Celestic Town, Sinnoh Region.
Inside a villa, a blonde beauty was woken by the doorbell.
"Who is it this early?"
She gently lifted the covers and stood up. Morning sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, falling over her and outlining her graceful figure.
Then she quickly changed clothes and went downstairs.
When she opened the door, a middle-aged man asked, "Are you Miss Cynthia?"
"Yes, I'm Cynthia. What can I do for you?"
The middle-aged man took a box out of his Space Backpack.
"You have an express delivery from the Hoenn Region. Please sign for it."
"Hoenn?" A flicker of delight crossed Cynthia's eyes. She took the delivery slip from the middle-aged man, signed her name, and handed it back.
After the man left, Cynthia tried to move the box, but it was a little too heavy for her.
Left with no choice, she called, "Garchomp! Garchomp!"
" Luca~"
Garchomp didn't come, but a handsome Lucario jumped down from the second floor.
"Lucario, perfect timing. Help me carry this box."
Lucario walked over and easily picked it up.
"Luca?"
"Take it to my room!" Cynthia replied after a moment's thought.
Her grandmother happened to be staying here today. Better not let her find out.
Otherwise, her grandmother would start teasing her again.
Unfortunately, the very thing Cynthia feared came to pass.
Professor Carolina suddenly came downstairs and asked curiously,
"Nana, who was ringing the doorbell so early?"
"What is Lucario carrying?"
Cynthia's heart tightened, but she said, "Nothing. Just something I bought."
"Lucario, what are you standing around for? Take it upstairs."
Professor Carolina narrowed her eyes. Something was off. Very off.
There was definitely something wrong with her granddaughter today, and that box was certainly suspicious.
She stopped Lucario from heading upstairs.
"Nana, what did you buy? Let Grandma have a look."
"I've been very interested lately in the things you young people like."
Cynthia kept a straight face. "Just a few little odds and ends."
"If you like them, Grandma, I'll buy you some too."
"Lucario, take it upstairs."
"Stop." Now Professor Carolina was certain. This box was anything but ordinary.
Something was up.
Lucario was speechless. Was Lucario supposed to go upstairs or not?
In the end, Lucario simply set the box on the floor and stepped aside.
Upstairs, three other Pokémon were watching the show.
They were Garchomp, Milotic, and Glaceon.
Professor Carolina walked over to inspect the box, but she didn't find anything unusual.
"Nana, what's in this box? Why don't you open it and let Grandma see?"
Cynthia's cheeks were already slightly pink, but she said,
"If you want to see, Grandma, go ahead and open it!"
Cynthia had assumed Professor Carolina would decline. Instead, she agreed without hesitation.
"All right." Professor Carolina eagerly opened the box.
Inside was an incubator containing a Pokémon Egg patterned with red and blue triangles, with two smaller boxes beside it.
Professor Carolina thought for a moment. "This looks like a Togepi egg."
"Togepi?" Cynthia was pleasantly surprised. She really liked Pokémon like Togepi, too.
She hadn't expected him to send her one.
Next, Professor Carolina opened the two smaller boxes.
One held a top-quality Shiny Stone, while the other contained a vial of sky-blue potion.
The moment Professor Carolina saw the potion, she knew who had sent the box.
Only that old fellow in Hoenn could make a Potential Potion this color.
Professor Carolina gave her granddaughter a teasing look. "Nana, these are the little odds and ends you mentioned?"
"Never mind the Pokémon Egg. That top-quality Shiny Stone and potion aren't things you can buy anywhere."
"Remember to buy Grandma plenty of these little odds and ends. I love them."
Cynthia's face had turned scarlet, but she remained stubborn.
"Fine. If you like them, Grandma, I'll buy you some."
Professor Carolina burst out laughing, then took out a letter.
"Oh my, Nana, what's this?"
The moment Cynthia saw the letter, she lost her composure and rushed over to snatch it back.
Then she fled to her room.
The three Pokémon watching upstairs hurriedly scattered, lest they get caught in the crossfire.
Victorious, Professor Carolina gave a little hum. "You little rascal. You thought you could beat me?"
"Lucario, pack everything up and take it upstairs for her."
"Luca~"
Lucario answered, put everything back in the box, and carried it upstairs.
In her room, Cynthia buried her head straight into the covers.
Only when Lucario entered did she sit up, pretending nothing had happened.
Lucario knew better than to linger, setting down the box and leaving.
Cynthia sighed, took out the envelope, and opened it.
"Miss Cynthia, I hope this letter finds you well.
I've returned safely to the Hoenn Region, so there's no need to worry.
I'm sorry I only got around to writing now. Things have been rather busy since I got home.
I also wanted to prepare a gift you'd really like-the little one in the incubator.
You should be able to guess what Pokémon it is from the markings on the shell.
I've figured out the conditions needed for Togepi to evolve into Togetic.
It's a new evolution method I've discovered, which I've named friendship evolution.
As the name suggests, Togepi needs to reach a certain level of friendship with its Trainer before it can evolve into Togetic.
I already had an inkling when your Lucario evolved.
Lucario is also a Pokémon that evolves through friendship.
You might find it hard to believe, but it's true.
The little one in the egg is very talented, so make sure you raise her well.
When she evolves, give her that blue potion. It can increase her potential.
As for the Shiny Stone...
That's for Togepi, too.
I've discovered that Togetic has another evolution, which I call Togoplane.
Of course, I'm joking. I call it Togekiss, and it's a very powerful Pokémon.
It evolves from Togetic using a Shiny Stone.
I can't offer much advice on raising one, since my Togepi hasn't evolved yet either.
All I can say is to focus on building stamina during the Togepi stage, then spend plenty of time together to raise friendship.
Once she becomes a Togetic, there's something you need to watch out for: make sure you focus on training Air Slash.
It's the core move for Togetic and, later, Togoplane.
Don't underestimate this move. When Togoplane uses it, it can have some remarkable effects.
Of course, that alone wouldn't warrant me reminding you so insistently to pay attention to this little one.
I can let you in on a little secret, but please don't tell anyone else.
Togepi isn't a Normal-type Pokémon. She belongs to an entirely new, eighteenth type.
And this type is very special, so you must raise her well.
In the future, this little one will become a cornerstone of your team.
Oh, and let me share some happy news.
Dreepy has evolved into Drakloak, and I've caught a new partner, too.
A Shiny Beldum!
All right, I'll leave it there. If you have time, you're welcome to visit my family's farm.
Remember to give Grandma Carolina my regards.
I hope every day brings you happiness.
-Your friend, Chen Shi."
Cynthia set down the letter and gently stroked the incubator with her slender hand, the boy's image flickering in her eyes.
"Pfft!"
Suddenly, she couldn't help laughing aloud.
Outside, Garchomp, who was pressed against the door eavesdropping, immediately grew excited.
"Chomp~ Chomp~"
(She laughed! She laughed! See? I told you!)
Glaceon, below, rolled its eyes.
"Glace~"
(As if we needed you to tell us.)
"Milo~"
(Exactly, exactly.)
Milotic, at the very top, chimed in too.
"Luca~ Luca."
(Eavesdropping like that? Have you no shame?)
Behind them, Lucario stood with arms folded, looking disdainfully at the three Pokémon.
Garchomp scoffed, puffing two streams of white air from its nostrils.
"Chomp~"
(You'd better turn off your Aura before you talk, buddy.)
Just then, the door suddenly opened.
One look at the scene in front of her told Cynthia exactly what had happened.
Garchomp scratched its head.
"Chomp~"
(Nice weather today, huh?)
"Glace~"
(Exactly, exactly.)
Then all four Pokémon fled.
Lucario
Before you continue