Chapter Text
It was strange, he thought, to be sitting with Serena again, eating lunch like they’d done a million times before, except it had been years since that happened last.
It had been 4 years since they parted ways. Ash had been 16 when he’d journeyed in Kalos. He’d since spent 2 years in Alola, and 2 years in the Galar region-but really all over- traveling with Goh.
One of the first things he’d wanted to do whenever he stopped traveling was to find the people he’d lost touch with. As it had turned out, that wasn’t many. He’d met up with and seen so many of his past companions while traveling with Goh, that the list was short by the time he got to Serena.
Ash had totally been avoiding contacting her, too. Something about seeing her again-even though he already had, briefly, for no more than a minute about a year into his travels with Goh- made him nervous. The same nervous he was feeling right now.
He’d decided to settle somewhere. To build a life in one place instead of moving around nonstop.
It turned out that Alola was where he felt he belonged, when it came down to it.
He had more friends there than any other region he’d been to. He’d stayed on the main island for the longest- when he was there, aside from the occasional day trips, he rarely strayed too far. It felt like home. As an added bonus, he’d never really had a formal education, so getting to re-enroll in the Pokemon School had been exactly what he needed to catch up. Professors Kukui and Burnette were happy to let him stay a while, until he had graduated and had his own home. Them, and Lei, were happy to live as a family for a while.
Ash had sent Serena a message when he moved back to Alola, saying if she ever was in the area to reach out.
2 months later, he’d forgotten he’d done so when she finally messaged him back. She was going to be in Alola for a contest. And she wanted to meet up for the first time in 4 years.
So now he was here. He’d been dodging questions all day from his friends- Mallow and Sophocles and Kiawe had all asked him to hang out after school. It had only been after the entire group had cornered him that he’d admitted he was meeting someone else, and they’d all been thrilled by the idea of a new friend.
“No, no! She’s just visiting for a week or so. She won’t be staying,” he said quickly. There was some disappointment- until Mallow latched onto something. “She? A girl? Who?” Instantly all eyes on him again. He’d sat stiff in his seat, expression pleading with Kukui to shut them down- instead, utter betrayal. “You never told me who it was, Ash. Do tell,” he said, amusement sparkling in his eyes.
He’d sunken low in his seat and mumbled, “Her name is Serena. She’s from Kalos,” and was cut off by a series of unbelieving squeals. “Serena? You mean contest winner Serena? Oh, Ash! How do you know someone like that?” Lillie was the excited one this time.
Perplexed, he sat up straighter. “Contest winner? At some point I stopped keeping track of her- is she popular? I- me, Clemont, Bonnie and Serena all traveled together in Kalos while I was getting my gym badges there. I was there when she first started competition in showcases,” he said.
Lillie looked like her head might explode. “Popular? Ash, she’s one of the most famous coordinators out there right now! You were there when she competed in showcases?” He nodded as Kiawe leaned in. “Wait. Clemont? As in, Lumiose City gym leader, electric-type specialist Clemont? And his younger sister, the successor to the gym, Bonnie? Ash, why on earth are you always hanging around such powerful people?”
Several minutes later of Kiawe losing his mind over how Ash had not only traveled with 2 gym leaders from Kanto but also a gym leader from Kalos (he was afraid to mention any of the other people he’d traveled with by now) and Lillie, Mallow and Lana all going nuts over Serena being in town, everyone finally settled back in.
Ash caught Mallow giving him a knowing look when he left, and he’d stuck his tongue out at her.
He’d met up with Serena outside a cafe they’d agreed on. She looked ever as fashionable as always- hair still a fluffy blonde bob, wearing a pink hat as was her habit, he remembered, and a white dress with embroidered flames and stars. Her dress was collared, and around her neck was…
“The ribbon!” He exclaimed. Serena, who hadn’t seen him yet, startled and met his gaze. Ash started to smile, and she returned it. “Yes. I never stopped wearing it,” she said lightly, as he stepped closer to give her a quick hug.
That sentence made his heart do painful loops in his chest. Best to ignore such things.
They headed in, ordered their food, sat down at a booth overlooking the water. It took a few moments for them to get past the initial awkwardness, and Serena spoke first.
“So, you ended up here! It’s beautiful- I can totally see why. Are you still battling?” Ash shook his head. “Not much anymore. I still have pokemon- some from Galar, where I was most recently, and all my pokemon from my original time spent here in Alola. But we don’t do a ton of fighting anymore, do we, buddy?” He referred to Pikachu, who was sitting on his shoulders as usual. Pikachu nodded in confirmation, sparks flying from his cheeks.
She smiled. “And you? You said you were coming for a contest. When is that?” At that she made a little “oh” sound and began to rifle through the bag she had been carrying. As she looked through it, she spoke. “It’s in 2 days. I’ve been really enjoying the contests, but I was thinking lately about Kalos.”
“Kalos?” Ash wondered if she meant what he thought she did. Serena nodded, pulling something out of her bag and sliding it across the table to him. Ash peered down at the paper she’d given him. “I was thinking it’s about time I try showcases again,” she said.
The paper was a pamphlet of some kind. It was from Kalos, he could see, and it was about the latest master class showcase. As Ash scanned it, he saw… “So Miette and Shauna both made it to the final three, huh?” He looked up to see Serena nod.
“Nini didn’t make it past the first round, but those two got as far as I did. Shauna got to face Aria, but…” Ash slipped the paper back to her. “…she didn’t win,” he guessed.
Serena nodded. “Right. Aria is just in her own league, I suppose.” Ash grinned. “You think you’re in that league now?”
Her face pinked. “Oh, never. But at this point, I think I still have a shot. I at least want to try,” she said. Ash waited. “My point was- uh. Ash, would you consider coming back to Kalos? And traveling with me?”
Ash paused, startled by the sudden request. “Oh. Just us?” He didn’t know why he’d asked, actually, because that would still be fine, but- “Well, I invited Clemont and Bonnie. Bonnie recently became old enough to start officially training, so she needs some battle experience outside of Lumiose. Clemont said that he might need to come back to the gym sometimes, but that they’d be happy to tag along,” she said.
Ash wasn’t sure why it felt a little like something in his chest was sinking, but he proceeded to ignore it. “Awesome! I’d love to. Wait, uh, when was this being planned for?” It suddenly occurred to him that he still has school.
Serena glanced at the paper again. “The rookie showcases are starting back up in June, I think. I don’t know when the next master class would be- could even be next year,” she said. Ash pondered for a second, absently petting Pikachu as he did so.
“Well, I’m still in school until early June. But I can come join you all as soon as that’s out for the summer,” he said sheepishly.
Serena furrowed her brow. “Aren’t you supposed to have graduated by now?” Ash swiped his finger across his lip nervously. “Uh… yes. I never got a formal education since I was always traveling. My friends in the pokemon school all graduate this year, so Professor Kukui thought it was probably best if I stuck with their year,” he said.
Serena laughed. “Oh, well. I never really went to school, either. Mom taught me most things,” she said. Ash exhaled in relief- he was always worried his lack of formal education wasn’t all that impressive.
“So? Is that a yes?” Serena prompted. Ash grinned widely at her. “Sure is!”
They chatted for another hour before Serena looked at her phone and sighed. “I have a practice time scheduled today in an hour, so I should head out,” she said. Ash blinked at her. “Okay. Um, are you free tomorrow at all? I’d love to introduce you to my friends,” he said quickly.
Serena paused. “S-some of them know where to shop for some really cool accessories I think you’d like! I wouldn’t really know, but they do!” He realized he was blabbering and clamped his mouth shut.
“I think so. You still have school tomorrow, right? Could I meet up with you at 4? I have more practicing to do tomorrow night but I should have a few hours,” she said. Ash nodded frantically. “Yeah! Meet you at the Pokemon center?” She nodded.
Ash left with a smile on his face.