Hi, everyone!  SylveonKwami's back again for our battle.  To be honest... I'm kind of glad this battle is ending in this chapter... I don't like writing battles as much as regular chapters... but that's just me!  

This chapter will be extra long, partially because I want it to end and partially because I don't want a four-part chapter... three parts are enough, don't you agree?  Hopefully they'll be shorter after this.

Also, I want to apologize... a lot of you have been leaving comments and I haven't been responding.  Some of them are really old too... I don't know why I never noticed them before!  My Notification feed was screwing with me.  Forgive???

Anyways, let's get started!  Don't forget to vote and comment if you want!

Enjoy :3

Ash

No no no they're Mega-Evolving!?  I thought we had this one in the bag... Ash glanced over at Serena, then got upset to see her losing hope too.  "Hey, Serena, don't worry.  I'm sure we'll win in the end," he said, trying to make her smile again.  He felt his cheeks go hot thinking about it.  Why is my face hot?  It's not like it's hot out here or anything...

Serena turned to him with a determined look on her face.  "I know Ash!  We just have to keep trying.  We can't..."

"We can't give up until it's over, right?"

Serena smiled at Ash and he smiled back.  She still uses that phrase after all this time...

"Quickly, while they're thinking about a move to use, tell Espeon to charge up a distance attack- or one that takes time?" Ash asked her.  "I have a plan, just make sure they're not watching or anything."

Serena nodded, and quickly told Espeon what to do.  While their opponents were still mega-evolving, he saw Espeon conjure a Future Sight attack, sending it off into the distance.  Perfect.  Now, we strike!

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"

Serena caught on instantly.  "Espeon, use... uh... a move like Pikachu's!" she ordered when she realized she didn't know Espeon's move set.

Both Pokemon launched off the ground towards the mega-evolved water-types, Pikachu using Iron Tail, and Espeon's body glowing blue signalling a Quick Attack.  Unfortunately, both Blastoise and Gyarados where watching them, and were able to dodge easily.

"Keep going!" both Ash and Serena called at the same time, and he noticed her face heat up too.  Huh.  Maybe she's hot as well?  I mean, of course she is!  She's very pretty, but I meant temperature!  Ugh, who am I even talking to!?  Focus on the battle!

Both Espeon and Pikachu kept charging at the large Pokemon, but with no avail; they didn't do any damage.  Suddenly, Espeon called them, most likely signalling that the Future Sight was about to come back.

Serena perked up with a sudden idea.  "Hey, Espeon, if you know Psychic can you-"

Before Serena finished her sentence, Espeon waved her tail, and both of her eyes glowed blue as she looked at the water-types.  Suddenly, both of their bodies were lifted into the air, and they were unable to move.

"What?" Misty exclaimed, shocked.

"No fair!  That's cheating!" Gary complained, worried about the damage his Pokemon was going to take.

Ash stuck his tongue out at his rival.  "Haha.  Who's laughing now?" he said, right when the Future Sight came down and hit both Pokemon.  It seemed to do a fair amount of damage, judging by how much smog it created.  When the smoke cleared, both Pokemon were standing on the ground... Ash realized Espeon must've let them go.  And Pikachu-

Wait, where's Pikachu!?

"PIKACHU!" Ash called when he didn't see his partner bound towards him.  "Pikach-" Ash stopped when he saw Blastoise get shocked; the Pokemon jumped and moved elsewhere.  Pikachu ran towards Ash, and he noticed a Blastoise-shaped footprint on Pikachu's back.

"Gah, Pikachu!  Are you okay!?" Ash asked, worried for his friend, but was relieved to see him nod his head, though he looked a little winded.  

"That was really good, Ash!  Well, except for... that.  Is Pikachu okay?" Serena inquired, and Ash nodded.

"Yeah, he's fine, just winded," Ash explained to his friend.

Serena nodded.  "That's good," she said.  "We need to do another attack like that- it really dealt some damage!  A couple more like that and I think we can win," she added, a fire in her eyes.  Heh, she really is adorable.

"You're right, Serena," Ash agreed.  "Have any ideas?"

"Hmm... I don't know.  Maybe we should focus on taking out Blastoise first because it probably took a lot of damage from Pikachu's shock," she suggested, and Ash instantly agreed.  

"You're right," he said.  "Wow, good plan, Serena!" he said complimenting her, smiling when she quickly turned away and mumbled a quick "thank you" to him.

"Get Espeon to distract Gyarados, and Gary will get Blastoise to help.  They'll be distracted so we can make our move." Ash said, and Serena nodded.

"Espeon, use Psychic!" Serena shouted, watching Espeon lift Gyarados off the ground, with Misty screaming in protest.  

"Hey, stop it!" Gary shouted.  "Blastoise, use Hydropump at Espeon!"

Blastoise growled and started pumping water at the psychic-type Eeveelution.  Quickly, Espeon used her power to slam Gyarados into Blastoise, stopping him from finishing the attack.  However, she couldn't dodge, and took a lot of damage from the hit, falling to the ground.

"Pikachu, go!" Ash yelled, hoping they didn't see Pikachu coming.  Pikachu ran up to Blastoise and charged up a Thunderbolt, aiming for the large water-type.  However, Gary noticed the sudden move, and told Blastoise to fire another Hydropump.  

"You won't get me, Ash," he said cunningly, watching his Pokemon blast Pikachu.  However, he was still able to get out his thunderbolt, and the two moves collided with each other, creating a large cloud of smoke.  When the smoke cleared, both Pikachu and Blastoise were laying unconscious on the ground, Blastoise's mega-evolution fading away.

"Pikachu and Blastoise are unable to battle," Bonnie announced, running over to the battlefield to bring Pikachu over to Ash.  "Ash, send out your next Pokemon," she told him, setting Pikachu down on the grass.  Luckily, his partner always recovered pretty quickly from a knock-out, and within a few minutes Ash knew that his partner would be back on his feet.  Or paws...?

"Talonflame, I choose you!" he cried without any hesitation, watching his second Kalos catch (after Froakie) fly onto the battlefield.  He looked charged up and ready to go; the same emotions that Ash was feeling right now.  

"Talonflame, use Brave Bird!" Ash ordered, satisfied to see Talonflame launch a successful attack on Gyarados.  They only have one Pokemon left... we've got this in the bag!

"I'd watch out if I were you, Ash," Misty suddenly said.  "Fire..." Gyarados started summoning dark clouds overhead of them, and rain started to pour down.  

"... is weak to water, after all."

Ash heard Serena gasp and saw that Talonflame had fallen to the ground, weakened by the water falling from the sky.  Misty used Rain Dance... I should've seen that coming!

"Talonflame, are you alright?" Ash called out desperately, and was relieved to see his Pokemon nod his head.  

"Espeon, use Psybeam!" Serena shouted, watching Espeon launch the attack.  "Keep going," Serena added when Espeon finished the first move.  Ash suspected that she wanted to take Misty's attention away from Talonflame, so that he wouldn't take any damage at this moment.

"Hey Talonflame, can you go on?" Ash checked, and was happy to see the fire-type nod.  "Okay then, Steel Wing!"

Once again, with Gyarados preoccupied with Espeon, Talonflame's attack took full effect, even pushing Gyarados back a little.  "That was great, Talonflame!" he encouraged, and Talonflame gave him a reassuring nod.  I can't use any fire-type moves... they wouldn't do that much damage to Gyarados...

Espeon leaped back to Serena, probably tired after firing all of those Psybeams.  Ash turned to Serena, wanting to do another team attack.  She nodded, agreeing with him.  "Espeon will use Psychic, and maybe Talonflame can use-"

"Brave Bird," Ash finished for her.  Turning to Talonflame, he added "Use Brave Bird!"

"Espeon, use Psychic!" Serena added as well.  Eyes having a bluish tint, Espeon held Gyarados in place, in preparation for her ally's attack.  Talonflame started charging at Gyarados, about to make the hit-

"Gyarados, use Hydro Pump!"

Serena yelped as both Espeon and Talonflame got hit by the attack, as the move was boosted by the Rain Dance.  Espeon lost her Psychic hold on the water-type and Talonflame didn't even get to make his move.  The move created a lot of smoke, and Ash was devastated to see that Talonflame got knocked out because it.

"Talonflame is unable to battle!" Bonnie said, and Dawn raced up again to take Talonflame away to heal it.  Ash sighed, nervous.  There was just two Pokemon left... Espeon and Gyarados.  Gyarados was mega-evolved and had the power of Rain Dance on its side, and Espeon had... well... nothing he knew of, really.

"Don't worry, Ash," Serena tried to encourage him.  "I'm sure we'll do great, even if we lose!"

Ash smiled at his friend.  "Yeah, we will.  At least now I can help you come up with some new plans."

She giggled.  "Don't worry, Ash, I've got a plan of my own," she said, winking at him.  Ash was taken back- she had a plan?  What was it?  Tell me, Serena, tell me!

"What is it!?" Ash exclaimed, wanting to know what it was very badly.  

"You'll see," was all Serena said.  Turning to Espeon, she added "Espeon, stick to the plan, alright?  Use Psybeam!"  Espeon nodded her head and aimed a ray of psychic energy at Gyarados, who easily dodged it.  However, she kept firing attacks, more and more, until there was a huge cloud of smoke over the battlefield.  Curiously though, while the smoke was up, Ash could just barely see Espeon launching a Future Sight... what could that be for?

"Gyarados, Hydro Pump, again!" Misty said.

"Counter with Psybeam, Espeon!" Serena quickly said.  The moves touched and exploded, creating yet another diversion.  Espeon lauched a few more Future Sights.  Ash felt his eyebrows furrow in frustration.  What the heck is Serena doing!?

This kept going for a couple more turns, Serena and Espeon effectively creating smoke clouds to use as a diversion to use Future Sights.  They must've had at least 10 going and charging up somewhere... was this the plan that Serena spoke of?  Looking on the side lines, he saw everyone excited that the battle was close to ending soon, some of his friends cheering "Misty!" and some of them cheering Serena's names as well.  Ash took a deep breath.  What ever happens, I'm proud of Serena.  She did a good job.

"Gyarados, use Crunch!" Misty shouted, and giant teeth formed near Gyarados' mouth.  In near seconds the move was executed, and Espeon looked injured.  However, Serena was smiling, as if she had planned this...  

Suddenly, similar injuries started to appear on Gyarados' body... until the water-type couldn't stand as well.  Misty looked at her Pokemon, at Espeon, and at Serena, and suddenly realized what was going on.

"Synchronize.  I should've known," Misty said to herself.  "Well," she added to Serena, "Nice work.  I have to hand it to y-"

Black holes started appearing all around Gyarados, one after another.  They circled him, and since he was injured, he didn't even move.  Misty yelped.  "Gyarados, get out of there!" she pleaded desperately, but Gyarados stayed there, from injuries and from tiredness.  Rocks started shooting from all of the black holes, each hitting Gyrados with deadly force.  The move created a giant smoke cloud, and Ash even had to shield himself from it.  But, when the smog cleared, Gyarados was knocked out.  Grinning, he looked at Serena, who just had a shocked expression on her face, as if she didn't expect her plan to work.

"Gyarados is unable to battle!" Bonnie announce, cheerful that Serena and Ash won the battle.  "Ash and Serena win!"  Cheers went up in the watching crowd, for both sides.  Ash saw Misty give Gary a high five, for even though they had lost, it was still and excellent battle.  Eager, Ash turned to Serena to give her one too, only to see that she had her fist in front of him, waiting for a fist-bump.  Happy, Ash bumped her back, and smiled even more when he saw a smile form on Serena's face too.  She's really great.  I have to remember to tell her that later.  She's...

I really like her a lot.

...................................................................................

"Thanks for dinner, Clemont," Ash said thanking his friend.  "You too, Brock!"

Both of the chefs smiled at him.  "We make a really good team," Brock said, and Clemont nodded in agreement.  Once they walked away, Ash searched for Serena.  Walking around a little, he found her next to Espeon and Sylveon, probably making sure they were healing up nicely after the battle.  

"Hey, Serena," he said, greeting her.  She turned to him with a smile, the smile that always made him smile back.

"Hey, Ash," she said cheerfully.  "What's up?"

"I just wanted to tell you... you did really great today!" he blurted out, not knowing any other way to say it.  She blushed and her smile became brighter.

"Thank you, Ash... that means a lot coming from you," she said earnestly. 

"No, really, Serena!  Your battle skills are really amazing... well, that's a given, considering you're an amazing person," Ash added, watching Serena turn and hide her face.

"A-Ash!" she stuttered out.  "You really don't have to, uh..."

"I want to spend some more time with this amazing person," Ash continued.  "Do you know if she would be available to hang out tomorrow?" he asked casually.

She turned back towards him, eyes, questioning.  "Hang out?"

Ash nodded.  "Yeah, just the two of us... I mean, we can bring some of our Pokemon for protection and stuff but-"

"Ash." Serena's voice was firm.

Ash gulped.  "Yes?"

"I would love to!" Serena said happily.  "It sounds really fun, why wouldn't I want to spend an entire day with you?  You're one of my best friends!"

Ash smiled too, yawning a little.  "Well, that's settled then.  I'm gonna head back to the tent, it's starting to get a little late.  I'll see you there, I guess," he added, starting to turn around. 

"Yup!  I'll be there in a few," Serena said, turning back to her Pokemon.  Ash continued walking to his tent, thoughts churning in his head.

I'm really excited for tomorrow.  I hope everything goes well.

I mean, it's not like a romantic thing or anything, right?

...

I don't know.  I really like Serena, I do... but it's... changing?  Can feelings change?  What's the word for a more intense version of "like"?

Well, one thing's for sure.

Tomorrow, I need to get these feelings sorted out.

Hiya everyone!  Whew, that was a long chapter... the longest I've ever wrote!  I guess I could have split this into two parts... eh, whatever.  The battle's finished... and our Ash and Serena "hang out" will now begin!  Don't worry, I'm putting this one into different chapters... three parts is a little much for me.

Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!  I'll see you all again in another two weeks!  

Stay tuned ;)