I do not own Pokémon in any type of way. Game Freak, Nintendo, T.V Tokyo and any other contributors to Pokémon do.

This is written in third person point of view.

Hope you love it. Please love it.

What I write is pure fiction, if by some chance what I say is true or in any way real, it is purely coincidental. Nothing here is real.

A very brief look into what Serena and Miette were up to that lead to everything.

|_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_|

Lights, flashes, pretty dresses. Serena blinked as she walked the carpet to the exhibition. Her hair bounced, her makeup flawless, her skin radiant. She was the definition of a Kalos Queen. She was smiling, waving, being the perfect performer. Playing with the paparazzi, talking and entertaining the reporters. Miette walked ahead of her, marketing her transition from Performer to baker enthusiast. Talking about their move to Sinnoh.

Serena was only doing this show as a favour to Palermo. She wasn't feeling it and she knew if she couldn't be there for herself, how could she for her audience? She still decided to go on tour as she needed to do something to get herself bread at the end of the day.

She was trying with her life, hoping each day, her decision to put herself was worth it.

She finally got inside the theatre before taking a deep breath. The hard part was over.

It had been a few years since she left him. She was doing better or at least that was what she told herself. It had been a few months since Pikachu had also left her. She wasn't sure what had happened. She moved when she needed. She had Siebold in and out of her life. She was contented. Granted, she never had that feeling of thrill in her anymore, never pure happiness but she got by.

Her body and mind never tingled the way it did with him. She smiled, she compromised. It was life.

She refused to walk the carpet with Siebold, rather letting him do it by himself. She didn't want news splashed across and creating unnecessary attention. She didn't want the association.

"Finally!" Palermo's gentle voice rang through to her. "Dear, you look beautiful. Glad to see you still got it." She said before leading Serena away. Serena smiled, grateful for the kind words from her mentor.

From there it was a flurry of movement, noise, laughter, lights, attacks in beautiful patterns, smiles and billowing dresses. Serena flipped over the stage, aided by Sylveon. She stayed straight, upright with her arms up in flourish, a brilliant smile. Lighting up the entire arena. It was dazzling, magical. Sparkles and iridescent floated through and around her.

"Great job!"

"Amazing Serena!" voices praised as she made her way. She needed a moment. She saw a black tuff of hair. She got winded. She made a detour. She needed to catch herself.

Unfortunately, she walked into a room of chaos. Without an escort, she ran into some fans.

She was ambushed. Her fans were grabbing her, she was trying to remain calm but then she was pulled away by someone else. A giant of a man was dragging her away. She didn't know him. She was struck on the face and blacked out. She could only hear Pokémon growls and the cursing of a man.

She was coming around. She was feeling a wet cloth on her face. One side of her cheek stinging from the contact of the rough hand. Miette was speaking rapid Kalosian. She was pissed.

Officer Jenny could be heard as well as Palermo.

Serena started to sit up from the soft surface she was on.

"What happened?" She said as she saw three pairs of eyes staring at her.

Miette spoke, "You were attacked by some of your fans but that's not the worse part. A man tried to kidnap you. We are looking in to it but investigations are continuing."

Serena was silent. She didn't know what to process. Miette proceeded to reprimand Serena about going out by herself. She didn't have any of her Pokémon with her.

"Can I have a moment with Serena.?" Palermo asked. She gave Miette a stern look and the ladies were dismissed.

"Dear. What happened today was not good." Palermo chastised. "This could have been avoided. I saw you." Serena stared at Palermo, unfallen tears.

"This could have been avoided if you were not trying to avoid something in your mind." Serena nodded. Palermo was right.

"I'm benching you," Palermo said after getting up and walking to the window. "You need to get yourself together. What you are doing to yourself is unhealthy."

Serena nodded.

"You need to be by yourself and figure out what you want for yourself." Palermo finished, turning around and folding her arms. "Come out of Johto and return to Kalos. Spend some time there and then, travel a bit more."

Serena nodded.

|_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_|

"Are you eating all right? Is the route too difficult? Did you change your underwear?" Miette's voice could be heard over the call speaker. Serena blushed at that last part. Not out of embarrassment but because it was the same thing his mother used to tell them or mainly him when they were travelling. It was sweet. Miette was lost when she heard from Serena that the girl was going around to travel. She really didn't know if Serena could manage.

"I'm fine! Gosh, you're worse than my mother. I'm fine. I've done this before you know. I'll come to Sinnoh in a few weeks. I decided to take a quick journey through Cyllage City and then meet Clemont in Lumiose, okay?"
Miette considered this before appeasing.

Serena shook her head at the conversation before finally setting off on her journey. Delphox had decided to keep her company as the duo walked along the river banks of the Cyllage forest. It was peaceful, quiet and tranquil.

One day, through her final days in the forest. She came across a familiar abandoned radio station. Serena was confused as her device didn't say this was on the way.

She felt brave for a moment and decided to trek inside. She noticed the wire where they had burst through with Clemont's robot still there. Vines and flowers entangling it but still passable.

She made her way through, pulling her sunglasses tight to shield her eyes from the sun. It was eerie and a bit of a taste of danger. She loved the fact no one was around. She could finally think.

She took a moment to lie on the grass. Watching the clouds move as she listened to the tall grass move about with the wind.

She was relaxed and calm.

Peaceful.

Until…

A shadow loomed itself over her.. Serena's eyes popped opened to come face to face with a giant Malamar.

Wait a second.

It was the same Malamar she encountered all those years ago, the evil Malamar!

She gasped before jumping up. She didn't know if to run, scream or pelt it with something.

The Malamar laughed in its evil chortle before it started its hypnosis. Serena gasped before realizing nothing was happening. Serena had a confused expression but one out of her own mind, not Malamar who in question was looking rather bleak.

"Malamar?" She questioned. It gazed at her. He became confused.

Malamar then began acting ridiculous, spiralling in circles. Serena was confused. Malamar began soaring around, flying in random directions.

"Pangoro! I choose you!" She yelled, letting out her feisty dark Pokémon.

The battle was on. "Dark pulse! Let's go!" She ordered just as Malamar let out a psybeam.

The dark pulse seemed to have shaken Malamar out of it's confused state, however, it wasn't finished. Once again it tried to hypnotize Serena but the same thing happened. Leaving Pangoro and Serena confused. The Malamar fell to the grown, convulsing in confusion.

"What should I do?" Serena asked Pangoro who looked just as confused. He shrugged before pulling out a new bamboo shoot to place in his mouth.

"I know! Poke ball! Go!" The poke ball sailed before smacking into the evil Malamar.

It glowed red before being swallowed by the ball. It trembled violently before finally settling down on the ground.

Serena stood there, a what the fuck face etched on while Pangoro looked on the same.

"Oh my Arceus! I caught a Malamar…. I caught an evil Malamar. Pangoro? What should I do?" She asked. She was genuinely confused. She wasn't sure how to deal with this. Would the Malamar still be evil? Would he try to make her evil? She really didn't want to like, take over the world and stuff. How was she going to figure this out? Should she let it out? Should she hand him over to Officer Jenny?

She was deep in thought when Pangoro grabbed her before releasing several spells of a dark pulse. It met several Malamar who seemed to come out of the trees. They seemed to be followers and were not happy.

"Oh shit." Pangoro was aiming as best as he could while multi-tasking with Serena and also avoiding other attacks.

Suddenly Pangoro threw Serena out of the way before being hit with multiple Psychic attacks. The poor panda Pokémon couldn't make do anymore. Serena had to think fast. Before she could she flung her poke ball in the air and released her newly caught Malamar.

"Malamar! Please, use Psychic attack!" Malamar shockingly did. He released a thunderous attack, hitting every one of the other Malamar. They all froze before collapsing to the floor. Steam coming out as they laid fried.

Malamar came in front of Serena. He looked sad for a moment before begrudgingly floating next to Serena. Somehow, the oath of the Poke ball outweighed any evil thoughts the Malamar had. Serena had an idea.

Before Malamar could blink, Serena was freestyling Poke balls everywhere. Poke balls were filling up, glowing, shaking and Serena was laughing.

She was giggling. She felt bubbly for the first time in a long time.

Malamar was very interested in his new master.

She seemed to be rather strange.

|_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_|

"What do you mean you caught over 3 dozen Malamar by the old Radio centre in Cyllage forest?" Miette screeched over the screen. She was looking at Serena who had the same Malamar in question behind her looking back at Miette as if she were the strange sight.

They were in Lumiose city, Serena having gone straight to the Pokémon centre to check-in Pangoro as well as her many newly caught Pokémon. It was a strange sight to see certainly. But Serena didn't care, however. In fact, she was brimming with happiness.

"It just happened but Miette look at them, aren't they the cutest, adorable things you have ever seen! Look at him," She excitedly babbled to a flustered and confused Miette. She was looking at Serena like she lost it. Serena was busy pointing to the ex-evil Malamar who was squished up next to Serena and not evilly but evilly glaring at the videophone. "He had the cutest tentacles and he's so squishy! They're all squishy!" She yelled as she dragged more of them into a kind of group hug. They all coddled up to Serena, happy to get affection.

"How are you going to take care of them? What do you plan on doing?" Miette tried to instil logic. She was at dress rehearsals. Palermo had already spoken with Serena and made her way back to stage set up.

"I'll come up with something. I have Professor Sycamore if anything becomes amidst." Miette shook her head at Serena but decided to drop it. Maybe having all those Malamar around would be good for her. Give her something to do.

"What are your plans after Lumiose?" Miette asked. Brushing her blue hair.

"I'm actually waiting for Clemont here, then I think I will take a trip to Hoenn again and meet you up in Kanto."

"Kanto?" Miette said suspiciously. "Why Kanto? The tour ends in Sinnoh, why not meet us there?"

"Because I want to travel Kanto. I heard so many beautiful things that I would like to see them with my own eyes. You all would be there when I am, so why not just meet up there?" Serena said recently. Her army of Malamar was standing tall behind her. Their master was on the defence so they were as well.

Miette saw this and took a moment. She smirked slightly realizing that Serena would be all right. She needed to explore herself a bit.

"Fine. Call me when you're in Kanto and I'll give you the details. Try not to get another heard of Pokémon okay?" Miette laughed as she got up. "I have to go. Rehearsals are about to start. Tell me Clemont's reaction to all of this. Bye! Love you." She said, waving.

"Love you to. I will." She laughed before she ended the call.

Soon, Nurse Joy had taken all her Malamar for a check-up to ensure they were the peak of health.

She was sitting in the lobby, going through her Poketch when she saw Clemont strolling in the centre. She had a huge smile when she hurried over to greet him.

"Hey Serena," He beamed. "Bonnie told me you had some surprise- AH" Clemont screeched when he was ambushed by tentacles.

"Se…Serena? Please tell that isn't who I think it is?" Clemont said, same time the Malamar began stroking Clemont's cheeks. Serena could only smile.

|_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_|

In Kanto, a few weeks later.

"Are you sure professor? It's no trouble?" Serena fussed.

"No! It's simply marvellous. I have always wanted to study the way Malamar work. Think nothing of it. Enjoy the Safari zone, my dear. It is truly spectacular." With that Professor Sycamore ended the video feed. Serena took a calming breath. She finished up in the Pokémon centre, sending emails to Miette and Palermo. She had a calming conversation with her mother before finally logging off and getting her Pokémon. She was travelling with her evil Malamar, Delphox, Pangoro and Sylveon once again.

It was interesting, to say the least when she would stroll around with the giant, floating Pokémon but she always felt safe.

Besides the overall evil demur the Malamar had, it was rather sweet when it wanted affection. Malamar and Serena would explore most of the Kanto region, gazing at the star-filled skies, waterfalls gushing down, enjoy relaxing evenings camping out. Serena felt it was right.

One day, they were in Safari zone. She had heard from… him, that it was a great place to see Pokémon being bred and raised in the best conditions. It was controlled and the caretaker took his job seriously. She was currently camped out in front of the safari control zone. She was enjoying the warmth of the fire she built while watching Sylveon play with Malamar. Delphox and Pangoro were enjoying the night, quietly watching Malamar be entertaining. Serena smiled at her little family. This was just what she needed. She was on her laptop, going through some photos of her and Bonnie when they were in Hoenn together. She was browsing when she decided to move some pictures to an old folder. She didn't click correctly and somehow ended up in a folder she didn't want to remember. It was titled 'Home.'

She saw pictures of him and her, at the Professor's lab, cooking together, exploring together. Embracing each other. She hastily closed her laptop before setting it aside. She got up to stretch, extending her arms overhead. She gazed at the sky.

It was beautiful.

While she was getting their dinner ready, Serena heard a rustling in the bushes. Malamar immediately descended upon then, defensive pose. Serena batted him away before going up to the bush, there, a cute Machop stood, shy. Serena stared at him for a moment, they all stared.

Machop decided to point to the food on the nearby table. Serena smirked a bit before taking a bowl and giving it to the Pokémon. It ate its heart content before disappearing.

"Alright everyone." Serena said later that night after everything was cleared up and every was comfortable. "We've got a busy day tomorrow. Let's hope we see some rare Pokémon."

With that, the fire extinguished and everyone fell into a deep sleep.

|_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_|

"Alright darling, you got 50 of these here, poke balls. Safari is controlled, that's all you get for the day. Be back by sundown. Don't look around too much." The caretaker said in his gruff voice. Serena thanked him quietly before heading out into the sun. She decided to see what Kanto had to offer her.

She started off , trekking past some springs, waterfalls, meadows, fields. They were so calming. So peaceful.

She saw a Rhyhorn in the distance, minding its own business. She decided to capture it. Make her mother truly proud. Serena chuckled to herself.

"Malamar use dark pulse!" It did as she instructed. The attack landed and Rhyhorn was down, she threw the green Poke ball when… A Machop jumped in front of the ball being absorbed. It vanished and Serena saw the ball clicked. Malamar and Serena could only look on with confusion, by the time they thawed out, the Rhyhorn got away.

"Whaaaaaaaat?" Serena said. Shrugging it off , they set off again.

She strolled through the ranges, eager to see a water Pokémon in the water holes it had. She was rewarded with a beautiful Vaporeon. She threw the ball and then…

The red light absorbed another Machop.

Serena didn't understand, her eyes and brows furrowing.

She shrugged it off and continued until…

It happened again.

And again…

Again…

She wanted a Butterfree…

"Machop!"

She wanted a Nidorina

"Machop!"

A Zubat, an Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Parasect! Poliwag! Kangaskhan! Jynx!

"Machop."

"Machop."

"Machop."

"Machop."

"Machop!"

Before she knew it…

"YOU CAUGHT 50 MACHOP!?" Miette was heard shouting throughout the Pokémon centre.

Serena stood in front of the purpled locked beauty, being scolded like a little child. She had said Machop all out, staring at Miette as if she were some crazed lady.

Miette looked especially ridiculous as she was coming straight out of rehearsal and had on one of her costumes. Big, giant feathers stuck out from her outfit, whacking Serena ever so often when Miette would move about.

"Well, Professor Sycamore did say he wanted to see more Pokémon from me…" She laughed nervously as Miette stared at her slack-jawed.

"Serena? Honey, I love you, I really do but what's the plan here? You have over 3 dozen Malamar and now you have an army of Machop. Are you going to take a trip to Sinnoh and bring me back a stampede of Hippopotas?" Miette was about to continue when she noticed something strange. Serena wasn't looking at Miette or even listening anymore. She was reaching out to each Machop she had. Smiling kindly, and shockingly enough, laughing. Miette hadn't heard Serena laugh in such a long time it sounded foreign. It sounded like bells. Miette would take another 50 Machop if it meant Serena had her mind cleared. No doubts, no sadness.

She swallowed her scolding before taking some cleansing breaths. Her friend looked happier, healthier. She hobbled her way over to Serena, feathers and all, one whacking a Machop in the process.

"We better figure out how we're going to explain to Professor Sycamore about this." Miette said, smiling slightly. Serena could only beam on with happiness.

|_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_|

"Have you decided what major you want to continue in?" Serena asked Bonnie as they cleaned some dishes in Miette's house. The girls were having a staycation since Miette and Serena were finished touring, they wanted to just enjoy their solitude a bit. Bonnie had come over today, wanting some peace from Clemont's ever, persistent question about her future.

"I love taking care of Pokémon. I'm just not sure in what aspect. There are so many choices but for sure I don't want to venture in the arts of Technology. Clemont would just have to suck it!" Bonnie said as she poised, towel in one hand and dried plate in the other. Her determination compensating for her delay in putting the dishes away.

"Take your time." Serena said, gently removing the plate from a sheepish Bonnie. She laughed before packing away the cleaned plates, mindlessly chattering on "You always wanted to try so many things, you wanted to compete in contest at a point in time, to challenge Dawn to her skills. You wanted to be a performer and challenge Miette or I. You wanted to become a trainer and challenge Clemont for a badge or get As-" Serena halted. She froze. Bonnie as well. The silence was ear-shattering. Bonnie looked around wide-eyed, expecting Miette to fly out from somewhere.

Serena took a deep breath. " -or get Ash to challenge you to a battle."

"Yeah." Was all Bonnie could process to say.

Serena smiled sadly before taking Bonnie by the hand. She pulled the young girl to the table and had a seat.

"Speaking of difficult things to talk about." Serena cracked. Bonnie looked at her in alarm, wondering who the fuck was this person before he was. Serena chose to ignore her looks. "I have something to tell you."

"What?" Bonnie asked.

"I'm venturing into a new path. Something that can occupy my time. "Bonnie raised an eyebrow. She wanted Serena to expand on her sayings.

"Well, the rumours are true, I did tell Palermo I'm retiring." Bonnie twisted her face in confusion. She did hear those rumour but never took it seriously, if she did, Serena would be currently pregnant with sextuplets and engaged to the Duke of Anistar city.

"Why? You're so amazing and you just finished your reign as Kalos Queen. What could possibly be more important?"

Serena smiled. "Peace of mind." Was all she said. She got a far off look on her face. She didn't anticipate how difficult it would be to delved into the truth of her mind. A moment of her mind on what her true hidden adventures would be.

"I'm venturing into a new business. New industry. Contests and performing are great! Amazing but… I want a different pace." Serena told her. Bonnie watched her with wonder.

"Well, what is it?"

"A concept. A concept of two trainers battling. They grow in the system I 've created. They get rewards or privilege when they level up."

"That's creative. Clemont could help you with the application."

"He already has. Just imagine what league this could put trainers." Bonnie did. It was a truly wondrous concept.

"Where and when?"

"Kanto and soon." She smiled "The Underground is going to be spectacular, Bonnie! I can just feel it."

Three months since that conversation…

Tall, sleek, ombre, black structures gleamed. It was magnificent.

Miette couldn't believe Serena had managed to pull this off. Long hours of work, none stop calls to Kanto while they still resided in Kalos. She couldn't believe the girl had managed to complete it. Serena's move to Kanto was a bit strange.

Miette didn't know what Serena was doing, she had a very strong suspicion that a certain young man was responsible for all of this. She kept hinting, questioning, interrogating and studying Serena. She didn't know what her friend was up. Her theories about Ash went out the window when Siebold was back in the picture. He was busy cuddling Serena as she watched the soaring ceilings of the potential area that would eventually become the arena.

"Are you sure you want sand from the Orange islands?" Siebold was heard asking to her, watching her with adoration, Miette only wished someone would look at her like that. She noticed Serena was often far from Siebold, as if not wanting him to touch her. Miette had never actually met Ash per say but the way Serena was with him, she always had an air of affection for him. It was quite different with Siebold. Miette wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

"It has to be from the Orange Islands. That quality is league worthy." Serena said. Her voice was a bit frustrated from the stress of a mixed-up other.

"Yes, little one but it's extremely expensive. Leagues have budgets for them to get such items. Sand from the Sevii Islands are just as clean and adequate." Siebold tried to soothe her but to avail.

"No dice, I want the Orange islands one. I can afford it." She snapped before going off to bark orders to some people she was paying to make stuff happen. She was on a tirade.

Bonnie saddled her way up to them, cutting off anything that would be said between Siebold and Miette.

"I was just accepted into the Viridian Doctorate Program. I can train here. I just need to find a doctor who I can shadow and vouch for me." Bonnie said excitedly. She was bubbling with zeal.

"Oh my Arceus! We are going to have a fully qualified doctor in the family!" Miette shouted with enthusiasm. Siebold gave his congrats as well. Serena overheard Bonnie, smiling at the thought of how, a very long conversation aback, a certain trainer said that Bonnie being a doctor would be her soul destiny.

|_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_o|o_|

Bonnie semester start-up was drawing into a close, Miette was unsure of the reason for Siebold departure from Serena. Having been confused when all Serena said was, "I'm finished now, I can't keep hurting him or myself."

Miette could only wait. Wait to see what another impulsive thing Serena would do.

"I haven't found anyone who is worthwhile!" Bonnie groaned in frustration. She was helping Serena organize her office in the newly constructed Underground. Miette was busy, shooting off strong, rude Kalosian to someone on the phone.

"Bonnie, I'm sure Calem can suggest a great doctor-" Serena tried to ease in but Bonnie cut her off.

"Calem, Calem, that boy drives me insane. I don't know why he had to be my advisor, Miette just had to use her contacts, she could have told me he was annoying, and not good looking…" Serena arched a perfectly, sculpted eyebrow. Serena smelled a rattata.

Malamar floated in the background, squawking at the weird conversation, agreeing with Bonnie wholeheartedly.

Miette finished her conversation before joining the other ladies.

"Well, my bakery seems to be well in Sinnoh and the Underground has just had its first officially successful quarter. Things are or should be easy and calm now. I think we can finally relax." Miette gloated a bit, falling back onto the comfy chair Serena had just finished unwrapping.

In that moment, the door to her office burst open, revealing two gentlemen and several haggard and confused Machoke. Malamar got into a defensive position, getting ready to call out to his other friends when…

"Serena? Serena, it's me. Brock. We need to talk." The darker one spoke. "It's concerned about Ash Ketchum."

Serena felt her throat close.

"Ash needs our help, but we can only do it if you're with us. We need you along." The other one, Gary, Serena seemed to vaguely remember him from Ash's old friends and from few visits to the Ketchum residents.

Miette watched her friend. She said goodbye to her days of relaxing cause that impulsive thing she knew Serena may have wanted to do. Well, this is it. She just hope this was the last impulsive thing she would have to do with her friend, once again.