The Paldea Saga: Treasures and Trials

by Pocketbook

Tired of the burden of fame, Ash Ketchum, Monarch of the World, decides to disappear into a whole new adventure in the far-away land of Paldea. Eager to participate in the region's famous "Treasure Hunt," Ash must first attend Scarlet Academy and its rigorous Battle School, where he'll meet trials a plenty alongside new friends and rivals...and old flames. SatoSere.

32. Chapter 32: Heart to Heart

Hey guys! Sorry, this took longer than expected, but I was dealing with a bit of an online situation that almost made me not even want to return to any of this. Eesh. Anyway, I want to address something right off the bat: A few of you have been asking about where the explicit amour fic on AO3 Life With You is and I indeed took it down literally due to an awkward situation. I do hope to repost with enhanced parameters regarding commenting and whatnot maybe next year when things blow over. In the meantime, I apologize that it had to go.

In other news, I've decided to continue Paldea—so business as usual! I love hearing from everyone (user or guest) on this fic, so I'm not going to change anything in regards to commenting.

Anyway, we head into chapter two of our Pallet Town arc. We're really location hopping now, so I've started to add location stamps to keep everything straight, just FYI.

While we have some more plot development, there's also more amourshipping, as always, and Romance Goblin (my alter ego handling all of the romance sections of the fic LOL) may have tried to get a little carried away. Sorry for that, but hopefully I've reigned her in for the time being. XD Don't be mad at me, though! One day I will truly set her free.

Anyway, more notes at the end, but as alway—enjoy! And thank you for all the support.

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Chapter 32: Heart to Heart

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Scarlet Academy, Mesagoza, Paldea

Gary Oak suppressed a groan as he rifled through the documents spread across the large conference table, his fingers moving carefully over faded blueprints, coded notes, and sketches that spanned decades of research from various organizations. Clavell had organized a few key papers at the top of the stack—Cyllene Project reports, Silph Co. blueprints, summaries from the Aether Foundation, and energy studies from Galar Energy Syndicate. This was not how Gary imagined spending his day; he'd come back from a long trek on Glaseado Mountain just to restock supplies. But when Larry called him up to Scarlet Academy to "look at something crazy," he didn't hesitate. The researcher figured he could look for Ash while he was on campus to tell both him and the businessman about his strange encounter with the hooded trainer…

Beside Gary, Clemont leaned over the table, eyes narrowed as he traced Turo's scrawl on a research summary with a finger. "See here," he said, tapping the page. "Turo is making connections between different regions. Each seems to have its own unique energy source—Ultra Wormholes in Alola, Dynamax energy in Galar, even Mega Evolution Stones in Kalos. But Turo writes here… 'all draw from the same vein of energy, something deep and universal.'" Clemont looked at Clavell with raised brows. "That's… interesting."

At Clavell's suggestion, the Kalosian had joined the gathering to see if he could help piece together clues about Turo's work, as well as anything that might reveal Geeta's potential involvement

"Why is that interesting?" Larry, trying to pretend that looking at all this scientific jargon didn't frustrate him as much as it did. He felt like they were hitting a dead end…At first, he was interested to see if any of the books and papers they had taken from the cabinet had had anything on the Explorers, but he found nothing he didn't already know about the group. Now, with all the science talk, he was losing patience. He'd called Gary in the hopes of getting some clarity on Turo's connection to Tera Industries, or at least some hint that this research might have broader implications.

Gary, meanwhile, seemed to be growing tenser, his eyes darting over Turo's annotations and the overwhelming mass of data. He clenched his jaw, feeling an uneasy shiver crawl up his spine. "It's interesting," he said, glancing up from the pages, "because whatever Turo was working on, it may have had to do with tapping into some huge amount of energy or even recreating it…" He trailed off, lost in the implications of what he was reading.

He trailed off a moment, glancing over his notes: Detailed logs on the creation of artificial habitats from the Aether Foundation that could mimic conditions like those in Area Zero. Notes on Ultra Beasts and their biological adaptations, which might relate to how Paradox Pokémon or Terastallization function in Paldea. From Silph Co—research on how to safely contain and channel Pokémon energy in battle, focusing on Silph Co.'s experiments in harnessing rare energy forms. There were even blueprints of failed and successful attempts to create energy-harnessing devices similar to the Tera Orb. And then theories from the Cyllene Project suggested that Dynamax energy stemmed from ancient forces within the earth's core…Even Galar Energy reports on how Galar's energy mines were able to tap into a subterranean energy source. Here Turo wrote the question "comparable to the Tera Crystals in Paldea?"

Finally, Gary flipped to recent International Energy Consortium's findings—papers co-authored by Professor Cerise and even his grandfather, Professor Oak, alongside scientists from around the world. These papers analyzed energy forms that could be harnessed from Pokémon or natural forces, particularly those in Sinnoh, Alola, and Kalos. They detailed interactions between regional energy fields and landscapes, how they influenced Pokémon behavior, and even weather patterns. A case study compared Sinnoh's Legendary Pokémon with powers over time and space, drawing possible connections to similar energy sources in other regions. In the margin of one page, Turo's hurried scrawl stood out: "Can we create artificial energy sources to mimic Tera Crystals?"

Larry, watching Gary with intense interest, picked up another document from the pile. His dark eyes flashed as he scanned the page, then snapped a few pictures with his Rotom Phone before sliding the papers over to Gary. "Wait, look at this," he said, his voice quieter, almost as if he was beginning to understand the weight of what they were uncovering.

"Sinnoh Ruins Research Documents: SR-09745-B," Gary mumbled aloud. His viridian eyes darted over the dense lines of text, scanning the contents more closely. His face tightened as he absorbed the document's revelations.

Clavell, who had been engrossed in the worn, violet-bound book nestled protectively in his lap, finally looked up. He noticed the subtle shift in Gary's posture, the tension in his jaw. "Yes?" he prompted, concern breaking through his normally composed tone.

Gary suddenly felt like he'd rather be dealing with that crazy trainer on the mountain than draw assumptions from this. But the document contained obscure research findings from Sinnoh's studies of the Spear Pillar and the legends surrounding Dialga, Palkia, and Arceus. There were investigations into the time-space distortions caused by the legendaries; studies on the Hall of Origin and its connection to other mythical locations in the Pokémon world.

One line in particular made Gary's stomach twist. It spoke of "certain places acting as conduits for primal energy"—and in the margin, Turo's handwriting had scrawled a single, unmistakable phrase: "Area Zero."

He read on, his pulse quickening. There were references to ancient relics said to manipulate energy, and theories that some of these relics might even open pathways to different dimensions.

"Well, damn," Larry mumbled, having read the documents simultaneously.

Gary's thoughts exactly.

Both men looked at Clavell and Clemont, who quickly took the documents to look over themselves. The two men exchanged a glance that was almost conspiratorial. There was a flicker of understanding between them that caught Gary off guard—how much had these two already pieced together on their own?

Losing his patience a little, Gary rubbed his temple. "Director… It seems like this mad professor of yours didn't just think each region's energy was a fragment of something bigger. He was trying to find a way to tap into that universal energy—to force open a door between our world and… something else."

Larry's frown deepened—something he hadn't thought possible—and his gaze drifted back to the pictures now on his phone. "Please tell me he wasn't successful…"

Clemont shifted uneasily, his eyes darting to Clavell as though seeking permission to speak. But Clavell remained silent, his gaze fixed downward at the violet book resting on his lap. His fingers traced the worn edges of the cover, and a heaviness settled over him. When he finally spoke, his words fell like a weight onto the table.

"We have reason to believe that Turo created a time machine—or perhaps a portal to another dimension—through which he has pulled Paradox Pokémon into our world."

There was a heavy silence as the words sank in. Gary's face paled, and his usually confident expression faltered. "A time machine?" he whispered, disbelief coloring his tone.

Larry's eyes widened, a rare expression of shock crossing his face. "And you're saying he actually got it to work?" Cursing, he ran a hand through his cropped hair. "And you know this how?" he demanded.

Clavell leaned back, his countenance grim. "When I worked under Turo, managing the filing and copying of his research, I made my own copies of some of his early work out of personal interest. Recently, I discovered that one of these copies was a prototype for a machine that resembled a containment unit for Terastallization but appeared far more intricate. Turo was attempting to find a way to bend Terastal energy, to channel it in ways we're only beginning to understand.""

Clemont cleared his throat, his tone more somber than usual. "We've also recently learned from Arven—Turo's son—that the professor was responsible for bringing Koraidon into our dimension. If that's true, it's almost certain Miraidon came through the same machine. But we're not entirely sure how many Paradox Pokémon have crossed over using the portal."

Larry shook his head, turning to Clavell with a hint of dread in his eyes. "So, all these Paradox Pokémon we're seeing pop up… it's because of this machine?"

Clavell took a steadying breath and outlined his pointed beard with two fingers. "Not necessarily. Paradox Pokémon have appeared in the crater since the time of Heath, but they would vanish as mysteriously as they arrived. However, they never breached the crater itself…until now. And there seems to be more of them than ever, so it's possible the machine may still be active or…"

Gary's voice was a near growl. "Or it's ripped a hole in time and space?! Arceus…" He did not sign up for this…but he really should have known he'd be heading into some world-ending crisis with Ash around…

Before the silence settled too deeply, Clemont's excitement broke through. He pushed his glasses up his nose, seemingly growing oblivious to the tension in the room. "Clavell and I have been conducting experiments to understand how Turo's machine might have worked. If we can fill in the missing pieces within the blueprint, we might be able to shut it down or…" he hesitated, "potentially cause a cataclysmic catastrophe that blends multiple dimensions into one."

Clavell nodded, more gravely. "Our main hope is to reverse the damage that has already been done."

Larry scoffed. "Great. Loving these options."

Gary, gathering himself, asked, "And? What have you found?"

"Ah, well, you see," Clemont, eager to explain, lifted a finger. "We first wanted to see how raw Terastal energy functions—especially in containment. The energy's volatile, incredibly difficult to manage. We've tried everything to safely extract and stabilize it outside of its natural environment, but…" He shook his head, frustrated. "Turo's designs suggest he had a workaround, a stabilizer, but we haven't figured it out yet. All we know is that the energy reacts to certain… catalysts."

"Indeed," Clavell sighed, "The Tera energy certainly had a peculiar reaction when Ash touched it."

"Of course it did," Gary muttered. "Really, he's probably radioactive after everything he's been through."

Larry looked between them, his eyes narrowing. "So you're saying this machine could actually work as a gateway? Meaning things can pass back and forth between dimensions?"

Clemont nodded, a grin spreading despite the gravity of the situation. "Yes! Which is incredible in theory. But also… extremely dangerous if used incorrectly."

Larry's gaze darkened. "And I have a feeling that's exactly how it would be used if it fell into the wrong hands. And there aren't many 'right' hands I'd trust with it."

After a moment of silence, Larry looked directly at Clavell. "Do you think Tera Industries is involved in this? They practically have a monopoly on Tera Orbs and everything related to Tera Energy."

Clavell looked resigned. "I don't know. The prototype I have was drawn up long before the company existed. But if they are involved, it might explain a great deal. And I suspect Geeta may have thought the same, which could be why she took the Violet Book from Turo's possession."

Gary's gaze shifted to the worn, purple book in Clavell's hands, his brow furrowing. "The Violet Book?"

Clavell nodded, tracing his finger along the brittle edges. "This book, alongside the Scarlet Book, are the only known records of Heath's expedition to the Great Crater. It contains firsthand accounts of the strange energies and creatures he encountered. If Geeta took it, she must have suspected that Turo's knowledge could be dangerous."

Clemont nodded, his face becoming serious again. "Maybe this book will give us more insight into the conditions in Area Zero and how they could have affected Turo's machine."

"But why?" Gary shook his head in frustration. "What could Turo possibly want with a time portal? Where the heck would it all lead?"

Larry muttered, thinking aloud. "It's more dangerous to think about why others would want it…" His mind drifted to the Explorers, suspecting they had their own agendas.

Clavell sighed, his voice tinged with resignation. "Turo was fascinated by ancient lore. From a scientific perspective, he was entranced by the idea of Pokémon from other ages. Maybe it was just curiosity, an obsession with studying these enigmas."

Clemont's expression turned somber as he adjusted his glasses, looking down at the notes in his hand. "But then," he said softly, "something went horribly wrong."

Gary scoffed, crossing his arms. "Not surprising when you're holding holes open in time and space," he muttered, shaking his head.

Larry abruptly stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. "I have some calls to make," he announced, pulling out his Rotom Phone.

Clavell's head snapped up, his face going pale. "This information cannot leave this room!" he warned, a note of desperation in his usually calm voice.

Larry held up a placating hand. "Relax. I agree," he replied, his tone even, though his gaze held a steely resolve. "The more people know, the more we risk Tera Industries catching wind of all of this—if they don't already know." His eyes flicked toward Gary, an unspoken warning flashing between them. "But either way, we can't have Navarro find out what we know. I don't want to think about what might happen to us. Geeta's missing, and now I think it has something to do with her own sniffing around."

He tapped rapidly on his Rotom phone, his fingers moving with purpose. Clemont raised an eyebrow. "Then… who are you calling?" he asked, watching Larry.

"Officer Jenny," the business man replied bluntly. "I think it's time to officially file a missing persons report for La Primera."

Clavell's face paled further. "You don't think…" He trailed off, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.

Larry didn't look up from his phone. "I don't know," he replied, his voice quieter but no less firm. "But look, I don't have time to explain it all right now. We're not just dealing with a corporate giant that has way too much money for its own good. There are secret societies in play here, each with their own agendas. Odds are, someone knows exactly what Turo was up to—and not only do they want a piece of the pie, but they're not interested in sharing it." He cast a meaningful look around the room, his gaze settling on each of them. "If they find out we know what was going on in that Crater, they'll make sure we don't get in their way."

Gary rubbed his face with both hands, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Great, great, great. I love being on hit lists. Really, it's my favorite thing."

Larry rolled his eyes, putting his phone back into his pocket. "No need to be dramatic."

Clemont snorted. "Says the guy talking about secret societies and calling the police."

Larry shrugged. "Trust me, I don't have a dramatic bone in my body."

Clavell opened his mouth, perhaps to disagree, but he seemed to think better of it and let the matter drop.

Gary turned to Clemont, an exasperated look crossing his face. "Hey, where's Ash, by the way? I need to talk to him—don't worry, it's not about this," he added quickly, catching Clavell's wary expression. He paused, then looked at Larry, deciding this was as good a time as any to share. "Actually, while we're on the topic of insane things, I ran into the Miraidon up on Glaseado. But someone else was after it…" Gary launched into the story, summarizing the encounter. "I don't know who they are," he finished, "but I'm going to need some help if I'm going to figure this out."

Larry rubbed his face, looking exhausted. "Okay," he muttered, "maybe we should all be dramatic. Especially if we've got enigmatic hooded figures chasing Paradox Pokémon now."

The businessman pinched the bridge of his nose and continued, "I would help, as you know, but I really shouldn't risk being seen with you since you're technically my spy…"

Gary nodded, "That's why I was going to ask Ash. Not only am I confident he can handle this, but it would help his own credibility with Navarro." Though, the researcher was a little torn by the idea of involving his best friend with the CEO any more than he had to.

"And Ash is in Pallet Town with Serena," Clemont grimaced, adjusting his glasses. "But they should be back by the end of the week for her first contest."

Gary's eye twitched. "Ash is on vacation with his girlfriend? In our hometown? And he didn't tell me?" He let out an exaggerated sigh. "Wow."

Clavell, clasping his hands behind his back, spoke in a low, foreboding tone. "Perhaps it is good he allows himself time to relax for now, as much awaits him upon his return."

Larry frowned, crossing his arms. "We're going to be asking a lot of this kid, aren't we?"

Clavell nodded gravely. "If La Primera truly is missing against her will, then we must rely on the Monarch. Not only has he proven himself an incredibly strong trainer, but he is our only connection to the other Champions. Surely, they will realize the urgency and intervene."

Larry sighed, his skepticism apparent. "We're a pretty private region, you know. And unfortunately, Geeta wasn't exactly eager to get outsiders involved in our issues."

Clemont shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the men. "Pardon, but I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news in a situation that is already…tenuous, but if Professor Turo's machine has done damage to the time-space continuum, then there will be adverse effects felt across the regions…"

Clavell turned sharply, narrowing his eyes. "What are you implying?"

Gary groaned, immediately understanding Clemont's point. "Way to throw a damper on things that already suck," he muttered. "Basically, our resident nerd is saying that all the other Champions are probably going to be dealing with their own regional crises soon enough. Turo tampered with an ancient energy source that's thought to be connected to… well, everything. If that's true, and he disrupted it…"

Clemont nodded, straightening up, his voice taking on a more serious tone as he thought aloud. "Think of it like a domino effect or a ripple in a still pond. This primal energy—if it's truly at the core of every regional phenomenon—may act as a kind of stabilizer for reality. Disturbing it in one place, like with Turo's machine, would send a ripple out through the rest of it. Time, space, nature, and even Pokémon behaviors could begin to alter or react strangely across other regions. It could create imbalances we've never even imagined."

He looked around the room, his face grim. "And if those ripples hit something fragile enough, it might just break."

Larry, his face hardening as he absorbed the information, shook his head. "Translation…" he looked at Clavell, "We're on our own."

---

Pallet Town, Kanto

Delia's Pallet House was packed. Every table seemed to be filled, and the muffled voices of customers spilled out from the open windows as Ash and Serena approached just as night fell over the town.

"Wow, it's slammed in there," Ash murmured, rubbing his rumbling stomach. He had been looking forward to a quiet dinner, but now…

"We should help," Serena said immediately, her eyes scanning the busy restaurant. She was already moving toward the front entrance before Ash could protest.

"But… Mom has Mimey…" Ash trailed off, glancing down at Pikachu, who mirrored his reluctance.

Serena turned back and gave him a playful smile, grabbing his arm. "We'll eat faster if we help. C'mon!"

Ash groaned lightly, but when Serena tugged on his arm, he knew he couldn't say no. "Alright, alright, I'm coming."

Inside, the restaurant was a whirlwind of movement and noise. Delia was darting between tables, delivering dishes and taking orders with a little more urgency than perhaps she intended. The kitchen looked just as hectic, pots clanging and pans sizzling as Mimey prepared the food. It was clear that they hadn't anticipated a busy night.

When Ash entered, the entire restaurant erupted in cheers and whistles, as if he were the reason they'd all come.

"Oh, you're back!" Delia called out breathlessly when she saw them step inside. She flashed Serena a tired smile. "There's food in the kitchen and—,"

The honey-blonde cut her off with a soft hand against the matron's arm, "We want to help! What can we do?"

Delia was about to resist, but—clearly a little overwhelmed, relented. "I suppose you could take some orders so that I can help Mimey in the kitchen? If that's alright?"

"Of course!" Serena answered, moving to find and tie an apron around her waist and grabbing a notepad before Ash could say anything.

Ash and Pikachu, on the other hand, found themselves hustled to the kitchen where they were promptly assigned to washing dishes while Mimey took over serving the food. The two didn't mind, of course, and in the end were happy to help where all the food was. They snuck in snacks here and there, much to Mimey's irritation.

As dinner service progressed, Ash could hear Serena's cheerful voice taking orders and greeting customers. Each time he overheard a compliment from the kitchen, praising the "wonderful, polite young lady" helping out, he couldn't help but smile into the sink. Especially when they began to whisper about how "she was the Monarch's girlfriend."

Of course, there were still neighbors and guests who insisted on seeing Ash, and Delia would drag him out of the kitchen to say 'hi' to so-and-so and sign autographs and make small talk. Ash did his best to meet the demand, charming everyone he talked to, his ability to befriend a rock coming in handy. One little boy could hardly speak and his hand shook as he offered Ash his hat to sign. The young champion ruffled the kid's hair, trying to put him at ease, autographing underneath the bill. The little boy nearly teared up and hugged Ash before immediately sporting his new favorite cap.

When Mrs. Kato caught Ash's sleeve before he disappeared back into the kitchen, she lifted a bony finger toward the nearby honey-blonde and whispered in her elderly voice, "Take care of that nice, beautiful girl, Ash." And then she winked.

Ash stole a glance over at Serena, who was clearing a table while chatting easily with a young family. His heart twisted and he grinned, looking back at the older woman, promising that he would.

Meanwhile, Serena, having overheard, took in all these things and treasured them up in her heart.

---

Dinner service finally wound down, and as the last few tables emptied, Ash remained in the kitchen, methodically scrubbing dishes. His mind was a whirlwind, replaying moments of the day—the laughter with his old friends, seeing Serena connect with his Pokémon, the way she'd handled the crowded restaurant with such grace. Even though his insecurities had crept up on him here and there, he couldn't argue that it had been an almost perfect day. A day that felt right.

After setting away the last of the leftover ingredients, Serena wiped her hands, humming softly as she approached Delia, who had just returned from clearing the last tables, her arms full of silverware and plates.

"Is there anything else I can help with?" Serena asked, taking some of the plates from Delia's arms and setting them down on the counter.

"No, please—go rest and change!" Ash's mother insisted, "I'll have dinner ready soon."

"Are you sure? I don't mind helping some more," Serena laughed, though when Delia would hear none of it, the performer untied and hung up her apron. She glanced at Ash with a small smile. "I guess I'll take a quick rinse before we eat."

"Sounds wonderful, sweetheart. Thank you again for all your help," Delia replied, setting the utensils by the sink and pulling Serena into a grateful hug. "I don't know what I would have done without you both!"

Serena waved it off with a meek smile, shooting one last shy glance at Ash before heading upstairs toward the bathroom.

As soon as she was out of sight, Delia turned to her son, who was still scrubbing the same plate, his gaze fixed on the spot where Serena had disappeared. She watched him for a moment, noticing the way he seemed lost in his thoughts. Smiling softly, she approached him, picked up a towel, and began drying the dishes he'd washed. The familiar sound of clinking dishes filled the air until she decided to break the silence.

"You know, I don't think I've ever seen you wash dishes so… intently," she teased lightly, putting a dry plate away.

Ash startled, realizing the faucet had been left running, nearly overflowing the sink. "Oh, uh—my bad…" he muttered, embarrassed as he drained some of the water.

"So… how are you, Ash?"

He glanced at her, a little caught off guard. "Er… what do you mean?"

"How's Paldea? How's your new journey? Tell me all about it!" she pressed, genuinely interested.

Ash hesitated before recounting some highlights—the new friends he'd made, the unique culture of the region, and some of the crazy adventures he'd already found himself in. Delia listened intently, her eyes lighting up as he spoke, asking questions here and there, nodding along as he talked.

"And how are things here?" he finally asked, turning the conversation back to her.

Delia's expression softened. "Oh, you know… the same as always. The neighbors ask about you all the time. Thank you for being so kind with the guests tonight—chatty as they are, they admire you so much… Just like Serena admires you." She paused, then nudged him with a playful grin. "Everyone was very enchanted by her, by the way."

Ash managed a small smile at this, but the doubts resurfaced, creeping in and settling heavily in his chest. His eyes returned to the dish he was holding, and he grew quiet again.

"Ash?" Delia asked, noticing his silence, her voice softer now.

He cleared his throat, nervously shifting from one foot to the other. "It's just… sometimes I get a little, uh… scared… when I think about Serena…"

Delia looked at him, surprised. She hadn't heard this kind of vulnerability from him in a long time. She remembered the little boy who had charged headfirst into any challenge, always sure of his next move—who chased his dreams without hesitation or fear of failure. But now, she saw a young man grappling with something deeper, something closer to his heart.

"What are you afraid of, Ash?" she prompted gently.

He sighed, trying to shrug it off, but the words spilled out anyway. "I guess I'm afraid of not being good enough for her… What if I let her down? What if I'm a bad boyfriend? I don't exactly have a lot of experience with this kind of…stuff."

Delia bit her lip to keep from smiling, a little amused by her son's genuine concerns. It wasn't that his fears were unreasonable, but she saw how obviously head over heels Serena was for him. The boy could buy her a piece of string and she would adore it. "Ash, you love her, right?"

He looked at her as if she'd asked the most obvious question in the world. "Of course I do, Mom."

A little emotion welled up in Delia's eyes as she processed her son's words. She listened patiently as he went on about everything he admired about Serena—her kindness, her bravery, the way she always seemed to bring out the best in him. Every word was laced with admiration, and it warmed Delia's heart to hear him speak about a woman with such sincerity.

"All Serena wants is for you to love her, Ash," she said gently when he finished. "Not for you to be perfect."

He nodded, reflecting on her words. "But… what does that look like in the future?" His face grew more serious as he considered something that had been bothering him for a while. " Since I've practically achieved my dream, I keep asking myself sometimes what's next. Do I just keep traveling? But then…what if I end up like Dad? Always chasing something that takes me away from the people I care about." He paused, his voice tightening. "Or what if it's not even my dreams, but my responsibilities that pull me away from her—from everyone? I'm being asked to do some pretty big things, Mom. Protect Pokémon, help people—save the world. It's…a lot," he admitted, drying his hands and then rubbing his tired face.

Turning away from the sink and leaning against it—hands crossed over his chest—he asked, more frustrated, "What if I don't even get a choice?"

Delia stepped closer, wiping her hands on her apron before placing them on his shoulders. Her grip was firm but comforting. "Ash, listen to me. You always have a choice. No one's forcing you down a path you don't want to take. And you know what else?" She turned him toward her, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Serena has a choice too. She chose you. Not because you're some perfect hero, not because you'll always know the right thing to do. She chose you because she sees the kind of person you are—the same person I see. That all your friends see. Someone who loves deeply, someone who's always willing to help others and never give up, even when it's hard. Someone who's always growing."

Ash tried to smile but his jaw felt tight. "But what if—"

"No more 'what ifs,'" she interrupted firmly. "Those will only hold you back. What matters is right in front of you. Serena loves you, Ash. She's not expecting you to have all the answers. She just wants you to try, to be there. And that's something you've always done."

At this point, Ash did manage to smile—looking like a little boy just for a second. "And if I mess up?"

Delia laughed softly. "Then you pick yourself up and try again. Together. That's what relationships are—supporting each other, even through the rough patches. You and Serena… you're a team now."

Ash's eyes softened at the reminder. A team. The idea always felt less daunting when he thought about it that way.

"And about your father…" Delia's face grew wistful as she continued, "Just because he chose not be here with us does not mean you are destined to make the same choice. You're not him, Ash. You have the same fire and passion for life, but you also have something your father struggled with—balance. You know how to keep others close while still chasing your dreams."

She placed a gentle hand on his cheek. "And if the world needs you, Serena will understand. Just like I did."

Ash's lips pressed together as he tried to hold back the wave of emotion welling up in his chest. Beside him, Pikachu came up and patted his arm.

Delia smiled, brushing a lock of hair from Ash's forehead. "And for what it's worth, friendship is the foundation of love, and you've always known how to be a great friend. Knowing this, I think you will be a wonderful boyfriend to Serena."

Ash couldn't help but puff out his chest a little at this. "Yeah?"

"Of course! You brought her home to meet your mother," she teased, flicking the bill of his hat. "Only a top-notch boyfriend does that."

He chuckled, rolling his eyes. But then, he grew serious, looking her straight in the eye. "Really, Mom… do you think I'm good for her?"

Delia didn't hesitate. "Ash, you're exactly what she needs. You're kind, loyal, and selfless. She couldn't have chosen better."

Ash let out a long breath, feeling the weight of his thoughts begin to ease. "Thanks, Mom."

Delia smiled and, after a moment, gave him a gentle push out of the kitchen. "But don't just take it from me. Serena's probably wondering why you've been acting strange all day. You do, perhaps, owe her an explanation. And some dinner!"

Ash hesitated. "You think she's noticed me acting strange?"

Delia gave him a knowing look. "Oh, honey, women always notice. Now go! Wash up and then bring her some food."

With a small smile, Ash nodded, heading upstairs—a little nervous, but eager to get some time alone again with Serena.

Delia watched her son's retreating figure with a soft sigh, a gentle smile spreading across her face. She turned to see Pikachu and Mimey still bustling around, carefully stacking plates and wiping down counters with the precision of seasoned helpers. She chuckled, folding her arms as she leaned against the counter.

"Young love, hm?" she mused, raising an eyebrow at the two Pokémon.

Pikachu let out a small, exasperated "Pika," rolling his eyes, while Mimey gave a melodramatic nod, almost as if saying, Tell me about it.

Delia laughed, enjoying their expressions. "Well, if you two ever find yourselves in any… romantic conundrums," she said, winking mischievously, "just remember who's got all the good advice."

The two Pokémon exchanged glances, Pikachu blushing and letting out a sigh while Mimey only nodded again as if he'd heard this before. Delia watched them with a twinkle in her eye, reaching over to give Pikachu an affectionate pat on the head.

"Go on, boys," she said, her smile widening as she put the last dish away, "I think we've earned ourselves a little rest."

With that, Pikachu scampered off after stealing a few packets of ketchup and parked himself on the sofa in the living room to watch TV. Mimey yawned and gave a contented wave, joining the Electric rodent on the couch.

When they'd gone, Delia's smile only grew and she began to hum—a tune that sounded eerily similar to something one would hear at a wedding. Heart full, she began to imagine the journey ahead for her son and the girl he loved.

---

Serena sat in front of the vanity mirror, carefully running a comb through her honey-blonde hair. The room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the evening breeze slipping through the window. She could still feel the warmth of the day lingering in her muscles, like the pleasant weight of a new memory. Meeting Ash's friends, his Pokémon, helping Delia in the restaurant—it had been such a dream. Every moment had been sweet, like tasting different parts of Ash's life for the first time.

But there was something tugging at her, a quiet ache she couldn't ignore. She thought back on the way Ash's moods had seemed to shift unpredictably all day, how at moments, he'd pulled back, and then moments later, he was warm again. It left her feeling a little lost. She set the comb down on the vanity, letting out a breath. Being in Pallet Town, seeing all these pieces of Ash's past, she felt as if she were peeling back layers of him. In the end, she realized that she didn't really know Ash as well as some of his childhood friends and mentors, and she desperately wanted to. She wanted to know all of him—to love all of him—but suddenly felt like she didn't know where to start. It hurt to realize just how much of his life she hadn't been there for.

Serena sighed, pinking up her pink bow and tying it into her dried hair with a quick, fluid motion. She wanted to know everything—the stories behind each Pokémon, each triumph and fall Ash had experienced. Part of her wished they could stay here forever, just so she could catch up on all that time she'd missed.

Finishing with the bow, Serena's fingers began tracing delicate circles along the hem of her pajama shorts. She closed her eyes as she tried to push away the knot in her chest. It suddenly hurt that she hadn't been there to see Ash grow…it wasn't an offended hurt, but more like a yearning pain. She wished she could have seen Ash start out like everyone else. To see every little thing—the good and the bad—that made him who he was today, because he was so precious to her. And while it had been surprising to hear how immature the younger Ash had been, something about learning about Ash's previous self relieved her—made her feel like she didn't have to be perfect for him. Because sometimes, she did put that expectation on herself.

Sometimes, she felt like she had to work for Ash, to climb to reach him. To be the best because he was the best.

Serena took a steadying breath. If only she had the courage to talk to him about it, to ask him about everything that was on his mind. But his distance made her a little worried. If he was feeling overwhelmed by having her here, she didn't want to make that worse. She wanted to give him space to be in his hometown and not make things more difficult…even if his mood swings were gnawing at her.

Either way, she couldn't hide in her room forever. Standing, Serena buttoned her pink pajama top and headed toward the door, deciding that even a little bit of closeness was better than none at all.

She made it to the door, opened it.

And there she found herself immediately face-to-face with Ash, who stood looking just about ready to knock. He was freshly showered, wearing a simple white T-shirt and holding a tray balanced with two steaming plates of stew and bread. His hair hung in damp, soft spikes over his forehead, and his lips twitched into a hesitant smile.

"H-hey!" he stammered, clearing his throat. "Uh, I brought us dinner. Thought…thought maybe we could eat together?"

Serena blinked with surprise and looked up and down the hall. "But what about your mom? Doesn't she—"

Ash shook his head quickly. "She ate while we were washing up," he explained. "She, uh… she wanted to go to bed early. Told me to bring this up to you." He glanced down at the tray, his fingers tightening slightly around the edge. "But, if you're tired, I can just—"

"No!" Serena cut him off, sounding a little more eager than she intended. She stepped back, opening the door wider. "Come in!"

Ash hesitated only a second before nodding. "Actually, I'd love to show you my room," he said, his voice almost boyish in its enthusiasm. "I don't think you've seen it yet."

Serena felt a warm flush creep up her cheeks. With a small nod, she agreed. "Sure, I'd love to."

His goofy grin grew a little wider. "Cool."

He led her down the hall and stopped in front of a door, gesturing for her to open it. Serena reached for the handle, her heart beating a little faster, and gently pushed the door open. The space was undeniably Ash's. Posters of Pokémon leagues and famous battles lined the walls, along with various trophies displayed proudly on a shelf. A small bed sat tucked into the corner, flanked by a desk by the window, where Ash carefully set down the tray.

Ash ran a hand through his damp hair, a hint of nervousness flickering in his gaze as he watched her take it all in. She moved slowly around the room, fingers grazing over a shelf filled with knick-knacks—gifts from his friends and souvenirs from his travels. Each item told a story, revealing a small piece of the boy she'd grown to love.

"Where's Pikachu?" Serena suddenly asked with a smile, breaking the quiet.

Ash shrugged, his eyes glancing to the side. "I think he decided to stay downstairs and watch some TV with Mimey. Guess he wanted to give us some space."

Ash closed the door behind them and padded over to her, watching her. There was a slight tension in the air, something unsaid lingering between them. He could feel it, and he knew she could too.

Serena hummed in response, picking up and setting down the various items in the room as if touching them would help her understand him—know him—more. Eventually, her gaze fell on a framed photo of Ash surrounded by his Pokémon. She reached out, a gentle smile spreading across her face. "When was this taken?"

Ash scratched his nose, his expression growing a little shy. "That's from the year I won the Master's Eight Tournament for the first time."

She looked over her shoulder at him, admiration shining in her eyes. "That's a great picture, Ash."

"Yeah…" he murmured, looking a little distant, as if the memories were floating back to him.

Serena's gaze drifted further, landing on a trophy that bore the crest of the Kalos League. Her heart swelled with nostalgia as she picked it up, memories of their time in Kalos rushing back to her. "I remember how close you were…" She revealed a small smile. "But also how you got right back up after losing to Alain. You were so strong, Ash."

"I only found that strength because of you!" he insisted, his voice a low murmur. "You reminded me of who I really was…with the snowball, remember? I got so caught up in winning, I forgot about staying connected with my Pokémon…"

Serena turned to him, her heart catching at the openness in his gaze. She was lost for words. Part of her couldn't believe she was here, standing in this room filled with Ash's memories, hearing him speak of the impact she'd had on him. For a moment, it felt like she was being given a rare glimpse into his heart. And while she could tell Ash felt more than a little uncomfortable with this vulnerability, she couldn't help but adore this.

They spent a while moving around the room as Ash shared stories behind different trinkets—the Terracotta Ribbon he split with May, a broken Poké Ball he shared with Gary, Misty's fishing lure, pictures of old traveling companions, and—of course—his collection of hats. Serena's eyes twinkled with mischief as she looked over the hats…

"I don't think you have enough," she teased, her voice light.

Ash grinned, rolling his eyes. Before he could reply, both their stomachs let out matching growls, breaking the quiet spell between them. He chuckled, glancing around the room in search of a spot for them to eat. With a sheepish smile, he gestured toward the floor.

"May I offer you a fancy seat?" he joked, scratching the back of his head.

Serena let out a soft laugh, relaxing as she sank down onto the carpet. "You may," she replied, the tension easing between them.

Ash brought her plate to her and then settled down beside her. They began to eat in comfortable silence, their knees occasionally brushing

Ash ravenously devoured his stew, looking up between bites, his gaze a bit shy. "Uh, so… is your room okay?"

Serena, still holding her spoon delicately, nodded with a warm smile. "Very cozy."

Ash cleared his throat, clearly trying to fill the silence. "That's… that's good."

He held his next mouthful out by his lips a moment then finally sighed, dropping his spoon back into his bowl. "Hey, Serena? I'm sorry about today," he glanced over at her, a trace of guilt in his eyes. "I know I've been a little…off. You probably noticed." He fidgeted with the edge of the napkin on the tray, folding it between his fingers.

Serena's heart tightened, her brow furrowing. "Is… everything okay? I know it's probably a lot, seeing so many people. Introducing me…"

Ash shook his head, a flicker of intensity crossing his face. "No, that part was awesome. I'm really happy you got to see everyone." He paused, his eyes drifting over to the shelves, filled with trinkets and photographs from his younger days. "But I guess it was a little hard having you hear things about my past…about how dumb I could be. I don't know, I just hope you don't think, well, less of me because of all that."

Her mouth dropped open and she inhaled sharply. "Ash! Getting to know more about you has been everything! I love hearing every story—from the good to the bad." She moved a little closer to him, her tone softening. "Ash, I would never think less of you. If anything, I think even more of you."

Ash simply stared, his amber eyes holding a hint of awe. "Serena…you're amazing."

She bit her lip, her gaze dropping as she murmured, "Ash…"

But he leaned in slightly, his voice gaining a bit more urgency. "No, I mean it! And I guess I just got caught up wanting people to see me not as that young kid who couldn't catch a Pokémon, but as someone who can be there for you because that's what you deserve, you know?" His hand gestured around the room, as if trying to capture everything it represented. "Being back here," he motioned to his surroundings, "back home—well, I just keep thinking about who I used to be, all the mistakes I made, how hard-headed I can still be…" His voice grew quieter, almost to a whisper. "And that just made me wonder—what if I'm actually not good at being your boyfriend? At really being there for you?"

Serena's breath caught, her hand slowly reaching for his arm, trying to comfort him. But before she could respond, Ash continued, his words spilling out as if he needed to get them off his chest.

"And I'm scared about letting you down! I've always been so focused on my dreams—on becoming the best trainer, the best battler. And now, I have to figure out what comes next." He sounded upset as he continued, "I keep thinking about all the responsibilities that keep piling up… about how maybe I won't even get a choice about where I go or what I do from here on out. And then I thought—well, what if I end up like my dad, always chasing something that takes me away from the people I love and…"

Serena's heart ached at the vulnerability in Ash's voice as it trailed off. She had known Ash to be confident, always striving toward his goals without hesitation, but this side of him… this was new. And while She wasn't quite sure what to do with it, she was honored that he was opening up to her. Really opening up to her. Allowing her to know this part of him.

"Ash, I—,"

But again, he continued, not quite ready to let her speak. He seemed to take a deep breath, as though he needed the strength to say his next words. "I know I'm not my dad. I know that I have the chance to do things differently. I know I don't have to be perfect…" He softened as he looked at her, the familiar warmth she adored shining through his eyes, tempered with something raw and new. "But I still worry. About not being able to balance everything. I don't want my dreams to take me away from you, Serena… but I just don't know what the future holds for me."

It seemed he was finally finished, the weight of his words filling the air between them. Without hesitation, Serena moved the tray aside and knelt in front of him, taking the bowl from his hands and setting it on the floor. She wrapped her fingers around his, squeezing his hand as if to anchor him.

"Ash," she began, her voice soft but firm. "Thank you for telling me all of this…"

Unable to hold back any longer, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. Her cheek pressed against his, feeling the faint heat radiating off his skin as he leaned into her embrace. At first, he was tense, but gradually he softened, as if her arms were a safe place where he could finally rest.

When she pulled back slightly, her lips brushed softly against his face, and she lingered close, her gaze unwavering as she met his eyes. "Ash, you have no idea how much it means to me to hear all of this. I want you to know that you can always talk to me."

"But…" Ash looked at her, searching her eyes, a slight vulnerability remaining. "Aren't you worried about what I said? About me feeling unsure about some things and…?"

Serena's hands moved to his shoulders, her expression steady and sure. "No. I'm not worried about that at all. Because I know you love me." She smiled, "You do love me, right?"

Ash's eyes widened at the question, the intensity of his feelings flashing across his face. His chest felt tight as he nodded, unable to do anything else.

The smile widened across Serena's pink lips as she placed a hand on his tan cheek, "And that's what matters most, Ash. That we love each other. Sometimes we're both going to let each other down." She saw him start to protest, but she held up a hand to stop him. "No, listen. It's not about avoiding disappointment. Nobody's perfect, and that's not what love is about anyway. It's about growing with each other—being loyal to one another. And Ash, you're the most loyal person I know! That's what makes you… you."

A little laugh escaped her, and she continued, "And you, of all people, should know love isn't based on performance. I mean, you don't love your Pokémon just because they're strong or can win battles, right? And think about this—how many times have we let our Pokémon down, only for them to stick by us anyway?" Serena looked wistful, her fingers playing with the fabric of Ash's shirt a moment before looking back up at him. "Why would you think we wouldn't do the same for each other?"

Ash could feel his muscles relaxing as he absorbed her words. He felt a sense of calm he hadn't felt in ages.

Serena held his gaze, her bright blue eyes reflecting the depth of her feelings. "Ash, I love you."

He let out a breath, his heart swelling as her words washed over him. She was right here with him—she'd chosen to be here, by his side, for all his strengths and faults.

"And I love you not because I don't think you'll never let me down," Serena went on, her words soft and almost trembling, "but because you're kind, and you're brave, and you have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met." She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. "And I know you'll figure out what's next when the time is right. But no matter what, we'll face it together. You don't have to do any of this alone. Even if I can't be standing physically beside you, you will always have my heart."

Ash felt the air slip out of him, and his hands found her waist as he closed his eyes, letting her words sink in.

After a moment, Serena moved a hand from his shoulder back to his cheek, calling him back to her. "So…," a little gleam in her eyes, "does that make you feel better at all?"

Ash grinned, that familiar toothy smile lighting up his face. "Yeah," he admitted, a laugh escaping him. "I needed to hear that. I guess just being back here brings back all those memories. I keep thinking about what a jerk I used to be, how winning and being a Pokémon Master was all I ever cared about… and about all my friends who've seen me do some pretty dumb things."

Serena giggled, brushing a hand through his damp hair to push it away from his amber eyes. "I've seen you do plenty of dumb things too, you know."

He gave her a mock pout. "Yeah, but I was a little more mature when I met you."

Serena laughed, her cheeks pink with joy. "Hearing all those stories today, I guess that's true."

Ash rolled his eyes, but was grinning, "Anyway, I guess I also got a little insecure. Sometimes, I feel like other people still see me as all that and not who I am today."

"I understand," Serena nodded patiently, "It can be hard for people who've seen us walk through different stages of life to see how much we've grown."

Ash chuckled, again feeling warm at how well she understood him, "Yeah…"

They laughed together, and a peace settled in the room. After a moment, Serena adjusted herself, resting her hands on his chest as she spoke softly. "I want to know every version of you, Ash Ketchum." She sighed, looking down as she admitted, "Sometimes I feel like I have to be perfect to be with you. That I have to be the best, because you're the best…the Monarch of the World."

Ash's heart clenched as he realized she'd been carrying insecurities of her own. He didn't want her to feel that way. "Please don't feel like that, Serena…" Reaching up, he placed his hand over hers. "It really is just like you said—it's not about how good we are, it's just about who we are. And you're amazing."

A soft smile spread across her lips. "Well then, let me know and love every version of you, Ash Ketchum." She leaned in, her voice a playful whisper. "Past…" She pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Present…" She then moved her mouth over to his other cheek, her gaze tender. "And future." Finally, she brought her lips to his in a soft, lingering kiss.

Ash grinned his wide boyish grin, his hands moving back to tighten around her waist, his amber eyes looking roguish. "Maybe if I get one more kiss, I'll show you some embarrassing baby pictures."

Serena smirked, her eyes sparkling. "Just one more?"

Ash's smile widened. "Maybe a few more…"

Serena pretended to consider Ash's offer, arching a brow with playful curiosity before slipping her arm back around his neck. She pushed up slightly on her knees, bringing herself closer to eye-level with him.

And then she drew him toward her with her eyes—bright and shining and waiting—and Ash followed willingly, inclining his face toward hers and laying his mouth upon her mouth softly and chastely. Their lips brushed lightly at first, lingering after careful presses. But soon enough, their kisses met with more intensity, and Ash felt himself giving into the moment.

As he leaned further in, Serena felt herself tilting backward, caught off guard by the deepening kiss. Before she could fall, Ash's arm slipped securely around her back, lowering her gently until she rested against the floor. He hovered over her, his lips pressing against hers again with a tenderness that left her breathless. And then, with a strength she really shouldn't have found surprising, Serena found herself being scooped up, cradled securely as Ash set her down on his bed. He resettled himself over her, amber eyes soft but focused.

Serena's cheeks burned and turned a bright, bright red. "Ash, what are you doing?" she managed to ask, suddenly feeling winded and dizzy.

Ash just tilted his head, looking genuinely confused. "I thought you'd be more comfortable."

Too comfortable, she thought, but her words caught in her throat. Ash was treating her with such care, as though she were something precious. Her heart raced as she watched him lean in again, one hand moving slowly to her face, his thumb brushing her cheek, his fingers finding the back of her neck to tilt her gently upward. She was melting under him.

Ash's only reality became her warm mouth; her soft, quick breaths.

He was so lost in kissing her that he barely registered her hands trailing up his arms, her fingers curling into his shoulders, then sliding into his damp hair, which Serena had quickly realized she adored wet. It made him look so boyish and grown up all at once.

Her hands continued to explore. She pushed his hair back, played with it, her fingers then tracing down his muscular back.

All the while they shared kiss after kiss. Serena let Ash kiss her however he wanted. And right now, he was being soft and careful and sweet.

Then he pulled away a moment, and their eyes fluttered open and to each other.

"H-Hey, Serena?" he asked, swallowing the rasp in his throat. "Can I kiss you, well…somewhere other than the lips? Or is that too weird? Do people do that?" His cheeks darkened with a heady blush. He hardly knew what he was asking.

And Serena could hardly believe what she was hearing. Sometimes she still couldn't believe how new to this he was—how new they both were. Serena managed to gulp and nod saying very slowly, trying not to squeak, "I'm pretty sure people do that, Ash." Vaguely, her mind recalled things she'd heard from friends…seen in movies…or read in books…

"But…" Pushing all of that out of her mind, Serena shivered, "Where do you want to kiss me?"

Ash looked like he was about to answer but hesitated. Before he tried again, Serena quickly placed a hand over his mouth, amending, "Just show me. I'll tell you if I like it or if I don't." She couldn't keep talking about it before self-combusting.

Ash nodded, his cheeks growing even hotter but he did what she said. He'd imagined doing this probably a dozen times now. He couldn't help it, honestly. These moments were in the kind of visions that came to him right before he fell asleep at night and they'd always leave him wondering…

First, Ash kissed her lips softly one last time before moving down from the corner of her mouth to the corner of her jaw, just below the ear.

"Here?" he murmured against her skin, pressing one achingly soft kiss there. He lingered, savoring the spot, then pulled away slightly, looking up to search her bright blue eyes for approval.

Serena's breath had quickened, her skin tingling. "I…I liked that," she whispered with a soft hum, her voice wavering.

Ash nodded, still blushing, though entirely focused. He lowered his lips again towards her, this time farther down, dipping to the crook of her neck. "Here?" He asked before brushing his lips in a chaste, barely-there caress—his breath warm against her. Ash couldn't help but wonder at how soft she felt against his mouth.

He came away again, feeling her shiver beneath his fingertips. That got Ash excited in a way he'd hardly felt before. Like his whole body was full of some potential charge waiting to be channeled into something.

Serena only turned an even brighter shade of red, trying not to moan when he pulled away. She bit her swollen lip to swallow any sounds she wanted to make. Finally, when she saw that Ash was still waiting for her to say something, she nodded, managing a breathless smile. "I liked that too…"

They watched each other for a while, breathing hard and not sure why they were breathing hard. Ash's face held a focus Serena had only seen when he was in the middle of a battle, studying every reaction she had.

She looked away for a moment, overwhelmed by his attention. "Anywhere else you want to kiss me?" she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady. "Maybe just one more… for now."

Ash nodded mutely, dumbly. His eyes then traveled a little lower. Her pajama shirt was a light pink bottom down, and she had one of the buttons undone from the top, forming the loose collar. Very carefully, his hand moved towards the base of her neck. His fingers gently brushed the delicate line of her exposed collarbone and he looked up at her questioningly, waiting for permission. He felt like he had to do that to kiss her here.

Serena's breath hitched and the muscles along her stomach clenched. She nodded, guiding his hand to shift the fabric aside, giving him more access to her.

Ash's whole body lit on fire when she did that. He tried to ignore it as he bent down, pressing his lips softly to the smooth bone. That kiss was more tender than all the others, more hesitant, but no less adoring.

He pulled away, staring at the spot he'd just kissed and then looking back up at Serena, who had gone very still—her eyes glistening.

"I liked that, Ash." She wanted to cry for some reason. Sometimes, that happened. Loving Ash and having him love her…sometimes it was too much…

Meanwhile, Ash's face remained red and serious. And then he smiled. He liked kissing her beyond anything—and that was saying something. But he felt close to her, like he was really showing her just how much he loved her; he wasn't always so great with words. But right now he felt like he was making her feel loved, and that was the best feeling in the world.

Before he could say as much, Serena's hands gripped the front of his shirt, pulling him toward her as their lips met again, this time with more urgency.

Ash threw both his hands out onto the bed to avoid falling completely on top of her. His mouth worked to chase hers—breath becoming ragged, forearms straining to hold himself up. He felt the urge to let go, to collapse and feel every inch of her against him, and the thought made him blush fiercely, his whole body growing taut.

He was getting dizzy and a little confused, kissing her hard and losing his mind in how familiar and warm and soft her lips felt. They felt like this house, like this town, like his home—and Ash was amazed by that.

Serena herself could hardly think, let alone really breathe. The looks he was giving her; the raw vulnerability he showed when confiding in her—about not wanting to lose her…it was enough for heat to blossom from Serena's chest and vein its way down her entire body. Her skin was flushed. And she wanted nothing more but to reassure him. To bring him into her as much as possible—as much as she knew how. And she really knew very little, but she felt compelled to follow her imagination this time as her hand finally let go of his shirt to slip upwards and cup his cheek. Her breath quickened and she gently coaxed his lips open underneath hers as though wanting to draw something out of him.

Her tongue tentatively skirted the edge of his mouth, asking.

Ash nearly slipped off the bed, mind blanking—pupils dilating as instinct threatened to form a response. He wasn't sure what was happening, but he wanted whatever was coming next…

Until a sudden knock on the door jolted them both out of the moment.

The doorknob began to turn.

Ash and Serena instantly froze, Ash's head whipping to the door then back at their position, then back to the door. In an instant, he leaped off the bed with inhuman speed, landing with a loud thud on the floor. Serena shot upright, frantically adjusting the bow in her hair, smoothing her rumpled pajamas, placing her hands on her cheeks to try to rid the flush on them. It was all useless.

Crawling like a soldier in the mud, Ash scrambled over to the tray, grabbing the nearest bowl and stuffing a spoonful into his mouth just as Delia entered the room with Pikachu on her shoulder. She paused, clearly surprised to see Serena sitting on the bed, looking flustered, while Ash pretended to eat on the floor, his own cheeks a deep shade of red. Delia's gaze danced between the two, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth as Pikachu rolled his eyes, folding his little arms in front of his chest.

Delia raised a brow. "I just came by to say goodnight and drop Pikachu off. But I'm glad to see Ash brought you dinner." She winked at Serena, who couldn't help but feel a tinge of annoyance at how quickly Ash had abandoned her on the bed. Embarrassment quickly overrode that irritation, especially when she caught the knowing look Delia shot Ash's way before the matron added with feigned innocence, "What an odd place to make her eat, Ash."

Ash choked a bit, coughing and fumbling with his spoon, while Serena hid her face behind her hands, her own blush deepening. They exchanged a quick, mortified glance, both too flustered to offer any explanation as Delia's smirk only grew.

Finally Ash managed to sputter. "Uh—Mom! It's—uh…we were just…" he stammered, but Serena jumped in, her face almost as red as his.

"H-He wanted to show me his room…" she explained, her hands flailing slightly in a weak attempt to gesture toward Ash's memorabilia. Her voice trailed off, her cheeks still ablaze.

Delia's gaze lingered on them both, the barely concealed smile playing at her lips. "Oh, I'm sure he did," she replied, her tone light but unmistakably amused.

Ash nearly choked again. "Mom!"

Serena quickly slid off the bed, her feet finding the floor as she bounced nervously, rubbing her eyes as if tired. She stretched and tried her best to look innocent, giving a completely unconvincing yawn. "Well, I guess I should get to bed!" She scratched her cheek, glancing at Ash with a weak smile, her blush betraying her. She then turned to Delia. "Um, goodnight, Mrs. Ketchum! Goodnight, Ash…" She fumbled her way toward the door, giving Ash one last flustered smile before practically dashing out of the room.

Delia's eyes followed Serena as she exited, her lips still twitching in amusement. "Goodnight, sweetheart!" she called cheerfully after her, the mischievous glint in her eyes obvious. As the door shut, Delia turned her attention back to Ash, folding her arms with a curious expression. Pikachu, still on her shoulder, exchanged a skeptical look with her before he jumped down, scurrying over to inspect the leftovers on Ash's tray.

"Ash…" Delia began, hesitating, her face caught between amusement and mild concern. She knew Ash was respectful, that he'd always treated his female friends with thoughtfulness and care, and she trusted him deeply. But seeing Serena's flustered retreat and Ash's wide-eyed panic had Delia suddenly realizing how little she'd actually talked about….

A sinking realization dawned on her: maybe she'd never really prepared her son for…

In the uncomfortable silence that followed, Ash busied himself with the tray, shoving it a little too eagerly toward Pikachu as if his best buddy might somehow save him from his mother's gaze. But Delia wasn't quite ready to drop the subject.

With an awkward cough, she cleared her throat. "Look, Ash… I trust you. But if you're, hm, doing anything…"

Ash looked totally lost, his face burning. This did not make Delia feel better, but she could only finish with, "Just make sure the door stays open if you two are in a room together, alright?"

Ash nodded fervently. He didn't even care if the rule made him sound like he was ten—not almost nineteen, he'd have agreed to almost anything if it meant she'd leave.

Delia looked at him, considering whether to say more. She opened her mouth, then thought better of it and simply nodded. She decided that the rest of this conversation was better had by Professor Oak—yes! She would call him in the morning!

Looking satisfied with herself, Delia hummed. "Good, good." Then, unable to suppress her smile any longer, she turned and made her way out, covering her mouth to hide her laughter. With a final wave, she called, "Well, goodnight!"

As the door clicked shut, Ash exhaled, slumping back in relief as Pikachu finally helped himself to the leftovers, giving his trainer a knowing, amused look that had Ash hiding his own face in his hands.

---

Area Two, Northern Province, Paldea

Nemona led the group up the steep path, her enthusiasm barely tempered by the arid miles they'd trekked that finally led them into the Northern Province. Penny trailed behind, casting weary glances at the bright sun. Here, the landscape grew dramatic, with high coastal cliffs that sloped into forests and lush valleys. From a tall escarpment, the group could see the Northern Sea to the east, its blue-gray waters stirring faintly as if to mock them for taking the hard route. The Glaseado River—a roaring body of water rushing from the mountain, dividing the East and North province—had done a number on them; splashes, steep muddy banks, and one nearly disastrous slip by Goh had cost them precious time, so when they finally cleared the last ridge and felt a salty breeze, everyone exhaled in tired relief.

"Finally," Bonnie muttered, rolling her eyes as she gave her muddy shoe a half-hearted shake. "Next time, let's bring a map that tells us if the 'shortcut' is just code for 'soggy detour.'"

From Bonnie's lemon hair, Dedenne nodded emphatically.

Aliquis swiped at the sweat on his brow, adjusting his pack before glancing down at the rushing water below from their high ridge. "Hey, at least we didn't lose Goh in the river…" He gave the Kanto trainer a pointed look, reminding him exactly who had been the one to drag him out of that ordeal.

Goh shot him a toothy grin and patted his shoulder. "All thanks to you, 'bro!" Grookey, perched on Goh's other shoulder, gave Aliquis a little thumbs-up.

Not looking up from her Rotom Phone, Penny sighed. "Coordinates say the base should be close…maybe another couple of miles?"

Nemona slowed, squinting as she caught sight of a strangely well-worn path winding down from the cliffside. Arven, trailing her, yanked Goh to the side just in time to save him from yet another thorny bramble.

They pressed on until, suddenly, a chorus of guttural shouts rang out from somewhere nearby, reverberating in the air—a loud, almost chanting mix of deep voices, rising and falling like some kind of strange drill. Nemona froze, her head tilting in curiosity. The others followed her gaze toward a mixed forest of oaks and stone pine that stretched inland from the rocky coastal slope.

Arven stiffened, eyes wide. "Did… did you guys hear that?" His Mabosstiff let out a low whine, tail between its legs.

Nemona's grin spread, wide and eager. "Well, this sounds promising!"

Aliquis gave her an impatient groan. "How? How does a bunch of people screaming in the forest sound promising? Por favor, explain your logic."

"You really want Nemona to explain her logic?" Penny raised an eyebrow past her glasses.

But Nemona ignored them, waving for them to follow as she veered off the route and strode toward the forest, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

They pushed through thick underbrush, weaving between trees whose branches tangled overhead, filtering the sunlight into faint patches. The air was thick with the scent of pine and dry leaves. The voices grew louder as they moved deeper, their shouts snapping through the quiet. A few yards ahead, they spotted some bushes at the edge of a clearing and crouched low, peering through the leaves. Nemona nearly squeaked.

A large group of Team Star grunts filled the clearing, dressed in their usual uniforms, but with noticeable modifications. Loose martial arts-style pants or shorts were secured with thick, star-embellished belts, sleeveless jackets left open over athletic tops, and headbands bearing the Squad's insignia could be seen underneath their helmets—still adorned with star-shaped sunglasses.

Goh's eyes widened. "What the—"

Bonnie clamped a hand over his mouth before he could finish. They watched, transfixed, as a tall, brown-skinned girl with short black hair and intense eyes commanded the scene. She wore her jacket over her shoulders in a casual though authoritative manner, her arms crossed over her chest as she eyed the group. A fierce-looking Primeape stood beside her, mirroring her stance, its gaze following the trainees with an intense focus. Beside her, two assistants adjusted stances, correcting grunt with sharp words and proud, rhythmic calls.

"Positions!" the girl called, her voice cutting through the sounds of shuffling feet and Pokémon grunts. "Center stance, grounded focus! Discipline and strength!" The trainees shifted immediately, striking a defensive stance, eyes straight ahead, their Pokémon aligning with them as if in perfect sync.

"Discipline, strength, honor!" the grunts chanted back, the words carrying an almost military sharpness.

Aliquis felt his eye twitch. "What are they doing? Preparing for war?"

"Looks like recruit training." Penny murmured, her focus intense on the scene.

Nemona gave the red-and-blue-haired girl an odd look. "How would you know?"

"Shh!" Arven hissed, glaring at them.

They continued watching as the girl, clearly their leader, shouted the next command. "Form line! Reinforce defensive stance!" The recruits quickly moved into formation, rows locking arms as their Pokémon took position in front, forming a solid line. Her Primeape beat its fists against its chest, mirroring the leader's ferocity.

The assistants barked phrases, each one echoed back by the trainees. "Power with purpose! Control with strength! Caph Squad stands unbroken!"

Just then, a sharp chime cut through the air. The leader's Rotom Phone buzzed, and she held up a hand, halting the recruits mid-motion. She glanced down at the screen, her face a practiced mask of neutrality, but her eyes sharpened as she read the message. She lifted the phone to her ear, nodding at whatever was being said on the other end. Her gaze flickered to the recruits, her expression unreadable.

"Right," she murmured into the phone, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You got it, Riri." Ending the call, the phone slipped back into her pocket, her demeanor shifting from teacher to commander as she faced the recruits with a scrutinizing look.

"Alright!" she called, her voice crisp. "We've got a situation in the bamboo forest. Who's ready for their first mission?"

A chorus of eager voices responded as hands shot up in the air. "We are, Carmen!" they shouted, eyes alight with excitement.

Carmen's gaze swept over the recruits, but her eyes landed on two who stood quietly in the back, arms slack and eyes a little too wide. Unlike the others, they didn't raise their hands, shuffling nervously as the enthusiasm rippled through the crowd around them. Carmen's gaze zeroed in, sharp as a talon. And while her expression softened slightly, her tone remained firm.

"Vamos," she commanded, gesturing for them to step forward. "In order to learn our way, you gotta learn confidence. No better time than now."

The two recruits—a boy and girl—exchanged uneasy glances but moved to her side, trying to stand a little taller, the fear in their eyes mingling with a flicker of resolve. Satisfied, Carmen gave a nod to her assistants, who took over with the rest of the recruits, picking up the drills without missing a beat.

"Discipline, strength, honor!" the remaining recruits chanted, returning to their training with renewed focus as Carmen led the two recruits away from the clearing, her Primeape stomping alongside her, a living pillar of muscle and vigilance.

From their hiding spot, Goh squinted after her. "Where do you think they're going?"

Nemona's grin widened, eyes alight with that familiar spark of adventure. "Only one way to find out!" She didn't wait for a response, already slipping from behind the bushes, motioning for the others to follow her quietly.

---

Pallet Town, Kanto

As dawn cast a pale glow through her window, Serena's eyes blinked open, lingering traces of sleep clouding her gaze. The morning had arrived too quickly; she'd hardly slept, her mind a whirlpool of Ash's words, his smile, his steady warmth at her side. Her cheeks burned, remembering those sweet, unguarded moments they'd shared in his room—the lips tracing soft paths along her jaw and neck and—she cut the thought short, pressing a hand to her flushed face. She forced herself to focus on the new day, but a giddy smile played across her lips, her heart fluttering.

And then the smile faltered into an embarrassed groan when she thought about how she'd lost control deepening the kiss. And then Delia…

Shaking her head to chase away the warmth rising in her cheeks. A hum rose from her throat as she slipped out of bed and decided to dress before her mind could betray her any further. She went with one of her favorite outfits—a sleek, sleeveless charcoal-gray top that hugged her frame, paired with a bright pleated skirt in red and white. The outfit was familiar, comfortable in a way that put her at ease. She placed her gray cloche hat atop her honey-blonde hair and glanced at her reflection, adjusting her it just so. With a final look, she left the room, padding quietly down the stairs.

As she entered the kitchen, she stopped short at the sight of Mimey, who was diligently sweeping the floor, his feet shuffling in rhythmic steps as he worked. Serena's grin grew.

"Good morning, Mimey!" she greeted sweetly, dipping her head in acknowledgment. Mimey's eyes sparkled with delight as he returned her wave, brandishing the broom with a bit of extra flourish.

Inspired by the calm of the early morning and the simple thought of doing something special, Serena moved to the cupboards. She'd make pastries—something sweet to surprise Ash and Delia, maybe even some Poké Puffs to bring back to the Pokémon at Oak's lab. Mimey watched her with a curious tilt of his head, eagerly pointing out ingredients as Serena began gathering everything she needed: flour, eggs, sugar, and a selection of fruits. Soon enough, her arms were full, and the counter was lined with an array of baking essentials.

As she measured and whisked, a hum escaped her, a soft melody that filled the quiet kitchen. Her hands moved with practiced ease as she started with a delicate batter for macarons, adding a few notes of vanilla and nomel berry zest to another mixture for light, airy madeleines. When it came time for the Poké Puffs, she carefully shaped each one into a neat round, adding little dollops of cream and a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top. The kitchen filled with the scent of sweet dough and baking fruit, a welcoming warmth that spread through her chest as she worked.

Lost in the rhythm of baking, her mind drifted back to Ash. Every day with him felt like another layer peeling back, revealing a part of him that was hers to discover. Her heart swelled as she thought of the moments they'd already shared here in Pallet Town, each one deepening her desire to know him fully, to be as close to him as she could. She found herself smiling, her fingers absently tracing circles on the counter as she recalled some of Ash's more recent smiles, the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn't paying attention, that mixture of admiration and warmth that always made her pulse beat a little faster. She almost wished they could stay here forever, suspended in time—learning all there was to know about the other.

But there were things waiting for them back in Paldea. Particularly, her first contest. Serena sighed, letting the thought sink it. It had been a couple of years since her last contest—focusing instead on her career as Kalos Queen—and she knew she couldn't help but wonder if she'd still be able to hold her own…

From Tulip, Serena had recently learned that Guillermo opened up the Paldea contest scene to global competitors, announcing the region's first Grand Festival. The honey-blonde had to wonder, then, what the competition would look like. And did she still have what it took to compete with the best of the best? Truthfully, she hadn't expected to feel this way—to feel like she had to prove something. But now that she was with Ash…now that the whole world was watching her…now that Guillermo seemed intent on ruining her career…

Serena's thumb traced idle lines in the flour scattered on the counter, her shoulders feeling heavier with each lingering thought. She really needed to call Lisia back. She had a list of messages from her old traveling partner. If anything, the contest idol's confidence was contagious, her bubbly enthusiasm like a spark that had reignited Serena's own dreams more than once. Maybe hearing her friend's voice, getting a familiar pep talk, would help ease the knot of nerves tightening in her chest.

The honey-blonde let out a deep breath. Whatever came next, Serena knew one thing for sure—she wanted this. She wanted to stand on that Contest stage again, to feel the thrill of getting stronger and the pride of seeing her Pokémon shine on a new stage. And most of all, she wanted Ash to be there, watching her, cheering her on, as she chased down her own dreams alongside him. She wanted to show him how strong she could be.

"Good morning, Serena."

Delia's voice, gentle yet unmistakably lively, broke through Serena's thoughts. Startled, the honey-blonde turned, a dusting of flour coating her hands and her cheeks warming as she offered Delia a small, sheepish smile.

"G-Good morning!" Serena managed to squeak, quickly clasping her hands together behind her back, little clouds of flour billowing up. "I hope I'm not in your way! I'm nearly done."

Delia's laugh was light and reassuring. "You're alright, dear. There's plenty of room to work together. Kitchen's plenty big enough."

Serena let out a quiet breath, smiling back in relief, and turned her attention to her pastries. Delia moved gracefully around the kitchen, tying on her apron and retrieving the dough she'd set to rise overnight. She began kneading with calm, practiced motions, her hands pressing and folding the dough with the kind of ease that came from years of experience.

"Did you sleep alright?" Delia asked, her voice casual yet curious as she glanced at Serena, who bit her lip and fought down a blush.

"Yes! I did," Serena replied quickly, perhaps a little too quickly. She could still feel the warmth of Ash's kiss lingering on her skin, a memory that had kept her awake more than she'd admit. But she brushed the thought away, focusing on the dough in front of her.

For a few peaceful moments, they worked in silence, the only sounds the quiet rustle of ingredients, the rhythmic thump of dough against the counter, and Serena's soft humming. The scent of pastries filled the room, mingling with the rich, yeasty aroma of Delia's bread as it rose under her careful touch. The morning felt gentle, wrapped in the warmth of the kitchen and the steady rhythm of their work.

As Serena pulled the last tray from the oven, the golden pastries gleaming and fragrant, Delia peeked over with a pleased smile, her eyes lighting up.

"These look delicious, Serena," she said, nodding approvingly. "Ash is in for a treat this morning."

Serena laughed softly, though her heart skipped a beat, the compliment catching her off guard. "Thank you. I… I thought it'd be nice to make something for him and the Pokémon."

Delia hummed thoughtfully, her gaze drifting to the counter as if gathering her words. After a moment, she looked back up, her expression tender. "You know," she began gently, "I've watched Ash grow over the years. He's always been so easygoing, so ready to jump into the next adventure without a second thought. But… in all this time, I've never quite seen him act the way he does when he's with you."

Serena blinked, self-consciously pushing her honey-gold hair behind her ears. "What do you mean?"

Delia's smile softened. "With you, he's calm in a way I've never seen before. Grown-up. Focused. It's as if you ground him somehow, settle him." Her eyes sparkled, watching Serena with a mixture of warmth and motherly pride. "I think you bring out the best in him."

Serena's cheeks colored, and she could hardly hold Delia's gaze as the words sank in and wrapped around her heart. "Well, he's… he's really special to me. I just want to be there for him, the way he's always been there for everyone else."

Delia smiled gently, a knowing look in her eyes. "Being by someone's side isn't always easy, but when it's right, you just know." Her hands resumed their work, kneading the bread with practiced ease. She chuckled lightly, a fond, motherly sound. "He may seem very confident on the outside, but he'll always need encouragement—a place to rest. It's why he always comes home in between journeys."

Serena watched Delia with rapt attention, her own hands absently forming more Poké Puffs on the counter. She nodded, her cheeking glowing with an appreciation she struggled to put into words.

"And while he may go far and wide, he's always come back home," Delia continued, her tone tinged with a quiet resolve, as though she'd made peace with something only a mother could fully understand. She paused, her eyes softening as she glanced at Serena. "And I have a feeling that this won't be his home for much longer…"

Serena's breath caught, warmth flooding her chest, almost overwhelming in its intensity. To hear Delia say this—Delia, who had been Ash's anchor since the beginning—was like receiving an unspoken blessing, a quiet nod of approval that acknowledged everything she and Ash shared. It was as if Delia was placing her trust in Serena to be there for Ash in all the ways he would need.

"I see," Serena whispered, her voice barely audible as she looked down, feeling a bit shy under the weight of Delia's words. She fidgeted with a stray crumb on the counter, her thoughts swirling. "I…I do sometimes worry about the future," she admitted softly, her vulnerability seeping through.

She bit her lip, gathering her courage. "Ash is so dedicated, so driven. I want to keep up with him, to support him without holding him back. No matter where he ends up going, I just want to be… enough for him."

Delia reached out, her hand resting gently on Serena's shoulder, a touch that was both grounding and reassuring. "You won't hold him back by loving him, Serena. If anything, you'll help him grow." Her voice was warm, full of conviction. "Ash has always been happiest when he's surrounded by people he cares about, and it's clear that you're part of that—and more." Delia squeezed her shoulder, her gaze unwavering. "You don't have to worry about being enough. Just keep being yourself. That's the girl Ash loves. That's the girl he needs. The future doesn't need to be perfect. It only needs to be shared, one day at a time."

Serena nodded, her mouth dry. Delia's words felt like a weight lifting off her shoulders, a reassurance she hadn't known she needed. "One day at a time," she echoed softly, letting the simple truth settle within her. The future didn't have to be planned out in every detail—not her return to Contests, not Ash's journey in Paldea and beyond, not even the dreams they both harbored. It was enough to be here, now, making memories with Ash and supporting him. They could build their future one moment, one laugh, one shared goal at a time.

Delia's hand lingered a moment longer, her touch warm and steady, before she finally pulled away, a playful glint in her eye. "And remember," she added with a small wink, "Ash may be a bit stubborn, but he's not nearly as complicated as he likes to think. Just be there for him, and he'll feel it. And, trust me, I can see how much he cares about you—anyone with eyes can."

Serena couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up, light and unburdened, her insecurities dissolving like mist under the morning sun. Meeting Delia's gaze, her own eyes shimmered with gratitude and newfound confidence. "Thank you. That…that really means a lot to me."

The two women shared a warm, understanding smile, the connection between them deepening as they continued to work side by side.

---

Ash stirred as the scent of freshly baked pastries wafted into his room, rich and warm, mingling with hints of sweet fruit and something buttery that made his stomach rumble on cue. He yawned, burying his face in his pillow, his warm bed too comfortable to just abandon right now. Blinking sleep from his eyes, he pushed himself up slowly, flipping over and rubbing the back of his neck as he realized he'd slept later than he'd planned. But he had to admit, the extra rest felt good. After the whirlwind of yesterday, he needed it.

And honestly, his night hadn't exactly been restful either. He had tossed and turned, his mind refusing to calm down, his conversation with Serena from the night before winding him tighter, keeping his mind racing far into the early hours. He'd never felt so close to her…and not just emotionally…

He could still feel her skin, her warmth, lingering like an imprint on his lips. Really, kissing her like that had left his heart thundering in his chest, his mind blank, and his whole body buzzing in a way that was both super exciting and unnervingly strange. He felt conflicted about it.

Ash groaned, rubbing his hands over his face, trying to chase the thoughts away. It was weird. Really weird. He just wanted to be close to her like that all the time—even if it made his whole body react; heat rising in his cheeks, his blood pounding in his ears. He couldn't quite figure it out, and it left him feeling unsteady, almost dizzy. It was like a battle he couldn't control, and he had no idea how to win it, let alone explain it.

Ash exhaled sharply, flopping back onto his bed, his hand running through his hair in frustration. Just thinking about it made him feel awkward, embarrassed, and kind of… excited, all at the same time. He shook his head, forcing himself to breathe, to settle down. But, of course, just as he was about to push those thoughts aside, another image crept into his mind—one that made his face heat up all over again.

His mom, standing in the doorway, nearly catching him on top of Serena mid-kiss.

"Arceus, Ash, get a grip," he muttered under his breath, trying to shake off the pure terror inside him. He was a trainer, he'd faced legendary Pokémon and dangerous battles without breaking a sweat, but somehow…these—these feelings?—were throwing him off in a way nothing else ever had.

With another deep breath, he forced himself up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. The smell of food lured him onward, and he clung to that, letting it distract him from his jumbled thoughts.

Whatever was going on in his head, he knew one thing for sure—he was starving. And if he knew Serena, she was probably behind the mouthwatering smell filling the house. That thought alone brought a small, shy smile to his face. Maybe breakfast would be the perfect distraction. He'd deal with all these confusing feelings later—one thing at a time, right?

"Pika?" Pikachu asked, his head tilting as he finished his stretch, shaking out his little limbs before giving a final, wide-mouthed yawn.

Ash couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of his best friend jumping off the bed to pad around the room. The familiar sight made him feel just a little more grounded.

"Morning, buddy!" Ash greeted, reaching out to pat his best friend's head affectionately.

Pikachu yawned again, stretching his tiny arms as he gave Ash a patient look, waiting as Ash stood up, still bleary-eyed, and began to get dressed. Pikachu patted his belly with one paw, his eyes shining with anticipation, and Ash laughed.

"Yeah, I'm hungry too," he agreed. "Let's see what smells so good, huh?"

Quickly, Ash tugged on his jeans, pulled over a black T-shirt, and shrugged on his red and white vest. He reached for his signature cap, adjusting it on his head before slipping into his sneakers. Throwing the door open, he grinned as Pikachu bounded to his side, hopping onto his shoulder with ease.

As they made their way downstairs, the scent of food grew stronger, practically making Ash's mouth water. His stomach growled, and Pikachu's eyes lit up, his little nose twitching as they entered the kitchen to find Delia and Serena surrounded by an array of baked goods, chatting and laughing softly.

Delia noticed them first and shot Ash a playful wink. "Good morning! Looks like someone slept in."

Ash rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Guess I needed it…"

Serena glanced over her shoulder from the sink where she was washing her hands. She gave him a shy smile, a hint of a blush on her cheeks. "Hey…"

"Hey…" Ash felt his own cheeks warm at the sight of her, but he tried to play it cool, giving her a grin as he took in the spread of treats on the counter. "What's all this?"

Delia chuckled as she placed another plate on the counter. "Serena decided to make breakfast for everyone."

Serena added with a gentle smile, "And I wanted to make Poké Puffs for the Pokémon, too."

Ash's stomach rumbled again in appreciation. Beside him, Pikachu was practically drooling. Without a second thought, Ash grabbed a plate, and he and Pikachu eagerly sat themselves at the table, both of them ready to dig in.

Delia laughed, placing her hands on Serena's shoulders with a little nudge. "Looks like that's our cue to join them," she said, urging Serena to drop everything and relax.

Serena's smile grew. She dried her hands before grabbing her own plate and joining Ash at the table. She took a seat beside him, and as they settled in, their eyes met briefly before both chose to look away. Ash shifted a little closer to her, his voice low as he leaned over.

"Did you sleep okay?" he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

Serena's cheeks colored slightly as she forced a bright smile, lying just a little. "Great! You?"

Ash nodded, also lying. "Really good."

From his spot on the table, Pikachu rolled his eyes, noticing his trainer and Serena exchanging shy, almost too-earnest glances.

Delia soon returned with a small dish of butter, setting it down as the trio fell into easy conversation. Ash dove into his food, talking between bites as he shared their plans for the day: a visit to Professor Oak's lab, followed by a stopover at Professor Cerise's. Pikachu was practically bouncing in his seat at the thought of seeing everyone.

"Sounds like a full day!" Delia said, smiling as she buttered a pastry.

"Yup!" Ash replied through a mouthful, grinning. The sheer excitement of another day packed with adventures lit up his face.

Delia straightened up a moment before glancing out the window. "I was thinking," she began thoughtfully, "that we could have a little party on your last night here. With the Pokémon, the professors, and a few other friends in town."

Ash winced, his fork halfway to his mouth, a bit of reluctance in his expression. "A party…?"

Delia chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. "Don't think of it as a party. Just a family get-together, really. A chance for all of us to spend some time with you and Serena before you head out again for goodness knows how long."

Under the table, Serena reached over, her fingers brushing his knee reassuringly. "I think it sounds nice," she said softly, her smile gentle and encouraging.

Ash met her gaze, deliberating for a moment. He knew Serena enjoyed gatherings like that—moments where they could celebrate and share memories with friends. And with her hand resting encouragingly on his knee, he found himself warming to the idea.

"I guess… but…" Ash started, a hint of hesitation still lingering.

"Don't worry," Delia assured him with a warm smile, "we'll keep it small. Just the people in town."

Ash glanced back at Serena, seeing the soft excitement in her eyes, and finally nodded. "Alright. Sounds good." He couldn't deny the idea of celebrating with the Pokémon sounded kind of fun.

They returned to their breakfast, easy chatter filling the air. Soon, with their plates nearly empty, Ash and Pikachu both patted their full stomachs, grinning contentedly.

Not long after, Ash turned to Serena, grabbing her hand as he jumped to his feet, his face lighting up with his usual eagerness. "Ready to head to Oak's?"

Serena giggled, holding onto his hand but shaking her head. "Actually, I still need to clean up! I made quite the mess in the kitchen, and I need to pack the Poké Puffs for the Pokémon."

Ash's shoulders slumped, a pout forming on his face. "How long is that gonna take?"

Serena raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Not long… especially if you decide to help."

Ash groaned, casting her a pleading look, but then let out a defeated sigh. "Alright, alright…"

Amused, Serena reached up, giving him a quick peck on the lips, her own cheeks turning pink as she pulled away.

With renewed energy, they cleaned up together, laughter filling the kitchen as they washed dishes and packed the Poké Puffs into neat little containers. When everything was finally in order, Ash grabbed Serena's hand once more, leading her excitedly towards the door. Pikachu hopped onto her shoulder, his eyes glinting as he eyed the treats she was carrying.

As Ash turned to wave goodbye, he found his mom watching them with a quiet smile, her expression softer and more thoughtful than usual. And for the first time, he didn't feel the usual embarrassment—he felt a small sense of pride instead, knowing she was watching him with Serena. He gave her a grin.

"We should be back for dinner, Mom!"

Delia waved, her eyes twinkling. "It's alright if you're not," she replied with a soft laugh, though her words were barely loud enough for them to hear.

---

Ash and Serena arrived at Professor Oak's lab, the familiar building nestled among the rolling hills and greenery. This time, they didn't bother knocking. As they strolled through the lab's entrance, they found it unusually quiet, only a few lab assistants working around the tables. The assistants, who looked new to the job and a little startled, waved politely as Ash and Serena passed by. Ash waved back with a grin before heading through the back door, curious to see where everyone was.

Outside, in the lab's spacious backyard, the familiar sounds of Pokémon rustling, chirping, and calling out filled the air. It didn't take long for the familiar faces to spot them. Noivern—the first to greet them—swooped down with a happy call, while Pancham, sunglasses over his eyes, scampered up to Serena's side. Charcadet jogged up, his flames sparking cheerfully as he greeted his trainer with a little salute. And then, pushing through the trees and grass, Bayleef joined the group, her eyes shining with suspicion as she watched the young couple.

The other Pokémon soon joined as well. Even Snorlax, who had been lounging nearby, seemed to sense something different in the air. His sensitive, flat nose twitched, picking up the sweet scent of Serena's treats, and with a loud huff, he lumbered to his feet, his massive frame moving toward them.

Ash laughed, patting Noivern on the head as he noticed Snorlax approaching with an eager look in his eyes. "Hey, guys!" he called out, waving his hands. But then he noticed Snorlax's determined lumber and took a cautious step in front of Serena, holding out a hand. "Whoa! Wait, hold—"

Before Ash could finish, Snorlax grabbed him by the leg, lifting him up effortlessly so that Ash dangled upside down. Pikachu squeaked in surprise, clinging to Ash's shoulder as Snorlax peered around them, his eyes fixed hungrily on the box of treats Serena held.

As the Sleeping Pokémon's massive hand reached out, about to snatch a dessert from the box, Serena stepped forward, gently slapping his hand away with a scolding look. "You're going to have to share, Snorlax," she said firmly, lifting a finger in warning. "And please put Ash down."

Snorlax's eyes widened, and with a sheepish sweatdrop, he immediately fell into a submissive posture, nodding in apology. Doing as told, he set Ash back down on the ground, dropping him unceremoniously with a loud thud.

"Um…" Ash groaned, sitting up and rubbing his head as Pikachu shook his tiny fist at the Sleeping giant.

With Snorlax pacified, the rest of the Pokémon began crowding around Serena, their eyes lighting up as she opened the box to reveal a selection of beautifully decorated Poké Puffs. Charizard let out a happy Flamethrower, nearly scorching Hawlucha as he swooped down to the ground with a pose. Meanwhile, Totodile practically drooled, his eyes wide and jaws flapping with anticipation. Talonflame grew giddy, his wings fluttering as he settled down beside Serena—using an unamused Sceptile as a perch as he waited his turn. Nonetheless, each Pokémon's face lit up as Serena handed them their treats, the delightful aroma drawing even more Pokémon from across the field.

Bayleef, however, stood apart from the group, her expression a bit aloof as she kept her distance, casting occasional glances toward Ash. Serena noticed, her lips forming a gentle, knowing smile. She reached into the box and pulled out a special Poké Puff, one she'd made just for Bayleef, decorated with a delicate leaf pattern and a dusting of green icing.

Serena approached the Leaf Pokémon, holding up the treat with a coaxing glance. "Here, Bayleef. I think you'd love this one!"

Bayleef eyed the dessert suspiciously, her nose twitching as she sniffed it, clearly trying to keep up her standoffish act. But as the aroma hit her senses, her resolve weakened. With a quick, darting motion, she snatched the treat from Serena's hand, retreating a few steps to eat it privately. She took a tentative bite, her eyes widening, clearly finding it delicious. Quickly, she gobbled it up, her gaze flicking back to Serena with a shy curiosity, as if wondering if there was more.

Serena beamed, holding up another Poké Puff with a wink. "I made you an extra. Don't tell the others."

Bayleef tried to look dignified, tossing her head back as she came forward with a haughty expression. She delicately accepted the second treat, her air of entitlement making Serena giggle. Bayleef chewed it slowly, savoring the taste, though her eyes sparkled with contentment.

Just then, a familiar voice called out from across the field. "Ah! There you two are!"

Professor Oak, alongside Samson, Kukui, and Tracey, strolled up from the corral, a relaxed smile on each of their faces after what appeared to be a pleasant walk through the grounds. Behind them, Koraidon bounded up, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Ash and Serena. With a delighted rumble, he nuzzled his face against both of them, his gaze brightening even further as he noticed Serena's box of treats.

Ash and Serena laughed as Koraidon nudged them. Serena reached into the box to pull out a little dessert for him. Koraidon happily accepted the treat, sitting on his haunches beside Delphox and Lucario, savoring every bite.

"All the Pokémon sure look happy!" Tracey remarked, watching the scene with a grin.

"That's because they're eating Serena's Poké Puffs!" Ash replied, his mouth full of one of the treats himself, his cheeks caked with frosting. "They're the best things ever!"

Kukui raised an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh. "Should've known you'd end up with a girl who could feed you."

Samson shared an amused smile with his Komala, watching the cheerful scene. "Well," the Alolan professor eventually began, "we really must be off if we're going to have time to speak with Cerise beforehand."

Oak nodded, clapping his hands together. "Samson's right. Let's gather our things and be off!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. As the Pokémon finished their treats and busied themselves in the corral, Ash and Serena recalled their current team members for the journey, waving to the Pokémon staying behind. Tracey offered a small salute, promising to keep an eye on the lab and Pokémon for the day.

With that settled, the professors led the way toward the lab's garage, where Oak kept a few vehicles for daily work. There was a small cart for short errands around town, an ATV for getting around the corral, and a small car—the one they'd be using for their trip to Cerise's lab. Everyone squeezed into the vehicle, ready for the ride ahead.

Kukui, Ash, and Serena ended up in the back seat, with Pikachu comfortably settled in Ash's lap. Ash found himself stuck in the middle, and while he didn't mind being pressed up against Serena on one side, the feeling was a bit less thrilling with Kukui smooshed against him on the other.

Kukui noticed Ash's expression and winked at him. "Romantic, eh?"

Ash rolled his eyes, his cheeks reddening as he tried to ignore his professor's teasing.

"Seatbelts, everyone!" Oak called out from the driver's seat, fiddling with the controls. "I don't drive often!"

Everyone groaned, exchanging uneasy glances as they buckled up, bracing themselves for the ride ahead.

---

The small car wound its way into Viridian City, the familiar skyline coming into view less than an hour later. A soft haze had settled over the city, a mixture of morning mist and sunlight filtering down, giving it a peaceful, almost nostalgic feel. The city was bustling yet serene, with rows of tall buildings standing against the backdrop of gentle, green hills that rose in the distance with verdant parks nestled between modern skyscrapers,

In the heart of the city stood Cerise Labs, a grand building that looked like it belonged in a storybook. The lab was an impressive stone structure, complete with spires and ornate windows. Its well-maintained gardens spilled over with lush greenery, and tall trees flanked the stone pathway leading up to the main entrance. The architecture was stately, almost regal, with ivy climbing up one side of the building, adding to its timeless charm.

Serena leaned forward, gazing out the car window with wide eyes. "The lab is beautiful!" she exclaimed, taking in the sight of the elegant structure nestled amidst the bustling city.

Ash nodded eagerly, his face lighting up with a grin. "It's really cool. I can't wait to show you around! You're gonna love it."

They pulled up to a designated parking area on the lab's grounds, and Professor Oak parked the car. As soon as they stopped, everyone began to stretch, eager to shake off the cramped ride. Ash climbed out, stretching his arms above his head, while Serena followed suit, brushing her hands over her skirt to straighten it out. Pikachu, who had dozed off on Ash's lap during the drive, yawned widely, blinking sleepily before hopping up to his usual spot on Ash's shoulder.

The group made their way into Cerise Labs, stepping through large glass doors that slid open with a gentle hiss. Inside, the lab was bustling with activity, researchers and assistants moving purposefully between workstations and screens. The space was clean and modern, with large windows allowing natural light to flood in, illuminating the high-tech equipment that lined the walls. Ash recognized the hum of machinery and the faint, comforting smell of books and polished surfaces, a familiar environment that brought back fond memories.

Professor Oak led the way confidently, nodding at familiar faces and exchanging friendly greetings with several staff members as they passed. Ash, following behind with Serena, waved to a few of the researchers he recognized from his last visit, grinning widely. His excitement grew when he spotted two particularly familiar faces approaching them.

One was a tall, poised woman with deep blue hair pulled back into a high ponytail, dressed neatly in a green blouse, dark skirt, and a white lab coat. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she spotted Ash, clasping her hands together in excitement.

"Ash Ketchum!" she gasped, beaming. "It's good to see you!" She then turned to the young man beside her, a researcher with unkempt blonde hair, glasses, and a friendly smile. With a clinically pointed finger, she stated, "And look, Ren. He brought his girlfriend. I told you he was dating someone. It's all over the internet," she added with a triumphant grin.

The other lab assistant, Ren, chuckled, scratching the back of his unkempt blonde head with a relaxed smile. "Hey, Ash—How's it going?" The researcher wiggled his brows and exchanged a look with his Magnemite, Francois.

Ash's cheeks flushed a little as he glanced shyly at Serena. But he quickly slipped his hand into hers, bringing her closer to him with a warm grin. "Serena, I'd like you to meet Chrysa and Ren! They helped Goh and me with a lot of the lab work when we worked here!"

Serena smiled, reaching out to shake hands with both of them. Chrysa's handshake was warm and enthusiastic, while Ren's was shy but friendly.

"It is very, very nice to meet you!" Chrysa exclaimed, her eyes dancing as she took in Serena with an approving nod and wink. "I've seen some of your performances online. Showcases look so wonderful! I wish they'd come to Kanto!"

Serena beamed, "Thank you! They're absolutely amazing. Maybe one day, Kanto will see for itself!" She winked, excited by the thought of possibly promoting them in the region one day.

"But right now," Ash cut in, excited, "Serena's promoting them all over Paldea—or, she was. Now she's on her way to be the region's Top Coordinator!"

"Ash…" Serena bit the inside of her cheek, a little embarrassed by his enthusiasm.

Chrysa only chuckled before glancing at Ren who lit up with an idea. "Hey! Why don't we show you around a bit while Professor Cerise finishes up a call?" he offered. "He shouldn't be too long."

Serena glanced at Ash, her face glowing with excitement. "I'd love that!" she said, her hand still in his.

Leaving Professor Oak and the others to catch up with the rest of the staff, Chrysa and Ren led Ash and Serena down a brightly lit corridor, chatting and catching up with them both as the researchers introduced the Kalos Queen to different parts of the lab. As they walked, they reached a large domed room where the lab's pride and joy, Cerise Park, lay spread out before them.

The park was an incredible space, like a mini ecosystem within the lab itself, designed to replicate different habitats for Pokémon. It had sections that mimicked forests, meadows, and even ponds, allowing Pokémon to roam freely as if they were in the wild. Here, Ash and Goh had kept many of the Pokémon they'd caught, and as they stepped inside, Serena's eyes widened in awe.

"This is incredible!" Serena exclaimed and shared a happy glance with her Sylveon, who she'd let out from her Pokéball to enjoy the scenery. The Fairy-type trotted happily beside her, its ribbon-like feelers fluttering as it took in the new sights and smells.

They strolled along winding paths through the park, surrounded by the sounds of Pokémon chirping, rustling through bushes, and splashing in the water. Some areas were lush and green, dotted with colorful flowers, while others were shaded by large trees where Bug-type Pokémon buzzed around. Ash grinned as he pointed out certain areas, telling Serena stories of his and Goh's adventures while Chrysa and Ren confirmed all the shenanigans.

As they continued their wandering, Ash turned to lab assistants with a hopeful smile. "You know, Serena's looking for a new Pokémon! Is there anyone here who might need a new home?"

Chrysa tapped her chin thoughtfully, her eyes brightening as she scanned the area. "We always have Pokémon coming in that might want new partners," she mused, then glanced at Serena. "I'll think! I assume you want someone who can keep up with your performances?"

Ren chuckled, folding his arms with a smirk. "We still have a lot of Piplup around. Seems like they're always here in abundance!"

Chrysa laughed and added, "And the typical starters too—Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander. They're always looking for trainers who can give them a real challenge."

Ren gestured around them. "Really, we have a lot of Pokémon in our habitats, all creating their own little communities. It's like a mini Pokémon world here." He grinned proudly and pushed his glasses higher onto the bridge of his nose.

Sylveon bounded ahead, investigating a bush as a curious Squirtle peeked out from the pond nearby. The couple strolled further, catching up with Chrysa and Ren as they continued explaining the unique environment Cerise Park provided for Pokémon.

"Some Pokémon have even taken on their own roles here," Ren explained. "We've got a Raichu that's in charge of helping with the food supply, and Minun and Plulse like to think they keep everyone in line…"

Serena laughed, her eyes sparkling as she watched the Pokémon interact, each one moving through the space with purpose and comfort. She crouched down as a few curious Eevee came up to her and Sylveon, investigating the Fairy-Type with some admiration.

Ash looked at Serena, as if expecting her to share her thoughts, but she only offered the researchers a small smile, her gaze drifting back to the Pokémon around her. Truthfully, she felt a little overwhelmed. She didn't want this experience to feel like shopping for a new companion—she wanted a genuine connection, something that would feel natural and mutual. Just because the lab had many Pokémon didn't mean her next partner was necessarily here.

"I'm sure all the Pokémon here are amazing," she said softly, her voice thoughtful.

Just then, a new voice broke through the chatter. "Ah, there you all are."

A new figure strolled towards them along the park path, hands casually tucked in his pockets, a warm smile on his face. He was a tall, friendly-looking man with short, slightly spiky brown hair and glasses. At his heels trotted a small, energetic Yamper, its little tail wagging eagerly. Beside him, Professor Oak, Samson, and Kukui approached as well, looking pleased to have found the young couple.

Ash turned, his face lighting up. "Professor Cerise!" he greeted, grinning widely.

Professor Cerise chuckled, nodding as he returned Ash's greeting. "Good to see you, Ash." They shook hands, Cerise's smile as kind and welcoming as always.

After exchanging pleasantries, Cerise's gaze shifted to Serena, his expression softening with a warm, goofy smile. "And you must be Serena." He waved at her in his usual friendly way. "I've already heard a lot about you. My daughter, Chloe, has mentioned you several times. I believe you two have met before?"

Serena's eyes lit up, her excitement clear. "We have! How is she doing? Is she here?" She glanced around instinctively, hoping for a familiar face.

Cerise shook his head, adjusting his glasses with a fond smile. "She's currently in Hoenn, competing in contests. She's reached Hyper Rank now and is very excited to be competing at that level."

Serena beamed, pride shining in her expression. "That's wonderful! Chloe's so talented—she'll go far, I know it."

Professor Oak, who looked both eager and a touch anxious, cleared his throat with a subtle but practiced authority. Stepping forward, he adjusted his lab coat, his expression focused and serious.

"Ah, I hate to interrupt, but I'm afraid we're somewhat pressed for time before the conference begins," he said in his familiar, professor-like tone, each word deliberate and thoughtful. He turned to Cerise, his gaze meaningful. "There is, however, a particular Pokémon I believe you should examine closely…"

He paused, his eyes shifting to Ash with a weighty look. "And there are a few matters of importance regarding this Pokémon that we should bring our young Monarch up to speed on."

Cerise's brows furrowed in curiosity, his gaze shifting between Oak and Ash. He hummed, a hint of a concerned frown tugging at his lips. "Why do I have a feeling I'm going to be both very excited about this Pokémon and also very concerned?"

Kukui clapped a hand on Cerise's shoulder, giving him a sympathetic look. "Because you are."

Samson, arms folded, nodded solemnly. "Ash says the Pokémon in his possession is a Paradox Pokémon—a creature not from our time or even dimension."

Chrysa and Ren exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting a similar mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"A what?" Cerise's glasses glinted as he leaned forward, his eyes sharp with intrigue. "What do you mean? Where exactly could such Pokémon even come from? What is it, exactly?" He turned to Ash, his tone full of questions.

Ash winced, scratching the back of his neck. "Well… his name is Koraidon, but that's about all we know. I found him during my travels in Paldea, and… he's been with me ever since."

Cerise studied Ash's face for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully. "Let's take this to a more private part of the park so we can get a closer look. I'd like to observe him in a controlled setting." He turned to his assistants, "Chrysa, Ren—could you grab the anatomy scanner and energy gauge? We'll need the analysis kit as well."

Chrysa and Ren nodded, hurrying off to gather the equipment while Cerise gestured toward a forested section of the park. "Let's find a clearing in the forest habitat. It'll give us space and some privacy."

Everyone agreed, following Cerise's lead as they walked deeper into the forested area of Cerise Park.

---

Jubilife City, Sinnoh

The airport hummed with life, the air thick with excitement and nerves. Coordinators clustered in every corner, many animatedly discussing the upcoming season in Paldea. Snatches of conversation floated through the air:

"Did you hear? They're planning some wild themes for each round—"

"Only Paldea would go all out like this for their first Grand Festival…"

"I'm just so excited to see all the new Pokémon!"

Dawn, Lisia, and May sat near a large departure screen, flanked by suitcases in every possible shade of pink, green, and silver, their Pokémon nestled close by. Dawn adjusted the strap of her bag, eyes darting down to her Rotom Phone every few moments, while beside her, Lisia blew out a frustrated breath, lifting her turquoise bangs and watching them settle back into place.

"So, when is this Lebarón guy going to call?" the turquoise-haired contest idol muttered, filing her nails with the intense concentration she usually reserved for a stage performance. Beside her, Ali yawned and tried to nap.

"Any minute, really." Dawn checked her phone once more, biting her lip. She glanced at Piplup, who was nibbling on a poffin, "I hope he doesn't call while we're on the plane."

May's curiosity got the better of her and she looked up from stroking Glaceon's fur. "Why does he want to talk to you, Dawn? Isn't he, like, the director of the whole festival?"

Dawn shrugged, though her posture hinted at a quiet confidence. "Don't know. I'm just as surprised as you are." She didn't want to sound overly proud, but she couldn't deny that her popularity as part of the Contest Idol trio had rekindled the recognition she'd once commanded. A call from someone of Guillermo's standing was flattering, but in a way, it almost felt inevitable.

Lisia stifled a yawn, stretching dramatically with a feline grace. "I hope he's calling to tell us we'll be flying business class…"

Just as the words left her mouth, a soft chime came from Dawn's Rotom Phone. The screen flashed, and the girls huddled close as the video call connected. Onscreen appeared a young man, perhaps in his twenties, with a look that could only be described as strikingly handsome.

All three girls instinctively leaned in, vying for the best view. The man had a rugged yet polished appearance, his dark hair groomed to a fault, while a perfectly trimmed beard framed his jawline, lending him an air of sophistication. His intense eyes flicked over them with interest, expressive and warm against the deep tan of his skin. The suit he wore was tailored and high-quality, accentuating his broad shoulders without drawing too much attention to itself.

"Buenas tardes, ladies." His voice was smooth and pleasantly deep. "My apologies, I didn't realize I'd get the pleasure of speaking with all three of you."

Both Lisia and May flushed, glancing at each other as they pulled back slightly. May waved her hands, chuckling nervously. "Oh, no, no—it's okay, really. We were just so curious to meet you…?"

Lisia ducked out of the screen briefly to give May a little nudge. Then she popped back with a practiced, sunny smile. "When our wonderful, talented friend Dawn told us about her call with you, we had to know what it's all about. Hope you don't mind, Mr. Lebarón, right?" She fluttered her lashes, her charm dialed up to full effect.

Guillermo's smile brightened, a hint of amusement in his dark eyes. "I don't mind at all, as long as our princesa, Dawn, does not?"

Off-camera, May mouthed, Wow.

Dawn did her best to ignore her friends, though the blush warming her cheeks gave her away. "I don't mind! Lisia and May are my best friends. They're coming with me to Paldea to get me settled in before the contests begin."

"That is most wonderful to hear." Guillermo's voice softened as he looked directly at her. "And I must say, I am most eager for your arrival, señorita. The Pearl of Sinnoh, I've taken myself to calling you. Truly, your talent is one to be greatly admired, and I cannot wait to see you take Paldea's contest scene by storm."

Dawn's blush deepened as she cast a quick glance at her friends. Both were gaping at her, May's jaw practically unhinged.

"I'm so excited to be taking part in this!" Dawn managed, her voice light with nerves. "I've heard so many wonderful things about Paldea."

"And I hope to show some of those wonderful things myself," Guillermo responded with a charming grin. "But I would love to personally introduce you to some of the coordinators and judges you'll meet during your visit. Perhaps I could escort you to the Coordinator's Banquet? It would be my pleasure to ensure you have at least one friend to help you navigate our foreign waters."

Lisia nodded eagerly, still just out of frame. Dawn's pulse quickened. "T-that would be great!"

"Excelente." Guillermo's eyes sparkled with delight. "I look forward to seeing you face-to-face, Pearl of Sinnoh." With a lingering smile, he offered a few other pleasantries to the other two contest idols before ending the call.

A beat of silence stretched between the three friends before May let out a squeal, hopping up from her seat. "Dawn's getting her own Paldean romance!" She clasped her hands, little hearts practically visible in her eyes.

"Oh, please," Dawn scoffed, turning an even darker shade of pink. She couldn't deny being touched and honored by Guillermo's attention, but… "He's at least seven years older than us."

Lisia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That's never stopped me."

May deadpanned, pointing a finger at her. "No offense, but very little stops you, Lisia."

Lisia shrugged, flipping open a compact mirror to apply a light dusting of powder. "He did seem very friendly." She paused, watching Dawn's reflection. Guillermo's interest made sense to some degree—Dawn was very pretty, after all—but something in the man's intensity felt ever so slightly off. And, according to Lisia's understanding of the world, a man with his looks and charm could have anyone. So why had he sought out Dawn so specifically?

"Maybe a little romance will help you get over 'you-know-who,'" May teased, eyebrows waggling mischievously. "We could find some other gallant Paldean to whisk you away?"

Dawn rolled her eyes with a grimace as Piplup looked up at her, his gaze filled with quiet concern. "Guys, I just want to focus on the contest. It's been a while."

"You'll be amazing!" May declared, squeezing Dawn's shoulder with an understanding smile.

Lisia snapped her compact shut, expertly shifting the mood—mostly for Dawn's sake. "I'm excited to see Serena." Her eyes glittered as she began scrolling through her phone, absently running her fingers through Ali's feathers with her other hand. "And I want to finally meet the famous Ash Ketchum—I mean, look at them."

She pulled up a picture on her phone and showed it to her friends—a shot of Ash and Serena she'd found on a Paldean gossip blog that seemed to have an uncanny knack for scooping everyone else when it came to the young couple. The photo was taken in Levincia, right after Ash's gym battle with Iono. In it, Ash and Serena looked completely absorbed in each other, their smiles soft and close as Ash held her against him, one arm reaching to open the door of a sleek black SUV.

May leaned in, stifling a squeal as she studied Serena's outfit in the photo. "I would've given anything to see Ash's face when she walked out in that."

Lisia's eyes sparkled with delight, admiring Serena's flawless appearance—truly, the girl had grown too beautiful for her own good. "Urgh, I'm obsessed with that look on her," the contest idol declared. "I'm sure that boy pounced on her the moment they got in that car."

Dawn snorted, a sound so unrestrained that it echoed around them. She raised her brows in disbelief, crossing her arms. "Um, you clearly don't know Ash Ketchum."

May grinned knowingly, catching Dawn's drift. "I'm sure Serena's had to do a lot of hand-holding with him."

"Well, I wonder just how far she's led him along." Lisia's grin turned devilish, and she leaned back, toying with a strand of her turquoise hair.

"Lisia!" May gasped, feigning shock as she swatted at her friend's arm. "You're terrible! You'll need to respect their privacy."

But Lisia only shrugged, unapologetic. "You know I can't do that. I'm insatiable," she teased, casting a wicked grin at Dawn.

Dawn smirked, shaking her head. "Ash is going to have a blast meeting you."

Their laughter echoed above the airport hum as they slipped into lively chatter about their outfits and the best boutiques Paldea had to offer. Lisia and May swapped ideas for concert-inspired dresses and stage accessories, each suggestion more elaborate than the last. The promise of shopping sprees and new wardrobes had them both practically giddy, but as the conversation rolled on, Dawn fell quiet, her gaze turning distant.

The thought of seeing Ash again lifted her spirits, and meeting Serena—the girl who had managed to find her way into Ash's heart—was both thrilling and a little nerve-wracking if she were honest. She had heard so much about the honey-blonde beauty…

But beneath all of that, a deeper worry lingered, tugging at her mind. This contest season felt different. She would be stepping onto a brand-new stage, among top-tier coordinators from around the world, all by herself for the first time in a few years. And while she was confident in herself and her Pokémon, Dawn knew she wasn't the same girl who'd almost won three Top Coordinator titles in one year—the girl who'd almost made history…

The Pearl of Sinnoh.

Guillermo's voice echoed in her memory, his words smooth and flattering, but the title felt heavy, almost too surreal. Were people really calling her that? Could she really still live up to it? She felt Piplup's gentle nudge on her arm and looked down to see his familiar, encouraging gaze. She smiled and lifted him to nuzzle her cheek.

But even after she'd set him down, a part of Dawn couldn't help but wonder. Could she meet everyone's expectations? Could she live up to her own?

---

Viridian City, Kanto

In a quiet clearing within Cerise Park's forest habitat, Koraidon lay comfortably on the grass, his large, scaled body relaxed under the dappled sunlight that filtered through the dome. Despite his initial curiosity, the powerful Pokémon now seemed calm, even a little sleepy, as Chrysa and Ren took turns with their scanning devices, capturing as much data as they could.

Their scans displayed a multitude of readings on the tablet screens: Koraidon's typing, which identified him as a Dragon and Fighting type, the density and structure of his scales, and his unique energy levels that seemed to fluctuate with each scan. Chrysa noted the dragon's immense muscular structure, and Ren recorded the readings that suggested a particularly unusual energy signature that wasn't typical of Dragon-types they were familiar with. They exchanged quiet remarks, clearly fascinated by the creature before them, taking down notes on his anatomy, energy output, and even his unique ability to generate energy within his frilled mane.

Koraidon, though initially confused by the attention, didn't seem to mind much, thanks to Ash's gentle encouragement and Serena's Poké Puffs, which he eagerly accepted with a rumbling purr of contentment. Ash crouched beside him, speaking to him softly, patting his scaled neck as he reassured the Pokémon that they were simply observing. Koraidon watched Ash and Pikachu with trust, occasionally glancing at the professors with curiosity but remaining relaxed.

While Koraidon contentedly chewed another Poké Puff, Ash had finished explaining his discovery of the mysterious Pokémon. He described how he had come across Koraidon during his journey in Paldea and how Director Clavell had helped him understand as much as he could about the Pokémon's origins. He shared everything he knew about Area Zero, Professor Turo's research on Terastallization and Tera Energy…the potential of time travel, and the possibility of a time machine…

When Ash finished, the professors exchanged troubled glances, the gravity of his story settling heavily over the group.

Professor Oak frowned, folding his arms as he digested Ash's words. "Time travel, you say? And a machine capable of such a thing… if Professor Turo was truly experimenting with temporal technology, we may be dealing with forces far beyond our understanding."

Samson muttered, shaking his head. "This is unprecedented. A Pokémon from another era, possibly even another timeline…This Koraidon defies any logic we've encountered before."

"I've seen a lot of rare Pokémon and unusual abilities, but nothing that crosses the boundaries of time like this." Kukui's brows knitted, his eyes not leaving Koraidon. "If Professor Turo's research went as far as Ash says, then who knows what else might be out there."

Cerise adjusted his glasses, glancing at his colleagues. "We'll need to investigate carefully. A creature like this could have consequences we can't even predict—ecological, scientific, even societal." Then with a pause, "It could also explain some anomalies we've already observed…"

Ash, sensing their mounting concern, hesitated. He blew out a long breath, unsure if he should reveal more. But this information was important; he knew they deserved to know everything. Steeling himself, he decided to continue—glancing quickly at Serena, who looked determined for him to keep going.

"There's more," the young champion began, his voice low, "and it's something even Director Clavell doesn't know about…"

Ash walked over to Koraidon, meeting the Pokémon's gaze with a nod of understanding. The scarlet dragon let out a quiet rumble, leaning his head toward Ash as the young champion reached up to gently ruffle the plume-like feathers on Koraidon's head. As he did, a faint glow appeared from within the Pokémon's crest, shimmering in hues of crystalline blue and violet.

Kukui's eyes widened, leaning forward with intrigue. "What is that?"

"It's a Tera Shard," Ash explained, gesturing to the source of the glow—a small, jagged crystal shard that pulsed faintly with a mysterious energy. "But… it's different."

The shard didn't resemble the typical Tera Shards he'd come across during his time in Paldea. He remembered how the energy felt denser, almost alive, and it had a strange, almost hypnotic glow—and the visions…

"The way it works," Ash began, trying to explain as best as he could, "is that Tera Shards are usually used to create Tera Orbs. Professor Turo developed the Tera Orb so it could tap into these shards' power. The orb can Terastallize a Pokémon either based on its own natural type, or you can program a Tera Orb from shards of a specific type to change any Pokémon to that type, even if it's not their own. It's… kinda confusing, I know," he admitted, scratching the back of his head.

Cerise's eyes widened in fascination as he stepped closer to observe the shard, leaning down toward Koraidon's back. "Incredible," he murmured, glancing at Ash. "May I?"

Ash nodded. "Yeah, I was actually hoping you'd take a look at this one. Again, it's different from any Tera Shard I've seen before…"

Professor Oak's brows knitted together in curiosity. "What do you mean, Ash?"

Ash scratched his cheek, a bit of uncertainty crossing his face. "Well, for one, it doesn't seem to have a Tera Type. Every Tera Shard I've come across is tied to one of the eighteen Pokémon types, but this one is…"

Kukui leaned in, noting the swirling colors. "A rainbow?" he suggested, as Cerise carefully retrieved the shard from Koraidon's back, the dragon nodding in silent permission.

"Yeah, exactly," Ash said. "It's like… it doesn't belong to any single type, but all of them at once. And the energy inside it feels way more intense than usual Tera Shards. Director Clavell says these shards contain dormant energy, but this one…" He trailed off, exchanging a glance with Serena.

Samson adjusted his glasses, his expression contemplative. "Seems to be full of very potent energy rather than dormant energy, I should say."

Ash's eyes again found Serena, who held his arm, a quiet but encouraging look in her eyes. She seemed to be waiting.

The young champion blew out another long breath, bracing himself. "Yeah, so…here's the thing. I can't actually touch Tera Shards without…without something weird happening."

All the professors froze, their expressions shifting from curiosity to immediate concern.

Cerise, lowering the shard slightly, gave Ash a serious look above his glasses. "What do you mean, Ash?"

Ash shifted, his eyes drifting toward the ground as he tried to explain. "When I touch normal Tera Shards, I can… I don't know how to say it, but I feel their energy. It's almost like I can access it somehow. But whenever I do, I feel like the shard is trying to pull something out of me, almost like it's drawing energy from me, too."

Kukui exchanged a worried look with Oak, but Ash continued.

"With this rainbow shard, though," he said, glancing at the shimmering fragment in Cerise's hands, "it's even weirder. I don't just feel its energy… I actually got visions. Like, images in my head."

"What kind of visions, Ash…?" Kukui grew even more concerned, and he stared hard at the young champion.

Ash wasn't exactly willing to go into detail—still unsure, or not really believing, what it was he saw. "I just," he shook his head, trying to clear his mind of Turo's strange words, "I saw glimpses of things and people I didn't recognize…it was like stepping into a memory that wasn't mine. I don't know if it was from another time or place, but it was… intense."

"Whose memory did you step into?" Oak rubbed his chin, trying to follow Ash's words, but clearly dubious.

Ash shook his head again, rubbing his face, frustrated. "I don't know…"

Cerise closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to process everything Ash had shared. "This is all becoming rather complex," he muttered, then sighed, gazing thoughtfully at the shard in his hands. "But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, given what's going on in the rest of the world."

Serena tightened her grip on Ash's arm, her expression tense with concern. "What is going on, Professor?" she asked softly.

Cerise opened his mouth to respond, then chuckled wryly, as if trying to lighten the mood. "Well, it's hard to explain…without some tea and teacakes." He gave a small, amused smile, the gravity of the situation softened slightly by his attempt at humor.

He carefully placed the Tera Shard in a large glass tube then turned to Chrysa. "Chrysa, let's study this shard under the ion spectrometer and the molecular scanner. We need to analyze every possible property of this Tera Shard. Let Koraidon be for now; he seems comfortable enough here. In fact, all your Pokémon are welcome to roam the park and enjoy themselves while we discuss."

He looked back at Ash and Serena. "But I suggest the rest of us have a private conversation in my office. There are matters here that require more discretion."

Everyone nodded, exchanging solemn glances as they began preparing to move. Chrysa and Ren set off to gather the specialized equipment for analyzing the shard, and the professors quietly led the way toward the main building, each lost in their thoughts about what they had just learned.

---

The group settled into Professor Cerise's office, a quiet, well-lit room filled with bookshelves, green plants, and comfortable seating that gave it a scholarly yet welcoming atmosphere. Ash and Serena sat side by side, while Professors Oak, Kukui, and Samson arranged themselves around the desk, facing the young Monarch as Cerise prepared to present his findings.

The Kanto professor leaned forward, his hands moving expressively as he spoke, his voice charged with academic enthusiasm. Once the tea and teacakes had been served to everyone, Cerise wasted very little time in diving into business. "Recently," he began, handing Ash a few documents, "my team has been working with professors around the regions to deepen our understanding of transformations unique to each region. As you know, Alola has Z-Moves, Kalos has Mega Evolution, Galar has Dynamax… each transformation uses a type of energy specific to that region."

His eyes lit up with excitement as he continued, "We've been examining these transformations in terms of their energy source. Each one appears draws from a power often connected to a legendary Pokémon and, or, requires a special item to channel that energy. This energy—what we're calling 'Stable Energy'—is a fundamental force that binds Pokémon, Trainers, and nature itself!"

Oak nodded and decided to add on, "In some lore, it's even referred to as Aura, which we understand some Pokémon and people to be sensitive to," he gave Ash a slight knowing look, but continued, "Whatever it is, it is a pervasive energy that appears to forge a nexus between all living things. Based on all of this research, our hypothesis suggests that Stable Energy might manifest differently in different regions, correlating with the distinct evolutionary methodologies and combative strategies endemic to each area. Our conference today is truly a joint effort in attempting to understand how all these uses and manipulations of Stable Energy are all interconnected."

Cerise gauged Ash's reaction, then added, "And so all of these regional energies—Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, and perhaps even Paldea's Terastal phenomenon—might be connected by this Stable Energy. They're like different branches from the same source." The professor's tone grew more somber, and he shuffled through some more papers on his desk before continuing. "But if Stable Energy in Paldea is being—or has been—tampered with, we could see serious consequences beyond just that region."

Kukui nodded, his brows furrowed as he looked at Ash. "The fact that your scientist fellow has already brought in Pokémon—maybe more—from another dimension into our world suggests that he's definitely done something to tamper with this energy. Whether it was through a time machine or something else, it would explain some of the disruptions we're seeing across regions…"

"For instance, in Alola," Samson interrupted with a mild scowl, "some Z-Crystals have started to fade, losing their vibrancy and becoming less effective. Z-Moves generated with these weakened crystals are less powerful or fail to reach their full potential."

"Not to mention that there's been reports from Hoenn and Unova of Pokémon with elemental powers showing signs of imbalance, sometimes producing weaker attacks, as if their core energy is partially suppressed or disrupted." Oak added, sighing and sinking his hands deeper into his pockets.

Cerise jumped, holding up a finger as if asking the room to wait while he spread out a series of charts across his desk, his fingers trembling slightly as he pointed to one. "Kalos too. Mega Stones are becoming harder to activate or exhibit weakened transformations. Some trainers report that even in optimal conditions, the Mega Evolutions are unstable, causing Pokémon to revert mid-battle or experience fatigue after Mega Evolving."

He went on, gesturing to the charts, "And so, I went to investigate and while trying to locate some Mega Stones near Ambrette Town, I remember our field meter appeared to be malfunctioning." He pointed to a line graph with irregular peaks and troughs. "Do you see here how these readings are cyclical in the correct environment and conditions? Well, the farther south we went…"

The second chart he indicated showed a stark contrast to the normal fluctuations. The lines were erratic, displaying sudden spikes that deviated wildly from the baseline, suggesting external interference or an anomaly in the natural flow of energy.

"Of course, it's difficult to tell if these readings are correct, or if our instruments are still too ill-equipped to read the type of raw energy properly." Cerise sighed, tapping his chin.

Serena leaned in, her face serious as she motioned to the region south of Kalos. "So you're suggesting that your readings picked up something from Paldea?"

Cerise nodded gravely. "Yes. At first, I wasn't sure, but with everything Ash just told us…The disruptions we're tracking are partly what prompted the upcoming conference. Champions from all over need us to address these disturbances and help neutralize them. The Council is worried."

Ash raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled. "The Council…? Are you talking about the Council of Champions? What even is that and why do I keep hearing about it?"

Oak took a deep breath, his voice carrying the weight of his years of experience. "The Council of Champions is a relatively new organization, formed under Lance's guidance. Its purpose is to unite each region's champions to keep order and balance in the Pokémon world, particularly in times of crisis."

Serena frowned, her hand slipping back into Ash's in support. "But…Ash is the Monarch. Why hasn't he heard of this?"

Cerise offered a sheepish smile. "My guess is that someone was going to approach you eventually, Ash—likely when you were a little older or if a situation arose that called for it. Until recently, things were stable, and there was no immediate need to involve you."

"And you were still a young kid. I'm sure they didn't want to put all that on your shoulders," Kukui sighed, but forced a chuckle, adding with a touch of humor, "But now, it looks like everyone's a bit too busy handling their own messes to worry about formalities."

Ash thought about this, looking down at the floor for a moment. He wasn't entirely sure if he even wanted to be part of a council like that, but then another part of him felt the weight of responsibility that came with his title. He felt like he should have at least been told about the problems in Alola, but he let that go for now, instead turning to Professor Oak. "So… what does all this mean?"

"It means…" Oak's expression turned grave. "That it may be up to you to get to the bottom of whatever's happening in Paldea. If a time machine—or some type of portal is active—it must be shut down immediately, or we could risk irreversible damage."

Cerise nodded in agreement, his tone heavy. "And as for Koraidon—and any Paradox Pokémon like him—if they're left in this timeline, it will affect the equilibrium of things in our world. In fact, the longer they stay, the more likely they are to cause disruptions, rippling out and creating consequences we can't even begin to predict."

Ash let out a small, nervous laugh, sinking back in his chair. "So, no pressure…"

Oak placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll do everything we can to support you, Ash. We're hoping to meet with other champions soon, and perhaps they can lend their strength. But doesn't Paldea have its own champion?"

Serena winced slightly, "She's… missing, apparently." She glanced at Ash, trying to read his mind, but he looked a thousand miles away.

A heavy silence fell over the room, each person processing the weight of the situation. After a moment, Ash's face hardened with determination. "Don't worry. Serena and I have strong friends in Paldea. I'm confident we'll figure out what's going on."

Serena startled a bit and stared at Ash, pride swelling in her chest at his strength. He was taking responsibility not just as a champion, but as a leader, and he hadn't hesitated to include her in his plans. Quietly, she gave his hand a supportive squeeze. He glanced at her, a small, appreciative smile tugging at his lips.

Cerise nodded, his voice warm. "Safe to say we believe in you. We'll support you however we can from here. Once we finish analyzing that Tera Shard you brought, we might be able to provide more insights into what exactly you're dealing with."

Ash's expression softened, and he gave a nod. "Yeah, that would be great."

Kukui clapped his hands, breaking the tension with a grin. "Alright, I think we've spoiled enough of your vacation with all this serious talk. You kids deserve a break!"

Cerise chuckled, his usual friendly demeanor returning. "Serena, there's plenty to explore in the park, and we also have a cafeteria where you and your Pokémon can grab a good meal. You and Ash should feel free to stay as long as you want, even with the conference going on."

Ash's stomach growled audibly, prompting laughter from the group. Serena giggled. "Sounds perfect!"

Everyone stood to leave. Cerise struck up a conversation with the Kalos Queen about Chloe's latest travels, recounting her progress in Hoenn's contests with a warm, proud smile. Kukui, however, held Ash back for a moment, letting the others drift out before closing the office door, leaving them alone for a brief conversation.

Ash looked at him, slightly puzzled. "What's up?"

Kukui took a deep breath, his eyes serious but kind. "I just wanted to make sure you're doing okay. This is… a lot of responsibility to put on your shoulders, you know?" The Alolan professor folded his arms across his broad chest, "You're handling things that most adults would find overwhelming."

Ash sighed, his shoulders sinking a bit as he looked at Pikachu, who tried to give his trainer an encouraging pat on the head. "I'm fine. Really," Ash found himself saying, though there was a hint of weariness in his voice. "It's just… yeah, it's a lot. Sometimes I feel like I'm supposed to have all the answers, but I don't even know where to start half the time."

Kukui nodded, leaning against the desk with a thoughtful look. "That's natural, Ash. No one expects you to have all the answers. But you've got good instincts, and you're surrounded by people who want to help you. You don't have to do it all alone." He gave Ash a reassuring pat on the back—which always hurt, just a little. "And, look, being a leader doesn't mean you're not allowed to take breaks."

Ash felt his cheeks puff out with a pent up breath, and he managed a small smile while resettling his signature hat atop his wild raven hair. "Thanks, Professor." He needed to hear that. He'd suddenly felt guilty for leaving Paldea at all, when apparently he was needed there more than ever.

"Look," Kukui eyed Ash as if sensing his thoughts; his tone lightened as he added, "I hope we're not ruining your vacation with all this serious talk. Serena's having a good time, yeah?"

Ash's cheeks turned a faint pink. "I think so… I mean, yeah, I'm pretty sure she is," he said, scratching the back of his neck and glancing at Pikachu as if to get his best buddy's confirmation. However, Pikachu's raised eyebrows said, "Don't look at me…"

Kukui chuckled, giving the young champion a grin. "Well, why don't you guys go out tonight? Unwind a little, explore the city?"

Ash blinked, his blush deepening. "O-out? Like… on a date?"

Kukui raised an eyebrow, his smile melting into something that looked mildly like panic. "Um, yeah? You have gone on a date with your girlfriend before, right?" The wrestler looked down at Pikachu, "He has, right?!"

Pikachu repeated the very same expression he'd given his trainer. Really, how was he supposed to know these things?

Ash shifted on his feet, mumbling. "Well… we've been on one…maybe one and a half!"

Kukui's jaw dropped, and he looked stricken. "One? Ash Ketchum, I thought I taught you better!"

"Hey!" Ash flinched, defensive. "What's the big deal? We hang out all the time!"

Kukui rubbed his temples. "Arceus. Hanging out isn't the same as a date." He then sighed and tugged at his lab coat, straightening with an erudite air before lifting a finger, "A date is about creating memories just for the two of you. It's a time to show Serena she's important to you, that you want her to feel like she's the only one that matters in that moment. If you're intentional with her about dates, she won't doubt that you prioritize her even when life gets busy."

Ash listened, nervously considering all of this and feeling a little bad he didn't know it all before. "I… I didn't know that," he rubbed his face a little frustrated. "Urgh, see? I don't know anything about this kind of stuff…"

Kukui chuckled, patting Ash (again, forcefully) on the back. "Hey, Serena doesn't seem to mind. But you're learning now! And that's what I'm here for." He puffed out his chest proudly, then reached into his pocket, pulling out two movie tickets. "Here. Samson and I were planning to see that new Pokéstars studio movie, but you and Serena should go instead."

"A movie?" Ash's eyes lit up as he exchanged an excited glance with Pikachu, who nodded in approval at the idea. "That sounds awesome!" He clenched his fist, looking ready to take on the world again.

Kukui held up a stern hand. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on, champ! Not just the movie. Here's what I'd do, if I were you." The professor cleared his throat and painted the scene: "Take her out to dinner first, make it special—in fact, I'll help you find reservations somewhere nice. Then, after dinner, enjoy the movie and buy her whatever candy she wants. That's mandatory. Even if it's a candy you hate, ask to share. For some reason, girls love sharing—don't ask me why. Finally, go for a nice walk through the city and talk. Girls love to do that too."

Ash blushed, nodding slowly as he imagined the evening. "Right, right… dinner, movie, walk, talk…"

Kukui's smile turned a little awkward, and he cleared his throat a few times, as if trying to bring up a difficult topic. Ash noticed and raised an eyebrow. "Um? What else? Did I miss something?"

Kukui sighed, then looked at Ash with a pained expression. "Well, this just all reminds me that, uh…" The professor began to clear his throat over and over again to the point Ash wondered if he was okay. Eventually, Kukui did manage to continue, "You, uh, know—your mom called Oak who then talked to me and asked me to talk to you because, you know, he's, well, while he's known you pretty much your entire life, he feels like he's far removed from, well—"

Ash's eyes narrowed, he had a bad feeling about all of this. "Why is my mom calling people…?"

Kukui stammered, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to find the right words. "Well… she just wants to make sure that you and Serena are being, uh… careful."

Ash blinked, utterly lost. "Careful? I'm always doing my best to keep her safe—if that's what she means?" He looked genuinely flustered, wondering if his mom was worried about him dragging Serena into his dangerous life, and wondering why she didn't just confront him about all of this.

Kukui shook his head, exasperated, and tapped his fingers together, trying to explain delicately. "No, no, not physically safe—well, yes, but also… no." He struggled for a moment before finally blurting it out. "Your mom just wants to make sure that when you and Serena are together… you're being safe, as in, responsible. You know, 'intimate'… safety."

The next words flew out of the professor's mouth without much thought, "She knows your dad isn't around to talk to you about all of this, but, uh, while I'm sure your mom wants grandkids at some point, she wants to make it clear that right now is not ideal—"

Ash's world began to spin and his face erupted into flames and fire and all things molten in the world. "W-WHAT?!"

Meanwhile, Pikachu fell onto the floor, rolling in tears of laughter.

Just then, the office door creaked open, and Ren stepped in with his Magnemite hovering close behind him. Ren adjusted his glasses, looking between the two with a slightly perplexed expression. "Oh, Sorry! Professor Oak sent me to check up on you guys. Everyone's already at the cafeteria…but I can come back if you're in the middle of something…"

Kukui waved him off, still looking flustered but managing a reassuring smile. "No, no, you're good, Ren." He turned back to Ash, patting his shoulder in an almost fatherly way. Really, Kukui reflected, he was quite good at this awkward business. By the time Lei was old enough, he'd be quite the professional.

With a wink, the Alolan professor gave Ash a thumbs up, "We'll talk more later, okay?"

Ash, still reeling, said nothing, a twitch in his eye was the only thing indicating that the young champion was still consciously present. Pikachu wiped his little tears and made a silent oath to be far far away from that later 'talk.'

---

Alright! So what did we think?! Haha, I know we were all over the place, and again I apologize if the pacing felt a little rushed, but we just have sooooo much to get through and I don't want chapters to get toooo long…but I guess "too long" is relative haha.

So, I hope the conversations at the beginning of the chapter came across as meaningful and important. Ash's convo with his mom, as well as his conversation with Serena, reveal layers of his internal struggle with identity, responsibility, and love, that hopefully are leading to significant character development. Each conversation contributes uniquely to Ash's journey of self-understanding and his shifting role in relationships, revealing the tension he feels between his public persona as the Pokémon Monarch and his personal vulnerabilities.

Now, with Ash and Serena, we see a few other things: When Ash opens up to Serena about his fears, it's a significant step for him in developing emotional intimacy. While he's used to being seen as strong and capable, Serena's acceptance and encouragement reinforce that love is not about putting up a front but about growing together. Her responses demonstrate her ability to see past his self-imposed expectations and value the person he is. Serena's reassurance—affirming her choice to be with Ash not for his achievements but for his loyalty, kindness, and bravery—helps Ash see that he's valued beyond his titles and successes. This moment strengthens Ash's confidence in their relationship, allowing him to embrace the idea that he's loved for who he truly is. :) And of course, Ash's openness then allows Serena to reveal her own insecurities about being good enough for him, considering his accomplishments and fame.

Both conversations allow Ash to express anxieties he's rarely vocalized, suggesting a maturation in his character. Where he once pursued success single-mindedly, he's now beginning to see the importance of balancing his dreams with his new responsibility and personal relationships, and, ultimately, his fear of losing Serena.

Alright, I'm done. I just think way too much about these things.

For those of you wanting more Pokémon interactions, we will get those in due time! The little party Delia mentioned will be a good time for that.

Anyway, take care! Would love to hear from you all :)