After finishing his shower and getting through the hand-washing, Steven settled behind Cynthia and began blow-drying her hair.
Cynthia and Diancie, meanwhile, were working through a puzzle game together — though neither of them seemed particularly gifted at it. Their fumbling progress drew a few quiet chuckles from Steven as he worked the dryer.
Cynthia and Diancie had heard enough.
In silent agreement, the two of them turned on Steven, pinned him to the bed, and went straight for his sides.
"I should warn you — I'm not ticklish," Steven said, smiling awkwardly as their hands searched for any reaction.
Nothing.
Cynthia pulled back, looking mildly put out. "That's no fun at all." She turned to Diancie. "Come on — let's get you cleaned up."
"I'll allow Cynthia to help me!" Diancie declared, and hopped off the bed.
"Your hair still isn't dry," Steven pointed out, sitting up with the hairdryer still in hand.
"We'll finish later!" Cynthia called back as the bathroom door closed behind them.
Steven lay back and stared at the ceiling, waiting.
When the two finally emerged, he resumed where he'd left off. Setting aside everything else — just watching Cynthia fuss over Diancie, and Diancie lean into it without any protest — it occurred to him that the whole thing felt a lot like raising a daughter.
When it came time to sleep, Steven took the right side, Cynthia the left, and Diancie claimed the middle without debate.
Sharing a bed wasn't unusual for the two of them. But with Diancie nestled between them, it was a different sort of arrangement. Steven wasn't quite sure what to make of it. He fell asleep before he could decide.
The next morning, Steven and Cynthia ran a light training session with their Pokémon. After lunch, the afternoon took a familiar turn — Steven found himself once again serving as the designated bag carrier while Cynthia and Diancie made their way through the shops.
They had spent all of yesterday doing exactly this. Apparently, it hadn't been enough.
Inside its Poké Ball, Garchomp was in high spirits.
Yesterday, it had been the one staggering through the city with bags hooked on every part of its body. Today, it was resting comfortably while watching the same fate play out for Steven. Its mood had improved considerably.
By the time they returned to the hotel that evening, Steven dropped onto the bed and lay there spread out flat, thoroughly worn out. The night before an exhibition match, and he was dead tired from a shopping trip.
He watched Cynthia and Diancie disappear into the bathroom, then raised his right hand slowly. A faint green glow drifted across his palm. He rested his hand over his chest, and a warmth spread outward from his sternum through the rest of his body.
It helped — but only somewhat. The fatigue didn't fully lift.
"Looks like Viridian Power is going to take time to get the hang of," he murmured.
If he could ever use it properly, the applications were significant. A source of natural recovery — for himself, and for his Pokémon after hard training sessions. It could cut down rest time and meaningfully improve how efficiently they trained. For now, though, it was limited. Still useful for easing fatigue during rest, but nowhere near its full potential.
Maybe it was the universe's way of rewarding him for a full day of being a pack mule.
That night, Cynthia fell asleep curled up close against his side.
Somewhere in its Poké Ball, Garchomp was probably having a breakdown.
Cynthia only ever got a massage out of the deal. Somehow, with someone else, it became this. The unfairness was not lost on Garchomp.
The day of the exhibition match arrived.
Opelucid Plaza had been prepared for the occasion — protective barriers set up around the battle area, arranged at Alder's personal insistence. By early morning, the plaza was already packed. Word had spread fast: two Champions were about to battle.
"Thank you all for coming out today to watch the exhibition match between Champion Alder and Champion Steven!"
The host's voice rang out across the crowd, warming them up.
"The purpose of today's match is for Champion Alder to offer encouragement to the Trainers who will be competing in the upcoming Opelucid Tournament. We'd also like to extend a special thanks to Champion Steven for traveling all the way to Unova to give us this battle!"
Applause filled the plaza.
"Please welcome — Champion Alder!"
Alder walked out from the temporary backstage area at a steady pace. The string of Poké Balls worn around his neck like a necklace swayed as he moved. The moment he appeared, the crowd erupted — a wall of cheering and applause that spoke clearly to how deeply he was respected in Unova.
"And now — Champion Steven!"
Backstage, Steven heard the introduction, removed his hat and glasses, and pulled on a long black coat. He rolled his shoulders once and looked ahead.
"You've got this, Steven~" Cynthia smiled and gave him a wink.
"Go, go!" Diancie pumped her small pink fists.
"Mm." Steven gave a quiet nod and walked out.
The crowd responded warmly. Steven stepped forward with a calm smile as Alder crossed to meet him at the center of the field. They shook hands.
"I've been looking forward to this for the past two days," Alder said, his grin wide and genuine.
"As have I," Steven replied. "I'll give you my best."
The host handed the microphone to Alder for a few opening words.
Alder accepted it, cleared his throat lightly, and spoke.
"I'll keep it brief." His expression settled into something more serious, more earnest.
"I know many of you train every single day with your sights set on becoming Champion — on reaching what feels like the highest point. But becoming a Champion is a step on the path, not the end of it."
"A Champion's responsibility is to want and protect the happiness of both people and Pokémon, more deeply than anyone else."
"The journey we share with our Pokémon is rich and without end. There are worlds out there we haven't even glimpsed yet. Trainers and their partners grow together — and I hope that, no matter how far you go, you never stop growing alongside each other."
He bowed slightly to the crowd.
The applause came immediately and didn't stop for a long moment.
"Champion Steven — anything you'd like to add?" The host offered the microphone.
Steven glanced at it, then shook his head gently.
"Champion Alder said it better than I could."
"Then let's get ready — the exhibition match is about to begin!"
Before taking their positions, Alder caught Steven's eye and gave a single slow nod. The meaning behind it was plain enough. This was a real battle — nothing held back, nothing extra needed.
They moved to their respective sides of the field.
"Go — Escavalier!"
Alder drew a Poké Ball and sent it high into the air.
The flash of white light burst open —
A Pokémon in full knightly armor materialized on the field. Twin lances extended from its arms. Its helmet sat firmly over a face of dark blue and black. Every inch of it was encased in steel plating — the mark of a true Bug/Steel-type warrior.
Steven's expression shifted — not surprise, but recognition. Escavalier. Bug and Steel type, the same dual typing as Scizor.
He turned the Poké Ball over in his hand, then raised his arm and held it steady.
"Come on then, Steven!" Alder called out, grinning broadly. He hadn't used Steven's title — just his name. This was something else. No ceremony, no formality. Just two Trainers and their Pokémon.
A pure battle.
Steven's mouth curved into a smile. He drew back his arm.
"Scizor — let's go!"
The Poké Ball left his hand, and the battle began.