The next day.
Asaka Town.
Serena, uncharacteristically, woke up early to prepare for her journey.
After carefully selecting an outfit, she tried on a pile of hats but still could not find a suitable one.
Grace asked, puzzled, “Are you going out?”
“Mom, which hat looks better?”
Serena did not answer directly.
Instead, she picked up two hats and asked for her opinion.
One was a brown knit hat, and the other was a pink flat brim felt hat.
Grace pondered for a moment, then pointed to the knit hat and said, “That one!”
Serena looked at it for a few seconds, then chose the pink felt hat instead.
Seeing Serena’s increasingly rebellious attitude, Grace huffed, “If you’ve already decided, then don’t ask me!”
“If you want a cute style, just do the opposite of what Mom says.”
“Is that so?
Then where are you going?”
“Miare City!
I’m going to Professor Sycamore’s to get my first Pokémon!”
“Huh, you’re going to become a Pokémon Trainer and travel?”
Finally, under her mother’s watchful gaze, Serena left Asaka Town and headed toward Miare City.
At the entrance of the Sycamore Research Institute.
Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie were preparing to bid farewell to Professor Sycamore and officially begin their journey in the Kalos region.
After resolving the incident caused by Garchomp, Clemont and Bonnie had also decided to travel together with Ash.
Ash had also registered his information at Professor Sycamore’s laboratory.
In order not to delay Ash’s journey, Professor Sycamore worked through the night collecting data on Mega Stones and Key Stones, hoping to develop a device to detect Mega Evolution sets.
“Ash, this is the Kalos region Pokédex.”
Professor Sycamore took out a red square Pokédex and handed it to Ash.
Ash received it solemnly.
“Thank you, Professor!”
Just as the three were about to officially set off, Froakie approached Ash while carrying its own Poké Ball.
“Kero~”
Froakie pushed its Poké Ball toward Ash, clearly expressing its wish to travel with him.
Professor Sycamore said with relief, “Froakie wants to go with you, Ash.”
Clemont exclaimed, “I didn’t expect Froakie to choose its Trainer on its own.”
“He must really like you, Ash!” Bonnie said with a smile.
Ash crouched down and picked up the Poké Ball.
“Froakie, do you want to travel with me?”
Froakie happily jumped forward and pressed the button on the Poké Ball.
“From now on, please take care of me, Froakie.”
“Pikachu~”
Just as Ash and Pikachu were celebrating Froakie joining the team, a gentle and clear voice came from the entrance.
“Um…
excuse me, is this the Sycamore Research Institute?”
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a beautiful girl wearing a black sleeveless top and a red skirt standing outside the gate, looking slightly nervous.
The one who arrived was Serena, who had rushed over from Asaka Town.
Ash was also somewhat surprised to see Serena appear this early.
Professor Sycamore stepped forward.
“I am Professor Sycamore.
You’ve arrived at just the right time.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Serena,” she introduced herself.
“You’re here to receive your first Pokémon, right?”
“Yes, Professor.
I saw yesterday’s news…” Serena paused, her gaze unconsciously shifting toward Ash.
“He’s the Trainer who saved Garchomp, right?”
“Hello, I’m Ash from Pallet Town in Kanto.
Have we met before?” Ash asked.
Hearing this, Bonnie’s eyes lit up as she whispered excitedly, “Clemont, look!
Is Ash trying to flirt with that big sister?”
Clemont tilted his head in confusion.
“Is he?”
“Ah, I attended the Pokémon Summer Camp organized by Professor Oak’s laboratory,” Serena said shyly.
Ash, pretending not to recall clearly, replied, “I see.
So you’re a new Trainer about to start your journey?”
“Yes…
can I travel with you?”
Serena had come for exactly this reason, and since she met him right at the entrance, she seized the opportunity.
“I have no objection.
It’s better to have more companions to look out for each other.”
Ash naturally did not refuse.
Clemont and Bonnie also agreed, “We don’t mind either.”
Professor Sycamore said, “Since you’ve decided, come choose your first Pokémon.”
His assistant, Sophie, brought out three Pokémon.
The three starter Pokémon of the Kalos region were Water type Froakie, Grass type Chespin, and Fire type Fennekin.
“Before you choose, please take this Pokédex.”
Professor Sycamore handed another brand new Pokédex to Serena.
“Thank you!”
Serena accepted it, and Ash thoughtfully stepped forward to teach her how to use it.
After checking the information of the three starter Pokémon, Serena did not hesitate.
She walked up to Fennekin and said,
“Fennekin, please take care of me from now on.
I’m Serena!”
“Fenne~”
Fennekin responded happily.
“Congratulations, Serena,” Ash said.
…
At an outdoor café in Miare City.
The Team Rocket trio was reporting to Giovanni.
“Reporting to Boss Giovanni, we have arrived in the Kalos region, Meowth!” Meowth said.
“Next, we will work hard to capture powerful and rare Pokémon.
Please look forward to it,” Jessie and James said together.
While they were reporting, a squid-like Pokémon quietly stared at their food.
It stretched out its long tentacles and silently stole the bread from the table.
“Hmm, the Pokémon you capture will become important combat power for Team Rocket.
You have done well.”
Giovanni’s voice came through the communicator.
The trio immediately cheered in excitement.
It was fortunate that the communication ended quickly, otherwise Giovanni might have reconsidered trusting them.
…
On the other side.
Led by Clemont and Bonnie, Ash and Serena arrived at the Miare Pokémon Center.
Unlike other regions, the standard assistant for Nurse Joy in Kalos Pokémon Centers is usually Wigglytuff, though some centers use Audino.
Ash received the badge case that came with League registration from Wigglytuff.
Bonnie asked curiously, “Serena, aren’t you going to register for the Kalos League?”
Serena hesitated slightly before answering, “I…
haven’t decided yet whether to challenge the Kalos League.”
She had set out mainly to travel with Ash, and her personal goal was still unclear.
However, she was certain of one thing: she did not want to become a Rhyhorn racer.
Ash said, “If you haven’t decided yet, take your time.
There’s still plenty of time.
You can register at any Pokémon Center after you’ve made your decision.”
After completing the procedures, Ash transferred one of his Swirlix back to Professor Oak’s laboratory.
His current Pokémon carrying limit was seven.
If he kept both Swirlix along with Froakie, his team would already be full.
At that moment, Clemont took out his tablet, opened a map, and said,
“Ash, you’re planning to challenge the Santalune Gym, right?
The best route is through Route 4.”
“Alright, let’s go!”
And so, Ash and his companions set off on their journey.