Chapter 85: Hot Spring Battle, Togepi's Birth
After collecting the two Togepi's Pokémon eggs, Ryan said, "Celebi, is there anything else?"
Celebi shook his head and chirped a few times. He meant that the Unown had said that only these Pokémon eggs were left, and nothing else.
Ryan nodded and said, "Then let's get out of here. This place is too depressing."
"Yes, yes," Rosa said. "A world devoid of any life is truly depressing."
Ruby nodded in agreement. While she didn't know how this dimension was formed, it was already lifeless. Regardless, rescuing the two Togepi was enough; there was no need to stay here any longer.
Celebi called out softly, summoning the Unown. Then, a circular portal appeared before Ryan and the others. They quickly passed through it one by one, returning to their original world.
After standing still outside, Ryan and the others looked back at the space, only to see it slowly crumbling, everything returning to nothingness. Then the portal closed, and the Unown returned to their original positions on the walls.
Ruby instinctively touched the wall again. It was indeed a wall with ancient murals, with no trace of Pokémon. Ruby exclaimed, "What amazing Pokémon!"
Ryan and Rosa nodded. These Pokémon were beyond their comprehension, and seemed incredibly mysterious.
The three of them left the Ruins of Alph and embarked on a journey to Ecruteak City.
A few days later, Ryan and his companions arrived in a tropical jungle. Rosa wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, "It's almost summer, but it's scorching here. It must be over 86 degrees Fahrenheit."
"Yeah. What's going on?" Ruby took off his hat in the heat, revealing a scar on his right forehead.
"Hey, Ruby, why do you have a scar on your forehead? How did you get hurt?" Rosa asked, noticing the scar.
"Oh. From when I was a kid," Ruby said casually.
Ryan couldn't help but think inwardly: "How young are you talking about? You took down a Salamence with three starter Pokémon, and you just brush it off like that?!"
But thinking about who he'd been injured protecting, Ryan had a clue. If he mentioned it, Rosa would probably start gossiping again.
"Wait. I smell sulfur," Ryan said suddenly, sniffing the air.
"Yeah. It really is," Rosa replied, sniffing as well.
"Isn't there a hot spring nearby?" Ruby asked curiously.
The three of them quickened their pace, pushing aside a bush. Their view suddenly opened up, revealing a lake. Ryan walked over, squatted down, and tested the water's temperature. He smiled, "It really is a hot spring! No wonder it's so hot here."
Turning back, Ryan said, "Let's take a day off today! We'll continue our journey tomorrow!"
"Yes!" Ruby and Rosa exclaimed excitedly.
The three of them set up their tent and built a cooking area with stones. Then they changed into their swimsuits and prepared to soak in the hot springs to relieve their travel fatigue.
"By the way, let's let everyone out to play together," Rosa said, releasing her Pokémon: Serperior, Teddiursa, and Misdreavus. Ruby also released his own Pokémon: Delcatty, Mightyena, Ralts, and an Eevee. This Eevee was the one Ruby had captured at the preserve. Who knows what Ruby would evolve it into?
"Everyone, come out." Ryan also released his Pokémon, and a large group of them suddenly appeared.
"That's amazing, Ryan. Your restrictions are lifted," Rosa said enviously.
Ryan smiled but said nothing. After all, he had invested his own resources to expand the Pokémon slots, not the League. If the League knew about it, there would probably be another argument.
The lake was quite large, so all these Pokémon could enter the water without any problem. At first, Tyranitar was reluctant to enter the water; after all, he was a Ground-type and had a weakness to Water-types.
But Ryan would have him practice water resistance regularly; after all, he still needed to train Tyranitar's endurance against Water-type moves. Over time, he no longer objected to taking a bath.
Everyone enjoyed the hot springs, and Ryan came ashore to prepare lunch. While preparing lunch, Ryan watched the Pokémon frolicking in the lake. Rosa, wearing a one-piece swimsuit, showed off her developing figure.
He couldn't help but think of other friends from his travels. Most of them weren't fully grown yet; they were still quite young.
Ryan had no particular concerns, considering his own physical development. He probably had the mind, but not the maturity yet. He thought as he cut vegetables. Suddenly, the backpack at his feet began to vibrate. He looked down and saw a white light emanating from it.
Realizing what was happening, he immediately pulled out two Pokémon eggs. Sure enough, the eggs glowed white and trembled. He was both excited and amused, having never expected both eggs to hatch at the same time.
The glow of the hatching light also attracted Ruby, Rosa, and the others. They rushed ashore with a group of Pokémon. A crowd of creatures surrounded the two Pokémon eggs. He hoped the newborns wouldn't be frightened.
As the Pokémon egg swayed, two tiny hands emerged, followed by tiny feet, and finally, the head pushed through the shell.
"How adorable!" Rosa exclaimed.
That's right, Ryan thought. Togepi is relatively small, like an egg, and its body is primarily bright yellow. Its eyes are black, and it has five spikes on its head, resembling a crown. When it sleeps, these spikes fold together, making it look even more like an egg.
Togepi's body is mostly encased in the eggshell, and it won't leave it. The eggshell is patterned with red and blue triangular rings. It has short, stubby hands and round feet with two toes. Its soles have semicircular brown pads.
Their appearance was simply adorable. Ryan examined them and saw that both of them were of exceptional quality, a male and a female. He also checked their stats using his Pokédex.
Pokémon: Togepi
Level: 1
Gender: Male
Height: 1'0" (30cm)
Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5kg)
Ability: Super Luck
Moves: Metronome (Inherited), Growl, Charm
Pokémon: Togepi
Level: 1
Gender: Female
Height: 1'0" (30cm)
Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5kg)
Ability: Super Luck
Moves: Metronome (Inherited), Growl, Charm
Both possessed the hidden ability Super Luck, and their inherited move was also Metronome. This clearly showed that these two little ones possessed incredible fortune, perfectly complementing someone like Ryan, who often relied on strategy over luck.
"These abilities are perfect," Ryan thought to himself. "After Togepi evolves into Togekiss, the most compatible ability would be Serene Grace, but Super Luck works incredibly well too."
He remembered from his Pokédex knowledge: "Togepi transforms the warmth and kindness it feels from others into happiness. It's said that if you treat it gently, it will share its good fortune with you." Ryan had always wondered if this was true, but seeing these two with such perfect abilities seemed to confirm it.
Ryan excitedly picked up the two Togepi, gently holding each one, and said with a smile: "From now on, you'll be my good luck charms! I'll definitely take excellent care of you."
The two Togepi squinted their eyes and smiled happily. After all, they could feel Ryan's genuine joy and excitement at their arrival.
(End of Chapter)
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