Route 1 makes absolutely no sense, Serena thinks. There are no Pokémon, the route is entirely paved, and it's extremely short. At least it's pretty.

Serena walks through Aquacorde Town's archway. Where are-

"Hey, Serena! This way! Over here!" Shauna interrupts Serena's musings, answering her thoughts. There they are.

Sitting at a long table are Calem, Shauna, and two other boys.

"We were just talking about you!" Shauna shouts. "C'mon, have a seat!"

Calem pulls out the chair next to him, inviting Serena to sit next to him. "This is the meeting place, Serena," he says. "I'll introduce you. Everyone, this is Serena."

Serena waves a shaky hand. I don't want to be here.

"Wow… Shauna's description was spot on!" the tall boy says.

"So, Serena. This is Tierno," explains Calem. "He can really tear up the dance floor…" He turns to the shorter boy. "And this is Trevor. He's a little shy, but he always gets perfect scores on his tests…"

"All right! Nice to meetcha!" Tierno says. "You know, it'd feel like we're a clower crew if we call each other by nicknames. Can I call you 'Lady S'?"

Wait! What? Serena stiffens in her chair, not wanting the attention.

"What? No way!" exclaims Shauna. "She's a Li'l S, for sure! What do you think, Trevor?"

"What?! You want me to nickname someone I just met?!"

At least Trevor has some sense.

"Shauna," he scolds, "you shouldn't put people on the spot like this."

Never mind.

"Well...how about something low key? Maybe...something like S-kins?"

Calem puts his hands together, gathering everyone's attention. "You should decide what we call you, Serena."

"Serena is fine," she says softly.

"Are you sure?" Shauna asks.

"Yeah…"

"Okay!" Shauna is unfazed by Serena's reaction. "I'm sure we're gonna be great friends, so I'll call you that, too!" Shauna bounces up and down in her seat. "Hey! Can we see the Pokémon now?" she sings, asking Tierno. "I wanna meet my new partner soooooooooon!"

"I know, right?" Tierno says. "It was such a cool feeling when Trevs and I met our Pokémon! Hope you feel the same way we did!" Tierno picks up a parcel, releasing three Pokémon. Froakie, Fennekin, and Chespin. Serena had never seen them before, but she heard about them from her mother.

"You should pick first, Serena," says Calem. "We know you've had a hard time since you've moved here. This should help, if only a little bit."

"Thanks."

The grass type and the water type wander around the table, taking in everything. The fire type, however, stares at Serena and walks up to her. It sits down, waiting patiently.

"Umm…"

"That's Fennekin," Tierno explains.

At the sound of its name, it barks in delight, turning around in a circle before sitting down again. Serena lifts her hand to the Fennekin. It sniffs it before rubbing its head in her hand.

"I think it picked me," Serena says, petting it. Its ears are very warm and fluffy.

"They tend to do that," Trevor reveals. "Do you want to give it a name?"

The Fennekin purrs under her touch. "I think I'll name you Sweetheart." Because it's a little Sweetheart.

"Okay!" shouts Shauna. "My partner is Chespin!" The Pokémon in question pounds his chest and waddles over to his trainer. "Wow! We go together great! The two of us are just way-ay-ay too cute!"

The remaining Pokémon sits in front of Calem. "Good to meet you, Froakie," Calem says. "My name's Calem. Because of you, I can be a real Pokémon Trainer. Thanks!" Froakie hops up and down, excited.

"Uh," Trevor babbles, gaining everyone's attention. "Pardon me, but I have something for you from the professor as well. I have something that will help you understand Pokémon on a much deeper level." He takes out three Pokédexes from his backpack. "Um, so you see… The Pokédex I just gave you is a high-tech device that automatically records the Pokémon you encounter! The reason you get one is because the professor wants us to go on a journey with our Pokémon and complete the Pokédex."

Why is he asking for help from kids? Serena thinks, picking up Sweetheart and putting him in her lap. It doesn't make much sense if you want to get something done efficiently and effectively. Maybe it's just a data collection thing?

"To put it another way," Trevor continues, "It's an important mission from the professor. I'm sure of it!"

"Oh lighten up, Trevs," Tierno says. "You're way too serious sometimes." Tierno chuckles to himself before changing the topic. "Um, Serena… Please take this with you, too. It's a letter from the professor. He said you should give it to your mom."

Serena takes the letter and places it under Sweetheart's Pokéball. She'll give it to her mom in a bit.

"All right! We're done with our errand for the professor." Tierno pumps his fist in the air. "I guess Trevs and I will go look for Pokémon! Let's go, Trevs!" Trevor and Tierno leave, going down to Aquacorde's bridge.

"In Kalos, kids are chosen to carry a Pokédex and go on an adventure," Calem explains. "But you need to give that letter to your mom before any of that."

It's similar to what happens in Kanto, just without meeting the professor first. "Okay. I guess I'll be off then." Serena turns to leave, but Shauna stops her.

"Serena, wait! You're gonna be my opponent in my Pokémon-battling debut!" Shauna declares. She spins around, nearly falling over. "Okay, Li'l Chespin! It's our first battle! Let's win it with style!"

Shauna's Chespin leaps from her arms, ready to battle. Sweetheart looks up, jumps out of Serena's arms, and shakes his body, fluffing himself up in anticipation. Serena freezes when Chespin attacks first, but Sweetheart dodges it. Calm down, Serena. You know how to battle. You practiced in school. Sweetheart glances back at her, confused. He barks, pulling her out of her head.

"Right." Serena looks at his move set. Fire beats grass. "Sweetheart, use ember!"

Shauna, too busy ogling her Pokémon and praising his moves, doesn't pay enough attention when Sweetheart attacks. Chespin runs around the area, tail slightly on fire and ignoring everything Shauna says. Before long, it is unable to battle.

Serena releases a breath she didn't realize she held.

"You're amazing, Serena!" Shauna praises, picking up her Chespin. "Here! Let me fix up your Pokémon." Shauna heals Sweetheart before turning back. "Say hi to your mom for me!"

Calem waves as Serena leaves back through Vaniville Path.

"You did amazing, Sweetheart," Serena says, holding her Fennekin. Sweetheart squeaks and purrs, the rumble felt against Serena's chest. "I didn't-I wasn't expecting a battle. I-it wasn't supposed to be like this. I never thought I'd pick a fire type. Not that you're bad or anything. I just-"

Sweetheart barks, happily.

"Thank you for picking me," Serena says.

Sweetheart barks again.

The gates to Vaniville Town open when Serena nears. She heads home, finding the door unlocked. Grace gets up from the couch when she hears her daughter enter and meets her at the entrance.

"So," Grace begins, "What did you and the neighbor kids end up doing?" Her voice is slightly smug, slightly excited. She gasps when she sees Sweetheart. "Wait one second, Serena! Is that a Pokémon you have there? You got your very own Pokémon? Lucky you!" Her voice sounds fake, like she knew that Serena would get a Pokémon, but she sounds relieved as well. Serena doesn't understand to whom she is trying to put an act on. She hugs Sweetheart closer, wary.

"How about that?" Grace carries on. "You're a Pokémon Trainer now, too! Congratulations!"

"Thanks, Mom." Serena sets down Sweetheart and hands her mother the letter.

"Huh? A letter for me?" She flips over the envelope. "It says it's from somebody named Sycamore. What could it be? A love letter?"

"Mom, please." Serena picks up Sweetheart again, scratching his head.

Grace turns away to read the letter. Under her breath, she murmurs, "Wow, what lovely handwriting… Hmm? What do we have here? A request… Oh! I see!" She faces her daughter. "Serena! You've barely left this house, and all kinds of exciting things are happening!" She claps her hands. "Okay! Let's get you and Fennekin ready for your journey!"

"Wait, right now?" Serena asks. "Can't I just wait a day? I just got Sweetheart and I'm not sure I'm ready. I don't want to do this?" Serena's voice cracks with her last word. She follows her mom upstairs, trying to stop her from putting anything together, but is immediately met with a fully packed pink bag. Inside was a town map and a change of clothes. Serena blinks. "You planned this."

"Whatever could you mean?" Grace asks. "I didn't plan for Professor Sycamore to write me a letter. I haven't been in contact with him for the past week preparing for the day you turned fourteen. I certainly didn't ask him to get other children involved in cheering you up."

"Mom!"

"Serena, it's not healthy for you to stay inside all the time. This isn't what your father wanted. Sure, he would have rathered you started your journey in Kanto, but Kanto isn't safe right now. He doesn't want life to pass you by and he certainly doesn't want you to spend the rest of your life worrying about him. Everything will be okay. You just have to believe it will. Your father loves you, sweetie. He wants only what's best for you."

"Mom…" Serena takes the bag and slings it over her shoulder. Sweetheart sniffs the bag before happily barking.

"It is an unexpected turn of events. It's just like a sudden last burst of speed from a racer in a Rhyhorn race! You made friends! You met your Pokémon! And now you get to take a lap around Kalos! I don't know what Professor Sycamore wants you to see on your trip, but taking a journey with your Pokémon is a really wonderful experience."

"Thanks, Mom. I'll do my best."

Sweetheart barks.

"Right. Sorry. We'll do our best."

"I have no doubt you will. Keep me updated and send me pictures?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Have fun!"

"I will. Bye!" Serena leaves as her mother waves to her.

"Good luck, Serena! Go for broke and don't worry! You'll have Pokémon by your side, so you'll be fine!"

Outside, the Rhyhorn growls, giving its own farewell to Serena. When she reaches the gates, her steps are more assured. I can do this, she thinks. I can do this and everything's alright.

Serena's current team:
Sweetheart (Fennekin)

Sorry for being a day late! I was moving and lost track of time.
~Bridgett