Chapter 4: Serena! Welcome Back to Kanto!

Kalos Airlines Flight KAL720, Approaching Saffron City, Kanto.

It has almost been 5 hours since Serena left the Kalos region. The long trip made Serena did everything she can to pass the time; playing video games, listening to music and watching Showcases saved in her tablet before eventually deciding to take a nap. As the plane approached the land of Kanto, she was woken up by a beep, signalling an incoming message from the pilot.

The pilot then delivered his message in a formal tone. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is your pilot speaking. We are now approaching Saffron City Airport at 9:50 A.M. and set to arrive there at approximately 10:05 A.M. Please keep any communication devices off until we have come to a full stop at the airport. We hope you had a good flight with us and enjoy the rest of your day! Thank you."

Serena reached for her bag to check the time on her tablet. "Huh, 9:51 A.M. I guess the trip wasn't that long than I thought." she said to herself before giving off a yawn, still feeling sleepy.

Five minutes later, another message was delivered. This time, from one of the flight attendants on-board the plane. "Good morning everyone. We are now preparing to land in the airport. Please fasten your seatbelts and remain seated until the plane has landed and come to a full stop. We also advise you to keep any communication devices off until we have arrived at the airport."

All the passengers in the plane followed the flight attendant's instructions. Meanwhile, Serena couldn't contain her excitement in making her second visit to Kanto.

The plane extended its landing gear while the pilots were communicating with the airport's air traffic control, making sure everything is set for the plane to land. As the plane started to descend, Serena looked at her window. She watched as the buildings of Saffron City drew closer and closer as the plane made its descent towards the runway.

It was not long before all passengers have felt a sudden upward force in the plane and heard a skid on its giant tires, which indicated that they have landed safely on the runway, with the plane decreasing its speed before eventually coming to a full stop in one of the gates in the airport.

Another incoming message was then delivered by the flight attendant. "Welcome to the Kanto Region! We have now arrived in Saffron City Airport. Please remain seated until the doors of the plane have been opened. We advise you all to check your belongings before leaving the plane. We hope you will enjoy your stay in the region and thank you for flying with Kalos Airlines. We hope to see you again soon!"

While the other passengers were preparing themselves to leave the plane, Serena, still feeling excited muttered "Finally! I can't wait to get to Pallet Town to see him again!" in a very cheerful tone. "I wonder how the town looks like now since my last visit." She later added.

All passengers stood up as the exits of the plane were opened before making their way to the exits. Serena waited for the other passengers to exit the plane first as she prepares to leave her seat. She then made her way to the exit as she starts to feel the Kantoan air surround her. As Serena exited the plane, she was greeted by the morning sun, the Kantoan air, and the busy atmosphere of the airport.

Serena took a deep breath "Hello Kanto Region!" she said to herself before making her way down the stairs, heading to one of the gates of the airport.

A small of group consisting of a long haired woman, a blue haired man, and a Meowth disguised in human clothes, working as one of the airport ground crew, saw the honey-blonde girl while they were unloading the passengers' luggage from the plane. It took them a couple of seconds before recognising the honey blonde. "Wait, James isn't that the twerp from Kalos?" The long haired woman asked her co-workers. The blue haired man squinted his eyes to take another closer look on the girl "The one who has a crush on the other twerp?" he later added. "She is!" The talking Meowth confirmed.

Jessie, James, and Meowth were former members of Team Rocket, Kanto's underground crime organization. The trio were fired by Giovanni after the accumulation of failures over the years. Their failures in Alola was the last straw for their boss that made him decide to kick the trio out of Team Rocket for good. In addition to firing them, he also took their Pokemon that they've caught, including Wobuffet. The trio argued on where they will work next. Jessie suggested to join other teams in other regions but James took down the suggestion, fearing that they will end up just like what Giovanni did to them. Eventually, they landed the job in the airport, working as a part of the airport ground crew.

Meowth, with a smirk on his face, devised a plan to steal Serena's Pokemon "Hey guys, listen! Let's steal that twerp's Pokemon! That'll make-"

Jessie cut him off as she paused unloading the luggage "FORGET IT MEOWTH!" she shouted at the cat Pokemon. "We've talked about this that we won't steal any more stuff! Besides, I don't want to lose another job!" she later added adamantly. "Me too. I don't want being blasted off over and over again for the rest of my life!" James replied, agreeing with Jessie's statement. Meowth snapped back to reality "Well you two got a point. I have to admit, it's good that we aren't sneaking around and getting blasted off by Pikachu anymore. I think I don't want to go back to that again!" he later added.

Jessie replied "Good. Now that's settled, let's get back to work!" before all of them resumed to doing their jobs.

As the former Team Rocket members unload the luggage from the plane, a tall figure went past them in a flash, following the honey blonde girl. "What was that?" James asked.

"What's what?" Jessie replied. "Never mind" James replied, shrugged off the experience as they resumed to their jobs.

The tall figure continued to follow Serena as she made her way inside the airport.

As the honey blonde made her way inside the airport, she was amazed on how big and good it actually looked. "Wow! I never thought the airport would be this big!" Serena said in amazement of the building's massive interior.

Keeping the promise that she made to Grace back in Kalos, she went in one of the video phone booths in the airport and called her mother. She dialled the videophone number of their home and waited until her mother picked up the call. "Oh Serena! I've been waiting for you to call sweetie. So I see that you've finally made it to Kanto! So how was the trip?" Grace asked, relieved that her daughter made it safe and sound.

"Well it wasn't that longer that I expected but it's still long enough for me to fall asleep during the trip." she replied to her mother with a hint of embarrassment.

Her mother reassured. "Well it looks like a long trip so it makes sense that you took a nap. I mean, you did leave Kalos very early in the morning so I guess that your body wants to take that hours of sleep back."

"By the way, it's going to be a long way to Pallet Town from what I've heard from Delia so be careful out there, sweetie and don't forget to call me again once you're in Pallet Town okay?" Grace later added, concerned for her daughter's safety.

Serena reassured her mother. "Don't worry mom. I'll be fine. Besides I have my Pokemon with me so everything's okay." she replied. "Um, not trying to be mean mom but why are you so worried about me?" she asked, confused about her mother learning her safety.

Grace scratched her head in embarrassment, "Well it's natural for mothers to be concerned to their child so hehe…. Besides, I can't help it especially since you're in a different region" she replied before asking another question. "By the way, what time is it in there?"

Serena took her tablet from her bag to check the time. "It's currently 10:31 A.M. in here, mom." She replied before putting the tablet back to her bag.

Grace placed her hand in her chin. "Hm, it looks like you still have like 12 hours left for the day so there's a lot of time for you to wander around the city or maybe start heading to Pallet Town. Anyway, good luck on your journey and be careful out there!" she replied with a grin wishing her daughter good luck.

Serena smiled at her mother "Okay mom! I love you, bye!" she replied before the call ended moments later.

Serena then proceeded to exit the building with her fellow passengers being greeted by their friends and love ones. However, it proved to be a bittersweet scene for her as people around her were being greeted while she was not. "If only Ash arrived first. If he learned that I'll be visiting him, I'm sure he'd be here, right now, waiting for me." Serena muttered in a lonely tone before she shrugged off the feeling. "But hey, at least I'll be meeting him at his home in a few days, so I guess that's fine with me." later added, reassuring herself.

As she exited the building, Serena was greeted by the busy atmosphere of Saffron City. She was told that Saffron City is one of the busiest city in the world People were all over the place with some seemingly heading to their jobs while others were just taking a stroll around the big city. Serena stared at the buildings with awe, amazed by the designs of the infrastructure situated in the city. "Wow, I never thought Saffron City would be this big! I guess I can do some wandering before heading to the next city or town." she said to herself as she proceeded to wander the city, with her tablet in hand, acting as a map.

Serena checked the map for the main attractions situated in the city. She soon found out that there was a street full of shops located within the city and immediately went to the said street to check it for herself.

Serena couldn't resist going in each shop to check what kind of items were available in display. She continued to stroll around the shops until a humanoid figure accidentally bumped her. Both her and the humanoid figure went down before realizing that it was a Mr. Mime who actually bumped her, with what seems to be grocery items scattered on the ground.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Serena quickly apologized to the Pokemon while she reached her hand to help the mime Pokemon get up back to its feet as it started to pick up the scattered items. "Here, let me help you with that." she added as she helped the Pokemon picked up its groceries. "Mime! Mime!" The Pokemon cried in a thanking tone. "You're welcome! Sorry about bumping into you earlier" she uttered as she scratched her head, embarrassed about what happened. "By the way, where's your trainer?" she later asked as the Pokemon looked its surroundings, searching for its trainer.

It was not long before a voice of a woman came into the scene, "Oh there you are Mimey! Thank goodness, I thought you already left without me!" the woman said, feeling relieved while the Pokemon cried back in happiness.

The woman then turned her eyes to the honey blonde girl. "Thank you for-". The woman stopped for a moment before taking a closer look at the girl. She took a less than a millisecond for her to recognise the girl. "Wait a minute? Serena? Is that you?" the woman cried out in surprise.

Serena was puzzled for a moment before recognising the woman" Oh, hi Mrs. Ketchum! Yep, it's me!" she replied in a cheery tone.

"My my, I never thought I would see you in Saffron City. You look even more adorable in person!" Delia replied with a grin. Serena, feeling flattered "Oh…haha…thank you…." she said with a blush. "I assume that you already met Mimey" she said as Mr. Mime handed its groceries to its owner.

"Yeah, well bumping into him was not what I've expected for a first meeting. Sorry about that." Serena replied in a sheepish tone.

"Don't worry about that. I'm sure Mimey already accepted your apology. Isn't that right Mimey?" Delia reassured her.

"Mime! Mime!" Mr. Mime agreed.

"Anyway, we better head to Pallet Town before it gets dark. Besides, it looks like you're tired from your flight so we better get you a comfy bed to rest on!" Delia said as she noticed the tired look Serena had at the moment.

Serena looked at Ash's mother with a sheepish grin "Oh..uh…well….t-thank…y-you…" she replied, feeling nervous around Delia.

Delia grinned "Oh, there's no need to be shy Serena! Well, we better get going! Professor Oak is waiting in a car for us at Silph Co. so don't worry if you have to walk all the way to Pallet Town all by yourself." she reassured Serena in which she nodded as a reply.

As Delia, Serena and Mimey made their way to meet Professor Oak, Serena felt awkward around Ash's mother but soon became comfortable with her as she reassured herself that everything will be fine.

The group finally arrived at the parking lot of Silph Co., where Professor Oak was waiting for them in a green Jeep. The professor gave a grin to Delia, feeling relieved. "Well, it's about time that you've arrived, Delia. Did you get everything that you need?" he asked. Delia smiled back at the professor "Yes professor! We're all set!" she replied.

Professor Oak then turned his attention to Serena. "I guess you must be Serena! Welcome to the Kanto region! I assume you're here to meet Ash in Pallet Town isn't that correct?" he asked. Serena smiled at the Professor, feeling a bit nervous. "Yes professor. It's so great to be able to meet you in person." she replied in a cheerful tone before giving off a yawn.

The Professor took note Serena's yawn. "It looks like we better get going then! You're clearly tired from your flight. Everyone, get in the car." he remarked. The group went in the professor's car as he started the car before leaving the parking lot.

During the ride to Pallet Town, Serena was amazed at how beautiful the scenery was with the sun setting, and the flock of Pidgeys and Butterfrees flying, heading to the sunset along with the cool breeze of the wind that made her feel refreshed before growing drowsy and took a nap. Delia remarked. "Looks like she's very tired from her flight, professor." she said in a concerned tone as she looked at Professor Oak.

The professor took a quick glance at Serena through the rear-view mirror. "Don't worry Delia, we're almost there. By the way, which room will you lent her? You only have 2 rooms in the your house." the professor asked. Delia paused for a moment as she hasn't decided yet because of her sudden encounter with the former performer. "I think I'll lent her Ash's room." she replied. "Are you sure about that?" the professor asked to confirm Delia's decision.

"Yes, professor. Besides, Ash won't be leaving Alola until Sunday right?" she replied. The professor remembered the call that Ash made a few days prior about his departure "Oh right. Okay then. Let's just hope that he doesn't come home early so that he won't get spoiled for his surprise." he replied.

Pallet Town, Kanto

Fifteen minutes later, the group finally arrived in Pallet Town. As they made their way to Delia's home, Serena started to wake up from her nap as Professor Oak took a glance once again at her through the rear-view mirror. "Oh good you're awake! Welcome to Pallet Town Serena!" the professor greeted her. Serena rubbed her eyes as she starts to feel the cool breeze of the town in her skin. "We're in Pallet Town already, professor?" she replied with a yawn.

Delia looked at Serena and gave a smile "Well go and see it for yourself Serena!" she said to the honey blonde with a grin.

Serena looked around her as she couldn't believe that she's in Pallet Town. She saw the beautiful night sky with the stars twinkling and the moon shining brightly, giving light to the darkness of the sky. The atmosphere felt somewhat nostalgic for her as the town has a similar feel to her hometown back in Kalos.

Serena couldn't control her excitement as she and the group were approaching the Ketchum Residence. The professor pressed the brakes to make the vehicle come to a full stop in front of Ash's home. Delia looked at Serena with a wide grin "Welcome to our home, Serena! Sorry if the house kinda looks bland to you…" she said to Serena with a slight hint of embarrassment.

Serena smiled and reassured Ash's mother. "No, it's fine, Mrs. Ketchum. Besides, it looks like a simple, yet pretty cute place to live in." she said with a slight blush on her face. Delia smiled back at Serena "I'm glad that you like it! Anyway let's go inside so that you can get some rest after dinner." she replied back.

"Aren't you going to join us Professor?" she asked as Professor Oak looked at her. "Sorry Delia, but I've still got some work to do at the lab so I need to finish my work first." he replied. Delia smiled at the professor.

"Okay professor. I understand. Goodnight and thanks for the ride!" she replied back with a smile. "You're welcome, Delia. Goodnight" he greeted back, also with a smile.

The professor then turned his eyes to Serena "Oh, and Serena, would you mind if you can come visit me at the lab tomorrow?" he asked. Serena smiled at the professor "Of course, professor! I'll come visit the lab by morning" she accepted his invitation. "Great! Then I'll be expecting you at the lab tomorrow morning. Goodnight everyone!" the professor replied as he heads back to his lab.

Delia grabs the key of her home from her bag as she's about to unlock the door. As the door was unlocked, Delia, Serena and Mimey made their way inside the house. Before proceeding inside the house, Serena took her boots off and placed it near to the door as a sign of respect for the homeowner before wearing a pair of slippers that were placed adjacent to her boots.

Delia then let off a sigh of relief as she and Mimey placed their groceries on the table, "Phew, finally we made it." she said before looking at Serena "How do you find our home, Serena?" she later added.

Serena looked back at Delia "It's nice. It sure is a great place to live in, Mrs. Ketchum." she replied with a grin. Delia smiled back at Serena "Well it sure is. Oh, and is it okay if you sleep in Ash's room first? Don't worry on him suddenly appearing in front of you early in the morning. He won't be arriving anytime soon until Monday so…" she asked.

"Sure Mrs. Ketchum. I'll be fine in his room" she replied happily.

"Great! His room is on the left side upstairs. You should go and rest for a bit. I'll be preparing dinner in a few minutes." Delia replied as she and Mimey started to stock her groceries.

"Thank you Mrs. Ketchum" she replied back before heading upstairs to Ash's room. Delia stopped for a moment and looked back at Serena "Oh and Serena, just call me Delia. In that way we can become closer to each other." she said with a hint of insecurity.

"Oh, sorry uh Delia. See you later!" she replied, feeling embarrassed the way she was addressing Delia earlier.

Serena made her way upstairs to Ash's room. Serena opened his room and took her time to look all of the objects that were inside. In Ash's room, other than his bed, she saw posters and various items that were Pokemon related, along with 6 badge cases with labels on them, indicating the region where the badges were earned. She also saw a Teddiursa statue and a trophy that she has no idea what it was for. However, there was one particular object that Serena has caught her attention: A framed photo of her with Clemont, Bonnie, Korrina and her Lucario during their travels with Ash in Kalos two years ago.

Serena picked up the framed photo and took a closer look at it. She breathed deeply before letting off a sigh. "Wow, I can't believe that it's been two years since this photo was taken." she said to herself as she noticed the big gap between her and Clemont in the photo with her being very close to Ash. "Am I really that obvious? No wonder why everyone knows…" she later added. She continued to stare at the photo as she laid down to Ash's bed, remembering all the good times she had with him and the siblings during their journey together

Serena then let off another sigh "Time flies really fast. It feels like yesterday that I started my journey, and now I'm here in Ash's house. Waiting for him to reach his dream after I have reached mine. It feels good to be out from something that I've been doing all the time for the past two years. I know that I could've defended my title for another few years but I don't see the point of doing it even further. While it might make me more popular back home but other than that, I don't see any reason for me to defend it further. Fame is not what I was aiming for. I was aiming to bring smiles and happiness to everyone, and now that I've done that by becoming Kalos Queen for two years, I feel like it's time for me to move on from Showcases and on to my next dream; to be with Ash. He is the reason why I became Kalos Queen; He is the reason why I was able to travel the outside world from my mother; He is reason why I was able to enjoy everything; He is the reason why I was able to try out new things; And more importantly, he is the reason why I never gave up in life. And because of that, it's the reason why I love him." she teared up as she reflected her overall journey so far.

Serena wiped her tears as she remembered that she hasn't let out her Pokemon since she left Kalos. She then reached for her bag to get her Pokemon out of their Pokeballs.

Serena took a deep breath before letting out all of her Pokemon "Braixen! Pancham! Sylveon! Come on out!" she cried out as she threw her Pokeballs in the air.

"Braixen!, Pancham!, Sylveon!" Each of her Pokemon cried out as they were called out by their trainer.

All three of them looked around the room, confused. Not knowing where they are before Serena told them. "Hey guys! Sorry that I didn't get all of you out since we left Kalos." She apologized first. "Anyway, welcome to Kanto guys. We're actually in Ash's home right now in Pallet Town so you guys should show some manners to his mom, okay?" she later told them before all of her Pokemon cried out in agreement.

It was not long before Delia came upstairs and opened the door, "Hey Serena! Dinner's Rea-Wow! Are these your Pokemon?" she exclaimed, surprised with the prescence of Serena's Pokemon.

Serena giggled and introduced to each of her Pokemon to Delia "They sure are Delia! Meet Braixen, Pancham, and Sylveon!" she replied as her Pokemon greeted Ash's mother.

Delia entered the room as she approached Serena's Pokemon and patted them one by one. "Oh my! Aren't you all cute! Just like your trainer!" she commented as she smiled at Serena, which made her blush in embarrassment "Oh by the way, dinner's ready so you should all come downstairs." Delia later added, in which Serena and her Pokemon agreed "Thank you Delia! Come on guys! Let's go downstairs!" she replied as she leads her Pokemon downstairs.

Serena, along with her Pokemon had their dinner with Delia and Mimey. Mimey had gotten along with Serena's Pokemon while Serena herself started a short conversation with Delia.

"So Serena, how was your flight" Delia asked. Serena took a drink from her glass before giving a response. "It was fine. It was a bit shorter that I expected but it still long enough to make me tired throughout today." she replied with her arms between her thighs, showing a signs of nervousness.

"Well, it looks like a very exhausting trip considering that you have to sit for a few hours straight." She replied back as she took one last bite of her food. "Ash told me that you two met in Professor Oak's summer camp all those years ago. How did you two met each other?" she asked another question to Serena.

Serena felt her heart beating faster as she is about to tell his mother and possibly, find out her true feelings for him. However, she decided to be honest with Delia and then she proceeded to tell the whole story. "Well, back then I got lost in a forest one day when I lost track of my campmates during an activity. There I was, lost and scared. I was so scared that I don't what to do and then I hurt my knee after I got startled by a Poliwag. I cried out for my mom until Ash came in, who was searching for that same Poliwag. He wrapped my knee with his handkerchief, and helped me stand up before leading me the way out of the forest. "she blushed as she remembered their first meeting.

Delia couldn't help but to also blush for her son "Aww, that was so sweet of him. Hearing stories like that makes me so proud of him." she smiled after hearing how kind Ash was towards Serena. A few moments later, Serena gave off another yawn as Delia was about to ask her another question.

Delia noticed as Serena grew drowsier which prompted her to end the conversation early to be continued in the next day. "Looks like you're getting more and more sleepy, Serena. I guess it's time for you to go upstairs and get some rest. Goodnight Serena." She said to the tired honey blonde.

Serena gave off another yawn "I guess you're right. Goodnight Delia, Goodnight Mimey." she said as she and her Pokemon made her way to Ash's room, getting ready to sleep.

Serena then recalled her Pokemon back to their Pokeballs before changing to her pajamas and laid down in Ash's bed. She felt her body giving off a feeling of relief as she prepares to close her eyes for a good night sleep "It's a good thing that I was able to meetup with Ash's mom and Professor Oak back in Saffron City. Or else I'd have to walk from Saffron to Pallet Town. Only two days left before I'll be able to see him again." she said to herself before she drifted off to sleep.

Outside of the house, the tall figure from the airport was watching the house from a tree in a few meters away.

And that's it for today's chapter. Man has this been a long one. Took me a while to complete it though.

Anyway I'm keeping this message short so thank you for reading and see you in the next chapter.

P.S. I actually just finished this chapter late at night at the moment this was published so I need to sleep ASAP.