Hello again, TheEnigmatic97 here. I have nothing to say right now and I just dropped by to upload another side chapter. This wall of text is set parallel to the time in Chapters 10 and 11 in the main story. There may be some additional details here, unlike the other one which was just a tease-fest.
So without further ado
Side Chapter
'Meanwhile'
Meanwhile in Pallet Town, Ash's friends have arrived from their respective regions in anticipation of his return. Some of them know each other from his stories during their travels in their respective regions. When they were acquainted with each other, they were informed that Ash wouldn't arrive until he has finished his errands in Kalos.
"That's disappointing." Brock said in reply to Delia
"I know." Delia responded "I'm pretty sure he also wants to return here soon."
"Any ideas when he'll return?" Dawn asked
"He did not tell me the exact time." Delia replied "But while you're here, why don't you stay within the region until he returns?"
"Well, me and Dawn don't have any errands outside Kanto." May replied
"And I'm on leave from work." Brock said
"And I'm staying with sis here." Max said
"Cerulean City is just a few routes away, too." Misty said
While they were discussing about their future plans, a phone call rang, which was answered by Delia. The call was from Ash. The group did not barge in to Delia's location since they were planning a surprise when he arrives.
"Yes"
...
"Yes"
...
"Yes"
...
"Not until you say it."
...
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"MRS. KETCHUM! Are you alright?" Brock asked in concern
"Shush! Keep quiet." Delia replied
"Congratulations, to the both of you."
...
"Okay, okay. Take care in all of your activities. And I hope you two will be happy with each other. I know you will"
...
"What did he say?" Misty asked "Will he come home soon?"
"He said nothing yet." Delia replied while smiling from ear to ear
"Why are you so happy, Mrs Ketchum?" Cilan, who just arrived from Unova along with Iris, asked
"He said that I should not tell anything yet." Delia replied
"What does he mean?" Iris asked
"He just said that he would appear on a press conference along with his friends there in Kalos." Delia replied
"You mean Serena, Clemont and Bonnie?" May asked
"Yes." Delia replied "How did you know them?"
"Ash called me a few months ago asking for advice on Serena's performances." May replied "And they were with him."
"So, when is the press conference?" Brock asked
"In a few hours." Delia asked "By the way, did anyone see Gary on the way here?"
"He's busy at Professor Oak's laboratory." Misty replied "I doubt if he wants to be disturbed with the new development they discovered."
"What is it?" Max asked "Is it anything special?"
"If he says that it's a secret right now, of course it's special." Misty said
The group continued with their discussion throughout the day. Delia prepared the lunch with the help of Brock and Cilan. The three shared every culinary knowledge they have and made a feast for the rest of the group
"I remember the way Ash eats." Delia said "He's kinda gluttonous of some sort."
"With all the training he has," Cilan said "those extra calories are burned immediately."
"You said it." Brock agreed "I wonder who makes the meals over there."
"It's Clemont and Serena who usually does the cooking there." Delia replied "Clemont does the main course, Serena bakes the desserts."
"A complete treat." Cilan said
"And I'm pretty sure that Serena makes the sweets she makes extra special for her boyfriend." Delia stopped the sentence before anything gets spilled
"Huh? Extra special for her boyfriend?" Brock thought "Is that what she meant? And if that's true, who is her boyfriend... no way."
"Anyways, let's serve this to the group." Cilan said "I'm pretty sure they're starving."
"He's got a lot of explaining to do." Brock thought "This is gonna be fun for him."
A few hours after lunchtime, the group sat down in front of the television set to watch their friend's TV appearance. Max went to the Pokémon Center, on the other hand to reserve rooms for their group. Delia set the volume to a high level so that everyone could hear since they are kinda talkative.
"There he is." Misty said "He looks matured already."
"I have to agree." Iris said "I wonder why? He is such a kid back then."
"And those are Serena and Clemont, right?" Brock said
"Yes, and the other one with the pink hair is Aria, Serena's opponent in a few days." Dawn replied
"Look at how they are seated." Delia pointed out "From left to right, there's Aria, Serena, Ash, and Clemont."
"That's one clue." Brock thought "Those two smiling, blushing at times... hmmm..."
"Let's listen in." May said
The group watched as their friends answer the questions relayed to them. They were surprised at the way Ash answered. They expected him to be quite informal most of the time, but he was mostly polite and calm in the ways he answered. They also pointed out the large trophy beside him. It was his championship trophy.
The questions went on and the group was bored after a few more minutes. Others yawned but tried to stay awake since there may be developments. The ones who listened attentively were Delia and Brock, who whispered "Mrs. Ketchum, when did Ash have a romantic interest?"
"I don't know." Delia whispered back "Why did you ask?"
"Well, back there at the kitchen, you said that Serena makes her desserts extra special for her boyfriend. I'm kinda interested on the person you meant." Brock replied
"I guess I can't lie to you." Delia responded "You are like his brother after all. Remember when Ash called a few hours ago? He said it. They are... you know."
"As I thought." Brock said "Let me guess, he's gonna tell it in front of the press."
"Spot on." Delia said
The question that the two have been waiting for came after their small conversation.
"Okay, the question goes to Ash. A few days before the League Conference started, you gave me a phone call discussing some matters. Given the closeness you and Serena have, there should be some development already. I am pretty sure that you know what I mean. What is the standing of your relationship with Serena?"
"Whoa. That escalated quickly." Iris reacted to the question
"This is really interesting." May said
"You know anything, May, Dawn?" Misty asked
"When Ash called us, we noticed that they are really THAT close." Dawn replied
"It actually looks like something big but they did not say anything." May added
The group listened in for Ash's answer, which left them confused some point but it was going somewhere.
"First of all, to inform everyone, I called Alexa back then since something bothered me, and she was the only person I knew that could keep things until the right time. And I guess, this was the perfect time. If you're asking me what bothered me, I'll just keep it to me and Serena..."
"Why won't he say it directly?" May asked
"Remember how dense he is?" Misty replied
"Oh right, but thinking about it, he is going to that direction." Dawn said
Then the "moment" happened. The group was left flabbergasted as if they saw something in the sky like Ho-oh or maybe a Rayquaza. They could see fireworks at the television set with pandemonium being displayed. The ones who weren't shocked were Delia and Brock
"Mrs. Ketchum, Brock, do you know anything about this?" May asked
The two explained to the group what happened and afterwards, they were just smiling from ear to ear.
"He's really not a kid anymore." Iris commented
"He's one lucky guy." Cilan said
"No, Serena's the lucky one here." Misty said "She has a great man beside him."
"I agree." Dawn said
"Well, why don't you congratulate him?" Delia asked
"Why not?" Brock replied "And I guess we should surprise him too."
"I thought we are going to surprise him here." May responded
"Change of plans, maybe." Dawn said
"Mrs. Ketchum, can we use the phone later?" Brock said
"Okay." Delia said before going to the kitchen to prepare dinner
"I hope you guys have an enough budget for a plane ticket to Kalos."
Well, that's it. This thing is so dialogue heavy and I had a hard time to make everyone speak every once in a while. Looks like this will be a struggle in the next few chapters. I won't say anything, but if you want clues, check my profile.
About the next chapter: The group receives a phone call like no other. Gathered in a private meeting area in the laboratory, Ash and his friends have a small chat. (Wow, this is the same preview, talk about originality on my part.)
So there we go, TheEnigmatic97 here, peace!