January 26th, night.
Half a day had passed since the sea-and-land gods' clash, the desperate battles of multiple trainers, and the final resolution of the crisis.
At noon Phoebe had arrived at Monsu Island. She solemnly accepted the Blue and Red Orbs from Lucas, then departed immediately with arriving Hoenn League elites for Mt. Pyre to secure them. The disaster caused by the orbs' theft had deeply shaken the League; as Steven and Wallace had predicted, security around the orbs would be unprecedentedly tight for the foreseeable future.
Also at noon, Mauville Radio broadcast the good news of the crisis's end across all of Hoenn. The report detailed every step—from Nemona's trio and Ash's quartet plus Lance resisting the evil organizations, through the relay efforts of Lance, Nemona, Steven, Wallace, and Lucas—that had prevented further catastrophe. The host dubbed them "Hoenn's great heroes." Lucas, whose final strike had "settled the heavens," received special mention. From the moment the news broke, Lucas's reputation in Hoenn reached legendary heights—even if most people still didn't know his face. They knew only that the Paldea visitor had first repelled two rampaging Rayquaza in LaRousse City, then, less than a week later, suppressed two rampaging super-ancient Pokémon. Such deeds were the stuff of living legend.
Mossdeep City—Steven's private estate (or rather, manor; the grounds were vast enough to shock Lucas upon arrival, rivaling his own farm before expansion). He had always imagined Steven's home as the modest in-game house with a single Metagross Poké Ball. The reality proved the Stone family's wealth.
This was a private victory celebration hosted by Steven and Wallace, inviting only those who had fought on the front lines. The League had wanted a grand public banquet, but Lucas had declined, citing a desire to avoid the spotlight and suggesting stronger Paldea–Hoenn cooperation instead. Nemona's group, Ash's group, and even Lance had backed him. The result was this intimate gathering: Ash's quartet, Nemona/Paul/Shizuka trio, Lance, and Lucas.
After brief opening thanks—Steven and Wallace bowing deeply—Steven signaled the waiting butler. Food began arriving like a river. Ash and Pikachu's eyes lit up; tears of joy streamed from the corners of their mouths as they dove in. Nemona, equally voracious but raised with proper etiquette, ate with far more grace despite matching Ash's appetite. The real feast, however, was laid out for the Pokémon who had actually fought. The trainers' long table was dwarfed by the Pokémon area.
Victini gave Armarouge a perfunctory greeting before plunging into the culinary ocean. Lucas exchanged a high-five (well, shell-to-palm) with Pupitar, who had shed much of its former psychological shadow and grown noticeably livelier. Still cocooned and awaiting evolution, it had already become the second-most energetic member of Ash's team after Corphish. Its future as a powerhouse was assured.
Watching Pupitar and the ever-cool Lance leaning against a wall, Lucas recalled the young Larvitar he had met on Mt. Silver in Johto. Given the time and Pokéblocks he had left, it was probably close to evolving—or already had. He made a mental note to check if he ever passed that way again.
Besides the ever-present Pikachu, Armarouge, and Pupitar, Ash's other Pokémon matched Lucas's memories: the Hoenn batch. Pidgeot was likely rotated back to Professor Oak's ranch. Ash still obeyed the six-Pokémon limit; his current Hoenn captures were only Grovyle, Swellow, and Corphish. Snorunt—caught late in his journey—had not yet joined, especially since he hadn't challenged Mossdeep Gym. Coincidentally, Paul had also captured a Snorunt. In a sense the two were fated rivals.
While chatting lightly with Steven and Wallace, Lucas noticed Steven's shining eyes whenever he mentioned heading to Paldea to "dig stones." Lucas and Wallace exchanged knowing looks. Steven's escape plan was doomed; the timeline would drag him back long before he could wander freely.
Lance soon joined the adults' conversation, laughing that his heart had nearly stopped when Lucas appeared with Lugia, giant Dragonite, and giant Tentacruel. The emotional impact defied simple words. He then probed—indirectly—about the giant Dragonite's origins. Knowing Lance's passion, Lucas gave him the full story.
"I see… So Bill's research reports were actually true after all."
Lance stroked his chin, marveling. The eccentric Kanto researcher had been dismissed by most despite the giant Tentacruel precedent. Unknown giant dragon-shaped Pokémon? Until today Lance had considered it fantasy. Now he believed—and was intensely curious.
Before he could ask more, a commotion erupted nearby. Ash and Paul were arguing again. After Paul turned away and coldly called him an "idiot," Ash went red.
"If you're so great, battle me with Pokémon!"
Brock held Ash back, looking long-suffering. Paul, annoyed, simply replied, "Fine."
Before his journey Paul might have lost to the more experienced Ash. But after taking Lucas's advice and seeking real combat experience, Paul had transformed. He welcomed the challenge.
Nemona, ignoring Shizuka's protests, declared she wanted in too—eyes sparkling as she hugged her Dunsparce.
"Ohhh! It's a Dunsparce!"
Ash instantly forgot Paul and circled Nemona and the little one. Brock explained softly to the confused onlookers: "Ash has always been obsessed with catching a Dunsparce."
Then came the gut punch. When Ash learned the Dunsparce had hatched from an egg gifted by an old lady in Lavaridge Town—and that Paul and Shizuka had received eggs too—his entire body turned gray with despair. He had missed it again.
Lucas stepped in. "They didn't all hatch Dunsparces. Paul's egg became an Aron; Shizuka's became a Wooper. I have one too." He showed them the egg resting quietly in his incubator.
Wallace added, "It's a local custom. You four probably just had bad timing. With your love for Pokémon you would surely have been entrusted with eggs."
Ash perked up, curiosity shifting. "So nobody knows what hatches from these eggs?"
Since everyone wanted battles, Steven suggested they treat it as post-meal exercise and led them to a standard battlefield inside the manor. Ash and Paul faced off immediately. Nemona, talked down from "bullying beginners" by Lucas, instead sparred with Wallace—who had volunteered. Both were champion-level; the match was fierce but even.
Lucas, however, focused on Ash versus Paul. No special rules—just switch on loss. Paul led with Aron. Ash surprised everyone by sending Pikachu instead of Pupitar. Pikachu's acting skills were impeccable; even against a freshly evolved Aron it held even. Truly the gold standard of Pokémon world balance—capable of losing to a level-5 Servine yet electrocuting Arceus when serious.
The stalemate ended the instant Delibird landed at Lucas's feet. Pikachu jolted as if shocked, strength surging. Under Ash's straightforward commands it quickly defeated Aron. Paul's commands had been optimal, but Aron was still young and needed seasoning. More importantly, the Delibird's arrival had lit a fire under Pikachu—it had been "rubbing" Pikachu the wrong way since their first meeting, fueling competitive spirit. As a veteran who had traveled three regions with Ash, Pikachu could handle an Aron when it stopped holding back.
During the switch interval Steven, stroking his chin beside Lucas, remarked, "That Aron is well-raised—solid shell, excellent response time. Is he your student?"
"Yeah. He came specifically to Paldea to study."
Lucas briefly explained the Paul and Reggie brothers' situation.
"The Battle Frontier heads are indeed formidable. Brandon's strength is said to rival Elite Four or Champion level."
Steven's gaze toward Paul gained new appreciation—and a familiar "itchy hands" look. In Hoenn it was common knowledge: impress Steven Stone, the Devon heir and Champion, and you would likely receive guidance. Outstanding performers might even receive gifts—priceless items or high-potential Pokémon. Lucas had read enough doujin novels to recognize the pattern. Before crossing over he had more than once considered running to Hoenn to get "sponsored" by Steven. Looks like Paul had caught the gold-master's eye.
(A fleeting mental image: in the journey anime Paul had a Metagross… could it have been a gift from Steven too?)
Before Lucas could dwell on it, both battles ended. Ash and Nemona clamored for more, but Steven suddenly proposed:
"Would everyone like to see the back mountain of my estate? All the Pokémon I personally nurture live there."
…