What color suits the future me?
It must be dazzling and brilliant—
Let's share it together!
!!!
A shooting star cuts across the night sky…
Though I chase after my dream,
At times of doubt, it slips away
Fading somewhere beyond my reach.
But now, at last, I've found it—
The true self within me.
A storm rises in my heart—
Dream, dream—power of dreams!
Dream, dream—power of dreams!!
We are the power of miracles!
Dream, dream—power of dreams!
Dream, dream—power of dreams!!
Ash's voice carried the song "Dreams" as he sang it to Serena.
This was something he had decided from the very beginning.
Serena hadn't managed to defeat Aria in the final showdown. But victory or defeat wasn't the most important thing.
What mattered most… was what one learned from the experience.
Serena pressed both hands over her mouth, eyes shimmering with tears, as she fully understood Ash's message.
He wasn't comforting her with words—he was telling her, through this song, that now was not the time to stop. Everyone strives forward because of their dreams, and through those dreams, they grow stronger.
"Thank you… thank you…"
Serena couldn't hold back any longer. She threw herself into Ash's arms.
"Pikachu…"
Pikachu bashfully turned his head away, embarrassed by the scene.
But Ash's song didn't stop—it continued, flowing softly through the air.
This song belonged only to Serena.
From the moment we first held our dreams…
Whether smiles or tears—
They'll decorate tomorrow.
Thank you! With you by my side—
Let's move forward!
Chasing after new loves and joys!
As the final note faded, Serena's tears finally stopped.
"You're right, Ash. I won't stop here. I'll keep moving forward, I'll keep growing stronger. I will become the Kalos Queen!"
Her confidence and determination ignited, stronger than ever before.
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
The Master Class had ended, and now outsiders could enter the hall again.
"Please, come in," Serena called politely, though she wondered who it might be.
The one who stepped inside was none other than Palermo, the producer behind the Pokémon Showcase competitions.
"Serena, from that smile on your face, I can tell you've already realized where you fell short. But… it seems I've come at the wrong moment."
Palermo's gaze flicked toward Ash. She recognized him immediately this time.
At the port weeks ago, when Ash had sung for Serena, Palermo hadn't realized who he was. But now, she could no longer mistake him.
The boy who had proposed the theory of Eeveelutions, who had pushed forward the research and practice of Mega Evolution—Ash's contributions to the Pokémon world were immeasurable.
Seeing him here, and knowing Serena was someone she valued, Palermo's decision was already made.
She stepped forward, placed a card on the table, and said firmly:
"Serena, you're still traveling, aren't you? If one day your journey ends, and you wish to learn more about being a Pokémon Performer, come find me."
With that, she turned and left as swiftly as she had come.
Serena picked up the card—it had Palermo's private number written on it.
"Keep it safe," Ash said, ruffling her hair. "In the world of Pokémon Showcases, Palermo's word carries absolute weight."
Afterward, Serena and Ash rejoined Clemont and Bonnie.
"Even though I didn't win the crown, I gained something precious. Next time, I won't lose. For now, let's head for Snowbelle City! That's where Ash will earn his eighth badge!"
Serena had fully overcome her setback, her spirits burning brightly.
"You're right! It's time to focus on Ash's eighth badge. Go all out and win it!" Clemont declared, his own determination sparked.
"And Bonnie will cheer you on with Squishy and Dedenne!" Bonnie chimed in eagerly.
------
Their detour to Gloire City had cost them some time. To make up for it, they quickened their pace toward Snowbelle City.
On the way, they stopped at a small town. Two reasons guided the decision: first, Ash sensed that his Noibat was close to evolving; second, the team needed to stock up for the harsh snowy trails leading to Snowbelle.
"Alright, Noibat! Let's challenge some wild Pokémon here. Today just might be the day you evolve!"
"Noi noi!"
Suddenly—
"Ash! Ash-senpai!"
The familiar voice rang out.
Ash turned—and there he was.
"Sawyer! You're around Snowbelle too? Are you here to challenge the Gym?"
Clemont blinked in surprise. What a coincidence!
"That's right, Clemont-senpai! I just earned the Snowbelle Gym Badge. The Gym Leader there is really strong—he chooses which Pokémon to battle with depending on his challenger's strength!"
Sawyer spoke politely, addressing even Clemont with respect.
"How many badges do you have now, Sawyer?" Serena asked quickly, worried that their detour for the Showcase might have let someone else get ahead of Ash.
"I've already collected all eight badges! Ash-senpai, you're here to challenge Snowbelle Gym too, right? Before that—please battle me! I want to show you how much stronger we've become!"
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals