Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. Pokemon belongs to GameFreak, etc.

Alright... I'm going to be honest here, but this might be last chapter here for a while. I'm currently being a lazy person (I'm sorry) and I don't feel like updating any time soon, so as I said, it might be a while. Thank you all for the support nonetheless. Here's another chapter.

Serena drearily opened her eyelids, and shortly after, closed them to shield her eyes from the blinding light.

Slowly getting used to the light, she tried opening them again and found that it was slightly easier. She blinked a few times, and caught the attention of a few people sitting across the room from her. The first person to reach her side was a woman with short, brown-maroon hair and a green jumper tied around her waist.

"Mother? What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean what am I doing here? You fell off the Prism Tower and expect me to be at home drinking tea or something? If it wasn't for Ash, Arceus bless that boy, you would be gone!"

"Ash! Where is he?" Serena shot up in the bed, regretting it as her whole body stung with pain, and she slumped back, drained.

"He's still unconscious. You've both been for a whole two weeks now."

"We took quite a fall, huh."

"You don't say, Serena! No, you don't say!"

"Stop with the sarcasm mum."

"So, while you're still recovering and have nothing to do, can we talk?"

"Um, sure."

"Now answer me honestly."

"Alright. Whatever you say."

"Do you love Ash?"

"You got straight to the point real quick."

"Don't avoid the question."

Serena sighed. "Yes, yes I do."

Moments after she said this, she heard a deafening squeal from the other side of the room.

"I told you, Grace! I knew it! Your daughter does love my son! Ha!"

"Yeah, yeah, Delia, shut up. Alright Serena, get some rest. You should be fine after another few weeks. Tell us if you need anything."

"Thanks mum."

XXX

Serena spent the next few weeks recovering from her injuries. The Master Class had long passed, meaning she would have to wait another whole year before keeping her promise to Delphox and Pangoro.

Once she was able to move she sat by Ash's side all day and all night, not resting. Day by day Ash stayed the same, unmoving. His body was almost completely shut off.

"Ash, please wake up soon. I need you in my life. I can't live without you."

Another week passed. Grace wanted to stay with her daughter but she had to go teach some children about riding Pokemon.

Delia, though being Ash's mother, gave up on him ever talking to her again. She believed he was beyond rescuing. She had already returned to Kanto, sad as ever.

One day, Serena, who had fallen asleep from exhaustion, felt a light tap on her shoulder. She saw a doctor with a somber expression, trying her best to put up a decent face.

"Serena, correct? I'm sorry, you'll have to leave now."

"Why?" Serena responded dully.

"Mrs. Ketchum called. She said to, um, I don't know how to put it..."

"What?"

The woman took a deep breath. "She wants us to turn off the machines that are keeping him alive."

"What? No, you can't!"

"I'm really sorry. It's just that as a parent, it's terrible if you don't know whether your child is with them or not, you know? It's better to know their definite fate rather than forever in the dark, not knowing if they might wake up, or might go."

"I guess. Can I have one last private moment with him?"

"Of course. Five minutes?"

Serena nodded appreciation. When the doctor left the room, she turned to Ash.

"Ash, you may be going soon, but... I'll never forget you. You'll always be the boy who rescued me at Summer Camp that day. You'll always be the person who inspired me to follow my dreams. You are the reason I'm here right now. I'm really grateful for meeting you. You'll always be in my heart. I love you, Ash. And that will never change. Not when I'm Kalos Queen, when I'm thirty and retired, not even when I'm seventy, looking at photos of us and our friends at home. You've kept so many promises, so I have to keep this one. I promise, that I will love you until the day I die."

Pikachu had also woken up at this point, and watched Serena's movements intently, wondering what was going on.

Serena smiled sadly at Pikachu and stood up from her seat. Then, she leaned over the side of the bed and planted her lips on Ash's as a final goodbye.

Or so she thought. After she stood back up straight, almost instantly Ash's body convulsed like he had been shocked.

Serena jerked back, scared by the sudden movement from Ash's seemingly lifeless body. Soon enough, it was in a sitting position on the bed and Ash's eyes opened.

Pikachu, not surprisingly, leapt into Ash's face. Ash didn't register his Pokemon yet, but when he did, he pulled the Mouse Pokemon off.

"How long was I out for?"

"Weeks. We thought you were gone."

To Ash, it was like hearing an angel. In fact, it would have been if the voice hadn't been clogged with tears.

"Serena, I'd never leave you. Please, stop crying."

"They were about to let you die! How can I not cry?"

"Oh my Arceus. How can I shut you up?"

The doctor from before came back in and just about fainted on the spot when she saw Ash, perfectly fine.

"Hey, miss, mind if you tell me what's going on?"

"You were out for weeks. Your mother asked for us to well... end you, to put it in a nice way. Don't blame her. It's hard for parents to not know if their children are dead or alive. So she wanted to settle it. Now, you're absolutely fine which I cannot understand whatsoever."

"Lucky me then, I guess. But when can I get out of here?"

"We'll run a few tests on you over the next few days. If it's all clear you should be able to leave by the end of the week."

"Thank you. Do I um, still need all these wires attached to me?"

"Now that your body is functioning independently, no. You can detach them whenever you want."

"Great! Thanks again."

XXX

After they ran the tests, they confirmed that Ash was fine. After not walking for so long, he did need some help from Serena getting to the Pokemon Centre, where they would stay until they decided their next course of action.

Ash slumped down onto the soft mattress. "Man, I hope my legs will be fine soon."

"I do too. I don't think I can support you all the time." Serena giggled.

"Hey, you did a pretty good job today."

"Oh, um, thanks." Serena blushed at Ash's comment.

Ash noticed the blush, and his face became serious. "Serena, can we have a talk?"

"Sure. What is it about?"

"Well, I want to tell you how I feel about you. Sit." Ash patted the space beside him, gesturing for her to sit next to him.

She took a seat there and Ash started. "I always had a strange feeling around you when we met again three years ago. I knew you were someone who would be a perfect friend. Originally, nothing more than that. Later on our journey, I found that every time we were in danger, I'd always be worried for you. Not Clemont. Not Bonnie. Me, being dense back then, thought that it was only because we knew each other for so long and I'd only known Clemont and Bonnie for a few months. When we had to leave each other, I discovered that wasn't the case."

"Well what was?"

"When you kissed me on that elevator, I finally realised that you had a crush on me. Something else I thought, but didn't believe, was that I returned those feelings."

Serena's eyes were tearing up. Did that mean he didn't return her feelings?

Ash continued. "When I was coming to back Kalos, I was more excited than going to any other region. I thought perhaps it was because it was a chance to battle Bonnie. You know me. I don't do much other than eat, sleep and battle. It didn't seem right though. Once I heard from Bonnie that you had a Showcase the day after I was supposed to arrive in Kalos, I was determined to be there. That urge was stronger than the one to battle Bonnie, knowing she was in Lumiose City."

"And?"

"And that's when I began to see sense. I cared for you more than ever. I knew that without a doubt, I'd protect you no matter what."

"That didn't need to involve you taking over half the fall from the Prism Tower for me."

"Of course it did. I'd do anything for you, remember? Now, I'm sure of the reason."

"What is it?" Serena questioned him curiously.

Ash's face drew closer to hers. "It's because... I love you, Serena. I really do."

Their faces, centimetres apart, met at the lips. Serena was amazed this was even happening. Ash was kissing her?

She let herself melt into the kiss. She could stay like this forever - if she could breathe without her mouth, which she couldn't.

After holding the kiss for as long as possible, they broke apart, due to the need for air.

"That was our second kiss now, wasn't it?"

Serena hesitated before speaking. "Third."

"When was the second time?"

"Well you see... in the hospital, just before they were going to turn off the machines, I kissed you and though I'm not one to be selfish, I think that's how you woke up."

"I believe that. In that case I'll have to thank you."

"How?"

"Serena, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes, yes I will." Serena answered him joyfully. She tackled him into a hug, ending up with her on top of him on the bed, but Serena took advantage of this to kiss him yet again, in a more comfortable position.

"Thank you." Ash said in between breaths.

XXX

Ash and Serena stood near the entrance of a somewhat repaired Prism Tower. Ash looked the most nervous he ever could be.

"Do you think Clemont will forgive me?" he asked for possibly the fiftieth time.

Serena gently squeezed his hand. "Don't worry. He's your friend. Of course he will."

That was encouragement enough for Ash. He went through the main door, still holding Serena's hand.

They stopped at the second set of doors, which were locked. A robotic voice started on the monitor above them.

"Welcome to the Lumiose City Gym. How-" It was cut off mid-sentence and the door slid open.

"A bit sudden, but okay."

It seemed that Clemont had already anticipated their visit, and was at the door. He had been the one who stopped Clembot from completing the welcome.

"Oh, uh, hey Clemont."

"Don't be so nervous. I'm not mad at you."

"You're not?"

"Not at all. If you're here to apologise, let me tell you I forgive you already."

"Clemont, I broke my promise to keep Bonnie safe, I let Lysandre trash your Gym and I didn't even tell you anything while we were in Lumiose City during the whole thing."

Clemont slammed his hand onto his face. "You don't understand. You did keep Bonnie safe. She just had a bit of a headache the next day. Also Lysandre trashing my Gym is nothing, and if I were you I wouldn't have told me either."

"How is Lysandre trashing your Gym nothing? The whole top of the Prism Tower was flattened!"

"So? It's repaired now."

"It must have cost a lot for you to rebuild it."

"Exactly."

"Exactly what?"

"Exactly why I'm giving you this."

Clemont passed him a slip of paper. Ash studied it for some time.

"This is the receipt for the repairs isn't it."

Clemont nodded knowingly.

"I guess I deserve it."

"I'm kidding Ash. I know you can afford that but I'm sure you'd like to spend that money somewhere else, no? Clemont tilted his head towards Serena almost unnoticeably.

"You aren't wrong. Who pays though? I can't have you pay."

"Oh since this is a public building and none of the Gym itself actually got damaged the Kalos Government covers it."

"That's a relief. I guess see you soon then?"

"Guess so. Bye."

Ash bowed jokingly before taking Serena's hand and heading out the door again.

"Where to now?"

"I think somebody wants to talk to you."

"Hm? Who?"

"My mother."

XXX

"Serena, are you sure she doesn't hate me?" Ash asked for perhaps the fiftieth time.

"Relax! There's no way she could! You saved me from, well, you know!"

"None of it would've happened if I had protected you properly like I promised I would."

"Hey, you did protect me. You really didn't need to. I wasn't afraid of death back then. You know why?"

"Enlighten me." Ash mocked.

"Because I was with the one I love."

"You're so sweet."

"You're so tense! Calm down! She's not going to come at you with a kitchen knife or something!"

"I guess you're right."

In front of them stood Vaniville Town. Compared to Pallet Town, it seemed more... civilised. The roads were actually straight, for example, unlike in Pallet Town, where the streets would wind over hills and around buildings.

Serena took the lead and dragged Ash to her home. She pulled out a set of three keys and selected one of them.

"Why do you have three?"

"One for the front door, one for the gate over there", she said, pointing, "and one for the back door."

"I see."

Serena shoved the door open. She took off her shoes. Ash quickly followed suit.

"Mum, I'm home!"

Footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. Soon enough, Grace appeared at the bottom.

"Serena! You're back! Oh, and Ash! How nice to see you're well!"

"Thank you, Grace. It's nice to know someone cares about me."

"I'm sure Serena does as well, doesn't she?" Grace teased her daughter. To Grace's astonishment, Serena didn't blush or complain.

"Well you see, there's something we want to talk about after you talk to me." Ash explained.

"Of course. Come sit down. Want something to drink?"

"Water will do me fine, thanks."

"Me too, mum."

"Serena, you can do it. I won't ask Ash because he has no clue where the cups are. You do."

Ash sank down onto a couch and Grace sat opposite him.

"So, I would like to thank you for saving my daughter."

"No, Grace. I want to say sorry for not protecting her like I should have."

"If you must. I forgive you Ash."

Serena joined them, placing a cup of water in front of Ash. He nodded his thanks and took a sip.

"So, what did you two want to talk to me about?"

Serena went straightforward and spoke. "We're dating."

"I knew it'd happen one day. I approve."

"That was more simple than I could've ever imagined." Ash chuckled.

"She's my mother. She can be annoying at times but she'll be understanding - usually."

"Yes, yes I can. Now you two, spend the day however you want. As long as you're happy, I will be two. Go on now. I have work to do."

Serena gleefully pulled Ash up the staircase to her room.

"We need to talk."

"Um, okay?"

"Ash, I know you want to become the Pokemon Master you dream of, but would you mind travelling with me until I become Kalos Queen?"

Ash hesitated. It would mean a year of not collecting Gym Badges, catching new, unseen Pokemon and making new friends. He decided on his answer.

"Of course I will. Remember, anything for you."

"Thank you so much, Ash."

Serena jumped on him, which resulted in them falling onto the bed.

"Oops. Sorry."

"No it's alright."

Neither of them moved, and eventually they fell asleep in the position they were in.

My, my, what a short chapter. About 1000 less words than usual. Oh well. I planned these chapters out carefully, and I don't want to ruin it. Anyway... bye!