"Uncle, how much are you selling these rocks for?"
Roy walked up to the cliff wall and asked casually, looking up.
Flint's originally somewhat hunched back straightened up slightly in an instant.
The light in his eyes grew brighter, and he climbed down from the cliff wall using both hands and feet, his movements surprisingly agile.
"Ah! The customer has a good eye!"
He pointed to the dusty rocks on the stall, his tone carrying a long-lost enthusiasm:
"This piece is Limestone commonly found in the nearby Mt. Moon. It has a solid texture and natural grain!"
"It's suitable for landscaping in a fish tank, or it would make a good paperweight!"
He then pointed to several other smooth Pebbles:
"These... are good stones for making pickles!"
He rubbed his hands together and quoted a price somewhat awkwardly:
"Everything... is 50 alliance coins for two pieces."
"What?"
Before Roy could speak, Misty cried out first.
She rushed to the stall in a few steps, hands on her hips, her large eyes glaring at Flint:
"50 alliance coins? For two broken rocks?"
"Uncle, why don't you just rob someone!"
Although she came from the Cerulean Gym and had a wealthy family background, she had been "raised wild" by her three older sisters since childhood, so she had to budget her pocket money carefully.
She was very sensitive to prices.
"For 50 alliance coins, I could eat two delicious burgers!"
"And even add cheese and bacon!"
She turned her head, grabbed Roy's sleeve, and shook it gently:
"Hey, Roy~"
Her voice softened, carrying a tone of persuasion:
"This uncle is very strange, don't get scammed."
"Let's hurry up and challenge the Pewter Gym~"
"Just ignore him."
As she spoke, she tried to pull Roy away.
"You... are going to challenge the Pewter Gym?"
Flint suddenly spoke.
His voice was a bit raspy, but his tone revealed an indescribable mix of emotions.
He stared at Roy, then looked at Misty.
Then... "Hahaha!"
He suddenly burst into laughter.
The laughter was dry, even a bit piercing, echoing along the empty roadside.
Combined with his disheveled appearance and abrupt way of appearing,
Misty and Delia were both startled by this sudden, strange laughter and took half a step back.
Delia subconsciously leaned closer to Roy.
Misty frowned, pulling on Roy's sleeve even harder:
"Roy, let's go quickly!"
"This uncle looks like he has some mental issues too~"
Flint's laughter gradually stopped.
His gaze fell upon the Pikachu at Roy's feet.
Pikachu, having just farmed a bunch of experience and traveled a long way, was feeling a bit tired.
Seeing its master talking to someone else and having nothing to do, it found a shady spot—an old wooden shelf next to Flint's stall—and sat down.
Its small paws even swung leisurely.
"If the Pokemon you're using to challenge the Pewter Gym..."
Flint's voice lowered, carrying a certain professional scrutiny:
"...is this lazy and weak Pikachu..."
He shook his head, his tone certain:
"Then you definitely won't be able to win."
Pika?
Pikachu's eyes, which were originally squinted, instantly widened.
It raised its head, tilted it to the side, and stared at Flint with a look of disbelief.
Me? Lazy? Weak?
It looks like I need to shock this strange human!
A few sparks of electricity crackled from the electric sacs on its cheeks.
Roy reached out in time, pressing down on Pikachu's head and rubbing it gently.
Pikachu, soothed by its master, gave a huff of annoyance and turned its face away.
But its tail still flicked indignantly.
Roy looked up at Flint, the smile on his face unchanged:
"It seems you've done a lot of research on the Pewter Gym, Uncle?"
Flint fell silent.
He lowered his head, stroking a piece of Limestone on the stall with his rough fingers.
The surface of the rock had fine lines, like the marks of time.
He didn't answer Roy's question.
The atmosphere became somewhat stagnant for a moment.
Roy understood.
He squatted down and picked out two of the most ordinary-looking Pebbles from Flint's stall.
"Wrap up two stones for me."
He took out 50 alliance coins and handed them over.
"Haha! Young man, you really do have a good eye!"
Flint's expression instantly became lively.
He almost snatched the money, nimbly wrapping the two stones in old newspaper and stuffing them into Roy's hand.
His attitude was as enthusiastic as if he were a different person.
"As for the Pewter Gym... I have done a lot of research!"
He puffed out his chest, a flicker of memory flashing in his eyes:
"After all... I once had dreams of striving, too."
He said this very softly.
As if talking to himself.
"Is that so?"
Roy took the stones, placed them in the side pocket of his backpack, and followed the conversation:
"I happen to be going to Pewter City to challenge the Pewter Gym."
"Do you have any good advice, Uncle?"
His tone was sincere, as if he were asking a senior for guidance.
His gaze, however, was keenly observing the changes in Flint's expression.
He was looking for that opportunity to "wake him up."
Flint was indeed drawn in by the topic.
He rubbed the beard on his chin and looked Roy over seriously:
"Besides Pikachu, what other Pokemon do you have?"
His tone carried the analytical attitude common to professional Trainers.
"I also have a Pidgeotto."
Roy answered truthfully, then paused:
"Um... those are the only two I have ready for battle."
"What?"
Flint was so shocked he jerked, nearly tripping over his own stall cloth.
He steadied himself and looked at Roy with wide eyes:
"Do you know that the Pewter Gym is a Rock-type Gym?"
"You've only prepared two?"
"And they're both Pokemon that are countered by Rock-types?"
His voice rose in disbelief:
"Electric-types have very little effect on Rock-types, and Flying-types are also countered by Rock!"
"With a lineup like that..."
He shook his head repeatedly, his tone heavy:
"...it will be extremely difficult for you to win the challenge!"
The way he looked at Roy even carried a bit of sympathy and advice:
"I suggest you... give up on the challenge and bypass Pewter City."
"Maybe you'll have more hope in the next city."
As soon as these words were spoken,
Roy hadn't even reacted yet,
Misty was the first to get upset.
"Hey! Uncle!"
She stood with hands on her hips, her voice crisp:
"How do you know Roy can't win?"
"His Pikachu and Pidgeotto are very strong!"
"Back in the Viridian Forest..."
Before she could finish, Roy reached out and gently pressed her shoulder.
Misty was stunned for a moment and looked at Roy.
Roy gave her a slight smile and shook his head.
Signaling for her not to be in a hurry.
Roy turned to Flint.
His expression was calm, but his gaze held a certain sharpness:
"Do you run away as soon as there's a difficulty?"
He asked this very softly.
Yet it was like a needle, precisely piercing a hidden sore spot in Flint.
Flint's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Roy continued, his tone flat but every word clear:
"If I choose to bypass it every time..."
"...then how will I improve?"
"How will I know what the situation is like after facing it?"
"At the League Conference, you won't always be able to fight battles with advantageous types."
Flint fell silent.
He lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously picking at a hole in the stall cloth.
His shoulders slumped slightly.
His back, which had been straight, hunched over once more.
Seeing this, Roy knew the timing was about right.
He pulled back his sharp words, his tone returning to a relaxed one:
"Alright, thank you for the information, Uncle."
"However..."
He bent down to pick up the still-sulking Pikachu, rubbing its soft ears:
"I still choose to face this disadvantageous battle together with Pikachu and Pidgeotto."
The word "face"...
...he said with great emphasis.
"Fa... face it?"
Flint murmured the word.
He looked up at Roy.
There wasn't a hint of hesitation or fear on the young man's face.
Only calm determination.
And an undisguised trust in the Pokemon by his side.
That kind of look... Flint's heart was touched lightly.
In a long-sealed corner, dust seemed to rustle and fall.
"That... young man!"
Flint suddenly spoke, his voice somewhat urgent.
He took a step forward, almost grabbing Roy's arm:
"Are you really going to use Pidgeotto and Pikachu to challenge the Pewter Gym?"
"You're not changing your mind?"
Roy nodded, his gaze looking directly at Flint:
"Facing things bravely is always more useful than running away."
"Good!"
Flint suddenly let out a loud shout.
It gave Misty and Delia another fright.
The decadent uncle suddenly stood up straight.
The gray film of exhaustion in his eyes seemed to be washed away, at least in part.
Revealing the faint light underneath.
"Then I will... face it with you this once!"
His voice was sonorous, carrying a long-lost sense of hot-bloodedness:
"I can help your Pikachu become even stronger!"
"Please come with me, young man!"
He said this and, without waiting for Roy's answer, turned around and began packing up his stall.
His movements were incredibly fast.
In a few strokes, he wrapped the stones in the old cloth, tied it into a bundle, and slung it over his back.
Roy watched the suddenly hot-blooded Flint, an imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Those suggestive words about "facing" and "running away" had worked.
He turned and waved to Misty and Delia, who were still in a daze:
"Let's go, keep up."
After saying that, he followed Flint's footsteps while holding Pikachu.
Misty and Delia looked at each other.
Both of them looked completely bewildered.
"Uh..."
Misty blinked her large eyes and looked at Delia:
"How did those two... suddenly become so hot-blooded?"
"All that about facing things and running away..."
"I didn't understand it at all!"
Delia also shook her head in confusion.
She looked at Roy's receding back, then at Misty.
Finally, she said softly:
"Although I can't figure out the situation either, it's enough to just trust Roy."
"Let's go."
She took Misty's hand and jogged to catch up.
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