The sun hung low in the sky as Boe, Rev, and Zane trudged along Route 34. Even after a full day of walking, the route still stretched wide and green ahead of them. The air was warm, carrying the scent of grass and fresh water from the pond shimmering off to the west. Compared to the dense, shadowy depths of Ilex Forest, the open space felt freeing—even if their legs ached from the journey.

"Not much longer now," Rev said, adjusting his bag as he peered ahead. "Goldenrod should be just over that hill."

Boe shielded his eyes from the sun. In the distance, past the gently sloping fields, the towering buildings of Goldenrod City shimmered on the horizon. The city was massive—far bigger than Azalea or Violet. Even from here, they could see the faint outline of the Radio Tower standing tall among the skyline.

"Finally," Zane muttered. "I swear, that last trainer battle took all my energy."

Boe chuckled. The route had been lively with other trainers, and they'd stopped to battle a handful along the way. Some had been easy wins, but others—like a particularly tough Pidgeotto—had taken a bit more effort.

"Hey, look," Rev pointed ahead. Just off the main path, a small blue building nestled against the hillside, standing out among the sea of green. Above the door hung a simple sign of a Poké Ball with two eggs, the words Pokémon Daycare painted in neat lettering below it.

"The Daycare!" Boe grinned. "I forgot it was on this route."

"You think they'd let us take a look around?" Rev asked.

"Only one way to find out," Zane said, already leading the way toward the building.

As the trio stepped inside the Pokémon Daycare, they were greeted by a cozy interior. A wooden counter stood at the front, separated from a lush, open yard where Pokémon roamed freely. The air smelled faintly of hay and fresh grass, and a soft ticking sound came from an old clock on the wall.

Behind the counter stood an elderly couple, their faces warm and welcoming. The woman, dressed in a simple blue dress and apron, smiled at them. "Well, well, we don't get too many travelers stopping by! Welcome to the Goldenrod Pokémon Daycare. My name's Edith, and this here is my husband, Wallace."

Wallace, a stout man with a neatly trimmed mustache, nodded. "You three trainers?"

"Yep!" Boe said. "We're heading to Goldenrod, but we saw the Daycare and wanted to stop by."

Edith clapped her hands. "That's wonderful! We take care of Pokémon here for trainers who are too busy to train them themselves. We even find eggs from time to time!"

Zane raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Wait, so how does that work? If two Pokémon are left here, they just... make an egg?"

Wallace chuckled. "That's right! As long as they're in the same breeding family, they might leave behind an egg. We don't exactly know how it happens—it's just one of life's little mysteries!"

Zane crossed his arms. "So, no one's ever actually seen it happen?"

"Nope," Edith said with a wink. "We just check in on the Pokémon, and sometimes—boom! There's an egg."

Zane's curiosity only grew. "That's wild…"

Edith reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small book, its leather cover slightly worn. "Here, dear. This book goes over what we know about Pokémon breeding. It's helped many trainers before."

Zane took it eagerly, flipping through the pages. "This is awesome! Thank you!"

Edith laughed. "Oh, don't thank me—thank the Pokémon!"

As Zane absorbed himself in the book, Boe and Rev exchanged amused glances. This was shaping up to be an interesting stop after all.

As Zane eagerly flipped through his new book, Boe suddenly had an idea. He reached into his bag and carefully pulled out his Pokémon Egg, cradling it in his hands. The egg had been with him for a while now, and he couldn't help but wonder—was it close to hatching?

"Hey, do you think you guys could tell how far along my egg is?" Boe asked, holding it up for Edith and Wallace to see.

The elderly couple exchanged a knowing glance before Edith gently took the egg from Boe's hands. She closed her eyes, running her fingers over its smooth surface. A faint tapping sound came from inside.

"Oh my," Edith said, eyes twinkling. "This little one is getting restless! I'd say it won't be long now before it hatches."

Wallace nodded in agreement. "It's already making noise—that's a sure sign it's close."

Excited, Zane and Rev quickly retrieved their own eggs from their bags.

"Could you check ours too?" Rev asked, his usual laid-back demeanor laced with curiosity.

Edith repeated the process, placing a gentle hand on each egg. After a moment, she smiled. "Same as Boe's—your eggs are all close to hatching!"

The trio exchanged thrilled looks. The idea that their Pokémon might hatch soon filled them with renewed energy.

Wallace chuckled. "You three have something special to look forward to. Keep those eggs warm, and you'll be meeting your new partners in no time."

With this exciting news, the trio decided not to leave any Pokémon at the Daycare. Instead, they thanked Edith and Wallace before stepping back onto Route 34, heading north toward Goldenrod City.

With their eggs secured in their bags and anticipation in the air, the journey ahead felt more exciting than ever.

The trio walked north from Route 34, the dirt path gradually turning into paved roads as the towering buildings of Goldenrod City came into view. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the city's skyline. The soft hues of sunset reflected off the glass windows of skyscrapers, making the entire city shimmer like a dream.

Boe's eyes widened as he took it all in. The sheer scale of Goldenrod reminded him of Castelia City back home in Unova. Though it wasn't quite as massive, the bustling streets, towering structures, and neon signs gave it the same kind of energy.

"Man," Boe muttered, glancing around, "this place is bigger than I thought."

"Yeah," Zane agreed, adjusting his bag as they maneuvered through the surprisingly dense foot traffic. "There's way more people than I expected. Guess Goldenrod really lives up to its reputation."

As they walked further into the city, they passed a large, decorative sign that stood proudly at the entrance. The words on it were big and bold, easy to read even as the sunlight dimmed:

"Goldenrod City – A Happening Big City!"

"That's one way to put it," Rev commented with a smirk, glancing at the cars, bicycles, and pedestrians moving about in organized chaos.

Suddenly, a cluster of flashing lights caught their attention. Just down the street, a building lit up in vibrant neon colors stood out from the rest. The Game Corner.

The building practically glowed with excitement, its windows flashing with colorful jackpot signs and advertisements for all kinds of prizes. The faint sound of slot machines and electronic jingles carried through the air, mingling with the chatter of people heading inside.

Boe whistled. "Well, that place looks... lively."

Rev crossed his arms, watching a group of excited trainers step inside. "We checking it out?"

"Maybe later," Zane said, though his eyes lingered on the flashing lights. "We should probably figure out where we're staying first."

With that, the trio pushed forward, immersing themselves in the pulse of Goldenrod City, ready to explore everything it had to offer.

Not far from the Game Corner, the trio spotted the familiar red roof and Poké Ball symbol of the Pokémon Center. However, this one was nothing like the others they had seen before.

"Whoa…" Boe stopped in his tracks, staring up at the massive, multi-story Pokémon Center. Unlike the smaller, cozier Centers they had stayed at before, this one looked more like a hotel. The front was sleek, with glass doors that slid open automatically as trainers and their Pokémon came and went. A large sign above the entrance read:

"Goldenrod Pokémon Center – The Heart of Johto Hospitality!"

Inside, the lobby stretched high, with bright chandeliers illuminating the polished floors. A spacious waiting area with plush seating and indoor plants made the place feel more like a luxury resort than a simple healing station.

Even the reception desk was more elaborate. Behind it, a Nurse Joy and her Chansey moved efficiently, assisting the long line of trainers checking in for the night.

"This place is huge," Rev muttered, looking around in awe.

Zane smirked. "Guess Goldenrod does everything bigger."

After waiting their turn, the trio finally received their room keys. Unlike the shared bunk rooms they were used to, each of them got a private room.

Boe whistled as he stepped into his. The bed was large and soft, the walls were nicely decorated, and the room even had a personal desk and window view of the city.

"Fancy," he muttered to himself before dropping his bag on the bed.

After freshening up, they met outside the Pokémon Center.

"Alright," Zane said, stretching his arms. "We're in Goldenrod. We've got a night to burn. Game Corner?"

Boe grinned. "Let's see if we can win big!"

With excitement in their steps, the trio turned and headed back toward the flashing neon lights of the Game Corner, ready for whatever the night had in store for them.

The moment the trio stepped into the Goldenrod Game Corner, they were hit with a wave of bright lights, ringing bells, and excited chatter. The entire place hummed with energy, the air filled with the constant clatter of slot machines, the whir of spinning reels, and the occasional cheer from a lucky winner.

It was, in every way, a casino.

The floor stretched out before them, lined with rows of gaming machines, colorful screens flashing as coins clinked into trays. A long counter to the right displayed an array of prizes, including TMs, rare items, and even Pokémon dolls. Across the room, a few tables hosted card games and roulette wheels, where more seasoned players sat with intense focus.

A well-dressed attendant in a red vest and bowtie approached them with a welcoming smile.

"Welcome to the Goldenrod Game Corner! First time?"

The three nodded, eyes scanning the lively atmosphere.

"Well, you're in luck! First-time players get a free set of coins to start," the man continued, handing them small trays of golden tokens. "If you're feeling lucky, you can buy more at the counter."

Rev smirked, tossing a coin into the air and catching it. "Let's see if Lady Luck's on our side tonight."

Boe eyed the nearest row of slot machines. Their screens flashed images of Pokémon—Pikachu, Meowth, Bellsprout—each spinning with the pull of a lever. He took a seat, feeling the smooth leather of the chair beneath him as he examined the machine. A small slot for tokens and a shiny lever on the side.

"Alright," he muttered, sliding a token in. The screen lit up, the reels spinning rapidly.

One by one, the images clicked into place—Pikachu, Pikachu... Bellsprout.

"Aw, so close," he sighed, trying again.

Rev and Zane sat at machines nearby, quickly getting into the rhythm of playing.

At first, Boe's luck was all over the place. Some rounds, he'd win a handful of coins, while others, he'd lose just as much. His pile fluctuated up and down, never quite reaching a jackpot but keeping him engaged.

"Not bad," he muttered as another small win added to his tray. He wasn't exactly raking it in, but he wasn't losing everything either.

At some point, he lost track of time. The flashing lights, the sounds of coins dropping, the excitement of near-wins—it was all so consuming.

Deciding to take a break, he got up and stretched. Rev and Zane were still playing, lost in their own games.

He wandered around, admiring the different games and the high-energy atmosphere. As he walked past the prize counter, he considered saving up for one of the TMs displayed behind the glass.

Then, suddenly—

A faint sound.

Boe froze.

It was a soft crackling noise, barely audible over the chaos of the Game Corner, but distinct enough to make his heart leap.

He looked down at his bag.

The Egg.

The white-and-blue shell shuddered in his arms, tiny fractures forming along its surface. A soft chirping sound came from within.

"Oh, man… Oh, man!" Boe's eyes widened. "Guys! It's hatching!"

Zane and Rev whipped around, immediately abandoning their machines to rush over.

The Egg shook violently now, pieces flaking away. The Game Corner's flashing lights reflected off the cracking shell, creating an almost magical glow.

Then—

With a final crack, the Egg burst open, and Boe held the tiny Pokémon in his arms, still in awe. The little Togepi blinked up at him with big, round black eyes, its small mouth curling into a cheerful smile. Its cream-colored body was mostly hidden inside its distinct eggshell, which was decorated with red and blue triangular markings. Tiny stubby arms stuck out from the shell, wiggling as it let out another soft, "Toge-piii!"

"Wow…" Boe murmured, barely able to believe it. He reached for his Pokédex, flipping it open with one hand while carefully supporting Togepi with the other. The screen lit up, scanning the tiny Pokémon.

"Togepi, the Spike Ball Pokémon. It is said that it stores happiness inside its shell and shares it with kindhearted people. It is considered a symbol of good luck."

Boe let out a small laugh. "Well, I guess the Game Corner really was the right place for you to hatch."

Zane smirked. "A lucky Pokémon for a lucky guy."

Rev crossed his arms. "Now the real question is… is it gonna bring you good luck in battle, or is it just a walking charm?"

Boe glanced down at Togepi, who simply wobbled in his arms with a happy chirp. He had no idea how strong it would be, but that didn't matter right now.

He grinned. "Guess we'll find out soon enough. Right Deku?"