A week had passed since Ash and Serena told Delia that they were dating. The two of them were relieved to know that Delia approved of Ash dating again, and that it was Serena he was with nonetheless. Delia was just happy that she approved of the girl her son was dating, and by the way she felt, she already thought that Serena was a better fit for him than Denise. Don't get the wrong idea; Delia never disapproved of Denise when Ash started dating her back then. She thought Denise was a very considerate and thoughtful woman that her son was once married to. No one, not even Ash, really knew that his mom had silently noted that whenever Ash had started dating a new girl, she would mentally evaluate her. Of course, including Serena, Ash had only dated two girls in his lifetime, so her evaluating more in the future was probably going to be slim, but she didn't mind it, not in the least.

Delia had only known Serena for maybe a few days since she met up with her for the first time in almost twenty years, she didn't say it out loud but she already knew that Serena would be a better girl for her son than Denise was. And not only that, but a better mother for her grandchildren. Nothing against Denise, but when Ash told her that Denise hardly ever saw her kids, she felt as if they needed a new maternal role model in their life. Since Delia already knew Serena before last week, she didn't just think when it came to something like this, she knew it, and she was on the spot basically every time. Now that Ash's mother was told, everyone was informed, which gave both Ash and Serena time to breathe.

The two of them and the kids were going to the park today. Serena flashed back to the last time she was there. She actually hadn't been there since a few days before she reunited with Ash when she met that kid Troy. Just to think ever since that day, a lot had happened. She had met up with her childhood crush for the first time in sixteen years, took a trip to the Orange Islands with him and his kids, became a big part in the kids' lives, and finally got together in a relationship with him. Things couldn't be better for her right now, and little did she know it, it was the same for her boyfriend (And don't forget the kids).

This time around, the both of them would be bringing at least one or two of their Pokemon with them, since they haven't really brought them anywhere lately because of their relationship. Serena was probably going to be bringing all of hers because if she brought just one or two of them, then the other one or two would feel left out and she didn't want to do that to three of her friends. Ash had already said that other than Pikachu, he would bring Bulbasaur, since Bulbasaur loved being outside, due to being a grass type. Well, not necessarily because he was a grass type, but it made sense because of that though. Bulbasaur had gotten better since that day a couple of weeks ago. Apparently it was only a minor fever that Bulbasaur had suffered, so that was a breath of fresh air.

They had made these plans a couple of days ago. They would have gone yesterday but Ash had a battle with Misty over the course of the day and was too worn out to even move a muscle afterwards. The kids and Serena understood, he had to take his breaks after he battled, whether it was for food or just for a rest. Don't think that you've got it easy ALL the time when you are World Champion. You can't just take a vacation every other week. Well, technically you could, but Ash chose not to. You know how much he likes challenges.

That was one of the reasons why Ash and "World Champion" belonged in the same sentence. When you're a World Champion, you're basically required to like challenges and doing them on a constant basis. It was a good thing that a challenge was always Ash's preference when it came to a battle, as he didn't like facing an opponent that was easy. The harder a challenger was, the better Ash felt before, during, and after a battle, because he knew that his skills and Pokemon could get sharper, and he knew that he could only gain so little from facing an easy opponent. But it was okay, gain a little or a lot; you learned something out of it.

Ash learning something from a challenger was something HE had to do when he was a young aspiring Pokemon master. Every trainer he challenged, including his friends, got him some well needed tips and experience. When he was a kid, he had to learn from his friends. As an adult, his friends learned from him. Funny how things turn around like that, huh?

Every since the first day he became World Champion a little over a decade ago, that was how things started switching around. Ash's friends, especially those that were gym leaders, ended up learning from him how to better their battling techniques. The gym leaders that were his friends were actually the ones that challenged him the most out of everybody. Whether it was Brock, Misty, Cilan, or Clemont, they challenged him more than everybody that had challenged Ash to a battle these days. It was true that Misty, Cilan, and Clemont were still gym leaders to this day. We all know Brock stopped being a gym leader a long time ago. But the latter three still happened to be gym leaders today despite the fact that they were gym leaders when they were young travelling with Ash. But it was true that the four of them challenged Ash more than anybody on this planet.

Most of the people that wanted to battle him were either gym leaders, regional champions, former regional champions, or Elite Four members from every region. Battlers that were just trainers who only had a few years of experience or less under their belt hardly ever challenged him because they knew they would get their hind ends kicked, no doubt about it. It's best not to battle the best until you're up to at least Elite Four caliber. Ash knew for a fact that whenever he challenge an Elite Four member when he was younger he got whooped, not beating a single Pokemon. But just think things are the reverse now. The Elite Four members were the ones getting whooped by Ash most of the time. But Ash admitted that the Elite Four members weren't easy to beat. They were Elite Four members after all. If you have "Elite" in your title, there's no doubt you are one of the world's best.

But there weren't just elite battlers in the Pokemon world, there were elite coordinators and performers as well. Dawn and May were actually considered elite coordinators nowadays. They had worked extra vigorously in the last sixteen years that they became two of the world's top coordinators. Ash didn't really know anyone that was a top performer. The only friends that he had that were performers back in the day were Serena and Shauna, that was about it. He knew other people that were performers, but he never really talked to them at all. Performing wasn't something Ash paid a lot of attention to, not since Serena stopped doing it when they were younger. He liked the showcases, he watched them every so often, but there really was no one he could root for since no one he cared about did them anymore. Ash knew Serena wouldn't do them anymore even if he tried to convince her. Besides, he didn't see any girl in her twenties in the showcases. He didn't know if there was an age limit or girls just didn't feel like doing them after their teenage years. Oh well, that was something he didn't want to ponder on.

Ash was outside playing with the kids, tossing a football around to them. They had pretty good hands, but that didn't mean they caught every single one. They dropped nearly half of what Ash threw to them, but it's not like they were trying out for a peewee football team or anything.

"Dad, has football ever been something you've been interested in?" Tristan asked.

"Well, maybe sometimes. I may not watch it all the time but I do whenever I feel like watching big guys beat each other up." Ash stated.

"You actually like watching guys intentionally hurt each other?" Bellamy asked.

"Well, they do it intentionally, but not because they want to. They only do it because they have to. It's a part of their job." Ash explained.

"Okay, whatever you say, daddy." Bellamy added.

"I remember the first time I watched football. It was when I was younger I was with my friend Iris out going sightseeing. There are these two football teams in Unova named the Darmanitans and the Gerder Eleven. That was the first thing we did when we went sightseeing. It was a good game." Ash explained.

"Did your team win?" Tristan asked.

"Nah. I rooted for Team Darmanitan but they blew it in the end. Iris was rooting for the Gerder Eleven but all in all, it was a great game nonetheless."

"Seemed like you had fun." Bellamy added.

"It was. Going sightseeing with Iris is one of my favorite memories I had with her. Yes, I was annoyed that she always called me a "little kid", but she still is a good friend of mine and I enjoyed that day I had with her." Ash explained.

"Was Cilan with you?"

"No. He was busy collecting stamps at a stamp rally that day."

"Ah."

"Anyway, we should get inside. It's getting late and it's also starting to get cold."

The following day, the three of them plus Serena had gone to the park, just to have some relaxation time. There would be other people there, they knew that. But the sounds of nature and any bird Pokemon that occupied the air was what they were looking forward to.

Once they got there, Tristan and Bellamy went off to do their own thing, but not before Ash told them to not go too far off where he couldn't see them. As soon as they ran off, Ash and Serena sat down on the bench that was behind them. Ash kept a keen eye out on the kids. He mentally noted that he would peek to see what they were up to every few minutes.

"So Ash, what's next for you?" Serena asked.

"What do you mean?" He responded, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you have any more challengers in line?"

"Oh, not that I know of."

A new question raised in Serena's head, something that seemed like it would give her some more insight. "Actually, I just wanted to ask: How often do you get a new challenger?"

"Oh, well, that's an easier question to answer. I usually get one every week. I have the option to accept or decline it, but come on, based off of what you know of me, do you really think I would choose the latter?" Ash explained.

"I know. When we travelled Kalos together, there wasn't a single trainer you turned down when they challenged you to a battle." Serena stated.

"Thing is, I don't just accept challenges to make me a better battler, I do it to make my opponents better battlers too."

"That's good. At least you don't think of yourself when it comes to that."

"You know... I'm always willing to lend a hand to others when they need it most." Ash added.

Meanwhile, Tristan and Bellamy were a little ways off conversing. They had been talking about the subject Ash and Serena were talking about as well, but it was about their dad's last battle, which he had just fought a couple of days ago.

"What did you think of dad's last battle?" Tristan asked his sister.

"Daddy whooped that guys' behind. He didn't know what hit him." Bellamy exclaimed.

"I wonder why dad's battles always end up with him ultimately defeating his opponent." Tristan questioned.

"Oh come on, Tristan. You know why. Dad is the World Champion. Would you expect anything less from him?"

"You have a good point." Tristan replied, realizing that wasn't really a question he should've asked.

"Daddy is such an awesome battler, he makes the champions of each region seem like novice trainers." Bellamy commented.

Tristan tilted his head a little bit. "You're right. That's one way to put it. It's just that-"

"Hey!"

Tristan and Bellamy turned their heads to look to the left where the voice came from. When they saw who it was, they looked up and sighed.

"Oh no. Not these guys again." Bellamy stated, annoyed. The kid who called them out, plus a few other kids, started walking towards them, and they didn't look too happy.

"What do you want Ronald?" Tristan asked, not even bothering to make eye contact.

"Word is, your dad just beat the living daylights out of Lance of the Kanto Elite Four in a Pokemon battle."

"Yeah, he did. What about it?" Tristan asked, still avoiding eye contact.

"Well, you know what I think? I don't think your dad is all that great of a World Champion. As a matter of fact, he kind of sucks." Ronald commented. But unfortunately, that struck Tristan and Bellamy really hard, prompting them to give Ronald an angry expression. Not a glare, but just an angry expression.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bellamy asked.

"Lance has been a member of the Kanto Elite Four for more than two decades. Your dad has only been World Champion for one. The math doesn't add up."

"What are you trying to say?" Tristan asked.

"It's obvious. More experience means better. Get my drift?" Ronald stated.

Tristan and Bellamy had to admit, he had a good point. More experience did kind of factor in these days, but that didn't do anything to brighten their mood, since this was their dad he was talking about.

"That's true, but our dad is the best battler in the world. He totally dominates every battle he has." Tristan commented.

"And you know why that is? Luck. Just pure luck." Ronald responded.

"I don't think it's luck. Our dad learned a lot from battling growing up, and he uses everything he's gained in his battling and his strategies. I believe he is the greatest battler ever, hands down." Tristan explained.

"You're probably the only two who think that."

"Excuse me?"

"I doubt anyone else thinks he's that great either. The only reason people cheer in his battles is because they feel compelled to, not because he's dominant." Ronald stated.

Now Tristan and Bellamy were starting to seethe with anger. They didn't like anyone who mocked their dad's building legacy, it enraged them. They weren't going to just let this guy get away with what he was saying.

"You take that back." Bellamy retorted.

"Why would I take back something that is true?" Ronald arrogantly stated with a smirk.

The two of them had enough. "Come on, Bellamy. Let's not waste our time on this guy." Tristan said and the two of them started walking away. But before they could get far, a pair of hands grabbed the each of them, stopping their progress.

"What are you trying to say, little one?" Ronald asked with a growl.

"Let go of me." Tristan said while shoving Ronald off of him, only to be grabbed again.

"You have lunch yet? Because I've got a knuckle sandwich ready for you." Ronald growled once again, raising a fist to prove his anger.

"Just let me go." Tristan said, almost in a panicked tone.

"Looks like we'll have to do this my way then." Ronald remarked.

"Help!" Bellamy yelled, loud enough for everyone within earshot to hear her plea for help. Luckily, Ash and Serena, who were sitting on a nearby bench, heard this and recognized the voice easily, and looked over at the scene of the scuffle.

"What are those kids doing the two of them?" Ash exclaimed, shocked to see his kids in the grasp of the bullies.

"Don't tell me those kids are going to beat them up." Serena added.

"Well, I'm not going to let them get away with beating up my kids." Ash then got up, but Serena suddenly halted him by putting her right arm in front of him.

"No. Let me deal with this." Serena stated. Ash didn't want to make a fuss out of it, so he let her go ahead and do it. Besides, he knew the kids were important to her too, so he wanted to see how it would turn out.

"Your day is about to turn unlucky." Ronald bluntly stated. He raised his right fist, ready to strike. Tristan turned his head and closed his eyes and expected for the worst. Ronald thrust his hand forward but it was then stopped by an unknown person (Unknown to him at least). He looked up and saw them.

Serena gave Ronald a stern look, confusing him. "Don't you know that violence doesn't solve anything?"

"Well, he was saying that his dad is the best battler in the world." Ronald replied.

Serena bent down on one knee in front of Ronald. "It's okay for him to think that. He's entitled to his own opinion, just like you are. You don't threaten to hurt someone just because they disagree with you. Is that right?"

Ronald held his head down, seeing Serena had a point, his face appearing to almost have a look of shame. "Yeah, you're right."

"All right, now let him go."

Ronald let go of Tristan, brushing the kid off in return. "Look Tristan, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"It's okay, Ronald. Forgive and forget." Tristan replied.

"Okay. Now run along." Serena added. Ronald and his friends walked away from Tristan and Bellamy.

Serena looked down at the kids. "You two okay?"

Tristan then gave Serena the biggest hug. It was such a tight hug that it made every hug he gave her in the past seem like it was just a pat on the back.

"Thanks mommy!" Tristan shouted, almost coming to tears.

There it was. He said it again. He called her "mommy" again. But unlike last time, Serena wasn't surprised by it. She just let it happen. She smiled and returned the hug. Bellamy joined in and hugged Serena as well, without the death grip that Tristan was currently using. Ash saw this from the bench and chuckled. He did hear his son call his girlfriend "mommy" again, but it didn't bother him either. He just stood there, watching his two kids hug Serena. As the three of them finished, they walked over to him. Ash looked Serena right in the eyes, almost at a complete loss for words.

Serena seemed confused as to why he was staring at her like that. "What?"

"You... you handled that really well. I... I... just... thank you for doing that." Ash stated.

"Oh, it's no big deal. I just don't want to see our- I mean, your kids get hurt." Serena replied.

Ash went up to her and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "Come on, let's get home before another kid shows up and does the same thing."

"Right. Good call."

Ash grabbed Serena's right hand with his left and held it. As they walked, Serena felt better about herself. She just helped out Ash's kids in a difficult situation. Ash might've appreciated her a little more. It wasn't just a thought. She felt it. But she also felt something else...

Things were going to get serious real soon.