Chapter 2

  "Pika Pikachu!"

  "Come on, Pikachu. I can't see if you don't move!" Professor Oak complains.

  "Come here, buddy," Ash says.

  Pikachu stops pressing his face against the screen and hops back on Ash's shoulder. 

  It has been a couple of days since Serena made her decision to go back to Kanto with Ash to compete in the region's Pokemon contests, and today is the day they will be flying to the region. Right now, Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie are video chatting with Professor Oak and Ash's mother, Delia, who are calling from Ash's house. 

  "Hi, Mom, Professor," Ash greets happily, leaning his face toward the screen.

  "Hi, Ash," Delia greets warmly.

  "Have you been well?" Professor Oak asks.

  "You bet. I feel great," Ash answers proudly. 

  Delia smiles in approval before turning to the rest of the group.

  "Hi, Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont," she greets. "How have you all been?"

  "Great," Serena answers with a smile.

  "We're doing fine, thank you," Clemont answers.

  "I've been having so much fun!" Bonnie says in a giddy voice.

  "Mom, there are so many things I have to tell you about," Ash says. "Serena and I will be flying back later this afternoon."

  "Good. We can hardly wait," Professor Oak says.

  "Just promise me you'll be careful, dear," Delia says before turning to Serena. "Serena, I can't wait to meet you in person. I'm counting on you to bring my boy back to me safely."

  "Don't you worry, Mrs. Ketchum. I'll bring him back safe and sound," Serena replies cheerfully.

  "Good," Delia says. "And the rest of you, come visit Pallet Town soon. I'll make you a tasty meal."

  "Yippee!" Bonnie shouts.

  "Thank you," Clemont says happily.

  "Alright, let's get packed," Ash says to Pikachu.

  "Pikachu!" Pikachu replies.

  "Okay, see you later, sweetie," Delia says before she ends the call.

  "Alright, I'll help my dad get lunch ready while you guys pack," Clemont says. "It'll probably take about an hour, so better finish packing by then."

  "No prob," Ash says before turning to Serena. "That should take us more than enough time to get ready. Right, Serena?"

  "Actually, Ash, I already packed all of my things this morning," Serena says. "Besides, I promised my mom I'd call her before we go to the airport."

  "Oh, alright," Ash says with a nervous chuckle. "Then I guess I better get going. Let's go, Pikachu." 

  "Pika, Pika," Pikachu replies while Ash goes up the stairs. 

  "Alright then," Clemont says before turning to Bonnie. "Bonnie, would you like to help Dad and me with lunch?"

  "Sure," Bonnie says glumly.

  Serena turns to Bonnie, confused by her sudden change in her demeanor, before the little girl follows her brother. She wonders if Bonnie is suddenly missing Squishy again and possibly Greninja, too, after they both left with Z2 to destroy the remaining roots that still appear throughout Kalos despite Team Flare's defeat. The honey-blonde girl knows as well as Clemont that Bonnie is not the kind of eight-year-old to be deeply sad unless she has something on her mind that involves someone she really cares about. 

  Serena sighs, deciding to let it go for now before calling her mother's home number and letting the video phone ring for a couple of seconds before her mother, Grace, appears with a smile on her face.

  "Hi, Mom," Serena greets.

  "Hi, dear," Grace greets. "Are you packed for your trip?"

  "Yup, I'm all set," Serena answers. "Ash just went upstairs to pack up before we eat lunch and head to the airport."

  "Good," Grace says. "How are you feeling about flying to Kanto? It's been a long time since we moved from our old house in Pallet Town."

  Serena's smile fades slightly at that question.

  "To be honest, I haven't really thought about that," she answers. "I guess I have been thinking so much about going on another journey and wondering what kind of people and Pokemon I'll meet or the things that I'm going to learn along the way."

  "I see," Grace says. 

  "But I'm going to be staying with Ash and his mom for a couple weeks before I go to Cerulean City," Serena says. "So, I should have plenty of time to see our old house before I start my journey."

  "Good," Grace says pleased. "Is Ash going with you on your journey?"

  "No, he isn't. In fact, he doesn't know what he wants to do next," Serena answers. 

  "Oh, so you know what to do next before Ash does. You really have grown," Grace says half-teasingly. 

  "Aw, Mom," Serena says. 

  Grace chuckles in response before her face turns serious.

  "Are you sure you feel up to going to a region all on your own?" She asks. "You have never been to any places there apart from Pallet Town and briefly Viridian City when we were flying to Kalos.

  "The same thing could be said about having only been to Vaniville Town and Lumiose City before I went on my journey," Serena points out. "And besides, I'll have Braixen, Pancham, and Sylveon with me, so I won't be alone. And who knows? Maybe I'll catch more Pokemon to help me with Pokemon contests."

  Grace nods in understanding.

  "Just be careful, Serena," she says.

  "I will, Mom. I promise." Serena answers.

  "Alright. But call me when you make it to Ash's house," Grace says.

  "Okay. Bye, Mom," Serena says.

  "By, dear," Grace says.

  **************************************************************************************

  Serena thinks about Grace's words over going on her journey alone throughout all of Kanto. In her mind, she believes this will be perfect for her and will be a great opportunity to become stronger as a performer and as a person. But at the same time, her heart feels sad about the idea of eventually saying goodbye to Ash despite everything they have been through together. Even though she will see him for a couple more weeks at most before she starts her new journey, it still feels like there isn't enough time left to spend with him or muster the courage to tell him how she feels. 

  Serena had to force these worries to the back of her mind as she continues through the day. Shortly after lunch, Professor Sycamore dropped by the shop with Alain, the boy who defeated Ash at the Kalos league finals, and his companion, Mirian, along with her Chespin, "Chespie." They announced that they are going on a journey in search of the mega stones, theorizing that more have reappeared somewhere after Team Flare was defeated. Before they left on Professor Sycamore's jeep, Alain and Ash agreed to have another battle the next time they meet, and Mirian thanked Serena for everything.

  Eventually, Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie enter Lumiose Airport. While waiting for Ash and Serena's plane to allow passengers to board, the gang decided to take time for Ash and Serena's Pokemon to say goodbye to Dedenne and all of Clemont's Pokemon. Chespin was crying hysterically while saying goodbye to Pancham, Sylveon gave a sad goodbye to Bunnelby after everything the rabbit Pokemon did for her ever since she was first caught as an Eevee, and Hawlucha was fighting the urge not to cry. Each goodbye was sadder than the last, even though the Pokemon all knew it needed to be done.

  But when Braixen attempted to say goodbye to Dedenne, the little Pokemon couldn't take it and ran away in tears. The whole gang had to hunt it down before they found it through Pikachu's electricity. Bonnie realized that Dedenne didn't want to say goodbye and had to convince it to say goodbye by confessing that she hates saying goodbye as well but knows that everyone has to go chase their dreams. It was hard for Serena, Ash, and Clemont to see Bonnie and Dedenne accept what they had to do, but at the same time, they were proud of them both for facing their problem together.

  After they said their goodbyes, they realize there's still a lot of time left before Ash and Serena's flight. Clemont then asks Ash for a favor by asking him to have one last battle. Ash happily agrees, and so the gang walks outside where there is an outdoor battlefield, and Ash and Clemont begin battling with Pikachu and Bunnelby. Serena and Bonnie stand on the sides with Bonnie happily playing the judge. 

  As the two girls watch Ash and Clemont battle, Serena turns to Bonnie.

  "So, are you feeling better about us leaving?" she asks.

  Bonnie hesitates before she answers cheerfully.

  "Absolutely. We all have our dreams to follow, and I know I'll see you and Ash again when I'm finally a Pokemon trainer," she says before turning to Serena with a sly grin. "Besides, I can only imagine how much quality time you're going to spend with Ash when you're in Kanto."

  Serena yelps, and her face turns red in embarrassment.

  "Bonnie!" she whines. "It isn't like that!"

  "Why not? I mean, you're going to spend two whole weeks together in his house," Bonnie taunts. "Surely that should be more than enough time to tell him how you feel."

  Serena whimpers and looks away with her face turning redder, making Bonnie giggle.

  "Come on, Serena, you better make a move before you go your separate ways," Bonnie says. "You don't want to say goodbye without saying something after all you've been through together, do you?"

  Serena rubs her arm while still looking away from the sly, little girl. Her heart feels heavy at the idea of parting ways with Ash and not saying a thing. At the same time, however, he is a dense boy, and so he might not understand her affections much less return them. Eventually, she sighs and accepts that she should tell him if for no other reason than to use it as a step of becoming stronger.

  "You're right, Bonnie, I should tell him," Serena says. 

  "Yay!" Bonnie says happily. "How are you going to do it."

  Serena lets out a nervous groan and says, "I haven't thought that far."

  Bonnie pouts childishly before her bright smile returns.

  "Well then, I guess you'll have to figure it out during your time in his house," she says.

  "I guess so," Serena admits while chuckling nervously.

  "Bonnie!" Clemont shouts.

  Bonnie and Serena snaps from their moment and turn to see Clemont and Ash waiting for the former to make a call. Bonnie looks to see Bunnelby lying on the ground next to Pikachu with swirls in its eyes.  

  "Oh, right," Bonnie says before clearing her throat and announcing loudly. "Bunnelby is unable to battle. Pikachu wins!"

  "Alright!" Ash shouts while shaking his fist in the air, and he and Pikachu run over to hug enough other.

  Serena smiles fondly as she watches Ash and Pikachu celebrate. Part of her wishes she actually saw the battle so that she could have found out how the two of them won. She sighs in a dreamy matter, knowing that Ash's determination during a Pokemon battle is part of why her admiration for him grew so much during their journey in Kalos. 

  She then subconsciously places her hand on her blue ribbon that he gave to her months ago in Coumarine City. To this day, she remembers dealy how it felt when Ash gave it to her while scratching his nose nervously. Ever since she started wearing it after she cut her hair, she has been placing her hand on the blue fabric whenever she thinks of him without even realizing it. 

  Suddenly, she feels something poke her side, and she turns her head to see Bonnie looking at her with an annoyed pout. 

  "Serena, didn't you just hear Ash?" she asks. "Your plane just started to board."

  Serena's eyes widen, and she shakes her head to snap out of her dazed state. She checks her surroundings to find Clemont and Ash looking at her, confused.

  "Are you alright, Serena?" Ash asks.

  Serena laughs bashfully and quickly says, "Yeah, sorry, everyone. I guess I got lost in thought."

  Ash continues to stare at her, confused before he smirks and says, "Alright then. Let's get going. We don't want to miss our flight."

  "Right," Serena says, nodding in agreement. 

  Thus after Clemont returns Bunnelby back into its Pokeball, the four kids come back inside and make their way to the gate where the plane going to Kanto is waiting for them. By the time they made their destination, the sky has turned orange. Noticing this, Serena turns to Ash and asks, "What time do you think we're going to make it to Pallet Town?"

  Realizing what she's getting at, Ash scratches his chin and says, "Given how long the flight is going to be, I think we'll reach Pallet Town sometime late tomorrow."

  Serena nods in understanding before she and Ash turn to Clemont and Bonnie.

  "Well, I guess this is it," Ash says. 

  "Yes, it is," Clemont says before shaking Ash's hand. "It's been a great time, Ash. I've learned so much from you during our journey."

  "I've learned a lot from you too, Clemont," Ash says with a toothy grin. "Don't forget to give it your best on your inventions."

  "Pika!" Pikachu says in agreement.

  "I won't, and that's a promise," Clemont replies. 

  Meanwhile, Serena and Bonnie are hugging with Bonnie tearing up a little.

  "I'm going to miss you so much, Serena," Bonnie says through her tears. 

  "I'm going to miss you too, Bonnie," Serena says with a small smile. "The next time we meet, I hope that you'll already be a strong trainer and performer."

  "You bet. And I will want to battle with you, and I won't go easy," Bonnie says before she leans a little closer to Serena. "And don't forget about what we talked about concerning a certain someone."

  Serena's cheeks turn pink for a moment before she shakes it off and say, "I won't forget. I promise."

  Bonnie smirks, satisfied with Serena's answer before they finish their hug. Then after Serena and Ash switch and quickly say goodbye to Clemont and Bonnie respectfully, the two of them enter the gate with Pikachu. Once they enter the plane, Ash looks around for his seat until he finds it and turns to Serena.

  "Where are you sitting, Serena?" he asks.

  Serena realizes that she doesn't know and takes out her ticket and smiles.

  "I'm sitting next to you," she answers. 

  "Awesome," Ash says before he turns to the two seats and thinks for a moment. "Then why don't you sit next to the window?"

  Serena looks at him taken aback and asks, "Are you sure? That is your seat, after all."

  "Yeah, but I've been on the window seat many times before," Ash says. "Besides, it's your first time on a plane since you moved to Kalos, isn't it?"

  Serena stares at Ash for a moment and smiles.

  "He really is such a kind person," She thinks in her mind before silently accepting his invitation. 

  Ash sits down next to her while Pikachu hops off his shoulder and lands on his lap. The three of them wait several more minutes until the plane slowly begins to back away from the gate. Serena takes a deep breath as the plane gets ready to fly, which Ash notices, and smiles.

  "Ready to go back to Kanto?" he asks.

  Serena turns to the boy she deeply cares for and smiles. 

  "Yes," she says in a soft voice. "I can't wait."

  ****************************************************************************************

  Timothy groans childishly as he walks. When he reached Viridian City, he and Electchu decided to keep walking to Pallet Town rather than spend the night at the Pokemon Center and then come home tomorrow morning. It wasn't long before they regret that decision as their legs began to ache the more they walk. 

  It has been five days now since he defeated Lance at the Indigo Plateau, and Timothy has been eager to come home the entire time that he's been traveling. He video called his father, Troy, that he'll be home late while he was passing by Viridian City. Troy told him he'll be waiting while his brother, Johnathan, will probably be asleep by then. The later it got, the more Timothy began to wonder if he and Electchu will actually make it to town before morning, much less make it home. 

  Finally, after coming up a familiar hill, Timothy and Electchu stop and smile at a familiar sight. Further down the hill, there is a small town where Professor Oak's lab and several small houses reside. Timothy's smile grows, feeling thrilled to be back in this humble town for the first time in a couple of years. He suddenly begins to walk downhill as fast as he can, with Electchu following behind, ignoring his legs that are begging him not to. His heart races in excitement the closer he gets to his destination.

  As they take a turn down the street, Timothy hears two separate footsteps running from behind him. He turns around, curious about who is running behind him, but because there are no street lights close by, he only sees the shadowy figure of two teenagers running down the hill and taking a different turn down the road.

  "Hurry up, Serena, we're almost there!" he hears the first figure say excitedly.

  "Pikachu!" A lump in the figure shoulder squeaks.

  "Ash, wait up!" the second figure calls out as it struggles to follow the other one. 

  Timothy shrugs and mentally figures the two kids are probably trainers who are also heading home. He and Electchu go back to running down the street until they are standing in front of a humble two-story house. Timothy stares at the building fondly until he walks to the front door and knocks. It takes a moment before it opens to reveal a 50-year-old man standing on the other side before he and Timothy walks over to each other and hug.

  "How are you, son?" the older man asks softly. 

  "Happy to be home, Pa," Timothy answers plainly. "Just so happy to be home."