A golden trophy glistened in the crisp early autumn air, as Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town rejoiced in his triumph. He had finally done it. After all of those countless years of adventures, battles, tournaments, friends, Pokemon, hellos, goodbyes, Team Rocket blast offs, you name it! It all built up to this very moment. Ash grinned as wide as his mouth could stretch and held it high in the air like he'd just won the World Cup for Japan. He was officially a Pokemon Master now. Cameras snapped endless photographs and it felt like the whole world was clapping and cheering for him. He took a moment to absorb it all and simply just laughed in disbelief, before lowering the trophy down. As he did, a pair of arms affectionately reached over his shoulders and tackled him into an empathic hug.

'You did it! YOU DID IT! I'm so, SO proud of you, Ash!'

'Aww, I couldn't have done it without you, Rena!'

Serena giggled sweetly and released her grip on him. Serena always believed in Ash, but even she couldn't quite believe it. Not everyone won the Pokemon league after all, but she knew her Ash could always do it. She thought of going in for another hug and holding him longer, but thought better of it and decided to just admire her crush from afar, as he posed for his fans and basked in all the glory for as long as he could. All she could think about now was all the memories they had shared together from the very first day they met at the summer camp as kids, to their reuniting in Kalos, to now. Absolutely infatuated with this wonderful boy, now man, the whole way through.

Of course there was a big gap in between each stage though. Yet she remembered it all like it was yesterday. The day she parted ways with Ash, Clemont and Bonnie was the start of the rest of her life. She had a plethora of success in Hoenn and came so close to winning it all. She even met May and Max, who told her plenty of stories about Ash, which kept her going and inspired her to reach the highest of heights of her wildest dreams. Hoenn really made her the woman she is today and finally allowed Serena to discover herself fully. But she was still incomplete. She had moped about for days and felt lost after doing all she could in Hoenn. That was until she suddenly got a phone call at the Pokemon Center, from the person she wanted to be with the most. One phone call was all it took for reunion number two. Before they knew it, they were traveling again together, but just the two of them this time. He really picked her and her alone, out of all of the friends he had made in his life. Serena loved Clemont and Bonnie like a brother and sister, but she always wished she could have had more time with just Ash. And that's exactly what she got. She was there every step of the way, through Ash's latest and arguably, most important journey. And it resulted in this. Pure elation. Pure love…

Serena blushed as she stared down at the stadium floor and let Ash have his moment in the limelight. She slowly walked away, but then Ash suddenly came over and put his arm around her and used his other one to point at her, as if to say, she's the great woman behind him that made all this possible. Serena didn't know where to look and just shyly waved at the crowd and viewers watching at home. Ash lifted one last time and then exited the stage with Serena, hand in hand. Serena had finally gotten over the anxiety of grabbing his hand and they had been doing it frequently, without even thinking about it now.

'You know, this trophy is every bit yours as it is mine, Rena. You've been such an important part of my life these past few years. I really owe you a lot...'

The whole "Rena" nickname thing was a new thing, which only summed up the change in their relationship since Kalos. Ash had a point, but Serena just shook her head modestly.

'No, Ash. This is all you. I just gave you a helping hand, as all good friends do…'

'Well, there was a reason I called you before setting off on this particular journey… but anyway, I just want to thank you for everything. You truly bring the best out of me.'

'Aw, no need to thank me, Ash. I'll always be here for you, you know that.'

Ash nodded and Serena smiled back. They walked out of the stadium and found more photographers outside. They decided to take a detour to avoid them, and head back to the Pokemon Center they were staying at during the tournament. Ash was met by more applause as he entered. He could get used to this. But honestly, right now, he was exhausted and needed a lie down. He gave his Pokemon to Nurse Joy, including a heavily battle-scarred Pikachu and headed up to his room with Serena. They said "see you later" and were about to part ways to their respective rooms, when Serena suddenly started softly crying. Ash stopped immediately, with one foot in the door. His absolute favourite sound was Serena's laugh, but his heart didn't flutter at all at this. He slowly turned his head and saw a small tear trickling down her beautiful face. It was almost criminal for such a lovely face to be so sad.

Serena thought Ash had already gone in his room, and was taken aback when he gently placed a careful hand on her shoulder.

'Hey, what's wrong?'

'Oh, nothing. You go get some rest! Don't worry about me!'

Serena shielded her face away from Ash, not wanting him to see her like that and rushed into her room, trying to close the door behind her. But Ash was having none of it, not for a single second. He stopped the door from closing and followed Serena over to her bed. Serena sat by the window and quickly dried the tears off her face with her hands, while keeping her face firmly in the opposite direction of Ash's gaze.

'Just go, Ash. Ignore me. I'll be okay.'

'Now, I could never do that. I'm not leaving until you talk to me. Remember what you said to me after I lost to Wulfric, back in Kalos?'

'N-No?' sniffed Serena.

'Well, let me remind you. You said I could talk to you about anything. Absolutely anything. And now I say the same to you now. Me and You. We've been through too much to keep things to ourselves. I mean I was a bit of a dick that day and I recall getting whacked in the face by a few snowballs…'

Serena laughed a little. And there it was again. His favourite sound in the universe.

'A bit of a dick?!'

Ash laughed along too, something Serena had always loved too since day one.

'Alright, okay! I was well out of order that day… but c'mon. You know what I mean. Please, don't shut me out. You know I really care about you and hate seeing you like this.'

Serena sighed and admitted defeat. She didn't want Ash getting upset too, especially not on his big day.

'Alright. I'll talk.'

Ash smiled warmly and waited patiently until Serena was ready. After a few more sobs, she began to explain everything.

'You see… I'm over the moon for you right now. Nobody is prouder of you right now than me - except maybe your mum. It's just… just…'

Serena turned around and looked at him directly in his eyes.

'This is it now, isn't it?'

Ash looked genuinely confused and was completely oblivious to what Serena was currently feeling.

'What do you mean, this is it?'

'I mean it's gonna happen again, isn't it?'

'What? What's gonna happen again?'

Serena's eyes trailed down to their blue ribbon she always wore. Then she squeezed her hands together tight, maybe a little too tight.

'This is goodbye again. I can see it coming. Just like the last time.'

'Uh…' Ash began.

But no words came out. He truly didn't know what to say. Part of him knew it was coming too. This is what he had always done. Misty, Brock, May, Max, Dawn, Iris, Cilan, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie and now Serena again. He hadn't intentionally done it, but it was becoming a bad habit. He remained quiet so Serena spoke for him.

'You know, when I met May and Max, they told me how much they miss you and how hard it was to say goodbye… And they said how they've barely seen or heard from you since. I mean I always knew this day was coming again, but… I DON'T WANT IT!'

Ash was visibly surprised at Serena's sudden outburst. It was most unlike her. Ash always made her crazy though. He turned away and pondered on it. Usually he'd be dusting himself off after a shattering defeat, thinking about the next region and the next chapter in his life, towards his ultimate goal. But he'd achieved it all. He'd reached the final level. Game over. Finito. What was next? And was he really ready to say goodbye to Serena again? Just like that? After everything? He'd been so desperate to have her back by his side, it seemed foolish to let her go so easily again. Ash was notorious for not knowing how to express himself properly, and even more so about his feelings towards girls. It was no secret he had turned a few heads on his travels, but he had never even noticed once. The big difference here being though, he'd always noticed Serena and somehow wasn't entirely dense about the way she felt about him. They sat in silence for a while after Serena's heartfelt volcano erupted. And then it suddenly hit Ash. The solution was right in front of him. He wasn't always the brightest spark with pretty much anything that didn't involve Pokemon battles, but for the first time, something clicked in his head that made him think about Serena in a whole different light. Girls were a completely different kettle of fish to winning a Pokemon League, but Ash was 100% certain about what he was about to say next.

'Hey! No! I'll tell you what! This? This isn't goodbye. No. Not this time.' Serena looked back up at him and held on to his every word. 'This is just the beginning of more adventures! I have no idea what I'm going to do next, but one thing I am sure of is that I want you to stay with me. For as long as you'll have me that is...'

'Oh, Ash! Of course I'll stay with you! I just didn't want you to leave. That's all.'

'Well, I'm not going anywhere.'

'So, what's the plan from here then?'

Ash paused for a second and then it all just felt right.

'Come with me!' he suggested impulsively.

'Wh-what? Where?'

'Pallet Town of course! I was always going to return home whatever the outcome today. But with you? That would be so much better. I mean, you could even move there with me… for a bit… if you want. My mum wouldn't mind anyway.'

'Oh, Ash. I'd follow you anywhere. But that is such a big decision… I don't know if I could just give up my life and completely leave my mum behind like that…'

'No, I understand. Kalos is your home and Kanto is mine…' Ash grabbed Serenas's hand and she trembled ever so slightly. 'But just come back with me for a while at least, yeah? I want you to meet my mum and all my other Pokemon. And my old friends Misty and Brock too. Kanto could be your home too, you know.' Serena just stared blankly at him for a few seconds, just trying to process everything. Then she seemed to make her mind up and her whole face lit up like Lumiose Prism Tower at night.

'Okay! Yes! Let's do it, Ash!'

Ash became overcome with emotion and hugged her suddenly. Serena never complained about any opportunity to get close to her Ash, and this time was no different, even if it caught her off guard. The hug lasted a good few minutes, until they reluctantly prized themselves apart. However, they were still holding hands and only just realised. They both blushed. This felt like that part in a movie where they would inevitably give each other the eyes, close them and lean closer and closer until... Ash let go of her hands and leapt up from the bed. Serena disappointedly snapped her eyes back open and looked visibly distraught that she had got the wrong idea. At least she hadn't pursed out her lips yet and saved herself that embarrassment, she thought. Of course they had shared a kiss before, but it was more one-sided and funnily enough, it wasn't actually ever mentioned again. They both remembered it fondly, but Serena had never known how to bring it up and decided it was better not to. After all, it was bad enough she still felt like she was being friendzoned at times. But then other times, it felt like it was only a matter of time. Serena could never fully read how Ash really felt about her, but being his best friend right now, was the best she could hope for.

'Right, well! Let's leave tomorrow! As early as possible! I can't wait to get back home and show my trophy off to everybody!' He winked and said goodnight as he left.

Serena let out the most exasperated of breaths and rolled her eyes playfully.

'Damnit, Ash. You were supposed to kiss me there, you loveable idiot,' she mumbled to herself. 'Typical.'

She threw herself backwards onto the bed and said a few more choice words in French, to express her frustration, that she didn't currently have her tongue down Ash's throat. Even in the most intimate of moments, he still couldn't stop himself from being, well - Ash. Serena wondered if there was ever anything she could do to get him to just kiss her already. Being best friends was fine, but God did she want him. Really, really want him. She missed those lips from the first kiss and needed him to kiss her back if it ever happened again. Simply put, he was too hot for words and she was thirsty for him in every possible sense. Maybe she would have more luck in the next chapter of their story together…