"Alya, please not now," Marinette pleaded tiredly.

"It's just right here, Marinette~," Alya sang playfully, dangling her phone in her face. "Just say the word and his number will be yours."

"Then how will I explain to Adrien how I got his number if I accidentally send him something?" Marinette pointed out wryly. "He'll know he didn't give his number to me and then he'll accuse me for hacking into Kalos government files for his personal information and file a restraining order on me." She resumed polishing the Egg incubator case. "And then he'll never see this beautiful child we were supposed to raise together emerge into this world, wondering where her father went while she's stuck with her careless mother."

"Pfffft…! Girl, that sounds so messed up!" Alya snorted, struggling and failing to control her uproarious laughter. Marinette did not look amused. "You do know you're not actually the parents of a Pokémon Egg, right? You're just its new caretaker. And even if you were with child, Adrien isn't the kind of person who'd leave you, especially if it's also his responsibility."

"Yeah, but Adrien said that because we were partners from that tag battle tournament that we're considered both the proud owners of this little one," Marinette reasoned, smiling fondly over the memories. "But he was kind enough to let me take care of the Egg instead of doing so himself. I really can't wait to see what will come out."

"The mystery Pokémon inside the Egg is definitely a super-hot scoop," Alya nodded. "I've even posted an Egg Watch on my Pokéblog. My loyal viewers are entitled to throw their opinions on who's that Pokémon and there are a variety of answers in the comments section."

"Really?" Marinette pressed.

"Well, it's been mostly my little sisters attempting to troll me over, but I can easily recognize which comments are theirs by their super atrocious typing," Alya continued. "Some of our friends did leave behind some decent guesses."

"Like what?" Marinette inquired.

"Rose hopes it's a Cleffa," Alya began to list off the responses. "Kim thinks it'll be a Magby. Mylène wants it to be either a Smoochum or a Mime Jr. Nathanaël commented you'd be cool with a Pichu."

"Did Adrien say anything about it?" Marinette asked expectantly.

"Err, I can't seem to find his response, probably because he hasn't said anything," Alya answered ruefully. "Sorry about that, Marinette. But he did sound interested in knowing the Pokémon's identity, right? He'll find out once it hatches and I put it on the blog."

"I suppose, but it still wouldn't feel right with him," Marinette sighed wistfully.

"Think of it this way, girl," Alya proposed. "At least when you two finally get together, he'll stick to your side no matter what. Then will come your other dream with the nice house, the three children, the Growlithe, and the Dedenne."

"How did you…?" Marinette was about to ask.

"Please, I've heard you tell me that dream over and over for the past four years," Alya answered, folding her arms. She then smiled and patted her bestie on the shoulder. "You have enthusiasm, if nothing else. But you changed everything two days ago with our brief class reunion. You've grown, baby girl."

"Oh, Alya," Marinette giggled, leaning onto her for a hug.

The two of them were currently staying at the Camphrier Town Pokémon Center. They had stayed around the area since their class reunion at Parfum Palace as Alya had wanted to explore and study the places for more interesting Pokémon facts and stories. She had gotten plenty pics from Parfum Palace to blog about and just yesterday had the opportunity to explore Shabboneau Castle.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much of anything to report on Shabboneau Castle despite it being great and spacious. It was home to a noble family, but that was about it. Alya did meet a visitor in the castle who shared his thoughts on Mega Evolution, saying that he encountered a foreign Trainer that claimed she could Mega Evolve her Mawile not too long ago. He never did actually see it, but was convinced otherwise.

Marinette was fine moving at a Slugma's pace. Since receiving the Pokémon Egg as grand prize for winning the informal tag team tournament at Parfum Palace with Adrien, she doted over it as though it was a real child, even though all it needed was to be protected and kept warm.

For Marinette's case, it was to not drop it no matter what.

She was practically on her knees every hour praying that her clumsiness would not strike. She did not want to think about the consequences of letting that precious living symbol of hers and Adrien's unity shatter on the cold hard ground. Even thinking about the possibility that Adrien would never forgive her if something happened to the Egg was already more than she could bear.

Tikki, Ralts, and Sewaddle had been by her side while Alya was out and about the previous day. And even as they had rested and hung around the Pokémon Center this day, they knew they had to resume their journey sooner or later, preferably sooner.

So then after their fun morning powwow and finalizing their plans for the day, Marinette and Alya left the Camphrier Pokémon Center and went on to Route 7, aka Rivière Walk, as to move on to Marinette's second Gym battle at Cyllage City. As pleasant the town and its people were in regards to their etiquette towards visitors and tourists, it was time to progress.

Even though it had only been a couple of days, it still felt weird for both in getting back to the regular grind of a Pokémon Trainer. When they had met up with everyone from their Academy days, feelings of nostalgia and belonging had risen. And now that they were by themselves, it felt as though they had just left the Academy once again as all of their former classmates had gone their separate ways.

They still kept in touch for the most part, mostly on Alya's end as she often dealt with technological social networks throughout the traveling. So far, no one had really posted much of anything aside from Rose expressing how much she missed everyone since leaving Parfum Palace behind with Juleka through group chats.

"So you said you wanted to check out the Battle Chateau along the way, right?" Marinette spoke up. "What's it about anyway?"

"It's a facility where Trainers gather together to battle as means to rank themselves according to nobility and power," Alya explained. "It's interesting when you think about trying to set a name for yourself along with a noble sounding title, but at least it's a good place to test your current abilities as a Trainer with others and get some extra EXP. Just under a formal setting is the only difference otherwise."

"I didn't think you'd be interested in something like that," Marinette remarked skeptically.

"I'm not entirely, but my little sisters are," Alya shrugged. "So I'm heading over to the source to see how it all works, what the noble ranks are, and so on. You know, you should give it a shot yourself. You might be able to make a name for yourself, Marinette."

"I don't know," Marinette muttered hesitatingly.

"Think about it, girl," Alya continued. "This would be a good time to start a reputation, even if you don't plan on visiting the Battle Chateau on a regular basis. Plus, it might make getting together with Adrien a bit easier."

"H-How so?" Marinette pressed, blushing at the mention of her beloved's name while reflexively pressing the Egg incubator closer to her bosom.

"He already has a name for himself as a model and was called out to be Champion Agreste's successor," Alya pointed out. "You'll get more support for getting together with him if you also have a good reputation."

"I suppose that makes sense, but I'd rather make my name through my fashion designs," Marinette reasoned. "I already have enough on my plate trying out for the Kalos League and catching up to Adrien."

"What's the worst that can happen?" Alya questioned. "Give it a shot for me, at least."

"Ugh, fine," Marinette relented. "As long as you stop bugging me about giving me Adrien's number. I told you I'll remember to ask him next time I see him… or at least get the courage to ask him."

"Oh, you have the courage, cowardly Litleo," Alya smirked. "You have courage."

"C'mon and have a heart, tin woman," Marinette jested back.

Both girls continued to exchange jokes and references along the way, quickly passing the time as they traveled down Rivière Walk. Compared to the previous roads that they had walked, Route 7 was lengthy enough that a Pokémon Trainer traveling solely on foot was bound to camp out for at least a day before reaching Cyllage City.

It usually took long to pass through the route due to stopping by and trying out for the Battle Chateau.

Along the way, lunch time had passed over and Marinette and Alya took their break. There weren't many Trainers out and about due to the Battle Chateau. At least the route was populated with various wild Pokémon minding their own business. It helped not make the route seem so empty even though the natural greenery and surrounding flora said otherwise.

Following the break, it took only about another hour until they saw the Battle Chateau in all its self-important glory. The fact that it had its own moat simply added to the flair.

"There it is!" Alya exclaimed, deciding to take a running start to get there.

"Hang on, Alya," Marinette protested, holding up her incubator. "I'm still with child!"

Nonetheless, the dark-haired designer jogged as carefully as she could while holding onto her Egg incubator with the Pokémon Egg still safely inside. She made sure that it was still there, of course. And though Alya had suggested simply putting the incubator away safely in her traveling bag, Marinette insisted keeping a vigilant eye on her Egg.

That… and she didn't really have a lot of room in her bag as she carried her sewing tools and materials in it. They took up plenty of space as it was along with the basic essentials.

Marinette eventually caught up with Alya, who was several meters away from the golden entrance gate. She expected her to already be at the entrance, but something appeared to have captured her attention.

There was a Pokémon facing the gate.

"Is that…?" Marinette started.

"… A Meditite, yep," Alya finished with a hint of interest in her voice.

The Meditite, identified as a female due to the low-angled ears as explained in the Pokédex, appeared to be pensive as she continued to stare at the Battle Chateau. It was certainly not every day that Marinette and Alya would encounter a wild Pokémon out in the open like this, especially considering that this Pokémon's body design really stood out.

"You young ladies curious about that Meditite over there?" a well-dressed young man that was passing through spoke up.

"Uh, yeah," Marinette answered. "Are there usually wild Meditite around here?"

"Not usually," the young man explained. "They're more common in Connecting Cave, which is further down the road. But it's not too uncommon for some Meditite to appear along Rivière Walk for some fresh air and open space."

"Do you know what the story is for this little one?" Alya inquired.

"I'm a regular visitor of the Battle Chateau and I started seeing this Meditite hang out around this area during the day since the past couple of months," the young man revealed. "I remember that this one was part of a small group of Meditite exploring and training out here. I would guess that this particular Meditite was attracted to the Battle Chateau and wants to check it out and possibly participate, but doesn't have a Trainer to get in."

"Why hasn't Meditite been caught yet?" Alya pressed.

"Don't know," the young man shrugged. "I would guess that the passing Trainers were not interested in catching that Meditite. Though I've seen Meditite confront some Trainers for a battle to be caught, they easily brushed the poor thing aside and decided that the Pokémon was not worth catching. Still, I've seen that Meditite not give up and has even trained and meditated out here all alone to get stronger."

"Hmm, maybe the Meditite wants to enjoy a good battle and feel good about herself?" Alya deduced.

"Why haven't you caught Meditite yourself?" Marinette questioned the young man.

"I'd be lying if I said I wanted to," the young man admitted. "Anyway, I gotta head into the Battle Chateau. I'm aiming to move my rank up to Viscount today. Take care."

The young man swept past Alya and Marinette to enter the gates. The girls noticed the Meditite sigh upon seeing him but kept a neutral look soon after. She was probably used to seeing him as the young man had just recounted his knowledge of the Meditate Pokémon to them. However, even they could see how depressed the Meditite was about not being able to participate in the Battle Chateau.

"I'm probably a bad person for saying this, but what's the point of wanting to go into the Battle Chateau?" Marinette pondered aloud. "It's no different than battling a regular Trainer off the street."

"She just wants to see what it's like," Alya responded, sounding rather defensive. "It's all about exploring the world and uncovering hidden truths and thrills regardless of the risk. It's about standing for what you believe is right and fighting to the very end, triumphing over any injustice force that would otherwise silence you."

"That's quite the statement," Marinette commented. "You really feel strongly about this, don't you?"

Instead of responding to her bestie, Alya bolted straight towards the lone Meditite with little to no warning. The Meditite was certainly shocked to see a scarlet-brunette bespectacled girl with a beauty mark over her right eyebrow run right towards her. Usually Pokémon Trainers ignored her, so this sudden change was certainly frightful, to say the least.

Still, the Meditite stayed her ground as the strange enthusiastic human girl reached her, slightly out of breath. While she didn't want to get her hopes up in finding a Trainer that would finally take her inside this awesome-looking building where exciting battles were taking place, she observed the human keenly as she regained her breath.

"Hey… you," Alya said as she did regain her breath. "Fight me."

"Medit?" the Meditite questioned, tilting her head to the side.

"You heard me right," Alya challenged, pointing directly at the Meditate Pokémon. "I challenge you to a battle. It just so happens that my cute friend and I were gonna visit the Battle Chateau right there. I know there will be strong Pokémon to face inside, so I looking for another strong teammate to join us on our quest for truth and knowledge."

"Med," Meditite huffed, folding her arms and looking away, much to Alya and Marinette's surprise.

She wasn't about to fall for their two-bit saccharine act. Just because the strange passionate human somehow figured out her wish to check out what was called the Battle Chateau didn't mean she was about to be won over so easily. Humans were complicated in nature as it was; that much she knew. And there was no way Meditite was going to entrust her wish to some crazy stranger who might really want to capture her, but not take her inside that interesting Chateau building after.

"Hey, my friend is trying to help you," Marinette scolded. "You won't be able to get in unless you have a Trainer. Alya is a great person. A little overzealous and misguided at times, but she has her heart in the right place."

"Wait, Marinette," Alya interceded, holding an arm in front of her to get her to back off. "I've dealt with stubborn types like this one. I really should thank my sisters for preparing me for these situations."

"… Alya," Marinette was about to speak, but the brunette journalist waved her hand to stop her again.

"Leave this one to me, Marinette," Alya promised in a low, but eager tone. "You've taken a stand so many times that it's my turn to be someone's hero. I've played my sisters' little games to get them under control. I can play Meditite's too." She had a Poké Ball on hand. Once she had set her mind on something, there was really no stopping her. "Go, Elekid!"

Meditite got to her feet as the strange human had summoned an Elekid in front of her that was raring to go. This human was unusually persistent, at least compared to most humans she had encountered in the past. Of course, Meditite wasn't about to turn down a challenge, but she knew one thing was certain. This human girl just going to disregard her like the rest once their little battle would end.

After all, what made this particular human special?

"Elekid, get ready to have a new teammate," Alya grinned.

"Bii bii," Elekid grunted, winding his arms up to begin generating electricity.

"Thunderbolt!"

Meditite found herself instinctively stepping to the side in evading a bolt of electricity that targeted her previous location. The Thunderbolt practically fried a small patch of the grass, leaving an empty circle of barren dirt as a result. Meditite couldn't help but look impressed at Elekid's power, but she wasn't going to fight some human that going to toy with her emotions.

"Med-Meditite," Meditite frowned, folding her arms once again.

"My, you're tenacious," Alya remarked in quiet awe. "You must really want to battle in the Battle Chateau, don't 'cha?"

Meditite appeared to be taken back from the human's words, blushing furiously while resisting the urge to strike down her Elekid. It didn't help that the Electric Pokémon was also goading her on to fight back, even motioning with a hand to her to bring it on. Those two were so similar that it was disgusting.

Perhaps the Pokédex did have a point in claiming that wild Pokémon were jealous of human-trained Pokémon.

"Looking back to the times you've helped me with babysitting Manon, I shouldn't be surprised," Marinette commented to the side. "Yet this is kind of a new approach I'm seeing from you."

"You've seen nothing yet, girl," Alya smirked. "Elekid, Discharge!"

Elekid spun his arms and fired a widespread flare of electricity from his horns, honing in on the nimble Meditite. The Meditation Pokémon continued to avoid the electrical bolts with each leap while becoming increasingly irritated by all this prodding. What was this human girl trying to prove to her?

"Now use Quick Attack!"

Meditite thought she was safe when the Discharge strikes had ceased, preventing her from fully adapting to the sudden full body tackle Elekid did upon her as he had sped up to her. She soon found herself lying flat on her face. Her fingers slowly gripped upon the grass before tightly clenching together into a fist for both hands, ripping the caught grass blades by the root.

Now she's mad.

"Medit… tite!" Meditite growled as she lifted herself off the ground.

"That's it," Alya urged. "Let it all out. Release all that pent-up hurt, loneliness, and anger. Let me help you."

"Medit Meditite!" Meditite screeched, taking an offensive fighting stance; this human and her Pokémon pet were going to get it.

She charged in forward with an outstretched palm emanating with energy. Meditite was aiming to send Elekid flying with a Force Palm to the face, and soon to follow him would be his irritating Trainer.

"Low Kick!"

Almost casually, Elekid stepped to the side as Meditite threw in her Force Palm, kicking her hard on a leg to make her lose her balance while using an arm to ensure she was sent falling down. Meditite had landed on her face once more as a result, which only added more fuel to the fire that was her humiliated rage.

Meditite quickly got back on her feet, starting to lose her composure in spite of herself. Alya kept a knowing smirk to herself upon noting how the wild Pokémon was struggling not to throw a temper tantrum there and then. Even her expression was attempting hide how livid she really was on being mocked like this.

"Alya, why are you so determined to help Meditite?" Marinette asked, worrying about the frustrated Meditite as well as her friend's own well-being.

"You might be surprised to hear, Marinette, but I wasn't always this brash or passionate," Alya explained. "I've told you on how much I adore superheroes, right?"

"Yeah?" Marinette pressed.

"The superheroes I find in comics and the superheroes I've heard of in real life have inspired me to take a stand and have more confidence in doing good," Alya continued, finding herself trembling momentarily due to emotion. "Blaziken Mask… Super Pikachu… and even the famed Gligarman from Johto… Their examples helped me be comfortable with who I am and not take flak from anybody trying to bring me down, particularly bigheaded self-entitled snobs like Chloé. That is why I want to do the same and encourage others to stand up for themselves and pursue their dreams."

"And that was how we became such great friends in the first place," Marinette muttered in realization. "You helped me stand up to Chloé our first day at Lumiose Academy."

"Perhaps, but you stood all on your own from that point on," Alya pointed out proudly. "You didn't let her or anyone push you around." The journalist had to stifle some rising giggles for her next thought. "Though you do turn into a major pushover whenever Adrien is involved in some way or another. I remember especially during those beginning crushing stages that you couldn't even say a single coherent word to him, and yet you easily told him off when you falsely accused him for being part of Chloé's prank before then."

"Oh… yeah," Marinette giggled sheepishly.

"Anyway, Meditite's case kinda hits home for me," Alya resumed. "Maybe because we both have places we want to explore, but were forbidden to go in by an outside party. Or maybe it's because Meditite has been acting like my little sisters and my responsible sibling side has taken over. Either way, I'm taming and befriending this Pokémon."

"Bii-Bii!" Elekid yelped, stirring the girls out of memory lane.

Back to the field battle on hand, they found that he was knocked down by a furious Force Palm by Meditite. Elekid didn't appear to be majorly injured, but Meditite wasn't going to stop there, not while her rage stormed on.

She tightened her right fist until a vibrant green orb encased it. She pounced on the downed Elekid with Drain Punch, striking him squarely at his center. Elekid winced as he felt his stamina being forcefully sapped. The sparks of Elekid's energy formed from the hit were siphoned back into Meditite's fist, healing her of some of her lost endurance.

"Elekid, can you get back up?" Alya called out.

To her relief, Elekid was able to stand quite easily. However, he kept an arm wrapped around his damaged torso. There was no doubt that Meditite had mainly struck that area as a way to slowly cripple him.

"Bii…!" Elekid growled, staring down the Meditite.

"Don't lose your cool, Elekid," Alya advised. "We have to show Meditite whose boss."

Elekid spat to the side. As painful the hits he received from the Meditation Pokémon were, Alya was right. If he also gave into his frustration, he wouldn't see that Meditite had leapt up in the air and pinpointed his exact spot in order to deliver one particularly nasty High Jump Kick.

"Here it comes!" Marinette yelled out as extra precaution.

The dark-haired fashion designer really didn't need to worry about it. Alya and Elekid were in perfect synchronization to know when the High Jump Kick would reach. One vocal command timed at the right moment would be enough.

Close.

Closer.

Yet closer.

"Now!" Alya shouted.

Elekid skillfully cartwheeled away before Meditite could change her direction, thus causing her to crash and scrap her knee against the ground. She was stuck on her injured knee, attempting to stand, but the recoil was extremely excruciating.

"Use Thunderbolt!"

This was it.

Elekid concentrated a huge power of electricity upon Meditite, basically zapping the living daylights out of her while she was still cringing on her knee. Meditite collapsed forward, this time lifting her head up to fall on her chin instead on her face. At least this way, she had some dignity as her fate now rested in the passionate Trainer's hands.

"Let's go, Poké Ball!"

Alya grasped an empty Poké Ball and tossed it at the exhausted Meditite. She was pulled in upon contact, turning into light energy and encapsulated within the red and white spherical containment unit.

The Poké Ball shook strongly. The center button was blinking. Alya and company were practically holding their breaths in anticipation. The second wobble was still intense. The third wobble eased down.

There was no fourth wobble.

The Poké Ball remained motionless once the center button stopped flashing, ending with a small shower of sparkles. Before anyone knew it, Alya seized it and held it out proudly.

"News flash: I caught a Meditite!"Alya exclaimed.

"Bii Bii-Bii!" Elekid cheered.

"That's one hot scoop that'll be going up on your Pokéblog any time soon," Marinette beamed. "Awesome job, Alya!"

"Thanks, girl," Alya responded, bringing her bestie and her Pokémon in for a group hug. "Elekid and I couldn't have done it without ya."

"Me?" Marinette questioned, pointing at herself for emphasis.

"Of course," Alya winked. "You've been another source of super inspiration of truth and justice for me. It's one of the many reasons why I will follow you no matter what."

"Aww, thanks," Marinette cooed bashfully, moving a hand behind her head to play with a pigtail.

"Anyway, let's meet our new stubborn friend," Alya announced. "Come out, Meditite!"

Meditite reappeared in a bright flash once the Poké Ball in the journalist's hand opened up. She was still puffing heavily from the battle. Her body also held minor burn marks as a result of being fried by Elekid's Thunderbolt.

"Medit?" Meditite panted.

"You wanted to go inside and play in the Battle Chateau, right?" Alya reiterated, pulling out a Potion from her bag. "I promised it to you when I swore to capture you, Meditite."

Meditite was left speechless at her new Trainer's resolve. Instead of waiting for a response, Alya had already begun using the Potion to spray upon Meditite's wounds while Meditite still comprehended on her luck on coming across such a caring young girl.

Before she knew it, Meditite felt herself refreshed as a result of being free from both her physical and built-up emotional wounds. If she was actually going to go inside the Battle Chateau and check out what kind of battles and strong Pokémon were there, then maybe Alya was the one Trainer she was waiting for.

"Meditite!" Meditite smiled gleefully.

"Hey, Meditite, just a heads up," Alya spoke. "Once we scope out the Battle Chateau, I can guarantee you that we will be exploring more of Kalos and finding many more exciting places like it. Just so you know, this is one big adventure we're gonna have and I want you to join me in making these discoveries. I want to be a top journalist, meaning I'll be making some crazy decisions and will get into trouble. I'll need your help. So what do you say?"

She extended a hand out to Meditite, who curiously looked at it while thinking over her words. The bespectacled girl did make a major point that there were likely a lot of exciting places to find aside from the Battle Chateau and possibly encounter some strong opponents to test against.

They might have a lot more in common than Meditite originally thought.

In any case, Meditite accepted the hand and shook it with both of her small hands.

"Med Med," Meditite consented.

"It's awesome seeing you two getting off on the right foot," Marinette commented. "It looks like you'll also be trying out for a noble rank by the looks of it."

"Yeah, I suppose so," Alya grinned, giving a sly look to her bestie. "Hope you don't mind the extra competition, Marinette."

"Are you kidding?" Marinette returned with a confident smirk after catching that look. "I'd like to see what you and Meditite are made of."

"Then it's on."

"It's on like Slaking Kong… Wait a minute… Did I just seriously say that?"

"… Adrien would be proud."

"Wait, what about Adrien?!"

"Oh, nothing."

"Alya, c'mon! What is it?!"

"I'll tell you once we're inside!"

"Hey, hold on! Get back here! Alya!"

So any of you expected that kind of capture? I thought of Meditite as an interesting choice for Alya because, from what I could perceive, they both seem to have a one-track mind, if that made sense. In a more positive description, they're very dedicated, I should've said. Alya is passionate for her Ladyblog to the point that she trails Ladybug despite the danger and Meditite generally train and meditate for many hours per day, eating only a berry and nothing more. Pretty extreme when you think about it, right? That's my logic, so yeah…

Also a heads up, I'll be starting school very soon, so my every other day update rate is going to slow down big time as a result. If I could stay consistent and update every two days like I have since before and after recovering from my laser eye surgery, I would, but that's just how the season goes.

I'll write and update whenever I can, so don't forget about me if I somehow wind up not updating a month. It just means that I've gotten very busy at that point.

Please review!