NOVEL WEB Chapter 17 - Eggcellent Surprise
Chapter 17 – Eggcellent Surprise
“So, you are saying this place is around twenty-five hundred years old? Fascinating, and you kept the tower above us away from scrutiny up until this point?”
“It was determined to be the most prudent decision to make. Our creators, the humans who first lived inside this castle, gave us this mission before moving away to escape the desertification.”
“You two have been living here all this while, doesn't it get boring? Do you ever get to take days off, maybe travel the world to go sightseeing?”
“Being bored is not a concern. While sleeping our consciousness escapes these physical forms, and we partake in a journey of wonder and discovery amidst the stars.”
“Wow, that's some heavy stuff. Well, I am glad you aren’t just keeping watch all these years I’d have gone crazy.”
“Would you and your group like to hear the history of this fallen kingdom, while your group waits?”
“Lay it on me. Phoebe also doesn’t mind listening in on these types of old history lessons.”
“Hey! Don’t go making decisions for me, squirt, but yes I’d like to hear the story.”
“This castle used to be surrounded by a vibrant city. The first city ever built in Unova. Before the forming of this kingdom Unova was divided between groups of warring tribes each trying to lay claim on this land until our founding princes found the Dragonstone. The princes having proven themselves worthy awakened the legendary Pokémon from its slumber. Together they unified the lands under one single kingdom and named this newfound region Unova. Having secured lasting peace the brothers had a disagreement on what virtue this new kingdom was to be founded on. The elder brother sought truth and the younger brother sought ideals. Mirroring their differing beliefs, the ancient dragon Pokémon split into two different entities. The white dragon sided with the elder prince seeking truth. While the black dragon followed the younger prince who sought ideals. The princes decided that a battle between dragons would prove which side was right. However, since both Pokémon were born of the same dragon neither side could defeat the other and the brothers declared that there was no right side. As all humans do the princes eventually passed on to the spirit world and their heirs took control of the kingdom. Recommencing the previous conflict. These princes, less wizened than their forebears, continued warring with each other until the Unova region was destroyed. The dragons disappeared shunning further human contact. This city which was founded by the elder prince had its blessings revoked by the forces of nature and sank deep into the sands.”
“That’s a depressing tale. Nowadays anything can be settled by having a Pokémon battle. Those who can guide their team to victory are ultimately appointed as the leaders of their respective home regions. Being able to bring out all of a Pokémon’s hidden strength is seen as the hallmark of a great leader.”
Phoebe also had her own two cents to add onto this topic.
“The two princes must have been real neglectful parents to not be able to instill some sense in their children’s heads.”
“That’s typical Phoebe. I haven't seen my mom for more than five years. My grandparents are the best though, they took me and Zinnia in even though they didn’t have to. That catastrophe could have been avoided if the rulers from that time were decided through battle.”
“Egon, I always thought you were more of the democratic type…?”
“For the small-scale stuff yes. Local communities should be allowed to govern themselves. When we are talking region wide decisions, that would also affect the Pokémon living inside these areas the decision-making process can get hamstrung by the number of voices all with differing opinions. At that moment the best we can do is put our faith into people who share the strongest bonds with Pokémon. If a mistake is made at least there would be a singular person that can shoulder responsibility for the bad choice.”
“Lighten up Egon! Let big sister Phoebe worry about all that when she makes it to the Elite Four. Tell you what. I’ll let you work as my secretary advisor when I get there.”
“Sorry for getting all serious Phoebes. I think the trick to good leadership is always being open to new ideas and not dismissing others who have differing opinions.”
“She has made her decision.”
“Vraahhbrbrbrbr!”
One look at the previously unmoving body informed us that the Volcarona inside the room was no longer sleeping. Flaming scales started drifting around the room as this centennial Pokémon regarded our presence in her sanctuary. Even Phoebe, our ace trainer, seemed intimidated by this Pokémon.
“Before letting you hear her decision, we ask you Egon to clarify the relationship between you and trainer Alder. Sunny recognizes remarkable similarities between the two of you.”
“Egon what is this…?”
“Can you keep another secret for me Phoebes?”
“Okay… but you will have to spend an entire month on Mt. Pyre.”
“Can it be anything else please? No sleep for a month is kind of harsh…”
“I’ll ask Misdreavus to take it easy on you during sleeping hours.”
“Fine… but only after I have finished my business with certain dragon obsessed in-laws.”
“That trainer who visited you all those years ago is my grandfather. Now I haven’t ever met the guy, my familial situation is kind of complicated, but please don’t feel obligated to make your decision based on my heritage.”
“Brbrbr!”
“That would never have been the case. The downfall of old Unova has made it clear to us that blood doesn’t always tell of sound character.”
“Egon, you're the grandson of a champion!? Don’t even think for a second that I am letting you off the hook for not sharing that with me!”
“Do I have to share every little thing with you? Being related to Alder doesn’t even make it in the top five secrets you know about me!”
“What about that one time you took laxatives because you were convinced one of the ghosts put floor polish in your cereal bowl and…”
“Lalala! I can’t hear you!”
“She approves you may pick one of her eggs to take with you.”
“So, I just have to choose one of these?”
“Yes, whichever one you choose will become your partner Pokémon.”
Before me five eggs are lined up for me to choose between. Sunny the Volcarona had the eggs placed inside the ceramics decorating her room to obscure them from view. On her orders one of the Claydol used telekinesis to line them up for me.
‘Am I supposed to get some sort of special feeling for the egg that is most suited for me?’
These eggs looked like any other Pokémon eggs I’ve seen in the gym. Being no different except for the distinct red pattern on each of them. Two of the eggs are slightly bigger, while they all have varying shades of red going from coral all the way to crimson.
I get closer to observe the individual differences between each of the eggs. I noticed Victini making eyes at the one in the middle, a medium sized egg with scarlet red markings. I crouch down to touch the outer shell.
‘Warm…’
“I pick this one to be my future partner.”
“A peculiar choice. This one’s father impressed Sunny enough to be picked a second time for courtship. Its sibling is the one on the other end of the lineup.”
“What happens when the eggs hatch on their own?”
“They live inside the castle with us for a spell before being sent out with a protector to ensure they find themselves a place to call home. Now… onto your obligations as a human picked to care for one of Sunny’s progeny. Sunny has decided she would like to spend time with her offspring nearing the end of the warmer seasons. Schedule any planned visitations in that timeframe. The second more important thing is that we expect human partners to try and extend Sunny’s lineage by helping female offspring find a worthy mate of their own once they have fully matured. If your egg hatches a male member of her bloodline this supposition is nullified of course.”
‘Please be a boy, please be a boy.’
I had no interest in hooking up any of my team members with the opposite gender now or in the future. Especially not for species that belonged to the bug egg groupings.
‘How would they even determine another individual to be a worthy mate? The bite strength of their mandibles? or the color of their compound eyes?’
“Sunny has shared many such details with us for example…”
“No! I mean I am good! I’ll let her heart decide if it turns out she’s a girl.”
The Claydol seemed willing to let it go as it was this moment that Sunny flew up to me and the egg. The egg levitated off the ground and the Volcarona proceeded to dust the eggshell with her three pairs of wings, tiny embers falling down as she did so. I was about to question the purpose of this procedure before Claydol helpfully explained this phenomenon.
“She is marking the egg with her scent. The child will smell this during the hatching process and know how to identify its mother when the two encounter each other again. It is also to let the child know that you were chosen by Sunny to nurture and protect it. Stick out your dominant appendage, you will need to be delineated as well.”
Sunny now proceeded to mark my arm with her ember scales as well. She was surprisingly gentle and being slightly singed on my right arm didn’t hurt nearly as bad as I expected it to.
“Water won’t wipe away this particular marking. Do note to avoid wearing anything that smells strongly during the hatching process, so the child can properly identify you.”
I made a mental note to avoid cleaning my right forearm with strong detergents for the foreseeable future. Sunny having completed her intended purpose for waking up, slowly turned away to return to the silk throne she used as her resting place.
“Thank you very much for choosing me! I’ll take great care of your child!”
“Vrrrrr…”
“She knows you will. Let us escort you outside the tower. It is the minimum we can do for one of Sunny’s chosen humans.”
We left Relic Castle through the same route we used to come inside. This time one of the Claydol came with us, together with the original Baltoy who guided us on our pathway in. Nothing out of the ordinary happened and we soon found ourselves outside the tower entrance once again. This time, immune to the distortion effects, I could see the castle tower for the first time from the outside. It had this ancient Victorian style aesthetic to it. Not what I would’ve expected from a castle that was built in a dry weather area like this.
“This is where we part ways. When visiting us in the future do keep in mind that we prefer visitors that come by during the spring or summer months. Waking up months early has already disrupted Sunny’s remaining time with us.”
“I am sorry…”
“Don’t be, this was her choice. She was willing to give up a year or two of life just to send you off properly. Don’t underestimate the value she sees in you. Let us meet again under more favorable circumstances.”
With that the Claydol turned around and retreated back into the depths of the relic castle.
“Vi Vi Vi!” “This place is mine I am not sharing again!”
“That’s fine Tini. I wasn't expecting any psychic types to act as middleman for the Volcarona living inside Relic Castle. The next time a psychic type asks for entry inside my mind you will be the one that decides the necessity of such a measure. Let’s go Phoebe if we are quick the scientists won’t have cause to question where we have been.”
“Egon, you do know that I have missed about half the conversation that you’ve had with Claydol? You better fill in the blanks as we walk towards camp, no more secrets!”
“And that’s about everything. Alder probably knows I exist thanks to blabby government officials, but he doesn’t know where I am or that I have even entered Unova.”
“Man, that’s such a headache. Your mother sure knows how to pick ‘em doesn’t she.”
“Yeah, her type is crazy obsessed men. It’s whatever, at least this gave me the opportunity to meet these two cuties.” I gestured towards the egg I was holding, and Victini who was currently being detained inside her prison arms. Do you think the expedition is going to act fussy about the egg once we reach camp?”
“If they know of its origins probably. You can just say you found the egg in the desert sands and are intending on raising it by yourself. Unless the expedition team has a licensed breeder on retinue, they won’t figure out its species by the time we leave the expedition.”
“Ehh I’d rather not risk it. Sunny placed her trust in me by giving me her egg. There’s the off chance one of the expedition members minored in reproductive biology. In the morning I’ll be leaving for Castelia. I am guessing you’ll be heading for the celestial tower?”
“Yep! I’ve heard it’s the place to be if you want to catch ghost Pokémon. They also run a graveyard for deceased Pokémon there, so I’ll finally be among my own people. My team can go all out without us being reprimanded by stuck up normies.”
“Won’t those channelers and mediums have ways to deal with ghost types that become too rowdy?”
“It’s all a matter of perspective, Egon! They know to save the real talismans for actual emergencies.”
We arrived at camp just as the sun was coming up. Phoebe and I split up as soon as we crossed the repel line. She went back to her tent to freshen up while I quickly slipped inside my own tent making sure I wasn’t spotted holding the egg. Victini, having already turned invisible, followed me quietly. As soon as I was in the safe confines of my tent, I decided to release my team from their balls so we could go over our plans together.
“Vuuul.”
“Num num.”
“Did you sleep well you lovable scamps? You missed out on a big adventure. We got to see ancient Pokémon, a sunken tower and the newest addition to our little group of misfits.”
I presented to them the egg I received from Sunny. They both started hopping up and down excitedly, especially Rena seemed enthusiastic to be in the presence of a Pokémon egg.
“From now on I need you guys to act like responsible older siblings. And to take turns watching the egg when I am not around. Can you do that?”
“Pix pix!”
“Num!”
“After we have breakfast with Aurea, we are making a beeline for Castelia city to check in for our gym battle. We also have to find an egg incubator while there. I am guessing the body heat of a fire type will do for now, but it's best to get an expert’s opinion on this. We can’t afford to make any mistakes when it comes to the health and safety of a newborn Pokémon.”
As if responding to my words Rena started wrapping her tails around the egg in a bid to help keep it warm. We sat down like that until it was time for Aurea to come visit us for her daily observation. It didn’t take long until a familiar figure arrived in front of our tent tapping on the entrance and pulling down the zipper door to our tent.
“Good morning, Egon, have you slept well? Wait... what is that?”
The future professor pointed towards the corner of my tent where Rena was sitting, her tails still wrapped around the Pokémon egg.
“Well, the strangest thing happened while I was out for a morning stroll. I came across this egg in the desert. Based on the shell’s temperature and coloration I figured this egg belongs to a fire type. So, I decided to hatch and raise it on my own.”
“Oh really? Can you tell me where in the desert you found this egg perchance? And what are those burn marks on your right arm? Did you have a training incident while practicing fire type moves?”
’Darn! I didn’t cover up my right arm.’
Aurea fired one salvo of questions after another until I couldn’t take it anymore. Deciding to cut my losses I determined it was best to cut her out of the loop.
“Actually Aurea, me and my team decided it was best to leave for Castelia city this morning. Our match with Burgh is on the morrow, and it's best we get this miracle of nature, an incubator of its own.”
Aurea, figuring out that I wasn’t going to answer her questions, decided on a different approach to solve the mystery of the desert egg.
“That’s a great idea I’ll come with you!”
‘This woman is relentless. I am scared.’
“Me too.”
“Don’t you have like obligations to fulfill here at the expedition site? I’ve heard they’re planning on excavating more of the flooded lower tunnels. There could be a good number of fossils down there.”
“It’s going to take weeks before we can get the permits to dig any deeper. The ruins are still a protected cultural site. Egon why do I get the feeling you're trying to ditch me? I still haven’t completed my observation journal and you’re already talking about separating. Are you hiding something from me?”
“Yes, everybody has their own secrets to keep. I don’t know anything about your personal life. Why should I be forced to share mine?”
This question momentarily stumped the future regional professor until she finally found her groove again.
“My name is Aurea Juniper. I am twenty-four years old. My favorite color is lime green. I graduated from Nimbasa tech with PHD’s in both paleontology and Pokémon ethology. My dream is to one day revive a Pokémon fossil and at the same time prove the origins of all modern-day Pokémon.“
‘Uh-oh…’
The pain in my behind, that was the inquisitiveness of the junior professor, kept following me all the way on route to Castelia. Luckily the camp was due for a supply run so we could travel with one of the hired trainers to avoid any possible dangers of having to make the journey alone with a vulnerable egg in my arms. The specific trainer they sent with us was one that Rena is all too familiar with.
“Nyaaaaaa!”
“Oh Arceus! Not this again I am terribly sorry trainer Egon.”
“Pix pix pix!”
“It's fine they’re working out their problems by themselves. So, what’s it like working for a living as a trainer?”
The Liepard’s trainer was a quirky girl named Becky who finished top sixtyfour at last year’s Ventress conference. Instead of opting to make another run she decided to take a break from competing. Naturally she still needed living accommodations and food for her team, so she took the job offered to her by foreman Hawes.
“As a trainer you have multiple avenues for work. You could decide to join the ranger corps living out in nature and making sure the routes are safe for trainers to traverse. You could also freelance as hired help for third parties like I am doing currently, and thirdly you could keep on competing. As long as you make it to the top one hundred and twenty-eight every year and keep your sponsors happy, you can make enough money to afford living expenses and supplies. Of course, if you and your team are skilled enough you won’t even have to find a job. The top sixteen trainers in the tournament get paid generously and any company that has battlers occupying the upper echelons generally try their best to keep them in luxury.”
“What happens to the trainers that wash out?”
“If they kept up with their studies they could return to college and find work. To pay for the living expenses of a full team is usually a pretty major financial burden. In some cases parents can help out by pitching in some money .”
The other option was left unspoken. Nearly all trainers dreaded having to part with their Pokémon. To wash out in the preliminaries of the conference usually meant the end of a trainer’s career. Most sponsors would not take a second chance on a failed investment. Luckily Becky didn’t share that problem.
“So, an egg huh? Most breeders charge exorbitant prices for a Pokémon egg. Which daycare was generous enough to just give you one?”
“Well actually I found this one in the wild by its lonesome. After making sure the parents were out of the picture, I decided to take it with me. I am hoping to buy an incubator once we arrive in Castelia city.”
“That’s even luckier! I’ve always wanted to see a Pokémon being born. If it seems like the egg is hatching while we're still inside the city, please call me. I want to be there for that special moment.”
Aurea, sitting on the inside of the backseat of the car, decided that this moment was the time to start harrying me again.
“Yes, that is an excellent idea let us all share in the moment while watching the wonder that is childbirth.”
Aurea basically decided to start following me around coming to some weird conclusion that I would give in if she persisted long enough. I didn’t have the heart to keep lying to her about the egg’s origins. Which would also be pointless because she was as smart as a whip. How she decided that my secrets were interesting enough for her to keep up the stalking I didn’t know. The SUV experienced an uncomfortable silence every time I didn’t take each chance that I had to converse with our driver Becky.
“So, you like dark types?”
“Yes, I think they’re just adorable. I started off with my dear Liepard when she was just a purrloin. Most people give dark types a bad rap, but once you get past their tough exterior, you’ll learn that they’re the most caring Pokémon around. Isn’t that right, sweetums?”
“Nyaaaaar.”
‘This is going to be a long ride.’
The last few hours have been nerve wrenching for me, but we finally made it to Castelia city somewhere in the afternoon. That left me plenty of time to go searching for an appropriate egg incubator. Fortunately, I managed to lose Aurea inside the Pokémon center while she was busy calling her father to assess him of the situation inside Relic Castle. I remembered seeing some being sold at the same hardware store I bought my Xtransceiver, so we headed to that place first.
“Welcome to Penny’s Adventuring Gear Inc. How can we help you?”
“Yes, hello I was here last time, and I remembered seeing egg incubators for sale.”
“Oh, I am sorry to inform you that incubators are only sold in the big multiplex stores. The ones we had on our shelves last time must have been secondhand products that we have rented out. You see most trainers only need egg incubators for the brief period that they are carrying an unhatched egg on them. The only people that need incubators on a permanent basis are professional breeders. However, seeing as you are a loyal customer, I can spare a few minutes helping reserve one online.”
“That’ll help out tremendously, thanks.”
“Okay, is that the egg in question that needs to be incubated? The one that you are holding?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Do you know the species of the Pokémon inside? If not, you will have to call for a professional breeder to identify the egg.”
“Is that important for renting an incubator?”
“Yes, it is. For example, let’s say that egg holds a Cubchoo. We would need an incubator capable of reaching freezing temperatures. Only specific incubators are made for ice types. Every species of Pokémon eggs has optimal temperatures that stimulate and expediate the hatching process. Even being a few degrees off can have a big impact on hatching times. That includes different species that happen to share the same typing.”
“Uhm, can you promise not to tell anyone what’s inside this egg? It’s kind of a big deal.”
“Sir if you are part of an illegal trafficking ring, snatching eggs from nesting mothers, I will have to report you to the authorities.”
“No no it’s nothing like that, just that…”
I look left and right before whispering the species name in her ear. The woman behind the desk is startled upon hearing the name.
“Well, I have never…”
“I know I know! Is there an incubator available which is up to the task?”
She readjusts her glasses before attempting to answer my question.
“Well typically for bug type eggs the incubator simulates the undergrowth of large forests like Pinwheel. Moist and a slightly acidic top-level sediment thanks to all the decomposing fallen leaves. In the case of fire types. It ranges from simulating volcano environments to those living on mountainous hills facing constant harsh sunlight. I cannot give you a recommendation. To really get help incubating this egg you would need to ask an expert.”
“Do you know someone?”
“Aside from our champion? The closest thing to an expert you could find is the gym leader inside this city. Burgh is not known for having trained any of the species, but he is the foremost bug type expert, If anyone can help you it's him.”
“I guess this is the best I can expect.”
“Do remember not to tell anyone what you are carrying. Even good-natured trainers would be tempted to steal such a valuable Pokémon. Yes, even telling me was a mistake. You should’ve directly headed to the Castelia gym in order to ask Burgh for help.”
Following the advice from the store clerk I headed towards the Castelia gym. Based on the reservation chart I looked at the last time I was here Burgh should be winding down on the challengers for today. Hopefully the gym personnel wouldn’t question why an unknown ten-year-old needed to speak with their boss. I stopped carrying the egg openly in my arms, the store clerk helpfully providing me with a padded carton box.
“Excuse me, sir?”
“Can I speak with leader Burgh please?”
“If you are here to apply for the modeling job to promote our child size clothing, I am sorry to tell you hun, but you don’t have the facial qualities to make it in the modeling business.”
“No, I am not here for that, I just want to talk to Burgh for a minute.”
‘Wait did that lady just call me ugly? It’s one thing hearing it from Flannery but to get called that by a professional in the modeling business.’
“Egon, focus!”
‘You are right, I will have to face this existential crisis another time.’
“Leader Burgh is a busy man. Are you sure you can’t find anyone else to help you with the contents of that box? We stopped adopting strays from bug catchers due to new league policy. You will have to find it a same species colony in Pinwheel, just like everybody else whose mother didn’t let them keep their bug type Pokémon at home.”
‘This lady is making a lot of assumptions over here. I ought to…’
“No actually, what I have here is something that leader Burgh would really like to see in private. I promise you won’t be wasting his time by letting me see him.”
“Fine, I was about to get my manicure redone, but I guess I can spare the few extra minutes.”
‘Is everybody that works for Burgh as vain as this woman?’
She led me through the interior of the gym until reaching a door marked private.
“This is where leader Burgh gets most of his creative juices flowing. His private atelier, all of our most famous clothing lines started their inception from the insides of this room. I hope you were serious when claiming you aren’t planning to waste his time.”