Chapter 25

Team Cosmos Base

"It worked out just like we planned."

"Yeah, a little more than the whole Lumiose would have been a disaster."

Two agents were talking about the incident of rampaging wild pokemons. Apparently, it was their plan in the first place to hyptonise the mons into thinking the city and its people were their enemies. Until of course, Ash stopped them.

"Don't be so happy about it," a cold voice said from behind them as they turned. As soon as Medea entered the room, they gave a salute.

"Yes Ma'am."

She ignored them and proceeded to rewatch the video of the Champion foiling their plan.

She was watching it intently, studying his every move when a voice interrupted.

"Told you, didn't I," a male adult voice spoke as Medea looked at Damon who just entered the main control room.

She snorted and looked away without saying anything. The agents saluted him. He nodded and looked at the screen.

"Didn't take him much effort to stop an army of wild rampaging pokemons," said Damon thoughtfully. "This guy's no joke."

Medea looked irritated and looked at him.

"You've been chanting that nonsense for the last few days. Do you have any plan to deal with him or not?" she said bashfully as Damon smirked.

"Course I do dear," he said making Medea mad. "All we need is a small distraction that will give us enough time to finish our job."

"And what is that?" she said in a singing tone.

"You will see when the time comes. Right now, be prepared. Our units are training non-stop with their pokemons," he said while walking away.

"We will bring them down to their knees."

***

Ash woke up late...again.

He quickly went to the bathroom to brush and take a shower. He reminisced what happened last night.

After parting from May and checking on Anabel, he had stop some wild pokemon from destroying Route 16. Because of that, his popularity increased even more. The students were pestering him with questions. But he could thank the girls for shooing them away. Speaking of them, they seemed to have been too much attached to him last night. It was weird, but it felt great too. Ash blushed a bit thinking about them.

After doing his morning chores and grabbing some breakfast from the kitchen, he woke up Pikachu and checked his phone for any call or messages. Surely enough, there was one, and it was from Professor Oak.

Ash frowned a bit and opened it.

"Meet me in my office. It's important."

Ash looked at the time the message was sent, and saw it was one hour ago. He face palmed.

'Just great.'

He quickly grabbed his belongings and stormed off to Oak's office.

He never went to his office before so, he didn't know where it was. He asked for some directions. It was tough for the directionally challenged boy, but he made it there anyway. Ash knocked on the door.

"Come in."

After getting Oak's permission, Ash entered. It was more of a Laboratory than an office. There were lab facilities and lots of space for some bookshelves too. Luxurious indeed.

Ash looked around and spotted the Professor doing some paperworks on his study desk. Ash approached him.

"Um hey," Ash said nervously to get his attention.

The Kanto Professor looked at the person and immediately stood up with widened eyes.

"Ash?" He said not believing his eyes. He glanced at the time on his wrist watch and looked back at Ash incredulously.

Ash was embarrassed.

"I am extremely sorry for being late Professor. Actually I---"

"Overslept?" Oak guessed Ash's reason for being late.

"Ye-yeah," the raven haired said sheepishly.

Oak looked at him with a poker face and then, burst out laughing.

"Oh my boy, it's alright. A person like you definitely needs some sleep for staying energetic," Oak said in his usual fatherly tone. Ash smiled.

"Besides," he said as Ash looked at him.

"You will need all the energy you need for the thing I called you here for," he said as Ash remembered his message.

"Oh yeah. What is it you needed me for Professor?" Ash asked.

"It's not me Ash," he said in a cryptic tone.

"Huh?" Ash rose an eyebrow.

"The thing is---" Oak started to say, while strolling around trying to create a suspense.

'Say it already Old Man,' said Pikachu.

"Someone has challenged you for all the championship titles you have," Oak said finally, sending Ash and Pikachu totally off guard. Even his rivals were afraid to challenge him witnessing how strong he was, but someone did it and for his three titles as well?? Who the hell is he/she?

"For Mew's sake, are you serious?" Ash asked incredulously.

"I am, Ash," Oak replied in a confirming tone.

"Pika pika chupi pikapi," the rodent said as Ash nodded. Oak was confused.

"What did he say?"

"Uhh, he said that if this person challenged me, he must be crazy strong or just crazy," Ash said as Oak laughed.

"Pikachu sure has a good sense of humour," Oak said and petted its head.

"But I assure you, this person is a strong trainer."

"Who is he anyway?" Ash asked him.

"Come here," Oak said and whispered the challenger's name in Ash's ear.

Ash's shocked expression soon changed to a smiling one, as he remembered that certain trainer. His old blood started pumping.

"When is it?" Ash asked.

"Tonight in the main stadium at 8 p.m sharp," Oak replied.

Ash nodded and smiled.

"I believe it's time for a rematch then," he said and walked out of the office.

***

Ash was walking around the academy lost in his thoughts. He was deciding which pokemon to use in this battle. He was passing by Studio 19 when a certain honey blonde girl came out. She noticed Ash and immediately her face lit up.

"Ashh!" She called but Ash didn't respond, still lost in his thoughts. Serena huffed and ran towards him and before Ash knew it, he was tackled by a hug.

"W-what the... Serena?" asked Ash regaining his position.

Serena giggled. "I called you a bunch of times, but you didn't listen," she said as Ash understood.

"Ah, sorry about that," Ash apologised.

"Don't be," Serena said. "What were you thinking about anyway?" she asked and started to walk with Ash.

"O-oh um, it's a battle I have against a challenger tonight for the championship titles," Ash said as Serena looked surprised.

"Wow. He must be a strong trainer to do that," she said. "Is he an Elite or Champion himself?" she asked.

"Not yet, but If I am not careful enough, he will be one for sure," Ash said shocking Serena.

"What? B-but, you can win this right? Who is this trainer anyway?" she asked.

Ash leaned in and whispered the name in her ear just like Oak.

"I can see why you are tensed," Serena said in a considering tone. "But I know you Ash. You are going to win this for sure," she said with a beautiful smile. Ash looked at her.

'Wow.'

He shook his head and smiled back, "Thanks Serena."

Serena nodded. "So how are you planning to prepare yourself?"

Ash thought. "I don't know, train maybe?" he said the most obvious answer as the performer shook her head.

"Ash, I think you should do anything but train," she said surprising Ash.

"What do you suggest then?" he asked.

"You have trained this three years on your journey, didn't you?" she asked and Ash nodded.

"Until the battle, I think you should relax and clear your mind."

Ash thought about. She was right. To have a clear mind is the first step towards victory.

He knew how to prepare himself, by relaxing. Ash smiled.

"Thanks Serena. I know what you mean," Ash said.

"Glad to help," she smiled. Serena then had an idea.

"Say, why don't you spend the rest of the day with me?" she said blushing.

Ash thought about. He was going to time pass anyway, why not with a company?

"Sure," he said with a smile making Serena happy and blush more.

"Let's go then," she said and the two went outside the academy.

***

Ash and Serena spent the whole day together. They strolled through some beautiful places in the forest, went to a theatre to watch movie, had lunch together and hangout in an amusement park. Both of them certainly had one of the best days of their lives. Before they knew it, the sun had already set.

It was only 30 minutes until the battle starts so, they decided to call it a day. They were walking towards the academy.

Ash and Serena spent the whole day together. They strolled through some beautiful places in the forest, went to a theatre to watch movie, had lunch together and hangout in an amusement park. Both of them certainly had one of the best days of their lives. Before they knew it, the sun had already set.

It was only 30 minutes until the battle starts so, they decided to call it a day. They were walking towards the academy.

"So you feel good?" asked Serena.

"Good? I feel great," Ash exclaimed as Serena giggled at her crush.

"I am glad," she said.

They got close to the academy. It was always lively, but anyone could tell something really was up. The students were all murmuring excitedly about something and it was more crowded than usual. Some visitors from outside came as well.

The duo stood in front of the entrance.

"Thank you Serena," Ash said as she looked at him with a question mark.

"For spending the day with me. I really feel like I can win this no matter what," he said in an enthusiastic tone. Serena smiled, happy that she could help.

"Mention not Ash," Serena said. "Now, I better go and find the others," she said starting walk away. She stopped suddenly having a thought.

"Ash?"

"Yeah?"

She got closer to him. She felt like something was pulling her towards him. Pikachu was a little far away from them playing with her Sylveon.

Before Ash could say something, Serena stood on her toes, due to Ash being taller than her, and affectionately kissed on his cheek.

Ash was stunned. She looked at him and giggled. "Just a simple good luck from me," she whispered and stared at his auburn eyes.

Ash suddenly had a flashback of years ago, when Serena kissed him before going on her Hoenn journey at the airport. He never really thought about it, but now that he did, he started to feel new emotions towards the blonde. He stared back at her occasionally glancing at her beautiful lips.

The moment was perfect. Both teens were staring at each other, not caring a thing about the world. The lights from the entrance added a romantic glow to the moment. Serena knew it was a big risk. But she was willing to take the chance as she leaned towards her crush.

Ash didn't dare to move a muscle. He saw as the Kalos Queen closed her eyes and leaned forward, instinctively pushing her soft lips against his. She put her hands on his neck and deepened it a bit, kissing the boy she loved.

It felt the same for Ash when she did it at the airport, but this time even better. Ash didn't care for anything else. Not about the battle or the reason why she was doing it. He gave into his instincts, as the male teen grabbed her around the waist and pulled her closer, returning the kiss.

Serena was surprised, but deepened the kiss even more, putting her arms around his neck. The couple kissed each other with love and passion, their lips moving on their own. Ash relished the moment, enjoying the women's soft touch as he moved his hands around and lower than her waist, teasing her. Serena teased him back, pushing her soft, delicate tongue into Ash's mouth. She tasted amazing. Ash's hormones got excited as he played with her tongue using his own. Serena moaned as Ash was treating her tongue roughly. Eventually, both pulled apart from each other, gasping for air.

Pikachu and Sylveon were watching the whole scene with their jaw dropped.

'About damn time,' they thought.

"Sy-sylv-eon, lets go," Serena stuttered as she hastily walked away from Ash without a word. Her face was so red, she felt like she was going to nosebleed any moment. With the fairy type following her, she proceeded towards the crowded main stadium.

Ash was.....ummm...shocked? Happy? Stunned? Worried? Anything will do for now.

The boy moved his lips around, trying to register what happened.

"Pika Pika!" the rodent yelled getting his attention, telling him that he will be late for his battle.

"What battle?" Ash asked.

Pikachu sweatdropped. He rubbed his cute red cheeks, sparking electricity, trying to snap Ash out of his thoughts.

That worked like a medicine.

"Oh yeah the battle! Crap! Let's go Pikachu," he said and ran towards the main stadium.

'And that's just the first kiss,' Pikachu thought with another sweatdrop and used Quick Attack to catch upto its trainer.