After a long argument,Giselle, Mark and her grandfather finally reached an agreement, hashing out all the conditions until they were both satisfied.
"Oh dear, I almost forgot! Mark, what do you say? Will you help me out? After all, Professor Oak and I are very good friends!" Mata smiled slyly, clearly trying to tug at Mark's heartstrings.
So it finally dawned on them to ask me! Mark thought, a dark vein popping on his forehead. Traveling with Giselle wouldn't be too bad—after all, it's just one more pampered princess to take care of. But Mark wasn't sure about her temperament. If she turned out to be spoiled and difficult… that would be a headache.
"Are you worried about that?" Mata seemed to read his mind. "Don't worry. Giselle may be a bit proud, but at heart she's a kind and lovely girl!"
Well… alright then, Mark thought. After all, it was an elder's request—and more importantly, a friend of his mentor. He had to give them that much respect.
"Haha! Thank you so much! I knew you were a good kid. But as an elder, I can't let you help us for nothing, can I? Wait here—I have a gift for you! I'll go get it right now. You and Giselle chat while I'm gone!" Mata said cheerfully and walked out.
The atmosphere turned a bit awkward. As the only gentleman, Mark decided to break the silence first. "Um… let's get to know each other properly. I'm Mark from Pallet Town. I'm sorry for earlier—I got a bit angry and said things I shouldn't have. Your Pokémon are actually very well bred—it's just that I overreacted. I hope you'll forgive me."
Since they'd be traveling together, Mark didn't want lingering tension.
"Hmph! Whatever. You're right—it wouldn't have happened if Grandpa hadn't approved this trip. I'll forgive you!" Giselle said with a pout. Her grandfather was correct—she was proud, but deep down she was still a kind-hearted girl.
"I'm Giselle , from Lavender Town. I specialize in Ground-type Pokémon, and my dream is to become a Ground-type Elite Four member—or even a Champion!" she introduced herself properly.
Lavender Town? That's the Pokémon graveyard filled with Ghost-types! Mark's eyebrows twitched.
"Looks like you're getting along well, haha! That's great! Oh right, Mark, I've got the gift! Come take a look!" Mata returned at that moment, holding a box.
Mark took it and opened it. His eyes widened in astonishment. Inside wasn't just any evolution stone—it was the legendary Evolution Key Stone! Paired with a Pokémon's exclusive Mega Stone, it would allow the Pokémon to Mega Evolve, gaining immense power! Such an invaluable item—how could he accept it without feeling embarrassed?
"Haha, don't worry, just accept it! Though it's rare, we have a few of them at home. We've prepared one for Giselle as well—but it'll only be given to her when she's grown enough. If your Beldum ever evolves into Metang, you'll definitely be able to use it," Mata reassured him, seeing his hesitation.
"Excuse me… what exactly does your family do?" Mark asked. How could a regular rich family have multiple Evolution Key Stones? That's beyond imagination!
"Well…" Mata chuckled. "My name might not be famous, but if I mention my wife—Giselle's grandmother—you might know her. Her name is Bertha."
" Bertha? You mean Bertha, the Ground-type Elite Four member from Sinnoh?" Mark gasped.
"Ah yes, that's right."
"But…Giselle said her hometown is Lavender Town. She doesn't share your surname. She doesn't share her grandmother's name. So… are you a son-in-law? Why is that?" Mark asked curiously.
"Oh, because Bertha was born in Lavender Town too! By the way, Bertha's older sister is Agatha—you might've heard of her!" Mata laughed.
Heard of her?! Mark's jaw dropped. Who hasn't heard of the legendary Ghost-type Elite Four member, the infamous crone Agatha?! She's Giselle 's great-aunt! No wonder their family doesn't even care about Evolution Key Stones! Backed by two Elite Four members, their status was astonishing!
Mark couldn't help but feel speechless. This isn't just taking care of a rich girl… this is practically babysitting a princess!
That afternoon, Mark and Giselle said farewell to the academy students and Mata before setting off.
"Damn it! The Top Student is actually leaving with that guy! Listen up—if you dare bully her, we'll never let you off!" the academy students warned.
"Thank you, everyone! Study hard at the academy! I'll become stronger and come back!"Giselle waved goodbye to her classmates.
"Alright, let's go! It's only through parting that reunions happen. When you're stronger, they'll all be proud of you!"
"Yeah…"Giselle nodded, thinking, He's not so bad after all—he even comforts people.
"Hey Mark… why does your Beldum have so many moves? The books clearly say it only knows Tackle. Tons of evidence supports that no one's Beldum has broken that rule!" Giselle asked on the road.
"First, the books aren't always 100% correct. Second, it's not that no one's Beldum has other moves—few people know, but it just so happens I do," Mark replied.
"What?! There's someone else too?!" Giselle 's eyes widened.
"The former Hoenn Champion, Steel King Steven Stone! He once had a shiny Beldum like mine. Of course, it's Metang now, his ace Pokémon. But back when it was Beldum, it could use Iron Head, Psycho Headbutt, and other moves—not recorded in the books, only known by those who faced him back then. I heard it from a friend."
In truth, Mark had seen this in data from his past life—the official game had once even gifted a multi-move Beldum—but he couldn't tell the real story, so he invented it.
"Wow… such a thing exists? Traveling really is the right choice! You encounter so many things no book can record!" Giselle sighed happily. "So… where's our next destination?"
"Professor Bills's Lighthouse. I need to pick up something—and a very special Pokémon is going to appear there! I have to go see it for myself!" Mark said. He was clearly referring to the gigantic Dragonite from the original tale.
"Great! You're the leader, so we'll follow you wherever you go! Let's head out!" Giselle grinned. She clearly longed for adventure, and her smile was so charming even Mark felt momentarily mesmerized.
"Uh huh…" Mark forced himself to calm down. Desire can cut deeper than a sword! If Bertha and Agatha ever think I'm trying to steal their precious granddaughter… oh, what a disastrous scene that would be!
Meanwhile, inside the academy, Mata was on the phone with Professor Oak.
"Oh, you sent your granddaughter with my disciple? Let me tell you, it's definitely the right choice! My disciple is exceptional!" Oak praised.
"Ah, he's indeed a fine boy.Giselle will surely grow well under his care."
"But you sure aren't worried he might kidnap her?" Oak teased.
"That wouldn't bother me at all! First, he's a great kid—I trust him with Giselle . Second, if it ever happened, Mark would have to call me Grandpa, while you'd be just Teacher! I'd get one-up on you!" Mata laughed wickedly."You scoundrel!" Oak growled.
"Achoo!" Just then, Mark sneezed violently on the road. Did he catch a cold?!
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