It was a calm, overcast day, and I found myself walking down a path, surrounded by large oak trees, admiring the beauty of the woods that surrounded me.  

Looking at the canopy created over my head, I could tell the sunny sky was covering the woods. The crimson and auburn foliage was a magnificent sight, as this was the season known as Fall. There was a gentle breeze, creating the single sound of rustling leaves. Rustling leaves that appeared as though they were dying to fall out of the trees, and gather with the rest of their companions. 

With each passing movement, the sound of leaves crunching filled the forest, the ever so silent forest. In the near distance, you could hear Fletchling singing, their voices carried by the whistling wind. I lifted my face, letting the light and shadow dance across my smooth skin. I took a deep breath, inhaling the minty smell.

I kept moving on, a smile plastered across my face. I admired my surroundings, as I look upon countless pokemon running through the grassy terrain. The further I walked, the more I began noticing the forest disappearing. 

I squinted my eyes, and protected them with my arm from an incoming beam of light. It seemed to be the end of the forest, an opening of some sort. The light kept getting brighter and brighter by the moment. My legs kept pushing through, and eventually we reached upon the sight. 

It was beautiful.

I had reached the edge of the world. I took a step further, now the sun in clear view. I could hear the soft sounds of the waves, crashing into the sharp rocks at the bottom. Looking at the bottom, it stood out as insurmountable, the curtains of solid rock dazzling as they reflect the sunlight. 

My jaw dropped by the sight, my eyes glistening at the sight. I looked out towards the endless wasteland of water. The weather soon changed, black thunderous clouds took over the sky. It didn't rain, but lightning began dropping onto the ground.

"You..." I heard someone from behind me. I turned my head, only to notice a shadow wearing nothing but a mask covering its face. I screeched and took a step back, small rocks falling down to the water. I had nowhere to go, and was caught at the edge of the world. "W-What do you want from me?!" I yelled out towards the mysterious figure.

It didn't say anything. It was joined by another shadow, a smaller version and stood by its side, gazing upon me. I could feel my heart beat increasing, sweat began forming on my forehead. The situation scared me beyond belief. The figure took as step towards me, smoke escaping its body with each movement.

"Why are you after me?" I asked, with a worried expression. The shadow didn't stop, it walked at a slow pace towards me. I didn't know what to do. "Who a-are you?" I asked, trying to get information. Much to my surprise the figure stopped, he turned to his companion and back to me, tilting his head sideways.

This time I was the one to take a step. "Why do you carry a mask?" I questioned the smoke-like person. The figure looked confused, it began looking around, but for what? I saw it regain its attention onto me, and began walking to me, raising its hand while pointing its finger at me. 

I felt extremely uncomfortable, and my fear returned. My body began shaking, as the shadow approached me. "L-leave me alone!" I shouted to it, however to no success as it continued its track. I backed up, afraid of what it will do to me.

"See... the Forest..." The figure said echoing through the land, which confused me even more. The figure was now right in front of me, the finger about to make contact.

"For the Trees"

I closed my eyes screaming, as I fell backwards into the crystal clear ocean. Hitting it, everything going black.

"See... the Forest... For the Trees" 

I sat up screaming with all my might. My mom ran into the room, checking on me "Serena! Are you okay?" She asked with a worried expression. 'Was that... another dream?' I thought to myself in disbelief "I heard you screaming and came as quickly as possible" My mother said, telling me I had just woke up 'But... It felt so... real' I looked at my hands, trying to remember the phrase the shadow had told me.

"See... the Forest... For the Trees?" I said thinking out loud "What do you mean Serena?" My mom asked me, still in my room. 'What did he mean by that?' I said in my head, still ignoring my mother. "Listen, breakfast is ready. Come down when you're ready" I nodded and went back to laying in my bed. My brain trying to decipher what the figure meant "It's just a dream. I'm over thinking this..." I sighed, my eyes closed now.

I stared at the ceiling, thinking about what happened yesterday. Suddenly Ash popped into my mind "Ash..." Fennekin jumped onto the bed and gave me a worried expression. "Fennekin, you remember what Ash said yesterday right?" I asked my fox pokemon "Fenne" She replied "He was being serious too, I hope he doesn't take this personally. Knowing him, he will probably ignore me again" I said with sadness in my voice.

"Fennekin!" The fire pokemon fired ember into my face. My brain took a while to process what just happened, and I snapped at Fennekin "What was that for!" My face covered by ash. "Fenne-Fennekin!" She gave me a look, I didn't exactly know what it meant. "What do you mean Fennekin?" I asked her. 

I then realized what Fennekin was trying to tell me. "Thanks Fennekin, you're right. This isn't like me. I'll keep on trying! I'll never give up, as long as you are here." I said jumping out of my bed with determination. "I will apoligize to Ash and regain his trust!" With that I ran into the bathroom to get change.

The moment I exited the bathroom, I grabbed Fennekin, rushed downstairs and started eating. Unlike usually I was speeding through my breakfast, my mom noticed this of course. "Serena, you're eating a bit quickly. Anything special happen?" She asked giving me a confused look. I giggled and sent her a smile "I'm just excited"

"Excited? For what if I may ask?" She questioned me, leaning in closer. I became a bit embarrassed because of the reason and blushed "I-It's n-nothing, something s-small" I stuttered. "Hmmmm... Is it about the raven haired boy you admire so much?" The question came out of the blue and hit me like a brick. "N-no!" I yelled out, to which my mom chuckled "Now I see what this is really about." She said with a serious expression.

My cheeks, were crimson and I tried covering them up. I sighed in defeat "Maybe..." I said confessing to my mother what this was really about. "Did something happen between you two?" She asked me, while she sat down with a plate with eggs, bacon and toast set on it. "Yes... but it wasn't for the better. I made a mistake and possibly even ruined all the progress in our relationship" Thinking back on the situation only made me more sad.

"Have you apologized to Ash to get things straight and fix the gap you left?" My mom asked, to which I nodded "I'm pretty sure that he doesn't even want to see or talk to me anymore" A frown made its way across my face "Don't say such things Serena, could you explain to me what exactly you did to make him lose all the trust you've built up?" My mom asked

"Yesterday, you know Calem right?" I asked, to which she nodded "Well, he pinned me against the wall, not in a forceful and physical way but just blocked my path. It isn't the first time and I know how to deal with him, but this time he wasn't so keen on giving up easily." I began explaining. I took a deep breath and continued "Because of this, I practically asked Ash to help me, as he was walking past. It escalated and eventually, Calem was on the floor with Ash on top of him, twisting his arm. A teacher saw all the commotion and sent us to Sycamore's office"

"Sycamore's office? That wasn't very pleasant was it, being sent to his office? But let me guess, Calem got into trouble for starting the fight, and Ash was free." She interrupted and took a guess, which was as far away from correct as possible "I wish it turned out that way... Calem kind of pressured me into backing him up and seeing as Calem has been one of my closest friends for the longest time now I didn't see any reason to go against it. Ash did look like he provoked him on purpose"

"So what you are saying is that Ash deserved the punishment, and nothing should've been done with Calem's behavior?" I hopped off my seat and answered without hesitation "Of course not! Ash should've been the one to go after that, but instead he got detention" I shouted out, then sat back down recalling what happened after "And it's all my fault..." 

A tear began forming in my eye "I backed up Calem, and said that Ash provoked him, even though it wasn't his fault. That's not even the worse part mom." She looked shocked "Once school ended, I waited for Ash to apologize for what I did. I tricked myself into believing that he would be my friend again..." I said in a depressed tone looking at the ground. The tear now started moving down my face "He responded by telling me.." 

My surroundings changed and all of the sudden I was back at the school. In front of me stood Ash, with a emotionless expression on his face "Next time, I won't get in the way" Yet again, it felt as if someone had shot me in my heart. My mind, recalling the experience. My eyes, watching in fear. My body, returning to the feeling. My ears, hearing those painful words. My mouth, filled with the taste of sour.

My consciousness was back at my own house, at the dinner table with my mom. I felt a hand grab my chin and raise it, she looked me dead in the eye "Serena. You can't give up this easily, I know this isn't like you. Ash is only human, he will listen you. Just have to find the right time. He was probably exhausted after the long day, and didn't listen to you. You go to him today, and tell him, maybe even show him how sorry you are. I know you can do it!"

I sniffed and wiped my eye with my hand "Do you really mean that?" I asked her. She sent a smile my way. "Fenne-Fennekin!" My pokemon gave me a determined look and I stared at both of them in awe "Thanks. Both of you" I said pulling them into a hug.

"Alright, now go to school before you end up being late" We all laughed at the comment 'Ash, I'm gonna make this right. You may not forgive me now, or tomorrow, but one day you will!' I said to myself and left my home to go school.

Not so long after the bus had stopped, I got off. I told the rest of my friends that I will see them later because I had important business to take care off. I walked all over the school grounds, I was positive Ash didn't have a lesson at the moment and I've seen him before at this time. 

The search carried on, but without any success. I checked the entire building and outside, but couldn't find him anywhere. 'Is he avoiding me?' I thought to myself, but quickly shook off the thought 'No, he's not that type of person. Even if he doesn't want to see or talk to someone he will still be in the open'

At this point I was very confused, Ash wasn't anywhere to be found. Eventually, my class starts and I go to it. Soon the lecture begins, and to my surprise the seat Ash usually takes is empty. I poke Dawn and ask her in a whisper "Dawn, do you know where Ash is?" I waited for a reply, and got one when she shrugged her shoulders.

"No one's seen him all day, my guess is that he either quit the school or moved somewhere else" She said, sharing her theory on why Ash isn't here. The two things she said made me a bit scared, I didn't want Ash to quit. I took one more look at the empty chair, and the table where usually the yellow mouse sleeps. I glanced out the window towards the sky.

'Where are you Ash?'