***May's POV

"A room for two please," I say, faking a smile to Nurse Joy.

"Of course dear," she says, allowing us to go around to the back. Serena silently follows.

It's sunset, so we went ahead and got rooms for the night.

We enter the room, and we sit on the beds, which are on opposite sides of each other. Serena is holding the hat in front of her, staring at it.

What are crazy day. And it's only the first day of our journey. We don't have a clue what we're doing or what we're looking for. And the only person who had an idea what to do stayed we left in a collapsing building.

Smart move, huh?

"I'm sorry."

I look over at Serena. Tears are running down her face.

"I'm sorry. For being a burden. For being helpless. I'm sorry for Ash, and what he did to-"

"No!"

Serena jumps back.

"Just, don't."

My breathing become shaky. My eyes watery as I try to hold back tears.

"You can't apologize for something you can't control. It's not your fault you were attacked and you hit your head. And don't ever apologize for something someone else did, especially if you had nothing to do with it."

Tears are running down in streams.

"Damn it! I told myself I wouldn't cry anymore."

Serena walks over and hugs me. I wince as she wraps her arms around me.

"It's ok. It's ok to cry, especially after what happened."

I hug her back.

We stayed like for I don't know how long, but we separate when someone knocked on the door.

"I got it," Serena says, letting go.

"Hello! I'm just bringing back your Pokeballs. They're all fully healed, but I'm still looking at Blaziken. He seems still be pretty weak from that attack he received, but I'm sure that he's back one-hundred percent, and I'll bring him over once he is," Nurse Joy says, hanging Serena two trays of pokeballs.

"Thanks Nurse Joy," Serena says, closing the door and handing me a tray. I take them and put them all back on my belt.

I hope Blaziken will be ok.

"Do you want to get something to eat, or you want to take a nap instead?" Serena asks, smiling.

"I, I think I'll sleep for a bit instead."

I pull the covers over me, and Serena does the same on her bed.

"Serena, thank you."

"What for? I should be thanking you."

"For trying to comfort me. At the gym, and just now."

"Anytime May. Anytime."

...

***Serena's POV

I'm sitting on my bed, holding the hat.

The red hat that belongs to a sweet, gentle, passionate boy who never hated anyone, and loves all Pokemon.

Does this boy still exist?

I sigh.

I can't keep thinking like this. I know he has to be the same person. But I don't understand how he is willing to do such a terrible thing to his friend.

I check the time, and it's exactly midnight. I haven't slept a wink. I look over at May, who is in a heavier sleep than a Snorlax. I groan and cover my face with a pillow.

Suddenly, someone knocks on the door.

Who can it be at this hour?

I slowly get off the bed, and creep towards the door. I slowly open it. There's no one in the hallway.

Weird.

I turn to close the door, when someone grabs my mouth and presses me against their body. I try screaming and frail my arms around.

"Sh! It's ok! It's me!"

Jason!

He lets go, and I turn around, slapping him across the face. He's standing in the darkness, but I can clearly tell it's him.

"It's ok, I deserve that."

"Yeah! You do!"

"Serena, can I come in?"

"I mean, you're already-"

I stop as Jason starts to fall forward.

"Jason!"

I catch him before he hits the ground. His right side feels sticky and wet.

"Uhm."

I carefully drag him inside, where he collapses on the floor.

"Jason, stay there, I'm going to get Nurse Joy."

"Please don't."

I freeze.

"Why?"

"I snuck in here. I'm not supposed to be here."

I stare at him, and he stares back with pleading eyes.

"Ugh. Fine. But if we don't get help, you're going to bleed out."

"Here, reach in my bag and pull out the first aid kit," he says, slowly turning and taking off his backpack. I reach in, feeling a box. I pull it out, but I can barely see it.

I find my backpack, and find the three Pokeballs I'm looking for. I press the buttons to release them.

"Mudkip!"

"Minun!"

"Charmander!"

"Charmander, stand near us so you can help me see in the dark. I don't want to turn on the lights, so Jason here doesn't freak out. Minun, I might need your help healing Jason, and Mudkip, you'll help clean him off."

They all nod, following their orders.

Jason sits up, winces in pain. He slowly reaches down, and takes off his shirt. I gasp, as I see a big hole in his left shoulder and deep teeth marks in his right arm. I can't help but notice his muscle tensing, and his chest.

Stop it Serena! You have a job to do!

"Mudkip, wet these towels so we can clean off the blood. Minun, try getting this bandages ready," I say, handing out the materials.

Once the towels are ready, I make my way over to Jason and gently begin washing his wounds.

"How is she?" Jason asks, gesturing towards May.

"Better. Not fully recovered yet though."

Why is he asking about her? What about me?

"How are you doing?"

Whoa.

"Better than you," I say, as I continue washing his wounds.

"What happened?"

"Long story short, I beat the Pokemon attacking us and got some info out of those three people who attacked us. They were only grunts, but I got some answers."

I look down at his hands. They're cut up and bruised.

"Jason. I don't mean to be rude, but are you sure this is the right way to do things?" I ask, grabbing another towel to dry everything off.

"I wish there was. But it was them or me. And I have a promise to keep."

"Which is?" I ask, as I begin applying rubbing alcohol and covering this wounds.

"Help you find Ash."

I stop and look at him.

"You don't have to do that. May and I can do just fine without you."

That's a complete lie.

"I know I don't. I want to."

His usually emotionless, cold eyes are replaced with hurt, sad eyes. He looks like a Growlith who just lost their ball.

He gives me a sad smile.

"Uh, Serena. Who's this hot shirtless guy on the floor with you?"

Looks like May is up.

"Hey May. It's me."

"Jason! What happened!"

"Shh! We have to be quiet!" I whisper.

"Sorry."

"I basically fought our attackers and got info from them before everything came tumbling down. Do you guys wanna know now?"

"Yes!"

Jason turns a bit to get comfortable. I quickly start fixing him up again.

"The other body next to Brock was his father. Brock's father was the gym leader, and Brock was visiting when they attacked the gym. They were after the purple potion, which is called 'Pengen', and they fought over it. Obviously, Brock and his father lost, and they took off. But somehow, they knew we were coming and paid us a visit."

Pengen huh? What a weird name.

"Who's they Jason?" May asks, staring at Jason. He sighs.

"The masked man with the blue mask, who is known was Maximum, and Ash."

My heart drops.

May falls back and leans against the side of the bed.

"And I told you to come here because my guess is they're gonna come here to get the Pengen from his gym."

Wait a minute.

"That means we can possibly find Ash!" I exclaim.

"Yeah. But I'm afraid what will happen when we do. For all we know, he could be attacking the gym right now."

...

***Ash's POV

"I'm sorry Misty."

I close the last lock on Misty's right hand.

"You don't have to do this Ash! There's always an option!" Misty yells, trying to break free. Her hands and feet are locked against the wall of the enormous pool in the middle of the gym. She's pinned at the very top of the wall.

"I don't Misty. I wish there was another way. But if I don't do this, many more people will get hurt."

Pikachu goes up and hugs Misty's hand. Tears form at the edges of her eyes.

"Pika pi!"

"Snorlax, turn on the water."

Water slowly begins filling the pool.

I return Snorlax to his pokeball.

"Thanks for everything Misty," I say, as I crouch down and kiss Misty on the cheek, then take the glasses of Pengen and walk out the door, Pikachu following me with his ears drooping down.