So here's an update for The Reality of Serenity. This is probably gonna be the last update of the year, but hey, can you imagine? I began this story nearly a year ago! Now it almost has two hundred reviews! I'm so grateful! Thank you, wonderful reviewers!

Amy47101 does not own pokémon.

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The Adventure Saga

The Reality of Serenity

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"I found it!" Calem shouted as he popped out from behind a bush, grinning. Serena looked up, and cheered joyfully at the pale golden stone that he held in his hand. He came out from behind the push, picking leaves out of his hair and brushing them off his shirt, then handing the stone to her. "One shiny stone, ready for order!"

"Thank you!" Serena exclaimed. "When those farmers said that they hid useful items back here, they weren't kidding!"

"But it was a pain to get." Calem said. "Riding that Skiddo..." Serena laughed.

"You're just mad that yours threw you off." she stated, shaking her head as she released Roselia.

"True." Calem stated, shrugging. Serena rolled her eyes.

"Hey, Roselia! We've found a shiny stone!" she stated, grinning. The pokémon cheered happily, reaching out it's arms to receive it's ticket to evolution. Serena happily passed it to her, and after a moments pause, the pokémon began glowing. Soon, Roselia was replaced with a Roserade. Serena cried out with joy, opening her arms to hug her pokémon. Roserade complied, obviously happy.

"Now I have to think about how to overcome a Roserade." Calem joked. Serena stuck her tongue out at him.

"Stop being a downer and be happy!" she stated. Calem grinned.

"Okay!" he then joined the hug. Serena, widened her eyes at this. She had gotten used to Calem's random spurts of well... randomeness. She wasn't exactly uncomfortable by the hug, but more surprised. He had never before actually crossed the lines of physically touching her unless she either started it, such as with their tickle war, or it was absolutely necessary, like when she needed comfort or care.

It never actually occurred to her that they had gotten close to the point of being able to comfortably hug each other.

"Alright, enough celebrating." Calem stated, standing, courteously turning to help Serena up. Once she had returned Roserade and was standing, both began to walk back to the farm to return the Skiddo they borrowed.

"Where to next?" Serena asked as the left the Skiddo on the ranch, and walked away. Calem glanced at his map on his Halo Caster.

"The next city, Coumarine City, is split into two parts, since the pokémon center and the gym and such are located on a hillcrest while small shops, stands, and houses are located on the seaside port." he stated. "It's a pretty place, really."

"You've been there before?"

"No, but Trevor was. He showed me pictures. It was on one of Prof. Sycamore's trips, you know? He wanted to research... I believe it was the sea pokémon that lived in the sea area? I'm not to sure, but I think what he really wanted was a break." Calem laughed. "Coumarine is a pretty exclusive resort town, known especially for having it's port hold many yachts and stuff like that. Lottsa tourists go there for their shops. It's cute, really. They set up one day and are gone the next."

"Like a carnival?" Serena asked. Calem snapped his fingers and winked.

"Bingo." he grinned. "With the exception of, you know, games and rides and stuff like that. But it's still fun."

"It sounds like fun." Serena smiled.

"Anyways, we should be there soon." Calem continued as they rounded a corner. Serena spotted a small beach out of the corner of her eye, noticing only a few fishermen.

"Guess that's a popular fishing spot." Serena stated. Calem glanced at them.

"I would suppose so." he responded.

"It's kinda quaint, despite being this so-called bustling resort town you're describing to me." Serena stated, looking up at him.

"It's a resort town for a reason, Seré. People come to resorts to relax." Calem grinned.

"Don't treat me like I'm stupid." Serena said, smacking his arm playfully. She noticed the grass and dirt became a neat, gray-brick path, and smiled. They had arrived. True to his word, the town was peaceful, yet she could hear the bustling of street vendors as they tried to pawn off their items to tourists.

"So what should we do?" Calem asked. Glancing around, Serena cast her eyes to the booths.

"Would it be bad if I went to look at the shops?" she asked, grinning. "I mean, you don't have to. I know you have other obligations, but-"

"Nah, it's fine. Just don't bore me to death, okay?" Serena rolled her eyes at this.

"Please. We both know that you'd find a way to entertain yourself."

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Calem watched off to the side as Serena browsed through the clothing that a vendor was selling. He stated that the styles came from Snowbelle City, immediately catching Serena's attention since the clothes were very simple, but in a unique way elegant. He could tell from a mile off that they were perfect for her, but, as all men do, grew tired and bored of shopping.

He wondered if that was just a thing wound into every males DNA. Like a checkoff lift Arceus checks off. So he stood off to the side corner of the store as she browsed about. He saw her pick up a yellow shirt and then her halo castor, as flicking through the images of clothing stored in her PC.

He thought about that for a moment. He knew that in Hoenn, one could store items in the PC, and ever since then, PC storage has been evolving. It went from holding just pokémon to items, and from then, to clothing. Now there were PC apps on the Halo Castors where a person could look through the contents, but they were still working on gaining access through said apps.

Serena held the yellow shirt in her arm with some other articles as her finger paused on an aqua flower pin. She picked up an aqua scarf, held it next to the image, then called to the clerk saying she wanted to try some of these things on. The small shop owner led her to a changing room.

Calem glanced to the side, seeing a small stand selling hats. He grinned. Truth be told, he had become particularly fond of the beanie that he bought back in Santalune. Maybe they were selling some here?

He wandered casually over to the stand, glancing among the hats. He saw a black beanie at the top, and began to reach for it, when another hand took it off. He turned to address the person who snatched when he clearly was reaching for it, but stopped when he saw Leaf Green standing before him. She widened her eyes slightly at his appearance.

"Oh, hey Le-"

"Don't say it." she whispered harshly. Calem snapped his mouth shut at her tone, then nearly facepalmed. Leaf was world renown. He knew that Kalos focused more on the fashion scene, putting more attention on famous movie stars and singers, pretty models and brave stuntmen. While they were aware of the Kanto Champion and 'leader' of the dexholders, the wouldn't recognize her, based on appearance, against any other trainer. But slap a name on, and then the mobs would be running.

"Sorry." he stated. Leaf glanced at the beanie, then passed it back to him. Her own silent apology, he supposed.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Well... I'm buying a beanie, obviously." Calem said. Leaf glanced at the hat racks again, then pointed to one: a white fedora with a light brown band around it.

"Buy Serena that one." she stated. Calem wasn't so sure it was an order rather than suggestion, but glanced at her questionably. "I watched the clothes and whatnot she choose out in the store. The tan would match her boots and the aqua flower and scarf would go nicely with the white."

"I see..." Calem muttered. Would Serena like it? He grabbed the hat and plopped it one the counter next to the beanie. Leaf stood stoically off to the side as he paid, then pulled him aside as he got his purchases.

"Did you get it?" she whispered to him. Calem blinked, then it clicked.

"Yeah." he said, grabbing his bag. He pulled out the item, carefully placed in a large ziplock bag, passing it to her. She stared at it. "Will it be enough?"

"Yes. More than enough." Leaf muttered, tucking it into one of the pouches on her hip. "Thank you?"

"What if it comes back positive?" Calem demanded as she turned away. "What am I supposed to tell her? What are we going to do?"

"We'll tell her." Leaf stated simply. "My job is to tell her. You and your friends jobs are to support her. Especially you, Calem." she glanced back. "She seems especially close to you."

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"Stupid salesperson, selling cute things way overpriced..." Serena muttered as she glared at the aqua flower clip in her hand. In the store she had bought a yellow shirt with three-fourth sleeves, a aqua blue scarf, an olive green skirt, gray OTK socks, and beige boots with a matching strappy purse. She was currently wearing her new outfit, pouting slightly as she tucked the clip into her pocket. Pulling the hair tie that held the ends of her hair together, she finger combed it for a moment before pulling it into a ponytail and tying it.

With all due honesty, she had expected the clothing to be cheap, like it was when she was in Santalune or in Cyllage. But rather, it was horribly expensive. If she didn't look so cute with her new outfit, she'd honestly be ashamed of herself.

"Ah, well." she stated, stretching, then resting her elbows on her lap and her chin in her hands as she waited for Calem on a bench she found. "Maybe I'll run into Team Flare. They seem to be an impressive source of revenue, what with all their grunts and whatnot." she smiled, imagining a new hat she could buy.

Suddenly, something plopped onto her head, falling over her eyes. She gasped in surprise, scrambling to get the item off her head. She heard a familiar laugh, and whipped around to see Calem snickering behind her.

"Calem! Don't do that, you scared me!" she exclaimed. Calem shook his head, looking at her.

"Do you like your gift?" he asked as he leaned on the back of the bench.

"Gift...?" she muttered, glancing at what she held in her hands. A white fedora with a beige band. She widened her eyes as she scrambled to get the clip she previously bought out of her pocket to pin it on the hat. She put it on her head again, and turned around, trying to find a reflective surface to see what she looked like.

"You look great!" Calem stated, giving her a thumbs up. Serena glanced at him.

"How did you know I needed a hat?" she asked, looking down to avoid his gaze.

"Actually," Calem stated, scratching his cheek awkwardly as his face went red. "I bought it 'cause I thought you'd look nice with it. And I was right! It goes with your outfit, thank Arceus!"

"S-So you l-l-l-like it?" Serena asked, nearly slapping a hand over her mouth. Her stutter was back. Was she nervous? Around Calem?

"Yeah! It's much better than the jeans and T-shirts you've been wearing lately. You look much prettier in skirts and shirts like that!"

"W-Well, I'm g-glad you l-l-like it." she said. "He likes it when I where skirts. When I'm wearing simple, elegant things like this..." she swallowed. She wasn't sure why she was registering this in her mind, but she suddenly couldn't wait until she could get to Snowbelle City. Or any city, for the matter, to check out the new boutiques.

"Well," Calem said, sitting down and looking away, his cheeks tinted pink. Was he embarrassed by what he said? Serena almost giggled. It made her want to tease him... Slowly, she sat down and eased closer to him until she was right next to him.

"So you like me in outfits like this, huh?" she whispered teasingly in his ear. His reaction was priceless. He first went red, snapping to look at her then scrambling back so far that he fell off the bench. Serena laughed at this, standing up to help him up. He was mumbling something under his breath, and she simply smiled. He could just be so cute sometimes...

"Y-You scared me!" he exclaimed, taking her hand while trying to hide his face. Serena shook her head, still giggling, then smiled.

"Lets get on the monorail so that we can challenge the gym." she said, pointing with her free hand at the station. "As an apology for the scare, lets battle, okay?"

"This time I'll beat you!" Calem said, pointing at her. Serena smiled.

It wasn't until they got to the station that she realized they were still holding hands.

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Some of this is based off a true story! Won't say what, though~.

So yeah. It's short, but I decided to just give you a big Kalosshipping chapter before the new year. Where I am, we've got eight minutes, counting. Happy New year, and hope to hear from you soon!

Amy47101 signing off! ^.^