Serena walked quietly through the hallway of the Slateport Pokémon Center, her fingers still curled gently around the envelope in her hands. Her steps were light, but her heart pounded like a runaway Rapidash. The events of the day—the shopping spree with May and Lisia, the excited chatter about new outfits for themselves and their Pokémon—had all faded into the background the moment Nurse Joy handed her the letter from Pallet Town.

She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She could feel the warmth of the paper in her hands, like it was charged with electricity. May and Lisia walked on either side of her, both pretending to be casual, but Serena wasn't fooled.