When a life fades away

Under the starry night sky, Serena stood on her balcony, captivated by the beauty of the universe above. The gentle breeze played with her hair as she gazed at the countless stars that adorned the heavens. One, in particular, caught her eye, a shooting star streaking across the vast expanse of the night.

As it blazed a trail across the darkness, Serena couldn't resist the age-old tradition. She closed her eyes and made a silent wish, her heart brimming with hope. Her whispered words carried her deepest desires into the cosmos.

"I wish... I wish I could spend a night with Ash," Serena murmured to herself. Her voice was soft, almost like a secret shared with the stars. Serena knew that Ash was on an extraordinary journey, one that had taken him far from her. Though the bonds between them remained strong, the distance was a constant ache in her heart.

As the shooting star continued its fleeting journey, Serena's thoughts drifted to Ash, the boy who had captured her heart. She remembered his laughter, his unwavering determination, and the countless adventures they had shared. She longed for the warmth of his presence and the comfort of his friendship.

Yet, she also knew that Ash had a path to follow, a destiny that called him in a different direction, in a time not their own. The stars above held no answers, and Serena's wish, while sincere, couldn't change the course of time.

Tears welled in Serena's eyes as she watched the shooting star disappear beyond the horizon. She knew that the night, while filled with the magic of wishes, couldn't bring Ash back to her. Still, she clung to hope, to the belief that someday, their paths would cross again, and she would have the chance to spend a night with the boy she loved.

With a heavy heart, she returned to her room, the starlight filtering through the window casting a soft glow over her. Serena lay in her bed, alone in the quiet of the night, her thoughts filled with dreams of Ash, the boy who had forever changed her life.

…

Days were going by as Ash, Pikachu and his Pokémon were approaching the majestic Mount Coronet once again. The sky glowed as the strange phenomenon was making it distort its colors. Only night seemed to restore briefly the peace, allowing wild Pokémon to rest in the adversities. During this last stretch of travel, the young trainer had seen multiple species of Pokémon battling and being scared, their behaviors influenced by the calamity. 

The thick forest they entered had sucked them into what looked like a diverse universe. Only the constant cries of wild species battling and fearing for their lives were a reminder of the catastrophic events unfolding in the once lively Hisui region. 

As Braviary was leading the group from the skies, indicating Ash and Pikachu the direction towards the exit of the forest, Greninja and Lucario were collecting roots, plants and everything that could keep them satiated before their biggest fight. Growlithe, still the youngest of the group, was walking extremely close to Ash and Pikachu, the weight of the mission scaring the puppy Pokémon. 

Suddenly a thick fog started to accumulate as seeing became difficult and the Kantonian boy was forced to halt all of a sudden.

He turned around and he couldn't see any of his friends except for Pikachu who was on his shoulder. He was starting to feel nervous at the thought he had lost his comrades when a voice echoed through the fog: "I wish… I wish I could spend a night with Ash".

There was no misinterpretation: that was Serena's voice; "Serenaaa!" called out Ash; "Pipikaaaa!" followed the electric mouse. 

A brilliant shadow appeared through the fog, its shape resembling a star: "Jiraaa…" it sang.

"That voice…" commented an astonished Ash, remembering that voice from long time ago. And then, everything vanished.

…..

In the midst of their journey through the desolate world, Team Rocket members Jessie, James, and Meowth, along with their unlikely ally Gary and Solgaleo, stumbled upon a serene, hidden glade within the vast desolation. The land here was strangely untouched by the pervasive darkness that enveloped the rest of the world.

As they entered this tranquil oasis, they were struck by the presence of an ailing and ethereal Pokémon, which they quickly recognized as Celebi, the Time Travel Pokémon. Its once-vibrant green color had faded, and its movements were weak and feeble. Celebi's presence, despite its frailty, held an air of wisdom and importance.

Gary, ever the Pokémon researcher, took the lead, approaching Celebi with caution and sympathy. "What happened to you, Celebi? You look like you've been through a lot."

Celebi's voice, a gentle and faint whisper, echoed in their minds. "I am the guardian of time and protector of the forest. I have watched over the flow of time for centuries. But a dark force, an entity that seeks to disrupt the balance of time, has weakened me and now I can't protect the time."

Jessie's eyes widened as she considered the implications. "A force that disrupts time? Could it be related to what brought us here?"

Celebi nodded weakly, acknowledging her question. "Yes, the very same force that caused this world's devastation is the one responsible for my weakening. It's been trying to rip open the fabric of time and create chaos."

James frowned, realizing the gravity of the situation. "But what can we do, Celebi?"

Celebi's voice grew even fainter as it replied, "You must return to your world and stop this force. It threatens not only this world but your own as well. The balance of time is interconnected. You hold the power to set things right, to mend the rift, and to save both worlds."

Meowth, with a somber expression, stepped forward. "But what about you, Celebi? Is there anything we can do to help you?"

Celebi's green eyes met Meowth's gaze, a profound sadness in its eyes. "I fear it may be too late for me. My energy is dwindling, and I can no longer traverse time as I once could. Your presence here has already been a beacon of hope. Please, save both worlds."

Gary, deeply moved by Celebi's plight and its plea, took a step closer. "We will do everything in our power to stop this dark force and restore balance to time."

Jessie, James, and Meowth nodded in agreement, their determination unwavering. They had often been seen as villains in the past, but now they had a chance to be true heroes and make a difference in a world that was on the brink of destruction.

Celebi's form began to glow faintly, its energy waning. "Thank you, brave souls. Go through the forest. There I made a portal a long time ago. It should take you at the moment of the time disruption. Remember, the key to defeating this evil force lies in your unity and your unwavering spirit. Don't be scared. An ally will come to help you."

With that final message, Celebi's glow intensified briefly, and then it became a shimmering orb of light. The Pokémon began to float upwards, ascending into the canopy of the serene glade. A burst of energy emanated from Celebi, and a portal of light opened in the distance.

Team Rocket, Gary, and Solgaleo watched with a mix of sadness and determination as Celebi disappeared into the portal. 

...…

Serena woke up in the middle of the night. Suddenly she felt her body light, as her wounds had recovered somehow. She got up from her bed and walked to the balcony. She saw a light. Her mind guided her to wear her shoes, remove all the bandages and walk out from the room. She exited the Pokémon center. For a moment she thought of reaching the hospital to see if Goh and Dawn were feeling better as her but the light kept attracting the girl. She entered the small wood, sensing great energy and finally, she heard something: "Serenaaa!" "Pipikaaa!"

Those were Ash and Pikachu's voices. Her heart raced as she called back: "Ash! Pikachu!" and then the light engulfed her.

…..

As Team Rocket, Gary, and Solgaleo journeyed through the shifting forest in their quest to find a way back to their own world, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The ever-changing landscape, the mysterious challenges, and the eerie phenomena they encountered all pointed to an unseen presence observing their every move.

Finally, as they ventured deeper into the forest, they sensed they were nearing the exit. The air grew lighter, and they spotted a faint, distant glow—a shimmering light that seemed to promise an end to their ordeal.

But just as they were about to reach the portal, something caught their attention. A rustling in the underbrush, a whisper of an enigmatic presence. They paused, their senses on high alert, exchanging knowing glances.

It was a sensation they couldn't quite place—a feeling that they were not alone, that they were being watched, and that something awaited them just beyond the light of the new portal. Without uttering a word, they pressed on, the mystery of their observer adding an extra layer of intrigue to their already perplexing journey.

With the glow of the portal ahead and their determination unwavering, they took their final steps towards the unknown. The mystery of the enigmatic presence would have to wait, as they were on the brink of reuniting with their world and facing the dark force that threatened both it and the desolate realm they had left behind.

…..

Ash and Pikachu found themselves lying on the soft grass. They groggily got up only to see that they were indeed in the forest again. Except that this time it looked diverse. The star-shaped creature appeared again, scaring the duo that was ready to fight back but soon enough they recognized it as Jirachi.

"Jirachi? Why are you here? What's going on?" Through telepathy, the Wish Pokémon told them: "A wish was made by a person to be with you for one night. Thank Arceus she didn't ask me to bring you back forever because it would have been impossible for me."

"What? What are you talking about?" asked the exhausted trainer, but the answer never came as the mythical creature vanished leaving the duo alone again.

"That's horrible Pikachu, we must come back to the others" Ash proclaimed as he started to march again into the wood making his way through trunks and brushwood.

Suddenly he halted when Pikachu ears perked up a sound, or better a voice.

"Where am I?" a voice cried in the distance.

Ash turned back and Pikachu led his friend to the source of that voice.

The forest was getting thicker and thicker making the cross more difficult as Ash's clothes got caught in the undergrowth, tearing the fabric.

The duo finally reached a clearing, in the center of which was the trunk of a felled tree. On it, a girl. She was wearing a black T-shirt, a plaid miniskirt, black stockings and a pair of very clean leather boots. On her head is a fedora and a pair of blue earrings. She had honey-blonde hair just below her shoulders.

Ash couldn't believe his eyes. This all seemed too real.

There was no doubt. Now the matter of desire was clear to her. It couldn't be anyone other than her. Serena.

The girl turned her blue eyes towards the sound of steps she had heard. There he was. The Ash Ketchum.

Her eyes filled with steaming hot tears as she found herself standing up and running towards that figure, crashing onto his body with an embrace. She felt the warmth of his body as well as the hard breath of a guy running through the forest. She sank her head into his chest, not pronouncing a single word.

He reciprocated the embrace feeling her waist, feeling her warmth, feeling the sweet scent her soft body gave off.

This moment lasted for a couple of minutes, until Serena raised her head only to be welcomed by those auburn eyes, glimmering with joy. The boy then tried to speak but only a soft whisper escaped his lips: "Serena… I can't believe it's you…".

The girl frantically nodded her head, ending the hug.

She then proceeded to tell Ash about the wish she made to Jirachi but also to inform him about what happened to her and her friends.

By the end of the story, Ash was shaking with guilt, fear and anger.

Serena perceived it and gently placed the palm of her hand on top of the Ash' one.

The boy was startled and a little embarrassed as Serena's soft gaze fixed on his. It looked like the roles were swapped with Serena's maturity providing her with the courage to search for contact with him, and Ash being anxious and embarrassed.

"We all did that because we care about you. No one could have stayed home without trying" Serena explained with a soft voice but a determined tone.

Ash leaned back, his face moving from an enchanted one to a serious one. He looked up and then started to speak.

"The situation is going out of control. The man with the hood and the Salamance like Pokémon… I met him".

The revelation struck Serena, who remained speechless at the news. Ash went on: "So, he's capable of time travel…He's strong, his Pokémon looked like a demon, if it wasn't for Lucario I would have been dead by now…"

Serena now realized what Ash was saying but, careful not to interrupt him, didn't intervene even if her heart ached at the thought of all the challenges Ash had faced alone and at the thought of him dead.

"Pikapika, Pikapi!" intruded Pikachu, looking at the moon with the same expression Ash had.

"Yes, you're right Pikachu…Serena, you didn't mention anything about Lucario, so it wasn't you to send him to me, right?"

Serena thought for a little and then answered: "From what I know, Lucario went with Gary to some ruins, but we didn't hear from him for some time. I hope he's fine" she concluded putting her hand to her chest as she was used to do whenever she was wearing a certain blue ribbon.

"Oh no, Gary…" muttered Ash, clenching his fist and gritting his teeth. "This is all my fault."

"Stop it right now Ash!" snapped Serena with a slightly harsher tone, "None of this is your fault. Someone is plotting and there's nothing to feel guilt about. We, like everyone else, must protect our world. And I'd say that it's better this way, so we can help to solve this mystery. Imagine what would happen if we weren't aware of what's going on".

Ash found himself pondering those words with attention, understanding Serena's feelings and intentions but somehow his turmoil didn't calm down.

"Right now… I'm heading to Mount Coronet. Dialga woke up, awakened by the red chain… My friend Volo is risking his life… The entire region is against me and I can't blame them. The world and Arceus count on me… I feel so heavy…." Ash was opening up his heart in the way he only did to Pikachu as he started to shake again and some tears started to dwell up in his chocolate eyes.

Serena was moved by this, she felt the connection between them. She also wanted to cry, but not this time. She had cried restlessly during that period but now she was going to be a performer, neglect her own feeling of anxiety, fear and doubt to give his friend all the determination he had given her throughout her journey. She took a deep breath while Ash was starting to crack down. She took his head and brought him to her shoulder. She softly caressed his untamed hair as he couldn't register what was happening and then, with the most resolute and determined voice she spoke up: "Ash, don't give up now, don't do it until it's over. You taught me that nothing we do is meaningless. This challenge is yet another obstacle for you and us all. We can and we will push through, unfold the truth and beat this evil plot once and for all. If there's a man who can do it, that's you, you who are my inspiration, my goal, my hero. You don't know how much you mean for me Ash…" her voice getting softer and her gaze sweeter.

In the meanwhile, Ash drifted to her lap, still sobbing until he listened to the final words she was saying.

She was still caressing his hair on her lap while Ash's eyes widened with the truth and with new resolution.

"Serena…" said ash, with a soft tone, one that didn't quite fit the young and energetic trainer.

"Mh, mh?" answered Serena, her eyes now closed and a small smile on her lips while enjoying the moment.

"I love you"

The moment froze there. Serena's eyes went wide. Her ears began to ring like tinnitus. The entire forest disappeared, while in the meantime Ash rose from the comfortable bed that was her legs to fix his gaze on her. His eyes appeared red from tears, but determined, it seemed they wanted to ask her something with that single look.

Serena acted instinctively. She moved forward, towards the boy who now stood before her. She closed her eyes a few centimeters away from him, while the boy still didn't move but she didn't understand what was about to happen either. Their lips met, a slight contact setting off a spark. Their hearts gave a brief leap.

Ash's eyes were open, dilated, surprised by what was happening. It was like at Lumiose airport, on that escalator. But there was a difference. Now Ash knew, he had understood and reciprocated that very sincere feeling that the blonde performer had secretly nurtured for so long. He too closed his eyes, raised her arm to place his hand on the young Kalosian girl's cheek and kissed her back. Serena felt it, her resolve not to cry faded a little, and a few tears peeked out of her eyes, this time of happiness. They stayed like that for a few seconds until the girl pulled away slightly, she placed her hand on the raven-haired boy's cheek and whispered softly, "I love you too."

So many unspoken truths were told in that minute of staring, mouths agape from both sides as comprehension and sensibleness raised into them. Serena's longing and Ash's denseness now vanished. They were here. They knew they had each other, now more than ever.

"Pikapikapiiii!" cried Pikachu, hot tears streaming down his cute face as he was clapping to the new couple.

"What do you mean by -Finally! I'm so proud of you-?" asked a flustered Ash jumping up from embarrassment from his first pal behavior.

Serena stayed there, watching the duo arguing and ending in a scuffle with Pikachu mocking Ash and the latter trying to avoid the mouse from running his mouth.

Serena started to laugh uncontrollably at the duo's antics, ending the scuffle.

"What's wrong?", "Pikapipka?" asked at unison the couple. "You are fantastic!" she muttered between laughter.

Suddenly the fog began to thicken again. It was the signal. It was time to say goodbye. The three's looks became sadder.

Ash, now with Pikachu on his shoulder, approached the girl, with a serious look: "Please say hello to my mother, tell her I'm fine, tell her I'm coming back... Tell her I'm brushing my teeth every day and changing my clothes even the underwear..." he said this last sentence with a hint of embarrassment.

Pikachu asked to say hello on his behalf, saying that he is looking after her son and that they will soon return home hungry.

Serena sobbed slightly at the request and agreed.

"Please be careful Ash. And you too Pikachu. Remember that I'm waiting for you two. We will do our best to welcome you back among us... I especially can't wait to know that you are here again ... with me".

Ash nodded his head, took her hand and shook it, bringing her closer to him again. He brought his head closer and kissed her again for a few moments, feeling her sweet breath and the taste of her lips: "We'll be back... Remember that I love you".

"Pikapika, pipika!"

Ash stepped away, his figure dissolving into the fog. Serena hastily rummaged through her bag and took out a pink bow: "Here Ash, put it on your arm and when you're down remember that you have me as well as all of us and your Pokémon!"

The boy managed to catch it just as his essence dissolved into the fog. Within seconds the fog disappeared, leaving Serena alone, her hands on her chest.

A magical night was ending as Serena returned to the Pokémon center, the uncertainties of the future still present but also a new strength. She and Ash loved each other and whatever trial her fate would present them, they would face it at any cost, until the end.