It was still a bit early as Steven and I had decided to walk around the small city of Dewford Town. What was very apparent to me was that like Slateport City, many spent their time at the beach. Some of the people at the beach though seemed to be training fighting type Pokemon.

Steven had encouraged me to go back to the cave and catch a Pokemon. To my luck I had caught an Abra, but knowing that I only needed one psychic type on my team I had a feeling I would maybe leave him with my mom. For some strange reason my mother seemed to have a strong liking towards psychic type Pokemon.

Though in this small time there seemed to be enough Machops, Meditiates, and Makuhitas for at least every home. "I'm going to guess that Brawley uses fighting type Pokemon." I said as Steven looked at me.

"Yes he does, but what gave that away? You have yet to meet him." he asked me.

"Just looking at the beach I can see fighting type Pokemon, there really isn't any variety out here." I said, sounding a bit disappointed.

Just then something caught my eye, stopping in my place I looked towards a few thick bushes and trees. Something white and red was starting to stand out from the various shades of green.

"Something wrong?" he asked me as I walked over to the spot. Pushing aside the multiple branches and leaves I could see a familiar oval shape as I picked up the fairly heavy abandoned egg. "It's an egg."

I held the egg closely to me as I felt a bit worried about it, "do you think it's ok? I mean it's been unattended for who knows how long." I said to him as I could see the of worry wash over his face.

Even though my father had found Zorua's egg it was possible that the Zoroark living in the trailer was taking care of it. But this egg, regardless of the Pokemon that it had came from I doubt it could stay in this area by itself. There was no special case to keep it warm and no trainer to care for it.

"You're right, we should get it to the Pokemon Center, fast." he said as he grabbed my arm and we began running to the only one in the small town. As we entered inside the red building I could see a Nurse Joy standing behind the counter.

She looked a bit curious as I ran up to her. "Can you please check this egg, we just found it outside!" I told her as she quickly took it from me.

"Of course, please take a seat I'll let you know its condition right away" she told me as she quickly took it behind the sliding red doors. I still felt concerned, even though I knew it was in good hands I still feared that it was no longer able to hatch.

I could feel the warmth of Steven's hand take mine as he pulled me over to the seats and sat me down. I felt guilty that I have brought him into this, even though he told me that he was in hurry to leave anytime soon I didn't want to seem like a hindrance to him.

"Don't worry Saki, you did the right thing." Steven told me as he tried to calm me down. Still holding onto my hand I gently squeezed his as I looked up at him. "I'm sure it'll be ok."

"I just hope so, I might not have been the one to have found Zorua's egg but finding one like that..."

"Don't worry, if it hadn't been for you that egg might not have been found. It takes a dedicated trainer to look out for things like that," he told me as he pulled me close to him.

"Do you really believe that?"

"Of course I do. Oh that reminds me, while I was in Granite Cave I did come across this." he said to me as he pulled out a clear rock with a yellow oval center in it. It shined beautifully as he placed it in my hand. "It's known as a shiny stone, it can help certain Pokemon evolve. I already have multiple of these, but I thought it be nice to give one to you."

I placed the rock in my bag as I smiled at him, "thank you Steven."

"Saki, I know you don't know each other very well but I was wondering if I could accompany you on your journey until we reach Mauville City?" he asked me as I could feel a rush of happiness overwhelm me. He was really asking if he could join me.

"Are you sure? I don't want to slow you down." being honest with him I saw him shake his head.

"No you wouldn't do that, besides we're heading to the same place. Why go alone when you can travel with a friend." he explained. Steven did have a point as our time together in the past had been short but it would be nice to spend a few days with him.

"That would be nice, ok then!" I told him eagerly as I reminded myself of Zorua. The minute she sees Steven traveling with us I knew she would bark at us.

Clicking sounds of Nurse Joy's heels approached us as I looked over at her. In her hands was the egg I had found as it lay comfortably in the glass incubator. "I'm pleased to tell you that this egg is health. Despite its condition you found it this egg is close to hatching but it will take about a few days I would say. I went ahead and placed it in the incubator for you. Take good care of it!" she said with a smile as she handed it to me and went back to attend to the others seeking her care.

Steven and I stood up as I looked at it curiously. "Looks like you just keep making friends today," he said as I had to take my hand away from him to hold the case.

"I suppose, but I'm wondering what kind of Pokemon will appear from it." I whispered as he kept his arm around me as we left the Pokemon Center. "Do you think the gym leader will be there?" I asked him as he nodded his head.

"Brawley should be done by now, but if you want some advice. Your best chance against him would be to use your Kirlia, the Abra you caught won't have a good defense his Pokemon." he explained as I nodded my head.

Something told me that Steven had already fought this Brawley guy before, so I trusted in his judgement.

Standing across from the orange shirt and brown shorts man, his eyes gleamed behind his orange glasses. His blue hair was spiked in numerous directions as he punched his black gloved hands together.

Steven was standing on the sidelines as he was holding the egg in his arms. "You've got this Saki!" he cheered me on as I took a deep breath. Holding Kirlia's Pokeball in my hand I waited for the referee to start the match.

"Each competitor will have the use of two Pokemon! First one to knock out the other's team is the winner! Begin!" he said as Brawley sent out his first Pokemon.

"Go on Machop!" the small little Pokemon, appeared out on the field as it looked eager for the fight.

"Come on Kirlia!" I said as she appeared out of her Pokeball, the chime of her soothe bell rang throughout the area as she twirled around. "Kirlia use magical leaf!" I commaned as she formed dark green blades in the air as they rapidly shot towards at Machop.

"Use karate chop on the leaves!" Brawley commanded as Machop expertly sliced the leaves away.

"Keep it up Kirlia!" I said to her as the leaped around creating more leaves in multiple directions around the Machop

"Dodge it and use seismic toss!" he commaned as his Machop moved around the leaves and ran towards Kirlia.

"Don't let it grab you!" I told her as she elegantly danced away from the Machop as he kept trying to grab her.

"Keep going, don't stop!" Brawley yelled as Machop managed to get a hold of Kirlia's arm. Jumping high up in the air he started to fly head first towards the ground.

I needed to think fast, but the only thing I could think of might end up hurting Kirlia as well. "Kirlia use disarming voice!" seeing how close they were Kirlia let out a high pitched yell of her own voice as Machop seemed to have taken damage from the yell.

Even though that part was successful I was still frightened about part two of my plan. They were both still falling to the ground quickly, this was going to be close. "Use psychic to catch yourself!" a purple outline surrounded Kirlia only a few seconds before they hit the ground.

Thud!

It appeared that both Machop and Kirlia had hit the ground as I could barly see Brawley's Machop on the ground. Kirlia staggered away as she walked over to me. "Kirly," she said as turned towards the opponent.

The referee walked over as he lifted up the flag in my direction. "Machop is unable to battle!" he announced as I felt a sigh of relief, but I knew that it wasn't over yet.

Brawley returned his Machop as he looked over at me. "That was pretty good, but I'd like to see how you do against this. Go, Makuhita!" he said as a pudgy little yellow sumo wrestler like Pokemon appeared on the field.

"Kirlia return!" I said as she quickly disappeared into her Pokeball. My only advantage Pokemon, like back in Rustboro City had taken too much damage. I didn't want to cause Kirlia too much harm but now I needed to bring in someone else. "Let's go Mudkip!"

"Mud mud!" he squeaked as I could see a strange look on the Makuhita's face.

"Makuhita use karate chop on Mudkip!" Brawley said as Makuhita charged towards Mudkip while swinging its hands towards him.

"Use mud-slap!" I instructed him as he sprayed the dirt ground, creating muddy puddles around him before kicking the disks towards Brawley's Makuhita.

I watched as it stopped after begin hit in the face by a few of the disks, not only causing damage but temporarily blinding it. "Now Mudkip use tackle!" I said to him as he ran towards Makuhita. He lowered his head as he tackled it right in the stomach, though something strange happened.

Makuhita's stomach enveloped around Mudkip as it flexed, launching his force back out. Mudkip landed against the ground as he skidded across the ground, "what in the world?" I asked myself as Mudkip quickly got back on his feet. "Shake it off and use water gun!" I suddenly regretted my decision as he sprayed the jet of water towards Makuhita.

The mud covering its face was then washed off as it didn't seem to affect him. "Makuhita use seismic toss!" despite its large size it quickly ran over to Mudkip as they were both hurled into the air. In an instant Mudkip landed on the ground as Brawley's Makuhita stood infront of him.

"Mudkip!" I yelled as he staggered to get up. Just then, Mudkip began to be enveloped in a similar bright light as Ralts was when she evolved. "What's going on!?" I asked Steven as he smiled at me.

"Mudkip is evolving!" he said to me as the bright light disappeared. I looked over to see a blue Pokemon standing on two feet. Large bright yellow fins were on both sides of its face with a large black fin on its head, and two black fins on its backside. Two large fins seemed to be it's hands as it looked over at me.

"Marsh! Marshtomp!"

I pulled out my PokeDex, "Marshtomp the swamp Pokemon and the evolved form of Mudkip. Marshtomp is covered in a thin, sticky film that allows it to live on land."

"Wow! Ok Marshtomp, are you ready!?" I asked him as he looked ready to battle. "Ok now give it everything you got! Use tackle!" I told him as he charged towards Makuhita. Knowing that his previous size that might have been why he was launched like a cannonball, but now that his mass overall increased I had a feeling that wouldn't happen again.

Marshtomp launched himself at Makuhita as he hit it right in the head, almost as if he did a headbutt instead. Makuhita went flying as a way of revenge for Marshtomp as he landed in front of Brawley. The referee rushed over at Makuhita as he raised up my flag.

"Makuhita is unable to battle! The winner is Saki!" Marshtomp ran over to me as I hugged him.

"We did it!" I yelled as Steven walked over to me.

"Looks like you're full of surprises." he smiled.

"I guess I am."