[Vermilion City, Kanto Region]

Located in the South of the Kanto Region is Vermilion City, a place known as the "Port of Exquisite Sunsets". After all, it's near the south sea and his a home port for many ships, the city is also home to the Electric-type Gym run by Lt. Surge.

And of course the Cerise Laboratory. A research facility and a place where new trainers from Vermilion can get their starter pokemon from the Professor himself.

But again, enough exposition! Let's get onto what all of you came here for.

(A/N: Also i am just realizing all my fanfics made so far start and end in a location near a body of water, so i may have spoiled you readers already)

[Cerise Park]

Also located in the institute is Cerise Park, a habitat made for the lab's resident pokemon, and pokemon from other regions.

We now turn to Ash Ketchum, a 16-year old pokemon trainer from Pallet Town and a research fellow for the Cerise Laboratory, he is currently seen sitting on a bench taking a break from his morning lab duties just enjoying the scenery and pokemon interacting. As he was relaxing two thoughts were currently circling through his head.

The first one was his and Goh's adventure in Kalos a few days ago, from encountering one of the vines left from the Kalos Crisis, meeting Greninja again & Lucario getting stronger and reaching the same kind of bond he had with the ninja pokemon.

The other, his reunion with Serena.

"Why are you thinking about that? You said it yourself, fate will eventually make both of you meet again"

This is the one thought that was circling Ash's head, and needless to say; it's getting annoying. Ever since he told Goh & Chloe about his love life, they've been teasing him about it for about 2 and a half weeks now. Whenever one of them could bring it up, Ash would either end up in a daydream for a moment or be blushing. This was proven when Goh showed the recording of Serena's Lilycove performance.

[Ferry from Lilycove to Vermilion, 2 Weeks Ago]

After Ash confessed his history & relationship with Serena to Goh and Chloe (and being called dense by the two), Goh asked the raven-haired trainer if he was interested in seeing a recording of Serena's Lilycove performance. And his reaction, he almost fell over into the sea hearing that.

Goh & Chloe looked at each other thinking; 'this will be fun'.

After heading inside to the main lounge and watching through the entire performance. Chloe was the first to comment to the two by saying:

"When i saw it from backstage i was left in awe, she was amazing"

Goh was the next to comment, but not on Serena's performance, but hers.

"You were amazing too, you and Eevee really lit up the stage. Even though we weren't there i was cheering you on"

The two Vermilion natives turned looked to the right to ask Ash for his opinion (for context: Chloe was on the left, Goh in the middle, and Ash on the right). Ash was just frozen, staring at the image of Serena finishing her performance alongside Delphox, Pancham and Sylveon.

All he could think was: "I wish i was there in person, instead of being caught up in a battle"

Once you pour out your feelings, it'll be hard keeping them in. All the things Ash wanted to do when he had a second chance, he wanted to spend a day with her, just the two of them, no interruptions, as he was thinking of that, two voices were calling out to him.

"Goh to Ash, you in there?", Goh asked as he waved his left hand in front of Ash's face snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Oh- were you two saying anything?", he asked while the two were seeing a noticeable blush on this face.

"Quick question, were you thinking of just 'running up on stage and sweeping her off her feet'?", Goh asked him casually.

And ever since then, whenever the topic was brought up, the thought of Serena would stay fresh in his head.

[Ash's P.O.V]

I don't know if it's me, but i think i'm getting impatient. Sure i keep telling myself fate will make me and Serena meet up again, but i just wish it would happen sooner- Okay i am getting impatient! I think the more i think about her, the harder it'll be for me to hold my focus. If only i could pour my heart out to her right this minute.

I continue to enjoy the park atmosphere while i sort my thoughts out, i stayed there for about 5 minutes until i decided to head back inside. Being alone surrounded by pokemon is enough to help clear my head.

[Cerise Laboratory, Kitchen]

"Hey Ash"

"Hi Ash"

Goh and Chloe greeted me as i entered, both of them were looking at something on Goh's phone while i saw Pikachu eating with Grookey and Eevee then proceeded to sit down with the two.

"So what are you guys looking at?", i ask them.

"Just stuff, nothing interesting", Goh replied as he and Chloe looked back to what they were looking.

The three of them looked at each awkwardly and decided to mind their own business. For a moment, the three trainers said nothing, especially Ash. Since Goh and Chloe have been teasing him about Serena when the chance presents itself, they've basically been the reason why the honey-blonde coordinator has been occupying most of his thoughts as of late.

"Hey Ash, when is your promotion match against Raihan again?", Goh asks as he breaks the silence.

"In about 4 days, why?"

Goh and Chloe smirked at his answer and nodded at each other, Ash noticed this and was confused about their reaction.

"Uh, what's with that face? Is there something i should know about?", Ash asked in concern. Judging by their faces, he think he'll be pulled into something he won't enjoy.

Goh then proceeded to slide something from his and Chloe's side for Ash to see.

"Plane tickets to Lilycove?", Ash questioned as he looked back to Goh and Chloe who had smiles on their faces. "Okay, why are you guys smiling at me like that?"

"See for yourself", Chloe answered as she handed her phone to Ash to see. It was an article on Class Mode, a famous page for all news relating to Pokemon Contests.

May 2nd, 20XX

Happening today at Lilycove City's contest hall is the debut of a new idol duo called "Blooming Heart", composed of well-known contest idol Lisia & runner-up of last year's grand festival and rising coordinator, Serena.

And below that were quotes from an interview Serena and Lisia did confirming they were forming an idol duo along with their personal thoughts and opinions.

"An idol duo!?", Ash said as he looked up to Goh and Chloe.

"Did i also mention Serena gave me her number?", Chloe told him.

"Wait, Serena invited us!?", Ash asked as suddenly stood up startling the two and their pokemon.

"Not really, she just told me her and Lisia were debuting as an idol duo in 2 weeks", Chloe answered as she took back her phone.

"Since i remember you mentioning your match against Raihan is sometime later this month, we thought 'Hey, why not help you two tie the knot'", Goh explained. And once he finished, Ash was left there, speechless not knowing what to say.

"I-i d-don't know w-what to say? But doesn't Professor Cerise need us today?", Ash stuttered as he asked this.

"Last i checked, we're not needed for any field work today", Goh answered as he looked through his phone's calendar. "And my next trial mission isn't until next week"

"I don't know what to say you guys...", Ash said in disbelief as he stared down at the plane tickets below, sure this was a nice surprise plus this could be Arceus answering his desire to properly reunite with her.

"Goh, when you say 'tie the knot', you don't mean marriage, right?", Ash asked as he looked back to him and answered.

"Who knows, maybe you could finally have a chance to confess to her properly"

Ash then looked to Chloe and asked, "If Serena gave you her number, why didn't you say anything?"

"You never asked, plus i was busy with other things", Chloe simply answered.

"So when's our flight?", Ash asked as he got up to go grab his things.

"In an hour, so we better get going"

"Plus their debut is happening at 1 today"

Goh and Chloe answered him, plus Ash couldn't believe it, the second chance he wished for is actually happening, a lot of thoughts rushed through his head, like what should he say, how should he confess, does he need to get her a gift. Plus there were other thoughts like have Serena's feelings for him changed. He didn't think much of it, so he called for Pikachu and rushed to his and Goh's room to grab his stuff.

As Ash exited the kitchen with a smile on his face, Goh and Chloe looked to each other knowing they've done a good job.

"All according to plan...", Chloe said while Goh nodded, she then grabbed her phone and proceed to message someone.

Meanwhile in Hoenn, a familiar teal-haired idol was standing in her backyard doing some practice runs with a honey-blonde coordinator for their performance this afternoon. She grabbed her phone and looked up to find a message from Chloe.

Chloe: Wrapped up on our end, he took the bait

Lisia smirked while reading this saying to herself, "Just like we planned". She then looked back to Serena and called out from the other side of the yard, "Hey Serena, why don't we take a break for a bit!"