Prologue – The End of a Ketchum Journey

[A/N] Welcome to my new story, Generation II! Bonnie, Max, and Mairin are some of my favorite characters, and I can't wait to start writing about them. All of your support is greatly appreciated, and I really hope everyone enjoys this story. Make sure to check out my other work, Serena's Sister, as well. (ONE TIME DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokemon or any characters in my story so far. All rights go to GAME FREAK.)

"In this climactic moment of the most exciting league battle in history, Ash Ketchum and Sawyer are both down to their last Pokemon! Ash's unique Greninja is facing off against Sawyer's powerful mega Sceptile!" The Kalos league announcer's voice boomed out over the massive stadium.

Ash Ketchum stood on the battlefield. He could feel that Greninja was tired over their bond. One more blow would knock him out. Luckily, Sawyer's Sceptile looked to be in about the same condition. I have to win! Everything I've worked for leads up to this moment; I can't let it go to waste.

Somewhere deeper in his conscience, his thoughts were different. I have to win this for Serena. I can't keep on loosing.

"Greninja, Aerial Ace!" Ash-Greninja's hand began to glow, and he zoomed towards Sceptile.

"Sceptile, Leaf Blade!" Sawyer called. The two attacks collided in the center of the battlefield, and a massive explosion ensued. Once the dust cleared, both Pokemon were on the ground.

"And it appears that for the first time in league history, we may have a double knockout in the finals, folks. This may be- no, wait, Greninja is getting up!" the announcer called to the stadium.

Through immense mental effort from both Ash and Greninja, the two managed to remain concious. Greninja reverted to his normal form, and Ash returned him, leaving him standing alone on the battlefield.

I won.

Sawyer congratulated him, and hundreds of people streamed onto the battlefield, but only that one thought was going through Ash's mind.

He was snapped out of his reverie as Serena came up to him and embraced him in a giant hug. "You did it!" she whispered fiercely.

And he had. He had won, he had accomplished his dreams, and now he never wanted to let her go.

The wind blew in Serena's hair as she looked out over Lumiose City. The city was bright, illuminated by thousands of lights on the clear august evening. She and Ash were sitting on the top of Prism Tower, staring out over the city.

"Serena, why did we come all the way up here?" Ash asked.

Serena sighed. This is it. Ash won the Kalos league, and our journey is almost over. I- I just have to tell him, if only to get it off of my chest.

Ash looked really confused now. "Why did you sigh?"

Serena looked over at Ash. "Ash, do you remember when you were up here, saving that Garchomp?"

"Yeah, why?" Ash said with a nod.

Serena smiled. "Well, you just were so brave, and I, well, I was worried."

Ash looked confused, but she pressed on. "I mean, you're so selfless. You always put the needs of others before your own. It's what I like so much about you."

A faint glimmer of recognition seemed to enter Ash's eyes as she spoke, but she pressed on. "There have been so many times that I've wanted to tell you. In Coumarine city, at that dance, when you got sick, when we stopped team flare, before your final round. I've just never been able to tell you what I want to say."

"And what did you want to say?" Ash asked softly.

Now or never. "This." She leaned in, and to her surprise and joy, Ash did the same.

Their kiss could have lasted forever.

"Congratulations, Ash!" everybody screamed.

Ash had just opened the door to his house in Pallet Town. Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie were standing behind him. What he hadn't expected to see was all of his traveling companions and rivals standing in his living room. "Um, hi everyone. What are all of you doing here?"

Misty stepped forwards and rolled her eyes. "Really, Ash Ketchum? You haven't seen me in three years, and you ask me what I'm doing here? We're here to congratulate you, silly."

"Oh, okay," Ash said. "We should come in, then." He and his companions piled into the room.

"Hey, Ash," Gary called from somewhere in the back. "Who are all of your friends?"

"Oh, yeah," Ash said, "This is Clemont. He's from Lumiose City, and he's a gym leader and an inventor. His little sister Bonnie is next to him. And… this is Serena."

After introductions were finished, everyone started to drift off in various directions. Serena stepped closer to Ash and whispered, "You've traveled with so many people."

Ash grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "Hey, it's okay. Just stay close to me. You'll be fine."

Serena smiled, and leaned her head on Ash's shoulder. Unfortunately, Barry chose that exact moment to barrel into Ash's side, knocking him over on top of Serena.

"HEY ASH GREAT TO SEE YOU! OMG WAIT YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND HOW? OKAY, GOTTA WIN MORE BADGES BYE SEE YA!"

Barry zoomed out of the door, and Ash face palmed as every face in the room turned to look at him extracting himself from the position Barry had put him in. Almost everyone's face was shocked, except Brock, who was sobbing in a corner, and Misty, May, and Dawn, who were all sprawled out twitching on the floor.

"This might take some explaining, huh," Ash whispered to Serena.

Bonnie sighed and looked down at the mouse Pokemon who was sitting in her pouch. "Everybody here is a trainer, Dedene. When can we go on our journey?"

"Hi," said a young boy standing in front of her. He had a light green shirt on, and he had massive glasses.

"Hi, I'm Bonnie. Who are you?" she asked, curious about the boy in front of her who looked like he was about her age.

"I'm Max. You traveled with Ash in Kalos, right?" he responded.

Bonnie nodded. "Yeah, it was awesome! I even get to have my trainer's license in half of a year!"

Max's eyes widened. "Really? Me too! Maybe we'll see each other then."

Bonnie nodded. "Yeah."

Ash stood in Professor Oak's Ranch with all of his Pokemon surrounding him. "Alright, guys, come on out!"

His Kalos team, consisting of Greninja, Talonflame, Noivern, Hawlucha, and Goodra, spilled out. Greninja took one look at Charizard and Sceptile, who were eying him, and took on his and Ash's special form.

Oak's mouth dropped. A mega evolving Pokemon, two dragon types, and a pseudo legendary! No wonder he won the Kalos league!

Charizard narrowed his eyes at the frog ninja. This one would pay, to be sure.

The Pokemon league rose high above victory road. Exhausted, Ash and Serena emerged from the dark cave into the light. Ash threw his fist into the air. "We finally made it!" Serena hugged him, and they stared at the imposing building rising above them.

A whoosh came from the air above them, and Ash looked up to see a Charizard with a dark figure on its back. It landed, and the figure stepped off to look at Ash.

Ash nodded curtly to him. "Alain."

Alain sighed. "Look, Ash, I would like to apologize. I didn't know that I was helping Team Flare. The Flare crisis shouldn't have ever happened."

Ash shook his head. "It's not your fault. You didn't know, and I forgive you."

Alain shook his head, obviously not believing him, but Serena decided to try and change the subject. "So, how's Mairin?"

A smile touched Alain's lips. "She's fine. We are still traveling together on my search for mega evolution. I believe she is enjoying herself. It's just..."

Ash frowned. "It's just what?"

Alain shook his head. "I love Mairin as if she was my little sister, but I think it would do her good to travel with some kids her own age. I want her to get as much out of her journey as possible."

Serena nodded. "That makes sense. You should talk to her."

Alain nodded, lost in though, but he shook it off and said, "I actually came here to warn you. You know how Malva is a member of the elite four here in Kalos?"

Ash nodded, and Alain continued. "Well, she was also a secret member of Team Flare. I don't think she'll try anything, but I thought that I might as well warn you."

Ash thought about that for a moment. "Alright, thanks for the warning. I'll keep that in mind."

"Pyroar is unable to battle. Therefore, Charizard is the winner, and the match goes to Ash, the challenger."

"No!" Malva screamed, as Charizard swooped down to be congratulated by Ash. "I can't loose! Not to him!"

"That was a great match!" Ash called over to Malva, unaware of her rage.

Seething, she stalked over to Ash. "You may have beaten Team Flare," she spat, "But you will not leave this chamber alive! Emboar, flare blitz on that brat."

Ash's eyes widened as the massive Pokemon appeared in front of him. Charizard took the hit square in the chest, and Greninja appeared from his pokeball to defend his trainer from any more attacks, while Serena watched the scene in horror.

"This is Alexa, reporting from Lumiose News. After reportedly trying to assault Ash Ketchum, recent victor of the Kalos league, Malva, member of the Kalos elite four, has been charged for attempted manslaughter."

"The attempt on Ketchum's life came after Ketchum defeated the fire type trainer in his elite challenge. Reports have recently come to light that Malva was linked to the villainous Team Flare. However, she has denied all such accusations."

"When asked about the now vacant elite four spot, champion Diantha stated that 'the vacancy will remain until Ash has completed the elite challenge.'"

"Gardevoir is unable to battle! That means that the new champion of the Kalos region will be Ash, the challenger!" the referee screamed.

The crowd of 100,000 rose to their feet, applauding the seventeen year old boy who was their new champion. Ash stood in the center of the stadium, Greninja, Charizard, and Sceptile by his side, as praise showered in on him from all sides.

Serena ran on the field and embraced him, and the two of them kissed for a long time. Clemont and Bonnie yelled congratulations, and all he could do was smile as his family and friends streamed onto the field around him.

Diantha walked up to his, slowly applauding. "Congratulations, Ash. You are now officially a Pokemon master!"

Ash could do nothing but smile. I did it! I accomplished my dreams, and I feel nothing but happiness. He couldn't shake the sense of finality of the moment.

The Pokemon journey of Ash Ketchum was finally over.

Clemont sat in his workshop on the thirty-sixth floor of the Prism Tower. He was currently in the process of creating a new, updated version of Clembot. His hair was in disarray after a series of explosions, and circuitry was scattered around him at his workplace. Despite that, he was sure that he was almost done; just one more tweak and then…

A sharp rap on the door broke his concentration, and the wire he was holding slipped from his grasp. The room seemed to be ripped apart by a massive explosion, and Clemont's hair was turned into a black mushroom.

The raven-haired champion swept into the workshop amid the smoke and debris. Ash put on his signature grin. "Hey, Clemont."

Clemont hung his head in embarrassment as a small puff of smoke escaped from his mouth. "Aww, and I was so sure I had gotten that one right. Sorry you had to see that, Ash."

Ash shook his head. "Nah, it's fine. Science is really amazing, isn't it?"

Clemont couldn't help but to grin at that. He may be champion of the Kalos league, but he's still the same old Ash. "So how can I help you today?"

Ash walked over and settled down on a bench that had mostly escaped the explosion. "Well, actually, I had a request for you."

Clemont nodded. "What do you need, Ash? You know I'll do anything you want me to. Our year traveling together was the best of my life, and Bonnie's as well."

Ash smiled. "I agree, and I'm sure that Serena does too."

"So you two are doing well?" Clemont asked.

Ash nodded, then proceeded with his request. "Well, Clemont, as you know, when Malva… had the incident, (He winced) she left me with a vacancy in the elite four. You're one of my closest friends, and the best electric type trainer I know. So, I was wondering if you would accept the position of a member of the Kalos elite four."

Clemont's mouth dropped open, and his eyes shone. "Ash, but- I would be honored to be a part of the elite four. I just never imagined that you would ask me."

Ash scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed at the praise. "So it's a yes?"

Clemont thought for a second. "Well, what about Bonnie?"

Ash shook his head. "She'll be fine. She only has another month of trainer's school, then she'll get her trainers license. I know that she will want you to take this, Clemont."

Clemont sighed. "She's growing up so fast..." He shook his head to clear his thoughts, then looked back at Ash. "Yes, I accept."

Ash grinned again. "Then it's a deal."

The two friend shook hands to begin what would become a new era for the Kalos elite four.

Two years after Ash win the Kalos league, three young trainer will set out to fulfill their own goals. All of them are different, and all of them want to accomplish what their connection to Ash set them out to do. They will face many challenges, and they will have to secure the future of the Pokemon world. They are…

Generation Two

[A/N] How was it? Make sure to follow, favorite, and leave a review! Any and all feedback will get a response, and it is the best way to help me become a better writer so I can create more interesting pieces for everybody!

Question of the Day: Who do you think Max's starter will be? I have it planned out, but I want to see your thoughts.