The referee went towards the fallen pokemon to see if it'd rise. Seeing it unmoving, he declared, "Charizard can't battle anymore. That makes the opponent, Ash Ketchum win the match making him the Kalos Champion!"

The audience erupted in cheers, still unable to believe Ash defeated Alain's strong pokemon team without any mega evolutions or legendary pokemons. Ash stood there, unable to interpret what was going on…Of course he could believe that they won, his team was in sync and they were strong. But he was in a daze. It was his dream after all, to win a championship. It was one step closer to his journey to become a pokemon master. The ultimate champion. Pikachu and Greninja engulfed him in a hug and finally everything made sense. He won. They won. His strong team managed to throw off an unbeatable opponent. He finally broke into a huge smile and called out all his pokemons who clung to him at once, because they won after all. "I'm so proud of you all! Thank you for sticking by my side and making our dreams come true." He whispered and all his pokemons understood what he said.

His friends soon came to his side, cheering him on and screaming at the top of their voices. He showed off his toothy grin to the excited faces of his friends and companions, Clemont, Bonnie and Serena. His eyes however, were stuck at the certain last person, who was teary eyed and was smiling the biggest smile she could manage. Her eyes showed awe, pride and relief. Awe over how he beat Alain, pride over how far he had come and relief that he was happy at last. He stared at Serena, realizing, how much she had done for him to come this far.

Soon, the trio joined the pokemons and his young trainer in the hug, celebrating their friend's win. It all happened in the matter of minutes, but the experience was way too beautiful to be just left like that.

They were now bidding goodbyes. The journey had come to an end. But the memories made were way too precious to be forgotten. Ash was leaving to Kanto and Serena was leaving to Hoenn while Bonnie and Clemont stayed behind to manage the gym. Ash and Serena had previously spent a moment with a young, tearful Bonnie who had grown accustomed to his and Serena's presence and loved them like she loved Clemont. Now Ash stood in the front bidding goodbye to Serena as she left first from the group. Ignoring the dull ache in his chest, that it'd probably be a while till they meet again, he gave his biggest smile while wishing her luck in her journeys. Serena smiled back and walked to the escalator intending to head towards her destination. Ash walked up to the escalator and stood there to see her leave. He felt a different emotion bubbling up in his stomach seeing her leave. He didn't want her to leave just like that. And apparently, nor did she.

Suddenly Serena turned back, surprising Ash. "Hey Ash. Just one more thing!" she said while starting to walk up the escalators. "Huh?" was all he said and walked closer, concerned that she may fall. She ran up to him and leaned closer. They have always been close but Ash had never seen her up this close. He could feel her warm breath fanning against him as she tiptoed and gently rested her lips on his, kissing him softly. Before he could react, however, she pulled back and smiled at him shyly. He could feel his cheeks warming as well. He watched her going down as she waved her hands at him. He broke out of his trance and grinned while waving his own hands.

As Ash sat in his flight, going back home and Pikachu resting on his lap, he thought about that one girl who kissed him goodbye. Dense as he was when it comes to romance, he knew friends don't kiss like that nor do they feel what he felt when he felt her soft lips on his…