Chapter 05

Enter Callum Gray

Trigger Warning

Scenes of borderline sexual assault will be shown on this chapter. Please skip for those who have experienced these events personally.

Verity Lakefront

Pokemon Center

Serena

Ugh, why did it have to be him!

Oh, sorry! My manners totally went away there.

I am Serena Yvonne. I love in Vanderville Town, a small town just off the southwestern tip of Kalos. I am a Pokemon Performer who aspires to be Kalos Queen one day. My life has been a rollercoaster ride from the moment I began my journey. I've experienced so many ups, downs, and every other moment in between. But through it all I am thankful to have had Shauna and my mom's support, then there's the constant support of my childhood friends Leaf and Ash. Who even throughout our estrangement have stuck by me and have been two of the most amazing supporters ever.

Today was an amazing experience for sure, something I would have to note in my Journal when I get back to our Hotel room later. It had been an honor to represent Kalos in this prestigious event, I've be in a few contests over the last few years and they are fun. Not that different from showcases, but also has its own charm as well. Seeing Ash doing his appeal was a revelation to his talents as a trainer, his Bayleaf was very affectionate towards him, their interaction got me cooing!

Back to the issue at hand then, Callum Gray has been a thorn in my side since I started my journey! I have to give him credit for his persistence though. The problem was that I don't like him, and never will. One, my heart belonged to a certain trainer from Kanto. And the final reason was, Callum's personality was very off putting.

"What are you doing here Callum?" I asked him frowning as he strode towards us.

He smirked as he stopped an arm's length away from me, "I entered the league here. And of course, I'm here to see you."

"I give you credit for being persistent but take a hint dude. She is so not in to you." Shauna responded glaring at him as she stood placing a hand on one of her pokeballs.

He chuckles reaching for my hand, "I'll thank you for that complement, Shauna. But I'll disagree with you on that latter statement. I know I am wearing her down, I can see it in her eyes. She is starting to have feelings for me..."

I slapped his hand away as he tried to take mine, there was no way I was not going let his sleazy fingers touch me. Ugh, what way to ruin a great day. I would take having to deal with Miette over him any day. Come think about it, I think she had a little crush on Callum...

"Stay away from me, you scummy piece of Go Goat crap. I will never like you that way. My feelings will never change no matter how hard you try to convince otherwise. You are NOT my type Callum. Your boorish, sleazy, and just an overall ares." I tell him steeping away slowly.

He moved and grabbed my hand, he was faster this time as I did not even get a chance to deflect his movement. He pulled me towards him, his smirk turning into a sick grin. Shauna had releases her Venusaur when she saw this.

He spoke his voice taking on a menacing tone, "You are still pining for that guy, eh? It had been decades Serena, give it a rest already! Forget about him and come with me. I will treat you like a princess, give you the life you have always dreamed."

He really did think I was that shallow, the kind of life I wanted was not one of lavishness and fame. I bet that was what he wanted, but the kind of life I dreamed about was a stark contrast to his. If he thought I wanted the same life as he did, then he really did not know me at all! I heard Shauna scoffed at what he implied.

"If that's what you think I want in life Callum, then you do not know me at all. You assume I dream of living the high life, bathing on the luxuries of fame. But that is hardly the life I envision for myself. That is a life you would want for yourself." I respond glaring at him.

Then he leaned in closer, his lips getting closer to mine I leaned away trying to pull away. But he was stronger than me and kept me still. My other hand was still free, so I did the first thing that came into my mind. I slapped him.

SLAP!

It echoed throughout the Center. Was it that silent in here? Well, my anger was greater than my embarrassment at the moment. He really thought he could just come in and kiss me! Despite the fact I felt nothing but disdain for him, his insistence that I give up on my feeling for Ash and go with him had fueled my anger towards him. He had let go of me and was now holding the reddened cheek.

He spoke while unclipping a PokeBall from his belt, "Fine if you won't come with me. Then I'll take you by force! Sneasle!"

Out came the Dark Ice type Pokemon it's expression as sinisterly smug as that of its trainer. Shauna brought out Bulbasaur, while I took out Panchamp's PokeBall.

"Freeze her with Ice beam!" Callum Ordered.

Someone's voice rang thought the area, "Delcatty intercept that with Shadow ball!"

A purple ball came from the right and blocked the light blue beam, but the ensuing impact caused an explosion.

Another voice called, "Grottle use cotton guard to soften their fall."

My back fell on something soft and cloud like. I realized that our fall had been soft, I turned to see a turtle with a green shell, there were small tress sprouting from its protective armor so I guessed it must have been a grass type. I looked at the two people who saved us from what would have been a horrid encounter.

"May! What are you doing here?" Shauna says accepting the Hoenn girl's hand.

May just smiled pulling us up, "Well, I couldn't possibly miss the most prestigious event of every Coordinator's career. I was quiet surprised to see you guys open the event but it is a sight to see your magic. Plus, I also came to see an old friend of mine."

"Night Slash!" Callum's voice called making us turn.

A familiar voice said, "Grottle dodge and use defense curl."

"Thanks for saving us by the way! I don't know what would have happened if you haven't blocked the Ice beam. I really need to give him a piece of my mind." I say, anger rising as I saw Callum land a hit on the other boy's Pokemon.

May hugged us and shook her head, "Hey, no sweat! I have no doubt you can give him a piece of your mind, if Ash doesn't beat him black and blue first."

I paused when she said the other boy's name, I knew I recognized that voice from somewhere! Even though it had been ages since we have seen each other, we knew everything about the other person so it didn't feel like were estranged at all. I had to smile, he was still the same caring and brave person I knew back when we were kids, his knack for helping others had not been lost in his travels.

"Wait… Ash, as in Ash Ketchum? The trainer who beat Master Drake of the Orange Archipelago?" Shauna says in awe.

May chuckled giving me a wink, "That's Ash. My mentor and best friend!"

"What are the odds that we'd actually get to see him? We saw his appeal, which was really well executed." I respond smiling as I watched the battle.

"But doesn't that Grottle have a disadvantage against Sneasle?" Shauna asked observing the scene.

May grinned, "You might think so, eh. But Ash is known for defying the standard ideals of pokemon battling. This is the same trainer who beat the Kanto Battle Frontier at the age of fifteen. So just watch."

And so we watched. The battle was pretty dynamic, with Ash leading the direction with deliberate strategies. Grottle was fast despite its size and despite Sneasle being known for their speed this grass type was pretty light on its feet. But the battle turned in Callum's favor when he was able to freeze a part of Grottle.

Ash looked thoughtful then raised a pokeball, "Good job Grottle. Let one of the others handle this one. Return."

The turtle faced its trainer and smiled nodding as it was brought back into its pokeball. Ash studied his opponent and thought about it. Callum smirked thinking that the other boy was quitting.

"You are quitting already? That turtle was weak anyways, just well now she'll have to come with me." Callum comments with a smirk.

I really wanted to smack him again! I saw Ash tense at his words, but then he relaxed, I felt a comforting presence come over me suddenly. I look towards him and saw his lips quirk up a little, that's when I knew he had used his special abilities to calm me down.

He straightened his stance before responding, "What makes you think you are entitled to her feelings Mr. Gray? Yes, I've read about you. You remiand me of how my old rival Gary Oak was like when he was younger. Here's the deal, I don't like guys like you. Guys who think they are entitled to anything they want, sad little brats who throw tantrums when they don't get what they want."

"She will be mine and no one will stop me from having her! Especially not you, she'll run to me the moment she sees you are week and spineless. Your Pokemon are nothing but trash compared to mine. And after I have had my fun with Serena, maybe I'll share with her with my friends..." Callum says while shooting me another dirty smirk.

I gasped at his proclamation, suddenly feeling terrible that he thought of me as a... a common slut! Already I felt myself fall into a pit, but before I could spiral any further then my mind wanted me to I felt someone's hand on my shoulder, I looked to see May giving me a shake of her head. Shauna looked ready to slam Callum.

It was May who spoke,. "Don't listen to him Serena. You're worth more than he is making you out to be. But, he has really stepped it in now..."

A followed her gaze, again seeing Ash. The older Kanto boy looked livid, not wait, he looked beyond livid. But his face stayed natural as he contemplated something, until a yellow blur zipped in front of him.

His voice was firm with a hidden rage in it as he said, "Pikachu I choose you!"

A sound of affirmation came from the yellow electric mouse, it's cheeks sparking in its anger. I saw Callum and his Sneasle back away shivering at Pikachu's warning glare

May commented shaking her head with a scowel on her face, "Ah, he messed with the wrong guy today. Ash is not going to let him go without a few electrical burns. He should have just left while he had the chance. Pikachu is not a Pokemon to be trifled with."

"Is it really that strong?" Shauna Asked in awe at seeing the great electric type.

Callum just laughed, "Who cares. Sneasle use Ice Beam."

Ash responded, "Quick attack to dodge."

"It's like a flash of light!" I exclaimed as I saw how fast Pikachu moved.

The beam didn't even hit him!

Callum growled, "Ice beam on the floor! Slow down the rodent."

"Iron tail to break the Ice, then electro ball." Ash counters studying the field.

All it took was a blink of an eye, the ice was broken while Pikachu launched his attack in midair! It caused minimal damage. Sneasel had suffered significant hits from Grottle awhile back, it looked winded from the previous fight.

"Return." Ash says smiling.

Pikachu tackled Sneasel before going back to Ash, taking up a battle position.

"Quick Return three times." Ash says.

Another voice came from the left, "Ash is having no mercy on this guy. His bond with Pikachu is strong but using a move like Return is quiet the punch every time it is used."

"Right you are Brock. Ladies this is Brock Takashi, a former Gym Leader from Kanto and Ash's constant traveling companion. He along with Ash taught me the basics of training Pokemon, also reigniting my love for them." May says smiling at the older man.

"And I am Dawn Berlitz, an aspiring top coordinator. Nice to meet you!" Says a blue haired girl who had come to see what was going on." Dawn says introducing herself as she shook hands with us.

I smiled seeing that Ash had found good people, "Nice to meet you both! It is great to finally meet Ash's friends in person. I've met May before, she helped Shauna and I a lot in Hoenn a year ago! How is your family by the way?"

"They are doing well. Dad is busy with the Gym as always, Max helping him from time to time. Mom has been teaching at a local Day Care Center, she enjoys interacting with the kids. I am actually planning to drop by after the Cup, take a little break before heading back to Jonto and giving Harley and Drew a piece of my mind." May responds laughing at the end.

Shauna and I had met Drew while May showed us the ropes in the Contest Hall. He is like a tamer version of Callum, I quietly applaud May for putting the Jonto boy down multiple times and coming out on top.

We watched the battle, Ash was making quick work of Sneasle with Pikachu still looking fresh. I saw his eyes glance at me briefly, he gave me a smile and nodded. I couldn't help but smile back, I knew he was going to win.

"Alirght Pikachu finish him with Iron Tail!" Ash says his gaze firmly on the battle.

Shauna and I must have shown our surprise because Brock and May shared a soft laugh after a quick glance at our faces. I shook my head and giggled, I didn't know that Pikachu could learn that move. The common knowledge was that its species could learn moves like surf, brick break, dig, and even light screen but I've not heard of one learning Iron Tail.

It was May who provided the information, "Ah, you see Ash had picked up that move during our travels through Hoenn. Before his first gym battle, in order to give Pikachu some advantage against Roxanne's rock types. A coordinator who was competing in a Contest in Rusburo at the time had suggested that Pikachu learn how to use Iron Tail, now, while Ash had his Bayleaf transferred to his roster at the time he still wanted to have Pikachu fight."

"Amazing! I knew he was good but now I see that he surpassed my own thoughts of his skills." Shauna says looking towards me with a sly smile.

I rolled my eyes laughing at her attempt to get a reaction out of me. I giggled then said, "He did have a way of handling Pokemon, even when we were younger. I have a feeling it is because of his Aura powers."

"So you know of his heritage then. He told me about once, after one of our many adventures. I've heard about the ancient clans possessing aura, they were the clans who found the Regional Unions or what is now called the Pokemon League Association (PLA)." Brock explains with a smile.

Dawn giggled poking the older teen,"Thanks for the Hostory lesson. We came over here after calling Officer Jenny about the disturbance. Don't worry guys, Ash will..."

A groan of pain rang through the Center. Sneasle was down for the count! But the groan gem from his trainer. Callum was now on his knees, covering his southern area with pained expression on his face. Ash stood over him, the Kanto boy having a raging expression on his face.

"Remember this experience when you go after a girl because the next time you do I guarantee it won't be another guy giving you the hits. Stay away from Serena, or else it won't be me giving you the sending off the next time you hound her. She can handle herself just fine against thugs like you, her friend looked ready to give you a good beating as well. Don't you dare call her or ever imply she is some easy floozy you can pick up, because she is quiet the formidable girl in her own right." Ash says ending his triad with an icy glare at the other boy.

My heart was racing as I heard his empowering words. I did not know that he thought that highly of me. Queue the blush! It felt great to be completed in that way, and only Ash could give me such a sense of vindication that would make me feel so warm inside. I saw May give me warm smile and felt Shauna give my hand a comforting squeeze. Even Brock and Dawn were giving me smiles in support.

"I think you have gotten your point across Mr. Ketchum. I was told about the incident by Nurse Joy, don't worry Ms. Yvonne we will make sure he will behave himself. I was also told of your honorary titles Mr. Ketchum so you will not be getting any trouble for engaging in a battle with this trainer, but next time we would like to be nofied if any activity of this kind is being taken." Another voice says this one had a strict tone to it.

We looked to our left and saw Officer Jenny who was accompanied by Nurse Joy. The nurse had relayed the goings on for the last hour to the police officer, the former did not look took kindly at the Kalos boy. But Shauna and I were struck by the officer's latter statement, I saw Ash smile sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.

"I'm sorry for not notifying you first Officer Jenny." Ash says contritely.

Nurse Joy smiled this time smiling at him, "Don't worry Ash,you won't be implicated for your actions. The Officer Jenny in Oreburg called earlier to give us an insight on your penchant for heroics so you're off the hook for now. Goodness knows, we cannot possibly implicate with any fault after what you did for Ms Yvonne and Ms. De Lurant. Sir. Riley called us to make sure you got this."

Nurse Joy gave him a PokeBall, he was staring at it for a second but then he grinned.

He took the device and opened it, out came a Riolu! This one shook off his fuzzy state and faced Ash, who grinned at him. The little fighting look towards Ash and leaped into his arms.

"Rio! It is great to see you again. Are you still working hard on that aura sphere of your?" The raven haired young man carrying the young fighting type in his arms.

Riolu nods smiling , "Rio. Riolu!"

"Ah. I knew we've seen this particular Riolu before. He hatched from an egg while we were in Rota during our rerun of Kanto for the Battle Frontier. I think Ash got to see him again." Brock explained seeing how much closer is psedo brother was to the fighting type.

Ash approached the group with a smile on his face, then his smile turned into a grin when he saw me. I felt a flash of heat spread through my face, gosh that smile will do me in ond day! I am pretty sure it is doing me in now. He casually took my hand and places light peck on my knuckles.

"Good Evening Ms. Yvonne! It is great to see you again after so long." He says giving me a charming smile.

I couldn't help but flush at the attention he was giving me. I shook off my surprise and hugged him. I felt at home in his arms, it really had been so long! I sank into his tight embrace enjoying the feeling of being in his arms again.

"He's here. We finally get to see each other again." I thought happily as I felt his arms tighten around my waist...

And there we are! Wow, this was kind of hard to write. Callum was such a dirtbag, the assault scene might be triggering for some readers - I am sorry for that. I ventured into rocky territory, I don't do that often but it has to happen here and there.

Thank you, thank you everyone for being such amazing readers! I really appreciate your support on my works. Your comments help me improve my writing, so don't be afraid to be critical. Hehe, I am open to constructive criticism. Put it up on the comments or message it to me. My discord is tagged below...

s_mika24

Next Update: Oct 20

Signing off,

W_17