For a moment, no one spoke.
Then—
"Well, that settles it!" Sherry exclaimed, breaking the silence as she lifted Chespin into her arms.
The little Grass-type let out an enthusiastic cry, its tiny arms waving excitedly.
"Looks like we're going to have a lot of fun together, aren't we?"
Chespin nodded eagerly.
Maria couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Beside her, Froakie stood with its usual composed expression, its arms resting comfortably at its sides. It glanced briefly at Chespin before turning its attention back to Maria.
She looked down at her new partner.
"Well, I suppose we should get to know each other," she said with a gentle smile.
Froakie blinked once before giving a small nod.
Meanwhile, Evelyn had already crouched beside Fennekin, gently running her fingers through its soft golden fur.
Fennekin leaned into her touch, its large ears twitching contentedly.
"Someone seems to have gotten comfortable rather quickly," Sherry remarked, glancing in their direction.
Evelyn looked up.
"Is that a problem?"
"Not at all!" Sherry laughed. "It's just that Fennekin seems to have taken quite a liking to you already."
Evelyn gave a small smile but didn't bother responding.
Professor Sycamore watched the three girls with an amused expression.
"Now that everyone has chosen their partner, there's something else I'd like to give you."
He walked toward his desk and retrieved three sleek smartphones, each with a different-colored casing.
"These are Rotom Phones."
The girls exchanged curious glances as he handed one to each of them.
"Unlike ordinary smartphones, these devices have been specially developed to accommodate Rotom's unique abilities. They can serve as communication devices, provide information about Pokémon, and assist you throughout your journey."
Sherry immediately turned hers over in her hands.
"Whoa! So it's basically a smartphone and a Pokédex combined?"
"Precisely," Professor Sycamore replied with a smile. "A Rotom can inhabit the device, allowing it to function as an interactive Pokédex. It will help you identify Pokémon you encounter and record information about them."
Maria examined the screen curiously, tapping it once.
"So we can use these to learn about the Pokémon we meet?"
"That's right. You'll find them quite useful, especially when exploring unfamiliar places."
Evelyn glanced at the device in her hand, her scarlet eyes briefly lingering on its screen.
A Rotom Phone.
She was already familiar with the concept, though seeing one in person still felt somewhat different.
Professor Sycamore continued.
"I've also prepared some additional Pokéballs and supplies for each of you. They'll come in handy as you begin your journey."
"Thank you, Professor!" Sherry said cheerfully.
Maria nodded politely. "We'll take good care of them."
Evelyn gave a small nod as well.
Professor Sycamore smiled.
"Good. Then I suppose there's nothing left to do except wish you three good luck."
"Thank you, Professor!" Sherry replied enthusiastically, already looking eager to leave.
Maria offered a warm smile. "Thank you for everything, Professor. We'll make sure to take good care of our Pokémon."
Evelyn nodded in agreement. "And thank you for the Rotom Phones and supplies."
Professor Sycamore smiled.
"You're quite welcome. I look forward to hearing about your adventures. And don't hesitate to contact me if you ever need advice or assistance."
"We will!" Sherry answered immediately.
She turned toward the other two, practically bouncing on her heels.
"So, what are we waiting for? Let's get going!"
Maria chuckled at her enthusiasm. "You certainly seem excited."
"Of course I am! This is the beginning of our Pokémon journey!"
Evelyn glanced down at Fennekin, who was standing quietly beside her, its fluffy tail swaying gently.
"Well, I suppose we shouldn't keep our partners waiting."
Fennekin let out a cheerful cry.
Maria looked toward Froakie, who gave a small nod in response.
With one final thank-you to Professor Sycamore, the three girls made their way toward the laboratory entrance, their Pokémon following closely beside them.
As the doors slid open, the bright Kalos sunlight greeted them.
The three girls stepped outside, their Pokémon following closely beside them.
***
Three hours had passed since they left the laboratory.
Eventually, they came across a small clearing beside a stream. Surrounded by tall trees and patches of soft grass, it seemed like a perfect place to take a short break.
"Finally! My legs are starting to get tired," Sherry exclaimed as she dropped her backpack onto the grass.
Chespin hopped down beside her, looking as energetic as ever.
Rather than immediately settling down, Sherry suddenly reached into her bag and pulled out her Rotom Phone.
"Oh! I almost forgot!"
She switched on the camera and held it in front of her, adjusting the angle until her face appeared properly on the screen.
"Alright! Time for our first adventure update!"
She flashed a cheerful smile at the camera.
"Hey, everyone! Sherry Anderson here! Today is officially the first day of our Pokémon journey!"
She turned the camera slightly, capturing the surrounding trees and the stream nearby.
Chespin suddenly popped into the frame, raising its little fists.
"And of course, I have my wonderful partner, Chespin, with me!"
Chespin let out an enthusiastic cry.
Sherry giggled. ""Aww, look at you! You're already loving the camera!""
She turned the camera toward the rest of the clearing.
"And over here, we have Maria, who's apparently decided to become our personal chef for the day!"
Maria, who was busy unpacking their supplies, glanced up when she noticed the camera pointed at her.
"Personal chef? I don't remember agreeing to that," she replied with an amused smile.
Sherry laughed.
"Well, someone's got to keep us fed, right?"
Maria shook her head lightly and returned to unpacking. She spread a small cloth over the grass before arranging their cooking utensils and ingredients.
She then took out a portable cooking stove and placed it on a flat patch of ground.
"Let's see what we have here..." Maria murmured, checking the ingredients.
Froakie stood nearby, watching her movements with quiet curiosity.
Sherry zoomed in on the little Water-type.
"And we also have Froakie, who's apparently supervising the cooking!"
Froakie glanced toward the camera, blinking once.
Maria chuckled. "I think he's more interested in the food than helping me."
"Well, I can't blame him!" Sherry replied.
She shifted the camera back toward Maria, who had started washing the vegetables and preparing the ingredients.
"Looks like lunch is going to take a little while, so let's check on our other friend!"
Sherry turned toward the nearby tree, where Evelyn was sitting comfortably beneath its shade.
Evelyn had taken a small grooming kit from her bag and placed it beside her. Fennekin sat obediently in front of her, its fluffy tail resting against the grass.
"And here we have Evelyn, who's giving Fennekin some much-needed grooming after our little walk!"
Evelyn glanced up when she noticed the camera.
"Are you recording ?"
"Of course! I have to document everything!"
Evelyn gave a small sigh before returning her attention to Fennekin.
She picked up a soft brush and gently ran it through the Pokémon's golden fur, starting from its back and carefully working toward its fluffy tail.
Fennekin closed its eyes contentedly, occasionally twitching its large ears whenever the brush passed near them.
Sherry brought the camera a little closer.
"Aww, look at that! Fennekin seems to be enjoying its little spa treatment."
Evelyn smiled faintly as she continued brushing.
"Well, we did spend quite a while walking. I thought it would be nice to clean her up a little."
"That's so sweet! I think Fennekin agrees with you!"
Fennekin let out a small, cheerful cry.
Sherry giggled and turned the camera back toward herself.
"Meanwhile, Chespin and I are just supervising everyone. Right, buddy?"
Chespin raised its little fists enthusiastically.
"See? Very important work!"
From across the clearing, Maria laughed.
"Sherry, if you're done supervising, you can come over and help me."
Sherry blinked at the camera.
"Uh-oh. Looks like I've been assigned some work!"
She laughed before finally lowering her Rotom Phone slightly, though the recording was still running.
"Well, everyone, I guess that's all for now. We'll be back after lunch!"
With that, she ended the recording.