It was a beautiful evening in Pallet Town. Sun was setting down and cool breeze was blowing everywhere. Kids were playing games of their own beside the river. In front of those kids was a big field of grass where children of High Schools were playing football. Beside that there were many love birds in surrounding area enjoying the view.

Continue to watching this beautiful scene, a certain honey haired blonde girl with a bag in her hand was walking beside the river. She was non-other than Serena. Right now, she was going to library to complete her research. Unfortunately for her, the main library of the town was closed today. But she didn't give up, she decided to visit school library.

"Hey…! Serena…!" a voice heard. Serena turned around only to found Ash was running towards her.

"Huh? Ash?" she responded. "What are you doing here?" asked Serena.

"What I'm doing here? I can ask the same question from you. You were supposed to be with me right now…" said Ash. Serena gave him a questioning look. "…for tutoring, right?" Ash questioned.

"Huh…? Tutoring…?" Serena questioned from herself. Truth was that the fact of tutoring Ash was slipped from her mind. She was too busy in thinking about her project.

"Heh…I think I forgot…" she laughed nervously. Ash sighed. "Sorry Ash…" she apologized. "I need to complete my assignment today at any cost that's why…" Ash stared at her.

"It's all right Serena… But where are you going any way?" asked Ash when he looked at her bag.

"Oh…I went to library but that was close so I'm going to school library to get some information" Serena explained.

"Oh…" responded Ash. He was little upset because he didn't get chance to spent his time with Serena today but still he managed to make a smile. He put his hands in the pockets of his pant and started to walk back from where he came. Serena felt that Ash wasn't pleased by her but she has nothing in her hand now. She already said it. She also wanted to spend her time with him but she also want to complete her assignment today at any cost. With a sad expression she turned around and continued to walk to school. The whole way she was thinking about Ash and how she broke his heart. She even didn't notice that weather was changed. Dark, rainy clouds covered the sky. But before she even noticed anything, she found herself in front of school.

She walked to its entrance. There was no one in school except the guard. After wishing the old-man guard, she entered the building of her school. On entering she felt little creepy. She was all alone in the entire building now and possibly….

No! It can't happen. I think its effect of watching so many horror movies in night where a girl went to her school in night and the weather was bad and… Gah… what I'm thinking. Think about your assignment Serena…thought Serena. And as she took a step forward she felt something touched her shoulder, something very smooth and cold. She shivered and started to tremble. Slowly she turned around to found nothing. She took a sigh of relief. But before she even turned again, she again felt something. She again shivered. But not because of afraid, it felt…cold.

She looked up and found that water was dripping. She then looked outside the door to found that the old-man was sitting peacefully, enjoying the view. But what is the view? Serena questioned to herself and then noticed carefully to found that there was no sunlight. It was raining. She sighed. Great…Now it started to rain. What to do now? Well, better I go to library first thought Serena to her.

"Aww man…It's boring" Ash was right now inside his bedroom, lying on his bed. He was trying to do something but he has nothing to do. From last few days, Ash was doing study with Serena at this time.

Serena…

I'm wondering what she was doing? She said that she was going to school library for her assignment. Man…Why she has to do it? I want to do study, and also spent time with her. C'mon Ash…Think about anything else.

From the time Ash arrive his home, the cycle of thinking about Serena and then regretted this thought was continuing. He tried to think of something else but ended up with thinking about her every time.

With a sigh, Ash stood up and to walked towards the window of his room. He opened it only to be greeted by cool rainy wind. But it was too fast which caused him to close the window at the time.

"It is fast man" mumbled Ash. Ash walked to his bed and sat on it. He looked around and found his maths book. He opened it started to reading and… Here it goes again.

"You dumb idiot Ash Ketchum! Can't you think about something else except Serena?!" he shouted on himself. But then another thought replaced this thought. Serena…She is in school… And she even didn't have any umbrella with her. And…She told me the one day that she is afraid of dark. How she is going to manage herself in this condition? I think I need to check her once… If I found her fine still I can spend my time with her…

"Mom…I'm going to library…" said Ash as he was wearing his shoes. Delia walked out from kitchen.

"Alright…but you better take umbrella with you…You know what weather is outside?" asked Delia worriedly. Ash nodded and for Delia's surprise he took two umbrellas. "Ash…? Why are you taking two umbrellas?" Delia asked. Ash looked at her.

"Well…Serena told me earlier that she was going to school library and…" Delia raised her eyebrow and crossed her arms. "…the weather is changing" Ash's voice slowed down. He looked at floor nervously.

"If I was at your place then I took only one umbrella with me" Ash looked at Delia. "Understand?" Asked Delia and winked at him before leaving him. A slight shade of pink formed on his face.

"Where it is…Where it is… Come on-Come one… Aha, found it" Serena took a book from book shelf and walked back to her seat. She opened it and started looking for information she want. And here, she found it. "Alright then…" she started to read it.

"The First True Castle…" she read the title.

"Mottes and baileys were the first true castles. When the Normans conquered England, they needed castles quickly as bases for their lords. They made a soil mound, called motte, and built a wooden tower on top as a stronghold. Next to this they fenced a yard, called a bailey, where they built a hall, stables, a chapel and other buildings. A ditch or moat surrounded the castle…" and the thunder strikes nearby.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH…!" Serena screamed.

After few seconds, she managed to open her eyes. She was trembling badly. She was really scared from that. She looked around and then noticed something. The power was gone. Oh no…! What should I do now? She started to become worried. I'm really stupid to reject the offer of Ash…If only he was here…

THUD!

"What was that?" she asked from no one in particular. She turned her face from where the voice was come. It was a section of library with some horror books. With a gulp she started to walk in the direction.

"Who-Who is there?" she asked with scared voice.

"…"

No answer. "Is anybody here?" she asked again.

"…"

Again no reply, slowly she peeked at that section to found no one there. She then noticed a book on the floor. With a sigh she walked there and took that book. She put it on its respective place.

She turned around and only walked few steps when she heard same voice again. On turning around she found that the book again fell on the floor. She become scared and again walked towards it. Again she took it but noticed the cover this time. She quickly hid it and her head become sweaty. She again put it on its respective place and only walked few steps when she heard the same voice. On turning around, she found the same book on the ground again. She again walked towards it and when she touched it, she felt a shiver crossed her body. She quietly took it but didn't put it on its respective place this time. She looked at the place and found nothing but a small gap showing the other side of the shelf. But there was no one there.

She again put it and when she walked a few steps she heard a voice…but it was different this time. When she turned towards the shelf it was falling over her.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH…!" she screamed on top of her lungs and shut her eyes tightly.

Next when she opened her eyes, she found herself on the floor and something on top of her. She quickly recalled it as Ash. Her fear was gone and replaced with happiness when she saw Ash on top of her. It was noticed that he was in pain. Observing carefully, she found that Ash was between her and the shelf. Her expression changed from happy to concern.

"Ash…!" she put her right hand on his left cheek. "Are you alright? What are you doing here anyway?" she asked concerned. Ash only noticed her and smiled at her.

"A…That doesn't matter. Are you alright?" Ash questioned. Serena stared at him before nodding in agreement. A smile formed on her lips as she continued to stare Ash but changed again when she saw Ash in pain.

"Ash…! You're hurt" she said. Ash looked at her and shook his head.

"Nah…It's alright. You…don't move Serena…" Ash explained Serena. She didn't get it in first place. She continued to stare him as he was doing his work.

Slowly, Ash started to pull himself upward and let the gap between him and Serena increase. It was pretty difficult for him as the shelf on his back was heavy. He anyhow managed to do it and then without wasting much time signaled Serena to get out of here. Serena took it and does what she was told. As Serena was out of his way now, Ash used his full might and successfully lifted the shelf back to its previous place.

Panting heavily, he still took a look of Serena who was still on the floor, sitting and staring Ash. Her eyes were glistening. Ash noticed that Serena was staring him and a light shed of pink appeared on his cheeks. Serena snapped out her daydream when she heard Ash was coughing. When she again looked at him, she felt herself blushing as well.

"Um…Let me help you" Ash gave Serena his hand which Serena gladly accepted. But that reversed and it was too late for Ash to realize that the floor was wet due to rain. As a result, Ash slipped when Serena was almost on her foot and once again, Serena found herself on the floor with Ash top on her.

They looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

"Serena…"

"Ash…"

Both teenagers called each other between their laughs. They continued to laugh and even didn't realize that how awkward their position was. It was their luck that no one was in school except them. Didn't realize their position but still Serena has a slight pink crossed her cheek.

And suddenly…Another thunder strike nearby. Serena screamed again.

"Hey…calmed down Serena…It's alright. No need to worry. I'm here now" Ash tried to calm down Serena.

On collecting herself both Serena Ash and looked at each other. Ash's expression turned into serious and following it Serena's expression changes into curious. She has no idea why he was staring her in serious way but soon get it. Ash quickly guided his hands from Serena's shoulder to her back and hugged her on the spot leaving Serena in shocked state. Her blush increased. Their faces side to side…

Ash was the one who spoke up.

"I…thought that…I-I lost you…forever…" Ash tightened his grip. On hearing that Serena calmed down. Her expression changed and a smile planted on her lips. Her eyes glistened with the tears of joy.

"Oh Ash…" she moaned softly as she wrapped her arms around him returning the hug genuinely.

"Um Ash…?" Serena spoke softly. Ash turned around as he was about to leave the school.

"Yeah…?" he responded. Serena was still staring him. She looked at floor.

"Ash…I'm sorry…" she looked at floor.

"For what… Serena?" Ash gave her confused look.

"Um…Well…I forgot about tutoring you and when you walked away, I felt that you were upset and…" Ash stared at her. Both teenagers felt their cheeks lighten up. "…My work is almost complete. I can complete it later in night" she explained.

"That's great…" Ash cheered and hitting himself mentally to not show his joy as he already knew where it was going. "So…What are you going to do now?" Ash asked.

"I was thinking about tutoring you" she said quickly.

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"What are you waiting for?" a voice heard snapping Ash out of his trance.

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. So what were you saying? Oh right, let's go" Ash exited the school and opened his umbrella. He signaled Serena to join him and Serena did that happily.

"Mom…We're home" Ash said and closed the door from behind. On hearing that Delia walked out of living room.

"Welcome honey…Oh so Serena is here too" but Delia's expression changed. "What happened to you two? You two seemed to be wet?" Delia questioned. Serena looked at Ash and Ash looked at Serena. Then Ash turned towards his mother and showed her umbrella. Delia's sweat dropped.

"Oh…It's alright. But what are you going to do now?" asked Delia. Ash shrugged.

"I'm fine but…What about Serena? I mean, what she is going to wear?" asked Ash. Delia thought for a minute and an idea popped up into her mind.

"I have some old clothes of mine in tip-top condition. You can wear them sweetie" Delia said and signaled Serena to follow her.

"Thank you Miss. Ketchum" Serena thanked her and followed her. Ash quickly ran upstairs to his room. Without wasting much time, he changed into a normal green T-Shirt and a dark grayish black pant. He then opened door and walked downstairs.

"You want something to eat Ash?" Delia asked. Ash thought about it for a moment.

"Later…" he replied. He then looked around but for his surprise Serena wasn't there. "Where is Serena mom?" Ash questioned. Delia looked at him and smiled.

"Turn around" a voice heard. Ash shivered at the voice first but did same only to found Serena there. She was wearing a pink full sleeved T-Shirt and a dark blue pajama. He has to admit that his mom's old clothes were suiting on Serena.

"What do you think Ash?" Serena asked sweetly. But Ash was lost in his trance.

"Wow…"

On hearing that Serena and Delia both looked at Ash who was staring at Serena. A small blush formed on Serena's face but Ash wasn't breaking his trance. Getting that situation was getting awkward, Delia decided to help Serena.

"Do you want something to eat Serena?" she asked. It was enough to break Ash's trance. Serena looked at Delia and again turned towards Ash.

"Go upstairs and I'll be back" Ash said simply and Serena nodded in agreement. She walked towards Ash's room. After a while Ash took the tray of snacks and followed Serena.

On entering the room, Serena looked around and admired the tidiness of the room. She then observed it carefully and found there were only few differences between her and Ash's room. Ash's room has a bed, a study table with a chair, a bookshelf and a wardrobe. But it has an extra table on the floor. It was a hot table.

Serena sat on the floor. She put her bag near her and slides her legs inside the table and greeted by the warmness coming from inside the table.

"It's great…" she moaned softly.

"I know…" Serena jumped a bit from the voice. She turned around to found Ash there with a tray of snacks. Ash walked towards her and put the tray in the center of the table. He then walked to his table and bought his books and notebooks and sat on the left side of table.

"Alright so…"

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In the company of Serena time passed very quickly and they even didn't realize that it started to get late. Alright not late…It was too late. It was 9 PM of night.

"Serena…There is a call from your mom" a familiar voice was heard. On hearing that Serena stood up and walked towards downstairs with Ash following her. Delia handed the phone to Serena walked inside kitchen.

"Serena! Do you have any idea what time is this?" Serena jumped a bit from this. She looked at the screen to found her mom.

"Mom?" she questioned.

"Yes…I'm your mom" a slight hint of anger can be heard from Grace's voice. "Where you have been Serena? I was so worried about you" Grace's voice wasn't change. Serena looked around to found clock and it read 09:03 PM. She gulped and looked at her mom.

"I'm sorry mom…It's just that I didn't realize that it was getting late 'cause of clouds. I'm really sorry mom" Serena begged to her mom. Grace's expression changed a bit.

"It's alright sweetie…" she said in soft voice. "…but what are you doing there?" she asked. Serena looked at Ash and told her mom everything but hid about some personal part.

Grace looked at Ash. "Thank you so much Ash…You saved my daughter. Thank you so much" said Grace. Ash smiled at her.

"No need…You can always count on me" said Ash in his usual energetic way.

"Yes…I can" said Grace. She then turned towards her daughter. "What now Serena, are you staying there tonight?" Grace asked and Serena gave her confused look. "Don't tell me that you don't know it is raining heavily" Grace said a little angrily. Serena laughed nervously. Grace sighed.

"Don't worry Grace, she can stay here tonight" Delia interrupted their conversation.

"Thanks Delia, I hope she is not going to create any trouble for you" Grace smiled. Delia shook her head.

"Bye sweetie…" said Grace. "…oh and we have a lot to talk about tomorrow, isn't it right?" Grace said in teasing manner.

"Bye mom!" Serena shouted and ended the call. Delia giggled while Ash looked at both her mom and blushing Serena curiously, didn't get what the point is.

Serena stretched her arms and yawned.

"Hey Serena…" Ash interrupted Serena. She looked at him.

"Yeah…?" she responded seemed sleepy.

"You wanna sleep now?" asked Ash. "…I mean you were doing your work from last two hours non-stop. Are not you feeling drowsy?" he asked. Serena blinked and nodded in agreement. Ash sighed.

He went outside the room leaving Serena alone in the room. Serena looked around to found a clock reading 12:06 AM. Realizing that it was very late she saved her project which is completed already and shut down her laptop, actually Ash's laptop. She then removed her disk of project and put it safely into its case and then in her bag. She then picked up Ash's laptop and put it back on his study table.

She then walked back to her previous place and sat down in the warmness of the table. She was feeling too drowsy, enough for her to falling asleep at the spot and that happened. She slowly crossed her arms put them on table and rested her head on them…Falling asleep.

Ash walked upstairs with a mattress in his hand. He was about to open the door when he found it a little opened. He put the mattress on the floor and peeked from the door. A slight shade of pink crossed his face when he saw sleeping Serena there. She was better than any angle for him right now. A beautiful face with some hairs on, blocking Ash's way to seeing her. He continued to stare her until he yawned. Feeling drowsy himself, he decided to enter.

He opened the door and entered the room with mattress. He put it aside and walked to sleeping Serena. He sat near her and used his fingers to side the hairs. On looking at her beautiful face again, he couldn't help but started to stare at her again. She was looking so attractive to him.

Ash slowly started to shook Serena. After some try Serena woke up.

"Huh? What is it? What are you doing Ash?" she asked politely as she started to blink.

"You have to sleep on the bed not on floor" Ash stated with a slight chuckle. Serena smiled at him and stood up, making her way to Ash's bed.

Ash then bought the table aside and prepared his own bed on the floor.

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"Good night Ash…"

"Good night Serena…"

Serena opened her eyes to found her in a long majestic hall. There were petals flying everywhere, with long branches on the left and right. Many people were seated wearing the clothes like there was a special occasions. There were also many Bellossom dancing and throwing roses.

There were men wearing tuxedoes and facing the front. Women were also wearing magnificent dresses like there was a special occasion, wedding of someone. They were also facing front like staring intentionally at something.

On the ceiling there were so many angles with Arceus resting on the cloud in the sky. Even though it wasn't real still Serena felt like he was staring at her. Surrounding him there were so many other legendary pokémons there too.

Turning back towards the hall, a voice called her.

"Serena, are you ready?" there was a man standing in front of her. She recognized him easily.

"Dad, what's going on? What are you talking about?" Serena asked curiously.

"No need to be afraid Serena, it's your special day sweetie" her dad assured her that everything was fine.

Serena then looked at herself only to get shocked. She was wearing a white dress which went down the floor, swiping a little when she walked. There were pearly white and tiny gems on her dress. Her gloves also held some tiny and sapphire shards. She then turned around to found a mirror. She took a look of herself in it.

On finishing gaze of her in the mirror, Serena realized how beautiful she looked in it. She again turned around to saw her dad still standing in front of her. Looking a little farther, there was her mom with her friends from all around the world. They all were wearing fancy attires. But that's not what attracted her attention most, looking a little farther she saw someone's back with raven hairs that was facing an old priest. The person was wearing an elegant tuxedo. Serena didn't get a clear look of the person and her curiosity increased with every second passing.

Serena then again turned to face her dad who was smiling at her and then nodded. He was asking to give her hand to him. Serena gave her hand to her dad and let him lead the way. As she walked past all the people, she realized that they all were the same she met in her past. They all were smiling at her and Serena turned forward again. She was walking on a beautiful red carpet with her father. On getting closer she saw that her mom together with her all friends were smiling so cheerfully at her.

Her eyes widen when she got a look of the person, she was trying to identify earlier.

"Ash…" she whispered slowly and her face started to give a widest and cutest smile ever.

Pulling all the clues together, she realized that it was really a wedding. Soon she indentify that it was non-other her who was going to wed with someone. Fortunately for her that someone was non-other than Ash Ketchum.

Her eyes shined like sapphire as excitement filled her body. She was going to married to Ash. The boy she always cared about and loved more than anyone else from deeply in her heart.

When she was few footsteps away from him, she looked at him and found that he was hiding his face. She giggled at this.

I'm sure he is so nervous at the moment. But what when he looked at me like that? I bet he is going to be stunned She thought to herself.

Within few moments she was going to hold his hand in hers like in holy matrimony.

As she started to walk on upstairs she heard the never ending claps for her. Everyone including her family, her friends and everyone else was clapping for her. She then felt that her father let her hand go. She turned to face him. "Dad…" she whispered slowly.

"You're free to go ahead Serena, I love you and wish for a happy and lovely life of your with Ash" her dad said.

"Thanks you dad…I love you" she said and held her dad in a tight embrace. Her eyes filled with small tears.

Serena then let her dad go free as he nodded at her. She turned around with a biggest smile on her face which was never going to leave from now on. She never felt that happy before in her life before. Her hand reached out for his and touched Ash's. But Ash didn't turn around just yet.

"Ash…" Serena called his name to make him turn him.

Ash turned around his face, but something happened and it changed her expression completely. There was another girl already there.

"Yes Serena…?" asked Ash. Serena's expression changed suddenly, her smile faded and a sad, angry and curious look was there, although it was mostly sad.

"What are you doing with another girl?" she asked nervously.

"Oh… It's my marriage Serena, don't you know?" Ash asked. Serena only stared at him with a blank expression. Slowly Ash and another girl moved a little farther from her. She continued to look at them. After trying a lot, still she didn't stop herself from looking at all those things.

And that was when her real nightmare began when Ash and that another girl stared at each other passionately. There was a lust in eyes of both of them. Slowly they started to lean forward and forward.

"No…Ash no…" Serena said slowly to herself as tears rolled down her eyes, slowly. And then it came, her tears and emotions lost their control and she started to cry badly when she witnessed of Ash kissing another girl passionately. It was last for a moment. That girl then turned towards Serena. Serena looked at her only to found an evil grin on her face. She held Ash's face in her both hands and kissed him faster, harder and deeper from previous kiss.

Serena's heart shattered into small pieces when she saw Ash kissing another girl in front of her. She fell on her knees. Her tears aren't stopped and neither going to stop any soon.

Suddenly she started to feel like she was trembling. First she thought that she was thinking too much but it happened again and this time really badly.

"Ash…!" she screamed before disappearing into darkness.

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"Serena! Serena! Serena!" a voice heard in the deep darkness. And then it was when a small light appeared in front of her. It continued to glow until everything was covered into light. She opened her eyes, red and teary.

"Ash…" she whispered slowly as she saw Ash in front of her.

"Serena…Are you alright?" Ash asked worriedly. Serena continued to look at him and soon burst into tears.

"I-I…I had a bad dream Ash…" she managed to say within her tears. Ash already knew it. He started to rub Serena's left hand followed by right hand. But it didn't take too long for Ash to realize that his hands are under control of Serena. Serena quickly grabbed them and moved to her waist. Ash blushed and wanted to protest but Serena beat him.

"Ash…" her voice was horrified. "I had a bad dream, a worst one. Ash please… Hold me tight Ash, don't let me go Ash please" she whimpered to him.

"Shhh…Calm down Serena. It's alright, I'm here with you" Ash tried to calm down Serena. "I won't let you go, I won't let you heart Serena" Ash tried his best that Serena didn't cry. When he saw that Serena is calmed down he asked "What was that dream about Serena?"

Only on hearing about that dream Serena's heart started to beat violently. It was a bad dream, very-very bad dream. "It was about you Ash…" she said between her breathes. Ash's heart beat was like stopped for moment when he heard that. He can't believe that he was the reason to make Serena afraid and horrified, leave in such condition.

"W-What is it?" Ash managed to ask nervously.

"You leaved me Ash… You leave me for some other girl Ash" she began. "You broke my heart Ash and even didn't realize it Ash. You even seemed please Ash" she said. There was pure anger in her voice and even Ash felt it. He was horrified by hearing it. He still was refusing to accept that he was the reason of Serena's this condition.

"Ash…" a calmed and sweet voice heard. Ash looked at Serena.

"Yeah?" he responded.

"You never gonna leave me, right?" she asked unsure of what she asked. Ash looked at him once again. Slowly Ash makes her way on the bed and lie next to her.

"I'm never gonna leave you Serena…It was a dream, now go back to sleep. I'll be with you all night and hold you tight, just go t sleep and I promise that everything will be alright" Ash assured her.

Serena held Ash tight and same goes with Ash. He held Serena tight. Ash pulled her closer and looked at her with assurance. She was very frightened; Ash can say that by looking into her eyes.

He didn't know if he should do this, but it was the best he could do although he never did this before. He leaned forward and gave her kiss on the cheek. His lips against her cheek felt warm due to tears but it was the best thing to do. Everything happened right now would have to be thought about in the morning.

"Go back to sleep Serena and have a sweet dream" Ash smiled at her.

Serena looked at him and touched his right cheek from her left hand. Ash was waiting patiently for her to close her eyes. Their gazes meet once again and they blushed.

Serena grinned at him. "Good night Ash, I'm glad that you're here with me" Serena said sweetly with a smile. Ash smiled joyfully at her. Then both teens closed their eyes.

Serena thought about the kiss for once again and a small but pleasant smile planted on her lips. Her tears are dried up and she was ready to sleep again. But something was bugging her. She wasn't feeling comfortable. She opened her eyes once again and looked at Ash who was sleeping peacefully. Intentionally or not but her smile grew. She then leaned forward gave Ash his reward for comforting her by kissing on his cheek, although he was sleeping now and didn't realize it. Serena then hid her head in Ash's chest before falling asleep…

Alright guys, so this concluded another chapter of this story. I hope you guys liked it. Also I wanted to say that I'm not leaving this story like this, I'm really-really sorry for not updating in a while. Now days I'm busy with my studies and from now on the updates are going to be too slow. I hope you guys understand it and keep patience. For the story "The Journey of the Betrayed Guardian", updates are monthly because chapters are too lengthy and take too much time for me to write one in my busy schedule.

Once again, thanks for your support guys. Leave a review and I'll see you next time…