The berry orchard.
After quickly finishing breakfast, Cinccino and the other Pokémon did not go anywhere else. Instead, they called out to one another and gathered together in the berry orchard.
They pressed themselves against the windows, craning their heads to peek inside. Each one wore a small, eager expression filled with anticipation.
Litten suddenly leapt out from inside the house and landed on the windowsill, letting out a soft "Meow."
"Cin~" (It still hasn't started yet! When will the Chikorita hatch?)
"Lioo!" (Exactly! How long do we have to wait?)
The Pokémon chattered one after another. It turned out that everyone had gathered here for the same reason. They were all waiting for the Chikorita eggs to hatch.
"Meow!"
Litten noticed Silas approaching. With a light leap it jumped straight into his arms, rubbing its little cat head gently against his chest. Its throat immediately produced a comfortable rumbling purr.
"I already told you little guys that there's no need to rush over so early."
Silas laughed as he reached out and rubbed the round body of Jigglypuff. The feeling was just like kneading a lump of soft clay, making it impossible to stop playing with it.
When Cinccino saw Silas arrive, it stretched out both arms and asked to be picked up.
Silas pulled Cinccino into his embrace. With both hands already full, he nudged the little Pokémon affectionately with his head.
Cinccino hugged him tightly. The little fellow used its signature cheek-to-cheek nuzzle and sparkling starry eyes to beg Silas.
"Cin Cin?"
"Nope. We can only wait."
Silas pushed open the door of the small berry orchard house and led the little Pokémon inside.
Inside the nest, Meganium lay curled protectively beside five Pokémon eggs. From time to time it lowered its head to listen carefully, its expression full of nervousness and anticipation.
On the other hand, Tropius was simply nervous. It paced back and forth outside the nest, unable to stay still.
"Shhh. Don't get too close and don't make too much noise."
After setting down Litten and Cinccino, Silas quietly reminded them.
"Jiggly~"
Jigglypuff covered its mouth with both hands to promise it would be quiet. Then it shuffled forward sideways like a crab, trying to peek into the nest.
Cinccino, Popplio, and Alcremie found the action amusing and copied Jigglypuff's sneaking movements as they approached.
Silas also softened his footsteps. First he gently patted the anxious Tropius and motioned for it to lower its head and look.
It turned out that just a moment ago, a tiny crack had appeared on the surface of one of the eggs.
"Trop?"
The tall Tropius carefully lowered its huge body, its long neck slowly stretching toward the nest. First it gently rubbed against Meganium in concern before finally looking at the eggs.
The eggs had begun to hatch. The little lives inside were about to break their shells and enter the world.
Tropius even softened its breathing to the lightest possible level, afraid that the airflow from its breath might disturb the tiny creatures inside the eggs.
A low, suppressed sound escaped its throat, filled with tension and anticipation that it could not hide.
Time passed slowly as everyone waited.
The Applin and the Flapple hopped onto the windowsill and stacked themselves up to peek inside. Every Pokémon present was waiting for the same moment.
"Crack, crack~"
The sound of eggshells breaking began one after another, as if some kind of chain reaction had been triggered.
First one egg, then another… until all five eggs displayed spider-web like cracks across their surfaces.
From within those cracks, a bright white light began to shine through. The Pokémon inside the eggs were working hard, striving to come into this world.
"Mega~!"
"Troop!"
"Cin~!"
"Lioo~"
"Jigglypuff!"
"Come on, Chikorita!"
Meganium and Tropius, together with Silas and all the Pokémon, cheered for the Chikorita. They believed the little ones could break through their shells.
Gradually the bright white light grew stronger and stronger.
Then suddenly one of the eggs made a "pop" sound as the top of the shell was pushed open.
A small head topped with a tender green leaf poked out. A newborn Chikorita looked around curiously with wet shining eyes before letting out a soft cry.
"Chiko~"
"Mega~ Mega~~"
Meganium lowered its head and touched noses with the newly hatched Chikorita, as if welcoming it into the world.
After smelling the familiar scent, the tiny Chikorita stretched out its front legs and leaned against Meganium while letting out another soft cry. Its clingy appearance made it incredibly adorable.
This one clearly had a shy personality.
Tropius also leaned closer, its long neck curving into a gentle arc as it carefully touched the Chikorita's leaf with the tip of its nose.
At first the little Chikorita shrank back into its eggshell in fear, but after seeing Meganium's encouraging gaze it bravely reached out its tiny claws and touched Tropius.
"Cin!" (The other eggs are reacting too, everyone!)
Cinccino raised its small hand to remind everyone, drawing their attention to the remaining four eggs.
This time all four eggs reacted at once. The eggs shook violently and the cracking sounds rang out continuously.
All four eggs split open simultaneously. As the white light burst forth, four more Chikorita were born into the world in a daze.
The one on the far left shook its head. It was clearly the bravest.
The moment it was born it tried to run, but before it could even stand steadily it plopped down on its bottom.
"Cin…"
Cinccino ran forward and reached out its little hands to help the Chikorita up. The Chikorita sniffed it curiously before suddenly pouncing forward and knocking Cinccino over. The two Pokémon began rolling around playfully together.
This Chikorita was completely unafraid of strangers. It clearly had a bold personality.
The other three siblings displayed entirely different personalities the moment they were born.
One mischievous Chikorita chased after Jigglypuff and tried to nibble at it.
Another arrogant one boldly challenged Litten.
And the final one, which was also the smallest, crawled straight into Silas's arms. It was obvious that this one had a lonely personality.
The tiny Pokémon tightly hugged Silas's finger while gently rubbing its leaf against him. From time to time it looked up and chirped "Chiko" softly, checking to see whether Silas was paying attention to it.
Silas smiled and lightly tapped its leaf with his fingertip.
The little Chikorita immediately buried its head even deeper into his palm.
The appearance of Chikorita and Meganium was quite similar. Both were based on four-legged dinosaur like forms.
Chikorita had light green bodies, with heads almost the same size as their bodies. On top of their heads grew a deep green leaf, and around their necks was a ring of small budding leaves.
If someone leaned closer and smelled the leaf on a Chikorita's head, they would notice a sweet fragrance that could calm a person's mind.
"Grrr~"
The rumbling sound coming from the belly of the Chikorita in Silas's arms seemed to act like a signal. Soon the stomachs of the other four Chikorita in the nest began rumbling as well.
"Just wait a moment. The Indeedee are going to fetch some Moomoo milk."
"Chiko!"
Hearing that there would be delicious Moomoo Milk to drink, the Chikorita in Silas's arms immediately revealed sparkling eyes.
It stretched out its tiny foot, which had only a single small claw, and gently pawed at Silas's large hand while its tiny tail wagged like a spinning windmill.
While Silas was busy soothing the little one in his arms, the other four Chikorita quickly surrounded him as well. Each of them was asking for Moomoo milk.
It was only when the Indeedee siblings returned with the milk that the little Chikorita finally let Silas go.
The rich and nutritious Moomoo milk was perfect for newborn Pokémon like Chikorita.
A large bowl filled to the brim was completely finished by the five little ones, leaving them with round, satisfied bellies.
After eating and drinking their fill, the Chikorita snuggled close to Meganium and found comfortable positions before falling fast asleep.
Among them, the lonely Chikorita looked at its mother and then at Silas, unable to decide where it should sleep.
Amused by the scene, Silas walked over, picked it up gently, and placed it beside Meganium.
"Be good and sleep well. When you wake up I'll come see you again. Cinccino, Jigglypuff, and the others will come play with you too."
"Cin!"
"Lioo!"
Once the five little Chikorita were asleep, Silas gestured for all the Pokémon to leave quietly so they would not wake them.
Before leaving, Silas followed his usual habit and went to check on the growth of the special crop in the orchard, the Rainbow Gourd Vine.
(End of Chapter)