The rear half of Steven's manor (crossed-out "home") featured a rather exaggerated rocky peak. Vegetation was sparse—fitting Steven's preferences—and the entire mountain had clearly been personally surveyed by him. It was ideal habitat for Rock- and Steel-types.
The butler drove several off-road vehicles to the base. From there they walked; the mountain road was best traversed on foot. Not long after starting, Lucas noticed Wallace's odd expression.
"What's wrong? Still thinking about the battle? You didn't even lose—you beat Nemona with a type disadvantage. Perfect 'old ginger is spicier' performance."
Wallace shook his head blankly. "You'll understand when we get there."
His sage-mode aura intensified. Lucas felt a premonition that something extraordinary awaited.
They soon reached a mountain path near the peak. A massive figure waited. Sensing them, it stood and nuzzled Steven's raised hand with surprising gentleness for its size—an Aggron, fully armored in iron, looking every bit the monster. Yet before Steven it was a loyal giant, movements careful and tender.
Steven introduced it: not the Aggron that had fought Groudon that morning (currently receiving treatment for armor liquefaction). This one was "inherited" from his father Mr. Stone—nearly a hundred years old, passed down from Steven's great-grandfather's era. It had earned great merits for the then-small Devon Corporation and now enjoyed retirement here while helping manage the mountain.
Lucas studied the old veteran. Even in moonlight its armor color and wear spoke of great age compared to Steven's prime specimen. After a brief exchange Steven received a nod of approval. The Aggron was used to its master bringing promising juniors; this group looked harmless.
"Shall we?" Steven smiled, leading the way.
Ash and the younger ones chattered excitedly about the Rock- and Steel-types they expected. Soon they stopped before a large cave. No electric lights—preserving a natural environment—made the entrance look like a beast's gaping maw. Before Lucas could call Luxray, the ever-efficient butler acted.
"Volbeat, if you please."
A firefly-like Pokémon appeared, its tail glowing with soft, warm light—perfect illumination without glare.
Inside the unexpectedly spacious cave, everyone froze.
Dozens—easily over a hundred—Beldum hung from the walls like bats, gray-blue bodies ending in a single red eye. Hoenn's famous "quasi-god," officially the "late-blooming Pokémon," final evolution base stat total 600. Steel/Psychic, capable of magnetic levitation despite their heavy iron bodies.
The silence was absolute. Even Brock, May, and Max stood slack-jawed. Anyone with sense recognized the incalculable value of a hundred-plus Beldum in one cave. If hunters or poachers ever learned of this…
Lance's mouth twitched. If these were Dratini instead, even the ancient Dragon clan would be outclassed in numbers. When Steven mentioned several other caves on the mountain also housing Beldum populations, Lance nearly short-circuited.
Hoenn's tycoon is on another level…
Lucas's own mouth twitched. He was witnessing the real-life version of doujin-novel "Steven's Beldum covering entire mountains." No wonder Steven could produce a shiny Metagross—pure money. The mineral requirements alone for feeding this many Beldum must have been astronomical.
They toured other caves. Most common Hoenn Rock- and Steel-types were present: Geodude lines, Nosepass, Aron, Rhyhorn… Fossil Pokémon were rare, however. Steven explained that revival technology was still immature; suitable fossils were extremely scarce, and habitat simulation was difficult. His own fossil Pokémon lived in Devon-created environments within the manor. Ancient survivors existed but were too few for mass breeding.
"Still, if any of you truly want a fossil Pokémon, I can show you my collection room. Plenty of fossils there. If you find one you like, I'll take you to Devon to attempt revival."
Even Wallace—long accustomed to his friend's extravagance—felt a pang at the casual mention of sky-high revival costs. He was still saving for his own ancient Relicanth-gene fossil via contests.
After the tour Steven could no longer contain his impulse.
"This is my personal thank-you gift. If any of you are interested in a particular Pokémon, try interacting with them. If they accept you, you may capture and take them. Fossils work the same way."
For Steven money was merely numbers. The populations he had poured resources into continued to thrive; many young ones yearned to see the wider world. He frequently sought worthy trainers for them. Mutual choice was ideal—a true win-win.
Ash's hand shot up instantly. "Me me me, Sir Steven!!"
Nemona followed, dragging Paul and Shizuka. May hesitated then raised hers. Steven knew May and Max as children of the "closest-to-Elite-Four" Gym Leader and readily agreed—provided the Pokémon consented. Forcing the issue would earn disapproval from both Steven and the Aggron guarding the base.
Wallace declined. Lance politely refused on grounds of specializing in Dragon-types. Steven turned to Lucas and Brock—the undecided pair.
Brock, face slightly flushed, finally asked about fossils. Steven smiled warmly. "Of course. As a Rock-type specialist it's only natural you'd desire ancient fossil Pokémon. Kabuto, Omastar, Aerodactyl… I'll show you the collection later."
Brock's eyes shone with pure gratitude.
All eyes now turned to Lucas. Steven's gaze carried extra firmness. Lucas had planned to decline like Lance, but one look told him the truth: everyone else could refuse, but he was the one Steven was determined to thank.
No escaping the doujin-protagonist fate of being showered with coins by Steven…
After a few seconds' thought Lucas raised his hand. "Capturing a Pokémon is fine, but… how about I just look through your collection and pick something suitable instead?"