After finding Dedenne, the gang are sitting in the waiting area for Serena's flight to begin boarding. Clemont, Bonnie and Serena were talking to each other and playing with their Pokemon like it was any other day, Ash was near the windows, looking out at the runway deep in thought.

Ash's POV

This has been one heck of journey. The day I arrived in Kalos, I never though it would turn out to be this way. I've had one amazing experience after another in this region... From the very first day when I saved that Garchomp to yesterday. It was difficult for me to release Greninja, but it had to be done. It was for the greater good of everyone living in this incredible region. Greninja was arguably my strongest Pokemon. Not only because of 'Bond Phenomenon', but also because we shared the same will and desire to become the strongest and the best... like no one ever was. We trained day and night and I can honestly say that all of it was definitely worth it. Working with Greninja hasn't only made Greninja stronger, its also shaped me into becoming a better, smarter and more powerful trainer than I ever was. By coming on this journey, I feel like I have taken a huge step towards my ultimate goal of becoming a Pokemon Master and its all thanks to all my Pokemon and my friends.

Clemont, Bonnie and Serena have been such wonderful friends to me and frankly speaking, I feel like I have been a burden to them this whole time. Clemont is always the one making dinner and cleaning the dishes, carrying all the medicine in the first-aid kit. He is always ready and reminds me of Brock in a way. A friend like that is someone you will always want and need by your side.

Thankfully, I have always had either Brock, Cilan or Clemont by my side. The Orange Islands was an exception, however, Tracey was there and thankfully, he was a good cook. If I was left alone with Misty and her cooking, I don't know how long I would have lasted. She tried to cook one day when Brock was sick and honestly, that was the first, and only time, I have hated eating anything. Speaking of Tracey and Misty, I have been told that they have gotten "really close to each other". I don't know what that's supposed to mean, but the way Prof. Oak said it, it sounded like there was a hidden meaning behind it.

Bonnie, on the other hand, has always been full of energy. She has helped me look after my Pokemon throughout this whole journey. She has a knack for helping and getting along with Pokemon. I can already tell that she is going to be a great trainer in the future. Especially after that speech she gave to Dedenne in front of all of us. I, myself, was surprised by the maturity of little Bonnie. She has made great friends during this journey with Pokemon such as a Tyrantrum and Zygarde itself. She reminds me of Max in a way. He used to be like that. I remember when he helped that Raltz one time. I wonder how he is doing right now. I have a feeling that Max and Bonnie could be great friends if they meet one day.

Finally, there's Serena. Out of all the friends I have ever traveled with, I think that Serena has had the greatest influence on me... and that is saying something. While people like Brock, Misty, Dawn and Cilan have been very important to me, they haven't inspired and helped me to win my gym battles as much as Serena has. Of course, everybody has helped me to train before. I used to have practice battles with almost all of my travelling companions, however, Serena is different. She gives me a mental and emotional boost. My very first Gym battle here in Kalos was in Santalune City. The very first battle against Viola was a difficult one. I was struggling, panicking... I was thinking of strategies I could make use of but none came to my mind and I ended up losing quite badly. I ran to the Pokemon centre... not only because I needed to heal Pikachu and Fletching, but also because I needed some alone time to think about the battle. I was sat on a small ledge and was deep in thought, mentally kicking myself for not being able to find a way to win the Bug badge. That's when I heard it. It was an innocent voice. The girl sounded timid and nervous while sounding somewhat excited at the same time. I looked up to see her. "Umm... Excuse me. I think this is yours." she said holding up my bag. I looked around to see that my dignity wasn't the only think I had lost in that gym. Being the Ash Ketchum I was, I managed to accidentally forget my bag in the gym, but let me tell you this; This was one of the happiest accidents I have ever had. The best mistake I ever made. The reason you ask? You'll find out soon enough. Anyway, I thanked Serena for getting my bag. Clemont and Bonnie told me that she had been watching my battle at the gym and then set about introducing ourselves. That's when I heard her name fore the first time. Serena. The name didn't ring any bells, however, her Cerulean eyes and Honey-blonde hair did seem somewhat familiar. She was about to say something, but that's when the Pokemon centre bell cut her off.

Inside, once I collected my Pokemon, I met Fennekin and Alexa walked in a couple of minutes later. She was nice enough to let me train with her. I spent most of the day training and I still couldn't help Pikachu and Fletchling get past Gust. I had yet to find a counter-strategy against Sticky web and the ice battle field. I was starting to lose hope and that's exactly when Serena came in. She gave me a warm smile and a handkerchief to clean myself . She then asked me something completely unexpected. "Do you remember me?". Like I said earlier, she did seem somewhat familiar, but I couldn't say I remembered her. She told me that she went to professor Oak's summer camp that immediately caught my attention. I had the time of my life there. When I told her I didn't remember her (oh how stupid of me that was), she seemed disappointed, however, she shook it off and gave me another warm smile that I couldn't help but smile back at. She then said something that has always been an inspiration... it was my own catchphrase "Never give up until its over". When she said that, I was filled with energy and confidence again. The burning passion I always had for battling had returned in a matter of seconds. I was brimming with excitement thinking about the rematch with Viola and how I would definitely win it this time. I had not realised it back then but Serena had turned me from an absolute broken wreck to a boy oozing with confidence and determination within a matter of seconds. The effect Serena had on me that day was something had had never experienced before, however, I quickly got used to experiencing it almost everyday. During the rematch against Viola, she was the one who helped me think of Pikachu using electro-ball on himself... with the help of Clemont of course. I asked Serena to come along on this journey as I thought it would be nice having her around. It would also be amazing if she helped me like she did in that battle againt Viola.

Next, in Shalour city, Serena had helped me learn to dance the whole day before my battle against Korrina. I was confident, however, nothing went to plan during the battle. The dancing was having no effect. I looked up at Serena. She had a worried look on her face... and that's when I remember something that she had said. She said I had a unique rhythm. And from that moment on, the battle turned on its heels. It was thanks to Serena, she had unknowingly, won be a badge.

After that, everything was going smoothly... until I hit a brick wall. Just before I challenged the final gym, Greninja and I couldn't fuse. I felt frustrated and a little upset. What made it even worse what that Sawyer had already got 8 badges and then he beat me with his Sceptile. I wanted to win that 8th gym badge badly. I don't know what happened. Maybe I got too carried away and I lost the battle. I felt... humiliated. I lost so easily in front of Sawyer. In front of Clemont and Bonnie and... Serena. It was difficult for me because I felt like I had let everybody down. At that very moment, however, I felt like I let Greninja down the most. Greninja was injured and the mood was quite down at the Pokemon centre. Sawyer left soon after and I myself wanted to go for a walk. Serena, Clemont and Pikachu tried to stop me but I wanted some time to myself. I eventually found a log deep in the woods and sat on it. I kept thinking and hadn't realised that it was morning already. I soon caught on but was interrupted by footsteps on the snow and heavy breathing. I was Serena. She tried to cheer me up at that moment but all I did was snap at her. When I felt a snowball hit the back of my head, I was almost furious... that was until I turned around to see a Serena almost in tears. I had never seen Serena like that before. Over our Journey together, she has always remained strong and has always been the one to bring happiness to the group with her sweet and caring personality... and her amazing desserts of course. Seeing he like that however hurt me. It would hurt anybody seeing someone as selfless and kindhearted as her in tears. I was frozen still, not because of the cold or because of the expression on Serena's face but because of the fact that the expression on Serena's face was because of me. Her now teary eyes showed sorrow and disappointment while showing a hit of anger and frustration. She then said something that hit me really hard. "This isn't the Ash I know. The Ash I know is always positive, determined , optimistic. He never gives up until the very end." She then continued to say "This isn't the Ash I know. Give me the real Ash back!" while simultaneously throwing 2 snowballs at my face. I was knocked over but what she said really spurred me on. It allowed me to realise that I was not being myself and filled me with the will not win again. I was a sulking mess throughout the whole night and Serena comes out of nowhere and makes me feel like I could take on anything and still win. This was the second time Serena had done that to me. She had completely eliminated all my insecurities and made be believe in myself and she did so in a matter of seconds.

Honestly, having Serena on this journey has been one of the best things to ever happen to me. Over this journey, I have realised that I need Serena with me. The main reason I did so well in the Kalos league was because of her constant support. I am not taking anything away from anybody. Clemont, Bonnie and all my Pokemon have been amazing too but Serena has always put something special on the table. In fact, I want her to continue travelling with me but she has already made her mind up about Hoenn so I am happy for her.

I want Serena to be happy. Seeing her happy fills me with Joy. Seeing Serena grow over our journey had made me proud of her. She seems to have the same 'Never give up' attitude that I do which I find a bit amusing. Her constant caring nature is something I have come to admire over the past year that I have traveled with her. I also would be lying if I said she wasn't beautiful. She short Honey-blonde hair perfectly complements her facial structures and that blue ribbon that I gave her in Coumarine City, which she wears on her chest, brings out the shine in her Cerulean eyes even more. I have recently been thinking of her in this way and I know what it is. I have come to realise that I like her... maybe even love her... I don't know. I have heard a couple of my past companions, including Bonnie, call me dense and they were true to an extent. I just needed someone just right for me and I believe that I have found her right here in the 'Region of Love'. What I do know is that I don't want to tell her. I know Serena and I are really close and if I did confess then she will have a hard time denying me because she will be thinking about my feelings rather than her own. She is that selfless. I don't want to force anything on her. If she does manage to say no to me, I know that she will be hurt knowing she emotionally hurt one of her closest friends. After all, that is all she thinks of me. Just a friend... right?

I am going to keep my feeling bottled up. I'd rather I suffer instead of Serena. Hoenn will be her second journey and I want her to enjoy it as much as, if not, more that her journey with us here in Kalos. I don't want to be the one who ruins this journey for her. All I can do is sit and hope that we will meet again in the future and maybe, when the situation is different, I can finally tell her. I might not know where I will be going next, however, what I do know is that I will wait for her. I will hold onto any hope I have and wait for her to come back into my life and bring along a carnival of happiness and contentment...

Until that fateful day arrives, I will push on and achieve my dream while waiting for her. Waiting for Serena.

Ash was suddenly pulled out of his thoughts by the Tannoy overhead. It announced that the flight to Hoenn which Serena was supposed to be in has began boarding passengers. Serena reluctantly got up and Ash had noticed this but decided against voicing his concern. Ash thought it was because she didn't want to leaver her friends behind, but little did he know that she was thinking about a certain trainer, one she has always admired. Serena herself was deep in thought and she had plenty of time to think as the boarding gate for her flight was on the other side of the airport...

And that is the end of the first chapter. I am taking this nice and slowly but if people want me to speed up, I will try to. There will probably be another 2-3 chapters before I finish this book... that's if people want me to continue with it. This was sort of inspired by XxWhiteYvonnexX and her book "And To Our Own Way". She did challenge us all to make a great story and hopefully this is nice.

Again, I hope you guys enjoyed this and any constructive criticisms are welcome.

Thanks for reading my first ever story on Wattpad. Although I live and study in the UK, it has been about 4 years since I last entered by English class. My days at university is completely filled with writing reports on engineering experiments so my writing style might not be too interesting to read as such. I will try to improve though. This also means that I am quite busy and don't always have time to write stories so I will try to update as frequently as possible but please don't be upset if you don't see another chapter in less than a day of me releasing this one. It took me almost 4 hours to write this xD.

Anyway, I will still try to upload another chapter as soon as possible. Stay tuned...