Finding Truth Amongst The Lies

Chapter 45: Multiple POV's

Ash's POV

It was nearly dawn by the time the blizzard had blown itself out. Serena and I had managed to keep each other awake by trading stories about our childhood throughout the long night since we were afraid of falling asleep and catching hypothermia.

It had been a little weird to have Serena tell me about the pokemon camp where she met me as a kid and how much that interaction affected her. She sounded so sad when she talked about how she worried she'd never meet Ash again and she always kept a handkerchief I wrapped around her injured knee as a kind of talisman. I wished desperately that I could tell her that I was really me... but I promised myself that once Team Galactic had been taken care of once and for all, I would request a vacation from duty and I'd explain everything to her and beg her forgiveness.

I was shocked at how stiff I had become in the hours that Serena and I huddled against the cold. But I forced myself to move through the pain as I pushed aside the large branch to let everyone out into the open. Stars still twinkled in the predawn sky and I couldn't help but admire the beautiful sight for a moment. That moment passed when Serena walked out and immediately began shivering though.

When I reached out my hand, Serena immediately slipped her smaller one inside it and gave me a tired smile. Absol didn't look pleased with our joined hands, but he didn't say anything as he walked along close to Serena's other side. Finding the ride a little squished, Pikachu wiggled his way out of Serena's jacket and jumped over to my shoulder before he dived into the small opening at the top of my jacket. Once he was comfortable I held him against me with my free arm, enjoying the warmth his little body transferred into my chest as Serena and I walked through the silent forest.

We passed the clearing where Serena had been attacked by the gang of Sneasel, but all of them must have headed home when they woke up because there was no sign of them now. Part of me had wanted them to be waiting for us so I could let Pikachu teach them a lesson, but Serena was still shivering as she followed behind me so I put thoughts of revenge from my mind and forged forward. Although it was Absol that ended up leading us out of the forest and towards the path that led us to Snowpoint.

Serena sighed in obvious relief as the small, snow-covered city came into view and she gripped my hand tightly in her gloved one. Now she became the leader, and I followed her along until we got to a small neighborhood near the pokemon gym. The sun had just started peeking out from behind the mountains and Serena was eagerly pulling me towards a small, tan-colored house near the end of the street.

Serena jumped when a bang sounded from that very house and we watched as a person wrapped in snow clothes leaped from the house and began running down the street. Bree came to a skidding halt when she saw us all walking toward her and I heard her let out a cry of relief.

"Serena! Oh my gosh, Serena!" Bree raced through the undisturbed snow left behind by the blizzard and slammed into Serena, wrapping her in a tight hug and yanking her hand out of mine from the force of her hug. "The snow started to fall and I tried to find you, but Samantha said I'd get lost and I've been waiting for the snow to stop... what happened to you?! Do you have any idea how scared I was?"

Serena rubbed Bree's arm soothingly while trying to push her back a bit so she'd stop suffocating Misteon who was trapped between the two hugging girls. Surprisingly, Absol came and sat down next to me, watching the display of affection with obvious distaste. I reached over and ruffled the shock of fur hanging down the side of his face and he glared up at me with annoyance.

"Thanks for protecting Serena, Absol," I said quietly, giving Serena time to calm down her frantic friend. 

Absol looked away, his expression seeming almost awkward as he huffed out a foggy breath. Chuckling to myself, I patted his head, not caring if he found it annoying or not. I heard Serena say my name and suddenly Bree stepped back, looking over at me like she had just at this moment realized I was there.