May eventually felt very embarrassed as she took the Eevee egg from Nicolette.
However, May didn't actually know what kind of Pokémon would hatch from this egg. Natsui and Nicolette's family kept it a mystery. They smiled and didn't tell her. They only said she would find out on the day it hatched.
This made May's heart fill with anticipation for the future.
Similarly, for Natsui, it felt like he could stop worrying about something.
He knew that May only caught two Pokémon—Squirtle and Eevee—while she was in Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh later. She hadn't caught any other Pokémon. Now, with his help, she had successfully gotten these two Pokémon. This meant that for the rest of the trip, he would not have to worry about her. He could travel freely.
Of course, this didn't mean May would not catch any other Pokémon for the rest of the journey. If they met a good one, Natsui would remind her and help, even if she didn't say anything. But those were things for later. There was no need to talk about it now.
They said goodbye to the family. It was still early afternoon, so Natsui and May started walking and left the farm.
Actually, they were not very far from the port city.
They crossed the large flat lands and passed a pond. In just over an hour, they saw the port city. It was called Chrysanthemum Town.
Chrysanthemum Town was small, but it was very busy. This was because of where it was. It was between two big cities, Saffron City and Vermilion City. It was also by the sea. Its economy was not weak.
However, the young people went to the big cities. So, there were fewer people now. It was not easy for the town to grow more.
As the two walked into the small town, Natsui wanted to go to the pier to buy two boat tickets. While he did that, he heard about a big event in the town!
It turned out that the Chrysanthemum Pokémon Contest would happen tomorrow!
Hearing this news, May was very surprised: "Huh? There's a Pokémon Contest here too?"
This place was very close to Saffron City. It was less than a day away. Usually, another Pokémon Contest would not be so close.
"There are always exceptions," Natsui explained with a smile. "Even though I don't know much about Pokémon Contests, I know that small places like this often have them too. Big cities are famous, but these towns have them too. If not, how would Harley and other Coordinators get their Ribbons? If they only used contests in big cities, they could not collect five Ribbons in a year. The Grand Festival probably wouldn't even be able to continue!"
"So that's how it is," May nodded. She finally understood.
It was not her fault for not knowing this before. Like Misty before her, she was only a ten-year-old girl. It was not about being smart. She just did not have enough experience. There were some things she would not think of until someone explained them.
Of course, Raoul Contesta, the Chief of the Pokémon Contest Committee, and Mr. Sukizo, the President of the Pokémon Fan Club, were the judges. They were probably going to be very busy.
They probably just finished one Pokémon Contest and had to take a car to the next place immediately.
Also, the beautiful announcer Lilian would be very busy too.
But this was a rare chance. May would not miss the chance to compete!
She still needed many Ribbons for the Grand Festival that would happen soon.
The two walked into the town.
Because the town was small, the Contest Hall was not very big.
The hall was in a corner of the town. They climbed high stairs and crossed a grass area. Then they reached the entrance of the building. The building had many angles.
Maybe she learned from her past mistake. This time, May went to register early even though there was plenty of time. She wanted to prevent any accidents.
But Harley and the Team Rocket trio were not there to cause trouble. So, accidents would not happen easily.
They registered and looked at the hall. Then the two went to a Pokémon Center nearby to stay. May could not wait. She went to the training field in the back to practice.
This time, Natsui had time to watch May's practice.
Natsui let his Pokémon out. He sat on a bench next to the field. He brushed his Pokémon and looked up sometimes to see May.
May had a new plan this time. She wanted Squirtle to perform in the first round, the Appeal Stage. Then she wanted Combusken to do the battle in the second round. This was a good plan. Both Pokémon could be stars. It was good for their feelings.
Squirtle's performance was easy. May could design it herself. But Combusken needed a practice partner. She did not have many Pokémon.
May was a bit shy to ask. Natsui laughed. He pointed to his Pokémon and smiled at May: "It's okay. Whichever Pokémon you like, just let it practice with Combusken!"
May was happy that Natsui said yes.
However, she looked at the Pokémon next to Natsui and was not sure.
Natsui had his Gardevoir, Gengar, Eevee, Dragonite, and Blaziken with him.
May did not know who to choose. Finally, she looked at her own Combusken.
"You should choose for yourself," she whispered to Combusken. "But be careful. Natsui's Pokémon are all very powerful. Don't push yourself too hard!"
Combusken nodded. It looked at Natsui's Pokémon carefully.
First, it looked at Gardevoir and Gengar.
These two Pokémon looked kind. But Combusken felt they were very scary. That Gengar looked like it wanted to play tricks!
Combusken looked away quickly.
Next was the big Dragonite.
Dragonite smiled and gave a thumbs-up to Combusken. It wanted to play.
But Combusken felt a strong power from it. It knew it could not win. It looked away again.
Now only Blaziken and Eevee were left.
It looked at Blaziken. Combusken immediately felt a very sharp look. It felt like a blade. This was the pressure of an evolved Pokémon. It was hard to breathe. It looked away fast.
Finally, only Eevee was left.
Eevee was lying on its trainer's lap. Natsui was brushing its fur. It looked harmless. Combusken made a soft sound.
"Oh?" Natsui smiled at Combusken. "You chose Eevee? That's a wise decision!"
Natsui was right. May's Combusken was strong for most people. But Natsui's Pokémon were much stronger. Among his Pokémon, only Eevee looked like it did not have terrifying strength. This was because of its size and cute look.
He let Eevee go. He spoke softly to it: "Go on, the task of being a sparring partner is up to you."
Eevee made a sound. It left Natsui and jumped in front of Combusken. It looked at Combusken.
May was curious. She wanted to know what would happen when Combusken and Eevee fought.
Would Natsui's Eevee win everything? Or could her Combusken win?
Combusken was an evolved Pokémon, so its body stats were stronger. Eevee was also powerful. So Combusken might be able to win!
But May had work to do. She could not watch the whole fight.
She talked to Combusken. Then she started practicing with Squirtle.
For May, passing the first round was the first step.
She needed to win the first round to go to the battle round. So, she needed to make Squirtle's performance great. That was the most important thing!
The training started. At first, May tried to watch both sides. But she became focused on Squirtle. She could not look at Combusken anymore.
She looked once by accident. She saw Combusken and Eevee fighting. They were equal. Then she looked away again.
Natsui watched the battle between Combusken and Eevee.
May's Combusken was not weak. It had traveled a lot and fought many battles. It had good training.
But Eevee was a specialist in fighting. Combusken was not as good.
Combusken had more attack power. Its speed was the same as Eevee's. Usually, Combusken should win. But it was different. The two Pokémon were hitting each other. But Eevee had more experience. So Eevee was winning.
May could not see this yet. But Natsui knew Combusken would lose soon.
However, the goal was not to win. The goal was to help Combusken grow.
Natsui spoke to give advice: "Combusken, don't chase Eevee! Go to the 12 o'clock direction; it will land there!"
Combusken stopped for a second. Then it followed the order.
This was unusual. Most Pokémon only listen to their own trainer.
But it knew Natsui and May were partners. It knew Natsui was very skilled. It knew it could not win alone. So it did what Natsui said.
Combusken did not chase Eevee. It went to intercept. Eevee arrived at that spot. They were face-to-face.
Combusken used Double Kick. It kicked Eevee far away!
Eevee slid on the ground and then stopped.
It was safe, but it did not attack. It looked very confused. It looked at Natsui. Its head was full of questions!
It looked like it was asking: Whose side are you actually on?
Natsui smiled and laughed: "What are you looking at? Haven't you seen such a handsome trainer before?"
Eevee wanted to cry out at him. But Combusken was coming. It ran in front of Eevee.
Eevee had to fight back. It continued fighting with Combusken.
The advantage did not last. When they fought again, Combusken started to lose again.
Then Natsui said: "Now! Use Ember!"
Combusken wanted to use Scratch. But it heard the command. It used fire instead. It breathed fire at Eevee.
Eevee was surprised. It was going to counterattack. It jumped away to avoid the fire.
Eevee went to a safe place. It protested to Natsui again. Natsui just shrugged his shoulders.
"Why are you looking at me? Don't be distracted by outside factors. Watch out, it's coming again."
Eevee saw Combusken chasing it again. It had to fight.
This time, it was very careful. It was worried Natsui would speak again. It was not as relaxed as before. This gave Combusken a chance. Combusken fought better. In the end, it was a draw!
Eevee ran to Natsui and protested more.
"Alright, alright." Natsui smiled. He comforted Eevee. Then he said, "I only gave some advice because I know you're powerful and that it was no match for you. Did you forget? This battle isn't about winning or losing; it's about helping Combusken improve its strength!"
Eevee understood. But it felt like its own trainer betrayed it. It felt attacked from both sides.
But the training just started. It could still get even later!