Ash x Serena Rise of the forgotten hero

Facing Shadows, Finding Light

The atmosphere in the gym was heavy with confusion as everyone murmured, trying to understand what had just happened. Clemont, visibly concerned, walked over to the group with a puzzled expression. "Did I do something wrong?" he asked, worry lacing his voice.

Gary shook his head. "It's not you, Clemont," he began, looking grim. "The move Power Gem... it's one that Giovanni, Team Rocket's leader, had his Persian use against Ash, every single time. When Ash would stand up to him, Giovanni would order Persian to use that move, trying to... well, trying to take him down for good." Gary paused, the weight of those memories settling heavily over the group. "You using it in battle probably made Ash relive those moments."

A silence fell over them, the reality of Gary's words sinking in. They each looked down, processing the pain Ash must have felt. Serena was the first to break the silence, her voice firm yet gentle. "Let's go find him before he gets lost in those memories," she said. Pikachu, hearing her words, leapt onto her shoulder and squeaked in agreement, his eyes full of determination.

The others nodded, resolute. Clemont clenched his fists, vowing to make things right. "We'll split up," he suggested. "Cover more ground that way."

Without another word, they each took a direction, scattering outside in search of Ash.

Ash ran aimlessly, his heart pounding with a storm of emotions. He felt like he was trapped in a whirlpool of fear, pain, and memories he couldn't shake. After running for what felt like forever, he spotted a small park surrounded by trees—dense enough to keep him hidden from the world. Without thinking, he veered toward it, making his way to a secluded bench tucked away beneath the branches. Ash slumped onto the bench, his head down, staring blankly at the ground as if searching for answers in the dirt.

His breathing quickened as flashes of his worst memories flooded his mind. Each painful moment replayed, sharper than before—the battles he couldn't forget, the losses that had scarred him. He tried to hold back, to push it all down, but the tears came anyway, slipping down his face in quiet, defeated streams.

"Why won't it stop?" he murmured between quiet sobs, his voice barely a whisper. "What... what do I have to do to make it end?"

He felt helpless, carrying the weight of everything he'd endured. Every sacrifice, every hurt—it all seemed to haunt him relentlessly. He wanted so badly to let go, to find peace, but it felt just out of reach.

As the sky grew darker, the rest of the group's worry deepened. They hadn't found any sign of him. Clemont, frowning, called everyone in a group chat, hoping that someone had finally spotted him.

One by one, each friend replied with a discouraged, "No sign of him." Serena was quiet, worry etched into her face. She looked over at Sylveon, walking beside her, and at Pikachu, who was perched on her shoulder, his own face reflecting her concern. Just then, she noticed a park nearby, its tall trees blending into the twilight.

"Let's try in there," she whispered. Pikachu and Sylveon nodded, looking determined.

They made their way into the park, the thick canopy above casting a quiet, almost sombre atmosphere. Serena's eyes scanned through the dense trees until she noticed a figure on a bench in a secluded spot ahead. She squinted, her heart leaping as she realized it was Ash.

"Oh, thank goodness," she murmured, taking out her phone to let the others know. As the messages chimed in with replies, she quietly approached him, careful not to startle him as she closed the distance. Ash remained lost in his thoughts, his posture heavy with sadness.

The others, receiving her message, turned and began heading back to gym, waiting for them to go back to the gym.

As Serena came closer, she heard soft sniffling. Is he... crying? she thought, her heart clenching. She stopped in front of the bench, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hey."