Pokemon One-Shots and Headcanons

Death, Part 2

The sequel to my other one-shot, Death. Just in case the title didn't make that clear, lol.

Six months after Ash's death, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie were at Serena's house on Christmas Eve. Pikachu and all of Ash's other Pokemon were there as well, having decided to live with Serena after their trainer's death. Even Greninja, who had finished his work with Squishy and Z-2, was sitting by the fireplace, gazing into the flickering orange flames. His eyes were mostly blank, but there was a hint of sadness about them as well.
"Hey, Greninja. You still miss Ash, don't you?" Serena asked gently. Greninja, like Pikachu, had refused to be captured by her, a decision she respected fully. Their bonds with Ash were just too powerful.
"Greninja. Nin," Greninja replied, nodding.
"I miss him too. But he's in heaven now, watching over us," Serena said, a tear falling from her eye. I can't believe it's really been six months already, she thought sadly.
Life had continued on, but nothing was the same anymore. Clemont had given up his duties as gym leader, officially turning the position over to Clembot. Bonnie had put her journey on hold so she could grieve for her adoptive brother properly. Serena had given up performing and instead dedicated her time towards research for medicine so no one would suffer the way Ash had. None of Ash's Pokemon had battled since their trainer died. Perhaps they would eventually, but for now it was still too raw, too painful.
"We should go to bed," Clemont said quietly, looking at the clock. It was already almost eleven-thirty.
"Yeah, you're right. Good night, everyone," Serena said, standing up and walking to her room. Everyone else went to their rooms as well, or in the case of the Pokemon went back into their Pokeballs (the obvious exception being Pikachu). Soon, the entire house was fast asleep.

The next morning, everyone woke up early to open presents. Even the Pokemon joined in on the fun. Delphox presented Greninja with a pair of gloves exactly like the ones Ash had worn on his Kalos journey, drawing out a smile from the frog-ninja Pokemon for the first time in six months. In return, Greninja gave her a beautiful necklace with a heart-shaped pendant on it. Serena gave Bonnie a Dedenne outfit, a gift that both Bonnie and Dedenne heartily approved of. Clemont gave Serena an invention he had created that could style her hair for her, and to everyone's delight it did not blow up.
"This has been an amazing Christmas. Thank you, everyone," Serena said happily.
"I agree. One of the best ones ever," Clemont agreed.
"Pika pi?" Pikachu asked suddenly, looking at something under the tree. The others turned and saw, to their surprise, that there was one gift still lying under one of the branches.
"That's so weird. I could have sworn we opened everything," Serena remarked with a frown. She picked up the box and looked for a name, but couldn't find one. "Huh. It doesn't say who it's for."
"Let's open it," Bonnie suggested. "I want to know what's inside."
Serena nodded and pulled the lid off the top of the box. A single photograph fell out and drifted slowly to the floor. She set down the box and picked it up, gasping in shock when she saw the photo. It was a picture of her, Ash, Clemont, Bonnie, and all their Pokemon standing in front of the stadium just before the start of the Kalos league. Serena knew this photo all too well. Trevor had taken the picture and given all four of them a copy, but hers was in a photo album she kept tucked away under her bed and she knew for a fact that Clemont and Bonnie had framed and hung theirs.
"I don't believe it," Clemont whispered, looking at the picture in disbelief. "How-how did that photo get in there?"
"Greninja?" Greninja asked, also staring at the photo. His webbed hand trembled as he traced it gently over the photo Ash.
"Guys, look here! There's a note in the box!" Bonnie exclaimed. She pulled it out and handed it to Serena, who read it once for herself. Her eyes filled with tears as she finished reading.
"What? What does it say?" Clemont asked. Serena just handed him the note so he and the others could read it for themselves.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
I'm sorry I can't be there with you, but I'll be watching over you anyway. I hope you all have an amazing holiday and enjoy each others' company. Oh yeah, and never give up until it's over!
Love,
Ash