A/N: Sorry I've been so long! I really have just not been on the internet much at all lately, but I got inspiration just the other day... SO I've decided to update! I hope some of y'all stack around! I haven't really finished a lot of stories, but I'm a procrastinator! Anyways, this will be a long chapter!


Pokemon Check: I'll alternate between these and outfit checks, some of these are TM moves! They trained in route 2 and the forest, so here's what they look like now!

Serena's Fenni: Level 17 Fenneckin Moves: Psybeam, Flame Charge, Howl, and Incinerate

Serena's Valerie: Level 17 Fancy Patterned Vivillon Moves: Light Screen, Gust, Poison Powder, Psybeam

Shauna's Quilli: Level 15 Chespin Moves: Bite, Leech Seed, Roll Out, and Vine Whip

Tierno's Flair: Level 10 Fletchling Moves: Quick Attack, Peck, Return, and Swords Dance

Trevor's Vani: Level 20 Floette Moves: Fairy Wind, Razor Leaf, Wish, and Grass Knot

"I've been looking for you everywhere!" Called the brunette. "Shauna, you had me scared to death!"

Said girl looked over and smiled at Serena, "I was just battling to train my Quilli..."

Serena could never stay mad or upset at her best friend for anything! She was just too sweet! "Ahh, it's fine. I was just really worried! You might have gotten taken by some pervert!"

Blushing madly, Shauna protested, "No! I'm not that attractive really... No one would take me." Shaking her head, Serena gave her a hug. " I'm just glad I found you! Come on, let's go to the Pokemon Center."

"Okay," The girl happily smiled, "Hey, where are the twins?"

"Oh!" Serena exclaimed, "Me and Trevor were looking for you and Tierno, and he found Tierno getting really pissed at some kid who beat him. So Trevs escorted him to the Center so that he wouldn't do anything to the boy."

"Ah," Shauna said, "Sounds about right."


When the duo arrived at the Center in Santalune, it was 9:00 p.m.

"Serena, I'm hungry..." Said the other brunette as she held her growling stomach.

Serena looked around, and finally saw one other building with its lights on other than the building they would be sleeping in. "There's a place over there! I'll go check it out, you get the guys." The girl said as she speed toward the building.

Sighing, Shauna went inside the building and walked towards the reception desk. "Hello! What can I do for you?" Said a pink haired lady, who Shauna assumed was one of the many Nurse Joys who worked all over the world.

"Umm... Have two boys, twins, came in here?" She asked nervously.

Joy smiled, "Yes! Are they friends of yours? I can page their room for you."

"Yes, that would be perfect." The girl replied. "Okay," Said the nurse, "Please go to the computer on the left side of the desk."

Doing as she was told, Shauna waited for one of the boys to respond.

Suddenly, the screen turned on and the two guys appeared on screen. "Oi, Shauna. What's up?" Asked Tierno.

"Um, Serena needs you two..." She said shyly. The boys smiled. "Alright! We'll be right down!" They said in unison.

Shauna walked outside and waited patiently.

"Boo." Someone whispered into her ear. Shauna screamed and dropped down onto her knees. "Ahahahaha! Oh my gosh!" Came the cackle of a familiar voice. Shauna, who was still shaking, turned her head to look at the person who committed the crime. "Serena... That was so mean!" Serena, still laughing, helped her friend up off of the ground. When the chestnut haired girl finally finished laughing, she apologized to the darker haired girl, "You just... I'm... I really don't have an explanation to why I did that..."

Shauna pouted. "Well did you find out what that place was?" Serena smiled her cheeky smile, "Of coz! It's this really cute cafe! With macrons and coffee drinks and pastries! Yumm," Shauna couldn't help but laugh at her goofy friend, "That's great! Well the guys should be right out... I just contacted them and told them to come outside."

Both girls turned their heads as they heard the sound of a door opening behind them. "Oi! What's up guys?" Called Tierno. Serena ran up and playfully punched the two of the boys in the arms, "We just found this sweet cafe! Come on, we're going to eat!" The ginger of the group ran up to Shauna, "Did you get to train a lot while you were off by yourself?" Shauna smiled, "Yes, I did! Thank you for asking Trevs..." The boy gave her a bright smile in return, "No problem!"

The four walked north until they saw the twinkling lights of the Cafe, which was almost filled to the brim with people. "Hm," Tierno muttered, "A lot of people must be hungry after battling all day... Man, this is such a pain, I hate crowds..."

Trevor gave his twin a weird look, "But... You want to be a professional dancer. That means getting in front of big crowds!" Tierno rolled his eyes, "That's a different story! If I'm on stage, I won't actually be in the crowd, however, in situations such as this, your surrounded by sweaty, talkative strangers that don't seem to go away!" Trevor looked at him and sighed, "Oh Tierno... You're so strange!"

Serena giggled as she watched her friends bicker, oh well! Come on guys let's go inside! Who cares if there's a crowd, it gives us a chance to meet new people outside our small little home-town!" Shauna nodded her head in agreement with her best friend as she walked a little closer to the cafe.

"Eh, I'm not saying I'll enjoy it... but if you two want to go I guess it can't be helped!" Sighed Tierno. "Well," Trevor started, "I think this is a great place to eat! It looks so cute!" After saying so he ran quickly over to the door and held it open for his friends, and as Shauna walked past him, he patted her head and said, "Just like you!" Her face went beet red and she stammered, "No... I'm not really that cute..." Trevor laughed, "Oh don't be ridiculous! Your cute! Just like a little kid, or a puppy!"

Hearing the last sentence made Shauna a bit disappointing, he was just like everyone else! But there was really no point in continuing the conversation now that she knew where it was headed. People just didn't like her like they did Serena. People always told her "You're so adorable! So cute!" but never had any romantic interest in her, yet boys are always in love with Serena. First of all, she had a great figure and mile long legs, and second of all, Serena was outgoing and athletic, while Shauna herself had short, stick-like legs, a flat chest, and a shy personality. Plus she wasn't very good at sports either.

"Hey Shauna?" The taller girl pulled her out of her trance, "Are you going to move up? The lines moved like 10 feet since we got here..." Shauna blinked a few times, she had totally forgot where she was because she was so engrossed in her thoughts! "Yeah! I'm sorry... I just, um, zoned out!"

Giving her a weird look, Serena sighed and moved up a few feet. They were now the next people in line. "So, what were you thinkin bout?" Tierno asked the petite girl. "Nothing much... Just how hungry I am!" She lied as she stepped in front of all of them to order, seeing as the person in front of them was now done.

"One quiche de florentine for me please," she said as she pulled out her wallet. "Okay, that will be €4.25! Thank you madammosellie."

Serena watched as Shauna walked slowly over to a booth that would seat four. "Hm, she sure is acting weird," she muttered to herself as she stepped up to order.

...

Shauna picked up her fork and knife and cut into her dinner. "So how much did everyone train in the forest?" She asked casually. Serena gulped down her ice cream and pulled out one of her pokeballs. "Fenni, come out!" She said as she pressed the button on the ball that released her monster. "We grew by about eight levels, and Fenni learned a new move!"

Tierno stood up and let out Flair, "Me and Flair learned some new moves today!" He started to break out a new dance but Trevor interrupted him and let out Flabebe. "We leveled up by ten, and I caught every Pokemon in the forest and filled up a couple pages in my Dex by doing so." Tierno looked at the boy coldly, "Stop trying to show off in front of the girls. We all know your a "expert catcher," but can you actually battle well?"

"I am not trying to show off for the girls! Serena asked how we did so I told her!" Tierno rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah, whatever. I know you were just saying that for them, but it didn't work! You just aren't good with ladies, but I am!"

"Sorry to interrupt..." Said a blonde girl who looked like she would be around their age weaing a red skirt and white ruffled blouse with red rimmed glasses, "But there is a commotion going on outside... Someone stole my Pokemon! Would you mind helping? I saw that you guys had Pokemon and looked pretty strong..." After she was done talking, she pointed outside to a group of people wearing red suits.

"Yeah!" Serena said, jumping quickly out of her chair and returning Fenni to her ball, "I'll help you!" The other three members of the gang got up and ran behind them, making sure to grab their Pokemon.

"Serena!" Tierno shouted, "You can't just rush out there! It's obviously a group of thugs, who else would steal from an innocent girl?" Shauna, who was very out of breath, agreed with the boy, "You can't just rush out there! You could get hurt or kidnapped!"

Serena pushed open the door, not paying attention to the words of her friends, and ran straight to the scene that the girl had pointed to.

"Hey!" She yelled, assuming her battle stance, "What do you crooks think your doing? Stealing Pokemon is not something I can easily forgive! They're our friends, and family even! Give it back!"

The group was standing in front of a red helicopter with a flame symbol plastered on it. There were two girls and two boys in the group, 1 boy and girl looked around 18, but the other two looked 16. The older girl wore a white skirt and jacket with a red sleeveless turtleneck underneath and red tights with white heels, her hair was dyed fire engine red and was down and straightened, plus she wore red lipstick. The other girl wasn't as dressed up, she had no lipstick. but her hair was the same. She wore a red button up shirt with black buttons and accents, a red skirt, black tie, black Mary Janes. The older man had on a white tux with red tie, red shoes, and gold rings in his ear lobes, he was also bald and had a large nose. The younger man had on a all red suit with black accents, buttons, and shoes, yet had a full head of red hair. They all wore matching red sunglasses and gold and red belts with the fire emblem.

The four cackled as Serena threatened them, which only fueled her rage. "YOU! You think you can beat us? The only way your getting this Pokemon back is if you win against all four of us in battle!" Called the female in white, "That's right! With no interruptions from your little friends!" Said the older male, pointing to the trio that was standing behind Serena.

She gritted her teeth as she once again sent out Fennekin, the younger girl strutted over her way and sent out a weak looking Pansage. "I just captured this monster in the forest!" She called, "Prepare to lose on your first round! Pansage, Leech Seed!"

Pansage spit seeds out of its mouth and underneath Fenni, who's feet were being caught in the newly sprouted roots of the seeds. Serena gritted her teeth, she was not going to let that girl get an upper hand in the battle! "Fenni! Use Flame Charge!"

Flames emerged around the small fox's body, burning the roots and leaving the other trainer in distress. After the fox was completely submerged in fire, it ran in a dead out sprint and rammed into the Pansage, who had not been paying attention to Serena and Fennekin, but instead, looking at its owner and expecting to be praised for its Leech Seed attack, but none the less, Fenni showed no mercy as it sent the Pokemon 10 feet backwards and inflicted a major burn. Victory for Serena!

Just as the 1st girl sent Pansage back to its Pokeball, Fennekin started to glow, and unlike the last time she leveled up, Serena let the process known as Evolution continue. In matter of seconds Fenni had turned into a Braixen, and was jumping up and down gleefully, admiring her new form.

"Right in the nick of time, Fenni!" Her trainer shouted as they took their stance, waiting for the next goon to step up.

The two older trainers shoved away the boy, who was supposed to battle next, and stood up in front of Serena, glaring at her coldly. "We'll be the next to battle you! Those two grunts can't do anything, and even if we did let that imbecile battle, he would fail miserably! Isn't that right Gage?" The older girl said, and the older guy (supposedly named Gage) responded back, "Right, Tori! Let's beat this gal 'till she cries! Hey punk!" He called pointing to Serena, "This is a double battle, you're only allowed two Pokemon at a time!"

"I know what a double battle is!" The agitated brunette called, "I'm no idiot!"

"Good!" Yelled Tori (the older woman) as she sent out a Simipour that was obviously stronger than Serena's team, Serena guessed that it was probably around level 25, and snickered as she watched Serena's confident smile turn into a gape of disbelief.

"If you think that's cool, look at my Simisear!" Gage hollered as he sent out another strong looking Pokemon. Serena gritted her teeth and sent out her Vivilon named Valerie, who was her newest Pokemon.

Right when Tori was about to call the first shoot, a young man ran in between the two parties, obviously furious.

Serena's emerald eyes went wide and her heart shoot off as the familiar scent of lavender and vanilla filled the air. "C-C-Calem?" The girl stammered as he turned around to face her with an innocent smile and turned back around, his icy eyes filled with rage.

"Who told you idiots you could come over here? What are you doing? Trying to kill her Pokemon?" He shouted looking at the obviously stronger Pokemon against Serena's, who were also at a type disadvantage.

For some reason the 2 grunts ran off, and Tori and Gage returened their Pokemon to their balls. "Twerp..." Tori muttered as she signaled for the blonde girl to come with her and Gage. As they walked to the cherry red car parked a few feet away, Tori glared at Serena and took one last look at Calem before they were at their vehicle. The blonde girl rushed to open the back door for Tori and Gage, then walked over to the drivers side and got inside.

The blonde took off her glasses and stared at Calem a little before starting the car and driving away.

"Idiots," Calem muttered before turning back to the quartet of puzzled trainers. Trevor, Tierno, and Shauna stood and wondered who this young man was, but were not allowed any questions, because just as they were about to ask, Calem grabbed Serena's hand and ran off.

...

Serena cringed, as the icy feel of Calem's had was somewhat disturbing, although it would've been worse if he had sweaty palms. Suddenly, she jerked her hand away from his, they had reached route 4 and were now staring at each other and their hands were on their knees as they panted for breath. When the girl had finally caught her breath, Calem took the initiative to speak first, "What were you doing! Messing with those idiots could be the end of you!"

"Well sorry, I was just trying to help that girl! Her Pokemon was stolen from her!" Serena said, her fists shaking, she hated being lectured. Especially by someone she didn't even know very well.

"Wow!" Calem shouted,"You're an idiot! Did you not notice that the girl whose Pokemon was "stolen" was wearing the same colors as those imbeciles? And that she drove them away? She's even lower a level than a grunt! She's basically those two admin's slave!" Sighing, he ran his hand through his messy black hair."I'm just looking out for you, okay?" His blue eyes staring straight at the girls emerald ones.

"Serena! Where are you?" She could hear the shouts from her friends in the distance.

This time she was the one to grab Calem's hand, and when she did, she ran straight into maze of hedges on their left. She still had something to discuss with him. Spotting a hole a Pokemon had dug under the hedges, she shoved Calem to the ground. "Crawl." She commanded as she followed him under, she could hear her friends entering the maze, she knew that they were pretty bright but she didn't think that they'd choose the left maze first, as there was another on the left. When she was through the hole, she filled it back up and was silent until she heard her friends footsteps fade.

"So..." Calem started, wanting to know why she had trapped them in such a tight space together, but was interrupted by the girl who had trapped him. "I want to know why those thugs did exactly what you told them without question! And also, I always smell lavender and vanilla when I see you... Do you wear perfume? You really should change to something more masculine..." She whispered, her eyes looked as if she could see straight through those hedges the way she was looking at them.

Calem sighed and ran his hands through his hair, which now matched the color of the night sky, "I don't know... I knew you'd ask me that as soon as they bolted, I guess they thought I'd be a powerful opponent? I really have no idea. And to anwer the second question... My mom died when I was three years old, the only thing I have left of her is her locket... And she always wore a perfume like that, and she always wore this locket, so you see, the smell just kind of stuck." He pulled it out of his shirt to show her. The actual locket was made out of Amethyst and silver, and the chain was also silver. Serena looked away from him, not meaning to bring up a sensitive subject, "I'm sorry Calem... But also... How do you know so much about those goons?"

His gaze shifted to the ground, "Well you see..." He paused for a bit, thinking, "Team Flare, the people who you were battling back there, is a group of villains, I don't know what they're planning, but I know they're bad news, so I've been tracking them and researching them. I haven't gotten much information on them though..."

Serena surveyed his outfit. He had changed since their little walk in Santalune Forest, as he was now wearing khakis with a blue sweater that matched his icy eyes, black tennis shoes, his mother's locket, and another silver necklace with a strange little stone inside that he must've accidentally pulled out along with the locket.

Noticing her bright green eyes linger on the stone, he softly lifted her chin and looked into the eyes that were trying to prod into the most precious item he had been given, and then looked at the sky. He knew he was supposed to do this, but why? Why her of all people? The most strong-willed, brave, courageous girl he had met. Yes, she was the task he'd been assigned and she would figure everything out before he was done with her, and it was going to take a lot to get to her... So why was he pulling this cliche move so soon? He had to think of something else before he messed everything he had so perfectly thought of up.

He stared into her emerald eyes and released his grip, "You're a funny girl..." He said, quickly grabbing a Pokeball out of his pocket. "Kadabra." He called, summoning the monster out of its ball with a kiss to the release button, "Teleport." And with a final glance back at the girl, he disappeared out of sight, leaving her completely and utterly confused.

Serena shook her head. What was that just then? She placed her hand on her heart, and just as she thought, it was at a pace way faster than usual. Cursing under her breath she gritted her teeth and stood up. She knew her heart had behaved like this before, like the first time she had met Calem. She didn't like how vulnerable she felt when she was in the boy's presence, it left her feeling like she wasn't herself and she just wanted the butterflies in her stomach to disappear!

Still in a state of shock, she stood up and re-dug the passage she had closed off. Slowly, Serena made her way back to Santalune City, when she finally re-entered the city walls she checked her Holo-Caster which she had put in silent mode. 18 missed calls? Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor must've really been worried about her... Looking up at the sky, she smiled. She saw four stars all next to each other in a little secluded huddle.

It was obviously late, so Serena walked back to the Pokemon center, just remembering the fact that she had her first gym battle tomorrow. She grit her teeth and remembered how she lost all of her confidence when Tori and Gage sent out their Pokemon. Would she do that tomorrow? She had been pretty confident in her Pokemon, after all, she had spent a whole day level grinding to get them to where they are!

When she arrived at the Pokemon Center, she saw her three friends looking around anxiously waiting for her return. Shauna was the first to spot her, and pushed off the ground from where she was sitting to run to her best friend. "Serena! I was so worried for you..." She said as tears streamed out of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks, "Shauna..." Serena giggled as she looked down at the shorter girl, "Why are you crying! I was only gone for like... 10 minutes I think!"

Shauna continued to blubber, "I know, but I... I... I just feel lost without you! Sometimes I take you for granted, but you're my best friend! I don't want to lose you!"

Giggling some more, Serena looked up from her friend and looked at the two boys, who both looked incredibly relieved to see her. "Oi!" Tierno called out to her, starting to get up off of the bench him and Trevor had been sitting on, "Who was that guy?" He asked, his voice had an edge to it and he was looking kind of pissed. Seeing as the conversation was about to take a turn for the worse, Shauna got off of Serena to let her breath. She did not want to get between the two when things turned ugly.

"No one T," Serena said, "Don't worry, he didn't do anything to me." Tierno stepped closer to her, "That doesn't matter Serena! What does matter is that I don't trust him! He doesn't even say anything and takes off with you! You need to at least ask before running off with some strange guy! Come on, he could be a total pervert!" Serena's mouth opened as she tried to think of what to say," ...Ahem," She started as she cleared her throat, "You are NOT my gramps! You can try again if you think you can tell me who and who not to hang out with, and just so you know, Calem is a very nice boy! We actually have a lot in common!" She shouted, she didn't care if she was lying, she wanted Tierno off her back.

He always did this, when she first started hanging out with anyone but Trevor or Shauna, he got defensive and overprotective, like he was in charge of her. For some reason he thought he had authority over her. She couldn't even venture away from them when they went outside because he would scold her every time she tried to walk more than five feet away from them.

Tierno's chestnut brown eyes were burning with intensity, "Don't you talk to me like that missy! You may not be aware of it, but you worried every single one of us! You know what, you've never appreciated it when I try to protect you! You just don't know how to take care of yourself, and you never have!"

Serena rolled her eyes, "You know what Tierno, I don't appreciate you trying to act like a dad to me when you know that both of my parents are dead! You know that's why I live with gramps! So until you learn how to respect me, don't talk to me! Don't even walk near me, starting tomorrow, me and Shauna are going on this journey tomorrow!" Tierno was about to explode, "Fine!" He spat as he grabbed Trevor's wrist as he stormed inside and to his room.

"Ugh!" Serena screamed, she was done with this crap he always spewed at her, and starting tomorrow she wouldn't have to deal with it. She smiled bitterly as she thought the last part.


A/N: I don't know if I brought the fight on to soon, but I hope that I didn't rush things! I'm really happy with where this is going though! If you have any tips, please leave them and review! Just please no hate!

Thank you for reading!