"Bedrooms are clear." Ash said, coming into the main area.

"Then I think we're all set." Serena said, grabbing her suitcase. "Thanks again Duking."

"Please, it's been wonderful having you two here, and the Colloseum has been more lively than it has in years." Duking said. "Though I'm sad to see you two go, I hope we will meet again."

"If we're ever back here, we'll be sure to stop by." Ash said.

"Then let's be off, my truck is out front." Duking said.

"It's going to be strange, being back in Kalos." Serena said.

"No kidding, it feels like we've been trying to make our way back for way too long." Ash said in agreeance.

At Gateon Port

"Well, we're here." Duking said, hiding his tears.

"Oh don't cry Duking, you don't do that well." A familliar voice said.

"Wes? Thought you'd be gone for another ten years." Duking said.

"Couldn't say goodbye just yet, I have unfinished buisness." Wes said.

"More Cipher?" Serena asked.

"Not quite." Wes said, his tone turning serious. "Ash Ketchum, I challenge you to a battle."

"I've been waiting a while for this." Ash said, hopping out of the backseat. "Ready Pikachu!"

"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed running forward.

"Espeon! Umbreon! Let's go!"

"Come on out Tauros!"

"Espeon use Return! Umbreon use Secret Power!"

"Pikachu use Quick Attack! Tauros use Stomp!"

Pikachu charged forward striking Espeon before being flung back from the psychic types Return. Tauros managed much better, his raw speed and strength out matching Umbreon's attack and defense.

"The relationship between those two is strong, time to switch it up! Pikachu use Iron Tail on Umbreon! Tauros use Horn Attack on Espeon!"

"Espeon use Psychic! Umbreon use Iron Tail!"

Tauros slowly was lifted into the air by a strange force, as Pikachu and Umbreon collided. Umbreon was clearly the weaker of Ash's two opponents, but his problem for now was his floating Tauros.

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt, Tauros brace yourself!"

"Umbreon use Shadow Ball! Espeon take that Tauros for a spin!"

Umbreon's attack stopped Pikachu's in its tracks, while Tauros was thrown into the bay.

"Pikachu use Discharge! Tauros are you okay?" Ash shouted.

"Espeon use Return! Umbreon use Shadow Ball!"

On their own, Wes's Pokémon were easier, but in a two on one, things were difficult. Tauros was struggling in the waves, and Pikachu was struggling to keep the two Pokémon at a distance.

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt! Tauros we need you!" Ash called out.

"Espeon use Psychic! Umbreon use Secret Power!"

Pikachu was hit hard from the two attacks, having been sent flying. Tauros was slowly making his way out of the water, but it wasn't easy.

"Wes, give him a break." Rui pleaded.

"He's supposed to be this great trainer, I shouldn't have to hold back." Wes said calmly. "I want a battle with someone who gives their all with every attack."

"You want my all, fine." Ash said reaching into his backpack, pulling out a collar. "Here you go Pikachu, give them everything you've got."

Pikachu turned around, the light ball hanging from his collar.

"I didn't want to give everything I had because it wouldn't be fair, but if that's what you want, I'll give it." Ash said oddly calm. "Pikachu use Quick Attack. Tauros use Surf."

Pikachu took off at a blinding speed, crashing into Espeon, before it could even react. While Tauros went from fighting against the waves, to charging with them towards Espeon and Umbreon.

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt! Tauros use Stomp!" Ash called out, and with that the match was over.

"Good, you've learned an important lesson." Wes said with a smile.

"What lesson, he won." Serena said.

"To stop holding back. I can't win them all if I try to do things both my way and fairly." Ash realized.

"Exactly, every trainer fights different based on their experiences. I fight hard because I had too, to stop Cipher. You need to fight with a changing tacit because that's what makes you special. Remember that, and you'll go far." Wes said.

"Thanks Wes." Ash said holding out his hand.

"Any time, best of luck." Wes said with a smirk.

"Are we too late!" Nett said running up.

"No, these are exact duplicates of Ash and Serena from another dimension, come here to invade ours." Perr said with a laugh.

"Hey considering how we got here, that might still be possible." Ash pointed out. "Did you guys come all this way just to see us off?"

"It was Megg's idea." Secc said, before getting elbowed by Megg.

"Okay, okay. Yes we wanted to see you guys off, also to thank you again for stopping Miror B." Secc said, rubbing his side.

"'Michael would have stopped by, but he's looking into some new tunnels in the under, making sure there aren't any more Cipher members hiding out down there." Nett said.

On the boat

"So I see you're still going with pants." Serena commented.

"Well it would be odd for me to take them off in front of everyone, now wouldn't it." Ash proposed.

"You know what I mean." Serena said with a laugh.

"Which is exactly why I'm wearing pants. Next time try and be a little more subtle." Ash said with a laugh.

"Subtle, all that time in Kalos and you were clueless, now you're telling me to be more subtle?" Serena said with a laugh.

"Yep, now I'm going to find our cabin." Ash said, with a skip in his step. "Are you coming?"

A few days had passed with little to no problems. They would be pulling into a Kalos port later today, and Ash was ready to get off of the boat. Being back in a region he was familiar with, and the old group back together again, he was excited.

"Took you long enough." Serena said, commenting on Ash's shorts.

"It's going to warm when we land, and all my pants are black or dark blue. I'd rather be comfortable than both of us miserable." Ash pointed out.

"Well thank you." Serena said, leaning down to give him a quick kiss.