Author's note: This is a story I've been writing since Feb 10. I've completed up to Ch 23, and around 70k words as of this upload. This is my first fanfiction, and I wanted to make sure it was good before posting it. I will be uploading a new chapter every day or two. Hopefully I will be done before my posting catches up with my work.

Chapter 1: Celebration, and the Road Ahead

We begin our story at Snowbelle Gym, with our heroes gathering around Ash and Pikachu after a hard fought victory over Gym leader Wulfric. After winning, Ash had already set his eyes upon the Pokemon League but before he could run off Wulfric stopped the young hasty trainer and told him that he wouldn't be able to. "What do you mean I can't go, I have all eight badges now?" Ash exclaimed, confused as he showed his badge collection. Wulfric just smiled, and responded, "Well, yes but you can't go…yet. The League starts in a month, and Victory Road only opens a week before.

"Victory Road?" Ash, Serena, and Bonnie asked in unison. Clemont then explained how the Pokemon League was on top of a mountain east of Lumiose City, and the only way to get there by foot was through Victory Road. Every year the Pokemon League would open Victory Road only to those who have attained Eight Kalos badges a week before the tournament started. It was a mountain pass through caves and cliff sides with powerful wild pokemon that would be really dangerous for unprepared Trainers and their Pokemon.

"How do you know so much about this Clemont?" Bonnie asked. Ash and Serena nodded as they looked back at their friend. Clemont smirked. "Well I AM a Gym leader for the Kalos region, so of course I would know!" Wulfric reaffirmed this. "We Gym leaders only have a short break from our duties during the Pokemon league tournament since those who would challenge us during that time would be either too late or too early to participate."

Ash, Serena, and Bonnie all shared an understanding "Huh". After a couple moments of silence, it was Serena that asked aloud the question they were all thinking. "So what are you going to do until then, Ash?" They looked at Ash who was deep in thought, but then looked at his partner Pikachu on his shoulder. "Pikachu, you know how strong we can get with three weeks of tough training?" Ash asked.

Pikachu, still worn out from its battle with Wulfric's Avalugg was a bit hesitant at first, but knowing this was their best chance yet at a League title that it brought new energy to the little mouse. "Pika Pikachu!" The Pokemon answered. "Yeah that's the spirit buddy, but let's go to the Pokemon Center first, you and Greninja took a real beating." Ash said as he scratched Pikachu behind one of its ears. As Clemont and Bonnie started praising Pikachu and Ash for their great battle, Serena was in her own train of thought.

Did he forget what was happening next week…? Well he has another chance at his dream after all…but what of my dream?

"Wait…"

This one word brought Serena out of her thought. It was Ash that had said it. Serena looked up and saw Ash staring at her with a shocked expression. "The finals!" Serena's cheeks turned a slight pink, a little mad at herself for thinking Ash would forget so easily. Bonnie turned around a skipped toward Serena with an excited tone. "Yah! You get to compete in your first Masters Performance! You and Ash are so awesome!" Bonnie had grabbed Serena's hands and started dancing with her. To Bonnie, Ash and Serena had become like siblings to her. More so with Serena, she was the big sister she never had.

As they waited for Ash's Pokemon to fully recover at the Pokemon Center in Snowbelle city, Ash Clemont and Bonnie were watching Serena and her pokemon rehearse their routine in the indoor arena adjacent to the Pokemon Center. After their best practice yet, Serena thought it good to call it quits for the afternoon.

Clemont had offered to cook this time, as Serena had worked hard that day. Serena thanked Clemont and sat down next to Ash, exhausted. "And I thought my battle with Wulfric was tiring" Ash joked. "That was amazing Serena, you're sure to win the Masters Performance next week."

Though you couldn't really tell, due to her cheeks already red from the training she had done, Serena was blushing from the compliment. "Oh thank you Ash, but I don't know…Aria is going to be competing too." Bonnie, who was petting Slyveon, "Yeah but you'll be ready and by next week you'll be Kalos Queen, oh my gosh Serena you have to win for sure!" All three of them had some laughs as they talked about what was to come next in their journey, though Serena had this thought in her head that kept bugging her…

If I somehow do win…become the new Kalos Queen...does that mean I won't be able to travel with Ash anymore? Does he know that…?

"Bonnnnnie!" They heard Clemont from across the way, "Can you help me with the desserts?" Bonnie stood up and ran over, "Ok, I've learned so much from Serena, I'll make some great Pokepuffs! Hey Ash, can Pikachu help too?" Ash turned to Pikachu who looked excited. "Sure buddy you can go" Ash watched as Bonnie left with Pikachu, then turned back towards Serena, she had in her hand the three Princess Keys.

Pancham walked over and jumped in between Ash and Serena to look at their new key. Pancham had saved Serena's latest performance in Snowbelle three days ago by defeating a woman named Jesseline and her Meowth in a come from behind victory that earned them a spot in the freestyle round and eventually earning her third and final Princess Key.

As Ash was telling Serena on his point of view during the performance an explosion happened behind them and a thick cloud of smoke came out of nowhere engulfing the two trainers and pokemon. Ash couldn't see anything and tried to reach out for Serena, but he could barely see his hand in front of him. Then he heard a scream…

Serena!