"Thanks mom, you are the best."

It's make me really happy seeing both Serena and max smile. We were eating our food peacefully. Talking about different things and laughing. I wish this moment never end. My thoughts came to an end when max said something.

"Dad shall we go to eat ice cream" he said to get my attention. I smiled at his reaction and said.

"Alright, c'mon let's go" I said and got up from my seat.

"C'mon let's go" Serena said while jumping and making fist in air.

"Sometimes I wonder who is the kid here, max or you" I said to Serena. Earning a chuckle from max and a pout face from Serena.

"C'mon it's ok sometimes to become kid" she said with a pout.

"I know Serena, I was just kidding." I said to her

After few more minutes of chit chat we made our way out of the house to ice cream parlour. We got our ice creams.

Max and me chose chocolate ice cream where as Serena chose an vanilla ice cream. I don't know why she picked that up and when I asked her she said

" Vanilla ice cream have less fat then any other ice cream and I don't want to be fatty that's why I choose this".

I can't understand her but I know one thing for damn sure that she really care about her figure.

Then after sometime of walking we made our way to nearby park and sat on a banch. And if anyone of you is thinking about Pikachu. He is at home enjoying his time with serena's sylveon.

It was night time. Stars were twinkling and I was sitting with my family eating ice cream. It made me remember my days with mom. I also used to eat ice cream with mom after eating dinner sitting in our lawn. I also used to look at stars and smile just like max. Because of which a tear escaped my eye. Max noticed it and asked me.

"Uh... Dad why are you crying. Is everything alright? " He asked me this also caught serena attention she worriedly saw me and asked the same thing.

" Ash why are you crying, what's wrong" she asked me in the same worried tone like max.

So I chuckled and said.

"It's nothing guys, it's...... Just that I remembered my days with mom. I was just like max. Same habit. Eating ice cream in this starry night after eating dinner with my mom. Remembering my mom a tear escaped my eye. It's nothing to worry. Nothing is wrong" I said to them with a reassuring smile and remembering my days with mom.

"Really I still miss her" I said while holding my locket But this caught max attention.

"Dad why you always wear that locket" he asked me which caused me to chuckled again.

"Max it's the last gift my mother or your grandmother gave me. It have a photo of me and your grandma when I was kid. Look" I told the story behind this Locket and showed him the photo.

"Dad is that you in that pikachu costume" he asked me with giggling a bit.

"Yea.... It is me." I said to him.

"You look really cute in that pikachu outfit" Serena said to me while smiling.

"Everyone looks cute when they were small child." I said to them

"C'mon it's getting late. Now we should go home" serena said.

the word "LATE" made me remember something.

"Oh... Serena I remembered something. How is your performance and showcase going" I asked and her reaction was something I didn't expect. She got nervous.

"I think now...... I should quit it" she said while sweating a lot. This made me unease. The person how's dream was to become KALOS QUEEN is giving up. WHY. but to disturb me from my thoughts max asked something.

"Um.... Mom what is performance and showcase and why are you quitting it" max asked Serena.

"Um.... Max Pokémon Showcases are performance tournaments that take place in various locations throughout Kalos. Contestants are allowed to use up to six Pokémon. In essence, they are similar to real-world beauty pageants. There are two classes of Pokémon Showcases, the Rookie Class and the Master Class. Every Performer may compete in the Rookie Class, but only those who have collected at least three Princess Keys can enter the Master Class. In this you need to show the beauty of pokemons overall." Serena said to him.

"Woh.... Mom.... It sounds so interesting why are you quitting it." Max said to her. Which made her become unease. Seeing her now I understand why she thinks to quit.

"Max she is quitting because she thinks now she is bound by us. For duties of husband and mother. That's why she is giving up her dream to become the KALOS QUEEN." I said to max in a down tone explaining the situation.

Serena looked at me with shock in her eyes that I understood each and every things she was feeling right now.

"Mom, you shouldn't quit because of us. You shouldn't give up your dreams. Remember mom NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL END" he said giving both of us a huge shock. That how did he know our family motto. But right now it doesn't matter how he got knew but this made a smile grew on serena face and then she said.

"Yes max, you are correct. I shouldn't give up my dreams like that. NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL END. This is our family motto max. And I'm really surprised you know about it" serena said

"Do you know max it's our family motto. Which is passed down from generation to generation. From where did you learnt it" I asked max in the same suprise tone.

"I don't know. It just came... " Max said while shrugging his shoulder.

"Anyway max, remember it always. Engrave it in your heart to not give up whatever the situation is somehow you will find a way to overcome it. So NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL END." I said to max explaining why we use this motto.

"Okay dad,. I will always remember it. But now I think we should go home I'm really sleepy." Max said while yawning.

"Yep! Let's go" I said and then we start walking to our home. After sometime of walking we made our way to home. Max was now asleep in Serena's arms.

But when I made to the front door. It was already opened this made me suspicious. I released grenninja from my shadow and ordered him to protect serena and max.

"Grenninja whatever happens protect serena and max at any cost" I said to my loyal Pokemon and in answer he nodded.

With all the ruckus going on. Made max to wake up.

"What is happening mom. Why are we out of the house. Why aren't we entering" max said in a sleepy tone.

"It's nothing sweety. Our house door is open so we think that there might be some thief. Now your father is checking is it safe to go in or not. That's why we are standing here" serena explained the situation to max. To which max nodded in agreement.

"Ok I'm going in first. You guys with grenninja follow me." I said to them.

"But what about you ash" serena asked me in worry.

"Don't worry. I have aura with me" I told her.

With that I entered the house. It was pitch black no lights were on. I used my aura to enhance my vision. There I saw no such thing which could make me suspect. Then I enter the hall there was a woman. I walked over there and switch on the light making the woman silhouette more clear she looked like a woman in mid 40s her face was against a wall. I made an aura sphere and asked her.

"Who are you. Why are you here. In my house" I asked her.

Then she turned 180° to face me. When I saw her face my eyes widened, my breath become heavy. My hands starts sweating. My jaws hit the ground. Because the person standing in front of me was none other than......

MY MOM