On the battlefield, a soft pink explosion unfolded, its brilliance captivating everyone present. Despite its label as an explosion, the energy was perfectly controlled, converging entirely on Gallade without spilling outward. Graceful even in combat, Gardevoir descended gently, her movements radiating elegance.
As the pink smoke cleared, Gallade crumpled to the ground, unconscious, its eyes swirling in defeat. The captain raised his hand, announcing, "Gallade is unable to battle. Gardevoir wins! The final victor is John!"
The crowd erupted in applause, though most of them had only a vague understanding of what had just transpired. For them, the dazzling display of Moonblast and the seemingly instantaneous Teleport were enough to awe them, even if the nuances of strategy were lost.
Wally, however, saw things differently. As Gallade's trainer and a fellow trainer of the Ralts evolutionary line, he understood the depth of the gap between their skills. He sighed softly. "We were completely outclassed in Teleport control."
Teleport was a Psychic move of a higher tier, difficult to learn and even harder to master. Basic use involved self-relocation; intermediate mastery allowed the user to move objects or passive entities. But true mastery meant overpowering resistant foes and forcing them to relocate.
John's Gardevoir hadn't just teleported—she had teleported Moonblast, a volatile energy attack primed to explode on contact. Wally realized that Gardevoir had reached a level where she could potentially manipulate even resistant opponents, though she hadn't yet demonstrated that ultimate skill. By contrast, his Gallade's mastery barely scratched the surface.
Wally shook his head, muttering, "Using beginner-level Teleport against an expert... What was I even thinking?"
John recalled Gardevoir into her Pokeball, a look of quiet satisfaction on his face. Gardevoir wasn't just his partner in battle; she was also his trusted companion outside of combat. However, her serene demeanor shouldn't be mistaken for weakness—when called upon, her Psychic prowess was nothing short of devastating. She was, and would always remain, an irreplaceable part of his main team.
With the battle concluded, the award ceremony began. Zack and Anna, the newlyweds and hosts of the event, approached the stage together. Aman held a red box reverently in her hands.
"Thank you for attending our wedding, John," she said with a warm smile. "This is our gift for your victory."
She opened the box to reveal a radiant gemstone with intertwined threads of pink and green shimmering at its core. The crowd gasped softly, recognizing the treasure.
John's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A MEGA Evolution stone?"
Aman nodded. "I found this while excavating the Rusturf Tunnel. Steven confirmed it's a Gardevoir MEGA stone. Considering your bond with Gardevoir, we felt this belonged with you. It's almost as if fate intended it."
John stared at the stone in disbelief, already envisioning Gardevoir's transformation through MEGA Evolution. He took the stone carefully, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you. Truly."
As he placed the stone into his backpack, the system display on his Gameboy labeled it as the Gardevoir MEGA Evolution stone, confirming its authenticity. John felt a surge of relief and excitement—this unexpected gift was a game-changer.
Wally, too, received a gift from his brother-in-law: Gallade's MEGA stone. Though John envied Wally's connections—especially his ties to Steven—he was genuinely happy for him. "A brother-in-law like that? Now that's luck," John muttered with a smirk.
With the awards distributed, the wedding festivities wound down. Guests were invited to enjoy a buffet, but many began retiring to their rooms. John made his way back to his own cabin, where the familiar glow of his Gameboy awaited him.
In the game, the luxury cruise ship had transformed into a playable map. The protagonist stood in the ship's cafeteria, ready for exploration.
John exhaled deeply. "At least I don't have to stay in-game constantly," he mused. The thought of balancing gameplay with real life had been daunting, especially with the upcoming nursery qualification exam in twenty days. He glanced at his phone and deleted the message he'd been drafting to his counselor, deciding there was no need for a leave of absence after all.
Checking the in-game map, John realized something: the cities he could previously fly to were now darkened, rendering the Fly function unusable from the ship. His initial plan to escape using Surf also proved futile, as the option wasn't available in-game.
"Looks like I'm stuck on this ship for now," he muttered, crossing his arms in thought.
In reality, there was a way off the ship—Old Man Hatch, the captain's friend, would be ferrying passengers unwilling to stay to Slateport City in the morning. But John hesitated. Leaving now would mean missing out on the ship's activities, and there was no guarantee he'd be allowed back onboard.
He decided to stay. After all, his in-game journey would soon take him to the Johto region, giving him ample time to prepare for his real-life exam.
For now, though, preparation could wait. "Just a bit more fun tonight," John thought, diving back into the game.
The luxury cruise ship, now fully interactive, offered plenty to explore. John guided the protagonist through corridors, entering rooms, battling trainers, and scavenging items like Potions, TMs, and Pokeballs left behind. The ship, massive in real life, felt like a small but vibrant city within the game.
Each discovery added to his excitement. Despite the digital setting, John couldn't help but feel the thrill of adventure. With every battle won and every treasure found, the promise of what lay ahead in the Johto region grew ever brighter.