Ash leads Serena through a maze of hallways in the castle. As they rush to the dining room, Serena sneaks glances at the elegant paintings, bizzare artifacts, and fancy furniture. She wishes she had more time to examine each item.

They approach a set of double doors, which Ash quickly opens. The couple is instantly hit with a plethora of noise.

"Yes! We made it," Ash says giving Serena a grin.

She smiles back and finally takes a look around the room. To say she was speechless was an understatement. The giant chandelier surrounded by smaller ones are hanging from the middle of the ceiling filling the room with light. The clean glassware and utensils reflect the light, adding to the vibe.

Someone then touches Serena's shoulder.

She turns around and behind her is Prince Red, with Princess Crystal next to him.

"Y-y-your majesties!" Serena exclaims as she immediately bows.

"Relax! There is no need for that," Red says with a smile on his face.

"Serena, this here is Crystal, the Princess of Johto."

"It's an honor to meet you m'lady," Serena says, bowing down once again.

"Just call me Crystal," the princess says with a smile.

"So, what are your thoughts of the castle? Pretty, isn't it?" Red says as he puts his arm on Crystal's waist.

"It's amazing! The decorations are so pretty! The old artifacts even fit in too!" Serena exclaims.

Red chuckles.

"The artifacts are my favorite too. They each have such an interesting-"

Trumpets interrupt their conversation.

"Sorry, but we must get seated now. We shall continue another time," Red says as he takes Crystal to the table set up on a stage.

"Where are we sitting?" Serena asks.

"Up there with them!" Ash exclaims as he takes her hand and leads her up.

Serena faces pales, realizing that sneaking off is going to be a lot more difficult now.

As they sit down, the trumpets get louder. Serena looks at the entrance, and watches King Roman walk into the room. The town folk stand as he walks past the tables and makes it to the center of the dining hall, which is empty. He stops, and the music quickly dies down.

"Welcome to my home! Please make yourselves comfortable."

The crowd answers with single united clap.

"Back when Kanto was first inhabited, people were fighting along themselves. And it was like that for a very long time. It was until my ancestor realized if all the peoples did not unite together, we would all eventually perish. So he began to unite people together for one cause: to care for their people. One year later, the Kanto region was born under our Royal Family. And to celebrate our unity and kinship, we throw our annual celebration where we allow all our people be our guests, and have a good time! Let us start, shall we?"

The room fills with cheers as King Roman stomps his right foot once, then makes his way to the center sit on the table on the stage. Servants fill the big dining room, dropping off prepared food at each table, starting all with the King's table.

The tasty aroma hits Serena's nose and her mouth waters.

"Oh, I can't wait for the food! It's my favorite part!" Ash says as he grabs his napkin and ties it around his neck like a bib.

Serena giggles, then carefully places her napkin on her lap.

Serena was sitting at the edge of the table, next to Ash. She takes a look down the table, and the Kantoian Royal Family, along with the two Johtoians, are sitting with them.

"How did you manage to get a seat on this table?" Serena asks as she watches Ash examine the numerous eating utensils on the table.

"Well, Red insisted on having me up here with him, since I'm officially his apprentice now," Ash explains.

Serena looks to her other side, and watches Crystal whisper a couple things to Red, who nods and smiles.

They're so cute together, Serena thinks as she watches Crystal laugh from something Red said.

Serena's thoughts are interrupted as Ash jumps up in his chair.

"Here it comes!"

Yellow comes over to their table, and begins give a plate of food for each person, starting with King Roman.

"Thank you Yellow," Serena when it was her turn.

Yellow smiles and nods as she leaves Ash's plate and walks away with her empty tray.

Serena takes a good look at her food, and she is instantly infuriated.

Why does the Kanto have the privilege to eat such delicious, gorgeous food while her people in Kalos are starving?

Serena only begins to eat when she convinced herself that it will all change for the better very soon.

"Ouch! Careful!" Ash whispers.

"What was that?" Serena says as she takes a sip of water. She looks over to Ash, who's rubbing his finger.

"Are you ok? Did you cut yourself?" Serena asks as she grabs his finger. Ash tries to stop her, but it's all in vain.

"Huh?" Serena says as she sees little bite marks on his finger.

Ash sighs, but then gestures her to move close.

"See, Pokémon aren't allowed in unless they're in their Pokéball. Pikachu doesn't like being his in Pokéball, but I couldn't leave him behind so," Ash slowly lifts the table cloth, and there is Pikachu nibbling on a piece of bread under the table.

Serena smiles.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me," she says as she "drops" some food from her plate.

...

The tables are being slowly being cleared, and the band has began playing some graceful melodies. People have slowly made their way to the dance floor.

"What happens for the rest of the night?" Serena asks.

"Well, there is some time dedicated to dancing and socializing. Then we all go outside where King Roman says some words, and we light the sky," Ash explains.

"Light the sky?"

"'Everyone can work together to light up even the darkest of nights'. That was the motto the first Kantoian King. He used it to united his people together. To symbolize that, we unleash lanterns into the sky to bring his motto to life."

"Wow," Serena whispers, as she watches more and more couples fill the dance floor. She looks over at Ash, and he's petting Pikachu under the table, seeming bored.

"I wish I could take you outside," Ash says.

"Outside? Why?" Serena ask.

"Because that's where the real party is."

Serena's eyebrow lifts up in confusion.

"I thought the party was right here."

"It is. But this party is for all the higher class people, or people who know the right people. Outside, is everyone else."

"Do they get food too?"

"Yes, they do, but it isn't served to them like in here. It's set up as a buffet, with cooks cooking it outside," Ash explains as he sits back in his chair.

"All my life I've been part of the outside group. I've always wondered how it was in here, and now that I have I honestly say I miss it out there. Everything here is just so, strict. Out there we all have a good time and don't have to worry so much about rules."

"Oh. Well that sounds like alot of fun!"

Ash's face lights up.

"Really?"

"Yes! To be honestly, I feel kind of uncomfortable here too," Serena admits, grabbing her dress.

"Do you want to go outside then? I can introduce you to some of my friends!" Ash says, with a big smile on his face.

"I, uh," Serena begins, as she struggles to decide on what to say. As much as she would love to go out with Ash, she knows she has to stay in here.

Luckily, at that moment Crystal and Red gets up from their seats. As they walk past Serena and Ash, Crystal stops and comes between the two.

"Pardon us one moment," Crystal says as she drags Ash out of his seat and away from the table. Once Crystal decides they're far enough she pulls Ash in front of her.

"What are you doing?" Crystal scolds.

"Uh, sitting?"

Crystal shakes her head while Red chuckles.

"Take it easy Crystal. You don't know Ash like I do."

"What about me?" Ash asks.

Red and Crystal share a look.

"When are you going to ask Serena to dance?" Crystal asks.

"What? Dance? No, I don't dance. I sword fight. I Pokémon battle. I don't dance!"

"What happened Ash. I thought you never backed down from anything?" Red says.

"I-I don't!" Ash says, his face flushing Red.

"Relax Ash. Just take deep breaths, and get enough courage to ask 'may I have this dance'. Then you take her out, put one hand on her waist, and the other you grab her hand." Red explains.

"Right! Then you guide her by following the music. Let it guide you, then you guide her! Take it easy, and make sure you don't step on her feet!" Crystal adds.

"That doesn't sound her. But I don't know," Ash admits as he rubs the back of his head.

"Hey. Look at me," Red says as he grabs Ash's shoulders. Ash looks up to the young Prince.

"Do you care about her?"

"I do! She's one of my friends!"

"Then do your best to make this night the best night of her life. Do you know how to do that?" Red asks.

Ash shake his head.

"You give her all your attention. Talk her. Dance with her. Make sure you two have fun, and be yourself."

"I have been doing that!"

"Then finish it off with dancing! You can do it!" Crystal says as she gives Ash a hug.

"Ok, I will!" Ash says as he fixes his uniform.

"Thanks for the prep talk Mom and Dad!" Ash says as he walks away from the Prince and Princess.

He stops a few feet away from the table and looks over to Serena, who watching another couple guide around the dance floor. He gulps, then slowly makes his way over.

"Do you think he'll actually do it?" Crystal asks.

"I have faith in him," Red says as he takes Crystal hand and slowly twirls her around into dancing position.

"May I have this dance Princess Crystal?"

"I thought you would never ask, Prince Red."

So the young heirs begin to dance together.

"You know, I find Ash's comment funny." Crystal says.

"Which one?"

"The mom and dad comment. It made it seem like we're an old couple," Crystal says.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Red asks.

"How so?" Crystal ask, as she looks into Red's brown eyes.

Red then looks up and gestures with his head for Crystal to look behind her. Crystal turns her head and watches Ash attempt to dance with Serena.

"Ah! So cute!" Crystal squeals silently. Red chuckles.

"Anyways, answer the question!"

"Oh, right! Well, old couples have a lot of love towards each other, and its good to have love." Red says.

"Are you saying there's love between us?" Crystal asks. The two heirs stop dancing and stare into each other's eyes.

"Well, I, see..."

As they stare, their faces slowly begin to gravitate towards each other, inching closer and closer. They both close their eyes, and anticipate their lips to touch. But just as they're about to, a loud thud interrupts the moment.

"What in the world?" Red says, as he opens his eyes and takes a look around. He then spots something right next to them.

"What is-" Crystal begins, but is interrupted as the object begins to groan.

"It's a person!"

They both immediately drop down and begin to pull what seems to be a bag over the person's face. Crystal gasps. Despite the fact being heavily bruised, she recognizes her mother.

"Mother? What happened?" She yells as she immediately hugs her.

Before anyone can do much more, screaming replaces the music as the giant chandelier in the middle of the room comes crashing down, crushing the couples that were under it at the wrong time.

Dust flies in the air.

"Crystal, stay still!" Red yells as he stands and unshealths his sword. He is able to make out a figure standing on top of the shattered chandelier. It slowly makes it way down to the ground.

"Lovely party. It's a shame I wasn't invited," a woman's voice fills the room.

"Who dares invaded my home!" King Roman roars as he rushes out with his Arcanine shield in hand. The dust slowly clears, and a woman wearing all black stands before King Roman, a rapier in hand.

"Ah. You must be King Roman. It's nice to finally meet you in person," the woman says.

"Who in the world are you?" The King of Kanto asks.

"You may call me Y, and I am your special guest."

"A guest? You're no guest! You're a barbarian!"

"Now, now, that's no way to treat your guests, is it?" The woman asks.

Guests? Red wonders.

At that moment, windows shatter as other people dressed in black break into the room, armed, and begin attacking the nearest person in sight.

"Cherish this moment King Roman," Y says.

"Because these are your final moments on this planet."

Author's Note:
Sorry for the long break! School was giving me a hard time & I had the worst case of writer block :(. Anyways, the next update won't be til 2-3 weeks from now, cuz I do have finals coming up :(
But I will update as soon as I can!
Feel free to comment!
Vote if it's worthy!
& as always,
Happy Reading :)
-eV04