Tryst with Destiny: The End of the Beginning

112: Warnings, Destiny and Biases

<Author's Note Begins>

Guys, now the darker part of the story begins. I think I have very patiently prepared you all for this arc of the story. Please do comment on parts of the chapter in the middle and not just the end. Again, it's difficult for me to isolate what you like or don't like if you only leave comments at the end of the chapter.

<Author's Note Ends>

The Dragon Emperor slowly rises from his seat, puts his hands behind his back and starts walking in complete silence. No one says anything as their eyes follow the Dragon Emperor back and forth while he paces the room in reticence.

"This complicates things," Dragon Emperor says, tension slowly ascending in the room.

Everyone flinches a little when the Dragon Emperor suddenly stops walking and turns on the spot to face them.

"The situation is very fragile. Not to mention, this puts a damp on my plans for the Pokemon world," Dragon Emperor says to no one in particular, causing some people to raise their eyebrows.

"Your plans for the Pokemon world?" Diantha questions, her tone brimming with apprehension, her voice saturated with suspicion and her face brooding with concern.

"Never mind that," Dragon Emperor says in a dismissive tone as he retakes his seat.

Dragon Emperor slowly turns to Grace and Delia who are completely stunned and silent.

"We need to keep Ash and Serena safe. How are they?" Dragon Emperor inquirers.

"You're asking as if you care," Grace promptly retorts.

"I do care," Dragon Emperor answers.

"If you care, then you will leave their life right now," Grace says in an exasperated tone.

"Seriously?" Dragon Emperor says which causes Grace and Delia to stand up immediately.

"Oh, we are dead serious. Ever since you have come into their lives. You have brought nothing but misery and trouble with you, not only in their lives but in all of our lives," Grace accuses the Dragon Emperor as everyone internally agrees with Grace though neither of them dares to say this openly like Grace is doing.

Dragon Emperor does nothing, but stare back in silence. He sighs, "I see your misplaced anger has not calmed down since the unfortunate turn of events at Ash and Serena's wedding."

(In Ash and Serena's Apartment)

Ash is sitting next to Serena, who's curled up in a blanket with Ash. Dawn brings the couple a tray full of Poffins and cold milk.

"Ash. Serena. Why don't you have these? You'll feel better," Dawn says in a sympathetic tone.

Serena cracks a smile which vanishes the next second.

"Dawn, I know you're trying to make us feel better. But it's not going to work. There's no getting better." Serena says, depressed to the core of her soul.

Ash on hearing that instinctively pulls his wife into a more snuggling hug. Serena rests her tear-drenched face into her husband's chest and closes her eyes. It's like she can't bear to see anything else, everything is a burden and all she wants to do is, sleep off the worries, in Ash's embrace.

"Thanks, Dawn. But I got this. Go," Ash says.

Dawn understandingly nods and then gets up in order to take leave from the apartment. She turns around one last time at the door to take a look at Ash and Serena. Ash gives Dawn a final reassuring nod following which, she's ushered out of the apartment by the security personnel.