"Serena? When did you come here?" Ash asked.

"I landed in Kanto yesterday, so I decided I visit here, surprised?" Serena replied.

"Yeah, oh and also this is my little brother Cobalt!" Ash said introducing his little brother.

"Hey there Cobalt, I am Serena, I travelled with your brother in Kalos!" Serena said, she put her hand out for the raven-haired kid to shake.

"Yea, Big Bro told me about you, you did showcases in Kalos right?" Cobalt asked shaking her hand as Serena nodded.

"But Serena weren't you in Hoenn trying out contests?" Ash asked the blue-eyed girl.

"I was in Hoenn for contests, but then after the Grand Festival, Palermo called me, "Serena replied, "She said that Kanto is now hosting Pokemon showcases so I should try them!"

"Oh, so you'll be travelling in Kanto?" Ash asked to which Serena nodded, "Also you said Grand Festival so did you win it?"

"Well... No, " the blue-eyed girl said, "Though contests are a lot similar it still was a bit different due to involvement of battles, so I ended up in 4th position. But what about you what have you been doing for the year?"

"Oh, I was in Alola! I went there for a vacation but then I studied in a college there and then later challenged the league!" Ash replied, "This time, I won!"

"That's great!" Serena said smiling. They too talked for some more time while Cobalt helped out Delia in making dinner.

After a while all four had dinner. On the dinner table, Ash and Serena both told Delia and Cobalt about how they met in the Summer camp. It didn't take Delia much time to figure out about Serena's crush on Ash.

Then Ash asked, "So Serena when are your the showcases starting?"

"It will start by next month or the month after I guess, "Serena replied.

"So what are you gonna do for that time?" Ash asked again.

"I am gonna stay in Kanto, Palermo told me to stay in Kanto to train saying she will come to check my progress. She is really keen on seeing me as the Kanto queen, "Serena replied.

"So where are you gonna stay for that while?" Delia asked Serena.

"Uh... The Pokemon Centre in Viridian City, my luggage is there for now" Serena replied.

"Uh-uh, " Delia said, "Since you are a good friend of Ash you can stay in our house, we have a guest room free."

"I don't want to be a burden on you, " Serena replied. "You won't be a burden, we would be more than happy if you stay here!" Delia said. After a bit more persuading by Delia, Serena accepted her offer.

"Brilliant, Ash you will go with Serena tomorrow to get her luggage!" Delia said to which Ash nodded.

After some more talking all four decided to was time to sleep. Ash and Cobalt both went to there room. Delia let Serena borrow her clothes for the night.

--Next Day--

Next morning Ash and Serena both set off on Ash's Charizard to get her stuff from Viridian City Pokemon Centre. After a brief stop in Viridian City, the two headed back to Pallet Town on the fire-flying types back.

When they landed in front of there house they saw Cobalt going somewhere with a bag slung on his shoulders. Ash asked, "Hey Cob where are you going?"

"Huh?" Cobalt looked at Ash, surprised to see him suddenly appear, "Oh, today is the last practical exam in school! I am going for that!"

"What kind of practical exam?" Ash asked. "Its a Pokemon hunt we have to find some Pokemon in the Pallet Woods!"

"Oh sounds exciting!" Ash cheered, "All the best!"

"Alright, bye!!!" Cobalt said running towards Professor Oak's lab. Ash helped Serena with the luggage.

"Oh, your two are back!" Delia said from the kitchen as she heard the door open and close.

"Yeah!" Ash said as he set the luggage on the floor. Then suddenly he heard a beep coming. He pulled out his dex and opened it.

"Training time!" The dex said in a robotic voice.

"Oh, it's time!" Ash said, "Mom I am going for training!" "Okay!" Delia replied back.

"Oh Serena you should come too I want you to meet the rest of my Pokemon!" Ash said. "Uh... Okay!" Serena replied.

--With Cobalt--

Cobalt reached the professor's lab out of breath. There he saw almost everyone had was there. He quickly got into a line with the rest of his classmates. After a few moments, Professor Oak entered the room.

"Alright students, are you all ready for the test?" Oak asked getting a unison of 'Yes!' as a reply. Oak smiled and continued, "For this test, a special person is gonna tell rules. He is Riley Gen, an excellent Pokemon trainer from Sinnoh!"

On cue, a man in his late twenties entered the room. He had black hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a black coat and trousers with a matching hat.

"Greeting all of you!" Riley said in a polite manner. He looked at all of the students when his gaze fell on Cobalt. His eyes narrowed as he saw with his aura vision for a split second before smiling a little.

"Riley is currently learning about Steel-type Pokemon on Iron Island!" Oak said.

"Please don't flatter me, " Riley said, "Alright! You all must be excited about this exam! So here are the rules! Rule number 1! You will be given a Pokemon for your safety for this test!"

"Rule no 2!"

--With Ash and Serena--

Ash and Serena reached Professor Oaks ranch to see Ash's Pokemon.

"Alright, everyone!" He said to his pokemon together in front of him, "This is Serena! She travelled with me in Kalos!"

Serena stepped forward and said, "Hello!"

All of Ash's Kalos pokemon, Talonflame, Noivern, Hawlucha came forward and greeted her. Then one by one all of Ash's Pokemon greeted her.

"Alright my turn!" Serena said as she threw her pokeballs. Out of a flash all of her Pokemon came out, Delphox, Sylveon, Pangoro, Braviary, Gardevoir and Primarrina.

"So you caught some new ones!" Ash said with a grin. Serena nodded.

"But how did you get the Primarina? They are from Alola!" Ash said.

"Well..." Serena replied.

--Back with Cobalt--

"Alright kids, one by one come here and take one pokemon!" Oak said as he pulled out a little tray with six pokeballs. Several others were on the floor behind him. One by one kids came and took one pokeball.

"Okay, one last instruction, all of the pokemon have different points!" Riley said, "Caterpies and Weedles have three points, Butterfrees have five points and my Lucario has 10 points!"

"Your Lucario?" Cobalt asked raising his hand to which Riley replied, "Yes my Lucario is in this also. But if no one is able to findb him he can find the way back himself!"

"You can only pick pokemons that have a red headband, " Oak said, "Now go!"

With that, all of the kids including Cobalt ran out of the lab and into Pallet woods. Using his aura Riley sent a message to his Lucario, "I want you to keep an eye on a boy in Pallet Woods, make sure you are not seen unless necessary!"

Riley then broke the link and sighed and said," I am gonna take a walk in your ranch if that's okay?"

"No problem at all!" Oak said. Riley nodded and went away.

--With Serena and Ash--

"Oh, so you found her mistreated by a trainer!" Ash said to Serena. The blue-eyed girl nodded. He was about to speak again when Lucario came up to him and said, "Master someone is coming here!"

Ash looked at a direction to see a man coming up to him. He recognized the man as Riley Gen.

"Riley, long time no see!" Ash said as he extended his hand for him to shake

"Hello Ash, " Riley said shaking his hand, "I was here for more knowledge on steel types from Professor Oak. So I helped him take an exam for the kids!" Riley replied.

"Oh Serena this is Riley Gen, I met him in Sinnoh once. Riley this is Serena she travelled in Kalos with me, "Ash introduced the two.

"Nice to meet you, "Serena greeted to which Riley replied, "Same here."

"So you are helping Professor Oak take the exam? My brother is also taking that exam," Ash said. Riley looked at Ash's Lucario and then back at Ash, "I think he might have asked me a question, what does he look like?"

"We both have same type of hair and eye colour!" Ash said. Riley then said, "Ash can I talk to you for a second?" Ash nodded and led him to an empty place to talk.

"What's up?" Ash asked. "I'll say it straight, are you an Aura user?" Riley asked.

Ash was taken aback by the question but then nodded, "Yes but, how'd you know?"

"That doesn't matter much, what matters is that your brother will also be an Aura user!" Riley said.

"Cobalt too?" Ash asked surprised.

"Yes.." Riley replied, "I sensed aura locked in him, that means that once getting to a certain age, his aura will be unlocked."

"What will be that certain age?" Ash asked. 

"That I don't know myself. You have to be ready because once he unlocks aura, he might get aura bursts, so you might have to train him!"

"Me? Train him in aura?" Ash asked to which Riley nodded, "So train hard yourself. I need to go now. Farewell!" Riley replied and left.

"So what did he talk about?" Serena asked Ash as he was coming back. Ash looked at Serena and said, "I'll tell you about it later, I would need to tell mom about it too..."

"Alright then, "Serena replied.

--With Cobalt--

Cobalt entered the Pallet woods with the pokeball in hand. He looked at the pokeball and released the Pokemon in it.

"Come on out!" He said while releasing the Pokemon. Out of white flash a small red lizard like pokemon came out with a flame on it's tail.

"Char?" it said. Cobalt bent down to the pokemons height and said, "Hey charmander you are my partner for today, so will you help me out?" He put his hand out for Charmander to shake. The fire lizard looked at Cobalt's hand and then put its own paw out in a hand-paw shake.

"Alright then come on!" Cobalt said motioning Charmander to follow him. The pair explored the woods in search of red headband pokemons, and at last they found one. The two found a caterpie with a red band sitting on a tree branch.

"Hey look, found one!" Cobalt exclaimed seeing the bug type on the branch, "You stay here Charmander, I'll go up and get that Caterpie!"

Charmander nodded and Cobalt climbed up the tree. After getting on the branch the black-haired kid extended his arm towards the caterpie and said, "Hey, come on!"

The caterpie looked at Cobalt once, before crawling over to his arm and to his shoulder. Cobalt grinned and dropped to the ground and walked back to Charmander.

"That's three points, let's continue!" Cobalt said. Charmander nodded. Cobalt and Charmander with Caterpie on Cobalt's shoulder, continued there hunt of finding Pokemon with a headband. Their exploration led them into the deeper part of the woods, the place where more powerful wild pokemon live.

As the three continued there hunt they heard a bush shake nearby. The three stopped in there tracks. The bush continued to shake until the pokemon which was causing it popped out- an Arcanine.

"Grrr..." The Fire-type growled. The three stepped back in fear. The Arcanine rushed forward using Extreme Speed in order to strike the kid. But before it could strike it was stopped by another pokemon. Cobalt looked up to see a Lucario. More specifically Riley's Lucario seeing the band on its wrist.

"Hey Charmander it that Lucario!" Cobalt whispered to the fire type Kanto starter.

The Arcanine quickly jumped back and launched a Flamethrower.

Lucario countered the fire type move by an Aura Sphere. The Aura Sphere easily dominated the fire type move and hitting the Arcanine. Arcanine quickly retreated seeing it's not a match for the fighting steel type. Seeing the fight was, Cobalt sneaked up to the Lucario andquickly took his band off his wrist. The Lucario looked down at the black-haired boy.

"I got you, "Cobalt said. Lucario nodded, "Cario."

Cobalt grinned, "Alright then! We have got more than ten points that would be enough!"

"Charmander-char!" Charmander cheered.

"Let's head back to the lab now!" Cobalt said still smiling. The rest of the three nodded and followed him.

--With Ash and Serena--

After having trained there pokemon, Ash and Serena were pretty tired. The two lied down on the grass to see the sun setting as it was pretty late. For some time both of them didn't say anything.

"Say, Serena?" Ash said breaking the silence.

"Hmm?" Serena said looking at him.

"Back in Kalos at the airport, why did you... kiss me?" Ash asked. Serena's cheeks turned pink as she remembered that day.

"I kissed you because you are a really special person to me, Ash, "Serena replied turning back to see the sunset.

"Special?" Ash asked looking at her now.

"Yes, " Serena replied, "It's because of you I started my journey. Before I found out what I had to do in my you were the one who kept encouraging me. And even when we were little you saved me from the woods remember?"

"Am I that Special to you?" Ash asked her again.

"Yes Ash you are that special to me, " Serena said.

"Oh..." Ash said. A blush found its way up to his cheeks this time. Again there was a silence between the two. No one said a word. Till Ash saw a shadow at the Sunset.

"What's that?" Ash asked standing up. The shadow then moved towards them running in high speed as it was getting bigger slowly, till it was right in front of Ash. Ash though shocked at first quickly recognised who it was.

"Greninja..." Ash said smiling.

"Gren-Ninja!(What's up?)" The Water type said.

"So were all the vines destroyed?" Ash asked.

"Gren!(yep!)" Greninja said. He then pointed at the pokeballs on Ash's belt.

"You want to rejoin the team?" Ash asked.

"Nin!" Greninja nodded. Ash pulled out a pokeball and held it in front of him. Greninja fist bumped the pokeball causing him to get sucked into the ball. The ball immediately dinged indicating capture.

"Welcome back to the team..." Ash whispered to the pokeball smiling. He then turned to Serena and said, "Let's head back."

When the two reached back home they saw Cobalt had already returned.

"Hey Cobalt how did the test go?"

"It went amazing I got first place!" Cobalt said with a big grin.

"That's amazing!" Ash said patting his younger brothers head.

"Also Professor Oak told me something else, " Cobalt said.

"What?" Ash asked.

--10 minutes earlier--

After the test was over and everyone got their scores, all the students were leaving.

"Cobalt I would like to talk to you for a moment, " Professor Oak said. Cobalt nodded and faced Professor Oak.

"So you do know that you can only start your journey after you turn 15 right?" Oak asked, earning a nod from Cobalt, "But the rule said if you travel alone."

"Huh?" Cobalt asked with a confused face.

"Yes if you travel alone, but if you were to travel with an experienced trainer then you can travel at any age, " Oak said.

"Experienced?" Cobalt asked putting his index to his chin, pondering, "Like my big brother?"

"Yes, if you can convince him to travel with you, you can start your journey after the results are out, "Oak said.

"Really! Yay!" Cobalt cheered, "I am going home to ask him!" After that Cobalt just rushed out of the lab.

--Current Time--

"So would you please travel with me?" Cobalt asked Ash.

"Sure why not?" Ash said patting Cobalt's head once again.

"Yes!" Cobalt cheered and then hugging his brother tightly. He then ran into the kitchen to tell his mom of the news. Ash and Serena both followed him to the kitchen. Cobalt was not there, maybe went to his room.

"So what he told was true?" Delia asked Ash.

"Well I think you should ask Professor Oak himself first, " Ash said to his mother.
Delia nodded.

"I want to tell you two something else as well, " Ash said. Serena and Delia focused on Ash as he began to talk.

Done! I have nothing to say except sorry for delay of the chapter. I'll try to be more... punctual in the updates? I think that's the word. Bye!

~Ignem