"One more second," Shauna commanded, repositioning the two lattes with cream art symmetrically on either side of the macarons. She looked through her phone's viewfinder once again, frowned, and continued to rearrange the set to capture the perfect photo. Serena tapped her foot in anticipation of trying her first Lumiosian coffee. She fully appreciated the importance of a good aesthetic, however, so she completely respected her friend's eye for photography.

"Sorry, it's for the blog." Click. "And, done!" Shauna examined the final capture. Two ceramic mugs illuminated by red-filtered light contrasted beautifully against the maroon, unfocused walls and deep burgundy tablecloths beneath them.

"Thank goodness," Serena exclaimed not needing any further cue to take her first sip.

Both girls hummed in delight at the much-needed caffeine. They had been celebrating several victories - Serena's obtaining gym badges from both Ramos and Clemont, overthrowing
Team Flare from the power plant, and the restoration of power to the entire city of Lumiose. Surely that justified taking advantage of being in the fashion capital of the world and indulging in a minor shopping spree. Their combined victory earnings from their victory against Team Flare didn't hurt, either. They had a blast waltzing through boutiques, trying on outfits, and choosing matching accessories. Serena appreciated Shauna's bold style, encouraging her to experiment with articles she wouldn't have considered without the outside influence.

Serena thoroughly enjoyed Shauna's company. She was easy to talk to; easy to trust. She didn't have a malignant bone in her tiny body. She was fun embodied, full of love and an irreplaceable sense of humor. Serena liked that. She could talk to her about battling, about books, about Shauna's newfound love for vlogging. And not once did they have to talk about any burdensome boys in their life. It was truly a lovely, peaceful morning.

After a long morning of finally exploring Lumiose to the fullest, Serena and Shauna hauled their myriad of shopping bags with them to a Lysandre Café. Professor Sycamore had arranged office hours with Serena here to discuss her progress with the gym challenge, Pokédex completion, findings in mega evolution, and anything pertaining to her journey. Since she would meet with Sycamore following her time with Shauna, this was a convenient place to end the shopping adventure.

Apparently Sycamore was determined to officially introduce Serena to his old pal Lysandre. He had reconnected with Lysandre while searching for the latest Holocaster modifications during his time in Lumiose City, and thought it a good opportunity to introduce him and Serena. While skeptical about her feelings on Lysandre - yes, it was the same man whom she'd met before, she was sure to inquire - she trusted Professor Sycamore's judgement.

So this was his café. All the decor was various shades of red. It was eerie, yet still a bizarre kind of gorgeous. That was to be expected from a man who was so preoccupied with the outward beauty of everything. Despite her personal feelings, the ambience of the coffee shop was absolutely stunning. The culture of spending time in the café, the soft music that played in the background, the flicker of light from cinnamon candles, the relaxed mood of the customers as a whole made for a different experience than the usual rush and hustle of Unova cafés which Serena had grown up with. It took her absolutely no time to adjust. It was nice.

"So, Mademoiselle Serena: wielder of five Kalosian gym badges, several time ass-kicker of Team Flare. What's next for our favorite hero?"

Serena blushed, hiding her smile behind her mug. If you needed an ego boost, Shauna was your girl. "Well, first, I need to send some of this stuff back home," Serena said motioning to the shopping bags that covered the floor beneath their table. "But after that, I think I need to do some training. Like, serious training. My battle against Clemont was too narrow for comfort." She recounted using super potions thrice during their battle, which was the max amount allowed when challenging a gym leader. Serena made it a personal goal to not use any potions during battle, so this recent win hardly felt like a true victory. That was unacceptable.

"A victory is a victory." Shauna noted, as if reading her friend's mind. As someone who didn't particularly value wining and being "the best" at battling, Shauna lost often. It's okay, Shauna thought. Battling was a part of exploring for her, and the rush of it nearly made her feel alive for the first time in a while.

"I guess," Serena mumbled. "But I can't plateau. I can't stop training." Not until you're worthy.

"Fire. Passionate. Determined. Absolutely iconic," Shauna punctuated each word as if writing a review on a book sleeve about her best friend's life.

"You flatter me. Don't stop."

"It's the truth! Seriously, though, I understand why you want to train more before rushing to the next gym. No one wants to see their babies get hurt against a out-leveled opponent.

"Speaking of losing," Shauna thought with a devious smirk. "How is le petit ami?"

Serena tilted her head.

"You know," Shauna gestured erratically. "The beau. The sweetheart. The honey. 'Neighbor,' ugh, that one was dreadful on his part."

"Calem is out of the picture," Serena finished flatly.

"What do you mean? I thought everything was going well!"

"I- I thought so too," Serena idly stirred her drink. "He seemed so sweet and patient, I mean, I - we almost -" she blushed at the thought of what almost happened on their way to the Mega Evolution Guru, deciding it best not to finish the sentence. It was incredible to believe so much transpired between them with so few interactions since them. "He only seemed to wanna be friends - or anything - when he was ahead of me. Now that he sees me as a threat, he hates me."

"I'm sure he doesn't hate you," Shauna proposed.

Serena continued. "And then he tried to mansplain battling to me? As if I hadn't just beat him for the third time?"

Floodgates had opened. She continued to vent for the next fifteen minutes.

"And then he said 'well at least I've never lost a gym battle,'" Serena said in a goofy, deep voice that sounded nothing like Calem. She slammed her coffee mug on the bar. Only when the surrounding customers gave her dirty glances did she realize just how loud she was. She took a sip of coffee, focussing on the warmth to try and contain herself. She cleared her throat, continuing at a lower volume. "Just where does he get the nerve to undermine my success? Sure it hasn't been the smoothest of progress, but I've come farther than I ever dreamed! I mean, hello? Mega evolution? Five gym badges? I'm not technically undefeated - but I swear I won't lose again! Gosh!" Serena finished, huffing out the last of the negative energy in her.

Well the last of it for the time being.

"Serena…" Shauna began. "I'm so sorry. I've known Calem my whole life. He's a bit cocky, but I've honestly never seen him act this way!"

Serena sighed, drawing her coffee to her lips once again. "I guess I just have a special effect on men, in that I turn them into jerks apparently. We haven't even spoken since then."

Shauna frowned. "I do think Calem is struggling with the fact that he has real competition - for the first time in his entitled life of being a 'prodigee,' as his teachers always called him. He's not 'the best' anymore. It's just hard for him to swallow. In other words, it's him; not you."

That didn't excuse Calem's behavior, or his looking down on Serena. He was a complete jerk who deserved to lose, for all she cared.

"I'm sorry, again." Shauna consoled. "Gotta admit, I thought I sensed something special between you two up until now."

Heat flushed to Serena's cheeks. Pursing her lips, she replied, "I thought so too."

"Yeah… " Shauna trailed off. "Too bad that's not gonna work out after all..."

"That's the thing, Shauna," elbows on the bar top, Serena rested her chin atop her palms. "He's an inconsiderate, obnoxious jerk who thinks he knows everything about battling. He tries to make me feel weak; worthless. But ... I can't. Stay. Away!"

"What?!" Shauna grimaced.

"Trust me, I know how bad it sounds." She pouted, loathing that this was truth that she spoke. "The more standoffish and rude he is to me, the more I feel I need to prove him wrong! The more I need his approval! The more I need..."

"The more you need him … to love you?" Shauna finished her friend's sentence, frowning through her words.

Serena avoided her friend's stare, knowing she would be met with pity that was, admittedly well-deserved, but definitely not wanted.

"Oh, mon cherie," Shauna placed a hand atop Serena's, holding it firmly. "Classic case of daddy issues."

Eyebrows furrowed, Serena almost choked. "Excuse me?"

"Think about it!" Shauna began. "You told me your dad left, so you become a Pokémon trainer to prove your worth to him - to earn his love back. That's what love is to you - something that you earn by improving some aspect of yourself. Calem is doing the same thing to you. While he didn't physically abandon you, he is kinda… emotionally abandoning you?"

It was preposterous, right? Serena wasn't a helpless maiden who had to win over the love of men, be it fatherly or romantic. Sure, events with her father drove her to explore a path she never imagined for herself, but that wasn't to win his love back. She started the gym challenge to prove him wrong. To show him that she was worth staying for. To show him that -

That she was worth loving.

Shit.

Serena grumbled underneath her breath. "So I'm trying to earn Calem's approval too…" Shauna frowned watching the crestfallen expression of her friend. She hated to be the bearer of bad news, but maybe now that Serena knew what was going on, she would be able to move past seeking unhealthy sources of validation. Right? "Enough about him, I don't even want to think about Calem anymore," Serena shivered. What about you? You and Trevor seem to be getting a lot closer these days."

"Yeah!" Shauna agreed, glad to change the subject. "Traveling Kalos with only our Pokémon and a backpack has really shown me how to confide in others and go out of my comfort zone to develop deeper relationships with people. I talk to strangers I never would have approached before, and I've gotten to know Tierno and Trevor a lot more too, as you noticed."

"That's great! Has Trevor asked you out yet?" Serena asked.

"..." Shauna only blinked in response.

"What?" Serena probed once more.

"No, no, sorry." Shauna giggled. "You have the wrong idea. You see, as I've gotten to know Trevor these past few months, I learned that romance isn't really for him. Like, at all."

Serena's lips parted, a knowing "ooooh" failing to remain concealed. Aromantic. Fair enough.

"In that case, any other lucky ladies or gentlemen you'd like to talk about?"

"Girl, I wish," she said, rolling her eyes. "It's hard to meet anyone with the vlogging and photography. I spend hours - days - scouting out different areas, getting the perfect shots, only to find out the lighting would have been better earlier, so then I have to wait till the next day, but then I've forgotten my extra battery and well - you get it. It's time-consuming. Not to mention the video editing, which also takes hours." Shauna exhaled deeply, growing exhausted just thinking of her daily routine.

"You don't sound to enjoy it very much,"

"It's just so much … everything takes so much effort. Most of the time I just want to sleep, haha." Shauna stirred her near-empty coffee cup again.

"But it makes you happy right?" Serena asked. "If it no longer makes you happy, then maybe lighten the load?"

"No, it can be fun. Sometimes, it's just hard to get moving in the morning, you know?"

Serena nodded knowingly, thinking of her daily struggle of Serena versus the comfort of her bed every morning.

"Anyway, I should get going. I'm feeling tired." Shauna announced, finishing off her coffee and slinging her bag over her shoulder.

Already? It was still plenty early, and they just had caffeine. But Shauna must have had her reasons.

She bid her friend adieu, sitting alone in the cafe now as shauna had taken her leave. Her eyes ventured out the window to the town center. The iconic Lumiose tower stood tall and proud as ever. Thanks to her, it shined even brighter than before. She should be proud of herself - of her teamwork with not only her friends, but her Pokémon as well. She had a stunningly powerful team who gave their all for her. Most of all, she was having the time of her life on this journey through Kalos. Serena damn well should feel successful, with or without the approval of Calem, her father, or anyone else.

And yet…

"Sorry I'm late," a voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Professor," Serena stood automatically, startled to see Sycamore joining her at the table. She had been expecting him and Lysandre, sure, but that didn't thwart the nervousness she felt upon seeing them together. Her eyes dashed from the Professor to the much taller man beside him.

"This is an old colleague and friend of mine, Lysandre of Lysandre Labs."

"Pleasure," the tall, flame-haired man offered his hand out to her.

He didn't remember her. She didn't blame him; she was rather short for words when they last met. However, it would take a lot for her to forget him.

"We've met briefly before." Serena stated. "Serena Vasquez. Nice to see you again."

Lysandre apologized as he and Sycamore took seats at Serena's table.

"It seems you're acquainted, more or less," Sycamore cleared his throat. "Lysandre and I were talking on our way over - he is not only a successful entrepreneur in Kalos, he's also royalty. Direct descendant of the hero king of legend! Isn't that right?"

Lysandre chuckled. "Descendant of the king's brother, allegedly. Anyway, enough about me. I'm more interested in you," he directed his burning gaze to Serena. "Dr. Sycamore tells me you have mastered the art of mega evolution."

"Yes," this was her chance to stomp on his memory (or lack thereof) of that timid girl he met before who couldn't mutter out a single coherent sentence. "My Lucario is currently capable of mega evolution. I have yet to get my hands on any other mega stones, however."

"Amazing, and at such a young age," Lysandre trailed off. He took her wrist in his hand to more closely analyze the keystone on her bracelet. At such a proximity, she could tell just how large this man was. Almost like that man she met near the power plant…

Lysandre continued to inquire about her gym battle challenge. Her journey. Her goals. Her plans. He leaned forward in his chair as she spoke, maintaining intentful eye contact all the while.

"Five badges."

"Congratulations! And which would you say was the most challenging gym battle so far?"

He would chime in with firm, yet gentle vocalizations, verifying his attention. He seemed genuinely interested in the conversation; interested in her as a trainer.

"You know," Lysandre continued. "I'd like to hear all about your experiences with mega evolution. It's something I've always been fascinated with, but could never obtain the resources or know-how in order to do so successfully." His face twisted in a funny way when he spoke.

"Oh?" Serena exclaimed. She retrieved her hand back to her own person, pretending to take a drink of coffee even though she finished her drink a while ago. "Why the interest in mega evolution?"

Lysandre groaned in the back of his throat. Sycamore also watched him intently.

"I want," he paused, sinking his teeth into his bottom lip. "I want to understand what it takes to create something so extraordinary - something as supernatural and powerful as mega evolution. It's a power I wish to harness so that I may give back to society."

She wasn't sure if she followed his logic, but she was curious about what he had to say. "What do you mean?"

"Tell me," Lysandre said. "What do you know about the Geosenge Rebellion?"

While not an expert on Kalosian history, Serena hadn't neglected her regular studies back in school. "About forty years ago, a band of Geosenge residents staged an uprising against the local government in protest of unfair wages?" Stop finishing your sentences like a question, Serena.

"Hm," Lysandre pondered. "I see you've definitely done your reading. But it wasn't just unfair wages. You see, I was just a boy living in a small Geosenge apartment with my family. Leadership was completely tyrannical. The average working class citizen had at least two jobs, yet still couldn't afford a small apartment for himself. It wasn't unusual to see two or three families living together. The poor was exploited, and there was severe backlash for anyone who tried to peacefully protest.

"So, a band of us took up our strongest Pokemon in attempt to forge our own destiny. Again, I was too young to participate in the insurrection. I protested, of course; I was old enough to earn money for my schooling (albeit under the radar,) but my older brother wouldn't allow it. He, however…"

"What happened?" Serena probed. She instinctively looked to Sycamore, who kept his gaze fixed on the coffee mug in his hands. He nodded solemnly as his friend spoke.

"Textbooks like to undermine the severity of the uprising. Calling it a 'small rebellion,' or a 'conflict,' but I tell you, it was a damned war. People forced to use Pokemon to settle their filthy disagreements. It was absolutely hideous. Many died - people, Pokemon. My brother. He lost his life trying to defend our rights."

"Oh, no." Serena frowned.

"You know the rest. Our cries were heard and conditions improved, for us at least. The tyrannical past of Geosenge can be forgotten as we celebrate our new lives. But as much as Kalosian history would love to sweep the bloodshed under its artisan rugs, people around Kalos, around the world, face even worse conditions than we ever did. The scars those of us who lost loved ones, and those who continue to struggle every day - those scars will never heal."

"I had no idea." Serena said. What he said was true; scholars and secondary sources never reported the severity of the conflict which Lysandre described here. And no one would dare report unfair working conditions in this day. In this Kalos.

"You had no way of knowing the truth, young lady." Lysandre declared. "Kalos is the heart of the Pokemon world; praised for being the most beautiful, prosperous land of all the nations. Our economy is bustling; we are a hubbub for tourism. But beneath all the false wealth is a disgusting, hideous society that preys on the poor to feed the rich. They take from the poor - the marginalized, for their own selfish gain. But this is nothing new. The hero king of legend whom Dr. Sycamore spoke of was no different.

"Just as those in power steal from the weak, the old king of Kalos took life from his own citizens to build a weapon of mass destruction."

"What?" Serena said, at a complete loss for words.

Lysandre nodded. "Legend has it that he took innumerable lives to bestow immortality unto himself."

"That's terrible," Serena frowned.

"On the surface, yes," Lysandre followed. "But who's to say his kingdom wasn't equally as disgusting as Kalos today? What if conditions were even worse? Who is to say that he didn't purge his world of filth to start over with a clean slate? Plus, he could have easily use his prolonged life to do good for ages."

"Even so," Serena answered. "He murdered everyone. How is that not an abuse of power?"

A corner of Lysandre's mouth turned upwards. He folded his hands in front of his face. "I suppose you have a point,"

"You said you are curious about mega evolution. How will that help you give back to the world?" Serena inquired.

He and Sycamore shared a cordial smile. "You mentioned a mismanagement of power. The Geosenge Rebellion happened because we lacked such power. Those who suffer today hunger for the same power. Not power to take over the world, but simply power to take over their own lives. If I can harness the power of mega evolution, then I would have the means to protect our people from father injustices."

Sycamore placed a caring hand on Lysandre's back. "Lysandre and I have been meeting periodically to discuss my research on the issue of mega evolution. You won't find a man with a stronger will and more passionate heart than Lysandre."

"You flatter me," Sycamore said. "Please, if my research can aid him in his noble quest, then I am happy to be of assistance."

"Such a praise from a renowned professor as yourself is not taken lightly, Doctor." Lysandre returned. The two of them were each other's biggest fans, and it was almost endearing to watch.

"I see," Serena said. "I'd like to help, but I must say, I am certainly no expert on mega evolution. I've only managed to mega evolve with one Pokemon - my Lucario - a handful of times." Which was true. But Serena wasn't entirely sure on her opinion of the man. The weight of the world was smaller than the chip on this man's shoulder. He spoke with heat and his words were pure fire. None of these qualities was inherently bad; he was passionate and intense, no doubt. If she were in the mood for a hot debate, she knew exactly whom to call. But as a colleague, trusting him with something as delicate as mega evolution? Then again, If Sycamore trusted him, that certainly gave him more credibility. Lysandre's motives were strong and his intentions seemed good-hearted. He had every reason to be as intense as he was.

"Think nothing of it. I will gratefully accept any and all input." Lysandre declared.

She didn't have a sufficient moment to respond before both hers and Sycamore's holocaster sounded off. They shared a glance as they pulled it out.

A hologram of Tierno appeared from the device, a frantic energy seemed to be caught in his throat.

"Uh, hello? Guys?" There was a lot of background noise. Shouting. Clanging. He seemed to be shuffling around as he recorded. "I'm gonna need some help in Laverre City, stat! There's an emergency. Get over here as fast as you can, ten-four!"

The hologram faded and the audio ended. Serena shared a worried look with Sycamore.

Lysandre's request would have to wait. "We need to go, now," Sycamore interjected.

Shit was going down in Laverre, and Serena had a pretty good guess of who was behind it.

Author's Note: I have nothing to say for myself. It's been a year and a half and I'm sorry if anyone is still waiting. I miss writing. I really do. I feel very rusty and a little anxious to start again, but I will try to enjoy the process without thinking too much. Best wishes, until the next update 3