After finishing his explanation about Feebas's evolution requirements, Wallace reached into his pocket and took out a small, elegant velvet box.
When he opened it, a shimmering scale lay quietly inside.
The scale emitted a peculiar iridescent glow, its surface rippling with tiny specks of starlight. Its color was extremely similar to the scales on Milotic's tail.
"This is a scale shed by my Milotic," Wallace said softly. "Let your Feebas carry it. I hope this scale can lend strength to its evolution, and witness the moment when it shines with brilliance."
He handed the scale to Theo, his fingertips brushing lightly over its surface, his voice filled with expectation.
"Wallace… Champion Wallace, I…"
Theo had just begun to speak when Wallace lifted a hand to gently interrupt him.
"Of course, this scale is not given without condition. What I hope is this—if your Feebas successfully evolves, I want you to help make this matter known to the public."
"What do you mean?"
Theo asked, full of curiosity.
"Didn't you say before that the League kept Feebas's evolution a secret to prevent people from blindly catching them and then abandoning them? Why would that change now?"
"You're right," Wallace nodded softly, his tone becoming more serious.
"But finding a Feebas with excellent talent, then successfully raising it into a Milotic… is far more difficult than people imagine."
"The apprentices at Sootopolis Gym still haven't managed to raise another Milotic to this day. So, after talking with my mentor, Juan, we decided to try a different approach."
Wallace paused briefly before continuing:
"When I hosted the Wallace Cup in other regions, I once met a traveling lady who also had a Milotic. While chatting with her, she told me that her Milotic had evolved all on its own out in the wild."
"As a child, she found an injured Feebas on the beach. She kept encouraging it not to give up, and even made a promise—when it grew up, she wanted to ride on its back and explore the world together."
"To her surprise, that Feebas really did evolve into a Milotic and it returned to seek her out."
"In the Hoenn region, we've never had a documented case of a wild Feebas evolving into Milotic on its own. But after hearing her story…"
"I realized, perhaps this is the purest form of bond between humans and Pokémon. For the sake of a single promise, a Pokémon can unleash power far beyond imagination."
"That's why my mentor and I discussed it and decided to officially make Feebas's evolution public. We want more people to learn about Feebas, to participate in raising them, and to explore the possibilities of training Milotic together."
"For this plan, we've already prepared everything:"
"The Sootopolis Gym has opened up a brand-new marine area designed specifically to serve as an ideal habitat for Feebas."
"If anyone raises a Feebas and finds it too difficult or wants to give up, they can send the Feebas to our gym. We will buy them using League funds."
"I've also spoken with Steven. Devon Corporation will be fully supporting this project."
Wallace looked at Theo, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.
"Originally, we planned to officially announce this project at the Grand Festival held at the end of the year. But then… we met you."
"Even though we already have three examples of my Milotic, Robert's Milotic, and my mentor's Milotic, that's already enough to justify promoting this plan in Hoenn."
"But if we can add you, a brand new Trainer, to the list of people who successfully raised a Milotic, the influence of this project will rise to an even higher level."
"Besides," Wallace smiled warmly, "talking with you today has been incredibly enjoyable. Your views on Pokémon are so similar to mine, they align perfectly."
"I truly hope you continue walking far on the path of a Trainer, shining with a brilliance of your own."
After listening to Wallace's words, Theo felt deep gratitude. He bowed slightly and carefully accepted the precious scale.
Feebas seemed to sense something. It stopped playing with Milotic and Tyrunt. The gaze that had been glued to Milotic's tail fin instantly withdrew, falling directly onto the scale in Theo's hand.
Its large eyes shimmered with longing, and even its fins trembled slightly with anticipation.
Seeing this, Theo gently pressed the scale onto Feebas's back.
The moment it touched Feebas's body, a soft white light suddenly bloomed from Feebas's scales. The light was gentle yet undeniable—the unmistakable glow that often preceded evolution.
Theo's heart skipped a beat. Without realizing it, he held his breath.
Even Wallace leaned forward slightly, eyes fixed intently on Feebas.
Feebas also sensed something. It lifted its head a little, its purple body appearing almost transparent under the faint white glow.
The beautiful scale on its back seemed to come alive, the iridescent colors swirling more vividly than before. The rainbow light intertwined with the white glow, forming a soft, hazy aura.
Just as Theo thought evolution was finally happening—
The white glow suddenly receded, vanishing as if it had never existed.
Yet strangely, the scale did not fall off.
Instead, it seemed to take root—fusing seamlessly into Feebas's back. Its edges merged perfectly with Feebas's own purple scales, looking as though it had been there from the very beginning—natural and flawless.
Feebas shook its head in confusion. Then it flicked its tail, scattering droplets of water. The droplets landed on the scale, refracting tiny flecks of multicolored light.
Wallace's eyes lit up with unmistakable delight. He couldn't help but praise:
"As expected, this Feebas is being raised exceptionally well. There isn't a trace of the inferiority or timidness seen in most Feebas. Its confidence is overflowing."
"For any other Feebas, this scale wouldn't have reacted at all."
Wallace leaned in to examine the newly fused scale. Already, half of the scale's original iridescent color had faded, gradually transforming into the same purple hue as Feebas's body.
Seeing this, Wallace gave Theo a serious reminder:
"At this rate, this little one has already accumulated enough energy for evolution. All it needs is a little stimulus—something to kindle its desire for beauty. Once that desire is triggered, it'll quickly finish merging with the scale and evolve."
Theo lowered his head to look at the Feebas. The little fish was rubbing its smooth head lovingly against his palm.
Its eyes were pure and bright, clearly overjoyed with the sparkling new decoration on its back.
It stayed obediently by his side, happily watching Theo and Wallace talk.
As for words like "the ugliest Pokémon," "inferiority," and "timidness"—Feebas didn't understand any of that.
All Feebas knew was that ever since it was captured, its Trainer kept calling it pretty, cute, clever, and amazing.
Its Trainer also repeated all the praise people wrote in the livestream chat, word for word, just to let it hear.
Even if Feebas didn't understand some of those praise-filled words, it understood the general meaning:
"I, Feebas, am incredibly cute and powerful and so many, many people like me!"
But what Feebas loved most was that its Trainer possessed magical abilities of little green lights and little white lights.
The green lights made its whole body warm and cozy, while the white ones slipped quietly into its mind, imprinting the shapes of moves so clearly that learning them became effortless.
Its Trainer was the best Trainer in the entire world.
Theo, of course, had no idea what Feebas was thinking. While gently stroking the little one's head, he said:
"Stimulate its desire for beauty… I understand. Champion Wallace, I already have an idea. Please look forward to my next Contest livestream. I promise it will surprise you!"
"Oh?" Wallace raised his eyebrows, amused.
"Sounds like you've thought of something new again. Very well, I'll be watching your livestream. I expect a big surprise!"
"You'll definitely get one, Champion Wallace! I'm completely confident!"
Theo nodded vigorously, his voice firm and filled with belief.
Seeing the grown-ups talking, Feebas realized it had nothing more to do, so it happily flicked its tail and swam back towards Tyrunt. The two Pokémon immediately resumed chasing Milotic's gorgeous tail fin with high enthusiasm.
Wallace watched the three Pokémon playing together harmoniously, then glanced at Theo. The sense of "the next generation is in good hands" filled his chest more strongly than ever.
He lifted his wrist to check the time, then smiled.
"It's getting late. You should all head back to rest. Prepare well for your journey ahead. At the Grand Festival in Slateport City, I'll be waiting to witness your brilliant performance."
(End of Chapter)