Professor Rowan remained silent as he observed the imposing Metagross.
Steven's next actions would reveal his true attitude toward Pokemon.
Though...
If the subject was Piplup...
It would really be more about whether the two of them could get along.
A glowing blue sphere emerged from the lake and floated in the air.
"Piplup?!"
The Piplup trapped inside the blue sphere looked panicked, its stubby flippers flailing wildly.
"We meet 'again,' Piplup." Steven emphasized the word "again" and smiled at the Piplup, who couldn't move freely.
"Piplup!"
Take this Water Gun!
A stream of water shot from Piplup's small beak, only to strike the blue psychic barrier and splash back.
"Piplup?"
What kind of strange power is this?
Piplup shook its round head and shouted at Steven:
"Piplup! Piplup!"
If you're brave enough, let me down!
"What's it saying? Is it cursing at me?" Steven tilted his head toward Metagross.
"Metagross." Metagross directly began writing on the lawn with its psychic power.
Although the words etched into the grass were somewhat unclear, Metagross had crushed the small blades trying to grow strong.
Silently mourning for the trampled grass, Steven deciphered what Metagross had written.
"Let you down? Not happening right now." Steven chuckled.
Professor Rowan observed Metagross, who could write and communicate with its Trainer, with mild surprise, though his expression remained meticulously serious.
"Piplup!"
One-on-one! Let me down for a fair fight!
"One-on-one? Are you even good at battling?"
"What's the point of being good at fighting? To survive in this world, you need connections and backing!"
"You can talk about a one-on-one match after you get past Metagross." Steven pointed to the Steel-type Pokemon beside him.
Bare-handed, Steven felt confident he could handle Piplup, but if this Pokemon started using moves, he'd better stay safely behind Metagross.
"Metagross!" Metagross cooperated, stepping forward and glaring menacingly at Piplup.
"Piplup?!"
Coward who only hides behind an iron crab!
"Metagross?" Metagross paused.
Iron crab?
Its supercomputer-like brain processed rapidly.
You little troublemaker, you're insulting me now, aren't you!
Metagross immediately treated Piplup like dice in a cup, spinning it around inside the psychic barrier.
"Piplup! Piplup... Glub... Glub..."
When Metagross stopped, Piplup was completely dizzy, collapsing inside the barrier with swirls in its eyes.
Looking at those iconic spiral eyes—
Piplup is unable to battle!
"Let me take a look at it."
Metagross controlled Piplup to float in front of Steven and released its Psychic hold.
Steven held Piplup by the scruff of its neck, examining this rather adorable Pokemon.
"Piplup!"
The Piplup in his hands suddenly snapped its eyes open and spat a stream of water from its beak, splashing Steven's face at point-blank range.
Steven flinched and loosened his grip, allowing Piplup to escape.
"Still playing dirty tricks, huh?" Steven wiped the water from his face with his handkerchief. He was thoroughly soaked now.
After successfully executing its prank, Piplup didn't rush back into the lake. Instead, it clutched its belly and fell to the ground, laughing heartily, its two stubby legs kicking wildly.
However, Steven began to understand why Piplup enjoyed playing pranks so much.
Steven crouched down and smiled at the laughing Piplup on the ground:
"You must be really lonely."
"Piplup?"
Piplup's laughter stopped abruptly. It sat up on the lawn, staring into Steven's eyes.
"If you wanted revenge just now, at that close range, you could have attacked me with full force."
"But you held back your strength. At such close range, you didn't cause me any real harm."
If Piplup had truly wanted to use force, Steven's face wouldn't just be wet—it would at least sting painfully.
But Steven felt nothing like that. It simply felt as if someone had splashed him with a bucket of water.
This Pokemon, while playing pranks, also didn't want to actually hurt anyone.
It considered others' feelings, but there must be a special reason why it enjoyed pranks so much.
Steven guessed that Piplup, like himself in the past, was lonely.
At the very least, teasing others made this little Pokemon happy, and if it was happy, that was enough.
"It must be boring here, with no one to play with."
"Piplup..."
Piplup blinked its clear, watery eyes at this strange human.
This was the first time anyone had asked it that question.
"If you don't have friends, you can try being friends with me. My Pokemon will definitely accept you too." Steven smiled and extended his hand toward Piplup.
"Piplup."
Piplup snorted, crossed its flippers, and turned away from Steven.
I don't need your pity!
Pokemon like Piplup were proud and stubborn, unwilling to accept charity from humans, and strongly disliked being pitied by others.
"This isn't charity. I genuinely want to be your friend."
Piplup secretly glanced at Steven, looking into his eyes as if sensing his sincerity.
"I know what it feels like to have no friends, and I understand you." Steven smiled, his extended hand never wavering.
This human... he doesn't seem to be lying?
Clang! Clang!
Lairon and Skarmory appeared together, smiling warmly at Piplup.
"Lairon!"
"Skar!"
Piplup's expression suddenly changed. What did you mean by saying there would be lots of delicious rocks if it followed them?!
That stuff is edible?!
Hmph, you only say that because you don't understand me.
Piplup gave a self-deprecating smile.
Fine, I'll show you the real reason for my loneliness.
Steven suddenly froze. Piplup's aura was continuously rising, and both Metagross and Skarmory's expressions changed dramatically.
"Metagross..."
What incredible talent, but I'll always be Master's strongest weapon!
"Skar..."
Oh no, I finally managed to surpass Lairon. If this Pokemon joins... the training intensity will increase fivefold! This is terrible!
Professor Rowan witnessed this scene, and even his meticulously controlled expression showed a hint of surprise.
Piplup opened its sharp eyes, scanned the expressions around it, and gave a helpless smile.
As expected... everyone has that same look, don't they?
I really am... an anomaly.
"Piplup?"
Piplup suddenly noticed Lairon still wearing the same cheerful smile and was instantly stunned.
This Pokemon actually... still has that happy expression?!
Lairon thought joyfully to itself:
Hehe, this little one doesn't eat metal ore, so when I get stronger and have a bigger appetite, those delicious ores will still be all mine!
Once I'm even stronger than Metagross, I'll have a monopoly on the ore supply!
I'm so happy!
Piplup's eyes welled up with tears as it looked at the blissfully happy Lairon.
This...
This Pokemon might just be my destined... only true friend!
Steven roughly understood what was happening.
Besides Torrent, Piplup's Hidden Ability was Defiant!
However, this ability was supposed to trigger a power increase only after an opponent lowered the stats of a Pokemon with this ability.
This Piplup had complete control over the switch and could freely activate it whenever it wanted!
Then the reason why this little Pokemon enjoyed playing pranks became crystal clear: its own kind considered it abnormal.
So it was ostracized and isolated, eventually using pranks to entertain itself.
Case solved!
This Pokemon was genuinely special!
But how should he convince it to join his team?
Should he say that he didn't care it was "different"?
Just as Steven was contemplating his approach, Piplup took a step forward.
It took a deep breath, as if making a momentous decision.
"Piplup!"
Take me with you!