Bonnie ran to Serena and hugged her tightly while Clemont and Ash greeted one another. "Happy birthday, Bonnie!" Serena smiled. "Thanks!" The young blonde girl grinned back goofily before tackling Ash. "You're back!" She cheered.

"Happy birthday, Bonnie!" Ash chanted, hugging her back. "Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu greeted from Ash's shoulder, hopping onto Bonnie's head.

"Denne De De Dedenne!" Dedenne poked his head out of Bonnie's bag and waved at his old friend.

Clemont walked over to Serena. "Hi, Clemont!" Serena said cheerfully. "It's good to see you again!" "You too, Serena," Clemont smiled. "It's been years. How have you been?"

While Serena and Clemont started chatting, Ash eyed Bonnie's bag, which now held two Pokéballs as well as Dedenne. "So Bonnie, which starter Pokémon did you choose?" He asked.

"Well one of these is Dedenne's Pokéball," Bonnie explained, pointing at one of the Pokéballs before picking up the other. "And this is my newest partner! Go, Apple!"

Bonnie tossed the Pokéball into the air and a little green Pokémon popped out. "Ri Ri Ta!" It exclaimed, looking around excitedly at all the new people.

"Wow, a Chikorita!" Ash looked at Bonnie's newest partner. "Why'd you call it Apple?" "Because I said that they looked like cute living apple sauce when they bellyflop, but Clemont told me I couldn't just name a Pokémon Apple Sauce so I call her Apple for short," Bonnie explained. "I might change it when she evolves, though."

Ash laughed. "I like it." "Of course you do, it's food," Bonnie deadpanned, causing Ash to laugh harder in agreement.

"What's so funny over here?" Clemont asked as she and Serena joined them. "Oh, nothing," Bonnie replied. "Oh, by the way, Bonnie," Serena smirked. "Ash and I have a present for you!"

"A present?!" She asked, her blue eyes sparkling. "What is it?!"

"Squishy, come on out!" Serena called, lifting up her hat to reveal Squishy in his core form underneath, curled up on Serena's head to save room. He quickly perked up at the sudden sunlight and the sight of Bonnie.

Bonnie! He exclaimed using Telepathy, leaping to her. "Squishy!" Bonnie cheered, grabbing the little green blob from the air and hugging him tightly. "Wow, you guys found Squishy?!" Clemont gasped in surprise.

"Pretty much," Serena nodded, smiling. "I also found Ash-Greninja, so he's back with Ash!"

"You'll have to tell us more about it during lunch," Clemont stated. "Bonnie invited her friend to lunch with us for her birthday, but of course you guys are also welcome."

"Sounds good to me!" Ash grins, petting Pikachu. "What do you say, buddy?" "Pika Pi!" Pikachu replied enthusiastically, forming a fist.

The gang started heading out, with Bonnie and Clemont leading the way. Serena pulled out her Pokégear and started sending messages to someone. "Who are you talking to?" Ash asked, looking at the long stream of messages all sent from only one person.

"Mallow," Serena replied with a smile, eyes darting between all the spam the Alolan girl had sent. "She's as big a fan as ever, I guess. Kiawe's sent a few as well."

"I'm still surprised that he's such a big fan of Pokémon Performances," Ash chuckled. "Who are Mallow and Kiawe?" Clemont asked. "They're two of our friends from the Alola region," Ash explained. "They're really big fans of Serena."

"Who isn't?" Bonnie made it sound like a dumb statement.

Serena replied to a few messages, then put her Pokégear away again. Just then, the group walked inside a café. "Bonnie! Hey!" A voice called out.

"Max?! May?!" Ash and Serena gasped as they saw the brother and sister at a large table. "Hey, guys!" May smiled at them. "Come sit!"

They all took a seat. Max and Bonnie sat next to each other, with their respective sibling either side of them at the ends of the table. Serena sat next to May and Ash sat next to Serena.

"So why are you guys in Kalos?" Ash asked Max and May. "Max and Bonnie have been talking to each other online for ages now and when Max's tenth birthday came up Bonnie and Clemont came to Hoenn to celebrate," May explained. "We figures it's only fair to do the same."

"That reminds me," Max says, pushing a small square box towards Bonnie. "Happy birthday, Bonnie!"

Bonnie quickly opened it and gasped in delight. "A keystone! Thank you, Max! You're the best!" She promptly hugged Max, who grinned and hugged her back.

"Wow, so you can Mega Evolve your Pokémon now!" Ash said. "Once I have a Mega Stone and a Pokémon who can use it, yeah!" Bonnie nodded, looking at the shiny keystone in her hand. It had been fitted with a small band so that it could be used as a hair bobble. She wasted no more time in putting it in her hair.

"It looks great on you, Bonnie," Serena complimented. "You really think so?" Bonnie asked, showing off her new accessory. "Of course!" Serena confirmed.

It didn't take long for the whole group to start eating and having fun. Max and Bonnie were talking about Mega Evolution, Clemont was busy working on 'a very important project that may one day be the future of science' on his Pokégear and May, Serena and Ash were discussing Pokémon Contests.

The meal flew by and when everyone had eaten, plans were made as for what to do next.

"I really want to keep travelling with you guys," Clemont said, putting away his Pokégear at last. "It's a lot of fun." "Me too!" Bonnie agreed instantly, grabbing Max and Serena's hands.

"I'm not sure I can stay," May said regretfully. "You see, I might have to participate in more Pokémon Contests, so being away from Hoenn for too long may not be the best idea."

"Come on, May!" Max begs. "Let's stay here for a while! Please?" May thinks about it for a moment. "I suppose we can stay for a few days, but that's the longest we can spend here."

"A few days is better than nothing!" Ash states, pumping his fist in the air. "Pi Ka!" Pikachu copies his Trainer's actions, causing everyone to laugh.