I continued down the path, staying at a distance from Serena. I had respect for her, being the only person who talks to me and doesn't want to actually get into my personal life, but just like it always happens, she went to it. Exactly why I hate everyone, no one can keep to themselves. They always have to know everything that's going on. I thought she was different, I thought that maybe we could have been more than just class mates, overall I thought I could open up and tell them about it before they ask me. Another mistake that I repeated once again.

I looked behind me for a second and saw Serena staring at the ground while walking behind me. She looked depressed and wore a frown on her face. 'Does she feel bad?' I didn't really know what to say to her, Serena was depressed. I was about to open my mouth to apologize for getting worked up over her curiosity, when the image of my mom flashed in my head. 

I clenched my fist, tension running through my body 'No Ash, remember what happened. Don't repeat the same mistake all over again, and let it happen again.' I sighed and watched on the upcoming intersection 'I'm only hurting myself if I do this'

The gray smoke filled the fresh skies once more, and stood out as if a thunderstorm was on its way. At the intersection I stopped in my tracks and waited for Serena to pass me, it's not like I couldn't have kept going, but I didn't want to end up going in the same direction because this is the opposite way of the pokemon center I'm staying at. Why did I even bother coming this direction and walking with her...

Rain began to settle and water began pouring from the dark skies.

At the moment she passed me and chose her direction which I could only assume would be towards her home, I started pacing a different path, one that would lead me away from Serena, or anyone for that matter, I don't want to be anywhere near people. I turned the corner and heard a shout "Arghh!", my curious self taking over I peaked, but only enough to see what was happening. It was Serena she seemed completely frustrated "Stupid, stupid!" 

From a distance, my eye spotted a piece of liquid flowing down from Serena's eye. It was hard to tell whether it was a tear or the rain, but what confirmed it was the sniffling. 'Go Ash, make things right. This isn't you' I heard my own voice mentally. I took a step out from the corner, the image flashed through my mind again, my hands began to shake, which then spread to the rest of my body. I turned and ran away as soon as possible 'No, you are wrong. This is me, the old Ash is gone and lost in sea of souls.  I-I c-can't, not again.'

By the end of the day, and towards mid night I reached the pokemon center, finally being able to rest. I layed down in my bed, exhausted and fell asleep quickly. My rest was soon interrupted by a flash of electricity going through my body. I woke up immediately and noticed Pikachu standing in front of me, clearly in an annoyed expression "Thanks buddy" I smiled my partners way.

I raised my upper body and sat up on the bed, only to notice something. I didn't feel tired at all, actually I felt full of energy today. I then recalled yesterday and shook the thought. "Wait a minute..." I started speaking my mind out loud, Pikachu now looking at me with a confused expression "I didn't have a nightmare, about... that day" I said being surprised myself, but why now? Nothing happened except for me further pushing everyone out of my life.

No need to ponder upon pointless thoughts. I stood up and got changed. Making my way towards the exit nurse Joy asked me question "Ash, you sure came late last night. Is there something that happened?" Usually I'd ignore anyone who would speak to me, even more I'd get aggressive towards them for trying to get into my life, but seeing as nurse Joy takes care of pokemon and protects them, I have no reason to share my hatred with her. "No, just went another direction to walk home a..." I stopped for a moment to think about which word to use "a classmate who missed the bus" I explained to nurse Joy "Alright that's fine, enjoy your day then"

I left the building and strolled my way through the city and towards Lumiose high. Once I arrived, the professor was standing in front of the entrance, notifying the students who were getting to class about a special event today. 

"Ash, Marvelous to see you again! Today is a different schedule, there will be no regular classes, but make sure to come to the battle stadium. There is a special announcement, and you're gonna like what it is" Professor said full of happiness, highly doubt that I will enjoy what professor has in stock for us.

Entering the stadium, I could see the thousands of peers now sitting down and talking amongst each other. Not wanting to talk to anyone, or sit by anyone for that matter, I went all the way up and put my back against a wall, waiting patiently for the announcement. A moment or so later, Professor Sycamore walked into the building with someone I knew all to well.

The figure was wearing a black jacket held together by a gray tear like object at the upper center chest. Under said jacket could be seen a dark shirt. On the lower region of the body, stood out the suit trousers covered with the color of her eyes. The eyes were a mixture of gray and a dark charcoal. The footwear were onyx high heels with a single yellow stripe on each towards the end. Upon the females head, what stood out the most was the magnificent light blonde hair stretching down to nearly her knees towards the back, while the side merely catching her shoulder. Within the side of her head could be seen four hairpins that shared the same intensity as a Lucario.

"Everyone listen up please!" Professor Sycamore shouted, causing the stadium to be filled with silence, grabbing everybody's attention. "We have a marvelous day ahead of us! For today joining us will be a special guest, who travelled all the way from Sinnoh, please give a heartwarming welcome to Cynthia, the Sinnoh champion!" The stadium was once more filled with sounds, but this time cheering and clapping.

"But today isn't for talking. Today is about learning through experience! Those who have the desire, can battle against against Cynthia!" He wants the trainers with barely any experience, and pokemon who have rarely ever battled to go up against one of the most powerful trainers of the world? This should be fun to watch. "Now I know what you may be thinking, it won't be a fair fight, but the only way to learn is by doing! The stronger you opponent, the stronger you will be" The conclusion to the statement sent me into a shock. My eyes turned wide, while my mind raced beyond imagination. 

Images kept going through my head, my journey through out the years, Greninja and I going beyond evolution. I held my hand up to my head, suffering from a painful head ache 'Ergh, why is this happening? I have no bad memories associated with Greninja' My internal thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice "Ash!" I looked at the direction of the voice and it found it to belong to Serena, she was gesturing me to come over "Come, sit down by us!" I gave her one of my cold looks and ignored her, returning my attention to the now speaking Cynthia.

"Alright, so which one of you wants to go up against me first!" Cynthia said with joy in her voice as she pointed her finger all around the stadium, with out a moment to lose someone shouted from the crowd "Me! I want to defeat you first!" It was Calem, he rushed to the battlefield and stood the opposite side of Cynthia. "My, my isn't someone confident" She then let out a bipedal, canine-like Pokemon, with fur that is predominantly blue and black. It possess a short, round spike on the back of each forepaw, in addition to a third on its chest. The torso is covered with cream-colored fur, while blue embodies its thighs. 

'Lucario huh, interesting choice Cynthia. Let's see what Calem will pull out of his pocket' He goes on to release his Chespin. I sighed "This battle will be over in a minute, maybe not even that. Poor Chespin" I said to no one in particular "Pika-pi..." Pikachu said 

"You have the first move!" Cynthia shouted "I'll gladly take that offer, Chespin use vine whip!" Chespin proceeded to use the vines on it's back to hit Lucario, who looked as if he took no damage from the hit. "Ergh, Chespin Rollout let's go!" Calem gave another command to his partner. Chespin rolled towards it's opponent before being shot back into the wall by a bone rush "Chespin, how could you get taken down after one hit!" Calem yelled in frustration at his pokemon, who was laying on the ground, unconscious. 

"Good job Lucario, and as for you" She said towards Calem "Chespin trusted your decisions. The pokemon is not at fault, it is the trainers choices that get their pokemon in a situation like this" Cynthia explained the mistakes Calem made.

"What ever" Calem could be heard saying under his breath. Well that was absolutely boring, that reminds me why am I even here. This is all just a big waste of time. I made my way towards the exit and was stopped by a voice coming behind me "And where do you think you are going, don't you want a chance to battle?" It was Cynthia, I didn't need to turn around because I already know that voice, maybe she will remember me. "I don't see the point of hitting pokemon once, who had started on their journey a while or so ago. It's pretty cruel if you ask me." I answered, still facing the exit.

"But you are different right, is that it?" She questioned me, and I chuckled at the response "If you wish to have a battle, then so be it. How could I turn down a request from the champion of Sinnoh" I turned around and revealed myself to Cynthia, who gasped at first but then got a grin. "You sure have changed Ash, but was it for the better or for the worse?" She asked a rhetorical question as she was making her way to her side of the battlefield. "Looks like you'll just have to find out!" I shouted, now getting fired up at the thought of battling a champion.

Cynthia then went on to release her Lucario, which disappointed me a bit "Come on Cynthia, don't be going easy on me. We both now there is a stronger member that takes a place on your team" I told Cynthia while demonstrating my boredom "If you really want to battle Garchomp that bad Ash I sure can't deny you that, but I promise it wont be easy!" Cynthia said as she returned Lucario "Then let's get this under way! Garchomp battle dance!" There was a flash of blue and a dragon-ground type pokemon appeared with a roar

"Pikachu, you are my most trusted and powerful, I choose you!" I shouted as I extended my hand for Pikachu to run off of and jump doing a flip, landing on the ground in a battle stance. I stood at the end of the field looking upon my opponent on her Garchomp as comments were flying left and right 

"Did he seriously ask to battle her ace?" 

"I heard that Garchomp can mega evolve"

"That stupid trainer chose an electric type against a dragon-ground type"

"How many mistakes can you make?"

"Can't wait to see how quickly Cynthia will finish him off"

I wasn't surprised at the comments, I was use to them at this point and they never bother me, seeing as I've been in a stadium more than a couple of times "Seems that the crowd is in your favor Cynthia" I told her, to which she smiled and replied "Here's to a great battle" I nodded

"Although, I usually let my opponents have the first attack, I think I'll start this battle off! Garchomp, Brick Break!" Cynthia shouted. Garchomp proceeded to blast off towards Pikachu with the speed of light, and re-appeared right before Pikachu 'Perfect exactly what I wanted, get up close' I grinned while analyzing the battle "Pikachu, don't panic slide between the legs and use Iron tail to damage the knee of Garchomp!" I yelled to my partner "Pika!" he replied.

Pikachu excecuted the plan with precision and accuracy, avoiding Garchomps brick break and hitting his knee with an iron tail causing the dragon pokemon to scream in pain "GAAAR" Cynthia looked on in surprise to see how much I've changed "If the enemy is bigger, we'll just get them down to our size!" The crowd looked on and were glued to their seats, staring at me, this mysterious trainer that they have never heard of, who seems to be getting the best of Cynthia.

POV Switch (Serena)

"Ash sure is something..." I heard Dawn say next to me, who was then met by Gary's arrogant comment "Yeah, he's ok but nothing compared to what I am" Everyone in the group sweat dropped at the comment "Wow, Ash actually got a hit on Garchomp and it looked to be like his weak spot as well!" Barry shouted out loud nearly causing us all to become deaf. 'Weak spot' the phrase kept circling in my head, the gym battle. He is using the exact same tactic, going for Garchomp weakness' to immobilize it. "Pikachu, while Garchomp is recovering use thunderbolt!" 

I was extremely confused and shared my though with the others "Uhm, isn't Garchomp a ground type, meaning that electric type moves will do nothing against it?" Paul swiftly answered "You are correct Serena, what is Ash thinking?" He finished with more of an insulting tone. I glanced at Cynthia who also seemed to have a confused expression planted on her face

"Pika-CHUUU!" Pikachu screeched as it released it's electricity. It connected and shocked everyone when Garchomp seemed to be in pain, but Cynthia knew how to counter it "Garchomp! Smash your claws into the ground and let the electricity pass through!" She commanded her ace pokemon who did as it was told.

POV Switch (Ash)

"Ash, seeing that thunderbolt do damage to Garchomp, completely caught me off guard. You have changed, and for the better!" Cynthia presented her admiration towards the trainer. "But that doens't mean you will be able to win, Garchomp Dragon Rush on Pikachu while he is mid air!" Garchomp roared as it followed its trainers command. "Pikachu, dodge that!" I watched as Pikachu tried its best to dodge, but couldn't do much mid air. He was left, falling towards the ground. Where he fell hitting the ground, it caused smoke to settle in. "As fun as it has been Ash, all good things must come to an end" Cynthia commented

"I agree Cynthia, Pikachu use quick attack and combine it with thunderbolt!" The move caught Cynthia by surprise "Two moves at once?" She questioned. Pikachu darted out of the smoke with a white outline, sparks began gathering around his cheeks, and eventually released "Pika, pika, pika, pika, pika pika, PIKA" Pikachu kept going faster and faster until it collided with Garchomp and sent it flying back. Both pokemon tired, returned on the trainers sides.

The crowd wasn't cheering anymore, they were all left speechless, looking upon a battle between a champion and a nobody that went to their school. And the nobody now somehow being equal, or maybe even better against Cynthia and her ace pokemon Garchomp.

"It's time to finish this, Garchomp Giga Impact full power!" Cynthia yelled out towards its partner, clearly fired up and extremely excited about this battle. Garchomp charged up and flew up towards Pikachu, exactly what I wanted "Pikachu Iron tail on the ground!" This caused big pieces of stone to go out of the ground, "Now, quick attack towards Garchomp!" 

"Is he crazy? Giga Impact against quick attack, how many more dumb choices can you make!" I heard someone mock me from the spectators, this made me grin "Pikachu! Jump onto the rocks in the air, and use Iron tail combined with electro ball!" 

POV Switch (Serena)

The gang and I watched in shock and silence, as we saw Pikachu hop onto the floating rocks with the speed of his quick attack, now iron tail being ready, rebound off of it while charging it's electro ball. Time seemed to slow down, as I watched Pikachu perform a flip mid air and smash onto a Garchomp going into another direction.

At the moment the attack connected there was a massive explosion within the stadium. Nothing was visible as smoke went everywhere, covering the entire battlefield. "Garchomp must be done for..." I heard May say from the side lines

This was why Ash was training these moves few days ago. So that he could defeat strong opponents, but did he defeat Garchomp? The smoke began clearing up, both pokemon were standing at their trainers side, panting and full of scratches all over the body. It seemed that neither of them have given up, even after taking a tremendous amount of damage. 

And Ash, he seemed to be enjoying himself, I saw him smiling, chuckling and even laughing. This is an entire opposite side to him, the opposite side I saw yesterday when he interacted with those pokemon. Simply seeing him happy caused a smile to form on my face as well.

POV Switch (Ash)

"Looks like this battle isn't over quite yet" I chuckled towards Cynthia. She looked on at me with seriousness in her eyes, but was replaced with laughter "Yes Ash, I guess you are right, but the next move is what decides it all!" She was right, Pikachu has barely any energy left, if this keeps up we will lose due to stamina. But wait, Garchomp is now paralyzed due to fatigue, this is our chance. Both Cynthia and I shouted "Pikachu/Garchomp use quick -/dragon -

Our commands were interrupted by another explosion, we looked on in horror as there was smoke coming from a side from the stadium. The smoke was blocking our sight and made it impossible to see through it. 

'Who is evil enough to endanger the lives of all these pokemon!' I shouted in my head, now gritting my teeth in anger.