After the treatment was complete, Nurse Joy gave a few brief instructions.
Metagross should not engage in overly intense battles or training for the next few days.
Steven naturally nodded in agreement, expressing his gratitude to Nurse Joy.
Steven didn't stay long in Sootopolis City. He left the day after acquiring the badge, taking a plane from Mossdeep City directly to Rustboro City.
He also let Scizor return to Petalburg Woods to visit the Pokémon there, just in case Scizor wasn't around and other Pokémon got bullied.
Riolu, who liked following behind Scizor, also went along to Petalburg Woods.
To avoid any unexpected situations, Steven gave Riolu a pager. As long as it was pressed, Steven's PokéNav would receive the signal.
Although a Champion-level Scizor wasn't someone many would dare to provoke, it was still good to be cautious.
Afterward, Steven went to Devon Corporation.
Before returning, Steven had already discussed the Pokédex and "Pokémon" game with Joseph. Joseph had expressed support for Steven's idea, and the proposal for developing "Pokémon" had already begun production.
Steven went to the top-floor president's office, but his father wasn't there.
Secretary Kuroda told Steven that Joseph said he hadn't had much inspiration recently, so he'd decided to go for a walk.
"However, the president said that after you return, you can go directly to the R&D department to check on things," Kuroda said.
"Okay, I understand," Steven nodded. "Thank you for your hard work, Kuroda."
Steven turned and headed to the R&D department, where Pokémon modeling was currently underway.
It wasn't the pixel art style Steven was familiar with, but then again, it made sense. With the technological level of the Pokémon world, it was perfectly fine to create realistic Pokémon models.
It wasn't some technologically backward era.
However, Steven still preferred pixel art more.
"Vice President, what do you think of this?" A researcher saw Steven, approached him with a laptop, and asked.
"Huh? Vice President?" Steven was startled. When did he become Vice President?
His father hadn't told him!
"Hmm? You didn't know? President Stone announced yesterday that you're now the company's Vice President."
The researcher looked surprised.
"I see," Steven said with a helpless smile.
No wonder he'd been told to come directly to the R&D department to check on things—it turned out he'd just been handed the position of Vice President.
The development of the Pokédex and "Pokémon" must succeed, otherwise Steven would feel quite uncomfortable with this "Vice President" title.
Steven looked at the content on the computer, which showed a prototype of the Hoenn Region map.
After giving simple praise, Steven pointed out some areas that needed obstacles, as well as locations for Hidden Machines.
It needed to be progressive.
Bang—
Piplup ran out on its own, its eyes full of curiosity as it looked at the surrounding electronic equipment and the group of white-coated personnel running around.
Just as it was about to explore, it was suddenly nudged back by Steven's leg.
Piplup, caught between Steven's calves, struggled.
"Piplup! ヽ（≧□≦）ノ"
Let me out!
"Don't be mischievous," Steven whispered.
"Piplup!"
I'm not mischievous!
Hmm...
I shouldn't be mischievous, right?
I just got your sleeping stuff wet before.
I haven't done anything now... (.＞Д＜)o
After answering a few questions from the researchers, Steven gathered the researchers who had participated in the development of the PokéNav.
He instructed them to pack their things and go to Pallet Town in the Kanto Region to discuss the development of the new Pokédex with Professor Oak.
Devon Corporation would reimburse all expenses.
After dealing with the R&D issues, Steven finally managed to step out and catch his breath.
"Vice President!"
Steven sighed softly, turning his head to see a researcher running out with a messenger bag.
"This is a new space backpack developed by Devon Corporation. President Stone said to give it to you when you returned," the researcher explained.
"This backpack is smaller, lighter, has more space, and its durability has been greatly upgraded."
The backpack Steven currently used was already small, but he didn't expect this new one to be even smaller.
"Is that so? Thank you," Steven said, taking the messenger bag.
Watching the researcher jog back inside, Steven went to the lobby on the first floor of Devon Corporation and transferred everything from his old backpack into this new space backpack.
"It's quite spacious," Steven found that there was still about half the space remaining after putting everything in.
He didn't need to keep layering items anymore.
Steven had also been worried it would burst if he packed too much.
Leaving his old backpack at the front desk in the lobby, Steven left Devon Corporation with the messenger bag.
"I wonder when they can develop space rings?"
Steven mused. With the technological level of the Pokémon world, it probably wouldn't be a difficult task, right?
Steven felt that backpacks were still not as convenient as space rings or similar items.
Ideally, it would be something where you could retrieve whatever you wanted instantly.
"It's been a while since I've been back. Let's go mining in Rusturf Tunnel."
Steven recalled that the last time he went mining was at Meteor Falls.
However, he'd been distracted by the commotion between Wallace and Team Magma at the time, and it had ended up being forgotten.
Steven rode Metagross to the long-unseen Rusturf Tunnel.
He changed into work clothes and put on a hard hat, turned on his headlamp, and gripped a pickaxe in his hand.
Everything was ready!
"Piplup! T(._. )＞"
Let's go!
Piplup, holding a small pickaxe, looked exceptionally happy.
"Let's go," Steven patted Metagross beneath him.
Metagross immediately moved forward to enter the tunnel.
This time, without Steven needing to say anything, Metagross used its Psychic abilities to scan the tunnel.
"Loudred?"
A surprised cry caught Steven's attention.
The light shone over.
A Loudred with several Whismur stood frozen there.
Oh no!
It's him again?!
"Long time no see, Loudred and Whismur," Steven raised his hand, greeting them with a smile.
"Loudred!!!"
Run away!
Loudred immediately led its group to quickly flee the scene.
"Piplup? T（⊙ｏ⊙）"
Why do they look like they've seen a ghost?
"Hmm?"
Steven looked down and saw Metagross writing something on the ground.
On the left, a small Piplup drawing, and on the right, two characters.
"Plague... god?"
"Piplup! Σ(っ °Д °;)っ"
Big brother, you don't need to translate that!
"You naughty Piplup, always bad-mouthing me behind my back, huh?"
Steven put down his pickaxe and vigorously rubbed Piplup's round head.
"Piplup Piplup!"
I surrender!
I surrender!
Stop rubbing!
Hearing Piplup's pleading, Steven stopped.
"Do you dare do it again next time?"
"Piplup... o(TヘTo)"
I won't dare...
Piplup answered with a tear-streaked face, holding its head.
Next time I won't say bad things in front of Big Brother Metagross, boo hoo hoo~
"Good that you've learned your lesson."
"Metagross!"
Metagross suddenly pointed in a direction.
"Good job, Metagross! Let's start digging!" Steven was overjoyed, picking up the pickaxe beside him.
Piplup, holding its small pickaxe, excitedly said:
"Piplup! o(￣▽￣)T"
Let's dig!