Jubilife Breeding Center.
This was a night to remember.
"Go, Feebas!"
"Luca!"
"Feebas, a brand-new future awaits you!"
"Oh no, I think I set it too high!"
Goldeen, Buizel, and Milotic could easily leap over the rings in the river.
But Feebas couldn't leap over them... After many attempts, the increasingly exhausted Feebas found it even harder to clear the obstacle.
"Feebas, try again!"
Wayne called Feebas over and fed it a few Energy Cubes to restore its stamina.
At the same time, Shaymin's body glowed green, transforming into a green light that gradually merged into Feebas's body...
You've been buffed—go for it!
"Go!"
Incineroar, Lucario, Dragapult, and Arcanine were all cheering it on.
For a moment, the encouragement sounded like a symphony.
Feebas, with its stamina recovered and blessed by Shaymin, had a burning gaze as it followed after Buizel and Milotic...
"Feebas, accelerate!"
"Leap over it! Leap over it!"
Alan and Incineroar started a war dance.
Metagross secretly manipulated the water flow with Confusion, giving Feebas a boost.
Feebas, with a Prism Scale tucked between its scales, completed the Dragon Gate Leap as its body glowed with colorful light...
"It evolved!"
Everyone's faces filled with joy and excitement, and Alan and Incineroar even raised their arms high.
Wayne also clenched his fists and let out a long breath.
Amidst the colorful light, Feebas, originally only 0.6 meters long, continuously stretched its body...
A Pokémon with a milky white body, a sea serpent-like physique, and a tail covered in blue and pink scales appeared before everyone.
It was Milotic, evolved from Feebas!
Kinsley, uncharacteristically, shouted loudly:
"You did it, Milotic!"
The newly evolved Milotic, who had just leaped over the ring, gracefully leaped again, clearing the ring once more.
It then swam joyfully with the other Milotic and Buizel.
Everyone spontaneously applauded, then quietly watched Milotic swim freely in the river.
Shion sincerely exclaimed, "What a beautiful scene."
Alan and Incineroar shed tears like tough men.
"What a touching scene!"
This time, Claire uncharacteristically didn't complain about Alan.
As the two who officially joined on the second day of the Breeding Center's official opening, they witnessed Feebas's transformation firsthand.
From initially hiding in the rockery, only coming out at night and quickly hiding at the slightest disturbance...
To its activity range expanding a little, allowing it to swim around the cracks in the rockery, but still hiding...
To being willing to communicate after being guided by Cynthia's Milotic, and then being able to swim out during the day...
Until tonight's Dragon Gate Leap, evolving from Feebas into Milotic—they knew how much effort Feebas had put in.
Feebas must have overcome its extreme inner fear to finally complete the Dragon Gate Leap.
Wayne looked at the evolved Milotic.
Name: Milotic
Attribute: Water
Egg Group: Water 1, Dragon
Gender: Female
Skills: Recover, Flip Turn, Scald, Haze, Ice Beam, Aqua Tail, Dragon Tail...
Strength Rating: Veteran(Junior)
Mood: Joyful
Feebas's mood, for the first time, changed from slightly unconfident to joyful, filling Wayne with emotion.
Wayne picked up his phone and recorded a video of the two Milotic swaying in the water, though it was a shame they were both female.
Actually... it wasn't a shame.
Wayne sent a message: "It evolved."
Soon after, Cynthia quickly replied:
"I knew this day would come. Milotic felt your sincerity. This is the emotional power generated after you and Feebas met—a natural miracle."
Looking at the message Cynthia sent, and then at this scene, Wayne couldn't help but smile.
Wayne then looked at the former ace Police Dog Arcanine beside him. It was wagging its tail as it watched the evolved Milotic.
Wayne silently wished, 'You must get better soon too.'
"Mew~"
Feebas, now evolved into Milotic, slowly swam to Wayne's side and gently rubbed its head against him.
"You're welcome, Milotic."
"Luca." Lucario translated Milotic's words with telepathy.
Wayne gently stroked the smooth scales on Milotic's head. "Do you want me to catch you?"
"Mew~"
Milotic squinted its eyes—she was smiling.
Wayne pressed the Luxury Ball, and Milotic instantly turned into a red light. With a "thump," the capture was successful!
Clap clap clap—
Led by Shion, everyone spontaneously applauded again.
"That's great!"
"I'm so touched!"
"Milotic has finally recovered!"
Wayne smiled at the Luxury Ball in his palm.
"Please take care of me from now on."
Then, he threw the Luxury Ball into the air, releasing Milotic.
"Go swim to your heart's content."
"Mew~"
Before evolving into Milotic, Feebas had always stayed in the rockery fish pond and had never been able to swim freely.
Wayne turned to look at the people who had not yet left.
"Thank you all for your hard work. Tomorrow I'll make a luxurious meal for everyone as a token of my gratitude."
"Long live Little Boss!"
"Brother Wayne is amazing!"
Alan, Levin, and Leon linked arms and cheered with everyone.
"You guys shouldn't be mixing in there!"
Wayne complained helplessly about his father and uncle skillfully blending in. "How are you guys so good at that!"
...
The next day.
"I watched yesterday's Master League, and you won beautifully."
Although he was preparing for Feebas's evolution, he still had time to watch the match in his spare time.
Yesterday, Cynthia used her new Pokémon, Kommo-o, in the Master League.
And without using Dynamax, she defeated Raihan, the Stow-on-Side Gym Leader, on Galar's home turf.
Coupled with her consecutive victories over Lance and Caitlin, Cynthia currently had three wins and no losses.
Next, Cynthia would go to Kanto to face Lorelei.
"Will suddenly taking your Milotic disrupt your plans?"
"No, I was planning to use Kommo-o anyway."
Wayne thought so too. Cynthia had even worn new clothes yesterday, designed with Kommo-o as the inspiration.
Yesterday, Cynthia was stunning. Her dazzling golden hair was tied into a half-ponytail with a scarlet hairpin.
She wore a layered gray suit jacket over a scarlet high-neck top, exuding an imposing aura.
Her long black trousers had bright yellow button chains running through the seams, dotted with scarlet circles, echoing Kommo-o.
This was already Cynthia's third new outfit.
This Master League was not only a showcase for Cynthia's Pokémon but also her million-dollar wardrobe show.
After they chatted for a while, Cynthia suddenly asked, "You're going to Hearthome City on the 27th to participate in the Youth Breeder Competition, right?"