Third Person

It's been four weeks since Ash and Aimar's arrival at Kalos Academy. Since then, Serena's feelings have grown stronger for Ash as they've gotten closer, while Ash is somewhat getting a grasp of what a crush exactly is, thanks to the help of Aimar. Dawn has been being her usual preppy self, pep talking Serena before every date, or so she called it that. The brackets were released the third day, revealing that Ash, Gary, and Aimar all had landed in different brackets. Since then, Ash and the other trainers have undergone 4 battles, which Aimar, Gary, and Ash all won. When Ash wasn't training or with Aimar, he was with Serena, doing things like going on walks and talking about whatever came to mind. He found this relaxing and did it often; as a matter of fact, he's doing so right now.

Ash's POV

"So you made these?" I moaned in delight, taking a bite from another one of Serena's pastries. She nodded, getting one for herself. "I like to bake, so I occasionally make some desserts for Dawn and I."

I swallowed another one down. "Wow, they're really good! You can make a fortune off these." I praised, gleaming at the delights in my hand. She blushed, putting her hand on her chest. "Really?"

"Heck yeah!" I exclaimed, then quickly had a change of heart. "Actually, you shouldn't do that."

Serena's face seemed down, distraught from what I said. "Why is that.?" She sadly asked.

"Because then there won't be enough for me." I pouted. She relaxed, releasing a quick sigh. "Oh Ash, you're so selfish when it comes to food."

"Especially your desserts."

We exited the forest, the dorms soon coming into sight. Serena and I stopped once we reached the midpoint.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked, turning to her. She smiled, "Sure." and gave me a hug. I hugged back, a warm feeling pulsing through me.

"Serena!" an unfamiliar voice called. We departed, facing the mystery person running towards us, waving his hand. He had a long sleeve blue and white jacket on with matching pants, a pair of black combat boots, and a matching one strap bag.

"Calem!" Serena answered back, waving as well. The boy named Calem sprinted to her, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her in the air. I felt a slight anger overtake me. 'I did that first,' I thought to myself. He put her down as he spoke, "Its great to finally see you again!"

"It's great to see you too!" Serena smiled back, looking over at me. "This is my friend, Ash." She gestured. I waved at him , hiding the envy I felt. He looked at me, giving me an uneasy look. "Uhh, hey." He replied, quickly giving his attention back to Serena. "Are you busy right now? We have to hang out as soon as possible! I have so much to tell you about the Sinnoh region!"

"I placed third in the Valley of The Lily Conference." I butted in. "I'm pretty sure she knows enough about it."

"Cool," he plainly said, his eyes still on Serena, "But I'm sure my adventure was better. So, you free?"

She looked over at me. "Yeah, Ash an I were just finishing up right now. Right Ash?"

A stinging sensation fell upon me. It was like Thor decided to through his magic hammer at my chest . My heart fell to my stomach, probably sinking in the stomach acids. I nodded, choosing not to speak in case my voice cracked or stuttered.

"Alright, great!" Calem exclaimed, taking a hold of Serena's hand dragging her off towards the cafeteria. That motherfucker, I thought to myself. I walked off towards my room, my feet suddenly feeling heavier than the weights Aimar worked with. My legs dragging behind me as I climbed the steps, unlocking the door and moping into the room.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the two kissed by no- Oh hey ash!" Dawn suddenly stopped and nervously smiled at me. I slowly walked passed them and headed toward my bed, flopping down. I burried my face into the pillow as Pikachu jumped onto the bed. He poked my cheek, prodding not at other places around my head. He turned his head, looking at the others. "Pika," he shrugged.

"Ash bud, you okay?" Aimar asked.

"No." I responded, not moving from my position.

"What's wrong?" Dawn continued. I stayed quiet.

"Ash?" Aimar called. "You can't keep ignoring us, that isn't gonna help. So tell us, what's up?"

"Some kid came and took Serena." I spoke into the pillow.

"What?"

"Some kid came and took Serena." I repeated.

"Sit up, I can't hear you when your voice is muffling into that pillow." Aimar demanded. "You sound like you're speaking from microphone. A cheap one."

I sat up, holding the pillow against my chest and looking down. "Some kid came and hugged Serena. Then he dragged her off; I didn't get to say bye."

Pikachu crawled into my lap, feeling sympathetic. I went to pet him, enjoying the slightly comforting feelings I achieved from doing so.

"He did?" Aimar started, "Why I oughta teach this kid a lesson." He said, pulling up his sleeves and putting his hoodie on. He started moving around, punching swinging at the air. "Back at home they called me Rocky." He stayed, making little sound effects at every punch.

"Yeah, because of that hard head of yours." Dawn rolled her eyes, shifting her attention back to me. "You said he dragged her off. Who was the kid?"

"I don't remember his name; I didn't really care. It was Calem or something."

"Calem? You mean he's back?" Dawn asked.

"Back?" I responded. "Where'd he go?"

"He went on vacation to the Sinnoh region for a few months," She replied. "Kid's got mad anger issues. He's strong though, so no one tends to mess with him."

"Okay, but can he do this?" Aimar responded as he flexed his chest, bouncing his pecs back and forth. "Somewhere around the world, this is causing an earthquake."

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Although he was bit conceded, he always knew how to make me feel better. "You're full of shit," I smiled at him, then turning my head towards Dawn. "But why'd he give her a hug?"

"Before he left, he told her he had a huge crush on her, and asked her out. She rejected him because she didn't return her feelings at the time, and that ticked him off pretty badly." Dawn informed me, her hand on her chin. She took a seat next to me and put her hand on my back. "Don't worry; something tells me she's into you and only you. I'm sure you see it too."

I smiled and nodded, remembering how I made her blush today and how amazing it felt to hug her. I didn't want to lose that, no way. The feeling of having her in my arms, or even just the little tingly sensation I get when her arm rubs against mine, it makes my days.

"Hey, I got an idea!" exclaimed Aimar, nearly jumping through the roof. "Let's have a battle!"

"Right now?" I gave him a confused look.

"No, yesterday. Obviously right now!" He excitedly shouted, smirking afterwards. "Unless your chicken."

"Me? Chicken? No way!" I retorted. I got up, Pikachu jumping off my lap. I pointed my finger at him, taking a step forward. "You're on."

Aimar smiled, looking me in the eye. "That's what I like to hear."

"What do I say?" Dawn asked, standing in between us. We were about 50 yards apart, choosing to have the battle in front of the dorm complex.

"I don't know, just pull some words out your ass and make them sound smart," Aimar replied. "It's what Ganz does."

Dawn shrugged, and went along with it. "Uhh, the challenger Aimar Givenchy challenges trainer Ash Ketchum to a battle. Select your Pokemon."

"Yeah buddy, show him how it's done!" I looked at Pikachu. He dashed onto the battle field, fixed in his battle ready position. Aimar pulled off his sweater, tying it around his waist. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pokeball, tossing it into the air. "Gengar, take the field!" He shouted as a black and purple cloud appeared on his half of the battlefield. Gengar's grin appeared in the middle, materializing as the smoke dispersed.

"Okay, you're cool." I rolled my eyes, "But it was an impressive display, I'll give you that."

"I do what I can," Aimar replied.

"Let the battle begin!" shouted Dawn throwing her hands in the air.

"Gengar, Shadow Claw!" Gengar leaped forward, three wolf-like claws forming in his hand.

"Pikachu, dodge and use Iron Tail" Ash instructed. Pikachu evaded Gengar's swing, moving to the right. He quickly jumped into the air, the metallic steel plating his tail as he slammed it into Gengar, sending him off to the side. Gengar pulled himself up, ready for more.

"Yeah, that's the attitude Gengar! Dark Pulse!" Aimar shouted from across the field. Gengar centered his hands, sending a beam of intertwined rings towards Pikachu. The beam struck Pikachu, pushing him back. He rolled a few times before catching himself, a few scratches here and there.

"Pikachu! You alright there?" I asked.

"Pika!" He nodded, ready for his next move.

"Alright, use Quick Attack!" Pikachu quickly dashed forward at a blinding speed. The odds of Gengar dodging this was extremely slim.

"Gengar, hold it there." Aimar calmly reacted to the attack. I froze. Why would he let Gengar take the full blow? He has to be planning something, I thought. Then I realized what he was doing, but a moment too soon. Pikachu went straight through him, grinding to hault.

"Shadow Claw!" Aimar commanded as Gengar slashed Pikachu with his hands. Pikachu was sent hurdling back, hitting a tree.

"Come on, Ash. You should now normal type moves don't work well against a ghost type Pokemon." Ash teased from across the field.

"Even I knew that." giggled Serena, taking a seat next to Dawn, who seemed to be tired of standing. I was happy to see her, but then got jealous as I saw Calem appear behind her, joining her.

"Yeah, it was dumb call if you ask me." Calem remarked.

This pissed me off. Pikachu sensed it in me, his cheeks sparking. I turned my attention to Gengar, who was ready to attack. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu jumped into the air, releasing a large bolt of electricity towards Gengar. It struck him head on, little sparks of electricity appearing here and there as knelt to the ground.

"He's paralyzed," grunted Aimar.

"Now get in close and use Iron Tail!" I shouted as Pikachu sprinted forward, jumping into the air and preparing to slam down onto Gengar. Gengar took the blow, falling back towards the ground. He slowly got up, the effect from the Thunderbolt still in him.

"Go Pikachu!" cheered on Serena, earning a smile from him and I. "You got this Ash!"

"Gengar, get in close and use Shadow Claw!" Aimar exclaimed. Gengar dashed forward, his hand falling back. "Pikachu, use Electro Ball!" Pikachu leaped into the air, forming a ball of energy at the the end of his tail and shooting it at Gengar.

"Dodge it!" Aimar struck his hand out. Gengar attempted to move over, but lingering effect still phased him, making him too slow to move out the way. The Electro Ball landed, but Gengar somehow managed to stay in position.

"Great hit! Now use your speed to shorten the distance and then use Iron Tail!"

Pikachu sped towards Gengar, closing in the space between them. I looked over to my left, and my heart stopped beating. Calem and Serena were laughing together, not paying attention to me nor the battle. I slightly slumped down, my attitude failing.

"Hypnosis!" I heard Aimar, snapping me out of my trance. Gengar shot another beam of circles towards Pikachu, putting him to sleep.

"Dream Eater!" shouted Aimar. Gengar propelled himself forward, appearing translucent as he phased through Pikachu. Pikachu squirmed around, shouting and yelling before his eyes were replaced with swirls. Gengar floated back to Aimar, appearing as if the battle never even happened.

"Pikachu is unable to battle, the winner is Aimar!" Dawn announced, lifting her arm closest to Aimar.

"Reenergized?" asked Aimar. Gengar nodded. I walked over towards Pikachu, a full revive and in hand. I picked Pikachu up and cradled him in my hands, spraying the liquid on him. He instantly awoke, happy and feeling alive.

"Pikachu! Come on, Serena made poke puffs!" Dawn called. He hopped out my hands, making his way towards Dawn.

Serena made her way past Pikachu, heading in my direction. "You did a great job Ash! I thought you had him for sure." She smiled, a light pink color on her cheeks. I walked around her, ignoring her as I made my way to my dorm. "Ash?" She called out, hurt and confusion in her tone. I broke into a joke, running up the steps and slamming the door behind me.

This was interesting to write since it was my first battle chapter. Leave a review and let me know how I did! There'll be more to come in the future, but for now I'll leave you with this little cliffhanger :-))