The Confidence Within.

Friendly Reunion

BOY OH BOY DO I FEEL STRONG! Kirlia touted. Lifting up small rocks on the beach to show off his new psychic powers. I may look more like a girl but who cares? I'm still super awesome and once I become a Gallade the world won't know what hit them! Wally, did you see me though? I evolved!

I sighed to myself. The evolution was probably a good thing overall but clearly, it also served to inflate Kirlia's already too big ego.

Brendan clapped his hand onto my shoulder, almost knocking me over. "Great work Wally! You beat those goons!" He grinned at me.

My face started to go red from the sudden attention so I focused on the now defeated Crown Goons.

Sapphire returned his Pokémon and he and his two friends looked around nervously as people on the beach glared at them. The group of three quickly dashed past us and continued running through the city.

I felt pretty good about my victory and returned Kirlia to his Pokeball to get a bit of silence.

Brendan and I were heading back to the Pokémon Center when somebody approached us.

The man was dressed very professionally. He was wearing long black pants and purple shoes. Along with a purple undershirt and a black overcoat and a dark red, flowing, tie.

He had giant metal bracelets on his wrists and his fingers had two rings on each hand. The man was also wearing a pin on his lapel with a mysterious symbol on it.

The man seemed to be in his mid-thirties and was quite tall. Standing well over Brendan and I. He had sharp blue eyes and an inviting smile on his face. His shining aquamarine hair seemed to be messily done and going in different directions.

"Hello, there young trainers. It is a pleasure to meet you. I saw your battle against those pesky miscreants and I was quite impressed. You certainly know how to carry yourselves." The man spoke wistfully.

Brendan raised an eyebrow. "Thanks, I guess? Who exactly are you?"

I began to shake as I realized who it was we were talking to. "Y-y-you're S-S-Steven Stone." I practically whispered. Brendan's jaw dropped.

Steven nodded. "Indeed, that's correct. And what might your names be?"

"Uhm." Brendan quickly collected himself. "I'm Brendan! And this is Wally!" I was thankful Brendan was answering for me. I could barely muster the courage to stand in front of Steven Stone.

Steven seemed to process what Brendan had said for a long moment. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Unfortunately, I must be going, life as a Champion is quite busy. I do hope that we meet again in the future. For now, though, take this for your efforts. You'll know when the right time is to use it." Steven held out a light blue rock that glimmered in the sunlight.

I quickly accepted it and The Champion walked away from us after waving. I put the stone in my bag trying to playback the events that had just happened. Ever since Steven had become the champion I had always idolized him. He had been a major motivator in my quest to become a trainer and I had just met him.

Brendan was elated as well. "Dude! We just met Steven Stone! That was awesome! Plus he gave you a rock!"

"Not just any rock," I smiled at Brendan. "This is a Dawn Stone. It can evolve Kirlia into a Gallade."

Brendan started walking off to the Pokémon Center with an energetic spring in his step. Well for one of his feet. The other one still limped along. "That's great! You should evolve him!"

I hesitated. "Well, I'm not sure if that's the best course of action right now. It can often be o-overwhelming to evolve a Pokémon twice so quickly. So I should probably wait a bit."