Chapter 2
6 months later
It has been a while since Ash came back to Pallet town. It was peaceful and he had met up with his old friends and former companions, Tracey, Brock and Misty, who were equally proud of him. He spent his free time with Professor Oak and helping him out. His Kalos pokemons, meanwhile befriended his older pokemons and they were equally delighted to see some new partners as well as their friend, Pikachu. Needless to say, Pikachu was having a good time too.
His thoughts however, he found, went to that fateful day when he bid goodbye to his former companions. He couldn't stop thinking about that certain person and wondered if she was as restless, as he was.
It was a regular day in Ash's house and he was, as usual, sleeping till late. He was rudely woken up by a thunderbolt, courtesy from his best friend, Pikachu.
"Pikachu, not again!"
He woke up to find Pikachu, Mr. Mime and his mom staring at him, with a hint of exasperation.
"Ash! Mr. Mime won us tickets to Alola! We should go on a vacation there." her mom exclaimed in delight. Ash smiled. Delia had never been able to go out much because she always worried for her only son. This was a chance for her to have a good time and Ash could get his mind off from his thoughts. And he might meet new pokemons, he thought in delight. He cheered up enormously and agreed to the delight of his mom.
His mom knew something was wrong. Ash had always been the ever cheered and enthusiastic person. He still was. But she often found him, lost in some thoughts, a thing quite unlike Ash. At first, she thought maybe he was overwhelmed about winning. But he could still battle really well and seemed normal when he fought the occasional battles with Gary. So, to her luck, when she found that Mr. Mime won tickets to Alola, she thought it would help Ash out of his thoughts. And it did help!
So, after a week, he was in Alola, running around the beach with Pikachu while his mom and Mr. Mime sat under the sun, pleased that Ash looked happy and was enjoying his time. And indeed, he was having a good time.
…
It had been a while since Ash settled in Alola. It wasn't originally planned but after the fateful encounter with Tapu Koko, the guardian deity of Melemele Island, and it giving him the Z-move band and battling him, he decided to stay behind. His mom agreed and he was now staying with Professor Kukui, who was also a teacher at the Pokemon school. He made new friends, Mallow, Sophocles, Kiawe, Lana and Lillie who studied in the Pokemon school along with him. Soon, they supported him in his Grand Trials against the Kahunas and also fighting alongside him as Ultra Guardians. He also made a new rival, the mysterious Pokemon trainer and brother of Lillie, Gladion.
The most exciting thing happened next was the wedding of Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet's wedding. It was quite a surprise for everyone but Ash was the happiest. Kukui had been a father figure in Ash's life and he was happy that he found someone to love and spend his life with. Plus, he got a mother figure in Alola, the amazing Professor Burnet.
As he watched them getting married, Ash felt a weird feeling erupting inside him. So, this is what people called love. As he saw Kukui holding Burnet's hand tightly, as if he never wants to let her go, Ash's thoughts went to Serena. With all the new happenings around him, he had almost forgot about it. But now seeing the married couple, all the old memories came rushing to him, but this time, instead of bothering him, it felt like a fresh gust of air. He felt happy thinking about her, but he had no idea why.
As time passed, he also decided to participate in the Manalo Conference, the Alola Pokemon League which was going to be held for the first time. He had new pokemons now and they made a strong team. His new pokemon Dex was a Rotom Dex who was a firm supporter and a helpful friend. His Rockruff had evolved to a rare Dusk form of Lycanroc, and his Litten had evolved Torracat after battling the Masked Royal. His Rowlett, however refused to evolve and became stronger in his base form. He raised two Ultra Beasts, Nebby and Poipole. His Nebby, however, turned out to be the legendary pokemon, Solgaleo. And his Poipole later came back as Naganadel and helped him fight in the Manalo League. He caught a Meltan, who later evolved to a Melmetal. Easily, Ash had a strong and unique team. Steadily, Ash won all the Grand Trials and entered the Manalo Conference.
And finally, the day came. His final match in the Alolan league against Gladion. To say he was a good trainer was an understatement. He was the strongest trainer in Alola.
As he sat with Pikachu, early in the morning, his thoughts drifted off to the day before his Kalos final.
Ash sat at the top of the tower, looking at his pokemons. It was going to happen tomorrow, when he fought against Alain, who was exceptionally strong. Ash had never backed out from a match. But he was nervous. And he couldn't think properly. Feeling a presence beside him, he looked up to see Serena who had came up to him, knowing he would be nervous.
"You okay Ash?'' He knew lying to her won't do anything. Knowing each other for almost a year, Serena could read Ash as well as he could read her. He smiled weakly and nodded. "Just nervous I guess.'' Serena nodded in understanding and sat beside him. They sat silently for a long time but it wasn't an awkward silence. Just her presence was enough to calm him down as he found himself breathing easier. He decided to break the silence.
"You know, this is the first time I've ever come this far. So, it kind of makes me scared that if I mess up, I'd regret it for the rest of my life. I don't mind losing tomorrow, but even if I lose, I want to give my everything to the match and show the full strength of my pokemons who trained so hard to come this far." He looked at Serena who was already looking at him. She smiled slightly and rested her hand on top of his.
"Ash. Knowing you since the day I met, I never saw a match where you didn't give your all. Even if you lost, you gave your everything. And you always came back stronger than the last time. I'm sure tomorrow, whatever the outcome may be, you will give your everything. Even if you lost, I'd be proud of my idol and so would your pokemons be." Ash's eye shone while he looked at her. He knew he could do it. Serena would be proud nevertheless. But he knew he had to do it. To give his everything tomorrow. Taking her hands in his, he gently squeezed it before looking at her. She lightly blushed as he said, "I will give all I have tomorrow. And it helps knowing you would be proud."
And when he won, she was there, proud as ever.
As Ash remembered this, he felt okay again. And whatever the outcome might be today, he knew she would be proud. He wished she was here too. It'd have made the whole difference to his world.
And Ash won! He defeated Gladion and he defeated the Masked Royal, against whom he had an exhibition match after becoming the first Alola Champion. During the match, his Torracat evolved to Incineror and he found that to his delight that the Masked Royal was Professor Kukui. And he beat Tapu Koko, who was fighting alongside Kukui. And finally, Ash beat Tapu Koko with his best buddy, Pikachu. And Tapu Koko finally felt as if it all was finally paid off. He was proud.
And as Ash won his second championship and becoming the first Alolan Champion, he remembered the day he won the Kalos League. And he remembered Serena.
A/N- Hello everyone! This time, this is Pix who is posting. I hope you like this part. As the last chapter was a bit short, we made this one a bit longer. Hope you like it! Do comment your views on this!
