When Brock uttered those dreadful words, Ash immediately felt his throat tighten. The four pale walls of the classroom felt like they were enclosing in around him. His breath became shallow, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. The raven head's eyes widen with confusion and worry as one question floated around his panicking mind; how did he know?

The raven head opened his mouth to reply, but no words came rushing out. Just the eerie sensation of silence wafted from his mouth.

Seeing Ash's inability to form words, Brock confidently injected, "Someone hit you, didn't they?"

After saying this, Brock saw Ash's eyes dilate, as his hands nervously ran through his night-black hair. "How did you know?" Ash quietly mumbled, his chocolate eyes staring at the white floor.

Brock then stood up and walked over to the troubled student, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Ash. A fall doesn't cause a bruise like that. It's too wide," Brock calmly explained. "Your classmates may not have picked up on it. But I did."

"O." That was the only thing Ash could muster up as his body stood there frozen, like ice. No one should have found out about him and Giovanni. The news would spread like wildfire once there was even a slight rumour about it. It would make his life even worst.

Could he continue to trust Brock to keep this a secret?

A clearing of Brock's throat brought Ash back to the present. When he looked up, he found a probing gaze from his brown headteacher. That's when Ash resolved that if he had to entrust this secret to someone, it would be Brock. Despite the complications and potential risks, there was a certain reliability in Brock's understanding. He was one of the few who stood by Ash's side, silently witnessing the challenges that unfolded in his world. In this tumultuous journey, Brock had become a pillar of support, a reassuring constant when everything threatened to crumble for Ash.

"It also helps that I've been on the receiving end of some monstrous slaps as well. So, I know how the bruising looks," Brock sheepishly added. Always trying to lighten the situation, Ash thought.

"Who did it, Ash?" Brock questioned.

Ash hesitated for a moment. His mind conflicted on whether to say it or not. "It doesn't matter, Brock. Just forget about it," Ash answered quietly. 

But Brock, persistent and caring, wasn't ready to let it go. "Ash, you can't just brush this off. I want to help. You shouldn't have to face this alone."

"I said it's fine, Brock!" Ash snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "I don't need your help or anyone else's. Just drop it."

Brock took a step back, surprised by Ash's sudden anger. "I only want to help, Ash. You don't have to face everything alone," Brock explained. 

Ash's eyes flashed with irritation. "I don't need your help! You don't understand what it's like!"

Brock, undeterred, persisted. "Let me be there for you, Ash. We can find a solution together."

But Ash's patience wore thin. "I said no! Stop pushing. You can't fix everything, and I don't need your pity," Ash spat, glaring at his teacher.

The intense glare froze Brock. It was rare to see Ash mad at anyone in school. To Brock, it was like seeing a whole different side of the boy. Not the warm and hospitable one he has seen over the years at school. Suddenly, Ash turned away from the teacher. Grabbing his bag, he started to walk out of the class.

As he reached the doorway, Ash turned back to his teacher. Seeing how Brock was still in a daze, Ash let out an annoyed sigh—internally kicking himself for yelling out one of the few people who even cared about him.

"I'm sorry," Ash exclaimed quietly. "I know you want to help. I didn't mean to snap at you and appreciate your care." Brock nodded. "but I've dealt with this kind of stuff for a long time. I'm sorry for the outburst, but I don't need help. I can handle it." Ash's eyes then stared at the floor.

"So you want me, to just sit here and do nothing? Pretend that all this isn't happening?" Brock fired, attempting to hold back his anger for his student.

Brock, though concerned, nodded understandingly. "Apology accepted, Ash. Just remember, you're not alone, and if you ever change your mind, I'm here."

Ash nodded back, a mix of gratitude and determination in his eyes. He then quickly exited the class before any more words could be said. He was leaving Brock sitting there in the dreary, dark silence. Suddenly, the teacher yelled and slammed on his desk, scattering all his papers . "You can't do everything yourself, Ash," Brock's anguished voice echoed in the empty classroom, a stark reminder of the frustrations and helplessness he felt in the face of Ash's stubborn self-reliance.

***

The noisy cafeteria gradually went quiet as students noticed the famously ridiculed raven head walked between the seats of the room. Ash felt the amount of glares increase as he attempted to find an isolated table in the room. Internally screaming at himself for forgetting to pack his lunch. Meaning he had to come to the canteen for his lunch. One of the last places he wanted to be.

Suddenly, while walking, he felt something sweep his ankle, making him embarrassing fall to the ground. His bag fell in front of him. A chorus of laughter rang out in the cafeteria. Looking up to the culprit, he saw Trip and his friends deviously grinning back at him.

"Still can't walk in a straight line Ash," Trip commented.

Ash's hand balled into a fist, still fanned from his outburst with Brock. Gingerly, he managed to get back to his feet. "I've rather not be able to walk in a straight line then have a brain of a 6-year-old. And that's being generous. If your brain were dynamite you wouldn't even blow your ears off," Ash shot, a scowl formed on both of the bullies faces as murmurs erupting around the hall.

"O and tell Calem I send him my sincerest of apologies," He finished sarcastically, stomping away from Trip and Paul after grabbing his bag.

Trip shot up from his seat, like a rocket. Ready to pounce on the vulnerable raven head. Suddenly, the sound of the doors swinging open made them stop as a teacher- who was late for her duty- walked through the doors of the canteen. Oblivious to the incident that just occurred moments ago. The sight of the teacher brought the boys back into their seats as the cafeteria quickly returned to its usual chatter.

After Ash collected his 'delicious' food, he managed to find a table in the far corner of the room, with no one sitting nearby. It was isolated enough so that he could only hear the murmurs of gossip about his school. Too busy with scrolling through his Facebook, he failed to see a whole table glancing at him everyone so often.

Eventually, a brown head boy got up from the table. Exclaiming to his group, "I'll talk to you all in the next class." Kissing Dawn on the forehead, he left to put his tray away and started to walked over to Ash.

Seeing the grandson of the Acting Principal leave, Dawn whispered to Serena, "Gary's been trying to talk to Ash lately, hasn't he?" Serena didn't respond. Too busy staring at the raven head in front of her. Dawn rolled her eyes at her honey-haired friend and elbowed Serena in the hip.

"What?" She muttered angrily.

Dawn let out a small chuckle at her friend's rare act of aggression. Her best friend was usually as calm and cheerful as anyone. She was rarely aggressive or showed violence to anyone. The incident yesterday with Calem was once in a blue moon. "Calm down Serena," Dawn calmly explained, Serena's eyes snapped to her. "I just asked if you noticed Gary trying to talk to Ash?" Dawn finished.

Hearing the question, Serena let out a quiet sigh. "Yes. I think they were talking yesterday after class," Serena admitted.

"Yeah. Gary told me that," Dawn admitted.

Serena blandly nodded her head. She then turned back to where Ash sitting and saw their flirtatious brown-headed friend cautiously walking over to the isolated raven head. A frown formed on her face as she saw Gary taking a deep breath.

A foxy grin formed on Dawn's face as she saw Serena's eyebrows dip with annoyance. "You're jealous of Gary? What you think Ash and Gary are going to get together?" Dawn teased. Immediately, Serena jumped in her seat as a small blush formed on her pale face. "I don't think they swing that way, Serena. So you don't need to worry about Ash. Plus, Gary is mine already," Dawn proudly announced, emphasising the word mine.

Serena's blush only intensified, her face turning as Red as Slugma. "N-no. Its nothing like that!" Serena nervously stuttered, making Dawn giggle. "I-I just wish I had Gary's courage to talk to Ash just like that. I get too nervous."

"But you talk to him so much in Brock class?" Dawn injected. She was remembering all the sneaky glances she done to see the two talking. Seeing the two smile as the talked made Dawn happy for her best friend. Over the years she saw Serena slowly filled with the poisonous water of guilt and regret. She saw how dejected or down Serena looked whenever she saw Calem or anybody teasing Ash. So seeing the two talk comfortably to each other made Dawn happy for her friend. It brought back the warm smile that was slowly overrun with the cold stab of regret.

"Yeah. But that's cause we are partners," Serena answered. "Cause of that I can use it to ensure our conversions don't turn into some awkward encounter. I had enough of them with him. And I hate it. Every single one of them," Serena admitted, her eyes locking on to the said raven head.

Before Dawn could muster a reply, a girl with a red bandana cheekily cut in, "Ooooo Serena is blushing," wrapping an arm around Serena's shoulder.

Serena felt her blush evolve from a Slugma into a Magcargo. She scooted out of May's resting arm in a flash. As she erratically waved her hands in front of her, she exclaimed, "No! May. It's not what you think-"

"Who is the lucky guy?" An orange-haired swimmer interrupted with a grin plastered across her face.

The embarrassed student let a loud annoyed groan. A chorus of laughter erupted from her friends. Her embarrassment levels grew into the sky as she dug her face into the metal table, trying to conceal her self from the world.

"So are you going to tell us?" Iris cheekily added.

***

As Serena tried to isolated her self from the world, the lonely raven head boredly scrolled through his Instagram feed. He was impatiently waiting for the school day to be over.

Nope, Nope. Boring. Random ad. NEW POKEMON GAME! Pokémon unite? Arg. What happened to the diamond and pearl remake? Ash lazily thought. New Pokémon Snap! Now, that's awesome-

"Can I sit here," A male voice interrupted, pulling Ash out of his thoughts. Shooting up from his phone, he saw the flirtatious Gary Oak standing in front of him. Motioning to the seat next to him. Ash rose an eyebrow at the offer. Gary took his advice, Ash thought.

"No, I got it reserved for a Pikachu Gary. Whenever he comes," Ash answered sarcastically, making Gary chuckle.

So that means the seat is free. Pikachu isn't real, Gary concluded. The brown head then took his place next to Ash. Like a moth flying around a light, the eerie fog of silence wafted between the former friends. As the silence continued, Gary slowly started getting more nervous. His hands began to fidget on the table as sweat started escaping his brown hair. The boy who was usually so relaxed around the ladies was as rocky as a ship in a storm.

In contrast, Ash was as calm as a grassy field on a beautiful summer day, unlike Gary, he was relishing the beautiful silence. Most people think silence was terrible and scary, but for Ash, it was paradise. It brought him away from the chaos that is called life. Just him and his magical mind. It was like he saw silence as a friend. It was there when no one else bothered to stay.

"Its quiet here," Gary announced suddenly.

Ash nodded his head. "Yeah, that's why I like it: only you and nothing else. No bullies or people to worry about," Ash calmly answered.

Gary hesitantly nodded his head as Ash rested his eyes. After a couple of more moments of quietness, the grandson of the principle abruptly cleared his throat. Ash cracked open an eye to look at the nervous brown head. "So that bruise..." Gary hesitantly asked.

The raven head immediately shook his head and let out a sigh. How many more people are going to ask about it, Ash thought. Throwing his head back in annoyance, he calmly exclaimed, "What is there to say. I fell when walking up steps. Just like how your friend tripped me just then."

Gary internally winced. Trip was not a friend of his. They rarely talked. The only reason why they had any connection was through Calem. But since Gary broke his very slim contact with him, there was no reason for him to interact with Trip and his group anymore. "'Friend' is a strong word. More like, we are acquainted," Gary admitted, with Ash nodding his head. "But Ash. I didn't know you had that in you."

"Had what in me?" Ash asked with a confused tone.

"The snappy attitude," Gary announced proudly. "You should have seen the look on their faces when you said that. Their heads looked like there were about to erupt like a volcano. It was hilarious," letting out a small grin as he explained.

Hearing this, Ash shook his head and let out a small grin. "Yeah well after years of that. You get a little snappy and witty. And I must have developed some of that from you," Ash joked, winking to the brown-haired students next to him.

Gary scoffed and rolled his eyes. He was tempted to bite back at the raven head but in the end, decided against it.

Abruptly, Ash's face turned cold; the warmth in his face rushed away. "So why are you sitting here, Gary? I thought you would be with Dawn," Ash interrogated.

"What? Can I not sit here with a friend?" Gary quizzed, slightly panicked.

Ash's eyes widen at his response. When Gary saw this, he immediately started scolding himself for his slip of the tongue. "Friend?" Ash quietly mumbled. "Interesting."

Gary nervously rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry. I was an idiot to leave you."

"You are always an idiot, Gary," Ash muttered honestly.

Immediately, Gary started pouting like a baby as a small tick arose on his face. "You just ruined my attempted at an apology!" He sulked.

A laugh came from Ash as he saw the pout. "But thank you," Ash happily exclaimed, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You listened to me yesterday. It's nice to have some company. Even if it has to be you."

Gary's lips tugged into a grin. Happy about his decision to sit with Ashy boy today. The decision weighed on his mind like heavyweights. And thankfully for Gary, those mental weights were released. As he saw Ash go back onto his phone, he couldn't help but ask, "What are you looking at?"

The raven head chuckled at his horrible attempted at small talk. It was weird for Ash to see the usually confident and outright annoying brown-haired boy falter in front of him. "A new Pokémon game," Ash announced, showing him the post on his phone.

Gary's eyes widen at the new. Making Ash raise an eyebrow at the brown head. He through that Gary would make a joke about Pokémon being for kids or how it was 'so uncool.' Not being excited about a new game. Was this Gary? Ash thought.

"New Pokémon game? What is it? Diamond and Pearl remake?" Gary curiously fired. Making Ash's eyes almost pop out of his sockets. When Gary saw this, he threw his head back in disgust and scoffed at the shocked boy.

"What? Why are you so surprised. We played together all the time when we were younger," he reminded Ash.

"Yeah, but whenever we battle, I would destroy you. So I thought you never wanted to play anymore. Plus I didn't see you as the guy playing Pokémon now. Didn't think you were smart enough anymore." Ash explained, mumbling the last part.

Gary's eyes dilated. His hands balled into a fist. Dramatically he faced the raven head, pointed an angry finger at the amused raven head and annoyingly boomed, "Look, Ashy boy. We all know that to impress a girl. You can't just have the looks. You have to have a brain as well," Gary tried to explain.

"Well, then I'm surprised you and Dawn are dating then. Better thank me for that," Ash inputted cheerfully, a cheeky grin plastered his face.

"I'm starting to not like this snappiness," Gary mumbled under his breath, rubbing his forehead with his hand. "Look. I have a whole fandom chasing every day, so I have some brain in here," He sternly defended while pointing to his head.

Ash annoyingly shook his head. Gary wasn't lying. Even if the number of fangirls has gone down since his first year of high school, he still had a strong encourage occasionally follow him around whenever Dawn didn't glare them away. Of course, he never did anything with them. Just relished the attention they were giving him.

"Doesn't Dawn care about your little encourage you have?" Ash asked curiously.

"No. Dawn trust me. And I wouldn't dare do anything to break that," Gary replied as severe as an intense interrogation.

Ash proudly nodded his head. Happy with Gary's words. "Good. I worked too hard for you to run away with another girl," Ash proudly announced.

Gary's lips curved into a smile and nodded his head, remembering how he begged Ash to help him with his growing affection for Dawn. Gary then glanced at the bag sitting on the table in front of them. "So about Pokémon?" Gary blurted.

Ash's eyes lit up, like a Lanturn's antenna, at the mention of Pokémon. "What about it?" Ash replied with an amused tone.

"You got your switch?" Gary asked, eyeing his green bag.

"Of course," Ash answered confusedly, raising an eyebrow.

A small grin grew on the face of the brown head. "You wanna battle?" Rival Gary challenged trainer Ash.

Ash was stunned when he heard this. Bubbles of excitement started to surface around his body. It's been years since he battled someone faces to face.

With Ash not saying anything, Gary proudly continued, "A cat got your tongue, eh? You too scared that my team will crush you?" Shooting his overbearing toothy grin at the raven head as he pulled out the grey switch from his bag.

The comment only fuelled Ash's burning ambition as he whipped out his Pikachu coloured switch and excitedly boomed, "Lets battle."

***

When the final bell rang out across the grounds, students quickly rush out of Pallet High, excited about finishing the exhausting school day. At the same time, Ash waited at the gate for his partner to finally show up. A broad smile plastered over his face due to the demolition of the trainer named Gary Oak. But as the second's tick by the smile slowly withered when there was no honey-haired girl insight. The creepy grasp of doubt began circling in his mind. Was he stood up?

After most of the crowd disbursed, he saw Serena finally jog out the main doors of the school, her blonde hair flapping in the air. As she reached Ash, her hands went to her knees, panting heavily.

"Sorry, I'm late... Had PE in the last period," she managed exhaustedly.

Ash immediately nodded his head. The oval was on the complete opposite side of the school. So it would have taken some time to get to her locker then out of the school gate.

"It's fine. It is a long run," Ash calmly replied.

Serena finally straightened after getting some of her air back. "Long-run? More like a marathon," she mumbled.

Ash Jokingly shook his head as she grinned. "Are we ready to go?" She questioned.

Before he could say, 'yes' a critical thought sprang into his head. "Shoot. I forgot to tell my mum. Give me a sec, yeah?" Serena nodded. Ash then turned to his side and whipped out his phone from his pocket, hastily messaging his mum.

Ash: I'm going to be home a little later today, mum. I have to go to work on the project with someone."

Delia: That's okay dear. Who's house are you going to?

Ash: Serena.

Delia: Serena, Eh.

Ash: ??

Delia: Make sure you do the project before moving on to extracurricular activities, dear.

The raven head's face turned a flash pink when he read this. He could imagine the evil smirk layered across his mum's face.

Ash: Mum. I wasn't even thinking of doing those things!

Delia: I know dear. But at your age things can happen in a flash

Ash let out an annoyed groan and facepalmed at the message. Making Serena ask, "Is everything fine?"

"Y-yeah I'm fine. It's just my mum is... being a mum," Ash answered. Serena hesitantly nodded her head, extremely curious about these messages.

Ash: I got to go now.

Delia: Tell her, I said hi. And have fun, Ash. But not too much fun :P.

Ash: I TOLD YOU IM NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

Furiously finishing the text and placing his phone back into his pocket, he turned back to Serena. Who was closer to him and blushing vividly, like she was a red apple.

"Are you okay, Serena?" Ash asked concernedly.

Shooting out of her daze, she replied panicking, "Y-yeah. Let's go." Immediately, she power-walked out of the gates, leaving Ash to catch up to her.

***

"Mum, I'm home," Serena yelled as she walked through the front door with Ash cautiously followed behind her.

Their walk was quiet. The only sound between the two was the rumbling of cars going by and the wind blowing around them. Occasionally, Serena would nervously try to spark some sort of conversation, but the chatter couldn't be sustained between the two. But to Serena's surprise, the lack of talk wasn't completely horrible. It wasn't as awkward but rather blissful. She was just glad that she is spending time with Ash. Something that should have never stopped.

A pattern of footsteps could be heard from above with Grace soon appearing on the stairway.

"Hello, dear. How was school?" She greeted, walking down the wooden steps.

"It was fine mum," Serena nervously answered, awaiting for her hum to notice her guest she brought home.

Grace eyes suddenly snapped to the raven head boy standing sheepishly behind her daughter. Her eyes widen, and her mouth shifted agape at sight.

"Ash? It's great seeing you here again," She greeted, holding her hand out to the boy.

"Hello, Mrs Yvonne," Ash greeted friendly as he shook her hand with a warm smile on his face.

Grace cringed at the formality and quickly cleared, "Please Ash. You know you can call me Grace."

The raven head sheepishly nodded and rubbed the back of his head. While this happened, Grace's eyes narrowed at the glaring bruise on his cheek. The pull to ask the question about it was large but was quickly crushed into submission. He probably has been asked about it a lot, she assumed.

Grace then turned to her daughter and saw her daughter's hand nervously fidget with her pink skirt. An eyebrow rose from Grace and was soon followed by a maniacal grin.

Leaning down to her nervous daughter, she whispered into her ear, "Why are you so nervous, Serena? You two aren't going to do anything, right?"

Her daughter jumped at her mother's comment; her cheeks turned into an unhealthy shade of Red.

"MUM!" She boomed, with Ash staring at them with amusement.

Grace let out a boisterous laugh at her flustered daughter, making the honey head even more embarrassed.

"We will be in my room," Serena huffed, grabbing Ash's hand and dragging him to her.

"Try not to do anything silly," Grace suggested, as they rushed up to the stairs. Met with the loud bang of Serena's door closing Grace muttered, "Rude."

Serena let out a relieved sigh as she slammed her door. Her red face did eventually reverting to her naturally pale skin.

"Um, Serena," Ash hesitantly piped up, Serena eyes to open snap open. Ash was here. In her house. In her room. How could she forget? She had been panicking about this for the whole day.

"Y-yes?" She stuttered as the butterflies overtook her stomach.

"You can let go of my hand," Ash calmly noted, somewhat reluctant as he enjoys the feeling. The blue eyes of Serena widen as she saw their hands still interlocked. Immediately, the blush returned as she let go of Ash's warm hand. As Serena's hands nervously played with each other behind her back, a part of her mind yearned for the warm feeling that was once present in her hand; her blush continued to intensify.

Luckily Ash was too caught up looking around her room to notice. His chocolate eyes snapping to her single bed tuck in the corner of her room, she organised desk in front of her window and then to the large wardrove that held her clothes.

"Sorry," She muttered. Ash nodded his head and continued to inspect her room as if he was trying to find specific.

"Well this is my room," Serena announced, gesturing to the room behind her as if she was a tour guide.

Ash refocused on Serena, "I know. I've been here before."

Serena stiffened, mentally scolding herself. It was like she was treating Ash like he is a stranger. But he wasn't. They had been friends. Best friends. Almost a couple. Now they are no more than very shaky acquaintances. No matter how much Serena would try to reject the notion. The only reason why he was here was due to this project, nothing else. They haven't talked in years. She barely knows anything about him anymore and what has happened. "R-right," She stuttered.

"It hasn't changed that much," Ash noted.

"Y-yeah," Serena stuttered. As their eyes clashed with each other, the butterflies inside of her intensely flapped around. Her hands started to fiddle with her long honey hair while Ash embarrassingly looked away. An array fog of silence wafted between the two.

Ash then cautiously looked back at the self-conscious girl. He was inspecting his apprehensive partner. Seeing the wave of nervous erupting from her, he closed his eyes and slowly let his aura connect with Serena. When's his blue beam collided with her pink aura, Ash's body tensed immediately, his back straightened as his shoulders went stiff. Did he have this much of an impact of her? He questioned. Pouring all his efforts into their bond of the aura, he attempted to dig for any other feelings. He had to make sure this was not some joke. Even if he had already believed these were her true feelings.

"Come on, Serena, get your self together. You can't keep doing this around Ash," A voice suddenly shot through his mind. The connection he was holding immediately severed as his eyes snapped wide. His mind raced to figure out the voice that was in his mind. What the hell did he just hear? His mind thought.

"Shall we get started?" Serena calmly suggested, motioning to her desk.

Ash shook himself out of his thoughts and breathed, "Sure."

It took a bit of time, but as they continued to work on their project, the atmosphere lifted. A tense and silent room eventually transformed into productivity chatter and then some in productivity chatter. The two worked harmoniously to bring their ideas floating in the heads onto screen and paper. Whenever they don't get side-tracked at least, Serena would giggle whenever Ash started to moan about all the work they were doing, but she quickly pulled him back onto the task. It helped that they decided to connect their project to Pokémon, assisting the raven in head stay interested in the assignment.

Before they knew it, the clock hit six as they finally decided to stop for the day. Ash gratefully leaned back into his chair, tired from all the typing and research. Serena let out a giggle, and a smile crept onto their faces. It's just how Serena wanted to be. Only the two of them together in each others company. They were laughing, talking and smiling with no care of the world around them. No social ladder to fear, no bullies to be antagonised by, just the two of them.

"This presentation is working out well," Ash commented happily.

Serena nodded her head. "Yeah. But we only have the foundation for our presentation. We need to make it stand out as Brock asked us to do," she reemphasised.

An annoyed groan escaped the raven head lips as he imagined the amount of work that laid ahead of them. "As I said before we could do a painting?" Ash reminded.

"Can you paint?" She quizzed with a prying eye.

Ash the rubbed the back of his head as he sheepishly shook his head. "But we could try. It doesn't have to be Leonardo da Vinci level right?" Ash quickly added.

"I guess we could try. It's only a draft," Serena gave in. Ash let out a toothy grin at her response, which made Serena smile as well.

Ash then fished out his phone out of his pocket to check the time. Doing a second look to make sure he wasn't going blind and seeing things. "Holy! It is already past 6!" Ash boomed.

"No way, we just got here," Serena commented. She then swivelled on the spot to look out the window. Seeing the setting sun, she realised time pasted as fast as a quick attack.

"Maybe we should stop here for the day. You mum must be wondering when you will come home," Serena suggested.

Nodding his head, the two started packing all the papers and pencils around the room. When they finished, Ash let out a loud groan as he stretched and laid on her bed, relieved that all the work is done for the day.

"Can I have your new phone number, Ash?" Serena suddenly blurted, nervously twiddling her hair.

Ash rose an eyebrow. "Huh? Why do you want it?" He quizzed, curiosity getting the better of him.

"So we can talk dummy," she huffed jokingly.

The raven head let out a sigh. "Okay fine," he gave in, fishing out his phone and giving it to Serena.

"Great give me a sec," she announced.

As the sound of the electronic buttons being pressed, Ash's eyes wandered across the room once more. His eyes wandered across her bedside table but soon snapped to a speck of white fabric extruding from the draw of the table. Quietly, he reached over and tugged on the silky material, pulling it out from its home. It was a handkerchief. Mostly white with a blue line at the bottom, along with a small Pokeball tucked away in the bottom left-right. The handkerchief was well kept, no rips or stains were scatter across the soft surface. It felt like brand new, recently woven together. But Ash knew that it was far from brand-new.

His eyes felt like popping out of their sockets as memories of that fateful day in the forest came back to him like a boomerang he threw years ago. When he unknowingly came an across a weeping girl while chasing a rabbit. She was wearing a straw hat, and her knee throbbed with pain due to the said rabbit. As Ash helped her up to her feet, it was meant to be the start of a budding relationship. But instead, it became a horrible nightmare filled with pain and heartache.

His hands started to shake when the soft fabric ran between his fingers. The raven head was shocked that Serena kept it. He assumed that she had lost it already, not kept in pristine condition in her room. "You kept this?" Ash managed to breathe, wrestling back control of his body.

Serena looked up from her phone. The honey head stiffened when she saw the handkerchief she held so dearly, in the hands of Ash. "Y-yes... I-it's important to me," She eventually admitted.

They stood in silence as he continued to feel the soft, clean fabric slip between his fingers. "Do you remember what happened?" He questioned eventually.

A small arose from on the face of Serena. She remembered every moment of the day, even thoe her eyes were blurred with tears for most of the day. "Of course," she confidently answered. "How could I forget my knight in shiny armour?"

Sheepishly, Ash rubbed his lighting bolt marked cheek as he faintly blushed. Serena let out a giggle at his shy actions and handed back his pokemon cased phone.

When he recovered from the discharge of shyness, he quickly returned, "Your right. How could I forgot the beautiful straw hat girl that I luckily found in the forest."

In a flash, Serena's face turned red as she quickly turned away from Ash. Who was as clueless as a Psyduck on what he just said. Beautiful. The word buzzed around Serena's mind like an annoying fly or mosquito.

"Are you okay?" Ash asked with a concerned tone, obviously to the effects of his adjectives.

Letting out a quiet sigh, she slowly turned back, still slightly flustering. "Y-yeah I'm fine. Just remembering... I still have that straw hat somewhere in the house."

The raven head let out a small chuckle, pulling Serena out of her tense mindset as she felt an ooze of warmth flare up inside her. Only Ash could make her feel this way. Whenever she heard that boisterous laugh or saw that warm smile, it would brighten her day no matter what happened.

But now, she lost that due to her incompetence. Nothing else. No matter if Dawn tried to shift the blame, they all knew deep down that it was solely her fault that there was a deep wedge between Ash and her. Not Calem, not school, her. And she regretted it deeply. Serena felt how different her life was without him in it. Every night she would stay up thinking about him. How she should have tried harder, should have stayed with him, What she should have done differently. But of course, thoughts don't change the present, only actions.

"You taught me many things that day, Ash. Things I still hold to this day," Serena exclaimed, a smile glowed on her face as she reflected on a fateful day in the forest.

"Let me guess. Never give up till the end right?" Ash assumed as his arms hands moved under his head to support his lazy head from drooping. He winced for a moment when his hand accidentally rested on the bruising area of his cheek.

"Yes," She responded positively.

"What that's all you got from me?" Ash pouted with a stern tone, hiding a grin from his face.

A frown appeared on the girl's face. "Of course not There is so many other things," She huffed. Ash let out another small laugh which sent another warm feeling to grow inside of her. "That's why you are important to me. I should have never gone with Calem," She quietly mumbled under her breath.

"What was that?" Ash interrupted.

Her eyes immediately snapped wide and began flooding with panic. "Nothing!" Serena shot emphatically, startling the resting raven head. Pain erupting from his cheek, as his hand accidentally brushed the bruise, bringing a sharp wince from the boy.

Serena's cerulean blue eyes locked onto the hurt raven head, who was gingerly rubbing his cheek. When the pain eventually died down, Ash turned his attention back to Serena, who continued to stare at Ash with concern.

"Is something wrong?" He questioned with a confused tone.

"That mark..." Serena quietly exclaimed. She then walked up to Ash and carefully placed her hand around the gaping mark. Instead of feeling the burning pain of the area, the raven head felt a blush form at the sudden contact, and his stomach began to feel a little squeamish. But luckily for him, the dark bruise covered the crimson shade on his face. "It's getting worst," she commented. It was like he had suffered a purple burn mark. You would have to be blind to miss it, "Does it hurt?"

Ash quickly attempted to pull himself together. It's only a touch nothing more. "It stings a little. Even worst when I touch it," he calmly answered. Serena nodded in acknowledgement. "Those stairs pack a punch,"

Suddenly, Serena's eyes darkened, and she turned away from Ash. Panic began to hang over the raven head like a storm cloud. Did he do something wrong?

"Serena?" He hesitantly managed.

A sigh quickly came as a reply, panicking him even more. Serena was mad at him. But for what?

Abruptly, she turned back to him, and her determined blue eyes clashed with his. Her face was unreadable, not mad nor happy. Ash felt sweat bead down from his black hair, Serena rarely acted like this. After what felt like minutes of the sword piercing silence, "Ash," She shot determinedly. Making the boy straighten not daring to look away from the determined honey head as if his life depended on it.

"I saw..." Serena muttered, Ash rose an eyebrow. What did she see? "Everything," she finished sternly.

It took a moment for Ash's brain to process to what she said. But when it finally did, a sharp chill ran through his body as he stiffened. She saw him and Giovanni.

Immediately, he felt the air from his lungs shoot out like a spray of bullets. Breathing became harder when he felt his throat constrict as if he had a snake's coil had wrapped around him. His mind tried to pull together any coherent or rational thoughts. But it was too erratic to do that simple task.

How much did she see? How much does she know?

As if Serena was reading his thoughts, she added, "I saw it after the assembly we had today." Unable to think of anything to say, Ash nodded his head. Prompting Serena to continue.

She then took a breath and explained, "I was worried. I saw the look on your face, and I knew something was wrong. So I told Brock I needed to go to the restroom as we were walking back to class," Ash nodded his head. "He allowed me to go, and I went straight back to the hall to check on you... That's when I saw Giovanni..." Serena didn't finish her sentence. But Ash knew what she meant as she inspected the bruise again. His body remained tense throughout her explanation, soaking all the information like a giant sponge.

Suddenly, Ash's eyes turned dull. An array dark aura started to feel the room and the usual warmth in his eyes were snuffed out, like the sun during the night. "Don't tell anyone," He coldly warned. Serena took a step away from the raven head in fear. Yes, he got annoyed or angry before, but this was different for Serena. It was... cold. Something you feel if you were on Antarctica during the gloomiest of nights.

"I never expected our principal to do that..." Serena commented.

With a sigh, Ash muttered, "Tell me about it."

"What did you do?" She curiously quizzed.

Ash immediately shook his head in disgust and quietly replied, "I don't want to talk about it, Serena." His head dipped, covering his face from Serena, and his shoulder slumped.

A frown formed on Serena faces due to the stubbornness of Ash. All she wanted was to help him. Makeup to him. Change things back to the way they were. The way it should be. "Ash, I'm your friend. Please let me help you."

The raven head stiffened at the word 'friends', and Serena noticed. Her body tensed as she instantly regretted using that word. She can't call him a friend now. Not after everything. "Friends..." Ash murmured, still looking at the wooden floor of Serena's room.

Butterflies started to flutter around in her stomach; only this time, these weren't the proper type of butterflies. This type was filled with an itch of fear unlike the usual ball of nervousness one would generally feel. "Y-y-yes," Serena stuttered nervously.

Suddenly, cold chocolate brown eyes met her. "Really? I thought friends have each other back when they need help. I thought the talk to each other. Not ditch each other." Ash spat calmly. Shivers ran up and down Serena's spine and winced at the words. The lack of anger from Ash scared her. It would have been more comforting if Ash yelled at her. Why? Because she deserved it. She thought he would be letting all his anger out for everything she did to him.

But he didn't.

His words here was controlled and measured. Planned out thoroughly and with purpose, like an architect's plan of a modern building. There was no hatred in his tone, just painted through his words. Meaning he truly meant the words. It wasn't some spout in a ball of anger. No matter if he tried to pull the wool over everyone's eyes or show the world his warm smile. Deep down in his cracked heart, this is how he truly felt. Betrayed, lost and abandoned.

"Ash I'm-"

Ash's hands shot up, quieting the blonde head. Letting out a sigh, he exclaimed, "Don't. I know you are... I'm sorry for my outburst. You didn't deserve that. You are only trying to help. I appreciate it." Serena nodded her head, grabbing more confidence from Ash's words. "And I want to be friends again. I do." Serena's eyes widen at his revelation. For a moment she thought Ash would never want to talk to her again. Let alone be willing to become friends again.

Ash then continued, "But if you think I'm going to tell you everything as if we are best friends, you are mistaken. It hurt like hell when you left. It still stings today what you did three years ago. You broke the trust I gave you. Everyone did. So it's going to take a while for me to trust you again."

Immediately, Serena nodded her head, acknowledging his words. "I understand. What I did is inexcusable," She spoke with a severe tone. "I'm lucky that you are even talking to me still."

Ash massaged the bridge of his nose and sighed, "I know. I wanted to remove you from my life. Forget about everything and every moment we had. Perhaps I still want to do that today..." Serena's face dipped into a sad frown. But she knew it wasn't unreasonable to think that way. She would have wanted the same thing if she was in his shoes. Perhaps even worst. Seeing her frown, Ash quickly cleared, "But I couldn't. I couldn't forget everything we had done together."

Hearing this, Serena's sad frown hastily flipped into a shy smile. "If you ever need help. Or a place to get away from everything. Don't be afraid to talk to me," She happily expressed.

"I may take you up on that offer. That's if you are serious," Ash returned, mumbling that last part

A pout formed on Serena's face as she jokingly punched the raven heads shoulder. Ash's hands shot up to his shoulder as he pretended to cry in pain. Hiding the grin to appear from his face.

Ignoring the boy's miserable attempts at acting Serena rebutted with an annoyed tone, "Of course I am an idiot. What more can I show you that I am dead serious about this?" Her arms motioned to both of them.

Ash stopped withering in pain and sat back up. "At least acknowledge me at school. I'm not saying talk to me like we are best of friends Cause that would ruin your reputation and all that stuff. I don't want that. Just don't blank me for like you did for the past three years," Ash laid out.

Serena's body tensed, not an inch of fun or deception could be seen on her face. "I would do anything to gain your trust back, Ash," Serena announced sternly.

"Cut your hair short then," Ash suggested with a serious tone.

Serena body froze when she heard his request. Her confident nature hastily left, replaced by a huge wave of nervousness. She had never cut her hair short, always preferring her hair to be at least down past her shoulders. But if Ash wants that to happen then maybe, its time for a change.

Suddenly, the raven head burst out laughing, like a balloon popping abruptly. The laugh drew Serena out of her thoughts as she grew more and more confused by his boisterous laughs.

When Ash finally regained his composure, he exclaimed, "Only joking. But I hold you to that you know."

Feeling the weight lifted off her shoulder, she let out a sigh and nodded, ecstatic that it was only a joke. A cruel one to her that is.

Before she could come up with some sort of rebuttal, her mum echoed from downstairs, "Serena. Can you two come down?"

"Okay. We will be right there," Serena yelled back.

Quickly, the two got to their feet. Seeing sheets of paper, every one of their brainstorming and ideas Serena suggested, "You go first, Ash. See what my mum wants. I will clean this up."

"Okay. But don't take to long. Your mum may start interrogating me, you know," Ash joked, opening and leaving Serena's room.

As Ash raced down the steps and towards the kitchen, he started to hear tow voices chatting away. An eyebrow rose with interest. Did Grace go them to see her guest?

When he turned into the kitchen, he saw Grace sitting at the dining table with another woman around the same age as her. Both of them sipping their tea as they continued to chatter, unaware of the raven head's presence. Instantly he recognised the ambered haired lady wearing a pink top and purple skirt.

It was his mum.

"Mum! what are you doing here? You should be resting." He yelled.

The two mothers quickly turn to him, slightly disturbed by his sudden appearance. As Delia opened her mouth to reply, she stopped when she saw the bruise on his face. Before she could as Ash quickly mouthed, We will talk about it later, which Delia replied with a simple nod.

"Ash. What's with the yelling?" A voice interrupted as Footstops could echo from above. Serena then quickly appeared in the doorway behind Ash.

Serena's eyes widen as she saw the amber haired women next to her mum. "Mrs Ketchum? What are you doing here?" She quizzed.

Letting out a smile, Delia answered, "Hello dear. Ash, I feel 100% now, so you don't have to worry about me." Serena curiously eyed her partner, wondering what had happened between them. Delia then continued "And since Serena invited you over to her place to work on your project. Your mum kindly invited me over for dinner. It's been a bit since we both spoke."

"Dinner!" They both boomed frantically.

"Yes, dinner and it's ready so come eat," Grace Cut in and Delia nodded.

Serena took a glance at Ash, who had his jaw on the floor. A blush suddenly started to form on her face. A dinner with Ash... It was something she wanted, but she didn't expect this to happen today. Serena then noticed a smirk grow on both mothers faces. A wave of dread started to build inside of her as she realised her mum- and possible Delia- were going to tease them throughout the meal.

"Did we interrupted something, Serena?" Grace interrupted the devious smirk still on their faces.

Her eyes angrily snapped to her mum, as all eyes went onto her still flustering face. "NO! Let's eat right, Ash?" She stuttered.

A loud growl erupted from the beastly belly that is Ash Ketchum, and suddenly, everyone was laughing beside him.

"I'll take that as a yes," Serena teased. A blush of embarrassment started to itch onto the raven head's face. Feeling the heat swirling around his cheeks, Ash rubbed the back of his head and let out of nervous laugh.

Seeing their kids laughing, a broad smile appeared on both mum's faces. "They both like each other, don't they?" Delia whispered into Grace's ear.

"Yeah. They do. But both of them still have a long way to go. Still need to smooth out a couple of things," Grace replied.

Delia nodded her head. "At least it means we won't have grandchildren too soon," she pointed out cheekily.

Grace let out a boisterous laugh. "But let's hope they make up before we get too old."

As Delia chuckled in the background, Grace turned back to Ash and Serena, and ordered, "Come on you two. Let's eat."

***

As the sun dissipated down below the horizon, a lean, pale man saw a dark ship, a size of a superyacht, drift into Vermilion Harbour. The Pallet High's principal eye's dilated when he finally saw the boat come into view. Unlike traditional lavish yachts, you would see owned by millionaire's; this one was dismal and gloomy. The ship was not for holidays to tropical islands or coral reefs. The black painted ship, blended with the darkening sky. But a glowing red F illuminated the vessel's hull.

Eventually, the ship docked, and an automatic ramp came shooting out from it. A menacing man with a black suit stepped from the boat. Giovanni's eyes immediately went to the fiery red hair and beard of the man in front of him.

Seeing Giovanni at the port, a wide grin started to grow on the mysterious man's face. "You made it Giovanni," he exclaimed calmly.

Giovanni's face remained cold. "Lysander. You said you would be here at midday," He uttered with an annoyed tone.

A grin started to itch onto Lysander's face as he questioned, "All that matters is that I'm here, right?"

Giovanni ignored Lysadner question and asked, "Is everything we need on the ship?" Looking at the Red dressed grunts hauling down large boxes from the ship.

"Everything we need is right here," Lysander stated proudly.

Suddenly, a female grunt wearing high tect eyewear appeared next to Lysander and questioned, "What are your orders, sir?"

Turning to his female admin, he calmly explained, "Alian, I want you and your squad to go to Vidiran forest and set up the station there. I want it operational as fast as you can."

"Yes, sir. It will be operational by midnight," She obeyed. After she saluted Lysander, she turned back to her grunts and started barking out orders.

As the grunts start rushing boxes off the ship, a wide grin began to grow on Giovanni's face. "And so it begins... We will change the world for the better."

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you did enjoy it be sure to leave a vote and don't be afraid to comment. Hopefully, the next chapter won't take too long. I'm aiming to update the book one at least once a month (but we will see if I can keep up with it). I will be on Wattpad daily so if you are wondering how the next chapter is going don't be afraid to send a message. I will also be announcing when the next chapter will be released so if you want to keep up to date, you are welcome to follow my profile.

I hope everyone is safe and okay during these, strange times. See you in the next chapter! Have a beautiful day, and again, thank you for reading.

PS, if you see any mistakes, don't be afraid to tell me. Its almost one in the morning when I published this chapter.