***Serena's POV

Once we get out of the storm, the sun quickly sets and the moonlight touches everything on the ground.

Despite how much time passes, my eyes can't stop the tears from coming out.

My heart is heavy with grief and I can't do anything about it.

Or at least, not now.

"Jason."

I look up at the stranger holding me, trying to control my breathing.

This is the first thing he's said since the battle.

"My name is Jason, it's nice to meet you."

He smiles at me, his eyes warm once again.

I shove myself off him and shuffle around, facing the back of Charizard's head.

The fact he's taking the situation so lightly is starting to annoy me.

A few moments later, I feel arm slowly begin to wrap around my waist.

"What are you doing?" I snap, smacking his arms. He quickly pulls away.

"I'm just making sure you're ok," he answers quietly.

"You want to make sure I'm ok? Then explain everything to me!"

"I will, once we stop."

"No! Tell me now!"

"No, just wait, we will-"

"No! I was choked, kicked, slapped, and nearly raped! I want to know. I need to know."

Tears start streaming down my face as I start sniffling.

"Fine. Just let me find a safe place to-"

I've had it.

I lean over to the side and I fall off his Charizard.

I instantly regret it.

I watch as the ground is getting closer and closer. The wind is shoving itself in my nostrils, not allowing me to breath. My head is being forced back as far as my neck will allow me.

This seemed like a better idea when I was on Charizard.

I'm headed straight for a tree, when I land in Jason's arms right before I hit.

He looks at me, and wipes the tears off my face.

"Charizard, first clearing you see, land in it."

...

We land in a small patch in between a bunch of trees.

Jason carries me off and gently places me on the ground. He unleashes all his Pokemon and they quickly step up camp. Umberon digs a hole, while Pichu gets firewood. Grovyle searches for branches, and other materials to build a shelter. The rest of the pokemon scout the area and search for any food. We have a fire running in no time.

"Serena." I say, as Jason begins examining my ankle.

He smiles.

"You're crazy, you know that right?" He says, calling Minum over.

I grin.

"What can I say, I do what I have to to get my point across."

He stares at me, then turns over to Minum.

"Minum, Ice Punch on the ground." Jason orders.

Minum powers her fist, and slams it into the ground. A chunk of ice is formed. Jason moves over to it, and breaks a piece off. He places it in a towel from his bag, and gently places it  on my ankle.

"This is just while we're traveling. Once we arrive, you'll be fine in no time," Jason explains, standing and walking towards the shelter.

"Where are you going? You need to explain!" I yell, trying to get up, and Minum jumps in my lap, keeping me seated.

"Mi, mi, Minun!"

I sigh.

This is so confusing, and I'm definitely concerned. Not only am I alone somewhere in Hoenn with a stranger, but now Ash is in trouble.

"I'm not avoiding it, I promise. I'm just finishing up dinner."

Dinner?

Right on cue, my stomach growls.

Minum giggles and points towards the fire. There's a pot hanging right above it, bubbling and steaming, unleashing a delicious scent.

My mouth waters.

Jason drops spices into the pot, and stirs it.

"Who wants some stew?"

Once everyone has a bowl, it's all happy eating. I'm slurping away, not realizing Jason sitting next to me, his bowl untouched.

"Serena. You were born in the Kalos Region, where you became a Pokemon Performer and traveled with Clemont, his sister Bonnie, and Ash Ketchum. You guys split off, while you came to Hoenn for Pokemon Contests and Ash went to the Alola Region."

I drop my spoon into the bowl. I turn and stare at him, shocked.

"How do you know this?" I say, clenching my fists.

"Relax Serena. I know because Ash told me himself."

"What! You saw him! Is he ok?" I stand up, spilling my bowl. I stare at the black haired man, and that's when I realize he isn't much older than me. He barely has any facial hair, and he looks so, scared? He stares back at me with sad eyes.

He stand as well, putting his bowl on the floor gently.

"I'm glad to see you're feeling better," he says, giving me a smile.

I simply stare at him, like a Talonflame stares down their prey.

His smile goes away.

"I'm Jason Pinedo, a Pokemon trainer just like Ash. And like him, I started in Kanto, with Professor Oak. Charizard was my first pokemon,"
He says, smiling at Charizard. Charizard nods, smiling.

"I was visiting Professor Oak when Ash arrived, visiting him as well. He's such a great kid. He has a big heart, and the bond with all of his Pokemon is strong, definitely shows how much he cares for every single one of them. You don't see trainers with that kind of passion anymore."

I smile remembering his big smile every time he saw any of his pokemon. His goofy laugh when he was having a good time. I miss him so much.

"We all talked and got along very well. Ash felt like a younger brother to me, even though we only knew each other for a couple hours," Jason continued.

"It got dark, and he eventually went home. We all went to bed. It was supposed to be a calm night. It was a full moon, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky," he says, reaching over and grabbing my shoulders, making eye contact. My hands begin to sweat, and my heart beat begins to accelerate.

This doesn't seem good.

"There was a big explosion. It shook the whole lab. I instantly woke up, and grabbed Charizard, Umberon, and any water pokemon I could and rushed outside. There was smoke coming from a house, a couple blocks down, in the direction that Ash walked in."

"No," I say, my heart racing faster.

"We take off, and as we arrive we see a woman outside the house, screaming, saying her son is still inside. There was a big hole on the side of the house, which is engulfed in fire. I unleash the water Pokemon, and I rushed into the house with Umberon. I couldn't find Ash or his Pikachu anywhere. But instead, I found three items in his room on his bed. Two envelopes and one open piece of paper. The paper said 'I will be borrowing Ash for a while. For his well being, don't come looking for him'. His mother said it wasn't his handwriting on that paper, but," Jason said, reaching into his bag. "She said this was. And it's addressed to you."

He hands me an envelope, with my name written across on the cover. Shaking, I force myself to open it.

Dear Serena,
If you're receiving this letter, it's because I'm going to be gone for a while. Please, don't look for me. I'm doing this for you. They promised me if I go with them they wouldn't go after you, or any of my friends. So please, stay safe. I will try my best to see you again. I miss you. Remember, never give up! I won't give up fighting until I'm with you.
-Ash.

I choke back a sob. He's gone, with Arceus knows who, just to protect me.

"Serena."

I start shaking.

They lied to him. Now he could be getting hurt, believing he's protecting me.

"I have to help him," I whimper, was I shuffle towards Charizard.

"Serena! Sit down!"

"Charizard, could you please, take me, take me to Professor's Oak's lab?" I plead, my voice cracking. Tears are running down my face.

I need to help him.

Charizard stares at me, his eyes drowned in sadness.

I try to walk behind to hop on, but I fall instead. That's when all the emotions, all the thoughts, come rushing back.

I starting sobbing.

Jason walks over, and he places his hand on my back.

"He's gone, Jason. He's gone."