Chapter 20: A Snowy Confession

Ash, Serena and Saphira are now in the Alola Region, they are going to find the Ice Gem in the Lanakila Mountain. "Papa? Are we back home?" Saphira asks Ash.

Ash smiles at the girl and says, "No, Saphira, we are at another snowy mountain. This is Mt. Lanakila in the Alola Region."

"Why is there a snowy mountain in Alola? You told me that Alola is a tropical region." Saphira says.

"Because of Pokemon. Ice Type Pokemon needs a place in the Alola Region." Ash says as the young girl nods.

As they reach the peak, Saphira wants to play in the snow and Ash decides to take a rest. "You haven't said anything when we are climbing the mountain." Ash says as Serena looks at him.

"I...uh...a lot of things happened these days, and I couldn't seem to comprehend everything." Serena says with a frown, Ash also notices that she is shivering from the cold and he takes off his jacket.

"Here, you should be warmer if you wear this." Ash says as he gives her his coat.

"But what about you?" Serena asks with concern. Ash says, "I am not Arceus for nothing."

Once Serena wears the jacket, Ash lies on the snow, much to her surprise. Saphira asks, "Papa? Are you making a Snow Angel?"

Ash says, "I am sorry, Saphira, I was just lying down like it is a soft white bed."

"Can I do it as well?" Ash is surprised. "I want to lie down like Papa."

Ash says, "Sure, but you have to put your Flame Plate as your pillow."

"Yes, Papa." Saphira says as she does the same. "Wow, now it is just great."

"I know." Ash says. Serena slightly chuckles at the actions of her daughter and Ash's reaction. But then she remembers the past as she feels like she has been left out.

Saphira asks, "Papa, is Mama fine? Why can't she lie down with us?"

Ash says, "It is complicated, your mama is very hurt because of bad meanies."

"You mean those bad meanies who killed Grandma and Uncle Pikachu?" Saphira asks. "Why are they still alive? Why didn't you kill them yet?"

"It is complicated. They are bad, bad enough to escape from death." Ash says. "But don't worry, right now we have to find what we are finding, the Ice Gem, if we want to end them once and for all."

"Yes, Papa." Saphira says, "I will help find them. What does it look like?"

Ash takes out the Electric Gem and says, "It looks like it, but it has a Ice Symbol and it is aqua blue colored."

"Okay, papa." Saphira says. Ash also sends out Greninja to help her find the gem. After they are leaving, Ash says, "Now we can talk privately."

Serena nods and he says, "Are you letting Saphira find the gem on her own?"

"From the memories I saw, I had been training him with the moves, and I told her that it is a test." Ash sighs. "She has alternative memories than we had."

Serena nods and then she asks, "Ash, are we still friends? Or maybe more?"

"Why are you asking this now?" Ash asks.

"Recently, I had nightmares. I had to watch myself to see your misery...and I had to watch myself being raped again...and now that Saphira is here, I am so scared that she might suffer the same fate as me..." Serena says.

Ash sighs and says, "Do you want me to ask Darkrai if he has done something to you when you are asleep? Or do you want me to give you a Cresselia's Lunar Feather?"

"None, I want you to answer my questions." Serena says.

Ash says, "To be honest, it is my fault that I didn't notice your feelings back when we are traveling together in Kalos. You see, in the Unova League, I felt like I was like what they said, I was weak. My opponent only uses 5 Pokemon to beat six of my Pokemon. I felt like it was a waste back then. So I decided to try hard in the Kalos Region."

"That is not your only reason, right?" Serena asks.

Ash nods and says, "Did you remember Team Rocket?" Serena nods and he says, "Those three are nothing compared to the other members, but they have considered me a threat and they have been trying to hurt my friends and my family. You may wonder why I put my Pokemon back in the Pokemon Lab instead my Pikachu, right? It is because I didn't want them to get hurt by them. I know they are strong, but when I faced Giovanni back in the Unova, I felt that they are another level."

"So you acting dense is to protect me?" Serena frowns as Ash nods. "I wanted to wait until I become strong then I confess to you. Which is why I go to Alola for school and the Galar as research assistants. In the end, I won the leagues and I go to Kalos, and you know the rest."

Serena frowns and she says, "When we first met, you told me that you forgot about me, was that a lie back then?"

"Yes, I would never forget you. It is just that we haven't met for 9 years, I was afraid what you would say after I said that I remembered you." Ash says, but before Serena can ask more, they see Greninja holding Saphira in his arms, and Saphira is sleeping.

"What happened to her, Greninja?" Ash asks.

"She found the Ice Gem, but she worked so hard that she is tired." Greninja says as both parents sweat dropped. Ash finds the gem in her pocket and then Serena sends out Delphox, trying to warm her up.

"We should wait here for now, and then we are going back to Johto to find the Dragon Gem." Ash says as Serena nods.

Here is a new chapter, and Ash makes some confession to Serena and I hope you like it.