DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN POKEMON

Just so you know, the pokemon that Ash and Serena catch in this story are canon and some non-canon that I think they should have had in the series.

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Chapter 10: Story's End

"And that's the whole story, Serena. From then on, I never saw Charizard again.", said Ash as he finished up his story, "And the rest is history. I came to the Kalos region, found you, won the league, you became Kalos Queen, us travelling at the other regions, became Kalos Champion and…here we are."

"Wow. And here I thought that catching Talonflame had nothing to it.", said Serena, "But do you think about Charizard nowadays?"

"I haven't thought of him since Talonflame came into my life. She would go on to be the most powerful pokemon in my entire team. I learned to train her very well so that our friendship wouldn't go strained like mine and Charizard's.", said Ash.

"Where do you think Charizard is at this moment?", asked Serena.

"I don't know. Most likely somewhere in the world, training himself to get stronger without a trainer to watch his back. Or he could be with another trainer who has earned his respect.", said Ash.

"Ash, come on. I doubt that he would be with another trainer. I mean, it you couldn't earn his respect I doubt anyone else will.", said Serena, "Do you sometimes feel like you regret letting him go after you lost the Kanto League?"

"Now that you say that, I don't really know. Some might say that it would be selfish of me to release him just because of one league loss, but this sort of behaviour was happening even before the league and it really strained my relationship with Charizard. But when I released him, it felt like a heavy burden was lifted off my shoulders. I think it could have been something he would have wanted if he wanted to become stronger.", said Ash.

"Ash, that wasn't selfish of you. You had a reason to let him go and he would have agreed with you on it. If becoming stronger by himself was something that he wanted on his own, that I'd say you made the right choice.", said Serena, patting him on the shoulder.

Ash smiled at his wife." I guess you're right, Serena."

"Yes, I am. Speaking of which, I think we had better be getting home. We've finished our picnic and it is almost three o'clock.", said Serena.

"Once again, you're right, Serena.", said Ash.

"Thanks, sweetie.", said Serena playfully, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"June, time to go home now!", called out Ash to his young daughter.

"Talon Talonflame.", called out Talonflame to her child, telling her to come back as well.

"Coming, Daddy!", called back June, "C'mon, Fletchling, race you back."

"Fletch Fletchling!", chirped Feltchling as he flew with June to their parents.

Talonflame and Swanna were already in the air and the parents had packed up everything in the woven basket.

"Ready to go home, June?", asked Serena.

"Yep, I wanna see the rest of the pokemon again.", said June.

The group walked back home through the fields. The sun was slowly going down behind them. Fletchling flew with his parents while June walked with hers.

It wasn't long before they soon reached their home. It was a two story small mansion that would sport an above middle-class life with white walls and a tiled roof that consisted of brown, black and grey tiles. There were numerous windows, a balcony for each upstairs bedroom, a front door and a back door that led to the enormous backyard ranch.

Now the ranch itself was filled with various pokemon from every region that the duo had caught over the years together. There were some pokemon battling like Ash's Tyranitar and Lucario, some were relaxing or sleeping like Ash's Snorlax and Serena's Pangoro, some were eating berries like Ash's Weavile and Serena's Sylveon, some were chatting like Ash's Trevenant and Aegislash; some were swimming like Ash's Blastoise and Serena's Milotic; and some romantic couples were enjoying some quality time together like Ash's Greninja, Sceptile and female Meowstic and Serena's Delphox, Lilligant and male Meowstic.

Some of the pokemon noticed their trainers return along with the other pokemon. Ash's affectionate Tyrantrum and Meganium ran to their trainer while Serena's Sylveon and Gothitelle ran to Serena. Ash's Glaceon and Sylveon ran to June.

"It's good to see you two as well, Tyrantrum and Meganium. Hope there was no trouble while we we're gone.", said Ash.

The two pokemon shook their heads, confirming there were no fights, other than battles.

"Glaceon, Sylveon, It's great to see you guys. Do you want to play with me and Fletchling a little later on?", asked June.

"Gla Glaceon.", said Glaceon with a nod.

"Sy Sylveon.", nodded Sylveon as well.

The rest of the day was rather quiet for the family. Ash was making some final preparations and arrangements with Charles Goodshow for the upcoming Kalos League via telephone, Serena decided to call her mother and have a mother-to-daughter and June just played with the other pokemon outside.

That night, it was time get to sleep. Talonflame, Swanna and Fletchling were outside in one nest, ready for a night's sleep. Ash and Serena were in their sleepwear, saying goodnight to June.

"Sweet dreams, June.", said Serena.

"Don't let the Joltic bite.", said Ash.

"Goodnight, Mommy and Daddy.", said June sleepily.

Ash and Serena then climbed into their own bed.

"Goodnight, Ashy.", said Serena.

"Goodnight, Serena.", said Ash in return.

The two shared a goodnight kiss before giving in to their tiredness.

Xxxxxxx

At the Charicific Valley in the Johto Region…

Unknown to the gang in Kalos, half a world away, a familiar orange draconic creature was in the sky, flying to his next destination. The Kalos region.

Charizard.

But it wasn't the same arrogant and disobedient Charizard that Ash had released twenty years ago.

He had changed into a strong, caring and obedient Charizard. Twenty years worth of training and disciplined teaching had changed him a lot into a worthy pokemon for any trainer.

A girl with green hair and a female Charizard with a pink bow on her head, Charla, walked up to him. This was the keeper of the Charicific Valley, Liza. She had been training Charizard ever since she had first found him training in the mountains eighteen years earlier and decided to take him in because she saw potential in him to be strong. Not too long ago after she had found him, she discovered his involvement with Ash and how they went their separate paths when she and Charizard watched his league performances in the past and his rise to becoming the new Kalos Champion. She told Charizard that if he wanted to show Ash he can be and be friends with him and be granted a second chance, he was going to have to prove it through his training. So he and other Charizards had been battling against one another for the last eighteen years, slowly improving and getting stronger. It was difficult, but it was all worth it.

Charizard had now changed. He was bigger than he was the day Ash released him. He had acquired a wider moveset, giving him access no new abilities. But another thing that was given to him was a Mega Stone. His own Charizardite Y. Lisa found it some years ago and gave it to him earlier that night. Although Charizard had never Mega Evolved before since Lisa didn't use Mega Evolution, he saw Ash's Mega Beedrill in battle before, knowing that he used Mega Evolution in battle a lot of times. Maybe once they could rebuild their friendship, if he gets accepted, they can try to achieve it together.

But all that mattered to him was to find Ash and rebuild their friendship. Charizard regretted what he did all those years ago, and that event is what gave him the motivation to keep on going in battle and never stop until he has proved himself worthy.

'Ash, it has been twenty years for us both and I hope it has been enough for me to get stronger. I'm coming back and I hope you can accept me again.', though Charizard as he flew through the night sky.

Xxxxxxxx

And another chapter wraps this up. This is the second last chapter to the story. I'll try to post the next one as soon as possible.