Pokemon X & Y Reimagined

Chapter 10: Forest Scuffle and the Mysterious Sage

Serena panted with Fennekin and tried to wipe away the sweat soaking her face before turning to her pokemon. Despite this, Serena retained a fiery smile and blushed a little when she turned back to Ash who held up his punch mitts and sparred with each of his pokemon. Clemont lay flat on his back, face red and body drenched as he gasped for breath. Chespin and Bunnelby rested beside him with matching expressions.

"Come on, Clemont, don't quit! Look at Serena, she's still going!" Bonnie pointed to Serena who nodded and held her right fist up.

"Oui, Fennekin and I want to push ourselves harder!"

"Fen!"

"That's the spirit, Serena! Charizard, ready!?"

"Grauu!"

"Ok, Fennekin, Flame Charge!" Serena pointed at Charizard and Fennekin raced ahead. Small embers flicked across her fur, and Charizard blocked her attack then pushed Fennekin back. This continued several times with Charizard who occasionally demonstrated some fire power. Serena likewise followed Ash's example and helped her by running alongside her, throwing up targets and more. Rhyhorn training often proved physically intensive like this, but Ash's training methods left Serena full of passion and enthusiasm. Even if she did not have a desire to battle, helping Fennekin grow stronger still proved delightful. Soon enough, Fennekin sped up and fire lit up around her.

"That's it! Flame Charge! You did it!" Serena held her arms out and caught Fennekin after she put out the flames.

"Great job, Serena!" Ash flashed her a bright smile that turned Serena's cheeks pink.

"Merci."

With this, Serena took a break to clean herself and Fennekin up, but Ash kept at his training. One by one, he worked directly with each member of his team until only Froakie remained.

"Cut!"

"Froak!" Froakie leaped off Ash's hands and trees to slash at small pebbles tossed up. Pikachu nodded and cheered for him, but soon saw Riolu with his back turned to Froakie. The little fighting pokemon had his arms crossed and snout raised to the air.

"Pika." Pikachu sweatdropped before Fletchling patted his shoulder. Pikachu grabbed Riolu and pulled him to eye level. "Pika, Pikachu."

"Grou."

"Pika!" Pikachu growled and pointed out that Ash trained with Riolu as long as everyone else, including him. Riolu kept pouting but relented after breakfast. Pikachu breathed a deep sigh of relief and relaxed himself on Ash's shoulder as they continued through route 5 alongside a deep forest.

"How far is Cyllage city?" Ash asked while stroking Pikachu's head.

"A few days, but don't worry there's a town or two along the way we can stop at." Serena took out a map when Chespin burst out of his pokeball.

"Eh? Chespin, what's wrong?" Clemont's face turned crestfallen when he saw his new pokemon make a break for Serena's handbag. "Chespin, no! Not again!"

Ash, Serena, Pikachu, Bonnie, and Dedenne all sweatdropped as they watched Clemont struggle to keep Chespin back. The little grass pokemon's sweet tooth proved as strong as ever. Even after Serena opened her bag to reveal none inside, Chespin did not stop, sure there had to be one.

"Chespin, if you're still hungry, why not eat some berries." Ash gestured to a nearby push of oran berries and plucked one himself before shaking it with Pikachu.

"Oui, Ash is right! They're naturally flavored, not that yours are bad, Serena!" Clemont added and sweatdropped, but sighed when Serena giggled.

"It's ok, too many sweets are bad for you anyway."