I closed the door, the moment I did I screeched with excitement.

"We're going to Sinnoh!"

My partner jumped and danced all around showing her excitement, it filled my heart seeing Fennekin ecstatic "We should get going home and tell our mother about the great news!" I said. With that the pair of us exited the building and began our walk home.

The instant I exited the building my ears picked up a voice calling out to me "Serena!" I turned my head at the direction, and frowned upon realizing it was Calem. 'For some reason I thought it would be Ash...' I thought to my self in disappointment. "Hey Calem..." I greeted him with a negative attitude 

"Hey Sere, how's it go-" I cut him off before he could continue "Sere, really? Yeeeaah... I don't think so. It's Serena." I ended with a stern note and a glare towards him, he chuckled it off "C'mon Serena, don't be such a negative Nancy. I just thought it would be cute if we made up nicknames for each other" I gagged upon hearing his suggestion, but decided to play along for a bit to mess around with him. 

"Alright then great idea!" I said out loud with sarcasm all over my voice "Really?!" Calem gave a wide smile, from ear to ear to which I gave a nod "Yes, since you called me Sere, I think Camel would be the perfect name." I grinned at him, at which he sweat dropped "C-camel? Are sure that's a good nickname?" He asked with curiosity in his facial expression. 

I didn't reply, but raised an eye brow. He stood there processing what happened, then after a while spoke up "Wait a minute! You were messing with me... weren't you?" I put my head forward, and sent him one of my signature smiles "Yep" I walked past the stunned Calem and carried on towards home.

While walking through the city I caught the attention of someone who looked familiar. Red cap, blue shirt and gray skinny jeans. My eyes lit up at the sight as the description started to form the proper image. My jaw dropped as I said under my breath "Ash!" A smile crawled onto my face and I sprinted towards him while shouting out to him "Ash! Over here!" I said waving towards the figure.

It appeared as though he didn't hear me. I kept on getting closer, yet still no response. Ultimately I reached him and grabbed him by the shoulder, his back turned to me. "Ash?" I said as I turned the person around, only for shock and embarrassment to fill my body. The moment I turned the figure around, he was carrying a confused expression. 

My cheeks flared as I bowed down repeatedly while practically shouting out my apology "I'm so sorry sir! I thought you were someone else, I didn't mean to bother you." I kept my head down until the man patted me on the back while adding in a chuckle "No worries, no harm done little lady. Just keep an eye out next time" The man finished with another chuckle "Right..." I replied and he proceeded to go on with his day and walked away.

I massive sigh escaped my mouth "I think I'm going crazy..." I said closing my eyes, slightly bending my knees and bending my head towards the ground. "Fen-Fennekin" The fox pokemon by my feet cried out "You're right Fennekin! Today is our day, we can't let ourselves get down" I said to Fennekin with a look of determination in my eyes. I grabbed the fire type pokemon and kept her in my arms as I ran down the direction of my original destination.

As the sun was at the edge of the transition of setting I ran up the stairs leading to the house which I reside in and opened the door. 'My mom won't be home for a while, and since I already made up my mind perhaps it would be best to get the work out of the way' I thought while placing my hand on the lower region of my face, giving an inquisitive look at the floor and trying to come up with a plan.

Seeing as it was the better option, I decided to get on and do the work for the next week. Sooner rather than later, a lock unlocking could be heard and the door downstairs opening. I got up from my seat and ran towards my mother, basically jumping onto here and giving here a massive Ursaring hug.

I could feel my mother tense up a bit when I did this "Well that was... unexpected." She said sharing her thoughts with a confused look. "I know it's just-" I giggled before continuing "I'm so excited and I can't contain it!" I screeched while hopping up and down. My mom sweat dropped at the sight in front of her and moved passed me "You can tell me all about it later during dinner, i'll call you down when it's done."

I went back upstairs and sat back down to continue. My studies were soon interrupted by my own thoughts 'Wait, I never did tell my mom that I wanted to become a Pokemon Performer, convincing her won't be easy. To allow me to go all the way to another region for someone who knows almost nothing regarding our dream' Fear of being rejected now filled my thoughts, Fennekin quickly noticed this "Feee?" Fennekin asked tilting it's head sideways indicating it's worry 

"It's just... well... we never told her about our dream." I paused for a moment "It's going to be really hard to convince her... What if she rejects us..." I said in a sad tone, my partner immediately hopped on my knees and slapped me with her tail "Fenne-Fennekin, kin!" I stared at Fennekin at awe, then smiled "You're always here for me, and always get me back on track. She will accept! My mom will see our determination and we will prove to her we have what it takes!" I said making a fist full of determination, a look of confidence over my face.

I turned back to Fennekin and thanked her "Thank you for knocking some sense into me Fennekin, you always make me throw away my negative thoughts. I don't know what I would do with out you"

"Serena, Fennekin! Dinner is ready!" I heard my mom shout from downstairs "Coming!" I yelled back, standing up and walking to the dining room. Before taking a seat, I went into the kitchen and grabbed the pokefood, filling Fennekin's bowl to the top knowing full well she will need it for whats coming. I placed it back in the cupboard and took a seat at the rear end of the table, then waited patiently for the food and my mother.

Before long all I was waiting for arrived, and we began eating. We ate in silence as I slightly hesitated, and tried building up the confidence to tell my mom, only for it to be knocked down the moment I was about to speak. The fear of doubt kept taking over and I was getting more nervous as each moment passed.

I finally took a deep breath "Mom" I said looking at my mother, she looked up from the food and at my eyes. I gulped "Is this about the excitement you were demonstrating earlier?" I nodded as a reply to her question "Well what is it?" She asked, I looked at Fennekin who was now paying attention to the conversation. "Mom. This may be hard for you to hear, but... Fennekin and I have decided to become Pokemon Performers, and would like to pursue our dream."

"I see, and when did you come to this conclusion?" She asked, I was confused at the question but answered regardless "A few weeks ago, we haven't told anyone else-" I was cut off by her words "And how long will it last?" I was beginning to feel frustrated with the tone of the conversation "This is our dream, it will last until we achieve it!" I raised my voice towards her, angry at her judgement

"That's the issue Serena, you've said the same before about other things and those all turned out, well we both know how they concluded" She said sharing her thought process, I gritted my teeth "You don't get it mom! It isn't me alone this time, I have Fennekin with me and we both decided to go after the Kalos Queen title. This isn't MY dream, this is OUR dream!" I made sure to put emphasis on the collective pronouns.

"Hmmmm... and what steps have you taken towards this dream?" She questioned, practically investigating me at this point, while sipping on her tea. I shot her a look of determination and answered "Fennekin and I have been working hard on our performance. The time we weren't here for the night, when I was away at the pokemon center, it was because Fennekin got hurt doing a move in our performance." I explained the event that occurred in the past to my mother, who's eyes were filled with shock straight after.

"It doesn't end there mom, and that's because I'm serious about this. Sycamore has provided me a one time offer to travel to Sinnoh and partake in a special held Pokemon Performance. I've already decided that I want to go, and I'm ready for this. I just need your approval!" I said standing up at this point.

"Serena Yvonne!" She now raised her voice as well. I didn't give in. I was determined.

"Grace Yvonne!" I shot back, things slowly cooled down and we were back to a civilized discussion.

"I don't know Serena, this is an entire different region we are talking about. There will be no one to look after you, and I don't want anything bad happening to my baby girl" She said looking down at her coffee. "Mom, please. Can't you see this means everything to me and Fennekin. It's a step in the right direction. I can take care of myself, I'm not the little girl that I use to be." I finished, leaving with my final statement, hoping for the best. Our eyes, locked in a stare down.

Shortly after my mother gave in and sighed "Well, it looks like you have grown up after all. All Fletchling need to leave the nest eventually. Don't take this the wrong way Serena, I was only reassuring myself and you about this. I will love you no matter what path you take, and support you through and through, keep that in mind at all times. I love you for who you are, not someone who you are pretending to be. However, I'm convinced-" My eyes filled with joy "And I can see you are no pretender, I see it in your eyes, your body posture and your language."

The moment those words were picked up by my ears I instantly jumped onto my mother and gave her a hug "Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!" I shouted out while in the embrace, soon joined by Fennekin as well "Fenneee!". My mother chuckled "Alright you go get going to bed now, my little Kalos Queen" I blushed at the comment and went upstairs with Fennekin.

At this point, my excitement could no longer be contained, and even by the slightest. I hopped onto my bed and took a pillow. A muffled screech could soon be heard coming from the pillow. I stopped and picked up Fennekin, beginning to twirl in circles, picturing the stage and the audience around us. We landed on the bed, looking at each other. We both grinned and then turned into laughter. There and then we both fell asleep together, in an embracement with smiles stretching from ear to ear.

"No way Serena! You wanted to become a Pokemon Performer all along?!" Shauna asked with a shock in her voice, matching the same facial expression as the others.

"W-well it hasn't been all along. On the day when we were gathering at the beach, that was when Fennekin and I decided that we wanted to pursue the title of Kalos Queen" I explained to my friends, gazing upon all of their reactions. Pure shock most of them, except for the typical Paul where he would carry his poker face.

"Does that mean we'll see you in a dress with a short skirt?" Gary commented, my cheeks turned crimson at the thought, but was interrupted by what followed to be a loud slap connecting with his face. We all sweat dropped as we saw Dawn hammer Gary directly across his left cheek. "It was only a question..." Dawn gave him a death stare "An inappropriate question, to my best friend."

Drew's voice soon entered the conversation "So where do you plan on going for your first key?" I looked up at them and smiled. They all had question marks within their facial expressions "Actually, you'll be surprised to find out, Kalos won't be the place where I do my first Pokemon Performance. As it turns out, Sycamore offered me a one time deal to go to Sinnoh and represent the school there." All their jaws dropped as I announced the news. I could see from the corner of my eye that Calem gained a frown.

"Does that mean we won't be able to see you for a while?" He asked, his voice filled with disappointment. I didn't want anybody sad, since it is a Performers job to make people smile. "Of course not, we'll still be able to call each other and talk" I said facing him with a smile, but the sentence was meant towards the group as an entire. His frown dissipated and was replaced by a smile.

"Wow... you get to go to Sinnoh my home region, you're so lucky Serena." Dawn said praising me for the offer I received. I nodded to her "It really is, and I can't wait to get going. Think of all the things I will see, I will still miss you. All of you" The ending was soon met by a group of "awes"

"Well, I stopped by just to let you guys know. I need to meet professor Sycamore and tell him of my decision" I told everyone, gave Dawn and Shauna a hug then waved goodbye to everyone else.

I knocked on the door to the office to which I was met by a "Come in". I opened the door and saw professor Sycamore meddling with some sort of the device, he quickly put it away and turned to me "Serena, marvelous to see you!" He said with a smile and full of happiness. "It's great to see you again as well professor" I replied taking a seat in front of his desk

"I assume you are here because of the offer?" He asked, to which I nodded "Please, stop with the suspense and carry on" He said, motioning with his hand in a kind way "After long thought, I decided to take the offer and go to Sinnoh. This will be a great opportunity for me and Fennekin, and it will be great experience, not only in the Performance but going on a stage with a live audience watching us."

"Are you sure it was a long thought process? The way I recall it is you exited my office and immediately I heard a squeal outside and followed by a 'We're going to Sinnoh' which was marvelous to hear" He finished with a chuckle, while I was completely embarrassed.

His expression soon turned into a serious one "But Serena, keep in mind that this is serious, you will be missing out on your education while you are away. You have to ask yourself, is this worth it over education?" He finished, giving me a look that is waiting for an answer.

I sent him the same determined look I sent my mother "Yes it is. I've already went over all the material I will be missing, and plan on going over even more while I'm away. Professor, not only do I think this is worth it but it is a great way to gain experience. It is something I-We have never done before" I looked at Fennekin, who nodded back "Breaking the mold will let our passion discharge!" I said, staring at the professor.

His mouth shaped a grin, he closed his eyes and nodded "I knew I never needed to worry about you Serena. If anyone can do this, it will be you. You are just the type of person that the troubled one needs" I gave a final nod and said my goodbyes to the professor.

With the day finally finished, and all my friends aware of where I am off, it was time to begin. My first step out of my comfort zone. My first step outside of the Kalos region. My first step into the real world. My first step, in a journey to come.