After finishing the "commission" for James's family, Ash and his group continued their journey and arrived at a sizable city. After their long trek, they headed to the Pokémon Center as usual to rest.
There, Ash's Pokédex received a transmission from Professor Oak. It turned out the Professor had remotely upgraded the system based on the rare Pokémon data Ash had been sending back especially the recent influx of living fossil Pokémon. He added data on ancient Pokémon, regional forms, and more detailed ecological habits.
"Thank you so much, Professor Oak!" Ash thanked him via video call.
"Hahaha, it's thanks to the valuable data you keep providing that our research can progress. You've earned it, Ash. I look forward to your further discoveries!" the Professor laughed heartily.
That evening, the three of them had dinner at the Pokémon Center's restaurant. While Brock prepared the delicious food, he asked curiously, "Ash, has that egg you brought back from Grampa Canyon changed lately?"
Ash carefully took the red and blue patterned egg from the incubator, stroking it gently as he felt the increasingly active life force within. "Yeah, the life response is getting stronger. It should hatch soon."
He explained to the others, "Based on the upgraded Pokédex data and what I knew before, this should be a Togepi egg. Togepi is a very rare Pokémon known as the 'Happiness Pokémon.'
It's said to absorb positive energy from people and Pokémon and convert it into good luck to share with others. Its shell is incredibly hard for defense, and it possesses incredible power once it evolves."
It truly was incredible. Its evolution, Togetic, and its further evolution via a Shiny Stone, Togekiss, were both formidable combatants. Especially Togekiss with the Serene Grace ability combined with Air Slash, anyone would be terrified to face it!
Misty looked at the adorable egg, her eyes full of anticipation. "A Happiness Pokémon? That sounds wonderful!"
However, none of them noticed the three pairs of ears pressed tightly against the restaurant window. The Team Rocket trio had appeared again like ghosts, overhearing every word Ash said about Togepi being "rare," "happy," and "lucky."
"Did you hear that, meow? An ultra-rare Pokémon egg that brings good luck!" Meowth's whiskers trembled with excitement.
"If we present it to the Boss, we'll surely get a promotion and a raise!" Jessie's eyes gleamed with greed.
"Right! We have to get it this time!" James also rubbed his hands together.
Taking advantage of a short break where Ash and his friends left their seats after dinner, Team Rocket used their usual tricks perhaps a simple diversion or a small gadget and stealthily made off with the egg from the incubator beside the table!
"Oh no! The egg is gone!" Misty was the first to notice upon returning, letting out a scream.
Ash's Aura Power expanded instantly. Although Team Rocket had masked their presence, the faint life fluctuations of the egg itself couldn't be completely hidden at close range. "It's Team Rocket! They haven't gone far. Let's go!"
The three immediately rushed out of the Pokémon Center. Guided by his Aura, Ash quickly found Team Rocket in an abandoned warehouse on the edge of the city.
He saw Jessie and James surrounding the egg, excitedly planning their bright future after gifting it to Giovanni. Meowth, unexpectedly, was using his claws and a clean cloth to carefully wipe the shell, muttering, "Have to be careful, meow. This is a very precious egg, meow..."
"Team Rocket! Give that egg back!" Ash shouted sternly.
"Hmph! Since you found us!"
"Then let's settle who keeps this egg with a battle!"
"We'll show you how we win, meow!"
Just as both sides were at each other's throats, ready to throw their Poké Balls, the egg in Meowth's arms suddenly shook violently, bursting with an increasingly blinding white light!
"Ah! The egg... the egg is hatching, meow!" Meowth cried out in panic.
Everyone froze, their eyes fixed on the glowing egg. Within the light, the shell gradually cracked open, and a small white figure emerged. It had an egg-shaped body covered by a hard, red and blue patterned shell with spots. Its tiny eyes looked around at the world with curiosity.
It was Togepi!
The newborn Togepi let out a faint, cute cry: "Chakipoko"
Following a Pokémon's instincts, it subconsciously recognized the first creature it saw clearly upon hatching as its closest kin. Its gaze swept over the fierce Jessie and the flustered James before finally settling on Meowth's face the one who had been holding it so carefully just moments before. It gave an innocent smile and reached out its tiny hands. "Chapoko"
Meowth was stunned.
However, Togepi's gaze was soon drawn to a much stronger source of Aura. It turned its head and saw Ash standing at the door, his eyes full of concern, radiating an Aura Power that made it feel incredibly warm, comfortable, and safe. That feeling was far deeper and more attractive than the "first sight" of its eyes.
Without a moment's hesitation, Togepi struggled to jump out of Meowth's arms. Though just born, its waddling movements were surprisingly steady as it waddled on its short legs, heading straight for Ash with clear intent. It hugged his leg, nuzzling affectionately while letting out cheerful cries: "Chakipokopoko~"
"Togepi..." Ash knelt and gently scooped the little fellow up. Togepi found a comfortable spot in his arms and peacefully closed its eyes.
"How can this be, meow!" Meowth cried out unwillingly. "I was the one holding it first, meow!"
"Curse you! It's that brat again!" Jessie stamped her feet in rage.
"Our credit and bonuses are gone again..." James slumped dejectedly.
Ash held the newborn Togepi and looked at the disheartened Team Rocket. Seeing that Meowth had actually taken genuine care of the egg, he uncharacteristically refrained from having Pikachu attack. "I'll let it slide this time, considering... well, at least Meowth took good care of it. Just leave."
Team Rocket, seeing the situation was hopeless, could only slink away bitterly.
[Ding! Host has obtained the Pokémon Togepi. Reward: 300 Realm Points.]
[Current Realm Points: 22,300.]
Looking at the Togepi sleeping peacefully in his arms, a warm smile spread across Ash's face. With this little "lucky star" symbolizing happiness joining the team, the journey ahead was sure to be filled with even more color and unexpected surprises.
Togepi had officially joined the ranks; all that was left was an Eevee, and the Original Trio would be complete!
I wanted to release an extra chapter, but I have to rack my brain over the evolution choice for Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden in the next chapter.
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