Serena's POV

A quiet hum fills the Pokemon Center lobby.

Not because it's empty, but because everyone is holding their breath.

The past few hours have been filled with cheers, words of encouragement, and cries of disbelief.

After all, not everyone has had the opportunity and is used to watching Ash battle. And he hasn't become any less exciting and unpredictable since we travelled through Kalos together.

The crowd inside has grown to a couple hundred people over the course of the battle. Captivating anyone who catches a glimpse of the Master Rank Final. I look around to see people's reactions but I'm sure their eyes are as glued to the tv screen as mine are.

Right now, all that screen is showing is smoke. Part of the reason my mind is wandering so much right now.

If only I was in that stadium and didn't have to rely on one point of view of the field.

A blurry yellow figure starts to show on the screen as the smoke clears.

My lungs start to burn.

"Pikachu is standing!"

I clasp my hands together to stop the shaking but my legs are trembling too. Wish I took a seat earlier when they were still available.

A few people start to cheer but most know it's not over yet. I learned that last year. The last Charizard to stand in Ash's way.

But not this time.

"Charizard is unable to battle!"

Instantly the Pokemon Center erupts in cheers, and I can finally breathe again.

"Ash Ketchum is the new Monarch!"

My eyes start to tear up as I watch the two trainers meet in the centre of the stadium. He's wearing the same clothes I last saw him in at the Lumiose airport, the blue jacket, grey pants, and trademark red and white ball cap that covers his shaggy raven hair. Pikachu rides his shoulder, covered in scratches but a smile bigger than when he sees ketchup.

Him and Pikachu both have matching hazel eyes, something I always found cute about the pair.

I watch intently as the former Monarch, Leon, shakes Ash's hand and says something that isn't picked up over what I can imagine is the loudest stadium in the world right now. He certainly looked the part of Monarch with his majestic long purple hair, sponsored red cape, and sporty white and black uniform.

"Serena he did it!" I feel two arms wrap around me.

I stubbornly look away from the screen to see my Hoenn friend, who of course knew Ash too. May wore her old outfit from when she travelled with Ash for good luck, the red bandana and all.

I try to reply but the words aren't there yet. I just nod and try not to cry.

She smiles and lets go. May turns around and gives a few more large cheers to the crowd. "I taught him how to battle like that!"

I laugh as people continuing cheering along with her, likely not believing her. She shares a lot of traits with Ash.

I look down at my red skirt and collect myself. I don't know if it's the nerves or all the people but my body temperature feels like a million degrees. My black blouse feels too tight, but at least I was able to take off my pink fedora earlier. Growing my honey blonde hair back out past my shoulders is not looking like a good decision right now.

I glance back at the screen for the trophy presentation. Except Ash isn't there.

The camera switches angles and I rub my eyes to make sure the tears aren't making me see things.

"Where is he going?" I mumble as Ash disappears through one of the stadium exits and out of range for the tv camera.

People start to notice and the cheers die down, replaced by questions and confused looks. Minutes go by and the television commentator gives us zero answers.

Of course this brings the nerves right back.

Ring Ring Ring Phone Call Phone Call Ring Ring Ring

Everyone jumps in unison, startled by the noise. Nurse Joy issues an apology and we go back to listening to the tv.

Someone has really bad timing.

Like aren't they watching the battle too?

Now is no time for a--

"Serena," My head snaps towards Nurse Joy. "It's for you."

"Oh?" I say quietly and try to avoid the stares as I push my way through the crowd. "Who is it?" I ask once I finally get there.

The pink-haired nurse only smiles and points towards the green video phones. I turn towards them only to see another crowd of people I have to push through.

"This better be important," I mumble and push through the last few bodies.

"Serena!" The boy's voice comes through the computer before I can even properly look at the screen.

"A-Ash?!"

"We won!" He smiles with that big childish grin of his. "Pikachu was so good and that thund-"

"Ash!" I interrupt him. "You need to go back to the stadium!"

I try to act stern but I can feel my 'Ash did something dumb' smile.

He gives me a blank dumbfounded look.

"I just really wanted to tell you that I won."

"I know you won," I can't help but giggle. "You really didn't think I was watching your battle?"

"Oh," He rubs the back of his neck. "I guess that makes sense."

"You and Pikachu were amazing, I can't wait to see you hold the trophy."

"Yea the trophy is so cool and Leon told me to bring out all my Pokemon on stage when he hands it to us."

I wait for him to catch on.

"Pikachu we're missing the trophy presentation!"

I shake my head as the two look at each other in shock.

He looks back at me. "That's what you meant."

I simply nod and hit my head with my hand.

"Oops. I should get going."

"Wait," I stop him. "I'm so proud of you Ash."

We lock eyes, as well as you can over video at least. "I couldn't let you do all the winning this week."

Before I can respond someone pulls him away from the phone and the call ends.

An all too familiar blush finds my cheeks.

"Serena come on, Ash is back!" She runs up to me, her brown hair bobbing through the crowd. "Is something wrong?"

"No just Ash being his usual self," I sigh and walk by her towards the tv.

It takes her a second to connect the dots.

Green's POV

"What a battle!" My dad jumps off the plain leather couch, fists in the air.

From afar, he's your average intimidating man. He has a short spiky black-grey hair, a wrinkled tan face, and sharp blue eyes. Pair that with his usual attire of a dress shirt and pants, and he carries an aura of authority with him.

But put him in front of a battle and he becomes a little kid again.

Maybe it's because I haven't had a chance to become a Pokemon trainer and experience a battle firsthand, but I just don't get the same excitement he does.

"Calm down honey," My mom walks in, smiling at her husband. I share most of my traits with her, including our feelings about battling.

She has long brown hair, light brown eyes, and a pale complexion. Running around after my little sister keeps her pretty fit, and part of the reason she usually wears athletic leggings and whatever colour hoodie she can find.

Speaking of my sister, she's bouncing on the couch alongside my dad. Winter usually keeps her long black hair in braids and likes to wear her light blue pyjamas around the house. She's almost 10, 10 years younger than I am, but has the same amount of energy she's had since she was a toddler.

Winter has a lot of Dad in her.

I push a stray strand of my brown hair behind my ear. I usually keep it down with a few face-framing layers that sometimes look cute and sometimes annoy me. If only I had my turquoise hair band that matches my black and turquoise shirt.

I smooth my turquoise shorts as I adjust my position on the couch. My pale legs, equally pale as my mother's, stand out against the leather.

The television cuts to the trophy presentation. Confetti flies as the trainer accepts a shiny gold trophy with a pokeball on top. I think he's a year or two younger than me and he's managed to become the world's top trainer.

Not that our region, Elemente, had a Ponyta in the race.

"Wow he's younger than you," My sister points out as the announcer mentions his age. "You should've entered the battle tournament."

"Unfortunately I haven't been allowed to leave this house," I say, maybe a tad passive-aggressively towards my Dad.

He looks at me. "We talked about this."

His go-to response.

Not that I really blame him. Our region is not the safest place in terms of travel. You're perfectly safe in your district, but as soon as you leave you're an unwanted visitor. Even with my family name.

I can't say I have a desire to get out there right now.

"Maybe I'll join the military so I can battle," I joke but based on my Mom's horrified expression she believed me.

"One day we'll have tournaments like these," My Dad states. "President Triton just needs to ensure the region is stable."

"Except he's the reason it's unstable," My Mom mutters under her breath.

My Dad shoots her an unapproving look but doesn't disagree. He's second in command to the President so he knows better than anyone how serious the issues are. "He has a plan to end the division."

"What's that?" I ask.

"Well I can't tell you Green, it's classified," He sighs. "Even I don't really know the plan, but I'm sure it will bring the peace everyone has wanted since the Great Division."

I only know what they taught us in school about that event, but everytime I hear Great Division it sounds suspicious. Apparently, around 40 years ago there was mass chaos across the region. There was fighting over land, resources, and anything else people could get into disagreements about.

Then one day, the original President Triton showed up with a powerful Pokemon army and put an end to the fighting. He utilized Elemente's diverse environment to split up people and Pokemon based on their values, associated with a Pokemon type.

Over time, barriers grew between the districts and are only connected by a central city.

A few years ago, President Triton Sr. passed unexpectedly, and his son took over. Since then, all passage between the districts was stopped. Even going into the central city isn't allowed anymore.

"Right," I roll my eyes and slump into the couch. Everything the President does is for peace, yet it only gets worse.

"You'll get out there someday," My Mom rubs my shoulders.

I sigh and look for an escape. Unfortunately there isn't much to do in Maple Village.

"Green let's go for a walk!" My sister yells and pulls me off the couch.

"Sshh okay," I try to calm her down.

I slip on my black running shoes and we head out the door.

"Don't you want to change?"

"Nope," The 10-year old answers defiantly, clearly comfortable in the shorts and shirt. At least they almost look like normal clothes.

The fresh air of our town never gets old. Wheat fields and manicured flower boxes make it feel so homey.

Simple lodge-style houses dot the town. Not a lot of flashy colours, just brown logs and black roofs. The farmer's red barn is the only real colour.

The cobble road clicks under our feet as I follow my sister. We pass the fountain in the centre of town, a carefully chiseled statue of the legendary Pokemon Arceus.

Not sure why they chose Arceus. Maybe because it's one of the only normal type Legendaries.

We are in the Normal District after all.

In case you thought my life couldn't get any more plain and boring.

The mid-afternoon sunlight shines through the yellow stained glass that completes the statue, symbolizing Arceus' ring.

Winter stops to awe at the statue. It is captivating but I guess I've seen it too many times to admire it anymore.

"We're going to the beach," She finally lets me in on her plan as we resume walking.

"Why?"

A jagged rock structure peeks out of the tree line, the tunnel to Gateway Beach.

"I want to see if any Pokemon are in the water battling."

I nod, knowing we won't. I've lived here 20 years and have never seen a Pokemon in the water there, let alone battling.

Our footsteps echo as we move through the tunnel. It's not very long so we can already see sunlight pouring in the exit. Eventually the smell of the ocean and sound of the waves let us know we're almost there.

"Woah look at the waves!" Winter exclaims and runs up to the crashing water.

"Wait!" I run after her.

The beach is small but fairly nice, with clean white sand. There are some colourful rocks that were placed here as a symbol of Arceus I think. One for every type like Arceus can become any type.

However, the waves are coming in so strong that the water is coming up way past the usual tide line.

We stop at the water's edge and take in the scenery. No Pokemon as I guessed but still pretty.

Winter is shivering beside me from the strong breeze.

"How about we go back?" I ask and notice that her eyes are fixed on something down at the far end of the beach.

I don't get a reply so I follow her gaze, only to see something wash up ashore.

"Green," She tugs on my shirt. "Is that a person?"

I start to freeze up as I fixate on the object.

That's a person alright.

Winter starts to walk towards them but I grab her shoulder. "We should go get Dad."

She squirms out of my grip and runs forward. "They may need help!"

I don't bother arguing and follow her. She's right but I have a feeling there isn't going to be anything we can do. Can't wait to explain to my parents that I let her see a dead body today.

We get closer and my thoughts are confirmed.

A boy, probably about my age, is sprawled across the sand. His navy hair is soaked and messy, and I can see a black and gold hat floating in the water. Sand is sticking to his maroon jacket and black pants.

My eyes start to tear up.

I do not handle this kind of stuff well.

"He's still breathing!" I open my eyes as Winter has her ear to his mouth.

Clearly she got the bravery trait.

I crouch down and can see his jacket moving slightly as his chest expands. He's alive but not well.

"I'm going to go get help," Winter gets up, not bothering to brush the sand off her knees.

"Wait!" This time she listens before running off.

I've never seen this boy before, which isn't a good thing.

"We can't."