Uncrowned King (SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter 13-Rising Dawn

"So, let's move out then?" Clemont asked, backpack already hanging off his shoulders.

"Yeah, we better! If not, we won't make it in time!" Ash exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. His excitement was contagious and soon everyone else was grinning too.

"But seriously Serena, you okay?" Ash's eyebrows were furrowed in concern as they recalled what happened earlier.

"A-Ah! I'm fine!" Serena exclaimed with a flushed face, her hands moving frantically in front of her face. Bonnie chuckled cheekily while Clemont shot her a knowing grin, causing her face to redden further.

"If you're sure then..." Ash seemed unconvinced as he exchanged a glance with Clemont who only shrugged in response.

With that out of the way, they started heading out towards the Snowbelle Gym, Ash more than ready to battle Wulfric again.

'Are you sure about that Ash? You're not strong enough. You'll lose again and be an even bigger embarrassment. Just give up. Go back to Delia, who isn't even your mom in the first place.'

Ash shook those thoughts away. This isn't the time to wallow in self-pity. He has to get his 8th badge and move onwards to the Pokémon league. He can't afford to screw up after all the training he and Greninja did.

That was enough to make him feel determined after the sudden bout of doubt but he was still slightly anxious.

"Hey Ash." Clemont's voice broke him out of his thoughts. Ash looked at him quizzically, urging him to continue. "You don't have to be nervous, you trained hard for this so your efforts will pay off!" Clemont said with utmost faith in Ash.

Upon hearing this, Ash's eyes widened, surprised in the faith Clemont had in him. Clemont rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, before continuing. "I mean you're strong, and even stronger with the bonds between you and your Pokémon! That's...uh...scientifically proven in my book!"

"Big brother's right Ash! You're really strong! Puni thinks so too!" Bonnie said happily, Puni popping out of her pochette to show its agreement.

"They're right Ash!" Serena's eyes had some sort of fire burning in them. She walked up to Ash and held his hands gingerly. Clemont and Bonnie seeing this, decided to walk ahead of the two to give them their privacy.

Ash and Serena were frozen in place, staring into each other's eyes. "I think you're amazing and talented as a trainer...and your Pokémon think so too. So...So don't worry! You'll do just fine!" Serena said confidently, her face leaning in slightly closer.

A moment or two passed in utter silence until Serena noticed the close proximity between her and Ash, jumping back with a red face again.

"A-Ah, don't...uh..." Serena fumbled with her words before she looked at Ash again. He was silently brooding over something and she thought her secret (well, secret only to Ash anyways) was exposed.

"Thanks alot Serena! I really appreciate that!" Ash grinned brightly, still hopelessly oblivious. Serena sighed, relieved and only slightly hurt that he hadn't realised.

'I guess that's just part of his charm...' Serena thought to herself.

As the sun shone directly onto Ash's smiling face and outstretched arm as he waited for Serena to take his hand, Serena could swear she saw an angel.
~~~
The rest of the walk was rather peaceful. Ash had his arm slung across Clemont's shoulders as they talked to each other with bright smiles while Bonnie continued to tease Serena about her sudden declaration of love.

"Like I said Bonnie, it wasn't like that! He was down and so I decided to cheer him up!" Serena protested, her voice squeaking slightly.

"Uh huh, and my brother already has a girlfriend. Come on Sere, you don't have to hide it!" Bonnie's grin grew even wider. "I could see the lovestruck gaze between you two, maybe he likes you too!"

"Bonnie, we've talked about that...There's no way he'd like me." Serena looked downcast now, the previous fight in her having left rather quickly.

"Aww, don't say that Serena! I'm sure he'd like you back eventually!" Bonnie looked sad too as she patted Serena's arm comfortingly. "Thanks Bonnie, we'll see if that'll happen..." Serena said with a little more hope this time.

"Ah! We're here!" Clemont exclaimed, staring at the gym with subtle excitement. "Yeah we are! Let's go in there and win it!" Ash said excitedly to Pikachu who was sitting on his shoulder and cried happily.

Somehow, Ash felt like everything would be okay again.

HEY GUYS!! Here's the chapter I promised you guys a while ago! It's only very slightly longer than usual ones and I'm hoping this will continue to be the case for the next few chapters!

The next chapter is a Pokemon battle so it's going to be quite packed with action! It should come out next week on around the same day, so you can look forward to that for sure!

This was more of a filler instead of action since I'm slowly easing back into writing! Hopefully I've made some improvements! Do comment any feedback or message me privately! I want to know your opinions!

That being said, look forward to the next chapter! Azure out!