Through Shadow and Lightning A Warrior Rises

Chapter 14

"Thanks for the update Cash" X said.  "Continue surveillance and only reveal yourself if necessary."

"You got it" Cash said.  "Uh sir there are a lot of hot chicas and I have an urge going if you get my meaning."

X rolled his eyes.  "Just use protection and make sure they're single.  I don't want some crazy guy chasing you because you seduced his girl.  I can't control what other humans do, but I am laying down ground rules for my men.  Got it."

"Yes sir" Cash said.

"Then by all means, get out there you animal" X said and hung up.

Even demons and angels need carnal release, X thought.  He could see Cyllage City from the branch he was on.  The past few days had been a little rough.  Aside from having to keep track of the shadows' movements, Ash's condition had gotten steadily worse.  So much worse that some nights he would have X chain him to a tree just to make sure that he couldn't hurt Serena.  Ash had taken to punching and kicking trees at night as a stress relief.  It also helped him to focus his hormonal urges and keep the shadow that was growing in him at bay.  He would pick out a random tree, make sure no Pokemon were in it, and then spend the next hour to an hour and half punching and kicking the trunk.  He always remembered to wear gloves or wrap up his knuckles.  The first time he went without doing these things and tore up the skin.  Serena scolded him about doing something so reckless.  X reminded him that even though demons were strong, they still wore armor when fighting the shadows.  Repeated bare knuckle punches will break even a demon's bones.  He then went on to talk about how humans, demons, and angels are anatomically similar minus wings, fangs (demons), horns (demons), etc.  The main difference is that demons and angels are faster, stronger, and smarter than humans.  Ash finished his last round of punches and kicks.  He wiped the sweat off his brow with a towel.  I should take a quick shower, he thought.

"Hey X" Ash called.  "Is the makeshift shower still up?"

"Yeah it's back there" X pointed.  "Darkrai and I are keeping a constant eye on things.  He just started his rounds so nothing should sneak up on you.  I think Serena is using it now so I would wait, unless of course you have other ideas."

Ash blushed and headed to the tent to get clothes.  He got a sleeveless shirt and some boxers.  After waiting a few minutes he walked to the shower just as Serena was headed back to the tent.  Serena smiled and Ash looked away.  Serena's smile dropped and she hung her head.  X massaged the place where his brow and nose met with his index finger and thumb.  He couldn't believe how cringe-worthy these two acted.  They had crushes on each other and yet neither one made a goddamn move to admit their feelings.  X and Bonnie are on the same page; this is one of the most frustrating things they have dealt with.  Killing shadows is easier than steering this love boat, X thought.  Ash finished his shower and went back to the tent.  He heard crying coming from inside and looked in to see Serena softly crying into her pillow.

"Serena are you ok?" Ash asked.

"Oh hi Ash" Serena said.

"Serena what's wrong?" Ash asked wanting to know what was hurting her.

"Ash, am I useless?" Serena asked.

Ash had to do a double take.  He couldn't believe Serena would ask him that.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that" Serena said crying again.  "I just feel like I don't add anything to the group.  I don't have a dream like you and I feel like a freeloader.  I feel like I am dragging you all down.  You can tell me how you really feel.  I don't mind."

Ash was speechless.  Did she really think he thought of her that way?

"Why would think that?" Ash asked.

"You always look away from me, like there is something wrong with me" Serena said crying harder.  "I just think maybe I am not good enough to be with you."

What happened next surprised both of the teens.  Ash pulled Serena into a hug.  Both of them blushed, but neither could see that.

"Serena there is nothing wrong with you" Ash said.  "It has everything to do with me.  You saw what happened on the Lumiose Tower, right?"

Serena nodded remembering that night.

"I got scratched by a shadow and I am now infected with it's poison" Ash said.  "I'm afraid to be near you because I don't want to hurt you.  Every night I hear whispers and voices telling me to take advantage of you and rape you.  They are always trying to take control and it takes everything in me to fight them off.  Sometimes it leaves physical scratches on my body from me fighting so much.  That never stops me because I don't want to hurt you Serena.  Ever since we met again, this has been my best journey yet because this is the happiest I have ever felt.  I have been in 7 major competitions and have only won 2 of them.  The rest I either got really close or I failed miserably.  When I got here to Kalos I had nothing but a heart of stone, but you changed that Serena."

Ash looked at Serena who was now speechless.  Ash figured it was now time, a few seconds of insane courage.  He had to take the shot.

"Serena I-I love you."

Serena started crying again, this time they were tears of joy.  Ash thought he did something wrong when he felt lips against his.  He looked and saw Serena kissing him.  He didn't waste time kissing back.  Her lips were so soft and warm.  He wiped the tears from her face continuing to kiss her until, regrettably, they had to pull back for air.

"I love you too, Ash" Serena said.  "No matter what happens that will never change.  Whatever is happening to you won't drive me away because I know that the boy I love will never hurt me, just like I will never hurt you."

They went to sleep holding each other.