So...

This is awkward!

Project 'Kamen Rider' will not be worked on until January, the outlines I've been doing for it have been wiped. I am unable to retrieve them on my hard drive, and unfortunately, they've not been backed up. So, I'm sort of upset. I apologize for those waiting for a new chapter, but hopefully this will help out in the mean time. I may just look over and restart the story. I don't know. Kind of bummed about the entire situation.

However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy this new chapter! Thank you guys for the support!


Episode 3: The End of Camp! The Journey is about to Begin!

The summer camp hosted by Professor Sycamore is finally coming to a close!

… And Serena absolutely loved it!

Unlike where Oak's Summer Camp was full of dread and anxiety for the young 8-year-old, this one was the exact opposite!

After the small mishaps with Ash, she was able to get out of her shell and explore the camp with her friend, but with the addition of her new friends as well! She was able to get really close with Shauna, who the two always had topics about fashion, dancing, their favorite actors, and actresses, etc.! The two almost became sisters in a way, with Shauna even motivating her to try being a trainer and be a Pokémon Coordinator or Performer! Serena still hasn't decided on what she wanted to do just yet.

Tierno became another good friend to Serena, with him teaching her dance moves just like he did with Shauna. She was especially happy to see Ash try to do one of Tierno's dance moves, even if it meant seeing the boy fumble around. At least he tried!

Trevor and her got along decently well, with him showing all the photos he has taken with his camera. She was especially impressed when he took a photo of the Pokémon naturally interacting with one another. She even got pointers on how to hold a camera and take a photo… her first photo was just her finger over the camera, much to her chagrin.

Then there was a new friend she made… if she can even call her a friend. The girl's name is Miette, and Miette… well, she was something! Miette was mostly participating in the culinary and grooming exercises at the camp, but she sometimes hung out with Serena. Serena even learnt about how to make PokéPuffs, a pastry that both human and Pokémon can enjoy.

She began to love baking them and would often have contests with Miette over who has the better pastry. Poor Ash and Tierno were always in the forefront of their competition.

Her cousin Calem, on the other hand, was rarely there to spend time with Serena or Ash. While he did stop by once in a while to teach them how to use a fishing rod or help Ash with Froakie, he rarely made an appearance. She figured it was because he was always busy doing the battling activities.

Speaking of Ash…

He had a bigger blast coming here than when he was at Professor Oak's, if you can believe that! Ash, always the easy going of the two, would always join up with Serena and her new Kalosian friends, and partake in the events with them. As said, Ash even tried to dance to one of Tierno's moves!

However, for Ash, the most important was about what happened with him and Froakie.

Ever since being found by Professor Sycamore, he was told to enter the office room to talk with said professor. Serena was afraid that he was going to get in trouble or get expelled, but the exact opposite happened.

"Do you want Froakie as your first ever Pokémon?" those were his exact words to a befuddled Ash, and to a befuddled lab assistant, Sophie. Sophie, his ever loyal – if not snarky, lab aide tried hard to dissuade Sycamore from handing over Froakie to Ash.

"The reason why I'm even offering you Froakie is simple, Ash," Sycamore explained as he ignored his assistant at the time, "It's because I see the love he has for you – the type of love you don't see from a person and their Pokémon until much later on, after years of being around one another. The love I see from you two with each other, is beyond spiritual. It's as if you two were destined for one another, as friends and partners."

Ash remembered Froakie glancing at him, to which he glanced back, with the two feeling the bond that Sycamore spoke about.

Ash didn't want Froakie just because it's a Pokémon, but because they can be friends – family even. Ash wants Froakie to be his Pokémon, to forever explore and to help him attain his goal. With Froakie, it was the opportunity to finally be with a trainer who will love him, who he will fight for and become the strongest there ever was.

"Kie…" Ash remembered Froakie offering his hand.

"Froakie…" After looking over to an approving Sycamore, Ash held his new partners' hands, proclaiming, "I'll be Froakie's trainer! When I turn 10, he'll be my starter and we will travel around, become the best partners ever!"

And that was that. Ash, at the age of 8, had his very first starter.

Needless to say, a lot of kids were actually jealous of Ash and some even tried to pick fights with Ash, but Froakie was always there to protect Ash, and even Serena. Serena was super happy to see Ash get a starter. It's impressive that someone not even a trainer can forge a bond with a Pokémon like that!

It just really enforced the idea that Ash was amazing, in her eyes.

And now back to the present! The summer is over, and with that, her friends must leave. She looks around, waiting for either her mom or Delia to pick them up. Before she leaves, she wants to say goodbye to the friends she has made, and hopefully one day will see them again.

She sees Shauna, who is getting picked up by her parents. Shauna notices and happily waves at Serena, making Serena wave back with a huge smile on her face. Tierno and Trevor follow Shauna, as the trio wave at her, before leaving with Shauna's parents.

"So, Sere-bear," she jumps hearing Calem behind her, a grin on his face showing he was having fun at her expense. She pouts, but he doesn't pay attention to it, "It was fun seeing you, sis. Let me know if you need help with anything, okay? Remember, I love you and when you become a trainer, I want to make sure you can protect yourself." He hugs her, to which she responds back with a hug of her own. Yeah, she loves her cousin… even if he can be annoying sometimes.

"I will… I was thinking one day to…"

"Travel with Ash, huh?" she blushes, making Calem chuckle. His cousin is too easy to tease.

"Well, I'll support you, even if you go to Kanto and travel with him. Just, be careful when you do," he puts his hands on her shoulders, "And if he hurts you, I'll kill him." She rolls her eyes and smacks his hands away from her, making him laugh, "I'm obviously kidding! I trust Ash, he's grown on me!"

Ash appears, "Huh? Who's grown on who?"

She just sighs, shaking her head at the two… but one can see a smile forming on her face.

And as time would pass for the event, time would also pass for Ash being in Kalos. For Serena, Ash leaving again still hurts her. She doesn't want to be separated from her friend! Even if they still stay in contact, it still wouldn't be the same. They'll have to go back to doing scheduled calls and messaging! In her mind, it seems as though the world doesn't want them to be together.

Right now, she watches as the cab arrives to her small house in Vaniville Town, ready to pick up Ash and his mom to take them to the airport. Ash stares at her with a smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes, "Hey, Serena… it was fun," he states quietly, a far cry from the boisterous boy that she admires.

She gives him a hug in return, "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, 'Rena…"

Ash pulls away gently, "Why don't we travel together one day? When we become Pokémon Trainers, we can just explore the world, together!" He proclaims, spreading his arms out, a giant grin on his face. Serena was more than eager to accept.

"Mm! We can!" she glances at her mom, "… Is that okay with you, mom?"

Grace glances at Delia, who glances back with a smile, and then she nods, "Sure, I have no problem with that. It'll be fun for you two to explore Kanto or Kalos, whichever region you want to start off with. We'll get in contact over that as it gets closer, okay?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Paschall!" Ash enthusiastically exclaims, with Serena not far off from him.

"Oh, no, just call me Grace, dear," she winks, "I figured you're close with us that you shouldn't need to be all so formal, but you're welcome!" Ash just laughs, rubbing the back of his neck, approvingly.

The taxi driver honked the horn, alerting everyone to finish saying their goodbyes, but Serena wasn't done. She needed to do this.

"Hey, Ash!" she calls out, as Ash was about to head in to the car.

"Huh?" He quizzically looks at her, a curious gaze being thrown at her. She runs up to Ash, a smile growing on her face. She then leans in to Ash.

Kiss

Grace and Delia gasp, with Delia having hearts in her eyes at the adorable scene unfold. Grace just sighs, shaking her head, but a smile forms on her face, 'Good thing her dad isn't here,' she snickers.

Ash just holds his cheek where Serena kissed him, staring at her with wide eyes, a blush forming on his cheeks. She grins at him, her eyes glimmering, "You better wait for me, Ash! I'll be there at Kanto, when we're both 10! I want to explore the entire world with you, like you said!"

Ash blinks, but then forms a determined grin, pumping his fist up, "You got it!"

And with that, the two would leave with the cab, a determined Serena looks at her mom, "I'm going to Kanto, mom! When I'm starting, I will get my starter like Ash, and I will become a strong trainer!" She pumps her fist determined, Grace proudly nodding at her daughter.

"You got it, kiddo!"

And now, a short time skip…

"… and there it was, Serena: a Pikachu!" an excited Ash explained his story. It's been a year and a half now and Ash about to turn 10 in the next couple of months. He has certainly grown, but one thing has remained the same: that drive to be a Pokémon Trainer and to become a great friend to all the Pokémon he will meet throughout his journey.

"Oh? What happened next?" she had him continue.

The story Ash was telling her was that Professor Oak was taking care of Froakie for Ash, doing his usual checkup for the Pokémon, when the lab's power shut off. Ash was there patiently waiting for Froakie, but when it happened, he asked what had happened.

It turned out that a Pikachu was gnawing on the cables!

"And then, I tried to feed the little guy," Ash chuckles, "he didn't like that and immediately shocked me."

She frowns, "Are you okay? Did it hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine, 'Rena" he softly assures her, "He was more afraid of me than me of him, but Froakie wasn't happy about it!" He laughs, making Serena sigh. Of course, he wouldn't get angry at a Pokémon attacking him. It's just in Ash's nature after all.

"The two battled and Froakie was just… amazing! You should have seen his reflexes! I'm glad I was able to study up on Froakie because I wouldn't have known he knew Water Pulse!" he boasts about his Pokémon, "That attack confused Pikachu and we were able to restrain him!"

Serena whistles, impressed, "And where's Pikachu now?"

Ash just grins, picking up an embarrassed Pikachu, "Right here!"

"Chu…" Pikachu shyly looks away, Serena with staring at the mouse, before laughing wholeheartedly. Pikachu seemed sorry about the interaction! She didn't have the heart to dare scold the poor Pokémon for being afraid and attacking Ash! If she were one, she probably would have done the same!

"Oh, you're so cute, Pikachu! So, are you his trainer now, Ash?" she asks, almost jealously. How is it that he has two Pokémon already?! He's only 9!

"Yeah, Professor Oak promised me that I'll be his trainer when I turn 10, because Pikachu respects me and Froakie," Ash stated, rubbing Pikachu's head, making the Pokémon just cuddle to his hand. It was a far cry from the day before yesterday! Pikachu absolutely hated him! But Froakie and him were able to get through to Pikachu and get him to calm down.

Now, it seems Pikachu wants to just be with Ash.

"Froakie and him are now sleeping in my room, I have their Pokéballs ready for the big day soon," Ash smiles, "I can't wait to see you soon, 'Rena."

"Same here, Ash…"

"Oh, did I even tell you about what Gary did?" Ash sighs out, muttering in anger. Serena rolls her eyes, oh boy… What did that brat do now? When she asked Ash, he began to vent.

"Gary… I just don't know where to begin with him!" Ash growls out, making Serena frown at the tone. It seems pretty bad if Ash was about to rant. "So… You know how Froakie is my starter and how I went to the camp site last year, right?"

"Mhm. What did he do?"

"Well, the jerk decided to try to claim Froakie as his own! Then when I fought him over Froakie saying Froakie is my Pokémon, he claimed that Professor Sycamore meant to have sent him to him instead of me! And then," he almost raised his voice, anger seeping out of him which made Serena look at him with concern, "he dared to say that you're going to be his friend and go on his journey and… and that you'll see me as the loser that I really am! He then said you were some stupid girl and that you wouldn't know how to become a trainer!"

Serena shakes her head, "Ash, you need to stop letting him get to you, you know," she chides him softly, "I know he's being mean to you, but he's your friend and he's probably just jealous of how I'm also your friend."

"Hmph. Well, after what happened, I don't want to be friends with him," he retorts, "Besides, that nasty black eye I gave him will make him think twice before he messes with me again!" He smirks at the memory, remembering how Gary almost peed his pants. Sure, he got in trouble, but that's fine. Gary had it coming.

Serena just laughs, "Well, can't say he didn't deserve it! Just don't get so worked up by him, he's just trying to get to you. Honestly, I hope we don't see him during our travels."

Ash just nods, "Same."

"Kie…" Froakie points to the time and the two of them realize what time it is. It's time to end the call. Serena huffs. Even if they're both about to be trainers soon, their moms are still adamant about having the scheduled calls the way they are. Because of time zones, Ash has to go to bed.

"Well, I'll call you tomorrow, 'Rena! Sorry for talking about Gary like that," Ash apologizes, rubbing the back of his head nervously.

The girl just laughs, not at all worried with the fact they spent the time talking about Gary, "It's fine, he's just a jerk! Tomorrow, we'll have something new to talk about! I'm going to help mom for a little bit now, she wants me to get stuff for Rhyhorn before she does her training routine."

Luckily for her, Grace stopped forcing her to be a Rhyhorn Racer when Serena told her she was going to be a Pokémon Trainer, but that doesn't stop Grace from asking still. Serena seldomly just does it with her mom, to spend time with her since they really don't have much else in common.

Serena, in her own way, has matured.

The closer she gets to being 10, the less of a crybaby she was. She realized that her fears for not being friends with Ash were unfounded, especially when she remembers his sweet yet boisterous, proclamation to her. It was then she decided she shouldn't cry about everything. She looked up to Ash for that, for his positivity and his ability to always look forward was just an admirable trait that she wanted to emulate.

And now… on the day she turned 10, something incredible happened to Serena.

Does anyone remember the surprise Ash was supposed to have given Serena? Surprise, it wasn't the ribbon! That was something he just got for her on a whim! Anyway, he clearly didn't remember. Serena didn't hold it against him, considering she didn't like surprises and she too forgot about his gift, but she withheld that information from Ash. She still wants to tease him about him being forgetful.

Well… he felt bad, but did promise he'd give it to her when she turned 10 as a result.

And on that day, during their phone call:

"So, your mom should have received it by now," Ash teases, a smirk growing on his face. He was already 10, with his PokéDex gifted to him by Professor Oak, and officially owns both Froakie and Pikachu as his two starters. The two Pokémon were with him, one on his shoulder and the other in his arms, both uttering their namesakes.

"Pika! | Froakie!"

They both wished her a 'Happy Birthday', making her praise them for being so sweet, like their trainer. The three of them blushed at that, all rubbing the back of their heads in unison, making Serena giggle at their actions. They're so alike, it's uncanny!

"You never did tell me what it was, Ash…" she pouts at him, giving him a small puppy eye look, making him gulp.

"W-well, I-I was just trying to keep it a secret!" he defends himself with a nervous laugh, not able to protect himself from what Serena is doing. He could just simply turn his head away, but he could still feel her gaze.

She laughs.

"I'm only kidding, I waited this long for the gift, so might as well be prepared!"

"Serena, it's here!" Her mom enters the house, with a package from Ash, making Ash grow a grin on his face. His eagerness to see her open it makes him jittery.

"Oh! Oh! Open it! Open it!" he begs, making Grace laugh at his insistence.

"Calm yourself, Ash," Grace jokes, handing her daughter the parcel, "From what you've told me, I'm honestly surprised you were able to get this! I'm quite shocked at how you were able to convince him to get it for you!"

Serena stares at her mom, surprised, but also annoyed, "Mom, you knew about this?"

Ash quickly comes in to defend Grace, knowing full well Serena was on the verge of being snappy, "Oh, don't worry about it, 'Rena. I told your mom to keep it a secret because we both know you'd end up happy with it. I promise!" Ash then responds to Grace with a laugh, "Oh yeah, I had to beg him for it for so long. Luckily, mom was able to help persuade him in the end!"

Deciding enough is enough, Serena begins to open the parcel in front of both Ash and Grace, both holding back their amusement as the girl glares at Ash, "Really, Ash? A box within a box?" She rolls her eyes, and opens the smaller box, making Ash laugh.

After opening the second, smaller box, she gasps at what it's inside: a Pokéball?! She then looks up to a super enthusiastic Ash, who leans towards the video phone, as if trying to inspect what's inside the box himself, "Check what's inside!" he urges, his voice cracking in excitement.

Grace gives her a nod, and Serena sighs, "Oh, alright!" She grabs the Pokéball, enlarges it and throws it in the air, "Come on out!"

The ball opens and a bright light appears out of it, landing on her lap, making her squeak. The ball of light then takes the form of a brown, canine looking Pokémon with creamy, puffy fur around its chest. It looks up at Serena and yelps a happy, "Vui!"

"Say hello to Eevee, Serena," Ash cheers softly, Eevee turns to the video phone and gets in view, with a happy tail wag seeing Ash.

"Vui ee vui!" Eevee calls out, happy seeing Ash again, making Ash laugh and wave at her.

"Eevee, I want you to say hi to Serena! She's my best friend and she'll be your new partner!" Ash exclaims, Serena looking at Ash, eyes glimmering in shock.

"W-what! I-I mean… how? I-I… Ash!" she squeals, happily hugging Eevee, who reciprocates the hug with a happy lick on the girls face, making her squeal even more. "Gaaaah! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she rubs her head against Eevee's, much to both their delights.

"Hehe, no problem! And… Professor Oak helped me out with her! See, Eevee was supposed to have gone to a trainer, but the trainer never stopped by nor wanted her. So, he began taking care of her, but when I saw her and saw what she was like, I practically begged Professor Oak to give her to you! I had to spend months taking care of her for him and mom had to persuade him to finally let me keep her for now until I can give her to you."

Tears flow down her face as she gives him the biggest, loving smile she can muster, "Ash… you're just incredible…" she sniffs, nuzzling her face against Eevee's fur, "I love her already! Oh my Goooooood!" she squeals again.

"Vui!" Eevee practically loves her trainer now!

Grace smiles at the two interacting and wipes her own tear that was threatening to fall, "You two are perfect for each other… thank you, Ash… This means the world to her."

With a humble look at the floor, Ash whispers, "Well, it is for 'Rena, after all… I figured this can be her starter from Professor Oak and she can get one from Professor Sycamore."

Serena then blinks in realization and then stares at Ash, "Oh! Ash, that reminds me… when do you want me to meet up with you? You're going to start your journey soon, right? Once I get my official Pokémon from Professor Sycamore, I want to meet up with you! We just need to know where and when!"

Ash thinks, "Uh… well - I'll let mom decide that, probably! I technically started my journey, but I figured I can wait until you get your starter! I can talk to her about seeing you at Viridian City!"

The two talked for quite a bit longer, up until it was time to hang up. Eevee was quite sad that Ash had to get off but shook it off as she was happy to be with Serena as her new Pokémon. Said girl was just eager to start her journey and her mom was more than supportive of giving Serena a ride to Lumiose City in the next couple of days to get her starter!

For Serena, this was going to close one door of her life, but open so many more doors in the process!

As she lays down to sleep after an eventful night, Eevee sleeping next to her, all her thoughts were about Ash and their journey together. 'Look out world for Serena Paschall and Ash Ketchum are going to take over the world and show you what we can do!'


Hope you guys enjoyed it!

I'll learn from my mistakes and push on wards for both stories! Just give me time to rework it and it'll be back, stronger than ever! With this story, the outlines are coming in strong!

And I know, I'm glossing over Pikachu and Eevee's introductions, Pikachu's more so, but we don't need to read how Pikachu and Ash became friends again. We all know the story.