1. Ash's Story (Part 7: Kalos)

Chapter 8: Blooming Choice

Route 4 opened north of Santalune City with careful gardens, trimmed hedges, and flower beds arranged so neatly that the road looked designed more than grown. Serena said this route was called Parterre Way, and the name fit the patterned paths perfectly.

After the wild openness of Route 22, this place felt almost peaceful. Perle Fountain shimmered ahead of us, and the water sound carried through the gardens like the route wanted travelers to slow down and look around.

Clemont wiped his forehead and looked relieved. "At least this road has benches."

Bonnie leaned toward Dedenne's bag with a grin. "That means you can collapse politely this time."

Clemont gave her a tired look. "I would appreciate one day without being teased by my own sister."

David studied the hedges and flower beds. "This route is carefully planned. The paths guide people without making the garden feel trapped."

Elline nodded. "It feels like someone made a maze and then decided to be kind about it."

Serena smiled as she walked beside me. Fennekin rested in her arms, watching the flowers with interest, while Litleo moved carefully near my feet with its bandaged paw healing better after yesterday.

Clemont glanced between Serena and me. "Since we have a calmer road today, can I ask something? You and Ash have known each other since childhood, right?"

Serena's expression softened at once. "Yes. We first met back at Professor Oak's summer camp in Kanto."

Bonnie's eyes lit up. "A childhood story?"

Serena laughed quietly. "It was not very graceful for me."

The gardens faded from my mind as her voice carried me back to that summer. I remembered a protected Kanto forest, Professor Oak's camp, Alice watching me like she already knew I would run off, and a Poliwag disappearing into the brush.

Serena had been the missing girl from Kalos. She had gotten separated from the group and hurt her knee after being frightened by a Poliwag. When I heard her crying, I pushed through the bushes and found her sitting near a tree root with leaves clinging to her clothes.

"I remember asking if you were okay," I said.

Serena looked embarrassed but happy. "You introduced yourself before anything else. You said you were Ash, then asked who I was and what was wrong."

"You told me your leg hurt," I said. "I wrapped your knee with a handkerchief."

Serena touched her knee as if the memory still lived there. "Then you waved your arms and said, 'Pain, pain, go away.' It did not actually stop hurting, but it made me laugh."

Bonnie clasped her hands. "That is so sweet."

Serena's cheeks turned pink. "It was embarrassing at the time."

"Alice found us right after that," I added. "She helped bring Serena back safely before Professor Oak and Grace worried even more."

Serena nodded. "After that, I stayed near Ash and Alice for the rest of camp. Later, I kept visiting while my mother was in Kanto for Rhyhorn racing."

Clemont looked thoughtful. "So it was more than one rescue. You became friends over several visits."

"Yes," Serena said. "Ash, Alice, and Lillie became important to me. I was still trying to understand what I wanted, because my mother wanted me to become strong through racing, but I wanted the choice to become myself."

I remembered the Skiddo race, too. Serena had challenged Grace not because she hated her mother's teachings, but because she wanted Grace to see her courage in a different shape.