CHAPTER 10: THE PROFESSOR'S LAB

The next day, the group of five decided to go to Professor Sycamore's lab.

Trevor led the group to a large building with Poke Balls on pedestals in the front. This was the professor's lab.

"Here it is," said Trevor. "Professor Sycamore is on the third floor."

"Ooh, I can't wait!" said Serena.

When the three of them went inside, they saw two well-dressed kids - a girl with purple hair and a boy with blondish-brown hair. Calem and Serena wondered who these kids were. Maybe they worked for Professor Sycamore.

"Who are you guys?" asked Calem.

"I'm Sina," said the girl.

"And I'm Dexio," said the boy.

"Those are some very strange names," said Shauna.

Sina and Dexio said nothing.

"Anyway," said Serena, "we're pleased to meet you. We should go upstairs and see Professor Sycamore himself!"

"Okay," said Sina.

"We'll stay down here," said Dexio.

Calem, Serena, Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor got into the elevator. Serena pressed the button for the third floor. The elevator closed, and then it took everyone to the third floor. Then the elevator opened up. The group of five looked out at the third floor and saw how amazing it was.

"This is where the Professor's lab is," said Tierno.

The five of them went down the hall and came to an office. They went inside and saw Professor Sycamore in all his glory. The professor went to greet the kids.

"Greetings!" he said. "Many thanks for coming all the way here from Vaniville Town!" He turned to Calem and Serena. "I'm Professor Sycamore. It's a pleasure to finally meet you!"

"Thanks," said Calem.

"We're honored," said Serena.

"How is your Pokemon journey going so far?" asked Professor Sycamore.

"Fantastic," said Calem.

"What he said," said Serena.

"Stupendous!" said Professor Sycamore. "Have you met many different Pokemon? Let me see your Pokedexes."

Professor Sycamore took a look at Calem and Serena's Pokedexes and evaluated them. He was impressed at the amount of Pokemon that they had caught.

"Looks like you're off to a good start," he said. "I was originally thinking of one child from Vaniville Town to give a Pokemon to, but now from what I've seen, I think that both of you are equally fine Trainers!" He turned to Calem. "I've seen you perform with your parents in Vaniville Town at least once. I say you're quite the performer."

Calem blushed.

"Thanks," he said.

"And Serena," said Professor Sycamore, "I remembered Grace the Rhyhorn racer and her daughter were living in Vaniville all this time, and I thought you should be the one to receive a Pokemon too. Your mother is quite an amazing Trainer, and I think you will follow in her footsteps."

"What about me?" asked Shauna.

"You seem to be doing well too," said Professor Sycamore. "Tierno and Trevor have told me that you are doing well. Work hard at it."

"I will," said Shauna. "I'll try to be the best."

"And now," said Professor Sycamore, "I think one of you should battle me. Just to show your skill. I'm pretty easy, so don't worry."

Calem, Serena, and Shauna raised their hands.

"How about Serena?" asked Professor Sycamore.

"YES!" said Serena. "Let's do this thang!"

Professor Sycamore sent out Bulbasaur, while Serena sent out Marco.

"Marco, use Gust!" said Serena. Marco blew a gust of wind at Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur, use Tackle!" said Professor Sycamore. Bulbasaur rammed into Marco.

"Marco, use Gust!" said Serena. With another Gust, resulting in a critical hit, Bulbasaur fainted.

Next, Professor Sycamore sent out Charmander. Since Serena didn't have any Water Pokemon to counter it, she just used Marco again.

Serena ordered Marco to use Gust. Charmander responded with Growl, which lowered Marco's attack. Marco was told to use Gust again. Charmander responded with Scratch. Then, finally, Serena told Marco to use Gust one more time and made Charmander faint.

"Good work!" said Professor Sycamore. "One more Pokemon to go!"

Serena decided to switch Marco back and send out Chipper. Professor Sycamore sent out Squirtle.

Right away, Serena told Chipper to use Vine Whip. This did a lot of damage to Squirtle - so much that Squirtle fainted before it could even attack. When Serena had won, she saw the others clapping for her. Also, she noticed that her Pidgey evolved into a Pidgeotto.

"Nice work, Serena!" said Professor Sycamore. "In fact, why don't you take another Pokemon with you?"

"Really?" asked Serena. "Awesome!"

Professor Sycamore brought over a box with three Poke Balls in it.

"You can choose between Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle," said Professor Sycamore. "Which one would you like?"

Serena thought about it for a moment, and then picked the Poke Ball on the right.

"So it's Squirtle that you've taken a fancy to," said Professor Sycamore. "Am I right?"

"Yes, sir!" said Serena.

Professor Sycamore snapped his fingers.

"Then that Squirtle is yours to keep!" said Professor Sycamore. "What do you want to call him?"

"I'll call him Lucien," said Serena.

"A fine name indeed," said Professor Sycamore.

Serena showed her Pokemon to her friends.

Professor Sycamore and the group talked about the journey for about an hour and a half.

"Before you go off on your journey," said Professor Sycamore after that, "I'll give you some advice. Be the best Trainer you can be!" He did this with a burst of energy.

"We will strive to be the best," said Serena.

"And at the same time," said Professor Sycamore, "have fun traveling with your Pokemon!"

"I'm having fun with my Pokemon already," said Calem.

"Also," said Professor Sycamore, "I want you to help me research the biggest mystery in the Kalos region: the secret and potential of Mega Evolution."

Everyone was puzzled.

"What's that?" asked Calem.

"It's a kind of evolution that occurs in battle," said Professor Sycamore. "It's kind of like a super saiyan mode-type thing. It gives them an extra boost of power, but it's only temporary. That's all that I know about Mega Evolution. I don't know anything else, so I'll need to do research. And I'll need your help."

"That sounds interesting," said Tierno.

"Very interesting," said Shauna.

"Cool!" said Trevor.

"We would love to help you research," said Serena. "We should look for clues."

"One place you might want to look is Camphrier Town," said Professor Sycamore. "It's a town located not far to the southwest. There might be some clues there."

"First I want to enjoy the greatness that is Lumiose," said Serena.

"This city looks like it has a lot to offer," said Calem.

Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor agreed.

"Now listen to this," said Professor Sycamore. "If you visit many different places to complete the Pokedex, you'll see Pokemon with many ways of living and people with many ways of thinking. First, you must accept others' ways of living and thinking, even if they conflict with your own. And accepting this will broaden your horizons."

"I like it when people have different opinions," said Serena. "It makes us all feel special!"

"Indeed," said Professor Sycamore. "I think I've talked enough, so go on your journey and have fun!"

"Bye!" said everyone.

Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor left right away. Calem and Serena waited a while.

"Serena," said Calem as they were walking out, "it can be hard for me to accept conflicting views sometimes."

"Don't you worry," said Serena. "I think it's hard for everyone. Just try to keep it in perspective - and maybe try to put yourself in another person's shoes."

"Sure thing," said Calem.