: Lumiose City, Kalos :

After the Ultra Guardians managed to save Kalos from a Nihilego, Ash, Serena, May, Max and Pikachu stop by a restaurant at May's request.

"This one," Serena points at a hotel, May agrees.

"Let's get in then," Max says, running into the restaurant, May following him by grabbing Ash and Serena by their hands. The group sit at a round table and order their food while an artist was singing on the dais.

"He's singing great, isn't he Ash?" Serena says softly looking at Ash.

"Yeah, great!" Ash says admiring the music. While the gang was waiting for their food to arrive, the spotlight suddenly shifts to Ash.

"Who do we have here?" the anchor says, looking at Ash, and waving at him as he hesitates.

"Go on Ash," Max says pushing him.

STAND TALL

"This song is for someone special, I've wanted to sing it to her for so long", Ash says looking towards Serena. Ash then starts to sing a song that made him and Serena dive into the pool of their memories.

Serena looks at Ash, who's looking at her and blushes, she remembers the first time they met in Pallet town as kids. When they both kids went to Professor Oak's Pokémon Camp. Both of them lost because of the same Poliwag. Ash then helps her back to the camp.

She remembers the last time they both parted on different journeys, Ash leaving back to Kanto and herself leaving to Hoenn. Serena remembers her kissing Ash before leaving to Hoenn, Ahh that romantic day... Serena remembers the dance she missed having with Ash, in the dance party for Pokémon Performers back when they were travelling together. Serena remembers the day when he was sick and she thought he was about to propose to her.

Serena remembers how Ash gave her the ribbon at the Coumarine City festival. That's the same ribbon present she still holds onto.

You look perfect tonight!

"That girl must be a really lucky woman," some of them say cheering Ash. Ash goes back to his friends.

"That was great Ash!" Max tells him, the others shake their heads.

"Thanks, guys!" Ash says scratching the back of his head.

A few days have passed, since the incident, the Alolans went back to Alola. May and Max left to do some shopping since they'll be leaving later that day. Clemont, Clembot, and Bonnie had to go to the Gym leaders meet in Anistar City. And, Ash was made the substitute Gym leader now where he managed to defeat the three trainers who came to challenge the gym.

He calls the day off and goes to Serena who was busy cooking dinner for the night. Serena's Sylveon and Ash's Pikachu are playing while Greninja was meditating, Rowlett was sleeping and Torracat was just minding its own business, Ash's Lycanroc and Serena's Braixen became good friends and Pancham was challenging Ash's Charizard. It was a pretty ironic scene and it was quite funny for Ash to watch them.

"Hey Serena," Ash calls for the girl. But the girl was busy with her cooking and doesn't hear Ash. So Ash decides to get into the kitchen and scares Serena.

"Ash! You literally, scared me!" she says throwing a Poképuff at Ash. The Poképuff was about to hit Ash, but Ash catches it with his mouth.

"HEY! What was that for?" he asks eating the Poképuff, while Serena giggles. But then she locks eyes with Ash's, the two looked at each other for a while when Ash breaks the silence.

"Hey Serena, I wanna ask you something," Ash starts.

"Even me Ash," Serena replies.

"You go first then," Ash replies.

"No, it was you who said, you had to say something first," Serena says.

"Okay fine...here goes nothing," Ash's voice starts to fade away.

"What is it, Ash?" Serena questions softly looking at Ash straight in the face.

"Serena! I...I...Iron Tail!" Ash says.

Serena was expecting something like this but it came out all of a sudden. Serena starts to sob and hugs Ash. "Oh Ash, I love you too!" she replies, "From the first day we met as kids in Kanto, I've had this thing for you." Her face was now buried into Ash's chest as she digs deeper into it. Their hug got really tight so much so that they could feel each other's heartbeat. They both make eye contact and now lock each other in a long passionate kiss. Serena was melting with the feelings, she has never felt like this before. May and Max were now back from shopping and entered the gym. They don't find Ash and Serena outside so head for the kitchen.

"Hey gu.." May was a bit shocked looking at Ash and Serena kissing and blocks Max's vision as soon as she sees it. Seriously, who wants her brother to see adult stuff. Ash and Serena break the kiss as soon as they hear it.

"Uh" Ash looks at May, "Oh, Hey May," Ash says sweatdropping while Serena and Ash start to move away.

"Come on guys at least, lock the doors! You don't want your parents to come in like that" May says, thinking of her own parents. Serena was blushing really hard. Max tries to peek through but May blocks his view. Ash stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

"Serena, was this the same guy you always told me about in Hoenn?" May questions her friend, who was standing there awkwardly.

"Y...Yes," Serena replies awkwardly.

"Boy with a Pikachu, Never give up attitude, and from Kanto, should've guessed" May sighs. Just then Ash's tummy starts to growl and the group have a laugh. They then decide to have dinner. Serena made everyone's favourite, Poképuffs, and some Sandwiches, the crew eats up and it was time for the Hoenn siblings' plane. The gang leaves for the airport in a cab.

: Lumiose Airport, Lumiose City :

Ash, Serena, May, and Max get down the cab, Ash has left Pikachu and the other back at the Gym. The four of them walk into the airport.

"So, it's farewell for now", Ash says looking at his old Hoenn companions. He's a bit sad that he couldn't spend proper time with them, and the expressions can be seen in his face.

"Yes Ash", May says looking at Ash, "but don't worry, I and Max are planning for a vacation from our usual works sometime soon, we'll come to meet you then."

"Bye Ash, Bye Serena", the Hoenn Siblings say walking into the airport. The keep waving until they become invisible inside the crowd. Ash and Serena now decide to walk back home. On their way back home, Ash and Serena were awkwardly silent.

Ash breaks the silence, "Hey Serena, can you cheer for me?", Ash asks with determination in his eyes. He's made a fist and turned his cap back. Serena knows what that means, Ash wants to battle in the Kalos league again.

"But, Ash aren't you the world champ already?", Serena questions

"Yes, I'm and I what should I becoming the world champion without becoming the champion of one of the most renowned Pokémon Leagues in the world?", Ash replies back, he always wanted to do the best in whatever he wanted to and now he wanted to become the champion of all the six official Pokémon leagues in the world. Serena agrees by nodding and smiling. The two walks back, to the Gym, holding hands

BE A HERO

Coming up: Ash wins the Kalos league and goes back to Kanto, thinking he'll go back to Alola after a few days, but bigger adventures await for our hero, he teams up back with his Kanto companions..