The Aggron inside the Poké Ball fell silent.
How is this any different from my situation?
No!
This isn't fair!
I'll have to request more ore from my Trainer later!
Otherwise, this imbalance in my heart will be impossible to resolve!
Normally, Piplup would probably cover his beak, chuckle secretly, and then help his best friend request additional ore.
However, now Empoleon simply touched Steven's waist gently, patted Aggron's Poké Ball reassuringly, and then returned to his own Poké Ball.
"After evolving, his temperament has changed considerably..." Steven observed the Poké Ball on his belt and smiled helplessly.
No wonder he was called Empoleon.
Nevertheless, it appeared Empoleon's favorite things remained unchanged.
He still cared deeply about his best friend, Aggron.
And he still cherished swords.
After the battle concluded, protocol dictated that both Trainers still needed to shake hands and demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Steven observed Summer, who appeared extremely uncomfortable, and was the first to extend his hand.
"That was a good battle, but I hope next time you'll use your own Pokémon to compete."
Summer's outstretched hand stiffened, as though his deception had been exposed, and his eyes widened in shock.
If you discovered it, fine!
Why announce it in front of the cameras?!
Steven shook Summer's hand once, then turned and departed amidst the roaring cheers.
Under the watchful cameras, Summer couldn't retaliate against Steven.
Even without the cameras, Summer possessed no means to retaliate against Steven.
He could only leave dejectedly.
Who told you to mock me before the match?
Steven immediately felt considerably more satisfied, though now he simply hoped that Empoleon's body showed no complications.
After departing the competition venue, Steven proceeded directly to the Pokémon Center and requested that Nurse Joy perform a comprehensive examination on Empoleon.
"Certainly, I understand." Nurse Joy displayed her professional smile and accepted Empoleon's Poké Ball.
She had also observed the match from the front desk, so she had already prepared the necessary equipment.
Steven remained present during Empoleon's treatment and examination.
The Poké Balls at his waist trembled gently, their occupants worried about Empoleon.
However, they didn't reveal themselves—they feared that if they suddenly materialized, other Trainers might not dare to continue competing...
If competitors discovered a Champion-tier Trainer was participating, wouldn't they surrender immediately upon facing him?
Therefore, only Riolu appeared at Steven's side, waiting alongside him.
Steven sat on the lobby sofa, stroking Riolu with one hand while explaining the ongoing matches in other venues to the Fighting-type.
The examination required considerable time—it wasn't until noon that Nurse Joy returned to Steven with Empoleon's Poké Ball.
"Hello, Steven Stone. Empoleon's examination is complete."
Steven quickly stood and accepted Empoleon's Poké Ball along with the examination results.
Fortunately, Empoleon's examination results proved entirely satisfactory.
This allowed Steven to breathe a sigh of relief.
Some Pokémon, once their strength reached a certain threshold, could complete their final evolution remarkably quickly.
However, it could also require several days.
Evolving directly from the initial stage to the final stage in a single instance—this was unprecedented.
It was also fortunate that Empoleon's body exhibited no complications.
This was indeed a blessing.
Steven returned to his room, which had been appropriately sized before but now felt somewhat cramped after Piplup became the substantially larger Empoleon.
Nevertheless, it remained acceptable.
"Congratulations, Piplup, on evolving into Empoleon!"
Various Pokémon cries echoed throughout the room.
Empoleon leaned against Aggron while eating.
He glanced at Steven, who was stroking Skarmory's metallic plumage, and discreetly retrieved a piece of ore from behind himself, sliding it before Aggron.
"Agg?" Aggron inquired softly.
"Em-po!"
Empoleon smirked proudly.
Before, my flippers were small, but now I can give you a big piece!
"Aggron ~(T_T)"
Good brother~
"Empo!" Empoleon patted Aggron's armor, chuckling softly.
Because we're best friends!
Metagross glanced toward Empoleon and Aggron—such subtle movements couldn't escape Metagross's notice.
However, Steven had previously stated that if Piplup took ore, it was permissible.
Therefore, Metagross paid it no further attention.
"Hmm? Where's the Pokémon Egg?" Steven scanned the room but couldn't locate the Pokémon Egg.
"That can't be right; I should have placed it on the bed..."
Steven froze, observing Empoleon, who stood upright with his food bowl positioned on Aggron's curled tail.
He recalled instructing Piplup to hold the egg frequently before.
"Empoleon, where's the egg?"
"Em-po?"
Empoleon tilted his head and gestured beneath himself.
The Pokémon Egg was tucked underneath Empoleon.
This... is remarkably consistent with Emperor Penguin behavior...
Empoleon's navy blue body with its black feathering was quite soft.
"Be careful not to crack the egg."
"Empoleon!"
I know!
Crack—
"..."
Empoleon stiffened, glancing down at the Pokémon Egg.
"..."
Steven quickly navigated past the assembled Pokémon to Empoleon, bent down, and carefully retrieved the egg.
Crack-crack—
Two additional fractures appeared on the egg's surface.
"Empoleon!"
Look! It cracked by itself! It's not my fault!
Empoleon protested anxiously.
This anxious demeanor was remarkably similar to Piplup's.
"The egg is hatching!" Steven exclaimed with delight, explaining to Empoleon.
"Empo?"
Empoleon froze momentarily, then quickly stepped forward, staring intently at the trembling Pokémon Egg in Steven's hands.
Bring forth a sword!
Bring forth a sword!
The Pokémon surrounded Steven, all observing the Pokémon Egg in his grasp.
The birth of new life!
Sensing multiple gazes upon it, the Pokémon inside the egg appeared eager to emerge quickly.
The cracks on the egg gradually multiplied.
Crack!
The Pokémon Egg in Steven's hands split in two, and an elongated appendage adorned with a long red ribbon pushed upward against the eggshell.
Revealing pale purple eyes.
"Honedge?!"
Steven was stunned—this was a Shiny Honedge!
"Twist?"
Honedge, filled with curiosity about this world, floated upward with an eggshell fragment still perched on its pommel, and began surveying its surroundings.
This also revealed its complete form.
Honedge's appearance resembled that of a sword, with a brown scabbard covering the blade, decorated with patterns forming a ghostly face.
Notably, the pale purple eye on Honedge's hilt constituted its true body.
A long red ribbon was tied to the end of its hilt, with a pale purple tip that branched out resembling fingers.
Its blade, which should have been silver-white, was now crimson red.
"Aw-bop?" Empoleon appeared startled.
A sword actually emerged?!
"Twist!"
Honedge, after circling once, stopped before Steven and swayed gently toward him.
Steven chuckled warmly and embraced Honedge.
"Hello, Honedge. My name is Steven, and congratulations on becoming our newest member!"
Honedge scanned each Pokémon assembled in the room.
"This is Metagross, this is Skarmory, this is..."
Honedge's eye on its hilt blinked, and it floated out of Steven's embrace.
It hovered beside Empoleon, curiously examining the Water-type.
A metaphorical question mark appeared above its pommel.
It sensed a familiar aura emanating from Empoleon.
However, it seemed to recall that presence should have been small, correct?
How had it suddenly become so large?
"Aw-bop!"
Empoleon raised his flipper and gently caught Honedge mid-air, gazing at it with joy radiating from his eyes.
This is...
The sword I've always dreamed of possessing!