Serena's POV

Los Lumeles is bustling as usual in the sunny morning. Bathing suit clad people walk by, mostly towards the beach. Just another day of partying and tanning for them.

The city is actually really nice, maybe a little overcrowded. It would have been fun to explore some more but not today. At least Ash and i found this nice cafe to wait for green at.

My fingers tap the purple metal chairs. "Triton Cafe" reminds me of lumiose with its fresh pastries and potent coffee smell. The view of the ocean is a bit better though.

It does all feel off though.

Green told us what happened to Gold yesterday and I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around it. 

It's similar to Team Flare. The popular public image hiding the evil things going on in the background. But nothing they did was aimless or vengeful.

If those are the consequences for upsetting a Triton, then this region really isn't safe.

"Serena?" Ash's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

The raven haired trainer across from me is enjoying a chocolate croissant with Pikachu. Both are clearly enjoying the pastry.

"Hmm?" I look up at him.

"You okay?" He asks, concern filling his big auburn eyes.

"Yep," I take a sip of my latte. The sun isn't letting it cool down so it burns the tip of my tongue slightly.

"We need to find you a contest somewhere," He smiles. "It's been too long since I've seen you perform."

"You're right," I smile back. "I should probably do some training next time we get a break."

"We can train together," He smiles and gets back to his croissant.

We've come a long way since our only worry was training every day. 

This isn't exactly the vacation from training I was hoping for.

Pikachu cheers as it gets the last bite of the croissant.

But we'll be okay.

"Hey!" Green waves while walking towards us. 

Beside her is the guy.

"This is my favourite spot," Eric remarks while walking towards us. I try not to glare into his dark sunglasses.

"It's great," Ash says, missing a bit of his usual energy.

"Are you sure you can't stay any longer?" Eric asks, his hand grazing hers. "I still have lots to show you."

My eyebrows raise.

"Sorry but we have work to do," Green creates some distance. "We'll stop back in on our way back from the lake."

"We can have a rematch," Ash adds in.

"I think I'm okay not facing that Greninja again," Eric laughs and the rest of us join in.

"We'll see you later," Green gives him a half-hearted hug.

"Bye," I wave and we leave him at the cafe.

The three of us walk in silence until reaching the City limits. We cross a beautiful copper bridge, oxidized into a green colour that matches the bay. On the other side there are no more skyscrapers, just a slightly manicured route along the river.

Hopefully this is where the surveillance ends.

I know I'm bothered about the whole situation but Green looks a lot worse.

Not everyday your childhood friend turns out to be a pretty bad person.

I don't even know what you say.

"So where are we headed Green?" Ash breaks the silence.

"Lake Poliwag," She answers, continuing to look forward down the path. Her long hair hides her eyes. "My family has a cottage there."

"Sounds nice," I say and she nods.

The salty air has been replaced by the fresh scent of pine trees as we walk down the route. The river slowly winds along the route, crystal clear water headed to the ocean.

Apparently it's only a day's walk to our destination but we already feel far away from the city. Peaceful and quiet.

"It doesn't look like many people walk this route," I comment based on the grass and shrubs encroaching on the dirt path.

"Most people helicopter in," Green says. "The public part has been closed for a long time. I'm not sure how many people still visit their cottages so we have to be careful."

Her voice starts to crack with the last few words.

"How about we stop for a break?" I suggest.

"No I want to find Gold first," She marches on.

I share a glance with Ash and we continue after her.

"How are we going to find Gold?" Ash asks. 

"He's supposed to be waiting near a waterfall or something," I say and Green nods.

Within a few more minutes of water, the sound of rushing water nears.

"I hope he's here," She mutters.

"He will be," Ash smiles.

"Of course I am," A voice comes from the trees. "Where else am I going to go?"

"Gold!" I exclaim as the boy drops from the trees in his signature maroon jacket and black pants.

Green gets to him before we do, engulfing him in a big hug.

He returns it and I feel a smile creep up on my face.

"Good to see you too," He jokes with a big smile, but it drops once he notices the tears filling his shirt. "Green it's okay, I'm alright."

Ash looks at me concerned but I motion to give them space.

"But you almost weren't," She cries into his chest.

Green is pretty tough so this obviously struck a nerve.

Gold tries to console her by rubbing her back but it doesn't seem very effective.

"I can't trust anyone," She continues. 

"You can trust us," I jump in and she separates from Gold.

Her eyes are already turning red, almost as red as her face.

"Serena's right," Ash joins in. "We all have each other."

Gold nods, wrapping his arm over her shoulder. "This is all we need."

"It's not that simple," She sniffles. "I know a lot of people."

"We'll figure it out," Gold assures her. "I'm sure you know a lot of good people too."

"We already have," Ash moves closer to the two. "The people from Caventree, the People of the Water Gold met."

"Exactly," I wrap an arm around her as well.

"Thanks guys," She says and we move apart. "Let's get going."

"Lake Poliwag here we come!" Ash cheers.

I giggle as the two boys lead the way down the route.

"You okay?" I walk beside Green who seems to be watching Gold more closely than usual.

"Mhm," She nods. "I just hope Gold isn't mad."

"He's not mad," I assure her. "He doesn't blame you for what happened."

"Yea I know," She says. "But he did watch me kiss Eric so..."

"What!?" I whisper yell and nearly trip over my own feet.

"It was to cover for Gold," She says and that makes more sense. "But it still happened."

"You did what you had to," I say. "He knows."

Green nods, playing with her bag strap.

"How do you feel about it?" I ask.

"Sick," She gags. "Thankfully he doesn't remember it."

"That's good," I say.

"It's weird though," She continues. "He was one of my only guy friends growing up so of course I had crushes on him over the years. And then everything happens yesterday."

"Maybe that's closure," I try to smile. 

"Maybe," She nods.

We continue walking most of the day, stopping briefly to eat our packed lunches. It's a lot of walking but it's worth it for a bed and shower at the end of the day.

"We're almost there," Ash points to a sign as we come up to it.

"Lake Poliwag Campground," I read

"Those are the public campsites," Green explains as we walk by the driveway to the campground. There's a large chain across.

"Less people the better," Gold notes and he's not wrong.

A couple minutes later the spruce trees open up to a stunning lake. The water sparkles in the afternoon sun, slow waves churning the water.

It's quiet except for the breeze running through the trees and the occasional pokemon chirp. This is what we needed.

Before getting to the water, a pale blue building sits in the way. It looks a little rundown, the flat roof sloping towards the edge, and falling apart at the ends.

"This is the marina," Green says as we get closer. "Wally should be here."

"Wally?" Gold questions but gets his answer quickly.

"My eyes must be foolin me," A gruff looking guy steps out of the building. His voice is thick with some sort of accent. "Is that the one of the North girls?"

"It is," Green beams her biggest smile of the day. "It's been so long!"

"You were much smaller back then," Wally gives a deep laugh and wraps an arm around the girl for a moment.

Wally looks like someone who lives out on a lake. He has a big scruffy unkempt brown beard that starts below his white and blue ballcap and fills most of his face. He has circular sunglasses on and I can see the tan line around his eyes.

Wally has a classic red and black flannel on and jeans that are ripped. Not ripped for style of course, just wear and tear. The look is finished off with a pair of work boots.

"These are my friends," Green introduces us, using Logan instead of Gold of course.

"Nice to have you here," Wally grins with his cigarette stained teeth. "What brings you all this way?"

"Well we're travelling through the region actually," Green says and Wally's eyebrows raise.

"Interesting," He hums. "Y'think they'll open this place back up?"

"Hopefully," I cut in. "I'm sure this would be a busy place."

"You betcha," Wally gestures to the docks filled with boats. Each one is covered with excessive algae on the hulls. "This place used to pop."

"It was the best," The brunette girl sighs. "We had a lot of fun here in the summer."

"I bet," Ash says. "This would be a great place to camp."

"And it will be again," Green smiles. "Soon."

"Well ain't that good news," Wally smiles even bigger. "Anything I can do for you guys? There are only a few people staying in the area so I'm at your service."

So there are people here.

"We're okay for now," Green nods. "Just going to check on the cottage and stay a night or two."

"Alrighty," The man says. "If you wanna take your parents boat for a spin you just let me know. It can be our secret."

"We;ll see," Green giggles and gestures to another pathway that seems to wrap around the lake. "The cottage is this way."

"See you later Wally," Ash says and we all wave.

The lake banks are dotted with cottages, each fitted with a dock, kayaks, boathouses, and more. Cottage feels like a bit of an understatement because each one is massive. This is a retreat for the upper upper class.

The orange pine needles crunch beneath our feet and the shade from the trees is making me a bit chilly. I got a little too used to the sun in Los Lumeles.

Green leads the way, clearly excited to get there. I'm assuming this was like their vacation home so there are probably lots of good memories.

"You guys are going to love this place," Green turns around to face us, walking backwards still at a brisk place.

"Seems like it," I smile back. "Maybe we can stay here a couple days."

Gold's mouth opens, probably to protest, but he doesn't. He seems a little on edge which is understandable. He could use a break, as much as he probably wants to get out of this district.

"That's a great idea!" Ash cheers. "This is the perfect place to train."

Green eyes Gold who stays quiet.

"Here we are," The conservation is interrupted by our destination.

The pathway turns towards a modest two-storey log cottage. The black shingles outline the pointed roof and tall trees tower over the home.

Green pulls a key out of her bag and opens the oversized door. Inside is a vaulted ceiling, showing off the wood frame ceiling and staircase to the top floor. Everything seems to be made of different types of wood, I guess that makes it a cottage.

"There's a bunch of bedroom on the top floor so feel free to pick whatever one you'd like," She points upstairs. "Sharing is allowed."

She winks and I pull Ash up the stairs. "Come on," I bring him upstairs.

"What's the rush?" The raven haired trainer questions. 

"The lake is calling my name," I say and we find a bedroom to claim as ours. "You're going to join me right?"

"Yes!" He smiles and rummages through his backpack.

We quickly change and head back downstairs.

"Wait," I stop him on the creaky wood stairs.

On the back of the deck I can see the other two lounging in a couple of patio chairs. I shouldn't eavesdrop but...

I tiptoe across the wood flooring, watching the back of their heads to make sure they don't turn around.

"Thanks Green," Gold's voice comes through the screen door.

"What?" She turns towards him.

"Thank you," He chuckles.

"Can you say it again?" She asks and he looks up towards the sky.

They laugh for a moment but then Gold continues. "Seriously though," Gold says. "I think I finally understand what you're putting on the line. I couldn't do this without you."

The girl hesitates before responding. "Of course you couldn't, but you're the one putting your life on the line for a region that's not even your home."

"What choice do I have?" Gold shrugs. "Who knows what Arceus would do if I tried to leave? You're the one that chose to help."

"I guess we're even then," She says. "I'm starting to think finding you on the beach wasn't an accident."

"It probably wasn't."