The next morning, Steven bid farewell to Professor Sycamore and boarded his return flight.
Riolu's current situation didn't require an immediate visit to Korrina.
It would be better to visit her when the time was right.
Steven leaned back in his airplane seat, with Piplup in the seat beside him.
The little Piplup was peering out of the round window, gazing at the scenery outside.
"How many times have you looked? Still looking?" Steven chuckled, reaching out to gently rub Piplup's head a few times.
"Piplup!"
What do you know!
If it's beautiful, you should look at it more!
Steven chuckled softly and didn't bother it further.
He took out Steelix's Mega Stone.
Steelix, huh?
If he went back to Granite Cave to find that Steelix, it might end up fighting Aggron.
If one didn't like the other, it would be an instant fight!
Stealing someone else's food is a big taboo among foodies!
You could tell from Aggron's food-guarding behavior.
"Otherwise, I'll give it to a worthy Trainer someday," Steven mused, playing with the Mega Stone in his hand.
"Enhancing the overall strength of Trainers in the Hoenn region doesn't seem bad either."
"At least it would bring honor to the Hoenn region."
Steven lightly tossed the Mega Stone into the air, then caught it firmly in his hand.
That's how it'll be!
Putting the Mega Stone away, Steven leaned against the seat and closed his eyes, whether to rest or to think about something.
…
The plane landed in Lilycove City.
"Piplup…"
Like a walking corpse, Piplup suddenly collapsed the moment it stepped out of the airport.
A small, translucent spirit escaped from its tiny yellow beak.
"It can't be that bad, can it?" Steven was amused by Piplup's reaction.
He had only been on the plane for a day, right?
It hadn't seemed this bad before.
"Piplup! (‵□′)"
Piplup, lying on the ground, protested indignantly.
This time was clearly much longer than before.
Before, it was only half a day, but this time it was day and night alternating!
Do you understand what that means for a Piplup!
Evidently, Steven didn't understand.
He wasn't a professional biologist.
But he was a Trainer.
Steven picked up Piplup from the ground, then held it with one hand and patted its front.
"Next time, don't lie on the floor."
After speaking, Steven placed Piplup on his shoulder.
Piplup hugged Steven's head, tears slowly welling up in its eyes.
"Piplup~"
I'm not clothes. Why are you patting me, waaah…
"Stop it. You'll get my hair wet."
Pfft—
Okay, no need to worry now.
It's already wet.
Steven pulled out a clean handkerchief and wiped the water from his face.
"I shouldn't have said anything."
Steven took a quick stroll around Lilycove City and enjoyed the sea breeze at the port.
By noon, he found a battle hotel and checked into a room.
He and his Pokémon satisfied their hunger there.
Afterward, he didn't forget the purpose of his visit to Lilycove City.
Steven first went to the Pokémon Center to pick up his package.
It was Cynthia's Lucario training guide.
The moment he received the package, Steven sent Cynthia a text message.
She quickly replied.
Just as Steven was about to exchange messages with Cynthia in the middle of the street, the Poké Ball of Aggron on his belt shook.
Don't forget to buy food!
After eating too much hard food, Aggron now also liked to mix in some soft food.
"Piplup! (｀へ´)"
Go buy good food for my best friend!
Piplup suddenly tugged at Steven's hair.
"Hiss—"
"Alright, alright, I'm going now." Steven smiled helplessly.
After explaining the situation to Cynthia, he walked quickly toward Lilycove City's department store.
By the time Steven finished restocking his supplies, it was already dusk.
Piplup, perched on his shoulder, now held an Aron-shaped plush toy.
The little Piplup was very happy.
Now it could sleep hugging its little best friend!
Aggron's body was a bit hard, and sleeping on it didn't allow Piplup to get a good night's sleep.
The little Piplup preferred to sleep in a bed.
"I wonder if there are any Coordinators still at the Contest Hall."
Steven quickly called out Metagross, who carried him toward the Lilycove City Contest Hall.
Upon arriving at the venue, Steven bumped into a familiar person at the entrance.
Wallace!
You, a Gym Leader, should be staying in your Gym. Why do I keep running into you everywhere!
Are you a fixed-spawn NPC?
Mainly, he was discovered by certain paparazzi reporters every time, who then wrote reports that made Steven want to cry.
"Steven." Wallace saw a silvery Metagross rushing toward him from afar.
He knew without thinking who was riding on top of it.
"What a coincidence, Wallace," Steven said with a resentful tone.
"You're late. The Contest has already ended." Wallace pointed to the venue behind him, ignoring Steven's expression.
Some news reports—you just get used to them.
Wallace had already grown accustomed to the kind of reports those reporters would write. He was used to it.
But Steven had never imagined he would be in the hot news so many times.
And it was all thanks to Wallace!
Listening to the murmuring voices around them, Steven recalled Metagross into its Poké Ball, bypassed Wallace, and quickly walked into the venue.
He only threw one sentence at Wallace.
"Let's talk inside!"
He was truly scared.
Wallace chuckled softly, leisurely taking steps and following behind Steven.
"So you're not here to watch the Contest this time, but to consult a Coordinator about how to make Pokéblocks?"
Wallace propped his arm up, pinching his chin with his other hand, repeating Steven's words.
"Yes," Steven nodded helplessly.
He hadn't expected Gym Leader Wallace to have so much free time.
Free enough to run around everywhere!
"Then why didn't you come to me? Don't you trust me?" Wallace smiled slightly, his gaze making Steven's hair stand on end.
Please, between two grown men, don't look at me like that!
"It's not that I don't trust you…"
After all, you're a newly promoted Master Rank Coordinator who participates in beginner Contests.
"Then that's settled. Follow me!"
Wallace said, grabbing Steven's wrist and running toward a spot in the venue where Coordinators made Pokéblocks.
Wait! Wallace!
Isn't this a bit too close!
Steven looked at Wallace, who was explaining how to operate the Berry Blender, unsure whether to speak.
He wasn't a child, and he had some understanding of how to operate the Berry Blender.
It was just that the ones he made weren't as good as the ones he bought.
The basic methods were in books, but how to make them delicious and effective wasn't really taught in books.
After Wallace finished explaining, it was finally time to explain how to make high-quality Pokéblocks!
Steven's eyes lit up, and he took out his notebook, ready at any moment.
"Then I'll explain it to you, as a way of repaying your kindness in helping me?" Wallace straightened up, looking down at Steven, a smile playing on his lips.
Steven froze, closed his notebook, and started walking out.
Are you kidding? This favor must be saved for when he throws the Champion title to him!
Hmph, and incidentally, get revenge for being pointed at!
"Hmm?" Wallace looked bewildered.
He then reacted, smiling, "I'm just kidding, Steven."
Steven turned around, reopened his notebook, and got into position!
Wallace looked at Steven's reaction and laughed wryly.
It seemed he didn't consider that matter as a favor to him.
Moreover, the youthful energy in him was also very strong.
But Wallace didn't realize that he himself was only one year older than Steven.
"Then next, you need to listen carefully…"
"Mhm, mhm."
Steven nodded gently, his right hand tightly gripping his pen, ready to write in his notebook.
"Piplup? ⊙ω⊙"
Piplup curiously climbed onto the Berry Blender.
Let me see what good stuff this is!