A Rotomdex zipped through the air vents with an excited buzz, its eyes glowing as it slipped out into the open room. "Bzzt! Trainers detected doing something suspicious, bzzt!" It dipped lower, hovering just out of sight, its eyes quietly observing.
Inside Professor Bellis's lab, Sorren stood in the attached kitchen with Serena beside him. The counters were cleared, ingredients neatly arranged, and bowls filled with chocolate bars. Palentine's Day was close, and Sorren lightly hit the counter.
He set down a basket filled with starter shaped silicone molds with a sigh. Pikachu scampered up onto the table, tail flicking with curiosity. "I have never made chocolates before, Serena," He said, his voice tight with nerves.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu chirped cheerfully, dropping an Occa Berry into the basket while its side has been chewed on.
Sorren stared at it for a second before slumping forward, resting his forehead against the counter. "Thank you, Pikachu…but this is not helping."
Serena watched him for a moment, then placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Sorren, that's why I'm here," she said with a soft smile. "Two is better than one, wouldn't you say?" She tugged at his sleeve. "And look."
Sorren lifted his head just in time to see Luxray padding into view. A small basket hung around her neck, filled neatly with Occa Berries. Luxray stopped proudly in the middle of the room and let out a low, satisfied sound.
Serena clasped her hands together, her eyes lighting up with quiet excitement. "See? With them, it's four of us against palentine's chocolates."
"Bzzt!! Palentine? Bzzt!!" The Rotomdex chirped from above, hovering in place as it continued to watch the scene unfold below.
Sorren blinked, then let out a quiet laugh, some of the tension finally easing from his shoulders.
Serena tied an apron around Sorren, tightening the knot at his back before stepping away. "Alright," she said calmly, clapping her hands once. "First rule of making chocolates. Follow the instructions exactly."
Sorren straightened immediately. "Yes."
Pikachu saluted from the counter. "Pika!"
Luxray flicked her tail, sparks crackling faintly in excitement.
Serena pointed toward the bowls. "We start by melting the chocolate. Low heat. Slow stirring. No rushing."
Sorren nodded and picked up the spatula, staring at the pot and began stirring with intense concentration, shoulders stiff like a robot.
"Relax your shoulders, Sorren. We are making chocolates, not planning a Pokémon battle," Serena said with a soft laugh, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat as she continued stirring her own bowl.
Pikachu leaned closer, nose almost dipping into the pot. "Pika pi."
"No!" Sorren yelped, reaching out too late as he gently nudged Pikachu aside. A smear of melted chocolate had already landed on Pikachu's nose, and he promptly licked it off with his paws, eyes sparkling in delight, "Luxray, babysit Pikachu" Sorren ordered.
Luxray climbed onto the chair and gently scooped Pikachu up, earning an immediate protest as electric sparks crackled around the kitchen. With a low rumble, Luxray set him back on the floor, then picked up an Occa Berry and nudged it straight into Pikachu's mouth. The sparks fizzled out at once. Pikachu blinked, then happily munched on the berry, tail swaying.
"Your Pokémon are far more mischievous than I imagined," Serena giggles, sliding the molds closer and lining them up.
"Bzzt!! Pikachu and Luxray are in their own world, bzzt!!" The rotomdex hid itself behind some boxes left behind by someone (probably, professor bellis) as it continued to watch.
Serena demonstrated how to pour the melted chocolate into the starter shaped molds. "Slowly. Like this."
Sorren mimicked her movements, tongue peeking out in concentration. The chocolate poured…mostly into the molds. Some spilled over the edges, pooling onto the tray. Pikachu immediately climbed into the counter and started licking at the edges.
"No, no, no!" Sorren lifted Pikachu up and set him on Luxray, again…stuffing another berry to his mouth. "You can have it when it's prepared, okay?"
"Pika…" Pikachu sighed as he munched on.
Luxray lowered her head to inspect the molds, then carefully nudged one into a straighter position with her nose.
"What's next?" Sorren asks, brushing a smear of chocolate from his fingers.
"We let them set," Serena says, lifting one of the trays with care. "Thirty minutes in the freezer should do it."
Sorren nods. Before picking up his own tray, he separates two molds and places them carefully on a small plate, then offers it to Pikachu, who has already climbed back onto the counter.
"These are yours," Sorren says softly.
"Pika!" Pikachu chirps proudly, gripping the plate with both paws.
Sorren lifts his tray, grinning. "Let's do this, partner."
One by one, they carry the trays to the freezer. Pikachu insists on going last, wobbling under the weight and refusing help with a determined squeak. Sorren hovers close, ready to catch the plate if it slips, but Pikachu manages to slide it onto the shelf all on his own and Sorren removes the basket around Luxray's neck and puts it on the counter.
Once the freezer door clicks shut, Serena dusts her hands together. "While those are chilling, we should pick out boxes to pack them in."
"That sounds like a plan," Sorren agrees as he calls back his Pokémon.
Together, they step out of the room, already talking over each other about colors, ribbons, and which designs would suit the chocolates.
The Rotomdex slowly reappears from behind the boxes, its screen glowing as it hovers in front of the freezer door.
"Bzzt!! Chocolates, bzzt!!" it mutters to itself.
It swivels around, snapping pictures with rapid flashes. Chocolate splattered on the counter. A sticky paw print on the table. The Rotomdex hums with satisfaction as it documents every bit of the chaos.
Just as it angles itself for one last shot, a voice echoes faintly from outside the lab.
"Rotomdex? Where'd you float off to now?"
Professor Kukui.
The Rotomdex freezes mid air.
"Bzzt!! Need to hide, bzzt!!"
It zips backward in a panic, slipping behind the boxes again, waiting for the voice again.
Kukui's footsteps pass by the doorway, followed by a puzzled chuckle. "Huh. Could've sworn I heard it." The footsteps faded, but two familiar voices returned moments later, prompting the Rotomdex to remain perfectly still behind the stacked boxes. The lab door opened.
"Who are you preparing your chocolates for, Serena?" Sorren asked as they stepped inside, their arms full. Sorren carried a single medium sized box, while Serena carefully balanced four smaller ones.
"For Calem, Shauna, Trevor, and Tierno," Serena replied easily as they set the boxes down on the counter. "What about you?"
Sorren only winked. "It's a secret!"
Serena laughed softly but did not push him, instead turning her attention to the freezer. With Sorren's help, she slid out the trays of chilled chocolates, the glossy shapes popping cleanly from their molds one by one. Together, they worked side by side, arranging the starter shaped chocolates neatly into their boxes.
Once finished, Sorren released his Pokémon. He placed two chocolates shaped like Pikachu and Luxray onto a small plate and set it on the floor.
"Go on," he said warmly. "You earned it."
Pikachu chirped happily and immediately dug in, while Luxray rumbled contentedly before taking a careful bite of her own.
Serena paused, eyes lighting up. "Oh! We should use the Occa berries Luxray gathered for us."
She sliced them into small pieces with care and sprinkled them gently over the chocolates. Sorren watched with quiet awe as the Bulbasaur, Cyndaquil, Mudkip, Turtwig, Tepig, Froakie, Rowlet, Scorbunny, and Quaxly chocolates became even more tempting.
They closed and ribboned Serena's boxes. Sorren, however, left his box open. He pulled out a small piece of paper and began writing, turning his back slightly so Serena could not peek. When he finished, he showed it only to Pikachu and Luxray.
Pikachu squeaked excitedly and dashed toward the remaining melted chocolate, dipping his paw before stamping it proudly onto the paper. Luxray followed suit, carefully dipping the tip of her tail and pressing it beside Pikachu's mark.
Sorren laughed softly, unable to hide his fondness. He placed the note beside the open box.
As they headed for the exit together, Serena leaned closer, and Sorren whispered who the chocolates were meant for. Pikachu and Luxray following at his heels.
The Rotomdex finally emerged from its hiding place and hovered over the open box, snapping a photo of the note as it read:
Thank you for choosing to follow my journey and for caring about every little moment along the way. I hope we can make more memories together and be there for each other, always. Happy Palentine! Enjoy these chocolates I made just for you♡
Just as the Rotomdex turned toward the vent, ready to slip away, a hand caught it mid-air and Professor Kukui's voice rang out, "Got you!"
"Bzzt!!" The Rotomdex squirmed in his grip, but quickly gave up as Kukui let out a tired sigh and carried it out of the room.
"Never again."
In the end, the chocolates remained right where they were, untouched and waiting, meant only for…the readers.