Chapter 3: Heartfelt

[14:10 P.M] Pokemon Centre (Snowy Garden) Snowbelle City, Kalos region

Hovering over them in a giant balloon were two very obnoxious humans. One was a male who had short, stubby lavender hair and calculating green eyes. He was the ex-bottle cap collector known as James Kojiro. The other figure was a woman with long magenta coloured hair, her striking blue eyes colder than those of her partner, signifying a girl who was forced to grow up in horrible ordeals. She was the de-facto leader of the group, Jessie Musashi. Surrounding them was a variety of Pokemon.

One was the pumpkin Pokemon Gourgeist. Gourgeist is a bipedal, pumpkin Pokémon. Its body is a black pumpkin with two short, stubby feet. There is a face carved into this pumpkin, having triangular eyes and a half-circle mouth, completed with a spike protruding from the top of the mouth. Above this pumpkin is the head, which is tall, slender, and orange in colour. At the top of the head is the face, which has yellow eyes and a small mouth with no nose present. The mouth has two sharp fangs, with an absence of other visible teeth. It is completed with its peach-coloured hair, which down the sides develops limbs. The hair contains bangs which usually cover one eye. The top of its hair contains a crescent shape, which is peach-coloured on the outside and black on the inside.

Standing next to it with its signature smirk was the manipulate Pokemon Grumpig. Grumpig is a bipedal, pig-like Pokémon. It has large ears, a pink snout, and oval eyes. The lower half of its body is black, while the upper half is purple. There are black markings on its ears and arms, while its hands and feet are purple. Its tail is pink and curly. There appear to be three shining black pearls on its body: two on its head and another on its midsection where the black meets the purple. These pearls are used to amplify its psychic powers, which allowed it to control its opponents. The Grumpig was captured by Jessie after they bumped into it on the way to Anistar city.

Flying over the two was the revolving Pokemon Inkay. Inkay is a primarily blue squid-like Pokémon. It has a transparent mantle that resembles a hat with a pink "inner body" overlaid with yellow lights. Those who stare at those lights become dazed and lose their will to battle, allowing Inkay to escape. It has two tendril-like tentacles that hang from this "hat", similar to some styles of winter hats, and these tentacles hang next to its six short arms. Its eyes are round and have pupils, but no identifiable iris. Inkay also has a small, pink, beak-like mouth set between its eyes.

Yelling its name aloud was the patient Pokemon Wobbuffet. Wobbuffet is a tall, cyan Pokémon with a soft body. Its eyes usually appear scrunched, and it has a jagged upper lip. It has flat arms that are wider towards the tip and four stubby legs at the base of its body. There are two eyespots on its black tail.

Finally, the last of their Pokemon sneered at Serena, Meadow and Clemont coldly. It was the scratch cat Pokemon, Meowth. Meowth was the criminal group's chief engineer and sleazy campaigner. It suffered a rough life that helped it gain the ability to be literate and walk on two feet. This was the criminal organisation, Team Rocket.

"Team Rocket…" Serena growled, annoyed at the appearance of the criminal syndicate. Meadow looked at the group in confusion.

"Who are they?" she asked. Jessie's eyes darted towards the new arrival, her eyes sliding over Meadow, making a mental note of their new adversary.

"Little girl, we are one of, in not THE biggest crime syndicates of the Kanto region" she said patronisingly. Feeling her blood boil, Meadow glared at the woman with disgust.

"You find that an acceptable thing?" she asked, shocked. The group stared at her for a few seconds before their stoic expressions turned into smiles of glee.

"Yes. We're so sure our nets resistant to any moves your Pokemon try!" The female criminal boasted. Meadow was horrified by the certainty in her voice before she felt her anger bubble inside her.

"How DARE you" Meadow yelled angrily. Serena was worried that Meadow would have attempted to attack Team Rocket had Clemont not restrained her. Her teal eyes drifted towards the net that encased all their Pokemon. She wasn't the only one either. Clemont also seemed to notice as his eyes kept darting from making sure Meadow was restrained to looking at the Pokemon net. They both knew they had to get that net off their Pokemon.

Suddenly, Jessie's maniacal cackles filled the air, catching the three children off guard. "How dare we?" she repeated, ignorance laced in her tone. She rubbed her eyes of the tears that formed from excess laughter before her steely blue eyes locked on the small group of children in front of her.

"Naïve brat, you have no idea how the world works. You're too absorbed in your little bubble to realise the little details" she spat angrily. Serena and Clemont were confused, was that hurt hidden underneath her words?

"Humph. This is turning quite bothersome, I'm done talking!" she clicked her fingers, signalling her Gourgeist to move forward. She then turned to her two partners in crime, who appeared shocked at her angry outburst. "James will help me annihilate these twerps. Meowth, I want you to grab those Pokemon so we can make a quick getaway"

James and Meowth nodded before they swiftly began their plans. A giant mechanical arm shot out of the underbelly of the balloon while James and Jessie yelled out commands.

"Gourgeist, Dark Pulse!"

"Use Psybeam, Inkay!"

The moves shot out of the Pokemon's mouths and collided with the ground underneath the children's feet. Cold snow was sprayed all over as Serena, Clemont and Meadow flew backwards and landed on the ground painfully.

The retractable arm grabbed the net and began to hoist it into the air for easier transportation. The cries of the Pokemon alerted Serena, who pulled herself up and ran towards the net. James saw this, and commanded his Inkay to release another Psybeam.

This time, the attack crashed into her stomach, flinging the ten year old girl into a tree, her head crashing into the trunk. Serena gripped her head in pain while the trio of thieves laughed. Meadow ran towards Serena while Clemont frowned at the net and retreating balloon.

"You lose twerps!" Meowth's voice echoed through the air and alerted the people present in the Pokemon centre. When they attempted to step out and help, bars appeared over every door and window in the Pokemon centre courtesy of the click of a button on Meowth's remote. People began to panic and hit the doors repeatedly, screaming to be let out.

Finally having enough, Clemont released his Aipom arm and grabbed the net that trapped the Pokemon. Meadow helped Serena up on her feet and checked to make sure she didn't have a concussion. Serena was focused on Clemont and his attempt to rescue the net from Team Rocket and realised he needed their help.

"Braixen, use your stick as a saw and cut the bottom of the net open!" Serena yelled, recalling that moves would have no effect on the net.

"You do the same Diggersby!" Clemont grunted as he continued to pull the net towards himself but was having difficulties as Meowth's net attempted to move the net back towards the balloon, creating a tug of war between the two.

Suddenly, the lemon haired boy was getting pulled into the air towards the balloon as Meowth began to exert more pressure on the mechanical arm. Serena and Meadow noticed this as they both ran up to Clemont, Serena wrapping her arms around his torso and began to pull him backwards while Meadow grabbed hold of the Aipom arm and helped Clemont pull the net.

"You are so bothersome!" James yelled, annoyed at the children's efforts. Meadow just stuck her tongue out at him before continuing to pull the net backwards. Jessie shifted her attention towards Braixen and Diggersby, who were using their stick and teeth respectively to tear a hole in the net.

"Not so fast! Gourgeist, use Leech Seed!" the pumpkin Pokemon complied as it launched several seeds from its mouth into the net. The seeds split open and sickly green plants enveloped the Pokemon and began to drain their energy.

Agonised screams pierced the air. Serena, Clemont and Meadow looked at the net in horror while the eyes of Team Rocket lit up malevolently.

"Stop it!" Serena cried out as she continued to pull Clemont backwards. The cries of pain became less audible as the depleted energy was beginning to take a toll on the imprisoned Pokemon.

Suddenly, a blur of orange flew past the kids and began to nuzzle its cheek against Gourgeist. Bursts of electricity shot out and shocked the unsuspecting pumpkin Pokemon. The ripple of pulsating green energy dispersed and the Pokemon fell, exhausted.

Jessie growled, leaning over the side of the balloon to look for the culprit. Her eyes soon rested on the Dedenne resting in the safety of Bonnie's arms, who glared up at Jessie contemptuously.

"Were you twerps created to ruin our plans?" James yelled sarcastically, following Jessie's gaze. Ash ran up besides Bonnie, glaring at the criminal syndicate intensely.

"Team Rocket, let our Pokemon go!" Ash yelled. Jessie laughed and waved her hand, obviously dismissing him. Feeling the anger boil in him, Ash charged towards the net without thinking.

"Ash, what are you doing?!" Meadow hissed. Ash ignored her and leapt into the air, successfully grabbing the net. Seeing Ash start to crawl up the net, Serena pulled a hand to her chest, worrying for his safety.

"Shake him off" Jessie shrieked. Meowth frantically pressed buttons and two retractable arms shot out of the side of the balloon and tried to grab Ash, who kept shifting and moving to avoid the arms.

"Pikachu, you've got to bite through the net!" Ash yelled. Pikachu didn't respond, still too exhausted to move alongside the rest of the Pokemon. Suddenly, Ash felt electricity course through his veins and screamed, looking up to meet Team Rocket's maniacal gazes.

Serena's hand flew to her mouth and Bonnie, Clemont and Meadow looked up in shock. Team Rocket apparently had a shock setting on their net and they were using it to electrify Ash.

"Leave him alone!" Meadow yelled as Bonnie ran over and grabbed Clemont's Aipom arm to help him pull the net. Jessie's eyes rested on Bonnie and her eyes narrowed, making Bonnie flinch.

"Pumpkaboo, use shadow ball repeatedly!" Jessie yelled, aiming at Bonnie specifically. Clemont choked in shock and Serena instinctively ran in front of Bonnie, throwing her arms out to protect the young girl.

The Pumpkin Pokemon began to conjure shadow balls and shot them at the group of four at a fast pace. Serena turned and threw her arms around Bonnie in an attempt to protect her, while Meadow and Clemont tried to pull the Aipom arm more rapidly.

Ash began to yell in horror, yelling at Team Rocket to stop. His words fell on deaf ears as Meowth set the electricity to a higher setting, knocking him out. When the shadow balls were about to hit them, Clemont, Bonnie and Meadow shut their eyes, accepting they were going to experience a lot of pain.

He was about to run up to help them, but a firm hand rested on his shoulder, restraining his movement. When he struggled, the grip got tighter.

"NO!" the voice boomed at him. Alain flinched and stopped resisting. The man's eyes softened as he turned back to stare at the unfolding battle.

"We must see where Sycamore's respect for these children comes from" the man mused. The boy bit his lip. Obviously he saw the potential the children had, potential his flame haired companion didn't see.

Serena stared at the approaching moves and closed her eyes, hoping to soften the inevitable pain. Serena swore she heard Clemont cry out, but ignored it.

The pain never reached them. A beam of searing blue heat shot past the group and collided with the shadow balls, effectively destroying them. Serena's eyes shot open and she saw an unfamiliar Pokemon beating its wings as it glared at the criminal trio with malice. She could faintly see the mechanical arm, a charred cinder in the snow.

The new Pokemon's skin was black with a sky blue underside extending from the lower jaw to the tip of the tail. Two spikes with blue tips curved upwards from the front and back of each shoulder, while the tips of its horns were sharpened, blue, and curved slightly upward. The lower trims of its wings are divided into large, rounded points and each third joint is adorned with a claw-like spike. It breathed blue flames out the sides of its mouth, and the flame on its tail burned blue.

The boy walked up to stand next to Serena and the rest of the group as he glared at Team Rocket with equal malice. He looked at Ash's unconscious figure hanging limply on the net and his gaze narrowed as his blood began to boil.

"Hey! What gives?" Meowth demanded, glaring at the new arrival. The boy seemed unfazed as he walked to stand in front of the group of children still in shock. Serena looked up at the back of his head in surprise.

"You would go so far to take Pokemon…" the boy started as he looked at Ash's unconscious body limply hanging onto the net, shaking his head in disgust. "You're scum. All of you"

"Brat do you know who you're talking to like that?" Jessie screeched. The boy steeled his gaze at her comment.

"I've heard enough," he spoke "Charizard, slash the net!"

"Inkay use ink spray! Slow him down!" James yelled as Inkay dived towards Charizard and fired a spray of ink. The dragon easily dodged and slashed the net, punching Inkay in the face and sending it crashing into the balloon, puncturing the area where air was stored.

Air escaped rapidly and Team Rocket was sent flying away, shrieking over their recent defeat. The net began to descent but Ash's hands finally tore away from the net and he was sent free-falling towards the ground.

"Ash…!" Serena gasped, her mind reeling from adrenaline as she watched Ash's body falling. The balloon had flown too far up for the landing to be safe. She could hear Clemont, Bonnie and Meadow's cries of shock as they looked up to see what she was worried about. The Charizard looked surprised, but was holding the net of exhausted Pokemon and couldn't reach for the free-falling ten year old.

"No!" the older boy yelled as he broke into a run. He ran for several seconds before jumping, catching Ash's unconscious body and shielding him as they crashed into the ground.

Serena and Bonnie ran up to Ash while Clemont helped Meadow pull the disabled net constricting the Pokemon's movements. Serena shook Ash slightly, attempting to snap him out of his unconscious state.

"Is he okay?" Clemont asked as he ran up to them, Chespin tucked protectively in his arms. Examining Ash, Serena noticed his face was dirty with snow but he looked peaceful as he slept. She smiled at his sleeping form as she nodded up towards Clemont.

"He'll be fine. All he needs to do is rest" the boy told them as he clutched his shoulder. Meadow ran up to them and stood beside Clemont as she watched Ash sleep as well. Bonnie nodded happily as she wrapped her arms around Clemont's torso. The poor seven year old looked like she was on the verge of tears the entire time.

"Thank you so much" Serena said tearfully as she thought about what could have happened had the boy not intervened sooner. The boy looked into her teal orbs and smiled remorsefully.

"I'm only sorry I couldn't help sooner" he sighed as he stood up and walked over to help free the trapped trainers in the Pokemon centre.

"I'm going to go help him" Meadow said, wanting to feel like she was making an effort for her city. With one last glance at Ash, she ran off to help the mysterious boy. Clemont and Bonnie ended their hug and sat on opposite sides of Serena, watching the sleeping figure of their best friend.

"That was quick thinking back there" Clemont complimented. Serena, still recovering from the ordeal, nodded curtly. All their tired Pokemon gathered around them, Talonflame mustering up the energy to use its Flame Body ability to keep Ash warm.

Serena rested her head on Clemont's shoulder as she willed Ash to wake up. Bonnie was watching Ash intently as well, tears threatening to spill but never did. Serena smiled at that. Bonnie was always a brave girl.

Clemont hissed slightly when Serena's head touched his shoulder. She immediately raised her head and looked at him in surprise.

"Are you hurt?" Serena asked. Bonnie raised her head and looked at her brother in concern. Clemont absentmindedly rubbed his shoulder, wincing slightly at the pain as he addressed the concerned looks on the girl's faces.

"One of the shadow balls was close to hitting you," he explained as Serena's eyes widened. "I managed to move just in time so it hit me instead of you…the rest were destroyed by him" he gestured at the boy in the blue scarf who was helping Meadow check up on everybody in the Pokemon centre while small children surrounded his uncomfortable Charizard.

"I'm sorry" Serena bowed her head in shame. She was supposed to be stronger after cutting her hair. It was her resolve: her promise to herself to become a stronger individual and not the scared little girl who was protected by her Fennekin from the Vespiquen when she first started her journey.

Yet here she was, still requiring protection from those she cares about. She hated feeling powerless; it dredged up horrible memories of her first showcase.

Bonnie held her hand in an attempt to comfort her. Serena met her smiling face, a smile forming on her own face.

"It wasn't your fault" Clemont defended, shuffling his feet nervously. "I made the choice to protect you". A warm glow bubbled inside Serena. She smiled when she saw how nervous Clemont was. Her Eevee approached her and nuzzled her nose against Serena's hand. She lovingly stroked her latest Pokemon.

Ash suddenly stirred from his sleep. All three of his companions turned to the boy as he slowly opened his eyes. The auburn orbs were cloudy and groggy from sleep. He turned to face his three concerned friends and smiled comfortingly. For a split second, he was sure there a fourth person next to them looking at him with tear filled eyes. He blinked and the sapphire eyed girl with the bandanna disappeared.

"Hey guys" Ash said softly, his throat parched and tingly from the leftover residue of electricity. He tried not to show how upset he was the figure was just a hallucination.

"Hey." His three friends replied, smiling back at him. Ash attempted to move but his body wouldn't respond. He sighed, lying back as his friends looked at him curiously.

"I might be a little paralysed" Ash chucked half-heartedly. The surge of electricity was more than he was used to from Pikachu, his body was still recovering. Clemont nodded as he searched through his backpack looking for a cure for Ash's paralysis.

"Found it!" he said triumphantly as he pulled out a vial containing yellow liquid inside. It sloshed around for a while after Clemont pulled it out before it stabilised.

"Take this medicine and the paralysis should wear off by tomorrow morning" he explained.

"That's if it doesn't explode in our faces" Bonnie said with a grin. Ash laughed at Clemont who was slowly receded, slightly put out by Bonnie's comment. Ash was about to thank him when he noticed Serena was looking at him sadly.

Before he could ask if she was ok, Nurse Joy approached them with two other trainers and helped him into a room reserved for sick humans. Clemont, Bonnie and Serena had followed them. When they entered the room, they found Meadow leaning on the wooden board of the bed and the mysterious boy was leaning against the wall, a curious but jaded look on his face.

"Good to see you're okay Ash!" Meadow said, happy that her new friend was alive and well. Ash smiled at her.

"Can't get rid of me that easily, Meadow" Ash winked. Meadow smiled at Ash's stubbornness and nodded. The boy then left his perch on the wall and approached Ash with a smile on his face.

"Good to see you're ok" he said softly, relieved he was able to rescue the boy in time.

"Thanks! I'm Ash by the way. Ash Ketchum." Ash introduced himself. He would hold out his hand for the boy to shake but they were slightly paralysed at the moment.

"My name is Alain" the boy known as Alain introduced himself briefly. He held out his hand for Ash to shake but he remembered Ash was temporarily paralysed and quickly moved his hand away sheepishly.

"Alain's the one who saved you from falling Ash!" Bonnie told him as she sat on the edge of the bed, swinging her legs back and forth, clearly happy her friend was ok. Ash looked at Alain in a new perspective.

"Thanks, you're just as dexterous as Mega Blaziken!" Ash said, chuckling at the memory. Clemont and Bonnie joined him while Serena frowned. She didn't like it when Ash joked about when he carelessly throws his life on the line.

"Well, you are the boy who dived off Lumiose tower to save your Pikachu there" he said, gesturing to Pikachu who sat next to him. Ash blushed, sheepishly scratching the back of his head. Serena flinched at the memory. It still frightened her that Ash was close to dying.

She could only bottle her feelings up for so long.

"Are people still talking about that?"

"I'm afraid so" Alain said as he smiled at the boy's humbleness. Ash grumbled under his breath until they all heard a tapping on the window. Ash's turned his attention to the window and his eyes widened at the sight.

"Is that a Charizard?" he gasped, his voice laced with awe. Alain's smile softened as he saw his Charizard nervously tapping on the window.

"Yeah, that's his mega evolution" Alain answered.

"So Charizard can mega evolve too?" Ash looked thoughtful for a few seconds. He was now aware he had two Pokemon that could mega evolve. Ash snapped himself out of his thoughts as he looked back at the Charizard. "Cool!"

The Charizard whimpered, surrounded by several of the group's Pokemon and little children, who poked and prodded him while some jumped on his head and yelled about how it was theirs. Meanwhile, Hawlucha was attempted to get Charizard to mimic his poses.

The group laughed at the sight. The powerful and rage bound creature they had witnessed a few minutes ago had degenerated to an uncomfortable wreck who was being attacked by children and a macho Pokemon who loved to pose.

"I better go help him" Alain said as he walked out the door. He stopped and poked his head back inside. "It was nice meeting you Ash, how about a battle sometime?"

Ash nodded excitedly at the challenge. Alain smiled before he turned his attention back to rescuing his Charizard from the terror of little children. He stopped short when he saw the disappointed man in front of him, his arms crossed as he tapped his foot impatiently.

"We could have gathered more data if you waited a little while longer" the man spat angrily. Alain looked at the man in disgust.

"I couldn't stand around and watch while innocent children were about to get badly injured" Alain bit back. He started walking and stopped when he was directly behind the man, not giving him the liberty of looking at him.

"I only joined you so I could protect Professor Sycamore and his reputation" Alain reminded him. "Don't think for a second I want to be a part of your sick, twisted analysis…" he resumed his brisk walk towards the automatic doors to return to his Charizard.

"Lysandre"

Lysandre turned to look at the impudent boy, intense anger as powerful as the colour of his hair forming in his sea coloured eyes. Alain would pay for his disobedience. The thought of torturing the boy made him smile. He followed the boy outside to rendezvous with Xerosic and go over their gathered Intel.

"Yes, Alain…you will pay…"

[19:30] Pokemon Centre, Snowbelle City, Kalos Region

After dinner, Clemont and Bonnie left to wash up and get ready for bed. Serena, deciding to pay Ash a visit first, gave everybody's Pokeballs to Nurse Joy before she made her way down the hallway. She admired more pictures of Coordinators along the way, especially the ones with May and Dawn that were taken during several of their contests. When she finally arrived at Ash's door, she timidly knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Ash called out. Serena twisted the handle and opened the door to find Ash resting on his bed. Meadow stood at the front of the bed, beaming at her. Serena smiled back.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with us for a little while longer?" Serena asked. Meadow had told the group she had to return to her home that was situated deeper in Snowbelle to check up on her parents while they had dinner. Meadow smiled sadly.

"I have to make sure they're alright Serena" Serena understood and nodded with a sad smile on her face. It was nice to have a girl her age around to talk to. The two shared a hug for a few seconds before they pulled away.

"I was here for a little while longer to say goodbye to Ash" Meadow explained. Serena understood. Ash wouldn't be able to move properly until the next morning so it was sensible to spare him the effort and tell him first hand.

"Don't strain yourself too hard Ash, I want a rematch sometime" Meadow winked at him playfully.

"Sure! We'll definitely battle again sometime!" Ash reassured her. She smiled at him before turning to Serena and leaning close to her so Ash wouldn't be able to hear her.

"Knock him dead, Aimer!" she whispered. Serena jumped back, a crimson blush engulfing her entire face. Ash stared at the pair confused while Meadow just laughed to herself. She patted Serena on the back and waved to Ash one last time before running out of the room to find her parents.

Serena watched her go with a small smile on her face. Meadow reminded her of her friendly rival Miette. She turned to Ash. He was resting on the bed looking back at her with a smile on his face. His blue vest and cap was missing so he sat in his t-shirt and baggy pants. Serena looked at him curiously.

"Isn't that uncomfortable?" she asked the boy, gesturing to his lack of pyjamas. Ash smiled at her thoughtfulness as memories of his earlier period of travelling filled him.

"Nah!" he said heartily as his eyes filled with memories "I used to sleep in my travelling clothes all the time!" he explained to her. Serena nodded in understanding as she looked at the content figure with a sad smile on her face.

"How are you feeling?" she asked worriedly. Ash shifted his attention back as he went on to answer her question.

"I'm great!" he grinned. "I'll be even better by tomorrow morning thanks to Clemont's medicine" he sighed gratefully as he focused on the ceiling with a huge smile on his face.

"Science is so amazing!" Serena smiled at his excitement. It was one of the most notable aspects of his personality she recalled whenever she thought about the time they met at the summer camp.

She smiled softly at the memory. Ash was so convinced his blue handkerchief was a bandage and his rhyme would magically heal her leg. "Don't give up until it's over!" that's what he had told her that day when she stubbornly believed her leg still hurt. It was that piece of advice Serena kept with her throughout their journey together.

Her hand drifted over her hair. She had cut it short after her first showcase. Thinking about it dredged up horrible memories of her loss so she tended to try not to think about it. She looked at Ash, and her sad smile morphed into a frown. He was content. He was safe.

He was alive.

"What's on your mind?" Ash asked her. Serena jumped, staring at Ash in surprise. He turned to face her with a serious expression on his face. "You can tell me, you know"

"I know" Serena said as she sat on the edge of the bed, thinking of how to tell him what was on her mind. Ash sat patiently, waiting for when she was ready to speak. Finally, Serena was ready.

"It's just that…" she paused. Noticing Ash's encouraging expression, she took a deep breath and continued. "Well, you're always ready to risk your life to help people"

"Heh, force of habit" he smiled to himself sheepishly. Serena smiled at him before continuing.

"There was that time at Lumiose tower, I watched it on the news" Serena explained. "There was also the time when you almost fell off the side of the cliff saving Bonnie during the summer camp and then there was that time when that Grumpig attacked you when you tried to save Goomy"

Ash didn't know where this was going so he simply beckoned her to continue. Serena took in a deep breath, tears filling her eyes.

"There were also other times. It wasn't just Bonnie you saved at the summer camp, you saved me. Twice" she giggled slightly until her expression turned grim. "The second time, you saved me from falling over the side of a cliff" she blushed, reliving in the memory as she turned to Ash.

"You injured your leg but it could-"her voice cracked, so she steadied herself. "It could've been worse"

Serena could see Ash's eyes widen with confusion. "Serena…?"

Tears filled the girl's eyes. "Today as well, you jumped onto that net to save the Pokemon and got paralysed as a consequence" she gestured towards Ash's injuries.

"I'm fine, honest-"

"No!" Serena yelled at him angrily. Ash was taken aback. This was a side of Serena he never saw before.

"That paralysis could have been permanent and then you would never become a…a…" she couldn't finish. Her words caught in her throat and choked her as glistening tears continued to fall. Ash looked at the ten year girl sadly.

"I'm sorry Ash" she yelled through her tears, which began to form a damp in the bed sheet. Ash wanted to reach out and comfort the girl but he couldn't move his hands.

"The summer camp…you injured yourself and it was entirely my fault" she sobbed. "Today as well, you got injured because I wasn't strong enough to fight Team Rocket on my own! I got knocked into a tree instead"

Ash stared at the girl in shock. He didn't like how Serena felt she was responsible for his injuries. Grunting in pain, he willed his hand to move repeatedly but kept failing.

"I'm sorry that I hurt you" Serena said as more tears fell from her eyes. Ash couldn't handle it. He continued his attempt to move his hand.

"I'll be the one to look after you, I promise!" Serena vowed. "I won't be as weak as you think anymore"

Her comment snapped something inside of Ash. Memories of another insecure girl who had confidence issues and was frequently mocked by her rivals filled his mind. He remembered how he had taken on the role to be her mentor and show her the world of Pokemon. He remembered how they had become equals by the end of their journey together and had a ribbon to prove it.

He remembered her smiling face.

Ash's hands finally moved as he pulled Serena to his chest, embracing the surprised girl.

"Ash…your hand" she stuttered. "The paralysis doesn't wear off until the morning…"

"Serena." Ash said softly. Serena stopped talking and looked at the boy in surprise. "You don't need to burden yourself with the task of looking after me"

"I want to!" she piped up. Ash pulled her closer in the embrace.

"It should be me protecting you" he said, closing his eyes as more memories of the Hoenn Coordinator filled his memory. May was his travelling companion, his partner in battle, his equal…

May was more important to him than he would ever realise.

"You're my best friend," he spoke truthfully. He really did see Serena as his best friend. "It's my job to protect you from needless insecurities that you hide"

"Ash…"

"I don't think you're weak." Ash smiled. "In fact, I think the exact opposite! I think you're capable, independent and a strong woman" Serena blushed deeply. Ash's compliments were precious to her. It reminded her everyday why she loved him.

"Promise me you won't feel responsible for my actions." Ash said suddenly. Serena gently eased her way out of the embrace and looked him in the eye.

"I can't guarantee that, Ash" Serena warned, wiping her tears.

"Promise me you'll at least try." Ash said desperately. He didn't want any of his friends to feel like they had to look after him. It would hurt him too much to think they had to take on such a heavy burden.

"I'll try…" Serena mumbled.

"Promise me." Ash said seriously. Serena looked up at him and sighed.

"I promise."

Ash nodded, satisfied with her answer. Serena wiped the rest of her tears, freezing when she realised she had just hugged Ash. A blush encompassed her face as she quickly jumped out of the bed.

"Well, I better go!" she quickly exclaimed. "Clemont and Bonnie must be waiting for me! See you in the morning Ash!" she quickly bid farewell as she ran out the door. Ash watched her go in confusion.

"She is so weird sometimes…" he sighed. His hands may have been working but his legs still refused to cooperate. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out an item he treasured with his life.

The magnificent sheen was still present, Ash noted happily. He took care of it well, cleaning it every day when he got up to remember her by while she was off in some region competing in Pokemon contests. He smiled at the ribbon, imagining it was actually her sitting by his side, yelling at him for being stupid and should be more careful.

"Don't do anything crazy Ash" He smiled sadly at the memory.

I miss you, May…

Uploaded, 04/07/2015

Authors Notes:

Phew! This chapter was a beast to go through! I kept redrafting because I didn't like the scenes with Team Rocket. I really wanted to get across that just because they're in an evil organisation doesn't mean it's all black and white, there's this grey area I hope to explore as I continue with this story.

First major battle with Team Rocket/Introduction of Alain/Introduction of Lysandre/Reference to Mega Evolution/Reference to May and Dawn/Amourshipping/Geekchichshipping/Advanceshipping

Celosia watched Ash through his window with a cruel, calculating gaze. She had seen it briefly. When that pathetic girl was crying, Ash's entire body shone a blue hue before it quickly dispelled.

She tore off her goggles fiercely. It was him. The one that blasted old man kept rambling about, the chosen boy who would ruin all their plans and annihilate Team Flare. Having seen enough, she spun around and walked through Snowbelle city, the snow crunching under her boots.

She would have to report this to Lysandre. He was not going to be pleased.