***Serena's POV

"You ready?" Ash says, offering his head. I firmly grasp it as we step out into the hall. It's a little bit past midnight, and we're all gathering in the dining hall once again.

"You look beautiful," Ash says, as I catch him glance at my whole outfit. I'm wearing my usual red skirt, black top, and pink hat, but replaced my long socks with leggings. The blue ribbon is tied at the end of the collar.

"Thank you," I say, quickly giving him a peck on the cheek as we enter the dining hall. Everyone is gathered around Blue as he's going over the details of the plan.

"Everyone is going to approach Mt. Moon on the main road, besides Kanto 2. We will create a diversion so you guys can go their base and get rid of Bryon. Kanto 2 is made up of Jason, Sarah, and Ash, so-"

"And me."

Everyone turns to me. I take a breath and summon all the courage I can.

Blue stares at me. I can feel his brown eyes burn into my skull.

"I said you aren't coming. End of discussion."

"No. I'm going, whether you like it or not."

Blue starts walking over towards me. Ash pulls me back, and he steps in front of me, confronting Blue.

"If a war breaks out because we couldn't stop them, it'll be on you two," Blue says coldly, as he walks back. I let out a breath I was subconsciously holding.

"It's ok," Ash says, squeezing our interlocked fingers.

"Any questions?"

I glance over, and I spot Jason towards the back of the room, with Sarah at his side. He stares straight at Blue.

"Where is May, Misty, and Dawn? I can't smell them anywhere," Sapphire asks. Blue turns over to Crystal and whispers something in her ear. Crystal just shrugs.

"They're fine, don't worry about them," Yellow speaks up, making her way towards Blue. Blue nods and faces everyone else.

"Alright, let's go!"

...

We walk through bushes, in between trees and dodge numerous branches that seem to randomly fall.

The Pokedex Holders went ahead of us, so they confront the enemy first. Then we, Kanto 2, left, with Jason and Sarah leading while Ash and I take the rear. It's been nothing but awkward silence.

"Stop."

We halt as Jason breaks the silence. He then points up. I see a small opening in the leaves, but spot nothing unusual. Then, I see sparkles shine in the sky. As they fall, I reach my palm out and watch as they melt as soon as they land. I smile. They're snowflakes!

"Why is it snowing? We should be in the middle of the summer." Ash asks.

"Bryon must've done something to upset the balance of nature." Jason says. I see Ash tense up. I reach out for his hand, and he happily accepts it. Sarah looks ahead, then flops on the floor.

"The Pokedex Holders stopped for a break, so we'll do the same," she says, as she holds her arms out for Jason, and Jason sits next to her and engulfs her in a hug.

Ash then let's go of my hand and wraps his arm around my waist, bringing us closer together.

I smile at him and he smiles back.

The wind suddenly picks up, causing the cold to hit hard against us. Sarah then begins looking through her bag.

"I need to change into warmer clothes," she says, as she pulls out a black winter coat.

"I should probably do the same," I say, as I walk away from Ash and reach in my bag.

"Ok. I'll just walk around to patrol the area while giving you ladies privacy to change. Jason, wanna come with?" Ash says, with a bit of edge in his voice. Jason lifts his eyebrow, but slowly stands up.

"I'll be back soon," he says, as he kisses Sarah's hand. I feel my stomach twist. They both eventually walk away.

I pull on a pink winter coat, along with a pink and black hat and yellow mittens. Sarah pulls on leggings, and puts on her blue beanie.

"So, how are you and Ash?" Sarah asks.

"We're good! We've officially been dating since yesterday!" I squeal. Sarah just eyes me down.

I can't help but gulp. What is she going to do?

"Well, I'm glad you're both happy," she says, as she slowly circles around me. I reach towards my pokeballs.

"But I can't help but hate you right now."

Hate me?

"Why?" I manage to mumble.

"What do you mean why? You know damn well what you did!" Sarah says, as she shoves me. I quickly regain my balance and quickly shove her back.

"Don't touch me! You know I had to do it! If anything, you should be thanking me! He's with you because I rejected him!"

Sarah's face is completely red, as she tries to find a good comeback.

"You think I wanted to do that? No! I didn't. It crushed my heart knowing that I crushed his, but now, he seemed to quickly move on and I'm glad he did, so I can focus on myself," I say, trying to convice myself.

Sarah sighs, and a calmed expression comes on her face. She then begins to smirk.

"He still ended up being with me, just like I said he would."

Oh my Arceus. The nerve of this woman!

"Why do you care so much if you were right?"

"Because I see the way you look at him!"

What?

"I see how you look always every time he does something for me. I can see the emotion in your eyes. But you need to stay away."

Sarah holds a Pokeball in her hand. I eye it carefully. She wouldn't attack me.

Right?

"Not only because Jason is mine, but think about Ash. How do you think he'll feel when he finds out you had a thing for Jason?" Sarah asks. I grin, which causes a confused look on her face.

"Jokes on you. He already knows what happened at the Pokemon Center. I didn't keep anything from him."

Sarah frowns.

One small victory for me.

Sarah then tosses her pokeball in the air.

"Lucario! Come on out!" She yells as Lucario pops out of his pokeball and gets into his fighting stance.

"Aura Sphere, now!"

Lucario rushes towards me, while forming a blue sphere in his paws. Before I can even react, Lucario is already in front of me. I close my eyes, and I hear a cry of pain.

I know that voice.

I quickly open my eyes and I see Charmander on the ground next to me.

"Sarah, what are you-"

"Stupid Charmander! Serena, run! Lucario, Aura Sphere again!"

I turn around, and I see a huge ghost figure slowly making its way towards me. I scream, and I pick up Charmander and make a run for it. I hear Lucario yelp in pain and get thrown at Sarah, who gets knocked to the ground with Lucario.

"Sarah!"

"Don't stop! Keep going!" She yells as they try to get up.

I do as I'm told and run. After a few minutes, I stop to catch my breath and I look down at Charmander. He's still wincing in pain, so I return him to his Pokeball.

I look around. All I see are trees and snowing, falling at a faster, heavier rate. I try to move foward, but my body doesn't response.

I try to speak, but a soft squeaking sound comes out. A shock spreads throughout my body, and I scream in pain. It eventually stops, and I feel my body fall into a small pile of snow. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a black mist surround me. I try to get up, but I'm hit in the back of the head, passing out.

***Jason's POV

Ash walks ahead of me with his blue winter coat on. His Pikachu is snuggled in his coat, pressed against his chest.

We approach a small creak where then water is slowly flowing down. Ash stops and sits down on a rock. He pats the one next to him and I sit next to him.

"How are you Jason?" He asks, as he tosses a pebble in the water. Snow continues to fall.

"I'm not sure to be honest. I can't sleep again. The last time I slept was when I got drunk, and I ranted to May and Serena."

Ash nods.

"I'm sorry about what happened at the Pokemon Center. I can't imagine losing any of my Pokemon, much less two of them and their child."

"Yeah." I say, pressing my lips together. My clench my fists together.

"I'm also sorry about Mama Joy. I-"

"Stop. How do you know about Mama Joy?" I ask, raising my eyebrow. He looks at me without flinching.

"Serena told me."

Oh.

Of course she did.

"So then you also know what happened between Serena and I."

Ash nods.

"And I want you to stay away from her."

I stare at him. He can't be serious.

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? You like her. I won't let you stick around and risk you taking her from me."

"Now why would you think I would even try to steal her from you?"

"Answer this for me: do you even like Sarah?"

I pause.

I honestly don't know what to say.

"Do you any feelings for her at all?"

I stay silent.

"That's what I thought. So do her a favor and stay away from us. Let her be happy." Ash says, as he stands up and looks down at me.

"I won't get in between you two, but I can't stay away from you guys. I still want to be here for her in case she ever needs me." I say, as I stand up as well.

"No. Stay away from her or else."

"Or else what?"

"You're going to be wishing that you disappeared like Drew did."

That does it.

I throw a punch, hitting in right in the jaw. He stumbles backwards, and quickly regains his posture. Pikachu, realizing what's happening, pops out of his warm spot inside the jacket and lands in front of me, cheeks throwing off sparks.

"Pichu, come on out!"

I throw Pichu's Pokeball, and out he comes out, in a fighting stance ready.

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"

"Counter with Thunder Punch!"

Pichu charges his fist as Pikachu heads straight for him. Pichu slams his fist into Pikachu, but since he was going so fast, he still managed to knock Pichu down.

"Pichu, use-"

A fist makes contact with my lips, and I fall to the ground. Ash then tries to pin me but I shove him off of me.

"You know you can never beat me in a fight," I say, as we quickly up. Our Pokemon continue their battle in the background.

"I don't care! I'll do whatever it takes!"
Ash yells as he tackles me back down to the ground. He manages to get on top of me and throw punches at my face.

I block some, and then throw a punch at his face, knocking him back. I rush to my feet, and deliver a kick to his side while he's on the ground. He groans in pain, but manages to stand up.

"That's all you got?" He asks.

I grin.

"Not at all."

I rush toward him, and extend my arm out, trying to knock him down. He grabs it and pulls it towards him, causing me to lose my balance. I use the leverage he gave me and tackle him to the ground.

Electricity flies in the air as Pichu unleashes a Thunderbolt to counter Pikachu's Electro Ball.

I wrap my arm around Ash's neck and pin him to the ground, tightening my hold. Ash tries to reach back to hit my face but misses.

"Do you give up?"

"Never!"

Ash grabs a stone, and manages to hit me in the head with it. I loosen my hold, and Ash breaks free. He then tosses the stone, hitting me in the same exact spot as before. Everything starts spinning and blurry.

"Stay away from her!"

"No."

I manage to get up and Ash runs over and grabs me by my collar. I grab him by his shirt and pull him off the ground. Before we can do anything, a scream travels through the forest. A scream that seemed very familiar. Too familiar.

"Serena!"