Chapter 207: The Birth of Togepi

Misty couldn't wait to enjoy the hot spring. After grabbing her swimsuit, she headed to the bathroom to change. Once she was ready, she flushed the water, then stepped into the hot spring in the courtyard, sighing in relief as the warmth embraced her body. The refreshing night breeze brushed against her skin, blending harmoniously with the soothing heat of the water. She had even brought the Pokémon egg with her, gently placing it in a dry spot beside her.

"It's so comfortable..." she murmured, leaning against the smooth stones at the edge of the hot spring. Her eyelids drooped slightly, the relaxation making her feel drowsy.

"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu's cheerful cry snapped her out of her daze. The smaller Pokémon, with Ash's help, had started making their way into the water one by one. Pikachu was the first to jump in, splashing around in delight.

The larger Pokémon, however, hesitated at the edge of the spring. Venusaur and Pidgeot exchanged reluctant glances. Their large bodies made it difficult for them to fit in such a confined space. Charizard, on the other hand, had a different problem—though it was a bit more agile, as a Fire-type Pokémon, it naturally disliked water. Even if the water was warm, it wasn't particularly eager to get in.

Psyduck, as clueless as ever, sat in the hot spring with a dazed expression, letting out an occasional "Psy-ay?" as it floated in place. Nearby, Staryu kept an eye on it, as if making sure it wouldn't accidentally sink. Horsea happily swam around in circles, while Starmie, despite looking elegant as always, was struggling slightly—it had unknowingly ended up pressing its hard, spiky body against Misty's shoulder.

"Ow, ow, ow! Starmie, not so hard!" Misty winced, gently pushing it aside.

"Pikachu, Pika-Pi Pikachu~" Pikachu, meanwhile, had completely relaxed, stretching out its small limbs as it floated on the surface of the water. It even hummed a little tune, clearly enjoying itself.

Preparing Dinner

While Misty and the Pokémon soaked in the hot spring, Ash was outside, helping Brock with dinner preparations.

"Brock, do you need any help?" Ash asked as he approached. Though he wanted to join the others in the hot spring, he knew Brock was busy preparing food for the Pokémon.

"Yeah, help me wash these berries," Brock replied, handing Ash a small basket filled with fresh berries.

"Vulpix, you're up," Brock then said, turning to the small Fox Pokémon beside him. "Use a weak Ember."

"Vul—!" Vulpix let out a soft cry before releasing a controlled burst of flame. The small fire quickly caught onto the dry wood Brock had stacked in the fire pit, igniting it instantly. Within moments, a steady flame flickered, perfect for cooking.

As Ash finished washing the berries, a knock came from outside the door.

"Come in!" Ash called out, too busy to open the door himself.

A young waiter entered, carrying a notepad. "Good evening! What kind of dinner would you like? Our hotel offers multiple regional styles."

Ash perked up with interest. "Oh? What kind of styles are available?"

"We can provide meals inspired by Kanto, Unova, and Alola cuisine," the waiter replied with a polite smile.

Ash's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait—Alola-style food?!"

Hearing this, Brock also looked over, intrigued. "Alola? That's pretty unexpected."

Alola had only recently gained widespread recognition in the past two years. With its unique culture and traditions, it was known for Z-Moves and its Z-Rings, though so far, only native Alola Trainers had been able to wield them properly. The fact that this hotel could even offer Alolan cuisine was surprising.

Ash turned to Brock. "What do you think? Should we try the Alola-style food?"

Brock thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm definitely curious, but considering we're outdoors and have access to a great hot spring, I think a barbecue fits the atmosphere better."

Ash nodded. "That makes sense. Alright then!" Turning to the waiter, he said, "Could you bring us some raw meat, vegetables, and fruit juice?"

"Of course," the waiter replied before heading off to prepare their order.

Once the waiter left, Ash joined Brock in the courtyard to help with the Pokémon's meals.

"Barbecue, huh?" Misty said happily from the hot spring. "That sounds amazing! It's been a while since we've had one, and Brock's cooking is always the best!"

Just as she was daydreaming about the delicious meal to come, something unexpected happened—the Pokémon egg in her arms suddenly trembled.

The Egg Begins to Hatch!

Misty gasped. "It's moving again! It's moving again!"

She held the egg up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The trembling was stronger than before, a clear sign that the life inside was ready to emerge.

Ash and Brock turned to her immediately.

"Really?!" Ash rushed over, eyes wide with anticipation.

"That's a good sign!" Brock said, observing the egg carefully. "It means the Pokémon inside is ready to hatch any moment now."

The Pokémon in the hot spring all stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the egg. Pikachu scrambled out of the water, shaking off droplets before hopping over to Misty's side.

"Pikachu!" it squeaked, eyes fixed on the egg.

The trembling grew more intense. Tiny cracks began to appear on the surface of the eggshell, spreading like delicate webbing. Misty held her breath.

Then, with a small snap, a piece of the shell broke off.

A tiny, stubby arm poked out.

Misty gasped again, her hands trembling slightly from excitement. "It's hatching!"

Another piece of the shell broke away, revealing a small round head with soft, creamy-colored skin. A pair of wide, curious eyes blinked up at Misty.

And then, finally, with one last little push—

The baby Pokémon tumbled out, its eggshell crumbling around it.

Misty held the newborn Pokémon in her hands, her eyes welling up with tears of joy. "It's so... so cute!"

The little Pokémon let out a soft, cheerful chirp.

"That's a Togepi!" Ash said in awe.

Brock nodded. "No doubt about it. Togepi is a rare Pokémon, said to bring happiness to those who raise it."

Misty hugged Togepi close, her heart overflowing with joy. "I can't believe it... it finally hatched!"

The Pokémon around them cheered. Pikachu reached out to touch Togepi's tiny hand, and the baby Pokémon responded with a delighted giggle.

Brock smiled. "Looks like you're going to be a great caretaker, Misty."

Misty beamed. "Of course! Togepi is mine, after all!"

As the night continued, the group celebrated the arrival of their newest companion with laughter, delicious barbecue, and the warmth of friendship under the starlit sky.

And so, Togepi's journey with Misty began.