Chapter 1

The rhythmical movement of the train across the tracks had put her into a trance. Serena had been gently carried away to a different world as the sound of the rest of the group drifted off into a void. She rested her head on her hand, her light brown hair cascading from her pink hat, down her back to her shoulders, which were adorned with a black blouse that showed off her tiny physique. She wore her favorite red skirt with black socks that came to her knee and black shoes.

She let out a soft sigh. It wasn't that she didn't like her group of friends, but she didn't feel like she belonged. After all, the only thing she really shared with them was gone, well and shopping, but they still were her friends. She knew she didn't belong, but she needed to get out of Kalos and away from the media for a little relaxation.

Since earning the title of the Kalos Queen Serena's life had turned into what seemed like a giant photo shoot. Media at every turn, fans constantly asking for autographs and pictures and the boys who drooled over her all day every day, it had worn her out. The craziest thing was it was only three months ago, yet it felt like a lifetime. So when her friends had offered for her to join them on a trip to Kanto she didn't hesitate. Maybe people here would treat her like a normal person again.

She turned to view her traveling companions. The two trainers who they were traveling with to the big tournament were talking battle strategies and possible matchups they would face in different rounds. She thought they were cute together. On the seat next her sat her longtime friend Bonnie. The blonde thirteen year old had quickly made a name for herself as a rising star as both a coordinator and a trainer. She was known for her excellent battle strategies, a trait she had picked up from her brother after watching all of his gym battles against challengers back in Lumiose City. Not to be outdone, the fifteen-year-old battling phenom of Hoenn sat right across from her. Max Maple was known for his varying battle styles and strategies and for his will to never give up. She saw so much of him in the young trainer. After all he was Max's idol growing up and the lessons he taught the boy about determination made a lasting impact. She just laughed as the discussion began to get more and more heated.

She looked across from her to another longtime friend in Bonnie's older brother Clemont. The blonde gym leader wore the same blue jump suit and glasses that he had worn when they first met back in Santalune City. He was also beginning to get into the conversation, as it was most of his battling strategies that Bonnie used to develop her own ideas in battle.

She heard a burst of giggling, as she looked across Bonnie and Max to the two coordinators sitting on the outside of the aisle. Seated next to Max was his sister May, a beautiful brown haired girl about twenty years old. She wore an orange blouse with a green belt that accented the green bandana she wore on her head. Black leggings could be seen from beneath her short white skirt. Across from her sat a girl with blue hair, her name was Dawn and she was nineteen. She wore a white cap on her head. She wore a black blouse with a pink skirt that was complemented by a pink boots and a pink scarf she wore around her neck. A blue penguin pokémon sat on her lap. Both girls were fun to talk to about shopping, but outside of that Serena didn't share much else in common with the two coordinators. They were at the top of their profession, stars in their own rights, but they looked upon her profession with a strange wonderment. Serena could only smirk at this. It was true. She never really battled with her pokémon yet she would show them off as good as any appeal round from a top coordinator.

She turned her head back to the window to see the moon high in the air and the stars dancing around it. The only reason she had even met anyone in the group was because of him. It had been five years since he had passed and everyday that she didn't keep herself busy her thoughts would slowly drift to him. His auburn eyes that burned with passion, but also showed a soft tender side. His jet-black hair that looked that a jungle sticking out from under his hat, but most of all she missed his smile. The smile that lit up any room he walked into usually accompany by his sweet laugh.

She was startled back from her daydream as she heard Bonnie shout right next to hear ear. "There it is! It's Saffron City," she squealed with delight.

"And look you can see the stadiums and the hotel right there," Max exclaimed pointing towards the lighted battle stadiums and the sprawling hotel. "We would have been here sooner had we not missed two different trains thanks to May's big stomach and shopping sprees."

The next thing Max felt was a slap on the back of his head followed by the shouts of his sister. "Excuse me but if I remember correctly, you were enjoying the restaurant as well, sitting next to your girlfriend over there, and if you had just carried my bags like I had asked the shopping would have gone by faster," she explained. Max and Bonnie both blushed at the remark they were dating, which made Serena giggle.

"We are not dating," Bonnie shouted in her defense.

"Now, now there is no need to worry," Dawn said sweetly as she waved her hands in front of her, trying to avoid a fight breaking out in the middle of the train. "The opening ceremonies won't start until late afternoon tomorrow and Brock said he and Misty will be waiting for us at the hotel. Plus you two have already gotten plenty of training in the past few weeks."

"Dawn is right, besides it would be difficult to train with all the media that has engulfed the city," Clemont explained with a smile on his face. Serena gulped and slowly felt her heart start to pound from dread at the thought of the media being there.

No not the media. Surely there will be people from Kalos who know me. I just want to get away from them and relax.

"Serena are you alright?" Bonnie asked with a worried expression on her face.

"Yeah of course! I am just nervous for you two," she lied trying to keep her friends from worrying.

"We are gonna do great Serena," Bonnie said enthusiastically. "We have both been training none stop for a year ever since we got our invites in the mail. We are ready for anything that this tournament will throw at us." As Bonnie was finishing her statement the train began to slow to a stop. A bell could be heard throughout the train and an announcer stating that the train had finally arrived at the Saffron station.

The group exited the train, gathered their bags and started toward the hotel where the two young trainers could register and where they could get a room. Before they could leave the station a low rumble could be heard. May looked at the ground as her face began to grow a light red. "I guess all that talk of shopping and food has gotten me a little hungry. Do you guys mind if we stop by a restaurant and get some food? I heard Saffron City has some amazing places to eat," she laughed as she put a hand on her stomach.

The rest of the group laughed and they began to head towards the nearest restaurant. They were all extremely hungry from their travels, all except one.

"Hey guys," Serena said, "I think that Braixen and I are gonna head toward the park right there." She pointed to a little park that was situated in the city with a few dirt paths running through it. Benches and lampposts were scattered on the paths throughout the park. "Braixen hasn't been out of her pokeball in a while and I am not particularly hungry."

"Sure thing Serena," May said turning to the performer, "we'll be back in a bit."

Serena headed towards one of the benches that were under the light of a lamppost. She let out a soft sigh as she sat down and released her loyal starter pokémon from its pokeball. Braixen came out and gave its trainer a loving bark.

"Hey there Braixen what would you say to a good brushing?" Serena asked while pulling a brush out from her backpack.

"Brai braixen," the starter pokémon shouted with glee as it nodded its head. Getting brushed by her master was one of its favorite things, as it always wanted to look its best.

After a while of brushing Serena stopped and said, "All done! Now let's get you a yummy puffin. I baked them last night just for you."

The fox like pokémon smile and nodded. Serena reached down deep in her bag. Where could that box of puffins have gone? I swear it was right at the top. She kept digging until she felt the soft touch of fabric against her fingers. She froze for a second before slowly grabbing hold of the fabric and producing a small blue handkerchief from the bag.

She didn't say anything, looking fondly at the old piece of fabric in her hands. The years of wear and tear had made the once vibrant blue handkerchief begin to fade, but to her it was still the same vibrant blue as when she first saw it in the forest when her loved one rescued her. It was always was one of her most cherished possessions, but after Ash had died she stuck it in the bottom of her bang only occasionally taking it out. It was still hard for her to talk about that day and seeing the handkerchief always made her emotional. As she peered down at the piece of fabric in her hand, she began to feel tears begin to well up in her eyes.