The Pokémon journey begins in Galar

Ee-chan staggered under the sudden weight and had to steady herself with a quick shake. Sii-chan had evolved from a Ralts into a Kirlia, and not only had she grown taller, her weight had nearly tripled.

Though the weight itself wasn't an issue for Ee-chan, her body size made carrying Sii-chan on her back a bit more... complicated now.

Sii-chan seemed to realize this too. Though clearly reluctant, she hesitated for a moment before reluctantly activating Teleport to hop off Ee-chan's back.

Zzzt 

"Kirlia! (Waaah!)"

Something went wrong. Sii-chan had meant to teleport to the ground beside them, but instead reappeared midair 

"Watch out!"

Marie reacted in a flash, stepping forward just in time to catch the falling Sii-chan safely in her arms.

"Eevee! (You okay, Sii-chan?)"

"Kirlia... (I... don't know...)"

Marie gently patted Sii-chan on the head, speaking softly to ease her worry.

"Don't be scared. You're fine. Your psychic power just suddenly leveled up. It'll take some time to get used to, but with a little practice, you'll be back in control."

"Kirlia? (Really?)"

"Of course! So don't worry, alright?"

"Kirlia! (Okay! I got it!)"

Now that she had evolved, Sii-chan stood just about 0.8 meters tall actually, when Marie had Rotom measure her, it turned out she was even taller than average, nearing 0.9 meters.

Given Marie's own height, it would be a bit difficult to carry her around the way she used to.

After letting go of Marie's sleeve, Sii-chan opted not to try teleporting again. Instead, she walked obediently back to Ee-chan's side.

Just as she reached her, Sii-chan suddenly realized now that she was taller, she could hug Ee-chan directly.

That simple discovery lifted her mood immediately.

Marie, of course, had no idea what Sii-chan was thinking. But seeing her spirits bounce back so quickly, she felt relieved and chose not to fuss over it.

"Hehe~ Traveling really is the best~"

Yuri, who had been filming the whole thing with her Rotom Phone, finally lowered it and sighed contentedly beside Marie.

"How so?"

"Well, just during this short trip, we've already seen several evolutions! Don't you think that's exciting, Marie-chan?"

"Mm..."

Marie nodded. Watching your own Pokémon evolve was undeniably a joy for any trainer. She just wasn't the type to express it quite so openly.

"Mmm..."

Yuri puffed out her cheeks in mock frustration. Amused, Marie reached over and pinched her pout with a gentle squish, prompting a silly noise from Yuri.

"What's wrong?"

Yuri turned her head to avoid Marie's fingers and muttered with a pout.

"Feels like I'm the only one getting excited... like I'm the silly one here."

Marie paused, then nodded again. But just as Yuri was about to protest, she added,

"But if you were quiet like me, traveling together would be way too dull, wouldn't it?"

"Then why don't you get excited with me?!"

"Because if we're both too loud, wouldn't that be overwhelming?"

"That's such a dumb excuse!"

"Alright, alright. Let's keep moving."

Marie ruffled Yuri's hair, then took her hand and led the way, catching up with the Pokémon ahead.

"Oh, and Sii-chan! If you want to practice, make sure Ee-chan's watching over you, okay?"

"Kirlia~ (Okay~)"

"Eevee... (Yeah, yeah... got it...)"

Ee-chan sighed dramatically. Ever since Sii-chan evolved, she had developed a habit of sneaking over for random hugs rubbing against her once or twice, then backing off, only to do it again a few minutes later.

Sii-chan was probably too big now to curl up in Ee-chan's arms like she used to.

But then again... if the roles were reversed and Sii-chan ended up hugging her to sleep every night...

The thought made Ee-chan visibly conflicted.

"Chuu! (Lucky! When's it gonna be my turn to evolve, huh?)"

Chuu was fluttering in circles above Marie's head, still as brash as ever. Marie glanced up at him.

"Don't count on it happening soon. You're not getting any intense training in the near future. We'll wait until you're done with your recovery program."

"Chuu chuu! (What?! That long?! By the time the next Gy Gym! battle comes around, I won't be able to fight again, will I?)"

"You will. Why wouldn't you? It's not like Brave Bird is the only move you know."

"Chuu? (But I won't be evolved in time, right?)"

Chuu landed on Marie's shoulder and twisted his head to look her in the face.

"What, are you saying you'd chicken out if you have to battle before evolving?"

"Chuu chuu! (As if! Me? Chicken out? I could take on that big guy one-on-one right now and not even blink!)"

"Groo...?"

Baloo, who was lazily watching the kids while babysitting, turned his head to look at the puffed-up little bird running his mouth on Marie's shoulder.

The sight made Chuu flinch, his round little body trembling. But he quickly puffed himself up again.

"Chuu? (W-what are you looking at?)"

"Groo... (Nothing...)"

Baloo had grown used to Chuu's loud mouth by now. Outside of battles, Baloo was gentle and patient, especially since he still saw Chuu as just a newly hatched kid.

Yuri couldn't understand their Pokémon-speak, but from the way Chuu's bravado crumbled instantly, she could pretty much guess what had happened. When Marie quietly translated the exchange for her, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Chuu chuu?! (You're actually laughing out loud?! Just 'cause you're cute doesn't mean I won't knock you down!)"

"Enough already. We just got started. Can't you calm down a little?"

Marie caught him before he could fly off again, holding him snugly in her arms. She gently smoothed down his puffed-up feathers, and the moment he felt the warmth of her hug and the soothing strokes...

"Chuu~ (Aah~ right there, scratch a bit more~ hehehe~)"

…

And so, they continued along their journey.

Aside from a few small mishaps like Sii-chan occasionally teleporting into odd spots and startling wild Pokémon nothing major happened.

Eventually, they arrived at the nursery located along Route 5.

Though it was called the Route 5 Nursery, it wasn't far from Turffield, so it hadn't taken them too long to reach it.

"Welcome, girls. Is there anything you need?"

The shopkeeper was a kindly older woman with snow-white hair. The nursery was lined with books and reference guides. Only one other person, a woman in work clothes, was present, standing near a Toxel who seemed to be occupied with something.

"Huh so you don't keep Pokémon eggs on display here?"

The old lady chuckled.

"Hehe~ Oh, we do have eggs, but we don't put them out in the open."

"Tox... (...)"

At some point, the little Toxel had wandered over to them. Without warning, it wrapped its tiny arms around Yuri's leg and clung on.

Marie couldn't quite make out what the Toxel was trying to say. Based on her past experiences, it was likely either babbling nonsense or had only just hatched and didn't yet know how to express itself.

"My, my~ Looks like little Toxel really likes you."

The woman nearby, who appeared to be the Toxel's trainer, laughed lightly.

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