Ben spent a few more days wandering through the forest, using Mudkip as my primary source of strength during battles. I practiced my defensive skills and earned training points along the way. At night, I let my Onix burrow underground or into the hills for rest. The Onix absorbed minerals and hard materials to enhance its form while Mudkip used its weights to build strength and skill.
Over these past few days, not only did skill proficiency improve, but Mudkip also reached level 16, putting it on the brink of evolution. It was gathering energy, ready to evolve at any moment.
The Onix had grown to an impressive length of 9 meters and weighed around 240 kg. Its dark, rocky body gleamed with a faint metallic lustre, embodying strength. He planned to buy a Metal Coat in Rustboro City to facilitate Onix's evolution. Maximising its defensive capabilities, he had plenty of minerals and rocks prepared at home for when the time came for its transformation.
As the trees around him became fewer and the grass sparser, he noticed an increasing number of trainers appearing. He realized he was nearing the edge of Petalburg Woods and would soon reach Rustboro City.
Before long, he came across a flower shop, where towering trees and lush bushes gave way to colourful flower beds and fruit-laden trees. This was the Pretty Petal Flower Shop, located at the northern edge of the Petalburg Woods, a gateway to Rustboro City. The shop faced the Petalburg Woods and was backed by the river from Meteor Falls, across which Rustboro City lay, with an official road leading to the city towards the east.
Admiring the vast array of berries displayed outside the shop, Ben approached, eager to purchase supplies that would reduce his expenses for emergencies in the wilderness.
"Hello! I'd like to buy some berries!" Ben said.
"Sure! Which ones do you need?" a young woman in a flowing green dress smiled warmly.
"I'm Lilly, the flower shop's manager," she introduced herself.
"Hi, Miss Lilly! I need ten each of Cheri berries (to treat paralysis), Chesto berries (to treat sleep), Pecha berries (to treat poisoning), Rawst berries (to treat burns), and Persim berries (to treat confusion)."
"Got it! I'll prepare those for you right away," she replied, disappearing into the back.
As Ben waited, he took in the flower shop's neat arrangement of potted plants and bouquets. Information cards on various types of berries lined the shelves, emphasizing the importance of freshness for maximum efficacy. Once harvested, the berries were packaged in special containers that extended their shelf life, minimizing any loss of potency.
The shop buzzed with activity, filled with trainers who were buying all kinds of berries. Given the variety of Pokémon found in the Petalburg Woods, it was wise to stock up on supplies for unexpected situations. While the finished medications were often more affordable, nothing could quite match the effectiveness of fresh berries.
In addition to trainers, several girls who appreciated flowers and floral art browsed the selection, looking for something special or seeking plants for their grass-type Pokémon. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, making me appreciate being back in human territory after spending so many days in the wild.
"Hello! Your berries are ready!" Lilly called, returning with five special boxes filled with berries.
"Thank you, Miss Lilly!" taking the boxes and paying for them. After exchanging farewells, joining the flow of people as he left the flower shop, heading along Route 104 toward the bridge, my path into Rustboro City.
Suddenly, loud cheers broke through the crowd. "Master Percival is the best! Master Percival is the best!"
I glanced over and spotted a flamboyant young man driving a luxury car, flanked by a throng of enthusiastic girls.
"Wait, did I travel to Pallet Town?" I mused, but I quickly dismissed the thought upon seeing Rustboro City just across the river.
Shaking my head to clear my mind, I focused my attention on the spectacle unfolding at the riverbank. A boy clad in an extravagant tuxedo lounged in his luxury car, a butler by his side offering drinks while a group of girls in sailor uniforms surrounded him, waving bouquets and cheering loudly. He gazed proudly at the sky, seemingly enjoying his moment in the spotlight.
Nearby, a frustrated young man withdrew from an earlier battle, clearly defeated.
"Hey, kid! Would you be interested in a Pokémon battle with my young master?" a middle-aged man, dressed similarly to a butler, approached me with a friendly smile.
"Uh, hello! Why do you ask?"
The man sighed and explained, "My young master is a talented junior trainer. He was once relatively humble, but as he accumulated victories, he became increasingly arrogant, especially after his original Pokémon evolved."
"Oh? Has he never lost a match?" I asked, curious since my Onix had faced its fair share of defeats.
"Correct. Ever since his starter Pokémon evolved, he hasn't lost a single battle against trainers, which has contributed to his arrogance," the man said while glancing at the proud young man nearby. "However, my master understands there are always stronger trainers out there. I hope to find someone exceptional to teach him a lesson, so he can grasp this truth."
"I see,"
"What do I need to do?"
"Are you willing to take him on? If you defeat him, my master will reward you with $5000 and a high-quality training device designed to enhance your Pokémon's physical condition," the middle-aged man said eagerly, presenting a card and a vest-like contraption.
The rewards sounded fantastic, especially the training device that could adjust itself based on a Pokémon's needs. It was far superior to any weights he had bought before, and cash rewards were definitely a bonus. As a trainer, accepting a challenge was part of the journey!
"Alright, I accept!" I declared, feeling invigorated as I made my way toward the confident young man known as Percival. A crowd had gathered, drawn in by the excitement, possibly stemming from Percival's previous battle.
"Master Percival is the best! Master Percival is the best!" the crowd chanted.
"Hi! I'm Ben, here to challenge you!" I called out amid the cheers.
"Oh? Another challenger?" Percival stepped out of his car, waving his hand to quiet the crowd as he looked down at me with an air of superiority. "I'm the strongest rookie; you don't stand a chance against me!"
The spectators chimed in, having witnessed his previous success: "That's right! Master Percival is unbeatable; you're no match for him!"
"Totally! He's our rookie champion!" they echoed.
"Just because I haven't fought you before doesn't mean I'll lose,"
"You might just be a big fish in a little pond."
"What did you say? You little brat!" one of the onlookers shouted angrily.
"Bold words, boy!" another chimed in, heated by the challenge.
"Alright, quiet down!" Percival commanded, his demeanour shifting to a more serious tone. "I'll show you just how big the gap is between us."
Interesting. His confidence seems genuine, not merely arrogance.
"Let's do this!"
The butler stepped forward to referee. "This will be a Pokémon battle! Only one Pokémon can be used by each trainer. The side unable to continue loses. Let the battle begin!"
"Prepare to be humbled!" Percival announced, throwing a luxurious Poké Ball into the air. "Come forth, Milotic!"
What? Milotic?
As the ball opened, a stunning figure emerged, gracefully illuminating the area. With a serpentine body in a creamy hue, red eyes, and distinct black markings below its neck, Milotic was known for its beauty. Its long head featured a slight protrusion at the end, adorned with red fins that framed its face. The tail was a mesmerizing blend of blue and pink scales.
Milotic, recognized as one of the most beautiful Pokémon, was revered for its calming presence during conflicts. Legends spoke of it emerging from the depths of pristine lakes, soothing frayed emotions and easing tensions. Its radiant scales changed colour depending on the light, and when it glowed pink, it emitted waves capable of quelling anger.
This rare Pokémon, evolved from a Feebas, mystified trainers, as no one could explain how such an unpleasant looking creature transformed into the stunning Milotic. All anyone knew was that its evolution was somehow tied to beauty.