(Ash's pov)

A little over a month has passed since the incident with Dawn, and since then life at the academy has essentially flatlined. Serena and I had high hopes that with Dawn helping us out with the investigation things would seriously start to pick up, but we sure were wrong about that. The information we've been receiving has been lackluster. Just the names of some lackeys and the occasional meeting place, and that hasn't really offered much either. It sometimes makes me wonder if this plot is all it's cracked up to be, or if they know more about us than we know about them. There's something else has been eating at me. It's about that little black bag Dawn was carrying, we still don't know what was in it. I've asked her about it several times, but she usually just says, "Oh it was nothing important," or "It was just a little something for myself." Yeah, somehow I doubt that. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

On top of all that, classes have resumed and school has been as stressful as ever. As the weeks go by, the assignments become more difficult and much more frequent. I know that I probably say this a lot, but thank God for Serena. Thanks to her help I've been able to slowly by surely improve my grades. That being said, I'm still lightyears away from where I need to be for the midterms.

Speaking of which, there are only two months left until I have to take 'em. I'm not nearly as worried as I before though. As long as I keep hitting the books I should do well. Or well enough at least.

There's also another thing, or person rather, that's been on my mind recently, and that's...Serena. Ever since we had that experience at the café, things haven't been the same between us, and I don't mean in a negative way. We've grown closer, and sometimes it even feels like we're actually a couple. I wonder if maybe one day we'll actually be-

"Hey Ash! You look a little spaced out, whatcha thinking about?" Asked Serena, catching me off guard.

"Gah! Oh h-hey there Serena, it was nothing important." I said laughing awkwardly.

"Whaatever you say Ash, so are you ready to head back?" Serena replied.

"You bet I am, gym today was a total nightmare." I said stretching my arms in the air.

Serena giggled.

"Nah it wasn't that bad, you're just out of shape." She said jokingly.

"Oh knock it off will ya." I replied.

We both shared a quick laugh and began to make our way back to the dorms.

"So have you heard much out of Dawn today?" I asked.

Serena shook her head.

"No, I haven't. In fact she hasn't even said a word to me today." She said.

"That's strange, lately she's been pretty open, just like when we first me her." I said.

"You're right about that. I can't help but think something is wrong, but I don't know what." Serena said, pondering on that thought.

"You don't think she was caught, do you?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, I hope that's not the case. It's just been one day though, so I think we should just keep an eye on her." Serena said.

"Yeah, you have a point, there's no need in stressing too much over it." I said.

Serena nodded.

We continued on our way back to the dorms. When we made it to the front gate, we noticeda familiar someone waiting there, leaning against the wall. She turned to us.

"I've been waiting for you two." She said.

"Oh, it's you!" Serena and I both said.

"I have something that I need to discuss with you, follow me."

(Serena's pov)

After running into that girl, she said to follow her. We've been walking for a good 10 minutes or so without so much as a word.

"Soo, where are we going anyway?" I asked, feeling a little impatient.

"Don't worry your highness, we're almost there." She said.

I narrowed my eyes and began to study her. You know, she looked really familiar, but I just can't remember where I.....ooohh. It's her, that girl that Ash was talking with that the other day.

Just who is she, and what does she want with Ash and me?

Wait, is she in on the plot against the school? I tugged lightly on Ash's sleeve and motioned him to hang back a little.

"Ash, don't you think this feels a little off?" I asked quietly.

"Hm? What makes you say that?" He replied.

"Think about it, some mysterious girl we randomly shows up at our doorstep wanting to have what seems to be a serious discussion with us while we're in the middle of an investigation. It seems suspicious to me." I said.

"Nah, I wouldn't worry about it too much, I don't Lillie is that kind of person." Ash said with a nonchalant smile.

Lillie, so her name is Lillie. For some reason, I felt myself become overwhelmed with jealousy. Was I really becoming that possessive?

I narrowed my eyes.

"So, are you two already on a first name basis or something?" I asked.

"What!? No, I've only met her once before!" Ash said defensively.

Then, I noticed Ash start to smirk.

"Ohhh, I get it, you're jealous about the other day, eh?" He asked playfully.

I blushed.

"I-idiot, I am not!" I said, grabbing Ash by his ear.

"Owowowow! Serena let go I was only joking!" Ash pleaded.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your...moment, but we're here." Said Lillie.

"Oh, uhh, right!" I said as I quickly let go of Ash's ear.

I turned toward Lillie to see where it was she brought us, and I have to say it's not quite what I was expecting. I was thinking she was going to lead us to some kind of shady place or something, but that wasn't the case at all. Instead she brought us to what was easily the most generic looking building I've ever seen. It a simple looking building, it had grey paint, tinted windows, and looked to be around three stories high.

"Sooo, what is this place?" I asked.

Lillie smirked.

"Don't worry, you'll see." Lillie replied.

Lillie then walk up to the front door of the building and pressed a button.

"Who is it?" Came a voice.

'Hold on, I recognize that voice! Is that Uncle?' I thought to myself, feeling very surprised.

"It's me, sir, I brought her highness and Ash." Lillie said.

"Good work Lillie, come on up." Said the voice.

"Yes sir." Lillie said.

All of a sudden the sliding opened.

"Right this way." Lillie said, motioning for us to follow her.

Ash and I looked at one another and nodded before entering the building.

The three of us walked through the building's empty lobby and got into the elevator. Lillie pushed the third floor button and turned to us.

"Sorry about all of the secrecy, but I'm afraid I didn't have much of a choice. This is a highly confidential matter after all." Lillie said, seeming more relaxed than before.

"It's alright, I totally understand." I said.

I felt so bad for doubting her like I did. I guess I should have trusted Ash's gut feeling. I mean, he's really good at picking out good food, so maybe it works with people too? I shook my head. Now I'm just being silly.

Seconds later, the door to the elevator opened. Ash and I walked out and let out a resounding "Wooow!"

This place was jam packed with the most high-tech equipment available. Computers, small drones, it had everything a spy organization could ask for! Lillie walked ahead of us and spun around.

"Welcome to the KBI field HQ!" She said happily.

"AAWWWSOOMME!" Ash said, he looked like a kid in a candy store.

I on the other hand, had a much different reaction. I was honestly a little bothered.

"The KBI field HQ!? What the heck, why didn't anyone tell us it was here!?" I asked.

Lillie sighed.

"We didn't tell you because we didn't want anything about our whereabouts to slip in conversation." Lillie said.

"I...I guess that makes sense. But, if it's so important for us to not know about this place, why did you bring us here?" I asked.

"I was ordered to bring you here by Queen Grace herself." Lillie said.

"An order straight from mother!? This must be something serious." I replied.

"If what we've discovered turns out to be true, then yes it is." Said Lillie.

"Discovered, what do you mean?" Asked Ash.

"I think, I'll let the director explain that for you." Lillie said.

"Wait, Uncle Nanu is here?" I asked, very surprised.

"Yes, please follow me." Said Lillie.

We began walking down a long hall with a large pair of doors at the end.

"So, who's this Nanu guy?" Ash asked quietly.

"Really Ash, weren't you paying attention?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips.

"Uhh, not really, sorry. I was too busy admiring all of the cool stuff." Ash said, scratching the back of his head and smiling that goofy smile of his.

I sweat-dropped.

"Uuugg, Ash you're so hopeless sometimes! Uncle Nanu is the director of the Kalos Bureau of Investigation, the KBI." I said

"Ooohh, cool!" Ash said.

I face palmed, Ash could be such a dork sometimes, but I wouldn't change him for the world. We made it to the end of the hall and Lillie walked up to the door and knocked.

"That you Lillie?" Said Uncle Nanu.

"Yes Sir, and her highness and Ash as well." Lillie replied.

"Excellent, send 'em in. Oh and Lillie, take the rest of the day off." Said Uncle Nanu.

"Yes sir, thank you!." Lillie said happily.

She then turned to Ash and I.

"Well, I'll be taking my leave now. I'll see you around." Lillie said as she walked away.

"Y-yeah, see you around, I guess." I said, waving goodbye.

I turned to Ash.

"Hey Ash, please try to focus this time." I said.

Ash gave me a salute.

"You got it, your highness." Ash said.

I rolled my eyes and opened the door.

"Well well well, look who it is." Uncle Nanu said with a smirk.

"Uncle Nanu!! It's been so long!" I said as I ran over and gave him a quick hug.

Uncle Nanu let out a slight chuckle.

"It's good to see you too kiddo." Uncle Nanu said, patting my head.

He then turned toward Ash.

"You're Ashton Ketchum, correct?" Asked Uncle Nanu.

Ash stiffened up, I could tell he was a little intimidated.

"Y-yes sir, it's nice to meet you sir!" Ash said.

"Likewise." Said Uncle Nanu.

Uncle Nanu then sat in the chair behind his desk.

"So what's the deal between you two? He your boyfriend kiddo?" Asked Uncle Nanu.

Ash and I both blushed madly.

"W-w-what!? No, we're just...I mean we're not...u-um." Ash and I stammered.

"Don't worry you two I'm just teasing you. Though I must say that was an interesting response." Uncle Nanu said with a smirk.

Ash and I continued to blush.

"Geez, knock it off Uncle Nanu. Would you just tell us why we're here already." I said, my voice filled with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration.

"Getting straight to the point, eh? Alright then you two, have a seat." Uncle Nanu said.

Ash and I sat down in the two chairs in front of his desk.

"Good, now then I want you to listen and listen closely. According to a recent update, there's a good chance that you two may be in danger." Said Uncle Nanu in a very serious tone.

"What!?" Ash and I both said.

"Danger, what do you mean!?" I asked.

"It appears that the two of you were ratted out or perhaps overheard. Regardless, the Berlitz family knows you two are have been snooping around." Said Uncle Nanu.

"But, that doesn't make any sense! When did we...oh no." I said.

I turned to Ash.

"You don't think it was...Dawn, do you?" Ash asked with a gulp.

"I don't want to believe it, but it's the only logical explanation." I said.

"I...I can't believe she'd go and rat on us, especially after opening up to us like that!" Ash said, he was clearly getting angry.

"Well, based on the reports you've submitted, she's either one heck of an actress, or she was wired with some kind of audio recorder. Tell me, did you see something out of the ordinary when you talked to her?" Uncle Nanu said.

"Yeah, she had a small black bag and seemed to be very protective of whatever was inside." Ash said.

"I see, well that might be what the problem is here. Let me ask you one more thing, has she been acting out of the ordinary lately?" Asked Uncle Nanu.

"Yeah, we didn't see her all weekend and she's been unusually quiet today." I said.

"I'd say that's a sign of a feeling of guilt kiddos. She probably wasn't even aware of the fact that whatever she had was tapped." Uncle Nanu said.

"And now they know everything?" Ash asked.

"Unfortunately, that appears to be the case." Uncle Nanu said.

"So what can we do about it then?" I asked.

"I was getting to that. I'm afraid that I must relieve you two from this investigation." Uncle Nanu said.

Ash and I gasped.

"W-wait, it was just an accident, we can-" I started to say before being cut off.

"I'm aware that you two didn't mean for this to happen, but in this line of work accidents can be fatal. I'm sorry, but I don't have a choice." Uncle Nanu said.

That hit me like a ton of bricks. I failed the school, no, I failed my country. I felt tears well up in my eyes. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Ash, he looked just as defeated as I did.

"Please don't cry Serena, everything will be okay." Ash said, trying to comfort me.

I wiped my eyes with my sleeve.

"Thanks Ash, I guess we'll just go back to the dorms then." I said.

"Not so fast there kiddo. I'm afraid it's not safe enough for the two of you to return to the dorms for a while." Uncle Nanu said.

"Wait a minute, what do you mean?" I asked.

"Since you two have been found out, you can bet Berlitz agents will be snooping around the area." Said Uncle Nanu.

"If that's the case, where are Ash and I supposed to go?" I asked.

"You and your...roommate...will be coming back with me, mother's orders." Said a familiar voice.

I immediately turned around.

"C-Calem!?" I said shocked.

"Well, nice to see you too, little sister." Said Calem.

"W-what in the world is going on here!?" I asked.

"Mother ordered me to bring the two of you home, you'll be staying at the castle for the time being. And don't worry, we've already received clearance from Lady Diantha." Calem said.

"....HUH!?"