Before starting today's episode, I must say I had over four mini heart attacks while watching "Aria vs. Serena" XD. It was just too epic: Serena injured but saved by Sylveon, spectacular performances, arguments with Palermo, our favorite honey blonde sadly losing to Aria in the end, Miette teasing Serena again and even a night conversation with Ash! That was a complete day for everybody. Also, we can confirm Serena is still travelling with Ash & Co., at least until the Kalos League. After that, I have no idea what's going to happen, but after reading Route 3 you will have some hints and information.
About Route 3, it can be considered as my take on the XY&Z anime's final episode. Enjoy it and again, thank you so much for the support you are giving to this. You are awesome! :D
ROUTE 3: One last journey
The day after the discovery of love by Ash and Serena, the honey blonde haired girl felt the sensation of floating in the clouds. Since she rediscovered her feelings for the Pallet Town trainer, she had always dreamed of hugging him, kissing him and never leaving his side. Now that she had finally confessed her love and Ash had corresponded her, Serena was fully loaded with happiness. The Pokémon trainer, meanwhile, was still trying to process the flood of emotions that had overwhelmed him last night. He still couldn't believe the situation: he was in love with her childhood friend Serena, she felt the same for him and they both kissed. Actually, it was hard to assimilate. But he also felt intoxicated by happiness, so much so that the frustration of the League Finals loss was reduced.
Bonnie and Clemont were the first to notice that something drastic had changed in Ash. He had regained the mood and appetite that was normal for him, besides talking animatedly with his Pokémon. The Luminose City Gym leader could do nothing but smile, after seeing how from Glorio City to Victory Road his friend suffered an internal torment. He was the one who taught him to be more than just a gym leader, because he was able to demonstrate his skills and support his best friends, and he will always be grateful to him for that. Bonnie and Dedenne were also very happy to see Ash back to normal. Serena had achieved her goal, as with the Tripokalon, and the blonde couldn't be more joyful... but she had a question to ask:
"Guys... what do we do now?"
That question felt like a Snorlax thudding over the four of them. There was no doubt that the journey through the Kalos region had come to an end, the question was what ways would take each of them.
"I will go back to Pallet Town. I'm sure my mother and everyone there is preparing me a party for reaching the finals." Ash said with a smile on his face.
"Right now I don't have it clear..." Serena added, hesitantly. "Neither Palermo or Aria have called me to say what do I have to do now, so I could say I'm on vacation for the moment."
"My father called me this morning." Clemont said, with a serious look on his face. "Apparently the ClemBot needs some reparation, so I guess we will go back home."
That brought a grimace to the face of Bonnie and the rest of the group. The little girl looked down, sadly. She knew the end of their journey would come sooner or later, but now it was so close that nostalgia and the fear to farewell were chasing her.
"Come on guys, don't be so depressed. There is still time before the end of this adventure. We are still in the Pokémon League, and Coumarine City is a long pack of days away. I suggest we make that trip back together, without departing at halfway." Ash said, raising his fist to the sky.
Pikachu, who was with the other Pokémon alongside the trainers, did the same as the boy from Pallet Town, what followed expressions of support from their peers. All creatures agreed that there were still things to be done.
"Well, what do you propose then?" Serena asked, looking at him with a smile.
"Let's move back to Coumarine City all together, using the path that we used to get here, and let's review any aspect of Kalos we have passed unnoticed. And when we get to Coumarine... I will bid you farewell in a big way".
"That sounds perfect to me! Moreover, I don't want this to end yet... I'm very fond of all of you by now and before being called back to work I want to enjoy every single minute we got left..." the Kalos Queen added, especially looking at Bonnie with lots of affection.
The little blonde was about to respond to Serena, but a distant voice cut through the conversation.
"I finally found you, Ash Ketchum!"
Clemont and Bonnie turned around while Ash and Serena already had their view fixed on the person approaching them. It was a man around 25, redheaded, long wavy hair; his eyes were blue and he wore an elegant gray suit with a black tie. It was Maylon, the new Kalos Champion, pursued by some journalists. Ash quickly got up from the table and went to talk to the champion.
"Sorry for what happened yesterday, Maylon, I completely forgot the post-battle and the podium and everything else..." Ash said apologetically.
"It's okay, kid. I understand why you went to the locker room so fast. Neither had I expected the end of that match yesterday... I was lucky, because your Pikachu would have destroyed me completely." Maylon admitted, scratching his neck.
"Well, fate wanted me to lose 24 hours ago... But rest assured that the next time will be different." The Pallet Town trainer said, extending his right hand.
Maylon had a determination smile on his face, as if accepting Ash's challenge, and shook hands vigorously, while the journalists were photographing them. These, at the same time, began asking the raven haired boy all final-related questions:
"Mr. Ketchum, yesterday you disappeared right at the end of the battle, where did you go?"
"Are you disappointed with your Pikachu or you think it was just a passing error?"
"What are your future plans?"
Ash had to be patient and answer all questions from the reporters, while his friends watched the scene a few meters away. Serena was the one closer to the movements of her beloved, she didn't take her eye off him. And Bonnie realized this, so she decided to have a little bit of fun with her.
"Hey, Serena, what happened with Ash last night? You haven't told us anything yet..." The blonde said with a mischievous smile and nudging her.
Immediately, the Queen's face got all red and nerves began running over her body. In fact, she hadn't thought yet how to tell Clemont and Bonnie that she finally confessed to Ash. And truth be told, Ash hadn't even asked her to be his girlfriend, he only corresponded her feelings. All these doubts assailed the honey blonde's head, when suddenly a loud screech sent her back to reality:
"Serena, wake up!"
It was Bonnie, who shouted a really loud scream throughout her ear. The young performer almost fell to the ground in shock, but she could keep her bottom on her seat.
"Serena, you answer me or not?" The girl insisted, despite her brother's attempts to make her behave.
"Nothing happened! I mean… nothing out of ordinary. He simply apologized for losing in the finals and failing us, but I assured him that although he was not the champion we are still very proud of him, am I right?" Serena made up, without mentioning the stadium incident or the subsequent confession.
"Of course!" Clemont said. "He has been the glue that kept all of us together, even in the most difficult moments..."
"You are so right, Clemont..." The Queen said, with a smile on her lips.
Meanwhile, journalists had stopped harassing both Pokémon trainers and Ash was standing only with Maylon. Both came to the table, the champion with a camera in hand.
"Come on guys. Get up, Maylon will take a picture of all of us." The raven haired boy explained.
"Huh? What is this about, Ash?" Clemont asked, rising out of the blue.
"Let me guess..." Serena told. "You want to have a photo of the group in the Pokémon League to remember, right?"
"You got it!" Ash exclaimed, winking and making the girl blush. "Whenever I finish a Pokémon League I get a photo with my friends, and Kalos will not be an exception."
"What surprises me is that it is the Kalos Champion who takes the picture to us..." Bonnie mouthed with a puzzled look.
"It's not that strange..." Maylon said, letting out a small nervous laugh. "Before I became a full time Pokémon trainer, I was an amateur photographer and I still have some skills with the camera."
After this clarification, the four came together to be portrayed by Maylon. But before the redhead could take the snapshot, Pikachu and Serena's Pancham began to tinker with their trainers. The electric mouse climbed into his friend's shoulder and took off his cap, while Pancham did the same with the honey blonde's hat. Both Pokémon began to circle around Clemont and Bonnie, trying to get their trainers a little dizzy. In the end, and after a few failed attempts, Ash and Serena decided to take the photo without cap and hat, respectively. Pikachu and Pancham also posed for the picture, maybe that's why they wanted to wear something original in their heads. Thus, the four young men and the two Pokémon posed for Maylon, who took the photo without any problems. The image was very good, with the blond brothers grinning from ear to ear and the pair of childhood friends in the center: very close together, bumping cheek to cheek and their Pokémon on their respective shoulders.
After bidding farewell to Maylon, Ash and his friends began the trip back to Coumarine City, the final stop of the Pallet Town boy in Kalos. Having already completed both the Pokémon League and the Master Class, there were no nerves and tension that somehow could be reflected on Ash and Serena. This trip was for relaxation, discovery and to enjoy the region together one last time. The ride wasn't going to be fast, it would take at least a week by walk before reaching Coumarine, and they had already planned several stops to rest, either camping or sleeping in a Pokémon Center. Indeed, it was two days after beginning the return trip, in Santalune City's Pokémon Center that Serena received a call from Palermo, the manager to the Kalos Queen. The Vaniville Town girl had to give explanations to her assistant about the trip she was doing with her friends. Palermo, after a long sigh, accepted that her new protégée left without telling her first, but warned her about not getting into any mess and told her about her next event as Queen:
"In about two weeks or so begins the Annual Parade of Pokémon Performers. It is an exhibition tour throughout the region, as if it was a parade. And you obviously are going to be the main star, Your Majesty."
Serena nodded decisively and with a smile on her face. Having participated in the protocol events of the Pokémon League, this would be her first major act as Kalos Queen. The first event of her new life, having already fulfilled the dream of being the best Pokémon performer. A dream that probably would have never come true if it wasn't for Ash and co., something that made her return to her thoughts of sadness for the departure of her beloved. Palermo saw through Serena's expression through the screen, she knew that the Queen couldn't stop thinking about that trainer, and that part of her victory in Glorio City was thanks to the support of the boy. So, with a smile that was rarely seen on her, the gray-haired woman said:
"And, if you're interested, you can take with you a companion. It can be any person you want: your mother, a friend, maybe a boyfriend..."
The mere mention of the word boyfriend made Serena's face turn as red as Magmar. What did Palermo mean by that? Did she know that she and Ash were in love? Or simply it was one of her acid jokes? In any case, that gave the girl a unique opportunity: that Ash could accompany her during her tour.
It was not until the next night, camped in a forest halfway of Luminose City, that Serena had the opportunity to propose it to Ash. In addition, she had to clarify another matter after her confession with the raven haired: their relationship. In the Kalos League hotel, no mention was made of the fact of going out together as a couple. So it was time to put the record straight. Bonnie and Clemont were already sleeping together in a tent, while Serena was awake, leaning against a tree, waiting for Ash to come out. She had asked him to wake up at midnight to talk to him about an important issue. At the agreed time, the Pallet Town trainer left his tent and approached his hidden love, who was dressed in a pink pajamas.
"Well, I'm here and awake, what did you want to tell me?"
"Well... Palermo called me last night." She started. "She was a little angry for leaving with you without warning, but when she knew the reason there was no problem. The important thing is that in a few weeks I start a tour with all of the Pokémon Performers in the region. And she has given me the opportunity to invite someone to accompany me, either my mother, a friend or... my boyfriend."
Both Ash and Serena blushed furiously hearing that word. The Kanto native didn't realized he hadn't talked with his partner about being a couple or anything, his experience in love matters was below zero.
"That just made me think..." Serena continued. "That you didn't ask me to go out with you, neither had I the idea of asking you if you wanted to be my boyfriend..."
"You see…" Ash tried to explain. "I don't understand a lot of stuff about love, and it cost me a lot to discover that I was in love with you, then just imagine about this..."
"I know... But it's the best way to demonstrate that we are a union, although I'm on one side of the world and you are in the other... and that's because I hate that you have to go back Kanto..." The Kalos Queen said, hugging Ash tightly. "Palermo has given us an opportunity to avoid a making the same mistake we did at Vermilion Harbor and Glorio City.
"What... what do you mean?" Ash asked, blushing and a little confused "Do you want me to stay in Kalos, not coming back to Kanto?"
Serena smiled slightly, before giving him a peck on the left cheek.
"No, silly." She replied, very affectionately. "I know you want to go home, you miss your mother and your friends, and it's obvious that they do too. You said it yourself, they must be preparing a party in your honor. I don't want to separate you from them... But I propose you something."
Serena paused for a moment to take a breath and continued, still staring Ash's eyes.
"One day before the parade begins, take a ferry and come back to Kalos. Since Palermo had the idea, I want you to accompany me during the tour. So we can be together and you can see me in action. Think of it as a paid vacation, because you will live the Kalos Queen's way of life...
And Serena winked. Ash looked thoughtful for a moment, before grinning from ear to ear.
"That idea sounds great. I would only have to wait a week before seeing you again."
"Exactly! But of course, Palermo said that it had to be either a friend or my boyfriend..." She said, messing a little with him.
The boy blushed after seeing his best friend giggle. It was clear that she wanted him to ask the question at that precise moment. His hands began to tremble and he had a hard trying to look at Serena's eyes. Getting to the idea that there was another possible solution, Ash sighed deeply and prepared himself.
"Well, if that's what I need to do, here I come... Serena?"
"Y-yes?" The girl muttered. She had been invaded by the nerves when she realized what was actually about to happen.
"W-wi... will y-you... you b-be m-my-my...?" Ash inhaled and exhaled to calm down, before asking the question relaxed and solemnly. "Serena, will you be my girlfriend?"
Although she had clear both the question and the answer the emotion of the moment left Serena locked and with a slightly goofy face. A few seconds later, her joy exploded.
"Yes, yes and yes a million times, Ash!" She cried, throwing herself onto her boyfriend to kiss him passionately.
Ash almost fell down because of Serena's enthusiasm, but he was able to maintain the balance by a whisker and kissed her back. The passionate moment was cut short when Clemont and Bonnie's tent began to move. The happy couple stood shocked in place of fear, but in the end it turned out to be a blip. Neither the zipper opened nor any of their Pokémon woke up. Ash and Serena were relieved after that unexpected moment.
"Phew, that was close... I thought they caught us." The Queen mouthed, moving her hand to her chest.
"Which makes me think... When will we tell Clemont and Bonnie about this?" I don't think it's a good idea to hide it from them..." Ash said, looking at the Luminose brothers' tent.
"We'll tell them at Coumarine City, don't worry. They are our friends and I'm sure they will give us all their support..."
A few days later, the quartet arrived to Luminose City to make a stop at Clemont's Gym. In addition to talking to his father about his trip through Kalos, the blonde scientist had time to make a first diagnosis on what had happened to ClemBot. Nobody understood his explanation full of technicalities, but the conclusion was that it was a serious malfunction and it would take a long time to fix it. Bonnie simply gave full support to his elder brother, which increased Clemont's self-esteem. After leaving the father of the blonde brothers, the group continued to finally arrive, three days later, to their final destination: Coumarine City. In total they had taken eight days to travel from the Pokémon League to there. The nostalgia of that place filled Serena's soul: that's where her career as a Pokémon Performer began, albeit a little rough and ended with her radical new look. It was also the place where she had her first "date" with Ash, recalling the time he gave her the blue ribbon bearing so close to her heart. It was his last day with his inseparable friends, so Ash and company spared no expense to spend together an unforgettable day: they again walked in front of the Pledging Tree, ate again those delicious Vanillite shaped ice creams, had lunch together in a good restaurant, went shopping... in short, they squeezed every second left together.
The ferry that was carrying Ash back to Kanto would sail during the sunset, and as the moment approached, Bonnie's face was taking a pretty serious expression. The little girl had never experienced the feeling of saying goodbye to a friend with whom she had shared such a long time. Serena realized it, and as they approached the harbor, she explained to her friends about the Pokémon Performers Parade in which she would take part. That illuminated the face of the little blonde girl completely.
"Will we be able to see you? I would be really happy!" She exclaimed.
"I see it a little complicated, Palermo is very strict... But we'll see what trick the Queen can pull from her sleeve." Serena said, winking at Bonnie.
Finally, the group arrived at Coumarine City's harbor. There was only one boat around the pier and it was, coincidences of life, the Santa Lonia ferry. The same that took Serena to the Kalos region ten years ago and that would take Ash back to his native region. When they were near the passenger's line, Serena stood in the midst of Ash, stopping him and the rest immediately.
"Guys..." She began, in a very sweet voice. "Ash and I have something very important to tell you..."
And she quickly hugged to her boyfriend's left arm, causing him to blush and also caused the look of surprise on both Clemont and Bonnie.
"No... Don't tell me..." The little blonde tried pronouncing, but she was so shocked that it was hard to talk.
"Yes, Ash and I are dating." Serena confirmed, very flustered.
The little blonde girl started bouncing like crazy and cheered while her brother didn't know what to say. The news hit him in a huge way, since both had been unable to resolve the loving tension that accompanied them during their journey.
"Yippee yay! I knew it! I knew you'd end up being a couple! You have no idea how happy I am for you!" Bonnie was still screaming, tightly hugging her Dedenne.
"I struggled a bit more than I expected... But in the end the wait has been worth it." The Kalos Queen said, while Ash surprised her with a kiss on her cheek.
She gave pecked him back roguishly, and they began to tinker a bit, while Bonnie's eyes bulged of emotion and Clemont laughed with them.
"It's clear that both of you make a great couple. Congratulations, guys." The gym leader said, with a very sincere smile.
"Thank you, Clemont. You don't know how glad I am that you and your sister bear us your support. Now if you'll excuse me, I must talk about more serious issues." The Kanto native replied.
Serena broke off Ash's arm and stood beside Bonnie, while Clemont fit his glasses. Ash glanced at his inseparable Pikachu before clearing his throat and start a little speech.
"Serena, Clemont, Bonnie... I must say this has been one of the best journeys I've ever done in life. We have lived countless adventures and we've overcome a lot of obstacles together. And now that the trip comes to an end you can't even imagine how much I appreciate it. When I started this adventure, I never thought I could feel so close to you all, but I really consider you my second family. A family that has lived difficult moments, farewells, reunions and discoveries. But after all, and this is what matters most... a family that I love with all my heart and which I will miss terribly."
The four felt a lump around their chest while Ash delivered his speech. Clemont's face showed a lot of seriousness, while Serena and specially Bonnie were on the verge of tears.
"Ash..." Clemont muttered. "You've taught me to be much more than a gym leader. You've helped me become a better friend and even better brother and I shared with you an infinite number of adventures that I will remember with the best of my smiles. And now I find it very difficult to say goodbye to you, after everything we've been through..."
The Pallet Town trainer strongly shook hands with Clemont as he gave him a little hug.
"I'm going to miss you, Clemont. It will be hard to live without your incredible inventions." He slightly chuckled.
This raised the spirits of the Luminose City boy and made him smile. When they broke their brotherhood embrace, Bonnie pulled from her purse a small package wrapped in gift paper and handed it to Ash.
He-here... It's a parting gift as a memory of our journey through Kalos..." The little blonde whispered, a little embarrassed.
Ash, Serena and Clemont stood somewhat surprised by the gesture of the little girl, as she usually was crazier and foul-mouthed than tender and timid, as it was demonstrated in this occasion. Very carefully, the raven haired unwrapped the gift to find something that left him speechless. It was the picture taken before leaving the Pokémon League, but surrounded by a beautiful wooden frame. In the back of the frame, there was a folded and taped paper.
"It's the photo that we took in the league along with some drawings..." She explained. "Ash, I wanted to thank you for the journey that we have done here at Kalos. It was the first time I went outside Luminose City for an adventure, and it has been the best experience of my life. I may not be so close to you as Serena or with my brother, but you've helped me a lot and I've had a great time seeing you battle. It is as if I had two older brothers and a sister for almost a year, and thanks to you I discovered my dream: to be a Pokémon Trainer. I-I hope... I hope... you will re-remember us with... a-aff-affection..."
As she was talking, Bonnie's voice started cracking and her eyes began to fill with tears.
"Bonnie..." Serena whispered, surprised and moved by the girl's reaction.
Dedenne tried to encourage her trainer, but the blonde girl was stuck because of her nerves. Ash knelt to her height, and spread his arms for a hug. It took less than two seconds for Bonnie to bury her head into Ash's chest and deeply cry her lungs out. Clemont was shocked by the reaction of his little sister. Rarely did she show this very sensitive and emotional side, but having to say goodbye to Ash had hit her extremely hard.
"Of course, Bonnie... Like I've said, you are like my second family, and with you I've experienced something similar to having a little sister." The Pallet Town native said, stroking her hair gently.
Bonnie tried to calm down a little and dry her tears, because it was not plan to make a big pout out of it. The blonde smiled to Ash and thanked him for cheering her up. Then, she returned to her brother's side Clemont and hugged his leg, while the boy comforted her. Then, Ash put his eyes into Serena's eyes, his girlfriend's eyes. The honey blonde haired girl took a couple of steps forward and gave him a beautiful smile.
"Well... What can I say you don't know already?" She asked, blushing. "I want to thank you wholeheartedly for the adventure we lived, and thanks to you I could fulfill the two dreams that pursued: to become Kalos Queen and to see you one more time..."
Serena pounced on Ash and gave him a big hug. The raven haired around responded squeezing her body with his arms and moving his hand along her back.
"Serena, certainly this has been an unforgettable journey... And it will feel like an eternity to me to wait till the Performers parade starts..." He said.
The Queen of Kalos gave a small laugh before kissing her partner's cheek.
"Come on, silly... it's just a week, time will fly away so fast..."
"Yes, a week and we will her back together..." Ash whispered, with a tender sigh.
Both lovers looked into each other's eyes, and slowly moved closer to take a deep kiss on the lips, the last before Ash left.
"Take care. I love you." Serena said, laying her head on Ash's shoulder.
"You take care as well, Serena. And I love you too." Ash replied, pressing his body against the honey blonde.
And with that emotional embrace between the happy couple, Ash Ketchum put an end to his odyssey on the Kalos region. It had been months of hard work, triumphs and defeats; although that work was not fulfilled in the Pokémon League, it was the spark that started a love relationship with his childhood friend, and a strong bond with two brothers who he almost considered as his family. As the ship sailed towards Kanto, Ash had time to remove his right glove and say goodbye to his friends showing the bracelet Serena him. The Pokémon Performer and the Luminose brothers strongly waved their arms to say goodbye to Ash, some with a sincere smile on his face, others with tears in her cheeks, like Bonnie. Serena didn't cry, because she knew that this was not a goodbye forever, but a simple "see you soon" and that in a week she would have the body of her beloved in her arms as they toured together through Kalos with the luxury and the spectacle of the Performers Parade. They might even visit Clemont and Bonnie in Luminose City and meet to do something together again.
But little did they know that those plans would never happen.
Normally I'm not very good with cliffhangers or creating hype, but that last sentence leaves the door open to many possibilities... :P
As I have said before, now it's time to comment on several things about the anime. First of all, we know how the "ClemBride" looks in the next XY&Z episode, to be aired on April 7. Serena appears in the previews (for our relief), but TV Tokyo has also released the titles of the other episodes that will air during April. They are as follows:
April 14: Serena Becomes Ash! The Ultimate Pikachu Showdown!
April 21: Ash and Alan! Greninja VS Mega Charizard Once Again!
April 28: The Forest's Curse and the White Phantump!
The first of the three smells like Amourshipping from really far away XD. There's a rock singer boy with a Pikachu interested in Serena… okay then. Let's pray this is the episode Ash defends Serena and finally realizes, for God he's too dense. With the second I'm already seeing Pokéfans getting abroad the hype train. The first battle between Ash and Alain was epic, and I hope this is as well. And little I can say about the third, apart from the appearance of a white Phantump, ie shiny.
Also, Serebii confirmed last Saturday that on April 3rd (coincidentally, the same day as WrestleMania 32) at the Pokénchi TV show, Junichi Masuda will reveal the first footage of Pokémon Sun and Moon. I could say that this starts the "life-support" countdown for Amourshipping, as they could reveal the main male and specially female character for the game (which is usually the one who appears in the anime). Anyway, let's just hope Serena stays with Ash for a long time, for the sake of the series, the fans and the ratings, even though the games have a different female main character.
With this I say goodbye to you until next Monday, where you will be able to read Route 4, know why Ash and Serena's plan will not happen and know about that Sun and Moon footage... Until then, take care! ;)