Saving Arceus

Grow

"Fine I'll just talk," I huff. "How's your amnesia?"

"Oh some stuff is coming back actually." Gold answers. 

"Like?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Pokemon knowledge mostly still," He shrugs. "I am starting to remember things about my life too though. My Mom mostly."

"Nice..." I trail off. "It's probably hard thinking about that."

"I do wonder what she's thinking right now," He sighs. "Are people wondering where I am? Do they know I'm missing?"

"I think they'd notice by now," I give a little laugh.

"It's happened twice now that when I take the Legendary's spirit, I really empathize with their feelings," He continues. "I feel trapped like Silvally and lost like Genesect."

I watch the boy sadly while we continue walking down the path. He looks straight ahead and doesn't seem to upset. 

But I know I'd be near inconsolable in his shoes.

"Hey," I grab his arm and stop him. "I don't know what you're feeling and how you're holding up... But you're meant to be here."

"I was literally chosen by Arceus," Gold laughs. 

"And as soon as we're done here you'll be able to go back to your old life," My voice creaks from the last few words.

"That is true," He nods.

Why's my heart beating so fast?

Too much walking for one day.

"That's our goal," I point to a giant tree up ahead. It's equivalent to the biggest skyscrapers found in the Capital, except with branches and a leaf canopy that would keep the Capital shaded all day.

It looks so big but I know it's still pretty faraway.

"That's not too bad," Gold admires it. "We just have to keep walking straight."

I go to reply but instead wait five minutes until we reach a raging river.

"Yea about that," I set my bag down. "We better set up camp for the night because it's going to be a long day tomorrow."

Serena's POV

"Ash you're not very good at this," I giggle and pull a bunch of the sticky clothing material off his face. 

Working with natural silk from bug type Pokemon is not easy. We've been here for a couple hours and I've barely managed a scarf.

"It's hard," He argues. 

"You guys are doing great for your first time," The instructor holds out the beautiful blouse she managed to make in the same amount of time. "One of you more than the other."

"She means me," I whisper and Ash shakes his head.

"Here let me take it to soften," The instructor carefully takes my white scarf away to a few racks across the room.

"Do you want yours softened too?" I ask Ash, laughing at his bundle of purple silk. "Wait how'd you get yours purple?"

"Ariados probably injected it with poison powder," The instructor answers. "Bug type Pokemon have the ability to inject other moves into their string."

"That's so cool," Ash awes. "I thought I just did something wrong."

He manages to roll the silk into a sticky ball.

"Look at that I made a toy," Ash holds it up like it's a trophy.

"You'll have to ask Valerie to showcase it at her next fashion show."

He rolls his eyes.

"Come on let's get some lunch," I suggest.

"I actually have that planned too," Ash says while scratching the back of his head.

I love it when he's nervous.

"I thought this was special training," I look at him curiously while we walk back through Wimpod Cove.

"It is," He smiles.

"I don't know," I say in a sing song voice. "I would almost consider this a date."

I grab his hand and feel the warmth instantly. Just right.

He blushes and doesn't respond.

I spent years being flustered around this boy. But now that I was finally able to say my feelings and get it out there, I feel free.

Now it's my turn to make him flustered.

"In here," Ash holds up the door to a restaurant.

We step inside the casual looking place. Walls are lined with wooden boards, and there's strings of lights going across the ceiling. Many plants and vines fill the place and create a nice atmosphere.

The only thing missing are the tables and chairs people usually sit at to eat. Instead there's long counters with various kitchen utensils setup.

"You must be here for the cooking class," A guy dressed up in a traditional white coat and chef's hat welcomes us.

My eyes widen and I look at Ash who has another sheepish smile on his face. "Special training."

I shake my head and we find ourselves a workstation.

Ash releases Leavanny who stands beside us. "We got ourselves a chopper," Ash says.

"Good," I giggle. "Here."

I put an apron over his head and tie it at the back. "Hopefully this protects your clothes from the upcoming disaster," I find an apron as well.

"I don't think an apron is going to stop that," He jokes and rests his hand on the counter.

He accidentally hits a container full of flour and our workstation becomes a mountain of flour.

I try to keep myself from laughing as he tries to brush it off but ends up making more of a mess. "You almost made it 5 minutes," I sigh.

The chef in charge gives Ash a new apron and moves us to another workstation. Within a couple minutes, he starts the instruction.

"What made you think this was a good idea?" I whisper to him.

"I asked Professor Arthropod for things to do since I didn't want a rematch right away," He whispers back, an embarrassed look still on his face. "I thought it would be a good thing to do with Leavanny."

"It is a good idea," I stand closer to him. "Just didn't think you would willingly cook."

"I can follow instructions," He boasts.

"Hey guys," The instructor gets our attention.

I notice the people around us already working on their dough.

"Sorry," We both say quickly and start working on our pizza.

Leavanny expertly cuts the toppings while Ash kneads the dough I prepared. I'm going to have to make him help cook more often.

I admire his big smile and full concentration on the dough. 

I could get used to this.

We successfully follow all the instructions and end up with an edible pizza.

"Now you're all fuelled up for your rematch," I wink.

Ash stares out the window towards the empty battlefield.

He turns back to me, his auburn eyes big and most importantly, confident.

"You know it," He holds out a fist.