Things seemed to have turned out unexpectedly for Steven.
Steven stayed in Mossdeep City for nearly a month.
It took Steven an entire month to plan out the storyline for "Pokémon."
Steven couldn't recall some minor plot details, so he supplemented them based on events from his own journey—the sudden appearance of Pokémon Hunters, the Mirage Tower incident, and so on.
Steven still remembered the general plot direction very clearly, but this was, after all, a game to be developed by Devon Corporation.
So the player's starting point was changed to Rustboro City, and they would receive a Pokégear at the beginning.
Then Steven would guide the player through Petalburg Woods, arriving at Littleroot Town, which is known as "the town where beginnings never end."
They would find Professor Birch in the Hoenn Region to receive their first Pokémon.
As for copyright issues, he could discuss them with Professor Birch later.
For Pokémon data and related information, Steven still needed to visit Professor Oak and discuss it with him.
The first playthrough storyline was simple: battle Gym Leaders and become the League Champion.
First, they would develop it as a single-player game, but it could also connect with friends for Pokémon battles.
Steven also wanted to include various systems such as Pokémon Contests, a Pokémon training system, a clothing customization system, and camping features.
Therefore, Steven spent nearly a month preparing this proposal.
During this period, he also called Wallace to discuss the rules for incorporating Contests into the game.
Incidentally, during this month, Archie, the leader of Team Aqua, was arrested on the spot by Wallace in Slateport City for stealing the Submarine Explorer 1, which was manufactured by Devon Corporation.
The Hoenn League officially commended all Trainers who participated in this operation.
They even specifically mentioned Steven, according to the news Wallace relayed.
The Hoenn League truly intended to award him a formal commendation.
However, there has been no news about it until now.
"Ah—"
Steven stretched, saving the files on the computer in front of him.
He went to the backyard to check on his Pokémon's training progress.
Two figures, one red and one blue, were constantly intertwining.
Scizor was teaching its young student.
Steven looked at Scizor and Riolu thoughtfully.
Logically, Riolu needs a certain level of friendship to evolve.
So if its friendship with Scizor reaches the required threshold, will it evolve?
Although his interactions with Riolu during this period weren't bad, they weren't particularly close either.
Let's not even mention Riolu... Steven's gaze shifted to Piplup, who was resting under a Berry tree in the distance.
Why does Piplup show no signs of wanting to evolve either?
Could it be that this one also has an Everstone effect somehow?
Steven sighed, looking at the three Pokémon entangled in battle training in the distance.
It wasn't so much a battle as it was Skarmory and Aggron being unilaterally dominated.
There are still a little over two months until the Ever Grande Conference.
For Steven, who has yet to obtain the remaining two badges, there is still plenty of time.
Cynthia has already collected eight badges and is diligently training for the Championship title.
Even the frequency of her phone calls has decreased.
"I can't fall behind either!"
Steven put on his green Macho Brace and began his training routine.
"Ah—"
Steven collapsed onto the bed, feeling much of the day's fatigue dissipate.
"Everyone, tomorrow we'll challenge the Mossdeep City Gym Leader and showcase the results of your training!"
Various Pokémon cries immediately filled the room, and Scizor slightly raised its pincers in symbolic agreement.
Tomorrow, he would let Piplup go first.
After all this time, this little Piplup hasn't had a single official Gym battle.
The Gym Leader of Mossdeep City is Tate and Liza, who specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon.
The Bug-type Scizor would have an advantage.
As for the final choice, should he have Riolu participate...
Early the next morning, Steven first went to the Pokémon Evaluation Center in Mossdeep City.
The evaluation results are as follows:
Metagross: 79%; Scizor: 71.2%; Skarmory: 66.3%; Aggron: 66%; Piplup: 51.1%; Riolu: 57%.
It took Scizor approximately twenty days to reach the Champion-level threshold.
Compared to Metagross's advancement time, it was twice as long.
Skarmory and Aggron also successfully entered the Quasi Champion rank.
Piplup even jumped from Elite to Overlord rank.
Riolu was already at the Elite level when caught, and with Scizor's guidance and Cynthia's Lucario training methods, its strength improved rapidly.
Of course, the highest quality training resources were also essential.
He also checked the Pokémon's physical condition—everything looked good and they were all very healthy!
After finishing these matters, Steven arrived at the entrance of the Mossdeep Gym.
The guides who came out to greet him were surprisingly a pair of twins.
"Are you a Trainer here to challenge the Gym?" the boy asked.
The girl behind him had stars in her eyes, staring intently at Steven.
It made Steven feel a little self-conscious.
"Yes," Steven nodded in response.
"Hey! You're Mr. Steven, right!" the girl stepped forward and asked Steven excitedly.
"Yes, I'm Steven," Steven replied with a calm smile.
First there were so many rumors with Wallace, then the Hoenn League's public recognition.
It was normal for people to recognize Steven now.
"Please give me an autograph, Mr. Steven!"
The girl took out a small notebook from her pocket and pleaded.
"Huh?"
"Sister, don't be so rude!"
It was Steven's first time being asked for an autograph, so he was only momentarily stunned before smiling and taking the small notebook.
"It's fine, it's just a small favor."
Steven quickly signed his name on the cover of the small notebook.
"Now, can you take me to see the Gym Leaders?"
"Of course! Please follow us!"
The girl grabbed the boy's wrist and, while walking, turned back to gesture for Steven to follow.
Steven chuckled lightly and stepped forward to match the girl's pace.
Soon, the twin siblings led Steven to a middle-aged man.
"Dad! This is Mr. Steven, here to challenge the Gym," the girl said excitedly to the man.
"Steven?" The man was startled; the name sounded familiar.
When he saw Steven in person, he finally made the connection.
"Thank you for your contributions to the Hoenn Region."
Steven shook the man's outstretched hand and replied with a light smile, "It's what I should do."
The man nodded with satisfaction and asked with a smile, "Steven, how many badges do you have now?"
"Six."
"Alright, I understand. The battle rules are three-on-three, and as the Gym Leader, I cannot switch Pokémon..."
After explaining the rules, the man led Steven to the battle arena.
"My two children will serve as the referees, is that alright?"
"Of course," Steven nodded, having no objection.
"Tate, Liza, I'll leave it to you."
"Yes, Dad!"
After both sides were in position, the Gym Leader was the first to release his Pokémon.
"My first Pokémon is this one!"
This Pokémon's body is black with many eyes and mysterious patterns decorating its surface.
And its body floats above the ground.
Claydol!