Pokemon: Alpha and Omega

Chapter 68

Author's Notes:
Merry belated Christmas everyone, and welcome to chapter 68 of Alpha and Omega. I hope Santa was good to you all and you all got what you were hoping for. Santa gave me Pokémon Shield, so I'm happy, I just need to to play it. Not much for me to say, except for you to please vote if you haven't already for the Torrent League theme song.

Well now that that's out of the way, if you like my work please vote, feel free to comment, and please share this story with your friends. I now present to you chapter 68, enjoy.

"Hey ladies, I'm back," Ash announced as he entered camp. At first sight he saw Misty at the river splashing water on her face with her Pokémon surrounding her, and Serena was at the fire, probably started by Delphox, and was hanging a pot over it. "Here you go. Plenty of fresh berries," Ash said as he handed the container to Serena when he arrived at the table.

"Thanks," Serena replied as she took the container and kissed his cheek. "Your timing is great. I just put the food on the fire, so now it's time to work on the pokepuffs."

"Sounds great," Ash replied after licking his lips as he thought about eating Serena's delicious pokepuffs. "So is everything alright here?"

"Of course, why wouldn't it be?" Serena replied, not realizing Ash already knew what happened shortly after he left.

"Just wondering. The aura of Misty's Pokémon seems pretty protective and sympathetic. Wasn't sure if Misty got hurt or something," Ash replied as he tried to see if anything happened after he actually left.

"No, we just talked and Misty vented some frustrations she's been having," Serena replied vaguely, not wanting Ash to feel bad about the full truth.

"What kind of frustrations?" Ash asked.

"Gym leader ones," Misty replied as she walked up. "Starting almost a year ago I haven't been able to win any gym battles. Before that I was being considered one of the top gym leaders in Kanto, but now I can't win a battle if my life depended on it. That's why I'm traveling now. I'm trying to get myself out of this rut, but I haven't had any luck," Misty said as she hung her head in shame and sounded depressed.

"Don't worry Misty. You'll get out of that rut. And I'm going to help you do it!" Ash announced confidently.

"You will? How?" Misty asked. It wasn't that she didn't want to get better, it's just that she couldn't understand how Ash, the source of her problem, could help her without leaving Serena.