Author Note: Anyone wonder what happens to pokemon in the PC? I know the common theory is they are digitized and turned to data but since Sun and Moon with the poke pelago that theory doesn't stand up in my opinion so for purposes of this story, the PC is pretty much like in the first season of the show, transferring them to the professor lab for a bit of R and R.

Also sorry it's been a bit of a while since my last upload and will probably be a while for the one after this. Real life, looking for a job has been keeping me distracted, but I wish I could say that's the only reason. I recently got pokemon Cystal on my 3DS and it's sort of taken over my life. Sorry! I swear I will try and focus a little more on my fanfic, however I have ideas for two or three other none pokemon fics buzzing round in my head so I may end up starting on of those instead. I know I've probably put I want to keep my Author Notes to a minimum, then I end up putting one in almost every chapter, sorry, I will also try to cut down on there. Promise.

Enjoy!

Ten - Heading to Ambrette Town

"Okay, go pokeball!" Serena throws the greatball and watches with baited breath as it shakes, Plusle leaps onto her shoulder and watches it keenly as well, as if daring the pokemon that her trainer is so excited to catch to break it. It doesn't. One final wobble and the ball goes still, signifying a successful catch. Serena's whole fast bursts out into a smile and she rushes forward to pick up the ball and hug it to her chest "Yes Plusle we did it, we caught a Ducklett."

It isn't the first pokemon Serena has caught on this route but it is the one she was most eager for. Maybe it sentimentality, but whenever she sees pokemon she would find in Unova is still gets a rush and often times the urge to catch it. Maybe it's just so she and Hilda could have pokemon in common, or maybe it's because they're pokemon she always imagined she'd be running into, the reason why doesn't matter. Besides she can shrug it off and say that her team was lacking in water types, a type the Ducklett now covers. Whatever the reason, that totals three pokemon she's caught here on route 7 and it also is the last thing she's able to do since it's has gotten pretty dark. She checks the time and sighs, she could walk back the Camphier town but she's already pretty tired and there's no guarantee the pokemon centre would have a room free. Besides camping outside is fun.

Nodding to herself, Serena lets out all her pokemon she currently has with her. Plusle stays on her shoulder while the others introduce themselves to Ducklett. Soon Espurr and Pancham go off to play with the ball Serena bought for them and has dug out of her bag. Ivysaur settles himself down to eat the pokemon food Serena lays out while Flabebe is enjoying playing in the flowers. Admittedly Serena feels strange not having her Braixen at her side but she is trying to avoid favouritism by swapping her team around often, plus she wants them all to be able to get to know one another outside of the PC.

Serena gets to work setting up her tent, Ivysaur helping her with his vine whip ever now and again, while Pancham uses arm thrust to hit the supports into the earth so Serena doesn't have to. She thanks them all and digs some pokepuffs out of her bag for a treat. Letting her pokemon have some fun, Serena takes the chance to flick through her guidebook to look up on Ambrette town some more.

"Hey check this out, there's a fossil lab and an aquarium in Ambrette town, apparently they're must sees," she comments to Plusle who peers at the pages from her perch "Wanna take look? Maybe we'll get to see some revived fossil pokemon. Plus there's a cave nearby with a ton of interesting pokemon, we could get a Mawile, oh and maybe a Helioptile, would you like another electric type to play with?" The small rabbit chirps happily and agreement, nodding, it then points at another pokemon on the page "That's a Sandile, they have them in Unova too. I'm definitely gonna catch one of them. Though training them all the way to Krookodile is hard work." By this point, her pokemon are all yawning, having worn themselves out from running around and playing, and make their way over to Serena. Rather then return them to their balls, she lets them join her in the tent and they all curl up to sleep. Settling into her sleeping bag, Serena lays there, flipping through the pages with Espurr tucked snugly under her chin until her eyes get heavy and begin to droop.

The next morning, Serena is woken early by her hyper active new addition to the team. Ducklett, wanting to get outside the tent but being surrounded by the other pokemon, instead of carefully making its way around them to avoid waking them, decides to simply blast a water gun at the ones in it's way. Unfortunately that includes Serena and Espurr, the latter of whom hisses and claws out in displeasure at being soaked.

Pushing her sopping bangs out of her face, Serena sighs and makes note to let Ducklett sleep near the tent flap from now on when it isn't in it's pokeball for the night. Deciding there's no point in going back to sleep, she crawls out of the tent after her pokemon. Thankfully it's a warm, sunny day so with any luck her hair will dry out pretty soon. While waiting for that, she lays out the bowls of pokemon food and water so her pokemon can have some breakfast before she digs around in her bag for something of her own to eat. Chewing on her food she frowns a little. The store bought ready to eat food she's been having since she started a couple of weeks ago aren't bad per say, they just have nothing on a nice home cooked meal. It's making her a little homesick and wistful for a proper meal. The pokemon centre's do offer food but it's pretty similar to the stuff she's eating right now.

Shaking her head, Serena turns to her Espurr and pulls out the brush in her bag. The psychic type chirps happily and sits in her trainer's lap to let the brunette run a brush over her greyish fur, purring loudly as a result.

Caught up in her brushing, Serena jumps when there is a flash and the sound of a camera going off. She looks up and smiles at Trevor in greeting, who has just moved the camera from his eye to look at the picture he has just taken of Serena and her pokemon.

"Sorry, it seemed like too good a photo opportunity to miss," he explains embarrassed "I didn't want to ruin it by asking if it was ok, though I probably should have. I know Shauna hates it when I take pictures of her without asking, especially when she's in her pyjamas."

"Don't worry about it," she responds, she may not know the kids she got her first pokemon with too well, but she knew early on that Trevor was harmless, he's just really into his photography and he cares more about the pokemon in them then the people "Can I see it?" His entire face brightens up and he rushes to sit next to her, fiddling with the camera to bring up the most recent picture. It makes Serena smile when she looks at it. Her Espurr is in her lap with it's eyes closed and head tilted back, clearly enjoying the attention it's getting, Plusle has jumped onto her head to watch the movement of the brush with rapt attention and her Bulbasaur has just settled down next to her to enjoy the sunlight. Serena herself looks so calm and relaxed, at peace with everything, caught up in the soothing purrs and steady movement of her brushes. Trevor's right, it is a nice picture "You're really good, you know."

"You think so?" Trevor beams at the compliment "I know Professor Sycamore wants us to help complete the pokedex, well I'm hoping to get to take pictures of every pokemon in it and hopefully get to discover a brand new pokemon!" The brunette chuckles softly at the excitement in his voice.

"Well then I wish you luck."

"Thanks. You know Shauna's been telling me and Tierno both that you're planning on taking in the league, that's amazing. With how close you are too your pokemon, and how strong they're getting so quickly, it should be a breeze for you," Serena's smile falters a little but is still there as she shrugs, trying to play it off. While Shauna is a nice enough girl, it's really getting annoying how she seems convinced Serena wants to take on and hopefully become the champion. That seems more like Calem's dream then her own. But she doesn't want to be rude and not accept a heartfelt compliment when it's given and Trevor is only going off what Shauna has said "So are you heading to Ambrette town?"

"That's the idea, I really want to see the fossil lab," at Trevor's questioning expression, she elaborates "We don't have one in Unova, not really. The Nacrene city museum is where you can get fossils revived but they keep that area solely off limits to the public. My class once got to see some of it when I was young but I'd love to get a better look at one of them. Maybe see if I can read about any of the extinct pokemon that use to live in the Kalos region, or even see one if they have any revived fossils."

"Yeah, that sounds amazing. Though tell me, have you heard of the Battle Chateau?" Serena shakes her head "It's just further up the roud. It's this big castle like place where tons of trainers hang out. The way it works is you get a title of nobility and you battle through the ranks. Apparently a few of the gym leaders are even found there."

"Huh, that's actually pretty cool, I'll have to check it out when I pass by."

"Well, I was planning on heading that way anyway, if you want, we can go together, I can keep an eye on your pokemon while you get dressed," Serena thanks him and quickly ducks into the tent to change into her travelling clothes. Over the time she's been staying in the tent and the pokemon centre, she's gotten pretty good at changing quickly so she's out long before Trevor expects, running a brush through her hair before slipping her white hat on her head. Noticing that their trainer fully up and ready to get going, the pokemon all pitch in the help the two humans pack up Serena's things. After that she returns all of them except Plusle and Espurr, the former chosing to ride on her shoulder while the latter is cradled carefully in Serena's arms.

"I'm surprised your Bulbasaur has evolved already, I really wasn't expecting it to be an Ivysaur so soon," Trevor comments as they walk, occasionally reaching over to pet Espurr or Plusle.

"Yeah, it surprised me too, but he was battling a ton of wild pokemon while I was looking for ones to catch, so he got a lot of experience, plus the trainers on the way to Camphier town. By the time we backtracked for a rest and caught Pancham, he was so strong, it's no wonder he evolved, though I'm a bit concerned about evolving him into a Venusaur," Serena explains absently as she tucks her hair that the wind has blown loose behind her ear "As it is Ivysaur is still pretty fast and good at dodging attacks. I mean sure he can take the hits but he prefers being able to get out of the way. When he evolves, that won't be as much of an option as it is now."

"I never thought of it that way. I guess trainers do have to make decisions on how they raise their pokemon as well as what pokemon they catch based on their battle style huh?" Trevor muses quietly, laughing when Plusle jumps from Serena's shoulder onto his head "For Ivysaur to shine as a Venusaur, you and he would really have to adapt your style."

"More he'd have to adapt, to be honest, I don't really have much of a style per say," the two laugh a little and keep chatting with Trevor often pausing to show her a picture in his camera to go with the story he's telling her. It's a relaxing walk and Serena enjoys getting to know the orange haired boy a bit better, he's a refreshing change from Shauna's boundless energy.

"Here we are, the Battle Chateau," Trevor declares as Serena stares in awe at the huge mansion before her, even her pokemon are slack jawed as they look at it. It's more flashy then the Shabboneau castle but no where near as opulent as Parfum palace. Letting Trevor lead the way, the two kids head inside. Surprising they are greeted by the sight of Viola. The young blonde woman smiles at the two kids and makes her way over.

"Well is it isn't Serena, so your at the Chateau too, what's your noble title?" Serena shrugs and the buy gym leader's eyes widen "What? You don't have a title? That's a surprise. No one can doubt that a kid as strong as you should have one. See your title here at the Chateau shows everyone else her just how strong you are. Only a handful of trainers can joining the ranks of nobility and earn these titles!" After the explanation, a well dressed, older man walks over to them and looks Serena up and down before turning to the gym leader.

"Lady Viola, are you acquainted with this young lady?" he then glances at the strap of her bag and the gym badge decorating it "Ah I see, you carry the bug badge, young miss. It appears that Lady Viola has recognised your ability as a trainer, then. It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. My name is Hennessy," he bows at the brunette girl in greeting "Might I ask your name?"

"I'm Serena, and this is Trevor," the brunette offers shyly, with a gesture to the boy at her side who looks like he's tempted to get his camera and start snapping pictures of everything in sight.

"Lady Serena, Sir Trevor. What fine names," he gives the two teenagers a smile, though he is more focused on the brunette.

"I will gladly recommend Serena," Viola pipes who and winks at Serena who looks at her questioningly "So will you grant her a beginning title? She has the making of a very strong trainer, so I'm sure she will contribute to the Battle Chateau." Hennessy smiles at Viola and nods.

"Of course ma'am. If you are willing to speak for her, then it is more then sufficient," he then turns his attention back to the trainer who has taken a moment to stop paying attention to what he is saying to try and get her Plusle to stop trying to jump up onto the art work and use the thick frames as climbing steps, so she doesn't hear him say "And besides, I too sense extraordinary potential emanating from the young miss Serena." He then clears his throat, startling the Plusle, who slips but luckily has Serena there to catch her before she looks back over at Hennassy "Lady Serena. You are hereby granted the title of Baroness. Trainers with noble titles can do battle against other titled trainers here. The title of Baroness places you at the lowest rank to begin with. Continue to battle here and your victories will increase your rank and title." Serena nods along in understanding as the well dressed man lays out the rules she will be expected to follow. With everything explained and some parting words, both Hennessy and Viola take their leave.

"Wow, Serena, I didn't expect you to be given a rank just like that!" Trevor gushes, making Serena blush as she glances down at her shoes "I'm not as into battling so I'm going to head back out to take some more pictures, but you should totally challenge the trainers around here!" The brunette smiles and nods, looking at the Plusle who clearly needs to work off her excess energy, battles seem like a great way to do it. The two teenagers say their goodbye and Trevor heads back out.

Admittedly, Serena knows she probably spent a bit too much times at the Chateau but it was such a big place with so many trainers to battle that she couldn't help herself. Plus now her electric rabbit isn't jumping all over the place, it's actually resting quiet peacefully on her shoulder as she steps out of the Chateau and back on the route to Ambrette town. Also her Pancham was able to grow stronger too, not to mention the Ducklett she caught the night before.

Carrying on along the way, she eventually comes across Calem who is waiting near the entrance to Connecting Cave. He waves her over with a smile, and the two are almost instantly joined by Trever and Tierno.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to have a battle with everyone," Calem explains and when everyone agrees he continues with "How should we pair up? Hmm... Let's go with Trevor and Tierno against me and Serena."

"Sure, that sounds fun," Tierno jumps in, already getting his pokemon ready in excitement and Serena smiles and nods in agreement, reaching to get her Ivysaur's pokeballs, rather then using Plusle or Espurr.

Teirno sends out his Corphish while Trevor sends out a Pikachu. While Serena picks the grass poison type she got from the professor, Calem choses his Fletchling. Serena frowns as she thinks. Tag battles are about working together to cover weaknesses, and Calem's pokemon has a big on in front of them. The best thing for her to do would be have Ivysaur focus on Pikachu.

"Ivysaur use venoshock on Pikachu," she orders, glad she thought of using that TM she found to teach her pokemon a poison type move. The speedy Pikachu tries to move but he leaves it a second to late and gets hit. To make it worse for the little guy, he also has to deal with the poisoning as a result of the hit. Calem order's his Fletchling to use back on the Corphish, but the little bird barely makes a dent on the larger water type, who hits back with a bubble. Trevor isn't dumb, so he knows to use his pokemon's electric attacks on the flying type, which does a lot of damage, along with a paralyzes. Following up with a vine whip on the Pikachu, Ivysaur knocks the electric mouse out of the fight, which means Trevor has to switch it out for his second pokemon. An orange flower Flabebe.

The battle carries on smoothly and quickly, another venoshock deals with the fairy type, letting Serena stores that away since she learnt poison was effect on fairies, something she didn't know before hand and while Fletchling does it's best, it's one last vine whip on Corphish that ends the battle. Serena hugs her Ivysaur, kneeling down to his height to wrap her arms around him fully.

"It's interesting to see each trainer's different ways of battling," Calem comments as the other three all use their items and berries to heal up their pokemon "I guess we should be heading off the Ambrette town then." Serena nods, and waves the three boys off as she and her pokemon run off ahead to the cave.

Connecting cave is a quick, straight forward path and while she's able to catch an Axew and a Zubat, nothing interesting happens. She makes her way through quickly and stretches her arms above her head as she comes out the other side. Already she can smell the salty ocean air.

"Hey!" a voice calls out, making Serena pause and glance over to the thick grass to her left. Sina and Dexio make their way over to the brunette, the former smiling "We didn't mean to surprise you. How are you and your pokemon doing?"

"Good, I've got a bunch more since I last saw you too," she explains, petting Espurr's head who looks up at her and smiles.

"Haven't you wondered how a single pokedex could possibly cover a region as big as Kalos?"

"Not really, all the other regional pokedexes work so why wouldn't this one?" the makes Sina pause and glare a little at the brunette, who blinks at her in response, not sure why the girl in white is suddenly annoyed, which makes Dexio chuckle.

"The pokedex here in Kalos is split into three. Central, which you already have, coastal and mountain. The professor asked us to meet you here and give your pokedex an update for the second," Dexio explains, holding his hand out until Serena hands over the red device. He plugs something into it and waits until it makes a chirp before handing it back "There all done."

"New encounters help people and pokemon grow and mature," Sina says with a shrugs and she flips her hair over her shoulder and looks slightly down at Serena "We'll be taking out leave now. Bon voyage." With that,she drags Dexio away, leaving Serena to stare after them with a frown before looking at her three pokemon.

"Those two are weird."

"Phew, we made it," Serena smiles when she spots the pokemon centre that marks the entrance to Ambrette town. With all the battles both with trainers and wild pokemon, it's taken a long time, longer then she thought it would and she and her pokemon are all exhausted. Ivysaur yawns and nods. Still she managed to get five new additions to her team, one of which she is really eager to add to her roster right away. However it is getting late and all she wants is a shower and a soft bed to sleep in.

Returning all but her Espurr to their pokeballs, she heads into the centre. Joy smiles as she greets her and quickly takes all her pokemon for healing and a quick check up while she lets Serena settle into one of the pokemon centre's rooms and put her clothes in to wash. With her pokemon back, she listens as Joy explains when food will be served and is left to her own devices. Espurr decides she's bored and uses her psychic powers to float a ball from Serena's bag and throw it at her, leading to the two playing a game of catch as they wait for dinner time.