One month later…
Light peeks through the blinds in Serena's window. Serena rolls over, tugging the covers over her head. She didn't sleep at all last night, the news of her father being captured by Team Rocket back in Kanto leaving her shaken. What right did she have to be here, millions of miles away in Kalos, while her father was being treated like a slave? It wasn't supposed to be like this.
"Serena? Are you awake?" her mother calls up the stairs. Serena grunts, curling into a ball. She's so tired. Serena closes her dry eyes. Five more minutes.
She shouts in pain when the Fletchling slams into her hip. The bird chirps twice, twitters about on the covers, and flies back downstairs. Begrudgingly, Serena limps after it. The Fletchling lands on the counter next to the stove, chirping at her mother-Grace-while she cooks. It tweets when it sees Serena, her mother glancing at her for a moment before returning to her eggs.
"Good morning, sweetie," she says, handing her a plate.
Serena grunts and sits down at the counter.
"Your father called last night. He's okay. He's just...busy with work."
Yeah. Busy with work. It's not like the Silph Co. was taken over and propaganda was being broadcast on all Kanto radio stations. Serena hums to herself. At least he's okay. For now.
Grace rests a hand on her daughter's head, making her look up. "Happy birthday! You're old enough to get your first Pokémon today, if you're feeling up to it."
Serena finishes her breakfast before answering, "No, thanks." She goes back upstairs and climbs into bed. Grace doesn't bother her for the rest of the day.
After another sleepless night, Fletchling "wakes" her up again at sunrise. Apparently, one of her neighbors is downstairs and wants to meet her. Serena just closes her door and goes back to sleep. In Kanto, Team Rocket expands from Saffron City to Mt. Moon. They catch all the Clefairy that are dancing to the full moon that night.
Another neighbor tries meeting her the next day. Serena ignores her. The girl doesn't need her problems to bring her day down. Pewter City's gym leader, Brock, put up walls around the city to try to keep Team Rocket out, but he failed. Team Rocket took him away. Now, five gym leaders are missing.
Grace wakes her daughter up on the third day after her birthday. She makes Serena get out of bed and change out of her pajamas. She won't take "no" for an answer. While Serena eats her breakfast, her mother decides, "It's about time you got up. Why don't you step outside and say hello to the neighbors? They've been waiting for a month now, and staying cooped up in here isn't doing anyone, least of all you, any favors."
Serena frowns, about to go upstairs, when Grace steps in front of her. "All you have to do is go outside. That's it for today. Okay?"
"Fine. Okay," Serena says. She puts on her hat and her shoes and opens the door.
Two people, a boy and a girl, stand outside in the morning light. The conversation they had ceases when they hear the door close behind Serena.
"Welcome to Vaniville Town!" the boy says. "The name's Calem. I live next door."
"And I'm Shauna!" the girl interrupts. "Great to finally meet you!"
"I'm Serena," she says, giving a small wave.
"I know!" Shauna continues. "Guess what! We've come to get you!"
"Umm… No thanks." Serena says, searching for the door handle. "I've got a lot of cleaning to do and my mom's Fletchling is shedding and it's really a bad mess and-" She flinches when she hears the door lock behind her.
"Are you sure?" Shauna asks, her lower lip trembling. "We've been wanting to meet you for so long!"
"And besides," Calem continues, his expression unreadable, "Cleaning can wait a bit, right?"
Serena bites her lip and twists the doorknob, trying to get back inside and failing. She can feel her mother watching her from the kitchen window. "Fine," Serena concedes. "As long as it doesn't take too long."
"Yay!" shouts Shauna.
"Anyways, the renowned Professor Sycamore lives here in the Kalos region. I heard he has a task for five kids, including us," Calem says.
Five kids. Including us. Serena's legs shake. She doesn't want to be out here.
"But I'm surprised he knows who you are. You did just move to Vaniville, after all," he adds.
"We'll wait for you in the next town over!" Shauna shouts, bouncing in excitement. "And you know what?! We're going to get...a Pokémon! C'mon! Hurry! Let's go!" Shauna grabs Calem by the arm and they both run off.
'We're going to get a Pokémon!' No! I'm supposed to go to Professor Oak, not Professor Sycamore. Serena tries the doorknob again. "Mom! Please let me in."
"After you spend some time outside," Grace says through the door. "What's the worst that could happen?"
Dad could be hurt, Serena thinks. I left my Holo Caster inside. "Please, Mom!"
No response. Serena leans against the door, sighs, and steps out of the entryway. What's the worst that could happen? Each step is slow and tenuous, her mother's words propelling her on. When she reaches the gates, they automatically open, revealing Route 1. It wasn't supposed to begin like this, but it had to start somewhere. Serena takes a deep breath and exhales, stepping out beyond the town's walls.