"What? Tonight?" Y exclaims as X explains the situation to her.

"Yes." X says.

"Then Serena has to stay here!"

X shakes his head.

"No. She already went off with Shauna to buy clothes. Let her enjoy this moment. It could be the only time she will be able to enjoy a something like this," X says.

Y groans.

"Fine. I guess Kalos will get their freedom sooner than expected."

~~~~

"Crystal, are you ready?" Red asks as he knocks on the door.

"Yes! Come on in!"

Red walks in the room. Crystal turns around, her hair, now curled, bounces as she does.

"Wow," Red mutters as he stares at her.

"So I was very unsure what to wear, since I've never been to an event like this. I didn't want to wear another ballroom dress, and I felt like a mermaid one wouldn't fit in so I decided on this straight dress!" Crystal explains as she raises her arms up.

The purple dress nicely fits on her body, and compliment her eyes nicely. Her gold star earrings and necklace add the finishing touches.

"Red?" Crystal asks.

"What? Oh, um, I, you, uh, you're beautiful." Red says, blushing.

Pika rolls his eyes and hops from the bed into Crystal's arms, causing her to smiles.

"Thank you Red. You look great yourself. But is this kind of dress appropriate to wear?"

"Y-yes sorry!" Red says, dusting off his red and gold prince coat.

"Alright. I'm ready when you are," Crystal says.

"Great! Follow me!" Red says as he leads her towards the back of the castle.

"Wait, Red, isn't the dining hall that way?" Crystal asks as she points in the opposite direction.

"Yes."

"Then?"

Red grins as she leads her out the back entrance.

"Sorry, I like entering through the front because I like to see all the decorations in the courtyard," Red answers.

"Really?"

A red hue appears on Red's face.

"Is that ok with you? Because we can-"

"No! That's completely fine!"

Red smile grows widen.

"Shall we then?" Red says as he offers his arm to Crystal. She grins as she takes his arm and begin to walk around the castle.

As they walk towards the main gate, people see them and begin whispering.

"What do you think they're saying?"

"They're talking about you," Red says.

"Really?"

"I would be. You're so beautiful."

Crystal begins to blush.

"You just have to say that over and over don't you?"

"Yes."

"Don't you ever get bored of saying the same thing?"

"Are you saying I need to improve my vocabulary?"

"Perhaps."

"Well, then-"

Red is interrupted as a little girl in a worn down yellow dress runs up to the couple.

"Hi!" The girl yells.

"Hello sweetie. What is your name?" Crystal asks as she crouches down in front of her.

"Annie," the girl replies as she smiles at Crystal.

"That is a beautiful name," Red compliments as he squad down in front of her.

"That's my parent's idea. Just like going to the party today!"

"I could tell you are going to the party. You are dressed for it," Red says.

"Yeah! My sister wore my dress, and my other sister did, and my other one did as well," Annie says with a smile.

"I am glad your parents have brought you and your siblings every year to the party. Maybe you would like to be my special guest and sit with me during dinner?" Red asks, as he grins at Crystal.

Crystal brings her hands to her face and covers her mouth as if in shock.

"Really? But I would rather be with my family," Annie says as she turns around, and a group of five are walking towards them.

"It is ok. I completely understand. Family must always come first," Red says as Annie's father steps out in front of them.

"Your highness, I apologize for her actions," he begins as he bows down. The rest of the family follow.

"No worries. Crystal and I were having a lovely conversation with Annie," Red says.

"Crystal? So it is true. We apologize for not acknowledging you sooner m'lady," Annie's father says as they turn to Crystal and bow before her as well.

"You're fine! Just make sure to have fun tonight!" Crystal says as they stand up.

"We will!" Annie says as her family nod their heads once more and begin to walk towards the castle.

Crystal then looks over to Red.

"Were you really going to replace me with Annie?"

"Well, Annie is really cute. Don't tell her this, but you're cuter."

"Oh shush! Let's just go inside already!"

"Will do," Red says with a smile as they lock arms again and continue walking. They're about to pass through the main gates, when they spot Ash leaning against the wall.

"Ash!" Crystal yells. He turn and waves with his good arm, while Pikachu sits on his shoulder.

"What is he waiting for?" Crystal asks Red.

"More like who is he waiting for. He's waiting on his date."

~~~~

"Look at you! Oh geesh, you're gorgeous!" Shauna squeals as Serena steps out of the room, fully dressed.

"Thank you!" Serena says as she twirls around, causing her blue and white dress to gently lift off her legs.

"Your boyfriend is going to fall head over heels for you!"

"He's not my boyfriend!" Serena yells, blushing.

"Right, right. He's your prince!"

"Shauna!"

"I wish I had a prince. Then he could shower me with presents!"

"He's not a prince! And he doesn't have to give me presents. He just has to give me his undivided attention," Serena says.

"Aww! You're so cute Serena!"

"Heh, thanks."

Serena then grab her knife and hides it in her dress.

"Please try to enjoy yourself tonight," Shauna says.

"That's kinda hard when you're about to attack your date's castle."

"Well, don't think about that. Just put all your focus on him! And if he really has feelings for you, he will do the same," Shauna says, giving Serena a hug.

"Thanks Shauna. I appreciate it."

"I know, but go! You don't want to be late!" Shauna says, as she pushes Serena out the door.

"Wow," X says, as he stands besides Serena.

"I know, Shauna is something else," Serena says, straightening out her dress.

"Not Shauna. You," X says, as he offers his arm to Serena. Serena stares at it, shocked.

"What? Someone has to make sure you aren't kidnapped by one of those men down there," X says, hiding is face.

Serena smiles.

"Thanks X, but once we're out of the building I can handle the rest."

"Yes ma'am."

They walk together out the door.

"Have fun and be safe. Just look for the signal and find Trevor ok?" X says.

Serena nods.

X then pulls Serena into a hug and kisses her forehead. Serena, shocked, just stands until she eventually hugs him back.

"Sorry. I just wish things were different," X whispers as he lets go and walks back inside.

"Oh, how I wish too," Serena whispers as she straightens out her dress and begins walking towards the castle.

~~~

Serena is about halfway there, when she stumbles across a familiar man sitting against a tree with a bottle in hand.

"Hey little girl. What are you doing alone in the woods?" The man asks, taking a sip.

Serena stops and takes a good look at the man.

"Gold? Is that you?" She asks.

"Yes ma'am. Just enjoying my last bottle here in Kanto," Gold says, as he stands up and grabs a large bag laying next to him.

"Last drink? I thought you were staying for the wedding?"

Gold shakes his head.

"I can't."

"Why?"

Gold and Serena make eye contact, and in that moment Gold's usual cool and lay back demeanor is replaced with sorrow and pain.

"It's adult stuff you wouldn't understand little girl," Gold says.

"That may be true, but I know sadness when I see it," Serena says as she continues to walk towards the castle.

"And I know when people are trying to hide it," Gold says.

Serena stops and takes a deep breath.

Is she really that easy to read, she wonders.

"My advice to you dear, is to stay away from anyone who makes your heart flutter and your face flush red," Gold begins with his voice shaky.

"Because no matter bad you want it, it won't happen," Gold says as he walks out of sight and into the tree line.

Serena stands there for a moment, and processes the words. She eventually convinces herself that everything will be ok, because whatever she feels towards Ash will go away as soon as the plan begins.

~~~

"Ash?"

Ash turns to his left, and standing before him is Serena in a beautiful blue and white dress.

Serena proceeds to apologize and to explain why she's a tad late, but Ash doesn't hear a word. He is mesmerized by Serena.

"S-Serena, you, uh, look amazing," Ash says as he immediately runs up to her and kisses her hand.

"Thank you Ash. You look handsome today," Serena says, as she takes a closer look at his royal uniform, but his raven-black hair still roaming around freely.

"Thanks, but I'm nothing compared to you. But anyways, shall we?" Ash says as he offers his arm.

"Of course," Serena says with a smile as they make their way into the castle.

Author's Note:
Sorry for the delay! I got held back cuz of school, but hopefully it was worth the wait!
& as always,
Happy Reading :)
-eV04