Hey, it's been a while since I updated this, huh? Sorry! I wanted to catch up on Enlightening the Soul. So without further ado, I'll let you read this chapter!

Amy47101 does not own pokémon.

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The Adventure Saga

The Reality of Serenity

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Serena stretched her arms above her head as she rode the elevator downstairs. It was refreshing, really, to be able to play the piano like that. But she wanted to search around Lumiose City, maybe even check out the boutique she heard was here. Of course, Shauna babbled on about the PR video station, while Trevor and Tierno seemed eager to move to the next route to search for pokémon. Calem... well, she wasn't sure what he wanted. Calem was incredibly hard to read, unless he said what he wanted outright.

Adjusting her ball cap, she walked out of the elevator, only to see Sina talking to a man with a rather crazy hairstyle. His hair was bright orange, which Serena found strange enough, but the fact that it practically exploded from his head made it all the weirder. Other than his crazy hair and beard, he was dressed sharply, almost as if he was someone of importance in the Kalosian society

"So I'll be able to see them soon, then." he said to Sina. She nodded. "These teenagers chosen by the professor... I wonder what potential they hold.

"Yes." Turning to the sound of the elevator closing, she grinned. "In fact, here's one of them now! That's Serena. Serena, come over here for a sec!" Serena, raising an eyebrow, walked over to the the two.

"Oh! You received a pokédex from the professor then… How wonderful! That is a wonderful thing, indeed. You are one of the chosen ones." he said. Serena nodded.

"My name's Serena." she said, raising her hand for a handshake, seeing as it was the polite thing to do.

"I am Lysandre. I've tried to learn as much about Pokémon as I can to help build a brighter future. Professor Sycamore has taught me so much." his eyes traveled to her bag, where the Halo Caster hung. "Oh, I see you have a Halo Caster!"

"Uh, yeah. My mom got it for me a little while after arrived in Kalos."

"So you're not from around here? Then you will probably learn much from your journey. Knowledge is power, after all. Put it to good use." Serena nodded politely. "Now listen! It is vital that this world become a better place. And the people and Pokémon chosen to make the world better must work tirelessly to achieve this goal." Serena's stomach dropped at this, feeling suddenly uneasy around this man. Sure, making the world a better place was great and all... But he said it with scorn lacing the edges of his voice. Almost as if Lysandre was disgusted with society. "Well, I'll be off. Please give Professor Sycamore my best." he took a steps around Serena, and just barely, she heard him mutter the next sentence under his breath. "My desire…it is for a more beautiful world!"

Then he walked out of the building. Serena shuddered inwardly at him, feeling not at all comfortable with the heaviness that his presence left behind.

"I wonder..." Sina said aloud. "What beautiful world does Lysandre desire?" she shook her head in confusion, turning towards the elevator as Calem, Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor stumbled out of it.

"Seré, you're so mean, making us wait!" Shauna exclaimed as she came up to her. Serena shrugged.

"You snooze you loose." Serena smiled. "Where're you all heading next?"

"OH! There's this one place that I reeaaallly wanna check out! The PR studio!" Shauna exclaimed.

"I think I'm going to head to route five." Trevor said. "There should be some new pokémon there for me to catch for the pokédex."

"Oh! Me too! I wanna try the skate park there." Tierno said. Calem came up to Serena and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I want to talk to you about something. I'll wait for you in Cafe Soleil, Seré!" he said, lowering his hand and then walking out of the building. Trevor looked after him curiously.

"I wonder what he wanted to talk to you about." the ginger mused quietly.

"I dunno." Tierno shrugged. "No idea why he has to be so hush-hush about it.

"Why couldn't he just say it in front of all of us?" Shauna asked.

"I can guess why." Sina said, a devious smirk on her face. The group of teens turned her way, wondering what her input was. "Isn't obvious? Calem plans to announce his amour éternel to Serena!" There was a long pause, before Tierno began snickering into the back of his hand, followed by the low chuckles of Trevor and laughter of Shauna. Sina stood there, a smirk dancing on her lips, while Serena looked just plain confused, suddenly wishing she had a Enligh-French phrasebook or dictionary to translate the french tidbit that seemed so funny to her three friends.

"What's amour éternel mean?" Serena finally asked, feeling rather stupid by not catching the joke. Sina rolled her eyes, then shook her head.

"Nothing you need to know." Sina said, steering the honey-haired girl towards the door. "No go get 'em, champ!"

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"What took you so long? Get lost?" Calem asked teasingly, hand lowering from scratching Froakie, who sat stubbornly on his head, refusing to budge. Serena, Ralts held carefully in her arms, furrowed her brows in irritation.

"This city is crazy! First I went down the wrong street and somehow ended up in a stone emporium where some guy was trying to sell me a mega stone for an utterly ridiculous price. Then I got dragged into a herb shop where some guy was trying to shove herbs into my hands, and when I didn't buy, he wanted me to make tea for him. After that, I got to the clothing store, but was kicked back into the street because I wasn't fashionable enough! On top of that, I kept on getting turned down by engineers who won't let me down any more streets because of the power outage and-"

"You got bangs." Calem said, cutting her off. Serena blinked, reaching up to gingerly touch the hair that fell against her forehead.

"That's another whole story. Forcefully dragged into a salon and some eccentric hairdresser exclaimed I'd look 'absolutely stunning' with bangs." she crossed her arms with a huff. "And she was right. I like the bangs."

"Well, they do look nice on you." Calem nodded. Serena averted her gaze, a smile playing at her lips. Calem nodded towards the door. "C'mon, lets go inside." Politely holding the door open for the girl, Serena walked inside the café, taking in the deep scent of this one, which smelled surprisingly like cake. Don't blame her, every café she stumbled into thus far had it's own unique scent to it, from bread to coffee to even Furfrou fur. That, she will admit, was an unusual experience.

Sitting across from Calem as he slid into a booth, she glanced around curiously, letting her pink bag fall from her shoulder. She smirked, noticing Froakie was still atop Calems head as he glanced over the menu.

"Hey," she said teasingly, giggling behind her hand. "No hats in the restaurant." Calem blinked his gray eyes, glancing-or at least trying to- back up at Froakie.

"Hey, buddy, c'mon." he said. "We're in a restaurant, you know. Can you sit on my lap?" Froakie, rolling his eyes in an irritated manner, hopped onto Calem's outstretched arm, then onto the trainers lap. His eyes glanced to the side, then widened, turning his head fully to the two adults a little ways away. "Hey, isn't that Diantha and... Lysandre?" Serena moved her gaze as well, tilting her head to the side as she spotted Lysandre and a pretty woman whom she assumed to be Diantha. Faintly, she remembered seeing advertisements and magazine articles about the woman, knowing that she was rather famous in Kalos.

"You played a young girl so wonderfully in your debut on the silver screen." Lysandre complimented. "Wouldn't you rather remain young and beautiful forever and always play such roles?"

"What a strange question..." Diantha said, thoughtfully tapping her chin to find an answer. "Why would I want to play the same old roles forever? Youth may be beautiful, but it's not all there is to life. Everything changes." she paused, mulling over what to say next. "I want to live and change like that, too. So I look forward to playing different roles as I get older."

"What an odd couple..." Serena mumbled under her breath. She still got that awfully eerie aura from Lysandre, though couldn't exactly place why. She did not like it, though.

"It's not all that weird." Calem said. "I mean, both are pretty famous, what with Lysandre owning Lysandre Labs and Diantha being a famous movie star. They're bound to run into each other on occasion."

""You were chosen to be a movie star, correct? Isn't it your duty to be ever beautiful?" Lysandre closed his eyes. "Everything beautiful should stay that way forever. I would make this world unchanging and eternal so all beauty will last forever." his serene expression twisted into a scowl, fist clenching in anger as he opened his eyes. "I can't stand the thought of the world becoming uglier." he turned his gaze towards them, eyebrows rising at seeing the two. "Oh. Hello, Serena. And this is...?"

"Calem, sir." Calem responded politely.

"Ah, Calem. Another one of Sycamores pupils, I presume?" he nodded, turning towards Diantha. "This is Diantha, one of the most accomplished movie stars in Kalos. She moves the multitudes with her excellent acting... Which is to say, she dedicates her life to making other people happy. Oh! If only everyone were like her. What a beautiful world this would be! If you'll excuse me..." Lysandre then got up and promptly walked out of the café. The two teens blinked, turning their attention back to Diantha, who promptly paid the bill for the coffee the two drank.

"And you two are?" Diantha asked, scratching her cheek bashfully. "I didn't quite get your names, what with Lysandres rant and all."

"I'm Calem, and this is Serena." Calem said. Serena smiled to herself, remembering how they both seemed to have introduced themselves to people quite a few times today.

"You both have lovely names." She smiled, glancing down at Ralts and Froakie. "Oh, and you're both trainers! Don't your pokémon look happy?"

"Thanks." Serena and Calem uttered at the same time. Both shot a look to each other, trying to hold back laughter.

"Anyways, I do believe hearing Lysandre say that you guys are working under Augustine?" Diantha continued, smiling. Serena blinked.

"Who?" she asked, blinking in confusion.

"Prof. Sycamore." Calem said. "His first name is Augustine."

"Oh. Then yeah, we're working on the pokédex for him."

"And mega evolution." Calem said, then smirking. "Though I'll accomplish that feat first." Serena rolled her eyes.

"Please, Calem, I'm gonna do it first, you know that!" Serena said. Calem smiled dryly.

"We'll see, Seré, we'll see." he responded. "Prof. Sycamore already gave us pokémon and a mega stone to go with it." Diantha tilted her head to the side curiously.

"Pokémon, you say?"

"Yeah, a Kanto starter." Serena said. "I chose Squirtle, and Calem chose Bulbasaur." Diantha widened her eyes.

"Ah, I see, so you are studying mega evolution." she said. "You've both got that spark in your eye, I can see it! I may have something that will help your quest, though it's not nearly as good as a pokémon or a pokédex." she reached into her purse, digging around a bit, before pulling out two stones that seemed to greatly contrast each other. One consisted of pinks and greens, whereas other was made up of dark grays and blacks.

"Those are Mega Stones, right?" Serena asked, staring at the stones in awe, the quickly glancing back up at the movie star. "We can't accept these!" Diantha laughed, pushing the lighter colored one into her hands and the darker colored one into Calem's.

"That one is Gardivoirite." she said, nodding towards Serena. "And the one you have, Calem, is Absolite."

"As in... Gardivoir and and Absol?" Calem muttered, studying the stone. "They have Mega Evolutions?" Diantha nodded.

"Possibly. I really have no need for either of them, so I was hoping to find Augustine's pupils to perhaps take them for me." she looked off to the distance for a moment. "In my spare time," she continued. "I am also a pokémon trainer. Perhaps next time we meet, we can battle?" and with a small smile and a wave, she walked out of the cafe, leaving the two trainers with their newly acquired mega stones. Serena blinked, still staring at the smooth stone sitting in her palm.

"Alright, do all important people just leave so promptly like that here in Kalos?" Serena finally asked, passing the mega stone off to Ralts, who stared at it curiously, eyes wide with awe from the power she felt flowing from it. Calem chuckled, tucking his own mega stone into his bag.

"Not all, but some. I'm sure that their are some people who are like that in other regions. Like, say, Leaf Green. The famous champion who-"

"Secluded herself upon Mt. Silver, coming and go as she pleases." Serena finished. "I've heard stories that no one has ever beat her, though only few came close."

"That's because only few would take the treacherous trip up to Mt. Silver." Calem responded. "So far, only two are known to have gone up and battle her. Lyra Kotone and her rival, Gary Oak." Calem paused for a minute. "Speaking of rivals, Serena, I wanted to ask you something. How about you and I compete and see who ends up stronger?" again her paused, glancing away from her. "I know we set off on our journey just after you arrived in Vaniville, but we are neighbors, and having a competition with you sounds like fun." he turned his attention back to her, determination sparking in his eyes. "So what do you say?" Serena smirked.

"I rivalry, huh? Sounds challenging. I'm always one for a challenge." Serena responded. Calem smirked.

"I won't lose though. Just so you know."

"Just so I know?" Serena repeated. "Well then," she folded her hands, leaning forward slightly, a playful smirk on her face. "Just so you know, Calem, every challenge I take, I take seriously. If you want a rivalry, you just met one with more fiery determination than even the depths of hell can conjure up."

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Her long brown hair that reached her lower back whipped around her as deep green eyes, similar to the color of leaves on the trees of a forest, stared down at Shalour City. It was nighttime, sun just lowering over the horizon.

If one was even out, and happened to be staring where she was, they'd see a young woman, age of twenty, wearing a long-sleeved, cut off, skin-tight turtleneck, flat stomach revealed despite the temperatures as they lowered along with the sun. Her shoulders were covered by a green shawl, similar to the one that the grass-type gym leader Gardenia of Eterna City wore. Skinny jeans adorned her legs, dull brown boots-the straps around the ankles holding them in place- flaring up only slightly after the ankles. Around her waist was a brown belt, two pockets on the side.

Leaf Green stared silently, taking in all the sights as the city slowly died down, falling into sleep. It truly was a magnificent thing, to see a city, usually so busy and bustling with roller skaters, fall to sleep into serene quietness. But seeing it from the height of the Tower of Mastery was all the more beautiful.

Slowly, she inclined her head upwards, watching as her Pidgeot flew down. She rose an eyebrow, and her pokémon shook her head. She nodded, smiling. The young woman ran her hand across the nicked and old pokéballs, six of her friends, her companions, her partners. She reached for Pidgeots, and returned the bird, saying nothing, eyes full of praise for her beloved bird. Letting out a sigh, she closed her eyes, tilting her head back even farther. Such a peaceful night.

Leaf, renown champion of Kanto, has finally managed to reach Kalos, a new region, a new challenge. She reached into the pocket at the right hip of her belt, feeling the pokédex that she had upgraded thanks to Gary and the professors, a small stack of pictures, held together by a rubber band, her wallet, her halo caster, and finally, a badge case. This, she pulled out.

Popping it open, she glanced at her many victories over the years. The badges of Kanto, when she was just fourteen, then those of Johto at fifteen, not to different from Kanto, though a pain to travel since everyone knew her face then. The Hoenn league, a fun new experience, traveling through the islands on the back of her gentle Lapras, and then Sinnoh, an absolutely frigid region, but nothing she couldn't handle. Unova was a fun region, she decided, filled with many more sights and attractions she never would've imagined seeing. And now Kalos.

Leaf Green had conquered every gym in every region, a huge accomplishment at her young age, earning the eight badges of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and now starting on Kalos. So far, she had three. Slowly, she uncurled her other hand, pressing the newly acquired Rumble Badge into it's slot. Korrina certainly didn't hold back, Mega Evolving her Lucario as a last resort. This mega evolution, new and unusual to Leaf, proved to be a challenge, even against her seasoned and experienced Flareon.

She slid the badge case back into the right pocket, this one holding all her important items, the left one holding minimal medical supplies. Leaf glanced down at the city again, and slowly reached into her back pocket, pulling out a necklace.

It was shaped like a leave, silver veins of the replica wrapping around a multi-colored stone. She knew what this was. It was the other half to mega evolution, the 'Key Stone'. It took her and her three companions- close friends Dayna Yellow and Fire Red, and boyfriend of nearly six years, Gary Oak- a long time to find these stones, and gain the trust and accountability to be granted the Mega Stones.

Leaf frowned slightly, remembering Gary. What a horrible girlfriend she was. After each trip to each region in search of her long lost sister, she used to just stay in Pallet Town with her mother, who was both delighted and slightly disappointed-despite her futile attempts to hide it- when she came home empty handed of the young Serenity Green. After her return from Johto, however, Leaf realized just how nosy people where. A romantic getaway with Gary Oak? Secretly cheating on him with Fire Red? Is Serenity even real? Is she just a publicity stunt? It sickened her to no end.

She began to seclude herself atop the snowy peaks of Mt. Silver, growing accustomed to drastic temperatures, thus able to stand in the chilly night air in a cut off. She knew that if someone was really that strong and bent to challenge her, they'd reach her at the top of the mountain. Leaf remembered, about three years after the fall of Giovanni, when a young fourteen-year-old girl climbed the mountain, fiery determination in her brown eyes. The girl had lost, though, so in a way, her attempts were all for nothing. Leaf faintly remembered hearing that she had beaten Lance, yet turned down the championship title. She smiled at this, glad that the fiery determination would never leave that girl. She was as free as a bird, not chained down like she was. Not bound by honor and the title. Leaf shook her head.

She knew she was changing, slowly falling from her happy, witty self to cold and stoic. If she knew it, then how could she hide it from Gary? Leaf loved him with all her heart, she really did. But the mass media stalking them whenever they were together... She couldn't handle it. She hated it, hated it how people assumed so many things about her. She's read the tabloids, angrily ordering her Flareon to burn them soon after. She hated everything, how everyone seemed to care less about how she felt. Every single emotion was broadcasted, every action announced. It drove Leaf to what she was today, cold, stoic, emotionless. To hide from the media, not from her friends.

Slowly, her hand curled around the mega charm in her hand, the metal pressing into her skin. When was the last time she saw her friends, together? Were Fire and Dayna still together? Did Gary give up on her yet? Probably, she decided on the first question. Probably not, on the second. Perhaps she should go on a date with him, catch up. No one seemed to recognize them here, sure, a few double takes, but nothing like the screaming stampedes in Johto. No one even asked who she was as of yet, only the gym leaders, whom she had to introduce herself to, and the mega evolution Guru, whom was kind enough to give her rooms while she awaited her friends.

Slowly, she shook her head. She knew what Gary was thinking, she could read him so well. But she would never be ready for such commitment until she at least found Serenity, alive or dead. She needed that closure.

Slowly, she reached up, clasping the mega charm around her neck. Something warm dribbled down her cheek, and she blinked, reaching up and swiping at the tears, staring at the glistening drops like they were some sort of foreign element. She was crying? Strange. She hadn't cried for years. How very strange. She swiped them aside again.

Perhaps this reunion with Fire, Dayna, and Gary would do her good. And she also heard that there were some new pokédex holders, pupils of Prof. Sycamore. Perhaps she'd get to meet her juniors? Then she smiled, a soft, small smile that she hadn't had on her face in years.

Kalos was different from other regions. A region where no one knew her by her face, a region where cameras weren't constantly shoved into her life, where she didn't need to fear ridiculous tabloids. It was like when she was fourteen: naive, brimming with hope for the future, excitement to battle everyone for any reason.

Here, she was just another, completely ordinary trainer.

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Hey, officially, I'm ungrounded tomorrow! Again, sneaking my typing. XD

Amy47101 signing off! ^.^