Said the Spider to the Fly
Chapter 2
Chapter summary:
“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,
"'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to shew when you are there."
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."
-OR-
By asking her to join the Z-A Royale, Quasartico had given her the keys to the kingdom and was inviting Serena to wreck their entire lives with open arms. And she’d do it with a smile on her face and a pep in her step.
Serena woke up in a delightfully vindictive mood that inspired a very good idea of how to kick off her plan to decimate Quasartico and everything they stood for.
If evil needed their ass kicked, it was time to break out the miniskirt and thigh highs again. She would become a specter of the past and remind everyone who had been mollified by her extended absence just
who they were dealing with.
Not that the general public knew what she wore during her original journey, but for those who
did know and remembered her, people who now had positions of power, the symbolism would ring abundantly clear. And those people were the exact ones she needed to put the fear of Arceus in and show that Serena was
not messing around.
This wasn’t Serena the model and superstar showing up for a visit.
No.
It was Serena the Hero of Kalos, defeater of Team Flare, and Champion at their door step, striking fear in the hearts of the damned with her miniskirt. For those who knew, her haunting visage would be an undeniable echo of her past victories.
Serena was
back in every sense of the word, and this was her battle armor.
Serena cackled as she dressed, pulling on her black collared blouse, high waisted red miniskirt, and black thigh high socks, her dramatic little heart singing. She wrapped the very bottom of her hair in a hair tie. She pulled a chunk on either side free from the pony tail and let it join her longer bangs framing her face. Iconography was truly a wonderful thing.
Serena thrived on melodramatic mischief veiled by a coat of glamor and manners. She loved being a menace, but with nuanced subtlety and plausible deniability. Clever theatricality was truly a lost art.
Serena laced up her black high tops and donned her pink felt hat, placing white sunglasses on top of it. With a final hair fluff in the mirror, she grabbed her pink tote bag and headed out the door.
Z • ──── ☆⌒(ゝ。∂) ✨ ──── • A
The lobby existed in muted harmony, nothing stood out too much on its own. The mismatched chairs with scattered patterned pillows didn’t clash, it was wholly charming. The organized chaos aesthetic at its finest. Something both uniquely AZ and undeniably old-Lumiose. Serena loved it.
Urbain sat in a blue chair at the low coffee table with Floette by his side. “Hey! Good morning,” Urbain greeted Serena with a wave like it wasn’t 4:00 in the afternoon. No, he did
not sit here waiting for her to wake up all day.
“Good morning,” Serena said with a laugh. She very much knew exactly what time it was. Serena reached into her bag and pulled out a paper box. “These PokePuffs are for your three Pokemon. I promised them a reward. Please thank them again for everything they did last night.”
“For sure! They’re gonna love it,” Urbain cheered. “Rough day yesterday, huh? Travel, jet lag, your bag gets stolen, then you get dragged into the Z-A Royale…” He shook his head, drawing Serena’s attention to his hair. Urbain’s hair was like strawberry lemonade. She had no idea how his dye job looked
so good and perfectly complemented his skin tone. “I’m glad you rested enough! You look much more refreshed now than you did when we met.” He stumbled to add, “Not that you didn’t look great then too!”
Serena laughed again. “Yes, I feel much better now! The bed was very comfortable.” It really wouldn’t be hard for Serena to get the hotel customers after she put in a little work. “The Z-A Royale… That’s the whole mess with the battle zone, right?” Serena questioned.
“The Z-A Royale's a big Pokemon battle tournament headed by Quasartico that’s taking Lumiose by storm! I’m competing in it too, actually! Practically flying up the ranks.” Urbain scratched his cheek and looked very smug.
“I don’t doubt that,” Serena agreed. “From last night, I got the impression that you’d be quite the interesting trainer. Why did you decide to join this tournament and not the Gym circuit?"
Urbain blushed slightly from her acknowledgement. “I’m trying to become the strongest Trainer around so I can help protect Lumiose. This is actually what I wanted your help with. Remember? Our talk last night on the roof? I know this is sudden, but can you join the Z-A Royale too, Serena?”
“Come again?” Serena asked, baffled. How did joining a tournament have anything to do with helping AZ?
Serena’s Rotom Phone buzzed and popped out of her pocket.
*You’ve received a message!*
Dear Serena,
You are invited to join the Z-A Royale, a battle tournament to determine the greatest Pokemon Trainers in Lumiose City. Anyone who attains the highest rank, Rank A, will earn the right to call themselves one of Lumiose’s strongest Trainers and be granted a wish, as long as it is in our power to fulfill. If you wish to take part, please open the attached file to install the Z-A Royale app on your device. We eagerly await your enrollment.
Sincerely,
The Z-A Royale staff
Serena’s heart skipped a beat. How did they get this number?! This was NOT a public number! This was her personal phone. Not the line set up through the league that went through several assistants and administrators before
potentially forwarding something to Serena.
“I bet that was an invite to the Z-A Royale, right? Perfect timing!” Urbain tucked his hands behind his head. “I figured they’d invite you, since you held your own when you weren’t even signed up. And obviously because you’re the Champion and all.”
How do they KNOW that Serena was in a battle zone last night?!
‘The holo-tech.’ Serena’s veins turned to ice.
‘It’s not just barriers, they were watching.’ Serena wanted to go back upstairs and scream into her pillow about how incredibly slimy and unethical this all was. It made her feel like shit just thinking about it.
Serena might want to curb stomp evil under her dainty little foot, but she wasn’t a monster. She had empathy, sometimes more empathy than she should for people. Especially after Lysandre, who refused to look further than his own feet to see the consequences and effect his actions had on other people.
Which is why Serena had held out a smidgen of hope that she’d been wrong somehow, but that was shattered now, a pile of ash on the ground. They really
had bought out Lysandre Labs, not just their patents, but the company as a whole along with all of their data records. There was no question about it now.
Holo-tech spyware to monitor people through their holo-tech, Holo Casters included, was something Lysandre had created and used, but
never made public. Serena had been so relieved to hear it had been destroyed by Dexio and Sina long ago after defeating Lysandre in Team Flare’s HQ.
Looks like the “Masked Heroes” didn’t do a good enough job. Pathetic. Those two were always late to the party, but never failed to present their petty contributions as a huge triumph. Serena really shouldn’t have believed their words with full confidence. Sure, they might have destroyed the spy machine, but they didn’t ensure one could never be made again or delete the data.
Not only was Lysandre’s spyware machine back and in use, but was being used to monitor every nook and cranny of the city!
Quasartico wasn’t even denying it or trying to be secretive!! They were flaunting the use of spyware right in her face! The gall!
And the sheer
nerve they had to contact her directly, knowing full well exactly who Serena was, to invite her to take part in their little tournament like
they were doing her a favor. Their invitation was
so patronizing! “Will earn the right to call themselves one of Lumiose’s strongest Trainers??” SHE WAS THE CHAMPION!!
They were belittling her while also implying that somehow Quasartico’s reach extended past Serena’s own dominion and authority as Champion by asserting they could offer her a “wish” she could not already fulfill herself. And if she participated, all the while, Quasartico could reap the benefits of having the backing of the Champion.
AS IF!
Oh, Serena was
pissed. Did they think she was
stupid just because Serena hadn’t been in Kalos? That she wouldn’t see everything they were doing with this move? Serena was very smart, thank you very much.
If they wanted the Champion, then they’d get her. She’d join their stupid tournament, but only under the guise of complacency. If Serena’s name and title were affiliated, more people than ever before would flock to the tournament, and the world’s press would be watching. If more eyes were watching Quasartico than ever before, perfect.
Serena made absolutely no promises about not being an utter nuisance in their battle royale unlike they’d ever seen before. She’d make them
regret inviting her and drawing the attention of every person in Kalos.
Quasartico
really wanted to challenge
Serena to a media battle? Oh, she’d chop them up and eat them for breakfast. Please, like they stood a chance against her on the mass media battlefield, let alone in a Pokemon battle.
People constantly underestimated Serena because she was blonde and wore sparkles and pink. They wrote her off as an airheaded Champion who only beat an
actress to get her title, and then ran away when she couldn’t handle the pressure.
People loved to look down on her as “just a ditzy little girl.” The masses convinced themselves that Serena must be a little pampered princess because they saw a young, pretty face in an unexpected position of power who flaunted their fame.
It’s like everyone collectively forgot just how
vicious Serena could be, the fact that she’d set the
record for fastest time to become Champion, and that no one had come even
close to usurping her in five years. Serena was no angel, nor did she ever claim to be. Serena was a melodramatic, petty, nosy, overly-competitive instigator who would beat you up, take your money, and do it in style. Just because she had manners, elegance, and a sense of justice didn’t make Serena any less of a conniving mastermind who knew she was better than you. Her accidental subterfuge of making everyone think she’s simple and dumb really was the greatest prank Serena’s ever played. Her ghosts would be so proud!
Quasartico was always watching and spying, hm?
Fine.
Serena would tear down their castle and get Kalos and the
whole world to watch Quasartico back. Every move they made would be monitored with a finely toothed comb. Let’s let Quasartico be the ones experiencing psychological terror for a change as Serena installed a new panopticon. More eyes meant more people to witness their deceit first hand as Serena calculatedly
destroyed them while looking fabulous doing it.
They wanted a show? They’d get one.
By asking her to join the Z-A Royale, Quasartico had given her the keys to the kingdom and was inviting Serena to wreck their entire lives with open arms. And she’d do it with a smile on her face and a pep in her step.
Quasartico had
no idea who they were dealing with.
Completely misreading her pause, Urbain commented, “I also got that message out of the blue after I did some battling here in Lumiose. It was a shock. The bigwigs around here really want to find a crop of strong Trainers!”
“You don’t find that odd at all?” Serena questioned skeptically. He wasn’t that simple, was he?
“Er, what do you mean?” Urbain asked.
“That they contacted you out of the blue,” she elaborated.
Urbain nodded and grinned, proud. “Word of mouth travels fast! If people are talking about me that much, it means I have a lot of potential as a Trainer, dontcha think?”
She’d expected too much of him. He really
was gullible. “You didn’t give your phone number or email to anyone you battled during that time though, did you?”
“No, that would be weird. It’s not like any of them were that interesting either,” he dismissed.
She was going to have to spell it out for him wasn’t she? How could someone
this cute be
this dense?
Serena sighed. “Let’s say you’re right, and it was truly word of mouth, how did Quasartico find your contact information? All they had to go on was probably “that guy Urbain, I think!” and “he was blonde.” That’s not exactly helpful information in a city this big. And even if they did manage to track you down, it would have taken a long time. You got that message immediately. Don’t you find that weird?”
Serena didn’t want her new friend to be sucked into their lies. That, and she was using him as a case example to see how the average person would react when confronted with the truth. How much did people really not know what was going on?
Urbain blinked. “Huh, it is unusual now that you mention it, actually. What’s your point here?”
“My point is that I told
no one that I was coming to Kalos, let alone to Lumiose City. You were the first person I talked to after arriving here. The media has been silent and does not know about me being in Kalos.” Serena glared at the message still displayed on her Rotom Phone. “How did Quasartico know? And how did they track down my personal
private phone number, which no one should have beyond close friends, within a few hours and then knew to wait to send me that message until I had woken up at the very odd time of 4:00 pm?”
Urbain’s eyes flew wide. “Oh.
Oh. I see. That shouldn’t be possible.”
“No, it shouldn’t,” Serena agreed.
“Flo…” Floette closed her eyes solemnly in agreement.
“…This is
really not good, is it?” Urbain gulped.
“Correct, but “not good” isn’t really the term I’d use. “Complete structural unethical behavior and total illegal invasion of privacy of the masses” is more apt in this case.” Serena made a note not to forget to discover whatever
other skeletons the company had in their closet too.
“Shit.” Urbain was silent for a beat. “…Okay, what are we going to do about it?”
Serena rolled her eyes. “
We will be doing nothing.
I, on the other hand, will be handling this as is my job.”
“C’mon, you can’t just drop that on me and expect me to do nothing!” he argued back. Urbain couldn’t just sit there! “I’m the helpful type of guy, remember? Besides, protecting Lumiose City is kind of my thing. I was gonna ask you anyways, but now it’s more pressing. Please, join Team MZ!” he begged.
“
Team MZ?” Serena asked incredulously. Not another damn Team! And a Team sunshine boy was on? Oh no, who tricked him!
“Yep! We’re a team dedicated to protecting Lumiose City and all its inhabitants,” Urbain announced grandly. “I’m the team leader. There’s only a few other members, and we’re based out of Hotel Z.”
“Don’t be stupid, you’ll only get hurt if you stick with that.” Serena didn’t want him to head down that road. Protection was a nice goal, but it would involve him sticking his nose into things he shouldn’t. It would only jeopardize his safety.
“What, and you won’t?” he challenged heatedly. “You might be a super strong Trainer, but you’re still at just as much risk! Let us help you.”
Serena shook her head. “Why would you– you’re putting yourself in a lot of danger here! This is not your fight!” Serena vehemently rejected.
“But it
is my fight – it’s
all of our fights,” Urbain asserted, resolute. “We live here in Lumiose too. This is our city. It’s our responsibility to take care of it.”
‘No, it isn’t! IT’S MINE! It’s my responsibility to protect you, and I FAILED!’ she wanted to scream at him, but forced herself to be silent. Serena couldn’t say that to someone who looked at her like she meant something and trusted her as a Champion.
Capitalizing on her hesitance, Urbain slyly said, “If you say no, we’re just gonna follow you around anyways. And after your reunion with AZ last night, I know there’s no way you’d leave Hotel Z to avoid me. So either way, if Lumiose’s safety is at risk, we’re getting involved and helping.”
Floette delicately placed her hand on Serena’s face, looked her in the eyes, and nodded. Floette understood what Serena was feeling, and silently offered her approval. It wouldn’t be like last time.
‘It would be okay,’ Serena assured herself. She’d protect them. Serena could.
She could.
There would never be another body crushed under the rubble again.
“…if you start calling me “grunt,” I will punch you,” Serena mumbled reluctantly.
Urbain chuckled. “Noted.” He jumped up out of the chair and pumped his fist in the air. “I’m so thrilled, I’m getting goosebumps! Thank you. This means a ton! Welcome to Team MZ. We’re lucky to have you.”
“Yes, you are lucky to have me. Can I trust you’ll keep silent about everything I just told you unless you have my approval? This is very strict league business. It’s important you stay quiet.” She really hoped she didn’t make a massive mistake bringing this up to him.
“Absolutely, you can count on me!” he assured her. “With you on our side, we’ll win the Z-A Royale for su– er, um, I guess the Z-A Royale is a bust then? I should drop out too. Shit, that changes everything.”
Serena waved her hand. “No, no, I’m signing up.”
“HUH?!” Urbain exclaimed. “But I thought…”
“No, you’re correct in your thinking. The Z-A Royale is bound to be a farce, and that company is ludicrously corrupt. But since they’re so
graciously asking for my presence, who am
I to reject their summons?” Serena cackled nefariously at the message on her Rotom Phone.
“Okaaaaay, not gonna lie, I’m a little lost. They’re the bad guys here, right? Why are you doing what they want?” Urbain really wasn’t the multi-level planning thinking ten moves ahead of your opponent kind of guy. He was the “gut reaction, act first, and deal with it later” type. It’s why he sucked at chess.
“It will be even easier to take them down by joining.” Serena smirked, a fire in her eyes. “They’ve practically presented their own demise on a golden platter for me. How kind of them.”
Urbain resigned that he probably wouldn’t fully understand what she was talking about until he thought about it a lot more. And probably had several more explanations. Urbain wasn’t stupid by any means, but this was scheming at a level that was a
little above his usual pay grade.
“Still not really following, so you’ll have to fill the team and I in on the full plan later. Lemme see your Rotom Phone for a sec, and I’ll set up the app for you!” Urbain offered. Serena handed over her phone. “I can put in my contact info while I’m at it.”
‘Yes! Phone number secured! Very smooth, Urbain!’ he celebrated in his head.
*Installing… Z-A Royale app successfully installed.*
“Okay, the app’s ready. Let’s get you all signed up in the Z-A Royale. And we gotta make sure you’ve got the Team MZ look in your profile pic! Here you go – your official Team MZ gear.” Urbain took out a green and black Team MZ jacket and handed it to her. “Proof that you’re one of us!” He thought the jacket looked pretty snazzy!
Serena eyed the jacket in her hands hesitantly. “I said I’d join your team, not that I’d make it my whole personality.” Upon seeing Urbain’s crestfallen look, Serena quickly rephrased, “I appreciate the gesture and will keep the jacket, but I’m not wearing it during my time here. Announcing to the tournament that I’m in Team MZ doesn’t really do anything for us. There’s a much…
bigger statement I’m making with this current outfit, and I won’t jeopardize that to wear a team jacket.”
Urbain winced. “Not gonna lie, that stings. I guess I’ll just have to find some other way to stamp my claim on you.”
Serena blinked. “…Excuse me?” He did
not just say what she thought he did!
“I MEAN– um, the TEAM’S CLAIM! Sorry!” Urbain sputtered feverishly, his face red. “Can’t have the Battle Connoisseurs or anyone else thinking they can recruit you, right? I think I’m still in shock from the previous revelation! Don’t think about it too much,” he deflected terribly. “And anyways, you look beautiful– I mean, your outfit looks great! Yeah, that! It would be a shame to cover it up! You’re sooooo right! What was I even thinking about with the jacket? Hahahahaha!!” Jeez! SO not smooth, Urbain!
“F-f-f-f-f-flo!” Floette laughed hysterically.
“Uh-huh. Sure,” Serena deadpanned, not at all impressed by his lackluster recovery.
He deflated. There really wasn’t a way to recover from that one. “I’ll just shut up now and take your profile photo.”
“Good idea. I have an idea for a photo in mind.” It was time to teach Urbain a thing or two about production value. “Sensei, Gattaca, Cheshire come on out!” She tossed their Pokeballs, and the three emerged. “Okay, the goal here guys is to make an uber girly and as unintimidating of a photo as possible!”
Urbain faltered. “Wait, what? Shouldn’t you try to–”
“Shush, you,” Serena demurred. “What happened to shutting up?”
“Right! Shutting up now.”
Cheshire, her adorable perfect cuddly giant teddy-bear of a Gengar who could do no wrong peered up curiously at her. “Geng?”
“We’re doing a prank!” Serena delightedly informed him. No, she did
not play favorites among her Pokemon.
“Gen, gengar!!” Cheshire rubbed his little grubby hands together and chuckled maliciously, his Glasgow grin stretching wider across his face until it was distortedly ear to ear.
“Cheshire, you’re on effects!” Serena assigned. “I want you to float from above and drop flowers on us. Dazzling Gleam from behind too, of course.”
“Gen!” Cheshire acknowledged. He floated through the wall of the lobby, going outside to wander around and pick flowers.
“Sensei, you’re on lighting!” she directed. “You’re going to use your Water Shuriken and hold them in your hands to make lenses that catch the sunlight. Emphasis on bounce and fill lights! We want soft lighting.”
“Gre!” It wasn’t the first time Sensei had been assigned this job, so he knew what to do.
“And finally, Gattaca.” Serena gave her a reluctant assessing look. “You’re the most…
conventionally cute out of the team.”
Gattaca snorted. “Syl, Sylveon!” She was the cutest! Gattaca might not actually
want to be cute, but she
better be after all the shit she went through!
Serena rolled eyes and waved her off. “Don’t kid yourself, that’s obviously Cheshire. But you
are the most unintimidating.”
“VEE! Veon! Syl!” Gattaca stormed, insulted.
“You have no right to complain. Let’s not forget that this,” she gestured to all of Sylveon, “was your choice. So you get the honor of being in the photo with me. Really show off your unintimidating adorable self by jumping in my arms and cuddling with me lovingly as you wrap your ribbons around me.”
Gattaca was probably the only Sylveon out there who evolved into one because she wanted to spite her Trainer out of an Umbreon and accomplished that by loving her too much so Serena would end up with the exact opposite, a Fairy-type. Gattaca loved her trainer, obviously, she was
clearly a Sylveon, but it was love motivated by long-game petty revenge.
“Vee,” Gattaca scoffed. She wasn’t doing that! She was fierce! NO!
“You’re going to look adorable, and you’re going to be happy about it!” Serena berated her. She was still a little miffed about the whole Cleffa thing.
Gattaca clicked her tongue and stubbornly looked off to the side.
“…I’ll give you four PokePuffs,” Serena relented, knowing exactly what her Sylveon actually was aiming for here.
“Syl~!” Gattaca chimed happily, now fully on board to do the photo.
“Gen~gar!” Cheshire floated back through the wall doing a cartwheel, flowers in hand.
Serena lit up. “That’s perfect! Great job, Cheshire! I knew I could count on you unlike someone.” She side eyed Gattaca.
“Vee,” Gattaca made a noise of discontent.
“Five PokePuffs,” Serena said blandly.
“Vee~!”
“We’re good to go. Urbain, are you ready to take the picture?” She turned to him. “Make sure it’s a medium close-up. So waist and above, and try to fill the frame as best you can with the two of us. Not a lot of head space, and center us in the frame.”
“Huh?” Urbain snapped out of his daze watching her direct her Pokemon. “I mean, yeah, got it! Medium close-up it is! Sorry, watching you with your Pokemon is kinda great!” He took out his Rotom Phone.
“Places everyone!” Serena clapped. “On your signal, Urbain.”
Urbain called out, “Lights, camera, action!”
*SNAP*
“Looks great!” He admired the photo. “I’ll send it over so you can finish signing up!”
Serena grinned mischievously upon seeing the photo Urbain texted her. It was stupidly adorable, wholesome, and with way too much joyous emotion – It really made her look like a massive ditz who loved Fairy-types. It was everything Serena was not.
It was perfect!
She returned her Pokemon to their Pokeballs, completed the Z-A Royale profile, and hit submit. The notification popped up:
*You have now officially entered the Z-A Royale!*
Urbain couldn’t wait to see her seriously battle live and in person! “There you go – all set! Like it shows, you start out at Rank Z. And your goal is to climb from the bottom all the way to Rank A at the top,” he informed her.
If Urbain set the photo he took of Serena as his phone background, no one needed to know.
AZ walked over slowly. “How nice it is to see so much energy so…
early in the day.” You never expect to be hit with AZ’s sarcasm, but he saved it for when it was the most opportune moment.
“Yes, good
morning, AZ,” Serena bantered.
“Good morning,” AZ joked back. “I could not help overhearing earlier. It puts my mind at ease to know that you will join the Z-A Royale, Serena.” He closed his eyes, deeply feeling the city’s pain. “Lumiose bustles today with Pokemon and people, but beneath the surface lurks a terrible grief. I hope you will claim victory in the Z-A Royale… so we might free Lumiose at last.”
“Not “might,” will,” Serena refuted. “We
will free Lumiose, AZ.” She wouldn’t accept anything less.
AZ’s expression softened. “To that end, you should explore the city day and night. Get to re-know her Pokemon and her people. Such bonds will be sure to help you.”
AZ had clearly heard her and Urbain’s conversation earlier. He was telling her not to reject Team MZ and to let people help her. She didn’t have to go it alone. While that was reassuring, it didn’t change the fact that Serena felt responsible for this entire debacle. She’d maybe accept some help, but it was still her mess to clean up.
“AZ’s right!” Urbain chimed in. “I think Lumiose’s future will be a lot more secure with you in it.” And he was back to his usual charm.
“Flooo!” Floette agreed with a twirl.
“And don’t worry,” Urbain continued. “I’ll help you get readapted to the city! The number-one thing a Trainer in Lumiose nowadays should know is… how to roll!”
“You don’t get to be Champion without knowing how to roll. I’ve done more than my fair share of dodging.” Serena didn’t even want to think about the sheer number of near death situations she’d been in over the years.
Urbain eyed her skirt. “…Can you roll in a miniskirt?”
Serena raised an eye brow. “Yes.” Urbain seemed oblivious to her judgement and continued to stare at her skirt.
The elevator dinged. Lida walked out and immediately criticized, “Urbain, could you turn it down, like two notches?” She turned on a dime to look at AZ. “Can’t you shush ‘em, AZ? Yell at ‘em a little?”
“It would be unseemly for me to shout and scold… especially since I have been enjoying their antics,” AZ muffled a laugh. “Team MZ’s new member would be more likely to scold me if I even tried to shout at her.”
“NEW MEMBER?!” Lida screeched. No way!! A new member!
Urbain snickered. “Weren’t you just complaining about me being loud, Lida?” he mocked.
Lida shook her head, and turned to the apparent new member. “Fair, sor– wait, Serena?!”
“Lida?” Serena marveled. “Oh my gosh, it’s been years! How are you?” The last time she saw Lida was before Serena departed for Hoenn. They’d grabbed coffee and gossiped about Tierno.
“Much better now,” Lida breathed. “Honestly, we have so much to get caught up on. Don’t even get me started on Tierno…” she trailed off, not even sure where to begin on that front.
Noticing her internal discord, Serena jumped in, “Girls night?”
Lida brightened. “Yes!! Most definitely!!”
Urbain laughed. “You already know half the team! See? You were meant to join!”
“Serena, how the hell did this idiot,” Lida jabbed her thumb at Urbain, “convince you of all people to join our team?”
“Wow, love the support for your team leader, Lida,” Urbain jeered bluntly.
“Well, he actually threatened to stalk me indefinitely if I didn’t join,” Serena answered casually.
Urbain jolted. “WAIT!!”
Lida, disappointed, but not surprised, leveled a stink eye at Urbain. “Really?”
Serena nodded, then continued to fill Lida in on the tale, “And then he tried to force me to wear a team jacket so he could stake his claim on me.”
“I SAID I DIDN’T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!!” Urbain was completely red, his face matched the tips of his hair.
Lida, now uber-disappointed, glared at Urbain. “Is that so?” she said flatly.
Oh, she sees how it is. Urbain had a budding crush on Serena, but Urbain most definitely put his foot in his mouth several times. Because of course he would. It was
Urbain. His lines were either accidentally incredibly smooth or a total train wreck. But still, “staking his claim”?
Really, Urbain? Arceus, this was just the start, wasn’t it? Urbain was going to be even more insufferable and cringy now that he had a
crush.
To be fair, Lida super understood Urbain on this one, because
same. Serena had been her first crush once upon a time. When Tierno first introduced Serena to her all those years ago, Lida had gotten swept up in how fun and bright she was. Lida had since gotten over it, it was never anything more than an innocent puppy crush, but she would always be a little dazzled by Serena. Now, Serena was like the cool older sister she always wished she had. She was a confidant filled with advice and experience Lida
desperately needed right now.
And Lida finally had someone to gossip with again! Especially about the two numbskulls in Team MZ. Ugh, they could be
so exhausting.
“I MEANT THE TEAM’S CLAIM!! SO SHE WOULDN’T GET POACHED BY OTHER GROUPS!” he attempted to explain.
“Uh-huh, sure you did.” Lida shook her head, and sighed. “Arceus, I’m so glad you’re here, Serena. Now I don’t have to suffer through listening to this mess,” she waved her hand at Urbain, “alone anymore.”
“LIDA!”
“It must have been so painful.” Serena reassuringly hugged her. “Don’t worry, I’m here now. We can make fun of him and talk about him behind his back together all we want.”
“HEY!”
The two girls erupted into giggles.
“What were you two even doing down here anyways?” Lida questioned, still shaking off the giggles.
Serena adjusted her hat. “Urbain was helping me register for the Z-A Royale.”
“You’re going to join?!” Lida raised her hand to cover her mouth in shock. “Wait, is that even allowed?”
“It’s more than allowed, seeing as Quasartico themselves extended an invitation to me,” Serena provided. Oh, they would soon come to rue the day they did!
“We’ve got the Team MZ win in the bag!” Lida rejoiced. “You’ll decimate your opponents easily!” She made fierce punching motions in the air.
“Right!” Urbain agreed, his face considerably less red. “Let's scope out the next potential battle zone!”
“Not so fast.” Serena wanted to nip that line of thinking in the bud. “Look, if I’m doing this for real, then it’s not good sportsmanship if I use my Champion team. It would be a PR nightmare if the media found out!” She had to make herself look
perfect to the media if her plan was going to work.
Urbain rubbed the back of his head. “You’re right, I got a little ahead of myself there.”
“Eeehhh??” Lida exclaimed in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you’re going to start all over again!”
Sensei emerged from his Pokeball on his own, looking disturbed and upset. This is new information to him!!
“I’m not benching you permanently, Sensei.” Her Greninja could be such a big baby sometimes! “But even beating up new trainers gets old after a while, you have to admit.”
“Nin,” Sensei pouted, refusing to agree, and determinedly did not make eye contact.
“Fine.” Serena gave in much too easily. She could never say no to him. “What if I keep you in the party, but you don’t get to fight until the more serious trainers appear.” Sensei perked up a little at that.
“So let’s go to the wild zone just down the street!” Urbain suggested. She could catch some new Pokemon there!
Serena shook her head, eyes gleaming. “No, I have somewhere much more
fitting in mind.”
“Oh no…” Lida mumbled under her breath, grimacing. She knew where
that was going.
“Oh, where? Do you have some secret Champion knowledge?” he probed. If there was insider info, Urbain wanted to know about it!
“The cemetery!” Serena beamed, looking so happy at the thought that she was actually sparkling.
Urbain scrunched his eyebrows, confused. “The cemetery…?” Sensei patted Urbain’s shoulder sympathetically.
Defeated, Lida hung her head. “Of course you want to go to the cemetery.”
“Yes! This is an excellent chance to train some Pokemon I’ve always wanted to add to the team, but never could because my other Pokemon refused to let me switch them out! Ha-ha!” Her team were such possessive little miscreants! They never allowed her to switch them out of the main party.
“Er, but you just let Greninja– sorry, Sensei stay on the team? Won’t they protest too?” Urbain questioned.
Serena smirked victoriously. “Oh, they will, but Sensei has seniority as my first ever Pokemon. They can pout all they want, but Sensei is an exception that they can’t deny!”
Sensei nodded in agreement. Yes, he
was better than them.
“Besides,” Serena lovingly pet Sensei’s head. “Sensei, even back when he was a Froakie, acted like a know-it-all wise old man who's been through many perilous wars. He tries to corral the rest of the team and teach them things as if being on the team 2 weeks longer than them had somehow given him secret elite knowledge and it was his duty to impart it to them. The rest of the team won’t deny Sensei the chance to be a sensei for real.” No, they’d laugh hysterically at him and revel in it.
The Greninja squawked, the rug pulled out from under him. Don’t make him look stupid!!
Serena beamed at him. “Sensei, you can finally live up to your dreams and help me train up your new teammates!”
Sensei croaked, suddenly placated. Yeah, he did want to teach some younglings while showing off how much better than them he was.
“But still, why the cemetery?” Urbain pressed.
Lida cringed, and hid her face in her hands. She knew exactly what that response was going to be. No doubt the same answer Serena gave when Lida asked her the same thing years ago.
“Because Ghost and Dark-types are just the cutest!!” Serena clasped her hands together in front of her and sighed dreamily. “I’ve always wanted an Aegislash! They’re so noble and regal! And a Zoroark! They’re sooo adorable and fluffy!”
“To each their own, I guess?” Suddenly, her team composition made a lot more sense to Urbain.
Honestly, Serena never really understood why people were so confused when they learned she was a Ghost and Dark-type specialist. Just because Serena preferred colors, glitz, and glamor and didn’t dress like a Hex Maniac or have a goth aesthetic didn’t mean she couldn’t specialize in Ghost and Dark-types.
Serena related to them more than any other type – the maximum drama, the sob stories, the balance between working in the shadows and the spotlight, the childish whimsy, the plight of the misunderstood, the unyielding desire to make chaos for the fun of it happen, and the undeniable will to thrive despite lofty trauma.
Ghost-types were flashy, they wanted attention, drama, and laughter. They wanted to cause problems and enjoy the fall out.
Ghost Pokemon
came back from the dead. They wanted to live and enjoy the simple things in life regardless of the terrible circumstances that begot their death. Ghost Pokemon loved life more than any other. Reducing them to solely being an incantation of death as most did was wrong, they represented the continuing cycle of the world and rebirth.
Ghost Pokemon were the bridge between life and death, between destruction and creation.
Dark-types were similarly outcast. They also carried stigma, many believing Dark-types were evil and nefarious in nature. It wasn’t true, and raised the question of did Dark-types retreat to the darkness and adopt their careful characteristics because they were shunned, or did their hyper-vigilance make them at home in the shadows? Dark-types lived on the fringe of society, often misunderstood and mischaracterized. They recognized the need to work in the shadows and when to step into the spotlight.
Dark-types saw the balance of conflict, the reciprocal nature of “good” and “bad,” and carefully traversed it. The stronger the light, the darker the shadow, and one can’t exist without the other.
Serena resonated with them both
very much, and in turn, they thrived on her subtle chaos melodrama agenda.
It took a very special kind of person to look at Yveltal, the hulking giant death god of a bird, and think he’s absolutely adorable and just a little misunderstood guy! She adorned him with bows and ribbons. There was a reason why Lemis stuck around and was completely content with being a part of Serena’s team.
“Before we get to the cemetery though, I’d like to stop by a Pokemon Center.” Serena was not at all looking forward to the Pokemon Center visit, but it couldn’t be helped. She had to stock up on items, especially if she was training new Pokemon.
“Alright!” Urbain quickly assessed his mental map. “There’s a Pokemon Center just around the corner.” Urbain darted out the door.
“Will you be coming, Lida?” Serena asked. “I have these wonderful glasses that are an incredible disguise. No one will hound us.” Serena took out the glasses from her tote and put them on.
“Nope! You two have fun in the cemetery. I’m
totally okay not joining you on this one!” Lida waved her hands in front of her with a slightly alert look, then quickly sat down in one of the lobby’s chairs. “Go ahead, really! I’m good!” Lida did NOT like ghosts! Nope! She was a beach and ocean girl,
not a cemetery girl!!
Also, Lida had no interest in third wheeling on Serena and Urbain’s absolutely insane cemetery pseudo first date! Lida had to give Urbain props for not being scared off by the “I love dead and creepy shit” thing Serena had going on.
“Alright, your loss.” Lumiose’s graveyard was beautiful after all. It has some very stunning crypts and effigies. Not to mention the most gorgeous mausoleum Serena had ever seen. It was a work of art! After exploring it many times, Serena had actually found a hidden entrance to the sealed off Lumiose catacombs! Once Serena ensured she wouldn’t get lost forever down there, she fully intended to explore it! Imagine what ghosties must have made homes there!
Serena skipped out the door, head flooded with dreams of perfect new team additions. Eeee! She couldn’t wait!
“Well, this is a problem... What do you think is the deal here, Serena?” Urbain stared in disbelief at the huge rocks blocking the street in front of him.
“Do any of your Pokemon happen to know Rock Smash?” Serena sighed. None of hers did, and she really didn’t want to change their move sets.
“Nope! But there’s no way the Hotel will get any guests with these boulders in the way. Oh well, I know a special route, follow me!” He ran around the corner and climbed up a ladder on the side of a nearby building.
Serena climbed after him. “Ugh, how can you be so chipper about visiting a Pokemon Center?”
Urbain hopped up onto the roof. “Pokemon Centers are the best! You can’t diss free health care for Pokemon!” He reached out his hand and helped Serena up after him.
“Arceus, I envy you,” Serena bemoaned as she dusted off her skirt. “Pokemon Center nurses have decided they all hate me for no reason.”
“‘Cmon, it can’t be that bad. I’m sure you’re exaggerating.” Urbain had quickly picked up on the fact that Serena was very dramatic and reveled in it. He jumped down from terrace to terrace until he landed on the street below. Serena jumped alongside him with no hesitation. “Obviously, that’s a one-way route, so we’ll find another way back,” Urbain noted, but he could figure that out later. “Now we’re almost to our goal! Let’s head to the Pokemon Center!”
“I’m definitely not exaggerating,” she asserted. “They hate me. It’s such a hassle to go to the Pokemon Center because of it. I’m hopeful that this time will be different.” Serena clenched her hand into a fist and determinedly stared at the Pokemon Center in the distance. “I have my glasses after all, there’s a chance they won’t recognize me!” Serena marched into the Pokemon Center.
“Enchantée! Is this your first visit to a Pokemon Center in this city?” the nurse asked.
‘Damn, these glasses are putting in work!! Maybe the attendant will finally be nice to me!’ She was delighted!
“It’s not my first visit, but it is my first time here in five years,” Serena answered lightly, carefully trying not to piss off the nurse.
“Five years? Oh, my, so much has changed in
five years. Why, you must be overwhelmed with how much has happened
since you’ve been gone,” the lady noted with thinly veiled sarcasm that did not at all match her bright “Pokemon Center” attendee smile.
No! Serena’s hopes of having a normal Pokemon Center visit for once were dust in the wind. She absolutely recognized her!
“Might I also recommend that you install the Pokedex app on your phone? There’s a promotion underway right now – if you catch five Pokemon species and register them in your Pokedex, there’s a prize in it for you! Alors – how about it? Ready to install the Pokedex app?” The woman’s eyes gleamed.
Serena cursed, she clearly was trying to cause a problem for her, but Serena hadn’t figured out her angle yet.
Serena dug into her tote and pulled out her Pokedex. She held it up to the nurse. “Are these being discontinued?”
“Oh my! That’s practically an antique!” she commented haughty, raising a hand to her chin and looking down at Serena.
Serena’s eye brow twitched. “Is there backwards compatibility?”
“Nope! Why would there be?” the nurse declared gleefully with a mocking grin. “There’s no need to service something so,” she looked Serena up and down, “
outdated.”
A vein bulged on Serena’s forehead. The Pokemon Center nurses were always SO passive aggressive with her! WHY?! What the hell did Serena
do to turn every Pokemon Center nurse against her! She wanted to know!
It’s not like it could have been the policies Serena supported, she was pro-union! But this began way before she was Champion and all the way back at the start of her journey! Did something about Serena just scream “nurses please hate me”?
“Fine, I’ll download the Pokedex app,” Serena forced out through gritted teeth and a fake smile. How dare this nurse make all of her Pokedex progress, years of work, worthless!!!
“Wonderful!” The nurse's grin was so
so self-satisfied. Serena could tell the attendant knew exactly what she did and probably couldn’t wait to brag about it to the other nurses! “Thank you very much for downloading the
new Pokedex app! Once you catch five different species of Pokemon and register them in your Pokedex, please report your success to the Pokemon Research Lab.”
Oh, Serena was NOT going to let this stupid woman pull one over on her. She’d be reporting to the Lab alright, and she’d FORCE them to port over her Pokedex! Did Serena really care about the Pokedex? No. But fuck this lady! Serena wasn’t going to let her win!
“Great, sure, thanks
so much!” Serena tried to make her sarcasm as overt as possible. If the nurse was going to be a bitch, she’d be a bitch right back. “Now that the unwilling disturbance is over, can I
please buy some items?” Serena fluttered her lashes and widened her grin.
The nurse narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, but never dropped her smile. “Yes, of course you can! Here’s our selection.”
A holographic screen popped up displaying the current inventory. Serena scrolled through the items, but quickly noticed that there were a lot missing. This was just the bare minimum! Just potions, Pokeballs, status heals. No Ultra Balls, max revives, or vitamins?
“I really
hate to be a bother,” Serena started with absolutely no sincerity and the widest fakest smile, “but your selection seems rather
limited. Are you sure you didn’t make an error on your end?”
“There’s been no error, this is what’s available to you,” the employee chirped.
Serena clicked her tongue, but kept her grin strong. She would not be out done by this woman! “I have 8 Gym Badges, I should be able to see the
full selection of Pokemon Center offerings.”
“Yes, this is the full selection of what’s available to
you,” the nurse emphasized, her smile sharpening ever so slightly into a smirk.
Serena’s smile turned rigid, and she held herself back from snapping at her that she wasn’t even a
real nurse anyways! Pokemon Center employees that worked at mini-centers like this were just attendants, not actual nurses! You didn’t need a medical license to operate the healing machine! An idiot could do it!
This lady was no better than a superficial decoration!
And to think, Serena
still advocated for this woman’s rights to be paid a fair wage!!
“I see,” Serena quipped, beaming. “I’ll take 20 Pokeballs, 30 potions, and 5 of each of the heals… Please.”
The woman’s eyes widened in shock and brought her hand up to cover her mouth. “Oh my, that’s quite a lot, are you sure
you can afford that?”
Serena laughed the fakest laugh she’d ever made. “Yes, I’m sure.” Serena scrunched her nose and smiled so pinched that it looked like she might be in pain. “You’re just
so good at your job for checking.”
From off to the side and completely out of notice of the two women who were very much locked in on each other, Urbain had long since covered his mouth with both of his hands and had to physically restrain himself from bursting out laughing.
The nurse really
did hate Serena for no reason! What the hell! She started making digs at her from the second she laid eyes on Serena. He’d never seen a Pokemon Center nurse act anything like
this before!
“Thank you for noticing,” she brushed her pink bangs out of her face and readjusted her nurse cap. “I actually won Employee of The Year.”
Serena’s eye twitched. “Wow, I can see why! You’re just
so great! Can I check out now? Please?” she urged. She wanted to be DONE!!
“Absolutely! Let me gather your items!” She turned around with an empty tray to gather Serena’s purchase.
“Thank you!”
“Oh no,” the nurse started, sounding like she was crooning at a dog, turning back around with a tray full of items and setting it on the counter. “Looks like we are all out of all of our heals except Burn Heals! We also only had 8 potions and 10 Pokeballs in stock! Whoopsie!” She jokingly knocked her fist against her head. “Looks like I must have counted our stock wrong this morning.”
“That’s not very Employee of The Year of you,” Serena snarked. The nurse chose to ignore her and rang up the items.
“You’ll find your total here. Please tap your Rotom Phone to pay.” The woman gestured at the reader. Serena tapped her phone, stuffed her items in her tote bag, and stormed over to where Urbain was standing nearby.
By the look on Urbain’s face and the muffled chuckle he let out, Serena could tell he now fully understood her plight.
“Just one sec, I want to see something.” Urbain walked over to the counter.
“Enchantée! Welcome to the Pokemon Center!” the nurse greeted him merrily.
“Thanks! Can I buy one Ice Heal please?” Urbain asked with an easy smile.
“Of course! Just one moment.” She pulled an Ice Heal out from and set it on the counter. “Will that be all? We have many more heals in stock.”
Serena squawked in outrage.
Urbain’s lip twitched, finding it even harder to prevent himself from laughing. “Yeah, that’s it for me, thanks.” He quickly paid, grabbed the Ice Heal, and ran out of the Pokemon Center. Once he was out of earshot, he collapsed laughing, holding the wall to prevent him from falling onto the floor.
Serena joined him, but didn’t look at all amused. “See?!” she huffed. “They hate me!! I did NOTHING to them!!”
Urbain only laughed harder. Serena crossed her arms and tapped her foot as she waited for him to stop laughing.
“It’s
nice of them to offer a prize. Good motivation to get
you catching Pokemon!” Urbain snickered.
“Ha, ha, very funny,” Serena gibed, not at all impressed. “Why don’t you try being on the receiving end of
that for five years and then tell me how funny you think it is!!”
“No, that
would suck immensely,” Urbain admitted playfully. “Now, let’s head to that cemetery."
“Hold on, change of plans, I’ll be reporting to the Lab immediately. One of them is going to port my Dex over. Or so help me…” Serena grumbled, not bothering to finish her threat.
Urbain chuckled. He wished her well in her noble quest to one up the Pokemon Center nurse. He checked his phone, then winced. Yikes. He was about to ruin Serena’s very short lived day even further. “Soooo, “immediately” is gonna be a little hard. We’re gonna have to go tomorrow.”
“No! We are going now!” Serena spat, rounding on him.
Urbain held his hands up in surrender. “Well, the Lab closed about 30 minutes ago.”
“...What?” she said slowly, voice frigid. Serena was at the end of her rope and looked like if you poked her wrong she’d lash out and hit you.
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger,” Urbain tried to redirect her ire to anything other than himself. “On the bright side though, if we start walking now, we’ll get to the cemetery just after nightfall!” That should cheer her up, right? She seemed really into the cemetery after all.
“I guess that is good.” Fine. Serena would just have to go to the Lab tomorrow and badger them until they agreed to port her Dex. “We’re wasting daylight then complaining about it.”
Urbain snorted.
She was complaining about it, not “we.” Though he didn’t bother to point that out to her.
During their walk through the city, Serena continued to disdainfully note the ugly scaffolding that now littered the streets.
Urbain was quick to point out relevant landmarks like a helpful tour guide. He tried to stick to things that were new additions or changes in the past few years, but he slipped up a few times and looked rightfully embarrassed like when he tried to explain what Prism Tower was.
Eventually, they passed by a wild zone. Wild zone 3, or as Serena liked to call it, the
hellscape that once was the opulently beautiful Rouge Plaza.
“So this is a wild zone.” Serena was disappointed to realize that it was just as ugly as everything else Quasartico produced.
“Wherever you see that green light, it’s marking the boundaries of a wild zone,” Urbain explained as they passed by. “We keep getting more wild Pokemon in Lumiose, so wild zones were Quasartico’s solution to that.”
“They most definitely do NOT have permission from the league to use those specific entry pillars! I did not approve of that! They’re for Gyms only,” Serena fumed. Was everything Quasartico did designed specifically to spit in Serena’s face? “Has anyone asked why we’re getting more wild Pokemon in Lumiose? If there’s enough Pokemon flooding the city to justify full wide range habitats it’s not normal.”
“No, I don’t think anyone has, but they should be,” he answered seriously. Urbain typically took people at face value, he really wasn’t the skeptical kind of person, nor did he think he’d ever develop that. Urbain would continue to see the good in people first, but this afternoon with Serena was a bit of a wake up call for him. It was a reminder that just because he saw the good in them, didn’t mean they
were good.
Though, Urbain was happy to leave the paranoia and franticness to Serena. That was definitely
not the kind of person he was. Can’t be helpful if you’re questioning everybody all the time, right?
“I have to do everything myself, don’t I?” Serena groaned, exasperated by the lack of action of all the authority figures in this damned city.
“Well, not everything. Team MZ’s got your back, okay?” Urbain assured her. “We’ll help out with the investigation and see what we can dig up!”
“I appreciate it, but save that confidence until after you’ve proven you can produce results.” Serena wasn’t going to get her hopes up that she had competent help until the track record showed it.
“Ouch, harsh, but fair. Still, you’re giving us a chance.” Urbain’s eyes shined as he looked at her. “We’ll show you that you can rely on us!”
“Don’t let me down then,” Serena gave in, unable to hold strong against his Lillipup eyes.
“We won’t!” Urbain whooped.
Z • ─── ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧ ─── • A
Serena and Urbain arrived at the cemetery just after nightfall. Serena was immediately accosted by a horrible sight.
‘What… was… that?!?!’ Serena could hardly rationalize what she was seeing.
They turned the cemetery into a FUCKING WILD ZONE?!
No, this time Quasartico went too far! This was so fucked up on SO many levels! Not even because she loved the cemetery, but think of all the graves and people visiting their loved ones?! What then?!
Serena could imagine it clearly: “I’m so sorry sir, we packed way too many Pokemon in the cemetery, and well, a Pyroar dug up your father and chewed on his bones while tearing him apart. It then buried a fresh Pokemon kill in his grave while your father’s desecrated corpse baked in the sunlight. There was nothing we could do.”
Wild Zone
4. They thought they were being so
clever with that numbering, huh? In many languages, “4” was the number of death and considered very bad luck. With Quasartico’s less than stellar track record at this point, Serena wouldn’t put it past them that they decided to make the cemetery into a wild zone in the first place just so they could make that joke later.
Arceus, when she meets that Jett woman, Serena was going to have a LOT to scream at her about!
Urbain didn’t seem to notice her complete mental breakdown. “Sooo, what do you think?”
“I’m not even going to dignify that with a response.” Serena wanted to go bang her head against the bordering wall.
“Ooh… My back…” a woman at the cemetery entrance muttered under her breath. She took notice of the two Trainers. “Oh, pardon me, dearies. Are you going in there?”
Urbain shuddered slightly. “Well, that’s the plan it seems.” He’d do it, but walking through a cemetery at night wasn’t really his idea of a good time to say the least.
“Do you think you could help me out with something?” the elderly lady asked, eyes light with hope. “My name is Moire. I lost my ring here in the cemetery, you see, and it’s very important that I get it back. Ooh… Gosh, my poor back…” She started hunching over, pawing at her back.
Before she collapsed, Serena quickly grabbed the woman, pulling her into a half-hug. “Here, let’s get you settled on this bench.” Serena carefully led the woman to a nearby bench. This woman had been so worried that she ignored her pain and seating areas, continuing to stand by the entrance so she could see inside. Her desperation was palpable.
“Thank you.” Moire leaned back on the bench, but a sharp pain ran through her when her back met the seat back.
“Take your time, madame,” Urbain cautioned her.
Moire eventually found a position that didn’t hurt her, and took a deep breath. “I was visiting a loved one’s grave when a wild Pokemon, of all things, jumped out of nowhere! Ooh, did it ever give me a fright! I took a tumble from the shock, and – my! What a mess it was! Wild Pokemon running all over Lumiose, the cemetery turning into a wild zone… Why, I would never have lost my ring if not for this nonsense!”
Serena nodded her head in solemn agreement. “Moire, I couldn’t agree more with you. This is the first time I’m learning that the cemetery was turned into a wild zone, and it’s utter insanity! This cemetery is special, and people should be able to convene with their loved ones in peace.” Her story was exactly the type of incident that’s doomed to repeat itself with this change.
Moire sighed. “Right you are, dear. It’s nice to see someone your age see the importance of a cemetery. Most of your generation doesn’t seem to respect the dead until after they’ve lost someone.” Moire eyed Serena knowingly. “At any rate, it was a Sableye that jumped out and gave me such an awful fright.”
“A Sableye?! Yes, for sure!!!” Realizing she was being way too excited about this woman’s problems, Serena coughed. “I mean, yes, I’d be happy to help you, madame.”
“I had to leave the cemetery before night fell. They’re so many Ghost Pokemon at night, and I’m no longer a trainer, but I’m too worried about my ring to leave yet. If the Sableye runs off, I’ll never be able to track it down!” Moire fretted. “I dropped my ring around the far end of the cemetery. I’d start searching there, dear.”
“We’ll get your ring back no problem, Moire!” Urbain chirped.
Serena noticed how much the woman was shivering. “Urbain, would you please leave your Tepig with Madame Moire here? Being with a Fire-type should warm her up.”
“Oh, that’s very kind of you, but I’m alright,” Moire politely assured. “You’ll need your Pokemon in the cemetery!”
“No, Serena’s right, I insist!” Urbain sent out his Tepig, who easily agreed to stay with her. He cuddled up next to Moire on the bench.
Serena sent out her Sylveon. “Gattaca, would you please stay with Moire here while we head into the cemetery?" Serena would prefer to leave one of her other Pokemon with Moire, but given this woman’s very fresh bad experience with a Ghost and Dark-type Pokemon, Serena really only had one choice. “I need you to protect her, you’re so big and strong so you’ll easily scare away any Pokemon that might try to approach! You’re the only one I trust with this job.”
“Vee!” Gattaca agreed. Yes, she was very strong and scary. All other Pokemon should tremble at her might!
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to give you another PokePuff if you do a very good job.” Serena knew exactly how to handle her Sylveon. Gattaca had been an Eevee with full dreams of becoming an Umbreon and a matching personality. Even after Gattaca decided to evolve into a Sylveon out of spite, she was still an Umbreon at heart, and
very food motivated.
“Syl!” Gattaca gracefully jumped up onto the bench and beside Moire.
With Moire settled, the two Trainers entered the cemetery.
A Honedge, who had been drawn to investigate the loud noises on his nightly patrol of the graveyard, discovered a fair lady being accosted by a foul Gastly. Hark! A damsel in distress!
Nay, not a damsel, with how sparkly she was, she must be a princess!
Before he could swoop in and rescue her from the hands of the uncouth Gastly, the princess sent out a mighty Greninja! My, she was a warrior princess! Such daring! Greninja must be the captain of her guard. A true knight! Honedge’s eyes shined admiringly. How marvelous!
The boy accompanying the princess must be her servant. Yes, Honedge affirmed, with how shabby he was dressed, there was nothing else he could be! Honedge had never seen a real princess before. He had to watch her closely!
Serena returned Sensei to his Pokeball.
“You really aren’t creeped out by this at all?” Urbain asked, struggling to not look back over his shoulder every time he felt a chill – which was all the time.
“Nope!” Serena took a few big steps in front and twirled on one foot. “This is wonderful! Dormez Bien Cemetery was the number one thing I missed about Lumiose!”
“Seriously?” He thought she looked beautiful in the moonlight, but the whole mood was kinda massively ruined by the “we’re actively being hunted by ghosts” thing. Urbain was more focused on trying to ignore everything around him right now. “Out of everything Lumiose has to offer, you missed
this the most?”
“Absolutely! The atmosphere, the cold, the Pokemon, the architecture, the gravestones, the rousing ethical dilemmas, and contemplating the nature of life and death! It’s the best! The mausoleum really pushes it over the top.” Serena chorused. “This is the best graveyard in all of Kalos! I have a tier list.”
Urbain snorted. Serena was kind of a dork about this, it was adorable. “What’s the lowest on the tier list?”
“Geosenge Town!” she spat. Lysandre was buried under rubble there. She’d never step foot in that town ever again.
“I guess there’s not much left of it after whatever happened there five years ago.” Urbain grimaced. Most of the story was shrouded in mystery. Everyone knew Team Flare was responsible for the fate of Geosenge Town, but no one really knew exactly what happened or why. It was also public knowledge that
Serena had been the one who finally put an end to Team Flare.
Urbain had questions about all of it. It would be nice to finally get the actual story, but he wouldn’t ask them now. Especially not after he saw how tense Serena got after his last comment.
Something blew sharp cold air on Urbain’s neck. His skin crawled and he shot up into the air, before he stumbled, tripping over his own feet, and fell on the ground. He hastily looked around, heart pounding out of his chest, trying to find the culprit, but none could be found. “Something just attacked me!”
“Good one, Gastly!” Serena laughed. Urbain snapped his head towards her. WHAT?! “I think he jumped at least two feet in the air! Wow!”
Bodiless cackles drifted around him, before a trio of Gastly finally became tangible. “Gasssss!”
“Oh, there’s three of you! Very well done working in a team!” Serena praised. The Gastly now looked a little bashful. “Which one of you is the lookout?”
“Gas!!” the right most Gastly, who had slightly more droopy eyes than the other two, piped up.
She smiled at him and pet the top of his head. “You did a wonderful job! I didn’t even notice you at all! You should be very proud.” Serena took three Oran Berries out of her bag. “Here, one for each of you! Keep up the good scare work, and you’ll become Haunters in no time!”
“Gastly! Gas!” The three gleefully ate their berries, and drifted off, inspired to go cause more problems.
Honedge watched admiringly from a distance. What a wonderful kind princess acknowledging her subjects' efforts and taking time to speak to the people!
Urbain stood up and did a full body shake, trying to get the feeling off of him. “You have a way with ghosts. I see that now.” He didn’t have anything against Ghost Pokemon, but this whole excursion was a little much for him.
Serena rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand. “If you’re going to be a little scaredy Meowth, I’ll hold your hand to reassure you.”
Okay, scratch that. Yeah, Urbain would sign up for another midnight graveyard stroll if it meant
this happening again.
Urbain cursed that time flew by so quickly, and before he knew it, they were at the back of the cemetery, a Sableye in their sights. Serena tugged him behind a tree with her before the Sableye could spot them. She let go of his hand. Darn.
Serena stuck her head around the corner, and observed the Sableye. Sableye sat against the base of a tree, kicking his legs up and down, holding his hand out in front of him and admiring the ring on his finger. It had to be Moire’s. He also wore a few necklaces and bracelets of various colors and designs. However, Serena approvingly noted that they were all very tasteful pieces that worked well together. Serena gestured for Urbain to stay where he was.
Oh no! Honedge fretted, realizing what she was about to do. The princess was heading right for Sableye, the scourge of the graveyard! Honedge was ready to protect her at the first sign of trouble! It would no doubt be a lofty battle, Sableye was a most formidable opponent, but Honedge was sure he’d emerge victorious! Honor demanded it!
“Wow!” Serena exclaimed as she approached. Sableye jolted and scrambled to get ready to attack. “That’s such a beautiful ring you have there! It really matches your eyes and brings out the blue in them.”
Oh, so she had
taste. Sableye relaxed. “Sable, eye!” Yes, thank you for noticing. He flipped his hand around to show off the ring to her, cocking his wrist downwards.
Serena approached and dropped down to her knees beside him. “May I?”
“Say.” Sableye flicked his wrist slightly in an approving gesture. Serena lightly took hold of Sableye’s hand.
“Gosh, it’s even more radiant up close!” She brought his hand up to be parallel with his eyes. “You really did find a fantastically colored stone, and the setting is very elegant. The square cut really complements your eye shape.” Serena wasn’t acting or exaggerating to butter up this Sableye. She really
did appreciate this little fashionista and his picks. They were going to get along fabulously!
“Say, say.” Sableye waved his other hand in a bashful dismissive way, though he was very much preening and wanted her to continue.
Serena released his hand. “I’m Serena, it’s nice to meet you!” She extended her hand. Sableye primly shook her hand.
“Sableye,” he returned the introduction.
“It’s wonderful to meet a Pokemon with good fashion taste! Honestly, I don’t understand why most couldn’t care less!” Serena huffed. “Appearances matter, you know!” None of the Pokemon on her team really appreciated fashion. They’d let her dress them up once and a while, or put a single small accessory on them, but it was always because she wanted to. They didn’t really care.
Serena needed this Sableye on her team! He would love going shopping with her and have loads of opinions on her outfits!
“Sable,” Sableye agreed, bobbing his head as he judgingly recalled his fellow Pokemon and their criminal lack of style.
From his hiding spot behind the tree, Urbain smacked his forehead with his hand.
Of course Serena would bond over being fancy with a goblin.
Urbain had been very interested in watching a Champion’s Pokemon catching methods. He was both impressed and let down. Serena knew exactly how to approach that Pokemon and talked with him like they were old friends. Sableye, who was a criminal and prone to attack people, was completely at ease with her. It was stupidly incredible.
But on the other hand, there wasn’t really a replicable method here because of how hyper-specific her angle was and the fact that she really
did have an affinity for Ghost and Dark-types. Their personalities just clicked in a very weird whackadoodle way.
“Actually, I just noticed something.” Serena grinned excitedly as she shifted to fully sitting on the ground. “We almost have the same color eyes!”
Sableye examined her eyes, and realized she was right. “Eye.” He eagerly raised his hand up to put the ring next to her eyes. He brought his other hand to his chin as he contemplated whether or not it would match her too. “Sable,” he declared resolutely, pulling back his hand. It also matched her very well.
“You just have to tell me where you found that ring!” Serena insisted. “I think I might have to get one myself.”
Sableye hesitated. He didn’t want to admit to his new friend that he stole it.
“You didn’t find that ring, did you?” Serena said softly.
“Able,” he confessed. “Sableye, say, say!” he regaled trying to shift the focus onto how epic of a heist it was. He launched into a long, full recounting of the story, using hand gestures and elaborate intonation to act out exactly what happened. “Sableye!”
“No way! Really?” Serena marveled. “You did all that?” Bless his little heart, he was theatrical too! Ah, they were meant to be!
“Say!” Sableye confirmed, positively gleeful Serena appreciated his work. Humans normally didn’t react well to stealing. Most humans
were stupid though. And unfashionable. Luckily, his new friend was neither!
“That’s pretty impressive. But I think I can top your heist story,” Serena challenged with a smirk.
‘Um, WHAT?!’ Urbain could barely believe what he was seeing. Serena, the morally upstanding Champion of Kalos, was exchanging
crime stories with a wild Pokemon thief?!
…Serena did crime?!
“Sableye,” Sableye commented belittlingly, crossing his arms and doubting she could do better. He welcomed her to try.
Serena stood with a flourish and took a few steps back. She turned her back to Sableye. Serena whipped back around to face him, her skirt flaring. Her palms and fingers were spread wide in front of her head. She slowly drew her hands away to the sides, revealing her face.
“After several days of searching, I had finally discovered the entrance to my mark’s top secret headquarters. It was hidden in an unassuming cafe behind a bookcase that required a secret password to open.” Serena set the stage and tipped the brim of her hat downwards to obscure her eyes. “Naturally, they were helpless when faced with my very advanced interrogation tactics. I easily got the minions to disclose the password to me, then knocked them out. The base wasn’t alerted to my arrival.” Serena raised her chin and suddenly pointed at Sableye. “I was in.”
Sableye gasped and sat down. He folded his legs up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them, and leaned forward. He was enraptured. Sableye’s mouth remained open slightly like he’d forgotten to close it all the way after reacting.
“This organization’s headquarters was an unimaginable labyrinth designed specifically to keep intruders out. But that didn’t stop me.” Serena smirked and flipped her hair over her shoulder, looking very smug. “I crawled through the depths of their lair, teleporting every which way to navigate the maze, while sneakily using high-grade stealth tactics to avoid being spotted by the organization's roaming grunts or dealing with them ruthlessly when it couldn’t be helped.”
Serena continued to act alongside her narration and made sure to intone her voice just right as she delivered every line for maximum impact. If she was going to tell this story, she was going to do it
right!
“Say…” Sableye unknowingly murmured under his breath, completely sucked into her story.
“After hours of subtle but epic infiltration, I finally found what I’d come to steal in the first place!” she announced.
“Sable!” What was it? Jewels, gold… super exclusive high-end fashion?! Sableye had to know!
“The elevator key card,” Serena declared, casting her arms out to the side and tilting her chin up.
“...Say?” Sableye tilted his head, confused. Huh?
“Oh, but this was no ordinary elevator key card, Sableye, oh, no,” Serena elaborated, drawing Sableye back in. “With it, I was able to descend into the ultra secret depths of their base and gain entry to their most closely guarded places. Which was where my true target lied. That’s right, the key card heist was only a part of my greater master plan: to save the world from this organization's nefarious plot and rescue the king imprisoned in their underground dungeons!” Serena revealed hauntingly.
“Ey!” Sableye yelped at the unexpected twist, bringing a hand up to cover his mouth. He was on the edge of his seat!
“This organization was
evil,” Serena made sure to stress with great emphasis, glaring down at Sableye, “with a goal so terrible I won’t dare repeat it. I quickly freed the trapped king, but I couldn’t linger. Time was ticking! I went even further down into the bowels of their lair, and faced their boss directly. The battle that followed was brutal. He was no easy foe. But with the aid of my absolutely incredible Pokemon, we were able to win and stop his plans! The world was safe at last, and everyone celebrated my triumph with a glorious parade!” Serena finished, and gave a bow.
Sableye sprung to his feet and clapped frantically. “Say, Sableye!” he cheered. Not only did Serena have an amazing true heist story, but she appreciated
proper storytelling!
‘Oh,’ Urbain realized.
‘She was telling part of the Team Flare takedown story.’ Urbain was sure that there were exaggerations, it was
Serena after all, not to mention she probably left a lot of things out, but it was still incredibly enlightening. It wasn’t the whole story, there was a lot he still didn’t understand, but he had an inkling of an idea now.
Shit. The Team Flare situation and what happened five years ago was
way worse than everyone assumed it was. They only knew the very tip of the iceberg. No wonder Serena was as paranoid as she was now.
“Thank you, thank you.” Serena continued to bow and curtsy.
Honedge, who had been listening intently from his hiding spot, was entranced. She was not a princess, nay, she was a
queen anointed by her people! A queen who slayed evil!
“Sableye,” he conceded honestly, shaking his head in defeat. Serena had the better story by far.
Serena crossed her arms and nodded approvingly.“You have the grace to admit when you’re beat, Sableye. That’s very elegant.”
Sableye still had a lot to learn it seemed. He paused. Maybe he could learn it from her…? Yes! He could learn it from her! Sableye waddled up to Serena and gently tugged on her skirt. “Sable, say!” He made a circle with his hands, a throwing motion, and then pointed to himself.
Serena’s smile was radiant. “Of course you can come with me!! I was just about to ask you, actually! You’re absolutely magnificent!”
Sableye grinned toothily, showcasing his sharp teeth. He jumped, scrambling up her side, being
very careful to not nick her clothing, and perched on her shoulder. Sableye nuzzled into her cheek with the side of his face. “Sable, eye!”
“Ah!” Serena exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement, nuzzling him back. “What do you think of the nickname Grimlin? It’s a combination of “grim” and “gremlin.” I think that fits you rather perfectly for such a sneaky Sableye as yourself.”
Sableye considered the name before nodding in agreement. “Eye!” He liked how it also sounded like it could be an old-money fancy elitist name.
She took out an empty Luxury Ball. She knew Sableye wanted to look the best he could, so she’d give him the flashiest Pokeball out there! Serena was getting a little ahead of herself though.
“Before we make this official, I do have to talk to you about one thing,” Serena sighed. She picked him up off her shoulder and placed him in front of her. She kneeled down to face him. “You left one thing out of your ring heist story earlier. I know because I just met the woman outside the cemetery. The person you stole it from ended up getting really hurt.”
“Sable?” Did she really? Oops. That hadn’t been the plan.
“You, mister, still have to apologize to the woman you scared. Scaring people is totally fine,” Serena relented, Urbain made a squawk of disagreement in the background, “but you can’t go around hurting frail old ladies. She got injured pretty badly.”
“Eye.” Grimlin looked down at his feet. It was only supposed to be an epic jewel heist! That’s all! He hadn’t meant to hurt her. “Sable.” He looked back up at Serena and nodded. He’d apologize.
“Good!” Serena praised. “And you need to give the ring back to her.”
“SABLE!” Grimlin protested furiously! No! This was HIS ring now! “Sableye!!” She didn’t have any problem with his grab before!
“The ring you stole was very sentimentally important to her,” Serena explained. “I also know how much you love that ring, and I agree, it
does look fabulous on you. So how about a trade instead?” Serena reached around her neck and unclasped a very thin chain she had tucked under her shirt. On the chain was a stunning wedding ring that did look strikingly similar to the one on Sableye’s finger. “This ring was my grandmother’s wedding ring, it’s all I have left of her. I’ve worn it on this chain for years so I could keep her close to my heart.”
“Sableye!” Sableye tried to reject, pushing back on her hands. That was much too important to her!
“I want you to have it. She was just as kooky and glitzy as you are. Hell, I don’t at all put it past her to have come back from the dead as a Ghost Pokemon and is living it up scaring the crap out of people in a cemetery somewhere and stealing their jewels too.” Serena playfully rubbed his head. “She would have
loved you. Just wear it proudly and keep it safe for me, okay? Guard your treasure trove better than a dragon!”
Urbain’s eyes watered at the touching moment. Serena was really something else. He couldn’t believe she was willing to give up such a prized possession to help a stranger in need. Urbain wondered if he’d be willing to do the same with his mother’s jacket. He didn’t know.
“Eye!” he agreed, determined. Grimlin would wear it grandly and treat it extra special! The more Sableye stared at it, he realized it
was prettier than his current ring with a slightly bigger gem size.
He was
upgrading, baby!
Sableye slipped the stolen ring off his finger and exchanged it with Serena’s ring. He looked at it reverently. Dopamine bubbled up inside him until he was gushing and cooing over it. What was happening again? OH YEAH! Ball please!!
Sableye surged forward and tapped his head on the Luxury Ball Serena still had out, catching himself. Serena chuckled, and immediately sent him out. Sableye continued to admire his new ring.
Honedge was moved to tears! The queen heroically rescued the ring from the dastardly Sableye to return it to a woman in need, an act of true nobility! She even willingly sacrificed her ancestral ring to make it happen! Her readiness to combat foes for the sake of the peasants was truly the mark of a worthy and excellent leader. Honedge would gladly pledge loyalty and swear the knight's oath to her. But first, she must face him in a duel!
“Honedge!” he finally revealed himself. He floated over to Serena. He bowed to her, dipping and folding his arm-like tassel across his front. He used his scabbard that was gripped in his tassel to raise Serena’s hand up to his body and kissed it. “Ho, ho, hone! Edge!” Honedge gallantly challenged her.
Urbain, who figured it was all clear to come out at this point, chuckled. “I think he saw everything and wants to join you too. Your dramatic powers were too much for him!” Now more than ever, the “Serena is a Ghost and Dark-type Trainer” thing was clicking for him. They were all dramatic little instigators who loved having fun at other people’s expenses.
Serena couldn’t believe her luck! A Honedge who acted like a LITTLE KNIGHT?! YES!! ABSOLUTELY YES! The Honedge whipped his scabbard around, indicating that it wanted to battle. Of course he would! He was very chivalrous after all. Oh she had the most perfect name picked out for him already!
Serena looked down to Grimlin who wasn’t at all paying attention and very wrapped up in his new ring. “Grimlin, want to battle?”
“Hone!” Honedge shook his body from side to side, rejecting that. Nay! He had no desire to face such a dubiously moral and dishonorable foe. He wanted to face the true knight! The captain of the queen’s guard, Greninja! If Honedge was to earn his rank amongst the knights, he must challenge the captain himself. Sableye was clearly the court jester. “Edge! Edge!” He tried his best to indicate just who he wanted to face.
Grimlin tilted his head to the side. Serena had a Greninja? Awesome! He must be super sneaky! He’d definitely help Sableye improve his slight of hand. Grimlin now also wanted to see the Greninja. Grimlin took one of his fingers and drew a sketch of Greninja in the dirt. “Sable!” He pointed down at his drawing.
Serena blinked. “You are surprisingly a great artist. Huh.” She made a mental note to get him a sketchbook. “I see now, thank you, Grimlin. Honedge, you want to fight Sensei, my Greninja? You must have seen him earlier.”
“Hone!” Honedge confirmed. Sableye played his part perfectly as the court entertainer by illustrating Honedge’s requests! What fun! The hobgoblin would indubitably provide much merriment at a feast. Marvelous!
Serena sent Sensei out. “Sensei, Honedge saw you defeat that Gastly earlier and wants to challenge you specifically to earn his spot on the team.”
The Greninja stared at Honedge curiously. Something touched his leg. Sensei looked down to see a medium-small sized Sableye covered in elaborate jewelry hugging his leg tightly, peering up at Sensei with sparkling glistening eyes like Greninja was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Or rocks, in Sableye’s case.
Sensei looked back at Serena, who was unhelpfully recording this on her Rotom Phone. “Nin!”
“That’s Grimlin,” Serena snickered. “He’s our new team member.”
Sensei turned back to Grimlin, a bit overwhelmed. It looked like there was an actual cloud of glitter around Grimlin. Should he shake him off?
Wait. Wait a second.
The Sableye admired him. The Sableye ADMIRED HIM! He whipped his head to the Honedge, who looked equally as entranced by him.
Oh. OH!
These were to be his disciples. Sensei croaked, immensely pleased. Yes, they
should look up to him. Sensei would show them how he was the gold standard of what a Pokemon should be and humbly accept them under his tutelage when they came begging for his wisdom. He
was very wise.
“Sensei.” Serena caught his attention. “You handle this however you’d like.” She knew it was ending with Honedge on the team. She’d just step back and record this to show the rest of her Pokemon later.
That was all the go ahead Sensei needed!
Impassioned, Sensei approached Honedge, stiffly limping as the Sableye continued to cling to his leg. “Nin, ninja,” he addressed Grimlin, promising he’d spend much time with him later.
“Sable!!!” If it was possible, Grimlin sparkled even
more. He finally detached himself from Sensei’s leg, and plopped down next to Serena. Seeing a new person, Grimlin waved at him, and then made sure to show off his new ring to the man. Urbain laughed jovially.
“Gre, greninja,” Sensei accepted Honedge's challenge with a fluid nod and a practiced pose.
“Hone!” Honedge prepared himself. He knew there was no way he’d win, but this wasn’t about winning. It was proving his potential as a knight and showing that he was worthy of training! "Honedge!" En garde!
Sensei formed a single Water Shuriken and fired it off much slower than usual. Honedge darted out of the way, proving to be surprisingly nimble for his species. Honege had a trick up his sleeve! Something Greninja would never expect!
Honedge quickly used Screech, which Greninja allowed to land. Ha ha! That’s what he’d been hoping for. He was being underestimated, which was all he needed! Honedge dodged another Water Shuriken by navigating around a tree. The shuriken made a thunk as it hit the tree trunk.
In the brief moment he was obscured, Honedge quickly used Shadow Sneak, then emerged. Greninja’s eyes tracked Honedge, not noticing the Shadow Sneak. The move made contact! He did it!
Honedge stopped moving, and bowed to Greninja. “Honedge.” Honedge knew when to throw in the towel. He’d done what he’d set out to accomplish – prove he had potential to this wizened master. If Greninja chose to fell him, so be it!
“Greninja,” Sensei nodded approvingly. He had been briefly caught off guard by the Honedge. He showed great promise. “Gre, re.”
Honedge lit up! Greninja was accepting him as his student! How stupendous!
Sensei inclined his head to his Trainer, beckoning her to catch the Pokemon. Serena scavenged around in her bag. She knew she had a Heavy Ball here somewhere… Oh there it was! She took it out. Honedge bowed before her like he was being knighted. Well, she couldn’t not give him what he wanted.
Serena cleared her throat. “Hear ye, hear ye! Today we have a new knight joining our ranks!” Honedge could practically melt from how happy he was! This was it! “Honedge, please approach and kneel.” Honedge floated closer, keeping his gaze downwards. “You have proven yourself to be worthy of the rank of knight. Do you vow to uphold the knight's oath?”
“Honedge,” he said resolutely.
“Then by the power invested in me as the Champion of Kalos,” which
was actually a real thing, so this technically
was a real knighthood, “I dub thee Engarde, and bestow upon you the rank of knight.” Serena tapped the bottom of the Heavy Ball on either side of Honedge in place of a sword. “You may rise, Sir Engarde.”
Sensei, Urbain, and Grimlin all clapped and cheered in congratulations.
Engarde straightened with sharp determination, eyes alight. He’d done it. He was a true knight now!
“When you’re ready,” Serena told him, gesturing to the Heavy Ball. Engarde reached out and pressed the button on the ball.
Ding!
Sensei nodded his head at Grimlin who looked stupidly thrilled at the acknowledgement. Serena returned Sensei to his ball. She kept Grimlin out for now, he still had to apologize after all.
Urbain nudged Serena with his elbow. “All three of you guys match perfectly,” he snickered, joking. That Honedge was a riot!
“Thank you!! Ah, I’m so glad you think so!” She beamed, taking it as a serious complement. They were precious!!
A chivalrous little knight and a fancy kleptomaniac chaos goblin.
Serena already loved them SO much!!
“Well, let’s get going and return this ring to Moire!” Urbain started walking off a pep in his step. Seeing how silly Ghost Pokemon could be made them a
little less intimidating.
“Let’s go, Grimlin!” Serena hummed.
“Sable!” Grimlin followed after her.
Serena had only literally taken one step before a shiny Ekans popped its head out of a hole in the ground almost under her feet in a flurry of sparkles. On instinct, Serena threw a Pokeball at it. The ball bopped the Ekans on its green head, pulling it inside the ball.
Capture success!
Serena stared at the Pokeball in her hand. She saw a shiny and just reacted! Ugh, why did she catch it? Sparkles.
Pretty sparkles. Curse her reaction to sparkles! Serena had
no interest in raising this Ekans!!
Serena would give it to Urbain as a gift. He’d absolutely be the type to lose it over a shiny Pokemon. She jogged up to meet Urbain.
“Urbain! I just caught this, and thought of you. I want you to have it.” Serena placed a Pokeball in his hands.
“Oh, why?” Urbain
really hoped it wasn’t a Ghost-type. Tonight had proven that he wasn’t cut out for training them.
Serena giggled and looked him in the eyes. “Because it's shiny, and you’re also 1 in 8,192.”
Let it be known that was the
cheesiest line Urbain had ever heard and he’d be damned if he didn’t admit that it worked on him, big time. Maybe it was just because Serena was the one saying it, but it hit him like an arrow through the heart.
Serena continued, “So I figured you’d be perfect for each other.” Urbain’s heart fluttered. “And because you
would be the type who’d discover a new Pokemon and just name it “snake” backwards.” Serena didn’t even hesitate, nor did she change her tone, or even laugh. She just casually started rummaging around in her bag. “What am I gonna do with an Ekans, anyways?” she mumbled.
The sheer absentmindedness of it all was enough for Urbain to realize she
hadn’t been flirting with him. She had been
making fun of him.
The wind rushed out of Urbain’s sails and the butterflies in his stomach crashed into the ground.
‘Yeah,’ Urbain moped,
‘getting that kind of compliment was too good to be true.’ He looked down at his new shiny Ekans’ Pokeball in dismay.
‘Guess you and me bud are in the same boat here.’
The “dismissed by Serena” boat, that is.
Z • ─── 👻 (´▽`ʃƪ)♡ ─── • A
Exiting the cemetery, Moire perked up upon seeing them. “Oh, there you two are. I was getting worried! Sylveon and Tepig were excellent company.” She absentmindedly pet Sylveon’s head, who leaned into her hand and nuzzled it. Gattaca liked this old lady. She gave her secret snacks!!
Serena cheered silently in her head that Gattaca hadn’t been a problem!
Serena kneeled down next to Moire and carefully presented the ring to her. “Madame, here is your ring back. I hope this brings you some peace of mind.”
Moire’s eyes watered. “Oh! That’s it – that’s my ring! Thank you, dearies. You’ve done a very kind thing.”
“We’d never let you stay out here in the cold all night worrying!” Urbain shook his head, and gave her a soft smile.
“Moire, someone has something to say to you.” Serena beckoned over the Sableye, who had ducked behind a pillar by the entrance of the cemetery as soon as Moire had first spoken earlier, too embarrassed to come closer. Grimlin reluctantly emerged from his hiding spot, and waddled over.
“Say, Sableye,” Grimlin apologized awkwardly, twirling his thumbs together. He reached out and patted her leg a few times. “Sable.”
“Well, aren’t you a very polite young man?” Moire chuckled. “Apology accepted.”
“Grimlin was wearing your ring around when I found him. He only stole it because he thought it was gorgeous,” Serena reported.
“What?” Moire’s eyes widened in surprise, flattered. “I didn’t think a wild Pokemon would have such good taste in jewelry."
Grimlin suddenly perked up and puffed out his chest. “Say, say!” He reached out his hand to show off the new ring he had to Moire.
“Oh, you most
certainly have very good taste, Sableye,” she admired. “But now that I have it back, I won’t let go of this ring again anytime soon. It’s the wedding ring my wonderful husband gave me, after all. I was visiting him when you scared me.”
Grimlin looked distraught. “Sableye,” he apologized again, this time more firmly.
Moire regarded the Sableye with a smile. “Thank you, Sableye. You know, perhaps I’ll ask someone to place this ring atop my grave after I’ve passed on. Who knows? Maybe you will make off with it again. If so, I hope it brings brings you some happiness then. It’s the least I could do to reward your good taste.”
Grimlin’s ears perked up and his eyes shined at the idea. “Eye!” He nodded frantically in agreement to show his approval.
Moire turned to Serena and Urbain. “Thank you both too, dearies. Truly. And please, take this for your troubles.”
Serena pushed Moire’s outstretched hand holding a few items back, rejecting the offer. “Madame, I want to apologize sincerely for everything that happened to you tonight.” Serena bowed her head, voice wavering. This was the first story she’d heard since arriving here of Quasartico’s direct effect on the people, and it wasn’t good. Someone was seriously hurt and almost lost such an irreplaceable keep sake. This was on Serena’s shoulders.
“Dear,” Moire spoke, confused. “Why are you apologizing? None of this is your fault. You’re my hero.”
Those words mocked Serena, and the pit in her stomach grew.
“No.” Serena insisted, meeting Moire’s eyes. “This is my fault. Regardless of if you recognized me or not, let me introduce myself.” She took off her glasses. “I’m Serena, Champion of Kalos. This, what happened to you, what happened to this
city, it’s all my fault because I didn’t do better. Because I was negligent. If I had been here, if I had cared more, none of this would have happened, and you would be able to visit your husband undisturbed. It was my job to ensure all of this insanity wouldn’t happen. I failed you, I failed
Lumiose.”
Urbain clenched his fist by his side. Urbain had just figured she was just the “I work alone” type, not that Serena was carrying so much guilt. Serena was wrong. None of this was her fault! Every citizen of Lumiose had a responsibility to the city too. They had
all allowed this to happen, and it was up to everyone to fix it! Serena absolutely had a stake in the region’s affairs, but it
wasn’t her job to ensure every little thing in Kalos was perfect! No one should ever expect that of the Champion. Serena was human, she was allowed to make mistakes, and she didn’t deserve to have this unreasonable overbearing guilt weighing her down!
Moire’s eyes softened, and she reached out to rub Serena’s back. “I have lived a long time in Lumiose. I remember back when we were newlyweds, my husband stormed into our house one day and couldn’t stop complaining about how Pokemon Centers' new healing machines were going to destroy the potion market.” She laughed, fondly recalling the memory. “This city is always evolving. Change and discourse are a part of life, it’s what keeps things interesting and on our toes. Could you imagine how boring life would be if everything was stagnant?”
Moire couldn’t have known just how much saying
that affected Serena. If Serena’s vision of Kalos remained exactly the same as before she left, Kalos would have been exactly like Lysandre’s little utopia, wouldn’t it? Forever frozen and eternally beautiful.
No, Moire was right, the fact that Kalos had changed was a
good thing. Serena still shouldered that it hadn’t all been a
good change and Quasartico was still a massive red flag problem, but Serena now accepted that even if she had been present as Champion,
something would have found a way to have gone wrong.
Serena had to let go of the idea that she could have controlled it. She maybe could have guided it, but she couldn’t have stopped it. Change was fluid and rippled like the waves created by dropping a stone in a pond. Serena had dropped
many stones into the pond five years ago and was still seeing the effects.
“Please don’t blame yourself for being unable to stop the natural progression of time,” Moire continued. “Things might not be perfect now, but sometimes we need to make mistakes before we see the path forward. And if nothing improves? Well, we Kalosians will do what we do best and bring out the barricades and guillotines.” Moire’s eyes were alight, and her smile vicious. “We are a people who demand change when faced with injustice and fix things with our own hands, after all.” She patted Serena’s back once more before pulling her hand back.
“You of all people, Serena, should know that.”
Moire hadn’t recognized her at first, but she knew
exactly who Serena was and what she did for Kalos five years ago. Serena hadn’t been Champion then but still acted. She’d been an ordinary girl who couldn’t sit by and watch her beloved region fall into chaos. Serena raised her flag and cut the rot off at its head.
Serena was an
exemplary Kalosian.
Urbain could have done without Moire’s morbidly intense ending, seriously, cemetery lovers
really were a different breed, but he strongly agreed with her. “It’s like I said before, Serena, it's
all of Lumiose’s fight, not just yours,” he reiterated firmly.
Serena very carefully hugged the woman, cautious of her injury. “Thank you,” she murmured in her ear. Serena pulled back. “You wear your age well, Moire. Your style shines through more than just your clothes.”
“Well, I should certainly hope my clothes are shining too!” Moire huffed. “This coat is vintage Boutique Couture after all!”
Serena’s eyes sparkled as she giggled. “Oh, don’t think I didn’t notice! It’s practically glowing!”
Yes, Serena
loved cemeteries. Nothing else could really compare.
End Notes
Nickname central:
Cheshire (Gengar) – after the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.
Grimlin (Sableye) – grim + gremlin.
Engarde (Honedge) – aka En Garde, the call to make fencers prepare for a bout by readying their defense or attack. It’s also obviously a French term.
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OKAY – How did you guys like Grimlin and Engarde?? Because I am obsessed with them!! The antics the two of them are going to get up to omfg.
Giving Serena this specific Sableye was one of the first things I wrote for this fic! Grimlin’s going to be a menace! They match so well! I will unashamedly admit that Sableye is my favorite Pokemon hehe! But the sheer character potential that Sableye has?? Especially in Z-A specifically?? Insane. You guys are sleeping on the little goblin.
Shiny Ekans: This is based on something that happened to me in my play through. I was running around in the cemetery looking for a good IV Honedge, and then night turned to day, causing the spawn table to change, and literally at my feet a shiny Ekans spawned. I had to back away to even aim a Pokeball at it. I caught it, and boxed it. It was so weird. I also love that Serena just doesn’t care. She catches the shiny and immediately gives it away as nothing more than a device to make fun of Urbain lol.
The Z-A Royale invitation just SHOWING UP on your phone in the game was so weird! Like?? How did they know your number or who you even are?? HOW DID THEY KNOW? I was honestly creeped out in the game bc wtf. I can’t be the only one who thought this, right? And also the fact that the invite came JUST as Urbain mentioned the player should join?? Bro WHAT?! There’s also a really big theme of surveillance in Z-A. One uber overt example: so many people keep saying, “we’re always watching you,” BUT HOW?! And there’s no payoff? Especially because spyware IS A THING in XY!! It would have been so easy to connect! Don’t worry, I’m connecting the dots!!
Oh, Serena absolutely did do something to earn the Pokemon Center nurses’ ire at the start of her journey.
As a heads up, a LOT of XY content is going to be coming back in this fic.
Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! What are you enjoying the most so far? What are you excited to get to? Personally, I can’t wait to leave the tutorial and let Serena run wild LMAO!!!
