As soon as Ash, Pikachu, Delia, and Mimey landed on the Alola, the raven-haired boy was having a grand time in the tropical region. From the sunny beaches to the cool water, to meeting all kinds of new Pokemon, Ash was enjoying every single moment in Alola. Eventually, he came across a Pokemon school and met Mallow, Lillie, Lana. Kiawe, and Sophocles. After befriending the five of them, meeting their teacher, Professor Kukui, discovering the amazing power of Z-crystals, and a mysterious Pokemon named Tapu Koko who gave him a Z-ring, Ash and Pikachu decided to stay in Alola while Delia and Mimey went back to Pallet Town.

For the next several months, the raven-haired boy and his partner stayed at Professor Kukui's house while going to the Pokemon school. During that time, he captured a Rowlet, Litten, Rockruff, Poipole, and Meltan and befriended a Rotom inside a Pokedex. Eventually, the egg that Delia brought hatched into a Vulpix and an egg that Professor Oak's cousin, Samson Oak, found on Mount Lanakila hatched to reveal an Alolan Vulpix that his friend, Lillie caught, nicknamed Snowy, and thus learned to overcome her fear of Pokemon with her new partner.

Meanwhile, Jessie, James, and Meowth happened to be having their vacation in Alola and found themselves staying in the woods with a Bewear. Though they stopped trying to capture Pikachu and other Pokemon with Team Rocket gone, they would still have encounters with Ash while disguising themselves so that he never learn that they are in Alola. Eventually, Jessie captured a Mimiku, James caught a Mareanie, then the trio found the Bewear's Stuffel, and started running a food cart business. When everything was said and done, the trio and Wobbuffet slowly but surely became happy with where they are and feel safe and well off with their business, staying in the woods with a Pokemon that likes to feed them, and by staying together without worrying about stealing for Team Rocket again.

Ash, however, found himself going on several big adventures while in Alola. Wormholes started to open in the region, causing strange creatures called Ultra Beasts to appear. One of them possessed Lillie's mother, Lusamine, and she, Ash and their classmates had to travel to the world of the Ultra Beasts to save her. After that, Lusamine formed a special team with Ash and his classmates called the Ultra Guardians to capture Ultra Beasts, and send them back to their world. Over the few missions the Ultra Guardians did, Ash captured and released a Buzzwole, Stakataka, and a Pheromosa and ultimately had to release Poipole to be with its friends.

But when he wasn't on a big adventure, Ash found his life in Alola to be very laid back. Eventually, Professor Kukui married another Pokemon professor named Burnett. The two of them began living their married life in joy, and it has always been a pleasure for Ash and Pikachu to see them happy together after Professor Burnett moved to Professor Kukui's home. In his free time, Ash would happily play or train with Pikachu and his new Pokemon, and eventually, his Litten and Rockruff evolved into Torracat and Lycanroc, respectively.

While in school, Ash's class visited the Kanto region, where Misty and Brock were teaching them about gym battles. They traveled to Pewter City, where Ash found out that Holly is living in an apartment close to the Pewter City gym. It was all to clear to Ash and his new friends that Brock and Holly have been in high spirits ever since they officially became a couple. Later on, when Misty and Brock came to visit Ash in Alola, Brock took Holly with him, and the two of them spent most of the trip touring. At once point, Brock helped a Nurse Joy with healing Pokemon, and she gave him a Comfey. Holly was suspicious of the way Nurse Joy was appreciative of her boyfriend, but Brock was quick to hold her close to let everyone know that she alone has his heart. Ultimately, even though Ash still didn't understand it, he was glad to see his former companions be livelier together than they were before.

But even with all of the exciting and fun things happening in Alola, Ash was feeling like something is missing.

Later in the school year, Professor Kukui held a press conference at Aether Paradise to announce he was creating a Pokemon league for the Alola region. The Pokemon professor said that anyone can compete in the new Pokemon League, and so a hundred and fifty-one people, including Ash and his classmates were all too happy to sign up. But Kukui's former friend, Guzma, who is the leader of Team Skull, signed up for the league with some members of his gang. He aimed to win the tournament as a means to prove that Alola doesn't need a Pokemon league because he's the strongest trainer in the entire region.

Eventually, the Alola League began with a battle royal. All contestants had to battle each other with one Pokemon until only sixteen contestants remained. Ultimately, Ash made it to the top sixteen along with Kiawe, Sophocles, Lana, Mallow, Lillie, Jessie and James in disguise, Samson Oak, Guzma, Ash's rivals, Hau and Lillie's brother, Gladion, and a few others. The tournament moved on with Ash defeating one of Lysamine's employees, Faba, and Hau through strokes of luck in the first two rounds. He then faced Guzma in a two-on-two battle and defeated him, thus stopping his plans to destroy the Alola League.

Finally, it was down to Ash and Gladion to compete in the final round. Delia, Mimey, and Professor Oak were so ecstatic that Ash has made it to the final round in another Pokemon League that they decided to come to Alola to watch his battle against Gladion. The night before the battle, Meltan spontaneously summoned all of its friends, and the dozens of Meltan merge together, resulting in Ash's Meltan to evolve into a Melmetal.

The next day, the final battle began with Ash using his newly evolved Pokemon against Gladion's Silvally. Melmetal put up a great fight, but Silvally took down the hex nut Pokemon. Luckily, Melmetal damaged Gladion's Pokemon so much that Pikachu defeated Silvally soon after, and so Gladion chose his Zoroark disguised as his Lycanroc next. Zoroark and Pikachu fought until Gladion decided to use his dark Z-move to take down Pikachu. Ash retaliated by using his electric Z-move on Pikachu. The use of both Z-moves caused an explosion that covered the area in smoke, and when the dust cleared, both Pokemon were down. With both sides down to just one Pokemon, Ash and Gladion both choose their Lycanroc. The two wolf Pokemon ferociously battled each other with their trainers enjoying every moment of what was left of the battle. But when it came down to the last moves, Ash's dusk form Lycanroc defeated Gladion's midnight form Lycanroc, and Ash won the league. With the raven-haired boy as the first champion in Alola, Ash, Pikachu, Delia, Mimey, Professor Oak, and all of his classmates were overjoyed with his accomplishment.

He then got ready to compete in an exhibition match against the famous Masked Royal shortly after he won, but then there was a sudden invasion of Guzzlord all over Manalo Stadium. Ash and his Alola friends had to work together to drive the ultra beasts back into their wormholes, and in the process, his Poipole returned as a Naganade,l and Professor Kukui was revealed to be the Masked Royal.

Afterward, Ash and the professor had their exhibition match with both of them having a full team. The battle was more intense than Ash's other battles in the league combined, even compared to his battle with Gladion. Ash and the professor took advantage of the fact that substitutions were allowed by switching Pokemon multiple times. Near the end of the battle, Ash and Professor Kukui used their Firium Z to determine the victor between Ash's Torracat and Kukui's Incineroar, who were longtime rivals. After the Z-moves were used, Kukui's Incineroar was defeated and Torracat evolved into a Incineroar itself in the process before it passed out standing up.

With Ash having two Pokemon left while Kukui only having one, the Pokemon professor prepared to take out his last Pokemon, but his Pokeball was slapped from his hand by Tapu Koko who indicated that it wanted to battle Ash as Kukui's final Pokémon. Thus, the battle continued with Taku Kuko defeating Ash's Naganadel, before going up against Pikachu. Halfway through the battle between Pikachu and the legendary land spirit Pokemon, Tapu Koko summoned the other three legendary guardians of Alola, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini, and together they recharged Ash and Kukui's Z-power. Tapu Koko then gave Kukui a Tapunium Z, allowing it to perform its z-move, Guardian of Alola, while Ash and Pikachu fought back using Pikachu's z-move, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. Ultimately, Pikachu's z-move overpowered Tapu Koko's and the legendary Pokemon was defeated, making Ash the winner of the match.

Sometime after that, Professor Oak, Delia and Mimey went back to the Kanto region, Naganadel returned to its homeworld inside Ultra Space, and Ash and his friends were reaching the end of the school year. During that time, Professor Kukui asked his students what they will do for the holidays. While Lillie, Sophocles, Lana, Kiawe, and Mallow all had plans, Ash had no idea what his next goal was. It wasn't until the night after he had one more battle with Kiawe and got some advice from Olivia, the Kahuna of Akala Island, about the outside world for a broader perspective, he decided to go back to Pallet Town before going on another journey. Thus, after Lillie leaves with her family in search of her father, Mohn, Ash said goodbye to his classmates and left his other Alola Pokemon to stay with Professor Kukui and Professor Burnett. Afterward, the two professors drive Ash and Pikachu to the airport for his flight back to the Kanto region.

But despite all of this, Ash still has a feeling that something is missing.

*********************************************************************

The sun has set by the time the group has entered the Alola airport, and Professor Burnet and Professor Kukui are walking ahead while Ash and Pikachu are walking behind. The married couple happily chat away while Ash thinks about what he's going to do next. The shirtless professor glances at Ash while still talking to his wife and smiles at how Ash is excited like a child looking forward to Christmas. But as they walk, Professor Kukui sees Ash's cheerfulness begin to fade. The raven-haired boy continues to smile with Pikachu by his side, but the professor can tell that something deep inside is holding him back from being completely happy. Kukui raises his eyebrow curiously, having seen Ash act this way several times before even when he won the Alola League and mentally decides to finally call the teenager out on the matter before he leaves.

Eventually, everyone finds rows of seats inside a large hall. Above the seats are TVs attached to the pillars supporting the ceiling, and on the other side of the hall are several food stands. Since the flight to Kanto isn't going to start boarding for a while, Professor Burnet decides to browse through the food stands for some snacks. Thus, she goes to the stands while Ash, Pikachu, and Professor Kukui sit down. Ash pets Pikachu who is sitting next to the seat left of him while the Pokemon professor sits on his right. After half a minute of silence, Professor Kukui clears his throat to get Ash's attention.

"So, are you looking forward to going back home, Ash?" He asks.

"You bet," Ash answers with a toothy grin. "And I can't wait to figure out where I'll go next."

"Pikachu," Pikachu says.

Professor Kukui smiles and nods before he asks, "Are you going to miss Alola?"

Ash gives him a sad smile and says, "Of course. After everything Pikachu and I have been through here in Alola with you, Professor Burnet, Rotom, Lana, Lillie, Mallow, Sophocles, Kiawe, and everyone else, things just won't be the same without all of you here."

Professor Kukui's smile grows slightly, glad to hear Ash's reply. Then his smile disappears, and he takes a deep breath before he speaks again.

"Speaking of things not being the same, I've noticed your stay hasn't entirely been as satisfying as you've led on," he says.

Ash and Pikachu look at the professor bewildered, and the former asks, "What are you talking about? Yes, it has. What could I possibly be unhappy with my time in such an awesome region."

"You tell me," Professor Kukui replies almost immediately.

Ash tilts his head in confusion. The two of them look at each other for a moment before Kukui sighs again.

"Alright, I'll get straight to the point," he says. "I know you've had a wonderful time here in Alola. I'd be a poor teacher and friend who you've been living with for several months if I didn't. But every now and then, I see a sad look in your eyes."

"You do?" Ash asks, shocked.

Professor Kukui nods and says, "Even when you defeated Gladion and me at the Alola League, you looked like you weren't completely satisfied with your achievements."

Ash frowns and says, "You noticed that, did you?"

"I did," Professor Kukui answers. "I know you won the Indigo League before you came here, but something was holding you back emotionally, and I don't think it's because it wasn't your first time winning a Pokemon league."

Ash stares at the man, still frowning until he sighs and looks down at the floor.

"Your right. It isn't," he says. "I am glad that I won after Melmetal, Pikachu, Lycanroc, Rowlet, Incineroar, Naganadel, and I gave it everything we got - especially against such strong opponents like you and Gladion. But I guess there was something special about competing in the Indigo League that the Alola League lacked. I don't know what it is, and I don't know why it would make me hold back on being as happy as I could be during my stay here. I just know that it's there, and I wish I knew what it was."

Pikachu looks at Ash sadly, understanding its partner's predicament. Professor Kukui hums thoughtfully before he speaks again.

"Well, let's think about it," he suggests. "What was special about the Indigo League?"

Ash looks up and tilts his head again before he scratches his chin in thought.

"Maybe it's how none of my rivals in Alola were strong trainers who have won a Pokemon League before like Timothy?" He asks.

"Hmmm. Perhaps," Professor Kukui answers. "Anything else?"

Ash thinks again and says, "Well, I competed in Indigo League to show how much stronger I am since the last time I competed whereas I competed in the Alola League because I wanted to have fun competing in the very first league in Alola. So, maybe I wasn't as challenged as before even though I went against trainers like Hau, Hala, Olivia, Nanu, Hapu, Gladion, and you?"

"Hmmm, I don't think so. I've seen you act a little sad long before you faced any of them or me," Professor Kukui says.

Ash nods, silently agreeing with the Pokemon professor. He scratches the top of his head, desperately trying to figure out what could be eating him inside. After a minute, his thoughtful face slowly melts into a look of realization as he quietly utters one word.

"Serena."

"What?" Professor Kukui asks, confused.

"Serena," Ash repeats. "Serena is a friend of mine from Kalos. We met when we were little during a summer camp back in Kanto, and I helped her when she was lost in the woods. When I came to Kalos years later, she left home and started her journey as a Pokemon trainer so that she could see me again. We started traveling together with our friends, Clemont and Bonnie, and we had a great time. Eventually, she decided she wanted to become a Pokemon performer and started competing in Pokemon showcases. She almost won the title of Kalos Queen but was defeated by Aria, the current Kalos Queen. After that, she decided to compete in Pokemon contests when she decided that her real dream is to make people and Pokemon happy with her performances. So we flew to Kanto together, and we ended up traveling through the Kanto region, where she started competing in Pokemon contests while I was rechallenging some of the Pokemon gyms."

Professor Kukui stares at Ash before he asks, "Okay, but what does she have to do with the Indigo and Alola Leagues?"

Ash smiles fondly, not looking at Kukui and says, "She was the reason I wanted to win the Indigo League. When Timothy challenged me to face him in the league, she was the one who encouraged me to use the Pokemon league to show how much I've grown and rechallenge most of the gyms in Kanto. Whenever I was having a battle, she was always there to cheer and give me some great ideas. And when I made it to the final round, I wanted to make her happy so much that I told the entire stadium that I was dedicating my battle with Timothy to her."

"Wow. You really did that?" Professor Kukui asks, surprised.

"Sure did," Ash says, turning to the professor with a smile. "She was feeling down after she lost the Grand Festival, and I started to miss her smiling so much that I wanted to make her happy again."

"So, you won a major Pokemon league just for Serena?" Professor Kukui asks.

"Yeah, pretty much," Ash says, scratching under his nose. "And I was so relieved to see her so happy when I won. She hugged me really tight and asked me to keep hugging her until they were bringing me my trophy."

Professor Kukui raises an eyebrow and smirks before asking, "Oh? How did that make you feel?"

Ash looks at Kukui, confused before he thinks about it.

"Well, it made me happy. Real happy, in fact," he answers. "I don't know how to explain it, but if I had to try, I would say it felt...right. The feel of us holding each other tightly and her resting her head again mine; I've hugged people and Pokemon before, but this felt more special."

Professor Kukui begins to smile warmly as he listens to Ash's explanation.

"And then when we were going our separate ways, I felt sad that she didn't come with me to Alola," Ash continues. "I know we have to pursue our dreams, but I didn't want us to part ways. I wanted to keep traveling together and watch her keep smiling and making other people and Pokemon happy. And then when she kissed me, it just felt nice at first, but then I kind of started to miss it. I don't know why since I didn't think too much about it back then, but now I do."

Ash, Kukui, and Pikachu are silent for several seconds until the raven-haired boy thinks about what he said and chuckles.

"I guess I was thinking she could be a big factor as to why I've been acting a little down even after winning the Alola League," he chortles. "That probably sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

"Nope. It doesn't sound crazy at all," Professor Kukui says. "As a matter of fact, that makes the most sense out of anything else you brought up."

Ash and Pikachu look at Kukui, dumbfounded.

"Really? How can that be?" Ash asks.

Professor Kukui chuckles at Ash's reaction before he places his hand on the boy's shoulder and gives him a soft smile.

"Ash, you are, by far, the most passionate trainer I have ever met. It's hardly a surprise that your first two guesses over what's been bothering you revolve around Pokemon battles or facing strong rivals," he says. "But out of the three guesses you made, you talked about Serena the longest without a second thought. You could have gone into detail over what you were trying to prove at the Indigo League or how great of a rival Timothy is, but instead, you focused on Serena. That tells me you have something very special with her that makes you miss her and wish you can stay by her side and hold her, kiss her, and make her happy, and I think you should pursue that."

"Why?" Ash asks.

Professor Kukui turns to where Professor Burnet is looking at the menu to a malasada stand.

"Because I'm the same way with Burnet," Professor Kukui answers. "Ever since we met, we developed such a bond that I knew I wanted her to always be by my side. Like you with Serena, she's someone who makes me happy, and I want to make her happy too. That's why I married her. And you know what, Ash? I'm happy to share completing my dream with you, Kiawe, Sophocles, Lana, Mallow, Lillie, and everyone else. But I don't think creating the Alola League would have been as special if Burnet wasn't there to experience my accomplishment with me any more than winning the Indigo League would have been for you without Serena."

"Wow, you really care about Professor Burnet that much?" Ash asks.

"I do," Professor Kukui answers. "So tell me, Ash, do you think going to Alola and winning the Alola League would have been better if Serena agreed to go with you?"

Ash stares at the professor for a moment before he looks down and starts thinking again. After another moment, the raven-haired boy turns to Kukui and smiles.

"Yeah, I think so," he says. "I believe if Serena came with me, she would have loved Alola. The beaches, the shops, the festivals, all the friends I've made both people and Pokemon alike; I think she would have had a great time here. And I think winning the Alola League would have been a bigger experience if she was there to cheer me on and watch me beat Gladion and you. I bet that she would have found a way to keep pursuing her dream without Pokemon showcases or contests too."

"Would you like to take her to Alola if you had another chance?" Kukui asks.

"Definitely," Ash says.

The Pokemon professor smiles and asks, "Would you ask her to go with you to your next journey if you could?"

"Of course, I would," Ash says without hesitation.

"Then I think you should tell her," Professor Kukui says.

Once again, Ash looks at his former teacher in confusion.

"Tell her that I want to travel with her?" He asks.

"Of course," Kukui answers. "If that's the way you feel, then you should tell her."

Ash frowns and says, "But she's competing in Pokemon contests all the way in the Johto region. She could be anywhere there."

"Then find her," Professor Kukui says. "If you want to always be with Serena, then you have to do whatever it takes to tell her. I love the person I always want to be with. What about you?"

Ash looks away and scratches the back of his head. He feels on the spot from the way Professor Kukui is trying to encourage him. A part of him wants to do what Kukui is suggesting, but the rest of him doesn't want to make such a sudden decision when he is still thinking about what his next journey should be. Pikachu looks at Ash with a look of concern, uneasy with how much the raven-haired boy is struggling.

"Here you go, boys!"

Ash's moment of debating with himself abruptly ends when he hears Professor Burnet calling out to him and Professor Kukui before she sits down next to her husband and hands each of them a small bag of malasada while Professor Burnet has one for herself. After Ash and Professor Kukui thank her, the group starts eating their fried snack with Ash sharing his malasada with Pikachu. When Professor Burnet is halfway through her treat, she turns to Ash with a cheerful grin.

"So, what do you look forward to the most about going home, Ash?" She asks.

"Seeing all of my Pokemon again, of course." Ash answers, quickly acting energetic again.

Professor Burnet giggles and says, "I thought so. You do love Pokemon."

"He sure does," Professor Kukui agrees.

"Pika, Pika," Pikachu says.

Ash nods and goes back to his malasada. But while he's eating, he feels a slight pain in his heart. He doesn't show any hint of it visibly, but in his mind, he is surprised that he felt like something was tugging his heart. He begins to wonder if it has something to do with how he answered Professor Burnet's question. He begins to ponder on it until he hears her speak again.

"Hey, look, the Johto Grand Festival!" She shouts.

"Yeah, it looks like they're playing recaps from earlier today," Professor Kukui said.

Ash turns to the professors in shock before he turns to the big TV on the wall to their right. His eyes widen as he immediately recognizes a coordinator performing.

"Hey, it's Dawn!" he shouts.

"Pika, ka!" Pikachu shouts cheerfully.

"Dawn?" Professor Kukui and Burnet ask.

"Yeah, she's one of my friends from Sinnoh, who is a Pokemon coordinator," Ash explains.

Professor Burnet smiles and says, "Well, how about that? Looks I noticed just in time."

"Yeah, no kidding," Ash says with his eyes on the TV.

The blunette girl is on a stage with Piplup, who is finishing its routine by flying around like a plane using Drill Peck. When the penguin Pokemon is done, the sound of a large crowd cheering is heard, and Dawn and Piplup take a bow. Ash smiles for his friend while the image cuts to a large screen shows that she has a ninety-four score. Ash's smile fades, and he looks at Pikachu, who is eating the last of his malasada.

"Pikachu, if Dawn's at the Johto Grand Festival, I wonder if Serena and May are there too," he says.

"Pikachu," Pikachu says, sharing its partner's curiosity.

The image on the TV cuts to another coordinator who steps into the stage and shows off her Bayleef using Razor Leaf. As the raven-haired boy watches, the possibility of whether or not a certain friend is in the tournament festers his mind. Finally, after the coordinator is done, the image cuts to Lilian.

"And now, for the final contestant competing in the preliminary round, let's give it up for Serena!" She shouts.

Ash's eyes widen, and he instantly jumps out of his seat and runs over to the TV with his eyes fixed on the screen. His heart leaps as he sees the image cut to Serena running towards the stage with a big smile and a Pokeball in her right hand. Professor Kukui, Professor, Burnet, and Pikachu walk over to join him as he stares intently at the honey blonde girl on the screen.

"Poliwag, let's go!" She shouts.

She tosses the Pokeball into the air, and the little tadpole Pokemon comes out with a cute smile. It does a couple of flips before it lands perfectly on Serena's hands, and the two of them smile brightly at each other before the honey blonde girl makes her next call.

"Now, Poliwag, use Bubble Beam!" She shouts.

Poliwag nods, and Serena lifts it up into the air as it spins around, firing multiple bubbles all over the stage. It then creates a large bubble almost at Serena's height and starts bouncing on it like a ball while the honey blonde girl starts happily dancing with its Pokemon. She jumps, twists, and twirls around the large bubble while the smaller bubbles spin around them like lights reflecting from a disco ball.

As Serena performs with her Pokemon, Ash watches her dance in awe as if there's nothing else to see but the girl. His heart feels warm the sight of her smile and the sound of her laughter through the speakers. Professor Kukui notices the way Ash looks at the screen intently, and a smile appears on his face as he pieces together what is going on in his former student's mind.

Serena and Poliwag stop dancing, and Poliwag hops back into Serena's hands just in time for all of the bubbles to pop into white and blue sparkles. The crowd is roaring through the speakers, and the honey blonde girl takes a bow while still holding her Pokemon. Serena then looks around the audience to see the countless people who are thrilled with her performance and beams. She returns Poliwag to its Pokeball and exits the stage before the image cuts to the large screen shooting that she gain a score of ninety-six.

"Wow, what a big score!" Professor Burnett comments.

"Indeed, she's sure to make it to the next round," Professor Kukui says.

"Pikachu," Pikachu agrees.

"And now the sixty-four contestants who will compete in the main event with appear on the screen!" Lilian announces.

Almost as soon as Lillian is done making the announcement, images of contestants start appearing on the screen. At the end of the top row is a picture of May before Serena and Dawn appear on the second row. Ash smiles brightly at the sight of Serena's image while the pictures of contestants keep on appearing, including Solidad's, Drew's, and Harley's. Once all sixty-four images are revealed, the image cuts to Lillian again.

"Let's give a round of applause to the contestants who will be moving on!" Lillian shouts before the crowd cheers. "Stay tuned for tomorrow when we begin the main events of the Johto Grand Festival!"

Ash's eyes widen at Lillian's announcement. He looks down and starts thinking hard about what to do. Slowly but surely, his eagerness to plan another journey melts away, and his desire to see Serena again rises. Pikachu and Professor Burnet look at him while Professor Kukui is still smiling. After twenty seconds of silence, Ash turns to everyone with a determined look on his face.

"I have to see Serena," he says plainly.

"What?" Professor Burnet asks.

"Pika?" Pikachu says, shocked.

"I can't go on another journey yet. I have to go to Indigo Plateau," Ash clarifies.

"But, I thought you want to figure out your next journey," Professor Burnet says.

"I do, but not until I talk to Serena," Ash says, shaking his head.

"But Ash, it's a long way away from where you will be landing in Viridian City," Professor Burnet says.

"Then I'll fly there," Ash says. "I'll call Professor Oak so that he can transfer Charizard from his lab to me when I land in Viridian City. Better yet, I'll have him transfer Pidgeot. Serena would like that if everything goes well."

"Ash, I don't understand," Professor Burnet says. "Why do you want to go all the way to Indigo Plateau just to see your friend, Serena?"

Ash's determined face falters, and he says, "I don't fully know yet. I'll have to figure it out on the way, but I need to see her now."

Burnet stutters and says, "Ash, what has gotten into you? First, you want to go home, and now you suddenly want to go all the way to Indigo Plateau just to talk to Serena? I know she's your friend, but you don't even know if she will still be competing in the Grand Festival by the time you get there."

"She will be," Ash says with his determination returning. "I know she will still be there by the time I get there, but I have to be there before the festival is over."

Professor Burnett opens her mouth protest again until Professor Kukui puts his hand on her shoulder and gives her a soft smile.

"It's okay, Burnet. Let him do this," he says. "I think what Ash wants to do is more important than going to a new journey right now."

Burnet looks at her husband, confused, surprised that he would support Ash in doing something that isn't going home to plan on another Pokemon journey. She hesitates before she sighs and gives Ash a soft smile.

"Alright," he says. "There are some video phones near here, and there's still ten minutes before your plane starts boarding, so you could contact Professor Oak now so that he can have your Pidgeot's Pokeball transferred to the Viridian City Pokemon Center for you to pick up when you land."

"Thank you, professor," Ash says before turning to Pikachu. "Pikachu, I know you want to go on a new journey as badly as I do, but I gotta do this buddy," he says. "The world isn't going anywhere, and we have plenty of time to go meet all kinds of other Pokemon. But I think I understand what everyone was trying to explain to me when we went on our journey with Serena and Brock and I want to see Serena really badly now that I do. So are you willing to wait?"

Pikachu tilts its head, still confused with what Ash is doing. Then it looks deep into his hazel brown eyes and slowly begins to realize that his claim to have understood what everyone was trying to come across is true. The little yellow mouse Pokemon smiles cheerfully, happy that Ash has finally realized what is in his heart.

"Pika!" Pikachu exclaims.

"Thanks, Pikachu," Ash says. "Now, let's call Professor Oak, quick."

Without another word, the raven-haired boy and his partner run to the nearest video phone. Professor Burnet smiles while still visibly confused before she turns to Professor Kukui.

"What is going on?" She asks.

Kukui chuckles at Burnet's cluelessness before he wraps his arm around his wife. Burnet lets out a soft gasp, and her cheeks heat up, taken aback as he leans his head closer to her.

"Something wonderful, Burnet. Something really wonderful," he says.

Burnet tiles her head, still confused before she looks deep into Kukui's eyes and smiles. Though she still doesn't know exactly what is happening, the look on her husband's black eyes was enough to make her smile at his excitement. After a few minutes, Ash and Pikachu come back with the raven-haired boy looking ecstatic.

"You got everything ready for when you reach Viridian City?" Professor Kukui asks with a smirk.

"Sure do," Ash says with a toothy grin. "And I can't wait until I'm there."

"I'm glad to hear it," Professor Burnet says while her husband still holds her close.

Just then, a man's voice is heard on the intercom, saying, "All passengers flying to the Kanto region, please proceed to gate B. We will begin boarding shortly."

Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet frown, suddenly dreading the fact that Ash has to go. Ash and Pikachu share their sadness as the four of them walk all the way to the front of the hall leading to the plane with Pikachu hopping on Ash's back.

"That's the plane to Kanto. Don't mistake it," Professor Kukui says.

Ash turns to the professor and smiles, saying, "I won't."

The two adults smile, satisfied with his response. All of the smiling fades away, however, when Ash looks at Kukui and Burnet.

"Professor...?" he asks.

"What?" Kukui asks.

Ash takes a moment to think of the right words before he bows and says, "Please take good care of Rowlet and the others."

"Don't worry. They're our family," the professor answers.

"Kukui's going to bring them to the Pokemon School too," Professor Burnet adds.

Ash smiles and asks, "Then they'll be ready for Ultra Guardian missions any time, right?"

"Yeah," Professor Kukui says with a nod.

The three humans and Pikachu are quiet again for a moment, unsure of what to do next.

"Professor Kukui...Professor Burnet...I'm off," Ash declares reluctantly.

The two professors give sad looks, with tears starting to appear from the edge of Professor Burnet's eyes.

"H-have a nice trip," she says as she starts to cry.

"Give it your all," Kukui says,

Ash smiles at his former teacher and says, "Yeah," knowing that Kukui is talking about his pursuit of Serena.

"Don't forget, Burnet and I will always be here to give you a helping hand wherever you go and whatever you're doing," Professor Kukui adds.

"Kukui's right," Burnet says as she starts wiping tears from her eyes.

Ash only has a moment to smile before Burnet walks over to hug him. Ash smiles softly while Kukui joins in to hug him together with his wife. The raven-haired boy closes his eyes and thinks about all the wonderful things he's experienced with the two Pokemon professors. Even though he will miss all of his other friends in Alola, he accepts that he will miss staying with the married couple who may as well have been another father and mother to him.

"Thank you," he says quietly.

"Pikachu," Pikachu says with its face muffled by Professor Burnet's embrace.

For several seconds, the couple keeps hugging Ash and Pikachu until Professor Kukui pats both Ash and his wife before breaking the hug.

"Alright, off you go," he declares.

Ash smiles and nods, saying, "Yeah," again before he turns around and gets on the plane with Pikachu.

Before long, the plane takes off, and Ash and Pikachu watch the plane fly away from Alola. Ash quietly thanks the region for everything he and his partners have experienced. But as they fly away, Kiawe, Lana, Mallow and Sophocles wearing their Ultra Guardians outfits soar into Ash and Pikachu's view with Rotom and their ride Pokemon, to deliver a wave goodbye and good luck. Tears came out of Ash's eyes as he happily waves goodbye to them until they are out of sight. Ash then leans all the way back of his chair and sighs with his eyes closed, thankful for his experience in Alola. His moment is soon replaced with a look of determination, however, as he remembers that he's on his way to someone more precious than any fantastic moment he has ever experienced in the sunny region.

"I'm coming, Serena," he says quietly. "Keep giving it your all until I get there."