"Finally, here we are!", Ash exclaimed, standing in front of the Pewter City Gym.

"Pika Pi!", Pikachu exclaims.

"Let's get in", Ash says as he grabs Serena by her hand and walks inside the Gym. When Ash and Serena, enter the Gym, they see Brock battling another trainer.

"Golem, don't give up, use Stone edge and bring that Steelix up", the trainer, who looks a lot like Brock commands his Pokémon.

"Golem!", the Pokémon follows its trainer. A Mega Steelix, fly's up and crashes onto the ground and reverts back to its normal form and faints.

"And the winner is Forrest", the Ref points the flag towards Brock's younger brother, Forrest.

"Guess, you're ready to take my place", Brocks sighs, as Ash and Serena were watching the match from the door, they still did not completely enter the Gym.

"Yea, Brother", Forrest says lifting his fists up in excitement.

"Whaddaya know, Brock's brother is as strong as Brock himself", Ash says clapping.

"Oh! Hey Ash!", Brock says running up to his friend.

"Hey Bud, how have you been?", Ash says.

"Well, I've been great, what about you, and who's this young girl with you?", Brock replies.

"Oh, meet Serena, my um-girlfriend", Ash replies with a slight blush.

"Whaaa?", Brocks jaw drops to the ground in shock.

"Uh Brock, you okay?", Ash says motioning his hand in front of Brock's face.

"It's just that he hasn't found a perfect partner yet", Forrest replies. Ash laughs really hard, "Oh man, reminds me of old times", he says holding his stomach. Just as this conversation was going on Misty enters the Gym.

STAND TALL

"Hey Ash", Misty tells Ash with a small smile.

Ash and Serena who were facing Brock turn to see who it is, "Misty?", Ash yells surprised. He then takes a step back, "Brock, did you call her?", Ash asks Brock.

"Uh-Yes", Brock replies, he's now out of his shock.

"Is there any problem if I join you champ?", Misty says angrily, "By the way, who is she?", Misty asks Ash.

"Answer for your first question, if just promise me you won't be so cocky, bug me, annoy me or freak me out it's okay, and for the second, she's my girlfriend, Serena Yvonne, and Serena, here meet my Kanto and Johto traveling companions, Brock and Misty.

"Ash is dating?", Misty bursts out into laughter, but not before, she was interrupted by Brock, for being so cocky with Ash.

"By the way, the conditions Misty?", Ash points out.

"Okay Ash", Misty replies in agreement.

"Guys so if you agree, we can start off tomorrow morning, I mean, I need to pass on the Gym to Forrest, so, the party will be tonight", Brock tells the gang. Pikachu gets excited as soon as he hears the word 'party'.

"Pika!", it exclaims in joy.

"Seems like you're excited, aren't you, buddy?" Ash says looking at Pikachu.

"Pi!", Pikachu nods in agreement.

"You both never change", Brock says with a smile.

"Hey, why don't we do some catching up walking to your home Brock", Ash suggests, to which Brock agrees.

The group starts walking to Brock's house and Serena starts to become good friends with Misty and Brock. She tells them how she had met Ash long back in Kanto, and how she saw him on TV when he went to Kalos, and all their adventures together. Even, Misty and Brock tell her how they've met Ash, and they talk about their adventures together, the longest story being Brocks.

"Wow, Brock you've been with Ash for two and a half years, that's a lot compared to me", Serena replies in amazement.

"Yea, and guess what, he's the best of my friends", Ash adds. They were already at Brock's home and had made themselves comfortable. That night Brock passes on the Gym to his brother in a ceremonial manner, and the whole gang goes to sleep, except for Ash. He was sitting outside. In the midnight Pikachu wakes up and searches for Ash, and in the process wakes up Misty.

"What is it Pikachu?", Misty questions wiping her eyes.

"Pi", Pikachu points towards the place Ash must be sleeping at.

"Where'd this guy go?", Misty remarks getting up. She then signals Pikachu, that they'll go and search for Ash together. They check all the rooms and finally head outside.

"Ash", Misty calls after the shadowy figure sitting in front of the main door of the house.

"Huh, Misty?", he turns back, snapping out of his thoughts.

"What are you doing here?", Misty questions sitting next to Ash.

"Nothing, I'm just too worried", Ash replies looking at the moon.

"What, why Ash?", Misty questions again.

"You know, I had a dream last night, it was like I failed my purpose of existence. In that dream, I lost Pikachu and none of my Pokémon, none of my friends, no one was with me", Ash replies sadly. Misty looks at his friend, she pecks him on the cheek, like a sister would do to make her tensed brother relax.

"Don't worry Ash, we're going to be with you, especially this sister is going to be with you no matter what the circumstances are", Misty replies back to which Ash smiles.

"Thanks, Misty", Ash replies. Serena who also woke up to search for Ash stood at the main door and heard what they were talking, she smiles to herself, goes and joins them.

The next morning, the gang was walking towards Viridian forest, where Ash first saw Ho-Oh. After they reach the place, Ash starts to examine the ground.

"Ash, do you remember, towards which direction did Ho-Oh go?", Brock asks Ash.

"That way", Ash points his index finger towards a mountain.

"Let me check", Serena opens her navigator to check. Rotom Dex who was in Ash's backpack till now flies out and scares Misty.

"AHHH!", Misty shouts. Everyone turns towards her.

"What?", Ash asks Misty worriedly.

"It's your Alolan Pokédex", Misty replies back yelling. Ash chuckles, as well as everyone else.

"Oh, Hey Rotom", Ash greets Rotom.

"Hello Ash", Rotom replies, and flies towards Serena's navigation device, and observes the map. Serena and Rotom Dex both start talking at the same time but Rotom was cut off.

"The only well know landmark in that direction is Mount Tensei", Serena tells the gang.

"Let's get going then, we'll collect more details on our way there", Ash says running towards the mountain, everyone follows smiling.

"Wait for me!", Rotom Dex shouts following them.

BE A HERO