Two in one day? Great!

Continuing on Route 19, Ash and his friend were heading towards Snowbelle City. However, Ash wasn't just competing for the title of Kalos champion. He was competing to prove Gary Oak wrong. He had met him earlier in the day, and he had sworn to prevent Ash from getting the title of Kalos champion, thus sparking their rivalry once more.

"Ash?"

Serena grabbed Ash's hand, causing him to look at her.

"What's wrong?"

Ash squeezed Serena's hand as Gary's words echoed in his head.

"I can't explain it! I don't know why I feel this way!"

Serena stopped along with Ash.

"Is it Gary?"

"Maybe. Possibly? I don't know!"

"What did he say to you?"

Ash sat down on a nearby ledge, and Serena sat next to him.

"Ash?"

"Have you ever had someone who's determined to take something from you? Someone who won't rest until you're miserable?"

"No, why?"

"Do you want to take a walk with me tonight? I'll explain it to you then."

Serena blushed.

"Sure!"

"Serena! Ash! Keep up! You know you're slow when you're walking behind my big brother!"

"Bonnie!"

"You know it's true!"

Serena and Ash both jogged to catch up with the group as they approached Snowbelle City.

When they reached the Snowbelle City Pokemon Center, they healed up their Pokemon and prepared to stay the night. Bonnie was reading the Kalos map.

"Guys! Guys! There's a Pokemon Village near here! Can we go visit? Please, please, please?"

"I don't mind that! What do you think, Ash?" Clemont asked.

"Serena and I were going to go for a walk. Maybe later." Ash explained.

"Suit yourself!"

Bonnie and Clemont walked toward Route 20, leading to the Pokemon Village while Ash and Serena headed to Route 22, leading them towards Santalune City.

"Ash? What's going on?"

They stopped at a bridge, and watched the water Pokemon play.

"Gary...he's...sick."

"But he looked fine to me!"

"Not that kind of sick. He told me a story when you and Bonnie went to eat lunch."

He looked up into the night sky, where stars watched them from above.

"He told me I was lucky to have a strong Pikachu, a Pikachu who can withstand the force of a Nidoking's power. He explained that he wasn't so lucky."

"What do you mean?"

"Back when we parted ways, he told me he had a Raticate that he held dearly to his heart, and that their bond was like me and Pikachu's."

"But how does that explain why he's sick?"

"One day he fought a trainer with a Charmeleon. The Charmeleon badly hurt the Raticate, even when he was down. Finally, the battle ended. Raticate couldn't last much longer, and as soon as the boat landed, he ran to the Pokemon Center, only to find that Raticate had already passed away. He buried him in Lavender Town, and almost committed suicide."

Serena gasped and was on the verge of tears.

"But when I tried to comfort him, something inside him snapped. He told me I'd never know how it feels to lose something that important to me. That's why he vowed to keep me from winning the Kalos league."

"What?! Why?"

"I don't know! That's why I'm going to prove him wrong."

"I believe you will."

Serena then kissed Ash, who returned it. As they broke away, they stared at each other passionately, knowing that they were there for each other. Serena was ready to support Ash in his missions and vice versa.

"You should go catch up to Clemont and Bonnie."

"Are you sure?"

"I'll be all right. I just need some time to myself."

"Okay. I'll meet you at the Pokemon Center."

"All right."

With that, Serena went towards Route 20 to catch up to the brother and sister in Pokemon Village. Ash walked inside the roses and stared at his reflection. For some reason, he saw someone else in him. He tried to enhance his image, only to see Gary Oak staring at him. Inside him, Ash felt empty.

"Gary?"

He suddenly felt cold. He felt himself unable to look away at the reflection. The picture started to shake, as he saw a Pokemon in his reflection. Suddenly, everything went black.

"What? Where am I?"

Everything around him was blurry. He tried to walk, but he couldn't keep his balance.

"Hello? Who's there?"

"It's me..."

"Who's me?! Show yourself!"

Everything was distorted.

"Now, now...that wouldn't be smart. If you see me, you'll be overtaken by pain and suffering..."

"Prove it!"

He suddenly felt an ominous presence near him. He whirled around and saw a Pokemon he had seen before. It was Giratina, they demon-like Pokemon he had helped in Sinnoh.

"I warned you!"

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

"Now do you see?!"

Why do I feel this way? I've never hurt anyone? But I have! My sanity is hurt! I can only resist! Ash thought.

"Where-am-I?!"

"The distortion world...I've been looking for visitors...and I found you instead! What luck!"

"Why-do-I feel like this?!"

"You don't want to admit the truth...you feel frightened of your own identity, your inner self. You're afraid of being like Gary. Ever since you looked in that river, you've had this aching feeling of anger and regret..."

"BUT WHY?! I DON'T WANT TO BE LIKE GARY! I'LL NEVER BE LIKE HIM!"

"You're close, Ash Ketchum! You're close to snapping all because of one memory! Why don't I remind you of the loved one you've lost?"

"NO! NO!"

"I remember how you felt that day! I've always known! You couldn't explain the mixture of emotions! You were so young when he left..."

"Stop! Please!"

"Deep down, you and Gary are the same...both angry and upset...but you're afraid of letting that anger come out."

"Stop!"

"You don't want to hurt those you love. Not even Serena...I wonder what would happen if she knew that dreaded secret..."

"AAAAHHHH!"

"Gary has released his anger...he feels much better than he ever did..."

"I'm-not-like-Gary!"

"We'll see about that."

"ASH!"

"Oh, it looks like our visit has come to a close!"

"ASH! WAKE UP!"

"Farewell, Ash! The Pokemon League is your final destination."

"ASH!"

Serena, joined with Clemont and Bonnie, were trying to shake an unconscious Ash awake. Ash opened his eyes.

"Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine! Where was I?"

"You were right here! You didn't go anywhere."

Ash looked into Serena's blue eyes.

"I wonder what would happen if she knew that dreaded secret..."

"LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Ash shouted at Serena, who stared at Ash with twinkling blue eyes.

Ash realized his mistake, and found that his fear had ended up scaring Serena. He got up and ran toward Snowbelle City.

"Never! I'll never be like him! YOU'RE LYING!"

TO BE CONTINUED...