Around The World (Re-Write)

The Beginning Of A New Journey

"I'm A Big Fan Of Yours!"

Serena stared at the screen in shock, "What? But I thought you sai-"

"I am, Serena. In fact, aside from that boyfriend of yours I might just be your biggest fan." Palermo winked at the camera as she smiled at the young performer. 

"B-boyfriend?!" Serena felt a blush rush up her face, "No no no no! It's not like that, he's just a-"

"Regardless of what he is, my offer stands." Palermo's face turned serious, "Call me tomorrow if you wish to accept, but I'll let you and your friends make the decision. Goodbye, Serena."

The call ended and Serena let out a sigh, her face contorted with thought as she looked out the window. 

'What am I gonna do? Ash has to go back to Kanto, but if we all took Palermo's offer, we could all stay together. Either way, I have to tell the others.'

Serena stood up from the chair that sat before the video phone and walked out the door. As the door opened saw the figure of Ash Ketchum walking along the street. 

'Why's he look so down' 

On that street, Ash walked aimlessly as he mulled over what Augustine Sycamore had said to him, the professor was right of course; Greninja and Ash were bound by the Bond Phenomenon. They would never truly be apart, and the same went for Serena, and Clemont and Bonnie. They would always have the bonds they shared from the adventures.

'Then why do I feel so sad? I usually don't feel like this...'

Nearby, Clemont and Bonnie were walking around the city with Pikachu and Dedenne in tow when they too noticed Ash walking along the street.

"Ash!" Bonnie called out,

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu waved,

"De!" Dedenne hopped up and down as it joined them in calling for Ash,

Serena looked over and saw them, she grinned, "Ash!"

Clemont sighed, but joined in, "Ash!"

Ash turned around, he hadn't realized the lone tear in his eye as it fell to the ground. As his friends all ran toward him, he couldn't help but smile. 

"Hey!"

The day went on as the four friends and their pokemon walked around the city for what they assumed would be the last time for quite a while. Then, that night as they all sat down around the table, Serena stared out the window; lost in thought as she mulled over what Palermo had offered her.

On one hand, she knew that it was the only way to keep them all together, not to mention it would let her have more time to confess to Ash about hew feelings. But on the other hand, would she be holding everyone back from their dreams? Would she be holding herself back from her own? 

As the night went on, these thoughts continued to fill her head as indecision clouded her mind. Then, as she lay in bed she groaned as she stood up, the need to get fresh air becoming too much.

Serena quietly pulled herself out of bed, slipping into her clothes she quietly made her way out of the room, past the sleeping form of Ash on the couch and then out the door. The crisp air felt refreshing against the performers face as she took a deep breath and sighed.

"What now?" she muttered to herself as she looked around the city.

There were very few people out and about that night, with the memories of the Team Flare fresh in their minds, even after the performance in the center of the city. A soft breeze blew through Serena's hair as she walked along the street, her thoughts swirling around her head.

"I thought I recognized that hair..." a girls voice spoke up,

'I know that voice!'

"Aria!" Serena spun around, suddenly coming face to face with the Kalos Queen, "What are you doing here?"

Aria giggled quietly, "Well, I came here to see how everything was going after the attack. Then, I decided to take a walk and here I am. What I wan't to know, is why are you out here?"

"Oh," Serena frowned, "it's nothing."

"Don't hide it," Aria smiled softly, placing her hand on her friends shoulder, "come on, let's go sit down in the park and talk for a bit."

Aria led the girl to the large park and sat her down a bench, "Tell me, what's on your mind?"

"I spoke with Palermo..." Serena admitted.

"Oh no," Aria frowned, "what did she want?"

"Nothing bad, actually she offered me tickets to a cruise. But I don't know what to do..."

"Why not?"

"Well..." Serena took a deep breath, "I can't decide if I should tell the others. Ash leaves tomorrow for Kanto again, and Clemont has the Gym hear in Lumiose City, and Bonnie's with him. They all have there lives that they need to live so how am I supposed to just ask them to up and leave all that behind for a trip around the world? It's selfish I know, but I still really want to ask them..."

Aria smiled at the girl, "Well I may not know them very well, but i know that your friends care about you. It's not selfish to want to stay with them, and I'm sure they agree with me..."

"How can you be so sure?" Serena felt a tear well up in her eye.

"Well," Aria held back a giggle, "take a look." 

Aria motioned behind Serena and the blonde spun around, met with the faces of Ash, Clemont and Bonnie.

"We'll go with you anywhere," Ash smiled as he held out his hand, "after all, I think you might be my good luck charm."

Serena felt more tears well up in her eyes as she reached out her hand and felt Ash's fingers wrap around it.

"Indeed," Clemont nodded his head, "I've truly enjoyed traveling with you all."

"Yeah!" Bonnie grinned at the older girl, "And besides, I still need to beat you in a performance!"

"You guys..." Serena let the tears fall,

"See," Aria turned to leave, "I told you so. I've gotta go, but I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."

"Thank you Aria." it wasn't Serena, but Ash, "Thank you for helping her, we'll take it from here."

"No problem," Aria smiled at the group, "have fun on that cruise!"

It was like something out of a movie, Serena decided, Ash held her hand as the cool night air surrounded them. Their friends smiled and watched them as Aria faded into the city lights. Serena knew then, that it would all be okay, that she wouldn't have to depart from her friends just yet. She knew that she would find a way to tell Ash how she felt and find a way to beat Aria some day, because in that moment; it was The Beginning Of A New Journey.