Chapter 8
The next morning Brock, Ash and Clement ventured to the top of the valley and determined it was safe to continue travelling. The radio reports also confirmed three more tripods had been defeated, heartening the mood even more. After another rationed breakfast, they head out of the large valley and continued their journey in a North-Easterly direction.
Over the next three days they travelled through some beautiful scenery, consisting of ancient forests and folded hills, as they were still hundreds of yards above sea level. It was some of the most beautiful scenery Ash had ever seen, and it also contained a number of different pokemon including Chikorita, Bayleef, Cyndaquil, Meganium and flocks of Spearow and Fearow. The dynamic of the group also changed slightly during this period; May and Drew were now close, so Misty decided to spend more time around Bonnie, teaching her about water pokemon which she showed a keen interest in; Clement and Ash spent more time with each other, along with Serena of course; while Brock and Sara remained side by side, leading the group.
Late on their third day out of the valley, they came to a small valley. In the middle of it lay a beautiful lake, surrounded by tall pine needle trees. "Ok cretins" Brock began, "I think this is a good place to make camp for the night. At our current pace we're still about ten days hike from Silver City, so don't get too comfortable. "This lake is so beautiful!" May gushed. "They should rename it lake May."
"But there already is a lake May, in Hoenn" Ash reminded her.
"Well I think Johto could do with one."
"Just your little gift to the world" Drew said mockingly. "Let's name one lake in every region after May. There's just one problem though, I don't think too many ships sink in lakes."
"Ok Drew, you're really calling for it now." She said it with a slight smirk on her face."
"Hey May?" he asked.
"Yeah Mr Smarty-pants?"
"Want a swim." She thought about it for a few moments, "as a matter of fact, I could do with a swim. My body's so sore after three days of almost constant walking. Hopefully the water will help to heal it."
"Hey Ash, that's not a bad idea" Serena suggested. Even he could see what Serena was getting at here, "Ok Serena, why not?"
Not long later they changed into their bathers and hopped in. The water was cool as the sun was close to setting, but the view was tremendous and the best part for Ash was the company. Serena and him were having a great time together, as they splashed and tickled one another. The best part for Ash was the smile on Serena's face. May and Drew looked just as happy, and even though they teased each other almost constantly, everyone knew deep down they were every bit as happy together as Ash and Serena.
Misty sat on the shore, wishing she could join in the fun and have a partner of her own. "Hey are you ok Misty?" Sara asked, approaching her from behind. "To be honest, I'm not doing too great. I did something really stupid the other day and I feel like I've cut myself off from my friends you know?"
"I think under the circumstances, you can let yourself off Misty. Besides you always liked Ash, it was your right to try and he said no, but so what. That happens to almost everybody at some stage."
"Not some people" she moaned. I bet you never got rejected."
"That's just where you're wrong, I did, twice. And both times it was by guys I really liked. The first hardly knew I existed; and the second, well I think he liked me, but he liked someone else a little bit better, that one hurt worst."
"You? But you're beautiful."
"Well you're pretty good too the last time I checked. And you're only thirteen, don't put so much pressure on yourself. But my point about those negative experiences was rejection happens to everybody. Don't believe the lies you here about how that stuff only happens to losers, that's not true. Rejection is a part of life, and I believe you're only a loser if you believe you are."
"Do you think that's the way I'm carrying myself, like I've lost my confidence?"
"Not yet. But if you keep letting every negative in your life eat away at you, all of a sudden you'll hardly recognise the person you used to be. The same thing began to happen to me, until I met Brock. He taught me to belief in myself again and to work for what I wanted, and now I've got a great job working working as a detective, although I'm not sure we'll be going back to Azalea Town for a while. And more importantly I met someone who I'm happy with. And that brings me to my last point, no relationship is perfect, it's what you share in the good times and having something that's strong enough to survive the bad, that's what it's about." Misty knew she would have to think long about those words, but for now she began to change the subject: "So you're not too worried about aiming any higher? Oh, no offense, I'm glad you do something you enjoy, but you seem like you could do almost anything if you wanted."
"When you've found your calling, you don't need to be the greatest."
"I think you should have that talk with Ash." They both laughed. "Well it does usually take a bit longer with the boys. Now do you want to go and take a walk around the lake, it's a beautiful time for it?" Misty smiled at her, feeling more cheerful now, "Absolutely, wouldn't miss it."
Back in the lake, May and Drew were kissing and cuddling, constantly and looked content doing so. However, Serena thought she could make things with her and Ash a little more interesting. She started with a kiss, before extending her legs around Ash's waist. She then pinched his legs with the toes, before leaning into Ash's chest with her breasts. She was not sure how Ash would react, but after a few seconds he went in to have a grope. He seemed to quite enjoy it, at least judging by the grin on his adorable little face, but he then began to hesitate and suddenly he pulled away completely. "I'm sorry Serena, I think we've taken it far enough for now." Serena was feeling shocked and confused now, "What do you mean, I thought you wanted this. Was it a little too full on or something."
"It's not just that."
"Well then what is it" She started to scream. Is there something wrong with me?"
"No! You're perfect, you're beautiful. I'm just not sure if I'm meant to be doing this. I feel like, despite what people seem to think, that the danger isn't over yet, and I'm still trying to work out my destiny, and if we're not meant to be together, I don't want to hurt you?"
"Oh grow up Ash" She bellowed, splashing water in his face, enough to sting Ash. "This is all it is with you lately, destiny this, destiny that. Did it occur to you maybe you get to choose your own destiny?"
"I wish it were that simple. There's nothing I want more than to be with you and Pikachu and to just continue going on journeys, but I was there in Kurt's house with Clement not one week ago when he started making these ridiculous and terrifying predictions, and that night it actually starts to happen. And he says the worst is still to come, how do you think you would've felt if you had been there, with someone entrusting the fate of the World to you, huh? And do you think it's any surprise Clement isn't himself lately? The rest of you are only going on what you see in front of you, but it's a little harder for Clement and I, because deep down we know there's little chance that this war is over yet."
"What can I do to help you Ash?"
"Stay with me." She looked a little uncertain now, "You know what we ha…what we were about to have tonight?" Ash nodded, "do you think you would be ready for that stuff in the near future?"
"I think I would've been ready for it tonight if we didn't have all this going on. I love you Serena, inside and out. Don't doubt that, please." She looked more satisfied now. Ash then leaned in and kissed her on the lips; it was a long and passionate kiss. She smiled warmly at him now, "Ok Ash, you're off the hook, but don't screw with me like that again, you just don't do that sort of stuff to someone you love ok?"
"Ok Serena, but please don't take everything so personally."
"Ok, I'll make more of an effort." If there was one thing Ash had learnt on this journey so far, it was that when it came to matters of the heart, girls had a tendency to overreact.
Speaking of overreactions, Clement and Brock were demonstrating that it wasn't only the fairer sex that had a penchant for emotional outbursts. The inevitable debate over who should do the cooking had begun and it was nastier than most had expected. Bonny had a ringside seat, "Listen science geek" Brock began angrily, "I think I know a little more than you about how long the meat needs before it's been cooked."
"Don't talk to my brother that way you big bully. He's smarter than you are, he's kinder, and he's more handsome too. So if you give him grief, you'll have me to deal with." He laughed, an evil sounding laugh, "Oh, am I supposed to be afraid. How about you two leave me alone and stop cramping my style. I've got more than enough to worry about at the moment, including keeping everyone alive, and at the moment, you two are just two more mouths to feed, to more people to keep safe, and to be frank, both are you are just deadweight. So toddle on out of here and do something useful for once."
Just then they heard footsteps approaching: it was Sara and Misty, "Oh shit" Brock muttered. They both looked horrified. "Brock" Sara began, "would you care to explain yourself?" she asked in a mock pleasant tone, which began to intimidate Brock, "Or do I need to come over and pull you by the hair until you explain it?"
"Yeah Brock" Misty added, "What did they ever DO TO YOU!" Sounding just like the old, angry Misty that Brock remembered.
"Look, I'm so worn out, I'm stressed, and I've just had enough" tears were streaming down his face now, as he buried his head in his face. He soon began to regain his composure: "look, you two" staring at Bonnie and Clement, "I'm sorry for hurting your feelings, you're good kids and you mean well, I'm not denying that, but it's so hard after everything that's happened, having to keep your trauma locked in and back up by trying to keep everyone safe and do the bulk of the housekeeping to top it all off. It's a bit different with the others because we travelled together for so long, so we have that bond of friendship, and Serena, well I know how strongly Ash feels about her, so I figured it was best to not insult her. So I guess that left you two; please accept my apology guys?"
"Well at least now I can understand your feeling" Clement said. But please don't hurt my sister, just think how hard all this must be for her."
"I know. I'm sorry, but that's just the reason I'm exhausting myself trying to shelter you all you guys from everything, her more than anybody."
"Thank you Brock, for all you've done for me" Bonnie said gently, "I really appreciate it and so does my Brother" Clement nodded in agreement. "And we promise we'll give you your space but also do more to help."
"Speaking of which, Clement, I'm giving the bulk of the cooking duties over to you. And if you need help, just ask me or Sara ok?" Clement's eyes lit up now: "Really, thank you so much. I won't disappoint." Misty and Sara began to giggle. "He's so sweet" Sara said.
"I know" Misty added.
"He's my big brother!" Bonnie exclaimed.
Ash, Serena, May and Drew continued to enjoy their swim for a while longer. They were about to finish up, when they saw a light coming from the shore further down the lake. The lights continued to approach along the shore, getting closer and closer towards the campsite, which was nested in amongst the pine needles. "What is that?" May exclaimed.
"Probably just people", Drew answered. "Let's start to make for shore." They did just that; they had no time to change back into their clothes as the figures were now very close. They appeared human: there were three of them: the two on the side looked a little taller than the one in the middle, but aside from that they were impossible to make out. They made no noise, so they started shouting "Hello, who are you?" They did this several times but still there was no answer as the figures continued to get closer and closer.