"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived in Hau'oli City. The local time is 11:25 a.m., and the weather is sunny, as always. We hope you enjoy your stay in Alola!"

The passengers on the jet plane began standing up and stepping into the aisle, retrieving their luggage and filing off of the plane in a mostly orderly fashion. One of the final passengers to leave their seat was a thirteen-year-old girl, bearing honey-blonde hair, a blue sundress with a white flower print, a wide-brimmed sun hat, and a pair of dark sunglasses that obscured her eyes. She quickly grabbed a small bag from under her seat and stepped into the aisle, shuffling toward the front of the plane with the other passengers, before she could step off of the plane and into the bright Alolan sun.

As she walked down the stairs and onto the runway, she inhaled deeply, grinning as she took in the scent of the ocean. She had never traveled to the island region of Alola before, but between the bright sun, the vast ocean, and the bustling city framed by beautiful palm trees, it was already meeting her expectations for a tropical paradise. She would have to come back again, when she had more time to spare.

Her trip through the airport was a short one, and it wasn't long before she was standing on the sidewalk of the busiest street in Hau'oli City. She stood still and watched the people of Alola walk past, tanned and dressed for the beach, talking among themselves about this or that. None of them turned to give her a second glance, or even a first one. She eventually smiled and removed her sunglasses, revealing her bright blue eyes. It didn't seem as though anyone in Hau'oli City was going to recognize the newly-anointed Kalos Queen.

Ever since she left her home region and traveled to Hoenn three years ago, Serena had dedicated her life to improving herself as a Pokémon Performer and a Pokémon Coordinator. She knew that there was power in her smile, a power to heal, a power to brighten up dark days and bring joy to people's hearts, and she wanted to hone it as best she could. The past three years of her life had been spent traveling from one region to the next, competing in Pokémon Contests, gathering experience, and making herself into the best version of herself. She was determined to let nothing stand in the way of her goal, her dream.

Finally, only six days ago, all of her traveling, training and experience had paid off. Serena had returned to Kalos to compete as a performer once again, easily dominating the competition and making her way to the Master Class. In an event that was broadcast to almost everyone in Kalos, Serena had competed against Aria, the reigning Kalos Queen, to claim the title for herself. Both girls put on spectacular performances, giving it everything they had, but there was a powerful fire burning within Serena, a desire to grasp victory that Aria couldn't hope to match. Once the dust had settled, and the votes had been counted, Serena was declared the new champion.

What followed was a whirlwind of publicity, television events and public appearances, as all of Kalos was introduced to its new celebrity. She had barely managed to sleep, let alone get a moment to herself, but she powered through it as best she could. Bringing happiness to the people of Kalos was her whole reason for becoming Kalos Queen in the first place, after all.

As soon as she had a bit of time for herself, however, she had immediately made plans to travel outside of Kalos, plans that not even her new manager knew about. There was one boy whom she needed to see, to show him the sort of person she had grown into, show him what she had done with the courage he had given her during their journey together. It was time to show Ash Ketchum that her dreams had come true.

She was smiling wide as she pulled out her phone, looking up the directions she had been sent, before she started making her way to the Ketchum residence.


Serena sat quietly on the steps outside of the Gloire City Pokémon Center, looking out at the lights of the city but barely taking them in. Her thumb ran back and forth over the bandage that was wrapped around her sprained left wrist, which throbbed with a dull but persistent ache. She barely noticed the pain, or the cold of the night air, which her pajamas did little to stave off. Her mind was all the way across the city, in the Showcase Theater where she had competed earlier that night.

Even though she had ultimately suffered defeat, Serena was over the moon. She had only discovered Pokémon Performances a few short months ago, and in that time she had performed above and beyond her wildest expectations. She had grown closer to her Pokémon, become more skilled and more self-assured, and eventually beaten out every other aspiring performer in the region of Kalos. She'd been granted the chance to compete against Aria, the reigning Kalos Queen, in an attempt to take the title for herself. She'd discovered abilities and talent she never knew she had, and developed a newfound confidence that would guide her down the path that led to her destiny. Her future was looking bright.

Still, she couldn't help but be a little disappointed. She had come so close to achieving her dreams tonight, and they had barely slipped out of her grasp. Her imagination still conjured images of herself standing on stage, wearing the champion's tiara on her head, her Pokémon standing triumphantly around her as the audience whistled and cheered. If only she had learned the lessons she needed to learn a month ago, instead of tonight. If only she hadn't injured her wrist in the penultimate round. If only, if only, if only.

She sighed wistfully, slumping forward as if she was deflating, the smile on her face fading slightly. She didn't notice the footsteps approaching from behind her, but a familiar voice quickly brought her back to Earth.

"How's your wrist?"

She sat up and turned around, her face lighting up as she saw the raven-haired boy she had been traveling with since her journey began. He was smiling, as he nearly always was, and his smile spread infectiously to her.

"Ash!" She felt herself relax in his presence, and her thumb ran once again over the binding bandage on her wrist. "It's fine… it's sore, but I can deal with it."

"That's good." He stepped forward and took a seat on the step beside her. "Don't worry. You're going to be back at 100% again in no time!"

She grinned wide, amused and uplifted by his endless optimism. "I hope so." She kept her eyes on him for a moment, before looking back out toward the city.

"So what're you doing out here?" he continued, leaning back. "Can't sleep?"

"Oh, just… thinking," she answered, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees.

"About what?" Ash responded. "Planning out your next performance?"

She grinned and glanced back at him. "Already? The showcase season only ended a few hours ago, Ash."

"Well, it's what I'd be doing!"

"Is it?" She turned herself fully to face him, curious.

"Sure it is!" He sat up. "Whenever I lose a battle, I start thinking about how I can do better next time. I take today's loss and try to turn it into tomorrow's win. That way, everything I do is making me a better trainer!" He jumped to his feet and clenched his fists as he got himself excited, which was an easy task.

Serena giggled, looking up at him. "You don't let anything get you down, do you, Ash?" She could feel her heart going pitter-patter, as Ash displayed the confidence and optimism that had caused her to fall for him early in their journey. As the two of them had journeyed together, she could feel her own confidence growing in response.

"Well, some things do, I guess." His fists unclenched. "But I try not to let anything keep me down. I always just keep my eyes forward."

She smiled warmly, amused. That confidence didn't last long. "I don't know how you do it, Ash. You're always pushing yourself forward. You always know what you're going to do next. You make it look so effortless."

"Well…" He scratched his cheek, suddenly more humble. "It's not like I always know what to do. I'd just rather do something than do nothing. Whatever it is I do, I'll learn something from it. There's nothing I can do that's a waste of time."

Serena beamed up at him. "I love that point of view, Ash. The way you're always motivating yourself like that… I think it's amazing."

"Nah." He sat himself back down next to her. "You're the amazing one, not me."

"Me?" Her face instantly colored itself red. "Really?"

"Sure!" he reaffirmed. "You didn't even know what you wanted to do with yourself a few months ago, but now, look how far you've come! You took those showcase and ran with them. You threw yourself into them and gave them your all, and you didn't let anyone stand in your way." He looked in her direction, his trademark smile on her face. "I think it's pretty inspiring, really."

Serena felt as if all the blood in her body was in her cheeks right now, and she hoped that the low light would obscure how much she was blushing. "Wow… thank you, Ash. That means a lot coming from you."

They kept their eyes on each other for a few more moments, before they turned their gaze back toward the lights of the city. Each of them rested one of their hands on the step between them, and Serena froze as she felt a couple of his fingers resting on top of hers. Her instinct was to pull them back, but she forced herself to resist, wanting to see what he would do. He didn't move a muscle, letting his hand linger partly on top of hers. They continued sitting next to each other, their hands gently touching, and Serena felt her heart race.

"So, you're not planning your next performance," Ash spoke up, after a few moments. "What's the next thing on your plate?"

She grinned playfully, deciding to make use of some of the confidence she had gained from him. "i guess that'd be you."

"Huh?" He turned back to her, looking a little flustered. "What do you mean…?"

She glanced back at him, a hint of a smirk on her face. "You've still got one more Gym Badge to earn, don't you? And then there's the Kalos League after that."

"Oh… right…" He smiled sheepishly at her, in a way that she found rather endearing. It wasn't often that he was caught off guard like that.

"What, did you think I was going to leave before your journey was over?"

His smile only grew. "I was hoping you'd stay with us… through the Kalos League, at least."

She nodded at him. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Ash."

He seemed to be at a loss for words for a moment, a hint of red in his cheeks, before he tore his eyes away from her. She kept her gaze on him for a couple of seconds, then brought it down to his hand, which was still barely on top of hers. Taking a deep breath, she summoned a bit more of her newfound confidence, and slid her hand forward so more of it was underneath his. She looked back out toward the city, her heart pounding, her hands nearly trembling. An eternity passed as she waited for him to speak, to move, to do anything.

Her heart stopped as she felt his hand move to cover hers, the tips of his fingers curling to hold it gently.

She finally exhaled as a smile spread across her face, from one ear to the other. Her skin was tingling and her heart was soaring, the night air feeling warm and the city lights brighter than they were before. She didn't know exactly what this meant, and she was surprised to find she didn't care. This was a perfect moment, capping off one of the most important nights of her life, and she was going to savor it for as long as she could.

"It's a beautiful night tonight," she spoke quietly.

He nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it is." They continued to sit in silence for several more minutes, her hand in his. They could feel each other's pulse, both of them noting the pace of the other's heartbeat.

Ash was right. It was better to do something than nothing after all.


"I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see you again, Serena."

A thirty-something woman with an auburn ponytail opened the door to her bungalow home, stepping inside and hanging her hat on a nearby rack. Serena walked in behind her, holding a yellow, mouse-like Pikachu in her arms. The creature murmured happily as she scratched the top of his head, his ears lowering and flattening in response.

"It's great to see you again, too, Delia." She looked around as she stepped into the house, taking in the details of the floor plan, the furniture, and the decor. "And this house! I've only ever seen it in pictures."

"That's right! You haven't come by to visit since the move, have you?" Delia Ketchum turned back to face her younger guest, spreading her arms and gesturing toward everything around her. "What do you think?"

"I think it's lovely!" Serena stepped further into the living room, eyes still roaming. "It's got a tropical theme going for it, but it still feels cozy like the old Pallet house. I love the furniture."

Delia grinned wide, uplifted by the praise. "Well, if the reigning Kalos Queen likes my style, then that means it must be good."

Serena snickered. "Now you're just flattering me." She collapsed into a large, plush armchair, and Pikachu settled onto her lap. "Is there a basement? This seems a bit small compared to the old house."

"No, no basement," Delia answered, sitting on the sofa. "It is a good deal smaller, but that's just the reality of real estate. Houses in Pallet Town are far less expensive than they are on Melemele Island."

Serena nodded. "Makes sense…"

"I don't mind, though. I still have all the space I need. I can cook, I can entertain guests, and I can relax. I don't need much more than that." Delia folded her hands on her lap. "Besides, the old house was just starting to feel… empty, you know? Most of the time, it was just Mimey and I."

Serena nodded, absentmindedly running her hand along Pikachu's belly. "Yes, I understand."

"This place feels perfect for me, for where I'm at right now," the older woman continued. "The location, too. Close to the city, close to my restaurant… I have guests over all the time now! It's been wonderful. I wish I could introduce you to some of the friends I've made."

"That sounds fun, but I just don't have the time," Serena answered. "I have to fly back out tonight. My manager's already angry that I left just for a day trip. I told her I was seeing someone really important, but she didn't care."

Delia nodded in understanding. "I suppose you'll have to leave as soon as you see him, then?"

"I'm afraid so." Serena's free hand gripped the fabric of her dress absentmindedly, as the thought of seeing him again made her heart beat faster and harder.

"Well, anytime you can get away, you know you're more than welcome here." Delia gave the younger girl a warm, motherly smile. "There will always be a bed and a warm meal for you here, if you ever need it."

Serena smiled back, touched. "Thanks, Delia. That means a lot."

"But enough about me!" Delia sat up, slapping her hands onto her knees. "You won the Master Class! You're Kalos Queen now! What has that been like?"

"Overwhelming," Serena answered, sinking into the chair, as if she had just remembered how tired out she was. "In both a good and bad way. I've been busy from sunup to sundown ever since I won. Meetings, interviews, appearances, even a parade… I've only had time to shower twice in the past six days."

"Oh, goodness." Delia's hand moved to her mouth, instantly transitioning back into motherhood mode. "Would you like to shower while you're here?"

Serena waved her hand in response. "I'm fine. I had a quick one before I left." Her hand came down to rest on her stomach. "But even though it's been busy, it's been amazing. I go out and I see so many people and all their smiling faces… I get a chance to talk to other aspiring performers, and they tell me how much I've inspired them…" Her lips curved into a wide smile, of their own volition. "This is what I've been dreaming of all these years. This is why I wanted to be Kalos Queen."

"That sounds wonderful, dear." Delia's hands were clasped on her lap. "You always talked about how you wanted to put smiles on people's faces, and you're already doing it. You're going to make a fantastic queen."

"I really hope so." Serena had a dreamy look on her face, as she had a rare opportunity to reflect on her new life without being smothered by it. "I just hope it doesn't leave me exhausted all the time. Aria told me after the Master Class that she had learned to deal with it, which I'm sure she meant to be encouraging, but…"

Delia snickered. "Well, if you ever need to get away and hide, you know where you can go. If anyone asks, I've never heard of you before."

Serena smirked. "I'll text you if I ever need to run and hide somewhere."

"I'll buy some blackout curtains for my windows." Delia grinned and stood up. "For now, I think we both could use some lunch. Don't think I missed you holding your stomach like that."

The young performer sat up. "Do we have time? When are we supposed to…"

Delia nodded. "We should have time, from what I was told. And you don't want to see Ash on an empty stomach, do you?"

Serena smiled, her cheeks tinged with red. "I suppose not." Her heart began to race again, a nervous excitement filling her chest, as the idea of seeing Ash again became more real, more tangible.

"Come on, then! I can show you the new restaurant while I whip us up some lunch."

Serena nodded and stood up, and both girls turned and headed for the door, with Pikachu perched on Serena's shoulder.


Ash sat on a bench in the hallway of the Lumiose City Stadium, leaning back and resting his head against the wall. He was breathing slowly and deeply, in a failed bid to calm his nerves. His hands were trembling, even as they clenched tightly onto his legs. His Pikachu sat beside him on the bench, cheeks sparking with excitement, looking forward to the battle ahead.

Serena stood unnoticed at the far end of the hallway, watching quietly as Ash mentally prepared himself for the upcoming battle. She was wringing her hands as she watched, almost as nervous for the imminent battle as he was. Ash had stormed through the Lumiose Conference tournament, exceeding even her sky-high expectations, and now only one opponent stood between him and the championship trophy. Watching him now, her chest felt as if it was overflowing with pride, alongside other emotions.

The last few weeks since the Master Class had been quietly thrilling. Ever since that fateful night, the two of them had slowly grown closer to each other, showing more affection toward each other in small ways. A glancing touch here, a hand squeeze there, a late night spent watching the stars with her head resting on his shoulder. With the Kalos League on the immediate horizon, Serena had been reluctant to have a proper conversation with him about it, not wanting to distract him when he needed to prepare. She had been forced to discuss it with one of their two traveling companions, the five-year-old Bonnie, who had spotted them holding hands one night and subsequently demanded answers from Serena. Bonnie's older brother, Clemont, remained oblivious, much to Serena's relief.

She continued to watch him for nearly a minute, noticing his trembling breath and his shaking hands. She eventually stepped out of her hiding place and started walking forward, making sure her steps were loud enough to get his attention. His eyes snapped open, and she saw his face light up as he spotted her.

"Hey, Serena!" He stood up, stretching his legs. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to check up on you, see how you were doing," she answered, walking up to him with her hands clasped in front of her. "You seem pretty nervous."

"Yeah, you could say that," he replied. "I've never made it this far into a conference before. If I win this battle… it'll be my very first championship. I've been trying for this ever since I started my journey."

She paused for a moment as she searched for the right words for what she wanted to ask. "How do you think you'll do?" She winced internally, as she utterly failed to hit the right tone.

"It's going to be a really tough battle. Alain and his Charizard are incredible. I'm going to have to give it everything I've got if I want to win."

She nodded, a reassuring smile settling onto her face. "You've already done so well, Ash. I know you'll give this next battle everything you've got. But no matter what happens, I'm really proud of you. We all are."

"Thanks, Serena." He returned her smile, looking more confident already. "With you, Clemont and Bonnie cheering me on, I know I can win!"

Her smile grew wider, fueled by his infectious energy. "Well, I have to pay you back for all the support you gave me. You were always so encouraging, and so sweet… I can't tell you how much it meant to me."

"Of course, Serena! It was amazing, watching you become one of the best performers in Kalos. You're a natural."

She thanked him again, starting to feel giddy, but a moment of insecurity tempered it back down. She found herself speaking up. "Ash… when this is all over, what's next for you?"

His eyes flicked upward for a moment as he thought. "I'm not sure. Honestly, I'm never really sure. I always just jump from one challenge to the next. I haven't really thought about what comes next."

"I see…" She bit her lip for a moment. "I don't know what comes next for me either. I guess we're both in the same boat."

"Guess so." His eyes were fixed on hers as he continued. "Maybe when the Kalos League is over, we can figure out our next steps together."

Her eyes shot open as wide as saucers, her heart skipping a beat. "Together…?"

"Mhmm." His cheeks were turning red as they spoke, but he continued on confidently, undeterred. "What do you say? Would you want to go on another journey with me?"

She could barely believe what she was hearing. It took her several seconds to muster up a response, her cheeks feeling as if they might catch fire. "Yes… yes, Ash, of course! I'd love to!"

A clear relief washed over him, tension melting away, though his cheeks were just as flushed as they were before. They stayed quiet for several moments, lost in each other's eyes, before the roar of the crowd drew their attention toward the battlefield.

"This is the moment you've been waiting for, everyone!" The voice of the announcer rang throughout the stadium, clearly audible in the back hallways. "The entire Kalos League season has come down to one final battle!"

Ash turned back to face her. "Guess that's my cue. You should get back to your seat. We'll talk after the battle, alright?"

She nodded. "Yeah, we will."

He flashed her a confident grin before turning away, starting to walk out onto the field. She watched him go, one hand clasped over her thudding heart, still in complete disbelief. A moment later, a sudden boldness overtook her, and she started after him. "Ash, wait!"

"Huh?" He stopped and turned back to her. "What is it?" He watched her as she jogged up to him, reaching out to clasp his hand in hers. She pulled him closer to him, closing her eyes and pressing her lips gently against his cheek. She pulled back a moment later and opened her eyes, grinning at his dumbfounded expression.

"For luck," she explained.

"R-right," he stammered, his face the same shade of red as hers. He eventually managed a smile, his hand reluctantly sliding out of hers, as he turned back and jogged out to the battlefield.

She watched him go, her heart pounding in her ears, before turning and racing back to her seat. She felt as if she was running on air, in delighted disbelief as to what she'd just done, and what he'd just said. Her future felt more certain now, more tangible, now that she knew he would be a part of it. She was still buzzing from head to toe as she arrived at her seat in the stands, already imagining the conversation the two of them would have after the Kalos League was over.

Thanks to the machinations of a malevolent group known as Team Flare, the two of them wouldn't get the chance.


The sights and sounds of Melemele Island were long gone, the city replaced with steep hills and lush jungles. The path that Serena and Delia walked was eerily quiet, as even the native Pokémon of the island dared not stir. It was as if they all knew exactly what the two girls were walking toward, and they wanted no part of it.

Serena was starting to regret eating such a large meal, as her lunch turned over and over in her twisting stomach, feeling like a lead weight inside her. She forced herself to take slow and steady breaths, trying to stop her nerves from spiking. As she drew closer and closer to Ash, for the first time in three years, every step made her steadily more anxious. Her mind was reeling as she imagined their upcoming conversation. What would she say? What would he say? What could they possibly talk about under these circumstances?

"What… um…" Serena paused, faltering, then started again. "What are we going to do when we get there?"

"We're going to stop by Hapu's house," Delia answered. "It's not far from here. It's a good idea to see her before we see Ash." Pikachu was sitting on her shoulder, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

"Hapu?" Serena looked back at the older woman, knowing she was supposed to know who Hapu was, but at this point she could have easily forgotten her own name.

"The island kahuna," Delia explained. "She's a few years younger than you are. A real sweetheart. I stop by here sometimes to have tea and help her with her chores."

Serena smiled gently, glad for the moment of levity. "Is there anyone in Alola you don't know, Delia?"

"Not if I can help it." Delia's eyes were brighter than they had been since they arrived on Poni Island. "There were so few people in Pallet Town, and everything else was so far away. As soon as I moved out here, I knew I wanted to have a much broader social life."

"I'm glad you did," Serena replied. "You seem a lot happier ever since you moved."

"Thank you, dear." Delia smiled brightly for a moment. "I'm glad for it, too. Especially since it let me meet little Hapu. She's the one who told me about this. I don't know how she knew…"

Serena nodded, her gaze returning to the hilly path in front of them. The two of them returned to their uncharacteristic silence for another thirty seconds, before she spoke again. "Do you think we should… go see him together?"

Delia took a long time to respond. "No… no." She shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I need to see him alone. I hope you understand."

"I do," Serena replied quickly, secretly relieved. She had wanted to speak to Ash alone as well. "Can we still see him separately?"

"Yes, I believe so," Delia answered, much more quickly. "That's what I was told." Her voice was stiff, nervous, uncertain. It was a rare moment to see Delia Ketchum off-balance like this. Serena found it a bit nerve-wracking all by itself.

The two of them had clasped their hands together at some point during their walk, and were now gripping each other tightly. Serena wasn't sure which of them had reached out first. It could easily have been her. It was clear, though, that they both needed the comfort.

After what felt like an hour of walking, the two of them finally crested a hill, and a small farm came into view. A wooden fence surrounded roughly an acre of tilled soil, and a small farmhouse sat at the far end, looking roughly as small as its young occupant. Just like the path the two of them had walked, there were no people or Pokémon to be seen.

"That's her place?" Serena asked.

Delia nodded. "Yes, it is. I'm sure Hapu is inside. Let's go and say hello."

Serena began walking toward the house alongside Delia, eager to rest her tired feet, when she felt a cold, otherworldly chill around her ankles. She looked down and gasped to see a thin mist, looking almost like smoke, starting to spread along the ground.

"Delia… is this it…?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, as she watched the mist start to spread and cover the farm.

Beside her, Delia was barely breathing, her eyes on the steadily thickening mist, which was starting to fill the air around them. It grew until it was the consistency of fog, starting to completely obscure the world around them. Soon, the farm had vanished almost entirely, leaving nothing but the two girls and the ground immediately under their feet.

"Tapu Fini…" Delia quietly uttered the name of the island guardian, the one who watched over the Ruins of Life, the one responsible for the mist that had enveloped both of them. They both shivered, feeling a chill that seemed to touch them at their cores. Neither of them could tell if it was the mist itself, or their own nervous, terrified hearts that were responsible for the chill. Their hands were clasped as tightly as they could be.

Serena was frozen in place as she watched the mist build up, shocked to find that it had been real. She had been more than a little skeptical after Delia had called her, telling her of this out-of-this-world phenomenon and asking her if she wanted to come and see it for herself. Despite all the incredible, almost supernatural things she had seen on her journeys, this still seemed impossible. Yet now, standing in the middle of it, she knew on a deep, instinctual level that this was exactly what she had hoped it was. This was the mist borne of the magic of Alola's guardians. This was the mist that would let them speak to the dead.

"What do we do now?" she asked quietly, her hands trembling and her heart in her throat.

"I don't think we'll have long." Delia's voice was quaking, but there was still a commanding firmness to it, one that helped put her younger companion at ease. "We'll go in separate directions from here. Once it's over, we'll meet back here. Alright?"

Serena nodded, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "Alright…" She turned back toward Delia once more. "Good luck."

"You, too, dear." Delia reached out and wrapped her arms around Serena, pulling her into a tight embrace. Serena hugged back tightly, feeling herself gaining and giving strength simultaneously, strength that she knew they would both need. They separated quickly, stepping back and gazing into each other's eyes for a moment, before Delia turned away and disappeared into the mist, with Pikachu on her shoulder.

Once she couldn't see the older woman any more, Serena slowly turned in the opposite direction, only seeing the dense, white mist all around her. She steeled herself and began walking forward slowly, her nerves smothered by her determination. She was ready to finally see Ash Ketchum again, for the last time.


Outside of Anistar City, a chaotic battle for the fate of the world was playing out. Serena watched from afar, alongside Bonnie and Clemont, as two enormous creatures battled against each other, firing massive beams of horrific energy at each other. The guardian of Kalos, Zygarde, had taken its complete, humanoid form, and was now locked in combat against a strange, organic, bio-mechanical construction that was known only as the Giant Rock.

Standing at the top of the Giant Rock, controlling it with a device attached to his arm, was the wild-haired leader of Team Flare, known as Lysandre. Hours ago, this man had unleashed destruction all around Lumiose City, summoning enormous black vines that threatened to crush everything in their path. Lysandre's mad desire to eradicate humanity from the planet, in the name of restoring balance, had led him and the Giant Rock to Anistar City. The rock was slowly traveling along the ground, its frame grinding against the rock and soil, in a quest to unite with a city landmark known as the Sundial. If the two artifacts made contact, the latent but powerful energy stored within both of them would erupt and explode with enough force to deliver a crippling blow to civilization and the human race.

"You will not stop me from saving this world!" Lysandre screamed at Zygarde, from his perch atop the Giant Rock. "I've come too far! I will not relent! I will not yield!" He thrust his arm forward, the golden device on his arm transmitting a signal to the Giant Rock, which shot another beam of energy out of its red, crystal core in Zygarde's direction.

"This is bad…" Far from the chaos, Ash was standing to Serena's right, watching the battle unfold with gritted teeth. "If we can't stop Lysandre, the Giant Rock could reach the Sundial! Zygarde needs our help!" On Ash's other side was his blue, frog-like Greninja, who was watching the battle with an equal amount of concern. His remaining Pokémon stood behind him.

"What can we do, though?" she asked aloud. "Are we supposed to get in the way of that?" She gestured toward the battle, where Zygarde and the Giant Rock continued to shoot energy blasts at each other.

"I don't think we have much choice." Ash turned around, toward the taller, black-haired boy standing behind him, who had just bested him in the final round of the Kalos League. "Alain, do you think Charizard can get me closer to Lysandre?"

"What?!" Serena exclaimed in shock, but Ash didn't pay her outburst any mind. Her eyes turned to Alain, her heart sinking as he nodded.

"Charizard's a great flyer. He'll get you in there, no problem. But if it looks like you're in trouble, he's going to pull you right back out, got it?"

Ash smiled and nodded back. "Thanks, Alain. I only need to get closer for a moment. Then we'll head right back." He turned back to face Serena, wanting to allay her concerns. "Don't worry, Serena. With Charizard watching over me, I'll be just fine, I promise."

She bit her lip and nodded, still worried but wanting to put her trust in him. Ash stepped away and climbed onto the back of Alain's orange, winged lizard, with Pikachu in his arm and Greninja clinging to his back.

"Ash, please be careful!" Bonnie called out, as Charizard flapped his mighty wings and took off, immediately zooming toward the Giant Rock. Serena watched with everyone else as the flying Pokémon expertly weaved through the energy blasts, not taking a lick of damage, approaching the head of the massive rock monster.

"Lysandre!" Ash called out as he approached, drawing the man's attention. "You won't be destroying anything today!"

The red-haired man growled. "I'm going to start with you!" He thrust his fist in Charizard's direction, and an energy blast shot out of the golden control device on his arm. Ash yelped and quickly leaped off of Charizard's back to avoid the blast, landing on top of the Giant Rock with Pikachu and Greninja. Charizard backed off and began flying in close circles, ready to dash back in at a moment's notice.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded. "Greninja, use Water Shuriken! Destroy that machine!"

Lysandre had no hope of dodging the attack. Both Pikachu and Greninja's attacks hit their mark perfectly, overloading the control device, which exploded into a shower of sparks as it fell away from the man's arm.

"Gah!" The man held his stinging arm, glaring at the young interloper across the way. "You little rat!" Ash smirked confidently, ignoring Lysandre's insult. He had accomplished what he wanted to do, giving Zygarde the opening he needed to destroy the Giant Rock once and for all. He turned back to Charizard, ready to get a ride back toward safety.

At that moment, several things happened at once.

Zygarde, emboldened by Ash's attack, dashed forward and slammed headfirst into the crystal core of the Giant Rock. The force on the impact knocked both Ash and Lysandre off of their feet, rolling to the edge of their perch.

As Zygarde impacted the crystal, the energy beam that it had been preparing misfired, shattering into several beams and shooting out in different directions. One of these beams slammed into Charizard, blasting him far away from the scene of the battle, much too far for him to make a quick return.

Finally, Zygarde managed to pierce the crystal core entirely, dashing through it and exiting out the other side. The core began to glow and shine with an ominous light, as a chain reaction built up and destabilized the crystal on a molecular level.

Ash and Lysandre scrambled to gain purchase on top of the rock once again, fingers digging in, trying to get a grip on whatever they could. Pikachu clung to Ash's back, trying to keep from falling in himself. After a moment, Ash felt Greninja's webbed hand grasping his, and he sighed in relief as his Pokémon started to pull him up. By his side, Lysandre's scrabbling fingers slipped, and he began to scream as he plummeted into the threatening, explosive reaction below.

In his haste to grab something that could save him, he grasped firmly onto Ash's left ankle. Ash and Pikachu yelped as the boy's hand slipped out of Greninja's grip. He was pulled forcibly off of the rock, and all three of them began to fall into the core below.

At the edge of the battlefield, Serena shrieked as she watched Ash and Pikachu begin to fall, her fingers gripping at her face in a panic. Everyone else watched with her as Greninja dove down after them, into the glowing bright light that was erupting from the core.

As all four bodies fell into the core, the crystal finally could take no more. The Giant Rock exploded in a massive burst of energy, one that could be heard and seen from miles around. Serena and her friends were forced to look away for a moment, to avoid the blinding light, but they all turned back as soon as they could. They looked just in time to see Greninja leaping away from the blast, with Pikachu in his arms.

With only Pikachu in his arms.

The ghastly silence that followed was not broken by a single gasp, or a single breath, until it was eventually shattered by Serena's screams.


Serena had left the farm and wandered into the jungle that covered most of Poni Island, but she only knew it from the occasional tree that popped up mere feet in front of her. She casually sidestepped each one as it manifested, walking slowly as she looked around in all directions. She couldn't see much of anything right now, or anyone, let alone the one person she wanted to see.

"Hello?" she called out, cupping her hands to her mouth. "Ash? Are you here?" She wasn't sure what she was supposed to say, or where she was supposed to go. After nearly ten minutes of walking, during which she had changed directions several times, she was deeply worried that something had gone wrong, or she had done something wrong. Was the mysterious magic of Tapu Fini's mist already gone? Had she missed her one chance, and possibly her only chance? Would she ever-

"Serena!"

Her heart jumped as the intensely familiar voice hit her ears, and she felt herself stop breathing. She whirled around to face the voice, eyes wide as she saw a hint of movement among the trees. After a few moments, she gasped as the figure of a teenaged boy began to materialize, running out of the mist in her direction. As he grew closer, she was able to get a better look at the raven-haired boy who was gradually becoming more clear. He was taller than she remembered, certainly not the same ten-year-old she had last seen in Kalos, but she could never mistake those eyes, or that winning smile. It really was him.

"Ash!" Her eyes immediately pooled with tears, as she raced forward to meet him as quickly as possible. She was laughing with delight as she threw herself into his arms, holding him as tightly as she could. She buried her face in his shoulder, staining his shirt with her tears as they fell liberally down her cheeks. She could feel his strong arms around her, and hear the sound of his laughter in her ears. "It's you! It's really you!"

"Of course it's me!" he replied. "You wanted to see me, didn't you?"

"Yes! But I didn't think it would really…!" She stood up fully and took a step back, her hands on his shoulders. She was clearly talking to Ash, but it wasn't the same Ash. He looked older than he used to be by a few years, and taller as well; he was even taller than she was now, though only by an inch or so. She had always thought of him as being frozen in time, trapped in the moment of his death three years ago, doomed to be ten years old for all of eternity. Now, it felt as if they had just been traveling down different paths for a few years. It was a surprisingly relieving thought.

"Well, I didn't think I'd get to speak to you again," he retorted. "So I guess we're even."

She beamed at him even as tears continued to stream down her face, feeling every emotion under the sun. She was excited, distraught, ecstatic, somber, disbelieving and more. "I'm so glad you're here! There's so much I have to tell you!" Her hands fell from his shoulders.

"I can't wait to hear it!" he replied. "Though you may want to talk fast… I'm not sure how long we'll have."

She felt a pang of heartache at this, but she didn't let it stop her from continuing on. She'd waited too long to give him her good news. "I finally did it, Ash! I won the Master Class! I'm Kalos Queen!"

"I know!" Ash responded, just as excited as she was. "I was so happy for you!"

Serena paused, staring at him in disbelief. "What do you mean, you know?"

"I've been keeping tabs on everyone important to me," he explained. "It's easier than you might think."

"Wh… are you serious?!" She glared incredulously at him. "I came all this way to tell you, I dealt with all this anxiety, and you already ruined the surprise before I got here?! You couldn't even act like you hadn't heard?!"

"Heh… sorry…" Ash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, the way he always did before. "I was just too excited, I guess."

"Ash…" She held her head in her hand for a moment, before she started to laugh. "I can't believe it… you haven't changed at all."

He grinned at her, her chastising unable to ruin his good mood. "Well, don't let me stop you from telling me about it! You came all this way, after all."

"It was everything I dreamed of, Ash." Her eyes were sparkling as she recalled the memory of her victory. "I knew I was going to win even before I was done performing. My Pokémon did such a good job… the audience was so happy… it just felt right. It was like there was magic in the air. And when Monsieur Pierre called my name, it… it was just…" She grew quiet, sniffling as the smile fell from her face.

"What's wrong?" he asked, picking up on her sudden sadness.

"I just… I always imagined you would be there when I won…" She covered her mouth with her hand as she let out a soft sob, tears forming in her eyes again. "I wanted you to be there so bad…" She lowered her hand again, clasping it over her heart, looking down at the ground. She jumped as she felt his fingers on her cheek, wiping some of her tears away.

"I was there, Serena," he responded gently, giving her the reassuring smile she had fallen for years ago. "I had the best seat in the house. Couldn't you tell?"

A smile crept across her lips again, as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. "I thought I could, maybe… but I wasn't sure."

"I always knew you'd do it," he continued. "You were too determined not to. And you definitely had the talent."

Her smile only grew as she opened her eyes again. "Thank you, Ash…" She straightened up. "Thank you for everything you did for me. You were so sweet, and so encouraging. You motivated me to get out there and go on a journey… you helped me find my calling. I would never have been able to do this if not for you."

He shook his head in response. "I don't believe that."

She blinked. "You don't?"

"Not at all." He had an uncharacteristically serious look on his face. "The Serena I traveled with was so determined, so headstrong… when you wanted to do something, you gave it everything you had and you didn't stop for anybody. You were always going to do something incredible with yourself. You just had to find it."

"Ash…" She felt herself tearing up again, amazed that she even had more tears to shed. "Thank you, Ash, truly." She reached up to wipe her eyes. "I'm so sorry we couldn't… with the Giant Rock… if we had only been a little closer to you, maybe we could have…"

"Don't blame yourself, Serena," he responded quickly. "It all happened so fast. There was nothing anyone could have done. Greninja was right there with me, and even he couldn't pull me out of there."

Serena was not consoled. "You didn't deserve what happened. You deserve to be out there becoming a Pokémon Master, catching Pokémon and seeing the world…" Her voice grew quieter. "It isn't fair."

"Maybe… but the whole planet was saved," he replied calmly. "It was worth it, in the end." She didn't respond, feeling a tight lump in her throat that blocked any words from coming out.

"You don't need to worry about me, Serena," Ash continued, offering her another smile. "I'm doing great, honest. I'm on the most incredible journey of my life! Or of my… well, you know what I mean."

Serena let out a sound partway between a sob and a snorting laugh. "Are you, really?"

"Sure am!" Ash pumped his fist, getting himself excited just thinking about it. "It's so different from anything I've ever done before. And one day, I want to tell you all about it."

She couldn't help but smile in the presence of his excitement. "I can't wait to hear it, Ash."

"And I can't wait to hear about the amazing journey you're going on," he replied quickly. "But not for a long time, got it? I want you to tell me about a full life's worth of adventures one day."

She nodded vigorously, her heart feeling lighter already. "I will, Ash, I promise."

The two of them gazed into each other's eyes quietly for a few moments, letting themselves enjoy the moment and the silence. The moment was interrupted as Ash looked around, his smile turning to a frown. Serena looked around as well, eyes widening as she realized the forest was becoming more clear and less obscured. The mist was starting to fade.

"Looks like our time's about up." Ash turned back toward Serena, pushing through his sadness and forcing a smile onto his face, the same way that Serena did when she wanted to give strength to others. "Take care of yourself, okay? You're going to be the greatest queen Kalos ever saw!"

"I'll do my best!" Serena clasped her hands over her aching heart. "I'll see you again one day, so wait for me, okay?"

"I will! Take care of Mom and Pikachu for me!" His voice was already sounding more distant, as his legs started to vanish with the fading mist. Serena kept his eyes locked on his, feeling heartsick and conflicted. There were so many more things she wanted to say, so many questions to ask, so many emotions she wanted to convey. It felt like she didn't even have the words to express how much he meant to her. Everything just seemed insufficient.

In a flash, she had an idea that set her heart pounding. There weren't any words she could say, but there was something she could do.

"Ash, wait!" she called out, hoping that somehow she could stop him from leaving, for just a moment. He started and looked back at her in surprise, as she stepped forward to close the gap. His eyes shot open wide, time slowing to a crawl as she shut her eyes tight, pursed her lips, and leaned in close.

Her lips met nothing but air.

She opened her eyes again, confused, and found nobody standing in front of her. The mist was gone, and the forest had returned in its place. She could hear the sounds of Pokémon around her, as they returned from their hiding places, the island slowly coming to life once again.

She smiled sadly, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She was still feeling a powerful heartache, but with it came a sense of contentment that she hadn't felt in a long time. It felt as if a long-missing piece of her heart had finally returned to her. She was ready to return to Kalos and her journey, with no regrets.

"Goodbye, Ash."


Delia was waiting for Serena when she returned to the farm, along with a girl who appeared to be a few years younger than Serena, whose black hair was tied into two long ponytails. Both of the older girls couldn't help but laugh as they saw the other's tear-stained face. Neither of them needed to ask if the other had spoken to him. Even Pikachu, sitting on Delia's shoulder, bore an expression that combined sorrow with contentment.

"Did you say what you wanted to say?" Delia asked.

"I think so," Serena answered, stepping up to the both of them. "I wish I could have said more… but I got to thank him, and say goodbye." She looked up to meet the older woman's eyes. "What about you? Did you say everything you wanted to?"

"Oh, goodness, no." Delia shook her head. "There isn't enough time in the world to tell him everything I had to say. But I told him I love him, and I'm proud of him, and that's what really matters."

"I'm glad." Serena nodded, rubbing her right eye for a moment. "Did he look… older to you?"

"No, not at all. He looked just like how I remembered him at ten years old. My precious little boy."

"Huh." Serena's eyebrows furrowed. "When I saw him, he looked as if he'd been aging. He seemed like he was at least my age."

"How interesting!" the younger girl piped up. "I've never heard of something like that before. I suppose there is much about Alola and the Tapus that we don't yet understand."

Serena turned toward her curiously. "You're Hapu, aren't you? Delia's told me about you."

"I am," the girl confirmed. "I'm the kahuna of Poni Island, after my late grandfather. I've been trying to learn more about the guardian Tapu Fini and their mist over the past few years, and I've become much more knowledgeable about what guides their whims. There's still much that eludes me, though."

Serena grinned, amused by the girl's formal speech. She seemed like an old soul. "Well, I wish you the best of luck in learning more."

"Thank you so much for telling me about this, Hapu," Delia chimed in. "I needed this. Both of us did."

"Of course, Delia," Hapu answered cheerfully. "Normally I warn people away from this island when the mist arrives. Being able to speak with those who have departed… it's too much, for many of us. But I knew you had the strength, and I could see the hole that had been left in your heart. I'm glad today has helped to heal you."

"It truly has." Delia bowed her head in gratitude toward the young kahuna, before returning her attention to Serena. "I was going to stay a while longer and have some tea with Hapu. But you need to go, don't you?"

"I'm afraid so," Serena answered. "I have a full schedule booked for tomorrow already. My manager will flay me alive if I miss any of it. I'm in enough trouble as it is."

"Well, we can't have that." Delia smiled warmly, though her eyes still held a hint of sadness. Her sorrow vanished a moment later, with a blink. "Before you go, though, there's just one more thing."

"Hm? What's that?"

"It's Pikachu." She reached up to her shoulder, lifting Pikachu off of it and holding him in her arms. "I think you should take him with you."

Serena's eyes shot open wide. "What? Really?"

Delia nodded intently. "Yes, really. Pikachu is too young and too strong to be a homebody. He needs to be out on a journey, seeing the world and doing exciting things." She rubbed Pikachu's head gently and lovingly. "Both Ash and I agreed that it was the right thing for him."

"Delia, I don't know what to say…" She needed a moment to process this request, never having imagined such a thing.

"Well, I hope that you say yes."

Serena's lips curled into a smile, as she took a step closer, eyes fixed on the small, yellow Pokémon. "What do you think, Pikachu? Do you want to come on a journey in Kalos with me?"

Pikachu cheered and leaped out of Delia's arms, and Serena had to scramble to catch him. He climbed up her torso and started licking her cheek repeatedly, and she laughed in delight at the affection and the gentle tickle of static electricity.

"I think he likes the idea," Hapu chimed in, her heart warmed by the affectionate display.

"I think you're right." Serena grinned and held Pikachu tightly to her chest. "I promise I'll take good care of him, Delia."

"He'll be in good hands, I'm certain." Delia's smile was briefly tinged with sadness. "He doesn't have a Poké Ball anymore, I'm afraid. You'll have to get him a new one."

"That's fine," Serena answered, looking down at her new Pokémon partner. "I'll get him the perfect Poké Ball when we return to Kalos." Pikachu wrinkled his nose, a look of clear disgust on his face, and she sighed. "Oh, don't give me that. It'll only be for a moment. I just don't want anyone capturing you."

Delia watched as Pikachu relented and climbed up onto Serena's shoulder, before stepping forward. "It was wonderful to see you again, Serena. I'm so glad you were here for this."

"Thank you so much for inviting me, Delia," the young performer replied, a broad smile on her face. "I can't tell you how much this meant to me."

"You don't have to," Delia responded, reaching out and resting her hand on Serena's unoccupied shoulder. "I can see it in your eyes."

Serena's smile grew even wider, until it was nearly hurting her cheeks, and she wrapped her arms tightly around Delia's torso, resting her head under the woman's jaw. Delia slid her arms around Serena in return, holding her head with one hand, and the two shared a firm, comforting embrace, looking for all the world like a mother and daughter.

They stayed together like this for several seconds, basking in each other's comfort. There was no grief between them anymore. The two of them had done their grieving together years ago, mourning for time lost, for words unsaid, for futures stolen away. They now stood strong together, more complete than they had been before. Delia eventually leaned down to plant a gentle kiss on Serena's temple before the two of them stepped back.

"Have a safe trip home, Serena!" she urged.

"I will!" Serena reassured her. "I don't know when I'll be able to call next, but I'll send a postcard once I get back!"

"Oh, let me know if you get any more of those Galarian chocolates!" Delia's eyes lit up at the thought. "Those were amazing."

Serena giggled, covering her mouth with one hand. "I'll send some your way, I promise."

The two of them said their final goodbyes, waving to each other as Serena walked away, before the performer turned and started the trip back toward the port, Pikachu climbing down into her arms.


The weather was far too nice for a day as painful as this.

Ash's funeral, held at a large cemetery in Lumiose City, had been heavily attended. For his part in saving the world from the disaster threatened by Lysandre and Team Flare, the government of Kalos had declared him a hero, awarding him numerous posthumous medals and honors. Several high-ranking government officials had come to pay their respects, along with all of the Gym Leaders, and many of the friends Ash had made during his final journey. Young Bonnie had broken down during the funeral, bawling her young eyes out, and Clemont had to take her elsewhere for a little while in order to not disrupt the rest of the service.

Serena had been asked to give a eulogy, but she had declined. She had countless words she wanted to say, but she knew she wouldn't be able to say them. She had barely been able to speak at all over the past several days. The first two days after Ash's death had been spent crying with Bonnie, or her mother. In the days that followed, she had to close herself off in order to help make preparations for the funeral, forcing herself not to feel, at least not when others were around. It was the only way that she knew she could be functional.

Part of her felt guilty for refusing to give a eulogy. She had been told numerous times that there was power in her smile, the power to raise people's spirits and bring sunshine to dark days. Maybe she could have done some good for the people in attendance. Right now, though, she didn't know how she could possibly put a smile onto her face. She felt as if her heart had been carved out of her chest, leaving a gaping hole that swallowed all of her strength and poise. Every thought of him brought a fresh stab of pain. She was in no position to help anyone. She didn't even have enough strength for herself.

Attendees began filing past her, as she stood quietly in place, her eyes lazily taking in the green grass of the cemetery. The ceremony itself was over, and most everyone was making their way toward the reception, where they could talk more openly. The Gym Leaders would likely trade stories about his unusual and entertaining battles, while the government officials would probably have discussions about fixing the damage Team Flare had caused across Lumiose City. Maybe she could go sit in a corner and cuddle with Bonnie for a little while.

Serena took one last look at the newly-placed gravestone, pausing as she saw the one person still standing by it in mourning. She was a woman who appeared to be in her thirties, with a short brown ponytail and brown, devastated eyes, both of which were shaded by the black mourning veil that hung from her hat. Serena didn't need to see the Pikachu nestled in her arms to recognize who this person was.

This was Ash's mother.

Instantly, Serena felt a powerful wave of guilt wash over her. As much as she was hurting right now, her pain and grief could not possibly compare to his mother's. Ash had told her that he had no siblings, and that his father had been out of the picture for many years. This woman's entire immediate family had been taken from her in one fell swoop. Serena could scarcely imagine what that must feel like.

She had been in the room with the Gym Leaders of Kalos, accompanying and consoling Bonnie, while arrangements for Ash's memorial service were being made. The governor of Kalos was on the phone with Mrs. Ketchum, explaining his plans to give Ash a hero's funeral in Kalos, but she was having none of it. She was adamant that his body be returned to her so it could be buried in Pallet Town, where he had grown up. The governor was forced to explain that Ash's body had been completely incinerated, and there was nothing left to return, nothing left to bury. She was quiet for a very long time after that, the silence growing more painful with each passing second, before she eventually relented. She declared that there would be a second service in Kanto some days later, where Ash's old friends could attend and commiserate. She would have to say goodbye to her son twice.

She stood silently by the heavily-decorated grave marker, her mask of bravery slipping away to reveal a woman on the verge of breaking. There were no last looks, no last goodbyes. There was nothing left of her beloved son but memories and a gravestone.

Serena couldn't tear her eyes away, as she watched his mother silently mourn, reaching up to occasionally wipe away tears that hinted at an imminent flood. She eventually walked over and stood next to Mrs. Ketchum, hands clasped together in front of her, searching for words that she had thought she couldn't find.

"Ash was the most… incredible person I've ever met," she began, wishing that she had a more poetic adjective to use. "I've never known anyone like him in my life. He was full of energy, and optimism, and… creativity, and… love. He was kind… selfless… he always knew how to put a smile on all of our faces. He was… really special."

His mother nodded almost imperceptibly. "Yes, he was." Her voice was firm but fragile, as if it could break at any moment - as if she could break at any moment. "There was nobody else like him… there never will be."

Serena reached out and rested her hand on the woman's upper arm. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Ketchum. I can't imagine what this is like for you."

"Thank you, dear." Ash's mother reached up to wipe her eyes once more, before turning to look in Serena's direction. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I know your name."

The younger girl nodded. "I'm Serena."

"Oh! So you're Serena!" Mrs. Ketchum's eyes lit up. "I remember Ash telling me about you during our calls. He always had the nicest things to say about you."

"He did?" Serena was taken aback, not expecting to be recognized at all.

"Oh, yes. He spoke glowingly of your talent, and your passion, and your kindness. Your baking, too."

"Wow…" She couldn't help but flush pink at the thought. "I didn't realize…"

"Thank you for taking care of my son during his journey," Mrs. Ketchum continued. "If you don't mind… could you tell me what it was like traveling with him?"

"I'd love to, Mrs. Ketchum." Serena managed to find her smile, for the first time in days. She may not have had strength for herself, but she had strength enough to share with someone who truly needed it.

The older woman smiled back. "Please, call me Delia."

Serena nodded, as she started to tell Delia tales of her wild, adventurous journey with Ash.