"Steven!"
Wallace, who had just emerged from the cave, called out urgently.
"No need to shout, Wallace. I'm over here."
Wallace turned his head toward the voice behind him.
Metagross, covered in wounds and injuries, was resting against a protruding boulder.
Steven leaned wearily against Metagross, looking completely exhausted.
Wallace directed Pelipper to change course and landed directly in front of Steven.
"How are you holding up?"
A warm feeling spread through Steven's chest at Wallace's concerned inquiry.
Well, where should he even begin?
"I'm fine—just extremely tired," Steven replied, steadying his breathing and managing a weak smile.
"You certainly don't look fine," Wallace said, his brow furrowing with worry.
Steven explained helplessly, "Really, I'm okay. It's just that I maintained Mega Evolution for far too long, so I'm quite exhausted."
A typical Pokémon battle might last ten to twenty minutes at most.
This was also the first time Steven had witnessed the full extent of his power in actual combat.
The energy unleashed during battle was far greater than anything experienced during training.
"So, about that girl in the black robe Wattson mentioned..." Wallace quickly assessed Steven's condition, and only after confirming he wasn't seriously injured did he inquire about the mysterious trainer.
Steven merely shook his head gently. "I'm not certain about her identity either."
"She doesn't appear to be affiliated with Team Magma. All I know for sure is that her objective is to awaken Groudon."
"Groudon?"
Hearing the confusion in Wallace's tone, Steven realized that not everyone spent their time researching myths and legends.
"It's the Primal Pokémon of Land I mentioned to you earlier."
Seeing understanding dawn on Wallace's face, Steven continued:
"This person's motives are highly suspicious. I strongly suggest we place her on the League's wanted list."
In Steven's limited memory, there was virtually no information about that girl.
He could only attribute it to having spent too long in the Pokémon world—many details he once knew had simply faded from memory.
"As for her specific appearance..." Steven glanced toward the Metagross beside him.
Metagross nodded and used its psychic powers to sketch the girl's likeness in the dirt.
This was the incredible capability of Metagross's supercomputer-like brain!
Wallace recorded the image carefully and said to Steven, "I'll submit an application to the higher-ups immediately."
"I have to admit, her Mega Salamence was incredibly powerful," Steven said, leaning his head back against Metagross's cool metal body, his voice carrying a note of resignation.
He had just declared confidently that without an Elite Four member involved, he could handle himself freely.
Then immediately afterward, a Champion-level trainer appeared out of nowhere.
In the end, her Salamence couldn't maintain its Mega Evolution state any longer and reverted to its normal form.
Steven hadn't possessed the strength to pursue her, so he could only watch helplessly as she escaped.
It seemed he had won by the narrowest of margins.
"For now, you should rest properly and continue your journey when you've recovered. As for Team Aqua, leave them to me," Wallace stated in a serious tone.
He genuinely cared about Steven now, despite their relatively brief acquaintance.
At their first meeting during the Contest competitions, Steven's performance had immediately captured Wallace's interest.
Then came the incidents at Meteor Falls and Mt. Chimney.
Wallace had come to recognize Steven as a trainer with a powerful sense of justice.
Steven had even helped him win back his former romantic partner.
Moreover, Steven had asked for absolutely nothing in return.
What Wallace had given was merely some of his accumulated experience in raising Water-type Pokémon.
And it was Wallace himself who had offered it.
Add to that this current situation, where Steven had firmly supported him without hesitation.
Wallace now regarded Steven as a close and trusted friend.
A true companion, as some might say.
"I'll also report your contributions to the League accurately and completely."
"Presumably, the League will reward you appropriately for your efforts."
Steven smiled faintly.
"Rewards aren't particularly important to me."
After all, given his family's substantial financial resources, there was very little he couldn't obtain if he truly needed it.
Apart from resources necessary for training his Pokémon, Steven rarely requested anything from his family.
"I understand," Wallace replied with a knowing smile.
Steven simply didn't want to witness Groudon and Kyogre awakening and causing catastrophic destruction.
Otherwise, if fate's wheels turned in that direction, he might genuinely face mortal danger.
Even though the timeline seemed somewhat altered from what he remembered.
But since Team Magma had been prevented from awakening Groudon this time, what would happen next?
Steven wasn't entirely certain.
At that moment, the sky began to glow with the soft light of approaching dawn.
Neither too brilliant nor too dim.
The clouds drifted like celestial beings, and that touch of peachy-pink resembled a young maiden's blushing cheeks.
Ah... if only Cynthia could see this.
Dawn was approaching rapidly.
"Tonight has been incredibly hectic—it's almost sunrise already," Steven commented softly, gazing at the brightening sky.
"Indeed, it's quite beautiful," Wallace agreed, looking upward.
"Like the blush on a maiden's face."
Steven paused momentarily, then smiled warmly.
"We're thinking along the same lines."
"What a pleasant coincidence."
The two exchanged glances and chuckled together.
Wattson and Asa, having completed cleanup operations, quietly emerged from the cave entrance.
"Let's not disturb their moment," Wattson whispered to Asa.
Asa looked somewhat confused but nodded in agreement, following Wattson as they departed quietly.
"Let's head to Lavaridge Town and rest there for a day first."
"No," Steven shook his head decisively. "Let's go to Mauville City instead. From there we can fly directly to Mossdeep City."
"That works as well."
Steven was about to push himself up from the ground when a pair of long, elegant hands suddenly appeared before him.
Steven closed his eyes briefly and smiled, accepting Wallace's outstretched hand.
Wallace pulled Steven to his feet with a firm grip, and neither spoke again, instead watching in quiet companionship as the sunrise completed its transformation.
As for Team Aqua, Steven temporarily had no desire to deal with them.
Wallace had already made thorough arrangements in advance, so Team Aqua likely wouldn't be able to acquire a submarine to reach the deep ocean where Kyogre slumbered.
For everything else, he would simply have to trust Wallace's capabilities.
If Kyogre truly awakened, the situation would become genuinely dire.
Steven and Wallace together wouldn't be able to contend with Kyogre's legendary power.
If it came to that worst-case scenario, they would need to locate the three legendary golems—Regice, Regirock, and Registeel—and earn their recognition and assistance.
Wallace presumably also understood exactly how formidable legendary Pokémon truly were in battle.
All things considered, Steven felt completely confident in Wallace's abilities.
It was unfortunate he wasn't currently a Champion.
Steven silently resolved in his heart that when the time came, he would give Wallace a pleasant surprise.
Steven, utterly exhausted from the night's exertions, looked at the large comfortable bed before him and resisted the overwhelming urge to simply dive in and sleep immediately.
First, he carefully prepared food for all his Pokémon, ensuring each received proper nutrition.
Then he took a much-needed shower to wash away the grime and fatigue.
After completing all necessary preparations, Steven finally collapsed onto the bed.
Within moments, steady breathing filled the quiet room.
"Piplup!" (★ω★)
This is my chance!
The fully satisfied Piplup grabbed the toy Water Gun Steven had purchased for it, gleefully taking aim at the sleeping Steven.
But observing Steven's exhausted expression, Piplup hesitated uncertainly.
He looks so deeply asleep...
"Piplup..." (￣3￣)╭
Piplup hummed softly to itself and lowered the Water Gun.
Never mind—seeing you sleep so peacefully, I'll spare you this time!
Piplup clutched its beloved Aron plush toy and settled onto the soft bed, scanning the room at its companions who had all fallen asleep around it.
None of them had slept throughout the entire night, worried that Steven might encounter danger and require their assistance.
The little Piplup suddenly felt its eyelids growing impossibly heavy.
Looking at the peacefully sleeping Steven beside it, Piplup slowly closed its eyes.
I worked hard today too...