Thank you all so much for reading this new story! It's really motivating to see so many people enjoy what I write and I'm really glad to be back to writing Amourshipping!

The news of the anime retiring Ash was already rumoured when I started on this story, but now that it's confirmed it's still so hard to accept it really is gonna be over. It was time, I understand and agree, but the Pokémon anime has been a part of me for 23 years and the very reason I am who I am today.

Thank you Pokéani, for everything.

''Pi-ka?'' Ash's companion tilted its head and touched his trainer's cheek with its nose.

Ash jolted, coming back to reality after his thoughts had drifted off.

Grace had offered them a Rhydon to ride back to Lumiose City. Ash was told to leave it in Professor Sycamore's care so she could pick it up later.

Normally Ash would have been extremely excited to ride a Pokémon, but this one in particular had given him nothing else but flashbacks so far.

''It's okay, buddy,'' he said as he ruffled the hair on Pikachu's head. ''I just have a lot on my mind right now.''

He kept thinking about what Grace had told him. Processing it was all his brain could do right now. However, the Pokémon's questioning look left him no choice but to keep talking.

''Do you remember when Serena gave me my first racing lesson?'' he asked.

Pikachu nodded.

''It was with this very same Rhydon, I can feel it.''

The Pokémon beneath them rumbled with a low growl in agreement.

Ash smiled and petted his mount on the shoulder. ''I knew it... You gave me a rough time, rascal!''

He looked around and spotted the top of the Lumiose Tower over the treetops in the distance.

''I guess being here and talking to my old friends made me realise even more how I should really have come here sooner.''

He stared down at his saddle. ''I have been so busy with my own goals, that I kept postponing this and now it may be too late.''

Pikachu gave him a little push with his paw.

He laughed. ''I guess you're not used to seeing me so down, eh?''

''Pi.'' it agreed.

He ran his hands deep into his hair in frustration. ''I just should have kept track of social media better. How could I have missed that she was touring Sinnoh now?''

''Oh my,'' the professor said with wide open arms, ''it has been years! How are you, Ash?''

''It's good to see you, Professor!'' he let out as he firmly shook his hand and stepped inside the lab building.''What have you been up to?''

''Well, I'm still here as you can see,'' the professor laughed, ''though I have some help now from Alain.''

''He became a professor too? That's so awesome!''

''He works here most of the time, but travels to Hoenn every once in a while to help Steven in his research.''

Ash's eyes lit up. ''Is there any chance I can meet him today?''

''He isn't in Lumiose at the moment, if you want to meet him, he should have arrived in Anistar City by now.''

''Then I guess I know what my next destination will be,'' Ash grinned.

''Is that one of Grace's Rhyhorn?'' the professor asked as he pointed to the patiently waiting Pokémon behind him.

''Sure is!''

''How kind of her to lend him to you, his experience makes him a very reliable partner.''

He gestured Ash to make his way toward the lab's central garden. ''Take him with us. I'm sure Grace will pick him up when he has rested for a bit.''

They stepped into the garden and Ash took a deep breath to take in all the flower scents that came from the tropical plants all around them.

Dozens of Vivillions fluttered above them in all possible patterns. Fletchlings chirped around a water fountain and Froakies played games on the steps of the waterfall that started the little stream through the garden.

''Mairin!'' Augustine called, ''look who's here!''

A familiar redhead popped up from behind a bush.

Her face lit up. ''Ash!'' she dropped her watering can to run to him.

''Look at you!'' Ash said as he hugged her. ''You have grown just as tall as Bonnie!''

''Bonnie and I are best friends, we train our Pokémon together a lot,'' Mairin said, ''did you hear she's gonna be the next Lumiose Gym leader?''

''Yes, she told me yesterday!''

''I'm so jealous,'' she pouted, ''I want to be as strong as her too...''

Ash grabbed her shoulder. ''That's great! You need rivals, they make you aim to become stronger all the time!''

Mairin gave him a confused look. ''Even if your rival is your best friend?''

''That makes it even better,'' Ash stated. ''How about you aim to win the Voltage badge when she is the gym leader?''

She looked at him in disbelief. ''You really think I can do that?''

''Of course! What's life without some overambitious goals?''

He looked around and let his eyes rest on a sleeping Garchomp in a sandbath. They walked over to it and Ash gently petted the snoring landshark. There was no doubt this was the very same Garchomp that went berserk that fateful day all those years ago.

''How about borrowing Garchomp? He's strong and has an advantage over some of Bonnie's Pokémon. Though it's more fun to reach a goal with your own raised Pokémon of course.''

Mairin giggled. ''I don't think dad is gonna be okay with that. It's one of his pride and joys.''

''Dad?'' Now it was Ash's turn to be confused. ''Have I missed something?''

Augustine laughed. ''A lot can happen in ten years, Ash. Alain and Zinnia adopted Mairin as their daughter when they got married.''

Ash's jaw dropped. ''Wait, Alain got married?!''

''During his travels to Hoenn to work together with Steven, he met Zinnia; a dragon trainer with a lot of knowledge about Mega Evolution. She joined him and Steven in their research. They fell in love and got married a few years ago.''

''And I wasn't invited?'' he said in disbelief, visibly disappointed.

''It coincided with a World Championship,'' Mairin said, ''I guess we didn't reach out to not let you feel guilty for not being able to attend.''

''I see...''

''I'm sorry,'' Mairin said, ''we should at least have let you know, but we didn't want to disturb your preparations.''

''It's okay,'' he assured her, ''it's just that I can't believe how much time has passed. I have been focussing on my own goals so much, the world around me has changed so fast... There are so many things I have set aside to defend my title...''

Mairin exchanged looks with Augustine and they both knew.

''Ash?'' she asked.

''Hm?''

''You're here for Serena, aren't you?''