Green's POV

"He pulled it off," I clap with the crowd. I don't think Serena heard me because she's too busy flirting with Ash.

The aforementioned trainer leaves the battlefield and Serena quickly turns to me and grabs my arm. "Come on!"

Somehow she guides us through the crowd and finds Ash on the lower level of the city.

"You can pet him," Ash says kindly to a young girl who cautiously pets Pikachu on the head.

Pikachu cooes and the girl giggles.

I notice Serena aweing at the boy. It's been an hour and I can already tell they're more than friends.

I nudge her forward into the circle of people surrounding Ash. He gives a few more replies and people eventually disperse.

Pikachu hops into Serena arms and she hands him some sort of pink dessert.

"I don't know if Pikachu deserves that," I joke. "He didn't even battle."

"You're right," Ash laughs and receives a quick thunderbolt.

The electrocuted boy falls to the ground and I go to help him but Serena just laughs and holds my shoulder. "He's fine. Ash bounces back quick."

"Ugh," The raven haired trainer stands back up. "I didn't even make the joke."

Pikachu's cheeks spark again.

"I'm Green," I interrupt and scratch Pikachu's ear. "Sorry about that Pikachu."

The Pokemon smiles and goes back to eating his pokepuff.

"Nice to meet you," Ash holds out his hand. "Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."

"I'm aware," I shake my head and Serena sighs.

"Oh right."

"We should get some food," Serena suggests. "We weren't here for 10 minutes before Ash challenged Wayne to a battle."

"I know a great spot," I lead them to the buffet. "We used to come here a lot when I was little."

"Wait so you don't live here?" Serena asks.

"No I'm from a small village further into the Normal District," I answer as we fill our plates. "I'm actually on a research assignment. That's why I'm allowed to travel."

"Makes sense," The honey blonde says. "President Triton ran us through the situation with people not really being able to travel between cities."

"Cities is still kind of allowed," I find us a table. "Going between districts is the no-no. But that kind of just led to people never leaving their home city either."

"Sounds boring," Ash says with a mouthful of food.

Serena gives him a small glare and he apologizes. After a big gulp he continues, "I've never been good at staying in one place that long."

"I would assume since you travelled all the way to Elemente?"

"Yea for sure," Serena says. She continues to give a quick rundown on what they're doing here. It sounds ambitious to see all of Elemente but they seem like real go-getters. At least this means Gold and I aren't the only ones travelling to every district.

I wonder where Gold is. I take a quick look around but no sign of the navy haired boy.

"So do you know where you're going next?" I ask but they shake their head.

"No. President Triton just suggested we come here first," Ash says.

"What about you?" Serena asks.

"No clue," I take another look for Gold.

"Looking for someone?" She picks up.

"Just a friend who also just left on their journey," I say.

"So you have a travelling partner?" Ash asks. "Journeys are always more fun as a group."

The two lovebirds share a smile.

"Kind of..." I trail off. "We never really came up with a plan."

"Well it never hurts to ask," Serena winks and bumps her shoulder with Ash's. 

"Oh there he is," I point to his gold and black hat sticking out. 

He looks to be in his own world, marvelling at all the shops. After calling out his name multiple times he finally responds to, "Hey stupid!"

"Well that's rude," He pulls up a chair to the table. "Hi I'm Gold, not stupid as some crazy lady thinks."

The two other foreign trainers introduce themselves and I wait for Gold to acknowledge that the world's strongest trainer is sitting at the table. "They are from outside Elemente," I try to help.

"Oh wow," Gold leans closer. "Wait how'd you get in?"

Serena and I glance at each other.

"Excuse him," I sigh. "He has some slight amnesia and probably doesn't remember who you guys are."

Now he looks as confused as he should be. "Wait you're Serena!" He exclaims. "My Mom was obsessed with your performance last year."

Hopefully my face doesn't look as surprised as I really am. This is the first time he's mentioned a memory of a person from his past life. I can tell he knows this too.

"Serena was amazing," Ash agrees.

"Thanks," Serena blushes. "Are you okay Gold?"

"Yea just had a little uh surfing accident," He lies.

I facepalm. There's no way he knows how to surf. Maybe that explains the "accident".

"Anyway Ash just won the title of Monarch," I say. "Everyone in Elemente I'm sure watched the battle."

Gold nods like he watched the battle as well. "Oh yea of course. Pikachu was spectacular."

We all laugh at the proud Pokemon who bats his chest.

"Green says you're on the military track," Ash brings up. "Does that mean you're good at battling?"

"I wouldn't say that," Gold sighs. "Eevee and I had a rough start."

The brown fox Pokemon pokes her head out of his duffel bag. I figured Eevee would be his starter.

All of a sudden a pokeball explodes out of my pocket, releasing one of my catches. Starly flies out and lands in front of Gold.

It points its wing at the trainer and starts laughing in a collection of chirps. I eye them cautiously and start to smirk at Gold who is keeping his head down.

"Starly do you know Gold?" Serena asks while giggling.

"I can't believe you caught it," The boy mumbles. "As I said, rough start."

"You're the best Starly," I laugh and return the cackling Pokemon. 

"Well we can help train you!" Ash declares and stands up. "If we're all going to be travelling around Elemente, I'm sure we'll hang out a ton. Normally I would see if you wanted to all travel together but I did promise Serena Elemente would be our journey."

Now I smirk at the honey blonde who's keeping her head down in embarrassment.

I think I've picked up on the situation based on how nonchalant Ash was. Boy doesn't have a clue.

"I appreciate any and all help," Gold pets his Pokemon. "But I'm wiped so maybe tomorrow."

"Yea same," I agree. "Let's go get a Pokemon Center room."

"That could be an issue," Serena gets up with us.

She doesn't elaborate until we get to Nurse Joy's desk who delivers the news that there's only the one room Ash and Serena reserved. 

"There are two beds," Nurse Joy states. "Might be a little tight with four people but it's up to you guys."

"Then of course," Serena says quickly. "We can make it work."

"Thanks," I breathe a sigh of relief. "I've been looking forward to a bed."

"You guys have a good night," The nurse smiles and find our room.

We get in and I realize it was never quite said how we're splitting up the beds. But Serena pulls me aside at the door and answers my question.

"Do you mind sharing a bed with Gold?" She asks quietly.

I see her plan.

"Of course," I wink. "Gold we get the far bed."

His head turns quickly, almost as if asking "Are you sure?" with his eyes and I nod. 

I try to look between Ash and Serena to give him an idea and he picks it up. After a thumbs-up he declares dibs on the bathroom.

As everyone takes their turn getting ready for bed, we talk about all sorts of things. I forgot how long it's been since I've talked with people my own age. It helps that Ash and Serena are the friendliest people I've ever met. 

I thought it'd be weird sharing a room with technically three strangers but after talking for a few hours I realize that we're already friends. Granted I'm a little uneasy about sharing a bed with Gold.

I'm also dying to ask him about his last couple days. He gave a few details about the Pokemon he caught but I noticed a new red marble on his bracelet which I'm assuming means he met a legendary.

We collectively agree it's time for bed and I watch with a sly smile as our new friends get in bed. I can only imagine Serena's thoughts right now.

"Do we need a pillow wall?" He jokes in a whisper as he climbs in.

"I think we're okay princess," I roll my eyes.

"Princess?!" He gasps.

"You took a forty minute shower!" I protest.

"Sshh you two," Serena laughs and I dramatically flop on the bed. 

Litleo follows suit and the lion cub Pokemon curls up by my feet. The fire type's warmth is my newest favourite bed feature.

I turn towards Gold to see Eevee resting in between us. "Goodnight Eevee," I pet her head.

"Goodnight Litleo," Gold says muffled by the blankets. 

That was a little funny.

Serena's POV

"New Oldton is pretty great," Ash declares while munching on his breakfast.

"All it takes to impress you is a good buffet," I joke, earning laughs from Gold and Green.

"So Serena what are you going to do in Elemente since there's no coordinating?" Green asks me. She was wearing a sweater yesterday but now she's showing off her black and turquoise romper. 

"To be honest I liked the idea of coming here because there was no big competition," I say, noticing Ash listening intently. "I've spent the last two years trying and training a brand new thing. It didn't give a lot of breathing room to relax and really train my Pokemon."

"That makes sense," Gold nods. "It must've been hard doing performing and coordinating back to back."

"Yea I couldn't have done it without my friends," I smile, looking at my food. "I explored all of Hoenn and only caught one Pokemon. I didn't have a chance to slow down and really appreciate it."

"Slow down," Ash repeats and we all look at him. "Sorry it's just that Wayne said the same thing to me after our battle. I don't know what he means."

"Elemente is huge so I'm sure you guys will figure it out," Green says.

"What about you Green?" I ask. "Are you going to battle the leaders?"

"I don't think so," Her face contorts. "I don't mind battling but I just don't have a passion for it. My Dad probably won't understand though. It's not like I have something else I want to do."

"You'd be surprised," I grab her arm. "I thought the same about my Mom but she was my biggest fan when I started performing. You never know when you'll find what you want to do."

"That's the best part about a journey," Ash adds. "I've travelled with so many people who ended up finding what they really like to do. Some it took multiple journeys like my old friend Brock."

"I guess you're right," She gives a small smile. "I am interested by the research work so I guess I have that for now."

"I'll bring you into the world of researching," Gold proclaims and I raise an eyebrow.

Green glares at him and he freezes up.

"Umm let me take your plates," He cleans up and I glance at Ash who doesn't look as concerned as I am.

He comes back and pulls out a pokeball. "If you guys aren't in a rush to leave, I would really love some battle training."

"Let's do it!" Ash exclaims.

Gold's POV

"Wow," I sign and slump against the glass window of the battlefield.

The Normal District Leader, Wayne, let us borrow the field to train since it doesn't get much use. 

I see why Ash is so good at what he does. 100% into everything is clearly his thing and I'm just not built for this. My heart feels like it's going to beat out of my chest.

"Here," The brunette walks over to me with a towel. "Wipe the sweat off your forehead princess."

I frown but don't have the energy to argue. 

Her smirk leads to her shining brown eyes, enjoying seeing me wiped out. "It's a good thing your Pokemon have more energy than you."

We watch them continue to practice moves with Ash's Pokemon. Unfortunately they aren't strong enough to battle Ash's normal type Pokemon to help them train too. But his Pokemon don't seem to mind,

Pokemon like trainer I guess.

"You try special training or whatever Ash calls it," I say to Green who isn't looking at the Pokemon anymore.

She's focused on something through the glass.

"Gold," She grabs my shoulder. "You need to get back to the room."

"Now?"

"Now."

Green's POV

I watch the boy run off and return his Pokemon hastily. This one's going to be hard to explain to Ash and Serena.

A few moments later a familiar man steps onto the battlefield.

"Green!" He exclaims, walking forward in a purple trimmed suit. His black suit and hair stand out amongst all the white. "Ash and Serena too, how lovely."

"President Triton," I bow. "It's nice to see you."

"You as well," He riffles my hair. Easily since he's considerably taller. "You've grown up a lot since I last stopped in Maple Village."

"Yea Dad gets little lonely," I joke and he laughs.

Ash and Serena watch with very confused expressions. More stuff to explain.

"I see you've met our guests already," Triton gestures to the two.

"Ash has been helping me train for my battle," I smile, hoping the two catch on.

"A good teacher to have," Triton nods at Ash. "Your battle yesterday was quite remarkable. I hope Wayne lived up to my word."

"It was tough," Ash remarks. "I can't wait to battle more!"

"Excellent," The President claps. "I felt the buzz of excitement when I walked in. I apologize for not getting to your battle, but I for sure wasn't going to miss Green's first battle."

"Of course," I fake smile.

"I promised your Dad I would come watch it for him," Triton continues. "We're even having it streamed for him."

I silently curse this battlefield and New Oldton's technology that make it easy to stream a battle. "He'll be quite excited."

"Nothing gets Ryan excited like a battle," He laughs. Haven't heard my Dad's actual name in awhile. He's been honey or Dad the last ten years. "Wayne told me he has a challenger later this afternoon, I'm assuming that's you?"

"Indeed it is," I cringe slightly. 

"I shall leave you to train while I take care of some things," He waves.

"So?" Serena waits for him to leave before questioning. "What's going on Green?"

I eye the cameras around the field.

"Um, Gold will explain."