"Froakie, return..."

Calem's fainted Froakie returned to it's pokéball after yet another defeat from Serena. He watched as she pet her Fennekin and fed it a poképuff treat for all its hard work. As it groomed itself, Serena approached Calem, extending a hand to shake his.

"That was a fun match, Calem, you sure gave it your all, thank you!" she beamed. Absently, he shook it, putting on a polite smile to appear gracious, even in defeat.

"You sure surprised me! I never would have expected to be defeated" he grimaced, "...repeatedly... by someone of your upbringing. Compared to mine at least. My parents taught me all they know and that still doesn't seem to be enough to defeat you."

Serena smiled awkwardly, she really didn't know what to say to that, after all, she was only trying her hardest for herself and her pokémon... wasn't that their main objective? She felt bad for Calem, but she wasn't about to throw matches just to make him feel good about himself, gosh.

"Even with the type advantage, I just can't seem to win..." Calem's fist tightened around Froakie's ball as his face relaxed into a neutral expression, or as it appeared to Serena, seemed to harden.

"All this shows me is that I just have to work harder. If I was already working ten times as hard, I'll work ten times as hard as even that. I'll beat you one day, and show to the professor that he was right to choose me for this programme. That I was the best choice. I have to go do a lot of training, so I'll take my leave now. See you in Lumiose City, Serena."

And with that, he was off on his rollerskates, towards the Pokémon centre.

Serena sighed deeply and sat down on the grass next to her Fennekin, who was watching wild Fletching fly overhead. She stroked its warm fur, brushing out some of the dust from the battle as it made little yapping noises at the birds.

"Fennekin..." she looked up at the clouds, trying to relax and gather her thoughts, "do you think I go too hard on Calem?"

Fennekin tilted it's head, picking up on her feelings and thinking a little. Sure, maybe the boy was weaker, but Fennekin didn't like it when Froakie attacked it with water moves. Remembering how cold and clammy the bubbles were on his pristine coat, it shuddered, and nuzzled Serena's hand with its charcoal coloured nose, trilling reassuringly to let its master know that she should still feel confident about doing her very best.

"Thanks... It's just that, he gets so..." she was struggling to find the correct word, biting her bottom lip as she wracked her brain; upset? Disheartened? Selfish? She shook her head before she could continue that train of thought. She couldn't possibly imagine how much pressure must be on him; having elite trainers as his parents must be a lot of pressure. God knows what he has to live up to, and quite frankly, she didn't really want to know. She was doing this for the professor who gifted her Fennekin and sent her on this journey to begin with.

She never got to participate in the starter programme back in Kanto, only being able to watch as some of her lucky friends got to meet Professor Oak and receive their first partner. She was grateful to the Professor Sycamore, then, seeing as thanks to him she was able to meet her wonderful friend Fennekin. She wondered what kind of person he was, whether he'd be quite stern like an old headmaster, or kindly like a grandfather. Either way, she had found her resolve again. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for her, and at long last she could finally make something of herself, and get out into the world.

By now, Fennekin was curled up against her thigh, snoozing in the sunlight to try and regain some energy lost from that battle. It had been a particularly tough one, and she probably should start heading to a Pokémon centre too... Santalune City was just behind them now, but it was close, so she decided she'd head back there. She could probably stop at a café while she was at it, she was feeling a tad peckish, and she didn't fancy trying her luck with Pokémon food.

"Come on Fennekin, time for you to go back in," she stroked the tip of Fennekin's snout, and held out it's Pokéball as it yawned and stood up on it's little feet, stretching like a feline might. With an affectionate lick, it returned to it's ball in a flash of red. Serena stood up and brushed the grass off her skirt, before heading back the way she came.