11. Love and Despair

Chapter 20: A Snowy Confession

Ash, Serena and Saphira are now in the Alola Region, they are going to find the Ice Gem in the Lanakila Mountain. When Saphira notices the snow, she is so happy that she is jumping in joy, it is a good thing that Ash and Serena have already prepared a snow coat for her, or else she would be freezing.

"Papa? Are we back home?" Saphira asks Ash with excitement, as Ash knows that this place is quite similar to Mt. Silver in the blizzard.

Ash smiles at the girl and says, "No, Saphira, we are at another snowy mountain. This is Mt. Lanakila, and it is located in the Alola Region."

"Why is there a snowy mountain in Alola? You told me that Alola is a tropical region." Saphira says with a curious tone.

"So you think that there shouldn't be any snow in Alola?" Ash asks Saphira, who shakes her head and says, "No, it will be very boring if there is no snow in Alola."

Ash giggles at Saphira's reaction. Then he says, "The reason why there are snow in Alola is because of Pokemon, Ice Type Pokemon needs a place in the Alola Region to live after all."

"Okay, Papa." Saphira says. Serena is smiling at the father and daughter relationship, but deep inside she is still frowning about the whole deal.

As they reach the peak, Saphira wants to play in the snow and Ash decides to take a rest. Ash notices how quiet Serena is and he starts to feel worried, as she isn't a type of person who would keep silent all the time.

"Serena? What's wrong?" Serena is surprised that Ash is talking to her, she says, "Oh, nothing. I am pretty fine."

"Really? You haven't said anything when we are climbing the mountain." Ash says as Serena looks at him with surprise. He can't believe that Ash has been observing him for a long time.

"I...uh...a lot of things happened these days, and I couldn't seem to comprehend everything." Serena says with a frown, Ash notices her shivering as he remembers that Serena's snow coat is given to Saphira, thus she is still wearing her own dress. So Ash quickly takes off his coat and put on Serena.

"Here, you should be warmer if you wear this." Ash says as he gives her his coat.

"But what about you?" Serena asks with concern, if she wears the coat, it will be Ash's turn to get cold as he is now wearing his T-shirt. Ash says, "Don't worry about me, Serena. I am an Arceus and I can be a Fire Type to warm myself up. I am not an Alpha Pokemon with nothing after all."

Once Serena wears the coat, Ash also has a lot in his mind as he decides to think about it by lying on the snow. Serena is surprised at the sudden action, and Saphira just looks at her father curiously. "Papa? Are you making a Snow Angel?"

Ash notices that Saphira is watching him as he quickly sits up, he says, "I am sorry, Saphira, I was just lying down like it is a soft white bed."

"Can I do it as well?" Saphira asks, and much to Ash's shock. "I want to lie down like Papa did."

Ash knows that Saphira is an Arceus, and she has a Flame Plate as well. He says, "Sure, but you have to put your Flame Plate as your pillow."

"Yes, Papa." Saphira says as lies down with the Flame Plate on her head. "Wow, now it is just great."

"Aren't you feeling cold? Saphira?" Serena asks.

"No, Mama. It feels nice...and it is just right for me." Saphira says.

"I know." Ash says. Serena slightly chuckles at the actions of her daughter and Ash's, but then she remembers the past as she feels like she has been left out.

Saphira notices the frown on Serena's face, she thinks that maybe her mother want to lie down, but she can't. Saphira asks, "Papa, is Mama fine? Why can't she lie down with us?"