Alright. So what we've gathered thus far, it's safe to assume that these five are the strangest bunch I've ever seen, Angelique thought as she watched Serena chase Shauna out of the gates.

I couldn't agree more, Lucario replied, watching Serena close in on her friend quite quickly. He also noticed the others trailing behind.

Doesn't it seem...I don't know, creepy for us to be following them like this? Lucario realized.

Angelique tilted her head slightly. Now that I think of it. This is what stalkers do. But I don't know any other way besides this.

Fortunately they haven't noticed anything. Perhaps they aren't as aware of their aura as we are, Lucario supplied.

As Lucario said this, Calem stopped where he was and shifted his attention to where he thought he heard something.

"Yo Callie, what's up?" Tierno queried, pausing to take a breath.

"Nothing...it must have just been my imagination. I thought I heard something but, maybe I'm just hungry," he chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

"Now that you mention it, I'm hungry too. We should get some grub when we get back," Tierno added.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. I could go for something good right about now," Calem responded, turning to walk with Tierno back to town.

So much for that theory, Angelique muttered.

Okay, maybe he is a little more in tune with his than I thought. I guess we'll see how things play out...

X-X-X

As Calem trekked alongside the others, after finally catching up with them, the group began discussing plans for the new town.

"I wanna see the aquarium. There will be a ton of Water-types there!" Exclaimed Shauna.

"That does sound fascinating. I however, want to see the fossil lab. I heard that you can get fossils revived there," Trevor informed.

"That sounds pretty cool actually. I've always been a fan of fossil Pokémon. We only had a few in Hoenn," Calem replied.

"We have a lot here, as I'm sure you will come to find out. The lab is chock-full of them. It's pretty amazing," Serena added.

Calem smiled. It all sounded great. He thought of possibly getting a fossil and reviving it when he got the chance. Just then, a strange metallic sound caught his attention.

"Guys? What was that?" Calem asked as he looked around.

The sound echoed once more, only this time it sounded like two blades clashing in rapid succession.

"Hey, that sounds a lot like-" Trevor paused as he saw two sword-like Pokémon shoot out of the brush.

Calem's eyes widened. One of them had a solid red blade with a golden scabbard, crimson sash and a lavender eye on the gold hilt. The other was likened to a standard shortsword coloration. Seeing the trainers, the normal one dove into the brush. The crimson one stayed, its eye focused on Calem.

Calem reached down and grabbed his dex to collect the information.

Honedge, the Sword Pokémon. Apparently, this Pokémon is born when a departed spirit inhabits a sword. It attaches itself to people and drinks their life force.

"Okay...that is freaky, yet cool. And it looks like it could be very useful in battle," Calem stated as he reached for Torchic's ball, releasing his friend onto the pathway.

The little fire chick erupted from his ball and fluffed his feathers. His attention was soon drawn to the ghost blade before him. Honedge, knowing the situation it found itself in, prepared itself, leveling out so that his point was aimed at his target's throat.

"Wait a second. That's the Chudan stance!" Calem gasped.

"Chudan stance?" Serena queried.

"It's a middle ready position. It's used for fast thrusting tech-Torchic, move!" Calem commanded.

Honedge's body became shrouded in a white aura before launching itself at Torchic. No fool, the little chick moved with haste to avoid the thrust. In a swift motion, the blade swung up at an arc, laced with otherworldly energies, slashing Torchic from the hip to the left shoulder. Torchic slid back from the blow and winced in pain.

This Honedge is good. It's as if it knew where Torchic would end up. Gotta play this at a distance. "Ember!" Calem ordered.

Torchic opened his beak and launched a scattershot of flames at the blade, causing it to weave around each blast. Finding an opening, the blade rushed in, cloaked in ghostly aura again.

"Ember now!"

Torchic released a point blank blast of fire at the possessed blade, burning it considerably before getting struck by its assault. Torchic cried out as he was struck, and tumbled back a ways before struggling to get up. Traces of burns were found on Honedge meaning it was only a matter of time.

"It appears that your master knows the way of the sword," Honedge said to Torchic.

"It looks that way doesn't it?" Torchic replied.

Calem blinked. "Did anyone else hear that?"

"Hear what?" Tierno asked as he watched the battle.

"What they're saying. I-I think I can understand it," Calem replied nervously.

"Say what?" Shauna blinked.

"I said...I think I understand them. They're talking about me..."

"Don't be silly Calem. People can't speak Pokémon, right Serena?" Trevor queried.

"R-right, th-that would be ridiculous." Serena replied nervously. Oh man...what now?

"Did your master say he could-"

"Understand us? Yes, that's what he said. He can un-wait, what!?" Torchic exclaimed.

Torchic looked back at Calem with a bewildered expression. Honedge seemed taken aback as well, however, now was not the time to be complacent. He powered up again, drawing Torchic's attention back to it. Torchicshook his head and prepared himself.

"Shall we continue?" Honedge queried.

Torchic nodded and was on guard again. Just then, Honedge sheathed itself.

I do believe this match is yours. In this condition I won't be able to fight nearly as hard. Plus, I think your master has other intentions, Honedge stated, indicating to Calem's right hand which had a Poké Ball in it.

In a flash, Calem whipped the ball towards the blade and captured it. The ball twitched a few times before the light dimmed, signaling that Honedge had indeed been caught. Placing the ball on his belt, he returned Torchic and secured him as well.

"That...was odd," Calem said, scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah, saying you can understand them was pretty odd," Tierno pointed out.

"Maybe I was just hearing things. It's been a long day," Calem laughed.

"You said it. I'm starved. Hey, we should grab some food when we get back," Shauna chirped.

"Agreed. Let's hurry back!" Tierno exclaimed.

With that, the friends darted off down the path in order to get back to Camphrier Town.

X-X-X

Okay, Calem was spot on with what he said. Torchic and Honedge were talking about him.

Indeed. And it looks like Serena was aware of it too. Her nervous tone gave her away, Angelique.

Things just got way more interesting. I wonder how he'll react when he finds out he's not crazy. Angelique snickered.

Not sure, but it's bound to be fun to watch. Shall we pursue?

Yes. Let's, Angelique replied, dashing out of the brush with Lucario close by.

X-X-X

Calem and company sat at a table, relaxing after a long day and a large meal.

"I don't know about you guys, but I am stuffed!" Shauna whined, holding her tummy.

"That's a first. You can usually pack it in better," Serena teased.

"Tais-toi Serena! You have no room to talk. With your high metabolism, you eat like a Tep-ouuuch!" Shauna shot back, whining as Serena kicked her shin.

"Oh I'm sorry, did that hurt?" Serena said with a frown.

"Careful you two, people are staring," Trevor pointed out.

With a sigh, the two agreed to calm down.

"Well, I'm beat. I think I'm going to hit the sack. See you guys in the morning," said Calem as he stood to leave.

"Hey Calem, can I talk to you for a sec?" Serena asked nervously.

Calem quirked a brow at the request. Did she want to train? It was getting pretty late and he was tired. Whatever it was, she seemed reluctant to talk about it in front of the others.

"Sure, name the place," Calem replied.

Serena glanced at the others and frowned. Not wanting them to hear her, she stood up and whispered to him. "Meet me in half an hour by Shabboneau Castle."

Calem nodded and turned back to the others. "Night guys," he called as he walked off.

"Sooooo, what was that about hmmmm?" Shauna teased, looping an arm around Serena's neck.

"Nothing you need to know, Shauna. I just wanna...get to know him better is all," Serena fibbed.

Normally this wouldn't work, but since Shauna has tried numerous times to hook Serena up with someone, she figured she'd throw Shauna a bone.

"Taking the initiative huh? Some things never change do they? Well, go for it!" Shauna chimed, swatting Serena's rear.

"Hey!" Serena scowled, rounding on Shauna with one of her own.

Trevor and Tierno rolled their eyes and just watched. It wasn't long before they all were upstairs and getting ready for bed.

X-X-X

Calem's holocaster buzzed, signaling that Serena was messaging him. He confirmed it the moment he pulled up the message. She was already out her door and in the lobby. Calem sighed and grabbed his team and made his way outside into the cool night air. It didn't take too long for him to find Serena.

"Did anyone see you?" Serena queried.

"Nope. They're all asleep. What's up?" Calem asked, glancing around.

"Okay. Here goes. Remember when you said that you could understand what your Pokémon were saying?" Serena began.

"Yeah, it was really weird. I mean, one minute things seemed normal and then-"

"You heard Honedge talk about you and that you knew the way of the sword, correct?" Serena finished.

"Yes! That's exactly it. Wait...so I'm not crazy?"

"No, not really. I heard it too as you just noticed. I don't know how, but I did," Serena replied.

"This is kinda freaky yet awesome at the same time. This means we get to communicate better with our Pokémon," Calem pointed out.

"True, but I would like to figure out why and how we are able to do this."

"Perhaps I can answer that..." Came an unfamiliar voice from behind.
================================

A/N: And there it is! I hope this was exciting to read. More to come soon!