Y
"996, 997, 998—" Serena's hand was steadily at work, muscle memory carrying the brush she held through rhythmic, practiced strokes. It was a good thing too— With her thoughts so preoccupied, she could barely concentrate on anything else. "999, 1000… 1001."
No, today, Serena's mind was on the image of battle.
Iron Tail, slam him down!
Go for his legs, Lucario!
"1002, 1003, 1004…" It had been days now since the group parted ways with Korrina. Yet still, their time with her seemed to be on repeat in Serena's mind, one day in particular above all else—
Pikachu, Thunderbolt, full power!
—The day Korrina's Lucario had first Mega Evolved, and the battle that ensued.
"1005, 1006…" It'd be silly for Serena to deny her guilty pleasure at this point. The way intense battling could send her heart racing, it was like nothing else. Yet, this battle was something different, something fundamentally different.
Fennekin, Flamethrower!
It was the first heart-racing battle, which she had taken part in.
"Fenn!"
Fennekin's voice broke through Serena's train of thought, snapping her to attention all at once. Her surroundings came back to her. They were sitting on a bench in a sunny plaza, at another stop the group had made, on their way to Shalour City. She had been taking the opportunity to give Fennekin her daily grooming before her mind got away from her.
"1007— Oh, look at me, daydreaming again, hehe." Shaking her head, Serena put the brush away, before giving Fennekin's coat a good pet. Yet, Fennekin didn't seem to appreciate the comforting gesture.
"Fenn! Fennekin!" Her face was worried, and the meaning of her call rang loud and clear to Serena.
It was odd actually. Ever since their training with Mabel, Serena almost felt like she could understand Fennekin better now.
"Oh, it's nothing, I've just been thinking, is all," she reassured, hoping to leave it at that. Another yip from Fennekin, however, quickly let Serena know she wasn't getting off that easily. She couldn't help but let out a laugh at that. "Alright, you win. I've been thinking about the last few days, and, about battling."
"Fenn?"
"The kind of battling that Ash and Korrina do," Serena clarified, as she looked up at the clear skies overhead. "I've been thinking… If battling like that comes from a strong bond, could we do that one day?"
"Serena!" Clemont's voice rang through the air, leaving out any chance for Fennekin to reply. The boy in question was rushing to the two from a nearby walkway. "Ash's gotten into a battle! I thought you wouldn't want to miss it!"
A smile grew on Serena's face as she stood. As much as she wanted to say her guilty pleasure was just hers to know, Clemont had been encouraging her for quite a while now. She appreciated him for that.
"Coming!"
Y
"Use Pound, Froakie!"
"Fury Swipes, Meowstic!"
A flurry of movement filled the air, with two combatants racing to make their move. The time for warm-up had long passed, and now they had to find the finishing blow.
"Froa!" Froakie delivered a barrage of blows to his opponent, the cat-like Pokémon expertly dodging or deflecting each one. Making just one connect would lead to his victory, but his opponent was just too quick on her feet. So he'd need something more than speed.
"Meow!?"
"Froakie!" With a deceptive feint, Froakie rolled past Meowstic, forcing her onto the back foot.
The closing hit— he'd found it!
"Water Pulse, now!"
Summoning a plume of torrential water in his hand, Froakie fired, blasting Meowstic back until she slammed against a solid wall. When the dust and debris from the collision settled, only one Pokémon remained.
"Way to go, Froakie!"
"Hmph. Impressive." Ash's opponent was quite a sight, determination burning in her eyes and in the commands she spoke. Even as she sent out her final Pokémon, she was perfectly poised with a fierce intention to her words. It was a stark contrast to Ash, who just seemed to be getting more and more fired up as the battle went on. "Absol, I choose you!"
At that call, her ace appeared, glistening white fur contrasting against dark gray skin. Through sheer presence alone, Absol towered over the battlefield, pulling the attention of each-and-every onlooker. Yet, their most eye-catching feature was the Mega Stone hanging from their neck.
"Now we're talking! Froakie, return!" Ash called back his dauntless partner, a grin growing across his face as he got ready for the final round. "I choose you, Hawlucha!"
The last member of Ash's team appeared with a flurry of wind to mark his arrival, as he struck a pose to show his warrior flare.
The players were set, and the match began once more.
Serena's heart raced along at the sight of the battle before her, the lightning-fast move and counter-move of each Pokémon dazzling her every sense. The addition of Hawlucha had made things especially exciting, turning the spectacle up to eleven. The way he battled was like no other member of Ash's team. He moved like he was putting on a show!
Yet, just when the battle began to really get going, something caught Serena's eye. It was surprising actually. Up until then, she had been completely entranced by the sight of Ash's battling. Now, however, something else pulled at her gaze — A Pokémon, brilliant and shining against the dull stonework of the town.
It was a bright pink, with what looked like honest-to-goodness diamonds adorning its body, all wrapped up in a dress of white fabric. The beauty of the pixie-like Pokémon captivated Serena's attention, until she noticed something.
It was scared.
With darting eyes, it rushed into a nearby alley, hopping along and nearly tripping over itself in the process. Moments later, a pair rushed in after it.
It wasn't just scared. It was being chased.
"Oh jeeze." Serena's head shot between the alley and Ash, as panic flooded her system for a moment. She couldn't just stay here— She had to do something!
But do what?
"Fenn?" Grabbing her attention, Fennekin broke through to Serena, grounding her. The two shared a moment of eye contact, speaking volumes with just a look.
They knew what they had to do.
Y
The pink Pokémon stumbled down the dark alleyway, desperately trying to push herself forward. It was okay— She was fine— Those assailants were long gone by—
A flash of movement forced her to a stop.
"Our little game of cat-and-mouse is over, princess." A man, dressed in the cobalt blue uniform of a ninja, stood tall and imposing in her path. At his side was a stoic and unyielding Greninja, weapons drawn to ensure no errant escape attempts. "Why don't you do us all a favor, and give up."
She took a half step back, her voice caught in her throat. She saw danger standing before her, in the flesh, and she couldn't come up with a word to say.
Soon another voice joined the fray.
"That's funny, Riot. We were about to say the same thing."
Appearing from an offshoot alley behind her, two more figures appeared: A smiling, mischievous woman dressed with an impression of a witch, and her devious and cunning partner, a Delphox.
"Merilyn." Riot's voice turned from its cold disposition, growing disgusted at just saying the woman's name. "Attempting to poach my target once again, she-witch?"
"Oh come now, Riot, baby. What do you say we skip the harsh words, split this prize fifty-fifty?" In contrast, Merilyn's voice remained silky smooth, even as her attention turned to the man across from her.
"Pfeh, you've long lost any trust I could place in you." Riot went into a fighting stance, pulling a pair of kunai from his sleeves while his Greninja mirrored his movements.
"Hmph, you're right." Shaking her head, Merilyn reached into the alleyway beside her, raising a crooked metal staff from it into view. "I probably would've just run off with the loot again."
Caught in the middle of the two's venomous exchange, the pink Pokémon gulped and began to hop away.
"It is clear that you two have much to discuss. So, I shall excuse myself—"
"No!" Merilyn and Riot snapped to attention in unison, realizing their target was getting away. In a flash, the two of them shot forward to bag their prize.
Then, a new voice rang out.
"Get away from them!"
A pillar of fire blasted through the thin alley, forcing Riot and Merilyn back in an instant. Whipping their heads up, they searched for the source of the intrusion. Yet, when the smoke and dust cleared, it was right in front of them.
Serena and Fennekin stood tall in the alleyway, the former's arms raised as she put herself between the two poachers.
"What do you think you're doing!" she shouted, Fennekin barking in unison. Meanwhile, the pink Pokémon stood frozen behind her, staring at her supposed savior.
For Riot and Merilyn, the sight of Serena just made them loosen up.
"Sorry kid, but this is the business of adults," Merilyn pressed, stepping forward with Delphox right behind.
"Do not meddle in the affairs of the shinobi, girl, or you won't live to regret it." Riot was far more direct with his threat, holding up a kunai to make his point. Behind him, Greninja backed his word up with a shuriken of water.
Serena gritted her teeth, fear running through her system, threatening to overrun her resolve.
"I won't let you hurt this defenseless Pokémon!" she blustered, hoping she could pull through on sheer intimidation. Unfortunately, her opponents were far more intimidating.
"Then I shall put an end to you, with my dark arts." Riot stepped forward, startling Serena into a yelp and shutting her eyes. Yet, after a moment, no slash came.
When Serena looked again, Merilyn was holding onto Riot's wrist.
"There you go again, with your affairs of the shinobi and dark arts talk," she said with a groan. "Weren't you kicked out of your village, aye ninja boy?"
"Do not defile my culture with your words, witch!" Riot tore his arm away, before turning to face her fully. "Watch your tongue or I will start with you first!"
They've turned on each other, Serena realized. Now was her shot!
"Fennekin, Flamethrower!" At Serena's word, Fennekin unleashed another pillar of fire, forcing their assailants back. "Let's go!"
Grabbing the pink Pokémon's hand, Serena made a break for it, running down the alleyway with Fennekin in tow.
Unfortunately, things were far from over.
"Don't let her escape!" At their trainers' command, Greninja and Delphox raced after the trio— Delphox rushing through the last of Fennekin's flames and Greninja leaping over them.
"Fenn!" Coming to a stop, Fennekin fired another Flamethrower— But to no avail. Delphox merely sidestepped the blast. "Fenn!?"
"Stay back Fennekin, don't—!" Letting the pink Pokémon go, Serena jumped back to grab her partner, only to be grabbed herself.
"Gren!" Riot's Greninja pounced, latching onto Serena's outstretched arm and forcing her to a stop. Fennekin went to try and free her, but Merilyn's Delphox put an end to that, grabbing her by the scruff of her neck. The two were caught, utterly and truly.
Yet not for long.
"Thunderbolt!"
A brilliant bolt of electricity shot through the alley, skimming just past Serena and slamming into her captors. Their bodies lit up with bright gold energy as they screamed in shock, allowing Serena and Fennekin to pull free. Whipping around, they found their saviors— Ash and Pikachu.
"Move!" he called, kicking them into gear. Serena wasted no time grabbing onto the Pink Pokémon and high-tailing it, Fennekin right at her heels.
"Ash!" Serena stumbled over herself as she turned the corner, finding Clemont and Bonnie lying in wait for her. Hope swelled in her heart for a moment, before a cry from the alley sank it once more.
"After them!"
"No time, let's get out of here!" she shouted. With that, the group was off.
Y
"I think— we're safe— for now." Serena bent forward and inhaled, trying to catch her breath after the long chase she and the group had been through. All around her, the rest of the party was similarly panting alongside their newest member: That bright pink Pokémon, the one covered in gemstones.
"Who were those guys?" Ash asked, recovering first as he stood straight. Glancing back up the set of stairs they'd just run down, Ash checked to see if they were still being followed.
"I don't know. I just saw one of them going after this Pokémon." Having finally settled down her own breathing, Serena looked over at the Pokémon in question, who was the most winded of their group. "I'm glad though, that they're safe now."
"I am pleased— for my— safety— as well—"
A round of shocked looks took the group, disbelief flashing through their eyes.
"It— It just spoke! It's using telepathy!" Quick on the draw as always, Clemont quickly identified what was happening.
"That's so cool!" Bonnie, meanwhile, was far more thrilled than surprised, as she began circling around the Pokémon in question. "What's your name! Can you say it like a normal Pokémon! Or do you use tallow-pathy for that too!"
"Actually Bonnie, it's called tele—"
"Hey, that's pretty awesome. Nice to meet you!" The most relaxed member of the group was, surprisingly enough, Ash, who offered the Pokémon a handshake. "I'm Ash, this is my buddy Pikachu, and these are the rest of my friends!"
Everyone made their introductions before it came back to the Pokémon once more. Looking around at the kind faces that surrounded her, she nodded and gave a smile.
"Everyone, it is wonderful to meet you. My name is Diancie." Diancie did a bow as she said that, paying her respects until she straightened up once more. Her tone was formal and cordial, like she'd practiced introductions for a moment just like this.
"Diancie, huh?" Getting curious, Serena pulled out her PDA and began tapping away. After a moment, she had a list of results. The internet to the rescue. "A Pokémon capable of creating diamonds. Because of its rarity and strength, it's categorized as a Legendary Pokémon."
A moment of silence took the group.
"Legendary Pokémon!?"
Shock and awe filled about half of the party, with Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie absolutely floored at the sight before them. It was only Ash and Pikachu who seemed rather unphased by the news.
"Hah, I figured as much! Explains why those bad guys were after ya!" he exclaimed, Pikachu chirping out a call in time. His attitude was surprisingly blasé, a fact that didn't go unnoticed.
"Ash, how can you be so nonchalant about this!" Clemont asked, stepping past Serena.
"Oh, me and Pikachu have been dealing with stuff like this for forever." Pulling a cheeky grin, Ash gave a look to Pikachu, who nodded in agreement. "It's sorta old hat for us."
"Of course it is…" Serena sighed. One day she would learn not to be surprised by Ash and Pikachu— Today was not one of those days. For now, she turned her attention back to Diancie, who seemed to be giggling at the group's antics.
Serena hadn't had a chance to get a good look before now, but the dress that covered Diancie's lower half had seen better days. The fabric was torn and muddied, hastily tied together to hide something that laid underneath. Serena imagined it couldn't be easy for a Pokémon to hit up a tailor.
"Okay, that's enough fun and games." Putting her hands on her hips, Serena stepped forward, taking charge and the group's attention all in one go. "I think Diancie could use a good cleaning, on the double!"
Diancie paused and looked up at Serena then, at the face that was offering its second spot of help that day. A moment of hesitation crossed her eyes.
With a smile and nod, however, Serena assured her everything was going to be okay.
"I think I would appreciate that very much."
Y
"Ta-dah! Introducing— The new and improved Diancie!"
It was nearly dusk now, with the sun gently setting on the castle town of Avignon, basking it in warm evening light. Serena and Diancie had split off quite a while ago, promising to meet back up for dinner. So, with the rest of the party seated at a local outdoor buffet, the two were ready to reveal the fruits of their labor.
"It is wonderful to meet you all again!"
Standing at the end of the table, Diancie struck a balanced and dignified pose, showing off the transformation she'd undergone. Gone was even a speck of dirt and grime from her body, the diamonds that ornamented her cleaned to a pitch-perfect shine. Her polished surface was particularly spectacular, mirroring the group's reflection back at them. Yet, her most eye-catching feature was what she was wearing.
Gone was the tattered bundle of cloth and fabric. Now Diancie sported a clean and untarnished skirt, with layers of white silk whose colors suited her perfectly.
"Whoa!"
"She's so pretty!"
"Oh my! This is impressive, Serena!" Echoing Bonnie and Ash's remarks, Clemont lauded Serena's handiwork. "How did you put this together?"
"Heh, what can I say? It pays to always keep a sewing kit on hand." Serena took on a surprisingly boastful tone for a moment, before she returned her attention to their guest of honor. "Diancie, why don't you go get something to eat from the buffet?"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Nodding her head with a smile, Diancie glanced around until she saw where the buffet stood. "I shall take my leave then, to the boo-fay."
"I'll go with you!" Hopping out of her seat, Bonnie quickly volunteered to join Diancie. With that, the two were off.
"Man. That Diancie sure is polite, huh?" Ash waited until she was out of earshot to make that comment, as he returned to the giant plate of food he'd gotten for himself and Pikachu. "She acts like royalty or something!"
"Oh, you don't even know the half of it." Taking a seat at the table, Serena began recounting her last few hours. "We talked a bunch while I was helping get her cleaned, and get this— She is royalty!"
"Wait, really!" It was Clemont who was astounded this time, as Serena nodded her head to confirm what she'd just said.
"Mhm! There's this whole kingdom she comes from called the Diamond Domain, and her subjects are these cute little guys called Carbink!" Serena was more gushing than talking at this point, even as she dug out her Pokédex. With a few clicks, she showed the two the entry for Carbink— Small, rock-shaped Pokémon with bunny-like ears atop their heads. "She had a blast getting dressed up and trying on the skirt I made for her— Because she's a real princess!"
"Reminds me of someone I know." Ash let that comment pass under his breath, as he smiled and glanced to the side.
"I can't believe we've met an actual princess, and a Legendary Pokémon at that!" Clemont added, his eyes glancing over to Bonnie and Diancie. His sister was showing Diancie how to use a set of tongs. After a moment, they disappeared deeper into the building hosting the buffet line.
"Right? Can you believe it! Just out of the blue, by herself!" After hearing her words aloud, Serena paused, her smile disappearing as she went into thought. "What is she doing out here by herself?"
Serena wouldn't get an answer—
—because a shockwave rocked through the air then.
"Huh!?" Jumping to their feet, Serena, Ash, and Clemont looked up in horror, finding a pillar of smoke rising above the building next to them. In an instant, the people around them began screaming, running in a panic.
"Bonnie!" Clemont immediately rushed forward, cold fear in his eyes. Thankfully, his relief came a moment later.
"Clemont!" Running out of the building, Bonnie returned to the group, fortunately unharmed and unfortunately alone.
Alone.
"Diancie? Where's—!?" A cackling laugh through the air cut Serena off, pulling her gaze upwards. "What!?"
There, above the building hosting the buffet, Merilyn floated into view. Perched atop a metal staff, hoisted by a Yanmega, she rose high above Serena and the group.
"Ohohoho! I just love how easy it is to get away with this with you people!" She laughed, raising a burlap sack forward and throwing it over her shoulder. The struggling movements that came from it confirmed Serena's fears. "I want to steal Diancie, and what do you do? You let her go off by herself! With the four-year-old at her side!"
"Give her back you monster!" Serena screamed, Ash and Clemont backing her up in an instant. Their assailant, however, was less than impressed.
"Why? So you can lose her again? To Riot or whoever?" With her lips curling into a jeering grin, Merilyn tapped her staff, signaling her Yanmega to take them up higher. "No, I think I'll be taking good care of her myself!"
"No!" Despite her cries, Serena was powerless to do anything but watch, as Merilyn flew back into the pillar of smoke.
In an instant, they disappeared into the night.
So you can lose her again?
Merilyn's words echoed in Serena's mind, as she recalled the incident with Amaura from weeks ago.
Y
"Alright, your highness, end of the line."
With little fanfare or regard, Diancie was sent flying out of a burlap sack, tumbling onto what felt like a scratchy, padded surface. Furniture? She couldn't quite tell.
She was dazed, but after a moment her surroundings came into focus.
It was dark. To her right was a wall of old brickwork, and to her left, a mass of metal cogs. They moved with a rhythmic tick-tock-tick-tock. Ahead, a round white panel was on the wall, covered in black symbols she couldn't parse.
Diancie didn't know where she was, and she didn't like it.
"Where have you brought me?" Diancie turned to face her captor.
Merilyn, the smug witch, was smiling at her, hands at her hip as she stood between Diancie and the room's exit: A staircase leading down.
"You can call this place my Witch's Tower." Approaching, Merilyn took a seat next to Diancie, crossing her legs and striking a surprisingly casual tone. "It's a sort of safe house for me, while we get down to business."
"Hmph, this house does not feel very safe." Diancie huffed, folding her arms as she looked away. After a moment, she hopped off the old sofa the two shared. "I have no interest in doing business. Good day to you."
"Good day to—? Hey, wait a second!" Merilyn stared for a moment as Diancie hopped past her, before she jumped to her own feet. "Delphox!"
Diancie was mere inches from reaching the stairs, before her exit was closed off. Delphox stood in her way now, rising into view from the staircase and brandishing her wooden wand.
"Phox! Delph, delphox!" With Delphox's shrill cry, Diancie was sent stumbling back right into Merilyn.
"Sorry princess, but you have work to do. Diamonds are a girl's best friend, and you're my ticket to a motherload of them." Pushing Diancie off, Merilyn moved to tower over her captive. Yet, despite her distinct height advantage, Merilyn's attempt at intimidation was less than successful.
Diancie huffed and crossed her arms once more.
"I am the princess of the Diamond Domain— I have never worked, and I do not intend to start now."
"Well, tough luck! You better get used to it." Merilyn could feel her patience beginning to fray. Just who did this upstart princess think she was? "Because there is gonna be no escaping, no grand rescue, and no friends to come bail you out!"
"Friends?" Pausing, Diancie looked up at Merilyn, a sincerely curious tone to her voice. "What are friends?"
"I— Huh?" That one caught Merilyn off guard, as she dropped the domineering routine. "Wow, I knew princesses were sheltered, but this is a new one."
Glancing over to her Delphox, Merilyn looked for an answer, only to receive a confused shrug from her partner. She was on her own.
"Uh, well, friends are like, people that you enjoy being around. They do stuff for you, just because it'll make you feel nice." Merilyn couldn't believe she was giving this afterschool-special lesson in the middle of a job. If she wanted her threats to land, however, her victim had to understand what she was saying! "Get it?"
"Oooh. Well then, I do have a friend!" Diancie struck a dignified curtsy, as she motioned to the skirt she had wrapped around her lower half. "Serena!"
Silence stood in the room, with Merilyn staring at her supposed captive. When she had imagined exploiting a Legendary Pokémon for fame and profit, this conversation was not what she expected. She had half a mind to just try this again tomorrow.
A voice cutting through the silence put that idea to rest.
"I think it is time for this charade to come to an end. I will be taking Diancie now."
Eyes snapped to the back wall, where the silhouette of a pair appeared in the clock tower's face. Before Merilyn and Delphox could realize what was happening, the face's panel slid open, and two new figures were in their company.
"Riot!" Merilyn gritted her teeth, grabbing her staff and holding it forward. "How did you find us!?"
"The shinobi is the paradigm example of the unseen— of being inconspicuous." The blue ninja closed his eyes as he stepped forward, his trusty Greninja at his side. "The cackling witch flying through the night sky— is anything but."
"Oh, cut it with the ninja talk! Paradigm of the unseen my butt!" Merilyn threw her arms down at her sides, her temper flaring. For a moment she forgot that this was a standoff. "Do I need to remind you why you got kicked out of your village!?"
"Del! Delphox!"
"Do not start with this again!" Riot's composure was lost in an instant, his focus on his target gone with it.
"Couldn't pass your camouflage tests! You flunked out every time!" Merilyn's lips turned up into a grinning jeer, as her Delphox came to join her with a snicker.
"That's it! Greninja, Water Shuriken!"
"Mystical Fire!"
With a flash of movement, the sparks of battle began to fly, quite literally. Delphox's plume of fire and Greninja's torrent of water collided in midair, exploding and filling the room with a dense layer of steam. For a moment, it became impossible to see anything through the thick cover.
"Riot! Where are you!"
"The witch still can't find her broomstick with two hands— You really haven't changed, Merilyn!"
Diancie stumbled through the cloud of steam, stopping only once she hit a wall. Those two, they were more focused on each other than her now— This was her chance to escape!
"Thank you for teaching me the meaning of friends. Now I must go find mine." Even Diancie was unsure how sincere that comment was. There was no time to dwell on that, however. She had to rush to the now clear stairwell.
There it was, down the flight of stairs— The exit! Going as fast as her hopping could take her, Diancie went straight for it, not looking back for a second until she'd reached the doorway.
The locked doorway.
"Flamethrower!"
With that command from the other side of the door, Diancie leapt back, wide-eyed amazement on her face. The metal of the handle was glowing, turning from its cool steely bronze to bright red in an instant. Then, with a strong cry, the door was thrown open.
Moonlight flooded the stairwell, obscuring Diancie's savior in a shadowy silhouette. Only when they stepped forward, did Diancie realize who it was.
Diancie's gaze fell onto a kind face, offering its third spot of help that day. With a smile and a nod, it reassured her that everything was going to be okay.
Diancie grinned.
"Serena!"
And so the Diancie arc kicks off with a bang! Serena and her friends have met the eponymous Diancie in some quite dire circumstances, and now they've been pulled into her troubles! Just where will Diancie and her quest lead them?! And what will Serena learn about herself, and her new friend along the way!?
Find out next time!