Gifts from Champions

After having dinner, Ash is sitting alone in his own room with Pikachu, who is already asleep. She hears a door knock and Ash says, "Please come in."

As the door opens, it reveals to be Serena. She says, "Ash, can we talk?"

Ash sighs as he has a feeling of what Serena wants to talk about, he says, "Of course."

As Serena sits down on the bed beside Ash, Ash says, "Your feelings for me, how long has it been?"

Serena frowns as she isn't expecting that Ash just starts the conversation directly. She says, "Ever since you helped me in the Summer Camp, you have been my first and only friend at that time. Now that we traveled together in the Kalos Region. The feelings are still there, but you don't seem to notice...I was wondering why, until I finally realized you have someone in your mind."

"I am sorry, Serena." Ash says. "I just don't want to break anyone's heart just because I reject their love..."

Serena shakes her head and gives a small smile, "It is fine, I can't force you to love me, that will be selfish as well. It's just...I didn't expect this whole thing after all."

Ash nods and says, "I told others that I forgot her name, but it is a lie. I can't forget her name as we have expressed our love together, the reason I couldn't contact her is that she has school to attend."

"I see...can you tell me the name of the girl in your dreams?" Serena asks, and Ash nods. "Her name is Alice. She is actually the youngest daughter of Valerie and Wulfric."

Serena is surprised, as she didn't know that the famous fashion designer Valerie is married to Wulfric, who is the gym leader that has a strong Avalugg that manages to beat Greninja, but that is the first time they battle, though.

"Both times when we got to the gyms, they told me that they were at home or in school. That is why I couldn't find her." Ash says. "But I am waiting for her, for the time when we met again, that makes all the waiting worth it."

"I see...I wish you good luck." Serena says as she leaves the room, but Ash can notice the tears in her eyes, he can only frown as this is what he has been trying to avoid.

While Serena is sitting on the sofa, which is empty because others are either asleep or in guest rooms playing truth or dare. Just then, a hand holding a handkerchief appears, and Serena turns her head to find that it is Mark.

"I really don't like to see a girl crying, especially since you're staying in our house." Mark says as Serena nods.

"Thank you..." Serena takes the handkerchief and wipes her tears. Mark says, "I saw you coming from Brother's room, which means that you and brother talked, right?"

Serena nods and she says, "We did...it is just...I still have a hard time moving on because Ash has someone that he likes..."

"I see...sounds like you had a crush on my brother." Mark frowns a little. "But are you going to hate him for not choosing you?"

"Of course not. It doesn't change the fact that he is still my first friend until we travel Kalos together. I didn't make any friends because I was too busy practicing Rhyhorn racing with my Mom...since I didn't know what my dream is. Because of Ash, I finally know my dream to become the best performer..."

"Sounds like my brother really influenced a lot of you." Mark says. "And you are a strong girl, even though things aren't going to be the way you wanted, but you still endure all of that."

Serena looks at Mark, his face is overlapping with Ash's. But she shakes her head and says, "Mark, right? So do you have anyone you like?"

Mark shakes his head and says, "No one. My siblings and I are in the Sevestar Region for a lot of years, so we didn't make friends outside of the region."

"I see...Thank you, even though I am in a depression, you still manage to cheer me up." Serena says.

"No problem." Mark says. "You can talk to me if you want more help. Right now it is getting late, we should sleep."

"Okay." Serena says as they go back to their rooms to sleep, and Serena starts to have some feelings for Mark.

The next day, when everyone is having breakfast, they get a doorbell and Aurora opens the door. She says, "Oh my. It is good to see you again. Please come in."

Much to everyone's surprise, the ones that enter the room are Lance, Wallace, Cynthia, Alder, Diantha, and a purple-haired man that Ash doesn't recognize. Max says, "No way...the Champions from all over the region..."

"What are they doing here?" Sophocles asks with the same shock.

As for Ash, he just greets all of them and he asks, "So what brings you here?"

Lance says, "First of all, we are here to congratulate you for becoming a Champion."

"Thanks, guys. I couldn't have done it without the help of my Pokemon." Ash says as Pikachu nods in agreement. Cynthia says, "You really are the same as before. But there is another reason why we have come."

Diantha says, "Your mother called us since she told us about what happened to you a few days ago. We want to know if you feeling better after that."

Ash frowns and says, "Well, it is still painful for me, knowing my friends from the past are doing this to me because of their greed...and the fact that they are still hidden from sight and nobody knows where they are."

"I just hope that things might be better after that." The man that Ash doesn't recognize says. He says, "I think this is our first meeting, my name is Leon. And I am the Champion of Galar."

"Galar? Another region that I haven't gone to?" Ash is surprised and so are the others. Aurora says, "Galar is a special region, there are new Pokemon and new forms like Alola did, and they have a special Pokemon League as well."

Wallace says, "Leon is the strongest among all of us since he is the undefeatable Champion as nobody has managed to beat him."

"No way...that sounds amazing." Ash says.

Even though the tone was there, but Ash is not smiling. This causes the others to start to worry about him. Lillie asks, "Ash? Are you sure you are fine?"

"I'm fine, why wouldn't I?" Ash asks in confusion, but the others don't know how to tell him that he couldn't smile. Then they decide to continue other topics.

Cynthia says, "Since you have become a Champion, we Champions have decided to give you a present to welcome you. Leon, how about you go first?"

"It will be my pleasure." Leon says. "Hearing from Ms. Ketchum here, I know that you love battling. So I should give you this."

He takes out a letter, and Ash asks, "What is this?"

"Since we Galar has our own rules with the League, those who want to challenge the Galar League will need an endorsement if they want to enter. And this is an endorsement from myself. I didn't give it to other people except for my own brother."

Ash takes the letter and says, "Thank you, Leon. I promise that I will try winning the Galar League so I can challenge you to a battle."

"It won't be that easy, after all." Leon says. "But with your strength, I trust that you could do it."

Diantha says, "Now it is my turn." She takes out a Mega Ring, which is similar to the one Alain is wearing, except that it is blue-colored. "It will be weird if a member of Ketchum doesn't even have a Mega Stone. That will be surprising."

"A member of Ketchum? Does that mean Diantha is a member as well?" Bonnie asks, and Ash says, "Well, we didn't tell you, but in fact, Diantha is my aunt, my mother's sister."

This causes everyone to be surprised, as they don't know that Ash is related to a famous actress. Mark says, "Well, we didn't really like to mention our family."

"That's true." Minami adds.

Ash takes the Mega Ring and puts it in his hand, he says, "Thank you, Aunt Diantha. I will cherish it."

Alder says, "I guess now it is my turn. Even though I don't have that something big to give you, but I still can give you this."

Alder takes out a red horn, and he says, "This belongs to my Starter Pokemon, who died from an illness. I was in despair for not able to do it...but I began traveling around aimlessly because of it."

The others are surprised as they have never heard the Unova Champion talking about this. Alder says, "In the past, I think that strength is everything, after that death, it is what makes me change into the person I am."

Alder pats on Ash's shoulder and says, "You have endured much more Pokemon's deaths. I just hope that this gift will remind you of who you are. Don't lose the enthusiasm that I have seen when you're challenging the Unova League."

Ash nods and says, "I will, I'll cherish this gift."

Cynthia says, "I guess it is my turn." She takes out a document and gives it to Ash. Ash asks, "What is this?"

"As you know, I like to research in mythology and history, and I spend my time researching and exploring various sites associated with Legendary Pokémon. You probably have met every one of them, so I think I should give you what I found in the ruins about those Pokemon so that you can be friends with them."

"I see...that might be a great gift." Ash says as he receives the documents. Wallace says, "Now it is my turn. Ash, did you know that your mother is actually the person who found the Contests?"

"What?" This causes everyone in the room to be surprised. Golly says, "Wait, Mom is the one that found contests?"

Aurora sighs and says, "It is an interesting story, I attended the Showcases that are originated in Kalos, and I managed to become the Kalos Queen before you all are even born yet. I just feel like maybe performance round can go with the battling style, so I create the Contests along with some good friends of mine, including Wallace, which is why Hoenn is where the Contest is from."

"Wow..." Those who are coordinators are surprised at the revelation, and Wallace says, "After seeing your contest in Sinnoh, where you attended by Cup, I feel like you have your mother's spark. That is why my gift is related to contests."

He takes out the box, and Ash opens it to find that is it is costumes for Pikachu. "Hey, I remember those costumes, they are the same costumes that are for the Pikachu movie..."

"You're right." Bonnie says. "That one is Rock Star, Belle, Pop Star, Ph. D, and Libre!"

"I have seen the movie, and I guess that the star Pikachu is your Pikachu, right?" Diantha asks and Ash nods.

"The costumes are actually made from my niece, you probably heard the name Lisia." Wallace says.

"I know her, she is very talented." Dawn says.

Ash takes the clothes and thanks him, and Lance is the last one and he says, "As for my gift, I think I should give you this."

Lance takes out a Pokeball and Ash says, "Isn't that a Master Ball? The ball that can capture a Pokemon with 100% catch rate?"

"I am sure that a trainer like you will know how to use this gift, it is made from Kurt after all." Lance says as Ash receives the gift.

"But what about the Kanto Champion?" Max asks, "There are only six, and Ash is the Alola Champion...what about the Kanto Champion?"

Ash says, "The Kanto Champion is my mother, Max. It will be weird for her to give me a gift since we are a family."

Those who don't know that Aurora is the Champion are shocked, and Aurora says, "It sounds like you don't like me to give you a gift."

"No, Mom. I didn't mean it like that." Ash says. "I mean...you already give me a gift."

Aurora smiles, "Relax, Ash. I was just joking."

"So what kind of gift did you give Ash, Aurora?" Wallace asks, and Aurora says, "It is a secret. But you'll know eventually."

This causes the others to be confused, but the Champions didn't stay for too long as they have work to do in the other regions, so they bid farewell to the group and leaves.

Here is a new chapter, and the Champions are here to give Ash some welcoming gifts. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be about what Ash is going to plan for the upcoming year.