A familiar system chime echoed in Aiden Flint's mind.
Ding!
Detected: Nurse Joy's favorability toward the Host has increased. A gift opportunity has been triggered. The Chosen System has generated the following options.
Refuse Nurse Joy's gift. Her favorability decreases. No reward obtained.
Accept Nurse Joy's gift. Her favorability increases. Obtain an Everstone.
Accept Nurse Joy's gift and promise to take good care of it. Her favorability greatly increases. Obtain a Prism Scale.
Aiden paused briefly.
To be honest, he hadn't expected Nurse Joy to give him anything at all. Rejecting her kindness was obviously not an option. As for the remaining two choices, there was hardly any hesitation.
Compared to an Everstone, the Prism Scale was far more valuable to him.
In the Hoenn region, Feebas could only evolve into Milotic through extremely specific conditions. Beauty-based evolution was unreliable in the real world, but with a Prism Scale, evolution became guaranteed.
Aiden made his choice without delay.
Ding!
Congratulations to the Host. You have obtained a Prism Scale. The item has been stored in the System Space.
After the notification faded, Aiden looked up at Nurse Joy and smiled.
"Miss Joy, you mentioned you had a gift for me?"
At that moment, Nurse Joy was directing Chansey to begin treatment on Aiden's Pidgeotto and Ash's Taillow. Hearing Aiden's question, she reached beneath the counter and took out a Poké Ball.
"Aiden," she said gently, "this is a Pokémon I once caught myself. It's a Feebas. Compared to others of its kind, she's more active… and smarter, too."
"Over the past few days, I've been watching you. You're a trainer with incredible potential. I believe that only by traveling with someone like you can this little one truly grow."
"If you're willing… I'd like to entrust her to you."
Only then did Aiden understand why the system had rewarded him with a Prism Scale.
Nurse Joy wasn't just giving him an item.
She was giving him a Pokémon.
Feebas, much like Magikarp in Kanto, was infamous for its weakness. Found in rivers all across Hoenn, most Feebas spent their lives accomplishing nothing. Yet its evolution—Milotic—was revered as one of the most beautiful and powerful Water-type Pokémon in existence.
Evolution, however, was brutally difficult.
Magikarp needed resolve.
Feebas needed either extreme beauty or the Prism Scale.
And now, Aiden had exactly what was required.
The Poké Ball opened, releasing a ripple of light into the Pokémon Center's water pool. A massive Feebas emerged, nearly a full meter in length—almost twice the size of an ordinary one.
Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly.
Size mattered. And this one was exceptional.
Activating the system scan, the information surfaced immediately.
Pokémon: Feebas
Level: 20
Ability: Cute Charm
Type: Water
Potential: Purple
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Splash, Tackle
Affinity: 0
Profile: A solitary Feebas who dreams of becoming the most beautiful Pokémon in the world.
Aiden felt genuine excitement.
Purple potential. Outstanding physique. With proper care, this Feebas would be terrifying once evolved.
Nurse Joy knelt by the pool, her voice soft.
"Feebas… as a Pokémon Center nurse, I can't travel. I can't give you the journey you deserve. Becoming Milotic may remain nothing more than a dream for you."
"But now, I've found someone worthy. A trainer who can truly help you reach that future."
Feebas slowly turned, her dull eyes meeting Aiden's.
Unlike most Feebas that would simply blow bubbles in response, this one hesitated. There was sadness in her gaze. Longing.
Aiden crouched down.
"If you're willing to travel with me," he said calmly, "I promise you one thing."
"I will help you evolve."
The pool was silent.
Then, after a long moment, Feebas nodded.
Nurse Joy released the ownership seal on the Poké Ball. Aiden stepped forward and gently recalled Feebas into a Luxury Ball.
"I promise," Aiden said seriously. "When she becomes Milotic, I'll come back and show you."
Nurse Joy smiled, visibly relieved.
After retrieving his fully recovered Pidgeotto, Aiden prepared to leave Petalburg City. Before departing, he called Professor Birch.
"Aiden! You've reached Petalburg already?" Birch sounded surprised.
"I've earned the Balance Badge," Aiden replied. "And picked up two new partners. I'm heading to Rustboro next."
Birch laughed heartily. "Excellent! I knew you wouldn't disappoint. Keep going—I'll be cheering for you at the Ever Grande Conference."
As Aiden ended the call, a familiar energetic voice cut in.
"Aiden! You know Professor Birch too?"
Ash had somehow leaned straight into the call frame, eyes sparkling.
The conversation quickly filled in the details, and Birch's appreciation for Aiden only deepened after learning Aiden had defeated Norman—and even beaten Ash in battle.
As they parted ways, Ash clenched his fists.
"Next time, I won't lose!"
Aiden smiled faintly. "Then I'll look forward to it. Let's meet again at the Ever Grande Conference."
With supplies prepared and new companions by his side, Aiden Flint left Petalburg City behind, walking steadily toward Rustboro—and the next stage of his journey.
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