Um. Hey. This is Swordie. Hope this ask finds you well.
I remember you commented on my blog, and figured you'd be the perfect person to ask about this.
So, I have an egg I was given as a gift by a close friend just before holiday break. It's warm to the touch, and has been basically since I first got it. He's a self-proclaimed Fire trainer, so I feel like I can already kind of tell what type the Pokémon will be when it hatches LOL.
Me, and Hexcalibur have been monitoring it for the past few weeks now, but just yesterday, Hexcalibur got my attention to show me something. To my surprise, the egg had a small crack in it, and the egg felt a little hotter than usual to the touch.
Now, this might sound a bit embarrassing, but I've gotten this far into the process and realized I have NO idea how to prepare for an egg hatching. A Fire type egg hatching no less.
I saw from your blog that you had cared for a Litwick egg, and figured I'd ask here to see if I could get some advice from someone with experience. I've talked to my friend about it, but he still wants what actually hatches to be a surprise.
No rush (I think). Truth be told, I've never had a Pokémon besides Hexcalibur, so this is going to be a totally new experience for me in multiple ways. Please get back to me when you have a chance.
Hi there! I'll be glad to help.
First off, once the egg hatches, it'll imprint on the first couple of living things it sees, so be prepared for the baby to treat you and anyone else with you as its parents. It'll eventually learn on its own that you aren't its biological parents of course, but it might be a little clingy for a time. As with human children, it's important to be a good role model as well - it will be watching and learning from you, but it will also listen if you teach it. Don't be afraid to ask your local breeder for help if necessary! Have some Pokemon formula, soft berries, and a dry cloth ready as well.
As for the type - as you can imagine, Fire-type Pokemon can be hazardous. It's safer for them to be in a Poke Ball when inside of a building, and if it has any ambient flames on its body then you'll have to be careful when handling it. We had a baby Cyndaquil hatch recently and that was a concern for him. If you have access to an open area with short grass, that might be the best spot to let it play with the proper supervision. I recommend having a water- or ground-type on hand to help take care of any errant flames it might let loose (without harming the baby, of course.) As it grows up, it'll learn how to handle its firepower in a less dangerous way. Trainer input is important here.
As for water-based activities, this is on a per-Pokemon basis. Certain fire types can handle water better than others. A Scovillain might welcome a little bit of water, being part grass-type, but a Slugma absolutely will not. Some fire-types prefer dust baths, some may just need to be patted down with a damp cloth.
And ultimately, it has to be said - if you are unable to care for the Pokemon, it's better to give it to someone who can. Baby Pokemon raised by humans do not do well on their own, and fire-types are one of the more commonly abandoned types. The young one will understand - Pokemon are a lot smarter than people give them credit for, even when they're young. It will be upset of course, but that's to be expected.
Everything else I would have for you is standard Trainer fare - knowing your Pokemon's diet, housing, and grooming needs. This might require some research, as not every Fire-type is the same in this regard.
I hope this answers some of the bigger questions you may have! If there's anything you're looking for in particular that I haven't gone over here, feel free to let me know.
