Sinnoh Region — Hearthome City.
Morning sunlight slipped through pale curtains as Cynthia trudged downstairs, hair tousled, eyes half-open. The doorbell had dragged her out of bed far too early.
A deliveryman waited politely outside with a large parcel.
"Are you Miss Cynthia?"
"Yes—I'm Cynthia. How can I help you?"
The man smiled and handed her a form.
"Express package for you. From the Hoenn region. I'll need your signature."
Hoenn?
Cynthia's eyes brightened immediately.
She signed, thanked him, and tried to lift the box—only to find it surprisingly heavy.
"Garchomp! Garch—"
"Lucario!"
Instead of her terrifying shark-dragon barreling down the stairs, Lucario leapt elegantly from the second floor.
"Perfect timing. Lucario, help me take this."
The Aura Pokémon lifted the parcel with ease and turned toward the stairs.
But fate despises a smooth morning.
As Lucario took the first step, a voice drifted down the stairs:
"Cynthia? Who rang the doorbell? And what is Lucario holding?"
Cynthia froze.
Professor Carolina—her grandmother, esteemed Sinnoh historian—stood there, eyeing the large box with unmistakable suspicion.
Cynthia forced a calm smile.
"Just something I ordered. Lucario, take it upstairs."
But Professor Carolina stepped in front of him.
"Show Grandma. Maybe I'll want one too."
Lucario faltered helplessly.
Cynthia panicked. The parcel had an aura—clearly not something she wanted her grandmother examining casually.
But the old professor already had her hands on the lid.
She opened the box.
Inside sat a cushioned incubator, containing a white egg with red-and-blue triangular markings.
Two small boxes sat beside it.
"This looks like… a Togepi egg." Carolina murmured.
Cynthia's heartbeat stuttered.
A Togepi?
He actually sent me one?
Professor Carolina opened the other boxes.
Inside were:
A Shiny Stone (Light Stone-quality)
A sky-blue enhancement potion—a trademark Chen-family creation
The old professor smiled knowingly.
"Cynthia, these are your 'small trinkets'?"
"If Grandma wants one, you'll get me one too, hm?"
Cynthia turned crimson.
Before she could defend herself, Professor Carolina fished out a slim envelope.
"…A letter?"
At that moment Cynthia snatched the letter and ran upstairs, practically fleeing the scene.
Her Pokémon—Garchomp, Milotic, Glaceon—scattered like startled wild birds.
Upstairs, heartbeat racing, she tore it open.
📜 Letter from Chen Shi
"Miss Cynthia,
I've returned safely to Hoenn. Sorry for writing late — the journey took longer than expected. I wanted to send you a small gift: the egg in the incubator.
You probably guessed already: it's a Togepi.
Based on my recent research, Togepi evolves through what I call Friendship Evolution — reaching a threshold of closeness with its Trainer.
When it evolves into Togetic, give it the blue potion — it boosts potential. The Shiny Stone will allow it to evolve into Togekiss later.
While it's still Togepi, train its endurance. When it becomes Togetic, focus on Air Slash — crucial for its later battle style.
Togepi is not ordinary. It holds a unique potential. Raise it carefully.
Good news on my side: Dreepy has already evolved into its middle form, and I even obtained a shiny Beldum.
Visit the farm sometime. Give my regards to Professor Carolina."
— Your friend, Chen Shi.
Cynthia set the letter down gently.
Her fingers brushed across the incubator.
A soft laugh escaped her lips.
Outside her door, Garchomp pumped its claws excitedly.
"Garchomp! Garchomp!"
(She laughed! I told you she would!)
Glaceon rolled its eyes.
Milotic shook her head fondly.
Lucario crossed his arms, pretending not to care.
Garchomp growled at him.
"Garchomp!"
(Turn off your aura when you eavesdrop!)
Suddenly—
The bedroom door swung open.
Cynthia looked up, composure returning like a mask snapping into place.
Her Pokémon fled instantly.
A normal morning in the home of Sinnoh's future champion.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
patreon.com/lucarioTL