"I...I'm ready to begin my journey as a Pokemon trainer."
Ellie's determined voice caught the attention of the elder woman, who turned with a soft smile. "Are you, now? Well, little lady, judging by how quickly Growlithe grew attached to you, I can tell that you will make for an outstanding trainer. I can see why Leon endorsed you alongside his brother."
"...He did?" Ellie mumbled in confusion, even Eevee was a bit confused by this revelation.
"Of course, darling...he's the reason you and Hop are here." Magnolia laughed softly, pulling out three Pokeballs and simultaneously tossing them, revealing a trio of small Pokemon. "Before I let you pick one of these starters...tell me, young Eleanor...what do you hope to accomplish as a Pokemon trainer?"
"I...I want to be best friends with every Pokemon I meet. Like Eevee here. He...he's my best pal, and I want to provide love and care to every Pokemon I come across...just like I've done for Eevee since the day we met." Ellie answered very, very quickly, rubbing her beloved pal's head as a form of support to get her through her speech.
"I believe every Pokemon, wild or caught, deserves to be happy and be loved." She whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek as she finished. "Professor...are those three happy to be in Pokeballs?" She asked, the question taking Magnolia a moment to respond as she took both Ellie's answer and her follow-up question into account.
"I can tell that you are very passionate about Pokemon, my dear. I can assure you, these three are comfortable in Pokeballs." This seemed to assure the short-haired teen, who smiled softly as she kneeled down, allowing Eevee down. Sitting on the floor with her legs crossed, the teen nodded her head as Eevee looked back at her.
"It's okay, pal...one of these three Pokemon will be our new friend! You know what, Professor...I'm not going to make the choice." She smiled warmly, causing Eevee to return the smile before returning his attention to the trio.
The normal-type curiously poked his nose out at each of the trio. The grass monkey-like Pokemon Grookey held a branch out, allowing Eevee to poke at it with its front paw, giving the Grookey a smile before turning to the water type, Sobble.
Eevee gingerly sniffed at the water type, only for her to immediately begin to tear up before Eevee gently pulled back, watching as the final Pokemon, the bunny-like fire type Scorbunny helped to calm down the emotional water type. Seeing this, Eevee gently called out to the bunny, the bunny gently calling back with a warm smile on his face. Eevee gazed back at Ellie, trotting back to curl up in her lap.
"You sure?" She whispered, Eevee simply smiling and nodding his head.
"Okay, Professor...Eevee thinks Scorbunny would be a great friend...so I'm choosing Scorbunny!" Ellie beamed up at the Professor, the bunny-like Pokemon's feet kicking up a small ember as he wheeled over, immediately jumping into Ellie's lap alongside her normal-type pal, causing Ellie to laugh.
"I think he just chose us, too…" She giggled, hunching down and gently nuzzling her nose against the crown of Scorbunny's warm head.
"I don't know if I'll have you hang out in this very much, but just for right now…" She mumbled as she gently lifted Scorbunny's Pokeball, recalling the fire type to its home.
"Hope you're okay in there, little buddy…" She whispered, feeling the ball slowly warm up due to its fire type inhabitant.
Hop was the next to choose, happily picking the grass-type Grookey to be his partner alongside his Wooloo. As much as he ached to battle, however, he knew his free-spirited friend would rather spend her time getting to know Scorbunny better, so he simply helped Ellie to her feet.
"C'mon, Ellie...Lee's probably at the station. I can't wait to show him my Pokemon!" He grinned, making sure Ellie had Eevee scooped up under her arm before grabbing her free arm, yanking her out of the lab.
"Thank you so much, Professor!" Ellie called out, quickly adding "Slow down, Hop! Leon's not going to run off!" As the duo were out of sight.
"Sonia…" Magnolia murmured softly as she moved to stand next to her granddaughter, the Growlithe in their conservation area also looking out at the open door. "I think that young girl has the power to change the world."
"Me too, Grandma...me too..."