Jubilife City looked different today.

We’d walked these streets countless times since we first arrived two years ago—just two kids with a few belongings and a lot of desperation. Back then, Jubilife was a city of cold shadows and unreachable lights, a place where we struggled to scrape by and avoid notice.

But today, as Morgan and I stepped off the bus, it felt like the city had shifted. The towering buildings glinted with promise, the bustling streets seemed alive with opportunity, and even the chatter of the crowds sounded hopeful.

“Feels weird, doesn’t it?” Morgan said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

I glanced at her. Her hat barely contained her messy black hair streaked with white, and her amber eyes were brighter than I’d seen in months.

“We’ve lived here for two years, but it’s like I’m seeing it for the first time,” I admitted.

“That’s because we’ve never had a reason to hope before,” she replied with a small smile.

I couldn’t argue with that.

The Pokétch Company building loomed ahead, a gleaming tower of glass and steel. I swallowed the lump in my throat as we stepped inside. The lobby was sleek and futuristic, its polished floors reflecting the enormous holographic displays that scrolled through advertisements for the latest Pokétch models and gadgets.

Morgan’s gaze darted around, taking in everything with wide-eyed awe. “This place is incredible,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” I muttered, trying not to feel out of place. The crisp suits and confident strides of the employees made me hyper-aware of the faded hoodie I was wearing.

“Welcome to the Pokétch Company! You must be Uriel and Morgan.”

A cheerful voice interrupted my thoughts. We turned to see a woman approaching us, her spiky red hair as vibrant as her smile. She wore a sharp white blazer over a pale pink blouse, and a Pokétch glowed on her wrist.

“I’m Jenna,” she said, extending her hand. “I’ll be your guide for today. We’re so excited to have you as part of our program!”

Morgan shook her hand eagerly. “Thanks! We’re, uh, new to this whole thing.”

Jenna laughed. “That’s what I’m here for. Don’t worry—it’s all pretty straightforward. Why don’t we head upstairs? I’ll explain everything.”

We followed Jenna to a bright, airy conference room overlooking the city. As I sat down, I couldn’t help but feel out of place again. This all felt too polished, too… unreal.

Jenna placed a tablet on the table and tapped it, projecting a holographic display in the air. “So, here’s how this works,” she began. “As winners of our trainer sponsorship program, you’ll be embarking on a journey across the Sinnoh region. Everything you need—travel, accommodations, food, gear—is covered by the Pokétch Company.”

Morgan leaned forward, her excitement barely contained. “Why would you do all this? What’s in it for the company?”

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“Good question,” Jenna said with a grin. “It’s part of our mission to encourage young trainers to explore, connect with their Pokémon, and share their experiences. We’ll ask you to document your journey using the tools we provide—things like photos, videos, or even journals. Those stories help inspire others and showcase our technology in action.

“You’ll also be the face of this new program. We’re just starting to roll it out, and we want young trainers like you to represent what it stands for—adventure, discovery, and the bonds between people and Pokémon.”

I stiffened. “The face of the program? You mean, like... being in ads and stuff?”

“Potentially, yes,” Jenna said gently. “But only to the extent you’re comfortable with. We’re looking for authentic stories, not rehearsed commercials.”

Morgan bit her lip. “What if we mess up? What if we don’t… live up to expectations?”

“That’s completely normal to worry about,” Jenna said, her tone reassuring. “But you’re not in this alone. We have a team dedicated to supporting you throughout your journey—technical help, advice, even emotional support. And if something doesn’t go as planned, we’ll work through it together. This program is about growth, not perfection.”

I glanced at Morgan. Her amber eyes flickered with doubt, but there was also a spark of determination.

“And what if we want to back out later?” I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.

“There’s a contract to sign,” Jenna admitted, “but it’s flexible. If circumstances change, we can discuss it. Our priority is to make sure this opportunity works for you, not the other way around.”

Morgan and I exchanged a look. It still felt like a lot, but Jenna’s sincerity was hard to ignore.

“All right,” I said cautiously. “We’ll give it a shot.”

Jenna smiled warmly. “That’s all we ask. Trust me, you’ve earned this opportunity, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure you succeed.”

Jenna swiped across her tablet, and a series of items appeared in the hologram. “Each of you will receive a Rotom Phone, equipped with the latest features—Pokédex integration, maps, communication tools, and more. The Rotom Phone is a smartphone enhanced by a Rotom’s unique capabilities. It’s popular across multiple regions and offers a variety of applications, including the Pokédex, making it an essential tool for trainers. You’ll also get a laptop for creative documentation and, of course, our signature Pokétch watch.”

Morgan’s jaw dropped. “A Rotom Phone and a Pokétch? For both of us?”

“Absolutely,” Jenna confirmed. “Plus, you’ll receive a monthly stipend of 10,000 Pokédollars each for extra expenses.”

I exchanged a glance with Morgan. Her eyes were wide with amazement, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was too good to be true.

“Are you sure there’s no catch?” I asked cautiously.

Jenna’s smile softened. “No catch. We believe in this program. And trust me, you’ve earned it just by being here.”

Our next stop was the Jubilife Shopping Plaza. The vibrant signs and displays were overwhelming, and I could feel my anxiety creeping in. We followed Jenna into a store filled with racks of clothes and shelves of gear.

“Let’s start with the basics,” Jenna said, leading us to a section of durable clothing. “You’ll need weather-appropriate outfits—T-shirts, jackets, pants, and sturdy shoes.”

I picked out a dark purple hoodie, black cargo pants, and hiking boots. Morgan gravitated toward a white jacket with gold accents, matching cargo pants, and sneakers.

“Uh, how much does all this cost?” I asked, holding up the hoodie.

Jenna laughed. “It’s all covered under the sponsorship. Don’t worry about it.”

Morgan hesitated, her hands lingering on her chosen clothes. “We don’t have to pay for any of it? Really?”

“Really,” Jenna said reassuringly.

Morgan and I exchanged a look. Neither of us had ever owned new clothes like these before. It felt strange, almost wrong, to have something this nice handed to us.

We moved through the store, picking out backpacks, sunglasses, and even hats—dark for me and light for Morgan. Jenna handed us each a set of Poké Balls, and we chose cases for our new Rotom Phones.

Morgan selected a white-and-gold case with a delicate feather design, while I went for a sleek, black-and-purple one.

“Wow,” Morgan said, staring at her items as we packed them into our new backpacks. “This is a lot.”

“It’s a fresh start,” Jenna said, her tone encouraging. “You’re going to do great.”

I hoped she was right.