Steven ignored Garchomp's murderous glare and shared his journey with Cynthia.
"That's amazing! Metagross's strength has improved so quickly," Cynthia said, her voice tinged with envy.
"You know, I've been thinking—I really want Garchomp to be able to Mega Evolve. Do you think it's possible?" she asked.
"Of course Garchomp can Mega Evolve," Steven replied with a slight smile.
Though he didn't mention that after Mega Evolution, Garchomp's speed would decrease significantly.
He wondered if Cynthia would still want Garchomp to Mega Evolve once she learned that particular detail.
"Really?!" Cynthia's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Absolutely. I'll find some time to dig up a Garchompite for you."
"I don't know what gift I could possibly give you in return," Cynthia said, sounding troubled by the thought.
"You don't need to give me anything. After all, I'm still making up for what happened before," Steven chuckled lightly. "Consider it my apology to you."
"Alright..." Cynthia's lively gray eyes swirled thoughtfully as she spoke.
Steven knew full well that this statement was just for show.
"By the way, has your hair grown a bit longer?" he asked.
"Huh? Doesn't everyone's hair grow?" Cynthia retorted playfully.
"I mean, are you planning to grow it out?" Steven clarified with a smile.
After all, the Cynthia he remembered from the games had long, flowing golden hair that reached all the way down to her calves.
"I do have that plan, actually. What, do you think I wouldn't look good with long hair?" she challenged.
"No, you'd definitely look beautiful with long hair."
"So you're saying my current hairstyle doesn't look good?" Cynthia feigned annoyance.
Steven sighed internally. Why was she always setting traps for him?
"What I find beautiful is you as a person. Whether you have long hair or short hair, I can say 'beautiful' without any hesitation."
"Even if you went bald, I'd still say you're beautiful. Want to test that theory?" Steven's lips curved upward, unable to suppress a smile.
"Get lost! Who wants to go bald!" Cynthia laughed as she scolded him.
Looking at the energetic girl before him, Steven couldn't imagine what would eventually transform her into the dignified and calm Champion he remembered.
Was it simply age and experience?
"I think next time I'll have Garchomp shave your head bald!" Cynthia threatened with a grin.
"Gar-chomp?!" Garchomp suddenly perked up, becoming noticeably eager.
Little Cynthia, I'm taking that seriously! You can't go back on your word now!
"I think Garchomp really does want to shave my head," Steven said with amusement, pointing behind Cynthia.
Cynthia turned her head curiously and saw Garchomp looking incredibly eager.
Garchomp's expression immediately froze when their eyes met.
You little brat! Just you wait!
"You shouldn't take jokes so seriously, Garchomp," Cynthia chided gently.
"Gar-chomp..." Garchomp slumped in disappointment.
That blue-haired kid... Just wait until I get my chance!
Steven and Cynthia chatted for quite some time. They only ended the call when Steven's stomach became unbearably hungry.
Cynthia was presumably in a similar state.
Guess I'll be the bad guy and end the call first!
Just as Steven was preparing dinner for his Pokémon, the director of the Weather Institute approached him, holding a Poké Ball.
"Steven, we don't have much to offer as thanks, so please accept this Castform."
Castform was a unique Pokémon that could transform into different forms depending on the weather—Sunny Form, Rainy Form, and Snowy Form.
However, Steven had always just deposited it in the PC storage system whenever he obtained one in the games. Given that history, it would be better not to accept it now.
"Thank you for your kindness, Director, but I only intervened because I happened to encounter Team Aqua members passing by."
"I didn't do it for recognition or rewards, so please take it back." Steven gently pushed away the director's outstretched hand.
"As a Trainer from the Hoenn Region, it's only natural to do such things."
Due to Steven's firm refusal, the director eventually took Castform back.
"Very well, I won't insist further. However, we remain deeply grateful to you!" The director said, bowing slightly to Steven.
Steven stayed at the Weather Institute for a while longer. After his Pokémon finished their dinner, he ate some bread himself before bidding farewell to the staff.
After all, there weren't many beds available, and Steven didn't feel comfortable asking the researchers to give up their beds for him.
Steven left the Weather Institute carrying a black folding umbrella. He crossed the suspension bridge and entered the nearby forest.
"Metagross, help me find a cave, please."
The wilderness wasn't lacking in caves. Many Pokémon would carve holes in rock faces to escape the rain, providing shelter for weaker Pokémon as well.
"Meta-gross!" Metagross emerged from its Poké Ball and immediately used its Psychic abilities to sense the surrounding environment.
It quickly located a suitable cave.
"Meta-gross!"
Metagross simply used its Psychic power to lift Steven onto its head, creating a Psychic barrier to block the falling rain, and flew toward the cave's location.
Under normal circumstances, Steven would stand on the small, protruding circular section of Metagross's body.
However, his shoe soles were currently covered in mud, and Steven didn't feel right about stepping on Metagross like that, even though Metagross wouldn't mind at all.
When Steven arrived at the nearest cave, he genuinely startled the Pokémon huddled inside for shelter.
It was unclear whether they were more frightened by Steven himself or by the imposing Metagross.
Steven retrieved his safety helmet and put it on, using the headlamp to scan the Pokémon gathered in the cave.
They were common Pokémon—Oddish, Zigzagoon, and Linoone.
Steven took out some neutral-flavored Pokéblocks and distributed them to these rain-sheltering Pokémon, considering it a "rent" payment for sharing their space.
These Pokémon gradually realized that Steven seemed to have no ill intentions and lowered their guard against him.
What? We definitely won't admit that what he gave us smelled absolutely delicious!
Steven leaned against one side of the cave wall, watching the fine raindrops falling outside.
Setting everything else aside, the sound had a rather ASMR-like quality to it.
No wonder people said the most comfortable thing to do on a rainy day was to curl up in bed and sleep.
Though Steven was leaning against the hard cave wall, making the experience considerably less pleasant.
Listening to the rain for too long, his eyelids gradually grew heavy.
"Mm..."
Steven, who had drifted into a light sleep, was suddenly awakened by a chill. He opened his blurry eyes.
The rain had stopped at some point, and a sliver of moonlight spilled across the puddles on the ground.
A figure in white with bare feet treading on the damp earth appeared before him. Long white hair fluttered with her movements.
It was as if a ghostly maiden was dancing in the moonlight.
Steven rubbed his eyes, feeling somewhat dazed. There was a strange sense of familiarity about the figure.
After he lowered his hands from rubbing his eyes, the white-clad figure had vanished without a trace, as if she had never existed at all.
"Was I dreaming?" Steven turned his head in confusion, glancing at Metagross resting beside him.
If there had been a person or Pokémon nearby, Metagross should have woken up as well.
Had he really been seeing things?
"That doesn't make sense... If it were a dream, shouldn't it be of someone in a black dress with golden hair?"
"Why would it be a white dress with white hair?"
"And why did she give me such a familiar feeling?"
Steven rubbed his temples, wondering if it was due to excessive fatigue lately.
After scanning the area a few more times and confirming there was nothing unusual, Steven moved closer to Metagross.
He immediately felt completely safe!
Meanwhile, the white-clad maiden sat on a treetop, swinging her pure white legs gently.
The mud from earlier seemed to deliberately avoid her feet, which remained as clean as if she had just stepped out of a bath.
The maiden looked at the faint outline beside her—an outline that closely resembled her own appearance.
However, there was one difference: this figure's hair was light blue, and she appeared more mature than the white-clad maiden.
The maiden waved her hand, and the faint outline scattered like dandelion seeds blown by the wind, dissolving into particles of starlight.
The maiden exhaled, looking visibly relieved.
Then, with tears welling in her eyes, she gazed up at the moon, which had emerged from behind the dark clouds and now shone with pure, brilliant light.
Tonight's moon is so beautifully full...