Steven Stone's Gift

"Don't worry, Gary. Your Blastoise is fine."

Seeing the worry in Gary's eyes, Steven Stone knew he was concerned about Blastoise's condition, so he smiled and reassured him.

With the discerning eye of a Champion-level Trainer, Steven Stone could tell at a glance that Gary's Blastoise had not become Unable to Battle. It had merely been trapped for the moment.

After hearing Steven Stone's words, Gary froze slightly. But the faint movement beneath the rocks burying Blastoise quickly made him understand.

The stones covering Blastoise began tumbling away in all directions, and before long, Blastoise reappeared in everyone's sight.

That was right. Just as Steven Stone had said, Gary's Blastoise had not fainted and still had Combat Ability. It had broken free again.

When he saw Blastoise break free, Gary's tense heart immediately relaxed.

As for Blastoise, it had yet to realize what had happened and continued glaring at Steven Stone's Aggron with Fighting Spirit in its eyes.

As far as Blastoise was concerned, the battle had not yet ended. It resumed its fighting stance and warily watched Aggron.

Seeing how cautious Blastoise was, Gary smiled helplessly and said, "Blastoise, the battle is over. We lost."

Upon hearing Gary's words, Blastoise froze for a moment, then became despondent. It did not even notice that its Mega Evolution had been undone.

In Blastoise's eyes, it had lost again. The way it looked at Gary was filled with apology.

Gary noticed the apologetic look in Blastoise's eyes and immediately understood what it was thinking. He promptly walked over to comfort it.

"There's no need to feel sorry. Mr. Steven Stone is far stronger than we are, so this isn't your fault, Blastoise."

After hearing Gary's words, Blastoise paused, then looked up at him.

"We'll keep working hard from now on. One day, we'll battle Mr. Steven Stone again. When that time comes, we'll let him witness our strength."

After listening to Gary, Blastoise nodded fiercely, showing that it understood.

"For now, come back and get some rest."

Once he saw that Blastoise had let go of its feelings, Gary recalled the badly injured Pokémon.

"Gary, are you all right?" Rosa came over to Gary's side and asked with concern.

"I'm fine." Knowing that Rosa was worried about him, Gary smiled at her.

Only after seeing that Gary truly was fine did Rosa finally relax.

After speaking with Rosa, Gary walked over to Steven Stone, who had already recalled his Aggron.

Standing before Steven Stone, Gary bowed and thanked him. "Mr. Steven Stone, thank you for your guidance this time."

During this battle with Steven Stone, Gary had not only learned a great deal, but Blastoise's strength had also improved noticeably. Combined with its previous training, it had now reached Level 68.

"You're welcome." Steven Stone shook his head at Gary's thanks. "If anyone should be grateful, it should be me. After all, Gary, you let me witness Pokémon Mega Evolution firsthand."

"No matter what, I gained a lot today. It was all thanks to Mr. Steven Stone's guidance."

Even after hearing Steven Stone's words, Gary shook his head and firmly voiced his own view.

"I understand." Seeing the determination in Gary's eyes, Steven Stone did not say anything further.

"Both Gary and Mr. Steven Stone are incredibly strong."

At that moment, Rosa stepped forward and said with a smile to both Gary and Steven Stone.

After hearing Rosa's words, Gary and Steven Stone exchanged a glance and laughed together.

"By the way, Gary, what do you think of Pokémon like my Aggron?" After the laughter subsided, Steven Stone suddenly asked Gary.

Although he did not know what Steven Stone meant, Gary answered honestly, "Mr. Steven Stone's Aggron is really cool, and it's very strong too."

Having received the answer he wanted, Steven Stone's smile grew wider.

"Then, Gary and Rosa, would you be willing to catch an Aron or a Lairon?"

Steven Stone's next words immediately stunned Gary.

"Mr. Steven Stone, do you mean...?"

Gary caught the implication in Steven Stone's words and looked at him with shock on his face.

"Could Mr. Steven Stone be planning to..." Rosa beside him had likewise guessed the meaning behind Steven Stone's words.

"That's right. Just as you think."

Steven Stone nodded, confirming Gary and Rosa's suspicions.

He then continued, explaining his thoughts to them. "A group of Aron live in this Rusturf Tunnel. If you and Rosa want to, you can catch one from among them."

"Is that really all right?" Rosa asked uncertainly after hearing Steven Stone's words.

"Of course. I'm quite familiar with the Aron group here." Steven Stone smiled as he explained Rosa's doubts. "You only need to earn their recognition with your own strength."

Having received Steven Stone's approval, Gary and Rosa exchanged a glance, and joy immediately appeared on both their faces.

"Then thank you, Mr. Steven Stone."

"You're welcome. Whether you can catch one depends on yourselves." Steven Stone shook his head.

"We understand."

"Then follow me." After saying that, Steven Stone turned and headed toward the depths of Rusturf Tunnel.

Gary and Rosa hurriedly followed him.

Soon, under Steven Stone's lead, Gary and Rosa entered Rusturf Tunnel together.

There were many paths within Rusturf Tunnel, and the lighting was poor. If Steven Stone had not been leading the way ahead of them, Gary and Rosa might already have gotten lost.

After following Steven Stone through Rusturf Tunnel for a while, they arrived at a broad open area within the tunnel.

A group of Aron lived in this spacious area. This was Gary and Rosa's destination.