Kalos but no Cigar! IC III

[NeoSeraphi]

Clemont nods. "Oh. That reminds me. While I was in Shalour City, I told Master Gurkinn that I was a friend of yours. He asked me to deliver something to you."

[Diachronos]

Mei raises an eyebrow. "Really? What did he want you to bring to me?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Clemont opens his bag and removes a large Pokemon egg with a brown shell and blue stripes. He hands it to her.

[Diachronos]

Mei's eyes widen, and she carefully accepts the egg. "What? He wanted to give me this? Why?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Clemont nods. "He said that he saw the look in your eyes when you beat Korrina. He said it was the look of someone who felt something was missing in her life. So he thought that maybe raising a baby Pokemon would bring you a bit of joy."

[Diachronos]

She raises an eyebrow. "He got that impression from me beating Korrina?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Apparently you were very upset when you beat her," Clemont replies with a shrug.

Right. Because she was worried about the Shadow PokeRus.

[Diachronos]

"I was, but it was because of an issue that was going on with her Lucario." She cradles the egg in her arms. To think that Gurrkin felt she could be trusted with something this precious...

[NeoSeraphi]

Clemont shrugs. "Well, I can take it back if you don't want it..."

[Diachronos]

She shakes her head. "No. Gurrkin's a smart man, and if he thinks I'm the right one to care for this egg, I don't intend to let him down."

[NeoSeraphi]

Clemont nods. "Well, the Egg will only hatch if you take it with you. Putting it in the PC will leave it in stasis. It takes up a spot in your team, so you will need to battle with five Pokemon for some time. Do you have any questions about hatching or caring for an Egg?"

[Diachronos]

"I know that it needs to be kept warm and protected, but are there any other things to consider?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"You will need to have a PokeBall ready to hold the Pokemon once it hatches. The hatching process can take anywhere from five to ten minutes, but once it starts breaking open you should stop whatever it is you're doing and pay attention. Also, I recommend not flying while you carry the Egg. All it takes is one bad gust of wind to lose your Pokemon forever."

[Diachronos]

"Got it. So either walk, or put the egg in the PC if I decide to fly anywhere." She rubs the egg, wondering what's contained inside.

[NeoSeraphi]

Clemont nods and heads downstairs, going back to the Gym. Mei is left alone, with the Egg and her thoughts.

[Diachronos]

Mei heads to catch up with Clemont. "Oh, wait, before you go! I head that it's possible to evolve an Eevee into a Steel-type, would you happen to know anything about that process?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Clemont looks back at her. "Yes. The Eeevee has to be exposed to a Metal Coat, it's an item that increases the power of Steel moves. You can usually find Metal Coats being held by wild Magnemite, who can be caught at the PokeBall Factory."

[Diachronos]

"Alright. Thanks, Clemont." She heads back inside, and deposits the egg into the PC for safekeeping. A few minutes can't hurt too much, right? And she's planning on taking it back out as soon as she gets to Coumarine.

[NeoSeraphi]

Mei flies back to Coumarine City just as the Pokemon Center is closing for the night.

[Diachronos]

Mei hurries inside to the PC. She arranges her party so that she has Saisho, Goliath, Magnus, Tina, Kimmy, and the egg.

[NeoSeraphi]

Mei enters the Pokemon Center and a young woman smiles and sits down next to her. "Hi! Are you here for the Contest?" she asks, brushing her hair with one hand.

[Diachronos]

Mei smiles and nods, gently massaging the egg in her lap. "Yes, I am. I can't wait to see how my boyfriend does with his first performance."

[NeoSeraphi]

The girl smiles and shift uncomfortably. "I'm excited too. I've waited my whole life to be invited to a Contest. But now that I'm here I just feel like everyone else is on a different level. They all seem so connected to their Pokémon..."

[Diachronos]

Mei frowns. Is this the girl that Larxene had been planning to turn into a Heartless? "Can I see your Pokemon?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The girl looks surprised but nods. She tosses a white Ball onto the ground. From the Ball a small white and brown Pokémon emerges.

"Zigzagoon, the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon. A Pokémon with abundant curiosity. It is interested in everything around it, so it always moves in a zig zag fashion."

[Diachronos]

Mei smiles at the Zigzagoon. "Aren't you just adorable?" She holds her hand out to the Pokemon, while trying to get a feel for how strong its bond with its Trainer is.

[NeoSeraphi]

"Zag!" The Pokémon hops forward to the right, turn to the left. It hops again to the right and sniffs her hand.

"Arcanoon, show her your best move!" the girl asks earnestly, clutching her fists to her chest.

Arcanoon jumps into the air and spreads its arms and legs wide. Its bushy tail bounces around excitedly.

[Diachronos]

The sight is just too cute. Mei smiles widely. "Arcanoon is one of the cutest things I've ever seen in my life!"

[NeoSeraphi]

The girl sighs. "I know. The problem is that this is a Beauty Contest. Cuteness isn't the main point. But I don't have any beautiful Pokémon."

[Diachronos]

Mei nods. "What other Pokemon do you have?"