First Meeting with Steven Stone

The next day arrived quickly. Since Dewford Gym was still closed, Gary and Rosa returned to the area near Rusturf Tunnel, continuing to relax and have fun on this stretch of beach.

However, unlike yesterday, when only Gary and Rosa had played on the beach, today they released all of their Pokémon and enjoyed a wonderful vacation together with them.

Gary had his eyes closed as he lay on the spacious Beach Chair they had prepared earlier, resting with his eyes shut and enjoying the warm Sunbathing.

Naturally, as Gary's girlfriend, Rosa was by his side as well.

Her head rested against Gary's broad chest, and she nestled entirely in his embrace as they enjoyed the lovely Sunbathing together.

Of course, Gary's right hand rested on Rosa's smooth, fair skin, savoring its warm, jade-like softness.

As for Gary and Rosa's Pokémon, they thoughtfully refrained from disturbing the resting pair. Instead, they went about the beach, each enjoying their favorite activities.

Blastoise liked soaking in the seawater, while Arcanine, Umbreon, and Elekid lay beneath the shade of the trees. Pupitar and Shiny Metagross preferred burying themselves in the sand for a Sand Bath.

In the end, all of the Pokémon gathered around Gary and Rosa's Beach Chair and lay on the sand, enjoying the warm sunlight alongside their Trainers.

Thus, a beautiful scene of humans and Pokémon living in harmony appeared on the beach.

Just as Gary, Rosa, and the Pokémon were leisurely basking in the sun, a sudden chuckle shattered the peaceful moment.

"Didn't expect there to be people here too!"

On the quiet beach, that chuckle rang out with startling clarity, waking Gary, Rosa, and all the Pokémon from their nap.

Gary, Rosa, and the Pokémon opened their eyes and looked toward the source of the voice. Before long, a figure entered their field of vision.

The man wore a light gray Mountaineering Suit and had striking light-blue short hair. With his extraordinary bearing and refined young-master aura, Gary recognized him at once despite the absence of his signature suit—the former Champion of the Hoenn Region, Steven Stone.

He was the very Steven Stone who loved stones so much that he had handed the position of Hoenn Champion over to his friend Wallace in order to search the world for them.

"Mr. Steven Stone, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Gary was slightly surprised when he opened his eyes and saw the newcomer.

"Steven Stone?" Rosa, on the other hand, did not react at first and looked somewhat confused.

"He's the former Champion of the Hoenn Region, Mr. Steven Stone!"

With Gary's reminder, Rosa immediately understood.

"So it's Mr. Steven Stone!"

Although Rosa was a Trainer from the Unova Region, she still knew a fair bit about the renowned Steven Stone.

Among all the male Champion Trainers in the world, those more handsome than him were not as wealthy, while those wealthier than him were not as handsome. He was truly one of a kind among male Champion Trainers.

"Nice to meet you. Just call me Steven."

After seeing that Gary and Rosa recognized him, Steven did not put on any Champion airs. Instead, he greeted them in a very friendly manner.

That demeanor perfectly matched Gary's image of him as an elegant young gentleman.

"Hello, Mr. Steven Stone. I'm Gary Oak from the Kanto Region." In response to Steven's friendly greeting, Gary formally introduced himself.

"My name is Rosa, and I'm from the Unova Region." Rosa followed right after him with a simple introduction.

"Gary Oak?" When Steven heard Gary introduce himself, a glint appeared in his eyes.

Gary noticed that glint in Steven's gaze and understood what he was thinking, so he nodded calmly.

"That's right. Professor Oak is my grandfather."

"I thought so." After hearing Gary's confirmation, Steven nodded.

Thanks to Professor Oak, Steven and Gary quickly grew closer, and they began discussing Pokémon.

"Are those all your Pokémon?" Afterward, Steven turned his gaze toward Gary's Pokémon, especially the platinum-gold Shiny Metagross that matched his own.

"That's right. They're all our wonderful partners." Gary and Rosa nodded together.

"You really are an impressive group of partners!" With Steven's discerning eye, he could naturally tell that Gary and Rosa's Pokémon were all extraordinary.

"Thank you." Gary and Rosa were delighted by the praise from a Champion Trainer.

"By the way, Mr. Steven Stone, why are you in Dewford Town?" As they chatted, Rosa voiced her question.

"Of course, I'm here to dig for stones." Steven directly stated his purpose in response to Rosa's question.

"Looks like the rumors are true. Mr. Steven Stone really does love Strange Stones." Gary could not help but laugh at Steven's unreserved answer.

"I've always felt that they are treasures of the world." Steven did not mind Gary's teasing. Instead, he smiled lightly. "So my greatest dream is to collect all kinds of precious stones."

Just as Steven had said, he currently frequented major ruins across the world, searching for those precious stones.

"Mr. Steven Stone's hobby really is... special!" After learning that Steven liked stones, Rosa could only barely come up with the word "special" to describe him.

Steven was used to reactions like Rosa's, so he did not mind. Instead, he continued examining Gary and Rosa's Pokémon.

After carefully sweeping his gaze over their Pokémon, he soon noticed a wristband on Blastoise's arm.

When he spotted the Round Stone set into the wristband, Steven immediately looked toward Gary's wrist. There was a wristband there as well, likewise embedded with a Round Stone.

"Those stones are... Pokémon Mega Stones and Key Stones."

Clearly, Steven recognized Pokémon Mega Stones and Key Stones.

"Mr. Steven Stone, do you know those two stones Gary has?" Rosa had noticed the stones on Gary and Blastoise long ago, but she had thoughtfully refrained from asking about them.

But now that she saw Steven recognized them too, she took the opportunity to ask.

"That's right. They should be Blastoise's Mega Stone and a Key Stone." Steven nodded and answered Rosa's question.

"As expected of Mr. Steven Stone. You really are sharp when it comes to stones!"

When Steven directly identified the Pokémon Mega Stone and Key Stone, Gary showed an impressed expression.

Steven truly deserved his reputation as a stone enthusiast. He even knew about Mega Stones, which were only somewhat popular in the Kalos Region.

"I only know a little about them." Steven first shook his head at Gary's praise, then continued explaining, "I only learned a bit of information through online sources. I don't know anything more specific."

With Steven saying he did not know much, Rosa turned her gaze toward the "all-knowing" Gary, seeking an answer.

In response to Rosa's question and Steven's desire to learn more, Gary straightforwardly told them everything he knew about Mega Stones.

In particular, when Steven learned that Metagross could undergo Mega Evolution as well, his eyes lit up slightly, and he made a decision.

"Looks like I'll have to make time later to search for Mega Stones and Key Stones."