Theo had already been roasted by the blazing sun until his mouth was dry, so he agreed without hesitation and followed Vivi toward the house.
On the way, Vivi chattered nonstop about her family:
"We grow lots and lots of different kinds of Berries here! They're all types that can survive in really hot places like Oran Berries, Pecha Berries…
My dad is in charge of watering them, my mom takes care of the crops, and my grandma is the most amazing, she knows so many ways to use different kinds of Berries!"
When she said this, Vivi suddenly slowed down. Her small hand pinched the hem of her dress as her eyes shimmered with longing.
"My older brother also went out traveling to challenge Gym Leaders. He's already defeated five Gym Leaders, and he'll be able to participate in the Hoenn League Conference soon.
I really want to be like him and travel with Marill and challenge Gyms! But Grandma says I'm still too young…"
Vivi kicked a little pebble at her feet. Her voice was tinged with grievance, yet there was a stubborn edge in it:
"Grandma said I have to catch a Numel first. She said Numel is a Fire–Ground type, perfect for countering the Electric-type Pokémon of Mauville Gym. If I have it, I'll be able to defeat Leader Wattson someday.
But I think Marill is really strong too… It already learned Bubble Beam…"
While she spoke, the two had already reached the main house.
The courtyard was wider than Theo expected. Smooth blue-gray stone slabs paved the ground, and in the middle, white powder had been used to draw the standard markings of a battle arena, clearly set up especially for Pokémon battles.
A gray-haired but spirited old lady was sitting under the eaves on a bamboo chair, fanning herself to cool down. When she saw Theo, her eyes brightened, and her warm smile deepened the wrinkles at the corner of her eyes.
"Another traveling Trainer, I see? Come in, come in!"
She was Vivi's grandmother, Vicky.
"Dad! Mom!"
Vivi called out crisply.
A middle-aged man carrying a bucket near the fields turned around—it was Vivi's father, Victor. Beside him was a gray-brown Ursaring with a healthy glossy coat that shone under the sunlight.
When it saw Theo, it gave a friendly nod and tapped its owner's arm with its paw.
Victor chuckled and nodded at Theo.
"It must've been scorching along the road, right? Come in and take a break."
Under the shade next to the courtyard, a middle-aged woman was bending over a bamboo basket full of freshly picked Berries of blue Oran Berries and pink Pecha Berries piled up in abundance.
When she saw Vivi bring someone home, she immediately straightened up and greeted him warmly:
"You must be a passing Trainer, right? Come in, come in! We have watermelon inside, it'll help cool you down."
"Grandma, Mom, this is Big Brother Theo!"
Vivi ran back to Grandma Vicky and her mother Victoria, proudly pointing at the Tyrunt trotting behind Theo.
"This Pokémon is super strong! It's called Tyrunt, and when Marill used Bubble Beam on it earlier, it didn't even hurt at all!"
Tyrunt, as if understanding the praise, puffed out its chest proudly. It strutted on its short, thick legs toward Vicky, Victor, and Victoria, raising its big head as it paced back and forth. From time to time, it let out short, low growls—showing off its strength.
Victor and Victoria also walked over to take a closer look at Tyrunt. Tyrunt wasn't shy at all, approaching each one of them eagerly. Victor chuckled.
"What a handsome little Pokémon!"
Hearing the compliment, Tyrunt let out a smug rumble, running up to Victor and purposely swinging its thick tail from side to side, thumping the ground loudly to demonstrate its power.
Vicky watched all this with a deepened smile, the corners of her eyes folding warmly. She looked up and examined Theo with friendly curiosity.
"Come, sit down, sit down. Victoria, go cut up some watermelon for our guest.
Our family loves battling with passing Trainers. This courtyard was built just for Pokémon battles."
She gently waved her fan as she spoke unhurriedly:
"Many Trainers used to pass by here on their way to Mt. Chimney, Hoenn's famous active volcano. Though it's dormant now, the landscape around the crater is still unique and attracts a lot of Trainers.
We battle with the Trainers who come through. If they win, we give them some Berries as a reward. If they lose, it's no big deal—we all just sit together, eat watermelon, and chat. It gets really lively!"
Victoria came out with a platter of neatly arranged watermelon slices. The red flesh and black seeds looked incredibly refreshing.
She added with a bright smile:
"After news of the Mirage Tower spread, even more Trainers started coming this way, so our place became even busier.
These watermelons were grown specifically for passing Trainers. In weather like this, nothing cools you down better than a sweet slice of watermelon!"
Theo accepted the chilled watermelon from Grandma Vicky. The icy touch spread through his fingertips, instantly cooling him down.
After thanking her, he glanced at his Pokémon, especially Tyrunt, who was staring at the watermelon with shining eyes.
"Grandma, can I let my other partners try some too?"
"Of course you can!"
Vicky waved her fan, smiling warmly.
"Bring them all out! Let us meet your cute little friends."
At her encouragement, Theo lightly tapped two Poké Balls at his waist. With two flashes of red light, Feebas and Beldum appeared in the courtyard.
Beldum, as always, hovered through telekinesis, while Feebas spat out a small stream of water to keep itself afloat so it wouldn't fall onto the ground.
Vicky and Victor's attention was immediately captured—especially when Beldum was floating in the air.
Vicky suddenly let out a surprised "Oh?" and squinted to take a closer look.
"This Pokémon… why does it look so familiar?"
Victor came over as well, his gaze carefully examining Beldum from top to bottom. He suddenly slapped his thigh, speaking with absolute certainty:
"This looks exactly like Champion Steven's shiny Metagross!
I have a League special edition magazine with Beldum's information. It said that normally they are blue but Champion Steven's is the only silver-white one!"
"Champion Steven?!"
Vivi's eyes instantly widened. She grabbed onto Theo's sleeve tightly and shook him with excitement.
"Big Brother Theo, you actually know Champion Steven?!
He's one of the strongest Trainers in the whole League! I admire him the most!"
As she said this, she puffed out her chest and clenched her little fists, proudly declaring her ambition:
"I'm going to become a Champion-level Trainer just like him in the future!"
Vicky chuckled and shook her fan gently.
"This little girl talks about becoming Champion every single day. Now that she's seen a Pokémon like Champion Steven's, she's going to be even more fired up."
Beldum grew embarrassed under everyone's attention and floated closer behind Theo.
Seeing this, Victoria quickly offered it a piece of watermelon.
"Want to try? It's really sweet."
Beldum hesitated for a moment before opening the small black hole beside its eye and carefully absorbing the watermelon bit by bit.
The entire Winstrate family watched its strange eating manner with curiosity.
Feeling all their eyes fixed on it, Beldum gradually slowed its eating. Its single red eye revealed shy embarrassment, and finally it stopped altogether—floating fully behind Theo with only half an eye peeking out to observe the others.
Seeing this, everyone tactfully stepped back a little, no longer staring at Beldum while it ate.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Man, I was watched too many suspense horror movies that starts like this or like that game last year where the whole family of Jason is hunting you.