Pokemon Heart and Mind: The Persici Prequel

Chapter Five: Bouncing into Trouble Part 1

Chapter Five

Bouncing into Trouble, Part One

Songs:

You've Got a Friend in Me, Randy Newman

The video panned over to show Lennon, Serena's competitor, come stepping out to his platform. On his face, he wore a silver half-mask, lined in purple and gold. He wore a white suit and top hat lined with shimmering purple, silver and gold. His vest was purple with gold chains. When he stepped out, many of the girls in the stadium began to cheer. The way he carried himself, it was obvious he had confidence in himself. When Ash laid eyes on him, there was something about him he did not like. There was something extremely off-putting about him.

"Ladies' first!" Lennon called out to her to let out her Pokemon. Nodding to him, she held up her Pokeballs, and tossed them up into the air. The seals on the balls were sparkling flames and shimmering hearts, which gave way to reveal Sylveon and Delphox. It was a spectacular entrance that perfectly showcased her Pokemon.

As Serena watched the replay, she felt her heart rate increase every time she saw Lennon on camera. She gripped her fists tightly, and her breathing became faster. She had to keep it cool. He's just on the screen. He's not here. Just chill, Serena. You can do this.

As the battle went on, she couldn't focus on anything but the fact that he was standing there. Tears began welling up in her eyes, and she stood to her feet. "E-excuse me. I'll be back. D-don't pause it. Keep watching." She then walked towards the stairs, and went up to her room. Sylveon followed after her, wrapping its tendrils around her wrist again.

When she made it to her room, she shut the door, and walked over to the bed. She wrapped her arms around the pillow, and began to sob quietly, so no one could hear her.

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Ash watched Serena and Sylveon walk back up the stairs. He could have been mistaken, but it almost looked as if she were brushing something off of her face. Was she crying? As May had said, something bad happened after the festival had ended. Was there something in the video triggering the memory? He looked over at his Mom, and she looked concerned. He wondered if he should go after her, if he should check on her.

Delia reached over and touched his leg. "Honey, let her be for now, okay? Later, when she comes back down, and I know she will, take her to Professor Oak's lab. Get her out of the house again for a bit."

Ash nodded, turning his attention back to the screen, still feeling worried wondering if he should go up there. Yet, being a girl herself, Ash figured his Mom knew what she was talking about.

Serena had some of the most beautiful attack combinations he'd ever seen in a contest battle for sure. One of them was this combination of Will o' Wisp and Swift Attack. Delphox and Sylveon and timed it in such a way that the blue flames perfectly encased each spinning star into a swirling, hot, tornado.The tornado glowed blue and shimmered radiantly. Lennon lost a lot of points for that one.

The second combination included Sylveon's Attract, and Delphox's Fire Spin. The hearts filled the fire spin in a brilliant shimmer. And, also, when it made contact with the opponent's Pokemon, it seemed to increase the power of the attract, as well as leaving with a powerful burn.

I am going to have to challenge her to a battle again soon. This is amazing.

As the video ended, Serena made an incredible finish with both Delphox and Sylveon, timing their attacks in a dance, using the attacks Flamethrower and Fairy Wind in a disorienting circle around Lennon's Pokemon, Gengar and Sableye.