clemont pov

RING*RING*

You may always know, that there's something wrong when your phone rings in the middle of the night. The silent feeling of dread washes over you as you slumber is interrupted. You don't want to answer it. Every little fear awakens inside of you suddenly, your chest clenches up so you can't breathe as your heart begins lose the beat.

i pick up the phone, praying its the wrong number, but still at the same time preparing to take action from the news, hearing to receive it.

Clemont: "Hello?"
My shaky hoarse voice came out in a gush of air, rubbing my sleepy dreaded eyes, listening to the unfamiliar voice on the phone line.

"Hello, is this the residence of Clemont citron?"

clemont: "Yes, may I ask who's calling?"

"This is the Vanville General Hospital. I have two injured patients in their early twenties, male and female by the names of Ash Ketchum and Serena Yvonne. Are you in any way related to them?"

Clemont: "Y-yes, I'm their best friend, what happened?" 
anxiously questioned shakily, my hands were quivering while holding on to the phone.

"They were both had a car accident involving a truck. We were told to call you first, we would like you to get down here immediately."

My heart nearly skipped a beat, I had to physically remind myself to breathe.

Ash. Serena. Car accident..

I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. "Oh God.."
I whispering to myself, forgetting I was still on the phone.

"Mr. Citron? Are you there?"
the person on the phone said. I manage to regain my composure to answer.

Clemont: "Yes, I'll be there right away. Thank you."

I slammed my phone down in one swift move before my emotions began to overtake me. Pulling away my trembling hand from the phone, I somehow managed myself, quickly getting dressed making my way down the stairs of my gym building to the parking lot.

Clemont:"Ash... sere.."
muttered as I opened my car door. "Please be all right," praying before closing the door shut and disappearing down the streets of Lumiose City to vanville town on the road.

I made my way through the swinging doors of the vanville Emergency Room. My gasp got caught in my lungs, gazing at the scenes around me. People bleeding to death being seated on the wheel chair, doctors rushed them to rooms, in hope of saving their lives. I could not bear to think that it could be Ash or Serena in one of those situations.

please arceus, dont let them be. i thought.

I walk through the corridors slightly on my trembling legs. I was about to approach the nurse behind the desk to ask about them and that was when I saw one person in the corridor, sitting on the bench holding his head on his hand fear overcome by relief as I hurried over to him.

Clemont: "Ash!"
I called out.

He looked up to see who was calling him and as I got to his side my relief was overcome by horror. he had several cuts and bruises on the face and tears were coming out from his eyes, staining it. I only had to look at his pained expression once before a devastating realization came over me. Serena. Oh no.

Ash: "C-Clemont."

His voice was scratchy from crying, as it came out in its desperate tone. then He stood up, I went for a comforting hug which he gratefully accepted. i broke the hug after a moment and looked into his red watery eyes.

Clemont: "Tell me she's okay.."
I begged. if serena was more severely injured than ash

He sighed, sitting back down on to the bench, running his hand through his raven black hair. I sat down beside him, holding my breath, listening intentionally for his words to come out from his mouth.

Ash: "She's still in surgery," he said quietly. I sighed in relief.

Clemont: "Thank God."

He averted his gaze back up towards me and it was then I noticed the blood stains on his clothes and the ace bandage on his left wrist.

Ash: "She's not doing too good, man," he wearily told me. I felt my heart sink down back in my chest all over again.

I had been so thankful to see Ash sitting there alive that I did not come to the realization of what facing life without Serena would be for him. It would have been easier to see them both go then to have to witness one of them devastated at the loss of the other. I furiously shook my head, placing the horrid thoughts in the back of my mind.

Ash: "It's all my fault."
I heard Ash mutter beside me. I grabbed him by the shoulders like I usually did when I was trying to get a point across to him and forced him to look at me.

Clemont: "Ash, listen to me, none of this is your fault,"
I told him firmly.

Ash: "I should have been looking at the road..."

Clemont: "Come on, don't do this to yourself, it was an accident.."
I was cut off as he reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a small box. He opened it looking at the beautiful diamond ring glistening back at him.

Ash: "This wasn't how tonight was supposed to be. It was supposed to be perfect, beautiful.."
He trailed off before speaking again.
"It was supposed to be me promising to be with her forever and protect her and keep her by my side. It wasn't supposed to be me crashing into a moving truck and letting her slip right through my fingers."

I could not find any words of comfort. I just placed a hand on his shoulder, signaling that I was there. He put his hand over mine thankfully and I was suddenly taken back to several days earlier...

FLASHBACK

The ocean waves splashed in their rhythmic beat coming up above my ankles. The salty air and the smooth sand of the beach gave a somewhat calming effect on me. I looked up towards the sky, mesmerized by its beauty as I smoothed out my bright yellow blond hair.

"Hey, clemo."

I turned to see Ash plopping down besides me on the rock I was seated on. I grinned at his presence.

Clemont: "Hey, Ash, What's up?"

Ash: "Nothing," he sighed. "Just thought I'd sit and chat with my best buddy over here considering my girlfriend has decided to act like a four year old for the day."

"Hey, guys, dinners ready!"

I turned to see Serena yelling at us, by her side were pokemon, that were helping her.

Ash:" Yeah Serena, were coming"

Serena leaves while me and ash were still sitting down, continuing our conversation. Ash spoke first

Ash: " hey clemo, thanks for being there for me"

Clemont: "Well, that's what I'm here for, anytime man," patting him arm. "So, how have you been? We need to catch up, we haven't really talked in a while. How's everything going with that honeyed girl of yours?"
A mischievous smile formed on my face and Ash hung his head, blushing lightly as I nudged him in the ribs.

Clemont: "Is she keeping you happy?" questioning ash

He let out a small laugh.
Ash: "She's been amazing."

Clemont: "I should hope so." Smirking at ash.

I knew Ash and Serena's personal life was not really any of my business, but still a guy has to wonder what his two best friends are doing with each other every time one of them answers the phone out of breath saying they'd call me back in an hour.

Ash: "I can't think of a time that's been any better before we got together. I've dreamed of being with her for so long and now it's finally happened. These last six years with her have just been complete bliss,"

he said sincerely. I was moved by his words. I had always known that he had a thing for Serena when we were young and I was thrilled to hear him talking about how happy he is, now that they were officially a couple.

Clemont: "Well, good for you, man,"
slapping ash on the back."You and sere were in love with one another secretly for years. You deserve to be this happy with her, you even saved her at camp since you both were childhood friends"

Ash: Thanks," looking downwards briefly before picking his head up to face me again.
"I kinda need your advice about something involving her, however."

Clemont: "Shoot."

Ash reached into his pocket and placed a small black box in my hand. I opened it carefully, although already knowing what it was. A diamond engagement ring lay resting in its bed of velvet and I turned up to face him, a proud smile lighting up my face.

Clemont: "Are you going to.."
I started but he cut me off, answering my unasked question.

Ash: "Yeah," grinning sheepishly.

Clemont: "Holy cow, congratulations,"

Ash: "I don't think congratulations are in order yet. I'm still not sure if I should do it right now."

Clemont: "Ash.."

Ash: "I mean, I love her more than anything, but I'm afraid I'm moving too fast,"

I raised an eyebrow to him in disbelief.

Clemont: "You've known her for since you both were kids, you've been dating her for six, and you're afraid that you're moving too fast?"

Ash: laughs a little "I know but I'm afraid that she's not ready. I don't want to scare her or anything."

Clemont: "Ash," putting both my hands on his shoulders, forcing him to look at me. "She's been ready since she was ten years old. You should not be worried about scaring her, this will only make her happier than she is right now. You and Serena are meant to be together, everyone knows it, and everyone has always known it."
I saw Ash's smile come back to his face at my reassuring words.
"And I could not think of anything more right, than you asking her to be with you forever, because you guys should be together forever. It wasn't by mistake that you met her at camp that day, it was destiny."

Ash: "Thanks, Clemont,"
obviously touched by what I had said.

Clemont:"Any time." Smiles at ash.

We sat there, basking in the peaceful moment for a beat before I nudged him, signaling to go back. We both turned and began to walk over to where Serena who was sitting with her pokemon and Bonnie at the table. Me and ash sat down as we started to eat.

Serena looked up and flashed Ash and I, we impish grin as we exchanged glances.

Ash: "I'm gonna marry that woman," spoke quietly saying it to me.

Serena: "What was that, sweetie?"
slightly overhearing him. We laughed amongst one another.

Ash: "Nothing,"

She just shrugged and went to her pokemon. Ash the soon-to-be-fiancé was smiling down at her. I looked at them, proudness filling me once more.

That was the last time I ever saw her.

END FLASHBACK*

The slightest grin came to my face at the memory but it soon disappeared as reality hit me again. I did not want to be where I was. I wanted to be sleeping at home in my bed and wake up to get the news of Ash and Serena engagement. I heard Ash inhale behind me and I looked up to see a doctor approaching us. We both stood and I tried to read his face but I found myself unable to do it because of the emotionless mask he was wearing.

Doctor: "I'm sorry. We did all we could but I'm afraid she didn't make it."

The doctor's words echoed in my mind again and again and again. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't speak. All I could do was lower my best friend to the floor as his knees gave in and keep a supporting arm around his shoulders as he cried for the loss of his only love.

The next week went by, as a blur. The sudden funeral arrangements had been devastating for everyone to make. Nobody could believe that Serena was truly gone. It seemed so hard to comprehend. Serena was young, beautiful, caring, sweet, outgoing, and most importantly of all she had the love of a man that few women would ever endure in their entire lives. And just like that, she had been stuck down by the hand of fate. It did not seem possible...but it was the truth.

The funeral came seven days after it happened and that's when it hit me, along with everyone else, like a ton of bricks. Serena was dead.. and she wasn't coming back. I was standing in the kitchen of the Ketchum household, they bought the house years ago since they moved in kalos.
I was in my classic black suit and tie. Bonnie sat at the kitchen table, staring blankly ahead, she really loved Serena as a sister, I knew she was devastated as well but not as much as I was.

Ash's mom entered the room from the other side, her face dripping with tears that fell onto her black dress. She had been riddled with grief at Serena's loss and even more so due to the fact that she would never get to be her mother-in-law.

Delia: "Where's Ash?"

Bonnie: "He's still in his room,"

I heard Delia sigh and squeeze her eyes shut to stop the new flood of tears that were coming.

Clemont: "I'll go get him,"

They both looked at me gratefully and I turned and slowly made my way up the staircase to his room. I stopped in the door frame as soon as I saw him. He sat at his desk, his head low as he stared hard at something. I took a deep breath and slowly walked behind him. My own despair rose up in my chest as I saw him staring at the ring, still in its box, which rested next to a picture of him and Serena that I had taken of them at the beach that day. I sighed heavily and rested my hand on his shoulder.

Clemont: "Ash," spoke gently
"Come on, man, we have to go."

He shook his head determinately and I could feel him shaking from underneath my touch.

Ash: "I don't wanna go," murmured quietly.
I sighed once more and moved to stand beside him.

Clemont: "Why not?"

Ash: "Because if I go that'll mean that Serena's never coming back, and I don't think I can handle that."
His voice cracked as he spoke and I averted my sympathetic stare at him.

Ash had been there for me in some of my worst times. When my father died when I was eighteen it was he who comforted me. When I confessed my love to korrina making her to be my girlfriend, he was there for me. All I could do was be there for him, in a time that was darker than anything I ever had and probably ever would experience in my entire life.

"Ash."

I turned around at the sound of ash's mom voice. She stood in the doorway along with Bonnie and I was silently thankful they had come to my rescue. Ash did not move to face them, he kept his eyes fixated downwards. Delia entered the room followed by Bonnie.

Delia: "Ash ... come on, sweetie, it's time to leave."

Ash: "No." Murmured

Delia:"Honey, I understand.."
but was cut off

Ash:"No, you don't understand!" shouted, standing up as he did so.

We were all taken aback by his outburst. I then got a good look at his face. His eyes were red and had bags under them. His face remained the same mask of grief and despair and he looked as if he hadn't slept in days which I knew he hadn't. I had been staying at the Ketchum house ever since it happened and if I was not mistaken, Ash had cried himself to sleep every night. He lowered his head and his voice returned to the monotone it had been before.

Ash: "You don't understand what it's like to have the love of your life taken from you without warning. Dad left you, Mom, he didn't die.. It's completely different." voice broke as he trailed off.

I kept my mouth shut, I knew he wasn't done.

"We could have had such a wonderful life together," whispered, takin a glance at the engagement ring on his desk.

"I could have proposed, we would have gotten married, had kids, and grown old together.. but now that will never happen." His words were coming out in sobs now and I couldn't hold my tears in any longer. I let them flow freely down my cheeks as Delia and Bonnie's were.

Ash: "Why did this have to happen?" Spoke to himself. "S-she was so young, so beautiful, so perfect.."
he choked out. He sank to his knees much like he had in the hospital that fateful night.  "I loved her so much."

We all watched in awe as Ash sat on the floor on his knees, crying his heart out. I knew I had to do something. Delia was too shocked to move to comfort her son...even me.
kneeling down beside him and putting my hand on his shoulder as he once again.. wept for his love.

The funeral had came and went and the guests were slowly departing. The whole experience had been unbearable for me. Ash cried throughout the entire thing, as did Delia, Bonnie, Shauna, tierno, trevor, and I did as well. Even ash's friends and rivals came like Gary, dawn, may and etc
Everyone had left the graveyard after offering their condolences and soon it was only Ash and I remaining.

He stood in front of her coffin staring at it blankly. A rose was gluthed tightly in his right hand and I could he see he somehow found himself unable to drop the flower on the box that contained the only woman he had ever loved. I approached him from behind slowly. I opened my mouth to speak but he beat me to it.

Ash: It shouldn't be like this," whispered to me.

Clemont: "You're right, it shouldn't," agreeing with him
my voice low as well as I went to stand beside him. His shaky hand moved itself over the coffin and he was about to drop the rose when he stopped, hanging his head.

Ash: I can't," muttered, grimly

Clemont: "You have to."

Ash: He shook his head. "I can't say good-bye, Clemont, I just, I-I can't..." He took a deep breath before continuing.
"We were meant to be together, you said so yourself that it was destiny. Why would destiny take her from me like this?"

he looked up at me with his tear-filled brown eyes and I suddenly saw through the twenty-three year old man, the determined boy he once had been.

Clemont: "Fate works in mysterious ways," told ash softly.

Ash hung his head and began to sob lowly once more. He managed to regain his composure and drop the rose on the coffin.

Ash: "I love you, Serena," murmured,
running his fingers over the coffin. "I always have, always will, and I promise you one way or another... I will make sure we are together again."

Ash managed to tear himself away from her as I lead him back to the car where everyone else was waiting. He stole a final glance at the coffin as he said good-bye to Serena for the last time.

I tossed and turned in bed that night. I had not been able to get a decent night's sleep for over a week. My mind was running with thoughts that never seemed to stop. I missed Serena and I was terribly worried about Ash. He had barely said a word to me or anyone else since the funeral. The second we got back to his house he immediately went to his room to sit at his desk and blankly stare at the ring and picture of him and Serena. I had gone back home on Monday and he did not seem to be getting any better. None of us could blame him though, he was going through one of the most devastating ordeals few ever would go through.

*RING*RING*

The ringing of the phone jolted me back to my senses. The emotions that had run through me eight nights ago, reawakened in me suddenly. I did not hesitate to answer to phone this time, I immediately answered it, out of breath run sitting up so fast.

Clemont "Hello?"

"Hello, is this mr.Clemont citron?" another unfamiliar voice questioned on the other line.

Clemont: "Yeah, who's this?" questioning, but panic invading me once more.

"This is lumiose General Hospital, I'm sorry, Sir, but... I have to inform you that Ash Ketchum committed suicide in his home one hour ago."

I dropped the phone, as it slams to the ground, I breathed heavily for air, my left hand holding on to my chest up to my heart beating faster and faster, after hearing the devastating news. A drip of sweat slides down my forehead. My vision was beginning to fade.
I hit my knees to the floor with my body falling to the ground. the person on the line kept calling my name but my vision went......black.