Part CXL: Date Night Discussions

"Well, this is where we diverge for a bit." May said as they reached a fork in the road to Dendemille Town and paused at it. "See you two in a few days."

"Are you sure this is ok with you?" Ash asked, he was still surprised with the insistence May had had about this brief break up of the group. "We don't mind coming with you for this, it's not a big delay to us."

"Nah it's ok, Serena and I can handle this on our own." May said with a smile at Ash and Misty. "You two have fun and set up things for us in Dendemille for when we get there. We'll see you there before the Showcase and help Misty's final preparation for it."

"Yeah don't worry." Serena said her smile a little more forced than May's not that Ash noticed it. "We'll be good on our own."

"Thanks, we appreciate it." Misty said grabbing Ash's hand and taking the right fork that would take them to Dendemille. "Don't worry about us, we'll make sure everything is set up for when you get into town."

"I'll hold you too that." May said waving as Misty and Ash kept walking, the pair waiving back at them before they disappeared over the horizon and May let out a sigh as they vanished from view. "Well, we've done a good thing there Serena."

They were a little more than a day's walk out of Dendemille Town and well on track, but something had come up the day before that had caused them to have a slight change of plans. There was a small village to the northwest of Dendemille that was hosting a Contest, one of the more sporadic ones that was only available if one of the roving judges was around and being MCed by Pierre as he was on his way to Dendemille anyway, that needed a 3rd judge in order to be official. It had a Nurse Joy and Sukizo, but it needed one more if one was available.

As part of their contracts, May and Misty had to give the Committee access to their locations on their Pokedexes for such a sudden situation. Their location had pinged in the right area at the right time and May had seen this as the perfect opportunity and volunteered to be the third judge thus meaning that Serena couldn't compete in it not that she could if Misty had volunteered either.

However, Misty had to focus on the upcoming Showcase. That, and with May and Misty in town for that Dendemille was now going to have a Contest as well that that would judge with the Nurse Joy there. That meant that Misty would be making her judging debut after her second Showcase, but before then was this Contest.

Misty would have happily done it, but May had insisted on it due to Misty needing to prepare for the Showcase as she had to be flawless with her freestyle to win the Showcase. However, Serena was going to go with May as to judge they had to break away on the way to Dendemille to reach the village and would be apart for 3 days at least due to travel time and the Contest itself.

Rather than subject Serena to an awkward 3rd wheel experience, May was taking her with her to watch the Contest for tips that one could gain from watching without competing. That was the official reason but there was another one to taking Serena with her, to give Ash and Misty a much-needed date day that they hadn't had in a while.

That and the girls needed a break from it the couple themselves. Both knew that their feelings for Ash were getting deeper by the day, so this was for the best for them as well. It was that clearing head thing that May had suggested back in Lumiose City which in turn had been recommended to her by Sabrina back when they'd had a chat in Kanto.

Naturally Misty was aware of what they were doing and very grateful for it though Ash was as always clueless to anything subtle going on. That was to be expected, he was the densest man alive, and Serena still hadn't found the right moment to confess her unrequited feelings for him so there was no way he could guess what was going on. This was what they all needed.

"We have." Serena said with a nod as she too watched the couple vanish from view. "I don't think they've had a day off together since Lumiose and that's before we returned for Ash's battle with Clemont."

"Now that you mention it, that does seem like the last time they had a date day." May said thinking on it as they set off down the left fork towards the village they were heading to. "Wow, that was a long time ago, but I think it's true. We had a girls day out in Cyllage as Ash was training for Grant, there wasn't time in Shalour what with that assignment to get a Mega Stone, Lagoon was just a stopover for the Showcase and impromptu Contest, Coumarine had so much going on the week we were there, same with Laverre, that nothing could be done and the three things we did between those cities were group things."

"They had lunch together during the Fire Festival." Serena pointed out. "But that was about it that I think of other than that they spend the nights together."

"Yeah that sounds about right." May said. "Well, this is needed for them, and they have a few days just to themselves while we also recharge."

"I'll admit I need it." Serena said. "It's been getting harder and harder to hide it you know, especially now that we all dress up for Ash when he battles."

"That's because Misty does, and it is nice to do so for Ash." May said. "But I get it, I can tell you're still dealing with a lot of pain and that things are going as I predicted."

"Yeah, my feelings are just getting deeper and knowing I'll never have him hurts." Serena admitted with a sigh of resignation in her voice. "And Misty is so nice and sweet that I can't not like her. She's become a great friend and mentor in coordinating and always comes to me for performing advice that we've gotten closer than I expected. She's perfect for Ash and they clearly love each other so it is hard."

"I know how you feel." May said with a nod. "My first two years with Ash I was dealing with my own jumbled feelings for him and Drew that I had to leave. I made my mistake in that first year away and then never made the right move so I lost, that I will always regret. With that asshole back it's a lot harder but I know Ash will always be a dear friend, same with Misty, and that's what matters. It doesn't make it any easier though."

"How do you manage all this?" Serena asked. "I'm trying but I'm not as good as you and I don't want to talk to Misty about it, that would be too awkward."

"True it would be, she's had her relevant chats with us and then defeated us to kinda settle things and give us closure when it comes to our rivalries with her." May said recalling her own battle with Misty in their 3rd Wallace Cup final that was more than it seemed. "But there is someone who I think will be able to help and she is set to be in Kalos sometime soon I believe."

"There will be?" Serena asked confused before remembering something May had said to her when they'd been alone in Lumiose City before heading to Santalune to start their adventure. "I think you mentioned someone like that before, a friend of yours if I recall."

"Correct though in all honesty I've only had one talk with her so she's more like an advisor than a friend at the moment." May admitted. "But she's got experience helping those of us who've lost Ash, she'd helped two by the time she spoke to me, and I am certain there's a third she's helped as well as Angie was about to challenge the Kanto gyms, so she'd run into her on her adventure. I know that she is coming to Kalos around the time of the Wallace Cup I believe and while she won't be at it, she will likely seek us out. I told her about you and she's willing to help if you want it."

"I said I'd talk to her and if she's good then I will." Serena said.

"Well, I intend to talk to her again if that helps your decision regarding her." May said. "About my other issue though. Ash is pretty resolved but, well, you know…"

"You think she can help?" Serena asked as May trailed off though Serena knew what she was talking about.

"She can at least give me comfort and impartial, unbiased advice from someone who has seen the darkness." May said. "It will allow her to give me a perspective I can't find myself I believe."

"Huh?" Serena asked confused.

"This woman, I won't say her name as I think she enjoys a bit of mystique, she's unlike anyone that you will ever meet and that's saying something when one travels with Ash Ketchum." May said thinking how best to describe someone like Sabrina to Serena. "She calls herself an addict who's addition is to her own powers, which for contrast, dwarf those of Olympia from what I understand."

"Wait really?" Serena said her eyes going wide as she knew about Olympia's powers. "But she's like the best psychic in the world."

"Second best." May corrected. "You will meet the best though you will never see her power, nor will I, as she seldom uses more than a fraction of it lest she lose control and relapse as she'd put it. Ash has seen her at her worst, in fact he saved her from herself and helped her get sober by complete accident when he was a rookie."

"Somehow that sounds like something Ash would do." Serena said with a shake of her head. "Likely he had a different goal in mind, and this happened instead."

"Yup very Ash to do that." May said with a smile. "And last year Ash ran into her again in Kanto with Misty and heard her full story, both before and after he first met her. I've only heard it second hand from Misty but it's bad. However, she got better and has been good for years though she'll always have her own problems. Now, through a series of strange events, she's come to help those who lost to Misty for Ash's heart."

"Really?" Serena asked and May nodded at that. "Why?"

"She sees it as her mission, her way to pay Ash back for what he did for her." May said explaining Sabrina's odd mission that she'd set for herself. "She's the one who really helped Dawn and turned her from a potentially dark path that she was on and in the end helped Dawn forge a true friendship with Misty. She helped a few others as well though I don't know the extent. I've spoken with her, and she helped me prepare for Kalos by suggesting things like this, but I need her help on the other thing now."

"You said she's able to do that." Serena said. "She's see the darkness you said so that means…"

"That she's walked down a path similar to the one that Drew and Brianna are on right now, and Kenny though he's not here, but I believe that they are too far gone." May said. "She's been in the darkness, she's in her own words committed horrible, unforgivable acts, but she's found the light and begun her own atonement for her past sins as she'd say. That's why she can help me I feel because she can understand why they are like that."

"So, she's been in obsessive love before?" Serena asked confused. "That's what those three seem to have."

"Not obsessive love but she's fallen victim to obsession for perfection so she knows what an obsession can lead to." May said. "It's what caused her to get addicted to her own powers, she became obsessed with being the best and abused them when her brain was too young to handle it. It's so bad that she has some lasting damage to one of her powers, that's actually what she used as an excuse to talk to me, but you'll learn that yourself. That's why she can help."

"I see." Serena said. "Drew is obsessed with revenge and what not so she can help understand that at least, and Kenny is obsessed with Misty but what about Brianna?"

"She's different, nothing short of a deprogrammer can help that girl now." May said darkly. "If she wasn't such a bitch and getting worse by the day I'd feel sorry for her. She's in love with Drew, always was and it made her a bit nasty when we first met, and now he used that to brainwash her, it's disgusting and unforgivable how he's twisted her into whatever she is now. I don't think she can be saved. She's another example of how love can corrupt only different to Kenny's own corruption as his is directed towards Misty while Brianna's is being manipulated by Drew."

"Yeah but we will deal with them." Serena said forcefully. "Ash took care of Kenny and I'll take care of Brianna, I promise."

"I know and we need to get you ready." May said. "She went really hard to get that 4th ribbon a few days ago and got a formal reprimand for it not that she needs to worry as she got the ribbon, and we won't see her until the Wallace Cup, but we should prepare."

"No place like the present to start." Serena said. "So, what should I be aware of when it comes to the Big 3?"

"Well Emily is straightforward with her fairy types, so we'll deal with her last as it's more the ones with a second type that have to be planned for." May said. "And Jessilina can be very unpredictable depending on the day so let's stick with the worst, and strongest, in Brianna to start with. First up, we need to plan to counter each of her Pokémon starting with her main two; Masquerain and Flygon."

"Well one is a flying and bug type like Vivillon." Serena said. "Ideally Delphox could handle that one as her fire type is strong against bug types and negates her psychic weakness to them plus she's a good balance overall for Brianna's Trevenant as well though not my best there due to its ghost type, that would Vivillon. As for Flygon, it's a dragon and ground type with the Levitate ability so naturally Sylveon is best on paper but as Brianna showed against Emily it can handle a pure fairy type with it. Ideally ice would be best but I don't have an ice type so I need that move in a Pokémon that isn't weak to what it can do."

"Good analysis though catching an ice type is important so make that a priority if it comes up." May said. "They are more useful offensively than most give them credit for, but they are one of the weakest types defensively as they are only resistant to their own type. Now what about her…"

The rest of the walk to the village was spent chatting about the Big 3 and how to handle each of their known Pokémon in battle. Serena was getting the hang of this, and this was just what the pair of girls needed, a good break for just themselves while Ash and Misty did their own thing for the next few days. Hopefully they were having fun as well.


"Do you think they will be ok without us?" Ash asked Misty as they walked hand in hand towards Dendemille.

"Yes Ash, they're big girls, they will be fine on their own." Misty said. "They did this in part for us once the opportunity presented itself."

"Huh?" Ash asked confused. "They did?"

"Well yeah, we haven't had a moment with just us like this in a while." Misty pointed out. "Sure, we had lunch in the Fire Festival town, and we get to spend nights together, but we haven't had even an afternoon to each other, let alone a few days like this. We need this just as much as those two need a break from us as a couple so May going off to judge really helps with all this."

"Oh right, sorry." Ash said. "I didn't realize that this might be an issue."

"It's ok Ash, they know that you don't get this kinda stuff and don't mind." Misty said kindly. "I understand though. We've been together for coming up on two years in a few months, we're long past the honeymoon phase and in a comfortable place that is normal and nice. However, we are still a couple so we do need these moments as well and when one presented itself May was kind enough to help us out."

"That's nice of her." Ash said. "I wouldn't have thought of it."

"It is and we'll do something for her and Serena after the Showcase when there is time." Misty said as they walked trying to find the right spot. "But for now, it is just us, so I suggest we find a nice place to make camp, have a picnic with those supplies we have so we don't have to cook and enjoy some of Serena's macaroons that she's made for us for today."

"Really, those are great." Ash said with a smile. "She can really bake."

"Yup, trust the Kalos girl to know how to bake seeing as this region really knows baked goods for some reason." Misty said still annoyed that her kitchen skills lacked but she'd get them eventually and Poke Puff making actually helped on that front. "Hence why we are doing something nice for them but enough talk of those two, today is about us."

"Right." Ash said as they walked. "It has been a while."

For the next hour or so the young couple just chatted idly about anything and everything from the past, the current journey, Pokémon, whatever as they kept walking. Misty was looking for the right place and as this was a route that neither May nor Serena had been on the year before they didn't know anywhere so it was up to them to find it.

Misty knew that they would though, and she knew that she'd know the moment she saw it. They were still just more than a day out of Dendemille Town when they'd reached the fork so they would have to set up camp at some point and Misty wanted that point to be the right place.

It took a while, and with Ash's stomach that could be dangerous, but they finally found the right spot to make camp. It was just off the path they were on and a fair bit away, but it was perfect the moment Misty laid eyes on it.

Right now, they were walking through a large expanse of grasslands with rolling hills as far as the eye could see. One of those hills before them and off to their right was larger than most and offered a great view of the area. To add to it, there was a large tree on it that provided shade and a nice place to sit. It was exactly what Misty wanted.

"There." Misty said as she pointed to the spot. "That's where we will set up camp and have our meal."

"Ok, looks nice." Ash said as he let Misty lead him to the spot in silence.

Once there, they quickly set up the tent for the night, let their Pokémon out stretch and play before feeding them, and finally set up their own food. To avoid cooking, Misty had worked with Serena to prepare a basket of sandwiches for them to eat as their meal and then Serena had made them macaroons for dessert. It was a simple meal but a good one for them.

Unlike when they were walking, they ate in silence, mainly because Ash was inhaling the food and silence was the only way to keep Ash's mouth shut when he ate, and Misty just enjoyed the moment. She'd missed these moments that she'd had with Ash back during their journey through Kanto the year before and realized that she'd taken them for granted now that they had May and Serena with them. Sure, she loved traveling with her other friends, but these moments were just as precious to her, and she intended to enjoy every moment of it.

"Wow that was good." Ash said with a loud belch as they finished the macaroons and he flopped back on the blanket in a food coma from the meal. "Just what I needed."

"I know." Misty said as she snuggled up next to him and put her head on his chest to enjoy the moment and ignoring the glare Malamar gave her as this wasn't too much PDA for her chaperone to punish her for. "And now we can relax."

"That we can." Ash said. "We won't get that when we reach Dendemille I think."

"No, we won't." Misty said not looking at Ash as she was enjoying the position. "I'm going to be too busy from the moment that we arrive to the moment that we leave for Anistar I think."

"Are you ready?" Ash asked. "For the Showcase that is."

"Yeah I should be good." Misty said. "I don't know the theme round yet and Serena won't tell just in case it is the same as the one she dealt with but once I know I'll chose the best Pokémon for it. Then there is the freestyle, that I know I'm ready for."

"And yet you won't show us what it is." Ash said.

"You know who is involved." Misty said remembering a certain incident in the last Pokémon Center they stopped in that occurred during her practice that the others had seen due to how it had deteriorated. "But no, the routine must be a secret even from Serena who's helped with general advice. There is a reason, you'll see."

"Very well I'll trust you." Ash said and Misty smiled at that, she fully intended to blow everyone's minds away with a freestyle the likes of which Kalos had never seen before if she got to that round, which she intended to. "You're not worried about that though, are you."

"No, we have it down now." Misty said. "But what I am worried about is afterwards, our delay in Dendemille."

"The impromptu Contest that will be announced at the Showcase." Ash said. "May said that your time has come."

"Yeah when she accepted the committee realized that I am traveling with May and performing in Showcase they decided to use that to further the Contest season and add a few more to the calendar." Misty said. "Every time from Dendemille on that I am in a Showcase, May and I will join the Nurse Joy in the pop-up Contest hosted by Monsieur Pierre in that town, village or city as will the be case in Anistar. That way I am defiantly judging now which I haven't done, and they were getting a bit pissy about that, and they can increase the number by at least 3."

"Because you need 3 Princess Keys." Ash deduced.

"Correct." Misty said. "Dendemille and Anistar are set but the third is a bit unknown. There is a place ready for it though that I think will work if the timing aligns for us."

"There is?" Ash asked. "I'm not really in the loop with this kinda stuff."

"I know." Misty said with a chuckle. "There's a place between Anistar and Snowbelle called Couriway Town that has one apparently. Serena lost in the freestyle there last year, her second of her two losses, because she tried a new move that failed last year and if all goes according to plan we will be there for that as my 4th Showcase and there will be an outdoor Contest afterwards."

"Outdoor?" Ash asked. "Those aren't common. The only ones I recall are the Wallace Cups and the island ones in Kanto."

"It's the only one I know of in Kalos other than the Wallace Cup of course." Misty said. "But the Showcase is outdoors so that makes sense when you think about it as they use the same building for both."

"True, that does at least settle your judging and can be worked into our plans." Ash said. "And as it doesn't matter to me with gyms as they are open most of the time and fixed we work can work around when I face them."

"Exactly and the big one is the Wallace Cup." Misty said. "We need to be in Snowbelle for that. Wallace is apparently expecting me to be there given my history with it and how I can't compete as it is in Kalos, and Top Coordinators aren't allowed to compete here this year so a new champion will emerge for the first time in a while. He wants me to be present as a way to pass on the torch I guess."

"Makes sense, you are the two-time defending champion of it with 3 straight Aqua Ribbons." Ash said. "And in Kalos this year as well so it makes sense."

"Yup and it's going to be a big event." Misty said. "Apparently a member of the Kalos Elite Four will be there as well though I don't know which one, as will Dawn and maybe a few other water type specialists. Also, there may be an ice specialist or two like Candice as Snowbelle is an ice type gym but that is just a rumor I've heard, and we both know how unpredictable Candice can be."

"That would be different for sure." Ash said. "And good practice so I'll probably enter and use it to prepare for the Snowbelle Gym or the Lumiose Conference whichever is next for me."

"Just change your outfit." Misty said. "You've used the last one twice."

"I can do that." Ash said thinking on it. "I'll bring in that one from the Grand Reception for it and then I can use it for anything else here as well."

"Oh great, that dated piece." Misty said with a sigh knowing that Ash wouldn't be deterred. "Cane and all I take it."

"Of course, it is one full outfit so nothing will be missing." Ash said with a grin. "Should be fun. Do you know who you think will win it?"

"It's wide open." Misty said. "In the last few ones May and I have been too dominant for it but without us this is unknown. Brianna would be the favorite on paper but her loss to Emily showed that she can be beaten. Then there is the fact that you're in it which adds to the difference because you don't battle like a coordinator which can throw the others off with your conventional tactics. Plus, the bracket will play a part, it always does. I don't think I'd have been able to face May the first time if I had to face Zoey in the semis."

"So, a lot of factors, cool." Ash said. "And around that I can have my gym battle there."

"And there is a special Wallace Showcase." Misty said surprising Ash.

"There is?" Ash asked.

"Yup." Misty said with a nod which felt on while on Ash's chest. "Wallace is doing something special in each of the expansion regions over the next few years to honor their traditions as well as Contests so after the Wallace Cup he's hosting a special, fully recognized, thing for that region's specialty as well. It's his way of showing that Contests aren't infringing upon what a region knows and likes but just part of a new thing for more people to partake in."

"So, he'll do something with the Battle Club in Unova then." Ash said thinking on it. "When it is there."

"Correct and that is either next year or the one after." Misty said. "He hasn't announced where yet, but it's expected to be in Unova or Galar next year and then the one that doesn't get with be the year after that. Alola will be last as they are the least ready apparently though as the Alolans we met spoke of Island Challenges as something they do there he might have that as his special post Cup event."

"True so much to look forward to." Ash said. "I can't wait for them all and the Lumiose Conference once I win my last two badges."

"Yeah Anistar and Snowbelle, psychic and then ice type gyms." Misty said. "Are you ready for them?"

"Yeah I should be." Ash said. "I have the pair for Olympia, and we are training hard for it. As for Snowbelle, while I don't know what ice types to expect there, ice is weak to a few types I have so I have plenty of options and I may use one that is weak to the type to really test myself in the final gym. Once we pass Anistar I'll focus on that."

"Sounds good and then it is the Lumiose Conference." Misty said. "And you are sure of your plan for that?"

"Yes." Ash said. "With the exception of Johto, Sinnoh, and last year in Kanto, I only use Pikachu and the Pokémon that I've caught in the new region, and I will stick with that here though Lucario is also included as he came with me, so he counts. I have 10 to rotate so it is a solid team, and I will prepare for each battle accordingly."

"Not even Charizard?" Misty asked. "Or Pidgeot, you have them here and they can Mega Evolve."

"No not even them." Ash said trying and failing to shake his head. "I made a promise and I'll keep it for the Conference. They will be supporting me though."

"Well, I know better than to argue with you." Misty said with a grin. "And now that we've had time to digest, it's time for the next course.

"Huh?" Ash asked before Misty suddenly straddled him and even Ash got what was coming. "Oh."

Misty just grinned as she bent down and kissed Ash. This was what she had been waiting for and it was time to have some fun. Alas, in her excitement Misty had forgotten to recall her Pokémon and a certain Overturning Pokémon was closer than the Superpowered one and this was highly inappropriate to her given the setting. Oh well, it was going to be a great moment as they couple lost themselves to each other not knowing what was about to come.