"And this is Maidbury City's ice cream shop, Ice Maiden," Nina explained, "Ooh! We should all get ice cream!"

"I like the sound of that." Kat said.

Eric and I agreed silently. Nina had been showing us around her home for the past few minutes.

Everything is just how I remembered it years ago. All the foods are dairy-based, making them very nutritious and healthy. After we get ice cream, Nina said she'd take us to her mother. I remember her being the Gym Leader when I was little. I can't believe she's still working as such now.

Walking into the ice cream shop, Nina asked us what flavors we wanted.

"Vanilla for me, please." I said.

"Chocolate." Eric said.

"Vanilla for me as well." Kat said.

"Then I'll get chocolate." Nina said with a smile.

When Nina ordered our ice cream, we sat at a table and waited.

"So, after this, I'll introduce you guys to my mom," Nina said, "Around this time, she should be in a gym battle right about now."

"If I remember correctly, your mother's gym is a 4-on-4 match, correct?" I asked.

Nina nodded firmly with a grin.

"Always has been, always will be." she said.

"I hope we can catch her in action," Kat said, "It's been a while since I sat through a gym battle or a match, for that matter."

"Same. I would normally collect the badges to collect them," Eric commented, "As much as I wanted to compete in the leagues, I'm happy with the battles I won and decided to move on."

I nodded in understanding. That's when a man in a formal suit walked out with four ice cream cups.

"Thank you!" we said.

The man bowed with a smile before taking his leave. Picking up our spoons, we each tasted the ice cream.

"Delicious!" we cried happily.

I took a spoonful of ice cream and let Libby have a taste. Libby wagged her tail happily while letting out happy cries.

"Glad you like it." I said.

Kat did the same with Angel, and Angel let out a similar cry.

"It's been so long since I've had Maidbury City's ice cream. I almost forgot how it tasted." I admitted.

"Bringing back memories?" Nina asked.

I couldn't help but nod with a smile. We were surprised we didn't have to pay when we finished our ice cream.

Since they knew Nina and her mother, it was in the house.

Thanking them, we followed the redhead to her mother's gym.

"Depending on the opponent, I think she's still in a battle." Nina said.

"Well, let's hurry!" Eric said.

Nodding to our friend, the four of us sprinted to the gym.

I hope we can catch a battle...

When we arrived, we walked inside to see a battle going on. When I saw Nina's mother, I noticed how much the two looked alike. Same red hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Rachel and her Gardevoir were battling a young boy and his Chandelure.

By the looks of things, that Chandelure has taken quite the beating. One more hit from Gardevoir, and the kid loses.

"Gardevoir, Shadow Ball!" Rachel cried.

The Gardevoir moved swiftly up to the Chandelure as it charged up its Shadow Ball.

"Dodge!" the boy cried.

The Chandelure moved out of Gardevoir's range, but Gardevoir quickly fired off its attack, causing the Chandelure to fall.

"Chandelure is unable to battle. The winner is Gardevoir. The victory goes to the Gym Leader, Rachel." the referee said.

The boy sighed in defeat and returned his Chandelure to its Pokéball.

"You were very strong, Jonah. Thanks for the battle." Rachel said sweetly.

"I should be the one thanking you, Ms. Rachel," the boy said, "Don't worry. I'll get stronger so I can finally beat you!"

Rachel chuckled and held out her hand.

"I look forward to that day." she said.

Jonah smiled and shook her hand. Waving goodbye, the boy sprinted out of the gym with a wide grin. When Rachel saw us, she smiled.

"Nina, you're back." she said.

Nina smiled and ran up to her mother, only to embrace her. When she hugged her back, Rachel looked up and smiled at us.

"I see you've brought friends." she said.

Nina backed away from her mother and nodded.

"Mom, I'd like you to meet, Eragona, Kat, and Eric." Nina said.

The three of us bowed before her.

"Nice to meet you all," Rachel said before turning to me, "Eragona? Is that you?"

"Sure is." I said.

Rachel chuckled and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Well, well. Look how much you've grown. I haven't seen you in years," Rachel said, "How's Elise?"

"She's good, really good!" I said.

Libby let out a friendly cry that caught Rachel's attention.

"And who's this little one?" she asked, scratching under Libby's chin.

"My partner, Libby." I said.

Libby smiled and let out a happy cry.

"So, what are you guys doing here?" Rachel asked.

"We came to watch you battle. We caught your victory, at least." Nina said.

Rachel chuckled. That's when her Gardevoir walked up to us and let out a cry. I took out my Pokédex and scanned the beautiful Pokémon.

"Gardevoir, the Embrace Pokémon. It has the power to predict the future. Its power peaks when it is protecting its Trainer. To protect its Trainer, it will expend all its psychic power to create a small black hole."

The Gardevoir smiled and curtsied.

"Gardevoir here has been with me since she was a Ralts. She and Nina have been best friends ever since." Rachel explained.

"Yeah! Gardevoir is so much fun to play with!" Nina said excitedly.

The Gardevoir smiled and let out a friendly cry as if agreeing with Nina's statement.

"Well, I'm not doing anything at the moment." Rachel began.

That's when I heard the gym doors open. A young girl came with black hair, tan skin, and amber eyes. Beside her was a floating, purple Pokémon. I pulled out my Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.

"Mismagius, the Magical Pokémon. Its cries sound like incantations. Those hearing it are tormented by headaches and hallucinations. While they usually torment targets, some chants bring happiness."

"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm here for a gym battle." she said.

"Until now," Rachel chuckled, "You're welcome to watch, but I gotta go do my job."

Rachel walked over to the girl and her Pokémon and welcomed them.

"As much as I wanted to watch one of your mom's battles, I wanna see what else this city has in store," Kat said, "Nina?"

Nina grinned and nodded.

"Follow me." she said happily.

Making our way out of the gym, we waved goodbye to Rachel with bright smiles.

"So, where to?" I asked, turning to Nina.

"We can visit the Pokémon Nursery that's just down the road from here. I always go there to help the caretakers take care of the Pokémon." Nina said.

"That sounds fun." Eric said.

"Yeah! Lead the way, Nina." Kat said.

Nina nodded and skipped ahead.

"I wonder what Pokémon we'll meet?" I wondered, glancing at Libby.

Libby let out a happy cry and wagged her tail.

"I'm guessing you're hoping to see more of your evolutions, huh?" I asked.

Libby nodded with a wide grin on her face. When we arrived, the nursery was a large, light blue, cottage-style house.

"This is the nursery?" Eric asked in shock.

"Yup! The bottom floor is the nursery itself, and the top is where the caretakers live." Nina explained.

"I get it," I said, "Well, let's head in."

Walking up the brick stairs, I knocked on the brown door and waited. There was no answer. That's when we heard glass breaking. Looking back at the others, they had the same concerned expression as me. Facing the door, I opened it to see two Team Xenon grunts. Beside them were a Mightyena and Manectric. In front of them were an older woman and a man.

What are they doing here?

"What's taking so long?" asked one of the grunts.

"He's only 10; he's going as fast as he can." said the elderly woman.

"Well, tell him to hurry up." said the other grunt.

I ground my teeth in anger.

"Who are they?" Nina whispered.

"Team Xenon. Kat and I encountered them before when they stole my Gabite." I replied.

"Apparently, their goal is to capture and steal any Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution so they can rule the world." Kat commented.

"That's horrible." Eric said.

Growling under my breath, I trotted inside without a second thought.

"Team Xenon!" I shouted.

The two grunts turned around and glared at me.

"You're that brat from Cavern Cove City!" the female grunt said.

"What are you doing here?" asked the male grunt.

"We could be asking you the same thing." Kat said, walking to my side.

Eric and Nina soon joined us at our side.

"Aw, the Brat Quartet," said the female grunt, "Isn't it obvious? We're here for Pokémon that can mega evolve."

"By taking them from a nursery?" I asked, "Blindly stealing Pokémon from trainers is one thing but from a nursery? That's a new low, even for you, Team Xenon."

"To make our ideals a reality, we are willing to go far beyond stealing and capturing Pokémon that can mega evolve." said the male grunt.

The Mightyena and Manectric stepped forward and growled at us. Libby hopped off my shoulder and growled back at the two larger Pokémon. Angel did the same.

"Mr. and Mrs. Park! Wait in the back with your grandson." Nina said.

The elderly couple nodded and went into the back. Nina and Eric brought out their Pokéballs and called out their Pokémon. Like clockwork, Clefable and Krookodile appeared.

"Why don't we take this outside?" suggested the male grunt.

The four of us nodded and backed out of the nursery with the grunts following us. Once we were on the path, both grunts called out two more of their Pokémon. Out came a Metang and Dusclops.

"Now, we're even." said the female grunt.

"Double Shadow Ball!" Kat and I cried.

Libby and Angel leaped up and fired shadowy blobs at our opponents' Pokémon.

"Dodge!" cried the two grunts.

All four Pokémon swiftly moved out of the way.

"Magical Leaf!" Nina said.

Clefable charged up its attack before releasing glowing leaves at our opponents.

"Dark Pulse!" Eric said.

Krookodile let out a cry before releasing a dark aura.

"Use Bite, Mightyena, and Manectric!" the male grunt cried.

The two Pokémon growled and ran up to Libby and Angel.

"Moonblast, go!" Kat cried.

When Mightyena was close enough, Angel fired a light pink blast at the Mightyena. Luckily, it made a direct hit.

"Quick Attack!" I said.

Libby quickly landed in front of the Manectric and charged at the Discharge Pokémon with great speed. Like the Mightyena, it caused the Pokémon to get blown back. The two grunts growled and returned their fallen Pokémon to their Pokéballs.

"Metang, use Flash Cannon!" cried the female grunt.

"Dusclops, use Shadow Ball!" the male grunt cried.

The two Pokémon came forward and unleashed their attacks.

"Krookodile, Focus Blast!" Eric said.

Krookodile gaped its mouth and started charging its attack.

"Triple Swift!" Kat, Nina, and I cried.

Clefable, Angel, and Libby released star-shaped rays at the opposing attacks. When the attacks collided, they caused an explosion.

"Now?" Eric asked.

"Not yet. We have to clear away the dust," Kat said, "Angel, Hyper Voice!"

Angel opened her mouth and let out a loud cry, causing the dust to cease.

"Shadow Ball!" the grunts cried.

The Dusclops and Metang charged up their attack before firing shadowy blobs at us.

"Double Moonblast!" Kat and Nina cried.

Clefable and Angel charged up their attacks and fired them at our opponents, canceling out the Shadow Balls in the process.

"Now!" I cried.

"Krookodile, do it!" Eric cried.

The Krookodile uttered a loud cry before releasing its Focus Blast at the Metang, causing it to get blown back.

"Yes! Critical hit!" Nina cried.

"Double Shadow Ball!" Kat and I called.

Angel and Libby ran up to the two Pokémon and fired individual Shadow Balls at the two Pokémon.

Since Dusclops is a Ghost-type and Metang is a Steel/Psychic-type, Shadow Ball should be super-effective on both!

I was soon proven right when our attacks made contact with the Metang and Dusclops. The two Pokémon got blown back and were soon unconscious. The two Team Xenon grunts groaned and returned their Pokémon to their Pokéballs.

"I think it's time for you two to leave, don't you think?" I asked, folding my arms.

Our Pokémon growled at the two grunts, making them flinch.

"Tch, this won't be the last time you hear from us." said the male grunt as he pulled out another Pokéball.

Tossing it up, an Arbok appeared.

"Haze!" the male grunt cried.

The Arbok hissed and unleashed black smoke from its fanged mouth, clouding our vision. When the smoke finally cleared, the two grunts were gone.

"Glad that's over." Kat said.

"Come on!" Nina said.

The four of us quickly ran back inside the nursery to see the elderly couple and their grandson standing by the window.

"Oh, thank goodness you're all safe." said Mrs. Park.

"Are you guys okay?" Nina asked.

"We are now, thanks to you four." Mr. Park said.

"Thanks for saving us." the boy said.

"Anytime," Eric said, "We originally came to help you take care of the Pokémon here, but then Team Xenon got in the way."

The elderly couple nodded with smiles.

"Please, allow us to give you something for saving all the Pokémon and us here." Mrs. Park said.

"No, we couldn't." Kat said.

"We insist," Mr. Park said, "Cameron, go in the back and bring out four little ones."

The young boy nodded, hopped over the counter, and went into the back.

"What is he getting?" I asked.

"You'll see..." Mrs. Park said.

That's when Cameron walked out with four eggs in his hand. Mrs. Park quickly rushed over to help her grandson by taking two eggs from him.

Whoa...

One egg was two shades of green, another was two shades of brown with a dark blue patch, the other was white with red and blue spots, and the other was white and light blue.

"Please, take one." Mrs. Parker said.

The others and I glanced at one another and shrugged with a smile. Eric took the brown egg, Nina took the white egg, Kat took the green egg, and I took the blue egg.

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Park." Nina said.

"No, thank you for saving all the Pokémon and us here at the nursery." Mr. Park said.

"Yeah! Thanks for saving my grandparents!" Cameron said.

"You're welcome." I said.

Mr. Park soon went back, only to come back with four incubators. Taking them from the older man, the four of us placed our eggs inside.

"Well, we're not in any rush to hit the road. Can we still help you take care of the Pokémon here?" Nina asked, "It's the least we can do."

"Of course!" Mrs. Parker said with a smile, "Follow me."

Setting our belongings and eggs down, the four of us helped Mr. and Mrs. Parker and Cameron take care of the Pokémon. While giving one of the small Pokémon a bath, a Riolu, I looked back at my egg resting in its incubator.

I wonder what Pokémon will hatch from that egg. I sure hope it's a Dragon-type. Well, whatever type it turns out to be, I know I'll take good care of it...