The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the quiet room as Serena placed her bag on the small table by the window. Her Pokémon—Sylveon, Delphox, Pancham, and Kirlia, settled comfortably into the cozy hotel room around her, while Altaria and Milotic remained in their Poké Balls. Meanwhile, her Delcatty, Roselia, and Absol were staying with Professor Sycamore.

The glow of the Mossdeep City nightlights peeked through the half-open curtains, casting a calm silver hue over everything. Yet inside Serena's chest, her heart was anything but calm. It fluttered with an emotion she hadn't dared to put into words for a long time.