In the months following Ash's victory over Diantha, he and Serena decided to take a small break from the battling and performing in Kalos. They bought a house in Pallet Town and live there together. The house they bought was extra special to Serena because it was the house she and her mother used to live in when they lived in Pallet Town. It was a humble two-story house. The two lovebirds were quite happy living there, as they are three houses down from where Ash's mother lives so that they could visit her often. Delia Ketchum was so emotionally joyous when she was reunited with her son months earlier.

---

Ash stood in front of his house, with Serena, Pikachu, and Lucario by his side, feeling extremely anxious about seeing his mother again. Having not seen her for five years, Ash was feeling uncertain about how his mother would react to seeing him not dead. Serena places her hand on Ash's shoulder. Ash turns to look at his girlfriend, who gives him a small smile and a nod. Ash nods back as he starts to walk to the front door. He stops and takes a deep breath before slowly opening the door.

He walks into his house with silent steps. The quietness ended when a bipedal, humanoid Pokémon came out of the kitchen. Blue growths resembling clown hair extend from the sides of its pale pink head, and there is a magenta circle on each cheek. Its jaw is curved inward, resembling the mouth of a wooden dummy. It has a round, white body with a magenta spot in the middle, light pink arms and legs that connect to its body via magenta spheres, and small white coverings over its knees. Its white hands resemble gloves with magenta pads on the tips of its white fingers and its dark blue feet curl upward at the tips.

The Pokemon's jaw dropped as it sees Ash and Serena coming in, his eyes expressed shock when his gaze met Ash's eyes. The Pokemon shouted to its right with great excitement in its voice. It got the attention of the woman in the kitchen.

"Coming Mimey!" She shouted as she rushes over to her Pokemon.

The slender woman, with fair skin, smooth brown hair, and brown eyes, reached the Barrier Pokemon. She was wearing a pink short-sleeved jacket with a yellow undershirt, a purple skirt, and light green shoes. She then took a look at her guests, who were standing at the door. She gasped when she saw Ash. There was a small smile on the man's face as he waves to his mother.

"Mother...I'm home." Ash said in a soft voice.

Delia's eyes became teary as she took a few steps forward before rushing over to where her son stood. She embraced the young man in a tight hug, with tears rolling down her face. Ash hugs his mother back, with tears also rolling down from his eyes. As the two embraced, Serena, with Pikachu on her shoulder, and Lucario looking on with smiles across their faces.

"Son," Delia stated as she broke off from the embrace. "You've come home."

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner," Ash said, feeling bad to not have told his mother that he was alive when she thought he was dead.

"Don't apologize, son," Delia said, with a smile. "You had your reasons. I'm just happy you've returned after all these years. I've missed you so much, my son, and I am proud of what you have accomplished in that tournament."

"Mom...I've missed you too," Ash said softly as he is pulled in for another hug by his mother.

Delia then stares at Serena, who was smiling brightly, and motions the performer to join in the embrace with them. Serena walks over to the mother and son, while Pikachu jumps off her shoulder and rushes over to Lucario. Serena proceeds to hug both Ash and Delia as all three of them had bright smiles on their faces. The bond of a broken family has been repaired, only happiness is to come from here on out.

---

It was early morning at Ash and Serena's home in Pallet Town. Serena was sitting on the front porch with her two relaxing Pokemon, Slyveon and Braxien, while drinking a warm cup of tea. She waits for the sunrise to come as if she had missed the sky and wanted nothing more than to warm up those blues to a radiant gold. And finally, with a smile on her face, the sun rose, filling the sky with shades of orange and pink. Peach and magenta, amber and rose, radiating hope, a new beginning. Another chance to live. The start of a brand new day.

And this brand new day was very special to a certain young man she loves very dear to her heart. It was Ash's birthday today, and she planned a special birthday breakfast with him. They would be joined by Ash's mother, Gary Oak, and the Hallett family, who lives five houses down from them. Later on, in the day, the rest of Ash's friends would come over and they'll have a huge birthday party for him. It's going to be quite an exciting day.

After watching the beautiful and finishing her cup of tea, Serena and her two Pokemon went back inside to prepare for the morning breakfast. When they got to the kitchen, Serena noticed Pikachu, Lucario, and Pancham had already set the plates on the table.

"Good job, guys," The impressed Kalos Queen said to the proud Pokemon, before looking around and noticing someone was not here with them. "Um, is Ash still sleeping?"

Lucario nodded a yes to Serena. She then stares up the stairs, before letting out a sigh. She started to walk up the stairs, but she turned to face the smiling Mouse Pokemon with a grin on her face.

"Pika?" The Mouse Pokemon said.

"Come on, Pikachu," Serena said as she motions the Pokemon to follow her upstairs. "We gotta wake up the birthday boy, and I'll need your help."

"Pika!" Pikachu said as he jumps onto his trainer's girlfriend's shoulders.

The two then made their way to Ash's room. The door was a bit opened. Serena, with Pikachu jumping off her shoulder, quietly opens the door and they see a peaceful-looking Ash Ketchum still sleeping in his bed.

"He's sound asleep alright," Serena whispers while looking at her sleeping boyfriend.

"Pika pika." The Mouse Pokemon whispers to the performer, who knew what he was saying to her.

"You want to do the honors, Pikachu?" Serena asked Ash's faithful Pokemon.

Pikachu nodded a yes, before starting to tiptoe his way over to the sleeping Ash. The Mouse Pokemon gives a devious grin as he stops in front of the bed.

"Pika...." He started to say, as sparks began flying off his cheeks.

"CCCCHHHHUUUU!!" Pikachu exclaimed as he fires a powerful bolt of yellow electricity from its body towards his sleeping trainer.

"AHHHH!" Ash exclaimed as he awakens with a shocking jolt throughout his entire body.

After firing his Thunderbolt, a satisfied Pikachu rushes over to the awakened Ash, who is recovering from that jolt to his system.

"Pika pika," Pikachu said, greeting his trainer with a good morning.

"Oh hey, Pikachu," Ash responded as he's now fully awake. "Good morning."

"There's nothing like a Pikachu-style wake-up call in the morning," Serena said with a chuckle, before kneeing to make eye contact with her boyfriend. "Right, Ash?'

"Hey Serena," Ash said as she moves closer to him and gives him a quick kiss on the lips, which made him smile. "Good morning."

"Alright, birthday boy," She said, as she stood up. "Our guests will be here soon for breakfast, so you had better get dressed and be ready for them when they arrive."

"Oh!" Ash said as he remembers what day is it today. "Today's my birthday, isn't it?'

"Yes, that's right," Serena said with a smile. "Did you forget?"

"No, it's just that I hadn't celebrated my birthday with all my friends and family for a long time. I kinda have forgotten the excitement that occurs at a birthday party," Ash explained to his girlfriend.

"Yeah, that's right. You were alone for all that time." Serena said with a sad tone in her voice.

"Not completely," Ash stated. "I had my Pokemon with me. Plus, I don't celebrate just this day as the day I was born."

"Really?" Serena asked as she notices Ash picking Pikachu up with a smile on both their faces.

"I celebrate it as the anniversary of the day when I first met Pikachu," Ash answered while remembering the day he first got Pikachu. "Boy, what a day that was. Right, buddy?"

"Pika!" Pikachu said with happiness in his voice.

"That's right! You got Pikachu the day you turned ten years old. Correct?" Serena said, with Ash nodding a yes to her. "So today we're celebrating your birth and the anniversary of the start of your friendship with Pikachu."

"Yes, we are," Ash said, agreeing with his girlfriend.

"Well, I better let you get dressed before our guests arrive," Serena said, as she left the room with Ash and Pikachu standing there.

"Right," Ash said as he goes through his closet. "What should I wear?"

---

Eventually, Ash got dressed and came downstairs to help Serena with the cooking. A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Ash answered the door, and when he did, it was little Ashley, who rang the doorbell while being held by Trevor. They were there, along with Angela, who was carrying their gift to Ash.

"Surprise to see us, Uncle Ashy! Happy Birthday!" The four-year girl exclaimed, while her father chuckled at what she just said.

"Ashley, he already knew we were coming, you know? It's not really a surprise." Trevor explained to his daughter, before carefully putting her down on the ground.

"Oh, right," Ashley said, realizing her mistake.

Both parents laughed at their daughter's realization. Trevor then focuses his attention on Ash.

"Anyway," Trevor said as he and Ash shook hands. "Happy Birthday, man!"

"Yeah," Angela joined in. "Happy Birthday, Ash! You're twenty-three years old now!

"Thanks, Trevor and Angela," Ash said, accepting the birthday wishes from the Hallett family.

"Say, you didn't happen to see..." Ash started to say before getting interrupted by a familiar voice in the distance.

"We've just arrived, Ashy Boy!" The voice exclaimed, as Ash looked behind the Hallett family and smiled upon the arrival of Gary Oak, his childhood rival, his mother, and Mimey.

"Happy Birthday, my big boy!" Delia shouted as she and Mr. Mime waved to Ash.

"Gary! Mom! Mimey!" Ash yelled out in excitement as he runs over to them. "So glad you could come!"

"Ash," Gary explained while carrying his present to Ash in a big yellow gift bag. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

"Geez, thanks, Gary," Ash said, happy to see his childhood rival here to celebrate his birthday with him.

"After breakfast, I will have to give you my present first," Gary stated, leaving Ash confused.

"How come?" Ash asked, earning a chuckle from his rival.

"You'll have to wait and see," Gary said with a grin on his face. "But right now, shall we eat?"

Ash suddenly hears the rumble in his stomach. He laughs upon the sound of the emptiness of his tummy.

"Yes, I think we should," Ash said as he, Gary, Delia, and Mr. Mime started walking back to Ash's house.

Ash's thoughts were racing as he tries to figure out what is Gary's present to him, Why did Gary want to give his present immediately after breakfast?

---

The group had their breakfast at the table. The aroma of croissants, toast, pancakes, bacon, and all the other confectionaries one could possibly imagine for breakfast on a lovely morning. Ash was devouring the pancakes that Serena made for him like a hungry Munchlax. Gary was quite satisfied with his toast. Trevor was eating eight pieces of bacon, with his daughter enjoying a piece as well. Serena and Angela were munching on delicious jelly-glazed croissants. Delia was drinking her cup of coffee and eating her sunny-side-up eggs. The Pokemon were eating their Pokemon food in the other room, while the humans were having many discussions about what they have been up to lately.

The Hallett family just came back from a vacation in Alola, thanks to a suggestion from Ash, who had visited Alola for a bit during his five-year training mission. Trevor and Angela caught some brand new Pokemon that they encountered while exploring the islands with their daughter. Their house had a ranch in the backyard where all their Pokemon can enjoy relaxing and playing in. Ashley loves the wide-open space in the backyard as well. She enjoys playing with her Charmander, Pichu, and Eevee every single day there. When Trevor and Angela are not home, their good friends, Ryan and White, would come over and babysit Ashley. Even though Trevor is a Pokemon Ranger and Angela is a Pokemon Doctor, they would take time off their schedule to spend time playing with their daughter. It was a happy life for the Halletts.

Gary Oak has been assisting his grandfather, Professor Oak, with his research, along with helping Tracy out with taking care of the Pokemon at the Research Lab. Gary really enjoys being a researcher as he gets a better understanding of Pokemon every day.

Following her reunion with Ash, Delia had decided to reopen her restaurant, the Pallet House. She inherited the place from her mother. She now spends most of her time running the restaurant, with occasional help from Ash and Serena, and growing berries in her beautiful garden. Delia's life had been reenergized thanks to the return of her son. She was appreciating her life more than ever now.

When breakfast was finally over, everyone's stomachs were completely fulled. They felt like they have eaten a bus full of yummy meals. Everyone thanked the chiefs, who were Serena, Angela, and Delia, for cooking the appetizing breakfast for them.

"Boy, that was the best breakfast I have ever had in my whole life!" Ash exclaimed, before looking at his girlfriend next to him. "Serena, you did an amazing job with the pancakes. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Ash," Serena said, before giving him a kiss on the lips. "Happy Birthday, Ash."

Ash blushed just as Gary snapped him back to reality by handing him his gift.

"So you want to open your gift now?" Ash asked his childhood rival, who nods a yes to him.

"Okay," Ash said as everyone in the room watched him open Gary's present.

He takes out a black box, with a lock on it, from the gift bag. The young researcher then gives a small key to Ash who puts it in the keyhole and unlocks it. The suspense was killing everyone who wanted to know what did Gary give to the now twenty-three-year-old man. Ash takes the cover off the box and gasped as he views the contents of the box. Trevor walks over to his friend, wondering what was in the box that surprised Ash. When he took a look inside the box, Trevor too gasped in shock.

"Aren't those..." Trevor began to say, before Ash interrupted him, while also finishing his statement.

"A Key Stone and a Charizardite X..." Ash said, as he views the two stones and a Mega Ring in the box.

He turns to face his grinning rival. Ash thought for a moment, but it didn't take long to realize what Gary wanted him to do right now. He chuckled at this realization.

"You really want us to have that battle I promised you, right?" Ash asked Gary, which shocked everyone in the room.

"Yes, Ash," Gary answered his rival's question. "I have been thinking about all kinds of strategies and what Pokemon to use against you. But most importantly, finding you a Key Stone and Mega Stone to use against me, as I too have a Key Stone and Mega Stone."

Gary then shows Ash his Mega Ring, with a Key Stone in it. Ash is amazed that Gary can also do Mega Evolution. Gary extends his hand out to Ash, waiting for him to grab it.

"What do you say, Ash! Do you accept my challenge?" Gary said with excitement roaring from his voice.

Ash didn't take long to respond as he grabs his rival's hand and stands up to meet Gary's eye level.

"You're on! Gary! Let's do this! Right now!" Ash exclaimed with Gary smiling upon his response to his challenge.

"Alright, let's do a full six-on-six battle! Does that sound good?" Gary asked Ash, who's smile got bigger with every minute.

"Sure, but could I head over to Professor Oak's lab to grab Charizard and the Pokemon I want to use for our battle?" Ash asked his rival.

"Of course, Ash, I want you to pick the Pokemon you think will be best to take me on with!" Gary stated before Ash left the room and exits the house to run over to Oak's lab to get five other Pokemon for a full team.

Everyone was quite excited about watching Ash battle against Gary. The last time they battled was before Ash went to Sinnoh. He was battling against Gary's Electivire with his Pikachu. Although Ash lost that battle, it still encourages Ash to keep getting stronger and be the very best trainer he can be.

Trevor walks over to a satisfied Gary. The young researcher then turns to face his friend.

"You were planning to challenge Ash on his birthday the whole time, weren't you?" Trevor asked the young researcher.

"Yes," Gary responded to the young man's question. "You wanna know why?"

"Please enlighten me, will you?" Trevor said to a chuckling Gary Oak.

"It was the very day that both Ash and I started our Pokemon journeys. Although we did not face each other during the Indigo Plateau League, I still learned a lot from Ash. When we eventually battled during the Silver Conference, I thought for sure I was going to win. However, I didn't count on Ash's Charizard coming in and defeating my last three Pokemon, including my Blastoise. That loss taught me that there was so much that I understood about Pokemon. My battle against Ash inspired me to become a Pokemon Researcher. I'm very glad to have been Ash's rival back in the old days. However, with years of new knowledge about Pokemon, I've wondered how strong have I become as a trainer. That's why I wanted to battle Ash on the day that we both started our journey. I want to see just how far we've come in terms of our battling style and how we've raised our Pokemon." Gary explained his reasoning to Trevor, who was amazed by Gary's dedication to Ash for putting him on the path he is on right now.

"Wow, Gary," Trevor said in awe and wonderment. "I didn't know how much Ash impacted your life the way it did. I'm sure you and Ash will give us a battle that none of us will ever forget."

"Thanks, Trevor," Gary said as he extends his hand out to his young friend. "That's why I want you to be the referee for our battle. I mean, after all, you and I both supported Ash during the Pokemon Masters Tournament. It makes sense for you to oversee our battle and make the right calls."

"I'd be honored to act as the referee for this battle," Trevor answers while shaking Gary's hand. "I can't wait to see your Blastoise and Ash's Charizard having a rematch, but this time, in their Mega Evolved Forms."

"Yes," Gary said. "It should be an interesting battle, indeed."

---

Eventually, Ash got back from Professor Oak's Lab with his five other Pokemon, including Charizard, that he will be using for his battle against Gary. Everyone made their way to the backyard of Ash and Serena's house. Ash and Gary then stood far apart from each other. Lucario, Serena, Delia, Angela, and Ashley were all sitting on the grass so that they can observe the battle closely and at a safe distance. Mr. Mime was standing up while holding a video camera. Delia wanted Mimey to record the battle between Ash and Gary for future viewing parties. Pikachu was on Ash's shoulders since he will be one of the Pokemon participating in this battle today.

As for Trevor, he was standing in between the two battling trainers, so that he can make the right calls throughout the match.

"Good luck!" Serena exclaimed as Ash smiles upon hearing her cheers and then gives her a thumb's up.

"Thanks, Serena, and I promise you, we will win!" Ash exclaimed.

"Pika!" Pikachu shouted, as Serena smiles at both their responses.

"Alright!" Trevor announced as Ash and Gary stare at each other with intense eyes. "The battle between Ash and Gary will now begin! Both trainers will use all six of their Pokemon. There are no limits to switching out your Pokemon. The battle will be over when all Pokemon on one side are unable to battle. So Ash and Gary, are you two ready?"

"Yes, we are!" Ash and Gary said in unison.

"Alright. Let the battle begin!" Trevor exclaimed to get the battle between Ash and Gary underway.