Magcargo's Wish

• Fire-type Pokémon are capable of holding back the heat they produce. According to one folk tale, their ability to do this originated from a Magcargo who was sad he could never hug his friends.

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Trainer seems sad today.

Trainer has a bag full of eggs on his back, and I wonder if Trainer is hurting because the Eggs are heavy. Trainer always walks with me when he hatches Eggs. I help Trainer's Eggs hatch faster, so Trainer is grateful to me for my body heat, but Trainer is the one doing me a favor. I cannot help my body of flame, but Trainer does not have to walk with me. Trainer is faster than I am, and where I crawl, grass and fresh sprouts wither and die. Trainers are not advised to walk with my species. But Trainer always does.

Trainer is kneeling down. Trainer seems sad. I crawl closer to investigate. The heavy eggs are lifted easily off of his back. Trainer has no trouble with them. He never has. Trainer is strong! Trainer can't be tired.

Is Trainer lonely? I crawl closer, making a small, inquisitive noise, and Trainer looks at me. His mouth is smiling, but his eyes are sad. Trainer has no company today. Trainer must hatch eggs. Trainer has no time for other humans. No Pokémon. Only I.

Trainer nods, because that's all he can do, and I think bitterly of Trainer's other friends. My Teammates, like Typhlosion and Crobat. If Trainer wants, he can give them a hug when he feels alone. Hugs make humans feel less alone. Holding. Feels safe. Pokémon, too.

Trainer can't touch me. My body is too hot. Trainer will burn. Trainer could die if I touch him too long.

It makes me sad, too. Trainer is my best friend. We're always here for each other. But I cannot do things for Trainer the way my friends can. It makes me feel alone, too. I cannot battle the way my friends do. I cannot comfort Trainer. I cannot stay close to other Pokémon. Only help eggs hatch.

I wish to be able to control this flaming body of mine. I want Trainer to pet me – be happy! For just a moment, couldn't I put away the heat of my body to let someone touch me?

My body feels hot. Made of magma. Hotter than the sun.

But I will it to cool, just to hug my friends. Just for those who I do not want to burn. For me, it stays hot. But can't burn anyone. No more burning.

No matter how much my deepest wish means to me, I am what I am. I cannot touch. Only burn. I look at Trainer, and I am sad, too. Trainer frowns, but it's a thinking-frown, not a sad-frown.

Now Trainer is moving closer! He can't come close! He'll be burned!

It's okay, Trainer says. He smiles. Are you taking away the heat for me? He asks.

I do not understand. Trainer reaches forward and touches my shell. Doesn't burn. Trainer is okay.

How...? Was my wish so powerful...?

I smile happily for Trainer, and I give him a hug warm in all the ways that do not hurt. Trainer laughs, and Trainer feels better.

If I can keep from burning Trainer, then maybe I can hug my friends, too. Maybe I can teach other flame-bodied friends of mine so they can stay close to their friends.

I am so happy.