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Inside the President's office on the top floor of Devon Corp.
Steven sat in the main guest chair, while Kai and Erika shared the couch opposite him. Erika quietly enjoyed watching the two men talk; she chimed in now and then, and the atmosphere in the office felt warm and relaxed.
Though Steven was impeccably polite, he wasn't naturally talkative. Still, raised as the heir of a multinational corporation, he knew how to carry himself managing the flow of conversation with grace, reading the room effortlessly, and maintaining a refined, almost effortless elegance in every gesture.
Besides the three of them, only President Stone was present.
Kuroda had returned to his duties, especially with all the follow-up work involving Team Aqua. As the president, Stone seemed surprisingly carefree leaning back in his chair with a contented smile, watching the young trainers talk. It was clear he genuinely hoped Steven could befriend someone as capable as Kai.
Steven slid a teacup toward Kai and Erika. "I've been traveling nonstop lately, collecting different kinds of rare stones. I stopped by Devon today just to drop off my latest finds for analysis… and the moment I walk in, I'm told the company was just attacked."
Erika tilted her head. "What kind of stones are they?"
"Stones infused with unique energies," Steven said with an excited smile. "They're hidden in mountains, caves, underwater ruins… Some already have names. Others haven't even been classified yet. Many still have unknown effects."
He paused, then added:
"You know about Mega Stones, right? Before people discovered their true purpose, no one had any idea they held that kind of evolutionary power. Once their potential was uncovered, they became priceless treasures. That's what fascinates me—unexplored stones, hidden power, mysteries waiting to be unlocked."
It was an unusual hobby, but undeniably meaningful. If Steven ever made a discovery that changed the world, it wouldn't be surprising.
Kai thought for a moment.
During his travels, he'd seen plenty of stones Fire Stones, Leaf Stones, Everstones—nothing unusual. Only one stood out as truly extraordinary: the Soul Dew created from Latias and Latios in the Sea City incident.
He mentioned it casually.
But Steven nearly jumped out of his seat.
"What!? You actually saw a Soul Dew!?"
Kai nodded. "In the Sea City ruins. It held incredible power—strong enough to revive fossils and even trigger massive tidal waves. And its appearance… it really was stunning."
"I've heard the legends," Steven said breathlessly. "Supposedly a Soul Dew forms when Latias and Latios sacrifice themselves and condense all their power into a single crystal. I always thought it was just a myth, but if it truly exists… I should've been there myself!"
For a stone collector like Steven, the Soul Dew, even if not a literal 'stone', was irresistibly fascinating.
But Kai quickly cooled his excitement.
"You won't find it anymore. The Soul Dew was corrupted and destroyed. It's gone."
He briefly explained the events of Sea City but kept to himself the details about Suicune, and about catching Latias and Latios.
Steven let out a soft sigh. "Still… what an incredible experience."
Then he looked at Kai more seriously. "You came to Hoenn for the Grand Festival, right?"
"Of course," Kai said with a grin. "Catching Hoenn Pokémon, taking on the Gym Challenge, and winning the Festival that's my plan."
"Then you'd better be ready," Steven warned with a spark in his eye. "Hoenn trainers aren't pushovers. The Grand Festival is more intense than Silver or Indigo. Winning won't be easy. Oh, and by the way—" He straightened proudly. "I'm the reigning champion of the previous Festival. If you ever want advice, just ask."
Kai almost laughed aloud.
So that was the real reason.
All that talk about "being careful"… was just Steven showing off.
…
After discussing their training methods and sharing insights, Steven personally walked them to the elevator. He had wanted to battle Kai, but Kai politely declined.
Most of his main team wasn't with him at the moment—if he fought using only Dragonite and Tyranitar, the match could go either way, and Kai didn't want an uncertain or forced battle.
It was similar to the Silver Conference he had also turned down the invitation to challenge the Elite Four afterward. Not because he lacked confidence, but because he wanted to conquer every regional challenge first, then return one by one and defeat the Elite Four on his own terms.
Leaving the streets around Devon Corp., Kai and Erika were just about to head toward Rustboro Gym when Erika's Pokégear chimed with an incoming cross-regional video call.
The caller was a staff member from the Celadon Gym someone Kai had seen working at Erika's perfume shop, and a close friend of hers.
"Erika! The Gym repairs are finished! The League inspectors were here earlier asking where you were. When we told them you were traveling in Hoenn, they told us to contact you immediately. They want you to return and resume your position as Gym Leader."
Erika and Kai exchanged tense looks.
When Erika left Celadon, she'd explained that the Gym had suffered a massive fire, forcing extended repairs. That downtime was the only reason she was able to travel with Kai.
They had known this day would come eventually…
But hearing it now still sent a twist through both their hearts.
Sigh… what's meant to come will always come.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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