"Gary, why did you agree to help Wally catch a Pokémon?" Zinnia asked as they left Wanda's house.
After traveling with him for some time, Zinnia knew Gary disliked needless trouble; volunteering seemed out of character.
"Nothing special," Gary replied. "I just felt sorry for Wally and wanted to lend a hand."
"Hmph! You won't help me find a Swablu, yet you'll help him catch a Pokémon." Zinnia pouted.
Ever since leaving Meteor Village, she had hoped to catch a Swablu, but none had appeared along their route.
"You're already a serious Trainer," Gary said. "You know potential matters. Most wild Swablu are mediocre—grab one at random and it might never evolve into Altaria."
"Then why is it fine for Wally? Aren't you afraid he'll end up with a low-potential partner?"
"Wally's a rookie. He has plenty of time—and money—to raise his team properly. Do you?"
Zinnia fell silent. Since leaving home, Gary had paid for everything; she'd never felt what it meant to be short on cash. The source of this content ɪs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⁂𝕟𝕖𝕥
"Breeding Pokémon costs money," Gary continued. "After the Ever Grande Conference, I'll leave Hoenn. What will you do then?"
Zinnia currently had three Pokémon. Shelgon needed little food, but Whismur and Tyrunt ate their share—and their appetites would explode once they evolved. If she kept adding teammates, even daily rations would become a problem. Worse, as an undocumented resident, she couldn't legally buy many supplies.
"You're right," she admitted. "After I finish the trial my grandmother set, I'll discuss this with her."
"If you want Meteor Village to contact the outside world yet stay safe, cooperate with Steven Stone," Gary suggested.
"Steven? I thought you said people at Devon were shady."
"I said some people at Devon are shady—Steven himself is trustworthy. If your grandmother approves, he's your best contact."
"Then why didn't you let me stay with Mr. Steven longer in Granite Cave?" she grumbled.
"In the end, your grandmother decides. You're not even the successor yet, so lingering wouldn't help. Unless… do you like Steven?" Gary teased.
Steven was handsome and refined; it wouldn't be odd if Zinnia fancied him.
"W-what are you talking about? Of course not!" Her cheeks flushed despite her tan skin. "He's just… nice, that's all!"
"Ha! You're still easy to tease," Gary chuckled.
"Hmph! I'm not talking to you!" Zinnia huffed and sprinted off.
Gary shrugged and said to Eevee at his feet, "Looks like little Zinnia still can't take a joke."
"Vee?" Eevee tilted his head, clueless about human relationships but trusting his Trainer.
The next morning, 8 a.m.
Because he had promised to help Wally, Gary waited in the Pokémon Center lobby at eight sharp. A breathless Wally arrived around 8:15.
"M-morning, Brother Gary," he wheezed.
A short run had left him winded; months of illness had drained his stamina.
"Do you need to rest before we head out?" Gary asked.
"No—let's go now," Wally insisted.
"All right. Can you ride a bicycle?"
"I can," Wally replied.
Gary lent him Zinnia's mountain bike, and the pair pedaled east toward Route 117, a broad plain teeming with wild Pokémon.
They stopped beside a patch of tall grass.
"How about we search here?" Gary suggested. Since the goal was to meet a Ralts, the choice ultimately belonged to Wally.
"Sounds good," Wally agreed at once.
Gary felt a pang of disappointment—he'd hoped the boy would make the call himself. Then he remembered how strictly Wally's family controlled him; making any decision was intimidating.
"Okay, let me explain the basics," Gary said. "Normally you battle first, wear the wild Pokémon down, then throw a Poké Ball. Understand?"
"Yes," Wally nodded eagerly. "Which Pokémon are you lending me?"
"Eevee, would you help Wally today?"
"Vee!" Eevee hopped forward.
Gary had already checked the local Pokémon levels—most were between 10 and 18. Eevee could handle them easily while keeping Wally safe.
Wally's eyes sparkled; this was the first time he would command a Pokémon.
"Eevee, please take care of me. If I give a poor command, forgive me."
"Vee!" Eevee replied, unconcerned.
"Off you go," Gary said. "If you meet a Pokémon you like, try to catch it."
"Right! Eevee, let's go!"
Heart pounding, Wally stepped into the grass with Eevee trotting at his heels, while Gary followed a few paces behind, watching silently.