Don't forget to drop some power stones!
*****
"So, who is going to be the first one to choose their Pokemon?", Professor Kukui asked the three, placing them on the spot.
"You're really putting us in a tight spot...", Ricky retorted.
"Can you blame me though, 'Cuz? It's not like we can wait all day. You two have a flight to catch. Same for Serena.", Professor Kukui said to the two. That caused Ricky to look back toward the screen Serena's image was currently on. She seemed to currently be...somewhere?
"Speaking of which, where exactly are you, Serena?", Ricky decided to ask. As if answering Ricky's question, those present in Professor Kukui's lab suddenly were distracted by a distant noise. But it was loud enough for them to hear it.
"Ding-dong! Attention to all passengers for the next flight that is bound for the Kanto Region. Boarding will begin in five minutes. Please make sure you have your baggage and passports secure before boarding. It will be a near-full flight today, so the quicker we can get all the travelers through, the sooner the departure time will come. Once again, thank you for taking Lumiose Airlines today. I repeat...", The voice on the intercom said, interrupting everyone's conversation.
"Whoopsie, that means it's time to go. I'll see you two soon, Ricky, Lillie! Thanks again for this little surprise, Professor. I'll leave it to you two on what to decide for me!", Serena said.
"Hey Serena, if you dawdle any longer you're going to miss your flight!", A second voice called out to her.
"I got it, mom. You worry too much!", Serena complained, shifting her head to the side of the screen for a second, speaking out to someone. Unexpectedly, that person butted in, also appearing on screen. It was a woman, who appeared much older than Serena, sporting mahogany-colored brown hair.
"Hihi, long time no see Ricky! It's nice to see you again too, Lillie. I wish we could stay and chat some, but Serena really needs to catch her flight. It's going to be a doozy! Fourteen hours is a long time to be in the air. But it'll be over before you know it. She's looking forward to adventuring with you two in Kanto very much!", The middle-aged woman said. She was of course, Serena's mom, who went by the name Grace.
"Mom! You're being pushy.", Serena immediately retorted. Her cheeks turned a hint of red as she tried to push Grace out of the video call, making Grace only appear on it for a brief moment. Ricky scratched his cheeks seeing Serena do this. After pushing Grace out of the camera, Serena looked back at them.
"Anyways, sorry about that. I really have to go. I'll leave the decision to you two. Hope to see you soon!", Serena said. Before the two could react, they saw Serena reach toward the camera, and abruptly turned the video call off. The call had ended, and Professor Kukui's Pokedex went back to the app page.
Ricky took a moment, and glanced at a nearby clock. It read 825AM. He wanted to leave the lab no later than 845AM. Serena's flight was now boarding, and boarding typically took a half hour's worth of time. That meant Serena's flight departed at 9AM, and would be in the air for an entire fourteen hours.
It was the equivalent of flying from France to Japan. It was a long flight. Whereas for Lillie and Ricky, it was the equivalent of flying from Hawaii to Japan. That time was much shorter, almost half as short. They still had to fly for around eight hours, though. No matter how one looked at it, both flights were long.
But that meant Ricky and Lillie only had twenty minutes at most to decide on which Pokemon to take, and get a reading on them. Unlike getting a reading on the Skarmory from earlier, these two Pokemon would belong to them from here on, so it would be good to get a reading on all three starter Pokemon now so they can see if they're strong or not. According to Professor Kukui's words, it sounds like they were!
"Looks like Serena is leaving the decision to us, Ricky. If that is the case, I'll leave it to you to decide.", Lillie suddenly said, attracting Ricky's gaze to her now. He raised his eyes at Lillie. He wasn't expecting her to say that.
"Are you sure, Lillie? Choosing a starting Pokemon is no laughing matter.", Ricky warned her.
"I know. It's just, you've already done so much for me, Ricky. It's more than I can ever thank you for. This might be Mother's way of repaying you, but allowing you to choose first will help ease my worries.", Lillie explained.
"Well, alright. It looks like you are adamant on the matter.", Ricky responded.
"I am. So don't hesitate, and go ahead and choose. I'll go next. Whatever remains will be for Serena. I don't think any of us will be displeased with our choices. This is Mother we are talking about, and it's already super rare to find shiny Pokemon. And yet, she was able to procure three of them!", Lillie exclaimed in both excitement and shock.
"Hahaha, fair point. Your judgement is sound so I won't go against your wishes. I'll proceed to choose first then.", Ricky nodded, seeing the determined look in Lillie's eyes. She nodded her head in silence, and let Ricky proceed to choose first.
"Sounds like you've a way forward, 'Cuz. What will it be? The Grass Quill Pokemon Rowlet, the Fire Cat Pokemon Litten, or the Sea Lion Pokemon Popplio?", Professor Kukui asked with interest. Even he wasn't sure which starting Pokemon Ricky would use.
"Oh I've already made a decision if it did wind up this way. Welcome to the team.", Ricky declared. He reached his hand toward the open briefcase, and grabbed the Pokeball that had the image of a small green owl attached to it. Ricky had chosen Rowlet!
"So you've chosen Rowlet. A fine pick. That only leaves Litten and Popplio left.", Professor Kukui said with a playful grin.
"Then I'll go with this one.", Lillie declared, stepping to the side of Ricky.
"Vul?" Snowy asked, seeing Lillie walk near the open briefcase. She hadn't seen Lillie obtain a second Pokemon before this, so Snowy's tail started to wag in anticipation. Amber also watched on, considering Ricky now had a new partner. She was curious to meet Rowlet.
Before that though, Lillie reached down into the briefcase, and went for the Pokeball that had the image of Popplio before it. She had chosen Popplio!
So that meant Serena would receive Litten!
"Satisfied?", Ricky asked Lillie.
"Uh-huh. Popplio is very cute too!", Lillie happily responded.
"One of the more interesting types of Pokemon, I'd say. Its final evolution evolves into a Water and Fairy Pokemon. You have your Alolan Vulpix too. Alolan Ninetales is also Ice and Fairy. You might do well in specializing in the Fairy type in the future.", Professor Kukui mused, seeing Lillie's choice.
"You think so?", Lillie wondered to herself. This was only her second Pokemon, so there was still a lot of time left in the world to catch more. She didn't have to reach such a decision immediately.
"It'll be up to you what you want to catch and battle with, Lillie. But we've made our decisions. There will be no exchanges either.", Ricky said.
"Mmm. I am fine with what I have chosen. You don't need to worry about me, Ricky.", Lillie nodded, easing Ricky's doubt of what she had chosen.
"I guess it's settled, then! You wanted to call out your new Pokemon to get a reading on 'em, yea? I think we got enough time to do so. There's fifteen minutes left until I have to take you to Hau'oli Airport.", Professor Kukui said to the two.
"We should. These are Pokemon raised by the Aether Foundation. And they're shiny. To be honest, I'm expecting something crazy out of this, considering it's Lusamine we're talking about here.", Ricky nodded.
"True. The Aether Foundation is known to have raised rather exceptional Pokemon. Even acquiring their hidden abilities is an easy feat for mother's business. For now, let's take our new Pokemon out of their balls!", Lillie responded with a look of anticipation.
"Yes. I'm curious as to how strong our new Pokemon are. Come on out!", Ricky exclaimed, proceeding to toss his new Pokeball into the air...