I was the only one upset with Bianca. At least for the stealing of the egg.

Kenya apparently had no morals whatsoever, and Nathan was only mad since she beat him to it.

The four of us made our way back onto Route 4. The winds had mostly calmed down.

"He left the egg in a cave," Nathan said. "He wasn't using it."

"Yeah, besides, Bianca's gonna take great care of it," Kenya added. Bianca beamed. Nathan scoffed.

"Have you been battling the gyms?" Nathan asked. I nodded.

"I'm planning on battling Drayden," I said. "Nimbasa is next." Nathan folded his arms.

"I see." It wasn't long before we arrived in Nimbasa city. The city was bustling. "This way," Nathan said. He led us to the amusement park.

"Wow. I want to ride on that!" Bianca pointed at the Ferris wheel. "Kenya, you want to come with?" Kenya thought about it.

"Uh, yeah, I guess." Bianca pulled Kenya by her wrist, charging through the crowd.

I shared a look with Nathan. He smirked.

"Any chance you'd help me steal the egg?"

"No way." I spotted the gym building. Elesa was standing outside, talking to a few people. Nathan started walking over.

I followed Kenya and Bianca.

"Come on!" Bianca insisted.

"I think I'm good." Kenya shook her head. "It's a lot taller than it looked."

"Are you wussing out?" Bianca folded her arms. She turned to Audino. "You'll go with me, right?" Audino backed up, cradling the egg. Bianca grumbled, turning her attention to me.

"Yeah, I'll go."

Kenya volunteered to take care of Audino as Bianca, and I got into line. There were only two pairs ahead of us.

"I can't wait!" Bianca beamed, elbowing me. "I've never been on a Ferris wheel!"

"Never?" I turned to her. I'd never been on one either. Bianca glanced over her shoulder at Kenya. Kenya was messing with Audino.

It was a few minutes before we were let onto the Ferris wheel.

Bianca's face was glued to the window, watching the ground shrink below. I tried to act unimpressed.

As we continued to rise, the entirety of Nimbasa stretched out before us. I could see route four. The skyline of Castelia.

"It's amazing," Bianca said. I spotted Kenya down below, talking with someone.

"Yeah."

We slowly continued along, slowly descending.

Bianca was ready to go again; I wasn't. Finally, we came to a stop, and the door opened. Bianca hopped out and hurried over to Audino. I followed a few steps behind.

The girl Kenya was talking to walked away as we approached.

"Who was that?" Bianca asked. Kenya shrugged.

"Some girl asking for directions." I noticed Nathan walking towards us. Elesa was still outside her gym. The crowd had grown around her.

"Big news," Nathan said. "Can't fight Elesa today."

"Why not?" I asked.

Nathan gestured to the crowd.

"She's preparing for the Nimbasa tournament."

"Oh yeah." Bianca tapped her chin. "That's something they used to do a long time ago."

"Yup." Nathan folded his arms. Kenya and I shared a look.

"Who can participate?" Kenya asked.

"Anyone," Nathan said. "You gotta sign up right there."

"I gotta get in on that!" Kenya hurried over to the crowd. Bianca hesitated.

"It's kind of historical," Nathan added. "It's the first one since Elesa took over."

I started to follow Kenya but paused when Nathan continued.

"Hey, Bianca. What do you say we bet the egg. Whoever places higher in the tournament gets it."

"No way!" Bianca snapped.

"You know you'd lose. You're no proper trainer." Bianca balled her fists.

"Lay off, would you!" I butted in, getting between the two of them.

"I am a proper trainer!" Bianca insisted. "I'll show you!" She stormed past us, heading to the gym.

"Does that mean you accept the bet?" Nathan asked. I grabbed his shoulder.

"What is your deal?" Nathan pulled free.

"I want that egg, man." He pointed at Bianca. "She can't properly train a Volcarona, come on!" I shook my head.

"I think you're underestimating her." I pushed past him.

.

.

.

"The battles will all be triple battles!" Elesa explained, speaking into a mic. "The tournament will take place inside the big stadium!"

"When is this starting?" Someone asked. I finished my form and handed it to Elesa's assistant.

"What do we get when we win?" Kenya asked.

"The tournament will begin next month," Elesa said. "The reward is an endorsement from the champion."

The surrounding crowd cheered.

"That's it?" Kenya asked. She nudged me. "What's that even good for?"

"Respect," I said.

Nathan left while the three of us were registering.

Elesa was still explaining things as we walked away.

"The Nimbasa gym will be closed until the tournament," Bianca read aloud. She was holding a pamphlet on the tournament. "Gym leaders are encouraged to participate. Battles won against gym leaders can earn badges."

"You think Drayden will come all the way down here?" Kenya asked. I shrugged.

"I doubt it."

We headed to the pokemon center. Kenya and I got rooms. Bianca left after getting some pokemon food.

I sat down at a table in the lobby. Kenya was feeding Darumaka.

I let out Pignite and offered it some pokemon food.

You don't seem very cold today.

I smiled.

"I don't feel cold today."

Kenya looked up.

"What'd you say?"

"I'm just talking to Pignite."

She smiled and returned her attention to Darumaka. I fed Pignite for a while before returning it and letting out Tirtuoga. I hadn't used it in battle yet.

I stared at the pokemon for a moment, curious if it would speak. Nothing happened. I offered it some pokemon food, and it obliged.

After feeding Tirtuoga, I let out Pidove.

It hopped around the table, chirping happily. I offered it some pokemon food. Pidove hopped onto my arm and ate from my hand. After a few bites, it fluttered away, seemingly content.

I returned Pidove before it got too far and sent out Pansage.

Pansage ate calmly, smiling at me now and then.

Lastly was Munna. Munna hovered around the table, disinterested in food.

I'm happy to see you are doing well.

"Thanks."

You cant communicate?

I shrugged.

"I guess not."

Munna floated down to the table.

That orb you have. It worries me.

The mention of the orb snapped me to attention.

"Me too."

Why are you keeping it?

I hadn't even considered getting rid of it somehow. I glanced over at my bag.

"I don't know."

After a few attempts to feed Munna, I gave up and returned it. Finally, I rose from the table and left the pokemon center.

I headed around to the back of the building, finding a dumpster. I reached into my bag and pulled out the translucent orb. It felt heavy in my hand. The surface was cold.

I opened the dumpster and tossed the orb in.

Letting the lid fall, I turned and headed back inside.