Hi everyone!  Hope you're all excited for this chapter!  I wanted to try and squeeze in one last update in before I become offline, but... I ran out of time.  So you'll get it now!  Sorry for the long wait...

Also this chapter... might not be what you expect.  Part 1 is mainly just a filler part, but Part 2 is where it really gets interesting.

Just saying.

Hope you all enjoy!

Serena

A little more than a week had gone by since the night where she got lost.  She remembered when they got back, when they got to their tent and decided to sleep in one sleeping bag because they were too big for them anyways.  Serena had loved it.  She still did.

She looked up now; the sun still shone brightly, and the grass was surprisingly green, with only a few patches of snow remaining.  The snow from that night had melted very quickly, and now warmer temperatures were finally beginning to set in.  Thank goodness, Serena thought.  She was glad that she snow had stopped, but now there was humidity to deal with, which was sometimes annoying.

"Hey, Serena, what are you up to?" Ash asked her, and she turned to see him running towards her.  She smiled back at him.

"Oh, nothing," she said with her usual cheer.  "You?"

"I'm going to train my Pokemon," Ash replied.  "Wanna come?"

"You bet," she answered, following him.  Who knew, it could in some way help her in her performances.  IF she ever got to do them again.  She let him take her hand and lead her away from the tent entrance, where she was standing only moments before.  A few seconds later though, they approached a wide open greenspace, where Pikachu and Talonflame were patiently waiting for their trainer to arrive.  Just then, though, Serena suddenly had an idea.

"Hey Ash," she asked him, "Do you mind waiting a minute for me to get my Pokemon?  It would be good for them to watch," she added.

Ash gave her a nod.  "Sure!" he said happily.  "The more the merrier."

Serena gave him a small "thanks," and rushed off to search for her Pokemon.  She found them clustered together talking to some of Clemont's Pokemon, and they turned when they saw her.  

"Come now, we're gonna watch Ash train." they nodded and followed her back to the spot where she found Ash waiting for her.

"Alright," he said when he was assured that everyone who needed to come was there.  "Pikachu, use Electroball.  Talonflame, dodge the attack and use Brave Bird.  Pikachu, when Talonflame does that, use our special attack," Ash added, winking at his partner.  "Ready?"

"GO!"

As soon as Ash told them to strike, Pikachu tried to hit Talonflame with an Electroball, but Talonflame skillfully dodged it, then went straight into the Brave Bird.  Pikachu, however, had a knowing look on his face, and started the "special attack".  I wonder what Ash has planned, Serena thought to herself.

She watched as Pikachu started doing a Thunderbolt.  Since he had stayed in one place, Talonflame easily zeroed in on him.  But, instead of releasing the Thunderbolt, Pikachu kept the electricity charged on his body, and went into a Quick Attack.  He easily dodged Talonflame's Brave Bird, and got him with the Quick Attack, since it was pretty unexpected.  And, since the Thunderbolt hadn't been released, the electricity did extra damage.  After that, both Pokemon landed, looking exhausted, but riled up at the same time.

"Wow!" Serena said in amazement.  "Ash, Pikachu, Talonflame, that was awesome!"

Ash smiled at her sheepishly, rubbing his nose a little.  "Thanks, Serena," he said.  "But you haven't seen nothing yet... speaking of which... would you like to have a battle with me?  For training and stuff."

Serena smiled.  "Of course!" she said happily.  This will fun.  But who should I battle with?  As she looked at all of her Pokemon, they all seemed eager and ready to fight.  She thought.  Hmm... Sylveon doesn't have a lot of fighting experience... and this would be a good confidence booster for her too.  Yes, I'll choose her.

"Sylveon, I choose you!" she cried out, and Sylveon leaped beside her. 

"Sylveon!" she exclaimed happily.  Serena smiled at her Pokemon and lead her to the other side of the grassy space.  Luckily, the grass was short, so both she and Ash could see.

"I'm ready!" she hollered to Ash.

"You make the first attack," he told her.

"Okay," she agreed.  Turning to Sylveon, she added "Sylveon, use Fairy Wind!"

With a yowl, her fairy-type Pokemon called upon a pink blast of glittery wind and blasted it towards Pikachu, who was not expecting the attack.  He didn't have time to dodge so he took the hit, showing visible damage.  "Great job, Sylveon!" she exclaimed when the attack successfully hit their opponent.  Sylveon yipped in agreement.

"Nice one, Serena!" Ash called out to her, looking pleased.

She flashed a smile back at him.  "Thanks!" she replied.  "I don't normally battle, so..."

"Nah, you're doing fine," Ash told her, which made Serena blush a little when he complimented her.  "But," he continued, "We don't get finished so easily!" he said with a sly smile.  

"Pikachu!" he called out to his partner, who looked fired up and ready to battle.  "Use Electroball!"

"Pika!" Pikachu responded, conjuring a yellow ball of sparks and hurling it at Sylveon.

"Sylveon, dodge!" she called to her Pokemon.  Luckily, she heard it and dodged rather quickly.  Ash, however, had planned this.

"Keep going, Pikachu!" he hollered, and about a few seconds later, at least a dozen more Electroballs were fired at them.  Again, Sylveon tried to dodge, but since they came so fast, a few of them inflicted damage.

"Sylveon, are you okay?" Serena asked her.  Sylveon got back up and smiled at her, assuring her that she was okay.  She looked more fired up than ever.  "Perfect!" Serena exclaimed.  Now for our next move...

Little did she know, Ash had fired a Thunderbolt at her, taking advantage of her being distracted.  Serena turned just in time to see the Thunderbolt about to hit her Pokemon, and she gasped in alarm.

"Quick Sylveon!  Use Protect!" she called, hoping that she would hear her in time.  Fortunately, Sylveon heard and used Protect just as the approaching Thunderbolt was about to hit her.

"Good job, Sylveon!" she complimented her.  Sylveon waved her feelers happily, all while keeping up with the Protect.  

"We aren't done yet!" Ash yelled to her.  When she turned to look at him, he had that sly smile on his face, the one he had whenever he had a secret combination to give him a win.

Oh shoot...  I need something to counteract whatever he has planned.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" 

"Sylveon, use Swift!"

Both of the moves collided with each other, creating a huge cloud of smoke.  I can't see... but neither can he, right?  Sylveon was looking around herself, feelers outstretched in case Pikachu came near.  She was just about to tell Sylveon something when-

"Pikachu, aim to your right and use Iron Tail!" Ash called.

"Sylveon dodge!" Serena called hopefully, but it was useless.  With the smoke, Sylveon couldn't see what direction Pikachu was coming from, and when he did come, the move hit Sylveon with full force, dealing extra damage since Sylveon was weak to Steel-type moves.  Serena looked on with dismay.  The smoke was what he wanted all along...

Did I lose?

"What about that, Serena?" Ash asked her, clearly pleased.

"That was a good combo," Serena admitted.  "You train well."

"Thanks, Serena!" Ash beamed at her.  "But the battle's not over yet!" he pointed to Sylveon.

 To her luck, and since Sylveon was strong, she had stood up, showing damage, but still able to fight. "Good job, Sylveon!" she called happily. I need something to counteract with that Iron Tail... but what? I need to buy some time.  

"Sylveon, use Moonblast!" she called out.  She turned back to Ash, who looked surprised.  Of course... he didn't know that Sylveon had learned that move yet.  It seemed that Ash was so surprised by the move that he didn't tell Pikachu to dodge, so he took the damage.  We need to do something surprising... wait, that's it!  I have it!

"Sylveon, wait until Pikachu comes close," she whispered, hoping Ash wouldn't hear her.  "I'll tell you what to then-"

"Use Iron Tail!" Ash hollered.

Wait...

Wait...

Wait...

Now!

"Use Cute Charm!" Serena called.  When Pikachu got close enough, Sylveon's ability hit him with full force, knocking him back a little bit.  Serena looked on hopefully.  Maybe...

Pikachu stood up with his eyes closed.  "Pikachu?" Ash called hopefully, but he didn't respond.  She could see the look on his face that said 'this isn't looking good...'

Pikachu suddenly opened his eyes, and he had hearts in them, leaning into Sylveon.

Yes!

"Sylveon, use Moonblast, one more time!  Let's finish this!" Serena called.

"Sylvie!" Sylveon called, and started to conjure the Moonblast.  After a few seconds, she fired it at Pikachu, who was still love-struck.  

"Pikachu, dodge!" Ash tried to tell his partner, but it was no use.  The Moonblast hit with full force, and when the smoke cleared, Pikachu was knocked out.  She looked at Ash, surprised.  Did I just win against Ash!?

"Congrats, Serena, you won!" Ash exclaimed, running over to her.  "You're pretty good at battles, you know.  You could try for the league with me!"

Serena shook her head, still smiling.  "Nah, Performances are better."  Ash laughed, and she laughed with him.  This feels so good...

"Um, guys?"

They looked up to see Bonnie standing there.  "What's up, Bonnie?" Serena asked.

Bonnie looked nervous for some reason.  "Uh... I'm not sure if you know this but... Clemont had to go back to the gym.  He said Clembot had called him there for some reason.  He called me and said that there a lot of people coming, so you guys should go in the tent or hide or something..."

Ash nodded.  "Understood," he said simply, grabbing Serena's hand and leading her into the tent.  She blushed a little when he did that, but mostly she was just confused.  Who are the people?

"Who do you think Clemont's got with him?" Serena asked Ash once they were in their tent, sitting beside each other. 

Ash shrugged.  "I don't know- wait, hold on a sec." Ash got to his feet and ran over to the entrance.  

Serena ran after him.  "What are you doing?" she asked, curious.

Ash put a finger on her lips.  "Shush," he said, and turned back to the entrance.  He pressed his ear to the side, and Serena did the same.  Voices were heard from the outside, though they were none that Serena recognized.  When she turned back to Ash though, she was sure that he remembered them.  She saw it on his face.

"Who are they?" she asked him, curious and fearful and excited all at the same time.

He looked back at her.  "I think..."

"I think those are some of my old friends..."

That's all!  Whew.  This chapter was much longer than I expected it to be.  Almost 2000 words!  Sorry about that...😅

Again, sorry for not updating sooner.  We just got back a couple days ago, and yesterday was really busy.  I was aiming to update before, but like I said, I ran out of time.  I will try to work on more regular updates!  And about the update schedule, yeah, I'm still working on that too.

Now for our Pokemon Question of the Day: who do you think would be better for a battle (based on stats and moves and other things like that)- Sylveon or Pikachu?

In all honesty, I would have to say Sylveon (I feel this is biased).  I feel Sylveon has a wider array of moves, and her stats are better from being fully evolved... they are both great though!  Comment your answers below.

That's it!  Thanks for reading, Part 2 will be coming out soon!

Stay tuned ;)