Revenge and AmourInsectivoreShipping

Wounded

Ash, Serena, Greninja, and Braixen were in an empty clearing together near a riverbank. The Kalos gang was taking a rest for lunch before they continued on their way to Snowbelle City for Ash's gym battle against Wulfric. Clemont and Bonnie were off gathering berries with the rest of their Pokemon, but the new couple wanted some time to themselves that they didn't get when they were traveling with their friends. Yes, you read that right: couple. You see, after Serena's performance in the Master Class, Ash had finally broken out of his dense shell and asked the honey-blond performer out. She had been ecstatic and rambled incoherently for a few minutes before she was finally able to say yes. Greninja and Braixen had also grown close, which was why they were with their trainers at the present time. One might go so far as to call it a double date.
"So Ash, are you ready for your gym battle against Wulfric?" Serena asked.
"Yeah, but we've still got a lot of work to do if Wulfric is as strong as Sawyer says he is," Ash answered, referring to the green-haired boy who had become a friend and rival of his. "Greninja and I still have to get our form perfected so that I don't pass out in the middle of the battle again."
"Greninja, gren. Ninja," Greninja spoke up. Ash smiled and fist bumped his loyal water-type.
"Yeah, you're right. We'll figure it out," he agreed. He turned to Serena again and said, "Hey, I was just thinking, why don't we have a little practice session right now? Me and Greninja against you and Braixen. We can work on our form and maybe you can even come up with some new moves to use in your next performance."
Serena's eyes lit up. "Good idea, Ash," she agreed. "Are you ready, Braixen?"
"Braix! Braixen!" the fire fox Pokemon replied eagerly. She stood up and faced Greninja, a determined look in her eyes.
"Ready, Greninja?" Ash called.
"Gren!" Greninja answered.
"We don't have a referee for our match, Serena, so let's just agree that this will operate under normal battle conditions," Ash called over to his girlfriend, who nodded in agreement.
"That's fine by me, Ash," she said.
Ash nodded and looked at his frog Pokemon. "All right Greninja, start things off with Aerial Ace!" he shouted.
Greninja's feet glowed silver as he leaped into the air before diving down towards Braixen and kicking at her a few times before knocking her into the ground. He leaped back over to Ash and readied himself, on high alert for any attempt at a counterstrike. Braixen was a strong Pokemon, so Greninja knew he shouldn't count on his type advantage over her.
"Braixen, it's our turn! Use Fire Blast!" Serena called out.
But to everyone's shock and horror, Braixen didn't move.
"Braixen?" Serena asked worriedly. "Braixen, are you all right?"
No response.
"Braixen, please. Answer me," Serena pleaded.
Silence.
Ash, Serena, and Greninja ran over to check on the fox Pokemon, who hadn't moved from her spot on the ground. Serena felt her partner's wrist for a pulse and let out a sigh of relief as she finally found one. But it was weak and fading fast, and if they didn't get to the Pokemon Center soon Braixen would surely die.
"Come on, we don't have any time to waste," Ash said, standing up. "Let's go, the Pokemon Center is only about five minutes from here if we move quickly."
"But what about the others?" Serena asked, biting her lip.
"Worry about them later. What's important right now is that we get Braixen help," Ash said firmly. "Put Braixen back in her Pokeball. We'll move faster that way."
Serena nodded and pulled out Braixen's Pokeball, recalling the fiery fox Pokemon. She put it back in her pocket and charged towards the Pokemon Center, Ash and Greninja hot on her heels. They ran like they'd never run before, desperation propelling them forward.
Please be okay, Braixen, Serena prayed silently. Hold on, just hold on. You're going to be fine.