Mega Love

Chapter Thirteen

    Serena and I exit the gym with badges in hand and smiles on our faces.
    "We did it! We got the Bug Badge!" I say.
    "I know! Ah!"says Serena, both of us still full of excitement.
    A young woman with brown hair approaches us as we exit.
    "Oh, you two... You are, aren't you? You're two of the kids who got a Pokémon from Augustine Sycamore, right?" asks the woman. She's wearing a red and black shirt with a white collar, gray pants, and some boots.
    "Um, that's right," says Serena.
    "Would you look at that! You got the Bug Badge! Looks like I might have a new scoop. To beat Viola at your young age... You two really are something, aren't you?" says the woman.
    "So you're a journalist?" I ask, seeing as we don't know anything about this woman interrogating us.
    "Oh! Sorry, I never did introduce myself, did I? I'm Alexa. The Gym Leader you just faced, Viola, is my younger sister," says Alexa.
    "Oh wow!" I say.
    "I can see the resemblance!" says Serena.
    "I work as a journalist myself. I'm not exactly the best at battling. I work at the big publishing house up in Lumiose City," says Alexa.
    "Lumiose City..." I say.
    "It's the biggest city in the Kalos Region," says Alexa.
    "It also happens to be our next destination! Professor Sycamore's lab is located there," says Serena. "Route 4 connects Santalune City to Lumiose City. I've been there a few times with my family. There is a lot to do there!"
    "We're in for a treat then," I say.
    "I'll be back in Lumiose once I'm done visiting my sister. Feel free to stop by anytime if you have the next big scoop to share with me!" says Alexa.
    "Will do," I reply.
    Alexa smiles and walks past us into the gym. Serena and I stand there for a moment, realizing we haven't discussed what we're doing next. We decide it's too late to try and get to Lumiose City, and that we have done plenty today anyways. Serena and I skate over to the Pokémon Center to let Serena get more practice in. This time we are able to get separate rooms. After eating dinner with Serena and our Pokémon, we turn in for the night.
    "Goodnight, Calem," says Serena.
    "Goodnight," I reply. We both close our doors, and I flop on the bed.
    I could get used to this. Hanging out with a cute girl, getting gym badges, and meeting new Pokémon. My speculations of the future run wild until I eventually drift off to sleep.
    The next morning, Serena and I get prepared and head to Route 4. The sun shines brightly, which is perfect for a flower packed route like this one.
    "The Kalos region is gorgeous!" I say.
    "It's really amazing," says Serena.
    We walk through the route, admiring the yellow and red flowers. A few trainers challenge us to battles, and we manage to beat them each time. There are lots of Pokémon playing in the flowers, and Serena points out a few I have never seen before. We arrive at a magnificent gold fountain in the center of the Route. Water spews from Horseas on the fountain's rim into the Clamperl in the center.
    "Perle Fountain," I say, reading the text on the fountain's podium.
    "It's probably named after the Clamperl in the center. It sure is pretty," says Serena. I can't help but think that she is prettier as she puts a few hairs behind her ear. "It seems to attract a lot of traffic too."
    Looking around, I notice lots of pairs of young men and women relaxing around the fountain. Others are skating around the fountain and the surrounding area.
    "Must be a pretty popular date spot," I say.
    "D-d-dd-date spot!" says Serena beginning to blush. "We're not on a date!"
    "I know," I say laughing. "But if you look around, it seems that most the people here are."
    Serena looks around and then turns back to me with an embarrassed expression, "Maybe we should go now, before people get the wrong idea."
    "I doubt anybody here has really even taken notice of us, but sure. Let's continue forward," I say. "But not before we take few laps around the fountain in our skates."
    "Okay!" says Serena with a smile. She must have been itching to throw her skates on too!
We take a few laps around the fountain, and I can't help noticing Serena staying behind me on purpose. I can't help but tease her. I slow down and link arms with her like I did when I first taught her.
    "Calem! What are you doing!? I can do it on my own!" says Serena.
    "Then prove it! Keep up with me!" I say, sticking my tongue out and speeding back up.
Unable to resist my challenge, Serena stops worrying about the looks of others and skates by my side.
    After a little while, Serena and I continue skating down Route 4, battling more trainers and enjoying each others' company. It feels like a stroll through the park!
    With Lumiose now in sight, I say, "Woah! This city is huge!"
    "I know right!" says Serena with enthusiasm. "Let's get over there!"
    We speed through the last small portion of the route and reach its end. We roll up to the entrance to the city, but two people having a conversation are blocking the way. One is a white young gentlemen with blond hair, sporting a white suit and blue handkerchief, and the other is a dark skinned girl with black hair, sporting a matching white dress and red handkerchief. The fellow is the first to notice us.
    "Hello there! Have you ever heard of the Pokémon called Flabébé?" he asks. The girl he was talking to notices us and awaits our reply.
    "Hi! Um... Isn't that one of the Pokémon you introduced me to earlier, Serena?" I say.
    "Yeah! It was the white one holding the flower," says Serena.
    "Oh yeah! I remember now," I say.
    "So you have heard of it," says the guy.
    "Flabébé is -- now brace yourself --- a Fairy-type Pokémon!" says the girl.
    "Fairy-type?" I ask.
    "Fairy type is a Pokémon type that was just classified recently," says the guy.
    "This turned the entire type-matchup system on its head!" exclaims the girl.
    "I can imagine," says Serena, processing this information.
    "And we've been battling Fairy-type Pokémon against other types of Pokémon at Professor Sycamore's request. My name's Sina! It's a beautiful name for a beautiful lady!" says Sina.
    "Yes, you're very beautiful. No need to point it out. I'm Dexio. Two years ago, Professor Sycamore entrusted me with a Pokédex. You could call me a Pokémon-voyage veteran," says Dexio.
    "If you'd like, we could escort you two to the lab," says Sina.
    "We'd appreciate it!" says Serena.
    "OK! Let's get this show on the road!" says Sina.
    Dexio and Sina enter the city, with Serena and I following right behind them.
    "Woah," slips from my mouth as I take in my first glance of the city. A giant tower looms over the rest of the city. The streets are bustling with people and there are shops and cafés everywhere.
    "I love this place!" says Serena.
    "The lab is this way," says Sina, breaking our trance.
    We continue to follow Dexio and Sina, and Dexio starts up some conversation, "So, how are you and your Pokémon getting along? The more you travel with your Pokémon, the stronger your friendship will become," says Dexio.
    "Good! Fennekin acts brave in battle, but she's a huge softie," I say.
    "Froakie and I are getting along as well! I'm grateful for how understanding he is," says Serena.
    "Here we are! This building is the Sycamore Pokémon Lab! Let's go inside!" says Sina.
    The building in front of us is very different than those surrounding it. This building is more classical compared to the buildings built for efficiency around it. We all enter the building together.
    "You've traveled a long way from Vaniville Town, but you're finally here! The professor can't wait to meet you guys. You can find him on the third floor, so hop in the elevator!" says Sina.
    Serena and I step into the elevator, both of us a little nervous to meet the man that started us on our adventure.