October 23rd.
Sunday.
Lin Feng was giving his caretaker brother some last-minute instructions.
Today, he'd be leaving the daycare for a short trip to Changsha City. If anything came up while he was gone, Rotom was to call him immediately.
Although he'd only be away for a short time, this was still the first time his caretaker brother would be managing the entire daycare alone. Lin Feng couldn't help feeling a little uneasy. To be safe, he even asked Gardevoir to stay behind this time and help the caretaker sister prepare lunch for everyone.
All the ingredients had already been neatly stocked in the fridge.
"Love-yii~"
The caretaker brother nodded seriously, signaling he understood.
Aside from the new plantation and a few rooms still under construction, the daycare was running smoothly now. Everything that needed doing had been done countless times before; he could handle it.
Even so, Lin Feng's smile softened as he praised him and turned to the two Pokémon waiting nearby Dragonite and Mewtwo.
"Alright, let's go!"
They left at seven in the morning and arrived at the outskirts of Changsha City ten minutes later. Lin Feng found a secluded spot, patted Dragonite on the neck, and asked it to head back after landing. Then, he and Mewtwo hailed a cab and went straight for the city center right near the arena hosting the upcoming Youth Cup.
"It's so lively…" Lin Feng murmured, looking around in awe.
Since arriving in this Pokémon world, his life had mostly revolved around Wutong Town and Wutong City. The latter was small most buildings were just a few stories tall, with barely any high-rises.
But Changsha was a different story.
As they got closer to the city center, tall glass towers stretched high above them, and the streets were filled with Pokémon walking proudly beside their trainers.
It was no wonder the Youth Cup was happening today. Cars, people, and Pokémon crowded the roads. Two Officer Jennys were directing traffic with practiced precision, their loyal Arcanines standing firm at their sides, fur gleaming in the sun.
Lin Feng couldn't help but grin.
He'd heard of the Jenny and Joy families from the Eastern League, but this was his first time seeing a Jenny in person.
In fact, seeing two identical Officer Jennys felt strangely like a small dream fulfilled.
Beside him, Mewtwo disguised in human form remained completely composed. Traveling for a few months had already given it a good sense of human cities, though Lin Feng was fairly certain it still viewed all of this as a laboratory of curiosity rather than a home.
He clapped Mewtwo's shoulder. "Come on, the Youth Cup hasn't started yet. Let's hit the WoofWoof Supermarket first."
Mewtwo nodded wordlessly. He didn't really mind where they went; he was here to keep Lin Feng company.
Lin Feng, on the other hand, had something specific in mind: the supermarket's famous Mystery Egg Game. You could win a random Pokémon egg sometimes rare, sometimes ordinary. He wondered if he might find something special this time.
He also hoped Qin Shu would make it on time.
When he called her last night, she was still camping out in the wilderness, flashlight in hand, her tent half-collapsed behind her. Wild Pokémon cries echoed faintly through her phone.
Her Squirtle had grown strong enough to hold its own now, which was a relief but the girl herself looked exhausted. When Lin Feng asked what she was doing, she just smiled awkwardly and said she'd been "dealing with a wild Pokémon battle."
He hadn't pressed her. Probably just her first time roughing it in the wild, still figuring things out.
"Take care of yourself," he'd told her before hanging up. "Don't go too deep into the wild zone."
Now, the taxi dropped him right outside the supermarket near the arena.
The moment they stepped inside, a wave of cheerful voices rang out.
"Try your luck! Guess the Mystery Egg! Take home a rare Pokémon today! We've got species from every region cute ones, fierce ones, mysterious ones!"
Rows of glass counters stretched across the entrance. Inside were two types of Pokémon eggs:
the visible ones each clearly showing their colors and patterns and the hidden ones, wrapped completely in black cloth, revealing nothing but their warmth to the touch.
Because of the Youth Cup, the place was packed. Young trainers crowded around, chatting excitedly as they ran their fingers over smooth eggshells. Even those not buying were allowed to touch them, just to experience the wonder.
Lin Feng examined the visible eggs first.
These were easy to guess each Pokémon species had its signature pattern, so it wasn't hard to tell what was what. Still, the organizers had grouped similar-looking eggs together, mixing up colors and designs to add challenge.
He grinned at the setup. "Bulbasaur, Caterpie, Oddish all the green eggs in one section. Clever."
But it was the hidden section that caught his attention.
When he activated his Scan Eye, the first egg he saw contained an Alolan Sandshrew. Rare, but not unheard of.
"Want me to peek inside for you?" came Mewtwo's calm voice in his mind.
Lin Feng shook his head. "I can handle it."
Mewtwo shrugged and wandered off, glancing idly around the area.
Lin Feng continued scanning the rest. Most were common species Venonat, Mankey, Pidgey. A few interesting ones, but nothing special enough to justify taking them home. His daycare already had plenty of Pokémon to care for.
Then he stopped.
One of the eggs under the black cloth pulsed faintly with green light.
He focused.
[Species: Sprigatito]
[Parent: Female Meowscarada (Age: 2 years, excellent potential)]
[Inherited Moves: Leech Seed, Baton Pass]
Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat.
Sprigatito! From the Paldea region!
He quickly opened the full scan.
[Species: Sprigatito]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Overgrow]
[Potential: Red-tier]
[IVs: HP 18 / Attack 28 / Sp. Atk 19 / Defense 27 / Sp. Def 24 / Speed 31]
[Power: Level 0]
[Moves: Leech Seed, Baton Pass]
[Status: 128 hours until hatch]
Even though Lin Feng usually didn't care much about raw stats, this one was too good to ignore.
Just a few days ago, Qin Shu had shown off her Sprigatito on video, teasing him about how cute it was. He'd tried to resist the temptation then but seeing one here, right in front of him? That was fate.
Compared to the elusive Mew he'd been trying to befriend, this little cat seemed much easier to love.
He confirmed the purchase immediately.
The sales clerk pulled back the black cloth and gasped. "Oh, you're lucky! This is a Sprigatito egg from the Paldea region one of the most sought-after Pokémon anywhere!"
Lin Feng just smiled. He didn't need luck when he had the Scan Eye. The supermarket's rules allowed it, as long as he didn't overdo it. They'd make a profit either way.
Cradling the warm green egg, Lin Feng turned to call Mewtwo only to realize the psychic Pokémon had wandered off. He spotted him in the Trainer's Goods section, staring at the display of Poké Balls.
"Thinking of an upgrade?" Lin Feng chuckled, walking over. "These luxury balls look nice see, the inside's got little compartments and play areas…"
Mewtwo blinked, a bit confused by the suggestion. Lin Feng laughed, noticing how pale his hand looked compared to his own now sun-browned skin. Months of running the daycare and working outdoors had left Lin Feng lean, strong, and healthy.
"Ah well," he sighed, shaking his head with a grin. Without hesitation, he bought fifty Luxury Balls. "Can't let any of you feel left out."
Before Mewtwo could comment, one of the Poké Balls at Lin Feng's belt rattled. He looked down Vulpix. The little Ice-type must've sensed they were somewhere new.
He released her with a smile.
"Vul~"
Her crystal-blue eyes sparkled as she looked around, tail swishing eagerly. She was just about to leap into his arms when she froze someone else was already there.
Lin Feng's arms were occupied by the Sprigatito egg.
"Vul?" she blinked in disbelief, then puffed her cheeks. "Vul-vul-vul!" (What's that?!)
"Ah, this?" Lin Feng lifted the egg proudly. "It's a Sprigatito."
Vulpix squinted, unimpressed. She tugged at his pants leg. "Vul!" (Hug!)
Lin Feng winced. He couldn't exactly hold both. The egg needed warmth, constant care it couldn't go in a storage ball. He'd have to carry it until it hatched or find a safe place for it at the daycare.
"Sweetie," he said gently, crouching down. "If I'm holding the egg, I can't carry you. How about this you pick a present, and you can walk with me instead."
"Vul?" (A present?)
Her ears perked up instantly. She remembered Eevee's little bell necklace, and her eyes brightened. "Vul~" (Deal!)
Together they wandered the aisles until Vulpix stopped in front of a soft, cream-colored scarf embroidered with her favorite hero Pikachu the Brave.
The tiny Pikachu was striking a heroic pose, mask on, paw raised toward the sky with a lightning bolt above.
Lin Feng smiled. "You like that one?"
"Vul!" she barked excitedly, tail wagging.
He picked up the scarf, then noticed another beside it a red one, embroidered with an adorable Vulpix pattern. He held both up.
"How about this, sweetie? Instead of being someone else's hero… why not be your own?"
Vulpix froze. Her sapphire eyes widened, then sparkled with emotion.
She pawed at the red scarf, her whole face lighting up in delight.
"Vul!" (Yeah!)
Lin Feng laughed softly as he tied the little scarf around her neck.
"There you go, my little hero."
The Vulpix puffed out her chest proudly, the scarf fluttering as she struck a pose beside the gleaming egg in Lin Feng's arms like a guardian ready to protect her new sibling.