Journey's End

'Congratulations, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!" The commentator announced excitedly into the microphone, the audience stood up and clapped for the challenger while roaring in joy.

Ash Ketchum beloved pokemon raced across the field and jumped into its trainer's arms. Both smiling and laughing delightfully, they had just won the battle against the strongest trainer in Kalos.

Ash's opponent approached them, she smiled graciously at him.

Pikachu climbed onto Ash's shoulder and nuzzled its trainer gently; Ash pats its head like always.

Kalos Champion, Diantha extended her hands, and Ash shook them. "Congratulations" she told him and gave him an approving nod.

The commentator rushed down from the stands and so did a huge crowd of television reporters.

Diantha peered around and saw her ever loyal assistant, Mika who looked annoyed at the large crowd rushing towards her client. Diantha raised her arm and beckoned Mika towards her.

"Yes? Miss Diantha?" Mika said respectfully, though at the same time she was hissing instructions to Diantha's personal guards; Personal Six.

"Can you get Ash out of here?" Diantha asked Mika, Ash glanced at her confused but she beat to his question before it even exited his mouth.

"I don't think publicity suits you" Diantha told him kindly.

Miss Diantha! What are your thoughts about this year's tournament? Can you give us a statement about your lost? Have you expected this outcome? What are your future plans?

The group of hounding reporters closed in on the pair, Ash could hear their persistent and somewhat uncomfortable questions and so did Diantha, she gave a small wink before walking away from Ash towards the oncoming crowd. Mika quickly intervened, taking advantage of the crowd's excitement and tugs on Ash's glove.

"Come on!" Mika shouted over the buzzling noise, Ash ducked past Diantha's personal guards and followed her out of the stadium.

Mika and Ash turned a corner where a black car waited for them; Mika opened the door and shoved Ash inside. "Get in! The driver will get all of you out of here!" Mika paused and gave Ash a big grin "Well done, Mr Ketchum!" she said and slammed the door.

Pikachu looked away from Ash and greeted with a happy 'Pika Pi!' to other passengers sitting with them.

Seated next to Ash was Serena, Bonnie and Clemont; "ASH! Congratulations!" They shouted joyously. At the same time Bonnie popped a party popper, Clemont gave him a big pat on the back and Serena beamed delightfully at him.

"Gee, thanks you guys." Ash said, rubbing his nose at the same time. Pikachu and Bonnie's pokemon: Dedenne rubbed cheeks with each other pleasantly.

As the car drove through Anistar city, Clemont had his head pressed against the window and snored away; Bonnie lay on Serena's lap fast asleep; Ash on the other hand was looking out of the window quietly. Serena sat beside him just as quiet; she was exhausted but she could not sleep. Her blue eyes glanced over to Ash for a second, her heart jumped when she realized that Ash was looking at her.

"What's the matter?" he whispered, Serena shook her head and looked away.

Serena thought about the battle earlier, and the moment when she saw Diantha's mega evolved Gardevoir faint after Pikachu had hit it with an iron tail attack. She witnessed Ash's smiles and overjoyed at his win. His expression brought happiness to her heart, Ash had achieved his dream.

But what now? After achieving his dreams, where is Ash is heading now…? And what about me…where am I going? Especially, when I have feelings for you…

"Ash…I like you…" Serena blurted out, surprising herself; she covered her mouth in shock and glanced over to Ash. Her rapid pounding heart slowed almost immediately, Serena put her hands over her heart and gave a small smile. She looked at Ash's closed eyes and calm expressions, "Good night…"

Serena herself, fell into a dream soon after. She placed her hands close to Ash's consciously; it made her feel better about her own troubled thoughts.

Bonnie on the other hand was waked by Serena's voice earlier; she heard Serena's confessions which made her grin. Finally…

The group was woken by the driver of the car several hours later, by now the sun was hanging brightly in the sky. Serena and Ash removed their belongings from the trunk, while Bonnie watched over the pokemon; Clemont went over to the door and rang the doorbell.

The door clicked open, and standing there was the pokemon Ampharos; the pokemon jumped onto Clemont almost immediately, "What, oh no! Stop that!" Clemont groaned painfully. "Ampha Ampha!" the pokemon purred happily.

Ash and Serena laughed happily, "She is happy to see you, brother." Bonnie told her brother before side stepping into the house, the other two followed her.

"Hey hey, don't leave me here…" Clemont said breathlessly, looking all messed up by Ampharos enthusiastic hugs.

Bonnie placed down her belongings in the living room, Serena and Ash followed suit. "Wow, it's been a long time since we were home…"

Bonnie walked away from the pair and into the kitchen, "Papa?" she called out, "Not here?" she muttered to herself.

At the same time, Ampharos stood up and waddled into the house, leaving Clemont laying outside on the ground unceremoniously. "Ampha! Ampha!" it said and waved to get Bonnie's attention.

The pokemon showed them a note pasted at the back of the main door; Ash pulled the note down and read. "To Bonnie, Clemont, Ash and Serena, come to the gym; I have surprise for all of you, Love dad."

Bonnie took the note from Ash, and she pouts "I wonder what he did to the gym this time." Serena glanced at Bonnie confused; the little girl grimaced and explained, "Every time papa says that he is at the gym, he is renovating it. And, Clemont does not like that…"

"Wha…do I not like?" the three of them turned to see Clemont breathless approaching them, his hands trying to flatten the messed up side of his golden hair.

"Er…" Serena began uncertainly, Clemont looked around the empty house; "Where is father?" he asked Ampharos curiously. The pokemon looked at Serena, who peered at Ash, who glanced at Bonnie, who at the moment tried to hide the note in her pocket. "Nowhere" chirped Bonnie, in a voice that did not fool Clemont.

"Is he at the gym…?" Clemont asked the group in a flat out tone.

The next moment, Clemont was dashing down the street towards the prism tower at the centre of the city. "AHHH! I told him not to renovate the tower!"

Bonnie, Serena and Ash ran after him, "Clemont! Wait up!" Ash shouted; "Pika pi!" chirped in Pikachu who was holding on tight on Ash's shoulders.

They had exited the house after Clemont did, but all of them managed to catch up with him. Bonnie ran past him and stopped right in front of him, "Brother, wait!"

But Clemont side step past her, and kept running.

They were approaching the tower, but Serena noticed something different about the tower from afar. "Ash! Was there was large screen on the tower before?"

Ash glanced up and sure enough, there was a large television screen propped on the tower, "No…there wasn't." Ash replied, feeling slightly strange.

Serena kept staring at the screen, and soon she saw two familiar faces on it. "Ah, that is Clemont and Bonnie's face…"

Clemont and Bonnie heard the conversation, he slowed down and even he noticed that screen on the prism tower. "What is that?" Bonnie asked.

The four friends were right in front of the prism tower, and it looked nothing like before. It was brightly lit; it was taller with four open entrances. There was a sign nearby that described the prism tower. Welcome to the Lumiose tallest electric generator as well as the new Lumiose City gym, aka the quiz tower designed to test worthy challengers.

"A quiz tower?" Ash questioned, he exchanged confused glances with Clemont who shook his head indicating that he was just as baffled.

Bonnie was stunned at the prism tower, "It is so pretty…" she said to Serena who nodded in agreement.

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed and glanced to the right, so did Dedenne, "Look!" Bonnie exclaimed. A pokemon jumped from incredible heights towards them, a blaziken landed next to Clemont causing waves of wind to stream between them. "Blazz" it screeched, held out a letter addressed to Clemont and Bonnie.

"Thank you" Clemont told the pokemon, Blaziken nodded and allowed Bonnie to pat it before jumping away into the distance.

Both Ash and Serena knew that Blaziken belonged to Clemont and Bonnie's father, and this also meant that their father had already gone on another journey on his own.

To my dearest Clemont,

I heard about your achievements about your travels with Ash and Serena, and I am very proud of you. Even though Ash managed to defeat Luminose City Gym, you did not give up and went on to be a spectacular trainer yourself. In honour of your hard work, I renovated the gym according to a sketch in your room. I hope I got all the details right.

To my dear Bonnie,

You have achieved so much just like your brother, I am very sure that the experience is beneficial for you as a future trainer. I would like to leave ampharos in your care during this period of time, you will be just fine. There is a role for you in the gym too, ask your brother about it.

To my children,

I am sorry for leaving so suddenly, I hope this letter could bring you some comfort until I return.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Again…" Bonnie whispered to herself, her pokemon Dedenne climbed up and perched itself on her head. Serena approached the young girl, and Bonnie buried her face in Serena's warm arms. "Why did he have to leave…" Bonnie muttered between soft sobs.

Clemont had a solemn look as he had aipom arm keep the letter in his bag, Ash put his hand on Clemont shoulders firmly. The two boys exchanged mutual looks before Bonnie dashed into Clemont arm and the siblings comforted each other gently.

"Come on, the sun is setting; let's go home" Clemont took a last glance at the new prism tower before walking away holding Bonnie's hand. They only had each other just like before leaving Serena and Ash several feet behind them.

Serena and Ash glanced at each other, and the look they shared seemed to be transmitting a single thought. Each of them had a small smile and nodded. Everything will be okay.

"Clemont, Bonnie; can I cook dinner for us tonight?" Serena piped up.

"Ehh?"

"I'll help too!" Ash exclaimed as well, Pikachu waved its tiny paws in agreement.

Clemont stared at his two friends, after a while he began to smile and so did Bonnie with some difficulty, "Thank you, friends"