Chapter Ten - To Be Enough

The morning came all too soon, and much too hectic. When Serena awoke, it was to Bonnie jumping on her bed and Korrina shaking her by the shoulder, telling her she needed to get up right away or risk being late to Ash's match.

The second she was awake, she panicked. She was still covered in sand and salt from head to toe. All of her clothes were still soaked from the previous night. She had literally nothing to wear, not even shoes. After dropping off their Pokémon at the Pokémon Center, Ash had helped her back to the hotel, barefoot.

With Korrina's encouragement, Serena ran into the bathroom, turned on the water, and scrubbed herself furiously. When she emerged only a few minutes later, she found that Korrina had left a dress and a pair of shoes on her bed.

A single, simple hair tie lay on the bedside table. Serena pulled her hair back and secured it in place. It would have to do.

She held the dress up by the shoulders and frowned at it. Korrina had left her a white sundress and a pair of flats. It was impossible for Serena to believe they belonged to her.

It looked like the type of outfit someone might wear on a first date. The thought made Serena uncomfortable.

Doubtful, she slipped into the dress. It was far from perfect, but it was a better fit than she expected. Grateful for Korrina's height, Serena found that what would have been a mini skirt was a knee-length one on her. The shoes were a bit loose, but they would suffice for now.

Ash was already gone, needed at the arena ahead of time for setup. Together with Korrina, Bonnie, and Clemont, Serena ran out the door and raced through the streets. They were sure to be late otherwise.

For once, she truly sympathized with Clemont. Her legs were still beyond fatigued from her ordeal the night before, and she lagged behind with him, both of them laboring for breath.

By the time they reached the hill which the arena stood atop, Serena was pushing on her knees to force her way up the incline. Korrina was behind Clemont, pushing him up the hill. Much like the baking contest at Café des Artistes, there were television vans outside the entrance, with dozens of people and Pokémon moving about. Serena rolled her eyes. Of course this was going to be on TV.

When she, Clemont, and Korrina finally reached the gate, Bonnie was already there, engaged in an animated argument with a security guard.

"See, there they are!" Bonnie said, pointing at them as they approached. "I told you! Now let us in! We're going to miss everything!"

The guard looked furious. Her arms were crossed, and she held a clipboard in one hand.

"Unless one of them is named Serena, none of you are getting inside. The list says Serena, plus three guests."

Out of breath, Serena approached the guard. Korrina trailed behind her, dragging Clemont by the hand.

"I'm Serena," she said, pausing to take a deep breath and push aside a strand of her still-wet hair. "Please, let us in."

"Identification, please."

"Huh?"

"No ID, no entry."

Wide-eyed, her hands on her knees as she caught her breath, Serena stared at the guard. She had no ID. She had nothing with her. She had nothing to bring, anyway. Everything except her Poké Balls had been ruined.

She was about to stammer out a reply when she saw Miette leaning against a column inside the gate.

Miette smirked at her.

"So nice of you to make it!" Miette called to her. "Having some trouble getting in, I see?"

Serena glared back at her.

"You."

"I'm not sure what would be more fun - you missing the whole battle and watching me give Ash a victory kiss on TV, or you seeing me do it in person. Hmm…"

Miette held a finger to her chin, looking aside, pretending to ponder. Serena's fists tightened. She took a step toward the gate, but the security guard put a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back.

"No ID, no entry."

"Oh, who am I kidding?" said Miette, shrugging. "It's much more fun to needle you in person."

Miette came up to the guard and tapped her on the shoulder.

"That's Serena. They're all supposed to be here. I know them."

She pointed to a badge pinned to her shirt which read STAFF.

"I'm with Siebold."

The guard gave Miette a suspicious glance.

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Here," Miette said, pulling a business card from her pocket. "I'm the chocolatier at Siebold's café. I delivered chocolates to none other than the Kalos Queen herself this morning."

Serena gulped. Aria's chocolates were supposed to be delivered to the VIP box this morning.

Aria was here.

The guard read the card, raising an eyebrow at Miette. She shook her head.

"If you insist," she said, pocketing the card. "But if these four cause any trouble, you'll be hearing from me, understand?"

Miette grinned.

"Oh, I'm sure they'll be no trouble at all! Won't they?"

Her eyes lingered on Serena. Serena refused to dignify Miette with a response. She walked right past her, through the gate. The others followed.

"I don't get paid enough for this…" the guard grumbled as they passed.

Serena stalked ahead, leaving everyone behind, trying to ignore Miette.

It was no use.

"Truly, it is a pleasure to see you this morning," Miette said, sidling up to her.

"It's not a pleasure to see you," said Serena, refusing to look at her.

"Now, now. That's no way to speak to someone who just did you a favor, is it? You should consider yourself lucky."

Serena stopped in her tracks. She grit her teeth, seething.

"Go. Away."

"Oh, you need not worry about that. I'll be leaving you alone shortly. You see, you all are guests of honor! You have the best seats in the house, up in the VIP box. I have to settle for a regular seat on the sideline."

Serena's heart faltered. She realized what the guard's list meant.

They were Aria's guests.

Miette circled around in front, her eyes piercing Serena. She leaned in close, whispering.

"Maybe, while you're up there, you and Aria can come up with another ridiculous plan to stop me from winning Ash."

Serena's eyes went wide. She couldn't speak.

"I saw Ash on his way in this morning. I intended to apologize to him for missing our date, explaining that work called me in and I had no choice but to go, but lo and behold, he told me it was all okay because you showed up and took my place."

Serena had stopped breathing. Miette raised an eyebrow at her.

"I can't imagine why the Kalos Queen would invite you to an event like this as her guest, let alone take any interest in your petty romantic troubles, but, I must admit, I never saw it coming. What a twist! Bravo!"

Miette placed her hands on her hips. Her smile was sickening.

"How ironic, then, that Aria's meddling in your affairs has placed you in such an inopportune location! While you're up in the VIP box, far away from the field, I'll be right next to it. When Ash wins, it will be me, not you, who the cameras catch running onto the field and giving him his hard-earned victory kiss."

Miette folded her arms. Smug, she tilted her head at Serena.

"Truly, it is a pleasure to have you here. I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh, and rest assured, if you two try to pull off another stunt today, I will be informing the press."

Serena was on the verge of telling Miette precisely what she could do with her arrogance, but the others caught up to them.

"What's going on here?" said Korrina, her arms crossed, a firm crease in her brow.

"You leave Serena alone!" said Bonnie.

"Although I appreciate you getting us in here, it appears obvious that you're aggravating Serena, and we will not stand for it!" said Clemont.

"Whatever your problem is, now is not the time!" said Korrina. "Settle it later!"

Miette smirked.

"Oh, don't worry. We will."

She took one last lingering glance at Serena.

"All's fair in love and war, isn't it?"

Miette turned, waved, and walked away. Serena was left seething, and the others, confused.

"What was all that about?" said Korrina.

"It's nothing," said Serena. "Come on."

"Indeed, we mustn't miss the start of the match!" said Clemont.

For as grand as Monego City was, the arena was rather small. The signs leading to the VIP box were easy to follow, their destination only a short distance away. Serena found that forcing herself to take the steps to get there was far more difficult.

Aria was waiting there. What was she going to do? What could she say? Would they pretend that nothing happened? It would be impossible. How could they ever face each other again?

When they reached the door to the box, Serena hesitated to turn the handle. It was only with Clemont's urging that they needed to hurry that she entered.

When she opened the door, the box was empty.

"It looks like we have this place to ourselves," said Clemont.

Serena stepped forward, inching toward the single row of seats, right in front of the window. She expected Aria to pop out of the shadows at any moment, despite there being no sign of her presence, nor anyone else at all.

"That's fine with me," said Korrina. "More room to stretch out! It's kinda cramped in those regular seats, you know?"

"We can cheer as loud as we want up here!" said Bonnie, jumping up and down. "We'll have to be extra loud so Ash can hear us!"

"That's the spirit!" said Korrina.

Stirred from his sleep, Dedenne poked his head out of Bonnie's bag, looking frazzled.

Serena wandered into the row of seats. They were all empty, not a bag, nor a hat, nor any sign of a person at all. Aria wasn't there.

The window in the front of the box had no glass in it, open to the outside. Serena held onto the frame and leaned slightly out of it, looking down to the battlefield below.

On one side, Ash stood with Pikachu atop his shoulder, his fists clenched with visible excitement. On the other side, Siebold stood with his arms folded behind his back, calm and still. Camera crews milled about around them, fitting both of them with microphones.

Serena remembered Alain from the Kalos League. Not even he had been so imposing. For the first time, she wondered if Ash could actually win this battle. Siebold's mere presence was tremendous, that of someone who was quietly in possession of dangerous power. She was sure Ash could feel it, the very same pressure she felt. She was sure he was reveling in it.

The stadium announcer began the introductions. The words went in one of Serena's ears and out the other. She couldn't concentrate. She scanned the crowd for any sign of Miette.

Her heart sank when she found her. Just as advertised, Miette was in the front row, as close as she could be to Ash.

Serena gripped the window frame tighter.

"Are you okay?"

Korrina came up next to her, joining her leaning against the window frame.

Serena met eyes with her for a brief moment, then looked away. She couldn't take her eyes off Miette.

"No," Serena said.

"Is it that Miette girl?"

Serena huffed as she let out a sharp breath.

"Yes! She's trying to ruin everything!"

"Is she going to mess with Ash's battle or something?"

"Not exactly. She-"

Serena ran a hand over the back of her neck. She slumped her shoulders and sighed.

"You guys, I can't take this anymore."

Serena turned around. Korrina, Clemont, and Bonnie were all staring back at her.

"What do you mean?" said Clemont.

"I have so much to explain."

Korrina glanced out the window.

"Are you sure now is the time?" she said.

"It has to be," said Serena. "I can't do this anymore. I can't keep all these secrets."

"Ooh! What secrets?" Bonnie said, bouncing in her seat.

"I-"

Serena bit her tongue. She wondered why it wasn't getting any easier to say it.

"I'm in love with Ash."

Bonnie squealed. Korrina smirked, folding her arms.

"We know," she said.

"You do?"

"Well, you already told me," said Clemont. "You made your feelings for Ash quite clear right after we arrived."

"Clemont! Did you tell them?"

"No, quite the contrary!" Clemont said, showing his hands in surrender. "Korrina and Bonnie both arrived at that conclusion on their own! I merely confirmed it when Korrina asked."

"It was obvious," said Korrina.

Serena turned red. Bonnie jumped all around the box, Dedenne loudly complaining as he was shaken inside her bag.

On the battlefield, Ash and Siebold were meeting at the middle for a handshake.

"So much for secrets, huh?" said Korrina.

"There's… more than that."

"Did you kiss him?" said Bonnie.

"Bonnie! That's personal!" said Clemont.

Serena held her hand to her collarbone. There was no ribbon, nothing familiar at all to steady her today.

"No, I haven't. But Miette is going to if Ash wins today."

Three confused faces stared back at her.

"She's going to what?" said Korrina.

"She wants the cameras to catch her kissing Ash if he wins. She's in the front row, on his side. Look!"

Clemont and Bonnie joined Serena and Korrina by the window.

"I see her!" said Bonnie.

"Indeed, as do I," said Clemont. "She's in an optimal position to run onto the field to meet him if that is what she intends to do."

Serena bit her lip. Clemont's realism was not helping.

"I don't know what to do. I can't let Miette get to him. Ash might not win, but if he does, I can't afford to take that chance."

"Does Ash know how you feel about him?" Korrina said.

"He does. We talked about it last night, on the beach."

Clemont scratched his cheek, looking rather red.

"What a coincidence!" he said. "We also had a rather personal conversation last night!"

Serena ignored Clemont's awkwardness. She was content to leave her explanation at that, but she was pressed for details.

"What did he say?" Korrina asked.

Serena looked Korrina in the eye, but then pursed her lips and looked away. Ash and Siebold were taking their places on their respective sides of the field again.

"He said a lot of things."

"Does he feel the same way about you?"

"Maybe? It's complicated."

"Maybe?" Korrina said. "He either loves you or he doesn't!"

Clemont scratched his head, still looking nervous.

"Honestly, a noncommittal response sounds exactly like what I would expect out of Ash in such a situation. Romance is such a foreign concept to him that it's a minor miracle he understood you at all. That is, assuming he did."

Serena clenched her hands on the window frame.

"He did. I know he did. Tonight, at the bonfire, we'll figure it all out. I just can't let Miette get to him before then! Not after everything I've been through to get this far."

"Hmm," Clemont hummed.

Serena glanced at him.

"Do you have an invention for this exact situation, like always?"

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid I don't," said Clemont. "It may be better that way, though. I doubt that the stadium staff, nor the local police, would take kindly to an explosion."

"Oh, brother…" Bonnie groaned.

Korrina laughed while Clemont shrugged. Serena glued her eyes to the field. It was time. Ash and Siebold's voices came over the speakers.

"Noivern, I choose you!"

"Clawitzer."

The crowd began stirring at the selection of their first Pokémon. Clawitzer hovered eerily in front of Siebold, while Noivern took to the sky on Ash's side of the field. On the field's center line, the referee raised a flag.

"Begin!"

"Noivern, Boomburst!"

"Clawitzer, Dragon Pulse."

Noivern's ears began to glow and vibrate. At the same time, Clawitzer's massive claw began charging a shot like a cannon. Purple energy formed from nowhere and filled in the gap between the pincers, forming into a violet ball.

Up in the box, Serena covered her ears. She knew what was coming.

Noivern fired. A tremendous blast of sound waves shot from his ears toward Clawitzer. The stadium shook under Serena's feet.

Clawitzer didn't even blink. Neither did Siebold, who still stood like a statue, with his arms behind his back. Taking aim, Clawitzer raised his claw and fired.

The ground rumbled. Clawitzer's Dragon Pulse was as loud as Noivern's Boomburst. The ball of violet energy turned into a brilliant white beam as it streaked toward its target. Serena winced and shut her eyes, the light leaving spots in her vision.

"Dodge it!"

Boomburst met Dragon Pulse in midair. Noivern's attack was torn through, blown away. By the narrowest of margins, Noivern flew out of the way of the incoming pulse, the dangerous beam of light passing just beneath his belly.

Serena's jaw dropped.

"Unreal!" said Korrina.

"What incredible power!" said Clemont. "I suppose I should have expected as much from Siebold, but even for a member of the Elite Four, that was an astonishing attack!"

Serena was astonished, as well, and not in a good way. The way the light from the Dragon Pulse lingered in her eyes made her queasy.

She wondered if Ash understood what he had gotten himself into.

"Acrobatics!"

Noivern went transparent and zipped across the arena at an amazing speed. Neither Siebold nor Clawitzer moved. Siebold didn't even speak. Clawitzer began charging another attack. Again, his claw filled with a sphere of violet energy. It was another Dragon Pulse.

"Noivern, watch out! Get out of there!"

With no time to spare, Noivern pulled off his course. He was much too close. Using the speed of Acrobatics, he swerved past Clawitzer right as the Dragon Pulse was fired.

Clawitzer spun around, following Noivern's path. As he re-aimed the beam, it grazed the ground, digging out a trench as he turned. The beam followed Noivern up into the air, trailing just behind him.

When the Dragon Pulse faded, Serena could see that Ash was stunned. Noivern was holding his position, hovering while waiting for another command.

Clawitzer was not waiting.

The words came to Serena's mouth before she could stop herself.

"Ash! Do something!"

Her words went unheard. Ash hesitated for a moment longer.

"Acrobatics! Dodge! Then use Boomburst!"

Another Dragon Pulse lit up the arena, streaking into the sky. Noivern turned transparent again and zipped out of the way just before the beam struck.

Again, Clawitzer chased him with the attack. His tracking was closer this time.

The instant the beam faded, Noivern began charging a Boomburst in his ears.

"Get close!"

Noivern swooped in toward Clawitzer as the blast charged. As he approached, it was clear that Clawitzer was preparing yet another Dragon Pulse.

Siebold had not said a word, nor even emoted. He continued to stand there, expressionless, following the battle with his eyes.

Boomburst fired. Noivern was right beside Clawitzer. The attack was a direct hit. Clawitzer was pushed back through the air, struggling to stay upright as he continued to charge Dragon Pulse. He was turning, slowly getting into position to fire.

"Acrobatics! Get out of there!"

Noivern disappeared as the blinding light of the Dragon Pulse washed everything out again. Once more, Clawitzer followed Noivern's movements.

This time, the Dragon Pulse clipped his wing.

Serena gasped. Noivern tumbled through the air, falling from the sky.

"Supersonic!"

Serena covered her ears again. Even the intense volume of the other attacks was nothing compared to the grating sound of Supersonic. She squinted as she watched Noivern screech, trying to right himself as he fell.

The supersonic swept over Clawitzer. The Dragon Pulse he was charging vanished into thin air.

At once, Clawitzer's demeanor changed. Previously unmoving, calm, the perfect mirror image of his trainer, he began to spasm and thrash about. The confusion had set in. The attack had worked.

Noivern landed, roughly, but upright. He shook his wings, ready to take flight again.

Ash pumped his fist.

"Alright! Noivern, use Dragon Claw!"

Noivern took off again and flew straight toward Clawitzer, his own claws aglow, ready to strike.

Siebold did not move, but he finally spoke again.

"Aura Sphere."

Clawitzer began charging another attack in his claw, this one a brilliant shade of bright blue. Noivern closed in. Clawitzer wasn't even close to facing the correct way, still lost in confusion.

It didn't matter.

Noivern's Dragon Claw was a direct hit. He landed a strong blow right on Clawitzer's head. As he pulled away, Clawitzer fired the Aura Sphere, in a completely wrong direction.

And then the attack turned around in midair.

"Noivern, watch out!"

There was no time for the warning to be helpful. Before Noivern could look over his shoulder, the Aura Sphere had caught up to him. It struck him in the center of his back. He let out a cry as he was thrown to the ground.

Dust kicked up. Serena clenched the window frame in her grip. There was no sign that Noivern was getting up. Just as before, Clawitzer was charging another attack without Siebold giving a command.

Serena held her breath. Through the fading dust, Noivern was back on his feet, but still not in the air. Clawitzer fired.

Again, the sphere changed direction in midair.

This time, it returned to its sender.

Clawitzer was struck by his own attack. While he rolled over several times before coming to a halt, Noivern took flight again.

"Boomburst!"

Both Noivern and Clawitzer prepared their attacks. At the same time, they fired. Once again, even though Clawitzer was completely backward in confusion, the Aura Sphere turned in midair and found its target.

The Boomburst and the Aura Sphere met in midair. The Aura Sphere cut right through, and the two attacks, in a diminished state, continued on toward their targets. Clawitzer took a direct, although weak hit.

"Noivern! Take that Aura Sphere back to Clawitzer! Acrobatics!"

Noivern went transparent and accelerated at a tremendous speed. The Aura Sphere followed as he circled the arena and then dove toward Clawitzer.

Just as he began his dive, Clawitzer stopped thrashing about, becoming steady again.

Siebold issued another command.

"Dragon Pulse."

Serena's heart stood still. For a mere fraction of a second, Noivern hesitated. Ash raised his hand as if to give another command, but no words left his mouth.

Trapped between two attacks, Noivern tried to swerve out of the way. It was too late.

The Aura Sphere struck him in the back, sending him careening directly into the oncoming Dragon Pulse. There was an awful cry, followed by Noivern's limp form falling, with no sign of movement.

Before Noivern could crash to the ground, Ash fired his Poké Ball. The red beam of light retrieved Noivern before any more damage was done.

Serena clutched her heart.

Bonnie had tears in her eyes.

"Is Noivern gonna be okay?" she asked.

Clemont put a hand on her shoulder.

"I trust that Siebold and Clawitzer know how to hold back so as not to seriously injure opposing Pokémon. Noivern should be fine, I hope."

Serena was beyond hope. Clawitzer's display of power was unlike anything she had ever seen. Despite being confused for half the battle and taking several hits, Clawitzer did not look much worse for the wear.

It was impossible. There was no way Ash had improved enough in the last two weeks to win this battle.

"Pikachu, I choose you!"

Pikachu hopped onto the battlefield. The skin on Serena's arms and neck tingled, the hairs standing on end. Her hopelessness felt so foolish. Pikachu lived to do the impossible.

"Quick Attack!"

"Aura Sphere."

Pikachu's natural speed made Noivern's best efforts look amateurish in comparison. Before Siebold could finish speaking, Pikachu had already made contact with Clawitzer.

"Grab on! Use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu grabbed onto Clawitzer's carapace. There was no way to counterattack. Clawitzer could not turn his claw to face Pikachu. The Aura Sphere was charged, but Clawitzer did not fire. He would hit himself if he tried.

Pikachu's cheeks sparked, and an arc of electricity connected him to Clawitzer. Convulsing as the attack coursed through his body, Clawitzer lost control of the Aura Sphere and fired. Immediately, it turned around and struck him in the face.

Unscathed, Pikachu leaped away. Clawitzer was leaning to one side, weighed down by his heavy claw and unable to support it.

"Pikachu, Electro Ball!"

Immobile, Clawitzer offered no resistance as Pikachu delivered the finishing blow. The Electro Ball sent Clawitzer crashing to the ground, crackling with sparks.

On the opposite side of the field, Pikachu landed on all fours, untouched.

The crowd roared. Moving for the first time since the battle began, Siebold reached for a Poké Ball and returned Clawitzer to it.

"Impressive, young man."

Ash looked quite proud of himself. Grinning, he rubbed a finger under his nose.

"Thanks!"

Siebold placed Clawitzer's ball inside the pouch in his apron, and he pulled out another. Holding it in one hand by his side, he tucked his other arm behind his back and spoke again.

"There is a question I enjoy asking many of my official challengers, regarding whether or not they feel Pokémon battles can be considered a form of art. I will not waste my breath on asking you, however. I already know how you would answer."

"You do?"

"Yes, I do, and your question in return only confirms what I suspected - that you would not know how to answer at all."

Serena saw Ash's jaw clench.

"I, for one, am of the opinion that Pokémon battles most certainly are a form of art," Siebold continued. "My preferred analogy is a comparison to my own profession. Cooking is considered an art form, and much like food, a Pokémon battle vanishes from existence as soon as you've finished enjoying it."

Siebold tilted his head forward, giving Ash a level glance. Ash, in return, tightened his brow, and his fists.

"Life is full of fleeting experiences, young man. Many of them are unremarkable, unmemorable. As an artist, I live my life in pursuit of those few fleeting moments which are memorable to someone. I live for the satisfaction of hearing that a meal I have prepared is the finest of someone's life. A temporary experience, yet one which will stay with them forever. That, truly, is art."

"What does this have to do with our battle?"

"A great deal more than you realize. This battle may prove to be nothing more than a brief meeting on an unremarkable day in both of our lives. If it is to prove to be anything else, it will be in the same way by which food is remembered - that is, by the extremes."

"The extremes?"

"Yes. I am certain that you, as do many, can remember the spiciest dish you have ever eaten. Far less likely, then, that you remember what you ate for dinner last Tuesday. This is the fundamental struggle of a chef, for I must try to create something extraordinary every day, something to be remembered forever out of something that both comes into existence and then disappears in a matter of minutes. I must always push extremes, knowing when to apply them and when to avoid them. Between extremes, I find balance. You, young man, think you are doing the same, but that is not the truth of the matter."

Siebold tossed his second Poké Ball onto the battlefield. A Gyarados emerged from it, casting a shadow as it towered over the battlefield.

"You have not learned how to balance extremes, only to blend them. You and your Pokémon both seek to be impossibly fast and punishingly powerful, without sacrificing anything. I regret to inform you that a strategy so lacking in nuance can only take you so far."

Siebold tucked his hands behind his back again.

"You may have made it this far, but should you continue down that shortsighted path, all your efforts will not be enough."

A shiver went down Serena's spine.

Ash grimaced as he reached for the brim of his hat and turned it around on his head.

"We'll show you exactly how far our power can take us!"

"I have no doubt you will."

"Pikachu, Electro Ball!"

"Dragon Dance."

Pikachu jumped high into the air, a ball of electricity condensing at the tip of his tail. As he rose, so did Gyarados. For a moment, the two were eye to eye, but then Pikachu began to fall as Gyarados rose higher still.

Stretched to his full height, towering over the arena floor, Gyarados levitated as he writhed and gyrated in the air. A crackling red energy emanated from his body. The arena was cast in shadow as he blotted out the sun.

The sky turned red. Serena felt sick to her stomach.

Pikachu flipped over in the air and flung the Electro Ball at Gyarados. Before the attack could land, Gyarados' dance ended. As he fell back to the arena floor, he swatted Pikachu's Electro Ball away with his tail.

The Electro Ball rocketed back at Pikachu. With not a moment to spare, he landed and put his tail in the way of the ball of electricity. Like a lightning rod, he caught it, shaking as sparks roiled up and down his body.

He stood facing Gyarados, his cheeks sparking furiously.

"How?!" Korrina said. "Gyarados is super weak to electric attacks!"

"Electro Ball becomes more powerful the faster the user is compared to their opponent," Clemont said, "but Dragon Dance increases both strength and speed!"

Serena's knuckles were white on the window frame.

The stadium went into a hush, and Siebold spoke again.

"There are those who believe that if brute force is not working, then you are not using enough of it. Those people are fools. Brute force is a valid tool, but only when applied correctly. All this time, you have been masking your own love of brute force, yet your ironic inability to withstand it, with brilliant speed. Let us see how you conduct yourself in a situation in which someone beats you at your own game."

"You haven't beaten us yet, and you're not going to! Pikachu, Quick Attack!"

"Dragon Dance."

Nothing more than a yellow blur, Pikachu covered the arena floor in an instant and grabbed onto Gyarados' body. A moment later, Gyarados began to twist and contort again as he rose into the air.

"Hang on, Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu was far too busy attempting to hang on to attempt to launch an attack. Gyarados' gyrations moved at an otherworldly speed, threatening to throw him off at any second.

Gyarados landed, the arena floor rumbling.

"Earthquake."

"Pikachu! Into the air, now!"

Leaping from Gyarados' tail, Pikachu turned his own tail a metallic color and pushed off from the ground with it, launching himself into the air. The arena shook, Ash bracing himself with his hands on his knees.

Siebold remained still, refusing to move.

Serena's fingers ached from how hard she gripped the window frame, hoping the arena was built to withstand such an attack.

"Iron Tail!"

"Ice Fang."

Falling from a great height, Pikachu maneuvered himself into position to deliver a powerful strike with his metallic tail. As he fell, the shaking subsided, and Gyarados' breath became visible.

Pikachu swung. Gyarados caught the attack in his frozen teeth.

Gasps echoed through the arena.

Gritting his teeth, Ash stared wide-eyed at Pikachu's predicament. His tail was trapped between Gyarados' jaws. If he released his Iron Tail attack, he would risk losing his tail entirely.

Ash gave Pikachu no command.

Without Siebold calling a command of his own, Gyarados swung his head and sent Pikachu crashing to the floor, far on the other side of the arena.

"Waterfall."

While Pikachu struggled to get on his feet again, Gyarados became wrapped in water and lowered himself to the arena floor. Slithering at an incredible speed, Gyarados closed the distance between them and collided with Pikachu, surging into the air with a rush of water. The two of them were thrown into the sky above the battlefield.

"Dragon Dance."

Once again, Gyarados gyrated in the air, emanating a powerful red energy. Pikachu hurtled through the sky, trying to gain control of himself.

When Gyarados' dance ended, Pikachu landed atop the arena's floodlights. Crouched on all fours, he breathed heavily.

Gyarados coiled on the ground, prepared to launch another attack.

"Pikachu! Iron Tail!"

Siebold shook his head.

"Ice Fang."

Pikachu leaped from the arena lights and came falling from the sky, tail aglow. Gyarados waited below with welcoming teeth.

Serena could feel her hope fading again. There was no way this attack would be enough.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack, now! Into its mouth!"

Pikachu dropped the Iron Tail attack, his tail returning to its normal color. Instead, he turned into a yellow blur, streaking across the arena sky.

And right past Gyarados' teeth, into his mouth.

Serena yelped, as did many throughout the arena. Right away, Gyarados' eyes shot open wide as he recoiled in surprise.

"Thunderbolt!"

For a split second, there was silence. Then, Gyarados was consumed by electricity, spewing lightning from his mouth. Convulsing, he gave a desperate roar, then collapsed to the ground with a massive crash.

There was stunned silence. Gyarados did not move.

Then, cheers erupted as Pikachu came crawling out of Gyarados' mouth.

Korrina gripped Serena by the shoulder as she cheered. Jumping up and down, she pulled Clemont in alongside her, shaking him so much that his glasses fell off.

Serena could do nothing but try her best to stay on her feet as she reeled from shock. It was unbelievable.

Limping back to Ash's side of the battlefield, Pikachu received a standing ovation. He smiled back at the crowd, and Ash knelt down to pick him up.

Siebold retrieved Gyarados with his Poké Ball. Once again, he exchanged it for another in his apron.

"Unconventional, but very impressive," he said. "I must confess, before we began, I viewed the first two acts of our battle as a mere formality. As such, I think I need to heed my own words about the application of brute force. Now, if you would like, perhaps we can move on to what we have both been anticipating."

Siebold tossed the ball onto the battlefield. A Blastoise emerged, one which was wearing a gem embedded in a crown.

"Or, if you insist, I can have Blastoise deliver the coup de grâce to Pikachu. The choice is yours."

Ash looked at Pikachu in his arms.

"I'm switching Pikachu out. We can move on."

Pikachu returned to his usual spot on Ash's shoulder, receiving another cheer from the crowd. Ash removed one last ball from his belt, and he threw it onto the field.

Greninja emerged, immediately locking eyes with Blastoise and assuming a fighting stance.

Clemont crawled on the floor, feeling for his glasses.

"Bonnie, can you help me, please? I- Ah, there they are!"

Clemont slipped his glasses back on, blinking several times.

"Bonnie?"

Both Serena and Korrina turned, looking at Clemont. He knelt as he stared at the door.

It was wide open. Bonnie was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she?" Korrina said.

"I don't know!" Clemont said, scrambling to his feet. "She was here one minute and gone the next!"

Clemont ran to the open door, looking out onto the concourse.

"Bonnie! Where are you?!"

He turned around and looked back at Serena and Korrina, grabbing fistfuls of his hair.

"We have to find her!"

Clemont pulled a Poké Ball out of his pocket and opened it. Luxray emerged from it.

"Luxray, we have to find Bonnie!"

Korrina ran to the door. Serena took a step, then hesitated.

"You stay here," Korrina said. "We'll be fine. She can't have gotten very far."

Luxray was already out the door. Korrina nudged Clemont out as well, and they all disappeared onto the concourse, calling Bonnie's name.

Serena was left alone. It was just her, watching Ash and Siebold as if they were on a stage, performing only for her.

Despite the absence of the ribbon, she held both hands at her collarbone. She would have to pretend it was there. It would have to be enough.

"Shall we?" Siebold asked. As he spoke, he took hold of the brooch which was securing his necktie. A large, multicolored gem was embedded in it.

Ash took off his hat and tossed it aside.

"You bet."

Ash and Greninja both were enveloped by a familiar aura, performing their perfected transformation once again. Opposite them, Siebold touched two of his fingers to the gem on his brooch. It illuminated, and the gem on Blastoise's crown responded in kind. Blastoise was wrapped in a polychromatic light, and a few seconds later, emerged transformed.

While Greninja stood tall, sleek, and nimble, Blastoise opposed him as the precise opposite. Looking much bulkier now, Blastoise appeared ready to buckle under the weight of the new heavy cannon he supported on his back and his wrists.

The excitement of the crowd was palpable. Serena had to remind herself to breathe.

This was it.

"When you are ready," Siebold said, giving Ash a nod.

"We're always ready! Greninja, Water Shuriken!"

"Withdraw."

Greninja shot into the air, his powerful legs propelling him like a rocket. Conjuring several stars of water, he threw them at Blastoise, each of them like a liquid saw blade cutting through the sky.

Blastoise merely pulled his head and limbs into his shell and crouched.

The shuriken bounced off, leaving not a scratch.

"Aerial Ace!"

"Skull Bash."

In an instant, Greninja had disappeared and then reappeared behind Blastoise. Though the attack appeared to be a direct hit, Blastoise didn't even blink. Instead, with unexpected speed, he spun around and sent his head crashing into Greninja's back.

Greninja let out a stunned cry and staggered forward, spinning around to face his opponent.

Blastoise was already in position to make another move.

"Dragon Pulse."

It was like Clawitzer all over again. Blastoise raised one arm, the cannon on his wrist filling with violet energy.

From the brightness alone, Serena knew it was even more powerful.

"Dodge!"

Blastoise fired. Launching himself into the sky again, Greninja cleared the height of the arena in an instant and flipped through the air. A brilliant beam of vaguely purple light followed his every movement, always a mere fraction of a second behind him.

The pulse faded, and Greninja landed a short distance in front of Blastoise.

"Cut!"

"Skull Bash."

Greninja charged at Blastoise, poised to strike. When he arrived at his target, his preferred point of attack was nowhere to be found. Blastoise had once again pulled his head back into his shell.

"Get down!"

Greninja ducked underneath Blastoise, sliding between his legs just as his head came surging out of his shell. Avoiding what surely would have been a crushing blow, Greninja instead struck from underneath.

Blastoise was knocked over, rolling onto his back.

Greninja once again took to the air. A nervous chatter took over the stadium. Blastoise did not appear able to stand back up. He was stuck on his back, rocking back and forth as he tried to roll over.

"Water Shuriken! Give it all you've got!"

Greninja removed the massive star from his back, and it began to glow. Serena bit her lip as Greninja fell back toward the ground, weapon in hand, ready to deliver a decisive blow. Blastoise was exposed, unable to defend himself.

But it wasn't enough.

"Water Pulse, on the ground."

Aiming his wrist cannons at the ground, Blastoise fired two powerful shots in tandem. Gasps echoed through the arena. Against all odds, Blastoise could also defy gravity.

"Withdraw."

Blastoise pulled into his shell. Turning himself into a massive projectile, he launched into the sky, ready to meet Greninja on the way down.

"Forget Water Shuriken! Land on Blastoise's shell and jump off!"

Greninja reattached the shuriken to his back and crouched. A second later, he and Blastoise met in midair. Landing in a three-point stance on Blastoise's back, Greninja pushed off, sending Blastoise falling back to the ground, and himself soaring even higher.

The ground shook upon Blastoise's impact. Landing right side up, Blastoise was back on his feet in no time at all.

"Dragon Pulse."

Serena wondered if Siebold had any other strategy. Yet again, Blastoise charged up a Dragon Pulse and fired at Greninja, chasing him through the air. Deftly flipping and rolling, Greninja was always just ahead of the vicious beam.

"Aerial Ace!"

"Rapid Spin."

Greninja vanished and then came back into sight in the blink of an eye, like always. Unlike every other time, though, he did not reappear behind his target. Instead, he was thrown away, off to the side of the field, Blastoise deflecting the blow by spinning like a top.

While Greninja righted himself and got back on his feet, Siebold called another move.

"Water Pulse."

Two shots fired from the cannons on Blastoise's wrists. Though not particularly effective, the shots made Greninja stop in his tracks and shield himself, pinned against one of the battlefield's exterior walls.

"Dragon Pulse."

"Jump! Now!"

Blastoise charged and fired, the beam following Greninja through the air. Just as with Clawitzer's attacks, Blastoise's aim was coming ever closer to hitting its mark with each successive attack.

To Serena, it was all too clear. Siebold was attempting to tire out Greninja. Blastoise was barely moving, and barely taking damage. Ash was losing a battle against time.

Greninja landed, but there was no time to rest.

"Water Pulse."

Two more concussive shots of water were fired, and a second later, they scoured the ground where Greninja had stood.

Dashing across the battlefield, Greninja readied another attack, conjuring stars of water in his hands.

"Water Shuriken!"

"Withdraw."

Blastoise hit the ground as he quickly pulled all his extremities into his shell. As before, the shuriken bounced off, harmless.

"Again! Inside the shell! Make it a big one, and aim for the head!"

Standing right in front of Blastoise, Greninja removed the shuriken from his back. It began to glow as he held it high, ready to plunge it into the depths of Blastoise's shell.

"Hydro Pump."

Ash's shoulders slumped. Serena felt her stomach sink as she watched the realization dawn on Ash that Greninja was standing directly in front of a cannon, the single, massive cannon on Blastoise's back, which Siebold had pointedly neglected to use this entire time.

Energy condensed in the mouth of the giant cannon. Serena held her breath.

"Block it! Plug the cannon! Now!"

Redirecting his attack, Greninja shoved the giant shuriken deep into the mouth of Blastoise's giant cannon, wedging it in place.

There was a tremendous explosion. Water turned to mist, and dirt mixed with raw energy, a shockwave shaking the entire arena. In the instant before everything was obscured from sight, Serena saw Blastoise rolling over backward, and Greninja being thrown the opposite direction like a ragdoll.

When the shaking stopped, and the dust and the haze cleared, the battlefield looked quite different than before. A crater now marked the center. Blastoise had been blown some distance away. Visibly scarred from the backfire, he slowly rose to his feet.

Greninja, meanwhile, was all the way against the far wall of the battlefield. His back against it, he struggled to his feet. Ash, likewise, was knocked flat on his back, also slow to rise. Hands on his knees as he pushed himself up from the ground, he called to Greninja.

"Greninja, can you stand?"

Supporting himself with one hand against the wall, Greninja got both of his feet under himself again.

Siebold, meanwhile, was still standing there like a statue, refusing to move.

"Unorthodox, I must admit. Clever, but far too reckless. Your battle style lacks balance. Your only defense is your offense. You are not battling your opponent. You are battling yourself. You have made yourself into your enemy. You cannot fight fatigue forever, and you cannot fight time."

Ash's grimace turned into a smirk.

"We're not even close to done yet, are we?"

Greninja nodded at Ash, and in a single bound, jumped back into the fray.

Siebold's eyes narrowed.

"We will see. Dragon Pulse."

"Wait for it!"

Greninja closed his eyes. Hands folded in concentration, he stood still. Blastoise held out one arm, the cannon on his wrist filling with violet light.

The beam fired.

"Double Team!"

Instantly, dozens upon dozens of copies of Greninja appeared all over the arena. On the ground, in the air, surrounding Blastoise from every angle.

The Dragon Pulse ripped through the original image of Greninja. There was nothing there.

"Dark Pulse. All directions."

Blastoise stretched his arms out, pointing them both to the sides. A Dark Pulse was fired from both cannons, each one radiating outward as a wave. The two waves met and expanded into a hemisphere, rising toward the sky. As it expanded, the Dark Pulse obliterated every copy of Greninja it touched.

Every last one.

The Dark Pulse dissipated. Blastoise stood alone on the battlefield. Greninja was nowhere in sight.

"Hydro Cannon. Blast the crater."

An intense sphere of energy condensed in Blastoise's main cannon. From high above, Serena could see what lay below. She could see what Siebold could not. Greninja was not at the bottom of the crater. He wasn't anywhere.

It was just like when Ash battled Korrina.

A deafening blast echoed through the arena. Blastoise fired, the Hyrdo Cannon exploding in the crater, expanding it even further. Chunks of earth and droplets of water sprayed everywhere. Greninja was nowhere to be seen.

"Cut!"

As if stepping out from a shadow, Greninja emerged from nothing. Crouching beneath Blastoise, his skin seemed to turn from translucent to opaque. Holding his blade at the ready, he jumped.

Blastoise could not respond in time, nor at all. He took the hit directly to the neck. Staggering, he keeled over backward.

"Aerial Ace!"

"Rapid Spin."

Greninja struck. This time, it was not him who went flying, but rather Blastoise. For a moment, Blastoise spun through the air, then abruptly snapped to a stop, emerging from his shell right side up again. He landed firmly on the ground.

"Water Shuriken!"

"Water Pulse."

The star on Greninja's back quickly regenerated, and he removed it again. Throwing it, the shuriken glowed as it split the air.

Blastoise fired a quick shot from one of his wrist cannons. The attacks collided, and the shuriken came flying back to Greninja. Catching it, Greninja reattached it to his back and charged.

"Aerial Ace!"

"Skull Bash."

"Water Shuriken! Block it!"

Greninja vanished. When he reappeared behind Blastoise, he found his opponent ready and waiting. Wasting no time, Greninja again removed the shuriken from his back and drove it into Blastoise's head. The two attacks stalled against each other. For a few seconds, there was a standoff.

"Water Pulse."

With neither of Blastoise's hands occupied, was all too easy for him to fire on Greninja at point-blank range. There was no time to react.

The shot rang out, and Greninja went flying.

"Greninja!"

Greninja landed roughly, crashing to the ground at the bottom of the crater. Ash toppled over, falling onto his backside.

Serena's breaths were rapid and shallow. Neither Greninja nor Ash could stand.

On the other side of the field, Siebold finally moved. Stepping forward with one foot and extending one arm with an open palm, he called his final attack.

"Hydro Pump!"

Serena's heart thundered in her chest. Blastoise's massive cannon charged. Greninja was on his hands and knees, trapped in the crater. Ash was flat on his back, unable to sit upright.

Frozen in time, Serena caught sight of a commotion down below in the stands. In the periphery of her vision, she saw Clemont and Korrina being dragged away by security, Luxray growling at the guards.

"Bonnie! Get back here this instant!"

Far at the front of the section, Serena saw Miette, her eyes glued to the action on the field. Lost in the battle, she remained unaware as Dedenne scampered up her back.

Blastoise fired.

Ash sat upright.

Greninja sat down.

Both closed their eyes.

Dedenne nuzzled into Miette's neck.

The Hydro Pump roared. A moment later, Ash's eyes opened wide.

"Now!"

The torrent of water cascaded into the crater. The instant it was at Greninja's feet, he fired his own Water Pulse directly downward.

Greninja rose into the air, riding atop a massive wave, the Hydro Pump transformed. Towering over the battlefield like a tsunami, the wave broke, crashing toward Blastoise.

Greninja vanished. An instant later, he reappeared behind Blastoise. His opponent knocked flat on his back, Greninja folded his hands, bowed his head, and closed his eyes.

The crashing water swallowed them whole.

Down below, Miette convulsed as sparks consumed her body.

The wave spread over the battlefield. Water swirled around Siebold's legs, drenching his feet. He stood still in the chaos, watchful, waiting.

The water settled, then began to vanish. Alone, standing in the exact same spot, was Greninja. He had refused to move.

Blastoise had been swept away. He lay motionless on the far side of the field, returned to his normal form. His transformation had faded.

The battle was over.

The referee raised his flag, pointing to Ash. The crowd erupted. Down below, Miette fell over in her seat, twitching. From beneath her seat, Bonnie appeared, a huge grin on her face.

Both Ash and Greninja sighed, and their shared transformation faded. Still seated, Ash ran a hand through his hair. He stared ahead, dazed.

Pikachu, who had long since abandoned his post on Ash's shoulder, came scurrying up to him. For a moment, Ash remained lost in his thoughts, but upon feeling the touch, he ran his hand over Pikachu's head.

"We did it, buddy."

Slowly limping, Greninja made his way back over to Ash. On the other side, Siebold returned Blastoise to his ball. Placing the ball in his apron, he stepped onto the battlefield and walked toward Ash.

When he arrived on Ash's side of the field, he offered his hand. Ash looked up at him, then accepted the offer.

Siebold pulled Ash up to his feet. Once Ash was standing, Siebold did not let go. He met Ash's eyes and gave him a polite nod.

"Well done."

At that, the two shook hands, and Siebold walked away, removing the microphone from his collar as he left. A few seconds later, he was accosted by reporters and cameras.

And so was Ash.

One lucky reporter got to him first.

"Alexa!"

Alexa came up next to him, placing one hand behind his back. She beamed at the camera in front of them. Her voice echoed through the arena's speakers.

"Long time no see, Ash! Congrats on your victory! We're going live in five."

Up in the VIP box, Serena clasped her hands over her mouth. Her heart had either stopped or was beating so fast it felt like one continuous beat. She couldn't be sure. Ash had done it. He defeated a member of the Elite Four.

Miette was paralyzed in her seat. Bonnie had a triumphant grin on her face as Clemont's Aipom Arm reached over the crowd and plucked her away.

"All's fair in love and war!" Bonnie called as she waved goodbye to Miette. Atop her shoulder, Dedenne echoed her words.

Alexa's voice came over the speakers again, and a hush came over the arena.

"Alexa here, reporting live from the arena floor here in Monego City, where Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, of Kalos League and Team Flare Crisis fame, has just defeated Siebold of the Elite Four in an open challenge, using the very same move he used to cause the now-infamous Monego Mega Tsunami. Ash, what do you have to say about your stunning upset of one of the most powerful trainers in Kalos?"

Alexa placed her microphone in front of Ash's mouth.

"Uh…"

Ash scratched his head as he stared into the camera. He looked red in the face.

"I don't think it's an upset. I always knew I could win. I've been working really hard with my Pokémon to prepare for this, and it really paid off."

"Tell us, what did you do to prepare for this battle? Facing a member of the Elite Four is no ordinary challenge."

Ash thought for a moment.

"Well, I got a lot of help from my friends. My Pokémon all totally bought into what we were doing. We spent a lot of long nights training on the beach, and my friends did their best to understand and help me, too. I wish they were down here celebrating with me right now. They won this just as much as I did. I owe a big thanks to all of them. And-"

Ash hesitated. It looked like he was scanning the crowd.

"-and, one friend, most of all. She did so much for me. She taught me so much about myself. She showed me how to be determined, how to never give up, how to stay focused, how to have hope. She always helps me when I need it the most. I couldn't have done this without her."

"Ash!"

Serena began to turn red the second the word left her lips. Far below, Ash's eyes followed the sound of her voice all the way to its source. From what seemed like a world away, separated by a stage and another reality, his eyes found her.

"Serena!"

Serena waved. She didn't know what else to do. All over the arena, heads turned in her direction.

On the field, Ash removed a ball from his belt. He threw it into the air, and Talonflame emerged from it.

"Talonflame, go get Serena!"

Before Serena could protest, Talonflame was flapping his wings right in front of her, hovering outside the open window. He held his talons open as if inviting Serena to take hold.

Serena looked at the drop to the lower level. There was no way she could do this. It was insane.

And it was happening.

As she leaned out the window, without warning, Talonflame latched onto her arm. A moment later, she shrieked as she felt her feet leave the floor, her legs passing through the open window as Talonflame dragged her away.

All she could do was hold on and wait for the ride to be over. Gently, Talonflame carried her over the crowd. Hovering above where Ash and Alexa stood, he lowered Serena to the ground.

When Serena found her footing, she found herself face to face with Ash, along with Alexa and a cameraman, surrounded by a sea of people.

Breathless, she met eyes with Ash. He looked just as nervous as she felt.

"Ash."

"Serena."

There was a momentary pause, a hesitation between the two of them. In that moment, Serena knew.

She had waited long enough. The end was here.

She threw herself onto Ash, her arms securing him so he could never, ever escape her grasp again. Closing her eyes, she kissed him.

Cheers erupted all around. After a fraction of a second with no response from Ash, Serena felt his hands on her back, pulling her closer. The clicking of camera flashes went off all around them.

The war was over.

She won.

The afternoon passed like a whirlwind. Getting out of the arena was a nightmare. When Serena and Ash finally managed to escape the sea of people, they found Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina all being escorted off the premises by security.

When they all reunited, the very first order of business became how hungry Ash was.

Ash was much too excited to sit still, so rather than try to take him to a proper restaurant, they got lunch from Korrina's favorite food truck once again.

At first, Serena wasn't sure she would be able to eat anything, so full of nerves. But after her first nibble, the second and third came easier, and then she found that she was perhaps hungrier than she had ever been before. Her stomach finally unclenching after weeks of stress and picked-over meals, she devoured her food. Even Ash was impressed.

After lunch, the others tactfully left Serena and Ash alone, taking Pikachu with them. For the first time since their arrival in Monego City, Serena found herself feeling genuinely happy. Not happiness mixed with apprehension or fear or doubt, but actual happiness, all on its own.

She and Ash walked along the waterfront, all by themselves, just another couple in the mass of tourists. At first, neither of them said anything. After a while, Ash began to talk about his battle, and soon, it was just like old times, with one vital difference - they were holding hands.

To Serena, it felt surreal. She felt giddy, almost like she could jump out of her own skin from excitement. If she had ever been happier, she had no idea when it could have been. Her dream of years was coming true, right before her eyes. She could see it. She could feel it. She held Ash's hand in her own. They were out on a walk - on a date? - in the most luxurious city in the world. She had kissed him. He kissed her back. It was happening.

It was so much, so fast. It was unbelievable. It was impossible. Things like this didn't happen to real people. They only happened in stories and movies. And yet, here she was. Ash was right there with her, linked by the hand.

Only twenty-four hours ago, she was shopping with Aria. Her chances with Ash were over, and perhaps even their friendship. And now, they were wandering through stores and chatting about anything and everything, hand in hand.

In one of the many gift shops they entered, there was a rack of postcards. Ash stopped to look.

A few moments later, he pulled one from the rack.

"Hey, it's the view we saw when we were on the train!"

Serena peeked over his shoulder and looked. There was no doubt. The scene on the postcard was the very same view they saw on the train, from the mouth of the mountain tunnel. Her brain struggled to comprehend that the day they saw that view was part of the very same trip they were still on now.

Ash smiled.

"You were right!" he said. "We really can get a postcard of it."

"Just a lucky guess," Serena said, shrugging. "I'm amazed you remember it."

Ash shifted awkwardly, holding a hand on the back of his neck.

"I had always kinda hoped we'd have time to look for one together. I just got sidetracked."

Serena raised an eyebrow at him. To say Ash had been sidetracked was quite an understatement.

"Do you want to get it?" she asked. "It's pretty cheap."

"Actually, I wanna get two."

"Two?"

"Yeah. One to send to my mom, and the other for you to keep. You know, since you lost all your stuff. I thought it might be nice for you to have something to remember this place."

Serena was certain she would not need a postcard to remember her time in Monego City, but Ash's idea was too sweet to refuse.

After they left the shop, Ash scribbled a letter to his mom on the back of the postcard, and they slipped it into the nearest mailbox.

From there, still hand in hand, they wandered back to the beach. The sun was nearing the horizon. People were gathering along the waterfront. A towering pile of firewood loomed in the distance, certain to be lit soon.

"So, what's the deal with this bonfire thing?" said Ash. "We write down our worries and throw them into the fire?"

"Yep! That's right."

"Kind of a weird thing to do, huh?"

"Maybe? I like the idea of it. It's supposed to be about letting go and starting over, like getting a fresh start."

"Huh. That's pretty neat, I guess."

"I think so, too! That's part of why I wanted you to come with me. I wanted us to have a chance to start all over again, together."

Ash scratched his head.

"Do we, uh, really need to start over again already? I thought we kinda did that earlier today."

Serena shook her head, laughing.

"Not now!" she said. "When I invited you, we had a long way to go, but-"

Serena paused. In the distance, she could see a bench.

The bench.

"-but I like the way things have been going," she finished, quietly.

"Yeah, me too."

Serena pulled her hand away from Ash and walked toward the bench.

"Hey, where are you going?"

Serena wasn't listening. She broke into a run.

"The bonfire is the other way!"

There was no one sitting on the bench, nor was anyone she recognized nearby, but there was something that caught her attention.

Stuck to the back of the bench was an envelope, taped to the slats. There was no name on it, but rather a single letter.

S.

Biting her lip, Serena looked around, hoping no one would notice. She peeled the envelope away, taking it in her hands.

Ash caught up with her.

"What's that?"

Serena didn't answer. Her eyes glazed over as she stared.

Ash squinted.

"S? Is it for you?"

Serena had no doubt it was for her.

Ash looked all around as if expecting to find someone who had dropped it.

"Who left it here?" he asked.

Serena also had no doubt who left it here. Here, on this particular bench. Even though it was just one singular letter, the handwriting was unmistakable.

There was no question it was for her, nor was there any question who left it for her. The only question was if she could bear to see what was inside of it. This couldn't be another trick. Not now.

But she had to know.

Hands trembling, she slid a finger under the flap and hastily tore the envelope open.

There was a neatly-folded letter inside. When Serena unfolded it, several other items and scraps of paper came tumbling out of it, scattering in the wind. She paid no attention as Ash went chasing after them.

A wall of familiar handwriting awaited her, the same neat cursive as always. Holding her breath, she read.

S.,

My words fail me. I have never felt like I had so much to say and no idea what to say at the same time. Of all the mistakes I have made in my life, the greatest one by far is what I have done to you. I can only hope that whatever the future may hold for me, I never make a greater mistake, because I do not know how I would be able to live with myself. Likewise, I hope that whatever the future may hold for you, you are never again deceived or manipulated as I have done to you. You deserve better than that, certainly better than anything I could have offered you.

I am not going to beg you for forgiveness, nor even entertain the idea that I should be forgiven. As empty as these words may seem, I assure you that no one can punish me for what I have done more severely than I can punish myself. I know it was only yesterday when you learned the truth, but I am serious in saying that I am not certain I will ever be able to forgive myself for what I did. I regret my actions with an intensity I previously never knew existed. Though I fully expect that my word quite rightfully means nothing to you now, I would like to give it to you anyway.

From the depths of my heart, I am sorry. Merely offering my apologies will never be enough, but it is all I can do. So, if you will accept it, I apologize. If you will not accept it, I understand.

As a token of my apology, I have enclosed four train tickets home for you and your friends. I know that more of my machinations, real or perceived, are the last thing you need. However, it was my actions which placed you all in this situation, and so it feels like the right thing to do to help you all get out of it. I know it is only the beginning of the penance I must pay, and I am certain it gives you cause to feel wary, but I assure you this is not another scheme. I hope you can accept it.

I deliberately left the arena early today so as not to encounter you and your friends. I have no reason to believe that you, nor any of them, ever wish to see me again. On that note, though I would very much like to be able to cast my own worries into the bonfire tonight, I feel that it is not in my best interests, nor anyone else's, for me to be present tonight. So, if I may push my luck just one step further and absolutely no more, I have a request for you. Additionally enclosed is another sealed envelope, containing a list of everything I would like to let go. I would like to humbly request that you deposit it into the fire tonight on my behalf, and if you would be so kind, please not to read it. I understand that I am in no position to ask anything of you, but I have no other option.

I yearn for what could have been. If only I had your courage. If only I could have been honest, perhaps we could have had a real friendship. As hopeless as this may sound, I hope that one day, most likely a long time from now, we can be friends again. That decision, of course, is entirely yours to make.

As much as I wish we could have been friends, or more than friends, what hurts me the most is not the loss of those possible futures, but the loss of what was, for a brief moment in time, the closest thing to a genuine human connection I had experienced in many years. I understand that I am probably not the person you want to be hearing this from, but if this is to be my last correspondence with you, I feel that I must say it.

You are a wonderful person. No matter how selfish or worthless you ever may feel, rest assured that you are the farthest thing from either. You are selfless beyond measure. You are everything good in the world, more than I, or perhaps anyone, deserves. You are kind, you are beautiful, and you are stronger than anyone could ever imagine. No matter what, may you always remember this -

You are enough.

May we meet again,

A.

Clutching the letter in one hand, her eyes glued to it, Serena gripped the back of the bench with her other hand. Tears welled up in her eyes. They were not from sadness, nor from happiness nor anger, but from too much of everything all at once.

Her vision blurred, and she let her hand clutching the letter fall to her side. The tears fell with it.

There was no trick, and that was the cruelest trick of all.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Ash running back to her with a fistful of papers. She turned to look at him. When she saw the concern register on his face, he increased his pace.

"What happened?" Ash said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Serena couldn't even begin to think of what to say. She just stared at him, utterly lost.

Ash broke eye contact after a few moments and looked at the papers in his hand.

"And are these… tickets?" he said.

Serena looked. They were all there, just like Aria said. Four train tickets, and a sealed envelope.

After everything, after the final cut, there they were. Aria's final kindness, and her final request.

They were silent for a while. Ash put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close. Serena just stared and stared.

Finally, she whispered.

"How could she?"

Ash pulled back so he could look her in the eye.

"Huh?" he said.

"How could she…" Serena repeated, shaking her head.

Ash narrowed his eyes.

"What are you talking about? Who are you talking about? What did the letter say?"

Serena looked down and realized she was still holding the letter firmly in her hand. It was crumpled from the pressure.

"Serena?"

Serena looked up and met Ash's eyes. She swallowed, then took a deep breath.

"I have so much to tell you."

Night fell.

Although Serena at first insisted that they not tell the others about Aria, Ash was having none of it. When Serena finished explaining what happened, he ran off to find everyone else. Left with no choice, Serena followed him.

Finally forced to confront the truth, she told her story to Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina, begging them not to share the details with anyone. To her pleasant surprise, they all seemed to take her request seriously, even Bonnie.

Korrina insisted they all spend the night at her villa, rather than spend yet another night in a place they weren't supposed to be. Clemont volunteered to return to the hotel, where he collected their belongings with his Aipom Arm and returned the keys to the front desk.

Serena was grateful. She never wanted to set foot in there again. Aside from her Poké Balls, which they collected from the Pokémon Center, she didn't have any more belongings, anyway. Everything was destroyed.

Despite everything, as the darkness set in and the crowd on the beach began to thin, Serena felt a profound sense of relief. It was all out there now. All her secrets were secrets no more.

For a long time, she and Ash stood before the bonfire, holding hands as they watched the crackling flames. The flickering light cast long shadows behind them, stretching across the sand.

In the distance, near the water, Clemont walked along the beach with Korrina, hand in hand in the moonlight. Bonnie ran ahead of them, playing with Pikachu and Dedenne in the gentle surf.

"They're adorable, aren't they?" said Serena, breaking a long silence.

"Well, yeah. Pikachu and Dedenne are always cute."

"I mean Clemont and Korrina!"

"Oh! Uh… Yeah, I guess so."

"I almost can't believe everything that's happened since we came here. So much has changed."

"It's been a crazy two weeks, huh?"

"I see it, and I still can't believe it. At least Bonnie has taken it pretty well. You know, with her life's purpose being over now."

Ash laughed.

"Oh yeah, I hadn't thought of that! I wonder what she'll do now?"

"Who knows? If I know her, she'll probably find some other way to embarrass Clemont every day."

"I sure hope Clemont knows what he's getting himself into."

Serena eyed Ash suspiciously.

"Do you know what you're getting yourself into?"

Ash tried to answer, but then let out an exasperated sigh.

"No, not really, but I like it so far."

"Me too."

They were quiet for a while, returning to watching the flames.

The silence gave Serena room to think. She wondered if she knew what she was getting herself into. There was so much to think about. The possibilities seemed endless.

She remembered what Ash told her about how he wouldn't have known what to do if he had actually won the league. Though she thought it sounded silly at the time, now she understood how he felt.

It was still surreal. Her fingers were intertwined with Ash's, her lips had touched his, and her feelings for him were finally known by everyone. It felt impossible. It felt like the most obvious, natural thing in the world, and like she was completely lost at the same time.

It was all so much. Her heart throbbed with every glance at him. She couldn't bear the thought of being away from him. She wondered if she would be swept away.

Was this all too good to be true? What would their future be? What did he think of all this? Did he feel the same way? Did he have the same fears? There was no way. Ash didn't think like that. What would he think of her worries? Would he understand at all? Would he think they were nothing? Did he have any idea what it was like to be inside her head?

Did he have any idea of the depth of her feelings for him?

Serena became aware of how tightly she was gripping Ash's hand when he gave hers a squeeze. She let their fingers separate.

"Are you okay?" said Ash.

"Yes, but…"

Serena paused. There were fifty ways she could have finished that sentence.

"But what?"

"What do we do now?"

"Huh?"

"What do we do after we leave this place? Where do we go?"

"I dunno."

Serena dreaded to say what she was about to say.

"You… have to go home to Kanto, don't you?"

Ash shifted his eyes away from her, then shut them. He nodded.

Serena's heart seized.

"I don't want to be without you," she said. "Not after all this. I can't be apart from you right now, not after we just got together. I can't do it. I can't."

"Come visit me, then. I'm sure everyone in Pallet Town would love to meet you."

"I don't know if my mom will let me do that. Not after she finds out about what happened here."

"Then I'll come visit you."

"I'm not even sure my mom would allow that. She may never let me out of the house again after she finds out what happened to me here."

Ash shrugged.

"Don't tell her, then."

"She's going to find out. There's no way she can't. All of my belongings are gone! She's going to demand to know why!"

"Oh, yeah," Ash said, scratching his head. "Huh."

"What am I going to do? What's going to happen to us?"

"I'm not worried."

"I am! How can you not be?"

"I'm just not. I know we'll make it work."

"How, though? What are we going to do?"

"I dunno. I haven't really thought about it yet."

"Ash…"

Serena rubbed her forehead.

"I need to know," she said. "I have to have something. I've held onto nothing but hope for years. You have to give more than that."

"I'm sorry. I really don't have anything planned yet. I didn't expect this, you know?"

"I know," Serena said with a sigh. "I just wish we had more time to figure this out."

Ash reached for her hand again, and he slid his fingers between hers. Their eyes met. In the momentary pause, he smiled at her.

"We'll figure it out," he said. "We have forever, don't we?"

Serena's heart fluttered.

It was everything she ever needed to hear.

"I hope so."

"Wherever you go, I'm gonna be right beside you," said Ash. "I promise."

Serena pulled on his hand, and she pulled him into an embrace.

"Do you mean it?" she said. "Do you really, really mean it?"

"I do," said Ash. "I promise."

Serena rested her head on his shoulder.

"Then that's good enough for me."

They remained that way for some time. When Serena pulled away, she reached into Ash's bag and pulled out the envelope containing Aria's letter, plus a pen. She removed all the contents from the envelope, tucked the letter itself and the tickets back in the bag, then tore the envelope in half. She handed one half to Ash.

She sat down and crossed her legs. She thought for a moment, then crossed out the single S on her piece of the envelope and began to write.

I will not worry about hiding the truth. I have nothing to hide anymore.

I will not worry about what my friends think of me. They are my friends for a reason, and they deserve honesty.

I will not worry about my lost belongings. They can all be replaced.

I will not worry about what my mother thinks about all this, or what she does because of it. She will not come between me and Ash.

I will not worry about my separation from Ash. It will not last forever, but we will.

Serena stopped to think for a moment. She held the tip of the pen to her mouth. There was more she was holding back, and she knew it. There was so much more.

I will not worry that Ash will never be able to be fully honest about his feelings.

I will not worry about whether or not Ash really wants me forever.

I will not worry that I love Ash more than he loves me.

I will not worry that Ash loves battles and adventure more than he could ever love anything else.

I will not worry that I am not good enough for him.

I will not worry that Aria was right about him.

Once more, she paused. She reached into Ash's bag again and pulled out the envelope that held Aria's list of worries. For a moment, she stared at it, then set it down in the sand.

I will not worry that Aria was wrong about me. I am selfless, I am compassionate, and I am everything good in this world. I am worthy of being loved.

I am enough.

Serena looked at the list in her lap. She folded it in half, hiding her worries from view. She had no use for them anymore.

She handed the pen to Ash.

"Your turn."

Ash took the pen. For a few minutes, he thought and scribbled, his tongue poking out from between his teeth.

When he was finished, he also folded his list, then stood. He offered his hand to Serena. Serena picked up the envelope that held Aria's list, then took Ash's hand. He helped pull her to her feet.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

Serena nodded.

Together, they stepped forward, worries in hand. With a final glance at them, they cast them all into the flames.

As Serena watched them smolder, it was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Ash put his arm around her. For a few minutes longer, they watched their worries turn to ashes and crumble away.

Serena leaned against Ash's shoulder. She sighed.

They had each other. That was good enough. It had to be.

Serena closed her eyes, and she kissed him. When she pulled away, she pressed her forehead against his, their noses touching.

"We'll figure it all out," she said. "We have all the time in the world."

She kissed him again, then led him away by the hand.

They joined the others by the water. It was their last night together in the city, but the night was young. In their memories, this night would last forever.

The story of their lives was just beginning.

THE END