After returning to Rota Town and explaining everything to Queen Ilene, Steven and Wallace returned to the Hoenn Region.
Surprisingly, Steven didn't see any new "scandals" in the trending news.
Instead, the headlines were dominated by news about the winner of the Indigo Plateau Conference in the Kanto Region.
Red had defeated Blue to become the Champion of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
However, he chose not to challenge the Elite Four immediately, opting instead to take on the challenge at any time within the next six months.
Steven wasn't surprised by this outcome.
He would have been shocked if Red hadn't become the Champion.
With less than twenty days until the Ever Grande Conference, Steven needed to prepare thoroughly during this time.
He also planned to strengthen his bond with Riolu through training.
If he could achieve a deeper understanding and spar with Riolu himself, their growth would likely be even faster.
Landing in Mossdeep City, Steven and Wallace temporarily parted ways at the airport.
"Steven, I look forward to your performance at the Ever Grande Conference," Wallace said with a gentle smile.
"Don't disappoint me."
Wallace believed that the winner of this Ever Grande Conference would undoubtedly be Steven, and no one else.
Even the Champion's position would be his.
He never expected that the Champion's position would eventually become his own to hold...
"Of course," Steven nodded calmly.
How many Elite-level Trainers could there possibly be?
Steven was determined to win this Ever Grande Conference.
After watching Wallace leave, Steven turned and had Metagross take him back to his home in Mossdeep City.
He began preparing for the Pokémon League Conference.
To be more precise, he was preparing for the battles against Elite-level opponents.
In his backyard, his six Pokémon were all undergoing their respective training routines.
Steven, wearing the green wristband, sat cross-legged on the ground, planning out his training schedule.
"First, Metagross. Its power growth is slowing down now, so let's expand its move pool first."
Metagross could learn many high-power moves. Although many were special attacks, in this world where a Pokémon's abilities could be comprehensively enhanced, Metagross could also master these moves.
Moves like Future Sight, Psychic, Meteor Beam, Hyper Beam, and others.
For physical attacks, there were moves like Giga Impact and Heavy Slam.
It could improve itself through the process of learning and mastering these moves.
"Scizor also has many moves to learn, and its physical strength can still be developed further."
Thinking about it, buying Technical Machines would cost a considerable amount of money.
And there were still four other Pokémon to consider.
Anyway, the Conference didn't limit the number of moves that could be used, so learning more useful moves was always beneficial.
"As for Aggron, its special defense training needs emphasis, and Piplup can help with that."
"This can sharpen Piplup's special attack ability and Aggron's special defense at the same time—two birds with one stone."
"Skarmory's primary tactic is setting up entry hazards, and its secondary tactic is the Iron Defense combined with Body Press strategy..."
"Riolu is following a high attack and speed build like Scizor, so I don't need to worry too much about that..."
Steven carefully planned out the training schedule for each upcoming day. After that, he would begin his own training as well.
Better to be safe than sorry.
His excellent physical condition always proved useful at critical moments.
The sunlight gradually shifted from white to orange as dusk slowly descended.
"Pelipper~"
Why is it this family's package again...
And they're doing that terrifying training again...
A Pelipper with tears in its eyes landed in Steven's backyard.
"My package?"
Steven picked up the package the Pelipper had delivered, feeling a bit curious.
Who's sending me something?
"Pelipper!"
Mission accomplished! The Pelipper quickly fled the scene.
If I get caught in their training, I'll probably be bedridden for a week...
"What a dedicated delivery Pokémon," Steven remarked as he watched the Pelipper fly away at full speed, unable to help but admire its work ethic.
"Hmm? Hoenn League?"
Steven saw that the sender was actually listed as the "Hoenn League"!
"Oh, the reward they mentioned last time."
"Didn't expect it to be quite large."
Steven unwrapped the package to reveal the actual reward.
It was a Pokémon Egg incubator.
Inside, resting on a soft cushion, lay a Pokémon Egg that was entirely brown with blue speckled patterns at the bottom.
"I wonder what kind of Pokémon will hatch from this," Steven mused. He wasn't an expert in this field and couldn't identify the Pokémon just by looking at the egg's appearance.
What Steven didn't know was that Wallace had declined the League's recognition for himself and instead asked the League to select a high-quality Pokémon Egg as a reward for Steven.
Shouldn't everyone appreciate Wallace's kindness?
Of course, Wallace hadn't told Steven about this.
"Piplup?"
Such a big egg! How much fried rice could it make?
Piplup curiously waddled over to look at the Pokémon Egg in the incubator.
"Piplup, you'll have a little brother or sister soon," Steven said with a soft laugh as he watched the waddling Piplup.
In Steven's team, the hierarchy among the Pokémon wasn't based on who joined earlier.
Instead, their rank was determined by their strength.
Poor Piplup had always remained at the bottom.
But things were different now. Once the Pokémon in the egg hatched, Piplup would no longer be the lowest-ranked member of the team!
"Piplup!"
So it's not food—it's my little buddy!
Oh wait, it could also be a little sister!
Preferably a little sister! The team is full of boys!
Wait... Big Brother Metagross doesn't seem to have a gender, does it?
Steven couldn't help but chuckle at Piplup's reaction.
"Piplup also came out of an egg, you know."
"Piplup?!"
You mean...
I might have been turned into fried rice when I was little?!
"Piplup's parents laid the egg, and then Piplup hatched from it," Steven explained with a laugh.
Who came up with Piplup's personality, anyway?
"Alright, go train. The League Conference will depend on you."
Steven gently pushed Piplup's round body forward, urging him on.
The League Conference always started with three-on-three battles, and Steven planned to send out only Piplup and Riolu.
Or rather, he hoped Piplup would heroically sweep through three opponents to reach the top four.
After reaching the top four, it would become six-on-six full team battles.
The top four battles would only begin after both sides confirmed their starting Pokémon and their six-member team.
If a Pokémon other than the pre-determined starter was used, or if a Pokémon outside the pre-registered six-member team was used in battle, it would result in disqualification.
"Piplup!"
Leave it to Hero Piplup!
Piplup patted his side where his small sword usually hung, but it was nowhere to be found.
"Piplup?!"
I forgot I returned my sword to Queen Ilene...
No matter!
This won't stop Hero Piplup!