: Lumiose City, Kalos :

After successfully saving Kalos from the clutches of a Nihilego, Ash, Serena, May, Max, and Pikachu decide to take a break and stop by a nearby restaurant at May's request.

"This one looks good," Serena suggests, pointing at a hotel. May agrees, "Let's give it a try."

Excited to try out the new restaurant, Max eagerly runs in, with May grabbing Ash and Serena by their hands and following close behind. Once inside, the group takes a seat at a round table and begins to peruse the menu. As they wait for their food to arrive, an artist takes to the stage, singing melodiously and capturing the attention of the entire restaurant.

"He's singing great, isn't he Ash?" Serena asks softly, glancing over at Ash.

"Yeah, he is!" Ash replies, admiring the music.

Just as the group is getting comfortable, the spotlight suddenly shifts to Ash, catching him off guard. "Who do we have here?" the emcee says, looking directly at Ash and beckoning him over.

Feeling a bit shy, Ash hesitates, but Max gives him a gentle push, "Go on Ash, show them what you've got!"

STAND TALL

As Ash begins to sing, his words and melody transport both him and Serena back to a flood of memories they've shared.

Serena looks at Ash, who's gazing at her with a tender expression, and can't help but blush. She remembers the first time they met as children in Pallet Town, where they both attended Professor Oak's Pokémon Camp and both lost to the same Poliwag. Ash had been there to help her back to camp.

She reminisces on the last time they parted ways, with Ash returning to Kanto and her leaving for Hoenn. Serena recalls the romantic kiss they shared before she left, the missed dance they never got to have together at a party for Pokémon Performers, and the time she thought Ash was going to propose to her when he was sick.

Serena also remembers the day Ash gave her a ribbon at the Coumarine City festival, a cherished present she still holds onto to this day.

As Ash finishes his song, the audience erupts in cheers, with some remarking, "That girl must be a really lucky woman." Ash then returns to his friends, a sense of contentment in his eyes.

"That was great Ash!" Max exclaims, with the others nodding in agreement.

"Thanks, guys!" Ash replies, scratching the back of his head modestly.

A few days have passed since the incident, and the Alolans have returned to Alola. May and Max have gone shopping as they'll be leaving later that day. Clemont, Clembot, and Bonnie have to attend a Gym Leaders' meeting in Anistar City. Ash, meanwhile, has been appointed as a substitute Gym Leader and has been successfully defeating the trainers who have come to challenge the gym.

Feeling like taking a break, Ash calls it a day and goes to find Serena, who is busy cooking dinner for the evening. Serena's Sylveon and Ash's Pikachu are playing, while Greninja is meditating, Rowlett is sleeping, and Torracat is just minding its own business. Ash's Lycanroc and Serena's Braixen have become good friends, and Pancham is challenging Ash's Charizard, creating a comical and ironic scene for Ash to watch.

"Hey Serena," Ash calls out, but the busy girl doesn't hear him. So Ash decides to enter the kitchen and startles her.

"Ash! You scared me!" she exclaims, throwing a Poképuff at Ash. The Poképuff is about to hit Ash, but he catches it with his mouth.

"HEY! What was that for?" he asks, eating the Poképuff while Serena giggles. But then their eyes lock, and the two stare at each other for a moment before Ash breaks the silence.

"Hey Serena, I've been wanting to tell you something for a long time," Ash starts, his voice trembling with nervousness and excitement.

"Me too, Ash," Serena replies, her voice laced with anticipation and hope.

"You go first then," Ash encourages her, eager to hear what she has to say.

"No, it was you who said you had something to tell me first," Serena says, giving him the floor.

"Okay fine...here goes nothing," Ash takes a deep breath and musters up the courage to finally express his feelings.

"Serena, I...I...Iron Tail!" Ash stammers, his words tumbling out in a rush of emotion.

Serena's heart skips a beat as she realizes what Ash is trying to say. She starts to sob and throws her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Oh Ash, I love you too!" she replies, tears streaming down her face. "From the first day, we met as kids in Kanto, I've had feelings for you. I've been waiting for you to tell me for so long." She buries her face in his chest, holding him close and breathing in his familiar scent. Their embrace is tight and intimate, and they can feel each other's beating hearts.

They make eye contact, and at that moment, they know they were meant to be together. They lock lips in a long, passionate kiss that leaves them both breathless. Serena is melting with the feelings she's experiencing, something she's never felt before. May and Max return from shopping and enter the gym but don't find Ash and Serena outside, so they head to the kitchen.

"Hey, guys..." May starts to say, but her words trail off as she is caught off guard by the sight of Ash and Serena in a deep kiss. She quickly blocks Max's view, not wanting her little brother to see something so intimate. Ash and Serena quickly break apart, feeling embarrassed and caught in the act.

"Uh" Ash looks at May, "Oh, Hey May," Ash says, sweatdropping, while he and Serena try to compose themselves.

"Come on guys, at least lock the doors! You don't want your parents to come in like that," May scolds them, her tone laced with a hint of amusement. Serena's face is a deep shade of red, and Max tries to peek through, but May blocks his view. Ash stands there awkwardly, not knowing what to do with his hands.

"Serena, is this the same guy you always told me about in Hoenn?" May questions her friend, who is still standing there awkwardly.

"Y...Yes," Serena replies, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Boy with a Pikachu, Never give up attitude, and from Kanto, I should've guessed," May sighs, finally understanding the situation.

Just then, Ash's stomach growls, breaking the tension and they all have a good laugh. They then decide to have dinner together. Serena made everyone's favourite, Poképuffs, and some sandwiches, and the crew eats up with a lot of laughter. It was soon time for the Hoenn siblings' plane to take off. The gang leaves for the airport in a cab, and they say their goodbyes at the airport with heavy hearts. The group feels a sense of sadness at the thought of the separation but is also happy that they were able to find true love

: Lumiose Airport, Lumiose City :

Ash, Serena, May, and Max get out of the cab, Ash has left Pikachu and the others back at the Gym. The four of them walk into the airport, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of goodbye.

"So, it's farewell for now," Ash says, looking at his old Hoenn companions, his voice tinged with sadness. He can't help but feel a twinge of disappointment that he couldn't spend more time with them, and the emotions can be seen on his face.

"Yes Ash," May says, looking at Ash, her voice gentle and understanding. "But don't worry, I and Max are planning a vacation from our usual work sometime soon, we'll come to visit you then."

"Bye Ash, Bye Serena," the Hoenn Siblings say, walking into the airport. They keep waving until they disappear into the crowd. Ash and Serena now decide to walk back home, the silence between them thick and palpable.

Ash breaks the silence, "Hey Serena, can you cheer for me?", Ash asks with determination in his eyes, his voice full of conviction. He's made a fist and turned his cap back, a sign of his renewed determination. Serena knows what that means, Ash wants to battle in the Kalos league again.

"But, Ash, aren't you the world champion already?", Serena questions, her tone full of surprise.

"Yes, I am, but what's the point of becoming the world champion without becoming the champion of one of the most renowned Pokémon Leagues in the world?", Ash replies, his competitive spirit shining through. He has always wanted to be the best in everything he does, and now he wants to become the champion of all the six official Pokémon leagues in the world. Serena agrees by nodding and smiling, her heart full of pride and support for Ash. The two walk back to the Gym, hand in hand, the future full of possibilities and adventures.

BE A HERO