Chapter 142: Great People

Zapdos, a legendary Pokémon said to dwell within thunderclouds, generates intense bolts of lightning whenever it flaps its wings.
Following closely behind Zapdos, Steven Stone recalled the information he had once read in a Pokémon encyclopedia.
To be honest, this was his first time seeing a real Zapdos.
Although Steven’s interest in Electric-type bird Pokémon was not as profound as his passion for Rock- and Steel-type Pokémon, the sheer legendary status of Zapdos still compelled him to cast a few extra glances at the creature.
Its sharp gaze, the jagged, bristling feathers covering its entire body, and the crackling sound of electricity arcing across its wings during flight—
The sound, the coloration; merely looking and listening to it was enough to make anyone deeply aware of its extraordinary nature.
Steven made a mental estimation: the strength of this Zapdos was undoubtedly well above the Gym Leader level.
A Gym Leader-level Zapdos...
An indescribable feeling welled up within Steven’s chest.
If he remembered correctly, the boy named Huyang whom he had met at school just a few months ago was merely a rookie Trainer who had yet to embark on a formal journey, right?
Steven remembered clearly that back then, Huyang’s companions consisted only of a Gengar in soul form, an unevolved Axew, a Grass-type Roserade, and an ordinary bird Pokémon originating from the distant Galar region.
And now...
With those very Pokémon, he had actually captured a Gym Leader-level Zapdos.
So, what on earth had he experienced during the time since he left school?
Gazing at the Zapdos leading the way ahead, Steven felt a sense of surreal detachment, as if a lifetime had passed.
Could it be because he had spent far too much time inside the subterranean caverns of Meteor Falls?
This sentiment reached its peak when Zapdos arrived in front of a residence, knocked on the door, and was greeted by a Slowking that opened the door and spoke to him in human language.
"Hello, Mr. Steven."
A... a Slowking that could speak human language?
Steven stood frozen in place for a moment, but his polished upbringing allowed him to quickly recover, and he politely replied, "Hello, Slowking."
...
"All right, let's take a break!"
Inside the ecological park.
Huyang had just settled down Charmander and Axew after their intense battle when he heard the cry of Zapdos coming from overhead.
"Have you picked him up?" he asked, looking up.
Zapdos nodded.
"Then today's training ends here. Go play on your own!"
Huyang patted Axew's head, then left the ecological park. Just as he stepped into the living room, he saw Steven sitting straight and formally on the couch.
Upon seeing him emerge, Steven immediately turned his gaze toward him.
Without a word, Huyang walked over, reached into a drawer, took out several Moon Stones and the comet shard gifted to him by Clefairy, and placed them in front of Steven.
The moment he laid eyes on those stones, Steven’s eyes lit up.
"How much?" he asked, instinctively reaching for his pocket with the practiced familiarity of someone fully prepared to buy them at any price.
Huyang: "..."
As expected of Steven Stone.
However, he had no intention of taking Steven's money this time. Instead, he said, "No money needed. If you like them, just take them all."
This was to thank Steven for always protecting the Hoenn region!
The impulse to gift these items to Steven stemmed from being moved by Lance, who had disregarded his own safety to infiltrate Team Rocket.
Thus, on the spur of the moment, he decided to give Steven a token of appreciation.
Champions and Elite Four members bore the heavy responsibility of protecting the people and Pokémon of their regions.
Just like in the anime, where Groudon and Kyogre clashed, or when combating evil syndicates, it was always the Champions and Elite Four who charged right to the front lines.
Viewing the situation from a broader perspective,
whether it was Lance or Steven, both were men deeply worthy of respect.
Furthermore, the previous incident at the Old Chateau demonstrated that these Elites and Champions constantly worked tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain regional order and peace.
Scions of prestigious families, always charging forward.
Even if their deeds remained unknown to the public, they might still, much like Yaji of years past, lose their lives in the line of duty.
Yet, they continued to shoulder their responsibilities without hesitation.
With these thoughts in mind, Huyang looked at Steven with a profound sense of admiration.
So, Steven! You must continue to protect the Hoenn region well from now on, understand?
That way, his good intentions would not go to waste.
"..."
Steven felt that the gaze the boy was directing at him was somewhat peculiar.
He quietly lowered his head and looked at the stones arrayed on the table.
After a brief silence, he said, "These stones are extremely valuable."
Huyang nodded. "I know."
Steven: "Each of them could be used to cultivate an exceptional Pokémon."
Huyang: "...I know that too."
Steven: "Therefore, I cannot accept them."
With that, he pulled a bank card from his pocket, recalling advice that Roxanne had once shared with him:
Some fans enjoy showering their idols with things their idols adore.
He could naturally perceive that during their previous encounters, Huyang had looked at him as though he were merely a passerby.
Yet now, a few additional layers of emotion had appeared within that gaze.
So, had the boy finally come to view him as a Trainer he idolized?
A strange sense of satisfaction bubbled up within Steven’s chest.
Despite these thoughts, the composed and steady expression on Steven’s face remained completely unchanged.
He placed the bank card onto the table and said earnestly, "The money on this card is to purchase these stones from you."
Huyang had no idea what was running through Steven’s mind.
He simply held a deep admiration for the deeds of Champions like Steven and Lance. Hearing those words, he paused in surprise and declined, "Really, there's no need. It's just a small gift."
Steven fell silent for a few seconds before speaking, "If you do not accept payment, then I cannot accept the items."
Huyang: "..."
Goodness gracious, was Steven really this principled?
Could it be that refusing the gift stemmed from a fear that Huyang might try to pull strings and use connections later on?
Truly worthy of a Champion!
Since that was the case, he saw no further reason to refuse, and smoothly changed his tune: "Very well, I'll accept it then. How much is on this card?"
Satisfied, Steven straightened his posture and replied, "Not much, just one million."
Huyang choked slightly. The world of the ultra-wealthy was indeed beyond his comprehension. He glanced back at the stones and said, "No, these are nowhere near that expensive."
A Moon Stone plus a few comet shards were worth at most three hundred thousand.
Steven did not dwell on the matter. He gathered the stones, stood up, and a faint, polite smile graced his face as he said, "Then I shall take my leave and not disturb you further."
The extra money could be considered a gift to a young fan for cultivating his Pokémon, as well as a token of gratitude for the help Huyang had provided during the Ghost Mansion incident.
Steven departed.
Huyang and Slowking exchanged bewildered glances, both completely dazed by the turn of events.
"Is this what being a rich person is like?" Huyang murmured aloud, wondering if he had just been tipped a massive sum by a high-rolling benefactor.
Slowking offered a calm and rational explanation: "Steven Stone is the president's son of the Devon Corporation. Judging by the scale of the company, their family is indeed exceptionally wealthy."
Huyang: "...Where on earth did you find that out?"
Slowking: "When you mentioned earlier that Steven was coming to visit, I took the liberty of looking up his background."