Chapter 2 Encounter Lugia
"We're here, Pallet Town." A girl who is seventeen years old is now standing on top of the hill that overlooks Kanto. She is wearing a red fedora, pink dress with black OTK socks, and brown shoes. On her dress, there is a blue ribbon that she cherishes the most. Besides the girl is a Sylveon, who is also excited to arrive at Pallet Town.
"I wonder will he be at home?" The girl asks Sylveon, who nods in agreement. "You think so, now let's go!"
As they rush downhill, they manage to reach the door. The girl takes a deep breath and she knocks on the door, hoping that Ash will be at home.
Inside the kitchen, Delia hears the door knock and she says, "Ash, can you help me open the door?"
"Coming." Ash says as both he and Pikachu stop looking at the picture as they rush downstairs. And just as Ash opens the door, he gasps as he sees the person in front of him is no other than Serena.
"Serena? Is that you?" Ash says with shock as his face is about to get red.
"Ash! You're here!" Serena says as she suddenly wraps her arms around Ash, hugging him. She is also blushing at her actions, but they don't care as they are now melting in each other.
Delia notices that Ash is standing at the doorway hugging somebody, she smirks and says, "Ash? Who is it?"
Ash and Serena realize that Delia is watching them as they quickly separate, Ash says, "Mom, this is Serena, she is my travel companion in the Kalos Region."
Serena bows and says, "It is nice to meet you, ma'am."
Delia says, "Oh, so you are Serena. Ash has told me a lot about you."
"Really?" Serena blushes after hearing what Ms. Ketchum has said.
"Of course, please come on in." Delia says.
Pikachu also jumps on Serena's arms, and Serena says, "It is nice to see you as well, Pikachu."
Pikachu gives a thumbs up and then he goes to Sylveon, giving her a nuzzle, and Sylveon also blushes back as she uses her feelers to wrap around Pikachu.
After they are sitting down, Ash asks, "Serena, what are you doing here? It is not that I don't like you to be here, but I want to know the reason."
Serena says, "Well, I just finished my journey in Hoenn, so I thought that I would find you in Kanto since I heard you become the Alola Champion."
"Well, it is not a big deal." Ash says, "Pikachu and I worked very hard for it."
"I know." Serena chuckles. Ash nods and he asks, "So Serena, did you capture new Pokemon?"
Serena says, "Of course, do you want to see it?"
"You bet!" Ash says excitedly and he acts the same as Pikachu, then both of them decide to go to the Pokemon Lab so that Serena can show her Pokemon.
"Professor Oak!" Ash and Serena greet the Professor, who greets them and he says, "Welcome, Ash. And how is this fine lady beside you."
Ash says, "This is Serena, do you remember, Professor? The same girl that both Chloe and I found back at the Summer Camp?"
Serena is surprised that Ash would remember all of that, she just told him about the Summer Camp and she never mentioned Chloe back then. Professor Oak says, "Oh, I think I remember, you are Grace's daughter, right? I am glad to see you become a fine woman."
"Thank you, Professor." Serena says. Ash adds, "Professor, can we use the Lab? I want to show all my Pokemon to Serena and Serena will like to do the same."
"Of course." Professor Oak says, "Though Tracy is not at the lab at this moment, so you'll have to do it on your own."
"No problem." Ash says. Once they get outside, Ash manages to find Bulbasaur and the said Pokemon hugs him. "Bulbasaur, how are you doing?"
Bulbasaur nods and Serena says, "Wow, Ash. I didn't know that you have a Bulbasaur."
"Well, it is actually my longest Pokemon if Pikachu is not considered." Ash says, "He is also been a good help in the Professor Oak's Lab when Tracy is not here." He turns to Bulbasaur and asks him to call out all his other friends.
As he uses the Solar Beam, Serena is in awe and says, "So pretty..."
"I know, right? This is how Bulbasaur calls out our friends." Ash says.
Just then, Charizard, Kingler, Muk, 30 Tauros, Snorlax, Heracross, Bayleaf, Quilava, Totodile, Noctowl, Donphan, Swellow, Sceptile, Corphish, Torkoal, Glalie, Staraptor, Torterra, Infernape, Buizel, Gliscor, Gible, Unfezant, Oshawott, Pignite, Snivy, Scraggy, Leavanny, Palpitoad, Boldore, Krookodile, Talonflame, Hawlucha, and Noivern appear after the call, they all rush towards Ash and hug him.
"Ash!" Serena is worried at how many Pokemon are showing affection to Ash, but he just laughs and says, "I missed you guys as well."
Talonflame, Hawlucha, and Noivern also notice Serena and they also hug her. Serena smiles and says, "It is nice to meet you all again."
The others are curious about the trainer in front of them and Ash says, "Everyone, this is Serena, she is my travel companion in the Kalos Region. Serena, these are all my Pokemon."
"All of them? Even that amount of Tauros?" Serena asks with a sweatdrop.
"I know. But I am not regretting capturing all of them." Ash says.
All the Pokemon decide to greet Serena, and they all share some of their affectionate greetings, and Serena can only laugh at their actions. After it is done, Serena decides to send out her Pokemon, a Delphox, Pangoro, Milotic, Roserade, and Altaria. The others are in awe at the pretty Pokemon, and some Pokemon like Oshawott wants to show affection to Sylveon, who refused in the end.
Serena looks around and she asks, "But where is your Pokemon from Alola? I don't think I have seen them."
"They are with Professor Kukui, my teacher when I attended the Alola Trainer's School." Ash says, "Maybe there is one day I can have you see them."
"I will like to." Serena says. Just then, Professor Oak says, "Since you two are here, have you considered what you are going to do next?"
"I don't think we have considered about that..." Ash says, and Serena also nods in agreement.
"If that's the case, do you remember Professor Cerise?" Professor Oak asks, and Serena says, "Wait, that's Chloe's father, right?"
"Yeah, I think I haven't seen her again ever since I started my journey..." Ash says. "But what about him?"
"You see, this young professor I know is opening a new laboratory in Vermillion City, today."
"Really?" Ash says with excitement.
"That's right, so I figured that I'd invite you to its opening ceremony." Professor Oak says. "You two are going, I take it?"
"Of course!" Ash and Serena say in unison, but blush after realizing what they did. Delia also comes and she says, "Ash, Serena. I just came to bring your lunch, but what a great thing I just heard! There are plenty of delicious sweets and stylish shops in Vermillion City."
"Wait, Mom is coming as well?" Ash asks with confusion.
"Looks like your mother is really energetic." Serena says, also sweatdropping at Ash's mother.
On the road to Vermellion City, Ash and Serena are having lunch in the backseat as they look at the Pokemon outside. Professor Oak says, "Still a Pokemon lover I see, are you still working towards becoming a Pokemon Master?"
"You bet!" Ash says. "I am definitely gonna be a Pokemon Master together with this guy!" Ash grabs Pikachu in the air and he says in unison.
"What about you, Serena?" Delia asks, and Serena says, "Well, since I already finished my goal of entering Showcases and entering Performances, I think I want to have another goal."
Then she looks at Ash and thinks, "That goal is you...Ash..."
Once they arrive at Vermillion City, Professor Oak stops in front of the new lab and says, "I'll go park the car, so you can just go ahead."
"Okay, Professor!" Ash says.
Eager to have a look around, Ash and Serena rush up the fleet of steps, only to be stopped by a yellow puppy Pokemon, who is angry at the sight of the two trainers.
"What is that Pokemon? I think I have never seen it before..." Ash says.
"I think I might know this one." Serena says. "It is Yamper, and it's from the Galar Region."
"Galar Region?" Ash asks in confusion. "Where is that?"
"It is close to Kalos, but I never got the chance to see it." Serena says.
Ash is then overcome by the Electric puppy's cuteness and tries to pat it. He eventually catches it, only to receive an electric shock for his efforts.
"Ash!" Serena says with worry after he falls to the ground, and Yamper then spots Pikachu and instantly takes a liking to him.
"Yamper, I'm home!" Both Pikachu and Serena turn around and they see a girl in a school uniform walking towards them. "Huh? Visitors?"
Serena notices how Yamper is close to the girl and she says, "Is Yamper your Pokemon? I am sorry that my friend tries to pet it and he got shocked..."
The girl notices the boy lying on the stairs and she says, "I'm sorry, but my Yamper doesn't like to be petted by strangers. I am Chloe, and you are?"
"Chloe? Is that really you?" Ash suddenly gets back up and he says, "It's me, Ash, do you remember?"
"Ash?" Chloe gasps as he hasn't heard of the name for 8 years. Chloe suddenly hugs Ash, much to Serena's annoyance. "I missed you a lot. Why didn't you bother to contact me?"
"I am sorry." Ash says as they quickly break the hug. "And do you remember Serena? She is from Kalos."
"Of course I remember, it is great to see you again, Serena." Chloe says as they shake hands. "It is good to see you as well."
"So what are you doing here?" Chloe asks, and Ash says, "We are here since Professor Oak ask us to come to see the opening of the lab."
"I see, since I still have homework to do, so I'll see you later." Chloe says as she and Yamper leave the two alone.
Proefssor Oak also comes and he says, "Ash, Serena. You'd better hurry or you'll miss the opening ceremony."
"Okay." Ash and Serena say in unison as they go to the lab. They see Professor Cerise standing on the stage and he says, "Thank you for being so patient. My name is Cerise, and I am the chief here at Cerise Laboratory, which is opening today. I am most grateful to see so many of you come here from so far away. Now, then..."
Professor Cerise snaps his fingers, and the light of a device starts to glow and a picture of the earth appears. "As you all know, Pokemon are the strange, strange creatures that live on this planet. In the forests, in the skies, in the seas...you can find them all over the world. Humans and Pokemon live together in this world, forming diverse kinds of bonds. Here at Cerise Laboratory, we wish to observe and analyze everything about these mysterious Pokemon, so that we may deepen our understanding of them. To know Pokemon is to know the world. I believe this will help make the world a better place!"
The others are giving Professor a clap, and upstairs, Chloe is still doing her homework while watching Yamper, who is sleeping on the sofa. "Ash and Serena...I wonder if they still think of me as a friend..."
Just then, there is a red exclamation mark on one of the screens in the lab, Professor Cerise says, "What's this?"
He starts to type on the computer and says, "From this airflow, temperature, humidity, and altitude...this is just my prediction, but in roughly 20 minutes, an exceedingly rare Pokemon will appear at Vermillion Port!"
"A rare Pokemon..." Ash says in awe.
"What do you think, Professor Oak?" Professor Cerise asks the old Professor, who says, "It does seem pretty big..."
"Professors! We'll go have a look!" Ash suddenly yells as he drags Serena out of the lab, much to their confusion. The others are thinking that it may be a Legendary Pokemon as they all rush out as well.
"Hey, Ash!" Serena says as she is running alongside Ash, "What do you think the Pokemon is?"
"I am not sure, but I have a feeling that it might be a Pokemon that I have seen before." Ash says as they notice a black cloud in front of them. Suddenly, it appears to be a Lugia.
"A Lugia!" Ash and Serena exclaim in unison as they rush towards the direction where it is. After it lands on the ocean, Ash says, "I finally found you, Lugia."
Lugia notices Ash and she recognizes the boy, the same one who stopped the crisis in Shamoutti Island, and the same one who saved her son.
"Lugia, let's battle!" Ash says, and Lugia snaps out of the trance and nods.
Pikachu leaps into action, launching a Thunderbolt. Lugia shakes the attack off and replies with a flash of Aeroblast before flying off.
"Pikachu!" Ash says, and then they decide to chase after Lugia. Ash can hear his voice, "Hop on, like you did before."
Ash and Serena jump on Lugia and they fly off, and Serena asks, "Ash, you know this Lugia?"
"It seems to know me..." Ash says, Lugia uses Telepathy and says, "Did you forget our previous encounter? If it wasn't for you, the world could have been in danger because of the three birds flying.
"Wait, are you the same Lugia that we met in Orange Islands?" Ash asks with surprise, and the Pokemon nods. Serena says, "Really? I would like to hear that story."
Ash says, "I can tell you about it." Abruptly, Lugia flies up even higher to join a flock of passing Fearow. "Wow...so awesome." Serena says in awe, but then Lugia descends suddenly towards the ocean.
Serena is hugging Ash tightly as Lugia uses Hydro Pump to blast a hole into the water surface and soars through the wall of water and into the oceanic depths, teeming with Water Pokémon. A school of Horsea take the boys by surprise, almost causing Ash and Serena to run out of air. Luckily, Lugia emerges from the water and takes to the sky once again.
"Meeting so many different Pokemon surely is the best." Ash says.
"I know." Serena says, after releasing Ash from the hug and blushing madly.
After that, Lugia lands in a field of flowers, and they see a lot of Grass Type Pokemon in front of them. Lugia roars and she says, "I never got to thank you for all the hard work that you have done. Which is why I offer you a chance to capture me."
"Are you sure about that?" Ash and Serena are surprised that the Legendary Pokemon like Lugia wants to be caught. Lugia nods as Ash throws a Pokeball, signaling its capture.
"Wow...and you just caught Lugia just like that..." Serena says.
"I know...seeing Lugia again just makes me remember how big the world is...and that is if you just want it bad enough, you can go anywhere and meet whatever Pokemon you want." Ash says.
"Of course you can, you can meet them, for sure!" Serena says as both Pikachu and Sylveon are also cheering.
They laugh a little and then they decide to ride Lugia back to the lab. And once they get there, Yamper is excited to see Pikachu again, and Chloe says to Ash and Serena, "Where were the two of you?"
"Listen to this, Chloe! We just had a fateful encounter with Lugia! We met Lugia!" Ash says.
"Really? You really are the same old Ash." Chloe sighs.
"By the way, where is Professor Cerise?" Serena asks.
"Dad is inside with Professor Oak." Chloe says, as they all head inside the lab.
Serena is showing the video of how Lugia's wings are flapping and Cerise says, "Nobody's ever caught footage of Lugia's fins mid-flight this close up before!"
"That's not even the biggest surprise!" Serena says as they show the video underwater.
"Amazing! You two are awesome." Professor Cerise says. "And you said that you also caught it, can we see it?"
"Of course." Ash says, "But is there a place we can send it out?"
They then go to Cerise Park, a purpose-built greenhouse ecosystem that houses all of the Pokémon. Ash sends out Lugia there and it roars at the humans, after telling her not to worry about the Professors, it nods and flies around in the place.
"Well, Ash, Serena. I am profoundly grateful for your initiative. You've let me learn unknown secrets about Lugia! So I have a request for you two. Would you become research fellows at my Laboratory?"
"Research fellows?" Serena and Ash exclaim in surprise, and Cerise says, "I want you to meet, touch, and speak to all the Pokemon of the world, and then we will deepen our knowledge of Pokemon together!"
"Well, we can do it, right? Serena?" Ash asks, and Serena is surprised at the offer and she smiles, "Of course, we'll do it!"
"Oh, so you both accept?!" Cerise says with a joyous expression.
Delia says, "But commuting from Pallet Town to here will be tough..."
"If so..." Professor Cerise opens the door and they see a room with two beds, Ash and Serena are excited to see their own dorm. Ash says, "Wow...our own dorm."
"In that case, Mimey, look after Ash and Serena for me, okay?" Delia asks, and Mr. Mime nods.
After Professor Oak and Delia are in the car, Ash says, "Now this is goodbye, Mom..."
"Make sure you eat properly. That includes vegetables." Delia says. "Oh, and brush your teeth, and..."
"I got it..." Ash blushes at how his mother is embarrassing him in front of Serena, who chuckles.
"Serena, please look after my son." Delia says.
"Just leave it to me." Serena says with a smile. Then Professor Oak and Delia leave and Chloe asks, "Dad? Are you not done yet?"
"Oh, I'm sorry! Just wait a little longer!" Cerise says as he rushes back into the lab.
Ash and Serena just look at each other with a laugh until they are back in their dorm. Ash decides to talk with Serena and he asks, "Hey, Serena."
"Yes, Ash?" Serena asks, and Ash says, "I haven't asked you yet. I want to ask that in the Kalos Airport."
This causes Serena to blush madly as he still remembers the kiss. Ash says, "I have been thinking a lot about why you have done that, but after my stay at Alola, I finally realized it."
Serena's heart is panicking as she can't believe what Ash is doing. "Serena, the way you kiss me, is that your way of showing me that you love me?"
Serena nods with a stutter, "Yeah..."
"And does your feelings change within this year?" Ash asks, and Serena says, "Of course not!"
Ash suddenly leans forward and kisses her on the lips, Serena is surprised and she is screaming inside her heart. After breaking the kiss, Ash says, "You know, Serena. I love you as well."
Serena is now happy to hear the words, and she says, "I love you as well, Ash."
Then they also kiss once more and they know that they are going to be together from now on.
Here is the second chapter, and Ash and Serena reunited and they confess. I stated that this story will be a harem story with Ash and Serena and Chloe, but for the confession with Chloe will be in the future chapters since she didn't get much screen time in the first episodes of the anime. And I hope you like it.