The next morning, Serena awoke to music quietly playing on her bedside radio. Serena couldn't help but smile, remembering where she was going today and who with. She turned over to her clock and saw it was 9am. She liked a bit of a lay in whenever she could get it and assumed Ash was already up for a morning run or something. She stretched and yawned and sat up, rubbing her gooey eyes open. She figured she should start getting ready soon, but she was feeling lazy and remained in bed for a while. That was until she heard a rhythmic knock on her door. She knew that knock. She got up and put on her dressing gown.

'Hurry up, Rena! I've got something to tell you!' cried an excited Ash, behind the door.

Serena quickly opened the door, to see a fully dressed Ash and a much better-looking Pikachu, re-taking his usual spot on his shoulders.

'Morning, Ash! Morning, Pikachu! You look so much better now, Pikachu!' she said, stroking him behind the ear.

Pikachu always loved the way Serena petted him and returned a chirp of approval back to her.

'Yeah, Pikachu really gave it his all yesterday. You were amazing, buddy.'

Ash ruffled his hair and Pikachu gave Ash an affectionate nuzzle.

'Right! Hurry up and get ready, please! My mum's waiting to talk to us on the phone. Oh! And I've got us tickets for a flight at 3pm! But there's no time to waste!' Ash was about to dart off, when Serena quickly interjected.

'Wait! How did you get tickets so fast?' Her right eyebrow rose in curiosity.

'Oh, well truth be told, I got them weeks ago. I meant to ask you to come earlier actually, but I didn't know how to, until last night. And I was kinda hoping you'd just come back with me anyway…' Ash laughed nervously.

'Well it's a good thing I said yes then and you didn't ask me last minute!' chuckled Serena.

'Uh, yeah. But I wouldn't have left it THAT late!'

Ash scratched his nose and shifted his eyes down, which is exactly what he did when he didn't want to admit something. And Serena knew that all too well. He totally would have asked her at the airport in typical Ash fashion… Still. It was cute, she thought.

'But anyway! Come on! Tout suite! As you French say!' said Ash, in a terrible attempt at a French accent.

'Okay, okay, okay! I'll be down soon!'

Serena giggled. She always found it cute when he tried to speak French. Ash grinned and dashed back downstairs. Serena smiled back and duly obliged and started getting ready. Traveling with Ash was always a wild roller coaster and you never had any idea what was coming next. Luckily, Serena was very used to it by now and just found his excited puppy dog routine for adventure, funny and adorable. Clemont definitely never really saw it that way when they were all traveling together, but Serena always felt energised whenever she saw Ash like that. And she was looking forward to talking to his mum again. They only talked briefly on the video call before she left Ash in Kalos. It wouldn't be too long until they actually met in person now. The woman behind how remarkable Ash was. Serena became giddy and rushed into her en-suite bathroom to shower. As she was in it, she sung along to the song currently playing outside:

Why can't you hold me in the street?

Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor?

I wish that it could be like that

Why can't it be like that?

'Cause I'm yours

Why can't I say that I'm in love?

I wanna shout it from the rooftops

I wish that it could be like that

Why can't it be like that?

'Cause I'm yours

Serena may have been getting ahead of herself, as she hummed the rest of the song and started to let her imagination get the better of her. She had to quickly remind herself that she'd only been invited to Pallet Town and that didn't necessarily mean Ash wanted to be with her. She hated not knowing exactly where she stood with him, but always came to the conclusion that staying with him for as long as possible was better than parting ways again.

Some time later, Serena was now finishing the last touches on her outfit and attached that special blue ribbon again. She checked it was straight in the mirror and when she was satisfied, she clutched it tight and sighed dreamily. She still remembered the day Ash gave it to her as a present, after their first (sort of) date. He probably didn't see it like that at the time and may not see it like that now either, but Serena liked to pretend it was. The ribbon meant a lot to her regardless and she never went anywhere without it. It was a symbol of love and hope. Serena looked at herself one last time in the mirror and then nodded. She was ready. Downstairs, Ash was getting impatient and wondered what was keeping Serena.

'Why do girls take so long getting ready?' he muttered to himself.

'Hey! Sorry to keep you waiting! Is your mum still there?' Ash beamed at her.

'No worries! Yeah, she's waiting for us now. But she has to go soon.'

'Okay, well let's quickly go and say hello then!' They walked over to the screen Delia was on.

'Hello, Serena! So lovely to finally see you again, darling! I hear my Ashy owes you a lot for his victory… I've already told him how proud I am.'

'Uh, I guess you could say that, yeah.' Serena nervously played with her hair. 'Honestly, I just gave him an extra push. That's it. Ash did the rest by himself. He's a really strong trainer.'

'Aw, well Ash did say you were incredibly modest about it all! But I would just like to say thank you for looking after him for me for the last few years. My Ashy has made a lot of friends on his travels, but never anyone like you. He talks about you a lot you know! And I have to say, you are a very pleasant young lady.'

Ash scraped his shoe on the floor and lowered his hat down, to hide his face. Serena looked over at him and blushed a deep crimson red. She had no idea Ash had been talking to his mum about her all this time.

'Oh, really? Well, I'm really flattered, Mrs. Ketchum.'

'Please, call me Delia.'

'Oh, okay. Sure. Thank you for your kind words, Delia.'

'You're welcome, Serena. Now, Ash. You had something you wanted to ask me?' Ash nodded. 'Well, make it quick please, honey. I've got to meet Professor Oak soon.'

Ash tipped his hat back up and faced the screen.

'Uh, yeah. So, I know this is short notice, mum… but... I'm gonna make my way home soon and I'm actually bringing Rena with me… if that's alright?'

Delia looked a little surprised at first but quickly nodded in approval.

'Of course it's alright! I think it's about time I met Serena, after all!'

'Yeah it is. Thanks, mum. But I was also wondering if she could maybe stay for a little bit too?'

'Oh, right. Well this really is short notice!' Delia laughed. 'But any friend of yours is always welcome! I'll make up a guest room when I get back.'

'Thank you so much, Delia!' chimed in Serena.

'No problem. I look forward to meeting you later!'

And with that, they ended the call and waved goodbye.

'Your mum is so kind, Ash. I see where you get it from now,' admired Serena.

'Aw, yeah. Mum's always been like that. Thanks, Rena. I just hope you'll like Pallet Town when we get there.'

'Don't worry, Ash. I'm sure I will.' She winked at him. 'So, what are we doing while we wait for our flight?' Serena smirked at him, half expecting what he was going to do next.

'Ah, now! That's a surprise!' said Ash excitedly.

Then he suddenly grabbed Serena's hand and rushed her off her feet and took her outside. Serena held on to her hat. She knew they would be running off somewhere in a flash and she loved it when he suddenly took her with him. She remembered what life was like before she met Ash again in Kalos. All she would do everyday was Rhyhorn training and other unfulfilling things that got her absolutely nowhere in life. But the day she saw Ash risking his life for his Pokemon on TV, was the day that all changed. It was crazy how different she was now when she looked back on it. Delia said Ash owed her a lot, but it was more like the other way round. In short, Ash spiced up her life in more ways than one and perhaps the spicing up wasn't done yet.

Serena had no idea where Ash was taking her, but didn't care one bit. She just watched as his unruly hair blew in the wind. It felt like slow motion as he looked back at her smiling that silly goofy expression of his, he always got when he was over-excited. She had always fancied him and his stupid handsome face, more than it was probably normal to fancy someone. But she had to face the reality that it was unequivocally more than a crush now. She had fallen hard for him a long time ago. Maybe now it was time to bite the bullet and finally confess, she thought. If he wasn't so unbelievably dense, maybe he would have gotten the message the day she kissed him. Or maybe he didn't like her at all that way. Either way, Serena just needed to pluck up the courage and spell it out to him. One day at least…

After one last hurrah around the city, including lots of sightseeing and delicious food, Ash and Serena suddenly found themselves leaving it all behind. A whole two years together alone in this region. And now it was time to lock all the memories away and end this significant passage of their lives for good. Never an easy thing, especially when they had so much fun and achieved so much here. Yet, they had already checked out of the Pokemon Center and had all their luggage ready and packed at the airport check in. The clock was ticking ever closer to 3pm, as everyone rushed about in every direction. The intercom suddenly came on and an announcement came through.

'The 3pm flight to Kanto is now ready to board. Please have your tickets ready and have a safe flight.'

'Well, this is it. Here we go,' said Ash. 'Are you 100% sure you want to do this? I know you miss your mum…' Serena nodded in understanding.

'Yeah, I do miss her. A lot. But if I'm being honest, there's nothing left for me back in Kalos. Except her of course and maybe Clemont and Bonnie. But they have their own lives now. Besides, I hear Kanto has a few Pokemon Showcases and Contests starting up that I might be interested in. So, maybe that's where I'm meant to be next.' She smiled at Ash and he gave her a reassuring one back. 'Besides, my mum can always come and visit and I can still go and see her anytime.'

'Okay, so you've definitely made up your mind then? No going back now, right?'

'No. No, going back.'

'Onwards then?' Serena looked back outside. And then to the boarding gate ahead of them. And then back at Ash.

'Yes. To the future…'

Ash held out his hand and Serena gave him hers. He squeezed her hand and then they walked through the boarding gate together.