And we're back! Did you think I would leave you guys hanging? This took longer to get out then I thought but here we are.

The battle between Ash and Leaf had been a good one. Both Pokémon involved got their chance to sign and show their power. But when it was all over, Pikachu was the one who was left standing, its victory satisfying it from earlier. After that, Ash and Leaf continued spending the day together, doing various things. Leaf showed Ash around the town, took pictures of and met some new Pokémon friends, and had an all-around good time. Now they were walking out of a movie theater, with Ash looking confused. Pikachu wore the same expression.

"Boy, that movie sure was something, huh, Pikachu?"

Pikachu nodded its head. "Pika."

"Wasn't it great?" Leaf asked, smiling as she gave a dreamy sigh. "Those two were so cute together."

Ash blinked at his friend. "Cute? Oh!" He looked as if he suddenly realized what she was talking about and grinned, "You mean the Pokémon! Yeah, they sure were."

Pikachu nodded again, this time with a happy expression as well. "Pika!"

"What?" Leaf blinked. "No! I mean Brad and Michelle!"

"Brad and Michelle?" Ash blinked again. "Oh yeah, that's what I didn't get." He scratched his head as if he was trying to figure something out. "Why'd everyone else make such a big deal of them liking each other? Friends like each other all the time."

Leaf pouted, stomping her foot on the ground. "Ash Ketchum, you are clueless! Obviously they were in love with each other!"

"Well, yeah, but that's what I don't get," Ash replied. "Friends are supposed to love each other." He smiled at Leaf. "It's part of what being a friend is."

Leaf turned away and crossed her arms. "I see that you're hopeless as well."

Huh?" Ash looked confused again.

As Leaf turned around and continued trying to explain the movie to Ash, three heads peered from a nearby boss to look at the two.

"It appears there's a new twerp that might get in the way of use catching Pikachu," James said.

"Ugh! Why can't she be the one with the Pikachu?!" Jessie asked in annoyance. "At least she knows what a romance is. How can that little runt sit through that whole thing and not realize what's going on?!"

Meowth shrugged. "I guess not everybody understands the complexities of romance like you do, Jess."

"Jessie understands complexities?" James asked, sounding surprised.

Jessie growled and punched him in the head. As he rubbed it, she started talking again, "Forget it! What's about is that we make sure we catch that Pikachu and that new brat doesn't do anything to stop us!"

"Wobbufett!" The blue Pokemon appeared behind Jessie to give his trainer his support.

"See?" Jessie wrapped an arm around her Pokemon. "Wobbufett agrees! Why don't you two try being more like him? It's time we finally catch that Pikachu, get that payday, and show that Team Rocket's here to stay!"

"Hurray!" All three of them cheered.

Serena's eyes glowed as she watched Sylveon once again perform beautifully during practice. The two had been working on this routine ever since they heard about the contest here and she thinks that they perfected it.

She ran up to her Pokemon to let it know how she felt. "That was great, Sylveon! We'll have people smiling for sure!"

"Sylveon!" Sylveon smiled happily.

"I couldn't agree more," Gary said as he got up from his seat and walked over to them. He could tell how great of a team the two made just by watching them. "It's very impressive seeing how in sync you are with your Pokémon. I've never been one for contests but it's obvious that one of the things you need in order to win."

Serena nodded her head. "Right. It's just Sylveon either. I'm close with and in sync with my other Pokémon as well. I know it." She looked down at Sylveon and started to affectionately pet it as she continued talking, "They've really helped me through a lot of tough times. Without them, there's no way I would be who I am today. It's amazing how we've all come together and helped reach other grow. And I just know that we are going to continue doing that."

"Sylveon!" Sylveon agreed.

Gary chuckled. Serena looked at him and titled her head.

"What?" She asked.

"That attitude of yours reminds me of someone else I know," Gary responded. "You have the same optimism and hope that he does." He closed his eyes as his thoughts continued going to the person he was talking about. He reopened them and said, "Don't ever lose that. But just remember not to let it make you naive either. It's good to be hopeful and optimistic but be sure to always be smart and keep that sharp eye out. You never what really lies ahead."

Serena remained silent for a bit, letting that sink in a little before smiling and giving him a nod. "Right. Thanks."

"No problem," Gary said. "A little advice here and there never hurt anyone."

Serena nodded in agreement, but then her thoughts went to something else. "So who is it?"

"Hm?" Gary raised an eyebrow.

"The person I remind you of," Serena said. "Who is it?"

Gary chuckled again. "You know, I'd tell you about him, but I think it would be best if you meet him yourself. Who knows? Maybe you will someday."

He had a point. The world was full of endless possibilities. Serena couldn't help but agree. She knew for sure that whoever this person was that Gary was talking about had to be a wonderful person.

Leaf had given up trying to explain the concept of romance to Ash, instead opting to just go with what he said to keep her sanity intact. The two decided now was the perfect time to leave the city and head to where the winds take them. They two were walking and just about to make their way out of town when Pikachu was grabbed and pulled into the sky.

"Hey!" Ash called out.

Leaf looked at Pikachu being taken away in shock. "What's going on?!"

Her only response was the sound of evil laughter.

"What's that? Is that the sound of a clueless new runt?" Jessie's voice asked.

"It appears so, right in front," James's voice responded.

"To protect the world from devastation," Jessie said.

"To unite-"

"Yeah yeah, I heard it a million times!" Ash yelled out, interrupting James. "Now give me back Pikachu."

"We ain't given you anything, especially after rudely interrupting our motto!" Meowth said.

"Mottos like such as ours are to be repeated whenever necessary, you uncultured brat!" Jessie spat, taking out a Pokéball and letting out the Pokémon inside. "Seviper come take care of this rat!"

"Seviper!" Sevpier said as it came out. James threw out a Pokeball afterward.

"Inkay, come keep the twerp at bay so we can get away!" He said.

"Inkay!" Inkay said as it joined Seviper.

"Bulbasaur, I choose you!" Ash called out as he threw his own Pokeball.

"Bulba, Bulbasaur!" The Pokemon said as it came out.

"Let me help you out Ash," Leaf said, throwing out her own Pokeball. "Venusaur, come on out!"

"Venusaur!" The bigger Pokemon said as it appeared next to Bulbasaur.

Ash turned to Leaf with a smile. "Venusaur, huh?"

Leaf looked at him with a smile of her own. "Yep. Bulbasaur was the one I picked on the first day of my journey."

"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu called out down to them.

"Don't worry, buddy, we'll get you out!" Ash said. "Bulbasaur use Vine Whip!"

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur sent a couple vine towards the two opposing Pokemon.

"Seviper, dodge those vines and use Sludge Boom!"

Seviper did as it was told, hitting Bulbasuar with Sludge Boom after dodging the vines.

"Now use bite!" Jessie commanded. Bulbasuar found itself bite on the head after that command.

"Bulbasaur!" Ash said.

"Inkay, take Venusaur out with tackle!" James commanded.

"Razor Leaf!" Leaf commanded as Inkay went towards her Venusaur.

"Saur!" Venusaur said, sending the leaves at Inkay, and hitting the Pokémon.

"Razor Leaf again, but this time on the net that has Pikachu!" Leaf said.

Venusaur sent its leaves up and cut the net and balloon, freeing Pikachu, much to the shock of Team Rocket. Ash ran as his partner fell and caught him.

"You alright, Pikachu?" Ash asked his partner.

"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu smiled at Ash.

"Alright Venusaur, now use Solar Beam!" Leaf commanded as she pointed at Seviper, Inkay, and Team Rocket

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded. "And Bulbasaur use Solar Beam!"

All three Pokemon did as they were told and sent their attacks at Team Rocket, causing them to scream and get thrown into the sky.

"I guess we underestimated the new twerp," James said.

"A plain old net, what were we thinking?!" Jessie yelled.

"Looks like it's back to square one of us," Meowth groaned.

"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" All three of them yelled as they went further into the sky

"Glad you're okay, buddy," Ash said, hugging Pikachu.

"Pikachu," Pikachu hugged Ash back.

Ash looked over at Leaf. "Thanks for the help."

"You don't have to thank me," Leaf smiled at him. "What are friends for."

"Ash?!" A voice could be heard. "Is that you?!l

"Hm?" Ash turns to where the voice came from and smiles when he sees who it belongs to. "Serena!"

"Ash!" Serena runs happily to her friend and hugs him.

"Well, well, well, I didn't expect to see you here, Ashy boy," Gary smirked, walking over to them.

"Gary?!" Leaf had a look of shock and happiness.

Gary, however, just had a lock of shock. "Leaf?!"

"Yep, it's me!" Leaf said, wrapping an arm around Ash. "I've been hanging out with our buddy Ash all day."

"No kidding?" Gary smiled. "Well, it's good to see you. It's been a long time."

"I haven't seen you since we got our first Pokémon," Leaf grinned. Her eyes then went wide as she realized something. "Hold on!" She turned to Ash. "Did you say Serena?!"

Ash nodded with a smile. "Yeah."

"I can't believe it!" Leaf took the time to look at the other girl. After a bit, she grinned. "It really is you!" She hugged Serena.

"Leaf!" Serena happily hugged her back. "This can't be real!"

"I take it you two know each other?" Gary asked the two girls.

"Don't you remember, Gare?" Leaf asked, releasing the hug with Serena. "She went to Summer Camp with us three when we were little."

Serena and Gary's eyes both went up and realization. They looked at each other. "So that's where I know you from!" They both said.

"It makes sense now," Serena said smiling. Gary nodded in agreement.

He then looked at Ash and Leaf. "So what were you two up to?"

"We were just headed out of town to start traveling together," Ash said.

When Ash said that, Serena had a bit of a disappointed look on her face. She remembered the last time they saw each other and how little they had with each other. She's really like to be with Ash this time.

"Can't you two stay a little longer?" Serena asked. "Maybe you could see the contest I'm competing in tomorrow."

"Contest?!" Leaf asked in excitement. She put a hand on Ash's shoulder and looked at him. "We have to stay and watch!"

"Sure," Ash nodded with a smile. "I love watching Serena perform."

At that, a tiny blush appeared on Serena's cheeks. Leaf noticed this and smirked.

The contest was the next day and Serena gave a heartfelt performance just like she always did. There were a lot of other could competitors but Serena came out as the winner. The four stood in front of the building when it was over.

"You were so great in there, Serena!" Leaf said. "I'm really glad you won!"

Serena smiled at her friend. "Thank you so much."

"So what are you gonna do next, Serena?" Ash asked.

Serena looked down, the blush appearing on her face again. "Actually, after yesterday, I was thinking, if it's not too much trouble," she looked up in the eyes. "If could travel with you again."

Ash looked a bit shocked at first, not expecting that, but a smile came on his face. "Of course."

"The famous Serena wants to travel with us?" Leaf smirked at her friend. "I wonder why." She then noticed Gary walking away. "Oh no you don't." She grabbed his shoulder.

"Huh?" Gary turned to her with a surprised look.

"The gang's back together," Leaf said. "Now that Serena's traveling with us, it wouldn't be the same without you."

"Yeah, come on Gary," Serena smiled at him. "It'll be sure."

"Yeah!" Ash agreed. "We never traveled together before. It'll be so cool."

"Pika," Pikachu agreed with a nod.

Gary just chuckled and closed his eyes. "If you insist, I guess I can travel with you for a bit." He heard the growl of Ash'a stomach just as he finished.

"Guess I need to travel to a place with some food first," Ash said sheepishly.

"Oh Ash," Serena laughed along with Leaf.

"Some things never change," Gary shook his head with a smile. "Come on, I know a place."

As the two boys began walking, the girls followed them.

"I'm so helping you with Ash," Leaf said to Serena.

"Huh?" Serena looked surprised as a bigger blush appeared.

Leaf grinned as she walked ahead of her.

"Hey wait!" Serena said, running to catch up.

And the gang has now reunited and are going to travel together. Maybe the Team Rocket battle could've been better and I could've shown more of the contest but I wanted to focus on the reunion between the gang. Next chapter starts the longer ones! I'll see you next time!