Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

Hearing Cain's words, Steven was stunned.

"Aron?"

This Pokémon is exclusive to the Hoenn region, but even in Hoenn, it's a very rare species.

However, that's only true for others; for Steven, it doesn't make much difference.

He immediately laughed, "Hahaha, that's easy! My family has a mine, filled with all kinds of Steel-type Pokémon. Anytime you want, I'll take you there, and you can see if you can find what you're looking for. Not only Aron—whatever you like, you can get it for free."

Cain raised an eyebrow. "A mine? All Steel-type Pokémon? Even Beldum?"

Does he really have a mine at home?

Steven's laughter stopped suddenly, and with a slight hint of embarrassment, he said, "Uh, yes, but as for Beldum, I'm not sure I have the authorization for that, you know..."

"Hahaha, I was just joking with you. I can't afford to raise a Pokémon like Beldum. It's not something you manage with just one," Cain said, laughing. He just wanted to tease Steven, not really intending to ask.

But who would have thought that Steven would take him seriously? With a serious expression, he looked at Cain and said, "Cain, if you really want it, I can talk to my father. With his connection to old Matsuda..."

"No, no, I really was joking. I can't handle a Beldum. Even Aron—I can't take care of it now; I just wanted to reserve one in advance," Cain quickly replied, waving his hands.

The reason he wanted Aron was because, during his time on the Nameless Island, he realized that his team really lacked a tank Pokémon with high defense and HP, and Aron was the one that best suited his needs among the Pokémon he could get.

After all, the Steven in front of him is the future Steel-type champion! In the future, he'll have a very powerful Aggron. Right now, it's probably only in its Lairon form, or it might have already evolved into Aggron.

"All right, whenever you need it, just call me. You can go straight to my family's mine, and I'll take you to look. Although there aren't as many Pokémon as in the Safari Zone, when it comes to Steel-types, we have plenty."

Hearing Steven mention the Safari Zone, Cain's heart skipped a beat.

Are there a few Dratini in the Safari Zone?

Those should be the only Dratini not under the control of the Dragon family, right?

At this time, they should still be in the Safari Zone because later, when Ash goes there, he'll still see Dratini and Dragonair.

Should I try going there?

Cain was tempted. After all, they are pseudo-legendary Pokémon, and without mega evolution, Dragonite is one of the strongest among pseudo-legendaries.

But now's not the time.

That Dragonair is very powerful, and he might not be able to beat it.

Plus, he doesn't yet have the strength to handle a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, unless he stays by old Matsuda's side all the time, but that's clearly not possible.

Team Rocket wouldn't leave him alone so easily.

Better to let it go for now. There's still time; he'll check it out later.

"By the way, Cain, I heard that this time you were drifting at sea for over ten days. Did you see a lot of things? Did you find any rare stones or ones you've never seen before?" Steven asked.

Besides Pokémon, stones were what interested Steven the most.

"I didn't see anything. You know, most of the time, I was in the middle of the ocean, with nothing in sight." Cain raised his hands, indicating he hadn't found anything.

"Haha, true enough. But I heard you returned in impressive style, riding a powerful Tropius. How about it? Want a battle?"

Hearing this, Cain could only smile wryly. Tropius wasn't weak, but currently, he had no synchronization with it, and besides, Tropius didn't enjoy battles. He couldn't force it, right?

As for his other Pokémon, like Slowpoke, there's a power difference with Steven.

No need to mention that Cain can't do anything against Steven's Metang.

Is that Steven's strongest Pokémon? I don't think so.

For Metang to evolve into Metagross, it needs two Metang. Could this Metang be Steven's strongest? Besides, Steven doesn't only have Metang; he also has Aggron and Skarmory, which are very powerful Pokémon.

"Not now. I know there's a power difference between us. Some other time. Next time I go to your mine, we'll have a battle," Cain replied.

Steven looked at Cain in surprise, not because Cain had noticed that Steven was currently stronger, but because Cain had the confidence that next time, he could fight him, which wasn't easy.

Steven had always been the strongest among his peers. His confidence as a trainer was absolute, and Cain, a few years younger than him, thinks he could fight him next time?

Steven didn't say anything, assuming Cain thought this Metang was his strongest Pokémon, and agreed with a smile, "All right."

"What are your plans after this?" Steven asked.

Today, he hadn't finished his work, but he couldn't resist coming over.

"I'm going to disappear again for a while, to train. But before that, I'll probably go to Mauville City to train my Pokémon."

"Mauville City? It's a good place, full of trainers ready to battle."

"In that case, I have to go back to Rustboro City anyway. Why don't I accompany you to Mauville City and then return to Rustboro City?"

"Won't I be taking up your time?" Cain asked, doubtful.

Steven made a casual gesture. "It doesn't matter; there are always more things to do. Let's consider it a little break."

"I'll probably spend the rest of my life in that kind of routine. Better to enjoy myself now, or I'll regret it later."

Cain couldn't help but smile at this. Many people would want Steven's life, but for Steven, it has no appeal.

But the responsibility he bears doesn't allow him to walk away, so he can only do what he wants before fully taking over.

Even Steven's father, the elders of the Stone family, and the Devon Corporation's top management have accepted this.

Because, in their view, Steven is an exceptional heir. Even in his spare time, he's managed to become an outstanding trainer, and he's never neglected the studies necessary for company matters.

The term "genius" couldn't be more appropriate.

Compared to Steven, Cain really isn't that close. Only, with his advantages, Cain not only possesses the experience of a quasi-elite trainer but also an incredibly powerful system.

So it seems Cain is more or less equal to Steven.

(End of chapter)