Chapter 10: The Future
The sun shined brightly in Pallet town with a gentle breeze giving the morning a pleasant feeling. The relatively small town now garnered unusually significant attention as several dozen notable individuals from every region gathered around an open field near Professor Oak's lab.
There, Bonnie, Chloe, Dawn, May, and Lillie acted like army drill instructors as they directed the setup of various chairs, tables, and a decorative arch.
"No! Are you crazy!?" Lillie scolded Gladion and Max when they set a decorative piece down.
"What's wrong?" Max asked, earning a nearly feral expression from Gladion's sister.
"Have you lost your mind!?" She quickly grabbed the piece and moved it slightly to the left.
"Go, help Cilian!" She screamed at Max, who quickly ran off, looking terrified.
Cilian and Brock looked quite proud of the spread they'd prepared for the various guests, human and Pokemon alike.
"Alright, everything is perfect! Simply perfect!" Cilian declared before he noticed Max running towards them, trying to get away from Lillie.
"She's crazy!" Max yelped.
"Hey! Watch yourself!" Koko growled as he and Zarude hung decorations in the treetops. Despite how uncomfortable he looked, Koko had donned a white suit like the other men in attendance. His Zarude father might've laughed at this, but he looked just as weary wearing a custom suit Lillie had made just for him.
"I still can't believe Ash is actually getting married. For the longest time, I was afraid he'd never get around to finding his true love!" Brock muttered with tears in his eyes.
"He didn't find her. She found him." Bonnie giggled as she came by with the others from Kalos.
"I will say they could've picked a better spot. I know of at least a dozen places in Alola that could've worked better." Lillie sighed.
"Definitely, and twice as many in Kalos." Bonnie added as she looked over the setup again.
"They wanted to get married here. I think that's what's most important." May said though they could tell she too wished they'd picked somewhere else.
"I just hope no one challenges him to a battle during the ceremony. Knowing Ash, he'll stop in the middle of his vows and accept." Dawn muttered, earning wary sweatdrops from most of his companions and their Pokemon.
"That's not going to happen!" Misty roared as she came over wearing an earpiece with a clipboard in hand.
"I have everything planned out down to precise details! If anyone tries to interrupt my program, they'll be sorry, and that includes Ash." Misty made several tremble, but Lillie and the other planners nodded vehemently.
"Alright, this way please." Rudy said as he led Ritchie, Leon, and a few locals into the area.
"Ok, I've just checked in the new Kanto Champion, Drake of the Orange island, and Kalos Elite Four member Korrina." Brendan added as he approached Misty.
"Perfect, that's everyone on the list! Anyone else who shows up is probably going to be a nosey reporter!" Misty growled.
"Don't worry. Just point them out, and we'll get rid of them." Kiawe promised. However, Misty gave a slightly evil smile causing the others to sweatdrop.
"Ohh, you don't have to worry about that, Kiawe. I already have a security team on the job. Plus, I brought in an old friend to provide a little extra security." Misty giggled.
On the other side of Pallet Town, several reporters looked dazed as Golduck held his head and hit them with potent hypnosis. Elsewhere, five more fled in panic while Bayleef ran after them.
"Ahhh! No, get away!" Another shrieked as Ash's Dragonite flew after them, arms outstretched.
On another hilltop, Piplup stood beside Ash's Garchomp and Togekiss, watching a dozen with twenty or so reporters preparing to move in like a band of vikings.
Piplup crossed his arms and nodded before turning to Garchomp.
"Lup."
"Graaa."
"Alright, just up ahead, we-" The lead reporter said before she noticed Piplup approaching them.
"Huh? A Piplup?"
"Awwe, he's so cute!" Piplup intentionally acted as cute as possible, drawing the reporters in before smirking back.
"Eh?"
"Chomp!" Garchomp unleashed a Draco Meteor, which burst and came down straight for Piplup.
"Ehhhh!?" The reporters screamed.
"Kiss!" Togekiss quickly flew in and picked up Piplup, leaving the reporters to get blasted away, disappearing into the horizon.
On the other side of Pallet Town, twenty more reporters lay fast asleep with a very angry Jigglypuff standing over them.
"Puff!" Jigglypuff shouted before taking out a set of permanent markers Misty gave her and went to work drawing over their faces.
Meanwhile, Ash stood inside his old bedroom, looking slightly uncomfortable, while Delia meticulously prepared his white suit.
"Mom, I could've put it on myself-" Ash started.
"Ash, do you think I trust you with something like this!? You should've seen what your father looked like on our wedding day." Delia glared at Felix, who tugged at the collar of his suit while Lucario smirked.
"Huh? I've seen your wedding photos. Dad looked pretty normal."
"Yes, after I fixed it." Delia glared harder at Felix.
"Alright, done." Delia finished with Ash's tie and soon looked ready to tear up.
"Ash, this all happened so soon. I still can't believe you're actually getting married." Delia hugged him tightly and kept her son there for quite a while.
Felix attempted to join in, but she gave him a nasty look. Despite this, Felix didn't back down, and after a few more moments, she relented, allowing him to also embrace their son.
"It seems like just yesterday you left for your journey. You've grown up so fast." Delia continued to sob. Felix found himself struck by a fresh sense of guilt for his absence but managed to keep his composure, if only barely.
"Remember Ash. This is a commitment like no other, don't take it lightly." Felix said.
"Hai! You're going to have responsibilities as a husband! Responsibilities you will not shirk!" Delia turned to Felix again, but he agreed with her.
"I know, I know."
"Do you?" Delia muttered, utterly terrified of Ash putting his battling ahead of his marriage.
"Mom, you don't have to worry, we-"
"Also! Now that you are the Kaiser and about to be married, I expect you to visit more often!"
"I-"
"Additionally, I expect grandchildren sooner rather than later!"
Ash and Pikachu both sweatdropped with slightly freaked-out expressions.
"Mom!?" Ash turned to Felix, who'd crossed his arms.
"No, I'm with her on this one. I have years of fatherhood to make up for, and for that, I'll need grandkids."
Ash sweatdropped again. After this, Delia took Pikachu and started putting a miniature suit on him.
Elsewhere in Oak's lab, Serena stood in front of a mirror while Grace, Shauna, and Aria all tended to her dress or hair.
"Done! Aww, Serena, you look so beautiful!" Shauna beamed while she and Aria stepped away to let Serena see herself done up.
"Thank you." She said in a subdued tone, her heart still racing.
"It's ok if you're slightly nervous, Serena. I was too on my wedding day. But don't forget, this is going to be one of the happiest days of your life!" Aria assured her. Serena and Shauna had been at Aria's wedding a year earlier, where the original Kalos Queen married her fiance, Michael,the new Coumarine City gym leader, Ramos's son.
Much like Delia, Grace teared up while staring at her daughter in a wedding dress.
"Look at you. My little girl has grown up, chasing her own dreams and getting married to her childhood crush from summer camp." Grace slowly took out a copy of the picture Serena had and caressed the corner where Alex rested.
"I know your father is just as proud of you."
"Mama." Serena fought back tears while hugging Grace.
"I know you're going to be happier with him. The way Ash treats those he cares about. No one else is good enough for you, Serena."
Ash walked out of his house, where he found Daniel, Cynthia, and their son waiting for them.
"There he is, the new Kaiser on his wedding day. What do you think, more or less frightening than our battle?" Daniel laughed.
"More." Ash admitted, earning exponentially greater laughing from Daniel.
"No arguments here."
"Hai, he may look brave, but you should've seen the way he trembled on our wedding day in Celestic Town." Cynthia chuckled while stroking their son's cheek.
"It didn't help that your grandmother had the entire town behind her in threatening my life if I ever hurt you." Daniel countered.
"Well, grandma really loves me." Cynthia said.
"Clearly."
Ash looked around at the vast crowd gathered for his wedding day. Not just Pallet Town's locals but the numerous friends he'd made throughout his journey.
Each Champion received an invitation and, upon seeing Ash, came over, along with a few Elite 4 members, save Misty and Zach.
"Ahh, greetings, Pokemon Kaiser." Gary chuckled while bowing his head.
"Gary, none of that." Ash almost groaned.
"I see the first Mirai Region's Champion has also arrived." Iris giggled while gesturing to Daniel. Daniel had already considered taking up the spot as Mirai's first Champion even before Ash beat him, but now that Ash held the title of Kaiser, he made it official.
"Now, wait a minute. If Ash is Kaiser, can he still be Alolan Champion?" Alain asked.
"I don't see why not. Unless you'd rather pass it off." Leon said.
"You'd better not!" Kukui shouted from nearby.
"Ash! Congratulations!" Korrina shouted while racing in front of him.
"Your Lucario looked so awesome during that battle! Yours too, Daniel! I don't suppose you could teach us your aura bonding techniques!?" She pleaded while Ash nervously placed his hand on the back of his head.
"I don't see why not. Maybe next time we're in Kalos."
"Perfect! Then again, it could be sooner. I'll be splitting my time between Kalos and Kanto much more now!" Korrina shouted in a passionate tone as her face turned bright red.
"Nani?" Ash asked, slightly confused.
"So, Ash Ketchum, we finally meet in person." Ash saw a young man perhaps his age among the champions approach, coming up beside Korrina.
He wore a black tux as opposed to the others' white ones, concealing what was likely an athletic body. However, it didn't hide his fair skin, brown eyes, and matching hair.
"Wait a minute. You're Red, the new Kanto Champion!"
"Hai! It's an honor to meet you." Ash and Red shook hands for a moment before he saw Korrina wrap her arms around Red's right arm and similarly rest herself against his shoulder.
"He's not just the Kanto champion. He's my boyfriend!" She cried.
"You're dating Korrina!?" Ash muttered in disbelief while Red sweatdropped.
"It's a long story, but yes."
"He's the Kanto Champion, for now. I intend to hold both titles again." Gary said while exchanging a competitive glance with Red.
"Huh, now that I think about it, Ash hasn't faced Red yet." Steven said, earning immensely intrigued looks from the other champions and Elite 4 members.
Delia trembled as she saw Ash and Red both smile in a way she was all too familiar with.
"Oh no."
"That's true. I saw your battle against Daniel. Truly a match like no other. But your Charizard was something else entirely." It was only then that Ash realized a huge Charizard stood among the other Champions' Pokemon. It wasn't Leon or Alain's. However, like Alain, he had a piece of Charizadite X, this Charizard holding it in a gauntlet covering his right paw.
"Red, I'd love to battle you!"
"Ash!-" Delia nearly jerked forward.
"But it will have to wait for another time."
The Kanto champion nodded.
"Hai, just let us know."
Delia breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"Alright then! Let's get this show on the road! Everyone to your places!" Misty barked out while directing people to their seats.
All of Ash's Pokemon joined the groom's side while Serena's sat at the front of the bride's section. Charline blushed while looking over at Ash's Charizard on the other side, who winked back at her.
"Grauu!" Charline let steam out of her nostrils.
"Now, cue band!" Misty shouted into her earpiece.
Nando and his Roserade led a small but skilled band in a soft wedding entrance tune. Cynthia and Lucy had already sat down on the groom's side with their babies in their laps when they saw the bridesmaids and groomsmen approaching.
Clemont and Shauna came down the aisle first, with Dawn and Kiawe close behind. Next came Daniel and Aria, Goh and Chloe, Bonnie and Tracy, Cilian and May, Lisia and Gary, then lastly Brock and Misty.
As Brock and Misty walked up the aisle, they spotted Miette, Nini, and many other performers/coordinators Serena had befriended over her career thus far, as well as Michael, and her mother on the bride's side.
Upon turning to the right section, they saw the various champions/elite 4 members, Koko, Lillie, Gladion, his other former Alolan classmates, Leaf, Barry, Ritchie, Bianca, Brendan, Trevor, Tierno, Morrison, Zach, Felix, Kukui, Bertha, Lei, Samson Oak, Rudy and more.
"Who would've thought that kid from Pallet Town we helped mentor would end up where he is." Misty said, thinking back tenderly to her memories.
"Hai, I suppose we learned a lot from him too."
"Well-"
"Don't deny it, Misty."
"Alright, fine. I'm just a little worried for him. Now that Ash is the Kaiser, what the heck is he going to do next?"
Brock took a deep breath and looked ahead at Daniel.
"I'm not quite sure, but remember, whatever it is, he won't be alone."
"Hai."
When they took their place near the wedding arch, all eyes turned to Ash, who walked up the aisle arm and arm with Delia and Pikachu on his shoulder.
Ash's Pokemon each cried out as he passed them. Tears still in her eyes, Delia kissed Ash's cheek when he reached the altar before moving in to sit beside Felix.
From there, Ash stood beside Brock and the other groomsmen. Finally, Nando and the others began playing the wedding march. Upon hearing this, all eyes looked upon Serena as Professor Sycamore led her down the aisle.
Xxx (The Kid Laroi, Stay)
Ash and Serena's eyes met even through her veil, and each step closer made their hearts race faster. When they reached the altar, Sycamore slowly raised Serena's veil and smiled down at her before taking a seat beside Grace.
"Merci, professor." She said, wiping a few tears away.
Ash took Serena by the hand and walked up to the altar where Professor Oak stood.
"I'm sorry I made you wait so long." Ash said, earning a loving smile from Serena.
"This was worth the wait, plus we're only twenty-one, Ash." Serena giggled, making Ash sweatdrop while Pikachu chuckled.
"Thank you, one and all, for joining us on this joyous occasion, where we celebrate the union of two truly wonderful individuals into one matrimony. Ash and Serena have changed the lives of everyone they meet, person, and Pokemon, just as much as they've learned from those around them. Believe it or not, I was there when these two first met so many years ago here at the summer camp for children I hosted."
Serena and Ash both blushed slightly as the memories flooded back.
"One day, Serena had gotten separated from the rest of our group, and Ash went off looking for a Poliwag. That's when he found Serena with an injured leg. This was one of the first moments where I saw Ash's true character when I saw him help her walk back all by himself."
Grace remembered hearing this story countless times but still found it precious. Delia, interestingly enough, had never actually heard about it, only knowing that Ash met Serena at that camp. After listening, she covered her mouth to contain her sense of excitement.
"Ash would always go above and beyond for those he cares about, but believe it or not, our young Kaiser could actually be quite careless at times. For those of you who don't know, he showed up late on the first day of his journey, oversleeping." Oak said with a smirk. At one point, Ash might've felt embarrassed by this, but now it didn't bother him in the slightest bit, considering what happened as a result of it.
"By the time he showed up, all three starter Pokemon were already taken."
"And you still let me open the empty Pokeballs thinking they were inside." Ash interrupted. Oak sweatdropped with a mortified look, particularly when Delia and Grace almost looked ready to scold him while Samson, Kukui, Burnet, and Sycamore blinked, appearing disappointed in him.
Oak cleared his throat and tugged at the collar of his suit.
"Yes, well, anyway. As it just so happened, there was one Pokemon I had recently caught, a very troublesome Pikachu who wouldn't listen to a word I said. I was afraid Ash wouldn't be able to handle such a rebellious Pokemon, and at first, it seemed like I might've been right. Yet I can say that I've never been more wrong about anything in my entire life." Oak placed his hand on Ash's shoulder and stroked Pikachu's face.
"When I see how these two have grown together, what they've accomplished, and at such a young age. It reminds me why I became a professor in the first place." Oak now teared up but eventually regained his composure.
"As for Serena, I'm afraid I didn't see her for years after she attended my camp. However, Professor Sycamore has told me plenty about his former student. Our dear Serena spent years training to become a Rhyhorn racer just like her mother. However, racing wasn't her passion, and one day after Ash arrived in Kalos, she saw his act of courage in Lumiose city and was inspired to meet up with him again. From there, they traveled across Kalos together, where Serena discovered her true passion for Pokemon performing."
Ash and Serena reminisced back on their journey in Kalos with immense fondness.
"I think I can speak for all of us when I say her performances have done much the same for us, lighting the fires of passion and inspiration into our hearts-whenever we see them! Both Ash and Serena inspire those around them. They've grown from each other and with each other from the very beginning. Now here they are, so many years later. Ash has become the greatest trainer in the world, and Serena a world-class performer." Oak took a deep breath and stared back at the young couple.
"Now, their paths will be forever intertwined, as they were always meant to be! May I have the rings!".
Brock nodded and took out a pair of wedding rings before handing them to Oak, who placed one in each of their hands.
"Now take her hand, Ash." He did as Oak said and carefully took Serena by the right hand.
"Ash, your vows."
The Kaiser stared deeply into his bride's eyes, and from the look on his face, Misty and the others realized he was going to speak from his heart, not his head.
"Oh no." Misty muttered.
"Serena, I've been through so much, with so many friends. When I arrived in Kalos, then met Clemont and Bonnie, I thought it would be much the same. That was until I met you." Misty, May, Dawn, and the others blinked in surprise.
"Ok, so far, so good." May thought.
"I didn't realize it at the time, but you were different than anyone else I ever traveled with or ever would. The way I acted around you, I never really thought much about it. Of course, I've done a lot of things without thinking about it." Ash admitted, making Pikachu, Brock, Misty, and many others sweatdrop.
"It wasn't until we parted ways at the airport that I realized I did feel different about you than anyone else. That I'd always looked at your differently, treated you differently, and even responded differently. I just wasn't mature enough to realize how I felt until you made me."
Bonnie almost squealed while Clmeont nervously adjusted his glasses, both remembering that day well.
Serena blushed brightly but regained her composure while also remembering that particular memory.
"These last five years, I told myself I had a goal, becoming Pokemon Kaiser. But I think deep down, a part of me was convinced it was making myself good enough for this moment. Making myself the person I thought you saw me as, not realizing you already did and that such a title didn't matter to you." Hearing that last bit nearly made Serena cover her mouth and tear up.
"Ash." She gasped while Misty and the others sat there, mouths hung open.
"Did Ash just say something so romantic?" Dawn muttered in disbelief.
"No way, I misheard that." Misty cleaned out her ear. Delia and Grace both smiled brightly.
Ash took another deep breath and then, without any hesitation, placed the ring on Serena's finger.
"This woman, I marry. No matter what her health. I will love Serena, respect her, console her, and help her until death, I swear!" A few tears rolled down Serena's face, as well as several in the audience.
"Serena." Oak said.
The Kalos Queen held Ash's hand tightly and stared back at him with fiery love.
"Ash, from the moment we met, you always inspired me to greater heights and made me believe in myself. Before we reunited in Kalos, I was lost, without passion, drive, or a goal of my own. But traveling with you, seeing your drive, determination, and support, I found my dreams. But you didn't even stop there. You always came to me when I was at my lowest; you put my performances ahead of your own journey and made me keep pushing on even when I met failure. I saw in you the kind of person I always wanted to be, and even after years apart, I never truly felt like you left me."
"Awwww, Serena." Shauna looked like she might collapse, as did the other bridesmaids.
"Now that's a vow." Lucy chuckled.
"What exactly did Brock say?" Cynthia asked.
"Ohhh, what did Brock say? Well, that's kind of difficult considering he went on for almost a half-hour before Misty forced him to wrap it up." Lucy giggled.
Serena placed her ring on Ash's finger and spoke her final vows.
"This man, I marry. No matter what his health. I will love Ash, respect him, console him, and help him until death, I swear!"
"Wonderful! Ash, you will marry Serena and become her partner. Will you, in peaceful times, during sickness, love her, respect her, comfort her, and help her until death? Do you promise this!?"
"Hai! I promise!"
"Serena, you will marry Ash and become his partner. Will you, in peaceful times, dring sickness, love him, respect him, comfort him, and help him until death? Do you promise this!?"
"Yes! I promise!" Serena exclaimed.
"By the power invested in me, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife!"
"Pika Pikachu!" Ash and Serena's Pokemon cried above the others.
"You may kiss your bride!" Ash and Serena didn't give each other time to wait. Both wrapped their arms around each other tightly and pulled themselves in for a fiery kiss that put all previous ones to shame.
Pallet town lit up in applause as Felix wiped a tear from his eyes.
"My boy."
The reception went ahead when Ash started the dancing with his mother and Serena with Felix. From there, Grace took a turn with Ash while Serena did the same with Sycamore.
Finally, the music slowed when Ash and Serena took each other's hands and led the way, savoring each other's warm presence. The young Kaiser still couldn't dance properly, but Serena helped him move along.
"Grauuu!" Charline almost yelped when she saw Ash's Charizard offer her his paw. The female Charizard tried to pull him onto the dance floor but sweatdropped upon remembering just how strong he was. Ash's Charizard smirked a little but then led Charline into the air, where they danced above the others.
"Pika!" Pikachu similarly offered to dance with Sylveon, who nodded and joined him.
"Grouuu!" Delphox blushed when Ash's Lucario asked her to dance, but after a moment, she took his paw and began a slow waltz. More guests and Pokemon joined in, Felix slowly dancing with Delia near their son and new daughter.
Both stared at them with tender gazes before Felix sighed.
"I still have so much to catch up with."
"Hai, and not just with him!" Felix sweatdropped when he saw Delia give him a fiery expression.
"You didn't just abandon Ash, Felix. You abandoned me!"
"Delia, I-"
"Don't even try it, aura man. If you think I'm letting you out of my sight again, you're dead wrong!" Delia pulled herself closer to Felix and rested her head against his shoulder.
"I still loved the man I married. You just weren't there."
Felix lowered his head and caressed the back of her head.
As the dancing went on, Misty called everyone to attention.
"Alright! Now I'd like all the unmarried ladies to gather around as Serena tosses her wedding bouquet!"
May, Iris, Shauna, Miette, Korrina, and the others, including Misty, all joined in. However, it wasn't just human women. Charline eagerly landed behind them and winked at Charizard, who now sweatdropped nervously while his companions snickered.
"Shauna, please, you must catch it!" Bonnie screamed.
"Ehhh!?" Clemont yelped.
Red, Brendan, and Rudy all looked similarly nervous when they saw Misty, May, and Korrina staring each other down with fiery competition.
"That bouquet is mine!" Misty snarled.
"Yeah, right, I'm catching it!" May snapped back.
Korrina slammed her fist into her palm.
"If you two think you can fight me for it, go ahead."
"Grauuu!" Charline snarled, declaring that she'd have the flowers.
Serena giggled, and after closing her eyes, she tossed it back into the air.
"Mine!" The various young women tried desperately to catch the bouquet, including Charline.
Finally, one of the young women felt the bouquet enter her hands.
"Ehhh!?" Misty, May, Korrina, and the others yelped when they saw none other than Leaf holding it.
"Leaf!?" Gary yelped as she turned and smiled at him, blushing slightly.
"Guess that settles that." Ash laughed while patting a trembling Gary's shoulder.
"Whew." Goh sighed in relief before noticing a furious Chloe in front of him.
"Don't get too cocky, Goh. Ash still has to throw the garter."
"Garter!" Goh yelped as Chloe dragged him onto the dance floor at the same time Bonnie pushed Clemont.
"But it's Serena's garter! She's like our sister!" Clemont protested.
"That doesn't matter. You catch it and marry Shauna!" Bonnie shouted. Eventually, the unmarried young men gathered while Serena took a seat, blushing intensely as Ash knelt in front of her.
"Don't keep them waiting, Ash!" She giggled while offering her right leg to him.
"Come on, Rudy, don't let me down!" Misty shouted.
With a vigorous expression, Ash carefully moved his hands up Serena's legs until he stroked the garter. From there, he slowly pulled it down and off.
"Catch!" He laughed while tossing it into the air.
The other young men all smirked at each other and nodded before they seized Clemont by the arms.
"Ehhh!? What are you doing!?"
They laughed while forcing Clemont to catch the garter.
"Ahh!"
"Yes!" Bonnie screamed.
Rather than getting mad, Korrina, Misty, and May laughed, especially when they saw Shauna approach Clemont.
"Interesting. Is there something you want to ask me, Clemont?" The gym leader turned as white as snow and then collapsed onto his back.
As the sun began to set on Pallet Town, the reception kept raging on, but Ash and Serena had gotten away from the others. Both sat on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding countryside and the setting sun on the horizon.
Serena rested her head on Ash's shoulder while Pikachu, Sylveon, Lucario, Delphox, Charizard, and Charline sat around them.
"It's beautiful." Serena said softly while savoring this moment with Ash.
"Home, it's kind of ironic, isn't it." Ash said, making Serena look slightly confused.
"Ironic? What do you mean?"
"This is where my journey started." Serena nodded, thinking she understood what he meant and looking slightly concerned. However, before she could say anything, Ash took Pikachu up and onto his shoulder.
"Now, here, it starts anew."
"Anew." Serena said, not expecting that answer but certainly welcoming it.
"Hai, Daniel, and my dad were right. Becoming Kaiser was never the end of my journey. It's just the beginning of a new chapter in it, and so is this."
Ash placed his arm around Serena and pulled her closer.
"I might now know exactly what lies ahead, but I know we'll find it together."
Serena smiled brightly and nodded.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Just then, the couple and their Pokemon saw another Pokemon flying overhead. It looked like a great golden bird with glittering lights trailing behind him as he flew past them and towards the sunset.
Serena and the others gazed in awe at the beautiful Pokemon, while Ash and Pikachu stared at him together before smiling and nodding. However, just then, they noticed something glittering falling from where the Pokemon flew.
Soon Serena saw it too, and with Ash, the couple reached out and caught it together. There, they stared at the feather in wonder with their Pokemon, each feeling an overwhelming sense of warmth and delight as they held it together. It continued glittering and changing colors like a rainbow.
Neither spoke but smiled back at each other with fiery passion before rising to their feet alongside the Pokemon. Still holding hands, Ash and Serena held the Rainbow Wing out together towards the setting sun, horizon, and their next adventure.
Author's note
Thus ends this phase of Ash's Journey,
It's been an amazing ride writing this, especially given what I've seen so far in Journeys. Ash not facing Alain, not using any of his previous Pokemon, and Greninja not returning...It makes me glad I wrote this
I really hope you guys enjoyed this fic and like those which follow
As stated the next fic will be called Pokemon Amourshipping the Movie: The Mother of Aura, it will be quite similar to Lucario & the Mystery of Mew and Secrets of the Jungle while still being its own story.
I plan on releasing it by the end of next week, or rather the first chapter
The following 3 fics will be more like miniseries, 6 chapters or for each story
Each fic will focus on one of Ash and Serena's children with number 2 being my first attempt at an academy Pokemon fic, so watch out for that one if you like Academy fics
As I said, this is the beginning of a new phase in Ash's journey, his combined Journey with Serena.
I don't know how the anime will end, and I won't pretend that the Pokemon Company will see this and go "AHhh! We've got it!" But I sincerely hope Journeys ends with Ash and Serena both riding off into the sunset together, declaring that they'll find their next adventure together, then the next series leads with a new protagonist, either Scarlet and Violet's main character or maybe Ash/Serena's child
So until next time,
Please review, comment, suggest, or ask (VIA PM)
