VI.

"Let me check your registration," the nurse said at the Pokemon Center. She had black hair pulled up into a ponytail and green-framed glasses. "Could I have your trainer number?"

"I don't know it," Theo said, blushing. "Professor Elm registered me yesterday, but he didn't tell me my number."

"Professor Elm?" The nurse raised her eyebrows at him. "I can search with his information, give me a second." She typed furiously at the keyboard. "Is it Theo?"

"Yes, that's me," he said.

"It says you have a Cyndaquil on hand," she said. "I see him there." She smiled down at Cyndaquil, who was perched on the desk in front of her. "Anything else you caught on the way here?"

"Nope, just this guy," Theo said.

"That's easy enough," the nurse said. She took Cyndaquil in her arms. "We'll get him cleaned up and rested. He should be good to rejoin you in a few hours." She pointed toward the right. "The mess hall is that way, if you're hungry. Are you planning to stay the night?"

"Yeah, if there's space," Theo said.

"Of course there is," the nurse said, smiling. "We hardly ever get a full house here." The only other person in the lobby was a woman using the phone in the corner. She was dressed in a long kimono. As Theo spoke with the nurse, she looked over at him and Cyndaquil.

"Room twelve has a big bed, and it's open. Your Pokemon can sleep back with us, or you can come get him before bedtime."

"I'll be back in a little while, then," Theo said. "Thanks."

"No problem," she said, and she took Cyndaquil behind the registration desk. "Also, since you've probably never been inside a Center before, no battling allowed inside. If your Pokemon starts roughhousing, we'll ask you to leave."

"Got it," Theo said. He started for the mess hall. Along one wall there were trays of food. Theo was suddenly famished. He hadn't eaten since he had left home that morning. He loaded a plate with pasta and meatballs, and then he sat down. The only other person was the woman from the lobby. Her kimono was elaborate, green and red, and she sat eating and sipping tea delicately.

"Hi there," Theo said.

"Hello," said the woman. "You are the one with the little Cyndaquil, correct?"

"You saw him?"

"I did," she said. "A funny color. Rare."

"Everyone keeps saying that," Theo said.

"My aunt had an Espeon like that," the woman said. "Most of them are purple, of course, but hers was the strangest green color. People thought she dyed it that way. She always said strange-colored Pokemon are good luck."

Theo said nothing. He had no idea what an Espeon was, nor what color it was supposed to be. He took a careful bite of food, trying not to splatter a drop onto this woman's expensive-looking clothes.

"I do love Fire Pokemon, though," the woman said. She took a Pokeball from her waist and opened it beside her. A red, furry Pokemon emerged, much larger and thicker than Cyndaquil.

"What is it?" Theo asked. He reached his hand out to pat the Pokemon, but it held its head proudly away from him, sniffing as if in contempt.

"My Flareon," the woman said. "He is not friendly." Theo withdrew his hand, and the woman recalled her Pokemon.

"My name is Naoko," she said.

"Theo."

"Pleasure to meet you," Naoko said. "What are you doing, traveling alone on a holiday weekend?"

"I'm running an errand for Professor Elm," Theo said. "I have to visit a man named Mr. Pokemon."

"How funny," Naoko said. "I just left him yesterday."

"Small world," Theo said.

"Perhaps that's why the Professor sent you," Naoko went on. "I left an egg."

"Yeah, that's right," Theo said. "I'm going to pick it up for him." Theo thought for a moment. "Do you know anything about eggs?"

"A little," Naoko said.

Theo reached into his bag and hoisted out the silver egg. "I think this one has been moving while I've been walking. Do you recognize what it could be?"

Naoko took it. "A brand new trainer with an egg, and he doesn't know what's inside? How strange." She pressed her fingers to it. "Warm, and a little motion. It does feel almost ready to hatch. I remember when my Eevee's egg felt like this." She shrugged. "It could be anything, though. Probably Steel, judging by the shell."

"Do you think it's rare?" Theo asked, a little desperation in his voice.

She handed it back. "There are all kinds of rare Pokemon. Some of them are Steel." She took a sip of tea. "Lots of common ones, too, though."

"Would you buy it from me?"

Naoko laughed. "Would I buy an egg from a stranger without knowing what's inside?" She laughed again, like a bell ringing. "I'm afraid not. I am content with the Pokemon I have." She pointed at him. "If that egg feels ready to hatch, it's likely already attached to you. It would be quite a betrayal to give it away."

"Attached to me? It can't even see me," Theo said.

"But it can feel," Naoko said. "Some Pokemon eggs wait for the right person before they start to move. Maybe you are the one for this egg."

Theo thought of the silver egg, resting for years in its cradle, no better than a rock. He thought of his father's efforts, his failures.

"My mom won't be too pleased to hear that," Theo said. "She thinks it's too expensive to have a Pokemon around the house."

"Well, from what I saw earlier, that Cyndaquil rather loves you already," she said. "Whatever is in there sounds like it will be the same. There are things more important than money." She shrugged and stood up from the table. "I must leave early, so I'm off to bed. Pleasure to speak with you. Give Mr. Pokemon my regards."

Theo thought while he ate. When he went back to the registration desk, Cyndaquil was perched there, waiting for him. It jumped into his arms, snorting happily.

"He's been itching to get back to you," the nurse said. "How long has he been yours?"

"He's not, really," Theo said. "Professor Elm is just letting me borrow him."

The nurse shook her head. "If he can pry him back from you. He's good as new, though. You can take him to bed."

Theo recalled Cyndaquil into his Pokeball while he showered. He undressed, folded his clothes by his bed, and released the Pokemon again. It jumped beside him on the bed and curled by his head. Cyndaquil fell asleep almost immediately, snoring contentedly and giving off a little heat onto Theo's chest. Theo rubbed at the Pokemon's head and lay awake, thinking. The Pokemon beside him trusted him. The egg in his bag on the floor seemed to have some faith in him, too. Other people were noticing.

Maybe, when this errand was over, he wouldn't have to go back to the lab after all.

VII.

Surviving? Lyra had texted him in the night. He saw it when he woke. Cyndaquil was still curled beside him. Theo snapped a photo of himself, bare-chested with the Pokemon drooling next to him.

So far so good, he said.

Ooh la-la, Lyra texted back. Look at him drooling! That Cyndaquil can't handle how good you look.

Ha. You're up early, he said.

Rough night. Not at my best. Hey, I ran into someone you know last night. She sent a picture of herself at a bar, with an arm around his old classmate, Ethan.

Small world! Ethan was in school in Goldenrod City, studying to be a journalist. He and Theo texted a bit when he first moved, but Theo hadn't had a real conversation with him in months.

He wants you to come visit! Lyra said. Theo snorted. Ethan never said that to him.

Maybe I'll make it there sooner than you think, Theo said.

There was a new nurse on the morning shift, this one blonde, and she directed him north.

"It's a straight shot," she said. "His house is huge. If you miss it, you need your eyes checked."

They left for Route 30, Cyndaquil padding beside him. The road was better maintained than the ones around New Bark Town, lined with berry-laden trees. Cyndaquil nosed around the ones that had fallen, but he didn't eat any. Theo knew some of them were good for Pokemon, but he didn't know which.

At last they saw a house.

"This must be it," Theo said to Cyndaquil. The house was enormous, nestled in a thick cluster of trees, some of which hung with more berries and others with fruits Theo didn't recognize. Beside the house was a large pond, in which Theo saw fins of some Water Pokemon flashing. It would be bad form to catch anything on private property, but he was tempted to run and see what was there. Theo walked down the long driveway, toward the gate, where, standing outside it, he saw another young man.

He was a few years older than Theo, with broad shoulders, red-gold hair and fierce eyes. He wore a canvas jacket against the spring morning chill, and beside him stood a small red lizard Pokemon, whose skin was steaming. He was like a movie star.

"Wow," Theo murmured, then blushed. He had said it out loud.

"Good morning!" the man called in a deep, resonant voice. He was beneath a fruit tree, pulling something from its branches.

"Good morning," Theo said. "Are you Mr. Pokemon?"

The man laughed. "I'm afraid not. I'm waiting for him. I thought I got here early enough, but he's already in another meeting."

"This early?" Theo said. Cyndaquil nosed toward the lizard Pokemon, which inched toward him. They rubbed noses and made noises of pleasure.

"He's speaking with Professor Oak, actually," the man said.

"Professor Oak? The Professor Oak? No way!" Theo said. Professor Oak was a legend. Theo listened to his radio show while he cleaned the lab.

"I'm actually trying to speak to both of them," the man said. "Professor Oak sent me this guy." He nudged his foot at the lizard. "I wanted to thank him while I was in the area at the same time as him."

"Is that a Charmander?" Theo said.

"It is indeed," said the man. "Not quite the type I usually go for, but I figured I'd mix things up a bit."

"I'm Theo," Theo said, extending his hand.

"Lance," the man said. "What are you here for?"

"Professor Elm sent me," Theo said. "Mr. Pokemon has something for him."

"I see," Lance said. "Are you from nearby?" He looked down at Theo's sneakers, caked in mud from the road.

"New Bark Town," Theo said. "That's -"

"I know it," Lance said.

"You do? Most people don't."

"I travel around a bit. I've seen it from above, at least." Lance rubbed his hand through his astonishing hair. "Are you a trainer?"

"No," Theo said. "I mean, not really. I work in Professor Elm's lab, but he had to let me borrow a Pokemon for the errand."

"This is the one he gave you?" Lance bent down and gestured to Cyndaquil, who hesitated and toddled over. "Kind of a rare one to lend out, isn't it?"

"He said he couldn't sell it with the color," Theo said.

Lance snorted. "He's an idiot, then. A Pokemon with coloring like this is one in ten thousand. I'd love to find one." He stroked Cyndaquil's back, but there was not much gentleness in it. It was more like command.

Theo didn't know what to say. Who was this person, not much older than himself, to call Professor Elm an idiot?

"What did you take from that tree?" Theo asked, trying to pivot.

"An Apricorn!" Lance said, standing and tossing it to him. "They used to make Pokeballs out of those, and there's a specialist a few towns over who will still make some designer ones."

Theo turned the strange fruit over in his hands. It was green and hard. It was about the size of a Pokeball.

"They don't have those where I live," Lance said. "I always grab a few when I'm on this side of the line and get them made before I go back."

"Where are you from?"

"Originally, Blackthorn City," Lance said. "Now I mostly spend time in Kanto."

"Are you a trainer?" Theo asked.

Lance looked at him, puzzled, as if this were a stupid question. He opened his mouth slightly, but before he could answer, the gates behind him slid open. Down the driveway walked a woman in glasses.

"Lance," she said. "Mr. Pokemon is ready to see you. Professor Oak is waiting, as well." She looked Theo up and down. "And you are?"

"I'm from Professor Elm's lab," Theo said. "He sent me on an errand here."

"I don't know if Mr. Pokemon is expecting you," she said. "You'll have to wait here until he calls for you."

"He's with me. He can come in," Lance said, authority in his tone.

"Well, all right, I suppose," the woman said, and she led them up the driveway. Theo was amazed. That was all it took?

The woman led them into the foyer of the house, which was nearly as big as Theo's entire house in New Bark Town. Up an elegant staircase and down a long hallway of dark wood and large windows, she led them at last to a sitting room, with rich carpeting and heavy furniture. Around a wooden table sat two old men. The one on the left, whom Theo took to be Mr. Pokemon, had small eyes, gray hair, and a thick mustache. He was dressed in a button-down, open at the throat, and he wore leather moccasins. To his right was a man even Theo knew by sight. Older, with sandy hair gone mostly gray, in plain clothes, was Professor Oak.

"Lance!" Oak said, standing. "What a surprise, I didn't expect to see you here." He came around the table and hugged Lance. Mr. Pokemon got up and shook Lance's hand - rather deferentially, Theo thought.

"Welcome, welcome," Mr. Pokemon said. "I've seen you many times from afar, of course." He turned. "And who is your friend?"

"A stray I found outside," Lance said, smiling. He had, Theo noted, perfect, blindingly white teeth.

"My name is Theo," Theo said. "Professor Elm sent me. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. And you as well, Professor Oak. I've been a fan of yours for a long time." He shook both their hands.

"How wonderful! Sit, sit!" Mr. Pokemon gestured toward the table. "And these two fine specimens are welcome, too!" He reached in his pocket and pulled out two pellets, throwing one to Cyndaquil and another to Charmander. Both Fire Pokemon squealed eagerly.

"So you received him?" Oak said to Lance when they were all seated.

"I did," Lance said. The Charmander walked over to Oak and greeted him familiarly. Oak smiled down at the lizard.

"He'll be a fine one," Oak said. "Sometimes you can tell right away. And that one. May I see?" He pointed at Cyndaquil. Theo reached for the Pokemon and handed him to the professor.

"Well, well," Oak said. "Isn't that something special?"

"I told Theo the same thing outside," Lance said. "Professor Elm doesn't seem to realize what he has on his hands."

"Best keep it to yourself," Oak said, winking at Theo. "Some people can't distinguish gold from brass." Cyndaquil licked Oak's face. "You're lucky to have a Pokemon like this, Theo."

"Delightful, delightful," Mr. Pokemon said. "These two young men have excellent companions on their hands. Most excellent." Theo held in a laugh; Mr. Pokemon had a very affected way of speaking.

"The reason you're here, though, Theo," Mr. Pokemon said, rising from his seat, "is this." He went to a chest on the opposite wall and unlocked it. Returning to the table, he showed them what Professor Elm had expected: an egg.

"It's not a species that's native to Johto," Mr. Pokemon said. "It was found in a little nest in the back of a cargo ship, if you can believe it. A contact in Olivine found it and phoned me right away." The egg was white, but here and there were markings in blue and red triangle formations.

"Naoko, right?" Theo said. "I met her at the Pokemon Center."

"Too right, my boy," Mr. Pokemon said. "She and her sisters were performing in Olivine. Have you seen them, Lance? They're quite something." He winked suggestively, but Lance shrugged.

"Not my thing," he said.

"I haven't seen an egg with this pattern before," Oak said. Lance took it and ran his hands over it.

"Something about it gives me shivers," Lance said, passing it back. "Something powerful must be inside."

"Maybe so, maybe so," Mr. Pokemon said, giving a little clap. "I know Professor Elm does a remarkable job hatching eggs. I wondered if you would take it to him."

"I can do that," Theo said. "Except, I may not have room in my bag for it."

"Packed heavy for a few days' walk?" Mr. Pokemon said. The other two men laughed.

"I actually brought something for you to look at, sir," Theo said. He reached into his bag and fished out the silver egg. "My father bought this when I was a kid, but he was never able to hatch it before he passed away. I was wondering if you might be interested in it."

Mr. Pokemon passed the white egg to Oak. He took the silver egg and stared into its surface. Lance and Oak craned their necks forward to look.

"But what could be inside?" Mr. Pokemon asked.

"My dad never said," Theo said. "All I know is it came from Sinnoh, and he said it was rare." That wasn't, strictly speaking, what his father had said, but Theo was playing to the crowd.

"A Steel type, most likely," Oak said, placing the white egg on the floor and taking the silver. "But it's impossible to say what it is. Steel type eggs nearly all look alike."

"Sinnoh, though?" Lance said. "Maybe a Lucario?"

"Those are rare," Mr. Pokemon said, "but the baby form is not a Steel type. The egg reflects what's inside, not what its parents were."

"Are there Skarmory in Sinnoh?" Theo asked. He had loved Skarmory since he was a kid. He had had a book his dad read with him that showed them flying beside fighter jets.

"A few," Oak said. "Skarmory eggs are quite rare and hard to come by. They do not breed easily in captivity, and they guard their eggs ferociously in the wild. Your father would have been right about that."

Theo suddenly felt embarrassed about his task. He was talking to these three men as if he were an equal, and he hated to lower himself in their eyes. But the thought of returning with the egg to his mother made him bold.

"Would any of you be interested in buying it?"

The question hung in the silence for a moment until Oak cleared his throat.

"Well," Oak said. "I don't know that I could do that, Theo, without knowing what's inside."

"Quite right," Mr. Pokemon said. "It could be rare, but it could also be some nasty common thing, and without knowing, what would I pay for it?"

"I don't deal in Steel," Lance said quietly.

Theo's heart sank. He took the egg back silently.

"I'm sorry," he said. "My mom is looking to get rid of it. It reminds her of dad, and money is a little tight right now."

The other three men looked at Theo and nodded solemnly.

"Well, I do understand that, my boy," Mr. Pokemon said.

Cyndaquil, seeming to sense the sensitivity of the moment, came over and hopped into Theo's lap, pressing his warm head to the egg. Oddly, the Charmander followed suit, coming to Theo's other side and putting its claws against the steel shell.

The egg shook violently, flying out of Theo's hands onto the table.

All four men stared at each other.

"My boy," Mr. Pokemon said, startled. "Does that Cyndaquil know any Fire moves?"

"Yeah," Theo said. "He can do Ember."

"Be careful," Oak said. "There's a lot of wood in here." The egg shook again and then spun like a top.

"Gently have him Ember that egg," Mr. Pokemon said. "Quickly, before this egg wrecks my table."

Lance looked over at Theo, smiling broadly.

"Well, isn't this exciting?" Lance said. "Show us what you've got, Theo."

"Cyndaquil," Theo said. "Go right there." He pointed, and Cyndaquil obeyed. "Now, just a little bit. Ember."

Cyndaquil pulled in a little breath and shot a candle flame of fire at the egg.

"Wonderful command over your Pokemon," Oak said. "Impressive." Lance nodded at Theo.

"He's actually not - " Theo started, but then he stopped.

The egg shook, spun, and rattled the table. It rolled over and onto the floor, glowing.

"Oh, goodness!" Mr. Pokemon said, and then there was a cracking sound.

The silver egg, for just a moment, shone like a beacon, and the four men averted their eyes.

Theo looked first.

From the floor, a strange silver creature rose. It appeared to be all one eyeball, with arms like screws and magnets coming from the sides of its head. Its large eye looked at Theo, and then its steely face crinkled into something like a smile.

"Boop boop," the Magnemite said, and then it made a buzzing sound like a laugh.