XI.

Theo let his Magnemite float beside him as he walked. It didn't know how to do much besides Tackle passing Rattata, but its body was so hard that it won its small battles easily. No Bite or Scratch seemed to damage it at all.

As they traveled back to New Bark Town, Theo held the egg from Mr. Pokemon close to his body. There was warmth to it, like a pleasant heat radiating from its shell, and something about it made him calmer, the same way listening to Lance's breathing had the night before. He was glad for it. He was walking home not only having failed to sell the egg, but having hatched it and caught a Pokemon. He had done exactly what his mother hadn't wanted, and now he had another egg nobody wanted. On top of that, he was facing the prospect of losing Cyndaquil.

He missed Lance too, though they'd only spent a day together. He hadn't had any friends around since his own had left for university. He kept thinking of the sound of Lance sleeping beside him, and the monstrous golden Pokemon on which he had flown away. Theo wondered how long he would have to train to be able to do something like that. It must be much faster than walking.

His new shoes were more comfortable, though, and he felt like he was moving faster than he would have. He thought he might be able to run in them, if he had any interest in arriving home quickly.

Nearly back at New Bark Town, Theo sat by the side of the road eating a sandwich, Magnemite doing circles around his head. From the other direction, he saw someone approaching.

It was a young man around his own age. He had auburn hair, with its red strains glinting in the sun. As he approached, Theo saw that his face was twisted in a scowl. The man had what looked like three days' worth of stubble, and he carried no belongings save a single Pokeball at his belt. Theo put a hand up in greeting.

"You coming from New Bark Town?" Theo said.

"Why?" the man yelped. "Who's asking?"

"Just curious," Theo said. "I'm Theo. I'm heading back there. You didn't look familiar."

"Yeah, I guess if you're from there you'd know everybody in town." There was condescension in his voice.

Magnemite made a strange sound overhead. Most of the noises it had made on the journey home were silly. This was a red noise, a noise like an alarm. It was a single note of threat.

"Wait a minute," the young man said. "The professor gave you a Pokemon. I saw you leaving town with it the other day."

"Just to borrow for an errand," Theo said. "I didn't see you."

"I didn't want you to," he said.

What does that mean? Theo thought.

"That's not the one you got, though," he said, pointing at Magnemite.

"No, that's a new one," Theo said.

The young man smirked. "Doesn't look like much, to be honest. Neither did that Cyndaquil."

Magnemite floated down into Theo's lap, next to the egg.

"I think they're pretty great, myself," Theo said flatly. It might have been his imagination, but he felt the egg quiver in the crook of his elbow.

The auburn-haired man snorted and turned his nose up. "I think I understand. You're a charity case who got to borrow some lab runt, and now you've got a hunk of floating trash to keep you company," the young man said, the hostility of his tone deepening.

"What are you so mad about?" Theo said. "You don't know anything about me."

"But I do," he said. "I know that you are pathetic. Like everything that comes out of New Bark Town. Everything that comes out of Johto, for that matter."

Theo stood up. He held the egg, and Magnemite floated in front of him like a shield.

"Who do you think you are?" Theo said.

"You want to find out?" The young man clicked the Pokeball off his belt.

"Let's do it," Theo said. "Go on, Magnemite."

Magnemite flew ahead, all silliness gone. Its eye was tightening in focus, ready for an opponent.

"Go!" said the man, brandishing his Pokeball. Before them, a small blue reptile materialized. It croaked and shook its legs.

"A Totodile," Theo said. Professor Elm had just had a litter of them. "Where did you get that?"

"Totodile, Scratch!" the young man said, ignoring the question. The Totodile launched at Magnemite with its claws.

Magnemite rushed to take the blow, the opponent's claws shrieking against its metallic skin. Theo's Pokemon barely seemed to feel it.

"Tackle!" Theo said. Magnemite retreated a few feet, and then it dove full-bodied at the Totodile, its eye scrunched in intensity.

"Stand your ground and Leer," said Theo's rival, but the command did little good. Magnemite attacked with force, and the Totodile went flying back to the feet of its trainer.

"Get back out there!" the auburn-haired man said, his voice hoarse. He kicked the Totodile roundly back into battle.

"Hey, don't do that!" Theo said.

"Shut the hell up and fight me," he said. "Totodile, aim for its eye!"

The Totodile tried desperately, brandishing its claws at Magnemite as if it had something to prove, but Magnemite parried with the side of its body. The Totodile's claws bounced off its magnets, each blow making another metallic screech.

"Metal Sound!" Theo shouted, and Magnemite let loose a horrible, high-pitched sound that sent the Totodile reeling. It whimpered and turned to its trainer, arms out like a baby.

It wants a hug, Theo thought.

It would not be getting one from its trainer. The young man kicked it again, this time in the chest. It whimpered, and for a moment it stayed motionless on the ground. After a second, it launched back into battle. Theo saw the Totodile's eyes were watering and its legs were quivering.

"Give it up," Theo said. "It's just a baby. Can't you see it's hurting?"

"I'm not giving in to a piece of shit Magnemite and a redneck from the worst place in Johto," the trainer said.

Magnemite stopped, floating perfectly still in midair. Its eye trained on Theo's rival. It blinked once. From the magnets on the sides of its body, bolts of electricity suddenly exploded, striking the Totodile head to toe. The little blue Pokemon shrieked the horrible cry of an injured child, and then it collapsed.

Magnemite floated back to Theo.

"Where did you learn that?" Theo said.

"Boop," Magnemite said, pulling its magnets up in a shrug.

"Nice work, buddy," Theo said. "Come on back." He recalled the Pokemon. He looked down at the Totodile. It was panting, staring at him with beseeching eyes.

"Come back, good for nothing," said the young man. He called the Totodile into its Pokeball and walked forward, putting his face right up against Theo's.

"What are you so mad about?" Theo said. "That Totodile was trying its best. You're abusing it."

"I've got two pieces of advice for you," said the young man. "One, shut the hell up. Two, don't get used to winning, you or your stupid fucking Magnemite."

Theo held the white egg tight in one elbow. With the other hand, in a fit of impulse, Theo gave the young man a shove. He reeled back, and from his shirt pocket an identification card flew out. Theo snatched it from the ground and looked at it. He caught only the first name, Luca, and the city of origin, Viridian City, before its owner grabbed it from him.

"You're a long way from home," Theo said.

"It's a lot easier to get a Pokemon in this bum-fuck region," Luca said. "I've got what I wanted. Like I said, cross me again, and you won't have it so easy." He turned and began running toward Cherrygrove City.

The egg in the crook of Theo's arm felt strange. He could only think it was like the feeling of panting after a long run, or the relief after some tension is broken.

XII.

It was past noon when Theo made it back to New Bark Town. He had recalled both of his Pokemon. He was afraid that his mother would see the Magnemite before he could explain. He was afraid to look at Cyndaquil, for fear of growing more attached. The egg was back in his backpack, though he felt it now and then. Once, he could have sworn he heard it singing, a sweet chirping sound, but when he took it out, it was still a quiet, ordinary egg. Pokemon were far stranger than he had realized.

He thought of Lance. He thought of Luca. So much had happened in the few days he had been away. His head was spinning so much that when he finally approached Professor Elm's lab, he didn't take in the broken glass right away. One of the front windows had been shattered, like a rock had been thrown through it, and there was a police car out front.

Startled to attention, Theo took out the badge that proved he worked there. He did not want any trouble. He arrived at the front lobby and poked his head in cautiously.

Professor Elm stood with a police officer, looking harried. A computer monitor on a desk beside him was playing footage of a security camera, on which someone masked was breaking into the lab. The figure had a black hood pulled around his head, but from one side the faintest trace of auburn hair was visible.

"You need to invest in a security system, Professor," the police officer was saying. "You're lucky this is the first time this has happened. You're the only valuable thing in town."

"I know," Professor Elm said. Theo had never seen him look anything less than confident. Now, he was defeated. "I'm lucky only one Pokemon was taken."

"What was stolen?" Theo said. Professor Elm and the police officer whipped around to face him.

"Theo," Professor Elm said. "You're back."

"Who is this?" the officer said, his voice thick with suspicion.

"One of my lab assistants," Professor Elm said, waving his hand. "Theo wouldn't have to throw a brick through the window to get in here."

"What was stolen?" Theo repeated, though he suspected he knew.

"A Totodile," Professor Elm said, sighing. "One of the newborns."

"I know who did it," Theo said.

"You do?" the police officer asked. "How?"

"I battled him," Theo said. "On the way here this morning."

"Battled?" Professor Elm asked, his voice stern. "Theo, I told you strictly not to use that Cyndaquil in battle."

"I didn't," Theo said, which, when confined to that one battle, was not, technically, a lie. "It's a long story, but I did get his name. I saw his identification."

"Well?" the officer said. "What was it?"

"His card said his name was Luca," Theo said, "and he was from Viridian City."

"Viridian City?" Professor Elm said. "What on earth is someone from Kanto doing here robbing my lab?"

The officer had turned to the computer and was frantically typing information.

"There is a Luca from Viridian City with a record," he said, scanning whatever information he had pulled up. "Some petty crimes, trying to trade for a Pokemon with an empty Pokeball. It looks like he was denied a starter Pokemon there."

"Why?" Professor Elm asked. "Professor Oak is nearby. He is happy to give away Pokemon to people who can't afford them."

People do that? Theo thought. This was not, Theo thought, a practice in which Professor Elm engaged. He should have asked Oak when he had the chance.

"Well, well, well," the officer said, and he whistled.

"What?" Theo and Elm said together.

"You'll never believe," the officer said. "His father was Giovanni."

Professor Elm's eyes widened. "The Giovanni?"

"Sorry," Theo said, "but who is Giovanni?"

"Giovanni was the leader of Team Rocket," the officer said.

"No wonder he was denied," Elm said. "Who knows what the son of that man would do with a Pokemon."

"They denied him just because of his father?" Theo asked.

"Crime runs in the blood," Elm said dismissively, and the policeman nodded.

"Like father, like son," the officer added.

Theo thought of his own father. He would hate to be judged by that standard.

"Where is Giovanni now?" Theo asked.

"No one knows, since Team Rocket was disbanded." The officer shrugged. "Though I don't think you can just shake off that lifestyle. He's probably doing evil somewhere, just more quietly."

"Does it say Luca was involved with Team Rocket?" Theo asked.

"No, he'd be too young," Elm said "but he's continuing the legacy regardless." Professor Elm snorted. "You say you battled him, Theo. Did you defeat him?"

"I did," Theo said.

"Well, that's good," Professor Elm said. He almost looked proud of Theo.

"He treated that Totodile terribly, though," Theo said. "He kept kicking it, and he worked it nearly to death."

"The poor dear," Elm said. "He stole one that was very sweet. I didn't see him as a fighter, really. Sadly, most of the Gyms will allow him to compete, if that's his goal, even if he is a criminal. Anything for ratings and content."

"We'll put the alert out to other towns in the area," the officer said, "but if he gets as far as Violet City, I'm afraid our jurisdiction runs out."

"A backwards system," Elm said, shaking his head. "But I thank you, sir." He turned to Theo as the officer left the lab. "It seems like you might have a few things to fill me in on."

XIII.

Theo sat across from Professor Elm in his personal office. The white egg rested in his lap. Theo rubbed his fingers over the red and blue shapes in its design as he told his story, from meeting Lance to the encounter with Mr. Pokemon and Professor Oak, to the surprise battle with Luca.

"Theo," Elm said slowly. "You said this Lance flew away on a Dragon?"

"Yeah," Theo said. "A gold one."

The Professor laughed wildly. "Do you know who that is that you met? Haven't you ever seen him on television? Battling?"

"No," Theo said. Professor Elm had a unique ability to make Theo feel ashamed of himself. They couldn't afford a television at Theo's house. Besides, his mother had forbidden him to watch Pokemon battles since his father had ruined their family with them.

"If you're describing who I think you're describing," Elm said, "Lance is the Champion of the Pokemon League."

Theo's eyes widened. The Champion was the most powerful trainer in all of Kanto and Johto put together. He or she was one of the strongest trainers in the world.

"Well, he's Champion on a technicality," Elm added. "The previous Champion stepped down. He was never defeated. But Lance hasn't been, either, not in three years or so."

Theo barely processed this extra information. His mind was racing. He had spent more than a day with the League Champion, asking him rookie questions like an idiot. He had asked the Champion if he had any Gym badges. He had tried to sell a Magnemite egg to a Dragon Master. He had Lance's phone number! He started to blush.

"Why wouldn't he tell me that?" Theo blurted. He had been sleeping six feet from the most powerful trainer in the region, listening to his breathing.

"He probably thought you knew," Elm said. "I've only met him in passing, but they say he's a rather private person. A little stuck-up, though."

Theo said nothing. Professor Elm would know stuck-up if he saw it.

"So," Elm said. "Show me this famous egg I so desperately needed to look at."

Theo held the egg up and handed it over. He thought of how Lance had said something powerful must be inside. What Pokemon could possibly intimidate someone like him, who had Dragons at his command? Theo had never heard of anyone who had even seen a Dragon Pokemon, let alone caught one.

"Not one I've seen before, either," Elm said, turning it over. "Has it moved?"

"A lot," Theo said. "It felt really…" Theo grasped for a word. "It felt really emotional."

"Emotional?" Elm asked, smiling. "What do you mean?"

"When I was walking with it and had Magnemite with me, it felt really happy," Theo said. "But when I started fighting with Luca, it got really still and quiet, like it was nervous."

"You have an intuitive sense for the Pokemon inside here," Elm said. He handed the egg back to Theo. "May I see this Magnemite? And the Cyndaquil, for that matter."

Inside, Theo felt his stomach drop. This was it. He would have to beg.

Magnemite came out first. It zoomed over Theo's head in greeting, and then it made its way to Professor Elm.

"A Sinnoh variety," Elm said, snatching the Pokemon down. "So shiny. Much nicer than the ones in Johto." Magnemite hummed pleasantly as the Professor examined it.

"How strange that your father had this egg," Elm said, releasing the Pokemon. "Not that they're weak by any means, of course. Steel types are so hardy, they're useful in many ways, but if he had real designs on a Gym challenge, I'm not sure why he would want this in particular."

"It handled that Totodile pretty well," Theo said, shrugging.

"A Thundershock already," Elm said. "You must have been training it on the road."

"A bit," Theo said sheepishly.

"And Cyndaquil?"

Theo hesitated a moment. He recalled the Magnemite and then he released the Fire type. It emerged, mewing and rubbing its head against Theo's feet. Theo scratched at his ears.

"All healthy," Elm said. He took the Pokemon from the floor. "You look like you've grown! Maybe the exercise did you some good."

The Cyndaquil squealed happily. Theo tried to swallow, but his mouth was dry. It was now or never.

"Professor," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I was wondering if I could keep that Cyndaquil."

Professor Elm furrowed his eyebrows and looked at Theo. "Keep it? What for?"

"He and I got along while we were walking," Theo said. As if in confirmation, Cyndaquil squirmed out of Elm's grip and ran back to Theo, rubbing his odd, glossy fur against Theo's leg. "And I was thinking, I might go and start on a journey with him and Magnemite." He said it quickly, as if he knew how absurd it sounded.

"Theo," Elm said. "I told you when I sent you out that I couldn't be giving away Pokemon. You certainly have a gift for working with them, I won't deny that, but I can't be in the business of helping charity cases. Certainly not now that I've lost money having one stolen."

"I just thought, since he seems to like me…"

"You've got your Magnemite. It's already proven itself to be an able companion."

"Yes, but…"

"Besides, even if I wanted to, it's out of the question," Elm said. "Someone bought that Cyndaquil last night."

"Someone bought him?" Theo asked. His heart sank to the floor.

"Indeed," Professor Elm said. "I saw the notification last night. I meant to look, but of course once I arrived here the robbery took it out of my mind."

"I see," Theo said. He tried to fight, but tears sprang to his eyes. He tried to hold them back as he looked down at Cyndaquil, his vision blurry. He had been so hopeful. So many people had made it seem like the two of them had a destiny, but it had just been another dream that was too expensive to become real.

"You'll have to release him and snap the Pokeball, of course," Elm said. "That's the only way to properly break the ownership. Then the new owner can recapture him." Cyndaquil squealed in protest at this, but Elm hardly noticed. He turned to his computer at the desk. "Yes, yes, right here." He scrolled. "This Cyndaquil was purchased…"

He stopped and barked a laugh.

"What?" Theo said. He would not look up from Cyndaquil. He would drink in whatever time they had left, bonded as they were.

"I'm reading the purchase notes," Elm said, and he laughed another shrill laugh. "This Cyndaquil was purchased by someone named Lance."

"Lance?" Wildly, Theo thought of Lance outside Mr. Pokemon's house.

I'd love to find one, he had said, admiring Cyndaquil.

Was it possible? Would Lance betray him like that?

"Lance paid for this Pokemon," Professor Elm nodded, and then finished slowly, "as a gift for a budding new trainer, Theo."

Theo stopped breathing. Lance had paid for the Cyndaquil, and he had given it to Theo. That meant…

"If I'm reading this right," Elm said, "that Cyndaquil is, in fact, all yours."