After exchanging contact information with Shelly, Natsui and Misty left the warehouse district and headed toward the city center of Sootopolis City.
As an island metropolis built inside a massive crater, Sootopolis was a hub for trainers and tourists alike. Compared to the remote and rugged Dewford Island, Sootopolis was undeniably more prosperous and lively.
The architecture was distinctive, setting it apart from the rest of Hoenn.
Almost all the buildings were white stone, climbing up the crater walls in terraced layers. The style was strikingly similar to Santorini, Greece, back on Earth.
A strong Mediterranean atmosphere permeated the city.
The unique environment had shaped a unique culture. As a part of the Hoenn region, Sootopolis stood out as a jewel of civilization, explaining the constant influx of tourists.
Since it was getting late, Natsui decided not to challenge the Sootopolis Gym immediately. Instead, he and Misty headed straight for the Pokémon Center.
After checking in and grabbing dinner, the two threw themselves into Pokémon training.
Natsui had a gut feeling that his Feebas was on the verge of evolution; it seemed just one final push was needed.
This intuition came from years of experience as a Trainer. Although there was no scientific metric to prove it, his instincts were rarely wrong.
Coincidentally, Sootopolis City was buzzing with preparation for a grand celebration. The entire city was in a state of joy and anticipation. Rumor had it that the grand finale would feature a performance by the Sootopolis Gym Leader himself.
It is worth mentioning that the current Gym Leader was not Wallace, who would hold the title later in the timeline, but his mentor, Juan.
Don't be fooled by the unassuming name; Juan was anything but simple.
While serving as the Gym Leader, he was also a Top Coordinator and the man who taught Wallace everything he knew.
Who was Wallace?
Known as the "Prince of the Sea" and the "Lover of Water," Wallace radiated nobility and elegance. He was a former Grand Festival winner and would eventually become the Champion of the Hoenn League.
To have mentored such a formidable apprentice, Juan was naturally a master in his own right.
Although he was over forty, Juan carried himself with impeccable elegance. He dressed sharply, spoke with wit and humor, and emphasized artistry in battle. He was particularly popular among the local ladies.
His title was even "The Gym Leader with the beauty of pure water."
With such a beloved local figure as the headliner, it was clear why Sootopolis attached such importance to this festival.
Of course, for now, the festivities had nothing to do with Natsui.
His priority remained the same: seizing the moment to train his Feebas.
In the pool behind the Pokémon Center, Misty's Pokémon acted as sparring partners. Even on the night they checked in, the two trained well past midnight.
And that painstaking effort was destined to be rewarded.
During a particularly intense session, while Natsui was ordering Feebas to use Tackle against Misty's Starmie, the Fish Pokémon suddenly stopped.
In an instant, it was enveloped in a dazzling white light.
Seeing this, Natsui felt a surge of emotion.
Finally!
He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Compared to Pokémon born with natural combat prowess, like Beldum, Feebas—much like his Magikarp before it—required a massive investment of time and specific conditions to evolve. It was far more tedious than raising a standard Pokémon.
But now, the wait was over.
The white light faded quickly. In its place, rising from the water with an elegant posture, was a Milotic.
Having seen one before and registered it in her Pokédex, Misty wasn't as shocked as the first time, but she was still captivated by Milotic's breathtaking beauty.
"It's truly stunning! No matter how many times I see one, I never get tired of it!"
"It's okay. Actually, it's not that good-looking. Just average, really." Natsui laughed heartily, feigning humility, but his joyous tone betrayed his immense pride.
Suddenly thinking of something, Misty turned to him excitedly. "Um, if you ever need to box it in the future, can you send this Milotic to my gym?"
"Send it to you? To the Cerulean Gym?"
"Of course!" Misty's eyes practically sparkled. "After all, I contributed a lot to its evolution! Besides, I really love Milotic. Keeping it at my place is surely better than leaving it at Cerise Park, right?"
"You're thinking too far ahead." Natsui rolled his eyes at her. "It just evolved. It still needs a lot of training to meet my standards. Not counting Hoenn, it has to travel with me until at least the end of the next region, maybe longer. Why are you trying to book it now?"
"Hehe, I'm just happy for you!"
The two spent a long time admiring the newly evolved Pokémon. Seeing that it was approaching 2:00 AM, they finally recalled their teams and returned to their rooms.
Lying in bed, Natsui's body was exhausted, but his mind buzzed with excitement.
Since Milotic had successfully evolved and now possessed viable combat capabilities, the second stage of cultivation could begin immediately.
...
Natsui slept straight until noon.
Even though he had gotten enough hours, he still felt a bit groggy upon waking. However, pulling an occasional all-nighter was nothing a young trainer couldn't handle.
After washing up and meeting Misty for lunch, Natsui decided not to challenge the gym just yet. Instead, he focused on battle practice.
Because of the upcoming celebration, Juan was frequently absent from the Gym, making it difficult to catch him. Furthermore, the city was packed with trainers staying at the Pokémon Center. Even the streets were filled with novices who had just embarked on their journeys.
The varying skill levels of these trainers made them perfect sparring partners for Milotic.
The "second stage" of cultivation was constant battling. But unlike simple drills, this required real combat against unfamiliar opponents.
He gave Misty the afternoon off, encouraging her to explore the city and enjoy the festival atmosphere. As for Natsui, he took a stroll to a nearby park.
Parks were always reliable spots to find young trainers looking for a fight.
Scanning the area, Natsui quickly found his targets.
Since Sootopolis was a city of water, public spaces were filled with pools and canals. In a corner of the park, two young boys were battling with Water-type Pokémon in a shallow fountain.
They looked to be about seven or eight years old, their expressions earnest and innocent.
Wearing a friendly smile, Natsui approached them.
One boy wore a baseball cap, while the other had rosy cheeks and a runny nose. Their Pokémon were a Poliwag and a Krabby, respectively. Although their strength wasn't high, they were locked in a spirited duel.
Seeing a handsome older stranger approach, the two boys paused, looking at him with curiosity. Usually, adults ignored their games.
Natsui took out Milotic's Poké Ball, spinning it in his hand. "Yo, you guys look pretty tough. Want to have a battle with me?"
Being recognized by an adult filled them with pride. They nodded eagerly, accepting the challenge without hesitation.
"Of course! No problem!"
The boy in the baseball cap stepped aside, letting his friend take the first crack. Natsui took his position opposite the rosy-cheeked boy.
"I'll warn you in advance, I only have this one Pokémon on me, and it just evolved. Its strength isn't very high, so don't expect too much. So, who goes first?"
"Me!" The rosy-cheeked boy shouted excitedly. He commanded his Krabby to swim to the center of the pool. "Bring it on!"
Just like its Trainer, the Krabby waved its pincers aggressively, trying to look imposing.
Nodding in satisfaction, Natsui tossed the ball.
With a flash of blue light, Milotic materialized in the pool.
When the form of the Tender Pokémon became clear, the two boys shrieked in unison.
"It's a Milotic!!!"
"Wow, it's so beautiful!!"
The battle was forgotten for a moment as the boys stared wide-eyed, peppering Natsui with questions.
"Where did you catch it!?"
"Can I touch it!?"
Natsui winced slightly at the sudden volume. "Calm down, guys. Let's battle first."
Children were easily distracted by shiny new things.
Reminded of the task at hand, the boys snapped back to reality. Now wasn't the time for fanboying.
"Right! No problem, watch me defeat it!"
As the Pokémon took their positions, the street battle officially began.
"Go Krabby, use Bubble!"
The rosy-cheeked boy shouted his first command. At his age, strategy and type matchups were foreign concepts. His only tactic was to attack head-on.
Krabby scuttled forward, spewing a stream of bubbles from its mouth. The bubbles grew as they traveled, floating toward Milotic like translucent basketballs.
Despite the low level, the attack had some force behind it.
If it were any of Natsui's veteran Pokémon, they would have dodged or countered autonomously. But Milotic was fresh from evolution. It still retained some of Feebas's dull instincts and lacked combat experience. Without a command, it simply floated there, unsure of what to do.
But for Natsui, this wasn't a problem. As long as it obeyed orders, he could guide it.
"Milotic, dive! Then use Water Gun!"
As a pure Water-type, Milotic's arsenal consisted mainly of Water moves. Against another Water-type like Krabby, the damage would be resisted, but that didn't matter. This was about practice.
Relying on its sleek body, Milotic dove beneath the surface, moving like a sea serpent to evade the bubbles. It resurfaced behind Krabby and fired a concentrated stream of water, striking the crab in the back.
The damage was minimal, but the force knocked Krabby off balance and sent it tumbling into the deeper water.
"Don't let it recover," Natsui commanded. "Use Wrap!"
Crustacean Pokémon generally lacked the agility of fish or serpentine Pokémon in the water. Krabby was at a disadvantage in mobility.
Of course, it still had its pincers for defense, but that required a Trainer who knew how to use them effectively.
The rosy-cheeked boy clearly didn't.
Before Krabby could reorient itself, Milotic coiled its long body around it. As Milotic tightened its grip, Krabby flailed its pincers in vain, unable to find leverage.
The boy's face fell.
Panic set in, and with it, the inability to think clearly.
"Krabby, shake it off! Quickly!!"
But shouting didn't help. Milotic's bind was unyielding. Krabby struggled, spitting tiny bubbles in distress, until finally, the pressure became too much, and it fainted.
It was an effortless victory.
Natsui hadn't even broken a sweat.
"I... I lost..."
The rosy-cheeked boy's face flushed red. He recalled his Krabby in a panic. Seeing his friend's defeat, the baseball cap boy shoved him aside and sent out his Poliwag.
"You idiot, move over! Watch how it's done!"
Despite his confident words, he lost even faster than his friend.
After Milotic dodged Poliwag's Water Gun, Natsui ordered a Disarming Voice. While the Poliwag was disoriented by the charming attack, Milotic moved in for another Wrap, ending the battle in seconds.
Amidst the awestruck gasps of the two boys, Natsui smiled faintly. His Milotic had gained valuable confidence and was adapting quickly to its new form.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out behind him.
"Really now," Misty laughed, leaning against a nearby tree. "I thought you sent me away to do some secret training. I didn't expect to find the Champion beating up little kids in the park. That's a new low, even for you!"
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