While the three men were still debating what to do with the collapsed Aggron tribe, one of the Officer Jennys jogged over and saluted.
"Mayor Nakashima! We just received word!"
"The Pokémon hunters have been captured in Rustboro City! The stolen Aron group is already being transported back!"
The Mayor's eyes lit up.
"Really? That's fantastic!"
"Once their Aron are returned, the Aggron tribe will retreat on their own. That solves everything."
Chen Shi scratched his head helplessly.
So the hunters had fled the opposite direction…
Petalburg Woods really was just collateral damage.
Steven, however, was furious.
"Those criminals are getting bolder by the day."
"Even after causing this much chaos, they dared flee into Rustboro of all places."
Chen Shi nodded inwardly.
They were likely hoping to sell the Aron on the black market.
And Rustboro did have one.
Mayor Nakashima turned to them.
"Xiao Shi, Mr. Steven—could I trouble you to keep an eye on the Aggron tribe for now?"
"If they wake up and rampage again, we'll be in trouble."
"No problem!" both answered in unison.
The Mayor bowed gratefully and hurried off.
Now that there was a moment of quiet, Chen Shi finally had time to inspect Steven's partner.
Pokémon: Metagross (Shiny)
Level: 58 (Late Gym Leader)
Potential: Quasi-Legendary
Ability: Clear Body
Moves: Tackle, Confusion, Metal Claw, Bullet Punch, Zen Headbutt, Hammer Arm, Take Down, Psychic, Magnet Rise, Flash Cannon, Meteor Mash, Iron Defense, Agility, Hone Claws, Protect, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Earthquake, Stomp, Reflect, Light Screen, Rock Slide
Chen Shi let out a slow whistle.
"That's absurdly strong…"
A quasi-legendary potential—rarer than even most pseudo-legendaries.
No wonder the animated Steven's Metagross could clash with Kyogre for a few exchanges.
This matched perfectly.
Steven smiled faintly.
"Your Dragapult isn't inferior."
Chen Shi blinked.
Galar had only recently joined the League―hardly anyone should know much about Dragapult.
Yet Steven recognized it at a glance.
Steven added, slightly puzzled:
"Though… yours looks different compared to the illustrations I saw."
Chen Shi shrugged.
"He's a shiny. In his middle evolution the differences aren't too obvious."
"Ah, that explains it."
Then Steven's expression sharpened with excitement.
"How about a battle later? My Metagross versus your Dragapult."
"Chyaa!"
Dragapult perked up immediately, staring at Chen Shi like an overeager child.
Chen Shi laughed.
"Later. After we're done here, we'll find a proper place."
"Agreed."
Suddenly—
Crack… rumble!
The ground shook.
Both men snapped their attention forward.
The Aggron chieftain—the largest of the tribe—was already awake, dragging itself out of the crater.
Chen Shi stared.
Already?
Its defense really was monstrous.
Garchomp growled, claws lighting with Fighting energy.
She looked minutes away from smashing it back into the crater herself.
"Hold on, Garchomp—let me talk to him."
Garchomp reluctantly suppressed her violence and followed.
The Aggron chieftain tensed and stepped back, clearly remembering the humiliation of being flattened in just two strikes.
Chen Shi raised his hands calmly.
"Aggron, listen. Your child and your clan were kidnapped by hunters. They've already been rescued and are on their way here now."
"There's no need for more destruction. We'll return them safely."
Aggron blinked.
It was the most obvious
Are you lying?
expression Chen Shi had ever seen.
He sighed.
"What would I gain by lying? If your clan doesn't come back—feel free to resume wrecking the place. I won't stop you."
Aggron froze.
He… had a point.
It was already defeated.
Humans had no reason to deceive it now.
Aggron rumbled:
"Hoooruuugh…?"
(When will my child and clan return?)
"Soon. Definitely today."
"I'll wait with you."
Aggron huffed, and slowly closed its eyes to recover.
Chen Shi turned to Steven.
"You have any healing sprays?"
Steven scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"…I came for the trade. I didn't bring any."
Chen Shi sighed theatrically.
"Dragapult, go home and grab some healing sprays. And bring some universal energy cubes."
"Oh—and bring Fleur too."
He handed Dragapult a Poké Ball.
"Chyaa!"
In a burst of speed, Dragapult shot into the sky.
With time to spare, Chen Shi and Steven sat on a boulder overlooking the battlefield.
"Did you meet any strong challengers in the Verdanturf Conference?" Chen Shi asked.
Steven thought for a moment.
"A few… but none that pushed me too hard."
He looked toward the sky.
"Most true prodigies don't bother with those tournaments. They have nothing to prove."
"Like you… or Mikuri from Sootopolis."
"I only joined because my father insisted."
Chen Shi shrugged.
"I returned from traveling in Sinnoh. Didn't get the chance."
"Sinnoh?"
Steven's eyes lit up instantly.
"I've heard the ruins there are magnificent. The ancient stonework must be incredible."
Chen Shi stared at him.
Yep.
Classic Steven Stone.
Say any region, and his first thought was rocks.
Still, he answered:
"There are a lot of ruins. One of my friends is obsessed with them, so I learned a bit."
Steven grew unusually quiet.
"Friend…?"
Then after a brief pause:
"…Would you say that we're friends too?"
Chen Shi raised a brow and smirked.
"I thought we already were."
Steven froze.
Then quietly—
Softly—
He smiled.
"You're right. We were already friends."
Ever since you reached your hand out on Salamence's back…
He didn't say it aloud.
But he thought it.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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