Chapter 6 - Serena

Serena opened up her compact and gave herself a once over in the little mirror. She'd applied another layer of mascara to extend and thicken her lashes, a little matt powder to tone down any shiny skin, a little blush to add some colour and another layer of nude shiny lip gloss to highlight her lips.

Smoothing down her hair she smiled. Her make up was on point, natural and not over the top whilst accentuating her natural features perfectly. Her hair was working for her today, falling into place around her face, framing it perfectly.

She took a deep breath. Ok. She was ready.

Looking up at the clock of the pokémon centre she was staying at, it was almost time. She walked over and sat waiting patiently at one of the video phones.

Gripping the edges of her skirt she stared intensely at the blank dark screen. Ash Ketchum, the boy she crushed on before she even knew what those feelings meant, now the teenager coming of age, who'd won the World Series and her heart. Ash Ketchum the person she was in love with. Would be video calling her to tell her something really important.

She looked at the clock, a minute had passed by the hour. Her mind raced. What could be calling to tell her that required face to face? Did he just want to show off his trophy? Was he coming to see her? Did he want her to come see him? Was he … finally going to express how he felt her for her?! A blush appeared on her face. Now Ash had become a Pokémon Master, maybe he had a new dream to follow, maybe he was calling her to tell her what that was … but why her? … Could it be that his new dream … was her?

The video phone started to ring out, making Serena jump out of her thoughts. She took a deep breath and shakily accepted the call. Her heartbeat in her ears … "Ash?"

The familiar face appeared, his happy-go lucky beaming smile, not a care in the world persona filled the screen.

"Hi Serena! It's so great to see you! How have you been?"

"Hi Ash! I've been great … just great. Competitions are going well, I'm still yet to win a Grand Festival … but I'm getting closer every time."

"That's great to hear Serena, I just know you'll win one soon. I'm routing for ya. How are your pokémon?"

"Delphox, Pancham and Sylveon are doing just wonderful, how's Pikachu?"

Hearing his name, Pikachu appeared on the screen. "Pika!"

"Pikachu! I miss you!"

"Pika pikachu."

Serena looked down and tucked her hair behind her ear. She slightly bit and sucked in her bottom lip. "So umm Ash. What did you want to speak to me about so urgently?"

"Oh yeah. I'm getting married!"

With those words Serena's heart broke and shattered. Her face blanked and skin paled. "You … you're wha?"

"Getting married."

"WHAT! When? To Whom?"

"Misty, Misty Waterflower."

"Misty …" The girl was stunned. Misty?! Who was Misty?! Serena recounted all Ash's stories. She'd met May at contests, met Chloe from Kanto, heard of Dawn and Iris often, but they were all just his friends, weren't they?

"Remember me telling you about Cerulean City Gym Leader Misty, who I travelled with back in Kanto? It's her."

No way. Serena couldn't believe it. Miette was always her main love rival for Ash. This Misty girl hadn't even registered on her radar and now Ash was marrying her?! How could this be …

"The wedding will be in Cerulean City, Kanto in 2 weeks. We'd love for you to be there."

Serena bowed her head sadly. "Oh … um … wow … 2weeks? … I … uh … Sorry Ash I can't make it …"

Ash's face visibly saddened. "Oh you can't? Really, why?"

"Contest stuff." Serena blurted out on the spot.

"Contest stuff? What contest stuff, isn't the season over?"

Serena blushed. "Yes it is … but then there's this really important um … pre-season! Pre-season event. In another region. Not Kanto, far, farrr from Kanto. That I really must attend, if I want to compete at the next level. Which I do." She coyly looked back at Ash on the screen. Did he see through her lies?

"Oh … well in that case … You should definitely do that!"

Serena slightly fell off her chair. Ash was truly naive sometimes.

"If it's to further your dreams, who I am to step in your way? I'll miss you being there though. It won't be the same … But I totally understand! You have my full support, Serena." Ash put his thumb up and grinned. Pikachu jumped up and down cheering in the background.

"Thank you Ash, … speaking of … I really have … to … go … now …" Serena fought against her body hard. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

"Arw really? That's too bad I was hoping we could catch up some more. Oh well, catch ya next time! Later Serena."

"Goodbye Ash …" Serena hung up. Hot tears began to well up in her eyes. She instantly dialled out a number she knew off by heart. The video phone rang out before a young man answered. His hair blonde and shaggy, glasses framing his soft featured face. "Serena! How great to … you're crying? Serena?" Clemont originally beaming face, instantly turned to concern for his friend.

Serena feeling completely comfortable in her good friend's presence and left it on video screen. She didn't care that he saw her with running mascara and puffy red eyes.

"Ash … just called me."

"Oh?"

"He … he's getting married … to another … girl."

"… Oh."

"He … phoned me up … to invite me to the wedding … I … I think … you'll hear from him soon." Serena managed to blurt out between sobs.

"Oh." Clemont paused. "Are you going?"

Serena shook her head. "I gave him some Contest excuse … lame I know … but Clemont … I just …"

"Serena …" His eyes saddened looking at his friend so upset.

The teenaged girl wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "You can't tell him Clemont! You can't tell him any of this! Promise me!"

The boy held his hands up and replied immediately. "Of course!"

She smiled softly. "Thank you Clemont."

"I'm always here for you Serena, you know that. But Serena, if Ash calls me up and invites me to go to his wedding." The gym leader paused, taking a deep breath. "I'll be attending, okay? Even though I wish things were ending differently between you two, Ash is still my friend too and I will support him."

Serena nodded sadly. "Of course. You're a good friend Clemont. Well, I better let you go, Ash is probably trying to get through …"

"You know where I am if you need to talk. Anytime any place."

The coordinator nodded and said her goodbyes. She'd just ended the call when her pokégear vibrated. She picked it up and answered not looking at the caller. "He … Hello?"

"Serena! It's May! Oh my Mew! Has Ash called you? Have you heard the news?!"

Serena pulled phone away from her ear slightly and grimaced May sure was loud today. "He … he has." She fought hard to keep her voice from cracking.

"It's unbelievable! Utterly unbelievable! Insane! Of all the brash, impulsive … …" May continued to rant down the phone but Serena was tuned out the conversation. The tears falling from her eyes getting heavier and faster.

It was really sinking in now. Ash was marrying someone else. How could this be? After all they'd been through together. From their meeting as children at pokémon camp, the handkerchief she'd kept hold of for so long, their adventures and triumphs travelling through Kalos together, growing stronger together, her helping him through his loss after the Snowbelle Gym, him helping her decide her future with a fun battle. Parting ways, their kiss at the station.

I was waiting till I got stronger … for the perfect time, but it didn't happen … I never got to tell him how I felt … Suddenly her eyes went wide. I never told him how I felt! Ash doesn't know how I feel about him! Maybe that's why he's with this Misty girl. She must have confessed to him whilst he was back in Kanto, and he just went with it because he doesn't know he has another option! He doesn't know he has my heart!

Serena zoned back into May's rambling. "… No way he should be marrying Misty! …"

That was all the Kalos girl needed to hear.

In Hoenn, May rolled her eyes as she made eye contact with her fiancé Drew, who was tapping his wrist watch impatiently to remind May just how long she'd been on the phone. She ignored him and carried on talking.

"I mean, they probably do make a great couple … but who knows? No one even knew they were dating! They couldn't have been together any more than a month. So, I just don't see how it can be that serious. You know? Shouldn't be marrying anyone so soon …"

Drew clenched his jaw and turned away leaning back up against the wall. This was not ending any time soon.

"May I quite agree!" As Serena found a newfound strength. Winding down the conversation with May and ending the phone call, she wiped her eyes and jumped straight onto the computer search engine, typing in "Flights to Kanto. 1 way."

"Don't give up till it's over! I'm coming Ash! Just hold on!"

Ash Pikachu and Misty were in Vermillion City. They had been staying with Professor Cerise, Chloe and Goh, visiting all Ash's pokémon at the lab, and now stood at arrivals at the airport waiting on flights from Kalos to arrive. Ash was half smiling but seemed a little down. Misty noted he wasn't his usual full of beans self and gave his hand a squeeze.

"Are you okay Ash? You don't seem quite yourself.

"Yeah … just … first Goh can't make the wedding and now Serena isn't coming …"

"Oh …" Misty looked at her fiancé sympathetically. She knew he'd love for all his friends to be there on the big day. "Look on the bright side Ash."

"Hum?" The pokémon master looked at the red head.

"I'll be there." She gave him a wink and a smile. Ash smiled back. "And so will Pikachu." Misty motioned to his pokémon who chirped happily in agreement and jumped up onto his shoulder.

Letting out a small laugh Ash cheered up. "Yeah, so long as you two are there …"

"ASH!"

Ash looked to the arrivals gate, his face lit up as he waved enthusiastically to the arrival of Clemont and Bonnie. The two siblings from Lumiose City ran over to greet their Kanto friends.

The little dedenne in Bonnies arms jumped out and ran over, Pikachu doing the same, the little electric pokémon pressed their cheeks together in greeting before playing on the tiled floor.

"Clemont, Bonnie so great you're here!" Ash couldn't help but look again at the gate. "Serena … really isn't coming then?"

Clemont shook his head. "Sorry Ash."

Ash paused a moment. "Well contests are really important, I understand."

The younger blonde girl with Clemont ran up to Misty, her eyes starry. "You're Misty?!"

Misty smiled at the younger girl. "I am, and you're Bonnie right?."

"Oh wow you are BEAUTIFUL! Stunning, just like a model!"

Misty blushed at the compliment. "Oh well I wouldn't say …"

"And Ash told us you're a gym leader too!" Bonnie instantly went down on one knee and grabbed her hand. "You're a keeper! Will you please take care of my brother? He's the Gym Leader of the Lumiose City Gym, you two would be perfect together!"

Misty stood dumfounded. Clemont went bright red with embarrassment; Ash grit his teeth and frowned with annoyance. "What?!"

Clemont pulled his younger sister away, his face still red and glasses steamed up. "Bonnie! I've told you to stop doing this like a million times! I thought you'd grown out of it!"

His little sister pouted and puffed out her face. "But Clemont I need someone to take care of you! If she marries you, then Ash can be with Serena and Misty will be my big sister!" Bonnie's eyes lit up on the last part.

"BONNIE!" Clemont slapped his hand over his sister's mouth, muffling her voice as she wriggled and resisted.

Misty raised an eyebrow in confusion. Ash went from annoyed to laughing as he looped his arm around his fiancé's shoulders. "Sorry Bonnie, but Misty's already taken." The Serena comment apparently falling on deaf ears, or did it? Misty turned her attention looked intently at Ash. Serena?

The group left the airport and spent the afternoon together in the harbour city, catching up and exchanging travel stories, Misty enjoying hearing about some of Ash's adventures on Kalos, which she heard the least about. Bonnie had some very fun, animated, embarrassing stories mostly involving Ash and/or Clemont, which she spared little to no details, delighting the water trainer no end.

Kalos was a country Misty herself had longed to visit and she was especially taken with Ash's Greninja, who the more she heard about, the more she desperately wanted to meet.

As the sky turned to evening hues, Ash stretched out and turned to his visiting friends.

"Me, Misty and Pikachu have to head home to Pallet Town for a few days. You're more than welcome to come with us and stay at my house."

"Thanks Ash, but we'd really like to stay in Vermillion City for a while, it's always been a dream of mine to visit the Electric Gym here, and also Cerise Laboratories."

"In that case I'll make sure to give Professor Cerise a heads up for a personal tour." Ash grinned.

"We'd love that! We'll meet back up with you in Cerulean, a few days before the wedding."

"Sounds like plan."

Ash exchanged a handshake with Clemont and gave Bonnie a hug. Misty gave Clemont a small hug and then was pounced on and squeezed tightly by Bonnie. With that the group split off.

As Clemont and Bonnie walked down along the harbour taking in the beautiful sunset across the ocean view, Clemonts pokégear went off. It was Serena.

"Serena?"

Bonnie's face lit up. "Is that Serena?! Let me talk to her, let me talk to her, let me talk to her!"

"Clemont where are you?"

Clemont held his finger to his ear to hear the phone better and frowned at his little sister to stop bugging him. "Um Kanto? But you knew that …"

"Where are you in Kanto?"

"Vermillion City … why?"

Bonnie continued to jump up and down trying to snatch the phone from her brother's hand.

"Is Ash with you?"

"He was, but he's left now, why do you ask?" Clemont paused and noted the dial tone. It wasn't international. "Serena … where are you calling from?"

"I'm in Kanto!"

"What?!" The inventors eye bugled out at the new information. Serena was in Kanto! The momentary lapse caused him to drop his guard as Bonnie finally succeeded in stealing the phone off him.

"Serena! You're in Kanto? Have you come to crash the wedding and win Ash's heart?"

"Um well … yeah! I guess I kinda have! Bonnie I'm finally going to Ash how I feel about him!"

"That is … AMAZING!"

"What?! Serena no!" Clemont tried to get his phone back off his sister, who was ducking and avoiding his moves. "Clemont! Don't you see? If Serena marries Ash, that leaves you free to marry Misty! I'll finally get the big sister I've always dreamed of!"

"But I don't want to marry Misty!" Clemont wailed. Bonnie grinned widely "Serena you have our full support! What do you need?"

"Tell me exactly where is Ash is going."

"This isn't right you guys!" Clemont protested loudly, but it fell on deaf ears. He finally caught his sister and took the phone back. "I can't let you do this! If you do, I'm going to have to tell Ash."

"Clemont you said you were here for me and could count on you!"

The young man grew red with embarrassment. "l am! You can! … But not like this!"

"Clemont you can't tell Ash! I have to let him know how I feel before he makes the biggest mistake of his life. If you help me now and tell me where Ash is, we'll be able to avoid making a scene at the wedding. So please tell me."

The young blonde man sighed in defeat, he was no good at this … his little sister once again snatched the phone from his hand. "He's going back to Pallet Town, staying at his mother's house."

"Thanks Bonnie. Clemont … I promise I'm doing right by Ash. Okay?"

"Alright Serena! Go get your man!" Bonnie cheered. Clemont drooped, this didn't feel right.

Serena trudged up the steep hill going up towards Professor Oaks famous pokémon laboratory and corral. She let out a deep breath. "Wow … back to where it all started … Professor Oaks Pokémon Camp."

She went back to the memory of her first meeting with Ash. Getting lost in the woods and falling over after being startled by a wild poliwag, hurting her leg. Ash appearing shortly after, looking for the poliwag.

"What's wrong?"

"I hurt my leg"

"Don't worry, see this? This will make it better." Young Ash lied his handkerchief around her leg.

"Ow! It still hurts! I can't stand up!"

"Don't give up till it's over, okay?"

He helped the little girl up and lead her back to the campsite.

The memory faded.

"Don't give up … till it's over …" Her eyes steeled and she smirked. "I won't Ash! I promise!" With that Serena continued up to look for the man of her heart.

Sneaking into the corral, Serena went from area to area remaining mostly concealed, after what seemed like an eternity, she spotted the familiar silhouette. Lean athletic frame, spiky unruly hair poking out from under a baseball cap.

It's Ash!

She edged closer praying he was alone and not with her. Serena's heart sank when she noticed Ash wasn't alone, but it wasn't a girl he was with it was another young man with auburn hair and they seemed to be arguing.

"Well … I mean I've travelled with at least 8 …" Ash said counting on his fingers.

"Wow you walked around with girls?! … Oh Ashy Boy, you cad, I'm blushing! Before you know it, you'll be telling me ya even held hands." The other guy retorted, clearly teasing.

"I did more than hand holding! As a matter a fact in Kalos me and Serena kissed! And she was real pretty! Prettier than any girl you've kissed I bet!"

Serena's eyes widened. Did Ash just say what he think she said?!

"You … kissed … another girl …" Misty appeared behind them.

Ash's face went ghost white. "Misty …! Wa..wait … I … I can explain!"

Misty's face went beet red in colour. "GrrrrrrGHHHHH! DON'T BOTHER! I'VE WAITED AROUND ENOUGH FOR YOU ASH KETCHUM! SEEMS YOU COULDN'T DO THE SAME!" With that Misty stomped off.

"So that's Misty? Wow what a temper …" Serena said to herself.

"Misty wait please!" Ash went running after the fuming girl.

Serena turned and lay her back flat against the rock and held her hand to her heart. Ash had talked about her. He'd bragged openly about the kiss, their kiss and he said she was pretty. Real pretty. This was too good to be true.

"With those two fighting now is the perfect opportunity for me to confess my love to Ash!" With that Serena took off from her hiding place and went after the pokémon Master.

Authors note - Amourshippers I can only apologise! I'm a pokéshipper through and through, but I can see the appeal of Amourshipping. Unlike with May, Dawn, Iris and the S/M girls, (sorry again shippers!) Serena's feelings are canon, and Ash def has some cute moments with her (the kiss!). But I still don't see the spark or fire like what Ash has with Misty.

Serena might seem a little o.o.c here, but love makes you crazy and do crazy things ...