After everyone had eaten, Sophie took them all back to the clearing they'd first found her in. All the Pokémon began to play aside from the very few who would rather sleep in the sun, namely Squishy, Luxray and May's Snorlax. In the end, Snorlax was even kind enough to allow the lighter Pokémon to bounce on his stomach like a trampoline, much to their great amusement.

Clemont and Serena started to cook dinner while Ash and May sat close to them and watched the Pokémon play. Max and Bonnie ran off to join the Pokémon, though they were a little too heavy for Snorlax so they mostly chased everyone.

"So, Clemont... what's been going on?" Ash asked eventually. Everyone looked to Clemont, who sighed. It was obvious that they all wanted to know about the kidnapper without Bonnie overhearing.

"... you guys are going to hate me after this..." Clemont sighed. "But please just hear me out..." He took a deep breath.

"... I'm the one who took Serena and Greninja."

All was silent. Everyone was too shocked to say a word. The only sound came from the laughing Pokémon, along with Bonnie and Max.

"W-what? Clemont, What are you talking about?" Serena asked quietly. "I didn't want to, I swear!" Clemont said quickly. "They said that... if I didn't do what they asked..." he looked over at Bonnie, who was laughing when Apple started tickling her.

"... they said that they'd take Bonnie instead."

"That's horrible!" May gasped. "It is," Clemont nodded sadly. "I'm really sorry, Serena. You too, Ash. I really am sorry. But I couldn't let Bonnie get hurt. I just couldn't. I knew they wouldn't kill Greninja or Serena. They needed them. But they only threatened Bonnie to blackmail me. They could've killed her and just moved on to my dad. They didn't need Bonnie. I wasn't going to risk her life when we could free Serena and Greninja."

May got up and put a hand on Clemont's shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. "I get it, Clemont. I'd do the same thing if they threatened Max. There's not many other ways to handle blackmail."

"Thanks, May," Clemont smiled slightly. "I thought that you'd understand the best."

"I understand, too," Serena said slowly. "I don't like what you did, Clemont, but not as much as I wouldn't like you letting Bonnie get hurt. If I had a little brother or sister, I would've done the same thing to protect them."

"I really am sorry, Serena," Clemont genuinely felt it. "I'm not forgiving you," Serena said sternly. "I'm just willing to move past it. You need to win back my trust, Clemont."

"I understand, I'll do whatever it takes!" Clemont nodded, eager to take this chance to make things right. "But... we're still friends, right?" "Of course we are," Serena smiled, hugging him.

Then everyone looked to Ash.

He was obviously fuming and his aura was flickering in and out of existence.

"I'm going for a run," Ash said through gritted teeth, not looking at any of them. "Don't wait up for me."

He suddenly took off into the forest, running as fast as he could. "He just needs time to cool off," Serena told Clemont. "Don't worry, everything will be fine after he's cleared his head. I know Ash. He'll be back to his old self in no time."

"I hope so, Serena," Clemont sighed. "I hope so."

~•~

"Dinner's ready!"

At the sound of that, everyone came running. Bowls of Pokémon food were set down on the ground for all the Pokémon, who shared the bowls in twos or threes depending on the sizes of one another.

Max filled a smaller bowl up and took it to Squishy, who was curled up a short way away where it was quieter. "Don't you want any, Squishy?" Max asked, putting the bowl beside the little Zygarde.

Squishy shook it's head and scooted a little away. "Squishy doesn't eat Pokémon food," Bonnie came over to explain. "It uses sunlight to get its energy!"

"Really? That's so cool!" Max grinned, looking down at Squishy. "Okay, Squishy, enjoy your sunlight! But..." Max picked up the bowl again, looking at it. "What do we do with this?"

They looked around to see if there were any of the Pokémon who hadn't gotten a bowl yet. None of them seemed to. "Uh... Uh... ooh! Over there!" Bonnie pointed. Max looked over.

Sophie was drinking from the lake, a few Oran berries beside her. That seemed to be her entire meal. "We'll just give it to Sophie, then!" Max smiled. He and Bonnie walked over to the little Eevee, who looked up at them when she saw them approach.

"Eevee!" She smiled at them. "Hey, Sophie!" Max smiled, placing the bowl of Pokémon food on the ground next to her. "Here, you can have some food, too! You need more than just a few berries, you know!"

Sophie looked at the bowl, then up at Bonnie and Max, surprised. "Go on, its for you!" Bonnie smiled. Sophie looked hesitant, but tried a little of the food. "You like it?" Max asked. "... Vee!" Sophie nodded after a moment, then came over to them. She paused for a moment before gently nuzzling their legs. It was only for a second, but it made both Max and Bonnie smile.

"Why don't you join the rest of us?" Bonnie suggested, pointing towards the cluster of Pokémon eating close to their Trainers and generally just socialising. "Everyone would love to hang out with you, you know!"

Sophie nodded slightly and followed them back to the others. "Chespin Ches!" "Poi! Poi!" Two voices called out when they saw the Eevee approaching. Poipole and Chespin came over, Poipole hugging Sophie, who giggled and hugged them back.

"Pin!" Chespin huffed, folding his arms while glaring at Poipole. Sophie, seeing this, hugged Chespin as well, causing the little Grass type to grow bright red. Everyone laughed at this.

Poipole and Chespin took Sophie off into the crowd to join them both. The trio ended up sharing their food together, talking and laughing happily.