The Ketchum Family - An Amourshipping Story

by RazorKeyboard

This is the story of what happens after Ash wins the Masters Eight Tournament. (Amourshipping Fanfic) What will happen when Ash and Serena reunite? Where will their journeys take them? I don't have any profanity or overly dark elements in my story. Things will get steadily steamier between Ash and Serena as things progress. All main characters are 18 years or older.

20. Knock Him Out but Don't Knock Her Up

The warm breeze of summer blew through a forest of trees far to the west of Icirrus City. The abundance of rain and sunlight in this part of Unova made the leaves shine a brilliant shade of green as the midday sun blazed overhead. The local population of Pokémon went about their daily business of searching for food and living their lives. Most of them had no idea that among them lurked a hunter and that she was very keen to finally capture her quarry.

Another breeze caused the trees to gently rock back and forth. The branch Iris was laying on slowly swayed along with the tree it was attached to but she paid it no mind. She didn't so much as move a muscle. Nearby, the Pokémon of the forest moved about freely, completely unaware of her presence. She hoped that if they couldn't tell she was there, the Cyclizar she was hunting wouldn't be able to sense her either.

Iris had exchanged her usual garments of white and pink for a tight fitting camouflage outfit which was shaded in the green and brown colors of the forest. Her usually voluminous, dark violet hair was braided into a tight weave which she'd stuffed down the back of her shirt. Additionally, she'd covered herself in various debris of the forest to further conceal her silhouette. She hoped the leaves and grass which covered her back would make her look like some kind of nest, resting on a branch, high above the forest floor. She was so determined to blend in that she would have even smeared mud all over her exposed skin except her chocolate colored flesh already granted her that concealment.

Her attentive, brown eyes focused on the scattering of bait she'd placed on the ground below. The local Pokémon had eaten some of it but there was still enough left to draw in the Cyclizar. Iris twitched her nose as it started to itch but she refused to lift a hand to scratch at it. It was now her third hour of remaining motionless on the branch and she wasn't about to let all her effort go to waste because she felt an itch.

Her mission to corral the Cyclizar hadn't started out like this at all. Eight days earlier she'd received a call from several local farmers complaining that their fields had been torn up by a rogue Pokémon. They'd identified the culprit as a Cyclizar and, with it being a dragon type, they'd contacted her to wrangle the elusive creature. Iris had jumped at the opportunity to track down a nonnative dragon Pokémon and thus the hunt had begun.

Iris had ventured out into the forests near Icirrus expecting to spend a day or two finding and capturing the Cyclizar. Instead, she'd spent three fruitless days following the strange tracks of the Pokémon only to have it roar away when she confronted it.

Iris had to admit that the Cyclizar was by far the oddest dragon type she'd ever encountered. The bipedal, creature was mostly a shade of pale green with a dark green, helmet-like head and a white-tipped black tail. The color wasn't what made the Cyclizar unusual however. Rather, it was what the Pokémon could transform into when it wished to make a speedy escape.

The Cyclizar possessed a strange, tubular, black sack just under its chin which matched the color of its tail. When alarmed, the Cyclizar would curl its tail into a ring and inflate the tubular sack under its neck. The creature would then lower itself down so it rested on the two wheel-like body parts and then literally drive off at high-speed as if it was some kind of motored vehicle.

During her first encounter with the creature, Iris had been so flabbergasted by the Pokémon's transformative abilities that she'd simply stood still, mouth agape, Haxorus' Pokéball in hand and watched the Cyclizar drive away like a maniac on a motorcycle. Since then, the chase had been on!

She'd tried tracking down the dragon Pokémon but always came up short. She'd then tried flying overhead on her Dragonite and diving down on the creature when she sighted it. The Cyclizar had led her on quite the chase over the grasslands before it had raced into the forest and she'd lost the pursuit.

Next, Iris had attempted to box in the rogue dragon by sending Excadrill and Dragonite out to approach from one side while she and Haxorus approached from another side. She'd thought they were about to catch the Cyclizar but the accursed beast had led them on a heart pounding race through the forest which saw them weaving between trees at high speeds and jumping over gullies.

They'd finally cornered the rolling menace on the edge of a wide chasm. Rather than surrender to capture, the Cyclizar had boldly charged straight at the cliff edge and used a large rock to vault itself into the air. In the moment, Iris had thought the Pokémon had just jumped to its doom but instead she and her partners had all watched with slack jaws as the Cyclizar made the impossible jump, spun in a few victorious circles, kicking up plumes of dirt as it did so and then sped off into the forest. It was at that point, with the farmers demanding that the "famed dragon master of Unova do something already!" Iris had decided to take drastic measures.

She'd spent a day scouting out the perfect location for her stakeout. She'd then gathered the needed supplies, put on her camouflage clothing and climbed the tree. There, she continued to wait for the Cyclizar to show itself. She desperately hoped all her effort and patience would be rewarded.

Another half-hour passed and then Iris spotted the Cyclizar slowly approaching. The Pokémon was currently walking on two legs as it plodded through the forest. When it wasn't speeding around on its two 'wheels' the green Pokémon was somewhat awkward in its movements.

Iris held her breath as the Cyclizar approached her location. The berries she'd chosen were supposed to be a favorite of the dragon type. She hoped her information was correct.

To her relief, the Cyclizar sniffed the air, its eyes brightened and it trundled forward until it was standing next to the berries. It eyed the berries scattered on the ground and then bent down to eat one.

Iris slowly took in a breath, and with a very gradual motion, she lifted her right hand up to her belt and grasped all of her Pokéballs. The last few times she'd made the mistake of not going all out in her attempt to capture the Cyclizar. That wouldn't be the case this time!

Iris steeled herself, furrowed her brow and then enlarged her Pokéballs before she dropped them toward the forest floor.

The Cyclizar was in the process of happily munching down on berries when four Pokéballs thudded into the earth around it. A moment later the spheres popped open and Haxorus, Dragonite, Excadrill and Emolga all flashed into existence, boxing the rogue Pokémon in on all sides.

At the same moment, Iris stood up and tossed off her covering of forest debris. She grinned and held an Ultra Ball in her right hand. It was time to capture this infuriating creature!

The Cyclizar frantically looked left and then right. It then let out a squealing cry and performed a flip in midair, transforming into its motorcycle form as it did so.

"DON'T LET IT GET AWAY!" Iris shouted. She reared back and threw the Ultra Ball at the rogue dragon type below her.

Haxorus and Dragonite widened their stances and spread out their arms to block in the Cyclizar. In response, the wheeled creature abruptly spun in a circle while kicking up a plume of dirt with its rear 'tire.' It was this Pokémon's version of a sand attack and it was supremely effective.

Haxorus, Dragonite and the others all flinched and had to cover their eyes as dirt flew up at their faces. In the confusion, the Cyclizar surged forward and slipped between Iris' Pokémon. The Ultra Ball she'd thrown thudded uselessly into the dirt.

Iris bellowed in frustration and pointed forcefully in the direction the Cyclizar was fleeing. "AFTER IT!"

All of Iris' Pokémon took off and began the chase. Iris herself took in a sharp breath, narrowed her eyes and then started to sprint along the branch, dashing quickly toward the end of it.

Iris had spent a fair amount of time examining the surrounding trees just in case she'd needed to do this exact thing. Just as the branch started to taper dramatically and bow beneath her weight, Iris leapt into the air and flew toward another tree. Her running shoes slammed down on a large branch of the next tree and she used her momentum to fuel another leap forward. She landed on a branch which led in the direction Cyclizar was traveling and she began running along it with long, graceful strides.

Jumping from tree to tree was incredibly hard but Iris had been doing this for most of her life. She knew what to look for and her movements were instinctual. Her heart began to pound and her muscles grew hot from exertion as she leapt again, kicked off of a tree to her right and used her hand to grasp hold of a small limb and guide her landing on another branch.

She kept running and glanced down. Her Pokémon were racing ahead but struggling a bit with the thick forest shrubbery. The Cyclizar was also having some trouble maneuvering. Iris grinned and pushed herself to run faster. She'd suspected that the forest would hamper the wheeled dragon. Now, if she could just get ahead of it she could finally bring this chase to an end!

Iris moved through the forest canopy like a graceful gymnast performing a complex routine. Sometimes she bounded from branch to branch. Other times she would drop down, grab hold of a smaller limb with both her hands and swing on it to propel herself over a great distance. If there wasn't an immediate path available, she would kick off of the trunk and lunge upward to a better position.

As Iris preformed a lengthy jump, she rolled in mid-air and readjusted herself so she could land on her target branch in mid stride. The leap was truly impressive and the Iris of a few years ago would never have been able to accomplish such a feat. She wasn't the small, wide-eyed girl of years past anymore. Her legs were long and muscular, her arms slender yet strong and her torso was completely filled out. She was the dragon master of Unova and she was not going to let this rascally little Pokémon get the better of her!

During all of her chasing of the accursed Pokémon, she'd started to detect that the creature had a flare for the dramatic. Several times during their previous chases, they'd gotten close to catching it only for the Pokémon to barely escape their clutches. Iris wondered if the Pokémon was simply reckless or if it was taunting them. If it was a taunt, Iris was going to very much enjoy capturing this rogue and putting it in its place!

She grabbed hold of another limb and used it to propel herself forward at incredible speed. She seized a vine in her hands and swung a short distance before landing on a large, stocky branch. Sweat glistened on her soft, brown skin. Her breathing was fast and intense as she pushed her body to the limit. However, it was all worth it. She was catching up to the Cyclizar!

Iris began dashing along the branch and kicked off of it just an instant before it would break. She bounded off of one tree and then a second. She stole a glance below and saw she was nearly ahead of the Cyclizar. She grinned and pumped her legs harder. Her shoes dug into the bark of the trees and she gained more ground. In her belt, she had five more Ultra Balls ready to go. Her quarry would soon be secure!

Iris performed another jumping sequence and prepared to descend to the forest floor. She looked for a tree with the appropriate structure which would allow her to drop from branch to branch. She leapt to another tree and started running along a branch. Suddenly, to her surprise and horror, a loud crack sounded and the branch fell away from beneath her feet.

Sadly, Iris had landed on a moderately sized branch which had been heavily pecked at by various bird Pokémon. The limb was far weaker than it should have been given its size and it gave way under the strain of holding her.

Iris gasped, flailed her arms and legs and then screamed in fright as she descended to the forest floor far faster than she'd planned.

---

The morning which followed Ash and Serena promising themselves to each other started very differently than usual. Ash was awake a little earlier than normal and felt a level of enthusiasm for life that he hadn't possessed before. He tackled his morning chores faster than was typical and returned to the main building to eagerly await the arrival of his 'wife.'

Serena also awoke early and felt a new zest for life. She took care of her Pokémon, helped Delia a little and then left for the reserve with a spring in her step. She reached the main building shortly after Ash did and the two of them shared a warm and passionate embrace just inside the front door. Their lips met in an electrifying kiss and the two of them shared giggles and grins before they retreated to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Their conversation was a little tense, but not for any reason of angst. Rather, both of them were intensely wondering if the other wanted to experience their 'first time' that night but neither of them could bring themselves to broach the topic just quite yet.

As they cleaned up breakfast, the two lovers shared silly glances and exchanged playfully whispers. As they prepared to leave and do their separate work on the reserve, Serena wished her "secret husband" well, and gave him a hug. As she did so, she moved her torso in such a way that her bust brushed heavily against Ash's arm. Ash glanced at her and she bounced her eyebrows, confirming that her sensual act had been very deliberate.

Ash chuckled and wished his "secret wife" well. Then, as she turned to go, ran his hand up her left butt cheek. Serena yipped in surprise and then grinned happily. They shared a steamy look and silently decided to continue the conversation over lunch.

The day seemed to fly by and soon the two of them were back inside and munching on a few simple snacks. They were sweaty and tired from the day's work thus far but this didn't dampen their mood in the slightest.

The matter of their 'first time' finally was voiced and both of them started to turn red and look bashful. After some dancing around the issue they both started expressing interest in having their union that night. As the conversation went on, their discussion became more frank and soon every aspect of the event was being hashed out and planned.

It was decided that both of them would need to take showers before the love making could begin. They also decided to share a small romantic meal first and enjoy a few special treats before they retired to the bedroom. Clothing was discussed, and while it was agreed that both of them wouldn't be wearing anything during the act itself, they picked out what clothes they wear to dinner that evening. It was during this discussion that Serena blushed and shared with Ash her plan to wear lingerie underneath her outfit. Ash was fully onboard with the idea and admitted that he'd noticed that Serena had been wearing the sensual garments a few nights earlier.

Each of them blushed and then, with great hesitation, began to discuss what their thoughts, hopes and dreams were for the actual act of intercourse. While they discussed a few different positions, both of them agreed that the 'first time' should definitely begin with Ash on top. Serena explained that she'd always envisioned it happening that way and Ash agreed with her. With some embarrassment, he said that he'd always imagined gazing deep into Serena's eyes as he passionately moved atop her body.

With the discussion completed, lunch consumed and their feelings thoroughly aroused, the two of them set out to finish the work on the reserve and then make some progress on building the house. There wasn't much left to do for the Pokémon and so, as the sun began to descend toward the horizon, Ash and Serena started hauling lumber around the construction site.

The prep work for the basement was finished and now it was time to start installing the floor joists and the uprights needed to support them. Ash and Serena worked together to move the big pieces of lumber and get the large boards into position. It was really rewarding work and both of them felt enthused as they watched the construction slowly take shape.

Then tragedy struck. Ash attempted to move a large vertical beam on his own and briefly lost his grip on the heavy piece of wood. The beam slammed down on his right foot and left the world's greatest Pokémon trainer hobbled and standing on one leg as Serena came running, having heard his distress.

Thanks to her increasing knowledge of medicine, Serena quickly determined that nothing was broken but that Ash would likely have a severe bruise. She helped him exit the construction site and then lent him her shoulder so he could steady himself as he limped home.

Once they were back in the main building, Serena packed some ice around Ash's slightly swollen foot and took care of everything while he rested on the recliner. They ate dinner and then the discussion of sleeping arrangements came up. With some sadness, they both decided that they should put off their first time until tomorrow. Ash's foot still hurt a lot and both of them wanted their first taste of sex to be free of anything unpleasant.

They bid each other farewell and each of them slept in their own bed that night.

The next day started like any other but soon turned tense when Serena arrived at the reserve. Ash was still limping from the injury and Serena was quick to suggest that he stay off his feet and let her handle the work on the reserve. Ash, always the determined one, didn't like this idea and insisted he was fine and could work. The two of them had a sharp conversation which left both of them somewhat peeved at each other. Serena worried for Ash's health and didn't like him being reckless while Ash didn't appreciate Serena babying him.

The tension continued for most of the day as each of them tried to prove their point. Ash tried to show he was fine while Serena tried to show he was still hurt and should be taking it easy. The day's work finally came to an end and they sat down to eat dinner. Their conversation was less enthusiastic than usual thanks to the tension, however both of them felt miserable. Finally, Ash apologized for being sharp with Serena and she quickly said she was sorry for nagging him. They made up and shared a happy embrace.

The subject of sleeping arrangements came up again and they decided to put off their intimate meeting for one more night. Ash was still hurting and Serena said she'd prefer if the day which led to their union was filled with romance and flirting rather than tension. Thus, they each went home and slept in separate beds again.

However, before Ash went to bed he received a picture from Serena which showed the red lingerie set laid out on her bed with the not-so-subtle caption of "Getting everything ready for tomorrow night!" Ash's imagination went wild with various scenarios and it was some time until he could fall asleep.

The next day started just as Serena hoped. Ash greeted her at the front door and kissed her in a way that made her legs turn to jelly. She squeezed his butt, he squeezed her sides and Serena seriously considered simply going upstairs and making love right then. She decided against it though. She wanted the special day to end in a magical moment and then for the two of them to fall asleep with their limbs interwoven like the branches of a tree.

Secretly, she'd also thought about what would happen when they woke up the next morning. In her mind, she imagined the bedtime sex as passionate, intense and athletic. When morning came she'd already planned how she would invite Ash for a second round of intimacy. She hoped the morning sex would be slow, sensual and full of loving comments and magnificent caresses. She hoped it would go on for an hour or more. It would be the perfect beginning to the intimate side of their relationship.

They walked to the kitchen with a spring in their step and a flutter in their hearts. Breakfast was cooked, flirtations were exchanged, food was eaten and promises of erotic inflictions were made. They exchanged another sizzling kiss and then went to tackle the day's work.

It wasn't long before tragedy struck again. As Serena went about her duties she came across a distressed family of Cinccino. The group of tidy Pokémon were gathered around the entrance of their burrow and were chattering in distress. After checking that all the Pokémon were okay, Serena bent down to investigate the burrow. She detected an unpleasant odor she'd never smelled before and peered into the darkness of the hole. She saw movement at the back of the tunnel and then the Stunky which had displaced Cinccino unleashed its vile payload.

Serena screamed in distress, Ash came running and the Stunky was soon the unhappy receiver of the wrath of the world's greatest Pokémon trainer. After some bigger than usual shocks from Pikachu, the Stunky was captured and promptly shipped off via Pokémon transporter to a small daycare in Sinnoh.

Ash and Serena then went about trying to clean her up. They sprayed her down with the hose, lathered her hair with soap and she took a lengthy shower, throwing away her clothes before she did so. Serena emerged in her new outfit, but she still reeked of Stunky stench.

After assessing the situation, Serena started to cry and not because of the eye-watering smell which wafted off of her. She mourned that she was going to have to go back home and that their magical night wasn't going to happen. Ash reassured that everything would be fine and the two of them parted ways, Serena heading home and Ash getting back to work.

That evening, Serena languished in the bathtub of the Ketchum household. She wished more than anything that she could be soaking in Ash's affections rather than soaking in a bath of tomato juice. When the bath was over, she rinsed off in the shower, put on her pajamas and then retreated to her room. She sniffed herself and was disgusted that the smell still persisted.

Frustrated, sad and angry over the missed opportunity, she called Ash and talked to him while she lay in her bed. Ash had just laid down to bed as well and the two of them started exchanging steamy comments as the minutes ticked by. Since they couldn't have sex that night, they opted for the next best thing.

After one very sensual comment from Ash, Serena felt a tingle in her loins and decided to satiate the desires of her body rather than ignore them. With Ash still on the phone she went to work, making herself not feel lonely. It wasn't long before a small spasm rocked her body and a moan escaped her throat.

Ash asked if she was okay and Serena simply giggled in reply. She then told Ash exactly what she was doing and then hung up. A few minutes later, Serena sent Ash a text thanking him for helping her not feel so lonely that night. A few minutes after that, Ash responded with a similar text thanking Serena for helping him with his loneliness.

Both of them giggled naughtily and then, riding high on blissful sensations, they drifted off to sleep in separate beds yet again.

The next day began with an unhappy Serena trudging to the reserve. She'd taken two showers that morning but the pungent aroma of Stunky still clung to her. When she and Ash met at the front door she nearly started to cry when she explained that they'd have to put off their 'first time' yet again. Ash raised an eyebrow, sniffed Serena, crinkled his nose a little and then said that he thought they could make it work.

Serena laughed and a few happy tears flowed instead. She thanked her secret husband and then firmly said that she didn't want the memory of their first time to be tainted with the stench of Stunky. They'd waited so long; she wanted everything to be perfect.

Ash agreed and they went about their daily routine. They flirted, kissed and teased each other as the time passed. The day ended with Ash sniffing Serena's hair and stating that the smell was nearly gone. Serena agreed and they wondered if perhaps the next day would be the one where they finally shared bed. They then went home and slept in their separate beds yet again.

When Serena awoke the next morning, she promptly took another shower and was jubilant when she discovered the stench was finally gone. She hummed happily as she got dressed and then sprayed on some perfume for good measure. She had a feeling that today was going to be very, very special!

As Serena left the Ketchum household, she pinched her earrings to reassure herself that everything was okay. She'd checked her calendar that morning and she still had almost a week of safe time left; plenty of margin to keep both of them out of trouble.

When she reached the reserve, she quietly opened the front door and snuck toward the kitchen. She spotted Ash waiting at the table. He was reading something on a tablet and didn't see her right away. Serena felt emotions and excitement surge inside her. She cleared her throat to get his attention and then slowly strode out from around the corner.

She let her shoulders and hips dip and her body sway in an exaggerated feminine saunter. She enjoyed watching Ash's eye widen as she approached. She smiled broadly, slid up so she was beside his chair and then….. the Pokémon communicator began to beep with an incoming call.

Ash and Serena both sighed in frustration and annoyance. Ash stood up from his chair and walked to where the communication station was. Serena followed and stood just behind Ash as he accepted the call.

The screen lit up and Iris appeared with her Dragonite and Haxorus standing just behind her right and left shoulders respectively.

"Hey, Ash! Hey, Serena!" she said enthusiastically with a big smile.

Ash immediately brightened. He'd been very annoyed by the call interrupting Serena's entrance but the fact that it was one of his good friends made it okay.

"Hey, Iris!" Ash replied happily. "It's good to see you!"

Serena nodded and spoke in a sweet voice. "It's good of you to call!"

Iris nodded. "Yeah, I've been wanting to call you to follow up about those Hydreigon you sent me, but time just keeps getting away."

Ash waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Eh, don't worry about it. How are you doing?"

At this, Iris' expression fell slightly. "Well, that's actually why I called you."

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Oh," he replied.

A frustrated expression briefly crossed Iris' face and she then opened her mouth to speak. "See, Ash, there's this….. Pokémon that's been causing trouble for a bunch of people here."

Ash looked on but said nothing.

Iris grabbed a printout and held up a picture of a Cyclizar. "This is a Cyclizar and we've got one that's been tearing up fields and being a nuisance."

Serena leaned toward the screen and peered at the Pokémon. "I've never seen that one before," she said.

Iris nodded. "Yeah, it's not native to Unova. It's from Paldea. We don't know how it got here!" Iris set down the picture and continued. "It's a dragon type and so the local farmers asked me to catch it."

Iris suddenly looked deflated. She sighed and then spoke in a subdued tone. "I tried to chase it down Ash, but I just couldn't do it." She hesitated a moment and then pressed forward. "I wouldn't ask if I didn't have to but I need your help bringing this…. thing in!"

Ash looked sympathetic but he was also very practical. "Well, I appreciate you calling me Iris," he began diplomatically. "But, you're the dragon master. I'm sure you can handle catching it, right?"

Iris pressed her lips tightly together while Dragonite and Haxorus looked tense. The girl from Unova then hopped on her left leg and started to shift her position.

"See, Ash," she said with some effort as she moved. She then swung her right leg up on the table in front of her. It landed with a loud 'bash' sound as her entire leg was encased in a large cast. She winced slightly and then continued speaking. "If I could be out there trying to catch it…."

Ash frowned in understanding. "Right," he said sympathetically.

Serena took a breath and spoke up. "What happened?" she said in a compassionate tone.

Iris looked angry. "I broke it chasing after that rolling menace!" Iris hopped again and dragged her right leg off of the table. She steadied herself and then continued. "Look, Ash, I've got a dozen farmers all shouting at me to do something and I'm trapped at home."

Ash thought for a moment and then nodded. "Okay, what do you need?"

Iris' eyes brightened and she looked intense. "I need you to track down that Cyclizar and bring it back here so we can…. send it back to Paldea!"

As Iris spoke these words, her Dragonite glared angrily and pounded its right fist into the palm of its left and hand. Ash eyed the dragon and suspected that there were a few things about this whole situation that weren't being fully explained. If he did catch the Cyclizar he'd be sure to keep it away from Iris' Dragonite.

Ash glanced at Serena and was surprised to see that she looked happy. "Is it okay if I go to Unova to help Iris?" he asked.

A smile pulled at Serena's lips. "You mean, is it okay if we to go to Unova!" she said, emphasizing the word we.

Ash suddenly felt a thrill shoot through him. Not only was Serena onboard with his decision, she wanted to join him. She really was the best! He turned back to face Iris.

"Sure! We'll get ready right away!"

---

Ash and Serena wasted no time in making preparations to leave for Unova. Serena contacted some of their friends and made arrangements for the reserve to be taken care of. Ash saw that needed tasks were completed and supplies were stockpiled. Once all of that was done, they started packing bags and getting together everything they would need for the trip.

Because of the amount of traveling Ash and Serena had done in the past, they had everything for the camping trip readily on hand. Ash collected tents, sleeping bags, backpacks along with other needed gear and assembled it in the living room of the main building. Serena walked in and eyed the collection of equipment. She smiled and turned to Ash, feeling excited at the prospect of an expedition.

"Looks like you've got everything we'll need," she said happily.

Ash was sitting on his haunches and he glanced up at Serena. "Yeah, I think we're good to go," he replied in a confident voice.

Serena took a few steps around the laid out equipment and then raised an eyebrow. "So, you're bringing two tents?" she said in a questioning tone.

Ash's eyes darted between the two tents and then he looked up at Serena. "Yeah, that's what I was planning."

Serena blushed a little and pressed her lips tightly together. She rocked on her heels, debating her next words. Finally, after several seconds, she spoke up in an excited tone.

"You know," she began tentatively. "We could save some space and only take one tent!"

Ash wore a puzzled expression for a moment. Then his eyes lit up with understanding and he met Serena's gaze. She turned a darker shade of red and giggled.

A wry smiled spread across Ash's face and he opened his mouth to speak. "Have our first time on a camping trip, huh?" he said.

Serena playfully bit her lower lip and her gaze wandered around the room before she looked straight at Ash. "It'd be pretty romantic," she said coyly.

Ash's mind briefly filled with images of them retiring to their tent after a day of hiking. It would be dark and they would be surrounded by the sounds of the outdoors. Would they make love illuminated by a flashlight? Would they make love inside a sleeping bag? He didn't know, but he wanted to find out!

Ash picked up the bag containing one of their tents and, with a bit of flair, threw it aside. Serena grinned excitedly and started giggling again. Ash grinned as well. This trip to Unova was getting better by the minute!

---

Things came together quicker than any of them could have expected and Ash and Serena discovered that they could leave the very next day for Unova. They bought their plane tickets, packed their bags and then told their Pokémon about the sudden change of plans. The Pokémon were surprised at the news but very happy. They hugged and wished their trainers well. An impromptu sendoff party slowly started taking shape and soon the Pokémon were running, jumping and playing all around and inside of the main building.

Ash decided that he would bring along Pikachu, Noctowl, Noivern, Donphan and Dragonite. He thought that would give him a good collection of Pokémon who could find the Cyclizar and confront it. Serena decided to not bring along her Pokémon. While Sylveon and Delphox were capable battlers, she thought they would be better at keeping order at the reserve rather than traveling with them.

Before long, the party was in full swing and everyone was having a good time. Ash played with his Pokémon for a while before retiring to the couch where Serena was sitting. She smiled as he sat down and they snuggled against each other. They each felt a crackling energy lurking just below the surface of their emotions. The knowledge that they would soon be sharing their first time in Unova was very exciting.

Ash made a few comments about the Pokémon and Serena talked about how fun it would be to go camping again. Minutes passed and Ash leaned close so he could whisper a promise of sensuous affection into Serena's ear. Serena grinned fiercely and instinctively reached up to squeeze her left earring. She was really looking forward to this camping trip!

They snuggled close together but they didn't let their feelings escalate into anything. The Pokémon were all here and they didn't need to see their trainers locking lips or running their hands over each other's bodies. There would be plenty of time for that once they were in Unova.

Plenty of fun was had by all of the Pokémon. Lots of treats were handed out and piles of berries were consumed. Just when it looked like they might be running out of berries, Gengar arrived with a whole new huge container. The Pokémon celebrated, dug-in and the frivolity continued.

When the sun had completely set and most of the Pokémon's energy had been exhausted, Serena finally bid farewell to Ash and headed home with her trio of friends. The two lovers exchanged a quick kiss and then they went their separate ways and fell asleep in their separate beds.

An hour after Serena fell asleep, she was suddenly awakened by the ringtone of her Rotom phone. She groggily stirred in bed and struggled to retrieve the phone. After a few seconds, she saw that it was Ash who was calling her and she accepted the call.

"Hello…" she managed in a sleepy voice.

"Serena!" Ash began in a sharp tone. "I hope I didn't wake you up!"

The tenor of Ash's voice immediately caused a knot to form in her stomach. Something was wrong and she instantly came fully awake.

"No, I'm fine," she lied. "What's going on?"

There was a pause and then Ash replied. "Uhhhh, I'm not really sure!" he said uncertainly. "All the Pokémon are getting sick!"

Serena felt a twinge of fear inside her and swung herself out of bed. "I'll be there as soon as I can!" she said quickly.

She ended the call and began throwing on her clothes. She didn't spend any time brushing her hair or putting on makeup before she quietly left her room and headed downstairs. Even though she wanted to get to the reserve quickly, she didn't want to wake up Delia.

As soon as she was outside, Serena started jogging toward the reserve. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the moon and stars shone brightly overhead. After just a few minutes of her brisk pace, she reached the front door of the main building and headed inside.

Serena was immediately greeted by the sound of Pokémon groaning. She made her way to the living room and found a bunch of Ash's Pokémon all lying around. Some had their backs leaned against the wall, others were sprawled on the floor and several were weakly wandering around the room. All of them looked to be in distress of some kind. Many were sweating and several had turned a slight shade of green.

Ash was kneeling near Charizard and Sceptile. The two larger Pokémon were sitting with their backs against the wall, trying to look tough, but they clearly weren't okay.

Ash glanced over his shoulder at Serena and a look of relief spread across his face. He stood up and quickly walked over to her.

"Serena, I'm glad you made it!" he said quickly.

Serena nodded in reply and she slowly swept her gaze across the living room. "What…. happened?" she asked slowly.

Ash glanced back at the Pokémon and gave a perplexed shrug. "I don't know. I'd just gone up to bed when I heard something sounded wrong. I came down here and everyone was just starting to get sick."

As if to emphasize the point, at that moment, Buizel and Infernape's faces suddenly turned a shade of deep green. They immediately covered their mouths, their cheeks bulged outward and they rapidly stumbled toward the back door so they could empty their churning stomachs outside.

Ash made a pained face as he looked on and Serena appeared worried.

"Do you think it might be a stomach virus?" Ash asked.

Serena pursed her lips and looked thoughtful. "I don't think they'd all get sick at the same time, and so quickly," she replied. She let out a determined huff and strode toward one of the sick Pokémon. She said a few kind words and started her examination.

Ash watched, feeling mostly helpless. He really hoped there wasn't something drastically wrong going on. He walked over to where Pikachu was slumped over a pillow and kneeled down next to him.

"Hey, buddy," he said in a friendly tone. "You hanging in there?"

Pikachu let out a weak moan and barely moved. The electric Pokémon was sweating and looked miserable.

Ash hung his head for a second and then looked up at Serena. She was now examining Charizard and Sceptile. The two prideful Pokémon seemed to be in a contest of wills to see who could keep from getting sick for the longest. They were sweating profusely and occasionally casting glares at each other.

Serena finished with the two large Pokémon and then looked at a few smaller creatures. She frowned and walked over to Ash.

"It looks like they all have very upset stomachs," she said quietly.

Ash was puzzled. "A stomach ache," he said. "All at the same time." He pondered this for a moment and then continued. "Do you think they ate too much?"

Serena shook her head. "I don't think so. They wouldn't all be so sick." She hesitated a moment and then elaborated. "I think it might be food poisoning."

"Food poisoning," Ash repeated. "You think they ate some bad food!"

Serena half nodded. "It would explain how and why they all got sick at the same time."

Ash frowned and thought back about the party they'd had that evening. He knew all the food they'd given the Pokémon. None of it had been bad. They seemed to have a mystery on their hands!

"How could any of the food have been bad?" Ash commented.

Serena looked equally puzzled. She too didn't have any answers. She knelt down next to Pikachu and gently ran her fingers along the electric type's tail. She was about to say something when she spotted the remains of a half-eaten berry lying underneath the front of the couch.

Earlier in the evening, they'd cleaned up a lot of trash but it seemed they'd missed some. Her curiosity was peaked and she reached out and retrieved the half consumed fruit.

Serena immediately noticed by the feel of the fruit that something wasn't right. She held it up to her nose and sniffed. The berry had a slightly pungent and fermented smell. Her mind worked and she looked down at Pikachu.

"Hey, Pikachu," she asked kindly. "Did you eat any berries which smelled like this?"

Ash's best buddy looked up, sniffed the berry and then nodded. Bulbasaur, who was lying prone nearby, also nodded a reply. Serena was about to speak when suddenly Pikachu turned green, covered his mouth and dashed toward the backdoor. A moment later, Bulbasaur let out a groan, changed color and joined Pikachu.

Serena looked at the rotten berry and sighed. "I think we found our culprit," she said unhappily.

"The berries are rotten?" Ash posed.

"Apparently some of them are," Serena replied. She stood up and thought for a moment.

Ash stood as well and looked around at the Pokémon who hadn't yet run outside. "But how in the world did rotten berries get into their food?!" he said in an indignant tone.

Serena continued holding the berry and looked very introspective. Her eyes suddenly widened and she looked over at Ash.

"Let me go check something real quick," she said. With that, she turned and started walking toward the backrooms. As she went, she passed by Gengar floating by. The ghost type had its usual grin permanently fixed to its face but more notably, it didn't appear to be sick. Serena thought it odd, but she had more important things to focus on.

Ash waited for a minute while Serena was gone. Another two Pokémon ran outside to be sick and he let out a disheartened sigh. They were supposed to be leaving for Unova tomorrow but he doubted his Pokémon would be well enough to make the trip.

Serena soon returned, holding an empty bucket in her right hand and sporting a very displeased expression on her face.

"I found why they're sick," she said flatly.

Ash hoped it wasn't something he'd done. The last thing he wanted was for his secret wife to be ticked off at him just before they were leaving for a trip.

"Oh?" he said guardedly. "What'd you find?"

Serena held up the bucket and Ash saw it had the words 'spoiled berries' in big letters on the side.

Serena looked miffed and opened her mouth to speak. "Someone fed them all the spoiled berries I had set aside for composting!" she said, her voice tinged with anger.

Internally, Ash breathed a sigh of relief. He certainly hadn't done that! "Who do you think could have done it!?" he asked.

Serena snorted. "I don't know, but it was a really dirty trick!"

At this, they suddenly heard the barely contained sniggering of Gengar, who was floating nearby. They slowly turned toward the ghost type and both of them started to look aghast.

"Gengar!" Ash began.

"Did you do this?!" Serena finished.

Gengar looked bashful for a second and then started laughing uproariously and slapping its knee in gleeful hilarity.

Serena and Ash stared blankly for a moment and then both of them recalled the same memory. They remembered Gengar arriving during the party with the extra container of berries. They'd each assumed that the ghost had gotten them from the storehouse. Instead, it seemed Ash's prank-pulling Pokémon had decided to give all the other Pokémon upset stomachs.

"GENGAR!" Ash growled.

"HOW COULD YOU BE SO MEAN!?" Serena shrieked.

At that moment, two more Pokémon made muffled grunts and bolted for the door. Ash and Serena watched them go and then turned back to Gengar who was again laughing uproariously.

Serena was about to admonish the ghost type when Ash suddenly spoke in a very firm voice.

"That is not acceptable behavior, Gengar!" Ash growled.

Gengar suddenly froze and its grin disappeared.

"It's one thing if you pull a fun prank, or a sneaky prank, but getting everyone sick is just wrong!"

Serena looked on as Ash scolded Gengar and felt something she'd never quite experienced before. She saw herself as Ash wife and she was watching her husband disciplining an ill-behaved child. It filled her with wonderful emotions and only cemented in her mind that Ash was the correct choice for her. She loved him so much!

Ash gestured toward all the suffering Pokémon. "Just look at your friends! Do they look like they're enjoying your prank?!"

Gengar looked at the other Pokémon and its face fell some more. It now looked somewhat regretful.

Ash glared at Gengar for several seconds and then his expression softened a little. "It's okay to have fun, just don't hurt others, okay," he said in a firm but compassionate tone.

Gengar gave a somber reply and nodded twice. Ash smiled subtly and turned to face Serena. His secret wife had tears of admiration in her eyes and she took two quick steps forward so she could wrap her arms around his neck and press her forehead against his.

Serena took a ragged breath, blushed slightly and spoke in a passionate, throaty tone. "I am going to enjoy sleeping with you so much!" she whispered.

Ash's eyes widened and he was speechless for a second. "Uhhh, where'd that come from!?" he said.

Serena giggled softly and gave him a small kiss on the lips. "You're just so wonderful, Ash," she replied.

Ash smiled and gave Serena a small kiss. They stayed close for a few seconds and then they pulled apart. Ash turned to look at the Pokémon and sighed.

"So, what can I do to help them?" he asked.

Serena folded her arms and frowned. "There's not really anything we can do, other than let nature take its course," she replied in a somber tone. "Just make sure they drink enough water and try to have them eat some good food."

Now it was Ash's turn to frown. "If they're all going to still be sick tomorrow, I'm not gonna have any Pokémon to take to Unova…" He hesitated a moment and then slowly looked to the side at Gengar.

Ash's Pokémon was still floating nearby and it took a second before it noticed its trainer's gaze. They stared at each other and then Ash opened his mouth to speak.

"Looks like you're going to Unova!" he said flatly.

Gengar looked uncomfortable for several seconds and then nervously grinned and scratched the back of its head. It made an affirmative reply but clearly wasn't thrilled at the sudden change of plans.

Serena sent Ash a sympathetic look. "I'll bring my Pokémon along too," she said. "They may not be the best at going on safari, but I think they'll do okay."

Ash smiled in gratitude and they exchanged a happy stare. He then glanced at the clock and saw it was a little after midnight.

"Well, if there's nothing else you can do, I guess you should head back home and try to get some sleep."

Serena paused a moment and then nodded. "Yeah," she sighed. She then smiled kindly at Ash and took a step backwards. "See you tomorrow, Ash…" she said in a syrupy voice. "Can't wait till we're in Unova…"

Ash chuckled and waved goodbye. He watched Serena go and then turned back to look at his Pokémon. Some had returned after emptying their stomachs outside and the living room was filled with listless and groaning creatures.

Ash paced across the room and let out a sigh. He wished there was something he could do.

Over toward the side of the room, Charizard and Sceptile were still staying strong and refusing to give in to the unhappy noises coming from inside their stomachs. Each Pokémon was sweating profusely and looking very sick. They glared at each other and then looked down at the floor. They gritted their teeth, struggled to keep down their bile and then their eyes suddenly bulged and their jaws clinched. Each Pokémon had been bested by nature.

Charizard and Sceptile looked at each other and then quickly stood up and lunged toward the door. Unfortunately for them, they'd ignored the nausea for far too long.

Ash looked on with a stoic expression as Charizard and Sceptile heaved and released the rotten berries from within them. The unpleasant sight and smell hit the other Pokémon and several others followed suit and released the berries from within them as well.

There was plenty of groaning, moaning and slowly all of the Pokémon shuffled outside. Ash was left standing in the living room with only Gengar and the putrid smell of vomit as company. Ash frowned and marched off to the closet. A moment later, he returned with a mop and bucket. He looked at Gengar and thrust the items into the ghost's hands. Without a word, Ash pointed at the mess in the living room. His Pokémon was responsible for the disaster and now it was going to clean it up.

Gengar looked at Ash and then at the mess. It let out an unhappy cry and slowly floated into the living room to start mopping.

---

Serena walked back to the Ketchum house at a steady pace. As she walked, she thought about the events of the evening and shook her head ruefully. It was an inauspicious start to their trip to say the least. She reached the lot where the Ketchum household was and saw the light inside was on. She frowned a little. She'd hoped to avoid waking Delia up when she'd left but it seemed she'd failed.

Serena reached the door of the house and was immediately greeted by Ash's mother. The older woman had a distressed look on her face and Serena started to feel a little concern. Had something else gone wrong?

"Serena!" Delia said in a relieved voice. "I'm so glad you came back! I was just about to call you!"

Serena stepped to the threshold of the door and paused. "Why, what's wrong?"

Delia stepped back from the door and waved Serena inside. "It's your Pokémon," she said in a concerned voice. "I think they're sick!"

The second Serena stepped inside, she took in the sight of Delphox, Sylveon and Pancham all sitting on the living room floor. They all looked just like Ash's Pokémon had.

Serena's face instantly fell. "Oh no! Not you too!"

---

The morning sun began to rise into the sky and Ash and Serena met at the reserve to discuss the situation. All of Ash's Pokémon except Gengar were still out of commission. Serena's Pokémon were equally sick and so they decided to head to Unova with only Gengar.

Ash explained the situation to the neighbors who would be minding the reserve and then he and Serena headed for the airport. They felt bad about leaving their Pokémon behind, but there was no chance they could make the lengthy trip. All of them were barely able to keep down water and their energy levels were extremely low. They would likely need two or three days of recovery before they were back to full strength.

Fortunately for Ash and Serena, they made it through the airport without issue. They were soon aboard the airplane and seated near a window on the left side of the craft. They watched as the pair of propeller props on their wing spun up and the plane began to taxi down the runway.

With a few bumps, the plane roared down the tarmac and lifted into the air. Ash and Serena felt the thrill of a new adventure and they exchanged eager smiles. They started to talk about what their plans for capturing the Cyclizar were, however, their conversation soon turned to their imminent sleeping arrangements.

The decision to only bring one tent had added a level of certainty to their union. Before, even though they'd planned to sleep together, it hadn't yet felt real. Now, each of them knew they'd be crawling into a tent together and sharing their first time.

Each of them blushed a little and smiled goofily as they exchanged a few whispers. It wasn't how either of them had imagined their first intimate encounter but ultimately it didn't matter. They would soon be together under the starry, Unova sky.

They settled in for the flight and Ash began to do a little reading about Cyclizar while Serena started watching a video of a recent showcase in Kalos. Between one of the performances, Serena casually glanced out the window and looked down at the landscape of Johto far below them. She smiled at the sight and marveled at how high up they were.

As she stared out the window she suddenly noticed that the prop of the farther away engine was slowing down. She watched with wide eyes and rapt attention as the propeller came to a near halt and was left slowly spinning, driven by the wind.

A knot of apprehension and fear twisted together inside her stomach and she aggressively elbowed Ash to get his attention. Puzzled, Ash looked up and immediately noted the concerned expression on Serena's face.

"What's wrong?!" he said in a low voice.

Serena subtly pointed toward the free spinning propeller and leaned close to Ash so she could whisper to him. "Is it supposed to do that?!" she hissed in an intense tone.

Ash looked at the propeller and his eyes went wide too. He thought for a moment, but the mechanics of flight weren't his expertise in the slightest.

"I don't know," he whispered.

Serena swallowed and took a few shallow breaths. "Maybe they shutdown an engine during long flights?" she offered.

Ash shrugged, not having any sort of answer.

At that moment, a young boy sitting at the window seat in front of them pressed his face against the glass with a 'clunk' sound and spoke in a childish voice.

"Mommy, why's the engine not running?"

The woman next to the boy leaned toward him and Serena heard her gasp softly. "I-I-I'm sure it's fine," she said in a reassuring yet shaky voice.

Ash heard the passengers behind them murmur. Apparently they'd heard what the boy had said.

"Are we gonna crash?!" the boy asked in loud voice.

Serena heard a few more murmurs and whispers as people started to realize what was going on. The mother whispered harshly to her son and told him everything was fine and that he should keep his voice down.

At that moment the fasten seatbelts light came on and a few of the passengers let out a whine of fear. Ash and Serena glanced at each other and buckled their restraints.

Serena closed her eyes and let out a quick prayer. "Oh, please let this be nothing," she breathed.

The intercom crackled and the voice of the captain was broadcast throughout the cabin. His tone was confident but also a little apologetic.

"Folks, you might have noticed that one of our left side engines has shutdown. Unfortunately, we're going to have to divert to an airport in Johto. Everything's under control and we should be on the ground soon."

Within the cabin, there were a few sighs of relief but mostly there were groans of frustration and annoyance. Ash and Serena shared a glance and shrugged. After the events of last night, it seemed this Unova trip was jinxed.

In front of her, Serena heard the mother reassure her son that everything was fine. Serena let out a sigh and shook her head. This was already a memorable trip, and she and Ash hadn't even shared a bed yet!

---

The landing in Johto was uneventful however the process of trying to get a connecting flight to Unova was not as easy. The only plane scheduled to depart directly to Unova was much smaller than their previous one and it was already mostly booked. Only a few of the passengers were able to get aboard and Ash and Serena were not among them.

Additionally, Ash and Serena's luggage was not at the assigned pickup point and they spent the better part of two hours searching the airport until they finally found their bags.

The next flight to Unova from the Johto airport was not for three more days and so Ash and Serena took a smaller flight to Hoenn and planned to catch a flight to Unova early the next morning. Unfortunately, after spending a mostly sleepless night in the chairs at the Hoenn airport, Ash and Serena awoke to discover that their flight had been delayed. The airplane allocated for their flight had been caught in a freak snowstorm in Sinnoh and was still stranded on the ground a thousand miles away.

The airline reallocated a plane and their flight to Unova was rescheduled for late in the evening. A thoroughly frazzled and exhausted Ash and Serena boarded the flight and prayed for an uneventful trip. Unfortunately for them, the jinx was strong and after idling on the tarmac for an hour the call came for them to disembark. One of the pilots had taken ill and the flight had to the rescheduled.

With Ash grumbling that it would have been faster to just fly to Unova on Charizard, they shambled back to the airport and tried to get some sleep. A few hours later, new pilots arrived and they once again boarded the flight to Unova. This time they took off without incident and made the trip to Iris' homeland.

After two more hours of chasing down their luggage, Ash and Serena staggered out of the airport and immediately headed for the closest hotel. They checked into a room, collapsed on the bed and fell asleep, still wearing their street clothes. It was their first time sharing a bed, however there was a distinct lack of romance in the unprecedented event.

After a lengthy time asleep, Ash groggily awoke and staggered to the bathroom. He showered and changed into a set of clean clothes. By the time he returned, Serena had mostly woken up. She followed Ash's routine and was soon in a new set of clothes as well.

The two of them headed to the hotel lobby, ate breakfast and checked out. They caught a bus to Icirrus City and were soon on their way to meet Iris.

---

It was afternoon by the time Ash and Serena reached their destination. They decided to stop at a small café and enjoy lunch. They took in the local sights but Ash noticed that Serena was a little subdued in her behavior. He assumed that she was still tired after their horrific travel experience and so he didn't ask her about it.

Once lunch was finished, they headed north of the city where Iris had told them to meet her. After an hour of walking, they reached the edge of a large forest and were greeted by Emolga flying overhead. Ash grinned broadly and dashed ahead, following the flying electric type.

After gliding a short distance, Emolga began circling overhead, letting out happy cries as it did so. Ash and Serena looked around and then they heard the sound of heavy footfalls and a large, dark shape emerged from the forest. The two of them turned toward the source of the noise and Serena immediately tensed and struggled to suppress a cry of fright.

A large Hydreigon lumbered out of the tree line and turned toward them. It let out a low growl and Serena instinctively took a step back so she was partially behind Ash. A moment later, they noticed a bundle of pink and white clothing sitting behind the large creature's central neck. Serena breathed a sigh of relief as she realized Iris was in control of the dangerous dragon Pokémon.

"Hey, Iris!" Ash called out, waving to his long-time friend.

"Hey, Ash," Iris called back. The Hydreigon leaned forward and lowered its neck so its rider could dismount. With some difficulty, Iris swung herself off of the Pokémon and lowered herself to the ground.

Iris hopped on her left leg a few times and then limped a few steps toward Ash and Serena. Her right leg was still enclosed by a large cast and it made her movements awkward and clumsy. "I'm so glad you made it. I was starting to get worried you'd be stuck in Hoenn forever."

Ash and Serena both sighed in disgust. Neither of them wanted to be reminded of the last few days.

"We're glad to be here too," Ash said.

"Very glad," Serena added.

Iris smiled and then looked into the depths of the forest. "I haven't had any luck finding that thing," she said bitterly. "I just know it's north of us. Search in that direction and hopefully you'll come across it."

Ash nodded and took a step forward. "Don't worry Iris, just leave it to us!" he said confidently. "We'll track it down!"

Iris made a pensive expression and then replied. "Be sure you do. The local farmers are really upset and talking about hiring someone to drive it off."

Ash looked a little surprised. "Really, they're that mad?" he said.

Iris nodded. "Uh huh. They get pretty ticked off when someone drives through their fields." She then looked down at her broken leg and continued in an irritated tone. "Course, I'm not really all that fond of it either!" she grumbled.

At that moment, the Hydreigon Iris had arrived on took a couple steps toward Serena and lowered its central head toward the golden haired girl. Serena tensed up and looked at the large Pokémon with some concern. The Hydreigon then made a mournful cry and bowed its head in sorrow.

Iris brightened and looked toward Serena. "That's one of the Hydreigon you two sent me. I think it's trying to apologize for everything that happened."

Serena glanced at Iris and then back at the Hydreigon. "Oh…. you're sorry?" she posed in a hesitant voice.

The dragon nodded and let out a low rumble.

Serena took a breath to build up her courage and then reached out her right hand so she could gently caress the creature's head. "O‑okay," she stammered. "I'm glad you're wanting to be friends."

The Hydreigon smiled subtly and nodded, appreciating Serena's caress.

Ash smiled broadly and then turned back to Iris. He glanced down at the cast and then smirked slightly.

"So, how'd you break it?" he said in a quiet voice so Serena couldn't overhear.

Iris shifted her gaze back to Ash and glared at him. "Chasing after that…. thing, of course," she groused. "We were going full-speed through the forest, no holding back!"

Ash put on a sarcastic look. "You fell out of a tree, didn't you," he said in a chiding tone.

Iris looked indignant. "Don't act like such a kid!" she said in a sharp rebuke. "I nearly had that thing when this happened!" she growled, clutching at the air in front of her as if she could grab the Cyclizar right there.

Ash didn't say anything and simply kept his sarcastic expression fixed on Iris.

Iris glared back for several seconds before she finally let out a small whine and her shoulders slumped slightly. "It was a really big tree," she said quietly.

Ash mused a little at her reply and Iris promptly punched him in the arm.

"Ow!" Ash responded, rubbing at his arm.

Iris looked on with a smile, satisfied at her retort. Her expression then became more serious and she spoke in a low voice.

"Make sure you track that thing down, Ash. I'm worried the farmers might do something rash if this goes on much longer."

Ash's expression changed to one of confidence. "Don't worry, Iris. We'll track that Cyclizar down!"

Ash then looked at Serena and was very pleased to see her smiling and talking sweetly to the Hydreigon. She had a handful of berries and was feeding them one-by-one to each of the dragon's three heads.

Ash looped his thumbs through the straps of his backpack and hefted the pack. With Serena at his side, this would be a piece of cake!

---

After a final set of goodbyes, Ash and Serena set out to the north and started trekking through the forest. They had a lot of ground to cover and so they moved at a brisk pace. Time passed by quickly and so did the terrain. Soon they were quite a distance from civilization and they decided to stop for a break.

They sat under a tree, ate some trail mix and drank some of their water. After being cooped up in airports for the last few days they were very happy to be outdoors. The sun was starting to dip toward the horizon but they could still travel another hour before they needed to stop and make camp.

Serena mentioned that they should start looking for a campsite and Ash promptly grinned. He reached over and gently ran the fingers of his left hand down Serena's right arm. She looked over at him, a smile on her face and Ash took the opportunity to remind her that they would be sharing a tent that night.

To Ash's surprise, Serena's eyes didn't light up with excitement. She grinned and nodded but it seemed like her actions were forced. This puzzled Ash but he didn't press Serena for information. He hoped there wasn't anything wrong. Was it possible she was having second thoughts about being intimate?

They traveled for half an hour and then found a small clearing which would make a perfect campsite. The two veteran campers immediately went about clearing the site and setting up their gear. Ash gathered some stones for the campfire and Serena started assembling the tent. Ash let Gengar out of its Pokéball and told it to scout the area and make sure there weren't any dangers nearby.

Soon, the tent was up, the fire was started, supplies were accounted for and dinner was being cooked. Ash and Serena changed out of their hiking outfits into some more comfortable clothes and sat down next to the fire. They talked about the events of the day and rested their tired legs. Soon, dinner was ready and they began enjoying a hot meal.

The sky continued to darken until it was completely black and the stars shone brightly. The fire started to die down and Ash and Serena snuggled together. Ash leaned his head against Serena's shoulder but she didn't reciprocate the action. Once again, he was surprised by her behavior and this time he decided to say something.

"Hey, Serena," he began in a soft voice. "Is something wrong?"

Serena hesitated and then sighed heavily. Ash felt her body slump and sensed that something was definitely wrong. He sat up and looked her in the eye. They stared at each other in silence for several seconds and then Ash gave a subtle encouraging smile, hoping to bring Serena to share whatever was bothering her.

A pained expression crossed Serena's face and she sighed heavily again. "Ash I‑‑" Her voice broke and she averted her eyes and looked down at the ground.

Ash started to feel a little worried. His expression changed to one of concern and he leaned toward Serena. "Is this about tonight?" he asked gently.

Serena's lips trembled and tears started to fill her eyes. She nodded her head mournfully and then spoke in a very emotional tone.

"Yeah," she said, her voice cracking. She took a ragged breath and then continued. "Ash….. I know we made all these plans about tonight and we only brought one tent and we've been looking forward to this for a couple of weeks now….."

Ash smiled sympathetically. "Serena, if you're wanting to wait another night before we‑‑"

Serena shook her head. "That's not it!" she whined. "I really want to share a tent with you Ash…. but."

Serena sighed again and then reached up with her hands and started detaching her earrings. "Blasted airports!" she muttered bitterly.

Ash was briefly puzzled but then things started to click together in his mind. "Wait, so it's not your safe time anymore?"

Serena nodded but was unable to speak. She looked like she could break down in tears. After a moment, she gasped and then croaked out a reply.

"I'm so sorry, Ash," she said in a voice filled with regret and apology. "We missed our window."

Ash's heart hurt at seeing Serena's pain. He scooted forward and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "It's fine," he said gently. "We'll just wait until later."

"It's not fine!" Serena said sharply. "We only brought one tent and I've been making promises and building this up and now I've screwed it all up!"

Ash made a shushing sound and rocked her in his arms. "You haven't screwed anything up. It's just how it all worked out."

Serena let out a ragged sigh and cuddled against Ash's chest. She took a few breaths and then spoke in a grateful voice.

"I sure love you Ash."

Ash softly kissed her forehead and smiled at her. "I love you too," he replied.

Ash held Serena for the better part of a minute before she sat up and they separated. Silence hung heavily and so Ash said the first thing that popped into his head.

"So, today was you're last safe day?" he posed.

Serena bit her lower lip and then shrugged in uncertainty. "It's not an exact science, Ash," she said. "I mean, I probably won't be ovulating for a couple days or so….. but…. I like to err on the side of caution."

Ash raised an eyebrow. "A couple of days…. Well, doesn't that mean we could do it tonight and be okay?"

Serena softly chuckled at Ash's comment and then fixed him with a loving gaze while she slowly shook her head. "Ash, um…" She blushed slightly and then continued. "Your little guys can stay inside me for several days… so, if we did it tonight and then I ovulated early…"

Ash cocked his head to the side in befuddlement. "They can?!" he remarked in a surprised tone. While he understood the basics of sex, his knowledge of the specifics was lacking.

Serena chuckled again and nodded. "Yeah," she said with some humor. "That's how it works."

Ash continued to look dumbfounded as he processed the new information. "Huh," he said.

Serena smiled and scooted so she was sitting next to Ash. She leaned against him and rubbed her chin on his shoulder.

"I'm not ready to be a mom, just yet," she said in a kind tone.

Ash immediately nodded. "Yeah, yeah," he replied in agreement.

They sat in silence for a few seconds and then Ash glanced over at her.

"Uhh, hey, what if we were careful when we did it?" he began awkwardly. "Do you think that would work?"

Serena blinked a few times and then looked at Ash with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Ash blushed slightly and paused a moment to overcome his shyness about the subject matter. "I mean… what if I, you know, pulled out…. before it happened."

Serena felt a sudden hot urge rise up inside her. Deep down, she really wanted to spend the night with Ash but her logical mind knew it was a terrible idea. She'd been in complete control of her emotions up until now, but with Ash offering a potential way for them to enjoy sex and avoid the consequences, her body's mating instincts were instantly aroused.

Serena considered the idea and was sorely tempted by it. The thought of spending the night on her back with the man she loved upon her and within her made her insides bubble with desire and longing. It would be so simple. They could enjoy the passion and intensity of sex and then, just before the big moment, ensure that Ash delivered his gift somewhere other than her most intimate region. Surely they could manage that…

Serena fixed Ash with a piercing stare and toyed with the idea of sharing a tent. Images and sensations of him making love to her filled her mind. She wanted this so badly and yet deep down she knew that once they opened the floodgates of sexual intercourse, neither of them would be able to muster the willpower to stop their union before they'd fully consummated their relationship in every way possible.

Serena pressed her lips tightly together and then spoke in a whisper. "Do you really think you'd be able to stop?" she said.

Now it was Ash's turn to struggle. Much as he disliked it, he eventually came to the same conclusion as Serena.

"No, I probably wouldn't," he said regretfully.

Serena gave a resigned nod. "Yeah, I don't think I could either," she said.

Both of them sighed unhappily and were quiet for several minutes. Serena rubbed her nose against the side of Ash's face and felt a tingle of desire ripple through her body. Their discussion of sex had aroused her emotions. She needed to get to bed before things got heated.

Serena gave Ash a small kiss on his cheek and then stood up. "Well, I'm gonna get to bed," she said softly.

Ash stood up as well. "Yeah, we've got a big day tomorrow, searching for that Cyclizar."

Serena took a few steps toward the tent and then looked back at Ash. "I'll sleep outside, you can have the tent," she said.

Ash's eyes went wide. "Uh, no‑" he began.

Serena sighed and cut off Ash's comment. "Ash, I'm the one who threw a wrench in all this. Just let me‑‑"

"No, I'm the one who'll sleep outside," Ash interrupted in a firm tone.

Both strong-willed Pokémon trainers turned to face each other and several tense seconds passed before Serena spoke.

"Ash, please, won't you‑‑"

Ash cut her off with a shake of his head. "Nope! You're staying in the tent!"

Serena huffed and put her hands on her hips. Before she could say anything, Ash continued.

"Even if I have to tie you up and throw you in there!" he said with a glint in his eye.

At this, Serena chuckled and struggled to keep a straight face. "Tie me up?!" she repeated back with a raised eyebrow.

Ash partially grinned and nodded.

Serena worked her mouth and shook her head ruefully. She looked to the side and replied in a somewhat sarcastic tone. "Always gotta be the hero," she said wryly.

Ash chuckled and then pushed past Serena so he could retrieve his sleeping bag from within the tent. She playfully glared at him as he moved and then quickly leaned forward so she could kiss him on the cheek.

"I knew there was a reason why I love you so much," she whispered.

Ash grinned and they shared an appreciative stare before they each went their separate ways. Serena zipped up the tent and snuggled inside her sleeping bag. Meanwhile, Ash set his sleeping bag on the ground next to the tent and settled down for a night under the stars. He listened to the sound of the nocturnal Pokémon for a while before he drifted off to sleep.

---

The next day saw Ash and Serena rise early, eat a small breakfast, break camp and continue trekking further into the forest. Both of them were hopeful that they could locate the Cyclizar and quickly put an end to its rampage. They marched north and kept an eye out for signs of the Pokémon. Ash sent Gengar out in large sweeps and it wasn't long before they located the tire-like tracks of the Pokémon in its travel form.

The stopped for lunch and then started trying to follow the tracks. Hours passed as they zigzagged across the forest in fruitless pursuit of the creature. They climbed trees to get a better view and used every trick they could think of but at the end of the day, they were no closer to finding the Cyclizar than when they'd set out that morning.

Feeling a bit disheartened, the two tired hikers found another good camping spot and set up for the night. Serena again attempted to convince Ash to use the tent instead of her but he would have none of it. Serena sighed and set about cooking dinner. Ash hovered nearby and they exchanged a few jokes about their situation. There was none of the same tension as the previous night and soon both of them were giggling happily.

Once Gengar had eaten its fill Ash recalled the Pokémon and then he and Serena sat down near the fire to enjoy their own meal. They ate slowly, savoring the peacefulness of nature and each other's company. Once they were done, they scooted nearer to each other and stared into the crackling fire. In any other situation it would have been time for some romantic activity, however they refrained from that sort of exchange. Neither of them wanted to start something that could escalate into their first union.

The fire slowly burned down until just a few happy little flames licked upward from the pile of glowing embers. The sky slowly darkened until it was pitch-black. The stars came out and the crescent shape of the moon shone through the trees near the horizon. The sound of nocturnal Pokémon chirping and squawking filled the air and Ash and Serena snuggled close together as the cool of the night descended on their campsite.

The frustration of the day melted away as time passed. They soon forgot the fact that they'd spent the entire morning and afternoon trudging through forest and over rocky terrain in a fruitless search for the rogue Cyclizar. They smiled and whispered kind words to each other as they sat in the orange glow of the fire.

They held hands and leaned against each other, but continued to refrain from anything too romantic. The immense disappointment they'd felt the previous day had mostly dissipated but they still carried a bit of sadness with them. Serena continued to feel unhappy because not only was she going to bed alone but Ash also had to sleep outside, without a tent. She nuzzled her nose and lips into the crook of Ash's neck and breathed in his scent while delivering tiny kisses to him. She whispered reminders to him of how wonderful he was. It was the most she could do, given the situation.

Ash immensely appreciated Serena's affection and he returned the gesture in equally subtle fashion. He brushed his foot against the side of her calf and reached across his body with his left hand so he could use his index finger to draw circles on the back of her hand which he was holding.

None of these affections were enough to kindle the fires of romance. However, as Serena had said a few days earlier, even small affections performed for a long enough period of time could make someone hot and bothered.

The first thing to change was Ash adjusting the angle of his head so he could smell Serena's hair. It had been a few days since Serena had taken a shower and her hair no longer possessed the fruity aroma of her shampoo. Instead, he breathed in the smell of the girl he loved in all its fullness. It immediately reminded him of hot summer days and of a sweaty Serena wearing a sports bra. The memory of her silky, tanned skin glistening in the sunlight caused a small tingle of excitement to spread outwards from his loins.

As Ash's feelings and desires awakened, he adjusted his left hand so he completely encompassed Serena's hand with both of his.

Serena took in a long and slow breath. As the evening had passed and she and Ash had moved closer together, she'd felt the coals of romantic desire slowly start to warm within her bosom. Now, as Ash increased his show of love toward her, she felt heat begin to build within her chest and a sense of yearning awaken between her legs.

The two of them began to slowly shift their bodies, enjoying the sensation of moving against their partner. Ash breathed in deeply and kissed the top of Serena's head. Serena breathed in deeply and licked the side of Ash's neck. They joined the hands together and interlaced their fingers in a lovely union of strong and slender digits. Finally, as one, they realigned their heads and pressed their noses together. They stared deep into each other's eyes and took ragged breaths. There was a moment of hesitation as both of them knew they shouldn't go any further. Then, two weeks of pent up sexual desire overwhelmed their willpower and they pressed their lips together in a kiss which sizzled with electric magnificence.

Their hands came apart and the two lovers each gripped hold of their partner in a hungry pursuit of carnal consumption. Ash raised one hand behind Serena's head and lowered the other to the small of her back. Serena also used a hand to pull Ash's head into the kiss but her other hand ran across the front of his chest and down to his abs. She loved feeling the strong muscles of her man tense and move as he inflicted sensuous touches on her receptive feminine form.

Their mouths opened, their tongues intertwined and the fires of passion erupted into a blazing inferno. Ash grunted in enjoyment and Serena moaned in pleasure as each of them took in the lovely flavor which flowed from the other's mouth. The sounds of rustling clothing and the wet 'smacking' and 'popping' of lips grew louder as the minutes quickly ticked by.

Sharp tingles and warm feelings spread throughout Serena's body. Her heart pounded and her skin felt like it was on fire. The yearning sensation between her legs had grown to a point where her body demanded that she do something about it. Serena first dropped her right hand down and ran her fingers along the crease of flesh which hid her most intimate region. Rather than satiating the yearning, her touch only further inflamed her body's wants.

Serena took a gasping breath as her nether regions twitched in anticipation. Her body didn't want the touch of her fingers. Her body desired the hot firmness of her boyfriend's manhood.

Serena continued taking deep, ragged breaths and she stared into Ash's wonderful, brown eyes. Everything she felt was so intense and sensual. Every one of her desires was pushing her to unite with Ash and receive his love. She knew this was because her body was currently fertile. Every month, during this time, she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Her reproductive organs were doing their job as they always did and urging her to mate. Her body knew exactly what it was doing.

Serena's rational mind fought against the urges but it was a hopeless battle. She delivered a passionate, wet kiss to Ash and then pulled away from him. Before he could make a move, Serena rose to a half-sitting position, spun around to face Ash and then slid forward so she was sitting atop his thighs.

Serena gasped as hot sparks erupted from her loins. She readjusted and spread her legs so they extended to either side of her boyfriend's torso and then she pulled herself forward!

The hot sparks of a moment before were replaced with streamers of fireworks and crackling sexual energy. Serena grunted and had to clamp her mouth shut to keep from a yelp of pure pleasure from exiting her throat. Her crotch was now firmly pressed against Ash's and she could feel an eye-watering sensation of throbbing anticipation as her loins celebrated her bold move.

For Ash, Serena's aggressive move took him by surprise. He wasn't entirely sure what to do. In his mind, the plans of them staying apart clashed with the reality of Serena's decisions. In the end, he acted on instinct. He placed one hand on Serena's left hip and his other up on her right shoulder. He then watched with wide eyes as Serena undulated her entire torso in a sensuous motion, rolling her body against his. Then, Ash felt the weight of Serena's crotch press down on the bulge in his pants and everything got way, way better!

Serena moved her shoulders, abs and hips in a rolling motion and further settled herself down into Ash's lap. Lavish shudders and erotic twinges racked her body and a feminine whine of astonishment escaped her mouth. She felt something firm press against her lower regions and her body erupted with more explosions of lurid sensations. The knowledge that she was perched atop her man's erection sharpened her focus and made her blood run even hotter.

Serena undulated her body twice more and could hardly believe the waves of absolute sexual ecstasy which washed over her. She absolutely loved every iota of what was happening. This was what she'd wanted for so long! She wanted to be ravished by Ash and to return every one of his affections with interest! She wanted to feel his body against hers! She wanted him to fill her with his love and to then bring forth children for both of them to cherish and raise! She wanted all of these things so, so much….. but not the children….. not quite yet!

Ash alternated between kissing Serena's lips and watching in wide-eyed fascination as the girl he loved so much seductively undulated her body mere inches from his face. During one of the erotic motions, Serena's breasts brushed against his face. Ash felt excitement and desire surge inside him like never before. Even though he knew having sex with Serena would probably result in a child, he didn't care. Right now, uniting with his girlfriend was the only thing that mattered in the entire world.

A hot tear ran down Serena's cheek as her body sizzled with arousal and desire.

"OH GOSH!" she moaned sharply, as her nether regions spasmed in preparation for a much larger celebration. She closed her eyes and felt just how ready her body was for sex and how hard it was trying to make her and Ash parents. It enticed her with promises of unimaginable pleasure and enjoyment. It teased her with wonderful images of what her child might look like. It tempted her with the knowledge that such a union would forever cement her and Ash as a couple.

Serena wanted all of these things, but they weren't ready for children! The house wasn't finished, they weren't officially married and they simply hadn't talked enough about it. It was the hardest thing she'd ever done, but Serena pulled her lips apart from Ash and took a ragged breath.

"I love you so much Ash!" she gasped in a throaty voice. She laid a wet and loving kiss on his forehead and then continued. "I want you inside me so much," she whined. She took a couple more harsh breaths and then spoke again. "But we're not ready to be parents!"

She looked into Ash's eyes and could see that he was in a similar state of mind as she was. He wanted to stop but he was equally drunk on sex. Serena felt some measure of relief that she was not disappointing Ash and then she placed her hands on his shoulders and boosted herself upward.

Her body felt far heavier than usual and she struggled to attain a standing position. She tottered on her feet and took a step away from Ash. She looked at the man she loved and stared at him with longing evident on her face. She wanted him so badly but it simply couldn't be.

Serena gave Ash a small nod and he returned it. Then, with a small huff, she turned and marched straight to her tent. She crawled inside, zipped up the entrance and then sat down on her sleeping bag. She flopped down on her back and took several slow breaths while her body continued to buzz with excitement. It had been a very close call.

Serena reached up and covered her face with the crook of her right elbow. Her chest rose and fell as she breathed slowly and contemplated the future. As she thought back over the past few days, she chuckled briefly when she remembered Ash suggesting 'pulling out' before it happened. Serena smiled and shook her head in an amused fashion. Given the intensity of what they'd just been through, there was no way Ash would be able to 'pull out' at all. They had to remain apart until she was wearing her earrings again.

Serena took several more breaths and shifted her legs, trying to quiet the yearning ache in her lower regions. She'd felt this way before but never this intensely. Her body really wanted to feel Ash's manly flesh slide into place within her. Her sexual drive demanded that the work she'd begun be completed in full.

Several more minutes passed and Serena softly groaned in frustration. The yearning sensation was only getting more intense and her mind started to imagine her unzipping the tent flap and seeking out Ash so they could properly finish their passionate encounter. If this kept up, she might actually go and do just that.

Serena chuckled to herself and felt a small spike of self-consciousness as she realized what she needed to do. She looked up and checked that the tent flap was indeed secure. When she saw it was, she crawled inside her sleeping bag, not bothering to change into her pajamas. Once she was up to her neck in the soft and warm bag, she shifted so she was lying on her back and then got comfortable. Once she was settled, she again chuckled from nervous embarrassment and then she reached down and unzipped her shorts. Her body demanded that its desires be satisfied and so she would do just that!

---

Ash sat at the edge of the campfire for several long minutes. His body was sad that Serena had left before he could fulfill his duty as a man to her but his mind was relieved she'd had the strength to bail out of the situation. A part of him wanted to follow Serena to her tent and continue the process of making love but thankfully he viewed that as a total violation of her wishes and her body and thus he was able to easily keep those desires at bay.

Nonetheless, his body still tingled with arousal and it took him a while before he could motivate himself to stand up and walk to where his sleeping bag was. He changed into his pajamas and wasn't all that surprised to find that his body was still ready to make love to Serena. The excitement he felt wasn't going away and so he sighed and slipped into the sleeping bag. He fluffed his pillow, rested his head and stared up at the starry sky. As the minutes passed and sleep evaded him, he started to listen to the sounds of the nocturnal Pokémon and tried to identify which ones were calling out.

One by one, he figured out which Pokémon was responsible for which noise. It was a fun little game, but Ash wished he could simply fall asleep. Just as he had nearly identified all the sounds of the night, he abruptly heard a new noise waft through the night air. It was a muffled, high-pitched squeak that sounded occasionally and was like nothing he'd ever heard before. Ash was initially puzzled by the sound but he then quickly sensed that it wasn't coming from the forest, but rather, Serena's tent.

Ash turned his head to look at the tent and he suddenly realized what was going on inside. He felt hot blood surge within him as he heard another squeak followed by a very brief gasping moan. It seemed Serena was desperately trying to keep from vocalizing her actions.

Ash listened to the sounds with rapt attention until he suddenly heard Serena suppress a yelp and then try to quiet an intense moan. He then heard her sigh loudly and take several ragged breaths. The tent then became quiet and he was left with only the sounds of the Pokémon chirping and squawking.

Ash again tried to fall asleep, but it was even more hopeless than before. His mind was filled with the smell of Serena's scent, the flavor of her lips, the sensation of her crotch pressing against his manly excitement and now, the sounds which had come from her tent. Ash smiled ironically and shook his head. His body was still ready for sex and there was little chance he'd be getting any sleep this night.

Ash glanced at the tent and it dawned on him why Serena had done what she'd done. He rolled his eyes and then reached down within the sleeping bag. It looked like he would have to do the same.

---

The next day began a little more sluggishly than the previous morning. Ash and Serena had struggled to get to sleep and they were still a little groggy. They greeted each other and sat down to eat a simple breakfast. They didn't talk much for the first few minutes but they did sneak furtive glances at each other.

Although neither of them would ever admit it, after Ash had overheard Serena attending to her needs the previous night, Serena had laid awake and heard Ash doing the same for himself. Each of them wasn't sure if their own actions had been overheard and they certainly weren't going to ask questions.

The experience had left both of them with an intense feeling of naughtiness and also a sense of intimacy. Sure, they hadn't experienced actual sex yet, but they were sharing something very special with each other. Their bond only grew stronger.

Once breakfast was finished, they changed into their hiking outfits, however they didn't tear down their campsite. Ash suspected that they were close enough to the Cyclizar that they could keep their tent set up and use it as a base camp. Serena liked the idea as she was tired of lugging all their gear around. She hoped they could find the rogue dragon and capture it.

Ash sent Gengar out into the forest and he and Serena started slowing searching the nearby area for any signs of the Cyclizar. It didn't take long before Ash found the distinct tire-like track of the Pokémon's transportation form. The track didn't lead to anything, but it let them know that their quarry was nearby. Their spirits were raised and they continued searching as the day transitioned into the afternoon.

They found more tracks and signs of disturbed brush. At one point, Serena thought she heard something moving rapidly through the forest, but she wasn't able to see what was making the ruckus. Then a few minutes later, Gengar quickly returned, waving its arms and pointing into the forest. The ghost had located their target!

Ash and Serena moved through the forest with care. Gengar led them to a large patch of brush and they crouched down, concealing themselves amongst the foliage. Beyond the bushes, they saw the Cyclizar plodding around on its two legs. The two Pokémon trainers exchanged satisfied glances. All their persistence had paid off!

Serena leaned close to Ash. "So, what do we do?" she whispered.

Ash furrowed his brow and thought. With only Gengar with him, catching the Pokémon would be tricky. He doubted he or Serena could outrun it and so their success would be riding on Gengar's abilities.

"Let me see if I can talk to it," Ash whispered. "Maybe we can be friends."

Serena pursed her lips and looked dubious but she whispered in an encouraging tone. "Okay, good luck."

Ash grinned and nodded. He glanced at Gengar and then whispered a command. "All right, we'll try and talk to it but if it doesn't listen we'll catch it."

Gengar nodded and floated at the ready.

Ash took a deep breath and then slowly stood up so the Cyclizar could see him. The pale-green skinned Pokémon was currently rooting around in a bush and it took a moment for it to notice him. When it did, it whipped its head around and looked at Ash with alarm.

Ash grinned, put on a friendly face and took a couple steps forward. "Hi, Cyclizar, I'm Ash Ketchum and I'm a Pokémon trainer."

The Cyclizar cocked its head to the side and sized Ash up.

Ash slowed his pace and took another pair of steps. "I'm hoping we can be friends. I love Pokémon and I have a whole‑"

Abruptly, the Cyclizar squeaked, performed a back flip and transformed into its mobile form. It then kicked up a bunch of dirt with its rear 'tire' and sped away into the bushes.

Serena stood up and sighed. "Well, so much for that," she said.

Ash coughed on the cloud of dirt and then looked after the fleeing Pokémon. He glanced back at Gengar and put on an intense expression.

"Okay, let's go!" he said, surging forward in pursuit of the Cyclizar.

Gengar grinned fiercely and soared after its trainer.

Serena smiled and let out a small chuckle. She had a feeling it was going to come to this. She took a quick breath and then dashed after the man she loved.

Ash and Gengar made quick progress and pushed through the brush. They had trouble running at full speed, but it seemed the Cyclizar was being hampered as well. Soon, they caught sight of the creature and Ash took out a Pokéball. The Cyclizar saw the red/white sphere and let out a series of chirps and growls. It then suddenly accelerated and started leaving Ash and Gengar behind.

The trainer and his Pokémon glanced at each other in dismay and pushed themselves to run even faster. Ash stowed the Pokeball and focused all his energy on keeping up. For Gengar, movement was easy as it could simply pass through trees and bushes. Ash, however, had to dodge trees and crash through bushes. He struggled to maintain the pace and it took all of his athletic ability to keep up.

"Man that thing's fast!" he exclaimed.

Serena was several strides behind him and struggling to keep up. Gengar cruised through the air just in front of Ash, awaiting a command. He tried to think of an attack that could slow down the escaping Pokémon. He didn't want to damage it too much if he could avoid it.

"ASHHH!" Serena called out. "It's getting away!"

"I know!" he replied.

"Use an attack!" she shouted.

Ash gritted his teeth. "There's not a lot of good options!" he called back.

While Gengar's attacks were excellent for battling, they weren't so good for trying to subdue a Pokémon. Dazzling Gleam would be devastating against a dragon type like Cyclizar, but Ash didn't want to devastate it, he wanted to befriend it. Will-O-Wisp would set it on fire, again, not what he wanted to do. And Sludge Bomb would just make a mess and cause the Cyclizar unnecessary suffering.

"What about Shadow Ball!" Serena shouted, with an edge to her voice.

Ash grunted unhappily. "Cyclizar's a normal type. Shadow Ball will just go right through it!"

Ash's eyes suddenly widened. "Wait! That's exactly what we want!" He said excitedly.

"HUH!" Serena cried out.

Ash clinched a fist and gestured at the fleeing Pokémon. "Gengar, use Shadow Ball!"

Gengar grunted in surprise and looked a little puzzled at Ash calling out a useless attack. Nonetheless, the ghost summoned up a sphere of crackling, purple energy and hurled it at the Cyclizar.

Gengar's aim was perfect and the attack hit Cyclizar straight in its midsection, only, as Ash had explained, the attack was completely ineffective and passed harmlessly through the normal type. A moment later, the sphere of energy struck the ground and detonated, tossing the Cyclizar a short distance into the air.

"Yes!" Ash exclaimed, as the Cyclizar bounced a few times and swerved to stay upright.

Gengar grinned broadly and let out an enthused cry.

Serena gasped in happy amazement. Leave it to Ash to come up with an off-the-wall idea that worked.

Ash commanded Gengar to hurl more Shadow Balls and the pursuit was on! Attack after attack exploded either underneath or beside the Cyclizar and the transport Pokémon fought hard to keep from crashing. Their quarry wasn't without tricks however. The rolling Pokémon began putting on an impressive display of maneuverability, bouncing from rock to tree and sometimes flipping through the air.

Ash and Serena pushed themselves to the limit in an effort to keep up. Serena was gasping for breath and started to fall behind a little. Gengar, meanwhile, sped forward and kept firing Shadow Balls. It would launch an attack and the Cyclizar would use the explosion to propel itself into another trick. It almost became a dance between the two Pokémon with Gengar using all its skill to try and knock down its opponent and Cyclizar masterfully landing stunt after stunt and its 'wheels' always turning. At one point, Gengar summoned up a particularly powerful Shadow Ball and detonated it directly underneath Cyclizar, launching the Pokémon up into the air. Cyclizar somehow performed a complete roll in midair and, for a brief moment, was actually upside-down and above Gengar. Time seemed to slow as the two Pokémon stared at each and shared a respectful look. Despite this being a chase, they were both immensely enjoying this. Cyclizar completed the roll, landed with a bounce and raced ahead, letting out an eager cry of success.

As the Cyclizar raced forward, it approached the bank of a large stream and veered to the right, racing along the dirt near the edge of the water. Gengar launched another Shadow Ball, trying to knock the creature into the water. The Cyclizar was too quick and dodged to the side, further away from the water.

Ash was in excellent shape but this chase was testing even his athletic ability. His heart was pounding and his lungs were starting to ache. He put everything he had into keeping up with the Cyclizar. He kept his gaze focused on the two Pokémon in front of him as he crashed through brush and small plants.

During one of his strides he failed to notice several Foongus clustered together directly in his path. As his foot came down right next to the skittish Pokémon, they squealed in fright and released a cloud of spores at their perceived attacker.

The spores hit Ash and enveloped him. He cried out in surprise and then gasped as the attack started to affect him. He instantly felt extremely drowsy and he stumbled forward, struggling to keep from crashing to the ground. His momentum continued carrying him forward and he suddenly found himself flying over the edge of the stream and plummeting down toward the water.

Ash splashed down into the cold stream and briefly sank beneath the surface. The stream was surprisingly deep and Ash felt some sense of panic set in. He struggled upward, fighting against the effects of the spores. He broke the surface and tried to swim toward the shore. His arms felt heavy though and his mind was clouded. He couldn't fall asleep, that would be incredibly perilous.

"Help!" he weakly called out.

Ash swallowed some water and began to cough. The current turned him around as he desperately tried to reach the shore.

Serena suddenly called out with a distressed shout. A moment later, there was another splash near him and within a few seconds, the woman he loved wrapped an arm around his torso.

"I got you Ash!" Serena cried out. She then swam for the shore with all her strength. It wasn't a long distance and soon Serena sank her fingers into the steep bank of the stream. With a grunt of effort, Serena used her legs to lever herself up the side of the stream, dragging Ash along with her. She gasped and exerted herself and then finally let out a relieved cry of success as both of them were completely clear of the water.

"Serena….." Ash said weakly as consciousness started to leave him.

Dripping wet, Serena cradled Ash in her arms and whispered to him. "You're okay, Ash. I've got you!" she said emotionally.

Serena glanced to the side at the Foongus that were scattering and noted the remains of spores on Ash's clothes. She quickly figured out what had happened and she held him tight. "Everything will be okay Ash. I'm here," she said sweetly.

Ash groaned softly and then finally passed out.

---

Consciousness slowly returned to Ash and he gradually became aware of his surroundings. He shifted his head and felt a pillow behind his head. He moved his arm and felt the fabric of a sleeping bag. He then took a breath, opened his eyes and saw that he was inside the tent, safe, dry and resting comfortably. He blew out a sigh of relief and brought his right hand up to his face. He ran his palm over his features and groaned softly as he shook off the tiredness of the Spore induced sleep.

He rolled his shoulders and then slowly sat up. He blew out a breath and sat silently for a few moments as he came fully awake. A few seconds passed and a human sized shadow crept over the fabric at the entrance of the tent. The tent flap lifted up revealing Serena. She focused on Ash and her eyes immediately lit up with happiness and relief.

"Oh, you're finally awake," she breathed, a joyful smile expanding across her face.

Ash felt love surge within him. He remembered Serena diving into the water to help him. He really was blessed to have such an amazing girlfriend.

"Hey, Serena," he said in a tired yet grateful tone.

Serena shuddered slightly as she suppressed a happy sob and then she moved into the tent and sat down on her haunches in front of Ash. She pressed her lips together, thought for a moment and then opened her mouth to speak.

"I'm really glad you're okay," she said in an emotional tone.

Ash nodded in agreement and chuckled ruefully. "I am too," he replied.

Serena's eyes teared up a little and she rubbed the wetness away with a few quick swipes of her right hand.

Ash took in Serena's appearance and noticed that she was wearing a different outfit than that morning. She now had on a dark green t-shirt and a brown pair of shorts. He realized that she must have changed clothes after she dove into the water. As Ash considered this he suddenly wondered how Serena had faired while he'd been unconscious.

"Hey, did you drag me back to the tent all by yourself?" Ash said.

A faint blush appeared on Serena's cheeks and she hesitated a moment before replying. "It was a bit of a struggle, but I got you back here," she said in a tense voice.

Ash grinned and looked at Serena in an approving manner. "Good job, thanks!" he said with gratitude.

Serena replied with a tight smile and a small shrug. Her blush increased a little and she said nothing else.

Ash ran a hand through his messy hair and another question occurred to him. "Hey, you didn't happen to catch that Cyclizar, did you?" he said.

Serena quickly shook her head. "Nope," she said in a disappointed tone.

Ash let out a sigh and lowered his arm. "Oh well, I guess we'll just have to keep looking."

Serena nodded in a pensive manner and said nothing.

Ash was starting to feel a little hungry and so he shifted out of the sleeping bag and prepared to stand up. It was then he finally noticed that he wasn't wearing the clothes he'd put on that morning. He was confused for a moment but then he realized what must have happened. Serena had changed him out of his soaking-wet clothes just like she'd done for herself.

"I see you changed my clothes," he said in a distracted tone.

Serena's expression suddenly became more tense and her blush increased. "You, noticed," she breathed in a tight voice.

Ash was about to say something else but Serena's expression and mannerisms caught his attention. It then suddenly clicked in his mind that Serena had changed his clothes while he'd been asleep and he had no idea what she'd done…. or seen!

Ash felt a mix of embarrassment, dread, excitement and apprehension all twist together inside his stomach. He was about to say something when Serena suddenly spoke up.

"Your clothes were completely soaked, Ash! I had to change them!" she said in an apologetic tone.

Ash worked his mouth for a second and then put together a reply. "Okay," he said slowly. "I understand, but….. did you change….. all of my clothes?"

Serena's blush further increased and Ash didn't need her reply to know the answer to his question.

"I didn't want you to catch cold, Ash," she said in the same apologetic tone.

Ash let out tense sigh and struggled to come to grips with what had happened. He understood Serena's reasoning but it still made him feel embarrassed. "All right, but….." he sighed and looked his girlfriend straight in the eye. He paused a moment and then spoke the fateful question. "Did you….. peek?"

Serena pressed her lips together so tightly they started to turn white. Meanwhile, the rest of her face and neck was turning a deep red.

Ash felt another strange mix of emotions ranging from shock to arousal. "Serena!" he said sharply in a mildly rebuking tone.

Serena looked extremely embarrassed and somewhat mortified. "I'm… sorry Ash!" she said, struggling to put words together. "I just wanted you to be warm and dry. I got you to the tent and… I started changing your clothes and then next thing I knew I… was changing all of your clothes!"

Serena's words were rushed, tense and filled with regret. She made small, quick gestures with her hands to add emphasis to her explanation.

"I tried not to peek, honest! But you were naked and… uh…"

Serena turned red again and her voice trailed off to nothing. She took a couple breaths and then tentatively met Ash's gaze. "I'm really sorry," she said apologetically.

Ash's expression was a little frazzled. His emotions were very mixed but at the same time he really couldn't be angry at Serena. He loved her after all and since they were planning to sleep together in the near future, they'd be seeing each other's private regions soon anyway.

Ash waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine," he said.

Serena let out a tense breath and looked relieved. She still looked guilty but the sparkle returned to her eyes.

Ash looked at her and then he felt a sudden urge to ask a question that all men wondered about. He felt a little silly but he opened his mouth to speak.

"So…" he began in a prudent tone. "What did you think?"

Serena's eyes widened and she looked surprised at the question. She started to turn red yet again and she chewed on her lower lip. A mischievous smile started to spread across her face and she leaned forward so she could whisper to Ash.

"I think," she began in a quiet and seductive voice. "I'm going to be very, very happy when we finally have our first time!"

Ash felt heat and excitement surge through him. "Really?" he replied with a silly smile.

Serena giggled nervously and then playfully bit the tip of her tongue. She nodded once and then answered in a girlish voice.

"Well… going off the bulge in your pants I'd done a little guessing…. but I think my expectations were….. exceeded."

Now it was Ash's turn to blush. He struggled to keep from grinning and then a thought suddenly occurred to him.

"Uh…. wait, how could you tell that if I was asleep and not… you know?"

Serena's expression became more tense and she abruptly looked over her shoulder. "I think I need to check on dinner," she said quickly. Without another word she shuffled out of the tent.

The sudden departure took Ash by surprise and for several seconds he merely sat looking dumbfounded. "Serena!" He finally called after her. There was no reply though and he was left alone and wondering exactly what had happened while he'd been asleep. Had Serena done anything more than simply change his clothes and take a peek?

---

Ash left his tent and joined Serena outside. She kept very busy with cooking dinner and, try as he might, Ash couldn't get any more details out of her regarding what had happened while he'd been unconscious. Eventually he dropped the matter and they settled down to eat the tasty meal Serena had whipped up.

They discussed some ideas on how they could corral the Cyclizar and by the time the sun had set, they'd come up with a plan for the next day. As night crept over the campsite they scooted closer to each other and then thought better of being even mildly romantic. They'd barely escaped the previous night and neither of them wanted to push their luck. A little disappointed, they bid each other good night and retreated to their sleeping bags.

---

Gengar floated around the campsite as Ash and Serena did their final evening routine and then turned in for the night. The ghost type circled the tent a few times and looked out into the surrounding forest. Ash's Pokémon had a lot to think about. It had been pondering its life decisions ever since Ash had rebuked it over feeding the spoiled berries to the other Pokémon. While the result had been hilarious, Gengar couldn't deny that it had made everyone sick and miserable. Perhaps not every prank that entered its mind was a good idea.

After a few minutes, Gengar floated upwards and took a position above the treetops. It looked at the surrounding forest and listened for any signs of trouble. Time passed, Gengar closed its eyes and straddled the line that separated sleep and deep meditation. Its consciousness drifted out into the void and in its mind's eye it saw the Cyclizar they'd been hunting speeding around a clearing, some distance from their campsite.

Gengar was surprised the rogue dragon was so close and Ash's Pokémon considered waking its trainer to convey the news. Gengar didn't do this however. When the Cyclizar had escaped earlier in the day Gengar had noted a certain dramatic flair to the movements and evasions the Pokémon had performed. The wheeled creature hadn't simply turned and run; it had put on a show while doing so. Gengar respected the showmanship and attitude of their quarry and wanted to learn more.

Gengar watched as the Cyclizar rolled to the edge of the clearing and then sped forward toward a pair of large rocks. The pale green Pokémon used one of the rocks to vault into the air and then used the second rock to redirect itself sideways. The Pokémon then attempted to land on the ground but instead crashed and tumbled across the dirt.

Gengar was a little surprised by the mistake. Every time they'd seen or heard of the Pokémon, its moves had been flawless. Intrigued, Gengar opened its eyes and began to speed across the forest toward the location where the Cyclizar was apparently practicing.

Ash's Pokémon turned invisible and approached the clearing. The Cyclizar was still attempting to perform the complex vault. Again and again, it rolled to the edge of the clearing and sped toward the pair of rocks. It repeatedly made the first and second jump but kept crashing on the landing. Intrigued, Gengar kept watching and on the fifth attempt the Cyclizar finally landed the difficult trick. The rolling Pokémon performed the jump three more times, getting progressively better on each one and then slowly rolled to the edge of the clearing.

The Cyclizar unfurled from its transport form and briefly stood on its two legs before it sat down on a stump. The Pokémon appeared sullen and stared down at the ground with its shoulders slumped. Gengar watched carefully, surprised to see the other Pokémon looking so unhappy. Finally, unable to watch from afar, Gengar became visible and floated into the clearing.

The Cyclizar was so downcast that it didn't notice the approaching ghost until Gengar was nearly upon it. The dragon type's head snapped upward and it let out a startled cry. It immediately recognized Gengar from the chase earlier in the day and made a move to transform into its rolling mode. Gengar quickly waved dismissively and reassured the Cyclizar that it was only here to talk.

Gengar sat down on a nearby log and Cyclizar warily followed suit, returning to its stump. Gengar complemented the other Pokémon on its prowess and then asked why it was so sad when it was clearly one step ahead of everyone.

Cyclizar sighed and said that it really enjoyed the chases and thrilling escapes. It loved outwitting and outmaneuvering others but at the end of the day it felt really alone and was sad that there was no one around to see the other stunts it performed.

Gengar made a puzzled expression and asked the Cyclizar why, if it wanted an audience, it had made so many people in Unova angry.

Cyclizar shrugged and said that it didn't understand why all the humans were so upset. Everything it did was in good fun and designed to be playful and exciting. It explained that it liked getting the humans attention and then leading them on fast paced chases. It was all a game.

Gengar thought for a moment and then told the Cyclizar how its actions had damaged the fields of several farmers and that's why the humans were so mad.

Cyclizar looked confused. It said the fields were just dirt and plants like the rest of the world. It asked why would the humans be so concerned with that dirt and those plants specifically? Why couldn't the humans appreciate the fun it was trying to have?

Gengar rose up from its log and floated in front of the Cyclizar. The ghost explained how the humans worked hard to grow the plants in those fields and that when they were destroyed, it was a big loss for them.

Cyclizar cocked its head to the side and looked amazed. It said that it had no idea that certain plants could be so valuable to humans. It hadn't meant any harm, it was just trying to show off, have fun and lead others on chases. The dragon type looked a little mournful and bowed its head in sadness.

Gengar watched for a moment and then reassured the Cyclizar that most humans were very understanding. Gengar then mentioned Ash and told of how compassionate its trainer was. Gengar explained that it had recently pulled an extremely funny prank but that others had been hurt by it. The lesson it had learned was to always be mindful of how ones actions affected others.

Cyclizar nodded and voiced its hope that the humans could see that it hadn't meant any harm. It was simply trying to show off and impress others with its abilities.

Gengar was quiet for a moment. Heart-to-heart conversations made the Pokémon uncomfortable and it was eager to change the subject. It asked the Cyclizar why it was so interested in showing off and performing tricks.

The other Pokémon's eyes brightened and the Cyclizar told of how one day it had seen a human on a motorcycle perform an amazing jump. The event had inspired it to learn more about humans who rode those amazing contraptions which looked just like its other form. Cyclizar then told of how it had started trying to perform its own simple stunts and slowly it had gotten better and better at it.

However, no one in Paldea was impressed by its abilities. There were many other Cyclizar in that region and some of them were better at performing stunts than it was. Eventually, it had gotten frustrated and left Paldea for another region where others would hopefully take notice. Cyclizar shrugged sheepishly. It had certainly gotten noticed, but it still hadn't gotten the chance to put on a show like it had hoped.

A conniving grin spread across Gengar's face. Ash's Pokémon loved putting on a show and also liked being the center of attention. It could very much relate to Cyclizar's feelings. A plan started to come together in the ghost type's mind. With a laugh, Ash's Pokémon asked if Cyclizar would like to team up!

---

The horizon glowed a bright yellow as the sun started to rise into the sky. Ash sat on top of his sleeping bag and appreciated the sounds and sights of the morning. He waited, unmoving, for several minutes until he heard Serena rustling inside her sleeping bag. He smiled! Hearing her wake up was such a simple thing and yet it made him feel so happy inside.

A few minutes passed and Serena unzipped the tent and stepped outside. She was wearing pink pajamas and she stood up and stretched her arms above her head while making a subtle, feminine whine of exertion. She then turned around and blinked her eyes a few times. She looked at Ash and instantly smiled.

"Hey, good morning," she said in a groggy voice.

Ash grinned. "Morning," he replied in a bright tone.

Serena sighed, let her arms fall to her sides and then walked over to where their fire pit was to see if she could rekindle it. After a little bit of work, a small flame was flickering and Serena went back inside her tent to change clothes.

---

Ash and Serena prepared breakfast and happily sat together, eating in a relaxed manner. The lack of success yesterday had dampened some of their enthusiasm for pursuing the Cyclizar and they didn't feel a need to rush through their morning routine. They were very happy to take things slow and enjoy each other's company.

Once breakfast was done, Ash looked around for Gengar but the ghost type was nowhere to be found. The Pokémon's absence didn't concern Ash. Serena was a little worried but Ash reassured her that Gengar was a free spirit. He knew his friend would be back once it finished with whatever it was doing.

Without a Pokémon, Ash and Serena saw no point in going to look for the Cyclizar and so they decided to be a little lazy and relax. They took care of some campsite stuff and then settled down for some quiet time.

Serena sat in her tent and was about to start reading a magazine on Kalos Showcases when she happened to smell herself. It had been three days since she'd taken a shower and the impact of all the hiking and exertion was clearly evident.

Serena crinkled her nose and felt badly embarrassed. She always liked being clean and the thought of smelling like sweat and grime was highly repulsive to her. What would Delphox say if she was here?!

Serena considered the problem and immediately remembered the hot spring she and Ash had happened across yesterday. It wasn't all that far from the campsite. It would make for a wonderful bath and some fun relaxation. Serena smiled, grabbed her toiletries, a change of clothes and headed out of the tent. She spied Ash sitting a short distance away, reading a book.

Serena walked toward him so she could tell him of her plan when she suddenly felt a very strange impulse. It was a mix of guilt and desire and it made her feel both giddy and nervous.

Ash saw Serena exit the tent and start walking toward him. He looked up from his book and smiled at the girl he loved.

"Hey," he greeted her.

Serena smiled. "Hey," she replied.

Ash saw that Serena was carrying change of clothes. He also noticed that she seemed a bit fidgety and nervous. He considered asking Serena what she was planning but she beat him to it.

"So, I'm gonna go take a bath in that hot spring we found yesterday," she said matter-of-factly.

Ash nodded. Even with the plunge into the river yesterday he still felt rather grungy. He probably needed to take a bath too.

"Okay, sounds good," he replied. He glanced back down at his book.

Serena fidgeted some more and then spoke in a shaky voice. "I was wondering if you'd want to come and watch?"

Ash's eyes widened and he immediately looked up at her. Serena was clearly a bit nervous and she was blushing slightly. "You want me to….. watch you take a bath?!" he slowly repeated.

Serena pursed her lips and then nodded quickly. "Mmm-hmm," she hummed.

Ash considered this for a moment and then replied. "Why?" he asked.

Serena struggled to put her thoughts into words. "Well… I just thought…. it would make things even."

Ash looked confused and so Serena continued.

"Ash, I took a peek at you. I feel really bad about that," she said in a sincere tone. "I know all our plans haven't worked out at all, but… at least this way…. you could have a peek at me. It could be something special for you."

Ash blew out a tense breath and considered his options. As much as he'd love to watch Serena bathing, now that they were planning to be intimate in the near future, everything took on a new light.

"I…. don't know," he began.

Serena looked genuinely shocked at his hesitation. "What?" she breathed.

Ash chewed on his lower lip, trying to give voice to his thoughts and feelings. "I'm really looking forward to seeing….. all of you, Serena," he said slowly. "But, I wanna earn that. I don't just want it to be something you feel you have to give me."

Serena still looked befuddled. "I don't understand. You love looking at me, Ash," she said with a bit of incredulity. "I've seen you try to peek down my collar a few times. I know you're really interested."

Ash blushed a little. "Yeah, I know. Like I said, I want to earn when I finally see you. I don't want you to feel guilty and just show me out of obligation. I want it to be something that's really special."

Serena started to chuckle a little and she shook her head. "Only you, Ash," she said ruefully.

Ash smiled and giggled.

Serena shrugged and flourished her arms in an indifferent gesture. "Well, I guess I'll go take a bath… all alone," she said.

Ash nodded and chuckled. The two of them shared a final stare and then Serena turned to go. She took a few steps and then stopped in her tracks. She cocked her head to the side and listened as a strange sound started to grow in volume.

Ash looked up from his book as well and listened to the sound. It was a low rumble, echoing from far away, however, it was getting steadily louder.

Ash and Serena turned this way and that, trying to locate which direction the sound was coming from. The rumble became louder and louder and took on a harsher, guttural, mechanical tenor. It sounded like the deep, explosive revving of an engine. Neither of them knew what to think.

A few moments later, they spotted movement in the bushes. The roaring engine noise reached a peak and suddenly, the Cyclizar burst out of the bushes, only the dragon type looked nothing like it had yesterday.

The rolling Pokémon's normally pale green skin was now covered with sleek, glowing neon-purple highlights; sparks of flame spun off of its 'tires' as it raced forward over the rough terrain. Atop the creature sat Gengar, grinning wider than ever before. The ghost was holding on to a set of ethereal, purple handlebars which sprouted from behind Cyclizar's head. Gengar's eyes were covered by a set of sharp-looking, black angular sunglasses. An array of a half-dozen, overly-large tailpipes spewing purple fire completed the incredible sight.

Ash and Serena stood in total shock, mouths agape, as the Cyclizar tore into the clearing and roared forward with a deafening noise. Leaving a trail of ethereal fire wherever its 'wheels' ran, the Pokémon sped to one side of the clearing, turned around and then surged forward again, popping a wheelie as it did so.

The Cyclizar aimed for a fallen tree and used the old log as a ramp to launch itself into the air. More purple fire poured out of the tailpipes and then the Pokémon landed smoothly, spun in a circle and then roared toward Ash and Serena.

The two trainers started to flail to get out of the way, but at the last moment, the Cyclizar turned sideways and skidded to a halt just in front of them. Gengar let out a supremely satisfied affirmation and then swung off of the Cyclizar.

It took Ash a second to find his voice. "Gengar?!" he asked.

Gengar laughed and patted its new friend, Cyclizar. The dragon type let out a pleased cry and all of the summoned illusions modifying its appearance began to fade. Within a few seconds, the Cyclizar was back to normal and it transformed to its standard form.

Ash and Serena looked at each other and then back at Cyclizar and Gengar.

"Okay….." Ash began uncertainly. "What's going on?"

The Cyclizar looked at Gengar and said something. Gengar nodded and stepped forward. It started talking and using gestures to communicate. Ash listened intently while Serena looked completely at a loss.

"Uh, Are you able to understand Gengar?" she asked.

Ash half-shrugged. "Sort of," he replied.

Gengar finished telling Cyclizar's story, explained how it had helped the Pokémon and then came up with the really awesome illusions and sound effects to improve the other Pokémon's appearance. Ash asked a few questions and was soon satisfied that he understood the situation.

Ash folded his arms and looked at the Cyclizar with a firm yet compassionate expression. "You know you're in a lot of trouble, right?" he said directly.

Cyclizar nodded regretfully and let out a subdued groan.

Ash frowned and thought for a few seconds. "Well, I can't make any promises, but I'll explain things and we'll see what happens."

They dragon type's eyes brightened and it looked very grateful. It rocked side-to-side on its legs and Ash held up a hand to calm the Pokémon.

"Okay, okay," Ash said. "You'll probably have to make it up to the farmers, so don't think it'll be easy sailing."

Cyclizar's enthusiasm was undimmed.

Serena chuckled and smiled. Ash looked happy as well and he looked at the campsite.

"Well, let's get packed up. We've got at least one day of traveling ahead of us."

---

Ash and Serena broke camp and started making tracks back to Icirrus City. After several days of hiking and camping, their pace was a bit slower than when they'd originally set out. An hour into the trek, Cyclizar changed into its transportation form and rolled up beside the two Pokémon trainers. Ash and Serena eyed the other Pokémon and decided to give it a try. They climbed on Cyclizar and the rolling Pokémon raced forward, speeding through the brush.

Serena yelped in surprise at the acceleration and wrapped her arms around Ash. Ash, meanwhile, grinned widely and declared that Cyclizar was awesome. They started making excellent time and soon were approaching the edge of the forest. As they exited the tree line, some distance away they spotted a Haxorus and Dragonite flanking a very unhappy looking Iris. Ash had called ahead to let her know of their impending arrival. Now, the dragon master of Unova glared at the creature that had caused so much trouble.

Ash took note of Iris' expression and gave the Cyclizar a reassuring pat on its head. "Just let me do the talking," he said.

Cyclizar came to a halt and Ash and Serena dismounted. Iris limped forward a few steps and looked up at her two friends. "Hey you two, glad you made it back," she said in a happy tone. Her face immediately became stern again and she returned to glaring at the Cyclizar.

"Hey Iris," Ash began in diplomatic tone. We found Cyclizar.

"I see that!" Iris growled. Her eyes narrowed and Cyclizar let out a concerned whine.

Haxorus and Dragonite stepped forward a few paces. They both looked equally unhappy. Each of them had hoped to face the creature in a battle where they could finally exact some payback for the pain and suffering which had been inflicted on their trainer.

Ash swallowed and stepped forward, interspacing himself between Iris' posse and the Cyclizar. "Now, Iris, there's something you need to know about Cyclizar."

Iris turned her glare on Ash. "Oh, really!" she said sarcastically. "Like what?"

Ash took a breath and began to explain everything Gengar had conveyed to him.

Iris watched and listened. She nodded occasionally as Ash spoke and seemed to slowly become more unhappy. When Ash finished speaking she huffed and spoke in a shrill voice.

"Wait! So you're saying all of this was a game for that… thing!"

Cyclizar cowered a little and shyly nodded its head.

Iris ground her teeth and clinched her hands into fists. "Of all the things I've heard, that's got to take the cake!" she growled in a low voice.

Ash held his hands up in an attempt to calm down Iris. "Now, Iris, it didn't mean any harm. It was just trying to get some attention and put on a show."

Iris laughed harshly. "Get some attention! Oh, it got plenty of attention! There's a line around the block of people who'd like a piece of this thing!"

At this Harorus and Dragonite nodded affirmatively and glared at Cyclizar.

"And as for not meaning any harm, how about this!" Iris barked, thrusting her broken leg forward. She hobbled forward several steps so she was in Ash's face. "After we set things right, I'm shipping this thing back to Paldea!"

Serena looked distressed. "Iris, I don't think Cyclizar is a bad Pokémon at heart."

Iris hobbled toward Serena and winced as she walked. "What's that saying about the road being lined with good intentions!" she said sharply.

Serena's lips trembled but she held her ground. "You really ought to give it a second chance!" she retorted.

"I'm pretty sure we're past second chances at this point!" Iris replied.

Ash glanced at Cyclizar and then looked back at Iris. "You wouldn't be this mad if you hadn't broken your leg!"

Iris bristled at this. "Darn right I wouldn't be this mad!" she shouted. She hobbled forward, wincing and flinching as she did so. "But I did break my leg trying to stop this thing! Just like all those farmers had their fields wrecked!"

Ash frowned. "At least give it a chance to make up for its mistakes!"

Iris hesitated for a few moments and then huffed. "That's gonna be a tall order!" she said. She turned her back and started hobbling toward her Pokémon. She staggered briefly and struggled to take another step. Cyclizar tentatively rolled up to her left side and let out a humble chirp of greeting. The transport Pokémon lowered its back a little, offering Iris the chance to ride on it and get off her feet.

Iris stared at the Pokémon and for several seconds didn't move. Then, with some reluctance, she scooted sideways, swung her left leg over the Cyclizar and rested on its back. The rolling Pokémon slowly moved forward and took Iris where she'd been intending to walk.

Iris' expression softened a little. "I guess this isn't so bad," she said softly. Despite her anger at the rogue Pokémon, she couldn't help but feel some compassion toward it. It was a dragon type after all.

Ash and Serena looked relieved.

Iris' expression then became more harsh. "If you wanna stay, you're gonna have a lot of work to do." she said sternly.

The Cyclizar nodded and let out a small cry of agreement.

Iris smiled subtly. She looked back at Ash and opened her mouth to speak. "Well, I guess we'll give this a try."

Ash and Serena smiled and let out small, happy laughs.

Iris recalled Dragonite and Haxorus and then looked down at the Cyclizar. "Okay, let's go to Icirrus City," she said.

The Cyclizar carefully rolled across the fields of grass and was soon making its way toward a road. Ash and Serena let out big sighs and then turned toward each other.

"Well, I guess that's that," Ash said.

Serena nodded. "Yeah! I hope it all works out for them."

They looked up at the darkening sky. It was well into the evening and it would soon be night.

"How's a hotel sound for tonight?" Ash asked.

"With a proper shower and bed, sounds great!" Serena replied.

With a feeling of accomplishment bolstering their spirits, they headed back to Icirrus City, got a pair of hotel rooms and enjoyed a peaceful night sleep.

The next day found Ash and Serena at the airport, preparing to board their flight back to Kanto. Overall, with all that had gone wrong, this trip ranked pretty low on their list of adventures. They were eager to get back home and return to their normal routine.

Ash stood near the window of the loading terminal looking out at the airplanes. "I can't wait to get back and see how everyone's doing!" he said.

Serena was standing at his side and she nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I called Delia and she said Delphox, Sylveon and Pancham were all doing much better."

"That's good," Ash replied. "I'm sure Pikachu and the others miss us."

Serena made a happy humming sound and brushed her shoulder against Ash's. He glanced over at her and they shared a smile.

With a glint in her eye, Serena spoke up. "We'll have to figure out a new time for us to share a bed," she said quietly.

Ash chuckled subtly. "I'm sure that won't be a problem," he said.

As they looked on at the airport, a large baggage train rolled across the tarmac and then made a sharp turn which caused it to crash into one of the airplane's landing gear. Luggage was strewn across the ground and the driver tumbled off of the cart.

Serena gasped softly and held a hand up to her mouth. "Oh no, I hope he's okay!" she said.

Ash frowned but didn't say anything. Then both of their eyes went wide with realization.

"Wait! Is that our airplane?!" they said at the same time.

They looked back around at the flight board and checked the airplane number against the one which had just been crashed into.

"OHHHH NOOOOO!" they moaned, loudly.

---

*CLICK*

"Hi, you've reached the Pallet Town Pokémon reserve. I'm Ash, and I can't get to the phone right now! Leave your message at the sound of the Pikachu,"

"PIKA-CHU!"

"Ha ha ha!"

*BEEP*

"Hi, Ash, it's Iris! I wanted to let you know Cyclizar is working out great. It's helping me get around and it's started working on some of the farms it tore up. The farmers weren't too crazy about it but when they saw it's a hard worker and it's willing to pull their equipment, they changed their minds real quick."

"Also, one of the farmer's sons is a motocross racer. When Cyclizar found out about that, it entered a race and had a lot of fun! It's really popular with the kids."

*giggle*

"Well, like usual, you were right about the Pokémon! I'm glad we didn't ship it off to Paldea. I hope you're having a good day! Bye."

*CLICK*

---

Three days later, the front door of the main building swung open and a bleary eyed Ash and Serena staggered inside. They dropped their bags next to the kitchen table and then collapsed down on the couch in the living room.

Serena let out an exhausted groan and then spoke. "If I never fly on another airplane again it will be too soon!"

"Agreed," Ash added.

They sat quietly for a time and then Serena yawned and moaned. "You know Ash," she said in an extremely tired voice. "It's almost my safe time again and I'd love to sleep with you."

"Uh huh, same here," Ash groaned.

Serena yawned again. "But, I have a feeling that there'd be mostly sleeping involved and not much of anything else."

"That sounds about right…." Ash managed.

Serena paused a few seconds and her head started to bob as tiredness nearly overtook her. She snorted and forced herself awake.

"I'm gonna go down to… the house," she said in a disjointed voice.

"Sounds good," Ash mumbled.

Serena staggered to her feet and took a few shambling steps. "Love you," she said in as upbeat a tone as she could manage.

"Love you too," Ash replied.

Serena blinked her eyes and made her way toward the front door. A few minutes later, Ash rallied his strength and stumbled upstairs to his room. It was only mid-afternoon but the two of them quickly fell soundly asleep, once again, in separate beds.