Thank you for everything you do

Right here, right now

While Ash and the others head back to the pokecenter something was constantly in Ash's mind

'What was wrong with me... why couldn't I synchronize with Greninja?'

Ash kept asking himself if there was something wrong with him. Maybe his mind wasn't in focus or he perhaps wasn't strong enough.

'What do they think of me now? Did I disappoint them with losing that match or is this just all in my head?'

"Ash..." Someone whispered to him from behind

"Is there something wrong you seem... off" Serena spoke from behind him but he wouldn't look at her

"I am fine Serena there's nothing to worry about" Ash assured to her trying to hide what he was thinking

'Serena?... He only calls me like that when he's serious' Serena thought

Pikachu noticed it too and began to worry for Ash. Pikachu looked back to Serena and they both knew something was wrong

"Are you sure" Serena said while putting her hand on his shoulder

"Yes" Ash responded while walking a little faster trying to get rid of Serena

"Ok... but tell me if something isn't right because I want to help you" Serena told Ash with a smile but Ash seemed to ignore her

'Why do you keep trying to get close to me... just leave me alone' Ash thought being a little saddened

'What is wrong Ash... please don't push me away' Serena thought starting to get a little upset

~~ 5 minutes later ~~

They all walked into the pokecenter and Ash gave his pokémon to nurse Joy who was taking care of them. Clemont, Bonnie and Gary were all heading towards the bedrooms because it was starting to snow heavily outside

'I can't stop thinking about this... what happened to never giving up. If I can't be the best for my pokémon then why do I try to become a pokémon master. I've felt down before but... I feel like if all the failures in my journey have just been stacking up and with this I just... can't'

Ash kept thinking about all the times he had failed and all the times he lost. Every time he would be able to move on but now... it feels like this loss broke him and was now remembering everything regarding his failures. He began to remember all of his companions and friends he was starting to feel he was letting down and how they all believed on him for nothing

'I have disappointed my friends haven't I...' Ash thought which began to make him sad 'I need to think this over alone'

Ash began to stand from his chair but felt someone take his arm

"Ash talk to me"

Ash turned to see Serena with a serious expression holding Pikachu in her arms

"Ash I know there is something wrong... is it about your loss?"

"There's nothing wrong" Ash told Serena with a serious tone

Ash began to walk away

"Where are you going?" Serena asked

"To take a walk"

"But Ash it's not-"

"I'll be fine... see you later"

With that Ash left and Serena was just standing there as she say him walk away holding his hat and coat

"Ash..."