Author's Notes:
GOOD MORNING READERS! I hope you're all doing well and staying healthy durning these troubling times. And to help you forget your troubles and help with your cabin fever I'm being you another chapter to keep you entertained.

Only one announcement today. Since my last update I achieved 1K followers! So I'd like to thank you all, the greatest fans ever.

With that said, if you like my work please vote, feel free to comment, and please share this story with your friends. I now present to you chapter 75. Enjoy.

"Ok, did she say left or right?" Shauna asked.

"I'm pretty sure left," Serena replied.

"Same here," Miette agreed.

As the girls waited for Ash's battle with Don Jose, they learned that the castle had a spa. The girls then decided they wanted to visit it before the Master Class to get their nails done as well as some other things they could do with their boyfriends. Currently the girls were looking for the castle's spa to block out some time to do these things. Remembering that they originally were going to visit a spa with Calem, they asked Antonio and got his permission to invite Calem into the castle so he could join them.

"So, what other services are you planning on getting?" Serena asked Shana and Miette as they walked.

"Couples massage. Paul's been looking a little stiff lately, and not in a good way," Miette said with a smirk at the end. "And camping out all the time has been leaving my back aching, so I figured it would be a nice relaxing thing we can do together."

"I'm reserving the whole sauna for just Trevor and I," Shauna replied with a smirk.

"I'm sure the sauna is big enough for multiple people. Why would you want the whole thing to yourselves?" Serena asked.

"Oh," Miette replied. "I know why. Shauna you naughty girl." Shauna and Miette giggled as they both no what she had planned.

"Mind filling my in? Because I have no idea what's going...." Serena then paused and blushed as she realized Shauna's reason. "Oh. Never mind, I get it now."

"Well good. You know sometimes you seem almost as innocent as Ash," Shauna replied.

"There's nothing wrong with not being as sexually explicit as you two. Besides, why would you want to do it in the sauna anyways? It's so hot and you'll be all sweaty, not to mention someone could just walk in. It just doesn't make sense to me," Serena said, sounding defensive.

"That's exactly why I think it would be fun. Our sweaty bodies pressed up against one another as we bang until we can barely stand and are completely exhausted. Not to mention the excitement of possibly getting caught," Shauna explained with a lewd smirk.

Meanwhile Serena was feeling a bit
embarrassed by the talk of sex, and was giving a full body blush. Miette noticed this and took her arm to take a closer look.

"Serena? Are you having a full body blush?" Miette teased, resulting in Serena jerking her arm back. "You are! That's so cute. I bet Ash likes it."

"I don't think he realizes it. I don't really feel embarrassed much around him where he could tell anymore," Serena replied.

"As in when you're naked?" Shauna asked.

Serena nodded. "Yes, and back when I would feel more nervous, I usually had the lights pretty dim."

"Hmm. Serena, can I borrow your phone?" Miette asked.

"Ok," Serena replied as she pulled out her phone and handed it to Miette. "What do you need it for?"

"Thank you," Miette replied happily as she began her work. "I think Ash needs to see your full body blush, so I'm downloading some apps on your phone to help make that happen."

"What?! Give it back," Serena practically yelled as she tried to get her phone back.

Serena reached for her phone but Miette extended her arms to keep the phone away as long as possible, as Shauna kept to the side and laughed at her two friends. It didn't take long for Serena to lose her patience and her eyes began to glow red, and she used her psychic powers to yank the phone from Miette's hand.

"That's fine, the apps are almost done downloading anyways," Miette stated proudly.

"What did you even download?" Serena asked as she looked at her phone. "Sex dice? Position a day? Sex blog?"

"Yup, I have all of those myself. Knowing you, if you use those, Ash will be seeing your fully body blush in no time," Miette replied.

"I'm deleting all of these," Serena stated angrily.

"Wait! Before you do that, just listen to me," Miette said urgently. Serena stopped and looked her her with her eyes narrowed. "Thank you. Now I know you're extremely nervous about sex, and I get it. But I also can tell you are also very curious about it. Every time we've run into each other in Torrent, I've told you about the sexual things Paul and I have done. And even though you freak out every time, you've never once asked me to stop. The things Paul and I do might be out of your comfort zone, but you clearly want to hear about it so you can have more fun with Ash. Tell me I'm wrong."

Serena just looked away looking embarrassed. "So what are these apps anyway?"

Miette smirked as Shauna's eyes opened wide with shock that Serena was going to listen and potentially keep the apps.

"Well sex dice is a simple enough app, six random sex related things put on the die. After you tap it one randomly comes up. It can be anything from foreplay to a sex position," Miette explained.

Serena listened carefully to Miette's explanation while blushing and looking a little uncomfortable. Shauna on the other hand, appeared to be eagerly searching for the app herself.

"Position a day is pretty self explanatory. It randomly gives you a new sex position for you to do every day," Miette continued. "And sex blog is an app where people talk about the sex they've experienced, and sometimes even challenge others to do it as well. There are different blogs so you can pick what you're comfortable with, and then find something you like and try it out. Even though I'm sure Ash would like the idea of doing a challenge, I don't think you should actually participate in them. If you do the challenges, you need to prove it. Like by sending a video or pictures."

"Nope, I'm not doing that. I don't think I would ever get comfortable recording having sex," Serena replied to the topic of the last app.

"I don't blame you. I don't think I would either," Shauna chimed in.

"Yeah, Paul wasn't up for that either. We'll read the challenges and sometimes do them, but we don't actually participate in them officially," Miette agreed.

Shauna and Miette talked a little more about the apps as they continued to walk to the spa, when they heard a loud yell coming from one of the rooms.

"WHAT?!" The voice yelled coming from behind a set of double doors.

"That sounded like Palermo," Serena commented.

"What is she freaking out over?" Miette thought out loud.

"Let's find out," Shauna replied with a whisper as she walked up to one of the doors and pressed her ear against it. Miette followed suite.

"What do you two think you're doing? You're going to get caught!" Serena whispered urgently.

"Come on, you can't tell us that you're not curious about what Palermo is freaking out over," Shauna replied before focusing on listening through the door.

"If you're so worried, how about some help? You can make sure we don't get caught," Miette taunted with a smirk.

"What are you talking about?" Shauna asked as she looked back and forth between her friends, still not knowing Serena was psychic.

"Oh nothing. Keep listening, I think it's about to get good," Miette replied quickly to keep Shauna away from Serena's secret.

Shauna quickly dropped the topic and went back to eavesdropping on Palermo. Serena might not have condoned eavesdropping, but she couldn't deny she was curious, and better at it than her friends. Serena used her psychic powers to scan the room to see who was inside, to find Palermo, Aria, and Alain. She then lightly linked her mind to Aria's so she could see what she missed, and to borrow her hearing so she could listen in on the rest.

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"WHAT?!" Palermo yelled in shock as she pushed herself back in her chair and dropped her tea.
"I said Palermo, I'm pregnant. Alain and I are going to have a baby," Aria said with a blissful smile as she held Alain's hand while he smiled as well.

"I heard you the first time. I just can't...I mean I..." Palermo said as she tried to collect her thoughts. Palermo then took a deep breath and continued. "Aria we had a plan, what were you thinking?"

Aria's smile disappeared as it appeared that Palermo wasn't happy at all. "I just told you that I'm pregnant. You could at least congratulate us and act like you're happy for me," Aria said as she fought to hold back her tears and Alain pulled her into a hug to try and comfort her.

Palermo sighed. "I am happy for you. I know this is something you've wanted for a while now," Palermo replied in a more comforting tone. "It's just that you said you were going to wait till after the Kalos Master Class to start trying. I've got so many appearances scheduled for you that I need to cancel now, not to mention you were supposed to do the opening ceremony for the Torrent Master Class."

"I can still do all of that. I'm not showing yet," Aria replied, sounding happier.

"Absolutely not!" Palermo replied sternly. "It's far too dangerous for the baby. One slip up or fall and you could lose the baby." Palermo rubbed her temple. "I'm going to have to come up with some excuse as to why you are stepping down so suddenly."

"How about the truth? I'm stepping down as Kalos Queen effective immediately due to being made pregnant by the love of my life," Aria replied then kissed Alain.

"No we can't say that yet. At this early stage of pregnancy, you could lose the baby very easily even if you do everything right. That's not something you're going to want to share with the world if it happens. No we need something vague but also true," Palermo replied as she looked deep in thought.

"How about just saying she's stepping down for medical reasons? It's not a lie, and you can easily explain the full truth later," Alain suggested.

"Hmm, not bad. Yes, that should work," Palermo replied with a satisfied smile.

"However we still have the problem of the Torrent Master Class opening. I still can't allow you to perform. We'll need to find a replacement for you that's on your level." Palermo then looked as she was in deep thought as Alain thought he saw the door shake slightly. He stood up and quickly but quietly walked to the door and opened it. When he did this, Miette and Shauna fell inside, while Serena was seen leaning up against the opposite wall.
"What is the meaning of this?! Were you two eavesdropping?" Palermo asked, clearly sounding displeased with the girls.

"We're sorry," Serena said as she drew attention from her friends. "We were walking by when we heard you yell and were concerned."

"How much did you girls hear?" Palermo asked.

"Umm, congratulations Aria," Miette said, sounding nervous.

"Congratulations to you too, Alain," Shauna chimed in.

"I am very disappointed in you girls. Eavesdropping is very unbecoming of a lady. At least Serena had the decency to not listen in," Palermo scolded, but then sounded more calm when speaking of Serena.

Just then Aria's eyes widened in realization. "Serena, your Braixen evolved into a Delphox, right?"

"Yes she did, a few months ago," Serena replied.

"Yes, I see where you're going with this Aria. I think it'll work," Palermo replied as a confident smile formed on her face. "Girls, sit," Palermo instructed firmly as she pointed to the couch in the room. Miette and Shauna quietly got up on their feet and walked over quickly as Serena joined them, and congratulated Alain and Aria when she walked by them. "First off, everything you heard is to be kept quiet. I don't want either of you to utter a word about any of it. Do I make myself clear?" All three girls nodded vigorously with their eyes wide. "Good. Now as I'm sure you heard, Aria was supposed to be taking part in the opening ceremony in the form of a performance, along with two other performers. Simply put, the three of you have been the names we've been discussing. Since Aria can't perform now, the three of you will now be doing the performance," informed them with an authoritative tone that showed they didn't have a choice.

The three girls' eyes widened as smiles formed on their faces. "Yes ma'am," the girls replied excitedly.

"Good. You'll be meeting with the choreographer after breakfast tomorrow, and bring your Pokédexes. He's going to need to know what Pokémon you have to choose from for any changes he's going to have to make," Palermo explained. "You can go now, except Serena. I wish to have a word with you."

The girls looked nervous as Shauna and Miette stood up and walked out of the room. "Alain, if you could, please wait outside and make sure they don't eavesdrop again." Alain nodded as he gave Aria a quick kiss, stood up, and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"It's been a while Serena, how have you been? And how are things with you and Ash?" Palermo asked in a pleasant tone as she sat back down in a chair.

"I'm good, as well as Ash and I. Why do you ask?" Serena replied.

"I'm just planning ahead. I believe you will be the next Kalos Queen and I want to know what I have to work with," Palermo replied.

"You're planning on using Ash aren't you?" Serena deduced.

"I don't know how much Ash has told you about his past travels, but with a record like his I could use that to bring a lot of wanted attention to the showcases and maybe expand to other regions as well," Palermo explained.

"I don't appreciate you using my relationship like this. And I don't think Ash wants his past presented for the whole world to see," Serena replied.

"Even if I don't expose Ash's past, I can still use him to help the showcases. Besides I'm only taking advantage of the situation, it's not like I set you two up so I could use him," Palermo stated.

"Fine," Serena replied as she crossed her arms.

"Please don't be like that. This can be beneficial for all of us," Palermo stated.

"How?" Serena asked skeptically.

"I tried to turn Aria and Alain into a power couple, the kind that the people would love. The Kalos Queen and the Kalos Champion. But sadly Alain had no desire to take that title from Diantha, nor did he like the spotlight. Ash on the other hand is charismatic, light hearted, and fairly easy to like. I could do much more with the two of you than I could Alain and Aria," Palermo began to explain.

"One problem! Ash doesn't want to be a league champion. He wants to travel and challenge all the leagues and become a Pokémon Master," Serena explained.

"And he can do all of that. I'll even pay for the two of you to travel together. As for champion, he might not want it now, but by the time he defeats all the leagues and becomes a Pokémon Master, he's going to have grown up a bit, and want a way to still battle strong trainers, and ultimately provide for his family," Palermo says with a confident smirk as she leans back in her chair.

Serena didn't reply, as she didn't know what to say. She had to admit, she never thought that far ahead in detail into hers and Ash's future. She knew she wanted a family with Ash and that he wanted the same. She could picture it in her mind, but she never thought about the financial part in regards to how they would provide for their family. Serena knew she would be Kalos Queen, but that wasn't a forever job as she could be defeated or age out. As for Ash, there was no age limit, and being a trainer could be a very stable way to provide for a family if done right.

"I know we might be getting ahead of ourselves right now, but sometimes it's good to think long term when an offer is presented. As for Ash's past exploits, since you already seem to know what I'm talking about, your opinion is probably well informed. But remember it will get out eventually, either by me or someone else. I won't do it without Ash's consent, but I think he would even agree that it would be easier if it came out on his terms so the situation can be controlled and it won't catch him off guard. I'm not expecting an answer now, but talk it over with him. I can represent you both and make your lives a lot easier," Palermo said.

"She's not wrong," Aria said, finally speaking since the conversation began. "Alain and I tried to do things ourselves, but the media is vicious and unrelenting. At least with Palermo, we were able to have a somewhat normal life while she kept them more or less under control. And with Ash's history of saving the world, you're going to want that control if it gets out."

"Thank you, I'll discuss it with Ash," Serena said, then started to stand up. "But if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go join my friends." With that said Serena left the room and joined Shauna and Miette.

"You told her my plan didn't you?" Palermo asked Aria after the door closed.

"Of course, she deserved to have a heads up and not get caught off guard. At least this way she wasn't angry like she was when I told her," Aria replied.

"Maybe it was for the best," Palermo sighed. "That's why predicting the future is left to the professionals."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aria asked slowly as she gave Palermo a nervous look.

"Before I returned to Torrent, I had a meeting with Olympia to ask about Ash's past coming out," Palermo replied.

"She actually told you?!" Aria replied in shock.

"Not at first, but after I expressed my concern for him and Serena, she relented," Palermo said with a triumphant expression, but then changed to a perplexed one. "But she said it in the most unusual way. She said that the Ketchum past was coming back to haunt us all."