Burgundy and the others stared at amazement. Nina have brought them to a huge house near the beach. ["I-it's... ginormous...!"] The little Espeon gasped. "Do you like it?" Nina asked. ["It's amazing!"] Lucy, who was standing next to Burgundy, literally roared. It almost blown Burgundy away, even though Lucy's Roar was pretty weak compared to other Pokémon. ["H-h-hey! W-watch it!"] Burgundy shouted. ["Whoops, sorry!"]
["Anyways... Nina, what is this place?"] "My dad owns this place..." ["Huh? Your dad?"] "Yep!" ["Whoa... But, Nina... You never told us about your dad. How come you and Mia live so far away from him?"] "Well..." Nina said, but then froze there as she tried to think of a proper way of telling them about her... complex past. "It's a long story..." She said with a nervous smile. The silver-haired girl pressed the doorbell. A man wearing a white coat opened the door and gave the two sisters a great big hug! "Nina! Mia!" He greet the girls with open arms. "You've grown so much!" "H-hey, come on, dad..." "Daddy! Daddy! Let's play!" The father then looked down at the two Espeons. "Oh?" The man said. "Ah yes, you two must be Cilan and Burgundy, am I right? Nina told me so much about you over the phone." "Espi-espi?" "Espeon?" "Ha-ha-ha! I can tell from the look on your faces that Nina haven't told you about me. Everyone, come inside. You must be tired and hungry."
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"Mmm! This food taste so good, dad!" Nina said as she eats. "I forgot how much I missed BBQ!" "Yeah! It's super yummy!" Mia cheered. "I'm glad you two loved it so much!" The father smiled at his two daughters. The two Espeons were playing volleyball on the beach with their Pokémon.
"Heads up, Dewott!" "Right!" Dewott volley the ball over the net. Cilan then volley the ball to Pansage. Grass Monkey Pokémon then spiked it, but the ball accidently hit Burgundy in the face, the ball bounced off and was sent flying. ["Oww..."] ["Burgundy, are you OK?"] ["I'm so sorry, Burgundy! I didn't-"] ["Non, it's OK! Anyways, I'll go look for the ball."] The little Espeon skipped off happily. ["Burgundy sure is in a good mood today."] ["Yes... She is..."]
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["Ball... Ball... Where's the ball... Huh?"] Burgundy saw something in the sand. Something round. Could it be the ball? The Espeon dug it up and found out it was an egg! A Pokémon egg! ["Well, what do we have here..."] She said. ["Hey, did anyone lose an egg?! Hmm... It feels warm, like something's moving inside... Could it be... It's going to hatch soon! Uh-oh, I can't just leave it here... And how am I suppose to carry it...?"] She looked down at her two paws. ["Come on, Burgundy, think!"] She said to herself.
["Bibi~! Did you find the ball yet?"] ["C-Cilan! You're here!"] ["Well, of course I'm here. Um, what's that you got there."] ["I found an egg..."]
["An egg?"] ["Can you go get Pansage and Dewott? I can't carry this egg by myself."] ["...Alright."]
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["What should we do?"] ["We need to find the egg's mother."]
["How? We don't know what's in the egg."] ["I guess we'll just need to wait until the egg hatch. Once we find out what kind of Pokémon is in this egg, it'll be a lot easier finding out who the mother is."]
["Alright, whatever you say, Cilan."] ["Burgundy, what's wrong?"] ["The mother must be so worried..."] ["I know, but for now, we'll take care of the egg. OK?"]
["OK."] ["Maybe we should find something to keep the egg warm. After all, we don't have an egg case to put it in."]
["How about a blanket?"] ["Alright, let's make sure that it's a thick one."] ["Oui. You'll help me carry the blanket, right?"] ["Of course. Later we'll ask Nina for the heater too. I heard it's going to be cold tonight."]
["Really?"] ["Yeah, it might rain as well."] ["Oh? Hmm... Now that I think about it, it's been raining a lot lately, huh."]
Cilan and Burgundy brought a soft, fluffy blanket to cover the egg with.
["I don't know why, but taking care of this egg makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside."]
["Same here."] The two Espeons nuzzled against each other, listening to the other's soft, calming purring.
["Hey, Lani..."] ["Yes, Bibi?"] ["I'm getting kinda hungry..."] ["Me too. It's getting late, I'll go see if dinner is ready."] ["OK. I'll watch the egg."]
Burgundy sat near the egg, wondering what could be inside of it. Will it be a boy or a girl? Will it have long fur or short fur? Or maybe no fur at all? What type would it be? Will it be shy and quiet or loud and bold? ["I guess the possibilities are endless..."] She said to herself.
The Espeon placed her paw on the egg. She felt the little Pokémon shifting around inside. 'Wow!' She thought. 'I can feel the baby move! It warms my heart in a way... I wonder if it can hear me.' She wrapped her "arms" and tail around the egg carefully as she pressed her ear gently on the egg. ["Bonjour, little one."] The Espeon whispered. ["Don't worry, I promise, we'll find your mother and bring you back home. Tout ira bien."] She felt the baby's body shifted its weight towards her. 'It can hear me... Can it understand me? Non, I'm looking way too deep into this. I mean, it's an egg, with a baby inside. It hasn't had any experience in the real world yet!' She felt the baby shifted once more. ["D-don't worry, I'm still here!"] She stuttered. ["I'm... still here... You're not alone... Tout ira bien... Tout ira bien..."] She started to purred afterwards.
["Burgundy, I'm back~! And I brought food!"] ["Eep!"] ["Um, Burgundy, what are you doing?"] ["K-k-keeping the egg warm..."] ["Oh?"]
["Y-yeah, this is how Pokémon keep their eggs warm... R-r-right...?"] ["I guess... Although..."] ["W-what is it?"]
The Shiny Espeon smiled a bit. ["Do you want to take a brake?"] Cilan said as he takes out some food from the containers. ["OK."] She answered.
["Is this spaghetti?"] ["Yep! I brought some parmesan, do you want some?"] ["Sure, just a little. Is there something to drink?"]
["Well, I brought two cans of lemonade, is that alright?"] ["Oui! I love lemonade!"]
Before you know it, Cilan was treated with an adorable scene of a lilac Espeon drinking lemonade with a straw. 'Burgundy seems to be getting more and more comfortable being an Espeon each day.' Cilan remembered when he was taking care of "Bibi" as a human and how she behaved back then.
["How did it feel like when I was taking care of you, back when I was human I mean."] ["Well... At first, I felt really embarrassed..."]
["Really?"] ["Yeah, I was also frustrated that you couldn't understand me."] ["What were you trying to tell me back then?"] ["I-it doesn't matter now."]
["Yes, but I want to know more about you! So please, tell me."] ["U-uh..."]
["Don't worry, if it's bad, I promise I won't be mad."] ["I was... a-afraid that you were starting to see me as your pet instead of your rival..."]
["Don't worry, Burgundy. I still love you."] ["I know you do."]
After the two Espeons finished their meal, Burgundy came up to Cilan and rubbed her tiny, black nose against his. The two giggled happily with bright smiles on their faces. Burgundy and Cilan has been spending a lot time together...
["...By the way, where's Dewott?"] ["Dewott? I think he's outside. Why?"]
["Well... I haven't been spending a lot of time with him. I'm just a little worried that he and the others might feel neglected. Other than our short volleyball game, I haven't spent any quality time with my Pokémon, have I?"]
["I can look after the egg for you, you can go out and play with them."] ["I don't know..."]
["Go ahead! It's important for trainers to bond with their Pokémon."] ["Um... O-okay, Cilan..."]
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When Burgundy went out to the front porch, she was suddenly picked up by a pair of large tan hands. ["W-whaaa! Hey! W-w-what's going on."] That's when she saw a familiar spiked teeth smile.
["Huh? Darmanitan!"] ["Hey-hey, Burg! Whatcha doin' here? I thought you were eggsittin'!"]
["Well, Cilan is looking after the egg, so I..."] ["HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! Oh I see! Takin' a brake, huh?"] ["You could say that."] ["HA-HA-HA! Well! Come on then!"]
["W-whoa!"] Darmanitan carried Burgundy down the hill, towards the beach where Dewott, Sawsbuck and Stoutland were playing.
["Yo, guys! Look who I brought with me!"] ["Huh?"] ["Oh Burgundy!"] ["Burgundy's here!"]
Her Pokémon gathered around her. She felt a little embarrassed having her Pokémon look down at her like this, even Dewott was now roughly the same height as her. Burgundy felt a little more comfortable with Cilan around, knowing that there's another person in the same position as her.
["U-u-uhh... U-um..."] ["Burgundy?"]
["D-désolé, It's been quite a long time since I ended up like this and yet there's still some things that I haven't gotten use to."] Her Dewott came over and patted on the back. ["It's OK. You'll get use to it, eventually."] Stoutland suddenly jumped on top of the Espeon and gave her a snuggle, but squishing her a bit in the progress.
["S-Stout...l-l-land... C-can't... breath..."] ["Stoutland!"] ["Hey, whatcha tryin' to do!? Suffocate da girl!"] ["You idiot! Get off her! Now!"]
["Huh? Oh! OH-NO! SORRY! I'M SO SORRY!"] Stoutland whimpered as he got off of Burgundy.
["Uggh... I... feel... light-headed..."] ["Oh dear..."] ["Great! Now you've done it!"] ["I-I didn't mean to! I... I was just happy to see her..."]
["Cut 'im some slack, would ya. If he said he didn't mean it, then he didn't mean it. No need to get mad."] ["Burgundy... Are you alright?"]
["Uggh... Don't worry, I'm fine."] ["That's a relief!"] Stoutland snuggled with Burgundy again, but was being careful not to squish her again. Then he picked her up from the fur on her neck. ["Come on! Let's play!"] He said as wagged his tail and dashed across the sandy beach.
["Stoutland! Don't be too rough with her!"] ["Don't worry! I just wanna play with Burgy~!"]
["Stoutland, put me down, s'il vous plait..."] ["Aww... Burgy... Alright..."] Stoutland gently put the Espeon down.
["Merci."] ["Stoutland! What were you thinking?!"]
["Sorry, I got excited..."] ["It's alright guys! Don't be mad at him... Listen, I really do want to spent time with all of you! So please, tell me, what do you want to do?"]
["Do you want to go swimming? We haven't gone swimming together since I was an Oshawott."]
["Burgy, can I come too?"] ["I don't mind soaking my hooves in the water for a bit. I'll come along too."]
["I guess it's alright for you guys, but... Um... Darmanitan... You can't go in the water, can you?"] ["Naw, ya guys go have fun! I'll wait here!"] ["Really? Are you sure?"]
["'Course I'm sure! Go! Have fun!"]
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["Whee~! Ha-ha-ha!"] Burgundy squealed as she slide down Stoutland's back and plummeted into the water. They stayed in shallow waters, since Burgundy doesn't know how to swim with a Pokémon's body. Dewott had Burgundy hold on to his shoulders as pulled her along the waves. The Espeon held onto her Starter Pokémon tightly as the two moved through the water quickly.
["D-Dewott, I think we're a bit too far away from shore! The water's deeper here!"] ["Burgundy, can I teach you how to swim?"]
["Huh? Well... I'm not sure, it might be difficult to teach me certain things in this body..."] ["It's alright, you taught me so many things during our journey together, so now it's my turn. Trust me, OK?"]
["I'll always trust you. Alright, I'm ready."] ["Then let's get started. First take a deep breath, don't get nervous. Now float on your belly. "]
["OK... A deep breath... And relax..."] ["Don't worry, I gotcha. Now move your paws in circles, kinda like when you're digging a small hole."]
["Right... I think I got it..."] ["Kick your hind legs and keep your head up with your chin on the surface of the water. Keep going... Make sure only your head is above water. Your front and hind legs need to stay underwater. Yes! That's it, keep swimming!"]
["I'm doing it! I'm swimming! Dewott, are you seeing this? I'm swimming!"] ["I see you, Burgundy! You're doing great!"]
Meanwhile, back on shore, Cilan came outside with the egg safely strapped onto his back with a baby carrying pouch that Mia gave to him. If it can be worn, chances are Mia has it with her, for some reason. Cilan came down to the beach where Darmanitan was waiting. ["Darmanitan! Where is everybody?"] ["Swimmin' in da water!"] The Shiny Espeon saw Burgundy swimming happily.
["She looks like she's having fun."] It was starting to get pretty windy, so Burgundy and her Pokémon decided to get out of the water.
["B-b-brrrrr! It's c-c-cold...!"] ["L-let's dry off and g-g-go inside."] ["A-agree!"]
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Once they got to the beach, Burgundy met up with Cilan.
["Burgundy!"] ["Cilan, what are you doing here?! And, uh... What are you wearing?"] ["A baby carrying pouch. An egg is technically a baby."]
["Ha-ha-ha! I'm sorry, but it sounds kinda funny hearing that come out of your mouth!"] ["Ha-ha! I suppose you're right! So, did you have a fun time?"] ["Oui! And Dewott taught me how to swim!"]
["That's great, Burgundy!"] ["Um, Cilan, can I look at the egg for a moment."] ["Yes, of course!"]
Burgundy pressed her ear against the egg and whispered ["I'm back... Did you miss me...?"] She felt the baby's body shifted its weight towards her once more, only this time Cilan felt it as well. ["Huh?"] 'Was that the baby just now? Burgundy... Did she perhaps...'
["Burgundy? What are you..."] ["O-oh, n-nothing! Let's go inside, OK?"]
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Everyone settled inside the house and dried off. The Espeons placed the egg carefully on their bed. ["There!"] Burgundy said. ["Nice and cozy!"] ["You've develop quite a close bond with the egg, Burgundy."] ["R-really? You think so?"] ["I know so! Have you ever raised a baby Pokémon before?"] ["No, I haven't."] The egg suddenly shook. ["H-huh? The egg... Is it...?"] ["It's going to hatch!"] ["Dewott, go get Nina, now!"] ["Right!"] Dewott ran to get Nina while everyone else stayed to look after the egg.
'The egg... Once it hatch, we'll be one step closer to finding its mother. I hope we find her soon...'