Rustboro City – Steven's Home
The moment Steven stepped inside, he received a call from Rustboro City.
As he entered his treasure vault, eyes scanning the wall of rare stones, he pressed the button on his communicator.
A kind, mature voice came through.
"Steven, what have you been up to lately? How's your Gym challenge going? I heard you've been traveling between Fallarbor and Verdanturf—something happen?"
"All going well," Steven paused, then added, "Father, I met someone interesting."
"Oh?" The Devon Corporation president was immediately intrigued. "Boy or girl?"
"A boy. He runs a daycare."
"A daycare?" Mr. Stone was even more curious.
Steven hummed in confirmation. "I'm in Fallarbor now. I'll be putting my Gym challenge on hold for a while—there's something I need to take care of."
Hearing that, Mr. Stone was all the more intrigued. What could possibly warrant this level of attention from his son?
Steven, however, didn't elaborate. After a short chat, he ended the call.
He looked at the wall of stones before him and, without hesitation, began packing them all to bring to the daycare for Kawaki to examine.
Three hours after Steven left, the Chingling egg finally reached its hatching time.
With a flash of radiant light, a tiny Pokémon shaped like a golden bell, with red and white ribbons on its head, appeared before Kawaki, Growlithe, and Bewear.
As Kawaki focused, the newborn Chingling's information flashed before his eyes:
[Pokémon: Chingling]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Levitate]
[Moves: Wrap, Growl]
[Status: Healthy]
[Mood: (｡♥‿♥｡)]
[Joy: 50]
[Friendship: 50 (Is this my mom?)]
[Bio: I'm so happy to be born today! — Chingling]
Chingling curiously scanned this new world—and the human who'd cared for her all this time.
Was this her mom?
"Chingling!" Hi, Mommy!
Kawaki: "…"
Newly hatched Pokémon tended to mistake the first creature they saw for their parent.
But he was a guy!
He sighed in resignation.
Seeing that her "mom" didn't seem happy, Chingling frowned, clearly unsure of what she'd done wrong. Her joy plummeted.
"Woof woof!" Growlithe barked a few times at her.
Kawaki sighed again. There was no reasoning with kids.
"Hi, Chingling, I'm Kawaki. Welcome to the family."
Hearing that "mom" wasn't rejecting her but welcoming her, Chingling instantly brightened. She rang with a cheerful chime.
"Ching~ling!"
[Chingling's mood has improved. Joy +60. Received Chingling's gift: TM – Growl]
[TM: Growl – A Normal-type move that distracts opponents with a cute cry, lowering their Attack. Uses: 9999/9999]
Kawaki: "…"
Sure, it was a common move—but to Chingling, it was one of her only two moves. It meant everything.
And now she was offering it as her first gift.
"I see. Thank you, Chingling. I'm happy to meet you, too." Kawaki patted her on the head.
Chingling beamed. Her Joy soared to 100—and she gave away her second move, too.
[Chingling's mood has improved. Joy +30. Received Chingling's gift: TM – Wrap]
[TM: Wrap – A Normal-type move that uses vines or body to bind the opponent. Uses: 9999/9999]
"Alright, little one. Let's go downstairs and see your new home," Kawaki said.
"Ching~!"
Chingling floated beside his face, then perched on his shoulder as they descended together.
Kawaki gave her a full tour of the daycare, introducing her to the layout and the other Pokémon living there.
Everyone welcomed her warmly—Bewear, Oddish, Growlithe, and all the Clefairy.
In return, Chingling happily chimed, ringing cheerily in greeting.
After a bit of play, she tired out and curled up beside Kawaki, fast asleep.
Just one tour and her friendship had risen from 50 to 100. She had completely accepted Kawaki as her "mom."
Looking at the sleeping Chingling, Kawaki couldn't help but find her rather adorable.
No wonder James in the anime loved Chimecho so much.
Plus, Chingling could be a decorative touch for the daycare.
Once she evolved into Chimecho, she could hang under the eaves like a wind chime.
When guests arrived, her chimes could ring a warm welcome.
Perfect!
Kawaki figured it'd take Steven a few days to return from Fallarbor with the stones.
But to his surprise, the next day at noon, Steven stepped through the door—wearing a huge backpack.
"You're back already?" Kawaki was stunned.
Steven nodded. To return quickly, he'd used his family's helicopter.
He set his backpack on the counter, then pulled out a large, rainbow-colored stone, roughly the size of a basketball.
Kawaki glanced at it—and the information popped into his mind:
[Keystone Ore – A mysterious stone containing unknown power. Enables Pokémon with a Mega Stone to Mega Evolve. Unrefined—seems to be raw material for Keystone bands.]
Just as he thought!
Then Steven poured out a pile of orb-like stones with strange inner patterns.
They were all Mega Stones!
Kawaki was stunned. Steven had unknowingly collected over twenty of them!
As Kawaki scanned the pile, one by one the data streamed through his mind:
[Gardevoirite]
[Gengarite]
[Metagrossite]
[Aggronite]
[Mawilite]
[Alakazite]
[Houndoominite]
Kawaki: As expected of Steven! Don't worry, buddy... from now on, I got you.