The Paldea Saga: Treasures and Trials

by Pocketbook

Tired of the burden of fame, Ash Ketchum, Monarch of the World, decides to disappear into a whole new adventure in the far-away land of Paldea. Eager to participate in the region's famous "Treasure Hunt," Ash must first attend Scarlet Academy and its rigorous Battle School, where he'll meet trials a plenty alongside new friends and rivals...and old flames. SatoSere.

15. Chapter 15: Red Rising

Hey there, everyone! Hope you all are having a great week and I hope you all have a Happy Easter! May you have great family/friend time during the holiday.

Again, I have to admit, this chapter was a little bit of a struggle to write! Haha, but it's done and we can continue on. We do set up a little more groundwork for the plot here, and even Ash's abilities—the ones I'm going to explore a little—are finally addressed. As I'm sure you all know, we are following our heroes as they grow and mature, and so we shall continue to see them doing just that. More notes at the bottom on this.

The next two chapters following this one will be around the Gala, where we'll conclude the "Welcome to Scarlet Academy" Arc and move on to the "Let's Start Exploring Paldea and Learning More About the Mad Scientists and the Political Scene and Tackle Some Gym Leaders while Catching More Pokémon" Arc. I really am going to see about making chapters a little shorter as I begin to juggle numerous plot lines, but we'll see how that goes. Obviously, I'm not starting right now…

Next chapter will be up on April 12th. I should be back to updating weekly after April 19th, as I will officially be done with grad school by then.

Anyway, enjoy!

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Chapter 15: Red Rising

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Tuesday: Ascent

In the subdued light of the afternoon, Clavell's office was momentarily transformed into a scene of organized chaos. At the center of it all sat the director himself behind his desk, which was now home to a towering pile of old, dusty folders, each one encompassing years of research and inquiry. The age of the documents was evident not just in their yellowed pages but in the air itself, thick with the musty scent of paper long undisturbed.

Around the room, Jacq and a handful of student assistants busied themselves with unloading stacks of boxes, their contents just as laden with history and knowledge as the folders on Clavell's desk. The researchers, having contributed their share to the relocation effort, made their way out of the office, leaving trails of dust motes dancing in the slivers of sunlight that breached the window blinds.

Once the last of the assistants had departed, Jacq clapped his hands together, a cloud of dust billowing from his palms. He briskly wiped them on his white lab coat to rid his fingers of the stubborn particles that clung to them. "I think that's everything from your old office," Jacq grunted, the effort of moving manifested in his voice. He paused to rub his sore back before pushing his thickly rimmed spectacles up the bridge of his nose. "Didn't know you kept so much junk…" he added, casting a half-teasing, half-exasperated glance towards Clavell.

Clavell, unbothered by the new state of his office or the insinuation of hoarding, looked up from a particularly worn folder. His eyes crinkled with mild amusement. "You should know more than anyone, Jacq," the director began, clasping his hands behind his back, "that old notes, to a scientist, are anything but junk."

Jacq sighed deeply and twisted his back. A loud crack echoed in the office and immediately a sense of relief washed over him. "What's all this for anyway?" the purple-haired scientist asked as he glanced around the cluttered room. "And why was it at our Research Station?"

Seated amid the scattered memories of his past work, Clavell smiled patiently. "You know, I used to work as a researcher as part of Professor Turo's team, investigating Area Zero. It is perfectly natural that my old notes should be filed there," he explained rather rationally.

Jacq cringed at the mention of Professor Turo, his disdain for the controversial figure poorly concealed. "Yeah, I keep forgetting you had to work with that lunatic," he remarked, a shudder running through him at the thought of the eccentric professor whose career had taken a dramatic and notorious turn.

Clavell, unperturbed, sighed softly. "He could be very inspiring…" he mused, his voice trailing off as he began to sift through the old files. His attention was momentarily captured by a faded photograph of their enormous research team. As Clavell's gaze narrowed through his glasses, he observed Navarro and Turo, side by side in the center of the frame.

Jacq snorted dismissively, unable to contain his skepticism. "Yeah, well, he certainly went downhill very quickly. From creating the Tera Orb to then opening dangerous time-bending portals? The guy lost something up here," he said, tapping his skull to emphasize his point.

"No," Clavell shook his head reprovingly. His eyes lingered on the photograph, particularly on the young woman standing beside Turo, a figure perhaps overlooked by many but significant in understanding the professor's trajectory. "He lost something in here," Clavell corrected softly, pointing to his own heart, suggesting that the root of Turo's downfall lay not in his intellect but in something far more personal and intangible.

Jacq paused, momentarily caught in the gravity of Clavell's words. He peered over the rim of his glasses towards the picture Clavell was studying. There was a brief flicker of contemplation in his eyes; However, as if shrugging off the weight of the conversation, Jacq grabbed a pile of folders and pulled up a seat, redirecting their focus to the task at hand. "So, what are we looking for again?" he asked, wiping some dust off the papers.

"Anything that might indicate Turo's intentions for these…Paradox Pokémon," Clavell exhaled and began to sift through his own set of folders. "I remember Turo had always been fascinated with the idea of Pokémon from other ages. Even back when I worked under him, he spoke rather vaguely about creating some kind of time machine…However, no one took him seriously. At least, that is what I was led to believe…," Clavell's eyes darkened for a moment and he blew his nose into an orange kerchief. "In any case, Turo must have succeeded in building a variant of his original idea, especially if we are seeing Paradox Pokémon entering our world. The questions now are: Where is this time machine? How might it operate? Who else knows about it? Who else would want to know about it?"

The purple-haired scientist shuddered at the prospect, his unease palpable. "I hate this. Do people not understand the consequences of dealing with time distortion? It's nearly impossible to correct!? Not only that, Pokémon from the past are…well, dangerous! Highly volatile!"

Clavell, absorbed in the folders before him, nodded in agreement, though his attention remained fixed on the documents. "And desperation can be equally dangerous and highly volatile," he added. Pausing, he gazed out the window, a sigh escaping him as he considered the broader implications of their investigation.

"What?" Jacq's curiosity was piqued by Clavell's suddenly distant demeanor, wondering what thoughts were now running through the director's mind.

With a weary gesture, Clavell removed his glasses and rubbed his face, as if trying to clear away the fatigue and frustration. "I was just thinking how much easier it would be if the most powerful people learned to never love," he mused, shaking his head at the philosophical turn his thoughts had taken. He had seen it time and time again: the vulnerabilities that came with deep emotional connections, especially for those in positions of great power. One could only wonder at the lengths to which individuals might go when driven by extreme desires…or needs.

---

Blitz practice remained difficult. All week the atmosphere on the pitch was thick with tension and frustration. Despite the clear skies and the perfect weather, the team just seemed to be struggling, their movements were still out of sync and their planned plays falling apart before they could even begin.

Saguaro sat cross-legged on the bleachers with his typical, dainty teacup in his overly large hands. He watched quietly, a statue among the chaos, as his players attempted to execute the strategies they had worked on for days now. There was no yelling or overt expressions of disappointment from him; his presence simply remained a silent pressure, while his mind worked to understand the kinks in his normally well-oiled machine.

"Something will break, and that is when it will be fixed," Saguaro had told his very frustrated captains at some point, though his words did little to alleviate their concerns.

During the week, however, Ash did show signs of returning to normal following his scrimmage disaster. He maneuvered with his usual confidence, his passes looked sharper and more calculated, and his natural instincts seemed to return. He still didn't communicate much with Goh, which was fine—they were hardly on the field together while Saguaro played around with different player combinations. Throughout the drills, Saguaro's impassive demeanor softened slightly whenever Ash took control of the play, a small nod of approval occasionally breaking through the coach's stern, mustached facade.

But of course, any semblance of team cohesion was continuously undermined by Brutus, whose antagonism towards Ash continued to seem irrational. Every chance he got, Brutus would throw a snide comment Ash's way or deliberately provoke him with aggressive plays. During one drill, as soon as Ash released the ball, Brutus rammed into him with unnecessary force, sending both of them tumbling off the Cyclizars and onto the ground.

The scrimmage stopped momentarily as teammates and Saguaro turned their attention to the scuffle. Instead of reprimanding Brutus, Saguaro merely raised an eyebrow. It was as if he believed these trials would either forge stronger bonds among the players or cause that cryptic "breaking" to which he referred.

After Brutus's unnecessary hit, everyone was on edge. The rest of the practice continued in a similar vein, with moments of potential overshadowed by internal conflicts and miscommunications. To the team, it seemed as though Saguaro's strategy of passive observation was a double-edged sword, allowing players like Ash to rise to the occasion, but also leaving space for tensions to simmer and boil over. As everyone trudged off the field, exhausted and disheartened, the question on everyone's mind was not if they could improve their skills, but whether they could come together as a team before Friday's Homecoming game.

The tension from the Blitz pitch followed the team into the weight room, where they were instructed to finish their last hour of practice and "decompress," as Saguaro put it. And so, everyone dispersed among the various stations, each selecting their own workout. Nemona and Laura headed towards the treadmills, setting ambitious paces that matched their desire to outrun their on-field shortcomings. Aliquis even pointed out something about Nemona trying to "run away from her problems," which earned him a hard knock to the back of the head.

He then sulked over to the resistance machines with Rodulpho and Gabby.

Ash and Goh—still not on speaking terms—fell into a cycle of perpetual competition, much to Pikachu and Grookey's annoyance. The two gravitated towards the bench press and squat rack, respectively. Ash loaded the bar with weights, his eyes glinting with an unspoken challenge while side-eyeing the cityboy, who—not far off—passive aggressively added another plate to his barbell, his posture rigid.

They moved from bench presses to bar squats to bicep curls, the sound of clinking weights and heavy breathing filled the room. Each set of exercises became a weird battlefield, where each rep was a silent declaration of "I can do more," as they tried pushing their bodies to the limit. Goh would throw a determined glance Ash's way, adding more weight. Ash, in response, would tighten his grip, his jaw set in determination, pushing himself to match and exceed Goh's efforts.

"Pika…," Pikachu spent most of the time with a sweatdrop sliding down his cheek. Every now and then, he'd scratch his head, wondering perhaps if there was a better way to channel this competitive energy into a more productive outlet. Like conversation. Conflict resolution. Therapy?

Grookey, mimicking Pikachu's puzzled expression, tilted his head at the entire scene.

Nemona, fresh from a strenuous session on the treadmill, her face glistening with sweat, suddenly appeared beside Aliquis with a look of concern. Her dark hair was plastered against her neck as she observed Ash and Goh's silent standoff.

"What's wrong with those two?" she asked, her frustration evident as she watched the two trainers glaring at each other over the barbells.

Aliquis, who was just finishing up his set on the bench press, pushed the bar up for the last time and carefully racked the weights with Meowscarada's help. The blue-haired trainer exhaled deeply, unaware of the silent battle unfolding just a few feet away. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he sat up, following Nemona's gaze to where Ash and Goh were locked in their silent contest.

"Uh," he wiped the back of his neck with a towel and took a plastic bottle to squirt a stream of water into his mouth. "There's something wrong?" he asked, genuinely puzzled as he turned his attention to Ash and Goh, finally noticing the intensity of their competition.

Nemona rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Look, we don't need any more conflict on this team," she said, her gaze shifting back to Aliquis. "Can you fix this? I don't have the capacity…" Her voice trailed off, her frustration turning to resignation as she gestured dismissively at Ash and Goh before exiting the weight room alongside Laura, heading towards the girls' locker room.

Aliquis was left sitting there, surprised by Nemona's request. It suddenly occurred to him that he always believed Nemona's capacity to be limitless. Yet, maybe her recent stress over the Homecoming Dance preparations was revealing a side of her Aliquis hadn't considered. She had been juggling countless responsibilities, from team dynamics to event planning, claiming there was "so much to do." But she always said that, Aliquis considered, scratching his chin. Maybe she was just tired of the team fighting?

With a nervous sigh, Aliquis approached Ash and Goh. He exchanged a hesitant glance with Pikachu, who had also moved closer to the two boys, seemingly concerned about the brewing conflict. The Electric-type's small, electric form buzzed with unease, mirroring Aliquis's apprehension.

"Um, hey guys!" Aliquis started, his voice slightly higher than usual as he cleared his throat—a clear sign of his unease. He shuffled his feet on the gym floor and played with a strand of his hair. "So, uh, doing a partner workout?"

Ash and Goh, momentarily pausing, racked their weights almost simultaneously and turned towards Aliquis. In perfect unison, they responded with a firm, "No!"

Aliquis, taken aback, hastily waved his hands in front of him. "Okay, okay, I was just wondering. You both just look," he paused, searching for the right word that wouldn't further agitate them, "intense?" he finally said.

Without a word, Ash and Goh parted ways in a huff, their brief unity in response to Aliquis's question dissolving as quickly as it had appeared. Ash suddenly found the dumbbells rather interesting, choosing to focus his attention on selecting the appropriate weights for his next exercise. Meanwhile, Goh seemed to wander over to the cable machines, his movements deliberate as he put physical distance between himself and the source of his irritation.

Aliquis pursed his lips and folded his arms across his chest. He again exchanged glances with Pikachu. The electric-type Pokémon's ears twitched.

"Would you care to explain?" Aliquis waited, gesturing for Pikachu to take the floor. Meowscarada mirrored Aliquis's body language and closed her eyes rather sagely.

Pikachu sighed, hiding his eyes behind his long ears. No. He certainly did not want to explain.

As the hour came to an end, Ash went to the locker room to rinse off and change. The sound of running water provided a soothing backdrop to his chaotic thoughts. He sighed deeply, the sound almost lost amidst the spray of the shower. Things were definitely weird with Goh, and it was a weirdness that Ash couldn't easily shake off. Their bond had weathered many challenges, but this felt different, more personal, and Ash was unsure how to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

He didn't want to hide anything from Goh; after all, Goh was one of his best friends, someone who had been by his side through countless adventures and battles. But, this whole situation wit Serena was different. Way different. And Ash wrestled with the desire to open up and the fear that Goh might not understand how complicated his feelings were.

The truth was, Ash was dealing with his own confusion—stuff that was difficult for even him to figure out. So then how could he expect Goh to understand when he himself was still trying to make sense of it all? Ash was afraid Goh might just minimize his feelings. Make them seem like they weren't a big deal, when Ash knew that what he felt for Serena was anything but "not a big deal."

Stepping out of the shower, Ash reached for a towel, beginning the routine task of drying his hair. In front of the mirror, his movements slowed, and he found himself momentarily distracted by his own reflection. Lately, the face that stared back at him was starting to look unfamiliar. Sure, since the Master's Eight, Ash was very aware of the fact that he was starting to "fill out"—at least, that's what his mom called it…but Ash felt like there was something heavier in his eyes. It was as if he knew something big was coming, and his mind was starting to sober up in preparation for it.

Ash sighed. "Maybe it's about time I really grew up," he muttered to Pikachu, who was sitting at the sink while his trainer finished drying himself off.

"Pika, chu, chu," Pikachu shook out his yellow fur, not appreciating some of the water getting on him.

Ash laughed and managed to give his best friend a small reassuring smile. "Sorry," Ash looked back at his reflection and couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at the physical changes he was undergoing. The young man in the mirror was a stark contrast to the boy who had first set out on his Pokémon journey. He noted, not without a hint of solitude, that Goh didn't seem to be experiencing the same changes, and this only added another layer of disconnect between them.

As Ash went back to his locker to shrug back into his uniform, his thoughts inadvertently drifted to Serena and the changes she had undergone. The mere thought sent a wave of warmth rushing to his cheeks. It was confusing to Ash why the thought of Serena's own physical changes should make him feel embarrassed, leaving his mind a tangled mess.

He did feel deeply attracted to her, though…drawn to who she was as a person and captivated by, well…how pretty she was. This attraction, however, was a little annoying, Ash decided, complicating his ability to process his true feelings for her. It was frustrating, feeling so strongly about someone yet struggling to find the right way to express it, especially when those feelings seemed to stand in the way of understanding his own heart.

Pikachu, ever attentive to Ash's moods, chimed in with a concerned tone, tilting his head up towards Ash, the electric spark in his cheeks dimmed by worry. "Pika Pi?"

Eventually, Ash just pushed his thoughts away for the time being and glanced at the locker room clock. His movements suddenly rushed.

Goh, observing from a distance, scoffed lightly. "Where're you going in such a hurry?—you know what, nevermind."

Aliquis, wrapped in his towel, chimed in a bit warningly, "Goh…"

Goh whirled on the blue-haired trainer. "What?" Then his eyes widened slightly as he observed Ash and Aliquis share a look, "Do you know?"

Ash, caught off guard, reflexively shook his head, denying any shared secret, while Aliquis attempted to diffuse the situation. "I don't know anything, bro, so just chill out," he said, a hint of irritation lacing his words, tired of the unnecessary drama.

Goh's disbelief was evident, his body language closing off as he dismissed them both with a huff, "Forget it, I really don't care." Goh made to leave and Grookey trailed behind him a bit reluctantly; worry was etched even in the little Pokémon's posture as they made their way towards the exit.

Ash groaned, running a hand through his wet hair.

Aliquis looked after Goh, whistling. "I get it now," the blue-hair trainer sighed, folding his arms across his bare chest. He then turned on Ash with a little smirk, "you haven't told him you're dating…someone, eh?" Aliquis lowered his voice, glancing around the locker room as he leaned against the locker beside Ash's. "What is he? Blind? I mean, before you came to me for dating advice, even I could see that your problem had to do with a girl," Aliquis chortled.

Ash just rubbed his face with his hands. "Look, not helping," he slammed his locker shut and began figuring out his tie and collecting his books. He felt Pikachu scurry up to his shoulder, patting his head comfortingly.

Aliquis raised his hands again as though backing off. "Ok, well, you don't owe him anything," the blue-haired trainer shrugged, pushing himself off the lockers, "You don't have to tell him until you're ready. If he doesn't understand or see that now, he will someday."

Ash drew in a deep breath, throwing his hat over his raven hair. "Thanks," he muttered, "I hope you're right!"

Aliquis gave Ash a little thumbs up before slapping the young champion's shoulder, "Now go see your girl or whatever. You know where I am if you need help getting to third base."

Ash hurried out the door, not even bothering to ask what that meant.

Outside the studio, the corridor was quiet, the kind of hush that comes with anticipation. Ash found a spot against the wall. He leaned back, hands casually tucked into his pockets, and one foot propped up in a picture of nonchalant waiting that didn't quite reach his expression. His gaze drifted towards the door, every so often, a mix of eagerness and nerves playing across the lines of his mouth, which he tried to keep from breaking into a stupid grin.

Pikachu sat beside him, on the cool, tiled floor. The Electric-type watched Ash intently, the bond between them so deep that Pikachu could almost hear the whirlwind of thoughts in Ash's mind. Last night, in the quiet of their room, Ash had wondered aloud about "love" and what that meant, seemingly stuck on Brock's comment the night before. Pikachu, nestled beside him, had listened as Ash navigated his feelings, trying to articulate something that was clearly more complex and profound than anything the two of them had encountered before.

Now, Pikachu didn't consider himself an expert on human emotions, but even he could see the signs. There was a certain glow in Ash's eyes when he spoke of Serena, a softness in his voice that was new and revealing. Ash's usual confidence seemed to waver in the face of his new feelings, replaced by a vulnerability that Pikachu found kind of sweet but also worrisome. It was clear to the little Pokémon that Ash was in the middle of experiencing something pretty deep—something that went way beyond friendship. So, yeah. Pikachu didn't know much, but he knew enough to see that Ash was definitely in the process of falling in love, even if his best friend was a bit slower in realizing it.

After all, Pikachu, Sylveon, and Delphox had all spoken about it while Ash and Serena were on their date. During their little chess game—the one in which no one really knew the rules—Sylveon had talked about love rather dreamily, but Delphox seemed to approach the whole topic with more reserve. The Fire-type had not revealed much about Serena's feelings, but she had mentioned that Serena took the whole thing quite seriously.

Pikachu, of course, had thought it was obvious that Serena had been in love with Ash since Kalos. However, that had earned him a bit of a scolding from Delphox, who had chided the yellow rodent for just assuming that a woman's feelings were unchanging and constant even in the face of disappointment. Pikachu had wondered why Serena would be disappointed. It was clear Ash cared about her and liked her alot and wanted to spend a lot of time with her. Wasn't that enough?

Sylveon and Delphox had just exchanged glances and sighed. That was when Delphox had explained to Pikachu the concept of human love.

Number one, Delphox had begun: Being in love meant you were emotionally invested in the happiness and well-being of the other person. This Pikachu understood completely. He firmly believed Ash checked this box—even back in Kalos, if the Electric-type thought about it. Ash always wanted Serena to succeed and be happy to an almost surprising level. Sure, Ash felt this way about all his friends, but it had always felt a little bit deeper with Serena; as though Ash's own happiness was tied to hers. As if their dreams were always connected.

Next was attraction, Sylveon had informed Pikachu rather coyly. This included being drawn to a person's personality, intellect, and the way one person makes the other person feel. It's a magnetism that goes beyond mere appreciation or liking. This, Pikachu also understood. While in Kalos, the signs of Ash being attracted to Serena had been much more limited—the boy had been young after all—now, it was pretty much as clear as day. Ash could literally not stop staring at Serena whenever she was in the room. It was almost embarrassing, Pikachu thought with a sigh.

At night, Ash had to end the day talking about Serena; how amazing she was, how awesome, how nice she looked during her Showcase, during their date, during her dance class…blah blah blah. Sometimes, Ash would talk about her eyes or whatnot and stop suddenly, flushing, as though it all embarrassed him.

There were other things Sylveon and Delphox had mentioned about being in love, such as the way love inspired people to grow or improve themselves; or the way love was developed through a sense of intimacy that included emotional vulnerability—sharing your deepest fears, hopes, dreams, and having a sense of safety and trust in doing so. Pikachu knew that Ash did all these things with Serena. Serena made him want to be better—that Ash had told Pikachu on numerous occasions—and the electric mouse knew that Ash talked about all sorts of things with the honey-blonde.

But then there was the last thing Delphox added onto their working definition of love. It was the sense of home. When you loved someone, they were home to you.

This made sense to Pikachu, since he loved Ash and felt at home with him. Also, Ash felt at home with his mom, and Ash loved his mom. And so Pikachu wondered if Ash felt at home with Serena. The Electric-type wanted to explain this to Ash, but also didn't want to meddle. Not yet, anyway…

Suddenly, Pikachu sensed Ash move away from the wall. The Electric-type looked up to see Serena coming out of the studio, all flushed from her dancing and exercise. She noticed Ash waiting for her, and the initial surprise that flickered across her face quickly transformed into a radiant smile. Pikachu, his hearing sharp and unfailing, noticed Ash's sharp intake of breath—a soft, almost inaudible gasp. Ash always did that whenever Serena entered a room, or whenever she smiled at him, or whenever Ash saw her in some fancy dress. Pikachu always heard it. And now he wondered if that was also a sign of being in love. Sylveon had mentioned that there was one other thing, but coquettishly had left it out of conversation, much to Delphox's ardent relief.

Wordlessly, Ash and Serena drew towards each other through the small crowd that filtered out the studio's doors. The two looked almost shy and a little flustered coming together. Pikachu tried not to sigh. When was this going to end? The whole, "we're still kind of embarrassed, but really happy to see each other" thing. Well, it had been the first time Ash and Serena had met up since their date, so Pikachu could partly understand the nerves. He noticed Ash looking around, trying to ignore some of the eyes that landed on them curiously. The young champion rocked slightly on his feet, his hands still in his pockets.

"You didn't tell me you were going to come by today," Serena whispered, pushing some strands of her hair back behind her left ear before clasping her hands together in front of her as if to keep them from reaching out towards him. "I just figured Blitz was going to keep running late for a little while."

Ash finally exhaled, grinning sheepishly and scratching the back of his head, "Yeah, it's been rough. But we finished up in the weight room today, which meant we could kind of leave whenever we wanted."

Serena nodded, her eyes looking over Ash once before the two began to walk side-by-side. "Has it been any better? With the team?"

Ash winced. "Not really…" The two had texted a little. Ash had explained the fiasco of the Blitz scrimmage from Sunday and how practice Monday had not gone well either. He explained about his continuing tension with Brutus, and his new conflict with Goh, but didn't go into much detail.

"But anyway," Ash adjusted his hat with a little frustrated sigh, wanting to change the subject. He did have a reason for seeking her out this time, but he wasn't sure how to approach the topic. "Um, so, how was your charity thing?"

"It was good," Serena giggled, seeing Ash struggle to remember the details of her event. He kept looking at her hand, as if wanting to take it, but stopping himself. She also had to resist, and moved to adjust the strap of her dance bag on her shoulder. Serena then sobered slightly, "I—I actually have something to tell you."

"And I have something to tell you!" Ash blurted out, the words tumbling from his lips before he could even gauge Serena's reaction. The young champion then scanned the bustling hallway. The school day was drawing to a close, and the hallway was teeming with people, their voices blending into a lively hum as they discussed their day, laughed, and called out to friends while making their way out of classrooms and electives.

Ash, however, noticed a small alcove off to the side, one partially hidden by a historic banner of some kind. Without really thinking, Ash discreetly took Serena's hand and brought her towards the small recess, slipping in behind the tapestry. They found themselves in a secluded nook, the din of the hallway muffled but still audible. The alcove was just large enough for the two of them. The walls were adorned with faded photographs and plaques that desperately needed a good dusting.

Pikachu watched them disappear into the alcove, his ear twitching. He decided that his third-wheeling only went so far. He was not going to follow them.

Ash hadn't anticipated just how confined the space would be. Standing there, face to face with only inches between them, the proximity seemed to make the moment a little more intense than he'd meant it. Ash attempted to lighten the mood with a cheeky grin, despite the heat rising to his cheeks. "Sorry, I just wanted us to have some privacy real fast," he explained. It was an awkward setup, but the intention behind it was pure…at least mostly. "Do you want to tell me your thing first?"

Serena tried to ignore the fact that she suddenly felt a little dizzy. "Um," she began, her voice slightly unsteady as she tried to focus on anything but the fact that Ash was mere breaths away from her. "I think I'd rather wait. I…," she paused, shaking her head slightly as if to clear it from the overwhelming rush of thoughts. "I was going to invite you over tomorrow night—if you weren't busy. But normally my rehearsals end a little early Wednesdays…"

Ash nodded, also feeling the effects of the tight, somewhat dark enclosure. This had definitely not been his best idea. Or maybe it was his best idea….he couldn't really decide. He felt their fingertips brush against each other and all thought immediately ceased. Ash felt his heart leap a little and his breath quicken. "Yeah, I can come over," he replied, not even sure what he was saying. She smelled like some kind of flower—like roses—and Ash felt like he could feel the smell on his lips.

"Great!" Serena said a little too loudly and she brought a hand to cover her mouth. She groaned as if irritated with herself before recovering with a small smile, "I can make us dinner. And Poképuffs!"

Ash's mouth began to water at the thought and his stomach growled. "That sounds amazing," he grinned.

Serena nodded, "Okay." She forced herself to move and leave the alcove. Before pulling back the banner that hid them from the rest of the world, she turned back and winked at him. "I'll see you then."

Ash could only nod mutely as he watched her leave. The scent of flowers suddenly faded.

---

Wednesday: Trigger

The school cafeteria buzzed with the vibrant energy typical of a lunch hour; a group of trainers was animatedly discussing battle strategies, their Pokémon perched on nearby chairs or tucked safely in their laps, eagerly listening in or snoozing. In another corner, a team of art students sketched quick portraits of their familiars, while music kids cleaned their instruments. The clatter of trays, the hum of conversations, and the occasional laughter created a backdrop for Nemona and the gang while they dug into the piles of freshly baked bread, bocadillos, and hearty bowls of soup full of local herbs and vegetables.

Nemona, her Pawmo happily munching on a piece of cheese near her ear, leaned forward with a determined look. "Okay, we're going to need everyone's help to decorate for homecoming," she announced, her voice carrying over the din of the cafeteria.

Arven, exchanging a quick glance with Ohara and his Mabosstiff, raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by 'everyone'?" he asked, more ceremoniously than anything. He already knew the answer…

Before Nemona could respond, Penny, accompanied by her graceful Vaporeon, suddenly appeared at their table, a tray laden with an impressive assortment of olives in her hands. "Oh, so now we're recruiting random students to help?" she inquired with a sour expression, clearly still not over her own involvement in the matter.

"Ohara's actually on the Student Committee with Alejandro. It's just Goh and Arven that are random," Nemona lifted a self-righteous finger and spoke with mix of amusement and matter-of-factness. Turning to make introductions, she gestured towards Penny, "Ohara—oh, and Arven—meet Penny."

The table echoed with a chorus of hellos and nods of acknowledgment as everyone exchanged greetings. Penny then pulled a chair back with a loud scraping sound and took a seat next to Hohma, who began to sweat nervously.

Goh and Arven exchanged glances.

"Oh! And does everyone have a date?" Nemona paused for emphasis, winking as she bit into her bocadillo, adding, "You don't need one of course. But it helps if you want to be Homecoming King and Queen. Generally, people vote for the cutest couple."

Arven, looking somewhat uncomfortable with the turn the conversation had taken, mumbled almost to himself, "And what if you don't want to go?"

"Have you ever even been to one, bro?" Aliquis tossed an aspear berry up and down in a display of boredom,

"No," Arven responded with a shake of his head, his arms crossing over his chest defensively. "I literally have social anxiety, remember?"

Aliquis paused mid-toss, blinking as he turned towards Meowscarada. He then looked back at Arven, "Hm. I feel like you've mentioned this before," the blue-haired trainer admitted, scratching his chin.

Arven sweatdropped.

Ohara, sensing Arven's discomfort, tried offering a solution. "Maybe we can go as a group? A lot of people just go with their friends nowadays." Her suggestion was met with some nods of agreement, and a grimace from Aliquis.

Hohma and his Quaxley looked excited by the idea. "That sounds like fun!"

It was then that Ash and Pikachu made their approach towards the table. Ash, noticing the unfamiliar face among his friends, took a double take at Penny and squinted in her direction, curiosity piqued. "Do I know you?" he asked, his question honest and unguarded.

"That's Penny!" Nemona, jumping in before Penny could answer, introduced with a hint of flippancy.

Penny adjusted her glasses which flashed under the cafeteria lights and let out a resigned sigh. "It seems I now have a personal narrator for my life."

"Join the club," Aliquis took a bite out of his aspear berry with a crooked grin.

Penny, maintaining her composed demeanor, turned back to Ash, acknowledging him with a neutral nod. "You and your blonde girlfriend helped me out with some Team Star grunts a couple of weeks ago. I never got to thank you by the way, so, well, thanks," she said, taking a piece of bread from the table and stuffing it with olives.

Ash felt his cheeks burn. "Oh! Serena's not my, well—" he stammered and began to sweat.

Oblivious to Ash's floundering and eager to keep the discussion on the event, Nemona continued, "You could invite Serena to the dance? You're allowed a plus one. It just means you can't be voted Homecoming King or Queen since she's not a student here…"

Ohara giggled with a warm smile, "Probably for the best, as they would definitely win that vote."

"Ash isn't going." Goh's words cut across the table and seemed to throw a curveball into the conversation, his tone bordering on spiteful. "He's going to some gala instead."

Everyone seemed to freeze at this.

"The Midsummer's Gala? Like…the gala." Aliquis's eyes were nearly bulging out of his sockets, "Joder…Yeah, I don't even think I have anything for you to wear for that!"

Nemona, though momentarily deflated by the news that Ash would be missing homecoming, quickly rallied her spirits for her friend's sake. "You'll simply have to tell us all about it!" she said, her excitement for Ash almost genuine.

Arven quickly picked up on Goh's visible irritation and voiced his curiosity with a hint of careful concern. "Yeah… Were you invited or are going with…?" He trailed off, deciding it was better to shut up.

Seeking to dispel any speculation, Ash quickly clarified with the wave of a hand, "I was invited." He took a seat next to Arven, his response short and to the point. Pikachu jumped onto the table and grabbed a piece of bread.

"Well," Hohma spoke up, sensing some tension, "Makes sense seeing as you're the World Monarch and all!"

Ohara turned to Nemona with a supportive smile and shifted the focus back to the upcoming school event. "Homecoming will still be great! I'm excited for our theme!" she declared.

Though smiling, Nemona couldn't quite mask the trace of nerves in her face. "It will be! I'm more nervous for the Blitz match beforehand…" she admitted, her concern for the team's performance casting a shadow over her usual optimism. Her involvement in the Homecoming planning had always been full of enthusiasm and innovative ideas, making each event memorable and engaging for everyone. However, this year, with just the added pressures of the Koraidon adventures, Team Star investigations, and now the crumbling Blitz team, Nemona hadn't been able to put as much thought into the dance and she felt the sting of her own high expectations.

The idea of having Ash, the World Monarch, attend the event had been a secret ace up her sleeve—a guarantee that no matter what, the event would be unforgettable. Ash's presence alone would have elevated the excitement and allure of Homecoming, making it an even more talked-about affair. But, the realization that Ash would be missing the Homecoming for the Midsummer's Gala was a disappointment not just on a personal level but also from a planner's perspective…she had hoped Ash would serve as a perfect counterbalance to any shortcomings in the planning phase, a compensation at best for her dropping the ball.

Now, faced with the reality of his absence, Nemona couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, as if she had somehow let her friends and classmates down by not securing such a key figure for their Homecoming…and she was worried that people would be upset.

"So," Penny began, methodically enjoying her olives, "who are you all playing for the Homecoming game?"

Aliquis, with his characteristic candor, responded, "Medali Prep. They're not supposed to be very good, but hey—neither are we right now."

His blunt assessment drew a sharp retort from Nemona, "Aliquis! We'll get there! We're just…going through a rough patch!" Her defense was fervent and hopeful.

Penny listened intently but didn't respond.

Sensing Nemona's mind growing heavier, Ohara placed a hand on the class president's shoulder. "Hey, just let us know what we need to do to help the school get ready for Homecoming! We're happy to help!" she said, rallying the group's support.

"Yeah! We'd love to help still!" Ash and Pikachu grinned, raising their fists and looking excited to show their support. "The theme sounds totally awesome!"

Everyone else nodded and offered their own words of encouragement, which made Nemona feel better. For now.

---

As the sun dipped towards the horizon, casting long shadows over the meadow, Gary and Ash stood at opposite ends of a large, expansive field nestled among the Area One cliffs. Determined smirks were etched onto both of their faces.

On the sidelines, Pikachu, stood on his hind legs, electricity crackling softly around his cheeks while he, Wattrel, and Charcadet all stood on top of Koraidon, who had settled itself in the grass with a contended, relaxed posture as its ancient, slow-blinking eyes observed the upcoming battle before them.

"From what I've read," Ash was saying, adjusting his hat against the strong coastal breezes, "Ceruledge is known to be pretty fast. Even if you manage a good type match-up and Umbreon or Blastoise have to deal with it, we want to make sure that they can land a hit. Fast ghost-types can be pretty hard to pin down."

Gary's gaze never left Umbreon, who remained poised and ready in front of him. "Sounds about right. But Umbreon's been learning Foul Play, which I thought would be a good move for him to know since we were talking about using Ceruledge's own power against itself. And for Arcanine, I used a TM to get him to learn Bite. That way, even he's got at least one super effective move against Ceruledge."

Ash nodded with approval, a smile creeping onto his face. "Great!" he exclaimed, "Foul Play will work especially if Ceruledge tries to boost its attack. It's also just a great move to have as a counter when you're not sure what to expect…"

Gary smirked at the sight of Ash instructing him. "So," he began, placing a confident hand on his hip, "who've you got for us to train with today?"

Ash grinned. With a practiced motion as fluid as water, he produced a Pokéball from his belt and enlarged it before tossing it high into the air. Moments later, Gengar emerged.

"Gengar, Gengar!" The Ghost-type floated around with its typical dark but playful humor.

Gary grinned. "Nice." The researcher quickly understood that Gengar's type and mischievous speed made him the perfect stand-in for Ceruledge, offering Gary a chance to hone his working strategy.

Umbreon was up first. Under the cloak of twilight, the training field was alight with the intense focus between Gengar and Umbreon, their standoff a dance of shadows and gleaming eyes. Ash, observing closely, was keen on ensuring this mock battle would sharpen Gary's tactics. He had worked with Gengar on trying to embody the spirit of the formidable opponent, and now Gengar floated with an eerie grace, his grin wide and inviting challenge.

"Let's go, Umbreon. Psychic," Gary instructed, his voice calm yet firm.

Umbreon locked eyes with Gengar, acknowledging his trainer's command with a determined nod. The yellow rings on his sleek fur began to glow with a vibrant, ethereal light, pulsating with the buildup of a pinkish energy.

With a graceful leap into the air, Umbreon unleashed the Psychic attack, directing a wave of invisible force towards Gengar. The air around them seemed to warp and bend under the pressure of the visual rippling effect.

However, Gengar launched into a series of swift, ghostly movements, simulating Ceruledge's aggressive and evasive style. The Ghost-type avoided the attack and in an instant appeared behind Umbreon, who hesitated, unsure of what was happening.

"Will-o-wisp!" Ash's voice rang out clear and commanding, directing Gengar to change gears. In response, Gengar unleashed a series of ghostly flames that flickered and danced with an unnatural light. The attack swirled around Umbreon, who, still recovering from its moment of hesitation, found itself engulfed in the spectral fire. The Will-o-wisp connected, and the blue flames latched onto Umbreon, causing a burn that began sapping his strength and focus, leaving patches of its sleek fur singed and emitting a faint smoke.

Gary, witnessing the unfolding scenario, gritted his teeth. "Quick, try again! Psychic!" he instructed, hoping to regain the upper hand with a direct attack. Umbreon, gathering its waning strength, focused on channeling psychic energy once again. Just as it unleashed the Psychic attack, Gengar vanished into thin air, the attack whizzing past where it had been moments before and hitting nothing but the empty air.

"Umbreon can't get overwhelmed! He needs to focus!" Ash's voice cut through the tension, his advice clear and supportive. Umbreon was struggling not just against Gengar's attacks but also against the psychological warfare being waged.

Gary nodded, understanding the need for a change in strategy. "Okay, Umbreon, just stay still and track Gengar for a moment," he said calmly, directing Umbreon to take a defensive stance.

Despite the searing pain of the burn that marred his midnight fur, Umbreon gathered his resolve, the determination in its eyes unwavering. Gary's command to pause and track resonated with the Dark-type. Standing still amidst the field, Umbreon's senses heightened, tuning into the nuances of Gengar's movements.

Gengar, still mimicking the unpredictable nature of their mock adversary, launched towards Umbreon with a burst of speed. Its form blurred, a ghostly mirage that seemed both present and ethereal. Umbreon's ears twitched, its body tensed, ready to respond. Gengar's approach was a feint, a tactic to disorient and provoke. Just as it seemed to commit to a direct attack, Gengar vanished, leaving nothing but a faint, chilly draft in its wake.

The moment of disappearance was brief, a heartbeat's pause. Then, with uncanny precision, Gengar reappeared behind Umbreon, simulating a Shadow Claw attack.

Umbreon, relying on its heightened senses and the guidance from Gary, anticipated this maneuver. Even as Gengar vanished, Umbreon remained calm, its focus razor-sharp. The sensation of Gengar's presence behind it triggered an immediate response.

"Foul Play! Let's go!" Gary commanded urgently.

With remarkable agility and awareness, Umbreon pivoted, using Gengar's momentum against himself. The moment Gengar reappeared, Umbreon blocked the Ghost-type with his tail, flipped around, and used his back legs to kick Gengar, sending the grinning ghoul across the lawn, his form flickering as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"Nice, Umbreon! Now, Confuse Ray," Gary called out, seizing the moment to press their advantage.

With a graceful leap, Umbreon spun in the air, its rings emitting a mesmerizing light. The Confuse Ray shot towards Gengar, a beam of light that twisted and turned in the twilight, seeking to disorient its target. Gengar found itself caught in the ray's path, its movements becoming erratic as the confusion took hold.

Ash watched, impressed by the effectiveness of Gary's tactics and Umbreon's execution. "That's it, Gary! You've got the upper hand now. We don't want Ceruledge at its full potential."

Gengar, still under the effects of confusion, attempted to regain its bearings, shaking its head vigorously. Gary and Umbreon didn't waste the opportunity. "Okay, Umbreon. Use Sand Attack and prepare for another Foul Play," Gary instructed, opting to continue lowering Gengar's stats before landing another blow.

Umbreon, despite the occasional wince from the lingering pain of its burn, launched into action, its yellow rings briefly dimming as it concentrated on the next move. With a swift motion, Umbreon kicked up a cloud of sand from the ground, the granules shimmering in the sunset as they flew towards Gengar.

Not missing a beat, Umbreon then charged forward, closing the distance between itself and Gengar with surprising speed.

However, Gengar, despite the confusion clouding his movements, reacted with a surprising burst of clarity. Just as Umbreon was about to land the Foul Play, Gengar, with a cunning twist, managed to catch Umbreon's tail between his purple hands. The sudden grip halted Umbreon's momentum, a startling interruption in the flow of their carefully executed strategy.

"Kick Umbreon back with Shadow Ball!" Ash shouted, pointing towards the Dark-type.

At Ash's command, Gengar's demeanor shifted from defensive to offensive in an instant. "Gen, gen," it cackled, acknowledging his trainer's instruction with a mischievous tone. Positioning itself, Gengar opened its grinning mouth wide, gathering dark energy that swirled and condensed into a formidable sphere. With a theatrical flourish, it launched the Shadow Ball, the attack pulsating and crackling as it connected with Umbreon. The Dark-type reeled back towards Gary and landed with a thud, wounded more by the impact than the elemental damage of the attack.

Ash looked up at Gary, "If you're gonna use Sand Attack, try not to use any physical moves right afterwards. Kind of takes the point away. Gengar's Shadow Ball would have probably missed if—"

"If Umbreon hadn't gotten right up in his face," Gary groaned and ran a hand through his auburn hair. "Got it."

Gary then bent down towards Umbreon before fishing out a Full Heal from his satchel. He quickly administered it to Umbreon's burn. Umbreon then jumped back onto his feet, feeling energized.

"Ready to keep going?" Gary asked, looking up at Ash with a smirk that seemed to reflect his Pokémon's resilience.

Ash grinned back. "You bet!"

The two continued to train. Umbreon continued to practice his new combinations. Meanwhile, Gengar seemed to embrace his role as a stand-in for Ceruledge, darting around the field, launching mock shadowy blades towards Umbreon, simulating possible sword-like attacks one would expect to see Ceruledge use, such as Night Slash or Shadow Claw. These feigned strikes, while not imbued with the full power of Ceruledge's moves, provided Umbreon with a realistic challenge, and Umbreon continued to practice its Foul Play counter, turning Gengar's simulated strength against it.

When Umbreon had enough, Gary brought out Blastoise and Arcanine in turn, each Pokémon eyeing Gengar with a mix of curiosity and readiness. With Blastoise, the emphasis shifted towards enhancing the Pokémon's response time and accuracy. Ash and Gary collaborated to push Blastoise's limits, honing its ability to unleash Water Pulse and Water Gun with increased speed and precision. Gengar, ever the elusive target, phased in and out of visibility, forcing Blastoise to adjust its aim and timing on the fly, a crucial adaptation for the anticipated clash with Ceruledge.

Arcanine's training session introduced a new layer of strategy. Ash advised Gary to incorporate Extreme Speed into Arcanine's repertoire. Despite the move's physical nature being ineffective against a Ghost-type like Ceruledge, the boost in speed was invaluable and the move could also be used as a defensive tool for evasion. Overall, the speed boost would allow Arcanine to close distances rapidly, creating opportunities to employ Bite with a higher chance of success.

As the session drew to a close, both trainers and their Pokémon were visibly wearied but invigorated by the progress made. Sweat glistened on their brows, and breaths came in short, excited huffs. Gary, while not yet brimming with confidence, felt a budding sense of hopefulness about his upcoming battle.

"Man," Gary muttered, wiping some of the sweat off his face. The sun had just now fully set over the horizon. As the researcher recalled his exhausted Blastoise and Arcanine back into their Pokéballs, a smile touched his lips, eyes glinting with a mixture of fatigue and satisfaction. "I forgot how much fun that is," he admitted.

"Yeah?" Ash teased, a playful note in his voice as he turned to Gengar, who still floated with an air of mischievous pride around them. "You were awesome, Gengar. Thanks! We'll see you tomorrow!" he praised, his words genuine and warm. With a flick of his wrist, Ash recalled Gengar into its Pokéball, ensuring the Ghost-type got a well-deserved rest.

The two Kanto boys came together in the middle of the field while Pikachu, Charcadet, Wattrel, and Koraidon also gathered around them. After some excited chatter and conversation, Ash recalled everyone except Pikachu, streamlining their group for the journey back. With Pikachu and Umbreon by their sides, Ash and Gary began the walk back towards the city, the tranquility of the evening lending a serene end to their productive day.

"So, how are you feeling?" Ash asked, his tone casual but underscored with genuine concern as they trudged up a grassy knoll, the city lights beginning to twinkle in the distance. "We'll practice some more this week, obviously. But you don't think this guy—Amethio?—is going to be, like, that hard to beat right? I mean, I've never heard of him. If he were really strong, I feel like I would have," he mused, wondering about the reputation and capabilities of Gary's upcoming opponent.

Gary shook his head, his expression turning contemplative under the starlit sky. "I just don't know, Ash. These guys, well, they don't seem like the kind for people to not be good at this type of thing." He paused, gazing off into the distance, the uncertainty clear in his violet eyes. "They seem pretty powerful…" he added, his voice trailing off slightly. His fingers absently brushed against the Pokéballs at his belt.

Ash, sensing Gary's concern but also fueled by his inherent optimism, clapped a hand on Gary's shoulder. "Got it! Well then we'll just keep practicing!"

The night deepened. High above, the moon shone bright and full. Its light, though gentle, was enough to illuminate the path before them, casting long shadows and giving the surrounding countryside a silvery quality. Soon enough, the bright lights of Mesagoza were enough to blaze through the darkness.

"You hungry? Want to grab a bite?" Gary asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them as they approached the familiar sights and sounds of the city.

Ash hesitated, his demeanor shifting slightly at the question. "Uh, actually, I kind of have plans," he admitted.

Gary stopped in his tracks, surprise registering on his face before it was quickly replaced by a slow-spreading smirk. "Oh? You know, it's kind of late. What are you planning to do at this time of night, eh?" he prodded, his curiosity piqued by Ash's vague response.

Finding himself on the spot, Ash grew increasingly uncomfortable under his rival's probing gaze. He averted his eyes, the unease clear in his posture. "It's really none of your business," he retorted with a bit of a defensive edge.

Umbreon began to snicker and Pikachu just rolled his eyes and face-palmed. It would really be nice if Ash could just keep it together for once.

Ash's facade of nonchalance crumbled under the weight of Gary's relentless curiosity. "So touchy, Ashy-boy. Seriously, I'm just wondering. Think I could come with you—to wherever it is you're going? You know, I don't have any plans," Gary continued to tease.

"Uh, no," Ash stumbled over his words, caught off guard and flustered by the directness of the question, "It's…kind of private."

"Whoa!" Gary whistled.

Realizing how his response might have sounded, Ash quickly tried to backtrack, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Wait—not that private! Just—it's nothing!"

Gary grinned wickedly, "Then I'll come!"

"No!"

"So I won't come."

"Yes! You won't come!"

"Because you're going to see Serena."

"Yes!"

Stopping short, Ash groaned, the realization of what he had just admitted hitting him like a wave. His face contorted in a mixture of embarrassment and exasperation, the night air echoing with the sound of his frustration.

Gary, triumphant in his discovery, couldn't hide his delight, his grin widening as he snapped his fingers in an "Aha!" moment. "So you are dating her? Well, well, well. This…" He paused, taking a deep breath as if savoring the victory, "is amazing."

"Shut up," Ash muttered, taking off his hat as though to inspect it for a moment while he let the heat cool off his cheeks.

Gary couldn't resist. "No, no—I'm serious, Ashy-boy. You're growing up," he said, theatrically wiping away nonexistent tears from his eyes. "And I'm here to take a front row seat."

Ash gave Gary a playful shove, unable to hide the small smile that crept across his lips. He was happy Gary knew him and Serena. He wasn't sure why, but he was.

Gary chuckled and shoved his hands in his pockets. He looked at Ash, trying to grow a little more serious, "So…you really like her?"

Ash, caught off guard by the straightforward question, met Gary's gaze. Nervous and a bit uncomfortable, the young champion took a shuddering breath before admitting, "Yeah, well. It might be more than that…" The admission hung in the air between them, a confession of deeper feelings that Ash was still coming to terms with.

Gary nodded, something flashing across his own face before looking away to give Ash a moment with his thoughts. The streets of Mesagoza, alive with the typical nightlife, now surrounded them as they continued their walk.

Eventually, they reached the point where their paths diverged for the night—Gary heading back to his apartment, Ash towards Serena's. Umbreon and Pikachu watched the two boys curiously, wondering if they'd say anything else.

With a final act of teasing, Gary clasped Ash's shoulder, his grin cheeky and mischievous. "Well, let me know if you get any further than just telling her 'you're amazing!'" he quipped and winked.

Ash growled and pushed Gary's hand away, "I really don't even know why I put up with you!"

Laughing, Gary turned to leave, offering Ash a mock salute as he did. "Smell ya later!" he called out, "Tell Serena I said hey."

Ash replaced his hat back onto his hair before shaking his head and muttering to himself as he watched Gary and his Umbreon go. Ash then turned to Pikachu, who was snickering.

"Oh? So you thought that was funny?" he asked, hands on his hips in feigned annoyance.

Pikachu shook his head and shrugged before bouncing off in the direction of Serena's apartment. He was excited to see Serena himself and get some Poképuffs and eat them with the others while they all watched the two get all hot and bothered for each other…again.

"Hey! Wait up!" Ash called out, quickening his pace to catch up with Pikachu, his own excitement creating a new rush of adrenaline that sent the young champion surging ahead.

---

Hidden in the shadows just a stone's throw away from where Ash and Gary had parted ways; Jessie, James, and Meowth watched with a mix of curiosity and opportunistic glee. The trio, ever on the lookout for a chance to make a grandiose and nefarious splash, had been eavesdropping on the two young trainers since their training session out in the meadow, and now they currently huddled together, their eyes gleaming with the prospect of a new, audacious plan.

"So it looks like the twerps are preparing to face some powerful Pokémon at a grand party full of powerful people!" James whispered excitedly, barely containing his enthusiasm. "It's the perfect opportunity for us to use our experience as high-society aristocrats to sneak into this event and steal that Pikachu along with a whole cache of Pokémon!"

Always one to seize the moment for potential grandeur and mayhem, Jessie could not be more delighted by the idea. She was already thinking of all outfits she would need—as such an event required numerous costume changes for every hour. And she would need a glass slipper.

"Yes, James!" she clapped her hands and stars twinkled in her eyes, "Think of it—the crème de la crème of Pokémon society, all gathered in one place. And not just any place, but at the Midsummer's Gala! Finally, we can actually work among a more civilized society."

Meowth, ever the pragmatist of the group, chimed in. "And let's not forget dat Pikachu. Wherever dat twerp goes, Pikachu ain't far behind. Dis could be our chance to finally nab him with all the other rare and powerful Pokémon that'll be there. We'll hit the jackpot!"

The trio's eyes sparkled at the thought of capturing not only Pikachu but also the mysterious and powerful Ceruledge that Gary and Ash had mentioned. The idea of such a coup was too tempting to pass up.

"Alright, team, this calls for a plan of grand proportions," Jessie declared, her voice filled with determination as she flipped her long, magenta hair. "We'll need opulent costumes, beautifully forged invitations, and, most importantly, a foolproof scheme to capture Pikachu and that Ceruledge during their little Battle Royale without anyone being the wiser."

James folded his arms across his chest and closed his eyes. "It's really too simple. We won't even have to act with our high-breeding already lending us to fit in perfectly with Paldea's elite."

Meowth, scratching his furry chin thoughtfully, added, "But we'll need a special kind of machine or something to contain all da Pokémon we get."

Each lost in their own thoughts, the trio began to envision a night of glamorous deceit, where they would finally outsmart Ash, capture Pikachu, and make off with a treasure trove of powerful Pokémon.

"Prepare for trouble at the Midsummer's Gala," Jessie proclaimed, twirling as she imagined herself dancing and plotting; plotting and dancing—her dance card full of admiring suitors who would propose marriage to her thereby making her some kind of Paldean Princess.

"And make it double," James added, the pair exchanging a look of devious agreement. He was already distracted by the decision on whether or not to wear a pink or purple tuxedo.

"Meowth, that's right!" the feline Pokémon concluded, rounding out their infamous motto.

And so, Team Rocket set off to prepare for another of of their daring capers, their spirits high with the promise of chaos and drama at one of the most exclusive events in Paldea.

---

Serena had just placed the final tray of freshly made chocolate Poképuffs on the kitchen counter, the delightful aroma filling her apartment, when the unexpected chime of the doorbell echoed through the room. Startled, she glanced at the clock on the wall, her eyes widening as she realized how much time had slipped by unnoticed. A wave of panic washed over her as she exchanged frantic glances with her Pokémon, each of whom wore a mischievous grin, evidently finding something funny about Serena's sudden rush.

Without a moment to spare, Serena hurried to untie her apron, her movements swift and somewhat flustered. The apron fell away, but not before she paused to hastily brush off the flour that had dusted her face during her baking marathon. There wasn't a second to lose, and yet, as she moved, her Pokémon's snickers filled the air, teasing her in their unique, silent and not-so-silent way. She wished she could afford a moment to glower at them, to scold them for their amusement at her predicament, but she was suddenly way too busy...

With a resigned sigh, Serena moved to a little buzzer beside her apartment door and pressed the button to unlock the building's entrance for Ash, her heart already fluttering nervously. Time, it seemed, was not on her side this evening. Before she could even think about tackling the mess in her kitchen or attempt to freshen up her appearance, Ash was already knocking at her apartment door. The realization that she wouldn't be able to present everything as perfectly as she had hoped washed over her, prompting a soft sigh of surrender.

Turning her attention to her Pokémon, who were blissfully unaware of the mini-crisis unfolding, Serena couldn't help but direct a playful glare their way. "You all are no help," she grumbled, hanging up her apron on a nearby hook while Sylveon, Pancham, and Delphox merely munched away on their dinner.

When she pulled the door open, she found a winded Ash and Pikachu leaning against her door frame, both appearing as if they had just sprinted the last leg of their journey to her apartment. Shaking her head at their seemingly boundless energy, she greeted them with a sweet smile. Without hesitation, Serena reached down to pick up Pikachu, cradling him gently in her arms as he gratefully caught his breath. The little Electric-type Pokémon looked up at her with tired but happy eyes, silently thanking her for the comfort.

"I really don't know where you all get your energy," Serena sighed, stepping aside and making room for Ash, who entered with a grin that matched his earlier enthusiasm. His cheeks were flushed from the exertion, yet his eyes seemed to sparkle with eagerness.

"Maybe Blitz is helping my endurance," Ash looked excited at the thought.

Serena couldn't help but giggle, her laughter light and genuine. "I feel like you've always had inhuman endurance, Ash," she teased, gently taking Pikachu from her arms and setting him down at the table with the others so that he could eat as well.

Turning back to Ash, who had been observing her with a strange expression, Serena remembered his other Pokémon companions. "Don't you want Charcadet and Wattrel to have some too? I'd offer to Koraidon, but the apartment may be a little small for him," she added regretfully.

Ash smiled and agreed right away. He released Charcadet and Wattrel from their Pokéballs. Gengar would have also been a little cramped. They excitedly joined Sylveon, Pancham, Delphox, and Pikachu around the table, eager to partake in the food and treats laid out before them. To prevent any chaos that might ensue from the collective enthusiasm, Delphox, with a calm and stoic equanimity, began to divvy out the Poképuffs among the Pokémon. The Fox Pokémon's methodical distribution ensured that each of Serena's and Ash's Pokémon received their share without any disputes, showcasing a level of grace and order amidst the potential for a free-for-all.

Ash watched the scene unfold, a look of mild envy crossing his face as he observed the Pokémon enjoying the fruits of Serena's baking efforts. But Serena gently pulled him from his thoughts by taking his sleeve and leading him into the kitchen. There, a bit shyly, she pulled out a small gift box from her fridge. "Here," she said softly, her cheeks coloring slightly as she presented the box to Ash. "I was going to bring them with me tomorrow in case I saw you." Handing the box over, Serena clasped her hands behind her back.

As Ash opened the gift box, his eyes lit up like little stars at the sight of Poképuffs and delicate macarons. Each Poképuff was a small masterpiece, their colors vibrant and inviting, some adorned with swirls of icing and sprinkles, others dusted with powdered sugar while the macarons, in an array of pastel hues, were picture-perfect; their smooth, rounded shells hinting at the creamy, flavorful filling sandwiched between them. Sniffing, Ash smelled sweet chocolate, vanilla, and rawst—or pecha?—berry. Either way, Ash's mouth was watering.

Truly, he did not deserve such happiness.

Serena laughed as Ash entered into a euphoric state, which lasted long enough for her to begin clearing some of the kitchen and setting up their plates for dinner. Ash watched her, licking his fingers of chocolate icing, as he sat himself at one of the bar seats beside the kitchen island.

"How was your day?" Ash managed to ask between bites of Serena's desserts, his appreciation for each flavor quite evident. Swallowing, he looked up at Serena with eager eyes, curiosity lighting them up as he pressed on, "Oh! And what's your news?"

Serena paused, a deep breath lifting her shoulders as she prepared to dive into the details of the weekend. "Well," she began, "the charity event went really well." She leaned against the counter, her expression becoming more thoughtful as she rested her face in her hands. "And, well, I ended up speaking with the governor."

At the mention of the governor, Serena's tone shifted, hinting at the significance of the encounter. "At first, I hadn't really thought much of the meeting," she admitted, her eyes tracing the patterns on the kitchen tiles before meeting Ash's attentive gaze once more. "I thought she was going to just thank me for performing at the event and then move on. But, Isabel seemed to understand the heart behind my Showcases. She even said Paldea needed Showcases!"

Serena's words flowed more freely as she delved into the details of her conversation with Governor Isabel, a meeting that had seemingly started as something tense but had evolved into something far more meaningful. "She appreciated what I was doing in teaching the younger performers," Serena revealed, a note of pride weaving through her words. The acknowledgement from someone as esteemed as the governor had clearly left an impression on her, validating Serena's efforts and passion for her work.

"She knows Guillermo's feelings about what I'm doing," Serena sighed, pouring Ash a bowl of the onion soup she had made for dinner, "and she doesn't approve of…well, his ideas of a Showcase. Or of him in general."

Ash nodded, his jaw and fists immediately clenching at Lebarón's name. "No one in their right mind would approve of that guy if you ask me," he sulked, and plopped another chocolate macaroon into his mouth before closing the box and accepting the bowl of soup, "But what else did she say?"

Serena looked up at him, her blue eyes shining. "She's going to help me find new sponsors for the shows. That way, I can drop Guillermo and his connections, and I can do what I want with the Showcases," a determined look flashed across Serena's face. "There's a gala coming up this weekend hosted by a prominent CEO here in Paldea, and apparently a lot of Paldea's elite—politicians, socialites, gym leaders, and more—will be there. So it's important that I go." Serena bit her lip as though she were holding something back.

Ash didn't seem to notice. He nodded excitedly. "This is awesome news!" He, probably more than Serena, wanted Guillermo far far away from her Showcases. "You know, that reminds me," Ash grinned, drumming his fingers on the counter as though getting nervous. He fished in the pocket of his pants and pulled out the gala invitation he'd received from Gary. "I have some news too!"

Serena's eyes went wide at the sight of the invitation, but she didn't look particularly excited, which Ash thought was weird. Still, he continued.

"So, uh, I've been invited to the gala thing too," Ash stammered and cleared his throat. He would have been lying to say he'd given his next words some deep thought. Really, he felt like they were coming out of the visceral reaction he felt whenever he imagined anyone trying to get close to Serena or dance with her—which was something that now crossed his mind as he thought of Guillermo. "I thought," he continued rather poorly, "I thought we could go together…we could tell everyone we're going as friends! That is, if we still wanted to keep our dating a secret…"

Ash did not like Serena's blank expression. An ominous feeling filled the air.

Serena didn't know whether to laugh out loud or start yelling. It probably would have been the first time—no, second time—she would have really yelled at Ash, but this guy could be as dense as a block of concrete. And so, Serena decided to take a very long and steadying breath.

Nearby, the Pokémon all watched them as though they were seated at a cinema. Their Poképuffs, their popcorn.

"Ash," Serena at first placed her hands on the cool marble counter as though trying to ground herself. However, then she decided to try a different approach. She decided she would try to be very clear about something—at least the one thing that she knew she could be clear about.

"First of all," Serena began, moving around the kitchen island towards Ash, "if we go to something like this together—even if we insisted we're just…'friends'..." she nearly shuddered at the word, but soon stood in front of the mildly frightened young champion, "no one—absolutely no one—will believe us. Think about it. The Kalos Queen and the Monarch of the World attend Paldea's biggest social event of the year. Together. We will be on the front page of the paper the next day."

Serena then moved even closer to Ash. She smiled rather coquettishly at the boy, slipping her hands into his hair to remove his hat so that she could look very deeply into his amber eyes, which were now wide and frozen on her face. She placed his hat on the counter and moved her face inches away from his.

"Second of all," she began again, her hands now moving back onto his shoulders as though to control the distance between them, "I want you to know that I never wanted to keep telling people that we're just 'friends.' That was something you wanted to do, and I respected that because I didn't want to push you into anything. But don't project that on me. I don't want us to just be friends—I don't want other people thinking we're just friends," Serena's blue eyes looked hard into Ash as if she were trying to solidify this fact in stone with her gaze.

Ash sat frozen in place, both terrified and thrilled by what she might do next. Serena herself wasn't really sure what had come over her. Perhaps her conversation with Isabel had empowered her in some way—made her feel bold in the sense that it was encouraging to know that women of Isabel's caliber existed. In fact, if Serena weren't so determined to make Ash work for her, she would have crashed her lips onto his to really let him know how serious she was about ending their 'friendship'.

And so instead, she just brought her lips to his ear and asked in a very low voice, "Does that make sense?"

Ash felt a shiver run down his spine as her breath touched his skin. He started to feel very strange—like his entire body was experiencing some kind of mild electric shock. He desperately wanted to look toward Pikachu to make sure that his best buddy hadn't been messing with him. However, the young champion found that he couldn't look away from the stern and beautiful face that had hardened with a rock-hard determination that Ash found extremely alluring.

He nodded, very very slowly. Serena felt him nod and began pulling away, her cheek softly brushing against his by accident, which caused them both to blush and grow a little more flustered. As Serena began to slide her hands off his shoulders, Ash caught her wrists.

They both froze, both wondering what Ash was about to do next. Their faces were still inches apart and the young champion's eyes immediately found her lips. He felt everything inside him start to burn. However, as much as he really wanted to bring his mouth over hers, Ash felt like he had something very important to say first. And so, by sheer force of will, he tore his gaze from her bright, determined mouth and looked into her patient eyes.

"I want to take you to the gala. As your date," Ash said with a firm nod, "I don't care who knows we're dating anymore."

Serena smiled though she didn't exactly look convinced. "Why?"

That was a hard question, Ash gritted his teeth. He snuck a glance towards Pikachu who promptly shook his head and gave his trainer a "don't look at me" look.

Ash felt the collar of his shirt start to itch. "Um," his grip momentarily loosened on her wrists and Serena pulled her hands away but rested them on his knees, between which she stood as his long legs didn't exactly fit the stool he sat on. Ash found their whole position very distracting for some reason.

"I just," he began again, taking a deep grounding breath, "don't like the idea of you having to deal with guys like García and Guillermo by yourself, okay? I thought that maybe if they saw that I was your date they'd, I don't know, leave you alone and not 'hit on you,' as they say."

Serena looked partly delighted and irritated and amused all at once. She tilted her head with a teasing smile, she couldn't help it. Ash was thoroughly flustered by something and part of her wanted some revenge for all of the times he'd left her speechless and incoherent. "As 'who' says?"

Ash gave a half-hearted attempt to wave off her question. He swore he could feel every part of her delicate fingers even though his pants. "You know, people," he getting all confused and starting to second guess himself, "Doesn't getting hit on mean like when someone's trying to flirt with you?" He scrunched his nose.

Serena laughed, a teasing melody still adding a lilt to her voice, "And since when did you know anything about flirting, Ash Ketchum?" She gave his knees an innocent squeeze, wholly unaware of how it affected the boy.

Ash's face turned scarlet and he could have sworn Pikachu had shocked him. He quickly grabbed her hands and brought them into his. "Since I realized how much I hate it when other guys flirt with you," Ash stated, his face grew hard and stern.

Serena sobered up quickly. He was being serious. Very serious. A thrill shot through Serena but she quickly squeezed Ash's hands as though to reassure him. "You know you have nothing to worry about," she hummed lowly, tracing circles on the skin above his thumbs.

Ash sighed, allowing himself to really feel all of his emotions for a moment. "It's not that I don't trust you, Serena. I trust you more than anyone I know. It's just that I don't trust them. Guys like García and Lebarón…they're not good people."

Moved with emotion, Serena untangled her hands from Ash's to place them on either side of his face. "Ash," she began, her voice a bit thick. She truly loved him, she really did. Funny how it all flooded her now… And she wished only that she had enough confidence to say it out loud; without fear, without regret. She sighed. "I need you to trust that I can take care of myself. You know how you're always telling me how strong I am? Well, you're right. I am strong. I need to learn how to fight men like García and Lebarón on my own, because I'm going to have to deal with men like that the rest of my life."

Ash looked at her and nodded slowly. She was right. He knew she was. It was just a weird feeling not being able to fight a battle for someone he really cared about. But Serena was strong. And she had Delphox, Pancham, and Sylveon. All of them would do anything for her.

"Yeah, I know," Ash let out a slow breath, feeling her hands return to his. "So…is that a 'no' about the gala?"

"It is."

Ash deflated. He felt like a puddle on the floor.

"But not because of what you said!" Serena quickly reassured, trying not to laugh at his utterly depressed state. For a moment, she thought he was about to go and start digging his own grave. "Ash, I would love more than anything to go with you and have you there by my side! It's just…well…if you and I go together it will be like I said. The media— if they start to think you, the Ash Ketchum, Monarch of the World, is dating anyone—they will go crazy. And, well…"

Ash blinked, catching on. "That would be distracting to what you're trying to do," he finished, nodding with understanding, "like, there would be too much attention on you—on us—so it'd be tough to talk to the new sponsors in secret, which I guess is what you're planning to do so that Lebarón doesn't force you out early."

Serena looked determined, squeezing Ash's hands. "That's right," she breathed, looking down at their hands. A light rosy hue dusted her cheeks. It was still hard for her to get used to the idea that Ash liked to hold her hand, placed such special importance on it, or that she could reach for him whenever she wanted to. She felt bad that this still wasn't enough for her. That she wanted more from him. But Ash was trying, Serena knew, and that was all she could ask for at the moment.

"Hey," Ash whispered, sensing Serena drifting farther back into her thoughts. "I'm still going to be there. I have to actually. It's a long story."

He quickly explained the nature of his commitment to Gary and Gary's predicament with Navarro.

"So, I've been training with Gary, and we're going to keep training on the nights leading up to the gala," Ash shrugged. He had resumed eating when Serena had decided to continue cleaning the kitchen while Ash caught her up on the Gary situation. "And then, I guess I'll see who Navarro wants me to meet so badly. I doubt it's anything important."

Serena looked up sharply at the last bit of information. "Ash, here you are worried about me mingling with Paldea's elite and yet there you go about to wine and dine with the most powerful of them! You have to take this seriously!" Serena couldn't prevent her pitch from nearing a squeak even if she wanted to. She ran back around the island to place her hands on Ash's shoulders, surprising him. "You have to be careful. We don't know if…I don't know—if these people are dangerous! Navarro sounds very powerful…"

Ash blinked for a moment and then smiled at her. "Don't worry," he popped another macaron nonchalantly into his mouth, "I don't plan on getting involved with any of this. I'm just trying to make sure Koraidon gets back home, and Clavell is doing most of the leg work for that. I'm really not trying to get involved in politics."

"Ash," Serena furrowed her brows, "have you considered that you might have to get involved? You're the greatest Pokémon trainer in the world. You have responsibilities now! Maybe you need to put in more of an effort to find out what's really going on…not that I necessarily like the idea of you getting involved either," Serena shivered at the thoughts coming to her mind. "Ash, you just need to be careful. You might need to help Gary in your own way and play along with some of the conversations Navarro involves you in, because you might get information no one else is privy to."

Ash appeared moved by this. He shifted in his seat, a little agitated. Part of him knew she was right, but he didn't feel like he had what it took to really involve himself in "matters of the state," as he'd heard Brock refer to all this political intrigue. Sure, he had saved the world plenty of times, brought balance and order to many regions, and all that. But it had never been through politics?

The young champion groaned and his head drooped. "You're right, I need to do more," he admitted a bit sulkily. "I just don't know where to start! I mean, usually the Champion of a region deals with these things, right? At least, I feel that's how it's been. So I'm not sure where I would fit in…"

"Maybe start by seeing how you can help Paldea's champion? Do you know him or her?" Serena offered, tapping her chin, trying to recall who it was she remembered being Paldea's champion.

Ash shook his head. "I haven't met her, but I know her name. Geeta."

Serena's eyes flashed with recognition. "I feel like I've seen her at some things! But isn't she the chairwoman of Scarlet Academy? In any case, I know for sure she will be at the Gala! You could try and meet her there!"

"If she's the chairwoman then that means she has to know what's going on with Koraidon in some way," Ash thought aloud, "she probably knows everything Clavell's trying to do. Yeah, maybe it would be good for me to speak with her directly. Maybe I could even ask Clavell a little more about her before I meet her, so I'm prepared."

"Now you're thinking like a true monarch," Serena gave Ash a little wink, "in a political sense, I mean."

Ash chuckled and scratched his cheek. "Okay, then it's a plan!" His eyes suddenly flashed with determination. He jumped from the stool with excitement and grabbed Serena's arms, "Say, is there dancing at this thing?"

Serena tried to wrestle the heat rising into her features and she raised an eyebrow, wondering why Ash would be excited about dancing. "Yes, there usually is," she replied evenly.

Ash grinned. "I know we can't go to the gala as a couple and all, but maybe we could dance together? I'd love to dance with you, if you think that would be okay…?"

Serena didn't even try to fight her blush now. Ash was holding her very close to himself and looking down at her with his amber eyes all the hopeful enthusiasm in the world. She could hardly keep her feet beneath her, honestly. And so the honey-blonde nodded mutely at first before finally finding her voice again. "S-sure, Ash," she whispered, as though speaking too loud would ruin the moment. "Um, I think it would be okay if we danced together once. Or twice." She breathed, already imagining it.

Ash smiled. "Remember when we almost danced together before your first Masterclass Showcase?" he laughed, a glint in his eyes, "But then the music ended?"

Serena pouted. "Yeah, you didn't seem very upset back then," she pointed out, poking her finger directly into his chest.

He snickered. "Well, I'd be very upset now."

"I'd hope so," Serena rolled her eyes, though she colored a bit more. She paused; she bit her lip. "You know. You may need to practice."

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Practice?"

Serena stepped back and put some distance between them only to hold out her arms. "Your dancing? You don't want to look bad at the gala, do you?" she giggled, her face still red.

The young champion looked at her hands and felt the heat creep up his neck again. Somewhere behind him, he heard one of the Wattrel whistle while Sylveon seemed oddly prepared for the moment and brought out a radio tuned to a classical station.

"The waltz is probably what they'll use," Serena murmured, stepping a little closer to Ash to encourage him as he was currently standing dumbfounded before her. "There's an international form to it, even though some regions put some variants into their moves. We don't have to get fancy, though."

Ash nodded dumbly and raised his hands, lost as far as what to do with them. Serena laughed again and took his left hand in her right one before bringing his other hand to the small of her back. They both blushed when she did this, as the action brought them both abreast of each other. Serena tried to carry on nonchalantly, however. She took a step back as you really weren't supposed to be standing so close in a waltz. She began to move Ash away from the kitchen island so that they could have more space.

"See, it's very similar to what we practiced in Kalos," her voice remained low and melodic as they moved. As they glided across the floor, the rhythm of their steps matched the meter of the stringed quartet that now filling the room. Their movements, though more measured and deliberate now, carried the echoes of those earlier lessons from Kalos—bodies remembering the familiar patterns and sequences. Ash felt the memories coming back tenfold.

At one point, Serena let go of Ash's hand, spinning outwards gracefully, her movement a whirl of color that drew a small intake of breath from Ash, unprepared for the sudden move. As Serena spun back towards him, Ash instinctively reached out, his hands finding her waist to steady her return. In his eagerness, he pulled her closer than intended, their bodies nearly colliding in a moment of unexpected intimacy. Serena's laughter, light and breathy, filled the space between them, a sound as mesmerizing as the music itself. Ash suddenly felt lightheaded.

"When I spin, just put your other hand behind your back," Serena instructed with a gentle hum, stepping back to regain her composure and return them to their starting position, "I'll come back and reposition myself in your arms like this."

Ash couldn't respond. He was completely entranced by her moving him along and guiding him around the little living room. The sensation of her hand in his, the way her muscles flexed and moved beneath his touch—all of it left Ash's mind spinning. He realized, with a tightening in his chest, that breathing had become a conscious effort. Was this what he'd missed in Kalos? It was probably better he hadn't danced with her….he would have been a lost cause.

After a little more waltzing, and a little more spinning, and a little more of Ash bringing Serena in a bit too close; Ash decided that he should probably go.

Glancing over at their audience, he noticed the varied reactions of their Pokémon companions. Delphox sat with a stoic yet slightly amused expression, her tail flicking softly. Pancham wore a broad mischievous grin, clearly entertained by the evening's events. Sylveon looked on with gentle eyes, her ribbons fluttering lightly. Wattrel and Charcadet seemed more interested in the remnants of the Poképuffs than the dance, though their faces, smeared with icing, suggested they had been thoroughly enjoying their treats. Pikachu, his cheeks dusted with icing as well, looked both amused and slightly embarrassed by it all.

Serena, sensing the moment had come to an end, nodded in agreement with Ash's decision to leave, her body language revealing a hint of reluctance as she rubbed her arms. The warmth of him lingering.

Ash grabbed his hat and desserts from the counter and recalled his Pokémon. He then turned back to Serena, stumbling towards the door as he mentioned something about wanting to practice the waltz again, and then left a bit too quickly. Pikachu followed, waving before he left, looking embarrassed. He had no idea what had suddenly gotten into his best friend, but he was not excited to talk about it. With a sigh, the yellow rodent disappeared.

Once the door closed behind Ash and Pikachu, Serena found herself alone in the quiet of her apartment, save for the watchful eyes of her Pokémon. She leaned back against the door with a soft sigh, the adrenaline of the dance slowly ebbing away. Catching the gaze of her companions, she rolled her eyes playfully. "Hope you all enjoyed the show," she remarked, a slight bite to her cheek betraying her attempt to appear nonchalant.

Pancham responded with a spirited "Pa-Pancham!" offering a thumbs-up before eagerly returning to his Poképuffs.

---

Thursday: Eruption

During Battle Studies class, Dendra decided that today would be the day she took the class on an excursion into Area One, intent on finding a Tera Cave for a Raid Battle.

"Raid Battles," she explained with her characteristic clarity, "were cooperative battles where you will team up against a single, potent Tera Pokémon. These wild Pokémon could Terastallize, somehow harnessing the Tera energy in the environment, making them a challenge that required strategy and teamwork."

The expedition was timely; Friday was booked with Homecoming events, and Dendra had muttered more than once about the school's priorities. "Education should be more than just pomp and circumstance," she'd grumbled under her breath as they set off, her annoyance at having to move their little field trip quite clear even as she strode confidently at the head of the group, her eyes set on the wilderness ahead.

The class followed a winding river that cut a swath through the undulating terrain of green meadows framed by towering, rock-strewn hills that rose into the crystal-clear sky. The sun was perched high, casting dynamic shadows that danced across the grass. Patches of flowers added splashes of color and the gentle rustling of leaves whispered the presence of hidden Pokémon within the brush.

Dendra led the way with a contraption in hand—a device that seemed designed to detect Tera energy—and the gadget grew increasingly luminous as they neared the Tera Cave's suspected location.

Nemona, Aliquis, Ash, and Goh were a few steps behind, their Pokémon trailing beside them. The excitement was evident in their steps; the prospect of facing a Tera Pokémon in a Raid Battle was exhilarating, an adventure that stirred the spirit of all trainers present. They were eager to put what they'd been learning in the classroom to good use.

Brutus and his gang of followers, however, seemed less interested in the Raid Battle and more in interested in picking fights with their peers. They snickered and jeered, particularly targeting Ash. Dante, the Galarian's green-haired follower, wore his disdain like a badge, his eyes cold and calculating.

Separating from the group with a swagger, Dante approached Ash with a sneer. "Ready to show us how it's done, 'Champion'?" he asked, his words dripping with sarcasm, his glare attempting to unsettle Ash just before the challenge they were about to face. Ash met Dante's gaze with a steady, unflinching look, his focus undeterred while Pikachu bristled, his tail crackling with static.

"By the way," Dante continued, looking back at his buddies, who were all slapping themselves with laughter while Brutus just smirked, "been having fun watching the ballerinas these days?"

Ash stiffened immediately. Pikachu's color seemed to drain from his cheeks as he sensed the tension working its way up his trainer's shoulders.

"What are you talking about?" Ash managed through a clenched jaw, his attempt at control evident in the taut lines of his face and the way he held his body rigid, poised for confrontation.

Dante shrugged, his shoulders shaking with a mirthless chuckle. "Heard you've still been going to the studio. It's kinda not fair that we aren't allowed to enjoy the view too, no?" he teased, flipping his hair with a cocky flair.

Ash tried to ignore him, turning his attention to Aliquis in an attempt to redirect the conversation. "You think we're almost there?" he asked, though his voice was tight, the words squeezed out as if each one took effort.

Before Aliquis could respond, Dante cut in, thriving on the tension he was ratcheting up. "Bro, you're so obvious. You get mad at us for watching her dance, and then you nearly take out some diplomat at her Showcase? Talk about losing your temper—who knew the Monarch of the World got so worked up over girls."

The group behind them burst into laughter and their ridicule echoed off the canyon walls. Ash's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles whitening with the force of his grip, his whole body a coil wound too tight, ready to snap.

He was about to whirl on Dante, eyes blazing with the kind of intensity that preceded a thunderstorm, when Goh and Grookey stepped between the two. Grookey's small frame was tense, his eyes stern in a silent warning, while Goh put a steadying hand on Ash's shoulder.

"Sounds like you're just jealous," Goh smirked at Dante, folding his arms across his chest while Grookey—from his trainer's shoulders—took his tiny hands and pushed Dante's forehead backwards with a huff as the city boy continued, "Ash can't help that he has fan clubs all over him day and night while you guys have to get rejected a thousand times before you find a Homecoming date."

"Hey!" Dante huffed, his face blooming a bright shade of pink, caught between indignation and embarrassment. "That's not true! I was only rejected once!" The boy glanced at Nemona and groaned, "Twice!"

Goh just continued smirking and shook his head dismissively. "Whatever, dude. Stop wasting Ash's time. You're clearly no where near his league. In any category."

Effortlessly, the city boy then pulled Ash by the shoulder, guiding him back towards Aliquis, who was practically doubling over with laughter at the sight of Dante's flustered face. Nemona, who appeared wholly unamused by all the weird masculine posturing, merely continued along the gravel path, Pawmo trotting faithfully by her side, unfazed by the boys' antics.

Ash let out a slow, pent-up breath, frustration and relief escaping him. He turned to Goh, the tension in his face softening. "Hey, thanks," he said sincerely.

Goh waved him off, a bit stiffly. But there was a small smile on his lips, a softening. "Yeah, whatever."

As the class continued their hike, they arrived at a fork in the river where the water branched off into two distinct paths. Dendra consulted her device and her dark eyebrows raised as she assessed the data. When she pointed the device towards the north, the Tera readings spiked off the charts, the device humming with activity. But to the east, the readings were much more manageable, almost inviting.

After a moment's consideration, Dendra announced decisively, "We're heading east." Though visibly curious, she seemed to weigh the risks of facing an overwhelming Tera Pokémon against the "educational" value of the expedition.

Brutus, who had lagged far behind his own cronies, clandestinely produced his own Tera Energy Reader. He cast a glance northward, a mischievous gleam in his eye, before quietly breaking away from the group. With a subtle, practiced ease, he navigated along the riverbank and disappeared behind the rise of a cliff face.

Hearing something, Ash turned just in time to catch Brutus's departure. "Hey, wait—," he tried to call out, intending to alert Dendra to Brutus going rogue. But with the group pressing forward and the chatter of his classmates filling the air, his concern went unheard, drowned out by everyone else's excitement. Ash groaned, feeling a pull of responsibility, as he glanced back and forth between the group's chosen path and the spot where Brutus had vanished.

Goh noticed Ash frozen in place and falling behind. He walked back to him, questioning, "What is it?"

With a heavy sigh, Ash lifted his hat and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Brutus went that way," he pointed northward, a frown creasing his brow.

"So?" Goh's mouth twisted into a grimace. "Let him go. It's not our problem."

"But what if he gets himself into trouble?" Ash countered, his inherent sense of duty shining through.

"Again, it's not our problem," Goh reiterated, rolling his eyes while Grookey mimicked his dismissive stance, arms folded in a decidedly ape-like fashion. "The guy is kind of crazy and messed up, clearly. Nemona says he has Daddy issues."

That struck a chord with Ash. He knew what it was like to have challenges at home, the way they could spill over into other areas of life, including one's actions and decisions and desires. With a newfound determination, Ash resolved to follow Brutus, unwilling to let a peer—no matter how irritating and insufferable—wander into potential danger alone. With a nod to Goh, signaling his decision, Ash set off in pursuit, following the Galarian's trail.

"Wait, urgh!" the city boy groaned and also followed, not exactly happy about it. But, suddenly Goh was reminded of all their previous adventures—of the way he had always had Ash's back and the way Ash had always been there for him. No matter what. It was then that Goh decided he wasn't going to let Ash's 'girl issues' get in the way of that.

Together, they paced along the river, the steady flow of water on one side and a formidable ten-foot wall of rock rising on the other. The river occasionally pressed close against the cliffs, forcing them to leap across stones to maintain their dry footing as the waterway expanded, eating away at the bank.

The stream teemed with life, and as they moved along its edge, they spotted Marills playfully rolling in the water, Buizels darting with streamlined ease, and Psyducks bobbing in the gentle currents, their expressions blissfully vacant.

Turning a corner along the river's path, Ash and Goh came to an abrupt halt, their eyes widening at the sight before them. A cave entrance loomed ahead, unlike any typical cave—it was aglow with a brilliant green light that seemed to pulse and shimmer as if alive. The radiant light spilled out onto the surrounding water and stones, casting an emerald hue that made the area appear otherworldly.

The cave's mouth was jagged, with crystalline formations around its edges that twinkled in the sunlight, refracting beams of green in every direction. The grass near the entrance appeared to bask in the cave's glow, its blades saturated with the vibrant color as if absorbing the energy emanating from within.

"I guess he went in there," Goh surmised, his lips pursed, "I wonder why Dendra didn't take us here. I thought we were looking for a Terra Cave after all."

Ash's brow furrowed as he stared into the luminescent depths. "She probably had a good reason to avoid it…" he murmured, his instincts tingling with caution.

Stepping into the cave, the green light enveloped Ash and Goh, its source a mystery that seemed to beckon them further inside.

Following the light, they caught sight of Brutus's silhouette. The silver-haired trainer was frozen in place, his arm up to shield his eyes against a brilliance that was almost blinding. As Ash and Goh drew closer, the light seemed to pulse, and they too raised their hands against its intensity.

"Alright," Goh grunted, blinking to adjust to the light, "let's grab Brutus and—,"

He stopped short.

There, in a clearing within the cave, stood a large, moth-like Pokémon. It was magnificent and intimidating, its crystallized form casting prisms of green light around the cavern. Compound eyes of deep red held a wisdom and a warning, with red spiny horn-like structures flanking its face. The smoky white fuzz that coated its body and legs shimmered beneath the green glow of its Tera energy, giving the creature a primordial appearance. For some reason, Ash thought of Koraidon.

The Pokémon's six leaf-like wings, more ornate than functional, were orange with yellow-orange tips, adorned with small yellow diamond-shaped marks. The wings fluttered gently but did not lift the creature from the ground. Suddenly, the Pokémon shifted, demonstrating an unexpected agility as it rose onto its hind legs.

The air grew taut as the Pokémon blinked slowly, its gaze sweeping over the intruders. Then, with a roar that resonated through the cavern, the walls vibrated, small pebbles tumbling down from the ceiling.

Ash and Goh, along with Brutus, stood transfixed, aware that they were in the presence of something that wasn't exactly normal…

"Um…what is that?!" Goh exclaimed, his eyes wide as he fumbled for his Rotom Phone. The device buzzed and blinked in his hand, but it seemed confused, unable to identify the enormous Pokémon before them.

Ash squinted at the creature, an unnerving sense of unfamiliarity washing over him. "It…it looks like a Volcarona, but…it's not..." His voice trailed off, fingers instinctively going for the Pokéballs at his belt. The creature loomed about ten feet above the ground, its imposing figure casting a long shadow over them. It was double the size of any Volcarona he'd ever encountered, and something about its presence was completely off. Ash turned urgently to Goh and Brutus, "We should get out of here."

But Brutus looked entirely unfazed, a cocksure smirk spreading across his face as he lazily drew out a Pokéball. "We were supposed to go find a Terastal Cave. Well, here we are."

"Yeah, but Dendra purposely led us away from this one for a reason," Ash growled, feeling his chest grow tight. Pikachu had already sensed his trainer's unease, leaping from his shoulder to the ground, small body coiled and ready for whatever might come. The Terastal Pokémon drew nearer with heavy, thunderous steps, and a mechanical whirring began to fill the cavern as it appeared to vibrate its wings. "This," Ash insisted, "looks pretty powerful!"

The glint in Brutus's eyes sharpened with challenge. "The monarch afraid of a powerful Pokémon? That's rich."

Ash's jaw clenched, muscles taut with frustration. It wasn't fear that held him back—it was caution, a respect for the wild and the unknown that Brutus so clearly lacked. But Ash couldn't just walk away, not when there was a real chance Brutus might get himself—or worse, his Pokémon—hurt. As much as he hated the silver-haired trainer's arrogance, Ash knew he couldn't forgive himself if he allowed the Galarian to hurt himself over something so stupid. He knew a thing or two about being reckless, and he knew what the consequences could be.

With a silent nod to Pikachu, Ash readied himself, preparing to intervene.

Brutus threw his Pokéball with a flick of his wrist, calling forth a Skeledirge. The fiery crocodilian Pokémon materialized with an imposing growl, its flames flickering within its jaws in a menacing dance.

The large moth Pokémon, undeterred by the new challenger, advanced with a ground-shaking thud. Its heavy steps as it became surrounded by a yellow aura before moving forward with blinding speed to tackle Skeledirge with a Heavy Slam.

"Skeledirge, dodge and use Flamethrower!" Brutus barked, and the command cut sharply through the thickening tension in the cave.

The fire crocodile attempted to evade, its body slinking with a grace that belied its stocky form. It unleashed a stream of fire from its jaws, the Flamethrower scorching the air as it aimed for the moth Pokémon. However, the flames seemed to barely singe the creature or affect its bejeweled exterior. The moth Pokémon then shrouded itself in the same yellow aura from before.

With a swift recovery, the moth used Heavy Slam once again. This time Skeledirge wasn't quick enough to escape. The move landed with terrifying force, sending the fiery Pokémon hurtling into the wall of the cave. The impact was fierce, the sound of collision echoing like thunder, Skeledirge's form crumpling against the rock before it slumped to the cavern floor, severely wounded from the assault.

The moth Pokémon, already formidable, now seemed to tap into a deeper well of strength as its body became surrounded by a light blue energy—a sign of a Superpower attack being charged. Its large, formidable legs flexed and it hoisted a rock of considerable size, the energy coursing around it making the stone seem almost weightless. With a swift, fluid motion, it launched the rock directly at Brutus, who stood frozen, perhaps in shock or disbelief.

"Quick! Iron Tail and break that rock apart!" Ash called out to Pikachu, urgency in his eyes. With a determined cry, the yellow rodent charged forward, its tail aglow with a steely sheen.

"Cinderace!" Goh's voice followed suit, a Pokéball arcing gracefully through the air. With a burst of light, Cinderace appeared on the scene, poised and ready for action. "Double Kick that boulder and help!" Goh's instruction was swift, and Cinderace reacted with lightning speed, launching itself at the airborne rock with powerful, fiery legs.

In a spectacular display, Cinderace and Pikachu collided with the boulder in a dual assault. The stone shattered mere feet from Brutus, breaking into harmless fragments that scattered across the cavern floor.

"Good job, Goh!" Ash exclaimed, his arm raised to shield his face as the dust from the rubble clouded the air. When the debris had settled, Ash lowered his arm, looking over at his friend with a broad grin. "We're gonna have to work together."

Goh returned the look, a smirk playing on his lips. "I got your back. Always."

Ash nodded decisively. Determined, he flipped the bill of his cap around, his eyes sharpening with concentration. "Alright, Pikachu," he looked down at his partner, whose cheeks were sparking with anticipation. "Let's slow this bug down. Electro Web!"

With a spirited cry, Pikachu leapt into action, his body humming with electricity. He swiftly launched an Electro Web at the moth Pokémon. The strands of electric energy splayed out across the cavern, aiming to ensnare the creature in a sticky, conductive net.

"Go, Cinderace! Blaze Kick while that thing is trapped!" Goh commanded, his finger jabbing towards their immense target.

Cinderace responded with a fiery determination, its foot igniting in a blazing inferno as it delivered a fierce Blaze Kick, aiming to strike while the moth Pokémon was caught in Pikachu's web.

As the Pokémon battled, Ash glanced over at Brutus, observing as he swiftly administered a hyper potion to his Skeledirge. The Pokémon's recovery was rapid and it readied itself to rejoin the fray with renewed vigor.

"Looks like this Pokémon is a Bug Tera Type," Brutus said, his voice betraying a hint of rattlement. "So don't get hit by a bug-type move."

Ash nodded in agreement. "Come on! The only way we're going to bring this guy down is together!"

Brutus's lips twisted into a reluctant growl, but he said nothing, his eyes instead glued to the Terastalized creature as though a realization had just struck him, sending ripples of fear through his eyes.

Ash noticed the change in Brutus's demeanor and furrowed his brow in concern. "What are you—"

"Guys!" Goh's urgent shout snapped them back to the battle at hand. Cinderace had narrowly dodged another thunderous Heavy Slam, but the sheer force of the attack sent vibrations through the cavern, causing chunks of rock to dislodge from the ceiling.

"Skeledirge! Flamethrower!" Brutus shouted, his eyes wild.

Ash watched the Galarian with unease, sensing the desperation in his voice, but quickly turned his attention back to the fray. "Quick! Use Thunderbolt!" he called to Pikachu.

Pikachu, still brimming with fight despite the daunting opponent, unleashed a powerful bolt of electricity. The air crackled as the Thunderbolt surged towards the ancient-looking moth.

In response, the creature's body shimmered with that strange blue aura once again. It retaliated with a move that seemed to defy the very laws of nature. Perhaps it was a rare Tera Type attack or a primordial version of a Bug-type move—Ash didn't know. All he did know was that its speed and power was a breathtaking sight.

The result was immediate and dire. Skeledirge, already weakened, was engulfed by the force of the retaliatory attack. The Flamethrower fizzled out as the Fire-type fainted, unable to withstand the onslaught.

Pikachu also took a heavy blow, its small form thrown back by the sheer force of the attack. The yellow rodent teetered, a look of shock briefly crossing its face as it struggled to remain upright. Pikachu stood back on his feet, his breaths quick and shallow.

"Cinderace, Pyro Ball!" Goh's voice rang out, a command to rally and take the offensive. Cinderace acknowledged with a determined nod and again, a fiery orb materialized at his feet.

The battle raged on. With a kick, Cinderace's Pyro Ball shot through the air, a comet of fire racing towards the moth Pokémon. But the creature was not to be outdone. Again, it used that strange and powerful bug move with an astonishing display of speed as it dashed forward, disappearing for a fraction of a second before reappearing in front of Cinderace. It struck the Striker Pokémon with a ferocious claw, fast and hard.

Cinderace was sent sprawling to the ground, the impact of the surprise attack leaving it injured and panting.

Goh gasped, his expression mirroring the shock that rippled through the group. "What kind of Pokémon is this?!"

Brutus's expression was manic as he recalled his Skeledirge, the flames at its jaws flickering out as it returned to its Pokéball. In his haste to choose another Pokémon, Brutus's hands fumbled, sending Pokéballs clattering onto the rocky floor of the cave. He scrambled to collect them, his movements frantic and uncoordinated.

Ash gritted his teeth, sensing the urgency of the situation. Pikachu was going to need back up. Reaching for his belt, Ash's hand found another Pokéball. "Let's go, Gengar! Just like old times!"

Gengar emerged in a flash, its mischievous grin wide and ready for the chaos of battle. Truly, the Ghost-type thrived off chaos.

"Alright you two," Ash addressed his Pokémon, a strategic gleam in his eyes, "let's shatter that Tera-type effect! Pikachu—use Electro Web again. Gengar, use Sludge Bomb while we have the giant moth pinned!"

The moth, with a movement that blurred the lines between prehistoric and supernatural, again glowed and launched into another attack, but this time its claws seemed to turn into glowing scythes. But Gengar seemed ready and waiting. Using his spectral fluidity, the Ghost-type vanished and reappeared just as the attack passed harmlessly through where he had just been.

Pikachu took its cue and unleashed Electro Web, the electric threads ensnaring the moth Pokémon once more. Gengar seized the opportunity, propelling a noxious Sludge Bomb that splattered against the Bug-type's crystalline form.

Cracks began to spiderweb across the green veneer, the Tera-type effect showing signs of weakness under the combined assault. The moth Pokémon, in a desperate bid to counter, geared up for another Heavy Slam.

Ash wasn't about to give it the chance. "Combine your attacks now!" he instructed. Pikachu and Gengar understood and worked in unison; Shadow Ball—swirling with dark energy—met a crackling Thunderbolt in midair and raced towards their foe. Cinderace, not to be left out, struggled to its feet, unleashing another Pyro Ball into the mix.

The attacks collided with a thunderous cacophony, smoke and debris obscuring the cavern. As the dust cleared, the Terastal effect could be seen shedding off the moth Pokémon shard by shard, its green glow diminishing.

The moth Pokémon let out an enraged roar, the sound vibrating off the cave walls. With Superpower, it grabbed a boulder from the cave's side, the entire cavern shuddering once again, but this time the stability of the space was definitely in question. The rock formations trembled, and a dusting of debris began to fall from the ceiling, signaling the potential for a collapse if the battle continued at this intensity.

"We have to go!" Goh's voice, urgent and laden with fear, cut through the noise of the crumbling walls.

Ash snapped to attention, realizing the serious trouble they were in. The walls were indeed caving in, stones and rubble began to tumble down in greater quantities. Brutus, caught in a daze of shock and disbelief, stood frozen, unable to react. Goh and Cinderace turned their desperate gazes towards Ash,

In the midst of the chaos, Ash's heart thundered in his chest, a loud, solitary beat that seemed to drown out the collapsing world around him. The ancient foe before them showed no sign of fatigue, an ominous presence that seemed almost invincible even without its Tera form. Gengar and Pikachu, despite their bravery, wouldn't be able to defeat it in time to prevent the cave from becoming their tomb. Ash knew he needed to act—not just to save his friends and Brutus, but to save himself. The thought of Serena, her face and smile flashing before his eyes, spurred a sudden clarity. There was so much left unsaid, so much he wanted to share with her. He didn't want to sound dramatic but the thought of leaving it all unspoken, of never having the chance to express his feelings, filled Ash with a resolve he hadn't known he possessed.

He could not die in a cave-in without telling her something very important…and kissing her.

"Gengar!" Ash's voice cracked through the air, his mind racing ahead of his words. "Distract the moth!" He then turned to Pikachu, pulling off his cap and tossing it towards the electric mouse. Pikachu caught it, a look of confusion crossing its face.

Goh's brow furrowed, but there was a glint of understanding in his eyes. "Ash, you don't have your Z-ring!"

"I know," Ash replied, his jaw clenched. Yet, a familiar sensation was building in his chest, a warmth spreading to the tips of his fingers. It was a feeling he recognized, one that spoke of potential and power beyond the need for artifacts or enhancements. His eyes, bright with an inner fire, sparkled with determination as they locked onto Pikachu. "We don't need it."

Whatever Ash was feeling in that moment of desperation and resolve, it seemed to resonate directly with Pikachu. The aura that his trainer exuded, usually requiring an item to channel, now flowed freely, reaching out and enveloping Pikachu in a way neither had ever experienced before. It was a connection that transcended physical boundaries, a link of energy and emotion that powered up Pikachu from his very core. This sensation, this profound empowerment, made Pikachu wonder if this was similar to what Greninja felt when he bonded with Ash. Pikachu wasn't exactly in Ash's mind; nor was Ash in his—but Pikachu could feel Ash's strength and power in him. And soon, the voltage within Pikachu began to surge, a storm of power building.

Suddenly, Ash and Pikachu were connected by a stream of electricity emanating from Pikachu himself. The large moth Pokémon let out a defiant roar, charging towards them with destructive intent. But Pikachu, now empowered beyond his normal capabilities, nodded, his perseverance mirroring Ash's.

"Pikachu," Ash whispered, feeling a bit faint, the way he would whenever he bonded with Greninja. He didn't have to shout. He knew Pikachu could hear him. "10,000,000 Volts."

With a powerful leap, Pikachu soared into the air, not drawing electricity from storm clouds above, nor enhanced poses, as he typically would, but directly from Ash and his emotions. This energy wasn't just raw power; it felt charged with something more. It was strangely matured and controlled. And Pikachu understood that Ash wanted this attack contained and unleashed with pinpoint accuracy so as to not bring down the cave.

Pikachu's cry rang out, "Pika…CHU!" and he unleashed the unprecedented display of power. Seven bolts of electricity, each a different color of the rainbow, spiraled around each other, converging into a singular, concentrated beam. The attack was a spectacle of light and energy, a direct conduit of their shared will.

The beam struck true, the force of the impact pummeling the moth Pokémon to the ground with a force that echoed through the cavern. As the smoke and dust settled, the once formidable creature lay twitching, overwhelmed by the unexpected magnitude of Pikachu's attack.

The aura connection between Ash and Pikachu dimmed as the immediate danger passed.

The surge of energy that had powered the Electric-type's devastating attack left Ash as quickly as it had come, breaking the connection needed for the Z-move. His legs faltered beneath him, and he wobbled unsteadily before falling to one knee, a sheen of sweat coating his face as he gasped for breath. Goh, always quick to act, rushed to his friend's side, slinging Ash's arm over his shoulder to support him.

The cave, already weakened by the battle, began to groan ominously as it began to buckle under its own weight.

"We've got to go," Goh insisted urgently, his gaze darting towards Brutus. "Brutus!"

Brutus looked utterly panicked, his eyes wide as they flickered between the severely injured moth Pokémon on the ground and Ash and Goh, who, along with their Pokémon, were making their way towards the cave's exit.

"Let's go!" Goh's command, tinged with desperation, coupled with the increasing rain of rocks from the ceiling, finally snapped Brutus out of his frozen state. The silver-haired trainer stumbled to his feet and began to run towards the others, his previous arrogance forgotten in the face of their perilous escape.

But as they neared the exit, Ash halted Goh with a weak tug on his sleeve. "Goh! The Pokémon…we can't…," he managed between labored breaths, "we can't just leave him to be buried…"

Goh internally groaned, torn between the urgency to escape and the knowledge that Ash was right. They couldn't leave the creature behind, not like this. With a resigned sigh, Goh transferred Ash's weight to Gengar, ensuring his friend's safety, before darting back to where the fainted Pokémon lay.

Reaching for an empty Ultra Ball on his belt, Goh tossed it towards the creature's limp form, watching as the ball shook once, twice… before finally coming to a rest, the Pokémon securely caught inside. For once, Goh was not excited by the catch.

With the moth Pokémon now safely contained, Goh turned and sprinted back to his friends, the urgency of their situation pressing them forward as they made their final dash for the cave's exit, escaping just as the cave began to crumble behind them, sealing away the battleground and narrowly avoiding disaster.

---

As soon as Brutus, Ash, Goh, Gengar, Pikachu, and Grookey erupted from the mouth of the Terastal Cave, the structure gave way, collapsing into itself with a thunderous roar. The once ominous and vibrant green crystalline effect that had marked the cave's entrance dissipated, leaving behind nothing but a heap of ordinary rubble.

Exhausted, the group fell to the ground, their bodies heavy with fatigue. Covered in a mix of soot and dirt, they lay sprawled across the earth, gasping for air. Ash felt a peculiar numbness enveloping him, his senses dulled as dizziness took hold. His vision blurred, the edges of his sight tinged with creeping darkness. Okay, he noted to himself, the realization dawning on him through the fog of his exhaustion. Z-moves without a Z-ring...a lot of work. He then groaned as he flipped over to lie on his back, his eyes gazing up at the expanse of the sky above.

Then, suddenly, a face appeared over him—a familiar face. One that brought a sense of calm and warmth even in the midst of his disorientation. Ash smiled, his heart lightening at the sight of her.

"Serena…" he sighed and closed his eyes just before passing out.

Goh did not have to look up to see Dendra's reaction.

---

Okay! So Goh and Ash seem to have made some amends. Nothing like having your homie be bullied about his girl to make bros be bros again, I guess. But also, if you notice, I do start to address Ash's aura abilities. Yes, I do plan to explore them and how they might manifest as he gets older and matures. However, I really don't want to make them like a central focus. My "plan" for Ash's development is to address the following: 1.) his romantic feelings for Serena (obviously) 2.) his role as the monarch in the diplomatic world 3.) how his responsibilities would affect his relationships 4.) his abilities with aura. [And yes, that order is intentional, haha.] AND some things will not be canonical…Either way, hopefully, Ash is coming across as a more capable person in other things.

I hope the Amour moments sufficed for now. I guess, as someone pointed out, that Ash's leaving Serena's apartment rather quickly could be interpreted a couple of ways, but I know my intentions lol. They were innocent. Either way, many of you are waiting for "the kiss," and I promise you will get that very very soon ;) Others of you are waiting for more than "the kiss" and you all have a looooooooooooooooooong wait ahead of you. But for now can't we all be satisfied with deep emotional connections fueled by idealistic romantic sentiment?! Yes? No? Honestly, I would argue that some of the moments we've had with our young couple are more intimate than a kiss…but what do I know.

Alright, I'll stop talking. Next chapter: April 12th.