"Bye Dad, we'll be back in a week." Clemont said, waving goodbye.
"A week, that's funny." Ash said, holding out four pokeballs. "Come on out guys!"
From the pokeballs came Charizard, Dragonite, Staraptor, and Noivern.
"Everyone pick a ride, we're going flying." Ash said, getting on Charizard.
"I call Noivern!" Bonnie exclaimed running up to her and Dedenee's old friend.
"I'm comfortable with Dragonite." Serena said taking the dragon Pokémon.
"So I get Staraptor?" Clemont asked.
""If you're not comfortable with that, I have another option." Ash said.
10 minutes later high in the sky
"Ash! Are you okay down there!" Clemont shouted, from atop of Charizard.
"I'm doing great!" Ash said laughing from Charizard's claws.
"Weeeeee!" Bonnie joyfully screamed as her and Noivern flew around the group.
Vaniville Town
"Guys, I don't think I can do this anymore." Serena said backing up, only to feel a flat surface against her back.
"You can do this, you're just a little nervous." Ash said, his eyes glowing. "No more what if's, we're literally at your front door."
'Knock knock knock'
"Now who could that be?" Grace asked herself, she wasn't expecting anyone today.
"Hello?" Grace said opening the door. She saw Ash, Clemont, Bonnie, and…
"Hi Mom,". Serena awkwardly said before she was enveloped in a full on hug.
"You're home!" Grace said, tears streaming down her face.
There was several minutes of silence as Grace just embraced her daughter, finally she let go, wiping the tears from her face.
"After you left, you didn't write, or call, and I thought…" Grace said through the tears.
"I'm sorry." Serena said. "I never meant too."
"Where are my manners, come in. All of you." Grace said, ushering the group in.
One LONG explanation later
"Ultra dimensions, underground battles, strange aliens. This is all a lot to take in." Grace said, setting down her coffee.
"It's all true, I saw it all." Ash said.
"Forgive my scepticism but even for you kids, this all seems a bit strange." Grace said.
"Oh, just them, we've been part of this for about a day." Clemont said.
"And Serena, you can always come to me when you need someone to talk to, no matter what it's about." Grace said. "Would you look at the time, do you all plan on staying for dinner?"
"We should be heading back, I don't want to be too far from the gym until I know the new system is working." Clemont said.
"And I have a plane to catch, it's time I go home and see my own mom." Ash said.
As the group was leaving, Serena stopped Ash to talk to him.
"Hey Ash, I just wanted to say thanks, for everything." Serena said.
"Why do I feel there's a but coming?" Ash said.
"Because there is, I want to keep adventuring with you, but right now I want to patch things up with my mom." Serena said.
"I understand, I waited this long for you, I can wait again." Ash said.
"Here, take my phone, you paid for it." Serena said holding the white rotom phone.
"It's yours, use it to find me when you're ready." Ash said.
"Bye Ash." Serena said, hugging him.
"Bye Serena." Ash said, returning the hug.
Later, back in Lumiose City
"Bye Ash!" Bonnie said.
"Don't be a stranger." Clemont shouted.
"See ya guys!" Ash waved, as he walked onto his plane. "Ready to go home buddy."
Meanwhile in Vermillion City
"How do you think Ash is doing?" Chloe asked, filling out a report on their last mission.
"I'm sure he's fine, but I think we need to face the facts. If Ash was going to return, or call, he'd have done it by now." Goh said plainly.
"Don't get too happy, you might hurt yourself." Chloe said annoyed.
'Ding'
"Who's messaging you?" Goh asked.
"It's just a news update, from the ONBS." Chloe said.
"Why are you following an Orre news station." Goh asked.
"It's for a project at school." Chloe admitted. "Rise in Colosseum ticket sales across the board, huh cool."
The next morning in Pallet Town
"Hi Mom, I'm home." Ash said, with a smile.
"Ash! How have you been?" Delila asked.
"Good, I've been busy though." Ash admitted.
"I'd love to spend the day with you, but my one manager just called in sick, and I need to run the restaurant." Delila said.
"Oh, let me help you." Ash said.
"I couldn't ask you to do that." Delila said.
"It's fine, I was planning on staying here in Pallet overnight anyways." Ash said.
"We have a uniform you need to wear though." Delila said.
"That's fine." Ash said.
Delila was surprised, not only at how well Ash passed as a girl, but also how comfortable he was in the waitress's uniform. She wasn't going to complain though, help was help.
That night
'Yawn'. "I'm going to bed, see you tomorrow mom." Ash said walking up the stairs.
Delila looked at the things Ash had ready for tomorrow, a few bags of clothes, a duffel bag filled with Pokeballs she could only guess were filled with his Pokémon, and a special case for his more personal items.
"Hello?" A voice Delila hadn't heard in years.
"Outside, now." Delila said sternly, she didn't need to see the face to know who it was.
"What's going on, why can't I go in my own house?" The man asked.
"Your house! You left eight years ago!" Delila screamed.
"I did it for us! For Ash!" The man said.
"How's becoming champion going, huh? Have you finally become proud of yourself enough to be here?" Delila asked.
"You know it's not easy, I've been working hard, and soon I'll beat Lance." The man said.
"Becoming champion is hard! The son you left behind is a champion, and he seems to manage just fine!" Delila scolded.
"Just let me see him, let me talk with him." The man said.
"I think it'd be best if you just leave." Delila said coldly.
"He's my kid too, you can't keep him from me." The man said.
"Mr Mime!"
"Pika"
The Ketchum family's pokemon appeared beside Delila, ready to fight off the strange man.
"Don't make me do this. Walk away with your dignity, make the back payments, and then we can talk about you seeing your son." Delila said, tears in her eyes.
"Fine, but I'll be back soon." The man said turning to leave.
"That's what you said last time." Delila said, sorrowfully. Ash had a perfect image of who his father was, he didn't need to see what he was really like, and if she could help it, he never would.