After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Ash noticed Professor Oak was extremely anxious, so he immediately placed Venusaur on the transfer device, sending it back.
After all, Professor Oak was not only waiting to transform the backyard with Venusaur, but he also wanted to figure out what the Life Branch Venusaur obtained really was.
On the surface, it was what Professor Oak guided Ash to find in the Incredible Garden, so how could he not know what it was? But actually, it's a message left by Champion Ash from the group.
Therefore, Professor Oak was extremely curious about the Life Branch, even if it was integrated into Venusaur's body, the professional instruments in the lab could detect some clues.
Luckily, Professor Oak didn't know Charizard's body had fused with the Rainbow Wing; otherwise, he'd probably be even more frantic about having Ash send Charizard back.
Compared to a Life Branch of unknown origin, the Rainbow Wing within Charizard obviously had more research value.
But right now, Professor Oak was unaware of this…
After transferring the Pokemon back and hanging up the call, Ash stretched and then called Misty and the others to prepare to continue towards Cinnabar Island.
Suddenly, he felt an odd sensation from his backpack, so he quickly opened it and took something out of it.
The Togepi Poke Egg!
Back when he obtained the Togepi Poke Egg in the Valley of Fools, Ash immediately arrived at the next city's Pokemon Center to ask Miss Joy for a Poke Egg Incubator.
The incubator ensures the Pokemon is healthy once hatched and injects nutrients periodically to allow the Poke Egg to hatch sooner.
When the Poke Egg is about to hatch, the incubator provides prompts and alerts, allowing the Trainer to know immediately.
Also, keeping the Poke Egg in a backpack without an incubator is very dangerous; a slight mishap could result in oxygen deprivation.
Other than initially putting the Poke Egg in the Space Backpack, Ash kept it outside until he reached the first Pokemon Center, then put the Poke Egg into the incubator, returning it to the Pokemon backpack.
Now the incubator sent a notification, and Ash felt it instantly, taking the Togepi Poke Egg out of the backpack.
"What's up, Ash, is the Poke Egg about to hatch?" Misty also approached Ash, blinking her big eyes, looking at the Poke Egg in Ash's hands.
"Yes, the incubator reacted, it should be about to hatch, I'm taking it out." Ash said as he took the Poke Egg out of the incubating tank, placing it on his palm.
Pikachu also climbed curiously onto Ash's shoulder, its lively eyes fixating on the Poke Egg.
"Crack, crack, crack!!" While everyone's gaze focused on the Poke Egg, it started to crack inch by inch right in front of them.
Brock patted Misty's shoulder and gestured behind them. Misty paused for a moment before instantly understanding Brock's intention and quietly stepped back two paces.
A Pokemon hatched from a Poke Egg will have a great fondness for the first person it sees.
This is one of the benefits of nurturing Pokemon from a Poke Egg; it saves the Trainer a lot of time in bonding with the Pokemon and generally avoids situations where the Pokemon disobeys commands.
But if there are other people nearby when the Poke Egg hatches, and the Pokemon sees that person first, it becomes a problem.
The Pokemon would then have a fondness for that person, which is certainly a huge blow for the Trainer.
Not only would the Trainer need to build a bond again with the Pokemon, but they'd also have to prevent further interactions between the Pokemon and that person, so the Pokemon gradually becomes theirs alone.
That's why Brock reminded Misty to step back a bit; even if curious about the Pokemon inside the Poke Egg, she shouldn't be too close.
If the Pokemon hatched from the Poke Egg sees someone by accident, it becomes a big issue.
A few seconds after Misty stepped back, the top of Ash's Poke Egg was already covered with cracks and soon burst open!
A creamy white face appeared on top of the Poke Egg, and short tiny limbs stretched from the shell, which surprisingly didn't shatter but acted like a garment worn by the Pokemon.
"What kind of Pokemon is this? It's quite adorable!" Misty instantly took a liking to Togepi when she saw it, as girls have little resistance to cute things.
Brock rubbed his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. After a moment, he snapped his fingers, suddenly enlightened, saying, "I remember now, this is Togepi, a Pokemon believed to bring good luck."
"Togepi?"
"Yes, it was discovered in the Johto Region, but even there, it's very rare. In terms of rarity, it is comparable to Quasi-Gods, and perhaps even rarer."
Upon hearing this, Misty gazed at Togepi with wonder; could this cute little buddy be so rare?
Such a rare Pokemon, just picked up by Ash in an underground cavern? What kind of luck is that!
"I wonder how many years this Poke Egg stayed in that cavern; Ash hadn't had it for long before it hatched, similar to Riolu, almost as if it was waiting for Ash to arrive," Brock said with emotion.