AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Hello everyone and welcome to Chapter 12. To the those of you who celebrated Thanksgiving, I hope you didn't eat too much and are now having fun fighting the Black Friday shoppers. Good thing you don't need to fight for this deal, I give this chapter to you all free of charge and there is plenty to go around, so no fighting.

Now to business, if you like my story please vote, feel free to comment, and please share this story with your friends. I now present to you chapter 12, enjoy.

The first morning in the Torrent region came for Ash and Serena. Serena was the first to wake-up and a disappointing wake-up it was. She hadn't even opened her eyes yet she quickly realized that Ash wasn't spooning her anymore. She knew it wasn't anyone's fault, but she did long for the warm, secure feeling of Ash's arms wrapped around her as his body was pressed against hers. She was curious though about another feeling, why was her pillow feeling so firm, and why was it moving. Serena opened her eyes to find that she had somehow ended up sideways in the bed with her head on Ash's chest.

She then noticed her right hand felt like it was being held down by something under the sheet.  With her left hand, Serena lifted the sheet and became extremely embarrassed, as she saw her right hand somehow ended up halfway down Ash's shorts, between his shorts and boxers. Carefully she removed her hand, as she didn't want Ash to see this, seeing as they had just started dating she didn't want to seem too permisques. Relieved that Ash was still asleep, Serena laid her head back down on his firm chest with a smile as she wrapped her arms around him.

Ash and Serena slept for a little while longer, but then it was Ash's turn to wake up. He saw Serena asleep on his chest and smiled. He then wrapped his arms around Serena and held her. Serena then started to stir. Slowly her eyes opened, and when her eyes met Ash's, she gave a warm smile.

"Sorry if I woke you, " Ash apologized.

Serena shook her head. "I like being woken up like this, " Serena replied.

Serena then leaned in, Ash saw this and did the same. Their lips met and they shared a tender kiss, then another and another. The kissing probably would have continued if not for a familiar noise coming from the door.

"Pika pi, " Pikachu cried out from the other side of the door.

"Well, it sounds like they're all up, " Ash commented.

Serena groaned. "I don't want to get out of bed. I just want to stay here all day with you, " Serena whined.

"I know, I'd like that too. But we need to feed our Pokemon, and you have a performance today, " Ash replied.

"I guess your right, " Serena conceded.

Serena got off of Ash and he got out of bed.

"Aaash, " Serena said getting his attention.

Ash turned back to Serena with a curious expression. Serena then held out her arms.

"Carry me?" Serena asked with the sweetest voice she could make, accompanied by puppy dog eyes.

Ash smiled and shook his head as he reached out his arms to pick her up bridal style.

"The things I do for you, " Ash replied when Serena was in his arms.

Serena wrapped her arms around Ash's neck and looked up at him with a dreamy look in her eyes. Luckily for Ash, Pikachu made another attempt to open the door and this time succeeded, allowing Ash to continue carrying Serena out of the bedroom. The Pokemon were a little confused as to why Ash was carrying Serena, but once they saw how happy she looked it didn't matter. Although Greninja did take a mental note of this for a later time with Braixen. As Ash carried Serena he noticed one of his hands was right at one of Serena's sides, giving him an idea that made him smirk.

"Ash? What's with that HA HA HA HA, " Serena started to ask, before Ash started tickling her side.

Serena started squirming in Ash's arms, so much so that he was afraid he was going to drop her. So that's what he did, he quickly got Serena over the couch and dropped her on it. Now with two hands free, he continued to tickle her. This continued until they heard the door open. Ash stopped tickling Serena and looked to the door to see one of the butlers walking in pushing a cart.

"Buenos Dias senor and senora Yvonne, " the man greeted.

Serena was too busy recovering from Ash's tickle attack to talk right now to comment on the butler's comment. Ash had several questions, what did the butler say, why did he only say Serena's last name. But there was one that topped his list right now.

"Umm, good morning. What are you doing here?" Ash asked.

"One of your Pokemon called me a few minutes ago. Since I knew which room it was and that the Pokemon didn't seem distressed I assumed that there wasn't trouble. So I decided to come up and find out what's going on, and I brought some fresh made Pokemon food, " the butler replied.

The Pokemon cheered, and several went up to him with expecting looks.

"I guess they were just hungry and didn't want to wake us. How did you know what kind of Pokemon food we needed?" Ash asked.

"I didn't. I brought two bowls of every kind with me, and if I needed more I would just get more, " the butler replied.

He then began handing out bowls to each of the Pokemon. The Pokemon waited patiently as the food was handed out, and then they each found a spot to eat. Once they were all fed the butler turned to Ash and Serena.

"Well since I'm here, can I get you two anything for breakfast?" asked the butler.

"Sure, what's available?" Ash replied.

The butler then pulled two menus from the cart and handed one to each of them. Almost immediately they both noticed a problem.

"I can't read Torish, do you have a menu in Kantonian?" asked Ash.

"Actually I have a better idea. What is a traditional Torrent breakfast like?" asked Serena.

"Well a Torrent breakfast is usually the smallest meal of the day, but usually substantial enough to hold you over until close to noon. But generally, it would consist of fresh juice, Torrent hot chocolate, or coffee, ensaimadas which is a sweet bread, pastries, opened sandwiches, or toast. And the way we do toast, my be different from what your used to, " the butler explained.

"That all sounds good, how about juice and coffee, with ensaimadas, and some toast, " Serena replied.

"I'll have the same, " Ash replied.

The butler nodded and took the cart as he left to fetch them breakfast. There were two full sized bathrooms in the room so they both took showers as they waited. When Ash came out dressed a few minutes later he saw the butler was already placing everything on the table. The food was placed in the middle of the table, with two empty plates with the coffee and juice by two of the seats.

"Oh wow, this all looks so good. What is it all?" Ash asked.

"We have for you today, cafe con leche which is espresso and steamed milk, and freshly squeezed orange juice. The bread with the powered sugar are ensaimadas and these are pan con Tomate. The pan con tomate is sourdough toast with a mixture of tomato, olive oil, and salt and pepper, and topped with mamoswine ham, " the butler explained.

"Thank you very much, " Ash replied.

"You are very welcome. Also if you wished to train with your Pokemon, there is a training area on the ground level, and this room has a private battlefield on the roof, " the butler said before he left.

The word that he had his own private battlefield excited Ash, he wanted to just eat all his food fast and get right to training. However, Ash decided it would be best to wait for Serena and eat with her. A few minutes later Serena came out and was very surprised to see the Ash didn't even start eating yet and instead waited for her. She then sat down with Ash to enjoy their breakfast.

"So what's the plan for today and when is your performance, " asked Ash.

"Well my performance isn't until three, but Palermo said she wants me there at two. I guess she wants to make sure I'm able to be ready on time. Other than that, I'd like to run through my performance one more time and just do some little things to prepare, and that's it, " said Serena.

"I was told there is a private battlefield for us on the roof, so you could do that up there. I think I'm going to work on training my Pokemon till your ready, then I say we go out for lunch, " Ash replied.

"That sounds great, " Serena replied.

Serena then took a sip of her coffee and placed it back down. Ash then tried to do the same, but had a different reaction.

"Aww man, that is really bad, " Ash stated with a disgusted look on his face.

"Whats wrong?" asked Serena.

"It just tastes gross to me, " Ash replies, then took a sip of juice.

Serena then took Ash's cup and took a sip.

"It tastes fine to me, " said Serena.

"I guess I just don't like it. Maybe my palette isn't sophisticated enough for this place, " Ash stated in an annoyed tone.

"Ash are you ok?" Serena asked with a concerned tone.

"Yes...no. This whole thing is being a little more than I'm used to that's all. That and..." Ash said, trailing off at the end.

"and what?" Serena asked, concerned what could be bothering Ash.

"It's just, according to Palermo the Kalos Queen should be pretty much living first class all the way. I've only been experiencing this for two days and it's making me worry, worry that this is what your going to expect out of life. I mean this isn't me. I'm the kind of guy who would want a house out in the country or on the out skirts of a city, and definitely no butlers or anyone waiting on me, " Ash explained.

Serena looked at Ash and smiled.

"Ash, I don't care about any of this. Palermo set this up, and yes she set us up at other nice hotels for all my performances. But that doesn't mean this is what I want out of life. Yes I would like to fly first class, but that's only because I like having all that room in the seats and don't feel so cramped. But everything in life, no. I don't want servants or to live in big cities. What you just described is part of how I want to live, but you missed the one thing I need to make me happy, " Serena explained as she stood up and walked over to Ash.

"Whats that?" Ash asked.

Serena smiled and put her hands on Ash's cheeks and lowered her face to his.

"You, " Serena said in a seductive tone.

Serena then began to kiss Ash passionately. Ash happily returned the kiss, and pushed his chair away from the table. Ash had intended to stand up as he kissed Serena, but she stopped him by climbing onto his lap, then stepped it up to Kalos kissing. The Pokemon all turned around to give them some privacy, while Braixen wondered how well Greninja's tongue would work with Kalos kissing.

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A few hours later Serena and her Pokemon had practiced their performance routine, and Ash trained his Pokemon. They then ate a lunch of various tapas. The waiter tried to encourage them to have some wine with their tapas, however, due to Serena's upcoming performance she declined, and Ash declined just because drinking was new to him and just didn't want to. It was then time to go to the showcase. They arrived a little bit earlier than two to a white and gray building, that from the outside didn't look as big or nice as the stadiums or colosseums that showcases were held at in Kalos.

Ash and Serena at first thought that they had the wrong address, but the banners on the exterior advertising the showcase made it clear this was the place. They then proceeded to a side entrance with a security guard wearing a black suit and tie with sunglasses.

"Hello I'm Serena Yvonne, I'm the performer from Kalos, " Serena said the the guard.

Without saying a word he pulled up a tablet he was holding at his side and looked at the screen as he scrolled through the names. He then pulled a radio off his belt and brought it up.

"The performer form Kalos is here, " He said into the radio.

"Let them inside, I'm on my way, " replied a voice through the radio.

The man then turned to the side and opened the door.

"Head down along this wall to the first turn and wait, Don Jose is on his way to meet you, " started the guard.

"Thank you." "thanks, " Ash and Serena reply as they walk past him.

The guard merely nods his head in response. Ash and Serena walk down a service coordinator, and as they come to a hallway on the left, a man walks out and to them. The man was wearing a black suit with gold detail with matching pants and vest, with a white button down shirt underneath, black slicked-back hair, and very shiny black shoes.

"Hola senorita Serena. I am Don Jose, the Master of Ceremonies for the Torrent showcases,  it's a pleasure to finally meet you, " Don Jose say as he arrives.

He then takes Serena's hand and kisses it as he bows to her. Then as he straightens up he looks to Ash.

"And you must be senor Ash, also a pleasure to meet you, " Don says as he extends his hand to Ash to shake.

Ash takes his hand and they give each other a firm handshake, resulting in Don Jose smiling, then releasing Ash's hand.

"You give a good firm handshake that's expected from a real man. Let me guess, didn't like me kissing your girlfriend's hand?" Asked Don Jose.

"No it's fine, its just a hand, " Ash replied.

"Oh really? So what if I kissed her check? Or better, her lips?" Don Jose questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"First of all your about fifteen years older than Serena, so I wouldn't feel threatened if that's what you're getting at. But if you did cross a line, well, I wasn't putting a lot of strength into that handshake. So if you did go that far, you might just find out how strong I am first hand," Ash replied with a smile.

Serena was nervous, as Ash had essentially just threatened Don Jose. She loved that she learned Ash would stand up for her and defend her honor, but Don Jose was the Master of Ceremonies, making him pretty important. Serena just hoped that he wasn't going to kick Ash out and have him banned from her performances.

Don Jose smiled, then laughed, "Ha Ha Ha. I like you. You stand by your woman and are ready to defend her honor, very admirable, you have my respect, " Don Jose said as he patted Ash's left shoulder.

Serena breathed a sigh of relief that Don Jose wasn't mad.

"Now please follow me, I'll show you to your dressing room, " Don Jose said as he turned around and walked back down the hall that he came from.

They walked down the halls making a few turns until they came the a room with Serena's name on it. The Don opened the door to allow them to walk inside. The room was very nice with a couch, several chairs, a table with a bowl of fruit on it, as well as various types of Pokemon food, a mini fridge loaded with drinks, and a vanity for Serena to do her makeup and hair.

"So is the room to your liking?" asked a woman's voice.

Ash and Serena quickly turned around to see Palermo herself sitting in a chair by the door.

"Palermo!? What are you doing here?" Serena asked in surprise.

"Well this is the very first showcase in the Torrent region. I'd like to see how it goes, that and it just looks best if someone from the board is here to oversee everything for the first time, " Palermo explained.

"Well I'm happy to see you here, I won't let you down, " Serena said confidently at the end.

"I know you won't, that's why I chose you to start off the showcases in Torrent, " Palermo replied.

"I have been wondering though, why didn't you have Aria do this performance?" Serena asked.

"That was a decision made with Aria. Even though it would have been fine if she did this performance, it was decided that in the long term it was better for you to do it, " Palermo explained.

"Why would I have been a better decision than Aria?" Asked Serena.

"Dont worry about that now. Just know that Aria and I both agreed you are the best performer for the job. Now you need to get ready. Ash please come with me to our seats, Serena will join us after her performance. Serena, Don Jose will explain how everything will happen after your ready, " Palermo explained.

"I'll be right outside, just let me know when your changed and I can come in, " Don Jose said, then walked out.

"Well I guess that's my que too. I'll see you after your performance, " Ash said.

He and Serena then shared a loving kiss, and Ash began to walk out.

"Ash would you be so kind as to be my escort, " Palermo started as she had her arm out.

"Umm, ok, " Ash replied uncertain.

Palermo then hooked her arm with Ash's as he walked up to her.

"Its been so long since I've had a handsome young man escort me anywhere, " Palermo stated as she and Ash walked out the door.

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Ash and Palermo walked for a little while to their balcony seats. The inside looked much nicer than the outside.

"Mrs. Palermo, I'd like to thank you again for making it so I could come here, " Ash said to Palermo after they took their seats.

"Ash think nothing of it, but keep in mind, I am a business woman, I do what's best for business. You coming created an opportunity that I'm taking full advantage of, " Palermo stated.

"You mean the social media campaign right?" Ash asked.

"Ash look at this place, as nice as it is, it is small compared to the showcase locations in Kalos. The popularity we were hoping for just isn't there yet. This region has earned a good reputation for being ideal for strong trainers, strong Pokemon, strong gyms, strong league. However when you bring in that many strong trainers, sometimes you get trainers who are dangerous. This region has also earned a reputation for being dangerous to other trainers as well. There are a lot of trainers with complete moral vacuums who will do unthinkable things, especially to a beautiful young woman who isn't strong enough to defend herself, " Palermo stated.

"Why did you want to start showcases in such a dangerous region?" Asked Ash.

"We didn't, the Torrent region government asked us to. They aren't happy with the reputation their region is getting, and are trying to fix it. Their hope is that the showcases will soften their image, so they are the ones funding this whole endeavor for the next three years. If it proves worth it, we'll keep the showcases here and fund it ourselves. We were going to issue bodyguards for all the performers, but then when Serena asked if you could come with her, I looked into you, " Palermo smiled as she leaned back in her chair.

"Your a trainer to be reckoned with Mr. Ketchum, " Palermo said with an impressed tone.

"I don't know about that, I've never even won a league yet, " Ash stated, sounding a little disheartened.

"I'm not talking about leagues, I'm talking about your work against criminal organizations and work dealing with crisises involving legendary Pokemon," Palermo said.

Ash froze in shock.

"You know about all that?"Ash asked.

"Oh yes. It wasn't easy but I learned a great deal about you. My only question is why doesn't the whole world know, " Palermo asked.

Ash sighed. "because I don't want the whole world to know."

"But your a hero, the people would love you, " Palermo asked in a confused tone.

"Probably, but I don't want that attention from that yet, " Ash explained.

"Ok I don't follow. You compete in these leagues, eventually your going to win and I imagine one day become a champion, and that comes with attention, " Palermo stated.

"Yes I know that, I've always known and accepted that. But all those instances when I was, as you said been a hero, that was the farthest thing from my mind. I did it because it had to be done, I was there, and if I didn't do anything, the world was going to end or a lot of people were going to get hurt, " Ash leaned back and sighed. "I might be dense but I'm not stupid, I know this will all get out one day. I just want to achieve my dreams before it happens, or at least close to the same time. Champions have enough trouble moving around in public because of their titles. It would make things difficult for me to earn gym badges if I became famous before winning a league."

"I see, that actually makes sense. In that case I hope you win this league. The longer a secret remains hidden, yet keeps building, the more likely it will be discovered, " Palermo explained.

"I know, " Ash replied.

"One more question on the topic, does Serena know?" Palermo asked.

"Not all of it. She knows about the times in Kalos, but that's it, " Ash replied.

"In that case take it from a woman who has been divorced, keeping secrets can only hurt. You might not think it's a big deal because your not hiding something bad you did, but this could hurt Serena and make her think you don't trust her, " Palermo explained.

"But I do trust her. I trust Serena with my life. I just haven't had reason to tell her, " Ash replied.

"It doesn't matter if you trust her if she doesn't think you do. Words are cheap, actions speak louder. It's better to show her that you trust her before this all gets out. You don't need a reason to tell her, you just need to tell her before she finds out on her own, " Palermo explained.

Palermo's word resonated with Ash as he resolved to tell Serena before it was too late.