XIV.

Theo was quiet, holding the egg in his lap, Cyndaquil nuzzling his ankles.

"You don't look happy," Elm said.

"No, I am," Theo said, "it's just…" But he could not finish. He was failing to undo a knot of complicated feelings.

"What is it?" Elm said.

"I can't explain," Theo said. Not to Elm. Elm wouldn't understand. But as if he had read Theo's thought, the Professor spoke again.

"Try me."

"I just thought that maybe if you gave Cyndaquil to me," Theo started slowly, "almost like a reward, that might prove that I was worthy of the chance. That maybe the universe saw something in me. But if Lance just bought it for me, I feel like sort of…"

"Like sort of what?"

"Like sort of a charity case," Theo said, using the Professor's own words. "Like I got this Pokemon because someone felt bad for me, not because I really deserve it."

Elm leaned back in his chair. "Theo, how many Pokemon have I sold to people who haven't got a fraction of your talent with them? Does that make them worthy, that they have money and you don't?"

"Well, no," Theo said. He believed this with all his heart. Johto was not a region with a foundation of merit.

"Look at your new friend Lance," Elm said. "Whatever his good qualities, not many people are groomed to raise Pokemon from birth. Not many start out their journeys battling with a Dratini from their grandfather."

"Why do you sell your Pokemon for so much, then?" Theo asked. He knew it was rude, but suddenly he didn't care. "If money isn't that important to you, why do you only give them to people who can afford them?"

Elm held his gaze for a moment and then sighed.

"I suppose you're right, Theo," he said. After another quiet moment, he stood and pulled Cyndaquil up to his nose. The Pokemon squealed.

"I grew up here, too. Did you know that? I made it out. I went to expensive schools. I studied abroad." Elm sighed again. "I've been to more places than most of the people in this town put together. I always said I would come back to give back." He put the Cyndaquil down. "But perhaps I've lost my way."

"Professor," Theo started, but Elm cut him off.

"I have not treated you with the respect you deserve," Elm said. "For that, I apologize."

"There's nothing to apologize for, sir," Theo said, but Elm shook his head.

"It would give me great pleasure if you could take this Pokemon and make something great of it," Elm said. "And even more pleasure if you could make something great of yourself."

"That's a tall order," Theo said, smiling ruefully.

"Not when you are as capable as you are."

Theo's breath caught in his throat. No one ever complimented him like this, and certainly not Professor Elm.

"How am I ever going to pay Lance back?" Theo said.

"Why, that's simple," Elm said, and he smiled. "Prove yourself worthy of the gift."

Theo sat with this thought for a moment. He wrapped his arms around the white egg, hugging it to himself. He churned with doubt, but something in the egg worked to dispel it. In this egg there was joy. There was possibility. There was hope.

"Keep that, too," Elm said, nodding at the egg.

"Really?"

"Really," Elm said. "I've got my hands full as it is. Just promise me something."

"Anything."

"Whatever is inside," Elm said, "you will raise it with the love it deserves."

"Lance thinks it's something scary inside."

"Scary things need love most of all," Elm said.

Theo smiled. "I can keep that promise."

"You should give your Cyndaquil a name," Elm said.

Theo thought. Something powerful, and something to do with fire. The memory of Lance mounting his Dragonite came back to him. He would need a name to match Titan's, a name like a god's.

"Vulcan," Theo said.

"A fine name," Elm said. "And the Magnemite?"

As if summoned, the Pokemon burst from its Pokeball, buzzing around the room. They both laughed.

"I think he's going to be Mags," Theo said. It was small and silly, like the Magnemite itself.

"Short for Magnus?"

Theo liked that. "Sure. That's a strong name."

"A strong name indeed," Elm said. "Here." He went to a shelf and pulled down a small red electronic.

"A Pokedex," Elm said. "Not necessary, but it can be helpful. Use it if you don't know what a Pokemon is or if your Pokemon learns a new move."

"Thank you," Theo said. Another debt to pay back. He had a lot of work to do.

"Will you go soon?" Elm asked.

"I have one more obstacle," Theo said.

"What's that?"

Theo heaved a sigh. "I have to talk to my mom."

XV.

Theo let Vulcan walk home beside him. He was resolved in his purpose, but the Pokemon fortified his courage. He had never let his mother down before. He had been a good student. He had always been respectful. He had turned his money over to her every time he was paid. He had stayed on the right path, or what she thought was the right path. But it was time to step off it and do what was right for himself.

"Well, finally!" she said when he opened the door. The door opened into the small kitchen, with its peeling linoleum floor and outdated wallpaper. She was at the sink, wrists deep in soapy water.

"Here, let me dry off," she said, and she grabbed a towel. She looked down at Vulcan. "So you came right home without going to the lab? That was good luck. The neighbors just called and said there was some kind of break in there."

"I went there first," Theo said. He put his backpack gingerly on the floor, so as not to disturb the egg inside, and took a seat at the rickety kitchen table. It creaked beneath his weight. Vulcan jumped into his lap.

"Then why didn't you give that Pokemon back yet?" his mother said, sitting in the chair opposite him.

"Because," Theo said, choking on his own words. "Because he's mine now."

"What?" his mother said. "What does that mean?"

"He's mine now," Theo said. "I'm keeping him."

The pleasant expression on his mother's face evaporated.

"Theo," she said, "how many times do I need to tell you that we don't have the room or the money in this house for a Pokemon?"

"I don't think I'll be staying in the house," he mumbled.

"What was that?" she said. Her tone was strident. "Speak up."

"I said, I won't be staying here anymore." Theo made himself say it louder and more firmly. He had to believe it. He couldn't back down.

"Oh, you think you can afford an apartment in town on your own?" his mother said, snorting.

"Mom," he said. "I'm leaving."

"Leaving for where?"

"I'm going to Violet City to fight at the Gym."

She said nothing for a moment. She stood, pushed her chair in, and held her hands on its back, steadying herself.

"No, you are not," she said. "You will not."

"Mom, I am. I want to," Theo said. He wrapped his arms around Vulcan. "I have two good Pokemon already, and I've met a lot of people over the last few days who believed in me."

"You get a thumbs-up and a slap on the back from some random people on the road, and suddenly you think you can beat a Gym Leader?"

"They weren't random people," Theo said. "They were people who knew what they were talking about."

"Lots of people think they know what they're talking about," she said harshly. "How long did you and I listen to your father's talk? Oh, he knew everything about everything. And where did it get us?" She swept her arm in a broad gesture around the kitchen, where everything was secondhand and dingy. "What happened with that egg, anyway? Did you get rid of it?"

"Not exactly," Theo said. He took the ball from his belt and clicked it open. Mags emerged, floated to face his mother, and, with its odd smiling eye, said, "Boop."

"I told you to sell that thing," his mother said. "But you hatched it and caught it, when I told you we didn't have the money for another mouth to feed."

"It wasn't on purpose, mom," Theo said. "I tried, I really did. Please, say hi. Mags is friendly."

His mother stood resolutely with her arms by her sides.

"So you think these two little monsters are going to get you a Gym badge?" His mother dug the heels of her hands into her eyes. When she pulled them back, Theo was astonished to see her crying. "A rodent and a magnet are going to make you famous?"

"Mom," Theo said, standing up. He went to hug her. She did not return his embrace, leaving her arms dangling at her sides.

"I lost your dad to this foolishness," she said. "Am I going to lose you, too?"

"You're not losing me," he said. "I'm not dad."

She sighed into his shoulder.

"I know," she said quietly. "You've got more discipline, and you're kinder. That's why I didn't think you would leave me."

"There's nothing for me here, mom," Theo said. "My friends are gone. I can't afford university. I work two jobs and barely make anything to get by on. I can do better than this."

One small sob escaped her. She put a hand to her mouth.

"I know you can," she said. "I just don't want it to be this way."

Theo stepped away from her and went to his bag. He pulled the white egg out.

"Here, hold this," he said, and he handed it to her.

"Another one?" his mother said, sniffing.

"It feels good when you hold it," Theo said. "It calmed me down the whole way here."

"I have a hard time believing another egg is going to make me feel any better," she said, but she pulled the egg into a hug. "It's warm."

Mags floated closer and pushed its head to Theo's mother's forehead in a gesture of comfort. Vulcan approached her and knelt at her ankle, nuzzling her with his head.

"Well, they are sweet," his mother said, wiping her nose with her wrist. "Here," she said. She knelt down, holding the egg in one elbow and stroking Vulcan with her other hand. Mags followed her down to the floor and now pushed his head to the white egg. Vulcan raised his snout and blew a tiny flame.

Just as before, the egg began to glow.

"Theo," his mother said, and she handed the egg to him. It did not spin or vibrate as the Magnemite egg had. Instead, it grew brighter and brighter, its warmth increasing until the shell almost felt like flesh. There was a cracking sound, and a line spread in a perfect circle around one end of the egg. Four other smaller circles appeared further down. Something inside the egg started to push.

Theo gasped. From one of the smaller holes, a cream-colored leg emerged. Then another came on the opposite side. A bit further up, two arms emerged. All four limbs were moving rhythmically back and forth.

Finally, there was one great heave, and the top of the egg flew off like a discarded crown. What emerged was a head, somehow spiky and soft at the same time. The creature had a small mouth, which was already pulled into a newborn smile. Its two eyes were closed, but it made a sweet chirping sound as they flew open to stare directly at Theo.

"What is it?" his mother whispered.

"I have no idea," he said. He put the creature on the floor, where it stood chirping happily and waving its arms back and forth. Its eyes, filled with what Theo could only call joy, were fixed on him. Theo tugged the Pokedex from his back pocket and pointed it at the baby.

TOGEPI. The screen flashed with this identification. FAIRY-TYPE. FEMALE. A TOGEPI WILL IMPRINT ON THE FIRST THING IT SEES, BELIEVING IT TO BE ITS MOTHER.

"Well, I guess you're a mother now, too," his mom said. She actually laughed. "Theo, how in the world are you going to get a Gym badge with three sweet little things like this? I'll cry if I see any of them hurt in a battle."

He smiled. "I hope they're tougher than they look." He crouched to the floor. Vulcan and Mags moved toward the new Pokemon as he extended his hand.

"Hi there," he said to the Togepi. The Pokemon chimed like a bell and toddled to him like a baby. She was almost like an egg with legs. He pulled her into an embrace, and then he reached for his other two Pokemon, pulling them in as well.

"I know you're all tougher than you look," he told them.

His mother stood over them, watching.

"So I guess this means you really are going," she said. "Don't you have to catch that one first?"

"Good point," Theo said. He took a Pokeball from his backpack and held it before the Togepi.

"What will you name her?" his mother asked.

"I'm not sure," Theo said. "Something to do with eggs."

"Eggatha," his mother laughed.

"Peggy," Theo returned.

"Shelly," she said.

"Yoko!"

"Allegra," his mother said. "That means happiness. She is awfully happy." The Togepi turned its awkward body toward his mother and made a series of joyful noises.

"Allegra," Theo said. "I like that. What do you think, Allegra? You want to come along?"

The Togepi raised her little arms and sang a single beautiful note.

"I think that means yes," his mother said.

Theo called Allegra into a Pokeball. The ball shook once and halted. He recalled the other two Pokemon. Now he had three at his belt.

"You look like a professional," his mother said. "Oh, Theo, part of me always thought this day might come. I just didn't want to believe it."

"If it doesn't work out, I can always come back," Theo said, hugging her again.

"Don't you dare say that," she said, suddenly stern. She put her finger in his face. "If you're going to do this, you're going to do this. There is no going back." She pulled in a ragged breath. "I do not want to see you wasting your life in this town. Do you hear me?"

He nodded. "I hear you."

"Will you leave now?"

"In the morning. Early."

"Good," she said. "We'll have one last dinner tonight, and I can see you off. You need to tell me about all these so-called experts you met on the road." She smiled at him. "Who knows? Maybe once you're gone, I'll get a Pokemon to keep me company."

XVI.

Theo could hardly sleep that night. He laid in his bed in his underwear. His bag was packed, and he didn't want one extra piece of clothing to get dirty before the journey. His head and heart were racing. The conversation was over. It was decided. He was going.

He sent Allegra out beside him on the bed and pulled her close. He thought of putting a shirt on, but he decided not to. He took a picture of himself on his phone with Allegra chirping and smiling beside him.

Hey champ, he texted Lance. The scary egg hatched, and you were right. She's terrifying. He sent Lance the picture, in which Allegra, looking sleepy, could not have been more adorable.

Looks like a Fairy to me, Lance sent back immediately. That's the scariest thing I can think of.

She's sweet. Theo paused, then typed. Why didn't you tell me you were the League Champ?

I don't know. Lance said. It was nice to be a regular person with you. Are you mad?

No, Theo said. Just felt a little stupid.

Don't, Lance sent back. You're not.

Thank you for Cyndaquil, Theo said. You didn't have to do that.

But it helped, right? Admit it.

Yeah, it helped.

I told you, Lance said. People will want to help you. Take the help.

I owe you. Again.

Maybe you do. How do you plan to pay me back?

Theo hesitated, then said, I'll figure it out. He sent a winking face with it.

So are you leaving?

I am, Theo said.

Tomorrow?

Tomorrow.

Oh, baby, Lance said. It's go time.

It's go time, Theo agreed.

I'll be watching, Lance said.

From afar?

Sure. And maybe from up close, if I can work it out.

Theo gulped. The idea of Lance watching him battle made his stomach churn.

Don't be scared, Lance said, as if he had heard it.

I can't help it. Theo said.

Well, Lance said. I guess you'll do it scared, then.

"What do you think about that, Allegra?" he asked the Togepi beside him. Her eyes were nearly closed in sleep. "Should we do it, even if we're scared?"

She opened her eyes for just a moment, rolled her body into him, and chirped an affirmative. He called her back into her Pokeball and rolled onto his side. He took a deep breath. This was the last moment, he thought. All people who take great risks, who try for great destinies, must have these moments at the edge of the cliff, the last lingering of an old life before a tremendous change. What was there below him, he thought, as his mind drifted into sleep? Something new, some great expanse to explore, the landscape of his future. His eyes were closed, but he thought he saw it: a light that flashed in a ring, like a silver halo or a crown for his whole life. But what was it? There are mysteries in dreams. If in time they reveal themselves to us, they come in forms far more strange and wild than we can predict; there is nothing so dazzling as a courageous first step. Whatever it was, it was beyond the drowsy grasp of Theo's mind. Sleep took him, and the memory of the light faded out of thought. For now.