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That night, Liam and Delia naturally stayed over at Max's place. After dinner, Delia helped Lina tidy up the kitchen and prepare the rooms, while Liam and Max stepped out onto the balcony, gazing at the nighttime view of Goldenrod City and casually chatting about recent events.
"So, why did Delia and I come to Johto? We're here to travel, of course. And while we're at it, we thought we'd challenge the Silver Conference of the Johto League. Isn't there a Gym in Goldenrod City? That's exactly why we came here — to challenge the Gym."
Liam leaned against the balcony railing, feeling a bit drowsy after dinner. His spirit seemed somewhat languid as he spoke to Max.
"Challenging the Gym? Hmm, not bad. Goldenrod City does indeed have a Gym. Its leader, Mr. Howard, is a very strong Trainer. If you go to challenge him, you'll need to be careful."
Max nodded slightly at Liam's words, then gave him a reminder.
"Heh, Delia's the only one planning to take on the Gym Challenge. I have no intention of participating in the Johto League Conference."
Liam smiled and shook his head.
"Huh? You're not entering? That's strange. Back home, you said more than once that you wanted to travel the world and challenge every League Gym out there. What's this? Giving up already?"
Hearing Liam wasn't planning to compete in the Silver Conference, Max was somewhat surprised. He turned to him, puzzled.
"I haven't given up. It's just that… my current status is a little special, and it's not really appropriate for me to join events like that…"
Liam straightened up, stretched lazily, then took out a badge-like emblem from his jacket and placed it in Max's hand. It was the Champion's Proof of the Kanto region.
"This…! This is Father's Champion's…. Why is it with you? Could it be…?"
Max had seen Professor Oak's Champion's Badge/Emblem several times before, so he knew what it meant. His face froze in shock as he looked up at Liam, unable to believe it.
"Heh, and that's exactly why I can't go around challenging Gyms like before. My current status is that of the reigning Champion of Kanto. I can't be so carefree anymore."
Liam's voice carried a trace of regret, and his face showed a faintly annoyed expression.
"…Ah, now I remember. I did hear some rumors about a new Champion appearing in Kanto. I didn't expect it to be you… Heh. But why do I get the feeling you don't look very happy about it? What's wrong? Isn't being the League Champion good enough for you?"
Once the shock passed, Max returned the Champion's Proof with a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Was this growth? Liam suddenly realized how much Max had changed — smiling more often, even joking around… Could this really be the power of love?
"If I had the choice, I'd much rather keep battling strong opponents. But now, with this status, I feel tied down… tch. I recall Lance saying that after becoming an Elite Four member, he'd come challenge me again. Should I just hand the title over to him? Hmm… not a bad idea."
Liam felt as if he'd suddenly discovered a bright new path ahead.
"…Hey, you just said all that out loud, you know."
Max looked at him with an exasperated expression, unable to resist making a jab.
"Tch, did I? You must have misheard."
Liam quickly turned his back, pretending nothing had happened.
"…Unbelievable."
Max thought he had never seen someone so shameless.
"Hey, Champion, since you love battling strong Trainers so much, how about having a match with me? After all this time, I'm feeling a bit confident in my own strength."
Not wanting to keep arguing, Max lowered his gaze to the park beside the apartment. Under the glow of the streetlamps, a battle arena lay empty. The sight suddenly sparked his interest, and he turned to challenge Liam.
Liam: "…Heh! I'd love nothing more!"
Max: "Hmph, then let's head down."
Liam: "Alright!"
"Lina~ Liam and I are stepping out for a bit, we'll be right back~"
Max grabbed his coat and PokeBalls, then called into the kitchen.
Liam, naturally, let Delia know too.
"Delia, I'm going out for a bit. Keep Lina company. We'll be right back."
With that, the two of them quickly opened the door and headed downstairs.
...…
It was about 8 p.m., and the park was still lively. Most of the people there were elderly, strolling in small groups after dinner.
When Liam and Max reached the battle arena in the park, they each took their positions, ready to begin.
"Liam, let's set the rules as a 3-on-3. The battle continues until one side loses all their Pokémon. No switching in between. How's that?"
Max held a PokeBall and loudly declared the rules.
"Works for me. I've got no objections."
"Good. Then let's begin! Go, Flareon!"
"Flaaare!"
Max tossed out his first PokeBall, sending out the same Flareon they had seen earlier.
"Heh, I knew it'd be this little guy! Time to pay back that Flamethrower from earlier! Go, Steelix! It's your time to shine!"
"Rooarr!"
Liam hurled his PokeBall, releasing the massive Steelix. Roaring as it appeared, the towering Pokémon glared at Flareon, ready for its very first official battle since evolving.
"That's… Steelix? The evolved form of Onix? I remember Father's recent paper — it said it gained a new Steel typing, which makes it weak to Fire-types. Knowing I'm using Flareon, why would you send it out? Are you underestimating me?"
Max frowned, feeling slighted.
"Hm? Professor Oak already published that? I thought it'd take a while longer…"
In truth, Liam hadn't known. Just two days earlier, Professor Oak had publicly released research on the Steel-type, and since Max always followed Oak's work closely, he had learned of it immediately. One of the very examples Oak cited was Liam's Steelix!
"I'm not underestimating you in the slightest. If I dared to send out Steelix, it's because I'm confident. Don't overthink it. Because… our attack's already coming! Steelix, charge in with Thunder Fang!"
"Rooarr!"
Following Liam's command, Steelix roared, its cavernous jaws sparking with lightning. Fangs of electricity crackled as its massive body twisted forward, surging at Flareon with terrifying speed.
"Wait a second!"
Just then, from among the crowd of spectators that had gathered, a figure suddenly leapt out, landing at the edge of the battlefield and shouting loudly at Steelix.
"Rooarr?"