Has It Always Been Right Just Because It Was Always So?

Even so, Roy was already quite satisfied.

After all, his original purpose for entering the Pokémon Contest had been to gain some Popularity Points. The rewards for the top three were the same anyway; only the order for choosing Evolution Stones differed.

Next was the championship match between Wallace and Umbreon's Trainer.

Umbreon's Trainer was facing Wallace in the final battle. Although Starmie was at a disadvantage against Umbreon, Umbreon did not have many same-type Dark-type moves before level 30.

Starmie also had Recover, so it was still uncertain who would come out on top.

Unlike Litwick's scratch-like attacks, Starmie's 100 Special Attack packed far more punch.

The combinations of different moves dazzled the audience. In the end, Starmie forcibly wore Umbreon down with Tri Attack, winning the Pokémon Contest Rookie Show championship by a margin of 25 points.

Watching the victorious Wallace on the television from the waiting room, Roy could not help but marvel. As expected of Hoenn's future reserve Champion.

Just as Roy expected, Wallace returned to the waiting room after taking first place and began showing off in front of him.

Naturally, Roy was not about to let Wallace enjoy himself. He was planning to give him a little shock.

"Wallace!"

"Hm?"

Hearing Roy call him, Wallace thought Roy was about to mock him a little. But it was his first time seeing Roy look so serious, and he unconsciously became serious as well.

"Don't you think Pokémon Contests are drifting further and further toward battling now, to the point where they've already become disconnected from what Pokémon Contests are truly supposed to be?"

Wallace: [・ヘ・?]

"Shouldn't Pokémon Contests completely move away from battling and focus on Pokémon move performances, training, and coordination with their Trainers?

Otherwise, what makes them any different from Battle Trainers?

Are they just battle competitions wearing the skin of Pokémon Contests?"

Sigh...

Roy sighed, leaning against the wall of the waiting room as he continued.

"Shouldn't true Coordinators perform onstage alongside their Pokémon, helping everyone discover the Pokémon's charm and beauty?

That is what Coordinators should do, isn't it?"

After hearing Roy's words, Wallace fell into deep thought. The joy of his recent victory was also diluted, mainly because Roy's words had struck straight at his heart.

Back at Sootopolis Gym, he had often directed Starmie and Feebas in water performances alongside him.

Compared to directing Pokémon in battle, what he preferred was standing on the performance stage together with his Pokémon and beginning a show that belonged solely to them beneath the anticipation of countless onlookers.

Roy's words touched on something he had considered before as well. When had Pokémon Contests started becoming like this?

"But for the past two years, Pokémon Contests have always been..."

"Has it always been right just because it was always so?"

That one sentence left Wallace speechless.

Yeah, it had always been that way... but did that make it right?

"Then why not simply discard the battling aspects and let the performances of Pokémon and Trainers stand on their own? That's what Pokémon Contests should truly look like, isn't it?"

"My influence is too small, I'm afraid..."

Wallace agreed with Roy's idea, but with his current strength, he simply could not shake the overall rules of Pokémon Contests.

Hearing the faintly apologetic tone in Wallace's voice, Roy realized that Wallace was still just a boy one year older than him—someone who liked to stand out and loved receiving everyone's attention.

He was not yet Hoenn's future reserve Champion.

Roy's tone became more patient.

"I'm not saying you have to do something right now. At the very least, you should work toward that goal, shouldn't you?

If official Pokémon Contests remain like this, then you can just hold your own Pokémon Contest in the future, can't you?

I've even thought of a name for you. Call it the Wallace Cup."

Wallace was stunned again after hearing Roy's words.

This was already the second time today that Roy's words had shocked him. Could he organize a competition of his own, too?

He then kept muttering, "Wallace Cup, Wallace Cup!" as if trying to carve those words into his mind.

He also felt that his future life had gained another direction.

He wanted to hold his own Wallace Cup and show the world where the true charm of Pokémon Contests lay.

Looking at Wallace trembling all over with excitement, Roy wondered whether he had been too stimulating toward the kid.

Just as Roy was about to pat Wallace and tell him not to get too excited, Wallace suddenly gripped Roy's hands tightly and said with a sincere expression,

"What a great name. It's rare for you to say something sensible, Roy."

Roy pulled free and rolled his eyes speechlessly. What did he mean, it was rare for Roy to say something sensible? This was merely something Wallace himself would do in the future; it had nothing to do with him.

"Roy! Don't worry! Once I hold the Wallace Cup in the future, the first-place trophy will be called the Wallace Gold Cup, and second place will be the Roy Silver Cup! As for third place..."

Roy: What Silver Cup? Explain yourself!

Thinking of the third-place bronze cup, Wallace pictured a young man who liked wearing suits and pretending to be an adult.

Just as Wallace was still discussing possible future event locations with Roy, a voice interrupted their conversation.