Chapter 71: News of the Alliance Congress, the First Stop on the Path of Challenge?

As the radiant light faded, a small red-scaled hatchling with two wings and two legs slowly unfurled its delicate wings, blinking open curious eyes to gaze upon the world for the first time.

“Hello there, little one.” Su Yi knelt down, greeting the newborn creature with a gentle smile.

“Guao?” The little one fixed its large, adorable eyes on the smiling figure before it.

“Welcome to this world,” Su Yi said, his words carrying a subtle double meaning.

“Guao!” Sensing Su Yi’s kindness and affection, the tiny fire dragon fluttered its wings joyfully, stumbling forward to throw itself into Su Yi’s arms.

“Careful!” Su Yi moved to catch it, laughing as he embraced the little hatchling.

“Guao!”

“I’ve captured a rare moment, Rotom!” The Rotom Phone recorded the precious scene.

“So this is the moment a Pokémon hatches? Strangely enough, I feel deeply moved,” Hop murmured, his heart full of emotion and his anticipation growing for the egg nestled in his own bag.

“Yes, perhaps for most it’s just another part of life, but for this little one and its trainer, it’s the beginning of a new journey—an entirely new story.” Leon, too, was reminded of the joy and wonder he’d felt when he first received his own Charmander.

Perhaps it hadn’t seemed so stirring at the time, but as the years passed and he weathered trials and triumphs with Charizard, every seemingly insignificant detail, every moment taken for granted, became precious and moving in hindsight.

“By the way, is this the fire dragon Pokémon you mentioned back on the Isle of Armor?” Leon inquired.

“That’s right. This little one is a Fire Dragon. Among their kind, males and females differ slightly in scale color and physiology, so they’re usually distinguished as Male Fire Dragon and Female Fire Dragon,” Su Yi explained. “This one here’s a male.”

“I thought it would resemble Charizard, but it’s completely different,” Leon observed, studying the hatchling with keen interest.

Professor Magnolia, who had been quietly observing, grew thoughtful as she listened to Su Yi’s familiarity with this species of Pokémon.

“Little one, how about a name? From now on, let’s call you Sky.” Su Yi gazed softly at the hatchling, who had not yet the majesty of a ruler of the skies.

“Guu?” The tiny male fire dragon tilted its head endearingly.

“Sky,” Su Yi called again.

“Guao!” The little one understood, chirping happily as it snuggled into Su Yi’s embrace, seeking affection.

Though its scales had already begun to harden, they lacked the formidable edge of adulthood, yet were tough enough that Su Yi felt a bit of pain as the hatchling wriggled in his arms. Still, he stroked Sky with both joy and a hint of discomfort.

Professor Magnolia’s usually stern face softened into a faint smile as she witnessed Su Yi’s genuine affection and delight.

“He’s wonderful, and so very cute,” Sonia exclaimed, crouching down to stroke the hatchling with interest.

“I want to touch him too!” Hop rushed over in excitement.

Startled by the sudden attention from two strangers, Sky opened his mouth in alarm, releasing a burst of sparkling embers that shot toward Sonia and Hop, making them both jump back in surprise.

Professor Magnolia cleared her throat. “Don’t startle a newborn Pokémon. Hop, you’re still young, but Sonia, you’re an adult now—yet still so scatterbrained. This morning you left your hairdryer and clips tossed on the sofa...” She immediately began to scold her granddaughter.

Sonia flushed with embarrassment as Leon burst out laughing, making her cheeks burn redder.

“Chii~” The Sizzlipede crawled over, greeting Sky—who was already bigger than it, despite just hatching—with a gentle chirp.

Curious, Sky leaned in, drawn by the familiar warmth, and soon placed his head atop the Sizzlipede’s back. They began to play together, delighted.

“Come out and meet your new companion, little Toxtrill!” Su Yi remembered, and released the tiny Toxtrill who had also hatched from an egg and immediately become a Pokémon.

“Wawu?” The little Toxtrill, about the same size as Sky, gazed at him with wide, curious eyes.

“Oh? Is this another newly discovered Pokémon? Quite unusual indeed,” Professor Magnolia nodded as she studied the odd, endearingly ugly Toxtrill.

One could imagine that Professor Oak, with his boundless enthusiasm for Pokémon, would be overjoyed to encounter such an unknown species.

But before anyone could react, Sky, upon seeing Toxtrill, opened his mouth with a cry and lunged for Toxtrill’s brightly colored tail, like a kitten pouncing on a toy.

“Wah?!” The Toxtrill yelped, scrambling away as Sky gave chase. Sizzlipede clung to Sky’s head, squeaking in alarm, and suddenly the lab was filled with chaos and commotion.

“Hey! Sky! Don’t make a mess in someone else’s house!” Su Yi hurried over, quickly scooping Sky into his arms.

“Waa!” The Toxtrill stopped, glaring up at Sky, who was still stretching its mouth toward the newcomer with insatiable curiosity.

Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh. In the ancient forest, Toxtrill were often bullied by creatures like male Fire Dragons. In fact, ecological studies suggested that Toxtrill’s habit of eating fruit and spreading seeds was closely tied to the thriving state of the ancient trees, hinting at an even older, intertwined relationship.

However, when the Fire Dragon clan later claimed the upper reaches of the ancient forest, Toxtrill were forced to dwell in the lower levels. In the games, a small abandoned nest can be found near the Fire Dragon’s lair, and just below it is now the home of Toxtrill—perhaps a subtle sign.

Little ones are quick to cause mischief—and just as quick to grow hungry. Before long, Sky was crying out for food.

“What does he eat?” Sonia asked.

Su Yi answered simply, “Meat.”

“I’ll go prepare some,” Sonia nodded.

Ground meat would suffice—Sky wasn’t as delicate as he looked—but seeing Sonia’s professional approach, Su Yi said nothing more.

Many Pokémon eat meat, and humans even more so, so preparations were simple. Whether the meat was synthetic, from a certain Pokémon, or another creature, one learns not to ask too many questions in the world of Pokémon.

Soon, a special Pokémon meal mixed with cooked ground meat was brought out, alongside a dish of Moomoo Milk. The little one eagerly buried his head in the food, eating with gusto.

After enjoying a meal of curry at Professor Magnolia’s house, the group bid farewell to Sonia and the professor and returned to Leon’s home.

“I’m back, Wooloo!” Hop dashed to his room, eager to share the day’s events with his partner.

Leon turned to Su Yi, asking about his plans.

“Su Yi, are you interested in challenging other leagues?”

“What do you mean?” Su Yi asked.

Leon explained, “As you know, the Galar region’s Gym Challenge and Champion Cup have just concluded. It’ll be quite some time before the next one begins. In other regions, some tournaments have yet to start, while others are already winding down. But the Hoenn League is just about to begin.”

“So, if you want to take on new challenges and explore different places, you might consider going to Hoenn for the league tournament.”

Su Yi nodded. “I’d like to visit any place I haven’t been. If the Hoenn League is about to start, then traveling there sounds like a fine idea.”