Hi guys!  SylveonKwami here.  Hope you're all excited for this update, and for a "hangout" (wink wink) between our favourite couple... this part will be in multiple chapters... not one chapter with multiple parts.  I thought this format would be better for this... 

If you're wondering why this chapter is in two parts, beats me.  I'M WEIRD, OKAY!?

Anyways.  Here's chapter 16 (part 1)... don't forget to vote and comment if you like it!

Enjoy :D

Serena

Serena woke to a golden sunlight filling the tent.  She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and looked around, realizing that the tent was empty.  Where's Ash?

She got up and walked around, then realized something, turning her head with a sharp jolt to face the tent opening.  She ran over to it, and peaked outside.  To her horror, it was almost noon.  Or past noon.  Either way, she woke up late, and she was now late... late for her hangout with Ash.

Way to go, Serena. 

She practically threw herself out of that tent, and ran to the Pokemon tent, where she suspected to find Ash.  She sighed, frustrated with herself.  She knew that she shouldn't have stayed up until 2 in the morning to discuss hangout ideas with Ash.  And, to make things worse, after that she couldn't fall asleep until what seemed like 5 a.m.  And now, here she was, waking up at noon.  Heck, she hadn't even had breakfast!

With a jolt, she ran into someone, and when she looked, she realized it was Ash himself.

"A-Ah, Ash!" Serena said, flustered.  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to run into you.  And I woke up late!  I'm really-"

Ash shrugged her off.  "Nah, don't worry about it Serena.  We were up late last night, and I wanted you to get a good night's sleep.  Want something to eat?  Clemont already packed us and our Pokemon some stuff, so after you eat we can head out," he informed her.

She nodded.  "Okay, just give me a sec," she told him, gesturing to Sylveon to bring her over to the picnic table.  They got there within a couple seconds, and she found herself some left over pieces of toast to munch on.  She fed her Pokemon a piece to, and earned a happy yip from the fairy-type.  She looked down at herself, nervous.  She wanted this to go well.  Ash asking her to hang out, alone... it was an open invitation, and she was going to take it.  This would be the day she confessed.  This would be the day this battle of emotions ended.

Theoretically.

"Sylvie?" Sylveon asked her, noticing her worried expression.  Serena instantly put on a smile, to reassure her Pokemon.

"Don't worry, Sylveon, I'm just nervous," she explained.  "You know how I feel about Ash... I don't want to screw this up.  I don't want to give him the wrong impression or anything."  Dropping her voice to a whisper, she added "I don't want him to think bad thing about me- I mean, I basically showed up hours late, straight from bed... I don't want to give him a bad impression.  I really, really like him, Sylveon."

Sylveon gave her a reassuring smile, telling her everything would be fine in the end.  Serena smiled, thankful for her Pokemon's positivity.

Ash

Ash smiled as he watched Serena leave.  He, and Pikachu, walked over and hovered nearby, waiting for Serena, but she didn't notice them at all.  He smiled at Pikachu, knowing this day would go well.  Seeing Serena all excited like that... it filled him with determination, along with confidence.  (Anyone who gets that reference- yes, I'm talking to you, Undertale fans!)

He was just about to tell Pikachu something, when he heard Serena's voice.

"You know how I feel about Ash... I don't want to screw this up.  I don't want to give him the wrong impression or anything."

Ash's stomach lurched.  The wrong impression?  Did that mean... she didn't like him after all?  He knew that Serena wasn't just a friend anymore.  Something in his head told him, and he couldn't deny it any longer.  But having her reject him... he'd be so broken, no one could pick up the pieces.

"Pikachu," he whispered, not wanting to alert Serena, "I'm starting to have second thoughts."

His partner looked at him as if he was crazy.

"What if it all gets screwed up!?" Ash asked.  "What if-"

"Ash?"

Ash turned, and saw Serena, with Sylveon, standing behind him.  Ash waved.  No time for second chances, he thought.

Serena

Serena walked back to the Pokemon tent, hoping to find Ash there, but was surprised to see him standing not that far away, with Pikachu by his side.  Her heart lurched; did he hear what she said?  Did he hear that she like him!?  Did she accidentally confess to him!?

"Ash?" she called out, and she was amused to see him jump and whirl around to face her and Sylveon.  He through her a relieved wave. 

"Jeez, Serena," he said, sighing.  "Don't scare me like that again."

Serena giggled.  "Me?  Scary?  Really?"

Ash pouted.  "Whatever," he said, turning away.  Was it just her, or was he blushing?

"Where's our stuff?" Serena asked him.  "Unless it's not put together yet, which is completely-"

"It's back by the tent," he told her.  Gesturing in its direction, he added "Let's go."

"Who's coming with us?" Serena asked him on the way back, trying to make conversation.

"Pikachu, Sylveon, and Espeon," Ash told her.  "Braixen's leg is still recovering, and Pancham's... well, you know him, he's your Pokemon after all.  Talonflame's resting too- what?" Ash broke up when he saw the fire-flying-type standing in front of them, looking energized and perfectly healthy.

"Wow, Talonflame, looking good!" Ash complimented his Pokemon, earning him a happy squawk.  "Want to come with us?" he asked, and Talonflame nodded.  Ash turned to Serena.  "Well, there you have it then.  Sylveon, Espeon, Pikachu, and Talonflame will come with us."

"Cool!" Serena said, happy that there were multiple Pokemon coming with them.  They didn't want problems with any wild Pokemon, especially that Umbreon, if it decided to show.  She helped Ash pack a day-bag of supplies, and gave it to Pikachu to carry with him.

When they were finished, Ash made sure she was set.  "You're good, right?"

She nodded.  "Absolutely."  She was so excited, yet nervous at the same time, for this day to finally start.  Espeon bent down and they Ash climbed onto her back.  He held out a hand to her, and she took it, gratefully.

"Onwards!" Ash yelled, looking like an adventurer on one of those movies.  She giggled, and he laughed with her.  She smiled fondly.

Is this... the meaning of friendship?

Is this... the start of something more?

This chapter part was short.  I apologize.  I worked myself to the bone trying to get chapters ready for both of my books by Wednesday.  I promise that the next part will be longer (and better.  I know this was a filler part- sorry about that).

Now for our Question of the Day thingy- where do you think Ash and Serena are going?  Comment below!

Anyways, that's all for today.  Have an awesome couple of weeks, and I'll see you in the next update.  

Stay tuned ;)