Jubilife Theme Park.
In a clearing beside Swan Lake,
Lance struck up a conversation with Dawn after Dragonite spotted Dratini training.
Lance knew that Li Wei had taken Dawn on as his student, but this was his first time formally introducing himself to her.
Lance nodded. "So your dream is to become a top Coordinator like your mother."
Dawn clenched her fists. "Yes, and I also want to become a Pokémon Breeder like my teacher!"
Still, she had to take things one step at a time. Dawn's current goal was to win this year's Grand Festival.
"How many Ribbons have you earned?"
"I already have three!"
Not long before arriving here, Dawn had earned her third Ribbon.
Her next goal was the Wallace Cup, which Wallace would be hosting at Lake Valor.
But they would only head there after attending the Pokémon Summer Camp.
Lance smiled. "Very nice. Two more Ribbons, and you'll be able to enter the Grand Festival."
Looking at Dawn's Dratini, Lance, who had been unsure how to spend his afternoon, suddenly found something to do.
He would give Dawn some special training!
It was a spur-of-the-moment idea.
Mostly, it was because Li Wei had helped Lance so much, while Lance had few ways to help him in return.
At least, that was how Lance saw it.
Although the Pokémon League had rewarded Li Wei, that was the League's doing. Lance himself had yet to properly thank him.
He had never found a good opportunity.
Giving Dawn special training might not be much, but at least it was something.
Lance nodded with a smile. "Show me your contest performance."
"Yes!"
Dawn immediately got into the zone and first recalled Dratini into a Poké Ball.
"Dratini, spotlight!"
As time passed,
The guests Li Wei had invited, including