After the interview ended, Aiden Flint's strength once again spread across the entire Hoenn region.
Riding Rayquaza into space…
Capturing an alien Pokémon from the cosmos…
Just thinking about it was enough to make countless trainers excited and envious.
"Thank you, Champion Aiden, for accepting our interview!"
The reporter smiled brightly, then added shyly, "Can I… get your autograph?"
Aiden didn't refuse.
At her insistence, he signed his name neatly before stepping back onto Rayquaza.
In the next moment—
The massive dragon soared into the sky and disappeared.
Behind him—
The TV station's ratings exploded.
They had just secured the first-ever exclusive interview with the new Champion.
Meanwhile—
Floating in the sky on their Meowth balloon, Jessie, James, and Meowth watched Aiden disappear into the distance.
Meowth crossed his arms.
"Looks like we gotta upgrade the balloon, meow… we can't even keep up with boss!"
Jessie nodded seriously.
"Not just boss—even Shelly and Courtney would leave us behind like this."
James adjusted his gloves.
"Then we improve. No excuses."
In that moment—
The three reignited their determination.
Not long after—
A shadow appeared again in the sky.
Rayquaza.
Returning.
"Boss is back, meow!"
The three immediately straightened.
Standing at attention—
Waiting.
Aiden descended calmly.
"You three did well."
He didn't waste time.
Two Poké Balls appeared in his hand.
"I've got rewards for you."
Inside them—
Bagon and Dratini.
"I have high expectations for you. Train hard… aim for Elite-level strength."
For a moment—
Jessie and James froze.
These…
were pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
Even their base forms were incredibly rare.
If sold—
They could easily fetch astronomical prices.
And yet—
Aiden just handed them over.
Casually.
But to him, this wasn't much.
These three had already helped him locate multiple Mythical Pokémon.
Latios.
Latias.
Deoxys.
Compared to that—
This reward was more than fair.
Jessie clenched the Poké Ball.
"I'll take Bagon."
James nodded, holding the other.
"Then Dratini is mine."
Their choices were firm.
No hesitation.
Aiden briefly reviewed their teams.
Jessie's lineup—
Arbok, Seviper, Wobbuffet, Flygon, Lairon—
All hovering around high-tier strength.
James's team—
Weezing, Victreebel, Chimecho, Cacturne, Flygon—
Equally solid.
They weren't weak anymore.
Not even close.
Then—
Aiden's gaze shifted.
To Meowth.
He had never actually checked it before.
"Let's see…"
Meowth.
Level 20.
Ability: Pickup.
Not impressive.
At all.
But—
Aiden chuckled slightly.
This one wasn't meant for battle.
It had already chosen a different path.
"A Pokémon that learned human speech… just for love."
"That's rarer than any evolution."
Meowth puffed up proudly.
"Of course, meow!"
Aiden waved his hand.
"Take some time off. Rest a bit."
"Then continue the hunt."
"I'm counting on you."
But the three shook their heads instantly.
"No."
Jessie stepped forward.
"If you believe in us… we won't waste time resting."
James adjusted his coat.
"We train. We grow stronger. We find more Legendary Pokémon."
Meowth raised a paw.
"That's right, meow!"
"Wobbuffet!"
Aiden paused.
Then smiled.
"Good."
"Then don't disappoint me."
Above them—
The sky stretched endlessly.
And for the first time—
These three truly stepped onto the path…
of becoming real powerhouses.
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