HELLO! For some summer fun I've decided to explore another ship in the Pokemon Anime franchise. I've really enjoyed writing those SatoSere fanfics for you all, AmourShipping is the first on my top three Pokemon ships. This next ship is sending on my top three, SatoHaru! Yes, Ash and May are part of my top three with third ship being SatoKari. This timeline plays post Kalos League, if Ash had won the battle between him and Alien.

I do not own the characters or places mentioned in this fanfic. They are all in the creative rights of Satoshi Tajiri and Co. Any songs or literary references mentioned are owned my their designated artists or writers.

Kalos Region

Lumios City

Third Person

Lumios City was buzzing with festivities as the current League Champion was crowned. Ash Ketchum had finally reached his goal! The final didn't go without any major struggles for the young trainer from Palette Town as his opponent's Pokemon were as touch as ever! However, the combined efforts of Pikachu and then Greninja secured their victory over Alain and his Mega Charizard X.

"Pika! Pikapi!" Says an overjoyed Pikachu jumping on his trainer for the cuddle.

Ash grinned hugging his best friend and starter, "Pikachu! We finally did it! We finally won a league!"

"And was a spectacular win it was indeed! A marvelous final battle between two rivals." Complements Professor Sycamore with a bright smile at the young trainer.

Alain shook his hand a wide grin on his face, "The Professor is right Ash! That was one of the greatest battles I've ever had."

Clemont patted shi shoulder, "Well done Ash! You've done it for sure, that battle was awe inspiring."

He felt two small arms come around his torso, "Yet! I knew you could do it Ash! That last battle with Greninja was Awesome!"

Ash smiled at the younger blonde Lumios sibling patting her head. He saw his third raveling companion the honey blonde girl from Vanderville Town. She had soft smiles on her face, her eyes shinning in happiness. His mind flashed to the moment in Coumarine when she had confessed her feelings for him on the docks.

FLASHBACK

Coumarine City

Upon her current lose in her first showcase a young blonde haired girl sat on the docks feel utterly horrible. She felt as if she a failed herself, her Pokemon, her mother, and her friends. She had heard footsteps approaching her from behind, she turned to see the boy she had been pining for since they were children.

"Oh. Hey Ash." She says quietly sniffing.

Ash looked her sadly. He never wanted to see his friends down trodden over their shortcomings, "Oh, Serena. It isn't your fault you know."

This scene reminded him of his lose back in Hoenn, it had been his fifth gym battle and he felt as if he hadn't done enough to win it, as if he had failed everyone around him, especially a particular burnette Coordinator. His heart constricted as he though of May. But he knew he'd see the Hoenn girl again one day.

"How would you know how I feel about this Ash?!" Says Serena her voice getting higher in her anguish.

He placed a hand on her shoulder causing her to turn towards him, "I know this feeling better then anyone Serena. I've suffered it during each of my journeys, I've lost count on how many times I've spiraled off when I lost a gum battle or a league conference back then. Just when I thought I could do it I fell short! But I've learned from those times, every mistake I've made I've used to become better in battle and as a trainer. Instant success is not the best way to learn in a journey Serena."

The honey blonde girl looked at Ash, he was right. She had admired him since they were children, she loved his adventurous spirit and upbeat attitude. She came up to him and hugged him, he returned her embraced rubbing her back soothingly.

"You know, it's funny how you were the one who comforted me back in that camp and you've done the same now." Serena tells him pulling away show him her soft smile.

He smiled back. He thought back to something he had noticed about his female companion. Her nervousness around him, her stuttering and occasional hesitation to engage any physical contact with him. She would often give him soft longing expressions throughout their travels, he had known since Laverre of her feeling for him. He saw the hints, but he acted as if he didn't know, though he felt flattered that she had these feelings for him he knew that he didn't return them for he already had someone on his mind and in his heart.

Serena felt her feelings for him grow, she sensed that he at least had an inkling of how she felt for him but there was something stoping him from addressing his suspensions towards them. She had seen him in certain parts of their journey taking out half of a pale pink ribbon from his pocket and looking on it with a far away stare, the first time he had done this they had been in route ten. She had resigned herself that he might have feelings for the person whom he shared the ribbon with, she saw as he smiled fondly and reverently to the ribbon as if he had been reminiscing a particular memory. She had smiled sadly as she left him to relive his past travels.

She heard Ash speak breaking the silence, "Serena, since meeting you again I've realized that this journey was going to be different. Throughout our time together I've noticed how you would act around me, how your would overtly worry when I got hurt. Your occasional skittishness around me, the way you look at me in longing..."

"Yes, I like you Ash. I've had these feelings for you since we were kids." She finally admitted her long held crush.

Ash couldn't help but smile at this, "You know when I first found out about it, I was surprised that I hadn't noticed earlier on. But then again I've been called dense more then a couple of times. But..."

She placed a finger upon his lips, knowing what he about to say. Then she breathes in deeply before giving him a sad smile.

"I know you don't return my feelings Ash. I've known since our time in route ten, when I saw you by the river looking at the half of that pale pink ribbon." Serena tells him.

His eyes widened at this as he took out the momento to show it her, "I'm sorry Serena. I don't want to hurt you, but I have to be honest. The girl I share this ribbon with means the world to me, I would go to hell and back for her."

"Would you mind sharing how you and her got this ribbon?" She asked curiously.

Ash smiled indulgently, "Yes. Of course."

And there they sat, Ash sharing his story of how he and May had both reached the finals of the Terracotta contest and their epic tie in the battle. Serena listened with awe that someone had tied with Ash in a battle back in his earlier days as a trainer. She has heard of May Maple, and was surprised that Ash had been the one to mentor her throughout his journey through Hoenn. Once Ash finished they stood up and dusted their bottoms.

"Thank you for sharing that amazing story. I can't believe you knew the Princess of Hoenn and have never told us about it." Serena says smiling at him.

He chuckled and shrugged his shoulder, "Yeah well, one of these days I'll share all of my adventures with you all."

"We'd love to hear all of your previous adventures Ash! And don't worry about me okay, I've known for awhile now. May is a lucky girl." Serena whispers kissing his cheek.

He chuckles, "I know it'll take time Serena. But I hope we can still be friends."

"Well, I am glad the you were honest enough to admit your feelings and not lead me on. It shows that you are trustworthy to keep hold of a girl's heart, but I already knew that the moment we met Ash. Of course we'll stay friends!" She tells him.

They hug once more before heading back into the Pokemon Center to rest. Both were glad to have cleared the air about their feelings and begin a new path in their ever strengthening friendship.

End of Flashback

It was a slow process but both Ash and Serena got over the hurdle with their bond becoming stronger then ever, while Serena still held feelings of admiration for Ash she now regarded him as her slightly goofy brother. They along with the Lumios siblings became a family during the later part of their travels. They lent on each other for support and encouragement every step of the way.

"I bet she's proud of you as well Ash!" Serena says happily ruffling Ash's hair.

Ash grinned, "I sure hope so! I was doing it for her after all."

"Ah, young love so sweet and delicate." Says and elderly voice from behind the group.

Ash's eyes lit up, "Professor Oak! Mom! Gary!"

They all approached to greet him, his mom cam first and gave him one of her parented bone crushers, Samuel came next hugging him gently, and Gary patted his back proudly.

The younger Oak grinned saying, "Six regions and you finally win a league great work Ashy-boy. But then again I knew you would win after you beat me in Jonto."

"Now Gary, it was only a matter of time and maturation on Ash's part. From his past experiences he has grown and learned to be the best trainer he can be." Says Samuel patting his grandson on the shoulder.

Ash just chuckled, "I am glad you're all here! And these are my friends, Clemont, Bonnie , and Serena."

The introductions made, the group oved a long to a private dining room. There were plenty of guests including the Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and the Champion Diantha. A few of the various Champions and elites of the other regions also came to celebrate. Cynthia came up to the group and smiled at the young League Champion.

"Hello Ash! Congratulations on your League win! I knew from the moment we first met in Sinnoh that you'd succeed in your dream eventually. And from what Diantha has told me you've grown leaps and bounds on the battle field. Seeing it for myself though, I am glad to have met a trainer like you." Says the Sinnoh champion smiling at him.

He scratched his head smiling nervously, "Hay Cynthia! Thank you for your support. But all the credit really goes out to my Pokemon."

"I knew he'd say that." Say another voice from the crowd, everyone looked to see a girl with blue hair and eyes approach them.

Ash shook his head and smiled greeting her, "Hey Dawn! Glad to see you here."

"Of course I'd be here dummy. I wouldn't miss your league final for the world! Oh and Iris and Cilan are here too, kinda lost them though." She says giving him a tight hug.

Ash laughed, "I'm pretty sure they'll find their way here sooner or later. Besides the party hasn't started yet, the others should be here in moments."

Dawn and Serena struck up a conversation and instantly bonded with each other! They had similar tastes in fashion and Performance. Ash couldn't help but smile as they spoke about Contests and Showcases.

Ash then placed a hand on Dawn's shoulder and smiled, "Congratulations on your Contest win by the way! I was able to watch the video online, you were great out there. The Prodigy of Sinnoh."

Dawn beamed hugging him again, "Thanks Ash! It was so gartifying to finally get the Ribbon cup. My run in Jonto may not have been perfect but it helped me grow a lot."

Serena saw the bond between Dawn and Ash and smiled as it was similar to what she and Ash had during the latter half of their journey. Then she saw Ash tense lightly as he and Dawn broke their hug, she saw Dawn smile at his actions.

The honey blonde teen spoke, " What is is Ash?"

"She's here." Was all he said much to the confusion of Clemont, Bonnie, Sycamore, and Alien.

But Delia, Samuel, Gary, Dawn, Cynthia, and Serena knew who he was talking about. The one girl who held he heart for the longest time.

"Ash!" A voice said as a young lady with brown hair and eyes that shone like Sapphires emerged from the bustling crowd.

May Maple had missed the raven haired trainer for the last two years. And after finding out he had made it to the finals of the Kalos League her and her family had booked a trip to the far away region to watch him. Norman and Caroline smiled as they saw their daughter take fast strides to the man of her dreams both happy to see the young man who had taken care of their little girl as she journeyed with him through Hoenn and Kanto.

Ash just opened his arms as she approached him ready to receive her affection. She smiled and threw herself into his arms snuggling into his warm embrace.

He whispered his greeting into her ear softly, "Hey May."

And cut! So what do you all think? My first AdvancedShipping story. The interaction between Ash and Serena was a thought the occurred to me as I was imagining a scenario when Ash would reject her due to his hidden feelings for May. Both Ash and May had been pining for each other after the Wallace Cup in Sinnoh, though niether have confessed their feelings for the other both knew or at least suspected that they returned the other's feelings. Their distance mad their hearts grow to love the other more as time wore on.

Playing to the Advanced Shippers out there! I am thinking of what song to use for the next chapter that will show their affection for each other. Alright then until next time!

Signing off,

WL_17