It's finally time...isn't it Serena? 

I can finally see you again...I feel so strange yet I understand what I am doing. If Clemont's theory stands true, you won't be the Serena I knew. But you're still Serena. My Serena, no matter what. happens. If I have to risk my own life in this world to enter through that mirror then I will do so, just for you.

Anything for you, Serena.

"You remember the legend, right Ash?" Clemont snapped Ash out of his own thoughts and back into reality. It was very quiet as they drove along the paths towards Reflection Cave. No one was speaking, deep in their own thoughts. Some were catching sleep. "If you enter the mirror world and don't leave by sunset, you will be stuck in there forever..."

"Of course I remember. This is for Serena. It seems as if the mirror world is a different perception of this world...I am prepared to take risks as to what is going on in there. Ultimately, if it gives me more time with Serena, I couldn't care less. What I am wondering about is how this might work. Will there be two of me when I go in? When we are dreaming, there is just me in the world, but it is a dream...I feel so confused but at the same time I understand, you know?" Ash nervously fiddled with his hands, looking out of the window for a brief moment.

"I understand completely. I imagine you will find out when we get to that point, right?" Clemont sighed and then brought up another good point. "What about us? It seems logical to think that whenever we all sleep we will somehow connect with the world and see you again. This is truly a strange phenomenon."

"You could just enter the world with me..." Ash sort of murmured this and Clemont chuckled.

"Of course we could, but we can't at the same time. We all have duties here and there. It will be strange for you, most of all, Ash. You will be interacting with us in a different world for the rest of your life. We will make sure everything here is in order and maybe see you on the other side every now and then," Clemont took his turn to look out of the window. He stared for a long period of time and then looked across at the end of the truck, where Bonnie slept. "I have to take care of Bonnie. She will be starting her own journey soon. We haven't had time to train her Pokemon really, because of everything. Even though she has taken over Serena's dream, she has a lot to learn to become a tough trainer..." 

"You got that right, Clemont," Ash smiled as he too looked over at Bonnie. "She has learnt a lot already, though, travelling with us, right?"

"Yeah...it's been one hell of a ride, hasn't it Ash?" Clemont briefly thought about the past and then shook it away.

"You can say that again. I would love to relive our journey through Kalos. It was an amazing experience. I bet Bonnie will be the best trainer there is!" Ash clenched his fist and looked at it for a moment. Thoughts came rushing in of everything he had done. Years of journeying that he had to leave behind for a new world. He felt like crying, but Clemont was there to stop that. He too clenched his fist and bumped it into Ash's.

"She definitely will, I guarantee it." Clemont smiled and Ash did too. "Let's prepare for all of our questions to be finally answered, hmm?"

"Speaking of questions, I have another one," Ash continued to speak in a hushed voice, to not wake anyone else that was in the truck. 

"Shoot," Clemont took off his bag and leant back a little, feeling tired. He yawned into his hand and then turned his full attention back to Ash.

"What point do you think the mirror world will be at? Usually, the other side has to be in the cave in order for it to work. That's kind of how it happened a long time ago," Ash pointed this out and it made Clemont really think of an answer. 

"I believe that they are probably at the same stage. You know, they are essentially 'mirroring' our moves, but the events that have occured are different, I bet. I mean, Serena is alive. Who knows what Team Shadow are doing or if anyone else is...dead instead," Clemont's final words brought shivers down Ash's spine.

"Now that is a scary thought," Ash sighed and then carefully started to pet Pikachu, who was sleeping by his side. "Someone else could be killed instead of Serena. Am I willing to make that sacrifice? Now that I think about it, they would never see me again and I wouldn't see them."

"Well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it, yeah?" Clemont uttered that last word and then the truck went over a bump. Everyone jumped up slightly and the others in the truck started waking up.

"What happened?" Bonnie murmured, stretching up into a sitting position. 

"If someone wakes me up again I will hurt them," Misty's muffled voice was filled with anger, but she suddenly fell back asleep like nothing had happened.

"I bet the others felt that in the truck behind, huh?" Gary joked, jerking a thumb at the back of the truck they were in.

"Well, you certainly did," Ash chuckled and looked down at Pikachu, who hadn't even flinched. "Pikachu sleeps so soundly." 

"Do you think your Pokemon are ready to take another step forward?" Gary asked Ash, who continued to stare at Pikachu, thinking for a moment.

There was complete silence in the truck at this moment, the engine a dull roar in the background. Light continued to shine in the windows until they passed through a forest path, the trees continuously blocking the sunlight every few seconds, the truck becoming dark and then light repeatedly. 

"Of course they are. That's all I can say, really," Ash nodded and looked back up at Gary. 

"You remember when we both started our journey, Ash?" Gary smirked and Ash nodded again.

"I could never forget," he answered and then looked out of the window behind Gary briefly, thinking about how he first started. Ash looked down at Pikachu, remembering everything that had caused him to be partnered with the troublesome electric Pokemon. They spent years together, growing, training and becoming stronger than ever. As each year passed, their bond grew stronger. Now, it was an unbreakable bond. Ash couldn't be without Pikachu and Pikachu could never be without Ash. They both understood that. 

"It's been one long journey. I suppose all journeys must come to an end, huh?" Gary sort of frowned, indicating he was going to miss Ash somewhat.

"But then new ones begin, don't forget that Gary," Ash pointed this out and Gary sighed and laughed at the same time.

"Sure they do. I might just go back home and continue doing research, settle down for a year and think things over. What about you, Clemont?" Gary focused the subject on the others around him, Bonnie listening closely to the conversation but not saying a single word. 

"I have a gym to run and a sister to train," Clemont replied simply, glancing at Bonnie. "Right, Bonnie?"

"Of course, Clemont. I want to become a stronger trainer and learn everything I need to know about performing in showcases," Bonnie smiled. She knew she was in good hands. She couldn't wait to get started.

"Look at us all. Speaking about the past, looking to the future. It's going to be a hard journey after this, you guys know that?" Ash broke the conversation into something different and everyone gave slight nods.

"Yeah. I mean, we won't have you around Ash. You changed everything for us all. This journey began when we all came to Kanto. We wouldn't have all become friends without you around. You lead the fight and took it straight to Team Shadow. We followed. It won't be the same without you, Ash," Clemont pulled a frown but then smiled again, pushing up his glasses.

"Stop with the sentimental crap you'll make me cry," Misty spoke in a sarcastic tone, not even turning to face everyone from her sleeping position. Although she spoke in this tone, her words rang true. Ash understood this.

"Ok guys, let's stop," he did a hand gesture to tell everyone to stop and then smiled at Misty, who still had her back to them all.

"How long until we get there do you think?" Gary wondered, yawning into his hand. He looked around at everyone and then tried to look out of the window at an angle to see if they were close.

"I have no idea...a few more minutes I bet," Clemont shrugged. "Your guess is as good as any." 

Clemont's guess was perfect. Only a few more minutes passed before the truck came to a sharp halt. Misty jumped up and out of her sleep as the truck screeched to a stop.

"We're here?" she looked at Ash for an answer.

"We're here," Ash half smiled and opened up the back of the truck, jumping out of it. He walked round the front and stopped, staring at the cave in front of him. He let out a deep sigh and suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. 

"Don't worry Ash," Gary followed Ash's gaze into the cave and sighed. "You deserve to be with Serena again, we will handle things from now on." 

"He's right, you know," Lance put his hand on Ash's other shoulder, coming out from the front of the truck. "We will set up a proper committee and ensure things are safe from now on. There won't be any trouble here from now on, I can assure you of that."

Everyone else came walking up, forming a long line with Ash in the middle. There was a moment of silence as a slight breeze rolled in. Ash looked to his left and then across his right, at each person. He felt a smile automatically fall on his face. 

"I'll miss you guys," was all he could say.

"We know," Miette instantly replied. "We'll miss you too, Ash."

Ash took a few steps forward and turned around to face everyone. He stared at each person individually, everyone smiling back in turn as he looked at them all. Ash's thoughts came flooding back, from Kanto to Johto, Hoenn to Sinnoh, Unova to Kalos. Ash thought about everything he had done on all of his journeys. He then thought about all of the journeys he had with everyone together. Serena's death, everything. Ash felt tears roll down his face. All of these memories were going to change. For better or for worse. Ash cared, but he wanted Serena. That was his priority.

"Before I go..." Ash spoke slowly, wiping his tears away. "Can I have one last Pokemon battle with each of you?" 

Everyone didn't move. Some cried, some nodded. 

Ash wanted one last battle before moving on forever.

They were going to be worlds apart.

Everything was about to change.