A Pokeshipping fanfiction with one-sided Amourshipping and slight Egoshipping and GeekChicShipping.
Summary: When Misty and Gary arrive in Kalos for a visit, they don’t expect to be reunited with Ash or caught in another Team Rocket disaster. After an explosion sends everyone crashing into the forest below, Serena is forced to confront the history between Ash and Misty. Old bonds resurface, new feelings are tested, and in the middle of it all, two girls make a pact. May the best girl win.
THE GOURGEIST FESTIVAL WAS a famous holiday celebrated at night in a small town nestled between Dendemille Town and Anistar City. While it wasn’t as grand or well-known as the Coumarine City Festival, it was still a huge event for the locals.
Ash and his friends had fully embraced the spirit of the celebration. Naturally, Serena had taken charge of everyone’s costumes and makeup.
Ash was stuffed into an oversized Snorlax onesie, complete with floppy ears and a round belly. Pikachu wore a tiny faux beak to resemble Psyduck. Chespin had been painted yellow to look like Pikachu, whereas Clemont wore a Watchog costume, Bonnie happily bounced around dressed as Ludicolo, and Dedenne had little claws attached to resemble Corphish.
And Serena, the mastermind behind it all, was dressed as a Florges, her elegant purple costume glowing softly under the lantern lights. Though the outfits looked bulky, they were surprisingly easy to move in.
After checking into the Pokémon Center and dropping off their things, the group eagerly headed out to enjoy the festival.
Their journey to Anistar City could wait for one night.
“Wow, so pretty!” Bonnie gasped, spinning in place as she admired the glowing lanterns shaped like Pumpkaboo hanging from the trees. The small town was surrounded by forest, making the lights shimmer beautifully against the dark backdrop.
“Hi! Here you go!” Two children dressed as Pokémon ran up to Bonnie and handed her a piece of candy.
“What’s this?” Bonnie asked curiously.
“Oh! During the Gourgeist Festival, we all trade yummy treats with each other!” One girl explained cheerfully. “It’s not just about costumes!”
“Well, in that case, here you go.” Serena smiled and handed them each a toffee. “I brought plenty for everyone.” The kids beamed before running off into the crowd.
Serena passed small candy bags to the others. “Yeah! Then let’s trade a whole lot!” Ash grinned.
But before they could continue, loud cheering erupted nearby. “Sounds like a battle!” Ash’s eyes lit up immediately. “Come on, let’s check it out!” He exclaimed as Pikachu’s ears perked up.
They pushed through the crowd to see a Quilladin battling. Its trainer was giving it determined commands.
“Hey, Chespin, look! It’s a Quilladin!” Serena pointed out. Chespin awed dramatically. “It looks like the battle’s almost over,” Clemont observed. “Quilladin can barely stand.”
“Arcanine, finish it with Fire Fang!” A massive Arcanine charged forward, flames igniting around its fangs as it struck. The impact sent Quilladin sliding back, ending the match.
The crowd erupted in applause.
“Woahhh, an Arcanine!” Bonnie squealed. “They’re not even native to Kalos!”
“No way…” Ash’s eyes widened. His head snapped toward the trainer of the Arcanine as the boy casually shook hands with his defeated opponent.
“You really love to show off, huh?” Said a familiar orange-haired girl beside him, arms crossed with a teasing frown.
“Oh, come on, Red,” The boy smirked. “I was just having some fun.” Ash’s brain finally caught up with his eyes.
The two turned toward him at the same time.
For a brief second, neither of them reacted. They stared at the boy in the oversized Snorlax onesie, blinking under the lantern light as if trying to process what they were seeing.
It took them a full moment. Then Pikachu made the connection first.
“Pika-Pi!!” The yellow Pokémon launched itself from Ash’s shoulder straight into Misty’s arms. Misty barely had time to brace before catching him. Her expression melted instantly.
“Oh my gosh… Pika-pal.” She laughed softly as Pikachu nuzzled against her cheek. She cupped the back of his head affectionately, pulling him closer. “I missed you, too.”
Gary, on the other hand, doubled over laughing. “Oh my god, Ashy boy?!” He wheezed, pointing at the Snorlax hood flopping over Ash’s eyes. “Nice look! Really intimidating.”
Ash narrowed his eyes, cheeks tinting pink. “I see you haven’t changed at all.”
The Kalos gang watched the entire exchange in utter confusion. Serena blinked. Clemont adjusted his glasses. Bonnie looked delighted.
Soon enough, the reunited group relocated to a cozy open-air café perched near a cliff edge. Lanterns glowed overhead while distant fireworks shimmered against the forest horizon.
They all sat around a circular table.
“So,” Ash leaned forward, elbows on the table, “What are you guys doing all the way in Kalos?”
Misty raised a brow. “Wow. That’s bold coming from someone who, the last time I checked, was in Sinnoh.”
Ash immediately shrank back, scratching his cheek. “Heh… yeah.”
Serena tilted her head, studying the dynamic carefully. “You guys seem… really close.”
“Well,” Gary began casually, leaning back in his chair, “We were there when Ashy-boy here was taking his very first steps as a Pokémon Trainer.” Before Ash could protest, Gary reached over and pulled him into a loose headlock, ruffling his hood.
“Let go!” Ash struggled half-heartedly.
“What he means,” Misty corrected with a sigh, “Is that I met Ash on the day he started his journey. We traveled together for a while.”
“That’s right,” Gary added proudly. “I was his first rival.”
“And I was his first traveling companion.”
Serena froze. “First… traveling companion?” She repeated, her cheeks flushing red as various inappropriate scenarios ran through her head. First companion? That meant they had traveled alone together. Just the two of them. Across Kanto. Shared campsites. Battles. Memories. A sleeping bag?!?
Serena’s fingers tightened around her teacup.
Clemont suddenly gasped, breaking the tension.
“Gary Oak! Of course! The grandson of Professor Oak and a rising Pokémon researcher! I’ve read about your field studies!” Gary waved modestly. “Geez, you’re making me sound more impressive than I am.”
Clemont then turned eagerly to Misty. “And you’re Misty Wallflower of Cerulean City! A renowned Water-type Gym Leader from Kanto!”
Misty rubbed the back of her head, slightly embarrassed. “I don’t know about renowned…”
“No way! You’re a Gym Leader?!” Bonnie’s eyes sparkled. Before anyone could react, Bonnie hopped off her chair and marched straight toward Misty.
Then, to everyone’s horror, mostly Clemont’s, she dropped to one knee. “Please take care of my brother!” Bonnie declared, holding out her hand like it was a sacred offering.
“W-What?!” Misty shrieked, nearly dropping Pikachu. Serena let out an awkward laugh while Clemont’s face turned an alarming shade of red. “BONNIE!”
Gary, meanwhile, looked like he had just been handed front-row seats to the greatest show of his life. “Oh, this is good,” He muttered, biting into an olive.
“Come on, big brother!” Bonnie insisted before she was lifted off the ground by her ear. “Ow! Hey!”
To everyone’s complete shock, it was Ash. He stood there, eyes squeezed shut in irritation, cheeks faintly pink under the lantern light.
“That’s enough, Bonnie,” He said firmly as the table went dead silent. “I won’t have you going around proposing to my friends like that. It’s rude.”
Without another word, he dragged Bonnie a few steps away from Misty.
Clemont and Serena staredin complete surprise. Usually, Ash laughed when Bonnie did this.
He looked genuinely annoyed.
Misty blinked slowly. “Wow… didn’t see that coming. Does he normally do that?” Serena shook her head, still processing. “No… not really.”
Gary’s smirk only deepened.
Ash returned to his seat like nothing had happened, folding his arms.
“So,” he continued, determined to move on, “How come you guys are here together? I didn’t know you traveled together.”
Before Misty could answer, Gary casually swung an arm around her shoulders. “Oh, Ashy-boy,” He said smoothly, “You have no idea how close we’ve gotten while you’ve been rotting away from region to region.”
Ash furrowed his eyebrow in confusion. “Hey! I wasn’t ‘rotting away’!”
Misty shot Gary a look. “Ignore him.”
Gary chuckled. “Grandpa used to send me to Cerulean Gym with supplies for Red’s Water Pokémon. I was doing research on aquatic habitats anyway. We ended up working together a lot.”
“That’s how we became friends,” Misty finished.
Ash frowned thoughtfully. “Red?” Gary grinned wickedly. “You know. Because she turns red when she gets mad.”
Ash’s eyes lit up in sudden understanding. “Oh yeah! It starts at her nose and spreads to her cheeks—”
“HOW DARE YOU—!” Out of absolutely nowhere, Misty produced a mallet.
Both Ash and Gary were flattened against the table simultaneously.
“What was that for?!” They groaned in unison. “Watch your tone!” Misty snapped, face indeed turning bright red.
Serena fretted over Ash and the growing bump on his head but he waved her off. Clemont leaned in curiously. “But what brings you both to Kalos?”
Misty sighed dramatically. “Daisy, my older sister, was offered a role in some upcoming movie. She plays a Gym Leader, and since she’s obsessed with ‘method acting,’ she decided she needed to experience running the Cerulean Gym herself.”
“So she kicked you out?” Ash asked. “She didn’t kick me out!” Misty huffed. “…She just strongly suggested I ‘take a break.’”
“Translation,” Gary added, “She thought Misty was hovering.”
“Anyway,” Gary continued, ignoring her glare, “Tracy agreed to help Daisy with the Gym. And when Daisy found out I was traveling to Kalos for research on regional Water-type adaptations…”
“She basically shoved me onto his trip,” Misty finished.
Ash blinked. “So you’re just here for research?”
“And sightseeing,” Misty added. “And maybe a few battles.”
Gary’s eyes flicked toward Ash. “Speaking of battles…”
Ash’s competitive grin slowly returned. “Oh?”
A violent suction force tore through the peaceful café. Tables screeched across the floors as cups shattered and Lanterns swung wildly.
“What the—?!” Clemont grabbed the edge of the table. Poké Balls lifted straight off belts. Pokémon were pulled backward mid-step.
“Pikachu!” Ash lunged forward as his partner slid across the wooden deck. A massive mechanical arm rose from behind the café’s stone railing, a vacuum nozzle glowing purple.
All the café patrons screamed as Pokémon were sucked upward toward a hovering balloon-shaped machine.
“Not again!” Ash shouted, “Who builds something this obvious?!” Gary snapped, grabbing onto a support beam. Misty narrowed her eyes as she clutched Pikachu tightly to her chest.
A spotlight flicked on with Smoke exploding dramatically as Three familiar silhouettes appeared atop the machine.
“Prepare for trouble!”
“And make it double!”
Misty groaned instantly. “You’ve got to be kidding me…”
“To protect the world from devastation!”
“To unite all peoples within our nation!”
“To denounce the evils of truth and love!”
“To extend our reach to the stars
“Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!”
“Surrender now, or prepare to fight!”
They struck their signature pose atop the hovering suction machine as fireworks from the festival exploded behind them.
Misty stood up, pointing straight at them. “You guys never learn, do you?!”
Jessie squinted, leaning forward before she gasped dramatically pointing at Misty, “Well, if it isn’t the original twerpet!”
James followed her gaze and nearly dropped off the machine. “And the twerp’s rival! Back from Kanto!”
“That’s right!” Meowth cackled. “Looks like the whole vintage collection showed up!”
Gary folded his arms. “Vintage?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Misty shot back.
Ash clenched his fists. “Give back those Pokémon!”
Below them, Poké Balls rattled violently inside the transparent holding chamber of the machine.
“Chespin!” Serena cried as the small Pokémon struggled against the pull.
Clemont adjusted his glasses, eyes sharp. “They’re using a high-powered magnetic capture turbine! If we disrupt the core rotation—”
“Translation?!” Bonnie yelled, clinging to his leg.
“We hit it really hard!” The blonde genius explained, Ash grinned. “That I can do! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!”
“Arcanine, Flamethrower!” Gary released his large canine Pokémon. Lightning crackled. Flames spiraled upward. The twin attacks collided against the machine’s front plating.
The impact rocked the balloon violently. “Hey! Watch the merchandise!” Jessie shrieked. “James, increase suction power!” Meowth barked.
The turbine roared louder, The deck beneath them began to splinter. Serena stumbled as a gust knocked her backward.
“Oh no,” She reached her arm out instinctively. “I’ve got you!” Misty shouted, grabbing onto her.
“Whaaaat?!” James cried out as the high tech machine began to spiral. “Abort! Abort!” Jessie screamed.
The suction engine overloaded, sending a shockwave blasting outward. The café platform shattered at the edge.
And in one horrifying second, the ground disappeared beneath Serena and Misty. “Ash!” Serena screamed. Misty still had Pikachu clutched to her chest.
Their fingers slipped from the broken railing.
Ash’s eyes widened in pure panic.
“PIKACHU! MISTY! SERENA!”
They plunged through curling smoke that burned their lungs, through splintered wood still spinning from the blast, through drifting lantern light that flickered like falling stars around them.
Past the jagged edge of the cliff, they fell, disappearing into the dark forest below as gravity finally pulled them down.
Above, the damaged machine gave one last violent shudder before exploding in a burst of sparks and flame, sending Jessie, James, and Meowth rocketing helplessly into the sky.
“Looks like Team Rocket’s blasting off agaaaain—!” Their voices echoed faintly before they became nothing more than a single twinkle against the night, and then vanished completely.
Serena frowned as she tugged at the torn hem of her Florges costume. The fall had completely ruined it, fabric snagged, now reduced to damp, drooping threads. Thankfully, they had crashed into a narrow river running through the forest, the cold water cushioning their impact before they managed to scramble to shore, drenched but unharmed.
“Why do they always keep doing this?” Misty groaned, wringing water from her hair before swiftly tying it back into its usual side ponytail. Pikachu shook himself dry beside her, sparks crackling faintly from his cheeks.
Serena silently pushed herself up from the riverbank, brushing mud from her sleeves. The forest around them was thick and dim, moonlight barely filtering through the canopy. The distant sounds of the festival were gone, replaced by the steady rush of water and the occasional rustle in the trees.
“Now what do we do?” Misty asked, scanning their surroundings. “Pika! Pika, Pikachu!” Pikachu suddenly pointed toward the flowing stream.
Misty snapped her fingers. “That’s right! If we follow the stream, it should eventually lead back toward the village. Towns are usually built near water sources.” She looked at Serena. “It’s our best shot.”
Serena nodded, though her thoughts were clearly elsewhere, and followed as Misty and Pikachu began walking along the river’s edge.
Ahead of her, Misty and Pikachu chatted animatedly. Pikachu gestured with his tiny paws while Misty responded effortlessly, as though she understood every syllable. Serena had been traveling with Ash long enough to grasp Pikachu’s expressions and tone, but Pokémon language was still difficult, it was always easier to understand your own Pokémon than someone else’s.
Yet Misty didn’t hesitate, She responded to Pikachu with complete confidence. The familiarity between them wasn’t forced.
Serena felt something twist in her chest.
The jealousy was familiar, the same uncomfortable sting she felt whenever Miette flirted with Ash just to provoke her. But this wasn’t playful rivalry. Miette had only teased to get under her skin.
Misty had been there when Serena hadn’t. She had traveled with him. Fought beside him. Known him when he was just starting.
Serena slowed to a stop. The crunch of gravel under her boots ceased.
Ahead, Misty and Pikachu walked a few more steps before noticing the silence behind them. “What’s wrong, Serena?” Misty asked, confused.
Serena lifted her gaze. “You like Ash, don’t you?”
The words came out steady.
Misty nearly choked on air. “W-What? No! Of course not!” A blush bloomed across her face instantly, starting at the tip of her nose and spreading upward just like Ash had described.
Pikachu’s ears shot straight up.
Serena didn’t look away. “You can be honest. I’m trying to have a real conversation with you.” She swallowed, steadying herself. “Because I like Ash.”
The confession hung in the air.
Pikachu’s mouth dropped open. “Pika?!” Misty and Pikachu slowly turned to stare at each other in synchronized shock.
It would have been comical if Serena’s heart hadn’t pounding so hard.
“I know,” Misty then said casuallyas she turned around, scanning the forest path as they continued walking along the stream.
Serena blinked. “Y-You know?”
“It’s kind of obvious,” Misty replied with a small shrug. “The way you look at him. The way you talk to him. You get nervous when he compliments you.”
Serena froze mid-step before her eyes widened in horror. “Then… do you think Ash knows?” She gasped as her hands flew to her cheeks. “Oh my god, have I been making it that obvious? What if I’ve been smiling weirdly? What if my face does something strange when I look at him? I don’t even know what I’m doing with my expressions!”
She covered her face entirely.
Misty couldn’t help it, she laughed.
“Relax. Ash is a dense idiot. You could literally write ‘I like you’ on a sign and hold it in front of him, and he’d probably ask if it was a battle strategy.”
Serena slowly lowered her hands. “…That’s true,” She admitted.
Pikachu nodded sagely. “Pika.”
They resumed walking, the stream bubbling beside them. Misty hummed thoughtfully before glancing back. “So… how long have you liked him?”
Serena hesitated. This was not the conversation she expected to be having in the middle of a dark forest with Ash’s former traveling companion and her potential love rival.
“Since we were kids,” She said softly. “We met at a summer camp when we were little.”
Misty’s brows lifted. “That long, huh?”
Serena nodded. “But I don’t think he remembers me.”
Misty sighed knowingly. “Oh, that’s so Ash.”
They walked in silence for a moment before Serena gathered her courage.
“…Since when have you liked him?”
“Hm.” She tapped a finger against her chin, glancing up at the canopy as if the answer might be written between the leaves. “You know I can’t really tell.”
Pikachu looked up at her and said something in a knowing tone. “Pika, pika, Pikachu.”
Misty rolled her eyes lightly. “Oh yeah, I guess, but that’s not the only reason you like him though, right?” She looked back at Serena, completely changing the subject.
Serena’s cheeks tinted pink. “I like his never-give-up attitude. He always finds a way forward. Even when he loses, he doesn’t let it consume him. He just… gets back up. I think that’s really charming.”
Pikachu said something approving. “Pika.”
“Yeah,” Misty agreed. “But you know… he wasn’t always like that.”
Serena’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Oh yeah. The first time Ash lost at the Pokémon League? He locked himself in his room for an entire day. Wouldn’t come out. Cried. Sulked. Said he wasn’t good enough.”
Serena stopped walking. “No way.”
It didn’t match the Ash she knew, the confident, smiling boy who always rushed into the next challenge.
Misty nodded. “Ash has layers. You peel one back, and there’s another underneath. He learned how to handle loss. It didn’t come naturally.”
She looked ahead, her tone thoughtful.
“That’s what makes him special. He grows. Every region, every loss, every friend. He changes, but he’s still… Ash.”
She glanced sideways at Serena.
“He’s dense. He’s an idiot. He forgets basic things. But when you’re in trouble? When you’re hurting? He’s there. No hesitation.”
Serena felt her chest tighten, not from jealousy this time.
“You know,” Misty said suddenly, snapping Serena out of her thoughts, “We’re probably not the only girls who’ve had a crush on him.”
Beside them, Pikachu rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Pika…”
Misty gave him a look. “Oh please, you know it’s true.”
Serena stared at her, equal parts horrified and curious. “There were others?”
Misty shrugged. “In Kanto alone, there was this girl named Melody. I’m pretty sure half the time she flirted with Ash just to rile me up.”
Serena’s eyes widened. “So… kind of like Miette with me?”
Misty glanced at her as they stepped over a fallen branch as the stream curved deeper into the forest. “And in Johto,” Misty continued casually, “There was this girl who challenged Ash to a battle and said if she won, he’d have to go on a date with her.”
Misty fought back a grin.
“Well? Did she win?” Serena asked, flustered despite herself.
Serena let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.
Misty smirked knowingly. “Yeah. I had the same reaction.”
Serena flushed, Pikachu giggled softly. “Pika pika.”
“And that’s not even counting all his female traveling companions over the years,” Misty added, waving her hand vaguely. “Hoenn. Sinnoh. Unova. Kalos.” She shot Serena a side glance. “He’s had quite the résumé.”
Serena’s jaw dropped. “No way.”
Misty laughed at her expression, though there was a faint edge to it. “Relax. Traveling companion doesn’t automatically mean romantic interest.”
She looked ahead, thoughtful.
“As far as the Hoenn girl goes, she had her own thing going on. Pretty sure May’s busy with contests and that rival of hers with whom she travels now.”
Serena’s shoulders eased slightly.
“And then there was Dawn from Sinnoh,” She continued. “I spoke to her once. They were close. But honestly,” Misty added with a small shrug, “There are probably other girls we don’t even know about. Ash just… has that effect.”
Serena pouted faintly, staring down at the river.
“That’s not comforting at all.”
Misty studied her expression for a moment. “You’re scared someone’s going to ‘win,’ aren’t you?” Serena hesitated. “…Maybe.”
The forest breeze rustled through the leaves. “Listen. Ash doesn’t fall for people easily. Half the time, he doesn’t even realize someone’s flirting with him.”
Pikachu nodded emphatically.
“If he ever does like someone,” Misty continued, her tone more serious now, “It won’t be because they were the loudest. Or the flashiest. Or the first.”
Misty gave her a small, almost reassuring smile. “So instead of worrying about girls from every region… maybe focus on what you have now.”
“Say… let’s make a pact.” Misty suddenly exclaimed. Serena blinked, startled out of her thoughts.
Misty had stopped walking. She turned to face her fully, arms folded at first, then dropping to her sides as her expression softened into something surprisingly sincere.
“We both might like Ash,” Misty said, blinking once before giving Serena a quick, playful wink. “But we’re girls. And girls stick together. Right?”
This was not what Serena had expected.
“What kind of pact do you have in mind?” She asked cautiously.
Misty stepped closer, lowering her voice as if this were some top-secret alliance. “We both try our best. No sneaky stuff. No sabotaging each other. We both confess properly, we both reach out to Ash honestly… and we let him decide.”
“That’s… bold,” Serena murmured.
Misty shrugged, though there was a competitive spark in her eyes. “Well, yeah. I don’t want to win because you held back. And I don’t want you thinking I only won because I’ve known him longer.”
“We’re both great. So let’s act like it. May the best girl win.”
For a moment, Serena just looked at the offered hand.
This was the girl she had quietly felt jealous of. The girl who shared years of memories with Ash. The girl who made him laugh in a way Serena was still learning how to.
And yet there was no malice in Misty’s eyes.
Slowly, a bright smile spread across Serena’s face, “You’re on,” She said as she reached forward and clasped Misty’s hand firmly.
“No regrets,” Misty added.
“No regrets,” Serena agreed.
“Pika, Pikachu!” Pikachu exclaimed, putting his own paw over their hand. Slowly, they looked at each other and burst into laughter.
Suddenly, Serena noticed Pikachu staring ahead, his eyes widened almost comically, his body stiff. She followed his line of sight to a cluster near a patch of damp leaves by the stream, a small group of Scatterbug lazily inching along the forest floor.
“Oh! Scatterbug!” Serena said brightly, crouching slightly to get a better look. “They’re so cute—”
“Pika! Pika!” Pikachu waved his arms frantically, pressing a paw to his mouth in a desperate shushing motion.
“Huh?” Serena blinked, confused.
Her eyes were wide. Locked. Unnaturally still.
“…Is something wrong?” Serena asked slowly, tilting her head.
There was a beat of silence.
A piercing scream shattered the forest.
Before Serena could even react, Misty spun on her heel and bolted in the opposite direction at full speed.
Leaves scattered behind her.
Serena stood there for half a second in stunned disbelief. “…What just happened?”
“I HATE BUGS!” Misty’s voice echoed through the trees.
Serena grabbed Pikachu instinctively and sprinted after her. “Misty, wait!”
Ahead, Misty was running like her life depended on it, arms flailing slightly as if the Scatterbug were legendary predators instead of tiny caterpillar Pokémon.
“They’re harmless!” Serena called out.
“They have FACES!” Misty yelled back in pure distress.
Pikachu sighed heavily as Serena chased after the terrified Gym Leader through the dark forest.
Some things, it seemed, never changed.
After running nearly a mile from the harmless Scatterbug, Misty finally slowed, then collapsed dramatically onto the forest floor.
“I hate bugs!” She cried, tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes.
Serena stumbled to a stop beside her, bent over, and gasping for breath. “You… run… really fast…” Pikachu panted too, though far less dramatically.
“I hate them,” Misty repeated weakly, staring up at the canopy like she had just survived a near-death experience.
“Well,” A familiar smooth voice drawled from behind the bushes, “I guess that’s one way to help us find you.”
Gary stepped out first, hands in his pockets, wearing an amused smirk. Behind him emerged Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie.
“Pikachu!” Ash exclaimed.
“Pika!” Pikachu instantly sprinted into Ash’s arms.
“We found you!” Bonnie said excitedly. “How could we not?” Gary teased. “Your scream echoed across the entire forest.”
Misty groaned from the ground. “I was under attack.”
Ash stepped forward and crouched down, offering Misty a hand. “Are you okayMist?”
Serena felt something twist inside her. It wasn’t what Ash said but how he said it. The immediate concern was the way his eyes brightened the second he saw Misty safe.
There had been a sparkle there, One Serena hadn’t missed. She hated that she noticed. She didn’t dislike Misty for anything she had done. Misty had actually been surprisingly kind.
But the way Ash acted around her…It was different.
Serena had traveled with Ash long enough to know his moods. His battle face. His determined face. His confused face. His oblivious face.
Their arguments were effortless. Their teasing automatic. Their reactions immediate. Their chemistry was impeccable.
Misty accepted Ash’s hand and stood up, brushing dirt off her shorts. “I’m fine.” Ash laughed lightly. “Still scared of bugs, huh?”
“Don’t start,” She warned.
Before the group could settle back into relief, a familiar mechanical whir echoed through the trees.
“No way…” Clemont muttered.
The suction noise grew louder as leaves began lifting again.
“Prepare for trouble!” A spotlight cut through the forest darkness as Team Rocket descended yet again in a patched-up mini-craft, clearly rebuilt in record time.
“SHUT UP!” Misty roared, cutting straight through their motto.
“I am so tired of you three ruining everything!” Misty yelled, fury blazing in her eyes. “First the festival, then the fall, and now this?!”
Ash grinned slightly. “They messed with the wrong person.”
Misty grabbed a Poké Ball from her belt. “This time, I’m ending this.”
“Come on out my big blue beauty, Gyarados!”
In a burst of white light, a massive Gyarados materialized above the stream, its enormous serpentine body twisting through the air. The forest seemed to shrink around it as it let out a deafening roar.
Team Rocket collectively paled.
Serena backed up a bit, clutching on to the sleeve of Clemont's shirt. Gyarados was hardly a docile Pokémon, and Misty was scared of bugs when she literally wielded a water dragon?!
Misty pointed forward dramatically. “Gyarados, Hydro Pump!”
A massive torrent of water exploded from Gyarados’ mouth, slamming directly into Team Rocket’s machine.
“Counter it!” Jessie screamed.
“Thunderbolt!” Ash commanded immediately.
Pikachu leapt forward, electricity surging around him before striking the already-soaked machine.
Sparks erupted violently.
“Gyarados, finish them off with flame thrower.” The water Pokémon roared as a spiral of fire collided with the weakened hull, sending Team Rocket blasting off again.
“Oh my God, you’re so cute!” Bonnie squealed, sprinting straight toward the towering Gyarados.
The massive Water-type stiffened, a visible sweat drop slid down the side of its enormous head.
“Bonnie!” Clemont yelled in panic, chasing after his little sister before she attempted to hug a Pokémon three times her size.
Gary followed at a slower pace, laughing. “That’s a new one. I’ve heard ‘terrifying,’ ‘destructive,’ ‘sea serpent of doom’ but cute?”
Misty rolled her eyes as she walked after them. “Are you trying to insult my Gyarados?”
Ash stayed where he was, watching Gyarados with a proud glint in his eyes.
“I knew Misty would’ve gotten stronger,” He said softly, almost to himself. “But she’s completely surpassed my expectations.”
Serena walked up beside him, folding her hands gently in front of her.
“You’re really proud of her, huh?” Ash didn’t hesitate. “Of course I am.”
Serena studied his expression carefully.
He looked happy, not competitive but just genuinely proud. She swallowed.
“Ash…” She began carefully, keeping her tone light. “When you see her battle like that… when you see how strong she’s become… does it make you feel like you want to stand beside her? Like… you want to keep getting stronger with her?”
Ash blinked, slightly surprised by the question. “Well… yeah.”
Serena’s fingers tightened slightly.
Ash continued, unaware of the weight of his words.
“Misty and I started together, you know? We were both kind of clueless back then. Seeing how far she’s come…” He smiled faintly. “It makes me happy. It makes me want to keep improving too. So next time we battle, I can face her at my best.”
Serena forced a small smile. “So you want to keep battling her?”
“Of course!” Ash said immediately. “I always want to battle her. And traveling with her again sometime would be fun too. It’d be just like old times.”
Serena hesitated, the final question trembling on the edge of her tongue. She knew asking it might change something between them, maybe even shatter something, but she needed the answer.
“How do you think you’d feel,” She asked, her voice quieter now, “If Misty ended up choosing someone else to travel with her? To stand beside her… and not you?”
Ash frowned. “What do you mean?”
Serena tried again. “Say she chose to walk that path with someone else. Like Gary. How would you feel?”
For a second, Ash just stared at her blankly. “Misty and Gary…together?” He repeated. The image clearly tried and failed to compute.
Then something shifted in his expression. His brows pulled together.
“That’s not fair,” He muttered.
Serena’s heart skipped painfully.
“She traveled with me first,” Ash continued, almost defensively. “We started this whole thing together. I mean… yeah, Gary’s known her, but still.”
He looked down at the ground, jaw tightening slightly.
“I’d feel pretty bad,” He admitted. “And… yeah. Angry too. Misty is mine your know?”
Serena felt her heart plummet. She forced her lips into a small smile despite the ache in her chest.
“Well,” She said lightly, though her voice felt heavier than she intended, “Then I guess you’d better make sure you’re the one standing next to her, huh?”
Ash looked at her, surprised, before a wide, determined grin spread across his face. “Yeah. I guess you’re right!”
And just like that, the seriousness evaporated from him. With renewed energy, he jogged ahead toward Misty, calling her name as if nothing monumental had just been said.
Serena remained where she was.
The forest felt quieter somehow.
She watched as Ash reached Misty, the two immediately falling into easy conversation, bickering lightly, laughing, slipping into a rhythm that didn’t require effort.
A small smile touched Serena’s face.
So this is what it feels like, she thought.
Sometimes loving someone meant wanting them to be happy, even if that happiness didn’t center around you.
Still, she wasn’t giving up just yet.
Not until she knew her place in his story for certain.
