A More Beautiful Lumiose
Chapter 1
“...No order is too tall
when you have our esteemed owner at the helm! Choose Hotel Z for your next stay in Lumiose!”
“Hotel Z is the best hotel in Lumiose! No order is too tall
when…”
“Hotel Z is the…”
“Hotel Z…”
Serena let the video that had randomly popped up on her feed loop continuously, unable to tear her eyes away as she failed to comprehend what she was seeing. After about the 15th time the video had played, Serena scrambled to check the profile of the poster, nearly dropping her Rotom Phone in the process, and accidentally knocking her coffee cup off the counter. It shattered on the ground, hot coffee and porcelain spattering everywhere, but Serena didn’t even glance at it.
The username was “hotelzlumiose” with the display name “Hotel Z - Lumiose City.” The account had several other short promotional videos, all only racking up single digit views, though one notably stood out for having a whopping 25 views. However, now that Serena thought about it,
that was the video she’d been letting play over and over again.
She promptly watched every other video on the account, eyes glued to the screen. Each video featured an admittedly very cute boy who had light blonde hair with red tips, some shots of the supposed Hotel Z, and a few Pokemon, usually some combination of a Chikorita, Totodile, and Tepig. But sometimes, and most importantly, the videos displayed the toweringly tall owner of said hotel and his Floette.
Serena had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t seeing things.
There was no WAY!
The hotel owner, who looked very dapper and put together, dressed nicely in a button-up vest, slacks, and a bowtie with his hair cut, tamed, and arranged in a long braid… was AZ!!
AZ, the 3,000-year-old giant homeless senile war criminal who interrupted her Champion parade, owned a HOTEL?!
The AZ Serena had to DRAG into a clothing store to buy bespoke clothes for while he refused to accept anything “too nice” the entire outing and swore he’d never wear a suit.
The AZ who wouldn’t even WALK into a hair salon with Serena and vowed he’d never touch his hair.
The AZ who REFUSED to let Serena purchase him an apartment because he didn’t want to settle down, claiming he was a life long wanderer.
The AZ who, no matter how much Serena begged him before her departure, wouldn’t get a Holo Caster to keep in touch with her, stubbornly declaring that technology was out of his depth.
THAT AZ?!
OWNED A HOTEL?!
Serena had to see this for herself in person. Because there was NO WAY she’d accept that this was real until she saw it with her own two eyes.
She’d stayed away from Kalos, as far away from
Lumiose as possible in the last five years, but
this was more than worth breaking her Lumiose-ban for. Serena immediately bought a ticket to Kalos for the next day.
Now, all she needed was a disguise.
Z • ──── ᒡ◯ᵔ◯ᒢ✧ ──── • A
Urbain’s Rotom Phone popped out of his pocket and floated in front of him. “Okay, ready to record! Now all we need is a tourist fresh off the train. Hope you three are ready for the spotlight again!”
Chikorita, Totodile, and Tepig all made noises of agreement. They were more than ready for the spotlight! They were born ready! They wanted to be stars as much as the actual stars hung in the sky above!
“If we’re gonna protect Lumiose, we’ll need a bigger team!” Urbain resolved. “So let’s keep spreading the word about how great Hotel Z is. And once we get a guest who has what it takes, we’ll recruit ‘em to the cause! Now we need someone with a real “I’m a tourist” look.” Urbain watched the crowd of people exit the station, and that’s when he caught sight of her.
There was a girl who appeared to be about his age. She doesn’t look exactly like a tourist per se, but she didn’t fit in
at all with the people around her. She stood out, and caught Urbain’s eye immediately. She was practically sparkling with how put together she was. She wore a long open tan trench coat, a short red plaid dress, knee-high heeled brown boots, and a maroon felt hat. Her long, honey-colored hair was tied in pigtails and her blue-gray eyes were tucked behind a pair of slightly cat-eyed rounded tortoiseshell glasses.
Something tickled in the back of Urbain’s head that she didn’t look quite right with glasses, but he waved it off. She was very fashionable and beautiful, sure, but there’s also something magnetic about her that’s drawing him in, and if Urbain thought that, the camera would think that too!
Plus, she did have a rather huge old-fashioned travel bag that did seem very touristy on its own. However, the overly large leather bag didn’t even look out of place at her side. She somehow made it work perfectly with her look.
“Hey, you there!” Urbain called out to her. Attention successfully caught, she looked a bit startled at being singled out. Oops! He shouldn't have been so loud. Getting randomly screamed at in a crowd was bound to make anyone uncomfortable. Urbain walked over to her. “Just pulled into the Gare de Lumiose, am I right?” he asked lightly, with an easy smile, trying to compensate for the shock he’d given her. Urbain really wanted her to be in the promo video, so hopefully he hadn’t scared her off.
It seemed like his worries had been unfounded because her alertness melted away and her eyes widened slightly in recognition. “Oh, hey! You’re the guy from the video!” she identified.
“Y-you saw the video?!” Despite the multitude of videos Urbain had put out, being recognized on the street like this had never happened before! He’d always wished it would happen though. It would be proof that his PR ads were working. But it finally happened! And the fact that this really pretty girl was the one who did?!
“Chika?! Chik, chik!!” Chikorita disbelievingly poked Totodile and Tepig, who were equally as shocked.
“Te, pig.” Tepig muttered, overwhelmed. They were finally reaching the heights of fame they knew they were destined for! All of their secret midnight practices the three of them had while Urbain was sleeping were worth it!
The girl smiled radiantly. “Yeah! I came back to Lumiose just to stay in Hotel Z because of it.”
Urbain’s heart fluttered, and he couldn’t help himself from impulsive shouting, “REALLY?!” This was one of the best days of Urbain’s life. It wasn’t even that she was planning a trip to Lumiose and happened to see his advertisement. No. She came to Lumiose JUST to stay in Hotel Z because of HIS video!
“TOTODILE?!” Totodile screeched, eyes practically popping out of his head.
“Yes, really,” Serena confirmed playfully, very much enjoying how excited he and his Pokemon were. His joy was contagious. “I couldn’t find anywhere to book online, so I figured I’d just show up. Hopefully you’re not booked…?”
“NO!” he frantically exclaimed, reaching out his hands like he was ready to stop her as if she was about to run away. Urbain coughed to try to cover his blunder and returned his hands to his sides, attempting to somewhat look more casual. “No. We have plenty of room!!” He had to shoot down the idea that she should look anywhere else to stay but Hotel Z! “Hey, actually, I was just about to film another promo video for the hotel, do you want to be in it?”
“Sure, sounds like fun!” Serena loved being on camera, and she was completely okay with endorsing AZ’s hotel de war crimes. The mental image of the towering AZ bumbling about with a flood of guests and struggling to do customer service was too good to pass up on. Serena would absolutely slap her face on whatever ad Hotel Z was putting out.
Score! Urbain really lucked out! “I need you to look into the camera and say, “Hotel Z’s the best stay in Lumiose!” Easy, right?”
Serena tilted her head, confused. “Oh, that’s it? You don’t want to spice up the promo with camera angles and effects? Sparkle cannons are always a good addition. If you don’t have that on hand, Dazzling Gleam works well instead.”
Serena might not be a director, but she’d made enough Trainer PR videos and been in countless brands advertisements and photoshoots to know a little bit about filmmaking and marketing. Serena being in the Hotel Z ad would do wonders on its own, but the video would reach even greater heights with a higher production value to snag viewer attention.
Overwhelmed customer service AZ was on the line here!
“Nah,” he waved off her suggestion, “simple is always better! We’re going for authenticity.”
“Alright, if you say so,” Serena agreed, albeit skeptically. “Though, I really do think a Dazzling Gleam behind me would really improve the shot.” If somehow the video didn’t go viral, Serena would step in and find another way to make her very important new dream a reality.
Urbain delightedly laughed, enjoying her clear enthusiasm for his video. “I love the passion, but Hotel Z is good enough to bring in customers without all the bells and whistles. Okay, lights, camera…”
Loud music unexpectedly blasted from the nearby billboard, dominating the entire intersection and train station courtyard. The volume ensured that no one would be ignoring it.
Urbain grimaced, energy deflating, and tucked his Rotom Phone away. “Ah, shoot. We can’t film with that ad blaring in the background!”
On screen, the video opened on a middle aged woman with bleached blonde hair in a clean cut work-dress.
“Welcome to Lumiose City, where people and Pokemon flourish together. My name is Jett, and I’m the CEO of Quasartico Inc. Pokemon are mysterious…”
Serena was overwhelmed by the unpleasant jarring interruption. “I can’t believe they’re allowing ads to be playing that loud in the streets! It’s ruining the city's atmosphere. What is the new mayor thinking?!”
“I’m guessing you’ve been to Lumiose before, huh?” Urbain observed.
“Oh, yes,” Serena confirmed, trolling through the multitude of memories she had in Lumiose, the good and the bad. “Many,
many times. I lived here briefly about 5 years ago.”
Urbain scrunched his eyes in a half-wince, half-smile. “Yeah, the city has changed a lot since then, especially with this new urban redevelopment plan Quasartico is rolling out. The mayor is really on board with it.”
“Ugh, that mayor,” Serena groaned. “I bet Clemont is more than happy to let the mayor run amok. He’s probably loving all the technology updates.”
Tuning back into the ad, Jett continued,
“…that we’ve begun setting up wild zones where they can live comfortably alongside us…”
Serena stared aghast at the images on screen. “Arceus, please don’t tell me that company is wrecking any of the historic architecture to make their little habitats?!” Lumiose’s aesthetics and architecture were sacred!!
“Well…” Urbain weakly trailed off, not wanting to finish, knowing she’d hate the answer.
“That’s not a no,” she noted briskly, clicking her tongue. “The damned mayor is probably revoking the historical status of the structures just to let them do whatever they want! Oh, Lumiose, what have they done to you?” Serena wallowed in grief at the fate of this beautiful city.
Urbain hadn’t expected her to be so opinionated on it. She really didn’t seem like the type to be anti-Pokemon. “You’re really against the wild zones. Do you not like Pokemon in the city?”
“Pokemon in the city is wonderful, they should be allowed to live wherever they like, here or otherwise,” Serena huffed. “Just don’t let companies purposefully destroy history to make that happen! It’s like replacing all of the mirrors in Parfum Palace’s Hall of Mirrors with TVs because mirrors are outdated. This is blasphemous!!” Serena will admit that she had some destruction-related trauma, but regardless, the integrity of Lumiose’s old architecture should be preserved!
Urbain nodded, understanding her argument now. What a relief! She wasn’t anti-Pokemon, that would have been terrible! “Ah, I see what you mean. I agree with you on that one, actually.”
“They better not have touched any of the fountains or obelisks!” Serena protested fiercely, turning her attention back to the stupidly loud video to pour over the visuals and scan for crimes against history.
With a flourish, Jett announced,
“We’ve now employed our patented holo-tech in all corners of Lumiose so our interactive guides can teach you more about your surroundings…”
‘Holo-tech… Wait, did they buy out Lysandre Labs’ patents? They were allowed to do that?!’ Serena faltered, her disgust over design choices quickly fading into extreme suspicion of Quasartico. Her eyes widened, horrified.
‘Oh no, their technology is already everywhere in the city!’
As if the woman had prepared her next words specifically for Serena, Jett declared,
“A city even more beautiful than before awaits all of us.”
Serena felt like this CEO–
Jett was looking directly into her soul, her eyes now filled with a heavy presence far greater than any pre-recorded billboard ad should have been able to convey.
‘Not even 10 minutes back in Lumiose and there’s another charismatic CEO trying to change the world to make it more beautiful with a holo-tech agenda.’ Serena had seen this play out before. It haunted her every night. It was why she couldn’t find it in her to stay in Kalos.
Serena wished she wouldn’t get involved, but she knew that she couldn’t just leave Kalos to suffer a horrible fate again. No way. She refused. Serena didn’t want to keep playing the hero, but she’d be damned if she didn’t take action when she knew she could do something.
Especially since this only happened in the first place because Serena left Kalos and fled to Hoenn. Serena had been ignoring her league duties, just doing the bare minimum to keep her title, enjoying the fame without the responsibility, and had purposefully abstained from being involved with Kalos’ affairs. Had Serena been more watchful and present, she could have stopped this mess before it was approved.
Before it was
everywhere in the city.
This happened because of her negligence. Because Serena couldn’t cope with what had happened to her and had to leave to get away from all the reminders, especially in Lumiose. Because Serena couldn’t get over having the fate of the world rest on her shoulders. Couldn’t rationalize the many,
many attempts on her and her Pokemon’s lives at the hands of Team Flare.
With knowing that if she failed or made one small mistake, all life on the planet would end.
And it would have been
her fault.
Because she wasn’t able to deal with seeing a man and his Pokemon crushed to death.
Because of her.
Serena had only been 13. She shouldn’t have been expected to cope or be responsible for any of that! She was just a child! The adults in the region should have stepped up and taken care of it like they were supposed to!
Diantha, Sycamore, the gym leaders, everyone! They all failed her.
No. Serena
refused to be just another oblivious Champion who thrust their responsibility onto some unsuspecting, hopeful child.
Serena would deal with her mess herself.
It was time to step up and start taking her role as Champion seriously.
Wrapping up the advertisement, Jett politely concluded,
“We hope you’ll bear that in mind and pardon our construction work.” The screen faded into Quasartico’s logo.
“The Mega Evolution of Lumiose City is coming, brought to you by Quasartico Inc.”
‘Oh, I’m bearing that beautiful future
you want in mind greatly, Quasartico. Message received loud and clear, don’t worry.’ Serena narrowed her eyes, glaring daggers at the billboard and crossing her arms.
‘And no, you’re not excused for the construction work. It’s tacky. Do better.’
Serena had immediately noticed the scaffolding as soon as she left the train station doors. Well, that and the newly retrofitted anti-homeless benches. The scaffolding was just
that jarring of a contrast from the buildings that immediately stood out! It was garish, ugly, and didn’t match the Lumiose aesthetic at all!! It got a big no, no, no, NO from her!
“I like how that CEO thinks,” Urbain commended. “Even if her ad did keep us from filming. This city and its Pokemon are a wonder. To know ‘em is to love ‘em! Anyone who visits gets it.”
Calem’s interactions with Lysandre unwillingly flashed in Serena’s mind. “Lumiose and its Pokemon are special, there’s no doubt about that. I won’t let anyone,” she hardened her stare at the billboard, “try to ruin that.”
Not really clocking her ire and only noting her intensity, Urbain tucked his hands behind his head and grinned. “See? You get it! And speaking of people who visit Lumiose, the new promo video is gonna convince them to give Hotel Z a shot! You’re proof it’s already working!”
“Is Hotel Z struggling to get guests?” Serena asked.
“Er, yeah,” Urbain reluctantly admitted, “That’s why I’m doing all the promo videos, you know? Gotta help get new guests somehow.”
Serena raised an eyebrow. “Well, you don’t have a website or a place to book online. You’re not exactly making it easy for people to reach out to you to book a room,” she bluntly evaluated. She had thought the lack of online presence was an attempt to look exclusive, not because of incompetence.
Urbain’s energy shrunk. It was a harsh but very fair point. “I’ve tried to get the hotel owner to agree to a website, but he says he won’t do it. Something about being out of touch with new technology,” he defended.
Serena sighed. “Of course he did,” she muttered under her breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” Serena dismissed. “Anyways, just put me in whatever PR video you wanted to make, and people will flock to the hotel.” It looked like she’d have to forcefully make AZ finally adapt to modern technology.
“Wow, that’s some confidence you have there!” Urbain cheered. “I like it! It’s just the energy we need for the video!”
Serena blinked, genuinely perplexed. “…Do you really not recognize me?” Yes, she was wearing a disguise – a trenchcoat and fake glasses – but it was intended for people to not notice her at a glance. It was a tactic to avoid being crowded. Serena had figured it wouldn’t work for people that spent more than a few minutes looking at her.
“No…? Should I…?” Urbain hesitated. “I mean, you’re pretty enough to be famous, yeah, but I don’t recognize you at all.”
Ironically, from behind Urbain, the billboard that had so graciously delivered the previous message from hell flickered into an ad featuring Serena herself advertising a new fashion line.
Serena glanced up and down between the billboard and Urbain in disbelief. “Wow, okay. This disguise
really is working.”
“Oh, are you actually famous then and trying to go incognito?” Urbain wondered.
Serena now found the whole unknown identity thing very amusing. “Yes, something like that.”
“Got it!” Urbain raised a finger in front of lips to make a “shh” gesture like he was keeping a secret. “We’ll be super inconspicuous then. Very low key.” He bowed, one arm across his middle, and the other arm out to the side. “Only the most secret of escorts to the hotel for the lady in disguise.” He winked at her.
Serena was momentarily stunned.
‘He’s kind of an idiot, but why is this actually so charming?! That should have been cringy, so why is this working for him?!’
Urbain smirked at her unbalanced state. “Let me take your bag… Hold up – where’d your bag go?” He looked around, wondering if she’d dropped it somewhere.
“Huh? I could have sworn…” Serena cursed that she’d been momentarily distracted because of a suave line. She was better than that! She still had her go-to pink tote with all her Pokemon, but her luggage bag was gone.
‘Of course, now I’ve been mugged. Just my luck. Welcome back to Kalos, Serena! Have some evil agendas you get to deal with, an ugly scaffolding-chic Lumiose, and a side of robbery.’ Serena groaned disparagingly at her fate.
‘This is really
not my day.’
“Hey!” Urbain shouted. “That Pancham’s got it!” He pointed to the Pokemon in question.
A Pancham danced merrily, bouncing from foot to foot, Serena’s bag hoisted over one of her shoulders, flaunting her grab in their faces. She stuck her tongue out at them and pulled down on her lower eyelid. Pancham blew a raspberry, the leaf in her mouth whistling so the noise sounded like a mocking “toot,” and her taunting expression all but said, “Hahah! Suckers! You’re all idiots!”
“The nerve!!” Serena stomped her foot in frustration, hands fisted by her side.
“Did you hire a Pokemon courier service or something?” Urbain obliviously asked.
Serena looked up to the sky as if the clouds above would give her the grace to handle this situation with. “Arceus, you’re lucky you’re pretty. No!” she exclaimed, meeting his eyes. “What about that looked like it was planned?!”
Urbain blushed. “You think I’m pretty?” he said bashfully.
Serena deadpanned, “Is that
really what you took away from what I just said?” She pinched her nose, exasperated. “That Pancham stole my bag!”
Urbain, finally clued into what was happening, leaned back, bringing his hands up in front of him in shock. “Wait… so your bag got bagnapped?!” He grimaced, looking away and scratching the back of his head, regretful. “I shouldn’t have bugged you with my video stuff… My bad! Come on, I’ll help you get your bag back!” Urbain took off running after the Pancham. Great! He messed up again! Way to be smooth, Urbain! He had to make it right by returning her bag.
“Thank you!” Serena exclaimed, happy that he was getting with the program. Serena easily matched his pace, running beside him.
“Quick! After that Pokemon!” Urbain commanded his three Pokemon. They scampered ahead. The Pancham made an evasive move to cut down a corner street. “It went into that alley there! Man, that thing can hustle!”
“I see it!” Serena started sprinting, outpacing Urbain, heels clacking rapidly along the cobblestones.
“You know, you run really fast despite wearing heeled boots!” Urbain marveled, impressed.
“Please,” Serena scoffed,
“as if I would stumble while wearing designer shoes!” she screamed, outraged at the thought.
Urbain muffled a laugh. It was cute that being frustrated made her snarky and less composed. “It went left just before that dead end!”
The Pancham stopped. Serena and Urbain paused their chase and watched from around the corner as the Pancham reunited with and showed off his haul to two Trainers.
“I guess this wasn’t just a wild Pokemon randomly messing with you. That bag-napping Pancham must’ve been with those two.” Urbain turned to Serena. “Listen– oh, hey, actually what’s your name?” Urbain glanced away, embarrassed. “Sorry, I should have asked you earlier. Just kinda got caught up in everything.”
“It’s fine, I didn’t exactly ask for your name either. I’m Serena, and you are?” She introduced herself, morbidly wondering when exactly he would clue into realizing who she was.
“Serena? Got it. That’s a nice name! I’m Urbain.” He gave her a close-eyed beaming smile Serena would have been dazzled by if not for her fixating on the sheer lack of recognition even after having her name. Urbain was clearly
still completely clueless. Was her disguise just that good or was he just the oblivious-earnest type? Serena figured it was probably both. “And don’t you worry – I’ve got your back here!”
“Even a backpacker like me wouldn’t be caught dead with a bag this tacky!” one of the Trainers with Pancham stressed, repulsed by the bag.
“Maybe it was trying to clean up this eyesore,” the other Trainer suggested, trying to reason why Pancham stole such an ugly bag. “Let’s bring it to the cops! Bet they’ll pat us on the back.”
“YOU TAKE THAT BACK!” Serena screeched, scandalized. Her sheer indignation at the slight dominating any need to be sneaky. She stormed over to the two Trainers. “It is vintage Boutique Couture! But I guess a
backpacker like you wouldn’t appreciate high fashion.”
“So what if it costs a lot!” the backpacker fumed. “It’s still ugly!!”
Affronted, Serena was ready to charge her. “WHY YOU–”
“No need to take it to the police guys,” Urbain quickly interrupted, trying to defuse the situation but very amused by Serena’s sudden personality shift. Her very put-together air crumbled when she got upset! “If you haven’t gotten the memo yet, she’s the owner of the bag, just give it back to her.”
Serena backed off with a huff and crossed her arms. No, she was
not pouting.
“HEY!! You’re Urbain!!” the backpacker shouted, surprised, but not exactly happy to see him.
Serena was baffled that someone recognized Urbain like
he was a big deal when
she was standing right there next to him completely anonymous! This disguise was
really putting in work! The glasses were definitely worth the exorbitant price tag!
“I… can’t say I know you. Did you see one of the ads I filmed, maybe?” Urbain asked wishfully.
Serena thought it was precious that he sounded so hopeful that his video ads might have been circulating enough for two people to have recognized him today.
The backpacker shook her head, offended and shocked Urbain didn’t remember her. “It’s me, Andi! From the Z-A Royale! How could you forget already?!”
“Yeah, I’m Andre!” the other Trainer jumped in. “We faced off just last night!”
Urbain put his hands on his hips and looked down his nose at them, haughty. “Oh, Trainers from last night? Sorry, not ringing a bell. Must not have been much of a challenge.” No, he was definitely NOT being extra rude because they brutally crushed his dreams of being recognized twice today from his hotel videos!
Andi looked humiliated. “That stings. But I guess… fair.”
Serena, positively gleeful that Urbain was joining her dissing these two, was encouraged to continue poking at them. “No eye for fashion and weak trainers? Please, what do you even have going for you at that point?” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, smirking at them like they were nothing more than peasants huddled outside her castle.
Infuriated, Andre announced, “Listen up! We’ll return your bag – if you battle us right now!”
Urbain shook his head, confused. “That makes no sense. If you want a rematch, all you have to do is wait till nightfall.”
“SHUT UP!” Andre spat. “Pancham’s itching for another shot at you. That’s why it snagged the bag! Uh, probably!”
“It’s nice of you to consider what Pancham wants.” Serena hated that Urbain said that earnestly. Really, Urbain was lucky he was pretty because he was too understanding that it circled right back around to being gullible! “But the two of you against me? That’s unfair!”
Serena was more than ready to throw down. If he thought it was unfair now, she was about to swing that wildly in the other direction.
Urbain turned to Serena, looking a little regretful. “Listen. How about I guide you through this mess? I’m just a helpful kind of guy, you see. Your bag got stolen, right? So what’s your next step here?”
Serena clenched her manicured hand into a fist in front of her. “Crush them with no mercy! They will pay for their crimes against fashion.”
“Er, yeah,” Urbain faltered, though he was internally laughing at her extreme ferocity. “Love to see your priorities are in order. And you’ve got three Pokemon right here ready to help!”
“Whatever, just hurry up or it’ll be night anyway!” Andi stated impatiently.
“Hear that? They’re down!” Urbain gestured to his own three Pokemon. “Now choose which Pokemon you’ll battle with!”
“Thanks for the offer, but there’s no need.” Serena grinned ferally. “I am a Trainer, and I’ve got a full team with me.” These fools were in for a shock!
“Great! You’ll be able to handle this no problem!” Urbain cheered.
“How much longer are you gonna drag your feet?” Andi barked.
Serena clicked her tongue. “Oh, I’m more than ready to battle.” She patted the imaginary creases on her outfit. Serena reached into her tote and pulled out a Pokeball.
“All that waiting drained my momentum. Time to get back into gear! No way I’m gonna get beat by a prissy fashionista like you! You’re going down!” Andi taunted. “Pancham gave us a shot at revenge, and we won’t miss!”
“I respect that spirit. But you’re gonna have egg on your face for real if you lose after that declaration!” Urbain shook his head, skeptical.
“Hey!” Andre shouted, feeling ignored. “Focus up, Urbain – you’re dealing with me!”
“Right,” Urbain rolled his eyes, putting his hands on his hips. “I’m sure you got muuuuch stronger in the day since I beat you!” His abundant sarcasm indicated just how much of a threat Urbain thought this Trainer was.
Serena cackled. Urbain might be a gullible idiot, but he was a cute gullible idiot with an edge. She was very much a fan of the unexpected sass!
“Go, Pancham!” The backpacker’s cry caused Serena to refocus on her own battle.
Pancham was brimming with confidence and a self-satisfied glee that the situation she’d arranged for was bearing exactly the fruit she wanted! Revenge!!!
“Sensei, show them who's in charge!” Serena sent out her beloved partner who’d been with her since day one. There was no one better to thoroughly trounce this Pancham than her perfect grossly overpowered Greninja.
Sensei emerged from his Pokeball. Aided by the sunset’s back lighting, the Greninja’s looming shadow stretched far away from his form and completely covered the Pancham, making Sensei appear even larger and intimidating than he already was. Sensei glared menacingly down at the Pancham, red eyes glowing in the dusk low-light.
Pancham suddenly regretted all of the choices she’d made leading to this moment. She messed up. Big time. That was
not a normal Greninja!! NO WAY! What was that thing eating!? The souls of the damned?!
“A Greninja?!” Andi exclaimed. “Whatever, Pancham and I can take you! Pancham, use Tackle!”
Sensei stared at Pancham with a questioning look that read, “You sure about that, buddy?”
Ice ran through Pancham’s veins. Tackle? Please! Like that would do anything to that Greninja. No, she was NOT fighting that
thing! Pancham decided to be smart about this and ran back to her Trainer, grabbed the bag she stole, and delicately placed it next to the horror-Greninja’s Trainer. Pancham darted back behind her Trainer’s legs for protection, holding on tight and shivering.
“Pancham??” Andi questioned sharply.
Serena, extremely satisfied by Pancham’s groveling, felt like this was an even better outcome than winning. “Look, we don’t have to battle. Your Pancham returned my bag, and she clearly doesn’t want to fight anymore. Don’t force her to battle because of some petty problem you have with Urbain. That’s not fair to Pancham.” Serena might be being
a little tiny bit of an asshole with this whole battle, but she would never force a Pokemon to battle her that didn’t want to.
“Fine!” Andi relented. “I hate to admit it, but you’re right. This was supposed to make US feel better, not you! Your Greninja is really something else though. You’re fresh off the train, but you’re no newbie, are you?”
Serena snorted. “No, I’m not. Sensei and I have been together for six years now. Did the league circuit and all that.” She gave Sensei a nod and returned him to his Pokeball.
“We really didn’t stand a chance did we?” Andi stated glumly.
“That was some unconventional battle! I’ve never seen a Pokemon get knocked out from Mean Look before!” Urbain mocked, walking over casually from his own complete trouncing of a battle he’d dished out.
“Please tell me you won, Andre!” Andi asked desperately.
“Nope.” Andre hung his head in shame. “Can’t believe I thought I’d score a next-day comeback. My Pokemon and I are so let down.”
Andi reassuringly put her hand on Andre’s shoulder. “This is why you and I get along so well. We even lose together.”
“If you’re that upset, wait till night falls and come try again!” Urbain said good-naturedly with a grin.
“No way! We’re not dealing with you again – not even if we meet during the Royale!” Andi vowed. “Pancham says sorry about the bag. Now au revoir!” The two trainers and Pancham abruptly made their escape.
Urbain raised his hand out for a fist bump towards Serena. At her lack of returning the gesture, he said, “Don’t leave me hanging!”
Serena blinked. “Oh.” She fist bumped him back. Was that a thing in Lumiose now?
“That was huge! We won our first battle side by side! We make a great team, the real makings of a great power duo!” Urbain declared, pumping his fists by his side.
“We did. Next time, let’s have a proper double battle!” she agreed. Urbain might not be at the same level as her battle-prowess wise, but that didn’t matter. He was a dynamic character that would definitely bring some interesting strategies when working as a team! It would be fun!
“So there’s gonna be a next time then, huh?” Urbain grinned impishly and folded his hands behind his head.
Not going to allow herself to be caught off-foot again, Serena confidently agreed, “Yeah, there’s going to be a next time for sure. That is, if you can keep up with me.”
“Then I’ll train extra hard to make that next time happen!” he whooped, determined to get even stronger.
Without warning, red pillars of light materialized around them.
“Oh man. It’s nightfall already?” Urbain scratched his head worriedly, darting his eyes around him in every direction. “And here we are in a battle zone. Rotten luck.”
“Am I missing something here? What’s happening?” She was puzzled. Serena looked at the red holo-walls with disdain. “I didn’t expect their holo-tech to be this pervasive.”
“We gotta move, so here’s the deal, super-short version… Battle zones are intense! Anyone who finds you in here can challenge you to a battle on the spot!” he cautioned. “I know I said I’d give you a low key trek to the hotel, sorry about this.” Urbain cursed to himself. This was about the least inconspicuous thing that could have happened! First the bag-napping, now this! “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“No, this is in no way your fault. Please, don’t worry unnecessarily over it,” Serena reassured. “Besides, it doesn’t sound that bad based on what you said. But honestly, I’d rather not battle any more tonight. I’m severely jet lagged, and would prefer to get a head start on getting readjusted to the time zone.”
“Gotcha, Hotel Z is right nearby. Let’s get going! My Pokemon here can take care of your bag so it won’t weigh you down.” Urbain gestured to Tepig and Chikorita. “Totodile will stay with me, just in case.”
Serena raised an eyebrow. “You sure? My bag already got stolen once by Pokemon today.”
“Nah, they’ll be fine! Other Pokemon will leave ‘em alone. Plus, those two can climb fences and get into places where people can’t follow ‘em.” Urbain was very confident in his Pokemon’s ability to handle the task.
“Alright.” She squatted down to hand the bag to the two. “You both look very brave and strong, please do your best to ensure my bag makes it to the hotel safely. I’ll make sure to reward you handsomely if you do.”
Chikorita and Tepig puffed their chests out in pride, now taking this courier job much more seriously. They accepted the bag with great care and bounded off.
From beside Urbain, Totodile pouted, feeling left out. “Toh, toh…”
Serena noticed the Pokemon’s dour mood. “Don’t worry, Totodile, you’re getting the hardest job out of you three! You have to make sure we make it to the hotel safely. Urbain must have chosen you to stay because you’re the strongest.”
Totodile peered up at her, eyes sparkling, and turned to Urbain for confirmation.
Urbain faltered, not really expecting Totodile's puppy eyes. “Uh, what–” Serena gave him a firm look, silently screaming at him not to crush his Pokemon’s dreams. “Oh, yeah. Yeah! You’re so strong, Totodile! There’s no one else I’d trust with our safety more!”
“Tohto, toh, to!!” Totodile burst with life, very excited to play his role now. “Toh!”
“We gotta hightail it outta this battle zone. Follow me! Totodile, you stick close to the front to guard!”
“Toto!” Totodile affirmed seriously.
“This way!” Urbain guided as he started running, leading the group towards the exit. Serena trailed behind, following his lead as they made several turns down alleyways. “Okay, we’re almost there.”
“What have we got here?” Serena whipped around, startled by the waitress’ sudden voice from behind her. “A pair of battle zone loiterers! You must be after a Pokemon battle. So square up and give me your best shot!”
Remembering the last battle he just saw of hers, Urbain winced. “Uhhh, I wouldn’t challenge her if I were you! And anyways, my friend here isn’t part of–”
“I don’t believe anyone asked you!” the waitress snapped at him, cutting him off.
Urbain covered his eyes with his hand and shook his head slightly. “Hey, I tried.”
Serena waved off Urbain’s concern. “I appreciate the effort. I might be dead tired, but I can pull through one battle.” She would gladly deal with this rude woman.
The waitress flipped her pony tail over her shoulder and glared at Serena. “The points I earn from trouncing you will propel me up the ranks!” Riding high and confident, she sent out the cutest smallest bean of a Cleffa.
The bean let out the most adorable squeaking war cry as she raised her little baby sized arms up to try to be ferocious, “Cleee!” The Cleffa was possibly the tiniest Cleffa Serena had ever seen with the biggest doe eyes. The sheer size of its eyes made it look even smaller.
“Oh, no,” Urbain muttered under his breath, horrified. “That poor Cleffa.” He had seen just how powerful Serena’s Greninja was. She was clearly a very experienced Trainer. More than experienced. She was undoubtedly a veteran Trainer.
The Cleffa was about to go down,
hard.
Serena turned her head to Urbain, face stricken. “Actually, I don’t know if I can do this. I mean, morally.” That might have been the most baby looking Pokemon ever. Did it hatch, like, an hour ago with pre-programed maximum adorable genes?!
This was NOT the same as battling that Pancham!
“Shut up!! Send out your Pokemon already!” the waitress grumbled.
“Clef!!” Cleffa looked equally as irritated, glaring at Serena with her perfect shiny doll-eyes. She curled her little arms up in a “come at me” gesture and started shadow boxing. This Cleffa really did perfectly match her Trainer.
“Arceus, please don’t send me to hell for this.” Serena quickly ran through the mental math of who had the least damaging move on her team and who could be the gentlest. Shit, no one on her team was particularly gentle! But if she had to choose… “Go Gattaca!” Her Sylveon emerged in a shower of sparkles. “Please, please, please don’t kill the Cleffa!” Serena begged desperately.
“Syl?” Gattaca had the
audacity to look confused by the direction.
“Cleffa, use Tackle!”
“Uh,” Serena stuttered, unsure of how to handle a battle for the first time in years. “Gattaca, just- just tap it lightly with one of your ribbons, okay? Like 5%- no 2% power!” Serena pinched two of her fingers together to emphasize just how small she meant.
“Syl!” Gattaca nodded in confirmation.
“Oh, thank Arceus,” Serena sighed in relief that Gattaca understood.
The little Cleffa came charging in at the Sylveon, armed with a confidence of a thousand burning suns, and about to execute the most epic Tackle of her life. “Cle–”
Gattaca, as instructed, used one of her ribbons to bat Cleffa away, sending it rocketing at high speeds before it slammed into the side of the nearby building with a loud resounding crack and a cloud of dust. Debris fell from the point of contact on the wall.
Due to her round body, Cleffa
bounced off the building and bopped along the street, like a bouncy ball slowly losing momentum, until she skidded, face down on the pavement, to a stop back in front of the Sylveon.
Cleffa was bruised, battered, and most notably
not moving.
“Syl~ve!!” Gattaca trilled merrily over the defeated limp body of her enemy. She did an excellent job!
“C…le…f….” Cleffa weakly and painfully mumbled, barely audible.
Oh, thank Arceus, it wasn’t dead! Serena hid her face in her hands. Gattaca did NOT understand!! That was way too much power! She should have never trusted her to be gentle!!!
“CLEFFA!” her Trainer yelped, the worry and panic clear in her voice, rushing over and dropping to her knees in front of the downed Pokemon. Serena hurriedly dug into her purse.
“I am SO sorry!!! Please use this Max Revive!” Serena shoved the Max Revive into the waitress’ hands who administered it promptly.
Though now out of danger, the Cleffa was still very woozy and looked worse for wear. The waitress returned Cleffa to her Pokeball. She had her Bunnelby as well, but wasn’t going to risk their health too. “Another night spent battling in the Z-A Royale with no points to show for it…” she muttered.
“Um, ma’am, you need to take your Cleffa to a Pokemon Center immediately!” Serena pressed, genuinely worried about the health of Cleffa.
“I tried to tell you!” Urbain shook his head, also looking stricken. “And Serena’s right! You need to leave, now!”
“Toto! To, dile!” Totodile insisted, just as upset.
Coming to her senses and snapping out of her shock-riddled brain, the waitress scrambled back to her feet. “R-Right!!” she darted off, sprinting.
Urbain watched as she left, unable to tear his eyes away from Cleffa’s Pokeball. “Honestly? I think I heard it pop like a balloon when it hit that wall.”
“I’m going to have nightmares about this,” Serena said solemnly, eyes distant.
“Syl~ve~on~!” Gattaca chimed with a little dance, wiggling her ribbons and tail, cheering herself on for her good work of utterly
destroying that precious little angel.
“No!! You don’t get to be happy about that!” Serena spat, pointing at Gattaca accusingly. “I trusted you to be nice!!”
“Ve,” the Sylveon scoffed and gave her a look that said, “I WAS nice!”
“Hey.” Urbain caught Serena’s attention. “So here’s my advice as your kind new friend who loves helping people…” Even though his evaluation of himself was true, it sounded
incredibly sarcastic. “Stay out of the battle zones.”
“Yeah, no SHIT!” Serena exclaimed, the most frazzled she’d been all day. She glared at Gattaca and returned her to her Pokeball.
“Let’s get the hell out of here before someone else comes after us looking for a battle!” Urbain shuddered. “I don’t think I could handle watching another repeat of Cleffa.”
As they continued to make their way out of the battle zone, their path was blocked once again. Three Trainers stood just in front of the exit, all itching for a battle and sights trained on Urbain and Serena.
Urbain worriedly glanced off to the side, scratching the back of his head, and unsure of how to proceed.
“Thank Arceus it’s not another Cleffa,” Serena breathed in relief at the sight of the Honedge, Pansear, and Hearacross. All opponents she was completely morally okay with dispatching ruthlessly and were decidedly
not newborn baby adorable beans.
“Look,” Urbain started, hoping this time he could resolve this with words. “I’m trying to get our hotel guest to safety. Let us through, would you?” He gestured to Serena beside him, then held his hands up in a placating gesture.
The battle girl uncrossed her arms and sneered, “Too bad for your guest! Once you step into a battle zone, you’re a target like everyone else!”
Urbain unceremoniously dropped his arms down by his side and looked defeated. No, he steeled himself, Urbain couldn’t allow another Cleffa to happen. Never again.
“If you want a target,” Urbain walked in front of Serena, “I’m right here!” He dropped into a battle ready stance.
“Toto.” Totodile matched his Trainer’s determination.
“Kyururu!” a Pokemon cry came from above. Serena and Urbain looked up, following the noise. Floette gracefully floated down between the two parties preparing for battle. When she raised her flower that had been blocking her view, Floette chirped excitedly upon seeing Serena.
“A Floette with a black flower, huh?” the jogger Trainer commented sharply. “You don’t see that every day. Let’s see how it battles!”
Floette looked over her shoulder back at the other Trainers and glared at them. How dare they interrupt her reunion with Serena! She swung her flower around and started to charge up a Light of Ruin, the only appropriate response to such a slight!
“NO! Don’t hit them!” Urbain reached out frantically, desperately trying to prevent another Cleffa incident.
Fine. Floette pouted. Urbain always ruined her fun. She fired off her blinding cannon of a move juuuust above the three trainers heads and into the sky above. Floette reveled in seeing the beam’s light flicker away against the night sky.
There was a moment of silence before the three Trainers glanced at each other, then stumbled over themselves to scramble away, fleeing as fast as they could. Floette cackled. Urbain had been right! That was much funnier than actually hitting them with Light of Ruin!
Floette turned back around to face Urbain and Serena, ready for praise.
“Nicely done, Floette!” Urbain, so very relieved it didn’t turn into another Cleffa situation, was completely fine with not saying anything about Floette’s almost murder. “But maybe you should save that Light of Ruin move for when it really counts, huh?” he commented instead with a slight laugh.
Floette stubbornly puffed out her cheeks. That wasn’t what she was looking for.
“Floette!” Serena greeted her cheerfully. “That was some crazy power! You must have been training hard!”
“Kryu!” Floette trilled happily at the acknowledgement. She floated around Serena while preening and moving her flower about like a sword. “Ku, ruru.” Yes, Floette had been training, thank you for noticing.
“Woah, Floette really likes you!” Urbain marveled.
“And I really like Floette! Your flower looks extra pretty today! It must be basking in the glow of that Light of Ruin you just fired!” Serena complemented. Floette twirled her flower bashfully with a blush. There was a reason why Serena was her favorite. She then floated up to sit on Serena’s head. Floette pointed excitedly with her flower towards the hotel.
Serena chuckled. “Of course, m’lady, as your loyal steed, I shall lead you wherever you please! Order away!”
“Kryuuuu~!”
“You’re really good with Pokemon,” Urbain noted, watching their easy exchange. “Hey, how long did you say you’re staying in Lumiose?” Serena was definitely the kind of person he wanted on Team MZ!
“Thank you. I’m not quite sure, I haven’t exactly booked a return ticket yet.” Serena had new, fun, and exciting megalomaniacs to deal with first before she decided where to settle down in Kalos again.
Urbain smiled softly, meeting Serena’s gaze. “So what you’re saying is that there’s a chance I could convince you to stay longer?”
‘Why is he so charming?!’ Serena screamed in her head. The line had come out of nowhere! He can’t just say something like that casually!
Tickled by the exchange, Floette leaned down from her perch to pat Serena’s face, snapping her out of it.
“I mean,” Serena bumbled out an answer, “I don’t have any plans yet so…”
Urbain beamed and did a small victory jump. “I’ll take it! A chance is all I’ll need!” Wow, this boy was NOT good for her heart! “You’ll see. Besides, once you see how great Hotel Z is, you’ll never want to leave!”
“Hotel Z, right,” Serena weakly tried to pivot. “Let’s go there.”
“Great!” Urbain’s 10,000 kilowatt smile was still going strong. “Follow me! I don’t think I’ve ever been more relieved to leave a battle zone.”
After exiting the red holo-gateway, Hotel Z was only a few paces away. The building was an exemplary example of old Lumiose architecture, complete with the cobble stone courtyard and climbing ivy.
“Welcome to our humble establishment,” Urbain bowed as if he was a butler and looked up at Serena from under his eyelashes cheekily, “Hotel Z! You won’t find a more tranquil, relaxing stay anywhere in Lumiose…” Urbain’s confidence faltered, wincing as he trailed off. “Because we don’t have a single other guest,” he finished ruefully.
Serena smiled warmly at Urbain. “A tranquil, relaxing stay is just what I’m looking for,” she announced primly.
He chuckled. “Great! Come on in!” Urbain held the door open for her. “After you.”
“Thank you.” She looked around the lobby, it really had that wonderful rustic cozy feeling. She couldn’t help but smile upon seeing the patchwork sewn curtains and the mis-matched chairs. This space had AZ written all over it. Serena loved it. Floette left her spot on Serena’s head and drifted back to AZ.
“I’m back, AZ!” Urbain called out, entering after her, and letting the door close. He met AZ at the counter. “Check it out – I brought us a guest!”
Serena withheld the snort she wanted to make upon seeing the giant of a man in the flesh wearing his dapper little suit manning the comically short reception desk. With his color pallet, bangs, and bow tie he looked exactly like a Dartrix! Imagine a Rowlett in a tiny bell hop uniform and hat!!! Aaah!! She needed to make that happen and get her hands on a few Rowlett for this hotel. A fleet of adorable gentleman Pokemon butlers was exactly what would set Hotel Z apart! The more Serena thought about it, the more ideas she had for this place!
But before she could get to any of those finer details, she had a grand mysterious entrance to make.
“It’s been a while, AZ,” Serena said from where she was looming in the doorway, eyes cast downwards. Serena was taking much joy in making her entrance as unnecessarily dramatic as possible. “When I heard you were running a hotel, I didn’t believe it and had to come see for myself.” She slowly started to approach, then snapped her head up to meet AZ’s gaze.
AZ’s eyes widened in recognition. “Serena…?”
But Serena was nowhere near done with her bit. “Wow, you’ve really cleaned yourself up over the years. A vest and a bow tie? Really AZ? I’m shocked. You look way less homeless now. What else have I missed in 5 years? It’s comforting that Floette is still as trigger happy as ever though. At least she hasn’t changed.”
AZ smiled at her words, glad to see that Serena was just as theatrical as ever. “It’s good to see you again. You’ve grown up.”
“That is what happens when a normal human gets older. We’re not all immortal.” Serena rolled her eyes, then matched AZ’s smile. “But jokes aside, it’s good to see you and Floette again too. I’m really happy to see that the years have finally been kind to you. 3,000 years is too much pain for anyone, even you. You deserve this.”
“Thank you.” AZ’s heart warmed. “Life has been treating me well, and I hope the same for you.”
Urbain blinked. “Oh, you and AZ know each other?” Ah,
that’s why she came to Lumiose after seeing his video! Not only did his ad work, but it also reunited two friends! Urbain
really was excellent at making videos.
AZ nodded. “Yes, I owe Serena a great debt after everything she did for me five years ago.” Not only had Serena reunited him with Floette, but she had done everything in her power to help him get back on his feet afterwards, even if he refused most of her help. They had spoken at length together about his past, his sins, and his regrets. But that didn’t scare Serena off.
Instead, she sympathized with his struggle of having the weight of the world on his shoulders and not making perfect choices that came with awful consequences. Serena continued to spend time with him, true quality time. They joked together, laughed together, ate together, and cried together. It made AZ feel like a person again for the first time in many,
many years.
AZ would forever be grateful to Serena for that.
“I’ve told you already, you don’t owe me anything,” Serena insisted. “Just let Lemis hang out with Floette, and we’re even.” Lemis would fit in the hotel’s secluded courtyard out front, which was perfect. It was cute watching a giant hulking bird of death be best friends with a dainty Floette. Those two could gab for
hours over their ancient war stories.
‘Immortals,’ Serena rolled her eyes.
“Your stay here will be on the house,” AZ declared with a nod. Floette spending time with Yveltal was nowhere near enough now that he finally had some means to pay her back.
“No, it will not!” Serena stated, narrowing her eyes. “Urbain told me your hotel is struggling! I will be paying in full and tipping a LOT!” she emphasized.
AZ shook his head mirthfully. “It’s a kind offer, but I refuse to accept money from you.”
Serena pulled her wallet out of her tote bag and dropped an exorbitantly huge sum of cash onto the counter. “I can more than afford to stay here, so I will be paying! I am a paying customer. Emphasis on
paying!” Serena challenged.
AZ pushed the money back towards her. “You’re overpaying!” he countered.
Serena scoffed. “You’re going to take it, or I will sneak into the lobby at night and put it in the register myself!”
“It’s too much, and even if it wasn’t, I won’t take money from you,” AZ denied staunchly.
Serena smirked. “If it makes you feel any better, you can consider the money my charitable contribution to the preservation of Kalos’
esteemed history as a part of my league responsibilities, or a generous donation to the elderly, either works.” Serena looked at AZ innocently with wide eyes. “We can’t have our national relic dying on us or destitute again, can we?”
AZ’s face hardened, becoming stormy and serious. Serena looked just as vicious and intense as AZ.
Urbain’s eyes widened. He’d never seen AZ look like that before!
‘Oh shit, she pissed off AZ!! …Though, she’s not wrong, we do need the money.’
But to Urbain’s utter surprise, they both erupted in laughter.
AZ brightened. “It
is good to see you again.”
“Yeah, it is good to see you too, gramps.” Serena smiled genuinely, voice light.
Serena truly had missed him.
“Speaking of, we
have to get you a website for this hotel. I know you’re very out of touch,” Serena lamented sarcastically while checking her nails, “but I’ll painstakingly teach you how to use a Rotom Phone to manage reservations. Before you go off again with, “back in my day,” gramps, back in your day you had sticks and rocks for tools. The stone age is over. It’s time to adapt.”
AZ sighed. “Serena, I–”
“And I’m still not over the Holo Caster thing,” Serena cut him off. “I know five years must not feel like anything to you, but it was a long time for me. Make it up to me by doing this.”
“I’m truly sorry, Serena,” AZ apologized sincerely, forlorn. “Five years isn’t nothing.”
“You’re more than forgiven as long as you don’t let it happen again,” Serena relented. The lack of contact had really hurt her. Serena had needed his support, she had come to rely on it after everything five years ago, and it was a struggle to be suddenly stripped of that when she needed it most.
“Alright,” AZ acquiesced with a long tired sigh, “I’ll give the Rotom Phone a try.”
“Great!” Serena bounced back cheerfully.
Urbain chuckled at the exchange. He didn’t realize AZ had friends, let alone
close friends! “You guys must be really close, huh? So how did you meet each other before Hotel Z?” Urbain had to know the story behind how such a pretty stylish girl ended up being best friends with the hulking grandpa that was AZ.
“Wow, you
really don’t recognize me even after knowing my name,” Serena deadpanned. “Our meeting was broadcast on live television.” Serena took off the glasses she was wearing. “How about now?”
With the glasses removed, it finally clicked who she was, and Urbain blurted out, “Arceus, you’re Serena! You’re the Champion!” Urbain
very much knew who she was! He watched all of the videos of her matches! Her battles were wild and her strategies awe-inspiring. She was someone every trainer in the region studied and looked up to!
Wait, that meant the Sylveon that did horrible things to that Cleffa was THAT Sylveon!! He winced. Yikes, no wonder that happened. It was like trying to delicately knock a pebble off a table with a shotgun.
“Yes, that’s me,” Serena confirmed airily as she admired the glasses in her hands. “Wow, these fake glasses really
are killer.”
‘Well, now I gotta try even harder to convince her to stay! She’s exactly the kind of member Team MZ is looking for! With the Champion on our side, we can protect Lumiose no problem!’ Urbain resolved.
‘She’s not at all what I imagined THE Serena to be like. I like the real Serena a lot more!’
AZ chuckled, enjoying Urbain’s shock. AZ hadn’t realized Urbain didn’t know Serena’s title, but was glad he got to witness the rug being pulled out from under him. Serena’s travel bag caught his eye. More precisely, the Zygarde cell crawling out of her travel bag. It was an omen to ponder over later.
“I was concerned when a bag arrived with no owner,” AZ explained now that Serena’s bag was on his mind. “That is why I sent Floette out to seek you. It seems my worries were unfounded, after all, you had Serena by your side.”
“No, I’m glad you did! Floette saved our skins with her Light of Ruin – it’s a heck of a move,” Urbain applauded. “You’re so wise, AZ, I can almost believe you really ARE three thousand years old like you always say!” he snickered.
Serena giggled, loving the fact that apparently no one believed AZ’s age was real, but cut herself off with an unwilling yawn. She was dead tired. Far,
far too much had happened today. She needed her beauty sleep!
Noticing this, AZ nodded at her. “Serena, before you retire, pray, allow me a few words. I hope you’ll indulge me as your host.” AZ straightened, standing up a little taller. “Treasure your companions, and never betray that faith. That is all I wish to say.”
“I understand, AZ,” Serena acknowledged sincerely. AZ had made countless mistakes in his past, regrets he would carry with him forever, and this sage advice was the culmination of his entire life. Those were the words AZ now lived by, his lesson finally learned that day at her Champion parade.
Serena was never going to be one to betray her Pokemon, but she understood that he was speaking about more than just her Pokemon. He was speaking as a ruler, a king, advising her on how she should be handling her Champion title. To AZ, a man who had lived 3,000 years and was a king of Kalos in his own right, “companions” meant “the people of Kalos” and “the people you share this life with.”
His words also served as a subtle criticism of her lack of action. It stung, but he was right.
Serena knew AZ saw what she saw was afoot in Lumiose. AZ had been right beside her five years ago, after all, and was privy to all of the details. He was one of the few that saw the same side of Lysandre that she did.
“Good.” AZ nodded, satisfied, hunching back over his cane once more. “Room 202 is yours to use.” He handed her the key to the room.
“You can take the elevator to the second floor,” Urbain provided helpfully. “Rest up for tonight, then come meet me down here in the lobby tomorrow morning!”
“Alright. Thank you for your help today, Urbain. It was very kind of you. I’m excited to get to know you better during my stay.” Serena smiled brightly.
“Nah, it was nothing! I’m happy to help!” Urbain blushed slightly and scratched the back of his head, looking away. “And I can’t wait to get to know you too.”
“Well then, goodnight to both of you.” Serena grabbed her bag, and headed into the elevator with a wave.
Once the elevator doors closed, Floette hovered over to Urbain, who was still staring at the elevator, and slyly nudged him with her flower
“What?” Urbain blinked, then looked at Floette’s knowing look. “No, it’s not like that!” he insisted. Floette tittered mirthfully, not at all believing him. “Okay, maybe a
little like that. But just a little!” he conceded.
AZ chortled. “Serena is a wonderful young lady,” he commented approvingly.
Urbain groaned, hiding his face in his hands. “Not you too, AZ.”
Z • ──── ✿৻(๑'ᵕ'๑) ──── • A
*Knock, knock*
“Hey. Sorry, I know I said you should sleep, but can we talk for a sec?” Urbain’s muffled voice came from the other side of her door.
Serena was so thankful she hadn’t changed or gotten ready for bed yet. She scrambled to open the door.
Urbain bowed to her once more. “Begging your pardon, dear guest! I neglected to show you our hotel’s true gem – a stunning panorama.” He rose from the bow and winked. “That means, “C’mon, you gotta see the roof!””
Serena curtsied back. “Why of course, good sir, I’d be delighted.” She linked their arms together, and grinned up at him. “You may escort me.” Serena reveled in the fact that it was Urbain this time who was startled and struggled to make eye contact until they parted once they reached the roof. Ha!
“Bit late now, but welcome back to Lumiose City!” Urbain walked to the railing and looked out over the twinkling lights. “It’s got its weird parts, but it’s a good place. I like it here.”
Serena joined him at the railing. “A very apt assessment, I agree.”
Urbain’s face turned uncharacteristically serious. “Listen… I owe AZ big-time for all the help he’s given me since I got here. I want to do right by him in return. Not to put you on the spot, but since you seem really close to AZ… think you could give me a hand?”
Serena understood that look well, the unspoken weight of one’s past. “I’d be happy to.” She was never one who could ignore an earnest plight. Despite everything, Serena still had a bleeding heart. Besides, AZ was her dear friend, she’d always be there to help him.
“You’re the best!” Urbain grinned, sticking his fist out. Serena returned the fist bump.
Even with the chaos and re-emerging trauma the day had brought, Serena was glad to be back in Lumiose. Her return brought back the companionship she’d gone years without. AZ really did know what he was talking about, huh? That wise old man.
As she gazed out at Prism Tower, Serena made a solemn vow to herself that she would never allow anything like Lysandre to ever happen to this city and her region again. Her extended sabbatical in Hoenn was over. Serena had been running for too long. It was time to take a stand and show Kalos that she was here to protect its future.
It was time to be a true Champion.
The one Serena had desperately wished Diantha was, and failed to be, for Kalos five years ago.
End Notes
Nickname central:
Sensei (Greninja) – because he acts like a know-it-all wise old man and tries to teach the other party members things like he knows better. He does not know better.
Gattaca (Sylveon) – named after the nucleobases of DNA (G, A, T, C) and the excellent sci-fi movie about genetic bio-engineering, GATTACA.
Lemis (Yveltal) – named after the shortened slang of Les Miserables, Le Mis. The book title translates to English literally as “The Miserable Ones,” but can also mean "the wretched," or "the outcasts." All of which fit Yveltal very well. Also because the whole book is about (among many other things) destruction, death, and revolution in Paris.
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My favorite bit of NPC dialogue is when you're on a random rooftop or street and then some guy just has a balloon over his head that says something like, “Hey, remember that power outage from 5 years ago? That was wild,” or “I liked the city better 5 years ago,” or “Whatever happened to that Holo Caster news lady?” like “that Holo Caster news lady” WASN'T an E4 member.
The sewers were unironically the best looking map in the game. Also, not me in the Lumiose sewers continuously saying, “We’ve got to get you out of here, Marius,” and looking at a Litwick and going, “Marius, what’s wrong with you today, you look as if you’ve seen a ghost.” I named my sewer Litwick Marius. I love my sewer Litwick.
So I have some gripes with the game lol, but I actually loved playing it!! The battle system was REALLY fun, customization was excellent, the new Megas were 10/10, and I loved the characters. I just felt like the plot was thinner and a little weaker than it could have been. That, and there were a lot of underused characters.
Why Serena? The plot of the PLZA game becomes infinitely more complicated if the protag is the XY protag lol. This is by no means going to be a bashing of PLZA, it’s going to be a reimagining of the plot by beefing it up with all of those little things I know we ALL wished would have happened. Also, I’m not officially saying yet that I’m making Quasartico evil lol, Serena is ✨paranoid and traumatized✨
