Chapter 3

"Mama!" I shouted as I threw the door open to the house. I had forgotten how different this house was from our last one, and that meant the fact that my Mom was no longer halfway across the house when I came in, what with the living room being right there at the door and all.

"Serena?" Mom turned from her TV. "So, you're back from your trip with the other kids? What did you all end up doing?"

"We just went to the next town and met a couple of other kids." I pulled out the letter. "The local Professor said I needed to give this to you."

"Oh? You met him?" Mom asked as she took the letter.

I shook my head. "No, one of the other kids had the letter."

Mom opened the letter. "Well, let's see what we have here." She pulled out the paper inside and opened it up. "Wow...impressive handwriting." I rolled my eyes as she read over it silently. "I see, so it's a request." She turned to me. "So, he claims you have a Pokemon now?"

I nodded and held up Fennekin's pokeball. "I'm naming him John."

"That's a nice name. So then, are you going to be heading off on a Pokemon journey here in Kalos, then?"

I rubbed the back of my neck and looked down. I wasn't sure how to respond to that. "I...I guess so...I mean, I don't have a Kalos License yet, so I'm not sure if I can."

Mom smiled and pulled out a small blue object. "Here, this is a map of Kalos." She pushed a button and a holographic display popped up. "It's also a Holo-caster, but that's besides the point. The point is, here..." she pointed to a small dot on the map, "...is Santalune City. The first Gym is there, and you can register for the League at the Pokemon Center there as well. It's a pretty quick process here in Kalos, so you should be able to get yourself registered and to the Gym right away once you get there."

"Is it a Challenge Level 1 Gym?" I asked as I looked the map over.

"Yes, but the Gym in the next city, Lumiose, is a Challenge Level 5 Gym. You'll likely want to avoid that until later."

I nodded. "All right, then." Oh, you're probably wondering what we mean by "Challenge Level". Basically, every Pokemon region has a set of eight Gyms. Those Gyms are given an order in which it is recommended that challengers fight them in. The level is the amount of badges it is recommended you have, well...minus one anyway. So basically, a Challenge Level 1 Gym means its the first Gym you should challenge. A Challenge Level 5 Gym is recommended to be challenged with no less then 4 Badges. Granted, you're not required to go in that order, but it's recommended.

"Well, then, if you're going on a journey, it might be a good idea to pack a few things."

I nodded again, took my shoes off at the door as was the usual custom back in the Nippon Islands, then turned towards the stairs. I headed up to my room, then began to rummage through my stuff. I grabbed a few necessities, like a couple changes of clothes, toothbrush, that sort of thing, and put them into my bag. I then headed back downstairs, where Mom had packed me a few food items for the trip. I could always stop off at any city and get more, of course, so I didn't need to carry a lot, just enough to be able to travel for a week or two until the next city.

Mom smiled as she looked me over one last time as I pulled my shoes back on. "You sure you've got everything?"

I nodded. "I'm even ready in case...umm..." I blushed a bit. "You know...something should happen..." I took a finger and made a motion with my other hand to indicate some kind of sexual motion.

Mom giggled. "As long as you're still taking your birth control regularly, I won't argue. Just remember to still be careful of who you do it with."

"I always am, Mom. It's not like I'm going to have sex with a random stranger." I blushed a bit more as both Calem and Shauna appeared in my head. "Friends...are another matter..."

"I'd recommend getting to know your new friends a bit more before you consider that," Mom spoke sternly.

"I know, I know." I stood to my feet and turned towards Mom. I held out my arms, letting her get a good look at me. I even twirled around once.

Mom nodded. "Looking good, Serena." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me. "Be careful on your journey. I don't want anything to happen to you."

I wrapped my arms around her. "Don't worry, Mom, I'll be fine." I pulled away from the hug. "Well, I guess I'm off, then."

Mom nodded. "Good-bye for now, Serena." I'm pretty sure she was trying to hold back tears at this point.

"Bye, Mama." I turned around, opened the door, and walked out.

It took me a little while to make my way back to Aquacorde Town, and once there, I continued off to the north. I noted that everyone had left and gone on at this point, so I noted my place on the map Mom had given me, then the location of where I was going: Santalune City. At the northern edge of Aquacorde Town, I came across a rather fancy stone bridge. It was completely flat and straight until the center, which became a small circle. You could see the river flowing under the bridge, and I stopped at the side and stared out. The breeze from the river felt really nice, I almost wanted to take off my shirt and let it flow against my bare skin, but I had my doubts that this was anything like either Cerulean or Vermillion City back in Kanto.

Cerulean City had a route all to itself, known as "Route 25" that was a sort of beach area. Once you crossed the "Nugget Bridge" as it had been nicknamed, you found yourself on that route, and it was usually lined with people who were just relaxing next to the ocean. Well, actually, that particular part was a river, but when you reached the edge of Route 25, it opened up into the ocean. It wasn't uncommon for people to lounge there in a less-then-clothed state, especially near the end. I don't know why, but a legend had been started long ago about that part of Route 25. It was said that if you shared some kind of romantic moment with someone there, you would stay with that person forever. It wasn't uncommon to see people making out, or going even further then that, at that part of the route.

On the other hand, Vermillion City was a harbor, which meant that half of the city was built out over the ocean. It wasn't uncommon to go there and find people in their bikinis or less either. While there were no "legendary romance spots" in Vermillion, they did have some pretty hot girls there. Anyway, I should probably get off that little rabbit trail, shouldn't I?

I turned after a moment and headed towards the north, making my way towards Route 2, also commonly called the "Avance Trail". It's interesting to note that every route in Kalos had a secondary name as well as a route number. "Well, I guess this is the true start of my journey," I spoke as I began to take notice of the wild Pokemon in the nearby trees. I noted that the river in Aquacorde Town was also flowing on the west side.

"All right, I'm ready!" I heard a shout from ahead, and upon closer examination I noticed both Calem and Shauna up ahead. It had been Shauna who had shouted. Calem was standing next to her, holding a pokeball in his hand.

"All right, then watch me." Calem stepped forward and began to look around.

"What's going on here?" I asked as I stepped up to the group.

"Calem is showing me how to catch a Pokemon! His Mom and Dad are really strong trainers, so he knows a lot about training!"

"Really?" I asked and blinked at Shauna. "Didn't they teach you any of that in the Trainer School?"

Shauna looked away. "I never went to one..."

"NANI?!" I shouted, forgetting to speak in Kalosian. "Anata wa honkidesu!"

Shauna stared at me. "Umm..."

I slapped my forehead. "Sorry...I said 'What? Are you serious?'"

Shauna nodded in response. "I was going to go next year, but now I don't have to. Since Professor Sycamore gave me a Pokemon, I can register for my license at Santalune City without going. Calem didn't go either, because his parents are super awesome trainers."

Calem rubbed the back of his neck. "Talk all you want about my parents, but it has nothing to do with me." He turned around and smiled. "Hello, neighbor."

"'Neighbor'?" I asked. "Honestly, I do have a name, you know?"

Calem rubbed the back of his neck nervously again. "Ha, I know, I just think the nickname suits you."

I shrugged. "Well, whatever, I guess..."

"I like my nickname for you, 'Serena-san'!" Shauna spoke with a big grin on her face.

I giggled. "I like that nickname, too."

"Anyway, Shauna, are you going to pay attention now?"

"Oh, right!" Shauna quickly pulled one leg forward and brought her hands up, as if ready to box someone. "I'm ready!"

"You...don't really need to stand like that just to watch..." Calem sighed. "Whatever...let's do this..." He turned and stepped forward again, examining the trees. "Ah!" He threw his pokeball forward. "Go, Fletchling!" From out of the pokeball came an interesting looking bird. It had red feathers on its head, and gray feathers on its body. It also had a long tail with black feathers on it that ended in a sort of split at the end, almost like it was an arrowhead going into its butt. It even had feathers on its tail that made a white arrow that pointed towards it.

"Fletchling, use Tackle on that Bunnelby!" Calem shouted and the bird tossed its wings back, flying straight forward and tackling hard into a gray bunny. It had brown feet and the ends of its ears had brown on them. It looked more like mud then brown fur. Sure enough, the Bunnelby immediately jumped into the air, then began to burrow underground with its ears.

"NANI?!" I shouted. I hadn't seen anything like that before.

"Bunnelby uses its ears to dig through the ground," Calem spoke up. "Because of that, it's ears are always covered in mud. Now, Fletchling, dive into the hole and use Quick Attack!" The bird dove straight down the hole, and a moment later, the Bunnelby came flying out of the ground and into the air, followed shortly after by Fletchling. Calem smirked. "Now, go pokeball!" He grabbed a second pokeball from his pack and threw it forward. The ball flew forward and struck the Bunnelby while it was still in mid-air. In a flash of light, it was absorbed into the ball, and after shaking for a few moments, once it had landed, it clicked, signaling the Pokemon inside was caught.

"It went INSIDE the pokeball?!" Shauna shouted as Calem walked forward and picked up Bunnelby's pokeball.

"Honestly, Shauna, have you forgotten already?" Calem pointed to the pokeball on Shauna's belt. "Your Chespin is in a pokeball, too."

Shauna bonked herself on the head. "Oh yeah, I forgot." She giggled and rubbed the back of her neck.

"Pretty impressive," I spoke as I folded my arms across my chest.

"Thanks. I learned a lot from my parents."

"And might I ask who your parents are?"

Calem nodded. "You might know my Mom, since you're from Kanto like she was. She used to be the Champion of the Kanto League for a while until she stepped down. Her name's Amanda."

My eyes went wide. "Y-you're..." Calem is the son of Amanda Fuckin' Kujiro. She's only known as being the absolute strongest trainer the Kanto region has ever seen! I wanted to be just like her when I was a kid, but she had stepped down from being the champion when a huge scandal came out when the Kanto-Johto Pokemon Association found out she was pregnant but not even married. "You're Amanda Kujiro's kid?!"

Calem nodded. "She's changed her name to Amanda Durant since she stopped being the Kanto Champion and married my father, but yes, I am."

"Do you have any siblings?"

Calem blinked and shook his head. "No...I'm an only child, why?"

"Then..." I pointed a finger at him. "You're the child she was pregnant with when she quit!"

Calem stared at me for a moment, then rolled his eyes and sighed. "Yes, it's my fault she had to quit being the Champion."

"No, no, no! I didn't mean it like that, I just..." I rubbed the back of my neck and looked away. "Sorry...you probably get that a lot, don't you?"

Calem nodded and turned around. "Yes."

"Sorry."

Calem shook his head. "Whatever, I'm heading on to Santalune Forest." He turned to Shauna. "Here, here's some pokeballs for you to help you get started." He handed her some pokeballs, then headed on.

Shauna watched him for a moment, then turned to me. "Serena-san, do you need pokeballs?" She took half of what Calem had given her and held them out to me.

I smiled. "Thanks." I took them. "Now, let me show you how to really catch a Pokemon." Shauna's eyes began to shine at those words and I turned. "All right, wild Pokemon, it's time for Serena to show you what she's made of!" I watched the trees around me for a moment before spotting my target. "All right, John, let's do this!" I tossed Fennekin's pokeball forward, and he leapt out. "John, use Ember on that Pidgey, but don't burn the trees!"

John barked, then opened his mouth and unleashed a few small balls of fire. They flew up, striking a Pidgey off its perch. The Pidgey quickly flew into the air and began flapping its wings to create a powerful Gust. "Perfect! John, stand your ground against that Gust!" John dug his paws into the ground and waited as the wind passed over him. Once the Pidgey realized its attack was futile, it flew straight towards John. "Now, jump into the air to dodge and land on its back!" John jumped into the air at just the right moment, causing the Pidgey to be confused as to where its opponent went. A moment later, John landed directly on the Pidgey's back. "Ember!"

John unleashed an attack right on the Pidgey's back, leaping off just as he did. The balls of fire knocked the Pidgey to the ground and I quickly pulled out a pokeball. "Pokeball, go!" I shouted and tossed it. The Pidgey absorbed into the ball, which shook a few times before clicking. "Yes!" I smiled. "And that's a capture!"

I turned back to Shauna and her eyes were wide and sparkling. "That was amazing!" she shouted. "I want to learn how to catch Pokemon just like that!"

I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck. "It's something you have to learn on your own; its not really something I can teach."

"Then show me again! Maybe I can learn by watching you!"

"Well...how about this? Let's head into Santalune Forest, and maybe you can try yourself."

Shauna's eyes went wide and sparkled again. "Oh! Maybe I'll find a Pikachu in Santalune Forest! Then I can catch it just like you did!" I don't think I've ever seen someone run as fast as Shauna did at that moment. She had rushed off quick as...umm...something that's very fast...and had disappeared from my sight before I could even react.

I groaned. "Why do the really cute ones have to also be the hyperactive ones?" I whined to myself before marching off into Santalune Forest. What awaited me inside? Well, I'll save that for the next chapter.