Ash's POV:

Mom was walking by my side, but I had NEVER seen her flustered and blushing as heavy as she was at that particular moment.

"Y..you won't tell ANYTHING about this to Caroline or Johanna. Understood?", she threatened me, and I'm pretty sure she meant her voice to be quite dangerous, but she ended up sounding like a Dedenne trapped in a ridge.

"Let's say we get even for ALL the times you've embarassed me in front of May and Dawn", I countered chuckling and she gasped in horror, her face reddening even further.

"They are your COUSINS, Ash!", she countered and I rolled my eyes.

"Aunt Johanna and Aunt Caroline are your SISTERS, mum", I countered and she gulped heavily, and sighed.

"If you don't tell them, I'll cook EVERYTHING you like!", she pleaded clasping her hands, and giving me her Rockruff eyes, which technically weren't effective considering that she was attempting to kill a guy a few minutes back.

"I like everything you cook", I countered and she groaned, but suddenly, the playful look from her eyes died, and they were replaced with a rather aged one - one with pain and possibly regret.

"You still have some sort of feelings for him, don't you?", I asked her and she nodded her head sighing in shame.

"There is absolutely NOTHING that I haven't done to try to forget him, but I just..cannot, honey", she told me and her eyes began to glisten. The powerful woman I've known since my birth was suddenly...vulnerable.

"Look mom, if you think he'll keep you happy and whatnot, I...I don't have a problem with you...and him", I told her, and I literally had to cough up the words from the worst part of my guts, but my mother's expression was worth it.

"Are you, sure? I mean, I'm not going to take him back easily with open arms, but, in the future...if at ALL, we get together, you wouldn't mind seeing us together?", she asked me cupping my cheeks and I nodded my head, though my mind was telling me to say the opposite.

"Just so you know, he will never be my father", I spat and limped away, and it hurt me beyond words to do that, but I had to let her know my thoughts about Red.

"What about your leg?", she asked me and before I could reply, she grabbed me by my shoulders.

"What? I'm an old newspaper now, and you found someone better for yourself?", she asked me mock-glaring and I groaned in annoyance.

"Come ON! A few months back, you were literally trying to set me up with ANY female, and now you have a problem with Serena?", I asked her totally exasperated with her hypocrisy, forcing her to laugh heartily.

"Just wanted to see how defensive you are about her. Not bad, though. You have enough skill with words to tackle this world, Ashy", she told me pinching my cheek and we walked back to the room in silence.

The second I stepped into the common room, a massive force hit me straight into my chest, and my head instantly became dizzy. The only thing I could make out from the blur was a messy lock of honey blonde hair. Suddenly, the lock of hair was replaced by two icy cold blue eyes which were boring holes into my very soul.

"You IDIOT! Look what you've done to yourself. Can't you let go of your ego for one f*****g second? NO NO NO! Had to do it by yourself, right? And now LOOK at what has happened! WHO'S got his foot burned up?", my wonderful girlfriend yelled at me shaking me by my collar, and her ranting abruptly stopped when she saw my mom. Unfortunately, for me, she was too busy laughing out, as loud as she could, only stopping to wince in pain, or to catch her breath.

"Goodness Serena, you're a clone of your mother", Mom managed to say through her giggles.

"Y...you know my mum?", Serena squeaked nervously twirling her fingers in her hair and Mom laughed even harder.

"Me, my sisters and your mother were roommates at college. Your mom and I became famous for destroying a classroom due to a small fight", Mom told her cheerfully and Serena's mouth widened.

"Next time you meet her, tell her that she owes me...umm...well, AH! 2500 Kantonian PokeDollars or 1000 Kalosian PokeDollars", Mom continued and I was almost embarassed enough to go outside and freeze myself to death.

"Alright, that's it! I'm going out!", I said and was about to walk off, and then I remembered the foot AGAIN, and I yelled out in annoyance.

"Fine! Lucario, Heal Pulse! On me", I told my Aura Pokemon who was just standing nonchalantly with Sceptile, and the second the Pulse hit me, the burns immediately began to cool down, and I was able to place my foot down the floor with the usual pressure without having to groan and wince with every stride.

"I'll be outside", I told the two of them and they nodded their heads still giggling and whispering something between themselves, and at that moment, I promised myself that no matter what happens, I would never ask the either of them about what they had gossiped on.

The weather outside was quite chilly, and the remants of the mini-war had taken a toll on the cleanliness of the air, and once again, I thanked that thick piece of handkerchief hung around my neck.

Something I had always appreciated was loneliness. Though most of the people would beg to differ, I felt that it was the best time for thoughts and introspection - something very important for a Pokemon trainer.

"Mind if I join you?", a voice asked me and at that very second, my blood slowly began to boil and I got up to leave, but the iron grip of the man on my bicep prevented me from doing so. I looked at the face of Red, but this time, that sarcastic expression was not present - only shame and guilt, but I was nowhere close to buying that crap. He might have messed with my mom's thinking, but not mine.

"I do", I told him and pulled my arm from his grasp only to be caught by both of my shoulders once again, and I was forced to look at the man who was glaring at me.

"I just want a few minutes of your time, and then you can decide. Just listen to me, Ash"

"A few minutes of my time? Is that the time you require to call for backup and finish me off?", I spat and pushed him away, only to be caught in the grasp of his thick fingers.

"Please! Just let me explain!", he pleaded me and I wanted to leave the spot so badly, that I'd happily be in the company of my cousins going crazy at a shopping mall.

"Explain WHAT? Why you left me the SECOND I was born, or why you had to kill hundreds of innocents including some of my friends? If that's so, I don't want to hear it", I snapped but he was relentless. He wanted me to listen, and I had no other option.

"All I'm asking for, is a few minutes of your time", he repeated yet again and I simply sat down unable to argue further.

"Like I had told your mother, Lysandre had brainwashed me. He made me see the world from his perspective. He had lost his wife and daughter in a military operation, and always blamed Goodshow for their deaths. I was his best friend, and I tried to help him. Lysandre always had his way with words, and I thought that it didn't work on me, but I was wrong. He...changed me, for the better in one way, and for the worse in many others. At that moment, I met your mother. One thing led to another, and the two of you were born. I asked your mother to undergo an abortion as I was already married, and the first thing she did was slap me. Her tough, yet gentle nature was the reason I fell for her. I didn't tell her that I was married before, and that was the last time I saw her before the birth of you and your sister", he told me staring into the water and I motioned him to go on.

"I took Ashlyn with me, and she kept you, and I haven't seen her until today. Calem was born a couple of months after you, and just to make me even more guilty of my indiscretion, J raised Ashlyn as her own, and didn't even force me to go that couples therapy thing", he told me and I snorted.

"The biography of the man with many sacrifices. Wouldn't it be a bestseller?", I mocked and he gave me a harsh glare.

"You would understand if you were in my position, Ash. I wouldn't mock such as person if I were you", he scolded.

"If I were in your position, I wouldn't have cheated on my wife, irrespective of how beautiful the woman in front of me is. Then I wouldn't HAVE to understand your position. I've already given you enough time", I told him and was about to leave the place before I turned back to see his grief-stricken face.

"If my mother chooses to give you another chance, it's her wish. Just know this. EVEN, if my mother accepts you, I will never do so, and IF you hurt my mother in ANY way possible, I'll just remind you that I don't have a herd of 30 Tauros for the sole purpose of grazing", I told him but he just stared at the setting sun with an emotionless face.

Serena's POV:

It was absolutely brilliant to know more and more about my mom from her best friend. I didn't even know about the time going until Ash barged inside, hands stuffed in the pockets of his trenchcoat, and mumbling something which seemed like cuss words as I saw Ms. Ketchum narrow her eyes at him.

"Honey, what happened?", she asked him, her tone suddenly turning from the wild college girl to a typical overprotective mother.

"Stuff", he growled glaring at the ground and stormed into the boys' dormitory, slamming the door shut with such force that a small crack appeared near the hinge of the door.

"Something's wrong. We'll talk later, okay? If you talk to your mother, tell her I said hi", Ms. Ketchum told me before going to talk to Ash, but the door of the common room opened up and I saw Red. I shrieked and released my 3 Pokemon who glared and hissed at him, while I hid behind Pangoro.

"Delia, can...can we talk?", Red asked Ms. Ketchum and her eyes softened a bit, looking at his brown eyes. What in the world was going on? How was he still alive?

To be continued...