nothing at all a few streets back and the same result going forward; just random people going about their day. These people had enough sense to wait out the storm in the warm confines of the brick buildings. Meanwhile he braved the elements and searched for the girl who rejuvenated his waning interest in love.

Though they only met a few months back, and just recently began dating, in one month alone Serena returned the passion that left his heart a long time ago. The day they first met solidified they're growing bond when she handed him a handkerchief after a tough loss to Viola. Her kind smile stirred something up inside him and willed him to victory in his rematch with her watching from the sidelines. He felt obligated to keep her smiling from then on and promised to never lose with her at his side.

"That sonuva-" He cursed Drew's name under his misty breath, himself as well, for causing her pain. Insecurity had already begun way before his stupid remark reached her ears. He was able to mend her fears at the time, but with new troubles arising, he had his own doubts of fixing the situation.

He felt bad having to remind himself of her wholesome qualities whenever he questioned their relationship. Each time he came to the same conclusion: she deserved better than what he was offering. His latest blunder was further evidence that he wasn't completely in control of his feelings like he led himself to believe. Years went by but he still had the emotional capacity of a ten year old. The things people said about him being dense were all true. He had all he could ever want in a woman in Serena. She was supportive, an excellent motivator, and held him in check when his anger got the better of him. If only he kept his mouth shut, he wouldn't be nearing another disastrous end to an otherwise perfect relationship.

His pace was slower, fatigue began setting in as adrenaline left his body. He stopped at the corner of a shop and placed a tired hand on the wet brick wall. Throbbing pain seared his side as he looked around the intersection and found familiar company running to him from across the way.

"Ash! What happened? Where's May?" Clemont yelled while coming up next to him with Bonnie at his side and Pikachu on her shoulders. He angled the umbrella he carried to partially deflect the rain from them all.

"Why was Serena crying Ash?" Bonnie placed her tiny arms on her waist and leaned forward to hear his response. All while having her brow furrowed and probably assuming he was the cause, which indeed he was. Her accusing tone was ignored and replaced with a question of his own.

"You saw her?"

Clemont was much more understanding of the situation and calmly informed him of her whereabouts. "She ran past us and headed back to the Pokemon Center. I don't think she saw us."

Ash straightened up and twisted his waist side to side. The pain lingered still but he had to suck it up. Shaking both his feet to renew his energy, he took a few deep breaths and told the siblings what to do next. "Call Officer Jenny and head to the cafe. May's in the alley alone with Drew. She could be in danger."

Pikachu hopped off Bonnie's shoulders and landed at his feet. "Pikapi!"

He sternly shook his head at the little mouse looking up at him worriedly. "Stay with Bonnie, Pikachu. May needs you more than I do right now. You do whatever she says and protect her."

He knelt down and gave a quick pat on its head, before standing up and walking past the pair of blondes. As much as he'd like to have his friend tag along and help with Serena, Pikachu's strength was needed elsewhere. He stepped off the curb and took a moment to catch his breath.

"Ash, wait! What exactly happened with Serena?" Bonnie yelled at him again and again he paid no attention to it.

"There's no time. I'll explain everything later. Just go!" He jogged off and left the two behind.

The chase continued once more. Having been told Serena's location, he sprinted in the direction of their hotel room and ignored the cramping in his side. The pain he felt would be nothing compared to the devastating loss of his relationship with Serena. He kept his eyes to the road ahead and trusted the siblings to help May. With Officer Jenny's help they would most likely stand a chance against that cocky bastard.

More than once he had to recover his balance after stepping in puddles deeper than they appeared on the surface. He had to dodge and run around the few people who were strolling along the road. Easy obstacles were getting in the way as his mind was wandering off into the deep recesses of his thoughts. Each stride along the slippery road brought unwanted memories of his first breakup at the worst time possible. He was able to brush them off before, but potentially suffering the same fate twice was enough to relive that terrible day. When his heart prayed for a positive outcome, his mind went ahead and played devil's advocate and brought on the vivid visions of his failed relationship with May.


A beautiful spring day with flowers blooming and a gentle rustle of leaves was the backdrop to a dreadful event. Just a little over a year spent by her side did he realize just how unhappy he had become. She wasn't the reason, not by any stretch, but self loathing knowing he wasn't any close to fulfilling his dream. May was on the verge of securing her spot in the Johto Grand Festival with just two ribbons remaining, putting her closer to reaching her goal. Meanwhile he went day after day stuck in an endless slump, doing his best to support her despite the dwindling interest in Contests.

She spent more time with other Coordinators to swap stories and talk strategy before and after a Contest. Training and making Pokeblocks took over most of the downtime they had. When she wasn't preparing for a Contest, she was off doing interviews and signing autographs. Old and new faces popped up to congratulate her and give her advice on how to deal with the media. Her name was being mentioned with the likes of Wallace and Solidad as the next Top Coordinator. With each win she became more popular and he was pushed off to the side to witness her sudden rise to stardom.

Unfortunately her newfound fame brought a number of problems to the table. Their time together was almost nonexistent. Arguments they never had before were suddenly a daily occurrence when one of them was in a foul mood. Even when things appeared to be fine there was the slightest trace of bitterness towards one another. Everything seemed to be falling apart right before his eyes.

Sapphire eyes that matched the clear blue sky stared back at him; hurt, confused, angry that the one person she could trust was abandoning her.

"You promised me, Ash. You said you were always going to be by my side."

The pain of seeing her cry did little to change his mind. Each blow of her shaky fists against his chest chipped away at his resistance but he remained strong. He had to withstand the frustration and disappointment that resulted from their declining relationship. After all, he was the one who was unhappy and wasn't putting in the effort to keep it afloat. They fell into a place where each of them strived for different goals. He wouldn't be able to grow into a better trainer if he wasn't out exploring the world and honing his skills. Cutting it off now would be the best option for both of them.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Don't you love me?" She tugged and pulled on his shirt, craning her neck back to meet his solemn gaze.

He didn't dare look away. Something about her always captivated his attention ever since they first met. A familiar, yet rare sense of beauty not found in any other person. Were the situation a different one, he'd offer a smile to show his appreciation like other times before. Nothing about their current state called for such an action, though.

He remained stone-faced and responded with few words. "...Yes, I do."

"Then why are you leaving?" Her cheeks were flushed with a bright red hue. Out of anger or anguish, who could say at this point? She held a tight grip on his shirt and prevented him from stepping away. Remaining in place doing nothing wouldn't make matters any better. Every passing second tore away the invisible ties they created. Once thought to be an everlasting love, no blemishes or oddities on the surface, began to dissolve into mere whispers carried through the air and disappearing into nothing.

Placing both hands on her shoulders, he lowered his head and shielded his distraught look with the bill of his cap. The best way to go about his decision was to avoid the beautiful face that enamored him in the first place. Otherwise he'd revert back to the bumbling idiot who could never get the words out in her presence.

"You'll do better without me, May. I'll only hold you back."

May slumped herself against him and openly bawled, not bothering to look at him any longer. Her tears soaking through his shirt were scattered darts striking different nerves. His head remained lowered and the urge to cry along with her was suppressed with all his might. The trust they had in one another shattered in seconds and rocked his entire body. A tingling sensation traversed his insides, making him shake uncontrollably as the weight of his decision landed on his shoulders with a loud thud. There was no turning back. He had to live with the choice and the regret that was sure to accompany it.


The sliding door of the Pokemon Center opened in front of him and at last he was out of the rain. The lobby went quiet almost immediately. Eyes from other Trainers fell upon him as he made his way to the elevator. Drops rolled off his clothes and onto the clean marble floor. Each step he took made a loud plop with how soaked he was. He pressed the button and waited patiently for the numbers overhead to reach the bottom. Then came the murmurs. His vision was on the door and not the people walking by still looking at him oddly. Silently he felt them judge and subsequently they were forgotten once the doors opened.

Once inside the compact area and his floor chosen, he extended an arm against the rail and wiped his face with the other. The hum of the elevator and the soft music coming from the above speaker relaxed him to a certain extent. He needed to remain calm in order to not ruin his one attempt at rescuing his relationship dangling by a single thread. For that to happen he had to push out the previous thoughts tormenting him along the way. It was a different situation with a different person at the center of it. This was the moment where he would figure out if he actually learned anything from his past mistakes and could utilize the experience in a positive way.

He wobbled a bit as the elevator came to a stop. With renewed energy, he stepped out on his floor and went straight to their room at the end of the hall. The rooms all faced enormous glass windows overlooking the skyscrapers and mountains to the north, which at the moment were cast in a dull gray with just a hint of yellow peeking through. Narrow rays struck the side of his face as he passed the other rooms and made it to the end of the corridor. He paused at the entryway once he noticed a small black tag hanging off the handle.

'Do Not Disturb'

It was expected but troubling nonetheless. Having spent the night away he had forgotten Serena held their keycard. Discouraging sight as he became aware of his rapid heartbeat. The cold winds lingered long after he stepped inside the building. A chill gathered at the tip of his fingers and traveled up his arm and down his body. Just as he thought he relaxed, the nerves came rushing back and hit him like a train. Overthinking was as bad as doing nothing. He needed a clear mind or else risk seeming doubtful in Serena's eyes. Lightheaded and exhausted beyond belief, he tapped gently on the white wood and held his breath for a response.

No answer.

Again he knocked, a tad louder than before. "Serena..."

"...Go away. I don't want to talk to you." The layers of wood were deafening her voice but couldn't conceal the weeping. Her cries doused his high spirits and raised the difficulty of his apology.

Placing both hands on either side of the entryway, he leaned forward and stared at the red carpet under his feet. "At least let me explain, Serena. I want you to know the truth."

Silence followed on the other side and in the empty hallway. A loud pounding rang in his ears as he tried to find any sound coming from inside the room. He could only guess what was going through her mind.

The result wasn't looking all that good, especially with the dim remark she gave. "...You said you loved her, Ash. You lied to me."

His head lolled back and stared up at the ceiling, lips shut tight to form a straight line. He backed himself into a corner with his dishonesty. His knuckles turned white from gripping the door trim so tight. The dizziness felt none too pleasant coming out of the rain and into a fresh hell of regret. His eyes closed automatically in a state of despair. Old memories that were meant to be cherished were causing tension that was threatening to end another relationship.

His mouth went completely dry. Weak air from his lungs somehow managed to surpass a growing lump in his throat. Attempts at speaking only yielded awkward facial expressions without words leaving his body. He was taking such a long time answering back, but his head was empty. All he could think of saying was something he wanted to tell her to her face.

"I'm sorry, Serena." The crown of his cap met the hard wood and once again dropped his gaze to the floor with growing pains in his chest. The plea to be allowed inside held more of an impact as he choked back the tears. Deep breaths were the only thing keeping them at bay.

A faint scrape of the door renewed his hope and forced him to take a step back. He heard one of the locks slide away and another bolt turn. The handle slowly moved down and the door pulled slightly open. Nobody stepped out. He took the handle and stepped inside, quickly closing it behind him.

Serena sat on the stool in front of the dresser. Her dark pink hat was off as were her shoes. Tissues crumpled into balls were tossed in and around a waste basket by the door. He shuffled in front her and sat directly across on their bed. The moment he met the cushioned surface, he was aware of just how tired he was. His hands went immediately to his knees and sagged his body forward, hiding his face from her for the moment. His legs felt like weak strands of noodles that would break if he put any more pressure on them. It took some effort to remain upright instead of falling back and resting his body.

After scratching an itch across his forehead, he grabbed the bill of his cap and threw it aside on a pillow. Her swollen eyes were the first thing he noticed as they stared at each other, both of them expecting him to speak first.

A few deep breaths and he was ready to clear up the confusion surrounding them. "I can't change what I said or what I felt for May before. That's all in the past. You have to understand that it has nothing to do with getting back together with her." He slid forward to the edge of the bed and reached for her hand. "I want to be with you, Serena."

He feared she would pull away, disgusted and disappointed, and rightfully so. Instead her hand remained limp underneath his thumb and palm. She brought her other hand to rest beneath her chin and tilted her head slightly. Despite the tears drying up, the hurt in her voice was clearly still present. "But why? Why did you say it?"

The question was predictable. His eyes shifted from hers to the circular motions he made with his thumb. He was careful with his words. He needed to be. The slightest slip up would have him repeating the same mistake twice. "She was my first girlfriend, Serena. I can't forget all the time we spent together. I just can't. Believe me, I've tried."

From time to time he'd wonder how she was doing. He knew about her professional life being exceptional, yet her personal was a mystery to him after they separated. He heard things floating around in tabloids and gossip shows, but they were quickly forgotten like most rumors tend to be. There were flashes in and out of his head throughout the years since he left. Easily swept away with new challenges occupying his thinking, but they often lingered. The stretches where he wasn't thinking about her, he was enjoying the life going on around him. New food to eat, new pokemon to catch, there wasn't more he could ask for. The few times he did picture their relationship he became a little more reserved and refused to speak with anyone about his issues. He'd take walks alone and stare reflectively at a pond or stream, maybe skip a rock to distract him.

Over the years he grew to cope with the loss and worked on becoming a better person. By then people close to both of them had heard of their breakup and his reputation took a nosedive. People he called friends suddenly turned their backs. Not one bothered to listen or reach out. He didn't go through the trouble of defending his decision since they already made up their minds about him. The logical step was to turn his back also and move on.

One setback, although a very sensitive one, wasn't going to stop him from being himself. When someone needed help he was still there, no questions asked. His motivation was still the same and carried him to tough and rewarding battles. The time on the road showed he improved in little ways, but he still had problems expressing his feelings. He was leaps and bounds ahead of his past self that the few times he stumbled Serena was there to lend a hand. Clemont and Bonnie would undoubtedly do the same, but with her it was different. She was always there when he needed her, and when she wasn't, he fell hard. He depended on her just as much as she did of him and to lose it all would leave him far more broken than he'd ever been.

He swallowed before speaking again. Thinking of a life without her started to sink in as a real possibility. "Since you and I first met I've managed to stop thinking about her long enough to open my heart to you. Serena, you're everything I could've ever asked for. I never intended to hurt you."

"There's this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that makes it hard to trust you, Ash." Serena brought her hand over her mouth, as to cover a cough, but instead led out a gasping breath of anguish that brought a new trail of tears. "How do I know nothing happened when you spent the night with her?"

Each sentence was followed with a quick pause to compose herself.

"How do I know you won't leave me like you did May?"

With every word she said, she reached into his chest and jerked his heart around like a silly plaything. It was agonizing to the point where he had trouble correctly responding to her burning questions. The hole he was already in couldn't be any deeper. He had to claw his way back up and make her see just how ridiculous the entire situation was.

The petting stopped as he closed his hand over hers and slowly bent his head forward. "I would never cheat on you, Serena. I can't imagine myself ever being without you." He felt confident in his answer, but it didn't stop his voice from breaking towards the end. It wouldn't take much to push him off the edge and join her in the agony.

He took his time raising his eyes to look at her. The rain hitting his face had less of a punch than the stinging tears threatening his firm poise. He needed to appear strong at the lowest point of their relationship to let her know things were going to be alright. Seeing her tear-stained face, a mix of pink and red, could very well have been the image that kicked off his new devotion. Never did he want to witness such a woeful sight from the girl who entrusted her heart to him.

A hand released itself and found its way to the right side of her face, entangling fingers in her golden hair and gently rubbing away the wetness under her eye. She felt warm under his touch. The sensation was a mixed bag of compassion and sorrow. Under normal circumstances he'd do more than just keep his hand on the same spot to comfort her, but given the circumstances he held off going any further.

He breathed in deeply, preparing for his final point and possibly ending their continuous rift. "I'm sorry for what I've said. I'm sorry for ever making you doubt us. I promise, I'm giving it my all to make sure you're happy." An encouraging smile was all he could give. An acceptance to his apology was all he wanted in return.

Removing her hand from her mouth, she brought it down over his and closed her eyes. Her quiet sobs were a discouraging notion and far from the response he was hoping to get. He didn't allow himself to think what her possible rejection would lead to. He had to hold on to the small belief floating in a sea of doubt. He didn't dare hang his head in defeat. He made sure to keep his sight fixed on her despite the grief it caused him to see her cry.

His look never wavered as he saw her reach past his face and placed a hand to his drenched hair. "Please keep your promise, Ash, and I'll do the same." Her caring smile was worth more to him than all the badges he earned.

"I will." He couldn't contain the happiness spreading throughout his body and washing away the misery that rooted itself at his core. In an instant, he was on his feet and pulled her up with him, wrapping her tightly In a tearful embrace and burying his face into the crook of her neck. She forgave him, and now it was up to him to not mess it all up. No matter what forces interfered with their happiness, he was going to be her source of light that kept away the mysterious darkness.

While they reconciled, the phone went off across the room and was ignored by the happy couple making amends. Before long the ringing stopped and a message was left behind and began to play automatically.

"Ash, Serena, are you there? Please pick up. May collapsed and was admitted to the Pokemon Center. She's not doing so well."


A/N: I will be putting this story on hold for the time being. The reason being that other non-writing projects have popped up and I won't have as much time to write. Sorry for ending it on a slight cliffhanger but I wrote it long before things started changing for me. I've only had time to do minor edits and couldn't think of another ending. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you around when I get back.