After successfully capturing Shaymin, Gary naturally want to triggered a system task and obtained the corresponding rewards. To him, this was simply part of the journey. He had never been overly greedy when it came to Legendary or Mythical Pokémon.
In fact, Gary was not particularly interested in keeping Shaymin as a long-term battle partner.
The reason was simple.
Although Shaymin carried a rare status, its overall combat value was relatively low. With only a single Ability and limited offensive coverage, it did not offer the same cost-performance ratio as many other Pokémon enhanced by system items.
More importantly, Shaymin's true strength could only be displayed after transforming into Sky Forme. In its Land Forme, Shaymin was primarily a support Pokémon, excelling at purification and recovery techniques. Outside of Seed Flare, it possessed almost no reliable attacking moves.
That said, Seed Flare itself was an extremely special technique.
Unlike the standardized base power of 120 used in simulated battles, Seed Flare's real-world destructive force depended on the type of energy Shaymin absorbed. Under specific circumstances, its power could far exceed expectations.
There were anime precedents.
During a anime Sinnoh incident, a Shaymin traveling with Ash absorbed distorted spacetime energy from the Reverse World. The Seed Flare released at that time carried properties capable of influencing space and time, briefly opening a passage between dimensions.
Even the hazy matter drifting within the Reverse World—an unstable mixture of spatial and temporal energy—could be absorbed by Shaymin. Once converted, Seed Flare gained terrifying attributes related to spacetime manipulation.
However, those were extreme situations.
Under normal conditions, Shaymin remained a low-threat Pokémon.
With this in mind, Gary decided not to invest further resources into Shaymin for combat purposes.
Over the next several days, Gary stayed at a hotel near the Veilstone City Pokémon Center.
Although Pokémon Centers allowed Trainers to rest overnight, they were never intended for long-term lodging. Most traveling Trainers could only stay for a maximum of one week. Even with payment, extended stays were rarely approved.
The reason was simple: Pokémon Centers had limited rooms, and there was a constant flow of challengers, researchers, and emergency cases. Long-term residence was prohibited unless under special circumstances.
After settling into the hotel, Gary maintained a consistent daily routine.
Every morning, he trained his Pokémon on the outskirts of Veilstone City. At noon and in the evening, he returned to the Pokémon Center for meals and recovery.
There was another reason for this arrangement.
Gary didn't want to miss Ash and his companions when they arrived.
Given Ash's personality, it was impossible for him to pass up free food and accommodation.
One week passed quickly.
That afternoon, Gary stood in the public training area of the Pokémon Center, observing his Pokémon as they conducted performance and combat drills.
His attention was mainly focused on three newly captured Pokémon. Compared to his veteran team members, these three still required direct supervision and structured guidance.
Cetitan: Level 10 → Level 20Pawniard: Level 30 → Level 32Gholdengo: Level 30 → Level 32
Meanwhile, his experienced Pokémon showed more modest improvement:
Weavile: Level 57 → Level 58Garchomp: Level 50 → Level 51
Gary wasn't concerned.
Once the Lily of the Valley Conference began, Pokémon trained in Sinnoh would naturally experience slower growth. At most, they would gain one or two additional levels.
The rapid progress of the newly captured Pokémon was the true highlight.
"Good," Gary said calmly. "Maintain that rhythm."
Suddenly—
"Hello, Gary."
A cold, emotionless voice reached his ears.
Gary paused, then turned around.
Standing behind him was a tall young man with sharp eyes and an expressionless face.
Paul.
Gary raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.
He had been waiting for Ash, yet Paul appeared first.
"What a coincidence," Gary said. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Paul crossed his arms. "Are you here to challenge the Veilstone Gym?"
"I already did," Gary replied.
Paul let out a short scoff. "Figures. Even average Trainers can clear that gym."
Gary smiled faintly.
Paul was as blunt and sarcastic as ever.
According to his brother Reggie, Paul's personality was shaped by harsh experiences during their travels. But Gary suspected that explanation only scratched the surface.
Paul had traveled across multiple regions with Reggie since childhood. Even back then, he had always been cold and distant. He only learned restraint after suffering repeated defeats at the hands of Ash.
"So," Gary said, "you've already challenged the gym as well?"
"That's obvious," Paul replied. "But it was boring."
He paused, then looked directly at Gary.
"How about a Pokémon battle?"
Gary was briefly taken aback.
The last time they met in Eterna City, Gary had been the one to initiate a challenge—only for Paul to refuse without hesitation. Now, Paul was the one issuing the invitation.
"Alright," Gary said after a moment. "What format?"
"Three-on-three," Paul replied. "This afternoon."
"No problem."
They agreed on the details. The battle would take place at the public battlefield near the Pokémon Center.
"Two o'clock," Paul said. "Don't be late."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Gary watched him leave, his gaze sharpening.
Paul was not a rookie Trainer. Like Gary, he had trained across multiple regions before returning to Sinnoh. During Gary's time as a temporary Gym Leader, he had battled Paul once and knew for a fact that Paul still possessed Pokémon at Elite-level strength.
This battle would be serious.
Gary turned back to his Pokémon.
"So," he asked, "who wants to battle this afternoon?"
"Ceti!"
"Gold!"
"Paw!"
Cetitan stomped forward excitedly.
Gholdengo jingled with enthusiasm, golden coins clinking loudly.
Pawniard stepped up with a determined glare.
Gary raised a hand.
"You three are out."
The trio froze.
Cetitan tilted its massive head in confusion.
Gholdengo's coin-filled body sagged in disappointment.
Pawniard clenched its blades tightly.
They had trained hard for a full week and were eager to prove themselves.
"Paul isn't a normal Trainer," Gary explained calmly. "He'll use his core team."
He pointed toward the veteran Pokémon resting nearby.
"If you can defeat even one of them, I'll let you participate."
The three newcomers followed his finger.
Electivire stood like a living thunderstorm.
They shook their heads.
Weavile flexed its claws.
They hesitated.
Rhyperior loomed nearby, radiating overwhelming power.
The decision was immediate.
The trio backed away with dejected expressions.
"Good judgment," Gary muttered.
Suddenly—
"Metagross."
A heavy metallic sound echoed as Metagross stepped forward.
Gary blinked.
Since capturing Metagross, he had only arranged basic daily training. He had never actually used it in a real battle.
Weavile cracked its knuckles.
"Wea."
Garchomp stepped forward, eyes glowing with battle intent.
"Garchomp."
Gary nodded.
"Alright. You three—Garchomp, Weavile, and Metagross—will battle Paul this afternoon."
Satisfied, Gary recalled all his Pokémon.
"Morning training ends here. Rest well."
With a serious battle approaching, conserving energy was essential.
At the Veilstone Pokémon Breeding House, Paul selected three Poké Balls from the storage system.
"Brother," Paul said flatly, "I'm taking these."
Reggie turned around, startled.
"Paul? Those are your main Pokémon," he said. "Did you fail the Veilstone Gym challenge?"