Both Kai and Ethan headed through the city toward the breeder's place, trading stories as they went.
Ethan talked about the trainers he'd battled on the way to Violet, while Kai filled him in on everything that had happened since they last met. By the time they reached the city gates, the conversation had settled into the easy rhythm only travelling trainers seemed capable of finding.
The breeder's ranch sat a good half-hour beyond the walls.
The road slowly gave way to a dirt track, winding between fields and fenced paddocks. Long before the buildings came into view, they could hear the noise—chirping, bleating, squawking, and the occasional irritated cry of a Pokémon demanding attention.
The ranch itself was larger than Kai expected. Several paddocks stretched across the property, filled with Pokémon of all shapes and sizes. A Miltank grazed lazily near a fence while a flock of Pidgey scattered across a nearby field, with both Kai and Ethan taking in the sights.
The breeder spotted them almost immediately.
She was a broad-shouldered woman with weathered skin and hay tangled somewhere in her hair. One glance was all it took.
"You'll be Elm's lads, I take it."
It wasn't a question.
Neither of them bothered correcting her.
"That's us," Ethan said.
"Thought so."
She disappeared inside for a moment before returning with a padded carrying case tucked beneath one arm.
The moment she set it down on the fence rail between them, both boys looked at it.
The Pokémon Egg rested inside, wrapped carefully in thick cloth.
"Right then," the breeder said. "One of you's carrying it. Which'll it be?"
Kai's answer came almost immediately.
"I can take it."
The breeder raised an eyebrow.
Ethan looked sideways at him.
"You sure?"
Kai shrugged.
"It's an egg, not a Snorlax. Doesn't exactly weigh much."
"True," Ethan said. "But you've already got seven Pokémon."
Kai frowned slightly.
"Since when has that mattered?"
"It doesn't."
Ethan crouched beside the case while Cyndaquil hopped down to inspect it.
"But you've got seven Pokémon, you're heading straight back onto the road, and you're probably already planning where you're going next."
Kai couldn't exactly deny that.
"And?"
"And I've only got five."
Ethan rested a hand lightly against the side of the case.
"I'm staying in Violet City for a few more days anyway. Gym battle. Bellsprout Tower. Training." He glanced up. "Means I'll actually have time to keep an eye on it."
Kai looked back down at the egg.
The logic was annoyingly solid.
Ethan had fewer Pokémon to manage.
He wasn't travelling immediately.
And if Professor Elm was right, the egg would need attention.
Still...
Kai found himself staring at it longer than he meant to.
He'd pictured carrying it without really thinking about it. Pictured the day it finally hatched somewhere out on the road.
The feeling caught him off guard.
Ethan must have noticed.
"If you really want it, take it," he said. "I'm not trying to steal it or anything," Ethan said after a moment.
He let out a breath before shaking his head.
"You're right. Makes more sense for you to carry it."
The admission felt easier once he said it aloud.
"You've got fewer Pokémon, and you'll actually be staying put for a bit. Better than dragging the poor thing halfway across Johto before it even hatches."
Ethan grinned.
"So that's a yes?"
"That's a yes."
The breeder gave a satisfied nod.
"Thought you'd come to that conclusion."
Ethan carefully lifted the carrying case.
For a moment, he simply held it there, adjusting to the weight. Cyndaquil stretched down from his shoulder, nose twitching curiously.
"Right then," Ethan said quietly.
His smile softened as he looked at the egg.
"Looks like you're with me."
The breeder seemed pleased enough with that.
"Take good care of it." She then said, as the two of them waved goodbye.
The morning had warmed noticeably by then. The case rested securely in the crook of Ethan's arm while Cyndaquil walked alongside him, occasionally peering up at it as though expecting it to hatch at any moment.
Sandshrew rode on Kai's shoulder like it normally did.
Every so often it would lean forward to inspect the case itself.
"Keeping watch?" Kai asked, noticing it kept looking.
"Shrew."
"Thought so."
The city started to appear on the horizon.
Ethan broke the comfortable silence first.
"I'm gonna take on the gym today," Ethan said excitedly.
Kai gave him a confident smile.
"I know you can do it."
Ethan patted the carrying case lightly.
"Yeah, and now I've got extra motivation."
Kai laughed.
"Pretty sure Falkner doesn't give bonus badges for childcare."
"Maybe he should." Ethan grinned.
"Either way, gym first. Then Bellsprout Tower. A couple of days of training. Then I'll be back on the road."
Kai nodded.
"What about you? Hanging around?" Ethan then asked.
"Nah."
The answer came easily.
He'd already beaten Falkner. Already climbed the tower, and his team was rested.
Somewhere beyond Violet City was another route Kai hadn't explored yet, feeling the itch to get moving toward his next gym badge.
"I want to keep moving."
His gaze drifted eastward, toward the distant tree line.
"See what's out there."
"Figured."
Ethan didn't sound surprised.
"Well, don't get too far ahead. I'll be catching up to you soon enough."
Kai smirked.
"No promises."
By the time they reached the edge of the city, the road split in two.
One path led back toward Violet City.
The other disappeared into the wilderness beyond.
They both stopped at the fork.
Not because either of them needed directions.
Just because goodbyes always seemed to slow people down.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then Ethan nodded.
"Right."
"Right."
Their hands met in a sharp clap before locking together.
A quick pull forward.
A shoulder bump.
Simple.
The sort of goodbye that didn't need words.
Below them, Cyndaquil and Sandshrew exchanged their own greeting before stepping back.
When Kai looked up again, Ethan's expression had shifted.
The grin was still there.
But there was something more serious beneath it.
"Next time we meet," Ethan said, "we battle."
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Full teams."
Ethan's grip tightened slightly.
"No holding back. I want to see how strong you've gotten."
Something in Kai's chest answered immediately.
A challenge.
Not out of rivalry.
Out of respect.
"Yeah," he said, his smile widening.
"I'd like that."
"You'd better be ready."
Ethan laughed.
"Funny. I was about to say the same thing."
They released the handshake.
For a moment neither moved.
Then Ethan turned back toward the city.
Kai watched him go.
The carrying case rested securely beneath his arm, and Cyndaquil trotted after him.
After a few steps, the Fire-type glanced back one last time.
Then they disappeared down the road.
Kai stood there for another second before turning toward the wilderness.
"Looks like it's just us again, eh, little guy."
"Shrew."
Sandshrew settled comfortably on his shoulder.
Ahead lay another route.
Another town. Another stretch of unexplored road, and another adventure.
Kai adjusted his pack and started walking.
The city slowly faded behind him, and his journey continued.