Ch 59: Return to Lumoise
Another two days had passed since the group had met Diancie and her bodyguards. They spent the two days traveling towards Lumiose city and helping Serena train for the grand festival.
It was morning on the third day as the group had breakfast around their campsite.
"Alright we made it pretty far yesterday, so Lumoise city can't be more than an hour or so away" Red said.
"When we get there we should stop at professor Sycamore's lab" Ash said.
"Who's professor Sycamore?" Diancie said.
" He's the one who gave us our first pokemon and looks after the pokemon that can't travel with us. He's also someone who studies pokemon and tries to learn everything he can about them" Serena said.
"I'm sure he'd love to meet you" Clemont said.
"Really, that sounds" Diancie started before she wobbled a little and looked feint.
"Woah Diancie are you ok?" Serena said as she caught her.
"Ohh I feel so tired, and weak" Diancie said.
"Knight there's something wrong with Diancie" Ash said before he saw the three Carbink looked just as worn out.
"Woah what's going on?" Korrina said.
"Ohh, we're running low on sustenance. We feed on the power derived from the diamonds in our city. Without them we are growing weaker" Knight said.
"Can Diancie made more of those diamonds?" Bonnie said.
"I'd need to make a heart diamond, and I don't have the energy for that" Diancie said.
"Pika" Pikachu said concerned. That was when PIkachu had an idea. He turned to his bowl of pokemon food and pushed it over to Diancie.
"Huh?" Diancie said.
"Pika Pikachu".
"Huh? Eat? What does that mean?" Diancie said.
"You don't know what eating is?" Serena said.
"No? We feed of our diamonds' energy remember" Diancie said.
"Well above ground we get our energy from food" Serena said as she took out one of her pokemon food containers and opened it.
"Put this in your mouth, chew it then swallow it" Serena said as she handed Diancie a piece of food.
Diancie took the piece and put it in her mouth. After chewing it and swallowing the piece her eyes lit up.
"Wow it's amazing!" Diancie said.
"Here have some more" Serena said giving her more food.
"Here you guys have some too" Ash said as he opened a container.
"We don't have mouths like Diancie we can't eat" Merrick said.
"Ok then that's a problem" Ash said.
"It's ok I'm feeling much better now!" Diancie said after finishing her food. She got up and went over to her bodyguards. One she had reached them she closed her eyes and held her hands up as the diamonds on her began glowing.
The group watched in amazement as a large glowing violet diamond formed in front of Diancie.
"There a small heart diamond. You guys can feed off of it" Diancie said. Her guards came over to it and touched their heads to it. A few moments later Knight, Joker, and Merrick got up feeling revitalized.
" Thank you princess. We feel so much better" Joker said.
" Diancie that was amazing" Serena said.
"Oh that was nothing, you should have seen what my father could do. He could make a heart diamond a thousand times bigger. He's the one he made the heart diamond that fuels our entire civilization. I've never made a heart diamond much bigger than this one" Diancie said.
"Diancie don't be ashamed what you did was amazing. I'm sure one day you'll be able to do what you're father did" Serena said.
"I hope so" Diancie said. After the group finished breakfast they packed up the camp and continued towards Lumoise city.
"So what's Lumoise city like? Is it like the last city?" Diancie said.
"Sort of , except it's much bigger" Ashs aid.
"Wow! I can't wait to see it!" Diancie said. After another hour the group reached the edge of Lumoise city.
"Here we are Lumoise city" Ash said.
"Wow!" Diancie said when she saw the city.
"We're finally home brother" Bonnie said. As the group continued down the streets Diancie continued to be amazed at everything she saw.
"I can't believe this place, there's so much to see! So many things happening!" Diancie said.
"Princess please don't run off, the last thing we need is to lose you in this massive place" Merrick said.
"Aww but there is so much here I still want to see!" Diancie said.
"Well after we stop at Sycamore's lab we can take you sightseeing" Serena said.
"Really! Thank you!". Several minutes later the group finally reached Sycamore's lab.
"Here we are" Red said as he knocked on the door. A minute later the door opened as Alaina came out.
"Well look who's here" She said.
"Wow so you're professor Sycamore" Diancie said.
"Huh who is that pokemon and did it just talk to me!?" Alaina said.
"Diancie this is Alaina the professor's assistant. Alaina this is Diancie the Diamond princess" Serena said.
"Diancie as in the legendary diamond pokemon that has never been discovered?" Alaina said.
"Yes, and there's a reason she's traveling with us. But it's kind of a long story" Ash said.
"Alright I'm sure the professor will love to meet Diancie" Alaina said. She lead them inside the lab and into the pokemon enclosure. Moments after entering the grassy enclosure Ash felt a familiar aura presence approaching him.
Just then a large Talonflame landed on his shoulder and squawked.
"Talonflame!" Ash said as his pokemon rubbed his head against his trainer's head.
"Looks like Fletchinder evolved while he was reminds me, I wonder where" Red started before they heard a large Pokemon running towards them. Red turned to see Pangoro sprinting at him.
"Who's that?" Diancie said.
"That's Red's Pangoro" Ash said moments before the massive pokemon snatched Red up in his arms and lifted him up.
"Graww!" Pangoro said smiling.
"Yes Pangoro it's good seeing you too" Red said.
Meanwhile Pikachu heard something moving and turned to see a pond of water a few feet away from him and Ash.
"Pika?" He said as he saw something moving under the water. Not a moment later Ash's Totodile leapt up and out of the water before blasting his trainer and Serena with a water gun.
"Yahh water attack! Princess look out!" Joker shouted as he dove in front of her.
Diancie looked down at Joker as she saw no water hit either of them.
Serena wiped the water out of her face as Ash did the same.
""Sigh" great to see your Totodile again" Serena said. Totodile laughed as he jumped out of the water and ran over to Ash as he picked up the blue crocodile.
"Hello Totodile , it's great to see you too" Ash said.
"That still isn't very nice Totodile" Serena said.
"I'm just thankful it's water, Charizard breaths fire at me" Ash said.
"Fair enough" Serena said.
"So these are all your pokemon" Diancie said.
"Yeah these are the ones you haven't met yet" Ash said.
"So where's Sycamore?".
"He's here somewhere" Alaina said. Pangoro growled and pointed in a direction to the groups left.
As the group turned they saw Sycamore with a clipboard observing a pair of Hawlucha.
"Impressive Hawlucha".
"Professor, we have some visitors" Alaina said. Sycamore turned to see the group standing there.
"Guys you made it" Sycamore said as he came over.
"Professor it's good to see you again" Red said.
"Good to see you all, your pokemon have missed you" Sycamore said.
"We can tell" Serena said turning to Totodile.
"So you have all your badges and ranks?" Sycamore said.
"Red and I just got our 8th badges" Ash said.
"And I'm officially a duchess" Serena said.
" Well congratulations".
"So you're professor Sycamore" Diancie said.
"Huh who said that?" Sycamore said.
"I did". Sycamore looked down and saw Diancie with the 3 Carbink standing behind her.
"Professor this is Diancie the Diamond princess, we're taking care of her" Ash said.
"Diancie as in diamond pokemon that lives only in legend!" Sycamore said in disbelief.
"Uh I guess so" Diancie said.
"How did you come across her!?" Sycamore said.
"She found us really" Serena said before they went over the entire story.
"So team Flare is after her. That can't be good" Sycamore said.
"Well if you wouldn't mind allowing me to study you a little. It's just I've never seen a pokemon like you before" Sycamore said.
"Study me?" Diancie said.
"He wants to learn more about you Diancie" Clemont said.
"Well I suppose, but I really want to see more of this city" Diancie said.
"Well we did promise her that we would" Serena said.
"It doesn't have to be right now. In fact one of my older students emailed me earlier asking me to lunch today" Syacmore said.
"Alright then lets go" Serena said.
"Hey I know lets go to the mall! Diancie will love it!" Bonnie said.
"Mall" Red said as he, Korrina, and Ash sweat dropped a little.
"Yeah that sounds great!" Serena said.
"Yeah well if you guys want to do that, we're going to stop by our apartment and see if our parents are there" Ash said.
"Yeah I'll go with them, because you know I love those conversations with their mom" Korrina said.
"No you three can't leave! You're the aura guardians! What happens if team Flare comes along?" Knight said.
"I've been teaching Serena how to fight" Korrina said sounding very determined.
"Right and I need to uh, head back to Prism tower and check up on my dad. Because you know I haven't seen him in" Clemont started before Bonnie grabbed his arm and pulled him over.
"No you have to come!" Bonnie said.
"Yeah come on Ash it will be fun!" Serena said taking his arm.
"You know we could ditch them easily" Korrina said to Red through an aura message.
"Yeah but if we abandon Ash to those two again he'll never forgive us"Red said. The two sighed before slowly following the rest of the group.
Ten minutes later a the group reached the Lumoise mall.
"Here we are" Serena said. Diancie was amazed at the mall interior, everything inside , all the stores and decorations.
"It's incredible I love it!" Diancie said.
"Just wait until you see a store!" Bonnie said.
"A store" Red said under his breath.
"I know which one to go to first!" Serena said. Korrina facecrestened as she saw the first store.
"Uh I think I'll wait out here with the rest of the group" Korrina said.
"Come on Korrina it will be fun!" Bonnie said as she grabbed one of her arms.
"Yeah" Serena said as she grabbed the other.
"Red, Red, help me" Korrina said as she was dragged into the store with Diancie following beside them.
"Korrina" Red said as he reached out with his hand and stepped forward. Ash stopped him.
"No it's too late, going in there would be suicide".
""Sigh" poor Korrina" Red said. Clemont noticed Knight, Merrick, and Joker about to go into the store when Clemont stopped them.
"No you don't want to go in there".
"But Diancie is in there and we need to protect her" Joker said.
"Trust me it's best you stay out here" Clemont said. Inside the store the 4 girls were inside a dressing room trying on different cloths.
"How does this one look?" Serena said.
"Great, just like the last 5" Korrina said.
" I really like cloths they feel so nice" Diancie said.
"You look so pretty in them" Bonnie said.
"Korrina you have to try this one on" Serena said.
"I'd rather not" Korrina said.
"Come on Korrina we're not leaving until you do" Bonnie said.
"Sigh". Korrina put the cloths on and looked at herself in the mirror.
"You look amazing" Serena said.
"Sometimes I wish it was just Red and I" Korrina thought to herself. Outside the store Ash and the others were waiting at a bench.
"Pika" Pikachu said sounding very bored as he sat on Ash's shoulder.
"I know Pikachu" Ash said.
"How long are they going to stay in that place?" Joker said.
"You never really know" Clemont said.
"Could be worse we could be in there with them like Korrina" Ash said. Red sighed before getting up.
"I'm gonna get a pretzel, anyone else want one?".
"No thanks".
"I'm good".
"Alright" Red said before walking over to the pretzel stand.
"Welcome to Santino's pretzel can I help you".
"Yeah I'll take one regular pretzel".
"One original coming up".
Red waited at the front of the line as the employee prepared a pretzel until he heard a familiar voice.
"I'll have a cinnamon glaze pretzel". Red turned to see Leaf standing at another part of the counter.
"Leaf" Red said. Leaf turned and saw Red standing beside her.
"Red, what are you doing here?".
"We're here for Serena, the grand festival is in a few weeks" Red said.
"Oh right , I guess that means she made it to duchess. What about you and Ash? How close are you to the pokemon league?".
"Well we both have our 8 badges".
"Congratulations, that's awesome" Leaf said.
"So what are you doing here?".
"Well when I found out the Grand festival was coming up I thought I'd check it out and maybe I'd get to see some powerful pokemon" Leaf said.
"Well with so many skilled trainers there you'll certainly get that" Red said.
"So where are the others?" Leaf said.
"Ash and Clemont are at a bench" Red said before the employee placed the two pretzels in front of them.
"3 Kuros" The employee said. Red and Leaf put down a few Kuros before walking back to Ash and Clemont.
"So you think she really might life me?" Clemont said.
"Well Clemont she kissed you, I think that's a pretty tell tale sign" Ash said.
"Hey guys look who's here" Red said. Ash and Clemont turned to see Leaf standing beside him.
"Leaf" Ash said.
"Hey guys" Leaf said. She came over and sat next to them.
"So Red told me that you guys have your 8th badges".
"Yeah and we're getting ready to win it" Ash said.
"Well good luck I'm actually planning on heading to the Kalos league to check out the pokemon there" Leaf said before they noticed Serena , Bonnie, Korrina, and Diancie coming out of the store.
"Hey guys" Leaf said.
" Leaf is that you" Serena said.
"Good to see you again too" Leaf said.
"What are you doing here?" Serena said.
"I'm here to see the Grand festival" Leaf said.
"Really" Serena said.
"Wait who is this?" Diancie said.
"Oh I'm sorry Diancie , this is our friend Leaf. Leaf this is Diancie, she's a legendary pokemon that we're taking care of" Serena said.
"A legendary pokemon, how , when?" Leaf said in disbelief as she looked at Diancie.
"Hello Leaf" Diancie said.
"Nice to meet you Diancie".
"Leaf we just finished in this store you should have seen what they had" Bonnie said.
"What that's nothing. There's an even better store upstairs" Leaf said.
"What?" Korrina said.
"Yeah follow me". Leaf lead them to another store.
"Wow this place looks even better than the last one" Bonnie said.
"Lets go in" Diancie said.
"Yeah come on Korrina" Leaf said.
"Thank you Red for finding Leaf" Korrina said glaring at him.
"Let's get in there Korrina" Serena said.
"Wait a minute , I just realized something. If we're going to get new cloths we have to know what our boyfriends think of them. Ash and Red should come in with us" Korrina said with a spiteful smile.
"Huh?" The two brothers said.
"Korrina you have a point, I don't want to get something if Ash doesn't think it looks good on me" Serena said.
"Uh Serena that's ok I think you're beautiful no matter what you wear" Ash said as he nervously sweat dropped.
"Yeah Korrina you know that what you wear doesn't matter to me" Red said.
"Don't be ridiculous. We need you in there" Korrina said as she grabbed Red by the arms and dragged him in. Serena did the same with Ash as Diancie, Leaf and Bonnie followed.
"Wow for once not having a girlfriend finally paid off" Clemont said as he took a bite of Red's pretzel.
In one of the changing rooms Red sat in front of Korrina.
"Do I really deserve this?" Red said.
"Calm down , I just needed an excuse to get away from those three crazies. Just be thankful that you're not Ash. He's stuck with Diancie and Serena. Besides now that we're alone I don't have to try on anymore stupid cloths and can do this" She said before grabbing his head, pushing him against the wall as she kissed him.
In another dressing room Ash saw Serena and Diancie in another outfit.
"So how does this one look?" Serena said.
"You look beautiful Serena" Ash said. Serena wasn't an idiot, she knew Ash didn't really care that much about new cloths she wanted to buy. She just liked hearing him call her beautiful again and again.
"What about this one" Diancie said as she held another shirt up. Just outside the store Clemont was waiting when he saw a strange looking woman walk into the store.
She wore a black top that had a neck collar with a red belt around her waist. Her leggings were dark red with orange flame like symbols on them. Her hair was also orange and done up so that the back reeled similar to a hook.
"I wonder who that is?" Clemont said. The woman took out a pair of goggles and looked around the store before she saw the energy signal she was looking for in the dressing room.
"Uh excuse me can I help you" One of the store employees said as she approached the woman.
The woman put the goggles down and turned to the store clerk.
"No need, I wound what I'm looking for" The woman said before taking a small device out of her sleeve. The small device extended into a full metal stick with an electric shocker across it. The woman smacked it into the clerk forcing her to her knees.
As soon as the clerk fell the woman took out a pokeball and let out a Delphox.
"Delphox use Flamethrower". The Delphox raised her stick wand at the dressing room before unleashing a jet of fire.
"Well Diancie I think it looks" Serena started before a burst flames hit and shook the dressing rooms.
"Woah what was that?" Diancie said.
"I don't know but, wait I smell smoke. Fire, the building's on fire!" Ash shouted.
"Fire!" Serena shouted. Ash kicked the door open and saw the dressing rooms were on fire.
"Oh no". There were a series of screams in the dressing rooms as the fire spread.
"Ok it's a good thing I decided to bring you. Go Totodile!" Ash shouted as his Totodile came out and began dancing around before he saw the fire.
"Dile!" he said with a frightened expression.
"Totodile use Water gun!".
"Dile!" Totodile shouted as he blasted each of the flames with a burst of water. Meanwhile another door burst open as Red and Korrina came out.
"Ash, Serena!" Red shouted.
"We're over here!" Serena yelled as they came out with Diancie.
"Where's Bonnie and Leaf?" Korrina said.
"Guys help!" Bonnie shouted. Soon they heard other cries for help from other people trapped in the dressing rooms.
"We'll get Bonnie and Leaf. You guys help the other people" Ash said. Red and Korrina quickly began tearing the doors open with their hidden blades to let the trapped people out as Ash did the same with Leaf and Bonnie's door.
"Ash!" Bonnie said.
"Come on we need to get out of here" Ash said. Totodile kept blasting any major concentrations of fire in the store he saw.
"Everyone out!" The store manager shouted as he used a fire extinguisher.
The crowd rushed out of the store as Clemont looked on in terror.
"Oh no Bonnie! Guys!" Clemont shouted before he saw them running out.
"Guys!" Clemont shouted as he ran up to them.
"What happened in there?".
"I don't know the store just went up in fire" Red said.
"Ok did everyone get out ok?" The Manager said. Moments later Clemont noticed the same woman from earlier slowly walk out of the store with her Delphox beside her.
"Who is that?" Serena said.
The woman stared down at Diancie.
"There you are, Delphox use Flamethrower" She said. The Delphox aimed her wand and blasted the ground around Diancie with fire, trying to separate the group from her.
"Ash, Serena!" Diancie shouted.
"Diancie!" Serena shouted.
"Princess!" Her bodyguards shouted.
"Delphox use Flamecharge, retrieve her". The Delphox coated herself in fire and sped towards Diancie.
"Totodile Aqua tail!" Ash shouted. Just before the Delphox could reach Diancie , Totodile leapt through the fire and smashed his water coated tail into the Delphox's chest hurling her back.
"Dile!". Serena rushed forward and picked up Diancie in her arms. As the Delphox got back up the woman turned towards the group.
"So these are the troublemakers we were told about. Very well Delphox use Mystical Fire". The Delphox raised her wand and unleashed a pink burst of fire that hit the ground around them and exploded.
"Move!" Ash shouted. Serena quickly ran with Bonnie, Clemont, and the 3 Carbink close behind.
"Mystical fire!" The woman shouted as her Delphox blasted the ground again.
"Let's go!" Red said as the rest of them ran. As the crowd scattered the woman used her goggles to lock in on Diancie.
"Riot i've found them. They're headed towards you" She said into an earpiece. As the group ran towards a set of stairs they moved by an exit hallway. Pikachu's keen hearing quickly detected something as Serena moved by it.
"Pika!" He shouted. Through his aura connection with PIkachu Ash knew what his partner was saying and quickly sprinted forward in front of Serena.
Just before Serena could reach the stairs a man leapt out from the hallway at her and lunged for Diancie.
"Serena look out!" Leaf shouted. Serena and Diancie turned to see a man wearing what looked like a blue ninja suit with gray shoulder and knee armor and a large light blue X on the chest as well as a black cloth over his mouth and neck.
Just before he could reach Diancie, Ash got in between them and unleashed a burst of aura that hurled the man backwards.
Despite this, the man did a backflip as he pushed off the ground with his hands and landed on his feet.
Moments later a pair of security guards came running at him.
"Hey stop right there". Just before they reached the man he thrusted his fists into the guards' chests as a pair of hidden electric shockers came from above his fists and knocked the men out.
The man then turned back to the group who were now all staring at him.
"Greninja retrieve Diancie". Not a moment later a large Greninja leapt up and over his trainer before whipping his massive tongue out and around Diancie before pulling her out of Serena's arms.
"Diancie!".
"Serena!" Diancie said.
"Pikachu Thunderbolt!".
"Pika chu!" Pikachu shouted as he blasted the ninja frog with electricity. Greninja let go of Diancie just before the electricity could reach her. Serena ran forward and tried to catch Diancie.
As soon as she did , the man came at her with his electric shockers out. Ash rushed forward and blocked the man's shockers with his hidden blades. The man turned his eyes to Ash's before thrusting his hand towards Ash's chest.
Ash managed to catch it and hold it in place but the man stuck Ash's other arm making him let go before he could do anything. As the man came in with his now free arm Ash blocked it with his forearm and tried to grab him with his other hand but the man hurled his other palm forward and knocked the man's hand away.
Whoever this man was he was very skilled in martial arts. Ash dove forward and tried to kick him in the calf. The man lurched back just enough to avoid Ash before hurling his palm at him. Ash caught the man's hand and used his own force to hurl him over his body.
However, the man managed to land on his feet. Once he did he pulled himself free of Ash and backed up.
"You've got skill young man, too bad it won't help you. Greninja Double team with Water Shuriken". The Greninja quickly made a dozen copies of himself before they all leapt up into the air and unleashed a series of water spikes.
"Water look out princess!" Merrick shouted.
"Run!" Ash shouted. The group rushed down the stairs as the man and his Greninja leapt onto the railing and chased after them.
"Millis they're heading downstairs, get ready" The man said through his ear communicator.
As the group ran downstairs they were about to reach the ground floor when a series of large green spikes hit the end of the stairs and blew them apart.
"Look out!" Ash shouted as he grabbed Serena and pulled her back just before she fell.
"What was that?" Clemont said.
A young woman with short black hair and blue eyes walked towards them. She wore a pair of glasses , jeans, a black top and a green and red jacket like covering over her shoulders.
"Diancie there you are" She said as a large tran and green pokemon stepped up behind her. The pokemon had large arms and a massive spiked shell.
"What is that?" Red said opening his pokedex.
"Chesnaught the Spiny Armor pokemon and final evolution of Chespin:Its Tackle is forceful enough to flip a 50 ton tank. It shields its allies from danger with its own body."
"The evolved form of Chespin?" Clemont said.
"Get Diancie with Vine whip!" the Chesnaught whipped a pair of vines out and snatched Diancie right out of Serena's arms.
"Diancie!".
"Guys!" Diancie shouted as she was dragged into the Chesnaught's arms.
"Great job let's go" The woman said.
"No go Delphox!" Serena shouted as she sent out her Delphox.
"Fire blast!" Serena shouted. Delphox raised her wand up before blasting a symbol shaped burst of fire at the Chesnaught.
"Spiky Shield" The young woman shouted. The Chesnaught raised his arm in front of his body as a large spiked grass shield formed and absorbed the Fire blast without taking any damage.
"Let's go" The woman said as she ran off with her Chesnaught.
"No! Come on!" Serena shouted as the group chased after the woman and her Chesnaught.
"Pikachu Quick attack into Iron tail!". Pikachu sprinted forward before reached the inside of Chesnaught's legs and smashed them with his metal tail. Chesnaught grunted before falling forward and dropping Diancie.
Pikachu managed to catch her in his arms, despite her heavier weight compared to him.
"Chu" he grunted as he caught her.
"Oh thank you Pikachu" Diancie said.
"Pika". Serena and the others reached Pikachu as she picked up Diancie.
"That was too close" Serena said.
"Uh guys, I don't think we're out of this yet" Korrina said as she saw the woman with the Delphox approaching them in one direction as the man with the Greninja approached from another.
As if that wasn't bad enough the woman with the Chesnaught turned around with her Chesnaught leaving the group surrounded.
"We've got you now" The Delphox woman said.
"Now what?" Diancie said.
"Now we fight, Ash said as his Totodile and Pikachu stepped forward.
"Dile!".
"Chu" Pikachu said with his cheeks sparking.
"Go Noivern" Red said as he sent out his massive black dragon.
"Go Lucario!" Korrina said as her Lucario came out and took a battle stance.
"Time to battle Bulbasaur!" Leaf said as she let her Bulbsasaur out.
"Go Heliolisk!" Clemont said.
"Power play all at once go !" The man with the Greninja shouted as all three of their pokemon came forward.
Just before Ash and the others could call out an attack a jet of fire came from above them and surrounded the group keeping the 3 fully evolved Kalos starters back.
Moments later a piercing roar came thundering down pushing the 3 pokemon back. Ash and the others looked up at the upper level to see a male and female Pyroar standing between none other than Lysandre and a woman.
The woman had pink hair and orange eye with a pair of orange shades.
"It's Lysandre" Ash said.
"Who's that woman?" Red said.
"Pyroar, use Dark pulse".
"Wild charge". The two Pyroars leapt down from the upstairs and unleashed their attacks keeping the other pokemon away.
"There's too many of them, fall back" The man said as he and his partners returned their pokemon and ran out of the area.
"That was scary" Diancie said.
"It's over now, we're safe" Serena said. As the fires died down the Pyroars stood beside each other as their trainers approached them.
"Lysandre" Ash said.
"Ash my boy, so good to see you and your friends again" Lysandre said.
"Thanks for your help Lysandre those people came out of no where and attacked us" Red said.
"I recognize them, they are the Steel gang. A group of mercenaries for hire. They're very notorious" Lysandre said.
"Mercenaries , I wonder if team Flare hired them to capture Diancie" Ash said.
"Who's this?" Diancie said.
"This is Lysandre, he's a friend of the aura guardians" Ash said.
"Who might this be?" Lysandre said looking at Diancie.
"This is Diancie" Serena said.
"Diancie as in the legendary diamond princess. Incredible" Lysandre said as he looked closer.
"How did you come across her?" Lysandre said.
"It's a bit of a long story" Serena said.
"I can imagine, oh where are my manners. Allow me to introduce you to my good friend Malva of the elite four" Lysandre said.
" The elite four!" Ash said.
"Wait Malva it is you!" Korrina said recognizing her.
"In the flesh" Malva said.
"You're friends with Malva" Clemont said to Lysandre.
"We met a while back, before I even joined the elite four" Malva said.
"So what are you doing in Lumoise city?" Red said.
"To pay my respects of course. The beauty of this worlds creatures, the Grand festival will show a wide range of pokemon from a wide range of trainers around this great land" Lysandre said.
"Wow that's the same reason I'm here" Leaf said.
"I'm here because I'm a grand duchess and I thought I'd come to watch who will join in the ranks" Malva said.
"I'm guessing you're here to compete Serena" Lysandre said.
"I am" Serena said.
"Well I wish you luck, to become a grand duke or duchess is a grand honor" Lysandre said.
"Thanks" Serena said. Several minutes later the group had left the mall and was walking through the streets with Lysandre and Malva.
"Lysandre what happened after we got you out of team Rocket's hideout? You just sort of vanished" Ash said.
" I'm sorry to say I simply ran, I truly wished I could have stayed to do more. But I was afraid" Lysandre said.
"It's ok Lysandre you were more than brave leading the guardians to team rocket's hideout. Thanks to you, team Rocket is out of Kalos" Korrina said.
"Now if only I could help rid Kalos of team Flare" Lysandre said.
"You know about team Flare?" Clemont said.
"Of course, horrible people. No better than team Rocket" Lysandre said.
"You can say that, they attacked my city and tried to kidnap me" Diancie said.
"I thought so, the Steel Gang must have been hired by team Flare" Malva said.
"They got away, we better keep our eyes out for them" Ash said.
"Well it's great to see you kids again, but Malva and I must be going. We'll see you at the grand festival" Lysandre said.
"We'll see you there" Serena said before they parted ways with the two. As Lysandre and Malva walked away Malva waited until they had plenty of distance between them before speaking.
"I still say we should have taken her there. We had them outnumbered" Malva said.
"But not out gunned, those three young guardians are more skilled than you give them credit. Between them they have 6 pokemon that can mega evolve. Even with your pokemon we could not have one. Besides even if we got Diancie we never would have gotten out of the city. You think those 3 are the only guardians here. No this city is crawling with them, you just need to look hard enough" Lysandre said.
"I thought you said you wanted to take care of this personally" Malva said.
"I do, but we need to be smart about this. We have their trust now, but the more time we spend with them the more they will trust us. We wait for the opportune moment to take her".
"When would that be?" Malva said.
"I'll let you know".
Meanwhile the group was getting ready to part ways.
"Alright we're going to head back to our place. Our dad will want to see us" Clemont said.
"I should get back to my place too" Leaf said.
"Alright we'll see you guys tomorrow" Ash said.
"We should probably get home too. Mom will probably be off work by now" Red said.
"You know I've wondered , what do you think dad has been doing?" Ash said.
"Since he came to help Belloc I guess he's been doing jobs for the Guardian guilds" Red said.
"The what?" Serena said.
"Well remember how we said not all guardians devote their entire life to the brotherhood" Korrina said.
"Yeah" Serena said.
"Well Guardian guilds are groups of those guardians who live in a city or area that get assignments from the Mentor. A guardian can complete one of those assignments on their own time and when they do they get paid a bounty for their time and work" Red said.
"Is there a guild in Lumoise?" Serena said.
"There's one in every city in Kalos as far as I know" Korrina said. Fifteen minutes later Ash knocked on the apartment door. A few moments later the door opened revealing Delia standing on the other side.
"Hey mom" Ash said.
"Ash , Red!" Delia said before wrapping her arms around her sons.
"Who's that?" Diancie said.
"That must be those boys mother Diancie" Joker said.
"Yes that's their mom" Korrina said.
"Korrina, Serena how my future daughters doing" Delia said.
"Mom" Red said.
"I'm only teasing come on in" . As they came in Ash saw his dad staring out the window.
"I just know I felt a powerful presence enter the city" Felix said before he turned and saw his sons.
"Ash, Red".
"Hey dad" Red said.
"I've been hoping you'd get back soon".
"Well it's not like you didn't just see them" Delia said.
"Fair enough" Felix said.
"Hello" Diancie said.
"What who's that pokemon" Delia said. That was when Felix noticed Diancie in Serena's arms. His eyes widened.
"Diancie! Diancie the Diamond princess!" Felix almost shouted.
"Felix you know this pokemon?" Delia said.
"She's a legendary ruler of the diamond kingdoms under Kalos. Princess what are you doing with my sons?" Felix said kneeling in front of her.
"My city was attacked by the ones called team Flare. They wanted to take me but I ran with my bodyguards and was almost caught until these guys saved me in a city." Diancie said.
"Team Flare attacked your city! What?" Felix said.
"Uh what's going on, I'm still getting use to the whole guardian stuff" Delia said.
"Dad let us explain" Red said before he went over everything that they knew.
"So team Flare is after Diancie. That can't be good, I must inform the mentor. He'll send a strike team into the city and clear out the flare invaders there. As for you Diancie I should take you to the mentor. He'll be able to keep you safe" Felix said.
"What? But I want to stay with Ash , and Serena and the others" Diancie said.
"Diancie your safety is most important" Felix said.
"Felix I know you mean well but I've grown pretty attached to Diancie" Serena started.
"Diancie you are capable of unimaginable power. If team Flare were to capture you they could do unspeakable things" Felix said.
"Dad I think we can keep her safe. I mean you taught us everything we know" Ash said.
"Ash I don't doubt your abilities. I'm just worried that" Felix started.
"No I'm not leaving. If you take me away I'll just run away" Diancie said.
"What?" Felix said.
"You heard me" Diancie said.
"Princess please we must go with him. It's for your own good" Merrick said.
"No I'm not leaving my friends" Diancie said. Serena felt a little touched that Diancie considered them her friends and didn't want to leave them.
Felix sighed.
"Well Felix it seems you're at an impasse" Delia said.
"I'll see what I can do. But it's the mentor's decision. Until then if you are staying with Serena and the others I'll be staying with you all too" Felix said.
"Well I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind some more time with their father" Delia said.
Felix sighed again.
"I'm just kidding, sort of" Delia said. A few minutes later the group had sat down for dinner.
"So your father tells me that you two have your 8 badges now" Delia said.
"We're ready to compete in the pokemon league" Ash said.
"We have the requirements. But some more practice certainly wouldn't hurt" Red said.
"So Serena are you competing in the Grand festival?" Delia said.
"Yes, I'm very excited" Serena said.
"Do your parents know?" Felix said.
" Actually know, I haven't had time to tell them yet" Serena said sweat dropping.
"Well you should probably tell them. I'm sure they'd love to see you compete" Felix said.
"Well my mom could certainly come, but my dad's in the army. I don't know if he could get the time off" Serena said.
"What's your father's name?" Felix said.
"His name is Alex Achille, he's a major in the 35th infantry regiment" Serena said.
"Alright" Felix said.
"Wow this food is amazing!" Diancie said.
"Well thank you, it's not every day you get to host dinner for a princess" Delia said.
After dinner Ash and Serena were in Ash's room with Diancie and her guards.
"I can't believe she won't go with the rest of the guardians" Merrick said.
"At least we have a master protecting her now" Knight said.
"I suppose" Merrick said. Diancie came over to a part of the room and made herself a bed of diamonds before her guards came around her. Serena watched as Diancie put herself to sleep.
She laid back down next to Ash and Pikachu.
"Quite a day" Serena said.
"Yeah, but at least Diancie's still safe".
"I know, first team Flare's after her and now these mercenaries" Serena said.
"Serena don't worry we're going to keep her safe. Just keep your focus on the grand festival. It's only 2 weeks away and we've still got plenty of training to do" Ash said.
"You're right, Diancie is going to be fine. We've got you, Red, Korrina, your father, and now Lysandre and Malva protecting her. Everything is going to be fine" Serena said.
She moved her head over Ash's and kissed him before resting her heard on his chest and drifting away into the night.
Author's note:
Alright I had a few questions after the last chapters. For those who don't know the sequel to this story will take place in Kanto and it will take place approximately 4 years after the end of this story.
Some of you have also wondered about other female characters and Ash. It was decided by poll vote that only Brock would travel with Ash and Serena instead of Brock and Misty. So unless I get a large demand for Misty to travel with the group, and even if I do I'll just put the poll back up, Misty will just be a gym leader.
Also I need to clarify that this is a strictly amourshipping story. Other girls may hit on Ash , but Ash is staying true and faithful to Serena and no one else.
Some of you have also asked if the group will catch any more pokemon in this story. I'm sorry to say that won't be happing as I currently have it planned. Unless someone sends me a really good idea for how it would happen.
As for Charizard his new love interest won't appear until the sequel and let's just say you'll know her when you see her and Serena catches her very early in the story. So unless you guys DEMAND more info on her, I'll leave it at that.
So with that until next time please review, comment, suggest, or ask