As a fair warning: Serena's character arc may be a bit sensitive.
Vaniville Town was a small town. Three brick houses were lined up along the cobblestone road in front of them. Lying smack-dab in the centre of this line was a large door that led to Route 1.
It was towards this door that the girl ran.
The girl had long, flowing blonde hair that streamed behind her as she ran. She wore a pink, loose sweater, along with a long, yellow skirt. Her eyes were large and blue, but her head was held down. She looked up only to check her speed.
The girl turned at the door, and ran back along the path. Her sneakers crunched in the cobblestone as she jogged around the corner to continue her lap.
*WHACK*
The girl fell down, landing harshly on the cobblestones. It was her thick head of hair that saved her head, although the rest of her body was not nearly as lucky.
"You OK?" a boy asked. He had short black hair, large hazel eyes, and a blue coat. He wore a pair of glasses on his head. He held his hand out, and the girl jumped back a little.
"Relax. I'll help you up," the boy continued. The girl held her hand out, and felt a gentle pressure on her arm. She found herself standing again, looking directly at her saviour.
"You must be the new neighbours. My name is Calem. Nice to meet you," the boy told the girl, giving her a gentle hand shake. "What's your name?"
The girl looked away from Calem, her eyes glazed in thought. She was distracted from her task by the young girl at Calem's side. She had brown hair tied in four ponytails, bulging green eyes, and a pink T-shirt decorated with bow patterns.
"Hi, my name is Shauna…" the girl said, flushing slightly. She gave a small wave. "What was your name again?" she asked. The girl blushed.
"Name? I… I don't know… Dad calls me girl, and Mom… I think she called me sweetie… we don't talk much…" the girl started spouting, mumbling a lot of her words.
"You don't have a name? That's no way for a girl to live! Let me see…" Calem said, looking around. Looking past the girl, he was reminded of the way she ran. Calm, without a need for direction.
"How about Serena?" Calem asked.
"Serena… perfect…" the girl sighed. She closed her eyes, and rolled the word over her tongue. She opened her eyes, and gasped.
"I better get home!" she said, worried. She turned on her heel, and ran back to her house.
"C'mon, Calem! We've gotta get to Aquacorde Town!" Shauna wailed. Calem held his hand up, and pointed at Serena's retreating figure.
"What happened to you?" Grace asked her daughter worriedly.
"I… met someone…" Serena said, looking around the kitchen. Most of their possessions were still in hurriedly packed boxes thanks to a recent move.
"You met someone? Are you insane?" Grace asked, beginning to panic. Not helping matters was that this was the time Calem and Shauna decided to follow Serena. Serena yelped, and hid behind a box.
"I suppose you are my daughter's new 'friend'… admit it, you're after her, aren't you?" Grace asked, grabbing a knife from the bench.
"Whoa, whoa… let's not jump to deadly weapons here… Shauna, you might want to get out of the house, my girl," Calem rapidly said. Shauna meekly nodded, and backed out of the door. Serena nervously peeped around the corner of her box.
"Look, whatever it is you're worried about, don't be. I'm harmless. I would never willingly hurt anyone," Calem tried to assure Grace. She gave another panicked wail. Calem sighed, and left the house himself. Serena crawled around the box she had hid behind, and ran after him.
"Hey… wait up!" Serena called out. Calem and Shauna stopped moving, in the middle of Route 1. The Route was a beautiful walkway with plenty of lovely foliage, but not much else.
"What is it?" Calem asked. Serena gave a few hurried breaths, and continued.
"I want to come with you," Serena said. She looked back with a tear in her eye.
"Why?" Shauna asked blankly.
"I have too many bad memories with Mom and Dad. Stuff I want to forget. Ever since Dad died, Mom's been more than a little crazy. We packed our bags and moved here almost immediately," Serena explained. Calem gasped. Serena gave a short moan, and collapsed into Calem.
"…I'll tell you one thing, Shauna. This girl definitely needed her jog. Don't think she's in shape."
"I'll help her!" Shauna said, grabbing onto one of Serena's dangling arms. Calem and Shauna heaved her to their destination.
Serena's eyes fluttered open, and she looked around. She was in a town nearly entirely stone, with cobble streets. She was sitting at a plastic table, on Calem's lap. Serena nervously twitched, and moved over to another chair.
"She's awake. We can start," a boy at the end of the table said. He had very short orange hair, and was wearing a very sophisticated outfit. The other stranger at the table had even shorter black hair, and was as large as his friend was small. He wore casual clothes.
"Hello, everyone. As you may know, but I should probably repeat myself for Serena's benefit, I am Trevor, assistant to Professor Sycamore. And Serena, this here is Tierno. He's a gentle giant, but don't get near him when he's excited," the boy introduced himself with. Serena nodded gratefully.
"Anyway, Cal, Professor Sycamore has offered you and your… err… friend, Shauna, a starter Pokémon to begin your journey, correct?" Calem nodded. "Good. He has said his offer extends to Serena. I took the time to call him while she was out. You may make your choice from these three Pokémon," Trevor finished.
"Three, Trev? Aren't you psychic," Tierno said.
"It's traditional for a Professor to offer new Trainers a choice between three Pokémon, Grass, Fire and Water," Trevor explained. Tierno nodded. Trevor knelt down, and released the three starters, and placed the tray holding the Poké Balls in front of Calem. Calem, Serena, and Shauna looked closely at the three starters.
Chespin immediately jumped onto Shauna's shoulder. He was brown except for a green helmet piece covered in spikes. His face was one of perpetual joy.
Froakie followed Chespin on the run around, and slung a part of his bubbly collar at Chespin. He was a blue frog with giant yellow eyes, and said collar made entirely out of bubbles.
Lying separately from the two was a Fennekin. She was a yellow fox, with red fur growing from her ears and tail. She was glaring at the frog and hedgehog through her tail.
Calem, Serena and Shauna each looked at one Pokémon in particular. They knew exactly which one best suited whom.
"I choose you, little Chester!" Shauna cheered, grabbing Chespin's Poké Ball as her own, as well as nicknaming her Chespin.
"You're coming with me, Fennekin," Serena cooed, tucking her arms under Fennekin.
"Froakie, I'm going to need your help!" Calem said, picking Froakie's Poké Ball up… and for good measure, slipping Fennekin's into Serena's pocket. She gasped, and blushed.
"And also, Cal… you might need some of these…" Trevor said, opening a briefcase by his side. It gave a minor explosion, and several bracelets became pouring out. Trevor picked out three from the pile, and passed them to each trainer.
"These are Battle Rings. They are one of the most important tools in successful battling. They allow one to send their commands and ideas from human to Pokémon without the need to shout, and choreograph your plan to the opponent," Trevor stated.
"In other words, press buttons to win!" Tierno simplified. Calem, Serena and Shauna nodded. Shauna looked up at Serena.
"Do you want a practice battle?" Shauna asked.
"Shauna!" Calem called out, shocked at Shauna's bluntness. Serena was less annoyed.
"I probably should practice at least once. Let's go!" Serena said, raising her Battle Ring to her eye.
Serena is challenged by Pokémon Trainer Shauna!
Pokémon Trainer Shauna sent out Chester!
Go! Fennekin!
Chester gave a friendly smile, and waved to his opponent. Fennekin tilted her head away from Chester, frowning. Chester shrugged, and charged with a Tackle. Not expecting Fennekin to have noticed the attack, he was surprised to find Fennekin in the air, using an Ember on Chester below.
"Whoa…" Serena said, surprised. She wasn't expecting that out of her Fennekin. The Fennekin looked at Serena, and smiled encouragingly. She charged at Chester, and spat an Ember close range. Chester was defeated.
Serena defeated Pokémon Trainer Shauna!
"Wow… Fennekin was amazing…" Shauna said, looking at the little fox with a note of amazement in her voice. Fennekin curled her tail up, and lay down, the fight over. Serena tucked her arms under Fennekin, and picked her up.
"You were brilliant, little girl…" Serena whispered, before sinking her face into Fennekin's fur. Calem smiled at the sight. He sat down, letting Froakie out. Serena perched herself next to him.
"What about you, Calem? You want to practice a battle with Froakie?" she asked. Calem shook his head. Serena shrugged, and sat down next to Calem.
"I'm really grateful what you've done for me," Serena said. "When Dad died, Mom flipped a lid. You saw a bit of that. I'm just grateful I'm on the road with all this fresh air..."
"You must've been cooped up for a while," Calem commented.
"Oh, yeah, definitely. I always wondered what it was like outside the house… and now I know. And I love it. I'm staying with you, Calem," Serena told him. Calem nodded.
"Glad to have you with us, Serena," Calem said. Serena smiled.
Calem and Shauna led Serena through the Santalune Forest, and out into Santalune City. The place was larger than Vaniville Town, but had a similar-style décor. Calem, Serena and Shauna were in awe of the place, only to be met by a young girl. Well, young-looking.
"Hello there, travellers. Alexa heard that I might be seeing a few trainers here…" the girl said. She had blond hair that hung in ringlets, a tank top and jeans. She also had a camera on her person, which Serena was nervously eyeing. Calem could tell that the nervousness was the only reason the girl hadn't snapped a few pictures.
"Hm… I suppose so. My name is Calem, and these are my friends Serena and Shauna," Calem introduced, pointing to each person as he mentioned them.
"The name's Viola! I'm a picture-perfect shutterbug for my big sister Alexa's journalism! I also do a lot of freelance on the side!" Viola introduced herself with. "In addition to that, I also happen to be the Gym Leader of Santalune!"
"Gym Leader? You mean like the best Trainers in Kalos? The ones you fight to earn Badges and challenge the Pokémon League? Those Gym Leaders?" Calem asked. Viola nodded.
"Awesome! Serena, want to try a challenge?" Calem asked.
"No thanks," Serena politely declined.
"In that case, do you want to spend some time with me? I can give you a little bit of a girl talk, for what it's worth…" Shauna asked. Serena nodded, and the two turned to leave.
"Calem, how many Pokémon do you have?" Viola quickly asked.
"One," Calem told her. Viola pointed towards Serena and Shauna.
"You might… no, probably will need more than that, even for a first challenge. I'll give you the warning that I train Bug Pokémon. Organise a team with Serena and Shauna, and meet me at the Gym over there," Viola addressed. She walked towards it, leaving Calem to pool their partners.
"Serena, I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but could I borrow Fennekin?" Calem asked. Serena nervously nodded, holding one arm towards her chest. Calem didn't notice it, and turned to Shauna.
"I have no idea why, but Shauna, could I please use Chester?" Calem asked. Shauna agreed. When she gave him her friend, she was surprised to find herself coming out with a Pokémon.
"Froakie… Thanks, Cal," Shauna said, beaming.
"I don't want Serena in undue danger, but I know I'm going to need Chester and Fennekin. Froakie can keep you company in the meantime."
Shauna led Serena around town, although not altogether sure where she was taking her.
"Shauna, you really know Calem…" Serena said nervously, trying to break the tension.
"Oh, Cal? Yeah, we go way back. He was always giving me a hand here and there since I could walk. I don't know why, but I've always looked at him like a favourite uncle," Shauna said. Serena raised her eyebrow.
"An uncle? But he's barely five years older than you!" Serena said.
"Not a literal uncle. But that sort of role in my life. But what about you and Calem? Thinking of becoming my aunt?" Shauna teased.
"An aunt? I dunno… I feel like you know more about the world than I do…" Serena said, looking down nervously. She liked Shauna, but every moment she spent around her seemed to magnify her inexperience. Like this one: Shauna was rolling her eyes, like Serena had missed an incredibly obvious hint.
"What did I miss?" Serena asked, confused. Shauna nervously flushed, not sure how to respond to that.
Calem stepped inside the Gym. Sprawling in the centre was a giant spider's web, with high-reaching trees. Calem slowly stepped his way across it to find the Gym Leader's pedestal. He stepped on a switch, and what Calem had took for the opposite wall opened up like a curtain, and a brilliant flash shone for a split second.
"Photogenic, if I do say so myself. I am Viola, the camerawoman who never lets a single smile escape her focus! Welcome to the Santalune Gym Challenge for the Bug Badge!" Viola introduced herself with.
"Was that necessary?" Calem asked. Viola nodded.
"In that case…"
The Gym Battle against Gym Leader Viola has now begun!
Leader Viola sent out Surskit!
Go! Chester!
Viola's Surskit slid from side to side. Chester opened the festivities with a Vine Whip attack, lashing out vertically. Predictably, the blow missed. Surskit blowed with a Bubble attack, which Chester deftly snapped with his thorns. Surskit then decided to set up, and splashed with a Water Sport attack, soaking the arena. Chester saw no harm in this attack, but used the opportunity to Vine Whip the Surskit. Knocked back, Surskit attempted to Quick attack, but Chespin decided to improvise. Curling up into a ball, Chespin began to roll on the spot, his spikes pinning Surskit's attack into the ground.
Leader Viola sent out Vivillon!
"Smile for the camera!"
Vivillon spread her wings, and shot out an army of incredibly tiny Scatterbug. They latched onto Chester, and began gnawing away with their incredibly tiny mouths. Chester shook a majority off, and used his Rollout move to launch straight into Vivillon. Vivillon shook herself off, huffed indignantly, and launched another Infestation attack. Chester had taken his limit, and was really annoyed with the bugs.
Go! Fennekin!
Fennekin turned back and winked at Calem, before facing the Vivillon. Vivillon shot an Infestation at Fennekin, but Fennekin simply blasted with an Ember, shooting a flame through the hordes of Scatterbug, and hit Vivillon. The blow did less than expected. Fennekin eyed the arena, and noticed it was still soggy. Vivillon charged with a Tackle, and Fennekin leaped into the air, pinning her underneath her paws.
What? Fennekin is evolving!
Time stood still, as Fennekin got on her hind legs. Pressed underneath those very legs, Vivillon could see only Fennekin's tail get bigger, and a skirt-like growth appear at her waist. Above that, Fennekin was becoming a cute witch, her body assuming the general shape of a dress, with a stick caught in her tail.
Congratulations! Serena's Fennekin has evolved to become Braixen!
Braixen stepped lightly so that Vivillon was still pinned down, but Braixen was facing Vivillon's head. She then pulled her stick from her tail, and took aim. A huge blast of something that was probably not Ember soared right down Vivillon, taking it down easily.
Calem defeated Leader Viola!
"Snap-tastic! That battle was a panorama of power! You have earned my prize!"
Calem received the Bug Badge from Viola!
"Picture perfect! But shouldn't you go back and see your friends?" Viola asked.
"Don't tell me to keep an eye on those two!" Calem said indignantly.
Calem, Serena and Shauna met up with each other at the entrance to Route 4. There, they encountered a girl who was very reminiscent of Viola, but with darker hair.
"Oh, hello, I'm Alexa… hey… is that the Bug Badge?" Alexa said hurriedly, pointing at the place Calem had pinned his badge.
"Yeah… I think that's what Viola called it…" Calem said, struck by the full force of Alexa.
"You beat Viola? She's my little sister, and quite the pain to fight. You must be a magnificent battler. Perhaps this will help you get even stronger!" Alexa rattled off, pulling out an oddly-shaped brace. Calem put it in his bag, feeling that it would possibly come in handy.
"I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got reports that need doing. Bonne continuation!" she said, turning on her heel and leaving. Looking between each other, Calem, Serena and Shauna shrugged, before moving on.
"Calem… it's getting late…" Shauna moaned, looking up at the sky. Calem did likewise, and noticed the sun setting. He felt a yawn, and agreed with Shauna.
"I don't suppose we'll be getting back to Santalune in a hurry… I guess we'll just have to camp out…" Calem said, looking at Serena nervously.
"Calem, we should've gone back to Vaniville to get more equipment while Serena was out! It's not like Route 1 was that long…" Shauna tore into herself.
"Calm down, Shauna. It's not something we should have expected. Nevertheless, until I can find a place we can get another tent, would you mind sharing with Serena?" Calem assured her. Shauna looked up at Serena, and nodded. They got their tents out, and started preparing to hit the hay.
And so, I've started setting up a couple of trends for this story. The notable thing is the inclusion of night-time, something I am four generations behind on.
Serena's character, like I think I've mentioned, but probably haven't, is probably one of my most anticipated parts of this series. Her development arc is the reason night-time segments exist, and will get more fleshed out as Serena continues to develop.
The Exp Share, and Fennekin's early evolution, exist for a similar reason: Shauna being a main character as well means that this story has three main characters, each with six Pokemon. As such, there are, like, twenty evolutions I have to conduct. Not only that, I have a plot-imposed time limit for some of them. I am trying to cram a lot of evolutions into this story, so don't act surprised if a Pokemon evolves off screen, or in a minor battle.
And finally, yes, I am using a goddess-damned Froakie. My fear/hatred of them wasn't as fleshed out when I made the decision to include Shauna and use all three Kalosian starters, but by the time it should have landed on the cutting room floor, Shauna was too involved in the story to be exorcised and have just Chespin and Fennekin kicking around. Mr. Mime and Jynx were a lot easier to brush under the rug... *sigh*