Lexi watched with a light heart who Pikachu chased Bonnie through a small street in Lumiose City. Clearly the young girl was elated because she finally able to really play around with the Pokémon for the first time, and Lexi had seen Bonnie make eyes at Pikachu at as soon as she first saw it. So it was no wonder that the girl's innocent laughter echoed all the way back across the street.

They had left the Sycamore's research laboratory not that long ago, and with every step that they got closer to the city's border Lexi felt more anxious. Sure, when she had parted ways with her father only a little time ago, she had been filled with hope and dreams of seeing the wide world that was waiting for her beyond the borders. But she had never set a foot outside of Lumiose City before, and a small part of her wasn't even convinced she'd be able to do all this. Perhaps she'd go running back to her father.

"Bonnie, will you make sure that you don't accidentally run into something?" Lexi said as she increased her speed so that she wasn't that far behind the little girl.

Bonnie's laughter went louder. "Of course I will, Lexi. Aren't I always careful? Have you seen how cute this Pikachu is?"

Lexi rolled with her eyes with a grin glued to her face. "You're acting like you've never seen a Pikachu before. I had one myself for quite some time."

"And your Pikachu was just as adorable as this one is. I just love all Pokémon and I want play with this one."

"Pika! Chu!" Pikachu said as it leaped for Bonnie again, and almost landed on her neck.

"It sure seems like Pikachu has grown rather fond of you already, Bonnie. Have you been feeding it snacks again?" Lexi questioned.

At that Bonnie came to a standstill and looked up at the teenager. "I would never! That's not the way to win over a Pokémon affection."

Since Lexi has pretty much seen Bonnie grow up before her eyes, she was familiar with the way the girl's voice slightly elevated, or when she began to twirl with her hands which was an indication that she was lying.

Lexi frowned her eyebrows. "You've been feeding it, Bonbon." Bonnie's mouth turned into a pout, which pretty much meant that she gave up. "There is no shame in giving a Pokémon a snack from time to time, but you must be careful to not overdo it." She wrapped one arm around Bonnie's shoulder to press her against her.

"Not mad?" Bonnie asked to be certain.

She laughed. "I could never get mad at you when you mean well. Why don't you lead us all to the Pokémon Center?"

"Okay!"

As Bonnie ran away with Pikachu again, Lexi turned her head to see that Clemont and Ash were conversing with another. While Lexi remained with Bonnie she waited for them to catch up with them so that could make it to the Pokémon Center together.

During her life in Lumiose City Lexi had never visited a whole lot of Pokémon Centers. This was mostly due to the fact that she and her dad treated their injured and tired Pokémon themselves, and it gave her that experience that she needed to look after them. So seeing a Pokémon Center from the inside again was a nice change.

Nurse Joy greeted them from behind a counter inside the lobby as soon as they approached. "Good morning." Everyone greeted her back in the same manner. "At this Pokémon Center helping Pokémon in need is our number one goal. We're here for trainers and Pokémon alike."

"I was hoping you could help me register for the Kalos League," Ash said as Pikachu hopped on his shoulder.

"I sure can. If you please." She motioned to the computerized panel on the front of counter. "Touch this panel with your Pokédex."

"Okay." Ash got out his newly received Pokédex and placed it onto the panel which immediately began to bleep.

"Ash from Pallet Town is now registered to enter the Kalos League. Number of badges currently in your possession; zero," the computer told them and Lexi was somewhat impressed how quick it all went these days. "We wish you the best of luck."

"You're all set now, Ash," Clemont said as Ash removed his Pokédex.

"Awesome. And I'm gonna win." Ash tipped his cap. "My next step in becoming a Pokémon Master." Lexi sure couldn't deny that Ash didn't have any faith in himself.

"You'll have a good chance," she smiled.

"And every registered trainer eligible to receive a Kalos region badgecase here." Nurse Joy motioned for a Wigglytuff assistant to come closer who handed Ash his badgecase. "Here in the Kalos region my able Pokémon Center assistant is Wigglytuff." Ash took his time to thank Wigglytuff. "You're all registered. Good luck. Train hard and always do your best."

"Thanks. You can count on it." Ash turned to face the others. "I have to make a phone call to Kanto, but I'll meet you all outside when I'm finished." He headed his badgecase to Bonnie before he headed in the direction of the telephones.

Bonnie, Lexi and Clemont all went outside and waited near a fountain. Since the weather was nice there were some Pokémon and their trainers walking down the streets. While Clemont and Bonnie observed the badgecase for a moment Lexi rearranged some of her things inside her backpack. Her newly received sketchbook sent jolts to her heart because she hadn't dared to image that her dad would gift her something like that to help her along with her research

"Lexi," Clemont said softly which earned her attention. She turned her head to face him. His blonde hair was golden with the sunlight touching it. "I haven't had the chance to talk with you about this before, but I need you to know that I'm proud of you for making the choice to leave Lumiose City. That's a bold thing to do. But you need to do this to achieve your goal, being one of the finest Pokémon Professors in all of regions."

Lexi got to her feet and saw that Bonnie was too focused on the badgecase so she wasn't paying attention to their conversation. Clemont's words had effect on Lexi who couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, Clemont. I just never thought that I would be doing this. I'm rather nervous."

"Don't be." He got closer to her and grabbed hold of her wrist's, which send a spark right through her. "When I heard you telling your father about your decision, I knew that you were right. I want to see Kalos too, and I want to become braver. This will be my chance to see that with you. And Bonnie and Ash of course." He got a bit embarrassed at his own words for speaking too fast.

"But what about the Lumiose Gym? That is still your responsibility."

He nodded. "It always will be. But since I cannot enter the Gym right now it's for the best that I go out there and get more experience and become a better Gym Leader."

"An even better one?" Lexi's eyes lit up.

Clemont laughed. "Yes, you and I both need to gain more knowledge and experience to be successful."

"You're right. Earlier today when my dad asked you to look after me did -"

"I'm certain that he already knew that I was going with you. And that promise that I made I made to him, sealed the deal for me," Clemont explained. Without any warning he folded his arms around her neck which caught her off guard. Her cheeks set alight due to Clemont being so close to her, and his warm skin being pressed against hers. At moments like this Lexi's true feelings reappeared to the surface and it reminded her this was the person who she had been in love with ever since she reached her teens, her best friend.

But instead of opening up about her feelings Lexi shoved them away, not daring to speak about it to anyone. And especially not to Clemont. The chance of losing him because he wasn't feeling about her in that same manner and lose him because of that, was too grave. All she could do was be quiet and hope that no one would notice her true emotions.

"It means the world to me that you're coming with me, Clemont," she managed to say, with a slightly hoarse voice.

"To me too, Lexi," he said sweetly, not realizing the effect his words and his innocent embrace had on her.

"I still think you should come clear to Ash that you're the Lumiose Gym Leader. He's going to find out eventually and he much rather hear it from you than find it out some other way."

"I know you're right about that. I just don't want Ash to think I'm a loser because I cannot get into my own Gym. He'll be disappointed with me."

"You're anything but a loser, Clemont. Remember that."

As they broke apart, they returned to Bonnie and discussed which route they could best take next by studying a map. It wasn't that long until Ash came running towards them with Froakie and Pikachu on one of his shoulders. "Guys. Thanks for waiting."

"Hi Ash," Clemont greeted with a smile. "Didn't you tell us that you were going to challenge the Santalune Gym first?"

"Yeah," Ash replied. "I'm pretty sure the Gym Leader should be back by now."

Clemont showed the map. "I think the best way to get to Santalune City is by traveling Route 4 all the way there."

Ash his face lit up. "Then Route 4 it is. Aren't you psyched, Pikachu?" Pikachu raised his paw in agreement. "Froakie, you're going to be great."

"So why don't we hit the road?" Clemont asked.

"Let's go!" Bonnie agreed and started to walk away.

"Right behind you!" Lexi added, holding her glasses.

Ash seemed to be stunned by their sudden determination to keep going with him and Clemont noticed it. "The sooner we'll leave, the sooner we're there."

"You don't have to show me around anymore," Ash pointed out.

"Silly, Ash," Bonnie replied. "We're all really really good friends now, right? So we're going with you. Me, Clemont and Lexi."

"No joke?"

Lexi shrugged. "No joke at all, Ash. You already know that I was planning to leave Lumiose City. Bedsides it will be better if we'll go together."

"We're serious," Clemont agreed. "Remember what you did back there? You showed me what it's like to have real courage. I know I can get stronger. Bonnie, Lexi and I all can get stronger traveling with you."

"You're right, Clemont!" Bonnie said.

Lexi ruffled the girl's blonde hair. "I second that."

"So that okay?" Clemont grinned.

At their suggestion Ash couldn't help but grin either. "Of course, it's okay. Traveling with friends is way more fun." Bonnie, Lexi and Clemont all laughed at that. "Alright, it's a deal." Ash extended his hand towards Lexi and Clemont.

"Yeah. We sure will," Clemont agreed and placed his hand on Ash's.

"Definitely. We're going to have a blast," Lexi added cheekily and placed her hand on top of theirs.

"Hey! No fair! I can't reach!" Bonnie cried out. In one smooth motion they bend through their knees so that Bonnie, Froakie and Pikachu could join in. "Let's go meet lots and lots of Pokémon."

"Good friends together. Kalos here we come!" Ash said and they all raised their hands together simultaneously with a "Yeah!".

After that the five of them turned around and made their way through the Lumiose City borders which leaded them to Route 4. As soon as Lexi stepped across the borders it hit her that this was the furthest that she has ever been away from home, but it gave her a drive to keep going to see the world that was just beyond the borders.

Clemont noticed the look on her face as they continued to walk across a path. "Lexi, you'll be fine."

"I'm not worried, Clemont. Sure, I'm a bit anxious because I have no idea what's out there waiting for us, but I'm ready to explore it. And if I'm being honest having you here with me surely gives me more courage," she affirmed.

His cheeks reddened a little bit and Lexi assumed that it was because he was shy, and not that comfortable to talk about his own feelings. He scratched the back of head. "Don't flatter me too much, Lexi. But being here with you gives me the courage to see what's out there as well. We'll have a great time." Lexi said nothing else but smiled sweetly at him.

The path that they were on led them through a forest. On either side of the path were a huge variation of different trees which Lexi knew very little about. Her attention was mainly focused on all the Pokémon who called this place their home. Her hands were shaking slightly with the desire to sketch some of them in her sketchbook, but she had only barely left Lumiose City.

She followed the others with her head stuck in the trees, and nearly bumped into Ash in front of her because she was oblivious to her surroundings. She was about to apologize when she saw how a small fruit fell from the sky and hit Pikachu in the back of the head.

Everyone was looking at the fruit in confusion when it got with lighting and hit Bonnie in the face, which caused Clemont to immediately rush over to check on his little sister.

"Wow, that was a shock," she said.

"What was it?" Clemont asked, looking around him.

"It seemed to have come from here," Lexi answered, pointing towards the tree.

Bonnie picked up the fruit and held it in her palm. "Maybe it wanted this."

A small Pokémon appeared from the brush and Pikachu blocked its way before it could get to Bonnie and sparked its red cheeks as a warning.

"Never seen that, Pokémon," Ash said in fascination.

Lexi squinted slightly. "It's a Dedenne."

"Aaah! It's so cute!" Bonnie squealed.

Pikachu continued to release more electricity from its cheeks and Dedenne followed its example since it was an Electric Type as well. The two were sending that Electricity to another, and Lexi watched it with an open mouth.

"It sure doesn't look like its afraid of us," Bonnie said.

"They're Electric Types so they can communicate with electricity," Clemont explained for her.

Ash pulled out his Pokédex. "Dedenne, the Antenna Pokémon. Dedenne communicates long distance with other Dedenne by sending radio waves through its antenna like whiskers."

"I want it so bad." Bonnie pulled on her brother's sleeve. "Hey, you'll keep it for me, won't you?"

"Keep it?" Ash asked doubtfully.

"Yeah, keep it for me until I'm old enough to become a trainer." Bonnie showed Clemont her puppy-dog eyes, which were extremely affective on him. "Pretty pretty please. I promise I'll take care of it."

Clemont put on his thinking face. "Hmm. Let me see."

"I don't see why you shouldn't catch it for her, Clemont," Lexi tried to reason with him. "Bonnie has proved in the past that she's capable to look after Pokémon, even though she's not old enough to get her own. It will do her a world of good, and teach her how to be responsible."

"Do it," Ash added. "I can help you catch it if you want."

"You will?" Bonnie asked with a shriek. "Thanks so much, Ash. And you too, Lexi."

"Alright then," Clemont gave in with a smile. "Let's catch Dedenne."

Bonnie realized that Dedenne still wanted that piece of fruit that she had, so she went over to it and carefully knelt near it. "Hey Dedenne. You wanted this right?" She held open her hand so that Dedenne would have access to it.

Dedenne was a bit reluctant at first and must've thought that Pikachu was going to take it from it. Just before Dedenne reached Bonnie's hand another Pokémon flew by and snatched the fruit from Bonnie's hand causing everyone to gasp in disbelieve.

The Pokémon was nothing else than a little bird Pokémon that Lexi had seen countless of times before since it was considered to be Kalos regional bird. "It's a Fletchling," Clemont said before she could.

"I didn't think that a Fletchling would do that," Lexi said.

As everyone protested to the Fletchling which had landed on the branch of a tree, it ate the berry in one gulp so no one else could. Ash used that time to pull out his Pokédex again. "Fletchling, the tiny Robin Pokémon. Although Fletchling chirp is quite beautiful to hear it is relentlessly tough with those who enter its territory."

"Well," Lexi muttered. "I guess that makes sense then."

Froakie alerted everyone to pay attention to Dedenne who crying because Fletchling had eaten the berry that it had wanted to eat. It ran away in tears and disappeared into the bushes before anyone could go after it, clearly distraught. Bonnie tried to call it back, but to no avail.

Lexi placed a hand on Bonnie's shoulder as a way to comfort her. At that moment Froakie decided to throw some of its frubbles towards Fletchling, who dodged them gracefully.

"Look at that," Ash said. "Fletchling is fast. Alright, I'm going to catch that Fletchling now."

"That might prove to be a challenge," Lexi muttered as she observed the bird.

"Fletchling is a Flying Type," Clemont added. "Pikachu has the advantage as an Electric type."

Froakie looked back at Bonnie was sobbing quietly, and Lexi wrapped her arm better around her shoulder.

"Okay, Pikachu. Let's go!" Ash said.

"Pika!" Pikachu said.

Froakie stepped in front of Pikachu with its arm spread. "Froakie!" it merely quaked and leaped off into the air with huge hop. It threw more of its frubbles towards Fletchling, who dodged them again.

"Come on, Froakie! We don't even have a plan!" Ash tried to call it back. The memory of Froakie who refused to listen to its trainer and all of its trainers who brought it back was vivid in Lexi's mind. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaaaa!" Pikachu tried to release more of its Thunder, but Froakie stopped it just like it did the first time.

As Froakie tried to attack Fletchling with a Water Pulse it used another attack and multiplied in the air. "It's using Double Team!" Clemont explained.

Froakie's Water Pulse disturbed the Double Team, but Fletchling hit Froakie with a relentless Peck Attack which caused Froakie to slam into a tree with its back. Before it reached the ground

"Froakie, are you okay?" Ash asked concerned. "Just take it easy. Let Pikachu handle this."

"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu said.

Clearly Froakie wasn't too pleased with that suggestion. "Froakie!" It had its gaze focused on Bonnie before it leaped out of Ash his arms to try and challenge Fletchling again who was flying in circles in the air.

As Ash wanted to protest Froakie leaped into the air again for another attack. "Hold on," Clemont said. "Didn't Professor Sycamore had a habit of ignoring its trainer when battling?"

"He sure did," Lexi agreed. "It has a strong will of its own."

"I'm starting to understand," Ash said, which made them all look back at him. "Stories about Froakie leaving its trainers. I get it!"

Only his words went unexplained because the battle between Froakie and Fletchling went on. As Froakie got hit with another Peck Attack which send it towards the ground, Ash tried to intervene again.

"Stop, Froakie! Just chill out!" He grabbed Froakie in his arms to try and prevent it from moving. "You're only going to end up hurting yourself." Froakie continued to protest and say things towards Fletchling. "I know, Froakie. But you got to listen to me."

"Ash!" Clemont shouted in warning when Fletchling came charging at them with a Razor Wind. Everyone broke apart as a way to get away from the Attack before it would hit, and they landed between the trees. Lexi wasn't lying that far away from where Bonnie was lying.

"Clemont! Lexi and Bonnie! Are you okay?" Ash called out in concern.

"Yeah, Ash. We're alright," Clemont reassured him.

Bonnie, Lexi and Clemont got back on their feet to make it back towards Ash and his Pokémon. "Hey, Froakie," Ash began. "I understand. You wanted to get even with Fletchling for making Bonnie sad."

"Froak," it meekly said as it hopped out of Ash's lap.

Bonnie ran towards it. "Is that true? Thank you, Froakie!" She knelt next to Froakie and squished its cheek against hers which caused Froakie's cheeks to get red.

"But you can't do that without a plan," Ash went on with his gaze fixed on the sky where Fletchling was flying around. "Okay, Fletchling can fly. So first we need to figure out a way to lure it in." Lexi only knew Ash for two days but she was convinced that nothing could dampen its spirits.

Clemont began to laugh, which made her spin around. "Well, you just leave it to me," he said with that glint in his glasses, which she pushed all the way back. "You see the future is now thanks to science. Clemontic Gear on!" He rumbled in its backpack for a second and pulled out one of his newest inventions. It reminded Lexi of one of those old record-players that no one used anymore. "It's the Flying-Type Pokémon Attracting Machine!"

"The name could use a little work," Bonnie pointed out.

"So, how does it work?" Lexi wondered, trying to hide her excitement

"You see," Clemont went on. "Bird Pokémon have a homing instinct by using sound waves of a certain frequency this little invention of mine can attract of repel bird Pokémon by their internal compass. Watch this. Power on!" He gave the lure a few tugs and while Lexi couldn't hear or feel anything herself, she could tell the Pokémon could. Fletchling bobbed its head a little bit. "It's starting to work."

"So cool," Ash said. "Science is so amazing!"

"You did it again, Clemont," Lexi replied in awe, not sure how he even came up with these inventions of his.

Only while Clemont continued to pull the lure red eyes lit up behind them in the trees. Fletchling gave only a little reaction, and merely yawned. "I don't understand," Clemont said. "It makes no sense."

"Something is staring at us," Bonnie pointed out, with her arms raised.

Without any announcement a swarm of Beedrill came from between the trees. "Oh, this isn't good," Lexi muttered eerily.

"They were attracted by it?" Clemont wondered.

"Turn off the machine!" Bonnie cried out.

The Beedrill began to charge at them, clearly not liking that they've been woken from their sleep by this frequency. They had no other choice but to run away from the swarm, which was hot on their heels.

"I must've picked too low a frequency!" Clemont tried to explain. "A higher frequency would've worked a whole lot better on bird Pokémon. Let's try this." He pulled the lure in another direction.

"Clemont, just drop the machine!" Lexi barked, holding her glasses.

"Stop it, Clemont!" Ash yelled. "You're making the Beedrill even angrier than before."

"I'm sure I can affect the Flying type Pokémon if I just crank it up full blast!" Clemont shouted back. "Here goes!" As soon as he was finished with talking smoke came from its invention, which blew up with a loud bang.

The four of them had ended up on the edge of the forest near some cliffs on their backs. "Looks like you blew it again," Bonnie uttered.

"The Beedrill are flying away," Ash told them. "We're fine now. Is everybody okay?"

"Our hair isn't!" Lexi cried out and she looked at the disaster that was her hair which had gotten entirely tangled up from the explosion.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Bonnie answered.

"But why?" Clemont pouted mostly to himself and Lexi had to look away from him because of the way her heart jolted.

"Clemont, that was great," Ash said. "You attracted all those Beedrill's."

Clemont's face lit up nonetheless at that accomplishment. "Huh? I guess I did." But Lexi knew well enough that hadn't been his intention at all.

They all looked up at the sky when they heard something laughing and saw that it was the same Fletchling as before. "Hey, it's laughing at us," Bonnie said.

Lexi scrunched her nose while she redid her hair and clipped it back out of her face. "I can't imagine why."

"I just got an idea," Ash said.

They all made their way to the bottom of the ravine where they found Fletchling staring down at them from the top of a boulder. "Fletch!" it chirped, clearly challenging them again.

"This is it." Ash turned to Froakie. "The perfect place to battle. Time to settle the score."

Bonnie gasped. "Settle the score?"

"He means he's going to catch Fletchling," Clemont enlightened.

"Yup. Together. I'm your trainer, right? That means its you and me," Ash instructed Froakie who nodded eagerly. "Great." He rose to his feet again. "This whole area will be a battlefield. It's full of high and low places, and with your awesome jumping skills you'll rock."

"Froakie!" it croaked.

"I have no idea what any of that meant," Bonnie said.

Lexi laughed. "You will someday, Bonbon."

"Go Froakie. Jump above Fletchling," Ash instructed.

"Fro!"

It jumped from one boulder to the another with great speed, and Lexi had some difficulty with keeping track of it. It reached Fletchling in no time, but the bird flew away.

"Yes! Now jump higher!" Ash said.

"Ash is taking advantage of all the different ledge heights and combined with those amazing jumping skills Froakie will even more mobility," Clemont said in awe.

"This is some well thought out strategy," Lexi agreed as her eyes followed Froakie's movements.

While Fletchling flew away Froakie was not that far behind it, and used the walls of the ravine and the different ledges to give itself more speed.

"Now use Water Pulse!"

"Fro-kie!"

Its Water Pulse came close but it the mountain behind it. "Make it hard to fly!" Ash continued.

As Froakie leaped higher due to its hops it used its frubbles to and latched them at Fletchling relentlessly. Fletchling didn't get hit and flew even higher towards the top of the ravine.

Lexi saw how Fletchling spotted something and dove towards it with great speed with a Peck Attack. She gasped when she saw how what Fletchling hit was nothing but Froakie's frubbles.

"It's a decoy," Clemont said as they ran further down the ravine to keep up with the battle.

"So that means that Froakie -?" Lexi gazed up towards the top of the ravine where Froakie was waiting.

"Great Froakie! Bubble!" Ash said. Froakie released its bubbles and this time it hit Fletchling in its side, causing it to fall down. Ash used this opportunity well. "Now Pokéball!" He threw the Ball rapidly and Fletchling disappeared inside of it.

As the Ball reached the ground, they all waited in anticipation as the Ball twirled for a few moments. Only the Ball opened and Fletchling reappeared back into the air.

"Oh no, it didn't work!" Bonnie cried out.

"You were so close," Clemont added.

Lexi bit her lip. "You still have another chance, Ash. It doesn't appear that Fletchling will flee away." Fletchling's wings lit up. "Oh, that's another Razor Wing."

"It's attacking! Jump up again!" Ash instructed as Froakie dodges the blows from Fletchling's Razor Wing by jumping over the walls. Through that he reached Fletchling in the sky. "Water Pulse!" This time Froakie's attack hit Fletchling hard and it fell. Ash brought out another Pokéball. "This time for sure!" He twisted the cap on his head backwards. "Go Pokéball!"

Again Fletchling disappeared inside of it, but unlike the first time, this time the Ball didn't budge that much and it glowed red.

"You caught it, Ash!" Lexi exclaimed with clasped hands.

Ash began to laugh as he picked up the Pokéball and extended his arm. "I caught a Fletchling!" Froakie collapsed on the ground from exhaustion due to the two fights that it had been having. "You okay, Froakie? I caught Fletchling because of you."

"Wasn't that amazing?" Bonnie asked.

"Sure was," Clemont agreed. "Froakie's jumping kept getting better."

"Right, it improved greatly during the battle," Lexi said smiling.

"Same with your teamwork."

"Yeah, I'm starting to understand a whole about Froakie. Thanks," Ash said with Froakie in his arms. Pikachu jumped on his shoulder and gave Froakie a high five. "Come on out, Fletchling." Ash sent out Fletchling by its Pokéball and knelt in front of it. "From now on, we're gonna be good friends. All of us."

"And Fletchling," Bonnie began sweetly with a raised finger. "Tell me if you get hungry next time. Because stealing other Pokémon's food is bad."

"Fletchling," it chirped in an apologizing way.

"Okay, you're forgiven." Bonnie laughed.

Clemont knelt down next to Fletchling as well. "How about an Oran berry to celebrate our new friendship?" The smile on his face send Lexi's heart racing, so she looked the other way to cool down a bit. "You too, Pikachu and Froakie." The three Pokémon began to munch on it eagerly.

"Great," Ash said. "Alright. Let's all head to the Santalune Gym."

"Yeah!" Lexi replied cheerfully.