The next day, having left Viridian Forest behind, Mark finally arrived at the first Gym's location—Pewter City, a town with stone-colored buildings and a rugged feel. After enduring the trials of the forest, Mark and his Pokémon had grown stronger, but exhaustion weighed them down. The long journey had completely drained their energy.
"It looks like challenging the Gym today is out of the question. Better to head to the Pokémon Center and rest for the night," Mark muttered to himself.
"Welcome!" A cheerful Nurse Joy, accompanied by a Chansey, greeted them as they entered the Pokémon Center.
"Hello, Nurse Joy! My name is Mark. I've just arrived from Viridian Forest, and my Pokémon and I are terribly exhausted. Could you please help us with a room to rest and heal them? Here's my Pokédex—I'm a registered Trainer with the League."
In this world, Trainers who had paid all necessary fees were eligible to receive a starter Pokémon and were officially registered with the Pokémon League. Pokémon Centers, run by the League, provided free food and lodging for these Trainers. Others—wild or unregistered Trainers—had to pay fees unless they earned the League's invitation through outstanding performance at official tournaments.
"Of course! We'll take the best care of your Pokémon," Nurse Joy smiled warmly.
Mark handed over his Pokémon, then returned to his room. Opening his backpack, he took out the Pokémon Egg. The sharp, metallic energy it radiated was stronger than ever. Mark was certain it was a Steel-type Pokémon's egg. Placing it carefully on the table, he lay down early to rest, determined to be at full strength for the next day's Gym battle.
Late that night, as Mark slept soundly, the Pokémon Egg began to shimmer again. The glow grew brighter this time. Nearby, Steel-type Pokémon stirred—the Magnemites and Magneton in the city, and even the resting Steelix deep in the mountains—seemed to sense something. All of them turned their attention toward the Pokémon Center, as if waiting for something to happen.
The next morning, after a deep and refreshing sleep, Mark awoke, energized and ready to pack. That's when he saw the Pokémon Egg pulsing rapidly, its surface trembling. Mark knew this was the unmistakable sign that the Pokémon inside was about to hatch. Usually calm, Mark now felt a surge of anxiety—but he forced himself to stay composed. He reminded himself that this was a Pokémon Center, and the first priority was to get Nurse Joy's help.
Without overthinking, he grabbed the Egg and dashed out the door. "Nurse Joy! The egg is hatching! Please help me quickly!" he called out, breathless.
"Really? That's the sign of a Pokémon about to be born! Excellent, I'll prepare at once. Chansey, please bring the equipment for newborn Pokémon care. Mark, could you bring a basin of warm water? Make sure it's not too hot. I'll take the egg to the hatching room right away!"
With years of experience, Nurse Joy gave precise instructions as she handled the situation smoothly.
Soon, Mark arrived at the hatching room with a basin of warm water, while the medical equipment stood ready. Nurse Joy gently placed the Pokémon Egg on the table and wiped its shell with a warm towel, ensuring it wouldn't get cold after hatching.
After a few tense moments, the trembling ceased. The entire Pokémon Egg radiated a dazzling silver light. Its shell began to reshape before Mark's eager eyes, transforming into a cylindrical object. As the glow faded, Mark finally saw it clearly—it was a Shiny Beldum, a pseudo-legendary Pokémon from the Hoenn region, and it shimmered in its rare silver form! It seemed the great Professor Oak had been right—Mark truly had a unique bond with Hoenn!
The newly hatched Beldum opened its eyes just as it saw Mark's amazed expression staring back. Highly intelligent and gifted with Psychic-type abilities, it had sensed its surroundings even while inside the egg. It recognized Mark as its caregiver and was thrilled to finally meet its beloved trainer.
Nurse Joy didn't forget her duty. Taking out a scanner, she quickly examined the new Pokémon's stats. Her eyes widened in astonishment.
"How is this possible?" she gasped. "Not only is this Beldum perfectly healthy, but its stats are unbelievably high across the board! These numbers aren't what you'd expect from a newborn Pokémon!"
Mark's heart skipped a beat. Wasting no time, he activated the system's scanning feature and cross-referenced Beldum's details.
Beldum (Shiny)
Gender: None
Iron Ball Pokémon
Type: Steel/Psychic
Nature: Bold (balanced growth)
Height: 0.8 m
Weight: 102 kg
Aptitude: Supreme
Potential: Infinite
Current Power: Regular Trainer – Early Stage
Moves: Tackle, Iron Defense, Zen Headbutt, Iron Head
Note: A top-tier Pokémon gifted by the system. It breaks the rule that Beldum only knows Tackle at birth. With proper training, it's destined to become the Steel God. Its Psychic abilities complement its strengths.
Mark's eyes gleamed with excitement. The newborn had already surpassed the Beginner stage and possessed Regular Trainer-level strength! Its potential rivaled that of Ash's Pikachu! No wonder Nurse Joy was so stunned.
Mark stepped forward and placed his hand gently on Beldum's hard head. "Welcome to this world, Beldum," he said with a smile.
He then released Treecko, Feebas, and Scyther. Turning to them, he spoke warmly. "Everyone, your little brother is here! As his older siblings, you must take good care of him from now on."
Feebas, gentle by nature, immediately greeted the new companion with joyful splashes. Treecko scoffed at first, too proud to speak—but its eyes never left Beldum. After all, it had witnessed the egg's entire journey from its first appearance to hatching. Aside from Mark, no one else cared for Beldum as much—but it was only being shy. Scyther, despite being new to the team, was guided by its innate warrior spirit to protect the weak, and it took its role as an older sibling seriously.
Looking at Mark and his three companions, Beldum's eyes sparkled with joy—it had found its new family.
"All right, come into the Poké Ball, Beldum!" Mark gently captured the shiny Pokémon, then spoke to its Poké Ball. "Let's train together and reach the peak, Beldum. I look forward to every step."
With Beldum's arrival, Mark's team grew stronger once more. Since it already possessed Regular Trainer-level strength at birth, it was ready for battle. Its Steel typing alone was enough to challenge the Rock-type Gym.
"So today's a double celebration! First, Beldum's birth, and second, our goal to win the Gym Badge! I believe you're all ready—let's go!" Mark's voice rang with enthusiasm.
The three Pokémon nodded eagerly—they had been waiting for this moment. Mark recalled them into their Poké Balls, and with determination in his eyes, he stepped out of the Pokémon Center, heading toward the Pewter City Gym.
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