1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 2: Little Happiness

New Bark Town slowly disappeared behind us, its rooftops shrinking between the trees until Professor Elm's lab became only a bright shape in the distance. Ahead, Route 29 rolled through soft grass, low hills, and scattered trees leaning toward the wind. The road looked peaceful, but peaceful did not mean empty.

Pikachu rode on my shoulder, ears turning at every rustle. His paws shifted against my jacket as the grass stirred beside us. "This route is unfamiliar. There are new smells everywhere, and too many places for something to hide."

"I know, buddy," I murmured, slowing my steps. "We will take it slow."

He watched the bends, the trees, and the patches where the grass rose higher than a new trainer would expect.

East walked a little ahead of Reisa, carrying the folded map Professor Elm had given him. "This road is friendly enough, but beginners can still trip if they rush."

Ethan frowned beside Exbo, trying to look offended without looking down. "I am not going to trip."

"You almost stepped into that ditch," Kris said without looking up from her notebook.

Ethan looked down. A shallow rut crossed the side of the path, hidden beneath the grass. Exbo stopped at its edge and pressed closer to Ethan's leg.

Exbo peered into the rut, then looked back at Ethan. "The ground dropped under my feet without warning. I did not like that at all."

Ethan crouched immediately, his voice gentler than his expression. "Good catch, Exbo. We both slow down."

Megaree walked beside Kris with her leaf lifted into the air, following the wind. Reisa watched her for a moment, then glanced toward Totodile, who was already bouncing farther from the center of the road.

Totodile grinned at the open path. "I want to run until we find water. Then I want to splash in it."

Marill stepped across his path and tapped one foot against the dry ground. "There is no water here yet. Stay close to Reisa until we find some."

Reisa watched Marill block Totodile's path and caught the warning in her posture. She laughed softly. "Marill has the right idea. We are not racing Route 29."

Lillie walked beside me with the Togepi Egg secure in its padded carrier against her front. The shell had stayed warm since the Sevii Islands, but now she kept glancing down as if she expected it to move.

I noticed. "You are checking again."

"It feels warmer than yesterday," Lillie said. She rested two fingers against the shell through the open top of the carrier. "Do you think it knows we reached Johto?"

I looked at the Egg. "Maybe. Pokémon seem to know more about timing than we do."

Pikachu leaned down from my shoulder, whiskers twitching. His tail stopped moving. "Something inside feels awake now. It does not feel as quiet as it did before."

I slowed without realizing it. "Pikachu says the Egg feels different."

Lillie's eyes softened, and one hand settled protectively around the carrier. "Then we should be ready."

Kris looked up immediately. "If it hatches on Route 29, Professor Elm will want detailed notes."

Ethan grinned, but he lowered his voice. "Our first route and already a special Egg."

East glanced over his shoulder at the group. "Then everyone gives Lillie room. No one bumps the carrier."

Reisa reached up and patted East on the head. "Especially you."