"The quality of Energy Cubes depends mostly on the ingredients you select. High-quality berries and materials generally produce high-quality Energy Cubes."
"However, a maker's low skill level can still reduce the final quality. Even with premium ingredients, you might end up with low to medium-quality Energy Cubes."
"When making Energy Cubes, timing is the most critical factor."
Wallace picked up an Oran Berry and placed it in the grinder, crushing it into a paste-like mixture of juice and pulp before pouring it into the blender.
"Modern production machines have been upgraded to be much more beginner-friendly than older models."
"If you want a softer, chewier texture, you'll need to add some liquid to the mixture."
"In my demonstration, the juice from one Oran Berry should be sufficient."
Wallace pressed a button, and the blender began churning steadily.
The digital display on the center panel started cycling through numbers.
"Timing is crucial at every stage. Whether you're mixing, compacting, or cooling, you need precise control over the duration of each process."
Wallace continued his explanation while pressing another button.
The compacting and cooling stages followed, each requiring only a press of the corresponding button.
These modern machines saved considerable effort compared to manual production.
Portable makers, by contrast, required trainers to handle mixing, compacting, and cooling manually.
This design tested a maker's skill level much more severely.
"The production time for each Energy Cube recipe varies, so you'll need to run multiple experiments before you achieve consistent results."
"That's why finding another Coordinator willing to share their recipes is extremely difficult. At best, they might teach you some basic, commonly-used Energy Cube formulas."
Wallace explained that every unique Energy Cube recipe represented countless hours of a maker's dedicated effort.
"The best approach is to develop specific Energy Cube formulas tailored to your individual Pokémon's needs."
Thump thump thump—
The machine dispensed three or four blue Energy Cubes into the collection tray.
Wallace gestured for Steven to try one.
"Hmm..." Steven picked one up casually. It felt quite hard to the touch.
The texture was significantly better than simply biting into a raw Oran Berry, but it was completely different from the Energy Cubes Steven had purchased from stores.
"Since I didn't add any additional liquid, the Energy Cubes produced will naturally be harder. If you want to improve the quality, you need to combine multiple ingredients while considering the proportions of each material, the required processing time, how much liquid to add, and what type of liquid works best."
"All of these variables need to be explored gradually through the Coordinator's own experimentation."
Steven nodded while writing notes furiously.
For Aggron's food, should I mix in some mineral ore?
It shouldn't break the blender... right?
"Steven, why don't you give it a try?"
Steven nodded, retrieved some berries from his bag, and began grinding them.
He was already familiar with the basic production method.
Systematically, he poured the ground paste into the blender, then added half a bottle of Moomoo Milk.
He pressed the start button, and the blender began churning loudly.
Steven followed his instinctive timing for the mixing, compacting, and cooling stages.
Whoosh!
The production machine released a puff of white steam before dispensing several green Energy Cubes.
Steven and Wallace each picked one up to examine.
Steven immediately popped his into his mouth to taste it.
Wallace first squeezed the Energy Cube to test its firmness, then brought it close to his nose to smell it.
Finally, he placed it in his mouth and chewed thoughtfully.
"I can only say... it's edible." Wallace smiled helplessly. It seemed Steven had no natural talent for making Energy Cubes.
"Well, when you're not good at something, the only solution is practice."
Steven transferred the Energy Cubes into an empty container, planning to give them to Piplup later.
Piplup, who had been standing nearby, suddenly shivered.
Oh no!
I have a bad feeling about this!
Steven produced five or six more batches consecutively, but the taste only changed slightly, never quite meeting Steven's or Wallace's expectations.
"Actually, Steven, you could just purchase Energy Cubes from stores. Spending that production time on training your Pokémon might yield better results." Wallace chuckled awkwardly.
"Yeah, I'm definitely more suited to digging for rare stones." Steven temporarily abandoned his efforts.
As long as he had money to buy them, and when he eventually released his Pokémon for competitive battles, he could probably earn back everything he'd spent.
Steven didn't give up entirely, though, and purchased a simple portable production machine to practice with later.
Since he didn't have an Ice-type Pokémon yet, Steven planned to visit the department store afterward to purchase the Ice Beam TM.
He wanted Piplup to learn it.
Combined with an Ice Stone and an Ice Gem, the items could significantly accelerate Piplup's learning progress.
Seeing that evening was approaching, Steven decided to part ways with Wallace.
"Wallace, I'll be heading off now." Steven called out Metagross, intending to return to the department store to buy supplies before feeding his Pokémon.
"Alright, see you next time." Wallace waved at Steven with a gentle smile.
Hopefully, next time we meet, you'll have officially announced your relationship and won't drag me into the news with you anymore...
"Piplup~"
Piplup, perched comfortably on Steven's head, waved enthusiastically at Wallace.
"See you next time, Piplup!"
Wallace watched Steven disappear around the street corner before preparing to leave himself.
His phone suddenly began vibrating in his pocket.
"Hello? This is Wallace speaking."
"Mr. Wallace! The elderly couple guarding Mt. Pyre just sent an urgent message—a group of people in red uniforms stole the Blue Orb!"
Wallace's eyes narrowed sharply, and he spoke in a grave tone. "I understand. I'm heading there immediately."
Lilycove City didn't have a designated Gym Leader stationed there, and Wallace's current whereabouts weren't concealed at all. Combined with his immense popularity, he constantly attracted paparazzi attention.
At the moment, he was the closest Gym Leader to Mt. Pyre's location.
Before departing, Wallace quickly sent a message to Steven.
Then he called out his Pelipper to carry him swiftly toward Mt. Pyre.
When Steven emerged from the department store, he noticed the message Wallace had sent.
Steven, Mt. Pyre, come quickly.
"It's your fault for dragging me to that toy section to buy a water gun! I didn't even notice Wallace's message!" Steven looked down at Piplup, who was happily playing with its new water gun toy near his feet.
"Piplup!"
It's also your fault for getting completely distracted when you saw that black evolution stone!
Steven sighed heavily.
Alright, they both shared the blame.
However, since Wallace hadn't called him directly, Steven figured Wallace was simply inviting him along in case any unexpected situations arose.
"Looks like dinner will have to be delayed."
Steven summoned Metagross, scooped up Piplup, and leaped onto Metagross's metallic head.
They took off flying toward Mt. Pyre.
Mt. Pyre was a mountain situated on Water Route 122, southwest of Lilycove City.
Similar to Kanto's Pokémon Tower or Sinnoh's Lost Tower, it served as a resting place for the souls of deceased Pokémon.
"Mt. Pyre... I remember both Team Aqua and Team Magma target that location, but what were they planning to do there?"
Steven pondered briefly before reaching a conclusion.
"The orbs! They're after those two orbs!"
Those two foolish teams were attempting to awaken Groudon with the Red Orb and Kyogre with the Blue Orb.
They were incredibly fortunate not to be instantly obliterated by those ancient Legendary Pokémon.
"I wonder what's happening right now."
Steven vaguely recalled that Team Magma and Team Aqua had stolen the orbs at different times in the original timeline.
He wouldn't know the current situation until he arrived at the scene.