Early the next morning, Serena's Pokeballs were drifting off aimlessly in the sea. The Pokemon inside had no idea what was happening, but they knew something was up when they didn't eat dinner last night. And yet, they were scared of the unknown. Even Pancham, the bravest one, was deeply afraid and wouldn't dare to pop out of his Pokeball. If anyone had, they'd be more terrified once they realize that they were casted away into the sea without Serena guiding them.

All hope was lost for the five Pokemon until a couple of Laprases swam over to their Pokeballs.

'That's strange. Why are there five Pokeballs in the water?' one of them asked.

'I don't know, but I've got a bad feeling about this.' the other Lapras said, concerned.

'Me too, Lappie. We should probably leave them alone, though.' Lapras said sternly. Lappie glared at him, disgusted.

'Uh, no, Lapras. We're taking them with us, whether you like it or not!' she shouted angrily before diving underwater. Lapras flinched.

'What if there are dangerous Pokemon in there, just waiting to attack us?' he asked, frightened. Lappie then came up with the five Pokeballs on her back.

'Stop being such a wimp. You don't see this every day, you know? Trainers, even bad ones, don't just toss their Pokeballs in the water like that. Something terrible must have happened!' she exclaimed, obviously worried for whoever those Pokemon were. A frustrated Lapras visibly sighed, knowing that if Lappie got her mind set, she's not going to change it anytime soon.

'Ugh. Fine, you win, Lappie. Where do we even go to drop them off, though?' he asked, feeling defeated. Lappie was looking around when she spotted a boat that was currently anchored not too far away from where they were. Her eyes widened upon seeing the back of a boy who had a Pikachu perched on his left shoulder.

'ASH!' Lappie shouted happily, recognizing her old trainer from the Orange Islands days. She instantly took off while being careful not to knock off any of the Pokeballs. This action made the other Lapras utterly dumbfounded.

'What's with her this morning?' he mumbled to himself, hesitantly following his friend.

Ash, Pikachu, Greninja, and Gary were looking out at the sea after he had screamed himself, his Pokemon, and his friends awake from yet another terrifying Serena dream.

Geez, Ash, and here I thought my Delphox nightmares were bad enough. Your Serena nightmares are even worse! the Ninja Pokemon exclaimed, mortified, while he relived it via his own mind. As he did so, Ash was also going through Greninja's latest nightmare inside his. Doing that sent chills down their spines.

Yeah, you can say that again. But your Delphox nightmares were pretty bad as well. I'm surprised you didn't scream us awake before I did. Though, if you're having nightmares about Delphox and I'm having nightmares about Serena, then I wonder... Ash trailed off before looking at Pikachu.

"Hey Pikachu, are you having nightmares about Sylveon?" he asked worriedly. Pikachu's ears drooped down once he remembered his bad Sylveon dream.

"Pika." he said, nodding fearfully. Ash was shocked by the tone. During their long friendship, he had never heard Pikachu sound so frightened. Not on their first day together when they were being chased by an angry flock of Spearows. Not when the two friends were being turned into ghosts back in Lavender Town. Not during any of their encounters with a Legendary Pokemon. Not even when the duo was plunging down Prism Tower. Though, Ash supposed it made sense, considering that he'd seldom seen Pikachu totally in love like he is with Sylveon. After all, he would be terrified too if anything bad happened to Serena.

'That makes the three of us having nightmares about our loved ones. Honestly, I think we should go see the Grand Festival. I don't know about you two, but if anything, I think we need to see them again.' Greninja said telepathically to Ash and in Pokespeech to Pikachu. They glanced at each other and nodded before staring back.

"We agree. We'll surprise the girls. Does that sound good to the two of you?" Ash asked as a smile crossed his face.

"Pika!" Pikachu said, now sharing the same enthusiasm.

'Yes! I can only imagine the looks on their faces when they see us. That will be worth waiting for.' Greninja said, giggling. Ash and Pikachu couldn't help but titter with him. They were eventually interrupted by a very rude voice.

"Oi! Ashy Boy, did you forget about me?" Gary asked, feeling dejected due to the lack of attention that he was receiving.

Did I hear something? Greninja asked Ash. In response, he simply shrugged. This made Gary even more annoyed than he already was.

"HEY!" he shouted. Suddenly, Gary felt two arms wrap around his waist and a chin on his right shoulder. Shocked, he turned his head to see who it was: Lillie. She had a huge grin on her face.

"Lillie?! What are you doing here?" Gary asked, still stunned. Ash, Pikachu, and Greninja were astonished by Lillie's actions as well, but eventually had mischievous smirks.

"What do you think? I'm giving you my full attention, Gary." she said with a wink while blushing. Gary's face instantly became red as a tomato.

"Uhhhhhhhhh..." He tried to speak, but no words came out of his mouth.

"What's wrong, Oak Tree? Meowth got your tongue? Say something to your girlfriend, will you?" Ash asked in a teasing manner. Pikachu, Greninja, and Snowy, who just joined them, all gave Gary and Lillie knowing looks. Her face was now the same color as his.

"A-A-ASH! W-W-We're n-n-not d-d-dating!" they both stuttered out.

"I know, I know." Ash said.

He then smiled wickedly before walking up to his two friends and whispering into Gary's ear, "Not yet, anyway." He felt like he was ready to pass out from embarrassment. In fact, Gary surely would've done so if Lillie wasn't holding on to him. Satisfied, Ash walked back to the three Pokemon, who were all laughing.

Who would have guessed that you, of all people, would play the Bonnie role on Gary and Lillie? Greninja asked with a snicker directed at the duo.

Yeah, I guess she's really rubbing off on me. Though, I will say that the teasing wouldn't have happened if Serena hadn't kissed me. Ash admitted,  giggling.

Yeah, you'd still be dense if not for her. I actually watched through your eyes as Serena kissed you. Man, I knew she was bold, but I didn't think she was THAT bold. And then when you ran down the escalator to kiss her back, I actually got so distracted that I accidentally shot a Water Shuriken at Z2. Needless to say, he didn't take my distraction very well and hit me with a Dragon Pulse from his 10% Forme. Greninja said mareepishly.

Ouch! That must have hurt. Ash commented, wincing.

You can say that again. I guess I deserved it for getting distracted like that. You're lucky that I wasn't in my Ash-Greninja form, though. You might have fallen on top of Serena! Greninja exclaimed with a sly smile. Ash instantly blushed, which Gary and Lillie noticed.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say Greninja is teasing you about Serena, Ashy Boy." he said mischievously. That comment made Lillie curious.

"So, Ash, care to tell me who Serena is? She must be someone really special to you if you keep having nightmares about her." she said in a teasing manner. Ash's face was now as red as a tomato.

"Um, sure, I can tell you about Serena if you really want me to." he replied.

"Go right ahead. I'm all ears." Lillie said. Ash had a huge smile on his face, as he usually does every time he thought about Serena, when he began speaking.

"Serena...Where do I even begin? Well, I'll start by talking about how I first met her. When Gary and I were eight, we went to Professor Oak's Summer Camp. One day, I was chasing a Poliwag through the forest, and I had lost her. I was looking around for her when I heard a yell near me. I ran over to the source of the yell and found a little girl with long honey blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes wearing a pink dress and a straw hat down on the grass. That was Serena. She didn't want to come to camp, but her mother, a famous Rhyhorn Racer back then, forced her to go. At the time, Serena was a very shy girl and afraid of Pokemon like you were, Lillie. Anyway, she was wandering around the forest, lost, when Poliwag startled her and made her injure her knee. I immediately forgot about her and came to Serena's aid. I tied a handkerchief on her knee and, after doing some kind of fake magic spell, which actually made her giggle, and telling her to 'never give up until it's over', pulled her back up to her feet. However, I pulled her up with so much force that I unintentionally hugged her. Then, holding her hand, we walked back to camp. From that day on, we did everything together. Even Gary became a friend of hers. But then we had to leave at the end. Now, every time I think about that day, I like to think that an angel had fallen out of the sky. That's what Serena is to me: an angel. And then, last year, when Pikachu and I got to Kalos, she saw me on the news during a Team Rocket incident involving Professor Sycamore's Garchomp and went out on her own journey just to find me. When she did, I actually didn't recognize her until she told me about camp, which I was quite upset about because, I mean, come on, who wouldn't want to forget about that cute face of hers from back then? Definitely not me. Then I asked her to join me on my journey, along with Clemont, the Gym Leader of Lumiose City, and Bonnie, his little sister. Serena happily accepted, and boy, from then on, my journey through Kalos became the most fun journey that I've ever had. Serena became a Performer, and a very good one at that. In fact, she almost became Kalos Queen! And I almost won the Kalos League. Believe it or not, my favorite moment was not at the League, actually. Nor was it any battle. No, my favorite moment was on the last day of our journey together. We were at the airport. Serena was about to board the plane to Hoenn to become a Coordinator. She ran up the escalator and kissed me on the lips. Needless to say, I was stunned. Then I ran down the escalator to kiss her back. That was clearly the best feeling that I've ever had in my entire life. Honestly, I don't think winning a league can compare to this feeling." he explained with pride evident in his voice. Gary, Pikachu, and Greninja had their mouths agape, while Lillie and Snowy looked at Ash in awe.

"Wow, you're clearly in love with Serena, aren't you, Ash? Now I can completely understand why you don't want Mallow flirting with you." she said knowingly. At that, Ash chuckled nervously.

"Yeah, exactly. After all, we did promise that we'd see each other again. So obviously, I don't want Mallow flirting with me. Plus, in my somewhat biased opinion, Serena is a much better cook than her. Pikachu, Greninja, and I always look forward to her Pokepuffs and macarons. In fact, I bet she could make some yummy malasadas too. Man, I'm getting hungry just thinking about her cooking!" he exclaimed as he, Pikachu, and Greninja drooled at the possibilities. Lillie and Snowy couldn't help but laugh.

"Like trainer, like Pokemon. At least be thankful that Mallow isn't awake yet. She'd be jealous if she heard you complimenting Serena's cooking over hers." she said.

"True. I mean, Mallow is a great cook and all, but Serena's cooking is easily the best that I've ever tasted. She even puts Brock to shame, which I always thought was difficult to do since his cooking was amazing as well." Ash replied.

"You're making me hungry with all this talk about food. Though, I guess it can't be helped since we haven't had breakfast yet. Anyway, Ashy Boy, did you really call Serena an angel?" Gary asked, still shocked.

"Yeah, I did, Gary." Ash answered.

Geez, Ash, first you called Serena a princess yesterday, and now you called her an angel. You should definitely make her your girlfriend the next time we see her. Greninja said.

Oh, you bet I will. Ash replied confidently.

"Say, I have a question. Remember that day when we were fishing in the same pond?" Gary asked.

"Yeah." Ash replied, smiling as if he knew what his old rival was going to ask him.

His suspicions were proven right, as Gary said, "You were wearing a straw hat that day. Was that Serena's?"

"Yes, it was, Gary. She gave it to me while I gave her my handkerchief." Ash replied.

Wait, WHAT?! You actually wore Serena's straw hat? Greninja asked, shocked. Pikachu was stunned too. He had known about the fishing competition that Ash and Gary had, but never the fact that his trainer wore Serena's hat that day.

Yes, I did. he answered mareepishly.

Geez, how did you remember that detail but forget about her entirely when you two reunited back in Santalune City? Greninja asked, flabbergasted. Ash's expression began to darken.

Honestly, I don't know. I should have recognized her the moment she walked into the gym. he answered in a regretful tone.

That's an understatement. Then again, you were so in the heat of the battle to even notice her. Greninja replied.

That's true. I still can't believe I just ran right past her after I lost to Viola. I have to admit, that was one of my darkest moments. I mean, I had just lost to a kid who had just five fucking Pokemon and a lucky evolution to boot in the Vertress Conference, and then I go and lose another first Gym Battle in Kalos. Yeah, I was really frustrated back then. My confidence was at an all time low. I was actually considering giving up on my dream of becoming a Pokemon Master right then and there. Then Serena came back into my life and motivated me like no other friend had ever done. I don't know what it is, but her motivation alone made me feel like I could take on Arceus himself! I'm just kidding, but yeah, Serena got me re-energized to the point where I felt like I could become the Champion of the region. And honestly, I'm grateful for that. I'm also grateful for the fact that she indirectly helped us perfect the Bond Phenomenon. Who knows, I could still be out there in the cold, wondering about how to get past that last hurdle. Ash said, feeling sad while he remembered possibly the two darkest moments in his life.

True. You have a lot to be grateful for when it comes to Serena. Greninja replied bluntly. Ash silently nodded. Suddenly, he felt someone nuzzle his right cheek, which he found weird since Pikachu was still on his left shoulder.

"Huh?" Ash gasped. He turned around and saw a Lapras eyeing him expectantly.

"A Lapras? Wait, do we know you from somewhere?" Ash asked. Pikachu looked curious too. Everyone else, including another Lapras who was hidden from view, was peering at the three of them, confused.

'Come up on my head, Pikachu.' Lapras said, bowing as she bent her long neck down. Pikachu's eyes widened.

'Lapras, it's you!' he shouted, smiling as he jumped off Ash's shoulder and over to Lapras's head. The other one was about to rush over and protect her, but she shot him a glare and shook her head. For Ash, seeing Pikachu like that brought back memories of the time when they, along with Misty and Tracey, went through the Orange Islands together. Suddenly, he had a huge smile.

"LAPRAS!" Ash exclaimed as he gave his old friend's nose a hug. Greninja smirked while Gary, Lillie, and Snowy kept staring, still lost. The other Lapras relaxed upon seeing Ash's show of affection towards his former partner.

"Geez, somebody's been very popular recently. I'm guessing this Lapras was yours as well?" Lillie asked when he broke the embrace.

"Yeah, she was. We traveled the Orange Islands together. I haven't seen her since Johto! What are you doing here?" Ash said, directing his question to Lapras. He then frowned once he saw five Pokeballs on her back.

"Wait, whose Pokeballs are those?" Ash asked in a worried tone. Pikachu, Greninja, Gary, Lillie, and Snowy also saw them and became troubled too. Suddenly, one of the Pokeballs started shaking violently, leaving  everyone surprised.

"Somebody's in there!" Ash shouted. Pikachu took action, getting onto Lapras's back and, using his tail, gently pushing the Pokeballs toward Ash, one by one. He caught them and turned around so that his back was up against the rail.

Ash pressed the white buttons to enlarge all of the Pokeballs and tossed them up in the air, shouting, "Everyone, come on out!" A Delphox, Sylveon, Pancham, Milotic, and Altaria appeared, passed out. As if on instinct, Pikachu and Greninja ran up to the Fairy type Eeveelution and the Fox Pokemon, respectively.

'Sylvie?!' he asked, concerned.

'Delphox?!' Greninja asked anxiously. Sylveon smiled weakly before wrapping her feelers around Pikachu's waist and bringing him into a hug, which he immediately accepted.

'Hello, Grennie.' Delphox said, giving Greninja a similar look of her own. He gasped and turned to Ash, horrified.

Ash, those are Serena's Pokemon! he shouted. Those words hit Ash like a brick. For the first time ever (when it wasn't a nightmare), he became afraid. Very afraid.

The fearless Ash Ketchum is afraid of losing a girl. Not just any girl. A very special girl that he holds dear to his heart.

All Ash could do at this point was scream out one name: "SERENAAAAAAAA!"

Meanwhile, outside the Aether Paradise, Lusamine was waiting at a launch pad. She had an evil smile on her face as a helicopter came down safely on it. The doors slid open, revealing Guzma with a still sleeping Serena in his arms.

"Yo, Lusamine, it's ya boy, Guzma! I have returned with Serena right here in my arms." he said viciously.

"Thank you, Guzma. You have done well." Lusamine replied.

Then she looked at Serena before saying, "It's time, my Ultra Beast."