Oreburgh Mine, Oreburgh City.
When Austin Black returned to Oreburgh City from Hearthome, the rare Pokémon he had scanned the previous day was nowhere to be found.
It had been a Shiny Pokémon. Either another Trainer had already caught it, or it had simply wandered away.
Its disappearance within a single day made one thing clear. Austin and that Shiny Pokémon simply weren't destined to meet.
He had been tied up with yesterday's competition, leaving him no time to search further. There was no point in dwelling on it.
Austin had never been the type to obsess over collecting Shiny Pokémon. The only Shiny that truly captivated him was Zenith.
Still, the trip hadn't been without rewards.
Thanks to Ryu's sharp senses, Austin had discovered a strange meteorite hidden deep within the mine.
If it had been an ordinary meteorite, he wouldn't have paid it much attention.
This one, however, was anything but ordinary.
The system's appraisal read:
[A meteorite emitting a seven-colored radiance from its core]
The stone felt pleasantly warm in his hands, and faint patterns covered its weathered surface. Unfortunately, Austin couldn't make sense of the markings.
Perhaps Steven could.
If there was anyone fascinated by mysterious stones, it was the Hoenn Champion.
Austin was certain Steven would find this meteorite irresistible.
"You're pretty lucky. You actually found a meteorite."
A cheerful voice pulled Austin from his thoughts.
The speaker wore glasses, a miner's helmet, dusty work clothes, and carried a shovel over one shoulder. He looked every bit the seasoned miner.
Austin couldn't help but think Steven would probably get along with him instantly.
The young man grinned.
"Don't worry, I'm not some suspicious stranger. I'm Roark, Oreburgh City's Gym Leader."
As he spoke, he pointed proudly at the Gym emblem stitched onto his sleeve.
"I actually came over because I spotted the Lucario beside you. Then I noticed you'd picked up that meteorite."
From a distance, Roark had immediately recognized the exceptionally well-trained Ryu and couldn't resist coming over to chat.
Now that he'd introduced himself, Austin took a closer look.
The dust-covered young man really was Roark.
Like Brock, he specialized in Rock-type Pokémon.
Austin extended a hand.
"Austin Black. I didn't dig it up. I just happened to find it."
Roark quickly removed his gloves before firmly shaking his hand.
"That's still incredible luck."
Austin thought about it for a moment.
Being transported into the Pokémon world, living alongside Pokémon, and then receiving the system...
Everything that had happened since then bordered on miraculous.
Luck had certainly played a part.
"My luck has been pretty good."
. . .
"So your family runs a Breeding House?"
Roark rarely spent time browsing video platforms. His days were usually split between the Oreburgh Gym and the Oreburgh Mine, so he had no idea who Austin was.
"My sister is an ancient history researcher."
Their casual conversation was interrupted by a shout echoing from deeper within the mine.
"Roark! Get over here! We found something!"
Roark immediately turned toward the voice.
"Sorry, duty calls. We'll talk another time."
Before leaving, the two exchanged contact information.
Roark hurried toward his coworkers.
Austin had no intention of following.
It was probably another fossil or an unusual mineral deposit.
It wasn't as though they were about to unearth a Ting-Lu.
"Zenith, let's go."
The gleaming silver body of the Shiny Metagross reflected the afternoon sunlight, dazzling everyone nearby.
Watching Austin soar into the sky atop Zenith, Roark blinked in disbelief.
"A Shiny Metagross...?"
He stared until Austin disappeared into the distance.
"I've got the feeling I just met someone I should know. Hmm, I'll look into him later."
. . .
Ever since obtaining the system, Austin had gradually lost interest in video games, shopping, and most ordinary hobbies. The only social activity he still actively enjoyed was chatting with everyone in Red's group.
Watching yesterday's tournament and attending the outdoor movie that morning had become one of his rare opportunities to relax.
Zenith descended smoothly into the courtyard of the Breeding House.
"Welcome back, Austin."
"Big Brother Austin!"
Everything at the Breeding House continued operating smoothly during Austin's absence. The place certainly wouldn't stop functioning just because he was away.
Austin smiled at his Pokémon.
"Go on. Train however you like."
"Lucario!"
One valuable lesson Austin had learned from Blue was to let Pokémon take charge of much of their own training.
Blue had taken the idea even further.
He had even entrusted Alakazam with managing the Viridian Gym and battling challengers in his place. Meanwhile, Blue spent his time battling Red or conducting research alongside Professor Oak.
His life was remarkably comfortable.
Those were the fruits of Blue's experience.
As for whether Pokémon could truly improve through independent training...
Austin honestly didn't care.
Even if they never became any stronger, he would still raise them with the same care. By now, Ryu, Agni, Zenith, and the rest were no longer simply members of his team.
They were family.
Passing by the warehouse, Austin glanced inside.
His grandfather was carefully examining a newly delivered shipment of breeding materials, while his father held a handful under his nose, identifying the ingredients by scent.
"Grandpa. Dad."
His grandfather looked up briefly, gave a small nod of acknowledgment, then returned his attention to the materials.
His father was far more enthusiastic.
"Austin, you're back? Perfect timing. The Eevee all need grooming and baths today. You can handle it."
Typical.
"Sure."
The excitement on Leon Black's face made his intentions painfully obvious.
Finally, someone else can deal with this.
Austin could only shake his head with a helpless smile.
Across the room, his grandfather shot Leon a disappointed glare that practically screamed, You're hopeless.
Fortunately, Austin hadn't inherited that particular habit.
The old man quietly abandoned the urge to give his son another lecture.
With spring arriving, the entire region was coming back to life.
As temperatures climbed, Pokémon entered both their breeding and shedding seasons.
The Eevee at the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House were no exception.
Their thick winter coats were beginning to fall away, making regular brushing essential.
An Eevee couldn't properly manage its own coat.
While they instinctively groomed themselves by licking their fur, it wasn't enough to remove loose hair, tangled patches, or dust and grit picked up from running around outside.
A neglected coat didn't just ruin an Eevee's appearance. It could also affect the Pokémon's overall health and breeding condition.
Since all eight of the family's Eevee were allowed to roam freely throughout the property, bits of sand, leaves, and dirt inevitably became trapped deep within their fluffy fur.
Cleaning them all was a major undertaking.
Fortunately, Austin's Intermediate Affinity made the process much easier.
The Eevee naturally trusted him.
As Austin casually scooped one of them into his arms, Rosalina froze in disbelief.
"W... what?!"
She rubbed her eyes.
"That Eevee never lets anyone pick it up!"
Rosalina helped care for the Eevee every day and knew each one's personality better than most.
The particular Eevee Austin had lifted was famously aloof.
It refused to be held by anyone.
Yet now...
The little fox Pokémon rested comfortably against Austin's chest, its ears flicking contentedly.
"Vee..."
Even its normally proud cry had softened into an affectionate murmur.
Rosalina clutched her chest dramatically.
"Aww, Eevee... you've changed."
Austin couldn't help laughing.
"Rose, I'll leave the brushing to you."
Rosalina immediately puffed out her chest.
"Leave it to me."
Austin tied on an apron before preparing the bathing area.
Bathing an Eevee wasn't much different from bathing a Glameow. The biggest difference was the products used. Eevee required a gentler shampoo formulated specifically for its sensitive fur. They also preferred warmer water.
Around 43 degrees Celsius was ideal.
Warm water flowed steadily over the Eevee's soft coat, soaking every strand.
Austin gently supported its chin with one hand while carefully massaging the shampoo through its fur with the other.
The Eevee slowly narrowed its eyes.
Its tiny body relaxed completely as a satisfied purr rumbled from its throat.
Watching the scene unfold, Rosalina could only sigh in admiration.
"Austin... you're incredible."
She shook her head with a wry smile.
To Rosalina, it felt almost magical.
The stubborn little Pokémon that usually acted so proud and distant had transformed into an obedient, affectionate companion the moment Austin arrived.
. . .
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