Chapter 1: Truly a Night to Remember

It was a beautiful evening in the wonderful Lumiose City, one of the biggest cities in the renowned Kalos region and otherwise known as the City of Love. The city folk were going out about their business. Some people were doing late night shopping, trainers were travelling around with their pokemon, and some people were out in parks, enjoying each other's company.

But tonight was a very special night. It was a night of love, romance and confessions.

It was Valentines Day.

And this Valentines Day was going to be very special for two very special people.

Ash Ketchum and Serena Yvonne.

Ash Ketchum was now known as the Champion of Kalos and a Top Co-ordinator while Serena was known as the Kalos Queen and a Top Co-ordinator as well.

Ash had managed to win the Kalos league with his new and improved pokemon team at the age of sixteen. Then when the time came, he used the his previous pokemon, new pokemon and the power of Mega Evolution to defeat the Kalos Elite Four and later Diantha, claiming her title as the new Kalos Champion and a Pokemon Master.

But being the new Kalos Champion didn't stop him from re-exploring regions he already visited and catching new pokemon, with Serena by his side, he didn't have yet. He caught a large number of new pokemon

Serena was inspired to become a Pokemon Performer when she was travelling around with Ash during his Kalos Journey. She entered Pokemon Showcases and won most of them for her to advance into the Master Class from Rookie Class and later participate in the Master Class Tournament. In the final performance against Aria, she won and therefore, claiming the title of the new Kalos Queen.

But along the way in their journey, they both decided to do one thing that they soon grew to enjoy.

Participating in Pokemon Contests.

The Pokemon Contest Circuit worked in Partnership Battles, so Ash and Serena entered side by side each other. Working their way through contest after contest and winning ribbon after ribbon, they reached the Grand Festival. With the bond they shared and the bonds that their pokemon shared they won, earning the titles of Kalos Top Co-ordinators.

But now they were going to spend Valentines Day together out on a dinner date. In the medium sized mansion in which they lived for the last six years as boyfriend and girlfriend, Ash and Serena were both getting dressed in their best clothes for tonight's date.

Ash was in his dressing room, putting the final touches on his black suit with his Raichu and Greninja watching.

"Well, you two, how do I look?", asked Ash to his trusted friends.

"Rai Raichu.", said Raichu in approval to Ash's formal attire.

"Greninja Ninja.", said Greninja as he gave his trainer a thumbs up.

"Great. I just hope that this is good enough for Serena. I want to make this night very special for her. And I just hope that I'm ready to tell her this.", said Ash.

He walked over to a table, where there was a small fabric case sitting on it. He opened it to reveal a ring. It was made out of platinum with a sapphire embedded in the centre of it.

But this wasn't just any old ring. This was the engagement ring that he was going to present Serena to when he proposes to her to be his wife.

"I'm still feeling a little bit scared about this. I know it has only been six years since we started dating, but is this too quickly? I just hope I'm not rushing this relationship.", said Ash to himself in worry.

"Greninja Gre.", said Greninja while patting his master on the shoulder and calming his down.

"Rai Rai.", said Raichu in agreement.

"Well, thanks for helping me, you two." said Ash as he closed the small box and put it in his suit pocket. "I had better quickly wash up my face and do something about my hair though."

He then entered the bathroom next door and began to fix himself up.

Meanwhile, in another dressing room, the girl known as Serena Yvonne was preparing herself with her Delphox watching her and observing her. Serena was putting on a scarlet red dress that went down halfway to her feet and covering her just beyond her knees.

"Delphox, do you think I look great in this dress or should I pick out another?", asked Serena to her loyal starter pokemon.

"Del Delphox.", said Delphox, liking her dress.

"I'm glad you think so. This dress is good for tonight. Ash never really cared what I wore on our past dates and basically liked whatever I wore.", said Serena.

She then walked to her small make-up table to apply her facial needs. Some pink lipstick, a little black eyeliner, and some powder on her face.

"There. Now, I just have to fix up my hair.", said Serena as she grabbed her hairbrush and began to stroke he golden honey hair very gently

As she modifies her hairstyle, she begins to wonder. Ash had never told her where they were going on their date. He only said that it was going to be a surprise. He was also acting a little shy around her lately.

"I wonder where he will take me to our date this time?", said Serena to herself.

While she was doing that, Delphox was waiting eagerly so that they could leave. Not because she was happy for her trainer and her boyfriend being together all this time, but because she was going to be on a date of her own. With her longtime boyfriend, Greninja. Also some of the other pokemon were going on their own dates like Ash's Gardevoir and Serena's Gallade, Ash's Sceptile and Meganium, Ash's Talonflame and Serena's Swanna and Ash's female Meowstic and Serena's male Meowstic.

About ten minutes later, both lovebirds were ready to go on their date. Ash walked out with Grenenja and Raichu in tow while Serena walked out with her Delphox behind her. They soon caught sight of each other.

"Wow, Serena. You look more beautiful than ever.", said Ash as he looked at her, admiring her beauty.

"Thank you, Ash. And you look very handsome yourself.", said Serena as she admired walked up to him and gave him a peck on the cheek, which he returned wit ha kiss on the lips.

"Are you ready to go, Serena? The limousine will be here soon.", asked Ash.

"I am, sweetie. All we just have to do it say farewell to our pokemon and we'll be off.", said Serena.

From behind them, Greninja and Delphox winked at each other.

They strode downstairs into the main entrance hall. They soon made it our to the backyard where their pokemon resided. Since they moved to an area in the fields a little while away from Lumiose City, they both decided to have their pokemon transferred here.

The backyard was bursting with activity. The pokemon that belonged to Ash and Serena were happily chattering to each other, some were playing together, others were holding battles against one another and some were already enjoying some romantic moments.

"Hey, everybody.", called out Ash and Serena to all their pokemon.

The creatures stopped what they were doing and immediately ran to their trainers, eager and happy to see them.

Goodra and Meganium, being overly friendly to their trainer, ran the fastest.

"Whoa, whoa, you two calm down.", said Ash in a bit of panic. They skidded to a halt when they realised he was wearing what they thought was an important piece of clothing.

"Alright, everybody. Serena and I will be going on our date soon, so I just want everybody to know to stay out of trouble tonight while we are gone. But, still, everybody enjoy yourselves, on this beautiful Valentines Day night and have a good time.", said Ash.

"That's right, everyone. But don't do anything you'll regret later on. And be back by midnight if you're going anywhere.", said Serena.

The couple both took their leave and strode to the front of the mansion to wait for their limousine. But the moment they did, the pokemon took action too. Greninja scooped up Delphox and carried her bridal style while jumping and hopping through the forest. Sceptile and Meganium ran off to another part in the fields. Gallade also picked up Gardevoir bridal style but teleported them to unknown parts. The Meowstics simply just floated using their psychic powers on top of the mansion roof. Talonflame and Swanna spread their magnificent wings and took flight to the highest tree in the nearby forest.

At the front of the mansion, Ash and Serena were just getting inside their hired limo.

"Ladies first, Serena.", said Ash has he opened the door for his girlfriend.

"Why, thank you, Ashy.", said Serena as she stepped in first and sitting down on the leather seats, giggling. Ash then did the same thing and closed the door behind him.

"Where to, sir?", asked the driver through the speaker system.

"Please, take us to D'Amour et de Délices in Lumiose City.", said Ash. The car then began to move.

"D'Amour et de Délices?! Ash, that restaurant is the most popular restaurant in Lumiose City and it has been booked out for weeks because of this holiday. How in the name of Arceus did you manage to get reservations in time?", asked Serena in delight.

"Well, I booked reservations about one and a half months ago in mid-January. And since, besides from being a Champion, being a Pokemon Contest Judge and Top Co-ordinator, they couldn't say no to my request.", said Ash.

"Oh, Ashy, thank you for doing this. I just know that this is going to be a great Valentines Day dinner. I don't think I could've asked for more.", said Serena as she hugged Ash.

But deep inside her, there was one thing that Serena wanted.

She wanted to become Ash's wife.

She has been dreaming of this event ever since she could remember. That was one of her biggest fantasies that she hoped one day would become reality. But with their relationship so strong, there was no doubt that he would muster up the courage to propose to her one day.

She could only imagine the final results in her mind. A husband and wife together forever. A child or children to raise together to have good lives and to follow their own dreams. A great big happy family.

Retuning back to reality, she and Ash looked out the window to see that they were already in Lumiose City. The city was bustling with almost never-ending activity. Café's were filled up with couples who were enjoying dinner, bakeries and fashion shops were filled with customers and adults who were buying tasty foods and beautiful clothes for their loved ones, restaurants were alight with activity as couples were dining in pleasure and luxury, and countless people were streaming the streets holding hands and laughing away.

In the roads, at least a quarter of them were filled with limousines. Lumiose City has been known that celebrities and superstars from all over Kalos and the world would come over on Valentines Day just to enjoy a delightful dinner.

"Wow. Lumiose City is way busier than I thought it would. No wonder this place is so popular at days like this.", said Ash.

"Yeah.', said Serena.

Suddenly, the limousine came to a stop and the driver spoke through the intercom. "Sir and Madam, we have arrived at your destination. Have a good evening and I will pick you up when you're ready."

"Ok, thank you very much, sir, and have a good evening yourself.", said Ash as they stepped out of the door that was opened by a restaurant attendant. Serena's red high heel shoes made a clacking sound while Ash's leather shoes made no sound.

Ash and Serena held hands as they entered the restaurant. D'Amour et de Délices was a marvellous sight. It stood three stories high with two balconies, the walls were painted white and the sign with the name of the restaurant was over the main double doorway.

But the inside was simply magnificent.

The entire floor was covered in red carpeting and the walls were painted a bright yellowish-white with some works of art hanging. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling and some smaller lanterns hung from the walls. Tables made for two, for four and for eight were strewn in the dining area with chairs that had white cushioned seats. People were everywhere, having dinner with their significant others.

"Hello, Sir Champion. How can I help you today?", asked the male clerk at the registration desk.

"Hello, sir. I have a reservation under Ketchum for seven thirty.", said Ash.

The clerk checked his computer for a few moments before he spoke. "Ah, yes. It seems that you are right on schedule, Mr Ketchum. I will have a waiter show you two to your table in just a minute."

A moment later, a waiter came by. "Please follow me, Sir and Madam. I will lead you to your table."

The three walked across the main dining hall before they reached the stairs and started walking up. They passed through the second floor and reached the third floor. It looked crowded with more people as all the tables seemed taken.

All except for one. And that table was out on the balcony, set for two.

The waiter led them to their reserved table. "Please have a seat, sir and madam. I will return momentarily with your menus."

Ash, being a gentleman, pulled out Serena's seat so that she could sit down first.

"How very kind of you, Ash.", complimented Serena in a fancy voice.

"You are very welcome, Miss Yvonne.", replied Ash as he took a seat himself.

"Wow, Ash. You had really outdone yourself. You surprise me by not only taking me to the most popular restaurant in Lumiose City, but you also reserved the best seats out on the top balcony. You really know how to make a girl happy.", said Serena.

"I aim to please, Serena. It's the best I can do for my girlfriend on such a special day such as this.", said Ash as he kissed her hand. Serena blushed and giggled.

A moment later, the waiter returned with their menus. "Here are your menus. Please take your time to order on this joyous night."

The waiter then left, leaving the two lovebirds alone once again.

"Ash, while we decide what we would like to have tonight, how about we talk about something?", asked Serena.

"Sure, Serena. What do you want to talk about?", asked Ash.

Serena thought for a few moments before she got an idea. "How about we recount on the time during our Kalos journey that you had told me that you had fully remembered who I was and our past we had together we had as children?"

"Yeah. I still remember that day like it was yesterday, Serena. And if I remember correctly, that was possibly the first step I took towards creating our new romantic relationship.", said Ash as they both thought and talked about that very memorable day in their lives.