Chapter 12: Making our dream a reality [END OF SEASON 1]
Serena stared at her hair in the mirror. It was tied in a messy ponytail. She played with it a little, and frowned. "Gah, I can't go out looking like this!" She said, but Sylveon, who was behind her, tapped her on the back with a ribbon.
"Sylveon, sylvy!"
Serena nodded, picking herself up. "You're right! I can't back down now! I'll do this, no matter what! Because I have to, for my own sake." She put her hand on her heart. "Okay! Wish me luck!"
"Pancham!"
"Sylveon!"
"Brai, braixen!"
Serena smiled sweetly at her three pokemon, and left her room in the pokemon center. She checked her map - it was already 9pm.
She headed to the battlefield, mentally psyching herself up for what she wanted to, and with the help of the Clemont's mechanical crutch, she made it to where she promised to meet Ash.
However, when she did reach the top of the stairwell down to where Ash was standing, she wasn't quite prepared for what she saw.
She herself had dressed up for the occasion, wearing the furisode dress Valerie designed and gifted her, despite not knowing what Ash wanted to do, because today would be the day she told him how she really felt. Seeing Ash also dressed handsomely was not what she was expecting.
"Serena!" he called. He ran up the staircase to see her. "Whoa, looks like we had the same idea when it came to dressing up." He said, scratching his head nervously.
Serena meanwhile was too busy gazing at his features. While his hair was as messy as it usually was, it didn't take away from the stunning suit he wore - the dark green one with the fedora Serena picked out for him. She hadn't expected him to buy it, that's for sure.
Ash smiled awkwardly. "Well, you look great in that dress, like always!" he told her, causing the girl to blush.
"Thank you Ash! You look really nice as well!" She exclaimed with a smile.
Ash blushed feverishly. "U-uh, well, shall we get going?"
Serena nodded. "Where to?"
Ash almost tripped over his words. Serena noticed - after all it was quite unlike him to be nervous about anything. "Well, after what happened at that giant rock, I... I just wanted to take you out for a nice dinner, f-for being so brave, you know?"
"Is that right? Well, I'd love that a lot!" Serena giggled. Ash chuckled too, and she followed him. They went to, and then headed inside a late night cafe.
Ash went to the counter, feeling pretty on edge. "Um, I have a table reserved for Ash Ketchum?" He stammered.
The bartender beamed. "You got it! Your table's that one in the far corner. She motioned to it, and Ash thanked her before leading Serena over there. They took a seat, and began to talk.
"So, uh, how do you like it?" Ash asked.
Serena grinned, the slyness in her expression seeming very out of character. She was a lot more confident than usual, either due to her nerves playing tricks on her, or because she knew Ash really loved her back. Somehow, it had made her want to have a little fun with the poor, dense boy she was with. "Yeah, it's lovely!" She replied. "It's got such a romantic atmosphere, don't you think?"
Ash blushed profusely. "Uh, if you say so!" He murmured, and Serena attempted to stifle another giggle. He looked around. "Though, I guess you're right. There are quite a few couples... It's quite nice, honestly." he murmured to her.
Soon the waiter appeared, placing down a tray holding two chocolate cake slices, as well as two cups of tea, in front of them. They both beamed. "Thank you!" They said to the waiter in unison, who simply bowed in response, and left them.
Serena was eager to continue their conversation. "Yeah, they do call Kalos 'the land of love'! It's because it's got a reputation for many happy marriages."
Ash looked impressed. "Wow, is that so!" He paused, and muttered to himself. "Love..."
He stopped himself quickly, and took a bite of his cake. "Man, that's good! You gotta try some!" he declared.
Serena did so, copying Ash completely. Her face lit up when she swallowed. "You're right! It's delicious!"
Ash smiled at her words, and continued to eat with her. They silently basked in each others company while they ate, and soon they were finished.
"Just in time, they're closing up now." Ash sighed. He walked along with Serena, from the cafe to the center and heart of the city - Lumiose Tower. It seemed dark without its lights lighting up the city.
Serena glanced at the boy next to her. His eyes were unfocused, staring off into space. Serena took a deep breath. It was time, she decided. Now or never. Now or never.
After a few seconds, she opened her mouth to speak..
"Serena."
Serena stopped, watching Ash intently. "Huh?"
"I have to tell you this now, or I'm afraid I'll regret it." Ash told her firmly. Serena nodded at him. "I'm going back to Kanto soon, but before I do... I want you to know - that -"
Serena's eyes widened. Was this really happening?
"When I first met with you again about a year ago, I had no idea who you were, but I was drawn to you. Perhaps it's just because you're a kindhearted girl, but something about you just made me feel like I was complete, as a person. And throughout our journey together, I've noticed more and more... That I'm so dependent on you, on your support. I've tried to seem like the reliable one, who you can count on to help, but in reality, you've been helping me emotionally, to get through everything. Each battle, at the gyms and the league... It's because you were here, and I was reminded of my own strength." He hesitated, and gulped.
His mouth was dry and his forehead sweaty out of pure nervousness. "I was so purely happy for you when you won the Master Class, but deep down, I was also crushed, because I won't see you again when I go back to Kanto. Because I don't want to be the reason that you give up on your dream-"
Serena had clutched his hand, and beamed at him through shining eyes. "Ash, let me. You saved me in the forest back in Oak's summer camp, and I never forgot you. I wasn't happy after I moved to Kalos. I never made any friends, but everything changed when I saw you again. You've given me so much, and I'll always be grateful for it. So thank you."
Ash's mouth was open in disbelief. Yet, Serena continued, having said too much to stop now. "I'm always so happy when I'm around you... And I know why. It's because I... I like you a lot, more than just as a friend... I want to stay with you for as long as I live. Ash, I-I.. I truly love you!"
It was finally out. Serena had said what she had held in for an entire year, and to her, it was the biggest weight off her shoulders. She felt immediately like a lighter person as a result.
Ash stared at her in utter shock. She really felt the same way about him. His heart pounded in his chest, but throughout his body ran an electric, tingling sensation. Is that what love is? "Serena..." He finally muttered. "Please, please forgive me..."
Serena frowned. "Forgive you for what?"
Ash looked as though he was about to cry. "I love you too... I love you and I will love you always. But I don't think I could live with myself if I was the reason you stopped being Kalos Queen!" A tear did escape his eyes then.
Serena smiled softly at him. "So what're you gonna do when you head back to Kanto?"
Ash stared hard at the ground. He wiped his eyes, and got his voice back. "I'm a stronger person, and it's thanks to you and everything I've learned. So when I go back, I will fight the eight gyms one by one, retake the Indigo League and win. Then, I'll fight the champion, Red, and win too." He declared.
Serena grinned. "Well, you see, I'm going to Kanto too!"
Ash was taken aback, so Serena carried on. "I'll never be the best performer I can be if I didn't have enough experience. Besides, I want to travel the world! There are whole regions I've never been to before." Serena's eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement. "Regions with pokemon I've never seen, regions that have a different way of life to ours... There's a huge world that I don't know about!" She beamed. "And Ash... I'd love to see it with you."
Ash gazed at her with bewildered, delighted eyes. "In that case Serena, let me start over." He took a deep breath. "I love you. I am happy when I see you happy, and would be crushed to ever see you upset. So Serena... Will you... Will you stay by my side?"
Serena closed her eyes to stop herself from bawling our of joy. "Oh Ash!" She gave him a full embrace with her one working arm, but Ash felt her intense body heat, warming him up and melting his stresses away. "I'll stay with you... I'll never leave your side, I promise!"
Ash returned the hug, awestruck and exhilarated. He held her hand, and turned to the tower. There were a group of people gathered around it. "Soon, Clemont's gonna get this tower relit, and the city's gonna celebrate its own revival around it." Ash explained. Serena checked her map's clock. 11:59pm. A minute to midnight. And then, a chant began around her.
"Ten! Nine! Eight!" The citizens shouted. Ash and Serena joined in.
"Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One!"
They changed, and suddenly, the tower lit up, each panel glowing with light from bottom all the way to the top. When the tower was fully lit, a firework popped off in the sky, followed by another, and more. From everywhere around the couple, there was cheering from the citizens of Lumiose, glad their city could return to normal. As for Ash and Serena, they were so glad to have their feelings known to each other. The knowledge that they would be together gave them warmth, despite the chill of the night.
Serena and Ash watched the beautiful night sky, lit radiantly by Prism Tower and the popping of colourful fireworks, while holding hands. Serena turned to her recently declared partner. "Ash, will you kiss me?" She asked, blushing furiously.
Ash's face also went deep crimson, but he leaned over to her and placed his lips against her own.
Serena's head was spinning from the exhilaration. Ash had kissed her. Ash, the densest person she would ever meet, had kissed her. It would be a memory she would treasure for the her entire life.
And it would be, the first day of the rest of her life with Ash. It made her burn up inside just thinking about it.
Serena woke up the next morning, in a pokemon center. She got up and looked around, praying it wasn't just a dream. She looked at the sleeping boy next to her, and felt her lips. They still tingled with the feeling of yesterday's kiss on them.
"Serena..." A voice grumbled. It was Ash, who was stirring in front of her. He wiped his eyes, and got up to face her with a big grin on his face. "Last night... I can safely say it was the best night of my life." He assured her.
Serena's sleepy eyes were bright with joy. "Me too... I'm so glad I can be with you, for the rest of my life."
Ash agreed. But then his eyes went wide. "Ah, but how are we gonna tell Clemont, Bonnie and the others?" he realised.
Serena pondered. Then her face broke out into a wide grin. "Actually, you just follow my lead."
Ash smiled, somewhat skeptical but also excited.
The two of them got changed - sadly for them, they had to do so in separate rooms because that was where their clothes were. However, their minds were still nothing but joyous.
The two of them walked side by side to Prism Tower. However, when they got there, they didn't see anybody there. "Hello? Clemont?" Ash called out.
No answer.
They walked around a bit before acknowledging that the place was empty. Ash sighed, and left with Serena following shortly behind him. "I wonder where they could be?" Serena thought aloud.
"Well, they probably went out. Do you wanna go to Professor Sycamore's lab to say goodbye to him, Alain and Mairin?" Ash asked. Serena nodded, and they set off once again.
They were walking to the lab when they heard a voice call out to them. "Hey, Ash!"
Professor Sycamore ran up to them. "I was looking for you! Alain wanted me to bring you here."
Ash looked pleasantly surprised. "Oh, okay. I wonder what it's about?"
"Well, after you two." Sycamore said, stepping back and motioning towards the front door. Ash stepped towards it, and pushed it open.
To his and Serena's utmost shock, there were nine people standing there in front of them.
"Surprise!" They all shouted. Bonnie, Clemont, Shauna, Trevor, Tierno, Sawyer, Alain, Mairin, and Aria.
Clemont stepped forward, slightly sheepish. "So we know that you guys will be leaving soon, although Aria never said where exactly Serena was going, so we decided to throw a leaving party for you both." he explained.
Bonnie had Pikachu on her head, and they were both grinning from ear to ear. "Look, look! Mairin and I made the decorations!"
Ash looked around - there were cute little cardboard cutouts of several pokemon. Ash's eyes were particularly drawn to the ones resembling his own pokemon - Pikachu, Greninja, Talonflame, Hawlucha, Goodra and Noivern. He grinned back at everyone. "Thanks, you guys! This is the best!"
Shauna was greeting Serena with delight. "So how's it going? Are you feeling any better?"
Trevor looked quite exasperated with her. "Shauna, you can't ask someone if they're better when it's quite obvious she's wearing a cast on her arm and has a crutch supporting her!"
Serena sweat dropped. "Oh no, it's okay, really! Clemont made me this so that I could walk normally." She pointed to her crutch, and gave a demonstration through a little dance, albeit slow and mechanically. However, it did make Shauna and Aria laugh, and even Trevor smiled, though mainly out of relief.
Alain went over to Ash. "So Ash, I was thinking of working with professor Sycamore again, like I used to."
Ash patted him on the shoulder. "Nice, good for you!"
However, Alain stared severely at the floor. "I... I helped team Flare out in creating that horrible devastation, whether I knew or not, and I don't even know where to begin to pay for my mistakes." He murmured.
Ash looked at him concerned, but still put on a smile. "Alain... I don't know about all that, but when we battled at the league, it was the most fun I've had during a league battle. That's the Alain that I know."
Alain looked up at him, touched by his words.
"I don't care how you were or what you did before. All you can really do now is focus on the present, and dream for the future." Ash finished with a grin.
Alain smiled. "Ash, you're always so kind, I appreciate it. Thank you, for helping me see what's right."
"Well, Imma be honest, I've been in your shoes too, where I was stuck and I didn't know what to do or how to move forward, but Serena helped me through it." Ash laughed softly. "So you just work hard to be the best, and when we meet each other next, let's have a battle!"
Alain grinned back. "That sounds good to me! You're on!"
Ash overheard Clemont ask Serena a question. "So Serena, have you decided where you wanted to go?"
Serena nodded, but then she blushed, and shuffled inconspicuously over to Ash. "Well you see... I've decided..."
Everyone leaned in to see what she had to say.
Her voice was quiet, since feeling the anticipation in the air, and knowing that what she was about to say would be huge. "I'm going to go, wherever he does." She announced softly but clearly, so that everybody could hear. With that, she held Ash's hand, causing the boy to blush pink along with her.
The room was silent. Then there were gasps, shrieks, and most importantly, cheers.
"Oh man, this is sooooo cute!" Bonnie gushed, tackling Serena in a big hug, causing the teen to drop her boyfriend's hand.
Sawyer leapt over to Ash, and threw his arm on top of the stunned boy's shoulder. "Ash, that's amazing, I'm so glad for you!" Sawyer exclaimed, awe evident in his expression.
Tierno started bawling, and Trevor went to pat him on the back with mock consolation. "Ahhh, Ash I'm jealous, but you deserve such a wonderful girl like her..!" Tierno blurted.
Alain and Clemont were also quick to congratulate Ash, while Mairin went over to Serena. "You two are perfect for each other!" Mairin remarked happily.
Shauna joined in the hug with Serena and Bonnie. "Feel free to ignore Tierno, he's just a big baby." Shauna giggled, getting a stifled laugh out of Serena. "I'm so happy for you though, really! It's a shame Miette couldn't be here though!"
Serena's eyes widened hugely. "How'd you know about that?"
"I know everything when it comes to girls being girls!" Shauna shrugged.
Professor Sycamore, along with Sophie, was watching the party with great delight. They chatted casually about the couple. Then, he smelt something from the kitchen.
He walked over to the group. "I hate to interrupt something so wonderful as this couple right here," he gestured to Ash and Serena, "but lunch is ready!"
"Yeah! Let's eat!" they all shouted.
After the meal, Serena went off to talk to Shauna and Aria (for apparently 'one last shopping trip') and Ash strolled outside to play with Sycamore,'s pokemon. Then he heard a voice behind him.
"Ash."
Ash turned around - professor Sycamore was standing with a small lead box in his hand facing him.
"Something the matter, professor?" he asked.
Professor Sycamore looked somewhat solemn. "Lysander's been sent to prison, and Alain was in a pretty bad place after this whole Team Flare thing." but then his expression shifted into a happier one. "Ash, you really made Alain feel better, so thanks for that. I'm glad that he can be on my team again."
Ash smiled back. "I'm happy to help anytime!"
The professor stretched out his hand, handing Ash the box he was holding. "This was something I gave Lysander when I thought he was good. Officer Jenny confiscated it from him and gave it to me, but I have one already. So it's all yours, as a token of my gratitude."
Ash opened the box. Inside sat a clear crystal that caught a translucent reflection and shined radiantly. Ash inspected it closer - the gem had a thin sliver of marking within it, in the shape of a DNA double helix. The marking of a key stone.
Ash's jaw dropped. "Professor, are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure! You deserve one, after all." Sycamore beamed. "As for the mega stone... That's all up to you. Perhaps you'll find it, as Korrina did. Perhaps it'll come as a gift, maybe a reward or repayment. Whatever happens on your journey is your experience, so just go for it! I'll be rooting for you from back here in Lumiose!"
Ash closed the box and put it in his bag. He grinned hugely, and then decided. "Meh, why not." And put his hand out for a high five. Which Sycamore happily took.
Next, Ash went to Serena and they went to the two Lumiose siblings.
Bonnie was crying. Even Clemont seemed pretty close to tears.
Ash went in for a bro-hug with his blonde friend. "Clemont, I'm gonna miss you and Bonnie a lot..."
"Same here, Ash." Clemont said. "But being on a journey with you taught me so much, about the world, and about people and pokemon... You gave me a view I may have never seen before."
Clemont had to bite his lip to keep his voice from breaking. "Man, its been so much fun... Thanks for being my friend."
Ash patted him on the back, succumbing to the joyful tears himself. "Oh brother... Clemont - me, you, Bonnie, Serena... We're a family, you got that?"
Clemont nodded. "That sounds about right to me."
"Then we'll see you around next time, I promise you that!"
It was already starting to become late, and the last flight to Kanto would be coming in soon. Ash and Serena said their touching goodbyes to their Kalosian friends, before they left for the airport.
The two of them held hands as they boarded their flight, and Serena slept in Ash's lap as he stroked her soft, honey-blonde hair while gazing at all the pokemon out the window.
"Never in all my life did I ever think about love. But I've just got together with the love of my life, and I'm the happiest I've ever been before." he thought. A flock of fletchlings flew past Ash's window in a flying v formation. "I wonder what my mom will think? I still don't know what Serena's mom thinks of me... I hope she approves."
After long hours, the pilots voice came on over the radio, interrupting the movie Ash was watching, 'Detective Pikachu'. Serena was still soundly asleep on him. He smiled, though his legs had numbed.
"Hello, this is your captain speaking. We'll be landing in Saffron City shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts, there might be some slight turbulence."
Ash shook Serena gently. "Hey sweetie," he started. The words sounded cheesy in his mouth, and he went red just saying it, but it wasn't a bad feeling. "We're nearly here. We just gotta take a taxi to Pallet Town and we'll be at my home."
Serena stirred. She looked into Ash's eyes. "That sounds good..."
Finally the plane landed, and Ash and Serena got up while Ash took his bag, and Serena reached for hers. They didn't have much luggage, considering they did travel everywhere, so they managed to leave the airport fast. They hailed a taxi, paid the driver and after a twenty minute drive, arrived in Ash's home town.
The couple walked down the hill overlooking the landscape. "It's a beautiful place!" Serena acknowledged.
Ash nodded, and pointed at the pokemon tunnelling around next to him. "Wow, I haven't seen diglett in a long time! Oh, and look at those butterfree!"
Serena smiled to see Ash so childishly happy with life. He pointed when they reached the bottom. "Look! There's my house, and there's professor Oak's lab!"
Serena breathed in deeply and shakily. She knew it was due to nervousness. She wanted to make a good impression to Ash's mother. She stared at her crutch, and silently felt slightly worried - it would not be a fun story explaining how she got it. However...
"Hey Serena, where should we go first? I can introduce to my mom, or introduce you to the gang?" Ash asked. Pikachu's face lit up at the prospect of seeing his old friends again.
"Seeing as Pikachu wants to so badly," Serena laughed, "Why don't we go see your pokemon?"
Ash grinned, and the three of them sped up, trying to walk as fast as they can side by side, despite Serena's broken leg.
After a few more minutes of walking, they arrived at the lab. Ash walked up and knocked. "Professor, it's Ash!" he shouted.
The door swung open. "RIRIRIRI!" bellowed a mechanical voice, accompanied by a speeding bolt of lightning.
Ash gave the pokemon a big grin. "Hey, Rotom! It's been a while!"
Professor Oak walked up from behind Rotom. "Oh, Ash! How's it going!" he beamed.
"I'm doing great!" he replied, and then he stepped to the side, to show the girl next to him. "Professor, this is Serena!"
Oak stuck out his hand for a handshake, which Serena took politely. "Nice to meet you, young lady!" Then, he gasped dramatically. "Wait a minute Ash! This is the Kalos Queen!"
"Former Kalos Queen." She corrected, making Ash wince slightly. It was still distasteful for him to be the reason why she wasn't the Kalos Queen anymore, even if that was what she had wanted.
"Though Ash, it's quite rare for you to bring home your travel friends! So what's this about?" Oak wondered.
Ash went red. He couldn't exactly hide this relationship from anyone - considering, they were a couple, and they would be travelling together throughout the Kanto region. "Well, uh... She's-"
Serena smiled, and took Ash's hand. Ash blushed even brighter, but nodded. Oak looked at the pair, noticed their blushing faces, and broke out into a huge grin. "Well, I never! Congratulations!" Oak excitedly cheered.
Ash sighed with relief. "But, professor?"
Professor Oak regained his composure, and looked at Ash. "Yes, yes, you want to see your pokemon, right? Go right on ahead! I'm still working on sorting out the data professor Sycamore sent me about Mega Evolution - it is true that a vast number of mega stones have been located in the Kanto region, mainly for Kanto native pokemon... But enough of that! You go see your pokemon!"
Ash grinned, and Serena followed him into the field.
The second they arrived, Ash saw his Bulbasaur asleep on a rock. "Bulbasaur!" He yelled. Bulbasaur opened his eyes, and beamed when he saw his trainer. Ash ran over to greet him, but then he heard a loud noise coming closer.
"Ash, look out!" Serena cried, but it was too late - Ash only turned to face the noise until he realised it was his stampede of Taurous, who proceeded to steamroller their poor trainer. Serena cringed, and went over to see if he was alright. "Are you okay?"
Ash's eyes were dazed. "Y-yeah..." He sighed, staggering back onto his feet.
Serena looked back at the Taurous. "Are these all your pokemon?!" She questioned, bewildered.
Ash nodded, clutching his aching head. "Yep! Though, they stay at Oak's lab whenever I'm off travelling. Which, this has been my longest travel yet - I went from the Unova region to the Decolore Islands without skipping a beat, then I came home, but only for a day, because Alexa had told me about Kalos, and I was so desperate to come. So perhaps it'd be nice to kick back here for a bit before we head off through Kanto." He explained, pondering this last part aloud.
"That does sound nice, actually." Serena agreed.
Bulbasaur crawled up to Ash, and began to talk with Pikachu. "Bulba, bulbasaur!"
"Pikachu, Pikapi pipika chupi!"
Bulbasaur's eyes widened. "Bulba?!"
Bulbasaur and Serena made eye contact. She smiled at him kindly, and Bulbasaur smiled back, going over to her foot and rubbing his head against her shin affectionately.
Ash chuckled. "Looks like Bulbasaur has taken a liking to you!"
Serena nodded, smiling. "That makes me happy to hear! I just hope it's the same for the rest of your pokemon!"
Ash turned to Bulbasaur. "Hey buddy, do you think you can gather everyone? Like, the whole gang?"
Bulbasaur looked at Ash as if he was insane. "Bulbasaur?!"
Even Pikachu didn't like the sound of that. "Pika, pikachu!" he said, trying to convince Ash.
Ash sighed, scratching the back of his head. "I guess you're right, that would be a big mistake. Best to talk with them one by one, huh?" But then he noticed the sun was quite low in the sky. It was getting late.
He looked down, disappointed. "Well, I can always come back tomorrow." His face brightened suddenly. "Yeah! I'll come back tomorrow, and we can play with everyone! How does that sound Pikachu, Bulbasaur?"
They both jumped happily at the prospect. Ash waved goodbye to his first grass-type. "Well, it's been great seeing you again, Bulbasaur! See you tomorrow!" he said, before he, Serena and Pikachu left the lab.
"Next up is mom!" Ash exclaimed cheerfully.
Serena bit her lip, but hid her concern. "That's right! I sure hope I can get on well with her!"
Ash nodded. "Me too. But I'm sure you will."
They made it to his house, and Ash gave it a once over with his eyes before knocking. "Hello?"
Mr Mime was the one to answer. "Mime?" Then he jumped up excitedly. "Mr Mime, mime!" he cried.
Ash's mother, Delia Ketchum, descended the stairs to see her son and his friend outside the door, looking gleeful. "Ash!" she cried. "Welcome home!" she looked at Serena. "Come in!" she smiled cheerfully, then she winked at them both. "I've made dinner!"
The two of them stepped into the house, took their shoes off and went into the front room to sit.
Delia got the plates down while Ash laid out the dishes and cutlery. "So Ash, you must tell me about your journey! I wasn't able to watch the Kalos League unfortunately, I was visiting the Alola region with a prize ticket Mr Mime won."
Ash grinned, and went to his bag. "Well mom, it took me six years, but I've finally done it." He pulled the trophy from it, and handed it to her. Delia looked at it with shining, proud eyes. When she couldn't think of anything to say, she simply beamed, and said "That's my boy!"
She put the food on the table in front of them, and Ash took a seat next to Serena, while Delia sat opposite them. "Ash, you know it's rude to have not introduce me to your friend!" his mother frowned.
Ash lowered his head. "Sorry, mom! Well, this is Serena, and Serena, this is my mother!"
Serena smiled kindly. "Nice to meet you, Ms Ketchum!"
Delia returned the smile. "Come now, you can call me Delia. So Ash, where did you meet this wonderful girl?"
Ash bit his lip, slightly fearful of what was to come. "So, uh, do you remember Serena and her mother Grace, the Rhyhorn racer, from summer camp 10 years ago?"
Delia nodded. "Yes, I was quite good friends with Grace, until she moved to..." her eyes widened suddenly. "Are you telling me that this is the same Serena you met in camp, the one who followed you around everywhere and you wouldn't let go of?!"
Serena nodded with a nervous laugh. "Heh, yeah, that's me."
"Well I'll be!" Delia exclaimed. "What a small world we live in, eh?"
Ash agreed, but he had to get straight to the point, otherwise things would be so awkward between them and his mother.
"Mom, the thing is... Serena and I... Well, she's my girlfriend." Ash stammered severely trying to say what he needed to, but the point hit home immediately.
Delia looked quite taken aback, but soon she smiled uncontrollably. "I see, I see..
She stepped forward, and turned to a jittery Serena. "If Ash truly does love you, and you love him..."
"I do, I love him, and I have ever since summer camp!" Serena assured her quickly.
She laid a hand on Serena's shoulder. "In that case, what else can I say except... Welcome to the family, Serena!" Delia laughed.
Serena blushed deeply. "Ms Ketch- Delia, thank you so much!"
"Think nothing of it!" she beamed. "Just take care of my boy, even if he can be a handful."
"Oh no, he's not at all!" Serena said. "In fact, he helps me so much."
"And you've always been there for me, don't forget!" Ash butted in.
Delia laughed. "Well Serena, make yourself at home, and Ash, I want you to clear the guest room so your girlfriend feels comfortable!" She told them, putting emphasis on the word girlfriend, causing Ash and Serena to both blush in unison.
"You got it mom!" Ash responded, and he was about to charge upstairs, when she continued.
"Oh, and Ash?"
"Huh?"
"Happy 17th birthday!"
Ash's eyes widened. "Oh yeah, I forgot! Time really flew, didn't it!"
Serena looked quite shocked. "Ash, you never told me today was your birthday!"
Ash scratched his nose. "Haha, sorry, I guess I just never thought about it!"
Serena sighed complacently, and then put a finger to her chin. "It's quite a coincidence though, because mine is next week!"
"That's awesome!" Ash grinned. "Maybe me and Mom can take you to the seafoam islands! There's this brilliant restaurant there, and it's-"
"Ash." Delia interrupted.
"Yeah, mom?"
"Stop harassing the poor girl and go and do some work! Besides, I've left you a present up in your room."
"Alright mom!" He yelled, and raced up the stairs. Delia turned around, gave Serena one last delighted smile, and went back into the kitchen.
Serena took a look around the new house, and pulled out her town map. She sat down on the sofa in the living room and typed up a text message to her mother.
"Mom, I did what you said, and I'm finally together with Ash. Along my journey across Kalos I learned many things, and became a much more mature woman, I believe.
Im at the Kanto region, and I've met Ash's mom for the first time. Thankfully, she seems to approve, which is a huge relief.
If it's alright with you, I'm going to stay in Kanto for a while, because I'm going to keep traveling with Ash, see much more of this world, and I'll use my knowledge to make my performance shine!"
Pallet town seems as serene as I remember it. I bet you'd want to come back here when you retire from Rhyhorn racing.
But as for me, I'm glad me and Ash can see our dreams through, as we journey with each other. Thank you for working me up to telling him. I really love him, and I want to be by his side forever.
Love, Serena"
Serena rested her head back, while observing the ceiling complacently. She heard a loud scream of joy, and then footsteps banging down the stairs. "Mom, you're amazing!" Ash yelled. Serena looked at him curiously - he was holding a master ball.
Serena's eyes popped out. Where did Delia get a master ball from?
She appeared round the corner. "Don't thank me, thank Mr Mime! He found it in Alola, don't really know where, but he did!"
Serena and Ash both sweat dropped, but Ash gave Mr Mime a bear hug. "Cheers, Mr Mime!" He grinned, and then he went back upstairs. Serena looked out the window - it had gotten pretty dark.
A few days later, Ash came downstairs after a lie in and sat on the sofa next to Serena, who was watching something on TV. "What're you watching?" Ash asked.
Serena giggled. "It's Clemont! They're showing gym leader team battles - Clemont's with Korrina, and they're battling Viola and Grant!"
Ash sat up, and looked at the screen intently. She was right - Luxray was standing next to Mega Lucario, and Viola was in the middle of switching her pokemon. "Go, Vivillon!" she yelled.
Ash looked at Serena. "How's Pallet Town for ya?"
Serena nodded dreamily. "I really love it here. We should go on a walk around here sometime, perhaps have a kiss on the beach in the moonlight..."
Ash's face went scarlet. "R-right..." He muttered. Then he beamed, and got up again."Well, I'm gonna go out and see the gang again, wanna join me?"
Serena smiled. "That sounds pretty cool." she paused. "Oh, Ash?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for everything. I love you."
"I love you too, Serena."
And that is that, everybody! I hope you've had as much fun reading as I've had writing. I can safely say that writing this chapter has been my favourite so far. It's been so lovey-dovey - hopefully I can continue to write like that. Because I need to be able to write something that won't turn your attention away. So thank you all very much for reading this story, but it isn't over yet! Stay tuned and remember to follow if you enjoyed, because Season 2 will be out soon.
P.S. I didn't think I'd be talking about this, but I guess I may as well. Wow, coronavirus may be a terrible pandemic, but the luck it's given me is unbelievable. My class just ended. My exams? Not gonna happen. That may sound awful, but my teachers are going to make up a 'predicted grade' for us, so we are still able to go to sixth form.
So now, I've just got 11 weeks to do whatever I want. Which means, absolutely zero hiatuses! I can even make some fillers with my free time!
Not only that, but I've got some time actually to myself now, so I can learn programming, work on my metal album, etc, etc. I apologise to those left devastated by the incident, though it has really worked out in my favour. If I catch it, then oh well. I'll probably live it anyway.
