"Attention! We're gonna land on Opelucid Airport in the Unova Region in 10 minutes. Thank you for flying with us." Said a feminine voice through the speaker which could be heard throughtout the plane.
Both Ash and Serena were mostly asleep during the flight and started to stirr up during the announcement. Iris had her headphones up, listening to music while Cilan was browsing through one of his cooking books.
Pikachu and Lucario were still sleeping. Ash was first to open his eyes. He felt his head on top of Serena's. Knowing this brought a smile on his face. He looked over to his two partners and saw that they were still sound asleep aswell. He knew it was time for them to wake up aswell as they would have to get of the plane soon.
He gently tapped Serena on her shoulder while giving her a small peck on her cheek. This did the trick as Serena started to move and stretched her arms, almost hitting Ash in his face. "Oh sorry Ash!" Serena said, embarrassed that she stretched and completely forgot her surroundings. Ash chuckled as he put his hand in hers in a reassuring manner. "Don't worry, did you sleep well beautiful? He asked while cupping her chin with his other hand. "Yeah, thanks to your shoulder." She chuckled before placing her lips on his for a quick kiss.
Ash smiled. "Shall we wake up those two? We need to get off the plane soon." Ash suggested, pointing towards Lucario and Pikachu. Serena looked at the two pokemon and giggled slightly. "Yeah I think we should. And I know how already." Serena replied with a mischievious grin. Ash looked at her quizzingly before he understood what she meant. Both of them leaned over the two sleeping pokemon with a smirk on their faces.
"This is for the Thunderbolt wake up calls Pikachu!" Ash shouted as both he and Serena launched a tickle attack at the two unsuspecting pokemon. Both Pikachu's and Lucario's eyes popped open as Ash and Serena went full on in tickling them. Pikachu and Lucario cried out in laughter as they both shook violently. Ash and Serena laughed aswell. Multiple faces, including Iris and Cilan's turned in their direction as they were completely unaware that they still were on a plane. Some old people looked a bit disturbed but as soon as Ash and Serena noticed it, they stopped their tickle attack and apologized to the old couple.
After a couple minutes, the plane touched down on the ground and stopped. "Hello everyone, this is your pilot speaking. Thanks for flying with us. We arrived at Opelucid City and I hope you enjoyed your flight." The voice of the pilot said through the speakers.
"Alright! You ready?" Ash asked as he unclipped his seatbelt and stood up, facing Serena. "More then ready!" She said determinedly as she clenched her fist. "What about you guys?" Ash asked, placing his hands on the backrest of Iris and Cilan's chairs. "All set Ash." Cilan replied as he stood up from his seat. "Me too!" Iris responded, enthusiasticly.
The group got off the plain and were standing in the main lobby of the airport. Deciding what the next step would be. "I think we should go to the gym first! I want to have my battle planned right away." Ash said, forming a fist infront of his chest.
Iris shrugged. "What a kid..." Cilan looked at the map on his rotom phone. "I'd say we go to the pokemon center first to book rooms before none are left. It's 6 pm right now so there is plenty of time to go to the gym after that. Besides we could even stroll around town aswell." Cilan suggested as he had made up his mind. Serena considered the options for a moment. "I think your idea sounds best Cilan." She agreed. "Me to!" Iris added.
"But I want to have that battle..." Ash pouted. Serena giggled, grabbing his hand and squeezing it a bit. "Rooms are more important now Ash. Also you could train a bit tomorrow morning to make sure everyone is in tip top shape." Serena explained.
Ash sighed. "Fine... Let's go to the pokemon center then..."
"Then it's settled!" Iris said as she started walking ahead. "Uh Iris--- The pokemon center is that way." Cilan said, pointing to the other direction. "I knew that!" Iris said, slightly embarrassed. Ash chuckled. "You trained here with Drayden and you can't even find the pokemon center. What a-" he was about to say until Iris interupted him. "Do not finish that." She said, narrowing her eyes. Ash flinched for a moment before brushing it off and started laughing.
When they walked through the automatic glass doors of the pokemon center, a tall man with white hair and a white beard stood infront of the desk, talking to nurse Joy. He had a simple navy blue shirt on with brack coloured braces stripped from his black pants over his shoulders.
Iris immediately recognised the man. "Master Drayden!" Iris called, getting the man's attention. He turned around and both Ash and Cilan started to recognise the man aswell as the four of them walked towards him. "Hello Iris, Cilan, Ash and---" Drayden said.
"---Serena." Serena replied introducing herself. "Yes, Serena. Tell me, what brings you guys here?" Drayden asked curiously.
"You've got a challenger Master Drayden!" Iris said excitedly. He looked at her confused before Ash stepped in. "I'm here to win my second badge for the World League tournament." Ash stated.
Drayden grunted. "You've got a lot of confidence. I haven't been beaten in years but since you came a long way, why don't you come to the gym tomorrow? Then we'll have our battle." Drayden suggested in his usual cold manner.
"Right!" Ash said as he formed a fist infront of his chest while he turned his head to his group of friends. "I've got to go now. Oh and Iris--- I want to know if you made any progression on your training tomorrow." Drayden said as he started to walk away. Iris flinched. "S-S-Sure, A-Alright." She said nervously. With that, Drayden walked through the glass doors of the pokemon center and it wasn't long before he was out of sight. Iris sighed.
"What can I do for you all?" Nurse joy asked from behind the counter while smiling. Ash turned to nurse Joy. "We'd like to get a room please. And while you're at it, could you take a look at our Pokemon?" Ash asked politely.
"Ofcourse. There's only a small problem though." Nurse Joy said with a slight frown on her face. "What's that nurse Joy?" Cilan asked. "There are two available rooms but 1 of them has only 1 kingsized bed while the other has two." She explained. Serena and Ash looked at eachother, smiling. "That won't be a problem, we'll share!" Serena said as she grabbed Ash's arm with a smile on her face.
Iris and Cilan looked at the duo dumbfounded, they didn't know Ash and Serena used to sleep together already. They shrugged it off as nurse Joy smiled at Ash and Serena. "If you say so, here are your keys." She said with a smile. Serena took the keys nurse Joy gave them. "Thanks!" She replied before looking to Ash, Cilan and Iris. "Now shall we put our stuff in our rooms?" She asked. The 3 of them nodded and they used the stairs to get on the right level where there room was located. "A-016. Here it is!" Serena said, pointing to the number on the door. "And here's ours Cilan!" Iris exclaimed as she pointed at room A-017.
Ash and Serena entered their room, followed by Pikachu and Lucario. As Serena stood in the middle of the room, she did a 360 to look around. "It's beautiful!" She exclaimed. There was a white sofa with a small, black coffee table. On the other side, there was a kitchen with a big kitchen island which was completely empty except for a coffeemaker and a kettle. On the wall was a rack where the utensils hung. Right next to the sofa was a glass door which lead to the balcony.
Serena entered another room. "Ash! Take a look at the bed!" She shouted in pure excitement. Ash quickly ran over to her, enjoying the massive smile Serena had on her face. "Woah-- Awesome!" Ash said as he saw the large kingsized bed. Later on, they checked out the bathroom aswell which was also very modern. Both of them released their pokemon except for Snorlax, Garchomp and Dragonite for obvious reasons.
"Ash, I'm taking a shower to freshen up a bit okay?" Serena said as they dropped their bagpacks on the bed. "Sure!" Ash replied before he kissed her cheek. "Put on something nice. when you're done, we'll go on a date, just you and me." Ash said to Serena as their faces were inches apart.
Serena's face lit up. "Really? I can't wait!" She exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around Ash and hugged him as tightly as she could. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She yelled over and over again while Ash chuckled. Then her face turned into a frown. "But what about Iris, Cilan and the pokemon?" Serena asked. "I talked with them on the plane. Iris has an appointment with Drayden about her training while Cilan wanted to call his brothers. They had to descuss some expansion at their family restaurant. And I'm sure Pikachu and Lucario can take care of themselves here." Ash explained in a soft tone while he used his indexfinger to push some hair infront of her eyes and tucked it behind her ear.
Serena smiled as she opened up her bag and after grabbing the necessary stuff, she quickly got into the bathroom, hopping her way out of joy. Ash smiled at her as she closed the door. He was enjoying her smile and couldn't get enough of it.
A couple minutes later, she came back out. Dressed up in the outfit she used to wear.
"How does this look Ash?" She asked. Ash turned around and a smile crept on his face.
"The outfit you used to wear during our travels, amazing!" He said with a smile. Ash himself wore his usual outfit except for a dark blue jacket. Serena grabbed her pink jacket and put it on. "You ready to go Ash?" She said excitedly.
"Have fun Pikachu and Lucario!" Ash said before he wrapped his right arm arond Serena's waist and pulled her closer. "Now I am." He said with a happy grin.
Both Ash and Serena left through the doors of the pokemon center. Serena pulled up her rotom phone and looked at the map. "Now where shal we go fi---"
*grbrhrgg*
Ash's face turned red from ebarrassement as he put his arm that wasn't around Serena on his stomach. "Sorry--" He chuckled. "It's fine Ash, we've hadn't got the chance to eat yet." Serena giggled. Ash scratched the back of his head. "Yeah-- I know a place where we could eat though! We could eat here at the pokemon center but that's no fun, especially as we're on a date." Ash suggested, starting to walk while pulling Serena close to him as she laid her head on his shoulder. "Uhh--- okay." She replied, slightly confused.
A few minutes later.
"This is it!" Ash said proudly as they arrive infront of a small café. Both stepped inside, Serena looked curiously around. The bar was at her right side while small sets of tables and chairs where on the left. There were a few people around. "It sure looks cozy here." Serena stated.
"Let's go sit over there." Ash suggested, pointing to a table for two, next to a window, overlooking the streets of Opelucid City. Serena nodded as they walked over. Ash gently pulled the seat so that Serena could sit down. She giggled at the gesture as she sat down before Ash pushed the chair forward a bit so that she sat just right. Right after he sat down across from her.
It wasn't long until the waiter came around. Ash ordered a pasta dish while Serena ordered a salad dish. Both also had a lemonade as drink. They had some small talk before the waiter came back with their food and drinks and put the plates infrontnof them before walking away again.
Serena carefully grabbed her fork and started eating. Ash was staring at her which it wasn't long until she noticed. "Something wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?" Serena asked in a confused tone. Ash shrugged. "I don't know, it's just seeing you happy makes me feel like I'm falling in love with you all over again I guess." Ash stated. "Aw--- Ash..." Serena said in a sweet tone as she put her hand on Ash's and squeezed it.
Moments later, they finished up their food and desert. After Ash paid the bill, they decided to walk around town and check things out. As they walked past a few stores, Serena had a constant smile on her face, enjoying every moment. They both held eachother's hand and some moments Serena pointed to a few dresses and jewelry with a wide open smile.
Suddenly Serena spotted some pokemon flying she didn't know. "Ash, what pokemon are those?" She said curiously, admiring the flying pokemon. Ash smiled. "There are Pidove and Tranquill and over there are some Woobat. Ash said pointing into the sky with a smile while Serena looked on in amazement.
They decided to end it with going to a small park which was more on the outskirts of the city. There was a decent sized hill where they laid down to watch the stars. In the middle of the park was a small pond where Basculin and Swanna were swimmingAfter a few moments, Ash turned his head to Serena and spoke up. "This is nice. Just you and me and nothing to worry about."
"I know, thanks Ash. I've had a wonderful time so far." Serena said as she let out a peaceful sigh before she pecked Ash on his lips. Both of them had a loving and meaningful smile on their faces as they stared at eachother before returning their gaze back to the stars. Both of them laid closely next to eachother while Ash had his arm arond Serena.
Suddenly a deer like pokemon appeared from the bushes, running past them. "What's that pokemon Ash!" Serena asked in a excited manner as she sat up straight.
"That's a deerling. It's a spring form according to the pink colour on it's body." Ash explained.
Deerling, the Season Pokemon. Deerling is a Grass and Normal type. When it senses confrontation, it hides. Also when changing seasons, it's appearance changes.
Serena looked curiously at the small pokemon. "It's so cute! It would be perfect for a showcase!" She said excitedly.
"Why don't you try to catch it?" Ash suggested. "I don't know, I left my pokemon and pokeballs at the pokemon center." Serena said in a sad manner.
"Here, I've got some pokeballs, just try it. You never know if you'd catch it." Ash said as he took a pokeball from his pocket and handed it over. "Thanks Ash!" Serena said as she grabbed the pokeballs and stood up with a confident smile on her face. "You're mine Deerling!" Serena exclaimed as she threw the pokeball.
"Deer---?" Deerling exclaimed as it looked surprised in the direction the sound came from. Within a moment, the pokeball hit and Deerling got absorbed into it. It shook for a few moments. Both Ash and Serena looked on in anticipation.
*DING*
Serena's face turned from a frown into a happy smile as she ran over to the pokeball which was lying in the ground. She picked it up and turned to Ash who was smiling at her. "I caught a Deerling!" She yelled happily as she held her arms forward with the pokeball in it.
(Ignore Braixen)
"Good for you Serena!" Ash said as she quickly ran up to him. Hugging him before releasing Deerling from it's pokeball.
"Deerling--!" Deerling exclaimed as she stood infront of Ash and Serena. "Hello Deerling! I'm Serena and this is my boyfriend Ash." Serena introducex herself and Ash. "I'd like you to come along with us and maybe one day we could perform together in a showcase." She added.
"Deer-- Deerling!" Deerling exclaimed happily as she started jumping. After the small interaction with Deerling, Serena recalled it. "Shall we go back?" Serena asked. Ash took a look at his Rotom phone. "It's only 10.30 pm, we've got still some time left?" Ash asked in a confused manner. "I know but maybe we could watch a movie together. It's starting to get cold too." Serena said as she hugged Ash tightly for some of his body warmth. Aah wrapped his arms around her shoulders in order to pull her even closer. "If you say so, we'll go back." He agreed. With that, they left the park and went back.
Back in their room, they got greeted by their pokemon watching a movie about a Pikachu who was a detective while hanging up their jackets on the rack, hanging next to the door. Both Ash and Serena chuckled, seeing how Pikachu was holding the ketchup bottle. "We're back!" Serena announced but there was small to little responds. Most of them were so caught up in the movie, they didn't notice them walking in.
Suddenly Serena got an idea and grabbed the remote before pausing the movie. "Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled angrily as he looked to his side, seeing Ash and Serena. "Good, now I finally got your attention, I've got someone for you to meet!" Serena said with a smile on her face while Ash walked up from behind and hugged her back. The pokemon looked curiously as Serena pressed the button on the pokeball and released Deerling.
"Deer-- Deerling!" Deerling exclaimed in it's squeaky voice. "Guys! I want you to meet Deerling, I think together we can become great friends!" Serena introduced her new caught pokemon. All of them greeted Deerling and invited her to watch the movie with them which she happily agreed on.
Serena looked at Ash and gaped. "I'm tired Ash, shall we go to bed?" She asked. Ash however didn't feel tired yet. "Hmm, I would like to watch the movie with them, it looks really interesting." Ash replied as ge was staring at the tv monitor.
"Not gonna happen, come." Serena said as she took Ash's arm and dragged him to the bedroom. Pikachu snickered, seeing that Serena was the one giving the orders in their relationship but immediately sweatdropped as he saw Sylveon glaring at him. Pikachu sighed in defeat before looking back at the movie. He knew he wasn't much different compared to his trainer in terms of women.
Serena pushed Ash in the bedroom and closed the door behind her and locking it. "Why do you lock the door? Ash asked in a confused manner as Serena pushed him on the bed. Serena grinned mischieviously. "It's time to take things further, I want to finish our date." Serena said as she climbed on top of Ash and started kissing him passionately. "Serena, what are you do-" He wanted to say. "Shush!" Serena said as she put her indexfinger on his lips and started kissing his neck. Serena pressed her body on Ash's, making her brest brush his chest while lowering her hand slowly, touching the underside of Ash's stomach. Ash didn't know what to feel. He felt excited but weird. He blushed hard as he watched Serena taking off her clothes. He still was a bit dense in these things but he decided to go with the flow as he knew that Serena was calling the shots.
Back infront of the tv, Pikachu was watching the movie until he heard some strange noises coming from the bedroom. He looked at Sylveon and immediately sweatdropped as she winked at him and smiled mischieviously.
Both Delphox and Infernape glanced towards eachother. They grinned at the sight of Pikachu and Sylveon.
The following morning, Ash woke up first. "That sure was a weird dream." He murmured under his breath as rubbed his eyes. He looked down at Serena who was sleeping with her head on his chest and her arms wrapped around his body. He noticed she was naked before looking at his own body. "Wait... This wasn't a dream!" He said as his head became tomato red out of embarrassement.
Serena started to stirr up and looked up, right onto Ash's embarrassed face. "How did you sleep Ash?" She giggled. Ash started sweating. "Uhh-- Good I guess?" He replied, struggling to form correct lines. Serena hugged him more tightly. "Tonight has been amazing, I never slept better." She sighed before looking up and kissing Ash on his lips. Ash came back to his senses and smiled. "If you're happy, I'm happy too." He stated as he stroke her hair using his hand.
They stayed like that for a moment until Ash said. "Could you let go of me? I still need to do some training before my gym battle."
Serena had her eyes closed and kept hugging him while burrying her head deeper into his chest. "Nope, you don't need to train your pokemon could get injured before the battle. Besides, I want you right here." Serena wispered. Ash smiled before kissing her softly on her head. "If that is what you wish." He wispered back while pulling her closer to him.
They stayed like that for 30 minutes longer before they got out of bed and prepared themselves for the day. Ash was done first and entered the living room where both Pikachu and Sylveon were sleeping on the sofa. Lucario and Infernape were asleep on two other chairs while Delphox and Pancham were sleeping couch, on the other side of Pikachu and Sylveon. Altaria was sleeping on the big, soft carpet while Deerling was sleeping in Altaria's soft cloudlike feathers.
Ash smiled at the sleeping pokemon and decided to keep it like that a little while longer until Serena came back from the bathroom. A couple minutes later, Serena walked out of the bathroom. "Serena, look at them." Ash wispered so the pokemon wouldn't wake up. They both looked on in awe for a couple moments before deciding to wake them up. After that was done, they headed downstairs to get some breakfast with their pokemon and regrouped again with Iris and Cilan. They had some small talk during breakfast, mainly about iris her training, Cilan's brothers and Ash and Serena's date.
After breakfast, they left for the gym. As they arrived, there were 2 large, stone dragonlike statues, guarding the pyramid behind it. Iris and Cilan were walking next to Ash with Pikachu on his shoulder, Lucario by his side and Serena clinged on his arm like usual.
"This is it! The Opelucid Gym! Also known as the Untamable Dragon!" Iris exclaimed proudly, putting her hand in her chest. Ash looked at Iris in a puzzling manner. "Why untamable?" He asked.
"It's because this is the thoughest gym in Unova and only a few managed to beat Drayden. Only one is known to have beaten him, that's Lance, the Kanto and Jotho champion." Iris explained. Ash grinned. "We'll he better prepare himself because today he'll get beaten again!" He said forming a fist infront of his chest before looking at Pikachu. "What do you say buddy?"
"Pika-- Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed, mimicking his trainers actions. "And I'll be there to support you all the way!" Serena said determinedly, also forming a fist and punping it down. "Make that a 'we'!" Cilan exclaimed with a bright smile on his face. "Yeah! But that doesn't mean you're gonna win though." Iris added.
Ash, Cilan and Serena looked at her quizzingly. "What do you mean?" Serena asked. "I've seen both you and Drayden battle. You're still a kid and compared what you showed against Calem, it's nothing compared to what Drayden can." Iris said. Ash chuckled, making Iris confused. "What's so funny?" She asked in an annoyed manner.
"You call that my power?" He asked as he and Pikachu started laughing while Lucario grinned. "That battle against Calem was just a warm up." Ash said, earnimg a grunt from Iris and a slight giggle from Serena. "Come on, Let's get inside." Ash said as he took Serena's arm before starting to head inside the gym.
As they entered the battlefield, Drayden stood there peacefully with his eyes closed. Suddenly he opened them and looked Ash straight into his eyes. "I see you have arrived." He said in a stern yet calm manner. Ash grinned. "Yes! And be prepared to lose because I'm gonna get that 2nd badge, no matter what!" Ash said determinedly, forming a fist.
Drayden glared. "We'll see. If you're battling is the same as your talking, you won't stand a chance!" Drayden said in a firm tone before widening his stance and inclipped a pokeball. "Druddigon! Battle cry!" Drayden yelled as he unleashed the first pokemon of his arsenal.
"Druddigon---!" Druddigon roared loudly, making the ground tremble in the process. Serena quickly took her rotom phone out and scanned Druddigon.
Druddigon, The cave pokemon. A dragon type. Druddigon is known to be vicious and cunning. It warms its body by taking in sunlight with its wings. If its body temperature lowers, it becomes immobile. It has savage physical strength and nimbly chases prey around its den, using its outstretched claws to catch them, or charging into them face-first. It infiltrates the tunnels of other Pokémon, such as Diglett and Dugtrio, and waits for its prey to pass by. Druddigon lives in caves or steals nests from other Pokémon.
Serena shivered. "That's a scary pokemon." She stated, clinging on to Ash's arm. Ash became overloaded with excitement as he looked at his opponent.
"Alright! I choose you!"
Narrator: After a succesful date and an even more eventful Ash is on the verge of his second World League battle against Drayden, also known as the Untamable Dragon. Will he become victorious or will he suffer defeat? Find out as the journey continues!
_______________________________________
Chapter 73. I know, I'm a monster. Going into the weekend with such a cliffhanger. Don't worry though as it will become better from now on! Hope you'll enjoy this chapter and until next time!
Wordcount: 4458
Ps: I made a new cover for the book. I don't know if I'd switch it though, let me know what you think.