The rhythmical movement of the train put Serena into a trance. She has been gently transported to a whole new world, as the sound of her friends drifted off into a void. She rested her head on the palm of her hand, her honey blonde hair cascading from her pink hat, down her back to shoulders, which were ornamented with a black blouse that showed off her tiny physique. She wore her favorite red skirt with black socks that came to her knee and black shoes.

Serena let out a soft sigh. It wasn't that she didn't like her friends, but she didn't feel like she belonged with them. After all, the only thing that she really shared with them was gone, other than shopping, of course; but still, they are her friends. Although Serena knew that she didn't belong with them, she wanted to get out of Kalos and away from the media for a little rest and relaxation.

Ever since earning the title of the Kalos Queen, Serena's life had been turned into what appears to be like a giant photoshoot, which is her version of hell. With the media at every turn, fans constantly asking for autographs and pictures, and boys who drooled over her every day, Serena's mind is overwhelmed with receiving this much attention. And that was only three months ago; yet to her, it felt like a lifetime. When her friends offered her to join them on a trip to Kanto, she didn't hesitate and took their offer. Serena hopes that the people in Kanto would treat her like a normal person again.

She turned to view her traveling companions. The two trainers, who would be competing in the big tournament, we're talking battle strategies and possible matchups that they might face in different rounds. In the seat next to her, sat her longtime friend Bonnie. The blonde thirteen-year-old had quickly made a name for herself as a rising star as both a coordinator and trainer. She was known for her excellent battle strategies, a trait she had picked up from her brother after watching all of his gym battles against challengers back in Lumiose City.

Not to be outdone, the fifteen-year-old battling star of Hoenn sat right across from her. Max Maple was known for his varying battle styles and strategies and for his determination of never giving up. She thought they were cute together. Serena saw so much of him in Max. After all, he was Max's idol, while growing up, and his pieces of advice about determination made a lasting impact on the young trainer. She just laughed, as the discussion began to get more intense.

She looked across from her to another longtime friend, who was Clemont, Bonnie's older brother. The blonde gym leader wore the same blue jumpsuit and glasses that he had worn when they first met back in Santalune City. He was also beginning to get into the conversation since it was most of his battling strategies that Bonnie used to develop her own ideas for battling.

All of a sudden, Serena heard a burst of giggling. She looked at Bonnie and Max and saw the two coordinators sitting on the outside of the aisle. Seated next to Max, was his older sister, May, a beautiful brown haired girl about twenty years old. She wore an orange blouse with a green belt that accented the green bandanna she wore on her head. Black leggings could be seen from beneath her short white skirt.

Across from her, sat a girl with blue hair. Her name was Dawn, a nineteen-year-old coordinator who wears a white cap on her head, a black blouse with a pink skirt that's accompanied by pink boots and a pink scarf that she wears around her neck. A blue penguin Pokémon, named Piplup, sat on her lap.

Both girls were fun to talk to about shopping; but outside of that, Serena didn't share much else in common with the two coordinators. They were at the top of their profession, stars in their own right, but they looked upon her profession with strange wonderment. Serena could only smirk at this. It's true. She never really battled with her Pokémon, and yet, she would show them off as good as any appeal round in a Pokémon Contest.

Serena turned her head back to the window. She saw the moon high in the air and the stars dancing around it. The only reason that she had even met with everyone in the group was all because of him. It's been five years since his death. Every day that she didn't keep herself busy, her thoughts would slowly drift towards him. His auburn eyes that burned with passion, but also exposed a soft tender side. His jet-black hair that looks like a jungle sticking out from under his hat; but most of all, she missed his smile. His smile would light up any room that he walked into, which is usually accompanied by his sweet laugh.

Serena was startled back into reality, as she heard Bonnie shout right next to her ear. "There it is! Saffron City!" she squealed with glee.

"And look, you can see the stadiums and hotel right there," Max exclaimed while pointing towards the lighted battle stadiums and the sprawling hotel. "We would have been here sooner if we hadn't missed two different trains because of May's big stomach and shopping sprees."

All of a sudden, Max felt a slap on the back of his head, followed by the shouts of his sister. "Well excuse me; but if I remember correctly, you were enjoying the restaurant too. Sitting next to your girlfriend over there; and if you had just carried my bags like I asked you to, the shopping would have gone a lot faster," she explained. Max and Bonnie both blushed at her remark about them dating, which made Serena giggle.

"We are not dating!" Bonnie yelled in her defense.

"Calm down, there is no need to worry," Dawn said sweetly as she waved her hands in front of her while trying to avoid a fight breaking out in the middle of the train. "The opening ceremonies won't start until late afternoon tomorrow. Also, Brock said that he, Misty, and Trevor will be waiting for us at the hotel. Not only that, but you two have also already gotten plenty of training in the past few weeks."

"Dawn is right. Besides, it would be really difficult to train with all the media that has engulfed the city." Clemont explained with a smile on his face. Serena gulped and slowly felt her heart starting to pound at the thought of the media being there.

No! Not the media! Surely, there will be people from Kalos who know me. All I wanted was to just get away from them and relax. The media is like an annoying bug that just won't go away. Serena thought.

"Hey Serena, are you alright?" Bonnie asked with a worried expression on her face.

"Yeah, of course! I am just nervous for you two." she lied while trying to prevent her friends from worrying.

"We are going to do great, Serena!" Bonnie said enthusiastically. "We have both been training non stop for a year since the day that we got our invites in the mail. We are ready for anything that this tournament could throw at us."

As Bonnie was finishing her statement, the train began to slow to a stop. A bell could be heard throughout the train and an announcer stating that the train had finally arrived at Saffron Station.

---

The group exited out of the train, gathered their bags, and started walking to the hotel, where Max and Bonnie could register and get a room. Before they could leave the station, a low rumble could be heard. May looked at the ground as her face began to grow a light red.

"I guess all that talk about shopping and food has gotten me a little hungry. Do you guys mind if we stop by a restaurant and get some food? I heard Saffron City has some amazing places to eat," May laughed as she put a hand on her stomach.

The rest of the group laughed and they began to head towards the nearest restaurant. They were all extremely hungry from their travels, all except for one.

"Hey guys," Serena said, "I think that Braixen and I will be heading to the park right there."

She pointed to a little park that was situated in the city with a few dirt paths running through it. Benches and lampposts were scattered on the paths throughout the park.

"Braixen hasn't been out of her Pokéball in a while, and also, I'm not really hungry right now," Serena said.

"Sure thing, Serena." May said turning to the performer, "We'll be back in a bit."

---

Serena head towards one of the benches that were under the light of a lamppost. She let out a soft sigh as she sat down and released her loyal Pokémon from its Pokéball. Braixen came out and gave its trainer a loving bark.

"Hey there Braixen. What would you say to a good brushing?" Serena asked while pulling a brush out from her backpack.

"Brai Braixen!" the fire Pokémon shouted with glee as it nodded its head. Getting brushed by her master was one of its favorite things, especially since Braixen always wanted to look its best.

After a while of brushing, Serena stopped and said, "All done! Now then, let's get you a yummy Poképuff. I baked them last night, just for you."

The fox-like Pokémon smiled and nodded. Serena reached down deep into her bag.

Where could that box of Poképuffs have gone? I swear I put it right at the top. She thought as she's reaching down into her bag.

She kept digging until she felt a soft touch of the fabric against her fingers. She froze for a second before slowly grabbing hold of the fabric and pulling out a small blue handkerchief from her bag.

She does not say a word while looking warmly at the old handkerchief in her hands. Years of wear and tear had made the once vibrant blue handkerchief begin to fade; but to her, it was still the same vibrant blue as when she first saw it in the forest when her loved one rescued her. It was her most cherished possessions; but after Ash's death, she stuck it in the bottom of her bag and only occasionally taking it out. It was still difficult for her to talk about that day, and seeing the handkerchief, always made her emotional. As she gazes down upon the handkerchief in her hand, tears begin to well up in her eyes.