Author's Note:

Hey guys! This is my first real one shot, so I hope you enjoy it :)

So this is based off of Episode 28 of XYZ which is the one where Serena throws snowballs at Ash. My one shot is going to be very closely based off of it, so it may even copy dialogue. It's basically the episode but way more amourshipping in it.

And by the way, i'm not gonna do the Greninja only scenes (like when he is in the tree or with Squishy) because it just wouldn't fit with the one shot.

I hope you guys enjoy :)

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Ash was sitting down on a log, thinking about what was wrong with him. The previous day Ash fought the Ice type gym leader, Wulfric, and lost horribly against one of his Pokemon. He failed his Pokemon, and most of all, he let Greninja down. Ash thought that he didn't have his act together, and because of that, Greninja couldn't perfect their form.

The trainer sighed, heating up the cold air in front of his face for half a second, until it faded away back into coldness. He clenched his fist, before a few Fletchlings flew away from the tree above him. At the time, he was thinking about Greninja and how horribly he failed, but for some reason, he thought about... Serena.. He saw that look on her face, the one he hated to see; the one where she looked like she was about to cry. Ash knew something was different about her than the other girls he has traveled with, but he didn't know what yet.

Ash left without giving his friends a reason, even leaving Pikachu behind. He knew he would regret it later, but he had to think, it was the only way he thought he could fix this. "If only I had gotten my act together.." The raven haired boy kept saying this, even though it wasn't true. There was a different reason, a reason a good friend would teach him later on. He clenched his fist one more time, and breathed in heavily.

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"Pika!!" Pikachu squeaked, now worried for his other friend, Greninja, who is now gone just like Ash. Pikachu stood up on the table, in front of Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie, who all looked just as worried.

"Now even Greninja is?" Clemont asked, and Nurse Joy nodded in response.

"Yes." All of them looked on the screen to the right, where Greninja's anatomy was located. "It has recovered its stamina so I don't think there's any need to worry, but..." Nurse Joy looked back at the group, who turned their attention back towards her. Serena put her hands on Bonnie's shoulders in front of her, and looked down at her forehead. Nurse Joy finished her sentence, "Do you know where it went?"

Clemont sadly shook his head no, while Bonnie and Serena looked at each other. "I wonder where it has gone?" Bonnie asked Serena, with a saddened look on her face.

"It probably followed Ash." Serena said, looking at the empty bed in front of her once more. She truly did miss Ash. Serena wished he stayed, and talked with the group about it, but he chose the worst option; leaving them, without telling the group where he was going. Ever since he started the losing spree, she sensed something wrong with him, like he was missing something or was rushing into things too often. He has been acting somewhat rude to her, like giving her his backpack at the gym by shoving it in her chest without looking at her, or not even answering her question when he left the Pokemon Center. All Serena knew, was that he was sad, depressed, and in need of help.

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Serena sat outside of the Pokemon Center, on the wooden benches that had green rubber covers on them. She had both of her hands by her side, before she stood up, and walked to the edge of the deck. The performer looked out into the snowy field, trying to look in between the trees, just incase she could see Ash. As she was expecting, Serena saw nothing, except dead bushes covered with snow and think trees blocking her view. As soon as she realized what she had to do, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and ran down the steps into the snowy field. Serena sprinted into the forest, not looking back once.

She kind of felt like a hypocrite for not telling Clemont and Bonnie where she was going, but Serena couldn't wait any longer. Serena also felt like she needed to do this alone, to be like a counselor to Ash. If he wanted to be alone, then he probably didn't want the rest of the group there either. Serena felt like she could help him. She didn't know how to describe it, but Ash and her just had this.. bond, that Bonnie and Clemont both didn't have with him. Serena knew she had a crush on him, but she also knew that she admired him, for who he was, and how he helped her find her own dream, being a Pokemon Performer. Ash said to her that she can find her dream with her Pokemon, and that's exactly what she did. She owes him the world for helping her find her dream, and now she has to return the favor, by helping him achieve his own.

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The stressed out trainer heard slight movement behind him, but shrugged it off. He has already been sitting there for hours, in fact the whole night, and would continue to do so until he had this figured out. "I... I've got to.. I've got to get my act together... I.." Ash clenched his fist, and frowned. How though?

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Serena continued to run through the snowy mountain, hoping she could find Ash. She saw some faint footsteps heading directly straight from the Pokemon Center, so she followed those. Her breath was heating up the air in front of her, but quickly disappeared. The performer has been running for awhile, possibly around thirty minutes; that wouldn't make her stop though, she had to find him.. Her crush.. Her friend.. Her savior.. Ash...

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Ash continued to look down, before hearing a familiar voice, "Ash." The trainer slowly looked up, to see Serena, standing fifteen feet in front of him, stopping near one of the trees. She had her hand up to the blue ribbon Ash gave her. Ash loved how she held it in her hand. Every time something serious was happening to him, she held that ribbon. It was kind of like a good luck charm for her. Even if it was a small gift, that he actually got for free, it still meant a lot coming from him.

He could see that she was breathing a little bit heavy. Did she run here? For me? Ash gained his composure after looking at her in shock for a few seconds, "Sorry." He tilted his hat down, and continued to look down at the snow. He finished his sentence, "For leaving so suddenly." The trainer closed his eyes, and held his hands on his knees.

"Ash, if there's something troubling you," Serena took a few more steps forward, "Talk to me about it! It can be anything." She stopped, putting her hands behind her back and leaning over slightly."

"..."

Ash stayed silent, ignoring her. Serena wasn't going to give up like that, she was going to continue trying to help him. "If I can be any use to you, no matter how little.." She opened her arms up slightly, trying to make him feel better by saying, You can say anything, I will help. All she was trying to do was make him feel better, and maybe, just maybe, fix his problem.

"..."

He still stayed quiet, once again ignoring her, or so she thought. Serena was going to try one more thing, she was going to open up for him, tell him how she felt in a similar situation. "I know how you feel, Ash. Back when I failed at my Tripokalon, I wondered why I-"

Serena got interrupted by Ash standing up suddenly, and clenching his fist near his waist. "What do you know about it, Serena?!" He yelled, snapped, got tired of Serena trying to 'help.' Ash knew she was truly trying to help him, but he thought he didn't need it, he knew he could do it alone.

After he yelled... Silence.. The only thing that broke it was a small clump of snow falling off a tree behind Serena. Serena had her eyes wide open. She couldn't believe what he just said, or did.. He has never yelled at her before, so all of this was so.. Weird... Serena wasn't going to deal with his crap though, she still wanted to help, even if she had to force it. She yelled back, "Why don't you talk then!?"

Ash turned to his side, looked down at the snow, and closed his eyes. "This is my problem. Just leave me be!" He clenched his jaw, and made it so his back was facing her. He felt bad already, regretting that he yelled at her. He knew he has never done this before, and this was going to change everything. He slouched his head down, and calmed his jaw. Ash felt something cold and soft hit the back of his head, before it broke apart onto his shoulders. A snowball?

He turned around somewhat furious at Serena, but it quickly changed to a worried expression when he saw Serena closing her eyes, looking down, and holding more snowballs in her hands. "Serena.." Ash quickly said, wondering what she would do next.

Serena started speak, still looking down, closing her eyes, "The Ash I know.." She paused for half a second, to take a tiny breath. "Is always full of energy and a leader, works hard, optimistic.." She sniffled a few times, before looking up with tear filled eyes, that made her eyes glow blue even more. She spoke her last line. "Never gives up till the end!"

She slightly closed her eyes, fighting back the tears, and started to throw the two snowballs in her hands. "That's why I...! I..!" In between words, she threw the two snowballs, both hitting Ash in the face. He blocked the first one, but the second one got in his eyes. He flinched a little, but just stood still, wiping his eyes of the snow. Ash looked back at Serena, who was still crying. "Right now, you are not yourself!" She bent over, and picked up more snowballs. Ash started to walk forward slowly, closing his eyes. Serena quickly threw them at him, trying to make him stay back. They hit his chest, and did nothing.

Tears started to go down her face as she scrambled to throw snowballs. Some of them she threw weren't even snowballs, just clumps of snow that broke apart when she threw it. The good ones though, hit him in the chest, and some of them he blocked with his arms. "Serena.." Ash muttered, as he continued to walk closer to her. She started to back up, still trying to gather snowballs. "Serena..!" He said slightly louder than the last one, and got within reaching range of her. She grabbed two more snowballs off the ground, and was about to throw it until he grabbed her wrist in air, holding them above both of them. The crying girl tried to throw the other one, but he grabbed that wrist as well.

Serena started crying, sniffling, and her heart beat out of her chest. She closed her eyes. Serena felt her back slowly going up a tree, and her wrists pinned against it above her. "Serena.." Ash said quietly, trying to calm her down.

The girl with honey blonde hair started to flail her arms, trying to get free, but he was too strong so they stayed still. "Let me go!" She tried to kick his shins with her free feet, but that didn't really affect him. He did listen though. Ash let go of her arms, but then he placed his hands against her cheeks. Serena almost instantly calmed down, sniffling a few times in the process. She opened her eyes, to see Ash looking at her, almost crying as well. With his thumbs, Ash wiped away the tears that were streaming down her face.

"Ash...?" Serena said, looking into his beaming brown eyes. Ash closed the gap between their bodies, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Serena squeaked slightly, and started to blush heavily. She wrapped her arms around his body, and slightly gripped onto his jacket. Serena felt like she was about to faint, this is everything she wanted, besides the fact that they yelled each other.

Both of them sat there for a few seconds, before they felt heavy snow drop on their hats and shoulders. They separated, but Ash kept his hands on her shoulders. They simultaneously looked at the now dark sky, filled with grey clouds. Ash looked back at Serena, who was still looking at the sky. "We should go back.." Serena put her attention back on Ash, who was still holding her shoulders. Ash looked around, noticing they were in a completely different place from where they started. He let go of her shoulders, and turned around, scratching the back of his neck.

Serena noticed this, and instantly commented on it. "What's wrong?" She sniffled one more time, and wiped the last of her tears away. Ash continued to look away.

"Uh, I think we are lost..." Serena's eyes instantly opened wide, and started to think about everything that she knew she would regret sooner or later. Serena facepalmed, and wiped her hand down her face.

"Great.. I didn't even tell Clemont and Bonnie where I was going..." Serena sighed, and walked next to Ash. "So.. what are we going to do?" Serena looked at Ash, holding her ribbon once again,

Ash looked back at her, "Well, this snowfall is getting pretty rough, we should get to a cave." He smiled in the corner of his mouth a little. Serena didn't know why, but she thinks Ash just figured out something, maybe what was wrong with him and Greninja? She shrugged it off, and went back to focusing on the problem at hand. Ash grabbed her wrist and started to run forward. Serena blushed a scarlet red, but didn't hesitate to run with him.

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After a few minutes of running together, they finally found a small cave, hiding them from the snow. Serena called Braixen out, to start a fire for them. "Braixen!" The fire fox cried, and instantly grabbed the stick from her tail, and twisted it in her paw a few times, before it lit a flame. "Brai." She tilted the the fire stick into the pile of sticks that Ash gathered beforehand.

"Thank you, Braixen." Serena said, and went to sit down on the rock next to Ash. She slowly sat down, a few centimeters away from Ash. The honey haired girl slowly looked at Ash, who was looking deeply into the fire. "Ash.?" she said quietly, hoping not to startle him.

Ash looked away from the fire, and into Serena's blue ocean eyes. "Yeah..?" Serena hesitated a little, before finally speaking up.

"I'm.. uh. I.. am s-" Serena started to say something, but Ash interrupted her.

"Don't say you're sorry, Serena." He took a quick look at the fire, and then back at her. "What you said is true. I wa-" Something interrupted Ash, a few Pokemon rustling in the bushes outside of the cave. Ash looked out of the cave, to see a Oddish, Zigzagoon, Scatterbug, Budew, and a Sentret. They all looked at Serena and Ash in the cave, peaking out of the bushes. They can't stay out there cold.. Ash thought, and started to wave his hands, signalling for them to come in. "Why don't you join us instead of staying out there?"

The Pokemon didn't move, but instead continued to look at Serena and Ash curiously. Ash put out his hand, "It's fine." Ash suddenly remembered something from his childhood. It was very similar to what was happening now.

(FLASHBACK)

Ash was inside of a tree, hiding from the rain, and outside, were a few Pokemon, looking at Ash. A Weedle, Oddish, Rattata, a Caterpie, and a Butterfree all stood out of the tree, looking at the young Ash hiding from the rain. The young Ash stuck out his hand, "Come on, it's fine." He tilted his head, and smiled.

(FLASHBACK END)

Ash blinked, and opened his mouth slowly, looking at the ground. Serena looked at him worryingly, and was about to say something before Ash continued what he was doing before. The trainer called out to the Pokemon one more time. "Let's all stay together until it stops." He opened his arms, making himself open. Serena looked at him, amazed at what she was seeing. This... This is why I love him. All of the Pokemon started to run towards Ash and Serena, then jumped into their laps.

Ash instantly comforted the Sentret, Oddish, and Budew, while the Zigzagoon and Scatterbug went to Serena. Serena put her hands up for a few seconds, unsure on what to do, but soon enough she put her arms around them. The Pokemon snuggled up next to the trainer, and performer. "If we stay like this, we'll be warm." Ash said.

Serena looked at Ash, with tears forming in her eyes. She blinked a few times, and gave a bright smile at him. She snuggled up a little closer to Ash, and leaned her head on his shoulder. Ash looked at her with a blank expression, wondering what she was doing. She closed her eyes, and started to blush a little. Ash decided to go with it, and put his arm around her. Probably for warmth, right?

"Paaa!" Ash heard a faint cry outside, causing him to nicely push the Pokemon out of his lap, and stand up. When he stood up, Serena leaned back up, and looked at Ash walking towards the entrance of the cave.

"Ash?" He took a step outside. "What are you doing?" Serena asked, now standing up as well.

"Didn't you hear it?" Ash turned his head towards Serena. "Wait.. Listen.." Both of them stayed quiet.

"Paa!" Ash jumped, from that, and started to run outside.

"There! There it is!" Ash said as he ran.

"Ash!" Serena called out, and followed him outside the cave. Serena shivered up, holding her arms with her opposite hands. Serena looked in Ash's direction again, to see him climbing a tree. "Ash! What are you doing!" He didn't answer, but instead climbed the tree to one of the higher branches, where Serena saw large clumps of snow. But, the large clumps of snow were.. Pokemon? Serena took a closer look, squinting her eyes. Spewpa? There were six of them, all clumped up against the tree.

Ash got to where they were, grabbed one of them, and slid down the tree. He repeated the process, until there was one more, on the very edge of the branch. He climbed the tree once more. The storm was getting intense. The wind was blowing the branch up and down, knocking some of the snow off. "Be careful!" Serena screamed, and this time Ash acknowledged it by looking down at her, and nodding. Ash pulled himself up onto the branch, laid down on his stomach, reaching for the final Pokemon.

"All right, grab my hand." The Spewpa turned towards him and squeaked. "Come on. Do your best. Work up your courage!" Ash reached out once more, trying to grab the bug Pokemon. Suddenly, he heard the branch slightly snap behind him, but not fully broken yet. Ash knew he had to act fast. "Hold on to me, let's join the others!" With that, the Spewpa jumped at Ash, who caught him in his hands. Ash smiled, "All right, good!"

Snap.. The branch broke, breaking off from the tree, making the Pokemon and Ash fall. That tree branch, was right over a cliff, which made the situation even worse. "Ahhh!" Ash screamed.

"Ash! Oh no!" Serena ran towards the edge of the cliff, and continued to call his name. "Ash!" Serena finally got towards the ledge, and leaned over it. "Ash!" She called out one more time, seeing him disappear into the darkness below her. Serena reached out for no apparent reason, probably just hoping he would grab on somehow, but.. He was already gone.. "Ash.." Tears started to form in her eyes, and instantly streamed down her face. "He.. he.. He's.. gone.. Forever.. I couldn't even.. Tell him.."

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Ash was falling, but felt something grab onto his waist. It was firm, yet somewhat slimy. The 'rope' tightened around his waist, and pulled him up. "Greninja!" Ash said, as he realized what saved him. Greninja caught him with his long tongue.

"Gren!" He somehow cried, even with his tongue out of his mouth holding Ash in the air. Ash heard the wind kick up, and the snow started to get heavier. He heard the whistle from the wind. "No!" Ash said, as the Spewpa fell out of his hands, falling down the cliff once again. He reached out for the Pokemon, but it was too late. Greninja instantly brought him to his side on the cliff, they knew what they had to do. They had to do it, now, or never.

"I want to save it, I need to save it!"

"Ninja." Both Greninja and Ash spread out their arms, and a water whirlpool instantly started to form around Greninja. Greninja jumped off of the cliff, diving towards the falling Pokemon. The trail of water followed him, but soon evaporated.

"We can do this!" Ash thought, but Greninja heard it. Greninja spread out his arms once again, and water wings formed, and spun around into a large blue shuriken on his back. "Go!" Ash screamed, looking down at his Pokemon. Greninja put his hands by his side, and dived towards the Spewpa. The frog-ninja slowly caught up to it, and reached out his hands, and grabbed it. It made a tiny squeak, before Greninja held it close to him, preparing for what was going to happen next.

"There is a branch! Dodge it!" Ash ordered, from what seemed like through their thoughts. Greninja listened, and went to the right, and grabbed onto the branch with his tongue, then let go. "Another!" Greninja quickly reacted, and jumped over the branch sticking out of the cliff. It was almost like he was running down the cliff, because he was dodging all the branches and ledges like he was running on land.

"Slow down!" Ash commanded, one more time. Greninja shot out his tongue, grabbing onto one of the top tree branches, and spun around it a few times, before letting go, and slowly dropping to the ground. The ninja landed, safely. Ash and Greninja shot up their hands simultaneously, even though they were separated from each other. "All right!"

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Greninja handed over the Pokemon to Ash, who turned around and put it on the ground behind him. "Everything's fine now!" The Spewpa reunited with his friends finally, safe and sound. Ash heard Greninja revert back to normal behind him. The trainer stood up, and turned around, facing Greninja. "Greninja, thank you." Both of them closed their eyes for a second, and Ash itched his nose, "I worried you, didn't I? I'm sorry."

"Greninja!" Both of them raised their hands, colliding them for a high five.

Ash looked around. "Now I have someone else to thank. Where is she?"

Greninja looked at him confused. "Gren?" Ash and Greninja returned to the tree he fell from, to see something looking over the edge on its knees. Serena? She was leaning over the side of the cliff, crying, wiping her eyes, and it seemed like she was choking from the pain. Ash walked over to her, and put his hand on her shoulder. She twitched from sudden feeling on her shoulder, and looked behind her quickly.

Ash! Ash!! Serena's face lit up, and she dived on top of him, hugging him on the ground. "Ash! You're alright!" She leaned her head on his chest for a few seconds, before pushing herself off of the ground, with her hands between his arms and body. "Wait, how though? I saw you fall.." Serena still had a few tears in her eyes, and once in awhile they dropped onto Ash's chest.

Ash tilted his head back, looking at Greninja upside-down. "He saved me, as well as the Pokemon that was in the tree." He tilted his back towards Serena, who was still on top of him. "Uh.." Ash sweatdropped, and Serena blushed in return.

"Oh, right. Sorry" Serena got up, and scratched the back of her head. Ash stood up, facing Serena. He gave a bright smile, looking into the honey haired girl's bright blue eyes.

"Thank you, Serena." He stopped for a second, and itched his cheek. He somewhat broke eye contact, "Serena, your words, fixed me. They woke me up."

Serena stood there slightly dumbfounded, blinking a few times, and of course, blushing the slightest fade of pink. "Welcome back, Ash!"

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The snow finally started to stop after Ash told the story about his inspiration to become a Pokemon trainer. The story warmed Serena's heart. She couldn't believe that he has come this far. Ash, Serena, and Greninja, all started to head back towards the Pokemon Center. Greninja knew the way, so he lead his trainer and performer.

As the group walked into the Pokemon Center, Bonnie instantly jumped up, and ran over to Serena, hugging her. "Serena! Where did you go!"

"I went to find him." Serena smiled, and returned the small hug to the little girl. Bonnie looked behind Serena, to see Ash and Greninja standing there.

"Well, you succeeded." Bonnie giggled, and walked back to Clemont.

"Pika!" Pikachu ran past Clemont, and jumped into Ash's arms.

"Pikachu!" Ash said as he put his friend on his shoulder.

"Well, we are glad that you and Serena are safe." Clemont said to Ash. Ash nodded, and put his hand on Serena's shoulder.

"Thank you Serena. You brought me back to life, and I can't thank you enough for that." Ash said, and gave a bright toothy grin.

Bonnie gave a smirk, and whispered to Clemont; "Something happened, big brother." She nudged her sibling.

"Like what?" Clemont said quietly. Bonnie pouted.

"Nevermind, you don't get it."

"Huh?" Clement responded, and focused his attention on Bonnie.

Serena smiled, and nodded to Ash. She quickly turned towards him, and wrapped her arms around his body. Serena dug her head into his chest. Ash went in a state of shock, but quickly got out of it. He wrapped his arms around her neck, and put his chin on the top of the girls head. "You're welcome, Ash."

"I.. love you.."

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Author's Note:

Thank you for reading this one shot :3 hope you enjoyed it! It was fun to write, even though I got a lot of it from the actual episode. I did say in the other author's note that it was very similar, so xP

I'll see you guys next time! Reviews are appreciated <3