Author's Note: Thank you all so much, my Followers! I'm happy that you're enjoying reading this series as much as I am writing it! A special shout out to Gin Nanashi for giving me such wonderful reviews! You are the sweetest and I'm glad you're loving this story so far! :) You give me motivation to proceed on and write more than ever!
-S.
The three teens just stared at the pair of doors. Chikorita puffed up a little, enraged. The Totodile at Ethan's feet made silly faces at the cop that had already left.
Ripley made a face of her own, "Well, that was something different for a change in this boring ol' town. And I didn't like it one bit."
Ethan nodded, then turned to place his hands on her shoulders. "Are you okay?," he asked, concerned. He looked her over, to see if the man had done anymore harm to her before he had arrived. The girl stared at him like he had lost it, then shrugged him off with a smile. She lightly punched him in the shoulder.
"Jeeze," she laughed; "You act just like my mother, Ethan. Calm down. There's no need to act the 'Hero' anymore."
The boy puffed his cheeks out a little, which drew a snicker from Lyra.
"She told you," she chimed in. He glared, playfully, "Oh, shut up."
Elm had smiled, relieved, "Now that that's all settled.." The trio focused on him.
"That's right," Ripley nodded.
"So, what was it that you wanted to show me?"
The pink-haired girl propped her bag onto the table. Holding a breath, she snapped it open, swinging the flap of the tote open to reveal the untouched egg. She let out a sigh. Thank Arceus it didn't break on her way here. Not to mention that she had fallen. Twice.
Elm blinked, then took a sudden step back. "This is an egg isn't it? Mr. Pokemon wanted me to research this?" He came forward again, almost pressing his face to the decorated, hardened surface of the shell to observe it. "This is definitely something unlike anything I've ever seen."
"What do you mean?," Lyra asked, furrowing her 'brows together; "There are tons of eggs in Johto. Ask Ethan's Grandpa and Grandma. They own and breed almost every one in the region."
"Yes. But as I said. I have never seen an egg like this before in Johto. It must be promising if Mr. Pokemon wants us to study it. So, we might as well keep it for further observation. You noticed the odd aura emitting from it. Right, Ripley?"
The girl blinked, pointing at herself foolishly. "Me?," she answered, then looked to the floor scratching her cheek; "Yeah, I guess. It was weird, though."
He nodded, "Then I will take a better look at it later. Now, what took you three so long to return?"
Lyra reached into her bag pocket, "Well, Ripley had a little run-in with some wild pokemon, then she met up with us. After that we met Mr. Pokemon and his friend Professor Oak. He was really nice! Oh! And he gave each of us this."
She handed him her pokedex. He looked perplexed, then grew anxious.
"A pokedex? Oak gave you three these? That's wonderful! I knew you guys were a little different. Why, he's superb at seeing potential in people and pokemon alike!"
He looked like he could hardly contain himself. Poor guy seemed like he was going to faint any passing second. The teens could only exchange awkward looks. The man began to calm down, handing Lyra back her pokedex, who securely hid it back in her tote bag.
"Wow," the excitable Professor exlaimed; "You three might actually even make the journey of challenging Gym Leaders and becoming Champion!"
Ethan perked up at the word 'Chapmion'. Had his full attention now.
Elm rubbed at his chin, thoughtfully. "Hm," he pondered; "Or not." He looked at Ethan, who almost appeared like he was going to cry at the change of heart.
"Ethan, becoming the Champion isn't that simple. Your pokemon like you enough, but will it ensure you on getting yourselves to the top? I cannot predict the future for you. You three can probably start by challenging the Violet City's Gym Leader if you'd like, however."
The boy trembled with excitement. Ripley glanced at him with worry. He kept this up his empty head would explode.
The very idea of going on another journey to challenge Gyms and other trainers gave her a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Elm turned to her, then patted her shoulder. He was the only one who knew of her situation from the day she moved into New Bark.
"I understand if you're not ready. It's hard from starting one adventure, then having to give that dream up to only ending up starting a whole new-"
"I'll do it."
He blinked.
"What?"
She stared, blankly, before repeating, bluntly, "I'll do it."
"Wha- What? Are you sure?"
"I don't like to repeat myself. Professor."
Ethan grinned, then looped his arm around Ripley's shoulders, yanking her close. "Hell yeah!," he said with enthusiasm; "I'm going too!" Lyra giggled at the two, then looked to Elm. "Well," she said; "If Ripley and Ethan are going. I'm going, also."
Elm smiled, then a serious realization dawned over him. "If you three do this," he said; "You know at the end of your journey. You'll have to face one another to decide the fate as Pokemon League Champion. Are you willing to do that?"
They all remained silent.
"Pfft," Ethan guffawed; "You really think that something like a title will tear our friendship apart? No offense, Prof. But, Please! No matter what happens. We stick together." He ruffled Ripley's hair, who attempted to headbutt his shoulder. "Get off of me, Screwball!"
The man gave a nod, "For your sake, I'd hope so." His mood then fluctuated back into a cheery one; "You might as well go talk to your parents before you set off, then!"
Ethan saluted, taking a fussy Ripley with him in tow. Lyra followed, waving after, "See ya' later, Professor!"
He had offered a goodbye to the girl, then set his attention on the egg.
Let's get to work, then.