Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. Enjoy!


He sat on top the highest hill; electric blue eyes watching over every trainer that tried to get at him for the title. Each time they reach him, they would be send back down in a matter of minutes. He was tired of this unchanging routine.

He fought against the eight giants; Bug, Rock, Fighting, Grass, Electric, Fairy, Psychic, and Ice. He won them all. He fought with the Elites and triumph over them. Then came the Champion. She finally gave him a challenge, but was defeated in the end as well.

As the duty was passed onto him, he thought that he had finally done it. But it wasn't what he had expected when he achieved his goal. He was warned by the former Champion, but he didn't heed to it.

All of them weren't even a challenge for him to begin with.

It was just too easy.

He wanted the leave this Olympian hill, but he couldn't. It was his job to greet every trainer who wanted to challenge him for the title of Champion. He could just lose on purpose, but he already established himself as the strongest trainer there was. He couldn't afford to lose all the respect that he had gain if he was to give up his title that easily.

But was the title worth all the paparazzi and time?

Something was missing and he couldn't figure out what.

Calem sat on top of that hill, idly gazing down on everyone who was climbing to the top, to him. He knows that he won't be stepping down anytime soon.

"This is boring."


"Aw..." whined a blonde hair girl who tied her long hair in low twin tails. She returned her Pokemon back into her pokeball. "You beat me again..."

The raven haired boy returned an idle gaze while standing perfectly still after returning his Pokemon. "You're getting better Yvonne; just need some more training."

"But Calem! You beaten me in every single practice battle that we fought in!" The blonde pouted childishly.

The boy shrugged. "Training makes perfect."

"...Isn't the saying 'practice makes perfect'?" The girl raised an inquisitive brow.

"I say it my way and you say it yours." Calem smirked subtly. Yvonne blushed slightly but it went unnoticed by the raven haired boy.

Yvonne always asked Calem to help train her even though they were supposed to be rivals. They been rivals since they met in Lumiose City after receiving a Pokedex from Prof. Sycamore. He was the best trainer in the region so what's better than to ask the best for help? But there was another(different) reason as to why she wanted, specifically, Calem to help her.

She just wanted to spend more time with the raven hair male. But he was oblivious to her feelings. Yvonne had a crush on Calem before they even met in Lumiose. It was back when they were younger. He had saved the blonde from falling down a tree that was guarded by two Poochyena and a Mightyena. But he disappeared just as he arrived.

The blonde still remembered clearly while Calem couldn't. It sadden her that he had forgotten about her but she didn't blame him since it was only a brief meeting after all.

After finding out that she was going to be traveling with Calem and his friends, Yvonne was elated. She thought that it was fate that brought them together again. From then on, she was more love - struck than before. However, she was also among the throng of girls that admired Calem, which was also probably why he wasn't interested in romance. Having so many girls after his heart can really traumatize a boy... at least to Calem.

"I need to go." Calem stated, looking at the time on his Holo Caster. Without another moment of waiting, he called out his Altaria and climb on.

"Isn't it too early?" Yvonne queried in slight disappointment that he was leaving already.

The ebony male jerked his thumb behind him to a dust cloud coming their way. "If we don't split, then we're going to be run over by questions."

Yvonne giggled but nonetheless agreed. They were both pretty well known in the Kalos region. Calem being the Champion and Yvonne being right behind him. She was the only trainer that have a chance to match the boy's skills, other than Diantha, the former Champion, but she had taken a break from the battling world and now giving all her focus on her acting career.

"See you later in Lumoise," Calem called over the flapping of Altaria's wings.

"Wait, you're going?!" The blonde inquired in disbelief.

The ebony male chuckled. "Shauna's going to complain my ears off if I don't go." The Humming Pokemon soar higher. "Later!" and he and his Pokemon disappear from sight.

Yvonne waved before sending out her Talonflame and fly off before the reporters could catch her.

...

Calem didn't realize where he had ended up at until he actually got there. It was his home, Vaniville Town. He hadn't been here for a while so he guessed that he could used this chance to visit. However, when he returned Altaria, Calem didn't go to his own house; instead, he stopped in front of the entrance of the house next to his. His neighbor's.

Calem read the surname on the plaque that was attached to the stone wall surrounding the house. He had read this before when he first step foot into the yard.

"Resident of the Yuuki Family." He muttered. Calem looked into the yard to see that the grass was unkempt and wild. It looked like the yard hadn't been tended for a long time. There was a picnic blanket laying on one side of the yard's walkway. Last time Calem remembered, there was a Rhyhorn sleeping on it.

The ebony boy strolled up to the door, wondering why he was here in the first place. It was like his body went on auto - pilot when he wasn't paying attention.

He hadn't seen the girl since the day they parted on their journey. Have she changed her mind at all during this whole time? The boy wouldn't mind seeing the regretful look she would give if she did change her mind.

...What was her name again? Serena?

Calem frowned slightly. It was strange how was he able to remember her name even now? And he could also remember clearly as to how the conversation went when they met and told Serena the news.

"...Sorry, but did I just hear Pokemon and journey in the same sentence?"

He couldn't forget the haunting and remorse look in the brunette's eyes.

Calem rang the bell, half expecting Serena to answer the call like they were old friends or something.

Nothing happened.

The boy tried again but when nothing happened the second time, he furrowed his brows. Were they not home today?

Calem sighed, he'll just have to come back another time. But then he questioned himself as to why he had bothered to come here. Why did he wanted to talk to Serena all of a sudden?

"What's wrong with me today?" The ebony male mumbled to himself while running a hand through his hair.

Calem left the property and didn't bother visiting his own house. His parents were probably busy with work that they haven't come back yet. When he strolled out of town, onto Route 1, and into Aquacorde Town, he was caught by a reporter. The male mentally cursed himself for lowering his guard.

"Calem, how does it feel to have defeated Diantha and becoming Champion?" A microphone was jabbed in front of him and he arched slightly back at the closeness.

"Uh...it's...great." The ebony male answered tentatively; his mind wasn't processing straight at the moment.

"Have you face any challenging opponents yet?"

Calem shook his head. "Not yet." But he really wished that he will be able to soon.

"What about Yvonne Faye? I heard that you two are pretty close, even for rivals. Not only that, you two were seen together all the time!"

Calem frowned and grew annoyed at this fact. While Yvonne and him are close, he was only with Yvonne because she asked a favor of him and it was in his field of expertise. "She's just a close friend of mine, and please don't try to bring up my nonexistent love life."

The report ranted on and on, to the point that Calem just don't really care and want to get out of this as fast as possible.

"Sorry but I have to meet up with a few friends of mine." He said, cutting the interview short and called out his Altaria, then hopped on. Without another word, he flew off.

"Stupid paparazzi." Calem muttered and then turn to direct his Pokemon. "Aria, we're going to Lumiose."

The Humming Pokemon voiced out its name and sped off.


"Serena! Grace!" Prof. Sycamore welcomed with open arms when they came into the lab. "Accueil!"

He gave a Kalosian greeting to Grace; by hugging her and kissing her on both cheeks. He was going to do it to Serena but she stopped him.

"Non merci" She said in monotone, raising her palm up as a stop sign.

"You're learning Kalosian pretty quickly!" He complimented. Serena mentally cursed herself for that just rolled off her tongue. She meant to say it in the Central PokeLang.

"How did it go?"

Grace held up a trophy for him to see. "Just perfect!" She exclaimed.

"Fantastique!" He clapped in amazement at another of Grace's win.

"Mom...can I stay here while you go shopping? I'm tired and I'm getting a jet lag." Serena requested, already starting to look around the lab.

"Are you sure Serena?" Grace inquired in concern.

The brunette didn't respond when she was already sitting on the couch, turning on the T.V with the remote she found lying around.

Grace sighed in disappointment and told Prof. Sycamore to watch her daughter until she comes back.

The first thing that came on when Serena turned the T.V. on was the news channel, and something on it completely captivated her interest.

"Today, we'll be interviewing the Champion of Kalos!" The camera changed angles and up came a boy that Serena recognized as the one of the people that tried to get her to go on a journey. The raven hair boy had a different appearance. He was wearing an unbuttoned, black shirt jacket with a white shirt underneath, his sleeves were rolled up to elbow length. He had brown jeans to match up.

The brunette didn't expect him to have already gone all the way up there already. It looked like that news reporter caught Calem while he was going somewhere.

"Calem, how does it feel to have defeated Diantha and becoming Champion?"

"Uh...it's...great." Serena raised a brow at this. His answer completely contradicted his tone and face.

"Have you face any worthy challengers yet?"

Calem shook his head. "Not yet."

"What about Yvonne? I heard that you two are pretty close, even for rivals."

Calem frowned in mild agitation. "She's just a close friend of mine, and please don't try to bring up my nonexistent love life."

The brunette was amused by his answer. How modest.

"Biscuits?" Serena's uncle offered, giving her a tray of biscuits with tea. "Thanks."

"Watching the news huh?" Prof. Sycamore said with interest. "It might have been you on there."

"I got nothing to regret," Serena stated confidently, taking a bit. "And I rather not be broadcast throughout the region. Stupid paparazzi are always annoying." But the paparazzi in Kalos was definitely different than those of other regions. They were more nosy than the others.

"Sorry but I have to meet up with a few friends of mine." Calem said, interrupting the interview to call out his Altaria and hopped on. Without another word, he flew off.

Serena reached for the remote and turned off the T.V. already losing interest in it.

Prof. Sycamore chuckled, "Serena, want to play a song on the piano?" He gestured to the instrument across the room. The brunette bit the bottom of her lips.

"...No thanks. I haven't played that for years, I probably forgot how to play already."

"Please?" He pressed on in a pleading tone. "I'm sure you'll remember when you start playing."

Serena hesitated for a second, but ultimately sighed in compliance to her uncle's request. She didn't know why she bothered, but she just did.

She sat on the bench and touched the keys, a nostalgic sensation flooded her senses and she began to play before she knew it. Her hand traveled gracefully across the keys, pressing one after another. She listened to what she was playing and found it familiar.

Then it hit her.

All this time, and she still remembered how to play this song. River Flow Within You.

"Daddy! Listen to this!" A little brunette played the piano, though the melody came out off-key. A man chuckled behind her.

"That's beautiful Serena," He remarked. "Isn't that right Glaceon?"

"Glac!"

"Daddy, you play now! I want to listen to that song again!"

"Alright, alright." Serena's dad chuckled at the brunette's enthusiasm. Serena noticed a Pichu listening intently by the window and decided to approach it.

"Hi!"

It startled the small electric type a bit but upon seeing the brunette's friendly smile, it decided to let it go this time.

"Want to dance with me?"

"Pi pichu!"

Serena felt something clogged up in her throat. Why did that memory resurface? She slowly started to stop playing, fearing that if she continued, she'll have to remember even more.

There were applauds even though she suddenly stopped.

The brunette turned around to see a man with red hair and a black suit with a furry collar.

"That was très bon!" The man exclaim with a smile.

"Uh, thanks." Serena muttered, looking at Prof. Sycamore to ask who he was and when did he get there.

"Sorry, I haven't introduce you to Lysandre yet!" The Professor lightly hit his own head. "Lysandre, this is my nièce, Serena, and Serena, this is Lysandre."

"It's nice to meet you." He extended a hand out for Serena to shake. She stared at it for a moment before looking at the man. For some strange reason, Serena didn't take much liking of him. He was giving off an aura of power yet of a cold demeanor. His eyes looked as if they could strip away her shells until it can see her very core. But to be polite to Prof. Sycamore's friend, she shook his hand, giving him a simple 'Hello.'

"Professor, may I speak with you for a minute?"

"Bien sûr!" He said with friendliness, guiding the man to his office. "Serena, feel free to look around the lab!"

The brunette nodded but she doubt that he could see her silent respond. She turned away to explore the Pokemon lab. Serena pressed a button on the elevator that would take her to another floor. She didn't know which floor to go to so she just went with eenie meenie miney moe.


Translation (Just in case you need them)

Accueil - Welcome

Non merci - No thank you

Fantastique - Fantastic

Très bon - Very good

Bien sûr - Of course

I'll sign off here. Until next time,

R, R &R~