"Finally, here we are!" Ash exclaimed, standing in front of the Pewter City Gym, the excitement written on his face.

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed, mirroring Ash's enthusiasm.

"Let's get in," Ash says, as he grabs Serena by the hand and walks inside the Gym. As Ash and Serena enter the Gym, they see Brock battling another trainer.

"Golem, don't give up! Use Stone Edge and bring that Steelix down!" the trainer, who looks a lot like Brock, commands his Pokémon.

"Golem!" the Pokémon follows its trainer's orders. A Mega Steelix flies up and crashes onto the ground, reverting to its normal form and fainting.

"And the winner is Forrest!" the referee declares, pointing the flag towards Brock's younger brother, Forrest.

"Guess you're ready to take my place," Brock sighs, as Ash and Serena watch the match from the door, still not completely entering the Gym.

"Yeah, brother," Forrest says, lifting his fists in excitement.

"Whaddaya know, Brock's brother is as strong as Brock himself," Ash says, clapping.

"Oh! Hey Ash!" Brock says, running up to his friend.

"Hey Bud, how have you been?" Ash says, greeting his old friend.

"Well, I've been great. What about you? And who's this young girl with you?" Brock replies, looking at Serena.

"Oh, meet Serena, my um-girlfriend," Ash replies, with a slight blush creeping up on his face.

"What?" Brock's jaw drops to the ground in shock.

"Uh Brock, you okay?" Ash says, motioning his hand in front of Brock's face.

"It's just that he hasn't found a perfect partner yet," Forrest replies, trying to explain Brock's reaction. Ash laughs hard. "Oh man, reminds me of old times," he says, holding his stomach. Just as this conversation was going on, Misty enters the Gym.

STAND TALL

"Hey Ash," Misty greets Ash with a small smile.

Ash and Serena, who were facing Brock, turn to see who it is. "Misty?" Ash exclaims, surprised. He then takes a step back. "Brock, did you call her?" Ash asks Brock.

"Uh-yes," Brock replies, finally out of his shock.

"Is there any problem if I join you champ?" Misty says, anger creeping into her voice. "By the way, who is she?" Misty asks Ash, gesturing towards Serena.

"Answer for your first question, if you promise me you won't be so cocky, bug me, annoy me, or freak me out, it's okay. And for the second, she's my girlfriend, Serena Yvonne. Serena, meet my old travelling companions, Brock and Misty," Ash introduces Serena to his friends.

"Ash is dating?" Misty bursts out into laughter, but not before being interrupted by Brock for being so cocky with Ash.

"By the way, the conditions Misty?" Ash points out.

"Okay, Ash," Misty replies, in agreement.

"Guys, so if you agree, we can start tomorrow morning. I mean, I need to pass on the Gym to Forrest, so the party will be tonight," Brock tells the group. Pikachu gets excited as soon as he hears the word 'party'.

"Pika!" it exclaims in joy.

"Seems like you're excited, aren't you, buddy?" Ash says, looking at Pikachu.

"Pi!" Pikachu nods in agreement.

"You both never change," Brock says with a smile.

"Hey, why don't we do some catching up while walking to your home, Brock?" Ash suggests, to which Brock agrees.

The group starts walking to Brock's house and Serena starts to become good friends with Misty and Brock. She tells them how she had met Ash long back in Kanto, and how she saw him on TV when he went to Kalos, and all their adventures together. Even Misty and Brock tell her how they met Ash, and they talk about their adventures together, the longest story being Brock's.

"Wow, Brock you've been with Ash for two and a half years, that's a lot compared to me," Serena replies in amazement.

"Yeah, and guess what, he's the best of my friends," Ash adds. They were already at Brock's home and had made themselves comfortable. That night, Brock passes on the Gym to his brother in a ceremonial manner, and the whole gang goes to sleep, except for Ash. He was sitting outside. In the middle of the night, Pikachu wakes up and searches for Ash, and in the process, wakes up Misty.

"What is it Pikachu?" Misty questions, wiping her eyes.

"Pi," Pikachu points towards the place Ash must be sleeping.

"Where'd this guy go?" Misty remarks, getting up. She then signals Pikachu that they'll go and search for Ash together. They check all the rooms and finally head outside.

"Ash," Misty calls out to the shadowy figure sitting in front of the main door of the house.

"Huh, Misty?" Ash turns back, snapping out of his thoughts.

"What are you doing here?" Misty questions, sitting next to Ash.

"Nothing, I'm just too worried," Ash replies, looking at the moon.

"What, why Ash?" Misty questions again.

"You know, I had a dream last night. It was like I failed my purpose of existence. In that dream, I lost Pikachu, and none of my Pokémon, nne of my friends, no one was with me," Ash replies sadly. Misty looks at her friend and comforts him.

"Don't worry Ash, we're going to be with you, " Misty replies. Ash smiles.

"Thanks, Misty," Ash replies. Serena, who also woke up to search for Ash, stood at the main door and heard what they were talking about, she smiles to herself, goes and joins them.

The next morning, the gang was walking towards Viridian forest, where Ash first saw Ho-Oh. After they reach the place, Ash starts to examine the ground.

"Ash, do you remember, towards which direction did Ho-Oh go?" Brock asks Ash.

"That way," Ash points his index finger towards a mountain.

"Let me check," Serena opened her navigator, her fingers deftly moving over the touch screen as she scanned the map. Rotom Dex, who had been nestled safely in Ash's backpack until now, suddenly flew out, catching Misty by surprise.

"AHHH!" Misty shouted, her heart racing as she stumbled backwards. Everyone turned towards her, their expressions filled with concern.

"What?" Ash asked, his voice filled with worry as he rushed to Misty's side.

"It's your Alolan Pokédex," Misty replied, her breathing still rapid as she tried to steady herself. Ash let out a chuckle, as did the others, relieved that nothing was wrong.

"Oh, Hey Rotom," Ash greeted the living pokédex warmly.

"Hello Ash," Rotom replied, its voice cheerful as it flew towards Serena's navigation device. It scanned the map with its electronic eyes, taking in all the details. Serena and Rotom Dex started talking simultaneously, but Rotom was quickly cut off.

"The only well-known landmark in that direction is Mount Tensei," Serena announced, her voice filled with excitement.

"Let's get going then," Ash said, his eyes alight with determination as he set off towards the mountain. Everyone followed, their spirits lifted by the sense of adventure that lay ahead.

"Wait for me!" Rotom Dex shouted, its voice filled with excitement as it flew alongside the group.

BE A HERO