Kanto and the Kalos region were separated by an enormous distance.
The flight departing from Kanto's metropolitan city of Saffron City required nearly ten hours to reach its destination—the metropolis of Lumiose City in the Kalos region.
They had boarded at 7:40 AM at Saffron City's International Airport.
Ten hours later, at 5:40 PM, the aircraft finally approached its destination.
The sun was already beginning to sink toward the horizon, with only half of its glowing disk still visible above the distant skyline.
The entire city was enveloped in the warm light of dusk.
The orange-red afterglow of sunset reflected brilliantly off the glass curtain walls of the countless skyscrapers, making the entire metropolis shine beneath the evening sky.
And especially striking was Lumiose City's most iconic landmark.
Located at the very heart of the city and home to Lumiose Gym—the city's Electric-type Gym—Prism Tower stood proudly beneath the setting sun.
Its enormous silhouette resembled a giant towering over the entire metropolis.
Ash, Misty, and Clarissa had only just walked out of the airport when they looked up and saw the magnificent sight.
All three wore relaxed and delighted smiles.
"Shoo-shoo~"
"Shoo-shoo~"
At that moment, several small and delicate Pokémon flew gracefully across the sky above them.
They were covered from head to toe in a soft pink color.
It was the first time Ash, Misty, and Clarissa had come to the Kalos region.
Neither girl recognized the Pokémon, and since they had never seen them in Kanto, both immediately became curious.
"Ash, what Pokémon is that? Do you know?"
Misty, who was carrying Marill in her arms, tilted her head toward Ash and asked.
Clarissa also turned her gaze toward him.
In the eyes of the two girls, Ash was practically a walking, living Pokédex that seemed to know everything about Pokémon.
And in this case, Ash really did recognize the Pokémon that had just flown across the sky.
"Those are Spritzee. They're Pokémon unique to the Kalos region."
"They're Fairy-type Pokémon. Their standard Ability is Healer, and they can learn Aromatherapy."
"The fragrance they release also has a relaxing effect on both the body and mind."
"They're actually quite suitable for you to capture and raise, Clarissa."
Ash looked up at the several Spritzee flying playfully into the distance as he explained.
"Spritzee?"
Hearing Ash say that this Pokémon was a healing-type Pokémon particularly suited to her, Clarissa quietly committed the information to memory.
However, although Spritzee was indeed very suitable for her, she didn't develop any immediate desire to capture one.
At least, not for now.
Just as she and Ash had discussed and analyzed yesterday afternoon in the garden at Joy Manor, her current supply of healing support was already sufficient.
As for her next Pokémon, she was more inclined to focus on nutrition and health.
For the moment, she had narrowed her choices down to Miltank and Paras.
"Let's go. Serena, Tierno, Clemont, and the others should already be here."
Seeing that the Spritzee had already flown far away, Ash turned his attention back to the two girls.
"Mm-hmm."
"Yes."
Both girls nodded.
The three then followed the flow of passengers leaving the aircraft and walked toward the airport exit.
[One hour earlier]
— Vaniville Town —
"Mom, do you think I look better wearing this hat, or this one?"
Inside her room, a young girl took two hats from her wardrobe and held them up toward her mother, Grace, who was standing behind her.
"Hmm..."
"I think the dark-red one looks better."
Grace stood with one hand on her hip while calmly holding a cup of black tea in the other.
She carefully examined the two hats before giving her opinion.
"If that's the case, then I'll choose this light-red one."
After hearing her mother's suggestion, the girl put down the dark-red velvet hat and picked up the other one—a small light-red, short-brimmed dress hat.
She made her decision without hesitation.
"If you've already made up your mind, why did you even ask me?"
Seeing that her daughter had completely ignored her recommendation, Grace could only stare at her helplessly.
"If you've already made up your mind, why did you even ask me?"
She repeated the question with an expression of complete exasperation.
"Hehe."
"Because Mom and I have different tastes."
"If Mom thinks something looks good, then it's almost guaranteed that it won't suit me."
"It's decided. I'll wear this light-red hat."
"Mom, I'm heading out!"
After putting on the hat, the girl picked up a dark-red pear-shaped little backpack from her vanity.
She stood in front of the full-length mirror and spun around once to check her outfit.
Then, without wasting another second, she hurried excitedly out of the room.
"Hmph~"
"It's just that your little boyfriend is coming all the way from Kanto to celebrate your birthday."
"You could have simply let him come here himself."
"Why do you have to go all the way to Lumiose City to pick him up?"
"That girl really needs to learn a little restraint."
Watching her daughter rush out of the house and disappear almost instantly, Grace pursed her lips.
Her face was filled with helplessness and a trace of annoyance.
"Serena, hurry up! The bus is about to leave!"
At the entrance to Vaniville Town, Tierno, Trevor, and Shauna hurried onto the bus waiting at the edge of town.
They turned around and called toward Serena, who was running after them while slightly out of breath.
"Coming, coming~!"
Serena answered and quickly ran toward the bus.
"..."
"..."
It had been more than half a year since Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp had ended.
The four of them hadn't seen Ash for more than six months.
This time, after learning that Ash was coming all the way to Kalos to celebrate Serena's birthday, Tierno, Trevor, and Shauna were all delighted.
They had happily decided to travel with Serena to Lumiose City and meet Ash at the airport.
...
[Half an hour earlier]
— Lumiose City · Volt Electric Shop —
"Dad, my good friend Ash is coming here from Kanto."
"Bonnie and I are going to the airport in a little while to pick him up."
"He'll probably have dinner at our house tonight, so could you go to the market later and buy some ingredients?"
Clemont looked somewhat embarrassed as he spoke to his father, who was busy working inside the electronics shop.
"My son's friend... Ash... is coming to our house for dinner tonight..."
Meyer repeated the words blankly.
Then his expression suddenly became deeply emotional.
"Clemont, I'm so moved!"
"You usually spend all your time at the Gym or in the laboratory working on inventions."
"I was always worried that you wouldn't make any friends."
"Looks like I was worrying for nothing!"
"Don't worry. You and Bonnie go to the airport and pick him up."
"I'll go to the market right away."
"Tonight, I'll prepare a huge feast for you and all your friends!"
Meyer put down the wrench in his hand.
He didn't even bother worrying about the smell of engine oil covering his clothes.
His face carried the deeply emotional expression of a father who was practically on the verge of tears.
"(－_－)!!"
"Dad, Bonnie and I are heading to the airport!"
Bonnie, who had nearly been squeezed breathless in her father's enthusiastic embrace, finally managed to break free.
She grabbed her brother Clemont by the hand and dragged him toward the door.
"Ah..."
"The kids have grown up."
"They have friends of their own now."
"They really do seem much more dependable than before."
Meyer watched the two children hurry out of the electronics shop.
His face was filled with emotion and sentimental pride.
...
At the airport, the flow of arriving passengers had already begun dispersing through the designated barriers.
Ash looked ahead and suddenly spotted a familiar group of boys and girls waiting outside.
"Serena, Shauna, Tierno, Trevor, Clemont, and Bonnie..."
"I didn't expect all of you to come!"
Ash happily raised his hand and waved toward them.
The familiar faces he'd been separated from for more than half a year had finally appeared before him again.
And among them stood Serena.
The girl he had crossed half a world to see.