Hi everyone!!  SK here.

So if you can guess by the chapter title there will be a lot of stuff happening this chapter.  I won't waste time in this A/N.  

As always, enjoy!!  For once I was able to update early/on time haha.

Serena

It's been a couple hours, and Ash and I finally decide to go our separate ways.  I honestly would've preferred to spend the rest of the day with him, but he has his responsibilities, as do I.  Besides, tomorrow is a big day.  We need time to prepare.

We give each other a quick hug and after some heartfelt goodbyes, we both leave.  He heads towards the darker part of the forest, while I start to go in a different direction.  I'm going to leave the realm again- I want to see Clemont.  Now that I know he's an Elemental I want to bring him to our world.  If he wants it, of course.

I wince.  I still can't believe Heliux did that.

I turn a corner and I'm absolutely startled to run into Heliux.  He's not alone though, he's with another Elemental.  I notice that he doesn't have wings yet, so he must be new.  We both stop, and the new guy looks a little confused.

I feel that I have to say something.  "Heliux, I-"

"Now is not the time, Serena," he says, interrupting me in the process.  "Listen.  Something very very bad has happened.  One of the human regions has fallen victim to the imbalance.  It is no more.  We must gather every fairy we can, and stop Rin before it is too late."

I nod breathlessly, looking at the newcomer.  "Who-"

"This is Max," Heliux introduces briefly.  "May's brother.  He was... the only survivor, at least in terms of Elementals and as far as we fairies know.  Perhaps-"

"Clemont will know.  Yes, he might."  We're interrupting each other, but everything is so tense.  A cold wind blows, scattering the piles of dead leaves and decay that sits along the forest floor.  I wince.  "What... what region was it?"

Heliux is silent.

My heart hardens.  "Heliux, tell me, please."

"...Kalos, Serena.  It was Kalos."

My eyes go dark as my knees start to shake.  Kalos... Kalos... why?  All of the friends that I'd left lived there.  The Professor... Shauna... Tierno... Trevor... my mother.  I hope that they weren't in the region when it was destroyed.  I close my eyes and say a silent prayer.  Please, Lita, make it so.

I quickly steady myself.  People who I loved were in danger, even if they'd forgotten about me.  The whole world was in danger, and I couldn't stand around doing nothing.  I look at Heliux, feeling steady.  "I'll go get Clemont, and meet you back at the colony as soon as I can."

He nods and we go our separate ways.  

"Do any of you know what happened?" I whisper to my Necklace, hoping I'll get an answer.

My heart almost stops as Aria answers me.  "I'm so sorry, Serena."

I need to get to Clemont quickly.

I make the portal right then and there to the spot where I met up with Clemont the first time.  To my surprise he's already there, looking anxious.  I perform my spell on him and as soon as we're face to face he runs up to me and grips my shoulders.

"Serena... Serena, s-something really bad h-has happened," he stutters, and he looks like he's about to cry.

I give him a hug and do my best to steady him.  "I know," I whisper.  "Kalos has fallen.  Please tell me that you could get in contact with someone.  Anyone."

He wipes his tears, shaking his head.  "I tried, Serena, I really tried.  Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor were all there.  We had been on a video chat right before it happened... they didn't make it, neither did the Professor.  I tried calling my dad and Grace, but they never responded.  I don't think... I don't think they made it.  I'm so sorry, Serena.  And to make it worse... Delia was there t-too."

My eyes widen.  "But Delia lives in Kanto!"

He shakes his head again.  "No, my dad wanted to come see me.  She'd said that she wanted to go to Kalos to tour anyway, and then she could meet my dad and they could fly back together because he wanted to take a vacation away from Kalos too.  It seemed okay at the time, except..."

"Oh," is the only thing I can say. 

I can't... I can't believe it's all gone.  When I left the human world to take up my position here, my mother was one of the people I missed the most.  Her constant encouragement, the way she never gave up on me... I'll always regret the way I left her.  If only she knew her daughter was still alive, fighting for a better life for the entire universe.  But I brought Ash into our world, and now the imbalance has killed her and so many other people I care about.  My mother is d-dead.  The person that brought me up and made me who I am today is dead.  And all my things... little trinkets that held precious memories.  The trays me and Mom used to fill with cookies on Christmas.  The glass statues that she said my father had collected from every place he'd traveled to.  All of my mother's Rhyhorn Racing trophies, and her beloved Rhyhorn themselves.  The house where I grew up.  All of our family photos.  I left knowing that they'd be safe somewhere, even if I couldn't take any of them with me myself... and now they're gone.  Nothing of me remains, I'm... I'm gone.  That's why I asked Ash to bring his most treasured possession... I never got a chance to take what I loved.

I tremble with loss, and when I look forwards, Clemont is too.  We hold each other, two friends who both lost a part of their lives today.

We eventually pull apart.  "Clemont," I say, regaining my voice, "There's something I have to tell you-"

He holds up a hand.  "Save it, please.  Please, Serena, I'm begging you.  Let me come with you."

It's moments like these that make me smile, if only a little.  "Oh, Clemont.  That was what I was coming here to tell you.  You do have an Element.  You're meant to be with us.  I was supposed to convince you to leave your life behind and join us."

He looks away, up to the darkening sky.  "What life?  I have nothing left.  Everything I built for myself was in Kalos.  All my friends and family were in Kalos.  Kalos is gone now, and everything I love.  But you're still here.  Ash is still here, and Bonnie... Bonnie is still here.  She's my sister.  I have to be with her, no matter what.  So yes... yes I will come with you Serena."

"Do... do you have any Pokemon with you?"

He nods.  "Just Luxray."

I smile.  "That's great.  There's... there's not anything you need to go get, is there?"

He shakes his head, pointing to the small satchel he's carrying with him.  "I have a few small things in there.  They... well, since they came with me on the quest, they were the only things I could save."  He smiles, although his eyes are brimming with sadness.  "What are we waiting for?  Let's go."

I open the portal, and lead him into the future.  "Let's go."

As we step in, I don't mention how close we are to genocide.

Ash

I walk back to the Dark's camp, unease building up inside me.  Tomorrow... tomorrow I'll finally be free, thank goodness.  

I'm about to enter the final stretch when a fairy comes up to me, his pale blonde hair shining under the dim sunlight.  I stop warily, because isn't he under mind control?

He holds up his hands.  "I'm not here to hurt you."

I raise an eyebrow.  "Yeah, I'm not too sure about that."

He sighs.  "Rin isn't mind-controlling me.  There's enough goodness in my heart to block his power.  Plus, my sister is a Light Fairy, if that makes things easier for you to understand."

I inch closer.  "Your sister?"

He nods.  "Her name's Lillie.  It's been years since I've last seen or talked to her.  I know that you were in the Light Fairy Colony recently, and I've been meaning to ask you about her... except I never could."

I seem to know what he means.  "You mean Rin stopped you."

He sighs.  "He can't control all my actions, but he can do enough damage.  Here is far enough so he can't do anything.  I'm just trying to steer clear of him, you know?"

I smile, only slightly.  I'm still not fully sure if I can trust him, but something in him reminds me a little of how Clemont acted when Bonnie disappeared.  From seeing Clemont, I know how he must feel.  Besides, Lillie did mention having a brother here.  "Gladion, right?  I can tell you how she's doing, if you want."

His eyes spark with relief.  "Thank you- Ash, right?"

"Yes, that's me," I nod.  "I have to warn you, I didn't really talk to her that much," I warn, feeling a little awkward while doing so.  I don't want to make any false promises to this guy.

He shrugs.  "But you've seen her, right?"

I nod.  "I've seen her.  She looks like she's doing okay.  She's made some very good friends, like Mallow... although sometimes they look so close that they seem to be more then friends, but don't take my word on it.  They're very good with her, and she cares about them dearly.  Her Mist Pokemon is doing well too.  She misses you, though," I add.  "She's still a little quiet too.  I think she just really wants to see her again."

His eyes glisten.  "I... I miss her too," he says.  "I-" he stops, looking around.  "Ash, do you sense anything?"

I shake my head, confusion surging through me once more.  "No, I don't think so-"

Suddenly, there is a white flash and I quickly jump away from it.  My eyes are shut and when I open them again, I scream.  Gladion's dead body sits in front of me, multiple stab wounds inflicted on him.

I look down at my hands, which feel oddly warm.  It's a similar warmth to when I use magic.  My eyes widen when I see a reddened silver knife gripped between my fingers.  I yelp, tossing it away from me; however, it leaves my fingers stained red, red from a murder that I could have somehow prevented.

My eyes wander back and forth.  "I... I didn't kill him," I whisper, though no one is here to hear me.

Out of nowhere, Rin- no, I have to stop thinking that.  Drago comes up to me and gasps.  "Ash, what... what have you done?"

Desperation fills my voice.  "I... I didn't kill him!  I swear..."  Oh Zagan, what is happening?

He shakes his head.  "You'll be coming with me," he says firmly.  "Fairies who commit crimes are punished greatly."

He grips my wrist and I try to fight against him.  "I didn't kill him, I swear!"

He says nothing, and that's when I realize it.  

Drago framed me.  

I don't know why Gladion had to die, but now another pair of siblings is now eternally split apart.  Now I have to face some punishment for a crime I didn't commit.

Help me, anyone...

Serena, I hope I'll be alive to meet you tomorrow.

That was one intense chapter.  I hope you enjoyed it!  What do you guys think Clemont's Element is?

Well, that's all I have for today.  Stay tuned for more everyone ^^