"… and then Bonnie was upset because I couldn't even return the first serve, and she really wanted to play doubles, so I was thinking, why don't you guys come over to my house someday and we can play badminton together?"

"Okway," I mumble around a mouthful of mac and cheese.

"Sounds like fun," Serena agrees, her blue eyes twinkling.

Before I knew it, one week of school had already flown by, and it's become routine for the three of us to eat lunch together. While I share most of my classes with Clemont, I only have one in common with Serena – Applied Nutrition. It also happens to be my favorite class, and I'm not sure whether it's because of the easy workload, the absence of Trip and his snide remarks, Serena's company or a combination of all three.

Clemont leans forward, his eyes shining animatedly. "Also, I have just finished making the final amendments to a new creation of mine, and I was wondering if you guys want to check it out together."

I perk up. "What kind of creation?"

Clemont smiles enigmatically. "You'll see. Are you guys in?"

"Do you even need to ask?" I reply, and Serena nods in agreement.

"Great. Meet you all outside the Science Society room after school."

I pester Clemont for the rest of our shared lessons, trying to get him to spill the beans on what exactly he's going to show us. But he only tells me to be patient because it'll spoil the surprise.

At 3 p.m., the three of us are gathered outside the room while Clemont unlocks the door. There's no club activity today but since he's the president, the key is in his possession. He flips on the lights, and leads us to his workbench.

Serena and I both gasp at the same time.

A complicated exoskeleton suit is strapped onto a dress form, and there are wing-like appendages protruding from the dorsal region. Four miniature jet engines also encircle around the arm and thigh areas. There's a motor attached at the hip and a console on the tabletop that I guess directs the whole thing. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this apparatus is meant to –

"It's supposed to help the wearer fly!" Clemont divulges excitedly. "I've tested it out on a mannequin, and it works, but the mass of a mannequin and its structure is significantly different from a human."

"You need a volunteer to try out the suit," I surmise.

He gazes at me expectantly.

"Um, is this really a good idea?" Serena interjects worriedly. She quickly adds, "I trust you, Clemont, but that looks potentially dangerous."

I wave a hand, already on board with the idea. "It's fine, Serena. I'm not going to be leaping out of the building or anything. We can just test it here in this room. Who knows, we may be making history today!"

"Does that mean you'll help me try it on?"

"Duh!"

Science is simply amazing. I know there has to be an Oracle that lets the user fly around unassisted, but humans are constantly surprising me with how advanced they are even without Oracles. Perhaps they don't need it.

Clemont helps me fasten on the suit while Serena watches, nibbling on her bottom lip. He tightens the safety straps and triple checks to make sure everything is working perfectly. Then he reaches behind me and presses a button, turning on the suit. There's a low humming sound.

Clemont grabs the controller and shifts a few steps away from me.

"Alright, now I'll try levitating you above the ground. Ready?"

I jerk my head.

He fiddles with the controller and pushes the buttons around. I feel the wings flapping behind me and the jet engines come alive with a soft whirr. Something thrusts against the ground, and to my amazement, I begin floating. It's at a slow pace, but I'm soon a few inches off the ground.

Serena gawks at me, her previous reservations replaced by awe. Clemont is grinning widely.

"It's working! I can't believe it!"

I cheer, bringing up my arms, but I hear an ominous snapping sound.

Clemont's grin fades. "Uh-oh."

"Crap. Did I break something?"

"I don't think so…" Clemont says hesitantly. "But you should probably get down so I can inspect the suit."

He presses a button on the controller, except this time, I'm abruptly thrown higher into the air.

"Woah!"

"Ash!" Serena yelps.

"Uh, was that supposed to happen?"

"No!" Clemont sounds panicked now. "Hang on, I'll get you down –"

I smell it then. Smoke. There's a second where Clemont, Serena and I exchange alarmed looks, before I hear a boom sound and then I'm falling down. Thanks to my reflexes, I manage to break my fall with my hands and knees, but it still smarts. Clemont is by my side and tugging the suit off me. He tosses it aside and not a moment too soon either as it explodes in plumes of thick smoke.

"Oh God," Serena whispers, covering her mouth with one hand.

That could have been me. Charred and fried to a crisp. That would have been a stupid way to die. I think of the other Ordained, mysteriously gaining a new scar, and wondering what happened to me.

Clemont sags in relief. "At least you're safe –"

A blaring siren goes off. The fire alarm.

Shit.

I make eye contact with the accusatory security camera in the corner of the room just as the PA system broadcasts, "Clemont Greene, Serena Reynolds and Ash Ketchum, please report to the principal's office immediately."

Well, we're screwed.

Clemont keeps up a string of "I'm so sorry!"s along the way, while Serena and I try to calm him down. He seems intent on beating himself up, and nothing we say can dispel his guilt-stricken apologies.

The receptionist glares at us over her long hooked nose, demanding, "Appointment?"

"Uh, we're Ash, Clemont and Serena?" I supply.

She scowls. "Oh. It's you three troublemakers. Go on in."

We file into the room, and the first thing I notice is how old the principal is. Brock handled all the administrative work, so it's my first time seeing him. Mr. Ramos's bald head is covered with a green beret, and he has a friendly, gentle smile on his face. His eyes are crinkled up at the corners.

"Ah, hello, my students."

"Hi Sir," Serena greets with an awkward smile.

"I'm sure you all know why you have been called here today. I must say, I'm surprised by your bold actions, especially you, Miss Reynolds."

She hangs her head. "Sorry."

He chuckles. "You don't have to apologize. My, my, I remember what a rebellious lad I was back in my younger days, too. Of course, this incident cannot go unpunished. Considering it's your first time committing such an offense, I think one week of detention sounds about appropriate."

I stifle a groan, but can't really object.

"Your homeroom teacher, Mr. Henry, will be overseeing your detention."

Great. I bet he'll be overjoyed to hear that.

"Is that all, Sir?" Clemont asks.

Mr. Ramos nods his head. "Goodbye, and I hope to see you all under better circumstances," he says cheerily.

What a bizarre principal, although he seems nice. We leave his office and wilt under the intense glare of the receptionist.

"Detention," Clemont says dejectedly. "For the ten thousandth time, I'm so sorry for dragging you all into this mess!"

Serena thumps him on his back and musters a bright smile. "It's fine! Besides, I've never actually been in detention before, so it's a new, um, experience!"

If anything, her words make Clemont deflate even more.

"It's your first time getting detention…" he mumbles. "I'm turning you into a delinquent! I'm a bad influence!" he despairs, yanking at his hair.

Serena turns to me. "Oops?" she mouths sheepishly.

Despite the situation, I laugh.

"Chill out, Clemont. Serena's not gonna spiral down some dark path because of one measly detention," I point out. "And we're friends for a reason. Through thick and thin, we'll always be with you."

"Spoken just like an idiot," a familiar taunting voice says.

My smile falters and I whip around. "What's it to you, Trip?" I say exasperatedly.

He shrugs. "Maybe I just enjoy pressing your buttons."

"Well, stop it." I fix him with my darkest glower. "I don't appreciate it."

He sneers and as he walks past me, roughly shoves my shoulder. Clemont grabs me when I stumble, and Serena's eyes narrow.

"Hey! That wasn't very –"

"Forget it," I tell her. "He's not worth it."

She flattens her lips but heeds my words.

I'm more distracted by the haunted look in Trip's eyes. It's like he's itching for a fight, and I'm the easiest target in his vicinity. If only he knew, I think, my lips twitching as I imagine making patty cake out of him in two seconds by unleashing my true strength. But whatever issues he's dealing with are none of my business, and I definitely won't let myself be his punching bag.

Brock is predictably annoyed when I tell him I somehow landed myself in detention, trying not to portray Clemont in a negative light and glossing over our failed flying attempt. I suspect that's why the fish he served me for dinner is suspiciously singed when he's usually such a flawless cook.

Petty, I think grumpily. No one messes with my food. Unless they're Brock, of course, since without him I won't even have food.

Days bleed into weeks, and I've settled into a regular routine of school in the morning till the afternoon, and then training from evening until nightfall. I get pretty close to beating Brock a couple of times, but most days I still get my ass handed to me. Bruises paint my body in purplish splotches, which I manage to explain away by fibbing about taking up boxing. It's a lie that eats away at me, especially when I see how impressed Clemont and Serena look.

Then again, the truth is probably even more impressive than boxing.

After failing a test, I was forced to stay back for extra lessons until an ungodly hour. By the time we're done, the sun has already set and dusk has spread its shadowy fingers across the sky.

As I walk down the hallway, I pass by an occupied dance studio. Momentarily glancing inside, I do a double take. Those lush caramel tresses and that lean, tall figure… As she turns around, I grin.

Yep, that's Serena.

I move to open the door, but freeze at the look of utter concentration on her face. Her lips are pinched, and there's a frown casting a gloom over her expression. Abruptly, she straightens, and slaps her cheeks lightly.

The change that comes over her is phenomenal.

Her lips relax into a bright smile, and her eyes light up in a way that makes it feel like we're sharing a secret. She tosses back her hair and begins moving, and in my entranced state, it takes me a few seconds to register that she's dancing.

I'm not a dance expert by any means, but even my untrained eyes can see how fluid she moves, and how precise each of her steps is. The upbeat music leaks out from the door and soon I'm jamming along to it, eyes glued to where Serena is twirling and leaping, taking me places that I've never been and evoking feelings I've never known.

I place my hand on my chest, where my heartbeat is responding to her dance with a loud drumming of its own.

Strange.

My lips stretch into an uncertain smile.

This happiness I feel is so overwhelming that it almost hurts. Why?

My hand curls over my chest.

Is it really happiness that I'm feeling, or something else? Just what is this warm, tight feeling that takes all my breath away? That fills me with a wonder like a blind man seeing for the first time, that makes the periphery of my world seem just a little brighter?

"Ah!"

My head snaps up in time to see Serena twist her ankle and collapse onto the ground. Without hesitation, I fling open the door and rush in.

A/N:

What could Ash be feeling, hmm? Please consider leaving a review, it'll really make my day! I'd love to know what you guys think since the traffic stats are still down so it's registering 0 reads for my story… which is demoralizing, to say the least.