Her Greatest Fear (Amourshipping Day 2021)

Chapter 1

9:00 PM Kalos Region

After another exciting day of traveling, our heroes (and heroines) have decided to set up camp for the night. By this time, everyone has already gone to sleep, except for a certain raven haired boy and his Pikachu.

Ash lies idly on top of his sleeping bag slowly stroking Pikachu, deep in thought. "Chaa..." Pikachu cooed. "Hey, Pikachu. Can I ask you something?" Pikachu sat up and nodded. "Should I tell her? She means so much to me, and more so than just a good friend." "Pikachu!" "Yeah, you're right. But the clock is ticking, Pikachu. I need to say something before I possibly lose that chance forever." Pikachu nods before yawning and lying down next to Ash. "Well it is getting late. Goodnight, Pikachu." "Chu."

Ash looked at the roof of his tent and exhaled quietly. He slowly closed his eyes and prepared for sleep to take him.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

A loud scream jolted Ash and Pikachu awake. "That sounds like Serena! Let's check on her!" Ash ran out of his tent, followed by Pikachu. Clemont and Bonnie came out of their tents as well, woken up by the scream. "You guys heard that, too?" Ash asked quietly. The siblings nod. They walked over to Serena's tent and peeked inside. There, Serena is sitting upright on her sleeping bag, panting and sweating heavily. Her eyes are baggy and her hair is a mess. "Serena, what happened? Did you have a nightmare?" Serena nods slowly. Clemont poked his head in. "What is it about?" "I... I don't want to talk about it." "Comeon, Serena, if you don't tell us, we can't help you. We're family, remember?" Serena shook her head. "It's ok, Clemont. It's just a nightmare, I'll be fine." "If you insist, Serena. But you want someone to stay with you?" "Oh! Oh! Ash can stay with you!" Bonnie said excitedly. "Bonnie!" Clemont and Serena yelled at the same time. Thankfully it's pretty dark in the tent, because Serena's face is red as a tomato! "Um, I don't mind staying with you, Serena." Ash said. Deep down he is really excited to spend a night with Serena. However, much to his disappointment, Serena shook her head. "No thanks, guys. Let's go back to bed, it's getting late." "Alright, goodnight, Serena." "Pika!" Ash and Pikachu headed back in their tents, later Clemont and Bonnie, too.

The next day, everyone got up and gathered around their campsite for breakfast. All, except for Serena. Even Ash is up before her. "Huh, this is unimaginable! Ash up before Serena?" Clemont chuckled. Ash, however, didn't find it so funny. "Hey, guys, I'm gonna check on Serena, alright." Ash entered her tent and found Serena lying on her sleeping bag, looking dead tired. She looks like she's been tossing and turning all night. So tired, Serena is, she didn't even seem to notice Ash enter her tent. "Hey, Serena, you feeling ok?" Serena lifted her head up and smiled slightly. "Oh, good morning, Ash. Just had a bad night's sleep you know? I'll be okay." "You sure? If you really feel sick, just stay here and rest. I'll take your place for the day, like you did for me." Ash smirked, causing Serena to go red. He knew all along? "NO! I'M FINE! I'll get up now!" Serena pushed Ash out of her tent, and 10 minutes later she came out fully dressed. 

Despite what Serena said, her friends already noticed she isn't her usual self. Throughout the morning, she shows all sorts of signs she isn't well. Her back is slightly bent, she walks almost as slowly as Clemont, and she seems to react to everything slower. She also isn't smiling like her usual self. At one instance, she tripped over a rock and would've hit the ground if it weren't for Ash grabbing her hand. "Oh, um, thanks, Ash." Serena said, and stood back up. It was this that confirmed to everyone, something is really wrong. Ash grabbed Serena's hand and she didn't blush? Everyone excused themselves to the side of the road to have a huddle. "Hey, I think something is wrong with Serena." Clemont whispered. "Yeah, she didn't blush even when Ash held her hand." Bonnie added. "Pikachu!" "You're right, Pikachu. We can check on her later today." Ash said. Eventually, they stopped just outside a town to have lunch. This time, Clemont made a roast with orange sauce, a family specialty. Naturally, Ash is there stuffing his face like a Grumpig. "Mmm! This is delicious, Clemont! You got to give me the recipe! My mom would love to learn how to make this!" Clemont chuckled. "Thanks Ash, but sorry, it's a family recipe. It's for me and Bonnie's eyes only." "Oh, Bonnie, can you tell me?" "Sorry Ash, but I'm listening to my brother this time. Maybe I can teach it to his future wife, once I find one that is." "BONNIE!" The group laughed. Suddenly, Pikachu perked up and started to sniff the air. "Pikapi Pika!" Ash sniffs the air as well. "I smell it, too. Hey guys, is something burning?" Suddenly, Serena's eyes went wide. "OH NO! THE POKEPUFFS!" Serena rushed away into the trees and came back a few minutes later. "The Pokepuffs got burned. I'm sorry, guys." "Awww..." everyone looked down in disappointment. "Chu..." Pikachu looked down sadly. He liked Serena's Pokepuffs almost as much as he liked ketchup. 'Yeah," everyone though, "something is definitely wrong with her.'