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"Huh? Make... a change?"
The boy looked confused. What kind of change did this stranger mean?
"Don't give up just because something seems impossible. Actually, when you think you can't do something, that's exactly when you need to try harder."
"I don't know the details of your condition, but I'm certain you have the ability to change."
"Your dream of becoming a Pokémon Trainer—let that be your motivation to move forward and transform yourself."
Words alone might not be enough, so Steven released his Scyther from its Poké Ball.
"This Pokémon is clearly injured, yet it continues training to grow stronger. Do you think it has what it takes to become a top-tier Pokémon?"
The boy studied the impressive Scyther, who seemed irritated by Steven's comment. His voice grew more confident as he answered:
"It... yes, I believe it can!"
Scyther turned its attention to the frail boy, surprised by his answer.
"Exactly. Just as you have faith in Scyther, I have faith in you. You'll definitely overcome whatever difficulties you're facing." Steven smiled, placing a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder.
Then he raised his other hand with his thumb pointing back at Scyther.
"But remember—if you're injured, you need to rest properly. Don't try to copy Scyther's training regimen."
"Scy?" Scyther's expression twitched slightly.
For some reason, it really wanted to Slash him right now.
"You can't rush your body's recovery. Take it slowly and let a positive, healthy mindset gradually influence your physical condition."
"I... I understand!" The boy nodded, still processing everything.
"My name's Steven, and here's my contact number. Feel free to reach out if you need anything." Steven handed the boy a slip of paper with his number written on it.
"Oh... thank you so much for taking the time to help me." The boy accepted the paper gratefully, bowing slightly to Steven.
Steven's words had given him something he'd been missing—motivation and hope.
"Um, my name is Wally..."
"Alright—"
"Wally!"
A female voice called out from behind them.
Both Steven and Wally turned toward the sound.
A young woman who bore a strong resemblance to Wally stood near the street, carrying a shopping basket.
"Sister?" Wally looked surprised.
Wally's sister walked up to them quickly, addressing Steven with an apologetic tone:
"I'm so sorry. I hope my brother hasn't been bothering you?"
"Not at all. I thought he might be lost, so I came over to talk with him." Steven waved his hand dismissively.
After all, he was the one who had initiated the conversation.
"Wally really wants to become a Pokémon Trainer, so I was worried he might have been asking you for advice," his sister explained.
Noticing the Scyther standing beside Steven, she assumed Wally had been inquiring about Trainer matters.
"It's getting late though. We should head home now."
"Okay." Wally nodded. Meeting Steven today might actually turn out to be fortunate.
"Well then, I won't keep you any longer. See you around, Wally." Steven turned his head and winked at the boy.
Understanding the gesture, Wally smiled and nodded back. "Yeah!"
I'm going to work hard!
Steven would never have imagined that this brief conversation would eventually help transform Wally into a cheerful, energetic boy.
After parting ways with Wally, Steven spent some time exploring Verdanturf Town.
During his walk, Scyther shot Steven an annoyed glare before returning to its Poké Ball.
At a small food stall, he learned that Pokémon Contests would be held in town the day after tomorrow. Steven decided to stay a few days to watch.
As for participating himself...
His shiny Metagross wasn't appropriate for public display here, Aron only knew how to eat, and Skarmory didn't have many visually appealing moves in its repertoire.
That left only Scyther.
And it didn't seem like Scyther would cooperate with him for a performance anyway.
"What a shame. I really wanted to try competing in the Contests."
Pokémon Contests are divided into four ranks: Normal, Super, Hyper, and Master.
Each rank has its own designated venue.
The Normal Rank is held in Verdanturf Town, the Super Rank in Fallarbor Town, the Hyper Rank in Slateport City, and the Master Rank in Lilycove City.
Participating in the Normal Rank only requires registration to obtain an entry permit. For subsequent ranks, contestants must place in the top three of the previous rank to qualify.
The competition consists of two judging rounds. The first round evaluates the Trainer and their Pokémon's presentation—their coordination, appearance, and condition all factor into the score.
The second round's performance order is determined by first-round scores, from lowest to highest. This gives lower-scoring contestants a fair chance.
If the first-place contestant performs at the start with an explosive routine, subsequent performers would struggle to make an impression regardless of their skill level.
Conversely, if earlier performances are underwhelming, it makes the first-place contestant's routine stand out even more.
Steven rented a room at Verdanturf Town's Pokémon Center. As he watched his Pokémon eat dinner, he broached the subject with Scyther.
"Scyther, would you be willing to participate in the Contest with me?"
"Scy?" Scyther looked confused at first, then shook its head, declining Steven's request.
"I figured as much..." Though he'd expected this answer, Steven still felt disappointed.
"Scy..."
Scyther glanced at Steven and paused for a moment in thought.
I suppose I have no choice...
"Meta." Metagross gently nudged Steven with one of its arms.
"Hmm? What is it?"
Metagross nodded toward Steven, then raised one of its appendages and pointed at Scyther across from them.
"Wait—you mean Scyther agreed?!"
Steven looked at Scyther in surprise.
"Scy!" Scyther's face flushed slightly as it responded with an irritated grunt.
Metagross used its Psychic ability to levitate a pen and write a message on paper, then made the note float over to Steven.
The message asked whether the Contest was a competition that many people would watch.
"Oh, yes. It usually gets televised as well," Steven confirmed.
"Scy..."
Then I suppose I'll reluctantly participate with you...
If many people will be watching...
Maybe he'll see it too?
"Scy!" Scyther regained its aloof expression and grumbled dismissively.
Just don't embarrass me out there.
"Thank you so much, Scyther!"
"Let's change your bandages!"
Scyther continued eating its dinner silently while Steven carefully unwrapped the gauze from Scyther's left scythe.
The Energy Powder's healing effect was working well—the cracks on Scyther's scythe had become noticeably smaller.
It might also be because Scyther's strength had significantly increased after evolving to a leader-level Pokémon, which enhanced its natural recovery abilities.
Due to its injured scythe, Scyther's combat effectiveness remained somewhat unstable, preventing it from fighting at full strength.
However, it had been maintaining appropriate training, so it wouldn't regress to Boss-level performance.
"Looks like it should be mostly healed by tomorrow morning."
Steven reapplied the medicine to Scyther's scythe and wrapped it with fresh gauze.
"Otherwise, you'd only be able to use your right scythe during the performance."
Scyther glanced at Steven without responding.
"Arr-arr..."
Aron, completely full, sprawled on the floor and began snoring loudly.
Skarmory's eye twitched as it observed Aron's sleeping posture. It carefully picked up Aron by the steel plating with its beak and placed the sleeping Pokémon on the sofa.
"For the next Gym battle, I'll be counting on you two again." Steven gently stroked Skarmory's head with a soft smile.
Scyther and Metagross were too powerful for regular Gym challenges; only Skarmory and Aron would benefit from proper training against Gym Leaders.
However, the next Gym was the Electric-type Mauville Gym, where Skarmory's Steel/Flying typing would be disadvantageous, and Aron's slow speed was a concern.
It would likely be a challenging battle.
Aron slept soundly on the single-seat sofa, Skarmory rested on the carpet, and Scyther leaned against the sofa's back, dozing off.
Steven still felt uncertain about Contest performances. To avoid an embarrassing showing, he searched online for videos from previous Contests.
He wanted to see if there were any strategies he could adapt or innovative ideas to develop.
Meanwhile, Metagross continued studying human language and writing beside Steven.
"Metagross, aren't you going to sleep?" Steven glanced at the wall clock—the hour hand already pointed to ten.
"Meta."
Just a little longer.
"We've gained so many partners before we realized it."
"Meta!" Metagross set down its book, its eyes curving into cheerful crescents as it nodded in agreement.
Steven looked back at his three sleeping Pokémon, his smile growing wider.
"Keep working hard, Metagross." Steven bent his arm and extended his fist toward Metagross.
"Metagross!"
Metagross raised its arm and gently bumped Steven's fist in response.
Scyther, still leaning against the sofa, slowly opened its eyes and used its scythe to lift the curtain slightly.
Looking at the bright moonlight spilling across the floor, the words of that girl in the white dress from back then echoed in its mind.
Very similar, indeed...