To Yong, Steelix was more than a companion who had grown up alongside him. Steelix was family.
Ever since he had arrived in this world, the former Onix had been by his side. Stranger still, when Yong, now living his second life, had opened his eyes again in his mother's arms, the first thing he had seen was that little Onix!
What did such a unique experience feel like?
Perhaps only the person who had lived through it could truly understand. But there was no doubt that all of it heralded the start of an extraordinary journey...
And this was where it had begun!
President Charles Goodshow nodded with a smile.
"Judging by your experiences, calling you a young legend would be no exaggeration, my boy... As far as I know, the legendary Pokémon Mew began traveling with you shortly after you set out... Then you made a name for yourself in Rustboro City! I still remember when Steven first mentioned you to me. He said he'd met a boy who went his own way..."
At this point, President Charles Goodshow's gaze drifted slightly, clearly lost in his memories.
"Choosing Onix as your first Pokémon... Very few young people can resist the appeal of starter Pokémon, but you chose a different path. And even back then, you were already interested in the Stone Plate, weren't you?"
Yong gave a sheepish smile at those words, lightly rubbing his cheek as he replied,
"I didn't think that much about it back then. I just wanted to get stronger and go farther..."
"And that is the very drive that has carried you this far, my boy!"
President Charles Goodshow spoke with conviction.
The old man rose from his seat, walked over, and sat beside Yong.
"Even when you first set out, you could