That evening, Steven arrived at the Pokémon Center to draw his battle assignment.
"Hello! Your battle will be on Arena Four at 2:00 PM. Please arrive fifteen minutes early," Nurse Joy informed him cheerfully.
"Okay, thank you."
Steven thanked her quietly and returned to his room.
Since some Trainers hadn't drawn their lots yet, his opponent remained unknown. However, he needed to decide which Pokémon to register for the three-on-three battle.
If he received a bye, it would be displayed directly on the match board.
"This should work: Piplup, Riolu, and Scizor."
In case a Champion-level Trainer suddenly appeared, Scizor could serve as backup.
The held items for his three Pokémon were a toy sword, Eviolite, and Assault Vest respectively.
Each Pokémon's held item needed to be registered, and only one item was permitted per Pokémon.
Steven had originally wanted Piplup to hold Mystic Water, but Piplup absolutely insisted on bringing that toy sword into battle.
Steven had no choice but to indulge him.
Before the battle, Cynthia called Steven's phone.
"Steven, when is your match tomorrow?"
Cynthia asked about his match time as soon as she spoke.
"Tomorrow at 2:00 PM, Arena Four," Steven replied.
"Then I'll be at home waiting to watch your amazing performance!"
"I feel like it'll end quickly, so it doesn't really matter if you watch or not, right?"
There was no way Steven's first match would be against a strong opponent, right? He wasn't lucky enough to get a bye, but he shouldn't be unlucky enough to draw the strongest Trainer either.
Though, come to think of it... the so-called strongest Trainer in this bracket might actually be Steven himself.
"Anyway, it'll end quickly and won't delay my training schedule, so what does it matter!"
Steven could already imagine Cynthia pouting unhappily at that moment. Just thinking about it made him smile—she was incredibly cute.
"Then please look forward to my performance, Cynthia," Steven chuckled softly.
Whether she watched or not was ultimately Cynthia's choice.
"Piplup! ﹤(｀∇´)ψ"
And the performance of Hero Piplup!
Piplup drew his toy sword and struck a heroic pose.
"That's a much better answer!" Cynthia's voice brightened.
The Next Day – 2:00 PM
Steven followed the staff's guidance and arrived at the designated battle arena.
The Trainer standing across from him appeared to be around his age—probably also a relatively new Trainer.
"Arena Four, Fifth Battle!"
"Steven from Mossdeep City versus Miguel from Lilycove City!"
"Go, Piplup!"
Steven raised his hand and pointed forward. Piplup at his feet immediately dashed onto the battlefield.
If it weren't for the one-item rule, Piplup would have wanted to wear a cape too!
The battle arena was a standard field—meaning it had a ground-type surface with no special environmental features like water pools or grassy terrain.
This was indeed the first reformed League Conference format.
"Go! Swellow!"
Miguel threw a Poké Ball. A sturdy Swellow emerged in a flash of white light and soared into the air.
The referee held red and green flags in each hand. Seeing both Pokémon in position, he waved the flags and shouted:
"Battle begin!"
"Piplup..."
Piplup stared calmly at the Swellow circling overhead.
This level of opponent doesn't require Hero Piplup to draw his sword!
"Swellow, use Quick Attack!"
Steven's mouth twitched. He'd never seen anyone so eager to hand over a victory.
"Ice... never mind. Bubble Beam."
Steven reconsidered—was Ice Beam too harsh? He decided to use Bubble Beam instead. It would strike Swellow gently without causing serious harm!
"Piplup!"
Too slow!
Piplup took a deep breath and released a stream of bubbles.
Swellow, trailing white light, dove headfirst straight into the bubbles.
Bang!
It was knocked dizzy instantly, its eyes swirling as it crashed to the ground.
"Swellow is unable to battle! Piplup wins!"
"Swellow?!"
The Trainer named Miguel stood frozen in shock, crying out anxiously.
This seemed completely different from the fierce battle he had envisioned!
"Oh! Piplup defeated Miguel's Swellow with a single Bubble Beam!" the commentator announced enthusiastically.
"Speaking of Steven, he's quite the extraordinary Trainer! He's been linked to Wallace, the Sootopolis Gym Leader, in various rumors! He was also publicly commended by the League for his involvement in stopping Team Magma and Team Aqua!"
Steven's eyebrow twitched. He was tempted to have Piplup aim a Hydro Pump at the commentator's booth.
The man really knew how to bring up awkward topics! Cynthia might be watching his battle on television!
"Return, Swellow..." Miguel recalled his Poké Ball and sent out his second Pokémon.
"It's up to you! Shiftry!"
Bang!
Following Swellow, the Grass and Dark-type Shiftry appeared on the field.
"Miguel's second Pokémon is Shiftry! This seems unfavorable for the Water-type Piplup... huh???"
The commentator was still building excitement with the audience, but in the next second, he froze in surprise.
The reason was simple—
Piplup, with an expression of regret, used Hydro Pump and directly struck Shiftry.
Shiftry was blasted backward by the powerful surge of water, crashed into the railing, and lost consciousness.
"Shiftry is unable to battle! Piplup wins!"
The Grass-type Shiftry was knocked out by a Water-type move in one hit.
It happened so fast that the commentator hadn't even finished his sentence.
"Piplup."
What a pity. If only you were stronger...
Maybe then I could have used seventy percent of my Hydro Pump power.
Piplup gently shook his head with a regretful sigh.
"How could this be... Shiftry..."
Miguel returned Shiftry to its Poké Ball. He stared at the little Piplup on the field, still shaking its head and sighing.
He couldn't believe such overwhelming power resided within a Water-type starter Pokémon!
"Go, Delcatty!"
Miguel sent out his last Pokémon.
Delcatty's body was cream-colored with purple ears and tail.
"Miguel has sent out his final Pokémon, Delcatty! It has beautiful fur, dislikes dirty environments, and is deeply loved by—"
The commentator's words were cut off again by Piplup's Hydro Pump.
Under the rushing torrent, Delcatty also collapsed...
"Delcatty is unable to battle! Piplup wins! The victor is Steven from Mossdeep City!"
As the referee's announcement concluded, Steven's first battle in the Ever Grande Conference ended decisively.
The commentator's mouth twitched. That Hydro Pump hadn't just hit Delcatty—it had hit his own commentary!
This was the first time a battle had ended before he could even finish introducing the Pokémon!
Even when Wallace had participated in previous Conferences, he'd left time for proper commentary!
The packed audience fell silent for a moment before erupting in thunderous cheers.
Fortunately, with so many people, individual voices blended together.
Steven definitely didn't want to hear anyone shouting things like "I want to have your Piplup!" again.
Most importantly, it was men shouting those things!
However, such enthusiastic cheers only made Miguel's situation seem more desolate.
Amid the cheering, Steven signaled for Piplup to leave the field.
"Piplup..."
What a shame. There wasn't even an opponent strong enough to make me draw my sword!
Piplup sighed softly, touching the sword at his waist with genuine disappointment.
Next round,
I hope I'll face you!
A worthy opponent!