At the middle of the sidewalk, staring in each direction. My mind racing. I closed my eyes, breathing in the fresh afternoon breeze, placing my hand at the center of the upper region of my chest. I turned to one direction, my beat nothing but silent. Shifted to another, it felt as if somebody was pummeling my insides, attempting to escape the prison located around it. Eye lids shot open, a frown attaining its position.

I made my decision. 'Although, is it the right decision?'

Without a second to spare, I refused to look back. I shook my head of the nasty thoughts implemented inside. The frown was abolished, a curve of the lips upwards replacing the current. Now dashing towards my destination, I thought of the perfect words to say. Passing each citizen, staring at me with confusion as I hurried along with a goal set in mind. Only to soon grow tired off the constant movements, rightfully leaning back onto a fence, placed to prevent sliding down a certain decline.

My mouth went agape when I had noticed the location I was at. Too distracted to even bother to notice the surroundings I had such outstanding admiration for. Simply moving my head, bestowed me the beauty that I could once again experience. It was a warm windy afternoon, the day I had chosen to get back what I had lost. The golden substance meeting the lively waves, each time retreating back into the depths of the unknown, running towards the incline, contacting the burning grass located under me. 

The rays of the high noon times glimmering in my eyes once more, purely standing out in the middle of the ocean located above. The ocean above our heads filled with smaller, yet barely significant white pieces scattered across the planar. 'Every time I visit this place, I get to experience it all over again. Not only the sight, but the memories coming into view once more.' I starred at a single location in the plantation filled hill, imaging a figure of a certain person laying down once more, along side their partner resting atop of the figure, taking it's spot and claiming it permanently.

"Excuse me, are you alright miss?" A voice clearing my thoughts, the image of the trainer disappearing into sparkles, floating back into the vastness of the universe. I looked behind me, to find a worried little girl standing nearby "Why do you ask?" Slightly confused by the little one's sudden question, rather unprepared. She pointed her hand at me, extending her index finger "I saw you had a tear in your eye, does something hurt?" I raised my hand to my eye, only to be met by a single smooth water piece, now running down my hand. 

I stared at the tear as it continued its journey towards the ground, eventually jumping off of my arm, meeting it's destination and quickly mixing with the sand and dirt. Endlessly, for some reason I couldn't take my eyes off of the spot. "Miss, you didn't answer me." The voice disrupted. "It does... slightly." I let out with my jaw slightly open towards the girl. "I'm also sad sometimes when things hurt, but then I remember the people around me can always help! Especially the people who are closest to you." 

The girl's action surprised me when I felt the finger she pointed earlier reach the center of my chest "Things will never hurt when you have people in there." I followed her actions, and put my hand over hers. A radiating feeling escaped the area. My jaw raised itself, only for my lips to curve into a smile. I nodded at the girl that I was towering over "Thank you..." I whispered in a soft tone. She returned the smile, only cheekier than my, stretching ear to ear, wide open to let the entire world see. 

The conversation had met it's peak, and it was time for her to go. I could see in the distance, what I could only assume to be her mother or perhaps a sister waving towards her, and calling her name. The two were now out of view, I was left with but the sight located after the barrier I held my hand onto. Letting go, I began slowly pacing towards my goal. To once again meet that someone who I scarcely know about.

Bouncing through the trees, following the paths. It had reminded me of the decision. The decision that would forever change my life. The decision that was agreed upon between my starter, Fennekin and I. 

'Hey Fennekin, I know we haven't really used that much time practicing our pokemon performances, but wouldn't you say it's about time for us to join one?"  

It was as if I was reliving the entire experience, the experience that would set it's mark in in my journey. This time, I was looking upon myself, proud of who I was and still who I am.

"Fennekin?" She tilted her head

I giggled, and continued "Yeah, we both know that we enjoy doing it, and I think that we definitely have what it takes!"

I couldn't help but admire the person standing in front of me. 'I was willing to do anything back then, an unstoppable force drove me... Where is that force now?'

"Fennekin, Fenne-Fennekin!" The dancing partner cried out with excitement filling it's voice.  

"So you agree? Yay!" They both jumped into the air making up their minds.

A sigh escaped my mouth, I took my most significant pokeball from my belt and looked at it with detail. "Such a promise we made, the excitement in our voices. We carried on with that dream, and look where that led us..." I spoke out towards the pokeball, at which it shook as a response.

"And besides I'm getting tired of those dreams. I wan't to make them a reality!" My past self said to Fennekin. 

'Dreams I use to call them. Now, I'm not sure whether or not what I'm seeing is a reality. Constant nightmares filled with things that I have yet to understood. Are they pointless nightmares, merely coincidences? Or is there more importance located within these dreams?' The two see through past selves soon disappeared, and I was left starring into nothing. Nothing but nature in the background. "Time to go." 

Finally escaping the forest that I had originally set my goal in, I was bestowed by the sight of countless tall structures speaking out towards me. The one to take my breath away, the Prism Tower. Lights illuminating from the middle, towards the far reaches of the land in each direction. With each step taken towards the tall piece of ingenuity it was hard to believe that no so long ago, there stood an enraged Garchomp atop that building. 

Not only the poor pokemon, but also a brave hero that helped stop it, while nearly risking his own life afterwards by showing the true bond of friendship when he leapt off the tower to save his companion. I dropped to my knees, the memories replaying in my head, but a feeling of pressure building up as well, causing me to wince and tense from pain. The cut. The fall. The attitude. 'There's no way that was Alain.' I said to myself, staring at the tower in disbelief 'Just no way...'

I stood tall, the red colored roof in my sight. Glancing back at the tower, I nodded 'I'll deal with you later. I will find out who was on that tower, and I'm positive I know who.' My walk restarted, and I was soon to cross paths with an empty battlefield, to visit it would mean to walk down a flight of stairs. 'Ash sure was amazing when he battled against Flint... But I bet there's more to him than just that.'

Edging towards the red building, the lights had began turning on, indicating that it was getting late. The bright amber sky above was still visible, but that wasn't the only amber being displayed in Lumiose City.

"Good evening, how may I help you today Serena?" I walked in, only to be slightly shocked that nurse Joy remembered me "You remember me nurse Joy, I had barely visited here once." I said, to which the nurse smiled "You simply have one of those faces that are hard to forget. Now, is there something I can help you with?" 

"Y-yes there actually is. If you recall, the last time I visited and had to spend the night, that day I spent it with a raven haired boy-" I was cut off by nurse Joy "Yes, Ash. I remember him. He stayed here for quite a while, then disappeared without saying anything. He did eventually reappear, however he was completely close minded once he did return. I tried my best to speak to him, but nothing got through to him." The nurse explained, while I heard and listened to every detail 'That must have been when he returned from Sinnoh...'

"Does that mean he is here?" I said, crossing my fingers behind my back and hoping for the best. To my disappointment, nurse Joy shook her head "I'm sorry Serena... but Ash's attitude completely changed. I hadn't seen him, and it appeared that he spent all of his time in that room, blocked in there doing nothing. He wouldn't come out to eat, drink or even train like he use to every morning." Nurse Joy's voice turned into a sad tone towards the end of the sentence 

"Seeing him up every single morning. Very early in the morning... it brought joy to my heart to see a trainer share such a relationship with his pokemon. I had never seen someone  as keen on pokemon as Ash was, no matter the situation he would always be the one to cheer them on." She exclaimed, looking at the ground seeming to recall the times Ash had spent here "When I was on break, I would often come out to see Ash with his pokemon, always making them feel better when they are down about something, and having open arms to playing with other pokemon." I listened in awe to how friendly Ash has been during his stay here, never showing this side anywhere else, except that one time.

"W-where is Ash now?" I asked with a worried expression written all over me "I'm sorry Serena, but because of his attitude I couldn't allow him to stay any longer. It pained me to do that, it did. Seeing what Ash had done, and the way he could communicate with pokemon was amazing." The tone soon translated "However, that boy that returned to this pokemon center, he was not Ash. I know Ash had never cared to show his emotions, but he would never do anything anymore. He would reject all the pokemon trying to be with him again. He kept to himself, all day and every day."

There was a pause of silence. "For the benefit of the pokemon here, and his own. I decided to have him removed from the pokemon center, and told him that he couldn't stay here any longer until he gets himself sorted out and back on his feet, just like the Ash we know will." I didn't know whether to be shocked at what nurse Joy did, or admire her for her caring capabilities, especially regarding Ash. "Do you have any idea where I could find him?" I asked with my last piece of hope on a string. Nurse joy shook her head, pointed at the ground and closed her eyes. "Sorry. I wouldn't have a clue where to find him. By now, I'm not even sure if he is in Kalos anymore..." The words pierced through my skin, and hit directly at the object radiating that feeling.

"N-no... It can't be..." I made out in disbelief, able to contain myself. Silence fell upon the pokemon center once more "Serena-" Nurse Joy started, yet stopped immediately when she saw my expression when I raised my head "No! I refuse to believe it. Ash is still here. I know he is!" I said full of determination "How can you be so sure?" 

"To be completely honest, I don't know myself. I just have this feeling, that I will see him again. Besides, I have to stay true to my words. Never give up until its the very end!" I shouted out, shocking nurse Joy and causing her mouth to agape. She nodded and smiled "You're exactly like him..." She said under her breath, which caused blood to rush to my cheeks "Well then. I don't know what you're still doing here. Go find that boy, and bring him back to the way he used to be." 

"Right!"

With that, I turned around and exited through the door, sprinting past everyone. I didn't know where to go. I had no idea where Ash could be, I didn't know if he was still even in Kalos. The one thing I did know is that I am not giving up. Not until I find that raven haired boy. 

Even though I had recently just passed the battlefield, I had a sudden urge to go there for some reason. I couldn't be able to explain it. I turn towards where the battlefield was "Go, and you shall find the treasure you seek, however the key. It is located somewhere else..." A voice rang through my head, a soft and tender. Yet at the same time availed in mystery. 'A treasure, and a key?' I said in my head 'The treasure is obviously at the battlefield, but what does it mean by the key?'

"I don't have time for these thoughts! I need to find Ash!" I ran directly towards the battlefield. 'I know you are there. You just have to be.' I thought in my head, reassuring myself and my choice. 

My choice eventually led me to the sight I had recently ignored, my feet standing at the top of the stairway. The stairway that led to... an empty battlefield. I sighed with disappointment and kicked the ground in frustration "Arghh! Stupid intuitions!" I turned my back on the battlefield, a single tear flowing down my cheek, reaching the ground. The moment I began walking away, a familiar voice I had waited for reached my ears.

"I don't care if I use to be a part of the special forces and your associate. This battle will make you eat the words you've said to me!" My jaw dropped before I even turned my head. I looked behind me, and surely there he was. Standing at the edge of the battlefield. A smile stretched from ear to ear at the sight. I ran towards the stairs, ready to leap onto him. When a voice stopped me.

"Don't. First this must be taken care of. You must not get in the way." I looked to my side, and saw a figure covered in a cloak standing on the sidelines, staring at the two on the battlefield. "What do you mean?" I asked confused at his request. "It is true. Emotions are a powerful force. A powerful force that can be a strongest ally, but at the same time the biggest downfall. Suppress them temporarily. For the sake of Ash." The voice, had been low. A cold voice, somewhat familiar, yet mysterious at the same time. I couldn't place it anywhere. I guess it didn't matter. 

'I will wait. For the sake of Ash'

I nodded to the man, who looked away and replaced his attention to the heated battle that was about to go under way. Raising my right hand, I placed it on the location that covered my heart, and atop that hand I placed my significant other.

"Charizard, please come out and help me with this battle!" My head shot to the opposite side of the field, my jaw dropped once more when I realized who it was. 'It's him. The person from the interview. Alain... But why is he battling against Ash?' I couldn't make any sense of the situation, rather I carried on watching .

"Pikachu. Go." Ash said with such seriousness it sent shivers down my spine. The yellow mouse pokemon ran down the trainers arm and jumped off, only to perform a flip and land. All of its four paws on the ground, a face full of determination and electricity flying around its face. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted out, the yellow mouse pokemon built up it's energy and eventually released its signature cry "Pikaaaa-chuuuu!" 

The electricity bolted towards the draconic pokemon, and successfully hit it. The smoke disappeared revealing an unscathed Charizard, standing and waiting patiently for it's command. "You'll have to do better than that Mr. Arrogant." Alain mocked, I could see a fist form below Ash. His face tensing, while the teeth gritting against each other. "Drop them to the floor. Use quick attack!" Pikachu shot off the ground towards the enemy pokemon and just when he was about to reach it "Charizard, knock them away with Flamethrower." His voice remained at peace, contrary to Alain though, I could feel the anger radiating from Ash.  

The small yellow pokemon was sent back when the Flamethrower engulfed it, landing at the feet belonging to Ash. It struggled to get up, but eventually managed to pull itself together and stood up once more. "I was expecting more of a challenge from you, yet you still seem to disappoint. The things I'd heard about your battling, I was actually excited about doing this. However now, you've been nothing but a fraud." Alain continued mocking Ash, I couldn't bare to listen to this anymore. I took a step forward, immediately halted by a hand in front.

"Let me pass. This isn't right!" I shouted out to the cloaked figure. "This isn't your battle. You have no control over this. Whether you like it or not, this battle will finish one way or another." The voice stated, yet the figure never moving. A look of worry was sent from me towards Ash 'Come on Ash. Pull it together.'

"I'll show you a challenge. Pikachu, use Iron Tail!" Alain looked bored at the command "Really? A steel type move, something Charizard is resistant to?" Ash grinned at his response, that's when I realized what he was doing. He was playing the same mind games as he did on Flint. "Now, combine that with Electroball." Alain's face changed to one of shock as he witnessed Pikachu begin charging an Electroball with the addition of Iron Tail, slamming it onto the orange, lizard like pokemon.

The field was filled with smoke, without any second left to think. Charizard escaped it and hit Pikachu directly with Steel Wing, causing it to be sent back into a wall "What is this?!" Ash yelled out, rage filling his voice. I was certain that the battle was over, that Alain was the stronger trainer. My doubts about Pikachu were wrong when I thought my eyes had deceived me, but the yellow mouse pokemon was still standing. Covered completely in scratches, and panting heavily.

Alain shook his head, with his eyes closed. He looked displeased with Ash's performance "What's the matter with you? Did something happen again in your life, or did you just become depressed as hell all of the sudden?" It hurt me to hear those words, even more so when I saw Ash's eyes begin to well up "Shut up!" The raven haired boy shouted in anger. "Teach him a lesson. Quick Attack, with the addition of Thunderbolt!" The electric type winced in pain, but ran towards Charizard anyway. He didn't even need to use any moves, Charizard simply swatted Pikachu away with it's tail. Like some sort of fly, an annoying pest to deal with.

"Weak. That's all you are Ash. A weak little boy with hopes of accomplishing something too great for you. You had the right idea packing up your things and leaving, I can see you aren't the type of person for the job. You need to face reality, and accept the past-" I trembled at the ear piercing scream. I looked at Ash, waterfalls escaping him and landing on the ground beneath. "You don't know me! Don't pretend like you do! You don't know my past! No ones does!" I saw him turn his head to the side, his hat covering his face. 

I could see it in him. Ash couldn't handle it anymore, the same as myself. I knew how he felt like. He broke down, and without even finishing the battle I saw him turn and ran another direction away. "Pikapiiii!" The yellow mouse pokemon cried out and followed him. I stared at the raven haired boy as he disappeared. "Good job Charizard, take a nice rest." I heard Alain's voice on the other side. Rage filled me, and it was time that somebody scolded that trainer. That was my plan, until a hand grabbed my shoulder "Go. Find him." It was the cloaked figure. I stared at cloaked mystery, giving a final look at Alain.

I searched for the raven haired boy the entire day. Up and down the Lumiose City area, yet could never find him. Hopes were running low, as with each passing moment without any sign of him my will to reunite with him was dying down. 'Does he even want to see me after that?' I asked myself. Where do I even go after this. I've checked everywhere "The place which holds most significance in your heart, that is where you shall find the treasure. The key, it lies within." That same voice went through my mind.

Confused at first, the light lit up in my head. 'The place which holds most significance...' I knew where that was. My feet went into an automatic sprang and dashed towards the outskirts off Lumiose city. All the memories flashing through my head, each memory, every moment I had spent with Ash. Every step taken forward in a direction. Each step resembling a part of my journey. 

It wasn't before long that I had reached the beach that held dear value. My head span hectically as my eyes searched for the boy. Nothing was there. Nobody. The beach was completely empty. "I don't understand... this place holds a special place within me..." I said underneath my breath. My eyes lit up the moment I had shifted them in another direction. 'The edge of the world.' I thought to myself in wonder "The edge of the world!" I shouted out, and dashed yet again.

Panting heavily, I pushed through the pain. Climbing up, with each step getting closer. I reached the top. There he was. The boy I had been searching for the entire day. Brooding at the edge of the world. I felt worry shoot through my body as I realized how dangerously close to the edge he really was. I still had a smile on my face, this isn't where my story ends. This isn't where this story ends. This is our story.

I stepped forward, feeling the grass below me crunch. The sound of leaves breaking filled the air. With each passing step, the sound of sobbing could also be heard, louder and louder. "What's the point of this. Alain's right... I'm nothing but a weak, pathetic excuse of a trainer..." I saw him, petting his yellow mouse pokemon. "I'm sorry Pikachu... it was all my fault you're hurt..." It was true, Pikachu was covered in scratches and bruises, yet still remained curled up on the lap of its trainer. "I don't know how much more of this I can take. We've lost everything. I don't know if I even deserve to be here... A weak and pathetic little bo-" 

I couldn't handle it anymore. My true emotions took over, tears beginning to form in my eyes "Stop that!" I yelled out towards him, standing behind him looking at his back. He didn't seem to respond to this. He kept starring out into the vastness of the world. Not being able to contain myself, I too let it all out. "You stop that right now! Don't you dare talk about yourself that way Ash Ketchum!" His head shot up. I looked as Ash was completely shocked.

Not a word spoken by him, yet a half shocked, half confused expression was being sent my way. Silence fell between us, Ash didn't speak a word. His hat covered his eyes. He was doing nothing. Only staring at my direction "Say something! But don't you dare say anything bad about yourself!" I cried out towards him. I built up my courage. Whether this was for the good or for the bad. I needed to bring sense into him. I took in a deep breath and walked forward. A heavily red mark could be seen on his face now. An imprint of a hand.

"Where are you Ash? I know you don't like getting into your personal life, but I am here to help you! I don't care how many times you reject me. I will come back!" The slap caught him, and he now turned his eyes towards me, his jaw dropped. "That time we walked home together, you showed me your true colors. When you played with those pokemon, I saw the happiest boy in the world in front of me. Now all I see is a sack of sadness. This isn't the Ash I know!"

The words must have cut through him, as his eyes trembled staring into mine. He stood up, without speaking a word. Ash continued staying silent, only causing me to feel distressful. He wasn't doing anything, except standing there. Looking at me. 

"Ash, I-"

My voice was cut off the moment he had finally moved. Ash completely caught me off guard as he launched himself at me, and threw his arms around me. My face immediately reddened, even more so when I felt his arms tightened. I was stuck in a trance, not knowing whether this was reality, or another false dream. His next words brought joy to my heart, joy that had been lost.

"Serena. Thank you."