Bang! Bang!
Fireworks bloomed across the daytime sky—a rare sight.
Steven stood at the highest point in the stands, watching the torchbearer run toward the League Conference venue carrying the sacred torch.
Rumor had it that the League Conference torches were crafted from the fiery feathers of Moltres itself.
The Ever Grande Conference venue was built in a unique spider-web pattern over a vast pond. At the center stood the largest battle arena, surrounded by four smaller battle arenas and a dedicated Pokémon Center on the outer ring. The outermost layer housed shopping centers and various other facilities.
Ever Grande Conference Venue – Pokémon Center
After briefly watching the sacred flame ceremony, Steven made his way to the Pokémon Center. He approached the counter to register for the competition with Nurse Joy.
He handed over his badge case containing all eight Gym Badges.
Nurse Joy operated the computer for a moment before smiling warmly and returning the badge case. "Your information has been successfully registered. Please return tonight to draw your match number and see your opponent."
"Thank you very much," Steven replied, placing the badge case back into his bag.
The badges inside had already been registered in the system and wouldn't qualify him for the next Ever Grande Conference. However, he could keep them as mementos of his journey.
"Here's your competitor ID. Please keep it safe," Nurse Joy said, handing Steven an identification card bearing his photo and information.
Steven took the ID and slipped it into his pocket.
With plenty of time before the draw, Steven decided to explore the outer areas with Piplup and Riolu. The competition would begin tomorrow, so he wanted his Pokémon to relax and clear their minds.
"Doduo!"
Steven sat on a street bench with Piplup and Riolu on either side of him. He held a donut in one hand and a hotdog in the other, eating contentedly.
The weather was pleasantly cool—perfect for ice cream!
Steven finished his ice cream cone and pulled out his Pokégear. "Hello? Wallace?"
"Wait, you came all the way to Ever Grande City?"
"I'm at—"
Before he could finish, someone wearing a mask and sunglasses, draped in a long black coat, sat down beside him.
"Wallace, why are you suddenly dressed like that?" Steven couldn't help but laugh.
"You recognized me even with this disguise?" Wallace lifted his sunglasses, revealing his distinctive blue eyes.
"Your hair and height are pretty easy to guess," Steven said with a light chuckle.
"I see. Next time I'll need to get a hat too," Wallace muttered, lowering his sunglasses again.
Steven was curious about Wallace's strange outfit—he'd never seen him dress this way before. "Wallace, what's with—"
"Don't ask..." Wallace sighed deeply, recalling Winona's words from not long ago.
"From now on, I don't want to see any more tabloid rumors about you!"
Winona had stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Wallace.
"Well, I don't really have any rumors..." Wallace's reply had sounded weak.
"Not even with Steven!"
"That's how it is..." Wallace sighed again.
Steven didn't tease Wallace about it. The explanation actually reminded him of a similar conversation he'd had with Cynthia over the phone recently. Perhaps they were in the same situation.
"Sigh..."
Two simultaneous sighs echoed between them. Steven and Wallace exchanged glances, suddenly feeling a sense of shared misery.
"Then why take such a risk coming to the Ever Grande Conference?" Steven asked after a pause.
If he came specifically to watch my battles... I'd be so grateful I might cry, Wallace...
"Chairman Goodshow specifically requested my presence this time, so I came to see you along the way," Wallace explained helplessly.
Wallace had previously given up the League's monetary reward, requesting instead that they give Steven a more generous prize. Combined with the recent tabloid incident, Chairman Goodshow had grown curious about their relationship. Upon learning that Steven was challenging Gyms to prepare for the League Conference, the Chairman had simply summoned Wallace.
"If I were you, I'd stay in my hotel room and not come out," Steven said with a grin.
"Never mind me. How about you? With everything you've accomplished recently, do you have confidence in challenging the Elite Four?"
"Not yet. I'll challenge them in another month or so," Steven waved his hand dismissively.
Steven felt confident about battling most of the Elite Four, but he wasn't ready for Dragon-type Elite Four member Drake yet. Metagross hadn't reached Master level, and after his Pokémon reached Champion level, their growth rate had slowed considerably.
Piplup was still at the Advanced level, while Riolu was slowly progressing toward Champion level. This recent training period had yielded results, just not as dramatic as before.
"I heard Chairman Goodshow mention that only about seventy Trainers successfully obtained all eight badges this time. Accounting for some who can't attend, there will be around sixty participants at most."
"The competition hasn't even started yet, and you're already guaranteed a spot in the top sixty-four! If you're lucky and there aren't enough participants, you might even get a bye and advance straight to the top thirty-two!" Wallace chuckled playfully.
"Wait, doesn't that mean..." Steven calculated mentally. "The Ever Grande Conference will last about six days?"
"That's right. Before, under the old full-battle system, only twenty or thirty people participated in the League Conference. This year it's jumped to sixty or seventy participants."
Steven had almost forgotten that this year marked the first year of the reformed Hoenn Ever Grande Conference rules. Previously, it had always been a full-battle system with no restrictions.
Wallace had won his Championship under that system and even defeated the Elite Four afterward.
Steven breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, when he'd battled at Sootopolis Gym, Wallace hadn't requested a full battle.
Red's strength hadn't fully matured yet, but he was already subtly matching Steven's level. If Wallace had also used a full-battle format, Steven truly wouldn't have stood a chance.
"Piplup! ( •̀ ω •́ )✧"
Piplup spotted a small wooden sword in a nearby shop window and immediately tugged at Steven's clothes, wanting him to buy it.
"You really like swords, don't you..." Steven smiled helplessly and turned to Wallace. "I'll talk more later. I'm going to take them around to look at things and help them relax."
"It's fine. I'm free anyway, so I'll come with you," Wallace stood up casually. "Besides, I need to buy a hat."
"You're paying."
Steven chuckled. "Alright, my treat."
Steven took Piplup and Riolu and began exploring the nearby shops and stalls. During Conference season, this area was always bustling with activity.
Wallace followed behind Steven, browsing the merchandise.
Piplup had mysteriously developed a fondness for small swords after their visit to Rota. He was probably still caught up in being "Hero Piplup."
Steven had no choice but to buy him a toy sword. Although it wasn't a genuine sword like the one from Rota, Piplup seemed quite satisfied with it.
Piplup had felt like something was missing without a sword at his side. He looked at the wooden sword now hanging at his waist and nodded with satisfaction. Drawing the sword from its sheath, he pointed it toward the sky.
"Piplup!"
Hero Piplup returns!
Toward the Conference Championship—
Onward!