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

Chapter 12: River Spark

The Pokémon Center was quieter after the Gym battle, but Violet City still felt full of wind. The windows rattled whenever a breeze moved between the buildings, and East's new Noctowl kept turning his head toward every faint sound outside.

I sat near the video phone with Pikachu on my shoulder and the Zephyr Badge resting in my palm. Togepi dozed against Lillie's arm, Chikorita stayed beside my chair, and Charizard rested on a nearby mat with his wrapped wing tucked close.

Heracross sat near the wall after finally losing interest in yesterday's sap, while Ethan's Aibo and Reisa's Marill remained outside from the Gym.

Chikorita's battle, Charizard's injured wing, Ethan's win, and Hoothoot's evolution all seemed bigger than one silver wing. Before I could think about it longer, Professor Elm's face appeared on the video screen.

"Hello, everyone!" Professor Elm said brightly. "How did the Gym battle go?"

"It was easy," I said, then heard Lillie's small cough beside me. "Okay, maybe not easy. But Ethan and I both earned the Zephyr Badge."

Ethan leaned into view and lifted his own badge with a grin. "First Johto Gym Badge, officially earned."

Professor Elm's eyes brightened. "Wonderful. That means both of you are ready to keep moving through Johto."

"Professor, did you call because of the Egg?" Kris asked.

Ethan stiffened and shifted the Egg case carefully in his arms. The Egg from Mr. Pokémon rested inside the padded travel case. He had carried it since New Bark Town, but now he held it carefully.

Professor Elm nodded quickly. "Yes. After you left, I received another call about that Egg. I still cannot explain everything over the phone, but I want Ethan to keep carrying it. My assistant is waiting at Violet City's Poké Mart with an updated care case and notes."

"So not a new Egg?" Ethan asked, relief and nervousness mixing in his voice.

"Not a new Egg," Professor Elm promised. "The same one. I only want to make sure it stays safe now that you are traveling beyond Violet City."

I glanced at the case, then at Togepi sleeping against Lillie's arm. "That makes sense. We already have one Togepi traveling with us."

Togepi opened his eyes and peered at Ethan's case. "Our friend inside that Egg is still sleeping peacefully."

Lillie touched Togepi's head gently. "Then we'll help Ethan take care of the sleeping friend."

Professor Elm looked relieved. "Good. Please stop at the Poké Mart before Route 32. Kris, keep recording anything unusual about the Egg."

Kris nodded, already reaching for her notebook. "I will, Professor."

After the call ended, Ethan looked down at the Egg case and took a slow breath. "I thought winning a badge would make me feel older."

Kris smiled gently at him. "Now you have a badge and an Egg to take care of."

Ethan groaned, but he was smiling too. "Why did that make me more nervous?"

East glanced at the case. "Because now you have two things you keep checking every five minutes."

Reisa laughed at once. "That was the most East answer possible."

Before we left, Nurse Joy checked Charizard's wing again and cleared him to travel as long as he rested. I recalled Charizard and Heracross, Ethan returned Aibo, while Chikorita, Pikachu, Togepi, Marill, and Noctowl remained outside with us.

Violet City's Poké Mart was busy when we arrived. Elm's assistant stood near the counter with a square case and several pages of notes tucked under one arm.