The Pokémon Egg had a crimson-colored shell, making it seem as though it was somehow related to a Fire-type Pokémon.
Yet the dark gray stripes greatly broadened the range of possibilities.
At least, based on Michael’s current knowledge, there was no way for him to accurately identify what species this Egg belonged to.
But why did Grandma Kikuko want to entrust this Pokémon Egg to him?
Michael voiced his confusion.
After a brief pause, Kikuko spoke in a gentle voice.
“My son is an explorer.
He found this Pokémon Egg during one of his expeditions in the Sinnoh region.” “He originally intended to keep it and raise the Pokémon himself after it hatched.
But even after a very long time, it simply refused to hatch.” “Later, carrying a Pokémon Egg around everywhere became too inconvenient for his work.
The last time he came home to visit me, he left it here, saying that once it hatched, it could help me watch over the shop.” “Unfortunately, even after all this time, it still hasn’t hatched.
I took it to the Pokémon Center here in town for an examination.
Nurse Joy said the Egg is still alive, it isn’t dead.” “This old lady has lived long enough to know people fairly well.
Last month, when you escorted that dishonest vendor to the police station, the Pokémon you sent out were incredibly strong.” “Perhaps…
as a Pokémon Trainer, you might have a way to help this little life finally come into the world.” In truth, Kikuko had long been considering entrusting the Egg to a reliable Trainer or Pokémon Breeder.
Michael undoubtedly seemed trustworthy.
Since the opportunity had presented itself, she decided to ask.
Michael accepted the Egg.
It felt cool to the touch, yet strangely warm at the same time.
He carefully examined it from every angle.
In the end, the only conclusion he could draw was the same as Nurse Joy’s.
The Egg was still alive.
If even Nurse Joy, who specialized in Pokémon medicine, could only determine that much, Michael certainly didn’t believe his own judgment surpassed hers.
After all, what he possessed was merely the knowledge and perspective he’d gained as someone who had once played the games and watched the anime.
When it came to actual expertise, Nurse Joy was leagues ahead of him.
Should he accept the Egg or politely refuse Grandma Kikuko’s request?
Michael fell into deep thought.
Logically speaking, this was an Egg of an unknown species.
On top of that, there was no guarantee it could even hatch.
Those two uncertainties alone told him he should decline.
But emotionally, Grandma Kikuko, her son, and Nurse Joy had undoubtedly already tried everything they could think of.
Only after exhausting every option had this Egg ended up in his hands.
After a long silence, Michael finally chose to shoulder the responsibility.
Slowly and deliberately, he said, “I can’t promise that I’ll definitely be able to help it hatch.
But I can promise that I’ll do everything within my power to help it come into this world.” “That’s enough…” Kikuko’s weathered hands carefully avoided the Egg as she grasped Michael’s sleeve, as though she’d finally found a glimmer of hope.
She was getting old.
She simply couldn’t bear the thought of a living creature remaining trapped inside its shell until the day it died without ever seeing the sunlight.
“If this little one does hatch…
then let it help out on your farm.
That alone would make me happy.” “Alright.” …
When Michael left the seed wholesale shop, he’d arrived empty-handed.
Now he was carrying not only six bags of crop seeds, but also a Pokémon Egg tucked under his right arm.
He had already searched online for information about Eggs with similar patterns.
None matched.
It seemed he’d have to find another way to identify it.
Besides seeking out an expert, he’d also need to prepare nutrient solution for incubation.
That stuff was incredibly expensive.
Back when Dragonite was still inside its Egg, Michael remembered worrying over the cost for quite some time.
Fortunately, he still had Dragonite’s old Egg Incubator.
That saved him from what would’ve been an even larger expense.
Next, Michael visited several more shops.
He placed an order for ordinary fertilizer and purchased enough pasture grass seed to cover the ranch area.
Altogether, his purchases came to exactly 10,000 Poké Dollars.
Ironically, the crop seeds themselves had been the cheapest part.
The bulk of the expense came from buying pasture grass seed in large quantities.
Both the fertilizer and grass seed were scheduled for truck delivery, so Michael didn’t have to carry everything back himself.
Feeling much lighter, he cradled the Pokémon Egg in one arm while carrying the crop seeds in the other as he leisurely made his way back to the farm.
Looking at the sky, now painted in warm shades of orange by the setting sun, he couldn’t help smiling.
‘A day really passes by quickly.’ …
By the time he returned to the farm, dusk had given way to complete darkness.
Bright stars dotted the night sky, while the gentle moonlight provided more than enough illumination to see the path ahead.
Even from a distance, Michael spotted them.
At the entrance enclosed by the old, worn-down fence, a pair of golden beastly eyes and a ghostly flaming sword.
Warmth instantly welled up inside him.
Even the chilly air of early spring couldn’t keep the cold from melting away.
Holding the Pokémon Egg securely, Michael quickened his pace.
Just as he’d expected, Luxray stood at the front, with the other five Pokémon gathered behind it.
Not a single one was missing.
It was as if they’d all been waiting there for him to come home.
Serperior shot Michael a mildly reproachful look.
It seemed to be complaining that ever since he’d had free time, he was hardly ever around and now he’d even come home this late.
Michael didn’t offer much of an explanation.
Instead, he took the slightly chilled Pokémon Egg from inside his coat and said, “It’s still a bit cold out these days.
A Pokémon Egg can’t handle low temperatures.
Let’s go inside first.” A hint of surprise flashed through Serperior’s eyes.
Looking more closely, there was even a trace of disbelief.
‘Michael only went out for the day…
How did he come back with a Pokémon Egg?
Weren’t the six of us enough already!?
The affection that was already split six ways is about to be divided again!?’ Dragonite carefully wrapped Michael in a gentle hug, taking great care not to bump the Egg.
Then it turned around and flapped its tiny wings a few times, proudly indicating that it had safely delivered Arven back home.
Michael smiled and patted Dragonite’s head in praise.
Then his gaze shifted elsewhere.
Once again, Mimikyu had been completely overlooked by the other Pokémon and had sunk into another bout of depression.
Smiling, Michael called out, “Mimikyu, come on!
Let’s all go home together!” Instantly, Mimikyu’s drooping rag-like disguise perked right up.
If one looked closely, the pair of eyes on the belly of the Pikachu-like disguise curved happily into smiling crescents.
Tiny bubbles of happiness practically seemed to float around its body.
Hearing Michael call its name also reminded Luxray and the others of Mimikyu’s presence.
Luxray, in particular, visibly blamed itself.
Despite reminding itself countless times, how had it accidentally overlooked Mimikyu again?
As Michael’s very first Pokémon, Luxray believed it had a responsibility to unite every member of the team and strengthen the bonds between them, creating an invincible family.
Yet Mimikyu’s strange aura, that peculiar quality of being ignored by the world and lacking any sense of presence, continued to foil its efforts time and time again.