Love in the Time of Teamwork

Chapter 6: A Moment

I am making the official announcement this chapter that this story is technically AU as of XY107. The simple reason is, Ash has Noibat and they're heading towards Snowbelle City not Glorio City, which happens in XY108. Thus, it takes place after XY107 but before XY108. Enough announcing, time for Chapter 6!

Chapter 6

A Moment

"Such a bore..." the girl said with a yawn. The day's events had been so unentertaining, the teenager almost wasn't sure if she should watch the next few days. Flinging herself on the stone at the top of the stadium, she looked up at the sky. It almost felt like old times. The stone and the sky. If it weren't for such loud people down in the stadium, she would have almost considered it peaceful. "Ugh, why'd they have to insist on this? It's so pointless."

A chime sounded out from her belt and the teenager sat up, whipping out the small device. On it was a brief message, but it was enough to snap her out of her boredom. The meeting time was set. That was worth something. The girl stood up tall, still unnoticed by anyone in the stadium, and stretched her arms wide to the sky, sucking in the fresh air. Maybe this tournament wasn't so bad, after all. Who knew what the second day could bring?

She took one last look down into the stadium and saw the loser of the most recent battle. It had been a pretty tight battle, but her obvious lack of knowledge when it came to Trick Room was her downfall. More interesting than that, however, was the boy that was holding her. She wasn't sure if it was platonic or downright romantic, but he seemed to have a particular fire that burned as he held her. The boy hadn't competed that day, but she somehow felt he was different.

"Guess I'll be looking forward to your battle in the future," she said to no one. Then she walked to the edge of the stadium and began climbing down its walls with speed. "Hope you're watching, 'cause I think this tournament might get real interesting."

Then she was gone, fading into the setting sun.

X X X

Ash was strangely quiet.

More than that, the entire team was far too quiet from what would be considered their usual disposition. This was all the more starkly contrasted by the sounds of clinking and clanking from spectators having dinner. Thankfully, most of them left the team alone. Except for Team Coordinator, of course.

"Is Serena, all right?" Shauna asked, running up breathlessly. Tierno and Trevor were right behind her as she skidded to a stop, causing all three to slam into each other and tumble over.

"They're in our room," Bonnie said, only she didn't sound at all cheery as she said it. Ash turned, realizing just how sad Bonnie looked. She had tried to cheer Clemont up earlier, but he was too busy working on one of his inventions. He even skipped dinner. The worst was Serena. After Ash helped her leave the arena, with her tears still dripping onto his jacket, she asked to be alone for a little while. He wanted to protest and go with her, but she insisted, only returning in the middle of dinner to go up to her room. She hadn't come down since.

"Oh...we were gonna ask if they wanted to go to the Lantern Festival with us," Shauna lamented. "I know we're combating teams, but it doesn't mean we can't hang out together, does it?"

"A festival sounds like a great idea," Brock insisted, getting to his feet and stretching. "We need something to cheer us up."

"I'll pass," Gary said with a wave of his hand. "I'm not really into lanterns."

"Don't be like that Poetry Guy's Grandson," Dawn said, she and May finally coming to stand by the rest of their team. Gary wrinkled his nose in displeasure at the nickname Dawn was still using. "We can all go together, right, Ash?"