The Paldea Saga: Treasures and Trials Chapter 11: The Fire Camp, a pokémon fanfic

Hey everyone! Thank you for all of your comments, PMs, and reviews. It was super fun to read what you all had to say and to get excited with you about our fledgling couple. I'm excited to write the "actually being together" part, as relationships are tricky and just getting together is sometimes 1/1000000 of the battle, haha. So it will be interesting, and challenging, to explore!

Along those lines, the chapter is definitely more of a character exploration. For that reason, it was actually really hard to edit because I just wanted to make sure I was conveying everything the way I wanted to convey it…? I know I probably failed in many places, but I tried. These types of chapters are actually the most fun—and challenging for me. Either way, I digress…

Okay, a Few Notes:

I changed the Team Star plot up just a little bit, so just be patient with me as it develops.

Yes, I put a Team Star camp in a different location for the purposes of this story. This was intentional.

Penny's slightly altered role will be explained in the future.

Chapter 11: The Fire Camp

[Operation Get Serena to Confess]

1:07 a.m.

Shauna: We're still waiting for an update! (^-^)

Bonnie: Yes please!

Bonnie: What's going on over there?!

Bonnie: and how was your first showcase?!

Bonnie: Serena

Shauna: Please stop. You're blowing up my phone too. (*_*)

Bonnie: Srry. Teehee

Shauna: Did you watch the Kalosian Bachelor last night?

Bonnie: Yea—The Leafeon girl left though :(

Shauna: She was literally the worst one.

Bonnie: Yea, but that's why I liked her (^-^)/

Shauna: You are feral

Bonnie: I've been told that before

1:43 a.m.

Bonnie: Serena

2:03 a.m.

Bonnie: Serena…

Serena did not sleep.

Serena's hands moved with a rhythm born of restlessness, her motions frantic and unclear. Milk splashed against flour, creating a creamy canvas. Eggs cracked, one after the other, their yolks tumbling into the bowl. Sugar grains danced in the froth.

The oven's warmth contrasted the cool predawn air, the glow casting a comforting light in the dimly lit kitchen. Timers ticked, a steady heartbeat marking the slow passage of time, as trays of cookies and poké puffs took their turns in the oven's embrace.

At some point in the night—or early morning—Delphox had entered, its presence as quiet as a whisper. Its paws rubbed sleep from its eyes. The Pokémon's gaze, curious yet unobtrusive, found Serena amid her culinary chaos. Despite Serena's half-hearted protests, Delphox claimed a seat at the bar counter, red eyes reflecting the oven's light.

Serena, caught in a whirlwind of her own making, paused. Her smile, too bright for the hour, barely concealed the tempest of her thoughts. Cookie dough, haphazardly and imprecisely shaped, found its way onto trays.

"I think it's happening…me and Ash…Ash and me…," she whispered to Delphox—to the partner, who had been with her since the beginning. Serena's timbre, hopeful and uncertain, hung in the air, fragile thoughts in the quiet kitchen.

I want you to be something more to me…

Those words. Those beautiful words tickled the edges of her brain eliciting automatic smiles whenever she heard them whisper across her memory. She had really held herself together in the moment—she couldn't believe it. Inside, the whole time Ash had been speaking, she had been in shambles. She could hardly remember what happened—so much of her energy went into not passing out. She remembered every word—every syllable—spoken from Ash's lips, but her own responses were fuzzy and unclear.

Delphox smiled, its regal head nodding subtly, a silent observer to Serena's inner dialogue.

Serena ventured again, "True, he didn't make a confession of... of... well, you know, but...He wants to be closer to me, and I... Wait—What do you think he really meant?"

Delphox, with an air of knowing, simply looked at her trainer pointedly, casually snatching a red glazed poké puff from the counter.

"But it's Ash!" Serena's pitch rose in a slight panic. She brought her hands to her face, cupping her chin. "He could have meant many things! Oh, what if I'm reading this all wrong…? He didn't even kiss me…But I mentioned dating, and he—," she paused suddenly, a realization dawning on her, "Delphox, do you even think Ash knows what dating is?!"

Delphox's stare, long and laden, seemed to convey a clear message: If that boy doesn't know what dating is, then prepare yourself for a nunnery, my dear.

Serena sighed deeply, the hands at her face had inadvertently smeared flour across her skin. "You're right, I—I'm overthinking."

Serena, her brow creased in thought, huffed and wiped her hands on her apron, leaving more streaks of flour and butter in their wake. She glanced at the kitchen counter, her eyes tracing the neat rows of ingredients still to be mixed. "I've just...I've just wanted this for so long...What happens now?" she murmured, losing herself on the precipice of longing and trepidation.

As she measured out sugar, her mind wandered back to the days spent in Ash's shadow, her admiration for him blossoming into something deeper as they traveled through Kalos. She remembered again how she had felt just before she'd kissed him—how all of those memories glistened and formed a confidence that stayed with her long past their travels. How her gratitude for that boy and for everything he'd taught her had forced her up the escalators—how her wanting to be like him moved her to merge herself to him for just a moment, so as to whisk away a just piece of who he was before uttering a goodbye that had felt like a forever.

And as she descended the escalator, Serena had wondered if he would ever love her…

Serena pressed her hands to her lips as if she had said the word aloud. It felt too deep and foolish to even think about when she had been younger, but now? Serena suddenly recalled how her mother had chided Serena for once admitting she had been "in love" with Ash.

"You don't love him, sweetie. You have a childish crush on him," Grace had said devastatingly—or at least Serena remembered being devastated at the time, though she wasn't sure why. What came next truly haunted her for years to come: "You're too young to know what love is. Whatever you feel for Ash, it will fade in time," her mother had continued on matter-of-factly over the phone. "It is certainly unrealistic for you to think that he loves you."

Serena had been in Mossdeep City preparing for a contest when Grace had said this—and then Serena had lost because of the piercing pain in her chest those words had thrust into her. She hadn't been able to get past them.

Maybe It had just been a crush, Serena had begun to wonder long after, and slowly she had built up the walls around the memory of Ash—and the memory of the kiss. She had not spoken about it to anyone and she had hardly ever spoken of him—at least directly. After all, it was just a crush. Just a crush. Something to get over in time. Just like her mother had said.

But now this.

Serena's hands went back to over mixing the batter as she thought how her plans of confession had been utterly thwarted by Ash's own feelings. Except, Serena paused, she really hadn't been planning to confess at all. Not really, she realized. No, what Serena had planned to do was just say a few sweet things, tell Ash that she liked him—or something along those lines (the way women coyly did it in movies)—maybe give him a flirtatious kiss on the cheek and see where that left them.

That was not a confession, Serena now understood, her hand right back on her lips. That would have still been demure and avoidant, a "feeling out the waters." Ash could have just laughed at her and shrugged the whole thing off and then Serena would have played along, doing the same, and they would have gone back to being friends.

"And I wouldn't have really been honest with how I feel…" Serena, her words trailing off, looked towards Delphox; her blue eyes glistened like condensation on a cold glass.

"Delphox…" The Fire-type, tilting its head slightly, regarded Serena with a gentle expression, its eyes reflecting a depth of understanding.

"He still doesn't know—not really—that I lo…love…" Serena faltered, the word catching in her throat. Memories of her mother's dismissal of her feelings crept in, tightening their grip around her chest, reminding her just how vulnerable she felt whenever she truly thought about Ash this way.

Even now, years later, the word 'love' remained a guarded secret, a treasure locked away only to use when she was older, its key lost in the depths of Serena's fears and hopes.

Delphox, sensing Serena's distress, moved from behind the counter closer to its trainer, the Pokémon's warm presence offering silent comfort. The Fire-type gently touched Serena's hand with one of its paws, a heat emanating there. Serena, feeling the touch, looked into Delphox's red eyes, finding a calm reassurance. She let out a slow breath, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly though there were tears building up behind her eyes.

"I mean, Ash hasn't exactly said that he…" she wavered, the word anchoring her tongue again. "That he loves me," she finally blurted out, her gaze flickering to Delphox for any sign of understanding.

The Pokémon stood beside her, its tail curling around her in a protective manner.

Serena quickly wiped the tears before they could fall and attempted to clear her throat. When she spoke next, it was with force chipperness. "It's okay, though! I haven't exactly told him how I truly feel either," and her stomach dropped at the thought. She pushed through the feeling. "He said he wants to be more than friends, and that's something."

Yes. It was something. But now what?

Ash had asked a similar question to which Serena had pretended to at least know part of the answer. But she really didn't know. What were they now? How would they act around each other? There was still the chance that Ash might change his mind…that he would lose interest in her once he could really start collecting gym badges and challenging the League. She remembered how singularly focused he could get…

And was she even ready for this? Had she done enough in her own right? Serena couldn't help but battle these questions as well.

Perhaps Ash would realize that she really wasn't so great or talented as he believed her to be. She really was only truly successful in Kalos—one region, where he had established himself as the Monarch of the World. And she had become Top Coordinator once and well…there was something that tainted that victory for her and still left her unsettled. What would Ash think when he found out that she had really won because…

No. No one ever told her what came after this. All her dreams had converged and ended here. She had never actually seen anything beyond them.

"What happens now?" Serena's breath shook in her glazed fingers. Delphox leaned in close and nuzzled her trainer's neck.

Somewhere behind them, the oven timer went off.

Arven was feeling pretty good about himself the next morning. He had gotten everyone home by 3 a.m., all of Goh's drinks had gone to Ash's tab, and now he was up after four hours of sleep without so much as a complaint. He figured, rather smugly, that he would have to drag everyone else out of bed and—

Knocking. At the door. He knew that knocking.

The sound, familiar and insistent, bounced through the room. Arven's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and mild annoyance. He strode to the door, muscles tensing with each step, and soon yanked it open with a swift motion.

"How? Just, how?" he blurted out, exasperation slackening his jaw.

There stood Nemona, her presence radiating energy and enthusiasm. She sparkled with an inexplicable freshness, her eyes bright and alert, with Pawmo perched confidently on her shoulder. Behind her, a visibly exhausted Brock and Goh trudged along, their steps heavy and eyes half-closed. Ash accompanied them, but looking surprisingly spry and well-rested, a stark contrast to the weary duo.

"Alright! A new adventure!" Ash exclaimed, every feature on his face lifting. However, a subtle twitch under his eye betrayed his sleep deprivation. Pikachu rubbed its eyes and tried to muster an enthusiasm similar to his trainer's.

"Pika…"

Arven, still clad in crumpled matching pajamas, stood somewhat disheveled in the doorway. His loyal Mabosstiff sniffed curiously behind him. "Come in…" he mumbled, barely suppressing a yawn while he gestured towards the small kitchenette in his room. He had just finished preparing a mixture of grated tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil—hoping to use it in his pan tumaca —and had finished fixing coffee in hopes of a quiet morning. "Help your—,"

Before he could even finish his sentence, the group barged in, drawn irresistibly to the aroma of the coffee and the sight of breakfast. They descended on the bread and the tomato mixture like a flock of Starlys, each one grabbing what they could and devouring it hungrily. Arven could only sigh, watching his well-laid plans of a leisurely breakfast transform into a frenzied feast.

As the group indulged, Arven retreated to his room to change. He could hear the muffled sounds of their chatter and the clinking of cutlery against plates. Midway through pulling on his jeans, Goh's voice pierced through the bright noise.

"Hey, Arven—I sort of invited Gary," Goh admitted, slightly muffled as he spoke with a mouth full of sourdough. "Hope that's cool."

Arven paused, now one boot on, the other in his grip. Though in the other room, he glanced over his shoulder, a resigned expression on his face. With a wave of his hand to no one in particular, he signaled his reluctant acceptance of the addition to their group. The day was already full of surprises; what was one more? He slipped his other shoe on and braced himself.

Having come back out into the living area, Arven finished buttoning his shirt and tried to appear nonchalant. "That's fine, I invited Serena."

"Wait," Ash startled, nearly knocking his full plate over in a clatter of silverware. "Serena knows about Koraidon?!"

Arven looked tentatively at the young champion, trying to gauge how Ash felt about this new information. The botanist had been nervous all morning to tell the raven-haired trainer about Serena coming—only because the guy had a knack for reading the room entirely wrong. However, it was a mild relief to see a happy glow form on Ash's profile.

"That's so great!" Ash began to grin widely until he noticed an acute stillness that enveloped Goh and Brock, the two studying him like some sort of wild Jigglypuff. Ash tempered his reaction, reaching to pour milk into his thick coffee. "I mean, I guess that's fine."

"So fun!" Nemona, caught up in the excitement and oblivious to the undercurrents, piped up. She promptly began drenching a piece of Arven's homemade bread in olive oil. "And here I thought you were such a stickler for keeping all of this a secret, Arven," she teased, her eyebrows wiggling with mischief before she took a bite of her toast.

Arven grumbled, fixing himself some cafe con leche . "You try keeping something from someone who seems to have the gift of empathy—who seems genuinely interested in helping people."

"She does seem to have the effect of getting people to open up," Brock chuckled, flipping through a newspaper, which he procured from seemingly out of nowhere.

Nemona tilted her chin up and closed her eyes as her chest swelled. "Well, they say I have that effect as well." Beside her, Pawmo—forever the hype girl—nodded in agreement.

"Nemona, if anyone opens up to you it's probably because you either threatened them or it was an accident," Arven muttered into his coffee, his mouth forming a small thin line off to the side of his jaw.

Nemona narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Arven closed his eyes above his steaming mug. "When we were in first grade, Jaime Piccard brought his comfort Pichu plushie to show and tell, you tossed it off a cliff and said he'd be 'stronger without it.' And then you had people cheering for his independencia!"

Nemona tapped her chin, "But Jaime did become more independent."

"We were six!"

Nemona waved Arven off and resumed eating, suddenly waving a spoon in front of her face, "Well, anyway, who's this Gary guy coming too?" She began scooping Arven's tomato mixture onto her toast.

Brock, folding up his paper, leaned back with a nostalgic smile stringing his lips. "I think he's meeting us at the Area Three Pokémon Center. Anyway, he's Ash's old rival, actually," he explained, gesturing across the table towards the young champion. "Defeated Ash countless times when they were first starting out. Ah, those were the days."

Nemona's eyes sparkled with challenge. "So he's a powerful trainer too? Think he'd be up to battle!?" she asked, her eagerness bubbling over like an effervescent soda pop.

Goh, who'd been heaping powdered chocolate into some milk, couldn't resist a smirk. "He's a researcher now," he informed, gesturing towards Nemona with his utensil. "But I bet he'd still take you on in a battle if you asked."

Ash, not one to let his past defeats go unaddressed, interjected, "For the record, I beat Gary in the Silver Conference," he declared, a little defensively as he sipped his coffee. He winced at the taste and promptly added more milk—and some chocolate (much to Arven's chagrin). "It was a pretty epic battle."

The botanist, sensing the conversation veering off-track, intervened with a wave of his hands. "No—no battles today. We are already behind and need to get to the Pokémon Center near Artazon by one o'clock at the latest."

Nemona pouted at this, her fidgety movements barely contained. "You're the one holding us up, Arven," she sulked, taking one last emphatic bite of her breakfast. She gestured proudly to her own attire—a pair of sturdy tan combat boots, a white long-sleeve T-shirt neatly tucked into beige shorts, and a large satchel packed with essentials propped against her chair.

Arven, realizing he was indeed the last one to get ready, quickly adjusted his sleeveless vest and hoisted his heavy backpack onto his shoulders. He fastened the waist strap securely across his abdomen, preparing himself for the weight of the pack. "Well, come on then," he said, a resolved look on his face as he ushered everyone, now fully prepared and fed, towards the door.

The group eventually made their way to the school's front plaza. The morning air was cool and heavy with a cloudy haze, casting a soft, filtered light over the tiled area. The sprawling expanse, usually bustling with activity, felt subdued and almost ethereal in the diffused sunshine. They stood for a moment, their figures silhouetted against the muted backdrop, as they took in their surroundings. Each one adjusted their gear, checked their belongings, and mentally prepared for the day. Ash's gaze, however, roved restlessly over the scene, clearly seeking a particular presence among the sparse early risers.

At a nearby bench, Serena rose—her Sylveon trodding gracefully beside her. She smiled as she caught sight of her friends, her hand lifting in a spirited wave. Her eyes, below the brim of her gray fedora, met Ash's for a brief second as she began to cross the distance. Ash caught his breath, his attention completely taken by her.

She wore an outfit similar to the one he'd seen her in when they met in Lilycove. With a bounce in her step that mirrored the flounce of her red patterned skirt, Serena approached. Her hands, hidden modestly behind her, betrayed a sense of apprehension.

Ash waited for her, anticipation welling up within him like a wave poised to crest. His posture straightened, a hopeful grin spreading across his face. Serena drew nearer. Ash's feet shuffled on the spot, his hands fidgeting as he positioned himself, almost awkwardly, to be the first one she'd reach, his chest puffed out in a display of nonchalant readiness.

But as Serena closed the gap, she breezed right by the young champion without so much as a pause. Ash's face fell, his grin drooping faster than a deflated Wailmer balloon; confusion and a touch of dismay flashing across his dark features. Serena, seemingly oblivious to his despair, continued making her to greet the others.

She crouched beside Arven's Mabosstiff, her hands extending with the ease to offer him a gentle pat. The gentle canine, for its part, moved in slow motion, its response to Serena's affection manifesting as a sluggish but appreciative tail wag. Ash, still caught in the aftermath of his thwarted greeting, could only watch, his expression blank.

Nemona clapped her hands in delight at the sight of the performer. "Alright! Looks like we're all here now," she declared, her fist punching the air. She sidled up beside Serena, "Okay, chica , you look so cute! Where did you get your boots? Did you have breakfast? Arven actually made us some delicious pan tumaca . It actually wasn't bad! I was surprised," Nemona confessed, tossing a playful glance towards the botanist. "Turns out, Arven cooks like an old Paldean woman in Cabo Poco."

Arven twitched. "Thanks?"

Serena, descending the grand staircase to Mesagoza alongside the group, cast an impressed glance towards the dirty-blonde trainer. "I didn't know you cooked, Arven?" she inquired, her interest piqued by this new revelation.

Arven swelled a bit with pride. "I do, actually," he admitted, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I cook many of my meals. Always have since—well, you know," he said, his gaze softening as it met Serena's.

Caught off guard by the look, Ash glanced at Pikachu, as if seeking some sort of understanding in the Pokémon's expression. Pikachu, however, could only offer a nonchalant shrug in response. Ash chuckled. He was being stupid. He needed to relax. Serena was just being friendly—like she always was—to everyone. He watched her intently as she continued speaking to the aspiring naturalist about his cooking.

It was weird that she wasn't looking at him, though. Ash tried to shrug it off, replacing his hat over his head every so often—unconsciously trying to tame his raven hair. He fell into step beside Goh, who was engrossed in his Rotom Phone. The device's screen glowed with data on the Pokémon native to Area Three, promising new discoveries and possible challenges on the horizon. Brock followed close behind, his experienced eyes scanning the information over Goh's shoulder, pointing out patterns and recalling his vast knowledge of Pokémon types and habitats.

The group carried on their descent, each member lost in their thoughts or conversations, the grand staircase eventually spilling them into the hustle and bustle of Mesagoza. They hopped on a bus that would take them to the eastern gates of the metropolis. The vehicle's wheels hummed against the cobbled streets. Grand buildings with steeply pitched roofs and whimsical turrets reached towards the overcast sky, their facades a patchwork of pastel yellows, blues, and greens. Garlands of flags fluttered from the lampposts, while sculpted topiaries and flowering vines added a touch of green to the blurred urban canvas as the bus carefully navigated the pedestrian-heavy streets.

As she stood with the others in the public transport, Serena's eyes steadied themselves onto the reflection of the bus windows. She appeared to be looking out, but wasn't. Her gaze found Ash's faded outline in the vague mirror. She smiled slightly, looking away. Serena had thought for sure that everyone could hear her heart beating wildly as soon as she'd seen him again—she had thought for sure that she would be the one to give them away. But it seemed that Ash was determined to go against his own desire to be discreet.

A rosy hue dusted Serena's cheeks as she felt him watching her. The girl had to take a deep breath to steady herself before looking back into the window.

The bus stopped and more people shuffled in. As the vehicle jostled with new passengers, Ash used the movement as a pretext to glide closer to Serena, his hand finding a spot on the railing just above hers. The new crowd, a natural barrier, cocooned them from their friends. The young champion kept his hat low to avoid being recognized. Serena appeared to be doing the same—her face kept down and away towards the window.

"Hey," he whispered close to her ear.

Serena shivered, hearing the smile in his voice. She didn't turn to him—she felt too giddy and red and didn't trust herself to meet his eyes directly just yet, "Hey, Ash." The giggle that escaped her was light and airy, a sound that made her inwardly cringe. What was she—ten?

There was a shift in the bus crowd that caused a chain reaction. Someone getting up from their seat and moving towards the doors seemed to bump Ash, forcing him to move closer to her. "S-Sorry," he stammered. They were shoulder to shoulder.

Serena smiled into her hand, which had gone to her mouth to prevent any more stupid giggles from slipping into her breath. "It's okay," she managed, muffled behind her fingers. She turned slowly to look at him from the corner of her eyes.

He was peering down at her with a grin, boyish and infectious; tanned cheeks mildly painted pink. He seemed excited that Serena had turned towards him. "Hey," he said again, and Pikachu, perched atop his trainer's hat, seemed to sigh at the redundancy. "I'm glad you're coming with us!"

Serena looked embarrassed and glanced down to study her brown boots. "I was going to tell you last night, but—,"

"Oh, that's okay! I'm glad Arven told you," Ash scratched his nose and looked around as if searching for something. "So," he began again, playing with his cap, "how'd you sleep?"

Serena bit her lip. "Not great," she admitted with a small, nervous laugh.

"Same," Ash echoed, also chuckling uneasily. His grip on the railing tightened for a moment, the muscles along his forearm contracting as the bus jostled them once more. He cleared his throat, watching her.

Serena dared herself to fully face him. "You know," she began, breathless as though she were putting enormous effort into keeping her voice steady, "You need to stop looking at me like that when we're around the others."

Ash colored and immediately averted his gaze. "What do you mean?" he asked, sounding ashamed as though he'd done something wrong.

Serena quickly put a hand on his forearm, calling him back to her. "Ash, it's okay," she assured. She had been mildly teasing, not sure what else to say, but Ash clearly didn't think it was very funny. "I—I mean, I like it when you look at me like that," Serena offered quickly, retracting her hand and feeling her skin prickle with heat. She looked around to see where the others were. It appeared as though Nemona was busy giving everyone an impromptu and detailed tour of Mesagoza as the bus rolled through the city. "What I meant to say was that it just might seem obvious that we're….," Serena didn't actually know how to finish that sentence, but she looked back at Ash, who was still flushing.

"Right," the young champion rubbed his chin, relaxing a bit. "I guess I didn't think it'd be this hard," he grinned sheepishly. "I really like looking at you," Ash stated quite simply, as though it was the most natural thing to say at the moment.

Serena tried not to melt; her stomach roiling with Butterfrees. "And I like looking at you."

Lost in their own world, the two continued smiling to one another, creating a bubble that the outside world couldn't penetrate. Above them, as happy as the yellow rodent was for the fledgling couple, Pikachu couldn't help but drape its long ears over its eyes.

At last, the bus arrived at the eastern gates. The group disembarked, Arven leading the way. They were greeted by an enormous portico; a majestic archway with stones etched with the history and culture of the region. They walked under its shadow, and before them stretched a long bridge that glided gracefully over the channel encircling the city like a protective moat. The water below reflected the hazy morning sky, the surface rippling with the gentle breeze that whispered through the air.

As soon as they crossed, the landscape grew starkly different. The city's cliff-like tiers faded behind them, revealing a scene that resembled a dry, rocky canyon. The ground underfoot was now a mix of orange and red, the dirt paths flanked by hardy shrubs and wind-sculpted trees that clung to the earth with tenacity. Towering rock formations rose up like ancient guardians of the land, their surfaces worn smooth by time and the elements.

"Alright, here we are," Arven declared, striking a pose that seemed to take relief in the rugged landscape before them. He drew a deep breath of the dry, particulate-laden air. "Welcome to Area Three."

Nemona's excitement briefly faltered as she faced the arid expanse. "Ugh, I forgot my moisturizer," she groaned, her hand absently touching her face, as if to check for the onset of imaginary dryness already.

Goh spotted a Rookidee perched on a nearby rock. With the eagerness of a child in a candy store, he began to dart towards the creature, only to be abruptly reined in by Arven's quick reflexes. "Focus, please," Arven implored, with a twitch of his brow that underscored his irritation. "We have to get to the Pokémon Center within the hour to stay on schedule."

Goh, momentarily restrained like a Poochyena on a leash, scoffed. "What are you, like Type A?" he mumbled, his eyes still tracking the Rookidee's retreat.

Nemona, who had been busying herself with the adjustment of her ponytail, couldn't help but chime in. "Actually, I'm Type A," she proclaimed, the declaration coming with a flourish of pride. But then, her gaze shifted to Arven, teasing and playful. "But now that I think of it, you are Type A, Arven! Really Type A."

Arven's scowl was almost comical in its defensiveness. "I'm not that Type A—I'm more Type C," he retorted, an air of mild chagrin surrounding him like a cloak. With a huff, he turned to lead the way, his determined stride setting the pace as the group followed like a motley caravan.

Goh blinked, shouldering his pack with Grookey on his head. He fell in step behind Arven, his expression still puzzling over the concept introduced. "I didn't even know there was a Type C," he mused aloud, the thought trailing off into the vastness of the canyon.

Brock, ever the rock of knowledge in the group, offered a gentle nod, his face framed with an expression of understanding, "The detail-oriented thinker," he affirmed with a knowing smile. He held up a sagely finger, as if holding it held the wisdom of the ages. "I can see that. I feel like I fit that category myself."

Arven, now drawn into a moment of introspection, conceded with a thoughtful frown, "Those categories are kind of niche though," his gaze drifted off to the rocky walls beginning to surround them. "I don't think they really encompass the nuances in personalities."

"True," Brock nodded, "I prefer other psychometric tools that consider more variables and nuances."

At the words, 'psychometric tools,' Nemona's attention quickly flickered away from such musings. "Okay, let's play a game!" she hummed, turning to walk backwards so that she could see everyone. "It's called the Picnic game!"

"No."

"Arven, do not be such a buzz kill," Nemona's eyes turned to slits and she pointed an accusing finger at the botanist. "It's a fun game you can play while you hike. Helps pass the time."

Serena fanned herself with her hand, the heat making her words languid. "A game might be fun," she spoke with a tentative smile, "What are the rules?"

"Great!" Nemona's excitement reverberated off the red-rock walls, "So basically, we are going on an imaginary picnic and we can bring two things. Now, these two things are based off a rule that only I—the picnic planner—know. For instance, let's say we are going on a picnic, and you can bring pizza and pancakes."

"Why?" Arven crossed his arms, skeptical and unamused.

"Shh!" Nemona stopped him with a raised hand before continuing. "The items are irrelevant, you are trying to guess the commonalities between the two things. Once you think you know what my 'rule' is—or what the two items have in common—then you can start guessing and I can tell you whether or not the item you guess is going on our picnic."

"So," Serena's eyes glittered with interest, "what about pasta? Can we bring pasta?"

Nemona grinned. "Yes! You can bring pasta." Serena's laughter joined Nemona's, light and carefree.

The boys all looked confused, their brows furrowed in puzzlement.

"I don't get it," Goh announced, the little tuft of hair on the back of his head quivering along a slight breeze.

Beside the city boy, Brock's eyes suddenly lit up. "Can I bring pens?"

"You can bring pens." Nemona nodded with her eyes closed in pride, a satisfied grin on her face.

"But that's not food…" Ash murmured, tilting his head in confusion.

"It doesn't have to be food," Serena explained patiently, gesturing with her hands. "It can be anything that fits Nemona's rule."

"Can I bring Grookey?" Goh asked hopefully.

Nemona giggled, her laughter echoing slightly along the dirt path. "No, you can't bring Grookey."

Arven's eye twitched, his frustration barely contained. "This is stupid," he grumbled.

"Remember, once you think you know the rule, you can eventually try to guess it!" Nemona said, turning to face Arven with a challenging look. "Well, do you have an item to bring?"

Arven crossed his arms almost petulantly, his posture stiff. "I'm not guessing," he stated defiantly.

Meanwhile, Ash's face brightened, a spark of realization in his eyes. "Can I bring Pikachu?"

Nemona smiled warmly at him, her eyes crinkling with delight. "Yes! You can bring Pikachu."

Arven grimaced and looked worried that he wasn't catching on, sweat forming on his brow as he wiped it away. "I actually hate this."

"You're overthinking," Serena leaned forward with a supportive smile. "Just consider about what all of the items, or words, have in common."

"Oh, well that makes sense," Arven sighed, tapping his chin with hesitation. "So I can bring potions?"

With a proud huff and flip of her hair, Nemona nodded, clearly pleased. "You can bring potions."

"I see," Arven exhaled with relief, "so anything that started with the letter 'p', you could bring," he deciphered.

"Exactly!" Nemona beamed, "Now you are the picnic planner!" she announced, clapping her hands together.

Goh's lip protruded in a pout, his arms folded in a mock sulk. "Wait, I want to be the picnic planner!"

Arven waved his hands before him, eager to step back. "Let Goh be it, I am officially done playing," he insisted.

"Okay, we're going on a picnic and you can bring…" Goh's voice trailed off, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

They played for five more minutes, the group eagerly guessing and suggesting items. However, it quickly became clear to everyone that Goh hadn't set an actual rule. Instead, he was deciding which items to bring or not based solely on personal preference.

Serena, a light laugh escaping her, shook her head. "Goh, that's not how the game works!"

"Ay, madre …" Arven, who had been quietly observing, pinched the bridge of his nose.

Soon Nemona's focus, predictably, shifted again; this time to the practicalities of adventure—or, more accurately, the next meal. "So when do we eat again?" she interjected.

"Oh!" Serena's voice, light and melodic, cut through the conversation like a little ray of sunshine. She had that look of someone struck by a sudden delightful realization. "I forgot I made cookies for everyone! And poké puffs! If you want, we can have some now…" Her offer, tender and generous, dangled invitingly before the group.

Nemona's response was instantaneous and she greedily seized the goods proffered from Serena's bag. Ash and Goh's excitement matched hers, and the three of them began pulling and fighting for first dibs.

The Pokémon, sensing the shift in energy, converged around Serena with a collective eagerness. Pawmo's eyes shimmered with anticipation, Mabosstiff's tail wagged with newfound vigor, Grookey clapped its little hands excitedly, and Pikachu's ears perked up, all drawn by the promise of Serena's baking. Sylveon merely observed their excitement from her trainer's side.

Arven, straightening with interest, wrestled with the need for discipline. Still, the aroma of cookies wafting through the air was hard to ignore. "I guess we can hike and eat at the same time," he conceded, his resolve giving way to practicality.

Once Serena began distributing her homemade treats, the atmosphere turned festive. She handed Arven a cookie, its surface dusted with lavender and glistening with a honey glaze. The botanist's first bite was one of cautious curiosity that soon morphed into unabashed amazement. The flavors exploded on his palate, the buttery richness perfectly balanced with the floral notes and the sweetness of honey.

"Wow, Serena," Goh exclaimed, crumbs dotting his lips as he reached for yet another treat. "Ash didn't tell us you could bake!"

Brock savored his cookie, each bite making him appreciate the flavors more. He glanced over at Ash with a teasing smirk. "So weird how Ash keeps hiding things from us," he remarked, the mirth in his eyes suggesting he was enjoying more than just the treat in his hand.

Ash, caught mid-chew, could only roll his eyes in response to Brock's jab. He opened his mouth to retort, but Arven overtook him, a rare zest in the botanist's tone.

"Seriously, these are amazing," Arven exclaimed, his usual reserve giving way to an uncharacteristic excitement. "You have to show me how you make these!"

Serena lifted a finger and gave Arven a playful wink. "Only if you show me some of your cooking! I have to say, I'm more of a baker than a chef," she admitted.

Arven's smile broadened, his enthusiasm undiminished. "Well, we can definitely get together and swap recipes sometime," he agreed.

Nemona flocked to them. "And then we can come over and eat everything you make!" she shouted giddily. With a skip and a hop, she surged to the front of the group, her steps light and playful as she claimed the lead.

Goh, with newfound energy, sprang into action, racing after her with a determined grin.

Left in their wake, Ash and Brock brought up the rear. Brock took another leisurely bite of his cookie. "Well, Serena certainly seems happy this morning," the former gym leader hummed as he chewed.

"Yea," Ash murmured, his gaze lingering on Serena as she and Arven engaged in a lively discussion about "culinary arts" or something. His eyes followed their gestures, the easy back-and-forth of their conversation painting a picture of shared interests. He felt a little bad that he'd been struggling to speak to Serena like that—with that ease they used to share. The thought frustrated him.

"And you seem distracted," Brock observed as he tried to suppress a knowing grin.

"Yea," Ash repeated, his tone distant, his attention still partially anchored on the pair ahead. Suddenly realizing the implication of Brock's words, Ash shook his head as if to clear it. "Wait—no I'm not. I'm just, uh, tired."

Brock tapped his chin in a mock display of deep thought. "Oh that's right, you walked Serena home last night," he remarked, feigning a sudden recollection of the previous evening's events. "I almost forgot."

Ash's response was a slight flinch. "Yea, I did. Because I was being nice," he said, a defensive edge creeping into his voice.

"So nice, yes. Always the gentleman,," Brock replied, his tone rich with something playful, yet not unkind. He clapped Ash on the back before they continued up a hill.

The journey to the Pokémon Center, while long, unfolded without any major events. The group traversed the winding paths that snaked through the vast landscape of Area Three, surrounded by the ruddy gulches and steep hills. Along the way, they encountered various Pokémon indigenous to the region. Growlithes roamed in small packs, their fiery-like tails swaying with each step. Nymbles hopped along the rocky terrain, their graceful movements a dance of natural agility. Skiddos grazed peacefully on sparse patches of grass on the cliffs, their calm demeanor a stark contrast to the wildness of the land.

The path was a marvel in itself, hugging the contours of the valley and occasionally passing under delicate arch rock formations that soared overhead.

At some point along the route, a pair of friendly backpackers challenged Ash and Nemona to a battle. Arven, usually the one to keep them on track, surprisingly consented to a quick skirmish while he tended Mabosstiff, who had needed a quick respite. It was an excellent opportunity for Ash to train his Charcadet and Nemona her Pawmo—both honing their skills in a friendly yet competitive tag-team scrimmage.

They were only an hour behind schedule when the group finally arrived at the Pokémon Center. This delay Arven found surprisingly acceptable. He had braced himself for a greater setback, given the group's knack for distractions and detours.

The lobby was quiet and subdued—not many people loitering around midday. Ash and Nemona, noticing their Pokémon's exhaustion, decided to hand over Charcadet and Pawmo to the Center's Nurse Joy, who took the familiars with a kind smile. As they approached the counter, Gary Oak approached them from the sitting area, his sleek Umbreon by his side.

"I was wondering where you all were," Gary strolled up to them, his casual hiking pants and a white T-shirt accentuating his relaxed demeanor. He nodded towards Goh with a half-smile. He had been informed by the city boy about this little 'adventure'—or whatever all this was, but the researcher hadn't wanted to leave the city together with everyone and risk being seen. He did have a cover to keep, after all. However, Gary had wanted a chance to speak with Ash and Goh, and get a chance to observe the Herba Mystica—something that even his grandfather had once spoken about and heard of.

Goh practically slapped Nemona on the arm and eagerly turned her towards the researcher. "This is Gary, remember who we were talking about earlier?"

Nemona, quick to make her presence known, responded with a dynamic flick of her long ponytail. "I'm Nemona, student body president and champion and captain of the Blitz team at Scarlet Academy. But most recently, I'm Ash's new rival—and strongest," she declared, her amber eyes sparkling with competitive fire, punctuating her introduction with a playful wink.

Gary smirked, "Ash sure has a knack for finding those, doesn't he?" He shrugged, giving Nemona a little salute, "Gary Oak. I'm a researcher now at Cerise Labs," he nodded succinctly, feeling the introduction sufficient enough.

Serena's momentary confusion at seeing Gary again in such a drastically different setting was temporarily suspended. She softly broke through the greetings, "Oak," she whispered instinctively, stepping forward from beside Arven. She peered at Gary, a hint of recognition in her eyes. "I know you," she held up a finger towards the auburn-haired researcher. "Not just from last night, but…You're Professor Oak's grandson—I went to one of the summer camps when I was five!"

Gary pretended to appraise her for the first time with pursed lips as he jogged through his memory. "Oh yea," a sly smile spread across his face, "You were the girl glued to Ash that whole week."

Ash nearly fell over, but Serena wasn't fazed. "And you were the boy recruiting cheerleaders," she shot back with a small, smug grin, and made a show of scanning the room, "I'm surprised I don't see any now."

Gary flinched, a hint of embarrassment creeping in as he tried to play it off casually. Brock, seizing the moment, laughed heartily and clasped Gary on the shoulder. "Oh, those cheerleaders followed him for quite some time," he teased.

Arven, rolling his eyes with a hint of exasperation, redirected the group's focus. "Arceus," he muttered, "Alright, let's get settled and look at the map—we need to figure out how we're going to sweep the rest of this area."

Gary, regaining his composure, thumbed towards the stairs leading to the Pokémon Center's second story. "I already reserved us some bunks," he said, pulling out a key card to check the room number. "Come on, I'll take you up."

Leading the way with his Umbreon at his side, Gary guided the group up to the upper floor. He used the card to open a set of sliding doors, revealing a large room outfitted with four sets of bunk beds. The room, adorned with modern fixtures, included a small kitchenette and a dining table.

Nemona and Serena immediately gravitated towards the bunk beds by the corner window. The student champion called the top bunk. The two settled in, adding a touch of their personalities to their chosen space.

Ash and Goh—more Ash than Goh—actively selected the beds across from Nemona and Serena, each boy setting about to unpack his belongings with an excitement that was tempered by their exhaustion. Clothes, bathroom essentials, and various personal items found their places in the room. Goh, climbing to his top bunk, lounged with his head resting on folded arms atop his pillow. He surveyed the room with a tired yet observant blue stare. Grookey danced on his back.

Arven, with purposeful motions, unfurled a large map across the table. Mabosstiff sniffed at the map's surface, which was filled with annotations and highlights that drew immediate attention from Gary and Brock. They hovered around, studying the marked areas, their expressions a blend of concentration and intrigue.

Amidst this, Gary's eyes occasionally strayed towards Serena, who was engaged in an animated discussion with Nemona about Blitz. The researcher had a front row seat to Ash fighting some kind of internal battle, the champion's efforts focused on unpacking his clothes while consciously trying not to glance over at Serena. Despite Ash's best efforts, his movements betrayed a subtle yet undeniable pull towards her.

Gary had to wipe the smirk growing across his face. Arceus, she really had been that girl from the summer camp. That means she's probably been smitten with Ash since she was like five, Gary realized. Girls really did seem to fall out of the sky for that kid…And while Serena's probably had practice hiding her feelings for years—even though she wasn't exactly a closed book by any means—it seemed like poor Ashy needed to take that crash course. Gary shook his head sympathetically and almost clicked his tongue.

For his part, Ash was trying to figure out what to take out of his pack and what he needed to keep. It was hard for him to think right now. Between the lack of sleep and this newfound confusion he felt whenever he was around Serena, it was proving hard to really do anything—well anything except battle. He'd actually been relieved to get some training in. It was the only thing that felt normal and constant right now.

Pikachu looked at Ash with a sigh, taking a small paw and patting its trainer on the forearm. "Pika, pi," the small Electric-type chirped.

Ash looked up and chuckled, shaking his head at himself and giving his partner a toothy grin. "Yea, I was really in my head there for a second, huh?"

The group soon comfortably gathered around the table, enjoying a casual assortment of snacks. Serena's homemade cookies, Poké puffs, chips and bocatas de tortilla de patatas and pepitos —courtesy of Arven—added a cozy touch to their strategizing session.

Arven, taking charge, confidently presented the divided sections of Area Three on the map. "Okay, I feel like I've marked out three pretty equal areas for us to explore," he announced, clearly satisfied with his methodical approach. "So we should split up."

"I'll—," Ash was about to speak up but stopped himself. He was going to suggest that he and Serena go together, but wouldn't that be kind of obvious? Yes, yes it would. He sighed. He couldn't just jump at the opportunity, but maybe it would happen naturally. Maybe she would say something. However, all that quickly went out the window when the young champion noticed everyone looking at him.

Apparently everyone had heard him beginning to speak and now they were all waiting for him to finish. Ash shifted in his chair, adjusting his cap. "Um, I was just going to say that I'll, uh," Ash's eyes met Arven's, "go with Arven." He finished half-heartedly.

The botanist sighed. "Thanks for your excitement," he deadpanned.

As she tore her eyes away from Ash, Serena's movements appeared uncharacteristically fidgety and awkward. She fumbled slightly and shifted her arms behind her back as she turned to Brock. "Would you like to be partners for this?" she asked, her voice a bit hesitant, tilting her head with a shy smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. After a moment, she seemed to gather herself, straightening her posture and smoothing out her skirt. "I would love to hear more about your time as a gym leader," she said with more composure, a genuine interest flickering in her eyes.

Brock offered her a friendly nod, his tone warm and inviting. "Absolutely. Sounds great," he replied, his open and relaxed demeanor aiming to put her at ease.

Ash paled. "I don't think—,"

Seizing the moment, Gary turned to them with a playful yet calculated air. "I'll join you all," he said, giving Ash a sly wink. He then turned to offer Serena a friendly smile, which she did not return, her expression remaining politely neutral. His indigo eyes danced with peachy mischief. "We can all talk about the good ole days."

What. was. Happening?

Ash felt like he was dissolving into the air. For her part, Serena's body language seemed to shrink into itself—conveying a mild embarrassment. The performer tried to play it off graciously, taking comfort in one of Sylveon's feelers. However, She couldn't shake off the discomfort that came with Gary's presence, as she had only really known him in the context of last night's performance.

Goh and Nemona, their cheeks full of chips, looked at each other, shrugging. They clearly had no opinion on anything that was going on.

With their exploration teams set, the group wrapped up their brief respite and began preparing for the hike through Area Three's arid canyons. They gathered the essentials: some more food, sunscreen—at Nemona's insistence—and ample water to stay hydrated in the dry environment.

As Ash and Goh finished packing their gear, Gary approached them with a more serious demeanor. "Hey," he said, his words heavy with concern, "you guys be careful. Ash, really make sure no one is around when you bring out Koraidon. I think… I think there might be some eyes on you since last night."

Ash looked surprised. He tried exchanging glances with Pikachu, but realized his partner was now busy playing with Sylveon and Pawmo on Serena's bed while she and Nemona playfully walked them through a small choreography set with them. Instead, Ash found himself looking back at Gary, a little irritated. "Why? What did you say?" Ash accused mildly, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Gary rolled his eyes. He knew where this attitude was coming from. "I didn't say anything, so just lay off," the researcher then looked at Goh. "Do you remember the guys you ran into in Area One your first week here?"

"How could I forget," Goh raised an eyebrow, "they were creepy. That's why I called them 'the creepy guys'. Remember?"

Gary felt a vein pop in his forehead. "Yes! Okay—well I think I met one of the guys you ran into last night at the Showcase. Pale as death—white and black hair? Anyway, he recognized you and now they think you're on to whatever it is they're up to."

Ash and Goh blinked. "Well, what are they up to?" Goh asked, almost stupidly.

"That is literally what I am trying to find out," Gary gritted his teeth, "but I'm just saying that this guy—Amethio and his boss Hamber—think that you are suspicious of them because they saw Goh poking his nose around Area One while they were out looking for something. They recognized him, saw him with you, and came up with a conclusion."

A thought flashed through Goh's eyes. "And they could have been looking for Koraidon…"

Ash closed his eyes and shook his head, the details getting confused in his brain. "But didn't you say they were after some Terastal Cave? Why would they have gone after that if they were looking for Koraidon? That just doesn't make sense. We learned in school that Terastal Caves are for Terastal Pokémon—Koraidon was definitely not Terastalized when we ran into him on the beach."

Goh chewed on his lip, thinking this information over. "Yea, but the creepy guys did say they were looking for some legendary."

Gary waved the conversation aside. "Look, it doesn't matter right now. I'm trying to get more intel, but I need time. For now, just be careful," he urged, his stern features meeting Ash's again. "Even if they're not after Koraidon, someone is, and they might know that someone and tip them off. So just don't get caught."

Ash returned his former rival's stare and nodded. He wasn't exactly thrilled with Gary at the moment, but Ash pushed that aside to reassure the researcher's worry. "Don't worry, we'll be careful," he promised.

Gary nodded, relieved. The researcher patted his Umbreon on its head as the Dark-type trotted up to them. "Well, hopefully we can find this Herba Mystica quickly," Gary sighed, rubbing his slackened jaw, which looked tired from all the explaining it had to do. "I'd like to study its effects on Koraidon, but I need to get back to Mesagoza early tomorrow. Maybe Brock can share his notes…"

Soon the group left the comfort of the Pokémon Center, stepping into the rugged expanse once more. Reddish-brown earth stretched before them, molded into rolling hills. The overcast sky cast dim shadows, blurring the distinct edges of flat-topped rock formations in the distance. Ahead lay a mile's journey down a serpentine path, leading them deeper into the wilderness's heart.

Serena, a step behind to tend to Sylveon's thirst, caught Ash's gaze. He matched his pace to hers, their footsteps syncing.

"Hey again," Ash scratched his nose, and Pikachu prepared himself for more of his trainer's attempts at a normal, human conversation. Truly, Pikachu thought, even he could do better…

Serena looked up, actually surprised to see Ash beside her. She had been lost in her own thoughts since seeing Gary. He had jogged her memory of the previous night with Lebarón and all of his 'distinguished' guests. Serena pursued her lips. She couldn't shake off the feeling that the contest professor was using her for something—that he had brought her to Paldea not just to promote showcases…but to perhaps promote himself. This thought depressed Serena. She was, of course, used to people having their own agendas in the world of show business—even in the contest world, there was nepotism, bribing, dubious people sponsoring the events. However, Serena still remembered how Palermo explained away her first defeat to Aria all those years ago:

"Really, Serena, it wasn't that you lost to her, but that you lost to a system that wasn't ready to let Aria go yet," Palermo had said, inspecting her manicured fingernails. "Everyone thinks it's in the crowd's control, but truly there are many factors at play…many, unseen influences at work."

It had taken Serena a while to understand what Palermo had meant and by then it was too late. Before the disillusionment had really begun to take root, Serena had already won her first title as Kalos Queen. And soon after, she found herself longing for the days she traveled with Lisia. She had loved the company, but also the contest icon's keen interesting in disrupting the unseen factors attempting to influence outcomes in their craft.

"We must fight the institutions that think they can profit on making everyone believe we're just pretty faces doing pretty things!'" Lisia had exclaimed with melodramatic defiance after reading an op-ed on a contest bribery issue exposed in Sinnoh. Apparently, a wealthy family had been trying to buy favor for an up and coming coordinator they swore would be 'the next Johanna.' Their aim was to profit on the girl after she had become a sensation. After reading the article, Lisia had promptly given her passionate opinion and then waved the declaration off as she never actually liked getting too worked up about such things. She preferred action over unrestrained rage. "Oh Serena, next time I get passionate, remind me that stress causes my veins to pop. The same thing that happens when I read deep things with large words in them."

Serena had never seen Lisia lean into that last propensity, but she hadn't said as much. However, during their travels, Serena had seen just how much care the coordinator extraordinaire took to prove that they were indeed more than just pretty faces—Lisia was a tenacious business woman who ran her own schedule and career with a keen eye on how to promote her image the way she wanted it to be promoted. And she was determined to change the way the media influenced the perception of female coordinators and the outcomes of contests as a whole. Serena had always admired that and had hoped to channel a similar vision for showcases, especially when she had decided to come to Paldea.

But now, she began to believe she was failing miserably. I don't think I've brought any change at all …Serena thought numbly of the men in the balcony.

"Are you okay?" Ash asked suddenly, his mouth slackening with concern. He had seen that far-away look on her before and flashes of their time together in Kalos came back to him—specifically the moment when they had fallen into a gulch together; where he had sprained his ankle and she took care of him while they talked about their dreams. At the time, Serena had still been deciding hers, and her blue eyes had misted over with an expression similar to the one she wore now. Ash wanted to do something to shake her out of her thoughts, but his mind went blank.

Serena eventually sighed, those blue eyes finding his brown ones and she re-centered herself in the worry they conveyed. Such thoughts were too depressing to think about right now anyway with Ash looking at her like that—with a long gaze she'd really only seen him give her a handful of times. It stirred her heart into a quicker rhythm.

"Sorry," she colored, wondering if she was ever going to get used to this. She tried composing herself, "Um, I'm—,"

"Hey guys!" Arven, who had forged ahead with his Mabosstiff onto the crest of a hill, waved everyone over. "I think it might be better if we split off here," he was saying, pointing towards a canyon that seemed to break into three different ravines. "It looks like these paths all lead towards the general area we are trying to cover."

Looking over the horizon, Nemona seemed to agree. She promptly grabbed Goh by the collar of his shirt and began dragging him off behind her. "Alright, guys! No way anyone gets that herb thing before us!" She jumped and pumped her fist in the air.

No one seemed mildly interested in this challenge except for Ash, his eyes flashing almost instinctively at the provocation. "Come on, Arven! We can't let them win!" Ash grinned avidly and began running down the hill to one of the ravines.

"Wait! Wrong way!" Arven groaned, forced to run after the headstrong champion. Dust kicked up on the path in his wake.

Serena watched him go, a light smile playing on her lips. Ash's infectious energy had a way of brightening even the bleakest landscapes.

Turning to her companions, she found Gary casually observing Umbreon meticulously cleaning its paw. Brock, map in hand, eyes tapered in concentration, gestured towards the rightmost path. "Looks like we'll be going through a narrow gulch. Let's watch out for falling rocks and Pokémon popping out of crevasses."

Determination settling in, Serena nodded. "Sounds good!" She adjusted her hat, shared a smile with Sylveon, and followed Brock and Gary into the canyon's unknown depths.

"We've been traveling for hourrrrrsss," Goh's groan really hung on to that last word as he dropped his head with exhaustion. Grookey tried lifting his trainer's head back up by his tousled brown hair to no avail.

But where the small monkey had failed, Nemona succeeded. Goh winced as she straightened him up by grabbing the back of his skull. "It's been fifteen minutes, chaval," she pointed out, a fingerless gloved hand poking into his ribcage, "now come on. The sooner we actually find Arven's magic plant, the sooner we can go home and study for our Biology test."

"Yea, that does not motivate me," Goh grumbled. He hoisted his backpack higher and trudged on.

Streams criss crossed their path, the waters whispering over smooth pebbles. Goh, spotting a Dunsparce, momentarily found new energy. He dashed after the elusive creature, his steps quick but short-lived. Fatigue soon reclaimed him, sweat beading at his temples.

Meanwhile, Pawmo warded off an aggressive Growlithe. The fire-type Pokémon growled, its stance hostile. Pawmo, undeterred, engaged in a dance of dodges and feints, eventually convincing the Growlithe to retreat with a warning Thundershock. The confrontation over, Goh and Nemona pressed on, their path now marked with a hint of excitement.

"Nice, Pawmo— Así se hace! " Nemona crouched down to her Electric-type, the two of them clasping hands with cheeky smiles. The Paldean girl then heard something in the distance. She and Pawmo exchanged glances before it decided to hop onto her shoulder. Nemona stood. "Do you hear that?"

Goh halted, brushing red dust off his clothes. In the distance, a rhythm throbbed—a deep, pulsating beat. He tilted his head, listening. "Is that music?" he wondered aloud, the sound weaving through the canyon's silence.

"Come on," Nemona broke off into a run towards the direction of the sound. Goh, reaching out to stop her—failing—hung his head in resignation.

"This girl's gonna kill me," he muttered to Grookey, who only grinned before his trainers mustered himself up to jog after Nemona.

They entered an area where the cliffs embraced the land in a horseshoe, cradling a grassy oasis. A river, lifeblood to this rare greenery, snaked through, nurturing trees that somehow stood tall against the arid whispers of the red cliffs. They approached a peculiar camp, accessible only by a bridge arching over the river's gentle hum.

Red and yellow banners marked the camp's entrance, the symbols of fire emblazoned on them rippling in the gentle breeze. It was encircled by makeshift walls that exuded a sense of impermanence, yet stood defiant against the backdrop of towering rocks.

"Uh," Goh halted, his eyes wide, taking in the vivid banners and the thrumming life of the camp. His mouth opened then closed, no sound escaping.

Nemona sniffed, her nose wrinkling with confusion. "Is this—?"

"Well, well, well—who do we have here?"

Two figures suddenly flanked them. Nemona whipped around and and tensed, immediately recognizing the Team Star grunts as the same ones she'd accosted on campus. The young students, still in their frayed violet uniforms, cast feral grins towards their directions, their features contorted into scowls.

The male grunt's dismay echoed off the camp's walls, his helmet shaking in disbelief. "Are you serious? The S.A. class president?" His fingers fumbled with his star-shaped goggles, adjusting them over his eyes as if Nemona were a puzzle to solve. "How did you find us? You followed us, didn't you!"

Nemona's scoff cut through the tension. "You wish! I have like a million better things to do."

"Doubt it," the female grunt retorted, her arms crossing over her chest, her gaze sharp as flint. "Seems like we're going to have to take you in and make you one of us now."

The grunt's accusation hung in the air, a challenge waiting to be met. Nemona's response was swift, a pokéball materializing in her grasp. "I'd really like to hear you try and threaten me with that again," she hissed, low and steady, "challenges really turn me on."

At her words, Goh flinched. He coughed, a strangled sound, his body convulsing as if he'd inhaled the dust of the entire canyon. Nemona's eyes narrowed on him, a silent question, before realization dawned on her.

Nemona's hands fluttered, a flurry of motion that matched her flustered state. "Arceus, I didn't mean it like that!" she exclaimed, cheeks permeated with a rare hint of color. She seemed to bounce around Goh in all directions. "What's gotten into you?!"

The standoff was suddenly overshadowed by the creaking of the large gates swinging open behind them. The moment's tension dissolved as six more Team Star grunts burst forth, rushing to back up their comrades.

"Nando, Drea! Todo bien ?" one of the newcomers barked, their eyes darting between the class president and Goh.

Nando adjusted his violet tie, a smug curl to his lip. "We have some visitors just dying to get a tour," he declared, as if their arrival was a spectacle he had orchestrated.

Drea's movements were playful, almost taunting, her purple skirt catching the air as she spun. "The Scarlet Academy class president and this monkey boy trainer are here to pay their respects to Mela," she teased, her smile sharp, predatory.

"Monkey boy trainer, really?" Goh's murmur of protest was lost as he shrugged off the hands that had settled on his shoulders, pushing him forward with unwelcome guidance.

Herded through the gates, Goh and Nemona entered the encampment. The banners that had seemed a welcome from afar now loomed overhead, their fiery symbols foreshadowing the camp's allegiance. The walls, cobbled together with panels and screens, bore the marks of many encounters. Lights strung above made the path unnecessarily bright, and the camp's heart pulsed with the rhythm of activity within.

Inside, the beat of the distant music grew clearer, mingling with the murmur of voices and the metallic scent of ambition.

Serena would be lying if she said she didn't feel uncomfortable around Gary. Not only did the researcher's dark eyes seem to catch everything—acutely observant in their own way—but also, Serena kept seeing him wrestle Ash away from García in her memory. What had that been about? And what was Gary doing with those men anyway? This distraction veiled her focus, even as Brock's words threaded through the silence, sharing insights from his new role at Scarlet Academy.

"I've seen some pretty inventive approaches to Pokémon care that sometimes skirt on the edge of chaos," Brock was saying, particularly recounting how a student insisted that Pin Missile could actually be used as a form of intense acupuncture for both Pokémon (and people) suffering intense stress. Before Brock could object, that said student decided to demonstrate on a peer. That demonstration did not go well. "So I guess you could say, I'm still getting used to the professor role," Brock concluded, scratching his spiky hair.

The group navigated the terrain, a mosaic of hard earth and resilient grasses. The land rose and dipped beneath their feet. Brock's steps were sure, guided by experience and an innate understanding of the rugged landscape, while Serena's were more tentative, her mind elsewhere, her gaze often drifting to Gary's calm, observant presence.

Gary had to admit that he'd wanted to tag along with Serena because he was genuinely curious about her. Who was this girl that had finally gotten Ash to make it to the other side of puberty? He had to know. That and he had also wanted to see if Serena knew anything that might help him get into Navarro's confidences.

"So…" Gary began, sauntering near the performer. He watched Umbreon's sleek form weave around Sylveon, a playful dance to which Sylveon responded with a poised aloofness, her ribbons fluttering with mild irritation. "How did you and Ash end up traveling Kalos together? Did you all keep in touch or something and meet up?" Gary's question hung in the air, casual yet laden with curiosity.

The researcher could tell Serena didn't know what to think of him by the way she kept her distance. He hadn't meant to come off like an arrogant prick earlier, but he was realizing he might have done so. Maybe he was just feeling insecure around her for some reason, which really didn't make any sense.

"Well," Serena fidgeted with one of her earrings, still distracted. "Actually, we hadn't seen each other for years, and then one day I saw Ash on the TV jumping off a building to save Pikachu." A small smile warmed her features, a mix of fondness and fear tinting the memory. The image of Ash, reckless and brave, had reignited something in her and grounded her back into the moment. "And I recognized him from camp and I went to go look for him. I just felt like I had to know more about who he was…"

Her words trailed off as she allowed herself a moment to relive the rush of emotions that had propelled her on that journey—determination, nostalgia, and the unspoken hope she had carried throughout that time.

Gary's features danced on the edge of a smirk, understanding the sheer Ash-ness of such an act. "Yeah, jumping off a building to save a Pokémon sounds like Ash, for sure. He's always been pretty selfless—if maybe a little reckless—when it comes to things like that," he conceded with a respect that spoke of deep-rooted camaraderie.

Serena, detecting the sincerity beneath his casual demeanor, let a measure of her reserve melt away. A spark of warmth lit her eyes. "That's true," she peered at Gary with a guarded interest, "You said you and Ash used to be rivals?"

Gary kicked a pebbled in his path and followed its trajectory down the dirt. Coming upon the object again, he picked it up, fiddling with it between his fingers. "As I said, Ash and I go way back—we used to be rivals when we first started out as trainers. But we couldn't stand each other. Granted, I was definitely an arrogant showoff as a kid...but I really changed after losing to Ash in the Silver Conference."

Serena plucked at the hem of her skirt, her gaze lingering on the horizon before settling back on Gary. "What about that made you change?"

He threw the pebble somewhere off to the side and dusted his hands. "Well, I saw Ash's bond with his Pokémon—I guess I realized Pokémon shouldn't be treated like tools and that I needed to stop acting like one. Ash didn't even rub his win in my face. He was super encouraging, as always." Gary shook his head, as though even he couldn't believe the kind of person Ash was sometimes. A small crooked smile formed on his lips. "But after all that, I knew battling just didn't do it for me—I got too intense, too stressed. So I started doing some research projects, fell in love with it, and here I am."

Serena's shoulders lost their rigidity, the barest hint of a smile remaining on her lips. "That's wonderful, Gary. I'm happy you found your dream." A pause hung in the air, her eyes flitting to the side before returning to his. "But why are you...I mean, last night—what were you doing with…those men? And, why were you pushing Ash out of there…"

Gary's expression softened, a twinge of regret in his posture as he rubbed the back of his neck. He realized now that he had probably come across as some grunt to Serena last night and suddenly felt awful to be associated with García at all. "Oh, yeah. Well, Paldea doesn't allow foreign researchers to come to the region for... well, we don't really know why. So I'm having to go a bit...incognito..."

He explained his role in trying to figure out what was going on in Area Zero by trying to get into Paldea's upper echelons. He then filled Brock and Serena in on what happened last night with Ash and the mayor. Brock shook his head in disgust.

Gary scuffed the dirt with his shoe, a shadow passing over his features. "Last night—yeah, that was bad. Really I was just getting Ash out of there before he did anything else. I don't blame him for losing it—he was just protecting you."

Serena felt warmth rush to her cheeks, her eyes darting down to hide the telltale sign of her fluttering heart. She cleared her throat, grasping at distraction, but also feeling angered by the real issue. "Men like that have no business anywhere near Showcases," she managed, her pitch a little lower than usual, but the image of Ash charging to her rescue and wrestling with the darker undertones of the previous evening's encounter sent a chill through her. "It's terrible that performers coordinators have to deal with that around the world."

Gary exhaled, his arms folding across his chest as he looked off into the distance. "I think Lebarón owes García something—that, and he's trying to get the mayorship. I don't think the two actually like each other."

Serena hugged her arms, her gaze falling to the ground, the reassurance she sought remaining elusive. "Well…either way, it seems like I'm going to have to part ways with Guillermo in some way or another if I'm really going to change the way Showcases are perceived—which is why I jumped at the opportunity to promote Showcases in the first place! They're supposed to showcase how beautiful the bond between a performer and her Pokémon can be—to demonstrate that amazing connection. They are not for perverted men to sit around and objectify women."

Brock's nod was slow, his eyes sympathetic to Serena's plight. Gary, however, furrowed his brow, his stance firm and his skepticism clear. "Why are you even working with that guy in the first place?"

Serena's eyes lit up with the spark of an excited memory. "I liked his vision, really. Guillermo wanted to promote showcases in Paldea and start a program at the Academy for Pokémon performances—opening it up to contest coordinators. He wanted to inspire young girls to think about doing both," her expression dimmed slightly, a shadow of doubt passing over her face. "And I'd begun to feel a little…a little restless as Kalos Queen. A bit trapped. Even there I felt like I was only winning because people just wanted me to win—not because of what I was doing on the stage. And I felt too embedded in that cycle to change anything. I thought that if I came to establish performances somewhere else, I could maybe get back to the purity of its roots and remind people that Showcases are all about connections between trainers and Pokémon."

A wistful note threaded through Serena's next words. "Guillermo and I both believe that there's just such an incredible bond established when you perform alongside your Pokémon, not just when you dictate to them in the background...that's why we love showcases! People get inspired by your relationship to your partner and it brings joy to them." She looked up from staring at the path in concentration. "But I do think Guillermo seems to have two sides to him—one that's passionate about performances and contests and bringing joy to people through Pokémon entertainment, and one that...is…is after something else. He seems conflicted, I should say."

Gary and Brock both nodded, the researcher then asked, "Do you know anything about Navarro and his role in the group Guillermo seems to frequent?"

Serena exhaled, a trace of frustration in her breath. "Not really. I'm sorry if that's not helpful," she murmured, her shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of her own uncertainty.

Gary's response came with an ease, his head shaking as he waved his hand dismissively. "No, I was just wondering—seriously, I'd rather you not get involved with those guys. But it sounds like you're really passionate about your work, and that's great. I don't think you need Guillermo to bring about the change you seem keen on."

"Absolutely," Brock appeared insistent, "when you perform, it's clear that it's about you and your Pokémon. That's never been lost on me the time's I've seen you."

Serena shared a smile with Sylveon, who was nodding. "Thanks guys," Serena's hand went to her heart, "It's just hard because sometimes I feel like I'm taking one step forward and two steps backwards when it comes to bringing about any change. But I can't give up…not until it's over!"

"That's right," Gary encouraged, closing his eyes in thought as he folded his arms across his chest, "that sounds like an Ashism—but a good one. And speaking of Ash, if he goes after García again, I don't think I'll pull him back," he said, the last part carrying a hint of resolve, his eyes steady on Serena, conveying a protective seriousness.

Brock's chuckle broke the tension, his eyes crinkling with mirth. "It's clear Ash cares about you a lot."

Serena's reply was almost a squeak, her fingers fiddling with a strand of her hair. "He really cares about all of his friends!"

Brock, still smiling, leaned in slightly, his tone warm. "Well, it's different with you. I don't think I've seen Ash so…what's the word?" He glanced at Gary..

Gary rubbed his chin, playing along. "Considerate?"

"Thoughtful?"

"Gentle?"

Serena's cheeks flamed. "Okay, stop, stop!" she interjected, her hands raised in mock defense.

The two boys shared a chuckle, their laughter light as they continued their walk.

After a while, Gary's interest perked up again, his steps slowing. "So you were a coordinator too, huh?" he inquired, tilting his head slightly towards Serena.

Serena's face brightened, her hands clasping together as she spoke. "Yes! Honestly, I miss it so much! But I do feel like I belong in performances. I'm convinced I only won Top Coordinator a few years ago because the girl who was favored to win—Dawn, I think it was—well, she dropped out of the competition without any explanation. I remember thinking it was really strange…"

Gary's expression shifted subtly, his brows knitting together in thought, and he went silent.

By contrast, Brock's face lit up with enthusiasm, "We know her! Ash and I traveled with her through Sinnoh—her mother was a top coordinator actually," he said, his expression a mixture of fondness and a touch of surprise.

Serena laughed, though slightly uneasily. She suddenly felt self-conscious. Ash had traveled with some amazingly accomplished people. Dawn had been up to garner the title of Top Coordinator for the third year in a row—having also earned herself plenty of Wallace Cups. If there was anyone truly taking the contest scene by storm, it would be her. Even Lisia was obsessed with the blunette. In light of this, Serena couldn't help but still feel…inadequate, just every now and then. She had won Top Coordinator in Hoenn, but only Dawn hadn't competed, and Lisia had been in Sinnoh at the time. So did it really count if she didn't go up against the best? Besides that, Serena was really only successful in something niche compared to contests—something really only popular in Kalos. Ash had the whole world admiring him…

With a forced lightness, Serena chimed in, "Who hasn't Ash traveled with?"

Brock responded with a hearty laugh, dimples creasing his cheek. "Yeah, you make a good point there."

Meanwhile, Gary remained quiet, his expression thoughtful, clearly mulling over something that the conversation had stirred within him.

Deciding to have some of her own fun, Serena suddenly turned to Brock, a playful glint in her eyes. "So what's with the casanova vibes?"

Brock's response was suffused with a mix of passion and self-deprecation. "Ah, well," he scratched the back of his head with embarrassment, "I'm just a hopeless romantic always trying to find 'the one.'... You can see it hasn't worked out."

Serena shook her head, her tone encouraging. "That's because of your approach! You're too forward when you don't need to be. Brock, you have a lot going for you! You're kind, good-looking, a doctor—So many girls would love to have a shot with you!"

Croagunk, emerging from its pokéball, nodded in agreement with Serena.

Brock's dark cheeks flushed a deep red. "I—uh—um," he stammered, clearly flustered.

Serena's giggle rang through the air. "I'll help you!" she declared, her eyes shining with determination. "I know what girls like, and I can easily secure you a place in the heart of the right maiden." She clenched her fist in the air, her stance mirroring Ash's typical resolve.

Gary, snapping out of his thoughts, interjected with a hint of dry humor. "No, please—he's a lost cause—"

Brock, overwhelmed with gratitude, fell to his knees before Serena, his eyes brimming with tears. "I would be forever grateful for your help!"

Serena, now slightly embarrassed, glanced at Sylveon, who mirrored her sweatdropped expression. "Really, it's my pleasure!" she reassured, waving off Brock's intensity.

Gary, chuckling, stepped in. "Come on, lover boy," he said, as he and Croagunk helped Brock back to his feet.

The silence between Arven and Ash stretched long and taut as they navigated the parched landscape of Area Three. Mabosstiff and Pikachu trotted alongside them, utterly bored.

Arven's gaze was fixed ahead, his steps measured and deliberate, betraying an undercurrent of unease. Ash, in contrast, moved with a restless energy. His thoughts wandered from Blitz to Gary's warning about Koraidon. He had taken the Pokémon out on the Blitz fields to run around after he'd dropped Serena off at her apartment. He hoped no one had followed him then, but he did think so. It had been very late and Ash had only gone out there because he felt bad that Koraidon hadn't gotten out that day. He hadn't been able to sleep anyway.

Ash's train of thought then brought him back to the balcony as he tried to recall the faces there—hoping to memorize them—but he couldn't remember the pale one Gary talked about. Ash did remember Brutus, however. What had he been doing there? Ash shook his head, feeling his dislike for the Galarian grow. The guy was either caught up in the wrong crowd or already well rooted in it.

Ash's eyes then began to flicker to Arven at intervals. Each glance carried a weight of something unspoken, a battle of indecision playing out in the subtle furrow of his brow. His mouth would open slightly, then close, the internal struggle evident in the small motions.

"So what do you think your dad was hoping to do with Koraidon?" Ash managed to finally ask, hoping not to come off as accusatory.

Arven chewed on his bottom lip and didn't mean Ash's stare. "I'm honestly not sure, really," his words were long and measured. Arven knew Ash wasn't one to judge, but he didn't always trust the guy to understand what Arven called, 'the gray area.' Despite this, the botanist found himself trying to at least level with the champion. "My dad wasn't a bad person, despite what some people might tell you. He was obsessive, passionate—both of which made him a bit negligent. But he wasn't evil."

Ash nodded, seeming to understand. "You know, my dad left when I was really young. He went off on his own journey and hasn't ever looked back," Ash shrugged, though he didn't seem completely unaffected by the memory, "Mom says he was passionate too—he was determined to pursue his dream and become a Pokémon Master. I get that and even admired his determination so much that I decided to grow it in myself!"

Arven titled his head and looked at Ash from the corner of his eye, truly surprised to hear this admission from the champion. He was even more surprised to see that Ash's feelings appeared rather complicated around the memory of his father.

"While I always respected my dad for going after his dreams, I was always upset that he never seemed to look back," Ash breathed out slowly and deliberately, "and sometimes I get a little afraid that I can be like that—especially when I just seem to move from one place to another, looking for ways to get better and stronger."

The botanist blinked. Okay, so he had kind of misjudged Ash. Noted.

"Just being aware of that tendency in yourself will help you fight against it," Arven turned fully now to meet Ash's gaze. "And it's admirable that you seem to even try and understand your feelings around your dad. I find myself running away from how I really feel a lot."

"Well, it's tough," Ash acknowledged, bending to pick up Pikachu who seemed to want to join in on the conversation. "But I've had a lot of time to think about it. Especially on my journeys. Everything I did reminded me of my dad, so I was just forced to confront a lot of things. But I think my friends helped me the most—it was nice to never feel alone whenever I felt hurt or depressed about stuff."

Arven let out a long sigh. "Yea, I'm definitely bad about internalizing everything. My dad's just," the botanist froze, his mind suddenly catching up with his words. However, he noticed how Ash continued to just look warmly at him—a look that reminded him of Serena and the way she had waited patiently for Arven while he had opened up to her about his father.

Ash waited for what the botanist had to say. Arven pressed on, "My dad's just complicated. He really loved my mom—she was a famous professor too. They were both working in Area Zero together when something went terribly wrong. I don't know what. But my mom never came back. Neither did my dad, really. He was never the same."

"I'm sorry, Arven," Ash said earnestly, an empathetic gleam grounding his stare.

Arven let his bangs hand in front of his eyes. "I think my dad just threw himself into his work after that, trying not to think about her. So I understood him a little. I just wish," the botanist kept his head angled towards the dirt floor, "I just wish he would have let me in."

The air around them was heavy with the unyielding heat of the day. For a while they continued on, not speaking and simply sharing in each other's burdens.

"So why do you want to help Koraidon?" Ash eventually asked cautiously, "You really didn't have to go after him after he ran away. So why did you?"

Arven seemed to pause, gathering his thoughts as though he were processing everything in the moment. "My dad's gone. Again," he began, looking up at the sky now in contemplation, "But Koraidon…I feel like Koraidon's a missing piece of the puzzle to everything that's happened in my family—to what happened to my mom, to what's happening now with my dad. I…I'm kind of waiting to see what happens to it, and I know that sounds wrong, like I'm using Koraidon as bait, but…I'm honestly hoping to get dragged into this mess in order to know the truth about my parents' work. That would give me a lot of closure."

"That makes perfect sense, Arven!" Ash raised his fists in what seemed like a determination to comfort the aspiring naturalist, "And you don't have to feel bad about that. I know Koraidon's just grateful that you went after it and tried to help!"

Arven chuckled dryly, but did feel better. No wonder Serena admired this guy so much, Arven thought, looking at Ash anew. At first, honestly, he didn't really get it. Sure, the guy was some heartthrob trainer, but Serena had so much depth to her that Arven didn't think Ash could fully understand her. But he'd been totally wrong and now heartily wished the two all the best.

Ash and Arven now walked along the canyon path with a new ease to their between them; a shared understanding that livened up the hot air.

However, this simple levity for Arven was short-lived.

"So you and Serena seem to be getting, uh, close?" Ash prodded, his shoulders deflating with a long, nervous breath.

Aquí vamos , Arven thought and tried not to rub his face with his hands. The botanist, momentarily stiffening, managed to smooth his expression. "Um, sure. She's a very nice girl. It's hard not to open up to her," he responded, keeping his tone even.

A soft smile crept onto Ash's tanned face, his dark eyes flashing with something soft and tender. "Yea, she really is. The nicest." He paused, his gaze drifting off. "And she seems to like you, because you seem sort of sensitive like her."

What the hell was that supposed to mean? Arven's lips pressed together briefly, a flicker of annoyance passing through his eyes. "Okay…" he said, carefully modulating his voice.

Ash's hand went to his throat, clearing it subtly. "So, uh, anyway." He hesitated, his lip caught briefly between his teeth. "Hey, Arven? Can I tell you something? And maybe not tell the others?"

Arven's face remained composed, but his eyes briefly flickered skyward. "Um..." he answered wearily. He internally sighed, not because he didn't want to be there for Ash and help him—especially after the champion had just shown him such support—but more so because Arven always got insecure when people were about to bring him into their confidences. It made the botanist feel like he was just being used as a dump truck.

Generally, people with secrets quickly detect and attach themselves to the understanding disposition. That is why all his life Arven has been privy to the hidden troubles of many people he didn't know well. Oftentimes, it would literally be random peers (sometimes drunk) from one class or another, who just felt the need to unburden themselves with something. To them, Arven seemed 'unassuming' and 'safe.' A wallflower who was a sure lock and key for secrets, primarily because he never sought them out.

Soon however, Arven began to actively avoid people when he sensed them about to share their personal drama. This was because, the botanist soon learned, that people's intimate revelations, or at least the terms in which they express them, were usually unoriginal and tainted by obvious suppressions of the truth. In other words, they were never truly genuine or complete. Instead of being honest, people were just blurting distorted versions of the truth to Arven hoping to convince him—and themselves—that what they were saying was real. This had really left Arven confused when he was younger, as he had wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt. But this backfired when he found people turning on him, angry with him for allowing them to put their faith in something that wasn't a true reality—as if he should have known they'd been lying about something or other in the first place.

It was just too much.

However, as Arven eyed Ash from the corner of his gaze, he had already decided that the young champion was different. Not only did Ash seek to really understand the truth in every situation—biases aside—but the botanist had the distinct feeling that it wouldn't even cross Ash's mind to leave anything out of a confidence on purpose. If anything, if there was something omitted from Ash's retelling of his feelings, it was probably because the young champion hadn't become fully aware of a certain budding thought or had not processed an idea in its entirety. And Arven genuinely believed that Ash would never hold anyone's misunderstanding of his feelings against them.

All that to say, Arven said: "Sure."

"Well, Serena and I…we're…," Ash rubbed his chin, a hint of vulnerability in his posture. "I don't even really know how to say it."

Arven, sensing Ash's struggle, decided to throw the guy a bone. "You have feelings for each other? You're not just 'friends'?" he suggested.

"Yea," Ash's face lit up, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Well, last night we kind of decided that, I guess."

Arven grimaced, he really didn't want to know how that was decided, but he pressed on. "Okay. Well, I'm completely shocked," he deadpanned.

Ash ran a hand through his hair and laughed, his brown eyes glinting with nervous relief. "Right?! I mean, it took me a while to figure out how I feel—well, how I'm still feeling, I guess. I'm just insecure about all of this stuff. Like—what am I supposed to do now? What really changes?"

Feeling a pang of guilt for unloading his worries on Arven, Ash couldn't help but notice the botanist's patient demeanor. Arven, despite showing signs of discomfort, was attentive in listening. And it was nice to be listened to without jokes and ribbing. Maybe that's why Serena placed such trust in Arven. This realization pushed Ash to continue; he knew Serena's faith in Arven was a sign he could trust him too.

"I don't even know if I can even give Serena what she wants." Ash sighed through his nostrils, looking up at the overcast sky from beneath his red cap. He eventually looked back at Arven. "Some of the fears I had about being like my dad kind of creep in whenever I think about her. I can't explain it, but—did I make a mistake or rush things? I mean, I feel like it all happened so fast and now it's hard to even talk to her right now. I get all nervous and tense like I'm about to do something wrong and ruin everything still. I thought that feeling would go away once we talked, but it hasn't."

Arven's hands found his pale face. He exhaled a muffled sound of disbelief into his palms. Unbelievable. Here he was, in the middle of Area Three with a sick Pokémon, seeking out a mystical herb rumored to be a panacea for all, and instead of actually making progress on his mission, he was giving Ash Ketchum, the monarch of the world, relationship advice.

Lifting his head and wiping some sweat from his forehead, Arven calmly met Ash's gaze. "Well, let's start with this. How do you feel about her? Plain and simple. Just be honest."

Ash blinked, taken aback by the direct question. "Well, I think she's amazing," Ash paused, wondering how to elaborate. "She's grown so much since when we were in Kalos, but even then she was always really strong." His eyes softened and he smiled at a flock of Rookidee flying by. "No matter what happened—when she didn't know what her dreams were or when she lost in a battle or showcase—she never gave up. She reminded me to never give up too! And she's always been so determined and really kind, Arven." Ash's smile seemed to broaden as his mind raced that train of thought, "She's one of the most encouraging people I've ever met. I don't think I have ever traveled with someone so nice, and it really made me think about how I appreciate someone who always just wants to lift people up, you know?" His words flowed freely, each one painting a picture of genuine affection and respect.

Arven let out a sigh, his green eyes scanning the red rocks around them—peering into crevasses and clefts from time to time. "Okay, yea, so you guys have a deep history. And now you want to be more than just her friend," he said, mildly distracted. "But I don't think you're rushing things considering all you've already been through together. And now you're older, so it's different. There are, uh, other factors in play."

Arven winced. He would really like to not have to go into those other factors.

Ash hesitated, scratching the side of his hair. "Well, I guess?" He groaned and began to fidget with his vest. "I'm still trying to figure out when my feelings changed. Believe it or not, I wasn't thinking about these things back then when I actually traveled with her—well, not this hard anyway."

Arven chuckled dryly, brushing off a stubborn shrub from his boot. "You don't say..." the botanist looked at Pikachu as if asking the yellow mouse to help him out.

"Pikachu, pi," the Electric-type shrugged and Arven roughly translated that to: "Sorry, pal. On your own."

Ash continued, a haze in his voice. "I just saw Serena as a good friend until she kissed me—before she left for Hoenn when we were saying goodbye—and that really confused me. But then seeing her again…the kiss was all I could think about."

Arven's eyes widened and he had to fix his jaw in place before it slackened. "What on earth were you confused by," he griped, throwing his hands in the air, "usually when a girl kisses you that means she wants more than just a friendship."

Ash's expression was thoughtful, almost introspective. "Right, but I didn't know how I felt about the kiss at the time, I guess. I think I tried not to make it a big deal. She was leaving, after all."

"True, but how would you feel if she kissed you now?" Arven really asked the question without a second thought, but gauging Ash's reaction, one would have thought the botanist had slapped him.

Ash's face erupted into an uncontrollable flush. Pikachu began to snicker while Ash stammered, "I—I don't know! Why does that matter?"

Arven, struggling to mask his growing impatience, posed a pointed question. "Ok, fine. We'll put it this way: how would you feel if she were to kiss someone else? Like today?" His query carried a hint of challenge, pushing Ash to confront the depth of his feelings.

Ash turned sharply to Arven, a pained expression twisting the corners of his mouth, and the young champion had to remove his cap to run both his hands through his black hair. His race was still hot to the touch. "I—I can't think about that," he managed.

Arven looked at Ash with a sympathetic tilt of his head and a knowing smile. "Then it sounds like you made the right choice in becoming 'more than friends' with her, Ash. You feel that way because you're jealous of her."

Ash's face took on a look of offense, his eyebrows knitting together. "Isn't that bad though? I mean, I don't want to treat Serena like she's…like she's mine or something? I don't know if that makes sense…"

Arven's response came with another small, understanding smile. "It's not like that," he began gently, "You're not being possessive or anything when you get jealous, you're just showing Serena that you care about her and want what's best for her. Let me put it this way," he paused, tapping his cheek and searching for the right analogy. "If Pikachu was taken by, I don't know, those Team Rocket people who are always following you around. What would you do?"

Ash shrugged, a matter-of-fact expression on his face as he glanced at his buddy. "I'd get him back, of course!" he said, his tone indicating that there was no other option in his mind.

Arven nodded, a finger pointed at Ash for emphasis. "Right. You would get him back because you care about him. And when someone takes him, you get jealous over him—Not for yourself, but for Pikachu's own well-being. For his own safety. You're not going after Pikachu in order to make yourself feel better, but because you know it's what's best for Pikachu and what makes him happy—which is being with you."

Ash's brow furrowed, a thoughtful expression crossing his face as Pikachu hopped from his shoulder into his arms with a delighted chirp. "So with Serena…I get jealous when I think about her with other people because I want what's best for her and for her to be happy." Ash grappled with this. "But I feel like I think that way about all my friends. I want what's best for all of them."

"Fair enough," Arven gave a casual shrug, breaking off a nearby twig for a dying shrub attached to the canyon walls. "But with Serena, you subconsciously believe that you can make her happy in a, well, romantic way. I doubt you feel that way about all your friends."

Ash looked down, his reply saturated with uncertainty. "But…what if I can't? Make her happy, that is." His question was soft and thin like a delicate strand of gossamer woven precariously into the moment. Making someone happy seemed like a big responsibility. Was he really up for it? His own dad hadn't exactly made his mom super happy…and there were feelings of resentment around that. As Ash got older, he had begun wondering about how lonely his mom felt whenever he was gone. It was why he made a point to stop by and spend time with her every time he had a break between his travels.

"You can make her happy and you know that," Arven reached out, attempting to pat Ash on the back. The gesture was slightly clumsy but well-intentioned. "Don't, uh, try to make excuses to run away from something that might seem intimidating," Arven acknowledged with almost a stern protectiveness that surprised even himself, "You can make her happy because she cares about you. She told you so when she kissed you."

Ash's demeanor shifted. While he didn't like how Arven had picked up on how he was intimidated and a little scared by his changing relationship with Serena, a burgeoning brightness brought the settled the color back into his cheeks. He and Pikachu exchanged wide, appreciative smiles. "Thanks, Arven! You're a great friend," Ash looked back up to the sky, sensing the sun breaking through the cloudy expanse.

Arven chortled, allowing himself to look pleased. Yea, he had some pretty good moments there actually. What had he said, again? "Jealousy is a sign that you care"—or something like that. Should he write a book on the intricacies of human feelings? Or maybe on the burdens of people who seem to be unwilling confidants? Maybe he would call it something like, This is What Happens When You Actually Listen to People — They Tell You Their Secrets: What to do and how to handle them .

Maybe that was too wordy.

Ash and Pikachu then turned back towards Arven, the young champion's faces alight with new confidence. "Okay!" Ash raised an excited fist. "So what's 'dating' all about?" he asked, a boyish grin on his face and Pikachu scratched the back of its ears.

"No, no—Nope!" Arven raised his hands, warding off the question with a swift gesture. "Ask Aliquis. He's always going on dates these days, and recently he's been ending up in my room to talk about them, which I can definitely do without."

Ash's face fell into a pout, his disappointment clear as his shoulders slumped slightly. Pikachu patted his trainer on the head in a "chin up," sort of gesture, and Ash sighed. He fell back into step beside Arven, his dark eyes glancing around the canyon, his mind's eye on Serena.

"I feel like tying us up is a bit excessive," Nemona muttered, her expression a mix of annoyance and discomfort. She wriggled, the thick ropes binding her—and her Goh, Pawmo, and Grookey—feeling unnecessarily tight.

Nando, the male grunt and their personal guard it seemed, stood just outside their captivity responding with a dismissive wave. "Please be quiet, it's more for show. We're not actually kidnapping you or anything."

Goh's gaze scanned their surroundings as he retorted dryly, "Could have fooled me…"

They found themselves in a white canvas tent, the interior stark and functional. Scattered around were meager belongings – a few Team Star uniforms hung carelessly on a makeshift rack, their violet hues dull in the dim light. Helmets with star-shaped goggles lay on a wooden crate, alongside crumpled posters of Pokémon battles and Team Star's insignia. The space felt lived-in yet temporary, a transient home for the grunts. The tent's minimalism was a sharp contrast to the vibrant, chaotic energy of the encampment outside.

Nando, with a glance over his shoulder, said, "Just, stay here for a second, okay? We'll come back to get you soon."

Nemona, her arms restrained by the ropes, replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Uh, I don't think we're going anywhere." A vein in her temple visibly throbbed.

Nando snorted, a sound of mild amusement and exasperation, before turning and exiting through one of the tent flaps, leaving them in the dimly lit space.

Goh turned to Nemona with a harsh whisper. "Look what you've gotten us into!"

Nemona rolled her eyes, her tone laced with dignified indignation. "Me!? This is one-hundred percent Arven. I know he's not here, but I think it's a safe bet to always blame him."

Pawmo, caught in the middle, let out a soft, concerned "Paw—Pawmo." Meanwhile, Grookey just looked happy to be alive.

Suddenly, an unknown voice cut through the tension. "So they got you too?"

Nemona and Goh jumped, startled by the unexpected sound in the quiet tent. Turning, they found a young girl with short blue and red hair framing an otherwise deadpanned face. She was also tied up, her dark eyes looked resigned behind a pair of thin, round glasses.

Nemona's movements were frantic as she attempted to hop closer to the newcomer, her bound state making the effort awkward. "Hey!" she exclaimed, recognition lighting up her face. "You're that girl from the plaza! They were trying to recruit you!"

Goh, jostled by Nemona's hopping, looked sharply at her, his nostrils flaring with irritation. "Please stop that!" he hissed.

The girl let out a sigh, looking at Nemona like a strange lab specimen. "Yea, well. I'm here now kind of by choice…"

Nemona's curiosity was piqued. "Wait, what's your name? You go to Scarlet Academy, right? How come I don't know you? And what do you mean you're here by choice?" She eyed the girl's own ropes skeptically. "You didn't, like, ask them to tie you up right?"

"That would be weird," Goh muttered with an arched eyebrow

Nemona turned to Goh, her teeth bared in a fang-like display as her frustration grew. "What is with your perverted mind today!?" she snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Goh, taken aback by Nemona's outburst, balked. "How was that perverted? I didn't mean—," he stammered, confusion etched on his face.

Penny watched the exchange with a bland expression. "I'm Penny. And I'm…new…to Scarlet Academy," she announced, her glasses catching a glint of light from the tent flaps. "Just transferred from Galar."

Nemona's demeanor shifted instantly to one of warmth. "I'm Nemona, the student body president! It's nice to—," she began cheerily.

"I know who you are," the girl made a long face, turning her head to the side before side-eying the class champion. "Can't say I expected to see you of all people here."

Nemona's smile faltered. "Tell me about it," she replied, then quickly added, "But what are you doing here if you didn't sign up? Don't tell me they literally kidnapped you!"

Penny scoffed at the suggestion. "Yea, no. I was…well," she hesitated, as if weighing her words carefully. "I was kind of trying to reason with them—Team Star, that is."

Nemona's eyes widened in almost a mocking disbelief. "Reason with them? With Team Star? Ha! Those violet losers don't have brain cells to reason with!"

Goh tried to lean in. "What do you mean?"

Penny shot Nemona a glare. "Many of those 'violet losers' used to go to Scarlet Academy before they were unjustly expelled!" she retorted, her frustration evident.

Nemona pouted, her bright eyes closing with self-righteous testiness. "Because they never came to school! And now they bully Scarlet Academy students on their Treasure Hunt! I've heard of these bases and their 'Squad Bosses' wreaking havoc and doing stuff like this on alumni while they travel around. It's not cool, and I don't think you should be defending them. Why do you care anyway? They tried to bully you ."

Penny exhaled deeply, her expression showing a struggle to remain calm. "I'm just saying things aren't always as they appear," she said with restraint.

Goh's eyes darted around the tent, seeking any tool that might help them escape. "Yea, well, one thing's clear. We need to get out of here before the circulation is cut off from my arms," he muttered, his movements growing more agitated.

Nemona rolled her eyes at Goh. "It's always about you, isn't it?"

Penny's gaze sharpened. "Hey wait! I have an idea…you are the student champion, too, right? So you're like a powerful trainer?"

Nemona's chest puffed up with pride, a wide smile spreading across her face. "Why, yes I am. The future Primera at your service," she declared, her tone brimming with confidence.

Penny shuffled closer using her legs, she spoke low but insistent. "Okay, well, Team Star is run by a code of honor, if you will. They have rules and systems they strictly adhere to."

Nemona tilted her head, her expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "Okay…?"

Penny's energy grew, her words quickening with excitement. "If you challenge the Squad Boss to a battle, they have to honor that. Bosses can't turn down a challenge and must give up their positions if defeated! You could essentially break up this camp right here and now! If you win, of course. It's not like the battle is gonna be fair. It's on their terms."

A wild grin spread across Nemona's face. "Oh, this just keeps getting better and better." Her eyes sparkled with thrill.

Goh shifted uncomfortably, a slight narrowing of his eyes betraying his growing unease. "Well, can we please get out of these ropes first, I'm feeling claustrophobic," he muttered, strained.

Nemona, head tilted back slightly, allowed a coquettish smile to grace her lips. "Please, you're loving every second being tied up with me," she teased, her tone playful.

Goh twitched, a bead of sweat forming in the back of his head. "And I'm the one who's perverted?"

The tent suddenly buzzed with activity as Nando, Drea, and a squadron of Team Star grunts made their entrance. Drea was at the forefront, her presence commanding and theatrical. She held a clipboard and pen with an air of authority, her smile sharp and predatory. The grunts flanking her wore their signature violet uniforms, each adorned with the team's emblem, exuding defiance and pride. Their gazes swept over Nemona and Goh, a blend of mockery and triumph in their goggled stares.

Drea leaned forward, her words dripping with mock sweetness. "Ok! It's time for you all to officially sign away your soul and then we'll let you go."

Nemona and Goh shared a quick, confused glance. Nemona set her jaw. "What do you mean?"

With a flourish, Drea drew a piece of paper from the clipboard, practically shoving it under Nemona's nose. It read:

Team Star is an amazing organization that everyone should join. I hereby endorse it as class president [insert signature]. I was a butt-head loser for thinking that they were so awful. But I have come to my senses, and realize that Team Star is a wonderful institution in every way. Sincerely, [Insert signature again].

Drea's tone was mocking as she gestured to a blank space on the paper. "Monkey boy can sign below you," she said, her pen poised.

Nemona's expression darkened into a scowl. "There's no way I'm signing that, so forget it."

Unperturbed, Drea leaned in closer. "Then you and your friend are going to sit here through dinner. Until. You. do." With each word, she tapped Nemona's nose with her pen.

Nemona sneezed, shaking her head, unfazed by what she considered a pathetic threat. "Okay, well, I would like to challenge your Squad Boss please," she declared, her tone defiant.

Drea blinked, her composure slipping into a growl. "You want to challenge Mela? Um, how did you know about the Challenges? Who told you!?"

Nemona sensed it was better to keep her source a secret and responded with a dismissive turn of her head. This coincidentally sent her ponytail into Goh's face. "Does it matter?" Nemona asked, while Goh sputtered behind her, "I want to challenge her. Now."

Drea turned to Nando, seeking his opinion. Nando shrugged, having nothing to offer the situation. "I mean, we have to honor the challenge."

Drea exhaled sharply, her frustration evident. "Okay, fine, whatever. But I'm not going to be the one to tell her."

Nando's lips pursed in thought. "Rock, Paper, Scissors?"

"No!"

xxxxx

As Nemona, Goh, and Penny—no untied—were led through the camp, they found themselves in a lively, grassy clearing awake with activity. Nemona walked with a defiant tilt to her chin, scanning the environment with a champion's resolve, while Goh, alongside her, maintained a cautious vigilance, his eyes darting to the clusters of trainers around them. Penny remained subdued, keeping her head down as though she were trying to avoid being studied.

Ahead, trainers called out commands to Pokémon, engaging in bouts of training that sent waves of energy throughout the camp. Other grunts in violet uniforms dotted the landscape, some lounging against the encampment's structures, others tending to Pokémon, their postures relaxed yet alert.

The duo passed Pokémon in mid-battle, their forms a blur of motion, embodying the base's spirit of relentless training and ambition. Around them, the place unfolded like a maze of energy and motion, a place where the Team Star ethos came to life, vibrant and unyielding.

"What's that sound?" Goh's eyes perked up and Grookey began dancing on his head with excitement.

The distinct sound of bass-heavy music grew louder. The air filled with a cacophony of mechanical rhythms and electronic beeps. The group rounded a corner and came upon an enormous vehicle unlike any they'd seen before. The car's body shone with an eye-catching display of technology and flair, adorned with speakers that blared music and lights pulsing rhythmically. The chassis of the vehicle scintillated with a mixture of metallic golds and reds, its presence demanding attention.

"What the…" Nemona's lip curled.

"Behold!" Nando was saying, his arms thrown out as though in worship, "The famous Starmobile!"

Goh's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "But why?" he muttered.

From atop the fortress, a girl's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding, towards a nearby grunt cowering from the huge car. "I literally told ya NOT to mess with my queue. URGH. Don't you get how ya can't just JUMP from metal to alternative?! How many times do I have to—la madre que te parió!"

Nando flinched, trying to grab the attention of the fiery girl. "Hey! Mela! Heyyyy…" He dwindled into silence as her green eyes pinned him with a steely glare.

Goh leaned towards Nemona and Penny and made a show of looking around. "She seems nice."

The girl who stood on the vehicle had her hair flared out in fiery red tufts. She was dressed in a black bodysuit and a white vest adorned with red accents that matched the flames of her hair, and her enormous boots—her statement piece—flared out to make it look like she was walking on fire. A golden emblem rested against her vest, marking her rank as Squad Boss within Team Star. In her fingerless black-gloved hand, she casually flipped a pokéball, her heavily painted eyes locked forward with an assertive gaze that commanded attention. Her posture was proud and unyielding, a leader surveying her domain from her makeshift podium.

"Now what?" she sneered from behind purple painted lips. "Can't ya see we're busy pickin' the tunes for tonight's jam session?"

Drea edged past Nando's quivering figure. "Someone's challenged you to a battle, Mela."

Mela threw back her head, a wicked laughter filling the space. "Heck! Really? That's hilarious. What loser—" Her eyes landed on the trio, her finger pointing in their direction. "Wait, who're these guys?"

Drea placed her hands on her hips, her eyes squeezing shut with exasperation. "It's the class president from Scarlet Academy, Nemona."

Mela's smile morphed, sharp as a blade's edge. "Ya don't say!"

Nemona tapped her chin, recognition sparking. "Hey, I know you! You were a fourth year when I was a freshman. You've done something different with your hair…You were expelled not because you didn't come to school but…from some scandal? What was that about anyway? Wait—how did you get involved in Team Star?"

Mela's gaze sharpened, her teeth on display in a not-so-friendly smile. "Are you always this chatty?"

"Yes," Goh responded automatically to the question, though he'd been half-listening.

Nemona's smile didn't waver. "While I don't agree with your life choices—joining a bully organization and all—I do like your new style."

Mela dismissed her with a wave. "Okay, so you're the dope who picked a fight with Team Star. I dunno why you'd do something so stupid, and I don't care. You challenged us, so we'll beat ya down. That's all there is to it. Prepare to get messed up. Drea, Nando—prepare them for a Star Barrage."

The air was suddenly charged with urgency as the trio was swiftly and firmly guided back to the front gates. Around them, grunts sprang into action, their movements brisk and purposeful. Mela turned, her vehicle revving to life, its hum growing fainter as it moved in the opposite direction.

Nemona, Goh, and Penny, caught in the tide of grunts, found no moment to voice their dissent, no pause in the orchestrated commotion. The camp gates loomed once more, the threshold between the wild vibrancy of the camp's inner workings and the world beyond.

Nando paced before the group, his tongue clicking in a rhythm of anticipation. "Okay, the Star Barrage. You start here, at the beginning of the camp. You'll need to defeat up to thirty of our Pokémon in 10 minutes. Each of you only gets to use one Pokémon for yourself and if your partner faints, you're out."

Goh's eyes widened. "Thirty! Are you insane!?" he blurted, disbelief etched into every feature.

Drea's lips curled into a smirk, her confidence radiating as she flicked her black hair. "It's the only way Miss Class President will get to challenge Mela. It's part of the rules of the Challenge."

Nemona's stance was resolute, her fingers tightening around a pokéball. With a swift motion, she sent it spinning into the arena. "Fine. Whatever it takes! Let's go, Lycanroc!" The pokéball snapped open and her Lycanroc materialized, muscles rippling beneath its coat as it shook out its rock-colored fur, poised for battle.

Goh, catching Nemona's fierce gaze which spoke to her determination. "Cinderace, I choose you!" The pokéball burst open, and Cinderace leaped out, its fiery feet hitting the ground with gusto, ready to spring into action.

Penny's nod was full of intent, "I guess I'm in this too…Vaporeon—go!" The creature flowed from the pokéball like liquid, landing with a sleekness that only the Water-type possessed, ready to adapt and overcome.

Goh suddenly took note of Penny's Eevee-themed backpack. "Oh cool! Are you like an Eevee fanatic?" he asked, momentarily distracted.

Drea's frustration was clear as she pointed at them, a pokéball ready in her hand. "Focus, people!" she snapped, then turned to the grunts behind her. "Someone tell Quique to ring the bell and set the timer."

And somewhere in the distance, a bell rang.

xxxxx

Four minutes in and already the three trainers and their Pokémon were exhausted. The afternoon sun had broken through the clouds and glared intensely down into the canyon as the fierce battle unfolded. Nemona, Goh, and Penny stood determined, facing a menacing horde of Team Star Houndours. The camp was clearly full of Fire-type trainers. And their canines came at them like a relentless wave crashing against a steadfast cliff, unyielding and continuous in their assault.

Nemona, with sweat trickling down her neck, surveyed the oncoming attacks. "Lycanroc, keep clearing out this field! Use Accelerock!" she commanded. The powerful wolf responded with a mighty howl, surrounding itself in a white aura. It then slammed into a nearby Houndour with incredible speed. Upon contact, small rocks burst out from the point of impact, like shrapnel from a grenade, unleashing a barrage that inflicted wounds upon the other Fire-type canines. The sudden attack caused chaos in the Houndours ranks, momentarily disrupting their coordinated assault.

Amidst the dust and debris, Goh observed the field and quickly strategized. "Cinderace, Double Kick some of those rocks into the others!" he yelled. Cinderace, ablaze with fiery energy, lunged forward, delivering a rapid one-two kick that sent some of Lycanroc's boulders hurtling towards two Houndours but they managed to evade the attack. Without missing a beat, Goh pointed back at them. "Quick Attack, now!" In a blur of speed, Cinderace dashed across the battlefield, striking two Houndours still distracted by the flying rocks, with lightning-fast precision.

Penny, calm yet focused, dictated to her Vaporeon. "Keep using Water Gun! Spray as many as you can," she commanded. Vaporeon unleashed a high-pressure stream of water, striking multiple foes and exploiting their weakness to water attacks. The Houndours reeled from the impact, steam rising from their drenched fur. Lycanroc then dashed forward behind Vaporeon's stream.

"Use Crunch!" Nemona shouted. Lycanroc's jaws gleamed in the sunlight as it targeted a stumbling Houndour, knocking it out with a single, powerful bite.

Goh wiped the perspiration beading down his forehead. "There's too many of them!" he shouted, watching Cinderace take a Tackle to the back. The Fighting-Fire type whirled in a Double Kick to ward its attacker off.

Nemona gritted her teeth, trying to think quickly. They were being slowly cornered beneath a nearby cliff that jutted over the camp. " Eso! Let them push us back!" Nemona yelled towards the others.

"What?" Penny quickly adjusted her glasses before warning Vaporeon towards an opposing Houndour's Crunch; the sharp fangs nearly missing the Water-type's opalescent tail. "Aqua Tail, let's go!" Penny called out and her Pokémon's tail glowed with a blue aura, sweeping through the opponents with a powerful, watery force, knocking them back with each strike.

"Keep falling back, trust me!" Nemona grinned, sprinting towards the shadow of the cliff herself in an effort to get the others to follow.

The Team Star Grunts and their Houndours, relentlessly, fought back. Commands for "Crunch" and "Flamethrower" reverberated throughout the base. The Houndours leapt forward, their jaws snapping and fire erupting from their mouths. Vaporeon did its best to diffuse the blazes with its Water Gun. The battlefield became a maelstrom of fire, steam, teeth, and elemental attacks.

As Nemona, Goh, Penny, and their Pokémon were seemingly cornered under the cliff, a sense of triumph washed over Drea, who led the offensive with a Houndoom. She watched the scene unfold with a malicious smile and exclaimed, "Only one minute left!" Her warning carried with it an air of finality.

"One minute is all we need," Nemona retorted with a confident smirk. She quickly turned to Goh and Penny, her eyes alight with exhaustion and determination. "Bring Vaporeon and Cinderace in close!" she instructed. The two trainers, though initially puzzled, trusted Nemona's judgment and called their Pokémon back towards them.

Just as Drea was calling for a Fire Blast, Nemona faced her Lycanroc, who stood ready and alert. "Rock Slide, now!" she commanded. The order surprised everyone, including Drea, who looked on with disbelief.

Lycanroc, understanding its trainer's intent, let out a fierce howl and charged towards the wall of rock looming behind them. With a powerful impact, it slammed into the rock face. The force of the immense collision forced the precipice to shudder. Large boulders began to break away, creating a thunderous noise as they detached.

The falling rocks turned into a hailstorm of stone, raining down towards the remaining group of Houndour and Drea's Houndoom. Caught off guard by this sudden and intense assault, the Fire-types had no time to react. The pieces of earth cascaded down, half-burying them under a deluge of rocks, effectively defeating the remaining Team Star Pokémon.

Drea's smile faltered as she witnessed the unexpected turn of events. Nando ironically whistled, impressed. Nemona, Goh, and Penny stood their ground as Lycanroc stepped back from the cliff, its job done, panting but standing proudly beside Nemona.

Nemona's confident stride carried her forward, her black ponytail whipping behind her like a banner. She turned, her gaze locking onto the next challenge. "Now, I believe it's time for the main event," she steadily announced.

Beside her, Goh and Penny shared a look, an unspoken respect passing between them. Penny's posture shifted, arms crossing, her stance as solid as the rocks that had just saved them. Goh's hand curled into a victorious fist, raised high. His eyes gleamed, reflecting the adrenaline and defiance he now felt.

"Alright! That showed them!" Goh rang out as he grinned.

Across the battlefield, Drea's face twisted, her features hardening as she processed the defeat. "Fine. C'mon then," she spat, stepping forward as she and her comrades recalled their fallen Pokémon. The air between the two groups crackled with tension, the upcoming clash between Nemona and the Squad Boss hanging heavy like the heat of the canyon.

The trio was escorted back to where Mela sat atop her Starmobile. The girl had claimed a large, purple plush chair as her throne, lounging with a nonchalant air. In her hands, an electric guitar hummed under her deft fingers, the casual strumming betraying none of the tension of the moment.

Mela looked up and a snarl formed on her lips. "Ya know, I don't really think it's all that cool you almost buried half the camp under rocks," her remark laced with a wry undertone.

Nemona, frustration evident in her stance, pointed an accusing finger at the fiery red-head. "I wouldn't have had to if you'd have just let me battle you first." Exasperation simmered beneath the surface of her words.

Mela growled as she discarded her guitar, the instrument's strings snapping as it collided with the grassy floor beside the Starmobile. "Okay, princesa , ya wanna battle? Let's battle. As ya know, if I lose, I have to give up my position as the Squad Boss. But if you lose," her eyes glinted, a mischievous spark igniting within, "as class president, you need to issue a public apology to Team Star for the way they were treated at Scarlet Academy."

Nemona's brows furrowed as she placed one hand on her hip and the other above her eyes to shield them from the glaring sun. "De eso nada! Apologize for what?"

In a fit of pique, Mela threw her hands up. "For expelling us for no reason!"

"From what I heard, you never came to class! Of course you were going to get expelled," Nemona shot back, her logic unwavering.

"We never came to class 'cause—," Mela started to retort, then halted, her frustration boiling over. "Nevermind. It doesn't matter. Terms are set, okay, so just accept 'em and we can move on."

Nemona crossed her arms over her chest, her posture emanating steadfast resolve. "Fine. I'm not losing so I accept." Lycanroc, her loyal Pokémon, stood steadfast beside her. "Let's do this."

Just a heads up, I do not plan on bringing Ash's father into this fic in any capacity. I was just exploring how his character might have been affected by his father's absence, and also forming common ground between him and Arven.

Other musings: I'm excited for Nemona to get her turn in the spotlight. She's my girl! Also, I'm not trying to establish her and Goh as a thing, so don't read into that too much. Trying to establish a more teasing friendship there. But I may have missed the mark a little. This is all just a platform for experimentation right? XD

Meanwhile, Arven is caught in the middle of everything as usual. My heart goes out to you, buddy. But you need friends so…

The next chapter will hopefully be done by Wednesday, February 7th. I have too much going on with grad school to really promise anything sooner, and this deadline I might not make, but we'll see. (I work better with deadlines lol)

However, I am trying to write a little Valentine's Day special either in this universe or in another. Stay tuned 3