Finals, Fights and Flights

Part 1

Well, hey there. Been a while, hasn't it? Now, I know, I know. My fanfic career is over. Still is...er, was. It's complicated. Though with this, it's something fun I thought up that I was never able to give my readers. I can't promise much in the way of a "story", but it'll be a good time to lead into...something, which will be announced here at the end (or already has been elsewhere if you've followed me). In the meantime, let's twist this!

Author: Epicocity

Rating: K plus

Pairings: Amourshipping and whatever else fits

WARNING: Spoilers for the entire Ancienverse!

DISCLAIMER: I still don't own Pokémon.

Finals, Fights and Flights

An Amourshipping Pokémon Fanfiction

Part 1

"You're sure we have everything?"

"Yes...I think..." Ash leaned over, checking the contents of his backpack. It was no different from any of his usual journeys, outside a couple more things to help Serena if any problems arose. His wedding ring clanked around his pokeballs, and eventually Pikachu muscled in to check over everything, himself.

"Pikapi. Pi!" His best friend's confirmation was good enough for him.

"Yep. Everything looks good to go."

His wife sighed, leaning back on the airport chair, her hand upon her belly as she breathed. Ash watched her a moment, tapping his foot and keeping an eye on Pikachu when he ran over to the vending machines. She had gotten slightly bigger, further progressing along her pregnancy, but Ash wasn't one to notice these things all that well. All he cared about was a clean bill of health for her and the child they were expecting, which was complicated already by the fact they were going abroad.

"Good. I don't want to be caught unawares." Her meaning was obvious, and Ash looked to her bag, something lighter so it wouldn't strain her, but still containing all the essentials for a pregnant woman on the road. Not that he wanted to keep her on the road, but he'd long learned how stubborn she could be. "I wonder what the region is like."

"No idea, but it sounds awesome!" Ash said, pulling out a brochure that had come with his most recent orders. Well, his first orders as an official League Liaison, but Ash wasn't splitting hairs over technicalities. "They have Gyms there, and a Pokémon League, and I'm sure there are plenty of new Pokémon. It's weird I never went there before..."

"Probably because it's such a small region, and you've been busy. Ever since that battle with..." Serena pursed her lips here and Ash grew solemn. The name she spoke held weight, and with it, Ash blew at his bangs. "After your battle with Diantha, you've been kept busy."

"Yeah...wonder when Champion battles will start up again..." Ash leaned back on his chair, not really wanting to think about the fallen Diantha. Only Serena really knew, but her death had weighed on him, as if part of the Champion expected him to take up the position she once held and find the right path to the future.

He wasn't even sure if he could handle being a father soon, let alone that.

Ash was spared the need to think about it by a light thwack to the back of his head, which turned out to be a rolled-up magazine in the hands of one Astrid, standing over the married couple, determined to not be a third wheel. "If you're interested in the progress of Champions, the League is running a spread. You're not included."