"something... you need to ask me?" says Ash

"yes. truthfully... I wanted to say this to you earlier... but I couldn't muster it up at the time. I know this is kind of sudden..." says Serena shyly looking at Ash

"oh I see... well actually... I.. kinda have something I wanna tell you too" says Ash

"o-oh? really, Ash?" says Serena pressing her hand against her chest

"mm-hmm" says Ash nodding

"ok, you go first Serena" he says shortly after

"oh no. you first, Ash" says Serena smiling a bit

"mm-mm. Serena, I insist, you say what you have to say first" says Ash

"ahh, ok... um..." says Serena

She averts her gaze away from ash and looks to the side of the route, a bit nervous and contemplating whether or not she should tell him for fear of being turned down. She takes a second to think then closes her eyes, trying to work up the courage in her heart which pounding at this point.

"come on, focus. I've gotta do this. I've come too far to turn back now" Serena thinks to herself

She then inhales and exhales deeply, mentally preparing herself for what would happen next.

"ok!" she says to herself confidently opening her eyes, then she looks at Ash once again and takes a step forward toward him

"Ash, I... I've decided. I want... I want to be with you. I want to keep traveling with you. so please... will you take me with you, to alola?!" Serena says loudly

"ahh!... Serena...!" says Ash, completely stunned by her proclaimation

"you see Ash... the truth is... I've always cared for you, more than you'll ever know. traveling together with you for all that time, it was truly the best time of my life. I found strength in me I never knew I had thanks to you. that why... when you left so abruptly... honestly, I was crushed. it felt like... a piece of my heart was ripped out of my chest. I realized from the moment you flew away on the plane that day... that being apart from you... is saddening. its felt like forever since I last saw you, even though it has only been a couple of days. so that's why... after thinking long and hard, I just wanted... to see you again. soon after that, I made a decision. Ash, I don't want to be apart from you. I want to keep traveling with you, be at your side, join you on your journey. I know you wish to be a pokemon master someday, well let me assist you achieve that dream. I'll help you, in any way I can. no matter what challenges you may face, no matter the battles, no matter the obstacles, no matter the sacrifices. Ash, I'll always be there for you! so please... let me join you!" says Serena confidently

Ash, still totally shocked by Serena's words, looks at her with eyes wide open.

"that... that's how you felt this whole time?... that's what you had pent up inside you? Serena, you..." says Ash

Hearing those powerful words from Serena, a sudden feeling of immense joy slowly started to build up inside of Ash. he felt his heart starting to race triggered by Serena's words, and a wide smile slowly appeared on Ash's face.

"you know Serena, truthfully... I wanted to see you again as well" says Ash

"wha? really?" says Serena a bit surprised

"yeah. I dunno what it was, but I just kept getting this feeling... this feeling that... I needed to see you again. I actually was just about call to see where you were, then all at once you show up here. wow, what a coincidence huh?" says Ash chuckling a bit

"Ash..." says Serena smiling

"but wait Serena, what about becoming kalos queen? what about your dream? isn't that what you've been working towards?" asks Ash

Serena smiles, closing her eyes for a second while touching the blue ribbon on her shirt given to her by Ash, then opens her eyes again.

"yes, that is my dream, to become kalos queen someday. however... this is a little more important than that. Ash, you're very special to me. that's why I can't just leave you behind. I haven't given up on being kalos queen, but if I want to overtake aria I have to be stronger. I think traveling with you will help me with that. so really in helping you achieve your dream I'll also be working to achieve mine. so Ash, I'll ask you again, let me go with you. I'll follow you to the ends of the earth. because..."

She looks down towards the ground slightly, her cheeks turning a light pink.

"because I love you, Ash" says Serena under her breath

For a few seconds Ash stands in the same spot completely silent with a blank expression on his face seemingly deep in thought. soon after he smiles, almost laughing to himself a bit.

"Serena... you don't even need to ask. cause really... I was gonna ask you the same thing" says Ash

A stunned Serena looks at Ash locking eyes with him still blushing heavily.

"Ash!... you...!" she says

"so Serena, allow me to ask you now... will you come with me to alola?" says Ash

"ahhh~ I will!" says Serena nodding excitedly

"heh great. well then... let's go to alola... together!" says Ash extending his hand out to Serena

"oh ash..."

Serena happily walks towards Ash who still has his hand extended. soon getting within touching distance Serena reaches her hand out to Ash who takes her hand into his. the two then face each other holding hands and gazing into each others' eyes.

"well, shall we go?" says Ash blushing slightly

"yes" says Serena nodding

Ash smiles then begins to step to the side to head up the route path slowly letting go of Serena's hands. before he fully does however Serena grabs one of his hands as he starts to go around her.

"Ash, wait!" says Serena as she takes his hand

"huh? what's wrong Serena?" says Ash turning to face her again

"Ash, I... I well... just wanted to.." says Serena still blushing letting go of his hand

"yeah, Serena?" says Ash looking at her curiously

"well um..." says Serena

Suddenly Serena steps forward right next to Ash, to where their bodies are almost touching.

"I wanted to give you this" says Serena shyly

"Serena, wha-"

just then Serena leans slightly forward and kisses Ash on the lips, catching Ash completely by surprise. he looks at her wide eyed as she pulls away from the gentle kiss after a few seconds, both of them blushing profusely.

"S-Serena..." says Ash

"forgive me Ash... I know that was kinda sudden..." says Serena shyly glancing away

"but I... I just couldn't help-"

Serena starts to look at Ash then suddenly Ash plants a surprise kiss on Serena's lips. this time Serena's eyes widen, caught off guard by Ash's sudden return kiss. A second later she closes her eyes and the two embrace each other in the kiss with Ash wrapping his arms around Serena's lower back and Serena wrapping hers around Ash's neck. the two kiss for the next 7-8 seconds until pulling away and staring lovingly into each others' eyes.

"Serena..."

"Ash..."

"you know what, Serena?..."

"yes, Ash?"

"I think... I've fallen for you" says Ash smiling, cheeks still red

"oh good, because... I'd fallen for you a long time ago" says Serena, face flushed as well

Ash and Serena continue to lock eyes for the next few seconds while Pikachu looks on.

"pika pii! pika pii!" says Pikachu raising its arms almost as if celebrating

"hehe, looks like Pikachu's happy" says Ash

"yeah, awww how cute" says Serena

"ah! that's right, we better get going. the flight to alola takes off in a little while" says Ash

"oh right, don't wanna miss that" says Serena

"let's go Serena, together~" says Ash

"right Ash, together~" says Serena smiling brightly

Ash, Serena and Pikachu all start to walk up northbound on the route 1 pathway at a fairly quick pace. walking hand in hand, side by side, Ash and Serena made their way towards their next destination. both of them relieved to finally know each other's true feelings and overjoyed at the idea of the budding relationship soon to be.

Up next: Ash and Serena arrive in Alola. their new journey, and new relationship, begins. coming soon!