(Normal POV)

After the battle Ash had with Viola they stop at the Pokémon Center to heal Ashes Pokémon and stend the night before heading out again. As Pikachu and Fletchling are resting up Ash and the others were in the lobby relaxing from the down time they have.

"So Ash where to next?" Clemont asked.

"I haven't thought of that, do you know where is the nearest gym is from here other than the Lumiose city one?" Ash asked.

"Let me see" Serena said. She then got out her Pokénav and looked for another gym.

"It looks like there is one in Cyllage City, we will need to head back to Lumiose city and take another route from there for your next gym badge" she said.

"Alright next stop Cyllage City" Ash said. Just then Nurse Joy came out with Ashes Pikachu and Fletchling fully energized.

"Thank you for waiting, your Pokémon are all healed" Nurse Joy said.

"Great thanks" Ash said as he took his Pokémon and headed to the room.

After about 20 minutes of Ash getting his Pokémon back, the group are laying in their beds but not ready to sleep yet. To pass the time everyone was asking Ash about his battle and how he felt about it.

"So how did you come up with Pikachu using Electro Ball on itself?" Bonnie asked.

"Well... I had to come up with some way to keep Pikachu awake so.... I thought that attack would keep him awake and get rid of the sleep powder" Ash said.

"Have you ever had to come up with strategies like that before?" Clemon asked.

"Ya bunch of times" he said. "But that what makes battling really fun and interesting to do, studying your opponent, seeing their strengths and weaknesses, coming up with counter attacks, and sometimes doing something crazy like I did today."

As Ash was answering and explaining his battle experiences to the group Serena was just lying there staring at Ash and was at awe for all he had done. She couldn't help but to smile to see how Ash was always so motivated and determined when he trains. She couldn't be any luckier to be traveling with anyone as amazing as he was. Then she thought about her goal, she decided to be a Pokémon performer but then she thought...

"Am I good enough, will I ever be as amazing as a performer as Ash is as a trainer, how am I going to tell my mom, how am I going to explain this, how am I..."

"Serena you seem very quit are you ok" Ash said. That shocked Serena out of her thought and looked at Ash.

"Oh ya I'm fine just got a lot on my mind" she said.

"Ok.... Well it's getting late let's get some sleep good night everyone" Ash said as he lay down in his bed. Soon after everyone else tucked themselves in bed and fell asleep.

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It was the next morning and everyone was already on the road to head back to Lumiose city. They were calmly walking on the path when all of a sudden they heard what sounds like a stampede.

"Huh what is that?" Ash asked.

"It sounds like..." Serena started to say when all of sudden a group of Rhyhorn with people on them were running down the path they were on. They quickly jumped off the path and out of their way as the group of Rhyhorn came down and past them.

"Rhyhorn racing" Clemont said. "Does that mean...."

"What are you kids doing here?" a voice said. The four turned around and saw Officer Jenney riding up on her police bike and stopped right in front of them. "This path is closed for the Rhyhorn racers intill further notice."

"Sorry Officer we were just passing through to get to Lumiose city and we didn't know that the road was close" Bonnie said.

She sighed "Well... at least you're ok, let me show you the way to the nearest town were the Rhyhorn racing is taking place and for you kids to rest up" Jenny said.

"Wow thanks" Ash said. The four were then escorted to the next town over were the event was taking place when they got there they see all kinds of stuff going on from racing, to training, and even renting your own Rhyhorn.

(Serena POV)

"Wow there is a lot going on here" Ash said looking amazed. He then got out is Pokédex and scanned one of the Rhyhorns

Rhyhorn, the Spikes Pokémon.It is inept at turning because of its four short legs. It can only charge and run in one direction.

"You know Ash Rhyhorn racing is a very popular sport here in Kalos" Clemont said.

"Wow look at all the Rhyhorn" Bonnie said.

"Ya well... I saw all of this before" I said not sounding very impressed.

"Really you have" Ash asked.

"Remember Ash I been on a Rhyhorn before and my mom took me here before to watch some of the races she took place in."

"Oh ya your mom is a Rhyhorn racer isn't she?" Clemont asked.

"Ya she is, she tried to teach me how to be a Rhyhorn racer but I never got the hang of it." I said just then Bonnie was pulling on my arm and asked me

"Hey Serena, since you been here before and you know your way around can you show me the Rhyhorn pin I want to see the kinds of Rhyhorn you can rent"

"Sure Bonnie" I said to her as a started walking with her. I then turned around and noticed Ash and Clemont was still watching the people racing.

"Ash, Clemont aren't you coming?" I asked.

"Maybe later I still want to see the racing" Ash said.

"Be too, I don't get to see Rhyhorn racing very often" Clemont said.

"Oh... ok I will just meet up with you guys later." And with that I was off with Bonnie leading her to the pines were they keep the Rhyhorns for people to rent. When we got there Bonnie and I were leaning against the fence that kelp the Rhyhorns and watched the different kinds of Rhyhorns they had.

"Wow it looks like they have one for all kinds of people to use" Bonnie said.

"Ya there are lot, but to be honest they all look the same to me."

Bonnie then looked up at me as though there was something wrong with me. "Serena it sounds like to me that you don't like Rhyhorn racing very much" She said to me.

"Well...... it's not that I don't like the sport it's just I don't like being part of the sport, when my mom tried to train me to be a Rhyhorn racer I kelp getting thrown off by Rhyhorn and crashed into the ground."

"Oh ya you told me about that" Bonnie said.

"Don't get me wrong I like Rhyhorns I just don't like riding them"

"Oh I see" she said. She then looked down to her feet and looked back up to me like she had something on her mind. "Soooo...... Uh.... Serena can I ask you something that been in my mind for a while, it might be a little personal"

"Sure Bonnie........ wait it is something bad" I asked.

"No no its nothing bad it's just I want to know what you think about Ash" She said.

"Huh?" I said my face turning red when she said that. "Uh... I mean why do you ask?"

"Well it's just you sometimes act a little different around him. Also I knowest that you stare at him from time to time. Plus I have seen your Fennekin doing the same thing to Ashes Pikachu. Both if your faces were a bit red when you were doing it. I was just wondering if you were doing for any reason... or you just didn't knowest you were doing that" Bonnie said.

"She saw that." Was that really that obvious. Was I really blushing when Fennekin and I were staring at Ash and Pikachu? Does she think what I think she thinks?

"Serena.... It there something you want to tell me" She asked.

I didn't know how to answer her. I then though if she is going to be around me on my journey I might as well tell her. I don't mind telling her, it's just I don't know she can keep a secret. I really didn't want to know yet but if she is already suspicious I might as well tell her now.

"Well.... You see Bonnie I uh....."

"SERANA" A Voice yelled behind me. I looked over to see were the voice was coming from. I saw it was coming from a woman running towards me with brown hair, a blue top, and...... WAIT is that.... Its its....... MOM?

"Serena I found you I am so glad you're safe" my mom said as she ran up to me and hugged me a tight as she could.

"Uh ya I'm fine what are you doing here, how did you find me?"

"I figured you would be here training for your Rhyhorn racing" she said still hugging me.

"Uh Serena who is she?" Bonnie asked. My mom released me from her hug and then looked at Bonnie.

"Who's your friend?" she asked.

"Bonnie this is my mother, mom this is Bonnie she is one of the new people I met and we are traveling with." I said introducing the two to each other.

"WHAT?!?!" My mom said shocked. "Serena you can barely take care of yourself and now you're taking a little kid all around Kalos all by yourself, are you crazy."

"What! ..... what are you talking about?" I said defensively to my mother.

"Don't act so surprise to me young lady" she said with a series tone. "I saw the Garchomp incident that happened in Lumiose city on the new, I saw you in Garchomps arms as he was unleashing Hyper Beams all around himself, and worse of all you fell from the top of Prism Tower."

"But mom that was not my fault!"

"Maybe so, still you got yourself in a dangerous situation and I was worried sick, you're lucky that one trainer show up and saved you before you got seriously hurt" she said with even a more serious tone. "I don't even know if you should be on a journey anymore."

"WHAT!!!" I said completely shocked. "How could you say that?" Was she really serious? Am I going to stop my journey here and go back home? But I just started, I just got Fennekin, I just made some new friends, but most importantly I got to see Ash again after all this time.

"But Serena like her journey, you can't just take her away like that" Bonnie said trying to defend me.

"Look Bonnie I know you have taking a liking to my daughter, but I just don't think she can take care of herself, let alone you all by herself." My mom said.

"But she is not alone, there is also my brother and Ash" Bonnie said.

"Who?" My mom asked.

"My brother, Clemont, and our friend Ash" Bonnie said. "All four of us are traveling together all around Kalos." My mom then looked at the both of us and gave a sigh of relief.

"Phew.... I thought it was only the two of you" My mom said relieved. "Still... I don't think you're ready to be on a journey yet Serena I think you should come home with me and continue your Rhyhorn racing training with me."

"WHAT but mom I...."

"SERENA my mind is made up you are coming home right n........"

"Hey what's going on over there?" I heard. Bonnie and I turned our heads and saw Ash and Clemont running towards us. "Is everything ok?"

"This is a family matter sir now if you don't mind I will...." My mom started to say while turning her head to face Ash and Clemont. She then stopped and as she saw Ash and stared at him. She thought she have seen him somewhere before as she was still staring at him. After about 20 seconds she remembered.

"Your.... You're that trainer who save my daughter from that Garchomp" She said.

"Uh said I am... wait your daughter, does that mean...." Ash stared to say.

"Yes I'm Serena's mother" she said. "I take it that you're Ash"

"Yup that me" he said to my mom. "So what brings you here?"

"Ash it's terrible she is trying to take Serena away" Bonnie said.

"WHAT!" Both Ash and Clemont said at the same time. "Why?"

"I saw what that Garchomp was doing to Lumiose city and how she was in the middle of it, I don't think she is ready to be on a journey yet." My mom said to the boys.

"That's not fair she didn't do anything wrong" Clemont said.

"I know, but she got herself captured my Garchomp and put herself and you into a dangerous position" my mom said looking at Ash.

"First of all it wasn't Serena's fault she got captured and secondly she didn't put me in a dangerous position I chose to climb to the top of Prism Tower to save her and stop Garchomp." Ash said trying to defend me.

"Look... I appreciate you saving my daughter but I don't want her to get into any more dangerous situations, I think it is best that she comes home with me to finish her Rhyhorn racing training with me." My mom said to them.

"Training? But she doesn't want to be a Rhyhorn racer" Clemont said.

"I know she is not that good at it yet but with a little more practice she can be a great racer" My mom said completely missing the point of what Clemont was trying to say.

"But she want to be a Pokémon Performer" Bonnie said.

"Pokémon Performer?" she said a bit confused.

"YES" I said trying to sound confident to her. "That's what I want to do, I thought traveling around with Ash and the others would help me become a great performer."

"I know you mean will miss, but Serena does not want to be a Rhyhorn racer. But she really wants to be a Pokémon performer, she won't, but she can't become one if she is at home. I can tell if she continues to travel with us she will be a great Pokémon performer" Ash said. I blushed a bit when Ash. He was defending me. He really thinks I can do it, he is the only one that believes in me.

"I see" My mom said but not like she was changing her mind. "And may I ask why you are traveling in the first place?"

"I'm traveling around Kalos to challenge the gyms here and enter the Kalos league" Ash said.

"So you're a Pokémon trainer I supposed" she said.

"Yes I am, I came all the way from Kanto just to compete" He said.

"Kanto huh..." My mom said. "I can see you have a noble goal but I am still made up on my mind."

"But mom I...."

"I know how we can settle this" Ash said as she stepped forwards to face my mom. "How about we settle this with a battle."

"What?!?!" everyone but my mom and Ash said.

"You... you want to battle me" My mom said a little surprised but did not change her facial expression.

"Ya, it is the least you could do for me saving your daughter, besides this way she has a chance to defend herself." He said.

"What are the stakes for this battle?" she asked.

"If I win, you let Serena Continue traveling with us." Ash said.

"I suppose that seems fair" My mom said. " But I will should win..." She started to say. She was thinking of a way to make Ash back out from the battle, she thought for a moment but then came up with an idea. "If I win, you have to stop your journey here and return to Kanto."

"What!!!" Clemont, Bonnie and I said shocked. I can't believe she would say something like that just so I would go home. Unknown to everyone Grace was thinking...

"There is no way he would risk his journey for Serena, when he backs out I will take my daughter and...."

"You're on" Ash said. Everyone including my mom was shocked that he agreed to those terms.

"What! ..... No Ash don't, you can't risk your journey just to save me." I pleaded "Don't I'll be ok just continue your journey without me, after a year or so I will......"

"I can't do that Serena" Ash said looking at me with a serious look. "I made you a promise Serena, that I will protect you from all kinds of danger that includes your dream of being a Pokémon Performer."

"But Ash I...."

"No buts about Serena I have to do this, do don't know when you can start your journey again and by the time you do it might be too late" He said to me, then he gave me a confident smile. "Besides, I'm the one battling; you know I will be fine."

"I..... Uh.... Guess so."

"Don't worry about me Serena." he said with a thumbs up. "You can count on me." At that point I can't do anything to stop Ash. His mind is made up and knowing him he will never give up. He really cares about me to put his journey on the line. Again, one of the things I like about him he puts others first. (Unknown to me I was blushing a bit).

"So you ready to battle?" Ash asked.

"Uh.... Ok Ash" my mom said hesitating.

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(Normal POV)

Both Ash and Grace where at the battle field right outside of the local Pokémon Center. Grace was still surprise that Ash accepted her terms. Truth be told, even if she did win she wouldn't make Ash go back to Kanto. The only Pokémon she had with her was Rhyhorn. Even though it had battled before she can tell it was going to be a tough.

"Ok Rhyhorn time to battle" Grace said as she released her Rhyhorn ready to battle.

Everyone else was on the side lines watching the battle, even Serena's Fennekin was out to watch the battle. She was worried to because if Ash lose he would leave and take Pikachu with him and she would never get to see him again. Clemont, Bonnie, and their Pokémon were out to watch because they know there was a lot on the line.

"A Rhyhorn huh... well in that case I choose you" Ash said as he threw his pokeball. Everyone thought that Froakie was going to battle, but no, instead it was Ash's Charizard.

Everyone was shocked that he chose Charizard. Why didn't he choose Froakie, he has a clear advantage over Rhyhorn so why did he choose Charizard they thought.

"A Charizard, a flying and fire type.... Good I have an advantage.... But still" Grace thought.

"Ok Charizard use Steel wing" Ash said. Charizard then flew into the air and went straight a Rhyhorn with its wings of steel.

"Rhyhorn use Smack down" Grace said. Rhyhorn then shot a big rock straight at Charizard as he still was coming towards him.

"Cut through" it Ash said. Charizard with its steel wings cut right through the rock as it came towards him and continues to go straight at Rhyhorn.

"Quick dodge it" Grace said. Rhyhorn was able to get out of the way but part of the steel wing was able to hit one of Rhyhorn's legs as he gowned in pain.

"Smack Down again"

Dodge it" Ash said. But it was no good. Charizard was too close to dodge it and was hit in the face as he plummeted to the ground.

"Good now use Take Down" Grace said. Rhyhorn was now charging at Charizard that was still on the ground from the smack down.

"Quick use Flamethrower at his feet." Charizard from the ground shot his jet stream of fire at Rhyhorn feet. The heat of the flames make Rhyhorn roar in pain as he got out of the way and stopped him using take down.

"Great now use Mega Punch" Ash said.

"Intercepted it with Fury Attack" Grace Said.

"Both Pokémon came at each other with their respective attacks as they collided midair. However, due to the power difference the fury attack broke through the mega punch and continued to hit Charizard and forced him back a couple of yards.

"No Charizard" Ash said.

"No Ash!" "Fen!" Both Serena and Fennekin said worried.

"Let's finish this up, use Take Down." Grace said. The Rhyhorn was now heading full speed at Charizard. Charizard was in so much pain it could not move.

"ASH DON'T GIVE UP" Serena yelled with both hands over her heart. Grace looked over and knowest this.

"Serena seems to care a lot about Ash... Hmmmm... I wounder?" She thought.

"Come on Charizard you got to get up" Ash yelled. He had to think fast that Rhyhorn was coming fast he had to get Rhyhorn of balance but how.... What could he.... That's it.

"Charizard use Dragon Tail on the ground in front of you"

"Huh" Grace said confused. Before Rhyhorn could reach Charizard, the fire lizard swung his blue glowing tail straight at the ground and caused the ground to shake with unbelievable force. The force was so strong that it knocked Rhyhorn of balance and tripped on the ground in front of him.

"Good job Charizard, now use Seismic Toss" Ash yelled.

"Seismic Toss?!?!" Grace said worried. Charizard then flew straight at Rhyhorn while it was still down and grabbed him by the sides. Even though he was heavy Charizard mustered up the strength to lift Rhyhorn into the air. Charizard circled three times and then flew straight down to the ground and smashed Rhyhorn into the ground. When the dust cleared, it was clear that Rhyhorn was on the ground with swirly eyes unable to battle.

"Rhyhorn is unable to battle the winner is Charizard" Clemont announced.

"Yes we did it Charizard." Ash cheered as he ran up to him and hugged him.

"Pi Pikachu" Pikachu said happily. Soon after Serena and the other ran up to him and congratulated him. Serena actually went up and hugged Ash for his win and she was relieved that he won.

"Ash I was so worried" She said still hugging him "Thank you Ash I'm glad you won, now I can continue traveling with you on our journey."

"Uh... you're welcome Serena" Ash said returning the hug.

Grace sighed as she returned Rhyhorn to its pokeball. "You did great" She said as she put it away. She then walked up to the group and saw Serena was still hugging Ash. She smiled a bit and asked.

"You done?" Serena then released herself from Ash with her face completely red when her mother said that.

"Well Ash you beat me, I guess I have to let Serena continue traveling with you." Grace said.

"I guess so, thank you for keeping your word" Ash said.

"Ya Serena gets to still travel with us" Bonnie said happily.

"Also Ash I would like to apologize for the stakes I made for our battle" Grace said. "To tell you the truth I wouldn't have made you go back to Kanto in I won."

"Then why did you say it?" he asked.

"Well... I thought you would back out if I raised the stakes you would back out, but I was wrong to that and I am sorry."

"It's ok I know you were only thinking about your daughter." Ash said.

"Yes, but now I see she is in good hands with you guys so I don't have to worry" Grace said. "Ash, promise me one thing on your journey."

"Sure, what?"

"Take care of my daughter." Grace said with a wink. That Comment made Serena blush even more.

"MOM!!!" Serena said embarrassed.

"Come on Serena you know I was only thinking of you" Grace said with a sly look towards Serena.

"Ya...." Serena said sweat dropping.

"Anyways Serena can I talk to you alone for a bit." Grace asked.

"Sure mom" Serena said.

"Serena when your done we will be waiting for you inside the Pokémon Center" Clemont said as he, Ash, and Bonnie left Serena and Grace alone. When they left Grace started to talk.

"Serena please forgive me about earlier, I was just so worried about your safety."

"It's ok mom I understand" Serena said.

"Not only that but I made you practice Rhyhorn racing when you clearly didn't want to. I just really wanted you to follow in my footsteps, but if you want to be a Pokemon Performer you have my support."

"Really thanks" Serena said.

"No problem Serena....Well I should be heading home, feel free to come and visit anytime with your friends." Grace said.

"I will, see you later mom" Serena said walking away.

"Oh... one more thing", Grace said. Serena turned back to her mom and asked "Yes?"

"I hope things between you and Ash go well, let me know how it turns out."

"WHAT!!!" Serena said with a red face.

"Come on Serena you didn't I noticed, I was once young to you know" She said with another sly look. "Just... good luck with him." She said smiling and started to walk away.

Serena was still standing there frozen from what her mom just said. She knew she would have to tell Ash eventually, But when? She then shook that thought off and went to meet up with Ash and the others.