Winter, 2004.

Love is when their joy is also yours.

"You said we're almost there, right…?" Ash asked, as he was led by two hands through the streets of Lumiose. With his cap pulled down to cover his eyes, he was blind to the world, as Serena pulled him along by his left hand, and Dawn by his right.

"Now, Ash. You know it pays to be patient!" Serena lectured cheerily, winking not at Ash, but at Pikachu, who was currently perched on her shoulder.

"If you want to find out so bad, c'mon! Let's hurry up!" Dawn goaded, taking up a brisker pace.

Where exactly was this trio, plus one mouse, headed? Well, that much was a secret; one they hadn't even told Pikachu, lest he spill the beans. All that Ash was allowed to know was that Dawn and Serena had something 'wonderful' to surprise him with, and they assured that it couldn't wait!

So much for 'it pays to be patient,' but Serena couldn't have their favorite trainer tripping over his own feet. A lot of good that did, though, when Dawn pulled them along, around a corner onto a cobblestone path, passing through an open, wired gate, and up to the entrance of a large building.

The group stopped in front of large double doors. Dawn and Serena looked at each other, and grinned. They couldn't wait to see the look on his face. Their own hearts were already pounding in anticipation. They'd been bouncing on their heels, since they'd gotten a certain call, this morning.

"Piiika-chu!" Pikachu rallied them, pointing forth! Ash wasn't the only impatient one!

That was their cue to push the double doors open in tandem, and to step into the wide, spacious interior lobby ahead. Royal blue walls framed the interior, and large bookshelves lined the walls. A red carpet led up to a staircase, splitting into two higher flights… but, it would be remiss to ignore that this lobby was occupied. Quite occupied, at that!

Pikachu slapped his paws over his mouth, gasping in disbelief.

"...Hey. We stopped," Ash pointed out. "Is it okay for me to see, now?"

"It looks like it's about that time," Serena chirped. "Don't you think, Dawn?"

"I'm right there with you, Serena!" Dawn grinned, and reached to hold the brim of Ash's cap.

"One…!"

Serena did the same. "Two…!"

"Three!" The two young women lifted Ash's cap, at once.

"Sycamore's Lab…?" Ash's eyes widened. "And Professor Sycamore!"

"Bonjour, Ash!" The tall, handsome, messy-haired man greeted Ash gleefully, raising a hand. "It's wonderful to see you. And you too, Pikachu! But, I'm not the one you should be paying attention to!"

"Huh?" Ash blinked, before deciding to take better scope of his surroundings. Behind the Professor, he spotted another familiar face, along with one not-so-familiar one. "Alain!" Ash beamed, running up to the young man. "Aw, it's great to see you!" He offered a hand to his rival, who clasped it in his.

"It's great to see you as well, Ash." Alain smiled softly, giving Ash's hand a firm grip. Though he looked a bit weary, Ash noticed. His face was showing some stubble, and dark circles hung under his eyes. "But, I'm afraid you're still off the mark."

"Oh… You're not the surprise, then?" Ash asked, eyes widening. "I was starting to wonder. Erm…"

His attention drifted to the other accompanying Alain; an olive-skinned woman with raven hair, chopped haphazardly and secured in a tie,striking red eyes, and long gray cloak hanging off her shoulders. Despite her short stature, she was somehow quite intimidating. But, surely she wasn't why Dawn and Serena had brought him here? Who even was she!?

"Tehehe!" The mysterious woman snickered behind her hand, cutting an amused grin at Alain. "You weren't kidding about this guy, Alain. He's something else. Hey, uh, Ash, right?" She smirked, poking her index finger in his direction. "You may want to just look behind you."

"Behind me?" Ash echoed. Meanwhile, the duo who'd led him here watched a purple shadow emerge behind him, spawning a very familiar figure. Said figure lightly tapped him on the shoulder.

Ash had been separated from him for a little while, certainly. But, the light they saw in Ash's eyes told them everything they needed to know about that bond. How quickly he turned. How his lip was quivering, the moment he laid eyes on the Pokémon before him. The swiftness with which he hugged him.

"Greninja…!"

The way Greninja nearly stumbled backwards with the force his trainer had thrown at him.

Serena felt Pikachu's weight leave her shoulder to join in on the hug. His squeals of happiness were a key element of the symphony playing out before them. She linked her fingers with Dawn. She dared to tear her eyes away from the reunion for a moment to meet the Sinnohan's.

Both of them grinned so hard it hurt. And somehow, they grinned a little more, at a few magic words.

"Thank you… Everyone. Thank you!"